Rosatom enterprises have established cooperation spanning the full
technological chain — fr om deep purification of germanium feedstock to detector
production and the assembly of detector-based measuring instruments, namely
spectrometers. The final link in the chain is a new production facility at a
company within Rosatom's “Automated Control Systems and Electrical Engineering”
division.
An ISO 8-class clean production area has been set up here specifically for
working with ultra-high-purity material, which prevents contamination of the
germanium and ensures the stability and long service life of the finished
products. These ultra-precise detectors are used in applications wh ere, in
addition to detecting radiation, it is necessary to identify the specific
radionuclides present in the object under study. For example, for the
identification of isotopes, activation analysis of the residual radiation
spectrum of samples as part of research at the NICA accelerator, as well as for
determining the composition of lunar soil, analyzing it for rare-earth
elements, and searching for ice deposits in the Moon’s polar craters.
One of the key technologies developed is the creation of gamma-ray detectors. This part of the production partnership involves the Giredmet JSC Institute (part of Rosatom's Chemical and Technological Cluster), which has developed an experimental technology for producing high-purity germanium (HPGe). The institute designed and manufactured experimental equipment, which was used to refine the technology for producing high-purity germanium single crystals (at least 7N), and the first samples were produced, confirming the effectiveness of the applied methods for deep purification of germanium to achieve detector-grade quality. Importantly, the purity of the germanium used for measurements is such that the content of impurities affecting the crystal’s electrophysical parameters does not exceed one trillionth (0.0000000001%). During operation, the crystal is cooled to the temperature of liquid nitrogen, approximately 77 K, or minus 196 °C. This reduces the effect of “thermal noise” and ensures high measurement accuracy.
“We have developed expertise in Russia in one of the most complex and precise areas of nuclear instrumentation. Working with ultra-high-purity germanium requires exceptional material purity and strict adherence to the manufacturing process at every stage. Now the entire process—from raw materials to the finished high-precision instrument—is localized within the country, which makes it possible to develop solutions for specific tasks more quickly, ensure their maintenance, and plan for mass production. A line of four spectrometers has been developed, and pilot units are being used at a “megascience” facility—the NICA accelerator complex. “This confirms that our company’s team possesses the necessary expertise and is ready to tackle the challenges of modern science and industry,” noted Andrei Butko, General Director of the “Automated Control Systems and Electrical Engineering” Division at Rosatom.
At nuclear power plants, such devices monitor the coolant circuit, the integrity of TVEL cladding, and environmental parameters, and enable the analysis of samples directly at the plant. They also provide ultra-precise measurements in nuclear physics, geological exploration for uranium ores and rare-earth metals, incoming inspection in metallurgy, and customs inspections.
The “Automated Control
Systems and Electrical Engineering” Division of Rosatom (“ACS and Electrical Engineering,”
managed by Rosatom Automated Control Systems JSC, “RASU”) brings together
industry expertise in industrial automation, instrumentation, and electrical
engineering, forming the technological foundation for the management of nuclear
power and industrial facilities. The division serves as a turnkey supplier of
control, monitoring, and power distribution systems for nuclear power plants at
all stages of the life cycle of dozens of operating and under-construction
power units in Russia and abroad, as well as for industrial enterprises, solar
and wind power plants. The division comprises: a research institute with its
own manufacturing facilities; a manufacturer of radioisotope devices; and a
market leader in power conversion technology and electric charging
infrastructure.
The N.P. Sazhin State
Research and Design Institute of the Rare Metal Industry "Giredmet" is one of Rosatom’s leading research
organizations specializing in materials science. Founded in 1931, the Institute
covers the entire technology cycle, from developing methods for processing ores
containing rare and rare-earth metals to producing high-purity substances,
single crystals, and finished products for the electronics, nuclear, aviation,
and space industries. The Institute has implemented dozens of unique industrial
projects in the former USSR, Russia, and abroad. Giredmet JSC is part of the
Chemical Technology Cluster (CTC) of Rosatom. The CTC is an integrated
structure designed to foster innovation and support scientific and
technological advancement in Russia’s nuclear and related industries. Its
activities cover a broad range of tasks associated with the development,
production, and implementation of new materials, composites, high-purity
substances, as well as rare and rare-earth metals. As part of this mission, the
CTC serves as an integrator of scientific research, applied development, and
industrial production, enabling a high degree of synergy between the various
stages of the scientific and technological cycle.
Russian industry faces the challenge of achieving technological sovereignty and transitioning to the latest technologies within the shortest possible time. The government and major domestic companies are directing resources toward the accelerated development of Russia’s research, infrastructure, and scientific and technological base. The introduction of innovations and new high-tech equipment enables Rosatom and its enterprises to occupy new market niches, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the nuclear industry and Russian industry as a whole.
