Nuclear States Research Articles

Predicting nucleon-nucleus scattering observables using nuclear structure theory

Developing a predictive capability for inelastic scattering will find applications in multiple areas. Experimental data for neutron-nucleus inelastic scattering is limited and thus one needs a robust theoretical framework to complement it. Charged-particle inelastic scattering can be used as a surrogate for (n, γ) reactions to predict capture cross sections for unstable nuclei. Our work uses microscopic nuclear structure calculations for spherical nuclei to obtain nucleon-nucleus scattering potentials and calculate cross sections for these processes. We implement the Jeukenne, Lejeune, Mahaux (JLM) semi-microscopic folding approach, where the medium effects on nuclear interaction are parameterized in nuclear matter to obtain the nucleon-nucleon (NN) interaction in a medium at positive energies. We solve for the nuclear ground state using the Hartree-Fock-Bogliubov (HFB) many-body method, assuming the nucleons within the nucleus interact via the Gogny-D1M potential. The vibrational excited states of the target nucleus are calculated using the quasi-particle random phase approximation (QRPA). We demonstrate our approach for spherical nuclei in the medium-mass region, showing scattering results for the 90Zr nucleus.

Rotational conformers and nuclear spin isomers of carbonyl diisothiocyanate.

Nuclear spin isomers of molecules play a pivotal role in our understanding of quantum mechanics and can have significant implications for various fields. In this work, we report the isolation and characterization of stable nuclear spin isomers as well as conformational isomers of a reactive compound, namely carbonyl diisothiocyanate. It can exist as three rotational conformers, two of which, the syn-syn and syn-anti, were observed in a pulsed supersonic jet by chirped pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy in the 2-12 GHz frequency region. The rotational spectra of two distinct nuclear spin isomers of syn-syn-carbonyl diisothiocyanate, ortho and para, were recorded and analyzed. Experimental molecular rotational parameters for the identified rotational and nuclear spin isomers were determined, including rotational constants, centrifugal distortion constants, and nuclear quadrupole coupling constants. The two nuclear spin isomers are distinguished by unique hyperfine splitting signatures in their rotational spectra as an outcome of their different nuclear spin states. The relative abundances of the two observed conformers in the gas phase were estimated from the intensity of their rotational transitions. Following detection of singly substituted rare isotopologues of the syn-syn conformer, a partial substitution (rs) structure was determined.

Специфика кадрового комплектования советского акционерного общества «Висмут»: материалы переписки аппарата Первого главного управления при Совете министров СССР и парторганизаций Свердловского обкома ВКП(б) в 1949 г.

The publication introduces into scientific use correspondence of the deputy head of the First Main Directorate (PGU, executing agency of the Soviet nuclear project) under the Council of Ministers of the USSR P. Ya. Meshik with the party organizations of the Sverdlovsk Regional Committee of the AUCP (B) on the issue of recruitment for work abroad. The analysis of references to the resolutions of the Council of Ministers known to researchers establishes that the Soviet Joint-Stock Company “Wismut” located in Germany recruited mining engineers and specialists in the field of geological exploration. Its subordinates were engaged in search and development of uranium deposits in the Soviet zone of occupation of Germany. A raw material base for extraction and processing of uranium-containing ores was formed for implementation of the Soviet nuclear weapons program in the second half of the 1940s. For reasons of state secrecy, researchers are still significantly limited in access to archival documents on the history of the nuclear project. Thus, introduction into scientific use of new historical sources related to the project implementation already seems sufficiently relevant and high-demand scientific task. In this case, it is a selection of five documents deposited in the materials of the Sverdlovsk City Committee of the AUCP (B) Documentation Center of Public Organizations of the Sverdlovsk Region associated with the mass recruitment of mining and exploration workers entrusted to the Sverdlovsk Regional Committee of the AUCP (B) in spring of 1949 in the interests of the nuclear project. At the direction of the Regional Committee (obkom), the Sverdlovsk City Committee selected a number of necessary specialists, and the First Main Directorate began their registration for work abroad. In the autumn of 1949, a request came from the PGU about expediency of such transfer for one of the selected specialists. Doubts were caused by minor flaws indicated in his generally positive characteristic. Responding to the request, the city committee withdrew its decision. The introduction of the identified documents collection into scientific use is due to two reasons. Firstly, at the grassroots stage, it fixes the recruitment system for the Soviet nuclear project, which has been little studied up to date. Secondly, on a hypothetical level, it can be considered an illustration of a mechanism of evasion from mobilization into the atomic project system, which frightened many specialists with its obscurity.

