Dear users of the MLZ,

We miss you and we know that the difficult time without neutrons in Garching puts a great burden on our German and international user community. Thus, coming back to normal operation is our key mission on which we are working hard, and finally, solving the technical issues with our reactor operation is on the right track. As of today, we expect to have the neutrons back mid of 2024.

Meanwhile, we achieved quite some progress for the long-term future of the FRM II. An agreement was found for the conversion of our fuel to lower enrichment. In order to be prepared for the near future, we received fresh fuel elements from our French supplier in mid-July. The replacement of our cold source, however, will still take some more time. The restart of the FRM II next year will therefore provide thermal, hot, and fast neutrons in addition to the powerful positron beams. The beam intensity at our cold instruments will be limited, but all instruments will be in operation. At this time, we also expect the first neutrons at our new instruments in the Neutron Guide Hall East.

Regarding our current instrument suite, we are aiming for a substantial upgrade program, named MORIS (MLZ Organized Refurbishment of the Instrument Suite). We have worked on this upgrade proposal for about one year now, delivered insight at the last User Meeting, and discussed the science case for this major investment with user groups in April 2023. Further details will be reported in upcoming MLZ Newsletters as well as at our next User Meeting, taking place again in Munich from December 4th to 5th. We are looking forward to seeing you there.

On behalf of the MLZ Directorate
Prof. Dr. Peter Müller-Buschbaum
(Scientific Director FRM II/ Scientific Director & spokesperson MLZ)

You are using a three axes spectrometer and would be grateful for a quick autonomous exploration of Q-E space? This one is for you!

At MLZ, digital twins unlock new possibilities in education and training. Learn a lot of details in this comprehensive article and gallery.

Two years ago, we presented the idea of an automatic sample changer at KWS-2. Read now about the reality: The new positioning system is commissioned!

Due to the pandemic, it has been a long time since the European neutron scattering community met in person: But in March, we all reunited at Garching!
Recall the event with our picture gallery.

The 2023 MLZ Conference asked how neutrons can contribute to the characterization and development of biomaterials – and there were a lot of answers!

Our Data Evaluation Group (DEVA) is very busy with establishing several regular workshops that will help neutron users to (better) evaluate their experimental data. Join them!

This time, we welcome new staff members at the labs and the Advanced Materials Group!

For two years, two young scientists from Taiwan will join the MLZ for a training program in neutron scattering. Their research focus is on quantum materials. We hope they will enjoy their time at Garching!

Interested in working at the MLZ? Maybe this is a possibility for you!
Learn all details and don’t miss the next application deadline – it will be the last call of this interesting program.

The MLZ User Meeting 2023 will take place at the Munich Marriott Hotel on Dec 04th & 5th and we are looking forward to meeting you there!

Tommy Nylander, chair of the MLZ User Committee, points out that neutron scattering can help in the fight against climate change.

Axel Pichlmaier, Technical Director of the FRM II, is the new head of the International Group of Research Reactors IGORR, which represents research reactor interests worldwide.

Using neutrons at MLZ, a German-Estonian research team has now directly observed the orange carotenoid protein in Cyanobacteria in action.

Burkhard Schillinger, instrument scientist at MLZ, traveled with a smaller, transportable version of the neutron tomography facility from Garching to South America and tested low power sources in Argentina and Chile.