Subjects: Nuclear Science and Technology >> Nuclear Materials and Techniques submitted time 2024-06-11
Abstract: Experimental scratch tests and first-principles calculations were used to study the adhesion property of AlCrNbSiTi high-entropy alloy (HEA) coatings on zirconium substrate. AlCrNbSiTi HEA and Cr coatings were deposited on Zr alloy substrates using multi-arc ion plating technology and scratch tests were carried out to estimate adhesion property of the coatings. Scratch test results indicated that Cr coating have a better adhesion strength than HEA coatings, and HEA coatings showed brittleness. The Special quasi-random structure approach was used to build the HEA models, and the models of the Cr/Zr and HEA/Zr interfaces were employed to investigate the cohesion between the coatings and Zr substrate by first-principles calculations. The calculated interface energies showed that the cohesion between Cr coating and Zr substrate is stronger than HEA coatings. Cr, Nb, and Ti in HEA coating, not Al or Si, bind strongly with Zr. Judged by the calculated elastic constants, low Cr content and high Al content will decrease the mechanical performances of the HEA coatings. This work demonstrates the utility of the combined approach involving first-principles calculations and experimental studies for the development of new HEA coating.
Subjects: Nuclear Science and Technology >> Radiation Physics and Technology submitted time 2024-04-29
Abstract: One-neutron stripping process between 6Li and 209Bi was studied at 28, 30, and 34 MeV using the in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy method. The γ-γ coincident analysis clearly identified two γ-rays feeding the ground and long-lived isomeric states, which were employed to determine the cross section. The one-neutron stripping cross sections were similar to the cross sections of complete fusion in the 6Li+209Bi system, but the one-neutron stripping cross sections decreased more gradually at the sub-barrier region. A coupled-reaction-channel calculation was performed to study the detailed reaction mechanism of the one-neutron stripping process in 6Li. The calculations indicated that the first excited state of 5Li is critical in the actual one-neutron transfer mechanism, and the valence proton of 209Bi can be excited to the low-lying excited state in (6Li, 5Li) reaction, unlike in the (d,p) reaction.
Subjects: Astronomy >> Star and Galactic System submitted time 2023-12-31
Abstract: About 1% of giants have anomalously high Li abundances in their atmospheres, conflicting directly with the prediction of the standard stellar evolution models. This finding makes the production and evolution of Li in the Universe intriguing, not only in the sense of Big Bang nucleosynthesis or the interstellar medium, but also for the evolution of stars. Decades of efforts have been put into explaining why such extreme objects exist, yet the origins of Lirich giants are still being debated. Here we report the discovery of the most Li-rich giant known to date, with a very high Li abundance of 4.51. This rare phenomenon was observed coincidentally with another short-term event: the star is experiencing its luminosity bump on the red giant branch. Such a high Li abundance indicates that the star might be at the very beginning of its Li-rich phase, which provides a great opportunity to investigate the origin and evolution of Li in the Galaxy. A detailed nuclear simulation is presented with up-to-date reaction rates to recreate the Li enrichment process in this star. Our results provide tight constraints on both observational and theoretical points of view, suggesting that low-mass giants can internally produce Li to a very high level through 7Be transportation during the red giant phase.