Ugovor o zabrani nuklearnog oružja - položaj, primena i značaj

Although there was a opinion that the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons would represent the end of the era of the development of this type of weapon and the threat of nuclear war, this did not happen, having in mind that no country possessing a nuclear arsenal have acceded to the Treaty yet. The paper analyzes the main aspects of this document, its advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, using a comparative method, we will try to determine the relationship of this treaty with other sources of international public law, primarily treaties that may refer to the use of nuclear weapons, but also customs. Special attention is given to the influence of the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the use of nuclear weapons on the attitudes of states on the permissibility of the use of nuclear weapons. At the end, taking into account the current political and social circumstances in international relations and the opinions of international law theorists, we will try to answer the question why this treaty is still important, because nuclear weapons are the tool may be played by nuclear powers, especially in terms of their potential use in the case of self-defence.

ЯДЕРНЫЙ ФАКТОР В РОССИЙСКО-УКРАИНСКИХ ОТНОШЕНИЯХ В 1990-Е ГГ.

The article considers the impact of the issue of Ukraine’s denuclearization on the development of Russian-Ukrainian relations in the 1990s. It describes in detail the difficult negotiations on the withdrawal of Soviet tactical and strategic nuclear weapons from Ukrainian territory, which first took place in a bilateral format between Russia and Ukraine, and then joined by the United States. The author notes that Russia sought to maintain a monopoly in possession of that type of weaponry in the post-Soviet space. Washington was also not interested in increasing the number of nuclear states, especially in the Commonwealth of Independent States. The position of the Ukrainian side was characterized by inconsistency and contradiction. The author explains why Ukraine’s renunciation of nuclear status was necessary and in the interests of all parties, including, first and foremost, Ukraine itself. In particular, the signing of the Budapest Memorandum not only helped ease tensions in Russian-Ukrainian relations in the mid-1990s, stabilized the international situation in the post-Soviet space, but also allowed Ukraine to receive international recognition and financial assistance. The article clearly refutes the thesis, quite popular in modern Ukraine, that it was possible for the country to retain a part of the Soviet nuclear arsenal after the collapse of the USSR. It was ruled out, among other things, because Ukraine did not have the technical capability to maintain such arsenal under the new conditions.

Indo-Pak conflict in South Asia: dynamics of Kashmir issue and the way forward for peace

India and Pakistan have experienced various military conflicts since their inception in 1947. The Kashmir issue is one of the most pertinent causes of conflict between both nations as they have gone to war in 1948, 1965 and 1999 on the issue of Kashmir. This matter was also brought to the United Nations Security Council for resolution. However, India has categorically refused to seek any international mediation over this issue by terming it as an internal issue of India. Both countries officially joined the nuclear club in May 1998, which posed a severe threat to the security of the South Asian region as it enabled them to use the nuclear option in future. After acquiring atomic status, both countries came close to war in 2001 when armies were deployed on forward positions on international borders and in 2019 when Pakistan shot down the Indian Air Force fighter jet in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Since 2019, especially after India revoked Article 370, relations between the two countries have been dismal. The paper contemplates the background of this conflict and the resultant wars between India and Pakistan and presents confidence-building measures for the pursuit of peace-making in South Asia.

Spreading width converted from optical model for α incident scattering

We convert the optical potential in the α + 40Ca elastic scattering, which is determined so as to reproduce the differential cross section precisely, into the spreading width. This spreading width represents the decay width of the α + 40Ca resonance into the more complicated states. The conversion of the optical potential into the spreading width is achieved by the method of the absorbing boundary condition, and it is compared with the escape width of the α emission. The dissociation strength of 44Ti into the α + 40Ca continuum states is calculated to see the effect of the spreading width more clearly. We also estimate the upper value of the decay width into the compound nuclear state, which is a part of the spreading width, on the basis of the formula similar to the strength function originally used in the low-energy neutron scattering.

Constraining (anti)nuclei measurements relevant for astrophysics with ALICE

Antinuclei can be produced in space either by collisions of highenergy cosmic rays with the interstellar medium or from the annihilation of dark matter particles stemming into standard model particles. High-energy hadronic collisions at accelerators create a suitable environment for producing light (anti)nuclei. Hence, studying the production of (anti)nuclei in pp collisions at the LHC can provide crucial insights into the production mechanisms of nuclear states in our Universe. Recent measurements of the production of (anti)nuclei in and out of jets, and as a function of rapidity in pp collisions at √S = 13 TeV have been carried out with ALICE. The latter allow for the extrapolation of the nuclear production models at forward rapidity, region of interest for indirect searches of dark matter. Recent results on the annihilation crosssection of antinuclei are also discussed in the context of astrophysical measurements of cosmic ray flux. Such information is essential to study the different sources of antinuclei in our Universe and to interpret any future measurement of antinuclei in space.

Deciphering 𝚵− capture events in light emulsion nuclei

Abstract. We recently showed that all five KEK and J-PARC uniquely assigned two-body Ξ- + AZ → A′ΛZ′ + A′′ΛZ′′ capture events in CNO light emulsion nuclei are consistent with Coulomb-assisted 1pΞ¯ nuclear states in a ξ-nuclear potential of nuclear-matter depth Vξ ≳ 20 MeV [1]. Here we argue that the recently reported 14N capture events named KINKA and IRRAWADDY are more likely Ξ1p0 - 14C nuclear states [2] than Ξ1s--14 N states, the latter assignment implying considerably smaller values of Vξ.

POTENTIAL IMPACT OF LETHAL AUTONOMOUS WEAPON SYSTEMS ON STRATEGIC STABILITY AND NUCLEAR DETERRENCE IN SOUTH ASIA

Several trends show that the efforts to alter South Asian strategic landscape have increased, which primarily includes unprecedented proliferation of technology to India. This has exacerbated Pakistan’s security dilemma and is a matter of significant concern for South Asian security environment. Militaries worldwide are preparing for a new warfare trend in emerging technologies that include artificial intelligence and machine learning-based autonomous weapon systems, robotics, hypersonic weapons, and quantum technologies. These technologies are expected to change the character of war besides affecting geopolitical competitions and rivalries. It is pertinent to analyse the impact of these new technologies on regional rivalries to identify and implement effective solutions, thus mitigating potential risks and preventing the occurrence of a catastrophe. As several states are developing AI-based Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems, capable of targeting without human supervision, possible exploitation of these technologies by nuclear-armed states may increase the risk of war leading to more aggressive nuclear postures. Such a risk would be higher in South Asia as the ballistic missile flight time would be less than ten minutes, and conventional military interactions of rival states could occur near a long border. The integration of autonomy into conventional weapons and nuclear systems has the potential to undermine strategic stability and will be a quick recipe for accidents and miscalculations. This study explores the region’s threat perceptions and analyses the potential use of LAWS and how it can impact nuclear deterrence and strategic stability of South Asia. This study hypothesizes that LAWS will lower the nuclear threshold in the region and undermine deterrence stability. Bibliography Entry Masood, Maryyum and Muhammad Ali Baig. 2023. "Potential Impact of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems on Strategic Stability and Nuclear Deterrence in South Asia." Margalla Papers 27 (2): 27-43.

