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Quantum Beam Sci., Volume 6, Issue 2 (June 2022) – 9 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): Under studied mechanisms contributing to the intensity of characteristic lines are described and discussed. Compton ionization of L and M shells, impact ionization from photoelectric and Compton secondary electrons, and the self-absorption of the higher energy Lorentzian tail at the absorption edge, are three effects that increase the height of the characteristic line produced by the dominant mechanism of inner-shell photoelectric ionization initiated by the primary photon. These additional contributions should be considered to obtain a better agreement between experimental and calculated characteristic intensities, and to improve the precision of the atomic parameters that require of an estimation of line intensity to be determined. View this paper
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8 pages, 1516 KiB  
Article
Demonstration of Neutron Phase Imaging Based on Talbot–Lau Interferometer at Compact Neutron Source RANS
by Hidekazu Takano, Yanlin Wu, Tetsuo Samoto, Atsushi Taketani, Takaoki Takanashi, Chihiro Iwamoto, Yoshie Otake and Atsushi Momose
Quantum Beam Sci. 2022, 6(2), 22; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/qubs6020022 - 01 Jun 2022
Viewed by 1878
Abstract
Neutron imaging based on a compact Talbot–Lau interferometer was demonstrated using the RIKEN accelerator-driven compact neutron source (RANS). A compact Talbot–Lau interferometer consisting of gadolinium absorption gratings and a silicon phase grating was constructed and connected to the RANS. Because of pulsed thermal [...] Read more.
Neutron imaging based on a compact Talbot–Lau interferometer was demonstrated using the RIKEN accelerator-driven compact neutron source (RANS). A compact Talbot–Lau interferometer consisting of gadolinium absorption gratings and a silicon phase grating was constructed and connected to the RANS. Because of pulsed thermal neutrons from the RANS and a position-sensitive detector equipped with time-of-flight (TOF) analysis, moiré interference patterns generated using the interferometer were extracted at a TOF range around the design wavelength (2.37 Å) optimal for the interferometer. Differential phase and scattering images of the metal rod samples were obtained through phase-stepping measurements with the interferometer. This demonstrates the feasibility of neutron phase imaging using a compact neutron facility and the potential for flexible and unique applications for nondestructive evaluation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Neutron Instrumentation, 2nd Edition)
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9 pages, 1983 KiB  
Article
Effects of Energetic Carbon-Cluster Ion Irradiation on Lattice Structures of EuBa2Cu3O7−x Oxide Superconductor
by Akihiro Iwase, Yuichi Saitoh, Atsuya Chiba, Fuminobu Hori and Norito Ishikawa
Quantum Beam Sci. 2022, 6(2), 21; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/qubs6020021 - 25 May 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1855
Abstract
C-axis-oriented EuBa2Cu3O7−x oxide films that were 100 nm thick were irradiated with 0.5 MeV C monoatomic ions, 2 MeV C4 cluster ions and 4 MeV C8 cluster ions at room temperature. Before and after the irradiation, [...] Read more.
C-axis-oriented EuBa2Cu3O7−x oxide films that were 100 nm thick were irradiated with 0.5 MeV C monoatomic ions, 2 MeV C4 cluster ions and 4 MeV C8 cluster ions at room temperature. Before and after the irradiation, X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement was performed using Cu-Ka X-ray. The c-axis lattice constant increased almost linearly as a function of numbers of irradiating carbon ions, but it rarely depended on the cluster size. Cluster size effects were observed in the XRD peak intensity and the XRD peak width. With increasing the cluster size, the decrease in peak intensity becomes more remarkable and the peak width increases. The experimental result implies that the cluster ions with a larger size provide a more localized energy deposition in a sample, and cause larger and more inhomogeneous lattice disordering. As such, local and large lattice disordering acts as a pinning center for quantum vortex; energetic carbon-cluster ion irradiation will be effective for the increment in the critical current of EuBa2Cu3O7−x superconductors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Swift Cluster Ion Beams: Basic Processes and Applications)
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22 pages, 4036 KiB  
Review
Major and Minor Contributions to X-ray Characteristic Lines in the Framework of the Boltzmann Transport Equation
by Jorge E. Fernandez and Francesco Teodori
Quantum Beam Sci. 2022, 6(2), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs6020020 - 19 May 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2185
Abstract
The emission of characteristic lines after X-ray excitation is usually explained as the consequence of two independent and consecutive physical processes: the photoelectric ionization produced by incoming photons and the successive spontaneous atomic relaxation. However, the photoelectric effect is not the only ionization [...] Read more.
