Beam dynamics of 20 MeV MIRRORCLE-type tabletop storage ring

An experimental study on beam dynamics in MIRRORCLE-20, a tabletop storage ring of 15 cm orbit radius, was performed. Measurement of the infrared (IR) synchrotron light is the tool of this study. The IR emission is enhanced by a circular optics, named photon storage ring (PhSR), placed around the electron orbit, and is collected by a magic mirror associated with two plane mirrors in the storage ring. The measured average IR power in mid-IR region (λ < 50 μm) is ～59 mW. The observed stored beam current is about 1.2 A at maximum, which represents a record for a storage ring. The observed beam size is about 74 × 3 mm². We conclude that this very long beam size is due to the large betatron oscillation of 2/3 resonance injection.     

Improved Statistically Optimal Nearfield Acoustical Holography in subsonically moving fluid medium

Statistically Optimal Nearfield Acoustical Holography (SONAH) can be used to reconstruct three-dimensional sound fields by projecting two-dimensional data measured on a “small” aperture that partially covers a composite sound source in a “static” fluid medium. Here, an improved SONAH procedure is proposed that includes the mean flow effects of a moving fluid medium while the sound source and receivers are stationary. The backward projection performance of the proposed procedure is further improved by using a wavenumber filter to suppress subsonic noise components. Through numerical simulations at Mach 0.6, it is shown that the improved procedure can accurately reconstruct sound source locations and radiation patterns: e.g., the spatially averaged reconstruction errors of the conventional and improved SONAH procedures are 15.40 dB and 0.19 dB, respectively, for a monopole simulation and 21.60 dB and 0.19 dB for an infinite-size panel. The wavenumber filter further reduces spatial noise, e.g., decreasing the reconstruction error from 1.73 dB to 0.19 dB for the panel simulation. An existing data measured in a wind tunnel operating at Mach 0.12 is reused for the validation. The locations and radiation patterns of the two loudspeakers are successfully identified from the sound fields reconstructed by using the proposed SONAH procedure.     

Exposure to indoor radon and natural gamma radiation in public workplaces in north-western Greece

Measurements of indoor radon levels and gamma dose rates were performed in 42 workplaces in Ioannina, north-western Greece. Radon concentrations followed a log-normal distribution with an arithmetic mean of 95 ± 51 Bq m^?3. In all cases, radon levels were below 400 Bq m^?3, which is the action level implemented by the Greek Regulation for Radiation Protection, in accordance with the European Commission recommendation. Comparing summer and winter measurements, no statistically significant seasonal variation was established. However, radon concentrations measured in basement and ground floor workplaces were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than those measured in the first and upper floors. Annual effective dose rates from inhalation of radon and its decay products were estimated to be in the range from 0.13 to 1.36 mSv y^?1 with a mean value of 0.62 mSv y^?1. Indoor exposure to natural gamma radiation entailed an average effective dose rate of 0.13 mSv y^?1, of which approximately 62% was due to terrestrial and the rest due to cosmic sources. The reported data contribute to the assessment of radon distribution and dose estimate at the national level.     

Dosimetric evaluation of alanine-in-glass dosimeters at clinical dose levels using high-energy X-rays from a linear accelerator

This study presents the first dosimetric evaluation of the alanine-in-glass dosimeter in radiation therapy. The dosimeter is composed of a Pyrex glass tube filled with pure polycrystalline alanine. 6 MV X-ray beams from a linear accelerator were used to irradiate the dosimeter in a solid water phantom to therapy-level doses ranging from 0 to 30 Gy. An X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometer was utilized to measure the absorbed dose of the dosimeter. The doses measured by the dosimeter were compared to those from ion chamber dosimetry. It was found that the dosimeter exhibited a linear response in the dose range from 0.1 to 30 Gy. The deviation between measured and delivered doses was 0.11% over the 0.5–30 Gy range, whereas the deviation increased to about 25% at 0.1 Gy. The lowest detectable dose with an acceptable deviation limit of 5% or less was found to be 0.3 Gy. The inaccuracy in measurements at low doses can be attributed to background signals and instrument noise. The accuracy can be improved by proper selection of measurement conditions and better optimization of equipment. The findings of this study show that the alanine-in-glass dosimeter is suitable for dose measurements with acceptable accuracy down to 0.3 Gy. The dosimeter is therefore has the potential to be employed in radiotherapy applications and quality control procedures.     

