Radioisotope production using lasers:From basic science to applications

The discovery of chirped pulse amplification has led to great improvements in laser technology,enabling energetic laser beams to be compressed to pulse durations of tens of femtoseconds and focused to a few micrometers.Protons with energies of tens of MeV can be accelerated using,for instance,target normal sheath acceleration and focused on secondary targets.Under such conditions,nuclear reactions can occur,with the production of radioisotopes suitable for medical application.The use of high-repetition lasers to produce such isotopes is competitive with conventional methods mostly based on accelerators.In this paper,we study the production of^(67)Cu,^(63)Zn,^(18)F,and^(11)C,which are currently used in positron emission tomography and other applications.At the same time,we study the reactions^(10)B(p,α)^(7)Be and^(70)Zn(p,4n)^(67)Ga to put further constraints on the proton distributions at different angles,as well as the reaction^(11)B(p,α)^(8)Be relevant for energy production.The experiment was performed at the 1 PW laser facility at VegaⅢin Salamanca,Spain.Angular distributions of radioisotopes in the forward(with respect to the laser direction)and backward directions were measured using a high purity germanium detector.Our results are in reasonable agreement with numerical estimates obtained following the approach of Kimura and Bonasera[Nucl.Instrum.Methods Phys.Res.,Sect.A 637,164–170(2011)].

The relationship between the radio core-dominance parameter and spectral index in different classes of extragalactic radio sources(Ⅱ)

Active galactic nuclei(AGNs) can be divided into two major classes, namely radio-loud and radio-quiet AGNs. A small subset of the radio-loud AGNs is called blazars, which are believed to be unified with Fanaroff-Riley type Ⅰ/Ⅱ(FRI/Ⅱ) radio galaxies. Following our previous work(Fan et al.), we present a sample of 2400 sources with measured radio flux densities of the core and extended components. The sample contains 250 BL Lacs, 520 quasars, 175 Seyferts, 1178 galaxies, 153 FRI or FRⅡ galaxies and 104 unidentified sources. We then calculate the radio core-dominance parameters and spectral indices, and study their relationship. Our analysis shows that the core-dominance parameters and spectral indices are quite different for different types of sources. We also confirm that the correlation between core-dominance parameter and spectral index exists for a large sample presented in this work.

Non-equilibrium Statistic Features in Dissipative Heavy Ion Collision ^(27)Al+ ^(27)Al

The excitation functions of dissipative products have been measured in the reaction 27Al+27Al at incident energies from 114 to 127MeV in steps of 200keV. Detection angles vary continuously from 10.4° to 57.4° in laboratory system. An angular coherent width more than 40° in center of mass is obtained. The results from the analysis of excitation functions with nonself-averaging are characterized by a quasi-periodic long-range energy structure embedded in the disorder Ericson fluctuation.

The relationship between the radio core-dominance parameter and spectral index in different classes of extragalactic radio sources(Ⅲ)

Active galactic nuclei(AGNs) can be divided into two major classes,namely radio-loud and radio-quiet AGNs.A small subset of the radio-loud AGNs is called blazars,which are believed to be unified with Fanaroff-Riley type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ(FRI&Ⅱ) radio galaxies.Following our previous work,we present a latest sample of 966 sources with measured radio flux densities of the core and extended components.The sample includes 83 BL Lacs,473 flat spectrum radio quasars,101 Seyferts,245 galaxies,52 FRIs&Ⅱs and12 unidentified sources.We then calculate the radio core-dominance parameters and spectral indices and study their relationship.Our analysis shows that the core-dominance parameters and spectral indices are quite different for different types of sources.We also confirm that the correlation between core-dominance parameter and radio spectral index extends over all the sources in a large sample presented.

Charge Breeding Simulations in a Hollow Electron Beam

Charge breeding technique is used for RIB （radioactive ion beam） production in order of optimizing the re-acceleration of the radioactive isotopes produced by a primary beam in a thick target. Charge breeding is achieved by means of a device capable of increasing the ion charge state from 1＋ to a desired value n＋. In some experiments, a continuous RIB of a given energy may be required. To reach this goal, a charge breeding device based on a hollow gun EBIS （electron beam ion source） has been proposed by the author recently. That EBIS, in principle, can be capable to realize a CW （continuous wave） operation. A sufficiently high focusing magnetic field could reduce to zero the hole radius in the EBIS electron beam. However, a smaller efficiency in the ion charge state increase should be expected. A code developed for studying the ion selective containment in a EBIS has been modified and used to simulate the ion charge state breeding. The effects of the hollow electron beam on the breeding rate have been studied.

