Simultaneous measurement of radon, radon progeny and thoron concentrations using Makrofol-DE detectors

In this study we describe the set-up of a new passive integrating system to measure simultaneously ²²²Rn, ²²²Rn progeny (²¹⁸Po and ²¹⁴Po) and ²²⁰Rn concentration indoors. It consists of four Makrofol-DE (polycarbonate) circular foils. Two are enclosed within two diffusion chambers—each one with a different filter membrane—to measure ²²²Rn and ²²²Rn+²²⁰Rn. The other two foils are kept in direct contact with air and are electrochemically etched at different conditions to obtain the ²²²Rn daughters. Theoretical sensitivities of each Makrofol-DE foil are calculated using Monte-Carlo technique. The calculations are performed taking into account: (1) the Bethe–Bloch's expression for the stopping power of heavy charged particles in a medium, (2) the properties and behaviour of ²²²Rn, ²²⁰Rn and their progeny in the open air and within the diffusion chamber and (3) the etching conditions used to visualise -particles tracks.     

Verification of radioactive equilibrium to discriminate radon and progeny with LR 115 under a thin film geometry

A system of image analysis is applied to the track analysis of a plastic detector (LR 115). Based on track characteristics the system permits the separation of tracks produced by ²²²Rn and ²¹⁸Po from those produced by ²¹⁴Po. LR 115 was used inside a thin film geometry monitor and irradiated under very low ventilation conditions, where secular radioactive equilibrium between radon and progeny is expected. The monitor is used intending to exclude the entrance of external radon progeny in the sensitive volume of the plastic detector. The radioactive (secular) equilibrium is rapidly attained inside the monitor and equal numbers of particles from ²¹⁸Po, ²¹⁴Po and ²²²Rn are expected to reach the plastic. In order to guarantee good detection efficiency in the restricted volume, and to discriminate alpha energies, the LR 115 piece inside the monitor is covered with an aluminum foil of suitable thickness. The separation of tracks produced by alpha particles of different energies is made through the use of two track parameters related to area and opacity of the tracks. The ratio of tracks produced by (²¹⁸Po and ²²²Rn) and ²¹⁴Po—expected as two—is used to test the separation method in a series of controlled irradiations. Results point to the experimental attainment of radioactive equilibrium inside the monitor supporting the determination of ²¹⁴Po concentration alone, and points to an exclusive entrance of ²²²Rn inside the monitor, at low ventilation rates. This way, in situations where radioactive equilibrium inside the monitor may be considered, the exclusive measurement of radon concentration in the environment is possible.     

Exhalation of radon and its carrier gases in SW Taiwan

Gas compositions of mud volcanoes reveal multiple sources for gas exhalation in SW Taiwan. For comparison, two sites, Yan-chao (YC) and Chung-lun (CL), were chosen for measurements of soil Rn concentrations using a portable radon detector. The ²²²Rn concentrations at the YC site were ca. 5200 Bq/m³. However, the average ²²²Rn concentrations at the CL site exhibited higher value of ca. 16,800 Bq/m³. With the reference of the gas flux and compositions from the nearby mud pool, the soil ²²²Rn concentrations are largely controlled by the flux of carrier gases exhaled from deep reservoirs.     

System for calibration of track detectors used in gaseous and solid alpha radionuclides monitoring

A laboratory system for the calibration of track detectors and charcoal detectors used in monitoring of radon and its decay products/their aerosols in air, is proposed. The system consists of three main components: (i) the alpha exposure chambers, including alpha monitoring devices and the connection with the ²²⁶Ra radioactive source. The CR-39 track detectors are mounted in the monitoring devices pre-equipped or not with paper filter; (ii) the calibrated  ²²⁶Ra source. Among the three tested sources: ²²²Rn, ²²⁶Ra+²²²Rn and ²²⁶Ra, the ²²⁶Ra source is considered the most appropriate radon source for our calibration system. It is kept into an airtight flat bottom flask, the radionuclide ²²⁶Ra being always in the radioactive equilibrium with their descendants. In the alpha exposure chambers, the source assures the radon at a constant rate; (iii) the ALFAUURASE program for the computation of radioactive accumulation of the alpha ²²⁶Ra descendants. For any initial mass of the parent, the amount and the activity of each alpha decay product and of all the decay products can be calculated by this computation program. Each component of the calibration system is described in the paper. The use of the system for the calibration of CR-39 track detectors in radon measurements is tested.     

