Supplement to the report on flood effects at Nuclear Physics Institute
ASCR, Rez near Prague

Nuclear Physics Institute of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
is the largest Czech organisation devoted to the basic research in
nuclear physics and related fields and also to the applications of
nuclear physics in various domains including the design of new
radiopharmaceuticals and their production, particularly as far as short
living radiofarmaceuticals concerns. The Institute has seven
departments: Theoretical Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Spectroscopy, Nuclear
Reactions, Neutron Physics, Radiation Dosimetry, Radiopharmaceuticals,
Accelerators. The basic experimental facilities include the isochronous
cyclotron U-120M, electrostatic Van de Graaf accelerator, electrostatic
electron spectrometer ESA 12, neutron spectrometers and interferometers
installed at the nuclear reactor LWR-15 (the reactor itself belongs to
the Nuclear Research Institute Řež, plc), set-ups for nuclear analytical
methods and for environmental radiation dosimetry and facilities for the
production of radiopharmaceuticals including those for positron emission
tomography (PET).

NPI groups are involved in many internatiopnal collaborations. They take
part in the experiment STAR at RHIC. Participation in the ALICE
experiment at the Large Hadron Collider facility, now being constructed
at CERN, should certainly be also mentioned. This experiment, which will
start after 2005, stands at the frontier in the exploration of
properties of matter. Other collaborations in the heavy-ion physics with
institutions in Europe (GSI, GANIL, and JINR Dubna) contribute
significantly to the scientific profile of NPI, as well.

On the other hand, the domestic site at Řež has to provide enough
opportunities for research which, as the case might be, proves to be
attractive for foreign groups. In particular, the set of apparatuses
around light water reactor LWR-15 and abilities of members of the
Department of Neutron Physics are requisites for top investigations in
the neutron optics, solid state physics, and material research.
Interesting results have been obtained at the electrostatic electron
spectrometer ESA 12 on possible admixtures of heavy neutrinos in beta
spectra. Beams of d and ^3^He accelerated by the U-120M cyclotron have
been used in the study of nuclear reactions important from the
astrophysical point of view. Wide spectrum of topics is covered by the
Department of Theoretical Physics with respectable results.

The Nuclear Physics Institute has about 200 employees, of them nearly
100 scientists. There are about 22 research groups in the Nuclear
Physics Institute, from them those listed in the following table are
substantially affected by the flood. The financial estimates of the
losses are also given.

+--------------------------+-------+------------------+---------------+
| Activity                 | **No. | # Los            | **Financial   |
|                          | of    | ses by the flood | estimate of   |
|                          | scien |                  | the losses    |
|                          | tists |                  | in**          |
|                          | invol |                  |               |
|                          | ved** |                  | **thousands   |
|                          |       |                  | of USD**      |
+--------------------------+-------+------------------+---------------+
| Nuclear Reactions for    | 8     | Cyclotron        | see cyclotron |
| Astrophysics             |       |                  |               |
+--------------------------+-------+------------------+---------------+
| Fast Neutron Facility    | 8     | Cyclotron        | see cyclotron |
+--------------------------+-------+------------------+---------------+
| Radiopharmaceutical R&D  | 4     | Cyclotron,       | 31 without    |
|                          |       | complete         | cyclotron     |
|                          |       | radiochemical    |               |
|                          |       | lab              |               |
+--------------------------+-------+------------------+---------------+
| PET Radipharmaceuticals  | 5     | Cyclotron, clean | 291           |
|                          |       | lab, PET         |               |
|                          |       | production box   |               |
+--------------------------+-------+------------------+---------------+
| Cyclotron                | 8     | Power supplies,  | 1318          |
|                          |       | vacuum pumps,    |               |
|                          |       | cooling system   |               |
+--------------------------+-------+------------------+---------------+
| Nuclear Electron         | 7     | Vacuum pump      | 5             |
| Spectroscopy             |       |                  |               |
+--------------------------+-------+------------------+---------------+
| Semiconductor Detector   | 3     | Vacuum pump,     | 5             |
| Development              |       | multichannel     |               |
|                          |       | analyser         |               |
+--------------------------+-------+------------------+---------------+
| Library                  | 500   | More than 20.000 | 500           |
|                          | users | issues           |               |
+--------------------------+-------+------------------+---------------+
| Primary dry and cleaning |       |                  | 200           |
+--------------------------+-------+------------------+---------------+
| Buildings reparations    |       |                  | 750           |
+--------------------------+-------+------------------+---------------+
| # Total cost estimate    |       |                  | **3100**      |
+--------------------------+-------+------------------+---------------+

**Nuclear reactions of astrophysical importance**

One of the physical programs realized on cyclotron of Nuclear Physics
Institute at Řež (NPI) is international common project of NPI and
Cyclotron Institute, Texas A&M University at College Station covered by
National Science Foundation (NSF) (USA) and Ministry of education (ČR).
A subject of this project is a systematic investigation of the particle
capture reactions which are important for nuclear astrophysics. This
research is realized partly on radioactive beams from superconducting
cyclotron at College Station by group of prof. Tribble and partly on
stable beams of isochronous cyclotron U-120M at Řež. Our collaboration,
which started in 1996, is very effective. During last period a new
method of indirect experimental determination of the astrophysical
S-factors for particle capture reactions was developed.

