Status und Perspektiven - SNI-Portal

Roadmap
The German Committee for Research with Neutrons,
KFN, presented a “Roadmap for the phased operation
of neutron sources in Germany“ in September 2003
[1]. Based on the national and international conditions
and foreseeable developments, concepts were developed
and priorities described to point out a medium- and
long-term perspective for research with neutrons in
Germany. Concrete recommendations for the extension
and continued operation of the research neutron sources
important for German user groups were made. The
incorporation into the international and, in particular,
the European neutron scene is of essential signifi cance.
Since decisions on the operation of the national neutron
sources also have signifi cant impacts in the European
context, a pan-European strategy is desirable.
Starting situation
It is internationally recognized that research with neutron
as a scientifi c discipline full of life and subject to
constant renewal is of great signifi cance and indispensable
for a very wide range of different research areas
[2, 3]. At present, Europe holds the leading position in
the field of research with neutrons. The Institute Laue-
Langevin, ILL, in Grenoble with its high-flux reactor is
currently the best facility worldwide. The new German
FRM-II research neutron source exhibits comparable
neutron beam intensities. Major political decisions on
the development of the research infrastructure were
made, which will secure competitiveness in the medium
term. Of particular importance for German users are
the Millennium Programme of ILL, the full exploitation
of the possibilities of the FRM-II, the representation
of the centres of the Helmholtz Association, HGF, at
FRM-II, the extension of the Berlin Neutron Scattering
Centre, BENSC, (second neutron guide hall) and participation
in the instrumentation of the new American
spallation source, SNS.
In the OECD studies of 1998 [4] and 2001 [3] it was recommended
that one next-generation spallation source
each should be constructed in the three world regions
of the Asiatic-Pacific Area, Europe and North America.
With the SNS in Oak Ridge, USA, and the JSNS
in Tokai, Japan, this recommendation is being implemented
in two of these regions in the form of megawatt
sources. For the SNS there are extension plans for a
second target station and for power increase.
Recommendations for further
developing the basis for
research with neutrons in
Germany
Institute Laue-Langevin ILL
ILL has succeeded in further strengthening its international
top position by selectively extending the
instrumentation and infrastructure. The Millennium
Programme has the potential for further increasing the
efficiency of the instruments at ILL by a factor of 15 on
average. A factor of 5 has already been achieved. It is
of extreme significance that this process is consistently
further pursued in order to also maintain the European
leadership in the world in the years to come. The currently
valid Intergovernmental Convention of ILL must
be extended by another 10 years in 2013. KFN takes
the view that as the only truly European source the ILL
should in future play a major role in planning the European
multi-MW spallation source.
FRM-II research neutron source
The new FRM-II research neutron source in Garching
has successfully completed its nuclear commissioning.
The setup of the in part unique instruments of modern
and innovative design with the participation of numerous
universities from all over Germany, Max Planck
Institutes and the Helmholtz centres FZJ, GKSS and
HMI is far advanced. Neutron fl uxes and beam qualities
comparable to those of the ILL are measured. Some
of the instruments of the FRM-II have the potential
for worldwide leadership. The long-term assurance of
effective high-quality experimental and user operation
as well as the continuous extension of infrastructure
and instrumentation are indispensable. KFN assumes
that the FRM-II will play a leading role as the national
neutron source for the German user groups in the near
future and will essentially contribute towards strengthning
Europe in the fi eld of research with neutrons.
Representation of the HGF centres at
FRM-II
In June 2004, a contract was concluded between FZJ
and FRM-II/TUM, which provides for close cooperation
and a massive participation in the instrumentation,
operation and use of the experimental facilities at
FRM-II. FZJ plans to build up and operate a total of
seven instruments at the FRM-II and to strengthen the
infrastructure on site. Going beyond the commitment
already undertaken, GKSS has decided in favour of a
participation in two instruments at FRM-II in the short
term and plans to further intensify its activities in the
medium term. HMI also operates an instrument at the
FRM-II. The services offered by the different experimental
facilities at the most up-to-date continuous neutron
source worldwide are thus being supplemented and
extended in an outstanding manner. KFN appreciates
this process and recommends that it should be consistently
continued, in order to utilize the expertise and
experience of the Helmholtz centres in the fi eld of methods
development and user operation for the FRM-II.
BENSC in the network of medium-flux
sources
The network of European medium-flux neutron sources
fulfi ls important tasks for
• the provision of measuring time for experiments that
do not really need the highest neutron flux;
• the provision of specialized measuring possibilities
that are not available at the top sources;
• specialized support for users and training of young
scientists;
• possibilities for the development of methods including
maintenance and extension of the know-how for MW
spallation sources;
• building up international collaborations; and
• opening up new fi elds of research including contacts
with industry.
At the moment, all sources of the Helmholtz centres
essentially contribute to this European infrastructure.
Decisions on the phased decommissioning of the
reactors in Jülich and Geesthacht have been made or
are expected. After their implementation, only BENSC
at HMI will be left as the second national centre in the
network of medium-flux reactors. Its specialization in
extreme sample environments must be further developed
as a unique feature. At least until full user operation
at a future European multi-MW spallation source
BENSC will remain indispensable.
The vision
Multi-MW spallation source
In the long term, the construction of a multi-MW
spallation source as the central European next-generation
source is indispensable, if Europe wants to consolidate
its leading position in research with neutrons in the
world. According to the analysis of the working group
on neutrons „European Strategy Forum for Research
Infrastructures“ (ESFRI) of autumn 2002 [2], a 5-MW
long-pulse source (ESFRI Scenario 2) is to be realized
in a fi rst extension stage, complementing the American
and Japanese projects. A positive decision on this must
be made at the European level as soon as possible, since
planning and construction will take approximately 10
years. In the long term, such a multi-MW spallation
source is indispensable as the European top source in
succession of the ILL.
German contribution to the multi-MW
spallation source
Germany should make a significant contribution to
a multi-MW spallation source, wherever it is built in
Europe. A site in Germany would provide great advantages,
e. g. with respect to the training and employment
of scientists, engineers and technicians, an increase in
attractiveness for the best international researchers, and
technology transfer to the site region. In the opinion
of KFN, due to their methodological expertise, FZJ
and HMI should play a central role in the design and
construction of a future European multi-MW spallation
source and its instrumentation. In the meantime, participation
in the construction of the instrumentation at the
American SNS spallation source is recommended, so
that this modern top source is made accessible to German
users and experience is gathered in the development
and operation of instruments at a MW spallation
source.
10 Recommendations
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