Analysis of the Thermal Performance of Electrical Instruments in a Nuclear Environment

A method and results of a thermal analysis typical of the approach taken to develop electrical transducers for the NERVA reactor program is described. The analytical techniques developed have been successfully applied to electrical transducers and mechanical components for use in a nuclear environment where heat is generated internally in the device by gamma radiation. These techniques have proven to be an important part of the overall radiation effects program directed toward obtaining reliable instrumentation for the NERVA program.