The emission of characteristic lines after X-ray excitation is usually explained as the consequence of two independent and consecutive physical processes: the photoelectric ionization produced by incoming photons and the successive spontaneous atomic relaxation. However, the photoelectric effect is not the only ionization mechanism driven by incoming photons. It has been recently shown that Compton ionization is another possible process that contributes not negligibly to the ionization of the L and M shells. In addition, the secondary electrons from these two interactions, photoelectric and Compton, are also able to ionize the atom by means of so-called impact ionization. Such a contribution has been recently described, showing that it can be relevant in cases of monochromatic excitation for certain lines and elements. A third mechanism of line modification is the so-called self-enhancement produced by absorption of the tail of Lorentzian distribution of the characteristic line, which mainly modifies the shape of the lines but also produces an intensity increase. The four effects contribute to the formation of the characteristic line and must be considered to obtain a precise picture in terms of the shell and the element. This work furnishes a review of these contributions and their formal theoretical descriptions. It gives a complete picture of the photon kernel, describing the emission of characteristic X-rays comprising the main photoelectric contribution and the three effects of lower extent. All four contributions to the characteristic X-ray line must be followed along successive photon interactions to describe multiple scattering using the Boltzmann transport equation for photons. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue X Rays: Physics and Applications)
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12 pages, 1621 KiB  
Review
A Survey of Process Monitoring Using Computer-Aided Inspection in Laser-Welded Blanks of Light Metals Based on the Digital Twins Concept
by Ahmad Aminzadeh, Sasan Sattarpanah Karganroudi, Mohammad Saleh Meiabadi, Dhanesh G. Mohan and Kadiata Ba
Quantum Beam Sci. 2022, 6(2), 19; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/qubs6020019 - 16 May 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3366
Abstract
The benefits of laser welding include higher production values, deeper penetration, higher welding speeds, adaptability, and higher power density. These characteristics make laser welding a superior process. Many industries are aware of the benefits of switching to lasers. For example, metal-joining is migrating [...] Read more.
The benefits of laser welding include higher production values, deeper penetration, higher welding speeds, adaptability, and higher power density. These characteristics make laser welding a superior process. Many industries are aware of the benefits of switching to lasers. For example, metal-joining is migrating to modern industrial laser technology due to improved yields, design flexibility, and energy efficiency. However, for an industrial process to be optimized for intelligent manufacturing in the era of Industry 4.0, it must be captured online using high-quality data. Laser welding of aluminum alloys presents a daunting challenge, mainly because aluminum is a less reliable material for welding than other commercial metals such as steel, primarily because of its physical properties: high thermal conductivity, high reflectivity, and low viscosity. The welding plates were fixed by a special welding fixture, to validate alignments and improve measurement accuracy, and a Computer-Aided Inspection (CAI) using 3D scanning was adopted. Certain literature has suggested real-time monitoring of intelligent techniques as a solution to the critical problems associated with aluminum laser welding. Real-time monitoring technologies are essential to improving welding efficiency and guaranteeing product quality. This paper critically reviews the research findings and advances for real-time monitoring of laser welding during the last 10 years. In the present work, a specific methodology originating from process monitoring using Computer-Aided Inspection in laser-welded blanks is reviewed as a candidate technology for a digital twin. Moreover, a novel digital model based on CAI and cloud manufacturing is proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laser Assisted Manufacturing)
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7 pages, 373 KiB  
Article
Response to Mono-Energetic Neutrons and Light Output Function for Liquid Organic Scintillators PYR5/DIPN and THIO5/DIPN
by Jaroslav Jánský, Jiří Janda, Michal Košťál, Zdeněk Matěj, Tomáš Bílý, Věra Mazánková, Filip Mravec and František Cvachovec
Quantum Beam Sci. 2022, 6(2), 18; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/qubs6020018 - 12 May 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2309
Abstract
Liquid organic scintillators are important devices for measurements of neutron radiation. Currently, large-scale liquid organic scintillators have capabilities of detecting neutrons, but the determination of the neutron energy spectra is a challenge. This work aims to measure the responses of two liquid two-component [...] Read more.
