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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Phase-Imaging Ion-Cyclotron-Resonance mass spectrometry with the Canadian Penning Trap at CARIBU

The Canadian Penning Trap mass spectrometer (CPT) has conducted precision mass measurements of neutron-rich nuclides from the CAlifornium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) of the Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) facility at Argonne National Laboratory using the Phase-Imaging Ion-Cyclotron-Resonance (PI-ICR) technique for over half a decade. Here, in this study, we discuss the CPT system, and methods to improve accuracy and precision in mass measurement using PI-ICR including some optimization techniques and recently studied systematic effects.

Penning trap mass spectrometry↗
DOE OSTI2020

Trivalent f-Element Squarates, Squarate-Oxalates, and Cationic Materials, and the Determination of the Nine-Coordinate Ionic Radius of Cf(III)

The synthesis, structure, and solid-state UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy of four new f-element squarates, M 2 (C 4 O 4 ) 3 (H 2 O) 4 (M = Eu, Am, Cf) and Sm(C 4 O 4 )(C 4 O 3 OH)(H 2 O) 2 ·0.5H 2 O, four new cationic lanthanide squarate chlorides, [M 4 (C 4 O 4 ) 5 (H 2 O) 12 ]Cl 2 ·5H 2 O (M = Eu, Dy, Ho Er), and two new actinide squarate oxalates, M 2 (C 4 O 4 ) 2 (C 2 O 4 )(H 2 O) 4 (M = Am, Cf), are presented. All of the metal centers are trivalent. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that M 2 (C 4 O 4 ) 3 (H 2 O) 4 and Sm(C 4 O 4 )(C 4 O 3 OH)(H 2 O) 2 ·0.5H 2 O have a two-dimensional sheet structure constructed from MO 7 (H 2 O) 2 monocapped square-antiprismatic (coordination number (CN) = 9) metal centers and SmO 6 (H 2 O) 2 square-antiprismatic (CN = 8) metal centers, respectively, whereas M 2 (C 4 O 4 ) 2 (C 2 O 4 )(H 2 O) 4 have a three-dimensional (3D) structure constructed from MO 7 (H 2 O) 2 monocapped square-antiprismatic (CN = 9) metal centers. Additionally, the cationic framework materials [M 4 (C 4 O 4 ) 5 (H 2 O) 12 ]Cl 2 ·5H 2 O have a 3D structure constructed from two crystallographically unique MO 5 (H 2 O) 3 square-antiprismatic (CN = 8) metal centers. In these structures, the squarate ligands bind to the metal centers with varying coordination modes and denticities. The results of this study provide another example of the nonparallel chemistry between the lanthanides and transplutonium elements. From the crystallographic data for the isotypic series M 2 (C 4 O 4 ) 3 (H 2 O) 4 (M = La–Nd, Sm, Eu) and the linear regression fit to a plot of the unit cell volume as a function of the cube of the ionic radius, the nine-coordinate ionic radius of Cf 3+ was determined to be 1.127 ± 0.003 Å. Lastly, computational analysis of the americium and californium complexes M 2 (C 4 O 4 ) 3 (H 2 O) 4 and M 2 (C 4 O 4 ) 2 (C 2 O 4 )(H 2 O) 4 reveals three important attributes: (i) the 5f orbitals are nonbonding in all cases, with the bonding differences occurring with the empty 6d orbitals; (ii) the Cf complexes exhibit more covalent character than their Am counterparts; and (iii) there is more covalent character in the squarate-oxalate complexes than in the squarate complexes.

Crystallography↗
DOE OSTI2025

Expanding on the ability of trivalent actinides to support microbial alcohol metabolism in evolved methylotrophic bacterium

The 4 f elements, known as the lanthanides, have only recently been recognized as biologically essential metals. These elements can be found in the active site of certain alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzymes, which are used by methylotrophic bacteria to metabolize simple alcohols such as methanol and ethanol. The 5 f elements, known as the actinides, often show similar chemical behaviour to the lanthanides and recent reports demonstrated that americium (Am) and curium (Cm) can replace lanthanides in certain ADHs to yield a catalytically competent enzyme and support bacterial life. In this work, we expand on these results to show the trivalent ions actinium (Ac3+), americium (Am3+), curium (Cm3+), berkelium (Bk3+), and californium (Cf3+) all support growth of an evolved strain of the model methylotroph Methylobacterium extorquens AM1. Further in vitro experiments using a reconstituted ethanol dehydrogenase enzyme confirm the ability of this enzyme to utilize trivalent actinide ions.

