Simulations of neutron deceleration in a multistage UCN turbine using a multilayer monochromator

A neutron turbine is a neutron decelerator with neutron reflectors on a rotor. The multistage neutron turbine using multilayer monochromators has three rotors to decelerate very cold neutrons to ultra-cold neutrons. Reflecting blades on the rotors are flat and the incident direction of neutrons is perpendicular to the mirror surface. The use of a multistage turbine makes the incident velocity to be about 150 m/s which is faster than the existing neutron turbines and the three rotors make the velocity change smaller in one stage than the Doppler shifter employing Bragg reflection. It simultaneously improves the neutron extraction efficiency from a cold neutron source and the neutron deceleration. The peak deceleration efficiency assuming unit reflectivity in this three-stage turbine is about 0.71 from 150 m/s to UCN, and that of the final stage is about 0.81 from 50 m/s to UCN.     

Determination of the parahydrogen fraction in a liquid hydrogen target using energy-dependent slow neutron transmission

The NPDGamma collaboration is performing a measurement of the very small parity-violating asymmetry in the angular distribution of the 2.2 MeV γ-rays from the capture of polarized cold neutrons on protons (A_γ). The estimated size of A_γ is 5×10⁻⁸, and the measured asymmetry is proportional to the neutron polarization upon capture. Since the interaction of polarized neutrons with one of the two hydrogen molecular states (orthohydrogen) can lead to neutron spin-flip scattering, it is essential that the hydrogen in the target is mostly in the molecular state that will not depolarize the neutrons (≥99.8% parahydrogen). For that purpose, in the first stage of the NPDGamma experiment at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), we operated a 16-l liquid hydrogen target, which was filled in two different occasions. The parahydrogen fraction in the target was accurately determined in situ by relative neutron transmission measurements. The result of these measurements indicate that the fraction of parahydrogen in equilibrium was 0.9998±0.0002 in the first data taking run and 0.9956±0.0002 in the second. We describe the parahydrogen monitor system, relevant aspects of the hydrogen target, and the procedure to determine the fraction of parahydrogen in the target. Also assuming thermal equilibrium of the target, we extract the scattering cross-section for neutrons on parahydrogen.     

A comparison of neutron spectrum unfolding codes used with a miniature NE213 detector

The effects of unfolding technique on neutron spectra measured with a miniature NE-213 spectrometer are investigated. The codes used were FORIST, FERDOR and RADAK, a differential code FLYSPEC and one developed by the authors based on Neural Networks. The characteristics required of experimental test spectra were that they be structured, well known and have a significant component above 10 MeV. Four different test spectra were employed. It is found that all the codes performed well with the test spectra used, producing generally consistent results.     

Investigation of fuel cells using scanning neutron imaging and a focusing neutron guide

We present two different methods to increase the size of available neutron beams in order to allow for the investigation of large objects. Application of these methods is demonstrated for radiographic imaging of fuel cells. The first approach is a scanning procedure based on the coordinated translation of detector and sample through the beam. Further advancement was achieved by installing a focusing neutron guide, which offers an expanded neutron beam size after diverging from a focused point source.     

Effects of a ferromagnetic metal stripe and a Schottky metal stripe on the electron transport in a nanostructure

In this paper, the spin-dependent electron transport in a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) modulated by a ferromagnetic (FM) metal stripe and a Schottky metal (SM) stripe is in detail studied. It is found that the position and the width of the SM stripe as well as the incident energy of electron play an important role on the spin polarization. It is also found that the spin polarization is obviously dependent on the electric-barrier height induced by an applied voltage to the SM stripe and such a device can be used as a voltage-tunable electron-spin filter.     

A comparison of performance between organic scintillation crystals and moderated He-based detectors for fission neutron detection

Direct detection of fast neutrons using organic scintillators is one alternative to moderated thermal neutron detectors deployed to detect fission neutrons—a relevant question in light of dwindling ³He supplies. Recent developments in materials science have demonstrated the capability to grow larger crystals in reasonable times. In light of these developments, this study compares the relative performance of a ³He-based neutron module from a commercially available portal monitor with a theoretical organic scintillator of similar overall size. Stilbene serves as a benchmark with its performance estimated from a combination of energy deposition modeled by radiation transport calculations and an assumption of the lowest neutron energy at which pulse shape discrimination can effectively separate neutron and gamma-ray events. Before intrinsic detection efficiencies on par with moderated detector systems can be achieved, the results point to the need for further advances including significant increases in detector size, especially thickness, and/or lower pulse shape discrimination thresholds.     

