Speaker
Description
Neutron scattering has proven to be one of the most powerful methods for the investigation of structure and dynamics of condensed matter on atomic length and time scales. Neutron techniques have a broad range of applications in physics, chemistry, magnetism and superconductivity, material sciences, cultural heritage, biology, soft matter, health, and environmental and climate science. With the relatively recent closure of the National Research Universal reactor, Canada has lost its primary source of neutron for neutron scattering. With a globally shrinking supply of neutrons and the NIMBY perception that research reactors face, compact accelerator-driven neutron sources (CANS) are on the rise. CANS have potential produce an intense source of pulsed neutrons, with a capital cost significantly lower than spallation sources and reactor sources along with much less public stigma. A prototype Canadian CANS (PC-CANS) is proposed as the first step towards rebuilding Canadian neutron capabilities. This new source would be the first of its kind in Canada and provide neutrons for two neutron science instruments, a boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) end-station. The accelerator designed for the PC-CANS would also facilitate a beamline for fluorine-18 radioisotope production for positive emission tomography (PET). Here, we outline the details of the PC-CANS and key design features that will all for such a diverse range of applications.
