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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 1,135 records · Page 63
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

WE-EF-303-03: A New Aperture-Based Imaging System for Prompt-Gamma Range Verification of Proton Beam Therapy

Purpose: To develop and characterize a novel aperture-based imaging system for high-energy gamma-rays. This collimated system will provide 2-dimensional imaging capability for verification of proton beam range and Bragg peak dose via prompt-gamma detection. Methods: A multi-knife-edge slit collimator has been designed, constructed, and characterized via simulations and experimental measurements. The 20×20×7.5 cm{sup 3} tungsten collimator and accompanying LSO scintillation detector were simulated using the TOPAS Geant4 -based Monte Carlo package. Iterative reconstruction methods were combined with point response functions to characterize the imaging performance of the system. The response of the system has begun to be characterized experimentally as well, using 2.6 MeV gamma-rays from Th-228. Results: Both simulation and experimental results indicate that this collimated system provides 2-D imaging capability in the energy range of interest for prompt-gamma dose verification. In the current configuration, with collimator to source distance of 13 cm, image reconstruction of point sources resulted in spatial resolution (FWHM) of approximately 4 mm in both x-and y-directions in the imaging plane. The accuracy of positioning the point sources is less than 1 mm. Conclusion: This work has characterized, via simulation and measurements, a novel multi-knife-edge slit collimator in front of a more conventional position-sensitive LSO scintillator detector. The multi-slit pattern is designed to increase detection efficiency and provide spatial information in 2-dimensions -- an improvement over a single-slit collimator design. The thickness and density of the collimator will allow this detection system to perform well in an environment with high gamma flux, while ultimately providing peak determination accuracy on the order of 1 mm. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number: DE-NA0000979 through the Nuclear Science and Security Consortium.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2011

Angular distribution of fission fragments of excited compound nuclei in multidimensional Langevin dynamics

Angular distributions of fission fragments were calculated within a multidimensional approach to the fission dynamics of excited nuclei, and the results of these calculations are presented. The evolution of the shape parameters of a fissile nucleus was described by the set of three-dimensional Langevin equations for collective coordinates introduced on the basis of the (c, h, a) parametrization. The evolution of the orientation degree of freedom (K mode, K being the projection of the total angular momentum on the symmetry axis of the nucleus under study) was described with the aid of the Langevin equation in an overdampedmode. The coupled Langevin equations for the shape and K-mode collective coordinates were integrated simultaneously. The friction parameter for the K mode was set to 0.077 (MeV Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -21} s){sup -1/2}, which is the estimate obtained previously for this quantity in calculating angular distributions of excited compound nuclei with allowance for the effects of the orientation degree of freedom. The developed model was used to analyze the anisotropy of angular distribution of fission fragments in {sup 16}O+{sup 208}Pb, {sup 16}O+{sup 232}Th, and {sup 16}O + {sup 238}U reactions over a broad interval of projectile-ion energies. The results of the calculations show that the developedmodel, usedwith the above value of the friction parameter for theK mode, leads to a rather good description of experimental data on the anisotropy of angular distributions of fission fragments. The effect of the dimensionality of the dynamicalmodel used to describe the evolution of the shape of a fissile nucleus on the results obtained by calculating the anisotropy of angular distributions is discussed.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Effect of the orientation degree of freedom on the rate and time of fission of highly excited nuclei

The effect of the dimensionality of the dynamical model used on the fission rate and mean time is studied within a multidimensional stochastic approach to fission dynamics. These features of fission of excited compound nuclei are calculated within four-dimensional Langevin dynamics, where the coordinate K, which is the projection of the total angular momentum onto the symmetry axis of the nucleus being considered, is taken into account in addition to three collective shape coordinates introduced on the basis of the (c, h, a) parametrization. The evolution of this orientation degree of freedom (K mode) is described in terms of the Langevin equation in the overdamped regime. The effect of the orientation degree of freedom on the rate and mean time of fission of compound nuclei is studied. The introduction of the orientation degree of freedom is shown to lead to a substantial decrease in the fission rate and, accordingly, to an increase in the mean fission time upon going over from the three- to the four-dimensional model. The reactions induced by the interaction of {sup 14}N and {sup 16}O projectile ions with {sup 197}Au, {sup 208}Pb, {sup 232}Th, and {sup 238}U nuclei at energies above the Coulomb fusion barrier are considered. The effect of the increase in the fission time because of the introduction of the K mode is so strong that it compensates almost completely for an opposite effect from introducing, in the one-dimensional model, the second and third collective coordinates that take into account, respectively, the evolution of the neck in the nuclear shape and the mass asymmetry. Ultimately, the difference between the results in the four- and one dimensional problems is not more than 5 to 25% for the reactions considered here.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Allowance for the shell structure of colliding nuclei in the fusion-fission process

