Alpha Decay Research Articles

Simulation-Based Analysis of the Effect of Alpha Irradiation on GaN Particle Detectors.

Radiation-hardened semiconductor GaN has drawn considerable attention owing to its excellent properties such as large displacement energy. Many studies have focused on evaluating the degradation of GaN-based power device performance by proton beam or particle irradiation, while quantitative analysis of the energy transfer process of particles inside the material and the mechanisms involved in inducing degradation of electrical properties are rare. Here, on the basis of the fabricated alpha-particle detector, a device model validated by basic electrical experiments is established to simulate the influence of alpha-particle irradiation on the leakage current of the device. We observe that the current does not change significantly with increasing radiation fluence at low bias, while it shows a descending trend with increasing radiation fluence at higher bias. However, increasing the energy of the radiation particles at the same radiation fluence directly leads to a monotonically elevated leakage current. Such a series of phenomena is associated with radiation-induced changes in the density of trapped states within the active layers of the device.

Analysis of PhET Virtual Laboratory in Nuclear Physics Course at Physics Education

In the introductory physics course, conducting experiments and learning topics that seem abstract using a PhET virtual laboratory is necessary. With several previous research results showing that PhET has benefits in learning activities, this study aims to find out Physics Education students related to the usefulness of the PhET virtual laboratory in the introductory alpha decay Nuclear physics course. This research is a quantitative descriptive technique with the research variable of the Colorado PhET virtual laboratory in the Introduction to Nuclear Physics course on alpha decay material. The data collection technique is through a questionnaire method using a Likert scale of five answer choices marked by giving a negative to positive score. The population of the survey is all students of physical education, which is 79 people. However, only 71 people filled out the questionnaire. Characteristics of students who are 21 years old on average with computer/laptop skills on average 81%, interest in introductory physics courses as much as 77%, interest in practicum as much as 86%, and interest in learning topics as much as 61% it can be said that the laboratory virtual PhET is helpful in the learning process of the introductory alpha decay Nuclear physics course with a proportion of 86% of PhET virtual laboratories can help the learning process, 81% of PhET virtual laboratories are the preferred learning method, 80% of PhET virtual laboratories are engaging learning, 81% virtual laboratories PhET can be done independently, and 79.99% use of the virtual laboratory application is easy to use.

Exploring the Sensitivity of MiniPix Devices to the Detection of a Variety of Particles

The MiniPix EDU devices by ADVACAM have been used to study electrons, muons and alpha particles from both thoriated tungsten rods and natural sources. The natural radiation experiments looked at muons, focusing on the determination of muon count as a function of detector altitude and inclination with respect to the horizon. This included taking readings at ground level compared to those atop a building, and the floors in between, and rotating the detector face a certain angle to find the optimal angle to detect muons. The experiments involving a radiation source looked at alpha and beta decay. This included using the detector’s measurement of kinetic energy to explore the relativistic nature of electrons produced via beta decay, and the decay characteristics of alpha radiation. The material attenuation of alpha particles has also been explored. Insights from these experiments provide data on the capabilities of the detector. Through these experiments, particle behaviour and interactions unfold, shedding light on fundamental scientific principles. The project's experiments and results have been simplified to cater to secondary school education, specifically GCSE-level students. The experiments are designed to be performed within a school setting, helping students to understand these fundamental scientific principles of physics.

The interacted characteristically study of alpha, proton, neutron, and gamma radiation against Gd2O3-Na2O-Al2O3-P2O5 glass system doped with Dy3+: Theoretical investigation

The radiation shielding properties and fast neutron removal cross-sections of Na2O-Gd2O3-Al2O3-P2O5 glass system doped with Dy3+ were calculated by theoretical approach using the Phy-X program. However, charged particles were simulated via SRIM coding. The result found that density and molar volume of the samples increase with increasing of Dy2O3 concentrations. For radiation shielding properties, increasing Dy2O3 concentrations impact with the mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), effective atomic number (Zeff), and effective electron density (Neff) and also corresponds to the gamma energy ranges. In other hands, increasing density and the MAC are not result directly with neutron cross-sections. For charged particles, the total mass stopping power (TMSP) of both particle as proton and alpha particles depend on the medium that charged particles traversed and also rely on number of ions. HIGHLIGHTS Calculate and analyst the rediation shielding parameters by Phy-X program. The charged particles were simulated via SRIM coding. The study of radiation shielding properties Na2O-Gd2O3-Al2O3-P2O5 GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Nanoscale evidence of zircon-coffinite-xenotime solid solution observed by atom probe tomography

