Renovation of a furnace for growth of monocrystals

Abstract

Part of the activities carried out in the Radiation Damage division at CNEA includes the study of radiation hardening, which is conducted using single-crystals. Due to the equipment for their fabrication having been unused for some time and not adhering to the drying curve before usage, a short circuit occurred in the coil. Subsequently, the task of redesigning and repairing the furnace was presented as a project for the summer internship of 2023. As a continuation of the work, after the internship was completed, the first single-crystal growths were conducted to pave the way for subsequent irradiation hardening studies at the RA-1 Reactor. Copper was used in this single-crystal manufacturing experience, employing a variation of the Bridgman-Stockbarger method.