Direct measurement of neutron-induced charged particle reactions relevant to fusion applications

Improvements to fusion nuclear data are essential for advancing our efforts toward sustainable energy sources. In this presentation, a series of cross-section measurements on ³⁹K(n,p)³⁹Ar/³⁹K(n,np)³⁸Ar and ⁹Be(n,α)⁶He reactions relevant to the design of fusion reactors will be discussed. In the proposed method, conventional neutron time-of-flight measurements using a spallation neutron source are combined with neutron activation measurements using 14.1 MeV DT neutrons from inertial confinement fusion (ICF). This combined approach enables the extraction of complementary cross section data from different sources allowing for an enhanced interpretation of the results. The expected outcomes of this project and the prospects of using ICF as a short-pulse neutron source in cross-section measurements will be discussed.