The ILL first opened its doors to visiting scientists almost 40 years ago, and ever since then, we have led the world in neutron-scattering science and technology. A key factor in this success has been the continuous renewal or development of our instruments to ensure that they are world-leading.

In the late 1990s, it became clear that there was an urgent need for a fresh and vigorous initiative to keep the ILL at the leading edge of neutron science, and so an ambitious roadmap for renewal was drawn up. In 2000, the ILL launched the Millennium Programme designed to establish a sustainable strategy for the continual improvement of its infrastructure and instruments.
Founded on new scientific opportunities, as well as exciting developments in instrument design – detectors, monochromators – spin polarisers and higher-performance neutron guides, this strategy attracted substantial funding from the ILL’s Associate Members.

Together with the skill and diligence of ILL staff, we have been able to deliver six new instruments, and extensively upgrade a further eight in the first phase (M-0) of our Millennium Programme. A new CRG instrument has been added in parallel (so-called Collaborating Research Groups, or CRGs, from various partner countries that develop their own instruments). The replacement of the neutron guides alone has led to a doubling of neutron intensity for many instruments. It has contributed to improving the average detection rate of neutrons for all instruments by more than 20 times! (see graph).

Our plans do not stop there – the next M-1 phase of the Millennium Programme is currently underway, with funding in place to deliver a further 11 new or upgraded instruments (including both those available to all researchers from member countries and those implemented by CRGs).