Analyses of the factors for the demagnetization of permanent magnets caused by high‐energy electron irradiation

Demagnetization owing to high‐energy electron irradiation has been analyzed for permanent magnets used in insertion devices of synchrotron radiation sources, using the Monte Carlo code FLUKA. The experimental data of a thermally treated Nd₂Fe₁₄B permanent magnet with a copper or a tantalum block at electron energies ranging from 2 to 8 GeV were compared with the calculation data of the absorbed doses, photoneutron production distributions and star densities. The results indicate that low‐energy photoneutrons and bremsstrahlung photons are not involved in the demagnetization process, and suggest that the star density owing to the photoneutrons is strongly correlated with the demagnetization process.     

Bremsstrahlung shielding parameters in polymer concretes

Concretes are used for shielding in nuclear power plants. Beta radiation is emitted during the nuclear reactions. This beta radiation interacts with the concrete and results in secondary radiation such as bremsstrahlung. Shielding parameters of beta-induced bremsstrahlung in concretes are important in the field of radiation protection. We have evaluated the cross section, yield, intensity and dose rate of beta-induced bremsstrahlung by pure beta nuclides of end point energy ranges from 0.4 to 5?MeV in some polymer-based concretes such as sulfur polymer concrete, barium polymer concrete, calcium polymer concrete, fluorine polymer concrete, chlorine polymer concrete and germanium polymer concrete. We have compared the shielding properties among the studied polymer concretes. The efficiency, intensity and dose rate of bremsstrahlung increases with a maximum energy of beta nuclide and modified atomic number of the concrete. From the detailed study, it is clear that the barium polymer concrete is having large bremsstrahlung dose rate and specific bremsstrahlung constant values than the other studied polymer concretes. This means barium polymer concrete is a good absorber of bremsstrahlung radiation than the other studied polymer concretes.     

Reliable cross sections of partial photoneutron reactions on 188,189Os isotopes free of neutron multiplicity sorting problems

Experimental data on the cross sections of partial photoneutron reactions, obtained for ^188,189Os isotopes using quasimonoenergetic annihilation photon beams and neutron multiplicity sorting method, are analyzed. Using special criteria (transition multiplicity functions F _i = σ(γ, in)/σ(γ, xn), the ratios of the cross section of the corresponding partial reaction to the total neutron yield reaction’s cross section σ(γ, xn) = σ(γ, 1n)+ 2σ(γ, 2n) + 3σ(γ, 3n) free of the problems associated with experimental neutron multiplicity sorting), it is demonstrated that the data contain significant systematic errors. New data are evaluated for cross sections of partial photoneutron reactions (γ, 1n), (γ, 2n), (γ, 3n) and total photoneutron reaction (γ, sn) for ^188,189Os isotopes within an experimental-theoretical approach proposed earlier. It is shown that the significant systematic errors in the experimental cross sections of partial reactions can be attributed to the ambiguity of the relation between the photoneutrons’ multiplicity and their kinetic energy.     

Effects of damping on the low-frequency acoustics of listening rooms based on an analytical model

A study of the effects of damping on the low-frequency acoustics of listening rooms has been undertaken. The study was carried out using a new numerical implementation of an analytical solution based on a model developed by Bistafa and Morrissey. The model was designed to simulate the sound field in rectangular enclosures below the Schroeder cut-off frequency. Four hypothetical rooms were studied, a lightly damped room, a well damped room, a statistically compliant European Broadcast Union control room and a compliant European Broadcast Union control room. The most important result from the study using the proposed model was the influence of modes above the Schroeder cut-off frequency on reverberation time. This was caused by the variations in damping between mode types and variations in the modal coupling between the source and receiver. The research suggests that Schroeder's 1954 cut-off frequency for the influence of modes was more correct for highly damped rooms, in comparison with the Schroeder's 1964 relation.     

Measurement of the photoneutron flux density distribution from cylindrical targets

Measurements are performed of the density of photoneutron fluxes from cylindrical targets of²H₂O (diameter 64 and height 86 mm), Be (outer diameter 70, inner diameter 40, height 100mm), and²³⁸U (diameter 44.5 mm, height 50 mm) under the action of braking radiation from electrons with energies of 4 to 8 MeV in order to determine the effect of target form and orientation relative to the detector upon the recorded photoneutron level. The fluxes were measured by an all-wave neutron detector based on an SNM-11 counter in a paraffin retarder at an angle of 90 to the axis of the braking radiation beam for various target orientations relative to the detector. Measurement results are compared to calculations. Photoneutron fluxes from heavy water and beryllium targets of the indicated dimensions were also measured for angles of 90, 135, and 167. An isotropic nature was noted in the photoneutron fluxes from both targets.Deceased.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 9, pp. 5–9, September, 1989.In conclusion, the authors express their gratitude to V. I. Lunev and B. M. Yakovlev for their assistance in performing the measurements.     

