Principle of the ILL neutron turbine

The neutron turbine of PF2 is a mechanical device which slows down (cools) neutrons the same way a tennis player can slow down a tennis ball (Doppler effect).The reactor generates neutrons whose speeds (energies, temperatures) are very diverse.

• The curved guide directed upwards selects neutrons with an average speed of 50 m/s. Faster neutrons are unable to negotiate the bends, while slower neutrons are unable to overcome gravity to reach the top of the guide.
• These neutrons, already very slow, arrive on a turbine. In bouncing off the blades turning at 25 m/s, they are greatly slowed down.
• Neutrons with an average speed of 5 m/s (ultra-cold neutrons or UCN) come out of the turbine via a series of guides that direct them to experiment sites.