Energetic neutrons and gamma rays measured on the Aryabhata satellite

An experiment to measure energetic neutrons and gamma rays in space was launched in the first Indian scientific satellite,Aryobhata, on April 19, 1975. From this experiment, the first measurements in space of the Earth’s albedo fiux of neutrons of energy between 20 and 500 MeV have been made; the values obtained for two mean geomagnetic vertical cut-off rigidities of 5.6 and 17.0 GV are (6.3±0.4)×10⁻² and (1.4±0.3)×10⁻² neutrons cm⁻² sec⁻¹ respectively. These measurements confirm that protons arising from cosmic ray albedo neutron decay, can adequately account for the protons in the inner radiation belt. Observations on gamma rays of energy between 0.2 and 24 MeV have enabled the determination of the total background gamma ray flux in space as a function of latitude. This in turn has permitted useful information on the diffuse cosmic gamma rays. We have also observed four events that showed sudden increases in the gamma ray counting rates between 0.2 and 4.0 MeV. Observational details of these events are given.     

Monitoring of the thermal neutron flux in the EDELWEISS II dark matter direct search experiment

The results from measurements of thermal neutron flux in the EDELWEISS II experiment aimed at the direct detection of WIMPs (weakly interacting massive particles) by means of cryogenic germanium bolometers are described. Detailed knowledge of the neutron background is of crucial importance for the experiment, since neutrons with the MeV energy range of scattering seem to be hard to distinguish from the expected WIMP signal within the bolometers. Monitoring of the thermal neutron flux is performed using a mobile detection system with a low background proportional ³He counter. The neutron flux measurements were performed both outside and inside the device’s shielding, in the direct proximity of a cryostat with built-in germanium detectors. The sensitivity of the created thermal neutron detection system is on the level of 10⁻⁹ neutron (cm² s)⁻¹.     

Study of the response of the cosmic ray muon flux to nonstationary processes in the Earth’s atmosphere

The results of the study of the correlation between dynamic atmospheric phenomena and cosmic ray muon flux variations are presented. The results of the long-term experiment on continuous measurements of spatioangular variations of the muon flux using the URAGAN muon hodoscope are considered. It was shown that the correlation between weather phenomena and changes in the angular distribution of the muon flux on the Earth’s surface are observed in 80% of cases, both in the general counting rate and in the zenith-azimuthal distribution of the muon flux intensity.     

Thermal neutron flux detection near the Earth’s surface

The thermal neutron flux near the Earth’s surface has been measured using large unshielded neutron scintillator detectors of a new type, based on ZnS(Ag) and lithium fluoride, enriched with ⁶Li to 90%. The existence of a gradient of the thermal neutron concentration near the Earth’s surface is shown.     

A liquid hydrogen source of ultra-cold neutrons

A liquid hydrogen source of ultra-cold neutrons (UCN) developed for an experimental search for the electric dipole moment of the neutron is described. The results of an investigation of the yield of UCN from gaseous, liquid, and solid hydrogen as a function of temperature are presented. The UCN counting rate obtained at the output of the 6 × 7 cm² neutron guide tube is 5 × 10⁴ n/s. This counting rate corresponds to a flux of neutrons whose velocity along the axis of the neutron guide tube is below 7 m/s. Preliminary measurements of the UCN yield from liquid and solid deuterium have been carried out.     

Quasielastic neutron scattering by diffusive adsorbed hydrogen as a possible cause of the energy spreading of ultracold neutrons during long storage in traps

Small cooling and heating of ultracold neutrons during long storage in traps have been observed in recent experiments. It is shown that quasielastic neutron scattering due to the diffusive motion of hydrogen at the surface of adsorbed hydrogenous contaminants on the surface may be a possible cause of the spreading of the energy of ultracold neutrons during long storage in traps. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 69, No. 2, 81–86 (25 January 1999) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Edited by Steve Torstveit.     

Effect of variations in the Earth’s electrical field caused by weather conditions on neutron monitoring

Variations in cosmic rays are investigated on the basis of the Tien Shan neutron monitor data. The Earth’s electrical field during snowfall, rain, and thunderstorm activity is considered as a modulating factor. It is established that the effect of the electrical field on the monitor data becomes apparent at values exceeding 15–20 kV m⁻¹ in the atmosphere of a thunderstorm. The response is as high as 1.5% for recorded particles with energies lower than 10 GeV.     

Prompt radiation as a probe for fission dynamics

It is shown that the Strutinsky-Denisov induced polarization mechanism leads to the appearance of the prompt electric dipole radiation from fission fragments of ²³⁵Uby thermal neutrons in the domain of around 5 MeV. The probability of the radiation is at the level of 0.001 per fission, which is in agreement with experiment. The angular distribution exhibits left-right asymmetry with respect to the direction of the neutron polarization axis. That means that the emission of gamma quanta at the given angle depends on the neutron polarization. The asymmetry is at the level of 10⁻³. The study of this effect will give a direct information about the scission configuration, nuclear viscosity, and dissipation properties of the collective energy of the surface vibration in fragments with large amplitude. This will give a complete picture of the process of snapping back the nuclear surface.     

