Dissociated dislocations in Ni: a computational study

A systematic computational study of the behavior of a dissociated screw dislocation in fcc nickel is presented, in which atomic interactions are described through an embedded-atom potential. A suitable external stress is applied on the system, both for modifying the equilibrium separation distance d and moving the dislocation complex. The structure of the dislocation and its corresponding changes during the motion are studied in the framework of the two-dimensional Peierls model, for different values of the ratio d/a^′, where a^′ is the period of the Peierls potential. The distance between the edge and screw components of the partials, as well as their widths, undergo a modulation with period a^′, as the dislocation moves, and the amplitudes of such oscillations are shown to depend on d/a^′. The stress profile acting on the dislocation complex is analyzed and the effective Peierls stress is estimated for different values of d/a^′.     

A parametric study of a pressurized blister test for an elastic–plastic film-rigid substrate system

A finite element simulation of a blister test of an elastic–plastic film, bonded to a substrate and subject to plane strain conditions, is performed. A traction-separation law models the fracture process ahead of the crack tip at the interface between the thin film and the substrate. Only two parameters are significant in describing the traction-separation law: adhesion energy, Γ₀ and interface strength, . The dependences of the pressure, P, and the product of the pressure with the central deflection, PH, on the adhesion properties (Γ₀ and ), the geometry and material properties of the film are studied. The latter quantity (PH) has the same unit as the adhesion energy, Γ₀, and is “conceptually” appropriate for the analysis. We suggest a method to extract the adhesion energy, Γ₀ and the interface strength, , independently from the total energy dissipated.     

Gamma (γ) phase transformation in pulsed GTAW weld metal of duplex stainless steel

The cooling rate and large undercooling significantly affect the fusion zone microstructure in pulsed GTAW weldment under the same heat input condition. The weld pool solidified at fast cooling rate about 139 °C/s superimposed a relative amount of undercooling has a desired higher γ content of about 37 vol.% without tradition nitrogen addition or post-weld heat treatment. The final structure of the pulsed weld metal at 7 °C plate consists of a great amount of desirable intra-granular austenite γ^′₂ (IGA) inside the grain matrix, besides Widmannstätten austenite γ^′₂ (W) and grain boundary austenite γ₂ (GBA). It results in the weldment with an uniform microhardness distribution and a homogeneous mechanical property.     

Position sensitivity of the TIGRESS 32-fold segmented HPGe clover detector

Sensitivity to the locations of γ-ray interactions within a 32-fold segmented clover-type HPGe detector has been investigated through 90 Compton scattering of -rays from a collimated source. A mean position sensitivity of 0.44 mm at an energy of 373 keV is deduced by comparing the average pulse shapes for net charge collecting signals, as well as transient induced signals in neighbouring contacts, from 1007 pairs of three-dimensionally localized interaction points. The reconstruction of individual event locations based on a χ² comparison with the measured set of basis waveforms is presented.     

Production of a low-energy radioactive nuclear beam with high purity using JAERI-RMS

Low-energy (1–2 MeV/nucleon) radioactive nuclear beams (RNBs) of ⁸Li, ¹²B and ¹⁶N have been produced through nuclear transfer reactions using a recoil mass separator (RMS) at Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI). The contamination of the primary beam to the RNB was investigated quantitatively and was well suppressed. The typical beam intensities of ⁸Li-, ¹²B- and ¹⁶N-RNB were 1.4×10⁴, 7.8×10³ and , respectively. Their purities were 99%, 98% and 98.5%, respectively.     

Performance optimisation of the micro pixel chamber

A thorough performance analysis of large-area μ-PIC detectors has been made. Through systematic simulations and comparison with test results of the two detector versions, μ-PIC1 and μ-PIC3, we have identified that low primary electron collection was responsible for the degradation of measured gas gain of the μ-PIC3 device. The test of a new detector, μ-PIC5, fabricated with a narrower inter-cathode gap and anodes raised above the insulator surface, shows a threefold increase in gas gain reaching 10⁴ in argon 80%–ethane 20% gas mixture, which agrees with simulations. The new detector demonstrates a stable long-term operation at high gains, above 6000 measured during more than 70 h with an X-ray source, with a moderate 6% gain increase due to dielectric polarisation.     

