Low Energy Triton Beams for Astrophysical Studies — Requirements for the Tritium Systems of the Accelerator

Abstract

Opportunities for a triton induced nucleosynthesis program using low energy (0-500 keV) beams from dedicated small accelerators are presented. The program is necessary because the role of tritons in the process of light elements primordial nucleosynthesis, via 4 He(t,γ) 7 Li, 7 Li(t, n) 9 Be and 9 Be(t,n) 11 B reactions, is an important discriminator for the two essential models of the Universe formation: standard (homogeneous) Big Bang model (SM) and inhomogeneous Big Bang model (IM). Some aspects concerning necessary experimental conditions - intense triton beams with high energy resolution, stability and reproducibility are briefly discussed. Accelerating intense triton beams imposes severe safety regulations. The intention to use for such a program the electrostatic accelerator, based on rotating disks-DISKTRON D400-4HVG, of the Bucharest Cyclotron Laboratory is presented. Technical requirements for the tritium systems of the accelerator are discussed in two variants: non-intense ( lμA on the target) triton beams (tritium inventory up to 11 kCi).