SNS Liquid Mercury Target (IMAGE) DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory Caption As protons (yellow) strike the target vessel and pass into the liquid mercury inside, the protons are absorbed, creating neutrons (blue) that are then sent through moderators and beam tubes to research instruments to study the fundamental properties of materials. Credit Oak Ridge National Laboratory/Jill Hemman Usage Restrictions Source Oak Ridge National Laboratory License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.