RTNS-II — Facility and experiments

Abstract

Rotating Target Neutron Source-II (RTNS-II) is a national facility for fusion materials research. It contains two 14-MeV neutron sources. Deuterons are accelerated to ~400 keV and transported to a rotating titanium-tritide target. Present source strength is greater than 1 × 10 13 n/s and source diameter is 1 cm FWHM. Recent papers [1,2] describe the present status of the facility and the experiments [3] being conducted there. Sixteen laboratories and universities have participated in the experimental program at RTNS-II. Most measurements have been directed at understanding defect production and low dose damage microstructure. The principal diagnostic tools have been cryogenic resistivity measurements, mechanical properties and transmission electron microscopy. Some engineering tests have been conducted in support of near-term magnetic confinement experiments and of reactor materials which will see small lifetime doses. Experiments not related to the fusion power program are an important part of the work done at RTNS-II. Many of these experiments can be conducted in a “piggyback” mode with a fusion experiment. Subjects for irradiation have included electronic components, glass, strontium nitrate, liver enzymes and mice. Fluences up to ~ 10 17 n/cm 2 are readily available with no impact on the mainline fusion materials program. The Experimenter's Guide [4] provides the information required for the experimenter to effectively utilize RTNS-II and describes the procedure for gaining approval for an irradiation.