Other Physics Commons^™

Third Generation Gamma Camera Spect System, Narayan Bhusal

LSU Master's Theses

Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) is a non-invasive imaging modality, frequently used in myocardial perfusion imaging. The biggest challenges facing the majority of clinical SPECT systems are low sensitivity, poor resolution, and the relatively high radiation dose to the patient. New generation systems (GE Discovery, DSPECT) dedicated to cardiac imaging improve sensitivity by a factor of 5-8. The purpose of this work is to investigate a new gamma camera design with 21 hemi-ellipsoid detectors each with a pinhole collimator for Cardiac SPECT for further improvement in sensitivity, resolution, imaging time, and radiation dose.

To evaluate the resolution of our …

Analytical Models Of Neutron Spectral Fluence, Kerma And Absorbed-Dose For Proton Therapy, Suman Shrestha

LSU Master's Theses

Abstract

Purpose: The accurate prediction of stray neutron dose has become increasingly important as it increases the risk of second cancer development after proton therapy. Previously reported analytical models predicted the quantity dose equivalent, which includes physical and biological considerations but does not explicitly take into account material dependence and variation in the radiation quality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an analytical model of absorbed dose to water from stray neutrons in proton therapy.

Methods: To calculate neutron absorbed dose and kerma in water, the authors developed analytical models of neutron spectral fluence and …

Large T1 Contrast Enhancement Using Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles In Ultra-Low Field Mri, Xiaolu Yin, Stephen E. Russek, Gary Zabow, Fan Sun, Jeotikatan Mohapatra, Kathryn E. Keenan, Michael A. Boss, Hao Zeng, J. Ping Liu, Alexandrea Viert, Sy-Hwang Liou, John Moreland

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are widely investigated and utilized as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast and therapy agents due to their large magnetic moments. Local field inhomogeneities caused by these high magnetic moments are used to generate T₂ contrast in clinical high-field MRI, resulting in signal loss (darker contrast). Here we present strong T1 contrast enhancement (brighter contrast) from SPIONs (diameters from 11 nm to 22 nm) as observed in the ultra-low field (ULF) MRI at 0.13 mT. We have achieved a high longitudinal relaxivity for 18 nm SPION solutions, r1 = 615 s−1 mM−1, which is two …

Three Dimensional Passive Localization For Single Path Arrival With Unknown Starting Conditions, Britt Aguda

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Introduced in this paper is the time difference of arrival (TDoA) conic approximation method (TCAM), a technique for passive localization in three dimensions with unknown starting conditions. The TDoA of a mutually detected signal across pairs of detectors is used to calculate the relative angle between the signal source and the center point of the separation between the detectors in the pair. The relative angle is calculated from the TDoA using a mathematical model called the TDoA approximation of the zenith angle (TAZA). The TAZA angle defines the opening angle of a conic region of probability that contains the signal …

Verification And Evaluation Of A Passive Intensity Modulation Device For Bolus Conformal Therapy, Elizabeth Noel Hilliard

LSU Master's Theses

Purpose: Bolus electron conformal therapy (BECT) provides effective radiation treatment for superficial cancers and other diseases close to the skin surface, but can have as great as a 30% planning target volume (PTV) dose heterogeneity due to scattering from the irregular proximal bolus surface. Intensity modulated (IM) BECT can improve PTV dose homogeneity, but is not currently available. This study fabricated patient-specific passive intensity modulators and validated their delivering planned dose distributions calculated by a modified pencil beam redefinition algorithm (PBRA).

Methods: Two test-patterns and four patient-specific intensity modulators were designed, fabricated, and tested. Dose plans were generated …

Locality And Nonlocality In The Interaction-Free Measurement, Daniel Rohrlich, Yakir Aharonov, Tomer Landsberger

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

We present a paradox involving a particle and a mirror. They exchange a nonlocal quantity, modular angular momentum L_z mod 2ћ, but there seems to be no local interaction between them that allows such an exchange. We demonstrate that the particle and mirror do interact locally via a weak local current 〈L_z mod 2ћ〉_w. In this sense, we transform the “interaction-free measurement” of Elitzur and Vaidman, in which two local quantities (the positions of a photon and a bomb in the two arms of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer) interact nonlocally, into a thought experiment in which two …

Fluctuating Hydrodynamics Of Reactive Liquid Mixtures, Changho Kim, Andy. Nonaka, John Bell, Alejandro Garcia, Aleksandar Donev

