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ICONE
    ICONE: a new neutron source in France

    ICONE (COmpact NEutron facility) is a French neutron source project based on HiCANS technology (High Current Accelerator-driven Neutron Sources). It aims to rebuild a national neutron scattering capability following the shutdown of the Orphée reactor and to ensure sustainable access to neutrons for the French scientific community.

    Its principle relies on a high-intensity proton accelerator that produces neutrons through interaction with a dedicated target. This approach makes it possible to design a more compact, flexible and scalable infrastructure than traditional research reactors, while providing performance levels adapted to the needs of many users.

    ICONE is designed as a complementary national source to major European infrastructures. Its objective is to support academic research, industrial innovation, the training of students and engineers, as well as the development of new instrumentation.

    ICONE represents a strategic response to maintaining French scientific sovereignty by ensuring sustainable access to neutron scattering techniques.

    Neutron scattering instrumentation at ICONE

    ICONE instrumentation is organized around a set of beamlines optimized for a compact HiCANS source. Each instrument addresses a specific scientific community while prioritizing versatility, availability and industrial applications.

    Neutron diffraction

    • Powder diffractometer
    • Time-of-Flight (ToF) diffractometer
    • Magnetic diffraction
    • In situ and operando experiments

    Determination of crystal structures, phase identification and material characterization.

    Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS)

    • Conventional SANS
    • USANS
    • Kinetic SANS
    • H/D contrast variation

    Analysis of nanostructures, polymers, proteins, colloids and porous materials.

    Neutron reflectometry

    • Horizontal reflectometer
    • Liquid/solid interfaces
    • Thin films
    • Magnetic reflectometry

    Study of surfaces, interfaces and functional thin layers.

    Neutron imaging

    • Neutron radiography
    • 3D tomography
    • Dynamic imaging

    Non-destructive visualization of internal structures and fluid flows.

    Neutron spectroscopy

    • Time-of-Flight spectrometer
    • QENS
    • Vibrational excitations

    Study of atomic and molecular motions as well as material dynamics.

    Industrial applications

    • Residual stress measurements
    • Non-destructive testing
    • In situ experiments

    Applications in energy, nuclear, aerospace, automotive and industrial sectors.

    ICONE instrumentation focuses on robust, versatile and highly requested equipment capable of meeting the needs of both fundamental research and industrial applications, while complementing major European infrastructures.