The response of thermally and optically stimulated luminescence from Al2O3:C to high-energy heavy charged particles

The thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) response of Al₂O₃ dosimeters to high-energy heavy charged particles (HCP) has been studied using the heavy ion medical accelarator at Chiba, Japan. The samples were Al₂O₃ single-crystal chips, of the type usually known as TLD-500, and Luxel^TM dosimeters (Al₂O₃:C powder in plastic) from Landauer Inc. The samples were exposed to ⁴He (150 MeV/u), ¹²C (400 MeV/u), ²⁸Si (490 MeV/u) and ⁵⁶Fe (500 MeV/u) ions, with linear energy transfer values covering the range from 2.26 to 189 keV/μm in water and doses from 1 to 100 mGy (to water). A ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y beta source, calibrated against a ⁶⁰Co secondary standard, was used for calibration purposes. For OSL, we used both continuous-wave OSL measurements (CW-OSL, using green light stimulation at 525 nm) and pulsed OSL measurements (POSL, using 532 nm stimulation from a Nd:YAG Q-switched laser). The efficiencies (η_HCP,γ) of the different HCPs at producing OSL or TL were observed to depend not only upon the linear energy transfer (LET) of the HCP, but also upon the sample type (single crystal chip or Luxel^TM) and the luminescence method used to define the signal—i.e. TL, CW-OSL initial intensity, CW-OSL total area, or POSL. Observed changes in shape of the decay curve lead to potential methods for extracting LET information of unknown radiation fields. A discussion of the results is given, including the potential use of OSL from Al₂O₃ in the areas of space radiation dosimetry and radiation oncology.     

Optically stimulated luminescence and thermoluminescence efficiencies for high-energy heavy charged particle irradiation in Al2O3:C

The thermally and optically stimulated luminescence (TL and OSL) response to high energy heavy-charged particles (HCPs) was investigated for two types of Al2O3:C luminescence dosimeters. The OSL signal was measured in both continuous-wave (CW) and pulsed mode. The efficiencies of the HCPs at producing TL or OSL, relative to gamma radiation, were obtained using four different HCPs beams (150 MeV/u 4He, 400 MeV/u 12C, 490 MeV/u 28Si, and 500 MeV/u 56Fe). The efficiencies were determined as a function of the HCP linear energy transfer (LET). It was observed that the efficiency depends on the type of detector, measurement technique, and the choice of signal. Additionally, it is shown that the shape of the CW-OSL decay curve from Al2O3:C depends on the type of radiation, and, in principle, this can be used to extract information concerning the LET of an unknown radiation field. The response of the dosimeters to low-LET radiation was also investigated for doses in the range from about 1-1000 Gy. These data were used to explain the different efficiency values obtained for the different materials and techniques, as well as the LET dependence of the CW-OSL decay curve shape.     

Radioluminescence (RL) behaviour of Al2O3:C-potential for dosimetric applications

The radioluminescence (RL) of carbon doped aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃:C) TL dosimeter material (TLD-500) was investigated using a ¹³⁷Cs conversion electron source (which also emits β and γ) for simultaneous irradiation and luminescence excitation. Furthermore, RL dosimetry characteristics of this material were studied. The main RL emission occurs at 420 nm. That matches the known main TL and OSL emissions for this material as well as an emission that was investigated in earlier RL studies, excited at higher energies (4 MeV electrons) and very high pulse delivered doses (≈800 kGy·s⁻¹). Furthermore, the saturation dose for the main peak is reached at the dose level of ≈80 Gy as known from TL and earlier RL investigations. Other peaks at 700 and 790 nm and broad emission bands at photon energies higher than 3.00 eV and others between 2.00 and 2.50 eV were observed. The 700 nm emission shows growth also at higher dose levels, and saturates at an estimated dose of ≈800 Gy. The 790 nm emission reaches its maximum intensity at ≈10 Gy absorbed dose. The reported results give an outlook to the usability and the potential of Al₂O₃:C combined with RL measurements for radiation dosimetry as well as for beta source calibration, using radioluminescence.     

