Role of neutron Bragg-edge spectroscopy in development of practical magnetic materials

Abstract

Neutron diffractometry plays a pivotal role in fundamental magnetism research, especially in determining magnetic structures. However, its application in practical magnetics was historically sparse due to the simplicity of ferromagnetic materials in conventional devices. Recent increase in utilization of materials with complex magnetic structures has introduced new challenges that necessitate advanced neutron techniques in applied magnetics. This study investigates the applicability of neutron Bragg-edge spectroscopy for developing practical magnetic materials, substantiating its effectiveness through experimental validations and theoretical analysis. We discuss the principles of Bragg-edge spectroscopy for magnetic materials and highlight enhanced experimental throughput using multisample transmission spectroscopy. The study provides insights into the in situ visualization of magnetic state distribution using Bragg-edge imaging, both post-assembly and during operational use. These results indicate that neutron Bragg-edge spectroscopy can address emerging needs in applied magnetics, offering significant advancements in the field.