Ms. Wechsler et al., RADIATION EFFECTS IN MATERIALS FOR ACCELERATOR-DRIVEN NEUTRON TECHNOLOGIES, Journal of nuclear materials, 244(3), 1997, pp. 177-184
Citations number
34
Categorie Soggetti
Nuclear Sciences & Tecnology","Mining & Mineral Processing","Material Science
Accelerator-driven neutron technologies include facilities for neutron
scattering research, accelerator transmutation of waste (ATW), and ac
celerator production of tritium. These systems use spallation neutron
sources (SNS's) in which high-energy protons (E=1000-2000 MeV) strike
a heavy-metal target, producing spallation neutrons with energies exte
nding up to the incident proton energy. The nature of the spallation p
rocess and the codes used to calculate spallation radiation damage are
reviewed. Calculations of displacement and helium production in a maj
or target material, tungsten, are described. Displacement cross sectio
ns reach about 9000 b for 1600 MeV neutrons or protons. In a simulated
high-current-density ATW SNS, displacement production rates are about
0.1 and 1 dpa/d due to the spallation neutrons and incident 1600 MeV
protons, respectively, and the He production rates are about 1 and 250
appm He/d, respectively. These damage rates probably represent an upp
er limit to what can be tolerated. More realistic solid-target SNS's w
ill operate at lower current densities, and the damage rates are likel
y to be reduced by a factor of 3 or 4 from the values cited above. In
any case, however, radiation damage to target and container materials
is a major consideration in the design of SNS's.