Research groups
Department of Physics
Applied nuclear physics
In the field of experimental nuclear physics, our research is focused on tests of pixel detectors Timepix equipped with various sensors and their applications in charged particle monitoring, neutron spectrometry, measurements of ionizing radiation in orbit and analyses of measured data on satellites and stratospheric balloons, measuring the element composition of materials by means of prompt and delayed neutron activation analysis (Heusler alloys, hazardous materials, hydrogen), effective cross sections of neutron reactions, calibration and testing of detectors in mixed radiation fields (neutrons and gamma radiation).
We also deal with Monte Carlo simulations of mixed radiation fields and detector efficiency.
In the field of theoretical nuclear physics, we focus on the study of transition and deformed nuclei using microscopic and phenomenological nuclear models for the study of nuclear phase transitions.
Research topics:
- Advanced instrumentation/pixel detectors for radiation imaging
- Novel techniques of radiation measurement and particle tracking
- Space radiation research, radiation characterization in outer space
- Beam delivery monitoring from particle accelerators
- Radiation dosimetry in particle therapy
- Gamma radiation spectrometry
- Neutron physics and neutron activation analysis
- Monte Carlo simulations of radiation fields
- Models of atomic nuclei
Group leader: Doc. Dr. RNDr. Petr Alexa
Laboratories
The group focuses on novel techniques of radiation imaging and particle tracking for nuclear physics research in outer space and in particle radiotherapy, on gamma radiation spectrometry, neutron physics using fusion neutron generator, Monte Carlo simulations of radiation fields and calculations of the structure and properties of atomic nuclei.
Laboratory of neutron activation analysis and spectrometry of gamma radiation:
- Mobile fusion DT neutron generator MP320 (Thermo Fischer Scientific)
- Large-scale scintillation gamma spectrometer NaI(Tl) (3 "x 5" x 16 ") (Scionix)
- Scintillation gamma spectrometer NaI(Tl) (3 "x 3"), type 802 with massive lead shielding (Canberra)
- Semiconductor low-background well gamma spectrometer HPGe GWD-3023 with special shielding for measuring very low gamma activities (Baltic Scientific Instruments)
- Other two semiconductor gamma spectrometers GC-3018 and GC-4019 (Canberra)
Laboratory of pixel detectors of ionizing radiation:
- Pixel detectors Timepix2, Timepix3 with sensors: Si, SiC, CdTe
- Pixel detectors Timepix3 with Si sensors and neutron masks for detection of fast and thermal neutrons
- Software for data analysis for Timepix detectors
Gallery of laboratories
