Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “SAMARIUM 144”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

13 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2011

Dynamical Dipole Mode in Heavy-Ion Fusion-Evaporation and Fission Reactions in the {sup 192}Pb Mass Region

The prompt {gamma}-ray emission related with the dynamical dipole mode decay was investigated in the {sup 192}Pb mass region by means of the {sup 40}Ca+{sup 152}Sm and {sup 48}Ca+{sup 144}Sm fusion-evaporation and fission reactions at E{sub lab} = 11 and 10.1 MeV/nucleon, respectively. The two reactions populate, through entrance channel having different charge asymmetries, the {sup 192}Pb compound nucleus at an excitation energy of 236 MeV with identical spin distribution. Preliminary results of this experiment show that the dynamical dipole mode survives in collisions involving heavier mass reaction partners than those studied previously. As a fast cooling mechanism on the fusion path, the prompt dipole {gamma} radiation could be of interest for the synthesis of super-heavy elements through ''hot'' fusion reactions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

(γ, 2n)-Reaction cross-section calculations of several even-even lanthanide nuclei using different level density models

There are several level density models that can be used to predict photo-neutron cross sections. Some of them are Constant Temperature + Fermi Gas Model (CTFGM), Back-Shifted Fermi Gas Model (BSFM), Generalized Superfluid Model (GSM), Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov microscopic Model (HFBM). In this study, the theoretical photo-neutron cross sections produced by (γ, 2n) reactions for several eveneven lanthanide nuclei such as {sup 140,142}Ce, {sup 142,144,146,148,150}Nd, {sup 144,148,150,152,154}Sm, and {sup 160}Gd have been calculated on the different level density models as mentioned above by using TALYS 1.6 and EMPIRE 3.1 computer codes for incident photon energies up to 30 MeV. The obtained results have been compared with each other and available experimental data existing in the EXFOR database. Generally, at least one level density model cross-section calculations are in agreement with the experimental results for all reactions except {sup 144}Sm(γ, 2n){sup 142}Sm along the incident photon energy, TALYS 1.6 BSFM option for the level density model cross-section calculations can be chosen if the experimental data are not available or are improbable to be produced due to the experimental difficulty.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Absolute photoneutron cross sections of Sm isotopes

Photoneutron cross sections for seven samarium isotopes, {sup 144}Sm, {sup 147}Sm, {sup 148}Sm, {sup 149}Sm, {sup 150}Sm, {sup 152}Sm and {sup 154}Sm, have been investigated near neutron emission threshold using quasimonochromatic laser-Compton scattering γ-rays produced at the synchrotron radiation facility NewSUBARU. The results are important for nuclear astrophysics calculations and also for probing γ-ray strength functions in the vicinity of neutron threshold. Here we describe the neutron detection system and we discuss the related data analysis and the necessary method improvements for adapting the current experimental method to the working parameters of the future Gamma Beam System of Extreme Light Infrastructure - Nuclear Physics facility.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Isotopic excesses of proton-rich nuclei related to space weathering observed in a gas-rich meteorite Kapoeta

The idea that solar system materials were irradiated by solar cosmic rays from the early Sun has long been suggested, but is still questionable. In this study, Sr, Ba, Ce, Nd, Sm, and Gd isotopic compositions of sequential acid leachates from the Kapoeta meteorite (howardite) were determined to find systematic and correlated variations in their isotopic abundances of proton-rich nuclei, leading to an understanding of the irradiation condition by cosmic rays. Significantly large excesses of proton-rich isotopes (p-isotopes), {sup 84}Sr, {sup 130}Ba, {sup 132}Ba, {sup 136}Ce, {sup 138}Ce, and {sup 144}Sm, were observed, particularly in the first chemical separate, which possibly leached out of the very shallow layer within a few μm from the surface of regolith grains in the sample. The results reveal the production of p-isotopes through the interaction of solar cosmic rays with the superficial region of the regolith grains before the formation of the Kapoeta meteorite parent body, suggesting strong activity in the early Sun.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2010

