Optimization of CW-OSL parameters for improved dose detection threshold in Al2O3:C

Continuous wave optically stimulated luminescence (CW-OSL) is relatively a simple technique that offers good signal to noise ratio (SNR) and involves simple instrumentation. This study reports the influence and optimization of CW-OSL parameters on minimum detectable dose (MDD) using α-Al₂O₃:C phosphor. It is found that at a given stimulation intensity MDD in CW-OSL mode depends on signal integration time. At lower integration times MDD is inferior. It exhibits an improvement for intermediate values, shows a plateau region and deteriorates as integration time increases further. MDD is found to be ∼127 μGy at 4 mW/cm² stimulation intensity for integration time of 0.1 s, which improves to ∼10.5 μGy for 60 s. At stimulation intensity of 72 mW/cm², MDD is 37 μGy for integration time of 60 s and improves significantly to 7 μGy for 1 s.     

Analysis of the charged particle radiation effect for a CubeSat transiting from Earth to Mars

This paper presents a computational estimation of the total ionizing dose from protons and electrons in the Earth's magnetosphere and interplanetary space for a hypothetical CubeSat transiting from Earth to Mars. An initial hyperbolic escape of the spacecraft from Earth's gravitation is assumed, followed by an elliptical transfer from Earth to Mars under the Sun's gravitation. The rapid traversal of the Earth's radiation belt yields a smaller ionizing dose, whereas high-energy solar protons in the interplanetary space have the greatest effect on the ionizing dose during the transfer between the planets. Variation in the heliocentric distance of the spacecraft is considered in the calculation. Calculation of the shielding distributions with Geant4 and the transport of the ionizing particles across the obtained distributions yields an estimation of the total ionizing dose as a function of position within the spacecraft as well as statistical confidence levels. With a moderate confidence level, this calculation shows that a practical exploration of Mars with a CubeSat is possible in terms of the expected total ionizing dose.     

Whole-body counter surveys of Miharu-town school children for four consecutive years after the Fukushima NPP accident

Comprehensive whole-body counter surveys of Miharu-town school children have been conducted for four consecutive years, in 2011–2014. This represents the only long-term sampling-bias-free study of its type conducted after the Fukushima Dai-ichi accident. For the first time in 2014, a new device called the Babyscan, which has a low ^134/137Cs MDA of <50 Bq/body, was used to screen the children shorter than 130 cm. No child in this group was found to have detectable level of radiocesium. Using the MDAs, upper limits of daily intake of radiocesium were estimated for each child. For those screened with the Babyscan, the upper intake limits were found to be ≲1 Bq/day for ¹³⁷Cs. Analysis of a questionnaire filled out by the children’s parents regarding their food and water consumption shows that the majority of Miharu children regularly consume local and/or home-grown rice and vegetables. This however does not increase the body burden.     

Maintaining the genuine structure of 2D materials and catalytic nanoparticles at atomic resolution

The recent development of atomic resolution, low dose-rate electron microscopy allows investigating 2D materials as well as catalytic nano particles without compromising their structural integrity. For graphene and a variety of nanoparticle compositions, it is shown that a critical dose rate exists of <100 e⁻/Ų s at 80 keV of electron acceleration that allows maintaining the genuine object structures including their surfaces and edges even if particles are only 3 nm large or smaller. Moreover, it is demonstrated that electron beam-induced phonon excitation from outside the field of view contributes to a contrast degradation in recorded images. These degradation effects can be eliminated by delivering electrons onto the imaged area, only, by using a Nilsonian illumination scheme in combination with a suitable aperture at the electron gun/monochromator assembly.     

X射线在金-硅界面剂量增强系数与金和硅厚度关系的模拟研究

用蒙特卡罗(Monte Carlo)方法计算不同能量的X射线在金-硅(Au-Si)界面处中产生的剂量增强系数（DEF）与金(Au)和硅(Si)厚度的关系.结果表明：界面一侧Si中的DEF与Au和Si的厚度有关。当Au厚度分别取1μm、2μm、4μm、8μm时,界面处最大剂量增强系数分别为：19.78、24.78、24.78、32.3,界面处的DEF随Au厚度的增加而增大;当Si厚度分别取1μm、2μm、4μm、8μm时,界面处最大剂量增强系数分别为：24.5、25.91、27.84、30.09,界面处的DEF随Si厚度的增加而增大.并且研究了Au为2μm、4μm时界面下不同位置处的DEF随能量的变化关系,界面处的DEF最大,离界面越远剂量增强效应越小.     

Measurement of 222Rn and 226Ra in municipal supply tap water to evaluate their radiological impacts

ABSTRACT

Radon (²²²Rn) and its parent radionuclide Radium (²²⁶Ra) are classified as carcinogen. Human exposes to radon in water via inhalation and ingestion, although ingestion is the only way for radium to enter the human body. In this research, tap water collected from Bornova distinct was studied to determine the concentration of radon (²²²Rn) and radium (²²⁶Ra) for evaluating their radiological impact. For this reason, the annual effective doses for ingestion and inhalation were estimated. The measurements were performed using a collector chamber method. The mean concentrations of ²²²Rn and ²²⁶Ra were determined as 0.85 and 0.76 Bq/L, respectively. It can be stated that the ²²²Rn and ²²⁶Ra concentrations of tap waters here are lower than the international reference levels. Obtained concentration levels were applied to estimate annual effective dose due to the inhalation and ingestion. The dose values are also found to be lower than the recommended maximum values. On the other hand, it should be considered that consumption of these waters (2 L) and average radon and radium concentrations of water are the significant factors for estimating doses.     

电子束辐射聚合制备槲皮素-镍(Ⅱ)金属配位分子印迹聚合物及其识别性能研究

以电子束为辐照射线源,采用辐射聚合法成功制备了槲皮素-Ni(Ⅱ)金属配位分子印迹聚合物.通过紫外光谱研究了槲皮素与Ni(Ⅱ)之间的配位结构、配位作用方式及配位比,并按照1∶2的比例形成稳定配合物,同时也验证了槲皮素、Ni(Ⅱ)及功能单体甲基丙烯酸三者发生了金属配位印迹作用.利用红外光谱对产物的结构进行了表征.透射电镜、扫描电镜、吸附动力学实验分别考察辐射剂量对聚合物的微观形貌、吸附动力学性能的影响,结果表明辐射剂量对印迹聚合物的吸附性能有显著影响.同时选择性吸附实验结果显示该印迹聚合物对槲皮素-Ni(Ⅱ)配合物表现出明显的吸附选择性和特异性,最大结合量可达82.22μmol/g.对黄芩素和柚皮素的吸附选择性较差,分离因子分别为3.915和5.443.     

Neutron Equivalent Dose Rate Measurements of Gypsum-Waste Tire Rubber Layered Structures

The neutron equivalent dose rates (µSv/h) of gypsum, steel-reinforced rubber waste tire, and gypsum-waste tire rubber sandwich composite samples were investigated. Prepared samples were irradiated with ²⁴¹Am-Be neutrons and transmission values were obtained using dose equivalent rates measured with a BF₃ neutron detector. Results were compared to those of concrete, and as a result of neutron shielding, the performance of gypsum, waste tire, and waste tire (steel-reinforced rubber) embedded gypsum samples was higher than that of concrete. This information may be useful for shielding design of nuclear application areas.