Measurement of K-L radiative vacancy transfer probabilities in selected rare earth elements bombarded with 3-4 MeV protons

K-shell X-ray intensity ratios for selected rare earth elements were measured following irradiation with proton beams having energies between 3 and 4 MeV. Using the X-ray intensity ratios, the radiative vacancy transfer probabilities from the shell K to the L sub-shells were determined. The experimental data were compared to theoretical predictions for X-ray line intensities and radiative vacancy transfer probabilities. The results showed a good agreement between theory and experiment.     

Be AMS measurements at low energies (E < 1 MeV)

The longlived isotope ¹⁰Be is of great importance in earth sciences for dating applications, reconstruction of the solar activity or in climate research. Routine AMS measurements with BeO samples are performed on accelerators with a terminal voltage above 2 MV. Applying the degrader foil technique for boron suppression, first tests with BeO samples on the 0.6 MV ETH/PSI machine were limited by background to a ¹⁰Be/⁹Be ratio of 10⁻¹³. The background was identified as ⁹Be which reaches the detector by scattering processes. By applying an additional magnetic mass filter to the high energy mass spectrometer the background was effectively removed. A ¹⁰Be/⁹Be background ratio of <5 × 10⁻¹⁵ was achieved. The overall efficiency (detected ¹⁰Be compared to BeO⁻ injected into the accelerator) was 7-8%.     

Quantum interference in grazing scattering of swift He atoms from LiF(0 0 1) surfaces: Surface eikonal approximation

This work deals with the interference effects recently observed in grazing collisions of few-keV atoms with insulator surfaces. The process is studied within a distorted-wave method, the surface eikonal approximation, based on the use of the eikonal wave function and involving axial channeled trajectories with different initial conditions. The theory is applied to helium atoms impinging on a LiF(0 0 1) surface along the 〈1 1 0〉 direction. The role played by the projectile polarization and the surface rumpling is investigated. We found that when both effects are included, the proposed eikonal approach provides angular projectile spectra in good agreement with the experimental findings.     

K-shell absorption jump factors and jump ratios in elements between Tm (Z = 69) and Os (Z = 76) derived from new mass attenuation coefficient measurements

The K-shell absorption jump factors and jump ratios were derived from new mass attenuation coefficients measured using an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer for Tm, Yb elements being Tm₂O₃, Yb₂O₃ compounds and pure Lu, Hf, Ta, W, Re and Os. The measurements, in the region 56-77 keV, were done in a transmission geometry utilizing the K_α1, K_α2, K_β1 and K_β2 X- rays from different secondary source targets (Yb, Ta, Os, W, Re and Ir, etc.) excited by the 123.6 keV γ-photons from an ⁵⁷Co annular source and detected by an Ultra-LEGe solid state detector with a resolution of 150 eV at 5.9 keV. Experimental results have been compared with theoretically calculated values. The measured values of Tm, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, W, Re and Os are reported here for the first time.     

Determination of K shell absorption jump factors and jump ratios in the elements between Tm(Z = 69) and Os(Z = 76) by measuring K shell fluorescence parameters

The K shell absorption jump factors and jump ratios have been measured in the elements between Tm (Z = 69) and Os(Z = 76) without having any mass attenuation coefficient at the upper and lower energy branch of the K absorption edge. The jump factors and jump ratios for these elements have been determined by measuring K shell fluorescence parameters such as the total atomic absorption cross-sections, the K_α X-ray production cross-sections, the intensity ratio of the K_β and K_α X-rays and the K shell fluorescence yields. We have performed the measurements for the calculations of these values in attenuation and direct excitation experimental geometry. The K X-ray photons are excited in the target using 123.6 keV gamma-rays from a strong ⁵⁷Co source, and detected with an Ultra-LEGe solid state detector with a resolution 0.15 keV at 5.9 keV. The measured values have been compared with theoretical and others’ experimental values. The results have been plotted versus atomic number.     

