This progress report is submitted at the end of the first year of a 3-year project grant studying development of a nuclear pumped atomic iodine laser. The first section of the report will provide background on the study and briefly describe the original plans for the 3-year project. The second section will detail the work done to date. Included will be a description of the preparations made for experimentation, as well as some preliminary results recently obtained. Plans for the upcoming budget year are covered in the accompanying proposal, Project Plans for 1989--1990.''

This progress report is submitted at the end of the first year of a 3-year project grant studying development of a nuclear pumped atomic iodine laser. The first section of the report will provide background on the study and briefly describe the original plans for the 3-year project. The second section will detail the work done to date. Included will be a description of the preparations made for experimentation, as well as some preliminary results recently obtained. Plans for the upcoming budget year are covered in the accompanying proposal, ``Project Plans for 1989--1990.``

The cytotoxic clastogenic and mutagenic effects of the arsenic containing vesicant, Lewisite (L) [dichloro(2-chlorovinyl) arsine], have been investigated using Chinese hamster ovary cells. One hour exposures to Lewisite were cytotoxic in uM amounts. The cell survival response yields a D37 of 0.6 uM and an extrapolation number of 2.5. The mutagenic response at the hypoxantnine-guanine phosporibosyl transferase (HGPRT) locus was sporadic and not significantly greater than control values when cells were exposed over a range of 0.125 to2.0 uM. Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) induction, a measure of chromosomal rearrangement, was weakly positive over a range of 0.25 to 1.0 uM but the values were not significantly greater than the control response. Chromosomal aberrations were induced at 0.75 and 1.0 UMin one experiment and 0.5 and 0.75 uM in another experiment. The Induced values were significantly greater than the control values. Lewisite appears to be cytotoxic and clastogenic in our investigations but SCE and mutation at the HGPRT locus are not significantly greater than control values. Lewisita toxicity was in some ways similar to radiomimetic chemicals such as bleomycin.

The failure of the single phase bellows and magnet test stand during quench testing of SSC dipole magnet DD0011 has led to much speculation about the inherent stability of operating SSC magnets. This note addresses the problem of instabilities resulting from both translational and angular misalignment between pipes connected by bellows in the general sense and with respect to the SSC single phase system specifically. Note that none of the instabilities referenced here result from bellows 'squirm'. Inelastic bellows failure is not within the scope of this work. The failure mode referenced here is an elastic instability. 3 refs., 7 figs.

Although there are many differences between the High-Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (HTGR) concepts being developed in the US and the High Temperature Reactor (HTR) concepts in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), the coated fuel particles are very similar. Significant benefits are achievable through cooperative research and exchange of information and data on the fuel performance and radionuclide retention in the coated fuel particles. This draft report describes cooperative work on HTGR safety research as agreed to in the "USA/FRG Umbrella Agreement for Cooperation in GCR Development: Safety Research Subprogram Plan," specifically, this work was conducted under Project Work Statement (PWS) S-6 titled "Fission Product Retention in Fuel," 9 refs., 12 figs., 4 tabs.

During the period from November 1988 through April 1989 the experimental plasma physics program at UCLA produced several new results. The experiments were conducted on the toroidal RACETRACK device. Generation of a steady-state high-beta field-reversed configuration in one of the straight sections by the rotating electromagnetic wave technique is now routine and because of understanding gained in the course of experiments we succeeded in extending the range of operation was extended. The pressure balance relation was verified by independent pressure and magnetic field measurements for this field reversed-configuration. Studies of the equilibrium have been extended to spatial and temporal decay of the confining diamagnetic current. It has been observed, that the current decays on the resistive time scale due to electron-ion coulomb collisions. Current injection was also used to study the effects of mirror fields on toroidal currents and to reduce the neutral gas pressure for a given plasma density.