Subjects: Physics >> Nuclear Physics submitted time 2023-11-14
Abstract: Two-body correlations of the isotope-resolved light and heavy clusters are measured in 86Kr+ 208Pb reactions at 25 MeV/u. The yield and kinetic variables of the A = 3 isobars, triton and 3He, are analyzed in coincidence with the heavy clusters of 7 ≤ A ≤ 14 emitted at the earlier chance. While the velocity spectra of both triton and 3He exhibit scaling behavior over the type of the heavy clusters, the yield ratios of t/ 3He correlate reversely to the neutron-to-proton ratio N/Z of the latter, showing the ping-pong modality of the N/Z of emitted clusters. The commonality that the N/Z of the residues keeps the initial system value is extended to the cluster emission in heavy ion reactions. The comparison of transport model calculations to the data is discussed.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Other Disciplines submitted time 2023-10-31
Abstract: The study of d(d,p)t reaction is very important for the nucleosynthesis in both standard Big Bang and stellar evolution, as well as for the future fusion reactors planning of energy production. The d(d,p)t bare nucleus astrophysical S(E) factor has been measured indirectly at energies from about 400 keV down to several keV by means of the Trojan horse method applied to the quasi-free process 2H(6Li, pt)4He induced at a lithium beam energy of 9.5 MeV, which is closer to the zero quasi-free energy point. An accurate analysis leads to the determination of the Sbare(0) = 56.7±2.0keV·b and of the corresponding electron screening potential Ue = 13.2± 4.3eV. In addition, this work gives an updated test for the Trojan horse nucleus invariance comparing with previous indirect investigations using 3He = (d + p) breakup.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Physics >> Nuclear Physics submitted time 2023-10-31
Abstract: The Coulomb barrier and electron screening cause difficulties in directly measuring nuclear reaction cross sections of charged particles in astrophysical energies. The Trojan-horse method has been introduced to solve the difficulties as a powerful indirect tool. In order to understand experimental spectra better, Geant4 is employed to simulate the method for the first time. Validity and reliability of the simulation are examined by comparing the experimental data with simulated results. The Geant4 simulation can give useful information to understand the experimental spectra better in data analysis and is beneficial to the design for future related experiments.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Physics >> General Physics: Statistical and Quantum Mechanics, Quantum Information, etc. submitted time 2023-09-05
Abstract: To enhance the accuracy of 2πα and 2πβ particle surface emission rate measurements and address the identification issues of nuclides in conventional methods, this study introduces two artificial neural network (ANN) algorithms: back propagation (BP) and genetic algorithm-based back propagation (GA-BP). These algorithms classify pulse signals from distinct α and β particles. Their discrimination efficacy is assessed by simulating standard pulse signals and those produced by contaminated sources, mixing α and β particles within the detector. This study initially showcases energy spectrum measurement outcomes, subsequently tests the ANNs on the measurement and validation datasets, and contrasts the pulse shape discrimination efficacy of both algorithms. Experimental findings reveal that the proportional counter's energy resolution is not ideal, thus rendering energy analysis insufficient for distinguishing between 2πα and 2πβ particles. The BP neural network realizes approximately 99% accuracy for 2πα particles and approximately 95% for 2πβ particles, thus surpassing the GA-BP's performance. Additionally, the results suggest enhancing β particle discrimination accuracy by increasing the digital acquisition card's threshold lower limit. This study offers an advanced solution for the 2πα and 2πβ surface emission rate measurement method, presenting superior adaptability and scalability over conventional techniques.
Subjects: Physics >> Nuclear Physics submitted time 2023-06-20
Abstract: The stellar (n, γ) cross section data for the mass numbers around A ≈ 160 are of key importance to nucleosynthesis in the main component of the slow neutron capture process, which occurs in the thermally pulsing asymptotic giant branch (TP–AGB). The new measurement of (n, γ) cross sections for 159Tb was performed using the C6D6 detector system at the back streaming white neutron beam line (Back-n) of the China spallation neutron source (CSNS) with neutron energies ranging from 1 eV to 1 MeV. Experimental resonance capture kernels are reported up to 1.2 keV neutron energy with this capture measurement. Maxwellian-averaged cross sections (MACS) are derived from the measured 159Tb (n, γ) cross sections at kT = 5–100 keV and are in good agreement with the recommended data of KADoNiS-v0.3 and JEFF-3.3, while KADoNiS-v1.0 and ENDF-VIII.0 signifificantly overestimate the present MACS up to 40% and 20%, respectively. A sensitive test of the s-process nucleosynthesis is also performed with the stellar evolution code MESA. Signifificant changes in abundances around A ≈ 160 are observed between the ENDF/B-VIII.0 and present measured rate of 159Tb(n, γ) 160Tb in the MESA simulation.
