Spallation Neutron Source

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) is a facility designed to produce neutrons for scientific research through a process known as spallation. At the SNS, neutrons are generated when high-energy protons, produced by a particle accelerator, collide with a target material—typically composed of heavy metals like mercury or tungsten. The impact of the protons causes the target nuclei to eject neutrons, which can then be used for various experiments.