Seaborg Institute Postdocs Bringing New Ideas to Long-Standing Challenges in Transactinium Science Actinide Research Quarterly
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Bellucci Et Al. 2016 Trinitite Revised V Final
1 Direct Pb isotopic analysis of a nuclear fallout debris particle from the 2 Trinity nuclear test 3 4 5 Jeremy J. Bellucci1*, Joshua F. Snape1, Martin W. Whitehouse1, Alexander A. Nemchin1,2 6 7 *Corresponding author, email address: [email protected] 8 9 1Department of Geosciences, Swedish Museum of Natural History, SE-104 05 10 Stockholm, Sweden 11 2 Department of Applied Geology, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia 12 13 Abstract 14 15 The Pb isotope composition of a nuclear fallout debris particle has been directly 16 measured in post-detonation materials produced during the Trinity nuclear test by a 17 secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) scanning ion image technique (SII). This 18 technique permits the visual assessment of the spatial distribution of Pb and can be used 19 to obtain full Pb isotope compositions in user-defined regions in a 70 µm x 70 µm 20 analytical window. In conjunction with BSE and EDS mapping of the same particle, the 21 Pb measured in this fallout particle cannot be from a major phase in the precursor arkosic 22 sand. Similarly, the Pb isotope composition of the particle is resolvable from the 23 surrounding glass at the 2σ uncertainty level. The Pb isotope composition measured in 24 the particle here is in excellent agreement with that inferred from measurements of green 25 and red trinitite, suggesting that these types of particles are responsible for the Pb isotope 26 compositions measured in both trinitite glasses. 27 28 29 Keywords: 30 31 Trinitite, Trinity Test, Post Detonation Nuclear Forensics, Pb isotopes, SIMS, Scanning 32 Ion Imaging, Fallout Debris, Forensics 33 34 35 Introduction 36 37 In the event of a non-state sanctioned nuclear attack, forensic investigations will 38 be necessary to determine the provenance of the weapon and the materials used in 39 construction of the device. -
Experimental Γ Ray Spectroscopy and Investigations of Environmental Radioactivity
Experimental γ Ray Spectroscopy and Investigations of Environmental Radioactivity BY RANDOLPH S. PETERSON 216 α Po 84 10.64h. 212 Pb 1- 415 82 0- 239 β- 01- 0 60.6m 212 1+ 1630 Bi 2+ 1513 83 α β- 2+ 787 304ns 0+ 0 212 α Po 84 Experimental γ Ray Spectroscopy and Investigations of Environmental Radioactivity Randolph S. Peterson Physics Department The University of the South Sewanee, Tennessee Published by Spectrum Techniques All Rights Reserved Copyright 1996 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction ....................................................................................................................4 Basic Gamma Spectroscopy 1. Energy Calibration ................................................................................................... 7 2. Gamma Spectra from Common Commercial Sources ........................................ 10 3. Detector Energy Resolution .................................................................................. 12 Interaction of Radiation with Matter 4. Compton Scattering............................................................................................... 14 5. Pair Production and Annihilation ........................................................................ 17 6. Absorption of Gammas by Materials ..................................................................... 19 7. X Rays ..................................................................................................................... 21 Radioactive Decay 8. Multichannel Scaling and Half-life ..................................................................... -
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