Influence of alloying elements on as-cast microstructure and strength of gray iron

Casting experiments were carried out to produce gray cast irons with compositions in the range (wt.%): Fe–3.2C–wCu–xMo–yMn–zSi, where w = 0.78–1.79, x = 0.11–1.17, y = 0.68–2.34 and z = 1.41–2.32. These key elements were varied systematically during sand casting into 30-mm diameter bars to assess their influence on the development of microstructure and mechanical properties. It was found that microstructures ranging from fully pearlitic to an intimate mixture of retained austenite and bainitic ferrite, termed ausferrite, were produced and a reasonable linear correlation was observed between ausferrite volume fraction and strength. The optimum combination of mechanical properties was achieved in an alloy of approximate composition Fe–3.2C–1.0Cu–0.7Mo–0.55Mn–2.0Si, which generated 100% ausferrite without alloy carbides. This alloy has a microstructure and mechanical properties comparable to austempered gray iron without many of the problems associated with austempering.     

Coupled simulation of microstructural formation and deformation behavior of ferrite–pearlite steel by phase-field method and homogenization method

A coupled simulation by the phase-field (PF) method and the finite element method based on the homogenization theory (FEH) is developed to predict the microstructure formations and mechanical properties of ferrite–pearlite steels. The formation of the phase during the isothermal transformation is simulated by the PF method. Furthermore, the FEH analysis is performed to clarify the effects of the predicted microstructure on the deformation behavior of the steels. In order to link to the FEH analysis, the microstructure in the steel is described by the representative volume element (RVE) based on the results of the PF simulation. The results reveal that although the macroscopic stress–strain relationship is mainly characterized by the volume fraction of the constituent phase, the localization of plastic strain is reduced due to the fine-grained phase. This numerical model provides a systematic way of predicting the mechanical properties of steel depending on the microstructure.     

Magnetic field effects on particle trajectories in the muon-spin relaxation experiment: Towards a high-field spectrometer

As a step towards the design of a muon-spin relaxation (μ⁺SR) spectrometer with a high magnetic field capability, we have carried out an investigation into the effects of applying a large magnetic field on the trajectories of particles in a μ⁺SR experiment. We compare the results of measurements and Geant4 simulations of the influence of applied fields on the incoming muon beam and the outgoing decay positron ensemble. Good agreement between measurements and simulations is found and the limits of this agreement are discussed.     

Decrease of dielectric loss in giant dielectric constant CaCu3 Ti4 O12 ceramics by adding CaTiO3

CaCu₃ Ti₄ O₁₂–x CaTiO₃ ceramics (x=0,0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4 and 0.5) was studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and dielectric measurements. It was indicated that some CaTiO₃ entered the boundaries of CaCu₃ Ti₄ O₁₂ grains and/or subgrains. Dielectric measurement showed that the addition of CaTiO₃ lowered the dielectric loss remarkably, especially at low frequencies, while the giant dielectric constant still remained. At room temperature, the dissipation factor of the x=0.5 sample was decreased to 0.02 over the frequency range from 50 to 2000 Hz, and the dielectric constant was kept to be 4000. We explain this phenomenon in terms of internal barrier layer capacitance model by using the impedance spectroscopy analysis.     

GABRIELA: A new detector array for -ray and conversion electron spectroscopy of transfermium elements

With the aid of the Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation package a new detection system has been designed for the focal plane of the recoil separator VASSILISSA situated at the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions, JINR, Dubna. GABRIELA (Gamma Alpha Beta Recoil Investigations with the ELectromagnetic Analyser VASSILISSA) has been optimised to detect the arrival of reaction products and their subsequent radioactive decays involving the emission of - and β-particles, fission fragments, γ- and X-rays and conversion electrons. The new detector system is described and the results of the first commissioning experiments are presented.     

