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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 469 records · Page 26
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

End-to-end calculation of the radiation characteristics of VVER-1000 spent fuel assemblies

The results of end-to-end calculation of the radiation characteristics of VVER-1000 spent nuclear fuel are presented. Details of formation of neutron and gamma-radiation sources are analyzed. Distributed sources of different types of radiation are considered. A comparative analysis of calculated radiation characteristics is performed with the use of nuclear data from different ENDF/B and EAF files and ANSI/ANS and ICRP standards.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRS1974

Polarization of inverse plasmon scattering

The scattering of electrostatic plasma waves by a flux of ultrarelativistic electrons passing through a plasma gives rise to a radiation spectrum which is similar to a synchrotron radiation spectrum. This mechanism, first considered by Gailitis and Tsytovich, is analagous to inverse Compton scattering, and we have named it inverse plasmon scattering. For a power-law electron flux, both inverse plasmon scattering and synchrotron radiation have the same spectral index. In an attempt to distinguish between these mechanisms, we have calculated the polarization level expected from inverse plasmon scattering. The polarization level found is similar to that obtained from a synchrotron radiation source. This means that the radiation produced by two mechanisms, synchrotron radiation and inverse plasmon scattering, is indistinguishable; and this attempt to differentiate between them by polarization effects has been unsuccessful.

Windsor, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Radiation calculations and comparisons with data

In conjunction with the analysis of data from the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) ionizing radiation dosimetry, a calculation program was established to aid in data interpretation and to assess the accuracy of current radiation environments and effects models for future mission applications. Initial estimates of LDEF exposure to trapped, galactic, and atmospheric (albedo) radiation sources were made, and the radiation environment (primary and secondary particle spectra) and several radiation effects (induced radioactivity and dose) for varying amounts of LDEF shielding were calculated for a simplified LDEF mass model. Preliminary comparisons of the calculated results were made with the induced radioactivity measurements for several LDEF parts and with preliminary dose data from several experiments (P0004, P0006, and M0004). Predictions were compared with the radioactivity induced in the aluminum clamps holding the experiment trays and in the stainless steel trunnions to test a recently developed theory of trapped proton anisotropy.

Armstrong, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Gamma-ray burst spectral breaks and source beaming

The principal discovery of the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (GRO) concerning gamma-ray bursts is that these sources are isotropic but with a comparative deficiency of fainter sources, suggesting that they are probably cosmological in origin. If they are at such large distances from Earth then they are extremely luminous and compact. A consequence of this is that two-photon pair production attenuation of the gamma-ray continuum cannot be avoided unless the source radiation is substantially beamed. Most sources do not display gamma-ray turnovers although a few gamma-ray bursts (GRB) detected by GRO exhibit distinct spectral breaks in the MeV range. A derivation of the relationship defining of the degree of beaming in burst sources with spectral breaks due to gamma-gamma attenuation, as a function of source spectral index and break energy, is presented. It is found that sources at distances of approximately 1 Gpc must typically be beamed with bulk Lorentz factors of around 10(exp 3)-10(exp 4), indicating powerful bulk acceleration in bursts, although these Lorentz factors are reduced markedly for steep source spectra. Since the source spectra are not strongly Comptonized, such beaming will blueshift the gamma-gamma attenuation breaks to energies much higher than 1 MeV; an absolute lower bound to the source bulk Lorentz factor is determined from this additional constraint. This blueshifting suggests that those sources with MeV breaks may not be cosmological, or that their breaks are produced by a mechanism that dominates gamma-gamma attenuation at these energies.

Baring, Matthew G.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Systems, method and computer-accessible medium for providing balanced asymmetric interferometry for vibrationally isolated optical scanning probe(s)

An exemplary apparatus can provide radiation to a sample(s), which can include, for example, a radiation source arrangement configured to provide radiation, a beam splitter configured to split the radiation into (i) a first radiation, and (ii) a second radiation. An optical element can also be provided which, in operation, can, e.g., (a) receive the first radiation and the second radiation, (b) reflect the first radiation as a reference radiation, (c) provide the second radiation as illumination for the sample(s), (d) receive a resultant radiation from the sample(s) that can be based on the illumination from the second radiation, and (e) provide the reference radiation and the resultant radiation to be detected and used for interferometric imaging or spectroscopy.

