The Laboratoire d'Analyse par Réactions Nucléaires (LARN) is part of the NISM institutes, NARILIS and ILEE of the University of Namur and conducts both applied and fundamental research. Research and teaching activities are organized along three lines:
Materials Science
Firstly, we develop materials of very high technicality and added value. Subjected to surface and interface modifications by ion implantation or plasma-assisted deposition, we synthesize one- and two-dimensional materials. These are then characterized in terms of their surface properties (hydrophobicity, tribology, etc.), interface properties (diffusion, optical index gradient, etc.) and bulk properties (synthesis of phases or nanocrystals with interesting optical, electronic and mechanical properties). This activity is supported not only by the development of low- and high-energy ion implantation lines, but also by the development of software for simulating film growth using Monte Carlo methods.
Ion-Matter Interactions
The study of ion-matter interactions constitutes the laboratory's second area of fundamental and applied research. The nuclear reactions that take place at the very heart of stars (in the CNO cycle, for example) are identical to those used for materials analysis. Measuring the effective cross-sections of nuclear reactions envisaged in the astrophysical context, as well as understanding the stopping powers of incident ions, are also of interest for materials analysis. In addition, atomic and nuclear analysis techniques are constantly being improved and tested to better meet the growing demands of research and industry, for example in the characterization of surfaces and interfaces.
Life sciences
Finally, we put all the knowledge acquired in the two fields mentioned above at the service of life sciences. With the help of a multidisciplinary team, we study experimentally and theoretically the cellular response to irradiation by photons or particles. UNamur's particle gas pedal and X-ray irradiator enable us to irradiate different types of cells in-vitro, using protons, He+ particles, Li+ ions, carbon ions (Hadrontherapy) or photons. We are also able to synthesize nanoparticles and study the cellular response to their exposure with or without irradiation (radiosensitizers). The effects of irradiation are assessed using a plethora of experimental methods, including NMR spectroscopy, and supported by simulations that call on MCNPx and GEANT4 codes.
A spin-off Innovative Coating Solutions (ICS) has been created with a view to valorizing research results linked to vacuum coating of complex 3D parts.