Partnership between SNUNEI and Institute of Physics (Georgia)
In the Soviet period, unique research was carried out in the fi eld of low temperature radiation materials science involving
original internal channel cryo-equipment using the IRT-M research reactor of the Andronikashvili Institute of Physics (AIP, Tbilisi,
Georgia). Some of these experiments took place in the reactor core at liquid nitrogen and helium temperatures. This work led to the
development of a group of scientists with corresponding methods and experience. The Institute became the leading organisation in
the Soviet Union for work in this fi eld, and from 1973 the lead institute of the Academy of Science of the USSR for problems of
«Solid State Radiation Physics».
After the reactor ceased to operate in 1986, a large group of highly qualifi ed AIP specialists lost contact with their research
base and the volume of work on radiation materials science declined sharply. However, involvement in the CNCP Programme enabled
the Institute of Physics to restore contacts with neighbouring former Soviet nuclear research centres and to re-establish work
by irradiating samples in the reactors of these centres.
In 2009 during the seminar organized by CNCP with KIPT on «Commercialisation of sensor and detector technologies», discussions
took place on collaboration between the Sevastopol National University of Nuclear Energy and Industry (SNUNEI, Sevastopol,
Ukraine) and our Institute. The aim of the discussions was to bring about joint scientifi c work on questions of mutual interest
identifi ed in current scientifi c problems, exchange of experience in conducting scientifi c research, consultancy and joint
seminars. The use of the SNUNEI reactor was proposed for irradiation of our samples.
Agreement was reached and a draft agreement was prepared involving a parallel collaboration with a further organisation
involved in CNCP – the Institute of Nuclear Research (Kiev, Ukraine). In addition, scientific links with various nuclear centres
made it possible to increase the opportunities for irradiation (eg type, energy, neutron flux and so on) and presented
scientists with extensive opportunities for experiments.
Joint research efforts with SNUNEI have already given a first impulse towards resolving problems relating to thermoluminescent
dosimetry – research into a series of oxides which may find applications in fast neutron detectors in mixed radiation fields. It has
been proposed to extend work in these directions.
Vladimir Paverman,
CNCP Coordinator in AIP, Head of the Unit for Scientifi c Links
| 
Home
Nuclear Centres
Armenia
Ukraine