The PSI Hot Laboratory is the only Swiss laboratory authorised to handle large quantities of radioactive materials, including commercial and experimental nuclear fuels.
Your Partner for Radioactive Material Examinations
The nuclear facility Hotlab (HL) of PSI is operated by the Department Hot Laboratory (AHL), which is assigned to the Nuclear Energy and Safety Division (NES) as an independent organizational unit.
The PSI Hotlab is the only Swiss laboratory authorised by the Swiss safety authorities to handle large quantities of radioactive materials including commercial as well as experimental nuclear fuel.
The department AHL is certified according to ISO 9001:2015 (Registration 08-345-020)
Latest News from the Hotlab
MC-EBIS-ICP-MS – a unique dual Ion Source Mass Spectrometer
This highlight presents a successful, in-house developed integration of an Electron Beam Ion Source (EBIS) able to ionize gases to high charge states with a customized commercial MC-ICP-MS. The successful joining of the two ion flight paths is a milestone towards comprehensive routine analyses of solids, liquids, and gases using THE SAME MASS SPECTROMETER, the latter analyses free from atmospheric contamination. After implementation of an introduction system for gas mass spectrometry, routine analyses will comprise isotope ratio and relative abundance determinations of fission gases in used nuclear fuel. In addition to the unique versatility of the MC-EBIS-ICP-MS, inclusion of the EBIS furthers opens the little-studied field of mass spectrometry of highly charged ions.
Cladding tubes and their properties
In the Nuclear Energy and Safety Research Division at PSI, Johannes Bertsch focuses on the so-called cladding tubes that are used in nuclear power plants.
New operational licence
On 21st of February 2019 the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) issued the new operational licence for the PSI Hotlab facility