An experimental set-up for x-ray fluorescence analysis with synchrotron radiation was built and installed at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Project. X-ray spectra were taken from numerous and varied samples in order to assess the potential of synchrotron radiation as an excitation source for multielement x-ray fluorescence analysis. For many applications, the synchrotron radiation technique is shown to be superior to other x-ray fluorescence methods, especially those employing electrons and protons as excitation sources.

An x-ray laser pumped by synchrotron radiation from an electron storage ring is proposed. (GHT)

The first model of a modified Bond goniometer has been built and tested for the precision measurement of interplanar spacings in Si-single crystals. A change in interplanar spacing ..delta..d/d approximately = to +- 10/sup -5/ can be detected which corresponds to surface stresses of the order of +- 1000 psi. A second version of the goniometer is being assembled incorporating a removable microscope for precision alignment of the Si-strip into the primary X-ray beam.

The interfacing of an energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDS) to an HVEM has been suggested during the last few years as a means by which the mass sensitivity of x-ray analysis in a TEM can be increased. The prediction of higher sensitivity is related to the anisotropic distribution of continuum radiation generated by high energy electron excitation of a thin sample. Depending on the geometry, this can result in an increase in the measured peak-to-background (P/B) ratio of a characteristic line relative to excitation using lower energy electrons. In addition, the unique combination of a large pole piece gap and a wide variety of in-situ experimental stages makes an HVEM an ideal candidate for real-time microanalytical measurements during controlled dynamic events such as precipitation and fracture. A single-crystal specimen of ..beta..-NiAl of the 50-50 atomic percent composition was used to evaluate the performance of HVEM-based x-ray microanalysis. The instrument used for the experimental work was a Hitachi HU-1000 high-voltage transmission electron microscope operating at an accelerating voltage of 1 MV. X-ray measurements were made using a KEVEX Si(Li) solid-state x-ray detector with an active area of 10 mm/sup 2/ together with a model 5100 multichannel analyzer. (WHK)

X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analysis has proven to be extremely valuable in the study of the transplutonium elements. The high specific activity and the thermal energy associated with the radioactive decay of einsteinium isotopes make XRPD analysis of einsteinium samples very difficult. The major problems are destruction of the samples crystallinity and alteration of their chemical composition. Blackening of the X-ray film also compromises the analyses. By applying certain guidelines given here, a limited amount of success has been achieved in obtaining diffraction data on einsteinium and some of its compounds.

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The storage protein of maize, zein, is translated from messenger RNA on ribosomes bound to the outer membrane of the zein protein bodies. No other proteins appear to be made on this membrane. Before zein is transported through the protein body membrane it undergoes at least two post-translational modifications, which are discussed.

The results of zircaloy cladding deformation tests in which the test parameters simulated LWR fuel rods and LOCA conditions are presented.