The following quarterly progress report covers the period from November 16, 1962 to February 15, 1963. This report summarizes three activities that study the ratio of the maximum absorption of the K band to the maximum absorption of the F band has been made in additively colored and [gamma]-irradiated rubidium chloride.

None

The outgassing characteristics of various graphites have been determined in vacuo to a maximum temperature of 1000 deg C using external resistance heating and to 1800 deg C by induction heating. The graphites examined include commercial and experimental lots of nuclear grades prepared from different sources of raw materials and subjected to varying manufacturing procedures. The ash content of the various grades ranges from approximates 5 to approximates 800 ppm and the calcium content from a few ppm to approximates 340 ppm. Representative data are presented which show marked differences in the composition of the desorbate and the fraction of the total evolved to various temperatures for different grades. The volume-time relationship is satisfactorily expressed as v = A log t + B for a number of the graphites over extended intervals of time. Marked deviations from this relationship at 600 deg C are reported for several grades of graphite characterized by a high calcium content. Variations in the CO/sub 2// CO ratio in the desorbate at 600 deg C appear to be associated with these volume-time relationships observed at 600 deg C. Data are given which show the differences in the degassing behavior of a group of graphites having …

This report has two volumes, volume 1 contains the summary and detailed description of plant design, volume 2 contains a comprehensive nuclear evaluation of the reactor core.

None

A series of experiments is described which is primarily concerned with establishing the usefulness of Lamb waves for the detection of small defects in thin plates and in small-diameter, thin-walled tubing. Results indicate that Lamb waves offer greater sensitivity and resolution than do the more conventional nondestructive test methods such as shear waves. (J.R.D.)

Tables are given of a quantity k that is used to define single-sample variables sampling plans and one-sided tolerance limits for a normal distribution. The probability is gamma that at least a proportion P of a normal population is below x + ks, where x has a normal distribution with mean and variance re p- terphenyl /sup 2//n and fs/sup 2// re p-terphenyl /sup 2/ has a chi-square distribu tion with f degrees of freedom. The quantity k just described corresponds to a percentage point of the noncentral tdistribution and is extensively tabulated. Tabulations of other functions computed from the noncentral t-distribution and various expected values are also given. Many other applications are discussed and various approximations compared. One section gives the mathematical derivations and there is an extensive bibliography that was cross referenced to several indices of mathematical and statistical literature. 82 references. (auth)

As an aid to prospective users of the device, the electron accelerator, the detection system, and the readout equipment are described; and the operational procedures followed are explained. Maintenance instructions are also given, as are diagrams of many components. The apparatus was designed mainly for studying scintillation decay times in the nsec region. (D.C.W.)

This report includes the nuclear evaluation that has been conducted for the purpse of studying those problem areas which are expected to increase in severity as the core size is increased to produce 1000 MWE.

Operation of LAMPRE I is summarized, and predictions of power and temperature transients by a new Fortran code (LTC) are compared favorably with experimental results. LAMPRE fuel capsules were metallographically examined and revealed Na attack of weld metal surfaces as well as intergranular penetration of Pu-fuel in the heataffected zone of the welds. New techniques were developed for fabricating capsules. Several alloys were investigated. Corrosion tests of Ce-- Co--Pu alloys in Ta showed an increase in C content to reduce Ta/sub 6/Co/sub 7/ layer formation. High Co contents in Ce-- Co alloy produced an increased Co- Ta film growth. Tests on yttrium capsules containing Mn--U and Mn-- Pu--U alloys showed the Pu to increase the corrosion resistance of Y to Mn--U fuels. Methods for fabricating and preparing plutonium alloys were developed. Status of the core test facility is reported. Several Pu alloy systems were also examined, mainly to gain information on phase relations in Pu alloys. Decomposition, lattice parameters, solubility, phase diagrams, and formation reactions were among the examined properties of the C-O--Pu, Eu--Pu, La-- Pu, N-- Pu, Pr--Pu, Pu- Sc, and Pu--Y systems treated. (D.C.W.)

Developments in thermonuclear research are reported. Separate abstracts were prepared for nine of the ten sections. The other section is a design and engineering service report. (D.C.W.)

A new and different type of burnable poison element which can be used essentially to match any decreasing reactivity curve in a reactor and still have a tolerable residue was studied. Specific application is made to Gd as the poison elements; however, the results would be similar for any other suitable high cross-section element such as Cd. (J.R.D.)

