A new neutron time-of-flight spectrometer optimized for high count rate (TOFOR) has been developed for the JET research tokamak. TOFOR will measure the energy distribution of neutrons emitted from the d+d → 3He+n fusion reactions in deuterium plasma. It will serve as the principal neutron spectroscopy diagnostic of high fusion power plasmas produced by injection of radio frequency waves (RF) and neutral beams (NB). The objective is to study plasma effects of RF and NB injection, with regard to temperature rise of the bulk deuteron population and the characteristics of supra-thermal components manifesting themselves over an extended energy range and with large spectral intensity variations. To meet the plasma diagnostic objectives, special demands have been put on the design and characterization of TOFOR which, to a great extent, has relied on extensive neutron transport calculations. These calculations were used to optimize the design and to determine the TOFOR neutron response function. For the response function, TOF spectra were simulated for 81 quasi mono-energetic neutron energies in the range 1 to 5 MeV. This thesis presents new results on instrumental solutions on the problem to reach high count rates, leading to a factor of hundred improvement compared to earlier designs. With regard to the analysis of measured TOF spectra, the determined response function was folded with models and fitted to measurement data. The general issue of the energy dependence of the response function is raised and its importance is illustrated with analysis of high-quality TOF spectra for NB and RF heated plasmas. Potential for future developments are identified in the use of hybrid cards able to provide digital infromation on both time and pulse height.

<p>This thesis describes new results obtained from experimental studies of the extremely neutron-deficient isotopes ¹⁶⁹Ir and¹¹⁰Xe, close to the proton drip-line. The experiments use state-of-the-art equipment for nuclear spectroscopy where a large high-resolution Germanium-detector array is coupled to a high-transmission recoil separator and using the highly selective recoil-decay tagging technique. The work is based on two experiments performed at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. The experimental techniques used are described as are the experimental set-ups. Comparison between experimental results and theoretical predictions are made. The thesis also briefly summarises the theoretical models employed to interpret the experimental results. The results for 169Ir point to a rotational-like behaviour of a moderately deformed nucleus exhibiting triaxial shape. The experimental results do not fully agree with theoretical predictions for the shape evolution of the neutron-deficient iridium isotopes, approaching the proton drip-line. The results for ¹¹⁰Xe indicate an emergence of enhanced collectivity near the N=Z line in the region of the nuclear chart above ¹⁰⁰Sn. These findings are interpreted as a possible effect of increased neutron-proton isoscalar pair correlations, a residual interaction effect not accounted for in present-day nuclear models.</p>

<p>Vapor explosion as a result of Molten Fuel-Coolant Interactions (MFCI) postulated to occur in certain severe accident scenarios in a nuclear power plant presents a credible challenge on the plant containment integrity. Over the past several decades, a large body of literature has been accumulated on vapor explosion phenomenology and methods for assessment of the related risk. Vapor explosion is driven by a rapid fragmentation of high-temperature melt droplets, leading to a substantial increase of heat transfer areas and subsequent explosive evaporation of the volatile coolant. Constrained by the liquid-phase coolant, such rapid vapor production in the interaction zone causes pressurization and dynamic loading on surrounding structures. While such a general understanding has been established, the triggering mechanism and subsequent dynamic fine fragmentation have yet not been clearly understood. A few mechanistic fragmentation models have been proposed, however, computational efforts to simulate such phenomena generated a large scatter of results.</p><p>In order to develop a mechanistic understanding of thermal-hydraulic processes in vapor explosion, it is paramount to characterize dynamics of fragmentation of the hot liquid (melt) drop and vaporization of the volatile liquid (coolant). In the present study, these intricate phenomena are investigated by performing well-controlled, externally triggered, single-drop experiments, using advanced diagnostic techniques to attain visual information of the processes. The methodology’s main challenge stemming from the opaqueness of the molten material surrounded by the vapor film and rapid dynamics of the process, was overcome by employing a high-speed digital visualization system with synchronized cinematography and X-ray radiography system called SHARP (Simultaneous High-speed Acquisition of X-ray Radiography and Photography).</p><p>The developed image processing methodology, focus on a separate quantification of vapor and molten material dynamics and an image synchronization procedure, consists of a series steps to reduce the effect of uneven illumination and noise inherited of our system, further segmentation, i.e. edge detection, and extraction of image features, e.g. area, aspect ratio, image center and image intensity (radiography).</p><p>Furthermore, the intrinsic property of x-ray radiation, namely the differences in linear mass attenuation coefficients over the beam path through a multi-component system, which translates the image intensity to a transient projection of the molten material morphology, was exploited. A methodology for the quantitative analysis of the x-ray images, i.e. transient maps of the fragmented melt, was developed. Its uncertainties were evaluated analytically and experimentally pointing towards the need to minimize the X-ray scattering and noise inherited from the optical system, for a more accurate quantification and a larger calibrated thickness range.</p><p>Analysis of the data obtained by the SHARP system and image processing procedure developed provided new insights into the physics of the vapor explosion phenomena, as well as, quantitative information of the associated dynamic micro-interactions.</p><p>The qualitative analysis, based on the matched radiograph and photographic images, describe the bubble and melt interrelated progression granting information on the phenomenological micro-interaction of the vapor explosion process. The dynamics of the initially disturbed vapor film is composed by multiple cycles, where the vapor bubble grows to a maximum diameter and collapses. X-ray radiographs show that during the first bubble expansion, the melt undergoes deformation/pre-fragmentation but does not follow the bubble interface during the subsequent expansion; suggesting no mixing between coolant and melt. Coolant entrainment occurs when the expanded bubble collapses leading to fine fragmentation of the molten material due to explosive evaporation. The vapor bubble expansion, fed by these fragments at the boundary, reaches its critical size, and start collapsing. The remaining melt is accountable for the following cycle.</p><p>Bubble dynamics analysis shows a strong correlation between energetics of the subsequent explosive evaporation and the high temperature molten material drop (tin) deformation/partial fragmentation during the first bubble growth. The data suggest that this pre-fragmentation may have been responsible in providing an adequate mixing condition that promotes coolant entrainment during the bubble collapse stage. The SHARP observations followed by further analysis leads to a hypothesis about a novel phenomenon called <b>pre-conditioning</b>, according to which dynamics of the first bubble-dynamics cycle and the ability of the melt drop to deform/pre-fragment dictate the subsequent explosivity of the so-triggered drop.</p>