J Radioanal Nucl Chem (2013) 298:993–1003 DOI 10.1007/s10967-013-2497-8 A multi-method approach for determination of radionuclide distribution in trinitite Christine Wallace • Jeremy J. Bellucci • Antonio Simonetti • Tim Hainley • Elizabeth C. Koeman • Peter C. Burns Received: 21 January 2013 / Published online: 13 April 2013 Ó Akade´miai Kiado´, Budapest, Hungary 2013 Abstract The spatial distribution of radiation within trin- The results from this study indicate that the device-related ititethinsectionshavebeenmappedusingalphatrack radionuclides were preferentially incorporated into the radiography and beta autoradiography in combination with glassy matrix in trinitite. optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Alpha and beta maps have identified areas of higher activity, Keywords Trinitite Á Nuclear forensics Á Radionuclides Á and these are concentrated predominantly within the surfi- Fission and activation products Á Laser ablation inductively cial glassy component of trinitite. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analyses conducted at high spatial resolution yield weighted average 235U/238Uand240Pu/239Pu ratios of 0.00718 ± 0.00018 (2r) Introduction and 0.0208 ± 0.0012 (2r), respectively, and also reveal the presence of some fission (137Cs) and activation products Nuclear proliferation and terrorism are arguably the gravest (152,154Eu). The LA-ICP-MS results indicate positive cor- of threats to the security of any nation. The ability to relations between Pu ion signal intensities and abundances decipher forensic signatures in post-detonation nuclear of Fe, Ca, U and 137Cs. These trends suggest that Pu in debris is essential, both to provide a deterrence and to trinitite is associated with remnants of certain chemical permit a response to an incident. -
Project Research on Nuclear Spectroscopy and Condensed Matter Physics Using Short-Lived Nuclei
PR12 Project Research on Nuclear Spectroscopy and Condensed Matter Physics Using Short-Lived Nuclei Y. Ohkubo annealed in vacuum at various temperatures. They observed no clear signal of such complexes in the Research Reactor Institute, Kyoto University TDPAC spectra. However, the TDPAC spectra indicate that Ce and He form complexes having a variety of geometrical structures. Comparison with TDPAC results Objective and Participating Research Subjects reported by another research group on 111Cd arising from The main objectives of this project research are the 111In in He-doped stainless steel shows that the parent investigation of the nuclear structure of unstable atoms (La and Ba) of 140Ce trap He atoms more neutron-rich nuclei and also the local properties of efficiently than In atoms do, indicating stronger bonding materials using short-lived nuclei. of He to the former atoms, while different from the This period is the first year of the project. present case, 111Cd (In)‒He complexes form a unique Unfortunately, no experiments in all six research subjects geometrical structure. A part of the results are described of the project (26P12) were executed owing to the in the following second page. suspension of the reactor operation. Here, we report some S. Komatsuda et al. (PRS-3) investigated thermal results which were obtained in previous periods and have behavior and interacting nature of 100-ppm Al and already been published in journals. ~100-ppt In impurities doped in a semiconductor ZnO The research subjects (PRS) reported here are as by means of the TDPAC technique with the 111In(→ follows: 111Cd) probe. -
Lightning Strikes As a Major Facilitator of Prebiotic Phosphorus Reduction on Early Earth ✉ Benjamin L
ARTICLE https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21849-2 OPEN Lightning strikes as a major facilitator of prebiotic phosphorus reduction on early Earth ✉ Benjamin L. Hess 1,2,3 , Sandra Piazolo 2 & Jason Harvey2 When hydrated, phosphides such as the mineral schreibersite, (Fe,Ni)3P, allow for the synthesis of important phosphorus-bearing organic compounds. Such phosphides are com- mon accessory minerals in meteorites; consequently, meteorites are proposed to be a main 1234567890():,; source of prebiotic reactive phosphorus on early Earth. Here, we propose an alternative source for widespread phosphorus reduction, arguing that lightning strikes on early Earth potentially formed 10–1000 kg of phosphide and 100–10,000 kg of phosphite and hypo- phosphite annually. Therefore, lightning could have been a significant source of prebiotic, reactive phosphorus which would have been concentrated on landmasses in tropical regions. Lightning strikes could likewise provide a continual source of prebiotic reactive phosphorus independent of meteorite flux on other Earth-like planets, potentially facilitating the emer- gence of terrestrial life indefinitely. 1 Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. 2 School of Earth and Environment, Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics, The University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. 3 Department of Geology and Environmental Science, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, USA. ✉ email: [email protected] NATURE COMMUNICATIONS | (2021) 12:1535 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21849-2 | www.nature.com/naturecommunications 1 ARTICLE NATURE COMMUNICATIONS | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21849-2 ife on Earth likely originated by 3.5 Ga1 with carbon isotopic Levidence suggesting as early as 3.8–4.1 Ga2,3. -
