Nuclear Commons^™

An In-Situ Study Of The Aqueous Speciation Of Uranium (Vi) Under Hydrothermal Conditions, Diwash Dhakal

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Rigorous study of the speciation distribution of uranyl-chloride bearing solutions under hydrothermal conditions is important to understand the transport mechanism of uranium underground, which is of uttermost interest to parties studying the geological uranium deposits and those studying the possibilities of geological repositories for spent nuclear waste. I report an in-situ Raman spectroscopic study of the speciation distribution of aqueous uranyl-chloride complexes upto 500°C conducted using a HDAC as the high PT spectroscopic cell. The samples studied contained the species UO₂²⁺, UO₂Cl⁺, UO₂Cl₂⁰ and UO₂Cl₃^{- …}

Nonperturbative-Transverse-Momentum Broadening In Dihadron Angular Correlations In √Snn = 200 Gev Proton-Nucleus Collisions, Mike Daugherity, Donald Isenhower, Rusty Towell

Engineering and Physics

The PHENIX collaboration has measured high-pT dihadron correlations in p+p, p+Al, and p+Au collisions at √sNN=200 GeV. The correlations arise from inter- and intrajet correlations and thus have sensitivity to nonperturbative effects in both the initial and final states. The distributions of pout, the transverse-momentum component of the associated hadron perpendicular to the trigger hadron, are sensitive to initial- and final-state transverse momenta. These distributions are measured multidifferentially as a function of xE, the longitudinal momentum fraction of the associated hadron with respect to the trigger hadron. The near-side pout widths, sensitive to fragmentation transverse momentum, show no significant broadening …

Source Term Estimation Of Atmospheric Pollutants Using An Ensemble Of Hysplit Concentration Simulations, Casey L. Zoellick

Theses and Dissertations

In support of Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) monitoring and nuclear event detection, this study works toward source term estimation (STE) of dispersive pollutants using a novel method|an ensemble of forward trajectory concentration simulations using a meteorology-coupled dispersion model. Traditionally a mathematically and physically rigorous problem, STE of a plume of atmospheric pollutants can be solved in a variety of ways depending on what is known regarding the emission, but little has been studied on the sensitivity between the horizontal resolution of the meteorology data in relation to the dispersion model and the results derived from known concentrations at multiple locations. …

Modeling High-Altitude Nuclear Detonations Using Existing Ionospheric Models, Sophia G. Schwalbe

Theses and Dissertations

One threat to the United States is a nuclear weapon being detonated at high altitude over the country. The resulting electromagnetic pulse (EMP) could devastate the nation. Despite its destructive nature, the response of the ionosphere to such an event is poorly understood. This study assesses if existing ionospheric models, which are used to nowcast and forecast ionospheric changes, can be used to model the response to a high-altitude nuclear detonation (HAND). After comparing five ionosphere models, the Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIE-GCM) was selected and modified to incorporate an array of F10.7 indices to serve as a proxy for …

Exploring Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (Libs) For Post-Detonation Nuclear Forensics Debris Analysis, Justin Knoll, Chad Schools, David Fobar

Purdue Workshop on Nonproliferation: Technology and Approaches

In the unlikely but catastrophic event of a nuclear terrorist attack our government leadership will need reliable information to rapidly inform critical decisions. This research explores the use of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) as a potential analysis tool in the National Technical Nuclear Forensics process. The current state of post detonation nuclear forensics requires ground and air samples be collected and shipped to state-of-the-art laboratories for radiochemical analysis. The samples undergo many measurements and useable data is produced as these measurements are completed. This data flows back into the process to guide additional measurements and inform the process of …

Measurement Of Double-Polarization Asymmetries In The Quasi-Elastic 3He→(E→, E'P) Process, M. Mihovilovic, G. Jin, E. Long, Y. -W. Zhang, K. Allada, B. Anderson, J. R. M. Annand, T. Averett, W. Bertozzi, W. Boeglin, P. Bradshaw, A. Camsonne, M. Canan, G. D. Cates, C. Chen, J. P. Chen, E. Chudakov, R. De Leo, X. Deng, A. Deltuva, A. Deur, Chiranjib Dutta, L. El Fassi, D. Flay, S. Frullani, F. Garibaldi, H. Gao, S. Gilad, R. Gilman, O. Glamazdin, Wolfgang Korsch

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We report on a precise measurement of double-polarization asymmetries in electron-induced breakup of ³He proceeding to pd and ppn final states, performed in quasi-elastic kinematics at Q² = 0.25(GeV/c)² for missing momenta up to 250MeV/c. These observables represent highly sensitive tools to investigate the electromagnetic and spin structure of ³He and the relative importance of two- and three-body effects involved in the breakup reaction dynamics. The measured asymmetries cannot be satisfactorily reproduced by state-of-the-art calculations of ³He unless their three-body segment is adjusted, indicating that the spin-dependent part of the nuclear …

Β-Decay Half-Lives Of Neutron-Rich Nuclides In The A = 100 – 110 Mass Region, A. C. Dombos, A. Spyrou, F. Naqvi, S. J. Quinn, S. N. Liddick, A. Algora, T. Baumann, J. Brett, B. P. Crider, P. A. Deyoung, T. Ginter, J. Gombas, E. Kwan, S. Lyons, W.-J. Ong, A. Palmisano, J. Pereira, C. J. Prokop, D. P. Scriven, A. Simon, M. K. Smith, C. S. Sumithrarachchi

Faculty Publications

β-decay half-lives of neutron-rich nuclides in the A = 100–110 mass region have been measured using an implantation station installed inside of the Summing NaI(Tl) (SuN) detector at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. Accurate half-lives for these nuclides are important for nuclear astrophysics, nuclear structure, and nuclear technology. The half-lives from the present work are compared with previous measurements, showing overall good agreement.

