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 and it is delivered in the experimental area located 187 m downstream from the spallation target. The intense neutron fluence per proton burst results in a much enhanced signal to background ratio for neutron capture and fission reactions on radioactive isotopes, thus making the facility well suited for accurate measurement of neutron-induced reaction cross-sections. This is especially true to highly radioactive targets which are of major importance in new nuclear energy system such as Gen-IV reactors, especially those with fast spectrum. Combined with state-of-the-art detectors and with advanced data acquisition systems, the innovative characteristics of the n_TOF neutron beam allow collecting data on a variety of stable and radioactive isotopes of interest for nuclear astrophysics and for applications to advanced reactor technologies.

Peer Reviewed