Photoneutron Source by High Energy Electrons on High Z Target: Comparison Between Monte Carlo Codes and Experimental Data

A photoneutron source has been designed and realized at the Beam Test Facility (BTF) of the electron/positron collider Dane, in the National Laboratory of Frascati, near Rome (Italy). Neutrons are produced sending high energy electrons to impinge on an optimized Tungsten target. This source could be suitably used for calibration of neutron detectors as well as for material and nuclear science investigations. Moreover photoneutron processes are encountered in many physics domains: from accelerator to reactor physics, mainly related to neutron shielding issues in high Z materials, used for gamma shielding.

This work presents the Monte Carlo simulations performed with different codes (FLUKA and MCNPX) to estimate the neutron rate and energy spectrum, obtained when 510 MeV electrons are sent against the designed target. Finally, the comparison of the Monte Carlo predictions of neutron and photon fluences around the target with the experimental values is discussed.