This overhead view of the HIFAR reactor top plate highlights the intricate systems that once supported reactor operations and research.
Along the outer walls, large ventilation fans are visible. These fans could remove 80 kW of heat per hour in an emergency, preventing over-pressurisation of the containment building. However, this safety feature was never required throughout HIFAR’s operational history.
On the left side of the top plate, smaller dark grey flasks were used for silicon irradiation. Silicon ingots were loaded into these shielded containers and exposed to neutron radiation, creating an n-type semiconductor.
The radioactive ingots were then left within shielded containment to decay for a few days before being shipped as a stable product for use in the manufacture of electronic components.
This print is ideal for those fascinated by nuclear science, semiconductor production, and industrial engineering, offering a unique insight into the technological processes within a research reactor.