Vincent Lamirand
EPFL SB IPHYS LRS
PH D3 475 (Bâtiment PH)
Station 3
1015 Lausanne
Web site: Web site: https://lrs.epfl.ch/
+41 21 693 33 46
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Fields of expertise
Radiation Detection, Instrumentation, Reactor Physics, Measurement and Metrology, Monte Carlo Methods, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Reactions, Data Analysis, Ion Beam Analysis, Particle Accelerators (MeV).
Mission
I am in charge of the research experimental activities at LRS, including the CROCUS experimental reactor and the LOTUS cavity. I am Deputy of the Head of the nuclear facilities Oskari Pakari, for supporting him in the management of the LRS controlled area in the PH building. Finally, I am contributing to the LRS teaching activities, for the management of the EPFL-ETH Zurich joint program in Nuclear engineering, with the Radiation detection lecture, and especially for the TP and Radiation and reactor experiments at our facilities.I am one of the four Scientific staff members at the School Assembly, Basic Sciences Faculty Council, and Institute of Physics Council for the current mandate.
Biography
After a PhD on the measurement of (p,n) reactions cross sections on small accelerators (IRSN, France), I have worked on the development of neutron detectors and measurement methods for reactor physics (CEA, France). I am part of the LRS staff since October 2014. I have a double affiliation with the Paul Scherrer Institute since 2016, where I defended my tenure in 2020.Professional course
Program manager of experimental research, Deputy Head of LRS nuclear facilities
Laboratory for Reactor Physics and Systems Behaviour (LRS)
EPFL and Paul Scherrer Institute (since 2016)
2014
Physicist, postdoctoral fellow
Experimental Physics Service (SPEx)
Atomic Energy Commission (CEA, France)
2012-2014
PhD student
Laboratory for Neutron Metrology and Dosimetry (LMDN)
Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety Institute (IRSN, France)
2008-2011
Education
PhD degree
Nuclear Physics
UJF Grenoble 1 (France)
2011
Master Degree
Physics, sp. in Subatomic Physics
UCB Lyon 1 (France)
2008
Bachelor Degree
Physics
UCB Lyon 1 (France)
2006
Publications
Infoscience publications
CORTEX experiments – Part I: Modulation campaigns in AKR-2 & CROCUS for the validation of neutron noise codes
Annals of Nuclear Energy. 2025. DOI : 10.1016/j.anucene.2024.110928.Welch Method and Bootstrapping Applied to Subcritical Gamma Noise
NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. 2025. DOI : 10.1080/00295639.2024.2445469.CORTEX experiments, Part III: Experimental determination of the zero power transfer function of AKR-2 with reliable uncertainties
Annals of Nuclear Energy. 2024. DOI : 10.1016/j.anucene.2024.110686.CORTEX experiments, Part II: Postprocessing of neutron noise time series to determine reliable mean and uncertainties
Annals of Nuclear Energy. 2024. DOI : 10.1016/j.anucene.2024.110704.Revision of PSI calculation capabilities and validation experience on the BEPU-type reactor dosimetry applications
2024. 17 International Symposium on Reactor Dosimetry (Part II), Lausanne, Switzerland, 2023-05-21 - 2023-05-26. DOI : 10.1051/epjconf/202430803011.Towards a highly efficient and unbiased population-control algorithm for kinetic Monte Carlo simulations
2024. Joint International Conference on Supercomputing in Nuclear Applications + Monte Carlo, Paris, France, 2024-10-20 - 2024-10-24. DOI : 10.1051/epjconf/202430209006.Fast simulation of neutron noise using the Transient Fission Matrix approach and validation on the CROCUS reactor
2024. Joint International Conference on Supercomputing in Nuclear Applications + Monte Carlo, Paris, France, 2024-10-20 - 2024-10-24. DOI : 10.1051/epjconf/202430208002.Neutron-Gamma Noise Measurements in a Zero-Power Reactor Using Organic Scintillators
Ieee Transactions On Nuclear Science. 2024. DOI : 10.1109/TNS.2023.3337657.Gamma-ray Spectroscopy in Low-Power Nuclear Research Reactors
Journal Of Nuclear Engineering. 2024. DOI : 10.3390/jne5010003.Gamma noise to non-invasively monitor nuclear research reactors
