This thesis work concerns about the importance of the cast surfaces, surface phenomenon such as the formation of the oscillation marks and exudation and related defects including cracks and segregation that happened during the continuous casting. All of the investigated materials were collected during the plant trials while an in-depth analysis on these materials was performed at the laboratory scale with certain explanations supported by the schematic and theoretical models. The work consists on different material classes such as steels and phosphor bronzes with a focus on the surface defects and their improvements. In order to facilitate the theoretical analysis which could be capable of explaining the suggested phenomenon in the thesis, a reduced model is developed which required lesser computational resources with lesser convergence problems. / <p>QC 20160527</p> / Oscilation mark formation during continous casting of steel

Les oxynitrures dopés terre rare présentent des propriétés intéressantes pour un usage en tant que luminophore pour LEDs blanches. Une nouvelle famille de luminophores dopés Eu2+ ou Ce3+ avec un réseau hôte oxynitrure de structure apatite a été étudiée : La8+xSr2-x(Si/Ge)6NyO26+x/2-3/2y. L’ammonolyse d’un précurseur oxyde de structure apatite a été utilisée comme technique générale de nitruration. Elle a permis de diminuer substantiellement la température de nitruration en comparaison avec la méthode classique par réaction à l’état solide sous atmosphère mixte N2/H2. Les différentes luminescences des luminophores obtenus ont été étudiées et corrélées à la structure cristalline à l’aide de différentes techniques de caractérisation.La structure apatite présente notamment la particularité de proposer plusieurs sites anioniques pour l’introduction de l’azote ainsi que deux sites cationiques pour les ions terre rare activateurs. L’utilisation de nombreuses techniques de caractérisation (IR, Raman, RMN, diffraction des neutrons) a permis d’obtenir des informations sur la position de l’azote. En parallèle, la comparaison des propriétés optiques avec celles de composés réduits sous Ar/H2 a permis d’attribuer les émissions aux différents sites cristallins disponibles dans la structure. Des mesures de rendement quantique ainsi que des tentatives d’optimisation des propriétés de luminescence ont été effectuées. / Rare-earth doped oxynitrides have attracted much attention as phosphors for white LEDs. A new family of Ce3+ or Eu2+-doped oxynitride phosphors with the apatite structure has been studied: La8+xSr2-x(Si/Ge)6NyO26+x/2-3/2y. The ammonolysis of an apatite oxide precursor has been used as a general method of synthesis, allowing decreasing the nitriding temperature respective to the classical solid state reaction in N2/H2 atmosphere. The luminescence properties of the obtained phosphors have been studied and relationships with the crystalline structure have been drawn.The apatite structure shows several crystallographic sites available for nitrogen as well as two cationic sites for optically active rare-earth ions. Several structural characterization technique have been used (IR, Raman, NMR, Neutron diffraction) and important information has been obtained concerning the nitrogen distribution in the available positions of the crystal structure. Comparison of the luminescent properties with those of compounds reduced under Ar/H2 allowed attributing emissions to the different crystallographic sites available in the structure.Quantum efficiency measurements have been carried out as well as trials for improving the intensity of the luminescent properties.

