SNI2022: German Conference for Research with Synchrotron Radiation, Neutrons, and Ion Beams at Large-Scale Facilities

Abstract

More than 400 researchers, primarily from Germany, but also from Europe and countries further abroad, gathered for the SNI2022 conference in Berlin, which took place at the Freie Universität Berlin from September 5 to 7, 2022. The participants’ common denominator is their expertise and great interest in using advanced experimental techniques uniquely provided by large-scale research facilities. The research interests cover a broad variety of scientific fields, the goals encompassing everything from curiosity-driven investigations of fundamental principles to application-oriented development of materials and devices. The SNI2022 conference therefore provided an overview of the breadth of scientific and technological areas as well as innovation and technology development to which research with synchrotron radiation, neutrons, and ion beams at large-scale facilities contributes. These facilities provide scientists from universities, research institutions, and industry with world-leading, and in many cases even world-wide unique experimental capabilities; for example, revealing the finest details of structural and functional properties, following their evolution in situ and during operation under relevant conditions, and resolving the dynamics of fundamental processes. Tailoring of the facilities’ instruments to specific needs has in many cases been made possible thanks to funding of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the ErUM framework (Investigation of the Universe and Matter), an internationally recognized tool fostering collaborations between university research groups and facilities.