The section Neutron and Positron Methods in Materials (NPM2) focuses on the innovative and complementary use of neutrons and positrons in the broad area of materials physics, with a focus on health and energy. Neutron scattering accesses the microscopic and mesoscopic length and time scales whereas positron annihilation probes electronic structures, local structural inhomogeneities and defects.

The development of new experimental methods for neutrons and positrons is one of the traditional fields of excellence of our group. The first reactor based positron source worldwide was realized in Delft. The section has a long-standing experience in Larmor labeling, polarized neutrons and neutron reflectometry which led to the development of new techniques and concepts such as SESANS or Larmor diffraction. The section has recently developed and built the competitive neutron diffractometer PEARL and is involved in the development of the reactor-based positron lifetime facility PALS.

The advanced methods and techniques involving neutrons and positrons developed and used by NPM2 are used for investigations at the forefront of materials science and over a broad range of topics, from new chiral magnetic phases and skyrmion hosting materials to self-healing alloys, food materials and emulsions.