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Direct neutron reactions in storage rings utilizing a supercompact cyclotron neutron target

Ariel Tarifeño-Saldivia* and César Domingo-Pardo

Iris Dillmann

Yuri A. Litvinov

  • TRIUMF, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

  • *Contact author: atarisal@ific.uv.es
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Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams 29, 061601 – Published 3 June, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/5d87-m8bn

Abstract

We propose a new approach for a high-density free-neutron target, primarily aimed at nuclear astrophysics reaction studies in inverse kinematics with radioactive ions circulating in a storage ring. The target concept integrates four key subsystems: a neutron production source driven by a supercompact cyclotron utilizing Be9(p,xn) reactions, an optimized moderator/reflector assembly using either heavy water or beryllium oxide with a graphite reflector shell to thermalize fast neutrons, a cryogenic liquid hydrogen moderator to maximize thermal neutron density in the interaction region, and beam pipe geometries that enable neutron-ion interactions while maintaining vacuum conditions for ion circulation. This integrated approach focuses on feasibility by incorporating readily available technologies. Using a commercial supercompact cyclotron delivering a proton beam of 130  μA, the design achieves thermal neutron areal densities of ∼3.4×106  n/cm2 for a proof-of-concept demonstrator at the CRYRING ion-storage ring at GSI Darmstadt. This autonomous accelerator-target assembly design enables deployment at both in-flight and ISOL facilities to exploit their complementary production mechanisms. Potential upgrades based on higher-energy and/or higher-current cyclotrons will enable an increase in areal density to ∼109  n/cm2. In combination with a customized low-energy storage ring and a radioactive ion-beam facility, the proposed solution could deliver luminosities above 1023  cm−2 s−1, thereby enabling neutron capture measurements of ∼mb cross sections within a few days of experiment. The proposed system represents a significant milestone toward enabling large neutron-capture surveys on short-lived nuclei, thereby opening a new avenue for understanding the synthesis of heavy elements in our universe.

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Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams 29, 061601– Published 3 June, 2026
  • Received 17 August 2025
  • Accepted 9 April 2026
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