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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Recent MCNP® Code Developments and Improvements for Nuclear Energy Applications [Slides]

The MCNP® code is a general-purpose radiation transport code developed at LANL over the past 46+ years. This code is capable of modeling the fundamental physics of particles as they move through and interact with materials. It is used in many LANL and worldwide radiation transport applications (see next slide) for example in the Fundamental nuclear physics and data experiments at LANSCE.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Effective theory tower for μ → e conversion

We present theoretical predictions for μ → e conversion rates using a tower of effective field theories connecting the UV to nuclear physics scales. The interactions in nuclei are described using a recently developed nonrelativistic effective theory (NRET) that organizes contributions according to bound nucleon and muon velocities, ${\overrightarrow{v}}_N$ and ${\overrightarrow{v}}_μ$, with |${\overrightarrow{v}}_N$| > |${\overrightarrow{v}}_μ$|. To facilitate the top-down matching, we enlarge the set of Lorentz covariant nucleon-level interactions mapped onto the NRET operators to include those mediated by tensor interactions, in addition to the scalar and vector interactions already considered previously, and then match NRET nonperturbatively onto the Weak Effective Theory (WET). At the scale μ ≈ 2 GeV WET is formulated in terms of u, d, s quarks, gluons and photons as the light degrees of freedom, along with the flavor-violating leptonic current. We retain contributions from WET operators up to dimension 7, which requires the full set of 26 NRET operators. The results are encoded in the open-source Python- and Mathematica-based software suite MuonBridge, which we make available to the theoretical and experimental communities interested in μ → e conversion.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Progress Toward Fast Decay Energy Spectroscopy for Actinide Analysis

Decay energy spectroscopy (DES) is an increasingly popular technique for measuring isotopic composition of actinide samples for nuclear safeguards applications. Current approaches for actinide DES utilize milligram-scale external gold absorbers (> 0.1 nJ/K) that are integrated with actinide samples through mechanical kneading and are thermally connected to microcalorimeters using indium or gold wire bonds. This leads to relatively slow sensor rise time and, consequently, limits counting speed to a few counts per second. We are developing faster metallic magnetic calorimeter-based DES by integrating actinide samples with magnetic sensor materials. This reduces signal rise time and enables high counting speed while maintaining the ability to knead the radioactive source with the absorber. We have measured signal rise time of 0.7 μs with a 1.5 mg external gold absorber using this approach. Here, we also demonstrated online DES operation using an Ortec DSPEC 50, a commercially available data acquisition system developed for semiconductor detectors.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Westcott g factors extended to arbitrary neutron energy spectra

Westcott 𝑔 factors are used in Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) and Prompt Gamma-ray Activation Analysis (PGAA) to evaluate the impact of non-1∕𝑣 behavior in the neutron-capture cross sections of certain nuclei on activation product yields. This non-1∕𝑣 behavior arises from the presence of neutron resonances in the neutron- capture cross sections that overlap with the source neutron spectrum at low (< 5 eV) energies. Historically, Westcott 𝑔 factors that have been cataloged for NAA and PGAA applications are the result of calculations that assume a Maxwellian neutron flux distribution with a given temperature. In this work, we use this approach with updated neutron-capture cross sections from the Evaluated Nuclear Data File, version VIII.1 (ENDF/B-VIII.1) to tabulate Westcott 𝑔 factor values for a broad range of Maxwellian distribution temperatures, comparing the results against currently-available 𝑔 factors from International Atomic Energy Agency tables and other sources. Here, it was discovered during this analysis that the use of guided thermal and cold-neutron beams at certain facilities necessitates an approach for evaluating Westcott 𝑔 factors based on arbitrary non-Maxwellian spectra. In this paper, we present an approach for calculating 𝑔 factors with user-specified neutron spectra, and we demonstrate these methods to obtain Westcott 𝑔-factors for guided- and cold-neutron beams at the Budapest Research Reactor and the Forschungsreaktor München II reactor. As part of this work, open-source software has been developed that can be used to perform these calculations for applications in PGAA and NAA experiments.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Enhanced tensor polarization in solid-state targets

In this work, we report measurements of enhanced tensor polarization on solid-state targets. The results here represent an increase in tensor polarization over that previously achieved in high energy and nuclear scattering experiments that focused on the measurement of tensor polarized observables. Enhancement techniques are used which require RF produced close to the Larmor frequency of the target spins and use selective semi-saturation resulting from two sources of irradiation, microwave for the DNP process and the additional RF used to manipulate the population of the energy levels in the target material. The spin dynamics of the solid target are used to align the spins enhancing the ensemble average to improve the figure of merit of the scattering experiment. Target rotation at an optimized rate can lead to additional enhancement by applying selective semi-saturation in polycrystalline materials that possess a Pake doublet in their NMR signal.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2023

BlueSTEAl: A pair of silicon arrays and a zero-degree phoswich detector for studies of scattering and reactions in inverse kinematics

