Neutron irradiation facilities at the intense pulsed neutron source

The decommissioning of reactor-based neutron sources in the USA has led to the development of a new generation of neutron sources that employ high-energy accelerators. Among the accelerator-based neutron sources presently in operation, the highest-flux source is the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source (IPNS), a user facility at Argonne National Laboratory. Neutrons in this source are produced by the interaction of 500 MeV protons with either of two 238U target systems. In the Radiation Effects Facility (REF), the 238U target is surrounded by Pb for neutron generation and reflection. The REF has three separate irradiation thimbles. Two thimbles provide irradiation temperatures between that of liquid He and several hundred degrees centrigrade. The third thimble operates at ambient temperature. In the Neutron Scattering Facility, the second 238U target is surrounded by Be, and there are two irradition thimbles that operate at ambient temperature. The energy distribution of the neutron flux has been measured by the use of 36 neutron reactions in 17 materials with spectrum unfolding by the STAYSL computer code. The spatial distribution of the neutrons within the REF irradiation thimbles has been determined from the activation of Ni. The details of the various irradiation thimbles and their neutron fluxes will be described. (orig.)