Requirements versus design

Accelerator

Spallation target

Subcritical core

The spallation target

The spallation target is a neutron source providing primary neutrons that are multiplied by the surrounding subcritical core. The primary neutrons are produced by the spallation reaction of heavy-metal target nuclei, bombarded by high-energy protons generated by the accelerator. The high power (density) in the target resulting from the heat deposition by the proton beam and the space limitations for optimal neutronic performance, asks for forced convection heat removal by liquid metal. The high proton current density leads to a windowless target design: the separation between the beam vacuum and the target material is the liquid metal free surface itself.

spallation

More information on the spallation target