China has commenced phase II of its Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), a cutting-edge scientific facility known as a \\"super microscope\\" that delves into the microscopic world. This major upgrade aims to accelerate scientific and technological innovation across various fields.
The Phase II project was inaugurated on Saturday in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province. It involves the construction of 11 new neutron instruments, experimental terminals, and laboratories. Significantly, the proton beam power of the CSNS is set to increase from 100 kilowatts to 500 kilowatts, enhancing the facility's capabilities, according to Wang Sheng, deputy director of the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
The expansion is expected to take five years and nine months. Upon completion, the upgraded CSNS will produce more neutrons simultaneously, reducing experiment times and improving resolution. This advancement will allow for the measurement of smaller samples and the study of faster dynamic processes, Wang explained.
Phase II will greatly enhance the application scope and capabilities of the CSNS, leading to a significant increase in the number of experiments. This will support cutting-edge scientific research and contribute to economic development, Wang added.
Phase I Achievements
Phase I of the CSNS began in September 2011 with an investment of 2.3 billion yuan ($323 million) and was operational by August 2018. It became China’s first pulse spallation neutron source and the fourth in the world, following facilities in the UK, the U.S., and Japan.
Over the past five years, Phase I has facilitated more than 1,500 experimental projects across various fields, particularly in energy materials such as lithium-ion batteries, shale materials, hydrogen storage, and combustible ice. Zhang Junrong, deputy director of the neutron science department at the IHEP's Dongguan research branch, noted that the number of registered CSNS users has surpassed 6,000 since its inception, with over 5,000 operational hours logged last year.
The CSNS plays a pivotal role in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, one of China’s prime regions for scientific and technological infrastructure. As the area’s first major national science and technology infrastructure, the CSNS is instrumental in building a comprehensive national science center and an international innovation hub.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com