Liquid organic scintillators are important devices for measurements of neutron radiation. Currently, large-scale liquid organic scintillators have capabilities of detecting neutrons, but the determination of the neutron energy spectra is a challenge. This work aims to measure the responses of two liquid two-component scintillators to mono-energetic neutron radiation and to determine their light output function, which is necessary for proper neutron energy spectra determination. Both scintillators are composed of the solvent di-iso-propyl-naphthalene (DIPN) mixed isomers. The first scintillator, labeled PYR5/DIPN, contains the luminophore 1-phenyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-2-pyrazoline with a concentration of 5 g/L. The second scintillator labeled THIO5/DIPN contains the luminophore 2,5-bis(5-tert-butyl-benzoxazol-2-yl)thiophene also with a concentration of 5 g/L. The responses to neutron energies of 1.5 MeV, 2.5 MeV, and 19 MeV are measured at PTB in Braunschweig. The responses to neutron energies of 2.45 MeV and 14 MeV were measured at CTU in Prague using DD and DT reactions. The responses to a silicon filtered beam were measured at Research Centre Řež. The measurements were processed using a two-parameter spectrometric system NGA-01 to discriminate neutrons from gamma rays. The obtained responses are dominated by recoil protons from elastic collisions of neutrons with hydrogen atoms. The edge of the response of recoil protons gives information about the light output of neutrons, compared to gamma rays for the same radiation energy. The light output function for protons in the PYR5/DIPN scintillator is L(Ep)=0.6294Ep1.00(1exp(0.4933Ep0.95)). The light output function for protons in the THIO5/DIPN scintillator is L(Ep)=0.6323Ep1.00(1exp(0.4986Ep0.9883)). The light output functions well resemble the standard shape, and they are quite similar to each other. That suggests a weak influence of the luminophore on the light output function. The light output functions are ready to be incorporated to the response matrix for the neutron energy spectra determination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Neutron Instrumentation, 2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 21008 KiB  
Article
Effect of Process Parameters on Laser Powder Bed Fusion of Al-Sn Miscibility Gap Alloy
by Chiara Confalonieri, Riccardo Casati and Elisabetta Gariboldi
Quantum Beam Sci. 2022, 6(2), 17; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/qubs6020017 - 25 Apr 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2284
Abstract
Al-Sn binary system is a miscibility gap alloy consisting of an Al-rich phase and a Sn-rich phase. This system is traditionally applied in bearings and more recently found application as form-stable phase change material (PCM) exploiting solid-liquid phase transition of Sn. A careful [...] Read more.
Al-Sn binary system is a miscibility gap alloy consisting of an Al-rich phase and a Sn-rich phase. This system is traditionally applied in bearings and more recently found application as form-stable phase change material (PCM) exploiting solid-liquid phase transition of Sn. A careful choice of production process is required to avoid macro-segregation of the two phases, which have different densities and melting temperatures. In the present study, the additive manufacturing process known as laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) was applied to an Al-Sn alloy with 20% volume of Sn, as a rapid solidification process. The effect of process parameters on microstructure and hardness was evaluated. Moreover, feasibility and stability with thermal cycles of a lattice structure of the same alloy were experimentally investigated. An Al-Sn lattice structure could be used as container for a lower melting organic PCM (e.g., a paraffin or a fatty acid), providing high thermal diffusivity thanks to the metallic network and a “safety system” reducing thermal diffusivity if the system temperature overcomes Sn melting temperature. Even if focused on Al-Sn to be applied in thermal management systems, the study offers a contribution in view of the optimization of manufacturing processes locally involving high solidification rates and reheat cycles in other miscibility gap alloys (e.g., Fe-Cu) with similar thermal or structural applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laser Assisted Manufacturing)
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11 pages, 2055 KiB  
Review
Discovery of X-rays—Its Impact in India and History of X-ray Research in Colonial India
by Suprakash C. Roy
Quantum Beam Sci. 2022, 6(2), 16; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/qubs6020016 - 22 Apr 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5511
Abstract
India holds a respectable position globally in X-ray research, particularly in X-ray crystallography. X-ray research in India is as old as the discovery of X-rays and the history of X-ray research in colonial India is fascinating. The purpose of this paper is to [...] Read more.
India holds a respectable position globally in X-ray research, particularly in X-ray crystallography. X-ray research in India is as old as the discovery of X-rays and the history of X-ray research in colonial India is fascinating. The purpose of this paper is to present how India participated in X-ray research and how X-ray research initiated by C.V. Raman, the only Indian Nobel Laureate in physics, at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) paved the way to proliferate X-ray research in all parts of India and acted as the foundation stone of modern X-ray research in India. With limited resources under the British rule (India became independent in 1947), readers will find that the research work performed by Indians is commendable. This article is neither comprehensive nor detailed but will give the readers a flavour of the high-quality X-ray research that was performed in India in the early years after the discovery of X-rays. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue X Rays: Physics and Applications)
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13 pages, 4555 KiB  
Article
Time-Resolved Radioluminescence Dosimetry Applications and the Influence of Ge Dopants In Silica Optical Fiber Scintillators
by Zubair H. Tarif, Adebiyi Oresegun, Auwal Abubakar, Azmi Basaif, Hafiz M. Zin, Kan Yeep Choo, Siti A. Ibrahim, Hairul Azhar Abdul-Rashid and David A. Bradley
Quantum Beam Sci. 2022, 6(2), 15; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/qubs6020015 - 07 Apr 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2844
Abstract
The quality of treatment delivery as prescribed in radiotherapy is exceptionally important. One element that helps provide quality assurance is the ability to carry out time-resolved radiotherapy dose measurements. Reports on doped silica optical fibers scintillators using radioluminescence (RL) based radiotherapy dosimetry have [...] Read more.
