Nuclear Commons^™

Symposium Flyer, Bern Porter

Bern Porter Occasional Symposium Series

Flyer advertising the Bern Porter Occasional Symposium Series: The Bomb, the National Security State and the Advanced Thinking of Bern Porter.

The Role Of Llnl's Fast Calibration Facility In Diagnosing Nif Fusion Plasmas, Joshua G. Thompson, Carey Scott, Greg V. Brown

STAR Program Research Presentations

The Fusion and Astrophysics (FAST) Calibration and Diagnostic Facility uses the original Electron Beam Ion Trap (EBIT-I) to profile x-ray filters that are used in the Dante Soft X-Ray Diagnostic at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). FAST has an advantage over any other facility not only for its high accuracy, but also for its proximity to NIF in the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). This makes for highly accurate and near-instantaneous filter calibration turnover.

EBIT-I was first constructed to create, trap, and observe static highly charged ions (HCIs) and conduct experimental astrophysics (creating an x-ray spectroscopy catalogue of ions). To …

Laboratory Astrophysics: Using Ebit Measurements To Interpret High Resolution Spectra From Celestial Sources, Carey Scott, Joshua Thompson, N. Hell, Greg V. Brown

STAR Program Research Presentations

Astrophysicists use radiation to investigate the physics controlling a variety of celestial sources, including stellar atmospheres, black holes, and binary systems. By measuring the spectrum of the emitted radiation, astrophysicists can determine a source’s temperature and composition. Accurate atomic data are needed for reliably interpreting these spectra. Here we present an overview of how LLNL’s EBIT facility is used to put the atomic data on sound footing for use by the high energy astrophysics community.

A Modular Design For Nuclear Battery Technology, Randy Lao

Physics

This paper is an exploration of the physics and technology behind the development and on-going research of nuclear batteries. This includes the topics of isotope radiation suitable for such a device as well as the components necessary to utilize the energy of natural decay, such as solid and liquid semiconductors. Most importantly for public use, the battery requires a safe containment system while allowing convenient modularity. An efficiency and total output comparison will be made with standard button cell and dry cell batteries. Also, a proposal is made for the design of an enclosure to contain radioactive materials. The safe …

Surrogate Measurement Of The 238Pu(N,F) Cross Section, J. J. Ressler, J. T. Burke, J. Escher, C. Angell, M. S. Basunia, C. W. Beausang, L. A. Bernstein, D. L. Bleuel, R. J. Casperson, B. L. Goldblum, J. Gostic, R. Hatarik, R. Henderson, R. O. Hughes, J. Munson, L. Phair, T. J. Ross, N. D. Scielzo, E. Swanberg, I. Thompson, M. Wiedeking

Physics Faculty Publications

The neutron-induced fission cross section of ²³⁸Pu was determined using the surrogate ratio method. The (n,f) cross section over an equivalent neutron energy range 5–20 MeV was deduced from inelastic α-induced fission reactions on ²³⁹Pu, with ²³⁵U(α,α′f) and ²³⁶U(α,α′f) used as references. These reference reactions reflect ²³⁴U(n,f) and ²³⁵U(n,f) yields, respectively. The deduced ²³⁸Pu(n,f) cross section agrees well with standard data libraries up to …

Extraction Chromatographic Studies Of Rutherfordium And Dubnium Homologs, Megan E. Bennett

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Studying the chemistry of transactinide elements does not only allow for these elements to be properly placed in the Periodic Table, but it also permits for the extrapolation of the electronic structure based upon the position of the element in the Periodic Table. In addition it enable for the assessment of the role that relativistic effects play in the chemical behavior of the heaviest elements. An improved understanding of the role of relativistic effects in chemistry of the heaviest elements allows for a better understanding of the fundamentals principles that govern the Periodic Table. In order to investigate the chemistry …

The Economics Of The Atomic Bomb: Cost And Utilization, Jonathan M. Davis Mr.

Senior Honors Theses

Few moments in human history can be compared to the culmination of events that brought the atomic bomb into creation.  It is incredible to contemplate that while a nation was fighting a two front war that spanned from Europe into the Pacific, that the United States was able to utilize the time, energy, brains, materials, manpower, and capital to complete a project in four years. That under any other circumstances would have taken greater than half a century to complete.