Signals For The Future: New Ways To Tackle Nuclear Risk, Erika Gregory, Editor, Tim Maly, Editor, Center For Complexity

N Square Innovators Network

N Square is a hands-on alliance between staff, funders, and advisors working together to bring new ideas, people, and perspectives to nuclear arms control. At the heart of N Square is the Innovators Network, a vibrant community of cross-sector leaders prototyping and piloting breakthrough approaches including open intelligence platforms, movement-building tools, and innovative uses of technologies such as blockchain, AI, and machine learning to verify arms control agreements. Innovators Network fellows are visionary leaders who recognize the opportunities embedded within tough challenges. They're scientists, game designers, Hollywood screenwriters, global security gurus. They're inventors, branding specialists, diplomats, Gen-Y satellite imagery analysts, …

Jet Geometry Engineering Via Di-Jet Imbalance Measurements At Rhic In Star, Nicholas Elsey

Wayne State University Dissertations

Ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions produced at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) produce a new state of matter of deconfined quarks and gluons (partons) called the quark-gluon plasma (QGP). This plasma of deconfined but strongly coupled partons is believed to have been the primary state of matter in the universe up to a few milliseconds after the Big Bang. High energy partons produced in hard scatterings early in the collision can be used to probe the entire lifetime of the QGP. These partons propagate through and interact with the QGP before fragmenting into collimated …

Gamma Radiation And Neutron Shielding Properties Of Transparent Alkali Borosilicate Glass Containing Lead, Elsayed Salama, Abeer Maher, Gamal Youssef

Basic Science Engineering

In this study, lithium sodium borosilicate glasses with chemical compositions of xPbO-40B₂O₃25Na₂O5Li₂O-(30 - x)SiO₂ (where x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mol%) were prepared by using the conventional melt-quenching technique. The amorphous nature and the effects of Pb+2 ions in the glass structure were explored by using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses, respectively. The gamma radiation and neutron shielding properties of the glass system were investigated by determining the mass attenuation coefficients, half value layer, gamma-ray exposure build-up factor (EBF), and fast neutron removal cross …

Determination Of Multi-Messenger Signals From Matter Outflows Of Merger Systems, Ronny Nguyen

Honors Theses and Capstones

In 2017, LIGO detected gravitational waves from GW170817. This presented for the first time, gravitational waves originating from a neutron star - neutron star merger. Studies of neutron star mergers are significant because the multi-messenger signals in the form of gravitational waves and electromagnetic waves can inform us on the nuclear physics of neutron stars and the creation of heavy elements in the universe. Matter is ejected in the merging process and forms the outflow which provides a neutron-rich environment for rapid neutron capture (r-process) to occur leading to the nucleosynthesis of heavy elements. What we detect on Earth are …

Prompt Fission Neutron Energy Spectrum Of N+235U, Jason M. Mcginnis

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

Despite nuclear fission prominence in nuclear physics, there are still several fundamental open questions about this process. One uncertainty is the energy distribution of neutrons emitted immediately after fission. In particular the relative energy distribution of neutrons above 8~MeV has been difficult to measure. This experiment measured the prompt neutron energy spectrum of n+²³⁵U from 3-10~MeV. The measurement took place at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and used a double time-of-flight technique to measure both the beam and fission neutron kinetic energies. Fission event timing was measured with a parallel plate avalanche counter. The fission neutron time-of-flight was …

Loi: Next Generation Tritium Experiments In Clas12, D. Gaskell, D. W. Higinbotham, D. Meekins, A. Ashkenazi, A. Denniston, R. Cruz-Torres, O. Hen, D. Nguyen, A. Papadopoulou, J. Pybus, A. Schmidt, E. P. Segarra, D. Dutta, Z. Ye, F. Hauenstein, M. Khachatryan, L. B. Weinstein, E. Piasetzky, S. Sirca, M. Mihovilovic, T. Kolar

Physics Faculty Publications

This LOI includes information on possible experiments for an experimental program using a new tritium target in CLAS12. It includes several pieces, including flavor tagged DIS on d, ³He, and ³H targets, and quasielatic scattering. A preliminary feasibility study indicates that a tritium target in Hall B is possible. We are submitting this LOI to get feedback from the PAC whether it is worth the effort of developing a full proposal, including significantly more work on the possible Hall B tritium target.

The bulk of the LOI discusses the flavor-tagged DIS measurement.

