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At least 829 records · Page 46

BOW TIES IN THE SKY. I. THE ANGULAR STRUCTURE OF INVERSE COMPTON GAMMA-RAY HALOS IN THE FERMI SKY

Extended inverse Compton halos are generally anticipated around extragalactic sources of gamma rays with energies above 100 GeV. These result from inverse Compton scattered cosmic microwave background photons by a population of high-energy electron/positron pairs produced by the annihilation of the high-energy gamma rays on the infrared background. Despite the observed attenuation of the high-energy gamma rays, the halo emission has yet to be directly detected. Here, we demonstrate that in most cases these halos are expected to be highly anisotropic, distributing the upscattered gamma rays along axes defined either by the radio jets of the sources or oriented perpendicular to a global magnetic field. We present a pedagogical derivation of the angular structure in the inverse Compton halo and provide an analytic formalism that facilitates the generation of mock images. We discuss exploiting this fact for the purpose of detecting gamma-ray halos in a set of companion papers.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Calibrating column density tracers with gamma-ray observations of the ρ ophiuchi molecular cloud

Diffuse gamma-ray emission from interstellar clouds results largely from cosmic ray (CR) proton collisions with ambient gas, regardless of the gas state, temperature, or dust properties of the cloud. The interstellar medium is predominantly transparent to both CRs and gamma-rays, so GeV emission is a unique probe of the total gas column density. The gamma-ray emissivity of a cloud of known column density is then a measure of the impinging CR population and may be used to map the k-scale CR distribution in the Galaxy. To this end, we test a number of commonly used column density tracers to evaluate their effectiveness in modeling the GeV emission from the relatively quiescent, nearby ρ Ophiuchi molecular cloud. We confirm that both H i and an appropriate H{sub 2} tracer are required to reproduce the total gas column densities probed by diffuse gamma-ray emisison. We find that the optical depth at 353 GHz (τ{sub 353}) from Planck best reproduces the gamma-ray data overall, based on the test statistic across the entire region of interest, but near-infrared stellar extinction also performs very well, with smaller spatial residuals in the densest parts of the cloud.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Induction of genomic instability in TK6 human lymphoblasts exposed to 137Cs gamma radiation: comparison to the induction by exposure to accelerated 56Fe particles

The induction of genomic instability in TK6 human lymphoblasts by exposure to (137)Cs gamma radiation was investigated by measuring the frequency and characteristics of unstable clones isolated approximately 36 generations after exposure. Clones surviving irradiation and control clones were analyzed for 17 characteristics including chromosomal aberrations, growth defects, alterations in response to a second irradiation, and mutant frequencies at the thymidine kinase and Na(+)/K(+) ATPase loci. Putative unstable clones were defined as those that exhibited a significant alteration in one or more characteristics compared to the controls. The frequency and characteristics of the unstable clones were compared in clones exposed to (137)Cs gamma rays or (56)Fe particles. The majority of the unstable clones isolated after exposure to either gamma rays or (56)Fe particles exhibited chromosomal instability. Alterations in growth characteristics, radiation response and mutant frequencies occurred much less often than cytogenetic alterations in these unstable clones. The frequency and complexity of the unstable clones were greater after exposure to (56)Fe particles than to gamma rays. Unstable clones that survived 36 generations after exposure to gamma rays exhibited increases in the incidence of dicentric chromosomes but not of chromatid breaks, whereas unstable clones that survived 36 generations after exposure to (56)Fe particles exhibited increases in both chromatid and chromosome aberrations.