Radiation dose response correlation between thermoluminescence and optically stimulated luminescence in quartz

The fast, linearly modulated optically stimulated luminescence (LM-OSL) component in quartz is the main dosimetric signal used for the dating applications of this material. Since the blue light stimulation (470 nm, 40 mW cm ${}^{?2}$) time needed to obtain the fast LM-OSL component is less than 50 s the electron trapping levels responsible for it are still highly populated. In this way an active radiation history is created which could play an important role in the dosimetric characteristics of the fast OSL signal. In the present work the dose response behavior of the fast OSL signal is investigated in quartz samples with an annealed radiation history and quartz samples possessing an artificial radiation history. A computerized curve de-convolution analysis of the LM-OSL curves for 50 s stimulation time showed that it consists of three individual OSL components. The faster component C₁ with peak maximum time around 5 s has a linear dose response in virgin samples, which turns to a slight superlinearity as a function of the artificial radiation history. On the other hand the component C₂ with peak maximum time at 12 s is slightly superlinear which turns into strong superlinearity as a function of artificial radiation history. Finally, component C₃ with peak maximum time at about 45 s is strongly superlinear for both virgin samples and as a function of artificial radiation history. The implications to practical application are discussed.     

Analysis of graphene based optically transparent patch antenna for terahertz communications

With and without multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) loaded graphene based optically transparent patch antennas are designed to resonate at 6 THz. Their radiation characteristics are analyzed in 5.66–6.43 THz band. The optically transparent graphene is deployed as the patch and ground plane of the antennas, which are separated by a 2.5 μm thick flexible polyimide substrate. By shorting the microstrip line and ground plane of the antenna with a MWCNT via, the return loss of the antenna is improved. The peak gain of 3.3dB at 6.2 THz and a gain greater than 3dB in 5.66–6.43 THz band is obtained for antenna loaded without MWCNT. Both the antennas achieved a −10dB impedance bandwidth of 12.83%. Gain, directivity and radiation efficiency of the proposed antennas are compared with conventional transparent patch antennas and graphene based non-transparent antennas. The antenna structures are simulated by using finite element method based electromagnetic simulator-Ansys HFSS.     

Magnetic and magneto-optical properties of MnSb films on various substrates

Magnetic and magneto-optical properties of MnSb films with different crystalline orientations on various semiconductors of GaAs(1 0 0), GaAs(1 1 1)A, B, and sapphire(0 0 0 1) have been measured by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and a home-made magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) system. All these samples have their easy axes in the plane and show ferromagnetic properties. Among these samples, the film on GaAs(1 1 1)B has the lowest coercive force H_c and the largest squareness (SQ) value, whereas the film on GaAs(1 0 0) shows the largest H_c and the lowest SQ value. A large Kerr rotation angle of about 0.3° was observed at a wavelength of λ=632.8 nm for the film on sapphire in the field applied both parallel and perpendicular to the film plane. However, the MnSn films on other substrates do not have an observable Kerr rotation. The dynamic effect of the hysteresis was also measured using our MOKE system. As the frequency of applied magnetic field increases, the loop rounds off at the corners and the loop area increases.     

