Experimental calculations of number,energy and dose albedos for various materials using 662 keV gamma rays

ABSTRACT

Number, energy and dose albedos are measured at a scattering angle of 180° for a broad beam of 662 keV gamma rays obtained from a radioactive source of ¹³⁷Cs (having strength in µCi; 1 Ci?=?3.7?×?10¹⁰ disintegrations per second). The gamma beam is incident on semi-infinite thick targets of variable atomic numbers. The scattering media is divided into three sets, which are pure elements, alloys and composite materials. Experiments are carried out using a 3^″?×?3^″ NaI(Tl) scintillation detector. To obtain precision in data, the response unfolding of a scintillation detector is used, which converts the observed pulse-height distribution to a true photon spectrum over the energy range of 2.5 to 640 keV. The detector response unfolding results in the true intensity of back-scattered gamma flux by shifting the events resulting from partial absorption of photons to the full energy peak of the spectrum. In the present study, albedo factors are studied as a function of target thickness and their atomic number. The experimentally calculated numbers of back-scattered gamma photon are in good agreement with theoretically generated numbers of multiple back-scattered counts by using a Monte Carlo simulation code. The experimental data on energy and intensity of 662 keV gamma photons are used to evaluate the number, energy and dose albedos for different materials under investigation.     

Optical properties of some modified plant compound after 662 keV gamma radiation

Plant-isolated compounds, Osthol [7-methoxy-8-(3-methylbut-2-enyl) coumarin], were subjected to modification in the isopentenyl side chain to get an aldehyde of 2-methyl-4 (7-methoxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-8-yl)-but-2-en-1-al. This modified compound was exposed to γ-radiation produced by ¹³⁷Cs source at room temperature. Pre- and post-irradiation study was carried out by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. The compound shows a sharp absorption peak at 322?nm. This observed absorption band decreases with irradiation up to a certain dose and then increases with a further increase in the radiation dose. This compound exhibits almost a linear response up to 7?Gy. From the optical data analysis, this compound follows indirect allowed transition and the optical gap was found around 3.58?eV. The systematic decrease in the band gap was found with an increase in the radiation dose. Urbach energy is also found to decrease with radiation. This parameter gives a clear indication of the defects and free radical created in the system after irradiation. The present features shown by this compound may be exploited as sensitive dosimeter in 0–7?Gy γ-radiation environment.     

Energy and intensity distributions of 279 keV multiply scattered photons in bronze — an inverse response matrix approach

An inverse response matrix converts the observed pulse-height distribution of a NaI(Tl) scintillation detector to a true photon spectrum. This also results in extraction of intensity and energy distributions of multiply scattered events originating from interactions of 279 keV photons with thick targets of bronze. The observed pulse-height distributions are a composite of singly and multiply scattered events in addition to bremmstrahlung originating from slowing down of Compton and photo-electrons in thick targets. To evaluate the contribution of multiply scattered events, the spectrum of singly scattered events contributing to inelastic Compton peak is reconstructed analytically. The optimum thickness (saturation depth), at which the number of multiply scattered events saturate, has been evaluated in different energy bin meshes chosen for scintillation detector response unfolding. Monte Carlo calculations based upon the package developed by Bauer and Pattison (Compton scattering experiments at the HMI (1981), HMI-B 364, pp. 1–106) supports the present experimental results.      

Effects of annealing treatment and gamma irradiation on the absorption and fluorescence spectra of Cr:GSGG laser crystal

The influence of annealing treatments and gamma-ray irradiation on the absorption and fluorescence spectra of Cr:GSGG crystals grown by the Czochralski method has been investigated. Two absorption bands located near 686 nm and 1050 nm were weakened markedly after the crystal was re-annealed in H₂ atmosphere, which is due to the Cr⁴⁺ ions being de-oxidized into Cr³⁺ ions. The other two weak additional absorption bands induced by gamma-ray irradiation appearing near 310 nm and 480 nm are ascribed to the Fe²⁺ ions and F-type color centers, respectively. In particular, the gamma-ray irradiation with a dose of 100 Mrad has an effect of improving slightly the luminescence properties of Cr:GSGG crystals. The improvement mechanism is analyzed and discussed.     

