Research News
The nELBE neutron facility at the HZDR. Photo: Jürgen Lösel
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Pressinfo Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf: 'Jagd nach schnellen Neutronen'
Fast Neutrons for Transmutation
At the Helmholtz Centre Dresden-Rossendorf, scientists around Dr Arnd Junghans create fast neutrons at the neutron source nELBE. For this, they shoot electrons from the electron accelerator ELBE at liquid lead. "This results in the emittance of 200,000 ultra-short neutron pulses per second, a world-wide unique output", says Arnd Junghans. So far, the scientists predominantly investigated the reaction of the fast neutrons with iron atoms, since iron alloys are used as a building material in future transmutation facilities. For example, if the neutrons are decelerated too much by the iron nuclei, they lack the energy for their actual task: The transmutation of radioactive heavy metals. In order to determine the exact transmutation ratios, the scientists now intend to direct the fast neutrons towards plutonium nuclei. The work conducted by the HZDR scientists is important in the development of a future transmutation reactor. The HZDR researchers coordinate the research project ERINDA that started at the beginning of 2011 and is funded by the EU with about one million Euro.
