Fast neutron beams are of relevance for many scientific and industrial applications. This paper explores fast neutron production using a TANDEM accelerator at the Legnaro National Laboratories, via an energetic ion beam (90 MeV $^{14}N$) onto a lithium target. The high energy models for nuclear collision of FLUKA foresee large neutron yields for reactions of this kind. The experiment aimed at validating the expected neutron yields from FLUKA simulations, using two separate and independent set-ups: one based on the multi-foil activation technique, and the other on the time of flight technique, by using liquid scintillator detectors. The results of the experiment show clear agreement of the measured spectra with the FLUKA simulations, both in the shape and the magnitude of the neutron flux at the measured positions. The neutron spectrum is centered around the 8 MeV range with mild tails, and a maximum neutron energy spanning up to 50 MeV. These advantageous results provide a starting point in the development of fast neutron beams based on high energy ion beams from medium-sized accelerator facilities.

Abstract Fast neutron beams (E $$_n > $$ n > 1 MeV) are of relevance for many scientific and industrial applications. This paper explores fast neutron production using a TANDEM accelerator at the Legnaro National Laboratories, via an energetic ion beam (90 MeV $$^{14}N$$ 14 N ) onto a lithium target. The high energy models for nuclear collision of FLUKA foresee large neutron yields for reactions of this kind. The experiment aimed at validating the expected neutron yields from FLUKA simulations, using two separate and independent set-ups: one based on the multi-foil activation technique, and the other on the time of flight technique, by using liquid scintillator detectors. The results of the experiment show clear agreement of the measured spectra with the FLUKA simulations, both in the shape and the magnitude of the neutron flux at the measured positions. The neutron spectrum is centered around the 8 MeV range with mild tails, and a maximum neutron energy spanning up to 50 MeV. These advantageous results provide a starting point in the development of fast neutron beams based on high energy ion beams from medium-sized accelerator facilities.

The next years will see the completion of the radioactive ion beam facility SPES (Selective Production of Exotic Species) and the upgrade of the accelerators complex at Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare – Legnaro National Laboratories (LNL) opening up new possibilities in the fields of nuclear structure, nuclear dynamics, nuclear astrophysics, and applications. The nuclear physics community has organised a workshop to discuss the new physics opportunities that will be possible in the near future by employing state-of-the-art detection systems. A detailed discussion of the outcome from the workshop is presented in this report.

The elastic scattering in the reaction $$^{7}$$ Li+ $$^{208}$$ Pb was investigated in the bombarding energy range from 25 to 39 MeV. The real and imaginary parts of the optical potential were analyzed by using a phenomenological potential. A dispersion relation analysis is presented in order to investigate the threshold anomaly effect. It is concluded that $$^{7}$$ Li has an intermediate behavior between the tightly bound nuclei such as $$^{16}$$ O and the loosely bound nuclei such as $$^{6}$$ Li where the lack of the threshold anomaly is unambiguously observed. Reaction cross sections are also extracted from the elastic scattering data and its comparison with the ones of other systems has been performed to draw hints on the effect of the breakup channel.

Selective Production of Exotic Species is an innovative plant for advanced nuclear physic studies. A radioactive beam, generated by using an UCx target-ion source system, is ionized, selected and accelerated for experimental objects. Very high vacuum conditions and appropriate safety systems to storage exhaust gases are required to avoid radiological risk for operators and people. In this paper, Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis of a preliminary design of high activity gas recovery system is performed by using a modified Fuzzy Risk Priority Number to rank the most critical components in terms of failures and human errors. Comparisons between fuzzy approach and classic application allow to show that Fuzzy Risk Priority Number is able to enhance the focus of risk assessments and to improve the safety of complex and innovative systems such as those under consideration.

Results obtained with a new, very compact detector for imaging with a matrix of leak microstructures (LM) are reported. Spatial linearity and spatial resolution obtained by scanning and the detection of alpha particles with 100% efficiency, when compared with a silicon detector, are stressed. Preliminary results obtained in detecting single electrons emitted by the heated filament (Ec < 1 eV) at 1–3 mbar of propane are reported.

