A preliminary reactor design for the center for neutron research

The Center for Neutron Research is a new, national experimental facility being planned by Oak Ridge National Laboratory to meet the need for an intense steady-state source of neutrons and for associated experimental space and equipment. This article describes a preliminary design for a reactor to serve as the neutron source. The design offers an unprecedented thermal neutron flux for scattering experiments (5×10¹⁹ to 10×10¹⁹ neutrons m⁻² s⁻¹) as well as capabilities for isotope production and engineering materials irradiation experiments that surpass those at present research reactors.