A low-level activation technique for monitoring thermonuclear fusion plasma conditions

Joël Gasparro, Mikael Hult, Georges Bonheure, Peter N. Johnston

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Optimisation of the confinement and sustainability of a thermonuclear plasma requires methods to monitor processes in the plasma. In this work three materials were used as activation targets (Ti, MgF2 and a TiVAl compound). They were placed inside the joint European Torus (JET) vacuum chamber. Certain gamma-ray emitting radionuclides (7Be, 54Mn, 56Co, 57Co, 58Co and 46Sc) were measured using ultra low-level gamma-ray spectrometry in an underground laboratory 1-2 months after activation. They were found to arise from neutron activation of bulk sample material and surface contaminants sputtered from other Tokamak parts. Decision thresholds for some activation products were determined in order to aid in giving upper bounds for the flux of charged particles.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1130-1135
Number of pages6
JournalApplied Radiation and Isotopes
Volume64
Issue number10-11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2006

Keywords

  • Activation
  • Charged particles
  • Thermonuclear fusion
  • Ultra low-level gamma-ray spectrometry
  • Underground laboratory

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