Quantum Beam Science

11 pages, 9030 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

High-Transmission Neutron Optical Devices Utilizing Micro-Machined Structures

by Connor Kapahi, Dusan Sarenac, Markus Bleuel, David G. Cory, Benjamin Heacock, Melissa E. Henderson, Michael G. Huber, Ivar Taminiau and Dmitry Pushin

Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7010010 - 13 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2145

Abstract

Neutrons are a powerful probe in material science with unique penetrating abilities. A major challenge stems from the fact that neutron optical devices are limited to refractive indices on the order of

n \approx 1 \pm 10^{- 5}

. By exploiting advances [...] Read more.

Neutrons are a powerful probe in material science with unique penetrating abilities. A major challenge stems from the fact that neutron optical devices are limited to refractive indices on the order of

n \approx 1 \pm 10^{- 5}

. By exploiting advances in precision manufacturing, we designed and constructed micro-meter period triangular grating with a high-aspect ratio of

14.3

. The manufacturing quality is demonstrated with white-light interferometric data and microscope imaging. Neutron-scattering experiment results are presented, showing agreement with refraction modelling. The capabilities of neutron Fresnel prisms and lenses based on this design are contrasted with existing neutron focusing techniques, and the path separation of a prism-based neutron interferometer is estimated. Full article

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16 pages, 3408 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating Brazilian Paintings from the 19th Century by MA-XRF

by André Pimenta, Valter Felix, Matheus Oliveira, Miguel Andrade, Marcelo Oliveira and Renato Freitas

Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7010009 - 8 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2459

Abstract

In this work, four artworks dating from the 19th century by Brazilian painters Firmino Monteiro, Henrique Bernardelli, and Eliseu Visconti were analyzed by MA-XRF. Pb-L, Fe-K, and Hg-L were the main elemental maps obtained in all paintings. In the artworks of Henrique Bernardelli [...] Read more.

In this work, four artworks dating from the 19th century by Brazilian painters Firmino Monteiro, Henrique Bernardelli, and Eliseu Visconti were analyzed by MA-XRF. Pb-L, Fe-K, and Hg-L were the main elemental maps obtained in all paintings. In the artworks of Henrique Bernardelli and Eliseu Visconti, maps of Cr-K and Co-K were also obtained. These results indicate that these Brazilian painters from the 19th century used few pigments to create their paintings, with the different hues coming mainly from ocher pigments. Using correlation image methods, no intentional mixtures of pigments made by the painters were found. These results indicate that the three painters used similar materials and techniques for preparing their pigments. These similarities are confirmed through statistical analysis by non-negative matrix factorization (NMF). In this method, it was possible to verify that the main bases of the contribution of the data registered in each artwork are the same. The analysis also revealed that one of Eliseu Visconti’s paintings had an underlying painting, and another artwork by Eliseu Visconti contained a golden pigment with Cu and Zn. These results have helped art historians and conservators understand the creation process of Brazilian artists in the 19th century. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Macro X-ray Fluorescence Applications)

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15 pages, 12978 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neutron Stress Measurement of W/Ti Composite in Cryogenic Temperatures Using Time-of-Flight Method

by Masayuki Nishida, Stefanus Harjo, Takuro Kawasaki, Takayuki Yamashita and Wu Gong

Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7010008 - 7 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1679

Abstract

In this study, the thermal stress alterations generated in a tungsten fiber reinforced titanium composite (W/Ti composite) were evaluated by the neutron stress measurement method at cryogenic temperatures. The W/Ti composite thermal loads were repeated from room temperature to the cryogenic temperature (10 [...] Read more.

In this study, the thermal stress alterations generated in a tungsten fiber reinforced titanium composite (W/Ti composite) were evaluated by the neutron stress measurement method at cryogenic temperatures. The W/Ti composite thermal loads were repeated from room temperature to the cryogenic temperature (10 K), and alterations in thermal residual stress were evaluated using the neutron in situ stress measurement method. In this measurement, the stress alterations in the titanium matrix and the tungsten fibers were measured. This measurement was carried out by TAKUMI (MLF-BL19) of J-PARC, a neutron research facility in the Japan Atomic Agency. The measurement method of TAKUMI is the time-of-flight (TOF) method. Owing to this measurement method, the measurement time was significantly shortened compared to the angle-dispersion type measurement by a diffractometer. As a result of the measurement, large compressive stresses of about 1 GPa were generated in the tungsten fibers, and tensile stresses of about 100 MPa existed in the titanium matrix. The thermal stresses due to the temperature change between room temperature and cryogenic temperature is caused by the difference of thermal expansions between the tungsten fibers and the titanium matrix, and these stress values can be approximated by a simple elastic theory equation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Strain, Stress and Texture with Quantum Beams, 2nd Edition)

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16 pages, 4674 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Coulomb Spike Modelling of Ion Sputtering of Amorphous Water Ice

by Jean-Marc Costantini and Tatsuhiko Ogawa

Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7010007 - 28 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1765

Abstract

The effects of electronic excitations on the ion sputtering of water ice are not well understood even though there is a clear dependence of the sputtering yield on the electronic stopping power of high-energy ions. Ion sputtering of amorphous water ice induced by [...] Read more.

