Because... neutrons provide unique insights into scientific problems.
Today is the age of materials. The society we are now living in is based upon our understanding of the properties and function of materials. The tools we have learned to use to look at and into materials: photons, electrons and neutrons, must be improved by orders of magnitude. ESS will do that for neutrons. ESS will allow simultaneous determination of structural and dynamic proprieties of materials.

Because... there are not enough research neutrons available.

In going from fission to spallation ESS will introduce a revolution in neutron science.

There has been a global strategy for neutrons that strongly recommended to build a new, high intensity spallation neutron source in each of the major regions of the globe.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OCDE) had initiated a discussion among governments, science agencies and scientists worldwide about the strategy that one should follow for the provision of neutrons.


Because... we must ensure the supply of neutrons for future generations of European researchers.
New spallation sources are currently being built in the United States and Japan and will produce their first neutrons in 2006. These will be superior to the existing European sources. Only by building its own European Spallation Source, or "ESS," will Europe be able to reaffirm its present leading role in the field of neutron research. The ESS will go one step further compared to the sources under construction in the US and Japan: higher power, more intensity and two complementary targets that will allow to suit different groups of scientists.

It is a major European interest to come to a decision on the construction of ESS.