Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion’s Post

✨ Exciting milestone — my first paper as a PhD student has just been published in the Journal of Nuclear Materials! In this work, we studied the structural dynamics of molten chlorides with applications in next-generation nuclear reactors, i.e., molten salt reactors. Using a combination of experimental techniques (high-temperature and solid-state NMR) and computational methods (classical molecular dynamics and DFT), we elucidate how different carrier salts, such as NaCl and MgCl₂, influence the local coordination environment of lanthanide/actinide (III) ions at elevated temperatures. 🔑 Key findings: • HT NMR is ultra-sensitive to small variations in La–Cl and Cl–La coordination numbers • NaCl promotes the formation of extended polymer networks through chloride bridging • MgCl₂ encourages more homogenous distribution of La³⁺ ions in the molten salt matrix through the formation of isolated [LaClₙ]³⁻ⁿ units. • DFT-parametrised interatomic potentials enable accurate characterisation of interatomic distances in molten salts • Subtle differences in atomic-scale dynamics may bear meaningful impacts on the macroscopic properties of real MSR fuels, such as viscosity and oxide solubility. I’m grateful to my co-authors and academic supervisors for their guidance and support on this first publication, and I look forward to extending this work by demonstrating how atomic-scale dynamics influence viscosity and oxide solubility in molten salts (Hint: Coming soon!!). 📄 Link to the paper: https://lnkd.in/eXhmiWNp

Recent experimental work has provided the first laboratory evidence of "multi-scale coupling" in plasma, demonstrating how microscopic electron beam interactions can induce macroscopic changes in plasma structure. Using a spherical torus device, researchers observed that micro-level magnetic turbulence led to magnetic reconnection, fundamentally altering the plasma. These findings have significant implications for nuclear fusion research and space weather modeling, offering new insights into plasma behavior that could advance clean energy technologies and improve predictions of phenomena such as solar flares and geomagnetic storms.

The Applied Radiation And Medical Physics group welcomes Lois Wright as a new PhD student. Lois joins us after graduating with a first-class MPhys from Loughborough University, where she explored simulations of microbeam radiotherapy under the supervision of Jenny Spiga. We are delighted that she enjoyed it so much that she's now joining us for her PhD. Globally there are many legacy nuclear estates – often built decades ago without consideration for their eventual fate – which are now undergoing nuclear decommissioning and remediation. One of the many challenges for decommissioning these sites is the in-situ analysis of vessels, pipes, packages, and other plant infrastructure. Instruments are needed that can image internal structure and provide quantitative information on density and elemental makeup – both ‘what’ and ‘where’ – while also being easy to deploy in challenging environments. Lois' work will explore new imaging techniques to address this problem.

A team science announcement from TETI ahead of 2025 EFRC PI meeting. A paper on quantum materials science in nuclear fuels lead by my graduating PhD student Saqeeb Adnan in collaboration with INL, ORNL and AFRL. We investigate the interaction between phonons and magnetic excitations in (U,Th)O2 using a range of methods including single crystal growth; inelastic x-ray scattering at APS; thermal conductivity, magnetization and Raman spectroscopy measurements; combined with first principles calculations of phonons in strongly electron correlated system; lattice thermal conductivity calculations using Boltzmann transport formalism and classical quantum mechanical treatment of phonon-spin interactions. https://lnkd.in/erxYP-HS Contributions from Zilong Hua, Puspa Upreti, Ph.D., Hao Ma, Erika Nosal, Shuxiang Zhou, Sabin Regmi, Timothy A. Prusnick, Karl Rickert, PhD, Krzysztof Gofryk, J. Matthew Mann, david hurley, Mike Manley,   #EFRC, #TETI, #UO2

⚛️🍉 A Watermelon-Shaped Nuclear Discovery! 🍉⚛️ It has taken ~30 years for Bismuth-185 to be beaten as the heaviest proton emitter! But researchers at The University of Jyväskylä have identified a new heaviest proton-emitting nucleus, Astatine-188!! This unstable nucleus is “watermelon” shaped, challenging the status quo of exotic nuclei and suggesting unusual forces between the valence proton and nucleus. ☢️Why does this matter beyond physics?☢️ Isotopes like ¹⁸⁸At are too short-lived for medical use, but the methods and models developed to elucidate its structure further our understanding and ability to study other exotic nucleii/ proton emitters! Other Astatine isotopes feature in nuclear medicine (²¹¹At alpha therapy), and so understanding more about the element is key. Article: https://lnkd.in/ePjKGM-q Part of Henna Kokkonen's Doctoral Thesis, amazing! #NuclearPhysics #MedicalInnovation #Radiopharmaceuticals #Oncology #At #Research #Astatine #watermelon

