The Cornell University cold neutron beam facility

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:199584

Clark, D D ^[1]

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1. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States)

The final version of a cold neutron beam facility under development at the Cornell 500-kW TRIGA reactor is nearing completion. The facility will provide an ultra-low background subthermal neutron beam, primarily for nuclear reaction experiments such as (n,gamma) and (n,ce) studies and applications such as prompt gamma neutron activation analysis. Its uses will also include exploration of new cold neutron methods and training of graduate students in cold neutron techniques. The facility employs a 13-m long Curved (500-m radius) Ni-on-glass neutron guide (2 cm x 5 cm) to filter out fast neutrons and gamma rays, location of the guide exit in a room isolated from other beams, cold neutrons to increase transmission through the guide, a mesitylene moderator at ca. 30K that avoids hazards of liquid hydrogen or solid methane, and cooling by Cu cold fingers attached to a cryorefrigerator outside the reactor bulk shield. The mesitylene chamber and the first 3 meters of guide are installed in a standard beamplug shell so that no modifications of the reactor structure were required. Design features of the cold source proper have been published in an article that also describes earlier stages of the project, and more recent design details and extensive subsystem tests are reported elsewhere. Final assembly and testing of the beamplug assembly is Currently underway (June 1994); completion is expected in Fall 1994. The project has involved more than seven graduate and undergraduate students.

• OSTI ID: 199584
• Report Number(s): CONF-941129--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
COLD NEUTRONS
CORNELL TRIGA-MK-2 REACTOR
MODIFICATIONS
NEUTRON BEAMS