The research reactor TRIGA Mainz - A neutron source for versatile applications in research and education

Currently, four research reactors with a thermal power ranging from 0.1 to 23 MWth are in operation in Germany and one new reactor (20 MWth) is under construction. The TRIGA Mark II reactor at the Institut fur Kernchemie beca me first critical on August 3, 1965. It can be operated in the steady state mode with a maximum power of 100 kW(th) and in the pulse mode with a peak power of 250 MWth. A survey of the research programmes carried out at the T RIGA Mainz is given covering a wide range of applications in basic and appl ied science in nuclear chemistry, nuclear- and particle physics. Furthermor e, the reactor is used for neutron activation analysis and for education an d training of students and technical personal.