Response of thermoluminescent detectors to charged particles and to neutrons

Thermoluminescent detectors (TLDs) are widely used for the dosimetry of photons and electrons. They are less used for the radiation with higher linear energy transfer (LET). One of the reasons for that is that their TL relative efficiency η decreases for the most of them with increasing LET.

The paper presents first a review of author's experimental results in which η was established for charged particles having LET of the order from 1 to 100 keV/μm in tissue. Among TLDs studied were known materials like LiF:Mn; Ti; Al–P glass; CaSO₄:Dy; Al₂O₃:Na; and Al₂O₃:C. It was found that the dependence of their η on LET is not the same for all TLDs studied.

The response of the same materials to neutrons was also studied. It was found that both η as the relative response (RR) defined in terms of absorbed dose in tissue are different, they depend critically also on the composition. When a TLD contains nuclei like ⁶Li and ¹⁰B, their RR would be rather high. As far as η is concerned, the same tendencies were observed as for charged particles, i.e. when average LET of secondary particles formed in a TLD increases, their η generally decreases.     

不同退火温度的Al_2O_3:C薄膜热释光和光释光性能

α-Al_2O_3:C晶体的热释光和光释光性能优越,但其制备要求高,需高温和高还原气氛.与α-Al_2O_3:C晶体性能接近的α-Al_2O_3:C陶瓷,热释光峰不单一.本文采用两次阳极氧化法在0.5 mol/L的草酸溶液中5℃恒温制备高度均匀有序的多孔Al_2O_3:C薄膜,主要研究不同退火温度对其热释光和光释光特性的影响.结果表明,经不同温度退火后的Al_2O_3:C薄膜均为非晶结构;不同退火温度的Al_2O_3:C薄膜热释光的主发光峰约在310℃左右,符合通用级动力学模型.600℃退火后的Al_2O_3:C薄膜热释光灵敏度最强,其热释光剂量曲线在1-10 Gy范围内具有很好的线性响应,在剂量10-120 Gy范围内出现超线性响应;在相同的辐照剂量下,随着退火温度的升高(≤600℃)光释光的初始发光强度逐渐增强.不同退火温度的Al_2O_3:C薄膜光释光衰减曲线都呈典型的指数衰减且快衰减速率相比α-Al_2O_3:C晶体显著加快.600℃退火后的Al_2O_3:C薄膜光释光灵敏度最强,其光释光剂量响应曲线在1-200 Gy整体上都具有很好的剂量线性关系.与热释光相比,Al_2O_3:C薄膜的光释光具有更宽的线性剂量响应范围.此研究为Al_2O_3:C薄膜作为光释光辐射剂量材料做出了有益的探索.     

Application of the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) technique in space dosimetry

This paper reviews the state of the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) technique for space dosimetry applications, focusing on the properties of carbon-doped aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃:C). New data presented include the most complete and recent values for the relative efficiency η_HCP,γ for heavy charged particles as a function of the incident radiation's linear energy transfer (LET), obtained through ground-based experiments at heavy ion accelerators. We also discuss the factors influencing the OSL efficiencies, the LET-dependent properties of Al₂O₃:C, and the experience gained from past space experiments using Al₂O₃:C. The characterization of the OSL efficiency values as a function of LET allows the use of the OSL of Al₂O₃:C in combination with plastic nuclear track detectors for personal dosimetry of astronauts, as proposed by the NCRP Report 142.     

1-forms over the moduli space of irreducible connections defined by the spectrum of Dirac operators

Let (P) be the moduli space of irreducible connections of a G-principal bundle P over a closed Riemannian spin manifold M. Let D_A be the Dirac operator of M coupled to a connection A of P and f a smooth function on M. We consider a smooth variation A(u) of A with tangent vector ω and denote T_ω:= (D_A(u)−f) (u=0. The coefficients of the asymptotic expansion of trace (T_ω · e^-t(D_A−f)2) near t=0 define 1-forms a^(k)_f, K=0, 1, 2, … on (P). In this paper we calculate aa⁽⁰⁾_f, a⁽¹⁾_f, a⁽²⁾_f and study some of their properties. For instance using the 1-form a⁽²⁾_f for suitable functions f we obtain a foliation of codimension 5 of the space of G-instantons of S⁴.     

