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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 19 records

Analytic determinations of single-folding optical potentials

A simple analytic method for calculating nucleon-nucleus optical potentials using a single folding of a Gaussian two body interaction with an arbitrary nuclear distribution is presented. When applied to proton-lead elastic scattering, the predicted real part of the Woods-Saxon potential is in substantial agreement with the experimentally determined phenomenological potential, although there are no adjustable parameters. In addition, the volume integrals of both real potentials are nearly identical.

Townsend, L. W.↗

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.↗

After heat distribution of a mobile nuclear power plant

A computer program was developed to analyze the transient afterheat temperature and pressure response of a mobile gas-cooled reactor power plant following impact. The program considers (in addition to the standard modes of heat transfer) fission product decay and transport, metal-water reactions, core and shield melting and displacement, and pressure and containment vessel stress response. Analyses were performed for eight cases (both deformed and undeformed models) to verify operability of the program options. The results indicated that for a 350 psi (241 n/sq cm) initial internal pressure, the containment vessel can survive over 100,000 seconds following impact before creep rupture occurs. Recommendations were developed as to directions for redesign to extend containment vessel life.

Parker, W. G.↗

Analysis of temperature and pressure distribution of containers for nuclear waste material disposal in space

A computer program was adapted from a previous generation program to analyze the temperature and internal pressure response of a radioactive nuclear waste material disposal container following impact on the earth. This program considers component melting, LiH dissociation, temperature dependent properties and pressure and container stress response. Analyses were performed for 21 cases with variations in radioactive power level, container geometry, degree of deformation of the container, degree of burial and soil properties. Results indicated that the integrity of SS-316 containers could be maintained with partial burials of either underformed or deformed containers. Results indicated that completely buried waste containers, with power levels above 5 kW, experienced creep stress rupture failures in 4 to 12 days.

Vanbibber, L. E.↗

The nuclear and ionic charge distribution particle experiments on the ISEE-1 and ISEE-C spacecraft

The ISEE-1 and ISEE-C instruments are designed to measure the elemental abundances, charge state composition, energy spectra, and angular distributions of energetic ions in the energy range 2 keV/charge to 80 MeV/nucleon and electrons between 75 and 1300 keV. The instrument consists of three sensor systems: (1) ULECA which is an electrostatic deflection system with rectangular solid-state detectors for the 3-560 keV/charge range; (2) ULEWATT which is a double dE/dX vs E thin-window flowthrough proportional counter/solid-state detector telescope for the 0.2-80 MeV/nucleon (Fe) range; and (3) ULEZEQ which is a combination of an electrostatic deflection analyzer and a thin-window dE/dX vs E system with thin-window proportional counter and position-sensitive solid-state detector. The applications of the instruments to solar and interplanetary phenomena and to magnetospheric acceleration and trapped particles are discussed.

Hovestadt, D.↗

Nuclear and ionic charge distribution experiment on ISEE-1 and ISEE-3

The experimental work carried out under this contract is a continuation of that originally performed under Contracts NAS5-20062 and NAS5-26739. The data analyzed are from the Max-Planck Institut/Univ. of Maryland experiment on ISEE-1 and ISEE-3. Each spacecraft experiment consists of a nearly identical set of three sensors (designated the ULECA, ULEWAT, and ULEZEQ sensors) designed to measure the energy spectra and composition of suprathermal and energetic ions over a broad energy range (less than 3 keV/e to more than 20 MeV/nucleon). Since the launch of ISEE's 2 and 3, the MPI/Univ. of Maryland experiments have generally performed as expected except for a partial failure of the ULEWAT sensor on ISEE-1 in August 1978. A number of scientific studies have either been completed, initiated or are at various stages of completion. A brief summary of Primary Results is given, followed by a more detailed summary of the major accomplishments at the Univ. of Maryland.

Gloeckler, G.↗

Effects of the Shuttle Orbiter fuselage and elevon on the molecular distribution of water vapor from the flash evaporator system

A concern has arisen regarding the emissive distribution of water molecules from the shuttle orbiter flash evaporator system (FES). The role of the orbiter fuselage and elevon in affecting molecular scattering distributions was nuclear. The effect of these components were evaluated. Molecular distributions of the water vapor effluents from the FE were measured. These data were compared with analytically predicted values and the resulting implications were calculated.

Richmond, R. G.↗

Numerical models for Halley dust environments

The algebra, parameter values, and results of a reference model for the dust environment of Comet P/Halley are presented. The model employs simplified treatments of the icy conglomerate nucleus and of the hydrodynamic outflow of gas and dust. The model includes a gas production rate derived from observations of Halley's visual magnitude in 1910, gas and dust flux nonuniformly distributed over the nuclear surface, a dust distribution function consistent with large particle inferences from comet antitails, dust density variable with mass, and an approximation to the distribution of particles near the dust envelope. Many parameter values are derived by analogy with the results for other comets. The features are incorporated in a computer program which calculates the concentration, flux, and fluence of dust particles as functions of time, position and particle mass.

