Intense Radioactive Beams via a Compact Fission Source/Target

The development of new rare isotopes production schemes, which are simple and can be implemented at low cost, is highly desirable for Nuclear Physics facilities such as FRIB. The Munich Accelerator for Fission Fragments (MAFF) project developed an interesting idea of using a position with high neutron flux near the core of a nuclear research reactor to drive fissions in a small UCx (1.2 grams of 235U dissolved in 25g of porous graphite) cylindrical target. This project is to adapt and make use of the extensive design and R & amp;D done for MAFF to apply to a compact subcritical reactor (CAMI). The main idea of this project is to build on the MAFF design experience and develop similar system using CAMI (Compact Accelerator-driven Multiplier for Isotopes) as the source of thermal neutron flux to drive the fissions on the target ion source of the MAFF concept. The adaptation of the reflector of CAMI to accommodate the beam tube in parallel to adapting the other components of the MAFF concept to the more compact and accessible CAMI geometry are the main goals. In particular, this concept can be adapted to be part of the possible future upgrade of FRIB to include ISOL capability. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: There is a great opportunity to deploy such a system in USA, because this option was not included in the baseline of the FRIB project at MSU; however the addition of such capability is currently being considered as an upgrade option. The system that this project intends to develop will make use of a compact subcritical reactor that was designed to produce medical isotopes in shortage in the United States (such as 99Mo) using LEU (low enrichment uranium). Then, it will be a great opportunity for a US facility, such as FRIB, to be able to expand the Nuclear Physics research capability while having an intense production of radioisotopes in high demand. This project will allow the design of a compact system with very high output of exotic and medical isotopes, and surely will have many interested institutions in buying the rights to have such a system