Laboratory of Neutron Physics # 21
Acting Head of the Laboratory: KORNEEV Sergey Vladimirovich
E-mail: s.korneyev@sosny.bas-net.by
Tel .: +375 (17) 343-44-46
Fax: +375 (17) 374-83-35
History
The Laboratory of Neutron Physics was created at the Institute of Radiation Physico-Chemical Problems of the Academic Scientific and Technical Complex “Sosny” of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus in 1996 to carry out theoretical and experimental research in the field of neutron physics and nuclear reactor physics. Currently, the main research topic is the physics of subcritical systems controlled by external neutron sources.
The main directions of scientific research
Theoretical and experimental studies of the neutron-physical characteristics of subcritical nuclear systems controlled by external neutron sources in subcritical assemblies with thermal and fast-thermal neutron spectra of the YALINA stand:
- determination of the level of subcriticality in assemblies with various configurations of the core by calculation and experimental methods;
- studying the nature of the spatial behavior of neutrons in the core and assembly reflectors;
- calculations and measurements of the time dependence of the neutron flux density for a pulsed neutron source with different pulse durations;
- determination of kinetic parameters of the assembly, such as the constant decay of instantaneous neutrons, neutron generation time, effective fraction of delayed neutrons;
- calculations and measurements of the rates of transmutation reactions at the nuclei of fission products and minor actinides, as well as the rates of threshold reactions for a number of nuclei in the fast and thermal neutron spectra;
- measuring the total neutron yield from a neutron producing target.
The laboratory conducts research in the framework of the state research program “Nuclear Energy, Nuclear and Radiation Technologies.” Tasks are being carried out within the framework of the State program “Scientific support for the development of nuclear energy in the Republic of Belarus for 2009 – 2010 and for the period until 2020.”
The laboratory is actively involved in the implementation of international projects and contracts. Currently, research is being carried out within the framework of the ISTC V1732 project – “Analytical and experimental assessment of the possibility of creating a three-dimensional neutron source in a subcritical booster assembly with low enriched uranium fuel controlled by a neutron generator”.
Studies have been successfully completed as part of the IAEA’s international benchmark project “Analytical and Experimental Benchmark Analysis on Accelerator Driven Systems, and Low Enriched Uranium Fuel Utilization in Accelerator Driven Subcritical Assembly Systems”.
The laboratory took an active part in research on the international integrated project EUROTRANS 6 and 7 of the Framework Research Programs of the European Union. The objective of this project was to determine the fundamental possibility of creating full-scale subcritical systems controlled by high-energy particle accelerators and to prepare for the creation of a semi-industrial pilot installation of a new generation of power reactors capable of burning long-lived isotopes resulting from 235U fission.
The most important achievements in the scientific activities of the laboratory were: the development of a concept justifying the possibility of using low-energy ion accelerators (neutron generators), cyclotrons, etc. to study the physics and kinetics of subcritical systems controlled by external neutron sources, technologies for transmutation of long-lived isotopes of the fuel cycle, the creation of a nuclear physical subcritical test bench (YaFKS) “YALINA”.
Research is conducted on two subcritical assemblies: thermal and fast-thermal. The assembly design allows for the implementation of various configurations of fuel loading and material composition. This makes it possible to achieve subcriticality levels over a wide range.
The laboratory began research aimed at developing and creating a fast subcritical assembly of YALINA-FAST. This will make it possible to conduct experimental studies of the physics and kinetics of subcritical systems with a fast neutron spectrum controlled by external neutron sources. Research results will also be required for research on fast reactors.
The laboratory is actively involved in international projects and projects funded by the International Science and Technology Center. A large amount of theoretical and experimental research in the field of subcritical systems controlled by external neutron sources was carried out as part of the ISTC projects B-070 (1998-2005) and B-1341 (2005-2009), as part of the integrated EUROTRANS project 6th and 7th of the European Union Framework Programs (2007-2010), IAEA research contracts (2006-2010) based on the YALINA-Booster and YALINA-T facilities.
