Physical aspects of neutron production and related nuclear data

Abstract
Accelerator Driven Systems are innovative options in the field of nuclear fission energy, based on the use of neutrons produced in a spallation target to feed a sub-critical reactor. The nuclear physics reactions involved in these systems are described and it is shown that specific new nuclear data are needed, especially for the optimisation of the target-blanket assembly. Recent experimental programs raised by the recent interest in accelerator-driven systems are presented.