SEDL / STP / STP1228-EB / STP15151S

The Spallation Neutron Source SINQ and Related Dosimetry Problems

Janett, A
Section Radiation Protection,

Atchison, F
SINQ project of the Paul Scherrer Institute,

Bauer, GS
SINQ project of the Paul Scherrer Institute,

Pages: 9    Published: Jan 1994

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Abstract

The spallation neutron source SINQ, presently under construction at Switzerland's Paul Scherrer Institut, will handle the highest proton current of any comparable facility in the world: a continuous beam of 1.5 mA, 590 MeV protons from an isochronous ring cyclotron. For the users, SINQ as a neutron source should resemble closely a medium flux research reactor; the presence of high and medium energy particles creates new technical problems in design and operation. The engineering design for the major components is based on the results of neutronic calculations, using a code package built around the HETC program.

At present, opportunities to verify the theoretical calculations experimentally are very limited. Safety factors have to be built in which conflict with the optimation of SINQ as a neutron source. To benchmark the calculational methods, a wide ranging diagnostic system will be required.