MV Tandetron Research Articles

First resolution test results of the Atomki nuclear nanoprobe

In this work we report about the layout, assembly and the first resolution tests of the nuclear nanoprobe at MTA Atomki, Debrecen, Hungary. The nanoprobe setup was installed on the recently inaugurated 2 MV Tandetron accelerator manufactured by High Voltage Engineering Europa B.V. (HVEE). Although the complete Tandetron Laboratory was planned at the first project proposal stage, due to funding limitations the major components were purchased step by step, and so the present layout is only temporary. The necessary building reconstruction was also performed in phases. We present the preliminary experimental results and compare them what to expect in the final configuration using WinTRAX calculations. These calculations include focusing at different working distances, the performance at the planned final length (object distance), as well as scanning simulations using ‘dog-leg’ scan. At the present status it is already worth reporting that the preliminary nanoprobe setup has reached a satisfactory experimental performance of around 200 nm spot size for low current mode, and below 600 nm for high current mode.

Current Sample Preparation and Analytical Capabilities of the Radiocarbon Laboratory at CologneAMS

ABSTRACTThis work summarizes the methodical capabilities, improvements, and new developments in the radiocarbon laboratory of the accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) facility at the University of Cologne, Germany, which was established in 2010. During the past years, the laboratory has specialized in the analysis of small and gaseous samples. We thus, recently installed a second ion source dedicated for radiocarbon (14C) analysis of CO2 samples at our 6 MV Tandetron AMS from High Voltage Engineering Europe B.V. that is coupled with the gas injection system from Ionplus and an EuroVector EA 3000 elemental analyzer. This work summarizes all pretreatment methods and analytical facilities established in our laboratory during the last years including 14C analysis of individual organic compounds and of CO2 trapped on molecular sieves. We also report different blank values including our long-term blank since 2011, which is for normal-sized, solid samples (650–1000 µg C) 0.0012 ± 0.0004 F14C (54,305 ± 2581 yr BP, n = 484). The precision obtained for modern samples measured as graphite is 0.5% and for gaseous samples injected with the GIS ≤2%.

The benchmarking procedure: Implementation in the case of proton backscattering

The benchmarking procedure in IBA regards the validation of charged-particle differential cross- section data via the acquisition of EBS spectra from uniform thick target of known composition followed by their detailed simulation. In the present work such benchmarking measurements have been performed for the elastic scattering of protons on 23Na, 31P and natS in the energy range of 1– 3.5 MeV in steps of 250 keV at three backward angles, at 120.6°, 148.8° and 173.5° in order to validate the corresponding existing evaluated cross-section datasets from SigmaCalc and to facilitate their extension at higher energies. The measurements were performed using the 2 MV Tandetron Accelerator of the Ion Beam Center of the University of Surrey. The EBS spectra acquired were compared with simulated ones using the DataFurnace code, along with an a posteriori treatment of the surface roughness. All the experimental parameters were thoroughly investigated and the results obtained and the discrepancies found are discussed and analyzed. Moreover, the benchmarking procedure in complicated cases, such as the natB(p,p) studied at NCSR “Demokritos”, where background contributions exist, is also discussed.

Status Report on the Sample Preparation Laboratory for Radiocarbon Dating at the New Bucharest Roams Center

ABSTRACTThe accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) center at Horia Hulubei National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest, is based on the latest-generation 1 MV Tandetron® accelerator, produced by High Voltage Engineering Europa (HVEE), The Netherlands. The AMS center became fully functional at the start of 2013, and at the end of 2015 the laboratory established the RoAMS international code and it was added to the list of AMS laboratories maintained by Radiocarbon journal. An important aspect in the establishment of a new AMS laboratory is the declaration and documentation of the adopted protocols and to demonstrate the reliability and reproducibility of the measurements in comparison to internationally recognized reference materials. In this paper, we present the dating results on the Sixth International Radiocarbon Intercomparison (SIRI) samples that were pretreated, graphitized, and measured in our laboratory. The newly developed sample preparation laboratory can handle sample materials as (1) organic materials, (2) wood, (3) bones, and (4) carbonates. The results of our measurements are in very good agreement with the SIRI consensus values and confirm the reliability of our sample preparation laboratory and also the good performance of the HVEE AMS system. The blank levels for the SIRI materials are 0.277±0.045/0.333±0.046 percent modern carbon (pMC) for wood samples, 0.441±0.038 pMC for bone collagen, and 0.239±0.030 pMC for carbonate materials, considering an average mass of 1 mg sample graphite.