Divine, N.↗

Fragmentation of 200 and 244 MEV/u Carbon Beams in Thick Tissue-Like Absorbers

Stacks consisting of thin CR-39 sheets sandwiched between thick lucite and water absorbers were perpendicularly bombarded by C-12 ions at 200 and 244 MeV/u. Track radius distributions representing the charge composition of the fragmented beams were automatically measured by a particle track analysis system. After analysis of the nuclear charge distributions, the total charge removal cross-sections and elemental production cross-sections of fragments with atomic numbers from 5 to 3, were obtained down to the lower energies (approx. 50 and 100 MeV/u, respectively). It has been found that the measured total charge removal cross-section agrees with theoretical predictions within approx. 10% and very well with previous experiments in corresponding energy regions. Two model calculations for production of B fragment are in good agreement with our measured data while a third model overestimates it by approx. 12%. Theoretical cross-sections for Be and Li fragments differ strongly among the different models and from measured values.

Golovchenko, A. N.↗

Fragmentation of 200 and 244 MeV/u Carbon Beams in Thick Tissue-Like Absorbers

Stacks consisting of thin CR-39 sheets sandwiched between thick Lucite and water absorbers were perpendicularly bombarded by C-12 ions at 200 and 244 MeV/u. Track radius distributions representing the charge composition of the fragmented beams were automatically measured by a particle track analysis system. After analysis of the nuclear charge distributions, the total charge removal cross sections and elemental production cross sections of fragments with atomic numbers from 5 to 3, were obtained down to the lower energies (approximately 50 and 100 MeV/u, respectively). It has been found that the measured total charge removal cross section agrees with theoretical predictions within approximately 10% and very well with previous experiments in corresponding energy regions. Two model calculations for production of B fragment are in good agreement with our measured data while a third model overestimates it by approximately 12%. Theoretical cross sections for Be and Li fragments differ strongly among the different models and from measured values.

Golovchenko, A. N.↗

Deexcitation gamma-ray line emission from solar flare magnetic loops

A Monte Carlo simulation that follows individual ions throughout a solar flare magnetic loop is developed. Included are energy losses due to Coulomb collisions, removal by nuclear reactions, magnetic mirroring in the convergent flux tubes, and MHD pitch-angle scattering in the corona. Calculations are made of the depth distribution of nuclear deexcitation line production, the time dependence of the production of the lines, and the escape probability of the line photons from the solar atmosphere. It is found that the inclusion of mirroring and pitch-angle scattering leads to time profiles which are in good agreement with observations. This suggests that the decaying portions of the time profiles of gamma-ray emission observed from solar flares could be governed by transport and not by acceleration.

Hua, X.-M.↗

Study of Analytic Statistical Model for Decay of Light and Medium Mass Nuclei in Nuclear Fragmentation

The angular momentum independent statistical decay model is often applied using a Monte-Carlo simulation to describe the decay of prefragment nuclei in heavy ion reactions. This paper presents an analytical approach to the decay problem of nuclei with mass number less than 60, which is important for galactic cosmic ray (GCR) studies. This decay problem of nuclei with mass number less than 60 incorporates well-known levels of the lightest nuclei (A less than 11) to improve convergence and accuracy. A sensitivity study of the model level density function is used to determine the impact on mass and charge distributions in nuclear fragmentation. This angular momentum independent statistical decay model also describes the momentum and energy distribution of emitted particles (n, p, d, t, h, and a) from a prefragment nucleus.

Cucinotta, Francis A.↗

Nuclear star formation on 100 parsec scales: 10" resolution radio continuum, HI and CO observations

A program of radio line and continuum studies of star formation in nearby spiral galaxies is reported. The objective is a search for hot gas and peculiar dynamics in spiral nuclei with 10" to 30" angular resolution. Vigorous star formation is found to be a common phenomenon in the inner kpc of spirals. Arcsecond resolution observations of radio continuum emission at 6 and 2 cm were used to separate the thermal and nonthermal radio components. It was found that thermal and nonthermal emission are well mixed even on sizescales of 10 pc. To understand the reason for the increased level of star formation activity in spiral nuclei, HI and CO emission in these galaxies is studied. The CO transition was detected in M51, M82, NGC 253, NGC 6946 and IC 342 with T sub a approx. 0.5 to 2.0 K, at 20" angular resolution. The dynamics and spatial distribution of nuclear gas are being studied using VLA HI maps with 30" synthesized beams. Evidence for noncircular motions in HI was found in the nucleus of IC 342.

Turner, Jean L.↗