The description of the thick-target neutron yields from the D(t,n)He4 and the D(d,n)He3 reactions is calculated as a function of the energy of the bombarding particles. For 60-kev particles the ratio is 108. I increases to 168 at 100 Kev and to 194 for 120-kev particles. A qualitative discussion of the yields from various deuterium target leads to the conclusion that the greatest yield would come from the target which has the lowest stopping cross section per deuterium atom.

A report about anomalous low temperature thermal conductivity of grapnite samples.

Large savings in waste storage space may be realized by lowering the pH at which TBP waste is stored. Additional savings in neutralizing chemicals and operating time would also increase the monetary gain from such a process change. However, before such a change could be made, the corrosive effect of TBP waste at a lower pH on the mild steel waste storage tanks had to be determined.

A small source model for neutron flux distribution in heterogeneous reactors is proposed. Such a model takes more explicit account of fuel lumping than has been customary in most pile calculations. The small source is applied to the cases of plate and rod fuel elements. The chief results are equations which give the pile buckling in terms of the distance between fuel elements and in terms of fuel element constants. (W.D.M.)

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.

Temperature calculations have been made to aid in planning a production test for low level irradiation of the thin rectangular uranium wafers. These uranium wafers, under irradiation in the outer fringe sone, are expected to have a maximum temperature which is less than 10 C above the local water temperature.

Abstract: An application of the magnetic mirror principle to the acceleration of a plasma is described. It is shown that an axially symmetric magnetic field which increases with time but decreases with distance along the axis can impart a net translational energy to a plasma. This effect on a plasma is contrasted with that arising from an impressed electric field, which is not effective in producing acceleration.

This report deals with the formation of oriented layers of an oxide which form during oxidation without any evident relationship to the parent and underlying metal. It is offered without explanation or proposed mechanism.