New ab initio study of the spectroscopy of HCNH+

Highly correlated ab initio computations have been performed to investigate the rovibrational energy levels and the rotational transitions of the HCNH⁺ cation and its isotopologues. Using explicitly correlated coupled-cluster methodology and core-valence basis sets, the six-dimensional potential energy surface of the electronic ground state of this ion has been generated. The resulting analytical representation has been used in the full-dimensional variational calculations of the rovibrational energy levels. For all of the isotopologues, the fundamental modes are found to be in close agreement with the available experimental data, and reliable predictions are given for those modes that are not observed experimentally. The rotational transitions, up to the J = 10 value of the total angular momentum quantum number, have also been calculated. The rotational transitions obtained computationally are compared with the values deduced from laboratory experiments or interstellar media detections. Some of these results are predictive, especially those for DCNH⁺ and H¹³CNH⁺. Finally, we provide a theoretical simulation of the rotational spectra for these species at 5 K, 7 K, and 10 K.     

Schottky-type polycrystalline CdZnTe X-ray detectors

The polycrystalline CdZnTe:Cl thick films which have high resistivity about 5 × 10⁹ Ω cm are grown by thermal evaporation method. The leakage currents of as-deposited CdZnTe layers are still too high to operate as medical applications. The blocking layer of Schottky type was formed on the stoichiometric surface of polycrystalline CdZnTe layers to suppress the leakage current of polycrystalline CdZnTe X-ray detectors. The polycrystalline CdZnTe Schottky barrier diodes with indium contact exhibit the low leakage current (14 nA/cm²) at 40 V due to its high barrier height (ϕ_b = 0.80 eV). In X-ray image acquisition with Schottky-type linear array polycrystalline CdZnTe X-ray detector, we have obtained the promising results and proved the possibility of polycrystalline CdZnTe for applications as a flat panel X-ray detector.     

Pump tuned wide tunable noncritically phase-matched ZnGeP2 narrow line width optical parametric oscillator

A line tunable singly resonant noncritically phase matched narrow band width ZnGeP₂ (ZGP) optical parametric oscillator pumped by the output idler radiation from a KTA OPO based on a 20 mm long KTA crystal pumped from a Q-switched Gaussian shaped Nd:YAG laser beam with a grating having grooves density 85 lines/mm has been demonstrated in the spectral ranges of 3–7 μm. The measured threshold of oscillation energy was 10 μJ. The conversion efficiency was 20.5% and slope efficiency of the ZGP OPO was 20% using a 23 mm long ZGP crystal at 26 mm cavity length. Line width of the generated infrared radiation from ZGP OPO was 37–60 nm.     

Ultraviolet spectroscopy of Pr+3 and its use in making ultraviolet filters

Sputtered deposited thin films of AlN:Pr and GaN:Pr emit in ultraviolet–visible and visible regions of the spectrum, respectively, under electron excitation in cathodoluminescence apparatus. The goal is to study the ultraviolet emission from Pr⁺³ when doped in nitride semiconductor hosts. Luminescence peaks at a wavelength of 295 nm (4.2 eV), 335 nm (3.7 eV) and 385 nm (3.24 eV) are observed as a result from ¹S₀ → ¹G₄, ¹S₀ → ¹D₂ and ¹S₀ → ¹I₆ transitions, respectively. However the ¹S₀ → ¹G₄ and ¹S₀ → ¹D₂ transitions are not observed when Pr⁺³ is doped in GaN host. The bandgap of GaN absorbs the ultraviolet radiation emitted from Pr⁺³ and hence GaN can be used as ultraviolet filter for radiation shielding and protection purposes. AlN is transparent to ultraviolet due to its wide bandgap of 6.2 eV.     