Scientific Reports. 2024. DOI : 10.1038/s41598-024-59127-y.Sub-critical gamma noise measurements in the CROCUS zero-power reactor
2024. International Conference on Physics of Reactors, San Francisco, United States, 2024-04-21 - 2024-04-24. p. 118 - 127. DOI : 10.13182/PHYSOR24-43501.Design of an Open-Loop Pile-Oscillation Program in the CROCUS Reactor
IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science. 2024. DOI : 10.1109/TNS.2024.3371183.Intra-pin Reaction Rate Measurements in the CROCUS Experimental Reactor
IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science. 2024. DOI : 10.1109/TNS.2024.3370371.Large volume dosimetry for BLOOM in CROCUS
2024High-Resolution Modeling Without Computation Slowdown for PETALE in CROCUS
Nuclear Science and Engineering. 2024. DOI : 10.1080/00295639.2024.2357963.Measurement of the Prompt Decay Constant in a Zero Power Reactor Using a Novel 3D Detector System
2024. International Conference on Physics of Reactors, San Francisco, United States, 2024-04-21 - 2024-04-24. p. 155 - 163. DOI : 10.13182/PHYSOR24-43877.Modeling noise experiments performed at AKR-2 and CROCUS zero-power reactors
Annals Of Nuclear Energy. 2023. DOI : 10.1016/j.anucene.2023.110066.Development of a multi-channel gamma-blind fast neutron detector based on wavelength shifting fibers embedded in a ZnS:Ag epoxy mixture
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment. 2023. DOI : 10.1016/j.nima.2023.168385.Analysis of the preliminary campaign for the PETALE program
Epj Nuclear Sciences & Technologies. 2023. DOI : 10.1051/epjn/2023010.Design of an Instrumented Fuel Rod for Intra-pin Neutron Flux Measurements in the CROCUS Experimental Reactor
EPJ Web of Conferences. 2023. DOI : 10.1051/epjconf/202328804007.High accuracy measurement of the prompt neutron decay constant in CROCUS using Gamma Noise and bootstrapped uncertainties
Annals Of Nuclear Energy. 2022. DOI : 10.1016/j.anucene.2022.109011.Characterization of High Harmonic Frequencies in Reactor Noise Experiments Within the CORTEX Project
IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science. 2022. DOI : 10.1109/TNS.2022.3143238.Miniature and Minimalistic Neutron Detectors for Online High-Resolution Experiments in the Zero-Power Reactor CROCUS
Lausanne, EPFL, 2022. DOI : 10.5075/epfl-thesis-9492.Millimetric fuel rod displacements: an experimental study of the impact on local thermal neutron flux in the CROCUS reactor
2022. International Conference on Physics of Reactors, Pittsburgh, United States, 2022-05-15 - 2022-05-20. p. 2632 - 2641. DOI : 10.13182/PHYSOR22-37846.Modeling the response of a diamond detector in the zero power reactor CROCUS
European Physical Journal Plus. 2021. DOI : 10.1140/epjp/s13360-021-02230-0.Delayed gamma fraction determination in the zero power reactor CROCUS
Epj Nuclear Sciences & Technologies. 2021. DOI : 10.1051/epjn/2021015.Preliminary analysis of the PETALE program and comparison to simulations
2021Investigation of the Fission Matrix methodology using the Monte Carlo code Serpent 2 and application to the CROCUS reactor
2021Extension of miniature neutron scintillators features in CROCUS: novel acquisition scheme and extended flux range
2021PISTIL, a reactivity modulation device to probe the transfer function of the nuclear reactor CROCUS
2021. Conference on Advancements in Nuclear Instrumentation Measurement Methods and their Applications (ANIMMA), Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC, Jun 21-25, 2021. DOI : 10.1051/epjconf/202125304007.Design of a 150-miniature detectors 3D core-mapping system for the CROCUS reactor
2021. Conference on Advancements in Nuclear Instrumentation Measurement Methods and their Applications (ANIMMA), Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC, Jun 21-25, 2021. DOI : 10.1051/epjconf/202125304023.Local and high distance neutron and gamma measurements of fuel rods oscillation experiments
2021. Conference on Advancements in Nuclear Instrumentation Measurement Methods and their Applications (ANIMMA), Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC, Jun 21-25, 2021. DOI : 10.1051/epjconf/202125304024.High resolution measurements with miniature neutron scintillators in the SUR-100 zero power reactor
