The LAHN project: the Neutron Scattering Laboratory at the new Argentinian research reactor RA-10

AURELIO, G.

Mérida

Congreso; II Reunión de la Asociación Latinoamericana de Cristalografía; 2016

Sociedad Mexicana de Cristalografía

Argentina is currently building a new multipurpose nuclear research reactor, called RA-10, meant to replace the current RA-3 in radioisotope production to cover the nation demands. The reactor has been conceived and designed to fulfill two further objectives: the testing of nuclear fuel and materials by providing irradiation facilities, and the production of thermal and cold neutron beams for applications in science and technology.In the context of this project, which is supported by Argentina's National Administration, a Neutron Scattering Laboratory is being planned in the same spirit of the so-called ?Large Experimental Facilities? in the world, i.e., aimed at providing neutron beams to feed a suite of instruments for scientific and technological research at both national and international levels. This opens up huge opportunities for novel experimental research using neutrons, not only in Argentina but in Latin America, where these techniques are scarcely used. It also poses the challenge of developing a strong community of users to make the most of the facility.The Neutron Scattering Laboratory at RA-10 ? called LAHN: Laboratorio Argentino de Haces de Neutrones -- will deliver cold and thermal neutrons through neutron guides to an experimental hall where the instruments are to be located. The expected fluxes of these beams at the sample´s positions will be comparable in performance to the OPAL reactor in Australia, and the FMR-II reactor in Germany. Moreover, two instruments are already being designed to be located inside the reactor hall, profiting from the higher flux at the reactor face. They respond to the scientific and technical demands of the Argentinian Atomic Energy Commission, and consist of a neutron imaging/tomography instrument and a multipurpose diffractometer for large components mainly designed for texture and stress-scanning, but also meant as a powder diffractometer.To sum up, the LAHN project promises to foster neutron research in Latin America, and will demand collaborative efforts to strengthen and develop the community of users is our region. To this end, an ambitious program is being launched including Schools, Workshops and Meetings related to neutron scattering techniques. The crystallography community in our region has strongly supported this project from the early stages and we are now proud to announce the LAHN project at an international level.