Ultrasound assisted synthesis of TiO2–WO3 heterostructures for the catalytic degradation of Tergitol (NP-9) in water

TiO₂–WO₃ heterostructures were synthesized at room temperature, ambient pressure, and short reaction time via a sonochemical approach. TEM and EDX images show that the prepared TiO₂–WO₃ heterostructures consist of globular agglomerates (∼250 nm in diameter) composed of very small (<5 nm) dense particles (WO₃) dispersed inside the globules. The observed less intense monoclinic WO₃ diffraction peak (around 2θ = 22° belonging to (0 0 1) plane) and the high intense hexagonal WO₃ diffraction peak (around 2θ = 28° belonging to (2 0 0) plane) in XRD indicate that there may be phase transition occurring due to the formation of intimate bond between TiO₂ and WO₃. In addition, the formation of such new phase was also observed from Raman spectra with a new peak at 955 cm⁻¹, which is due to the symmetric stretching of W = O terminal. The catalytic activity of TiO₂–WO₃ heterostructures was tested for the degradation of wastewater pollutant containing Tergitol (NP-9) by a process combined with ozonation and it showed two-fold degradation rate compared with ozone process alone.     

Low frequency properties of micro power generator using a gold electroplated coil and magnet

Micro power generating devices were fabricated by using a gold electroplated coil and a permanent magnet. The electrical power was generated when the magnet reciprocated on the fabricated electroplated coil. The output power was increased as a function of vibration frequency. A measurement system, which convert a rotational motion of a motor into a linear motion, was designed and fabricated. The purpose of this work is to develop the micro power generating devices which convert the ambient vibration or oscillating energy into useful electrical energy. With changing vibration frequency from 0.5 to 8 Hz, the generated power increased linearly. The generated voltage was 106 mV at 3 Hz and 198 mV at 6 Hz. After using the step up circuit, the measured voltage was 81 mV at 3 Hz and 235 mV at 6 Hz. From above the frequency of about 4.5 Hz, the gain obtained by using the quadrupler circuit becomes larger than the loss without using that circuit.     

Effect of the surface oxidization and nitridation on the normal spectral emissivity of titanium alloys Ti–6Al–4V at 800–1100 K at a wavelength of 1.5 μm

This work strived to model the effect of surface oxidization and nitridation on the normal spectral emissivity of Ti–6Al–4V alloys at a temperature range of 800–1100 K and a wavelength of 1.5 μm. In experiments, the detector was as close to perpendicular to the surface of the specimens as possible so that only the normal spectral emissivity was measured. Two thermocouples were symmetrically welded near the measuring area for accurate measuring and monitoring of the temperature at the surface of the specimen. The specimens were heated for 6 h at a certain temperature. During this period, the normal spectral emissivity values were measured once every 1 min during the initial 180 min, and once every 2 min thereafter. The measurements were made at certain temperatures from 800 to 1100 K in intervals of 20 K. One strong oscillation in the normal spectral emissivity was observed at each temperature. The oscillations were formed by the interference between the radiation stemming from the oxidization and nitridation layer on the specimen surface and radiation from the substrate. The uncertainty in the normal spectral emissivity caused only by the surface oxidization and nitridation was found to be approximately 9.5–22.8%, and the corresponding uncertainty in the temperature generated only by the surface oxidization and nitridation was approximately 6.9–15.5 K. The model can reproduce well the normal spectral emissivity, including the strong oscillation that occurred during the initial heating period.     

Radioluminescence of synthetic quartz related to alkali ions

The radioluminescence (RL) of synthetic quartzes (GEMMA Quartz & Crystal Company) has been measured at room temperature. Some samples were treated by electrodiffusion (“sweeping”) in order to change the concentrations of alkali ions, mainly Li⁺ and Na⁺, which in quartz are known to be linked to Al ions, substitutional for Si ions.The RL emission spectra show evidence of a role of alkali ions in affecting some specific emissions. All the spectra could be analysed as composed of four bands in the blue and UV region. Specifically, the well known blue emission at around 470 nm was seen to be composed by two bands at 430 nm (2.86 eV) and at 485 nm (2.53 eV). Effects of irradiation, during the RL measurements, were clearly seen only in the “Li swept in” sample, namely an increase in the 485 nm band intensity and a decrease in the 430 nm band one. The previously reported UV emission was detected at 355 nm (3.44 eV) in all the samples, being the most intense band in the “swept out” sample. A further UV emission was detected at 315 nm (3.94 eV), more intense in untreated samples.Possible assignments of the detected emission bands are discussed in relation to the defects of quartz, specifically focusing on the Al centres that are most affected by sweeping procedures.     

