LET
LET is used to measure the dynamical properties of atoms and magnetic fields inside materials at temperatures often only 0.04 degrees above absolute zero. The ability to study dynamics in condensed matter with inelastic neutron scattering provides one of the most exacting tests of the understanding of the microscopic origin of the material properties, particularly when combined with powerful computer modelling techniques now being pioneered.
Instrument scientists
To find out more about each team member, click the + symbol.
Technical information
The ability to make quasi-elastic and inelastic measurements over a wide dynamic range from 0.5 – 30 meV on a single spectrometer, with optional polarisation analysis, is unique. Combined with position-sensitive detectors covering scattering angles from 5° – 140°, LET has a considerable impact in many disciplines, including biomaterials, polymers, magnetism and quantum fluids.
Related resources
Sample environment
Below are the most commonly used sample environment options. Other standard sample environments may be available, but you should contact the instrument scientists to discuss.
Low-temperature options
LET CCR: 4.5 to 300 K closed cycle cryostat with rotation stage. It has an unobstructed view of the detectors and is compatible with the oscillating collimator.
Orange cryostat: 1.8 to 300 K helium cryostat with rotation stage. It has an unobstructed view of the detectors and is compatible with the oscillating collimator.
9T chopper magnet: 2 to 300 K superconducting magnet with rotation stage. It is not compatible with the oscillating collimator. The chopper magnet has large openings with a view of the detectors at ± 15° vertically and three options for horizontal coverage:
- -35° to 45°
- 10° to 90°
- 55° to 135°
Ultralow temperature inserts
LET Heliox: 300 mK base. Compatible with both the orange cryostat and 9T magnet. It requires 1 day of off beam setup but only a small amount of additional cooling time.
Dilution inserts: 30 mK base. Compatible with both the orange cryostat and 9 T magnet. It requires 1 day of off beam setup and an additional day of on beam setup/cooling time.
High temperature options
LET CCR+hotstage: 4.5 to 600 K with aluminium mount, 700 K possible with Nb. The CCR has a rotation stage, unobstructed view of the detectors and is compatible with the oscillating collimator.
RAL1 furnace: 300 to 1300 K. No rotation is possible. It has an unobstructed view of the detectors and is compatible with the oscillating collimator.
Other furnaces: All other standard furnaces can be used on LET however they are not compatible with the oscillating collimator.
High pressure options
Experiments involving pressures up to 2 GPa have been successfully performed on LET. If you are interested in using pressure cells please contact the instrument scientists.
Software
- Horace – 4d visualisation and fitting of single crystal spectroscopic data
- Euphonic – calculation of phonon scattering and band-structures
- SpinW – simulation of spin-wave dispersion and scattering in ordered magnets
- Mantid – general data reduction
- Crystal field fitting in Mantid
- MSlice – analysis and visualisation of powder spectroscopic data
- Spinvert, Spinteract and Scatty – analysis of diffuse magnetic scattering from frustrated magnetic materials
Recent publications
Instrument reference
All publications and datasets based on experiments using LET should cite that the data is collected by DOI: 10.5286/isis.instrument.9838. Experiment DOIs follow the format 10.5286/ISIS.E.RBXXXXXXX, where XXXXXXX is the 7-digit experiment (RB) number and these can be viewed via the Data Gateway.