Subjects: Nuclear Science and Technology >> Nuclear Materials and Techniques submitted time 2023-06-18 Cooperative journals: 《Nuclear Science and Techniques》
Abstract: Diffusion behaviors of Se(IV) and Re(VII) in bentonite were investigated by a through-diffusion method in nitrate, sulfate, carbonate and silicate solutions. SEM-EDS analysis showed that Se(IV) was reduced to red precipitate Se(0) by sulfite. Se(IV) was sorbed on bentonite with distribution coefficient Kd of (2.6–5.3)×10-4 m3/kg in sulfite, nitrate and sulfate solutions, whereas it was hardly sorbed in carbonate and silicate solutions. The effective diffusion coefficients were De= (0.81–7.0)×10-11 m2/s for Se(IV) and De= (1.4–4.4)×10-11 m2/s for Re(VII). The De value of Se(IV) exhibited a dependence on the inorganic salts in the order of sulfite ≈ nitrate ≈ sulfate > silicate > carbonate, whereas the salts had insignificant effect on Re(VII) diffusion. The results suggest that the discrepancy in diffusion mechanism may lead to the different impact of the salts on the diffusion of Se(IV) and Re(VII) in GMZ bentonite.
Subjects: Nuclear Science and Technology >> Nuclear Materials and Techniques submitted time 2023-06-18 Cooperative journals: 《Nuclear Science and Techniques》
Abstract: The reduction of Tc(VII) by methyl-hydrazine(MMH) in HNO3 aqueous solution was studied under different conditions. A logistic equation widely used for modeling autocatalytic reaction was adopted to simulate the target reaction. All the experimental data were consistent with the proposed equation. Results showed that Tc(VII) was reduced by MMH in two ways, the stepwise reduced by MMH and the autocatalytic reduced by Tc(IV). Isothermal experiments were done at temperatures ranging from 40 ℃ to 55 ℃ and the activation energy were obtained to be 31.51 kJ/mol and 65.68 kJ/mol for the stepwise reduction and autocatalytic reduction, respectively.
Subjects: Nuclear Science and Technology >> Nuclear Materials and Techniques submitted time 2023-06-18 Cooperative journals: 《Nuclear Science and Techniques》
Abstract: The adsorption behavior of 241Am(III) and Eu(III) by silica/polymer-based isoHex-BTP adsorbent (isoHex-BTP/SiO2-P) was investigated by a batch experiment method. isoHex-BTP/SiO2-P exhibited high affinity and selectivity for 241Am(III) over 152Eu(III) in 2–4 mol/dm3 nitric acid solutions. Within the experimental contact time range of 0.5–24 h, isoHex-BTP/SiO2-P showed high selectivity for 241Am(III) compared to 152Eu(III) in 3 mol/dm3 nitric acid solution. However, the adsorption kinetics of 241Am(III) and 152Eu(III) was slow. Eu(III) adsorption followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating chemical adsorption as the rate-limiting step of the adsorption process. And the adsorption agreed well with the Langmuir adsorption model at various temperatures. The adsorption kinetics and isotherm data indicated that the equilibrium adsorption capacity, the adsorption rate, the maximum adsorption capacity and the adsorption affinity, increased with temperature. The thermodynamic parameters, negative change in Gibbs free energy, and positive change in enthalpy and entropy, suggested that the adsorption of Eu(III) was spontaneous and endothermic process with an increase of entropy.
Subjects: Physics >> Nuclear Physics submitted time 2023-06-18 Cooperative journals: 《Nuclear Science and Techniques》
Abstract: A new version of improved quantum molecular dynamics model that includes standard Skyrme interactions has been developed. Based on the new code, four commonly used parameter sets, SLy4, SkI2, SkM* and Gs are adopted in the improved quantum molecular dynamics model and the isospin sensitive observables, namely isospin transport ratios, single and double ratios of the yields of neutrons and protons are investigated. The isospin transport ratios are strongly sensitive to the slope of symmetry energy, and are not very sensitive to the nucleon effective mass splitting. On the other hand, the high energy neutrons and protons yields ratios from reactions at different incident energies provide a good observable to the momentum dependence of nucleon effective mass splitting. By comparing our calculations with the data, we find that the constrained L value (the slope of density dependence of symmetry energy) is about ~46 MeV when the Skyrme type interaction is considered in transport models, and the isospin diffusion data prefer to mn*>mp*, but it is not a strong constraint with deep χ2 minimum.
