Multi-element determinations of trace elements in glass by instrumental photon activation analysis

An instrumental photon activation method is reported for multi-element determinations in glass. The concentrations of 17 elements in NBS standard glass can be determined by irradiation with 30-MeV bremsstrahlung and measurement of the resulting γ-rays with a Ge(Li) detector. The average of all relative standard deviations is 2.7%; the relative deviations from the NBS certified values range from 1.4 to 3.4%.     

Bremsstrahlung from few-electron ions

We have developed the new approach which can be used for accurate evaluations of the bremsstrahlung cross-sections in the case of few-electron atoms and ions. Our approach is based on the explicit formula for the electron density distribution in such systems. We derive the closed analytical formula for the matrix elements which are needed for highly accurate computations of atomic form-factors of two-electron atoms and ions. Multiple bremsstrahlung from few-electron ions is considered. We also discuss the energy loss due to bremsstrahlung in a plasma which contains multi-charged ions and free electrons. Bremsstrahlung from a high-temperature plasma is considered as well as its role in the high-temperature burn-up of deuterium plasma.     

Review of absolute doubly differential cross-section experiments and cross-section ratios for electron bremsstrahlung from rare gas atom and thin-film targets

We discuss doubly differential cross-section experiments for electron bremsstrahlung from free gas atom and thin-film targets for electron energies of 100 keV or less. We compare cross-section ratios for different target atoms with two theoretical models: ordinary bremsstrahlung and total bremsstrahlung calculated in the stripping approximation. Ratios of cross sections have been used to improve the comparison between experiment and theory when only relative cross sections are available or when the error in the absolute cross section is large. We also discuss additional background processes that may be more important in gas target experiments.     

Continuous X-rays produced in light-ion–atom collisions

Continuous X-rays produced in light-ion–atom collisions producing continuous backgrounds and therefore determining the detection limit of PIXE, have been experimentally and theoretically studied. It is shown that the experimental results over the wide range of projectile-ion energy from 0.5 to 40 MeV are well explained by four sources of radiative processes: nuclear bremsstrahlung (NB), atomic bremsstrahlung (AB) (or polarization bremsstrahlung), secondary-electron bremsstrahlung (SEB), and quasi-free-electron bremsstrahlung (QFEB).     

Target thickness dependence of bremsstrahlung from solid films

We report initial results of a study of the target thickness dependence of bremsstrahlung from solid film targets. The electron beam energy is 50 keV and bremsstrahlung is observed at 90°. Targets are aluminium and gold. Target thicknesses from 50 μg/cm², where single interaction conditions apply, to twice the electron range, where a multiple interaction model applies, were studied. We observe the transition from thin to thick film spectra. The purpose is to investigate whether the polarization bremsstrahlung contribution may be suppressed in solid film targets.     

Zur Optimierung der Bestrahlungsbedingungen im Bremsstrahlfeld des Mikrotrons MT 22 des vik Dubna

In the bremsstrahlung field of the Microtron MT 22, copper foils (0.035 mm thick) positioned along beam direction and also perpendicular to the beam at different distances from the bremsstrahlung target were irradiated. From these activated copper foils autorodiograms were prepared. By means of a densitron and a microdensitometer, the autoradiograms were measured. The densitron pictures give a qualitative impression of the geometry of the bremsstrahlung field, whereas the curves of optical density yield quantitative values. From optical density curves, conclusions have been drawn about optimal geometry for irradiation positions of samples in this bremsstrahlung field. A sample rotating device applicable for photon activation analysis by means of the MT 22 is described.      

Polarizational bremsstrahlung in non-relativistic collisions

We review the developments made during the last decade in the theory of polarization bremsstrahlung in the non-relativistic domain. A literature survey covering the latest history of the phenomenon is given. The main features which distinguish the polarization bremsstrahlung from other mechanisms of radiation are discussed and illustrated by the results of numerical calculations.     

Measurement of half-lives for 87m,gY and 196m,g,194Au produced from the photon and neutron induced reactions of 89Y and 197Au

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - We have measured the half-lives of 87mY and 87gY produced from the 89Y(γ, 2n) and 89Y(n, 3n) reactions with the bremsstrahlung end-point...     

