Why neutrons and muons?
By harnessing the power of neutron and muon techniques, researchers can explore a vast range of scientific fields, from physics and chemistry to biology and engineering, helping to push the boundaries of knowledge and drive innovation. Addressing global challenges and making technological advances relies on a detailed understanding of material properties.
Neutrons can be used in materials characterisation to study:
Dynamics
Neutron energies are comparable to the time scales of molecular diffusion, vibrations and rotations.
Magnetism
The neutron's magnetic moment can be used to study the microscopic magnetic properties of materials.
Structure
Neutron wavelengths are comparable to the spacings of atoms and molecules.
Muons can be used in materials characterisation to study:
Dynamics within materials
Muons are sensitive to the motion of molecules, atoms, ions and electrons.
Elemental analysis
The decay of negative muons produces an X-ray fingerprint that reflects the elemental composition of the material.
Ordering of electrons
Magnets, semiconductors and superconductors are probed using the magnetic fields inside the materials.
The unique properties of neutrons and muons:
Complementarity
Neutron and muon techniques are highly complementary to each other and to other methods.
Isotopic contrast
Neutrons are sensitive to different isotopes of the same element, so isotopic substitution can be used to highlight specific structural features.
Non-destructive
Both neutrons and muons are non-destructive, non-invasive probes suitable for characterising delicate and precious samples.
Penetration power
Neutrons and muons can penetrate samples, even when contained within complex sample environments.
Sensitivity to light elements
The neutron scattering power of nuclei varies randomly such that lighter atoms (e.g. H, Li) can be studied in the presence of heavier ones.
Versatile sample environments
Sophisticated sample environments enable neutron and muon measurements under realistic operating conditions - including extreme temperatures and pressures.
Science focus areas
As part of the UK science infrastructure our mission aligns strongly with the UK’s research strengths, and the UK government’s (and UKRI) strategic aims and international priorities. To maximise our impact against these national and international priorities we plan to group our activities, as appropriate, around four broad “challenge” areas of Energy and clean growth, Life sciences and healthcare, Advanced manufacturing and materials and Quantum matter. This will allow us to better demonstrate our impact to our stakeholders and their strategic goals. Demonstrating this impact will directly benefit the entire ISIS community and support ISIS as a facility supporting the best science, and will strengthen the case for the long-term future of the facility through projects such as Endeavour and ISIS-II.
The challenge areas outlined above encompass the majority of ISIS research, but do not cover it all. We will continue to support the wide, diverse science programme we have always supported, but demonstrating where our research directly impacts governmental priorities will help us secure the funding needed to keep ISIS and its community at the fore front of research for decades to come.
Energy and clean growth
Research into harnessing different forms of energy and increasing the productivity with which resources are used, alongside understanding and reducing the adverse impacts of human activity on the natural world.
Advanced manufacturing and materials
Advanced manufacturing, materials and testing (AMMT) encompass cutting-edge scientific research and engineering practices aimed at revolutionising industries across the globe. These disciplines involve the development of novel materials with enhanced properties, innovative manufacturing techniques that optimise production processes, and rigorous testing methodologies to ensure product quality and performance. They are crucial for driving innovation, improving efficiency, and addressing pressing societal challenges.
Life sciences and healthcare
Any biological experiment, from single proteins to living plants, biophysics, biochemistry, and structural biology; any pharmaceutical research, as well as healthcare devices, from toothpaste to implants. This research ranges from fundamental research to research into samples that are already used today or about to be. Any increased understanding might answer the next big life science or healthcare challenge.
Quantum materials
The neutron and muon techniques at ISIS play a vital role in advancing quantum technologies by providing unique and complementary insights into atomic and magnetic structure and dynamics of materials and devices. The result of this work is a better fundamental understand of quantum materials and their properties.
In addition to the instruments, ISIS advances the state of quantum materials research through developments in scientific software, sample environment, neutron instrument technologies and materials characterization.
Techniques
The instruments available at ISIS facilitate a range of techniques, each with different merits.