On the Issue of Stability and Safety of the Superbooster, a Pulsed Neutron Source

Abstract

A high-intensity pulsed neutron source can be constructed according to the principle of a superbooster, i.e., a neutron multiplying system of the neutron-generating target of the proton accelerator with proton energy of about 1 GeV in the subcritical reactivity modulation system. Usually, superboosters are considered to be safe and reliable nuclear facilities. However, as indicated in this paper, a powerful superbooster may prove to be less stable in operation than a pulsed reactor. Therefore, the problems of its safety call for close study.