O fósforo é um elemento-chave para a manutenção da vida, desde os processos de transferência energética (ATP) até a estruturação das cadeias de ácidos nucléicos. Frequentemente é o que mais limita o desenvolvimento vegetativo em função da alta reatividade do PO43- na solução do solo. Mais de 80% do P adicionado ao solo pode ser imobilizado na forma de compostos de baixa labilidade, adsorvendo-se as superfícies das argilas e dos oxi-hidróxidos de Fe3+ e Al3+, processo irreversível em condições naturais. A solubilização do P não lábil às plantas é possível mediante a liberação de ácidos orgânicos sintetizados por micro-organismos nativos do solo, os quais também contribuem efetivamente com a mineralização do P orgânico através da produção de enzimas (fosfatases), entretanto, esses mecanismos ainda são pouco conhecidos. O principal objetivo desse estudo foi correlacionar as possíveis mudanças nas frações orgânicas (Po) e inorgânicas (Pi) de fósforo no solo rizosférico de plantas de cana-de-açúcar com a estrutura e a diversidade do seu microbioma. Para tanto, as plantas foram cultivadas durante 180 dias em diferentes microcosmos com fosfato monoamônico (MAP), superfosfato triplo (SFT) e fosfato natural reativo (NAT), tanto na ausência quanto na presença da torta de filtro. As diferentes frações de fósforo no solo rizosférico foram correlacionadas com os dados moleculares baseados no sequenciamento parcial dos amplicons do gene 16S rRNA obtidos do DNA total extraído desses solos. Aos 60 dias, houve uma maior diversidade geral de bactérias, sendo um período com altos teores de P-lábil na rizosfera, beneficiando principalmente as bactérias de hábitos copiotróficas (r-estrategistas): divisão Halophaga/Acidobacterium, Chloracidobacteria e Bacilli. A diminuição da diversidade aos 120 dias ocorreu como resposta da redução dos teores de P-lábil na rizosfera, beneficiando mais as bactérias oligotróficos (k-estrategistas): Actinobacteria e Proteobacterias. A associação da torta de filtro com o MAP revelou fortes indícios do aumento do processo de mineralização na superfície do solo, uma vez que houve rápida liberação de P lábil para a rizosfera. Isso teria aumentado a atividade de micro-organismos envolvidos na mineralização da torta de filtro, havendo forte correlação com o aumento da população de &beta;-Proteobacteria aos 120 dias. Neste período, as Proteobacterias foram mais abundantes nos solos com NAT+torta. Isso explicaria o incremento de P moderadamente lábil desse tratamento aos 180 dias, pois esse filo possui várias espécies capazes de solubilizar o P ligado ao Ca, presente nos fosfatos de rocha. No geral, a torta de filtro alterou a solubilização e disponibilidade do P nas fontes minerais de modo diferente, contribuindo com os incrementos tanto das frações de Po como as de Pi. Esses resultados demonstraram que as bactérias participam ativamente dos processos de disponibilização do P de fontes minerais no solo. Nessas condições, a torta de filtro pode modular essas transferências, em benefício às plantas, por estimular a atividade de micro-organismos solubilizadores de P e mineralizadores da matéria orgânica do solo. / Phosphorus is a key element for the maintenance of life from the energy transfer processes (ATP) to the structuring of chains of nucleic acids. Often, it is more limited vegetative growth due to the high reactivity of PO43- in the soil solution. Up to 80% of P added to the soil can be immobilized as low-labile compounds adsorbing to the clay surfaces and oxy-hydroxides of Fe3+ and Al3+, irreversible process under natural conditions. Solubilization of non-labile P by plants may be carried out for organic acids synthesized by native soil microorganisms, which also effectively contribute for mineralization of organic P through the production of enzymes (phosphatases) although these mechanisms are still poorly understood. The main objective of this study was to correlate the changes in the organic (Po) and inorganic (Pi) fractions of P in the rhizosphere of sugarcane plants with the structure and diversity in their microbiome. Therefore, the plants were grown for 180 days in different microcosms with monoammonium phosphate (MAP), triple superphosphate (TSP) and rock phosphate (NAT), both in absence and in presence of the filter cake. The different P fractions in the rhizosphere soil were correlated with the molecular data based on the partial sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons obtained from total DNA extracted from soils. At 60 days, there was a greater overall diversity of bacteria, it is a period with high labile-P in the rhizosphere, especially benefiting the copiotrophic bacteria (r-strategists): Halophaga/Acidobacterium division, Chloracidobacteria and Bacilli. The decrease in diversity at 120 days occurred in response to the reduction of labile-P content in the rhizosphere, more benefiting oligotrophic bacteria (k-strategists): Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. The association filter cake with MAP showed strong evidence of increased mineralization process on the soil surface, since there was rapid release of labile P to the rhizosphere. It would have increased the activity of microorganisms involved in the mineralization of the filter cake with a strong correlation with increase in &beta;-Proteobacteria population at 120 days. Then, Proteobacteria were more abundant in soils with NAT+filtercake at 120 days. That would explain the increases in moderately labile P content this treatment at 180 days, because this phylum has several species capable of solubilizing the P linked to Ca present in rock phosphates. In general, filter cake changed solubilization and availability of P in mineral sources of different ways, contributing to the increments of Po and Pi fractions. These results showed that bacteria participate in the processes that afford phosphorus in the soil. Under these conditions, the filter cake can modulate these transfers in beneficial to plants by stimulating the activity of P solubilizing microorganisms and mineralizing the soil organic matter.

