Nuclear mass form factors from coherent photoproduction of πmesons

Data for coherent photoproduction of π⁰ mesons from nuclei ( ¹²C, ⁴⁰Ca, ⁹³Nb, ^natPb), recently measured with the TAPS detector at the Mainz MAMI accelerator, have been analyzed in view of the mass form factors of the nuclei. The form factors have been extracted in plane-wave approximation of the A(γ,π⁰)A reaction and corrected for final-state interaction effects with the help of distorted-wave impulse approximations. Nuclear mass rms radii have been calculated from the slope of the form factors for q² → 0. Furthermore, the Helm model (hard-sphere form factor folded with Gaussian) was used to extract diffraction radii from the zeroes of the form factor and skin thicknesses from the position and height of its first maximum. The diffraction radii from the Helm model agree with the corresponding charge radii obtained from electron scattering experiments within their uncertainties of a few per cent. The rms radii from the slope of the form factors are systematically lower by up to 5% for PWIA and up to 10% for DWIA. Also the skin thicknesses extracted from the Helm model are systematically smaller than their charge counterparts.     

Iodine concentration in different human brain parts

Iodine is one of the most important essential elements as demonstrated by the fact that its deficiency can cause goitre. Nevertheless, quantitative data on its concentration in biological materials, especially in the human brain, are scarce. There is therefore a demand for accurate and reliable information on iodine in these types of samples. The purpose of the present work was to determine the concentration of total iodine in some control human brain parts by rapid radiochemical neutron activation analysis. Our second goal was to determine I distribution between lipid fraction and in brain tissue without lipid by applying two types of solvent extraction methods. The results were checked by the analysis of biological standard reference materials with certified or literature values for iodine and good agreement was found.     

Twisting of a Spinning Particle Trajectory in an Absorbing Medium

In the geometric optics approximation, we predict the effect of additional twisting of spinning particle trajectories in an absorbing medium. The effect is determined by the particle polarization (chirality) and the curvature of the particle trajectory. Using our results, we quantitatively estimate the deviation from the mirror reflection law for ultracold neutrons.     

Characteristic variations in the effect of diluents on polymer crystallization and melting observed for a sample of poly(ethylene-co-octene)

Melting points in mixtures of a crystallizable polymer with a low-molar-mass diluent depend on both, the diluent fraction and the crystal thickness. A differentiation of the two factors can be achieved by temperature-dependent SAXS experiments. A corresponding study, complemented by DSC, dilatometry, microscopy and AFM-imaging, was carried out for mixtures of a poly(ethylene-co-octene) with n-C₁₆H₃₄, c-C₁₆H₃₂ and methyl-anthracene, respectively. All diluents lead for a constant crystal thickness to melting point depressions in agreement with Raoult's law. On the other hand, the effect of the diluents on the thickness of the crystals formed at a fixed crystallization temperature varies. While in the presence of the two alkanes thicker crystals form, no effect arises for the methyl-anthracene—as was previously found for the octene-co-units. We consider these observations as a further support for our view that polymer crystallization follows a multi-stage route which includes a passage through an intermediate mesomorphic phase. Under such conditions crystal thicknesses would only be affected if the diluent is still present in the mesomorphic phase and stay invariant if the diluent molecules are already rejected when this intermediate phase forms.     

Neutron diffraction structure of Y2V10O28·24H2O at 297 and 60 K

The structure of yttrium-decavanadate-24-hydrate, [Y₂V₁₀O₂₈·24H₂O], was determined by neutron diffraction at temperatures of 297 and 60 K. Space group P-1, triclinic, Z = 2; at 297 K : a = 9.36(1), b = 9.86(1), c = 23.53(3) Å, = 98.79(2), = 98.15(2), = 89.30(2), V = 2123(5); at 60 K : a = 9.19(3), b = 9.85(3), c = 23.31(12) Å, = 99.03(3), = 98.99(6), = 89.39(6)°, V = 2058(13). Final R factors of 10 and 9.4% were obtained using 1955 and 1100 observed structure factors at both temperatures, respectively. The position of the 24 water molecules was determined and the characteristics of the hydrogen bonds were analyzed at both temperatures.     

