Page 12 - Neutrons for Sciences and Society

Neutrons for Science
history cannot be entirely objective. After the first version of this text was finished, a book was published by the Greek scholar
and philosopher Jean-Pierre Vernant, La traversée des frontières [Paris, 2004]. He analysed the problems posed for those writing up recent events, and concluded that it is not possible to write a true history if we take into account the subjective nature of all the evidence, even if this is given with perfect honesty. I have tried to do my best.
I have had no responsibilities at the ILL for more than thirty years, and have been retired for more than ten. Hence I feel free to write the whole truth, even if, in a few rare cases, this is not politically correct. This is a test edition, because a time will come when true professionals will take up this work again, and will explore archives unknown to me. These will remain their only source; there will no longer be any remaining living witnesses to the creation of the ILL. I can add that it gave me great satisfaction to complete this book since it is always a pleasure to reflect on a successful enterprise to which one is proud to have contributed.
The creation of a scientific institution involves human interplay, with all that this entails, including conflicts between various members of the cast. Personality and charisma can play a fundamental role. For a scientific company, charisma necessarily involves an important component based on scientific credibility.
I will try to highlight the human aspect in the history of the ILL. In particular I would like to try and paint a picture of three of the main actors in this story, three strong personalities, Jules Horowitz, Louis Néel and Heinz Maier-Leibnitz, alas all now deceased. This book should not look like a report of a scientific
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