First, this thesis will discuss breakthroughs in research that led scientists to believe that the atomic weapons could be built, …

Structure Studies On Lanthanide Technetium Pyrochlores As Prospective Host Phases To Immobilize 99- Technetium And Fission Lanthanides From Effluents Of Reprocessed Used Nuclear Fuels, Thomas Hartmann, Ariana Alaniz

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

We performed a systematic investigation of the incorporation of 99Tc into pyrochlore oxide structures, Ln2Tc2O7, where Ln represents trivalent lanthanide Ln3+ cations, while 99Tc is atetravalent, Tc4+, metal cation. Pyrochlore compounds are high-melting temperature oxides and are recognized for their durability. Our goal in this preliminary study is to characterize and quantify the range of stability of the lanthanum technetium pyrochlore oxide phase. Hereby, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld analysis were used to determine and characterize the crystalline phase content with high accuracy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the microstructure and homogeneity of the synthesized …

Oral Presentation: Next Generation Nuclear Fuels, Douglas Hanks

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Zirconium carbide has been proposed as a coating layer for next generation (“TRISO”) nuclear fuel, and is intended as a diffusion barrier to contain fission products (e.g., Pd). To study the chemical interaction between Pd and ZrC, their interface was investigated using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Pd was step-wise deposited onto ZrC in ultra-high vacuum, and the chemical interaction at the interface was monitored, also as a function of temperature (up to 1000 C). In the presentation, details of the chemical interaction and changes in the chemical environment of Pd and their relevance for TRISO fuel will be discussed.

Triple Coincidence Beam Spin Asymmetry Measurements In Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering, Mustafa Canan

Physics Theses & Dissertations

The Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) provides hitherto the most complete information about the quark structure of hadron. GPDs are accessible through hard-exclusive reactions, among which Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS) is the cleanest reaction. A dedicated DVCS experiment on Hydrogen (E00-110) ran in the Hall A at Jefferson Laboratory in Fall 2004. I present here Beam Spin Asymmetry (BSA) results for the ep → epγ reaction studied in the E00-110 experiment with fully exclusive triple coincidence H(e, e'γp ) detection. I present a re-calibration of the electromagnetic calorimeter used to detect the high energy photon. This calibration …

The Atomic Testing Museum, Las Vegas, Nevada, Angela Moor

Psi Sigma Siren

The Atomic Testing Museum attempts to interpret history that has barely ended. The controversy and emotion that surround nuclear weapons remain fresh in many Americans‘ minds. The museum must walk a careful line when interpreting such recent history. Few other American history museums offer interpretation of the Cold War, and certainly, the Atomic Testing Museum stands as the sole museum dedicated to atomic testing. As years go by, and the memory of the mushroom cloud floating on the Nevada desert fades, the museum may feel more comfortable in providing a balanced narrative on atomic testing. For now, as retired "Cold …

Background And Source Term Identification In Active Neutron Interrogation Methods, David A. Anthony

Theses and Dissertations

The detection and tracking of special nuclear material (SNM) is vitally important in order to know where these materials are and prevent them from being used in a harmful manner. Active neutron interrogation is a sought after method for this since the resulting high energy gamma rays produced by inelastic scattering and neutron capture reactions can pass through denser shielding than natural decay gammas, and their energy spectra are unique to each isotope. Using Monte Carlo N Particle (MCNP) simulations, this research investigated the characterization of gamma ray sources created by active neutron interrogation. Ring detector and mesh tallies within …

Cathodoluminescence And Photoemission Of Doped Lithium Tetraborate, Christina L. Dugan

Theses and Dissertations

Lithium tetraborate (Li₂B₄O₇) crystals are being developed for possible use in solid state neutron detectors. The ⁶Li(n,α)³H and ¹⁰B(n,α)⁷Li reactions are the basis for neutron detection, and a Li₂B₄O₇ crystal enriched with Mn should show improved efficiency for neutron detection. There is a lack of fundamental characterization information regarding this useful material, particularly with regard to its electronic configuration. Photoemission spectroscopy was used to determine the energy level structure of the Mn doped Li₂B₄O₇ crystals. …

Characterization Of A Boron Carbide Heterojunction Neutron Detector, James E. Bevins

Theses and Dissertations

New methods for neutron detection have become an important area of research in support of national security objectives. In support of this effort, p-type B₅C on n-type Si heterojunction diodes have been built and tested. This research sought to optimize the boron carbide (BC) diode by coupling the nuclear physics modeling capability of GEANT4 and TRIM with the semiconductor device simulation tools. Through an iterative modeling process of controllable parameters, optimal device construction was determined such detection efficiency and charge collection were optimized. This allows an estimation of expected charge collection and efficiency given a set of operating …

