Drawing on nearly 20 years of experience with its own Intense Pulsed Neutron Source , Argonne will direct the design and construction of the instrument suite for the new neutron source.
Neutrons are uncharged particles found in nearly all matter.
When used to penetrate materials, neutrons reveal valuable structural and dynamic properties that can provide scientists with a better understanding of the physics that controls the material's behavior and can guide materials-modification efforts. In the past, research with neutron scattering has led to improvements in jet engines, credit cards, compact discs, computer disks, adjustable seats, shatterproof windshields and satellite weather information. Scientists will use the SNS to study problems in chemistry, engineering, magnetism, superconductivity, crystalline materials, structural biology, polymers, disordered materials and complex fluids. Argonne's Intense Pulsed Neutron Source is a spallation source that delivers about 7,000 watts of beam power, although the use of a depleted uranium target and cryogenic neutron moderators result in the equivalent yield of neutrons that 50,000 watts would supply. The SNS will deliver 1 million watts onto a liquid mercury target.