Ultra-cold neutron production with superfluid helium and spallation neutrons

Abstract

Ultra-cold neutrons (UCN) production in superfluid helium with spallation neutrons is discussed. A source is described, where superfluid helium is located in a cold moderator of deuterium at 20 K surrounded by a thermal moderator of heavy water at 300 K. A lead target is installed in the thermal moderator for neutron production via a medium energy proton induced spallation reaction. A Monte Carlo simulation showed that a UCN density of the order of 10 5 n/cm 3 is achievable with an acceptable heat load for the helium cryostat.