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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1980

Silver isotopic anomalies in iron meteorites - Cosmic-ray production and other possible sources

Sources of excess Ag-107 observed in iron meteorites are investigated with emphasis on reactions of cosmic-ray particles with palladium. Cross sections for the production of the silver isotopes from palladium by energetic cosmic-ray particles are estimated to calculate spallogenic production rates relative to that of Mn-53 from iron. The upper limits for the production rates of Ag-107 and Ag-109 by energetic galactic cosmic-ray particles are 690 and 270 atoms/min/kg(Pd), respectively, and the maximum rate for making excess Ag-107 by spallation reactions is 400 atoms/min/kg(Pd). The excess Ag-107 cannot be produced by a long exposure to cosmic-ray particles, and because it is harder to make the amount of Pd-107 observed in the iron meteorites by an early intense proton irradiation than it is to make the Al-26 observed in other meteorites, it is concluded that the excess Ag-107 is due to the decay of nucleosynthetic Pd-107 in the iron meteorites.

Reedy, R. C.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Seniority Structure in Neutron-Rich Nucleus 128 Ag : Evidence for Robustness of 𝑁 = 82 Shell Closure in Silver Isotopes

The spectroscopic studies of very neutron-rich nucleus 128 Ag have been performed for the first time at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory of RIKEN. A new seniority isomer with a half-life of 1.60(7) μs has been identified and is proposed to have a spin-parity of 16 - with a maximally aligned configuration comprising three proton holes in the g 9/2 orbital and one neutron hole in the h 11/2 orbital. The new level structure in 128 Ag is quite well described by shell model calculations without invoking excitations across the Z = 50 and N = 82 shell gaps, and presents a good case of seniority scheme in odd-odd nuclei in the south vicinity of the double-magic nucleus 132 Sn. With a classification of various components of the proton-neutron interaction, the inversion of lowest-lying 9 - and 10 - states between 128 Ag and its neighboring isotone 130 In is found to be dynamically ascribed to the seniority-nonconserving proton-neutron interaction components. The structure above 10 - up to the 16 - isomer in 128 Ag shows remarkable similarities to seniority structures in the semimagic nuclei 128 Pd and 130 Cd. These spectroscopic features in 128 Ag indicate that the N = 82 shell closure is still robust in silver isotopes.

Luo, D. W. [Peking University, Beijing (China); et↗
DOE OSTI2025

Excited levels in odd-A silver isotopes populated rn fission of {sup 252}Cf

Excited levels in 111−121 Ag , odd-𝐴 isotopes populated following spontaneous fission of 252 Cf have been studied using high-fold 𝛾 coincidences measured with Gammasphere array of Compton-suppressed Ge spectrometers at Argonne National Laboratory. The experimental information on these nuclei reported before has been corrected and extended. In the work we discuss the evolution of triaxiality in odd-Ag nuclei. Relative positions of the 𝜋⁢𝑝1/2 and 𝜋⁢𝑔9/2 shells defining the 𝑍=40 gap when approaching the 𝑁=82 closure, the 𝜋⁢1/2+⁢[431] intruder bands, the three-quasiparticle configurations, and the so called 𝑗−1 anomaly in odd-Ag nuclei are also discussed.

Urban, W.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The isotopic composition of silver and lead in two iron meteorites - Cape York and Grant

Anomalies in silver isotope composition in the metal phases of the Cape York (IIIA) and Grant (IIIB) iron meteorites are studied together with the lead isotopic composition of both the metal and sulfide phases of Cape York. Following extensive surface cleaning, the Ag-107/Ag-109 ratio in the metal phases of the meteorites is found to be in excess of the terrestrial ratio, and of that found in the sulfide phases. A definite correlation between the Ag-107/Ag-109 and Pd-108/Ag-109 ratios is observed for these meteorites, indicating the in situ decay of Pd-107 and supporting the widespread presence of Pd in the early universe. Lead, determined after cleaning and with chemical separations using low blank levels, is found to exist in variable proportions in the metal and sulfide phases. The sulfides appear to be dominated by radiogenic modern lead, which may be explained by terrestrial contamination or by late metamorphism in the meteorite parent body.

