The author have studied by means of numerical simulations the dynamical evolution of a network of cosmic strings, both in the radiation and matter era. Our basic conclusion is that a scaling solution exists, i.e., the string energy density evolves as t/sup -2/. This means that the process by which long strings dump their energy into closed loops (which can gravitationally radiate away) is efficient enough to prevent the string domination over other forms of energy. This conclusion does not depend on the initial string energy density, nor on the various numerical parameters. On the other hand, the generated spectrum of loop sizes does depend on the value of our numerical lower cutoff (i.e., the minimum length of loop we allow to be chopped off the network). Furthermore, the network evolution is very different from what was assumed before), namely the creation of a few horizon sized loops per horizon volume and per hubble time, which subsequently fragment into about 10 smaller daughter loops. Rather, many tiny loops are directly cut from the network of infinite strings, and it appears that the only fundamental scale (the horizon) has been lost. This is probably because a fundamental ingredient had been overlooked, …

Soft x-ray measurements of the internal plasma flux surface shaped in principle allow a determination of the plasma current density distribution, and provide a necessary monitor of the degree of internal elongation of tokamak plasmas with a noncircular cross section. A two-dimensional, tangentially viewing, soft x-ray pinhole camera has been fabricated to provide internal shape measurements on the PBX-M tokamak. It consists of a scintillator at the focal plane of a foil-filtered pinhole camera, which is, in turn, fiber optically coupled to an intensified framing video camera (/DELTA/t />=/ 3 msec). Automated data acquisition is performed on a stand-alone image-processing system, and data archiving and retrieval takes place on an optical disk video recorder. The entire diagnostic is controlled via a PDP-11/73 microcomputer. The derivation of the polodial emission distribution from the measured image is done by fitting to model profiles. 10 refs., 4 figs.

The left-right asymmetry A/sub N/ in ..pi../sup /minus//p ..-->.. ..gamma..n has been measured at p/sub ..pi.. = 301, 316, 427, 471, 547, 586, and 625 MeV/c using a transversely polarized target. The final-state neutron and gamma were detected in coincidence by two states of matching neutron and gamma detectors at gamma angles centered around 90/degree and 110/degree/ c.m. A gamma detector consisted of an array of 15 counters, each was 15/times/15/times/25 cm/sup 3/ block of lead-glass. A neutron detector consisted of 15 counters also, each one was a cylindrical plastic scintillator 7.6 cm in diameter and 45.7 cm long. The A/sub N/ results are compared with the predictions from the most recent single-pion photoproduction partial-wave analysis by Arai and Fujii. The agreement is poor, casting doubt on the correctness of the value for the radiative-decay amplitude of the neutral Roper resonance now in use. A comparison is made with the 90/degree/recoil proton polarization data of the inverse reaction derived from ..gamma..d scattering, there are substantial discrepencies. Charge exchange (..pi../sup /minus/p/ ..-->.. ..gamma../degree/n) events were the major yield in this experiment. Very precise values of the charge exchange analyzing power were obtained with an error of typically 3%. The charge exchange …

The observed decomposition of the lowest (N = 3,4) N-point correlation functions in symmetrized (N - 1) products of two-point correlation functions suggest the possibility that the Universe may obey a specific scale invariance, at least in some range. Assuming that this scale invariance is strictly verified for all N, some specific predictions concerning the void probability function P(sub O), and more generally the count probabilities P(sub N), as well as the fractal dimensions of the system can be made. In this report, the authors investigate the possibility that the non-linear evolution in a CDM Universe indeed to such a scale invariance.

This report is in response to a request from Westinghouse Hanford Company (WHC) that the PNL National Dosimetry Center (NDC) perform physics-dosimetry analyses (E > MeV) for N Reactor Pressure Tubes 2954 and 3053. As a result of these analyses, and recommendations for additional studies, two physics-dosimetry re-evaluations for Pressure Tube 1165 were also accomplished. The primary objective of Pacific Northwest Laboratories' (PNL) National Dosimetry Center (NDC) physics-dosimetry work for N Reactor was to provide FERRET-SAND II physics-dosimetry results to assist in the assessment of neutron radiation-induced changes in the physical and mechanical properties of N Reactor pressure tubes. 15 refs., 6 figs., 5 tabs.

