A wide series of experiments with a massive natural uranium spallation target QUINTA irradiated with the deuteron beams of energy up to 4 AGeV was performed at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. The author investigated transmutation reactions in natural and enriched uranium, neptunium and plutonium samples in the field of spallation neutrons generated inside the target. The experimental transmutation rates were determined with the methods of gamma-ray spectrometry with HPGe detectors. Spatial distribution of reaction rates in 235U and 238U and corresponding spectral characteristics of the neutron field are the most important results of the dissertation, which can serve as a valuable reference material for further research on Relativistic Nuclear Technology, an original concept of Accelerator-Driven Systems.
In addition, an activation experiment with thin natural, depleted and enriched uranium spallation targets and a 2.2 AGeV deuteron beam was carried out. Residual nuclei production cross sections were measured. The experiments serve as an important validation of the Monte Carlo radiation transport programs MCNPX 2.7, MCNP6 and MARS15.