Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2016) 131: 72
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2016-16072-0

Regular Article

SPES and the neutron facilities at Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro

¹ Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padova, via Marzolo 8, I-35131, Padova, Italy
² INFN Padova, via Marzolo 8, I-35131, Padova, Italy
³ INFN Legnaro, viale dellUniversit 2, I-35020, Legnaro (Pd), Italy
⁴ DICeM, University of Cassino, via Di Biasio 43, I-03043, Cassino (Fr), Italy

^* e-mail: luca.silvestrin@pd.infn.it

Received: 21 January 2016
Accepted: 29 January 2016
Published online: 29 March 2016

Abstract

The SPES Radioactive Ion Beam (RIB) facility, now in the construction phase at INFN-LNL, has the aim to provide high-intensity and high-quality beams of neutron-rich nuclei for nuclear physics research as well as to develop an interdisciplinary research center based on the cyclotron proton beam. The SPES system is based on a dual-exit high-current cyclotron, with tunable proton beam energy 35-70MeV and 0.20-0.75mA. The first exit is used as proton driver to supply an ISOL system with an UCx Direct Target able to sustain a power of 10kW. The expected fission rate in the target is of the order of fissions per second. The exotic isotopes will be re-accelerated by the ALPI superconducting LINAC at energies of 10 A MeV and higher, for masses around amu, with an expected beam intensity of - pps. The second exit will be used for applied physics: radioisotope production for medicine and neutrons for material studies. Fast neutron spectra will be produced by the proton beam interaction with a conversion target. A production rate in excess of n/s can be achieved: this opens up the prospect of a high-flux neutron irradiation facility (NEPIR) to produce both discrete and continuous energy neutrons. A direct proton beam line is also envisaged. NEPIR and the direct proton line would dramatically increase the wide range of irradiation facilities presently available at LNL. We also present LENOS, a proposed project dedicated to accurate neutron cross-sections measurements using intense, well-characterized, broad energy neutron beams. Other activities already in operation at LNL are briefly reviewed: the SIRAD facility for proton and heavy-ion irradiation at the TANDEM-ALPI accelerator and the BELINA test facility at CN van de Graaff accelerator.