Woods, Joshua J↗
DOE OSTI2025

The inorganic chemist's guide to actinide radiation chemistry: a review

This review aims to provide an overview of the current state of radiation chemistry with respect to the actinide elements, thorium through californium. Despite the inherent radioactivity of the actinides, only a few studies explore the effects of ionizing radiation on their redox chemistry and surrounding environment. This fundamental knowledge gap, coupled with the current renaissance in actinide-based technologies such as nuclear power, space exploration, and medicine, underscores the importance of research in this interdisciplinary area. This review will focus on the interactions between reactive species formed by radiolysis with actinides and their complexes, offering an inorganic chemist's perspective on research in radiation chemistry. In addition, a thorough discussion of our current understanding of radiation-induced changes in actinide speciation in both aqueous solution and the solid-state will be provided, focusing on changes in oxidation state distribution, complexation, and secondary coordination effects within inorganic materials. Finally, this review will discuss challenges and opportunities for inorganic chemists to explore this unique intersection of fields.

Actinides↗
DOE OSTI2025

Demonstration of closed shell breeding of cesium ions with an electron beam ion source

An electron beam ion source serves as a charge breeder for the Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) at the Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS). The source accepts radioactive beams of 1+ or 2+ ions and raises their charge state for post-acceleration by ATLAS. The efficiency of this process impacts the length of each experiment and, hence, the type and number of experiments that can be run in each program cycle. Recent efforts to improve the charge breeding efficiency for the 80 < A < 160 species typical of CARIBU have focused on utilizing the closed shell breeding technique. Here, with this technique, the electron beam energy is manipulated to take advantage of the large gap in ionization energies at shell closures and selectively populate a single charge state. Charge breeding studies with stable cesium ions have demonstrated an absolute efficiency of 72% for Cs 27+ and a total efficiency of 93%. The Cs 27+ efficiency result represents a factor of 3 improvement over the previous best charge breeding result of 23% for Cs 27+ .

Vondrasek, R. [Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), ↗
DOE OSTI2025

Gallium oxide (Ga2O3) as a radiation detector distinguishing neutrons and gammas

Gallium oxide (Ga2O3) is a promising ultrawide bandgap semiconductor for radiation detection with the potential of integrating electronic and scintillation functions within a single crystal device. This study establishes the scintillation response of β-Ga2O3 gamma irradiation from yttrium-88 (88Y). Then, californium-252 (252Cf) is used as a spontaneous fission source of mixed neutron and gamma radiation field to measure scintillation signals. Pulse shape discrimination and constant fraction discrimination techniques were used to separate neutron and gamma interaction events. Further investigation indicates that the prompt temporal responses of β-Ga2O3 for gammas and neutrons may enable discrimination of the two by prompt pulse fitting methods, focused around the initial peak. For gamma irradiation, we observed a rise time (τr) of 2.1 ns, decay time (τd) of 9.5 ns, and a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 6.2 ns. For neutrons, it showed a τr of 2.3 ns, a τd of 12.1 ns, 9.4 ns FWHM, and reduced peak intensity. A diamond detector exhibited a more symmetrical τr and τd for both gamma and neutron signals and therefore is less effective at discriminating between the two by this method. This draws attention to β-Ga2O3’s ability to distinguish neutron and gamma particles. These findings showcase Ga2O3’s potential as a next-generation semiconductor for applications in nuclear safety and medical imaging, where precise discrimination between neutron and gamma interactions is essential.

