How to improve the irradiation conditions for the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility

The accelerator-based intense D-Li neutron source International Fusion Mate rials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF) provides very suitable irradiation condi tions for fusion materials development with the attractive option of accele rated irradiations. Investigations show that a neutron moderator made of tu ngsten and placed in the IFMIF test cell can further improve the irradiatio n conditions. The moderator softens the IFMIF neutron spectrum by enhancing the fraction of low energy neutrons. For displacement damage, the ratio of point defects to cascades is more DEMO relevant and for tritium production in Li-based breeding ceramic materials it leads to a preferred production via the Li-6(n,t)He-4 channel as it occurs in a DEMO breeding blanket. ((C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.