Assessment of manual assembly complexity: a theoretical and empirical comparison of two methods

There are several theoretical methods for assessment of assembly complexity but there are few practically applicable methods. One of the methods, CompleXity Index (CXI), aims at assessing operators’ perception of manual assembly complexity in running production. Another recently developed method, Basic Assembly Complexity (CXB) is intended for predictive assessment of basic manual assembly complexity in early product and production development. Both CXI and CXB aim to improve assembly conditions for operators, reduce assembly-related errors and the costs for corrective measures as well as increase assembly quality although in different ways and at different organisational levels and life cycle stages. The purpose of this study was to compare the two methods to obtain feedback and learn from operators experience in order to develop better predictive assessment criteria. The method comparison showed that about 50% of the CXB assessment approaches were similar to CXI but other covered different aspects. In comparison of the complexity values of the methods no significant results were obtained. However, some CXI issues that were not taken into account in CXB should be considered. CXB and CXI could be used in conjunction but further assessment criteria are probably needed.     

Systematic analysis of neutron yields from thick targets bombarded by heavy ions and protons with moving source model

A simple phenomenological analysis using the moving source model has been performed on the neutron energy spectra produced by bombarding thick targets with high energy heavy ions which have been systematically measured at the Heavy-Ion Medical Accelerator (HIMAC) facility (located in Chiba, Japan) of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS). For the bombardment of both heavy ions and protons in the energy region of 100–500 MeV per nucleon, the moving source model incorporating the knock-on process could be generally successful in reproducing the measured neutron spectra within a factor of two margin of accuracy. This phenomenological analytical equation is expressed having several parameters as functions of atomic number Z_p, mass number A_p, energy per nucleon E_p for projectile, and atomic number Z_T, mass number A_T for target. By inputting these basic data for projectile and target into this equation we can easily estimate the secondary neutron energy spectra at an emission angle of 0–90° for bombardment with heavy ions and protons in the aforementioned energy region. This method will be quite useful to estimate the neutron source term in the neutron shielding design of high energy proton and heavy ion accelerators.     

Development of multi-moderator neutron spectrometer using a pair of Li and Li glass scintillators

A multi-moderator spectrometer using a pair of ⁶Li and ⁷Li glass scintillators has been developed. This new type of neutron spectrometer can measure the neutron spectrum in a mixed field of neutrons, charged particles and gamma-rays. The particle identification capability was investigated in neutron–gamma-ray and neutron–proton mixed fields and the neutron response functions of the spectrometer were obtained by calculations and experiments up to 200 MeV. This spectrometer has been applied to measure neutron spectrum in a neutron–proton mixed field, produced by bombarding a Be target by 70 MeV protons from the cyclotron.     

Comparison between Top and Bottom NiO-pinning Spin Valves： Effect of Interfacial Roughness on Specular Reflection

Top and bottom NiO-pinning spin valves of Si/Ta/NiO/Co/Cu/Co/Ta and Si/Ta/Co/Cu/Co/NiO/Ta were prepared by magnetron sputtering, and X-ray diffraction and giant magnetoresistance （GMR） ratio were measured in the temperature range from 5 to 300 K. For the bottom spin valve, the interracial roughness at NiO/Co is much smaller than that of Co/NiO in the top one. The Co/Cu and Cu/Co interfaces have the same roughness in the bottom and the top spin valves. NiO, Co, and Cu layers have （111） preferred orientations in the top one and random orientations in the bottom one. The GMR ratio of the bottom spin valve is larger than that of the top one at all temperatures and their difference increases with decreasing temperature.     

