04-4-1143-2021/2025
 
Priority: 1
   
Status: In-progress
 

Scientific and Methodological Research and Developments for Condensed Matter Investigations with IBR-2 Neutron Beams

Leaders:     V.I. Bodnarchuk
V.I. Prikhodko

Participating countries and international organizations:
Argentine, Armenia, Belarus, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan.
 
Issues addressed and main goals of research:
Regular operation, modernization and development of control systems for CM-201 and CM-202 cryogenic moderators. Development and equipping of new spectrometers, as well as modernization and reconstruction of equipment for the existing IBR-2 spectrometers in order to improve their parameters, expand experimental capabilities and ensure their faultless operation. Scientific and technical support for the development of beam-forming systems, neutron detectors, sample environment systems, cryostats and cryomagnetic systems, as well as electronics and software of data acquisition systems. Development of FLNP information and computing infrastructure.
 
Expected results in the current year:
  • Maintenance of regular operation of the complex of CM-201 and CM-202 cryogenic pelletized moderators for physics experiments. Automation of the vacuum system and the system for supplying helium to the pneumatic transport pipeline of the CM-202 cryogenic moderator; upgrade and development of software for control systems of the CM-202 moderator. Manufacturing of a prototype dropper for the formation of methane pellets for a complex of cryogenic moderators and carrying out of pre-commissioning works.

  • Investigation of radiation resistance of materials using the radiation research facility. Neutron activation analysis of irradiated samples using a high-purity germanium spectrometer.
  • Development of a new system for data acquisition from PSD-based multi-detector systems for the DN-12 diffractometer.

  • Introduction of new MPD32-USB 3 electronic modules into data acquisition systems at IBR-2 spectrometers.

  • Introduction of industrial digitizers in PSD-based measuring systems. Optimization of digitizer parameters to obtain the best counting and coordinate characteristics of PSD. Application of a new 32-channel digitizer for data acquisition from a prototype of the scintillation PSD developed and manufactured at the CM Department.

  • Installation and adjustment of the Astra-M scintillation detector for the FSD diffractometer.

  • Manufacturing and assembly of sectors of the BSD detector, assembly and adjustment of eight MPD32-USB 3 modules for data acquisition on the HRFD diffractometer in accordance with the project schedule.

  • Completion of the second stage of assembling the detector system for the REMUR spectrometer.

  • Manufacturing, installation and commissioning of a beam monitor on the YuMO spectrometer.

  • Development of technology for creating thermal neutron detectors based on the B4C converter, manufacturing and testing of detector prototypes.

  • Commissioning of a horizontal-vertical cryostat with a superconducting magnet on the DN-12 diffractometer in cooperation with the specialists from the NICM Department.

  • Research and development of devices based on closed-cycle cryocoolers for obtaining temperatures in the range of 4.2-0.5 K by liquefying 3He and pumping out its saturated vapor.

  • Application of VITESS, McStas and other software packages for simulating neutron scattering in samples and in individual components of spectrometers. Complex calculations and optimization of spectrometers.

  • Development of a system to control the frequency and rotation phase of mechanical neutron beam choppers based on programmable logic controllers (PLC). Modernization of PLC devices at the request of users, development of technical specifications for the application of PLC for automation of spectrometer components (positioning devices, control systems of special sample environment equipment, etc.).

  • Development and manufacturing of units for neutron beam choppers with two drums for REMUR and GRAINS reflectometers.

  • Development of a mechanical neutron beam filter with time focusing.

  • Development of specialized sample cells for the GRAINS reflectometer (cell with humidity control, liquid-solid flow cell).

  • Maintenance and development of the Sonix+ software package at the request of users, as well as on the basis of the latest versions of the software packages and systems used. Upgrade of Sonix+ on the DN-6, DN-12, RTD spectrometers. Development of modules (within the framework of Sonix+) for controlling MPD32 controllers and CAEN N673 digitizer, as well as software for new detectors on HRFD and FSD diffractometers.

  • Software support for further automation of control systems for the complex of cryogenic pelletized moderators CM-201 and CM-202.

  • Modernization of the FLNP central data repository for experimental data. Development of Wi-Fi network in buildings 42 (first and second floors), 42a and 44.

