• Accelerator based neutron sources
Accelerator based neutron sources generate neutrons by bombarding a metal target with high energy charged particles ( protons ) in a process called spallation.
• CSG - Consultation Steering Group
Established by the Science and Technology Facilities Council to advise on the consultation process, the CSG was led by Professor Sir John Enderby, President of the Institute of Physics, with member nominations drawn from the learned societies.
• ENSA - European Neutron Scattering Association, http://neutron.neutron-eu.net/n_ensa/|
ENSA is a common interest body representing a significant proportion of the European academic neutron scattering community.
• ESRC - Economics and Social Research Council,
http://www.esrc.ac.uk|
The UK Research Council with responsibility for funding research in the social sciences.
• ESS - European Spallation Source
A proposed design of a next generation spallation neutron source for Europe consisting of both an SPSS and LPSS generated by the neutron community. ESS-I an organisation recently established to promote the ESS project.
• ERA - European Research Area
A vision for pan European organisation and co-ordination of scientific research allowing the EU to compete effectively in the global knowledge economy.
• FFAG - Fixed-Field Alternating Gradient synchrotron
An alternative technology for accelerating charged particles, including protons. It could provide a cheaper and more compact alternative to existing accelerator and synchrotron technologies.
• ILL - Institut Laue Langevin
The ILL is the world’s most powerful reactor based neutron scattering source managed by France, Germany and the UK, situated in Grenoble, France.
• ILL ‘Millennium Programme’
The ‘Millennium Programme’ is an accelerated but sustainable programme of instrument renewal aimed at maintaining the ILL ’ s status as a leading generator of neutron-based science research.
• ISAC - International Science Advisory Committee
Comprising leading international academics with expertise covering the diverse sciences relevant to the Council’s facilities ISAC provides the Council with independent scientific advice.
• ISIS
ISIS is the world’s most powerful neutron spallation source situated at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire. The ISIS proton accelerator operates at 0.16MW.
• ISIS Second Target Station (TS-2)
Is a new neutron spallation source currently under construction at ISIS, fed by the same proton accelerator as the existing first target station. TS-2 is optimised to yield lower energy, longer wavelength neutrons that are particularly applicable to soft matter, bioscience and advanced materials experimentation.
• JSNS - Japanese Spallation Neutron Source
Currently under construction and due for completion in 2007, JSNS is a next generation spallation neutron source, part of the Japanese Proton Accelerator Research Complex (JPARC). The JSNS plans to operate at 1MW.
• Laser Fusion Source
A potential future and alternative mechanism to generate an intense source of neutrons. The process is based on the confinement of a fusion fuel, deuterium, within a pellet upon which a very short laser pulse is fired igniting the fuel and generating neutrons through fusion.
• Linac - Linear accelerator
A technology that accelerates charged particles to very high speeds, energies, in a straight line using radio waves.
• LPSS - Long Pulse Spallation Source
A potential future technology, an LPSS uses longer duration proton pulses producing greater neutron yields but at the expense of resolution.
• Moderator
A body of material that surrounds the source of neutrons, spallation or fission. Containing light atoms, for example heavy water or methane, the moderator slows neutrons by repeated collisions to deliver the required energy distribution for neutron scattering experimentation.
• NERC - Natural Environment Research Council, http://www.nerc.ac.uk|
The UK Research Council with responsibility for funding research in the environmental sciences.
• Neutrino source
Neutrinos are exotic particles generated in extremely large numbers, for example by the sun, that interact very weakly with matter. Interest in neutrino science stems from the belief that they may answer fundamental questions about the origin and mass of the universe, the ‘ dark ’ matter. One route to generating an intense neutrino beam, as a basis for neutrino investigation, is through proton collision with a target.
• Nuclear waste transmutation
A process by which the radioactive components of waste arising from, for example a nuclear reactor, is changed to non radioactive material.
• OECD MegaScience Forum (the MegaScience Forum)
The MegaScience forum is a group of 30 member countries, with active relationships to 70 more, sharing a commitment to democratic government and the market economy. Best known for its publications and its statistics, its work covers economic and social issues from macroeconomics, to trade, education, development and science and innovation.
• Peer review
The self regulating process widely employed by academic publishers and science funders, the Research Councils, through which a community, generally the established and leading scientists of the community, review the scientific output, papers, and funding proposals for that discipline.
• Reactor based neutron sources
Reactor based neutron sources generate neutrons by controlled nuclear fission of uranium, as found in a nuclear reactor.
• SNS, the Spallation Neutron Source
A next generation spallation neutron source under construction in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA, and due for completion in 2006. The SNS plans to operate at 1MW.
• Spin-close, spin-in, spin-out
Terms used to describe the relationship between an academic body and private sector companies exploiting academic capability: spin-close - the location of the companies with the academic body; spin-in - the co-location of a company to exploit academic facilities and expertise; and spin-out - the creation of a company to commercialise academic intellectual property.
• SPSS - Short Pulse Spallation Source
The type of spallation neutron source presently in operation at for example ISIS, an SPSS produces short duration, bright neutron pulses for high resolution neutron scattering.
• Synchrotron
A cyclic accelerator of large radius that can accelerate charged particles, electrons and protons, to very high energy.
• Synchrotron radiation
The highly focussed and intense beams of X-ray, infrared and ultra-violet light employed to probe the basic structure of materials generated in a synchrotron.
• Technology Panel
A panel of four international neutron technologists commissioned by the Council to develop a ‘road map’.