BlueSTEAl, the Blue (aluminum chamber of) Silicon TElescope Arrays for light nuclei, has been developed to study direct reactions in inverse kinematics, as well as scattering and breakup reactions using radioactive ion beams. It is a detector system consisting of a pair of annular silicon detector arrays and a zero-degree phoswich plastic scintillator. For typical binary reaction studies in inverse kinematics, light ions are detected by the Si array in coincidence with heavy recoils detected by the phoswich placed at the focal-plane of a zero-degree magnetic spectrometer. The Si array can also be used to detect light nuclei such as beryllium and carbon with clear isotope separation, while the phoswich can also be placed at zero degrees without a spectrometer and used as a high-efficiency beam counting monitor with particle identification capability at the rate of up to ~5 × 10 4 particles per second. This paper reports on the capabilities of BlueSTEAl as determined by recent experiments performed at the Texas A&M Cyclotron Institute. Furthermore, the device is also anticipated to be used in future experiments at other radioactive ion beam facilities.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Design of the ECCE detector for the Electron Ion Collider

The EIC Comprehensive Chromodynamics Experiment (ECCE) detector has been designed to address the full scope of the proposed Electron Ion Collider (EIC) physics program as presented by the National Academy of Science and provide a deeper understanding of the quark-gluon structure of matter. To accomplish this, the ECCE detector offers nearly acceptance and energy coverage along with excellent tracking and particle identification. The ECCE detector was designed to be built within the budget envelope set out by the EIC project while simultaneously managing cost and schedule risks. Finally, this detector concept has been selected to be the basis for the EIC project detector.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Science Requirements and Detector Concepts for the Electron-Ion Collider: EIC Yellow Report

Here, this report describes the physics case, the resulting detector requirements, and the evolving detector concepts for the experimental program at the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC). The EIC will be a powerful new high-luminosity facility in the United States with the capability to collide high-energy electron beams with high-energy proton and ion beams, providing access to those regions in the nucleon and nuclei where their structure is dominated by gluons. Moreover, polarized beams in the EIC will give unprecedented access to the spatial and spin structure of the proton, neutron, and light ions. The studies leading to this document were commissioned and organized by the EIC User Group with the objective of advancing the state and detail of the physics program and developing detector concepts that meet the emerging requirements in preparation for the realization of the EIC. The effort aims to provide the basis for further development of concepts for experimental equipment best suited for the science needs, including the importance of two complementary detectors and interaction regions. This report consists of three volumes. Volume I is an executive summary of our findings and developed concepts. In Volume II we describe studies of a wide range of physics measurements and the emerging requirements on detector acceptance and performance. Volume III discusses general-purpose detector concepts and the underlying technologies to meet the physics requirements. These considerations will form the basis for a world-class experimental program that aims to increase our understanding of the fundamental structure of all visible matter.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Neutral-current neutrino cross section and expected supernova signals for 40 Ar from a three-fold increase in the magnetic dipole strength

In view of the great interest in liquid argon neutrino detectors, the 40 Ar(γ,γ') 40 Ar reaction was revisited to guide a calculation of the neutral current neutrino cross section at supernova energies. Using the nuclear resonance fluorescence technique with a monoenergetic, 99% linearly polarized photon beam, in this work we report a three-fold increase in magnetic dipole strength at around 10 MeV in 40 Ar. Based on shell-model calculations, and using the experimentally identified transitions, the neutral current neutrino cross sections for low-energy reactions on 40 Ar are calculated.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Review of the Lawrence Livermore Nuclear Accident Dosimeter 1980s-present

A Nuclear Accident Dosimetry program is a federal requirement for all facilities that have the potential to have a criticality accident. Personnel Nuclear Accident Dosimeter (PNAD) theory and analytical procedures are driven by various scientific needs and interacting regulations. A brief history of the status of USA Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear accident dosimetry regulations, recommendations, and performance testing criteria are given. Then, the history of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) PNAD is explored, including changes in the physical dosimeter and adjustments of the analysis method through the last four decades. Finally, the performance of LLNL’s PNAD at criticality accident intercomparison training exercises since 2009 is explored. In general, reported neutron doses have been within or close to DOE-STD-1098 performance criteria while reported gamma doses have been outside of DOE-STD-1098 performance criteria. Reported total absorbed doses have varied in meeting ANSI/HPS N13.3 and ANSI/HPS N13.3 (R2019) performance criteria. Dosimetry staff retirement and turnover have left historical knowledge gaps, yet provided opportunities within the NAD program at LLNL. This review paper serves as an overview of the history and status of the NAD program. Brief technical, procedural and programmatic recommendations to improve LLNL’s NAD program are given. Technical recommendations include investigating orientation factors through modeling or empirical experimentation, investigating gamma dosimetry methods for high-dose scenarios, and exploring other dosimetric methods for simpler, quicker NAD analysis. Procedural recommendations include better documentation of conversion factor (activity-to-fluence and fluence-to-dose) derivations and spectrum uses, and updated analysis spreadsheets or simple Graphic User Interfaces for dose calculations. In conclusion, programmatic recommendations include formalized training for NAD analysts, and having multiple SMEs trained on the NAD program.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Experiments of water-moderated plutonium metal arrays: part I — description

