Large-volume intense neutron source for CTR materials studies

The measurement of bulk radiation effects for the CTR program will require the irradiation of many hundreds of samples by energetic neutrons to fluences in excess of 1021 n/cm2. The environment of the samples must be well controlled, particularly as regards temperature and stress. There must be easy access for instrumentation and remote handling, and provision for pulsed operation may be required. A facility based on a 30 to 40 MeV 100 mA deuteron linac and a liquid lithium jet target appears to offer the best combination of intensity, experimental volume, energy spectrum and experimental access. The linear accelerator would be of the Alvarez type designed for high transmission efficiency and reliability and to take advantage of existing high power rf technology. The injector would be based on the Oak Ridge work with high current dc ion sources. Existing liquid metal technology appears adequate for the target design. (U.S.)