Characterization of the volume for high dose irradiations with IFMIF

The purpose of the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFM IF) is to provide typical D-T fusion irradiation conditions for future mate rials testing and materials development. One of the major design criteria o f IFMIF is to provide a volume of at least 0.5 l for high dose irradiations (>20 DPA/FPY). A comprehensive characterization of the irradiation volume of the High Flux Test Region (HFTR) has been carried out. For Fe, the damag e rate was found to vary between 20-55 DPA/FPY in a maximum volume of (550 +/- 180) cm(3) uncollided and (455 +/- 145) cm(3) collided. The great volum e uncertainty was found to be caused mainly by the total neutron yield unce rtainty. In order to utilize the total high flux volume an improvement of t he current helium cooled High Flux Test Module (HFTM) design is proposed. I FMIF is found to provide an adequate volume for high dose and accelerated m aterial irradiations under D-T fusion reactor conditions. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.