The primary mission of ASQ is the safe and reliable operation of the spallation neutron source SINQ. SINQ operation is supported by development projects aiming for an optimized neutron yield and a sustainable facility performance. These projects and all efforts related to the advancement of neutron source technology at PSI are coordinated by the trans-departmental Neutron Source Development Group, headed by ASQ. Among others, target development for proton accelerator driven systems and liquid metal target technology are activities of high priority, linked with the investigation of materials under high-dose radiation loads. The most prominent project in this context is MEGAPIE, a liquid metal target pilot experiment for megawatt beam application. Furthermore, ASQ is leading the UCN Project, a new powerful source for ultra-cold neutrons under construction at PSI. ASQ is also responsible for the operation and development of selected SINQ instruments , primarily dedicated to materials research: NEUTRA , ICON and POLDI . These activities are broadly complemented by own materials research using the PSI facilities and advanced computational tools, primarily addressing micro-mechanical properties by elaborated in-situ techniques using neutron- or synchrotron radiation. ASQ is structured in 3 groups:

• SINQ operation
• Materials Science and Simulation ( MSS)
• Neutron Imaging and Activation ( NIAG)

Our mission is maximized total performance of the SINQ source at minimized radiation exposure and safety hazards to personnel, our goal is the fruitful combination of facility operation with excellence in cutting-edge scientific research.