Particle accelerator system for the production of standard neutron fields to replace existing Van de Graff accelerator

Concepts

• van de graff
• particle accelerator system
• teddington
• precision equipment
• particle accelerator
• production of standard neutron fields
• van de graff accelerator
• safety systems
• buncher system
• mv tandetron accelerator

Location

United Kingdom: NPL Management Ltd Hampton Road Teddington TW11 0LW

Description

A particle accelerator capable of accelerating protons and deuterons to any energy between 200 keV and 4 MeV. The system will produce a DC ion beam with a maximum beam current of at least 300 µA. The system will include ion source(s), accelerator, beamlines, switching magnet, ion optics/monitoring and control systems. The system will interface with building utilities and safety systems. The accelerator will be used primarily for producing neutron standards, but also opens up options for charged particle irradiations for materials analysis and nuclear physics experiments.

Total Quantity or Scope

The accelerator system will be capable of delivering accelerated ion beams to neutron producing targets (targets not included in procurement). The system will include: • 2 multicusp ions sources to produce protons, deuterons and helium ions • Pulser/buncher system to produce pulses approximately 2 ns wide at frequencies up to 4 MHz • 2 MV Tandetron accelerator to accelerate protons and deuterons from 200 keV to 4 MeV and helium ions up to 8 MeV • Switching/analysing magnet • 2 beamlines (approx. 14 m and 7 m long) with associated ion optics (electrostatic quadrupoles) and monitoring (faraday cups and profile monitors) • Computer control system and software The ion sources, pulser/buncher, accelerator and switching/analysing magnet will fit in the existing accelerator room (approx. 11 x 8.5 m) and the beamlines will extend into the neighbouring experimental area. The procurement will include transportation, on-site acceptance testing, training of personnel and equipment warranty.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

Legal Justification

The technological solution required by this project is an electrostatic accelerator and there is only 1 company globally that produce electrostatic accelerators with the required specifications, High Voltage Engineering (HVE). The unique features of the HVE solution are as follows: • The high voltage generation equipment is based on a Cockcroft-Walton generator and has no moving parts. This results in a highly stable terminal voltage and low electronic noise and voltage ripple. This results in a better beam energy resolution when compared to other similar accelerators. It also simplifies the machine operation, increases the machine reliability, dramatically reducing maintenance burden. • The accelerator is able to produce higher beam currents than similar machines. Higher beam current means the production of higher neutron fluences which are required for planned research and new measurement services. • The manufacturer is based in Europe and regulatory alignment to the UK is beneficial. Additional benefits, such as a proximity and similar time zone make the project and ongoing logistics easier (i.e. factory visits, future maintenance).

Other Information

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