L-subshell ionization of heavy elements by S ions with energy of 0.4-3.8 MeV/amu

The L-shell X-ray production cross sections have been measured for sulphur ions in the energy range of 12.8-120 MeV for Au and Bi elements. The experimental L X-ray spectra were analyzed using the method that takes into account the multiple ionization in outer shells. The L-subshell ionization cross sections have been obtained from measured X-ray production cross sections for resolved Lα_1,2 Lγ₁ and Lγ_2,3 transitions using the L-shell fluorescence and Coster-Kronig yields modified by the multiple ionization effects in the M and N shells. The results are compared with the predictions of ECUSAR theory, which is the modified ECPSSR approach describing both direct ionization and electron-capture processes and the semiclassical approximation (SCA) calculations for direct ionization. These approaches were modified by the L-subshell coupling effects within the “coupled-subshell model” (CSM). Both modified approaches are in good agreement with the data. Remaining discrepancies are discussed in terms of the L-shell decay rates modified for the multiple ionization effects.     

The (He, tf) as a surrogate reaction to determine (n, f) cross sections in the 10-20 MeV energy range

The surrogate reaction ²³⁸U(³He, tf) is used to determine the ²³⁷Np(n, f) cross section indirectly over an equivalent neutron energy range from 10 to 20 MeV. A self-supporting ∼761 μg/cm² metallic ²³⁸U foil was bombarded with a 42 MeV ³He²⁺ beam from the 88-Inch Cyclotron at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). Outgoing charged particles and fission fragments were identified using the Silicon Telescope Array for Reaction Studies (STARS) consisted of two 140 μm and one 1000 μm Micron S2 type silicon detectors. The ²³⁷Np(n, f) cross sections, determined indirectly, were compared with the ²³⁷Np(n, f) cross section data from direct measurements, the Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF/B-VII.0), and the Japanese Evaluated Nuclear Data Library (JENDL 3.3) and found to closely follow those datasets. Use of the (³He, tf) reaction as a surrogate to extract (n, f) cross sections in the 10-20 MeV equivalent neutron energy range is found to be suitable.     

Secondary electron yield of Au and Al2O3 surfaces from swift heavy ion impact in the 2.5-7.9 MeV/amu energy range

We report on the secondary electron yields of Au and oxidized aluminum (Al₂O₃) by impact of heavy ions with energies ranging from 7.92 MeV/amu (¹²C₆) to 2.54 MeV/amu (¹⁰⁷Ag₄₇). The obtained results, the first in this energy range using medium-heavy ions, extend the validity of proposed scaling laws obtained with lighter ions. Measurements have been performed using the SIRAD irradiation facility at the 15 MV Tandem of the INFN Laboratory of Legnaro (Italy), to evaluate the performance of ion electron emission microscopy at SIRAD.     

Experimental study of the Ho(d, 2n) and Ho(d, p) nuclear reactions up to 20 MeV for production of the therapeutic radioisotopes Er and Ho

The radioisotope ¹⁶⁵Er (T_1/2 = 10.36 h) is a candidate for Auger-electron therapy. The β⁻-emitting ^166gHo (T_1/2 = 26.83 h) is now being explored for various therapeutic applications. In the frame of our systematic study of charged particle production routes of therapeutic radionuclides the excitation functions of the ¹⁶⁵Ho(d, 2n)¹⁶⁵Er and ¹⁶⁵Ho(d, p)^166gHo reactions were measured up to 20 MeV by using a stacked foil irradiation technique and X/γ-ray spectroscopy. The excitation function of the ¹⁶⁵Ho(d, 2n)¹⁶⁵Er reaction was measured for the first time while for the ¹⁶⁵Ho(d, p)^166gHo reaction only a single dataset of earlier measured cross-sections was found. The measured excitation functions were compared to the results of different nuclear reaction model codes. The calculated thick target yield of the ¹⁶⁵Ho(d, 2n) reaction is significantly higher over the optimal energy range than that for the ¹⁶⁵Ho(p, n) reaction investigated earlier by us. The integral yield of the ¹⁶⁵Ho(d, p)^166gHo reaction is rather low compared to the established ¹⁶⁵Ho(n, γ)¹⁶⁶Ho reaction in a nuclear reactor.     