Development of tin-loaded liquid scintillator for the double beta decay experiment

Tin-loaded liquid scintillator offers some advantages as a detector for double beta decay experiment. A research program was carried out with the objective of developing such scintillators. Several organometals were loaded into pseudocumene-based liquid scintillator (LS) and light output variation was studied. Up to 50% of tetramethyltin (32.6% w of tin) was successfully loaded into LS and light output was as high as 57% of unloaded LS. We have studied the characteristics and stability of the one liter tin-loaded LS contained in a Teflon vessel. Several γ-ray radioactive sources were used for energy calibration and calibration data were compared with Monte Carlo simulation. Data-taking at the 700 m underground laboratory in Yangyang is ongoing for the search of 0 νββ decay of ¹²⁴Sn.     

Coincidence Doppler broadening study on hydrocarbons with pi and sigma valence electrons: positronium correction

The coincidence Doppler broadening (CDB) technique was applied to study the electron momentum distribution in anthracene, diphenyl, naphthalene, and polystyrene. A method for separation of the positron and positronium (Ps) components from the Doppler-broadened annihilation line (DBAL) was developed further to be applicable to hydrocarbons with different π and σ valence electron distributions. This method allows extraction of the electron momentum distribution (EMD) from DBAL for samples when Ps formation occurs. The annihilation on π valence electrons was detected as broadening of the EMD compared to that obtained for a polymer sample only with σ valence electrons. The broadening appeared as a significant change in the shape of the CDB ratio of the corresponding positronium-corrected curves: a slight enhancement above the unity line in the low-momentum region and a drop in the momentum region, 10–20×10⁻³m_oc.     

The central pixel of the MAGIC telescope for optical observations

The MAGIC telescope has been designed for the observation of Cherenkov light generated in Extensive Air Showers initiated by cosmic particles. However, its 17 m diameter mirror and optical design makes the telescope suitable for direct optical observations as well. In this paper, we report about the development of a system based on the use of a dedicated photo-multiplier (PMT) for optical observations. This PMT is installed in the centre of the MAGIC camera (the so-called central pixel). An electro-to-optical system has been developed in order to transmit the PMT output signal by an optical fibre to the counting room, where it is digitized and stored for off-line analysis. The performance of the system using the optical pulsation of the Crab nebula as calibration source is presented. The time required for a 5σ detection of the Crab pulsar in the optical band is less than 20 s. The central pixel will be mainly used to perform simultaneous observations of the Crab pulsar both in the optical and γ-ray regimes. It will also allow for periodic testing of the precision of the MAGIC timing system using the Crab rotational optical pulses as a very precise timing reference.     

Behavior of corrosion-damaged RC columns wrapped with FRP under combined flexural and axial loading

This paper presents the results of a research program aimed at investigating the effectiveness of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) to upgrade corrosion-damaged eccentrically loaded reinforced concrete (RC) columns. A total of 16 square RC columns with end corbels were constructed. Test specimen had an overall length of 1200 mm whereas each end corbel had a cross section of and a length of 350 mm. The specimen in the test region was having longitudinal steel ratio of 1.9%. The damaged specimens were exposed to 30 days of accelerated corrosion that corresponded to a steel mass loss of about 4.25%. The main test parameters were the CFRP repair scheme (no wrapping, full-wrapping, and partial-wrapping) and the eccentricity-to-section height (e/h) ratio (0.3, 0.43, 0.57, and 0.86). The strength of the damaged columns fully wrapped with CFRP was up to 40% higher than that of the control undamaged columns. The strength gain was inversely proportional to the eccentricity ratio. Partial CFRP-wrapping was 8% less effective than full CFRP-wrapping at nominal e/h of 0.3. At higher e/h values, the confinement level had a negligible effect on the columns’ strength. An analytical model was then proposed to predict the columns’ strength under eccentric loading. A comparative analysis between predicted and experimental results demonstrated the model’s accuracy and reliability.     