不同粒径α-Al2O3:C晶态粉体热释光和光释光特性

本文探讨了α -Al₂O₃:C晶态粉体的辐照剂量效应, 使用RisøTL/OSL-DA-15 型热释光和光释光仪研究其热释光和光释光特性, 结果发现, 相同粒径的α-Al₂O₃:C晶态粉体具有单一热释光峰, 且随着辐照剂量的增加热释光强度不断增加, 但热释光峰位置保持不变, 符合一级动力学模型; 而在相同的辐照剂量和测试条件下, 随着α -Al₂O₃:C晶态粉体粒径的减小, 其热释光强度先增强后减弱, 热释光峰却逐渐增加至趋于稳定, 表明粒度为40—60 μ的α -Al₂O₃:C晶态粉体具有最佳的热释光效应. 同时α -Al₂O₃:C晶态粉体的光释光特性的研究发现, 其光释光曲线具有典型的指数衰减特征, 粒径对其光释光强度和衰减速率的影响符合浅电子陷阱能级理论.     

Effects of type of radiation on glow curve and thermoluminescence emission spectrum of CaF2:Tm

Thermoluminescence emission spectra of CaF₂:Tm (TLD-300) samples irradiated with 48 keV X-rays ⁶⁰Co gamma rays, 4.5 MeV alpha particles and 15 MeV neutrons were measured in the 300–650 K temperature region. Seven emission bands were observed of which the one in the infrared (at 803 nm) is very intense. The emission bands can be assigned to ¹D, ¹G, ³F and ³H levels characteristic for Tm³⁺ de-excitation in a cubic field. All observed lines in the spectrum are due to 4f-4f transitions. The spectra undergo remarkable changes in intensity when the temperature is raised from room temperature up to 350°C, while the number of the emission bands remains constant. The glow curve structure is both dependent on emission wavelength and the type of radiation. Evidence has been found that the trapping structures responsible for glow peaks 2 and 3 alter under the influence of high LET () radiation. For glow peaks 4–6 the filling of the traps alters with the type of radiation. The observations can be explained assuming a TL process involving several hole trapping centres but with only one luminescent centre (Tm³⁺) active at all temperatures.     

氢化氧化铝的同位素效应研究

在B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)水平上预测了Al2O3H3分子的较低能量构型.其基态构型具有C s对称性,电子态为1A′.通过研究Al2O3M3和M2(M=H,D,T)的能量E、定容热容C V和熵S,用电子振动近似讨论了Al2O3+3/2M2→Al2O3M3反应的氢同位素效应,得到了Al2O3氢化的热力学函数?H0,?S0,?G0,及平衡压力与温度的关系.研究表明,氧化物Al2O3吸附氢(氘,氚)反应的同位素排代效应顺序为氚排代氘,氘排代氢,与钛等金属的同位素排代顺序相反.但排代效应都非常弱,且随着温度的增加趋于消失.     

Intensification of the peroxide macroradical formation in polytetrafluoroethylene under action of mixed (n,γ)-radiation in the vicinity of recoil atom tracks

Formation of peroxide macroradicals in PolyTetraFluoro Ethylene (PTFE) under γ-rays, protons (100 MeV), heavy Xe-ions (1 MeV/ nucleon), and mixed (n,γ)-irradiation has been investigated. An unusually high value of the macroradical formation yield in the case of reactor irradiation (G(R)_n,γ=(7.04±0.18)×10⁻² 1/100 eV) as well as unusual increase of G(R) in the first three cases with growing linear energy transfer (LET) values has been explained as an evidence for synergetic effects that may appear during radiation degradation of PTFE in the fields of mixed ionizing radiation.     

