Objective: To determine if paternal preconception exposure to ionizing radiation through uranium mining increases the risk of congenital anomaly (CA) in offspring. Methods: A population-based matched case-control study was conducted. Cases were infants with CAs recorded in the Canadian Congenital Anomalies Surveillance System and born alive in Ontario 1979-86 (ICD-9 codes 740-759); controls were liveborn infants without CAs identified from Ontario birth certificates and individually matched to cases (case-control file {CCF}). Exposed fathers were identified through the linkage of the CCF to the Mining Master File or the National Dose Registry file, which include those who worked in Ontario uranium mines 1952-1986. For men who linked with a case or control child, radon, gamma and total gonadal doses were estimated for three preconception periods: entire, 3-months and 6-months. Odds ratios were estimated using conditional logistic regression. Results: Linkage of 28,991 uranium miners and 40,482 case-control pairs of fathers and offspring in the CCF identified 431 discordant pairs. There was no evidence of increased risk of a child having a CA if the father was ever a uranium miner before conception of the child (OR=0.89, 95% CI=0.74–1.08). Since gamma radiation (especially during the 6-month preconception period) is more biologically relevant to gonads than radon, further analyses were performed on 117 discordant pairs where data on gamma exposures were available. When ever/never miner, exposed to gamma (yes/no), and gamma dose-response variables were all in the model, there was no ever/never miner effect (OR=1.20, 95% CI=0.85–1.69, p-value=0.30), an inverse association for exposure to gamma (OR=0.42, 95% CI=0.25–0.71, p-value=0.001), but most importantly, there was no statistically significant dose-response relationship between gamma dose during the 6-month preconception period and all CAs (OR=1.15 per loge {mSv+0.01}, 95% CI=0.83–1.59, p-value=0.40). Similarly, no dose-response relationship was observed for exposure to gamma radiation in the 3-month preconception period, or for radon or total gonadal radiation in the 3- or 6-month preconception periods. Conclusion: There was no increased risk of a CA among liveborn children of Ontario uranium miners who were exposed to radon, gamma or total radiation during the 3- or 6-month periods before conception.

Gamma-ray binaries are systems that comprise a young, massive star and a compact object that can be either a young pulsar or a black hole. They emit radiation from radio up to tens of TeV and show flux variability along the whole electromagnetic spectrum. For three of the four detected gamma-ray binaries, the nature of the compact object is unknown. In this thesis we present a study of gamma-ray binaries through three approaches that involve the simultaneous study of these sources in X-rays and very high energy (VHE) gamma-rays. We present the discovery of correlated X-ray and VHE gamma-ray emission from LS I +61 303. The correlations indicates that the emission from these two bands could be originated in the same parent particle population, and we explore this idea through the calculation of a radiative model. This model allows us to significantly constrain the physical properties of the non-thermal emitter in LS I +61 303. For those systems where the compact object is a young pulsar, the interaction between the stellar and pulsar winds will give rise to strong shocks. The shocked pulsar wind is the candidate location for non-thermal emission from these systems. The shocked stellar wind should give rise to a thermal X-ray spectrum, but no such features have been detected in the X-ray spectrum of gamma-ray binaries. We present a model of the thermal emission of the shocked stellar wind and use it to constrain the pulsar properties. We have applied this method to two X-ray observations of LS 5039 and have successfully constrained the pulsar spin-down luminosity. Finally, we present a search for VHE emission from Scorpius X-1 through a simultaneous X-ray and VHE gamma-ray campaign. The X-ray observations allowed us to select black-hole states where non-thermal X-ray emission has been detected. We did not find significant VHE emission in any of the black hole states, but the upper limits derived will prove useful in future modelling of the non-thermal emitter in the source. / Les binàries de raigs gamma són sistemes binaries formats per una estrella jove i massiva i un objecte compacte, que pot ser un púlsar jove o un forat negre, que emeten radiació fins a desenes de TeV i mostren variabilitat orbital en totes les bandes d'emissió, des de radio fins a raigs gamma. En el cas de tres de les quatre binàries de raigs gamma detectades avui dia, se'n desconeix la natura de l'objecte compacte. En aquesta tesi presentem un estudi de les binàries de raigs gamma mitjançant tres treballs complementaris que involucren l'estudi simultani d'aquestes fonts en raigs X i raigs gamma de molt alta energia. En primer lloc presentem el descobriment d'emissió en raigs X i raigs gamma de molt alta energia correlades en el temps al sistema LS I +61 303. Aquesta correlació ens indica que l'emissió en les dues bandes pot provenir d'una única població d'electrons, i ho confirmem mitjançant la realització d'un model teòric de radiació que ens permet restringir significativament les propietats físiques de l'emissor no tèrmic de la font. En cas que la font energètica dels sistemes sigui un púlsar, la interacció entre els vents de l'estrella i el púlsar dona lloc a una regió d'interacció on el vent xocat del púlsar accelera partícules i emet des de radio fins a raigs gamma. A l'espectre de raigs X, però, no es detecta l'emissió tèrmica del vent xocat de l'estrella, que s'escalfa fins a desenes de milers de graus. Això ens ha permès estudiar la forma de la regió d'interacció, determinada principalment per la potència del púlsar, i fer un càlcul teòric de l'emissió en raigs X tèrmics. Hem aplicat aquest model al sistema LS 5039 i hem pogut determinar la potència del púlsar, fet important per a la modelització de l'emissió no tèrmica de la font. Finalment, presentem la cerca d'emissió de raigs gamma provinent de sistemes binaris fins ara no detectats. Una campanya simultània en raigs X i raigs gamma ens va permetre seleccionar les dades de molt alta energia del microquàsar Sco X-1 en funció de l'estat d'acreció sobre l'objecte compacte. Tot i no detectar la font en raigs gamma, els límits superiors obtinguts permeten restringir les propietats físiques de Sco X-1 rellevants per a l'emissió en molt alta energia.

PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission) et PIGE (Particle Induced Gamma-ray Emission) sont des méthodes d’analyse par faisceau d’ions, multiélémentaires et non destructives. Elles sont basées sur la détection des rayons X et gamma caractéristiques émis suite à l’interaction de particules chargées avec la matière. La méthode PIXE permet de quantifier les éléments de numéro atomique Z>11 avec une limite de détection au niveau du μg/g (ppm). Les rayons X émis par les éléments légers (Z<11) sont fortement atténués par la matière, limitant la sensibilité de PIXE pour cette gamme de numéro atomique. Ces éléments peuvent légers être analysés, simultanément, par la méthode PIGE. Un des nombreux avantages de la méthode PIXE/PIGE est sa capacité à pouvoir effectuer différentes analyses (cartographie des concentrations, analyse en profondeur, objets précieux). Il est possible d’analyser des échantillons aussi bien homogènes que non homogènes. La méthode PIXE à haute énergie a été développée au cyclotron ARRONAX avec des faisceaux de particules pouvant atteindre 70 MeV. La technique PIXE à haute énergie permet, notamment, l’analyse d’échantillons épais et limite les risques d’endommagement. Premièrement la plateforme PIXE/PIGE à haute énergie est décrite. Ensuite une étude de la méthode PIGE à haute énergie ainsi que la mise en place d’un protocole de mesure de sections efficaces sont présentées. Pour finir les méthodes mises en place ainsi que les résultats obtenus lors de l’analyse de plusieurs types d’échantillons non homogènes (multicouches et granulaires) sont présentés et discutés. / Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and Particle Induced Gamma-ray Emission (PIGE) are multi-elemental and non-destructives techniques. They are based on the detection of characteristic X-ray and gamma emission induced by the interaction of accelerated charged particles with matter. Elements with an atomic number Z> 11 can be quantified reaching a limit of detection in the order of μg/g (ppm). X-rays from light elements are strongly attenuate by matter. Therefore, PIXE shows little sensitivity for lights elements. Those elements are analyzed simultaneously using PIGE. One of the benefits of PIXE/PIGE is its ability to perform analysis with different requirement (elemental concentration mapping, in-depth analysis, valuable objects). Homogeneous and non-homogenous samples can be studied thanks to PIXE/PIGE. High energy PIXE (HEPIXE) has been developed at the ARRONAX cyclotron using particles beams up to 70 MeV. Thus analysis of thick samples is achievable using HEPIXE. Using high energy beams can also reduce the risk of damaging the sample. First of all, the high energy PIXE/PIGE platform develop at ARRONAX is described. Then the results given by high energy PIGE analysis and the experimental procedure for gamma emission cross section measurements are discussed. Finally, the methods developed and the results obtained during the analysis of inhomogeneous samples (multi-layer and granular samples) are presented and discussed.

CAPES / O cimento Portland é bastante empregado na construção civil e apresenta em sua composição o gesso natural. Para minimizar custos é possível substituir parte do gesso desta composição pelo fosfogesso. O fosfogesso é um resíduo gerado a partir da produção dos fertilizantes e é constituído, essencialmente, por cálcio dihidratado e algumas impurezas, como fluoretos, metais em geral e radionuclídeos. Atualmente, toneladas de fosfogesso são armazenadas à céu aberto próximo das indústrias de fertilizantes, causando a contaminação do meio ambiente. O elemento 226Ra, presente nesses materiais, ao passar pela série de decaimento radioativo, transforma-se em gás 222Rn. Esse gás, ao ser inalado pode decair dentro dos pulmões e neste caso, os seus produtos depositam-se nas paredes pulmonares ocasionando exposição à radiação, podendo ser um potencial causador de câncer pulmonar. Dessa forma, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi medir os níveis de concentração de 222Rn em corpos de prova de argamassa de cimento Portland, de gesso e de fosfogesso provenientes do Estado do Paraná, além de caracterizar o material e estimar a concentração de radônio em um ambiente de convívio humano hipotético construído com paredes destes materiais. Para as medidas de atividade do 222Rn foi utilizado o monitor AlphaGUARD (Saphymo GmbH). A análise qualitativa e quantitativa foi realizada por meio da espectrometria gama e da EDXRF com tubos de alvos de Au e Ag (AMPTEK), e com alvo de Mo (ARTAX) e os ensaios mecânicos com equipamento de raios X (Gilardoni) e com a prensa mecânica (EMIC). Os valores médios da atividade do radônio no ar obtidos pelo estudo dos materiais armazenados no recipiente foram de 854 ± 23 Bq/m3, 60,0 ± 7,2 Bq/m3 e 52,9 ± 5,4 Bq/m3 para argamassas de cimento Portland, de gesso e de fosfogesso, respectivamente. Estes resultados extrapolados para o ambiente hipotético de 36 m3 com paredes revestidas com os materiais foram de 3366 ± 91 Bq/m3, 237 ± 28 Bq/m3 e 208 ± 21 Bq/m3 para argamassas de cimento Portland, gesso e fosfogesso. Considerando o limite de 300 Bq/m3 estabelecido pela ICRP, observa-se que, para o revestimento de cimento Portland a exposição não é segura e requer alguns procedimentos de mitigação específicos. A partir da espectrometria gama foi calculado o valor do rádio equivalente (Raeq) para as argamassas de cimento Portland, gesso e fosfogesso que resultou em 78,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg; 58,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg e 68,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg, respectivamente. Os valores do Raeq das amostras encontram-se inferiores ao limite máximo de 370 Bq/kg. Em relação a