Abstract
LICORNE is a new neutron source recently installed at the tandem accelerator of the Institut de Physique Nucleaire d'Orsay, where a Li7-beam is used to bombard a hydrogen-containing target to produce an intense forward-directed neutron beam. The directionality of the beam, which is the unique characteristic of LICORNE, will permit the installation of γ-ray detectors dedicated to the investigation of fission fragment de-excitation which are unimpeded by neutrons from the source. A first experimental program will focus on the measurement of prompt γ-ray emission in the neutron-induced fission of fertile and fissile isotopes at incident neutron energies relevant for the core design of Generation-IV nuclear reactors. Other potential uses of the LICORNE facility for both fundamental and applied physics research are also presented.
Highlights
Conventional quasi-mono-energetic neutron sources produce neutrons isotropically via direct reactions on light nuclei (e.g. d(d,p)n or 7Li(p,n)7Be).The lack of directionality means that typically less than 1 percent of the source neutrons produced can be used for irradiating samples, the vast majority instead contributing to the room background
The directionality of the beam, which is the unique characteristic of LICORNE, will permit the installation of -ray detectors dedicated to the investigation of fission fragment de-excitation which are unimpeded by neutrons from the source
The study of gamma-rays emitted in fission is for both fundamental and applied physics purposes
Summary
Conventional quasi-mono-energetic neutron sources produce neutrons isotropically via direct reactions on light nuclei (e.g. d(d,p)n or 7Li(p,n)7Be). Natural collimation of neutron beams can be achieved if the neutrons are produced using a reaction in inverse kinematics where the projectile is much heavier than the target Neutron production via this method combines the best features of white neutron sources (collimated beams) and conventional quasi-mono-energetic neutron sources (high neutron fluxes at short distances). 2. The lack of neutron emission at most angles results in much lower fast and thermal scattered neutron backgrounds in the experimental hall. The lack of neutron emission at most angles results in much lower fast and thermal scattered neutron backgrounds in the experimental hall Other potential uses of LICORNE span several different research fields and include gamma-spectroscopy of neutron-induced reactions, measurements of capture and inelastic scattering cross sections, non-destructive assay of nuclear waste, activation measurements and irradiation for the aerospace industry
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