Neutron emission under particular nonequilibrium conditions from Pd and Ti electrolytically charged with deuterium

Summary We report on neutron emission in palladium and titanium electrolitically charged with deuterium. The detection of neutrons is observed after thermal treatment of the electrode. In the hypothesis that neutrons came from cold fusion processes, we estimate a fusion rate as high as 1.3·10⁻²¹ fusions/deuteron pair/second.     

A three body approach to study the structural properties of 2-n halo nuclei and the search for Efimov states

The discovery of neutron rich isotopes of the lightest elements on the neutron drip line exhibiting a halo structure has opened up new vistas in research activities. The novel structural features associated with the halo phenomena have been the subject for extensive theoretical and experimental investigations in recent times. In this talk, I propose to present a broad overview of the recent developments in this field, bringing out the striking features which show that a large number oflight nuclei near the neutron drip line are characterized by a clear separation between a ‘normal’ core nucleus and a loosely bound low density veil of neutrons. Specifically, the two neutron halos offer a natural premises, from a theoretical standpoint, to employ three body techniques for studying their detailed structural properties. A considerable part of the talk will be devoted to report and highlight the results on a number of light halo nuclei such as ¹¹Li, ¹¹Be, ¹⁹B and ²²C on which we have been carrying out investigations employing a simple but realistic three body model. These three body systems which have been termed as ‘Borromean’ (i.e while three body systems are bound, the corresponding binary subsystems on the other hand are unbound) are characterized by large spacial extension and very low separation energy of the neutron. They are, therefore, ideally suited for exploring the possibility of the existence of Efimov states in two neutron halo nuclei. We have recently carried out the three body analyses to predict the possibility of the occurrence of such states on which experimental work at various laboratories is underway.     

New version of the integrated method for measuring small effects in experiments on beams extracted from a nuclear reactor at the effect sign switching frequency above the fundamental frequencies of the reactor power fluctuation spectrum

The principles of construction and the results of testing of a system for measuring P-odd asymmetries in nuclear reactions with polarized cold neutrons by the integrated method of recording events at the neutron polarization switching frequency above the fundamental frequencies of the reactor power fluctuation spectrum are presented. It is shown experimentally that if the signal under investigation is characterized by the spectral density of power decreasing with increasing frequency, switching of the equipment at a higher frequency decreases the measuring error. The dependence of the error of measurements of P-odd asymmetry in the emission of γ quanta in the ¹⁰B(n, α)⁷Li* ⟹ γ ⟹ ⁷Li(g.s.) reaction on the neutron polarization switching frequency is derived. The system described here is implemented experimentally for the first time.     

Thermal neutron damage in CdS and CdTe

Photoluminescence and electrical resistivity changes in CdS and CdTe produced by thermal neutrons are discussed. The damage is produced principally by the neutron capture reaction ¹¹³Cd (n,y) ¹¹⁴Cd. Since the reaction product ¹¹⁴Cd is stable, complications arising from impurity introduction is minimal. The cumulative recoil nuclear recoil energy is about 143 eV, but is not the recoil energy at the time atomic displacement occurs. Thermal and fast neutrons enhance the CdS luminescence band at 7200A in the ratio of 28:1, but the resistivity changes are in the ratio of 40:1 Cd interstitial is suggested as the luminescence center. Hall measurements on n-type CdTe suggest that only Cd defects are produced for low thermal neutron doses. The acceptor introduction rate is about 1.0 to 0.6, compared to 0.098 for CdS. These are in good agreement with the values reported by R. O. Chester. The fast neutron effects in high resistivity CdS reported by Johnson indicate the need for further measurement.     

First experimental observations of neutron bursts under thunderstorm clouds near sea level

The connection of short-term neutron bursts near sea level with the electric and geomagnetic atmospheric fields during thunderstorms in 2009–2011 has been experimentally studied. The data from the cosmic-ray spectrograph named after Kuzmin, an electrostatic fluxmeter, and a three-component fluxgate magnetometer in Yakutsk have been analyzed. It has been shown that short-term (no longer than 4 min) neutron bursts are due to negative lightning discharges. The bursts are detected at the ground level 1–3 km below thunderstorm clouds. In this case, the neutron flux is about 4 × 10⁻³ cm⁻² s⁻¹. The minimum energy of the neutrons that are efficiently detected by the monitor is about 10 MeV. It has been found that short-term neutron bursts are detected when the electric field strength reaches a threshold value of −16 kV/m.     

The problem of the occurrence of neutrons of terrestrial origin during seismic wave travel

The results of experimental measurements of thermal neutrons in 1986–1997 in Pamir, which is one of the most seismoactive regions of the world, are studied. In this period, visible peaks in the thermal neutron flux near the Earth’s surface were found, especially in the periods near the upper and lower transits of the moon during a new moon or full moon, when the tidal gravitational wave reaches its maximum value. Additionally, about 500 earthquakes with m > 4 occurred in the same period of the operation of neutron counters. The time of seismic-wave travel across the given territory was known at a precision of less than 1 min (in some cases). Nevertheless, increases in neutron flux have never been observed during the travel of a seismic wave. Why is this? It appears that the mechanical effect on the Earth’s crust has the same impact with no respect to the cause of this effect; however, this was observed during experiments. This paper studies the reasons for this lack and the probable conditions that are favorable for an increase in terrestrial thermal neutron flux when a seismic wave travels across a territory.     

