Engineering topics

Townsend, Lawrence W.

Publications and source records attributed to Townsend, Lawrence W..

At least 37 records · Page 2

NASA NTRS1993

Geometric model from microscopic theory for nuclear absorption

A parameter-free geometric model for nuclear absorption is derived herein from microscopic theory. The expression for the absorption cross section in the eikonal approximation, taken in integral form, is separated into a geometric contribution that is described by an energy-dependent effective radius and two surface terms that cancel in an asymptotic series expansion. For collisions of light nuclei, an expression for the effective radius is derived from harmonic oscillator nuclear density functions. A direct extension to heavy nuclei with Woods-Saxon densities is made by identifying the equivalent half-density radius for the harmonic oscillator functions. Coulomb corrections are incorporated, and a simplified geometric form of the Bradt-Peters type is obtained. Results spanning the energy range from 1 MeV/nucleon to 1 GeV/nucleon are presented. Good agreement with experimental results is obtained.

John, Sarah↗

NASA NTRS1993

Can Bose condensation of alpha particles be observed in heavy ion collisions?

Using a fully self-consistent quantum statistical model, we demonstrate the possibility of Bose condensation of alpha particles with a concomitant phase transition in heavy ion collisions. Suggestions for the experimental observation of the signature of the onset of this phenomenon are made.

Tripathi, Ram K.↗

NASA NTRS1993

HZEFRG1: An energy-dependent semiempirical nuclear fragmentation model

Methods for calculating cross sections for the breakup of high-energy heavy ions by the combined nuclear and coulomb fields of the interacting nuclei are presented. The nuclear breakup contributions are estimated with an abrasion-ablation model of heavy ion fragmentation that includes an energy-dependent, mean free path. The electromagnetic dissociation contributions arising from the interacting coulomb fields are estimated by using Weizsacker-Williams theory extended to include electric dipole and electric quadrupole contributions. The complete computer code that implements the model is included as an appendix. Extensive comparisons of cross section predictions with available experimental data are made.

Townsend, Lawrence W.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Comparisons of cross-section predictions for relativistic iron and argon beams with semiempirical fragmentation models

Cross-section predictions with semi-empirical nuclear fragmentation models from the Langley Research Center and the Naval Research Laboratory are compared with experimental data for the breakup of relativistic iron and argon projectile nuclei in various targets. Both these models are commonly used to provide fragmentation cross-section inputs into galactic cosmic ray transport codes for shielding and exposure analyses. Overall, the Langley model appears to yield better agreement with the experimental data.

Townsend, Lawrence W.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Optical model calculations of 14.6A GeV silicon fragmentation cross sections

An optical potential abrasion-ablation collision model is used to calculate hadronic dissociation cross sections for a 14.6 A GeV(exp 28) Si beam fragmenting in aluminum, tin, and lead targets. The frictional-spectator-interaction (FSI) contributions are computed with two different formalisms for the energy-dependent mean free path. These estimates are compared with experimental data and with estimates obtained from semi-empirical fragmentation models commonly used in galactic cosmic ray transport studies.

Townsend, Lawrence W.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Cross section parameterizations for cosmic ray nuclei. I - Single nucleon removal

Parameterizations of single nucleon removal from electromagnetic and strong interactions of cosmic rays with nuclei are presented. These parameterizations are based upon the most accurate theoretical calculations available to date. They should be very suitable for use in cosmic ray propagation through interstellar space, the Earth's atmosphere, lunar samples, meteorites, spacecraft walls and lunar and Martian habitats.

Norbury, John W.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Description of alpha-nucleus interaction cross sections for cosmic ray shielding studies

Nuclear interactions of high-energy alpha particles with target nuclei important for cosmic ray studies are discussed. Models for elastic, quasi-elastic, and breakup reactions are presented and compared with experimental data. Energy-dependent interaction cross sections and secondary spectra are presented based on theoretical models and the limited experimental data base.