Measurement of M-shell X-ray production cross sections for the element 73 \leqslant Z \leqslant 83 using 5.96 keV photons

Total M-shell X-ray production cross sections (M XRF) of the some elements in the atomic number range were measured at 5.96 keV incident photon energy using a Si(Li) detector. The results are compared with the experimental and theoretical values in the literature.     

Advantages and limitations of OM, SEM, TEM and AFM in the study of ancient decorated pottery

This paper presents results from the study of two fragments of pre-Hispanic pottery, decorated with red pigment, using Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM). Capabilities and limitations of these techniques in the analysis of archaeological material are highlighted with special emphasis on TEM, AFM and MFM due to their contribution in the study of the pigment layer at micro and nano scale. The analyzed samples come from the archaeological sites of El Tajin and Xochicalco, both in Mexico. Results of conventional TEM and HRTEM analysis of the red pigment showed nanometric Fe₂O₃ particles in both samples but different particle shape and size distributions: specimen from El Tajin presented irregular particles between 50–100 nm while that from Xochicalco exhibited semispherical shapes in the 3–25 nm range. AFM images showed the topography of the pigments, which are related to the texture of their surface and thus to the production process. Finally, MFM showed different contrast regions suggesting the presence of ferromagnetic elements forming clusters and domain orientations on the color layer.     

Effect of 120 keV proton irradiation on mass loss and chemical structure of AG-80 epoxy resin

The AG-80 resin is a new type of thermosetting matrix for advanced carbon/epoxy composites. Mass loss effect and the related outgassing are major concerns for its application in space. The changes in mass loss, outgassing and chemical structure under 120 keV proton exposure were investigated for the AG-80 epoxy resin. The variation in chemistry was characterised by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Experimental results show that by increasing the proton fluence, the surface colour of specimens becomes darker. Mass loss ratios ascend remarkably until the fluence of approximately 6.3×10¹⁵ cm^?2 and then tend to level off. The surface roughness of specimens exhibits an increasing trend followed by a decreasing trend as a function of proton fluence. Under the exposure, the C?C, C?H, C?N and C?O bonds are broken, a variety of molecule ions with smaller molecular weight are formed and carbon is enriched in the surface layer of the specimens. The changes in mass loss and surface roughness of the AG-80 epoxy resin could be attributed to the formation of the molecule ions and the enrichment of carbon content in the surface layer due to proton radiation.     

Kα X-ray satellite spectra of Ti, V, Cr and Mn induced by photons

K X-ray emission spectra of Ti, V, Cr and Mn generated by photon excitation have been studied with a crystal spectrometer. The measured energy shifts of K_α satellite relative to the diagram line are compared with values obtained by electron excitation and with different theoretical estimates. The present experimental values of K_αL¹/K_αL⁰ relative intensities are compared with values obtained by electron excitation.      

Absolute frequency measurements of wavelength standards 532 nm, 543 nm, 633 nm and 1540 nm

This paper describes the results of absolute frequency measurements of primary wavelength standards 633 nm, 543 nm, 532 nm, (iodine stabilized) and 1540 nm (acetylene stabilized) in CMI. The values obtained with Menlo Systems femtosecond frequency comb in CMI are compared with previous measurements of the same standards in BIPM, BEV and MPQ. Measured sub-Doppler linewidths and relative intensities of several hyperfine spectral components of iodine molecule are also presented.     

