Astrophysics and Astronomy Commons^™

Origins Of Shock-Induced Luminescence In Quartz, William P. Brooks

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Alpha quartz is a piezoelectric material. As such, it will yield voltage under stress. When shocked with high explosive systems, the material is also luminescent. This luminescence is quite intense and can be recorded on normal films at submicrosecond exposure times.

The luminescence appears in various patterns determined both by the explosive system used and by the orientation of the quartz.

Fused quartz exhibits luminescence to a lesser degree. Since fused quartz is not piezoelectric, it is helpful in the determination of the origin of the luminescence in crystalline alpha quartz.

This study of the origin of the luminescence in …

A Liquid Hydrogen Bubble Chamber Designed For Use As A Neutron Spectrometer, Edward R. Flynn

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

A liquid hydrogen bubble chamber for use as a neutron spectrometer has been constructed and operated. The chamber employs 90^o stereography and is expanded by a piston located in the liquid. The construction and operation of the chamber are described. A special measuring microscope for analyzing the data is described along with the associated electronics for digitizing the screws of this device. Reading rates of 60 proton recoils per hour have been obtained and the reading procedure is discussed. Preliminary results from a neutron-proton differential cross section measurement indicates a resolution of 5% may be obtained with 22 Mev …

A Satellite Ratemeter Circuit, Daniel P. Christman

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

It was proposed that an attempt be made to measure the directional energy of high-energy primary gamma radiations in space. The difficulties of such an effort are readily obvious. To escape the environmental air envelope of the earth and to lessen the interference of secondary radiations, an instrument package would have to placed into a known orbital trajectory.

A Telemetering Inclinometer, Robert G. Geil

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

In present day experiments in Atmospheric Physics, information from the experiment is sometimes telemetered to observers located at positions remote from the apparatus. To obtain data from the stratosphere an instrument package may be sent aloft suspended from balloons. It is often desirable to know the azimuthal orientation of the instrument package.

To achieve this purpose a rotating ring magnetometer has been developed at the University of New Mexico to measure azimuthal orientation using the earth's magnetic field for a reference. This is sufficient for many purposes. However, due to the wind currents the package suspended beneath the balloon may …

"Invariant Imbedding" And Wave Propagation In Inhomogeneous Media, Crawford J. Maccallum

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

We wish now to address ourselves to that problem which can be described in physical terms as the reflection and transmission of "waves" by and through some sort of "transition region" between two homogeneous media. At this stage we will work strictly within one dimension; later on this severe restriction will be somewhat eased. For simplicity of notation we will for the present give the transition region a finite thickness h; later on we will often allow h to become infinite when the disturbance due to the transition region dies away fast enough with distance.

A Note On K-Commutative Matrices, D. W. Robinson

Faculty Publications

Let A and B be square matrices over a field in which the minimum polynomial of A is completely reducible. It is shown that A is k commutative with respect to B for some non-negative integer k if and only if B commutes with every principal idempotent of A. The proof is brief, simplifying much of the previous study of k-commutative matrices. The result is also used to generalize some well-known theorems on finite matrix commutators that involve a complex matrix and its transposed complex conjugate.

Long-Range Particles From Nuclear Fission, Ralph A. Nobles

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

This work is concerned with experimental observations of the long-range particles which are occasionally emitted by fissioning nuclei. These particles are known to be principally alpha particles and are of interest because they are associated with the configuration of the nucleus at the crucial time of scission. Observations were made of the energy spectra of long-range particles by means of a thallium-activated multiple CsI crystal scintillator device.

A Calibration Method For Satellite Cerenkov Instrumentals, Robert E. Dekinder Jr.

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The problem posed for this thesis is one of determining a method of calibrating a photomultiplier tube when it is contained in an orbiting instrumentation package. Since it is planned for the satellite to remain in orbit for about two years, a method to determine drift of the telemetered output versus the selected radiation input would be very desirable. This drift could arise from changes in the power supplied to the system, or by the telemetering or logic circuits changing characteristics from exposure to cosmic radiation. The situation requires that light of constant intensity be produced in the "field of …

The Wavelength Shifting Of Cerenkov Radiation, Philip A. Deutchman

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The main interest in this paper is to study the effect of the florescent wavelength shifter "POPOP" with respect to Cerenkov radiation and to determine how the efficiency of a Cerenkov counter is affected.

