A measurement of the neutron lifetime using the method of storage of ultracold neutrons and detection of inelastically up-scattered neutrons

AbstractWe present estimations of systematic corrections and results of their experimental studies for our neutron lifetime experiment carried out in 2008–2010 at ILL. Taking into account these systematic corrections, we reduce the data of three independent sets of measurements (obtained during period 2008–2010) performed with different energy spectra of ultracold neutrons (UCNs) at different trap temperatures to the mean neutron lifetime value equal to 880.2(1.2) s

PALLADIUM REDUCTION FROM MOLTEN EUTECTIC MIXTURE OF LITHIUM, POTASSIUM AND CAESIUM CHLORIDES

Palladium reduction processes were studied employing cyclic voltammetry technic. LiCl–KCl-CsCl eutectic melt was used as a solvent. Temperature dependences of standard palla-dium deposition potentials were determined in the temperature range of 300–800ºC

SPECTROSCOPIC PROPERTIES OF PALLADIUM IN MOLTEN EUTECTIC MIXTURE OF LITHIUM, POTASSIUM AND CAESIUM CHLORIDES

Electronic absorption spectroscopy was used to assess palladium speciation in fused alkali chlorides. Electronic absorption spectra of palladium (II) chloro-ions were recorded in molten LiCl–KCl–CsCl eutectic mixture at 300–800 °С. Molar absorption coefficients and principle spectroscopic parameters

MCP-based detector: some results and perspectives

The timing resolution of photomultiplier tubes (PMT) based on shevron-type microchannel plates (MCP) has been studied inmagnetic fields. The same timingresolution with and without a longitudinal magnetic field up to 2.0 kGwas obtained as = 85 ± 2 ps. It is shown that an increase of timing resolution in this magnetic field does not exceed25 ps (upper limit). The timing resolution of = 31 ± 2 pswas obtained for narrow (10resolution) amplitude spectrumfrom Corone discharge. The counting rate of MCP-based detector was studied in function of the direction of the magnetic field.The spatial and timing resolution for the MCP-based PMT were obtained using laser pulses as well. With laser pulses of 0.3 ns a timing resolution of ≅ 450 ps was obtained. Taking into account the amplitude correction narrows to 140 ps. Using 100 fs-laser with the standard constant fractiondiscriminator gives a timing resolution from 20 to 40 ps depending on the read-out MCP region.The perspectives of using an MCP-based detector for high-energy physics experiments are discussed.Abstract:Summary:We present the results of the systematic in-lab tests of the MCP-based detectors characteristics.Abstract:In the first two tests two conventional PMT 165-2 tubes (produced by St.Petersburg) were used. These photomultipliers contain a photocathode, two microchannel plates in a shevron-type setup and anodes. A special stand was designed and performed for these tests. It consists of a magnet up to 2.0kG, CAMAC electronics and a PC with a set of programmes. The two detectors were placed face-to-face. The Conore discharge placed between the two PMT-MCP detectors was used as a light spark source. The light froma spark comes to both detectors. If a sheet of black paper had been placed between the source and detectors, signals did not exist. Signals from both detectors went to the amplifier-discriminator. Then both of the signals passed to the TDC through the special time expansion block. One signal had been submitted to "start" of TDC, the second one through a delay line had been given to "stop" of TDC. A TDC channel width was 78 ± 2 ps. A special block for an expansion of the timing signal was used. It gives a signal between "stop" and "start" to 100 times longer than in real time. After differentiation, the signals were given to TDC. A precise calibration of the timing track was doen. A 5 ns signal from the generator was divided by two. One had been given to "start" TDC, the second had gone through a 100 ps step delay line and given to "stop". This was a special delay line with an accuracy of 1 ps. The analysis showed that the TDC channel width with using of expansion block was = 0.7 ps and the jitter of all track was = 10.7 ps.As a first step, we wanted to obtain a good timing resolution for the checking of electronics. In this case a narrow (10resolution) amplitude spectrum was used. The timing resolution for one MCP was obtained as = 31 ± 2 ps. For the next step, n amplitude spectrum was used that was closer to a real experimental situation (50 mV - 700 mV). The same timing resolution = 85 ± 2 ps was obtained for both zero magnetic field and up to 2.0 kG magnetic field. We used a longitudinal magnetic field, and the angle between the direction of the magnetic field and the MCP channels was approximately 12 degrees. An estimation of the possible influence of the magnetic fiels was made. It was shown that an increasing of the timing resolution in the magnetic fiels up to 2.0 kG does not exceed 25 ps (upper limit).The next tests were done using a laser. In this case, a one-photon regime was used. A new variant of the read-out was applied. A timing signal was taken from the "input" of the second MCP surface and an amplitude signal was taken from the anode. This makes it possible to combine an adequate amplitude analysis and a high timing resolution in one detector. The timing resolution for the laser impulse of 0.3 ns was obtained as = 450 ps. Taking into account the amplitude correction, the resolution improves to = 140 ps. Using a 100-fs laser with a standard constant fraction discriminator gave a timing resolution better than 40 ps. It is shown that the timing resolution has a dependence on the read-out region. Using a small (3 mm diameter) region gives = 20 ps.The perspectives of using MCP-based detector for high-energy physics experiments are discussed

CONSUMPTION OF MINE WATER BY WILD UNGULATES IN THE SOURCES OF THE USSURI RIVER, ON THE TERRITORY OF THE NATIONAL PARK «CALL OF THE TIGER»

Link for citation: Panichev A.M., Baranovskaya N.V., Aramilev V.V., Chekryzhov I.Yu., Vakh E.A., Vetoshkina  A.V., Lutsenko T.N., Strepetov D.A.  Consumption of mine water by wild ungulates in the sources of the Ussuri river, on the territory of the national park «Call of the tiger». Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. Geo Аssets Engineering, 2023, vol. 334, no. 7, рр. 111-121. In Rus. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to clarify the reason for the use of mineralized water by wild animals, which is typical for many areas of the world. The new knowledge is closely related to the geophagy problem, the solution of which opens a wide prospect of fundamental research in the fields of landscape biogeochemistry, ecology and medicine. Purpose: to study chemical composition of the mineralized mine water in the lake located on the territory of the out-of-operation tin-polymetallic ores concentrator dump in the upper Ussuri river which is being consumed actively by wild ungulates; to reveal number of animal visitors to the lake during an annual cycle; to reveal the reason of mine water consumption. Objects: ungulates visiting the lake with mine water; lake water and bottom sediments. Methods: estimation of visitation of the mine lake by animals by means of photographic traps; chemical composition determination: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (Agilent 7700x spectrometer, Agilent Techn., USA); atomic emission spectrometry (spectrometer iCAP 7600 Duo); ion chromatography (LC-20 ion-liquid chromatograph, Shimadzu, Japan). Results. It was revealed that animals come to the lake uniformly throughout the year, except for the winter period, when the water is covered by a thick layer of ice. In high concentrations trace elements were found, including both elements with high toxicity (Cd and Pb) exceeding MAC for drinking water from 20 to 80 times and essential elements such as Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Co, Cr, Ni, Se, Li, which concentration either does not exceed MPC or exceeds it insignificantly. The concentration of REE, especially of the light subgroup, is also very high. The reason for mine water consumption by animals, most likely, is the high concentration of rare-earth elements of the light subgroup in it