Neutronic analysis of DECY-13 cyclotron target system as a neutron source for SAMOP

Abstract

The Centre for Accelerator Science and Technology (PSTA) has developed a subcritical reactor for the molybdenum-99 (99Mo) production (SAMOP). This device requires an external neutron source. For experimental purposes, SAMOP is still driven by an external neutron source from a critical reactor, i.e. from the radial beam-port of the Kartini reactor. PSTA is also developing a 13 MeV cyclotron (DECY-13) for the production of fluorine-18 (18F) which can generate neutron as by-products. This cyclotron has an opportunity to be used as an external neutron source for the SAMOP. In this work, particle transport simulations have been carried out to determine the characteristics of the neutron produced by the DECY-13. The simulation results show that DECY-13 produces an average neutron flux of 2.6347 × 109 particles/cm2s and around 97% of them are the fast neutron. Based on the analysis, it concluded that the DECY 13 could be used as an external neutron source for the SAMOP by the addition of a neutron collimator.