análise qualitativa e quantitativa das amostras por EDXRF, os resultados permitiram identificar e quantificar os elementos que compõe as amostras como o Ca, S, Fe, entre outros. / Portland cement being very common construction material has in its composition the natural gypsum. To decrease the costs of manufacturing, the cement industry is substituting the gypsum in its composition by small quantities of phosphogypsum, which is the residue generated by the production of fertilizers and consists essentially of calcium dihydrate and some impurities, such as fluoride, metals in general, and radionuclides. Currently, tons of phosphogypsum are stored in the open air near the fertilizer industries, causing contamination of the environment. The 226 Ra present in these materials, when undergoes radioactive decay, produces the 222Rn gas. This radioactive gas, when inhaled together with its decay products deposited in the lungs, produces the exposure to radiation and can be a potential cause of lung cancer. Thus, the objective of this study was to measure the concentration levels of 222Rn from cylindrical samples of Portland cement, gypsum and phosphogypsum mortar from the state of Paraná, as well as characterizer the material and estimate the radon concentration in an environment of hypothetical dwelling with walls covered by such materials. Experimental setup of 222Rn activity measurements was based on AlphaGUARD detector (Saphymo GmbH). The qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed by gamma spectrometry and EDXRF with Au and Ag targets tubes (AMPTEK), and Mo target (ARTAX) and mechanical testing with x- ray equipment (Gilardoni) and the mechanical press (EMIC). Obtained average values of radon activity from studied materials in the air of containers were of 854 ± 23 Bq/m3, 60,0 ± 7,2 Bq/m3 e 52,9 ± 5,4 Bq/m3 for Portland cement, gypsum and phosphogypsum mortar, respectively. These results extrapolated into the volume of hypothetical dwelling of 36 m3 with the walls covered by such materials were of 3366 ± 91 Bq/m3, 237 ± 28 Bq/m3 e 208 ± 21 Bq/m3for Portland cement, gypsum and phosphogypsum mortar, respectively. Considering the limit of 300 Bq/m3 established by the ICRP, it could be concluded that the use of Portland cement plaster in dwellings is not secure and requires some specific mitigation procedure. Using the results of gamma spectrometry there were calculated the values of radium equivalent activity concentrations (Raeq) for Portland cement, gypsum and phosphogypsum mortar, which were obtained equal to 78,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg; 58,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg e 68,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg, respectively. All values of radium equivalent activity concentrations for studied samples are below the maximum level of 370 Bq/kg. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of EDXRF spectra obtained with studied mortar samples allowed to evaluate quantitate and the elements that constitute the material such as Ca, S, Fe, and others.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-02-24T19:48:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AndersonMS_TESE_inicio_pag69.pdf: 4445825 bytes, checksum: 1053632581a0015bab09d4146df22458 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-01-31 / Petr?leo Brasileiro SA - PETROBRAS / The aim of this work was to describe the methodological procedures that were mandatory to develop a 3D digital imaging of the external and internal geometry of the analogue outcrops from reservoirs and to build a Virtual Outcrop Model (VOM). The imaging process of the external geometry was acquired by using the Laser Scanner, the Geodesic GPS and the Total Station procedures. On the other hand, the imaging of the internal geometry was evaluated by GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar).The produced VOMs were adapted with much more detailed data with addition of the geological data and the gamma ray and permeability profiles. As a model for the use of the methodological procedures used on this work, the adapted VOM, two outcrops, located at the east part of the Parnaiba Basin, were selected. On the first one, rocks from the aeolian deposit of the Piaui Formation (Neo-carboniferous) and tidal flat deposits from the Pedra de Fogo Formation (Permian), which arises in a large outcrops located between Floriano and Teresina (Piau?), are present. The second area, located at the National Park of Sete Cidades, also at the Piau?, presents rocks from the Cabe?as Formation deposited in fluvial-deltaic systems during the Late Devonian. From the data of the adapted VOMs it was possible to identify lines, surfaces and 3D geometry, and therefore, quantify the geometry of interest. Among the found parameterization values, a table containing the thickness and width, obtained in canal and lobes deposits at the outcrop Pared?o and Biblioteca were the more relevant ones. In fact, this table can be used as an input for stochastic simulation of reservoirs. An example of the direct use of such table and their predicted radargrams was the identification of the bounding surface at the aeolian sites from the Piau? Formation. In spite of such radargrams supply only bi-dimensional data, the acquired lines followed of a mesh profile were used to add a third dimension to the imaging of the internal geometry. This phenomenon appears to be valid for all studied outcrops. As a conclusion, the tool here presented can became a new methodology in which the advantages of the digital imaging acquired from the Laser Scanner (precision, accuracy and speed of acquisition) were combined with the Total Station procedure (precision) using the classical digital photomosaic technique / Neste trabalho s?o