Division of accelerators, cryogenics and magnetism

The objective of the realization of efficient compact neutron sources is to make it possible to perform neutron scattering experiments, with practically the same qualities as those carried out with neutron beam lines from research reactors of the Orphée type*.

These compact sources are obtained from a protons beam of medium-energy (3-50 MeV) and high current (100 mA) impinging on a light element target as beryllium. This interaction creates a neutron emission. In order to be used routinely, the target must be able to withstand long exposure to high irradiation without loss of performance.

The IRFU (DACM, DEDIP, DIS, DPhN) and LLB teams have realized a beryllium target implanted at the exit of the high intensity proton injector - IPHI (3 MeV)

at Saclay. They show that with this device it is possible to obtain the intensity of neutrons necessary to carry out a diffraction experiment in a reasonable time, demonstrating the competitiveness of such a source for neutron scattering compared to current small and medium power nuclear reactors.

*Former research reactor at Saclay, now shutdown.

August 27, 2019, a key accelerator component from France was delivered to the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund, Sweden, as part of the French in-kind contributions to the next-generation research infrastructure. The Radio Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) is the first accelerating structure in ESS’ linear accelerator and has been designed, developed and manufactured by the ESS French stakeholder CEA in its institute Irfu (Institute of Research into the Fundamental Laws of the Universe).