• To establish Hong Kong as an international center of excellence in neutron scattering research
• To conduct and collaborate on cutting-edge neutron scattering experiments for scientific discoveries and industrial development
• To provide training and enable new users to apply neutron scattering in their research
Neutron scattering is a powerful and versatile method to characterize the structure and dynamics of materials. Over the years, neutron scattering studies have made enormous impact in many areas of physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, and materials engineering. For example, neutron scattering experiments played a crucial role in elucidating the interplay between spin fluctuations and superconductivity in high-temperature superconductors. Because of their characteristic energy scales, cold neutrons are uniquely positioned to probe dynamic processes in soft matter, whose applications range from consumer products to photovoltaic materials to drug delivery. The study of mechanical behaviors represents a new application of neutron scattering. In addition to offering fundamental insights of deformation at microscopic level, the technique has also provided critical data for assessment of the structure integrity of equipment and infrastructures.
China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), located in Dongguan about 70 km north of Hong Kong, is a new pulsed neutron source dedicated for neutron scattering research under Institute of High Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The CSNS produced the first neutron beam on August 28, 2018 and has been in user operation since March 2018. When completed with 20 neutron scattering instruments, CSNS is expected to attract thousands of scientific and industrial users each year from China and the international community. Due to the proximity, the scientific community in Hong Kong stands to be a major beneficiary of CSNS.
Centre for Neutron Scattering (CNS) is intended to provide a platform for Hong Kong users to collaborate with CSNS as well as the international neutron scattering community. It is a hub for education, scientific exchange, and collaborations that enable discovery and innovation. Currently, CNS comprises of the following major programs,
• CAS-CityU Joint Laboratory on Neutron Scattering Science and Technology
• Guangdong-HongKong-Macau Joint Laboratory for Neutron Scattering
• Croucher Summer Course on Neutron Scattering
