Expanding a Neutron Radiography Accelerator into an Institutional Neutron and Light-Ion Source (INLS)

Brian Rusnak
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory,
New Technologies Engineering Division
April 17, 2001

Abstract:

The accelerator that is proposed for providing the intense 6.8-7 MeV deuteron beam for doing neutron radiography work via a kinematic D(d,n)He3 reaction would be a good platform to build an Institutional Neutron and Light Ion Source at LLNL. This linear accelerator that is made up of an RFQ (Radio Frequency Quadrupole) and a DTL (Drift Tube Linac) for accelerating deuterium could be operated in ways that allow access to lower energy regimes for q/m=1/2 particles as well as protons at lower intensities. These alternate operational modes would provide lower energy neutrons using a (p,n) reaction on lithium, as well as access to charged particle beams directly. To access higher energies, an afterburner accelerator design is being developed. A summary of the options, possible users, and pathways to realizing an INLS will be discussed.