<p>One of the most important affairs in the nuclear industry is the fuel cycle situation prediction. It affects the energy company’s profit, environment and even the safety of reactor operation. For these reasons, a series of computer codes have been generated to simulate the fuel cycle scenario including NFCSim, ORION and so on. At the Department of Reactor Physics, a new fuel cycle simulation code is under development and this code will be used in the present thesis.In order to simulate the nuclides transmutation chains, MCNP was first used to calculate the neutron spectrum and cross section data for the reactor cores, using JEF 3.0 and EAF 99 data libraries.The main task of this project is to simulate the present and future status of all the facilities in Chinese reactor park. Three consecutive scenarios (present, near-term and long-term) are defined for this comparison, simulation time scale is set to be 208 years (1992~2200) and four groups of nuclides (major actinides, minor actinides, major fission products and safety related nuclides) are defined and presented.Power balance scenario, plutonium self-sustained scenario and CIAE proposals are discussed individually as choices of reactor parks’ future development. The result is that at least 70 years (cooling storage time is not included) are needed to transmute the minor actinides inventory after the large-scale FBR (Fast Breeder Reactor) technology is mature enough for large scale commissioning in plutonium-sustained scenario.</p>

The low-lying structures of the extremely neutron-deficient nuclei 106Te, 107Te, 110Xe, 170Ir and 172Au have been investigated experimentally. Prompt gamma rays emitted in fusion-evaporation reactions were detected by the Jurogam HPGe array. The gamma rays were assigned to specific reaction channels using the recoil-decay tagging technique provided by the gas-filled separator RITU and the GREAT focal-plane spectrometer. The experimental set-up and the technique used to extract the information from the experimental data are described in detail. Results were interpreted in terms of the nuclear shell model and Total Routhian Surface calculations. In addition, decay studies on 170Ir, 172Au and 164Re led to the discovery of new alpha-decay branches in these nuclei. / QC 20100730

<p>Accelerator-driven systems have been proposed for incineration of transuranic elements from spent nuclear fuel. For safe operation of such facilities, a robust method for reactivity monitoring is required. In this thesis, the most important existing reactivity determination methods have been evaluated experimentally in the subcritical YALINA-experiments in Belarus. It is concluded that the existing methods are sufficient for calibration purposes, but not for reactivity monitoring during regular operation of an accelerator-driven system. Conditions for successful utilization of the various methods are presented, based on the experimental experience.</p>

This thesis investigates the response of Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) detectors to ionizing irradiation. Detectors based on π-υ junction formed by deep level centers doping. The detectors have been irradiated with 137Cs γ-rays up to 110 kGy, with 6 MeV mean energy neutron up to approximately 6 · 1014 n/cm2, with protons and mixed beam up to 1015 p/cm2. Results are presented for the effects on leakage currents and charge collection efficiencies for minimum ionizing electrons and alpha particles. The signal from minimum ionizing electrons was well separated from the noise even after the highest delivered exposures and the diodes are thus still operational as detectors. Saturation of the effects of radiation damage is observed in both the I-V characteristics and charge collection efficiency measurements. The requirements for detectors e.g. at present and planned hadron colliders is very high in terms of radiation hardness. Detectors for tracking applications close to the interaction point will receive charged particle doses in the range of 110 kGy and fast neutron fluences of 1014 n/cm2 during the lifetime of an experiment. In this thesis it is confirmed that GaAs detectors are radiation resistant to neutron irradiation for fluences up to 1015 n/cm2 and that GaAs detectors are feasible as inner trackers. Most of this work was performed in the framework of the RD8 collaboration at CERN. / <p>QC 20100920</p>