Chen, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Isotopically anomalous silver in the Santa Clara and Pinon iron meteorites

The isotopic composition and concentration of Ag and the concentration of Pd have been determined in the Santa Clara and Pinon iron meteorites. It is shown that these meteorites contain isotopically anomalous Ag with an excess of Ag-107 relative to normal Ag, confirming earlier findings. Using an improved procedure for cleaning the sample surface from terrestrial Ag, a new concentration of 1.4 x 10 to the 11th atoms of Ag-109/g meteorite is established which is an order of magnitude below the levels found earlier. As a result ratios of Ag-107/Ag-109 were found which are enriched in Ag-107 by 60 percent to 160 percent. The existence of an excess Ag-107 in these two meteorites, which have high Pd-108/Ag-109 ratios of about 7 x 10 to the 4th is established.

Kaiser, T.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Structure of Odd-A Ag Isotopes Studied via Algebraic Approaches

The structure of the odd-A silver isotopes Ag 103–115 is discussed within the frame of the interacting boson–fermion model (IBFM). An overview of their key properties is presented, with a particular attention paid to the “ J -1 anomaly”, represented by an abnormal ordering of the lowest 7/2 + and 9/2 + states. By examining previously published data and newly performed calculations, it is demonstrated that the experimentally known level schemes and electromagnetic properties of Ag 103–115 can be reproduced well within IBFM-1 by using a consistent set of model parameters. The contribution of different single-particle orbitals to the structure of the lowest-lying excited nuclear states in Ag 103–115 is discussed. Given that the J-1 anomaly brings down the 7/2 + level from the j −3 multiplet to energies, which can be thermally populated in hot stellar environments, the importance of low-lying excited states in odd-A silver isotopes for astrophysical processes is outlined.

IBFM-1↗
DOE OSTI2017

Correlation of the neutron yield from the plasma focus upon variations in the magnetic field energy of the discharge circuit

The relation between neutron yield Y and magnetic field energy variations ΔW in the discharge circuit has been studied for a Mather-type plasma-focus camera. The activation technique (activation of silver isotopes) has been used to measure the integral yield of DD neutrons from the source. The time dependence of the neutron yield has been recorded by scintillation detectors. For the device used in the investigations, the neutron yield exhibits a linear dependence on variations in the magnetic field energy ΔW in the discharge circuit at the instant of neutron generation. It is also found that this dependence is related to the initial deuteron pressure in the discharge chamber.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Experimental studies of the gamma resonances of long-lived nuclear isomers

Studying the gamma resonances of the long-lived nuclear isomers started at ITEP in the 1960s–1970s. The first experiments were conducted with silver isotopes. Its results did not contradict the existing theoretical ideas of large broadening of Mössbauer gamma lines via the interactions of nuclear magnetic moments. However, the data obtained in 11 experiments performed up until now with gamma sources made of silver metal doping by {sup 109}Cd showed that there is no large broadening of {sup 109m}Ag Mössbauer gamma line with energy of 88.03 keV, that is the theoretically predicted gamma line broadening by ∼10{sup 5} times is absent. The instrument of quite a new type—“gravitational gamma spectrometer”, designed at ITEP, allowed one to determine the form of {sup 109m}Ag gamma resonance, which proved to be ∼10{sup 8} times narrower than that of well known nuclide {sup 57}Fe. Some ideas are discussed as an attempt to explain this situation.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1974

Skylab Experiment M552: Exothermic Brazing

The M552 Skylab experiment reveals that brazing in space is feasible. It successfully demonstrated the ability to retain molten metal within a braze tube joint system. Surface energy was the dominant operative force system controlling liquid metal for this experiment. The zero gravity environment for brazing resulted in several differences; increased solubility, increased liquid spreading, more uniform menisci (liquid/vapor interface) and a reduction of braze alloy shrinkage defects. The residual radioactive intensity and location of the redistributed isotope was interpreted to provide a sequential history of braze alloy movement during the melt-flow-solidification stages of the process. Convection theory applied to M552 was validated but some results were not explainable by it, i.e., increased nickel transport and the radial mixing of the silver isotope on samples SLN-2 and SLN-4. All characteristics of thermal analysis appeared to react as expected but heat conduction rates increased because of increased extent, rate and uniformity of braze alloy spreading.

