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Academia and industry collaboration

Helping to develop a state-of-the-art neutron diagnostic

13 Jan 2025

An international consortium is working together to deliver a high-performance diagnostic system essential for ITER’s mission—the high-resolution neutron spectrometer.

A CAD rendering of the HRNS diagnostic system located in the port cell of an equatorial port (#01). The system's four neutron spectrometers are installed within two large shielding enclosures (opened cuboids in the figure). Uncollided neutrons escaping the plasma are guided toward the spectrometers through a 40-millimetre-in-diameter collimator, for precise measurements in the core of the plasma”.

On 5-6 December 2024, the consortium developing ITER's high-resolution neutron spectrometer (HRNS) met at Uppsala University in Sweden to review the project's progress. The HRNS, a state-of-the-art neutron diagnostic, is being developed through a collaborative effort between the ITER Organization, Uppsala University and Fagerström (Sweden), the Institute of Nuclear Physics (IFJ-PAN, Poland), and the National Research Council of Italy (CNR).

The meeting marked a key moment in the project as the team assessed the current status of HRNS development and laid the groundwork for the upcoming preliminary design reviews. Once operational, the HRNS will play a critical role in ITER, providing high-precision measurements of neutron spectra to support plasma performance and fusion research.

The HRNS system is composed of four distinct spectrometers: the thin-foil proton recoil (TPR) spectrometer, the neutron diamond detector (NDD) spectrometer, and the forward and backward time-of-flight (TOF) spectrometers. Each spectrometer utilizes a unique measurement principle, delivering independent yet complementary measurements. Together, these spectrometers cover the full dynamic range of ITER’s nuclear operations, providing a comprehensive and robust diagnostic for fusion research.

The project is co-funded by the ITER Organization, the Swedish Energy Agency, the Polish Ministry of Education and Science under the International Co-financed Projects program, and the Italian National Research Council. This partnership reflects the international collaboration at the heart of ITER, bringing together expertise and resources from across the globe to advance fusion diagnostic technologies. 

"The HRNS project exemplifies what can be achieved when organizations from different countries combine their knowledge and efforts,” says Bruno Coriton, HRNS Project Coordinator at ITER. “This diagnostic system will be instrumental to ITER’s goals of achieving high-power fusion energy.”

Max Collins, Swedish Industrial Liaison Officer for ITER and Fusion for Energy, emphasized the broader impact of the project. "The engagement of Swedish companies and research groups in Big Science projects like ITER is crucial for driving innovation and boosting the competitiveness of Sweden. This collaboration not only enhances their capabilities in cutting-edge fusion technology but also raises awareness of ITER and of the transformative potential of fusion energy in Sweden."

At this stage of the HRNS project, scientific research and advanced technology implementations are closely intertwined. Hence, a close collaboration between academic research, high-tech industry and the ITER Organization has been established. According to Anders Hjalmarsson, Lead Scientist at Uppsala University, “this cooperation is a necessity to achieve a successful outcome in the challenging task of developing and interfacing a HRNS system at ITER.”

Looking ahead, the consortium is focused on meeting key design milestones and ensuring the HRNS aligns with ITER’s demanding technical and operational requirements. As preparations for the preliminary design reviews move forward, the project is on track to deliver a high-performance diagnostic system essential for ITER’s mission.

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