At Legnaro National Laboratories of INFN is under construction a Rare Isotope Facility called "Selective Production of Exotic Species" (SPES) based on a 35-70 MeV proton cyclotron, able to deliver two beams with a total current up to 0.75 mA, an ISOL fission target station and an existing ALPI superconducting accelerator as a post accelerator (up to 10 MeV/u for A/q=7). The paper will cover notably: the high-resolution mass separator, the CW RFQ (80 MHz, 727 keV/u, with internal bunching), the 1+ low energy transfer line and the injection line from Charge Breeder to ALPI under installation.

In this contribution, we present the CoolGAL fast neutron production target system, to be used in the initial phase of the NEPIR irradiation beamline at the SPES facility, that will be operational in 2022. Initially, NEPIR will be used for shielding studies against fast neutrons for space applications and to investigate neutron-induced single event effects in microelectronic devices and systems. In CoolGAL, the neutron production component, a thick Be cylinder, is immersed in a static bath of Galinstan, a liquid alloy of Ga, In and Sn, contained by an outer water cooled copper cladding. MCNPX calculations indicate that, by using a 1 μA current of 70 MeV protons, it can produce a fast neutron energy spectrum that is somewhat flat the 30-65 MeV energy range and with a sharp cut-off at the beam energy. At the standard test point, located 2.6 m downstream from the source, the beam spot diameter, defined by the peculiar collimation scheme of the initial phase of NEPIR, is 10 cm and the integral fast neutron flux is Φn(1< En<65 MeV) ~ 3×106 n cm-2s-1. Using proton beams with two different energies, one can calculate, by subtraction, the effects due to the neutrons in the energy interval defined by the two cut-off values. Preliminary results of ANSYS calculations, for a 1 μA proton current of 70 MeV protons (70 W), show a limited regime temperature (28 °C) of the Be component, capable of ensuring the exceptional safety level required for the operation at SPES. The thermal reliability of CoolGAL is very promising for future developments that require higher proton currents.

Light charged particles emitted by the compound nucleus Er-158 produced in the reaction S-32 (180 MeV) Te-126, at the excitation energy E-x = 92 MeV, have been measured at Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro in coincidence with fission fragments and evaporation residues. The 4 pi detector array 87rLP coupled to a system of parallel-plate avalanche counters to detect evaporation residues has been used. Data have been analyzed in the framework of the statistical model of evaporation with the code PACE2_N11. This enlarged version of the code PACE2 has been used to reproduce the large set of observables measured in the fusion-evaporation and fusion-fission channels along with experimental prescission neutron multiplicity and fission cross section taken from literature. It is found that the simultaneous reproduction of the prescission neutron, proton, and alpha-particle multiplicities can be obtained with zero fission delay without dynamical effects. However, the same set of model input parameters does not allow us to reproduce proton and alpha-particle multiplicities in the evaporation channel. Extensive calculations, with different sets of parameters, show the limits of the statistical model in reproducing the whole set of data. This work evidences the importance of measuring a large set of observables in order to obtain a reliable description of the decay of the compound nucleus, and in particular of the fission process.

In this contribution we describe NEPIR, the fast-neutron irradiation facility under construction at the 70 MeV cyclotron SPES facility of the INFN laboratory of Legnaro (LNL). NEPIR will be constructed in stages, according to the available funds. The initial configuration, based on a thick Be neutron production target, will be operational in 2022; it will be used for shielding studies against fast neutrons for space applications and to investigate neutron-induced Single Event Effects (SEE) in microelectronic devices and systems. In its final configuration NEPIR will have two target systems: one will deliver a Quasi Mono-energetic Neutron (QMN) beam, of general interest, with an adjustable energy peak in the 20–70 MeV range; the second target will deliver a specialized continuous energy neutron beam for studying the effects of fast neutrons produced in cosmic ray air-showers in electronic devices and systems. We review the use of NEPIR to characterize the sensitivity of electronics, describe the neutron production targets and the facility layout. In closing we describe ways, presently under investigation, to use the 15 MV XTU Tandem of LNL to produce nearly monochromatic fast neutrons that would complement the QMN system by allowing one to probe for SEE below 20 MeV.