A Detection And Data Acquisition System For Precision Beta Decay Spectroscopy, Aaron P. Jezghani

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

Free neutron and nuclear beta decay spectroscopy serves as a robust laboratory for investigations of the Standard Model of Particle Physics. Observables such as decay product angular correlations and energy spectra overconstrain the Standard Model and serve as a sensitive probe for Beyond the Standard Model physics. Improved measurement of these quantities is necessary to complement the TeV scale physics being conducted at the Large Hadron Collider. The UCNB, ⁴⁵Ca, and Nab experiments aim to improve upon existing measurements of free neutron decay angular correlations and set new limits in the search for exotic couplings in beta decay. To …

Magnetic Field Monitoring In The Sns Neutron Edm Experiment, Alina Aleksandrova

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

It is a well known fact that the visible universe is made almost entirely of baryonic matter. Yet, this is also one of the greatest puzzles that physicists are trying to solve: Where did all of this matter come from in the first place? The Standard Model (SM) of particle physics predicts a baryon asymmetry that is much smaller than what is observed in nature. In order to try and explain this discrepancy, Sakharov (1967) postulated three necessary conditions for baryogenesis in the early universe. One of these is the requirement that charge conjugation (C) and the product of C …

Monitoring Software And Charged Particle Identification For The Clas12 Detector, William A. Oliver

Theses and Dissertations

The CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer for the 12 GeV era, known as CLAS12, uses the time of flight (TOF) system to identify charged particles from scattering events between the beam and target. The TOF system is divided into two parts: The Forward time of flight system, and the Central time of flight system. These two sub-systems subtend different polar angles of the detector geometry for wide acceptance of scattered particles. Reconstruction is the service used to identify particles from the interactions between the beam and target, called as a vertex or the point where the interaction occurs. The vertex position …

Development Of A Switchable Radioisotope Generator, Kyle Mitchell Paaren

Doctoral Dissertations

The Switchable Radioisotope Generator utilizes alpha-induced reactions to produce a combination of photons, neutrons, and protons with varying fluxes dependent on target materials and source geometry. The activity/strength of the secondary radiation is further controlled by manipulating the number of alpha particles that can interact with the target material(s). Analytical equations were solved to confirm secondary radiation production from target materials using average cross sections from TENDL data. TENDL and JENDL data was confirmed by analytically solving for the total alpha-induced cross sections. This information was used to produce the provisional and utility Patent No: US20190013109A1. TENDL data was then …

Applications Of Machine Learning In Nuclear Imaging And Radiation Detection, Shaikat Mahmood Galib

Doctoral Dissertations

"The main focus of this work is to use machine learning and data mining techniques to address some challenging problems that arise from nuclear data. Specifically, two problem areas are discussed: nuclear imaging and radiation detection. The techniques to approach these problems are primarily based on a variant of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) called Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), which is one of the most popular forms of 'deep learning' technique.

The first problem is about interpreting and analyzing 3D medical radiation images automatically. A method is developed to identify and quantify deformable image registration (DIR) errors from lung CT scans …

Compact -300 Kv Dc Inverted Insulator Photogun With Biased Anode And Alkali-Antimonide Photocathode, C. Hernandez-Garcia, P. Adderley, B. Bullard, J. Benesch, J. Grames, J. Gubeli, F. Hannon, J. Hansknecht, J. Jordan, R. Kazimi, G. A. Krafft, M. A. Mamun, M. Poelker, M. L. Stutzman, R. Suleiman, M. Tiefenback, Y. Wang, S. Zhang, H. Baumgart, G. Palacios-Serrano, S. Wijethunga, J. Yoskowitz, C. A. Valerio Lizarraga, R. Montoya Soto, A. Canales Ramos

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

This contribution describes the latest milestones of a multiyear program to build and operate a compact −300  kV dc high voltage photogun with inverted insulator geometry and alkali-antimonide photocathodes. Photocathode thermal emittance measurements and quantum efficiency charge lifetime measurements at average current up to 4.5 mA are presented, as well as an innovative implementation of ion generation and tracking simulations to explain the benefits of a biased anode to repel beam line ions from the anode-cathode gap, to dramatically improve the operating lifetime of the photogun and eliminate the occurrence of micro-arc discharges.

Measurement Of Double-Polarization Asymmetries In The Quasi-Elastic He→ 3 (E→, E′ P) Process, The Jefferson Lab Hall A Collaboration, M. Mihovilović, G. Jin, E. Long, Y.-W. Zhang, K. Allada, B. Anderson, M. Canan, S. Golge, R. Schiavilla

Physics Faculty Publications

We report on a precise measurement of double-polarization asymmetries in electron-induced breakup of ³He proceeding to pd and ppn final states, performed in quasi-elastic kinematics at Q² = 0.25 (GeV/c)² for missing momenta up to 250 MeV/c. These observables represent highly sensitive tools to investigate the electromagnetic and spin structure of ³He and the relative importance of two- and three-body effects involved in the breakup reaction dynamics. The measured asymmetries cannot be satisfactorily reproduced by state-of-the-art calculations of ³He unless their three-body segment is adjusted, indicating that the spin-dependent part of …