O desenvolvimento tecnológico busca fatores que possibilitem uma menor exposição do paciente e profissional aos raios ionizantes, maior agilidade no atendimento ao paciente e maior auxilio no desenvolvimento do diagnóstico final. Assim a associação entre informática e radiologia básica, traduzidas como radiologia digital, fez-se conseguir os fatores buscados. Uma ferramenta dos sistema digitais é a calibração prévia às medidas. Com essas observações avaliamos tais ferramentas de três sistemas de radiografias digitais, objetivando validar e comprovar sua eficácia nas metodologias dos trabalhos presentes e futuros. Para tanto utilizamos 20 dentes humanos secos provindos do Banco de Dentes Permanentes da FOUSP, os quais foram radiografados com o auxílio de três sistemas de radiografia digital, direto e semidireto (Digora, RVG Trophy e Visualix). O padrão ouro das medidas dos dentes foi a verificação das dimensões dos dentes por meio de um paquímetro digital e posteriormente comparados os seus padrões de medidas com os softwares dos respectivos sistema. Os resultados foram analisados estatisticamente pelo ANOVA (métodos de Tukey e Dunnett), chegando às seguintes conclusões: existe diferença significante entre os aparelhos p<0,001; a média das medidas obtidas houve diferença significante (p<0,001) com o aparelho Digora foi menor que as médias obtidas com os aparelhos das marcas Visualix e RVG; considerando-se o padrão A e o padrão B de calibragem, não existe diferença estatística significante entre os avaliadores; considerando-se a calibragem sem padrão, um dos avaliadores obteve média mais elevada que os demais avaliadores no caso das medidas realizadas com o aparelho Digora, porém este fato não se repetiu quando da utilização dos outros aparelhos; comparando-se as medidas de referência (paquímetro) observa-se que mais uma vez o aparelho Digora (padrão A, padrão B e sem padrão) apresentou diferença significativa; os aparelhos das marcas Visualix e RVG não mostraram diferenças significativas quando comparados com o valor de referência. / Technological development aims at reducing exposure of both the professional and the patient to ionizing radiation, improving patient treatment and aiding final diagnosis. The combination of computer technology and radiology, i.e. digital radiography, has made this possible. One of the tools of digital radiography systems is calibration prior to measurement. The purpose of this study was to assess the calibration tools of three digital radiography systems to verify their efficacy. Twenty human teeth obtained from the Human Teeth Bank of the School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, were used. The dry teeth were radiographed using three different direct digital radiography systems Digora, RVG Trophy and Visualix. The measurements of the teeth obtained with a digital caliper were considered the gold standard. These measurements were later compared with those obtained using the digital systems. The results were submitted to ANOVA (methods of Tukey and Dunnett), and the following conclusions were drawn: there was a significant difference between the systems used (p < 0.001); the averages of the measurements obtained with the three systems were significantly different (p<0,001). Visualix and RVG were more accurate than Digora considering A and B calibration standards, no significant difference was observed between the examiners; when there was no calibration standard and the Digora system was used, one examiner obtained more high averages measurements than the others; when there was no calibration standard and Visualix or RVG systems were used, no differences were observed between the examiners; the measurements obtained with Digora system (standards A, B or no standard) were statistically different from the gold standard the measurements obtained with Visualix and RVG systems presented no significant difference when compared with the gold standard.

