Measurement of K absorption edge energies of silver and tin targets using a weak beta source

K absorption edge energies of Ag and Sn elements have been determined by using a weak beta source. In this method, the beta particles from a ⁹⁰Sr? ⁹⁰Y beta source interact with an iron foil to produce the external bremsstrahlung (EB) photons. The spectrum of EB photons is passed through the elemental target and the spectrum of transmitted photons is recorded with a high resolution HPGe detector spectrometer coupled to 16K multichannel analyzer. The recorded transmitted EB spectrum shows a sharp decrease in intensity at the K shell binding energy of elemental target. Such a sharp decrease region, which is corrected for Kβ′₂ contribution, has been used to determine the K absorption edge energies of Ag and Sn elemental targets. The measured values have been compared with theoretical and experimental values. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of K to L shell total vacancy transfer probabilities using a weak gamma source: An alternative method

The K-L total vacancy transfer probabilities (η_KL) of selected elements in the atomic range 42≤Z≤82 have been determined using a weak gamma source. The targets are excited by 123.6 keV gamma photons from a weak ⁵⁷Co source and K X-ray photons are measured by an ORTEC type GMX-10P HPGe detector coupled to 8 K multichannel analyzer. By measuring the K X-ray intensity ratio and K shell fluorescence yield, the K to L total vacancy transfer probabilities have been determined. Measured values have been compared with theoretical and other experimental values.     

External bremsstrahlung spectra of the Sr source in some lead compounds measured using NaI detector

The spectral distributions of external bremsstrahlung (EB) excited by beta particles from a ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y source in thick target compounds PbCl₂, PbF₂, Pb(NO₃)₂ and CdO were measured using a 3.8 cm × 3.8 cm NaI(Tl) crystal. The spectra, unfolded using the Liden-Starfelt procedure, showed fairly good agreement with theory (Tseng and Pratt) at low energies and some deviation (less than 15%) at higher energies. The discrepancy between theory and experiment increases with modified atomic number of the target compound and photon energy. The application of the measured/theoretical spectrum to estimate the bremsstrahlung dose is also discussed.     

Study of absorption parameters around the K edge for selected compounds of Gd

The K shell absorption jump ratios, jump factors, effective atomic numbers, and electron densities were derived from the measured total mass attenuation coefficient using an energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectrometer for Gd₂O₃, Gd₂(CO₃)₃H₂O, Gd₂(C₂O₄)₃H₂O, and Gd₂(SO₄)₃ compounds. The total mass attenuation coefficients were measured in the X‐ray energy range from 39.52 to 57.14 keV in a transmission geometry utilizing the Kα₂, Kα₁, Kβ₁, and Kβ₂ X‐rays from different secondary source targets excited by the 59.54‐keV photons from an Am‐241 annular source and detected by a Si(Li) detector with a resolution of 160 eV at 5.9 keV. The energy gap, ionization energy, electron affinity, and global electrophilicity parameters of oxide, sulfate, oxalate, and carbonate ions were calculated using density functional theory (B3LYP). The experimental results are discussed based on these parameters. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of target photon dose mixed in mono-energetic neutron fields using 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction

Target photons mixed in the 144, 250 and 565 keV mono-energetic neutron calibration fields were measured using a cylindrical NaI(Tl) detector with 7.62 cm both in diameter and in length. The ambient dose equivalent H*(10) of the photons was evaluated by applying the “G(E) function” to the measured pulse height spectrum. Neutrons induce photons by nuclear reactions in the NaI(Tl) detector and affect the pulse height spectrum. In order to eliminate the influence of these neutron events, the time-of-flight technique was applied with operating the accelerator in the pulse mode. The ratios by the ambient dose equivalent H*(10) of the photons to the 144, 250 and 565 keV neutrons were evaluated to be 3.3%, 4.7% and 0.9%, respectively. Although high energy photons ranging from 6 to 7 MeV are emitted by the ¹⁹F(p,αγ)¹⁶O reactions, the dose of the target photons is low enough to calibrate neutron dosemeters except for ones with high sensitivity to the photons.     

