Irradiation and Matter
At NIMBE/LIONS, research in this field focuses on fundamental studies of the irradiation behavior of a wide variety of materials used in the nuclear power industry (metal alloys, glass, ceramics, polymers). Chemistry under radiation is also used for accelerated aging experiments (in particular battery). The experiments involve the use of irradiation sources (photons or electrons) and benefit in parallel from studies by simulation.
The studies focus in particular on the microstructural evolution of materials (and their aging), as well as the resulting changes in their properties (brittleness, corrosion resistance, chemical reactivity, etc.) and in relation to their potential uses.
ALIENOR, a linear electron accelerator
ALIENOR generates 10 MeV pulsed electrons. The pulse duration can be tuned from 10 ns to 200 ns, with a beam cross section of 1 cm2. For one 10 ns pulse, the dose is around 20 Gy (1 Gy = 1 J.kg-1). The pulse frequency can be tguned between one single shot up to 10 Hz.
ALIENOR belongs to the EMIR&A network and the european RISEenergy network each with specific access proposal.
The main applications are: time-resolved irradiation, irradiation under high pressure/high temperature conditions, high dose irradiation (up to 10 MGy), low temperature irradiation, focused irradiation (for radiotherapy), or equipment testing.
Accir, an electron gun coupled to an infrared detection
This original set-up couples a 60 keV electron gun with a spectrometer operating in the mid-infrared region (800-4000 cm-1). It enables to perform in situ infrared experiments on irradiated thin films (a few tens of µm thick) by infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy. The 0.5 to 25 ms electron pulse dose is typically of the order of 4 to 200 kGy. For dynamic studies, the combination of a short pulse excitation with a fast analysis allows to reach a temporal resolution of 80 ms.
Combining short pulse electrons with a rapid scan analysis enables performing experiments with a time resolution of 80 ms (and above).
Gammacell : The gamma irradiator
The Gammacell radiation is continuous with a dose rate about 4.5 Gy.min-1. Typical doses range from a few Gy to 25 kGy. It is a calibrated reference source.
Main applications: development of radical probes, dosimetry, aging of organic compounds.