The motion of two nuclei toward each other in fusion-fission reactions is considered. The state of the system of interacting nuclei is specified in terms of three collective coordinates (parameters). These are the distance between the centers of mass of the nuclei and the deformation parameter for each of them (the nose-to-nose orientation of the nuclei is assumed). The evolution of collective degrees of freedom of the system is described by Langevin equations. The energies of the Coulomb and nuclear (Gross-Kalinovsky potential) interactions of nuclei are taken into account in the potential energy of the system along with the deformation energy of each nucleus with allowance for shell effects. The motion of nuclei toward each other are calculated for two reaction types: reactions involving nuclei that are deformed ({sub 42}{sup 100}Mo + {sub 42}{sup 100}Mo {yields} {sub 84}{sup 200}Po) and those that are spherical ({sub 82}{sup 208}Pb + {sub 8}{sup 18}O {yields} {sub 90}{sup 226}Th) in the ground state. It is shown that the shell structure of interacting nuclei affects not only the fusion process as a whole (fusionbarrier height and initial-reaction-energy dependence of the probability that the nuclei involved touch each other) but also the processes occurring in each nucleus individually (shape of the nuclei and their excitation energies at the point of touching).

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

The evaluation of half-lives and other decay data used in nuclear astrophysics and cosmochronology

The current status of some decay data used in nuclear astrophysics and cosmochronology is presented. The half-life of {sup 79}Se has been evaluated as 3.6(3) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 5} yr. The total energy of non-neutrino radiation released in act of {sup 37}Ar decay has been obtained being 2.709 (16) keV per disintegration. The recommended half-life values of the long-lived radionuclides (T{sub 1/2} Greater-Than-Or-Equivalent-To 10{sup 6} yr) of {sup 26}Al, {sup 40}K, {sup 53}Mn, {sup 60}Fe, {sup 87}Rb, {sup 93}Zr, {sup 98}Tc, {sup 107}Pd, {sup 129}I, {sup 135}Cs, {sup 146}Sm, {sup 176}Lu, {sup 182}Hf, {sup 187}Re, {sup 205}Pb, {sup 232}Th, {sup 235}U, {sup 238}U, {sup 244}Pu, and {sup 247}Cm are given based on the evaluations published until 2010.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Initiation of nuclear reactions in femtosecond laser plasma

Mechanisms of electron interaction with a nucleus via a direct electron-nucleus collision and via bremsstrahlung generated in electron scattering on a nucleus in a femtosecond laser plasma are considered. The description of this interaction is simplified substantially by using the instantaneous-impact and equivalent-photon approximations. The yields of photons, electron-positron pairs, and products of nuclear reactions initiated by a laser pulse for some nuclei are calculated. In particular, this is done for {sup 235}U, {sup 236}U, {sup 238}U, and {sup 232}Th fission in a laser field of intensity 10{sup 20} to 10{sup 22} W/cm{sup 2}.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Cross sections and barriers for nuclear fission induced by high-energy nucleons

The cross sections for the fission of {sup 232}Th, {sup 235,238}U, {sup 237}Np, and {sup 239}Pu target nuclei that was induced by 20- to 1000-MeV neutrons and protons were calculated. The respective calculations were based on the multiconfiguration-fission (MCFx) model, which was used to describe three basic stages of the interaction of high-energy nucleons with nuclei: direct processes (intranuclear cascade), equilibration of the emerging compound system, and the decay of the compound nucleus (statistical model). Fission barriers were calculated within the microscopic approach for isotopic chains formed by 15 to 20 nuclei of the required elements. The calculated fission cross sections were compared with available experimental data. It was shown that the input data set and the theoretical model used made it possible to predict satisfactorily cross section for nuclear fission induced by 20- to 1000-MeV nucleons.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Alternating-parity collective states of yrast and nonyrast bands in lanthanide and actinide nuclei

Excited collective states of even-even nuclei featuring quadrupole and octupole deformations are studied within a nonadiabatic collective model with a Gaussian potential energy. Rotational states of the yrast band and vibrational-rotational states of nonyrast bands are considered in detail. The energies of alternating-parity excited states of the yrast band in the {sup 164}Er, {sup 220}Ra, and {sup 224}Th nuclei; the yrast and first nonyrast bands in the {sup 154}Sm and {sup 160}Gd nuclei; and the yrast, first nonyrast, and second nonyrast bands in the {sup 224}Ra and {sup 240}Pu nuclei are described well on the basis of the proposed model.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

The procedure and results of calculations of the equilibrium isotopic composition of a demonstration subcritical molten salt reactor

A subcritical molten salt reactor with an external neutron source is studied computationally as a facility for incineration and transmutation of minor actinides from spent nuclear fuel of reactors of VVER-1000 type and for producing {sup 233}U from {sup 232}Th. The reactor configuration is chosen, the requirements to be imposed on the external neutron source are formulated, and the equilibrium isotopic composition of heavy nuclides and the key parameters of the fuel cycle are calculated.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Geoneutrinos

Academician M.A. Markov in the 1960s first proposed detecting the electron antineutrino in the reaction of inverse beta decay on a proton to study the processes inside the Earth. The radioactive isotopes {sup 238}U, {sup 232}Th, and {sup 40}K present in our planet decay with radiation of neutrinos (antineutrinos). Neutrinos that are produced reach the Earth’s surface practically without absorption and carry information about the internal structure of the planet. However, because of the smallness of the antineutrino fluxes and interaction cross sections with matter, antineutrinos of geological origin were first registered in only two experiments (Borexino and Kamland) in recent years. The experimental observation of antineutrinos from the isotope decays in the depths of the Earth is the only way to study the radiation in our planetary interior.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Proton induced fission of {sup 232}Th at intermediate energies

The mass-energy distributions and cross sections of proton-induced fission of {sup 232}Th have been measured at the proton energies of 7, 10, 13, 20, 40, and 55 MeV. Experiments were carried out at the proton beam of the K-130 cyclotron of the JYFL Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä and U-150m cyclotron of the Institute of Nuclear Physics, Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The yields of fission fragments in the mass range A = 60–170 a.m.u. have been measured up to the level of 10−4%. The three humped shape of the mass distribution up has been observed at higher proton energies. The contribution of the symmetric component grows up with increasing proton incident energy; although even at 55 MeV of proton energy the shoulders in the mass energy distribution clearly indicate the asymmetric fission peaks. Evolution of shell structure was observed in the fission fragment mass distributions even at high excitation energy.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Physical particularities of nuclear reactors using heavy moderators of neutrons

In nuclear reactors, thermal neutron spectra are formed using moderators with small atomic weights. For fast reactors, inserting such moderators in the core may create problems since they efficiently decelerate the neutrons. In order to form an intermediate neutron spectrum, it is preferable to employ neutron moderators with sufficiently large atomic weights, using {sup 233}U as a fissile nuclide and {sup 232}Th and {sup 231}Pa as fertile ones. The aim of the work is to investigate the properties of heavy neutron moderators and to assess their advantages. The analysis employs the JENDL-4.0 nuclear data library and the SCALE program package for simulating the variation of fuel composition caused by irradiation in the reactor. The following main results are obtained. By using heavy moderators with small neutron moderation steps, one is able to (1) increase the rate of resonance capture, so that the amount of fertile material in the fuel may be reduced while maintaining the breeding factor of the core; (2) use the vacant space for improving the fuel-element properties by adding inert, strong, and thermally conductive materials and by implementing dispersive fuel elements in which the fissile material is self-replenished and neutron multiplication remains stable during the process of fuel burnup; and (3) employ mixtures of different fertile materials with resonance capture cross sections in order to increase the resonance-lattice density and the probability of resonance neutron capture leading to formation of fissile material. The general conclusion is that, by forming an intermediate neutron spectrum with heavy neutron moderators, one can use the fuel more efficiently and improve nuclear safety.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Formation of Superheavy Elements: Study Based on Dynamical Approach

Using multi-dimensional Langevin equations for the probability distribution of the distance between the surfaces of two approaching nuclei, we have studied the formation of superheavy elements via calculation of evaporation and fission cross sections of these elements. Evaporation residue cross sections have been calculated for the 1n, 2n, 3n, 4n, and 5n evaporation channels using one and four dimensional Langevin equations for the {sup 48}Ca+{sup 226}Ra, {sup 232}Th, {sup 238}U, {sup 237}Np, {sup 239,240,242,244}Pu, {sup 243}Am, {sup 245,248}Cm, {sup 249}Bk, and {sup 249}Cf reactions. Our results show that with increasing dimension of Langevin equations the evaporation residue cross section is increased. Also, obtained results based on fourdimensional Langevin are in better agreement with experimental data in comparison with one-dimensional model.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

The Nuclear Spin Scissors Mode—Theory and Experiment

A new type of nuclear collective motion—the spin scissors mode—was predicted seven years ago. Promising signs of its existence in {sup 232}Th were found. We perform a systematic analysis of experimental data on M1 excitations in rare earth nuclei to find traces of the spin scissors mode in this area. Obvious signs of its existence will be demonstrated. We propose new criteria to attribute the observed 1{sup +} states to the scissors mode, entailing that the agreement of the experimental data with the results of our calculations and with the sum rules is improved substantially.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Description of alpha decay and cluster radioactivity in the dinuclear system model

A unified description of cluster radioactivity and α-decay of cold nuclei in the dinuclear system model is proposed. Quantum dynamical fluctuations along the charge (mass) asymmetry coordinate determine the spectroscopic factor, and tunneling along the relative distance coordinate determines the penetrability of the barrier of the nucleus–nucleus interaction potential. A new method for calculating the spectroscopic factor is proposed. The hindrance factors for the orbital angular momentum transfer are studied. A potential reason for the half-life to deviate from the Geiger–Nuttall law in α-decays of neutron-deficient nuclei {sup 194,} {sup 196}Rn is found. The fine structure of α-decays of U and Th isotopes is predicted and characterized. The model is used to describe α-decays from the rotational band of even–even nuclei. The known half-lives in the regions of “lead” and “tin” radioactivities are reproduced well, and the most probable cluster yields are predicted. The cluster decay of excited nuclei is discussed. The relation of cluster radioactivity to spontaneous fission and highly deformed nuclear states is analyzed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Project HOTSPOT: Mountain Home Well Borehole Geophysics Database

The Snake River Plain (SRP), Idaho, hosts potential geothermal resources due to elevated groundwater temperatures associated with the thermal anomaly Yellowstone-Snake River hotspot. Project HOTSPOT has coordinated international institutions and organizations to understand subsurface stratigraphy and assess geothermal potential. Over 5.9km of core were drilled from three boreholes within the SRP in an attempt to acquire continuous core documenting the volcanic and sedimentary record of the hotspot: (1) Kimama, (2) Kimberly, and (3) Mountain Home. The Mountain Home drill hole is located along the western plain and documents older basalts overlain by sediment. Data submitted by project collaborator Doug Schmitt, University of Alberta

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Project HOTSPOT: Kimberly Well Borehole Geophysics Database

The Snake River Plain (SRP), Idaho, hosts potential geothermal resources due to elevated groundwater temperatures associated with the thermal anomaly Yellowstone-Snake River hotspot. Project HOTSPOT has coordinated international institutions and organizations to understand subsurface stratigraphy and assess geothermal potential. Over 5.9km of core were drilled from three boreholes within the SRP in an attempt to acquire continuous core documenting the volcanic and sedimentary record of the hotspot: (1) Kimama, (2) Kimberly, and (3) Mountain Home. The Kimberly drill hole was selected to document continuous volcanism when analysed in conjunction with the Kimama and is located near the margin of the plain. Data submitted by project collaborator Doug Schmitt, University of Alberta

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