Computational characteristics of a neutron source based on the CERN colliding-beams accelerator

Abstract

The computational characteristics of a pulsed source of thermal neutrons, which can be implented on the basis of the collidng-beams accelerator under construction at CERN, are presented. The calculations were performed at the All-Russia Reserach Institute of Experimental Physics (Sarov) using two Monte Carlo programs: the GEANT-3 program developed at CERN and our own program S-95. The neutron source is assumed to be a cylindrical tungsten target with an internal neutron moderator made of zirconium hydride bombarded by protons from a colliding-beam accelerator. The maximum power of the source is estimated on the basis of the results of calculations of the dynamical stresses in tungsten. To decrease the negative impact of mechanical stresses, recommendations are formulated dividing the target efficiently into individual elements.