No description available.

Atomic emission spectrometry (AES) with a plasma has proven to be an important method for the analysis of metallic and nonmetallic species in a variety of matrices. Not only is atomic spectrometry useful for accurate and sensitive quantitative analysis, but it can be used as a means of unambiguous qualitative determinations. The most common matrix for AES samples is liquid. Whether aqueous or organic in nature, the majority of samples are dissolved in some sort of solvent. Unfortunately, for most modes of sample introduction, a large portion of the solvent is simultaneously introduced to the plasma discharge along with the analyte species. The plasma is thus required not only to sufficiently excite the analyte, but also to desolvate and vaporize the solvent species. These processes tend to diminish the available energy of the plasma that is to be directed toward the analyte. The nature of the energy loss due to solvent loading is not well understood and is the topic of debate for different systems. It is the focus of this dissertation to determine the effect of solvent loading on the Highly Efficient Microwave Induced Plasma (HEMIP). The magnitude of solvent loading for Ar and He discharges using different sample introduction systems is determined. The solvent load is shown to have two separate constituents: aerosol and vapor. Each of these are shown to affect the plasma in different ways. Two different sample introduction systems are evaluated for their respective solvent loadings: a cooled pneumatic nebulizer / double pass spray chamber and an ultrasonic nebulization system. These systems are compared under their normal operating conditions and for the two plasma support gases. High solvent loads are shown to destabilize both the Ar and He microwave plasmas, decrease analytical sensitivity, and attenuate the energy of the plasma discharge. The conditions under which solvent loading is minimized do not have a significant effect on the operational characteristics of the sample introduction systems, but provide the optimal analytical sensitivity and limits of detection for the HEMIP. / Ph. D.

Scientific stratospheric balloons offer a valuable service to scientists wishing to test or demonstrate developing technological instruments, or to run fully operational instruments with short preparation times and for a cheap price compared to other similar services. The ballooning industry is therefore a vital part of the scientific community as it enables less funded and experienced scientific organisations to actively engage in the development of their technologies. In the context of scientific stratospheric balloons, the speed of permeation affects among other things the flight time and the flight planning, as these are determined by the rate of loss of the buoyancy force keeping the balloon afloat. Most balloons today use helium as lifting gas, but the ballooning industry is today facing increased pressure to switch to hydrogen gas. Before making this switch, understanding how hydrogen gas behaves differently, in terms of permeation or otherwise, is important to prevent unexpected flight paths among other things. In this thesis, two experiments were conducted in order to attempt to determine the ratio of permeation speed between hydrogen gas and helium through balloon membranes. One experiment used a manometric method, where the pressure of permeant in a diffusion chamber was measured over time. The other experiment measured the buoyancy force of permeant-filled balloons over time. The resulting ratio of permeation speed may give more confidence in predicting how much faster or slower a stratospheric balloon filled with hydrogen will lose buoyancy force.

The long-standing problem of possible formation of metastable states in collisions of the eta-meson with atomic nuclei is revisited. The two-body eta-nucleon interaction is described by a local potential, which is constructed by fitting known low-energy parameters of this interaction. The many-body eta-nucleus potential obtained within the folding model, is used to search for metastable states of the systems formed by the eta-meson with hydrogen and helium isotopes. It is found that all these systems generate strings of overlapping resonances. / Physics / M.Sc. (Physics)

A formação de camadas de cargas elétricas na superfície de Hélio liquido e em filmes de H´leio sobre um substrato está bem estabelecida tanto teórica quanto experimentalmente. Não existia, porém, até o presente, um cálculo auto-consistente para essas camadas de cargas, pois no regime de baixas densidades eletrônicas, estes sistemas podem ser tratados como o problema de 1-elétron. Em nosso trabalho incluímos os efeitos de muitos corpos usando a aproximação de Hartree-Fock e, via cálculos auto-consistentes, mostramos que estes efeitos tornam-se relevantes para densidades a partir de 108 e/cm2 para elétrons sobre Hélio e 103 e/ cm2 para elétrons sobre filme de Hélio. Calculamos também a mobilidade desses elétrons, em superfície de Hélio, incluindo dois mecanismos diferentes de espalhamento; as interações elétron-ripplons e elétrons-átomos de vapor. Usando nossos cálculos auto-consistentes obtivemos resultados que melhores concordam com dados experimentais para a mobilidade, em regimes de altas densidades eletrônicas / The formation of electric charged layers outside liquid Helium and outside films are well understood experimentally as well as theoretically. But, until today, there was not a self-consistent calculation for these electronic layers because, at low densities, these system can be treated as a one-electron problem. In this work we have included the many-body effects using the Hartree-Fock approximations and, via self-consistent calculations, we pointed out that these effects are relevants for densities above 108 e/cm2 for liquid Helium and 103 e/ cm2 for Helium films. We also have calculated the electronic mobility due to different scattering mechanisms: electron-ripplon and electron-vapour interactions. Using our self-consistents calculations we have obtained results that fit very well the experimental data, at high densities

