A route to the brightest possible neutron source?
We review the potential to develop sources for neutron scattering science and propose that a merger with the rapidly developing field of inertial fusion energy could provide a major step-change in performance. In stark contrast to developments in synchrotron and laser science, the past 40 years have seen only a factor of 10 increase in neutron source brightness. With the advent of thermonuclear ignition in the laboratory, coupled to innovative approaches in how this may be achieved, we calculate that a neutron source three orders of magnitude more powerful than any existing facility can be envisaged on a 20- to 30-year time scale. Such a leap in source power would transform neutron scattering science.
Taylor
Andrew
A
Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0QX, UK. andrew.taylor@rl.ac.uk
Dunne
Mike
M
Bennington
Steve
S
Ansell
Stuart
S
Gardner
Ian
I
Norreys
Peter
P
Broome
Tim
T
Findlay
David
D
Nelmes
Richard
R