PRESS RELEASE
(18th July 2007)
AST Neutron Screens Purchased
For World Leading Neutron Source

Applied Scintillation Technologies (AST) is supplying 61 m² neutron screens for use in new instrumentation in the ISIS Second Target Project (TS-2).  TS-2 is constructing a second neutron source at the world-leading ISIS facility located at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, with the experimental programme due to begin in 2008.

ISIS is the world's leading spallation neutron source, providing UK and international researchers access to the best scientific facilities of their kind.  TS-2 will open up new opportunities in technologically significant areas, particularly in the fields of soft condensed matter, bio-molecular science, advanced materials and nanoscale science.

The new AST screens will be used primarily on NIMROD, but also on Offspec, Inter and Polref, part of seven new instruments being built for the project.  The new screens feature a higher concentration/area ⁶Li compounds to achieve the required neutron detection efficiency.  Supplied in a 2:1 ratio, the screens offer excellent light emission, low sensitivity to gamma radiation and good temperature stability.

NIMROD is a near- and intermediate-range order diffractometer, which will offer greater insight into the subtle balance between short-, medium- and long-range interactions found in many materials.  NIMROD features a modular detector design and the AST screens will be used on 84 highly stable detectors covering scattering angles from 0.5° to 40°.  All detectors will be positioned inside a large vacuum vessel to give a clear view of the sample, and side access ports will enable novel experiments such as laser heating to take place.

INTER is a high-resolution, high-flux neutron reflectometer which will provide a unique facility for the study of air/liquid, liquid/liquid, air/solid and liquid/solid interfaces.

Offspec will characterise the increasingly important area of in-plane interface structure using the spin-echo technique.  Through delicate manipulation of polarised neutrons, small structures with sizes from 10-1000 nm can be examined in thin-film samples such as patterned data storage media, mesoporous films and biological membranes.

Polref is a polarised neutron reflectometer designed for the study of the magnetic ordering in and between the layers and surfaces of thin film materials.  Three-directional polarisation control will allow unique information to be obtained on the size and direction of the magnetism as a function of depth in multi-layer structures.

Note to editors
Applied Scintillation Technologies is a leading provider of advanced imaging and detection solutions using the latest in phosphor and scintillation technology. Our mission is to supply a diverse range of application-focused products for both standard and customised solutions for customers in markets as diverse as medical and dental imaging, security screening, biosciences, non-destructive testing and scientific instrumentation.



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