Spallation physics and the ADS target design

Abstract

This paper reviews the physics of the spallation which is a nuclear reaction in which a particle (e.g. proton) interacts with a nucleus. Given to the high energy of the incident proton, in a first stage it interacts with the individual nucleons in an intranuclear cascade which leads to the emission of secondary particles (neutrons, protons, mesons, etc.). In a secondary stage the nucleus is left in an excited state and can de-excite by evaporation and/or fission. Given to the high number of secondary neutrons produced (∼30 n/p for proton energy of 1 GeV), this reaction can be used as a source of neutrons, for example for ADS systems as external source to drive the sub critical reactor. The main codes used in the ADS target design and an example on the utilization of one of these codes (the LAHET code) for typical ADS target are given.