A simple radionuclide-driven single-ion source

We describe a source capable of producing single barium ions through nuclear recoils in radioactive decay. The source is fabricated by electroplating {sup 148}Gd onto a silicon {alpha}-particle detector and vapor depositing a layer of BaF{sub 2} over it. {sup 144}Sm recoils from the alpha decay of {sup 148}Gd are used to dislodge Ba{sup +} ions from the BaF{sub 2} layer and emit them in the surrounding environment. The simultaneous detection of an {alpha} particle in the substrate detector allows for tagging of the nuclear decay and of the Ba{sup +} emission. The source is simple, durable, and can be manipulated and used in different environments. We discuss the fabrication process, which can be easily adapted to emit most other chemical species, and the performance of the source.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2013

Elastic alpha scattering experiments and the alpha-nucleus optical potential at low energies

High precision angular distribution data of (α,α) elastic scattering are presented for the nuclei {sup 89}Y, {sup 92}Mo, {sup 106,110,116}Cd, {sup 112,124}Sn, and {sup 144}Sm at energies around the Coulomb barrier. Such data with small experimental uncertainties over the full angular range (20–170°) are the indispensable prerequisite for the extraction of local optical potentials and for the determination of the total reaction cross section σ{sub reac}. A systematic fitting procedure was applied to the experimental scattering data presented to obtain comprehensive local potential parameter sets that are composed of a real folding potential and an imaginary potential of Woods–Saxon surface type. The potential parameters obtained were used in turn to construct a new systematic α-nucleus potential with very few parameters. Although this new potential cannot reproduce the angular distributions with the same small deviations as the local potential, the new potential is able to predict the total reaction cross sections for all cases under study.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

New insight into the shape coexistence and shape evolution of {sup 157}Yb

High-spin states in {sup 157}Yb have been populated in the {sup 144}Sm({sup 16}O,3n){sup 157}Yb fusion-evaporation reaction at a beam energy of 85 MeV. Two rotational bands built on the {nu}f{sub 7/2} and {nu}h{sub 9/2} intrinsic states, respectively, have been established for the first time. The newly observed {nu}f{sub 7/2} band and previously known {nu}i{sub 13/2} band in {sup 157}Yb are discussed in terms of total Routhian surface methods and compared with the structures in the neighboring N = 87 isotones. The structural characters observed in {sup 157}Yb provide evidence for shape coexistence of three distinct shapes: prolate, triaxial, and oblate. At higher spins, both the {nu}f{sub 7/2} band and {nu}i{sub 13/2} band in {sup 157}Yb undergo a shape evolution with sizable alignments occurring.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Analysis of burnup and isotopic compositions of BWR 9 x 9 UO{sub 2} fuel assemblies

In order to extend isotopic composition data focusing on fission product nuclides, measurements are progressing using facilities of JAEA for five samples taken from high burnup BWR 9 x 9 UO{sub 2} fuel assemblies. Neutronics analysis with an infinite assembly model was applied to the preliminary measurement data using a continuous-energy Monte Carlo burnup calculation code MVP-BURN with nuclear libraries based on JENDL-3.3 and JENDL-4.0. The burnups of the samples were determined to be 28.0, 39.3, 56.6, 68.1, and 64.0 GWd/t by the Nd-148 method. They were compared with those calculated using node-average irradiation histories of power and in-channel void fractions which were taken from the plant data. The comparison results showed that the deviations of the calculated burnups from the measurements were -4 to 3%. It was confirmed that adopting the nuclear data library based on JENDL-4.0 reduced the deviations of the calculated isotopic compositions from the measurements for {sup 238}Pu, {sup 144}Nd, {sup 145}Nd, {sup 146}Nd, {sup 148}Nd, {sup 134}Cs, {sup 154}Eu, {sup 152}Sm, {sup 154}Gd, and {sup 157}Gd. On the other hand, the effect of the revision in the nuclear. data library on the neutronics analysis was not significant for major U and Pu isotopes. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Parametric optimization of the liquid sampling-atmospheric pressure glow discharge ionization source coupled to an Orbitrap mass spectrometer for neodymium isotope ratio determinations