Worldwide efforts to tackle the nature of exotic nuclei comprise the construction of new-generation Radioactive Ion Beam facilities. The Italian community is deeply involved in the process and the construction of SPES at Legnaro National Laboratories (INFN) is progressing. This contribution describes the layout of SPES in all its flavours, from Nuclear Physics to Applications in Nuclear Medicine and Neutron Physics. In particular, the status of the SPES-β ISOL facility, together with some of the relevant physics cases and the associated equipment are described.

At INFN-LNL (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare- Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro) SPES (Selective Production of Exotic Species), a new facility for the production of radioactive ion beams is being constructed at INFN-LNL (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare - Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro). Radioactive ion beams of neutron-rich nuclei with high purity, in the range of mass between 80 and 160 amu, will be produced by nuclear reactions induced by 40 MeV protons from a cyclotron. The goal of the ISOLPHARM project is to provide a feasibility study for an innovative technology for the production of extremely very high specific activity beta emitting radionuclides as radiopharmaceutical precursors. The ISOL method, adopted in the ISOLPHARM project (a branch of the SPES project), gives the possibility of obtaining pure isobaric beams. In this way, no isotopic contaminations will be present in the beam and afterwards in a proper trapping substrate. The ground-breaking idea of the ISOLPHARM method was granted an International patent (INFN).

NEPIR (Neutron and Proton Irradiation facility) is the project of a new irradiation facility at INFN Legnaro National Laboratories (LNL). The facility will exploit the LNL 35-70 MeV high current proton cyclotron of the SPES complex, to feed two different compact neutron sources in order to generate high flux neutron beams with different energy spectra: quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams and atmospheric-like neutrons. This contribution focuses on the first stage of the construction of the facility: the NEPIR Phase 0, financed and in an advanced design phase. It will use a Be neutron production target capable of delivering up to similar to 2 x 10(6) n cm(-2) s(-1)

At INFN-LNL (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare– Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro) SPES (Selective Production of Exotic Species), a new facility for the production of radioactive ion beams is being constructed at INFN-LNL (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare – Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro). Radioactive ion beams of neutron-rich nuclei with high purity, in the range of mass between 80 and 160 amu, will be produced by nuclear reactions induced by 40 MeV protons from a cyclotron. The goal of the ISOLPHARM project is to provide a feasibility study for an innovative technology for the production of extremely very high specific activity beta emitting radionuclides as radiopharmaceutical precursors. The ISOL method, adopted in the ISOLPHARM project (a branch of the SPES project), gives the possibility of obtaining pure isobaric beams. In this way, no isotopic contaminations will be present in the beam and afterwards in a proper trapping substrate. The ground-breaking idea of the ISOLPHARM method was granted an International patent (INFN).

Nuclear astrophysics, the union of nuclear physics and astronomy, went through an impressive expansion during the last twenty years. This could be achieved thanks to milestone improvements in astronomical observations, cross section measurements, powerful computer simulations and much refined stellar models. Italian groups are giving quite important contributions to every domain of nuclear astrophysics, sometimes being the leaders of worldwide unique experiments. In this paper we will discuss the astrophysical scenarios where nuclear astrophysics plays a key role and we will provide detailed descriptions of the present and future of the experiments on nuclear astrophysics which belong to the scientific programme of INFN (the National Institute for Nuclear Physics in Italy).

SPES (Selective Production of Exotic Species) is the INFN project for a Nuclear Physics facility for the production of Radioactive Ion Beams (RIBs). It is in advanced construction in Legnaro, with several technological innovations and challenges foreseen, comprehensive of new achievements and improvements. SPES will provide mostly neutron-rich exotic beams, derived by the fission fragments (up to 1013fiss/s) produced in the interaction of an intense proton beam (200 μA) on a direct UCx target. Several other targets will be developed, in order to provide users a large beam selection. The expected SPES beam intensities, their quality and, finally, their maximum energies (up to 11 MeV/n for A=130) will permit to perform forefront research in nuclear structure and nuclear dynamics, studying a region of the nuclear chart far from stability. This goal will be reached by coordinating the developments on the accelerator complex and those of up-to-date experimental set-ups.