Faculty Publications

Fluctuating hydrodynamics (FHD) provides a framework for modeling microscopic fluctuations in a manner consistent with statistical mechanics and nonequilibrium thermodynamics. This paper presents an FHD formulation for isothermal reactive incompressible liquid mixtures with stochastic chemistry. Fluctuating multispecies mass diffusion is formulated using a Maxwell–Stefan description without assuming a dilute solution, and momentum dynamics is described by a stochastic Navier–Stokes equation for the fluid velocity. We consider a thermodynamically consistent generalization for the law of mass action for non-dilute mixtures and use it in the chemical master equation (CME) to model reactions as a Poisson process. The FHD approach provides remarkable …

Scattering Of Few Photon Fields By Two Level Systems In A One Dimensional Geometry, William Konyk

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Recent experimental progress has realized strong, efficient coupling of effective two level systems to waveguides. We study the scattering of multimode photons from such emitters coupled losslessly to the confined geometry of a one dimensional waveguide. We develop novel techniques for describing the scattered state of both single and multi-photon wavepackets and explore how such wavepackets interact with arrays of emitters coupled to a one dimensional waveguide. Finally, we apply these techniques and analyze the capability of two particular systems to act as a quantum conditional logic gate.

Development And Implementation Of A Homogeneous And A Heterogeneous Anthropomorphic End To End Quality Assurance Audit System Phantom For Magnetic Resonance Guided Radiotherapy Modalities Ranging From 0.35 T To 1.50 T, Angela Steinmann

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Introduction: Magnetic resonance (MR) guided radiation therapy (MRgRT) is an emerging field that integrates an MR imager with either a linear accelerator or three radioactive cobalt-60 sources. Before institutions participate in multi-institutional NCI-sponsored clinical trials, they are required to perform a credentialing test provided by IROC-Houston. During the credentialing test, end-to-end phantoms are used to evaluate the institution’s ability to perform consistent and accurate radiation treatments. IROC-Houston’s conventional anthropomorphic phantoms are not visible in MR, thus they are insufficient for MRgRT systems. The purpose of this work was to create an anthropomorphic thorax and a head and neck (H&N) phantom …

Identification Of Intracranial Lesions With Dual-Energy Computed To Mography And Magnetic Resonance Phase Imaging, Megan C. Jacobsen

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

On conventional Single-energy Computed Tomography (SECT), lesions with an attenuation greater than 100 Hounsfield Units (HU) can be definitively diagnosed as calcification. However, low-density calcifications and hemorrhage may have overlapping attenuation ranges between 40 and 100 HU and, therefore, cannot be differentiated with SECT alone. On T2*-weighted Gradient Recalled Echo (GRE) MRI, these lesions appear as “foci of susceptibility” in which their signal is hypointense due to the magnetic susceptibility of the lesions differing from that of the background tissue.

Dual-energy Computed Tomography (DECT) and Phase-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PS-MRI) represent two new imaging paradigms which both have the potential …

Improved Target Coverage Of Spinal Metastases Through The Use Of Flattening Filter Free Beams, Laura Bennett

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Of the patients that are diagnosed with metastatic disease, up to 40% will develop vertebral osseous metastases. These metastases tend to be located in close proximity to the spinal cord itself, making it difficult to achieve the recommended minimum dose of 14 Gy for single fraction SBRT or 21 Gy¹ for three fraction SBRT while maintaining acceptable doses to the cord and cauda equina. This proximity of the target to critical structures has the potential to compromise the efficacy of the radiation treatment plan in favor of reducing normal tissue dose, resulting in poor local control and tumor recurrence …

Cause Of Cambrian Explosion - Terrestrial Or Cosmic?, Edward J. Steele, Shirwan Al-Mufti, Kenneth A. Augustyn, Rohana Chandrajith, John P. Coghlan, S. G. Coulson, Et. Al.

