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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 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

A study of the scintillation light induced in liquid xenon by electrons and alpha particles

The time dependence and the intensity of the primary scintillation light in liquid Xe excited by Am-241 alpha particles and Bi-207 internal-conversion electrons were measured at different electric-field strengths. High-purity liquid Xe was used to fill a parallel-plate ionization chamber equipped with a CaF2 window coupled to a UV-sensitive photomultiplier tube. The effect of the specific ionization density on the scintillation light and the time correlation between the light signal and the charge signal is reported. It is demonstrated that the fast scintillation signal produced in liquid Xe by an ionizing particle provides an ideal trigger in a detector aiming at a complete three-dimensional event reconstruction with an excellent background rejection capability.

Aprile, Elena↗
NASA NTRS1976

Scaling of cross sections for K-electron capture by high-energy protons and alpha-particles from the multielectron atoms

Electron capture by protons from H, He, and the K-shell of Ar, and alpha particles from He are considered. It is shown that when a certain function of the experimental cross sections is plotted versus the inverse of the collision energy, at high energies the function falls on a straight line. At lower energies the function concaves up or down, depending on the charge of the projectile, the effective charge and the ionization potential of the electron that is being captured. The plot can be used to predict cross sections where experimental data are not available, and as a guide in future experiments. High energy scaling formulas for K-electron capture by low-charge projectiles are given.

Omidvar, K.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Alpha particle heating in hot diamagnetic cavities

Observational data from ISEE 1 are analyzed and a one-dimensional electromagnetic hybrid computer simulation is conducted for the heating of solar wind alpha particles in hot diamagnetic cavities (HDCs). In the simulation, which envisions alpha heating by ion-ion instabilities, low beam densities excite the proton/proton right-hand resonant instability that then pitch-angle scatters the beam without significantly heating the alphas. At greater beam densities, the proton/proton nonresonant instability undergoes saturation through a trapping of all three ion components. These results support the Thomsen et al. (1988) hypothesis that the nonresonant instability is the primary source of ion heating in hot diamagnetic cavities.

Galvez, Miguel↗
NASA NTRS1979

Scaling of cross sections for K-electron capture by high-energy protons and alpha-particles from the multielectron atoms

Electron capture by protons from H, He, and the K shell of Ar, and electron capture by alpha particles from He are considered. Using the experimental data, a function of the capture cross section is formed. It is shown that when this function is plotted versus the inverse of the collision energies, at high energies a straight line is obtained. At lower energies the line is concave up or down, depending on the charge of the projectile and/or the effective charge and the ionization potential of the electron that is being captured. The plot can be used to predict cross sections where experimental data are not available, and as a guide in future experiments. High-energy scaling formulas for K-electron capture by low-charge projectiles are given.

Omidvar, K.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Can Bose condensation of alpha particles be observed in heavy ion collisions?

Using a fully self-consistent quantum statistical model, we demonstrate the possibility of Bose condensation of alpha particles with a concomitant phase transition in heavy ion collisions. Suggestions for the experimental observation of the signature of the onset of this phenomenon are made.

Tripathi, Ram K.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Depth Measurements Using Alpha Particles and Upsettable SRAMs

A custom designed SRAM was used to measure the thickness of integrated circuit over layers and the epi-layer thickness using alpha particles and a test SRAM. The over layer consists of oxide, nitride, metal, and junction regions.

upsettable SRAMs↗
NASA NTRS1979

Low-altitude measurements of precipitating protons, alpha particles, and heavy ions during the geomagnetic storm on March 26-27, 1976

During the geomagnetic storm of March 16-17, 1976, observations were made of precipitating protons, alpha particles, and heavy ions by two counter telescopes aboard the low-altitude S3-2 satellite. These observations are presented in this paper and their significance discussed. Briefly, a two-zone precipitation region is observed on the nightside, at L equals 2.7 and L equals 4.0 with an alpha/p ratio of about 0.008 in the low-latitude region and about 0.0009 at higher latitude at 0.4 MeV/necleon. The heavier ions, CNO nuclei, are seen in the low-latitude zone with a CNO/alpha ratio of about 0.056 at 0.25 MeV/nucleon.

Scholer, M.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Nucleon-Alpha Particle Disequilibrium and Short-Lived r-Process Radioactivities

r-Process yields can be extremely sensitive to expansion parameters when a persistent disequilibrium between free nucleons and alpha particles is present. This may provide a natural scenario for understanding the variation of heavy and light r-process isotopes in different r-process events. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Meyer, B. S.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Scattering of 42-MeV alpha particles from Cu-65

The extended particle-core coupling model was used to predict the properties of low-lying levels of Cu-65. A 42-MeV alpha particle cyclotron beam was used for the experiment. The experiment included magnetic analysis of the incident beam and particle detection by lithium-drifted silicon semiconductors. Angular distributions were measured for 10 to 50 degrees in the center of mass system. Data was reduced by fitting the peaks with a skewed Gaussian function using a least squares computer program with a linear background search. The energy calibration of each system was done by pulsar, and the excitation energies are accurate to + or - 25 keV. The simple weak coupling model cannot account for the experimentally observed quantities of the low-lying levels of Cu-65. The extended particle-core calculation showed that the coupling is not weak and that considerable configuration mixing of the low-lying states results.

