TRIAC II. A MatLab code for track measurements from SSNT detectors

A computer program named TRIAC II written in MATLAB and running with a friendly GUI has been developed for recognition and parameters measurements of particles' tracks from images of Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors. The program, using image analysis tools, counts the number of tracks and depending on the current working mode classifies them according to their radii (Mode I—circular tracks) or their axis (Mode II—elliptical tracks), their mean intensity value (brightness) and their orientation. Images of the detectors' surfaces are input to the code, which generates text files as output, including the number of counted tracks with the associated track parameters. Hough transform techniques are used for the estimation of the number of tracks and their parameters, providing results even in cases of overlapping tracks. Finally, it is possible for the user to obtain informative histograms as well as output files for each image and/or group of images.

Program summary

Title of program:TRIAC IICatalogue identifier:ADZC_v1_0Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/ADZC_v1_0Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University of Belfast, N. IrelandComputer: Pentium III, 600 MHzInstallations: MATLAB 7.0Operating system under which the program has been tested: Windows XPProgramming language used:MATLABMemory required to execute with typical data:256 MBNo. of bits in a word:32No. of processors used:oneHas the code been vectorized or parallelized?:noNo. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.:25 964No. of bytes in distributed program including test data, etc.: 4 354 510Distribution format:tar.gzAdditional comments: This program requires the MatLab Statistical toolbox and the Image Processing Toolbox to be installed.Nature of physical problem: Following the passage of a charged particle (protons and heavier) through a Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNTD), a damage region is created, usually named latent track. After the chemical etching of the detectors in aqueous NaOH or KOH solutions, latent tracks can be sufficiently enlarged (with diameters of 1 μm or more) to become visible under an optical microscope. Using the appropriate apparatus, one can record images of the SSNTD's surface. The shapes of the particle's tracks are strongly dependent on their charge, energy and the angle of incidence. Generally, they have elliptical shapes and in the special case of vertical incidence, they are circular. The manual counting of tracks is a tedious and time-consuming task. An automatic system is needed to speed up the process and to increase the accuracy of the results.Method of solution: TRIAC II is based on a segmentation method that groups image pixels according to their intensity value (brightness) in a number of grey level groups. After the segmentation of pixels, the program recognizes and separates the track from the background, subsequently performing image morphology, where oversized objects or objects smaller than a threshold value are removed. Finally, using the appropriate Hough transform technique, the program counts the tracks, even those which overlap and classifies them according to their shape parameters and brightness.Typical running time: The analysis of an image with a PC (Intel Pentium III processor running at 600 MHz) requires 2 to 10 minutes, depending on the number of observed tracks and the digital resolution of the image.Unusual features of the program: This program has been tested with images of CR-39 detectors exposed to alpha particles. Also, in low contrast images with few or small tracks, background pixels can be recognized as track pixels. To avoid this problem the brightness of the background pixels should be sufficiently higher than that of the track pixels.     

Determination of boron over a large dynamic range by prompt-gamma activation analysis

An evaluation of the PGAA method for the determination of boron across a wide dynamic range of concentrations was performed for trace levels up to 5 wt.% boron. This range encompasses a transition from neutron transparency to significant self- shielding conditions. To account for self-shielding, several PGAA techniques were employed. First, a calibration curve was developed in which a set of boron standards was tested and the count rate to boron mass curve was determined. This set of boron measurements was compared with an internal standard self-shielding correction method and with a method for determining composition using PGAA peak ratios. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are analyzed. The boron concentrations of several laboratory-grade chemicals and standard reference materials were measured with each method and compared. The evaluation of the boron content of nanocrystalline transition metals prepared with a boron-containing reducing agent was also performed with each of the methods tested. Finally, the k₀ method was used for non-destructive measurement of boron in catalyst materials for the characterization of new non-platinum fuel cell catalysts.     

电沉积法制备镅、钚和镎的α源

以０．１ｍｏｌ／Ｌ硫酸铵为电沉积液,在铁阳极与不锈钢阴极之间施加约１５Ｖ直流电压,控制电流密度为０．６５Ａ／ｃｍ＾２,沉积４０ｍｉｎ,镅、钚和镎可以定量地沉积在阴极上,其收率均≥９８％。探讨了１８种有代表性的共存物对电沉积率的影响,结果表明,多数阳离子（碱金属、碱土金属除外）影响电沉积率或分辨率;少量ＮＯ＾－３、Ｃｌ＾－、磷酸三丁酯（ＴＢＰ）、三烷基氧（ＴＲＰＯ）、煤油或草酸不影响沉积结果。当电解     

RBS, XPS, and TEM study of metal and polymer interface modified by plasma treatment

We performed a study of the diffusion of Ag and Au atoms in polyethyleneterephtalate (PET). Thin metal layers were deposited using a diode-sputtering technique on polymer foils at room temperature. Simultaneous post-deposition annealing and plasma treatments were used to induce metal-polymer intermixing. Rutherford back-scattering spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to determine the integral amount of metal and chemical structure in the surface layer. After plasma treatment Ag thin films exhibit dramatic changes of chemical composition and an integral amount of metal compared to Au thin films. Transmission Electron Microscopy shows the differences in the size and the depth distribution of metal particles, depending on the annealing temperature at the metal-polymer interface.     