RAMIFICATIONS OF INDIA’S NAVAL BUILD-UP IN NUCLEAR REALMS

The naval build-up of India in contemporary times reflects its major power ambitions. Owing to its development of advanced naval capabilities coupled with its long-standing desire to develop a blue-water navy is a major driver of this build up. These blue water ambitions stir instability in Indian Ocean Region (IOR) affecting Pakistan’s threat perceptions. The most important development in the region's stability and security architecture is the addition of second-strike capacity to the sea, which carries serious consequences. Hence, it is pertinent to address the question of strategic stability regarding the development of India’s sea based nuclear capabilities. This paper explores Indian naval nuclear developments and their repercussions for the security environment of South Asia. It establishes that nuclearization of Indian Ocean is leading to aggressive arms build-up in South Asia and subsequent risk of nuclear accidents, sabotage and command and control vulnerabilities. Bibliography Entry Bibi, Gulshan and Brice Tseen Fu Lee. 2023. "Ramifications of India’s Naval Buildup in Nuclear Realms." Margalla Papers 27 (2): 1-13.

The war in Ukraine: the failure of deterrence

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it became evident that the longstanding American deterrence policy that had worked during the Cold War failed. In February 2022, Russia started a war of conquest against its neighbor, and the United States and its European allies were unable to prevent it. America’s deterrence broke down for two main reasons. First, successive American Presidents failed to act when Russia used its brute military force against its neighbors. In 2008, Russia attacked Georgia and captured two provinces, proclaiming them “independent states.” In 2014, Russia attacked Ukraine, annexed Crimea, and established military control over two other provinces in Donbas, and announced their “independence.” In both cases, the United States and its European allies imposed mild trade sanctions on Moscow, most of which they soon repealed. The most remarkable act in this regard was sponsored by the Obama administration, which in 2011-2012 pushed hard for Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization by bullying Georgia not to veto Moscow’s application. The second, more significant cause for the failure of deterrence was America’s refusal to invest in a new generation of strategic weapons. Since the end of the Cold War, the United States has developed very little in terms of upgrading its nuclear arsenal and creating new delivery systems. At the same time, Moscow invested hundreds of billions of dollars in developing and deploying new long-range cruise missiles, new hypersonic missiles, and a new generation of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The Impact of Nuclear Power on Pakistan: Analysing the Recipients of US Aid, Efficacy, and Future Consequences

This study examines the United States' imposition of sanctions on Pakistan following the test of nuclear arsenals in 1998. The paper examines the elements that contribute to lifting U.S. sanctions on Islamabad and evaluates the effectiveness of imposing consistently strong economic penalties. It analyses the manner in which the United States employed Pakistan to serve its national security objectives by offering assistance in a counterterrorism effort spearheaded by the United States following the events of 9/11. The United States, driven by its own self-interests, chose to support Pakistan by easing sanctions and sending help. Pakistan, in turn, used this aid for military and general development goals. This study analyses the cost-effectiveness of U.S. aid and the disparity between internal and foreign opinions of the recipients of U.S. help in Pakistan. The primary aim of this article is to evaluate Pakistan's utilization of U.S. aid, specifically in terms of military expenditures against investments in the well-being of its people. This assessment will consider viewpoints from both internal and international sources. Within this framework, the study offers several recommendations that have significant ramifications for the donor-beneficiary approach to aid provision and budget allocation in the future.

