The new neutron reflectometer NERO

The year 2005 saw the opening of the new NEutron ReflectOmeter (NERO) at the GKSS research centre in Geesthacht, Germany for the investigation of magnetic and non-magnetic systems as well as soft matter nano-structures. NERO operates with a monochromatic beam of neutrons of wavelength 0.433 nm with a resolution better than 2%. An angular range of -20 deg. <2θ<100 deg. allows for both reflectometry and high-angle diffraction measurements to be made. NERO has both a position-sensitive detector and a pencil detector installed for flexibility when making specular and diffuse measurements. NERO has been designed to accommodate heavy-sample environments such as cryo-furnaces and various kinds of magnets. Polarization analysis is available for the investigation of magnetic nano-structures. A supermirror stack with a wide angular-acceptance range will be available in 2006 for time-efficient measurements of magnetic diffuse reflectivity. Further information and proposal forms can be obtained online at http//:genf.gkss.de