Analysis of Electrodeposited Nickel-Iron Alloy Film Composition Using Particle-Induced X-Ray Emission

The elemental composition of electrodeposited NiFe thin films was analyzed with particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). The thin films were electrodeposited on polycrystalline Au substrates from a 100mM NiSO4, 10 mM FeSO4, 0.5M H3BO3, and 1M Na2SO4 solution. PIXE spectra of these films were analyzed to obtain relative amounts of Ni and Fe as a function of deposition potential and deposition time. The results show that PIXE can measure the total deposited metal in a sample over at least four orders of magnitude with similar fractional uncertainties. The technique is also sensitive enough to observe the variations in alloy composition due to sample nonuniformity or variations in deposition parameters

Feasibility of isotope harvesting at a projectile fragmentation facility: ⁶⁷Cu

The work presented here describes a proof-of-principle experiment for the chemical extraction of (67)Cu from an aqueous beam stop at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL). A 76 MeV/A (67)Cu beam was stopped in water, successfully isolated from the aqueous solution through a series of chemical separations involving a chelating disk and anion exchange chromatography, then bound to NOTA-conjugated Herceptin antibodies, and the bound activity was validated using instant thin-layer chromatography (ITLC). The chemical extraction efficiency was found to be 88 ± 3% and the radiochemical yield was ≥95%. These results show that extraction of radioisotopes from an aqueous projectile-fragment beam dump is a feasible method for obtaining radiochemically pure isotopes

Big Physics At Small Places: The Mongol Horde Model Of Undergraduate Research

A model for engaging undergraduates in cutting-edge experimental nuclear physics research at a national user facility is discussed.  Methods to involve students and examples of their success are presented

Alpha Particle Emission from6He + 209Bi

In a recent experiment, we have for the first time studied near-barrier and sub-barrier fusion of the exotic Borromean nucleus 6He with 209Bi and found that the sub-barrier fusion of this system is exceptionally enhanced, implying a 20% reduction in the nominal fusion barrier. It was suggested that this striking effect might he due to coupling to positive Q-value neutron transfer channels, leading to neutron flow and consequent neck formation between the projectile and target. The results of a new experiment using the radioactive nuclear beam facility at the University of Notre Dame to measure fast ⍺-particle emission from 6He + 209Bi are discussed. A exceptional1y strong transfer/breakup group was observed at near-barrier and sub-barrier energies; this is very likely to be the doorway state that explains the enhanced sub-barrier fusion. In a recent experiment, we have for the first time studied near-barrier and sub-barrier fusion of the exotic Borromean nucleus 6He with 209Bi and found that the sub-barrier fusion of this system is exceptionally enhanced, implying a 20% reduction in the nominal fusion barrier. It was suggested that this striking effect might he due to coupling to positive Q-value neutron transfer channels, leading to neutron flow and consequent neck formation between the projectile and target. The results of a new experiment using the radioactive nuclear beam facility at the University of Notre Dame to measure fast ⍺-particle emission from 6He + 209Bi are discussed. A exceptional1y strong transfer/breakup group was observed at near-barrier and sub-barrier energies; this is very likely to be the doorway state that explains the enhanced sub-barrier fusion

Near- And Sub-barrier Fusion Of The Be7+ Ni58 System

Evaporation proton yields were measured for the fusion of the radioactive proton-rich nucleus Be-7 onto a Ni-58 target at six near-barrier energies. Total fusion cross sections were deduced by using calculated proton multiplicities. The resulting fusion excitation function shows a considerable enhancement with respect to calculations for a bare potential, even for energies above the Coulomb barrier. Inelastic couplings can account for the enhancement at the highest energy. Total fusion channels nearly saturate the total reaction cross section in the measured energy region. Comparison with previous results scaled appropriately for Be-7 + (Al-27, U-238) shows good agreement