Ion probe zircon U-Pb dating has been widely used in earth and planetary sciences research. Previous studies found that ion probes have problems in the U-Pb dating of zircon with high U content. When the U content of zircon reaches a high threshold, the apparent age of U-Pb will become scattered and mostly older, which is called the “high U effect”. Based on micron-scale observations, predecessors have proposed that the spontaneous alpha decay of high content of radioactive element U and its daughter nuclear recoil will damage the zircon lattice, resulting in an increased yield of Pb+ in SIMS analyses and therefore an older 206Pb/238U age. However, there are also studies showing that zircons that have not been damaged also show a “high U effect”. In this contribution, scanning electron microscopy, ion probe and atom probe tomography research were carried out on high U content zircon grains (3.0 ± 0.1 Ma) in a highly fractionated leucogranites from the Himalayas to study the microcosmic occurrence state of zirconium constituent elements. Results show that these zircon grains have extremely high U contents ranging from 4271 to 95,176 μg/g. The distribution of U, P and Y in zircon is inhomogeneous, with enrichment features in local nanoscale regions. Zr constituent elements mainly exist in two states: (1) lamellar enrichment region, which corresponds to the compositional oscillation ring of zircon. The lamellar high U region is nearly parallel distributed. Its composition is in the transition between zircon, coffinite (USiO4) and xenotime; (2) The agglomerated high U region, which appears as isolated particles in zircon with a composition close to coffinite. The composition of the observed highest U region is Zr2.7Si12.2O61.8U19.8P1.4Y1.2Yb0.6Hf0.3, and the particle size is ∼8 nm. Nanoscale coffinites and xenotimes in high U zircons result in obvious differences between the matrix with the ion probe zircon standard reference materials, which resulted in the “high U effect”.

Assessment of alpha emitters in urine for thyroid diseases patients by CR-39 technique

Background: We can inhale, consume, or absorb the substances, causing internal irradiation. Internal and external dosages are similar everywhere. Alpha particles are heavier and more charged than ordinary ionizing radiation, which damages living tissues more. Food and air contain radioactive isotopes.
 Materials: The CR-39 detector technique was used to determine the alpha emissions that were present in urine samples of patients by finding their percentage. CR-39 is a simple and convenient method for the determination of alpha emission in biological samples.
 Results: We found the rate of alpha emission in urine samples in mBq.cm-2 to be the following: (0.063± 0.042) thyroid disorders < (0.069± 0.038)control< (0.076± 0.052) Papillary thyroid carcinoma

Theoretical predictions on the decay modes of 282−310Og

Possible decay modes of 282−310Og are studied within the framework of the Coulomb and Proximity Potential Model (CPPM), Universal Decay Law (UDL) and the Hatsukawa formula. A new diffusion parameter and a new preformation factor are included in the CPPM Model calculations. We have refitted the Hatsukawa formula to calculate the alpha and cluster decay half-lives in the superheavy region. The spontaneous fission (SF) half-lives are calculated using the shell correction energy-dependent formula of Santhosh et al. The predicted alpha decay half-lives are compared with the predictions of the UDL formula; and the predictions of Soumya et al. and Koyuncu et al. Possible heavy cluster decays from 284−297Og are also studied within the UDL formula and by using the empirical formula of Hatsukawa et al. with new fitting parameters, and a comparison is made with the predictions of Santhosh et al.

Systematic investigation of the alpha and cluster decay half-lives for heavy and superheavy nuclei within the shifted Deng-Fan potential

The half-lives of alpha decays for even-even nuclei with Z=60−118 and the cluster radioactivities for even-even emitters for which the experimental data are available, also the various cluster decays of even-even radium isotopes are calculated. Our calculations are within the framework of Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) method by considering the Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization condition based on the shifted Deng-Fan potential. The obtained results are compared with the squared Woods-Saxon and Cosh potentials and several theoretical models, including the universal model (UNIV), the unified fission model (UFM), the universal decay law (UDL), and Ni, Royer, Tavares and Balasubramaniam semiempirical formulas, as well as the experimental data. Good agreement between the experimental and the proposed potential model results, indicates that the shifted Deng-Fan potential is a suitable phenomenological potential to describe both alpha and cluster decays of radioactive nuclei. Also we observe the significant role of neutron magicity in the half-lives of cluster decays of radium isotopes at N=126 of daughter nuclei and the parent nucleus 214Ra.