Oxygen self-diffusion in PuO/sub 1.995/ was calculated from rate constants obtained for the parabolic oxidation of the Pu-1 wt % Ga alloy in 500-torr dry air between 250 and 480/degree/C. The activation energy for oxygen vacancy diffusion in the n-type PuO/sub 2-x/ is 22.6 kcal/mole. Results from this investigation are compared with other reported results, and possible explanation for the difference in results is discussed. 21 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.

The report in this document were submitted to the Department of Energy, Nuclear Data Committee (DOE-NDC) in April 1988. The reporting laboratories are those with a substantial program for the measurement of neutron and nuclear cross sections of relevance to the US applied nuclear energy program. Appropriate subjects are microscopic neutron cross sections relevant to the nuclear energy program, including shielding. Inverse reactions where pertinent are included; charged-particle cross sections where relevant to developing and testing nuclear models; gamma ray production, radioactive decay, and theoretical developments in nuclear structure which are applicable to nuclear energy programs; and proton and alpha-particle cross sections, at energies of up to 1 GeV, which are of interest to the space program.

The problem of understanding the branching fractions of the 1-charged particle decay modes of the /tau/ lepton is reviewed. The emphasis is on a recent study by K.G. Hayes and M.L. Perl of the statistical validity of the branching fraction measurements. Unconventional explanations of the problem, none of them satisfactory, are also discussed. 25 refs., 4 tabs.

In this paper, the author focuses his attention on the present and potential applications of superconductors -- both the classic low T/sub c/ superconductors such as niobium and its alloys and the new high-T/sub c/ materials. This discussion falls naturally into two broad areas: large scale applications such as magnets and power generators, and small scale applications such as ultrasensitive detectors of electromagnetic radiation and of tiny magnetic fields;

Research and development progress in radiation transport for the Los Alamos National Laboratory's Group S-6 for the fourth quarter of FY 87 is reported. Included are unclassified tasks in the areas of Deterministic Radiation Transport, Monte Carlo Radiation Transport, and Cross Sections and Physics. 23 refs., 9 figs.

A scenario for the central engine of AGN has been developed consisting of a massive black hole (MBH) onto which gas accretes through an accretion disk. The accretion disk radiates the observed optical and ultraviolet continua. Surrounding the MBH is a nonthermal source which produces the infrared and soft x-ray continua by synchrotron emission, and the x-ray spectrum by inverse Compton scattering of the optical-ultraviolet photons from the accretion disk. Previously we modeled the accretion disk (M.A.M.) and nonthermal source (D.L.B.) separately, and here we combine the two models to form a unified description of the AGN engine. This combined model can be inverted to determine source parameters from observed spectra. A group of AGN for which multiband observations exist can then be modeled to: demonstrate the validity of the combined model for a large number of objects; establish the range of parameter values that describe the source; and search for any correlations between source description and type.

The response of polyethylene-moderated U-235 fission counters is only weakly dependent on incident neutron energy, while the response of unmoderated U-238 or Th-232 fission counters increases strongly with energy. A given concentration of D-T neutrons in a mixed DT-DD source results in a unique relative detector response that depends on the parameters R14 and R2.5, where R14 is the ratio of the unmoderated U-238 and moderated U-235 detector efficiencies for a pure 14-MeV neutron source, and R2.5 is the corresponding ratio for a pure 2.5 MeV source. We have determined R14 and R2.5 using D-D and D-T neutron generators inside the TFTR vacuum vessel. The results indicate that, for our detector geometry, the ratio of U-238 to U-235 count rates should increase by a factor of about 3 when the fusion neutron source changes from pure D-D to pure D-T. This calibration is being applied to recent TFTR /open quotes/supershot/close quotes/ data, where the uncollided neutron flux in the post-beam phase contains a high proportion of D-T neutrons from the burnup of D-D tritons. 8 refs., 4 figs,. 2 tabs.

