Experimental Validation of Critical Radiation Exposed Materials for RIA Fragmentation Target System

Important components within the fragmentation target system of the Rare Isotope Accelerator (RIA) ¿ e.g., the permanent magnets of the EM pump of the liquid lithium target loop and the high temperature superconductor (HTS) windings of the superconducting magnets of the fragment separator ¿ are subject to performance degradation by radiation. However, no data exists concerning the performance of these components under irradiation. Therefore, this project will perform irradiation testing in permanent magnets and high temperature superconductors, in order to identify the best combination of material types, irradiation facilities, and PIE (post-irradiation examination). Phase I will select the samples to be irradiated, the irradiation facility, and the post-irradiation examination techniques, and determine all aspects needed to irradiate, transport, examine, and analyse the selected samples. For those materials identified as suitable for the RIA application, the likelihood of achieving the production levels needed for the RIA will be assessed and suppliers will be identified. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the Applicant: The irradiation data should be of value to commercial users of both permanent magnets and HTS, and the uncertainty of using these materials in the presence of radiation fields would be reduced. For the RIA, the information would allow the design of the fragmentation target system to move foreward with the assurance that the selected materials for the system would have predictable lifetime and performance under the anticipated operating conditions