The U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office Environmental Management Program is charged with the responsibility to carry out the disposal of on-site and off-site generated low-level radioactive waste at the Nevada Test Site. Core elements of this mission are ensuring that disposal take place in a manner that is safe and cost-effective while protecting workers, the public, and the environment. This paper focuses on giving an overview of the Nevada Test Site facilities regarding currant design of disposal. In addition, technical attributes of the facilities established through the site characterization process will be further described. An update on current waste disposal volumes and capabilities will also be provided. This discussion leads to anticipated volume projections and disposal site requirements as the Nevada Test Site disposal operations look towards the future.

After a 15-year hiatus, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office (NNSA/NSO) began accepting DOE off-site generated mixed low-level radioactive waste (MLLW) for disposal at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) in December 2005. This action was predicated on the acceptance by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) of a waste analysis plan (WAP). The NNSA/NSO agreed to limit mixed waste disposal to 20,000 cubic meters (approximately 706,000 cubic feet) and close the facility by December 2010 or sooner, if the volume limit is reached. The WAP and implementing procedures were developed based on Hanford’s system of verification to the extent possible so the two regional disposal sites could have similar processes. Since the NNSA/NSO does not have a breaching facility to allow the opening of boxes at the site, verification of the waste occurs by visual inspection at the generator/treatment facility or by Real-Time-Radiography (RTR) at the NTS. This system allows the NTS to effectively, efficiently, and compliantly accept MLLW for disposal. The WAP, NTS Waste Acceptance Criteria, and procedures have been revised based on learning experiences. These changes include: RTR expectations; visual inspection techniques; tamper-indicating device selection; void space requirements; and …

Abstract The Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) is the leading candidate for the Next Generation Nuclear Power (NGNP) Project in the U.S. which has the goal of demonstrating the production of emissions free electricity and hydrogen by 2015. Various scaled heated gas and water flow facilities were investigated for modeling VHTR upper and lower plenum flows during the decay heat portion of a pressurized conduction-cooldown scenario and for modeling thermal mixing and stratification (“thermal striping”) in the lower plenum during normal operation. It was concluded, based on phenomena scaling and instrumentation and other practical considerations, that a heated water flow scale model facility is preferable to a heated gas flow facility and to unheated facilities which use fluids with ranges of density to simulate the density effect of heating. For a heated water flow lower plenum model, both the Richardson numbers and Reynolds numbers may be approximately matched for conduction-cooldown natural circulation conditions. Thermal mixing during normal operation may be simulated but at lower, but still fully turbulent, Reynolds numbers than in the prototype. Natural circulation flows in the upper plenum may also be simulated in a separate heated water flow facility that uses the same plumbing as the lower …

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A low-power cryostat was designed and built for the Multi-sensor Airborne Radiation Survey (MARS) project for the purpose of housing a close-packed high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector array of 14 HPGe detectors. The power consumption of the cold mass in the cryostat was measured to be 4.07(11) watts, sufficient for 5.5 days of continuous operation using only 8 liters of liquid nitrogen. Temperatures throughout the cryostat were measured by platinum resistance temperature detectors. These measurements were used to determine the emissivity of the copper used in the floating radiation shield and outer cryostat wall, which was constructed using chemically cleaned and passivated copper metal. Using a PNNL-developed passivation process, an emissivity of 2.5(3)% was achieved for copper.

The authors measure the mean lifetime, {tau} = 2/({Lambda}{sub L} + {Lambda}{sub H}), and the decay-width difference, {Delta}{Lambda} = {Lambda}{sub L} - {Lambda}{sub H}, of the light and heavy mass eigenstates of the B{sub s}{sup 0} meson, B{sub sL}{sup 0} and B{sub sH}{sup 0}, in B{sub s}{sup 0} {yields} J/{psi}{phi} decays using 1.7 fb{sup -1} of data collected with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron p{bar p} collider. Assuming CP conservation, a good approximation for the B{sub s}{sup 0} system in the standard model, they obtain {Delta}{Lambda} = 0.076{sub -0.063}{sup +0.059}(stat.) {+-} 0.006(syst.) ps{sup -1} and {tau} = 1.52 {+-} 0.04(stat.) {+-} 0.02(syst.) ps, the most precise measurements to date. The constraints on the weak phase and {Delta}{Lambda} are consistent with CP conservation.

