Using low voltage ionization chamber (LVIC) in current mode for energy spectrum reconstruction: Experiments and...

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Fusion Technology
• Radiation Detection Instrumentation

Background:

• The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) requires robust X-ray detectors for its high-power D-T phase.
• Conventional semiconductor diodes are too fragile for ITER's radiative environment.
• Gas-filled detectors, specifically the Low Voltage Ionization Chamber (LVIC), are promising alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally validate a complete model of the Low Voltage Ionization Chamber (LVIC) developed at IRFM.
• To assess the viability of an industrial LVIC prototype for X-ray measurements in ITER.
• To confirm an innovative method for extracting X-ray spectral information from LVIC current-mode data.

Main Methods:

• Experimental testing of an industrial ITER-grade LVIC prototype at the IRFM laboratory.
• Comparison of experimental data with a recently developed LVIC simulation model.
• Validation of an original approach for X-ray spectral analysis using current-mode LVIC measurements.

Main Results:

• Successful experimental validation of the IRFM's LVIC model using an industrial prototype.
• Demonstration of the LVIC's capability for X-ray detection in a simulated ITER-relevant environment.
• Experimental confirmation of the novel method for X-ray spectrum extraction from LVIC signals.

Conclusions:

• The Low Voltage Ionization Chamber (LVIC) is a viable detector for ITER's nuclear phase.
• The developed modeling approach accurately predicts LVIC performance.
• The new spectral analysis technique is experimentally validated for LVICs.