apresentados os procedimentos metodol?gicos necess?rios para realizar o imageamento digital 3D da geometria externa e interna de afloramentos an?logos a reservat?rios, e elaborar seus Modelos Virtuais de Afloramentos (MVA). Para imagear a geometria externa foram utilizados o Laser Scanner, o GPS Geod?sico e a Esta??o Total, enquanto que para imagear a geometria interna foi utilizado o GPR. Nos MVA elaborados foram acrescidas ainda as informa??es geol?gicas e as obtidas nas perfilagens com raios gama e de permeabilidade. Como estudo de caso, para exemplificar os procedimentos metodol?gicos propostos, foram escolhidos dois conjuntos de afloramentos na borda leste da Bacia do Parna?ba. Na primeira ?rea ocorrem rochas de origem e?lica da Forma??o Piau? (Neocarbon?fero) e plan?cie de mar? da Forma??o Pedra de Fogo (Permiano), que afloram em um amplo corte de estrada, situado entre Floriano e Teresina (Piau?). A segunda ?rea, situada no Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades, tamb?m no Piau?, envolve rochas da Forma??o Cabe?as depositadas em sistemas fl?vio-deltaicos, durante o Neodevoniano. Com os MVA elaborados foi poss?vel identificar, linhas, superf?cies e geometrias 3D e, assim, quantificar as geometrias de interesse. Dentre as parametriza??es mais relevantes, ressaltam-se a tabela com valores de espessura e largura, obtidas em dep?sitos de canais e em lobos, nos afloramentos Pared?o e Biblioteca. Esta tabela pode ser utilizada como entrada (input) para simula??o estoc?stica de reservat?rios. Um exemplo da aplica??o direta dos radargramas interpretados foi a identifica??o de superf?cies limitantes, em dep?sitos e?licos, da Forma??o Piau?. Apesar dos radargramas oferecerem apenas dados bidimensionais, a aquisi??o de linhas distribu?das segundo uma malha acrescentou a terceira dimens?o ao imageamento das geometrias internas em todos os afloramentos estudados. ? ainda proposta uma nova metodologia que busca conciliar as vantagens obtidas com o imageamento digital com Laser Scanner (precis?o, acur?cia e velocidade de aquisi??o) e a Esta??o Total (precis?o), com o uso cl?ssico de fotomosaicos digitais

CAPES / O cimento Portland é bastante empregado na construção civil e apresenta em sua composição o gesso natural. Para minimizar custos é possível substituir parte do gesso desta composição pelo fosfogesso. O fosfogesso é um resíduo gerado a partir da produção dos fertilizantes e é constituído, essencialmente, por cálcio dihidratado e algumas impurezas, como fluoretos, metais em geral e radionuclídeos. Atualmente, toneladas de fosfogesso são armazenadas à céu aberto próximo das indústrias de fertilizantes, causando a contaminação do meio ambiente. O elemento 226Ra, presente nesses materiais, ao passar pela série de decaimento radioativo, transforma-se em gás 222Rn. Esse gás, ao ser inalado pode decair dentro dos pulmões e neste caso, os seus produtos depositam-se nas paredes pulmonares ocasionando exposição à radiação, podendo ser um potencial causador de câncer pulmonar. Dessa forma, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi medir os níveis de concentração de 222Rn em corpos de prova de argamassa de cimento Portland, de gesso e de fosfogesso provenientes do Estado do Paraná, além de caracterizar o material e estimar a concentração de radônio em um ambiente de convívio humano hipotético construído com paredes destes materiais. Para as medidas de atividade do 222Rn foi utilizado o monitor AlphaGUARD (Saphymo GmbH). A análise qualitativa e quantitativa foi realizada por meio da espectrometria gama e da EDXRF com tubos de alvos de Au e Ag (AMPTEK), e com alvo de Mo (ARTAX) e os ensaios mecânicos com equipamento de raios X (Gilardoni) e com a prensa mecânica (EMIC). Os valores médios da atividade do radônio no ar obtidos pelo estudo dos materiais armazenados no recipiente foram de 854 ± 23 Bq/m3, 60,0 ± 7,2 Bq/m3 e 52,9 ± 5,4 Bq/m3 para argamassas de cimento Portland, de gesso e de fosfogesso, respectivamente. Estes resultados extrapolados para o ambiente hipotético de 36 m3 com paredes revestidas com os materiais foram de 3366 ± 91 Bq/m3, 237 ± 28 Bq/m3 e 208 ± 21 Bq/m3 para argamassas de cimento Portland, gesso e fosfogesso. Considerando o limite de 300 Bq/m3 estabelecido pela ICRP, observa-se que, para o revestimento de cimento Portland a exposição não é segura e requer alguns procedimentos de mitigação específicos. A partir da espectrometria gama foi calculado o valor do rádio equivalente (Raeq) para as argamassas de cimento Portland, gesso e fosfogesso que resultou em 78,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg; 58,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg e 68,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg, respectivamente. Os valores do Raeq das amostras encontram-se inferiores ao limite máximo de 370 Bq/kg. Em relação a análise qualitativa e quantitativa das amostras por EDXRF, os resultados permitiram identificar e quantificar os elementos que compõe as amostras como o Ca, S, Fe, entre outros. / Portland cement being very common construction material has in its composition the natural gypsum. To decrease the costs of manufacturing, the cement industry is substituting the gypsum in its composition by small quantities of phosphogypsum, which is the residue generated by the production of fertilizers and consists essentially of calcium dihydrate and some impurities, such as fluoride, metals in general, and radionuclides. Currently, tons of phosphogypsum are stored in the open air near the fertilizer industries, causing contamination of the environment. The 226 Ra present in these materials, when undergoes radioactive decay, produces the 222Rn gas. This radioactive gas, when inhaled together with its decay products deposited in the lungs, produces the