The production of η mesons in proton-proton collisions has been studied with the WASA detector using internal pellet targets in the CELSIUS storage ring at the The Svedberg Laboratory in Uppsala. Data were taken at two beam energies, 1360 MeV and 1445 MeV, corresponding to CM excess energies of 40 and 72 MeV, respectively. The η was detected via its 2γ decay in a near-4π electromagnetic calorimeter, whereas the protons were measured by a combination of straw chambers and plastic scintillator planes in the forward direction. The measurements were kinematically complete. The analysis yielded 69·103 events at 1360 MeV and 93·103 events at 1445 MeV, with a background contribution of less than 5%. Data were acceptance-corrected using a parametrization of a matrix element which includes all states up to two units of total angular momentum. The final state interaction between protons in the 1S0 state was included by a momentum-dependent enhancement factor in the relevant amplitudes. Angular distributions of the final state, invariant mass spectra and Dalitz plots are presented. The cos θη-distribution is found to be anisotropic with its maximum at 90° at both energies. From the parametrization it is inferred that this is due to interference between the Ss and Sd final states. A significant contribution from the Pp final state is also needed to describe data. / CELSIUS/WASA

Challenges to the operating nuclear power plants and transport infrastructures are outlined. It is concluded that most aggravating factors are related to knowledge. Thus, of necessity, effective knowledge management is required. Knowledge management theories are reviewed in their historical perspective as a natural extension and unification of information theories and theories about learning. The first line is identified with names as Wiener, Ashby, Shannon, Jaynes, Dretske, Harkevich. The second line – with Vygotsky, Engeström, Carayannis. The recent developments of knowledge management theorists as Davenport, Prusak, Drew, Wiig, Zack are considered stressing learning, retaining of knowledge, approaching the state awareness of awareness, and alignment of knowledge management with the strategy of the concerned organizations. Further, some of the details and results are presented of what is achieved so far. More specifically, knowledge management tools are applied to the practical work activities as event reporting, data collection, condition assessment, verification of safety functions and incident investigation. Obstacles are identified and improvements are proposed. Finally, it is advised to continue to implement and further develop knowledge management tools in the organizations involved in various aspects of safety critical facilities. / Utmaningar som kärnkraftverken och transportinfrastrukturer står inför har kartlagts. Kartläggningen pekar på att problemen är relaterade till brister i kunskap. Det är därför nödvändigt att fokusera på kunskap och implementera kunskapsmanagement med däri ingående teorier. Sådana teorier beskrivs i ett historiskt perspektiv. Det framgår att kunskapsmanagement har flera rötter av vilka de viktigaste är informationsteorier och teorier om inlärning. Den första är associerad med namn som Wiener, Ashby, Jaynes, Dretske, Harkevich. Den andra med namn som Vygotsky, Engeström, Carayannis. Även bidrag från moderna tänkare inom kunskapsmanagement som Davenport, Prusak, Drew, Wiig, Zack utvärderas för att förstå hur de involverade organisationerna kontinuerligt kan lära sig, bevara kunskap, nå medvetande gällande kunskap och integrera kunskapsmanagement med företagsstrategier. Vidare så presenteras ett urval av resultat för att illustrera vad som har åstadkommits hittills. Kunskapsmanagement-teorier appliceras på verksamheter som erfarenhetsrapportering, databaser, provning, verifiering av säkerhetsfunktioner och utredning av incidenter. Kunskapsmanagement gör det möjligt att identifiera och beskriva brister i de etablerade verksamheterna och att föreslå förbättringar. Rekommendationen för framtiden är att fortsätta arbetet med implementering och vidareutveckling av kunskapsmanagement för applikationer som är relevanta för kärkraftverk, transportinfrastrukturer och andra säkerhetskritiska anläggningar. / QC 20101214

<p>High power fusion plasmas produced in the world’s largest facility for magnetic confinement experiments (JET), have been studied using the neutron emission measured with the magnetic proton recoil (MPR) spectrometer. The MPR has been used to observe plasmas since 1996 including those of deuterium-tritium leading to several fusion records and corresponding observational achievements of neutron emission spectroscopy. Noteworthy are novel studies of the complex states of fuel ions arising through plasma heating by neutral beam (NB) injection and radio frequency (RF) power.</p><p>This thesis concerns the analysis of MPR data on the neutron emission from NB heated discharges alone and in combination with RF. A main objective of these studies has been the effect of supra-thermal fuel ion reactions on the fusion power as compared to the basic thermal component. The analysis was based on dedicated models to describe the velocity distributions of the ion population under the influence of the NB and RF heating in a parametric form allowing trial neutron spectra to be calculated and fitted to the data to select the kinetic state of the fuel ions that best described the MPR observations.</p><p>Spectral signatures of different underlying plasma states and phenomena were identified and results from up to five different ion reaction contributions to the fusion power were demonstrated besides the global plasma features of toroidal rotation. Moreover, the thesis presents examples of derived detailed plasma information from MPR data such as the kinetic energy densities for the thermal and supra-thermal parts of the fuel ion population as well as the synergetic coupling of RF power to the fast ions from NB injection. The results constitute a stepping-stone for neutron emission spectroscopy as a main diagnostic for ITER and other future fusion experiments on thermonuclear ignition.</p>