Experiences with the Norwegian Research Reactor Jeep II in Neutron Transmutation Doping

Summary

The Norwegian research reactor JEEP II, situated at Kjeller, 25 km northeast of Oslo, has been in use for neutron doping of silicon since 1975. Ordinary radionuclide production irradiation facilities are used, with some modifications of the loading equipment. The neutron flux range for this type of irradiation is 0.5−1.4 × 10¹³ n/cm² sec, and the maximum diameter of silicon ingots that can be handled is 78 mm.

The availbale effective volume for silicon irradiation is about 32 litres. For netron flux variations within ± persent this volume is reduced to about 13 litres, corresponding to a silicon charge of 30 kg.

The reactor must be shut down to permit insertion and removal of the silicon charge. However, a pratical system has been developed in cooperation with Topsil A/S, Denmark, and the Institute for Energy Technology, Norway (the owner of the reactor) to make the best utilization of the reactor facility for its intended purposes.