Delegates may chose to attend a laboratory tour of either the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source or Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE) on Friday, 12th September 2025. The CCFE laboratory tour is divided into two groups; one will tour JET and MAST-U and the other will tour JET and MRF. Each CCFE tour is limited to 20 people on a first-come first-served basis. Details on the two tours may be found below.
ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Laboratory Tour
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Embark on a journey through the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, one of the world’s leading research facilities for probing the atomic and molecular structure of materials. Located at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory on the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, UK, this sprawling facility spans the size of several football pitches and has been a cornerstone of materials science since its establishment in 1984 . Here’s what a tour of ISIS might include:
1. Introduction to ISIS: Purpose and Impact
Your tour begins with an overview of ISIS’s mission: generating neutrons and muons - subatomic particles used as "super-microscopes" to study materials at the atomic level. These particles reveal insights into everything from quantum materials to pharmaceutical compounds, clean energy solutions, and even archaeological artifacts . The facility supports over 3,000 scientists annually from academia and industry, with research driving innovations in smartphone batteries, aircraft engineering, and climate-friendly refrigerants.
2. Ion Sources
The journey of particle acceleration at ISIS begins with its powerful ion sources. The tour will include visits to multiple ion sources at ISIS, including:
- The Penning ion source of the Ion Source Development Rig (ISDR)
- The Penning ion source of the Front End Test Stand (FETS)
- The RF ion source
3. The Accelerator Complex
Next, explore the particle accelerators. The facility uses a three-stage system:
- A linear accelerator (LINAC) and synchrotron that propel protons to 84% the speed of light before colliding them with tungsten or graphite targets.
- The collision generates neutrons (via spallation) and muons (from decaying pions), which are channelled to experimental stations.
- Learn about the synchrotron’s role in creating pulsed beams, operating at 50 Hz, and the engineering marvel of cooling systems that manage the intense heat from the 160 kW proton beam.
4. Target Stations and Instruments
The tour proceeds to ISIS’s two target stations, each serving distinct research needs:
- Target Station 1 (TS1): Focused on high-energy neutrons, this station houses instruments like ENGIN-X (for stress analysis in engineering components) and Vesuvio (studying nuclear momentum distributions). Visitors can observe shielded beamlines and learn how neutrons penetrate materials to map atomic structures.
- Target Station 2 (TS2): Opened in 2009, TS2 specializes in low-energy neutrons for soft matter studies, such as biological systems and nanomaterials. Instruments like NIMROD (analysing structures from atomic to mesoscopic scales) and LARMOR (advanced neutron scattering techniques) highlight its versatility .
5. Muon Science Facilities
Delve into the muon beamlines, where spin-polarized muons probe magnetic and dynamic properties of materials. Key areas include:
- RIKEN-RAL Facility: Offers variable momentum (17–90 MeV/c) and both positive/negative muons, enabling studies under extreme conditions like high pressure.
- MICE Experiment: A dedicated beamline for muon ionization cooling, a technique critical for future particle accelerators.
- EMU and MuSR Spectrometers: Used for zero-field measurements and quantum material research, demonstrating how muons reveal hidden material behaviours.
6. Behind the Scenes: Operations and Collaboration
Peek into the 24/7 control room, where teams monitor experiments and accelerator performance. Learn how scientists worldwide apply for beamtime through a competitive peer-review process. The facility also collaborates with the adjacent Research Complex Harwell, bridging neutron science with biochemistry and nanotechnology .
7. Legacy and Future
Conclude with ISIS’s legacy, from uncovering the structure of high-temperature superconductors to stress-testing aerospace components. Despite its initial 20-year lifespan, upgrades ensure operations until 2040, cementing its role in tackling 21st-century challenges like climate change and healthcare .
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This tour offers a glimpse into a facility where particle physics meets real-world innovation, showcasing how subatomic particles unlock the secrets of materials that shape our lives. For deeper insights, explore the full research portfolio at the ISIS website.
Culham Centre for Fusion Energy Laboratory Tours
JET + MAST-U
This tour will offer you an opportunity to see in-person some of the amazing work we at UKAEA are doing to develop sustainable fusion energy. You will receive an introductory talk covering the basics of fusion energy, followed by tours of the world record breaking Joint European Torus (JET) and the cutting edge Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak Upgrade (MAST-U). These tours will be led by engineers, scientists and technicians, who are currently working on the facilities – so you are guaranteed a genuine insight into what it’s like to work in fusion and have the opportunity to directly ask our passionate researchers anything about our work here at UKAEA.
JET + MRF
This tour will offer you an opportunity to see in-person some of the amazing work we at UKAEA are doing to develop sustainable fusion energy. You will receive an introductory talk covering the basics of fusion energy, followed by tours of the world’s largest operating fusion experiment; the world record breaking Joint European Torus (JET) and the cutting edge Materials Research Facility (MRF). Tours will be led by our engineers, scientists and technicians, who are currently working on the experiments. You will gain a genuine insight into what it’s like to work in fusion and have the opportunity to directly ask our passionate researchers anything about our work here at UKAEA.
