Upgrade of the iThemba LABS Neutron Beam Vault to a Metrology Facility

Abstract

Quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams are typically produced at the iThemba LABS fast neutron beam facility by the 7Li(p, xn) or 9Be(p, xn) reactions. With the proton beams available from the separated sector cyclotron, the neutron energy range from about 30 MeV to 200 MeV can be covered almost continuously. The facility first became operational in the late 1980s. The fast neutron beam facility at iThemba LABS has been designated by the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) as an entity responsible for providing traceability for the medium and high-energy neutron measurements in South Africa. As a result, the facility is undergoing a major upgrade and development in order for it to meet the requirements for a medium and high-energy neutron metrology facility. As part of the ongoing upgrade, Monte Carlo (MC) simulations aimed at benchmarking the experimental data are ongoing.