Angular Distribution Of Electrons In Extensive Air Showers, Don D. Laniewski

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Electrons are the main products of an extensive air shower and comprise approximately 90% of the shower. Since these electrons are the most numerous particles near the axis of a large shower and are not easily detected, extensive air showers are most easily studied by means of the electronic component. Thus, whatever concern there may be about the nucleonic cascade of which the electron is an outgrowth, it is necessary first to understand the development of the electronic component and is lateral and angular distribution. Also, for the correct analysis of any experimental data, it is of particular importance to …

An Analysis Of Bursting Bubbles At Liquid Surfaces, Keith James Gilbert

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

This phenomenon of the spray produced by bursting bubbles at liquid surfaces is certainly familiar to drinkers of carbonated soda pop, champagne and other effervescent liquids. This same phenomenon has been observed at ocean surfaces. Small bubbles, some of which originate at great depths, rise to the surface and break; tiny droplet is thrown upward from most of the imploding bubbles. Some of these droplets may be caught and carried into the atmosphere by winds sweeping along the surface. The droplets evaporate but leave small particles of salt suspended in the air; the particles then serve as condensation nuclei and …

Design Of An Instrument To Detect High Energy Photons At High Altitudes, Donald L. Evans

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The purpose of this thesis is to design a high altitude instrument which will detect photons with an energy greater than 1 Bev, and which will discriminate between zenith and albedo radiation.

Absorbance Of The Oh Radical In A Specific Wavelength Interval Near 309a, Paul F. Bird

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The absorbance of the OH radical as a function of optical density was studied by computing the absorbance for an incident radiation in the wavelength interval 3089A-3097A. The absorbance was studied for 3 different temperatures and various values of the parameters specifying the line shapes and magnitude of the spectral absorption coefficient.

Isomerism In Bromine Nuclei, Albert Goodman

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

If the phenomenon of isomerism occurred in bromine nuclei, it would be of great help in elaborating the level schemes of these isotopes. The occurrence of isomerism in the odd isotopes of arsenic and rubidium, the nearest odd-Z neighbors to bromine, suggested similar behavior in bromine odd-Z isotopes. In this investigation, the pulsed-beam method was used to search for isomers. The procedure consisted of pulsing the beam of a Van de Graaff accelerator and counting any resulting activities during the time between beam pulses. After preliminary surveys during which natural bromine was bombarded with neutrons and natural selenium was bombarded …

A Proposal For The Use Of The Method Of Characteristics As A Condition On The Numerical Solutions Of Two-Dimensional Lagrangian Isentropic Flow, Christian D. Anderson

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The method of characteristics has been widely used in two- dimensional problems (i.e., one spatial dimension and time or two spatial dimensions for the steady state), and it was felt that this method, in all or part, could be applied to time-dependent, two- space hydrodynamics.

In this paper we have done the following:

1. Derived the two-dimensional, time-dependent, nonviscous Lagrangian Equations;

2. Discussed, in general, some aspects of the method of characteristics;

3. Applied the method to our Lagrangian equations; and finally,

4. Proposed a possible application of our results to the numerical solution of the Lagrangian equations.

In …

Muon Component Of Extensive Air Showers., Ryan Pierson Jr.

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The purpose of this thesis is to determine how the muon component of an extensive air shower varies with the energy of the incident primary particle and different values of inelasticity and multiplicity for the nuclear interactions according to a simple theory of extensive air showers suggested by Professor Roy Thomas of the University of New Mexico. The method of attacking this problem will be to calculate the number of muons resulting from decay of pions produced in each nuclear interaction of the primary particle and from this the total number of muons passing through certain levels of the earth’s …

Measurements Of The Intensity Of Mu-Mesons In Cosmic Rays During A Period Of Unusual Solar Activity, Ronald A. Korsak

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Because of the incomplete understanding of the processes which cosmic rays undergo in the atmosphere, there is still no generally accepted treatment of the atmospheric dependent variations of the intensity or preferred method of establishing correct coefficients.

Time Variations On The Cosmic-Ray Flux Near The Geomagnetic Equator, Charles L. Hyder

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The search for an anisotrophy in the penetrating component of the cosmic-ray flux is usually carried out with narrow-angle directionally sensitive detectors located near the surface of the earth. Directional sensitivity is achieved by using a cosmic-ray telescope, consisting of Geiger counters or of scintillation counters, in a coincidence arrangement. Thus a solid angle of acceptance for the cosmic-ray particles is defined.

Three-Color Photometry Of The Zodiacal Light, Alan W. Peterson

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The major effort of the observational phase of this investigation was placed upon obtaining absolute intensity maps of the zodiacal light in three different colors. Emphasis was also placed upon measurements of polarization and upon photographing the spectrum of the zodiacal light.

