Department of Neutron and Ion Methods (DNIM)
The department's mission is to conduct excellent research using neutron and ion methods, provide open access to the experimental facilities and research experience to external users of laboratories, develop experimental equipment and teach students in the field of neutron and ion methods.
Department of Neutron and Ion Methods consists of four scientific groups:
- Neutron Diffraction (ND);
- Radioanalytical Methods (RAM),
- Materials Research with Neutron and Ion Beams (MRNIB);
- Analysis and Modification by Energetic Ion Beams (AMEIS),
and two laboratories included in the CANAM infrastructure of the institute: the Laboratory of Tandetron accelerator (LT) and the Neutron Physics Laboratory (NPL).
The Laboratory of Tandetron accelerator (LT) uses ion beams as a tool for nuclear analytical methods (trace element studies, elemental depth profiling, and 3D mapping in materials). In addition, it uses ion beams to modify materials and synthesize new types on a nano- and micro-scale using ion implantation, irradiation, and ion lithography. The laboratory, which is unique in the Czech Republic, offers a wide range of analytical methods (RBS, PIXE, PIGE, etc.) that enable the study of materials with high resolution and low detection limits.
The Neutron Physics Laboratory (NPL) primarily uses neutrons produced by the LVR-15 research reactor for basic and applied research. Neutron diffraction is employed to examine the structure and microstructure of materials, while nuclear reactions involving neutrons are utilised to analyse the composition of materials through techniques Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA), Neutron Depth Profiling (NDP) and Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis (PGAA). Neutron research is multidisciplinary, covering areas such as materials science, geology, the environment, cultural heritage and forensic studies. The LVR-15 research reactor is owned by the Research Center Řež s.r.o.
The laboratory also includes a nanomaterials research section that focuses specifically on thin films and nanostructures. Nanomaterials research (NR) involves developing and characterising thin films and nanostructures using various deposition techniques, such as ion sputtering and molecular epitaxy. Advanced analytical methods are also available, including atomic force microscopy (AFM), VdP, neutron analysis (NDP and PGAA) and ion-beam analysis (IBA). Current research projects focus on materials for lithium-ion batteries, hybrid metal-fullerene systems, and MAX phases.
