The Los Alamos National Laboratory Spallation Neutron Sources

TLDR

The paper describes two neutron sources at Los Alamos National Laboratory, outlining their characteristics, ongoing research programs, and future directions relevant to international fusion technology. Both sources are powered by an 800‑MeV proton beam from the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility, with one moderated to produce subthermal to ~100 keV neutrons for condensed‑matter studies and the other a bare target generating fast neutrons from 100 keV to 800 MeV.

Abstract

Two neutron sources used for nuclear physics research at Los Alamos National Laboratory are described. Both are driven by the 800-MeV proton beam from the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility. The Los Alamos Neutron Scattering Center is based on a moderated source that provides useful neutrons from subthermal energies to ∼100 keV and is used primarily for condensed matter research. The Weapons Neutron Research facility uses a bare target that is designed to produce fast neutrons with energies from 100 keV to 800 MeV. The characteristics of these sources, ongoing research programs, and potential directions for both the facility and the physics program, emphasizing research relevant to international fusion technology needs, are described.