17,434 research outputs found
Experimental Measurements and Computer Simulation of Fission Product Gamma-Ray Spectra
No full textAirborne gamma ray spectrometry using high volume scintillation detectors, optionally in conjunction with Ge detectors, has potential for making rapid environmental measurements in response to nuclear accidents. An experimental investigation and computer simulation have been used to characterise the response of such detectors to short lived fission products. Small samples of 235U were irradiated in a research reactor for short periods, to generate fission product sources. Gamma ray spectra were recorded over a period of one year using both high volume scintillation detectors and semiconductor detectors. The main gamma emitting nuclides have been identified, and their associated signals in each detector defined. Simulation work has been used to calculate the corresponding spectra which would have been observed at airborne survey heights, or from fission product sources irradiated for a prolonged period. While Ge detectors can record a fuller range of isotopes, of interest in characterising release terms, the NaI spectra also have potential for providing data on a range of radiologically important isotopes at all stages
[Letter from Alex Bradford to Lieutenant and Mrs. Ray Starner - November 4, 1940]
No full textLetter from Alex Bradford to Lieutenant and Mrs. Ray Starner describing the the current state of affairs that the author was experiencing, including: the London blitz, the moral of the troops on the ground, and the collective company of men opposing the Nazi regime
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Picture of Geo. Ray, Ratliff, Sefcic, Wilson R.L, Smith E.C, Carnes and Coker at a halt on way to N.C
No full textPicture of Geo. Ray, Ratliff, Sefcic, Wilson R.L, Smith E.C, Carnes and Coker at a halt on way to N.
The student's guide to completing an author study
No full textThe 'Student's guide to completing an author study' emerged during the early development of the school library resource center program at Glen Stewart Elementary School in Stratford Canada on Prince Edward Island. This research process centered on an author study, with direct teaching and clear assignment. The resulting model has been adapted to various grade levels and subject areas in different schools.Source type: Electronic(1)http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=49237063&Fmt=7&clientId=65345&RQT=309&VName=PQ
Active X-ray optics for the next generation of X-ray space telescopes
No full textDescribed within is the design, manufacture, metrology and X-ray testing of an active X-ray
prototype intended for the next generation of X-ray telescopes. One of the challenges faced by
the X-ray telescope community is how to combine high resolution and high sensitivity into one
system, as weight limitations place constraints on the optics that can be launched. Therefore the
mandate of the active X-ray prototype is to provide high sensitivity through the ability of the optics
to be nested and to deliver high angular resolution through the active control of the optic’s form.
Piezoelectric unimorph actuators provide the active component: it is intended that they will correct
for figure errors within the optic and therefore increase the angular resolution capability.
The prototype’s design is based upon an ellipsoidal segment which provides point-to-point
focussing of an X-ray source. The prototype itself is composed of an electroformed nickel optic
where the non-reflective surface is populated with 30 piezoelectric actuators and it is the production
of the prototype that is the core of the presented research. Metrology of the actuators’ influence
functions is presented and highlight the prototype’s ability to deform its optic surface by microns.
In addition, the measured influence functions are compared against finite element models and a
distinct similarity between the functions is observed.
The prototype was tested at an X-ray beamline facility in November 2008 and the results
showed the prototype’s ability to correct the optic to achieve an improved angular resolution: from
0.786 arc-minutes to 0.686 arc-minutes in terms of full width half maximum. Finally, difficulties
in the manufacture of the prototype and X-ray testing shall be presented alongside future work in
conclusion to this thesis
An Aerial Gamma Ray Survey of the Surrounding Area of Sizewell Nuclear Power Station
No full text<p>An airborne gamma ray survey of the surroundings of the Sizewell nuclear power station was conducted to define the present levels of radiation background for reference purposes. A twin engine helicopter fitted with a high volume NaI detector and two semiconductor detectors was used. A 20x30km area around the site was surveyed with 500 m line spacing, with an inner zone of 6x6 km being investigated with 250 m line spacing.</p>
<p>More than 10,000 gamma ray spectra were recorded between 1st and 3rd October 1996 at a survey height of 200-300 feet above ground level and used to prepare maps showing the distribution of 137Cs, 40K,214Bi,208Tl and gamma ray dose rate. The data set has been retained digitally in an archive which can be used in the future should the need arise to measure change resulting from long term site operations, or for emergency response.</p>
<p>137Cs levels are typically around 2 kBq m-2, derived mainly from weapons' testing fallout, with slight Chernobyl input. Peak levels of some 6 kBq m-2 around the tidal inundation limits of estuarine and marsh areas may be associated with marine discharges from nuclear fuel reprocessing at Sellafield. Natural radionuclides show a distribution which reflects the geological and geomorphological variations within the landscape, and are the major contributors to dose rates within the survey zone. The gamma ray dose rate maps also show the position of the 41Ar plume emitted from the Magnox station at Sizewell during the survey. At the time in question the plume was projected over the sea in the SE direction. The gamma ray survey data crossing the plume show clear evidence of dispersion downwind with plume broadening as a result of gaseous diffusion with increasing distance. Ground level gamma ray dose rates were recorded at 8 routine district monitoring sites using a mini-series 680 survey meter operated by Sizewell staff and a portable scintillation spectrometer. The mean dose rates recorded with the 680 meter (24.7 nGy hr-1) are in good agreement with the results of ground based (27.4 nGy hr-1) and the nearest airborne gamma dose rate results (24.6 nGy hr-1).</p>
<p>Airborne survey methods are uniquely well suited to rapid environmental data capture from large areas. This has important emergency response potential which is increasingly recognised in the context of nuclear sites. The data recorded in this study provide a frame of reference against which future changes can be measured.</p>
Author, Geraldine Brooks at the National Library of Australia for the 2009 Ray Mathew Lecture, Canberra, 23 October 2009 [picture] /
No full textTitle from acquisitions documentation.; Part of the collection: Portraits of author, Geraldine Brooks during her visit to the National Library of Australia for the 2009 Ray Mathew Lecture, Canberra, 23 October 2009.; Acquired in digital format; access copy available online.; Mode of access: Internet via World Wide Web.; Photographed by a staff member of the National Library of Australia
Gamma ray astronomy in the low energy range
No full textA low energy gamma ray telescope, and the results of its observations are described. The telescope consisted of four sodium iodide crystals, each of 120 cm2 area, occulted by lead discs. Charged particles are rejected using scintillation, anti-coincidence shields.The telescope was flown from Palestine, Texas in 1974. Gamma rays were observed from the Crab Nebula, the pulsar NP0 532, and the atmospheric background. No evidence for a gamma ray burst was found, giving an upper limit of less than 5.8 x 103 bursts per year of intensity greater than 1.6 x 10-6 ergs cm-2.Various types of existing, and planned, gamma ray detectors, and successful gamma ray observations are reviewed. Detailed calculations of the detection efficiency of a Double Compton telescope are presented and these results led to the development of the MISO low energy gamma ray telescope.Preliminary calculations of the detection efficiency of an Anticollimated Double Compton telescope are presented, which suggest that further, more detailed investigation of this type of detector would prove fruitful
A 2 h periodic variation in the low-mass X-ray binary Ser X-1
No full textSpectroscopy of the low-mass X-ray binary Ser X-1 using the Gran Telescopio Canarias have revealed a ?2 h periodic variability that is present in the three strongest emission lines. We tentatively interpret this variability as due to orbital motion, making it the first indication of the orbital period of Ser X-1. Together with the fact that the emission lines are remarkably narrow, but still resolved, we show that a main-sequence K dwarf together with a canonical 1.4 M? neutron star gives a good description of the system. In this scenario, the most likely place for the emission lines to arise is the accretion disc, instead of a localized region in the binary (such as the irradiated surface or the stream-impact point), and their narrowness is due instead to the low inclination (?10°) of Ser X-1
X-ray polarization in relativistic jets
No full textWe investigate the polarization properties of Comptonized X-rays from relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei (AGN) using Monte Carlo simulations. We consider three scenarios commonly proposed for the observed X-ray emission in AGN: Compton scattering of blackbody photons emitted from an accretion disc; scattering of cosmic microwave background (CMB) photons and self-Comptonization of intrinsically polarized synchrotron photons emitted by jet electrons. Our simulations show that for Comptonization of disc and CMB photons, the degree of polarization of the scattered photons increases with the viewing inclination angle with respect to the jet axis. In both cases, the maximum linear polarization is ≈20 per cent. In the case of synchrotron self-Comptonization (SSC), we find that the resulting X-ray polarization depends strongly on the seed synchrotron photon injection site, with typical fractional polarizations P≈ 10–20 per cent when synchrotron emission is localized near the jet base, while P≈ 20–70 per cent for the case of uniform emission throughout the jet. These results indicate that X-ray polarimetry may be capable of providing unique clues to identify the location of particle acceleration sites in relativistic jets. In particular, if synchrotron photons are emitted quasi-uniformly throughout a jet, then the observed degree of X-ray polarization may be sufficiently different for each of the competing X-ray emission mechanisms (synchrotron, SSC or external Comptonization) to determine which is the dominant process. However, X-ray polarimetry alone is unlikely to be able to distinguish between disc and CMB Comptonization
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