Non-NASA Center↗

Gamma-interferon causes a selective induction of the lysosomal proteases, cathepsins B and L, in macrophages

Previous studies have indicated that acid-optimal cysteine proteinase(s) in the endosomal-lysosomal compartments, cathepsins, play a critical role in the proteolytic processing of endocytosed proteins to generate the antigenic peptides presented to the immune system on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. The presentation of these peptides and the expression of MHC class II molecules by macrophages and lymphocytes are stimulated by gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN). We found that treatment of human U-937 monocytes with gamma-IFN increased the activities and the content of the two major lysosomal cysteine proteinases, cathepsins B and L. Assays of protease activity, enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays (ELISA) and immunoblotting showed that this cytokine increased the amount of cathepsin B 5-fold and cathepsin L 3-fold in the lysosomal fraction. By contrast, the aspartic proteinase, cathepsin D, in this fraction was not significantly altered by gamma-IFN treatment. An induction of cathepsins B and L was also observed in mouse macrophages, but not in HeLa cells. These results suggest coordinate regulation in monocytes of the expression of cathepsins B and L and MHC class II molecules. Presumably, this induction of cysteine proteases contributes to the enhancement of antigen presentation by gamma-IFN.

Non-NASA Center↗

Characterization of the Inner Knot of the Crab: the Site of the Gamma-ray Flares?

One of the most intriguing recent discoveries has been the detection of powerful gamma-ray flares from the Crab Nebula. Such events, with a recurrence time of about once per year, can be so dramatic to make the system the brightest source in the gamma‐ray sky as occurred, e.g. in April 2011. These flares challenge our understanding of how pulsar wind nebulae work and defy current astrophysical models for particle acceleration. We present here our study of the inner knot located within a fraction of an arcsecond from the pulsar with the aim of characterizing the feature and asking if this might be the site of the origin of the gamma-ray flares. We took data using Keck, HST, and Chandra obtained as part of our multi‐wavelength campaign to identify the source of the enigmatic flares. We set an upper limit as to the gamma-ray flux from the knot. We also find that the dimensions, surface brightness, flux, etc. of the optical and infrared knot are all correlated with distance from the pulsar. This distance, in turn, varies with time. In addition to this most thorough characterization of the inner knot's properties, we examine the hypothesis that the knot may be the site of the flares by examining the knot separation versus the Fermi/LAT gamma-ray flux. Finally, as part of this research, we make use of a new approach employing singular value decomposition (SVD) for analyzing time series of images and compare the approach to more traditional methods. Our conclusions are only refined but not impacted by using the new approach.

Gamma-ray Flares↗

A Unified Model for GRB Prompt Emission from Optical to Gamma-Rays; Exploring GRBs as Standard Candles

The origin of prompt emission from gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) remains to be an open question. Correlated prompt optical and gamma-ray emission observed in a handful of GRBs strongly suggests a common emission region, but failure to adequately fit the broadband GRB spectrum prompted the hypothesis of different emission mechanisms for the low- and high-energy radiations. We demonstrate that our multi-component model for GRB -ray prompt emission provides an excellent fit to GRB 110205A from optical to gamma-ray energies. Our results show that the optical and highest gamma-ray emissions have the same spatial and spectral origin, which is different from the bulk of the X- and softest gamma-ray radiation. Finally, our accurate redshift estimate for GRB 110205A demonstrates promise for using GRBs as cosmological standard candles.

acceleration of particles – black hole physics â↗

The High Energy X-Ray Probe (HEX-P): Galactic PeVatrons, Star Clusters, Superbubbles, Microquasar Jets, and Gamma-Ray Binaries

