http://www-llb.cea.fr/en/
LLB-Orphée — Exploring matter with neutrons
Started in 1980, Orphée is a research reactor with a power of 14 MW operated by the CEA. It provides thermal neutrons beams to study condensed matter.
Spectrometers and users
The Laboratoire Léon Brillouin (LLB), joint research unit of the CEA and the CNRS, constructs and operates spectrometers around Orphée. It provides access to them for the French and international scientific community and organise the training of new users to neutron scattering. Each year it is more than 300 researchers, that come to Saclay using the LLB spectrometers.
The LLB and Europe
Since 1992, the LLB is engaged in European programs for the development of the neutron scattering techniques. Each year the LLB provides more than 300 beam days to more than 100 European users. Within the FP8 Sine2020 European program, the cooperation with the 8 other European neutrons sources enables important technical developments.
Programs
The LLB conducts its own fundamental research programs in solid state physics. They are connected with the fields of transport, energy, health and information technologies.
Orphée and industry
The industrial use of LLB-Orphée has been organised from the very early days of the reactor. It is concentrated around a few specific areas :
- Neutron radiography for the visualisation of light atoms in metallic container.
- Silicon doping for the electronic industry.
- Radio-isotopes production for medicine.
- Residual stress determination.
- Textures and heterogeneities measurements in metals and alloys.
- Organization at large scales of big molecules and polymers.
Sample Environment
The LLB sample environment provides standard equipment for performing the experiments as used in all neutron research centers, as well as custom developments. One focus is on the development of high pressure cells in the pressure range of up to 3 GPa and SANS pressure cells.