No description available.

X-ray and neutron computed tomography (CT) have been used successfully for the non-destructive imaging of artifact in art conservation. These applications range from object investigations to the use of micro-focus CT for experimental studies. While there is precedent for the use of CT in art conservation, the method is still limited in application partially due to restricted access to facilities and the high cost of producing publishable results. The purpose of this study was to identify alternative CT methods including the use of different radiation sources and industrial imaging system. Both investigations of the use of low-flux neutron CT at the Royal Military College in Kingston compared to high-flux neutron CT at the Advanced Neutron Tomography And Radiography Experimental System (ANTARES) at FRM-II in Garching, Munich and the use of megavoltage gamma ray computed tomography at Kingston General Hospital in Kingston successfully imaged the corroded metal artifacts. The artifacts investigated were from the Diniacopoulos Collection at Queen’s University and were underwater concretions of L’Anse aux Bouleaux provided by Parks Canada. This study also evaluated the Xradia XCT-400 for comparison to similar systems used in conservation. This evaluation also provided successful images of corroded metal coins from the Diniacopoulos Collection for use in identification. To address the issue of cost prohibitive image analysis programs, a workflow using the open-source software programs ImageVis3D, 3DSlicer and ImageJ was developed. This workflow would enable researchers and conservators to produce publishable images and analyze the information in the CT data sets. Additionally, this workflow addresses some common research questions that might arise during investigations that would guide conservators in optimizing their imaging parameters and image analysis. The combination of the alternative radiation sources and the open-source workflow allows for greater accessibility of CT for conservators and researchers. While the preliminary success of the study is promising, more research is needed to optimize the scanning parameters and image analysis through the use of phantoms and comparisons to traditional investigative methods in conservation. / Thesis (Master, Art Conservation) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-09 14:25:25.219

<p>Gamma ray spectroscopy has provided enormous amounts of information on the behaviour and structure of atomic nuclei [SHA88, BEA92, EBE08]. Most of the major discoveries in experimental nuclear physics over the last five decades are strongly associated with improvements in detector technologies. Inorganic scintilators led to the discovery in 1963 of the first excited states of a rotational band based on the ground state of 162Dy. Improvements in peak-to-background ratios and detector resolutions obtained with germanium led to the first evidence of backbending which is associated with a two quasi-particle excitation in 162Dy [SHA88]. More recently the development of composite and highly-segmented Ge detectors has significantly increased the performance and power of detection systems. The Clover detector is such a detector system and is in use at iThemba LABS. This study concerns the evaluation of the particle transport code MCNPX 2.5.0 as a tool to model complex composite detectors such as the Clover. Lanthanum silicate (LSO) and Lead tungstate (PbWO) are also evaluated as possible suppressor shield materials. It is shown that reasonable agreement between experiment and simulation is found when the experiment is accurately reproduced. However, when complex detection modes are implemented in the detector based on the number of elements that fire, MCNPX cannot be used to model the detector performance exactly. Differences between simulated and experimental results are found in suppressed add-back mode. It is proposed that the discrepancies are due to limitations in implementation of the pulse-height and special anti-coincidence tally in MCNPX. LSO and PbWO are compared to BGO as suppressor shield materials. It is found that LSO is not an ideal material for a suppression shield. PbWO is shown to give performance values similar to that of BGO. The back-plug is shown to have no effect on the Peak-to-Total ratio but is effective at reducing the background at lower energies.</p>

No description available.