Irradiation of Plutonium Tributyl Phosphate Complexes by Ionizing Alpha Particles: A Computational Study.

The PUREX solvent extraction process, widely used for recovering uranium and plutonium from spent nuclear fuel, utilizes an organic solvent composed of tributyl phosphate (TBP). The emission of ionizing particles such as alpha particles, resulting from the decay of plutonium, makes the organic solvent vulnerable to degradation. Here, we study the ultrashort time alpha irradiation of tributylphosphate (TBP) and Pu(NO3)4(TBP)2 complex formed in the PUREX process. Electron dynamics is propagated by Real-Time-Dependent Auxiliary Density Functional Theory (RT-TD-ADFT). We investigate the use of previously proposed absorption boundary conditions (ABC) in the molecular orbital space to treat secondary electron emission. Basis set and exchange correlation functional effects with ABC are reported as well as a detailed analysis of the ABC parametrization. Preliminary results on the water molecule and then on TBP show that the phenomenological nature of the ABC parameters necessitates selecting appropriate values for each system under study. Irradiation of free and complexed TBP shows an influence of the ligands on the variation of atomic charges on the femtosecond time scale. An accumulation of atomic charges in the alkyl chains of TBP is observed in the case where the nitrate groups are predominantly irradiated. In addition, we find that the Pu atom regains its electric charge very rapidly after being hit by the projectile, with the coordination sphere serving as an electron reservoir to preserve its formal redox state. This study paves the road toward a full understanding of the degradation of organic extracants employed in the nuclear industry.

Mechanistic insights from high resolution DNA damage analysis to understand mixed radiation exposure

Cells exposed to densely ionising high and scattered low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation (50 % dose of each) react more strongly than to the same dose of each separately. The relationship between DNA double strand break location inside the nucleus and chromatin structure was evaluated, using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells at 30 min post 5 Gy. Additionally, response to high and/or low LET radiation was assessed using single (1 ×1.5 Gy) versus fractionated dose delivery (5 ×0.3 Gy). By TEM analysis, the highest total number of γH2AX nanobeads were found in cells irradiated with alpha radiation just prior to gamma radiation (called mixed beam), followed by alpha, then gamma radiation. γH2AX foci induced by mixed beam radiation tended to be surrounded by open chromatin (lighter TEM regions), yet foci containing the highest number of beads, i.e. larger foci representing complex damage, remained in the heterochromatic areas. The γH2AX large focus area was also greater in mixed beam-treated cells when analysed by immunofluorescence. Fractionated mixed beams given daily induced the strongest reduction in cell viability and colony formation in MDA-MB-231 and osteosarcoma U2OS cells compared to the other radiation qualities, as well as versus acute exposure. This may partially be explained by recurring low LET oxidative DNA damage by every fraction together with a delay in recompaction of chromatin after high LET, demonstrated by low levels of heterochromatin marker H3K9me3 at 2 h after the last mixed beam fraction in MDA-MB-231. In conclusion, early differences in response to complex DNA damage may lead to a stronger cell kill induced by fractionated exposure, which suggest a therapeutic potential of combined high and low LET irradiation.

Development of a novel flexible thin PWO(Er)/ZnO(Ag) nanocomposite for ionizing radiation sensing

Radiation dosimetry is an essential aspect of modern radiotherapy. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimetry is a promising technique that uses materials to measure radiation doses. However, current OSL dosimeters are limited in their ability to provide comprehensive validation of spatial dose distributions, particularly in flexibility radiation sensitivity. In this regard, a novel flexible PWO(Er)/ZnO(Ag) nanocomposite sensor has been developed by a solvothermal procedure and its ionization radiation responses were investigated under UV, proton, laser 980 nm, and 241Am sources. The calculated alpha detection efficiency showed that the prepared PWO(Er)/ZnO(Ag) sensor is highly sensitive to alpha radiation (99.6 %) with good stability/repeatability and linear response. According to the Photo/Ionoluminescence study, the doped dual nanocomposite sample showed the strongest blue, green, and yellow emissions at room temperature compared with pure and single doped samples with an exciton lifetime of τ = 143.30 ±0.07 μs. The XRD, FTIR, Raman, and EDX results indicated that the prepared pure and doped nanocomposites have two-phase compositions of PWO and ZnO and related chemical compounds/elements in the nanocomposite structure. The morphologies of the PWO and PWO(Er) nanoparticles (NPs) were mostly cubic and heterogeneous with average particle sizes of 125 and 82 nm. ZnO and ZnO(Ag) had hexagonal, spherical, and rod-shaped particles with typical particle diameters of 130 and 90 nm, respectively. Our results indicate the prepared luminescent nanocomposites are transparent, flexible, highly stable, highly sensitive to ionizing radiation, and have the potential for practical use in optoelectronics and medical imaging in the future.