Z-FFR聚变靶室物理状态分析与聚变X射线防护的初步设计

利用MULTI程序建立了大空间-时间尺度、Z-FFR聚变靶室气体氛围的辐射流体力学模型,研究了聚变X射线能量传输、气体氛围温度密度演化以及冲击波的形成和传播等物理过程,获得了第一壁表面辐射温度、冲击压力随时间的变化等重要参数。同时利用Geant4程序计算了静态X射线在第一壁耐烧蚀涂层中的能量沉积分布,研究了不同能量X射线在聚变靶室气氛中的衰减规律。综合动态和静态计算结果,完成了聚变X射线防护初步设计,确定第一壁入射X射线能量密度阈值约为0.2J/cm2,Ar气氛围压强为2000Pa。     

Monte Carlo simulation for bremsstrahlung and photoneutron yields in high-energy x-ray radiography

This paper reports on the results of calculations using a Monte Carlo code (MCNP5) to study the properties of photons, electrons and photoneutrons obtained in the converted target and their transportations in x-ray radiography. A comparison between measurements and calculations for bremsstrahlung and photoneutrons is presented. The radiographic rule and the effect of the collimator on the image are studied with the experimental model. The results provide exact parameters for the optimal design of radiographic layout and shielding systems.     

Nuclear radiation shielding and mechanical properties of colemanite mineral doped concretes

ABSTRACT

The present research focused on the investigation of photon and fast neutron shielding parameters of colemanite mineral doped and undoped concretes. The fabricated concretes have been exposed to gamma rays at 59.5 and 81?keV energies and the measurements have been carried out with NaI(Tl) detector. The parameters of effective atomic number (Z_eff) and electron density (N_el) have been determined experimentally and theoretically. The exposure buildup factor (EBF) and energy absorption buildup factor (EBF) have been computed utilizing the Geometric progression (G–P) fitting method. In addition to the photon shielding parameters, the macroscopic effective removal cross-section calculations for fast neutron (Σ_R) were performed. As a result, it was observed that the concretes doped with colemanite mineral are not very effective in gamma radiation shielding. On the contrary, it was observed that concretes with colemanite were more effective in shielding fast neutrons and the fast neutron removal cross-section values increased with increasing colemanite concentration in the concrete. Additionally, compressive strength values (MPa) of concretes were tested using ALFA TESTING (B001-PC) 200 tons capacity device.     

Radiation attenuation and nuclear properties of high density concrete made with steel aggregates

Abstract

The fast neutron and gamma ray spectra measured behind different thickness of steel scrap concrete with density of 4 g/cm³ have been studied. The mix proportions by weight of this type of concrete were 1 cement: 6.89 steel scrap: 2.9 sand and 0.5 Water. Comparison with a standard ordinary concrete of density 2.3 g/cm³ have been carried out. The measurements were made using a collimated beam of both gamma rays and neutrons emitted from one of the horizontal channel of the Egyptian Research Reactor-1. A fast neutron and gamma ray spectrometer with a stilbene crystal was used to measure the spectra of fast neutrons and gamma rays. Pulse shape discrimination using the zero cross over technique was used to separate the photon pulses from the electron pulses. The equation due to Schmidt has been modified and applied for determining the neutron effective removal cross sections (～_R) for steel scrap, ordinary, hematite–serpentine, ilmenite–limonite and ilmenite concretes. This equation gives results which are in good agreement with the measured values. The derived empirical equation in a previous work to calculate the neutron integral flux behind different thicknesses of different types of concretes, gives good results for steel scrap concrete under investigation comparing with the corresponding experimental data. Total neutron macroscopic cross sections, linear attenuation coefficients for gamma rays and the half-value layers for both radiations at different energies have been obtained for steel scrap concrete and comparing with the corresponding values of ordinary concrete. The results show that steel scrap concrete is better than ordinary, hematite–serpentine, ilmenite–limonite and ilmenite concretes from the radiation shielding point of view.     

