Physics Commons^™

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.

Shock-Tube Determination Of Dissociation Rates Of Oxygen, John P. Rink

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

This study has a two-fold purpose--to demonstrate the feasibility of using x-ray densitometry of shock waves to determine chemical reaction rates and to obtain an accurate, independent measurement of the dissociation rate of oxygen.

The rate of dissociation of oxygen in Xe-O₂ mixtures was measured over a temperature range of 3000°K to 6000°K. An x-ray densitometer was used to measure the density during the dissociation process behind a shock wave. It was possible to match the experimental data with theoretical density profiles over a wide range of compositions and initial conditions.

The agreement between results reported here and previous …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

Conversion Of Electromagnetic Waves Into Magnetohydrodynamic Waves At The Interface Of A Dielectric And Incomprehensible Fluid, Ralph L. Marsten

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Consider space to be separated into two semi-infinite regions by a rigid boundary. On one side lies medium A--a perfect, rigid, dielectric, with electric permittivity € and magnetic permeability µ. On the other side is medium B; a perfect, fluid, perfectly conducting, also with magnet permeability µ. Throughout all spaces exist a uniform static magnetic field H.

Now such a fluid as medium B is capable of supporting a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) wave; and of course a perfect dielectric will support an electromagnetic (EM) wave. Suppose then, that a uniform plane EM wave in medium A is incident at arbitrary angle …

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.

A Study Of The Radioactive Decay Of The Two Isomers Of Pd109 And Of The Associated Low-Lying Levels Of Ag109, John W. Starner

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The radiations of Pd¹⁰⁹ (13.45 ± 0.01 hr) and Pd^109m(4.69 ± 0.01 min) have been investigated with a coincidence scintillation spectrometer and a solenoidal beta-ray spectrometer. Pd^109m was observed to have only one mode of decay: a 188-kev (E3) isomeric transition to Pd¹⁰⁹. The principal beta-ray group (>99.9%) of Pd¹⁰⁹ was found to have an end-point energy of 1.025 ± 0.005 Mev. Gamma rays of the following energies (kev) and approximate intensities (photons/10⁵ disintegrations) were observed to acccmpany the decay of Pd¹⁰⁹: 773 (4), 707 (2), 643 (10), 602 …

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.

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 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 …

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 …

A Cloud Chamber Study Of Penetrating Showers In Aluminum, Copper And Lead, James Francis Kenney

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

In recent years, much work has been done in the investigation of high-energy nuclear collisions in various materials. The purpose of these investigations is to gain a better understanding of nucleon-meson-nucleon interactions at high energies. Laboratory accelerating devices are capable at the present time of attaining energies which are still very low in comparison to the upper limit of the cosmic radiation energy spectrum. As a result, these investigations are best carried out by using the very hard component of the cosmic radition as the primary particle of the collision.

A Chemical Ozone Measuring Radio Sonde, Alan W. Peterson

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The Vertical distribution of atmospheric ozone has been determined spectroscopically either from surface observations or from balloon-borne spectrographs sent aloft. These spectrographic techniques have several disadvantages. Surface observations of the "Umkehr Effect" give only a rough distribution, four or five points for the entire atmosphere.

A Pulse Length Analyzer, Paul Scheie

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

For experiments involving small scintillators and for experiments involving scintillator telescopes, the circuitry may closely resemble that used with geiger counters. However, if it is desired to make use of the variation in the signal amplitude in a large scintillator, some means must be found to deal with a wide range of amplitudes. The scintillator employed in the experiment to which this work relates is a tank 10 feet in diameter that contains 300 gallons of activated toluene; light of the scintillations is collected by a 16 inch photo-multiplier tube that is located on top of the tank.

The Vertical Gradients Of Ozone Concentration And Its Relation To The Eddy Coefficient Of Diffusion, Joseph Levine

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The purpose of this thesis is to apply this method to a tentative evaluation of the eddy coefficient of diffusion. Actually the investigation was more specifically an attempt to relate the difference in ozone concentration between the two stations to the average wind shear and to the vertical thermal stability.

The Motion Of A Charged Particle In Homogenous Time-Varying Magnetic Field, Thomas R. Bates

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

This paper will discuss the motion of a non-relativistic, non-radiating charged particle in an infinite homogeneous magnetic field which varies linearly with time. We shall assume the motion to be confined to a plane perpendicular to the magnetic field.

An Indicator Of Position With Respect To The Earth's Magnetic Field, Lloyd C. Nielsen

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

A large amount of experimental research in the field of atmospheric physics involves carrying apparatus aloft by means of balloons. Data from balloon-borne instruments may be obtained either by recovery of the apparatus or by radio telemetering during the flight. Of these two methods, the latter is of course the more convenient and reliable, since recovery of the apparatus is time-consuming and often impossible.

The Mathematical Theory Of Meteorite Penetration Into Earth-Targets, Richard D. George

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

A problem in mathematical ballistics of fundamental importance in meteoritics is investigated in this thesis, namely the problem of estimating the speed at which a meteorite of assigned shape, mass and density struck a specific earth-target, either from purely theoretical considerations or from penetration or other impact-effects actually observed and measured in the earth-target.

In the second chapter several methods for calculating impact-velocities based on terminal ballistic theory are developed. While some of these methods can be successfully applied to as many as 63 recovered meteorites, others are applicable only to a very few known meteorites because of the failure …

An Experiment Of The Time Variations Of Cosmic Rays Underground, Mercedes Merner Agogino

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Ever since the discovery of cosmic rays, investigations of time variations in their intensity have been carried out in the hope of obtaining information on their nature and origin. Early experiments were somewhat contradictory, but it was soon clear that any variation present could be no longer than a few percent at the most. This meant that experiments had to be carefully planned and carried out over a long period of time to attain the statistical accuracy necessary for clear-cut results. In addition, the influence of the atmosphere and the earth's magnetic field made it very difficult to interpret the …

The Measurement Of The Concentration Of Ozone In The Atmosphere By The Oxidation Of Silver, Albert Goodman

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Under conditions of standard temperature and pressure, it has been found that no reaction occurs between silver and oxygen, nor between silver and ozone. When the temperature of the silver is raised, however, it is oxidized by ozone but not by oxygen. Upon raising the products of the reaction to a still higher temperature, they decompose into silver and ordinary oxygen. By measuring the amount of oxygen thus produced, it would be possible to calculate the amount of ozone involved originally.