A search for the lepton-flavor violating decay K/sup +/..--> pi../sup +/..mu../sup +/e/sup -/ has been performed. Measurements have also been made of the branching ratio and decay particle distributions for the decay K/sup +/..--> pi../sup +/e/sup -/. A description of the measurement technique, and preliminary results are presented. 6 refs., 5 figs.

An experimental cabling machine has been constructed and used to investigate the fabrication of a variety of superconducting cables. These include the 23-strand and 30-strand NbTi alloy cables for the Superconducting Supercollider (SSC) and a number of experimental cables. The experimental cables include 24-strands and 36-strands as well as two-level cables with a 6 or 7-strand first level and 23 or 30-strand second level. These results were used to aid in selecting the optimum cable for the SSC dipole and quadrupole magnets. As a result of these studies, cable can now be fabricated to exacting mechanical tolerances (+/- .006 mm) and with low critical current degradation (2-5%). In addition, tooling design studies have been performed and a Prototype SSC Production Cabling Machine has been designed. The results of the cable optimization studies and the tooling design studies will be discussed. SSC cable production experience on the experimental cabling machine and the production cabling machine will be reported.

Detailed simulations of the Compact Ignition Tokamak are carried out using a 1-1/2-D transport code. The calculations include time-varying densities, fields, and plasma shape. It is shown that ignition can be achieved in this device if somewhat better than L-mode energy confinement time scaling is possible. We also conclude that the performance of such a compact, short-pulse device can depend greatly on how the plasma is evolved to its flat-top parameters. Furthermore, in cases such as the ones discussed here, where there is not a great deal of ignition margin and the electron density is held constant, ignition ends if the helium ash is not removed. In general, control of the deuterium--tritium density is equivalent to burn control. 48 refs., 15 figs.

Particle orbits in a rotating tokamak plasma are calculated from the equation of motion in the frame that rotates with the plasma. It is found that heavy particles in a rotating plasma can drift away from magnetic surfaces significantly faster with a higher bounce frequency, resulting in a diffusion coefficient much larger than that for a stationary plasma. Particle orbits near the surface of a rotating tokamak are also analyzed. Orbit effects indicate that more impurities can penetrate into a plasma rotating with counter-beam injection. Particle simulation is carried out with realistic experimental parameters and the results are in qualitative agreement with some experimental observations in the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR). 19 refs., 15 figs.

This paper describes the use of an /sup 3/He ionization chamber for neutron spectroscopy on TFTR during 1987. The ion temperature was measured using neutron spectroscopy for one set of ohmically heated plasmas. The deduced ion temperatures agreed to within 20% with those measured by other diagnostics. 11 refs., 11 figs., 1 tab.

Hot compound nuclei are frequently produced in intermediate-energy reactions through a variety of processes. Their decay is shown to be an important and at times dominant source of complex fragments, high energy-gamma rays, and even pions.

This report summarizes the work performed in verifying the general purpose Monte Carlo driver-program PACSTAT. The main objective of the work was to verify the performance of PACSTAT's random number generation capabilities. Secondary objectives were to document (using controlled configuration management procedures) changes made in PACSTAT at Pacific Northwest Laboratory, and to assure that PACSTAT input and output files satisfy quality assurance traceability constraints. Upon receipt of the PRIME version of the PACSTAT code from the Basalt Waste Isolation Project, Pacific Northwest Laboratory staff converted the code to run on Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) VAXs. The modifications to PACSTAT were implemented using the WITNESS configuration management system, with the modifications themselves intended to make the code as portable as possible. Certain modifications were made to make the PACSTAT input and output files conform to quality assurance traceability constraints. 10 refs., 17 figs., 6 tabs.

