Speaker
Description
We have been developing the NEutron Source in uppSAla (NESSA) facility, placed in the FREIA hall, at Ångström laboratory of Uppsala University. The facility is taking up operations during spring 2022.
The compact neutron generator has been developed by Adelphi Technology, Inc. Using DT reactions, it provides 14 MeV neutrons with a yield of about 4 x 10^10 neutrons per second. The construction allows irradiation positions very close to the source such that fluxes in excess of 10^9 n/cm2/s can be achieved. The facility is unique in the Nordic countries and, due to the high achievable fluxes, among the top facilities in its class in Europe.
The facility (see figure 1) is intended for the development of instrumentation, studies of radiation effects in functional materials (detectors) and electronic components and systems, and education. In many of these aspects, NESSA is already a part of European network projects and proposals (Eurofusion, RADNEXT, and ARIEL) with mainly academic users. In addition, and with basis on expertise gained via the former The Svedberg Laboratory of Uppsala University, we are open for users from industry that are interested in, for example, testing of electronics in a harsh radiation environment.
We present the NESSA facility and describe the results from the neutron field characterization obtained during the commissioning phase. We also discuss calculations of neutron and gamma doses inside and outside the bunker, done to optimize the shielding design, and outline future plans.