Benchmark of spallation models

Spallation reactions play an important role in many branches of physics. If the nuclear reaction induced by low energy neutrons as in nuclear power plants or research reactors can be based on cross section database, it is not the case for spallation reactions due to the energy range, from 100 MeV up to ∼3 GeV, and to the candidate targets (all nuclei). Then these reactions have to be modeled. Developments of codes are linked to new experiment and this explains why fifteen years ago a first benchmark has been launched, restricted to particle production, followed by a second one on residues. Since then new data have been measured and computer tools are improved day after day, so a new benchmark has been organized, under the auspices of the IAEA, taken into account all types of results, particle and residue production, with a possibility to update the data (experimental and code calculation) via a web site. Results of the benchmark concerning both the analysis of the prediction capabilities of the seventeen model-participants and the first conclusions on the physics of spallation models are presented. (author)