Isotope ratio determinations are a valuable tool in several application areas. In nuclear forensics, the isotope ratios of uranium and plutonium are commonly used as a signature for the nuclear material's provenance and processing history. However, signatures from other coexisting elements, such as neodymium and samarium, can offer additional insights. Here, the liquid sampling-atmospheric pressure glow discharge (LS-APGD) ionization source coupled to an Orbitrap mass spectrometer (MS) has demonstrated its utility for actinide measurements. This instrumental platform can leverage the high resolution offered by the Orbitrap MS to overcome potential isobaric interferences, such as 144 Nd- 144 Sm, 148 Nd- 148 Sm, and 150 Nd- 150 Sm pairs. The work presented herein demonstrates the rapid, accurate, and precise determination of the isotope ratios for neodymium using the LS-APGD/Orbitrap MS. Both the LS-APGD and Orbitrap MS parameters were optimized systematically, with NdO + found to be the most abundant, most reduced species after applying the optimal collision-induced dissociation modalities. A limit of detection of 3 pg of 142 Nd was achieved when data was acquired and processed using the FTMS Booster, an external data acquisition and processing system offered by Spectroswiss. Excellent accuracy of better than 99 % and precision of <1 % RSD were achieved when a solution of the well-characterized neodymium standard (JNdi-1 standard) was analyzed under the optimized condition, indicating the LS-APGD/Orbitrap's great potential for isotope ratio analysis of Nd and other REEs for diverse applications.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Understanding neutron capture processes in uranium deposits using combined U-Sm-Nd isotopic compositions

Valuable insights into the history and evolution of a geologic deposit can be found by investigating neutron capture reactions. Thermal neutron capture reactions occur within both the samarium (Sm) and the uranium (U) systems, where 149 Sm and 235 U can capture neutrons to become 150 Sm and 236 U, respectively. Although largely unexplored, paired measurements of 150 Sm and 236 U could be important for understanding neutron capture effects within uranium ore bodies, and such measurements are potentially useful in nuclear forensics for assessing a material's provenance or mineral exploration. In this work, we refined measurement procedures of Sm isotope compositions utilizing MC-ICPMS. While geologic reference materials were found to have indistinguishable Sm isotope compositions, we found significant isotope variations consistent with nuclear field shift among synthetic Sm standards. Here, this observation highlights that future high-precision Sm isotope investigations need to carefully evaluate synthetic standard(s) against geologic reference materials until an unfractionated and agreed-upon standard is identified. Here, we applied this method to a set of nine uranium ores from the South Australian Beverley North uranium deposits. Although 236 U excesses had been previously reported for these U ores, we found no measurable isotopic shifts in 149 Sm- 150 Sm at the current level of precision (±5 parts per million). One possible explanation for this disparity in the observed neutron capture signatures between U and Sm is that the source(s) of the U and Sm in these ores may be decoupled. This is consistent with the finding that these ores have variable 143 Nd/ 144 Nd, thus demonstrating that diverse sources were involved in the formation of the Beverley North deposits. Alternatively, this deposit may be too young (<50Ma) to have accumulated measurable neutron capture effects in Sm to be detected with the methods employed here.