HEX-P is a probe-class mission concept that will combine high spatial resolution X-ray imaging (<10"FWHM) and broad spectral coverage (0.2--80 keV) with an effective area far superior to current facilities (including XMM-Newton and NuSTAR) to enable revolutionary new insights into a variety of important astrophysical problems. With the recent discoveries of over 40 ultra-high-energy gamma-ray sources (detected above 100 TeV) and neutrino emission in the Galactic Plane, we have entered a new era of multi-messenger astrophysics facing the exciting reality of Galactic PeVatrons. In the next decade, as more Galactic PeVatrons and TeV gamma-ray sources are expected to be discovered, the identification of their acceleration and emission mechanisms will be the most pressing issue in both particle and high-energy astrophysics. In this paper, along with its companion papers (Reynolds et al. 2023, Mori et al. 2023), we will present that HEX-P is uniquely suited to address important problems in various cosmic-ray accelerators, including Galactic PeVatrons, through investigating synchrotron X-ray emission of TeV--PeV electrons produced by both leptonic and hadronic processes. For Galactic PeVatron candidates and other TeV gamma-ray sources, HEX-P can fill in a large gap in the spectral-energy distributions (SEDs) of many objects observed in radio, soft X-rays, and gamma rays, constraining the maximum energies to which electrons can be accelerated, with implications for the nature of the Galactic PeVatrons and their contributions to the spectrum of Galactic cosmic rays beyond the knee at $\sim3$ PeV. In particular, X-ray observation with HEX-P and TeV observation with CTA will provide the most powerful multi-messenger diagnostics to identify Galactic PeVatrons and explore a variety of astrophysical shock mechanisms. We present simulations of each class of Galactic TeV--PeV sources, demonstrating the power of both the imaging and spectral capabilities of HEX-P to advance our knowledge of Galactic cosmic-ray accelerators. In addition, we discuss HEX-P’s unique and complementary roles to upcoming gamma-ray and neutrino observatories in the 2030s.

particle accelerators↗

Neutron radiation shielding material polyethylene: consequences of gamma irradiation - 15062

High and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes are high performance materials, which are predestined for a wide range of applications due to characteristics like high density, low weight, good dimensional stability, high chemical resistance, and high hydrogen content. These polymers are used in two demanding areas: as implant material in medical technology (only ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes) and as a component for neutron shielding purposes in casks for storage and transport of radioactive waste. In the medical field (joint replacements) as well as during neutron radiation shielding application, high and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes are exposed to gamma irradiation: in the first case requested as sterilization process and for surface-crosslinking and in the second case existing as a side effect of inserting the radioactive material in the cask. Given that polyethylene as shielding material has to withstand any type of degradation affecting safety relevant aspects to be applicable for long-term radiation shielding purposes for instance over a period of 40 years, the durability of the material is of special interest. High molecular weight polyethylene (HMW-PE; LUPOLEN 5261Z; Lyondell Basell) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE; GUR 4120; Ticona) were subjected to gamma radiation and afterwards thermally treated. The gamma doses used are in the range of 50 to 600 kGy and irradiation takes place at RT using a Co-60 source. The planned thermal treatment will take place at a temperature of 125 deg.C for periods of minimum 30 days and maximum of five years. With the applied conventional analytical techniques it is possible to detect structural changes of both types of polyethylene induced by gamma irradiation and certainly of thermal treatment. Through gamma irradiation melting temperature, crystallinity, and density, respectively increased. Furthermore both polyethylenes get oxidized and cross-linked. With regard to the special application as neutron radiation shielding material in casks for storage and transport of radioactive materials, the impact of irradiation lead to changes of material properties. A consolidated view indicates that the detected changes of the irradiated (U)HMW-PE are not safety relevant for long-term neutron radiation shielding purposes over a period of 40 years in Germany. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Pixelated CZT Technology for the Detection, Identification, and Localization of Gamma-Ray Sources - 18311