Ray Next Event Estimator Transport Of Primary And Secondary Gamma Rays, Whitman T. Dailey

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated the application of the ray next event estimation Monte Carlo method to the transport of primary and secondary gamma rays. The problem of interest was estimation of the free field flux at a distant point in a vacuum from a point source in the atmosphere. An existing Fortran code for neutron transport, Ray Next-Event Estimator v4.0, was adapted to perform photon transport computations including coherent scattering, incoherent scattering, photoelectric absorption, and pair production interactions. Production and transport of secondary gamma rays produced in bremsstrahlung, neutron inelastic scatter, and neutron absorption interactions was also implemented. A new version …

Tof-Sims For Rapid Nuclear Forensics Evaluation Of Uranium Oxide Particles, Hannah E. Hocking

Theses and Dissertations

Because of nuclear proliferation concerns, nuclear material must be safeguarded, and peaceful intentions verified. The field of nuclear forensics addresses these concerns. While established nuclear forensic techniques exist, quicker, more accurate and less expensive methods are of interest for nonproliferation applications. Currently a host of different analytical techniques, requiring a week or longer, are employed to obtain isotopic ratios, chemical abundances and morphology for forensic particulate samples. Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) is a candidate technology for rapid evaluation of these properties for small amounts of nuclear materials. After a thorough investigation, this study found TOF-SIMS to be particularly …

Characterization Of Neutron-Induced Defects In Isotopically Enriched Lithium Tetraborate, Brant E. Kananen

Theses and Dissertations

Lithium Tetraborate (LTB) is assessed for use as a material for neutron detection. LTB isotopically enriched in either Li-6 or B-10 provides a medium that efficiently captures and transmutes neutrons into more readily detected forms of material or energy. Neutron detection is desirable to detect elicit movement of special nuclear material or nuclear weapons. Single crystals of LTB, Li-6 or B-10 enriched, were neutron irradiated, and electron paramagnetic resonance was used to detect point defects induced by the neutrons. Multiple defects were noted in the irradiated crystals. Two particular defects, perturbed lithium vacancies and lithium clusters are proposed as induced …

Investigation Of Gate Leakage Current In Nitrogen-Irradiated Algan/Gan Heterostructures, Rose E. May

Theses and Dissertations

Due to commercial and government interest in devices capable of functioning in high-power, high-frequency space applications, radiation tolerant AlGaN/GaN devices have been under study in recent years. Passivation of the AlGaN surface by (Si₃N₄) prevents electron trapping and enhances the 2DEG, but it also increases gate leakage currents, which can lead to device failure. This study sought information about current leakage mechanisms by introducing displacement damage close to the Si₃N₄/AlGaN interface. The effects of irradiation damage around the Si₃N₄/AlGaN interface on irradiation-induced leakage current were investigated for three …

Nuclear Weapon Yield Determination Through Nano Indentation Of Thermally Degraded Automobile Paint, Michael J. Richards

Theses and Dissertations

This work investigated the suitability of automotive clearcoat as a nuclear weapon yield sensor, using the change in elastic modulus as the primary metric. The AFIT Xenon Thermal Simulator (AXTS) was used to simulate a nuclear thermal pulse. The elastic modulus of the clearcoat was measured using a nano indenter. During this research the power density of the AXTS beam was increased from 44.7 to 63.7 W/cm². The morphological steps through which automobile paint proceeds as it thermally degrades were identified and correlated with temperatures. A computer model was created and used to ensure that the paint’s time-temperature …

A Comparison In The Accuracy Of Mapping Nuclear Fallout Patterns Using Hpac, Hysplit, Delfic Fpt And An Afit Fortran95 Fallout Deposition Code, April D. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Four nuclear fallout mapping tools are studied to determine which tool predicts the most accurate fallout dose-rate contours with low computation time and resources. The four programs consist of the FORTRAN95 based Fallout Deposition Code (FDC), the Hazard Prediction and Assessment Capability's (HPAC) Nuclear Weapon (NWPN), the Defense Land Fallout Interpretative Code (DELFIC) Fallout Planning Tool (FPT) and the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) Model. The models were compared to the Defense Nuclear Agency's (DNA) DNA 1251-1-EX, Compilation of Local Fallout Data from Test Detonations 1945-1962 Extracted from DASA 1251, using Warner and Platt's Measure of Effectiveness (MOE) method. …