A large number of applications uses the irradiation with a neutron source. This includes the production of radioactive isotopes, the activation analysis for highly sensitive chemical analysis, the production of radioactive tracers an doping of semiconductors (transmutation doping).

For the irradiation of small sample quantities a capsule irradiation facility (samples up to 250g) and a rabbit system (samples up to 10 g) is available. The doping of semiconductors is performed in a large volume irradiation facility with sample diameters up to 20 cm and a length up to 50 cm.

The neutron activation analysis is a quantitative method to determine smallest amounts of trace elements in a sample. The irradiation of the sample material with neutrons produces radioactive nuclei. By measuring the intensity of the characteristic radiation which stem from the decay of the produced radio nuclei the concentration of the respective elements can be determined. the detection limits range typically from 10^-5 to 10^-15 g/g.