The first international advisory committee meeting of the Chinese Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) Energy-Resolved Neutron Imaging Spectrometer (ERNI) was held in Dongguan from April 30 to May 1. The meeting was hosted by Dr. Nikolay Kardjilov of the Helmholtz Institute (HZB) in Germany.

Experts from J-PARC in Japan, Berkeley University in California, PSI in Switzerland,  China Institute of Atomic Energy, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Shanghai Light Source and Xi'an Jiaotong University commented on the scientific positioning, overall design scheme and performance index parameters of the spectrometer.

Prof. Liang Tianjiao, deputy director of the Dongguan Campus of the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), introduced the design, operation overview, user program and future development plan of the CSNS project. The ERNI team introduced the overall physical design, engineering design and user needs survey of the spectrometer, as well as the preliminary design of the detectors, electronics, data analysis and choppers. The two-day discussion has convinced the experts of the committee to believe that the overall design scheme and performance index parameters of ERNI spectrometer are reasonable, the user group and scientific goals are clear, and the design of detectors, data processing and analysis systems is comprehensive; and it is recommended to continue to optimize relevant design and spectrometer construction plans, and strengthen international collaboration.

This meeting has significant outputs for the program optimization and follow-up construction of ERNI spectrometer.