Valdes, D. J. (ORCID:0000000304373720)↗
DOE OSTI2020

Spin-trap isomers in deformed, odd-odd nuclei in the light rare-earth region near $N=98$

Masses of neutron-rich, odd-odd Pm, Eu, and Tb nuclei near N = 98 were measured using the Canadian Penning Trap mass spectrometer at the Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) facility. High-resolution mass measurements yielded the discovery of spin-trap isomers at N = 97 in Tb 162 , and in the N = 99 isotones of Pm 160 and Tb 164 . Furthermore, no evidence of long-lived isomers were observed at N = 95 in Eu 158 , at N = 97 in Pm 158 , nor at N = 101 in Eu 164 and Tb 166 . Here, these experimental observations are compared to results from multiquasiparticle blocking calculations.

150 ≤ A ≤ 189↗
DOE OSTI2024

Structure of the high-spin, 𝛽-decaying state in the neutron-rich nucleus 146 La

Excited structures in 146 Ce were populated in 𝛽 decay of the high-spin state in the neutron-rich nucleus 146 La. The beam was produced by the Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) facility at Argonne National Laboratory, reaccelerated by the ATLAS accelerator, and implanted on a moving-tape system in the middle of the GAMMASPHERE array. The decay scheme of the high-spin, 𝛽-decaying state in 146 La was revised with respect to previous studies and evaluated nuclear data. Here, the structure of 146 La is discussed in the framework of the deformed Nilsson model and systematics of known quasiparticle structures in the region.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Investigating the effects of precise mass measurements of Ru and Pd isotopes on machine learning mass modeling

Atomic masses are a foundational quantity in our understanding of nuclear structure, astrophysics, and fundamental symmetries. The longstanding goal of creating a predictive global model for the binding energy of a nucleus remains a significant challenge, however, and prompts the need for precise measurements of atomic masses to serve as anchor points for model developments. We present precise mass measurements of neutron-rich Ru and Pd isotopes performed at the Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade facility at Argonne National Laboratory using the Canadian Penning Trap mass spectrometer. The masses of 108 Ru, 110 Ru, and 116 Pd were measured to a relative mass precision $\delta$⁢$m/m$ ≈ 10 -8 via the phase-imaging ion-cyclotron-resonance technique, and represent an improvement of approximately an order of magnitude over previous measurements. Further, these mass data were used in conjunction with the physically interpretable machine learning (PIML) model, which uses a mixture density neural network to model mass excesses via a mixture of Gaussian distributions. The effects of our new mass data on a Bayesian-updating of a PIML model are presented.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Measurement of the 252 Cf ⁢(sf) prompt fission neutron spectrum utilizing 12 C ⁡(𝑛, 𝑛) and 9 Be ⁢(𝑛, 𝑛) neutron scattering reference measurements

The 252 Cf spontaneous fission (sf), prompt fission neutron spectrum (PFNS) is a fundamental quantity for nuclear physics measurements of neutron-emitting reactions. This energy distribution of neutrons emitted from fission has been considered a neutron data standard for decades and has been utilized as a reference for neutron detection efficiency, validation of Monte Carlo simulations, benchmarking of dosimetry standards, and more. A significant portion of the global collection of nuclear data on neutron-induced reactions is correlated with the 252 Cf ⁢(sf) PFNS. Despite the reliance on this quantity by the nuclear physics community, the historical collection of 252 Cf PFNS measurements display systematic disagreements that are not understood or easily explained. These experimental discrepancies could potentially bias the 252 Cf PFNS Standard evaluation. On top of this, these past experiments frequently employed correlated experimental measurement or analysis methods. The artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML)-informed californium chi-nuclear data experiment (AIACHNE) project was formed to (a) investigate these discrepancies utilizing AI/ML methods to identify outlying regions of literature data, assign these regions to features of the experiment itself, and perform an improved evaluation of the 252 Cf PFNS and (b) perform a new experimental measurement of this quantity designed to improve upon the existing literature database. Here, in this work, we report on the AIACHNE 252 Cf PFNS experiment utilizing a new analysis method uncorrelated with all previous measurements: neutron efficiency determinations based on elastic neutron scattering on 12 C and 9 Be . This new method provides an independent test of the existing literature data and evaluation of the 252 Cf ⁢(sf) PFNS. The method is described with detailed covariance quantification procedures, as well as a direct discussion of the sources of uncertainty described as requirements in the “Templates” series of papers. The 252 Cf ⁢(sf) PFNS reported in this work agrees well with the overall shape of the existing standard PFNS evaluation as well as many literature measurements, thus verifying the current evaluation utilizing new techniques. However, the results suggest that there are deficiencies in the angle-differential 12 C and 9 Be ⁢(𝑛, 𝑛) evaluated nuclear data, which produce unphysical structures in the reported result. While these structures are relatively minor, they become obvious because of the high statistical precision of the data and the expected smooth continuity of the 252 Cf ⁢(sf) PFNS.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Optimization of an Energy Tuning Assembly for High Explosives Detection

