PHYSICS OF THE MATERIALS TESTING REACTOR

Attainment of a very high fast-neutron and thermal-neutron flux for general experimental and testing purposes. 

Attainment of a flexible reactor in which the disposition of fissionable, material may be readily altered in conformity with experimental needs. 

Production of epithermal neutrons of the highest possible energy in order to test the behavior of reactor materials under high-intensity radiation (fast neutrons and y rays). 

Attainment of a reactor of such simplicity in design, servicing, and operation that it can serve as a prototype for research centers in which the AEC may deem a nuclear reactor desirable in the future. 

In order for the-reactor to satisfy these requirements, careful consideration had to be given to the minimum quantity of fissionable material which would be necessary at the flux level desired, the amount of foreign matter to be inserted, the need to reactivate the reactor within a few hours or less after shutdown and overcome fission product poisoning, temperature effect, and depletion of fissionable material, to name the most important. 

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