exposure to radiation and can be a potential cause of lung cancer. Thus, the objective of this study was to measure the concentration levels of 222Rn from cylindrical samples of Portland cement, gypsum and phosphogypsum mortar from the state of Paraná, as well as characterizer the material and estimate the radon concentration in an environment of hypothetical dwelling with walls covered by such materials. Experimental setup of 222Rn activity measurements was based on AlphaGUARD detector (Saphymo GmbH). The qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed by gamma spectrometry and EDXRF with Au and Ag targets tubes (AMPTEK), and Mo target (ARTAX) and mechanical testing with x- ray equipment (Gilardoni) and the mechanical press (EMIC). Obtained average values of radon activity from studied materials in the air of containers were of 854 ± 23 Bq/m3, 60,0 ± 7,2 Bq/m3 e 52,9 ± 5,4 Bq/m3 for Portland cement, gypsum and phosphogypsum mortar, respectively. These results extrapolated into the volume of hypothetical dwelling of 36 m3 with the walls covered by such materials were of 3366 ± 91 Bq/m3, 237 ± 28 Bq/m3 e 208 ± 21 Bq/m3for Portland cement, gypsum and phosphogypsum mortar, respectively. Considering the limit of 300 Bq/m3 established by the ICRP, it could be concluded that the use of Portland cement plaster in dwellings is not secure and requires some specific mitigation procedure. Using the results of gamma spectrometry there were calculated the values of radium equivalent activity concentrations (Raeq) for Portland cement, gypsum and phosphogypsum mortar, which were obtained equal to 78,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg; 58,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg e 68,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg, respectively. All values of radium equivalent activity concentrations for studied samples are below the maximum level of 370 Bq/kg. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of EDXRF spectra obtained with studied mortar samples allowed to evaluate quantitate and the elements that constitute the material such as Ca, S, Fe, and others.

Estados Nucleares isoméricos são estados que decaem com vidas-médias longas ( T1/2 > 10 ns) e revelam, em geral, uma grande mudança no momento angular no seu decaimento, um pequeno elemento de matriz ou uma baixa energia de transição. Através da medida da vida-média de estados nucleares é possível obter informações sobre a função de onda desse estado, representando um teste rigoroso para modelos nucleares. Neste trabalho foi utilizado um sistema desenvolvido no Laboratório Aberto de Física Nuclear (LAFN) da Universidade de São Paulo chamado SIStema para Medida de Estados Isoméricos (SISMEI), que utiliza coincidência atrasada entre partículas evaporadas numa reação nuclear e raios gama emitidos pelo estado isomérico. O SISMEI consiste de cintiladores plásticos para detecção das partículas, detectores de germânio hiperpuro (HPGe) e iodeto de sódio (NaI(Tl)) para raios gama, associados a uma eletrônica de coincidência, instalado no acelerador Pelletron (8UD) do LAFN. Neste trabalho, realizou-se um experimento para medir o estado isomérico 7(-) (E = 1229,87(4) keV) do 68Ga. A tomada de dados durou cerca de 80 horas com uma taxa de eventos de aproximadamente 80000 contagens por hora. O resultado obtido foi T 1/2 = 60, 8(11) ns, que é compatível com os resultados experimentais de outros trabalhos, porém, mais preciso. A estrutura desse núcleo foi calculada através do Modelo de Camadas em Larga Escala considerando-se duas interações residuais diferentes FPG e JUN45; os resultados foram comparados entre si, juntamente com os valores obtidos em outros trabalhos. Os cálculos realizados com o Modelo de Camadas reproduziram relativamente bem a energia e a ordem dos estados excitados do 68Ga, a interação FPG conseguiu descrever melhor a probabilidade de transição quadrupolar elétrica B(E2) diretamente ligada à vida-média do estado. / Isomeric nuclear states are nuclear states which decay with long lifetimes (T1/2 > 10 ns); their study generally reveals, a large change in angular momentum in its decay, a small matrix element or a small transition energy. By measuring lifetimes of isomeric states it is possible to obtain information about this states wave function, being a robust test for nuclear models. In this work, a system developed at the Laboratório Aberto de Fsica Nuclear (LAFN) of University of São Paulo called System for the Measurement of Isomeric States (SISMEI) was utilized. Delayed coincidence between evaporated particles in a nuclear reaction and the delayed gamma-rays emitted from the isomeric state was used to measure lifetimes. SISMEI is composed of plastic scintillators for particle detection, hiperpure germanium detectors (HPGe) and sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) for gamma-ray detection, coupled to a coincidence system, located on 30A beam line of the Pelletron (8UD) accelerator - LAFN. In the present work, an experiment to measure the 7 (-) (E = 1229.87(4) keV) isomeric state of 68Ga was performed. The experiment took about 80 hours with an event rate of about 80000 counts per second. The measured value was T 1/2 = 60.8(11) ns, which is compatible, but more accurate, with experimental results of other authors. The nuclear structure of this nucleus was calculated with the Large Scale Shell Model by using two different residual interactions FPG and JUN45; the results were compared with the known values. The structure calculated with LSSM described the energy states and the order of excited states relatively well; the FPG interaction was capable to describe better the quadrupolar electrical transition probability B(E2), which is direct related to predicting the state lifetime.

