IFMIF-DONES continues to consolidate its role as a key facility for the development of future fusion energy. Its ability to reproduce the effects of neutron radiation on advanced materials is essential for qualifying components for next-generation fusion reactors.

In this context, the researchers F. Mota, MI. Ortiz, F. Arranz, B. Brañas and D. Rapisarda have evaluated a new strategy to improve the characterisation of materials intended for the breeding blankets of the future DEMO fusion power plant. The study, published on ScienceDirect, explores the feasibility of conducting blanket material tests by placing samples behind the high-flux module, where the neutron spectrum has characteristics particularly relevant to this critical reactor region.

The proposal focuses on incorporating a Neutron Spectrum Shifter (NSS) specifically designed to modulate neutron energy and better replicate the effects expected in DEMO’s breeding region. The novelty of the work lies in the use of a non-uniform thickness NSS, enabling a more precise adjustment of the neutron flux distribution.

The objective is to achieve the widest and most homogeneous testing region possible. This homogeneity is crucial to ensure that multiple samples are exposed to equivalent irradiation conditions, reducing unwanted variability and increasing the reliability of subsequent analyses.

You can consult the study here.