Benchmark experiments at the TRIGA Mark II reactor

International audienceThe benchmark experiments performed in an operating research reactor cannot achieve the same level of accuracy as benchmarks in dedicated facilities that are specifically designed for such a purpose. However research reactors offer a great opportunity for benchmark experiments when designed and performed with great caution and accuracy. The paper describes a series of experiments performed at the JSI TRIGA reactor that can serve as benchmark experiments for testing computer codes and nuclear data. The experiments described are criticality, Au (n,g) and Al (n,a) reaction rates in irradiation channels, absolute and relative Au (n,g), $^{235}$U (n,f) $^{238}$U(n,f) reaction rates in the core, burnup, control rod worth, isothermal reactivity coefficient, self-shielding. Some of the experiments have already been evaluated and are available to worldwide community, while the others are yet to be evaluated