Rn concentrations and the radiation exposure levels in the Nerja Cave

²²²Rn concentrations in the air in one sampling point located in Nerja Cave (Spain) () have been measured over one year, since July 2003–June 2004. ²²²Rn levels were continuously monitored using Alpha-Guard (Genitron instruments) equipment, model PQ2000PRO. Firstly, the aim of this study was to perceive the daily, monthly and seasonal variations patterns of ²²²Rn concentrations. Diurnal cycles are presented by season showing that the ²²²Rn concentrations in spring–summer are higher than autumn–winter. The hourly variations are discussed in relation to various meteorological factors measured in the Cave and also on the outdoor. We have evaluated the radiation exposure levels for workers and tourists; those represent only a low percentage of the exposure guides for the general population ICRP, 1994. Protection against Radon-222 at home and at work. Pergamon Press, Oxford (publication 65).     

The Radamon radon detector and an example of application

The etched track type Radamon radon detector is presented. As an example of application representative indoor radon survey was performed in Gyergyóremete (Romania) to pilot a study that can be done in other places of the country. Gyergyóremete was selected, because it was built on volcanic rock, where a number of aligning mineral water springs indicates the existence of geological faulting, and therefore, it was suspected that the village could be on a radon prone area. Measurements were done in sleeping rooms at pillow level. Representativity of the sample was ensured by random pull of 120 houses from the stock (hypergeometric statistical model). From the results it can be stated that the percentages of houses expected to have annual average ²²²Rn activity concentration higher than 400 Bqm⁻³ is less than 1%.     

Ra in geothermal and bottled mineral waters of Hungary

Geothermal waters have been used on a large scale for bathing, drinking and medical purposes, while the consumption of bottled mineral waters is increasing. In this work, radon and radium activity concentrations of thermal and bottled mineral waters, originating from different regions of Hungary, were studied by different radioanalytical methods. It was found that the thermal springs, which supply the world famous baths of Budapest along the right riverside of the Danube, have high ²²²Rn and ²²⁶Ra activity concentration: up to about 100 and 1 kBqm⁻³, respectively. The radium content of some investigated geothermal waters found in the NE region of the Great Hungarian Plain is even higher: up to several kBqm⁻³. The ²²⁶Ra content of bottled mineral waters, commercially available in Hungary, was determined by gamma-spectrometric method, applying radiochemical separation. The highest value exceeded 2 kBqm⁻³ in the case of the Apenta mineral water, which is a popular brand in Hungary, as well as in Europe and North America.     

Soil radon levels measured with SSNTD's and the soil radium content

The source of the radon gas ²²²Rn in the ground air is the soil and the bedrock underneath. The potential radon level in the ground is given by the content of ²²⁶Ra in the ground. The presence of ²²⁶Ra is in turn dependent on the amount of ²³⁸U in the ground, and these two isotopes are not always found to be in equilibrium in a sample of soil or bedrock. Especially if the soil is washed out, the radium content may be reduced. When the soil is the relevant source of the radon gas, it is interesting to look for a possible relation between the radon level and the radium content of the soil.

In this paper we report on measurements of soil radon level carried out with SSNTDs at several European sites. Soil samples were collected at these sites and analysed with gamma spectrometry to determine their radium content. A comparison of the different degree of disequilibrium of radon, defined as the ratio between the actual and the secular equilibrium-with-radium soil radon concentration, found at the different sites and depths is presented. The influence on the result of soil type and climate is briefly discussed.     

Evidence for the radioactive decay of Ra by C emission

Using a magnetic spectrometer and an intense ²²⁶Ra source, first evidence for the radioactive decay of ²²⁶Ra by ¹⁴C emission was obtained leading to a measured branching ratio relative to -particles of (3.2±1.6)×10⁻¹¹. In addition, the decay of ²²²Ra by ¹⁴C emission, previously reported, was clearly observed and an upper limit was set for the emission of ³⁴Si from ²⁴¹Am.     

