Gamma-ray burst light curves are notoriously irregular, yet a significant number consists of a single fast-rising, exponentially decaying pulse. These are called single-peaked light curves. The goal of this thesis is to analyse a sample of 2710 GRBs collected by the Fermi space telescope by identifying single-peaked bursts and comparing their properties to those of the multi-peaked bursts. Furthermore, the validity of the relativistic shock breakout theory as an explanation for single-peaked, low-luminosity GRBs is investigated using a closure relation. For this investigation, the Fermi sample wascomplemented by low-luminosity GRBs observed by other instruments. A criterion for selecting single-peaked bursts was successfully developed, yielding 48% long and 79% short, single-peaked GRBs. Significant differences between the populations were found in multiple properties. In general, single-peaked GRBs appear to be weaker and more slowly varying than multi-peaked ones; however, a larger sample of GRBs with redshift measurements is needed to draw conclusions about possible intrinsic differences in energy connected to the progenitor systems. The investigation of low-luminosity GRBs’ compliance with the shock breakout closure relation showed that 64% of the low-luminosity GRBs were within a factor 5 of fulfilling the relation as opposed to only 24% of high-luminosity GRBs. It was further shown that only a small number (< 5%) of Fermi GRBs without redshift measurements could be low-luminosity shock breakout GRBs according to this theory. In conclusion, while the shock breakout closure relation does hold for a greater proportion of low-luminosity GRBs than high-luminosity GRBs, there is still a large number of low-luminosity GRBs left unexplained by this theory. / Gammablixtljuskurvor är ökänt oregelbundna men en betydande andel består av en enda snabbt stigande och exponentiellt avtagande puls. Dessa kallas singelpeakade ljuskurvor. Målet med detta examensarbete är att analysera de 2710 gammablixtar som Fermirymdteleskopet har observerat genom att identifiera singelpeakade blixtar och jämföra deras egenskaper med multipeakade blixtars. Dessutom undersöks den relativistiska shockbreakoutteorin som förklaringsmodell för singelpeakade lågluminositetsgammablixtar. I denna undersökning kompletterades fermiblixtarna med lågluminositetsblixtar från andra instrument. Ett kriterium för identifikation av singelpeakade gammablixtar utvecklades och detta resulterade i 48% långa och 70% korta, singelpeakade gammablixtar. Flertalet egenskaper uppvisade signifikanta skillnader mellan populationerna. I allmänhet verkar singelpeakade gammablixtar vara svagare och variera långsammare än multipeakade. Dock behövs en större population av gammablixtar med uppmätta rödskift för att med säkerhet kunna avgöra om singelpeakade blixtar verkligen släpper ut mindre energi. Undersökningen av huruvida lågluminositetsgammablixtar kan förklaras med shockbreakoutteorin visade att 64% av lågluminositetsblixtarna uppfyllde kravet upp till en faktor fem medan bara 24% av högluminositetsblixtarna gjorde det. Vidare visades att endast ett litet antal (<5%) av fermiblixtarna utan uppmätta rödskift skulle kunna vara lågluminositetsshockbreakoutblixtar enligt denna teori. Även om shockbreakoutteorin kan förklara en större andel av lågluminositetsblixtarna än högluminositetsblixtarna återstår ett stort antal oförklarade lågluminositetsblixtar.

