Miniature Dysprosium-Based Monitors of Thermal Neutron Exposure History

基础研究提出了一个新的概念，结合中子探测和检索的信息的水平和时间的热中子暴露，可能发生之前恢复的数据存储的一个微型的，基于纳米的传感器。这个概念是基于镝的主要天然同位素Dy的独特性质，Dy在暴露于热中子时转化为亚稳态165 m，然后随后衰变为稳定的钬同位素，或者在捕获第二个中子时衰变为稳定的铒同位素。结合~ 2，650 barns的高热中子俘获截面和嬗变成另外两种镧系元素，使dysporium成为一个很好的候选者。将合成各种化学组成的含Dy纳米晶体，掺杂Ho和Er，并以三种镧系元素之间的最大光谱差异为光学特征。然后，将通过纳米晶体样品的光谱分析来证明关于中子暴露的数据的重建。 基础研究提出了一个新的概念，结合中子探测和检索的信息的水平和时间的热中子暴露，可能发生之前恢复的数据存储的一个微型的，基于纳米的传感器。这个概念是基于镝的主要天然同位素164 Dy的独特性质，它在暴露于热中子时转化为亚稳态165 mDy，然后衰变为稳定的钬同位素165 Ho，或者在捕获第二个中子时，衰变为稳定的铒同位素166 Er。结合~ 2，650 barns的高热中子俘获截面和嬗变成另外两种镧系元素使得164 Dy对于所提出的新传感器非常有吸引力。将合成各种化学组成的含Dy纳米晶体，掺杂Ho和Er，并以三种镧系元素之间的最大光谱差异为光学特征。然后，将通过纳米晶体样品的光谱分析来证明关于中子暴露的数据的重建。 教育部分将强调传统学科之间的合作和互动，拟议的项目涵盖化学，物理，电气工程和核工程领域。

Fundamental research is proposed on a novel concept for combined neutron detection and retrieval of information about the level and timing of thermal neutron exposure that may have occurred prior to recovery of the data stored by a miniature, nanocrystal-based sensor. The concept is based on the unique properties of a dominant naturally occurring isotope of dysprosium,Dy, which upon exposure to thermal neutrons converts into a metastable state 165m, and then subsequently decays into a stable isotope of holmium, or, upon capturing a second neutron, into a stable erbium isotope. Combination of the high thermal neutron capture cross section of ~2,650 barns and transmutation into two other lanthanides makes dysporium a good candiate. Dy-containing nanocrystals of various chemical compositions will be synthesized, doped with Ho and Er, and optically characterized for maximum spectral differentiation between the three lanthanides. Reconstruction of data about neutron exposure will then be demonstrated by optical spectral analysis of the nanocrystalline samples. Fundamental research is proposed on a novel concept for combined neutron detection and retrieval of information about the level and timing of thermal neutron exposure that may have occurred prior to recovery of the data stored by a miniature, nanocrystal-based sensor. The concept is based on the unique properties of a dominant naturally occurring isotope of dysprosium, 164Dy, which upon exposure to thermal neutrons converts into a metastable state 165mDy, and then subsequently decays into a stable isotope of holmium 165Ho, or, upon capturing a second neutron, into a stable erbium isotope 166Er. Combination of the high thermal neutron capture cross section of ~2,650 barns and transmutation into two other lanthanides makes 164Dy very attractive for the proposed new sensor. Dy-containing nanocrystals of various chemical compositions will be synthesized, doped with Ho and Er, and optically characterized for maximum spectral differentiation between the three lanthanides. Reconstruction of data about neutron exposure will then be demonstrated by optical spectral analysis of the nanocrystalline samples. The educational component will emphasize collaboration and interactions across traditional academic disciplines, with the proposed project spanning the fields of chemistry, physics, electrical engineering, and nuclear engineering.