We present a measurement of the cross section for W-boson production in association with jets in p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV. The analysis uses a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 320 pb{sup -1} collected with the CDF II detector. W bosons are identified in their electron decay channel and jets are reconstructed using a cone algorithm. For each W + {ge} n-jet sample (n = 1-4) we measure {sigma}(p{bar p} {yields} W + {ge} n-jet) x {Beta}(W {yields} e{nu}) with respect to the transverse energy E{sub T} of the nth-highest E{sub T} jet above 20 GeV, for a restricted W {yields} e{nu} decay phase space. The cross sections, corrected for all detector effects, can be directly compared to particle level W + jet(s) predictions. We present here comparisons to leading order and next-to-leading order predictions.

The B{sub c}{sup {+-}} meson is observed through the decay B{sub c}{sup {+-}} {yields} J/{psi} {pi}{sup {+-}}, in data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.4 fb{sup -1} recorded by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. A signal of 108 {+-} 15 candidates is observed, with a significance that exceeds 8{sigma}. The mass of the B{sub c}{sup {+-}} meson is measured to be 6275.6 {+-} 2.9(stat.) {+-} 2.5(syst.) MeV/c{sup 2}.

The authors search for pair production of doubly charged Higgs particles (H{sup {+-}{+-}}) followed by decays into electron-tau (e{tau}) and muon-tau ({mu}{tau}) pairs using a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 350 pb{sup -1} collected from {bar p}p collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV by the CDF II experiment. They search separately for cases where three or four final-state leptons are detected, and then combine the results into limits for each exclusive flavor decay mode of the H{sup {+-}{+-}}. Assuming 100% branching ratios of the H{sup {+-}{+-}} to left-handed e{tau} ({mu}{tau}) pairs, they set an H{sup {+-}{+-}} lower mass limit of 114 (112) GeV/c{sup 2} at the 95% confidence level (C.L.).

The authors report on the results of a search for standard model Higgs bosons produced in association with W bosons from p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV. The search uses a data sample corresponding to approximately 1 fb{sup -1} of integrated luminosity. Events consistent with the W {yields} {ell}{nu} and H {yields} b{bar b} signature are selected by triggering on a high-p{sub T} electron or muon candidate and tagging one or two of the jet candidates as having originated from b quarks. A neural network filter rejects a fraction of tagged charm and light flavor jets, increasing the b-jet purity in the sample and thereby reducing the background to Higgs boson production. They observe no excess {ell}{nu}b{bar b} production beyond the background expectation, and they set 95% confidence level upper limits on the production cross section times branching fraction {sigma}(p{bar p} {yields} WH) {center_dot} Br(H {yields} b{bar b}) ranging from 3.9 to 1.3 pb, for specific Higgs boson mass hypotheses in the range 110 to 150 GeV/c{sup 2}, respectively.

We present a measurement of the W boson mass using 200 pb{sup -1} of data collected in p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV by the CDF II detector at Run II of the Fermilab Tevatron. With a sample of 63964 W {yields} ev candidates and 51128 W W {yields} {mu}v candidates, we measure M{sub W} = (80413 {+-} 34{sub stat} {+-}34{sub syst} = 80413 {+-} 48) MeV/c{sup 2}. This is the most precise single measurement of the W boson mass to date.

We have performed a search for new particles which decay to two photons using 1.2 fb{sup -1} of integrated luminosity from p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s=1.96 TeV collected using the CDF II Detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. We find the diphoton mass spectrum to be in agreement with the standard model expectation, and set limits on the cross section times branching ratio for the Randall-Sundrum graviton, as a function of diphoton mass. We subsequently derive lower limits for the graviton mass of 230 GeV/c{sup 2} and 850 GeV/c{sup 2}, at the 95% confidence level, for coupling parameters (k/{bar M}{sub pl}) of 0.01 and 0.1 respectively.