During the period from November 1988 through April 1989 the experimental plasma physics program at UCLA produced several new results. The experiments were conducted on the toroidal RACETRACK device. Generation of a steady-state high-beta field-reversed configuration in one of the straight sections by the rotating electromagnetic wave technique is now routine and because of understanding gained in the course of experiments we succeeded in extending the range of operation was extended. The pressure balance relation was verified by independent pressure and magnetic field measurements for this field reversed-configuration. Studies of the equilibrium have been extended to spatial and temporal decay of the confining diamagnetic current. It has been observed, that the current decays on the resistive time scale due to electron-ion coulomb collisions. Current injection was also used to study the effects of mirror fields on toroidal currents and to reduce the neutral gas pressure for a given plasma density.

Our studies focus on attempting to understand the role of decomposer-primary producer linkages in successional dynamics. We are testing a series of hypotheses that relate changes in plant species composition during succession to changes in activity and structure of the soil microfloral and faunal community, dynamics of soil organic matter, and availability of soil nutrients. As these successional patterns are identified, they are being applied to understanding specific processes and mechanics involved in ecosystem development during recovery from moderate and severe disturbances. These findings are then being used in conjunction with simulation models to assess potential effects of climate change on ecosystems. Our research involves field studies in northwestern Colorado and southeastern Washington, laboratory studies, and simulation modeling. Ongoing projects include studies of response patterns of primary producer and soil microbial communities to nutrient additions (N, P, and sucrose), the function of mycorrhizal fungi in plant community development, and the dynamics of litter decomposition under semiarid conditions. New studies are being implemented to investigate the significance of nutrient transfers from VAM fungi to plants and plant-root exudate interactions, and to relate this to understanding their roles in succession.

Our studies focus on attempting to understand the role of decomposer-primary producer linkages in successional dynamics. We are testing a series of hypotheses that relate changes in plant species composition during succession to changes in activity and structure of the soil microfloral and faunal community, dynamics of soil organic matter, and availability of soil nutrients. As these successional patterns are identified, they are being applied to understanding specific processes and mechanics involved in ecosystem development during recovery from moderate and severe disturbances. These findings are then being used in conjunction with simulation models to assess potential effects of climate change on ecosystems. Our research involves field studies in northwestern Colorado and southeastern Washington, laboratory studies, and simulation modeling. Ongoing projects include studies of response patterns of primary producer and soil microbial communities to nutrient additions (N, P, and sucrose), the function of mycorrhizal fungi in plant community development, and the dynamics of litter decomposition under semiarid conditions. New studies are being implemented to investigate the significance of nutrient transfers from VAM fungi to plants and plant-root exudate interactions, and to relate this to understanding their roles in succession.

This report provides a top level functional description and design for the development and implementation of the central network to support the next generation of SNL, Albuquerque supercomputer in a UNIX{reg sign} environment. It describes the network functions and provides an architecture and topology.

In a nine month run with a 150 GeV proton beam and a conventional double horn neutrino beam aimed at the Soudan 2 detector, a search could be made for neutrino oscillations in the mode /nu//sub /mu// /yields/ /nu//sub /tau//. If evidence for oscillations is not found, new limits could be set extending the /Delta/m/sup 2/ excluded region from .3 eV/sup 2/ to .004 eV/sup 2/ at 90% confidence level. 7 refs., 4 figs.

Soudan 2 is an 1100-ton tracking calorimeter which is being constructed to search for nucleon decay. The detector consists of finely segmented iron instrumented with drift tubes, and records three spatial coordinates and dE/dx for every gas crossing. Excellent event-reconstruction capability, particle identification, and muon sign and direction determination give superior rejection of the neutrino background to nucleon decay in many modes. The first 275 tons of Soudan 2 is operating and a charged-particle test beam calibration is under way. Construction is scheduled for completion in 1992. 4 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs.

