Projects of the XXI century

ARIADNA collaboration gains momentum

A new page in the history of applied research at JINR

The record-breaking session at the NICA accelerator complex under construction gave rise to new research in the framework of the ARIADNA collaboration (Applied Research Infrastructure for Advance Development at NICA fAcility). The samples were irradiated from 11 December, 2022 to 30 January, 2023 at a new stand in the BM@N facility area. The staff members of the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMBP RAS), the Semyonov Federal Research Centre for Chemical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FRC CP RAS), the Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre - branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "NMIC of Radiology" of the Russian Ministry of Health (MRRC named after A.F.Tsyb, Obninsk), D.I.Mendeleev Russian Chemical Technology University (RCTU), Joint Institute of High Temperatures of the Russian Academy of Sciences (JIHT RAS) participated in the joint work. A number of organizations participated indirectly as developers of innovative materials or innovative approaches to experiment design.

We asked Deputy Head of the Department for Research and Innovation of VBLHEP Oleg Belov to comment on the course of the experiment and the results.

The research programme ARIADNA, in my opinion, develops very extensively. We have already reported in our newspaper about the numerous discussions and the interest of the scientific community in this work. What "materialized" these ideas and plans?

- About a year ago, development of the SOCHI station (Station of Irradiation of Chips) was completed for irradiation of microcircuits using ions of relatively low energies - 3.2 MeV/nucleon at the NICA complex. Today, we have access to a beam with energies several orders of magnitude higher - 3.8 GeV/nucleon that significantly expands the possibilities for applied work.

The possibilities of the BM@N facility were used to irradiate the samples. How was this combination possible?

- The BM@N experiment is aimed at studying the properties of dense baryonic matter in the interactions of heavy ion beams with fixed targets. This experiment was the first to start its work at the NICA accelerator complex. At the same time, the BM@N design allows to additionally use the beam at the outlet of the facility. In order to implement the applied research programme on this beam, a stand was specially equipped that allowed to irradiate samples in parallel with the accumulation of statistics from the BM@N experiment and is suitable for meeting a wide range of tasks.

Chronicle of events

In the first days of work on the new stand, a range of scientific and methodological tasks on beam diagnostics and dosimetry were implemented. The intensive work of the team of specialists of the MRRC named after A.F.Tsyb, using a complex of own dosimetric equipment used for accurate dosimetry in the field of ion therapy, allowed to establish the basic beam parameters and to plan irradiation schemes for various samples.

The tasks of the IBMP RAS in this session were related to the research of protective properties, radiation resistance and radio modification of composite materials for the space industry. The second experiment of the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences was the work related to determining the impact of heavy ions on the germination of seeds and the characteristics of plant development.

Specialists of the FRC CP RAS solved the problems of studying the structural modification and the state of matter as a result of the impact of accelerated ion beams on artificial sapphires (Al₂O₃). A significant part of the FRC CP RAS programme in this session was dedicated to investigations of radiation damage to thin polymer films up to 100 µm thick, developed on the basis of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE and thermoradiation-modified PTFE), polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyimide and accelerated xenon ions with an energy of 3.8 GeV/nucleon irradiated using beams.

One of the topical tasks of the session was work on the line of the JIHT RAS, concerning the irradiation of tapes from high-temperature superconductors - HTSC tapes of the 2nd generation. The goal of joint research by JINR and JIHT RAS scientists in this area is to develop techniques for increasing the critical current - the maximum current that a superconductor can withstand without loss of superconductivity - by developing radiation defects (pinning centres). In the experiment, vertically and horizontally positioned HTSC tapes with and without copper coating were irradiated.

The programme of the experiment also included work on irradiating targets made of various metals and measuring the spectra of induced activity. In particular, the ⁷Be, ²²Na, and ²⁴Na isotopes were identified in the spectra of aluminum targets irradiated with xenon ions with an energy of 3.8 GeV/nucleon. Currently, work is underway to analyze all the obtained spectra and to determine the yields of the detected nuclides.

Reliable partner of JINR

The IBMP RAS is a long-term partner of JINR in the field of studying the biological effect of cosmic radiation in ground-based experiments using charged particle accelerators. The first cooperation between JINR and this scientific centre has started literally since the moment of foundation of both organizations. In the early 1960s, research was carried out at the JINR synchrocyclotron that even then had as its task the simulation of radiation conditions in the Earth's orbit. In the 1970s, a research centre was built on the territory of JINR and a laboratory of the IBMP RAS was opened to study the radiobiological effects of heavy ions. This year, the IBMP RAS celebrates its 60th anniversary and the anniversary year is marked by the beginning of a new round of cooperation between the two organizations within the framework of the ARIADNA collaboration.

