The Gaerttner LINAC Center

The Gaerttner Linear Accelerator (LINAC) Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is a major research facility used to conduct basic and applied research. This facility is one of two unique facilities available in the Nuclear Engineering program at RPI and has been engaged in active research continuously for over 50 years. The center plays a vital role in providing valuable resources for undergraduates, graduates, and post-doctoral researchers. In addition, industrial contacts, outside researchers, and an experienced technical staff provide added attributes that provide opportunity, diversity, and specialized capabilities. The Gaerttner Linear Accelerator Center has been designated as a Nuclear Historic Landmark by the American Nuclear Society. Research with electrons, photons and neutrons has applications to nuclear engineering, nuclear physics, radiation effects in electronics, radiation production, radiation processing of materials, conventional radiography, computed tomography, and other industrial processes. Enhancement of materials and chemical properties and processing by high energy radiation is a growing industrial tool applicable to both environmental and commercial applications. Radiation testing of electronic materials, components and systems is of major importance for reliability and survivability in diverse environments. Current areas of research at the LINAC include thermal reactor physics, photoneutron reactions, neutron cross sections, radiation effects in electronics, and production of medical isotopes. This laboratory has well served government and industry in numerous applications where it has provided a unique and highly intense radiation environment.