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Subcritical ReactorA subcritical reactor is a nuclear fission reactor that produces fission without achieving criticality. Instead of a chain reaction, a subcritical reactor uses neutrons from an outside source such as a particle accelerator. The main problem with such a plant is the high cost in both electric energy and in monetary terms of providing these neutrons. Particle accelerators cannot accelerate neutrons, but produce them by spallation. The main advantage is inherent safety. Whenever the neutron source is turned off, the reaction ceases. Subcritical reactors have been proposed both as a means of generating electric power and as a means of transmutation of nuclear waste. Some laboratory experiments and many theoretical studies have demonstrated the theoretical possibility of such a plant. One design, the so-called "energy amplifier" was conceived by Carlo Rubbia, a nuclear physicist and former director of CERN. However as of 2004 no pilot had been constructed to generate even a small amount of electric power by this means. External links
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