Selection diagram of design algorithms for neutron-focusing supermirrors

The neutron supermirror is an important neutron optical device that can significantly improve the efficiency of neutron transport in neutron guides and has been widely used in research neutron sources.Three types of algorithms,including approximately ten algorithms,have been developed for designing high-efficiency supermirror structures.In addition to its applications in neutron guides,in recent years,the use of neutron supermirrors in neutronfocusing mirrors has been proposed to advance the development of neutron scattering and neutron imaging instruments,especially those at compact neutron sources.In this new application scenario,the performance of supermirrors strongly affects the instrument performance;therefore,a careful evaluation of the design algorithms is needed.In this study,we examine two issues:the effect of nonuniform film thickness distribution on a curved substrate and the effect of the specific neutron intensity distribution on the performance of neutron supermirrors designed using existing algorithms.The effect of film thickness nonuniformity is found to be relatively insignificant,whereas the effect of the neutron intensity distribution over Q(where Q is the magnitude of the scattering vector of incident neutrons)is considerable.Selection diagrams that show the best design algorithm under different conditions are obtained from these results.When the intensity distribution is not considered,empirical algorithms can obtain the highest average reflectivity,whereas discrete algorithms perform best when the intensity distribution is taken into account.The reasons for the differences in performance between algorithms are also discussed.These findings provide a reference for selecting design algorithms for supermirrors for use in neutron optical devices with unique geometries and can be very helpful for improving the performance of focusing supermirror-based instruments.