It is noted that in chemonuclear reaction systems the efficiency of conversion of nuclear to chemical energy is directly related to the fraction of the total fission fragment recoil energy liberated in the system which is directly absorbed by the chemical reactant. This fraction is termed the fission fragment energy deposition. The use of gas dosimetry for determining the deposition efficiency is described, and G value data are given for nitrogen fixation by fission fragment energy. (J.R.D.)

Results of the design criteria work performed prior to the termination of work on the package concept for the liquid metal loop facilities for the Advanced Test Reactor are summarized. Based on the results of the criteria studies, it was concluded that achievement of the design objectives could not be predicted with any high degree of confidence when utilizing the package loop concept based on the design philosophy of the PW-19 loop. The characteristics of the loop are given along with design and development accomplishments for associated equipment. (N.W.R.)

None

The limited supply of relatively long-half-life isotopes having a reasonably high power density and the low conversion efficiencies obtainable with thermoelectric devices have so far limited the power output of isotope-fueled sources of electric power to several tens of watts. In addition, the high cost of the available isotopes results in a very large expense for isotope-fueled generators producing several hundred watts. It appears that a small, minimumweight, conduction-cooled reactor is an attractive alternate to the isotope-fueled power supplies in the 200-w size range. The proposed reactor is a small, high-density fast core of U/sup 233/ surrounded by a beryllium reflector. This approach, generally speaking, gives a reactor that is more compact and of lighter weight than can be obtained with a moderated system having a softer neutron spectrum. In the reactor design, the path of heat flow is from the core to the inner reflector and then to the thermoelements in close contact with the inner reflector. The reject heat flowing from the thermoelement cold junctions enters the outer pontion of the reflector, which acts as the heat sink and conducts the reject heat to the large, circular, tapered-fin radiator which is attached to the reflector. Survey physics calculations …

An investigation was made to find a method of color coding the various jet orifices with different hole sizes to facilitate assembly of the NRX A-1 core. High temperature paints, ceramic paints, temperature indicating paints, and cements were investigated. Various degrees of success were obtained. No one type of paint was found which had excellent adherency after application and after being subjected to 1500°F for one-half hour, yet was available in many colors, was easy to apply and use, and had a very thin coat after drying. Some colors of high temperature paints will do as an alternate method to that of colored plastic caps presently planned.

None

None

A study was undertaken to evaluate the parameters involved in the performance of levitation coils with particular emphasis on the heating effect. The field strength along the axes of various coils was measured using a small search g proportionial to the field strength. The search coil was calibrated with a straight solenoid coil in which the field strength was calculated. By considering each turn of a levitation coil as a short solenoid whose length was the tubing diameter, the field strength contribution from each turn was calculated. These values were summed along the axis to calculate the coil field. To aid these calculations, tables of field strength as a function of axial distance were prepared for various raddii turns to different sizes of tubing. The rate of increase of field strength along the coil axis per ampere of coil current was defined as the coil gradient. A parametric equation was derived relating the power input to a levitated sample to the coil gradient, sample size and resistivity, and frequency. The validity of this equation capacity and time to reach temperature. The contribution from a given turn to the total coil gradient was calculated as a function of its location. These …

A heat-transfer research and development program is being carried out in support of the Pathfinder boilingwater, integral-superheating reactor. Studies were made of the effects of tube-sheet type spacers on the axial pressure profile in a simulated fuel element. The effect of boiling on the frictional and spacer type pressure losses in a 6-ft long test section was measured. The void fraction in a test section was measured by a fine gamma-ray traversing technique. The flow downstream from a spacer quickly became established except near the bundle entrance. The local radial void distribution in boiling flow over a rod array was non-uniform with a uniform radial power distribution and the over-all integrated void fractions tended to support the homogeneous model. (M.C.G.)

Separate abstracts were prepared for 9 sections of this report. Five sections were previously abstracted and appeared in NSA. (C.H.)

None

A search was made at the Brookhaven alternating gradient synchrotron for magnetic monopoles produced either in collisions of 30-Bev protons with light nuclei, or produced by gamma rays secondary to these protons in the Coulomb field of protons or of carbon nuclei. In runs using 5 7 x 10/sup 15/ circulating protons, no monopole-like event was found. This implies an upper limit for production in protonnucleon interactions of about 2 x 10/sup -40/ cm/sup 2/. Experimental limits are also derived for the photoproduction of pole pairs. (auth)