Spallation reactions for nuclear waste transmutation and production of radioactive nuclear beams

Spallation reactions are considered an optimum neutron source for nuclear waste transmutation in accelerator-driven systems (ADS). They are also used to produce intense radioactive nuclear beams in ISOL facilities. A difficulty in both applications is the characterisation of these reactions in terms of residual nuclei production. In this paper we review the GSI experimental program for the investigation of spallation reactions and their implications both in radioactive nuclear beams production and basic nuclear structure research. (orig.)