The quality of treatment delivery as prescribed in radiotherapy is exceptionally important. One element that helps provide quality assurance is the ability to carry out time-resolved radiotherapy dose measurements. Reports on doped silica optical fibers scintillators using radioluminescence (RL) based radiotherapy dosimetry have indicated merits, especially regarding robustness, versatility, wide dynamic range, and high spatial resolution. Topping the list is the ability to provide time-resolved measurements, alluding to pulse-by-pulse dosimetry. For effective time-resolved dose measurements, high temporal resolution is enabled by high-speed electronics and scintillator material offering sufficiently fast rise and decay time. In the present work, we examine the influence of Ge doping on the RL response of Ge-doped silica optical fiber scintillators. We particularly look at the size of the Ge-doped core relative to the fiber diameter, and its associated effects as it is adjusted from single-mode fiber geometry to a large core-to-cladding ratio structure. The primary objective is to produce a structure that facilitates short decay times with a sufficiently large yield for time-resolved dosimetry. RL characterization was carried out using a high-energy clinical X-ray beam (6 MV), delivered by an Elekta Synergy linear accelerator located at the Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The Ge-doped silica optical fiber scintillator samples, fabricated using chemical vapor deposition methods, comprised of large core and small core optical fiber scintillators with high and low core-to-cladding ratios, respectively. Accordingly, these samples having different Ge-dopant contents offer distinct numbers of defects in the amorphous silica network. Responses were recorded for six dose-rates (between 35 MU/min and 590 MU/min), using a photomultiplier tube setup with the photon-counting circuit capable of gating time as small as 1 μs. The samples showed linear RL response, with differing memory and afterglow effects depending on its geometry. Samples with a large core-to-cladding ratio showed a relatively short decay time (<1 ms). The results suggest a contribution of Ge-doping in affecting the triplet states of the SiO2 matrix, thereby reducing phosphorescence effects. This is a desirable feature of scintillating glass materials that enables avoiding the pulse pile-up effect, especially in high dose-rate applications. These results demonstrate the potential of Ge-doped optical-fiber scintillators, with a large core-to-cladding ratio for use in time-resolved radiation dosimetry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue X Rays: Physics and Applications)
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13 pages, 4842 KiB  
Article
Fast Neutron Scintillator Screens for Neutron Imaging Using a Layered Polymer-Phosphor Architecture
by William Chuirazzi, Aaron Craft, Burkhard Schillinger, Jesus Mendoza, Steven Cool and Adrian Losko
Quantum Beam Sci. 2022, 6(2), 14; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/qubs6020014 - 01 Apr 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2944
Abstract
Fast neutrons enable a nondestructive examination of dense, large, and highly attenuating samples due to their lower interaction probability compared to thermal neutrons. However, this also creates a challenge in fast neutron imaging, as the thicker sensors necessary to detect fast neutrons degrade [...] Read more.
Fast neutrons enable a nondestructive examination of dense, large, and highly attenuating samples due to their lower interaction probability compared to thermal neutrons. However, this also creates a challenge in fast neutron imaging, as the thicker sensors necessary to detect fast neutrons degrade an image’s spatial resolution due to scattering within the sensor and the indeterminate depth of interaction in the sensor. This work explores the advantages of a fast neutron imaging screen with a layered polymer-phosphor screen approach as opposed to a mixed polymer-phosphor screen typically used in fast neutron imaging. Proton recoil is the primary conversion mechanism for fast neutron imaging. Simulations showed that the recoil proton range of typical fast neutrons is approximately 200 µm, however, tests at Idaho National Laboratory revealed that the light output of these screens increased at much greater polymer thicknesses. The NECTAR fast neutron beamline at FRM II was used to test the imaging performance of layered fast neutron imaging screens. Distinguishing between the fast-neutron and γ-ray signals is a major challenge in fast neutron imaging because all fast neutron sources also produce γ-rays. A relative comparison between a control plate and the fast neutron screen was made to distinguish between a γ-ray and fast neutron signals. MCNP modeling quantified the γ-ray and fast neutron contributions to the images measured at NECTAR, which were approximately a 75% γ-ray image. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Neutron Instrumentation, 2nd Edition)
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