Acoustic characterization and prediction for fan-duct-plenum-room integrations

This paper investigates mutual influence of duct and room acoustics in the whole fan-duct-plenum-room integrations. Applying the parametric design language of finite element software ANSYS (APDL), dimensional and positional influence on system acoustics has been studied. Models with different room dimensions, duct lengths, duct cross-sections, duct locations, duct discharges and duct elbow were constructed, and their characteristics were compared qualitatively. Results show that small rooms, short ducts, large duct cross-sections and bell mouth duct discharges help to increase room sound pressure levels (SPLs); SPLs in ducts and plenums are sensitive to duct dimensions and duct discharge types but insensitive to duct locations and room dimensions; duct elbows have relatively indistinct acoustic influence in each component. Based on the calculation results, a semi-experimental method was proposed for simply and approximately evaluating indoor acoustic spectra of fan-duct-plenum-room integrations, then an example was used to demonstrate the prediction process. Finally, by adopting several ideal models, sound field constitutions, duct and room wall admittances and duct end reflection were explored quantitatively. This study may give a detailed understanding of fan-duct-plenum-room acoustics for researchers, also it might provide a new, simple and approximate prediction method for professionals to evaluate and improve fan-ducted acoustics.     

Using optimized wall section to improve low frequency response in a room

Three different wall sections with step shape were applied in the finite element analysis models set up to investigate the effect on low frequency sound field by wall modification. The heights of the step in three cases are taken as equal, random and optimized. The optimized value is obtained by using an optimization process with an objective function of minimum fluctuation in sound field. The frequency responses of rooms with original and modified walls were calculated in a range from 60 Hz to 120 Hz. The results showed that the room with an optimized wall section had the flattest frequency response. Same thing was true as the ratio of the room was changed. The largest improvement on fluctuation reached 4.5 dB. In addition, wall section with semicircle and triangle were studied. The rooms that wall section had optimized radius and heights also gave a better performance than those that had fixed radius and heights. Therefore, it is possible to use optimized wall section to improve low frequency sound field.     

Dosimetry and fast neutron energies characterization of photoneutrons produced in some medical linear accelerators

This work focusses on the estimation of induced photoneutrons energy, fluence, and strength using nuclear track detector (NTD) (CR-39). Photoneutron energy was estimated for three different linear accelerators, LINACs as an example for the commonly used accelerators. For high-energy linear accelerators, neutrons are produced as a consequence of photonuclear reactions in the target nuclei, accelerator head, field-flattening filters and beam collimators, and other irradiated objects. NTD (CR-39) is used to evaluate energy and fluence of the fast neutron. Track length is used to estimate fast photoneutrons energy for linear accelerators (Elekta 10 MV, Elekta 15 MV, and Varian 15 MV). Results show that the estimated neutron energies for the three chosen examples of LINACs reveals neutron energies in the range of 1–2 MeV for 10 and 15 MV X-ray beams. The fluence of neutrons at the isocenter (Φ_total) is found to be (4×10⁶ n cm² Gy^?1) for Elekta machine 10 MV. The neutron source strengths Q are calculated. It was found to be 0.2×10¹² n Gy^?1 X-ray at the isocenter. This work represents simple, low cost, and accurate methods of measuring fast neutrons dose and energies.     

Photoneutron reactions in the range of giant dipole resonance

The well-known significant systematic disagreements between data on partial photoneutron reaction cross sections obtained in experiments using quasimonoenergetic annihilation photons and bremsstrahlung were investigated using objective physical criteria of data reliability. It was shown that many data are not reliable because of significant systematic uncertainties of the photoneutron multiplicity sorting methods used. The experimental–theoretical method for evaluation of reliable partial reaction cross sections was proposed and many new data were obtained.     

基于共轭离散纵标的减方差方法

对于深穿透类型的屏蔽计算,为了得到较为可信的统计结果,蒙特卡罗方法(MC方法)需要模拟大量的粒子,巨大的计算时间是其存在的主要问题。源偏倚和权窗技巧能够有效降低深穿透问题的计数误差。开展了基于共轭离散纵标(SN)的MC减方差方法研究,根据SN方法的共轭注量率计算并生成了源偏倚和权窗参数,编写了JMCT程序的源抽样子程序,并且在秦山一期测量值基础上进行了验证,成功应用到CAP1400压力容器快中子注量率和堆腔中子和光子剂量率计算中。数值结果表明,对于深穿透屏蔽计算问题,和无偏的MC方法相比,基于共轭SN的MC减方差方法能够在保证结果精度的前提下,提高计算效率1~2个量级。     