J R Williams↗
DOE OSTI2022

Evolution of the j - 1 anomalous states of the j - 3 multiplets

We report in the nuclear shell model the j -1 anomaly is associated with unusual ordering of the j and j -1 states of a j -3 split multiplet. In the mass regions placed away from the doubly magic nuclei, the j-1 levels are found to be below the respective j states. The anomalous ordering of the levels is most prominent in the silver isotopic chain, but a similar effect is observed also in other systems with pure three-hole configurations. The correlation between the Δ E = E j-1 - E j energy splitting, observed in some odd-mass nuclei, and the even-even core's 2 + level energy is well pronounced in the (28,50) neutron and proton shells and to a lesser extent in the lower and higher (20,28) and (50, 82)

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1983

The isotopic composition and concentration of Ag in iron meteorites and the origin of exotic silver

The isotopic composition of Ag and the concentration of Ag and Pd in Canyon Diablo (IA), Grant (IIIB), Santa Clara, Tlacotepec and Warburton Range (IVB), Pinon and Deep Springs (anom) were analyzed. Troilite from Santa Clara and from Grant was also studied. With the exception of IA, all the meteorites were enriched in Ag-107 by about 2%-212% and the ratio of Ag-107/Ag-109 in the metal phase was found to be greater than the terrestrial value. Ag of anomalous isotopic composition was found to be common in all IVB and anomalous meteorites. A correlation of Ag-107/Ag-109 with Pd/Ag was established except for the iron meteorite of Santa Clara. The excess Ag-107 is thought to result from the decay of Pd-107. The Grant data appear to represent a Pd-107-Ag-107 isochron and indicate that the cooling rate at elevated temperatures was rapid enough to preserve the isotopic differences between metal and troilite. The data suggest that Ag in Santa Clara is made up of almost pure Ag-107 produced from Pd-107 decay and Ag-109 produced by nuclear reactions with only a small amount of 'normal' Ag. This indicates an intense energetic particle bombardment history in the early solar system which occurred after the formation of small planetary bodies.

Kaiser, T.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Reactor Fuel Isotopics and Code Validation for Nuclear Applications

Experimentally measured isotopic concentrations of well characterized spent nuclear fuel (SNF) samples have been collected and analyzed by previous researchers. These sets of experimental data have been used extensively to validate the accuracy of depletion code predictions for given sets of burnups, initial enrichments, and varying power histories for different reactor types. The purpose of this report is to present the diversity of data in a concise manner and summarize the current accuracy of depletion modeling. All calculations performed for this report were done using the Oak Ridge Isotope GENeration (ORIGEN) code, an internationally used irradiation and decay code solver within the SCALE comprehensive modeling and simulation code. The diversity of data given in this report includes key actinides, stable fission products, and radioactive fission products. In general, when using the current ENDF/B-VII.0 nuclear data libraries in SCALE, the major actinides are predicted to within 5% of the measured values. Large improvements were seen for several of the curium isotopes when using improved cross section data found in evaluated nuclear data file ENDF/B-VII.0 as compared to ENDF/B-V-based results. The impact of the flux spectrum on the plutonium isotope concentrations as a function of burnup was also shown. The general accuracy noted for the actinide samples for reactor types with burnups greater than 5,000 MWd/MTU was not observed for the low-burnup Hanford B samples. More work is needed in understanding these large discrepancies. The stable neodymium and samarium isotopes were predicted to within a few percent of the measured values. Large improvements were seen in prediction for a few of the samarium isotopes when using the ENDF/B-VII.0 libraries compared to results obtained with ENDF/B-V libraries. Very accurate predictions were obtained for 133 Cs and 153 Eu. However, the predicted values for the stable ruthenium and rhodium isotopes varied as much as 10% of the measured values, and 109 Ag was consistently over-predicted by as much as 170%. In general, there is a larger uncertainty for modeling radioactive fission products when compared to either the actinides or the stable fission products in SNF. The relative C/E ratios ranged from a few percent for 137 Cs up to 60% and 100% for 106 Ru and 125 Sb, respectively. Limited or no radioactive fission products data exist in the current data sets for reactor types other than PWRs and BWRs. More work is needed in obtaining a greater diversity of radioactive fission product data. While performing this survey, issues leading to inconsistencies in nuclear fission yield data were discovered that specifically impacted the fission product noble gases. Emphasis was given to this legacy data, and corrective actions were taken as described in this report. After the fission yield data were corrected, the stable xenon and krypton fission products were predicted to within 5% of their measurements. However, preliminary results not explicitly given in this report indicate that the relative C/E ratio for the radioactive isotope 85 Kr varied as much as 10%. Due to the complex migration and the difficulty in measuring noble gases in the fuel, a more thorough investigation is needed to understand how accurately depletion codes can calculate these gas concentrations.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 127