确定大气颗粒物平均滞留时间的新方法

从低层大气的基本属性出发,利用大气颗粒物中放射性核素的衰变特性与转移速率等相关信息, 建立了单位体积大气颗粒物中被吸附的放射性粒子数、衰变粒子数和转移粒子数的数学模型, 获得了确定低层大气颗粒物平均滞留时间的新方法.该方法解决了当前相关研究中出现的困惑, 说明了大气具有有限的自净功能,给出了大气颗粒物中同一衰变链上各核素达到活度平衡的条件 及降低平均滞留时间的途径,为大气环境的监测与治理提供了科学依据. 关键词： 大气颗粒物 平均滞留时间 氡子体 监测     

Behavior of radon progeny in low frequency electromagnetic fields

Whether the electro-magnetic (EM) fields are carcinogenic or not still remains to be discussed from scientific point of view. Recently a possibility was pointed out that increased deposition of radon progeny in the EM-fields should enhance exposure dose to internal body. We investigated the behavior of charged ²²²Ru progeny and aerosols containing them by measuring the pattern and the magnitude of the deposition rate of decay products on both CR-39 track detectors and imaging plates under various conditions. We concluded that the attachment to wire cables should be increased mainly by electric component of low frequency EM-fields and possibly by electric field induced by strong changing magnetic ones.     

基于3.5 MeV射频四极质子加速器硼中子俘获治疗装置的束流整形体设计

在硼中子俘获治疗(BNCT)装置中,束流整形体(BSA)的作用是将中子源产生的快中子束流慢化至超热中子能区(0.5 eVE10 keV),并尽可能减弱快中子、热中子和γ射线的成分,同时保证中子的方向性,其设计与优化是BNCT装置设计工作的核心内容之一.本文采用3.5 MeV,10 mA的质子束轰击锂靶,由核反应~7Li(p,n)~7Be产生的中子为源项,针对BSA的慢化体材料和结构、γ屏蔽层和热中子吸收层的厚度等参数进行蒙特卡罗模拟设计与优化.研究发现,采用Fluental和LiF两种慢化材料间隔2 cm层状堆叠的三明治BSA构型,在保证快中子剂量成分(D_f/φ_(epi)),γ剂量成分(D_γ/φ_(epi))和热中子比例φ_(th)/φ_(epi)满足IAEA-TECDOC-1223报告推荐要求的同时,在BSA出口处超热中子注量率优于单独使用Fluental和单独使用LiF的BSA设计.BSA出口处修正的Synder人头几何模型中的剂量分布计算结果显示:上述三明治构型的深度剂量分布与单独使用Fluental材料构型的结果基本相当,优于单独使用LiF构型,表明Fluental和LiF层状堆叠的三明治BSA构型是一种可行的BSA结构.     

Isobar doorway approach to pion scattering on open shell nuclei

Delta-hole approach developed for the pion scattering on closed shell nuclei is extended to be applied to the case of open shell nuclei. The doorway space is spanned by the states of the form |Ψ^(A−1)ψ^(Δ) which correspond to |Δ h states in the usual delta-hole approach for closed shell nuclei. In this approach, the effects of the couplings between elastic and inelastic channels are incorporated in a natural way. As a first application of this approach, some numerical calculations have been done for the elastic and inelastic pion scattering on ¹²C and the elastic scattering on ¹⁴N and ¹⁴C. The effects of the nuclear structure and the coupling between elastic and inelastic channels are discussed.     

ZnAl2O4：Tb3+荧光粉的合成、结构及其光学性能研究

通过溶胶-凝胶法制备出不同Tb³⁺掺杂浓度和不同二次煅烧温度下的ZnAl₂O₄:Tb³⁺荧光粉, 并利用X射线衍射(XRD)和荧光光谱等对样品进行了表征。由XRD结果可知,当Tb³⁺掺杂的摩尔分数不大于9%,二次煅烧温度在600℃以上时,所得粉体为结晶性良好的尖晶石相。在紫外光激发下,ZnAl₂O₄:Tb³⁺荧光粉的发射光谱由位于488 nm(⁵D₄→⁷F₆)、542 nm(⁵D₄→⁷F₅)、587 nm(⁵D₄→⁷F₄ )和621.5 nm(⁵D₄→⁷F₃)的4个发射峰组成。研究发现,Tb³⁺的掺杂浓度和二次煅烧温度对样品发光强度有着重要影响,当Tb³⁺的摩尔分数为5%,二次煅烧温度为900℃时,ZnAl₂O₄:Tb³⁺荧光粉的发光最强,继续增加Tb³⁺掺杂浓度或提高煅烧温度,分别会出现浓度猝灭和温度猝灭现象。     

Band structures of Se and Se

Band structures of ⁷⁶Se and ⁷⁸Se have been studied with the ^74,76Ge(, 2nγ)^76,78Se reactions by using a variety of in-beam γ-techniques : γ-ray singles spectra, γ-ray excitation functions, γ-γ-t coincidences, γ-ray angular distributions and γ-ray linear polarizations.

