The China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) successfully completed its open run of user experiments on June 26, a series that began last September. Machine studies on the accelerator were completed on July 6 and summer maintenance began soon after.

CSNS has been stable, reliable and efficient since it was commissioned in April, 2018, clocking total beam time of 4,055 hours, for 92% beam availability. Since commissioning, beam power was increased from 10kW to 50kW. The target station has stably produced neutron beam with an excellent performance, and neutron beam supply efficiency exceeded 99.6%. The first suite of three instruments completed planed machine studies using different sample environments, including high and low temperature, variable magnetic field and high pressure.

Over the past year, CSNS carried out two rounds of application for neutron scattering experiment. A total of 101 user experiments (54 from universities and 47 research institutes) were completed, including 11 from Hong Kong and abroad. The user experiments covered various research areas including new lithium-ion battery material structures, topological magnetic properties of Skyrmions, spin Hall magnetic films, nanophases of high-strength alloys, solar cell structures, and neutron single event effects. They also covered basic research on aerospace materials, combustible ice, shale, and catalysts.

CSNS's next round of user operations is expected to run from Sept. 26, 2019 to Jan. 16, 2020.