E11

Fast Acquisition Laue Camera for Neutrons (FALCON)

Neutron Laue diffraction is an important method of neutron scattering for measuring single crystals. Laue diffraction patterns are generated in a matter of seconds from very small crystals i.e. <1mm3.  FALCON has two scintillating plate detectors coupled to four iCCD cameras each, to produce a 2D projection of a large volume of reciprocal space in a single Laue pattern. Such images can be used to index complex crystal structures, characterise features such as twinning or preferred orientation whilst phase transitions can be investigated using a full range of sample environments including Low/High temperature, Magnetic field and High Pressure and combinations of these.

Situated at the end of a thermal beamtube in the E-Hall, the instrument uses a 'white' neutron beam i.e. range of wavelengths.  With no monochromators from other instruments upstream, an unhindered beam of neutrons arrives at the sample. 

FALCON will be available to users in 2014

Instrument applications

  • point defect analysis in compound semiconductors for energy research
  • complex crystallographic studies e.g. twinned crystal structure determination
  • in-situ kinetics studies
  • low-temperature magnetic studies

Latest News:

19.02.14 The FALCON has landed  All instrument components are assembled and the complete instrument is now in place (see photo). FALCON will be in full user service in the 2014-II round.  Interested users please contact the instrument scientist before application.

15.01.14 Commissioning begins  We would like to hear from interested users with samples and ideas for proposals.  Crystals can be used as test samples during the commissioning phase in preparation for entering full user service this year. 

09.09.13 Beam Tests this week  The combined beam definer/secondary shutter have been filled with high-density concrete and are now ready to be installed in the E-hall.  On Wednesday, using a power of 1MW we will measure the flux of the beam and check excess radiation levels

28.06.13 From Design to Reality  Several vital components have now arrived in house; IRELEC goniometer, new access staircase, and electronics rack.  Modifications to the sample table will allow greater flexibility in positioning of sample environment (XYZ-drive).  A Z-drive on the transmission detector will allow a greater volume of reciprocal space to be mapped.

03.05.13 FALCON breathes After successful installation of the two Photonic Science detectors, power checks and acquisition tests were FAST!

14.03.13 Green for GO!  Mains electrical power is now installed.  The pink cabinet supplies power to ancillary items e.g. control systems, computers, whilst the purple cabinet will power motors and sample environment equipment.

24.01.13  Secondary Shutter and Sample Table in the Workshop! The off-axial rotating shutter and sample table with sweeping detector arms are currently being machined in the HZB Workshop.

12.12.12  Virtual Instrument Complete Sample Table design now finalised to incorporate sweeping detector with 180° rotation around the sample. 


The FALCON has landed

The FALCON has landed


Instrument Data
Beam tube D1S
Collimation Combined shutter/collimator delivering 16mm diameter beam, with option of additional collimation using 1-10mm diameter BN noses
Monochromator N/A
Take off angle of monochromator N/A
Wave length 0.8 < λ < 5 Å
Flux ≈ 108 n cm-2 s-1
Range of scattering angles 3π/2
Angle resolution
Range of lattice spacing
d resolution
Sample size < 1mm3
Detector 2x400mm2 Li6 Scintillator plates coupled to 4xiCCD cameras each
Polarized neutrons No
Instrument options Ambient: Sample-to-detector distance >10mm
Sample Environment: Sample-to-detector distance >160mm
Sample environment 1.5K < T < 2000K
H < 5T at 1.5K < T < 300K
0 < P < 10kbar at 1.5K < T < 600K
Software CARESS, MAD