ORNL hosts two of the world’s most powerful sources of neutrons for research, the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) and the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). ORNL is the U.S. epicenter for one of the most powerful techniques for exploring the nature of materials and energy – neutron scattering. This research touches a broad range of scientific areas, including quantum materials, chemistry and catalysis, materials and engineering, soft matter and polymers, biological materials and systems, and artificial intelligence/machine learning.
The Spallation Neutron Source is the world’s most powerful accelerator-based neutron source. It’s celebrating 20 years of safe operations and scientific achievements in 2026.
The High Flux Isotope Reactor also celebrated a milestone, turning 60 years old in 2025. HFIR, a discovery powerhouse, continues to operate safely and reliably. It is considered one of the world’s top facilities for materials research and for production of isotopes for energy, national security, medical applications and industrial use.
Together, these two neutron sources attract thousands of researchers from around the globe, who use their state-of-the-art suite of instruments to conduct their experiments to achieve real-world impacts in the nation’s priority areas, such as energy competitiveness and security, quantum science, advanced manufacturing, treatment of cancer and other diseases, space exploration, and national security.
A third neutron source, the Second Target Station, is planned to greatly expand the capabilities of neutron scattering, complementing those of the SNS First Target Station (FTS) and HFIR, by filling gaps in materials research that require the combined use of intense, cold (longer wavelength) neutrons and instruments that are optimized for exploration of complex materials.
Together, these three facilities form an unbeatable combination that will maintain US global leadership in neutron science capabilities.
Neutrons, one of the particles that comprise matter, are ideal for certain types of research due to their many unique features, which enable them to provide insights no other research method can. Some of those features are:
Neutron scattering provides information at the atomic scale about the positions, motions, and magnetic properties of materials. When a beam of neutrons is aimed at a sample, many neutrons will pass through the material, but some will interact directly with atomic nuclei and “bounce” away at an angle, like colliding balls in a game of pool. This is called neutron scattering.
Using special detectors, scientists count scattered neutrons, measure their energies and the angles at which they scatter, and map their final position. This makes it possible for scientists to glean details about the nature of materials ranging from liquid crystals to superconducting ceramics, from proteins to plastics, and from metals to metallic glass magnets.
HFIR and SNS offer 31 advanced instruments covering a wide range of materials science techniques.
Both scientists and non-scientists can access ORNL’s leading research facilities via the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s User Program. ORNL’s neutron research user facilities are open to researchers to facilitate their studies in science and technology.
The Neutron Nexus is an intentional and sustained initiative to foster personal relationships, educational opportunities, in-person visits, and other outreach opportunities between NScD and “Key Universities” as well as surrounding regional universities, community colleges, and technical colleges.
The SNS is the world’s most powerful pulsed neutron source. Its linear accelerator, or linac, is one-fifth of a mile long. The process begins by accelerating ions, which are charged particles, to nearly the speed of light to eventually produce neutrons that are used in neutron scattering materials and energy research. This animation tells the story of the journey that begins at the ion source and ends with the neutrons’ travels along the beamlines to the instruments used to probe materials.
For decades, Oak Ridge National Laboratory has pushed the boundaries of discovery through world-leading neutron science facilities like the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) and the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). Now, a new chapter is unfolding. At SNS, innovations, such as the VENUS neutron imaging instrument, have already integrated AI and machine learning to reveal materials in unprecedented detail and at extraordinary speed.
Can’t come to the lab for a tour? We’ll bring the lab to you.
Now, anyone can see the SNS, HFIR, and other ORNL user facilities through the lab’s virtual tours.
The virtual tours of SNS and HFIR feature 360-degree multi-level views, enabling you to experience the facilities in the same manner as an in-person tour. You will have access to more than 30 high-powered instruments, as well as the construction site for VENUS, the SNS facility’s newest instrument.
The neutron sciences team at ORNL includes physicists, engineers, technicians, operators, facilities experts, communicators, human resource partners, and business professionals. They work to prioritize the safe and reliable operations and scientific achievements of our user facilities, the Spallation Neutron Source and High Flux Isotope Reactor, and plan for upgrades and improvements to our neutron sources.