O fósforo é um elemento-chave para a manutenção da vida, desde os processos de transferência energética (ATP) até a estruturação das cadeias de ácidos nucléicos. Frequentemente é o que mais limita o desenvolvimento vegetativo em função da alta reatividade do PO43- na solução do solo. Mais de 80% do P adicionado ao solo pode ser imobilizado na forma de compostos de baixa labilidade, adsorvendo-se as superfícies das argilas e dos oxi-hidróxidos de Fe3+ e Al3+, processo irreversível em condições naturais. A solubilização do P não lábil às plantas é possível mediante a liberação de ácidos orgânicos sintetizados por micro-organismos nativos do solo, os quais também contribuem efetivamente com a mineralização do P orgânico através da produção de enzimas (fosfatases), entretanto, esses mecanismos ainda são pouco conhecidos. O principal objetivo desse estudo foi correlacionar as possíveis mudanças nas frações orgânicas (Po) e inorgânicas (Pi) de fósforo no solo rizosférico de plantas de cana-de-açúcar com a estrutura e a diversidade do seu microbioma. Para tanto, as plantas foram cultivadas durante 180 dias em diferentes microcosmos com fosfato monoamônico (MAP), superfosfato triplo (SFT) e fosfato natural reativo (NAT), tanto na ausência quanto na presença da torta de filtro. As diferentes frações de fósforo no solo rizosférico foram correlacionadas com os dados moleculares baseados no sequenciamento parcial dos amplicons do gene 16S rRNA obtidos do DNA total extraído desses solos. Aos 60 dias, houve uma maior diversidade geral de bactérias, sendo um período com altos teores de P-lábil na rizosfera, beneficiando principalmente as bactérias de hábitos copiotróficas (r-estrategistas): divisão Halophaga/Acidobacterium, Chloracidobacteria e Bacilli. A diminuição da diversidade aos 120 dias ocorreu como resposta da redução dos teores de P-lábil na rizosfera, beneficiando mais as bactérias oligotróficos (k-estrategistas): Actinobacteria e Proteobacterias. A associação da torta de filtro com o MAP revelou fortes indícios do aumento do processo de mineralização na superfície do solo, uma vez que houve rápida liberação de P lábil para a rizosfera. Isso teria aumentado a atividade de micro-organismos envolvidos na mineralização da torta de filtro, havendo forte correlação com o aumento da população de &beta;-Proteobacteria aos 120 dias. Neste período, as Proteobacterias foram mais abundantes nos solos com NAT+torta. Isso explicaria o incremento de P moderadamente lábil desse tratamento aos 180 dias, pois esse filo possui várias espécies capazes de solubilizar o P ligado ao Ca, presente nos fosfatos de rocha. No geral, a torta de filtro alterou a solubilização e disponibilidade do P nas fontes minerais de modo diferente, contribuindo com os incrementos tanto das frações de Po como as de Pi. Esses resultados demonstraram que as bactérias participam ativamente dos processos de disponibilização do P de fontes minerais no solo. Nessas condições, a torta de filtro pode modular essas transferências, em benefício às plantas, por estimular a atividade de micro-organismos solubilizadores de P e mineralizadores da matéria orgânica do solo. / Phosphorus is a key element for the maintenance of life from the energy transfer processes (ATP) to the structuring of chains of nucleic acids. Often, it is more limited vegetative growth due to the high reactivity of PO43- in the soil solution. Up to 80% of P added to the soil can be immobilized as low-labile compounds adsorbing to the clay surfaces and oxy-hydroxides of Fe3+ and Al3+, irreversible process under natural conditions. Solubilization of non-labile P by plants may be carried out for organic acids synthesized by native soil microorganisms, which also effectively contribute for mineralization of organic P through the production of enzymes (phosphatases) although these mechanisms are still poorly understood. The main objective of this study was to correlate the changes in the organic (Po) and inorganic (Pi) fractions of P in the rhizosphere of sugarcane plants with the structure and diversity in their microbiome. Therefore, the plants were grown for 180 days in different microcosms with monoammonium phosphate (MAP), triple superphosphate (TSP) and rock phosphate (NAT), both in absence and in presence of the filter cake. The different P fractions in the rhizosphere soil were correlated with the molecular data based on the partial sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons obtained from total DNA extracted from soils. At 60 days, there was a greater overall diversity of bacteria, it is a period with high labile-P in the rhizosphere, especially benefiting the copiotrophic bacteria (r-strategists): Halophaga/Acidobacterium division, Chloracidobacteria and Bacilli. The decrease in diversity at 120 days occurred in response to the reduction of labile-P content in the rhizosphere, more benefiting oligotrophic bacteria (k-strategists): Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. The association filter cake with MAP showed strong evidence of increased mineralization process on the soil surface, since there was rapid release of labile P to the rhizosphere. It would have increased the activity of microorganisms involved in the mineralization of the filter cake with a strong correlation with increase in &beta;-Proteobacteria population at 120 days. Then, Proteobacteria were more abundant in soils with NAT+filtercake at 120 days. That would explain the increases in moderately labile P content this treatment at 180 days, because this phylum has several species capable of solubilizing the P linked to Ca present in rock phosphates. In general, filter cake changed solubilization and availability of P in mineral sources of different ways, contributing to the increments of Po and Pi fractions. These results showed that bacteria participate in the processes that afford phosphorus in the soil. Under these conditions, the filter cake can modulate these transfers in beneficial to plants by stimulating the activity of P solubilizing microorganisms and mineralizing the soil organic matter.

