Abstract: "These notes were written from recordings of a series of lectures which Dr. Montgomery H. Johnson presented to the ARC Research Group of the University of California Radiation Laboratory, Livermore, during January, February and March of 1954. In the lectures he discussed plasma oscillations and the penetration of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields into plasmas. Dr. Johnson plainly did not attempt rigorous or exhaustive treatments of these subjects but rather contented himself for the most part with the introduction of ideas in the simplest manner possible."

Report discussing a study regarding the possibility of using shock ionization as a source for mirror-type thermonuclear reactors. This was tested in a one-inch vacuum system, and though initial ionization and temperature produced was low, the magnetic field extended the time of light emission and compressed the luminous region.

The following document describes how to determine the measurements of the optical density or absorption spectra of suspensions of micro-organisms.

Thesis discussing the study of deuterons produced at wide angles to a beam of 300 Mev neutrons and a beam of 300 Mev protons. It was observed that the deuterons are formed by "a two step process in which the incident nucleon, or its collision partner, is scattered and then picks up in the same nucleus." Some tritons are also observed, and it is thought that they are formed by the same process as the deuterons. From these findings, the author concludes that "for heavy nuclei, there is a nuclear skin rich in neutrons."

Report discussing a test for lethals resulting from the recombination of X-chromosomes in ten different stocks wild-type Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract: Numerical information necessary to an experimental study of the polarization of bremsstrahlung is presented. One may conclude that it is possible to produce significantly polarized γ-ray beams with existing electron accelerators. These beams will provide a new tool for the study of photonuclear reactions over a wide range of energy.

From abstract: "The relative differential neutron-proton scattering cross section has been measured in the range of center-of-mass angles from 5.1° to 36.0° for approximately 90-Mev neutrons and from 10.7° to 37.8° for approximately 290-Mev neutrons."

Introduction: "This report covers the contributions of UCRL to MTA research and development program during the period June 1 to November 30, 1953. In this program UCRL continues to work in close collaboration with the California Research and Development Company (CRD)."

Abstract: "The cross section for this reaction is calculated for three Hulthen deuteron wave functions. A hard core in the deuteron at one-half meson Compton wavelength reduces the total cross section and flattens the angular distribution in the backwards direction in agreement with experiment."

Abstract: "A fast, linear air-ionization chamber has been developed for integrating and monitoring external heavy-particle beams. It consists of a thin-windowed air chamber in which the beam ionization light is viewed by a photomultiplier whose output is fed directly to a standard electrometer."

From introduction: "This article constitutes the third of a series of three papers on the "direct" measurements of the meson masses by the "Hp vs. Range" mass ratio method...The study here reported is a logical extension of the pion-proton mass ratio technique."

The following report analyzes results from studies made while applying chelating agents to ion exchange separations of the elements americium and curium.

From abstract: The Van Arkel-deBoer method for producing ductile titanium by thermal decomposition of TiI4 vapor and deposition on an electrically heated filament is modified by film boiling TiI4 liquid on a heated filament, resulting in similar titanium deposition on the filament and liberation of iodine to the gaseous phase."

Report describing the evaluation of dihydrocodeinone and the formation of a bisulfite addition. This research was of importance because the observation suggests a potentially valuable and easy method for separating ketonic from non-ketonic material in the morphine series.

Abstract: "The distribution ratios and equilibrium constants for the extraction of zirconium and hafnium from 4 M perchloric acid with various combinations of fluorinated [beta]-diketones and organic solvents have been determined. The separation factors K'Zr/K'HF, found for this acidity were: Z-thenoyltrifluoroacetone in benzene, 25; Z-thenoyltrifluoroacetone in o-dichlorobenzene, 16; benzoyltrifluoroacetone in benzene, 18; isovaleroyltrifluoroacetone in benzene, 13; isovaleroyltrifluoroacetone in n-hexane, 13."

The following report measures and analyzes the nuclear internal momentum distributions of protons in light nuclei with the 340-Mev scattered proton beam from the synchocyclotron.

Thesis discussing the heats of reduction, oxidation potentials, and measurements of autoreduction and disproportionation for aqueous ions of americium.

Abstract: The silicides of Ti, Zr, Ce and Nb were investigated to determine the phases present at temperatures around 2000 K. The reactions of silicides of Ti, Zr, Ce, Nb, Ta, Mo, and W with carbon were studied at these temperatures. Also a limited amount of work was done on the reactions of some of the silicides with nitrogen. The data have been used to establish ternary phase diagrams for the systems and to obtain upper and lower limits for the heats of formation of the silicides.

From Abstract: "In order to study the mechanism of excitation of nuclear levels by inelastic scattering, a scattering chamber of 36-inch diameter was constructed. The deflected beam of the Berkeley 60-inch cyclotron was brought out of the shielding by means of strong focusing magnets. Particles from the nuclear reactions were detected by either of two systems, a quadruple proportional-counter telescope, or a coincidence crystal spectrometer. Energy resolution was of the order of 2.5%."

Report discussing details of curium's chemical properties, including gamma radiation, solubility, and absorption. A procedure for separating curium from americium and the preparation of terbium tetrafluoride, which lead to its discovery, is also included.

Report discussing experiments to determine "whether there is a uniformity in the reactions involved in the fixation of carbon during the early steps of photosynthesis or whether there may also be differences in these basic reactions. To investigate this question and to determine whether any differences, should they occur, might be correlated with phylogenetic relationships, a survey of representatives of major plant groups was made with respect to the kinds and relative amounts of the compounds into which carbon was incorporated during short-term photosynthesis."

Abstract: "Observations on the metabolism of chyle cholesterol in the rat show that exogenous cholesterol entering the systemic circulation in chyle exists in lipoproteins of low density (including chylomicrons) migrating with a high Sf rate (i.e.>400) in the ultracentrifuge. Following entry into the systemic circulation these molecules are rapidly removed from the plasma. This "clearing" of serum chyle cholesterol is a tissue phenomenon, the liver being the predominant site. Within the liver the chyle cholesterol esters are at least partially hydrolyzed; hydrolysis apparently does not occur in the plasma to any appreciable extent. After its entry into the liver exogenous cholesterol, if normally metabolized, presumably mixes with and becomes indistinguishable from cholesterol produced by endogenous synthesis."

The following report is a general monthly progress report conducted by the radiation laboratory of the University of California discussing experimental physics, theoretical physics, the MTA target physics program, accelerator construction and operation, biology and medicine, and a plant and equipment report. The period being covered is January 15, 1954 to February 15, 1954.

The following report is a general monthly progress report for the University of California's radiation laboratory in Berkeley, covering the period of February 15 to March 15 of 1954.