Alpha decay and cluster radioactivity investigation of actinide nuclei

Based on the Unified Fission Model with a Woods–Saxon potential (UFMWS), we have investigated alpha decay and cluster radioactivity of actinide nuclei. To ensure accuracy, we determined the most precise [Formula: see text]-values by comparing the results of four nuclear mass models: the liquid drop model (LDM), the DZ28 model, the WS4 model, and the finite range droplet model (FRDM), which were recently improved using a machine learning algorithm. Among these models, it is found that the improved WS4 (IWS4) provides the most accurate [Formula: see text]-values, enabling the UFMWS model to effectively reproduce experimental alpha and cluster decay half-lives. Consequently, the UFMWS model using IWS4 [Formula: see text]-values was employed to explore various combinations of parent nuclei and alpha particle as well as even–even emitted clusters ranging from Be to Si. The obtained results are consistent with previous study that identified minima in half-lives near corresponding to the doubly magic [Formula: see text]Pb daughter nucleus or its neighboring nuclei. It is found that neutron-deficient parent nuclei generally displayed the shortest half-lives, most of which are within the experimental range. Considering the experimental limitations, cluster decays favorable for measurement in the actinide region were identified. Interestingly, these decays did not involve the most neutron-deficient nuclei.

Transient Current Simulations: Benchmark of Numerical Tools for Proton, Electron, and Alpha Irradiation in Solid-State Detectors

The simulation of charge collection in solid state detectors (SSD) can be carried out with TCAD or Shockley-Ramo paradigms. These two paradigms have their limitations when simulating a large variety of cases, spanning from types of radiation, energy ranges, substrate doping concentration and applied bias. The aim of this paper is to explore the limits of these tools for the energy ranges of protons and electrons of the Earth’s radiation belts, as well as establish a benchmark of the different simulation codes that implement these paradigms. Proton, electron and alpha irradiation are carried out using a fast current amplifier and several different diodes. A 1D TCAD code has been developed and is presented here. Comparisons are then made with the other calculation paradigms for different types of irradiation conditions and diodes, showcasing which codes work best for the different configurations.

First experiment at the Super Heavy Element Factory: new data from the <sup>243</sup>Am + <sup>48</sup>Ca reaction

We presented the results of the series of experiments on the synthesis of Mc isotopes in the 243Am + 48Ca reaction performed at the new separator DGFRS-2 and cyclotron DC280 of the SHE Factory at FLNR JINR. There were registered 110 new 288Mc decay chains, 10 289Mc chains, and 4 287Mc chains. Alpha decay of 268Db with an energy of 7.6–8.0 MeV, half-life \(16_{{ - 4}}^{{ + 6}}\) h and α-branch \(51_{{ - 12}}^{{ + 14}}\% \) was registered for the first time together with a new spontaneously fissioning isotope 264Lr with a half-life of \(4.8_{{ - 1.3}}^{{ + 2.2}}\,\,{\text{h}}.\) The measured cross section of the 243Am(48Ca, 3n)288Mc reaction was \(17.1_{{ - 4.7}}^{{ + 6.3}}\) pb, which is the largest for known superheavy nuclei. A new isotope 286Mc was synthesized with a half-life of \(20_{{ - 9}}^{{ + 98}}\) ms and an α-particle energy of 10.71 ± 0.02 MeV. Spontaneous fission of 279Rg was first observed in one of the four new decay chains of 287Mc. The reaction excitation function was measured at six 48Ca energies in the range of 239–259 MeV, which led to the first observation of the 5n channel with a cross section of \(0.5_{{ - 0.4}}^{{ + 1.3}}\) pb. The decay properties of 20 previously known isotopes have been determined with higher accuracy.

Indoor radon exposure and living conditions in patients with advanced lung cancer in Lublin region, Poland.

