Recommendations for scientists utilizing an intermediate power level research reactor

Recommendations for scientists utilizing an intermediate power level research reactor 

While the staff at a low or intermediate power level research reactor should always consider improving or upgrading the reactor and experimental equipment for increasing the intensity of neutrons available at the sample, the role of these reactors in material structure studies should not be underestimated. 

The main impediment to successful material structure experiments at a low or intermediate power level research reactor is the amount of time necessary to collect data. However, one important role of these research reactors is as a feeder for supplying new concepts that have been tested at the reactor for implementation and data collection at a high flux reactor. In fact, many of the ideas and concepts for new research or improving instruments installed at a high flux reactor were bom in small research reactors. 

In addition, graduate training in neutron scattering can be more easily performed in the environment of the low and intermediate power level research reactor. The trained scientists are then a valuable source of personnel at the high power reactors. 

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