Wolter mirror microscope : novel neutron focussing and imaging optic

Abstract

In this thesis, I investigated the effectiveness of a Wolter Type I neutron microscope as a focusing and imaging device for thermal and cold neutrons sources by simulating the performance of the optics in a standard neutron ray-tracing package. I used the simulation to optimize the Wolter mirror geometry for a particular case, deducing the primary constraints of the system on the delivery of maximal flux density to the focal spot and the advantages of nesting the mirrors. I explore the imaging aspects of the optics by simulating surface imperfections, such as figure errors and finish errors, and compare the resulting distortions in the focal spot to the no error case. I finally discuss the experimentation of real Wolter mirrors at the MIT Nuclear Reactor Laboratory and compare the tests to simulation predictions.