Characterizing the radiation response of Cherenkov glass detectors with isotopic sources

Cherenkov detectors are widely used for particle identification and threshold detectors in high-energy physics. Glass Cherenkov detectors that are sensitive to beta emissions originating from neutron activation have been demonstrated recently as a potential replacement for activation foils. In this work, we set the groundwork to evaluate large Cherenkov glass detectors for sensitivity to MeV photons through first understanding the measured response of small Cherenkov glass detectors to isotopic gamma-ray sources. Counting and pulse height measurements are acquired with reflected glass Cherenkov detectors read out with a photomultiplier tube. Simulation was used to inform our understanding of the measured results. This simulation included radioactive source decay, radiation interaction, Cherenkov light generation, optical ray tracing, and photoelectron production. Implications for the use of Cherenkov glass detectors to measure low energy gamma-ray response are discussed.     

Simulated response of Cherenkov glass detectors to MeV photons

Cherenkov detectors are widely used for particle identification in high-energy physics and for track imaging in astrophysics. Glass Cherenkov detectors that are sensitive to beta emissions originating from neutron activation have been demonstrated recently as a potential replacement for activation foils. In this work, we evaluate Cherenkov glass detectors for sensitivity and specificity to MeV photons through simulations using Geant4. The model has been previously compared with measurements of isotopic gamma sources. It includes Cherenkov generation, light transport, light collection, photoelectron production and time response in photomultiplier tubes. The model incorporates measured, wavelength-dependent absorption and refractive index data. Simulations are conducted for glasses the size of fabricated samples and also for the same glasses in monolithic, square-meter-size. Implications for selective detection of MeV photons are discussed.     

Polyisobutylene-supported phosphines as recyclable and regenerable catalysts and reagents

Phosphines are important as catalysts or reagents in synthesis but must be separated from products after a reaction. This report shows that polyisobutylene (PIB)-bound alkyldiaryl- and triarylphosphines are useful as catalysts in addition and allylic amination reactions or as reagents in aza-Wittig and Mitsunobu reactions. Heptane solutions of such phosphines and their oxidized byproducts can be easily separated from polar solutions of organic products, and PIB-phosphine oxides formed during a reaction can readily be reduced to PIB-phosphines for reuse.     

Direct imaging of polyethylene films at single-chain resolution with torsional tapping atomic force microscopy

The physical properties of semicrystalline polymers depend on the organisation of chains within the crystal and amorphous regions, on the interface between the two, and on the location and nature of defects. Here, torsional tapping atomic force microscopy has been used to image crystalline lamellae and the crystal-amorphous-region interface at the single-chain level with resolution down to 3.7 ?. Defects within the crystalline phase, such as buried folds and chain ends, are revealed. Imaging at the chain level also allows direct measurement of crystalline stem lengths, providing a potential route to test theories of crystal thickness selection.     

On Versal Unfoldings of Singularities for General Two-Dimensional Spatial Motions

Local models are given for singularities which can appear on the trajectories of general two-dimensional spatial motions. Versal unfoldings of these model singularities give rise to computer generated pictures describing the family of trajectories arising from small deformations of the tracing point.     

The role of nonlinear effects in the propagation of noise from high-power jet aircraft

To address the question of the role of nonlinear effects in the propagation of noise radiated by high-power jet aircraft, extensive measurements were made of the F-22A Raptor during static engine run-ups. Data were acquired at low-, intermediate-, and high-thrust engine settings with microphones located 23-305 m from the aircraft along several angles. Comparisons between the results of a generalized-Burgers-equation-based nonlinear propagation model and the measurements yield favorable agreement, whereas application of a linear propagation model results in spectral predictions that are much too low at high frequencies. The results and analysis show that significant nonlinear propagation effects occur for even intermediate-thrust engine conditions and at angles well away from the peak radiation angle. This suggests that these effects are likely to be common in the propagation of noise radiated by high-power aircraft.     

Balanced and 1-balanced graph constructions

There are several density functions for graphs which have found use in various applications. In this paper, we examine two of them, the first being given by b(G)=|E(G)|/|V(G)|, and the other being given by g(G)=|E(G)|/(|V(G)|−ω(G)), where ω(G) denotes the number of components of G. Graphs for which b(H)≤b(G) for all subgraphs H of G are called balanced graphs, and graphs for which g(H)≤g(G) for all subgraphs H of G are called 1-balanced graphs (also sometimes called strongly balanced or uniformly dense in the literature). Although the functions b and g are very similar, they distinguish classes of graphs sufficiently differently that b(G) is useful in studying random graphs, g(G) has been useful in designing networks with reduced vulnerability to attack and in studying the World Wide Web, and a similar function is useful in the study of rigidity. First we give a new characterization of balanced graphs. Then we introduce a graph construction which generalizes the Cartesian product of graphs to produce what we call a generalized Cartesian product. We show that generalized Cartesian product derived from a tree and 1-balanced graphs are 1-balanced, and we use this to prove that the generalized Cartesian products derived from 1-balanced graphs are 1-balanced.     

Linear Programming with Costs and Incomes in Two or More Separated Currencies

If the balance of payments of any country is to be kept favourable, it is essential that decision makers at all levels in that country be aware of the influences alternative policies have on this balance. The normal formulation of a linear program matrix does not reveal this information, neither does it separate costs from incomes in working out the objective function and opportunity costs.The modification to matrix layout suggested enables costs and incomes to be shown separately, and further enables each to be detailed in any number of currencies. In U.K. problems one would deal normally in pounds and use dollars to denote all foreign currencies. By examination of vectors in the solution matrix it is possible to see the total effect of each variable on costs and incomes, each split into the correct currencies, so that net pound or net dollar effects can be found.To obtain full benefit from this exercise the decision-maker has to be prepared to take note of balance of payments influences, as well as direct influences on his own profits. A major side-benefit is that the act of separating monies into local and foreign categories brings an added awareness, at many levels of an organization, of the possible effects different policies may have on the balance of payments. This system is currently being used in the Chilean steel industry in order to rationalize their import and export policies.     

Development of prototype titanate ion-exchange loaded-membranes for strontium, cesium and actinide decontamination from aqueous media

We have successfully incorporated high surface area particles of titanate ion-exchange materials (monosodium titanate and crystalline silicotitanate) into porous and inert support membrane fibrils. The resulting membrane sheets were used to evaluate the removal of surrogate radioactive materials for cesium-137 and strontium-90 from high caustic nuclear waste simulants. The membrane supports met the nominal requirement for non-chemical interaction with the embedded ion-exchange materials and were porous enough to allow sufficient liquid flow. Most of the stamped out 47-mm size titanium impregnated ion-exchange membrane discs removed more than 96% of dissolved cesium-133 and strontium-88 from caustic nuclear waste salt simulants.