In the mid-1970s and early 1980s, almost one hundred critical and approach-to-critical experiments using water-moderated plutonium metal arrays were performed at the Rocky Flats Critical Mass Laboratory. The experiments were performed in two programs: 2x2xN arrays conducted in the 1970s and 3x3x3 arrays conducted in the 1980s. Both sets of experiments used the same double-canned plutonium parts and were water moderated. The major differences between the two programs were the support structure and tank and the administrative limits on criticality. This paper summarizes the critical data and results of both sets of experiments. In conclusion, these experiments are then analyzed in a companion paper.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Measurement of the neutron charge radius and the role of its constituents

The neutron is a cornerstone in our depiction of the visible universe. Despite the neutron zero-net electric charge, the asymmetric distribution of the positively- (up) and negatively-charged (down) quarks, a result of the complex quark-gluon dynamics, lead to a negative value for its squared charge radius, $\langle r^2_n\rangle$. The precise measurement of the neutron’s charge radius thus emerges as an essential part of unraveling its structure. Here we report on a $\langle r^2_n\rangle$ measurement, based on the extraction of the neutron electric form factor, $G^n_E$, at low four-momentum transfer squared (Q 2 ) by exploiting the long known connection between the N → Δ quadrupole transitions and the neutron electric form factor. Our result, $\langle r^2_n\rangle$=-0.110±0.008(fm 2 ), addresses long standing unresolved discrepancies in the $\langle r^2_n\rangle$ determination. The dynamics of the strong nuclear force can be viewed through the precise picture of the neutron’s constituent distributions that result into the non-zero $\langle r^2_n\rangle$ value.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Elliptic anisotropy measurement of the f 0 (980) hadron in proton-lead collisions and evidence for its quark-antiquark composition

Despite the f 0 (980) hadron having been discovered half a century ago, the question about its quark content has not been settled: it might be an ordinary quark-antiquark ($q\bar{q}$) meson, a tetraquark ($q\bar{q}$$q\bar{q}$) exotic state, a kaon-antikaon ($K\bar{K}$) molecule, or a quark-antiquark-gluon ($q\bar{q}$g) hybrid. This paper reports strong evidence that the f 0 (980) state is an ordinary $q\bar{q}$ meson, inferred from the scaling of elliptic anisotropies (v 2 ) with the number of constituent quarks (n q ), as empirically established using conventional hadrons in relativistic heavy ion collisions. The f 0 (980) state is reconstructed via its dominant decay channel f 0 (980) → π + π − , in proton-lead collisions recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC, and its v 2 is measured as a function of transverse momentum (p T ). It is found that the n q = 2 ($q\bar{q}$ state) hypothesis is favored over n q = 4 ($q\bar{q}$$q\bar{q}$ or $K\bar{K}$ states) by 7.7, 6.3, or 3.1 standard deviations in the p T < 10, 8, or 6 GeV/c ranges, respectively, and over n q = 3 ($q\bar{q}$g hybrid state) by 3.5 standard deviations in the p T < 8 GeV/c range. This result represents the first determination of the quark content of the f 0 (980) state, made possible by using a novel approach, and paves the way for similar studies of other exotic hadron candidates.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Evidence of isospin-symmetry violation in high-energy collisions of atomic nuclei

Strong interactions preserve an approximate isospin symmetry between up (u) and down (d) quarks, part of the more general flavor symmetry. In the case of K meson production, if this isospin symmetry were exact, it would result in equal numbers of charged (K + and K − ) and neutral (K 0 and ${\overline{K}}^{0}$) mesons produced in collisions of isospin-symmetric atomic nuclei. Here, we report results on the relative abundance of charged over neutral K meson production in argon and scandium nuclei collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 11.9 GeV per nucleon pair. We find that the production of K + and K − mesons at mid-rapidity is (18.4 ± 6.1)% higher than that of the neutral K mesons. Although with large uncertainties, earlier data on nucleus-nucleus collisions in the collision center-of-mass energy range $2.6 \, < \, \sqrt{{s}_{NN}} \, < \, 200$ GeV are consistent with the present result. Using well-established models for hadron production, we demonstrate that known isospin-symmetry breaking effects and the initial nuclei containing more neutrons than protons lead only to a small (few percent) deviation of the charged-to-neutral kaon ratio from unity at high energies. Thus, they cannot explain the measurements. The significance of the flavor-symmetry violation beyond the known effects is 4.7σ when the compilation of world data with uncertainties quoted by the experiments is used. New systematic, high-precision measurements and theoretical efforts are needed to establish the origin of the observed large isospin-symmetry breaking.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