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

Esposito, R.; Calviani, M.

doi:10.3233/jnr-190137

Cited by 14 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 40 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Neutrons at n_TOF are produced by the interaction of a 20 GeV pulsed proton beam at high intensity, extracted from the Proton Synchrotron (PS), with a pure lead target cooled down with gaseous nitrogen. Each pulse delivers an average of 7 × 10 12 protons [13] in only 6 ns, and the time structure consists of a cycle composed of 6 pulses separated by 1.2 s plus 30 s of cool-down time [17], [18]. During 2022, the average protons on target (POT) delivered to n_TOF were 3.9 × 10 15 POT/h, while the same value delivered to CHARM, which is also fed by the PS, was 1.1×10 14 POT/h.…”

Section: Near Station At the N_tof Facilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Electronics Irradiation With Neutrons at the NEAR Station of the n_TOF Spallation Source at CERN

Cecchetto

Barbero

Lerner

et al. 2023

IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We study the neutron field at the NEAR station of the neutron time of flight (n_TOF) facility at CERN, through Monte Carlo simulations, well-characterized static random access memories (SRAMs) and radio-photo-luminescence (RPL) dosimeters, with the aim of providing neutrons for electronics irradiation. Particle fluxes and typical quantities relevant for electronics testing were simulated for several test positions at NEAR and compared to those at the CERN high energy accelerator mixed-field facility (CHARM), highlighting similitudes and differences. The SRAM detectors, based on single event upset (SEU) and single event latch-up (SEL) counts, each one with a different energy response, and RPL dosimeters were tested in a reference position and the results were benchmarked to FLUKA simulations. Finally, the neutron spectra at NEAR are compared to those of the most well-known spallation sources and typical environments of interest, for accelerator and atmospheric applications, showing the potential of the facility for electronics irradiation.

show abstract

Section: Near Station At the N_tof Facilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Electronics Irradiation With Neutrons at the NEAR Station of the n_TOF Spallation Source at CERN

Cecchetto

Barbero

Lerner

et al. 2023

IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A more detailed summary of the design solutions explored and the rationale behind the final target design can be found in Ref. [7].…”

Section: Thermo-mechanical Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

Design, testing, commissioning, and early operation of the third-generation n_TOF neutron spallation target at CERN

2023

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The n_TOF facility at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN) is a top-class, high-brightness neutron spallation source dedicated to high-resolution neutron time-of-flight experiments. During CERN’s Long Shutdown 2 (LS2, 2019-2021), the facility’s neutron spallation target was upgraded and is now operating with its third-generation target. The target is based on a pure-Pb core cooled by gaseous nitrogen and has been designed to withstand the impact of a 20-GeV/c proton beam in bunches of 1013 protons with a bunch duration of 6-8 ns RMS. The produced neutrons span 11 orders of magnitude in kinetic energy (from thermal to GeV) and are delivered to two experimental areas and a neutron irradiation station near the target. This contribution includes a description of the physics and engineering design processes that brought the facility from its second-generation target to its current third-generation target, the planned autopsy of the second-generation target in 2023 to investigate its status after 10 years of operation, tests under beam irradiation carried out on target prototypes at CERN’s HiRadMat facility, and the commissioning with beam of the new target, as well as the challenges encountered during the first year of its operation.

show abstract

“…During the last CERN long shutdown LS2 (2019-2021) the facility underwent its latest major upgrade, which mainly comprised the replacement of the spallation target itself [11,12] and the construction of the new NEAR station for neutron-activation measurements [13,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The neutron time-of-flight facility n_TOF at CERN Recent facility upgrades and detector developments

Domingo-Pardo,

Aberle,

Alcayne

et al. 2023

J. Phys.: Conf. Ser.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Based on an idea by Carlo Rubbia, the n_TOF facility at CERN has been operating for over 20 years. It is a neutron spallation source, driven by the 20 GeV/c proton beam from the CERN PS accelerator. Neutrons in a very wide energy range (from GeV, down to sub-eV kinetic energy) are generated by a massive Lead spallation target feeding two experimental areas. EAR1, horizonal with respect to the proton beam direction is set at 185 meters from the spallation target. EAR2, on the vertical line from the spallation source, is placed at 20 m. Neutron energies for experiments are selected by the time-of-flight technique (hence the name n_TOF), while the long flight paths ensure a very good energy resolution. Over one hundred experiments have been performed by the n_TOF Collaboration at CERN, with applications ranging from nuclear astrophysics (synthesis of the heavy elements in stars, big bang nucleosynthesis, nuclear cosmo-chronology), to advanced nuclear technologies (nuclear data for applications, nuclear safety), as well as for basic nuclear science (reaction mechanisms, structure and decay of highly excited compound states). During the planned shutdown of the CERN accelerator complex between 2019 and 2021, the facility went through a substantial upgrade with a new target-moderator assembly, refurbishing of the neutron beam lines and experimental areas. An additional measuring and irradiation station (the NEAR Station) has been envisaged and its capabilities for performing material test studies and new physics opportunities are presently explored. An overview of the facility and of the activities performed at CERN is presented in this contribution, with a particular emphasis on the most relevant experiments for nuclear astrophysics.

show abstract

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

Cited by 14 publications

References 40 publications

Electronics Irradiation With Neutrons at the NEAR Station of the n_TOF Spallation Source at CERN

Electronics Irradiation With Neutrons at the NEAR Station of the n_TOF Spallation Source at CERN

Design, testing, commissioning, and early operation of the third-generation n_TOF neutron spallation target at CERN

The neutron time-of-flight facility n_TOF at CERN Recent facility upgrades and detector developments

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About