Investigating High-Energy Proton-Induced Reactions on Spherical Nuclei: Implications for the Pre-Equilibrium Exciton Model

A number of accelerator-based isotope production facilities utilize 100- to 200-MeV proton beams due to the high production rates enabled by high-intensity beam capabilities and the greater diversity of isotope production brought on by the long range of high-energy protons. However, nuclear reaction modeling at these energies can be challenging because of the interplay between different reaction modes and a lack of existing guiding cross section data. A Tri-lab collaboration has been formed among the Lawrence Berkeley, Los Alamos, and Brookhaven National Laboratories to address these complexities by characterizing charged-particle nuclear reactions relevant to the production of established and novel radioisotopes. In the inaugural collaboration experiments, stacked-targets of niobium foils were irradiated at the Brookhaven Linac Isotope Producer (E$_p$=200 MeV) and the Los Alamos Isotope Production Facility (E$_p$=100 MeV) to measure $^{93}$Nb(p,x) cross sections between 50 and 200 MeV. The measured cross-section results were compared with literature data as well as the default calculations of the nuclear model codes TALYS, CoH, EMPIRE, and ALICE. We developed a standardized procedure that determines the reaction model parameters that best reproduce the most prominent reaction channels in a physically justifiable manner. The primary focus of the procedure was to determine the best parametrization for the pre-equilibrium two-component exciton model. This modeling study revealed a trend toward a relative decrease for internal transition rates at intermediate proton energies (E$_p$=20-60 MeV) in the current exciton model as compared to the default values. The results of this work are instrumental for the planning, execution, and analysis essential to isotope production.Comment: 37 pages, 62 figures. Revised version, published in Physical Review

Magnetic Reconnection in Extreme Astrophysical Environments

Magnetic reconnection is a basic plasma process of dramatic rearrangement of magnetic topology, often leading to a violent release of magnetic energy. It is important in magnetic fusion and in space and solar physics --- areas that have so far provided the context for most of reconnection research. Importantly, these environments consist just of electrons and ions and the dissipated energy always stays with the plasma. In contrast, in this paper I introduce a new direction of research, motivated by several important problems in high-energy astrophysics --- reconnection in high energy density (HED) radiative plasmas, where radiation pressure and radiative cooling become dominant factors in the pressure and energy balance. I identify the key processes distinguishing HED reconnection: special-relativistic effects; radiative effects (radiative cooling, radiation pressure, and Compton resistivity); and, at the most extreme end, QED effects, including pair creation. I then discuss the main astrophysical applications --- situations with magnetar-strength fields (exceeding the quantum critical field of about 4 x 10^13 G): giant SGR flares and magnetically-powered central engines and jets of GRBs. Here, magnetic energy density is so high that its dissipation heats the plasma to MeV temperatures. Electron-positron pairs are then copiously produced, making the reconnection layer highly collisional and dressing it in a thick pair coat that traps radiation. The pressure is dominated by radiation and pairs. Yet, radiation diffusion across the layer may be faster than the global Alfv\'en transit time; then, radiative cooling governs the thermodynamics and reconnection becomes a radiative transfer problem, greatly affected by the ultra-strong magnetic field. This overall picture is very different from our traditional picture of reconnection and thus represents a new frontier in reconnection research.Comment: Accepted to Space Science Reviews (special issue on magnetic reconnection). Article is based on an invited review talk at the Yosemite-2010 Workshop on Magnetic Reconnection (Yosemite NP, CA, USA; February 8-12, 2010). 30 pages, no figure

Probing electrochemical reactivity in an Sb2S3-containing potassium-ion battery anode: Observation of an increased capacity

Potassium-ion batteries are attracting considerable attention as a viable type of high voltage battery. Among available anode materials, composites containing Sb2S3are some of the most interesting high capacity candidates. A nanostructured Sb2S3-reduced graphene oxide composite anode material is evaluated in this study and compared with a structurally similar SnS2-reduced graphene oxide material reported previously by this team. The behaviour of the Sb2S3-based electrodes is assessed in both 1 M KPF6in ethylene carbonate-diethyl carbonate and 1 M KPF6in 1,2-dimethoxyethane electrolytes. Depotassiation capacities in excess of 650 mA h g−1are recorded for the composite electrodes, superior not only to SnS2-based electrodes but also to all previously reported Sb2S3-containing electrode materials for potassium-ion batteries. In order to establish insights into the reaction mechanism of the Sb2S3phase with potassium, post-cycling X-ray diffraction andin situtransmission electron microscopy are utilised. The recorded data suggest the presence of antimony alloys and potassium polysulphides as reaction products and intermediates; a possible conversion-alloying reaction mechanism is discussed. The results indicate that a capacity higher than previously believed is achievable in the Sb2S3active component of potassium-ion battery electrodes.</p

Measurement and modeling of proton-induced reactions on arsenic from 35 to 200 MeV

As72 is a promising positron emitter for diagnostic imaging that can be employed locally using a Se72 generator. However, current reaction pathways to Se72 have insufficient nuclear data for efficient production using regional 100-200 MeV high-intensity proton accelerators. In order to address this deficiency, stacked-target irradiations were performed at LBNL, LANL, and BNL to measure the production of the Se72/As72 positron emission tomography (PET) generator system via As75(p,x) between 35 and 200 MeV. This work provides the most well-characterized excitation function for As75(p,4n)Se72 starting from threshold. Additional focus was given to report the first measurements of As75(p,x)Ge68 and bolster an already robust production capability for the highly valuable Ge68/Ga68 PET generator. Thick target yield comparisons with prior established formation routes to both generators are made. In total, high-energy proton-induced cross sections are reported for 55 measured residual products from As75, Cunat, and Tinat targets, where the latter two materials were present as monitor foils. These results were compared with literature data as well as the default theoretical calculations of the nuclear model codes talys, coh, empire, and alice. Reaction modeling at these energies is typically unsatisfactory due to few prior published data and many interacting physics models. Therefore, a detailed assessment of the talys code was performed with simultaneous parameter adjustments applied according to a standardized procedure. Particular attention was paid to the formulation of the two-component exciton model in the transition between the compound and preequilibrium regions, with a linked investigation of level density models for nuclei off of stability and their impact on modeling predictive power. This paper merges experimental work and evaluation techniques for high-energy charged-particle isotope production in an extension to an earlier study of this kind