Advances in nuclear detection and readout techniques

“A Craftsman Must Sharpen His Tools to Do His Job,”said Confucius.Nuclear detection and readout techniques are the foundation of particle physics,nuclear physics,and particle astrophysics to reveal the nature of the universe.Also,they are being increasingly used in other disciplines like nuclear power generation,life sciences,environmental sciences,medical sciences,etc.The article reviews the short history,recent development,and trend of nuclear detection and readout techniques,covering Semiconductor Detector,Gaseous Detector,Scintillation Detector,Cherenkov Detector,Transition Radiation Detector,and Readout Techniques.By explaining the principle and using examples,we hope to help the interested reader underst and this research field and bring exciting information to the community.

The Way to Quench:Galaxy Evolution in A2142

We show how the star formation activity of galaxies is progressively inhibited from the outer region to the center of the massive cluster A2142.From an extended spectroscopic redshift survey of 2239 galaxies covering a circular area of radius~11 Mpc from the cluster center,we extract a sample of 333 galaxies with known stellar mass,star formation rate,and spectral index D_(n)4000.We use the Blooming Tree algorithm to identify the substructures of the cluster and separate the galaxy sample into substructure galaxies,halo galaxies,and outskirt galaxies.The substructure and halo galaxies are cluster members,whereas the outskirt galaxies are only weakly gravitationally bound to the cluster.For the cluster members,the star formation rate per stellar mass decreases with decreasing distance R from the cluster center.Similarly,the spectral index D_(n)4000 increases with R,indicating an increasing average age of the stellar population in galaxies closer to the cluster center.In addition,star formation in substructure galaxies is generally more active than in halo galaxies and less active than in outskirt galaxies,proving that substructures tend to slow down the transition between field galaxies and cluster galaxies.We finally show that most actively star-forming galaxies are within the cluster infall region,whereas most galaxies in the central region are quiescent.

Radiative decays D*(s)→ D(s)γ in covariant confined quark model

Radiative decays D((s))*→D((s))γare revisited in light of new experimental data from the BaBar and BESⅢCollaborations.The radiative couplings gD*Dγencoding nonperturbative QCD effects are calculated in the framework of the covariant confined quark model developed by us.We compare our results with other theoretical studies and experimental data.The couplings(in GeV-1)|g(D*+D+γ)|=0.45(9)and|g(D*0D0γ)|=1.72(34)calculated in our model agree with the corresponding experimental data|g(D*+D+γ)|=0.47(7)and|g(D*0D0γ)|=1.77(16).The most interesting case is the decay Ds*→Dsγ,for which a recent prediction based on light-cone sum rules at next-to-leading order|gDs*Dsγ|=0.60(19)deviates from the first(and only to date)lattice QCD result|gDs*Dsγ|=0.11(2)at nearly3σ.Our calculation yields|gDs*Dsγ|=0.29(6),which falls somehow between the two mentioned results,although it is larger than those predicted in other studies using quark models or QCD sum rules.

Primordial black hole mass functions as a probe of cosmic origin

We discuss a novel window to probe the origin of our universe via the mass functions of primordial black holes(PBHs).The mass functions of PBHs are simply estimated using the conventional Press-Schechter formalism for two paradigms of cosmic origin,including inflationaryΛCDM and bounce cosmology.The standard inflationaryΛCDM model cannot generate an appreciable number of massive PBHs;however,non-trivial inflation models with blue-tilted power spectra at small scales and matter bounce cosmology provide formation mechanisms for heavy PBHs,which in turn,may seed the observed supermassive black holes(SMBHs).By fitting the SMBH mass functions at high redshift(z~6)derived from Sloan Digital Sky Survey(SDSS)and Canada-France High-z Quasar Survey(CFHQS)quasars,for two paradigms of cosmic origin,we derive constraints on the PBH density fraction fPBHat z~6 and the characteristic mass M_(★),with the prior assumption that all SMBHs stem from PBHs.We demonstrate that this newly proposed procedure,relying on astronomical measurements that utilize deep-field surveys of SMBHs at high redshift,can be used to constrain models of cosmic origin.Additionally,although not the main focus of this paper,we evolve the mass function from z~6 to z~0 through an assumption of 3×10^(8)-year Eddington’s accretion,and give a rough estimation of fPBHat z~0.

