PLATYPUS - Reflectometer

Platypus is a new time of flight reflectometer being built on the cold neutron guide at the new OPAL reactor at ANSTO.

Additional recommended knowledge

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What is the Sensitivity of my Balance?

The instrument serves to determine the structure of interfaces using highly collimated neutron beams. These beams are shone on to the surface at low angles (typically less than 2 degrees) and the intensity of the reflected radiation is measured as a function of angle of incidence.

It will operate with cold neutrons, with a wavelength band of 2-20Å. Although up to three different angles of incidence will be required for each reflectivity curve the time-of-flight nature will mean that timescales of kinetic processes will be accessible.

By analysing the reflected signal one builds a picture of the chemical structure of the interface. This instrument will be used for examining biomembranes, lipid bilayers, magnetism, adsorbed surfactant layers, etc.

Platypus is part of the Bragg Institute's park of neutron scattering instruments.