We report the results of a search for a narrow resonance in electron-positron events in the invariant mass range of 150-950 GeV/c{sup 2} using 1.3 fb{sup -1} of p{bar p} collision data at {radical}s=1.96 TeV collected by the CDF II detector at Fermilab. No significant evidence of such a resonance is observed and we interpret the results to exclude the standard model-like Z{prime} with a mass below 923 GeV/c{sup 2} and the Randall-Sundrum graviton with a mass below 807 GeV/c{sup 2} for k/{bar M}{sub pl} = 0.1, both at the 95% confidence level. Combining with di-photon data excludes the Randall-Sundrum graviton for masses below 889 GeV/c{sup 2} for k/{bar M}{sub pl} = 0.1

We present a measurement of the correlated b{bar b} production cross section. The data used in this analysis were taken with the upgraded CDF detector (CDF II) at the Fermilab Tevatron collider, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 742 pb{sup -1}. We utilize muon pairs with invariant mass 5 {le} m{sub {mu}{mu}} {le} 80 GeV/c{sup 2} produced by b{bar b} double semileptonic decays. For muons with p{sub T} {ge} 3 GeV/c and |{eta}| {le} 0.7, that are produced by b and {bar b} quarks with p{sub T} {ge} 2 GeV/c and |y| {le} 1.3, we measure {sigma}{sub b{yields}{mu},{bar b}{yields}{mu}} = 1549 {+-} 133 pb. We compare this result with theoretical predictions and previous measurements. We also report the measurement of {sigma}{sub c{yields}{mu},{bar c}{yields}{mu}}, a by-product of the study of the background to b{bar b} production.

We describe a measurement of the W boson mass m{sub W} using 200 pb{sup -1} of {radical}s = 1.96 TeV p{bar p} collision data taken with the CDF II detector. With a sample of 63,964 W {yields} e{nu} candidates and 51,128 W {yields} {mu}{nu} candidates, we measure m{sub W} = [80.413 {+-} 0.034(stat.) {+-} 0.034 (sys.) = 80.413 {+-} 0.048] GeV/c{sup 2}. This is the single most precise m{sub W} measurement to date. When combined with other measured electroweak parameters, this result further constrains the properties of new unobserved particles coupling to W and Z bosons.

We report the measurements of the t{bar t} production cross section and of the top quark mass using 1.02 fb{sup -1} of p{bar p} data collected with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. We select events with six or more jets on which a number of kinematical requirements are imposed by means of a neural network algorithm. At least one of these jets must be identified as initiated by a b-quark candidate by the reconstruction of a secondary vertex. The cross section is measured to be {sigma}{sub t{bar t}} = 8.3 {+-} 1.0(stat. ){sup +2.0}{sub -1.5}(syst.) {+-} 0.5(lumi.) pb, which is consistent with the standard model prediction. The top quark mass of 174.0 {+-} 2.2(stat.){+-}4.8(syst.) GeV/c{sup 2} is derived from a likelihood fit incorporating reconstructed mass distributions representative of signal and background.

The authors present a search for the associated production of charginos and neutralinos in p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV. The data were collected at the Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF II) and correspond to integrated luminosities between 0.7 and 1.0 fb{sup -1}. They look for final states with one high-p{sub T} electron or muon, and two additional leptons. The results are consistent with the standard model expectations, and they set limits on the cross section as a function of the chargino mass in three different supersymmetric scenarios. For a specific MSSM scenario with no slepton mixing they set a 95% C.L. limit at 151 GeV/c{sup 2}.

The authors present the first observation and cross section measurement of exclusive dijet production in {bar p}p interactions, {bar p}p {yields} {bar p} + dijet + p. Using a data sample of 310 pb{sup -1} collected by the Run II Collider Detector at Fermilab at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV, exclusive cross sections for events with two jets of transverse energy E{sub T}{sup jet} {ge} 10 GeV have been measured as a function of minimum E{sub T}{sup jet}. The exclusive signal is extracted from fits to data distributions based on Monte Carlo simulations of expected dijet signal and background shapes. The simulated background distribution shapes are checked in a study of a largely independent data sample of 200 pb{sup -1} of b-tagged jet events, where exclusive dijet production is expected to be suppressed by the J{sub z} = 0 total angular momentum selection rule. Results obtained are compared with theoretical expectations, and implications for exclusive Higgs boson production at the pp Large Hadron Collider at {radical}s = 14 TeV are discussed.

