[Triumf-seminars] TRIUMF Special Seminar today at 16:00

[TRIUMF Seminars]

Date/Time: Mon 2014-07-21 at 16:00

Location:  Auditorium          

Speaker:   Richard Kouzes (Pacific Northwest National Lab)

Title:     The end of He-3 as we know it

Abstract: Within the last decade, the amount of 3He available has become limited, while the demand has significantly increased, especially for science and national security applications. The largest demand for 3He is in gas proportional counters for neutron detection. No other currently available detection technology offers the stability, sensitivity, and gamma/neutron discrimination of 3He neutron tubes. Such neutron detectors are used in many applications including neutron scattering research, international and homeland security, defense applications, and well logging. Other significant uses include medicine, cryogenics and lasers. The limited supply has curtailed use of 3He; therefore, alternative neutron detection technologies must be implemented. The production of 3He from tritium decay has declined as the nuclear weapons stockpile has been reduced, resulting in a lowered need for tritium to maintain the stockpile. The worldwide, steady state production of 3He is about 10-20 kliter/y, while the demand is much higher. This has driven the search for alternate neutron detection technologies to replace the use of 3He. This talk will provide an overview of the 3He supply problem and all the applications of this rare gas, including neutron detectors to national security.

Stimulants available 15 minutes before the talk.

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General TRIUMF seminar information available at http://www.triumf.ca/home/upcoming-events/about-seminars-lectures