Speaker
Description
LAHN (Argentine Neutron Beam Laboratory Research Centre) is currently working on the development and implementation of neutron instruments, with a range of characteristics and applications, which will be installed at the RA-10 facility.
On the one hand, ANDES (Advanced Diffractometer for Engineering and Science) and ASTOR (Advanced System for Tomography and Radiography) instruments, which are being developed from the concept stage through to operation and will be installed in the Reactor hall. Moreover, on the other hand, the polarised neutron reflectometer, the SANS MP (Small-angle Neutron Scattering – Multi-purpose) and the SANS MB (Small-angle Neutron Scattering – Soft Matter), which originate from other international facilities and will be adapted and installed in the reactor’s guide hall.
Development and implementation of the aforementioned instruments require the planning, coordination and execution of various activities (calculation, design, specification, procurement, manufacture, assembly, commissioning) and involve interdisciplinary working groups from different technical fields (mechanics, shielding, automation and control, optics, etc.) which address issues specific to the instruments as well as others that may be cross-cutting. Furthermore, many of the components that make up the instruments are highly sophisticated due to the performance required by their design and their functionality under adverse radiological conditions. Component development strategies vary and depend largely on the capabilities, resources and timeframes available within the institution to address them. Currently, the detailed engineering of the instrument components is nearing completion, and the critical components are already at the manufacturing stage.
These highly complex projects represent a scientific and technological challenge for the institution and, given their current stage of development, it is expected that their implementation will make a significant contribution to research and development in the nuclear field.
Key Words
Development, Implementation, Neutron instruments