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Full-Text Articles in Physics

Mapping Nuclear Fallout Using The Weather Research & Forecasting (Wrf) Model, Joseph C. Schofield Sep 2012

Mapping Nuclear Fallout Using The Weather Research & Forecasting (Wrf) Model, Joseph C. Schofield

Theses and Dissertations

There are many models that attempt to predict transport & dispersion (T&D) of particulate matter in the sensible atmosphere. The majority of these existing models are unable to incorporate atmospheric processes such wet deposition through scavenging and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) formation. To this end, the numerical weather prediction (NWP) model known as the Weather Research & Forecasting with Chemistry (WRF/Chem) Model is studied to determine its suitability as a potential tool for predicting particulate T&D following an atmospheric nuclear detonation. This is done by modifying relevant modules, originally designed to predict the settling of volcanic ash, such that a …


Calibration Of A Silver Detector Using A Pube Source, Melanie E. Mace Jun 2012

Calibration Of A Silver Detector Using A Pube Source, Melanie E. Mace

Theses and Dissertations

During the initial design of the Field Reversed Compression and Heating Experiment (FRCHX), magnetohydrodynamic simulations performed by Los Alamos National Laboratory using MACH2 predicted a neutron yield on the order of 1012 neutrons. However, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) measurements indicate a total of 107-108 neutrons are generated from the FRCHX. A PuBe source was used to create a burst of neutrons to calibrate an AFRL silver detector based on distance to determine if the four order of magnitude discrepancy was cause by an improperly calibrated detector. It was determined that the calibration equation in use …


Positron Lifetime Modulation By Electric Field Induced Positronium Formation On A Gold Surface, Daniel J. Higgins Mar 2012

Positron Lifetime Modulation By Electric Field Induced Positronium Formation On A Gold Surface, Daniel J. Higgins

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project is to study the lifetime and annihilation mode of positrons, the antimatter counterpart to electrons, and the formation rate of positronium on a gold surface modified by gold nanoparticles under the influence of radial electric fields measured using two independent systems. The positron annihilation photon pair/triplet spectroscopy system uses a sodium iodide ring detector segmented into six detection regions providing rough position sensitivity to measure the ratio of two to three photon positron annihilation events. An increased rate of three photon annihilation events and a decreased rate of two photon annihilation events are observed when …


Design And Characterization Of A Three-Dimensional Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy System Using A Low-Energy Positron Beam, Stephen M. Jimenez Mar 2012

Design And Characterization Of A Three-Dimensional Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy System Using A Low-Energy Positron Beam, Stephen M. Jimenez

Theses and Dissertations

Previous forays by AFIT into positron research have resulted in the development of a new positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) technique and the procurement of a low-energy positron beam system. The primary purpose of this research was to design and build a state-of-the-art PAS laboratory at AFIT capable to address a myriad of DoD solid-state and surface physics questions. The main objectives were to acquire and assemble utilities to operate a positron beam, assemble and configure an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) system for samples, design and build an interface with a magnetic field to propagate positrons onto samples, and create a new …


Durability Of Mwcnt Composites Under Electron And Neutron Irradiation, Quan-Hai T. Lu Mar 2012

Durability Of Mwcnt Composites Under Electron And Neutron Irradiation, Quan-Hai T. Lu

Theses and Dissertations

Electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness and conductive properties of carbon nanotube containing composites intended for use as satellite surface materials have been investigated following electron and neutron irradiation. The MWCNT composites were irradiated to fluence levels of 1016 electrons/cm2 with 500 keV electrons. Increase in EMI-SE and conductivity was observed following electron irradiation in two of the samples. The sample with alternating layers of MWCNT and glass had a decrease in conductivity and an increase in EMI-SE post irradiation. This would suggest that the different layered configuration does play a role in the durability of the composite. Having multiple …


Neutron Detection Using Amorphous Boron-Carbide Hetero-Junction Diodes, Thomas P. Mcquary Mar 2012

Neutron Detection Using Amorphous Boron-Carbide Hetero-Junction Diodes, Thomas P. Mcquary

Theses and Dissertations

The high energy products of the 10B(n,α)7Li neutron capture reaction were explored as a means of thermal neutron detection in thin film amorphous boron carbide (a--B5C:Hx) on n-type silicon hetero-junction diodes. Pulse height spectroscopy was conducted on the diodes while they were subjected to a moderated plutonium-beryllium (PuBe) source. Neutron capture could not be confirmed experimentally in any of the devices tested. Device modeling was performed to investigate the cause for the diode detector's negative response. A 1.47 MeV α particle produced transient current of 10-7 A and the induced was 4.7 …