This master’s thesis provides a comprehensive overview of the conventional neutron sources from the perspective of reactions which lead to the production of neutrons, advantages, disadvantages, properties and their possible utilization. In the relation to the assembly of the laboratory neutron source and the unique experimental stand “Candle” basic methods of the neutron field analysis are outlined and two of them, the neutron activation analysis and the calculation using the MCNP software code are discussed in depth to apply and compare these methods. The experimental part deals with the realization of neutron activation analysis from its design itself, through gamma spectrometry to the cadmium ratio calculation. In compliance with the measurements, a calculation with MCNP code was run and both methods were evaluated and compared. The computation is complemented with the analysis of radiation situation on the borders of the supervised area, which is compared to the legal limit.

Das High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) ist ein System von fünf atmosphärischen Cherenkov-Teleskopen (IACT) in Namibia. Die H.E.S.S. Teleskope sind empfindlich für sehr energiereiche (VHE) Gammastrahlen zwischen ~30 TeV und 100 TeV. Mit einer Entfernung von 16,5 Mpc ist Messier 87 (M87) eine der nächsten Radiogalaxien und beherbergt eines der massereichsten supermassiven Schwarzen Löcher, das Materie in einen Plasmastrahl relativistischer Teilchen emittiert. Der Strahl wird im Bereich des gesamten elektromagnetischen Spektrums beobachtet und untersucht. M87 befindet sich im Zentrum des Virgo-Galaxienhaufens, eines kühlen Galaxienhaufens, der von Gas gefüllt ist, das in der Nähe des Zentrums kälter und in den Außenbereichen des Galaxienhaufens heißer ist. Gemäß der Cooling Flow (CF) Theorie kühlt das Plasma in Cool Core (CC) Haufen am Rand des Haufens ab und sinkt nach innen, wodurch die Sternentstehungsrate im Zentrum erhöht wird. Optische Messungen des Virgo Galaxienhaufens scheinen diesem Modell jedoch zu widersprechen. Als Heizmechanismus wird der aktive galaktische Kern Rückkopplungsmechanismus vorgeschlagen, der die Abkühlung des ICM ausgleicht und dessen CF vermeidet. Die kosmische Strahlung des Jets interagiert mit der ICM und erzeugt neutrale Pionen, die in Gammastrahlen zerfallen und ein nicht variables und ausgedehntes Gammastrahlensignal erzeugen. Allerdings konnten keine Gammastrahlen-Beobachtungen mit dem Pionenzerfall in dem Galaxienhaufen in Verbindung gebracht werden. In dieser Studie der H.E.S.S. Beobachtungen des niedrigen Strahl-Aktivitätszustands von M87 haben keine signifikante Ausdehnung der Emissionsregion gezeigt, woraus eine 3σ Obergrenze von 0.016° ≈ 4.6 kpc abgeleitet wurde. Das Verhältnis des Drucks in kosmischer Strahlung zur thermischen Strahlung ist auf <0.36 im Zentralregion beschränkt. Diese abgeleitete Obergrenze nimmt einen Gleichgewichtszustand zwischen den Erwärmungs und den Kühlprozessen an. Die neue Generation von IACTs, das Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO), wird eine unvergleichbare Empfindlichkeit und Winkelauflösung bieten. Um die langfristige Verfügbarkeit der Teleskope sicherzustellen, wurde ein auf Schwingungsmessungen basierendes Strukturüberwachungssystem entwickelt und zwischen 2019 und 2020 in Berlin am Prototyp des mittelgrossen Teleskopes erfolgreich getestet. CTAO wird in der Lage sein die Gammastrahlung des Virgo Haufens zu untersuchen und sie laut Simulationen und dem Steady-State-Modell innerhalb von ~210 h zu detektieren. / The High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) is an array of five Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) located in Namibia. The H.E.S.S. telescopes are sensitive to Very-High-Energy (VHE) gamma rays between ~30 TeV and ~100 TeV. At a distance of 16.5 Mpc Messier 87 (M87) is one of the closest radio-galaxies, hosting one of the most massive Super-Massive Black Hole, which accretes matter and launches an inclined jet of relativistic particles. The jet is detected and studied by radiation emitted through the entire electromagnetic spectrum. M87 is located at the very center of the Virgo galaxy cluster, a Cool Core (CC) cluster, characterized by an Intra-cluster Medium (ICM) that is colder close to the center and hotter towards the outskirts of the galaxy cluster. According to the Cooling Flow (CF) theory, the plasma in CC clusters cools in the outskirts of the cluster and falls inwards, increasing the star formation ratio in the region. However, optical measurements of the Virgo Cluster seem to contradict this model. The Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) feedback mechanism is proposed as a heating mechanism, which counterbalances the cooling of the ICM and avoids its CF. The cosmic rays from the jet interact with the ICM producing neutral pions, which decay to gamma rays, forming a non-variable and extended gamma-ray signal. However, no gamma-ray observations could be associated with pion decay in galaxy clusters. In this work, deep H.E.S.S. observations of M87's low state are analyzed, and the results have shown no significant gamma-ray extension leading to a 3σ upper limit of 0.016° ≈ 4.6 kpc. The ratio of cosmic-ray pressure to thermal pressure XCR is constrained to < 0.36 at its maximum position, assuming a steady-state between the heating and the cooling processes. The new generation of IACTs, the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO) will offer unprecedented sensitivity and angular resolution. To assure the long-term availability of the telescopes, a structure monitoring system based on vibration measurements was developed and successfully tested at the Medium-sized Telescope (MST) prototype between 2019 and 2020 in Berlin. CTAO should be able to probe the gamma-ray emission from the Virgo Cluster, and, according to simulations and to the steady-state model, significantly detect it after ≈ 210 h.

