The Be(d,n) source at a modest facility

Source characterization for deuteron energies less than 8 MeV is discussed including: intensity, spectrum and angular distributions. Pulsed and steady-state applications of the source to the acquisition of fast-neutron data are illustrated by energy-averaged neutron total cross-section and spectrum-averaged activation cross-section measurements. Source utilization, measurement techniques, and experimental results are described with attention to self-shielding effects, background suppression and specification of uncertainties. These illustrations are extrapolated to broader-scope studies, taking advantage of the high fast-neutron intensities. The present and future potential is determined more by detection capability than by source properties. (author)