ISIS neutron source
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203095897
2008-04-03T18:21:12Z
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[[Image:ISISLogo.png|right|thumb|250px|ISIS Logo]]
[[Image:ISIS_exptal_hall.jpg|thumb|300px|ISIS experimental hall for Target Station 1]]
'''ISIS''' is a world leading pulsed [[neutron]] and [[muon]] source. It is situated at the [[Rutherford Appleton Laboratory]] in [[Oxfordshire]], [[United Kingdom]] and is part of the [[Science and Technology Facilities Council]] . It uses the techniques [[muon spin spectroscopy|muon spectroscopy]] and [[neutron scattering]] to probe the structure and dynamics of [[condensed matter]] on a microscopic scale ranging from the subatomic to the macromolecular.
Hundreds of experiments are performed annually at ISIS by visiting researchers from around the world, in diverse science areas including [[physics]], [[chemistry]], [[materials engineering]], [[earth sciences]], [[biology]] and [[archaeology]].
==Neutrons and muons==
Neutrons are uncharged constituents of [[atom]]s and penetrate materials well, deflecting only from the [[atomic nucleus|nuclei]] of atoms. The statistical accumulation of deflected neutrons at different positions beyond the sample can be used to find the structure of a material, and the loss or gain of energy by neutrons can reveal the dynamic behaviour of parts of a sample, for example diffusive processes in solids. At ISIS the neutrons are created by accelerating 'bunches' of [[proton]]s in a [[synchrotron]], then colliding these with a heavy [[tantalum]] metal target, under a constant cooling load to dissipate the heat from the 160 kW proton beam. The tantulum atoms slough off neutrons, and these are channelled through guides, or [[beamline]]s, to about 20 instruments, individually optimised for the study of different types of matter. The target station and most of the instruments are set in a large hall. The penetrating neutrons are a dangerous form of radiation so the target and beamlines are heavily shielded with concrete.
ISIS produces [[muon]]s by colliding a fraction of the proton beam with a [[graphite]] target, producing [[pion]]s which decay rapidly into muons, delivered in a spin-polarised beam to sample stations.
==Science at ISIS==
ISIS is administered and operated by the [[Science and Technology Facilities Council]] (previously [[CCLRC]]). Experimental time is open to academic users from funding countries and is applied for through a twice-yearly 'call for proposals'. Research allocation, or 'beam-time', is allotted to applicants via a peer-review process. Users and their parent institutions do not pay for the running costs of the facility, which are as much as £11,000 per instrument per day. Their transport and living costs are also refunded whilst carrying out the experiment. Most users stay in a hostel on the site or at a CCLRC-run conference centre in [[Abingdon, Oxfordshire|Abingdon]]. Over 600 experiments by 1600 users are completed every year.
A large number of support staff operate the facility, aid users, and carry out research, the control room is staffed 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Instrument scientists oversee the running of each instrument and liaise with users, and other divisions provide sample environment, data analysis and computing expertise, maintain the accelerator, and run education programmes.
Among the important and pioneering work carried out was the discovery of the structure of high-temperature [[superconductor]]s and the solid phase of buckminster-fullerene.
Construction for a second target station started in 2003, and the first neutrons were delivered to the target on [[December 14]] [[2007]]<ref>[http://ts-2.isis.rl.ac.uk/ ISIS Second Target Station Project]</ref>. It will use low-energy neutrons to study [[condensed matter|soft condensed matter]], biological systems, advanced [[Composite material|composites]] and [[nanotechnology|nanomaterials]]. To supply the extra protons for this, the accelerator is being upgraded.
==History and background of ISIS==
The source was approved in 1977 for the RAL site on the [[Harwell Laboratory|Harwell]] campus and recycled components from earlier UK science programmes including the accelerator hall which had previously been occupied by the [[Nimrod (synchrotron)|Nimrod]] accelerator. The first beam was produced in 1984, and the facility was formally opened by the then Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]] in October 1985.<ref>[http://epubs.cclrc.ac.uk/bitstream/692/linacplahistory.pdf Linacs at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory]</ref>
The name ISIS is not an acronym: it refers to the [[Isis|Ancient Egyptian goddess]] and the local name for the [[River Thames]]. The name was selected for the official opening of the facility in 1985, prior to this it was known as the SNS, or Spallation Neutron Source. The name was considered appropriate as Isis was a goddess who could restore life to the dead, and ISIS made use of equipment previously constructed for the [[Nimrod (synchrotron)|Nimrod]] and Nina accelerators<ref>[http://www.isis.rl.ac.uk/aboutIsis/index.htm Explanation of the name of ISIS]</ref>.
==External links==
*[http://www.isis.rl.ac.uk/ ISIS facility]
*[http://ts-2.isis.rl.ac.uk/ ISIS Second Target Station]
*[http://www.stfc.ac.uk The Science and Technology Facilities Council]
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Nuclear technology|Isis neutron source]]
[[Category:Nuclear research centers|Isis neutron source]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Oxfordshire|Isis neutron source]]
[[Category:Neutron facilities|Isis neutron source]]
{{Major Scientific Research Facilities based in the United Kingdom}}
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