Biopharma Insights We present experiments in which real nuclear fuel, cladding, and containment materials are laser heated to temperatures beyond 3,000 K while their behavior is studied by radiance spectroscopy and thermal analysis. These experiments simulate, on a laboratory scale, the formation of a lava-phase following a nuclear reactor core meltdown.
Total time
~4–8 hours per sample (including laser heating, cooling, and spectroscopic analysis)
Steps
1
Prepare pyrometer calibration and nuclear material samples
Calibrate the radiance pyrometer using reference standards and prepare real nuclear fuel, cladding, and containment material specimens. Ensure samples are properly mounted and characterized before heating.
▶ 01:09
2
Apply laser heating and acquire spectro-pyrometry data
Use a high-power laser to heat samples to temperatures exceeding 3,000 K while simultaneously measuring radiance and thermal properties via spectro-pyrometry. Monitor sample behavior in real-time during heating ramps.
▶ 03:42
3
Analyze emissivity and phase transition behavior
Process spectroscopic and thermal data to determine material emissivity, identify phase transitions, and characterize lava-like phase formation. Correlate observations with meltdown accident scenarios.
▶ 05:58