Scoring Analysis of Design, Verification and Optimization of High Intensity Positron Source (HIPOS)

Abstract

As part of an exploratory research project at the Institute for Energy (Joint Research Centre of the European Commission), a feasibility assessment was performed for the design and construction of a high-intensity positron facility (HIPOS) in a neutron beam tube, HB9, at the High Flux Reactor (HFR) in Petten. The full model of reactor core, reflector and reactor instrumentation at the neutron beam line HB9 were modeled and full neutronic and photonic calculations were carried out by MCNP4C3. The source file was generated in two formats: SDEF and WESSA. Consequently, two different codes were used for scoring analysis for the optimization of the concept and geometry of positron generator. The main concept including key design parameters have been evaluated independently by two computer codes, in particular MCNP-X and GEANT4. The parametric design analysis including the optimization of positron generator at the pre-selected neutron beam line is reported in this paper. The detailed assessment of the critical design parameters, specifically from technological point of view is summarised. The results of independent analysis confirmed that the best approach is to combine two concepts of positron generation, which are based on the exploiting of neutron and gamma radiation. The results verified that the proposed concept can reach the defined threshold of the positron yield and the positron beam can reach an intensity of 1013 e+/sec (un-moderated). The details of completed work are reported in this paper.