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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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Latest News
The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
A. I. Kislyakov, A. J. H. Donné, L. I. Krupnik, S. S. Medley, M. P. Petrov
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 53 | Number 2 | February 2008 | Pages 577-603
Technical Paper | Plasma Diagnostics for Magnetic Fusion Research | doi.org/10.13182/FST08-A1680
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Three techniques for particle diagnostics of magnetically confined fusion plasmas are reviewed: charge exchange neutral particle analysis, Rutherford scattering, and heavy ion beam probes. The physical basis and instrumentation for each technique are described. Typical examples obtained by these diagnostics are presented. Charge exchange analysis is used for ion temperature measurements in small- and medium-sized plasma devices and for the study of the ion energy distribution function, especially in the suprathermal energy range. It also provides an ion isotope composition determination that is a high-priority task for ITER. Rutherford scattering enables local measurements of the ion temperature as well as measurements of the ion collective velocity. The heavy ion beam probe diagnostic gives a unique opportunity to measure locally the electric plasma potential and, by that, the electric field profile in a plasma and its influence on confinement. Other significant options of this diagnostic are the measurements of the local electron density and fluctuations in these quantities. Prospects for the application of the various techniques to ITER are discussed.