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Results for “nuclear reaction cross sections”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

On the geometric nature of high energy nucleus-nucleus reaction cross sections

Within the context of a high energy double-folding optical potential approximation to the exact nucleus-nucleus multiple-scattering series, eikonal scattering theory is used to investigate the validity of geometric reaction cross sections in relativistic heavy ion collisions. The potential used includes a finite range interaction and nuclear single-particle densities extracted from nuclear charge distributions by unfolding the finite proton charge distribution. Pauli correlation effects are also included in an approximate way. The sensitivity of the predictions to the assumed interaction, Pauli correlation approximation, and nuclear density distributions is investigated. These results are in agreement with early predictions concerning the geometric nature of relativistic heavy ion collisions and in disagreement with a recent analysis, utilizing the zero range approximation, which suggested otherwise. Reasons for the lack of agreement between the analyses are also presented. Finally, approximate applicability limits for geometric reaction cross sections are determined.

Townsend, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The effects of vacuum polarization on thermonuclear reaction rates

Added to the pure Coulomb potential, the contribution from vacuum polarization increases the barrier, reducing the wave function (u) for reacting nuclei within the range of nuclear forces. The cross section and reaction rate are then reduced accordingly by a factor proportional to u squared. The effect is treated by evaluating the vacuum polarization potential as a small correction to the Coulomb term, then computing u in a WKB formulation. The calculation is done analytically employing the small r power-series expansion for the Uehling potential to express the final result in terms of convenient parameters. At a temperature of 1.4 x 10 to the 7th K the (negative) correction is 1.3 percent for the fundamental fusion process p + p yields d + e(+) + nu.

Gould, Robert J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Description of alpha-nucleus interaction cross sections for cosmic ray shielding studies

Nuclear interactions of high-energy alpha particles with target nuclei important for cosmic ray studies are discussed. Models for elastic, quasi-elastic, and breakup reactions are presented and compared with experimental data. Energy-dependent interaction cross sections and secondary spectra are presented based on theoretical models and the limited experimental data base.

Cucinotta, Francis A.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Antiproton Production by CR on Air Nuclei

Recent measurements of the cosmic ray (CR) antiproton flux have been shown to challenge existing CR propagation models. In particular, the conventional reacceleration model designed to match secondary/primary nuclei ratios produces too few antiprotons. Recently there appear some indications that the atmospheric contribution to antiproton production is considerably underestimated, which implies that antiproton CR flux might be lower. This may be the primary reason of the discrepancy discovered in CR propagation. We use the Los Alamos version of the Quark-Gluon String Model code LAQGSM together with available data on antiproton production on nuclei to analyse the accuracy of existing parameterizations of antiproton production cross section. The LAQGSM model has been shown to reproduce well nuclear reactions and hadronic data in the range 0.01-800 GeV/nucleon.

Maskalenko, I. V.↗
NASA NTRS1974

H-2, H-3, He-3 production in solar flares

The production of deuterium, tritium, and helium-3 from nuclear reactions of accelerated charged particles is evaluated with the ambient solar atmosphere. Updated cross sections and kinematics are used, calculations are extended to very low energies (approximates 0.1 MeV/nucleon), and the angular distribution of the secondary particles is calculated. The calculations are compared with data on accelerated isotopes from solar flares. In particular, the August 1972 events are considered for which both He-3 and nuclear gamma rays were observed. An explanation for He-3-rich events is provided in terms of the angular distributions of secondary isotopes, and the flux of 2.2 MeV gamma rays from such flares are also predicted.

Ramaty, R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Al-26 production profile and model comparisons in Canyon Diablo

The large preatmospheric size of the Canyon Diablo meteorite, a radius of about 15 m, makes it especially suitable for systematic studies of cosmogenic nuclide production rates of iron objects in a 2 pi geometry. To reconstruct the exposure history of the meteoroid, Heymann et al. investigated several fragments recovered from known geographic locations around the crater for their shock features and cosmogenic nobel gases. They applied the Signer-Nier noble gas production rate model to establish the preatmospheric depth of the specimens in the meteoroid. Cosmic ray exposure ages suggested a multi-episodic irradiation, with 170 or 540 Ma being inferred for most of the samples studied while two anomalous specimens indicated a possible third exposure age at 940 Ma. Be-10 and Cl-36 have been measured in a number of these same samples by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), with use being made of the preatmospheric depths determined in Heymann et al. to construct production profiles. The present study extends the cosmogenic radionuclide data to Al-26 and compares the results with both the production rate model of Reedy and Arnold and production rates determined from the cross sections used by the Reedy-Arnold model (for the major nuclear reactions making Al-26) in combination with differential fluxes calculated using the Los Alamos High Energy Transport (LAHET) Code System. Model calculations for Be-10 and Cl-36 have also been obtained.

Michlovich, E.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Elastic Differential Cross Sections

The eikonal, partial wave (PW) Lippmann-Schwinger, and three-dimensional Lippmann-Schwinger (LS3D) methods are compared for nuclear reactions that are relevant for space radiation applications. Numerical convergence of the eikonal method is readily achieved when exact formulas of the optical potential are used for light nuclei (A less than or equal to 16) and the momentum-space optical potential is used for heavier nuclei. The PW solution method is known to be numerically unstable for systems that require a large number of partial waves, and, as a result, the LS3D method is employed. The effect of relativistic kinematics is studied with the PW and LS3D methods and is compared to eikonal results. It is recommended that the LS3D method be used for high energy nucleon- nucleus reactions and nucleus-nucleus reactions at all energies because of its rapid numerical convergence and stability.