Stewart, W. M.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Observation of alpha-particles in recent D–T experiments on JET

The fusion reaction between deuterium and tritium, D(T,n) 4 He is the main source of energy in future thermonuclear reactors. Alpha-particles ( 4 He-ions) born with an average energy of 3.5 MeV transferring energy to the thermal plasma during their slowing down, should provide the self-sustained D–T plasma burn. The adequate confinement of α-particles is essential to provide efficient heating of the bulk plasma and steady burning of a reactor plasma. That is why the fusion-born α-particle studies have been a priority task in the second D–T experiments (DTE2) on the Joint European Torus (JET) to understand the main mechanisms of their slowing down, redistribution and losses and to develop optimal plasma scenarios. JET with Be-wall and W-divertor, enhanced auxiliary heating systems and improved energetic-particle diagnostic capabilities, producing significant population of α-particles, provided the possibility for comprehensive studying of the α-particle behaviour. Selected results of the confined and lost α-particle measurements, evidence of α-particle self-heating and assessments of the fusion performance are presented in this paper giving an opportunity for further modelling and extrapolation to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor and burning plasma reactors.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1994

Making A D-Latch Sensitive To Alpha Particles

Standard complementary metal oxide/semiconductor (CMOS) D-latch integrated circuit modified to increase susceptibility to single-event upsets (SEU's) (changes in logic state) caused by impacts of energetic alpha particles. Suitable for use in relatively inexpensive bench-scale SEU tests of itself and of related integrated circuits like static random-access memories.

Buehler, Martin G.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Alpha-Particle Gas-Pressure Sensor

An approximate model was developed to establish design curves for the saturation region and a more complete model developed to characterize the current-voltage curves for an alpha-particle pressure sensor. A simple two-parameter current-voltage expression was developed to describe the dependence of the ion current on pressure. The parameters are the saturation-current pressure coefficient and mu/D, the ion mobility/diffusion coefficient. The sensor is useful in the pressure range between 0.1 and 1000 mb using a 1 - mu Ci(241) Am source. Experimental results, taken between 1 and up to 200 mb, show the sensor operates with an anode voltage of 5 V and a sensitivity of 20 fA/mb in nitrogen.

Buehler, M. C.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Two Years of Chemical Sampling on Meridiani Planum by the Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer Onboard the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity

For over two terrestrial years, the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has been exploring the martian surface at Meridiani Planum using the Athena instrument payload [1], including the Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS). The APXS has a small sensor head that is mounted on the robotic arm of the rover. The chemistry, mineralogy and morphology of selected samples were investigated by the APXS along with the Moessbauer Spectrometer (MB) and the Microscopic Imager (MI). The Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT) provided the possibility to dust and/or abrade rock surfaces down to several millimeters to expose fresh material for analysis. We report here on APXS data gathered along the nearly 6-kilometers long traverse in craters and plains of Meridiani.

Bruckner, J.↗
NASA NTRS2006

The Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS): Results from Gusev Crater and Calibration Report

The chemical composition of rocks and soils on Mars analyzed during the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit Mission was determined by X-ray analyses with the Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS). Details of the data analysis method and the instrument calibration are presented. Measurements performed on Mars to address geometry effects and background contributions are shown. Cross calibration measurements among several instrument sensors and sources are discussed. An unintentional swap of the two flight instruments is evaluated. New concentration data acquired during the first 470 sols of rover Spirit in Gusev Crater are presented. There are two geological regions, the Gusev plains and the Columbia Hills. The plains contain soils that are very similar to previous landing sites on Mars. A meteoritic component in the soil is identified. Rocks in the plains revealed thin weathering rinds. The underlying abraded rock was classified as primitive basalt. One of these rocks contained significant Br that is probably associated with vein-filling material of different composition. One of the trenches showed large subsurface enrichments of Mg, S, and Br. Disturbed soils and rocks in the Columbia Hills revealed different elemental compositions. These rocks are significantly weathered and enriched in mobile elements, such as P, S, Cl, or Br. Even abraded rock surfaces have high Br concentrations. Thus, in contrast to the rocks and soils in the Gusev Plains, the Columbia Hills material shows more significant evidence of ancient aqueous alteration.

Gellert, R.↗