McLeod, Alexander Swinton↗
DOE OSTI2015

Radiative heat transport instability in a laser produced inhomogeneous plasma

A laser produced high-Z plasma in which an energy balance is achieved due to radiation emission and radiative heat transfer supports ion acoustic instability. A linear dispersion relation is derived, and instability is compared to the radiation cooling instability [R. G. Evans, Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion 27, 751 (1985)]. Under conditions of indirect drive fusion experiments, the driving term for the instability is the radiative heat flux and, in particular, the density dependence of the radiative heat conductivity. A specific example of thermal Bremsstrahlung radiation source has been considered. This instability may lead to plasma jet formation and anisotropic x-ray generation, thus affecting inertial confinement fusion related experiments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Development of a coincidence system for the measurement of X-ray emission atomic parameters

Preliminary results obtained in experiments carried out with an x-ray spectrometer built at the Instituto de Fisica for Atomic Physics and environmental sciences studies are presented. The experiments are based on a coincidence method for signals produced by LEGe and Si(Li) detectors. The x-ray fluorescence yields ({omega}{sub Li}) and Coster-Kronig transition probabilities (f{sub ij}) for elements with 55 {<=} Z {<=} 60 are among the quantities of interest. The method is based on the simultaneous detection of K x-rays with the LEGe detector and the L x-rays with the Si(Li) detector. The primary radiation source is an x-ray tube with Rh anode. The system was tested with the coincidence of the L x-rays from Ce with its K line, demonstrating the feasibility of the experiments.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2012

Growth rate and start current in Smith-Purcell free-electron lasers

This letter reports a theory to calculate the growth rate and start current of a Smith-Purcell free-electron laser, which is a promising radiation source in the terahertz domain. A two-dimensional model was used to investigate the interaction between a sheet electron beam and the surface wave above a lamellar grating. After deriving the growth rate from the dispersion equation, the start current was carefully estimated by considering the power flow above the grating. The agreement between the predictions of our theory and the results from the particle-in-cell simulations is acceptable.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

RadSim: Math, Utility & RTK

This package includes three parts, (1) gov.llnl.math, (2)gov.llnl.utility and (3)gov.llnl.rtk, which are utilized in the development of Radiation Detector Simulator (RadSim) project. RadSim is being developed to provide the capability to: (1) simulate radiation source emissions, (2) interpolate results from radiation transport tools into a common format to prepare incident flux, and (3) model radiation detector response to rapidly produce synthetic radiation measurement templates. RadSim is targeted for open-source release, which will enable researchers and industry partners to model gamma-ray detectors response to simulated flux from the transport tool of their choice. The techniques and implementation will be entirely transparent, which will allow for improvements and boutique modifications by future researchers beyond the lifespan of this specific project. The first tool of the package, gov.llnl.math, includes classes and functions to define and perform basic math operations. Some of the example features available in the package include defining statistical distributions and performing algebra and matrix operations, all of which are already accessible on publicly available software packages such as MATLAB and ROOT. The second package gov.llnl.utility includes tools commonly used to enable optimization and readability of various data structures such as Java lists and external xml files. Lastly, the gov.llnl.rtk package includes classes and functions to implement methods commonly used in radiation physics, such as data structures to represent and characterize photon spectra and tools to apply well-defined and published methods to calibrate a given spectra.

Cheung, Hoi Sing↗
DOE OSTI2015

VUV action spectroscopy of protonated leucine-enkephalin peptide in the 6-14 eV range

We have studied the Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV) photodissociation of gas-phase protonated leucine-enkephalin peptide ion in the 5.7 to 14 eV photon energy range by coupling a linear quadrupole ion trap with a synchrotron radiation source. We report VUV activation tandem mass spectra at 6.7, 8.4, and 12.8 eV photon energies and photodissociation yields for a number of selected fragments. The obtained results provide insight into both near VUV radiation damage and electronic properties of a model peptide. We could distinguish several absorption bands and assign them to particular electronic transitions, according to previous theoretical studies. The photodissociation yields appear to be very different for the various observed fragmentation channels, depending on both the types of fragments and their position along the peptide backbone. The present results are discussed in light of recent gas-phase spectroscopic data on peptides.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Radiological Characterization of Selected Thermal Centres Based on Indoor Radon Dosimetry - 17507

In countries with long historical tradition in thermal water therapy and with several mineral-medicinal thermal sources, workplaces within thermal centers may be a source of radon exposure which may be intensified if these are located in regions of high level of natural radiation. According to the EU Directive 96/29/Euratom (repealed by the Directive 2013/59/EURATOM) each Member State shall identify, by means of survey or any other adequate mean, the work activities where a significant increase in the exposure from natural radiation sources may occur, including thermal centers where the exposure to thoron/radon daughters or gamma radiation may occur. The purpose of this work was to perform a radiological characterization of selected thermal centers based on indoor dosimetry. The effective doses received by workers due to radon inhalation were estimated and gamma dose rates were measured through continuous periods. The radon risk for indoor exposure was assessed on a probabilistic basis both on thermal centers and workers' dwellings. Radon levels within the thermal centers ranged from 73 to 4335 Bq/m{sup 3} and the values within the workers dwellings are of the same order of magnitude, 68-4051 Bq/m{sup 3}. Approximately 66 % of indoor radon concentration values are above the maximum EU reference (300 Bq/m{sup 3}) and 94 % of the effective dose is higher than 1 mSv/year. In some situations, radon levels at residential environments are much higher than at workplaces and effective doses are higher than 6 mSv/year, both at residential and work environments. (authors)

