High-power proton accelerators for pulsed spallation neutron sources

Abstract

With the spread of accelerator-driven pulsed spallation neutron sources and increasing need for higher neutron fluxes, the high-power performance of proton accelerators has greatly advanced from a few kilowatts to more than 1 MW in the last four decades. The most important concerns to realize such a high-power beam operation are controlling and minimizing beam loss, which are essential for sustainable beam operation that allows hands-on maintenance. This paper reviews key devices and beam handling techniques for beam loss control employed in the high-power proton accelerators that are currently in operation for pulsed spallation neutron sources, including their operational status and future upgrade plan.