Radiation damage in soft X-ray microscopy

The rates of chemical transformation by radiation damage of polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and fibrinogen (Fg) in a X-ray photoemission electron microscope (X-PEEM) and in a scanning transmission X-ray microscope (STXM) have been measured quantitatively using synchrotron radiation. As part of the method of dose evaluation in X-PEEM, the characteristic (1/e) sampling depth of X-PEEM for polystyrene in the C 1s region was measured to be 4 ± 1 nm. Critical doses for chemical change as monitored by changes in the X-ray absorption spectra are 80 (12), 280 (40) and 1230 (180) MGy (1 MGy = 6.242*ρ eV/nm³, where ρ is the polymer density in g/cm³) at 300 eV photon energy for PMMA, Fg and PS, respectively. The critical dose for each material is comparable in X-PEEM and STXM and the values cited are thus the mean of the values determined by X-PEEM and STXM. C 1s, N 1s and O 1s spectroscopy of the damaged materials is used to gain insight into the chemical changes that soft X-rays induce in these materials.     

Depth profiling of ion-induced damage in D9 alloy using X-ray diffraction

The ion-induced depthwise damage profile in 35?MeV α-irradiated D9 alloy samples with doses of 5?×?10¹⁵?He²⁺/cm², 6.4?×?10¹⁶?He²⁺/cm² and 2?×?10¹⁷?He²⁺/cm² has been assessed using X-ray diffraction technique. The microstructural characterisation has been done along the depth from beyond the stopping region (peak damage region) to the homogeneous damage region (surface) as simulated from SRIM. The parameters such as domain size and microstrain have been evaluated using two different X-ray diffraction line profile analysis techniques. The results indicate that at low dose the damage profile shows a prominent variation as a function of depth but, with increasing dose, it becomes more homogeneous along the depth. This suggests that enhanced defect diffusion and their annihilation in pre-existing and newly formed sinks play a significant role in deciding the final microstructure of the irradiated sample as a function of depth.     

An assessment of coherent coupling through radiation fields in time varying slab waveguides

This paper presents an analytical methodology for analysing two-dimensional, dielectric slab waveguides where the guiding region is subject to abrupt and arbitrary temporal changes in permittivity. The methodology solves Maxwell’s equations in the frequency domain and recovers the solutions for the guided and radiation fields in the time domain using the Laplace transformation (LT). Explicit separation of the complete field solution into a set of guided modes and a radiation field continuum provides a clearer insight into the transient effects present in time-varying dielectric waveguides. In particular, the method is used to assess and quantify the impact of coherent radiation field coupling for arbitrary time variation of the waveguide permittivity.     

Some practical considerations about the effects of radiation damage on hydrated cells imaged by X-ray fluorescence microscopy

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) microscopy features unique capabilities which make it well suited for biological investigations. Its high sensitivity together with high spatial resolution and penetration depth provide a unique tool for trace elements analysis in heterogeneous samples. Like most of the X-ray based techniques, radiation damage sets hard limits on the ultimate performance. Although the interactions between matter and photons are well described from a physics point-of-view, there is a lack of experimental data, in particular for XRF imaging mode. In this context, this work proposes a practical approach in addressing the limits set by radiation damage to X-ray fluorescence imaging in the case of hydrated and unfixed cells at room temperature. We find that the maximum dose tolerated by ascidian blood cells is 10⁵ Gy. A simple theoretical model allowed the minimal doses required for a good image contrast to be determined for various experimental schemes. The results are consistent with the experimental observation on ascidian blood cells which exemplifies the peculiar case of highly concentrated samples (>10,000 ppm) at room temperature. The same simple model predicts that in the case of the detection of high Z trace elements in cryo-preserved cells, the relative detection limit set by radiation damage is below 0.1 ppm at a spatial resolution of 100 nm.     

Nonlinear diffraction due to the transient polarization in a thin film of atomic gases*

Nonlinear optical response of a thin layer of rarefied atomic vapor is examined by taking into account the atomic motion as well as collisions with the cell walls. Extraordinary pattern of self-diffraction spectrum due to the transient polarization is predicted. It is shown that the spectra are Doppler free and depend strongly upon the vapor thickness. A new possibility of signal enhancement is revealed and a simple device is suggested to enhance greatly the nonlinear reflection signal from a resonant vapor layer. Received: 3 July 1997/Accepted: 5 December 1997     

Experimental evidence of the phase reversal in diffraction patterns

In a diffracted wavefield occurs in patterns phase variations. The most familiar example is the Fraunhofer diffraction pattern through a single slit: the theory predicts that the side bands of the diffraction pattern alternate in phase. This paper deals with phase reversal phenomenon in diffraction patterns. Two interesting systems are recognized: the diffraction through a half plane and the diffraction through a single slit.     

