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ICONE

    General Information about ICONE

    The ICONE Facility

    The ICONE facility will provide French researchers and engineers with the capability to explore materials using neutrons.

    It is based on:
    – A high-current (80 mA), low-energy (25 MeV) proton accelerator
    – Two neutron production and moderation targets: High Flux (2 ms @ 20 Hz) and High Resolution (0.4 ms @ 50 Hz)
    – Approximately 10 to 12 scientific instruments exploiting neutron–matter interactions
    This type of facility is known as a HiCANS (High Current Accelerator-based Neutron Source).
    References: IAEA TECDOC 1981 (2021), LENS Report (2020), RIKEN, HBS Jülich, ARGITU ESS-Bilbao, ELENA, UCANS.
    ICONE Infrastructure

    Project Development Milestones

    Explore the key milestones in the development of ICONE.

    Current Project Status Phase: Detailed Design Phase (DDP) Progress: Preparation for implementation Objective: A next-generation neutron source
    2023

    Initial Project Evaluation

    Scientific and technical validation.   Completed
    2024

    Launch of Engineering Studies

    Definition of requirements and engineering studies.   Completed
    2026

    Preparation for Implementation

    Project organization.   In Progress

    ICONE at a Glance

    20
    participating laboratories
    10–12
    scientific instruments
    2
    neutron sources
    1
    national research infrastructure
    RFQ/DTL Accelerator – Complete Visualization
    Primary Beam
    Secondary Beam
    Distribution Points
    Speed: 1×

    Instrument Overview

    The ICONE (Installation COmpacte de NEutrons), project relies on a set of advanced scientific instruments, each dedicated to the production and analysis of specific data. This complementarity makes it possible to explore a wide range of phenomena at different scales and through multiple experimental approaches.

    These instruments have been developed through contributions from the LLB and research teams. They reflect strong scientific momentum and bring together multidisciplinary expertise.

    Combined within a single infrastructure, they provide a unique scientific environment.

    PRESTO

    Type: High-flux versatile powder and single-crystal diffractometer.
    Applications: Magnetism, phase transitions, multifunctional materials, superconductors, kinetics.

    PRÉCIS

    Type: High-resolution diffractometer.
    Applications: Batteries, hydrogen and CO₂ storage, crystallography, phase transitions.

    LAMBDA

    Type: Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS).
    Applications: Polymers, emulsions, gels, biomaterials, metallurgy.

    NANOSANS

    Type: SANS / WANS.
    Applications: Polymer crystallization, self-assembly.

    CONTEXT

    Type: Stress and texture analysis.
    Applications: Welds, composites, grain orientation.

    INEDIT

    Type: Direct inelastic neutron scattering.
    Applications: Liquids, biology, local dynamics.

    FANTASTIC

    Type: Indirect inelastic neutron scattering.
    Applications: Phonons, quantum magnetism.

    PREMS

    Type: Neutron reflectometry.
    Applications: Interfaces, spintronics.

    TULIP

    Type: Imaging.
    Applications: Energy, cultural heritage, aerospace.

    GOLF

    Type: Gamma activation analysis.
    Applications: Environment, geosciences.

    LiTe-HF

    High-flux testing and development beamline.

    LiTe-HR

    High-resolution testing and development beamline.