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

We review the salient evidence consistent with or predicted by the Hoyle-Wickramasinghe (H-W) thesis of Cometary (Cosmic) Biology. Much of this physical and biological evidence is multifactorial. One particular focus are the recent studies which date the emergence of the complex retroviruses of vertebrate lines at or just before the Cambrian Explosion of ∼500 Ma. Such viruses are known to be plausibly associated with major evolutionary genomic processes. We believe this coincidence is not fortuitous but is consistent with a key prediction of H-W theory whereby major extinction-diversification evolutionary boundaries coincide with virus-bearing cometary-bolide bombardment events. A second focus is …

The Effect Of Processing Conditions On The Energetic Diagram Of Cdte Thin Films Studied By Photoluminescence, Shamara P. Collins

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The photovoltaic properties of CdTe-based thin films depend on recombination levels formed in the CdTe layer and at the heterojunction. The localized states are resultant of structural defects (metal sublattice, chalcogen sublattice, interstitial), controlled doping, deposition process, and/or post-deposition annealing. The photoluminescence study of CdTe thin films, from both the bulk and heterojunction, can reveal radiative states due to different defects or impurities. Identification of defects allows for potential explanation of their roles and influence on solar cell performance. A thorough understanding of the material properties responsible for solar cell performance is critical in further advancing the efficiency of devices. …

The Relationship Between Electrical Conductivity And Magnetically Damped Motion, Kalem Akhtar

The International Student Science Fair 2018

Varying electrical conductivities of different, non-magnetic metals appears to affect the magnitude of magnetically damped motion. To determine the relationship between magnetic damping and conductivity an experiment was designed using different length tubes of aluminium, copper and brass. The tubes had the same diameter and similar wall thickness. A short, cylindrical neodymium magnet was dropped through the tubes of and the time for the magnet to traverse the tube was recorded using a smartphone camera. These times allowed for the terminal velocity to be calculated for each metal length and the average terminal velocity for each metal was determined. This …

Electricity, Light And Semiconductors, Josephine Zhao

The International Student Science Fair 2018

As technology advanced these days, computers are playing a more and more important role in our daily life; especially in those areas that requires higher technology, for example, aerospace. And as computers keep developing, they tend to be smaller and lighter but much more sufficient. It is the base stone of modern information era. A CPU is the brain of a computer, and as the computers get smaller and smaller, the CPUs are getting smaller and smaller, using semiconductors. Semiconductors have many properties that is extremely useful to human, their conductivity are controlled by their environment, and therefore are adaptable …

The Relationship Between Electrical Conductivity And Magnetically Damped Motion, Kalem Akhtar

The International Student Science Fair 2018

Varying electrical conductivities of different, non-magnetic metals appears to affect the magnitude of magnetically damped motion. To determine the relationship between magnetic damping and conductivity an experiment was designed using different length tubes of aluminium, copper and brass. The tubes had the same diameter and similar wall thickness. A short, cylindrical neodymium magnet was dropped through the tubes of and the time for the magnet to traverse the tube was recorded using a smartphone camera. These times allowed for the terminal velocity to be calculated for each metal length and the average terminal velocity for each metal was determined. This …

Light, Electricity And Semiconductors, Josephine Zhao

The International Student Science Fair 2018

No abstract provided.

Generalized Fock Spaces And The Stirling Numbers, Daniel Alpay, Motke Porat

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The Bargmann-Fock-Segal space plays an important role in mathematical physics and has been extended into a number of directions. In the present paper, we imbed this space into a Gelfand triple. The spaces forming the Fréchet part (i.e., the space of test functions) of the triple are characterized both in a geometric way and in terms of the adjoint of multiplication by the complex variable, using the Stirling numbers of the second kind. The dual of the space of test functions has a topological algebra structure, of the kind introduced and studied by the first named author and Salomon.

Development Of A Slab-Based Monte Carlo Proton Dose Algorithm With A Robust Material-Dependent Nuclear Halo Model, John Wesley Chapman Jr

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Pencil beam algorithms (PBAs) are often utilized for dose calculation in proton therapy treatment planning because they are fast and accurate under most conditions. However, as discussed in Chapman et al (2017), the accuracy of a PBA can be limited under certain conditions because of two major assumptions: (1) the central-axis semi-infinite slab approximation; and, (2) the lack of material dependence in the nuclear halo model. To address these limitations, we transported individual protons using a class II condensed history Monte Carlo and added a novel energy loss method that scaled the nuclear halo equation in water to arbitrary geometry. …

Study Of The Restricted Three Body Problem When One Primary Is A Uniform Circular Disk, Mohd. Arif, Ravi K. Sagar

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

In this paper we have studied the location and stability of the equilibrium points in the restricted three body problem by taking into consideration the bigger primary as an uniform circular disc. We have observed that there exist six collinear (Li, i = 1::6) and two non-collinear (Li, i = 7; 8) equilibrium points.We have found that the points L1 and L3 move towards the center of mass while L2, L4, L5 and L6 go away from the center of mass as parameter of mass μ increases.We have also observed that the points L1, L2 and L3 move away from …