Intense neutron sources for fusion studies

Steady‐state sources of intense neutrons are under way at two US laboratories. They would be used to study radiation damage produced in controlled‐fusion reactors. If funds are appropriated for the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory's $25.4‐million Intense Neutron Source, it would be expected to produce fluxes of $2×1014 14‐MeV neutrons/cm2‐sec$ after it became operational near the end of fiscal 1980. Meanwhile, Rotating‐Target Neutron Source II, under construction at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, may begin initial operation leading to a maximum 14‐MeV‐neutron flux of $1.5×1013 neutrons/cm2‐sec$ as early as March of 1978; total cost of the RTNS‐II is estimated at $5 million.