From CERN Courier, 22 May 2014
Based on a 5 MW superconducting proton linac, the European Spallation Source will be the world’s most powerful neutron source, when it comes into full operation.
Today, neutron research takes place either at nuclear reactors or at accelerator-based sources. For a long time, reactors have been the most powerful sources in terms of integrated neutron flux. Nevertheless, accelerator-based sources, which usually have a pulsed structure (SINQ at PSI being a notable exception), can provide a peak flux during the pulse that is much higher than at a reactor. The European Spallation Source (ESS) – currently under construction in Lund – will be based on a proton linac that is powerful enough to give a higher integrated useful flux than any research reactor. It will be the world’s most powerful facility for research using neutron beams, when it comes into full operation early in the next decade. Read more >>
See also in this website:
Case study: Using neutrons to make pictures
Materials science, using neutrons (in section Research and Development)
Non-destructive testing, using neutrons (in section Material Characterisation)
