|
| |
|  Radiation
hardness testing (electronics)
Displacement
Dose and Non-Ionizing Energy Loss (NIEL) Research
Materials
damage/enhancement via atomic displacement
Imaging
of low-Z materials through dense materials
Determination
of elemental composition of complex samples
Non-destructive
testing and analysis
|
|
|
|
 
 
|
 A
1-Megawatt research reactor produces thermal neutrons for radioactivation
purposes and for digital neutron radiography. Fast neutrons
for atomic displacement research are produced by both the reactor
and the 5.5 MV Pulsed van-de-Graaff accelerator |
|
| Fast
Neutron Irradiation (FNI) Facility
For studies of atomic displacement effects:
- Supports
samples as large as 30cm x 30cm x 12cm
- Fast
flux and 1 MeV equivalent flux
 1011
n/c2-s
- Greater
than 40:1 fast-to-thermal flux ratio
- Gamma
dose rate to the sample
 110
Krad/hr
- Uniform
flux distribution to
 10%
of the maximum to minimum
- Fully
characterized by computational & experimental methods
- Optimized
neutron spectrum
- Minimal
thermal and fast radioactivation of samples for rapid return
Detailed
information on this facility is available by downloading the
following pdf file: FNI.pdf |
|
|
|
Mono-Energetic
Neutron Irradiation
For
research and evaluations requiring fast neutrons fluences
with minimal slow neutrons and gamma ray components, a range-thick,
metallic lithium target is bombarded with protons from the
5.5 MV Pulsed van-de-Graaff accelerator. These neutron fluences
may be used to study the effects of atomic displacement damage
on semiconductors and other materials. This method can achieve
a total fluence of 1015 neutrons/cm2
in a 24-hour period.
<top> |
|
 Neutron
Radiography
UMass Lowell Research Reactor offers Digital Neutron Radiography
as a quality assurance and R&D tool for non-destructive
inspection of mechanical parts, electronics, and assemblies,
including voids; missing/misplaced parts; corrosion or hydrogenous
substances in sealed units; adhesive bonding flaws; channel
blockages channels; water behavior; distribution of neutron
absorbers in materials for nuclear applications.
Digital images are produced using a CCD camera system in conjunction
with a fast response LiF neutron converter screen. Specimens
to be radiographed are placed on a large, precision positioning
table, which can be rotated through 360 degrees, translated
across the face of the imaging detector, and raised or lowered
almost 12 inches, as needed. Remote web based access to imaging
and sample positioning is available. |
| 
The Digital Radiography system is equipped with a viewing
room having a high-speed, high-storage capacity computer displaying
imaging results on a dual monitor setup. The computer provides
for keyboard and mouse control of the specimen position and
for processing of the radiographic images. A large format
printer is available for image archive and reproduction.
|
Detailed
information on this facility is available by downloading the
following pdf file: NRAY.pdf
<top> |
|
Neutron
Activation Analysis
 One
of the most sensitive methods for measuring the concentration
of trace amounts of many elements simultaneously:
- A
micro-analytical method, often only requiring a few milligrams
of sample
- Nondestructive
- Capability
to identify and measure multiple elements simultaneously
- Requires
no special processing. Most samples can be analyzed without
extensive chemical or physical preparation
-
Routinely used to measure trace element concentrations in:
geological materials, biological materials, waste products,
manufactured products and byproducts, forensics samples,
archeological materials, and others
Detailed
information on NAA research at UML is available HERE.
<top>
|
|
|