C60 as flow electrification inhibitor in mineral insulating oil

The paper presents the concept of using C₆₀ fullerenes as streaming electrification process inhibitor in mineral insulating oil. For the research, 20 samples of oil were prepared; one pure and 19 containing from 1 mg/l to 512 mg/l of C₆₀.The electrification current was measured using a wireless electrometer spinning disk system for rotational speeds from 0 rpm to 400 rpm. The research revealed the C₆₀ ability to significantly reduce the constant component of streaming electrification current in mineral transformer oil. The C₆₀ additive causes also the significant change in flow electrification mechanism as indicated by current versus flow velocity relations.     

Electrochemical activity of Sn-modified Pt single crystal electrodes for ethanol oxidation

Low-index plane Pt single crystal electrodes modified by submonolayer deposition of Sn have been tested for ethanol oxidation in acidic media using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The enhancement factor for ethanol oxidation depends on both substrate crystallography and Sn coverage. The optimum coverage was found to be around 0.2, 0.25 and 0.52 for (1 0 0), (1 1 1) and (1 1 0), respectively. The enhancement factor was found to decrease in the order: Sn/Pt (1 1 0) > Sn/Pt (1 0 0) > Sn/Pt (1 1 1). On the other hand, the current density obtained at 0.4 V after 15 min of electrolysis was found to decrease in the order: Sn/Pt (1 1 0) > Sn/Pt (1 1 1) > Sn/Pt (1 0 0).     

Radon concentrations in schools of the Neapolitan area

A radon survey was carried out in 30 schools located in the metropolitan area around Naples, Italy. Radon concentration was measured using the SSNTD (Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors) method with LR115 detectors. Time integrated measurements covered two consecutive 6-month periods at different locations inside the school buildings: classrooms, laboratories and offices. Data distribution is well fitted by a log-normal curve. The arithmetic mean annual radon concentration is 144 Bq m⁻³, the geometric mean is 86 Bq m⁻³; the standard deviations are respectively 7 Bq m⁻³ and 3. The fractions of rooms where radon concentrations exceed the reference levels of 200, 400 and 500 Bq m⁻³ are 21.3%, 7.6% and 4.5% respectively.The results show that radon concentration in scientific laboratories and in offices is higher than in classrooms.     

Effect of processing conditions on sonochemical synthesis of nanosized copper aluminate powders

Nanosized copper aluminate (CuAl₂O₄) spinel particles have been prepared by a precursor approach with the aid of ultrasound radiation. Mono-phasic copper aluminate with a crystallite diameter of 17 nm along the (3 1 1) plane was formed when the products were synthesized using Cu(NO₃)₂·6H₂O and Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O as starting materials, with urea as a precipitation agent at a concentration of 9 M. The reaction was carried out under ultrasound irradiation at 80 °C for 4 h and a calcination temperature of 900 °C for 6 h. The synthesized copper aluminate particles and the effect of different processing conditions such as the copper source, precipitation agents, sonochemical reaction time, calcination temperature and time were analyzed and characterized by the techniques of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR).     

Desorption of O2 from a stepped platinum(113) surface during 308 nm laser irradiation

Angular and velocity distributions of desorbing O₂ during irradiation of 308 nm laser pulses were studied on a stepped Pt(1 1 3) surface. With increases in the coverage, three desorption components collimated at around 12°, 30° and 50° successively appeared when the desorption angle was changed in a plane along the step edge. The translational temperature also showed maxima at these collimation angles, and the values were slightly lower than previous results for 193 nm irradiation. Some possible desorption mechanisms are discussed.