Experiments on the Application of Autoradiographic Techniques to the Study of Problems in Plant Physiology
EXPERIMENTS ON THE APPLICATION OF AUTORADIOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES TO THE STUDY OF PROBLEMS IN PLANT PHYSIOLOGY By R. THAINE4 and MADELINE C. W ALTERst [Manuscript received March 28, 1955] Summary A method of autoradiography has been developed which allows the record of single ,a-particles emitted from sections of plant tissue 5-7 ~L thick. The method allows resolution of the order of 1 ~ and magnification up to x 1500. Dissolution of the water and alcohol soluble contents of the tissue has been overcome, and it is therefore possible to determine the distribution of com pounds concerned in the metabolism and biosynthesis of a cell. Cellular dis tortion and loss of contents during fixation and photographic processing is illus trated, and it is hoped that an improved method of freeze-drying· will reduce this limitation. In macroscopic autoradiography the soya bean has proved to be most valuable plant material, because the thin stems and leaves allow auto graphs which give a detailed record of the transported compounds containing 14C. The isotope is introduced to the plant in the photosynthesis of 14C02, and after a suitable period, the plant is dissected, dried, and placed against X-ray film. After 14 days exposure the film is developed, and the photographic image records positions and relative concentration of the isotope in the plant tissue. I. INTRODUCTION The earliest experiments with radioactive tracers in plants were confined to a study of the macroscopic distribution of certain substances, such as phos phorus, which could be readily labelled, and successful autoradiographs of leaves and fruits were obtained (Arnon, Stout, and Sipos 1940; Colwell 1942; Harrison, Thomas, and Hill 1944; Grosse and Snyder 1947). -
A Detailed Geochemical Investigation of Post-Nuclear Detonation Trinitite Glass at High Spatial Resolution: Delineating Anthropogenic Vs
Chemical Geology 365 (2014) 69–86 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Chemical Geology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/chemgeo A detailed geochemical investigation of post-nuclear detonation trinitite glass at high spatial resolution: Delineating anthropogenic vs. natural components Jeremy J. Bellucci ⁎, Antonio Simonetti, Elizabeth C. Koeman, Christine Wallace, Peter C. Burns Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences, Notre Dame University, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States article info abstract Article history: This study documents, for the first time, the combined abundances of major and trace elements at high spatial Received 24 March 2013 resolution for trinitite glass, which was produced during the first atomic weapon test (Trinity site; New Received in revised form 4 December 2013 Mexico, USA). The results indicate that the chemical composition of trinitite is largely dependent on the precursor Accepted 5 December 2013 mineral phases found in the arkosic sand at the Trinity site. The chemical compositions of trinitite were evaluated Available online 16 December 2013 using principal component analysis, which indicates that trends may be attributed to mixing between an anthro- Editor: L. Reisberg pogenic component and phases (both major and minor) within the arkosic sand. The resolvable anthropogenic component in trinitite is made up of metals including Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Mg, Mn, Nb, Pb, Ta, and Ti. Uranium Keywords: in trinitite appears to have two sources: natural U-bearing phases and the tamper used in the device. The concen- Nuclear forensics trations of volatile anthropogenic metals (Co, Cr, Cu, and Pb) are enriched in samples that originate from N74 m Trinity away from ground zero. -