Chemical effect on the K shell fluorescence yield of Fe, Mn, Co, Cr and Cu compounds

Chemical effects on the K shell fluorescence yields of Fe, Mn, Co, Cr and Cu compounds were investigated. Samples were excited using 59.5 keV energy photons from a²⁴¹ Am radioisotope source. K X-rays emitted by samples were counted by a Si(Li) detector with a resolution 160 eV at 5.9 keV. Chemical effects on the K shell fluorescence yields (ωk) for Fe, Mn, Co, Cr and Cu compounds were observed. The values are compared with theoretical, semiempirical fit and experimental ones for the pure elements.     

An experimental study on cross-section ratio of coherent to incoherent scattering for 145 keV incident gamma photons

The coherent (Rayleigh) to incoherent (Compton) scattering cross-section ratio of elements, in the range 6 ≤ Z ≤ 82, are determined experimentally for 145 keV incident gamma photons. An HPGe (High purity germanium) semiconductor detector is employed, at scattering angle of 50°, 70° and 90°, to record the spectra originating from interactions of incident gamma photons with the target under investigation. The intensity ratio of Rayleigh to Compton scattered peaks observed in the recorded spectra, and corrected for photo-peak efficiency of gamma detector and absorption of photons in the target and air, along with the other required parameters provides the differential cross-section ratio. The measured values of cross-section ratio are found to agree with theoretical predictions (corresponding to 4.939, 6.704 and 8.264 Å⁻¹ photon momentum transfer) based upon non-relativistic form factor, relativistic form factor, modified form factor and S-matrix theory.     

Modern utilization of an accurate method for detecting essential elements in whole blood using low energy photons

The objective of the proposed work was to measure concentration of six essential elements, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn, Sr, and Zn directly in whole blood. The adopted method is based on the theory of attenuation of low energy photons through the whole blood sample. Photons are completely absorbed at energy region approximately (25–100 keV), of K‐absorption edge for especially low‐Z elements and at L‐absorption edge especially for high‐Z elements. Children, adults, and old people from whom the blood samples are taken are considered as subjects in this study. The aim of this work is not to investigate any disease or specific elemental changes. Blood samples were irradiated by 22.0, 31.0, and 59.5 keV photons emitted by ¹⁰⁸Cd (1.78 GBq), ¹³³Ba (2.92 GBq), and ²⁴¹Am (2.78 GBq) radioactive point source. A high resolution high pure germanium spectrometer has been used to detect low energy photons with low counts peaks. When compared to the existing data in literature, it has been found that the results obtained in this study agree well with those reported. There are many advantages of this technique over other methods such as being practical, inexpensive, non‐destructive, and can also do analysis fast. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New method to determine effective atomic number of samples via external bremsstrahlung

In the present investigation, the variation in the external bremsstrahlung (EB) intensity produced due to the beta particles emitted by the ⁹⁰Sr–⁹⁰Y source in the elements Al, Cu, Ag, Sn, and Pb as well as some lead compounds was studied as a function of their masses per unit area. By a suitable regression analysis, two new, handy, and simple expressions for the effective atomic number of the radiator were derived in terms of the measured EB intensity. The novelty of the present method is that these expressions require either two different samples of the same mass per unit area or a single sample of two different masses per unit area for determining the effective atomic number. To check the efficacy of the method, from the measured EB intensity of the group of lead compounds, their effective atomic number was determined by making use of these expressions. The results were found to be in good agreement with the modified atomic number Z_mod, calculated by using the theoretical expression of Markowicz and Van Grieken. This establishes the fact that this new method employs simple and very handy expressions which will be convenient particularly in the case of samples which are not abundantly available in nature. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photoneutron cross sections for 9Be obtained with quasi-monoenerget1c photons

Absolute (γ, xn) cross sections for ⁹Be were measured with monochromatic photons from positron annihilation in flight in the energy range from 17 to 37 MeV. No pronounced structure was found in the cross sections in contrast to recent experiments performed with bremsstrahlung sources. The results are compared with many-particle shell model calculations.     

