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


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

Klug, J.; Altstadt, E.; Beckert, C.; Beyer, R.; Freiesleben, H.; Galindo, V.; Greschner, M.; Grosse, E.; Junghans, A. R.; Légrády, D.; Naumann, B.; Noack, K.; Schilling, K. D.; Schlenk, R.; Schneider, S.; Seidel, K.; Wagner, A.; Weiss, F.-P.

The ELBE electron beam at Forschungszentrum Rossendorf, Dresden, with energies up to 40 MeV, will be used to produce intense neutron beams. The neutron radiator consists of a liquid lead circuit where bremsstrahlung photons created by the electrons produce neutrons in (gamma,n) reactions. The short beam pulses (5 ps) provide the basis for an excellent time resolution for neutron time-of-flight experiments, giving an energy resolution of about 1 % with a flight path of 4 m. The neutron beam is shaped by a 2.4 m long collimator. The usable energy range is from 50 keV up to 10 MeV when ELBE delivers a beam repetition rate of 0.5 MHz. In this energy interval, there is a need for neutron cross section measurements relevant for the transmutation of minor actinides in nuclear waste, as well as for applications to fission and fusion reactors. The neutron flux at the sample position is 10^7 cm^-2 s^-1. Different detector types are being developed. For neutron capture gamma rays, a BaF2 scintillation detector array of 42 crystals is being constructed, whereas for neutron detection, an up to 1 m^2 large plastic scintillator wall consisting of 1 cm thick scintillation panels is being built.

  • Contribution to proceedings
    International Workshop on Fast Neutron Detectors and Applications, 03.-06.04.2006, Cape Town, South Africa
    Proceedings of Science, (FNDA2006) 015, Italy
  • Lecture (Conference)
    International Workshop on Fast Neutron Detectors and Applications, 03.-06.04.2006, Cape Town, South Africa

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Publ.-Id: 8911