CROCUS

For the genus of flowering plants, see crocus.

CROCUS is a research reactor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, a research institute and university in Lausanne, Switzerland.

CROCUS
CROCUS' core
Operating Institution	École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Coordinates	46.521238°N 6.570361°E / 46.521238; 6.570361
Power	100 W[1] (thermal)
Construction and Upkeep
Construction Began	January 1, 1970[1]
First Criticality	July 13, 1983[1]
Staff	8[1]
Operators	2[1]
Technical Specifications
Max Thermal Flux	7.5×108 cm-2s-1[1]
Max Fast Flux	1.75×109 cm-2s-1 [1]
Cooling	light water[1]
Neutron Moderator	light water[1]
Neutron Reflector	light water[1]
Control Rods	2[1]

The uranium nuclear reactor core is in an aluminium container that measures 130 centimetres (51 in) across with 1.2-centimetre (0.47 in)-thick walls. The aluminum vessel is filled with demineralized light water to serve as both a neutron moderator and a neutron reflector.^[2]

Power output is controlled either by adjusting the water level in the reactor—with a ±0.1-millimetre (0.0039 in) level of control, or with the adjustment of two boron carbide (B₄C) control rods—with a ±1-millimetre (0.039 in) level of finesse. The reactor has six separate safety systems: two cadmium shields and four storage tanks, any of which can shut down the reaction in less than a second.^[2]

CROCUS has a license to produce 100 watts (0.13 hp) or a neutron flux of ~2.5 × 10⁹ cm^-2s^-1 at the core's center.^[2]