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Fast neutron beams--prospects for the coming decade
1Department of Neutron Research, Uppsala University, Box 525, S-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden. Jan.Blomgren@tsl.uu.se
Radiation Protection Dosimetry
|May 16, 2007
Summary
High-energy neutron beam production is advancing with novel techniques. These methods promise significantly higher intensities for nuclear data research, improving upon current white and quasi-monoenergetic beams.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear physics
- Neutron beam production
Background:
- Current neutron beam production methods above 20 MeV include white and quasi-monoenergetic beams.
- These techniques are crucial for nuclear data measurements in fundamental and applied research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the current status and performance of neutron beam production techniques.
- To introduce and evaluate novel concepts for producing intense neutron beams in the 100-500 MeV range.
- To explore the potential of these advanced methods for nuclear data research.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing white and quasi-monoenergetic neutron beam production techniques.
- Description of two proposed novel methods: beta-delayed neutron emission and dissociation of Helium-6 (6He) beams.
- Analysis of the potential beam characteristics, including intensity and energy spectrum.
Main Results:
- Current techniques offer valuable but limited neutron beam capabilities.
- Beta-delayed neutron emission could yield intensities five orders of magnitude higher than current facilities.
- Dissociation of 6He offers another pathway to intense neutron beams.
- Proposed methods promise monoenergetic beams with minimal low-energy tails.
Conclusions:
- Novel techniques for neutron beam production show significant promise for advancing nuclear data research.
- These methods could overcome limitations of current facilities, enabling more precise measurements.
- Future research will focus on realizing the potential of these intense neutron beam concepts.
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