None

Progress in solid state physics is reported in the following areas: theory, crystals, metals and nonmetals, radiation effects, and other subjects. Separate abstracts were prepared for the fifteen sections of the report. A list of 70 papers and publications is included. (D.C.W.)

A transistorized instrument prototype was designed and constructed to replace a vacuum-tube instrument in an alpha gauge, which measures the thickness density of gases. The instrument amplifies, shapes, discriminates, and counts alpha pulses from a Au-Si surface-barrier detector exposed to an alpha source in a gas-filled chamber. The circuit consists of a charge-sensitive preamplifier, a main amplifier with pulse clipping, a Schmitt trigger, a diode pump, and a count rate meter. Preliminary tests gave results comparable to the vacuum-tube instrument. Accuracy of counting was within 10% for 0.5- to 10-Mev alpha particles emitted at a maximum rate of 10/sup 6 per sec. The instrument was stable at 25 to 55 deg C, is small and portable, and costs less than 0. An infinitely thick, alpha source that will give a high count rate is being constructed for final tests. (auth)

An attempt is made to provide a single reference source for material pertinent to the maintenance and operation of the AE-6 Reactor. Descriptions of various components are included, as well as the common operational and maintenance procedures and check lists. Information is given on the subcritical assemblies that may be studied. (W.D.M.)

An analytical approach and an IBM machine code were prepared for the design of gas-cooled reactor once-through steam generators for both axial-flow and cross-flow tube matrices. The codes were applied to investigate the effects of steam generator configuration, tube diameter, extended surface, type of cooling gas, steam and gas temperature and pressure conditions, and the pumping power-to-heat removal ratio on the size, weight, and cost of steam generators. The results indicate that the least expensive and most promising unit for high- temperature high-pressure gascooled reactor plants employs axial-gas flow over 0.5-in.dia bare U-tubes arranged with their axes parallel to that of the shell. The proposed design is readily adaptable to the installation of a reheater and is suited to conventional fabrication techniques. Charts are presented to facilitate tlie design of both axial-flow and cross-flow steam generators for gas- cooled reactor applications. (auth)

Variables affecting the texture and grain size of uranium during beta treatment are summarized. The study of the effect of time and temperature in the beta phase on the growth index (G3) and grain size of the final alpha product is tentatively believed to show that higher beta temperatures for short times (up to about seven minutes) tend to promote slightly more negative growth indices and that higher beta temperatures give rise to somewhat finer grain sizes. Results of studies of both Jominy end-quenched bars and several full-sized rods and tubes quenched by total immersion showed that large thermal gradients promoted negative growth indices and produced grains somewhat elongated in the direction of the thermal gradient. The effects of endcooling in full-sized pieces quenched by total immersion in cold water showed that the axial growth index is negative up to distances from the end of about half the wall thickness of tubes and about half the radial dimension of rods. The grain refinement penetrates to a lesser distance from the ends. In the radial direction the growth index for these same pieces is largely negative to a distance below the outer diameter of about midwall in two tubes studied. In …

This report, presented at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society on November 10, 1961, expands on the research of Becquerel and Curies radioactive isotopes in medicine.