In-Core Irradiation Facilities consist of Radiation Baskets and a center Flux Trap that provide experiment space with the reactor core itself. Three Radiation Baskets are positioned adjacent to each other adjacent to nuclear fuel for the core. The center Flux Trap is a radiation basket positioned in the center of the core, surrounded by nuclear fuel.
Each of these radiation baskets and the flux trap are 3-inch (in) x 3-in x 29-in (length, width, depth). Samples are loaded into an aluminum sampler holder known as a bayonet. Bayonets consist of an inner diameter of 1-7/8 in. The active region of the bayonet, representative of the core centerline, is typically 11-in off the bottom of the interior, and spans approximately 4-in for peak flux. Samples may be loaded into the core while at power, or while the reactor is shutdown depending on the reactivity worth of the sample, nature of the sample, and core loading.
Total Neutron Flux at 1 Megawatt (MW):
- Radiation Basket D2: 2.12E+13 neutrons per centimeter squared per second (n/(cm^2 sec))
- Flux Trap D5: 6.05E+13 n/(cm^2 sec)
1 MeV Equivalent Flux:
- Radiation Basket D2: 3.53E+12 n/(cm^2 sec)
- Flux Trap D5: 1.31E+13 n/(cm^2 sec)
Typical Uses:
- Sample activation
- Isotope production
- Nuclear instrumentation testing and calibration
- Damage displacement