We report on a search for narrow-width particles decaying to a top and antitop quark pair. The data set used in the analysis corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 680 pb{sup -1} collected with the Collider Detector at Fermilab in Run II. We present 95% confidence level upper limits on the cross section times branching ratio. Assuming a specific top color-assisted technicolor production model, the leptophobic Z{prime} with width {Gamma}{sub Z{prime}} = 0.012M{sub Z{prime}}, we exclude the mass range M{sub Z{prime}} < 725 GeV/c{sup 2} at the 95% confidence level.

We present the results of a search for new particles that lead to a Z boson plus jets in p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV using the Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF II). A data sample with a luminosity of 1.06 fb{sup -1} collected using Z boson decays to ee and {mu}{mu} is used. We describe a completely data-based method to predict the dominant background from standard-model Z+jet events. This method can be similarly applied to other analyses requiring background predictions in multi-jet environments, as shown when validating the method by predicting the background from W+jets in t{bar t} production. No significant excess above the background prediction is observed, and a limit is set using a fourth generation quark model to quantify the acceptance. Assuming BR(b{prime} {yields} bZ) = 100% and using a leading-order calculation of the b{prime} cross section, b{prime} quark masses below 268 GeV/c2 are excluded at 95% confidence level.

This Letter describes the first determination of bounds on the CP-violation parameter 2{beta}{sub s} using B{sub s}{sup 0} decays in which the flavor of the bottom meson at production is identified. The result is based on approximately 2,000 B{sub s}{sup 0} {yields} J/{psi}{phi} decays reconstructed in a 1.35 fb{sup -1} data sample collected with the CDFII detector using p{bar p} collisions produced at the Fermilab Tevatron. We report confidence regions in the two-dimensional space of 2{beta}{sub s} and the decay-width difference {Delta}{Lambda}. Assuming the standard model predictions of 2{beta}{sub s} and {Delta}{Lambda}, the probability of a deviation as large as the level of the observed data is 15%, corresponding to 1.5 Gaussian standard deviations.

The authors present the first measurement of the production cross section of a W boson with a single charm quark (c) in p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV, using soft muon tagging of c jets. In a data sample of {approx} 1.8 fb{sup -1}, recorded with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron, they select events with W + 1 or 2 jets. They use the charge correlation between the W and the muon from the semileptonic decay of a charm hadron to extract the We signal. They measure {sigma}{sub Wc} (p{sub Tc} > 20 GeV/c, |{eta}{sub c}| < 1.5) x BR(W {yields} {ell}{nu}) = 9.8 {+-} 3.2 pb, in agreement with theoretical expectations.

Inclusive jet cross sections in Z/{gamma}* events, with Z/{gamma}* decaying into an electron-positron pair, are measured as a function of jet transverse momentum and jet multiplicity in p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s - 1.96 TeV with the upgraded Collider Detector at Fermilab in Run II, based on an integrated luminosity of 1.7 fb{sup -1}. The measurements cover the rapidity region |y{sup jet}| < 2.1 and the transverse momentum range p{sub T}{sup jet} > 30 GeV/c. Next-to-leading order perturbative QCD predictions are in good agreement with the measured cross sections.

We present a measurement of the top quark pair production cross section in p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV utilizing 425 pb{sup -1} of data collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We consider the final state of the top quark pair containing one high-p{sub T} electron or muon and at least four jets. We exploit specific kinematic features of t{bar t} events to extract the cross section. For a top quark mass of 175 GeV, we measure {sigma}{sub t{bar t}} = 6.4{sub -1.2}{sup +1.3}(stat) {+-} 0.7(syst) {+-} 0.4(lum)pb, in good agreement with the standard model prediction.