This paper presents an extensive experimental and theoretical analysis of anisotropy effects in superconducting niobium. It is concluded that anisotropy efFects, especially in the magnetic properties, are clearly discernible and that the theoretical analysis results in a mean-square anisotropy of the electron -phonon interaction of 0.0335 + 0.0035 and of the Fermi velocity of 0.118+ 0.007. These anisotropy parameters are in excellent agreement with previous de Haas - van Alphen experiments.

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In 1998, the combined Interferometer and Ultra Small Angle Neutron Scattering (USANS) instrument S18 at the 58 MW High Flux Reactor at the Institute Laue-Langevin in Grenoble (France) started operation. The instrument has been upgraded to allow more advanced neutron optics experiments for fundamental, nuclear and condensed matter physics. The new supermirror guide along with the two channel cut silicon perfect crystals, configured as an advanced high resolution Bonse-Hart camera, provides optimal intensity conditions. A large range of wavelengths is accessible by variations of the Bragg angle and by using different reflecting planes of a properly cut silicon monochromator block in combination with different channel-cut analyzer crystals. The fine adjustment analyzer system is achieved by an advanced piezo drive, which has an accuracy of 0.036 seconds of arc. The basic features of the USANS camera, which takes advantage of a new tail suppression method, and the results of various test measurements concerning intensities, long term stability and the accessible wavelength range will be presented. A high resolution position sensitive detector can either be used to analyze beam profiles or to perform neutron radiography experiments.

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