Einstein,Incompleteness, and the Epistemic View of Quantum States

Does the quantum state represent reality or our knowledge of reality? In making this distinction precise, we are led to a novel classification of hidden variable models of quantum theory. We show that representatives of each class can be found among existing constructions for two-dimensional Hilbert spaces. Our approach also provides a fruitful new perspective on arguments for the nonlocality and incompleteness of quantum theory. Specifically, we show that for models wherein the quantum state has the status of something real, the failure of locality can be established through an argument considerably more straightforward than Bell’s theorem. The historical significance of this result becomes evident when one recognizes that the same reasoning is present in Einstein’s preferred argument for incompleteness, which dates back to 1935. This fact suggests that Einstein was seeking not just any completion of quantum theory, but one wherein quantum states are solely representative of our knowledge. Our hypothesis is supported by an analysis of Einstein’s attempts to clarify his views on quantum theory and the circumstance of his otherwise puzzling abandonment of an even simpler argument for incompleteness from 1927.     

Preparation of alumina nanowires, nanorods, and nanowalls by chemical etching

Alumina (Al₂O₃) nanowires, nanorods, and nanowalls have been prepared from anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates by chemical etching in NaOH solution. Heating the template prior to etching is crucial to the morphology of subsequent prepared alumina nanostructures, which greatly depend on the phases of the AAO templates. It has been found that the templates with amorphous Al₂O₃, γ-Al₂O₃, and α+γ-Al₂O₃ phases will grow nanowires, nanorods, and nanowalls, respectively. A possible mechanism for forming different alumina nanostructures is proposed.     

Cross-sectional morphological profiles of ripples on Si, SiC, and HOPG

The cross-sectional profiles of ripple structures on silicon (Si), silicon carbide (SiC), and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) were studied by direct observation. The ripple structures were cut by an ion beam, and their cross sections were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the cross sections of coarse ripples on Si and SiC have a convex shape with narrower valleys, whereas those of HOPG have sharp ridges and wide wings with a poorer aspect ratio. This difference may arise from the difference in material phase conversion processes induced by femtosecond laser irradiation. The cross-sectional profiles of fine ripples on SiC and HOPG, which give useful information on the ripple formation process, are also discussed.     

Effect of annealing temperature on hardness, thickness and phase structure of carbonitrided 304 stainless steel

Carbonitriding of AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel was performed at a plasma-processing power of 450 W using inductively coupled radio frequency (rf) plasma in a gas mixture of 50% N₂ and 50% C₂H₂. The rate of carbonitriding, microhardness, phase structure of the compound layer, surface microstructure and cross-section morphology were studied before and after the annealing process. At the annealing temperature up to 800°C, the microhardness values of the compound zones decrease, while the associated values of the diffused zones increase. Little change was found in the thickness of the compound and diffused zones when the carbonitrided samples were annealed up to 400°C. However, at a higher annealing temperature, the thicknesses of both zones increase. The γ-Fe austenite is the main crystalline phase that can be detected by X-ray diffraction. As the annealing temperature increases up to 500°C, X-ray spectra show α-Fe and Fe₅C₂ phases. Nitrogen diffuses more deeply from the near surface to the interior of the treated sample as the annealing temperature increases up to 800°C and this might explain the extent of carbonitrided thickness and the enhanced microhardness of the diffused zone.     

Electron emission from Al,Pt, Ag,and Au surfaces under the action of resonant photons with λ=2537 and 1850 Å

An original variant of an electronic device is described, which can be used for gamma-process selection under ionized gas conditions. The device is based on a Hanley and Schaffernicht electron gun. Selection of photons and metastable atoms is performed by a quartz tube located in axial symmetry with the primary electron gun. The desired signal is measured from the flow of secondary electrons emitted from Al, Pt, Ag, and Au surfaces under the action of resonant photons radiated from the levels Hg(6³P₁) and Hg(6¹P₁). For =2537 Å the following values were obtained for _ph 9.1, 3.8, 1.1, 0.25. Analogous values of _ph for =1850 Å were equal to 45.5, 10.8, 6.5, 3.2. The _ph values are in units of 10^–4.Translated from Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 12, pp. 68–74, December, 1987.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on the structural,thermal and optical properties of Makrofol BL 2–4

