The following report calculates how many neutrons are produced by the O-16([alpha]-n) reaction in a thin and uniform polonium oxide layer.

Abstract: "A theoretical and experimental investigation is made of the diffraction pattern produced by a slit, whose aperture varies uniformly from a constant value A to zero. The results of this investigation are applied to a proposed high speed camera. It is shown that diffraction effects are very serious and cannot be neglected. It seems, unless the suggested design of this high speed camera is changed, the camera will be of little use for accurate measurements, and photographs will show too much blue to give details."

"This report gives briefly a rather simple method for fabricating foils from uranium buttons. Two log sheets one of a U-238 run and one of a U-255 run are given."

Abstract: "This report describes work done to improve the casting characteristics of methyl methacrylete resin under CMR-6-18 authorization. The experimental program was initiated with the objectives of decreasing casting time, bubble formation and shrinkage. It has been found that by use of a common solvent for monomer and polymer concentration in monomer can be attained greater than any previously reported in preparation of a methacrylate casting resign. Incorporation of this greater amount of polymer has produced the desired effects. A bibliography of relevant literature is included to which reference is made in the text."

From abstract: "The present report describes experimental work performed to establish a procedure for the production of uranium metal wire. In all cases, the size of the initial rod was 1/2 inch diameter. Three materials were used: hot extruded tuballoy rod, high purity cast tuballoy rod, and cast U-235 rod."

Abstract: "A method for determining hydrogen in lithium hydride by heating samples with lead at 600 C, was developed. The hydrogen evolved during thermal decomposition of the hydride is purified and oxidized to water with cupric oxide at 400 C. The analysis is completed by collecting and weighing this water. Success in development of the analytical procedure has depended upon a careful design and assembly of equipment for handling samples in a dry, inert atmosphere. For seven pure hydride samples analyzed by the recommended method the estimates of the standard deviation varied between 0.12 and 0.41 percent lithium hydride (or 1.3 and 4.2 parts per thousand) for 8 to 18 determinations on each sample. The procedure is relatively insensitive to variations in certain conditions. For single-piece samples weighing 0.2 to 0.5 gram it was found to be more satisfactory than a method which uses mercury in place of lead for sample decomposition. For powdered lithium hydride samples the lead and mercury methods are equally satisfactory."

Abstract: "The kinematics of elastic scattering, inelastic scattering, and the two body reaction problem is developed in the relativistic limit and exact expressions obtained for the energies, angles, and solid-angle transformations involved. The results are specialized for zero rest mass of one or more of the particles involved. An outline for the coding of the problem on the I.B.M. Electronic Data Processing Machine, Type 701 is presented."

The following report examines the fission counter, fission plates and activation results of the neutron energy distribution in the center of the Los Alamos plutonium reactor.

The operation of the Fast Reactor is considered in terms of normal equilibrium conditions and normal shut-down. The proposed loading, control rod adjustment and subsequent "floating" operation are discussed. Safety devices and interlocks are described. Temperature and reactivity changes are examined with respect to various system failures, phase changes, and "flashing" of the reactor. Slow changes due to faulty slug cooling are also considered. The calculations were initially based upon 10 kw operation. Performance tests of the mercury system now indicate that 20-kw operation may be feasible.

This report records two samples of Xe-135 that have been isolated with activities sufficient for the measurement of the cross section of Xe by the velocity spectrometer technique.

Abstract: "The thermal and electrical conductivities of a series of Pu-Al alloys have been determined in the range 0.12 atomic percent Pu. The conductivities are approximately proportional to the volume of free aluminum."

Abstract: "Decontamination factors of the order of 10-4 were obtained for Beta and Gamma emitters present as fission products when uranium was precipitated from 50 mC activity level solutions as uranyl oxalate under normal uranium yield conditions for three cycles (~60%). Factors of the order of 10-3 were obtained by the use of this reaction with similar solutions under relatively high uranium yield conditions for three cycles (~90%). The uranium peroxide precipitation reaction proved to be of no value on such solutions, yielding decontamination factors of only 17.1 Beta emitters and 1.2 for Gamma emitters for three cycles."

The following report describes procedures taken to utilize the photelometer to procure the most rapid and reliable determinations, but the goal of the tests presented was to create satisfactory dispersions of particles to analyze.

Abstract: "The general utility of vacuum evaporated films is discussed. The characteristics that makes this technique most useful are the uniformity of the films, the easy control of their thickness over a large range, and the adaptability of the system to different metals and compounds. The design of a vacuum evaporator should provide adequate pumping speed, cooling of components, filament heater supply, and general flexibility and adaptability of the components to different materials. The design of filaments or boats and the evaporation of Al, Ag, Au, Li, Na, UCl4, ThF4, Be, SiO, Nal (Tl), U, and UO2 are considered. Special attention is given to the problem of obtaining uniform layers of UO2 on a large, flat target relatively close to the source."

The following report describes the high pressure and temperature homogeneous reactor experiment which has been started at Los Alamos, as well as the hazards and safety aspects for the experiments.

The following report investigates part of the variability of the computed fall-out intensity patterns due to the variability of the winds, on the basis of winds from four Pacific shot days. An extreme case from Operation Sandstone is also considered.

The following report describes the findings of air samplings taken that followed the Wasp detonation of Operation Teapot.

Abstract: This document is a survey analysis of soil samples from Los Alamos, Pueblo, Bayo, and Mortandad canyons to determine the presence and activities of radioactive contaminants. Also included are the results of analyses of a few samples of grass and of surface water. This survey covers the period from spring 1953 to spring 1955.

The following report presents a discussion of the method for hydrodynamic problems, together with some new considerations that have arisen concerning the method.

This report follows experiments on the behavior of helium when interacting with shock waves and the physical radioactive evidence following.

Abstract: "A description of the instrumentation for neutron flux measurement from Kiwi-A at NTS is given as some discussion of start-up considerations, detector design, system response adjustments, and power calibration of the reactor at some low level of power."

The bibliography provided investigates the following sources: Chemical Abstracts 1947-1950., Metallurgical Abstracts Vols. 1-18., ASM Review of Metals Literature Vols. 1-6., J. Institute of Metals Vols. 78-80 (No. 7)., Physics Abstracts 1937-1950.

From abstract: "To seek information for a better understanding of the phenomena involved in fall-out, a fireball effect was simulated in a small closed room by subjecting various materials to a high-current (~360 amp.) are produced between graphite electrodes, and anode being impregnated with radioactive materials. The time duration of the arc, power dissipated, and distance from the samples were controlled. The radioactivity which remained airborne, that which settled out onto the floor and its distribution, and that deposited on the test material was measured, and percentages of the total measured activity were determined."

An estimate was made of the upper bound for the half-time of dissociation at 100 atm for ammonia, methane, and propane at 2500 deg K and hydrogen at 5000 deg K. In each case a unimolecular reactron in the homogeneous gas phase was chosen as most suitable for this purpose. Slater's theory has been used to estimate the necessary frequency factors. The upper bounds to the half- time for dissociation range from 3 x 10⁻⁷ to 6 x 10⁻⁶ sec. Extrapolation of decomposition rate data obtained at --1000 deg C and 1 atm pressure gives smaller values for the half-time of dissociation.