The SKAT texture diffractometer at the pulsed reactor IBR-2 at Dubna: experimental layout and first measurements

Neutron diffraction is not only of interest for structure investigations, but for the investigation of the lattice preferred orientation, too. Recently, the interest of geoscientists in the measurement of textures with neutrons increased, as better estimates of the global texture may be obtained from the neutron experiment, and also because of the close relationship between the anisotropic physical rock properties and the textures of the rock-forming minerals. Geological studies often require a large number of texture measurements, therefore fast and easy to realise texture measurements are desirable. The new SKAT diffractometer at beam line 7A of the pulsed reactor IBR-2 at Dubna was especially designed to fulfill these conditions, it is now available for routine texture investigations. The main characteristics of the instrument are presented and first applications are discussed.