NEW NEUTRON SPECTROMETER COMMISSIONED AT NCNR.

The first experiment, a study of the molecular dynamics of alpha-lactalbumin, has recently been performed on the disk chopper time-of-flight spectrometer (DCS) at the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR). This instrument, which provides U.S. researchers access to world-class capabilities in the vital area of cold neutron spectroscopy, allows scientists to study dynamical processes in materials on time scales of less than 100 ps. As such it complements the neutron spin echo and backscattering spectrometers at the NCNR, which probe longer time scales, and another recently commissioned spectrometer, which probes shorter ones. During the commissioning phase the DCS, the worlds most flexible instrument of its type, has demonstrated state-of-the-art sensitivity. This combination allows researchers unprecedented ability to tailor the instrumental conditions to the physical processes of interest. Thus, the DCS is a unique tool, allowing measurements in important areas of research such as bio-processes, energy stor age, glassy dynamics, chemical separation, and catalysis.