The effects of electronic excitations on the ion sputtering of water ice are not well understood even though there is a clear dependence of the sputtering yield on the electronic stopping power of high-energy ions. Ion sputtering of amorphous water ice induced by electronic excitations is modelled by using the Coulomb explosion approach. The momentum transfer to ionized target atoms in the Coulomb field that is generated by swift ion irradiation is computed. Positively charged ions produced inside tracks are emitted from the surface whenever the kinetic energy gained in the repulsive electrical field is higher than the surface binding energy. For that, the energy loss of deep-lying ions to reach the surface is taken into account in the sputtering yield and emitted ion velocity distribution. Monte Carlo simulations are carried out by taking into account the interactions of primary ions and secondary electrons (δ-rays) with the amorphous water ice medium. A jet-like anisotropic ion emission is found in the perpendicular direction in the angular distribution of the sputtering yield for normal incidence of 1-MeV protons. This directional emission decreases with an increasing incidence angle and vanishes for grazing incidence, in agreement with experimental data on several oxides upon swift ion irradiation. The role of the target material’s properties in this process is discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2022)

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9 pages, 2945 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design Considerations of the DUCK Detector System

by Dmitriy Beznosko, Valeriy Aseykin, Alexander Dyshkant, Alexander Iakovlev, Oleg Krivosheev, Tatiana Krivosheev and Valeriy Zhukov

Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7010006 - 2 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1742

Abstract

The article describes the development, design, and upcoming construction and deployment of core modules of DUCK (Detector system of Unusual Cosmic-ray casKades), a cosmic-rays detector system aimed to verify and further study the latest advances in the cosmic-rays field and participate in the [...] Read more.

The article describes the development, design, and upcoming construction and deployment of core modules of DUCK (Detector system of Unusual Cosmic-ray casKades), a cosmic-rays detector system aimed to verify and further study the latest advances in the cosmic-rays field and participate in the international collaborations searching for new types of events. The primary scientific goal for the DUCK project will be an independent verification of the detection of ‘unusual’ cosmic ray events by the Horizon-T detector system. A detailed study of events of this type is a vital step towards understanding the nature of cosmic rays, their origins, and details of interaction with the nuclei in the atmosphere. Further operations as part of the CREDO collaboration will contribute to the continued monitoring of the cosmic events. Additional intellectual value includes the design of the fast detection system with high timing resolution for cosmic events detection and the study of the temporal structure of extensive air showers that would also contribute to the current simulations. All the steps are conducted with student involvement and advance excellence in providing students with real research experience and competitive knowledge. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cosmic Ray Physics)

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28 pages, 1625 KiB

Open AccessReview

Overall Review on Recent Applications of Raman Spectroscopy Technique in Dentistry

by Iulian Otel

Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7010005 - 1 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3852

Abstract

The present paper reviews the applications of Raman spectroscopy in dentistry in the past two decades. This technique is considered a highly promising optical modality, widely used for the chemical identification and characterization of molecular structures, providing detailed information on the structural arrangement, [...] Read more.

The present paper reviews the applications of Raman spectroscopy in dentistry in the past two decades. This technique is considered a highly promising optical modality, widely used for the chemical identification and characterization of molecular structures, providing detailed information on the structural arrangement, crystal orientations, phase, and polymorphism, molecular interactions and effects of bonding, chemical surrounding environment, and stress on samples. Raman spectroscopy has been appropriate to investigate both organic and inorganic components of dental tissues since it provides accurate and precise spectral information on present minerals through the observation of the characteristic energies of their vibrational modes. This method is becoming progressively important in biomedical research, especially for non-invasiveness, non-destructiveness, high biochemical specificity, low water sensitivity, simplicity in analyzing spectral parameters, near-infrared region capability, and in vivo remote potential by means of fiber-optics. This paper will address the application of Raman spectroscopy in different fields of dentistry, found to be the most relevant and prevalent: early recognition of carious lesions; bleaching products performance; demineralizing effect from low-pH foods and acidic beverages; and efficiency of remineralization agents. Additionally, this review includes information on fiber-optic remote probe measurements. All described studies concern caries detection, enamel characterization, and assessment indicating how and to what extent Raman spectroscopy can be applied as a complementary diagnostic method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2022)

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21 pages, 8316 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Microscopic Depictions of Vanishing Shampoo Foam Examined by Time-of-Flight Small-Angle Neutron Scattering

by Satoshi Koizumi, Yohei Noda, Takumi Inada, Tomoki Maeda, Shiho Yada, Tomokazu Yoshimura, Hiroshi Shimosegawa, Hiroya Fujita, Munehiro Yamada and Yukako Matsue

Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7010004 - 29 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2190

Abstract

A novel surfactant of N–dodecanoyl–N–(2-hydroxyethyl)–β–alanine (coded as C₁₂–EtOH–βAla) was synthesized by modifying the methyl group of N–dodecanoyl–N–methyl–β–alanine (coded as C₁₂–Me–βAla). Amino-acid-type surfactants (C₁₂–EtOH– [...] Read more.

