MONTE CARLO AND DISCRETE ORDINATES INVESTIGATIONS FOR A LASER REACTOR Li₂O BLANKET.

Monte Carlo (M. C. ) and Discrete Ordinates (D. O. ) calculational models for neutron-gamma and neutron blanket studies of laser driven reactors are investigated. The new Li//2O blanket concept is considered. The time-integrated quantities for tritium breeding, nuclear heating, and primary neutron damage are estimated and compared. Replacing the shield by an albedo surface in approximations used in D. O. blanket calculations is found to poorly account for the particles reflection from the shield. A simple M. C. model can provide the right albedo without detailed solution in the shield itself. Comparison of computational costs reveals the economical attractiveness of M. C. compared D. O. in one dimensional blanket scoping and optimization studies. Significant cost savings are attributed to the use of region rather than point detectors in the treated M. C. models. The capabilities of M. C. fur future laser reactor studies are discussed.