Collision-induced infrared spectroscopy may be used to measure the composition of a liquid or solid deuterium-tritium (D-T) mixture. For T/sub 2/, DT and D/sub 2/, respectively, we measure the areas under the absorption peaks in the regions 76.75 to 80.19, 85.29 to 88.74, and 92.79 to 96.23 THz (2560-2675, 2845-2960, and 3095-3210 cm/sup /minus/1/). These areas are multiplied, respectively, by these isotopic sensitivities derived from quantum calculations: 1.000, 0.891, and 0.811. The resulting numbers are proportional to the molar composition. Nearly equimolar D-T samples show good agreement between mass and infrared spectroscopy. The large DT peak in enriched molecular DT overemphasizes D/sub 2/ in the infrared analysis, but these results may be corrected with the room-temperature, mass-spectroscopic D-to-T ratio. 7 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs.

Highlights of the Chemical Technology (CMT) Division's activities during 1987 are presented. In this period, CMT conducted research and development in the following areas: (1) high-performance batteries--mainly lithium-alloy/metal sulfide and sodium/sulfur; (2) aqueous batteries (lead-acid, nickel/iron, etc.); (3) advanced fuel cells with molten carbonate or solid oxide electrolytes; (4) coal utilization, including the heat and seed recovery technology for coal-fired magnetohydrodynamics plants and the technology for fluidized-bed combustion; (5) methods for the electromagnetic continuous casting of steel sheet and for the purification of ferrous scrap; (6) methods for recovery of energy from municipal waste and techniques for treatment of hazardous organic waste; (7) nuclear technology related to a process for separating and recovering transuranic elements from nuclear waste, the recovery processes for discharged fuel and the uranium blanket in a sodium-cooled fast reactor, and waste management; and (8) physical chemistry of selected materials in environments simulating those of fission and fusion energy systems. The Division also has a program in basic chemistry research in the areas of fluid catalysis for converting small molecules to desired products; materials chemistry for liquids and vapors at high temperatures; interfacial processes of importance to corrosion science, high-temperature superconductivity, and catalysis; the thermochemistry of various …

This paper presents a recently modified verion of the 2-D DART code designed to simulate the behavior of a beam of charged particles whose paths are affected by electric and magnetic fields. This code was originally used to design laboratory-scale and full-scale beam direct converters. Since then, its utility has been expanded to allow more general applications. The simulation technique includes space charge, secondary electron effects, and neutral gas ionization. Calculations of electrode placement and energy conversion efficiency are described. Basic operation procedures are given including sample input files and output. 7 refs., 18 figs.

A nonlinear electrostatic gyrokinetic Vlasov equation, as well as Poisson equation, has been derived in a form suitable for particle simulation studies of tokamak microturbulence and associated anomalous transport. This work differs from the existing nonlinear gyrokinetic theories in toroidal geometry, since the present equations conserve energy while retaining the crucial linear and nonlinear polarization physics. In the derivation, the action-variational Lie perturbation method is utilized in order to preserve the Hamiltonian structure of the original Vlasov-Poisson system. Emphasis is placed on the dominant physics of the collective fluctuations in toroidal geometry, rather than on details of particle orbits. 13 refs.

Typical gases which are stock at Fermilab are Ar:C/sub 2/H/sub 6/(50:50) and Ar:CO/sub 2/ (80:20). Argon:Ethane has the virtue of high gas gain and a saturated drift velocity. In fact, parametrizing the drift velocity as a function of electric field we find v/sub d/(E) = v/sub o/(1/minus/e/sup -E/E/o) with v/sub o/ approx. = 5.4 cm/..mu..sec and E/sub o/ = 160 V/cm. However, safety considerations make this gas somewhat inconvenient. The addition of alcohol as quencher also raises the saturation field to, for example, E/sub o/ approx. = 500 V/cm for 1.5% added alcohol. This gas also tends to break up in a high-beam flux environment and leave carbon deposits. The addition of alcohol to avoid such aging often takes a unit cell out of saturation over its entire volume. Finally, for collider applications it is useful to exclude free protons from the gas in order to reduce the sensitivity to the sea of slow neutrons which are present in the collider environment. In contrast, Ar:CO/sub 2/ (80:20) is a gas with more moderate gas gain. The drift velocity at high field is v/sub d/(E > 1.5 kV/cm) approx. = 5.8 cm/..mu..sec. For most field configurations this gas does not saturate, …