Structure-phase states of silumin surface layer after electron beam and high cycle fatigue

Modification of eutectic silumin surface has been implemented by high-intensity pulsed electron beam. The irradiation mode has been revealed; it allows increasing silumin fatigue life in more than 3.5 times. It has been established that the main reason of this fact is the formation of a multiphase submicro- and nanosized structure. It has been elicited that the most danger stress concentrators are large silicon plates situated on the surface and near-surface layers

Test beam studies of the TRD prototype filled with different gas mixtures based on Xe, Kr, and Ar

Towards the end of LHC Run1, gas leaks were observed in some parts of the Transition Radiation Tracker (TRT) of ATLAS. Due to these leaks, primary Xenon based gas mixture was replaced with Argon based mixture in various parts. Test-beam studies with a dedicated Transition Radiation Detector (TRD) prototype were carried out in 2015 in order to understand transition radiation performance with mixtures based on Argon and Krypton. We present and discuss the results of these test-beam studies with different active gas compositions.Comment: 5 pages,12 figures, The 2nd International Conference on Particle Physics and Astrophysics (ICPPA-2016); Acknowledgments section correcte

Grazing-incidence Small-angle X-ray Scattering Technique for Probing Nanostructures and Processes at Nanoscale

The paper presents the grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering technique and its application to the studies of self-assembly and re-assembly effects of colloidal nanoparticles. Two basic cases are exemplified - solvent evaporation driven self-assembly and self-assembly driven by barrier movement in the Langmuir-Blodgett trough. Studies of the nanoparticle re-assembly effects due to the surfactant removal complete the overview. These examples document strength of GISAXS for an in situ tracking of processes at nanoscale. The results have direct implications for tailored preparation of the self -assembled nanoparticle templates for sensing, plasmonics and other applications

Some results of test beam studies of Transition Radiation Detector prototypes at CERN

Operating conditions and challenging demands of present and future accelerator experiments result in new requirements on detector systems. There are many ongoing activities aimed to develop new technologies and to improve the properties of detectors based on existing technologies. Our work is dedicated to development of Transition Radiation Detectors (TRD) suitable for different applications. In this paper results obtained in beam tests at SPS accelerator at CERN with the TRD prototype based on straw technology are presented. TRD performance was studied as a function of thickness of the transition radiation radiator and working gas mixture pressure

Fractography of Fatigue Fracture Surface in Silumin Subjected to Electron-Beam Processing

The surface modification of the eutectic silumin with high-intensity pulsed electron beam has been carried out. Multi-cycle fatigue tests were performed and irradiation mode made possible the increase in the silumin fatigue life more than 3.5 times was determined. Studies of the structure of the surface irradiation and surface fatigue fracture of silumin in the initial (unirradiated) state and after modification with intense pulsed electron beam were carried out by methods of scanning electron microscopy. It has been shown, that in mode of partial melting of the irradiation surface the modification process of silicon plates is accompanied by the formation of numerous large micropores along the boundary plate/matrix and microcracks located in the silicon plates. A multi-modal structure (grain size within 30-50 μm with silicon particles up to 10 [mu]m located on the boundaries) is formed in stable melting mode, as well as subgrain structure in the form of crystallization cells from 100 to 250 [mu]m in size). Formation of a multi-modal, multi-phase, submicro- and nanosize structure assisting to a significant increase in the critical length of the crack, the safety coefficient and decrease in step of cracks for loading cycle was the main cause for the increase in silumin fatigue life

Fractography of Fatigue Fracture Surface in Silumin Subjected to Electron-Beam Processing

The surface modification of the eutectic silumin with high-intensity pulsed electron beam has been carried out. Multi-cycle fatigue tests were performed and irradiation mode made possible the increase in the silumin fatigue life more than 3.5 times was determined. Studies of the structure of the surface irradiation and surface fatigue fracture of silumin in the initial (unirradiated) state and after modification with intense pulsed electron beam were carried out by methods of scanning electron microscopy. It has been shown, that in mode of partial melting of the irradiation surface the modification process of silicon plates is accompanied by the formation of numerous large micropores along the boundary plate/matrix and microcracks located in the silicon plates. A multi-modal structure (grain size within 30-50 μm with silicon particles up to 10 [mu]m located on the boundaries) is formed in stable melting mode, as well as subgrain structure in the form of crystallization cells from 100 to 250 [mu]m in size). Formation of a multi-modal, multi-phase, submicro- and nanosize structure assisting to a significant increase in the critical length of the crack, the safety coefficient and decrease in step of cracks for loading cycle was the main cause for the increase in silumin fatigue life

