Low and Medium Energy Physics F2 / Desno

LOW AND INTERMEDIATE ENERGY PHYSICS - F2

Departmental web pages
References

Head of Department
Dr. Primož Pelicon, Asst. Prof., primoz.pelicon@ijs.si

Secretary
Mojca Gantar
Telephone: +386 1 477 34 12

Fundamental research in nuclear physics is carried out within the Hadron Systems Structure group. At the MAMI laboratory, (Mainz, Germany), Jefferson Lab (Newport News, USA) and the MIT-Bates (Boston, ZDA) laboratory the group's memebrs participate in the planning, execution and analysis of coincidence experiments with polarised electron beams and polarised targets. At the iThemba LABS in Cape Town, South Africa, we have recently carried out high-energy gamma-ray measurements with the AFRODITE HPGe detector array in order to study radiative nuclear capture of protons on a 208-Pb target. This was a world's first spectroscopic measurement of 20 Mev photons with high resolution detectors. The resolution was improved by a factor of more than 10 with regard to earlier measurements.

Our Laboratory for Radiological Measurement Systems and Radioactivity Measurements (LMR) is a leading one of its kind in Slovenia and carries out an extensive environmental monitoring program around the Krsko nuclear power plant, whithin the framework of which about 700 samples of water, air, foodstuffs and soil are taken from the plant itself and above all from the surounding areas on a yearly basis in order to determine the specific activites of natural and artificial radionuclides in them and to arrive at a comprehensive assessment of the radoilogical impact of the NPP on the local population and environment. Two similar, but less extensive programs are run on the entire area of the country as well. We also perform gamma-ray spectrometry and liquid scintillation measurements of samples for the indistry and other interested clients. An important part of our activitiy is also research in both methods, with the emphasis of the introduction of the newly devised approaches into everyday practice. We keep constant track of our performance and maintain our proficiency through regular participation in national and internatioal intercomparison exercises.

The LMR laboratory also mantains and runs a mobile radiological unit, equipped and regularly trained for speedy intervention in emergency situation. The unit carries out interventions on a need-to basis, but maintains its operational capability by participating in national and international exercises several times a year.

The National Laboratory for Dosimetry Standards (NDS) was officialy nominated in 2004 by the Slovene Metrology Offfice as the keeper of the Sovene national reference standard for quantities used in radiation protection. The activities of the Laboratory within the Slovene metrological network concentrate on the maintenance of tracebality of secondary radiaiton standards and calibration of personal dosimeters, as required by national and international legislation on the radition protection of radiation workers. In addition to the routine calibration services offered to internal and external customers, research is carried out by the laboratory in radition metrology.

The Laboratory for Thermoluminiscent Dosimetry caters to the needs of internal and external customers in personal and environmental dosimetry and carries out research in the field of radition detection and measurement.