"We were looking forward to the start of this session, when particles with "our" energies will appear at the NICA complex: up to several GeV per nucleon. It is they that allow to simulate cosmic radiation, obtaining streams of those very particles: the nuclei of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, iron, xenon and others. For us, NICA is a kind of cosmic radiation simulator that affects, among other things, spacecraft crews," Head of the Radiation Safety Department for manned space flights at the IBMP RAS Vyacheslav Shurshakov commented.

Irradiation of composite materials

On the International Space Station, astronauts' cabins, where they spend most of their time, protrude beyond the bulk of the station. As the Department of radiation safety of manned space flights at the IBMP RAS found out, as a result, the radiation dose obtained in them is 20-30% higher than in other rooms. To solve this problem, scientists from the Belgorod State Technological University named after V.G.Shukhov proposed a protective material that was delivered to the ISS, where starting from February 2022, the experiment "Protective Composite" has been implemented in the left cabin of the Russian segment of the station.

The material is a composite based on a polymer matrix from fluoroplast with a modified filler - bismuth oxide and a nanodispersed filler of tungsten carbide. The composite has been manufactured using an innovative technology, thanks to which it has acquired mechanical and radiation resistance. However, it contains inclusions of tungsten, titanium and other heavy elements that can generate secondary neutrons.

A more advanced development of Belgorod scientists is a new composite material that consists of polytetrafluoroethylene. In addition to bismuth oxide and tungsten carbide, titanium hydride and boron carbide are added to it. To protect the cabins, this material with a thickness of only 3-4 cm is enough that will reduce the volume of the room to a lesser extent. In the future, it is expected to be used at the Russian Orbital Service Station (ROSS) and on new generation manned transport spacecraft.

An experiment on the irradiation of two composites with beams of heavy nuclei has been carried out at NICA for several days. Based on the results of the experiment, a whole range of tests and examinations is currently prepared. Staff members of the Department of Scientific and Methodological Research and Innovations of VBLHEP analyzed the irradiated samples in order to determine the degree of activation of elements in the composition of the material under the influence of xenon ion beams. Structural changes in these two materials will also be estimated.

Irradiation of seeds

"We launch seeds into space to evaluate their suitability for future missions. Seeds are more resistant to radiation than people, for they are more simply arranged, however, changes occur in them. With xenon nuclei, we will get a unique result," Vyacheslav Shurshakov said.

The ability of seeds to germinate in space, on the one hand, is a pragmatic aspect - astronauts will be able to diversify their diet during long flights. But the view of the greenhouse is also a positive psychological effect - biological objects allow astronauts in orbit to brighten up the monotony of life and loneliness.

As for the seeds that obtained their dose of ionizing radiation at NICA, scientists at the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences will evaluate their germination after irradiation, as well as determine germination, leaf size and other development parameters. Using modern microscopic techniques, chromosomal aberrations will be studied.

A vision for the future

In addition to the research already carried out, the Institute of Biomedical Problems has big plans to develop cooperation with JINR. On 11 January, 2023, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the ARIADNA collaboration and the IBMP RAS.

One of the areas of cooperation will be the search for optimal ways to protect against radiation in space. It includes both biological and physical aspects related to the investigation of the protective properties of various materials. In 2028-2030, it is expected to deploy the first stage of development of the Russian Orbital Service Station in an unprecedented high-latitude orbit with an increased level of radiation. In this regard, the issues of developing promising techniques for reducing radiation risk are decisive for the successful operation of the plant in the future. Vyacheslav Shurshakov said that IBMP currently develops local protection for astronauts. Components of this ammunition are also expected to be tested on the beams of the NICA complex. In line for research are new high-energy neutron dosimeters for space purposes.

Oleg Valerievich, please, tell us in general about the results of the session.

- I would like to note the pioneering nature of the research carried out, primarily in view of the use of heavy ions of relatively high energies, in which many effects of radiation exposure remain poorly understood. At the same time, the determination of the correlation between the change in the properties of materials and the parameters of radiation exposure increases the reliability of forecasts for the radiation resistance of products. This is important for devices operating in fields of ionizing radiation: in space, nuclear medicine, nuclear technology. Such investigations allow to optimize the modes of use of equipment, to improve the weight and size characteristics of devices and to develop new techniques of radiation protection.

The main amount of data on the implemented experiment has yet to be processed - after the session, the samples are still analyzed at specialized institutes that are members of the ARIADNA collaboration. In general, the current stage can be characterized as a successful start of work. I would like to emphasize the contribution of the employees of the Department of Scientific and Methodological Research and Innovation of VBLHEP to the implementation of the programme of the experiment and especially note the efforts of the Accelerator Department, engineering services and other departments of the laboratory in terms of ensuring the operation of the accelerator complex during the entire session.

(To be continued)

Based on the information from the JINR Press Office