A new linear position-sensitive scintillation detector for neutron powder diffractometry

A new linear position-sensitive scintillation detector has been developed and installed on a neutron powder diffractometer. The physical properties of this detector are described; test powder diffractograms are presented. The special advantages of this detector for neutron powder diffractometry are discussed: high detection efficiency also in the region of short wavelengths (75% for λ = 1.3 Å), good spatial resolution (FWHM = 2.5 mm), and high data-point density (Δ2θ = 0.02°). Special emphasis is placed on peak-profile analysis for the powder diffraction patterns. Examples for position and intensity separation of overlapping reflections are presented.