2021. Conference on Advancements in Nuclear Instrumentation Measurement Methods and their Applications (ANIMMA), Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC, Jun 21-25, 2021. DOI : 10.1051/epjconf/202125304029.First in-core gamma spectroscopy experiments in a zero power reactor
2021. Conference on Advancements in Nuclear Instrumentation Measurement Methods and their Applications (ANIMMA), Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC, Jun 21-25, 2021. DOI : 10.1051/epjconf/202125304022.Kilogram-Scale Crystallogenesis of Halide Perovskites for Gamma-Rays Dose Rate Measurements
Advanced Science. 2020. DOI : 10.1002/advs.202001882.Review of kinetic modulation experiments in low power nuclear reactors
Epj Nuclear Sciences & Technologies. 2020. DOI : 10.1051/epjn/2020017.The Unscented Kalman Filter: Introduction and Application to Point Reactor Kinetics
2020Uncertainty propagation based on correlated sampling technique for nuclear data applications
Epj Nuclear Sciences & Technologies. 2020. DOI : 10.1051/epjn/2020003.Uncertainty propagation for the design study of the PETALE experimental programme in the CROCUS reactor
Epj Nuclear Sciences & Technologies. 2020. DOI : 10.1051/epjn/2020004.A mm(3) Fiber-Coupled Scintillator for In-Core Thermal Neutron Detection in CROCUS
Ieee Transactions On Nuclear Science. 2020. DOI : 10.1109/TNS.2020.2977530.Measurement of the Gas Velocity in a Water-Air Mixture in CROCUS Using Neutron Noise Techniques
Nuclear Technology. 2020. DOI : 10.1080/00295450.2019.1701906.Validation of the Serpent 2 model for the CARROUSEL facility
2020Assessment of representativity of the PETALE experiments for validation of Swiss LWRs ex-core dosimetry calculations
2020. International Conference on Nuclear Data for Science and Technology (ND), Beijing, PEOPLES R CHINA, May 19-24, 2019. DOI : 10.1051/epjconf/202023922001.Experimental and numerical study of stochastic branching noise in nuclear reactors
Lausanne, EPFL, 2020. DOI : 10.5075/epfl-thesis-8336.Power calibration methodology at the CROCUS reactor
2020. 6th International Conference on Advancements in Nuclear Instrumentation Measurement Methods and their Applications (ANIMMA), Portoroz, SLOVENIA, Jun 17-21, 2019. DOI : 10.1051/epjconf/202022504022.Noise analysis techniques of in-core modulation experiments of the European CORTEX project
2020. 29th International Conference Nuclear Energy for New Europe (NENE 2020), Portorož, Slovenia, September 7–10, 2020. p. 212.1 - 212.8.Neutron noise experiments in the AKR-2 and CROCUS reactors for the European project CORTEX
2020. 6th International Conference on Advancements in Nuclear Instrumentation Measurement Methods and their Applications (ANIMMA), Portoroz, SLOVENIA, Jun 17-21, 2019. DOI : 10.1051/epjconf/202022504023.Developing and testing a miniature fiber-coupled scintillator for in-core neutron counting in CROCUS
2020. 6th International Conference on Advancements in Nuclear Instrumentation Measurement Methods and their Applications (ANIMMA), Portoroz, SLOVENIA, Jun 17-21, 2019. DOI : 10.1051/epjconf/202022504018.Determination of the activity inventory and associated uncertainty quantification for the CROCUS zero power research reactor
Annals of Nuclear Energy. 2019. DOI : 10.1016/j.anucene.2019.107034.Towards the validation of neutron noise simulators: qualification of data acquisition systems
2019. International Conference on Mathematics and Computational Methods applied to Nuclear Science and Engineering (M&C 2019), Portland, OR, USA, August 25-29, 2019.Measurement of the gas velocity in a water-air mixture in crocus by neutron noise technique
2019. International conference on mathematics and computational methods applied to nuclear science and engineering (M&C 2019), Portland, OR, USA, August 25-29, 2019.An Experimental Programme optimized with Uncertainty Propagation: PETALE in the CROCUS Reactor
2019. WONDER 2018 : 5th International Workshop On Nuclear Data Evaluation for Reactor applications, Aix-en-Provence, France, October 8-12, 2018. DOI : 10.1051/epjconf/201921103003.Kinetic Parameter Measurements in the CROCUS Reactor Using Current Mode Instrumentation
