Nonlinear guiding center (NLGC) theory has been used to explain the asymptotic perpendicular diffusion coefficient κ ⊥ of energetic charged particles in a turbulent magnetic field, which can be applied to better understand cosmic ray transport. Here we re-derive NLGC, replacing the assumption of diffusive decorrelation with random ballistic decorrelation (RBD), which yields an explicit formula for κ ⊥. We note that scattering processes can cause a reversal of the guiding center motion along the field line, i.e., "backtracking," leading to partial cancellation of contributions to κ ⊥ , especially for low-wavenumber components of the magnetic turbulence. We therefore include a heuristic backtracking correction (BC) that can be used in combination with RBD. In comparison with computer simulation results for various cases, NLGC with RBD and BC provides a substantially improved characterization of the perpendicular diffusion coefficient for a fluctuation amplitude less than or equal to the large-scale magnetic field.
This work reports on the simulated neutron and self-emitted gamma attenuation of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites containing varying Sm2O3 contents in the range 0–50 wt.%, using a simulation code, namely MCNP-PHITS. The neutron energy investigated was 0.025 eV (thermal neutrons), and the gamma energies were 0.334, 0.712, and 0.737 MeV. The results indicated that the abilities to attenuate thermal neutrons and gamma rays were noticeably enhanced with the addition of Sm2O3, as seen by the increases in µm and µ, and the decrease in HVL. By comparing the simulated neutron-shielding results from this work with those from a commercial 5%-borated PE, the recommended Sm2O3 content that attenuated thermal neutrons with equal efficiency to the commercial product was 11–13 wt.%. Furthermore, to practically improve surface compatibility between Sm2O3 and the UHMWPE matrix and, subsequently, the overall wear/mechanical properties of the composites, a silane coupling agent (KBE903) was used to treat the surfaces of Sm2O3 particles prior to the preparation of the Sm2O3/UHMWPE composites. The experimental results showed that the treatment of Sm2O3 particles with 5–10 pph KBE903 led to greater enhancements in the wear resistance and mechanical properties of the 25 wt.% Sm2O3/UHMWPE composites, evidenced by lower specific wear rates and lower coefficients of friction, as well as higher tensile strength, elongation at break, and surface hardness, compared to those without surface treatment and those treated with 20 pph KBE903. In conclusion, the overall results suggested that the addition of Sm2O3 in the UHMWPE composites enhanced abilities to attenuate not only thermal neutrons but also gamma rays emitted after the neutron absorption by Sm, while the silane surface treatment of Sm2O3, using KBE903, considerably improved the processability, wear resistance, and strength of the composites.
This work theoretically determined the high-energy photon shielding properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites containing rare-earth oxides, namely samarium oxide (Sm2O3), europium oxide (Eu2O3), and gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3), for potential use as lead-free X-ray-shielding and gamma-shielding materials using the XCOM software package. The considered properties were the mass attenuation coefficient (µm), linear attenuation coefficient (µ), half value layer (HVL), and lead equivalence (Pbeq) that were investigated at varying photon energies (0.001–5 MeV) and filler contents (0–60 wt.%). The results were in good agreement (less than 2% differences) with other available programs (Phy-X/PSD) and Monte Carlo particle transport simulation code, namely PHITS, which showed that the overall high-energy photon shielding abilities of the composites considerably increased with increasing rare-earth oxide contents but reduced with increasing photon energies. In particular, the Gd2O3/HDPE composites had the highest µm values at photon energies of 0.1, 0.5, and 5 MeV, due to having the highest atomic number (Z). Furthermore, the Pbeq determination of the composites within the X-ray energy ranges indicated that the 10 mm thick samples with filler contents of 40 wt.% and 50 wt.% had Pbeq values greater than the minimum requirements for shielding materials used in general diagnostic X-ray rooms and computerized tomography rooms, which required Pbeq values of at least 1.0 and 1.5 mmPb, respectively. In addition, the comparisons of µm, µ, and HVL among the rare-earth oxide/HDPE composites investigated in this work and other lead-free X-ray shielding composites revealed that the materials developed in this work exhibited comparable X-ray shielding properties in comparison with that of the latter, implying great potential to be used as effective X-ray shielding materials in actual applications.
In this work, the 1D-3 V particle simulation with Monte Carlo collision and cumulative scattering angle Coulomb collision was developed to study the kinetic behavior of the detached plasma. The constant pressure and temperature of the neutral gas box in front of the divertor target were used in the simulation. The simulation was performed with a fixed upstream plasma density n u ∼ 3 × 10 18 m −3 and a modified large Coulomb collision frequency. When the neutral gas pressure is increased, there is a strong decrease in the electron temperature inside the neutral gas box. The electron temperature in front of the divertor target also decreases to below 1 eV, which is one of the conditions for detached plasma.
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