LiB neutron converter for a neutrino source
The possibility of enhancing the antineutrino flux from an intense source based on a lithium converter with the use of the beta-decaying 8Li isotope (T1/2 = 0.84 s) is considered. The 8Li nuclide is produced in the lithium converter during the (n,γ) activation of the 7Li isotope, and high-energy $\tilde \nu _e $ with Eν of up to 13 MeV are then emitted. An intense antineutrino source can be constructed on the basis of various high-intensity neutron sources enclosed within a lithium blanket. It is possible to use reactions that enhance the 8Li yield (e.g., 11B(n,α)8Li) for fast neutrons. One possible design for a converter with the 7Li and 11B isotopes is analyzed. The production of 8Li is determined using the MAMONT software for Monte Carlo neutron transport calculations.