[EN] Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a non-invasive nuclear medical imaging modality that makes it possible to observe the distribution of metabolic substances within a patient's body after marking them with radioactive isotopes and arranging an annular scanner around him in order to detect their decays. The main applications of this technique are the detection and tracing of tumors in cancer patients and metabolic studies with small animals. The Electronic Design for Nuclear Applications (EDNA) research group within the Instituto de Instrumentación para Imagen Molecular (I3M) has been involved in the study of high performance PET systems and maintains a small experimental setup with two detector modules. This thesis is framed within the necessity of developing a new data acquisition system (DAQ) for the aforementioned setup that corrects the drawbacks of the existing one. The main objective is to define a DAQ architecture that is completely scalable, modular, and guarantees the mobility and the possibility of reusing its components, so that it admits any extension of modification of the setup and it is possible to export it directly to the configurations used by other groups or experiments. At the same time, this architecture should be compatible with the best possible resolutions attainable at the present instead of imposing artificial limits on system performance. In particular, the new DAQ system should outperform the previous one. As a first step, a general study of DAQ arquitectures is carried out in the context of experimental setups for PET and other high energy physics applications. On one hand, the conclusion is reached that the desired specifications require early digitization of detector signals, exclusively digital communication between modules, and the absence of a centralized trigger. On the other hand, the necessity of a very precise distributed synchronization scheme between modules becomes apparent, with errors in the order of 100 ps, and operating directly over the data links. A study of the existing methods reveals their severe limitations in terms of achievable precision. A theoretical analysis of the situation is carried out with the goal of overcoming them, and a new synchronization algorithm is proposed that is able to reach the desired resolution while getting rid of the restrictions on clock alignment that are imposed by virtually all usual schemes. Since the measurement of clock phase difference plays a crucial role in the proposed algorithm, extensions to the existing methods are defined and analyzed that improve them significantly. The proposed scheme for synchronism is validated using commercial evaluation boards. Taking the proposed synchronization method as a starting point, a DAQ architecture for PET is defined that is composed of two types of module (acquisition and concentration) whose replication makes it possible to arrange a hierarchic system of arbitrary size, and circuit boards are designed and commissioned that implement a realization of the architecture for the particular case of two detectors. This DAQ is finally installed at the experimental setup, where their synchronization properties and resolution as a PET system are characterized and its performance is verified to have improved with respect to the previous system. / [ES] La Tomografía por Emisión de Positrones (PET) es una modalidad de imagen médica nuclear no invasiva que permite observar la distribución de sustancias metabólicas en el interior del cuerpo de un paciente tras marcarlas con isótopos radioactivos y disponer después un escáner anular a su alrededor para detectar su desintegración. Las principales aplicaciones de esta técnica son la detección y seguimiento de tumores en pacientes con cáncer y los estudios metabólicos en animales pequeños. El grupo de investigación Electronic Design for Nuclear Applications (EDNA) del Instituto de Instrumentación para Imagen Molecular (I3M) ha estado involucrado en el estudio de sistemas PET de alto rendimiento y mantiene un pequeño setup experimental con dos módulos detectores. La presente tesis se enmarca dentro de la necesidad de desarrollar un nuevo sistema de adquisición de datos (DAQ) para dicho setup que corrija los inconvenientes del ya existente. En particular, el objetivo es definir una arquitectura de DAQ que sea totalmente escalable, modular, y que asegure la movilidad y la posibilidad de reutilización de sus componentes, de manera que admita cualquier ampliación o alteración del setup y pueda exportarse directamente a los de otros grupos o experimentos. Al mismo tiempo, se desea que dicha arquitectura no limite artificialmente el rendimiento del sistema sino que sea compatible con las mejores resoluciones disponibles en la actualidad, y en particular que sus prestaciones superen a las del DAQ instalado previamente. En primer lugar, se lleva a cabo un estudio general de las arquitecturas de DAQ para setups experimentales para PET y otras aplicaciones de física de altas energías. Por un lado, se determina que las características deseadas implican la digitalización temprana de las señales del detector, la comunicación exclusivamente digital entre módulos, y la