The NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) is currently the
leading neutron facility in the US. Each year, over 1700 scientists from all
areas of the country, from industry, academia, and government participate in
research using NCNR facilities. These facilities include a diverse array of
neutron beam instruments in the following categories: small-angle neutron
scattering, thermal- and cold-neutron spectroscopy, reflectometry,
crystallographic and engineering diffraction, neutron prompt-gamma, depth
profiling and neutron activation chemical analysis, neutron imaging and
fundamental physics measurements. Most instruments are state-of-the-art; several
new instruments are under development. Researchers outside NIST can access all
cold-neutron and several thermal-neutron instruments, via the Center for High
Resolution Neutron Scattering, which is cofunded with the National Science
Foundation, or via user programs within the NCNR. Access to the remaining
instruments is possible through collaborative research projects or less formal
user programs. Cost recovery is mandated for proprietary use, but access for
academic and non-proprietary is research is free. Scientists without experience
in neutron scattering are invited; limited travel support for new users is
offered. The NCNR also gives a course in an aspect of neutron scattering each
summer. More details are available at the NCNR web site,
http://www.ncnr.nist.gov/