Use of Li(d,n) Neutrons for Simulation of Radiation Effects in Fusion Reactors

In this paper we show that the neutron spectrum from high-energy deuteron bombardment of a thick Li target is suitable for simulation of radiation effects in a fusion reactor. Neutron spectra from 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35-MeV deuterons incident, respectively, on a 2-cm thick Li target are reported. For these spectra, a recently-developed computer code was used to evaluate damage-energy cross sections, primary recoil energy distributions, and spectrum-averaged reaction cross sections in several metals. The results indicate that a (d,n) source can simulate the energy dependence of the recoil spectra, and the rate of helium production anticipated in a real fusion reactor