CEA Saclay-CNRS
| Main | Beamline | Access | Contact persons |
The nuclear microprobe of the Laboratoire Pierre Süe is a joint CEA-CNRS facility dedicated to ion microbeam analysis. This tool is particularly designed to investigate the spatial distribution of trace elements at a broad variety of solid samples. Underlying scientific questions arise from physical, chemical, biological or geochemical studies.
Partner: CEA
Website: http://www.cea.fr
Nuclear Microprobe Hot Beam Line (LPS)
The 3.75 MV Van de Graaff accelerator can produce proton, 3He or 4He beams with energies up to 3.75 MeV or deuteron beams up to 1.9 MeV. Ion beam analysis offers a wide range of analytical characterisations, some of them being performed simultaneously:
- Particle Induced X-ray Emission spectrometry
- Rutherford BackScattering spectrometry
- Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis
- Nuclear Reaction Analysis
These techniques are used to quantify trace and major elements at a local scale (down to 1 µm² and 10‑100 µm depth), from hydrogen to uranium with an emphasis on light elements.
The facility is equipped with two beam lines:
- the first one is used to measure “classical” samples
- the second one, situated in a controlled area, is dedicated to radioactive sample characterization.
Access requirements:
A "CEA access form" (form depending on the citizenship: EU or not) has to be completed at least 3 months before (this form includes a medical checking part).
When arriving in Saclay: medical checks are usually performed and a safety and security training period will be required. Depending on the experience of the person, the duration of the stay in Cadarache, and the type of experiment, a more complete security training period (five days) can be mandatory.
Caroline RAEPSAET
