The principle,technology and applications of the neutron triple-axis spectrometer

As a subatomic particle, the neutron has unique properties which allow it to play an important and irreplaceable role in many research fields. Based on the principle of momentum and energy conservation, a neutron triple-axis spectrometer (TAS) can measure the elastic and inelastic scattering of a system to obtain structural and dynamical information. The TAS was given its name for its three major parts: the monochromator, sample holder, and analyzer, each of which can rotate independently. Because of the important role that the TAS plays in physics, especially in condensed matter physics, the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has decided to collaborate with the China Institute of Atomic Energy to build a modern TAS in the newly-built Chinese Research Reactor. This paper will describe the principle, technology and applications of the TAS.