Alkali ion scattering from Ag(0 0 1) and Ag thin films at low and hyperthermal energies

We have investigated the scattering of K⁺ and Cs⁺ ions from a single crystal Ag(0 0 1) surface and from a Ag-Si(1 0 0) Schottky diode structure. For the K⁺ ions, incident energies of 25 eV to 1 keV were used to obtain energy-resolved spectra of scattered ions at θ_i = θ_f = 45°. These results are compared to the classical trajectory simulation safari and show features indicative of light atom-surface scattering where sequential binary collisions can describe the observed energy loss spectra. Energy-resolved spectra obtained for Cs⁺ ions at incident energies of 75 eV and 200 eV also show features consistent with binary collisions. However, for this heavy atom-surface scattering system, the dominant trajectory type involves at least two surface atoms, as large angular deflections are not classically allowed for any single scattering event. In addition, a significant deviation from the classical double-collision prediction is observed for incident energies around 100 eV, and molecular dynamics studies are proposed to investigate the role of collective lattice effects. Data are also presented for the scattering of K⁺ ions from a Schottky diode structure, which is a prototype device for the development of active targets to probe energy loss at a surface.     

Effect of adsorbates on the formation of doubly excited He atoms during impact of He ions on a Ni(1 1 0) surface

The formation of doubly excited states of He atoms during impact of He²⁺ ions with projectile energies of 60-1000 eV under near-grazing angles of incidence of 5°-20° on clean and adsorbate-covered Ni(1 1 0) surfaces is studied by means of Auger electron spectroscopy. Pronounced dependencies of electron spectra from autoionization of atoms in doubly excited 2s², 2s2p and 2p² configurations on the coverage of the target surface with adsorbates are observed. These are directly related to work function changes, which are studied for the controlled adsorption of oxygen. Changes of the electron spectra on the target temperature are found for adsorbate-covered surfaces only, which puts into question recent interpretations of similar electron spectra in terms of a high local electron spin polarization of Ni(1 1 0) by an alternative interpretation based on thermal desorption or dissolution into bulk of surface contaminations. The formation of doubly excited states is studied for the oxygen p(2 × l) and p(3 × l) superstructures on Ni(1 1 0) in order to provide well-defined experimental data for theoretical investigations.     

Effect of spin polarization of Ni(1 1 0) surface on Auger neutralization for grazing scattering of He ions

The survival of ions during grazing scattering of keV He⁺ ions from a clean Ni(1 1 0) surface is studied as function of target temperature. We observe ion fractions in the scattered beams of typically 10⁻³ which show a slight increase with temperature of the target surface. From computer simulations of projectile trajectories we attribute this enhancement for ion fractions to effects of thermal vibrations of lattice atoms on the survival of ions in their initial charge state. Based on concepts of Auger neutralization, we discuss the role of the spin polarization of target electrons on charge transfer. We do not find corresponding signatures in our data and conclude that in the present case of Ni(1 1 0) the spin polarization has to be small.     

Energy loss straggling in carbon foils by 1-2 MeV/atom lithium and carbon cluster-ions

Energy loss straggling of lithium and carbon cluster-ions with 1-2 MeV/atom energies incident upon thin carbon foil were measured to investigate the difference of energy loss straggling between a single ion and cluster-ions. The results show that the enhancement of the energy loss straggling is observed at lower energies for two different cluster-ions in a 5 μg/cm² carbon foil. For a thicker sample, i.e. a 15 μg/cm² carbon foil, the ratio of cluster-ions to the one of a single atom at equivalent energies lies slightly close with the unity. As increasing the number of the cluster-ions, no enhancement of energy loss straggling was observed in this study.     

Differential cross-section measurements for the C(d, p0)C reaction and applications to surface analysis of materials

This work involves surface analysis by nuclear techniques, which are non-destructive, and computer simulation. The “energy analysis” method for nuclear reaction analysis is used. Energy spectra are computer simulated and compared to experimental data, giving target composition and concentration profile information. Measured values are presented for the differential cross-section of the ¹²C(d, p₀)¹³C reaction in the deuteron energy range 0.81-2.07 MeV for laboratory detection angles of 165° and 135°, using self-supported two-layered targets consisting of high purity thin films of typically 13 μg/cm² natural carbon and 65 μg/cm² gold. The error in the absolute differential cross-section values is generally ∼6%. The method, using these values, is successfully applied to determination of uniform concentration profiles of ¹²C, along considerable depths, for a thick flat target of high purity pyrolitic graphite. It is characterised a thin surface film of carbon on a thick flat quartz target. Uniform concentration profiles of ¹⁶O are also obtained from (d, p) and (d, α) reactions.     

