The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE)

Abstract

In October 1995, with the closeout of the nuclear physics user program and the increased national need for neutrons, Los Alamos National Laboratory refocused the mission of its linear accelerator complex. The new mission called for the development and use of spallation neutron sources for research and applications. As a result, the accelerator complex formerly known as the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF) is now called the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). LANSCE, an acronym that formerly referred to the Manuel Lujan Jr. Neutron Scattering Center (now the Lujan Center), consists of a high-power 800–MeV proton linear accelerator (linac), a Proton Storage Ring (PSR), neutron production targets at the Lujan Center and the Weapons Neutron Research (WNR) facility, a Proton Radiography (PRad) Facility, a highpower materials irradiation area (LASREF), and an isotope production facility (IPF). With the ability to produce protons and neutrons, LANSCE is ideal for research in condensed matter science and engineering, accelerator science, nuclear science, and radiography. LANSCE uses these research capabilities to contribute to the Department of Energy Stockpile Stewardship Program and to support a national user program open to scientists from universities, industry, and federal laboratories. The layout of LANSCE can be seen at right.