Neutrons and Synchrotron Radiation

Travel to or next to all neutron scattering and synchrotron radiation user facilities in the world - do it like a scientist working in that field. Give presentations at academic or applied research organizations such as universities, government research centers, industrial research and relevant conferences in that field.

Neutron and Synchrotron Radiation both are tools for the investigation of condensed matter such as crystals, biological materials, functional materials. Without these tools, we would not have modern computer hard-drives, electronics, airplanes, plastics, drugs, medical research, etc.

Neutrons and Synchrotron Radiation is penetrating and probes the atomic structure of those materials, leading to their fundamental understanding - ranging from fundamental quantum theoretical concepts over a better recipe to form a metal, to characterizing ancient art work.

Neutron and Synchrotron Radiation facilities are typical large user organizations with a multitude of state-of-the-art measurement stations, so-called beamlines. Scientists can apply for beam time, and if accepted, travel to those facilities to perform their experiments. Some of the leading sources attract research groups from all over the world. An experiment may last a few hours or days, while the data analysis can last for several months, leading to publications or intellectual property. Travel is relatively cheap to the cost of the facility and the value of the data - progressing the technology of the world in which we live.

Many of the Neutron and Synchrotron Radiation facilities are public research funded. With this Travel Bug, I would like to thank the community for the innovation into this field and raise the importance to keep pace on applications to use these state-of-the-art facilities.