The Jülich Centre for Neutron Science JCNS is a qualitatively new structure, which was founded as
response to the permanent shut down of the Jülich research reactor FRJ-2 in Mai 2006. JCNS operates
instruments at the national and international leading sources FRM II, ILL and SNS under a common
scientific objective. In this way, JCNS provides the external users with access to world class
instruments under standardized conditions at the neutron source best suited for their respective
experiments. The breadth of JCNS is comparable to a facility based around a medium flux research
reactor, though it offers the quality of high flux sources. JCNS also provides a frame for the
well recognized method and instrument development program of FZJ and for its in-house research
in the condensed matter and key technology programmes.
The unique role of FZJ within the German neutron scattering landscape is based on a compelling
in-house condensed matter research program focussing on neutron scattering and complementary synchrotron
radiation techniques in the areas
soft condensed and biological matter and
nanomagnetism and highly correlated electron systems.
In these areas of expertise, JCNS is pursuing
- cutting edge instrumentation based on a rigorous method development program;
- a specialised and partly unique sample environment;
- data treatment and modelling routines;
- experienced local contacts with clear scientific profile;
- additional laboratory facilities for sample preparation and characterisation.
Finally, JCNS is the German forerunner in the exploration of the new frontier of neutron science at
Megawatt pulsed spallation sources.
At the 
FRM-II reactor, FZJ will
operate ten scattering instruments with its own team of scientists, engineers and technicians. This will
significantly enhance the capabilities at this most modern continuous neutron source in the areas of high
resolution spectroscopy, large scale structure research and polarised neutron scattering.
At the first Megawatt Spallation Neutron Source
SNS in Oak Ridge, USA, FZJ will build and
operate a next generation spin echo spectrometer with unprecedented resolution and dynamical range.
Through this contribution to the instrumentation, German users will gain access to the instrument suite
of this unique source.
At the worlds highest flux research reactor at
ILL in Grenoble, FZJ operates the
Collaborative Research Group instruments, IN12, IN22 and D23, in a consortium with the French CEA.
This gives German user groups access to world-class instruments for structural and dynamical studies.
