How to choose sample orientations in full strain/stress tensor determination with a time-of-flight goniometer

Abstract

A computer program helping to plan strain tensor measurements is presented. It searches for those goniometer positions, which yield the most accurate result for a given number of measurements, a given specimen and the goniometer used. The concept of the program is very open so that it can easily be adapted for any TOF goniometer, no matter how many rotation axes it has, no matter also if it is built with one or two detectors and how these are situated. It can also take account of texture of the specimen or other influences on the intensity of the diffracted beam. The program is available from the authors or at www.oeaw.ac.at/esi/ as source code so that it can be compiled and run in any operating system and can also be changed for the special need of the user.

Key Words:

• Stress
• Strain
• Texture
• Neutron
• Time-of-flight