The Portable Isotopic Neutron Spectroscopy (PINS) system, employs neutron-induced gamma-ray spectroscopy and provides a nondestructive method for high explosives detection. In standard operation it uses Californium-252 as a neutron source. Operating PINS with a deuterium-tritium (DT) neutron generator has some advantages over Cf-252, including lifetime and ability to produce high-energy inelastic scattering gamma rays. However, current systems using DT neutron generators suffer from a high environmental background and reduced ability to induce neutron capture, reducing spectral quality and limiting nitrogen sensitivity. Here, this study presents the development of an energy-tuning assembly (ETA) designed to optimize the DT neutron energy spectrum to increase nitrogen reaction rates in a target, thereby improving high explosive detection capabilities. A metaheuristic optimization framework, MultiGNOWEE, coupled with MCNP, was employed to generate two ETA configurations: a single-objective ETA, which maximizes nitrogen capture reactions, and a multi-objective ETA, which balances neutron capture and inelastic scattering. Simulations demonstrated the optimized configurations achieved up to a 10-fold improvement in nitrogen capture rates compared to the bare configuration. Experimental validation was conducted using a DT neutron generator and a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. Two prototype ETAs were constructed and assessed on a melamine simulant. Measurements demonstrated improved nitrogen detection for both prototype ETA configurations when compared to the standard system.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Separation and Purification of Berkelium-249 and Einsteinium-254

Berkelium-249 ( 249 Bk) and einsteinium-254 ( 254 Es) are isotopes of great importance for the investigation of berkelium and einsteinium chemical properties and super heavy element research. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to isolate acceptable, pure quantities of both isotopes to further research capabilities. These isotopes, along with californium-252 ( 252 Cf), are synthesized through the irradiation of mixed-curium targets in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), which has the highest continuous thermal neutron flux in the world. Once irradiated, the targets are transferred to the Radiochemical Engineering Development Center for further chemical processing and final purification to separate 249 Bk and 254 Es from the remainder of isotopes present. Several methods of separation, such as the Berkex batch solvent extraction along with cation-exchange and alpha-hydroxy-isobutyrate (AHIB) columns, are employed to achieve a clean separation of the isotopes. Production Campaigns 74–77 are discussed in depth for 252 Cf, 249 Bk, and 254 Es production and isolation of 249 Bk and 254 Es. An attempt to isolate 257 Fm in Campaign 77 is discussed as well. Table 1 summarizes the total amount of material isolated in each campaign.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
DOE OSTI2020

Determination of γ-ray branching ratios for ⁹⁵Zr and ¹⁴⁷Nd

For many fission products, the γ rays emitted following decay provide an easily-detectable signature that can be used to identify their quantities and distributions in a sample. As a result, γ-ray spectroscopy is often exploited to study fission-product yields (FPYs), provided sufficiently accurate information on the γ-ray branching ratio is available. However, in many cases, the uncertainties in the existing nuclear data are large enough that they compromise the precision achievable for modern experiments and applications. To address this need, we have developed a new experimental method that is well suited to precisely measure the γ-ray branching ratios in the decay of long-lived fission products. The approach involves the production of a radiopure sample by implantation of a mass-separated ion beam from the CAlifornium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) facility on a thin carbon foil. The emitted β -decay radiation is detected with a 4π gas proportional counter and a meticulously efficiency-calibrated high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. As a first measurement to demonstrate the approach, we studied the γ-ray branching ratios of the strongest transitions following the decay of ⁹⁵Zr and decay-daughter ⁹⁵Nb and determined these branching ratios to fractional precisions of 1%. We then applied this approach to determine the γ-ray branching ratios for the β decay of ¹⁴⁷Nd. The results for the γ-ray branching ratios are presented here and compared to previous results and evaluations.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Physics Division Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2020-2024

