Separation processes for production of pure rare earth oxides in useful quantities are discussed. A review of applications of these oxides in the ceramic industry in production of glasses, glazes, porcelain enamels, refractories, abrasives, electronic ceramics, and nuclear ceramics is also presented. 46 references.

The general expression for the angular correlation between radiations produced in successive cascade transitions is derived by use of Racah algebra. The result is then specialized to the beta - gamma correlation and applied to two cases in which additional properties of the photon are specified, the circular polarization and the plane polarization. The prospect of testing time reversal and determining nuclear matrix element ratios by beta - gamma correlation measurements is explored using the nuclide Tm/sup 170/ as an example. The directional angular correlation between the 2.31-Mev beta and the subsequent 0.605-Mev gamma emitted in the decay of Sb/sup 124/ was measured as a function of the beta energy. The K-conversion coefficient of the 279-kev gamma following beta decay of Hg/sup 203/ was measured by comparing the x-ray and gamma intensities in a scintillation spectrometer. The measured valve of alpha /sub k/ = 0.195 plus or minus 0.014 indicates that the transition is M1 with E2 mixed to the extent of 63%. The angular correlation of the 107-1.24 Mev gamma cascade in Zn/sup 68/ following the decay of 68-min Ga/sup 68/ is shown. The Legendre polynomial expansion coefficients were deter-gular correlation in the decay of Sb/ sup 118/ was …

Work during this report period includes a continuation of the study of the effect of krypton 85 on the polymerization of styrene; an attempt at evaluation of the polymers produced; and the effect of krypton radiation on the electrical properties of gases, such as the rare gases, and nitrogen, and oxygen. the results obtained are summarized in the report.

SNAP II is the designation for a 3 KW nuclear auxiliary power unit to be used in a satellite vehicle. The SNAP II system consists of a reactor heat source, a mercury Rankine engine and an alternator. A two stage, full admission, axial flow turbine was chose for the APU application. Design details and test results are presented in this report. This work was performed under a subcontract to to Atomics International as part of the Atomic Energy Commission Contract No. AT(11-1)-GEN-8.

As reported in the previous Progress Report (December 16, 1959) a stock solution of Th 230 was prepared from pitchblende. Pulse height analysis of this solution indicated the presence of only Th 230 (93%), Th 227 (5%), Th 232 (1%), and Th 228 (1%). This solution was used to make up synthetic thorium solution of various concentration. These synthetic solutions were analyzed to establish a chemical yield for the procedure. Neither the precision nor the chemical yield of the procedure were considered to be satisfactory. In the next report period, we hope to complete the testing of the thorium procedure, both with regard to chemical yield and precision, as well as to determine decontamination factor from radium, uranium, and polonium. To do this, pure solutions of polonium, radium, and uranium will be prepared. The polonium and radium will be processed from pitchblende while the uranium will be made by purifying reagent grade uranyl nitrate.

Applications of radioisotopes in the preparation of labeled drugs are reviewed. Among the applications described are the preparation of carbon-14- labeled cardiac glycosides, and the biosyinthesis of carbon-14-labeled digitoxin, morphine, colchicine, atropine, podophyllotoxin, and nicotine. The fate and metabolism of many of these drugs were traced. Radiochemical procedures were developed for the synthesis of pure compounds of pharmacological interest labeled with carbon-14, sulfur-35, and tritium. Investigations were made on the phenomena of drug penetration into the central nervous system. Publications during the period are listed. (C.H.)

SNAP II is the designation for a nuclear auxiliary power unit, designed primarily for utilization in the WS117L satellite vehicle. The SNAP II system consists of a reactor heat source, a mercury Rankine engine, and an alternator. Dynamic analysis of the power conversion system was conducted utilizing a comprehensive analog computer simulation. Feasibility of a parasitic load control for numerous system disturbances was demonstrated. This analysis was performed under a subcontract to to Atomics International as part of the Atomic Energy Commission Contract No. AT(11-1)-GEN-8.

The report covers work performed during the period December 1, 1959 through December 31, 1959. The general objectives of the program of "Studies of Reactor Containment" are to accomplish theoretical and experimental investigations of the loads to which external containment structures for nuclear reactors are subjected in the vent of a violent incident at the reactor core, the evaluation of methods of reducing that loading, and the study of the response of and design criteria for external containment structures as a result of such loading. Progress of technical effort during the report period is summarized for each of the eight tasks of the program..

The overall scope of the program encompasses both research into the physical parameters involved in the collection of airborne radioactive particles and the development, fabrication and calibration of balloon-borne sampling equipment to enable the precise determination of stratospheric particle concentration and particle size distribution.

Formulas derived from earlier work satisfactorily predicted low frequency ground effects resulting from the Pre-Gnome explosions, but they not predict high accelerations associated with high frequency ground waves. The Pre-Gnome experiments taken since indicated that accelerations and ground amplitudes are proportional to the explosive charge, but physical conditions limit extrapolation on this basis to relatively low yields. Predicted accelerations resulting from the 10 kt Gnome explosion in potash mines eight or more miles away will be somewhat less than from routine blasts in the mines. The compressional wave speed in the salt stratum of the area is about 14,000 feet per second.

