Study of the radiation induced electromotive force effect on mineral insulated cables for magnetic diagnostics in ITER

Abstract

In the framework of the development of magnetic diagnostics for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a study of the radiation induced electromotive force (RIEMF) effect on mineral insulated (MI) cables has been performed. In this study, RIEMF currents induced in various cables, exposed to either a pure gamma field or a combined neutron–gamma field (BR2 reactor), were measured and compared to results from Monte Carlo neutron/gamma/electron transport calculations. Despite the fact that the code is very accurate at predicting neutron-induced RIEMF currents, the predictions for gamma-induced RIEMF currents are less reliable due to imperfect knowledge of all the detailed parameters. Some recommendations are given to minimize the neutron-induced current contributions that could seriously complicate the signal interpretation of the magnetic diagnostics of ITER.