Pour réduire significativement les émissions de CO2 dans les moteurs à combustion interne, un levier majeur est la réduction des pertes thermiques pariétales lors de la combustion. Ces pertes présentent un pic de plusieurs MW/m2 près du point mort haut, et sont liées à des phénomènes complexes d'interaction flamme-paroi qui dépendent du mode de combustion. Afin de mieux appréhender les phénomènes associés, il est nécessaire de caractériser le flux thermique à des échelles temporelles inférieures à la milliseconde.Dans ces travaux, une machine à compression rapide et une cellule à précombustion à volume constant sont utilisées pour simuler les phénomènes de combustion rencontrés en moteurs. Des thermocouples à jonction fines permettent une mesure de flux thermique instantanée avec une résolution temporelle de 0.1 ms. Ces moyens d'essais permettent de reproduire trois modes de combustion : flamme de propagation, flamme de diffusion et auto-inflammation. Ces travaux permettent également d'évaluer les différentes technologies envisageables de mesure de transfert thermique en combustion (thermocouples, thermorésistances et thermométrie phosphore rapide) au regard des caractéristiques métrologiques requises par la rapidité des phénomènes mis en jeu.Le flux lors du transfert thermique atteint des valeurs de plusieurs MW/m2 avec une forme qui dépend du mode de combustion. Le flux lors de la propagation d'une flamme prémélangée est dominé par un pic lors de l'interaction flamme paroi,d'environ 5 MW/m2 et de durée 0.5 ms. Le flux lors de la combustion d'un jet Diesel est approximativement un plateau pendant la durée de l'injection ; il est dominé par l'effet d'entraînement d'air par le jet qui cause une augmentation du coefficient de transfert convectif jusqu'à des valeurs de 10 kW/m2/K, l'augmentation de température liée à la combustion étant secondaire. Dans le cas d'ondes de pression générées par une auto-inflammation rapides de gaz(cliquetis lors d'un allumage commandé ou HCCI à fort contenu énergétique), une corrélation est observée entre l'intensité du cliquetis et le flux thermique associé, quel que soit le mode de combustion qui génère les oscillations de pression. Le flux lors du cliquetis est 3 à 5 fois plus élevé que lors d'une combustion par flamme de propagation comparable. / CO2 emissions in internal combustion engines are linked with inefficiencies due to wall heat losses during combustion.Those losses exhibit a sharp peak of a few MW/m2 close to top dead center and are linked to complex flame/wall interaction phenomena that vary with the combustion mode. A fine understanding of the associated phenomena requires experimental characterization of wall heat flux with a time resolution better than the millisecond. In this PhD work, a rapid compression machine and a precombustion cell are used to reproduce engine combustion phenomena. Thin-junction thermocouples allow an instantaneous measurement of the wall heat flux with a time resolution of 0.1 ms. Three combustion modes are generated: propagation flame, diffusion flame and auto-ignition.Different possible measurement technologies and procedures (thermocouples, thermoresistances and rapid phosphor thermometry) are compared and benchmarked against the features of combustion phenomena. Flux during wall heat transfer reaches values of a few MW/m2 and its shape varies with the combustion mode. During premixed flame propagation, flux is dominated by a peak during flame-wall interaction of about 5 MW/m2 in amplitude and 0.5 ms in duration. During Diesel combustion, heat flux is approximately constant during the injection duration; itsevolution is driven by an increase of the convection coefficient up to 10 kW/m2/K, which is attributed to air entrainment by the spray; the temperature increase from combustion is considered a second-order effect. During combustion presenting a pressure wave propagation (e.g. knock for some spark-ignition cases or HCCI with high energy content), the intensity of pressure oscillations and wall heat flux are shown to be correlated. That correlation is independent of the phenomenon creating the pressure wave; heat flux during knock is 3-5 times higher than for a comparable premixed propagation flame.

