DETECTION OF VOIDS IN LIQUID MERCURY DURING 800-MEV PROTON BOMBARDMENT

摘要

A stainless steel vessel, geometrically similar to designs forthe Spallation Neutron Source target, instrumented with fiberoptic sensors, was bombarded by 800-MeV protons at the LosAlamos Neutron Science Center during a series of testsstudying the effects of cavitation on material surfaces. Thefiber sensors, in contact with the liquid mercury, recordednumerous signal changes identifiable with voids. Sensors werelocated both along the stainless steel interface with the mercuryand within the bulk liquid. Signal excursions lasting up toseveral milliseconds were recorded. In all but a few of the 27recorded data sets the signals had subsided in less than 15milliseconds. Details of the measurement method, analysistechniques, and results are given.