Werneth, Charles M.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Low Level Neutron Spectroscopy

Although the most sought-after hot plasma fusion reactions use deuterium-tritium due to its higher fusion cross-section, the deuteron-deuteron fusion reaction is also used and is suspected in Low Energy Nuclear Reactions (LENR). Although LENR reactions are largely aneutronic, the D(d,n)3He reaction produces a 2.45 MeV kinetic energy neutron. In the course of fusion experiments at NASA, ranging from bremsstrahlung photoneutron-initiated fusion to Pd/D co-deposition, we’ve made use of liquid and solid neutron scintillator spectrometers, bubble detectors and Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors (CR-39). We have observed the unfolded neutron energy spectrum from primary fusion and boosted fusion or stripped neutrons from photoneutron induced fusion. Despite an average deuteron energy of 64 keV, the peak unfolded neutron flux was only a few neutrons/minute. The major problem was the 10e14vgamma ray/neutrons/second flux ratio.

Neutron spectroscopy↗
NASA NTRS1989

Nuclear fragmentation studies for microelectronic application

A formalism for target fragment transport is presented with application to energy loss spectra in thin silicon devices. Predicted results are compared to experiments with the surface barrier detectors of McNulty et al. The intranuclear cascade nuclear reaction model does not predict the McNulty experimental data for the highest energy events. A semiempirical nuclear cross section gives an adequate explanation of McNulty's experiments. Application of the formalism to specific electronic devices is discussed.

Ngo, Duc M.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Nuclear Cross Sections for Space Radiation Applications

The eikonal, partial wave (PW) Lippmann-Schwinger, and three-dimensional Lippmann-Schwinger (LS3D) methods are compared for nuclear reactions that are relevant for space radiation applications. Numerical convergence of the eikonal method is readily achieved when exact formulas of the optical potential are used for light nuclei (A = 16) and the momentum-space optical potential is used for heavier nuclei. The PW solution method is known to be numerically unstable for systems that require a large number of partial waves, and, as a result, the LS3D method is employed. The effect of relativistic kinematics is studied with the PW and LS3D methods and is compared to eikonal results. It is recommended that the LS3D method be used for high energy nucleon-nucleus reactions and nucleus-nucleus reactions at all energies because of its rapid numerical convergence and stability for both non-relativistic and relativistic kinematics.

Werneth, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Studies of neutron and proton nuclear activation in low-Earth orbit

The expected induced radioactivity of experimental material in low Earth orbit was studied for characteristics of activating particles such as cosmic rays, high energy Earth albedo neutrons, trapped protons, and secondary protons and neutrons. The activation cross sections for the production of long lived radioisotopes and other existing nuclear data appropriate to the study of these reactions were compiled. Computer codes which are required to calculate the expected activation of orbited materials were developed. The decreased computer code used to predict the activation of trapped protons of materials placed in the expected orbits of LDEF and Spacelab II. Techniques for unfolding the fluxes of activating particles from the measured activation of orbited materials are examined.

Laird, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Gamma-ray line emission above 8 MeV

The spectra of energetic nuclei within astrophysical sources may be determined by studying gamma-ray line emissions above 8 MeV. Excited states which can be produced by inelastic scattering, charge exchange, and spallation reactions in the abundant nuclear species were considered in order to identify nuclear lines which may contribute to the gamma spectrum. The cross sections for production of most high-energy states are sparsely measured. Those which were determined are comparable to the cross section for production of the 15.11 MeV level in C-12 with few exceptions. The branching ratios for gamma-ray and particle emission are, however, better known. Of those states considered, 44 measured branching ratios greater than 40% for emission of a gamma-ray with energy above 8 MeV. For twelve more states the branching ratios, although not yet determined, are expected to be small. The gamma-ray emission from other individual nuclear states is not likely to be as great as that that for the 15.11 MeV state in C-12.

Crannell, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Relativistic Coulomb Fission

Nuclear fission reactions induced by the electromagnetic field of relativistic nuclei are studied for energies relevant to present and future relativistic heavy ion accelerators. Cross sections are calculated for U-238 and Pu-239 fission induced by C-12, Si-28, Au-197, and U-238 projectiles. It is found that some of the cross sections can exceed 10 b.

Norbury, John W.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Evaluation of Production Cross Sections of Li, Be, B in CR

Accurate evaluation of the production cross section of light elements is important for models of cosmic ray (CR) propagation, galactic chemical evolution, and cosmological studies. However, the experimental spallation cross section data are scarce and often unavailable to CR community while semi-empirical systematics are frequently wrong by a significant factor. Running sophisticated nuclear codes is not an option of choice for everyone either. We use the Los Alamos versions of the Quark-Gluon String Model code LAQGSM and the improved Cascade-Exciton Model code CEM2k together with all available data from Los Alamos Nuclear Laboratory (LANL) nuclear database to produce evaluated production cross sections of isotopes of Li, Be, and B suitable for astrophysical applications. The LAQGSM and CEM2k models have been shown to reproduce well nuclear reactions and hadronic data in the range 0.01-800 GeV/nucleon.

Moskalenko, I. V.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Two Neutron Removal in Relativistic Nucleus-Nucleus Reactions

Significant discrepancies between theory and experiment have previously been noted for double neutron removal via electromagnetic processes in relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions. The present work examines the cause of these discrepancies and systematically investigates whether the problem might be due to electromagnetic theory, nuclear contributions, or an underestimate of experimental error. Using cross section systematics from other reactions it is found that the discrepancies can be resolved in a plausible manner.

Norbury, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A study of heavy-heavy nuclear reactions

Calculations are presented for the reaction products in high energy collisions and of the atmospheric transport of particles such as protons, neutrons and other nucleons. The magnetic moments of charmed baryons are examined. Total cross sections which are required for cosmic heavy ion transport and shielding studies are also examined.

Khandelwal, G. S.↗