Ces dernières années les semi-conducteurs à base de InGaN sont devenus attractifs pour des applications d'éclairage. Les sources blanches à base de LED sont de plus en plus utilisées en raison de leur petite taille, leur longue durée de vie et leur faible consommation d'énergie. Malheureusement les LED utilisées dans ces dispositifs subissent une perte de rendement quantique externe quand leur courant d'alimentation augmente. Ceci se traduit par un décalage du maximum d'émission ainsi qu'un élargissement spectral. Ces variations d'émission impactent la conversion de lumière bleue en lumière blanche, ce qui diminue l'efficacité du procédé. Une méthode alternative pour obtenir de la lumière blanche en travaillant à forte puissance serait l'utilisation de diodes laser (DL) à la place des LED. Contrairement aux LED, elles sont moins affectées par les pertes d'efficacité. La puissance lumineuse et le rendement quantique externe des diodes laser augmentent linéairement avec le courant d'alimentation, ce qui maintient la stabilité de la lumière blanche produite. / In past few years InGaN-based semiconductors have attracted much more attention for application in solid-state lighting sources. Recently, their usage is constantly increasing on worldwide market. High-brightness white LEDs have been used due to their size, long life and energy saving. However, LEDs used in light sources suffer from a loss in external quantum efficiency as an operating current increases. This loss may lead to a shift in peak emission wavelength and broadening of emission spectrum. Laser diodes, in contrary to LEDs, do not suffer this loss. The output power increases linearly with injection current. Moreover, they can reach higher luminosity, for the same power, than LEDs. Additionally, laser-based devices can be operated in reflection mode, allowing for the phosphor to be placed on a reflection substrate that may also act as a heat sink to effectively dissipate heat away from the phosphor.

The materials Fe���(Si,Ge)(S,Se)���, Cu���PS[subscript 4-x]Se[subscript x] (0 ��� x ��� 4), and Cu���PxAs[subscript 1-x]S��� (0 ��� x ��� 1) have been synthesized and studied as new earth-abundant absorbers for single and multijunction photovoltaic cells as well as solar fuel generation. The synthesis, single-crystal growth, and optical and electrical properties of these materials are described and discussed in Chapter 2, 3, and 4. Inspired by the photovoltaic absorber Cu���ZnSnS���, the new compound CuZnPS��� has been discovered; its structure and properties are discussed in Chapter 5, including a comparative analysis to Cu���PS���. The compound YZrF��� (Chapter 6) has been synthesized and evaluated for the first time as a new optical host for green up-conversion. / Graduation date: 2013

The temperature and thermal stress distributions and variations of the high power LED module were studied in this work. The thermal-elastic-plastic 3D finite element models of MSC.marc software package are employed to simulate these performances for the high power LED module. Two high power white light LED module designs are investigated¡G one is the traditional phosphorescent silicone with blue LED module and the other is a phosphor glass lens with blue LED module. The distributions of temperature and thermal stress of in these two operating LED modules are compared and discussed. The effects of different packaging parameters¡Ge.g. bonding materials, substrate materials, lens materials on the temperature and thermal stress have also been studied in this work. The simulated results reveal that the serious thermal crack may occur for these two designs if the power of single die is over 10 watt. The simulated results also indicate that an attached fin cooler may improve these thermal crack disadvantaged significantly. The effect of fin design parameters on the peak temperature reduction has studied. A feasible fin design for the high power LED module has also been proposed.

