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PSI researchers have measured the charge radius of helium-3 using muonic helium with unprecedented precision – a milestone for theories of light atomic nuclei. The image illustrates the helium-3 nucleus with two protons (red) and one neutron (yellow). © Adobe Stock
22.05.2025
•Fundamentals of Nature
•8 min

New standards in nuclear physics

With unprecedented precision: PSI researchers measure the nuclear radius of muonic helium-3 and put the theories of atomic physics to the test.

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Barely larger than a fingernail, the miniature Roman box lock from the 3rd or 4th century AD
Barely larger than a fingernail, the miniature Roman box lock from the 3rd or 4th century AD is skilfully crafted out of gold. The iron mechanism inside remained hidden for a long time because conventional imaging techniques were thwarted by the dense gold casing. It was only with the help of neutron tomography at PSI that the box lock could finally be deciphered non-destructively. © LWL/S. Brentführer
01.05.2025
•Large research facilities
•9 min

A tiny golden object from Roman times

PSI’s David Mannes has used neutrons to unravel the mystery of a fascinating archaeological artefact.

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Christian Rüegg
18.12.2024
•Large research facilities
•7 min

IMPACT: Upgrade at PSI research facility approved

Financing for renovations to PSI’s proton accelerator facility has been approved by the Swiss Parliament. 

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Many functional materials are composed of coherent domains or grains, where molecules and atoms are arranged in a repeating pattern that determines performance. X-ray Linear Dichroic Orientation Tomography (XL-DOT) allows 3D mapping of material microstructure at the nanoscale. Here, the technique is applied to a pillar of vanadium pentoxide catalyst, used in the production of sulfuric acid. The colours in the tomogram represent the different orientation of grains.
Many functional materials are composed of coherent domains or grains, where molecules and atoms are arranged in a repeating pattern that determines performance. X-ray Linear Dichroic Orientation Tomography (XL-DOT) allows 3D mapping of material microstructure at the nanoscale. Here, the technique is applied to a pillar of vanadium pentoxide catalyst, used in the production of sulfuric acid. The colours in the tomogram represent the different orientation of grains. © Paul Scherrer Institute PSI/Andreas Apseros
11.12.2024
•Future Technologies
•9 min

Mapping the Nanoscale Architecture of Functional Materials

A new X-ray technique reveals the 3D orientation of ordered material structures at the nanoscale, allowing new insights into material functionality.

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PSI Center for Neutron and Muon Sciences

The PSI Center for Neutron and Muon Sciences uses neutrons and muons to explore and understand matter and materials.

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Khasanov et al

Pressure effect on the spin density wave transition in La2PrNi2O6.96

High-pressure studies reveal a stark contrast between the superconducting properties of double-layer Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) nickelates La2⁢PrNi2⁢O7 and La3⁢Ni2⁢O7. While La2⁢PrNi2⁢O7 exhibits bulk superconductivity, La3⁢Ni2⁢O7 displays filamentary behavior, suggesting that superconductivity is confined to phase interfaces rather than the bulk. Since magnetism emerges ...

Sakrikar et al (2)

Pressure tuning of competing interactions on a honeycomb lattice

Exchange interactions are mediated via orbital overlaps across chemical bonds. Thus, modifying the bond angles by physical pressure or strain can tune the relative strength of competing interactions. Here we present a remarkable case of such tuning between the Heisenberg (J) and Kitaev (K) exchange, which respectively establish magnetically ordered and spin liquid phases on a honeycomb lattice. We observe ...

Graham et al

Tailoring the Normal and Superconducting State Properties of Ternary Scandium Tellurides, Sc6MTe2 (M = Fe, Ru, and Ir) Through Chemical Substitution

The pursuit of a unifying theory for non-BCS superconductivity has faced significant challenges. One approach to overcome such challenges is to perform systematic investigations into superconductors containing d-electron metals in order to elucidate their underlying mechanisms. Recently, the Sc6MTe2 (M = d-electron metal) family has emerged as a unique series of isostructural compounds exhibiting superconductivity across a range of 3d, 4d, and 5d electron systems. 

In this study, muon spin rotation, neutron diffraction, and magnetization techniques are employed to probe ...

Marc Janoschek

Prof. Dr. Marc Janoschek appointed new Head of the PSI Center for Neutron and Muon Sciences (CNM)

Prof. Dr. Marc Janoschek will take over as Head of the PSI Center for Neutron and Muon Sciences (CNM) on 1 June 2025.

Park et al

Spin density wave and van Hove singularity in the kagome metal CeTi3Bi4

Kagome metals with van Hove singularities near the Fermi level can host intriguing quantum phenomena such as chiral loop currents, electronic nematicity, and unconventional superconductivity. However, to our best knowledge, unconventional magnetic states driven by van Hove singularities–like spin-density waves–have not been observed experimentally in kagome metals. Here, we report ...

Mirzaei et al

4D imaging of frost heave and ice lens growth in silt using neutron and x-ray computed tomography

There are substantial changes in soil structure in regions where the soil is freezing. Water movements in the freezing soil introduce level changes beyond what can be expected by the expansion of water when it freezes. The impact of frost heave is seasonal damage to our built environment ...

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Swiss Spallation Neutron Source SINQ

Neutron scattering techniques are highly versatile and powerful tools for studying the structure and dynamics of condensed matter. A wide scope of problems, ranging from fundamental to solid state physics and chemistry, and from materials science to biology, medicine and environmental science, can be investigated with neutrons. In addition to scattering, non-diffractive methods like imaging techniques allows for non-destructive inspection of materials and components, providing information on their internal structure, composition, and integrity with growing relevance also for industrial applications.
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The CNM center hosts 300 members of staff, in addition 40 PhD students perform their thesis work within CNM

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The center is organized in 5 laboratories and 1 staff group.

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Paul Scherrer Institut
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5232 Villigen PSI
Switzerland