Plans for the Utilization of the New Research Reactor FRM II - Abstract and Scientific Overview

Sep 4, 2026

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Plans for the utilization of the new research reactor FRM II describe its near-complete status and a scheduled start of nuclear operation in 2001. After outlining the facility concept and key performance figures, the document summarizes scientific instrumentation and user installations for basic and applied research. It highlights the addition of several new techniques and expected improvements in standard neutron methods, enabling broader capabilities for user experiments.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Concept and Present Status of FRM II

3. Scientific projects in basic research

3.1 Condensed matter research

3.2 Nuclear and particle physics

Plans for the utilization of the new research reactor FRM II W.Gläser Physik-Department,Technische Universität MünchenD-85747 Garching-Germany # ABSTRACT The construction of the new research reactor FRMI is close to completion.The start ofnuclear operation is planned for the year 2001.After a short description of the conceptand figures of merit of the facility the scientific instrumentation and user installationsfor basic and applied research,worked out largely by the German user community andbeing under construction will be summarized.Besides the introduction of several newtechniques considerable progress in the perfornance of standard neutron techniques isenvisaged. # 1.Introduction The FRM I is a new beam tube research reactor being built by the Technische Universität Münchento replace the research reactor FRM at Garching after more than 40 years of operation. Intense neutron beams are a useful tool for materials research in its general meaning.They arecomplementary to other radiation tools like X-rays,Synchroton radiation and light,for someapplications they are irreplaceable.The utilization of a high flux neutron source covers many fields inbasic and applied research in physics,chemistry,materials research,molecular biology and medicine. Construction of the FRMI as a multidisciplinary future national neutron source and basis for inter-national cooperation was strongly recommended by the German Wissenschaftsrat in 1989.Consequently many research groups of universities and research centers are actively participating inthe scientific instrumentation of the facility. # 2.Concept and present status of FRMⅡ The goal to reach a maximum thermal neutron flux of the order of 10¹⁵n/cm²sec with relative lowpower of 20 MW has been achieved by using a very compact reactor core cooled by light watersurrounded by a large heavy water tank taking advantage of the experience collected during the last 3decades in designing high flux research reactors. The fission neutrons leak out of the undermoderated core in the heavy water moderator where theybuilt up a high flux level of a thermal neutron spectrum in a large usable volume.The flux to powerratio will be higher than at all existing research reactors offering advantages for the installation ofspecial inpile devices like spectrum shifters and also with respect to reactor safety. Due to the first construction permit given in 1996 the reactor building is completed by now.Thesecond partial license covering the completion of the facility -including the nuclear installations -wasissued in October 1997.Installations and construction of special inpile devices are underway.The„cold start“of the complete facility is planned for the end of the year 2000 and „nuclear start up“isexpected for the beginning of 2001[1]. Parallel to the reactor construction planning,design and construction of the scientific instrumentationtakes place.The German user community was actively involved in the selection of the first generationof the scientific instrumentation,influencing also the optimization of beam ports et.. Fig.I:illustrates the experimental floor and the neutron guide hall. # 3.Scientific projects in basic research ## 3.1.Condensed matter research A large fraction of the beam capacity will be devoted to advanced neutron scattering techniques forthe investigation of the structure and dynamics of condensed matter.Ten instruments decided for thispurpose and allready under construction are listed in table 1. Table 1:Neutron scattering instruments under construction Cold Neutrons 1.Nuclear Resonance Spinecho Spectrometer 2.Advanced Backscattering Spectrometer 3.Three-Axis Spectrometer(with Polarization Analysis) 4.High resolution Time-of-Flight-Spectrometer 5.Small Angle Scattering Instrument 6.Reflectometer for soft matter Thermal Neutrons 7.Three-Axis Spectrometer(with Polarisation Analysis) 8.Single Crystal Diffractometer 9.Powder Diffractometer Hot Neutron

FAQs

When is nuclear operation of FRM II planned to begin?

Nuclear operation is planned for the year 2001.

What research areas will FRM II support?

FRM II is intended for basic and applied research, including condensed matter, nuclear and particle physics, and broader applications across physics, chemistry, materials research, molecular biology, and medicine.

What major scientific infrastructure is described for FRM II?

The document summarizes planned scientific instrumentation and user installations, including advanced neutron scattering techniques and special in-pile devices such as spectrum shifters.

Sep 4, 2026

Upload by Kyle