ausencia de trigger centralizado. Por otro lado, se hace patente la necesidad de un esquema de sincronización distribuida muy preciso entre módulos, con errores del orden de 100 ps, que opere directamente sobre los enlaces de datos. Un estudio de los métodos ya existentes revela sus graves limitaciones a la hora de alcanzar esas precisiones. Con el fin de paliarlos, se lleva a cabo un análisis teórico de la situación y se propone un nuevo algoritmo de sincronización que es capaz de alcanzar la resolución deseada y elimina las restricciones de alineamiento de reloj impuestas por casi todos los esquemas usuales. Dado que la medida de desfase entre relojes juega un papel crucial en el algoritmo propuesto, se definen y analizan extensiones a los métodos ya existentes que suponen una mejora sustancial. El esquema de sincronismo propuesto se valida utilizando placas de evaluación comerciales. Partiendo del método de sincronismo propuesto, se define una arquitectura de DAQ para PET compuesta de dos tipos de módulos (adquisición y concentración) cuya replicación permite construir un sistema jerárquico de tamaño arbitrario, y se diseñan e implementan placas de circuito basadas en dicha arquitectura para el caso particular de dos detectores. El DAQ así construído se instala finalmente en el setup experimental, donde se caracterizan tanto sus propiedades de sincronización como su resolución como sistema PET y se comprueba que sus prestaciones son superiores a las del sistema previo. / [CA] La Tomografia per Emissió de Positrons (PET) és una modalitat d'imatge mèdica nuclear no invasiva que permet observar la distribució de substàncies metabòliques a l'interior del cos d'un pacient després d'haver-les marcat amb isòtops radioactius disposant un escàner anular al seu voltant per a detectar la seua desintegració. Aquesta tècnica troba les seues principals aplicacions a la detecció i seguiment de tumors a pacients amb càncer i als estudis metabòlics en animals petits. El grup d'investigació Electronic Design for Nuclear Applications (EDNA) de l'Instituto de Instrumentación para Imagen Molecular (I3M) ha estat involucrat en l'estudi de sistemes PET d'alt rendiment i manté un petit setup experimental amb dos mòduls detectors. Aquesta tesi neix de la necessitat de desenvolupar un nou sistema d'adquisició de dades (DAQ) per al setup esmentat que corregisca els inconvenients de l'anterior. En particular, l'objectiu és definir una arquitectura de DAQ que sigui totalment escalable, modular, i que asseguri la mobilitat i la possibilitat de reutilització dels seus components, de tal manera que admeta qualsevol ampliació o alteració del setup i pugui exportar-se directament a aquells d'altres grups o experiments. Al mateix temps, es desitja que aquesta arquitectura no introduisca límits artificials al rendiment del sistema sinó que sigui compatible amb les millors resolucions disponibles a l'actualitat, i en particular que les seues prestacions siguin superiors a les del DAQ instal.lat amb anterioritat. En primer lloc, es porta a terme un estudi general de les arquitectures de DAQ per a setups experimentals per a PET i altres aplicacions de física d'altes energies. Per una banda, s'arriba a la conclusió que les característiques desitjades impliquen la digitalització dels senyals del detector el més aviat possible, la comunicació exclusivament digital entre mòduls, i l'absència de trigger centralitzat. D'altra banda, es fa palesa la necessitat d'un mecanisme de sincronització distribuïda molt precís entre mòduls, amb errors de l'ordre de 100 ps, que treballi directament sobre els enllaços de dades. Un estudi dels mètodes ja existents revela les seues greus limitacions a l'hora d'assolir aquest nivell de precisió. Amb l'objectiu de pal.liar-les, es duu a terme una anàlisi teòrica de la situació i es proposa un nou algoritme de sincronització que és capaç d'obtindre la resolució desitjada i es desfà de les restriccions d'alineament de rellotges imposades per gairebé tots els esquemes usuals. Atès que la mesura del desfasament entre rellotges juga un paper cabdal a l'algoritme proposat, es defineixen i analitzen extensions als mètodes ja existents que suposen una millora substancial. L'esquema de sincronisme proposat es valida mitjançant plaques d'avaluació comercials. Prenent el mètode proposat com a punt de partida, es defineix una arquitectura de DAQ per a PET composta de dos tipus de mòduls (d'adquisició i de concentració) tals que la replicació d'aquests elements permet construir un sistema jeràrquic de mida arbitrària, i es dissenyen i implementen plaques de circuit basades en aquesta arquitectura per al cas particular de dos detectors. L'electrònica desenvolupada s'instal.la finalment al setup experimental, on es caracteritzen tant les seues propietats de sincronització com la seua resolució com a sistema PET i es comprova que les seues prestacions són superiors a les del sistema previ. / Aliaga Varea, RJ. (2016). Development of a data acquisition architecture with distributed synchronization for a Positron Emission Tomography system with integrated front-end [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/63271 / Premios Extraordinarios de tesis doctorales