Strain measurement in the recent SNS mercury target with gas injection

Abstract

High-radiation-tolerant fiber-optic strain sensors were recently developed to measure the transient proton-beam-induced strain profiles on the mercury target vessel at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). Here we report the strain measurement results and radiation-resistance performance on the latest SNS mercury target vessel equipped with helium gas injection. The results have demonstrated the efficacy of gas injection to reduce the cyclic stress on the target module.