Transverse energy production in the target fragmentation region in16O-nucleus reactions at 60 and 200A GeV

Charged pion yields and transverse energies of baryons are measured for the reaction¹⁶O+Cu, Ag, Au at 60 and 200A GeV bombarding energy in the target fragmentation region employing the Plastic Ball detector. Only little dependence of the measured quantities on the bombarding energy is found. The data are compared with the multi-chain fragmentation model of Ranft. As a result it turns out that a leading order formation zone cascade is not sufficient to explain the baryon yield and the transverse energies of baryons in the target fragmentation region.     

Global and local fluctuations in multiplicity and transverse energy for central ultra-relativistic heavy-ion interactions

We present results from a comparison between experimental data and model calculations, in this case represented by the Fritiof model, regarding global and local fluctuations in the distributions of transverse energy and charged particle multiplicity. The results indicate that the observed fluctuations originate predominantly from the distribution of emitting sources, i.e. either the number of participating nucleons or the number of binary collisions. The apparently larger widths of the distributions observed in restricted regions of phase space, are explained to be of purely statistical nature. As a result of the analysis the cross section for events with energy densities much larger than the typical value for a central collision is limited. The very small scales, normally associated with studies of intermittent behaviour, are not within the scope of this paper. The results of the analysis are essentially independent of whether intermittence is of importance in the reactions or not.     

Oxygen-induced reactions at 60A GeV and 200A GeV studied by calorimetry

Results based on calorimetric measurements are presented from reactions of 60A GeV and 200A GeV¹⁶O projectiles with C, Cu, Ag, and Au nuclei. Minimum-bias cross sections are discussed. Energy spectra measured at zero degrees and transverse-energy distributions for the pseudorapidity range 2.4≦η≤5.5 are shown. An analysis of the average transverse energy in terms of the number of participating nucleons and the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions is presented. Estimates of nuclear stopping and of attained energy densities are made.     

Characterization of Micro‐ and Nanoscale LuPO4:Pr3+,Nd3+ with Strong UV‐C Emission to Reduce X‐Ray Doses in Radiation Therapy

UV‐C emitting nanoscale scintillators can be used to sensitize cancer cells selectively against X‐rays during radiation therapy, due to the lethal DNA lesions caused by UV‐C photons. Unfortunately, nanoscale particles (NPs) show decreased UV‐C emission intensity. In this paper, the influence of different Nd³⁺ concentrations on the UV‐C emission of micro‐ and nanoscale LuPO₄:Pr³⁺ is investigated upon X‐ray irradiation and vacuum UV excitation (160 nm). Co‐doped LuPO₄ results in increased UV‐C emission independent of excitation source due to energy transfer from Nd³⁺ to Pr³⁺. The highest UV‐C emission intensity is observed for LuPO₄:Pr³⁺,Nd³⁺(1%,2.5%) upon X‐ray irradiation. Finally, LuPO₄ NPs co‐doped with different dopant concentrations are synthesized, and the biological efficacy of the combined approach (X‐rays and UV‐C) is assessed using the colony formation assay. Cell culture experiments confirm increased cell death compared to X‐rays alone due to the formation of UV‐specific DNA damages, supporting the feasibility of this approach.     

Particle Size of X-ray Pumped UVC-Emitting Nanoparticles Defines Intracellular Localization and Biological Activity Against Cancer Cells

Effectiveness of radiation treatment for cancer is limited in hypoxic tumors. Previous data shows that UVC-emitting nanoparticles enhance cytotoxicity of X-ray irradiation in hypoxic tumor cells. This study examines the impact on cell killing, particle size, uptake into cells, incubation time, and UV emission intensity of LuPO₄:Pr³⁺,Nd³⁺. A549 cells are treated with LuPO₄:Pr³⁺,Nd³⁺ and X-rays. The surviving fraction is evaluated using the colony formation assay after treatment of cells with different particle sizes (D₅₀ = 0.16 and 5.05 µm) and after different incubation times before X-ray irradiation. Nanoparticle uptake into cells is verified by transmission electron microscopy and quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The microparticles exhibit a five times higher emission intensity compared to nanoparticles. Both particle sizes show an increased cytotoxic effect after X-ray excitation with prolonged incubation times. Surprisingly, the smaller nanoparticles show a significantly higher biological effect compared to the larger particles, despite their significantly lower UVC emission. Nanoparticles accumulate more quickly and closer to the nucleus than the microparticles, resulting in higher localized UVC emission and greater lethality. The results suggest that the number of intracellular particles and their proximity to the cell DNA is more important than the emission intensity of the particles.     

Neutral transverse momentum spectra in 60 and 200A·GeV16O+nucleus and proton+nucleus reactions

Transverse momentum (p _T) distributions fo inclusive photons and neutral pions at midrapidity are measured with a lead glass calorimeter in 60 and are measured with a lead glass calorimeter in 60 and 200A·Gev¹⁶O+nucleus and and proton+nucleus reactions. Inclusive photon distributions are compared for central and peripheral reactions. The degree of centrality is determined either from the charged particle multiplicity or from the remaining projectile energy in the forward direction. Deviations from a nucleus+nucleus interaction model based upon linear extrapolation from p+p reactions are observed in central¹⁶O+Au data. The variation of theaverage transverse momentum is investigated as function of centrality. The target-mass and energy dependence of π⁰ p _T distributions are presented. For¹⁶O+Au a change of slope in these distributions is observed atp _t ≈0.8 GeV/c compatible with hydrodynamic expansion models.     

Fission fragment angular distributions in 16O+181Ta

Time of flight and energy of fission fragments were measured using pulsed beam. Fission fragment mass and energy integrated angular distributions were extracted. Fission fragment anisotropy was explained in the framework of saddle point model.