Diagram X-ray emission spectra of a hollow atom: the Kh alpha1,2 and Kh beta1,3 hypersatellites of Fe

High-resolution Fe K(h) beta(1,3) and K(h) alpha(1,2) hypersatellite spectra were measured, using monochromatized synchrotron radiation photoexcitation. The lines' energies, splitting, excitation thresholds, and the K(h) alpha(1)/K(h) alpha(2) intensity ratio were derived with high accuracy. Having both spectra, not hitherto available for any atom with high resolution, allows separating out the energy shifts of the outer levels caused by a K shell spectator vacancy. Comparison with ab initio relativistic multiconfigurational Dirac-Fock calculations reveals that while the influence of relativity and QED effects is mostly accounted for, discrepancies remain in the lines' intensity ratio, which sensitively measures the intermediacy of the coupling. Similar discrepancies, of unknown origin, are found in the energy shifts of the outer levels due to the final-state K shell spectator vacancy.     

Differential polarization of photoneutrons from deuterium

The differential polarization of photoneutrons from deuterium has been measured at lab reaction angles of 45° and 90° for incident unpolarized photons in the energy range 7 to 30 MeV. The polarization is measured by observing the left-right asymmetry in the elastic scattering of neutrons from a liquid-helium polarimeter which is used in conjunction with a nanosecond time-of-flight spectrometer. At the lowest energies, the ¹²C(n, n)¹²C reaction is used as an analyser. The left-right asymmetry is determined by using the spin-precession method, recently developed for use with a continuous energy spectrum of neutrons. Two independent difference experiments are carried out using C²H₂-CH₂ and H₂O-H₂O targets in order to detect possible target-dependent systematic errors. Departures from the predictions of current theories of the photo-disintegration of the deuteron are observed at both reaction angles.     

Monte Carlo calculation of electron spectra produced in water phantoms by 20 keV-1 GeV photons

Abstract

A Monte Carlo calculation for the energy spectra of electrons and positrons produced in infinite and semiinfinite water phantoms by photons ranging in energies from 20 keV to 1 GeV are presented. The dominant processes considered are the photoelectric effect, Auger effect, Compton effect, pair, and triplet production. Bremsstrahlung produced by electrons and positrons with energies greater than 1 MeV is also included. The effect of multiple Compton scattering, not considered in the earlier calculation, for the infinite phantom for photon energies higher than 2 MeV has been incorporated. For a semi-infinite phantom, multiple Compton scattering and backscattering through the top are considered. The results are compared with the earlier calculations for the first-collision spectrum. It is found that the inclusion of multiple Compton scattering significantly increases the average number of electrons/cm³ per photon/cm² at all energies considered whereas bremsstrahlung reduces the number of high energy electrons and produces more low energy electrons in the spectrum.     

Resonant Compton Scattering of Two Photons by a Multiply Charged Atomic Ion

JETP Letters - A pronounced K α1,2 X-ray emission spectrum is theoretically predicted for the resonant inelastic scattering of two photons in the energy region near the 1s shell ionization...     

Ergebnisse von Ballonmessungen an sekundären Elektronen und Photonen

A scintillation counter telescope has been flown in the upper atmosphere at2.4g/cm² from Bergen/Lüneburger Heide for the measurement of electrons and photons of the secondary cosmic radiation. The aim was to get the differential energy spectra of secondary photons in an energy range from 1 to 44 MeV and of secondary and return albedo electrons from 2 to 35 MeV for three different zenith angles (0 °, 90 ° and 180 °). The received photon spectrum is in good agreement to the results of other authors as well to lower as to higher energies. It has been shown, that the spectrum has a great anisotropy with a maximum of intensity around the horizon. The main reason therefore is the atmospheric deepness in the different directions. In this energy range we have found that the Bremsstrahlung of the return albedo electrons is the main reason for the photon flux and secondly the π⁰-decay. The measured electron spectra don't show any significant difference relative to the three zenith angles. These secondary electrons are produced isotropically in the upper atmosphere and they consist of a mixture of secondary and return albedo electrons.     

