ABSTRACT
A set of gamma ray spectrometers has been designed for ITER within the Radial Gamma Ray Spectrometer (RGRS) project. The aim of this project is designing a system, integrated with the ITER radial neutron camera, which is able to measure the gamma-rays emitted from the plasma with a good energy resolution (about 1.5% at 4.44 MeV) and at high counting rates (in excess of 1 MHz). The RGRS will be able to operate both in the D phase and in the full-power DT phase and will measure gamma rays from (i) reactions between fast ions, such as α particles, and light impurities and (ii) bremsstrahlung emission generated by runaway electron interactions with both plasma bulk and tokamak walls. The RGRS detectors are arranged in nine lines of sights (able to cover a radial region with r < a/3), each featuring a large LaBr3 scintillator crystal. Due to the high neutron flux and magnetic field, several solutions have been adopted to guarantee a good signal to background ratio and MHz counting rate capabilities. The RGRS is capable to combine space and energy distribution measurements of α particles and runaway electrons, which will help the study of the fast particle physics in a burning plasma.
ABSTRACT
The present paper describes the findings of the calibration of the neutron yield monitors on the Joint European Torus (JET) performed in 2013 using a 252Cf source deployed inside the torus by the remote handling system, with particular regard to the calibration of fission chambers which provide the time resolved neutron yield from JET plasmas. The experimental data obtained in toroidal, radial, and vertical scans are presented. These data are first analysed following an analytical approach adopted in the previous neutron calibrations at JET. In this way, a calibration function for the volumetric plasma source is derived which allows us to understand the importance of the different plasma regions and of different spatial profiles of neutron emissivity on fission chamber response. Neutronics analyses have also been performed to calculate the correction factors needed to derive the plasma calibration factors taking into account the different energy spectrum and angular emission distribution of the calibrating (point) 252Cf source, the discrete positions compared to the plasma volumetric source, and the calibration circumstances. All correction factors are presented and discussed. We discuss also the lessons learnt which are the basis for the on-going 14 MeV neutron calibration at JET and for ITER.
ABSTRACT
Activation studies were performed in JET with new in-vessel activation monitors. Though primarily dedicated to R&D in the challenging issue of lost diagnostics for ITER, which is being addressed at JET with several techniques, these monitors provide for both neutron and charged particle fluences. A set of samples with different orientation with respect to the magnetic field is transported inside the torus by means of a manipulator arm (in contrast with the conventional JET activation system with pneumatic transport system). In this case, radionuclides with longer half-life were selected and ultralow background gamma-ray measurements were needed. The irradiation was closer to the plasma and this potentially reduces the neutron scattering problem. This approach could also be of interest for ITER, where the calibration methods have yet to be developed. The MCNP neutron transport model for JET was modified to include the activation probe and so provide calculations to help assess the new data. The neutron induced activity on the samples are well reproduced by the calculations.
