Journal of large-scale research facilities, 3, A104 (2017) http://dx.doi.org/10.17815/jlsrf-3-107-1

Published: 26.01.2017

E4: The 2-Axis Di�ractometer at BER II

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie *

Instrument Scientists:
- Dr. Karel Prokes, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie

phone: +49 30 8062-42804, email: prokes@helmholtz-berlin.de
- Dr. Fabiano Yokoachiya, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie

phone: +49 30 8062-42804, email: fabiano.yokoachiya@helmholtz-berlin.de

Abstract: The double-axis di�ractometer E4 is operated by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin. It is suited
for magnetic structure determinations and parametric studies on single crystals in a wide range of ex-
ternal conditions. Pyrolytic graphite and germanium focusing monochromators o�er two �xed neutron
incident wavelengths of about 1.0*106 ncm−2s−1.

1 Introduction

The instrument is primarily suited for magnetic structure determination under various conditions,
which includes magnetic �elds up to 17 T, temperatures down to 30 mK and hydrostatic pressures up
to 10 kbar. The application of uniaxial pressure and use of auxiliary methods (e.g. electrical resistivity,
ac susceptibility, pyroelectric current measurements) is also possible. The most common application is
to reveal spatial arrangement ordered spin structures to study magnetic and/or crystal structure phase
transitions and construction of phase diagrams. Using the polarized neutrons option facilitates the sep-
aration of magnetic contributions from nuclear scattering. The measurement of �ipping ratios allows
registration of very weak magnetic scattering.

The monochromator shielding contains one beam channel at 2ΘM = 42.5°. This position corresponds to
the incident wavelength of 0.24 nm for the vertical focusing PG(002) monochromator and 0.122 nm for
the double-focusing Ge(311) monochromator. Both monochromators are operated remotely. Saphire
and PG �lters o�er an e�ective suppression of unwanted epithermal and λ /2 (for PG monochromator)
neutrons. Before the monochromator position a radial collimator is placed.

*Cite article as: Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie. (2017). E4: The 2-Axis Di�ractometer at BER II.
Journal of large-scale research facilities, 3, A104. http://dx.doi.org/10.17815/jlsrf-3-107-1

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Journal of large-scale research facilities, 3, A104 (2017) http://dx.doi.org/10.17815/jlsrf-3-107-1

The secondary �ight path is conical and primarily without collimators that can be placed (with �at
monochromator) optionally. Motorized slits o�er a possibility to reduce the background. The addi-
tional option of polarized neutrons uses a super mirror bender and a π−�ipper. The instrument runs
under the system CARESS; automatic control of temperature and magnetic �eld is provided. An Eule-
rian cradle can optionally be used to access the four dimensional Q-ω -space.

The instrument is equipped with a position sensitive 200x200 mm2 detector before which an oscillating
collimator is placed. The detector is mounted assymetrically so that it covers below the scattering plane
about 4 degrees and above about 10 degrees. The coverage in 2θ amounts to about 14 degrees.

Figure 1: View of E4 with an extensive sample environment installed: the vertical cryomagnet and the
dilution refrigerator.

2 Typical applications

Typical applications include:

• Magnetic structure determination
• Study of magnetic and structural phase transitions
• Determination of magnetic phase diagrams
• Study of critical points as a function of magnetic �eld and temperature
• Measurement of correlation functions above the ordering temperature

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3 Instrument layout

Figure 2: Schematic view of E4.

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Journal of large-scale research facilities, 3, A104 (2017) http://dx.doi.org/10.17815/jlsrf-3-107-1

4 Technical Data

Beam tube R 2
Collimation automatic change of α 1 = 40’ radial, open

geometrical divergence: 60’ manual
variation of
α 2 (optional 10’, 20’, 40’)
α 3 (oscillating radial)

Monochromator PG (002) with variable vertical curvature
Ge (113) double focusing

Take o� angle of
monochromator

2ΘM = 42.5°

Wave length λ =0.244 nm (PG) or 0.122 nm (Ge)
Flux 0.95·106 n/cm2s (PG)

0.9·106 n/cm2s (Ge)
0.3·106 n/cm2s polarized (PG+bender)

Range of scattering angles 0° ≤ 2Θ ≤ 120°
(with con�gurational restrictions related
to sample environment)

Angle resolution Depends on setting
Sample size From 1 mm3 for topic-focused studies
Detector 2D detector 200x200 mm2 (removable

oscillating radial collimator in front),
variable distance (700-950 mm)

Polarized neutrons Yes (super mirror bender)
Please contact the instrument scientist to
discuss in advance

Instrument options Polarization analysis (super mirror
analysis)

Sample environment • Horizontal magnetic �eld < 6 T
• Vertical magnetic �eld < 17 T
• Temperature range 0.03 - 600 K
• Hydrostatic pressure 0 - 10 kbar
• 4-circle mode

Software CARESS, BEAN, set of supporting programs
to deal with 2D data

Table 1: Technical parameters of E4.

References

Artyukhin, S., Mostovoy, M., Jensen, N. P., Le, D., Prokes, K., de Paula, V. G., . . . Argyriou, D. N. (2012).
Solitonic lattice and Yukawa forces in the rare-earth orthoferrite TbFeO3. Nature Materials, 11(8),
694-699. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat3358

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http://dx.doi.org/10.17815/jlsrf-3-107-1 Journal of large-scale research facilities, 3, A104 (2017)

Kraemer, C., Nikseresht, N., Piatek, J. O., Tsyrulin, N., Piazza, B. D., Kiefer, K., . . . Rønnow, H. M.
(2012). Dipolar Antiferromagnetism and Quantum Criticality in LiErF4. Science, 336(6087), 1416–
1419. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1221878

Liu, T. J., Hu, J., Qian, B., Fobes, D., Mao, Z. Q., Bao, W., . . . Broholm, C. (2010). From (0,Π) magnetic
order to superconductivity with (Π,Π) magnetic resonance in Fe1.02Te1−xSex. Nature Materials, 9(9),
718–720. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2800

Piatek, J. O., Dalla Piazza, B., Nikseresht, N., Tsyrulin, N., Živković, I., Krämer, K. W., . . . Rønnow,
H. M. (2013). Phase diagram with an enhanced spin-glass region of the mixed Ising–XY magnet
LiHoxEr1−xF4. Physical Review B, 88, 014408. http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.88.014408

Tsyrulin, N., Batista, C. D., Zapf, V. S., Jaime, M., Hansen, B. R., Niedermayer, C., . . . Kenzelmann, M.
(2013). Neutron study of the magnetism in NiCl2 4SC(NH2)2. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter,
25(21), 216008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984/25/21/216008

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.88.014408
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984/25/21/216008
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	Introduction
	Typical applications
	Instrument layout
	Technical Data