SSNTD and radiochemical studies on the transmutation of nuclei using relativistic ions

Extended targets were irradiated for transmutation studies with relativistic heavy ions. For this, a metal core was surrounded by a paraffin moderator. The metal is either copper or lead and it was irradiated with deuterium, alpha, or carbon beams of 1.5 or 3.7 GeV/u at the SYNCHROPHASOTRON, LHE, JINR, Dubna, Russia. During this irradiation copious amounts of secondary neutrons are produced and studied with SSNTD detectors and radiochemical sensors, for example ¹³⁹La (n, γ) ¹⁴⁰La→β⁻. The yield of reaction products allows an estimation of secondary neutron fluxes. The yields of all kinds of reactions produced with deuterium and alpha beams obey to some extent the law of “limiting fragmentation”, i.e. they show little influence on the energy and the kind of incoming particles. However, one observes with 44 GeV ¹²C ions always enhanced nuclear cross-sections induced by secondary particles. This behavior could not be confirmed with theoretical estimations based on the Dubna Cascade Model in its Cascade Evaporation Model version (DCM-CEM). Finally, some results for transmutation studies on ¹²⁷I and Cu will be presented.     

Neutron production in extended Cu-target irradiated with relativistic C-ions at Dubna, as studied with SSNTD and nuclear chemistry

An extended Cu-target was irradiated with 22 and 44 GeV carbon ions. The target was in contact with a (CH₂)_n-block for the moderation of secondary neutrons. Small holes in the moderator were filled with either lanthanium salts or uranium oxide. The reaction ¹³⁹La (n,γ) ¹⁴⁰La was studied via the decay of ¹⁴⁰La (40 h), and the reaction ²³⁸U (n, γ) ²³⁹U ²³⁹Np was studied via the decay of ²³⁹Np (2.3 d). In addition, a variety of solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD) were used. Results will be presented. The yields for the formation of (n, γ) products agree essentially with other experiments on extended targets carried out at the Synchrophasotron LHE, JINR (Dubna). To a first approximation, the breeding rate of (n, γ) products, as well as the specific track density, seen with several SSNTDs, doubles when the carbon energy is increased from 22 to 44 GeV. If, however, results at 44 GeV are compared in detail to those at 22 GeV, we observe an excess of (37 ± 9) % in the experimentally observed ²³⁹Np-breeding rate over theoretical estimations. Experiments using solid state nuclear track detectors are giving similar results. We also observed in the past such excess in the yield of other secondary particles in relativistic heavy ion interactions above a total energy of approximately 35–40 GeV.     

驱动堆中长寿命核废料碘的嬗变研究

利用理论模拟和实验手段对加速器驱动的快中子堆消除常规反应堆排放的核废料碘进行了研究.实验中,利用加速器加速质子使其能量达到1.0GeV,并轰击重金属铅靶,利用靶中产生的次级中子诱发核废料¹²⁹I的嬗变,使其嬗变为稳定同位素¹³⁰Xe.对实验嬗变效率进行了理论模拟验证,进而拓宽到研究的驱动堆体系中.堆芯区的核燃料为乏燃料铀和钚,靶和初级热交换剂为液态铅.     

The role of nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry in nanosafety studies

ABSTRACT

Nowadays there is an increasing demand of engineering nanoparticles – ENPs – thanking the excellent characteristics and properties of the products in which nanoparticles (NPs) are used. On the other hand, many are the unresolved questions about their potential adverse health and environmental impacts arising from exposure to these innovative materials. The growing utilisation of ENPs in consumer and industrial products have led to a potential increase of human exposure, thus raising concerns of many scientists and governments regarding health risks to workers and the public. Research on the impact of ENPs is strongly hampered by a lack of reliable tools to detect, visualise, and quantitatively trace particles movement and transfer in complex environmental and biological systems. The research tries to give some answers in this field using many different analytical techniques. In this paper, the types of information that can be obtained using nuclear techniques will be presented, with some examples of applications related to studies with metallic NPs.     

Damage zone produced by the bombardment of stainless steel using Ti nitride PVD coatings

This paper presents the damage zone and defects produced by TiN thin film deposition on stainless steel using DC magnetron sputtering to produce collisions between the TiN ions and the substrate. The PVD process used a low operative pressure, reducing the bombardment damage on the substrate, in comparison with other methods.Internal friction (IF) and elastic modulus measurements were carried out in TiN-PVD coated AISI 304 stainless steel, using a sub-resonant torsion pendulum (f ≅ 1 Hz) and a vibrant-reed instrument (f ≅ 10³ Hz). Some experiments showed several internal friction peaks, which are attributed to dislocation relaxation and to martensitic transformation from γ to α′. The characterization was carried out with X-ray, AFM and SEM. Analysis of X-ray peaks indicates a residual deformation in the order of 0.0005-0.0009 for γ-phase and 0.0006-0.00204 for α′-phase. Two methods are presented to determine the adhesion energy by IF in coated materials: for the first the enthalpy is determined by means of isochronal IF measurements, while for the second it is determined using isothermal measurements. These produce an image of damage caused by the bombardment on the substrate, especially of the residual defects.     