A novel surfactant of N–dodecanoyl–N–(2-hydroxyethyl)–β–alanine (coded as C₁₂–EtOH–βAla) was synthesized by modifying the methyl group of N–dodecanoyl–N–methyl–β–alanine (coded as C₁₂–Me–βAla). Amino-acid-type surfactants (C₁₂–EtOH–βAla and C₁₂–Me–βAla) are more healthy and environmentally friendly compared to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). To investigate the microstructures of these new surfactants, we employed a method of time-of-flight small-angle neutron scattering (TOF SANS) at a pulsed neutron source, Tokai Japan (J–PARC). The advances in TOF SANS enable simultaneous multiscale observations without changing the detector positions, which is usually necessary for SANS at the reactor or small-angle X-ray scattering. We performed in situ and real-time observations of microstructures of collapsing shampoo foam covering over a wide range of length scales from 100 to 0.1 nm. After starting an air pump, we obtained time-resolved SANS from smaller wave number, small-angle scattering attributed to (1) a single bimolecular layer with a disk shape, (2) micelles in a bimolecular layer, and (3) incoherent scattering due to the hydrogen atoms of surfactants. The micelle in the foam film was the same size as the micelle found in the solution before foaming. The film thickness (~27 nm) was stable for a long time (<3600 s), and we simultaneously found a Newton black film of 6 nm thickness at a long time limit (~1000 s). The incoherent scattering obtained with different contrasts using protonated and deuterated water was crucial to determining the water content in the foam film, which was about 10~5 wt%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Neutron Instrumentation, 2nd Edition)

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22 pages, 915 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Clonogenic Survival RBE Calculations in Carbon Ion Therapy: The Importance of the Absolute Values of α and β in the Photon Dose-Response Curve and a Strategy to Mitigate Their Anticorrelation

by Alessio Parisi, Chris J. Beltran and Keith M. Furutani

Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7010003 - 28 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2892

Abstract

The computation of the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) is a fundamental step in the planning of cancer radiotherapy treatments with accelerated ions. Numerical parameters derived analyzing the dose response of the chosen cell line after irradiation to photons (i.e., α and β, [...] Read more.

The computation of the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) is a fundamental step in the planning of cancer radiotherapy treatments with accelerated ions. Numerical parameters derived analyzing the dose response of the chosen cell line after irradiation to photons (i.e., α and β, namely the linear and quadratic terms of the linear-quadratic model of cell survival) are generally used as input to biophysical models to predict the ion RBE. The α/β ratio for the photon exposure is generally regarded as an indicator of cell radiosensitivity. However, previous studies suggest that α/β might not be a sufficient parameter to model the RBE of relatively high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation such as carbon ions. For a fixed α/β, the effect of the absolute values of α and β on the computed RBE is underexplored. Furthermore, since α and β are anticorrelated during the fit of the photon-exposed in vitro survival data, different linear-quadratic fits could produce different sets of α and β, thus affecting the RBE calculations. This article reports the combined effect of the α/β ratio and the absolute values α and β on the RBE computed with the Mayo Clinic Florida microdosimetric kinetic model (MCF MKM) for ¹²C ions of different LET. Furthermore, we introduce a theory-based strategy to potentially mitigate the anticorrelation between α and β during the fit of the photon dose-response biological data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2022)

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2 pages, 233 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Quantum Beam Science in 2022

by Quantum Beam Science Editorial Office

Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7010002 - 11 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1243

Abstract

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...] Full article

10 pages, 3658 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Automated Pulsed Magnet System for Neutron Diffraction Experiments at the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility in J-PARC

by Masao Watanabe, Takumi Kihara and Hiroyuki Nojiri

Quantum Beam Sci. 2023, 7(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs7010001 - 27 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2503

Abstract

A pulsed magnet system has been developed as a new user-friendly sample environment equipment at the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility in Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex. It comprises a vacuum chamber, a 4 K closed-cycle refrigerator for samples, and a nitrogen [...] Read more.

A pulsed magnet system has been developed as a new user-friendly sample environment equipment at the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility in Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex. It comprises a vacuum chamber, a 4 K closed-cycle refrigerator for samples, and a nitrogen bath made of a stainless-steel tube with a miniature solenoidal coil. The coil is cooled by liquid nitrogen supplied by an automatic liquid nitrogen supply system, and the sample is cooled by a refrigerator. This combination facilitates the automatic high magnetic field diffraction measurement for the user’s operation. A relatively large scattering angle 2θ is up to 42°, which is significantly wider than the previous setup. Neutron diffraction experiments were performed on a multiferroic TbMnO₃ and the field dependence of the diffraction peaks was clearly observed. The new pulsed magnet system was established for a practical high magnetic field diffraction for the user program. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Beam Science: Feature Papers 2022)

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