Electromagnetic dissociation of ultrarelativistic heavy ions and cross sections for photonuclear reactions in the region of a giant resonance

In calculating cross sections for the electromagnetic dissociation of heavy ions by the Weizsäcker-Williams method, use is made of approximations and extrapolations of experimental data on photonuclear reactions. On the basis of the predicted cross sections for the mutual dissociation of nuclei in beams of ultrarelativistic colliders, it is proposed to measure, among other things, the yields of neutrons from such a dissociation in order to monitor the luminosity of accelerators. Considerable discrepancies between the results of different photonuclear experiments impose limitations on the accuracy of the method. The reasons behind these discrepancies are determined on the basis of a systematic analysis of available data on the cross sections for photoneutron reactions, and a method for removing them is proposed. By considering the example where new data on the dissociation of ²⁰⁸Pb nuclei at an energy of 30 GeV per nucleon are compared with the results of calculations, it is shown that the use of evaluated cross sections for partial photoneutron reactions of the (γ, n) and (γ, 2n) types makes it possible to improve the accuracy in calculating cross sections for electromagnetic dissociation.     

Validation of an optimization procedure to improve low frequency characteristics of rooms

A set of experiments was carried out to validate an optimization procedure based on finite element method (FEM). The idea of the procedure, fully presented in previous edition of this journal [Zhu X, Zhu Z, Cheng J. Using optimized surface modifications to improve low frequency response in a room. Appl Acoust 2004;65:841-60], is to produce an optimal geometry modification on the wall for improving low frequency sound uniformity in small rooms. Four experimental models were set up with a scale of 1:5. One was modified according to the optimized result and the others were treated with no optimization consideration. Measured frequency responses of four rooms were compared with numerical results calculated by FEM models. The transient responses in these rooms were also measured and analyzed. The agreements between calculation and measurement are satisfactory though the discrepancies due to the uncertainty of acoustic behavior of the room boundaries remain. The optimization procedure has been supported by the results that the optimized room produces the flattest frequency response and also the most smooth energy decay within the frequency range studied. The reductions of response fluctuation have reached 4.3 dB for prediction and 2.6 dB for measurement, respectively.     

Effect of Helium ion irradiation on the structure,the phase stability,and the microhardness of TiN,TiAlN, and TiAlYN nanostructured coatings

The radiation resistance of nanostructured TiN, TiAlN, and TiAlYN coatings is studied after 500-keV He⁺ ion irradiation in the fluence range 5 × 10¹⁶–3 × 10¹⁷ ions/cm². The radiation-induced changes in the phase composition, the structure, the lattice parameters, the morphology, and the mechanical properties of coatings are investigated. Blistering is found to be absent, and the radiation fluence is shown to affect the strength properties of the thin coatings nonlinearly. A significant decrease in the grain sizes is detected upon ion irradiation, which causes an increase in the microhardness and the radiation resistance of the coatings. The TiN, TiAlN, and TiAlYN coatings are found to be radiation-resistant coatings, which do not undergo serious degradation during high-fluence ion irradiation.     

墙体对微波脉冲的衰减特性

 研究墙体对微波脉冲的衰减特性，测量了微波脉冲垂直入射墙体后的脉冲信号，经过计算得到普通砖混墙、普通钢筋混凝土墙、钢筋网混凝土墙对窄带微波和超宽带微波的衰减值；分析了微波脉冲穿越不同墙体的频谱变化。研究结果表明，普通钢筋混凝土墙和普通砖混墙对窄带微波脉冲的衰减为0.342～0.699 dB/cm，对超宽带信号的衰减为0.134～0.183 dB/cm。钢筋网混凝土墙（厚65 cm）对超宽带信号的衰减较大（29.07～45.79 dB），同时使穿透墙体的超宽带信号频率分布向高频位移。     

The effect of laser wavelength on the ablation rate of carbon

The ablation of graphite is studied as a function of laser fluence for 355, 532 and 1,064 nm wavelength generated by a nanosecond Nd:YAG laser. It has been found that in the case of lower wavelengths, the transition from the thermal ablation to the phase explosion takes place at lower laser fluences. The change of crater shape due to the effect of deep drilling in the proximity of the phase explosion threshold was observed. The calculations of plasma radiation flux to the target surface were made, and the considerable increase of absorbed energy density was found in the case of 355 nm wavelength.