The examination, analysis and conservation of a bronze Egyptian Horus statuette

The production techniques, corrosive deterioration, conservation and questions regarding authenticity of a small Egyptian bronze statuette of the Child Horus (in the collection of the Ditsong: National Museum of Cultural History in Pretoria) was scientifically examined and analysed. The statuette dates to Egypt's 12th Dynasty. When the statuette was damaged, it was considered the appropriate time to obtain valuable information about its history and background through scientific research. Neutron tomography (NT), a relatively new non-destructive technique (NDT) to the South African R&D community to study museum objects, was applied to perform this research. The results from NT were supported by additional tests done through XRF and XRD analyses of samples taken from the damaged statuette. Results revealed that the lost-wax method was used in the manufacturing process. The extent of the restoration and materials used can be verified and as a result the deterioration of the object can now be monitored. This paper describes in detail the analytical techniques used in the study and how it contributed to the conservation of the statuette and its authenticity.     

Communications and cohesion: a comparison between two command and control paradigms

This article negotiates a path between the ecological validity of field trials, the precision of mathematical modelling and the formality of lab-based experimentation. It does this by taking a longitudinal approach to comparing two types of command and control organisations. The object of the study was to use social network and simple time series analysis to test the assumption that organisational design factors can lead to systematic changes in the quantity, structure and type of communication. Further that these changes lead to corresponding improvements in team cohesion over time. The longitudinal design enables novice teams to become expert in their task, for critical task variables to be preserved and controlled, and for effects to emerge over time. It is apparent that contemporary advances in command and control architectures may not be merely technically effective (in terms of enhanced communications) but also jointly optimised (in terms of greater team cohesion).     

Compatibility of poly(α-methyl styrene-co-acrylonitrile) with PMMA: A neutron and cloud point study

Cloud point (CP) experiments were perform-ed using blends of deuterated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA(D)) and a statistical copolymer P(αMS – co- AN) which consists of α-methylstyrene (αMS) and acrylonitrile (AN). A lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior is found. The corresponding interaction parameter χ is calculated accounting for temperature and concentration dependence. In order to improve the accuracy, temperature dependent small-angle neutron scattering experiments are performed for a 50/50 blend which reveal spinodal and binodal temperatures. Additionally, bilayers of P(αMS – co- AN) and PMMA(D) are prepared and annealed. The compositions of coexisting phases and the interface widths are determined by neutron reflectometry (NR). Interaction parameters calculated from the compositions of coexisting phases are in agreement with SANS and CP results. Effects of molar mass distribution are discussed. Received: 17 October 2000 / Reviewed and accepted: 18 October 2000     

Dynamic image analysis of differently milled talc particles and comparison by various methods

In this study, particle shapes of talc mineral ground by various types of mills were determined using automated dynamic image analyzer by counting averagely 19,000 particles for each mill product. The results were expressed in terms of circularity (C) and bounding rectangle aspect ratio (BRAR). It was concluded that particles created by rod mill had the highest BRAR and the lowest C, while the particles having the highest C and the lowest BRAR were obtained by autogenous milling. The statistical significance of mean shape values of different milled particles was also tested by using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey test. The ANOVA results showed that there are significant differences among C and BRAR mean values of particles produced by autogenous, ball, and rod mill at 99% level of confidence. The results were in good agreement with the results obtained by other techniques employed previously. Thus, the result of dynamic image analysis (DIA) can be used for quality control of the products of talc mineral as the morphology decides whether specific talc is appropriate for a specific application or not.     

Study of residual elastic- and plastic-deformation in uniaxial tensile strained nickel-based Alloy 600 samples by polychromatic X-ray microdiffraction (PXM) and neutron diffraction methods

In order to assess the reliability of the relatively new polychromatic X-ray microdiffraction (PXM) method for measuring the magnitude and distribution of mechanical strains, PXM and the traditional technique—neutron diffraction measurements were made on the gauge section of an uniaxially 1% strained Alloy 600 tensile specimen and an unstressed sample of the same alloy. The average strain magnitudes for the grains analyzed by PXM were found to be similar with those measured from neutron diffraction within the large experimental uncertainty. Of particular interest was the behavior of dislocations in opposing grains across grain boundaries of differing orientations, which was studied by comparing the elongation and splitting of PXM spots. Similar dislocation densities, operating on the similar slip systems, were found on both sides of 60° boundaries, while considerable differences in the degree of elongation and splitting of diffraction spots occurred between grains with other misorientation angles.     

