Skip to main content
Log in

Superfluid Helium in a Subcritical Core

  • Published:
Atomic Energy Aims and scope

Abstract

The results of a numerical simulation of a superthermal source of ultracold neutrons on superfluid helium near a subcritical core of an electronuclear system are examined. It is shown that for a limited core power and using cold filters to produce the spectrum of neutrons entering the cryostat zone with liquid helium, the heat release in helium with adequate volume can be limited to a reasonable value 1 W. Various versions of the MCNP code are used. The heat release from γ rays and neutrons with different energies is estimated for two positions of the cryostat relative to the vertical center of the plane of the core. It is shown that a spatial ultracold-neutron density exceeding 103 cm–3 can be obtained with additional conversion of cold neutrons on a solid-deuterium layer surrounding the helium vessel.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. R. Golub and J. Pendlebury, “The interaction of ultracold neutrons (UCN) with liquid helium and superthermal UCN source,” Phys. Lett., 62A, nO. 5, 337–339 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  2. R. Golub, C. Jewell, P. Agereon, et al.,, “Operation of a superthermal ultracold neutron source and the storage of ultracold neutrons in superfluid helium-4,” Zh. Phys. B- Condensed Matter, 51, 187–193 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  3. V. K. Ignatovich, The Physics of Ultracold Neutrons, Nauka, Moscow (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  4. O. V. Shvedov, V. V. Vassiliev, M. M. Igumnov, et al., “ITEP subcritical neutron source as a prototype of a high-current accelerator- blanket system,” in: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Emerging Nuclear Energy Systems ICENES'96, June 24- 28, 1996, Obninsk, Russia, Vol. 2, pp. 595–603.

    Google Scholar 

  5. B. G. Erozolimskii, “Beta decay of a free neutron,” In: Modern Methods of Nuclear Spectroscopy, Nauka, Leningrad (1988), pp. 3–62.

    Google Scholar 

  6. P. A. Krupchitskii, Fundamental Research with Polarized Slow Neutrons, Énergoatomizdat, Moscow (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  7. I. I. Gurevich and L. V. Tarasov, The Physics of Low-Energy Neutrons, Nauka, Moscow (1965), pp. 193–199.

    Google Scholar 

  8. P. Roubeau, “Horizonal cryostat for polarized proton targets,” Cryogenics, August 1966, pp. 207–212.

  9. V. V. Vassil'ev and O. V. Shvedov, “Shutdown reactor transformation into subcritical neutron source, control and safety system substantiation and development,” in: Proceedings of ENS Class 1 Topical Meeting “Research Facilities for the Future of Nuclear Energy,” Brussels, Belgium, June 4- 6, 1996, pp. 78–85.

  10. V. V. Vasil'ev, A. A. Dezhurnykh, M. M. Igumnov, et al., “Electronuclear ultracold-neutron generator,” Preprint No. 9- 95, Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics (1995).

  11. M. Lone and C. Bigham, in: Neutron Sources for Basic Physics and Applications, Pergamon Press, Pergamon related journals, New York (1983), p. 141.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Yu. N. Pokotilovskii and A. D. Rogov, Optimization Study of Ultracold Neutron Sources at TRIGA Reactors Using MCNP, Dubna (1997), E3-97-127.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vasil'ev, V.V., Lopatkin, A.V., Muratov, V.G. et al. Superfluid Helium in a Subcritical Core. Atomic Energy 92, 185–196 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016029010799

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016029010799

Keywords

Navigation