A conceptual high flux reactor design with scope for use in ADS applications

A 100 MWt reactor design has been conceived to support flux level of the order of 10¹⁵ n/cm²/s in selected flux trap zones. The physics design considers high enriched metallic alloy fuel in the form of annular plates placed in a D₂O moderator tank in a hexagonal lattice arrangement. By choosing a tight lattice pitch in the central region and double the lattice pitch in the outer region, it is possible to have both high fast flux and thermal flux trap zones. By design the flux level in the seed fuel has been kept lower than in the high flux trap zones so that the burning rate of the seed is reduced. Another important objective of the design is to maximize the time interval of refueling. As against a typical refueling interval of a few weeks in such high flux reactor cores, it is desired to maximize this period to as much as six months or even one year. This is possible to achieve by eliminating the conventional control absorbers and replacing them with a suitable amount of fertile material loading in the reactor. Requisite number of seedless thorium-aluminum alloy plates are placed at regular lattice locations vacated by seed fuel in alternate fuel layers. It is seen that these thorium plates are capable of acquiring asymptotic fissile content of 14 g/kg in about 100 days of irradiation at a flux level of 8 × 10¹⁴ n/cm²/s. In summary, the core has a relatively higher fast flux in the central region and high thermal flux in the outer region. The present physics design envisages a flat core excess reactivity for the longest possible cycle length of 6 months to one year. It is also possible to modify the design for constant subcriticality for about the same period or longer duration by considering neutron spallation source at the centre and curtailing the power density in the inner core region by shielding it with a layer of thoria fuel loading.      

The symmetry energy in nuclei and in nuclear matter

We discuss to what extent information on ground-state properties of finite nuclei (energies and radii) can be used to obtain constraints on the symmetry energy in nuclear matter and its dependence on the density. The starting point is a generalized Weizs?cker formula for ground-state energies. In particular, effects from the Wigner energy and shell structure on the symmetry energy are investigated. Strong correlations in the parameter space prevent a clear isolation of the surface contribution. Use of neutron skin information improves the situation. The result of the analysis appears consistent with a rather soft density dependence of the symmetry energy in nuclear matter.     

Transmutation of 129I, 237Np, 238Pu, 239Pu, and 241Am using neutrons produced in target-blanket system ‘Energy plus Transmutation’ by relativistic protons

Target-blanket facility ‘Energy + Transmutation’ was irradiated by proton beam extracted from the Nuclotron Accelerator in Laboratory of High Energies of Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russia. Neutrons generated by the spallation reactions of 0.7, 1.0, 1.5 and 2 GeV protons and lead target interact with subcritical uranium blanket. In the neutron field outside the blanket, radioactive iodine, neptunium, plutonium and americium samples were irradiated and transmutation reaction yields (residual nuclei production yields) have been determined using γ-spectroscopy. Neutron field's energy distribution has also been studied using a set of threshold detectors. Results of transmutation studies of ¹²⁹I, ²³⁷Np, ²³⁸Pu, ²³⁹Pu and ²⁴¹Am are presented.      

羊八井太阳中子望远镜和中子监测器对2005年1月20日GLE事件的探测

西藏羊八井位于东经90.53°, 北纬30.11°, 海拔4310m, 垂直地磁截止刚度14.1GV. 2005年1月20日羊八井太阳中子望远镜和中子监测器探测到与X7.1/2b太阳耀斑相关的GLE事件, 其中太阳中子望远镜能量>40MeV的能道在5min(07:00—07:05UT)和20min(07:00—07:20UT)的时间间隔内计数率增长的统计显著性分别是3.7σ和6.0σ, 同时羊八井中子监测器也探测到计数率的增长,初始时间为06:51—06:52UT. 观测表明在这次GLE事件中太阳质子可被加速到能量大于10GeV.