Neutron spectrometer automation at the Lujan Center

The Lujan Center at the Los Alamos National Laboratory's Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) is a spallation neutron source where research in materials and biological sciences is conducted on time-of-flight neutron scattering spectrometers on eleven beam lines. Execution of an experiment on a neutron spectrometer involves 1) control of the sample environment equipment, 2) measurement of the scattered neutrons, and 3) operation of the beam line itself. This paper describes the automation and coordination of these functions that is essential to effective conduct of experiments.