The vision of the Physics Division (PHY) at Argonne National Laboratory is to continue enhancing its role as a world-leading institution in basic nuclear physics research and its applications. Key to this vision is for PHY to continue to safely and effectively operate and evolve the capabilities of the Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) facility to best serve its users. ATLAS is the Department of Energy (DOE) accelerator facility for low-energy nuclear physics research. The research carried out by PHY covers many themes in contemporary science but can be distilled into five areas of focus. These themes are interconnected, with continuously evolving synergies between the various groups and facilities in PHY and the broader Laboratory. This five-year strategic plan serves to illustrate our current capabilities and new directions related to these five areas of focus (ATLAS also develops an independent strategic plan): Accelerator research and design. The goal of this theme is to design, fabricate, test, and implement novel accelerator systems, with a focus on high-intensity ion and electron systems. These R&D activities have led to enhancements in the ATLAS accelerator system. Among others, the division’s accelerator systems are in use or planned for use at Fermilab, the Advanced Photon Source, and in a broad variety of applications at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB). Atom trapping and fundamental symmetries. The goal of this theme is to explore and exploit the uses of advanced laser cooling and trapping techniques to manipulate atoms. There are three main areas of focus. First is in the application of the atom trap trace analysis (ATTA) technique for age determination of groundwater and ice by using radio-krypton dating. The next two trapping-based programs involve tests of fundamental symmetries in nature: the cooling and trapping of radium-225 with the aim of determining limits on an observation of its electric dipole moment and precision measurements of the beta decay properties of helium-6 to set limits on the tensor coupling constant. This is complemented by measurements of similar properties in lithium-8 and boron-8. Nuclear astrophysics. The goal of this theme is to enhance our understanding of how elements are created in the universe via explosive nucleosynthesis and how stars evolve. To meet the challenges of this theme, many of the capabilities of ATLAS are being enhanced, including the development of new beams through a new in-flight separator (RAISOR) and the anticipated neutron-generator upgrade of the Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade facility (nuCARIBU). These are coupled to state-of-the-art instruments such as the Canadian Penning Trap, Helical Orbit Spectrometer, Gammasphere, GRETINA, Multi-Sampling Ionization Chamber, the Fragment Mass Analyzer, and Argonne Gas-filled Fragment Analyzer, and a new low-background experimental area for decay studies. Nuclear structure. The goal of this theme is to understand the structure of nuclei, both stable and radioactive, in terms of single-particle properties, their shapes, and the dynamics governing reactions between them. These include questions such as what are the limits of nuclear stability and what are the properties of super heavy nuclei. As with the nuclear astrophysics theme, the capabilities of ATLAS, guided by the ATLAS user community, are continuously being enhanced to this end. The Division has strategic initiatives to play a leading role in the development of instrumentation and research programs at the FRIB. Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and hadron physics. The goal of this theme is to lead major research programs focused on revealing the quark and gluon structure of protons, neutrons, nuclei, and short-lived mesons and baryons. These involve major programs at Jefferson Lab, Fermilab, and smaller facilities. They are complemented by theoretical endeavors centered on the question of how hadrons and their properties emerge from QCD. Out of these activities arise strategic initiatives to play a major role in the forthcoming Electron-Ion Collider (EIC).