La thèse porte sur le développement d’un petit prototype de télescope Compton pour l'astronomie gamma spatiale dans la gamme d’énergie du MeV (0.1-100 MeV). Nous avons étudié de nouveaux modules de détection destinés à l'imagerie Compton. Nous avons assemblé et testé deux détecteurs à scintillation, l'un avec un cristal de bromure de lanthane dopé au cérium (LaBr₃:Ce) et l'autre avec un cristal de bromure de cérium (CeBr₃). Les deux cristaux sont couplés à des photomultiplicateurs multi-anodes 64 voies sensibles à la position. Notre objectif est d’optimiser la résolution en énergie en même temps que la résolution en position du premier impact d'un rayon gamma incident dans le détecteur. Les deux informations sont vitales pour la reconstruction d'une image avec le prototype de télescope à partir de l’effet Compton. Nous avons développé un banc de test pour étudier expérimentalement les deux modules, avec une électronique de lecture et un système d'acquisition de données dédiés. Nous avons entrepris un étalonnage précis du dispositif et effectué de nombreuses mesures avec différentes sources radioactives. En outre, nous avons réalisé une simulation numérique détaillée de l'expérience avec le logiciel GEANT4 et effectué une étude paramétrique extensive pour modéliser au mieux la propagation des photons ultraviolet de scintillation et les propriétés optiques des surfaces à l'intérieur du détecteur. Nous avons alors développé une méthode originale de reconstruction de la position d’impact en 3D, en utilisant un réseau de neurones artificiels entrainé avec des données simulées. Nous présentons dans ce travail tous les résultats expérimentaux obtenus avec les deux modules, les résultats de la simulation GEANT4, ainsi que l'algorithme basé sur le réseau de neurones. En plus, nous donnons les premiers résultats sur l'imagerie Compton obtenus avec le prototype de télescope et les comparons avec des performances simulées. Enfin, nous concluons en donnant un aperçu des perspectives d'avenir pour l'imagerie gamma Compton et considérons une application possible en discutant d’un concept de télescope spatial semblable à notre prototype. / The thesis aims to develop a small prototype of a Compton telescope for future space instrumentation for gamma-ray astronomy. Telescope’s main target is the MeV range (0.1-100MeV). We studied novel detector modules intended for Compton imaging. We assembled and tested 2 modules, one with a cerium-doped lanthanum(III) bromide (LaBr₃:Ce) crystal and the other with cerium(III) bromide (CeBr₃). Both modules are coupled to and read out by 64-channel multi-anode PMTs. Our goals are to obtain the best possible energy resolution and position resolution in 3D on the first impact of an incident gamma-ray within the detector. Both information are vital for successful reconstruction of a Compton image with the telescope prototype. We developed a test bench to experimentally study both modules and have utilized a customized readout electronics and data acquisition system. We conducted a precise calibration of the system and performed experimental runs utilizing different radioactive sources. Furthermore, we have written a detailed GEANT4 simulation of the experiment and performed an extensive parametric study on defining the surfaces and types of scintillation propagation within the scintillator. We utilized simulated data to train an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithm to create a simplified 3D impact position reconstruction method and in addition developed an approximation routine to estimate the standard deviations for the method. We show all experimental results obtained by both modules, results from the GEANT4 simulation runs and from the ANN algorithm. In addition, we give the first results on Compton imaging with the telescope prototype and compare them with simulated performance. We analyzed and discussed the performance of the modules, specifically spectral and position reconstruction capabilities. We conclude by giving an overview of the future prospects for gamma-ray imaging and consider possible applications showing a concept of a space telescope based on our prototype.

Doctor of Philosophy / Food Science Institute -- Animal Science & Industry / J. Scott Smith / A rapid direct solvent extraction method for the extraction of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone (2-DCB) in irradiated beef using acetonirile was developed and evaluated. The 2-DCB in commercially irradiated ground beef patties was extracted with n-hexane by using a Soxhlet apparatus or with acetonitrile via direct solvent extraction. The hexane and the acetonitrile extracts were evaporated to dryness. Then, the fat in the hexane extract was removed with filtration by standing at -20 °C after the addition of a mixture of ethylacetate and acetonitrile. The defatted extract as well as the acetonitrile extract were purified with a 1 g silica cartridge and was injected into a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The 2-DCB concentration in irradiated patties was 0.031 ± 0.0026 ppm (n = 5) for the Soxhlet method and 0.031 ± 0.0025 ppm (n = 10) for direct solvent extraction. The effect of low-energy X-rays on the formation of 2-DCB was investigated in frozen ground beef. Beef patties (85/15) were irradiated by low-energy X-rays and gamma rays at 3 targeted doses of 1.5, 3.0, and 5.0 kGy. The 2-DCB was extracted with n-hexane by using a Soxhlet apparatus and analyzed by GC-MS. There was no significant difference in 2-DCB concentration between gamma-ray- and low-energy X-ray-irradiated patties at all targeted doses. The metabolism of 2-DCB was investigated in vitro and in vivo. The incubation mixture from the in vitro study was extracted with n-hexane by using a Soxhlet apparatus and injected into a GC-MS). The hexane extract from the in vitro study and of rat feces was also derivatized with a silylation reagent and injected into a GC-MS. The average percentage of 2-DCB recovered from the test incubations (2-DCB with S9 and NADPH) was 23%, compared with 50% from the controls (2-DCB in buffer). The GC-MS chromatograms of the derivatized samples showed that 2-DCB was metabolized to 2-dodecylcyclobutanol.

