An automated fast transfer system at the research reactor Munich

An automated fast sample transfer system for the determination of measurements of short-lived isotopes has been constructed at the Research Reactor Munich FRM. Instrumental neutron activation analysis and analysis of fissile materials by delayed neutron counting are performed on this transfer device. A LabVIEWTM program on a PC with WindowsNT operating system controls the whole pneumatic system via a PCI-1200 interface and four signal conditioning SCXI-modules of National Instruments. Infrared sensors are used to monitor key points in the transfer system. The sample capsule can be automatically removed from the “rabbit” in a special switch prior to spectrum collection. γ-Spectra are acquired by a HPGe detector with the Loss-Free-Counting method of Westphal. The delayed neutrons are measured by five 3He-detectors and a multichannel scaler. The transfer time is about 200 ms. The system and its mode of operation for routine work will be described.