SHEAR CELL FOR THE STUDY OF LIQUID-SOLID INTERFACES BY NEUTRON-SCATTERING

A cell for examining the density profile of sheared fluids at the soli d-liquid interface by neutron reflectometry is presented. This cell ha s also proven valuable in examining near-surface bulk structures in th e plane perpendicular to the shear flow using small angle neutron scat tering. The shear rates can be controlled by changing the volume flow through the cell over three orders of magnitude. All components of the cell are designed to be chemically inert. A temperature-controlled en vironment compatible with neutron studies is also briefly described. P reliminary neutron reflectivity and small angle neutron scattering res ults using this cell are presented, and potential applications are dis cussed.