地震前后电离层截止频率处电场频谱强度变化分析--以2006年汤加MW8.0地震为例

以汤加MW8.0地震为例,着重分析了DEMETER卫星记录中截止频率附近电磁场频谱在震前的异常演化特征.根据地震前后该区域3个月的数据对比,发现电场频谱增强与地震孕育的关系很不明显.而长时间、大范围的电场频谱减弱现象可能更值得关注,白天和夜间的电场频谱显示同一特征.2006年夏秋季节38次6级以上强震短期异常的统计平均结果显示,白天的电场频谱在震前24小时距离震中2 000 km左右可能有一定增强,达到背景值的3倍均方差.但其它时段多以下降为主,而夜间无论震前震后比较明显的超过3σ的异常均以下降为主.最后讨论了地震-电离层异常孕育耦合机理.

一种稳定磁场的方法

本文叙述了HERMES横向极化气体靶的外磁场的磁感应强度随时间减弱现象的发现,探讨了这种减弱的原因。由此开发了一种全自动补偿系统。利用该系统后,磁场的稳定度得到很大提高,如在某测量位置,预置磁感应强度为338.6mT的磁场的稳定度由原来的±0.45mT变化幅度改善到±0.004mT(Stat)±0.048(Syst)mT。

DmpIRFs and DmpST:DAMPE instrument response functions and science tools for gamma-ray data analysis

Observing GeV gamma-rays is an important goal of the DArk Matter Particle Explorer(DAMPE)for indirect dark matter searching and high energy astrophysics. In this work, we present a set of accurate instrument response functions for DAMPE(DmpIRFs) including the effective area, point-spread function and energy dispersion, which are crucial for gamma-ray data analysis based on statistics from simulation data. A dedicated software named DmpST is developed to facilitate the scientific analyses of DAMPE gamma-ray data. Considering the limited number of photons and angular resolution of DAMPE, the maximum likelihood method is adopted in DmpST to better disentangle different source components. The basic mathematics and framework regarding this software are also introduced in this paper.

An algorithm to resolve γ-rays from charged cosmic rays with DAMPE

The DArk Matter Particle Explorer（DAMPE）,also known as Wukong in China,which was launched on 2015 December 17,is a new high energy cosmic ray and γ-ray satellite-borne observatory.One of the main scientific goals of DAMPE is to observe Ge V-Te V high energy γ-rays with accurate energy,angular and time resolution,to indirectly search for dark matter particles and for the study of high energy astrophysics. Due to the comparatively higher fluxes of charged cosmic rays with respect to γ-rays,it is challenging to identify γ-rays with sufficiently high efficiency,minimizing the amount of charged cosmic ray contamination. In this work we present a method to identify γ-rays in DAMPE data based on Monte Carlo simulations,using the powerful electromagnetic/hadronic shower discrimination provided by the calorimeter and the veto detection of charged particles provided by the plastic scintillation detector. Monte Carlo simulations show that after this selection the number of electrons and protons that contaminate the selected γ-ray events at～10 Ge V amounts to less than 1% of the selected sample.Finally,we use flight data to verify the effectiveness of the method by highlighting known γ-ray sources in the sky and by reconstructing preliminary light curves of the Geminga pulsar.

Reaction mechanisms in massive nuclei collisions and perspectives for synthesis of heavier superheavy elements

We discuss a hardship in synthesis of heaviest super heavy elements in massive nuclei reactions due to the hindrance to complete fusion of reacting nuclei caused on the onset of quasifission process which strongly competes with complete fusion and due to the strong increase of fission yields along the de-excitation cascade of the compound nucleus in comparison with the evaporation residue formation.The hindrance to formation of compound nucleus and evaporation residue is determined by the characteristic of the entrance channel.

Comparison of Proton Shower Developments in the BGO Calorimeter of the Dark Matter Particle Explorer between GEANT4 and FLUKA Simulations

The DArk Matter Particle Explorer(DAMPE)is a satellite-borne detector for high-energy cosmic rays and y-rays.To fully understand the detector performance and obtain reliable physical results,extensive simulations of the detector are necessary.The simulations are particularly important for the data analysis of cosmic ray nuclei,which relies closely on the hadronic and nuclear interactions of particles in the detector material.Widely adopted simulation softwares include the GEANT4 and FLUKA,both of which have been implemented for the DAMPE simulation tool.Here we describe the simulation tool of DAMPE and compare the results of proton shower properties in the calorimeter from the two simulation softwares.Such a comparison gives an estimate of the most significant uncertainties of our proton spectral analysis.

