On some issues of safety of research pulsed reactor IBR-2

For over 26 years (since February 1984) the IBR-2 reactor has been a unique pulsed source of neutrons [1 - 3]. The periodic character of power pulse generation provides rich opportunities for carrying out experiments in condensed matter physics by the time-of-flight method. Nowhere but in Russia a project to create a reactor of the type has been realized [4]. The main reason is extremely strict safety requirements and uniqueness of the machine. Safe and reliable operation of IBR-2 is guaranteed by the emergency and control system as well as by regular investigation, diagnostics and monitoring of basic reactor parameters. In the paper it is shown how some fundamental peculiarities of IBR-2 physics influence its performance and safety.