Radon (Rn-222) is a noble gas formed in the uranium path (U-238) as a decay product of radium (Ra-226). It is estimated to cause between 3% to 14% of all lung cancers, depending on the national average radon level and smoking prevalence. Radon molecules emit alpha radiation, which is characterized by low permeability through tissues, but due to its remarkably high energy, it has a high potential for DNA damage. The aim of our research was to assess the radon concentration inside the houses of patients with advanced lung cancer and to analyze their socio-economics status. The measurements of radon concentration were performed in 102 patients with stage 3B or higher lung cancer in the region of Lublin, Poland. One month of radon exposure measurement was performed with alpha-track detectors. In addition, patients filled in a detailed survey about factors that might influence the concentration of radon inside their houses. The average concentration of radon during the exposure of the detector in the residential premises of the respondents was at the level of 69.0 Bq/m3 [37.0-117.0]. A few significant correlations were discovered, e.g., higher levels of radon in countryside houses or in houses equipped with air conditioning. As radon exposure is a modifiable risk factor for lung cancer, it is extremely important to find factors that may reduce its concentration in dwelling places. Since our research was performed in houses of people with lung cancer, taking corrective actions based on our findings could prevent new lung cancer incidence in patients' flatmates.

Study of various ground state decay mechanisms of Actinide nuclei* *Financial support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi, India in the form of a research project grant (CRG/2021/001144) is gratefully acknowledged.

The special property of the actinide mass region is that nuclei belonging to this group are radioactive and undergo different ground state processes, such as alpha decay, cluster radioactivity (CR), heavy particle radioactivity (HPR), and spontaneous fission (SF). In this study, the probable radioactive decay modes of the heavy mass region (Z = 89−102) are studied within the framework of the preformed cluster model (PCM). In the PCM, the radioactive decay modes are explored in terms of the preformation probability () and penetration probability (P) at the turning point , where the penetration of fragments is initiated [R = R (touching state) + (neck length parameter)]. First, the alpha decay half-lives are calculated for light and heavy nuclei, and points are obtained by optimizing the neck length parameter. These points are further employed to fix the Q-value dependent turning point ((Q)). Then, using the ((Q)) relation, the decay half-lives are computed, and the calculated results are compared with the available theoretical and experimental data. The isotopical trend of and P is studied with respect to the mass number of the parent and daughter nucleus, respectively. The CR and HPR channels are also explored, and a comparison of calculated data is conducted with the available literature. Comparative analysis of the fragmentation potential and preformation probability is carried out for alpha decay and SF. The mass distribution of the nuclei is studied as a function of fragment mass (A ) by considering the spherical and hot-compact deformation of the decaying fragments. Finally, the most probable fission fragments are identified using the fragmentation structure, and the corresponding fission fragment total kinetic energy of the identified fragments is calculated and compared with available data, wherever applicable.

New Dimming Events in Southern R Coronae Borealis Stars

This paper reports on photometry of dimming events for three Southern R Coronae Borealis (RCB) stars. Two of these stars have recently entered a dimming phase (IO Nor and V653 Sco), while the other (GU Sgr) is emerging from a dimming event. Low resolution spectra of one of the targets indicates blueshifted Na i D lines, and hydrogen alpha emission. As the number of known RCBs grows, the need to monitor them and detect dimming events at an early stage increases.

Surface and decay properties of newly synthesized 207,208Th isotopes for various α-decay chains

Considering various initial deformations, the ground, first excited, and second excited states binding energies are calculated using the effective field theory motivated relativistic mean-field based IOPB-I force parameter. The alpha decay chains for both the 207Th and 208Th are examined. As observed for both nuclei, it takes four subsequent α-particle emissions to reach the stable Pb nucleus. The half-lives determined by two widely used Viola-Seaborg and modified universal decay law formulas are compared with the available experimental data. The surface property-like symmetry energy is also predicted for these nuclei in the framework of the coherent density fluctuation model and establishes a connection between the decay behavior and the symmetry energy.

Remote detection of alpha radiation source by optical method

Remote detection of alpha radiation source by optical method

EFECTO DE LA RENORMALIZACIÓN DEL FACTOR ESPECTROSCÓPICO EN EL DECAMIENTO DEL 212Po

In the present work, we use the complex-energy shell model formalism to describe the alpha decay of the 212Po nucleus. Single-particle bases constructed from Woods-Saxon potentials are used to build many-body basis. Spin-isospinGaussian effective interaction between all pairs of nucleons is considered. Four-body spectroscopic factor and single-particle width are calculated. The stability of the spectroscopic factor renormalization protocol is demonstrated, thus ensuring its physical significance, and its influence on the calculated alpha decay is presented. It is observed that the renormalization modifies the calculated half-life by∼40 %, which is a value three times larger than the experimental. Still, without appealing to any cluster structure from the beginning, i.e., all calculations were carried out using single nucleon degree of freedom.