The Role of 11B4C Interlayers in Enhancing Fe/Si Multilayer Performance for Polarized Neutron MirrorsShow others and affiliations
2025 (English)In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, ISSN 1932-7447, E-ISSN 1932-7455, Vol. 129, no 16, p. 7921-7930Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
This study investigates the effects of incorporating 11B4C interlayers into Fe/Si multilayers, with a focus on interface quality, reflectivity, polarization, and magnetic properties for polarizing neutron optics. It is found that the introduction of 1–2 Å 11B4C interlayers significantly improves the interface sharpness, reducing interface width and preventing excessive Si diffusion into the Fe layers. X-ray reflectivity and polarized neutron reflectivity measurements show enhanced reflectivity and polarization, with a notable increase in polarization for 30 Å period multilayers. The inclusion of interlayers also helps prevent the formation of iron-silicides, improving both the magnetic properties and neutron optical performance. However, the impact of interlayers is less pronounced in thicker-period multilayers (100 Å), primarily due to the ratio between layer and interface widths. These results suggest that 11B4C interlayers offer a promising route for optimizing Fe/Si multilayer performance in polarizing neutron mirrors.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
American Chemical Society (ACS), 2025. Vol. 129, no 16, p. 7921-7930
National Category
Subatomic Physics Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-555909DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.5c00068ISI: 001467593600001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105003578421OAI: oai:DiVA.org:uu-555909DiVA, id: diva2:1957076
Funder
Swedish Research Council, 2019-04837Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, KAW-2020.0196Linköpings universitet, 2009 00971Swedish Research Council, 2018-05190Swedish Research Council, 2021-03826Stiftelsen Hans Werthénfonden, 2022-D-03The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, PH2022-0029Lars Hierta Memorial Foundation, FO2022-0273Stiftelsen Längmanska kulturfonden, BA23-16642025-05-082025-05-082025-05-08Bibliographically approved