Preliminary modeling results of a thermal neutron source driven with an electron linac

An electron linac, fitted with a standard x-ray converter, can produce high neutron yields in materials with low photonuclear threshold energies, such as D and ⁹Be. This paper discusses the preliminary MCNP modeling of a thermal neutron source driven with a 10 MeV electron linac operated in the CW mode. Results indicate that a 10 MeV, 10 kW electron linac can produce on the order of 10¹² n/sec in a heavy water photoneutron target. The thermal neutron flux in an unreflected heavy water target is nearly 10¹⁰ n/cm²/sec. Current modeling results are discussed.