Development of nanosecond pulsed laser decontamination method, 2; Comparison of target removal rates using 100 W nanosecond/CW lasers

Kosuge, Atsushi  ; Yamamoto, Keisuke*; Nakajima, Takashi*

A large amount of radioactive waste is generated when a nuclear reactor is decommissioned after its operating period has ended. Efficient decontamination of radioactive waste reduces the amount of waste and significantly lowers storage costs. Decontamination methods using pulsed lasers, which are capable of ablation removal with reduced thermal effects, have been attracting attention. We report on the results of irradiating metal samples with a 100 W MOPA-type nanosecond fiber laser, whose parameters can be freely changed, and measuring the amount of removal. The laser with the same power density was applied to the target, and the change in removal amount due to pulse duration and repetition frequency was measured and compared with a continuous wave laser.