Nuclear reactivity control using laser induced polarization

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:868056

Bowman, Charles D ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos, NM

A control element for reactivity control of a fission source provides an atomic density of .sup.3 He in a control volume which is effective to control criticality as the .sup.3 He is spin-polarized. Spin-polarization of the .sup.3 He affects the cross section of the control volume for fission neutrons and hence, the reactivity. An irradiation source is directed within the .sup.3 He for spin-polarizing the .sup.3 He. An alkali-metal vapor may be included with the .sup.3 He where a laser spin-polarizes the alkali-metal atoms which in turn, spin-couple with .sup.3 He to spin-polarize the .sup.3 He atoms.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5063019
• OSTI ID: 868056
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

nuclear
reactivity
control
laser
induced
polarization
element
fission
source
provides
atomic
density
volume
effective
criticality
spin-polarized
spin-polarization
affects
section
neutrons
hence
irradiation
directed
spin-polarizing
alkali-metal
vapor
included
spin-polarizes
atoms
spin-couple
spin-polarize
source provides
metal atom
control volume
control element
metal vapor
radiation source
fission neutron
metal atoms
laser induced
reactivity control
induced polarization
irradiation source
nuclear reactivity
fission source
atomic density
control criticality
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