Development of a neutron time-of-flight source at the ELBE accelerator

The ELBE electron beam at Forschungszentrum Rossendorf, Dresden, with energies up to 40 MeV, can be used to produce a beam of intense neutron pulses in a liquid-lead radiator, where bremsstrahlung photons created by the electrons produce neutrons in (gamma,xn) reactions. The 5 ps electron beam pulses create very short neutron pulses, giving an energy resolution of less than 1 % with a flight path of 3.9 m. A beam repetition rate of 1.6 MHz enables measurements with neutron energies from 200 keV to 10 MeV – an interval where neutron cross section measurements are needed for fission, fusion, and transmutation. The neutron beam will be shaped by a 2.4 m long collimator made from borated polyethylene and lead, reducing the background of scattered neutrons and of photons at the sample position. Monte Carlo simulations with MCNP4C3 were performed to optimise the collimator composition. About 92 % of the neutrons at the experiment site retain their correct energy-to-ToF correlation. The neutron energy resolution is 0.4 % (FWHM) at the maximum intensity. For neutron-capture gamma rays, a BaF2 scintillation detector array of up to 60 crystals is being built, whereas for neutron detection, Li-glass scintillators and a 1 m2 plastic scintillator wall will be used.