ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal

SLD contrast matching in Fe/Si-based polarizing multilayer neutron optics

Abstract: Fe/Si multilayers are widely used in neutron optics due to their favorable magnetic properties, but their performance is often limited by interfacial diffusion, nanocrystallite formation, and suboptimal scattering length density (SLD) contrast for spin-down neutrons. Building on prior work using ¹¹B?C to improve reflectivity and polarization, this study explores a novel approach by selectively incorporating molybdenum (Mo) into the Si layers of Fe/Si multilayers. Mo is expected to suppress silicide formation and enhance SLD contrast, thereby improving optical performance. Using polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR) at POLREF, we will investigate structural and magnetic depth profiles across twelve Mo-doped multilayer samples with varying periodicities and compositions, with and without additional ¹¹B?C doping. The results will be benchmarked against previous designs, contributing to the development of high-efficiency neutron optics for advanced instrumentation at facilities like the European Spallation Source.

Principal Investigator: Dr Fredrik Eriksson
Local Contact: Dr Christy Kinane
Experimenter: Mr Anton Zubayer
Experimenter: Dr Naureen Ghafoor
Experimenter: Professor Jens Birch
Experimenter: Mr Hans-Ove Akesson
Experimenter: Mr Erik Karlsson

DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2520287

ISIS Experiment Number: RB2520287

Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

Data format: RAW/Nexus
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Data Citation

The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher], [doi]

For Example:
Dr Fredrik Eriksson et al; (2026): SLD contrast matching in Fe/Si-based polarizing multilayer neutron optics, STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2520287

Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.