Measurement of neutron yield by 62 MeV proton beam on a thick Beryllium target

TL;DR

This paper reports the measurement of neutron yield from a 62 MeV proton beam hitting a thick Beryllium target, providing valuable data for neutron source development in advanced reactor research.

Contribution

First experimental measurement of neutron yield at 62 MeV proton energy on thick Beryllium, filling a gap in existing neutron yield data.

Findings

Neutron yield data obtained across a wide angular range.

Preliminary results support the feasibility of neutron sources for ADS.

Data contribute to the development of IVth generation reactors.

Abstract

In the framework of research on IVth generation reactors and high intensity neutron sources a low-power prototype neutron amplifier was recently proposed by INFN. It is based on a low-energy, high current proton cyclotron, whose beam, impinging on a thick Beryllium converter, produces a fast neutron spectrum. The world database on the neutron yield from thick Beryllium target in the 70 MeV proton energy domain is rather scarce. The new measurement was performed at LNS, covering a wide angular range from 0 to 150 degrees and an almost complete neutron energy interval. In this contribution the preliminary data are discussed together with the proposed ADS facility.