Οι ενδογενείς ιδιότητες των φθοριζόντων υλικών ανιχνευτών ιατρικής απεικόνισης, παίζουν πολύ σημαντικό ρόλο στην απόδοση των ενισχυτικών πινακίδων που χρησιμοποιούνται σε ιατρικά απεικονιστικά συστήματα. Σε προηγούμενες μελέτες φθοριζόντων υλικών κοκκώδους μορφής, είτε με αναλυτικές μεθόδους είτε με τεχνικές Monte Carlo, οι τιμές των οπτικών παραμέτρων καθώς και οι πιθανότητες αλληλεπίδρασης του φωτός υπολογίστηκαν με τη βοήθεια τεχνικών προσαρμογής (fitting) σε πειραματικά δεδομένα. Ωστόσο, είχε παρατηρηθεί ότι στηριζόμενοι σε πειραματικά δεδομένα και τεχνικές προσαρμογής, οι οπτικοί παράμετροι ενός συγκεκριμένου υλικού μεταβάλλονται εντός ενός σημαντικού εύρους τιμών (π.χ. είχαν δημοσιευτεί, για το ίδιο πάχος υλικού διαφορετικές τιμές ενεργούς διατομής οπτικής σκέδασης). Στην παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή αναπτύχθηκε ένα υπολογιστικό μοντέλο προσωμοίωσης φθοριζόντων υλικών κοκκώδους μορφής, με τεχνικές Monte Carlo, με σκοπό τη μελέτη διάδοσης των ακτίνων-χ και του φωτός. Το μοντέλο στηρίχθηκε μόνο στις φυσικές ιδιότητες των φθοριζόντων υλικών. Κάνοντας χρήση της θεωρίας σκέδασης Mie και με τη βοήθεια του μιγαδικού συντελεστή διάθλασης των υλικών, χρησιμοποιήθηκαν μικροσκοπικές πιθανότητες αλληλεπίδρασης του φωτός. Η εγκυρότητα του μοντέλου πιστοποιήθηκε συγκρίνοντας αποτελέσματα (π.χ. ποσοστό απορρόφησης ακτίνων-χ, στατιστική κατανομή μετατροπής των ακτίνων-χ σε φωτόνια φωτός, αριθμός εκπεμπόμενων οπτικών φωτονίων, κατανομή του φωτός στην έξοδο του ανιχνευτή) με δημοσιευμένα πειραματικά δεδομένα για το φθορίζον υλικό Gd2O2S:Tb (ενισχυτική πινακίδα τύπου Kodak Min-R). Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν την εξάρτηση της συνάρτησης μεταφοράς διαμόρφωσης (MTF) από το μέγεθος του κόκκου και από τον αριθμό των κόκκων ανα μονάδα μάζας (πακετοποιημένη πυκνότητα: packing density). Προβλέφθηκε ότι ενισχυτικές πινακίδες με φθορίζον υλικό υψηλού αριθμού κόκκων ανά μονάδα όγκου και χαμηλής τιμής μεγέθους κόκκου μπορούν να παρουσιάσουν καλύτερη απόδοση ως προς την ποσότητα και την κατανομή του εκπεμπόμενου φωτός σε σχέση με τις συμβατικές ενισχυτικές πινακίδες, κάτω απ’ τις ίδιες πειραματικές συνθήκες (π.χ. ενέργεια ακτίνων-χ, πάχος ενισχυτικής πινακίδας). / The intrinsic phosphor properties are of significant importance for the performance of phosphor screens used in medical imaging systems. In previous analytical-theoretical and Monte Carlo studies on granular phosphor materials, values of optical properties and light interaction cross sections were found by fitting to experimental data. These values were then employed for the assessment of phosphor screen imaging performance. However, it was found that, depending on the experimental technique and fitting methodology, the optical parameters of a specific phosphor material varied within a wide range of values, i.e. variations of light scattering with respect to light absorption coefficients were often observed for the same phosphor material. In this study, x-ray and light transport within granular phosphor materials were studied by developing a computational model using Monte Carlo methods. The model was based on the intrinsic physical characteristics of the phosphor. Input values required to feed the model can be easily obtained from tabulated data. The complex refractive index was introduced and microscopic probabilities for light interactions were produced, using Mie scattering theory. Model validation was carried out by comparing model results on x-ray and light parameters (x-ray absorption, statistical fluctuations in the x-ray to light conversion process, number of emitted light photons, output light spatial distribution) with previous published experimental data on Gd2O2S:Tb phosphor material (Kodak Min-R screen). Results showed the dependence of the modulation transfer function (MTF) on phosphor grain size and material packing density. It was predicted that granular Gd2O2S:Tb screens of high packing density and small grain size may exhibit considerably better resolution and light emission properties than the conventional Gd2O2S:Tb screens, under similar conditions (x-ray incident energy, screen thickness).