HZB project team under the direction of
Dr. Klaus Habicht
Dr. Klaus Habicht
Tel (030) 8062 - 42807 Fax (030) 8062 - 43094 mail Email Business card Business card



 
Reflectometry
Dr. Roland Steitz
Dr. Roland Steitz
Tel (030) 8062 - 42149 mail Email Business card Business card



 
Neutron Radiography/Tomography
Dr. Nikolay Kardjilov
Dr. Nikolay Kardjilov
Tel (030) 8062 - 42298 Fax (030) 8062 - 43059 mail Email Business card Business card



 
Extreme Sample Environment
Dr. Oleksandr Prokhnenko Tel (030) 8062 - 43068 Fax (030) 8062 - 42999 mail Email


 
Simulation Code Development
Dr. Klaus Lieutenant mail Email Business card Business card


 
Test Beamline
Dr. Klaus Habicht
Dr. Klaus Habicht
Tel (030) 8062 - 42807 Fax (030) 8062 - 43094 mail Email Business card Business card



 
Detectors
Dr. Thomas Wilpert
Dr. Thomas Wilpert
Tel (030) 8062 - 42743 Fax (030) 8062 - 43094 mail Email Business card Business card



 

Work Packages

HZB researchers take on work packages for ESS

In preparation for the construction and operation of new instruments at ESS, all of which will be fully operational by 2025, scientists at HZB and around Europe are currently working on developing instrument concepts as well as designing and testing instruments and components. In 2010 the BMBF initiated a € 15M cooperative project to fund the German contribution. In addition the Helmholtz centres are contributing a further € 6M of their own resources. This funding will allow German researchers to contribute to the Design-Update-Phase of the ESS project which runs between now and the start of the Construction Phase in 2013.

With the BER II research reactor HZB operates one of two neutron sources in Germany. The experience of operating a source and instrument suite for 20 years means that scientists at HZB know exactly what users of these facilities need. HZB is now actively involved in the BMBF project to design instruments for the next generation source ESS.

This highly specialised knowledge, because of the characteristics of neutron instruments, depend on the nature of the problems they are designed to solve is extremely valuable to the ESS.  Within the BMBF project, HZB researchers are responsible for five different lines of work, to which they are contributing outstanding expertise. Currently, more than fifteen scientists work in the HZB project team under the direction of Dr. Klaus Habicht.

Reflectometry – Instrumentation Concepts work package

Neutron reflectometry is used to study thin layers and boundary surfaces to a depth of 150 mm. This method is especially suited to study functional solid-liquid boundaries, biomimetic layer systems, and materials with magnetic properties, in particular using polarized neutrons. Reflectometry will also play an important role at the ESS. New experimental stations at ESS shall be developed with the expertise of HZB researchers.
Contact: Dr. Roland Steitz

Neutron Radiography/Tomography – Instrumentation Concepts work package

By using neutrons the internal structure of materials or components can be imaged without cutting or otherwise damaging the sample. Neutron tomography is a versatile method for answering questions in industry, natural sciences or even archaeometry, and will also be employed on instruments to be newly developed for ESS.
Contact: Dr. Nikolay Kardjilov

Extreme Sample Environment – Instrumentation Concepts work package

Researchers also gain information on the properties of matter by exposing a sample to extreme conditions, such as very high magnetic fields or very low temperatures, and then investigating the sample with neutrons. Researchers at HZB are in charge of developing concepts for ESS instruments where samples can be investigated under the restrictive geometry of such extreme sample environments.
Contact: Dr. Oleksandr Prokhnenko

Simulation Code Development – Instrumentation Components work package

All components must be tested before they are installed at ESS. Yet even before the practical tests, mathematical calculations have to be done. This is an important step in determining the suitability of components and instruments. Model calculations can often determine in advance whether a concept is worth pursuing. HZB scientists are responsible for developing the special simulation code VITESS for pulsed neutron sources.
Contact:  Dr. Klaus Lieutenant

Test Beamline – Instrumentation Components work package

A specific test beam line is currently being built in neutron guide hall I at the neutron source BER II.  A double chopper installed at this dedicated beam line is designed to mimic the time structure of ESS with its pulse length and repetition rate. Here, various components such as detectors and instrument concepts for ESS can be studied under real conditions. The results of the experiments are crucial for optimizing the novel instrumentation concepts for ESS.
Contact: Dr. Klaus Habicht

Detectors – Instrumentation Components work package

It is the aim of developmental work on 3He-free detectors at HZB to use thin converter layers that absorb neutrons and emit detectable secondary electrons. These layers shall be used in particular in so-called MSGC (multi-strip gas chamber) detectors in combination with high spatial resolution. In almost all neutron scattering experiments, spatial data reveal information about the structure of the studied material. The results on detection efficiency and space and time resolution will help to finally decide what components shall come into use at the ESS facility in Sweden.
Contact: Dr. Thomas Wilpert