Neutron Irradiation

Neutron irradiation is a neutron exposure process to determine the impact of radiation on materials properties and device performance. MNRC specializes in four techniques based on neutron irradiation: Geochronology, Radiation Hardness Testing, Neutron Activation Analysis, Isotope Production, and Plant Seed Mutagenesis.

Facilities

MNRC houses multiple facilities to perform neutron irradiation. These include in-core and out-of-core areas, as well as the neutron imaging bays, allowing to accommodate a wide variety of sample shapes and sizes. The in-core facilities include one central irradiation facility (CIF) and one pneumatic transfer system (PTS). The pneumatic transfer system exposes the sample to the in-core flux and automatically returns the sample to a controlled ventilated experimental hood. A typical neutron spectrum for these facilities is shown below. The in-tank out-of-core facilities include fast neutron irradiation facility (NIF) with an Environmental Exposure Vessel and more than 10 general-purpose (NTD) irradiation locations.