On the behavior of spallation neutrons from extended Pb targets plus moderator: A comparison between SSNTD measurements and calculation

Thick Pb targets of different lengths were irradiated by 1 GeV protons at the Nuclotron accelerator of the High Energy Laboratory, JINR, Dubna. To favor transmutation via (n,γ) reactions a paraffin moderator is used. Solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) measured neutron distribution. A comparison of experimental results with calculation on the moderator surface is given.     

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.      

Determination of spatial and energy distributions of neutrons in experiments on transmutation of radioactive waste using relativistic protons

The experiments on transmutation of ¹²⁹I and ²³⁷Np using uranium-lead targets surrounded by a paraffin moderator were performed at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR, Russia). The targets were irradiated by 1.5 GeV and 7.4 GeV protons at the Synchrophasotron of JINR. In the frame of present work spatial and energy distributions of neutrons on the surface of the paraffin moderator were measured using SSNTD technique. It is shown that measured values of spetral indices do not pretend on the energy of incident protons but depend on the target composition. The presence of the uranium insertion softens neutron spectra.     

Determination of <Superscript>68</Superscript>Ga production parameters by different reactions using ALICE and TALYS codes

Gallium-68 (T _1/2 = 68 min, I _β+ = 89%) is an important positron-emitting radionuclide for positron emission tomography and used in nuclear medicine for diagnosing tumours. This study gives a suitable reaction to produce ⁶⁸Ga. Gallium-68 excitation function via ⁶⁸Zn(p, n)⁶⁸Ga, ⁶⁸Zn(d, 2n)⁶⁸Ga, ⁷⁰Zn(p, 3n)⁶⁸Ga and ⁶⁵Cu(α, n)⁶⁸Ga reactions were calculated by ALICE-91 and TALYS-1.0 codes. The calculated excitation function of ⁶⁸Zn(p, n)⁶⁸Ga reaction was compared with the reported measurement and evaluations. Requisite thickness of the targets was obtained by SRIM code for each reaction. The ⁶⁸Ga production yield was evaluated using excitation function and stopping power.      

超声测断面形状误差分析及测试方法探讨

本文对超声波斜入射情况下存在的测距误差进行了分析，给出了数学修正的公式，并通过实验进行了验证，对测量不同形状空间的测试方法了探讨。本文的讨论对提高测试精度和选择工程测试方案有参考意义。     

Experimental and Monte-Carlo studies of the spatial distribution of neutrons around extended Pb-spallation target

The spatial distribution of thermal and fast neutrons on the surface of a paraffin moderator surrounding a cylindrical lead target, irradiated with 1 GeV protons was studied. The lead target had 8 cm diameter and 20 cm length. The thickness of the paraffin around the target was 6 cm. The slow and fast neutron distributions were determined using LR 115 2B and CR-39 detectors via the ¹⁰B(n,) reaction and neutron induced nuclear recoils, respectively. The observed slow and fast neutron distributions on the surface of the paraffin were compared with Monte-Carlo simulations using the MCNPX-2.1.5 code.     

The effects of pre-equilibrium emission and secondary decay on the determination of freeze-out volume at intermediate energies

The effects of pre-equilibrium emission and secondary decay on the determination of the freeze-out volume are investigated using the isospin-dependent quantum molecular dynamics model accompanied by the statistical decay model GEMINI. Small-mass projectiles and large-mass targets with central collisions are studied at intermediate energies. It is revealed that the proton yields of pre-equilibrium emission are smaller than those of secondary decay. However, the determination of the freeze-out volume from the proton yields is more easily affected by pre-equilibrium emission. Moreover, the percentage of proton yields in the freeze-out stage is found to be approximately 50%.     

Analysis of prompt fission neutron spectrum and multiplicity for 237Np（n,f） in the frame of multi-modal Los Alamos model

The improved version of Los Alamos model with the multi-modal fission approach is used to analyse the prompt fission neutron spectrum and multiplicity for the neutron-induced fission of 237Np. The spectra of neutrons emitted from fragments for the three most dominant fission modes (standard Ⅰ, standard Ⅱ and superlong) are calculated separately and the total spectrum is synthesized. The multi-modal parameters contained in the spectrum model are determined on the basis of experimental data of fission fragment mass distributions. The calculated total prompt fission neutron spectrum and multiplicity are better agreement with the experimental data than those obtained from the conventional treatment of the Los Alamos model.     

Search for associated production of charginos and neutralinos in the trilepton final state using 2.3 fb of data

We report the results of a search for associated production of charginos and neutralinos using a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.3 fb⁻¹ collected with the DØ experiment during Run II of the Tevatron proton–antiproton collider. Final states containing three charged leptons and missing transverse energy are probed for a signal from supersymmetry with four dedicated trilepton event selections. No evidence for a signal is observed, and we set limits on the product of production cross section and leptonic branching fraction. Within minimal supergravity, these limits translate into bounds on m₀ and m_1/2 that are well beyond existing limits.     

