Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Development of a neutron generating target for compact neutron sources using low energy proton beams

  • Published:
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A neutron generating target using a Be(p,n) reaction was developed for a RIKEN compact accelerator-driven neutron source (RANS). The major problem of targets using a low energy proton beam is blistering, which is actually due to hydrogen embrittlement caused by injected hydrogen. To avoid this problem, the authors have proposed a new target design with a hydrogen diffusible backing and its design was modeled using finite-element analysis (FEM) and Monte-Carlo ion injection simulation. Also, the mechanical strength and heat removal capability of the target were considered by FEM. Based on those simulations, a new target was manufactured and applied to RANS and operated for 1 year without any problems. Also, the residual radioactivity of the target was investigated by experiment and simulation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kiyanagi Y (2006) Experimental studies on neutronic performance of various cold-neutron moderators for the pulsed neutron sources. Nucl Instrum Meth A 562:561–564

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Kim IJ, Choi HD (2005) Development of D–D neutron generator. Nucl Instrum Methods B 241:917–920

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Lavelle CM et al (2008) Neutronic design and measured performance of the low energy neutron source (LENS) target moderator reflector assembly. Nucl Instrum Methods A 587:324–341

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Bayanov B, Belov V, Taskaev S (2006) Neutron-producing target for accelerator-based neutron capture therapy. J Phys Conf Ser 41:460–465

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Bayanov B, Kashaeva E, Makarov A, Malyshkin G, Samarin S, Taskaev S (2009) A neutron producing target for a BINP accelerator-based neutron source. Appl Radiat Isot 67(7–8 Suppl):S282–S284

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Aleynik V, Burdakov A, Davydenko V, Ivanov A, Kanygin V, Kuznetsov A, Makarov A, Sorokin I, Taskaev S (2011) BINP accelerator-based epithermal neutron source. Appl Radiat Isot 69:1635–1638

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Yamagata Y, Otake Y, Hirota K, Wang S (2013) Development of compact neutron source for radiography using a proton linear accelerator. Radiat Ind 134:16–19 (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Astrelin VT et al (2010) Blistering of the selected materials irradiated by intense 200 keV proton beam. J Nucl Mater 396:43–48

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Hawksworth MR (1977) Neutron radiography: equipment and methods. Atomic Energy Rev 15(2):169–220

    Google Scholar 

  10. PSTAR program is provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (2011). http://physics.nist.gov/PhysRefData/Star/Text/PSTAR.html

  11. Nishimura C, Komaki M, Amano M (1991) Hydrogen permeation characteristics of vanadium–nickel alloys. Mater Trans 32(5):501–507

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Bauer HC, Völki J, Tretkowski J, Alefeld G (1978) Diffusion of hydrogen and deuterium in Nb and Ta at high concentrations. Z Phys B 29:17–26

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Wipf H (2001) Solubility and diffusion of hydrogen in pure metals and alloys. Phys Scr T94:43–51

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Ishikawa T, Mclellan RB (1985) The diffusivity of hydrogen in copper at low temperature. J Phys Chem Solids 46:445–447

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Ichimura M, Sasajima Y, Imabayashi M (1991) Grain boundary effect on diffusion of hydrogen in pure aluminum. Mater Trans 32:1109–1114

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Yano S, Tada M, Matsui H (1991) Hydrogen embrittlement of MFR candidate vanadium alloys. J Nucl Mater 179–181:779–782

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Nambu T, Shimizu K, Matsumoto Y, Rong R, Watanabe N, Yukawa H, Morinaga M, Yasuda I (2007) Enhanced hydrogen embrittlement of Pd-coated niobium metal membrane detected by in situ small punch test under hydrogen permeation. J Alloy Compd 446–447:588–592

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Waseda Y et al (2000) Handbook of metals. The Japan Institute of Metals, Maruzen (in Japanese). ISBN 4-621-04745-0

    Google Scholar 

  19. SRIM code by James F. Ziegler (2012). http://www.srim.org

  20. Momose T, Hirayama H, Ishimaru H (1993) Influence of synchrotron radiation on corrosion at the boundary of cooling water and metals. Vacuum 44:991–996

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Sago T, Niita K et al (2013) Particle and Heavy Ion Transport Code Systems PHITS Version 2.52. J Nucl Sci Technol 50(9):913–923

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Takada H, Kosako K (1999) Development of the DCHAIN-SP code for analyzing decay and build-up characteristics of spallation products. JAERI-Data/Code 99-008

  23. Kamata S et al. (2006) Measurements of differential thick target neutron yields Be(p,xn) reactions induced by 11 MeV protons. In: 2006 annual meeting of the atomic energy society of Japan (in Japanese)

  24. Wang S, Ju J, Hirota K et al (2012) Simulation and design of moderator/reflector/shielding assembly for a compact neutron source at RIKEN. In: 3rd international the meeting of the union of compact accelerator-driven neutron sources UCANS-III Bilbao, Spain, M-III

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their gratitude for the advice from JCANS (Japan Collaboration on compact accelerator-driven neutron sources) members especially Prof. Y. Kiyanagi, Prof. H. M. Shimizu and Prof. Y. Iwashita. The authors would like to acknowledge the support from Advanced Manufacturing Support Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, RIKEN, Hirosawa 2-1, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan

    Yutaka Yamagata, Jungmyoung Ju, Sheng Wang, Shin-ya Morita, Jun-ichi Kato, Yoshie Otake, Atsushi Taketani, Yoshichika Seki, Masako Yamada & Hideo Ota

  2. Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan

    Katsuya Hirota

  3. University of Tokyo, Shirane 2-22, Shirakata, Tokai-mura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki, 319-1188, Japan

    Unico Bautista

  4. Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 28, Xianning West Road, Xi’an, 710049, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China

    Qinngan Jia

Authors
  1. Yutaka Yamagata
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Katsuya Hirota
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jungmyoung Ju
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sheng Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Shin-ya Morita
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jun-ichi Kato
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Yoshie Otake
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Atsushi Taketani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Yoshichika Seki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Masako Yamada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Hideo Ota
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Unico Bautista
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Qinngan Jia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yutaka Yamagata.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yamagata, Y., Hirota, K., Ju, J. et al. Development of a neutron generating target for compact neutron sources using low energy proton beams. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 305, 787–794 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4059-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4059-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation