PNPI is working in the field of Neutron and Condensed Matter Physics. In its Neutron Research Department, PNPI runs instruments at large-scale facility WWR-M for structural and magnetic investigations of materials using neutron radiation. Especially, PNPI is curently building the 100 MW high flux research reactor PIK in Gatchina, which should start at the end of 2011.
GKSS as a member of the Hermann von Helmholtz-Association of German Research Centres is working interalia in the field of Research with Photons, Neutrons and Ions (PNI). In its Institute of Materials Research, GKSS runs instruments at large-scale facilities for structural investigations of materials using synchrotron radiation and neutrons. With the final shutdown of the research reactor of GKSS, GKSS will switch its research activities to other neutron sources.
The Parties intend to co-operate in the field of research and development using neutron scattering techniques with the aim to install a new research platform at the new PIK reactor with neutron beamtime access for GKSS. PNPI and GKSS, therefore, agree to transfer the instruments SANS-2, SANS-3 (PNR), NERO, DCD, FSS, TEX-2 and POLDI to PNPI.
GKSS offers the instruments to PNPI for free as a scientific support to install a new neutron research platform at the PIK reactor. In its turn, PNPI, paying most attention to the start up the PIK reactor, is willing to install the instruments at the reactor as soon as possible. The partners intend to closely cooperate after the transfer of the setups to the new reactor. GKSS will have its own contingent of beamtime at the instruments. The two partners intend to establish a wide-spread user policy and easy approach to the instruments as it is presently realized at GKSS and to develop an ongoing scientific cooperation in the field of neutron scattering.