Energy amplifier systems: Simulation and experiments in the field

Abstract

Progress in particle accelerator technology makes it possible to use a proton accelerator to produce energy and to destroy nuclear waste efficiently. Energy Amplifier (EA) systems consist of a sub-critical fast neutron core driven by a proton accelerator. They are particularly attractive for destroying, through fission, transuranic elements produced by present nuclear reactors. EAs could also transform long-lived fission fragments efficiently and at minimal cost using the concept of Adiabatic Resonance Crossing (ARC), an innovative method tested at CERN with the TARC experiment.