A novel apparatus for the investigation of material properties for the storage of ultracold neutrons

We have built a novel apparatus for the investigation of materials for the storage of ultracold neutrons. Neutrons are filled into a storage volume, confined at the bottom by a magnetic field, at the top by gravity and at the sides by the slit-less sample surface under investigation. For different beryllium and diamond-like carbon samples, storage times up to 200 s were obtained at room temperature. The corresponding loss parameters η for ultracold neutrons varied between 4.2 and 6.8×10^-4 per wall collision.     

A 600 kV 15 mA Cockcroft–Walton high-voltage power supply with high stability and low-ripple voltage

A Cockcroft–Walton high-voltage power supply with high stability and low-ripple voltage has been developed. This power supply has been operated in a ns pulse neutron generator. The maximum non-load voltage is 600 kV while the working voltage and load current are 550 kV and 15 mA, respectively. The tested results indicate that when the power supply is operated at 300 kV, 6.7 mA and the input voltage varies ±10%, the long-term stability of the output voltage is S=(0.300–1.006)×10^-3. The ripple voltage is at 300 kV, 6.8–8.3 mA and the ratio of δU_P−P to the output voltage V_H is δU_P-P/V_H=2.1×10^-5.     

Composite detector for mixed radiations based on CsI(Tl) and dispersions of small ZnSe(Te) crystals

A new large area detector of high-energy X-ray and β-radiation has been designed and studied. A composite material based on small-crystalline ZnSe(Te) was applied onto the wide surface of a light guide. An experimental specimen has been prepared, which showed β-sensitivity . The spectrograms of a ⁹⁰Sr+⁹⁰Y β-source obtained with the specimen under study make it possible to evaluate the age of the source by the ratio of low- and high-energy regions of the spectrum.

The combined detector (CD) comprises a single crystalline plate of ZnSe(Te) placed onto the output window of a scintillating transparent light guide made of CsI(Tl) in the shape of a truncated pyramid. The CsI(Tl) light guide is used to create an additional channel for detection of γ-radiation, as well as for protecting the photodiode from the penetrating radiation. It is shown that introduction of the light guide does not worsen the energy resolution characteristics of ZnSe(Te). Separate detection of - and γ-radiation has been achieved under simultaneous excitation by ²³⁹Pu (ZnSe(Te), R=6%) and ²⁴¹Am (CsI(Tl), R_γ=20%). The use of selective optical filters allows separation of the peaks of total absorption (p.t.a.) in the case of their superposition.     

Stochastic response of articulated leg platform in probability domain

The probability density function (PDF) of the nonlinear response of an articulated leg platform (ALP) is obtained using stochastic averaging procedure together with weighted residual error minimization technique. Since stochastic averaging procedure is strictly applicable for weak (small size) excitations and damping functions, the error minimization technique has been employed to take into account the size effect which arises in practical problems like ALP. The application of the method to articulated leg platform also requires relative velocity squared drag force to be expressed in a manner which allows stochastic averaging procedure to be used. The procedure uses random Van-der-Pol transformation, FPK equation and Itoˆs equation of limiting diffusion process assuming the response to be slowly converging to diffusive Markov process. The computation scheme is developed using FFT to obtain the averaged drift and diffusion coefficients of the Itoˆs equation. An articulated tower with variable buoyancy chamber in a water depth of 141 m is analyzed for a random sea state represented by the Pierson–Morkowitz (P–M) spectrum having 16 and 8 m significant wave heights. The tower is idealized as a SDOF system with the rotation (φ) of the tower at the base hinge as unknown. The PDF of the angular rotation (φ) and the joint PDF are obtained and compared with those derived from the simulation analysis. A 20 min sea state corresponding to the P–M spectrum is simulated for this purpose. It is shown that the procedure provides results which compare very well with those obtained from the simulation analysis     

A NaI activation method for the measurement of the weak thermal neutron field around the MEG experiment

A precise measurement of the thermal neutron flux (and an approximate measurement of the non-thermal neutron flux), associated with the high intensity stopping μ⁺ beam (≈) of the MEG experiment, was studied by measuring the delayed radioactivity of an activated NaI detector. This passive method provides a high sensitivity and allows the neutron flux determination at all locations, even in regions of high magnetic field. We present and discuss the results.