Measurement of neutron activated short-lived nuclides using a pneumatic transfer system
By: Alfred O. Pass and Robert D. Sullivan
Contributors: Sullivan, Robert D.; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School
Published: 1962
Place of publication: Monterey, California
Language: eng
Subjects: Isotopes; Scintillation counters; Hafnium; Radioisotopes; Measuring instruments; Radioactive decay; Mixtures; Computer programming; Cores; Nuclear reactors
Description: A rapid pneumatic transfer device has been designed and constructed for use with the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School AGN-201 Reactor. This device permits rapid removal of the sample from the center of the core of the reactor to a shielded counting position to permit measurement of the half-lives of short-lived nuclides. Preliminary measurements of the decay of a mixture of Hf178m and Hf179m were made. The Hf178m and Hf179m nuclides were produced by the neutron activation of a hafnium sample. Preliminary measurements of the resulting decay were made by detection of the gamma emission. Decay data were obtained with the use of a scintillation counter and a multi-channel analyzer. The measured half-life of Hf179m was 18.2 seconds compared to the published value of 19 seconds. The half-life of Hf178m has not been determined because of limitations of the analyzer. PROPOSED METHODS TO IMPROVE MEASUREMENTS OF BOTH OF THESE HALF-LIVES ARE DISCUSSED. Computer programs were devised for least squares fitting of the decay of an independent mixture of two nuclides and for single nuclide decay. These programs are described, and the FORTRAN statement for the decay of a mixture of two nuclides is included. (Author)
Notes: Thesis Advisor(s): Rodeback, G. W.

"January 1962."

Description based on title screen as viewed on June 2, 2010.

DTIC Descriptor(s): Research Reactors, Hafnium, Half Life, Pneumatic Equipment, Measuring Instruments, Reactor Cores, Shielding, Detection, Gamma Emission, Computer Programming, Radioactive Isotopes, Radioactive Decay, Mixtures, Scintillation Counters, Isotopes, Least Squares Method.

DTIC Identifier(s): AGN-201 Reactors, Fortran.

Thesis (M.S. in Physics)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2010.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 25)

"Approved for public release, distribution unlimited"--Cover.

Approved for public release, distribution unlimited.

Also available in print.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader.

US Army (USA) authors

US Army (USA) authors

US Army (USA) authors

US Army (USA) authors

US Army (USA) authors

US Army (USA) authors.

daw/ record upgraded 6/2/10

daw/ record upgraded 6/2/10

daw/ record upgraded 6/2/10

daw/ record upgraded 6/2/10

daw/ record upgraded 6/2/10

daw/ record upgraded 6/2/10