Neutron technology at the ILL
New science and innovation require ever better research tools. The secret behind the ILL's modern are highly optimised infrastructure is its solid technical expertise and constant R&D activity in critical areas, combined with the constant upgrade of its facilities and instruments. In order for neutron science experiments to be performed, the neutrons produced in ILL's high-flux reactor have to be guided towards the instruments, diverted, focused, selected.... scattered neutrons have to be recorded by neutron detectors whose working principles and configurations depend on the instrument. The ILL is the world leader in neutron technologies, from neutron delivery and optics to detectors and sample environments, with technical know-how and capabilities that are unique in the world. Major technical developments achieved at the ILL are made available to the wider neutron community. In this page, the ILL's different neutron technology R&D services are briefly introduced. Further information can be found following the links to the dedicated pages.
Neutron delivery
The ILL provides scientific users with the world's most intense neutron beams. The Neutron delivery and mechanics service ensures that the transport of neutrons from the reactor core to the different instruments is continually being adapted to the latest technologies, in order to maximise the useful neutron flux available. Over the last decade, the accumulated know-how allowed for the design and implementation of higlhy complex neutron guides, with a geometry and wavelength spectrum that can be optimised for individual instruments.
Neutron optics
Neutron optics are key components of neutron scattering instruments, defining incident beam conditions such as direction, energy, wavelength, and polarisation. The ILL Neutron Optics Service develops and produces the neutron optical components required to maintain the leading role of the ILL. It holds know-how and the in-house manufacturing capabilities for a wide range of neutron optical components, from monochromator and analyser crystals to converging guides, bandpass filters and polarising 3He spin-filters and supermirrors.
Neutrons detectors
Data quality in a neutron scattering experiments largely depends on the intrumentation used to detect the scattered neutrons. The ILL Detector Service designs and manufactures Helium-3 detectors and beam monitors specific to each instrument. It is responsible for their maintenance and proposes innovative solutions to ensure that the instruments remain at peak performance. Depending on the instrument type, the detector’s active area can range from a few cm² to several m², the spatial resolution from 1 mm and several cm, and the counting rate from a few Hz to several MHz.
Design, calculation and project management
To make the most of the neutrons produced by the ILL reactor and delivered to the scientific instruments, it is essential to design and integrate all components in a structured and consistent way. The design, calculations, and project management service brings together engineering expertise, advanced simulations, and practical project coordination to support the development of neutron scattering instrumentation and facility infrastructure. Our experts in structural, thermal, magnetic, and neutronics calculations ensure that systems perform reliably, safely, and efficiently.
Advanced Sample environments
ILL’s Advanced Neutron Environment Service (SANE) is responsible for the development, maintenance and user support for all equipment used to subject samples to extreme and specialised experimental conditions, such as extreme temperatures (30 mK to 2000 K) and pressures (up to 220 kbar), magnetic fields (up to 40 T), specialised sample holders, humidity control, electric fields, etc. The technology and expertise hold by the SANE plays a crucial role in the success of many highly complex experiments performed at the ILL, allwoing us to fully exploit the power of neutron scattering.
Instrument control and electronics
The Instrument Control Service (SCI) at the ILL develops software and hardware for instrument control and data acquisition. Its first priority is to support the instruments and ensure optimum use of beamtime. In practical terms, this encompasses both extensive preventive maintenance activities and the follow-up of the technical evolution of hardware and software. Front-end electronics for data acquisition systems have been developed for instruments at the ILL and in other neutron facilities. The SCI developed and is responsible for NOMAD, ILL’s open-source software for instrument control.
Scientific computing services
The Scientific Computing service supports ILL scientists, students and visitors in a number of activities including data reduction, data analysis, instrument simulation and sample simulation. The production of high-quality data is the cornerstone of a successful experiment. However, achieving meaningful results requires the expertise to effectively use a set of specialised digital tools. At the ILL, we offer a comprehensive service supported by experts in numerical simulation and software development, drawing on our extensive experience in neutron scattering.
IT Service
The IT department plays a crucial role in supporting both the staff and the scientific research conducted at the ILL. Its main roles are maintaining and upgrading our critical infrastructure, protecting the ILL's sensitive data and systems from cyber threats, and developing and implementing new technologies.