At 8:39 a.m., January 26, the multi-physics spectrometer of China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) successfully generated beam with the neutron beam being in line with the expectation. The successful generation of beam by the spectrometer marked the development and installation of China’s first neutron total scattering instrument.
The multi-physics spectrometer is China’s first neutron total scattering spectrometer jointly constructed by the Spallation Source Science Center, Dongguan University of Technology and the City University of Hong Kong. It is also the first spectrometer of under cooperation with the CSNS.
The spectrometer is an instrument using neutron scattering to measure the micro structure and dynamics of a substance. Scientists can measure the position and dynamics of the atom in a substance by placing different materials on the spectrometer. Each spectrometer has its distinctive strength to deliver benefits to users from different fields.
Multi-physics spectrometer will mainly be applied in research on structure of materials with different degrees of order and will play an important role in such fields as materials science, condensed matter physics, life science and nanotechnology. Moreover, it will provide an important research platform for the technology innovation and development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory of Neutron Scattering Science and Technology.
Prior to the recent progress, the first phase of the CSNS had already opened to users powder diffractometer, small-angle scattering spectrometer and multi-function reflectometer. Along with the newly developed and installed multi-physics spectrometer, totally eight spectrometers under cooperation will be put into use, which will significantly expand the application of scattering neutron source.
It is learned that the construction of the multi-physics spectrometer coincided with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a consequence, the development and installation of the critical components processed at home and abroad were hit hard.
China Spallation Neutron Source
The construction team of the spectrometer and other partners succeeded in development of the country’s first 12m³ neutron scattering vacuum chamber through concerted efforts against adversities. Affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, engineers from abroad could not arrive at the scene to assist in the installation of the neutron guide, a critical part. The spectrometer construction team conscientiously worked with the collimation system and completed precision collimation and installation of all neutron guides. Relevant professional teams of the Department of Neutron Science and relevant departments from the Spallation Source Science Center had been making all-out efforts t ensure smooth construction of the spectrometer.