The Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering (ACNS) is holding a school on Neutron Reflectometry in the first week of November 2025.
Neutron and X-ray reflectometry (NR/XRR) are techniques that are used for structural characterisation of interfacial systems on the 1 to 200 nm length-scale in many fields of science under a range of conditions. Examples of such systems include: polymer and surfactant layers adsorbed at the solid-liquid interface, multilayered quantum materials, organic semiconductors, molecules (e.g. antibiotics) interacting with model lipid membranes, Langmuir monolayers at the air-liquid interface. The neutron magnetic moment can also be used to study magnetic nanostructure in thin films as a function of applied field and temperature, such as those found in multilayered magnetic/semiconducting heterostructures, superconducting materials used in quantum computing, multiferroics, etc.
The first day will consist of lectures (online and in-person) outlining the theoretical background to the technique, its application in a wide range of scientific areas, instrumentation, sample environments, and what happens during an experiment.
The second day is limited to in-person attendees. We'll have a tour of the surface characterisation instrumentation at ACNS, followed by two practical sessions. The first practical will show how a real reflectometry measurement is done. The second practical will be a hands-on introduction to how reflectometry data is analysed, with participants analysing real scientific datasets.
The school should give participants both knowledge and confidence to start or further develop experiments using the reflectometry technique.
Aim
The aim of the workshop is to provide an overview of the theoretical and practical aspects of neutron reflectometry, including scattering theory, data collection, data processing, and especially data analysis and modelling for a specific area of science, as well as our advice for applying for beam time.
Those selected to participate in-person will have the opportunity to work with Platypus and Spatz instruments, along with a face-to-face session dedicated to specifics of data treatment for both instruments.
Important Dates
Interested applicants are required to submit an expression of interest form. Participants for in-person attendance will be selected by the organising committee based on the answers provided in their EOI form to ensure the best fit with participants and the course outline.
EOI submissions open: Thursday, 3 July 2025 at 9 AM (AEST)
EOI submissions close: Thursday, 24 July 2025 at 11:59 PM (AEST)
Outcome notification: by mid-August
If you are unsuccessful or cannot participate in-person, then you will be given the opportunity to attend virtually in the hybrid sessions.
Successful Applicants
All successful in-person applicants will be required to pay the registration fee of $150 inc. GST (AUD) which will include:
- All lectures and practical sessions
- Accommodation (check-in 3 Nov 2025 and check-out 5 Nov 2025)
- Bus transfers to and from ANSTO and the hotel
- Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea on both days
- Workshop dinner on 4 Nov 2025
Any non-Australian citizens will require a valid entry visa. Visa invitation letters can only be issued to successful applicants.
For more information
