PSI Center for Neutron and Muon Sciences

The PSI Center for Neutron and Muon Sciences uses neutrons and muons to explore and understand matter and materials.

Khasanov et al

Pressure effect on the spin density wave transition in La2PrNi2O6.96

High-pressure studies reveal a stark contrast between the superconducting properties of double-layer Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) nickelates La2⁢PrNi2⁢O7 and La3⁢Ni2⁢O7. While La2⁢PrNi2⁢O7 exhibits bulk superconductivity, La3⁢Ni2⁢O7 displays filamentary behavior, suggesting that superconductivity is confined to phase interfaces rather than the bulk. Since magnetism emerges ...

Sakrikar et al (2)

Pressure tuning of competing interactions on a honeycomb lattice

Exchange interactions are mediated via orbital overlaps across chemical bonds. Thus, modifying the bond angles by physical pressure or strain can tune the relative strength of competing interactions. Here we present a remarkable case of such tuning between the Heisenberg (J) and Kitaev (K) exchange, which respectively establish magnetically ordered and spin liquid phases on a honeycomb lattice. We observe ...

Graham et al

Tailoring the Normal and Superconducting State Properties of Ternary Scandium Tellurides, Sc6MTe2 (M = Fe, Ru, and Ir) Through Chemical Substitution

The pursuit of a unifying theory for non-BCS superconductivity has faced significant challenges. One approach to overcome such challenges is to perform systematic investigations into superconductors containing d-electron metals in order to elucidate their underlying mechanisms. Recently, the Sc6MTe2 (M = d-electron metal) family has emerged as a unique series of isostructural compounds exhibiting superconductivity across a range of 3d, 4d, and 5d electron systems. 

In this study, muon spin rotation, neutron diffraction, and magnetization techniques are employed to probe ...

Marc Janoschek

Prof. Dr. Marc Janoschek appointed new Head of the PSI Center for Neutron and Muon Sciences (CNM)

Prof. Dr. Marc Janoschek will take over as Head of the PSI Center for Neutron and Muon Sciences (CNM) on 1 June 2025.

Park et al

Spin density wave and van Hove singularity in the kagome metal CeTi3Bi4

Kagome metals with van Hove singularities near the Fermi level can host intriguing quantum phenomena such as chiral loop currents, electronic nematicity, and unconventional superconductivity. However, to our best knowledge, unconventional magnetic states driven by van Hove singularities–like spin-density waves–have not been observed experimentally in kagome metals. Here, we report ...

Mirzaei et al

4D imaging of frost heave and ice lens growth in silt using neutron and x-ray computed tomography

There are substantial changes in soil structure in regions where the soil is freezing. Water movements in the freezing soil introduce level changes beyond what can be expected by the expansion of water when it freezes. The impact of frost heave is seasonal damage to our built environment ...

300

The CNM center hosts 300 members of staff, in addition 40 PhD students perform their thesis work within CNM

5+1

The center is organized in 5 laboratories and 1 staff group.

3/30

CNM operates 3 of the 5 large scale user facilities: the Swiss spallation neutron source SINQ, the Swiss Muon Source SμS and the facilities for particle physics CHIRSP with approximately 30 experimental stations open for users.

1700

The facilities in the CNM center are open to international access — with approximately 1700 annual user visits the associated user program is a key activity for the center and for PSI as a whole.

Postal address
Paul Scherrer Institut
Center for Neutron and Muon Sciences CNM

WHGA/345
5232 Villigen PSI
Switzerland