Inelastic neutron scattering and spectral measurements of advanced cold moderator materials

Inelastic neutron scattering with emphasis on energetically low lying modes as well as cold neutron leakage measurements have been performed on four prospective advanced cold moderator materials. Employing the time-of-flight instrument SV29 at the Juelich FRJ-2 reactor, spectra have been obtained from synthetic methane clathrate, tetrahydro-furane (THF) clathrate, 1,3,5-trimethyl-benzene (mesitylene) and light water ice at several temperatures between 2 K and 70 K. Clearly separated excitations at energy transfers of {+-}1 meV, +2 meV and +3 meV have been observed with synthetic methane clathrate. In mesitylene a wealth of low lying excitations have been observed. In the quenched phase we found lines at 4.7, 7.2, 9.6, 13.6, 15.4, 18.4, 19.0, 23.0, 29.5 and 34.3 meV, respectively. In the annealed phase, we observed significant shifts with the majority of lines. The lowest lying lines now are located at 7.0, 8.5 and 10.5 meV, respectively. In hexagonal ice at T=2 K up to now unreported low lying energy levels were found at energy transfers of 1.8 meV and 2.8 meV. An additional line at about 10 meV could be detected in THF clathrate. Mesitylene, synthetic methane clathrate and water ice, all at T=20 K, have been tested as moderators at the Juelich spallation mock-up JESSICA. The expected gain in neutron leakage current at energies around 2 meV as compared to conventional liquid hydrogen moderators has been observed for methane clathrate and mesitylene. (orig.)