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Assessment of outdoor radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure through hotspot localization using kriging-based sequential sampling

In this study, a novel methodology is proposed to create heat maps that accurately pinpoint the outdoor locations with elevated exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) in an extensive urban region (or, hotspots), and that would allow local authorities and epidemiologists to efficiently assess the locations and spectral composition of these hotspots, while at the same time developing a global picture of the exposure in the area. Moreover, no prior knowledge about the presence of radiofrequency radiation sources (e.g., base station parameters) is required. After building a surrogate model from the available data using kriging, the proposed method makes use of an iterative sampling strategy that selects new measurement locations at spots which are deemed to contain the most valuable information—inside hotspots or in search of them—based on the prediction uncertainty of the model. The method was tested and validated in an urban subarea of Ghent, Belgium with a size of approximately 1 km{sup 2}. In total, 600 input and 50 validation measurements were performed using a broadband probe. Five hotspots were discovered and assessed, with maximum total electric-field strengths ranging from 1.3 to 3.1 V/m, satisfying the reference levels issued by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection for exposure of the general public to RF-EMF. Spectrum analyzer measurements in these hotspots revealed five radiofrequency signals with a relevant contribution to the exposure. The radiofrequency radiation emitted by 900 MHz Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) base stations was always dominant, with contributions ranging from 45% to 100%. Finally, validation of the subsequent surrogate models shows high prediction accuracy, with the final model featuring an average relative error of less than 2 dB (factor 1.26 in electric-field strength), a correlation coefficient of 0.7, and a specificity of 0.96. -- Highlights: • We present an iterative measurement and modeling method for outdoor RF-EMF exposure. • Hotspots are rapidly identified, and accurately characterized. • An accurate graphical representation, or heat map, is created, using kriging. • Random validation shows good correlation (0.7) and low relative errors (2 dB)

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2010

Localization Leads to Improved Distributed Detection Under Non-Smooth Distributions

We consider a detection network of sensors that measure intensity levels due to a source amidst background inside a two-dimensional monitoring area. The source intensity decays away from it possibly in discrete jumps, and the corresponding sensor measurements could be random due to the nature of source and background, or due to sensor errors, or both. The detection problem is to infer the presence of a source based on sensor measurements. In the conventional decision/detection fusion approach, detection decisions are made at the individual sensors using Sequential Probability Ratio Test (SPRT), and are combined at the fusion center using a Boolean fusion rule. We show that better detection can be achieved by utilizing sensor measurements at the fusion center, by first localizing the source and then utilizing a more effective SPRT. This approach leads to the detection performance superior to any Boolean detection fuser, under fairly general conditions: (i) smooth and non-smooth source intensity functions and probability ratios, and (ii) a minimum packing number of the state-space. We apply this method to improve the detection of (a) low-level point radiation sources amidst background radiation under strong shielding conditions, and (b) the well-studied Gaussian source amidst Gaussian background.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

RadSim: ENSDF, Xray and N42

This package includes three parts, (1) gov.bnl.nndc.ensdf, (2) gov.nist.xray and (3) gov.nist.physics.n42, which are utilized in the development of Radiation Detector Simulator (RadSim) project. RadSim is being developed to provide the capability to: (1) simulate radiation source emissions, (2) interpolate results from radiation transport tools into a common format to prepare incident flux, and (3) model radiation detector response to rapidly produce synthetic radiation measurement templates. RadSim is targeted for open-source release, which will enable researchers and industry partners to model gamma-ray detectors response to simulated flux from the transport tool of their choice. The first tool of the package, gov.bnl.nndc.ensdf, includes functionality to parse and split publicly available decay records in ENSDF format, and pull the relevant information from ENSDF libraries. The second tool, gov.nist.xray, provides Xray information using the public NIST database. Lastly, gov.nist.physics.n42, is a tool used to convert an N42 xml file into a Java object that can be interfaced within a Java program.