Radioactive waste-management applications require good measurements to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize waste materials. Often these measurements must be done in situ, and the user wishes to learn something of the isotopic and spatial distribution of the source. Therefore, there is a need for a portable instrument that can map radioactive contamination and quantify sources. This presentation introduces several instruments that have been applied to this task, along with example measurements in relevant applications. All instruments are based on 3D-position-sensitive CdZnTe (CZT) detectors. This technology routinely achieves better than 1.1% FWHM energy resolution at 662 keV and operates at room temperature with a startup time under 2 minutes. All are packaged in portable enclosures with WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities for wireless communication. These capabilities allow the technology to be used in more advanced measurements in the field. A unique capability of these detectors is the ability to image the spatial distribution of gamma rays from a single stationary measurement. The first product, Polaris-H, has been in use at commercial nuclear power plants since 2013. The system, currently used at over 50% of the US nuclear-power fleet, integrates a 3D-position-sensitive CZT detector, associated readout electronics, an embedded computer, a battery with over 7-hour life, an optical camera, and a laser range finder in a portable water-proof enclosure. The system connects wirelessly to a tablet which displays a gamma-ray spectrum and isotope-specific images of the gamma-ray distribution in all directions in real time. The CZT detectors have a dynamic range from 50 keV up to 3 MeV. Coded aperture or pinhole imaging is used for energies below 250 keV, and Compton imaging is used for energies above 250 keV. List-mode data is saved to an external USB memory stick to enable more advanced analysis, including isotopic activity analysis, via H3D's post-processing software. Additional systems based on the same architecture have been developed to optimize the technology for other applications. These include Polaris-H Quad, which provides over 3 times the sensitivity for applications involving weaker sources, and Polaris-H Shield, which uses a collimator to provide images and isotope information over a narrower field of view in order to measure weaker sources in the presence of stronger sources of the same isotope. H3D has also developed custom systems that have been mounted on robots and drones that enable remote operation of the technology. Results from the measurements collected at commercial nuclear power plants and other applicable sites will be presented to show how these instruments can be used to detect, identify, and localize gamma-ray sources. Advanced analysis techniques to show the accurate quantification of the gamma-ray source will also be presented. Applications range from characterizing simple objects, to locating hottest points, estimating contamination distributions on an isotope-by-isotope basis, and differentiating scatter and direct emissions. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Characterization of Pinhole Collimators for High-Resolution Gamma Imaging of Irradiated Fuel

Post-irradiation examination (PIE) of nuclear fuels requires imaging tools capable of resolving isotopic and spatial features with high throughput. This project contributes to a proof-of-concept effort aimed at advancing gamma emission tomography (GET) by evaluating novel fine-aperture pinhole collimators. Two Rose’s metal collimators, 100 µm (20° acceptance angle) and 350 µm (30° acceptance angle), were prototyped and characterized for their effectiveness in transporting gamma rays through the pinhole aperture. To support data collection, a Python-based data acquisition system was developed to coordinate a rotation stage, linear stage, and CZT detector, reducing latency in high-rate gamma event logging to one second per acquisition. Queue-based file writing enabled seamless real-time data capture for count rates up to 35,000 counts per second (cps). List-mode parsing algorithms were implemented to differentiate single and simultaneous gamma interactions for future tomographic reconstruction. Detector response was evaluated in both spectroscopy and list mode acquisition methods across varying source distances to confirm absolute and collimator efficiencies. Preliminary efficiency figures suggest effective collimation of gamma-rays with energies below 700 keV, with ~4% residual intensity through the aperture for Cs-137. The impact of collimator geometry on image quality is currently being evaluated. This groundwork supports the ongoing development of a sub mm resolution cone-beam CT system for imaging fuel phantoms, an essential step toward improving GET efficiency and accelerating nuclear fuel qualification efforts.

46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗

PWR and BWR spent fuel assembly gamma spectra measurements

A project to research the application of nondestructive assay (NDA) to spent fuel assemblies is underway. The research team comprises the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM), embodied by the European Commission, DG Energy, Directorate EURATOM Safeguards; the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB); two universities; and several United States national laboratories. The Next Generation of Safeguards Initiative–Spent Fuel project team is working to achieve the following technical goals more easily and efficiently than in the past using nondestructive assay measurements of spent fuel assemblies: (1) verify the initial enrichment, burnup, and cooling time of facility declaration; (2) detect the diversion or replacement of pins, (3) estimate the plutonium mass, (4) estimate the decay heat, and (5) determine the reactivity of spent fuel assemblies. This study focuses on spectrally resolved gamma-ray measurements performed on a diverse set of 50 assemblies [25 pressurized water reactor (PWR) assemblies and 25 boiling water reactor (BWR) assemblies]; these same 50 assemblies will be measured with neutron-based NDA instruments and a full-length calorimeter. Given that encapsulation/repository and dry storage safeguards are the primarily intended applications, the analysis focused on the dominant gamma-ray lines of 137 Cs, 154 Eu, and 134 Cs because these isotopes will be the primary gamma-ray emitters during the time frames of interest to these applications. This study addresses the impact on the measured passive gamma-ray signals due to the following factors: burnup, initial enrichment, cooling time, assembly type (eight different PWR and six different BWR fuel designs), presence of gadolinium rods, and anomalies in operating history. As a result, to compare the measured results with theory, a limited number of ORIGEN-ARP simulations were performed.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Design of a compact spectrometer for high-flux MeV gamma-ray beams

