Activation foil measurements at JET in preparation for D-T plasma operation

Abstract

Neutronics experiments are carried out at the Joint European Torus (JET) in preparation for the forthcoming high performance Deuterium-Tritium (D-T) campaign. Among others, activation foil measurements are performed in order to evaluate neutron streaming in various positions within the torus hall far from the plasma source. In the present study, the neutron fluence measurements performed using activation foils during the JET Deuterium-Deuterium (D-D) campaign are discussed. The activation foil results in terms of reaction rates are compared against Monte Carlo simulations and a satisfactory agreement is observed. Moreover, the pre-analysis of the experiments to be performed in the forthcoming JET Tritium-Tritium (T-T) and Deuterium-Tritium (D-T) campaigns is presented. The results of the study provide important data and support the preparation of the experimental activities in view of the planned JET D-T operation, allowing the exploitation of the unique 14 MeV neutron yields anticipated. Furthermore, they contribute to the validation of the tools employed in nuclear analyses, which are fundamental for the design and safety of ITER and future fusion power plants.