Project description
Things are getting intense at Europe's newest neutron source facility
Neutrons are extremely useful probes of materials, their properties and behaviours. These neutral particles are scattered from the nuclei of atoms and are far more penetrating than ion beams or X-rays. They also have a nuclear spin that makes them sensitive to studies of magnetism. In addition, their mass can transfer energy and momentum, making them useful for studying vibrations representative of chemical bonds and magnetic interactions. Spallation sources are the most intense accelerator-based neutron sources and currently the brightest neutron sources in the world. There are only 10 of them globally. The EU-funded HighNESS project is supporting an upgrade of the European Spallation Source being constructed in Sweden. It’s unprecedented brilliance, flux and spectral range will make it the most versatile neutron source in the world, and further develop its scientific capabilities.
Objective
The European Spallation Source being constructed in Lund, Sweden will provide the user community with a neutron source of unprecedented brightness. By 2025, a suite of 15 instruments will be served by a high-brightness moderator system placed above the spallation target. The ESS infrastructure, consisting of the proton linac, the target station, and the instrument halls, allows for implementation of a second source below the spallation target. We propose to develop a second neutron source with a high-intensity moderator able to (1) deliver a larger total cold neutron flux, (2) provide high intensities at longer wavelengths in the spectral regions of Cold (4-10 Å), Very Cold (10-40 Å), and Ultra Cold (several 100 Å) neutrons, as opposed to Thermal and Cold neutrons delivered by the top moderator. Offering both unprecedented brilliance, flux, and spectral range in a single facility, this upgrade will make ESS the most versatile neutron source in the world and will further strengthen the leadership of Europe in neutron science. The new source will boost several areas of condensed matter research such as imaging and spin-echo, and will provide outstanding opportunities in fundamental physics investigations of the laws of nature at a precision unattainable anywhere else. At the heart of the proposed system is a volumetric liquid deuterium moderator. Based on proven technology, its performance will be optimized in a detailed engineering study. This moderator will be complemented by secondary sources to provide intense beams of Very- and Ultra-Cold Neutrons. To perform the required development of advanced moderator and reflector materials, and find the best solutions for their implementation at ESS, the HighNESS consortium pursues an integrated approach, combining complementary expertise of its partners in simulations, neutronic design and engineering, material characterization using neutron scattering techniques, and the targeted scientific applications of slow neutrons
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Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
224 84 Lund
Sweden