This paper investigates persistent fluctuations and patchy spatial patterns in neutron distributions within a nuclear reactor operating at low power. Experiments conducted at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Reactor Critical Facility revealed these unexpected patterns. The findings are interpreted using a stochastic model based on branching random walks and extended using a numerical reactor core simulation. The implications for nuclear safety are discussed.
Publisher
Communications Physics
Published On
Jul 01, 2021
Authors
Eric Dumonteil, Rian Bahran, Theresa Cutler, Benjamin Dechenaux, Travis Grove, Jesson Hutchinson, George McKenzie, Alexander McSpaden, Wilfried Monange, Mark Nelson, Nicholas Thompson, Andrea Zoia
Tags
neutron distributions
nuclear reactor
fluctuations
stochastic model
nuclear safety
branching random walks
spatial patterns
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