Hot Laboratory (AHL)

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The PSI Hot Laboratory is the only Swiss laboratory authorised to handle large quantities of radioactive materials, including commercial and experimental nuclear fuels.

About us

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)

ISO 9000
First combined Plasma and Gas Source Mass Spectrometer for alternate isotope and element ratio Analyses of Solids, Liquids, and Gases

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.

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