Forschungsreaktor München II

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The Forschungsreaktor München II (FRM II, research reactor Munich II) is the leading German research reactor. It serves as neutron source (Neutronenquelle), and is officially named "Forschungsneutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz") in honor of the physicist Maier-Leibnitz who had conducted a highly successful research program at FRM I.

The FRM II is located in the immediate neighbourhood of its predecessor FRM I, on the research and university campus near Garching (18 km north of München, at the end point of a Munich U-Bahn metro line). It is operated by Technische Universität München. Several other universities and research institutions are taking part in the scientific use.

The reactor was build by Siemens AG. It went critical on March 2, 2004, and reached the full power of 20 MW on August, 24. Since April 2005, it is in routine operation. The regular schedule comprises 4 reactor cycles per year, with 60 days per cycle.

Highly enriched uranium in a high-density uramiun silicide-aluminium dispersion fuel element yields an excellent ratio of neutron flux to thermal power. A liquid deuterium moderator ("cold source") gives a world-leading cold-neutron flux density.