Evaluation of migrational behaviour of plastic food-contact materials: a comparison of methods

PVC was selected as the plastic to be used in these experiments. The study was performed in two different modes, representing static and dynamic conditions. The latter represented transport simulation and this was one of our major objectives: to evaluate the effects of vibrations on migration phenomena. Our assessment of UV and GC techniques revealed that both are valuable procedures depending on the requirements of the analysis. The results obtained by the UV methodology clearly show that the change of migration per unit of time in the case of dynamic conditions is higher when compared into static conditions by a factor of 21.5. Nearly the same relationship came to light in the GC analysis of the specific migration of 2-ethylhexanoic acid into water. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Performance evaluation of 67 denoising filters in ultrasound images: A systematic comparison analysis

Noise corrupts ultrasound images and degrades spatial and contrast resolutions. Hence, it is challenging to characterize the lesions precisely using ultrasound images. The present study aims to evaluate 67 denoising filters and select the best one for ultrasound image denoising. Seven test images were synthesized to evaluate the performance of filters at three different noise levels. Eleven full-reference quantitative image quality metrics (IQMs) were employed to evaluate the performance of the filters. A new filter evaluation method, Rank Analysis, was introduced and utilized at each noise level. The ten best filters with the smallest mean rank in all noise levels were defined for further analysis on real ultrasound images. The Rank Analysis was also employed for real ultrasound images, and filters were evaluated based on 14 IQMs (11 full-reference and three no-reference). Finally, the best filter was defined using the repeated measures analysis statistical test. According to the Rank Analysis results, the Spatial correlation (SCorr) filter obtained the best results with the mean rank scores±SD of 1 ± 0, which was significantly better than the other nine filters (p < 0.001). The second-best results were achieved by three filters, Bitonic, most homogeneous neighborhood, and Lee diffusion (p < 0.05). We concluded that SCorr is the best filter for ultrasound image denoising. It can be used in the pre-processing step before segmentation and diagnostic procedures. In addition, a new filter evaluation method, Rank Analysis, was introduced in this study, which is easy to use, fast, and provides reliable results. So, it can be used to evaluate newly developed filters in the future studies.     

Grain-size analysis of fine and coarse non-plastic grains: comparison of different analysis methods

Grain size is a fundamental property of earth materials. Many techniques for measuring grain size exist, and elucidating the relationships among the different analysis techniques is valuable for understanding what constitutes grain size. In this study, grain-size distributions obtained through dry-mode digital particle imaging using optical microscopy, laser diffraction (LD), and hydrometer sieving (HS) were compared. For most of the investigated samples, the three methods yielded similar size distributions. When performing dry-mode particle optical imaging (DMPOI) measurements of grain size, we recommend using high dispersion pressure. The grain-size distribution curves of finer sands were shifted toward coarser particles in the DMPOI analysis results, compared to the LD and HS results. In contrast, the grain-size distribution curves of glass beads (irrespective of size) were similarly shaped in all three cases. The fractions of sand and silt sizes were relatively consistent among the three methods, but were smaller in the DMPOI results than in the LD and HS results. The median particle size (8–280 µm) was similar among the three methods. DMPOI yielded a lower standard deviation than the other methods. In the HS analysis of the mica sample (consisting of platy layer particles), the curve was clearly shifted toward finer particles, and the granulometric characteristics differed significantly from those obtained using the other methods. Therefore, the three methods appear to differ mainly in terms of their physical interpretations of “grain size” and the effects of the distribution width and high-sensitivity circularity of the particles.     

两类声速测温方法的研究与比较

声学测温是一种先进的温度测量方法，与传统方法相比，具有很多优势。而在声学测温的各种方法中，基于声波传播时间的声速测温方法又是一种比较好的、应用更广泛的方法。本文着重对气体介质中声速测温的两类测量方法进行了研究和比较，分析了其各自的优势与不足。结果表明，直接传播测量方法是一种更有潜力、应用更广泛的测温方法。