Computer studies of detection efficiency of fast-neutron spectrum based on PADC using the Monte Carlo method

A FORTRAN code for simulation of SSNTD detection efficiency is designed using the Monte Carlo method in this work. The theoretical basis for the fast-neutron spectrum measurement based on the assembly of PADC¹ detector+radiator+degrader is described. The main principle of this technique is that, the recoiled protons produced in the radiator by fast-neutrons can be slowed down in the degrader and only protons of energies within a limited range can be detected by PADC (proton energy within the PADC detection energy window). Therefore with a set of different-thickness degraders one can measure the fast-neutron spectrum. Studies show that the program can give reasonable results.     

On particle coalescence in latex films (II)

Particle coalescence in latex films is investigated by measuring the smearing out process of perdeuterated nPBMA latex particles in a matrix of protonated nPBMA using SANS. It is found that—at least in this system—there is massive interdiffusion of material of different latex particles. Diffusion constants for 70 °C and 90 °C tempering temperatures are determined. In addition, the effect of molecular mass, crosslinking and incompatibility of the matrix material is investigated. As expected, the interdiffusion decreases with increasing molecular mass, but, surprisingly, dense crosslinking of the matrix latex particles accelerates the smearing out process. Increasing incompatibility lowers the rate of the smearing out process.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Helmut Dörfel on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

Computation of small angle neutron scattering functions for molecules of arbitrary shapes

A computer program has been developed to analyze small angle neutron scattering (SANS) data by using the Debye method of spherical modification proposed by Glatter. In the calculational procedure the model shape is emulated with a large number of overlapping small spheres which fill the volume of the model shape. A technique is described for fitting experimental data to a resolution-broadened model scattering function. At each stage of the iterative procedure the radius of gyration is computed. The program is able to calculate the scattering function of the mixture of two different molecules. This facility even allows one to calculate the scattering function of the mixture of monomer and dimer of a particular molecule in aqueous solution. In case a portion of the molecule has a different weight from the rest, the program has a variation to calculate the scattering function of that model as well.     

Dynamic Odd–Even Effect in Liquid n‐Alkanes near Their Melting Points

n‐Alkanes are the textbook examples of the odd–even effect: The difference in the periodic packing of odd‐ and even‐numbered n‐alkane solids results in odd–even variation of their melting points. However, in the liquid state, in which this packing difference is not obvious, it seems natural to assume that the odd–even effect does not exist, as supported by the monotonic dependence of the boiling points of n‐alkanes on the chain length. Herein, we report a surprising odd–even effect in the translational diffusional dynamic properties of n‐alkanes in their liquid states. To measure the dynamics of the molecules, we performed quasi‐elastic neutron scattering measurements near their melting points. We found that odd‐numbered n‐alkanes exhibit up to 30 times slower dynamics than even‐numbered n‐alkanes near their respective melting points. Our results suggest that, although n‐alkanes are the simplest hydrocarbons, their dynamic properties are extremely sensitive to the number of carbon atoms.     

Direct measurement of the nitrogen content by XPS in self‐passivated TaNx thin films

The nitrogen content in tantalum nitride (TaN_x) thin films, where x indicates that TaN_x is not generally stoechiometric, can be measured directly by XPS. This is the purpose of the present study. However, the XPS spectra of TaN_x present electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) peaks that lead to a complex peak fitting, particularly for self‐passivated thin films. A complete peak fitting procedure based upon Tougaard's background, the Doniach‐Sunjic Function and EELS peaks, is presented. It is applied to two self‐passivated TaN_x thin films elaborated by reactive sputtering and presenting a different nitrogen content. The physical properties of these surfaces are interpreted in terms of Ta 4f_7/2 chemical states directly dependent on the nitrogen content. The main results are discussed and improvements are proposed to the method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of artifacts caused by deuterium background correction in the determination of phosphorus by electrothermal atomization using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry

The artifacts created in the measurement of phosphorus at the 213.6-nm non-resonance line by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using line source atomic absorption spectrometry (LS AAS) and deuterium lamp background correction (D₂ BC) have been investigated using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS AAS). The absorbance signals and the analytical curves obtained by LS AAS without and with D₂ BC, and with HR-CS AAS without and with automatic correction for continuous background absorption, and also with least-squares background correction for molecular absorption with rotational fine structure were compared. The molecular absorption due to the suboxide PO that exhibits pronounced fine structure could not be corrected by the D₂ BC system, causing significant overcorrection. Among the investigated chemical modifiers, NaF, La, Pd and Pd + Ca, the Pd modifier resulted in the best agreement of the results obtained with LS AAS and HR-CS AAS. However, a 15% to 100% higher sensitivity, expressed as slope of the analytical curve, was obtained for LS AAS compared to HR-CS AAS, depending on the modifier. Although no final proof could be found, the most likely explanation is that this artifact is caused by a yet unidentified phosphorus species that causes a spectrally continuous absorption, which is corrected without problems by HR-CS AAS, but which is not recognized and corrected by the D₂ BC system of LS AAS.     

Peptide meets membrane: Investigating peptide-lipid interactions using small-angle scattering techniques

Peptide–lipid interactions play an important role in defining the mode of action of drugs and the molecular mechanism associated with many diseases. Model membranes consisting of simple lipid mixtures mimicking real cell membranes can provide insight into the structural and dynamic aspects associated with these interactions. Small-angle scattering techniques based on X-rays and neutrons (SAXS/SANS) allow in situ determination of peptide partition and structural changes in lipid bilayers in vesicles with relatively high resolution between 1-100 nm. With advanced instrumentation, time-resolved SANS/SAXS can be used to track equilibrium and nonequilibrium processes such as lipid transport and morphological transitions to time scales down to a millisecond. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advances in the understanding of complex peptide–lipid membrane interactions using SAXS/SANS methods and model lipid membrane unilamellar vesicles. Particular attention will be given to the data analysis, possible pitfalls, and how to extract quantitative information using these techniques.     

Temperature-induced intermicellization and contraction in aqueous mixtures of sodium dodecyl sulfate and an amphiphilic diblock copolymer

Aqueous solutions of a thermoresponsive amphiphilic diblock copolymer, containing poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), in the presence of the anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant can undergo a temperature-induced transition from loose intermicellar clusters to collapsed core–shell nanostructures. The polymer–surfactant mixtures have been characterized with the aid of turbidity, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), intensity light scattering (ILS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), shear viscosity, and rheo-small angle light scattering (rheo-SALS). In the absence of SDS, compressed intermicellar structures are formed at intermediate temperatures, and at higher temperatures further aggregation is detected. The SANS results disclose a structure peak in the scattered intensity profile at the highest measured temperature. This peak is ascribed to the formation of ordered structures (crystallites). In the presence of a low amount of SDS, a strong collapse of the intermicellar clusters is observed at moderate temperatures, and only a slight renewed interpolymer association is found at higher temperatures because of repulsive electrostatic interactions. Finally, at moderate surfactant concentrations, temperature-induced loose intermicellar clusters are detected but no shrinking was registered in the considered temperature range. At a high level of SDS addition, large polymer–surfactant complexes appear at low temperatures, and these species are compressed at elevated temperatures. The rheo-SALS results show that the transition structures are rather fragile under the influence of shear flow.