Neutron activation experiments for bremsstrahlung characterization studies

Activation experiments were conducted to assess the bremsstrahlung continuum produced from the activation of the ⁷Li isotope and the subsequent short-lived 13 MeV beta decay of ⁸Li (T _1/2 = 843 ms). The combination of the high energy beta-decay and the high atomic numbered metals used in piping for ⁷Li liquid metal coolants is a scenario in which bremsstrahlung production is a principal shielding concern. A series of fast pneumatic activation experiments have been performed to obtain the spectral distributions of bremsstrahlung gamma-rays transmitted through stainless steel shield samples. Detectors were used in both pulse-height and multichannel scaling analysis modes for energy spectra determination and half-life verification, respectively. Experimental results were utilized to validate the electron transport and bremsstrahlung production models used in the Monte Carlo MCNP code.     

Bremsstrahlung from gas atom targets: Study of background processes

Recent absolute bremsstrahlung cross section experiments on gas targets of Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe at 28 and 50 keV have shown a significant polarization bremsstrahlung (PB) contribution, in contrast with previous thin-film experiments where no PB has been seen. Recently, Obolensky and Pratt have considered ways to improve the PB model, but the theory is still about 20% below the data. While a more complete theoretical calculation is certainly needed, we consider two additional background processes, not corrected in the experiment, that depend on the background photon spectrum in the beam line produced by electron interaction with collimators in the beam. We compare an estimate of both backgrounds with that from beam electrons elastically scattered by the gas into the cell window or wall and discuss initial efforts to measure these backgrounds.     

Measurement of isomeric yield ratios for the 44m,gSc isomeric pairs produced from 45Sc and natTi targets at 50-, 60-, and 70-MeV bremsstrahlung

We measured the isomeric yield ratios for the ^44m,gSc isomeric pairs produced from different reaction channels ⁴⁵Sc(??,n)^44m,gSc and ^natTi(??,xnp)^44m,gSc by using the activation method and ??-ray spectroscopic methods at 50-, 60-, and 70-MeV bremsstrahlung energies. The high-purity natural Sc and Ti foils in disc shape were irradiated with uncollimated bremsstrahlung beams generated from an electron linear accelerator at Pohang Accelerator Laboratory. The induced activities in the irradiated foils were measured by the high-resolution ??-ray spectrometric system which consists of a high-purity Germanium detector and a multichannel analyzer. In order to improve the accuracy of the experimental results the necessary corrections were made in the ??-ray activity measurements and data analysis. The measured isomeric yield ratios for the ⁴⁵Sc(??,n)^44m,gSc reaction are 0.20 ± 0.02, 0.21 ± 0.02, and 0.21 ± 0.02 and those for the ^natTi(??,xnp)^44m,gSc reaction are 0.063 ± 0.012, 0.079 ± 0.014, and 0.124 ± 0.022 at 50-, 60-, and 70-MeV bremsstrahlung energies, respectively. The obtained results are compared with the corresponding values found in the literature. We observed that the isomeric yield ratios for the ⁴⁵Sc(??,n)^44m,gSc reaction increase rapidly with the increasing bremsstrahlung energies from the reaction threshold up to giant resonance region, and then those are almost constant in the energy range from about 30 to 2.5 GeV. The isomeric yield ratios for the ^natTi(??,xnp)^44m,gSc reaction increase with increasing bremsstrahlung energies in a wide range of bremsstrahlung energies from 50 to 2.5 GeV.     

Experimental results on 2–30 keV bremsstrahlung from thick and thin targets

The recent experimental investigations on electron bremsstrahlung produced from impact of 2–30 keV electrons with thick solid and thin gaseous targets are reviewed. The theoretical models describing the energy and angular distributions of bremsstrahlung photons are discussed with their brief outlines and formulations to explain the experimental data. The results on thick target bremsstrahlung (TTB) spectra produced by keV electrons have suggested that there is a need to develop a comprehensive theory for accounting the solid state effects. It is further noted that the prediction of the modified KKD formula gives a reasonable agreement with the TTB data, whereas a semi-empirical formula gives a better fit to the data for thick targets. The available experimental data for dependence of double differential cross-sections of emitted photons on impact energy and their emission angles for gaseous atoms and molecules exhibit a good agreement with the theoretical calculations of Kissel et al., [1983. Shape functions for atomic-field bremsstrahlung from electrons of kinetic energy 1–500 keV on selected neutral atoms 1<Z<92. Atom. Data Nucl. Data Tables 28, 381–460].     

