Neutron Scattering: Latest Advances and Prospects

A Special Issue of Quantum Beam Science (ISSN 2412-382X) belonging to the section "Radiation Scattering Fundamentals and Theory".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 1770

Editors


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Guest Editor
Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Interests: inelastic and quasi-elastic; neutrons scattering; Raman; X-rays and neutron imaging; confinement; water dynamics; porous materials; hydrogen bonds; biomaterials; neutron instrumentation

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Guest Editor
Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
Interests: dynamics of fluids, gases, and macromolecules as bulk and under confinement

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is dedicated to capturing the rapid evolution and exciting future of neutron scattering. With new facilities coming online and computational methods transforming data interpretation, neutrons offer unprecedented insights into the structure and dynamics of matter.

To compile a milestone collection of research and reviews that define the current state-of-the-art and future direction of neutron scattering across all scientific domains, we invite submissions on the following topics:

  • Science Frontiers: Groundbreaking results from neutron experiments in hard and soft condensed matter, chemistry, biology, cultural heritage, engineering and industry.
  • Technical Innovation: New instruments, methods, sample environments, and detectors.
  • Data and Computation: Novel analysis, modeling, simulation, and AI/ML applications.
  • Future Outlook: Perspective articles on emerging opportunities and facility developments

All submissions will undergo full peer review according to the journal's high standards.

Join us in creating a definitive reference for the next generation of neutron science.

Prof. Dr. Heloisa N. Bordallo
Dr. Murillo L. Martins
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Quantum Beam Science is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • neutron scattering and imaging
  • quantum materials
  • soft matter
  • energy materials
  • cultural heritage
  • industrial application
  • instrumentation
  • artificial intelligence/machine learning
  • operando characterization
  • polarized neutrons
  • data analysis

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 3658 KB  
Article
Improvements in the Sample Space for the Backscattering Silicon Spectrometer (BASIS)
by Chris Schmitt, Niina Jalarvo, Naresh C. Osti, Tyler White, John Wenzel, Xiaosong Geng, Rebecca Mills and Eugene Mamontov
Quantum Beam Sci. 2026, 10(3), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs10030018 - 4 Aug 2026
Viewed by 355
Abstract
The increase in neutron flux at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), currently operating at 2.0 MW proton beam power, has created new opportunities for higher-throughput neutron scattering experiments while also increasing the importance of minimizing background scattering and [...] Read more.
The increase in neutron flux at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), currently operating at 2.0 MW proton beam power, has created new opportunities for higher-throughput neutron scattering experiments while also increasing the importance of minimizing background scattering and optimizing sample-environment operations. To address these challenges faced by the Backscattering Silicon Spectrometer (BASIS), several upgrades were developed and evaluated, including boron carbide (B4C) masking for flat-plate sample containers, multi-cell sample holders used with a vertically translating sample stick, and an automated helium pump-and-purge (HPP) system for closed-cycle refrigerators. Neutron diffraction measurements demonstrate that B4C masks reduce background scattering by 49–67%, outperforming both borated aluminum and boron nitride masks while introducing no additional Bragg reflections within the instrument’s accessible Q-range. Commissioning tests of a double-cell flat-plate sample container showed no measurable crosstalk between adjacent sample compartments and confirmed a stable thermal performance, enabling multiple samples to be measured without repeated temperature cycling. In addition, the automated HPP system provided reproducible sample-space gas handling with approximately ±1 mbar precision while reducing the need for operator intervention and supporting remote operation. Together, these developments improve signal-to-noise performance, increase experimental throughput, and enhance operational efficiency at BASIS, supporting the instrument’s continued operation under higher neutron flux conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neutron Scattering: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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