Neutron and isotope production yield from proton and deuteron beams in the 20–45 MeV range on thick liquid gallium-indium and lithium targets

In the international atomic energy agency report on compact accelerator based neutron sources, IAEA-TECDOC-1981, Table 1 lists the typical source strength necessary for different techniques using neutrons. According to that table a neutron source of 10^15 neutrons per second is strong enough for almost all neutron techniques. The Soreq Applied Research Accelerator Facility (SARAF) is being built as a high current (5 mA), low energy (40 MeV), proton/deuteron, compact accelerator based neutron source. SARAF has developed a liquid gallium-indium jet target for its neutron source. The measurements published here will show that a a liquid gallium-indium jet target could provide the 10^15 neutrons per second source needed for SARAF and should be considered as a possible target and neutron source also for other facilities of its kind.