List of projects:
  Project Leader Priority
(period of realisation)
1. Construction of a wide-aperture backscattering detector (BSD)
for the HRFD diffractometer
 V.M.  Milkov  (2021-2023)  

List of Activities
  Activity or Experiment Leaders
Status
      Laboratory or other
    Division of JINR
Main researchers
1. Maintenance of regular operation and development of the complex of CM-201 and CM-202 cryogenic pelletized moderators. Further automation of moderators’ control systems

M.V. Bulavin
Realization
2. Investigation of radiation resistance of materials, electronics and detectors for large-scale physics facilities: ANLAS, CMS, NICA, ITER, ESS, etc.; applied research M.V. Bulavin              
Realization

 

  FLNP A.V. Altynov, M.O. Belova, A.V. Galushko, A.S. Kirilov, K.A. Mukhin, T.B. Petukhova, 10 engineers
3.

Development of VITESS software package and simulation of individual components of spectrometers. Investigation of neutron background conditions at IBR-2 spectrometers, development of recommendations to reduce the background level

V.I. Bodnarchuk
Realization
  FLNP Erhan R, Sadilov V.V.
4.

Development of the horizontal/vertical cryostat with a superconducting magnet. Development and modernization of cryostats at IBR-2 spectrometers. Modernization of the cryogenic test bench for working with liquid helium

A.N. Chernikov
S.E. Kichanov
Realization
  FLNP А.P. Buzdavin, 1 engineer, 1 laboratory assistant
5.

Completion of development and construction of the BSD detector. Putting the detector into operation at the HRFD diffractometer. Commissioning of the upgraded ASTRA-M detector at FSD

V.M. Milkov
A.A. Bogdzel
A.S. Kirilov

Realization
  FLNP G.D. Bokuchava,  V.A. Drozdov, V.V. Shvetsov, V.G. Simkin, 3 engineers, 4 laboratory assistants
6. Development and investigation of prototypes of PSD systems based on counters with a resistive anode wire up to 1 m long and large-area (~1 m2) scintillation position-sensitive detectors. Development of a 2D PSD with a central opening for a direct beam for the REMUR spectrometer. Investigation of boron-based neutron converters. Development and equipping of IBR-2 spectrometers with beam monitors A.V. Churakov
V.M. Milkov
A.A. Bogdzel
Realization
  FLNP V.A. Drozdov, A.K. Kurilkin, V.M. Milkov, S.M Murashkevich, V.V. Zhuravlev, 3 engineers
7. Modernization of detector and data acquisition electronics for IBR-2 spectrometers A.A. Bogdzel
A.S. Kirilov
Realization
  FLNP V.A. Drozdov, E.I. Litvinenko, V.M Milkov, S.M. Murashkevich, V.M. Shvetsov, V.V. Zhuravlev, 2 engineers
8. Introduction of programmable logic controllers in control systems for actuators, sample environment equipment and spectrometers’ choppers. Installation of additional equipment at IBR-2 spectrometers at the request of instrument responsibles V.I. Bodnarchuk
I.V. Gapon 
Realization
  FLNP  A.V. Altynov, A.S. Kirilov, T.B. Petukhova, N.D. Zernin, V.V. Zhuravlev, 2 engineers
9. Maintenance and development of the Sonix+ software package and installation of its new versions at IBR-2 spectrometers. Development of FLNP central servers and network infrastructure in accordance with the development strategy of the JINR computer network. Modernization of Laboratory's mail system and Wi-Fi network A.S. Kirilov
V.I. Prikhodko
Realization
  FLNP A.S. Kirilov, G.A. Sukhomlinov, 4 engineers
  MLIT A.G. Dolbilov, 1 engineer 
 
Collaboration
 
Country or International Organization City Institute or laboratory
Argentina Bariloche CAB CNEA
Armenia Yerevan Foundation ANSL
Belarus Minsk BSTU
    INP BSU
Czech Republic Rez NPI CAS
Germany Berlin HZB
  Darmstadt GSI
  Julich FZJ
Hungary Budapest Wigner RCP
Republic of Korea Daejeon KFE
Romania Bucharest INCDIE ICPE-CA
  Cluj-Napoca INCDTIM
  Iasi UAIC
  Targoviste UVT
Russia Dubna Dubna State Univ.
  Gatchina NRC KI PNPI
  Moscow NRC KI
    PC ITER RF
  Moscow, Troitsk INR RAS
  Yekaterinburg IMP UB RAS
Sweden Lund ESS ERIC
Switzerland Villigen PSI
Ukraine Lviv LPNU
United Kingdom Didcot RAL
Uzbekistan Tashkent INP AS RUz