Spectroscopy devices

Description

NNL has been working with Applied Photonics Limited (APL, Skipton, UK) for a number of years to evaluate and develop laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for use in Windscale Cave 6. LIBS can be used to study the elemental composition of surfaces of materials and has been identified as a critical technique for the coolant chemistry investigation (CCI). All work to date has been undertaken on a sole source basis. The project requires those involved to be UK nationals and hold additional security clearances. Only APL could readily supply staff meeting these requirements. APL also have relevant experience from working on UK and international nuclear sites. TRL8 was achieved during financial year 2018/191,2, with 2 LIBS systems installed and tested in Cave 6. 1 system has its laser mounted external to the cave and introduces laser light into the cave via a modified wallplug, designed and engineered by APL. The other system has a much smaller laser system at the end of an umbilical. NNL has been working with Applied Photonics Limited (APL, Skipton, UK) for a number of years to evaluate and develop laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for use in Windscale Cave 6. LIBS can be used to study the elemental composition of surfaces of materials and has been identified as a critical technique for the coolant chemistry investigation (CCI). All work to date has been undertaken on a sole source basis. The project requires those involved to be UK nationals and hold additional security clearances. Only APL could readily supply staff meeting these requirements. APL also have relevant experience from working on UK and international nuclear sites. TRL8 was achieved during financial year 2018/191,2, with 2 LIBS systems installed and tested in Cave 6. 1 system has its laser mounted external to the cave and introduces laser light into the cave via a modified wallplug, designed and engineered by APL. The other system has a much smaller laser system at the end of an umbilical which enters the cave via a standard spiral wallplug. Both systems have in-cave collection optics, which transmit light emitted from samples after laser excitation back to a spectrometer, external to the cave, via fibre optic connections. Spectrometers and data-processing computers are connected to the NNL secure network to enable remote data processing. NNL have identified 4 areas requiring support during financial years 2019–20 and 2020–21. Funding has been secured from the customer to support this work. The full period is 1.4.2019 to 31.3.2021. All previous contracts were concluded on or before 31.3.2019. 1) Provide technical support, as detailed below, to the 2 installed LIBS systems for a period of 24 months commencing 1.4.2019 at Cave 6 Windscale Laboratory, Sellafield. On-site work to be conducted by SC-cleared itinerant P4 pass-holders signed onto NNL’s N- and A- briefs, and to include: — quarterly site visits to test and maintain the LIBS equipment at Cave 6. These visits are to fall on mutually convenient dates in May, August, November and February (or as near to these months as possible, by agreement between NNL and the supplier), — testing shall include demonstration of performance of key components (laser, beam delivery and collection optics, spectrometer, supporting PC, links to NNL secure network) via collection of test spectra from the supplied sample cups and transmission into the secure network for processing in the B22 secure room, — provide consumables to support taking the laser systems from care and maintenance state to operational state for the purpose of the visit (laser coolant, filters, DI cartridges), — complete software upgrades and bug fixes (see section 2), — return the laser systems back to care and maintenance state after testing (i.e. drain coolant water), — supplier to maintain availability of selected spare parts, — maintain technical readiness (i.e. skill base within supplier) for future operation of the LIBS equipment, — participation in tele-conference progress meetings as required by NNL. These to take place on a monthly basis, with the agenda to include planning for the quarterly maintenance visits discussion and progress with items 2–4 of this specification, — production of quarterly reports stating the current condition of the LIBS equipment and any improvements made during that quarter, — maintenance/updating of Technical Construction File to reflect any hardware developments. Due to the IP rights held by APL NNL are unable to source elsewhere.