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Title: Dynamic Pressure of Liquid Mercury Target During 800-MeV Proton Thermal Shock Tests

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/754360· OSTI ID:754360

Described here are efforts to diagnose transient pressures generated by a short-pulse (about 0.5 microseconds) high intensity proton ({approximately} 2 * 10 14 per pulse) beam. Proton energy is 800-MeV. The tests were performed at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center - Weapons Neutron Research (LANSCE-WNR). Such capability is required for understanding target interaction for the Spallation Neutron Source project as described previously at this conference.1-4 The main approach to effect the pressure measurements utilized the deflection of a diaphragm in intimate contact with the mercury. There are a wide variety of diaphragm-deflection methods used in scientific and industrial applications. Many deflection-sensing approaches are typically used, including, for instance, capacitive and optical fiber techniques. It was found, however, that conventional pressure measurement using commercial pressure gages with electrical leads was not possible due to the intense nuclear radiation enviro nment. Earlier work with a fiber optic strain gauge demonstrated the viability of using fiber optics for this environment.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (US)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
754360
Report Number(s):
ORNL/TM-2000/46; TRN: US0005480
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 1 Feb 2000
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English