European Spallation Source

European Spallation Source ERIC
Scientific Purpose: Provide unique information about the structure and properties of materials across the spectrum of biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering.
LocationLund, Sweden
ProposerERIC
Project websiteess.eu
StatusUnder construction
TypeResearch Laboratories
Start date2013
Completion date2025
Science with neutrons
Foundations
Neutron scattering
Other applications
Infrastructure
Neutron facilities
ESS logo

The European Spallation Source ERIC (ESS) is a multi-disciplinary research facility currently under construction[1] in Lund, Sweden.[2] Its Data Management and Software Centre (DMSC) is co-located with DTU in Lyngby, Denmark.[3][4][5] Its 13 European contributor countries are partners in the construction and operation of the ESS.[6] The ESS is scheduled to begin its scientific user program in 2027, when the construction phase is set to be completed.[7] The ESS will assist scientists in the tasks of observing and understanding basic atomic structures and forces, which are more challenging to do with other neutron sources in terms of lengths and time scales.[8] The research facility is located near the MAX IV Laboratory, which conducts synchrotron radiation research. The construction of the facility began in the summer of 2014 and the first science results are planned for 2027.

During operation, the ESS will use nuclear spallation, a process in which neutrons are liberated from heavy elements by high energy protons. This is considered to be a safer process than uranium fission since the reaction requires an external energy supply which can be stopped easily. This facility is an example of a "long pulse" source (milliseconds).[9][10] Furthermore, spallation produces more usable neutrons for a given amount of waste heat than fission.

The facility consists of a linear accelerator, in which protons are accelerated and collide with a rotating, helium-cooled tungsten target, generating intense pulses of neutrons. Surrounding the tungsten are baths of cryogenic hydrogen, which feed neutron supermirror guides. It operates similarly to optical fibres, directing the beams of neutrons to experimental stations, where research is performed on a range of materials.

Neutron scattering can be applied to a range of scientific explorations in physics, chemistry, geology, biology, and medicine. Neutrons serve as a probe for revealing the structure and function of matter from the microscopic down to the atomic scale, with the potential for development of new materials and processes.[11]

During the construction, the ESS became a European Research Infrastructure Consortium, or ERIC, on 1 October 2015.

The European Investment Bank made a €50 million investment in the ESS. This investment is supported by InnovFin-EU Finance for Innovators,[12] an initiative established by the EIB Group in collaboration with the European Commission under Horizon 2020, the EU's research and innovation program.[13][14]

  1. ^ "European Spallation Source – Homepage". ESS. 2014. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  2. ^ European Spallation Source. "Construction Site Weekly Updates". europeanspallationsource.se. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Data Management & Software Centre | ESS". europeanspallationsource.se. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  4. ^ "ESS DMSC now part of the DTU Lyngby Campus | ESS".
  5. ^ "ESS' Data Management and Software Centre moves to DTU".
  6. ^ "ESS – Introduction". European Spallation Source. 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  7. ^ "ESS revises project plan and budget | ESS". europeanspallationsource.se. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  8. ^ European Spallation Source. "Unique Capabilities of ESS". europeanspallationsource.se. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  9. ^ Mezei, Ferenc (1996). "The raison d'être of long pulse spallation sources". Journal of Neutron Research. 6 (1–3): 3–32. doi:10.1080/10238169708200095.
  10. ^ Mezei, Ferenc (1997). "Long pulse spallation sources". Physica B: Condensed Matter. 234–236: 1227–1232. Bibcode:1997PhyB..234.1227M. doi:10.1016/S0921-4526(97)00271-8.
  11. ^ "How the humble neutron can help solve some of the universe's deepest mysteries | Research and Innovation". projects.research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  12. ^ "EU Finance for Innovators factsheet" (PDF). European Investment Bank. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  13. ^ Bank, European Investment (27 January 2022). EIB Activity Report 2021. European Investment Bank. ISBN 978-92-861-5108-8.
  14. ^ "InnovFin EU Finance for innovators". EIB.org. Retrieved 12 May 2022.