At the heart of the ESS is a linear accelerator – the most powerful proton linac ever built – that will produce, in its final stage, a 5 MW beam of 2 GeV protons. These protons will strike a 2.5 m diameter rotating target wheel – containing three tonnes of tungsten – to generate a beam of neutrons via a process known as nuclear spallation, with the resulting neutrons sent on to a suite of scientific instruments. The ESS, which is expected to turn on in 2027, is a €3bn pan-European project with 13 European nations as members.
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