Development and first results of a magnetic sample environment for polarized neutron imaging of thin metal sheets

Polarized neutron imaging brings the great advantage of analyzing bulk magnetic properties with good spatial resolution. The technique is based on the interaction of the neutron spin with magnetic samples or free magnetic fields and observing the changes to a spin-polarized neutron beam. The high sensitivity to even small magnetic fields is a benefit in obtaining magnetization information but simultaneously a challenge in instrumentation, since magnetic environments for the polarized neutron beam and for the sample, as well as the fringe field from the magnetic sample itself all affect the measurement and can give rise to unwanted effects. We have used finite element simulations and ray tracing simulations, to design and analyze a magnetic sample environment devised for the measurement of ferromagnetic metal sheets. Here we show an analysis of performance of the experimental setup based on the simulation results and compare them to first experimental results on a grain oriented silicon steel sample