The first year operation experience with Ion Beam Analysis at the new STU Ion Beam Laboratory

Ion Beam Analysis is an important part of the new Ion Beam Laboratory at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava based on a HVEE 6 MV Tandetron® accelerator. The system is equipped with an end station for Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry - RBS, Particle Inded X-ray Emission - PIXE and Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis - ERDA. Following commissioning in December 2015, the IBA system was extended with Nuclear reaction analysis - NRA and a thin sample holder for PIXE aerosol filter measurements.

Tests of MACACO Compton telescope with 4.44 MeV gamma rays

Hadron therapy offers the possibility of delivering a large amount of radiation dose to tumors with minimal absorption by the surrounding healthy tissue. In order to fully exploit the advantages of this technique, the use of real-time beam monitoring devices becomes mandatory. Compton imaging devices can be employed to map the distribution of prompt gamma emission during the treatment and thus assess its correct delivery. The Compton telescope prototype developed at IFIC-Valencia for this purpose is made of three layers of LaBr3 crystals coupled to silicon photomultipliers. The system has been tested in a 4.44 MeV gamma field at the 3 MV Tandetron accelerator at HZDR, Dresden. Images of the target with the system in three different positions separated by 10 mm were successfully reconstructed. This indicates the ability of MACACO for imaging the prompt gamma rays emitted at such energies.

An ion beam facility based on a 3 MV tandetron accelerator in Sichuan University, China

Abstract A new ion beam facility based on a 3 MV tandetron accelerator system has been installed in Sichuan University, China. The facility was developed by High Voltage Engineering Europa and consists of three high-energy beam lines including the ion beam analysis, ion implantation and nuclear physics experiment end stations, respectively. The terminal voltage stability of the accelerator is better than ±30 V, and the brightness of the proton beam is approximately 5.06 A/rad2/m2/eV. The system demonstrates a great application potential in fields such as nuclear, material and environmental studies.

Measurement of the strengths of the resonances at 417, 458, 611, 632 and 1222 keV in the 22Ne(p, γ)23Na reaction

The 22Ne(p, γ)23Na reaction is part of the NeNa cycle of hydrogen burning. This cycle plays a key role in the nucleosynthesis of the elements between 20Ne and 27Al in red giant stars, asymptotic giant stars and classical nova explosions. The strengths of the resonances at proton energies above 400 keV are still affected by high uncertainty. In order to reduce this uncertainty, a precision study of some of the most intense resonances between 400 keV and 1250 keV has been performed at the HZDR 3 MV Tandetron. The target, made of 22Ne implanted in a 0.22 mm thick Ta backing, has been characterized using the 1222 keV and 458 keV resonances, well known in literature. Subsequently, the strengths of the resonances at 417, 458, 611, 632 and 1222 keV were determined. Two HPGe detectors equipped with active anti-Compton shielding have been used.

Accelerator characterization of the new ion beam facility at MTA Atomki in Debrecen, Hungary

In this work we present the 2 MV Tandetron accelerator manufactured by High Voltage Engineering Europa (HVEE), that was installed at MTA Atomki in Debrecen, Hungary in 2015. Furthermore, we report on the first performance test of the whole facility including the calibration of the terminal voltage using accurately known resonance energies of the 27Al(p,γ)28Si and 13C(p,γ)14N reactions, as well as neutron threshold energies of the 7Li(p,n)7Be and 13C(p,n)13N reactions. The accurate energy calibration of the generating voltmeter (GVM), the good energy stability of the accelerator as well as the low energy spread of the ion beam suited the requirements of nuclear astrophysics, resonance PIGE depth profiling and the nanoprobe beamline. We have investigated whether the terminal voltage reading depends on the insulating gas pressure, and how much the stripper gas pressure modifies the beam energy.

An upgraded external beam PIXE setup for multielemental analysis of atmospheric aerosol samples

The external beam particle‐induced X‐ray emission (PIXE) setup has been upgraded by introducing a new silicon drift detector with the aim of obtaining better minimum detection limits (MDLs) at the 2 × 1.7 MV Tandetron accelerator of the Beijing Normal University in China. The upgraded external beam PIXE setup is equipped with two silicon drift detectors for PIXE analysis of low and high Z elements. A surface barrier detector for Rutherford backscattering spectrometry monitors beam and helium flow. Two kinds of aerosol filter samples (quartz fiber filters and Teflon filters) were studied. A 200‐μm thick Mylar absorber in front of the medium‐high energy X‐rays detector was adopted, and it got the best MDLs for atmospheric aerosol samples analysis. Multielemental analysis of quartz fiber filter aerosol samples was achieved. For more accurate and better MDLs of low Z elements in PIXE analysis, it is necessary to keep sufficient helium flow behind the thin samples.

