Speakers
Description
Spallation is a nuclear process in which high-energy particles interacting with a heavy target generate hadronic cascades leading to intense neutron production. In this experiment conducted as part of the BL4S competition at the PS (proton synchrotron) at CERN, we investigate the effect of composite spallation targets combining tungsten and aluminium on neutron yield. The presence of a light metal layer is expected to enhance secondary particle cascades, potentially increasing subsequent nuclear interactions within the heavy target. Experiments were performed using mixed particle beams composed of protons, pions, muons, kaons, and electrons, with relative abundances depending on beam polarity and energy. Measurements were carried out at beam energies of 1 GeV, 5 GeV, and 10 GeV for different target geometries and material thicknesses. Based on the data analysed so far, no significant enhancement of neutron production has been observed for the composite target compared to pure tungsten, although further analysis is ongoing.