The Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering is the home of neutron science in Australia and a leading facility in the Asia Oceania region. We operate 14 instruments for the Australian and global user community allowing scientist and engineers to reveal details about their samples across the widest of length scales.
Research at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering been used to determine the internal structure of many types of materials, helping scientists understand why materials have the properties they do, and helping tailor new materials, devices and systems.
ACNS Scatter Matters Newsletter #8 (PDF, 2.36 MB)
ACNS Scatter Matters Newsletter #7 (PDF, 1.09 MB)
ACNS Scatter Matters Newsletter #6 (PDF, 1.29 MB)
ACNS Scatter Matters Newsletter #5 (PDF, 1.68 MB)
ACNS Scatter Matters Newsletter #4 (PDF, 1.34 MB)
ACNS Scatter Matters Newsletter #3 (PDF, 2.11 MB)
There are 15 neutron beam instruments, which are classified into four main groups: diffractometers, small-angle spectrometers imaging and reflectometry instruments and inelastic spectrometers.
The Taiwanese Ministry of Science and Technology funded the construction of a cold neutron triple-axis spectrometer, Sika, which was constructed by National Central University. The National Synchrotron Radiation Research Centre (NSRRC) commissioned the instrument, introduced it into the international user program and promotes its use to users in Taiwan.
Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin agreed to the transfer of their BioRef reflectometer, which will be known as Spatz. It is currently being commissioned. Unlike Platypus which operates in a vertical scattering plane, Spatz operates in the horizontal scattering plane and has an infrared spectrometer.
The suite of instruments and operating cabins are housed in the Neutron Guide Hall, which also accommodates sample preparation areas, laboratories and other technical support facilities. The Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering also operates three X-ray instruments, a helium polarising instrument and a physical properties measurement system.
Neutrons created by fission from two sources in the OPAL multipurpose reactor are directed into beams that feed a suite of 15 state-of- the-art neutron instruments. Beams of neutrons are used to probe very small samples.
Because they can behave as particle or waves with a magnetic moment, their special properties reveal information about structure and dynamics at the atomic scale. Although neutrons interact with the nuclei of atoms, they are non-invasive in that they do not change a sample nor deposit energy into it.
For the diffraction instruments, a sample is placed within a neutron beam and the angles at which the neutrons are deflected or scattered by the material are recorded to generate a “diffraction pattern” from which structural information can be extracted.
Neutrons are subatomic particles released in nuclear fission. They have no electrical charge and penetrate materials more effectively than X-rays. This ability makes neutrons an especially useful tool in industrial materials analysis.
Neutron scattering is a technique used to find answers to fundamental questions about the structure and composition of materials used in medicine, mining, transportation, building, engineering, food processing and scientific research.
Neutrons penetrate most materials to depths of several centimetres. In comparison, X-rays and electrons probe only near the surface.
X-rays and electrons are scattered by atomic electrons whereas neutrons are scattered by atomic nuclei. This results in a number of differences, perhaps the most important being in the scattering from light elements. Whereas one electron on a hydrogen atom can be hard to find by X-ray or electron diffraction, the hydrogen nucleus scatters neutrons strongly and is easily found in a neutron diffraction experiment.
Neutrons, though electrically neutral, act as small magnets, and are uniquely powerful in the atomic scale study of magnetism.
Neutrons are also uniquely suited to the study of the dynamic processes (e.g. thermal vibrations) in solids.
Director, Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering
Operations Manager, Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering
