Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Fast Neutron Detection In Nuclear Material Photofission Assay Using A 15 Mev Linear Electron Accelerator, Matthew Steven Hodges

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this research was to use a 15 MeV (K15 model by Varian) linear electron accelerator (linac) for the photon assay of special nuclear materials (SNM). First, the properties of the photon radiation probe were determined. The stochastic radiation transport code, MCNP5, was used to develop computational models for the linac. The spectral distribution of photons as well as dose rate contour maps of the UNLV accelerator facility were computed for several linac operating configurations. These computational models were validated through comparison with experimental measurements of dose rates.

The linac model was used to simulate the photon interrogation …

Synthesis, Characterization And Biological Studies Of Technetium-99m And Rhenium-188 Peptides, Vanessa Anne Sanders

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Radiopharmaceuticals are very powerful diagnostic tools for evaluation of a host of medical conditions. These drugs are labeled with radioactive isotopes, which are utilized to create pictures of areas of interest through absorption of the drug. They are currently in high demand due to their ability to image areas that traditional imaging devices cannot. The radioisotope 99mTc, with a half-life of 6.01 hours and a 140 keV gamma emission, is central to many radiopharmaceutical compounds. This isotope is easily obtained from a 99Mo-99mTc generator, through beta decay and column chromatography separations. Very little technetium, less than 6 ng, is needed …