A capture-gated fast neutron detection method

To address the problem of the shortage of neutron detectors used in radiation portal monitors(RPMs),caused by the ~3He supply crisis, research on a cadmium-based capture-gated fast neutron detector is presented in this paper. The detector is composed of many 1 cm × 1 cm × 20 cm plastic scintillator cuboids covered by 0.1 mm thick film of cadmium. The detector uses cadmium to absorb thermal neutrons and produce capture γ-rays to indicate the detection of neutrons, and uses plastic scintillator to moderate neutrons and register γ-rays. This design removes the volume competing relationship in traditional ~3He counter-based fast neutron detectors, which hinders enhancement of the neutron detection efficiency. Detection efficiency of 21.66% ± 1.22% has been achieved with a 40.4 cm × 40.4cm × 20 cm overall detector volume. This detector can measure both neutrons and γ-rays simultaneously. A small detector(20.2 cm × 20.2 cm × 20 cm) demonstrated a 3.3 % false alarm rate for a ~(252)Cf source with a neutron yield of 1841 n/s from 50 cm away within 15 s measurement time. It also demonstrated a very low(0.06%) false alarm rate for a 3.21 × 10~5 Bq ~(137)Cs source. This detector offers a potential single-detector replacement for both neutron and the γ-ray detectors in RPM systems.     

Way of detecting an electromagnetic earthquake precursor

A way of detecting an electromagnetic earthquake precursor is suggested. Detection is carried out with a device composed of a vertical electrical antenna and a toroidal magnetic antenna located on the Earth’s surface. It is shown that the detector is the most sensitive to the radiation of an electrical dipole inside the lithosphere that is oriented normally to the Earth’s surface. Such a pattern allows one to detect electromagnetic precursors by the method suggested.     

Features of cosmic ray variation at the phase of the minimum between the 23rd and 24th solar cycles

The minimum between the 23rd and 24th cycles of solar activity was unusually deep and extended. The modulation of cosmic rays was minimal for the more than 70-year-long period of direct measurements. The data from stratospheric measurements by the Lebedev Physical Institute suggest that the flux of cosmic rays with more than 100 MeV/nucleon of energy exceeded the highest ever observed level (May 1965) by almost 12%. However, the ground-based neutron monitors sensitive to relatively high energies indicated that the flux of cosmic rays increased by less than 3%. This work compares the variations in the cosmic rays over periods of five minima of solar activity (the 20th to the 24th cycle). It is shown that in late 2008, an extra flux of particles with energies less than several GeV/nucleon was detected in the Earth’s orbit. A similar (though far smaller in scale) phenomenon was also observed in 1987 at the same orientation of the Sun’s magnetic field A < 0, but was not observed in epochs where A > 0.     

Variations in the radio-wave absorption in the ionosphere due to internal gravity waves

We estimate the influence of internal gravity waves on the radio-wave absorption in the Earth’s atmosphere. It is shown that the internal gravity waves can lead to significant spatio-temporal variations in the absorption. We conclude that riometric measurements can be used for the diagnostics of internal gravity waves in the Earth’s atmosphere. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 194–198, March 2006.     

Neutron response study using poly allyl diglycol carbonate

The results of an experimental work aimed at improving the performance of the CR-39 nuclear track detector for neutron dosimetry applications are reported. A set of CR-39 plastic detectors was exposed to ²⁵²Cf neutron source, which has the emission rate of 0.68 × 10⁸ s⁻¹, and neutron dose equivalent rate 1 m apart from the source is equal to 3.8 mrem/h. The detection of fast neutrons performed with CR-39 detector foils, subsequent chemical etching and evaluation of the etched tracks by an automatic track counting system was studied. It is found that the track density increases with the increase of neutron dose and etching time. The track density in the detector is directly proportional to the neutron fluence producing the recoil tracks, provided the track density is in the countable range. This fact plays an important role in determining the equivalent dose in the field of neutron dosimetry. These results are compared with previous work. It is found that our results are in good agreement with their investigations.      

Diurnal variations in cosmic ray intensity caused by high latitude magnetospheric-ionospheric current systems

Cosmic ray intensity measurements obtained with the neutron monitors at Thule (geomagnetic latitude, 84.8°) and McMurdo (geomagnetic latitude, −79.9°) in 2007–2009 were used to test the effect of the magnetic field generated by magnetospheric currents flowing along geomagnetic field lines in the high latitude region on cosmic ray intensity. The existence of such a relation in a region where the geomagnetic field lines are virtually radial should revise our concept of the unimpeded access that cosmic ray particles have to the Earth’s atmosphere.