Spallation device for producing neutrons

Abstract

A spallation device for production of neutrons includes a solid spallation target that produces neutrons by interaction with a hollow particle beam propagating within a first chamber, a second chamber containing the spallation target, and a leak tight partition separating the first and second chambers.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . Spallation device for production of neutrons, comprising: 
 a solid spallation target configured to produce neutrons by interaction with the particle beam;    a first chamber containing the spallation target;    a mechanism configured to generate the particle beam;    a second chamber in which the particle beam will propagate towards the spallation target, along a propagation axis;    a leak tight partition through which the particle beam can pass, separating the first chamber from the second chamber and reaching the propagation axis; and    a heat transporting fluid configured to circulate in the first chamber to cool the spallation target,    wherein the particle beam is hollow and surrounds the propagation axis.    
   
   
       17 . Device according to  claim 16 , wherein the particles are chosen from the group comprising protons, deuterium nuclei, tritium nuclei, helium 3 nuclei, and helium 4 nuclei.  
   
   
       18 . Device according to  claim 16 , wherein radial distribution of current density in the particle beam is approximately gaussian and is offset from an axis of symmetry of the particle beam.  
   
   
       19 . Device according to  claim 16 , wherein the mechanism configured to generate the particle beam is configured to produce the hollow particle beam.  
   
   
       20 . Device according to  claim 16 , wherein the mechanism configured to generate the particle beam is configured to produce the hollow particle beam from a solid particle beam.  
   
   
       21 . Device according to  claim 16 , wherein the spallation target comprises plural successive elementary targets, each elementary target comprising a conical plate provided with a central drilling.  
   
   
       22 . Device according to  claim 16 , wherein a space is provided between the leak tight partition and the spallation target for circulation of the heat transporting fluid.  
   
   
       23 . Device according to  claim 16 , wherein the spallation target has an axis of symmetry of revolution that is coincident with the propagation axis.  
   
   
       24 . Device according to  claim 16 , wherein the leak tight partition is convex towards an inside of the first chamber.  
   
   
       25 . Device according to  claim 16 , wherein the leak tight partition has an axis of symmetry of revolution coincident with the progagation axis.  
   
   
       26 . Device according to  claim 16 , further comprising means for guiding the heat transporting fluid at least towards the leak tight partition, in the first chamber.