Radiation Effects and High Energy Physics

Advancing science and engineering in the areas of radiation effects sciences, electromagnetics, high energy density science, and pulsed-power science and technology is critical to addressing many national security issues. The fundamental research in these areas includes studying the nature and interaction of static and dynamic electric and magnetic fields, ensuring system performance in radiation environments, producing extreme temperatures, pressures, and soft X-ray environments.  

Why Our Work Matters 

One of Sandia’s critical missions is nuclear security and maintaining a safe, secure, and effective nuclear stockpile. Radiation effects science ensures that engineered systems can operate as intended in the radiation environments they encounter. In addition, high energy density science validates models that are used to certify the performance of the stockpile, while pulsed-power science enables terawatt to petawatt pulsed-power systems. Such systems efficiently deliver electrical energy — in pulses that are flexible in shape and duration — to a variety of loads. 

Our Unique Value 

Sandia has advanced pulsed-power and radiation-effects facilities that enable cutting-edge research and vital national security applications.  

  • The Z machine uses the high magnetic fields associated with high electrical currents to produce high temperatures, high pressures, and powerful soft X-rays for research in high density physics. The Saturn X-ray source simulates the radiation effects of nuclear countermeasures on electronic and material components. 
  • The High-Energy Radiation Megavolt Electron Source (HERMES) III accelerator is the world’s most powerful gamma simulator, primarily used to demonstrate the effect of gamma-ray radiation. 
  • The Annular Core Research Reactor (ACRR) is used for reactor-driven laser experiments, space reactor fuels development, pulse reactor kinetics, reactor heat transfer and fluid flow, electronic component hardening, and explosive component testing. The ACRR is also routinely used for education and training programs. 

Recent Highlights

Four Sandia researchers win PECASE awards in 2024

The Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) is the highest honor bestowed by...

Leveraging machine learning to refine material models for fusion applications

To enable future innovative designs for fusion platforms on the Z machine, a Sandia LDRD team...

Sandia and Google unleash new possibilities in quantum computing

Physicists from Sandia worked with a team of researchers at Google Quantum AI and other affiliated...

Lasers are aligning diagnostics and hardware.
Quantum-accurate multiscale modeling in highly compressed metals  

The development of equations-of-state and transport models in areas such as shock compression and fusion energy...

Sandia scientist Stephanie Hansen
Improving predictive capability in REHEDS simulations with fast, accurate, and consistent nonequilibrium material properties 

Predictive design of experiments in Radiation, Electrical, and High Energy Density Science (REHEDS) requires knowledge of...

A technician gets a target ready for the center section in the Z machine pulsed power facility
Imaging the visible emissions from plasmas in pulsed power experiments

Low density plasmas are predicted to impact Sandia’s Z machine experiments in a variety of ways....

3D-magnetohydrodynamic simulations of electrothermal instability growth by studying Z-pinches with engineered defects
The study of Z-pinches with engineered defects

Electrothermal instability (ETI) is driven by Joule heating and arises from the dependence of resistivity on temperature....

Radiation Effects & High Energy Physics Related Research Facilities

Advanced Power Source Engineering Facility

The Power Sources Technology Group (PSTG) group provides comprehensive capabilities in power source research, design, engineering, characterization, evaluation, and testing.

Advanced Power Source Engineering Facility
Annular Core Research Reactor (ACRR)

ACRR is used to test objects in a mixed photon and neutron irradiation environment. Researchers conduct a wide variety of experiments in nearly every branch of nuclear science.

Annular Core Research Reactor (ACRR)
Auxiliary Hot Cell Facility (AHCF)

The AHCF is a nuclear facility used to characterize, treat, and repackage radioactive and mixed material and waste for reuse, recycling, or ultimate disposal.

Gamma Irradiation Facility (GIF)

The GIF provides high-fidelity simulation of nuclear radiation environments for materials and component testing.

Two colleagues walking outside of GIF building, located in Albuquerque, NM.
High Operating Temperature (HOT)

The HOT site researchers simulate conditions found deep underground to study the effects of heat on the drill rig hammer, and drill into various types of rock.

Two researchers observing effects of heat on the drill rig hammerTwo researchers observing effects of heat on the drill rig hammer
Ion Beam Laboratory (IBL)

The IBL enables scientists to study and modify materials systems using ion and electron accelerators.

Scientist observing materials
Joint Test Assembly (JTA)

JTA program allows critical assessment of weapon systems, Department of Defense (DOD) platforms, and support personnel performance.

Researcher working on a component
National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF)

Operated by Sandia for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) is the only large-scale concentrating solar power (CSP) and solar thermal test facility...

Tower surrounded by large mirrors
Plasma Research Facility (PRF)

The PRF offers collaborators access to cutting edge diagnostic and computational capabilities and the expertise that is needed to set up and execute experiments and analyze data generated during the...

Atmospheric pressure plasma jet
Primary Standards Laboratory (PSL)

The PSL provides technical guidance, support, and consultation and anticipates future measurement needs of the nuclear weapons complex and other DOE programs.

Two researchers observing dimensional measurement systems
Shock Thermodynamic Applied Research Facility (STAR)

The STAR facility provides a full range of pressure (bars to multi-Mbar) for material property study utilizing gas/propellant launchers, ramp-loading pulsers, and ballistic applications.

Ballistic test in launch
Z Pulsed Power Facility

Z is the world’s largest and highest-current pulsed power machine and one of three flagship facilities in the U.S. Inertial Confinement Fusion Program.

Z Pulsed Power Machine

Related Intellectual Property

Title Portfolio Patent Number Grant Date
Meissner-effect transition-edge-sensor microcalorimeter Radiation Detection US12352634B1 07/08/2025
Scintillator array for radiation detection Radiation Detection US12105231B2 10/01/2024
Scintillator array for radiation detection Radiation Detection US11681055B1 06/20/2023
Systems and methods for in-situ calibration of scintillation spectrometer Radiation Detection US11675098B1 06/13/2023
Radiation detector using a graphene amplifier layer Radiation Detection US11287536B1 03/29/2022
Mutli-layered neutron detector Radiation Detection US11175417B1 11/16/2021
System, algorithm, and method using short pulse interrogation with neutrons to detect and identify matter Radiation Detection US11061164B1 07/13/2021
Muon detectors, systems and methods Radiation Detection US10921468B2 02/16/2021
Compact radiation detector Radiation Detection US10620326B1 04/14/2020
Muon detectors, systems and methods Radiation Detection US10451745B1 10/22/2019
Compact radiation detector Radiation Detection US9993894B1 06/12/2018
Single volume fission energy neutron detector Radiation Detection US9835741B1 12/05/2017
Neutron detection apparatus and method Radiation Detection US9733367B1 08/15/2017
Filter arrays Radiation Detection US9720102B1 08/01/2017
Catheterized plasma X-ray source Radiation Detection US9681846B1 06/20/2017
Segmented scintillation antineutrino detector Radiation Detection US9645258B1 05/09/2017
Microstructured silicon radiation detector Radiation Detection US9595628B1 03/14/2017
High-yield entangled single photon source Radiation Detection US9465274B1 10/11/2016
3D target array for pulsed multi-sourced radiography Radiation Detection US9269524B1 02/23/2016
Compact ion chamber based neutron detector Radiation Detection US9170340B1 10/27/2015
Multiple-mode radiation detector Radiation Detection US9116249B1 08/25/2015
Plasma driven neutron/gamma generator Radiation Detection US8971473B2 03/03/2015
Ion chamber based neutron detectors Radiation Detection US8912502B2 12/16/2014
Wireless passive radiation sensor Radiation Detection US8596862B1 12/03/2013
Neutron scatter camera Radiation Detection US7741613B1 06/22/2010

Current Radiation Effects and High Energy Physics Openings

Current Radiation Effects and High Energy Physics Openings

View All Sandia Openings