With energy outputs >~10^51 erg in 0.1-1000 seconds, Gamma-ray Bursts (GRBs) are the most powerful events yet observed in the Universe. As such they are potential probes of the very early Universe, back to the era of re-ionisation and the first stars, but at the same time they have been observed to span a wide range in luminosity and redshift from the relatively local Universe (z~0.0085) out to z~6.29. GRBs divide into two classes based primarily on their duration as measured by T90 (the time taken to observe 90% of the total burst fluence). Long bursts (L-GRBs) have T90>~2 seconds, and shorts (S-GRBs) T90<~2 seconds. Though much has been learned regarding long duration GRBs since the first afterglow discovery in 1997 (including their likely association with massive core collapse supernovae), much remains unknown regarding short duration GRBs. In this work, after a brief historical introduction and review, we present analyses of the angular cross-correlation on the sky of short GRBs from the BATSE catalogue with galaxies in the local Universe sampled from the PSCz Redshift Survey and the Third Reference Catalogue of Bright Galaxies (RC3). In particular we show that 20%+/-8% (1 sigma) of all BATSE short duration bursts (localised to 10 degrees or better) show correlation with galaxy samples (morphological T-type<=4) within ~112 Mpc. Our statistics thus provide evidence that a substantial fraction of BATSE short GRBs show a tendency to be associated with large scale structure on the sky traced by a variety of galaxy types. Short GRBs are believed to be produced in the final merger of compact object (neutron star-neutron star or neutron star-black hole) binaries, though other possible progenitors are known to exist. The short initial spike of a giant flare from a Soft Gamma Repeater (SGR) such as the December 27th 2004 event from SGR1806-20 would have been detectable by BATSE as a short GRB if it occurred in a galaxy within ~30-50 Mpc (assuming a distance to SGR1806-20 of 15 kpc). Using the observed luminosities and rates of Galactic SGR giant flares, as well as theoretical predictions for the rate of binary mergers, we investigate the ability of plausible Luminosity Functions (LF), singly and in combination, to reproduce our observed correlations and a cosmological S-GRB population. We find the correlations are best explained by a separate population of lower luminosity S-GRBs, with properties consistent with them being due to giant flares from extra-galactic SGRs. Overall predicted number counts are a good fit to the observed BATSE number counts, and furthermore, the wider redshift distribution is consistent with the early Swift S-GRB redshift distribution. The three closest GRBs which have been observed to date were all long duration bursts, and we have therefore also searched for cross-correlation signals between the BATSE long GRBs and local galaxies. The three nearby bursts shared several similar properties such as being under-luminous, spectrally soft and of low variability. We have therefore also investigated a subset of L-GRBs with light curve properties similar to these known nearby bursts. The whole sample is found to exhibit a correlation level consistent with zero (1 sigma upper limit=10%, equivalent to 144 bursts) out to a radius of ~155 Mpc, but a spectrally soft, low observed fluence and low variability subset shows a correlation level of 28%+/-16% (=50+/-28 bursts) within 155 Mpc. These results are consistent with low-luminosity, low-variability bursts being a separate sub-class of L-GRBs which may be much more prevalent in the local Universe than their high-luminosity, cosmologically distant counterparts. To investigate this further, we once again examined plausible luminosity functions for single and dual high and low luminosity populations, based on observed intrinsic rates from the literature. The local population was once again found only to be produced to a sufficient level (while maintaining consistency with the observed overall number counts) by a separate low luminosity population with intrinsic rates several hundred times greater than their cosmological counterparts. Constraining the models via the Swift overall redshift distribution instead of threshold-adjusted BATSE number counts showed that the dual LF models were able to produce excellent fits to the entire redshift distribution while adequately reproducing a local population. Finally, suggestions are made as to the direction future work may follow in order to build on these initial investigations, as well as to how observations with future missions and detectors such as Fermi (formerly GLAST), Advanced LIGO and LOFAR may shed further light on nearby GRBs.

