Commissioning of the n-TOF-Ph2 facility

Abstract

The white spectrum neutron time-of-flight facility n-TOF is operating at CERN since 2001. The neutron beam has a very high instantaneous flux and high resolution in energy. The long distance of 187 m between the spallation target and the experimental area implies a favorable signal to background ratio for neutron capture and fission studies on radioactive isotopes, thus making the facility well suited for accurate cross-sections measurements. This is especially true for highly radioactive targets which are of major importance in new nuclear energy systems such as Gen-IV reactors, especially for those with a fast spectrum. Combined with state-of-the-art detectors and with advanced data acquisition systems, the innovative characteristics of the n-TOF neutron beam allows one to collect data on a variety of stable and radioactive isotopes of interest for nuclear astrophysics and for applications in advanced reactor technologies. The n-TOF facility resumed operation in 2008 after the old spallation target had been replaced. Show more