Radiation resistance of high frequency ultrasonic devices for distance measurement in the RHF

Abstract

The fuel element plates of research reactors are subjected to swelling phenomena. These structure modifications impact an initial inter-plate distance of 1.8 mm. An ultrasonic device has been developed to investigate this parameter. With a 1 mm thickness, it relies on two transducers linked to an electronic system. The feasibility of the distance measurement has been proved in a previous study and the irradiation impact on the transducer components is here studied. To do so, a radiation resistance experiment was realized in the Arc-Nucleart Institute of Grenoble. It allowed the study of the influence of radiations on the device active and passive components’ characteristics.