This method was carefully tested in several laboratories using different
reactions. It was shown that the direct capture S-factors derived with
ANC technique are most reliable at the lowest incident energies,
precisely where capture cross sections are smallest and most difficult
to measure. The main advance of this method is possibility to measure
the values of ANC\`s by traditional peripheral particle transfer
reactions. This approach, at present known as the Asymptotic
Normalization Coefficients methods (ANC) is widely used in many
laboratories over the world.

Our first application of a new approach was investigation of proton
capture rate for synthesis of ^8^B as a contribution to solving of known
neutrino problem. Many other astrophysical reactions were studied. The
work from our cooperation has resulted in a significant number of
publications over the last period.

This research should continue during the next years. Unfortunately,
several programs will be delayed because all power sources of the main
parts of cyclotron was flooded and damaged. We suppose that the physical
program could be started in the last months of 2003. This concerns the
measurements and analysis of astrophysical S-factors for several
important capture reaction of CNO and NeNa stellar cycles (synthesis of
^15^O, ^21^Na etc.) as well as the proton capture by ^7^Li in the
^3^He + ^7^Li reaction in a common experiment with prof. Spitaleri group
from Catania University which participate in our project.

The financial support is given partly by NSF USA and Ministry of
Education of the Czech Republic (as common project ME 385), and partly
by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic, grant 202/01/0709. This
support includes financial means for cyclotron beam time, purchase of
technicalities and travel expenses necessary for realising of the joint
project. But it cannot cover the replacement of cyclotron power sources
damaged by the flood.

##### The research program of the NPI cyclotron-based fast-neutron facility (CFNF)

The continuously developing activity of Nuclear Reaction Department of
NPI is devoted to the experimental study of neutron fields produced in
charge-particle reactions and to their application in the
fusion-material, the transmutation-technology and the
military-technology research:

## 

## (1) EFDA Technology Workprogramme

Low activation and radiation resistance of technological components
represents the key subjects which determine technical and economic
feasibility of future thermonuclear reactors because the materials
developed for fission reactors are not applicable as a consequence of
significantly different spectrum of neutrons from fission processes. The
primary aim of thermonuclear technologies is to complete the database of
interactions (activation and transport) of fast neutrons with matter.
The international project IFMIF (International Fusion Material
Irradiation Facility), governed at European Union by the EFDA (European
Fusion Development Agreement), is aimed to provide a neutron source with
an energy spectrum simulating that of fusion neutrons of sufficient
intensity to test design hardware and samples of structure materials. In
the conceptual design phase of the project, the response of- and
radiation effects on the IFMIF neutrons are to be investigated at
relevant neutron energies.

The NPI CFNF was accepted to be suitable for solving selected tasks of
the IFMIF neutronics. Relevant R&D program for the 2000-3 year period
has been started at NPI and performed in the close cooperation with
IFMIF participants FZK Karlsruhe, ENEA Frascati and CEA Cadarache. The
following tasks of EFDA Technology Workprogram (Material Testing) are
investigated at NPI:

#### Activation foils and sub-miniature fission chambers: Experimental tests D-Li reaction source term, experimental verification of neutron yield; Neutron data above 20 MeV; Neutron transport benchmark tests.

### The program is supported by grants within the 5^th^ Framework Programme of the European Community and is envisaged to continue within the 6^th^ FP (2003-2007). 

# 

# (2) Transmutation Technology Workprogramme, National Consortium 

# 

# In conceptual designs of subcritical accelerator-driven fission reactors (transmutors) as systems for the safe energy production and for the transmutation of actinide dumps from contemporary reactors, the accelerator serves as the source of neutrons with the dominant or significant spectral component of fast neutrons. One of the key problem of this conception is the model and experimental research of the kinetics of fast neutrons in the „target of the neutron external source / transmutor blanket" system, for which the database is considerably incomplete or missing. The formation of a neutron data library for the production, transport and activation in the range of medium energies is urgently needed.

The NPI CFNF experimental research program concerns the neutronics of AD
system, which employs a subcritical assembly and an external
fast-neutron source based on the NPI cyclotron. The neutron target
station providing up to 10 ^12^ n/s/cm^2^ surrounded by a the blanket of
232 fuel elements (UO~2~ + Mg alloy, 10% of ^235^U) in NaF salt and
graphite blocks serve for benchmarking the Monte-Carlo calculations of
the the target/blanket system neutronics. The program is closely related
to the European Roadmap and envisaged to be accepted in the 6^th^
Framework Programme of the European Community.

Both the astrophysical and neutron research in Nuclear Reaction
Department of NPI are realized by group of 8 PhD physicists and several
technical collaborators.

