Virtual experiments in University teaching Kim Lefmann MCNSI public, ISIS, 27/9-05
New University neutron course University of Copenhagen, 4 th year physics (+Ph.D.) 10 hours per week, 8 weeks Lecturers: Kim Lefmann, Peter Willendrup, Bente Lebech, Kell Mortensen Theory (Squires) and simple calculation problems Data analysis (Fullprof, Mfit) 3 reports on McStas simulations (DMC, RITA-2, SANS-2) Plus 3 (6) full days experiments at PSI One final report, no exam
Course plan (week by week) 1: Introduction (neutrons + McStas), materials, Squires ch : Scattering theory, (powder) diffraction, FULLPROF, DMC Project (crystal structure), Squires ch. 2-3 (elastic) 4-5: Inelastic scattering, phonons, MFIT, RITA-2 project (phonons), Squires ch. 2-3 (inelastic) 6-7: SANS, “SANS-software”, SANS-2 project, Notes 8: Magnetic scattering, Squires ch. 7-8 “9”: PSI experiments, (comparing with simulations)
PSI cold source Straight guide Flat monochromator Collimator Powder sample Banana detector (+ diagnostic monitors) Data analysis in FULLPROF Project 1: DMC (PSI)
Project 2: RITA-2 (PSI) PSI cold source Straight guide Curved monochromator Soller collimator Vanadium / phonon sample Single analyzer Single detector (+ diagnostic monitors) Data analysis in MFIT
Project 3: SANS-2 (PSI) PSI cold source Straight guide Velocity selector Pinhole collimation (3/6 m) SANS sample PSD detector (+ diagnostic monitors) Simple data analysis (Gunier, Perot) (right) Virtual data. Hard spheres, 50 nm,
Real experiments PSI, June groups of 3 M.Sc. students SANS-2 under repair RITA-2, 3 days each No repetition of simulations! Spin wave projects (α-MnMoO 4 ) Data analysis in MFIT Students very self confident even tough instrumentation (multi-analyzer mode)
Conclusion M.Sc. students like the approach (continue with neutrons) Excellent student reports! “hands-on” experience to instrumentation Students act experienced on Day-1 Better understanding for semi-experienced Ph.D. students Good beta-test of McStas 1.9! Focused efforts to get virtual experiment concepts tested This will be continued!