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Laser-crystal sensor measures strong magnetic fields in challenging environments
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have patented a magneto-optical sensor, which uses a rare earth crystal and laser light to measure the strength of intense magnetic fields and electrical currents.
“We think this technology is a pretty major improvement in measuring magnetic fields,” said Israel Owens, a Sandia physicist and co-inventor of the sensor. “We think it’ll be essential especially for research in fusion, high-energy physics, and the power utilities industry. We’re really excited about where things are going.”
J. D. B. Lambert, B. Y. C. So, F. S. Kirn, J. R. Armstrong, E. R. Ebersole, M. T. Laug
Nuclear Technology | Volume 39 | Number 3 | August 1978 | Pages 275-282
Technical Paper | Reactor | doi.org/10.13182/NT78-4
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The detection of a xenon tag released from an element with breached cladding has proved to be the best method of identifying a source of fission product release in the Experimental Breeder Reactor II. From experience gained from December 1974 to September 1977 in identifying the sources of 25 major releases, allowance can now be made for the composition changes in xenon tags brought about by irradiation and for the presence of more than one tag in the cover gas. This experience has also shown that calculated ratios of fission gas to tag gas in subassemblies can be used in identifying a source of release. An ancillary method, which uses the measured 131Xe/ 134Xe ratio in the cover gas, can also determine whether or not the source is uranium. The success of these recent improvements is reflected in the short time to identify a source and in the small number of other sources—frequently none—that are suspect.