Spins and parities have been assigned uniquely for many new levels in ⁷⁶Se and ⁷⁸Se and four bands have been identified in both nuclei: (i) the ground-state band, (ii) a positive-parity ΔJ = 1 band built on the second 2⁺ state (γ-vibrational band), (iii) a negative-parity Δ J = 2 band built on the 3⁻ state (octupole band) and (iv) a ΔJ = 2 band built on the high-lying J = 4 state. In addition, the second 8 ⁺ and 10⁺ states, which are possibly the lowest members of a band, have been found in both nuclei.

Systematics of the band structures obtained are discussed. Level energies of the band members and B(E2) ratios for some of the inter-band transitions between γ- and ground-state bands have been calculated with the proton-neutron interacting boson model IBM-2 and a reasonable agreement with the present data has been obtained.     

用于GaAs太阳能电池的NaYF4中Tb3+-Er3+耦合对的光谱转换

观测到一种以Tb³⁺-Er³⁺进行光谱转换的量子剪裁现象。一个高能紫外光子(Tb³⁺的⁷F₆→⁵L₁)被量子剪裁成两个低能光子:一个是近红外光子(Er³⁺的⁴I_9/2→⁴I_15/2),另一个是蓝色光子(Tb³⁺的⁵D₄→⁷F₆),它们两个 都可以被GaAs太阳能电池有效地吸收。量子剪裁效率高达188%,接近理论极限的200%。从Tb³⁺(⁵L₁→ ⁵D₄) 到Er³⁺(⁴I_15/2→⁴I_9/2)的能量传递的能量失配是237 cm^-1,比NaYF₄中的声子能400 cm^-1小,能量传递是近共振的。Tb³⁺施主间的能量迁移可以近似地用扩散模型处理, 从Tb³⁺-Er³⁺对之间能量传递的初始过程发现,偶极-偶极相互作用占主导地位。     

铥原子收敛于4f13(2F7/2o)6s(7/2,1/2)4o和4f13(2F7/2o)6s(7/2,1/2)3o偶宇称里德伯系列能级的电子关联效应

本文在多通道量子亏损理论框架下,利用相对论多通道理论,计算了铥原子收敛于4f¹³（²F_7/2^o）6s（7/2,1/2）₄^o和4f¹³（²F_7/2^o）6s（7/2,1/2）₃^o的三个偶宇称里德伯系列.通过将计算结果与美国国家标准与技术研究院数据进行比较,展示了两种类型的电子关联效应：1）里德伯系列之间的相互作用,导致里德伯系列的能级出现整体偏移;2）一个孤立的干扰态镶嵌在一个里德伯系列中,破坏了该里德伯系列能级的规则性.     

CaZn2(PO4)2:Eu3+的制备及其发光性能

采用高温固相法合成了CaZn2( PO4)2:Eu3+橙红色荧光粉,研究了其发光特性.该荧光粉在350 ～410nm处有一个宽带激发,其激发主峰位于394 nm.在紫外激发下,发射峰分别由Eu3的5D0→7F1(585,595nm)、5D0→7F2(615、622 nm)、5Do→7F3 (645 nm)及5Do→7F...     

An optimized ion trap geometry to measure quadrupole shifts of ~(171)Yb~+ clocks

We propose a new ion-trap geometry to carry out accurate measurements of the quadrupole shifts in the ~(171)Yb ion.This trap will minimize the quadrupole shift due to the harmonic component of the confining potential by an order of magnitude.This will be useful to reduce the uncertainties in the clock frequency measurements of the 6s ~2S_(1/2)→4f~(13)6s~2 ~2F_(7/2)and 6s ~2S_(1/2)→5d~2D_(3/2) transitions,from which we can deduce the precise values of the quadrupole moments(0s) of the 4f~(13)6s~2 ~2F_(7/2) and 5d~2D_(3/2) states.Moreover,it may be able to affirm the validity of the measured 0 value of the4f~(13)6s~2~2F_(7/2) state,for which three independent theoretical studies defer almost by one order of magnitude from the measurement.We also calculate 0s using the relativistic coupled-cluster(RCC) method.We use these 0 values to estimate the quadrupole shift that can be measured in our proposed ion trap experiment.