Ponente
Descripción
The use of thermal neutron radiation is widespread across numerous fields and its use is a core component of many different experiments, including the study of fission and fusion, archeology, astrophysics, medicine or research applications. Such experiments are mostly carried out in nuclear reactors, which are the most intense thermal neutron source. This makes measuring in research reactors highly demanded, but many experiments do not require such high neutron fluxes and can be conducted in alternative thermal neutron facilities. In this context, Compact Accelerator Neutron Sources (CANS) produce neutrons via nuclear reactions triggered by energetic ion beams. One of such CANS is HiSPANoS, hosted at the Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (CNA).
HiSPANoS is commissioned and open to users as a fast and epithermal neutron source. Aiming at expanding its capabilities to provide thermal neutrons, a neutron moderator has been designed via Monte Carlo simulations using the Geant4 toolkit. The proposed set-up takes into consideration the particularities of HiSPANoS in terms of ion beam energies and possible neutron production reactions, as well in terms of space limitations in the experimental hall. The characteristics of the expected thermal neutron beams and fields will be presented together with the measurement plan for the eventual commissioning.
Abstract
The use of thermal neutron radiation is widespread across numerous fields and its use is a core component of many different experiments, including the study of fission and fusion, archeology, astrophysics, medicine or research applications. Such experiments are mostly carried out in nuclear reactors, which are the most intense thermal neutron source. This makes measuring in research reactors highly demanded, but many experiments do not require such high neutron fluxes and can be conducted in alternative thermal neutron facilities. In this context, Compact Accelerator Neutron Sources (CANS) produce neutrons via nuclear reactions triggered by energetic ion beams. One of such CANS is HiSPANoS, hosted at the Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (CNA).
HiSPANoS is commissioned and open to users as a fast and epithermal neutron source. Aiming at expanding its capabilities to provide thermal neutrons, a neutron moderator has been designed via Monte Carlo simulations using the Geant4 toolkit. The proposed set-up takes into consideration the particularities of HiSPANoS in terms of ion beam energies and possible neutron production reactions, as well in terms of space limitations in the experimental hall. The characteristics of the expected thermal neutron beams and fields will be presented together with the measurement plan for the eventual commissioning.
