Welcome Sebastian Köhler – GISANS postdoc at LINXS

The vision of delivering a competitive instrument proposal named SAGA for a dedicated Grazing-Incidence Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (GISANS) beamline at ESS engages several Swedish research institutions with neutron activities. To work on the details of the design proposal of the instrument, Sebastian Köhler is employed for the coming three years, sharing his time at the office at LINXS and at ESS.

Sebastian Köhler studied physics in Göttingen, Germany before he continued with his PhD at the Institut Laue Langevin, ILL, in Grenoble. Thus, he has substantial experience of neutron – and X-ray scattering research and techniques. 

“I am excited about this assignment to define the key instrument parameters of SAGA and develop a refined concept using ray tracing simulations. For me personally it will help me deepen my knowledge in good instrumental design that complements my previous applied science approach”, says Sebastian Köhler.  

The SAGA instrument pre-study is financed by a grant from the Swedish Research Council (VR) which among other work packages made this postdoc position possible. The project will allow Swedish researchers and industry to prepare for deliveries to the instrument project as well as strengthen the existing network on surface and interface science using neutron methods.

Over the years 2022-2025 there will be workshops and meetings to follow the development in several steps. Before the instrument can be built there must be a detailed design plan and understanding of the optimal settings, placements, quality aspects and many more parameters, resulting in the delivery of a competitive instrument proposal that will take full advantage of the brilliance of the ESS.

“I will work closely with other researchers at ESS and project partners at Swedish universities, similar international sites and learn from their expertise on instrument design”, says Sebastian Köhler.

Learn more about the GISANS SAGA project at the dedicated website where there is also more information of the various working groups, time plans and milestones.

SAGA - a GISANS instrument at the ESS (other site)