Svjetla budućnost za nuklearno razoružanje ili utopija?: Pravna ocjena Ugovora o zabrani nuklearnog oružja iz 2017. i njegov odnos s Ugovorom o neširenju nuklearnog oružja iz 1968.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is the first universal international treaty that stipulates the prohibition of nuclear weapons and as such represents a major contribution to international law in the field of nuclear disarmament. The main purpose and goal of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. States that are parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons belong to the group that does not possess nuclear weapons, and in relation to them, compliance with the rules and fulfilment of the obligations prescribed by the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons should not pose any problem. However, the practical effect of the nuclear arms control treaty is seen by the major nuclear powers as an unrealistic and progressive approach to disarmament. Therefore, it is very difficult to predict that the nuclear states and their allies will decide to ratify the treaty in the near future. Therefore, in the context of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, an attempt will be made to offer an answer to the following questions. First, can the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons per se constitute a fundamental legal framework to which all states must adhere? And secondly, can nuclear states, according to the persistent objector rule, prevent the possible establishment of customary international law? It is to be assumed that the pressure of the non-nuclear states may in some way influence the nuclear states so that they feel the obligation to comply with the provisions of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons to a certain extent. Due to the establishment of a norm that prohibits nuclear weapons, it is necessary to ultimately explain the relationship of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons with already existing legal instruments, especially with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Optimization of correction factors for WBS in SARS-COV-2 uncertainty factors

Effluent-based epidemiological methods based on effluent analysis are a new method to study drug consumption. In this study, CF was reestimated and improved by establishing a reasonable model to improve the accuracy of the WBE method. Before analyzing the obtained data, we need to eliminate errors and their blank data. Then, after downloading the exported data, knowing that there were 1099 sewers in the data downloaded on CDC, the data table was filtered, the blank data was excluded, and the data from April 24, 2022 to May 8, 2022 was selected as the percentage change in SARS-CoV-2RNA levels at 15-day intervals; Publication of SARS-CoV-2 concentration data sheets in wastewater in nuclear-weapon States. The data on CoV-2 concentration in wastewater were screened and eliminated, deleted from the blank data of SARS-CoV-2 virus concentration, and classified according to the measured serial number of sewers, and the SARS-CoV-2 virus concentration data of a total of 451 sewers were summarized. Then select based on the heatmap of the number of new cases in each state in the last 30 days, and based on the heatmap of the number of new cases in each state in the last 30 days, select the abbreviated state name of CA, CT, ID, IL, IL, KS, KY, MA, MI, MO, NE, NV, New York, Ohio, Oregon, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI. Analyze the data. Finally, based on K-means clustering, linear regression and bootstrap algorithms, combined with relevant parameters, normal distribution and bias distribution, a new CF is re-established to improve the accuracy of WBE.

Between Nuclear Autonomy and Foreign Extended Nuclear Deterrence Protection: the Case of Japan

The purpose of this article is to elucidate the problem of Japan’s nuclear security deterrence strategy dilemma, which is balancing between pursuing nuclear autonomy and remaining under the United States’ (the U.S.) extended nuclear deterrence protection. Through an examination of Japanese official documents, scholars’ relevant literature on both Japanese and U.S. nuclear security and an analysis of Japan’s geopolitical structure, the researchers resolve this dilemma through a nuclear deterrence perspective. Based on the evaluation of how Japan’s nuclear deterrence credibility’s potential is changing when pursuing either of the two options, the researchers conclude that the three geopolitical factors — the proximity to the strong nuclear adversary, the smallness of territory and lack of nuclear armament experience — determine that it is not in Japan’s national interest to leave the U.S. nuclear umbrella and pursue autonomy through independent nuclear capabilities. In addition, given the similarity of three such geopolitical factors shared by them, the majority of small states (e.g. Eastern European countries such as Lithuania), it is reasonable to constitute them into an empirical model and conduct a further deductive study on the cases of other small cases.