Core Location Of Extensive Air Showers, James H. Jett

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Extensive air showers have been studied as part of cosmic ray phenomenology since 1938. They are made up of electrons, photons, and many other particles which traverse the earth's atmosphere toward the earth. The showers are initiated by high energy cosmic rays. The primary cosmic rays are nuclei which have been stripped of their orbital electrons.

To this end an experiment is underway in the University of New Mexico Physics Department to determine the amount of energy transferred from the core of the shower to the electron-photon cascade. By using a detector telescope with appropriate absorber between the two detectors, …

A Numerical Solution For Weak Disturbances In A Large Scale Hydromagnetic Field, Patrick J. Blewett

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Our concern here will be to investigate the form of certain solutions of equation (7); we will be content with a two-dimensional analysis.

Method For Interpreting Extensive Air Shower Data, Darrell C. Kent

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Three major topics are discussed in this thesis. The first of these has immediate application to analysis of air shower data which is presently being gathered by two large scintillation tanks located immediately behind the University of New Mexico physics building. The data with which the other two topics are concerned cannot be gathered with present equipment, but these preliminary calculations have been performed in anticipation of the installation of the appropriate apparatus.

Characteristics And Calibration Of A Large Liquid Scintillator, James R. Barcus

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

It is the purpose of this thesis to present in some detail the method and results of the calibration -- in particular, the determination of the single particle pulse height which is crucial to any meaningful interpretation of the observational data.

An Experimental Method Of Determining The Shape Of Millimicrosecond Radiation Pulses, Robert Braslau

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The problem with which this investigation is concerned was to construct suitable apparatus to measure accurately the shape and the duration of a pulse of δ-radiation of approximately 10 Mev energy and 20 mμ sec duration. In particular, the shape of the tail of the pulse had to be determined as accurately as possible, so that millimicrosecond half lives can be measured accurately with the betatron.

Recording Of Geomagnetic Field Variations In An Orthogonal System, Chistian Schroeder

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Magnetic field variations in both magnitude and direction are known to occur due to such phenomena as atmospheric tides and solar activity. Magnetic storms caused by solar activity may bring about variations in excess of one percent of the magnitude of the earth's normal magnetic field; but in general the changes are slight and require sensitive instruments for their measurement.

The Absolute Excitation Functions For The I 127 (N,Y) I 128 And Na 23 (N,Y) And Na 24 Reactions, Richard L. Cubitt

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Radiative capture (n,y) cross sections, in addition to their theoretical interest, are of great practical importance to the technology of reactor design. A knowledge of the absolute excitation functions of the various materials employed in reactors permits calculation of the effect of these materials on the reactivity of a reactor, and also enables shielding calculations to be made.

A Problem In Atmospheric Diffusion, Albert C. Giere

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

This study concerns the diffusion of atmospheric ozone through a one dimensional region, given certain initial and boundary conditions. As shown in Figure 1 the region is bounded by the planes x= -a and x=b. The plane x=0 divides the region into two parts, Region I and Region II. The solution to this type of problem consists in giving the concentration as a function of the time for any point x in both regions. A general analytic solution is obtained by means of the Laplace transformation using coefficients of diffusion which differ in Regions I and II, but which are …

On The Relation Between The Cosmic Ray Air Shower Spectrum And The Pulse Height Spectrum Of A Large Scintillator, Robert T. Barton

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The purpose of this paper is to study other lateral distribution functions proposed by various authors, to select an alternative to the one used previously, to repeat the calculations of the required quantities using the alternative function, and to comment on the relative merits of the different choices. Since an empirical formula was used in the original work it seemed desirable to use a theoretical relation for comparison if a suitable one were available.

A Rotating Ring Magnetometer Remote Position Indicator, Robert B. Foster Jr.

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Many phases of present-day experimental physics require remote indicating devices where data must be transmitted either by wire or radio to a distant point. For example, when atmospheric parameters are measured by means of sounding balloons, it would be desirable to use a lightweight device which would accurately convert measured information into electrical data in a form which would allow easy transmission to a receiving station.

A Study Of Current Noise In Cokes, Carbons, And Graphites, Robert J. Lanter

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

This study shows that current noise occurs when there is a deviation of Ohm's Law, i.e., when the applied voltage and resultant current are no longer proportional. Since most, and perhaps all, cases of occurrence of frequency and current dependent noise are associated with non-linear devices, e.g., semiconductors, diodes, vacuum tubes, insulators near breakdown, it seems reasonable to seek a mechanism involving non-linearity as an important feature. Even though it may not be justifiable to seek a single mechanism to explain all of the occurrences of current noise, nevertheless, the fact that in cases studied and discussed herein …