In this thesis the Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) are studied, the brightest explosions in the universe. GRBs have been observed since year 1967, but there are several unsolved problems. In the first chapter there is an introduction to the issue of GRBs, and the history of observations are briefly described. The Fermi satellite, the latest satellite devoted to gamma-ray burst observations is described in chapter two. Characteristics of the Fermi instruments are also described. The observed data of GRBs are characterized in the third chapter. The distribution of GRB durations, distances, and spectral hardnesses are described. The characteristics of long and short GRBs (distance, isotropy of distribution, metalicity dependence, isotropic energy) are described. A chance of the appearance of a GRB in the Milky Way is discussed. New Fermi observations are described too. Fourth chapter is about models of GRBs. The fireball and canonball models are described. Fifth chapter is focused on the exposure function of CGRO-BATSE, Fermi-GBM, Swift. I have created the exposure function for GBM on Fermi satellite. It is quite difficult, and I have assumed some simplified hypotheses. Information of the satellite's position, position of detectors on the Fermi satellite, have been found on the Fermi web pages and in the article...

A perfilagem de colunas por raios gama (column gamma scan) é uma técnica nuclear empregada para solucionar problemas em equipamentos de processos industriais, nas refinarias e petroquímicas. Consiste na utilização de uma fonte selada e um detector de radiação [NaI(Tl)], obtendo-se o perfil de densidade unidimensional (1D) do equipamento. Nas últimas décadas, ocorreram algumas melhorias na técnica de perfilagem, tais como, na digitalização contínua das informações e nos sistemas de detecção da radiação (wireless). Novos aplicativos melhoraram a qualidade da apresentação dos resultados. Entretanto, a condição da técnica não mudou drasticamente, desde sua criação. Seu resultado é simplesmente um gráfico 1D da densidade média, em função da altura do equipamento industrial. A tecnologia inovadora proposta neste trabalho de Mestrado utiliza a reconstrução tomográfica industrial, via algoritmos iterativos derivados da ART (Algebraic Reconstruction Technique) e do MART (Multiplicative Algebraic Reconstruction Technique), para apresentar o resultado de perfilagem como uma imagem bidimensional (2D) da distribuição de densidade, ao invés de um gráfico 1D. Nitidamente, uma imagem 2D possui mais informações técnicas do equipamento em análise, permitindo um avanço na tecnologia de ensaios não destrutivos (END). Assim, muitos problemas operacionais não detectáveis em equipamentos de processos industriais podem ser descobertos e solucionados de forma on-line, usando-se o imageamento 2D. Esta tecnologia permitiu que um pedido de patente fosse depositado junto ao Instituto Nacional de Propriedade Industrial (INPI). / Column gamma scan is one of the most common nuclear techniques on troubleshooting industrial process equipments like distillation columns and reactors. With a very simple concept, the technique is easy to implement. Searching for a competitive edge the industry has been long developing solutions to achieve better results. On the last decades, significant development has been done with the advent of new hardware, electronics, portable computers and software. Continuous scanning and wireless detection systems are examples of successful field solutions, while new software aid on reporting and data presentation. However the type and quality of the results itself has not dramatically changed since its beginning. A scan profile is simple to understand, although the process to build it can be very complex as it requires a specific blend of knowledge and abilities. Process engineering, chemical engineering, internal hydraulic project, nuclear engineering and field abilities are pre requisites for of any scan specialist. Correct data gathering, interpretation and reporting are abilities often difficult to match or requires a long time of training. The industry faces a similar difficult on the customer side, as it is always necessary to train end users to understand a report and how to use its best. This scientific work describes our effort on developing a new approach on the gamma column scan test using image reconstruction techniques that would result on a graphic image rather than a XY plot. Direct and easier to understand, a report with graphic images would be also be accessible to a wider audience, not limited to the customers experienced with gamma scan interpretation.

