A Mini Linac Based Positron Source at CEA-Saclay

We are installing at CEA-Saclay a demonstration setup for an intense positron source. It is based on a compact 5.5 MeV electron linac used to produce positrons via pair production on a tungsten target. A relatively high current of 0.15 mA compensates for low positron efficiencies at low energy, which is below the neutron activation threshold. The expected production rate is 5⋅1011 fast positrons per second. A set of coils is arranged to select the fast positrons from the diffracted electron beam in order to study the possibility of using a rare gas cryogenic moderator away from the main flux of particles. The commissioning of the linac is under way. This setup is part of a project to demonstrate the feasibility of an experiment to produce the H+ ions for a free fall measurement of neutral antihydrogen (H). Its small size and cost could be of interest for material science applications, after adaptation of the time structure.