about the project

World-leading neutron science

ISIS is the world’s leading spallation neutron source, providing UK and international researchers access to the best scientific facilities of their kind. ISIS has contributed significantly to many of the major breakthroughs in materials science, physics and chemistry since it was commissioned in 1985.

Expansion of ISIS through the building of a Second Target Station was announced in April 2003 by the Science Minister,
Lord Sainsbury, as a key part of the UK investment strategy in major facilities.

Neutron scattering is a unique and powerful way of studying the properties of materials at the atomic level. Neutron scattering experiments reveal where atoms are and what they are doing, enabling the spacing of atoms and the forces between them to be measured. Innovations in technique and improved instrument performance over the last twenty years have made a huge contribution to our understanding of mateials, and the number of disciplines where neutron scattering has made an impact has steadily increased.

The ISIS Second Target Station will open up new opportunities in technologically significant areas, particularly in the fields of soft condensed matter, bio-molecular science, advanced materials and nanoscale science. The experimental programme will begin in 2008.