No description available.

The Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) is one of the most technologically advanced developments in South Africa. In order to build a commercially viable demonstration power plant, all the specifically and uniquely designed equipment must first be qualified. All the prototype equipment is tested at the Helium Test Facility (HTF) at Pelindaba. One of the largest components that are tested is the Core Unloading Device (CUD). The main function of the CUD is to unload fuel from the bottom of the reactor core to enable circulation of the fuel core. The CUD housing vessel forms part of the reactor pressure boundary. Pebble-directing valves and other moving machinery are installed inside its machined inner surface. It is essential that the interior surfaces of the CUD are case hardened to provide a corrosion- and wear-resistant layer. Cold welding between the moving metal parts and the machined surface must also be prevented. Nitriding is a case hardening process that adds a hardened wear- and corrosion-resistant layer that will also prevent cold welding of the moving parts in the helium atmosphere. Only a few nitriding furnaces exist that can house a forging as large as the CUD of the PBMR. Commercial nitriding furnaces in South Africa are all too small and have limited flexibility in terms of the nitriding process. The nitriding of a vessel as large as the CUD has not yet been carried out commercially. The aim of this work was to design and develop a custom-made nitriding plant to perform the nitriding of the first PBMR/HTF CUD. Proper process control is essential to ensure that the required nitrided case has been obtained. A new concept for a gas nitriding plant was developed using the nitrided vessel interior as the nitriding process chamber. Before the commencement of detail design, a laboratory test was performed on a scale model vessel to confirm concept feasibility. The design of the plant included the mechanical design of various components essential to the nitriding process. A special stirring fan with an extended length shaft was designed, taking whirling speed into account. Considerable research was performed on the high temperature use of the various components to ensure the safe operation of the plant at temperatures of up to 600°C. Nitriding requires the use of hazardous gases such as ammonia, oxygen and nitrogen. Hydrogen is produced as a by-product and therefore safety was the most important design parameter. Thermohydraulic analyses, i.e. heat transfer and pressure drop calculations in pipes, were also performed to ensure the successful process design of the nitriding plant. The nitriding plant was subsequently constructed and operated to verify the correct design. A large amount of experimental and operating data was captured during the actual operation of the plant. This data was analysed and the thermohydraulic analyses were verified. Nitrided specimens were subjected to hardness and layer thickness tests. The measured temperature of the protruding fan shaft was within the limits predicted by Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models. Graphs of gas flow rates and other operation data confirmed the inverse proportionality between ammonia supply flow rate and measured dissociation rate. The design and operation of the nitriding plant were successful as a nitride layer thickness of 400 μm and hardness of 1 200 Vickers hardness (VHN) was achieved. This research proves that a large pressure vessel can successfully be nitrided using the vessel interior as a process chamber. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

The Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) is one of the most technologically advanced developments in South Africa. In order to build a commercially viable demonstration power plant, all the specifically and uniquely designed equipment must first be qualified. All the prototype equipment is tested at the Helium Test Facility (HTF) at Pelindaba. One of the largest components that are tested is the Core Unloading Device (CUD). The main function of the CUD is to unload fuel from the bottom of the reactor core to enable circulation of the fuel core. The CUD housing vessel forms part of the reactor pressure boundary. Pebble-directing valves and other moving machinery are installed inside its machined inner surface. It is essential that the interior surfaces of the CUD are case hardened to provide a corrosion- and wear-resistant layer. Cold welding between the moving metal parts and the machined surface must also be prevented. Nitriding is a case hardening process that adds a hardened wear- and corrosion-resistant layer that will also prevent cold welding of the moving parts in the helium atmosphere. Only a few nitriding furnaces exist that can house a forging as large as the CUD of the PBMR. Commercial nitriding furnaces in South Africa are all too small and have limited flexibility in terms of the nitriding process. The nitriding of a vessel as large as the CUD has not yet been carried out commercially. The aim of this work was to design and develop a custom-made nitriding plant to perform the nitriding of the first PBMR/HTF CUD. Proper process control is essential to ensure that the required nitrided case has been obtained. A new concept for a gas nitriding plant was developed using the nitrided vessel interior as the nitriding process chamber. Before the commencement of detail design, a laboratory test was performed on a scale model vessel to confirm concept feasibility. The design of the plant included the mechanical design of various components essential to the nitriding process. A special stirring fan with an extended length shaft was designed, taking whirling speed into account. Considerable research was performed on the high temperature use of the various components to ensure the safe operation of the plant at temperatures of up to 600°C. Nitriding requires the use of hazardous gases such as ammonia, oxygen and nitrogen. Hydrogen is produced as a by-product and therefore safety was the most important design parameter. Thermohydraulic analyses, i.e. heat transfer and pressure drop calculations in pipes, were also performed to ensure the successful process design of the nitriding plant. The nitriding plant was subsequently constructed and operated to verify the correct design. A large amount of experimental and operating data was captured during the actual operation of the plant. This data was analysed and the thermohydraulic analyses were verified. Nitrided specimens were subjected to hardness and layer thickness tests. The measured temperature of the protruding fan shaft was within the limits predicted by Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models. Graphs of gas flow rates and other operation data confirmed the inverse proportionality between ammonia supply flow rate and measured dissociation rate. The design and operation of the nitriding plant were successful as a nitride layer thickness of 400 μm and hardness of 1 200 Vickers hardness (VHN) was achieved. This research proves that a large pressure vessel can successfully be nitrided using the vessel interior as a process chamber. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

In this thesis, quantum dynamical simulations are performed in order to describe the vibrational motion of diatomic molecules in a highly quantum environment, so-called helium droplets. We aim to reproduce and explain experimental findings which were obtained from dimers on helium droplets. Nanometer-sized helium droplets contain several thousands of 4-He atoms. They serve as a host for embedded atoms or molecules and provide an ultracold “refrigerator” for them. Spectroscopy of molecules in or on these droplets reveals information on both the molecule and the helium environment. The droplets are known to be in the superfluid He II phase. Superfluidity in nanoscale systems is a steadily growing field of research. Spectra obtained from full quantum simulations for the unperturbed dimer show deviations from measurements with dimers on helium droplets. These deviations result from the influence of the helium environment on the dimer dynamics. In this work, a well-established quantum optical master equation is used in order to describe the dimer dynamics effectively. The master equation allows to describe damping fully quantum mechanically. By employing that equation in the quantum dynamical simulation, one can study the role of dissipation and decoherence in dimers on helium droplets. The effective description allows to explain experiments with Rb-2 dimers on helium droplets. Here, we identify vibrational damping and associated decoherence as the main explanation for the experimental results. The relation between decoherence and dissipation in Morse-like systems at zero temperature is studied in more detail. The dissipative model is also used to investigate experiments with K-2 dimers on helium droplets. However, by comparing numerical simulations with experimental data, one finds that further mechanisms are active. Here, a good agreement is obtained through accounting for rapid desorption of dimers. We find that decoherence occurs in the electronic manifold of the molecule. Finally, we are able to examine whether superfluidity of the host does play a role in these experiments. / In dieser Dissertation werden quantendynamische Simulationen durchgeführt, um die Schwingungsbewegung zweiatomiger Moleküle in einer hochgradig quantenmechanischen Umgebung, sogenannten Heliumtröpfchen, zu beschreiben. Unser Ziel ist es, experimentelle Befunde zu reproduzieren und zu erklären, die von Dimeren auf Heliumtröpfchen erhalten wurden. Nanometergroße Heliumtröpfchen enthalten einige tausend 4-He Atome. Sie dienen als Wirt für eingebettete Atome oder Moleküle und stellen für dieseeinen ultrakalten „Kühlschrank“ bereit. Durch Spektroskopie mit Molekülen in oder auf diesen Tröpfchen erhält man Informationen sowohl über das Molekül selbst als auch über die Heliumumgebung. Man weiß, dass sich die Tröpfchen in der suprafluiden He II Phase befinden. Suprafluidität in Nanosystemen ist ein stetig wachsendes Forschungsgebiet. Spektren, die für das ungestörte Dimer durch voll quantenmechanische Simulationen erhalten werden, weichen von Messungen mit Dimeren auf Heliumtröpfchen ab. Diese Abweichungen lassen sich auf den Einfluss der Heliumumgebung auf die Dynamik des Dimers zurückführen. In dieser Arbeit wird eine etablierte quantenoptische Mastergleichung verwendet, um die Dynamik des Dimers effektiv zu beschreiben. Die Mastergleichung erlaubt es, Dämpfung voll quantenmechanisch zu beschreiben. Durch Verwendung dieser Gleichung in der Quantendynamik-Simulation lässt sich die Rolle von Dissipation und Dekohärenz in Dimeren auf Heliumtröpfchen untersuchen. Die effektive Beschreibung erlaubt es, Experimente mit Rb-2 Dimeren zu erklären. In diesen Untersuchungen wird Dissipation und die damit verbundene Dekohärenz im Schwingungsfreiheitsgrad als maßgebliche Erklärung für die experimentellen Resultate identifiziert. Die Beziehung zwischen Dekohärenz und Dissipation in Morse-artigen Systemen bei Temperatur Null wird genauer untersucht. Das Dissipationsmodell wird auch verwendet, um Experimente mit K-2 Dimeren auf Heliumtröpfchen zu untersuchen. Wie sich beim Vergleich von numerischen Simulationen mit experimentellen Daten allerdings herausstellt, treten weitere Mechanismen auf. Eine gute Übereinstimmung wird erzielt, wenn man eine schnelle Desorption der Dimere berücksichtigt. Wir stellen fest, dass ein Dekohärenzprozess im elektronischen Freiheitsgrad des Moleküls auftritt. Schlussendlich sind wir in der Lage herauszufinden, ob Suprafluidität des Wirts in diesen Experimenten eine Rolle spielt.

