The Neutron Facility at NCSR "Demokritos"- Implementation in the Case of the 232Th(n,2n) and 241Am(n,2n) Reactions

In the 5.5 MV tandem T11/25 Accelerator Laboratory of NCSR "Demokritos" monoenergetic neutron beams can be produced in the energy ranges 120-650 keV, 4-11.5 MeV and 16-20.5 MeV by using the 7Li(p,n), 2H(d,n) and 3H(d,n) reactions, respectively. The corresponding beam energies and ions delivered by the accelerator, are 1.92-2.37 MeV protons, 0.8-9.6 MeV deuterons and 0.8-3.7 MeV deuterons, for the three reactions, respectively. Experimental results for neutron energies from threshold up to 11.5 MeV and at 17.1 MeV will be given for the 232Th(n,2n)231Th reaction, while for the 241 Am(n,2n)240 Am reaction, preliminary cross section data at 10.4, 10.6 and 17.1 MeV will be discussed. In the framework of the CERN n-TOF collaboration, the cross section of these reactions have been measured relative to the 197Au(n,2n)196Au, 27Al(n,a)24Na and 93Nb(n,2n) reaction cross sections, by using the activation method. In addition to the experimental work, theoretical Statistical model calculations are being carried out using the computer code STAPRE/F. The results are compared to the experimental data.

Newly constructed compact accelerator-based neutron facility at AIST

We have constructed a compact accelerator-based neutron facility at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan aiming at development of structural materials of transportation vehicles for weight reduction. The facility consists of electron linear accelerator, neutron source, and a neutron beamline with a measurement hutch. Currently we are commissioning the accelerator and expecting a first neutron beam in 2019.

From micro- to macro- neutron sources: The Lund Broad-band Neutron Facility

The Lund Broad-band Neutron Facility provides access to a variety of neutron sources together with a well-established user infrastructure. Neutrons from radioactive sources have been successfully employed for the research and development of both detectors and materials for the European Spallation Source. A recently procured d-t neutron generator delivers higher neutron fluxes than those provided by the radioactive sources, and further allows for pulsed operation. With the currently on-going construction of a dedicated neutron beam-line at our 3 MeV Pelletron accelerator, the facility is anticipated to produce approximately 1010 n/s. Cost-effective access to neutrons as well as a platform for educational purposes are the ultimate goals of the project.

Autonomous Neutron Facility for Detecting Fissile Nuclear Materials

The prospect of creating an autonomous neutron facility for the detection of fissile nuclear materials in samples, including those in confined volume, is discussed. It is proposed to obtain a reference field of thermal neutrons on the basis of a polyethylene moderator ball and a portable fast neutrons source, developed at NRC “Accelerator” NSC KIPT based of a continuous electrostatic accelerator of deuterons. The developed source of thermal neutrons is planned to be used to activate small objects and goods in order to identify substances prohibited for movement containing to find 233U, 235U and 239Pu in their composition. The prompt finding of fissile elements will indicate about an attempt to transport them illegally. A more thorough inspection can be carried out using special equipment after the detention of suspicious goods, citizens or vehicles. The possibility of detecting prompt fission neutrons is considered not only in the traditional way using a polyethylene moderator and proportional 3He detector, but also without application of any moderator using oxide or semiconductor scintillators. For detection fissile materials the method based on using the high-energy part of the γ-spectrum of fission fragments (greater than 4900 keV), as well, as the approach applied in the passive non-destructive analysis by the γ-line with Eg = 185.7 keV from 235U, are substantiated. It is shown that the proposed facility for the detection of fissile nuclear materials is able to determine the presence of isotopes 233U, 235U and 239Pu in tested objects and goods with the using non-destructive testing method.

Neutron beam line for TOF measurements at the Spanish National Accelerator Lab (CNA)

A few years ago, the Spanish National Accelerator Lab (CNA) developed the first accelerator-based neutron facility in Spain called HiSPANoS (HiSPAlis Neutron Source). The first applications of the line were related to integral measurements applied to nuclear astrophysics, dosimetry and single event effects produced by neutrons in electronic devices. The successful of HiSPANoS pushed the enhancement of the facility. In collaboration with the NEC® Company, two devices were designed for pulsing ion beams (Chopper) and for compressing in time (Buncher) the pulsed beams. The Chopper-Buncher system has been already installed and commissioned. Proton and deuteron beams are delivered with repetition rates from 62.5 kHz to 2 MHz and 1 ns pulse width. In addition, a new line of the 3 MV Tandem Pelletron accelerator was designed for neutron time-of-flight (TOF) experiments. Conventional devices and a dedicated Pick-Up for timing measurements form the new line. In order to check the performance of the whole TOF system, we have carried out the measurement of the neutron spectrum produced by 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction at Ep = 1912 keV. Such spectrum has been measured by the TOF technique few times and it can be considered a standard neutron field, in particular in nuclear astrophysics. The first result of such experiment performed at CNA is shown in some detail. The excellent performance of the accelerator, the Chopper-Buncher system and the acquisition system allow us to offer the TOF line at HiSPANoS-CNA to the neutron community.

Neutron induced reactions at the Athens Tandem accelerator NCSR "Demokritos"

The neutron facility at the 5.5 MV Tandem Tll/25 accelerator of NCSR "Demokritos" has been used to produce monoenergetic neutron beams in the energy range 120-650 keV and 4-11.5 MeV via the 7Li(p,n) and 2H(d,n) reactions, respectively. The flux variation of the neutron beam was monitored by using a BF3 detector, while an investigation of the energy dependence of the neutron fluence has been carried out with a liquid scintillator BC501A detector as well as with the multiple foil activation technique. The 232Th(n,2n)231Th and 241Am(n,2n)240Am as well as (n,2n), (n,p) and (η,α) reactions on natural Ge and Hf isotopes, have been investigated from threshold up to 11.5 MeV, by using the activation method.