Microtron M-30
Institute of Electron Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

The M-30 microtron is mounted in the special laboratory premises (800 м2 total area) with the 2.9 ha sanitary-protective zone. An M30 microtron provides the possibility to change the accelerated electron energy smoothly within the 1–25 MeV range at the 0.02% energy spread and up to 50 μA electron current. Such parameters allow one to produce the intense fields of the electron, ϒ, and neutron radiation aimed at studying the fundamental and applied nuclear physics problems. More details:

• number of M-30 orbits 29;

• maximal value of the electron beam average current of M-30 - 10 to 50 μA, depending on their energy;

• output yield - 80 to 100%, radiation pulse duration - 0.2 to 0.3 μs;

• pulse repetition frequency - 2 kHz.

The microtron M-30 parameters were checked by periodic certification. The certification is aimed at studying methods of measurements of integrated fluence, flux density, energy of accelerated electrons, non-uniformity of irradiation across the beam cross-section and determination of accuracy of all these methods. Another group of parameters to be certified is related to the spatial, temporal and energy characteristics of the nuclear particles beam (energy, flux density, distribution of flux density). Finally, the operating characteristics of facilities or nuclear physics and determination of tolerated deviations, providing the energy and flux density of the nuclear particles to be kept within the given error in course of irradiation are also the subject of certification.

The studies have shown that the available methods provide the following characteristics for the microtron of IEP, Ukr.Nat.Acad.Sci. Here we list the main specifications of the microtron M-30 as the test bench:

1. electron flux density to be measured within 25%;

2. integrated electron fluence to be determined within 30%;

3. electron flux density non-uniformity to be measured within 30% across the irradiated area of 600x400 mm2;

4. electron energy (1 to 25 MeV) in the beam incidence plane to be determined within 10% at irradiation at ambient atmosphere;

5. pulse characteristics of the electron beam to be measured.

In order to form uniform flux density and required energy spectrum in the plane of the location of the irradiated sample, several devices for smoothing the electron beam were constructed. By variation of thickness and shape of the scattering plates, one can adjust the energy spectrum shape (e.g., exponential shape, typical for electrons and protons of the Earth radiation belts), probable energy value, and the irradiation field uniformity. There is the possibility of heating or cooling the samples in vapors of liquid nitrogen, as well as testing without or with the connection of the samples to power supply depending on the testing conditions.

The abilities of the M-30 microtron are widely used in the performance of research and economic contracts for the State Space Agency of Ukraine, the State Enterprise "Design Bureau "Pivdenne," National Science Center Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology (Kharkov), Institute for Nuclear Research (Kyiv) NAS of Ukraine, with joint research with scientific groups from Kyiv University the name T.G. Shevchenko, Lviv Polytechnic National University, Lutsk Technical University, Chernivtsi National University, Uzhhorod National University, and others.

According to the decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 472-p of 19.08.2002, the M-30 microtron was included in the list of objects that make up the national heritage of Ukraine.

For the state and prospects of fundamental and applied studies using the electron accelerator microtron) M-30 see here.