Nuclear Reactor Program, Department of Nuclear Engineering

Main Navigation:

• PULSTAR Reactor
• Personnel
• User Facilities
• Internet Reactor Labs
• Nuclear Services

• History
• User Guide
• Operations Training
• Tours

• Administration
• Reactor Staff
• Research Staff
• Student Operators & Trainees
• Address & Campus Map

• Neutron Imaging Facility
• Neutron Diffraction Facility
• Intense Positron Beam
• Ultra-Cold Neutron Source

• Example Labs
• Required Equipment

• Neutron Activation Analysis
• Neutron Radiography
• Reactor Irradiations & Isotope Production

• 

  Successful Initial Cool Down of UCNS

  After nearly 6 years of design and fabrication work, the initial cool down of the PULSTAR Ultra Cold Neutron Source cryostat took place on January 6, 2012. This first round of cryogenic testing used liquid nitrogen to cool each of the cooling loops to 70K. All cryogenic, instrumentation, and vacuum system components were checked, and the thermal properties of the system were analyzed.

  All systems performed as expected, so the UCN team is currently proceeding with the optimization of components and preparations for the next round of liquid nitrogen cooling tests scheduled for April 2012.

• 

  Antimatter Probe to Study Matter

  The Positron – the antimatter of an electron – has been used as a probe to study defect properties for many years. Because positrons are naturally trapped in vacancies of normal materials, from the e⁺-e^- annihilation photons, specific void information can be extracted of the target. Being non-destructive and quantitative, positron spectroscopy has unique advantages over traditional intrusive and microscopic techniques. In addition, by moderating the positrons, one can utilize low-energy positron beam to examine very thin films. The NC State Intense Positron Beam facility provides both bulk and beam positron spectroscopy capabilities that are suitable for bulk and thin film (as thin as 20nm) measurements.

• 

  NC State Student Reactor Operators

  Every year, The Nuclear Reactor Program trains select N.C. State students to take the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission examination to become federally licensed PULSTAR Nuclear Reactor Operators. As of Spring 2012, the NRP has one licensed student operator, and eight students in training.

  Students wanting more information about operations training opportunities and the federal licensing process at NC State can find details here. Please contact the reactor staff if you are interested in learning more.

• 

  PULSTAR Reactor Power Upgrade

  In July 2010, the US Department of Energy announced that it was funding a $1.38 million NC State Univ. proposal to "Upgrade of the Power of the PULSTAR Reactor from 1-MWth in Support of Nuclear Engineering Education and Research." See list of awards here.

  The 1-MW PULSTAR Research Reactor is the fourth nuclear fission reactor at NC State, going critical in September 1972. For almost 40 years, the PULSTAR reactor has been harnessing the power of the atom to furthur its mission of education, training, research, and service. Click the following links for more information about the reactor, the reseach activities carried out at its user facilities, the opportunities for distance learning, and the analytical and irradiation services available.

• 

  Internet Reactor Labs

  Internet Reactor Labs are available to external academic institutions who wish to utilize the PULSTAR in demostrating nuclear reactor operations and kinetics for their students. This capability enriches academic programs at universities without research reactors of their own, and may be used to expand the educational opportunities for nuclear engineering students throughout the United States and internationally.

• 

  NC State Intense Positron Beam - one of the most intense in the world!

  In 2007, the NC State Intense Positron Beam facility broke a record for having the world's most intense positron source. Since that time, the facility has continued work on the development of two positron lifetime spectrometers. See the Oct. 2007 Science Daily story.

• 

  User Facilities

  The PULSTAR Reactor has several User Facilities which are available for use by research groups internal and external to the UNC system. Each of these facilities harnesses the intense radiation fields eminating from the reactor beamports to create unique research and non-destructive diagnostic instruments.

  Facilities available include:

  • Neutron Powder Diffraction Facility (NPDF)
  • Neutron Imaging Facility (NIF)
  • Intense Positron Beam (IPB)
  • Ultra-Cold Neutron Source (UCNS)
• 

  NRP History

  The history of the Nuclear Reactor Program at North Carolina State University goes back to 1950 and the contruction of the 'R-1' reactor, the first academic research reactor in the world.
  
  Since then, an additional three reactors have been built at three different sites on the NC State campus; R-2 & R-3 in the original 'south' Burlington Lab, R-4 in the Bureau of Mines building, and the 1-MW PULSTAR adjacent to 'north' Burlington Lab.