Cucinotta, Francis A.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Target fragmentation in radiobiology

Nuclear reactions in biological systems produce low-energy fragments of the target nuclei seen as local high events of linear energy transfer (LET). A nuclear-reaction formalism is used to evaluate the nuclear-induced fields within biosystems and their effects within several biological models. On the basis of direct ionization interaction, one anticipates high-energy protons to have a quality factor and relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of unity. Target fragmentation contributions raise the effective quality factor of 10 GeV protons to 3.3 in reasonable agreement with RBE values for induced micronuclei in bean sprouts. Application of the Katz model indicates that the relative increase in RBE with decreasing exposure observed in cell survival experiments with 160 MeV protons is related solely to target fragmentation events. Target fragment contributions to lens opacity given an RBE of 1.4 for 2 GeV protons in agreement with the work of Lett and Cox. Predictions are made for the effective RBE for Harderian gland tumors induced by high-energy protons. An exposure model for lifetime cancer risk is derived from NCRP 98 risk tables, and protraction effects are examined for proton and helium ion exposures. The implications of dose rate enhancement effects on space radiation protection are considered.

Wilson, John W.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Transport methods and interactions for space radiations

This report presents a brief history leading to the involvement of the Langley Research Center of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in space-radiation physics and protection. Indeed, a relatively complete summary of technical capability as of the summer of 1990 is given. The Boltzmann equations for coupled ionic and neutronic fields are presented and inversion techniques for the Boltzmann operator are discussed. Errors generated by the straight ahead approximation are derived and are shown to be negligible for most problems of space-radiation protection. A decoupling of projectile propagation from the target fields greatly simplifies the Boltzmann equations and allows an analytic solution of the target fragment transport. Analytic and numerical methods of solving the projectile transport equations are discussed. The nuclear physics underlying the coefficients in the Boltzmann equation is discussed. A coupled-channel optical model is found as a consequence of the loose binding of nuclear matter and closure of the nuclear states in high-energy reactions. Transport solutions with the developed data base are used with laboratory experiments to validate both the transport code and the data base. Numerical benchmarks and comparison with Monte Carlo calculations are also used for code validation.

Wilson, John W.↗

NASA NTRS1993

HZE reactions and data-base development

The primary cosmic rays are dispersed over a large range of linear energy transfer (LET) values and their distribution over LET is a determinant of biological response. This LET distribution is modified by radiation shielding thickness and shield material composition. The current uncertainties in nuclear cross sections will not allow the composition of the shield material to be distinguished in order to minimize biological risk. An overview of the development of quantum mechanical models of heavy ion reactions will be given and computational results compared with experiments. A second approach is the development of phenomenological models from semi-classical considerations. These models provide the current data base in high charge and energy (HZE) shielding studies. They will be compared with available experimental data. The background material for this lecture will be available as a review document of over 30 years of research at Langley but will include new results obtained over the last year.

Townsend, Lawrence W.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Fully energy-dependent HZETRN (a galactic cosmic-ray transport code)

For extended manned space missions, the radiation shielding design requires efficient and accurate cosmic-ray transport codes that can handle the physics processes in detail. The Langley Research Center galactic cosmic-ray transport code (HZETRN) is currently under development for such design use. The cross sections for the production of secondary nucleons in the existing HZETRN code are energy dependent only for nucleon collisions. The approximation of energy-independent, heavy-ion fragmentation cross section is now removed by implementing a mathematically simplified energy-dependent stepping formalism for heavy ions. The cross section at each computational grid is obtained by linear interpolation from a few tabulated data to minimize computing time. Test runs were made for galactic cosmic-ray transport through a liquid hydrogen shield and a water shield at solar minimum. The results show no appreciable change in total fluxes or computing time compared with energy-independent calculations. Differences in high LET (linear energy transfer) spectra are noted, however, because of the large variation in cross sections at the low-energy region. The high LET components are significantly higher in the new code and have important implications on biological risk estimates for heavy-ion exposure.

