11.3 Toward a Revolution in Science
- Intense Short-Pulse Neutron Beams -

 


Fig. 11-4 High-efficiency target and moderator system

 


Fig. 11-5 Peak neutron intensity of the long pulse beam will be 20 times greater than the steady beam. It will become 60 times greater with the short-pulse beam. Such high peak intensity is extremely powerful for neutron scattering research.

 


Fig. 11-6 When a low-energy spectrometer based on this principle is installed in the 5 MW high-intensity short-pulse source, dynamic motion will be observed at 100 times better resolution than currently available (1,000 times in Japan).

 


Neutron scattering is one of the most useful tools in materials science. Various natural phenomena, such as superconductivity, magnetism and phase transitions, have become better understood using this method. These advances have been achieved primarily through the use of steady thermal neutron beams generated at research reactors, while in the Neutron Science Research Center plan, the use of extremely intense pulse neutron beams is being investigated.
The peak intensity of short-pulse neutron beams will be 60 times higher than steady beams with same time-averaged intensity if a high-efficiency target and moderator system is used. This peak intensity will be so high that dynamic features in the microscopic world of solids, which can be measured by the inelastic scattering of neutrons, can be observed with 100 times better resolution than is currently available.
This facility will bring us another revolution in life science and materials science research in extreme environments. This revolution can be compared with the clear view of deep space which is now being provided by the Hubble Telescope. When this facility is completed, we will be able to see the exquisite features of materials, and the dramatic mechanisms of life.


Reference

J. Suzuki, Effective Neutron Pulse Structure on SANS, Hamon, 7 (2), 13 (1997).

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Persistent Quest-Research Activities 1997
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