Measurement of k0-Factors in Prompt Gamma-Ray Neutron Activation Analysis

The guided thermal neutron beam at 100 MW Dhruva research reactor facility of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) was used to carry out prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA). The prompt k ₀-factors have been determined for the isotopes of the elements H, B, K, Co, Cu, Ca, Ti, Cr, Cd, Ba, Hg and Gd with respect to 1951 keV gamma-line of ³⁶Cl. The prompt k ₀-factors for H, Cl and Cu were also measured with respect to the 1381 keV gamma-line of ⁴⁹Ti. Different samples like NH₄Cl, Ti metal, cobalt chloride and other stoichiometric compounds and pure metals were used for this purpose. Prompt gamma-rays were accumulated using a 22% HPGe detector connected to a PC based 8k MCA in single mode counting. The energy calibration in the range of 100–8500 keV was carried out using gamma-rays from ¹⁵²Eu and ⁶⁰Co, and the prompt gamma-rays from ³⁶Cl whereas the absolute detection efficiency for this energy range was determined using ¹⁵²Eu and prompt gamma-rays from ³⁶Cl and ⁴⁹Ti.     

Rocking response of rectangular rigid blocks under random noise base excitations

The response of a rigid rectangular block resting on a rigid foundation and acted upon simultaneously by a horizontal and a vertical random white-noise excitation is considered. In the equation of motion, the energy dissipation is modeled through a viscous damping term. Under the assumption that the body does not topple, the steady-state joint probability density function of the rotation and the rotational velocity is obtained using the Fokker-Planck equation approach. Closed form solution is obtained for a specific combination of system parameters. A more general but approximate solution to the joint probability density function based on the method of equivalent non-linearization is also presented. Further, the problem of overturning of the block is approached in the framework of the diffusion methods for first passage failure studies. The overturning of the block is deemed incipient when the response trajectories in the phase plane cross the separatrix of the conservative unforced system. Expressions for the moments of first passage time are obtained via a series solution to the governing generalized Pontriagin-Vitt equations. Numerical results illustra- tive of the theoretical solutions are presented and their validity is examined through limited amount of digital simulations.     

Performance of a cobalt oxide catalyst in the oxidation of NH3 to NO

The cause for a fall in the conversion of NH₃ to NO within 73 hours from 97% to 78% with a cobalt oxide catalyst was investigated. Results show that sintering, change in valence and cation distribution in Co₃O₄ contribute to the decrease in activity. Incorporation of ThO₂ and K₂O improves the performance of the catalyst.

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NH₃ NO 73 97% 78%. , , Co₃O₄. ThO₂ K₂O NH₃ NO.

     

Polyaniline nanofibers: chemical synthesis using surfactants

Nanofibers of doped polyaniline.HCSA having diameters 1-2 nm are observed in TEM images of bath sonicated aqueous dispersions of larger nanofibers (30-50 nm diameter) synthesized by surfactant-assisted chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline in dilute aqueous organic acids.     

Mass resolved angular distribution in helium ion induced fission of233U

Mass resolved fission fragment angular distribution was measured in the 28.5 MeV alpha induced fission of²³³U using recoil catcher technique and direct gamma spectrometry. The angular distribution of 8 fission products were obtained. The angular anisotropies of asymmetric fission products were found to be higher than those of symmetric products indicating a correlation between the fragment angular distribution and the mass distribution.The authors are grateful to Dr. S.K. Kataria and Dr. T. Datta for fruitful discussions. We thank the operation crew of the variable energy cyclotron, Calcutta for their help in carrying out the irradiations. Thanks are due to Dr. P.R. Natarajan, Head of the Radiochemistry Division for his keen interest in the work.     

Complete and incomplete fusion in12C+93Nb and16O+89Y reactions

Excitation functions for the evaporation residues for the reactions¹²C+⁹³Nb and¹⁶O+⁸⁹Y in the projectile energy range of 4 to 6.5 MeV/amu have been measured using off-line gamma spectrometry. The excitation functions for neutron(xn), proton(pxn) and one alpha(xn) emission channels are practically similar for both the reactions. However the products formed by two alpha(2xn) emission show much higher cross sections in the¹²C+⁹³Nb than the¹⁶O+⁸⁹Y system. This has been explained in terms of the incomplete fusion process involving transfer of an alpha particle from the projectile to the target in the former case.Authors thank Shri D.C. Ephraim for making the rolled metal foils and the operation crew of PELLETRON facility for their help in carrying out the irradiations. Authors are grateful to Dr. P.R. Natarajan, Head Radiochemistry Division for his keen interest in this work.