Performances of Neutron Scattering Spectrometers on a Compact Neutron Source

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the performance of neutron scattering spectrometers on a proposed compact neutron source, suggesting it could replace aging research reactors and support current scientific experiments.

Contribution

It provides a reference design and performance estimates for neutron scattering instruments on a compact neutron source, demonstrating its viability as a research reactor alternative.

Findings

State-of-the-art experiments feasible on compact source

Compact source can replace aging research reactors

Supports large neutron scattering community

Abstract

There is currently a big effort put into the operation and construction of world class neutron scattering facilities (SNS and SNS-TS2 in the US, J-PARC in Japan, ESS in Europe, CSS in China, PIK in Russia). On the other hand, there exists a network of smaller neutron scattering facilities which play a key role in creating a large neutron scattering community who is able to efficiently use the existing facilities. With the foreseen closure of the ageing nuclear research reactors, especially in Europe there is a risk of seeing a shrinking of the community who would then be able to use efficiently the world class facilities. There is thus a reflection being conducted in several countries for the replacement of smaller research reactors with low energy accelerator based sources. We consider here a reference design for a compact neutron source based on existing accelerator components. We estimate the performances of various types of neutron scattering instruments built around such a source. The results suggest that nowadays state of the art neutron scattering experiments could be successfully performed on such a compact source and that it is thus a viable replacement solution for neutron research reactors.