Gas-flow humidity control system for neutron reflectivity measurements

有馬 寛*; 宮田 登*; 吉田 鉄生*; 笠井 聡*; 大内 啓一*; Zhang, S.*; 宮崎 司*; 青木 裕之  

Arima-Osonoi, Hiroshi*; Miyata, Noboru*; Yoshida, Tessei*; Kasai, Satoshi*; Ouchi, Keiichi*; Zhang, S.*; Miyazaki, Tsukasa*; Aoki, Hiroyuki

We developed a novel humidity control system for neutron reflectivity measurements based on the two-way gas-flow method that can generate up to 85% relative humidity (RH) within a temperature range of 5-85C. The system consists of a gas-flow-type humidity generator and a thermostatic sample chamber, each of which can independently control the temperature. The key features include rapid humidity response and long stable operation time. The humidity reaches equilibrium within 2 to 5 min during the humidity change, and the system exhibited acceptable stability over a three-day, nonstop experimental measurement duration, with a precision of 1% RH at 85C and 85% RH. The sample chamber is capable of measuring substrate samples with dimensions of up to 2-in. in diameter and 5-mm in thickness. We demonstrate the reflectivity data measured at a pulsed neutron facility, MLF BL17, in the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex. The combined use of this system with neutrons permits in situ, time-resolved studies of the swelling process of polyvinyl alcohol and adhesive materials.