Isomeric yield ratios in the photoproduction of 52m,gMn from natural iron using 50-, 60-, 70-MeV, and 2.5-GeV bremsstrahlung

The isomeric yield ratios for the ^natFe(γ,xn1p)^52m,gMn reactions have been measured by the activation and the γ-ray spectroscopic methods at 50-, 60-, 70-MeV, and 2.5-GeV bremsstrahlung energies. The high purity natural iron foils in disc shape were irradiated with uncollimated bremsstrahlung beams of the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory. The induced activities in the irradiated foils were measured by the high-resolution γ-ray spectrometry with a calibrated high-purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. In order to improve the accuracy of the experimental results the necessary corrections were made in the gamma activity measurements and data analysis. The obtained isomeric yield ratios for the ^natFe(γ,xn1p)^52m,gMn reactions at 50-, 60-, 70-MeV, and 2.5-GeV bremsstrahlung energies are 0.27 ± 0.03, 0.33 ± 0.04, 0.34 ± 0.04, and 1.25 ± 0.15, respectively. The present results at 50-, 60-MeV, and 2.5-GeV bremsstrahlung energies are the first measurements. We found that the isomeric yield ratio of the ^natFe(γ,xn1p)^52m,gMn reaction depends on the incident bremsstrahlung energy and the mass difference between the product and the target nucleus when we compared the present results with other experimental data at different energies.     

Detecting deviations from pure EOF during CE separations

CE separations are known for their high separation efficiencies. In systems with EOF, the high efficiencies benefit from the flat, plug profile that is characteristic of EOF. When a velocity gradient is present, such as in separations which have nonuniform buffer ionic strength, surface adsorption or differences in the height of the ends of the capillary, a parabolic flow component is introduced. This deviation from purely EOF yields increased peak dispersion and a subsequent decrease in separation performance. This work details a rapid method for detecting deviations from ideal plug flow during the course of a separation using the radially averaged flow profile of a photobleached fluorophore added to the BGE. By comparing the ratio of two different data analysis procedures, deviations from ideal plug flow can be detected. This method allows rapid measurement of flow character and does not interfere with the concurrent separation. We demonstrate easy detection of the onset of hydrodynamic flow induced by both gravity siphoning and an ionic strength buffer discontinuity. A brief analysis of the radially averaged peak shapes is also presented.     

Relativistic effects in polarizational bremsstrahlung

We review the achievements of the theory of polarization bremsstrahlung of relativistic particles, including the case when both colliders have internal structure. The main features which the relativistic effects bring into the problem are discussed and illustrated by the results of numerical calculations.     

Resonance structures in polarization bremsstrahlung from electron–atom collisions

Generalized results of the experimental and theoretical investigations on the resonance structure of polarization bremsstrahlung in the collisions of high-energy (nonrelativistic) and intermediate-energy electrons with atoms have been presented. The features of the gas-jet method of generating electromagnetic radiation used in the experimental investigation of polarization bremsstrahlung are considered. The features and regularities of the resonance structure in the differential spectra of X-ray bremsstrahlung have been analyzed as a function of the incoming electron energy.     

Volumetric Properties for Binary Mixtures of Nonane + Decane at Temperatures from <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>=283.15 to 353.15 K and at <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>=0.7 atm

Densities of the binary mixture of nonane with decane were measured at temperatures from 283.15 to 353.15 K at atmospheric pressure (0.7 atm). Measurements have been made over the full range of compositions and for the pure compounds by using a vibrating-tube densimeter (VTD). Excess molar volumes have been obtained from these experimental results and were fitted to a Redlich–Kister type expansion. The excess molar volumes exhibit small positive and small negative deviations from ideal behavior in the temperature interval studied. Partial molar volumes and partial molar volumes at infinite dilution have been determined for each component.     

Polarizational bremsstrahlung in collisions of slow atomic particles

The polarizational bremsstrahlung problem is considered in collisions of slow atomic particles. It is demonstrated that the polarizational bremsstrahlung dominates in the region of high impact parameters and small photon frequencies over the well-known molecular orbital X-ray emission. The contribution of the polarizational bremsstrahlung to the total radiation spectrum is significant over a wide frequency range.     

Electron–positron pair production and bremsstrahlung at intermediate energies in the field of heavy atoms

The Coulomb corrections (CC) to the processes of bremsstrahlung and pair production are investigated. The next-to-leading term in the high-energy asymptotics is found. This term becomes very essential in the region of intermediate energies. The influence of screening for CC is small for differential cross section, spectrum, and the total cross section of pair production. The same is true for the spectrum of bremsstrahlung, but not for the differential cross section, where the influence of screening can be very large. The corresponding screening corrections as well as the modification of the differential cross section of bremsstrahlung are found. A comparison of our results for the total cross section of pair production with the experimental data available is performed. This comparison has justified our analytical results and allowed to elaborate a simple ansatz for the next-to-leading correction. The influence of the electron beam shape on CC for bremsstrahlung is investigated. It turns out that the differential cross section is very sensitive to this shape.