Authors V.L. Aksenov, A.E. Verkhoglyadov, M.M. Podlesny and E.P. Shabalin present an analysis of the unique characteristics of the IBR-type reactors created at JINR.
In 1960, the world's first fast pulsed reactor, the IBR, was built at JINR - a facility that opened up new possibilities for neutron research. In 1984, it was replaced by the IBR-2 reactor, which has been operating successfully to this day, remaining a unique neutron source with no analogue in the world. The authors examine in detail the dynamics of pulsed reactors, particularly the problem of power fluctuation instability.
Based on years of analysis, the authors propose the concept of a new reactor, NEPTUN, which should solve the instability problem and take neutron research to a new level.