Mineral exploration↗
NASA NTRS2021

The effects of terrestrial weathering on samarium-neodymium isotopic composition of ordinary chondrites

Following their fall to Earth, meteorites experience weathering. In this systematic study, we evaluate the trace element composition of ordinary chondrites from the Antarctic cold desert, and Atacama (Chile) and Lut (Iran) hot deserts, with an emphasis on rare earth elements (REE). Our data confirms that terrestrial weathering of meteorites in hot deserts changes their trace element (Sr, Ba, REE, Hf, Th, and U) concentrations. However, weathering effects in majority of Antarctic samples are limited to slight Ba, REE, Hf, and Th depletions and in some case to U enrichment. In comparison to the Antarctic meteorites, hot desert samples show greater disturbances and REE fractionation relative to the average fall values. We measured the Sm-Nd isotopic composition of the hot desert meteorites that have heavily affected REE compositions. Our Sm-Nd isotopic data show a significant effect of terrestrial weathering evidenced by non-CHUR (147)Sm/(144)Nd and (143)Nd/(144)Nd ratios. Measurements show a higher variation and lower values of (147)Sm/(144)Nd for the Atacama samples than those from the Lut Desert. Deviations from CHUR (147)Sm/(144)Nd value are in positive accordance with the degree of La/Lu fractionation caused by weathering. The ɛNd values of Atacama and Lut deserts meteorites range from −2.20 to +1.61, which is wider than the −1.07 to +0.64 range for falls. We suggest that disturbance of primary Sm/Nd ratios resulting from mixing with terrestrial components originating from soil during weathering is responsible for lower (147)Sm/(144)Nd ratio in these meteorites. The majority of the Atacama meteorites regardless of their weathering degrees have their REE compositions and ɛNd affected by terrestrial contamination. Both (147)Sm/(144)Nd ratio and ɛNd values show no straightforward relationship with weathering degree. However, in both cases the samples with the highest negative isotopic disturbances are H chondrites from the Atacama and Lut deserts. In addition, Ba concentration shows a negative correlation with (147)Sm/(144)Nd ratio. Care must be taken into account while dealing with samples collected from hot deserts, even fresh-looking ones.

Isotope geochemistry↗
DOE OSTI2015

Influence of rare-earth elements doping on thermoelectric properties of Ca{sub 0.98}Dy{sub 0.02}MnO{sub 3} at high temperature

Ca{sub 0.98}Dy{sub 0.02}MnO{sub 3} and Ca{sub 0.96}Dy{sub 0.02}Re{sub 0.02}MnO{sub 3} (Re=La, Pr, Sm, Eu, Ho, and Yb) have been synthesized by the solid state reaction method. Samples with relative densities all over 96% have been obtained. Thermoelectric properties are evaluated between 300 and 1000 K. The electrical resistivity shows a typical metal-like conductivity behavior, and at high temperature, 973 K, decreases from 36.1 mΩ cm for Ca{sub 0.98}Dy{sub 0.02}MnO{sub 3} to 8.6 mΩ cm for Ca{sub 0.96}Dy{sub 0.02}Yb{sub 0.02}MnO{sub 3}. Both the absolute values of Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity are reduced by the introduction of second rare-earth element. The highest power factor of 415 μW/(K{sup 2}m) is obtained for Ca{sub 0.96}Dy{sub 0.02}Yb{sub 0.02}MnO{sub 3} sample, resulting in the highest dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) 0.25 at 973 K. This value shows an improvement of 144% compared with that of Ca{sub 0.98}Dy{sub 0.02}MnO{sub 3} ceramics at the same temperature. - Graphical abstract: The Ca{sub 0.96}Dy{sub 0.02}Re{sub 0.02}MnO{sub 3} (Re=La, Pr, …, Yb) were prepared by solid state reaction. Highest ZT value obtained is 0.25 at 973 K for Re=Yb, which shows 144% improvement compared with Ca{sub 0.98}Dy{sub 0.02}MnO{sub 3}. - Highlights: • Ca{sub 0.96}Dy{sub 0.02}Re{sub 0.02}MnO{sub 3} (Re=La, Pr, …, Yb) are produced by solid state reaction. • Lowest resistivity is obtained due to the highest carrier mobility for Re=Yb. • Highest power factor obtained is 415 μW/(K{sup 2}m) at 973 K for Re=Yb. • Highest ZT value obtained is 0.25 at 973 K for Ca{sub 0.96}Dy{sub 0.02}Yb{sub 0.02}MnO{sub 3} sample.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