Thomas W Burgess

Radiation Simulations and Development of Concepts for High Power Beam Dumps, Catchers and Pre-Separator Area Layouts for the Fragment Separators for RIA

The development of high-power beam dumps and catchers, and pre-separator layouts for proposed fragment separators of the Rare-Isotope Accelerator (RIA) Facility are important in realizing how to handle the 400 kW in the primary beam. Examples of pre-conceptual designs of the pre-separator area and components, along with examples of ongoing radiation simulations with results characterizing the secondary radiation are given. These initial studies will yield insight into the impact of the high-power dissipation on fragment separator design, remote handling concepts, nuclear safety and potential facility hazard classification, shielding design, civil construction design, component design, and material choices. Furthermore, they will provide guidance on detailed radiation analyses as designs mature.

Radiation environment at ISOL target station of rare isotope facility

Next-generation exotic beam facilities will offer several approaches to produce rare isotopes far from stability. One approach is Isotope Separation On-line, ISOL, which is the isotope production by interactions of light ion beams with heavy nuclei of targets. A pre-conceptual design of an ISOL target station was done as part of the research and development work for the Rare Isotope Accelerator, RIA. This report summarizes results of radiation calculations for the RIA ISOL target station. This includes radiation effects such as prompt radiation at the target station and from neutron sky-shine, activation of ground water, air, and components.

Radiation Simulations for the Proposed ISOL Stations for RIA

The Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Physics, within the Office of Science (SC), has given high priority to consider and analyze design concepts for the target areas for the production of rare isotopes via the ISOL technique at the Rare-Isotope Accelerator (RIA) Facility. Key criteria are the maximum primary beam power of 400 kW, minimizing target change-out time, good radiological protection, flexibility with respect to implementing new target concepts, and the analysis and minimization of hazards associated with the operation of the facility. We will present examples of on-going work on simulations of radiation heating of targets, surrounding components and shielding, component activation, and levels of radiation dose, using the simulation codes MARS, MCNPX, and PHITS. These results are important to make decisions that may have a major impact on the layout, operational efficiency and cost of the facility, hazard analysis, shielding design, civil construction, component design, and material selection overall layout, and remote handling concepts.