The instrument suite and science case for ARGITU, the Spanish high-current accelerator-driven neutron source

Abstract

The high-current accelerator-driven neutron source (HiCANS) represents a strategic move towards the development of next-generation neutron research facilities. Among other HiCANS projects, ARGITU is a proposal for a local neutron source aiming to serve the European and Spanish community. The ARGITU source consists of a pulsed proton beam accelerator with an energy of 50 MeV and a period of 30 Hz. The proton beam hits a beryllium target, generating neutrons that are moderated at the desired thermal and cold energy ranges to supply neutrons to a selected suite of scientific instruments. With these technological features, and considering the broad science portfolio of the community, a neutron instrument suite formed by five scientific instruments is hereby proposed. A thermal powder diffractometer, a horizontal reflectometer and a small-angle scattering instrument will enable complete structural characterization of materials, probing length scales across several orders of magnitude. Additionally, an imaging instrument that includes the capability to carry out irradiation and activation analysis experiments will cover the needs of industry and cultural heritage. Finally, a time-of-flight backscattering spectrometer will probe the dynamics of molecules and protons through a wide timescale range. With this instrument suite, we anticipate that ARGITU will contribute actively to the European landscape in neutron science, opening up new developments in neutron instrumentation, training students and hence promoting the future of neutron research.

Felix Fernandez-Alonso

Ikerbasque Research Professor

Ikerbasque Research Professor at the Materials Physics Center, Donostia - San Sebastián.