Journal Article

FZJ-2026-02718

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png We CANS do it: would a SANS on PC-CANS be worth it?

Dziura, M. ; Castillo, S. R. ; Maharaj, D. ; King, S. ; Laxdal, R. ; Kester, O. ; Marquardt, D.

2025
NRC Research Press Ottawa, Ontario

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1139/cjp-2025-0091  doi:10.34734/FZJ-2026-02718

Abstract: The proposed prototype Canadian Compact Accelerator-driven Neutron Source (PC-CANS) presents a cost-effective solution to address the shrinking global availability of neutron beams. Designed to support a range of applications, including Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS), neutron imaging, boron neutron capture therapy, and radioisotope production, PC-CANS aims to restore and enhance Canada’s neutron science capabilities. Benchmarking against the LOQ instrument at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source demonstrates that a PC-CANS SANS, despite operating with lower neutron flux, would provide comparable data quality for a variety of scientifically interesting samples with only modest increases in measurement duration. A set of well-characterized samples—including lipid bilayers for membrane structure and lipid domain monitoring, as well as scattering standards such as meso-porous silicalite and silver behenate—were measured on LOQ under both standard and reduced-flux configurations. The initial results show that with only an approximate sixfold increase in acquisition time, data was reproducible at a usable quality. This suggests that an SANS instrument at PC-CANS will be a valuable tool for a wide range of scientific fields, from material science to biophysics. With ongoing improvements, ranging from technological advances to AI-driven data collection, PC-CANS has the potential to become a key resource for Canadian researchers and further foster international scientific collaboration.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Streumethoden (JCNS-2)
2. JARA-FIT (JARA-FIT)
3. High Brilliance Source (JCNS-HBS)

Research Program(s):

1. 632 - Materials – Quantum, Complex and Functional Materials (POF4-632) (POF4-632)
2. 6G4 - Jülich Centre for Neutron Research (JCNS) (FZJ) (POF4-6G4) (POF4-6G4)

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Database coverage:
; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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