Subjects: Nuclear Science and Technology >> Particle Accelerator submitted time 2023-06-18 Cooperative journals: 《Nuclear Science and Techniques》
Abstract: The concentration of the natural ultra-trace radionuclides 36Cl and 236U in the uranium depended on the neutron flux. In this article, a method for measuring 36Cl and 236U in the same uranium mineral with accelerator mass spectrometry was developed in China Institute of Atomic Energy, providing a protocol of the potential application of 236U in uranium mining, environmental, and geological research. The two samples were from Guangxi and Shanxi province, China, and their ratios 36Cl/Cl and 236U/238U were measured. More experimental data conduced to understand the natural nuclides in the uranium mineral. We plan to conduct more efforts on the research.
Subjects: Physics >> Nuclear Physics submitted time 2017-07-30
Abstract: Macroscopic parameters as well as precise information on the random force characterizing the Langevin type description of the nuclear fusion process around the Coulomb barrier are extracted from the microscopic dynamics of individual nucleons by exploiting the numerical simulation of the improved quantum molecular dynamics. It turns out that the dissipation dynamics of the relative motion between two fusing nuclei is caused by a non-Gaussian distribution of the random force. We find that the friction coefficient as well as the time correlation function of the random force takes particularly large values in a region a little bit inside of the Coulomb barrier. A clear non-Markovian effect is observed in the time correlation function of the random force. It is further shown that an emergent dynamics of the fusion process can be described by the generalized Langevin equation with memory effects by appropriately incorporating the microscopic information of individual nucleons through the random force and its time correlation function.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Physics >> Nuclear Physics submitted time 2017-07-30
Abstract: Applying a macroscopic reduction procedure on the improved quantum molecular dynamics (ImQMD) model, the energy dependences of the nucleus-nucleus potential, the friction parameter, and the random force characterizing a one-dimensional Langevin-type description of the heavy-ion fusion process are investigated. Systematic calculations with the ImQMD model show that the fluctuation-dissipation relation found in the symmetric head-on fusion reactions at energies just above the Coulomb barrier fades out when the incident energy increases. It turns out that this dynamical change with increasing incident energy is caused by a specific behavior of the friction parameter which directly depends on the microscopic dynamical process, i.e., on how the collective energy of the relative motion is transferred into the intrinsic excitation energy. It is shown micro- scopically that the energy dissipation in the fusion process is governed by two mechanisms: One is caused by the nucleon exchanges between two fusing nuclei, and the other is due to a rearrangement of nucleons in the intrinsic system. The former mechanism monotonically increases the dissipative energy and shows a weak dependence on the incident energy, while the latter depends on both the relative distance between two fusing nuclei and the incident energy. It is shown that the latter mechanism is responsible for the energy dependence of the fusion potential and explains the fading out of the fluctuation-dissipation relation.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Physics >> Condensed Matter: Structural, Mechanical and Thermal Properties submitted time 2017-03-26
Abstract:Fe–0.6%Cu alloy was irradiated with H ions to 0.1 dpa, and then annealed for 30 min from 150 oC to 500 oC. We focused the evolution of Cu precipitates in irradiated Fe–0.6%Cu alloy after the isochronal annealing from the perspective of positron annihilation. The ΔW parameters after thermal annealing (400 oC and 500 oC) were much larger than that induced by 0.1 dpa H irradiation. Annealing could promote the aggregation of the Cu-vacancy complexes, and form the Cu cluster–vacancies complexes. When the vacancy-like defects recovered around 500 oC, it meant the formation and growing of the defect-free Cu precipitates.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Physics >> Condensed Matter: Structural, Mechanical and Thermal Properties submitted time 2017-03-23
Abstract:The effect of annealing on VmHn complexes and Cu precipitate behaviors in hydrogen ion irradiated Fe and Fe-0.3%Cu alloys was investigated by positron annihilation spectroscopy using a slow positron beam. The results of S parameters indicated that the room temperature irradiation was benefit for the formation of the VmHn complex compared to the elevated temperature irradiation. The S-W results confirmed the formation of Cu precipitates in Fe-0.3%Cu even at the irradiation dose of 0.1 dpa. The formation of the evident S value peaks in the damage region after annealing treatment suggested that the VmHn complexes were broken and a larger of hydrogen atoms were escaping. The residual vacancy defects would migrate towards both the surface region and the opposite direction with the increasing annealing temperature.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review