Simulation and Analysis of Neutron Activation Risk for the IsoDAR High-Intensity Electron Antineutrino Source

IsoDAR (Isotope Decay-At-Rest) is a proposed high-intensity source of electron antineutrinos intended for use in searches for beyond standard model physics, the main analysis being a short baseline search for sterile neutrinos at a kiloton scale liquid scintillator detector. The source uses a compact cyclotron to deliver 600kW of protons at 60 MeV/nucleon in the form of $H_{2}^{+}$ onto a Beryllium target which produces a large intermediate energy neutron flux. These neutrons thermalize and capture on a 99.9\% pure $^{7}Li$ sleeve, which produces $^{8}Li$ at rest, which subsequently beta decays producing $\bar{\nu }_{e}$. Due to the high neutron fluxes, large duty factor, and low background environment surrounding the neutrino detector, we need to understand the activation risk and design a shield to minimize this risk allowing for the safe operation of the source. I will report on my neutron activation studies and the benchmarking of Geant4 for these applications.