Study of the production of Λb0 and B0 hadrons in pp collisions and first measurement of the Λb0→J/ψpK- branching fraction

The product of the Λ_b⁰(B⁰) di erential production cross-section and the branching fraction of the decay Λ_b⁰→J/ψpK^- (B⁰→J/ψpK^*(892)⁰) is measured as a function of the beauty hadron transverse momentum, pT, and rapidity, y. The kinematic region of the measurements is p_T <20 GeV/c and 2.0< y< 4.5. The measurements use a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3fb^-1 collected by the LHCb detector in pp collisions at centre-of-mass energies √s= 7 TeV in 2011 and √s= 8 TeV in 2012. Based on previous LHCb results of the fragmentation fraction ratio, f_Λb⁰/f_d, the branching fraction of the decay Λ_b⁰→J/ψpK^- is measured to be
B(Λ_b⁰→J/ψpK^-)=(3.17±0.04±0.07±0.34_-0.28^+0.45)×10^-4,
where the rst uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, the third is due to the uncertainty on the branching fraction of the decay B⁰→J/ψpK^*(892)⁰, and the fourth is due to the knowledge of f_Λb⁰/f_d. The sum of the asymmetries in the production and decay between Λ_b⁰ and Λ_b⁰ is also measured as a function of p_T and y. The previously published branching fraction of Λ_b⁰→J/ψpπ^-, relative to that of Λ_b⁰→J/ψpK^-, is updated. The branching fractions of Λ_b⁰→P_c⁺(→J/ψp)K^- are determined.     

Application of Si and Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance to studies of the building materials of historical monuments

We report the application of ²⁹Si and ²⁷Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) studies on building stones from historical monuments to obtain direct information about the degree of degradation and to observe the changes in the consolidated material after treatment with tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). Using the data obtained from deteriorated materials, a diagnostic laboratory, a suitable treatment and recommendations for building conservation may infer. A case study is presented using stones from Guanajuato City Main Church (Central Mexico). X-ray diffraction patterns to characterize the species present in the stones agree with the solid state NMR results.     

雪层覆盖的粗糙地面与上方矩形截面柱复合电磁散射的时域有限差分法研究

采用土壤介电常数的四成分模型和雪的介电常数模型分别表示实际的地面和雪层的介电特性, 应用指数型分布粗糙面模型和Monte Carlo方法模拟实际的粗糙地面, 运用时域有限差分方法研究了雪层覆盖的粗糙地面与上方矩形截面柱的复合电磁散射问题. 得出了复合电磁散射系数的角分布曲线, 计算了双站复合散射系数随土壤与雪层粗糙度参数、介电参数、 矩形截面柱几何参数、介电参数等的变化情况, 并做了详细分析与讨论. 得到了雪层覆盖的粗糙地面与上方矩形截面柱复合电磁散射特性.     

Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies on the adsorption of the toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki by clay minerals

The persistence of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins in soil is further enhanced through association with soil particles. Such persistence may improve the effectiveness of controlling target pests, but impose a hazard to non-target organisms in soil ecosystems. In this study, the equilibrium adsorption of the Bt toxin by four clay minerals (montmorillonite, kaolinite, goethite, and silicon dioxide) was investigated, and the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were calculated. The results showed that Bt toxin could be adsorbed easily by minerals, and the adsorption was much easier at low temperature than at high temperature at the initial concentration varying from 0 to 1000 mg L⁻¹. The adsorption fitted well to both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, but the Freundlich equation was more suitable. The pseudo-second-order (PSO) was the best application model to describe the adsorption kinetic. The adsorption process appeared to be controlled by chemical process, and the intra-particle diffusion was not the only rate-controlling step. The negative standard free energy () values of the adsorption indicated that the adsorption of the Bt toxin by the minerals was spontaneous, and the changes of the standard enthalpy () showed that the adsorption of the Bt toxin by montmorillonite was endothermic while the adsorption by the other three minerals was exothermic.     

抽样法与灵敏度法k_(eff)不确定度量化

核反应堆的中子学模拟计算中,核数据的不确定度导致的积分量计算结果的不确定度,通常采用基于微扰理论的灵敏度与不确定度分析方法 (简称灵敏度法)量化.灵敏度分析法原则上只适用于线性模型,且一般输运计算程序难以直接进行灵敏度分析.而抽样法直接抽样核数据输入中子学计算程序进行计算,通过对计算结果的统计分析评估计算量的不确定度.抽样法易于实现、计算精确、且适用性强.在灵敏度分析与不确定度量化程序SURE中,增加了抽样法不确定度的量化功能.为将抽样法不确定度量化应用于复杂问题的模拟计算,需对其进行细致的考核.为此,选取简单的临界基准实验模型,分别采用灵敏度分析法和抽样法进行不确定度量化,得到了各核素各反应道核数据导致的k_(eff)计算不确定度.对比显示,两种方法的不确定度计算结果有很好的符合,验证了SURE程序抽样法功能的正确性.抽样法计算的k_(eff)符合正态分布,说明在一般核数据的不确定度范围内,k_(eff)与核数据近似成线性关系,利用灵敏度分析法评估k_(eff)计算值的不确定度是适用的.