Using Muonic X Rays to Interrogate Special Nuclear Materials

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Creator: 

Burn, Trevor

Date: 

2014

Abstract: 

This thesis reports the use and analysis of gamma-ray spectrometry to identify several peaks from a muon beam hitting a target of 238U. Two candidates for muonic x rays occurring from fission products were also identified. A 2p-1s mu x ray from 98Mo at 2738.0+-0.7 keV with a yield of 0.06+-0.02 x ray transitions per muon stop. A 2p-1s mu x ray from 133Cs at 3900.2+-1.7 keV with a yield of 0.04+-0.04 x ray transitions per muon stop.

The equivalent dose from muons was calculated using a simulation of the Bethe-Bloch equation. An upper limit of 1.4e11 muons was calculated as the maximum
number of muon stops before hitting an equivalent dose limit of 1 mSv in a human phantom.

A minimum detectable transition rate of 4.29e5 x ray transitions per second was calculated for the strongest mu 238U x ray.

Subject: 

Elementary Particles and High Energy

Language: 

English

Publisher: 

Carleton University

Thesis Degree Name: 

Master of Science: 
M.Sc.

Thesis Degree Level: 

Master's

Thesis Degree Discipline: 

Physics

Parent Collection: 

Theses and Dissertations

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