Instrument control and electronics

ILL develops front-end electronics for data acquisition systems used in its instruments ans at other neutron facilities, including the ESS. The SCI is strongly involved in technology transfer to industry. An example is the front-end pre-amplifier module for neutron detectors developed at the ILL and commercialized by CAEN.

Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)-based data acquisition electronics provide high-speed, real-time signal processing capabilities, making them ideal for applications requiring rapid data collection and analysis, significantly enhancing performance and flexibility. The main advantage of FPGA-based data acquisition is its ability to handle complex computations in parallel, reducing latency and increasing throughput. At the ILL, we made the choice to perform all tasks related to the data taking in a dedicated VME-based electronic card. The in-house development is based on a central Zynq Ultrascale+.

NOMAD is the central software for controlling all ILL instruments. Originally a simple sequencer, it now leverages distributed computing and networked architectures to manage complex workflows. A graphical user interface (GUI) provides intuitive experiment setup, real-time feedback, and automation tools to enhance efficiency and reproducibility. Integration with data processing software enables real-time data reduction, allowing quick adjustments to experimental parameters.
For remote access, nomad remote allows users to run the NOMAD interface from any web browser via visa, interacting with live experiments as if physically present. This enables flexible working patterns, improves accessibility, and opens new possibilities for virtual experimentation. NOMAD 3D takes this further, allowing users to simulate entire experiments, test constraints, optimise measurement strategies, and visualise instrument behaviour in a virtual environment. These innovations are transforming instrument control, ensuring greater precision, efficiency, and usability in neutron scattering research.

Digital twins offer a powerful approach to neutron experimentation by creating virtual models of instruments that continuously update with real-world data. These simulations replicate neutron sources, sample interactions, and detector responses with high fidelity, allowing researchers to predict conditions, optimise instrument configurations, and refine data collection strategies before conducting experiments. This reduces trial-and-error, enhances efficiency, and conserves resources.

At ILL we are continuously exploring state-of-the art computing technologies to improve instrument control, in particular virtualisation, 3D animations and augmented reality.

Digital twin technology is integrated within NOMAD and NOMAD 3D, combining high-performance computing with simulation tools like McStas. This framework makes virtual experiments accessible to users beyond simulation specialists, allowing real-time experiment monitoring, parameter adjustments, and automated data analysis.