Radioactivity in Trinitite Daniela Pittauerová1; William M
Radioactivity in Trinitite Daniela Pittauerová1; William M. Kolb 2; Jon C. Rosenstiel 3; Helmut W. Fischer 1 1 Institute of Environmental Physics, University of Bremen, Bremen, GERMANY, [email protected] 2 Retired, Edgewater, MD, U.S.A., 3 Retired, Anaheim, CA, U.S.A. Introduction RDS-1 Results and conclusions 1949 ATOMSITE - a fused glass-like material Trinity Gerboise Bleue Tab. 1: List of detected artificial gamma emitters in Trinitite and their origin 1945 1960 formed during ground - level nuclear tests Isotope Half-live (yr) Origin TRINITITE – a more widely used name for 60 Co 5.3 Activation of 59 Co – from test tower steel and from soil atomsite from Trinity site 133 132 Ba 10.5 Activation of Ba. Baratol - Ba (NO 3)2 - was part of explosive lens system of TRINITY – The World ´s first nuclear explosion, conducted in the desert in White Sands Missile the Trinity device Range, New Mexico, USA, on July 16, 1945. Plutonium bomb, detonated on a 30 m tower, yield 137 Cs 30.0 Fission product (beta decay of 137 Xe and 137 I and also independently) estimated to 20 kt TNT. 152, 154 151,153 RDS-1 (JOE-1) - The USSR first nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk site in Kazakhstan on August Eu 13.3 / 8.8 Activation of stable isotopes Eu in soil by slow neutrons 29, 1949. Plutonium bomb, design similar to that in Trinity, detonated on a 30 m tower, yield 155 Eu 4.8 Fission product, found to be detectable in Trinitite after more than 13 half-lives estimated to 20 kt TNT. -
Development of Synthetic Nuclear Melt Glass for Forensic Analysis
J Radioanal Nucl Chem (2015) 304:1293–1301 DOI 10.1007/s10967-015-3941-8 Development of synthetic nuclear melt glass for forensic analysis Joshua J. Molgaard • John D. Auxier II • Andrew V. Giminaro • C. J. Oldham • Matthew T. Cook • Stephen A. Young • Howard L. Hall Received: 12 February 2014 / Published online: 20 January 2015 Ó The Author(s) 2015. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract A method for producing synthetic debris simi- proliferation and nuclear terrorism is a continued and lar to the melt glass produced by nuclear surface testing is growing concern [1]. This threat has been recognized by demonstrated. Melt glass from the first nuclear weapon test congress and was the primary motivation for the passage of (commonly referred to as trinitite) is used as the benchmark the Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act [2]. This act for this study. These surrogates can be used to simulate a called for the development of a credible capability for variety of scenarios and will serve as a tool for developing identifying sources of nuclear material used in a terrorist and validating forensic analysis methods. act, and also acknowledged the challenge presented by the dwindling number of radiochemical programs and facilities Keywords Debris Á Nuclear weapons Á Nuclear in the United States. forensics Á Trinitite Á Melt glass Á Morphology The Radiochemistry Center of Excellence (RCoE) established at the University of Tennessee (UT) by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) seeks to Introduction partially fill the academic gap and meet the challenges identified in the Nuclear Forensics Attribution Act. -
The New Nuclear Forensics: Analysis of Nuclear Material for Security
THE NEW NUCLEAR FORENSICS Analysis of Nuclear Materials for Security Purposes edited by vitaly fedchenko The New Nuclear Forensics Analysis of Nuclear Materials for Security Purposes STOCKHOLM INTERNATIONAL PEACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. The Governing Board is not responsible for the views expressed in the publications of the Institute. GOVERNING BOARD Sven-Olof Petersson, Chairman (Sweden) Dr Dewi Fortuna Anwar (Indonesia) Dr Vladimir Baranovsky (Russia) Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi (Algeria) Jayantha Dhanapala (Sri Lanka) Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger (Germany) Professor Mary Kaldor (United Kingdom) The Director DIRECTOR Dr Ian Anthony (United Kingdom) Signalistgatan 9 SE-169 70 Solna, Sweden Telephone: +46 8 655 97 00 Fax: +46 8 655 97 33 Email: [email protected] Internet: www.sipri.org The New Nuclear Forensics Analysis of Nuclear Materials for Security Purposes EDITED BY VITALY FEDCHENKO OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 2015 1 Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, United Kingdom Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide. Oxford is a registered trade mark of Oxford University Press in the UK and in certain other countries © SIPRI 2015 The moral rights of the authors have been asserted All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of SIPRI, or as expressly permitted by law, or under terms agreed with the appropriate reprographics rights organizations. -
