Beschreibung
The High-Brilliance neutron Source (HBS) project [1] develops a High-Current Accelerator-driven Neutron Source (HiCANS) with a pulsed proton beam, a peak current of 100 mA and an average power at the target of 100 kW. The concept of such a HiCANS was published some years ago [2] indicating the feasibility of such a facility with all of its components: high-current accelerator, target station with integrated moderator-reflector assemblies and neutron instruments. All components require engineering development and testing. The JULIC Neutron Platform was thus developed as a testbed for all components and the investigation of their interplay.
The JULIC Neutron Platform uses a cyclotron providing a tunable pulsed proton beam with a low current but a variable frequency and pulse length to a spacious experimental area. A target station shielding is placed in its center with an empty inner core of 1 m3, able to accommodate different moderator-reflector assemblies as well as cryogenic moderators. The target station uses a tantalum target for the conversion of protons to neutrons and has eight spacious ducts where moderator plugs for neutron extraction or blind plugs are placed.
First beam on target was achieved in December 2022 and in 2023 a total of 7 weeks of beamtime have been used for a variety of different experiments with the help of up to 5 external guests: reflectometry, diffractometry, fast and thermal imaging, moderator and reflector material tests, dosimetry and detector tests.
At DN2024, we will present the JULIC Neutron Platform and the experiments performed. We will evaluate the possibilities an accelerator-driven neutron source offers.
References
[1] P. Zakalek, et al, J. Phys.: Conf. Ser., 1401, 012010 (2020)
[2] T. Brückel, et al. Conceptual Design Report Jülich High Brilliance Neutron Source (HBS), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH Zentralbibliothek, Verlag Jülich (2020)