Determination of the effective atomic numbers and electron densities for YBaCuO superconductor in the range 59.5-136 keV

The effective atomic numbers and electron densities of YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ superconductor at 59.5, 65.2, 77.1, 94.6, 122 and 136 keV were calculated by using the measured mass attenuation coefficients. Measurements were made by performing transmission experiments in a well-collimated narrow beam geometry set-up by employing Si(Li) detector with a resolution of 0.16 keV at 5.9 keV. These values are found to be in good agreement with theoretical values calculated based on XCOM data. The observed crystal structure of YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ superconductor is close to the theoretical structure. Z_eff and N_el experimental values showed good agreement with the theoretical values for calcined and sintered YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ.     

Computer simulation of CAICISS spectra of clean Cu(1 0 0) surface and Cu(1 0 0) surface by Pt deposition

The clean Cu(1 0 0) surface and Pt/Cu(1 0 0) surface by Pt deposition at room temperature have been investigated using the computer simulation of coaxial impact-collision ion scattering spectroscopy (CAICISS). The computer simulations employing the ACOCT program code, which treats the atomic collisions three-dimensionally and is based on the binary collision approximation (BCA), were carried out for the case of 3 keV He⁺ ions incident along the 〈1 0 0〉 and 〈1 1 0〉 azimuths of the clean Cu(1 0 0) and Pt/Cu(1 0 0) surfaces. The comparisons between ACOCT results and experimental CAICISS data show that the experimental results on the clean Cu(1 0 0) surface are relatively well reproduced by the ACOCT simulations including the inward relaxation of 1.2% in the first interlayer spacing and the outward relaxation of 1.6% in the second interlayer spacing, and that the ACOCT simulations for the Pt deposition with coverages of 2.35 ML and 2.75 ML on the Cu(1 0 0) surface appear the concentrations of 0.24 ML of Pt sitting 2.3 Å and 0.25 ML of Pt sitting 2.5 Å above the outermost atomic layer, respectively.     

A detailed study of the d + B system for nuclear reaction analysis - Part A: The B(d,p)B reaction in the energy region Ed,lab = 900-2000 keV

The differential cross-sections of the ¹⁰B(d,p_{0,1,2,3,4-5,6}) reactions for the determination of the depth distribution of boron in near-surface layers of materials have been determined in the projectile energy region E_d,lab = 900-2000 keV. The experiment was carried out in energy steps of 25 keV and for eight detector angles between 135° and 170° (in steps of 5°). The obtained experimental data are suitable for nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) studies. A qualitative discussion of the observed cross-section variations through the strong influence of overlapping resonances in the d + ¹⁰B system is also presented.     

Differential cross-sections for nuclear reactions on Al and Si induced by deuterons at low energy (1-2 MeV)

Recent progress in thin film techniques has made possible the fabrication of stable and pollution-free reference standards. Thin Si₃N₄ film (thickness 70 nm) and thin Al foil (150 nm) were selected to measure the differential cross-sections of nuclear reactions induced by deuterons, from 1 to 2 MeV. The absence of oxygen and carbon in the standard, as well as the stoichiometry, were checked prior to measurement by RBS. The differential cross-sections of the ²⁷Al(d,p₀p₁)²⁸Al, ²⁷Al(d,p₂p₃)²⁸Al, ²⁷Al(d,p₅p₆)²⁸Al, ²⁷Al(d,p₉)²⁸Al, ²⁷Al(d,p₁₀)²⁸Al, ²⁷Al(d,p₁₁)²⁸Al, ²⁷Al(d,p₁₂)²⁸Al, ²⁷Al(d,α₀)²⁵Mg and ²⁷Al(d,α₂)²⁵Mg reactions for aluminium and ²⁸Si(d,p₀)²⁹Si- ²⁹Si(d,p₁)³⁰Si, ²⁸Si(d,p₁)²⁹Si- ²⁹Si(d,p₂)³⁰Si, ²⁸Si(d,p₂)²⁹Si, ²⁸Si(d,p₃)²⁹Si, ²⁸Si(d,p₉p₁₀)²⁹Si reactions for silicon were determined for a detector angle of 150°.