Ieee Transactions On Nuclear Science. 2018. DOI : 10.1109/TNS.2018.2831180.Total Monte Carlo acceleration for the PETALE experimental programme in the CROCUS reactor
2018. WONDER 2018 : 5th International Workshop On Nuclear Data Evaluation for Reactor applications, Aix-en-Provence, France, October 8-12, 2018. DOI : 10.1051/epjconf/201921103002.Investigation of spatial effects on neutron noise measurements in the zero power reactor CROCUS
2018. PHYSOR 2018: Reactor Physics paving the way towards more efficient systems, Cancún, Mexico, April 22-26, 2018.Design of Separated Element Reflector Experiments in CROCUS: PETALE
2018. 16th International Symposium on Reactor Dosimetry, Santa Fe, NM, May 07-12, 2017. p. 1 - 14. DOI : 10.1520/STP760820170090.Intercomparison of neutron noise measurement systems in the CROCUS reactor
2018. PHYSOR 2018: Reactor Physics paving the way towards more efficient systems, Cancún, Mexico, April 22-26, 2018.Design of Separated Element Reflector Experiments in CROCUS: PETALE
2017. ISRD16 International Symposium on Reactor Dosimetry, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, May 7-12, 2017.Future experimental programmes in the CROCUS reactor
2016. RRFM/IGORR 2016, Berlin, Germany, March 13-17, 2016. p. 284 - 292. DOI : 10.13140/RG.2.1.2309.6728.Correction factors to apply to fission rates measured by miniature fission chambers in various neutron spectra
2014. IGORR Conference 2014, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina, November 17-21, 2014. DOI : 10.13140/RG.2.1.3106.3923.Research
My research activities consist in the experimental research work of LRS, detailed on its website: here.
My current work consists in analysing the PETALE experiments on stainless steel nuclear data, and preparing the next programmes in the CROCUS reactor on intrapin flux measurements (NECTAR), and sample oscillation (BLOOM). I am also co-directing one PhD thesis on the analysis and extension of PETALE within the HARVEST-X project.
Two of my PhD students, Fanny Vitullo and Yifeng Jiang (co-direction in collaboration with CEA, France), recently defended their theses on the development of in-core neutron measurements with miniature scintillators, and on neutron modulation in nuclear reactors, respectively.
My current work consists in analysing the PETALE experiments on stainless steel nuclear data, and preparing the next programmes in the CROCUS reactor on intrapin flux measurements (NECTAR), and sample oscillation (BLOOM). I am also co-directing one PhD thesis on the analysis and extension of PETALE within the HARVEST-X project.
Two of my PhD students, Fanny Vitullo and Yifeng Jiang (co-direction in collaboration with CEA, France), recently defended their theses on the development of in-core neutron measurements with miniature scintillators, and on neutron modulation in nuclear reactors, respectively.
Teaching & PhD
PhD Students
Dupont-Bembinoff Alexis Paul Boris Claude, Ligonnet Thomas Jean-François,Past EPFL PhD Students
Pakari Oskari Ville , Vitullo Fanny ,Master theses (co-direction with Prof. A. Pautz)
- Thomas Ligonnet (EPFL-ETH Zurich, Nuclear Eng.), supervision shared with A. Laureau: "Analysis of the PETALE program in the CROCUS reactor", 2021
- Colin Rochat (EPFL, Physics), supervision shared with F. Vitullo: "Application of miniature scintillators to high neutron flux reactor measurements", 2021
- Edoardo Brunetto (PoliTo, Italie, Nuclear eng.), supervision shared with F. Vitullo: "Highly localized measurements in the UniStuttgart SUR-100 reactor", 2020
- Tom Mager (Phelma, France-PoliTo, Italie, Nuclear eng.), supervision shared with O. Pakari: "The LEAF system and gamma detection applications in CROCUS, 2019-2020
- Yifeng Jiang (INSA-INSTN, Nuclear eng.), supervision shared with A. Laureau: "Characterization of the neutron spectrum in the EPFL CROCUS reactor by foil activation dosimetry and Monte Carlo calculations", 2018