Neste trabalho foi medido o alargamento Doppler de uma aniquilação elétron pósitron com o uso de um filtro angular. O Filtro angular reduz, substancialmente, a detecção de fótons provenientes de aniquilações de elétrons com baixo momento, enfatizando, desta forma, a contribuição de aniquilações com elétrons fortemente ligados. Foram medidos os espectros de coincidência para os ângulos de corte de 0,28°, 0,42° e 1.2°. Os resultados obtidos mostram que, conforme se aumenta o ângulo de corte, há uma redução das aniquilações com elétrons de valência em proporção muito maior do que para elétrons fortemente ligados. Foi determinada a transmissibilidade do filtro em função do ângulo entre as direções de emissão dos gamas, levando em conta todos os elementos do arranjo experimental para cada ângulo crítico, assim como a distribuição espacial da atividade da fonte radioativa. Um modelo simples foi utilizado para estimar teoricamente a dependência da dispersão da energia em função do ângulo de corte. Este modelo permitiu calcular o alargamento Doppler da radiação de aniquilação elétron pósitron. Os resultados obtidos mostram um bom acordo com os dados experimentais. Geralmente, estudos de aniquilação de pósitrons com elétrons fortemente ligados dependem de uma modelagem detalhada do espectro de coincidência, ou da medida dos fótons provenientes da aniquilação em coincidência com elétrons Auger. O filtro angular, desenvolvido neste trabalho se coloca como uma boa alternativa a estes métodos. / This work reports the measurement of the Doppler broadening of the electron-positron annihilation radiation using an angular filter. The angular filter substantially reduces the number of detected gamma-rays from positron annihilation with low momentum electrons, therefore emphasizing the contribution of bound electron. Four coincidence measurements of the emitted gamma-rays were done with arrangements corresponding to critical angles of 0.28°, 0.42°, 1.2°. The obtained results show that the relative intensity of annihilation with valence electrons decreases as the critical angle increases. The filter transmissibility as a function of the angle between the two gamma-rays emission directions was determined taking into account all the elements of the experimental arrangement for every critical angle as well as the spatial distribution of the source activity. A simple model was used to theoretically estimate the dependence of the energy dispersion on the critical angle. The model allows us to calculate the Doppler broadening of the electron-positron annihilation radiation, and the obtained results show good agreement with the experimental data. Usually, the study of positrons annihilation with inner electrons requires good detectors\' energy resolution and depends on either sophisticated modeling and statistical analysis of the coincidence spectra or the measurement of the annihilation gamma-rays in coincidence with Auger electrons. The use of the angular filter developed in this work is a good alternative to those procedures.