P8. - Radiological safety assessment for the commissioning of a 3 MV Tandetron particle accelerator

P8. - Radiological safety assessment for the commissioning of a 3 MV Tandetron particle accelerator

Study of atmospheric aerosols by IBA techniques: The LABEC experience

Abstract At the 3 MV Tandetron accelerator of the LABEC laboratory of INFN (Florence, Italy) an external beam facility is fully dedicated to PIXE-PIGE measurements of the elemental composition of atmospheric aerosols. All the elements with Z > 10 are simultaneously detected by PIXE typically in one minute. This setup allows us an easy automatic positioning, changing and scanning of samples collected by different kinds of devices: long series of daily PM (Particulate Matter) samples can be analysed in short times, as well as size-segregated and high time-resolution aerosol samples. Thanks to the capability of detecting all the crustal elements, PIXE-PIGE analyses are unrivalled in the study of mineral dust: consequently, they are very effective in the study of natural aerosols, like, for example, Saharan dust intrusions. Among the detectable elements there are also important markers of anthropogenic sources, which allow effective source apportionment studies in polluted urban environments using a multivariate method like Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF). Examples regarding recent monitoring campaigns, performed in urban and remote areas, both daily and with high time resolution (hourly samples), as well as with size selection, are presented. The importance of the combined use of the Particle Induced Gamma Ray emission technique (PIGE) and of other complementary (non-nuclear) techniques is highlighted.

Comparison of PIXE and XRF analysis of airborne particulate matter samples collected on Teflon and quartz fibre filters

Abstract Within the framework of research projects focusing on the sampling and analysis of airborne particulate matter, Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) techniques are routinely used in many laboratories throughout the world to determine the elemental concentration of the particulate matter samples. In this work an inter-laboratory comparison of the results obtained from analysing several samples (collected on both Teflon and quartz fibre filters) using both techniques is presented. The samples were analysed by PIXE (in Florence, at the 3 MV Tandetron accelerator of INFN-LABEC laboratory) and by XRF (in Elche, using the ARL Quant’X EDXRF spectrometer with specific conditions optimized for specific groups of elements). The results from the two sets of measurements are in good agreement for all the analysed samples, thus validating the use of the ARL Quant’X EDXRF spectrometer and the selected measurement protocol for the analysis of aerosol samples. Moreover, thanks to the comparison of PIXE and XRF results on Teflon and quartz fibre filters, possible self-absorption effects due to the penetration of the aerosol particles inside the quartz fibre-filters were quantified.

Towards the measurement of the13C(d, p)14C cross section using AMS

A plan to study the total cross section for the13C(d, p)14C nuclear reaction has been developed for energies in the center-of-mass frame between 133 and 400 keV. The proposed experiment will use a deuterium beam (1-3 MeV of energy) from the Instituto de Física-UNAM 5.5 MV Van de Graaff accelerator and the produced14C will be afterwards measured by AMS technique in the LEMA-UNAM (HVEE 1 MV Tandetron). One of the main goals is to study the performance of the LEMA-UNAM facility in the cross section measurement in comparison with other data reported in the literature, measured by other techniques. In this work we present the current status of these studies. The relevance of the13C(d, p)14C reaction in the study of compound nucleus formation as well as in some astrophysics scenarios, and the importance of the development of the AMS technique to measure cross sections of nuclear reactions of astrophysical interest in Mixico are also discussed.

ERDA at the 9 MV Tandem and at the 3 MV Tandetron of IFIN-HH

Recoil spectrometry using heavy ions proposed in 1976 by L’Ecuyer has evolved into a universal IBA technique. Few years later an experimental setup for simultaneous light and medium heavy element detection including a compact ΔE(gas)–Er(solid) telescope, was developed at the Tandem accelerator of IFIN-HH. To increase the resolution, an integrated preamplifier was mounted close to the ionization chamber. The calibration procedure for the telescope and the software for the quantitative evaluation of the data are briefly presented. Recently, a 3MV Tandetron accelerator has been installed and commissioned at the IFIN-HH. Among several ion-beam techniques for detection and depth profiling of hydrogen isotopes, Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis (ERDA) technique using a low energy 4He beam, proposed by Doyle and Peercy, is particularly advantageous. By measuring simultaneously both the H or D recoiling at a forward angle and backscattered 4He ions, a rather complete characterization of the sample can be achieved. Selected results from our investigations, obtained using these facilities, are presented.