Researchers have completed a major milestone in the construction of the Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking Array (GRETA), a cutting-edge detector designed to probe the mysteries of atomic nuclei. Built through a collaboration led by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, with support from Argonne, Oak Ridge, and Michigan State University, GRETA represents the next leap forward in nuclear physics. Innovation News Network https://lnkd.in/gCDdzKJY #nuclearphysics #physics #science #research #innovation

📢 📢 📢  Sub-THz Characterization of Technical Surfaces for Particle Accelerator Vacuum Chambers 🧑🔬: Andrea Passarelli*,Maria Rosaria Masullo,Zahra Mazaheri and Antonello Andreone 🏫:National Institute for Nuclear Physics-Naples Unit, Monte Sant’Angelo University Complex and University of Naples Federico II 👓:Coatings play a crucial role in the functionality of vacuum chambers in particle accelerators, serving a dual goal by efficiently facilitating pumping and mitigating electron cloud effects. However, their impact on the surface impedance of the chamber walls raises concerns, potentially affecting the machine performance and imposing limitations on achievable energies and currents. Therefore, an electromagnetic characterization is essential for a comprehensive study of accelerator structures, particularly in the context of the next-generation machines where the demand for extremely short particle bunches accentuates the importance of evaluating material responses in the very-high-frequency region. We present a technique for probing the sub-THz response of coating materials by measuring pulsed signals passing through a specifically designed waveguide, in which is placed a slab with the deposited material under test. The proposed methodology allows for a comprehensive exploration of the electromagnetic properties of the most used technical surfaces (substrate plus coatings) in accelerators under realistic conditions, providing valuable insights into their behavior in the sub-THz frequency range. The experimental data of three different Non-Evaporable Getter coating samples, prepared on a copper substrate at the CERN deposition facilities under different sputtering conditions, are discussed. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex interactions between coatings and accelerator structures, with the aim of optimizing performance and efficiency in the evolving landscape of particle acceleration technologies. The limitations and advantages of the technique are also reported. 👉:https://lnkd.in/gMJ_wg82

🌍 FASEM 2026 – Energy Applications: from Experiments to Data Analysis We are glad to share an exciting initiative from the French-Swedish Academy for Scattering Experiments and Modeling (FASEM). The next advanced school will be host in Grenoble, France, from March 16–20, 2026. This 5-day school will provide French and Swedish PhD students with in-depth training in X-ray and neutron scattering techniques and their applications to cutting-edge energy research. From experimental methods to advanced data analysis using AI, Bayesian inference, and multimodal approaches, participants will gain both theoretical foundations and practical skills. Highlights include: ✔ Lectures, hands-on sessions, and case studies ✔ Visits to the ESRF and ILL facilities ✔ Networking opportunities with leading researchers and institutions ✔ Strengthening of French-Swedish collaboration in the context of the upcoming European Spallation Source (ESS) We are also delighted to announce that Gabriel Lazaro Pavel, ENEN Director, will serve as a member of the Advisory Committee, reinforcing ENEN’s commitment to supporting education, training, and cross-border collaboration in nuclear science and energy applications. 📅 Save the date: March 16–20, 2026 | Grenoble, France #ENEN #FASEM2026 #EnergyResearch #NeutronScattering #XRayScattering #NuclearEducation #ResearchCollaboration #ESS #ESRF #ILL #ENEN #Education #Nuclear

Excited to share our latest research on diamond-based quantum sensors and their role in advancing NMR spectroscopy at the microscale. 🔍 In many real-world samples, especially solids, it's been tough to extract clean nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals because of the complex interactions between nuclei. Our new approach overcomes this by using a combination of radio frequency (RF) and microwave (MW) control, synchronized precisely to "quiet" those interactions and reveal spectroscopic data. The method is designed for deployment on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond 💎 and to operate at high magnetic fields, where enhanced nuclear polarization naturally boosts signal strength. This technique allows for more accurate and high-resolution analysis of solid-materials, something that impacts material science. Thanks to my amazing co-authors Carlos Munuera Javaloy and Ander Tobalina who made this work possible! https://lnkd.in/dSUdeaA3