A novel method for designing the moderator of accelerator-driven neutron source

Abstract Initial neutrons are produced by accelerator-driven neuron sources, and in order to gain various energy ranges to realize all kinds of applications of the neutrons, specially designed neutron sources are required. Therefore, in this research, a method for designing neutron sources with wanted energy ranges is developed. Through a special design of the structure and components of the materials of the neutron source, it is able to gain the intended neutrons. In the investigation, the method is first applied to an initial neutron source for gaining 0.025 eV to 1.0 eV neutrons, and the initial neutrons are produced by proton bombing the beryllium (Be) target, which is simulated by GEANT4. In the simulation, the thickness of moderator materials including polythene (PE), H 2 O, and CH 4 is carefully designed for the neutron source, and since the multilayer and composite material has the potential of improving the neutrons, the structure and components of two models for complex materials are also devised accordingly. Finally, this method is applied to a compact neutron source (CANS) for gaining thermal neutrons.