Diplomarbeit
DIPLOMARBEIT Titel der Diplomarbeit „Radiosynthese, Formulierung und Qualitätskontrolle 18 von [ F]Altanserin für die Bildgebung des 5-HT2A- Rezeptors“ Verfasserin Sandra Richter angestrebter akademischer Grad Magistra der Pharmazie (Mag. pharm.) Wien, März 2012 Studienkennzahl lt. Studienblatt: A 449 Studienrichtung lt. Studienblatt: Pharmazie Betreuerin / Betreuer: O. Univ. Prof. Mag. Dr. Helmut Viernstein Danksagung Mein Dank gilt all jenen, die an der Durchführung dieser Diplomarbeit beteiligt waren. An dieser Stelle möchte ich mich recht herzlich bei O. Univ. Prof. Mag. Dr. Helmut Viernstein bedanken, der mir die Möglichkeit gegeben hat, meine Diplomarbeit am Institut für pharmazeutische Technologie und Biopharmazie durchführen zu können. Mein Dank geht an O. Univ. Prof. Dr. Robert Dudczak und Univ. Prof. DDr. Kurt Kletter für die Möglichkeit, die notwendigen praktischen Arbeiten in den Labors der Universitätsklinik für Nuklearmedizin am AKH Wien verrichten zu können. Des Weiteren möchte ich mich bei Doz. Wolfgang Wadsak und Doz. Markus Mitter- hauser für die fachliche Beratung und Unterstützung während der gesamten Arbeitszeit bedanken. Ein besonderer Dank gilt meiner Betreuerin Mag.a Johanna Ungersböck für ihre kompetente Unterstützung, ihre Hilfsbereitschaft und ihre Geduld, meine vielen Fragen zu beantworten. Bei der Arbeitsgruppe der Nuklearmedizin (Dr.in Daniela Häusler, Mag. Lukas Nics, Mag.a Cécile Philippe, und B.Sc. Markus Zeilinger) möchte ich mich herzlich für das angenehme Arbeitsumfeld und die Möglichkeit, neben meiner Diplomarbeit auch Ein- blicke in andere Forschungsbereiche erlangen zu können, bedanken. Ein besonderer Dank gilt auch meinen Eltern, die mir dieses Studium durch ihre finan- zielle und persönliche Unterstützung all die Jahre hinweg ermöglicht haben. Zusammenfassung Serotonin ist ein Neurotransmitter, der im Zentralnervensystem (ZNS), im Darm- nervensystem, im Blut und im Herz-Kreislauf-System vorkommt und dort sowohl physiologische als auch pathophysiologische Wirkungen ausübt. -
Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering
DEPARTMENT OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND nuclear power today, and more than 40 others have recently ENGINEERING expressed an interest in developing new nuclear energy programs. Nuclear power is the only low-carbon energy source that is both inherently scalable and already generating a signicant share of the The Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE) provides world's electricity supplies. Fission technology is entering a new era undergraduate and graduate education for students interested in in which upgraded existing plants, next-generation reactors, and developing new nuclear technologies for the benet of society and new fuel cycle technologies and strategies will contribute to meeting the environment. the rapidly growing global demand for safe and cost-competitive low- carbon electricity supplies. This is an exciting time to study nuclear science and engineering. There is an upsurge of innovative activity in the eld, including a Fission energy research in the Nuclear Science and Engineering drastic increase in nuclear start-up companies, as energy resource department is focused on developing advanced nuclear reactor constraints, security concerns, and the risks of climate change are designs for electricity, process heat, and fluid fuels production creating new demands for safe, secure, cost-competitive nuclear that include passive safety features; developing innovative energy systems. At the same time, powerful new tools for exploring, proliferation-resistant fuel cycles; extending the life of nuclear measuring, modeling, and controlling complex nuclear and radiation fuels and structures; and reducing the capital and operating costs processes are laying the foundations for major advances in the of nuclear energy systems.