Abstract
We define a virtual neutron experiment as a complete simulation of an experiment, from source over sample to detector. The virtual experiment (VE) will ideally interface with the instrument control software for the input and with standard data analysis packages for the virtual data output. Virtual experiments are beginning to make their way into neutron scattering science with applications as diverse as instrument design/upgrade, experiment planning, data analysis, test of analysis software, teaching, and outreach. In this paper, we summarize the recent developments in this field and make suggestions for future developments and use of VEs.
Acknowledgements
The development of VEs has been a major task of the Joint Research Activity ‘MCNSI’ (MCNSI home page, www.mcnsi.risoe.dk), which was a part of the EU-supported integrated infrastructure initiative NMI3 (NMI3 home page, www.neutron-eu-net), EU contract number RII3-CT-2003-505925 under FP6. The co-authors of this paper have all contributed to the developments in MCNSI.
Part of this work has been supported by the EU grant to contruct ISIS second target station, and by the Danish Research Council through the neutron instrument centre DANSCATT.