Makrofol BL 2–4 is an extrusion film based on Makrolon polycarbonate. It comprises excellent die-cutting performance combined with high light transmission and moderate light scattering properties. It is a class of polymeric solid state nuclear track detectors which has many applications in various radiation detection fields. In the present work, Makrofol samples were irradiated using different gamma doses ranging from 10 to 350 kGy. The structural modifications in the gamma-irradiated Makrofol samples have been studied as a function of dose using different characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, intrinsic viscosity, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, refractive index and color difference studies. The gamma irradiation in the dose range 20–200 kGy led to a more compact structure of Makrofol polymer, which resulted in an improvement in its thermal stability with an enhancement in its structural and optical properties.     

Decay of Correlations and Invariance Principles for Dispersing Billiards with Cusps, and Related Planar Billiard Flows

Following recent work of Chernov, Markarian, and Zhang, it is known that the billiard map for dispersing billiards with zero angle cusps has slow decay of correlations with rate 1/n. Since the collisions inside a cusp occur in quick succession, it is reasonable to expect a much faster decay rate in continuous time. In this paper we prove that the flow is rapid mixing: correlations decay faster than any polynomial rate. A consequence is that the flow admits strong statistical properties such as the almost sure invariance principle, even though the billiard map does not. The techniques in this paper yield new results for other standard examples in planar billiards, including Bunimovich flowers and stadia.     

Bondi-Metzner-Sachs Symmetry,Holography on Null-surfaces and Area Proportionality of “Light-slice” Entropy

It is shown that certain kinds of behavior, which hitherto were expected to be characteristic for classical gravity and quantum field theory in curved spacetime, as the infinite dimensional Bondi-Metzner-Sachs symmetry, holography on event horizons and an area proportionality of entropy, have in fact an unnoticed presence in Minkowski QFT.     

UV–visible,infrared absorption spectra of undoped and TiO2-doped lead phosphate glasses and the effect of gamma irradiation

Undoped and TiO₂-doped lead phosphate glasses were prepared. Ultraviolet (UV)–visible and Fourier transform-infrared (IR) absorption spectra of the prepared samples were measured before and after being subjected to doses of 30 and 60 kGy of gamma irradiation. The parent undoped lead phosphate glass reveals charge transfer UV absorption bands which are attributed to the presence of unavoidable iron impurities contaminated within the raw materials used for the preparation of the glasses and the sharing of divalent lead (Pb²⁺) ions. Experimental spectral data indicate that the doped titanium ions are involved in such glasses in two valences, namely the trivalent and tetravalent states. The predominant trivalent titanium (Ti³⁺) ions are characterized by its purple color and exhibiting two visible absorption bands at about 500–550 and 700–720 nm. The lesser tetravalent titanium (Ti⁴⁺) ions belong to the d⁰ configuration and generally exhibit only an UV absorption band. Spectral data show that gamma irradiation causes noticeable changes in the undoped and TiO₂-doped samples in the UV range while the effects are limited in the visible range. The observed changes in the UV region are attributed to photochemical reactions while TiO₂-doped samples show retardation or shielding toward continuous gamma irradiation together with the sharing of heavy Pb²⁺ ions. IR absorption spectra reveal the vibrations of several phosphate groups including the metaphosphate chains as the main structural building units together with the possible Pb?O vibrations.     

Growth,spectral properties,and laser demonstration of Nd:GYSO crystal

A generic nonlocal nonlinear optical system with a diffusive type of nonlinearity is investigated analytically, using the homogeneous balance principle and the F-expansion technique. Exact traveling wave and soliton solutions are discovered. Numerical simulation of their propagation and interaction properties is carried out. Our results demonstrate that the nonlocal solitary waves can be manipulated and controlled by changing the nonlocality parameter.