A novel design for a compact gamma-ray spectrometer is presented. The proposed system allows for spectroscopy of high-flux multi-MeV gamma-ray beams with MeV energy resolution in a compact design. In its basic configuration, the spectrometer exploits conversion of gamma-rays into electrons via Compton scattering in a low-Z material. The scattered electron population is then spectrally resolved using a magnetic spectrometer. The detector is shown to be effective for gamma-ray energies between 3 and 20 MeV. The main properties of the spectrometer are confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Measurement of angularly dependent spectra of betatron gamma-rays from a laser plasma accelerator with quadrant-sectored range filters

Measurement of angularly dependent spectra of betatron gamma-rays radiated by GeV electron beams from laser wakefield accelerators (LWFAs) are presented. The angle-resolved spectrum of betatron radiation was deconvolved from the position dependent data measured for a single laser shot with a broadband gamma-ray spectrometer comprising four-quadrant sectored range filters and an unfolding algorithm, based on the Monte Carlo code GEANT4. The unfolded gamma-ray spectra in the photon energy range of 0.1–10 MeV revealed an approximately isotropic angular dependence of the peak photon energy and photon energy-integrated fluence. As expected by the analysis of betatron radiation from LWFAs, the results indicate that unpolarized gamma-rays are emitted by electrons undergoing betatron motion in isotropically distributed orbit planes.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

MODELING THE MULTIWAVELENGTH EMISSION FROM G73.9+0.9: GAMMA RAYS FROM AN SNR–MC INTERACTION

G73.9+0.9 has been classified as a probable shell-type supernova remnant, though it has also been suggested that it could have a pulsar wind nebula (PWN). Here, a broadband model of the non-thermal emission of G73.9+0.9 from radio to gamma rays is presented. The model includes a new gamma-ray observation obtained by the analysis of seven years of data from the Fermi/LAT telescope. Above 200 MeV, the source is detected with a significance of 13σ and the spectrum of the radiation is best described by a power law with an index of ∼2.5. The leptonic mechanisms are hard to reconcile with the measured radio and gamma-ray spectral energy distribution. A PWN origin for the high-energy emission is also not very likely, due to the lack of detection of pulsars and of X-ray emission in the region, as well as from the shape of the gamma-ray spectrum. Given the possibility that the object is interacting with molecular clouds, a hadronic origin of the high-energy emission is more likely, and the spectral properties of the cosmic rays responsible for this radiation are derived.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Qualitative and quantitative validation of the SINBAD code on complex HPGe gamma-ray spectra

