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Article: Cooling neutrons for research.(EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES: eureka)
- Article from:
- R & D
- Article date:
- November 1, 2006
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The High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at the Dept. of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Tenn., has successfully tested its cooling system.
During tests, the powerful refrigeration systems designed to cool the reactor's neutron beams to -253[degrees]C "operated just as we expected," according to Kelly Beierschmitt, the executive director of HFIR. "We now have a working cryogenic system to cool the neutrons at HFIR. This is a huge step toward completion of a truly world-class research facility, extending ORNL's leadership in the study of materials with neutron sciences," adds Beierschmitt.
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Why use cold neutrons? ...