Present status and future programs of n-TOF Experiment

The neutron time-of-flight facility n TOF at CERN, Switzerland, operational since 2001, delivers neutrons using the Proton Synchrotron (PS) 20 GeV/c proton beam impinging on a lead spallation target. The facility combines a very high instantaneous neutron flux, an excellent TOF resolution, a low intrinsic background and a wide range of neutron energies, from thermal to GeV neutrons. These characteristics provide a unique possibility to perform neutron-induced capture and fission cross-section measurements, for applications in nuclear astrophysics and in nuclear reactor technology.The overall efficiency of the experimental program and the range of possible measurements achievable with the construction of a second experimental area (EAR-2), vertically located 20 m on top of the n TOF spallation target, might offer a substantial improvement in measurement sensitivities. A feasibility study of the possible realisation will be also presented. The most relevant measurements performed up to now and foreseen for the future will be presented in this contribution