Meeting high expectations: How ESS will provide unprecedented opportunities for materials research

The European Spallation Source (ESS) is Europe's answer in the continuous strive for the production of neutron beams of ever higher brilliance. The scientific instruments exploiting these beams are an indispensable tool for studying material properties as well as transformation processes, which will unlock new discoveries . During my talk I will illustrate the breadth and impact of science performed with neutrons via a few recent examples. The concept underlying the ESS combines a powerful linear accelerator using a 62 mA proton beam and that in its final stage will be delivering a 5 MW long-pulse proton beam to a highly innovative spallation solid tungsten target and a low-dimensional moderator assembly. A suite of initially 15 instruments is designed to exploit the full potential of the long-pulse nature of the neutron beam. In my talk I will present the fundamental design of the accelerator and neutron source followed by an overview of the beam shaping and detection concepts retained to match the instruments optimally to the source characteristics. I will outline the exceptional scientific opportunities created by the unparalleled performance of these instruments and will finish with an update of the current project status.