Compact Accelerator Based Neutron Sources

Accelerators have been used to produce neutrons since the 1970s, with compact accelerator-based neutron sources (CANS) becoming available. This publication provides an overview of the various types of CANS technologies and their applications, including analytical and other uses. Smaller regional neutron sources may also become viable, broadening access to neutron facilities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 124 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2021
Publisher: IAEA

Neutron production through accelerators has seen a significant evolution since the 1970s, marked by the construction of powerful proton accelerators for accessing neutrons through spallation. Simultaneously, low-energy driven neutron processes emerged, utilizing electron accelerators, ion beam accelerators, cyclotrons, and low-energy linear accelerators. This diverse range of accelerator-based neutron sources, collectively known as compact accelerator-based neutron sources (CANS), has gained prominence. This comprehensive publication offers an overview of the various CANS technologies currently available or planned for the near future. It showcases the wide range of analytical and other applications of neutrons. Furthermore, the publication aims to demonstrate that, in addition to replacing national medium flux research reactors for specific functions, smaller regional neutron sources may become viable, ultimately expanding access to neutron facilities.

The production of neutrons by accelerators began in the 1970s with construction of powerful proton accelerators to access neutrons via spallation. At the same time, low energy driven neutron processes emerged for neutron production using electron accelerators, ion beam accelerators, cyclotrons, and low energy linear accelerators. This wide variety of accelerator based neutron sources have come to be referred to as compact accelerator based neutron sources (CANS). This publication provides an overview of the various types of CANS technologies that are currently available or planned in the near future. It illustrates many of the analytical and other applications of neutrons. Given the wide variety of power and costs, the publication also aims to show that in addition to replacing national medium flux research reactors for certain functions, smaller regional neutron sources may become viable, which may eventually broaden access to neutron facilities.

Weight: 350g
Dimension: 297 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789201332219