Powder Diffractometer High Flux Isotope Reactor (ORNL)

Neutron scattering provides key information on the positions, motions, and magnetic properties of solids. When neutrons flowing from a nuclear reactor bounce off atoms in a sample, the neutrons scatter in directions that depend on the atoms' relative positions in the sample structure. Changes in the neutrons' velocity provide information on the atoms' oscillations, or dynamics. Since the late 1940s, the Office of Science and predecessors have been major supporters of neuron science, including work by Clifford Shull and Bertram Brockhouse, who shared the 1994 Nobel Prize in Physics for their development of neutron scattering techniques for studies of condensed matter. Researchers at Oak Ridge, Brookhaven, and Argonne national laboratories developed neutron sources for spectroscopy, scattering, and imaging experiments and helped pioneer most of the associated instruments and techniques. The Office of Science currently supports three neutron sources—the High-Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Intense Pulsed Neutron Source at Argonne National Laboratory, and Manuel Lujan Jr. Neutron Scattering Facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory—used by hundreds of researchers annually. Under construction is a spallation neutron source at Oak Ridge that will be about an order of magnitude more powerful than any existing pulsed neutron source. Spallation produces neutrons with little heat; pulsed operation provides very high peak intensities.

Scientific Impact: Neutrons' unique properties, such as sensitivity to light elements, make them invaluable tools for polymer, biological, and pharmaceutical sciences. Studies made possible by neutron sources and the associated techniques contribute to the development of new materials, such as ceramic superconductors.

Social Impact: Neutron studies lead to new and improved products, such as powerful magnets for highly efficient electric motors. Also, because their high penetrating power allows nondestructive property measurements deep within a specimen, neutrons have been used to examine automotive gears and brake discs, and defects in aircraft wings, engines, and turbine blades.

Reference: Scientific Research Facilities: A National Resource, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/bes/Brochures.htm

URL: http://neutrons.ornl.gov/
http://www.sns.gov/
http://www.pns.anl.gov
http://lansce.lanl.gov/index_ext.htm

Technical Contact: Don Freeburn, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, 301-903-3156

Press Contact: Jeff Sherwood, DOE Office of Public Affairs, 202-586-5806

SC-Funding Office: Office of Basic Energy Sciences