Comprehensive upgrade of the high-resolution small-angle neutron scattering instrument KWS-3 at FRM II

After the KWS-3 instrument was moved from Julich to Munich (in the first half of 2007), it underwent a fundamental evaluation, with the final result that a major upgrade for the whole instrument became necessary. The main subject of the upgrade project was a general mirror refurbishment, i.e. a new polishing and subsequently a new coating of the mirror surface with the isotope 65Cu. In parallel to the mirror refurbishment, comprehensive upgrade activities in the vacuum system, electronics and programming have been performed with the aims of protecting the new mirror coating from aging (degradation of the mirror's surface properties), transforming the instrument into a user-friendly state and introducing conceptual improvements.