The 1996 evaluation for the A=127 mass chain (1996Ki01) has been revised. The experimental results from various decays and reactions for the A=127 mass chain have been compiled and evaluated. The nuclides covered in this evaluation are from {sup 127}Ag to {sup 127}Nd. The data are summarized and presented, together with adopted level schemes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Our Hidden Past: Precious Metals

Y-12's calutrons required electrical conductor material, but during the war, copper was in short supply. The U.S. Treasury loaned Y-12 14,700 tons of silver, valued at $600M. All but 67 tons was returned after the war, and those 67 tons remained in Building 9731 until 1970 for use in separating isotopes for medical research.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2011

Mapping quadrupole collectivity in the Cd isotopes: The breakdown of harmonic vibrational motion

The stable Cd isotopes have long been used as paradigms for spherical vibrational motion. Extensive investigations with in-beam {gamma} spectroscopy have resulted in very-well-established level schemes, including many lifetimes or lifetime limits. A programme has been initiated to complement these studies with very-high-statistics {beta} decay using the 8{pi} spectrometer at the TRIUMF radioactive beam facility. The decays of {sup 112}In and {sup 112}Ag have been studied with an emphasis on the observation of, or the placement of stringent limits on, low-energy branches between potential multi-phonon levels. A lack of suitable 0{sup +} or 2{sup +} three-phonon candidates has been revealed. Further, the sum of the B(E2) strength from spin 0{sup +} and 2{sup +} states up to 3 MeV in excitation energy to the assigned two-phonon levels falls far short of the harmonic-vibrational expectations. This lack of strength points to the failing of collective models based on vibrational phonon structures.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Counting the number of correlated pairs in a nucleus

We suggest that the number of correlated nucleon pairs in an arbitrary nucleus can be estimated by counting the number of proton-neutron, proton-proton, and neutron-neutron pairs residing in a relative S state. We present numerical calculations of those amounts for the nuclei {sup 4}He, {sup 9}Be, {sup 12}C, {sup 27}Al, {sup 40}Ca, {sup 48}Ca, {sup 56}Fe, {sup 63}Cu, {sup 108}Ag, and {sup 197}Au. The results are used to predict the values of the ratios of the per-nucleon electron-nucleus inelastic scattering cross section to the deuteron in the kinematic regime where correlations dominate.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Cross sections for proton-induced reactions on Pd isotopes at energies relevant for the {gamma} process

Proton-activation reactions on natural and enriched palladium samples were investigated via the activation technique in the energy range of E{sub p}=2.75-9 MeV, close to the upper end of the respective Gamow window of the {gamma} process. We have determined cross sections for {sup 102}Pd(p, {gamma}){sup 103}Ag, {sup 104}Pd(p, {gamma}){sup 105}Ag, and {sup 105}Pd(p, n){sup 105}Ag, as well as partial cross sections of {sup 104}Pd(p, n){sup 104}Ag{sup g}, {sup 105}Pd(p, {gamma}){sup 106}Ag{sup m}, {sup 106}Pd(p, n){sup 106}Ag{sup m}, and {sup 110}Pd(p, n){sup 110}Ag{sup m} with uncertainties between 3% and 15% for constraining theoretical Hauser-Feshbach rates and for direct use in {gamma}-process calculations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