- Adrien Theler (EPFL, Physics), supervision shared with B. Geslot (CEA): "Characterisation and analysis of double-deposit miniature fission chambers signals in the MINERVE reactor", 2017
- Oskari Pakari (EPFL-ETHZ, NE Master), supervision shared with G. Perret (PSI): "Implementation of neutron noise instrumentation in current mode", 2016
Semester projects
- Michel Saliba (EPFL-ETH Zurich, Nuclear Eng.), supervision shared with W. Monange (IRSN, France): "Neutron correlation experiments in CROCUS using SAFFRON", 2022
- Daniel Gönczy (EPFL, Mechanics), supervision shared with T. Ligonnet: "Development and modelling of a conveyor device for activity mapping", 2021
- Thomas Ligonnet (EPFL-ETH Zurich, Nuclear Eng.), supervision shared with A. Laureau: "Analysis of the PETALE program in the CROCUS reactor", 2020
- Roxane Oesterle, in collaboration with IRA (CHUV), supervision by Thierry Buchillier: "In-Situ Gamma Spectroscopy with HPGe", 2020
- Edoardo Brunetto, supervision with F. Vitullo: "Validation of the Serpent 2 model for the CARROUSEL facility", 2019
- Roxane Oesterle, in collaboration with IRA (CHUV), supervision by Nicolas Cherbuin and Jérôme Damet: "Extremity Dosimetry: Effect of Plexiglass Syringe Shield on Ga-68, and TLD-100 v.s. MCP-Oeil Results", 2019
- Felix Grimberg, supervision by Daniel Siefman: "The Unscented Kalman Filter: Introduction and Application to Point Reactor Kinetics", 2019
- Bert Vandereydt, supervision shared with Oskari Pakari: "Modelling of gamma detectors for CROCUS using Monte Carlo transport codes", 2018
- Felix Von Rütte (EPFL, Physics), supervision shared with Stefan Radman: "Design of a cloud chamber", 2017
- Isabelle Tanseri, supervision shared with Daniel Siefman: "Measurement of concrete neutron activation in the cavity of the CROCUS reactor", 2017
- Harrison Gavotto, supervision shared with Daniel Siefman: "Neutron activation in the cavity of the CROCUS reactor", 2016
- Adrien Theler (EPFL, Physics): "Gamma characteristion of the LOTUS cavity", 2016
- Adrien Theler (EPFL, Physics): "Development of an experimental channel for CROCUS", 2015
- Oskari Pakari (EPFL-ETH Zurich, Nuclear Eng.), supervision shared with G. Perret (PSI) "Neutron noise measurements in current mode", 2015
Internships
- Jean-Baptiste Valentin (EPFL, Physique), supervision shared with T. Mager and T. Ligonnet: "Test of activation dosimeters with unconventional shapes for position sensitive measurements", 06-07.2022
- Philippe Simbsler (Phelma, France), supervision shared with T. Ligonnet: "Study of the spatial dependence of the neutron spectrum in CROCUS", 05-07.2022
- François Guillier (Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay, France), supervision shared with K. Ambrožič : "Investigation of the fission matrix methodology for the analysis of the SAFFRON experiments", 04.2021-07.2021
- Jihyo Seo (KONICOF exchange program, South Korea), 08.2019-01.2020
- Alexandre Colin (Phelma, France), supervision shared with O. Pakari: "Characterisation of the neutron activation of the EPFL CROCUS reactor
- Alexandre Colin (Phelma, France), supervision with O. Pakari : “Measurement of the activation of the structures of the CROCUS reactor”, 05-08.2018
- Vincent Chaussonnet (EPF, France), supervision with O. Pakari and D. Siefman: "Assessment of the activation of the concrete cavity of the CROCUS", 09-12.2017
- Michael Chadwick (McGill University, Canada): "Mechanical modeling of LOTUS and design of in-core experimental setups", 05-08.2016
- Michael Chadwick (McGill University, Canada): "Mechanical modeling of the CROCUS reactor", 05-08.2015
Courses
Radiation and reactor experiments
The reactor experiments course aims to introduce the students to radiation detection techniques and nuclear reactor experiments. The core of the course is the unique opportunity to conduct reactor experiments, as the control rod calibration, and approach to critical.
Radiation detection
The course presents the detection of ionizing radiation in the keV and MeV energy ranges. Physical processes of radiation/matter interaction are introduced. All steps of detection are covered, as well as detectors, instrumentations and measurements methods commonly used in the nuclear field.