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The SNS Facility
When SNS is operating at full power,
it will offer unprecedented performance
for neutron-scattering research,
with more than an order of magnitude
higher flux than any existing facility.
To realize the potential this offers
for research in many fields, a world-class
suite of instruments is being developed
that makes optimal use of the SNS
beams and that is suited to the needs
of users across a broad range of
disciplines. Instruments will be
available to researchers with varying
degrees of experience, from new graduate
students and first-time neutron users
to experienced users with an interest
in instrument design.
An initial suite of instruments is available through a peer-reviewed
proposal system. About 75%
of the beam time on this instrument
suite is available through the
proposal system, with the remaining
25% for use by in-house scientific
staff, for testing and calibration,
for feasibility studies by users
before submission of proposals, and
for rapid response experiments that
occur outside the regular proposal
schedule. These instruments
are the
- backscattering spectrometer,
- magnetism reflectometer, and
- liquids reflectometer.
This instrument suite is
allowing the development of core technologies
such as choppers, data acquisition
systems, and control software that
will form the basis for similar systems
in other instruments. These systems
will be standardized where appropriate
to simplify use and maintenance and
to reduce costs.
Full "target-to-detector"
computer simulation is being developed
to optimize and integrate target
and instrument design. In many
cases, SNS will require instrument
technologies beyond the current
state of the art. Consequently,
our construction budget for instruments
is supplemented by a significant
R&D program, which will allow development
of new technologies that will form
the basis for the initial instrument
suite and provide room for growth.
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