A pilot model of an Aerodynamic Raindrop Sorter was constructed along the lines suggested by mathematical analysis. The function of the analyzer is to sort natural rain according to drop size and to collect the sorted drops for further analysis. The pilot model, a small wind tunnel inclined at 45 deg to the horizontal, demonstrated the feasibility of aerodynamic rain drop sorting over a wide range of drop sizes. (auth)

Lithium fluoride crystals were quenched into silicone oil from near the melting point. The return to an equilibrium structure during annealing was observed by means of mechanical tests and etching techniques. Crystals containing three levels of impurity, zone refined, commercially pure, and doped with 0.05 mole per cent magnesium, were used in order to separate the effects of foreign ions from those of thermal vacancies. The changes of mechanical properties produced by quenching and by subsequent annealing were generally attributable to point defect-dislocation interactions. Precision density determinations indicated that about 10% of the equilibrium concentration of vacancies at the melting point was retained at room temperature by the quench. The density could be restored to its normal value by annealing. Two important annealing stages were observed. At about 200 deg C the precipitation of impurities retained in solution by the quench caused a sharp increase in the hardness as measured at room temperature. Isothermal annealing revealed the hardening process to have an activation energy of about 0.5 ev which is probably the energy for migration of an associated magnesium ion-lithium vacancy pair. Between 300 and 400 deg C the removal of dislocations and probably vacancy clusters resulting from the quench …

The lubrication equations for an arbitrary Newtonian fluid are derived directly from the general equations for conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. From the lubrication equations an inequality is obtained for the internal film temperature rise, after which the isothermal film equations are derived. Then, for perfectly-aligned self-acting journal bearings, a conservation equation is obtained. For gas bearings this condition gives: [formula] constant along the axis of the bearing. Application of this condition to the infinitely-long gas bearing gives more accurate pressure solutions for this case. The Katto-Soda form of the differential equation for the infinitely-long bearing is solved by a series expansion in the eccentricity ratio, the first terms of which give the original, approximate Katto-Soda solution. In addition, solutions obtained numerically by digital computations are presented in graphical and tabular form for eccentricity ratios from 0 to 0.9 and compressible bearing parameter [formula]. Design charts based on these calculations are provided.

Purpose of this research is twofold:: (1) to uncover new principles or techniques from which a CW source of electromagnetic radiation for the low millimeter and submillimeter wavelength range can be developed; and (2) to develop suitable detectors, components, and measuring techniques for evaluating and using the radiation as a diagnostic tool for plasma physics

A program for determining the behavior of concrete shear keys under dynamic loading similar to that encountered in nuclear blasts was coupled with a study of the comparative behavior of shear keys under static loading. The testing procedure gave deflection recording for the shear keys, their strength in pure shear, under transverse compression and when dowelled, stresses and strains in the embedded dowels, and the mode of failure of each specimen. From an analysis of the data obtained and a study of the combined direct and transverse stresses involved, important qualitative conclusions were drawn from the common trends in the behavior of keys. The tests proved that plain concrete keys can withstand stresses in pure shear as high as 2000 p.s.i. or more, that imposing transverse compression on them raises the ratio of their shear strength to compressive strength by about 50% in dynamic loading though by only about 5% in static loading, and that the keys exhibit much higher shear strength when subjected to dynamic loads than when stressed by static loads. The test also indicated that the strength and quality of the gravel are probably major factors governing the strength of the keys.

"A method is outlined for calculating the trajectories, through the magnetic field of the following magnet pair of positive and negative particles of different momenta produced in a target. Representative trajectories were computed by this method and are given numerically."

"One of the limitations of the Zircex Process is the large percentage loss of U which is carried off with the volatile ZrCl/sub 4/. Since the ratio of U to Zr in the fuel element is quite small (< 1%), a large percentage of U loss can be caused by small amounts of U in the ZrCl/sub 4/ sublimate. The U loss must be kept below 1% if the Zircex Process is to be adapted to industrial scale processing."

"A ring circuit is a succession or two-port networks and at least one three-port network, each feeding the next at one port and the last feeding the first so that the sequence closes on itself leaving at least one input port. The input admittance is derived in terms ef various matrices describing the circuit for one- and two-input port rings."

"The degree of cleanliness is defined, and the methods and materials to be used are outlined for carbon and low alloy steels, 300 and 400 series ferritic and austenitic stainless steels, special Ni-Cr base heat-resistant hard-facing and high-temperature brazing alloys, and some non-ferrous materials."

"Formulas are given to express the general particle trajectory and the equilibrium orbit for a slightly disturbed synchrotron in terms of the amplitude and phase functions for the ideal machine. If these functions are known, orbit computations can be carried out by simple integration procedures. The formalism is expected to be useful especially for considerations such as beam alignment or generation of an external electron beam. Some equations given earlier are repeated for completeness."

"The effects of radiation emission on the motion of electrons in high energy synchrotrons are analyzed. The damping rates and quantum excitation of the three principal modes of oscillation are derived for strong focusing and constant gradient accelerators. Methods for correcting the radiation effects for strong focusing accelerators are discussed."

"The resonant frequencies of the magnet power supply are investigated. It is found that there are eleven resonant modes in addition to the desired mode of operation with six additional resonant frequencies. From measurements of the choke model, it appears that the frequencies of some of the spurious modes may lie in the same range as the desired mode of operation."

"The general techniques of voltammetry with continuously varying potential have been applied to a differential method in which two electrolysis cells are used, each with a hanging mercury drop electrode. Using this method it is possible to determine lO/sup -6/ solutions with increased precision, and it is also possible to analyze solutions as dilute as 10/sup -6/ without removing oxygen from the electrolysis cells. Mixtures can be analyzed easily by adding individual components of the mixture to the reference cell."

"Several multiplier phototubes produced by England, Russia, or Switzerland were evaluated for amplification, photocathode sensitivity, photo-electron collection efficiency, cathode uniformity, and dark current. A description of the various tubes by designation numbers is given, along nth a description of techniques and equipment used in testing."