Monte Carlo Fundamentals
Point kinetics lab
A live six-group point-kinetics core, the same engine as kirk-kinetics. It shows how power, temperature, and xenon respond to reactivity. It is a learning model, not a safety case or a transport calculation.
How to use it
- The core is already running — the chart scrolls on its own. It starts just below critical, held at a steady power by the source.
- Press Withdraw regulating rod. Reactivity climbs above zero, the status turns amber, and power rises on a stable period.
- Press Insert regulating rod (or Stop) to level off, then Scram to drop every rod and watch power collapse.
- Press Fire transient rod from steady state for a prompt pulse — the TRIGA move. Watch fuel temperature spike and feedback shut the pulse down.
Subcritical — power fallingρ = -10.0 pcm, period stable
- Power (relative)
- 2.000e-1
- Reactivity (Δk/k)
- -1.000e-4
- Fuel temperature (K)
- 293.15
- Xenon (relative)
- 6.082e+8
Want gauges, an instrument panel, and scored scenarios instead of raw numbers? The reactor operation page wraps the same engine in an operator layout.