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Characterization of Partial Charge Collection Induced by Neutron Damage in High-Purity Germanium Detectors

This paper investigates the correlation of damage induced by neutron interactions and degradation in the spectra of HPGe detectors. As neutrons kinetically interact with germanium crystals, they create interstitial and vacancy defects within the lattice. These defects then interfere with the charge migration of electron-hole pairs and reduce resolution in the observed energy spectrum. The partial charge collection produces observable spectral changes by increasing the peak width and reducing resolution (full width half maximum). A detailed characterization using various check sources was performed before and after iterations of neutron exposure in order to observe the effects of the neutron damage. An additional set of measurements was performed along with characterizations to show the detector’s response at discrete locations on the HPGe crystal. This was done to observe how the spectrum changes when the gamma rays are isolated to regions of various thicknesses of germanium. In order to impart damage, the detector was placed inside a californium shuffler with the face of the detector against the guide tube for the 252 Cf source. For irradiation of the HPGe, the source was then positioned in front of the face of the detector using the stepper motor of the shuffler. The neutron exposure time intervals were recorded and increased based on the initial damage observed. An MCNP simulation was performed to estimate the amount of interactions that occurred in the germanium crystal to ensure enough damage had occurred. Studying the effects that neutron damage imparts on a bullet-type HPGe detector can help provide necessary data to estimate total neutron exposure limits, reduce the likelihood of decisions made on suspect data, and aid in diagnostics of a damaged detector.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Development of a High-Energy Neutron Sniffer and Subsequent Dose Quantification for High-Energy Particle Accelerator Shielding Surveys

The objective of this research is to design a portable neutron detector that is lightweight and responds to neutrons with energies of 20 MeV and greater. The instrument will be used as a ‘sniffer’ probe for identifying shielding weaknesses at high-energy particle accelerators and be paired with a plastic scintillator to quantify the high-energy neutron dose equivalent. The sniffer probes are two different sizes and comprised of either cesium iodide or sodium iodide, all doped with thallium, making a total of four detectors. The probes were calibrated to respond only to radiations with 8 MeV electron equivalent energy or higher, vastly reducing detector response from background and lower energy radiations. The sniffer probes were tested using californium- 252 and americium-beryllium sources, followed by high-energy (up to 800 MeV) neutron exposures at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center Weapons Neutron Research (WNR) facility. The sniffer probes were then used to identify areas around the accelerator facility where elevated levels of high-energy radiation was present and the plastic scintillators were placed in these locations to determine the high-energy neutron dose equivalent. The dose equivalent is calculated by measuring the 12 C(n,2n) 11 C reaction, which has a 20.4 MeV neutron threshold. Two locations behind the WNR facility were identified with the probes and the dose equivalent rates from neutron energies above 20 MeV were calculated to be 1.24 mrem/h behind flightpath 30-left and 1.53 behind flightpath 30-right. Of the four sniffer probes, the 2-inch x 2-inch cesium iodide is the recommended probe for performing high-energy shielding surveys. The larger crystal size yields higher sensitivity at lower count rates and the more dense material increases the likelihood of interaction within the crystal.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2021

Campaign 78 - Production of 252 Cf and the Recovery of Curium Feed Material at the Radiochemical Engineering Development Center

The production of californium-252 (Cf-252) has been of interest to the US Department of Energy (DOE) since the 1970s because of its ability to emit neutrons (2.31 x 10 12 neutrons/gram second). Today, Oak Ridge National Laboratory is responsible for the majority of Cf-252 sold around the world. This report aims to provide a complete summary of the chemical processing of the Cf and curium (Cm) from campaign 78 (C78) which started in January 2019.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
DOE OSTI2022

Hot Cell Manipulator Inventory and Recommendations

During the spring of 2021 repeated manipulator failures in the hot cells of Building 7920 contributed to significant delays in Californium-252 ( 252 Cf) mission execution and loss of rapidly decaying 252Cf product. At the same time, funds became available in the 252 Cf program budget for equipment purchases and upgrades. Accordingly, the 252 Cf program manager requested (1) an inventory of the manipulators used in six Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) buildings (7920, 7930, 4501, 3047, 3025E, and 3525), (2) an inventory of spare manipulators, and (3) a recommendation on whether to invest 252 Cf funds to purchase additional or upgraded manipulators.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