PSI Develops First Achromatic Neutron Lens, Delivering Sub-20-Micrometer Imaging
Updated
Updated · BIOENGINEER.ORG · Jul 14
PSI Develops First Achromatic Neutron Lens, Delivering Sub-20-Micrometer Imaging
3 articles · Updated · BIOENGINEER.ORG · Jul 14
Summary
Nature Communications published PSI’s first practical achromatic neutron lens, which focuses a broad range of neutron wavelengths to one point and enables magnified imaging below 20 micrometers.
The advance tackles a long-standing neutron-imaging limit: different wavelengths normally fail to converge sharply, forcing samples close to detectors and constraining resolution and experimental setups.
A commercial lithium-ion battery placed 6 meters from the detector was imaged with sevenfold magnification, revealing the layered wound electrode structure without dismantling the device.
The lens combines nickel diffraction rings with shaped diamond elements that bend the neutron beam; PSI fabricated sub-200-nanometer nickel features and tested prototypes with X-rays at SLS and neutrons at SINQ.
PSI said the approach could expand neutron microscopy to operating systems inside furnaces, cryostats, pressure cells or engines, especially if future facilities support longer beamlines.
Will this microscope for neutrons force a multi-billion dollar redesign of next-generation research facilities that are only now coming online?
With the ability to peer inside running engines, what secrets of material stress and failure will this new technology uncover?
As new lenses enable us to watch batteries work in real-time, what hidden flaws will they reveal inside next-generation energy devices?
Achromatic Neutron Lens Unveiled by PSI in 2026: A Paradigm Shift for High-Resolution Imaging
Overview
In July 2026, the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) unveiled a groundbreaking achromatic neutron lens, marking a pivotal moment in neutron imaging technology. This innovation addresses the long-standing challenge of focusing neutrons, which are notoriously difficult to manipulate due to their weak interaction with matter. By overcoming these limitations, the new lens promises to revolutionize how researchers visualize the internal structures of materials and objects. Neutron imaging, already valued for its ability to non-destructively examine diverse items and penetrate dense metals, will now achieve higher resolution and unlock new possibilities for scientific discovery.