Study on the bias-dependent effects of proton-induced damage in CdZnTe radiation detectors using ion beam induced charge microscopy

The influence of damage induced by 2 MeV protons on CdZnTe radiation detectors is investigated using ion beam induced charge (IBIC) microscopy. Charge collection efficiency (CCE) in irradiated region is found to be degraded above a fluence of 3.3 × 10¹¹ p/cm² and the energy spectrum is severely deteriorated with increasing fluence. Moreover, CCE maps obtained under the applied biases from 50 V to 400 V suggests that local radiation damage results in significant degradation of CCE uniformity, especially under low bias, i. e., 50 V and 100 V. The CCE nonuniformity induced by local radiation damage, however, can be greatly improved by increasing the detector applied bias. This bias-dependent effect of 2 MeV proton-induced radiation damage in CdZnTe detectors is attributed to the interaction of electron cloud and radiation-induced displacement defects.     

Formation of CO2 gas and OH groups in CR-39 plastics due to gamma-ray and ions irradiation

FT-IR spectral studies have been made for CR-39 detectors irradiated by gamma-rays, protons and carbon ions. An absorption peak for CO₂ appeared and grew with the fluence. The peak height was found to decrease gradually by storing in air. Absorbance of the OH group produced by ion bombardment was observed separately from that of adsorbed water using an FT-IR system on the beam line. The concentration of OH group would govern the rate of penetration of chemical agents along the track.     

Benchmark measurements and simulations of dose perturbations due to metallic spheres in proton beams

Monte Carlo simulations are increasingly used for dose calculations in proton therapy due to its inherent accuracy. However, dosimetric deviations have been found using Monte Carlo code when high density materials are present in the proton beamline. The purpose of this work was to quantify the magnitude of dose perturbation caused by metal objects. We did this by comparing measurements and Monte Carlo predictions of dose perturbations caused by the presence of small metal spheres in several clinical proton therapy beams as functions of proton beam range and drift space. Monte Carlo codes MCNPX, GEANT4 and Fast Dose Calculator (FDC) were used. Generally good agreement was found between measurements and Monte Carlo predictions, with the average difference within 5% and maximum difference within 17%. The modification of multiple Coulomb scattering model in MCNPX code yielded improvement in accuracy and provided the best overall agreement with measurements. Our results confirmed that Monte Carlo codes are well suited for predicting multiple Coulomb scattering in proton therapy beams when short drift spaces are involved.     

Diffraction of spherical waves at an annular aperture in the use of the boundary diffraction wave theory: A comparison of different diffraction integral approaches

The integral expression for divergent spherical waves diffracted at an annular aperture is derived based on the theory of the boundary diffraction wave. The expressions for divergent spherical waves diffracted at a circular aperture and a disk, and the axial field are treated as the special cases of our general one. Numerical calculation results for axial and transversal intensity distributions are given to compare our results with the Kirchhoff diffraction integral, first and second Rayleigh diffraction integrals. As expected, our results are in agreement with those in the use of the Kirchhoff diffraction integral, but the computer time is reduced greatly by using the boundary diffraction wave theory. The four diffraction formulae are shown to be consistent for axial and transversal intensity distributions, if the source and observation points are positioned equally from the aperture, or the observation point is located enough far from the aperture. Otherwise, the mean value of the first and second Rayleigh diffraction integrals is equal to the result of the boundary diffraction wave theory.     

On the comparative assessment of ratcheting-induced dislocation density in 42CrMo4 steel by X-ray diffraction profile analysis and hardness measurement

The phenomenon of ratcheting occurs under the influence of non-zero mean stress during cyclic loading; it singificantly reduces the low cycle fatigue life of engineering structures. The present investigation deals with a detailed comparison on the estimation of dislocation densities in the 42CrMo4 steel induced by ratcheting using two different methods, i.e. X-ray diffraction (XRD) profile analysis and hardness. The dislocation densities in the ratcheted specimens were assessed using XRD profile analysis following the modified Williamson–Hall method as well as hardness measurements following the modified Nix and Gao model. The results showed that dislocation density increased in the ratcheted specimens as compared to the unratcheted ones and increase in accumulation of ratcheting strain was correlated with the increase in dislocation densities in the ratcheted specimens. It was established that both hardness and X-ray diffraction profile analysis methods can very effectively be used to assess the dislocation densities in the ratcheted specimens.     

Beam induced reduction of U(VI) during X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy: The utility of the U4f satellite structure for identifying uranium oxidation states in mixed valence uranium oxides

Reduction of U^VI by the beam during X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a commonly observed phenomenon. This can affect the determination of the U oxidation state, or states, in U oxides (or U compounds in general) and compromise the validity of peak parameters derived from U^VI oxide standards. However, there is little quantitative information on the reduction kinetics and species produced. The objective of this contribution is to investigate and quantify the effects of X-ray beam reduction of U^VI during XPS analysis. Successive U4f XPS spectra were taken over a 26 h period during the X-ray induced reduction of U^VI oxy-hydroxide that was precipitated onto the basal plane of mica. In addition, valence band XPS spectra, including the U5f region, were recorded. Factor analysis identified three dominant and, by definition, linearly independent components. Consequently, we fit the U4f level, including the satellite structure, with three components that represented U^VI, U^V, and U^IV. Peak parameters were remarkably stable and consistent with U^VI, U^V, and U^IV over the entire reduction sequence despite the likely formation of a partially covalent mixed-valence U oxide. Although the satellite features for U^IV and U^V were modified by their bonding environment, they still served well as diagnostic tools for identifying U oxidation states. In particular, the 8 eV satellite appears to be a robust indicator of U^V over a range of bonding environments. This is important because the presence of U^V might not be necessarily obvious in the primary peak envelope if XPS energy resolution is low and/or U^IV-U^V binding energy separations are appreciably less than 1 eV. We also discuss insights obtained from modeling the kinetic data for the time evolution of U^VI, U^V, and U^IV.     

