Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have attracted the attention of researchers particularly in the photo-absorption field. These materials rival traditional semiconductors with their cost-effective ease of synthesis, tunable bandgaps, and excellent photophysical properties. Single-junction MHP solar cells have rivaled current silicon-based photovoltaic devices, boasting a 25.2% light absorption conversion. Recently, MHPs have proven to be effective in x-ray detection. In this paper an investigation of three titanium-based MHPs was conducted. The goal of this research was to characterize the MHPs and determine if they are feasible materials to incorporate in x-ray detectors. After completing the research, two MHP species, FA2TiI6 and MA3TiCl7, were able to be synthesized and characterized. Their crystal systems were determined to be tetragonal with a P4/mmm space group. However, due to equipment limitations, their feasibility in x-ray detectors could not be determined.

The present study was implemented using two different X-ray detection systems; a monochromatic X-ray system for X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Angular Dispersive X-ray Diffraction (ADXRD) techniques, and a combined Polarized Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (PEDXRF) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Diffraction (EDXRD) system. As both of these systems involve different techniques, the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and accuracy of each system using results achieved from XRF measurements. The assessment of the two systems was carried out by investigating invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of breast and normal surrounding breast tissues. The results established from the two XRF systems are in a very good agreement with each other. The statistical analysis reveals a significant and measurable increase at P<0.01 in the concentration of K, Ca, Zn, Rb and Fe (P<0.05) in the tumor tissue when compared with the healthy tissue. However, the levels of Cl, Cu and Br attained by both systems have not demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the normal and cancerous tissues. Investigating the structural components of the same breast tissues using of the X-ray Diffraction (XRD) spectrometers incorporated in both systems indicated a statistically significant difference in the components of normal and malignant samples. Furthermore, the results have shown a remarkable increase in the fibrous and water contents of the tumour tissue at P<0.01, and a significant increase in the adipose content of the normal tissue at P<0.01. The results acquired from both XRD approaches were shown to be statistically compatible with each other. Overall, the comparisons between the two X-ray detection systems have shown tremendous results for the combined PEDXRF and EDXRD system for the purpose of classifying normal and tumor breast tissues. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic metallic element to the human body such that prolonged occupational or environmental exposure produces renal, hepatic, pneumonic, and neurological disorders. Thus, as a consequence it is important to have a way of monitoring cadmium exposure as it has the potential to become an occupational health hazard. The primary uses of this element are in the mining and smelting industry in the manufacture of cadmium alloys and the manufacture of alkaline accumulators. Since the discovery of X-rays in 1895 by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, the science of X-ray analysis has become a cardinal tool in all domains of chemical identification and classification. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) has been shown to be an effectual technique for measuring trace quantities of heavy metals such as lead in various tissues within the body. This thesis stud:r elucidates a means of measuring Cadmium in bone. The study assesses the feasibility and practicality of the polarised XRF and source excited techniques. In the polarised cadmium concentration measurements, a gain in sensitivity due to improved background characteristics was perused by increasing the x-ray tube operating voltage of the system. It was found that an operating voltage of 175 kV, and a copper filter resulted in a significant gain in sensitivity for which a minimum detection limit (MDL) of 3.5 ± 1.4 ppm was determined with 3 mm of tissue equivalent overlay. Using the source-based technique, a MDL of 3.5 ± 0.2 ppm was estimated for the corresponding tissue equivalent overlay. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

No description available.

X-ray Emission from Low Mass Binary Systems X-ray time-series and spectra of two LMXRBs are presented. The data are from the the well-known X-ray burster MXB1636-536 and the dipping source 4U1624-49. In the case of MXB1636-536, a simultaneous optical observation is also presented. The 2-20 keV persistent X-ray emission from MXB1636-536 is found to show both positive and negative hardness-flux correlations and to vary by a factor of &sim; 2 on timescales of hours. The persistent spectrum is best described by a power law with high energy cut-off, indicative that Comptonization dominates the spectral formation in the inner accretion disk. The temperature, optical depth and Compton y parameter of the Comptonizing plasma are derived; the Compton y parameter shows that the spectrum is consistent with unsaturated Comptonization. The negative hardness-flux correlation is explained in terms of the Compton cooling of a hot neutron star corona as a result of an increase in accretion rate. It is notable that a negative hardness-flux correlation and a power law spectrum is in direct conflict with previous observations of this source. Thirteen X-ray bursts, exhibiting a wide variety of profile, were also observed from MXB1636-536. The peak burst flux and burst fluence varied by a factor of 6 and 5 respectively. The burst sample may be divided into two distinct classes: those with fast rise and high peak intensity (strong) and those with slow rise and low peak intensity (weak). Moreover, the strong bursts are 'super-Eddington' and one of the weak bursts is unusual in that it is double-peaked in both the X-ray and bolometric burst profiles. The observed burst properties are discussed within the framework of the current thermonuclear flash models and other physical scenarios. One of the bursts, observed simultaneously in both the X-ray and optical wavebands, is used to determine the possible locality of the reprocessing region in the accretion disk. 4U1624-49 reveals a pattern of dips in the 1-10 keV X-ray light-curve which repeat with a period of ~21 hours. This is almost certainly the binary period of the system, making it one of the longest binary periods amongst LMXRBs. The &sim;25% residual flux can be associated with a physically extended emission component whereas the dips are associated with the intermittent obscuration of a compact component by material in the line-of-sight. The spectral changes occuring within the dips are complex and indicate energy-independent reductions in flux and substantial increases in absorption. The dips cannot be explained by a bulge at the outer disk edge (at the point of impact with the incoming stream) obscuring the central X-ray source. Assuming the primary of 4U1624-49 is a 1.4M? neutron star, the companion is likely to be an evolved star with a mass < 3M? and radius < 2.75R?. The orbital inclination is found to be within the range predicted by the FKL model for 'pure dippers' i.e. 60° < I < 75°.

The ROSAT Wide Field Camera (WFC) is an imaging experiment, conducted by a consortium of UK groups, intended to perform the first all sky survey in the XUV wavelength band (6-30nm). As part of the development and flight programmes, XUV calibration and background simulation work has been undertaken at Leicester. Here, the commissioning and development of an XUV line source and monochromator is described and their use to produce a laboratory detector standcird is reported. Subsequent efficiency calibration of a Csl coated prototype WFC MicroChannel plate detector is reported and the results shown to be in substantial agreement with a published model of photocathode behaviour. The results fill a gap in the published data between 11.2 and 25.6nm. Reflectivity measurements on the Wolter-Schwtirzschild Type 1 grazing incidence mirrors are reported and compared with the predictions of theory and with published measurements on test flats. Differences between theoretical reflectivities and the empirical results of up to 15% axe shown to be consistent with either: low density reflective gold coating, hydrocarbon contamination, or errors in the optical constants assumed for gold. Measurements were found to be broadly in agreement with published results. In addition to experimental work, the impact of the orbital low energy electron background is assessed on WFC performance and shown to be limiting due to the inclination of the spacecraft orbit. Reduction of this background is shown, by computer simulation, to be feasible by the introduction of a magnetic screen. Preliminary electron beam tests support this view.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.