Os decaimentos dos nuclídeos 101mRh e 101fRh foram estudados por espectroscopia gama, tanto em medidas de espectros simples quanta de espectros em coincidência. As fontes foram produzidas na reação 103Rh(,2n) 101m,fRh, com fótons provenientes de Bremsstrahlung de elétrons no Acelerador linear do IFUSP. Diversas transições gama anteriormente atribuídas aos decaimentos desses nuclídeos não foram confirmadas, num total de 6 transições, e mais duas que foram observadas este trabalho foram atribuídas ao decaimento do 102mRh. As transições gama observadas seguindo o decaimento do 101mRh tem as seguintes energias em keV, e intensidades relativas, respectivamente: 127,226(9), 0,79(2); 157,41(4), 0,280(5); 179,636(15), 0,660(15); 184,11(5), 0,193(3); 233,74(4), 0,2198(15); 238,27(4), 0,2505(17); 306,857(5), 100; 311,367(19), 0,0175(9); 417,86(5), 0,005(2); 545,117(7), 5,3(3). As transições gama observadas seguindo o decaimento do 101fRh tem as seguintes energias e intensidades relativas: 110,94(12), 0,06(2); 127,226(9), 93,2(9); 184,22(13), 0,081(14); 198,01(13), 100; 295,01(3), 0,815(24); 352,23(3), 16,20(15); 422,19(8) ,0,272(15). A intensidade da captura eletrônica do 101fRh para o estado fundamental do 101Ru foi estimada em 51(17) % a partir do acompanhamento do crescimento da intensidade dos gamas de 198 keV decorrente da alimentação do estado fundamental pela transição isométrica de 157 keV, durante os primeiros 10 dias após o fim da irradiação. Os esquemas de decaimento dos 101m,fRh resultantes deste trabalho exigem apenas seis níveis excitados do 101Ru para acomodar todas as transições gama observadas, ao contrário do estudo anterior que concluía pela necessidade de 11 níveis. A estrutura nuclear do 101Ru para baixas energias de excitação pode, em razão da simplificação do esquema de níveis decorrente deste trabalho, ser bem descrita qualitativamente num modelo de quase-partícula-fonon com acoplamento fraco. Uma descrição quantitativa através desse modelo no esquema de acoplamento intermediário, tem sucesso limitado às probabilidades de transição de quadruplo elétrico e aos fatores espectroscópicos, conduzindo a um espectro de energia muito diferente do experimental, embora com a densidade de níveis correta. A mistura de estados de três quase-partículas foi introduzida através da teoria de perturbação. Verifica-se que a introdução desses estados permite uma melhor interpretação do espectro de energia. Os cálculos com o modelo de uma quase-partícula-fonon foram estendidos aos isótopos ímpares do Ru com 95 A 105. Os poucos dados ex perimentais disponíveis de probabilidades de transição de quadrupolo elétrico e de fatores espectroscópicos são razoavelmente reproduzidos. Já o espectro de energia calculado só concorda razoavelmente com o experimental para o 95Ru. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que os isótopos ímpares do Ru podem ser descritos utilizando-se quase-partículas e fonons como modos elementares de excitação , sendo necessário incluir no modelo estados intrínsecos de três quase-partículas. / The decays of 101mRh and 101fRh nuclides were studied by gamma-ray spectroscopy either or single or coincidence . spectra. The sources were obtained through the 103Rh(,2n) 101m,fRh reaction with the electron Bremsstrahlung beam of the Linear Accelerator of the IFUSP. Six transitions earlier attributed to the decays of these nuclides were not confirmed. Two other transitions that were observed in the present work were attributed to the 102mRh decay. The energies (keV) and the relative intensities for the observed gamma transitions following the 101mRh decay are respective1y: 127.226(9), 0.79(2); 157.41(4), 0.280(5); 179.636(15), 0.660(15); 184.11(5), 0.193(3); 233.74(4), 0.2198(15); 238.27(4), 0.2505(17); 306.857(5), 100; 311.367(19), 0.0175(9); 417.86(5) 0.005(2); 545.117(7), 5.3(3). The energies and the relative intensities of the gamma transitions observed for the 101fRh decay are the following: 110.94(12), 0.06(2); 127.226(9), 93.2(9); 184.22(13), 0.081(14); 198.01(3), 100; 295.01(3), 0.815(24); 325.23(3), 16.20(15); 422.19 (8), 0.272(15).The growth of the intensity of the 198 keV gammas due to the feeding of the ground state by the isomeric transition of 157 keV during the first ten days after the end of the irradiation allowed the measurement of the 101fRh electron capture intensity for