Ion density limitation in a Penning trap due to the combined effect of asymmetry and space charge

The limitation to the density of an ion cloud confined in a Penning trap is not well understood till now. Our experiments show that this limitation results from the combined effect of the trap asymmetry and the space charge. The main features of this effect are described by a simplified calculation.     

An assessment of the safety of rapidly changing magnetic fields in the rabbit: Implications for NMR imaging

The effects of rapidly changing magnetic fields on the cardiac and respiratory functions of anaesthetised rabbits have been investigated. No changes were observed using pulsed fields with peak rates of change of 60 T/sec. The implications of these experiments for the safety of NMR imaging are discussed.     

Rocking curves in the Laue geometry depending on the departure of incident plane X-ray wave from the Bragg condition in the diffraction plane and in the direction perpendicular to the diffraction plane

Using the method of Green functions in the symmetric Laue geometry the rocking curves of plane X-ray wave were theoretically investigated depending on the departure of a beam from exact Bragg condition in the diffraction plane and in the direction perpendicular to the diffraction plane. The Si(220) reflection of MoKα radiation was considered by way of illustration.     

Correlation of highly charged ion and X-ray emissions from the laser-produced plasma in the presence of non-linear phenomena

Flux of X-ray radiation emitted from the Ta plasma, produced by the fundamental (1ω) and the third harmonic (3ω) frequencies of the high-power iodine laser PALS, was studied in dependence on the laser focus position. One or two (three) maxima, corresponding to the hard or soft component of the emitted spectrum, can appear, according to the experimental conditions. These dependencies are compared with those published by other authors, and also with our results concerning the highly charged ion generation. At laser intensities above I _L～ 10¹⁴ W/cm², the participation of non-linear processes in the pre-formed plasma was confirmed.     

Effect of radiation-induced emission of schottky defects on the formation of colloids in alkali halides

Formation of vacancy clusters in irradiated crystals is considered taking into account radiation-induced Schottky defect emission (RSDE) from extended defects. RSDE acts in the opposite direction compared with Frenkel pair production, and it results in the radiation-induced recovery processes. In the case of alkali halides, Schottky defects can be produced as a result of the interaction of extended defects with excitons, as has been suggested by Seitz in 1954. We consider a model that takes into account excitonic mechanisms for the creation of both Frenkel and Schottky defects, and which shows that although the contribution of the latter mechanism to the production of primary defects may be small, its role in the radiation-induced evolution of microstructure can be very significant. The model is applied to describe the evolution of sodium colloids and the formation of voids in NaCl, which is followed by a sudden fracture of the material, presenting a potential problem in rock salt-based nuclear waste repositories. The temperature, dose rate and dose dependence of colloid growth in NaCl doped with different types of impurities is analyzed. We have found that colloid growth may become negative below a threshold temperature (or above a threshold dose rate), or below a certain impurity concentration, which is determined by the RSDE, that depends strongly on the type and concentration of the impurities. The results obtained with the model are compared with experimental observations.     

Statistical study of the radiation losses due to surface roughness for a dilectric slab deposited on a metal substrate

This paper presents an original method of analyzing radiation loss from dielectric slab with random wall imperfections. The method is based on Maxwell’s equations under their covariant form written in a non-orthogonal coordinate system. The solution is found by using a perturbation method applied to the smooth surface problem. The statistical characteristics of the radiation intensity, the average value and the probability density function, are analytically determined.     

合肥X射线衍射光束线单色仪中晶体反射曲线的测量

合肥X射线衍射光束线装备了一台以两晶体无色散 ( +n ,-n)排列 ,能量可连续扫描 ,空间位置固定输出为特点的双晶单色仪。选用单晶硅作为分光元件 ,它所对应的不同能量产生的全反射的本征宽度决定了双晶单色仪的分辨率。因此 ,晶体在投入使用之前 ,测量它的本征宽度 ,为单色仪的调试提供依据是非常必要的。介绍了用于合肥X射线衍射光束线单色仪中两块晶体的测量 ,包括测试方法、装置、测量结果和分析。     

Retrieval of the atomic displacements in the crystal from the coherent X‐ray diffraction pattern

The retrieval of spatially resolved atomic displacements is investigated via the phases of the direct(real)‐space image reconstructed from the strained crystal's coherent X‐ray diffraction pattern. It is demonstrated that limiting the spatial variation of the first‐ and second‐order spatial displacement derivatives improves convergence of the iterative phase‐retrieval algorithm for displacements reconstructions to the true solution. This approach is exploited to retrieve the displacement in a periodic array of silicon lines isolated by silicon dioxide filled trenches.