Shinn, Judy L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Multiple-scattering effects in quasielastic alpha-He-4 scattering

A multiple-scattering series for describing the quasielastic peak in nucleus-nucleus collisions is derived using the high-energy optical model. The effects of multiple knockout of target nucleons and internal excitation of the projectile are studied and found to be important for large energy loss and momentum transfers in inclusive alpha-He-4 scattering at 7 GeV/c. An approximate evaluation of higher-order inelastic collision terms is considered for forward-peaked wave functions and is demonstrated to be accurate.

Cucinotta, Francis A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Effects of fragmentation parameter variations on estimates of galactic cosmic ray exposure: Dose sensitivity studies for aluminum shields

Initial studies of the sensitivities of estimates of particle fluence, absorbed dose, and dose equivalent to fragmentation parameter variations are undertaken by using the LaRC galactic cosmic ray transport code (HZETRN). The new results, presented as a function of aluminum shield thickness, include upper and lower bounds on dose/dose equivalent corresponding to the physically realistic extremes of the fragmentation process and the percentage of variation of the dose/dose equivalent as a function of fragmentation parameter variation.

Townsend, Lawrence W.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Concepts and strategies for lunar base radiation protection - Prefabricated versus in-situ materials

The most recently accepted environment data are used as inputs for the Langley nucleon and heavy-ion transport codes, BRYNTRN and HZETRN, to examine the shield effectiveness of lunar regolith in comparison with commercially-used shield materials in nuclear facilities. Several of the fabricated materials categorized as neutron absorbers exhibit favorable characteristics for space radiation protection. In particular, polyethylene with additive boron is analyzed with regard to response to the predicted lunar galactic cosmic ray and solar proton flare environment during the course of a complete solar cycle. Although this effort is not intended to be a definitive trade study for specific shielding recommendations, attention is given to several factors that warrant consideration in such trade studies. For example, the transporting of bulk shield material to the lunar site as opposed to regolith-moving and processing equipment is assessed on the basis of recent scenario studies. The transporting of shield material from Earth may also be a viable alternative to the use of regolith from standpoints of cost-effectiveness, EVA time required, and risk factor.

Simonsen, Lisa C.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Quasi-elastic nuclear scattering at high energies

The quasi-elastic scattering of two nuclei is considered in the high-energy optical model. Energy loss and momentum transfer spectra for projectile ions are evaluated in terms of an inelastic multiple-scattering series corresponding to multiple knockout of target nucleons. The leading-order correction to the coherent projectile approximation is evaluated. Calculations are compared with experiments.

Cucinotta, Francis A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Cross section parameterizations for cosmic ray nuclei. 1: Single nucleon removal

Norbury, John W.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Single nucleon emission in relativistic nucleus-nucleus reactions

Significant discrepancies between theory and experiment have previously been noted for nucleon emission via electromagnetic processes in relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions. The present work investigates the hypothesis that these discrepancies have arisen due to uncertainties about how to deduce the experimental electromagnetic cross section from the total measured cross section. An optical-model calculation of single neutron removal is added to electromagnetic cross sections and compared to the total experimental cross sections. Good agreement is found thereby resolving some of the earlier noted discrepancies. A detailed comparison to the recent work of Benesh, Cook, and Vary is made for both the impact parameter and the nuclear cross section. Good agreement is obtained giving an independent confirmation of the parameterized formulas developed by those authors.

Norbury, John W.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Risk analyses for the solar particle events of August through December 1989

The solar particle events of August through December 1989, among the largest ever recorded, are analyzed to assess the potential hazards to humans on interplanetary missions from events of these types. Using the coupled neutron-proton space radiation transport computer code BRYNTRN, risk estimates for the effects of exposures to the skin, ocular lens, and bone marrow are made for nominal thicknesses of the spacecraft aluminum shielding. Risk assessment in terms of absorbed dose is made for each event. Also presented are estimates of organ absorbed dose and dose equivalent for pairs of events which occurred within 30-day periods, and for the cumulative August through December 1989 period.

Townsend, Lawrence W.↗