Advanced Laser Retroreflectors for Astrophysics and Space Science

We developed advances laser retroreflectors for solar system exploration, geodesy and for precision test of General Relativity (GR) and new gravitational physics: a micro-reflector array (INRRI, Instrument for landing-Roving laser Retroreflectors Investigations), a midsize reflector array for the European Earth Observation (EO) program, Copernicus (CORA, COpernicus laser Retroreflector Array), a large, single-retroreflector (MoonLIGHT, Moon Laser Instrumentation for General relativity High accuracy Tests). These laser retroreflectors will be fully characterized at the SCF_Lab (Satellite/lunar/GNSS laser ranging/altimetry Cube/microsat Characterization Facilities Laboratory), a unique and dedicated infrastructure of INFN-LNF (www.lnf.infn.it/esperimenti/etrusco/). Our research program foresees several activities: 1) Developing and characterizing the mentioned laser retroreflector devices to determine landing accuracy, rover positioning during exploration and planetary/Moon’s surface georeferencing. These devices will be passive, laser wavelength- independent, long-lived reference point. INRRI will enable the performance of full-column measurement of trace species in the Mars atmosphere by future space-borne lidars. These measurements will be complementary to highly localized measurements made by gas sampling techniques on the Rover or by laser back-scattering lidar techniques on future orbiters and/or from the surface. INRRI will also support laser and quantum communications, carried out among future Mars Orbiters and Mars Rovers. This will be possible also because the INRRI laser retroreflectors will be metal back-coated and, therefore, will not change the photon polarization. The added value of INRRI is its low mass, compact size, zero maintenance and its usefulness for any future laser altimetry, ranging, communications, atmospheric lidar capable Mars orbiter, for virtually decades after the end of the Mars surface mission, like the Apollo and Lunokhod lunar laser retroreflectors. MoonLIGHT and INRRI are proposed for landings on the Moon (two Google Lunar X Prize Missions, namely Moon Express;Russia’s Luna-27 mission, as well as others under consideration/negotia- tion, also with the help of ASI, ESA and other partnerships);2) Precision tests of GR with LLR to MoonLIGHT reflectors. Development of new fundamental gravity physics models and study of experimental constraints to these models use also laser ranging and laser reflectors throughout the solar system: extension of general relativity to include Spacetime Torsion, Non-Minimal Coupling between matter and curvature (so-called “ ” theories, or NMC gravity);3) Extension of program to: Mars, Phobos and Deimos, Jupiter and Saturn icy/rocky moons, Near Earth Asteroids.

Two-proton sequential decay from excited states of ^(18)Ne

Two-proton radioactivity from18Ne is discussed in terms of sequential decay.The branch ratios for oneproton emission from excited states are calculated,which including spectroscopic factors,obtained from a Shellmodel calculation with realistic interactions.The branch ratios show that the two-proton emission from the 1-state of 18Ne at 7.94 MeV is most likely to go through the sequential decay.The same mechanism is discussed for other excited states at higher energy by different interactions.

Possible ion-acoustic soliton formation in the ionospheric perturbations observed on DEMETER before the 2007 Pu'er earthquake

The data of ionospheric perturbations observed on DEMETER before the 2007 Pu＇er earthquake are analyzed. The three-component plasma （ions, electrons and heavy ions） is studied in the fluid concept. The linear dispersion relation for ion-acoustic wave is found in the presence of heavy ions. The nonlinear dynamics is studied for arbitrary amplitude of the wave. The Sagdeev potential is calculated, which shows that solitary structure exists for Mach number within a range defined by the presence of heavy ions. The developed ion-acoustic solitons may be used as precursor for earthquake prediction.

Calibration of the DAMPE Plastic Scintillator Detector and its on-orbit performance

The DArk Matter Particle Explorer(DAMPE) is a space-borne apparatus for detecting the highenergy cosmic-ray-like electrons, γ-rays, protons and heavy ions. The Plastic Scintillator Detector(PSD)is the top-most sub-detector of the DAMPE. The PSD is designed to measure the charge of incident highenergy particles and it also serves as a veto detector for discriminating γ-rays from charged particles. In this paper, a PSD on-orbit calibration procedure is described, which includes the five steps of pedestal, dynode correlation, response to minimum-ionizing particles, light attenuation function and energy reconstruction.A method for reconstructing the charge of incident high energy cosmic-ray particles is introduced. The detection efficiency of each PSD strip is verified to be above 99.5%; the total efficiency of the PSD for charged particles is above 99.99%.

Sub Farm Interface of the ATLAS Dataflow System

Sub Farm Interface is the event builder of the ATLAS（A Toroidal LHC ApparatuS） Dataflow System. It receives event fragments from the Read Out System, builds full events and sends complete events to the Event Filter for high level event selection. This paper describes the implementation of the Sub Farm Interface. Furthermore, this paper introduces some issues on SFI（Sub Farm Interface） optimization and the monitoring service inside SFI.