Simulations for the future converter of the e-linac for the TRIUMF ARIEL facility

Abstract

In the next years, TRIUMF activity will be focused on building a new facility to produce very intense neutron rich radioactive ion beams. Unlike others ISOL facilities, the e-linac primary beam, that will induce the fission, is an intense electron beam (50 MeV energy and 10 mA intensity). This challenging choice, which make this installation unique, despite the ALTO facility, makes an average fission rate of 1013-14fissions/s in the target.This beam is sent on an uranium carbide target (UCx), but due to its power, it is essential to insert a "converter" on the beam path to avoid a target overheating. The purpose of this converter is to convert electrons into Bremsstralhung radiation. The γ rays produce excite the dipole resonance of 23892U (15 MeV) inducing fission. Energy deposition, fission rate and thermal behavior were simulated using Monte Carlo techniques are presented in this paper.