Good vibrations Autumn 2026: The newsletter of the ISIS Molecular Spectroscopy User Group
01 Oct 2026 - Anna Marsicano
Volume 18 , Issue 2 - September 2026
Staff news
We’re delighted to welcome Emilia Moss from the University of Bath, who joined the MolSpec group in August as part of her industrial placement. Emilia has already got off to a great start and is working with the Detector systems group on the calibration of new detectors for VESUVIO. This is an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience while contributing to an important project within the team.
We would like to welcome Elvira Vidal Martìn and Vanessa Galván de Cos who are joining us on secondments from the Basque Center for Research on Materials, Applications and Nanostructures. Their secondments form part of ISIS’s involvement with the BCM-led SELFAQUASENS project under the Horizon Europe MSCA program.
General News
Projects update
Tosca+ and Osiris+ are both part of Phase 2 of the Endeavour Programme. Work on these two instruments is expected to begin shortly, alongside the other Phase 2 projects already progressing through detailed design and procurement.
Instrument update: Osiris Silicon Analyser
The installation of the Si analyser on Osiris has been successful. We are now calibrating and commissioning this facility. Huge that you our engineering team for making this a success. This improvement has extended the dynamic range by a factor of 2.5 and enabling to collect four‑dimensional datasets, making it possible to explore out‑of‑plane dynamics and nanosecond dynamics. This facility will be available for the next proposal round.
Instrument update: Tosca+
The Tosca+ project, part of the ISIS Endeavour programme, has commenced this summer, and will provide an entire new secondary spectrometer to Tosca with a large curved analyser and position sensitive detectors. The upgrade will increase the count rate by almost x10 and provide a tuneable resolution which will keep Tosca competitive with the next generation of vibrational spectrometers.
Data analysis
Mantid release 6.16 is available with new Bayes Fitting interface. It is a bug fixed improved version. Documentations also updated with updated features. The development of abINS‑lib, a standalone library based on the abINS algorithm ongoing. This will operate independently of Mantid. MDANSE 2.0 has been released with new new graphical user interface, plotting options and more data analysis facilities. To view information about the download and tutorials visit the MDANSE page.
MDANSE School 2026
Registration Deadline October 1st
We are pleased to announce that MDANSE 2026 School will be held at ESS Data Management and Scientific Computing, DTU, Copenhagen during 3rd – 5th November. This time ESS is organising this in partnership with ILL and Molecular Spectroscopy Group, ISIS. The focus of the school is to provide in-person hands on tutorials on using of atomistic simulations, particularly lattice and molecular dynamics, for neutron scattering experiments. There will be only 20 places for early career researchers, so please register soon.
International SISN Neutron Science Conference 2027 – Società Italiana di Spettroscopia Neutronica APS
The SISNSC 27 International SISN Neutron Science Conference will take place from 18 to 21 January 2027
The 2027 edition will be held in memory of Eleonora Guarini and Marco Zoppi, whose scientific contributions and impact on the neutron community will be honoured through dedicated commemorative sessions during the conference.
UK Neutron & Muon Science and User Meeting (NMSUM)
Postponed to next Fall!
Date:
2 November 2027
Location:
University of Warwick conference centre