Macular volume and fovea thickness as OCT-criteria for multiple sclerosis. Preliminary results

Background. The characteristic optical coherence tomography (OCT) changes in the optic nerve head in patients with multiple sclerosis are known and have been described many times, however, the state of the macular area is described in a small number of publications.The aim: to analyze the changes in the macular area of the retina in patients with multiple sclerosis, to identify the OCT signs pathognomonic for this disease and to trace their changes over time as the disease progresses.Material and methods. In addition to the standard ophthalmological examination, 28 patients (55 eyes) diagnosed with multiple sclerosis underwent OCT of the macular zone to determine the thickness of the fovea and the volume of the macula in the 6 mm zone. The follow-up period was 6–12 years. The endpoints were the primary treatment and the most recent inspection.Results. At the initial examination, the visual acuity was 0.96 ± 0.24 (95% CI: 0.9–1.03), fovea thickness – 253.0 μm (Q1–Q3: 233.0–264.0), macular volume – 5.471 mm3 (Q1–Q3: 5.281–5.625). In 37 cases (67.3 %), the macular volume was below normal. The initial fovea thickness was below normal in 9 cases (16.4 %). At the end of the study, visual acuity did not change statistically (p = 0.824) and amounted to 0.96 ± 0.25 (95% CI: 0.90–1.04). The fi nal thickness of the fovea was 247.5 μm (Q1–Q3: 233.0–260.0), changes are statistically significant (p = 0.02). Number of cases with a thickness below normal in the fi nal study was 11 (20 %), change of frequency of cases was not statistically signifi cant (p = 0.5). The fi nal macular volume was 5.393 mm3 (Q1–Q3: 5.197–5.565), the changes are statistically significant (p = 0.023). The final number of cases with a volume below the norm was 42 (76.4 %), the change in the frequency of cases is close to statistically signifi cant (p = 0.063). At all stages of the study, there was no case of an isolated decrease in the thickness of the fovea without a decrease in the volume of the macula.Conclusion. The decrease in the volume of the macula with time while maintaining the thickness of the fovea within the normal range can be attributed to the pathognomonic OCT signs of multiple sclerosis. This criterion can be used for a comprehensive assessment of the course and therapy of this disease

Identification of particles with Lorentz factor up to 10410^{4} with Transition Radiation Detectors based on micro-strip silicon detectors

This work is dedicated to the study of a technique for hadron identification in the TeV momentum range, based on the simultaneous measurement of the energies and of the emission angles of the Transition Radiation (TR) X-rays with respect to the radiating particles. A detector setup has been built and tested with particles in a wide range of Lorentz factors (from about $10^3$ to about $4 \times 10^4$ crossing different types of radiators. The measured double-differential (in energy and angle) spectra of the TR photons are in a reasonably good agreement with TR simulation predictions.Comment: 31 pages, 12 figures, paper published on Nuclear Instruments & Methods

Grazing-incidence Small-angle X-ray Scattering Technique for Probing Nanostructures and Processes at Nanoscale

The paper presents the grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering technique and its application to the studies of self-assembly and re-assembly effects of colloidal nanoparticles. Two basic cases are exemplified - solvent evaporation driven self-assembly and self-assembly driven by barrier movement in the Langmuir-Blodgett trough. Studies of the nanoparticle re-assembly effects due to the surfactant removal complete the overview. These examples document strength of GISAXS for an in situ tracking of processes at nanoscale. The results have direct implications for tailored preparation of the self -assembled nanoparticle templates for sensing, plasmonics and other applications

Multifocal Intraocular Lenses Implantation in Presbyopia Correction. Literature Review

Reduced dependence on glasses is an increasingly common expectation among those who want to take advantage of new surgical opportunities, especially for patients who lead an active lifestyle. Currently, due to the increase in the duration of active life in people over 40, there is a need for effective correction of presbyopia. Multifocal intraocular lenses are increasingly used in the treatment of presbyopia. After implantation of multifocal intraocular lenses most patients have no need for spectacle or contact vision. However, complications can affect the patient’s quality of life and level of satisfaction. The most common complications of multifocal correction are blurred vision and the presence of optical phenomena (“halo” and “glare”), associated with residual ametropia, clouding of the posterior capsule, large pupil size, anomalies of the wave front, dry eye and lens decentration. The main reasons for this are the failure to attempt to neuroadapt a patient, the dislocation of the lens, the residual refractive error and the clouding of the lens. The review presents the main features of various models of multifocal intraocular lenses, their implantation techniques, associated complications and methods for their correction. The development of multifocal correction of presbyopia and ametropia seems to be a promising direction in ophthalmic surgery