Hangal, DnaushA↗
DOE OSTI2017

Triggering the Formation of Direct Collapse Black Holes by Their Congeners

Direct collapse black holes (DCBHs) are excellent candidates for seeds of supermassive black holes observed at z ≳ 6. The formation of a DCBH requires a strong external radiation field to suppress H{sub 2} formation and cooling in a collapsing gas cloud. Such a strong field is not easily achieved by first stars or normal star-forming galaxies. Here we investigate a scenario in which a previously formed DCBH can provide the necessary radiation field for the formation of additional ones. Using a one-zone model and simulated DCBH Spectral Energy Distributions (SEDs) filtered through absorbing gas initially having column density N {sub H}, we derive the critical field intensity, J{sub LW}{sup crit}, to suppress H{sub 2} formation and cooling. For the SED model with N{sub H}=1.3×10{sup 25} cm{sup −2}, 8.0 × 10{sup 24} cm{sup −2}, and 5.0 × 10{sup 24} cm{sup −2}, we obtain J{sub LW}{sup crit}≈22, 35, and 54, all much smaller than the critical field intensity for normal star-forming galaxies J{sub LW}{sup crit}≳1000 X-ray photons from previously formed DCBHs build up a high-z X-ray background (XRB) that may boost the J{sub LW}{sup crit}. However, we find that in the three SED models, J{sub LW}{sup crit} only increases to ≈80, 170, and 390, even when ρ-dot {sub ∙} reaches the maximum value allowed by the present-day XRB level (0.22, 0.034, 0.006 M {sub ⊙} yr{sup −1} Mpc{sup −3}), which is still much smaller than the galactic value. Although considering the XRB from first galaxies may further increase J{sub LW}{sup crit}, we conclude that our investigation supports a scenario in which DCBHs may be more abundant than predicted by models only including galaxies as external radiation sources.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Theoretical study on a 0.6 THz third harmonic gyrotron

A theoretical study on a 0.6 THz third harmonic TE{sub 37} mode gyrotron oscillator is reported in this paper in order to develop a compact, reliable, and high power terahertz radiation source. An output power of 4 kW can be generated in the TE{sub 37} mode (0.6 THz) at a resonant magnetic field of 7.86 T by the gyrotron oscillator operating at 55 kV/2 A with an electron beam radius of 0.32 mm. A magnetron injection gun (MIG) with high compression ratio has been designed. The simulation results of MIG show that the velocity ratio {alpha} is 1.37, and the perpendicular velocity spread and parallel velocity spread are 6.1% and 8.9%, respectively.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Determination of preferential molecular orientation in porphyrin-fullerene dyad ZnDHD6ee monolayers by the X-ray standing-wave method and X-ray reflectometry

Monolayers of porphyrin-fullerene dyad molecules with zinc atoms incorporated into the porphyrin ring (ZnDHD6ee) on the surface of aqueous subphase and on Si substrates have been investigated by the X-ray standing-wave method and X-ray reflectometry. The experiments have been performed under laboratory conditions and on synchrotron radiation sources (KMC-2 station of BESSY II (Berlin) and Langmuir station at the National Research Centre 'Kurchatov Institute'). Depth distributions of Zn atoms and electron density in the monolayer film are calculated. On the basis of the analysis of these distributions, it is concluded that ZnDHD6ee dyad molecules in monolayers have preferential orientation. The data obtained indicate that the molecules in monolayer film retain their orientation when the monolayer is transferred from a liquid subphase surface onto a solid substrate.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Design and dosimetric characteristics of a new endocavitary contact radiotherapy system using an electronic brachytherapy source

Purpose: To present design aspects and acceptance tests performed for clinical implementation of electronic brachytherapy treatment of early stage rectal adenocarcinoma. A dosimetric comparison is made between the historically used Philips RT-50 unit and the newly developed Axxent{sup Registered-Sign} Model S700 electronic brachytherapy source manufactured by Xoft (iCad, Inc.). Methods: Two proctoscope cones were manufactured by ElectroSurgical Instruments (ESI). Two custom surface applicators were manufactured by Xoft and were designed to fit and interlock with the proctoscope cones from ESI. Dose rates, half value layers (HVL), and percentage depth dose (PDD) measurements were made with the Xoft system and compared to historical RT-50 data. A description of the patient treatment approach and exposure rates during the procedure is also provided. Results: The electronic brachytherapy system has a lower surface dose rate than the RT-50. The dose rate to water on the surface from the Xoft system is approximately 2.1 Gy/min while the RT-50 is 10-12 Gy/min. However, treatment times with Xoft are still reasonable. The HVLs and PDDs between the two systems were comparable resulting in similar doses to the target and to regions beyond the target. The exposure rate levels around a patient treatment were acceptable. The standard uncertainty in the dose rate to water on the surface is approximately {+-}5.2%. Conclusions: The Philips RT-50 unit is an out-of-date radiotherapy machine that is no longer manufactured with limited replacement parts. The use of a custom-designed proctoscope and Xoft surface applicators allows delivery of a well-established treatment with the ease of a modern radiotherapy device. While the dose rate is lower with the use of Xoft, the treatment times are still reasonable. Additionally, personnel may stand farther away from the Xoft radiation source, thus potentially reducing radiation exposure to the operator and other personnel.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