Radionuclides identification and quantification is a serious concern for many applications as safety or security of nuclear power plant or fuel cycle facility, CBRN risk identification, environmental radioprotection and waste measurements. High resolution gamma-ray spectrometry based on HPGe detectors is a performing solution for all these topics. During last decades, a great number of software has been developed to improve gamma spectra analysis. However, some difficulties remain in the analysis when photoelectric peaks are folded together with a high ratio between theirs amplitudes, when the Compton background is much larger compared to the signal of a single peak and when spectra are composed of a great number of peaks. This study deals with the comparison between conventional methods in radionuclides identification and quantification and the code called SINBAD ('Spectrometrie par Inference Non parametrique Bayesienne Deconvolutive'). For many years, SINBAD has been developed by CEA LIST for unfolding complex spectra from HPGe detectors. Contrary to conventional methods using fitting procedures, SINBAD uses a probabilistic approach with Bayesian inference to describe spectrum data. This conventional fitting method founded for example in Genie 2000 is compared with the nonparametric SINBAD approach regarding some key figures of merit as the peak centroid evaluation (identification) and peak surface evaluation (quantification). Unfriendly cases are studied for nuclides detection with closed gamma-rays energies and high photoelectric peak intensity differences. Tests are performed with spectra from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for gamma spectra analysis software benchmark and with spectra acquired at the laboratory. Results show that SINBAD and Genie 2000 performances are quite similar with sometimes best results for SINBAD with the important difference that to achieve same performances the nonparametric method is user-friendly compared to the conventional method which need an expert parameters adjustment. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Correlations Between Panoramic Imagery and Gamma-Ray Background in an Urban Area

When searching for radiological sources in an urban area, a vehicle-borne detector system will often measure complex, varying backgrounds primarily from natural gamma-ray sources. Much work has been focused on developing spectral algorithms that retain sensitivity and minimize the false-positive rate even in the presence of such spectral and temporal variability. However, information about the environment surrounding the detector system might also provide useful clues about the expected background, which if incorporated into an algorithm, could improve performance. Recent work has focused on extensive measuring and modeling of urban areas with the goal of understanding how these complex backgrounds arise. This work presents an analysis of panoramic video images and gamma-ray background data collected in Oakland, California, by the radiological multisensor analysis platform (RadMAP) vehicle. Features were extracted from the panoramic images by semantically labeling the images and then convolving the labeled regions with the detector response. A linear model was used to relate the image-derived features to gamma-ray spectral features obtained using nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) under different regularizations. Here we find some gamma-ray background features correlate strongly with image-derived features that measure the response-adjusted solid angle subtended by sky and buildings, and we discuss the implications for the development of future, contextually aware detection algorithms.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Complete set of detectors for studying cosmic gamma-ray bursts onboard the Lomonosov satellite

The scientific instruments onboard the Lomonosov satellite include a complete set of detectors designed to study the gamma and optical emission of cosmic gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). The BDRG gamma spectrometer ensures producing a trigger of a GRB and studying GRB properties in the energy range of 10–3000 keV as well as determining the GRB source coordinates by comparing readings of three differently directed detectors. The SHOK optical cameras (with a field of view of ~20 × 40 degrees) fix a set of images by the GRB trigger preceding the trigger and a post-trigger set at a frequency of about five frames per second. The UFFO instrument incorporates the UBAT telescope with a coding mask for measurements within a range of hard X rays and soft gamma rays and the SMT optical slewing mirror telescope, which can be directed at the GRB source in about 1 s to measure the GRB optical emission at early stages.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

A program to generate simulated radioxenon beta–gamma data for concentration verification and validation and training exercises

Abstract Several hundred simulated radioxenon beta-gamma data files were developed to assist in evaluating the performance and results from radioxenon concentration calculation analysis at the International Data Center (IDC) and other National Data Centers (NDC). PNNL developed a Beta-Gamma Simulator (BGSim) that incorporated GEANT-modeled data sets from radioxenon decay chains, as well as functionality to use nuclear detector-acquired data sets to create new beta-gamma spectra with varying amounts of background, 133Xe, 131mXe, 133mXe, 135Xe, and 222Rn and its decay products. The program has been implemented on a web-based applications platform and allows the user to create very specific data sets that incorporate most of the operational parameters for the current beta-gamma systems deployed in the International Monitoring System (IMS) and the On-site Inspection (OSI) equipment. After an initial beta-gamma simulations program was developed, additional uses began to be identified for the program output: training sets of two-dimensional spectra for data analysts at the IDC and other NDC, spectra for exercises such as the Integrated Field Exercise 2014 (IFE14) held in Jordan at the Dead Sea, and testing new analysis methods and algorithms

custom datasets↗