La spectroscopie d’émission est un outil puissant pour obtenir des informations sur lesprocessus microscopiques dans un plasma de décharge hors-équilibre (décharge couronne)dans des milieux denses tels que le gaz supercritique à haute pression et les liquides. Lesobservations spectroscopiques de la lumière émise à partir d'une zone d'ionisation créée parune décharge entre une pointe fine et un plan sont utilisées pour caractériser l'environnementlocal des atomes ou des molécules émettrices. Les caractéristiques spectrales observablesétant sensibles à l'environnement immédiat de l'espèce émettrice, rend la spectroscopieoptique très utile pour l'étude du plasma hors-équilibre en fonction des paramètres du milieu(pression et température).Dans ce travail, nous avons étudié les caractéristiques courant-tension et lacomposition spectrale d’un cryoplasma initié par une décharge couronne dans l'hélium liquideet gazeux à des températures cryogéniques. Ces expériences ont été effectuées pour un certainnombre de températures fixes de 300 K à 4,2 K dans une plage de pression de 0,1 à 10 MPa.Ces conditions couvrent une large région des états thermodynamiques de la matière avec unedensité d'environ 1019 cm-3 pour le gaz à une densité de 2*1022 cm-3 pour le liquide. / Fluorescence spectroscopy is a powerful tool to obtain information on microscopicprocesses in non-equilibrium discharge plasma (corona) in dense media such as high pressuresupercritical gas and even liquids. Spectroscopic observations of the light emitted from anionization zone near a tip electrode can be used to determine structural information of thelocal environment of the emitting atoms or molecules. The spectral features observable aresensitive to the immediate surroundings of the emitting species, which makes emissionspectroscopy very useful for study of the cold nonequilibrium plasma varying the pressureand the temperature.In this work, we have studied the current-voltage characteristics and spectralcomposition of helium cryoplasma initiated with a corona discharge in gaseous and liquidhelium. A cryoplasma has been realized in laboratory conditions using corona discharge ingaseous and liquid Helium at cryogenic temperatures of the matter. Experiments were carriedout at a number of fixed temperatures from 300 K down to 4.2 K within the pressure range0.1÷10 MPa. The conditions covered a wide region of thermodynamic states of the mattersuch as from a gas with density of ~1019 cm-3 up to liquid Helium with density of 2*1022cm-3.