Fixed charge and interface traps at heterovalent interfaces between Si(1 0 0) and non-crystalline Al2O3–Ta2O5 alloys

Characterization by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirms (Ta₂O₅)_x(Al₂O₃)_1−x alloys are homogeneous pseudo-binary alloys with increased thermal stability with respect to end member oxides, Ta₂O₅ and Al₂O₃. Capacitance–voltage (C–V) and current density–voltage (J–V) data as a function of temperate show that the Ta d-states of the alloys act as localized electron traps, and are at an energy approximately equal to the conduction band offset of Ta₂O₅ with respect to Si.     

太赫兹波段介质微腔光学特性研究

采用匀胶法制备了厚度在微米量级的 Si/[TiO₂/Al₂O₃]²TiO₂和Si/[TiO₂/MgO]²/TiO₂ 多层介质膜反射镜. 采用太赫兹(THz)时域透射光谱系统获得了多层膜的时域透射谱. 用传输矩阵法模拟了Si/[TiO₂/Al₂O₃]²TiO₂ 和Si/[TiO₂/MgO]²/TiO₂两种分布式布拉格反射镜 (DBR)的反射相移和相位穿透深度等光学特性. 设计了两种结构为 DBR/LT-GaAs/DBR的对称THz光学微腔结构并模拟了腔结构的辐射光谱. 结果表明:通过引入谐振腔, 两种DBR组成的微腔器件在谐振波长处的强度分别提高了19和14倍. 其中Si/[TiO₂/Al₂O₃]²TiO₂/LT-GaAs (12 μm)/ [TiO₂/Al₂O₃]²TiO₂腔的辐射光谱存在两个峰, 分别位于208和248 μm, 并分析了出现两个谐振峰的原因. 探讨了通过引入介质谐振腔实现对THz源的辐射特性进行调控的可行性. 关键词： 分布式布拉格反射镜 光子晶体 穿透深度 太赫兹微腔     

Comments on np elastic scattering, 142–800 MeV

Important new data of McNaughton et al. on np Wolfenstein parameters are added to NN phase-shift analysis. At 800 MeV, there is a dramatic improvement and one can see with confidence which way phase shifts are heading from 500 to 800 MeV. Dispersive effects in ³D₁ and ³G₃ herald the onset of I = 0 inelasticity. Phase shifts account naturally for the energy dependence of Δσ_L and Δσ_T for np scattering and do not support the claim of Beddo et al. for an I = 0 dibaryon resonance near 733 MeV.     

Measurements of interaction cross sections and radii of He isotopes

Secondary beams of ³He, ⁴He, ⁶He, and ⁸He were produced through the projectile fragmentation of an 800 MeV/nucleon ¹¹B primary beam. Interaction cross sections (σ_I) of all He isotopes of 790 MeV/nucleon on Be, C, and Al targets were measured by a transmission-type experiment. The interaction nuclear radii of He isotopes R_I(He) = (σ_I/π)^1/2 − R _I(T) where R_I(T) is the radius of the target nucleus, have been deduced to be R_I(³He) = 1.59 ± 0.06 fm, R_I(⁴He) = 1.40 ± 0.05 fm, R_I(⁶He) = 2.21 ± 0.06 fm, and R_I(⁸He) = 2.52 ± 0.06 fm.     

B-MQMAS and Si–{B} Double-Resonance NMR Studies on the Structure of Binary B2O3–SiO2 Glasses

Glasses in the system x B₂O₃·(1−x)SiO₂ (0.2≤x≤1.0) were studied using ¹¹B multiple quantum magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy (MQMAS), ²⁹Si–\{¹¹B\} rotational echo adiabatic passage double-resonance and ²⁹Si–\}¹¹B\{ CP heteronuclear correlation spectroscopy. The results can be quantitatively interpreted in terms of a phase separation of the borosilicate glasses into a virtually SiO₂-free B₂O₃ phase and a mixed borosilicate phase. While the MQMAS spectra allowed the site speciation and resolution of at least two different ¹¹B resonances, attributable to BO_3/2 units consumed in boroxol rings, BO_3/2 units connecting the boroxol rings and BO_3/2 units involved in B–O–Si linkages, the analysis of the double-resonance data further elucidated the structure of the mixed borosilicate phase. The results indicate that only a fraction of 0.48 mol B₂O₃ can be accommodated per mole SiO₂, building a mixed borosilicate network.     

Simultaneous measurements of the p+d→(A=3)+π reactions

A stack of annular detectors made of high-purity germanium was used to measure simultaneously pd → ³H π⁺ and pd → ³He π⁰ differential cross sections at beam momenta of 750 MeV/c, 800 MeV/c, and 850 MeV/c over a large angular range. The extracted total cross sections for the pd → ³He π⁰ reactions bridge a gap between near threshold data and those in the resonance region. The ratio of the cross sections for the two reaction channels taken at the same η=p^cm_π/m_π yields 2.11±0.08 indicating that a deviation from isospin symmetry is very small.     

Projective and affine connections on S and integrable systems

It is known that the Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation is a geodesic flow of an L² metric on the Bott–Virasoro group. This can also be interpreted as a flow on the space of projective connections on S¹. The space of differential operators Δ⁽ⁿ⁾=∂ⁿ+u₂∂ⁿ⁻²++u_n form the space of extended or generalized projective connections. If a projective connection is factorizable Δ⁽ⁿ⁾=(∂−((n+1)/2−1)p₁)(∂+(n−1)/2p_n) with respect to quasi primary fields p_i’s, then these fields satisfy ∑_i=1ⁿ((n+1)/2−i)p_i=0. In this paper we discuss the factorization of projective connection in terms of affine connections. It is shown that the Burgers equation and derivative non-linear Schrödinger (DNLS) equation or the Kaup–Newell equation is the Euler–Arnold flow on the space of affine connections.     

Radiation induced chemisorption of oxygen on chromia

The effect of nuclear radiation on the chemisorption of oxygen on Cr₂O₃, Cr₂O₃-Al₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃-SnO₂ catalysts has been studied. An iodometric method was used to measure the amount of chemisorbed oxygen; simultaneously the increase in the catalytic activity of the catalyst in the decomposition of H₂O₂ was determined. It was found that the radiation present within a nuclear reactor promotes the chemisorption of oxygen on chromia (either pure or supported on Al₂O₃ or SnO₂) at temperatures at which such a chemisorption does not normally occur. The radiochemisorption of oxygen on chromia increases with the degree of dispersion of chromia on Al₂O₃ or SnO₂ and is accompanied by an increased catalytic activity of this catalyst in the decomposition reaction of H₂O₂. It seems that the radiochemisorption is largely due to the action of γ-rays and fast neutrons on the gas.     

Investigation of 1.3 μm emission in Nd-doped bismuth-based oxide glasses

Nd₂O₃-doped 43Bi₂O₃–xB₂O₃–(57−x)SiO₂–1.0Nd₂O₃ (x=57, 47, 39, 28.5, 19.5, 10, 0 mol%) bismuth glasses were prepared by the conventional melt-quenching method, and the Nd³⁺: ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_13/2 fluorescence properties had been studied in an oxide system Bi₂O₃–B₂O₃–SiO₂. The Judd–Ofelt analysis for Nd³⁺ ions in bismuth boron silicate glasses was also performed on the basis of absorption spectrum, and the transition probabilities, excited-state lifetimes, the fluorescence branching ratios, quantum efficiency and the stimulated emission cross-sections of ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_13/2 transition were calculated and discussed. The stimulated emission cross-sections of 1.3 μm were quite large due to a large refractive index of the host. Although the effective bandwidths decreased with increasing SiO₂ content, quantum efficiencies and stimulated emission cross-sections enhanced largely with increasing SiO₂ content.