the ground state of the 101Ru which was established as roughly 51(17)%. Previous work had shown that for the decay scheme of the 101m,fRh eleven excited levels of the 101Ru were needed to fit all observed gamma transitions. This work shows that only six excited levels are necessary. Due to the simplification of the level scheme obtained in this work, the nuclear structure of the 101Ru for low excitation energy can be described as a quasi-particle-phonon with weak coupling. Using this model in the intermediate coupling scheme, a quantitative description is successful in the calculation of electric quadrupole transition probabilities and spectroscopic factors. The calculated energy spectrum is very different from the experimental one although the level densities coincide. Through the perturbation theory, mixture with three quasi-particle states was introduced. The introduction of these states allows a better interpretation of the energy spectrum. For the other Ru isotopes the calculations using the one quasi-particle-phonon model were performed with 95 A I05. The small amount of experimental data available for electric quadrupole transition probabilities and spectroscopic factors agreed fairly well with the theoretical calculations. Nevertheless, the calculated energy spectrum agrees reasonably with the experimental one only for 95Ru. The theoretical results suggest that the odd-A Ru isotopes can be described using quasi-particle and phonons as elementary excitation modes, provided that the three quasi-particle intrinsic states are taken into account.

Medidas de correlação angular perturbada diferencial no tempo - TDPAC - foram efetuadas com um sistema de detetores de HPGe com o objetivo de ampliar o conjunto de nuclídeos utilizáveis como sondas de prova de campo magnético e de gradiente de campo elétrico na matéria. A análise dos espectros obtidos considera a convolução angular de ordem superior a dois, o que está fora do escopo do procedimento convencional quando se utiliza o arranjo experimental padrão. O algoritmo é baseado no método dos mínimos quadrados e considera rigorosamente as incertezas estatísticas dos dados. O programa de cálculo implementado é orientado a objetos, que representam as estruturas matemáticas envolvidas na redução dos dados pelo método dos mínimos quadrados e os sistemas físicos característicos do experimento. Os detetores semicondutores mostraram-se inadequados ao estudo de materiais por TDPAC nas condições experimentais disponíveis. O método de análise proposto aqui foi aplicado à redução dos espectros obtidos em outros laboratórios, que utilizam cintiladores rápidos, resultando na determinação de parâmetros associados à estrutura cristalina para os quais a análise convencional não é sensível, em particulas dos coeficientes de atenuação temporal da correlação para cada uma das freqüências de oscilação. Esta metodologia permite calcular corretamente as incertezas nos parâmetros, notadamente nas frações de ocupação de diferentes sítios pela sonda de prova. / Time dependent perturbed angular correlation TDPAC measurements were performed with a HPGe detector array aiming to increase the set of nuclides usable as magnetic field and electric field gradient probes in matter. The analysis of the obtained spectra takes into account the convolution of the perturbation function with the detector time response and angular correlation coefficients of order greater than two, which is not in scope of the conventional procedure. The algorithm is based on the least-squares method and considers rigorously the data statistical uncertainties. The implanted computer code is built on objects representing the mathematical entities used in data reduction by the least-squares method and the physical components of the experiment. The semiconductor detectors were found unsuitable for material study through TDPAC in the available experimental conditions. The analysis method proposed here was applied to the reduction of spectra obtained by other Laboratories that use fast scintillators, giving crystalline structure related parameters which cannot be determined in the conventional analysis, particularly correlation time attenuation parameters for each oscillation frequency. The uncertainties in the fitted parameters are correctly calculated by this method notably in the site probe occupation fractions.

