Performance of the prototype LANL solid deuterium ultra-cold neutron source

Roger E. Hill, J. M. Anaya, T. J. Bowles, G. L. Greene, G. Hogan, S. Lamoreaux, L. Marek, R. Mortenson, C. L. Morris, A. Saunders, S. J. Seestrom, W. Teasdale, S. Hoedl, C. Y. Liu, D. A. Smith, A. Young, B. W. Filippone, J. Hua, T. Ito, E. PasyukP. Geltenbort, A. Garcia, B. Fujikawa, S. Baessler, A. Serebrov

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

A prototype of a solid deuterium (SD2) source of Ultra-Cold Neutrons (UCN) is currently being tested at LANSCE. The source is contained within an assembly consisting of a 4 K polyethylene moderator surrounded by a 77 K beryllium flux trap in which is embedded a spallation target. Time-of-flight measurements have been made of the cold neutron spectrum emerging directly from the flux trap assembly. A comparison is presented of these measurements with results of Monte Carlo (LAHET/MCNP) calculations of the cold neutron fluxes produced in the prototype assembly by a beam of 800 MeV protons incident on the tungsten target. A UCN detector was coupled to the assembly through a guide system with a critical velocity of 8 m/s (58Ni). The rates and time-of-flight data from this detector are compared with calculated values. Measurements of UCN production as a function of SD2 volume (thickness) are compared with predicted values. The dependence of UCN production on SD2 temperature and proton beam intensity are also presented.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)674-681
Number of pages8
JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Volume440
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2000
Externally publishedYes
EventThe International Workshop on 'Particle Physics with Slow Neutrons' - Grenoble, France
Duration: Oct 22 1998Oct 24 1998

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