K. Schmidt()(), X. Cao()(), E. J. Kim()(), K. Hagel(), M. Barbui(), J. Gauthier(), S. Wuenschel(), G. Giuliani()(), M. R. D. Rodrigues(), H. Zheng()(), M. Huang()(), N. Blando(), A. Bonasera()(), R. Wada(), C. Botosso(), G. Liu(), G. Viesti(), S. Moretto(), G. Prete(), S. Pesente(), D. Fabris(), Y. El Masri(), T. Keutgen(), S. Kowalski(), A. Kumar(), G. Zhang()() and J. B. Natowitz() () Institute of Physics, University of Silesia 40-007 Katowice, Poland () Cyclotron Institute, Texas A&M University College Station, TX 77843, USA () Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201800, China () Division of Science Education, Chonbuk National University Jeonju 561-756, Korea () INFN, Laboratori Nazionali del Sud via Santa Sofia, 62, 95123 Catania, Italy () Instituto de F́ısica, Universidade de São Paulo Caixa Postal 66318, CEP 05389-970, São Paulo, SP, Brazil () School of Physics and Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University Xian 710119, China () College of Physics and Electronics information, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities Tongliao, 028000, China () Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università di Padova and INFN Sezione di Padova I-35131 Padova, Italy () INFN, Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro I-35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy () Universite Catholique de Louvain B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium () Nuclear Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Banaras Hindu University 221005 Varanasi, India

SPES (Selective Production of Exotic Species) is a second-generation Isotope Separation On-Line (ISOL) facility for advanced nuclear physics applications, currently under construction at INFN (National Institute of Nuclear Physics) of Legnaro, Italy. Despite the potentially important safety implications of human errors for ISOL facilities, only a limited number of studies addressing this issue have been performed worldwide. This paper tries to address this need by means of an integrated approach of Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA) and three human error quantification methods: HEART (in an enhanced version), SPAR-H, and CREAM. The application of multiple Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) methods adds credibility to the analysis results and, for the present paper, this is required because the methods are applied to different performance conditions than typical, i.e. for operators in a nuclear power plant control room. The study emphasizes the potential range of task failure probabilities obtained in the analyses, rather than best-estimate values. Since the facility is being constructed, with elements such as the human-machine interface still undergoing design, some of the inputs typically required by HRA methods were not available; consequently, the produced HEP estimates may not fully represent future performance. The obtained results allowed informing some safety-enhancing recommendations that, coming at early stage, could be considered for implementation by the facility designers and managers.

The Isotope Separation On-Line (ISOL) method for the production of Radioactive Ion Beams (RIB) is attracting significant interest in the worldwide nuclear physics community. Within this context the SPES (Selective Production of Exotic Species) RIB facility is now under construction at INFN LNL (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro). This technique is established as one of the main techniques for high intensity and high quality beams production. The SPES facility will produce n-rich isotopes by means of a 40 MeV proton beam, emitted by a cyclotron, impinging on a uranium carbide multi-foil fission target. The aim of this work is to describe the most important results obtained by the study of the on-line behavior of the SPES production target assembly. This target system will produce RIBs at a rate of about 1013 fissions per second, it will be able to dissipate a total power of up to 10 kW, and it is planned to work continuously for 2 week-runs of irradiation. ISOL beams of 24 different elements will be produced, therefore a target and ion source development is ongoing to ensure a great variety of produced isotopes and to improve the beam intensity and purity.

SPES (Selective Production of Exotic Species) is the INFN project for a Nuclear Physics facility for the production of Radioactive Ion Beams (RIBs). It is in advanced construction in Legnaro, with several technological innovations and challenges foreseen, comprehensive of new achievements and improvements. SPES will provide mostly neutron-rich exotic beams, derived by the fission fragments (up to 10 13 fiss/s) produced in the interaction of an intense proton beam (200 μ A) on a direct UCx target. Several other targets will be developed, in order to provide users a large beam selection. The expected SPES beam intensities, their quality and, finally, their maximum energies (up to 11 MeV/n for A=130) will permit to perform forefront research in nuclear structure and nuclear dynamics, studying a region of the nuclear chart far from stability. This goal will be reached by coordinating the developments on the accelerator complex and those of up-to-date experimental set-ups.