In 2016, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) commissioned an advisory panel to carry out a strategic review of neutron facilities (including muons) with the brief of making recommendations for:
- a 15 to 20 year vision for UK science requirements for neutrons and the facilities needed
- a ten-year strategy for UK access to neutron facilities, including underpinning technology, skills and community development.
An update to this review was published in June 2020.
Download the strategic review and updates.
Significant breakthroughs and new insights in many science areas have been achieved using neutron and muon techniques. The ability of neutrons to reveal the nuclear structure of matter and distinguish between isotopes has made them a prime tool for research ranging from condensed matter physics to soft matter biology.
Muons provide a complementary probe to neutrons, particularly in the areas of magnetism, superconductivity and charge transport. This diversity of applications and the scale and cost of the facilities needed to enable neutron and muon-based research mean that it is appropriate to review and reassess the provision made to support this research.
Last updated: 31 March 2022