Co-operation Project between PNPI and GKSS

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Project description
Reasons
SANS-2
SANS-3
NeRo
DCD
POLDI
FSS
TEX-2

Co-operation Project

Scientific objectives

The aim of the proposal is the support of coordination, scientific exchange and knowledge transfer which is necessary to build a new neutron research platform at PNPI with neutron beamtime access for GKSS and to continue the above mentioned scientific collaboration projects.

This proposal is focused on:

the transfer of several neutron scattering instruments from GKSS to PNPI;
further development and construction of these setups at the new high-flux reactor PIK;
further research in the field of materials science, condensed matter, magnetism and nanotechnology using neutron scattering techniques.

Particular attention will be paid to the polarized neutron option of the transferred setups. The part of the neutron guides will be renewed in the course of construction. The partners will continue currently running successful scientific projects on the investigations of (see ref.):

research on advanced engineering materials;
crystal and spin chiralities of the monosilicides of the transition metals;
Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction in the complex magnetic systems;
nanostructures and nanotechnologies;
fractals in chemistry.

Project description: nature and extent of the intended project cooperation

The project is based on the mutual interest of two partners to continue common research in the field of material science and condensed matter using neutron scattering techniques. Facing the necessity to shut down the reactor FRG-1, GKSS is willing to offer the major part of their instrumentation and to move it to the new PIK reactor at PNPI. In its turn, PNPI, paying most of attention to the start up of the PIK reactor, is willing to benefit from installing the setups, which are proven for their efficiency and high quality. The partners intend to closely cooperate after the transfer of the setups to the new reactor. The GKSS will have its own contingent of beamtime at the instruments installed at the PIK reactor. The two partners intend to establish a wide-spread user policy and easy approach to the instruments as it is presently realized at GKSS. The project will be used to install this new neutron research platform and to develop deep technical and scientific cooperation between two centers in the field of neutron scattering.

Methods:

The setups prepared for transfer are the following: Small-angle scattering instruments SANS-2 and SANS-3 (PNR), Neutron Reflectometer NERO, Ultra small angle scattering instrument DCD, TOF diffractometer FSS, texture diffractometer TEX-2, Polarized Neutron diffractometer POLDI.
The partners will perform an extensive education and training program. The research reactor FRG-1 at GKSS is planned to shut down in June 2010. The neutron scattering setups located in the neutron guide hall at GKSS will be in operation till this time. The remaining time shall be used for training the staff from PNPI, so that they are able to start a new operation of these setups after their transportation from GKSS to PNPI. The training course includes instructions from the experienced staff of GKSS and learning to work at the setups with subsequent technical description of the setups, their parts, etc.
These instruments will be renewed and installed at the PIK reactor at PNPI in Gatchina.
The staff trained during the remaining time at GKSS will be the basis for the future German–Russian cooperation at the new research platform and for the continuation of the scientific collaboration projects.