A quantificação da atividade de radionuclídeos emissores de raios gama em amostras medidas por espectrometria gama com detectores HPGe depende da análise dos fotopicos presentes no espectro, especialmente da determinação exata das suas áreas líquidas. Tal análise é geralmente realizada com o auxílio de ferramentas de software proprietário. Este trabalho apresenta uma metodologia, descrição de algoritmos e um aplicativo de código aberto, denominado OpenGamma, para a busca e análise de fotopicos a fim de se obter seus parâmetros relevantes e as atividades dos radionuclídeos na amostra. A implementação computacional é distribuída sob licença aberta para o código principal e com o uso de pacotes de software aberto para o projeto da interface e para bibliotecas matemáticas. O procedimento para a busca de picos é realizado em três etapas. Primeiramente, executa-se uma pesquisa preliminar com o método da segunda diferença, que consiste na geração de um espectro derivado para a busca de picos candidatos. Na segunda etapa, calculam-se as larguras experimentais dos picos, dos quais escolhem-se aqueles bem formados e isolados para a obtenção da função de ajuste da largura vs. canal, por meio do método de Levenberg-Marquardt para ajustes não-lineares. Por fim, regiões do espectro com picos agrupados são delimitadas e novo ajuste não-linear é aplicado a cada região para a obtenção dos termos da linha de base e dos fotopicos. A partir destes termos, são calculadas as áreas líquidas dos picos. Para a determinação da atividade, curvas de calibração de eficiência previamente obtidas, bem como dados de transições gama dos radionuclídeos, são incorporadas ao código e aplicadas. O código foi escrito em linguagem C++ e a interface foi desenvolvida com a ferramenta Qt. Para as funções matemáticas e procedimentos de ajuste, foi usada a biblioteca científica GNU (GSL). A validação de código foi feita por meio da análise de: 1) espectros sintéticos de teste da AIEA, especialmente desenhados para a avaliação de desempenho de software; 2) espectros obtidos com amostras de exercícios de intercomparação e 3) espectros da rotina de trabalho do Laboratório de Radiometria Ambiental (LRA) do IPEN e analisados com o aplicativo comercial InterWinner. Os resultados obtidos são consistentes com os valores de referência e com aqueles obtidos pelo aplicativo citado, sugerindo que o código OpenGamma pode ser utilizado com segurança na espectrometria de raios gama de uso geral. / Radioactivity quantification of gamma-ray emitter radionuclides in samples measured by HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry relies on the analysis of the photopeaks present in the spectra, especially on the accurate determination of their net areas. Such a task is usually performed with the aid of proprietary software tools. This work presents a methodology, algorithm descriptions and an open source application, called OpenGamma, for the peak search and analysis in order to obtain the relevant peaks parameters and radionuclides activities. The computational implementation is released entirely in open-source license for the main code and with the use of open software packages for interface design and mathematical libraries. The procedure for the peak search is performed on a three step approach. Firstly a preliminary search is done by using the second-difference method, consisting in the generation of a derived spectrum in order to find candidate peaks. In the second step, the experimental peaks widths are assessed and well formed and isolated ones are chosen to obtain a FWHM vs. channel relationship, by application of the Levenberg-Marquardt minimization method for non-linear fitting. Lastly, regions of the spectrum with grouped peaks are marked and a non-linear fit is again applied to each region to obtain baseline and photopeaks terms; from these terms, peaks net areas are then assessed. For the activity determination, previously obtained efficiency calibration curves, as well as nuclides gamma-ray data, are incorporated in the code and applied. The code was developed in C++ language and the interface was developed with Qt GUI software toolkit. GNU scientific library, GSL, was employed to perform fitting procedures as needed. Validation of code was done by analyzing: 1) synthetic test spectra from IAEA, especially designed for software performance evaluation; 2) spectra obtained from samples of intercomparison exercises and 3) spectra from routine activities of the Environmental Radiometric Laboratory (LRA) at IPEN and analyzed with the commercial software package InterWinner. Results obtained are consistent with the reference values and with those obtained by the aforementioned package. The results suggest that the OpenGamma code could be safely used in general-purpose gamma-ray spectrometry.