Production of Xe and Xe via neutron activation of Xe and Xe at ILL-RHF and NCBJ-MARIA high-flux reactors.

The long-lived xenon isomers Xe and Xe are of interest for the GAMMA-MRI project, which aims at developing a novel imaging modality based on magnetic resonance of polarized unstable tracers. Here, we present the steps leading to and following the production of these two isomers via neutron irradiation of highly-enriched Xe and Xe gas samples at two high-flux reactors, the High-Flux Reactor (Réacteur à haut flux, RHF) at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) and the MARIA reactor at the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ). We describe the experimental setups and procedures used to prepare the stable xenon samples, to open the irradiated samples, and to transfer xenon isomers into reusable transport vials.

Application of Laser Vibrometry to Assess Defects in Ship Hull's Welded Joints' Technical Condition.

The paper presents the measurement process and test results for six thin-walled plates with different dynamic characteristics caused by different defects of welded joints. The tests were carried out using non-destructive testing (NDT). The authors made an attempt to determine the validity of the use and degree of effectiveness of the tests based on laser vibrometry in detecting defects in welded joints.

INVESTIGATION ON RADIATION SHIELDING PROPERTIES OF SPECIAL CONCRETE IN NEUTRON FIELDS.

This paper presents the results on radiation shielding of special types of concrete, designed for nuclear reactor containments. The research focused on the study of shielding properties against neutron component of ionizing radiation. For this purpose, two types of ionizing source were used: the isotopic reference neutron field of 239Pu-Be in calibration laboratory and the MARIA Research Reactor.

A micro-gap, air-filled ionisation chamber as a detector for criticality accident dosimetry.

A micro-gap air-filled ionisation chamber was designed for criticality dosimetry. The special feature of the chamber is its very small gap between electrodes of only 0.3 mm.