Overview 

The Louisiana Consortium for Neutron Scattering (LaCNS) was founded in August of 2014 with the aim of building an internationally competitive neutron scattering research program in Louisiana. Through this initiative, which brings together faculty from Louisiana State University, Tulane University, University of New Orleans, and Louisiana Tech, the state of Louisiana will become and remain a leader in the exploration of advanced materials using neutrons.

These Louisiana universities have built extensive expertise and strengths in both materials synthesis of hard and soft materials and in theoretical analysis. Neutron scattering is one of the few techniques available that can probe the structure and dynamics of materials over a broad range of time, length, and energy scales. The LaCNS team includes experimentalists who have expertise in a wide variety of characterization techniques, spin dynamics, materials synthesis and characterization, neutron scattering, and modeling.

LaCNS seeks to enhance the size and quality of the neutron scattering community, particularly in the South where density of users is low. There is a significant need for the southern United States to establish a neutron center, and Louisiana has the essential components needed to create an internationally recognized neutron scattering research program in both hard and soft materials. To this end, LaCNS will provide pathways to new advanced materials systems, train students and postdocs who will become the next generation of neutron scattering and synthesis experts, and establish Louisiana’s faculty as leaders in neutron scattering investigations of complex materials so that competitive and ultimately successful large center-type proposals can be formulated.

In our first few months LaCNS has:

  • Formed an external advisory board of internationally renowned neutron scattering experts
  • Hired staff
  • Initiated the process of recruiting faculty, postdocs, and graduate students
  • Established collaborations with other U.S. and international neutron scattering facilities
  • Purchased essential scientific equipment
  • Commenced experimental and theoretical explorations relevant to the goals of LaCNS
  • Created a seminar series
  • Started a seed funding program to assist faculty whose research programs would benefit from neutron scattering techniques and characterizations
  • Created a website to provide information to colleagues and the public

Please check back to learn more about what we’re doing as we grow.

LaCNS is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy EPSCoR program through the Louisiana Board of Regents.

 

LSU