Latvian Academy of Sciences

NUCLEAR RESEARCH CENTRE

Miera iela 31, Salaspils-1, LV 2169
Tel.: (371) 7901210. Fax: (371) 7901212
E-mail brzs@lanet.lv
http://www.lza.lv/inst/en/in02.htm

Director Dr. phys. A. LAPENAS
Chairman of the Scientific Council Dr. habil.phys. U. ULMANIS

The Nuclear Research Centre was founded in 1992 by separating the Nuclear Reactor and several laboratories from the Institute of Physics. Its main experimental base, the Salaspils Nuclear Reactor, is working since 1961. The thermal power of the reactor is 5 MW, the intensity of the gamma radiation loop 10-40 Gy/s.

The structure of atomic nuclei is investigated by nuclear spectroscopy methods (P. Prokofjevs, A. Afanasjevs, M. Balodis, J. Berzins, V. Bondarenko, N. Kramere, and L. Simonova) and fundamental properties of neutrons and correlations between nuclear models are theoretically studied (J. Tambergs and T. Krasta). Investigations are performed in co-operation with the Munich Technical University (Germany), Livermore National Laboratory (the USA), the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (Dubna, Russia), the Czech Institute of Nuclear Physics (Prague), and the Lund Technical University (Sweden).

Oxides solid solutions and radiation defects in dielectric crystals are investigated by methods of optical, magnetical, and structure analysis in co-operation with the Institute of University of Latvia Solid State Physics and the Institute of Metal Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (N. Mironova, U. Ulmanis, and V. Skvorcova).

Neutron activation analysis is realized to determine the concentration of heavy metals and toxic elements in objects of the environment, food, medicine, and inorganic and technological materials (D. Riekstina and O. Veveris).

Radioactive isotopes 99mTc and 127Xe for medical use are produced, radiation sterilization of medical instruments is performed, and the jewellery properties of natural mineral amber are improved.

Main Areas of Research and Results

• Nuclear physics (P. Prokofjevs, Full mem. LAS; and J. Tambergs). The nuclear structure of 123, 125Te, 183, 187W, and 170Tm has been studied. The results have been interpreted in the framework of quasiparticle phonon and interacting boson-fermion models. Experimental results of superdeformed nuclei (86Mo, 109Sb, and 142Eu) have been theoretically described. Within the framework of a strictly restricted dynamic model for the first time the binding and excited level energies were calculated for nuclei within the mass region 40 << A << 60. Analysis of neutron-electron scattering length and its connection to the theoretical description of the mean square charge radius of the neutron has been studied.
• Solid state physics (N. Mironova). The peculiarities of phase transfer in the MgO-CoO and distribution of nickel ions in MgO-NiO oxide systems has been discovered.
• Solid state radiation physics (U. Ulmanis and A. Petrovs). The influence of the electric field and temperature on Al2O3 electrical and optical properties has been observed. Properties of gadolinium defect structure in high temperature superconductors irradiated by thermal neutrons have been experimentally clarified.
• Radiation metrology (A. Lapenas). For the needs of institutions of Latvia, calibration of radiometers, dosimeters, and gamma-spectrometers as well as calibration of alpha, beta, and gamma radioactive sources is performed.
• Neutron activation analysis (D. Riekstina). The distribution of macro- and microelements in plant geological samples as well as in underground waters and sediments of wells has been detected in Kurzeme coastal areas (western part of Latvia); the migration of 137Cs in surface cover of leaf-bearing forests was studied.

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Last update: 01-12-2005 18:53:58