###### Radiopharmaceutical R&D

The R&D radiopharmaceutical laboratory was practically completely
destroyed and must be built anew. Perhaps, only few instruments could be
repaired. The scientific programs "Labeling of monoclonal antibodies by
iodine-125 and astatine for designing therapeutical
radiopharmaceuticals" and "R&D of radiopharmaceuticals labeled by
^123^I" will be delayed by about half of year.

####### PET laboratory

This clean laboratory was flooded up to 1.5 m. The box for PET
production including production machine was inundated. Most of the
laboratory should be built anew and new equipment should be also
purchased. Also some dosimetric devices have been seriously damaged or
wrecked. Scientific programs, which will be delayed by 3 till 6 months,
are "R&D of new PET radiopharmaceuticals" and "Investigation of
^166^Ho-Macroaggregates and ^166^Ho-Microspheres for synovectomy" The
delay is caused partly by flooding the clean rooms and by the shut down
of the cyclotron and reactor.

### The cyclotron

Almost all technological subsystems of the isochronous cyclotron U-120M
are located in the basement of the cyclotron building. All this floor
space was flooded up to 1,5m during flooding in August this year. Some
rooms with the technological equipments are located below the basement
level so the water in these rooms reached up to 2,3m.

Seriousness of the flood damage is illustrated by the following list of
the cyclotron subsytems which were flooded:

-   high current power supplies for the cyclotron magnetic system i.e.
    special power supply for the cyclotron main coil and twenty power
    supplies for the correction and harmonic coils.

-   high voltage power supplies for the RF generator output cascade
    (anode voltage, screen grid voltage)

-   three high current power supplies for the focussing elements of the
    axial injection system

-   two power supplies for the cyclotron ion source

-   more than twenty high current power supplies for the quadrupole
    lenses, bending and correction magnets of the beam line system

-   high current power supply of the experimental magnet which was used
    for the development of internal ion sources

-   all primary pumps of the cyclotron and beam line vacuum systems
    including electropneumatic vacuum valves

-   cooling systems of the cyclotron parts and diffusion pumps with
    production unit for the deionizing water

After more than two months \"drying and conditioning period\" it is
evident that some of the power supplies were irreparable damaged or
their reliability and long term stability were substantially decreased.
For that reason most of them must be replaced by the new ones.

Due to the lack of the spare parts all primary pumps and vacuum
components must be replaced as well.

All electric distribution frames and panel switchboards of these
subsystems were damaged and nowadays are being replaced by the new ones.

All research projects and production activities connected to the
cyclotron have been stopped as well as the R&D activities carried out in
the cyclotron division.

Temporarily we intend to replace the unreliable power supplies by the
power supplies borrowed from other institutions -- any help will be
gratefully welcomed.

After the verdict resulted from the negotiations with the insurance
company we believe that some of the power supplies will be replaced by
the new ones.

# Nuclear electron spectroscopy 

## The group operates an electrostatic spectrometer measuring energy spectra of electrons emitted during radioactive transformations. In the keV region, the spectrometer exhibits superior energy resolution of 1 eV. In 2001 the group became a founding member of the international collaboration KATRIN ([Ka]{.underline}rlsruhe [Tri]{.underline}tium [N]{.underline}eutrino Experiment) aiming to reach 0.3 eV sensitivity for the electron neutrino mass via measurement of tritium beta spectrum. The group is responsible for energy calibration of the KATRIN spectrometer that requires R&D with the help of the Rez spectrometer. 

The flood in Rez destroyed among others also the forvacuum pump of the
spectrometer, the electric power point for the whole building including
cables to the spectrometer, not speaking about several stores. We had to
operate with very weak emergency electric power for three weeks and have
difficulties with the power stability even now since the installation of
new power cables for our and many other buildings is still not yet
completed.

Semiconductor Detector Group

The main task of the semiconductor detector group is to develop, produce
and test HPGe detectors that can operate at temperatures close to the
liquid helium temperature. The results of development were published in
articles D.Venos at al. Nucl.Instr.Meth. A365 (1995)419: Performance of
HPGe detectors in the temperature region 2-77 K and D.Venos et al.
Nucl.Instr.Meth A454(2000)403: The behaviour of HPGe detectors operating
at temperatures below 77 K.

The detectors are used at liquid helium shields of dilution
refrigerators (NICOLE at CERN, Switzerland, or LISOL at
Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium) for detection of betas or (and) alphas
emitted from nuclei oriented at low temperatures. Measured anisotropies
are interpreted in terms of fine effects of beta decays - contribution
of meson exchange currents to the beta decay probability, isospin
admixtures in ground states of decaying nuclei.

During the floods our vacuum station (placed fixed in basement) --
rotary pump, rootz pump, Pirani and Pening gauges were completely
destroyed. Besides, we lost multichannel analyzer - Canberra85: after
movement it, for safety, from ground floor to the first floor and again
back after the flood was over analyzer is not working. This equipment is
not reparable due to its old age.