Internal bremsstrahlung in the electron capture decay of 145Sm

Internal bremsstrahlung (IB) emitted in the non-unique first-forbidden electron capture decay of the $\text{7}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ ground state of ¹⁴⁵Sm to the $\text{7}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{61}\text{keV}$ first excited level of ¹⁴⁵Pm has been studied. The total IB spectrum and the IB spectrum for captures proceeding via the 1s shell were measured for photons in the energy range of 100–580 keV and the spectra were normalized to the non-radiative capture rate. The experimental data agree with theoretical predictions.     

Thermoluminescence glow curves of CaF2: Dy crystals irradiated by soft X-rays

Applying a deconvolution of the thermoluminescence glow curves, parameters of single glow peaks of CaF₂: Dy TLD 200 dosemeters irradiated by soft X-rays were determined. A dependence of the height ratio of low temperature (T393, 413 and 473 K) single peaks on energy of absorbed photons was measured in a region of 1–22.2 keV. Standard radionuclides¹⁰⁹Cd,²³⁸Pu,⁵⁵Fe and iodine laser produced aluminium plasma (T _e 500 eV) were used as soft X-ray sources. The ratios of the heights of different single peaks are discussed with respect to high local doses. The decreasing ratio of the heights of the first and third and/or second and third peak with increasing photon energy allows to determine reversely a mean photon energy of absorbed soft X-ray radiation.     

X-ray spectra induced by slow highly charged Ar q + ions in collision with Nb surface

The X-ray spectra of Nb surface induced by Ar ^q+ (q = 16,17) ions with the energy range from 10 to 20 keV/q were studied by the optical spectrum technology. The experimental results indicate that the multi-electron excitation occurred as a highly charged Ar¹⁶⁺ ion was neutralized below the metal surface. The K shell electron of Ar¹⁶⁺ was excited and then de-excited cascadly to emit K X-ray. The intensity of the X-ray emitted from K shell of the hollow Ar atom decreased with the increase of projectile kinetic energy. The intensity of the X-ray emitted from L shell of the target atom Nb increased with the increase of projectile kinetic energy. The X-ray yield of Ar¹⁷⁺ is three magnitude orders larger than that of Ar¹⁶⁺. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.10774149 and 10405025)     

Comparison of Lu3Al5O12:Pr and Bi4Ge3O12 scintillators for gamma-ray detection

The scintillation properties of Lu₃Al₅O₁₂:Pr³⁺ (LuAG:Pr) single crystal grown by the Czochralski method with praseodymium concentration of 0.19 mol% were investigated. For a comparison, a good quality Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ (BGO) single crystal grown by Bridgman method was also studied. The light yield and energy resolution were measured using photomultiplier tube (XP5200B PMT) readout. Moderate light yield of 15,900 photons per MeV was measured for the LuAG:Pr(0.19%) crystal. For 662 keV gamma rays (¹³⁷Cs source), an energy resolution of 6.5% obtained for LuAG:Pr(0.19%) is much better than that of 9.0% obtained for BGO. The light yield non-proportionality and energy resolution versus energy of gamma rays were measured and the intrinsic resolution of the crystals was determined after correcting the measured energy resolution for PMT statistics. The LuAG:Pr(0.19%) showed a good proportionality of the light yield within 5% over the energy range from 1274.5 keV down to 32 keV, which is much better than that of 14% for BGO. The photofraction was determined at 320 and 662 keV for both crystals and compared with the ratio of the cross-sections for the photoelectric effect to the total one calculated using WinXCOM program.     

Revisiting lithium K and iron M₂,₃ edge superimposition: the case of lithium battery material LiFePO₄

Experimental electron energy-loss spectra are presented for FePO₄, LiFePO₄ and NaFePO₄ from 0 to 80 eV. With the help of the NaFePO₄ spectrum in the 50-80 eV range, the double peak observed in LiFePO₄ could be ascribed to the presence of Fe^II and not to the Li K edge, contrary to what was thought previously. Crystal field multiplet calculations confirm this attribution. Using VASP programme based on density functional theory, dielectric response calculations including local field effects in the Hartree approximation are then proven to properly simulate the fine structures due to the lithium K edge. By comparing absolute spectrum intensities, it is shown that the lithium K edge cannot be used to quantify lithium in such compounds. This detailed comparison between theoretical calculations and experimental spectra helps defining the relevant parameters governing intensities in the 50-80 energy range.