STRONG NEUTRON SOURCES IS THERE AN EXPLOITABLE GAP?

All neutron sources are capable in principal to produce weapon relevant material. A comparison of the potential to produce ?ssile material with reactors, spallation neutron sources and fusion plants will be presented. Possible advantages and disadvantages of the respective technologies with their completely different underlying physical processes will be discussed. One focus will be on the possible capability of fusion plants and spallation sources to produce signi?cant quantities with less source material than what de?nes “one effective kilogram\". Furthermore the question will be raised if the corresponding technologies are adequately covered by current IAEA terms like “facility\" and “reactor\". A preliminary tentative rede?nition of the term of “reactor\" will be proposed to encourage critique and discussion.