Hypervelocity impact in low earth orbit: finding subtle impactor signatures on the Hubble Space Telescope

Return of materials from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) during shuttle orbiter service missions has allowed inspection of large numbers of hypervelocity impact features from long exposure at about 615 km altitude in low Earth orbit (LEO) [1,2]. Here we describe the application of advanced X-ray microanalysis techniques on scanning electron microscopes (SEM), microprobes and a 2 MV Tandetron, to nearly 400 impacts on the painted metal surface of the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) radiator shield [3,4]. We identified artificial Orbital Debris (OD) and natural Micrometeoroid (MM) origins for small [5] and even for larger particles [6], which usually may leave little or no detectable trace on HST solar arrays, as they penetrate through the full cell thickness [2,7].

Experimental study of the 13C+12C fusion reaction at deep sub-barrier energies

Heavy-ion fusion reactions between light nuclei such as carbon and oxygen isotopes have been studied because of their significance for a wide variety of stellar burning scenarios. One important stellar reaction is 12C+12C, but it is difficult to measure it in the Gamow window because of very low cross sections and several resonances occurring. Hints can be obtained from the study of 13C+12C reaction. We have measured this process by an activation method for energies down to Ecm=2.5 MeV using 13C beams from the Bucharest 3 MV tandetron and gamma-ray deactivation measurements in our low and ultralow background laboratories, the latter located in a salt mine about 100 km north of Bucharest. Results obtained so far are shown and discussed in connection with the possibility to go even further down in energy and with the interpretation of the reaction mechanism at such deep sub-barrier energies.

Nuclear Astrophysics at IFIN-HH

I will present the possibilities and some results of doing nuclear astrophysics research in IFIN-HH Bucharest-Magurele. There are basically two lines of experimental activities: (1) direct measurements with beams from the local accelerators, in particular with the new 3 MV Tandetron accelerator. This facility turns out to be competitive for reactions induced by a-particles and light ions. Extra capabilities are given by the ultra-low background laboratory we have in a salt mine about 2.5 hrs. driving north of Bucharest; (2) indirect measurements done with beams at international facilities, in particular at those providing Rare Ion Beams. Completely new and unique opportunities will be provided by ELI-NP, under construction in our institute.

Measurement of proton induced thick target γ-ray yields on B, N, Na, Al and Si from 2.5 to 4.1 MeV

Thick target yields for proton induced γ-ray emission (PIGE) on low-Z nuclei, namely B, N, Na, Al and Si, were measured for proton energies from 2.5 to 4.1MeV and emission angles of 0°, 45° and 90°, at the 3 MV Tandetron laboratory of INFN-LABEC in Florence. The studied reactions were: 10B(p,α′γ)7Be (Eγ=429keV), 10B(p,p′γ)10B (Eγ=718keV) and 11B(p,p′γ)11B (Eγ=2125keV) for boron; 14N(p,p′γ)14N (Eγ=2313keV) for nitrogen; 23Na(p,p′γ)23Na (Eγ=441 and 1636keV) and 23Na(p,α′γ)20Ne (Eγ=1634keV) for sodium; 27Al(p,p′γ)27Al (Eγ=844 and 1014keV) and 27Al(p,α′γ)24Mg (Eγ=1369keV) for aluminum; 28Si(p,p′γ)28Si (Eγ=1779keV) and 29Si(p,p′γ)29Si (Eγ=1273keV) for silicon. The PIGE thick target yields have been measured with an overall uncertainty typically better than 10%. The use of the measured thick target yield to benchmark and validate experimental cross sections available in the literature is demonstrated.

Ion beam induced luminescence (IBIL) system for imaging of radiation induced changes in materials

The progress of construction on the new IBIL (ion beam induced luminescence) spectrometer installed at the ion microprobe facility of the Ruđer Bošković Institute (RBI) is reported. The IBIL system can be used with beams from either 6.0MV Tandem Van de Graaff or 1.0MV Tandetron accelerators. Components of the new apparatus and current experimental set-up are described in detail. Measurements with the new IBIL system were performed using a 2MeV proton microbeam on three sets of samples. This paper gives a summary of the IBIL arrangement capabilities for various problems, emphasising the potential of this technique for radiation damage studies. Due to the relatively good sensitivity of the IBIL spectrometer, integration into the conventional ion beam analysis (IBA) microbeam setup is shown to be possible.