Feasibility Study to Produce First Wall Fusion Reactor Spectra Around a 14-MeV Neutron Point Source

A detailed analysis is made showing the feasibility of producing a neutron spectrum that will closely match the first wall neutron environment of any proposed future fusion reactor. An intense neutron source based on the deuterium-tritium reaction and producing 1 to 3 × 10¹⁵ 14-MeV neutrons per second in a small volume, <1 cm³, is used as the primary source. The spectrum is tailored by surrounding this source with a spherical blanket composed of concentric shells of lithium, uranium (93% ²³⁵U), and beryllium. The irradiation volume of ∼100 cm³ is located between the source and the inside of the blanket and can be used for the purpose of radiation damage evaluations.