Status and perspectives of the neutron time-of-flight facility n_TOF at CERN

Since the start of its operation in 2001, based on an idea of Prof. Carlo Rubbia [1], the neutron time of-flight facility of CERN, n_TOF, has become one of the most forefront neutron facilities in the world for wide-energy spectrum neutron cross section measurements. Thanks to the combination of excellent neutron energy resolution and high instantaneous neutron flux available in the two experimental areas, the second of which has been constructed in 2014, n_TOF is providing a wealth of new data on neutron-induced reactions of interest for nuclear astrophysics, advanced nuclear technologies and medical applications. The unique features of the facility will continue to be exploited in the future, to perform challenging new measurements addressing the still open issues and long-standing quests in the field of neutron physics. In this document the main characteristics of the n_TOF facility and their relevance for neutron studies in the different areas of research will be outlined, addressing the possible future contribution of n_TOF in the fields of nuclear astrophysics, nuclear technologies and medical applications. In addition, the future perspectives of the facility will be described including the upgrade of the spallation target, the setup of an imaging installation and the construction of a new irradiation area.

Download Full-text

Design of the third-generation lead-based neutron spallation target for the neutron time-of-flight facility at CERN

Physical Review Accelerators and Beams ◽

10.1103/physrevaccelbeams.24.093001 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 24 (9) ◽

Author(s):

R. Esposito ◽

M. Calviani ◽

O. Aberle ◽

M. Barbagallo ◽

D. Cano-Ott ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Time Of Flight ◽

Third Generation ◽

Spallation Target ◽

The Third ◽

Neutron Time

Download Full-text

Design of the third-generation neutron spallation target for the CERN’s n_TOF facility

Journal of Neutron Research ◽

10.3233/jnr-190137 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (2-3) ◽

pp. 221-231

Author(s):

Raffaele Esposito ◽

Marco Calviani

Keyword(s):

Particle Physics ◽

Cooling Water ◽

Nuclear Astrophysics ◽

Lead Target ◽

Third Generation ◽

Spallation Target ◽

Neutron Spallation Source ◽

European Laboratory ◽

Neutron Time ◽

Spallation Source

The neutron Time-Of-Flight (n_TOF) facility at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN) is a pulsed white-spectrum neutron spallation source producing neutrons for two experimental areas: EAR1, located 185 m downstream of the spallation target, and EAR2, located 20 m above the target. The facility is based on a lead target impacted by a high-intensity 20 GeV/c proton beam. It is designed to study neutron-nucleus interactions for neutron kinetic energies from a few meV to several GeV, with applications in nuclear astrophysics, nuclear technology, and medical research. The facility is undergoing a major upgrade in 2019–2020, which will include the installation of the new third-generation target. The second-generation target consists in a water-cooled lead cylinder, while the new target will be cooled by nitrogen to avoid erosion-corrosion phenomena and contamination of the cooling water with radioactive lead spallation products. The new design will be optimized also for the vertical flight path. The operation of the new spallation target will start in 2021. This paper presents an overview on the evolution of the design and on the related R&D activities (including beam irradiation tests) carried out to ensure the best performance for both experimental areas and avoid the contamination issues of the previous targets.

Download Full-text