3D Printing Innovates Neutron Science With “Frankenstein-Design” Collimator

In the industry of neutron science, unlocking the secrets of materials at the atomic level hinges on precise tools. Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have achieved a breakthrough in this domain by developing a novel approach to designing neutron collimators through 3D printing. These crucial components enable neutron collimation, a critical step in neutron scattering experiments, which allows scientists to study materials at the atomic scale. This new method leverages advanced 3D printing techniques to create highly precise, multi-part collimators, overcoming limitations encountered with traditional single-piece designs.

Traditionally, the challenge of crafting a one-piece collimator has been met with significant hurdles. However, a team of experts led by Fahima Islam, a neutron scientist at ORNL’s Spallation Neutron Source, discovered a novel solution through what they refer to as a “Frankenstein design” strategy. Rather than trying to produce one large monolithic structure, the team instead opted to 3D print multiple components that could then be easily assembled into a cohesive collimator.

The team behind the “Frankenstein Design” collimator: Fahima Islam, Bianca Haberl and Garrett Granroth

Collimators, similar in function to specialized funnels, are crucial in guiding and filtering neutrons towards detectors, thereby minimizing unwanted interference during experiments. Neutrons that fail to interact with the sample material or scatter off surfaces can distort data, requiring precise collimation to isolate the desired signals. A fully customizable, 3D printed collimator can offer the improved accuracy needed. Speaking on the effect of the unfiltered neutrons, Islam stated, “These unwanted neutrons produce undesirable signatures in the data, which is why we were working to produce a 3D printed collimator that could be custom designed to filter out these unwelcome background features during different types of neutron scattering experiments.”