Rabbit (nuclear engineering)

In nuclear engineering, a "rabbit" refers to a small capsule or container that is pneumatically propelled through a tube into or out of a nuclear reactor core or other radiation source. This rapid transfer system, often called a "rabbit system" or "pneumatic transfer system," is used for several purposes:

• Irradiation of Samples: Materials can be placed in a rabbit and quickly irradiated within the reactor. The short transit time minimizes decay of short-lived isotopes produced during irradiation, allowing for study of these isotopes.

• Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA): Rabbits facilitate NAA by enabling the rapid irradiation of samples, followed by their quick removal for analysis of the induced radioactivity.

• Reactor Control: In some reactor designs, rabbits may contain control materials (e.g., neutron absorbers) for rapid insertion into the core as a safety mechanism in emergency shutdown situations.

The speed and reliability of rabbit systems are crucial for experiments involving short-lived isotopes or for applications requiring immediate reactor response. The design of the rabbit and the associated pneumatic system ensures safe and efficient handling of radioactive materials. The term "rabbit" likely originated from the system's speed and the way the capsule "hops" through the tube.