This thesis is concerned with very high energy γ-ray observations of blazars observable from the southern hemisphere. The data presented were obtained using the recently deployed University of Durham Mark 6 high sensitivity Čerenkov telescope. Chapters 1 and 2 are introductory; the subjects of γ-ray astronomy, extensive air showers, Čerenkov light production, the development of the atmospheric Čerenkov technique and the current status of TeV astronomy are discussed. Chapter 3 introduces the telescopes operated by the University of Durham. The Mark 6 telescope, designed to have a low threshold energy and a high resolution imaging system, is discussed in detail. Chapter 4 presents the calibration and analysis techniques routinely applied to data obtained with the Mark 6 telescope. The chapter concludes with a set of moment parameter selections designed to reject a significant fraction of the cosmic ray cascades, while retaining the majority of γ-rays cascades. These selections have resulted in a 5σ detection of PSR 1706-44. Chapter 5 discusses active galactic nuclei and in particular blazars. Topics included are recent high energy observations; the differences between the radio/X-ray selected BL Lacs and flat spectrum radio quasars; the infrared background; high energy flux variability and γ-ray production mechanisms within these objects. The chapter concludes with a list of possible very high energy γ-ray emitting blazars observable with the Mark 6 Čerenkov telescope. Chapter 6 presents the results from four of these very high-energy γ-ray blazar candidates; PKS 0548-322, PKS 1514-24, PKS 2005-489 and PKS 2155-304. There is no evidence for γ-ray emission from these sources, either in the form of a steady flux or variable activity. Three sigma integral flux upper limits above 300 GeV are produced for these objects and the implications of these observations are discussed. The conclusions are presented in Chapter 7 as well as ideas for future work.

In this study variations in Ortec and Hamner equipment with different types of detectors were utilized in coincidence circuits to receive the smallest lifetime values of nuclear states. Results from Ge(Li)-NaI(Tl) detectors were compared to results received when NaI(Tl)-NaI(Tl) detectors were combined in a coincidence circuit.Four different isotopes were investigated. Samples of 22Na and 60Co were utilized as prompt sources. The lifetimes of the 0.81 MeV energy level of i33Ba and the 0.124 MeV energy level of 154Eu were studied. These lifetimes have been reported as being 6.3 nsec and 1.18 nsec respectively.The best value received for the 154Eu energy state was a slope measurement of 5.85 ± 3.15 nsec. The smallest value for the 133Ba energy state was a centroid shift measurement of 6.93 nsec.

Previous studies of gamma ray spectra for different elements have been made by others using NaI(T1) (thallium activated, sodium iodide) detectors. This study has been done using a Ge(Li) (lithium drifted germanium) detector. Ge(Li) detectors feature much better energy resolution than do NaI(Tl) detectors. Using a Ge(Li) detector enables one to detect gamma rays closely spaced in energy that ordinarily would be unidentifiable due to the much poorer energy resolution of the NaI(Tl) detectors.Gamma ray spectra from 31 elements irradiated with 14-MeV neutrons have been examined, analyzed, and catalogued. These spectra can be used in the future as an aid in identifying elements using neutron activation analysis.

High spin states in ⁸⁰Sr have been studied using the techniques of in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy. The reaction used was ⁵⁴Fe(²⁹Si, 2pn)⁸⁰Sr at beam energies between 85 and 110 MeV. γ-γ coincidence measurements were performed with a thin target to investigate the level structure. Both neutron gated and singles angular distribution measurements were carried out to aid in the assignment of level spins. The directional correlation ratios extracted from the γ-γ coincidence data provided a consistency check for the spin assignments. Level lifetimes were measured by the Doppler shift attenuation method in a thick target γ-γ coincidence measurement. The ground state band has been identified up to (26⁺) and three previously unobserved sidebands have been discovered. The deduced level scheme is compared with cranking model calculations; the predicted transformation to mostly non-collective excitations of an oblate shape is not observed experimentally. The behaviour of the J⁽¹⁾ and J⁽²⁾ moments of inertia is discussed and presented as evidence for either static or dynamic γ-deformation in the light Sr isotopes. In addition, the level structure is compared with IBM-2 calculations. These calculations indicate the importance of proton excitations across the Z=40 subshell gap, into the g_9/2 orbital, and suggest that the lowest lying ⁸⁰Sr sideband can be identified with the collective IBM-2 quasi-γ band. NUCLEAR REACTIONS ⁵⁴Fe(²⁹Si, 2pn), ,em>E = 85 - 110 MeV; measured Eγ, Iγ(θ), γ-γ, n-γ coincidences, DCO ratios, Doppler shifted γ-ray lineshapes. ⁸⁰Sr deduced levels, J, π, τ. Enriched target, Ge(Li), Ge, NE213 detectors.

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Typescript. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1991. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 210-213) / Microfiche. / xvi, 213 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm