Universal Convergence Metric for Time-Resolved Neutron Scattering

Abstract

This work introduces a model-independent, dimensionless metric for predicting optimal measurement duration in time-resolved Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) using early-time data. Built on a Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) framework, the method reconstructs scattering profiles with quantified uncertainty, even from sparse or noisy measurements. Demonstrated on the EQSANS instrument at the Spallation Neutron Source, the approach generalizes to general SANS instruments with a two-dimensional detector. A key result is the discovery of a dimensionless convergence metric revealing a universal power-law scaling in profile evolution across soft matter systems. When time is normalized by a system-specific characteristic time $t^{\star}$, the variation in inferred profiles collapses onto a single curve with an exponent between $-2$ and $-1$. This trend emerges within the first ten time steps, enabling early prediction of measurement sufficiency. The method supports real-time experimental optimization and is especially valuable for maximizing efficiency in low-flux environments such as compact accelerator-based neutron sources.