Keyboard shortcuts

Press ← or → to navigate between chapters

Press S or / to search in the book

Press ? to show this help

Press Esc to hide this help

Welcome to ACTINV

ACTINV calculates which nuclides a material contains during irradiation and cooling. Supply a material composition, a particle-flux spectrum, a schedule, and evaluated nuclear data. ACTINV calculates inventories, activity, decay heat, and requested source terms and responses.

This handbook covers ACTINV 1.3.1 and nuclear-data catalog 1.1.0. The downloadable desktop preview has a separate release history; check its solver version before using a feature described here.

The reference also includes additions on current master. Gas production, transport-tally error propagation, and impurity budgets are currently unreleased; Versions and releases distinguishes them from the installed packages.

Choose how to work

InterfaceUse it forStart here
DesktopEdit a single-material problem, run calculations, and explore plotsInstall the desktop
Command lineRun JSON problems, import transport fluxes, and automate studiesYour first calculation
PythonConstruct problems and analyze results in scripts or notebooksPython guide
BrowserLearn the interface, edit problems, and inspect existing resultsBrowser workbench

The browser prepares inputs and displays results. Run calculations in the desktop, CLI, or Python interface.

Start with one material

Install ACTINV, then follow Your first calculation to run the supplied iron example. You do not need a source checkout. The example supplies a complete spectrum so you can concentrate on the material, schedule, and results.

Once it runs, use Describe a problem to adapt it to your own inputs and Read your results to interpret the output. Keep the specification reference nearby when enabling optional features.

Understand the calculation boundary

ACTINV is an activation and inventory solver. A transport calculation or measurement supplies its particle spectrum; separate transport tools handle spatial shielding and dose transport. Missing evaluated data and incomplete responses appear in the result’s ledger.

ACTINV is research-grade software. Its validation evidence does not approve a calculation for licensing, safety, waste classification, or regulatory use. Read Scope and qualification and Known data limitations when assessing a calculation’s applicability.

Find help

Use the search button or press / to search this handbook. Troubleshooting covers common setup and input errors. Report reproducible software problems through GitHub issues, including your version, command, and error message.