Novel concepts in neutron instrumentation

The most economical way to increase the neutron intensity at an instument i s an optimization of all the components that are responsible for the extrac tion, moderation, transport, shaping and detection of the neutron beam. Bec ause the principal interaction of neutrons with matter is of nuclear and ma gnetic origin, most components rely on diffraction, reflection, and absorpt ion of neutrons by suitable materials. Recently, major breakthroughs in the development of artificial multilayers, monochromators, and filters have im proved the performance of neutron scattering instruments significantly. In this contribution we discuss recent progress in these fields and some prese nt and future applications and trends. (C) 2000 EIsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.