SINQ: The Swiss Spallation Neutron Source

Neutron scattering is one of the most effective ways to obtain information on both, the structure and the dynamics of condensed matter. A wide scope of problems, ranging from fundamental to solid state physics and chemistry, and from materials science to biology, medicine and environmental science, can be investigated with neutrons. Aside from the scattering techniques, non-diffractive methods like imaging techniques can also be applied with increasing relevance for industrial applications.

The spallation neutron source SINQ is a continuous source - the first of its kind in the world - with a flux of about 10¹⁴ n/cm²/s. Beside thermal neutrons, a cold moderator of liquid deuterium (cold source) slows neutrons down and shifts their spectrum to lower energies. These neutrons have proved to be particularly valuable in materials research and in the investigation of biological substances. SINQ is a user facility. Interested groups can apply for beamtime on the various instruments by using the SINQ proposal system.

Recent scientific SINQ highlights:

• New insights into early bronze age damascene technique north of the alps D. Berger et al
  The Antiquaries Journal 93, 1 (June 2013)
  DOI: 10.1017/S0003581513000012



• Magnetic cluster excitations A. Furrer et al
  Reviews of Modern Physics 85, 367 (March 2013)
  DOI: 10.1103/RevModPhys.85.367



•     Alignment of Bicelles Studied with High-Field Magnetic Birefringence and Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Measurements M. Liebi et al
  Langmuir 29, 3467 (February 2013)
  DOI: 10.1021/la3050785

More SINQ highlights can be found on the Webpages of the NUM department.