Np(Ⅴ)吸附于纤铁矿/水界面的扩展X射线吸收精细结构(EXAFS)分析

本工作采用原位扩展X射线吸收精细结构(EXAFS)能谱首次揭示了Np(Ⅴ)吸附于合成纤铁矿(γ-FeOOH)表面的化学形态。Np LⅢ边EXAFS分析结果显示Np(Ⅴ)以五价镎酰离子吸附于γ-FeOOH,未发现多核络合物与表面沉淀。傅里叶转化结果在约3(1=0.1nm)附近的能峰可归于Np-Fe配位层,证明了Np(Ⅴ)-γ-FeOOH形成了内层吸附的单一形态表面络合物。所得分析结果与Np(Ⅴ)在相似构成的含铁矿物上的吸附形态结果进行了比较,进一步确认了Np-Fe、Np-O等关键配位层的存在。然而,还需要更多设计良好的EXAFS实验来确认是否存在Np-C配位层,以确认纤铁矿界面是否存在Np碳酸根表面络合物。     

2-羟基乙基肼还原Np(Ⅵ)Ⅱ.在Purex流程中用于U-Np分离的初步研究

用单级萃取试验研究了水相料液中ＨＮＯ３浓度和２－羟基乙基肼浓度对３０％ＴＢＰ－煤油相从水相中萃取Ｎｐ行为的影响,以及反萃液中ＨＮＯ３浓度和２－羟基乙基肼浓度对从含Ｎｐ的３０％ＴＢＰ－煤油相中还原反萃Ｎｐ的效率的影响。试验结果表明：提高水相料液中２－羟基乙基肼浓度和降低ＨＮＯ３浓度有利于抑制Ｎｐ的萃取,提高反萃液中２－羟基乙基肼浓度和降低ＨＮＯ３浓度有利于改善Ｎｐ的反萃取。在２－羟基乙基肼还原Ｎｐ（Ⅵ）过程中,３ｈ内几乎无Ｎｐ（Ⅳ）生成。当水相料液中有一定量Ｆｅ３＋存在时,有少量的Ｎｐ（Ⅳ）生成。在Ｐｕｒｅｘ流程中可望采用２－羟基乙基肼作为Ｎｐ（Ⅵ）的选择性还原剂进行Ｕ－Ｎｐ的分离。     

氨基羟基脲与Np(Ⅵ)的还原动力学

研究了氨基羟基脲(HSC)浓度、H~+浓度、NO_3~-浓度、Fe3+浓度、UO2+2浓度、反应温度对氨基羟基脲与Np(Ⅵ)还原反应速率的影响,获得了其动力学方程。实验结果表明:增加氨基羟基脲浓度和提高反应温度,降低H~+浓度和NO_3~-浓度,可以提高氨基羟基脲与Np(Ⅵ)还原速率;在UO2+2存在或Fe3+浓度小于1×10-3 mol/L时,对氨基羟基脲与Np(Ⅵ)的还原没有明显影响。氨基羟基脲还原Np(Ⅵ)的动力学方程式为:-dc(Np(Ⅵ))/dt=kc(Np(Ⅵ))c2.52(HSC)c-0.53(H+)c-0.61(NO_3~-),在4.00℃时k=(1 037±60)(mol/L)-1.40·s-1,活化能Ea=(64.03±6.4)kJ/mol。     

N，N′-二甲基-N，N′-二辛基-3-氧杂-戊二酰胺对Np(Ⅳ，Ⅴ，Ⅵ)的萃取行为

²³⁷Np半衰期较长,具有较高的生物毒性,使其成为高放废液非α化过程中重点关注的核素之一。本工作采用新型的N,N′-二甲基-N,N′-二辛基-3-氧杂-戊二酰胺(DMDODGA)为萃取剂,研究了萃取剂浓度、水相初始硝酸浓度和温度等因素对DMDODGA萃取Np(Ⅳ)、Np(Ⅴ)、Np(Ⅵ)的影响。结果表明：随着DMDODGA浓度和水相初始硝酸浓度的增加,Np(Ⅳ)、Np(Ⅴ)、Np(Ⅵ)的分配比均增大。萃取剂浓度小于0.005 mol/L时,DMDODGA与Np(Ⅳ)生成1∶2型萃合物;萃取剂浓度大于0.005 mol/L时,DMDODGA与Np(Ⅳ)生成1∶3型萃合物。萃取剂浓度在0.1~1.0 mol/L范围内,DMDODGA与Np(Ⅴ)、Np(Ⅵ)均生成1∶2型萃合物。DMDODGA萃取Np(Ⅳ)、Np(Ⅴ)、Np(Ⅵ)的ΔH分别为-59.55、-22.02、-31.40 kJ/mol,3个反应均为放热反应,降低温度有利于反应的正向进行。     

高钚含量样品中α能谱法分析~(237)Np的可行性研究

通过对244 Cm的α实验谱进行拟合得到单能峰的峰形参数,采用随机抽样技术表征谱计数的统计涨落,建立了一种模拟半导体α能谱的方法。利用该方法模拟238Pu和243Am的α能谱,与实验谱基本吻合,证明了方法的可靠性。在此基础上,研究了239Pu对237Np的α能峰的影响,结果表明,当239Pu与237Np的活度比A(239Pu)/A(237Np)≤10时,通过解谱得到的A(239Pu)/A(237Np)与设定值的相对偏差≤2.0%。对于A(239Pu)/A(237Np)约为3 000的样品,如果对钚的去污系数达到300以上,则可由α能谱法测量样品中的237 Np。