“The Ocean is Our Legacy:” Values of Care and Reciprocity

ABSTRACT This essay examines contemporary nuclear and military impacts on the Pacific Ocean and environmental destruction perpetuated by Japan and the United States. It weaves together complex and overlapping histories of militarism that continue ecological violence in the Pacific, and it articulates connections among these legacies in local and global contexts. I argue that communication scholars must stop acquiescing to military security perspectives. Instead, scholars should directly condemn militaries as the world’s biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and critique nuclear weapon states that exacerbate environmental devastation. Considering the 2023 cases of Fukushima–Daiichi radioactive wastewater dumping and Super Typhoon Mawar, I examine Indigenous cultural practices of care as responses from island communities in Micronesia and their diasporas.

Use of the Laser Fragmentation Method in the Extraction of LFCM from the Shelter

The Project to transform the Shelter into an environmentally safe system has achieved a significant milestone in the process of transitioning Chornobyl NPP Unit 4 to a safe environmental state. However, the program does not include the measures for long-term safe management of the nuclear stockpile at Chornobyl NPP Unit 4 that are essential. A considerable amount of fuel, approximately 200 tons, has been mixed with reactor debris and structural components, resulting in the formation of fuel-containing materials spanning hundreds of cubic meters. These fuel-containing materials are located in the lower levels of Chornobyl NPP Unit 4.
 Given the degradation and natural deterioration of fuel-containing materials leading to generation of radioactive aerosols, as well as recent changes in neutron flux density observed after the installation of the New Safe Confinement, there is an urgent need to enhance the development and implementation of appropriate technology. One promising approach is application of the dry fragmentation technology, which uses a high-power solid-state laser developed at the Fraunhofer IWS laboratory in cooperation with the Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants NAS of Ukraine and Plejades GmbH. This technology offers advantages such as minimizing the dynamic and static loads on local structures, efficient energy transfer (heat), and reducing dust formation.
 This article presents the main aspects of the laser fragmentation method of LFCM. The article describes the details of the controlled destruction technology of thermally stressed material, developed as a result of tests with simulated material at the Fraunhofer IWS laboratory. The work is focused on the measures required for implementing the dry fragmentation technology at the Shelter. It presents pre-conceptual approaches for retrieval and handling of fuel-containing materials located in the lower floors of Chornobyl NPP. The article outlines an approach for accessing fuel-containing materials, a strategy for their fragmentation, subsequent packaging, and safe storage within the Chornobyl NPP until final disposal. Additionally, the creation of a tool system and means of delivery are also described.

Fabrication and characterization of thin 94Zr target with gold backing for nuclear lifetime measurements using DSAM

For lifetime measurements of excited nuclear states in the sub-picosecond range, a thin target with a thick backing of high-Z material is required. To meet these specifications, a thin isotopic94Zr target of thickness 1.14 ± 0.05 mg/cm2, with backing of 4.7 ± 0.2 mg/cm2 thick Au layer, has been fabricated using the cost-effective cold rolling technique at the target laboratory of Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC), New Delhi. The thickness verification and purity check of the fabricated target have been carried out by non-destructive Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) and Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) techniques. The results of these measurements are in good agreement with each other. The elemental composition, purity and surface morphology have been explored by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques. The fabricated target has been successfully used with a16O ion beam in a recent γ-ray spectroscopy experiment for lifetime measurements using the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method (DSAM) at IUAC, New Delhi.

The evolution trend and thinking of the modernization of command, control and communication system of American nuclear force

The nuclear force Command, Control and Communication System (NC3) is a variety of facilities required when the president issues nuclear operations instructions, is the central nervous system to achieve the United States "trinity" strategic nuclear strike, and is an important basis for achieving reliable and effective nuclear deterrence. The future contest between major powers is a comprehensive confrontation based on the comprehensive national strength of strategic nuclear forces. While the United States has the world's most advanced conventional combat forces and the largest nuclear Arsenal, it continues to apply new technological means to improve the operational command and control system of nuclear forces, upgrade its nuclear Arsenal, strengthen the construction and development of nuclear forces, and maintain its nuclear superiority. We should draw inspiration from this and speed up the independent research and development of a credible and reliable combat command system of nuclear forces to ensure that we will win the first opportunity in future wars.