Lund has the right conditions to host a large international research facility such as ESS. One of the main reasons is the MAX-Lab laboratory, which already exists in Lund and which is extremely important for Swedish and Scandinavian researchers.

Today, a fourth generation of this research facility, MAX IV, is also being planned, which will become the world’s most brilliant laser synchrotron source.

MAX IV will create strong synergies with ESS, since synchrotron light research and neutron scattering are complimentary analysis methods, which are often used by the same researchers. Researchers can examine one and the same material in both types of laboratory and obtain complimentary information. The results will be like looking at two sides of the same coin, and will further deepen the knowledge about the material in question.

Synchrotron light and neutrons are a good example that one plus one can sometimes become three! Today, this is already being exploited at the three most distinguished European neutron research facilities – ILL in Grenoble, ISIS just outside Oxford and PSI in Switzerland. They are all located alongside synchrotron light facilities such as MAX Lab.

Therefore, without a doubt, ESS has the greatest scientific potential if the facility is built in Sweden. Together, the world’s most powerful neutron source, ESS, and the world’s most brilliant. MAX IV in Lund can become the most important hub in global materials research.

Today, active discussions between ESS Scandinavia and MAX-Lab are already underway. Together with MAX IV, ESS can form a world-leading centre for material and biological matter research.