Both the Model 5A (Monel 400) and 5A (Monel 400) Modified five-inch cylinders have been used at the Portsmouth GDP to withdraw, store, and ship highly enriched uranium hexafluoride. As a result of a generic cracking problem with Monel 400 valve-boss material, a cylinder modification was implemented in the mid 1970s. This modification resulted in the violation of the ASME ''Code'' stamp status of the Model 5A Modified cylinder. Hydrostatic testing-to- rupture data indicated that the Model 5A Modified cylinders had ruptured strengths equivalent to that of the original Model 5A cylinders. An independent consultant reviewed the available information and confirmed that the Model 5A Modified cylinders ''will with proper maintenance continue to perform satisfactorily for many additional years of service.'' Based on the test data and consultant's review, DOE approved continued use of the 5A Modified cylinder and also requested procurement of replacement 5B cylinders be expedited. Currently, the 5A modified cylinders are in the production, storage, shipment cycle, and a sufficient number of 5B cylinders has been ordered to accommodate the projected product shipping requirements for the Navy flow. 3 tabs.

Fundamental understanding of the oxidation of compounds in supercritical water is essential for the design, development and operation of a supercritical water oxidation unit. Previous work in our group determined the oxidation kinetics of carbon monoxide and ethanol in supercritical water for temperatures ranging from 400 to 540 C. Oxidation studies of methane up to 700 C have recently been completed and are presented in this report. Theoretical studies of fundamental kinetics and mechanistic pathways for the oxidation of methane in supercritical water are discussed. Application of current gas phase elementary reaction models are briefly presented and their limitations discussed.

The variational methods of classical field theory may be applied to any theory with an action which is invariant under local gauge transformations. What is the significance of the resulting Noether current. This paper examines such currents for both Abelian and non-Abelian gauge theories and provides an explanation for their form and limited range of physical significance on a level accessible to those with a basic knowledge of classical field theory. Several of the more subtle aspects encountered in the application of the residual local gauge symmetry found by Becchi, Rouet, Stora, and Tyutin are also considered in detail in a self-contained manner. 23 refs.

We summarize recent measurements by the HRS collaboration of the topological branching fractions, the production cross section, the lifetime, and the rate into electrons of the {tau} lepton. An inconsistency with theoretical expectations persists at the level of two standard deviations. 11 refs., 2 figs., 4 tabs.

We predicted gravity values on a tower by upward continuing an extensive set of surface data in order to test the 1/r/sup 2/ dependence of Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation. We measured gravity at 12 heights up to 454 m on a tower at the Nevada Test Site, and at 91 locations on the surface of the earth within 2.5 kilometers of the tower. These data have been combined with 60,000 surface gravity measurements within 300 kilometers of the tower and have been used to predict the gravitational field on the tower via a solution of Laplace's equation. A discrepancy between the observed gravity values and the prediction could suggest a breakdown of Newtonian Gravity, but we observe none. Our preliminary results are consistent with the Newtonian hypothesis to within 93 +- 95 ..mu..gals at the top of the tower, a result which conflicts with the previously reported 500 ..mu..gal non-Newtonian signal seen at 562 meters above the earth. 24 refs., 2 figs.

The goal of this research is to develop catalysts that directly convert methane and light hydrocarbons to intermediates that later can be converted to either liquid fuels or value-added chemicals, as economics dictate. In this reporting period, we have utilized samples of magnesia differing in their pretreatment temperature. Both the hydrido-ruthenium complex H{sub 4}Ru{sub 4}(CO){sub 12} and its reaction product with triethyl aluminum were reacted with these samples. The two ruthenium clusters are expected to react with the magnesia surface in different ways: by deprotonation of the hydride through an acid-base reaction with the basic surface, or by hydrolysis of the aluminum-carbon bond of the triethyl aluminum adduct. The concentration of hydroxyl groups on the magnesia surface able to hydrolyze the aluminum-carbon bond for immobilation should vary depending on the temperature of the pretreatment; the concentration of basic sites which can deprotonate the cluster should also vary with temperature. These differences were borne out by the experiment. We also compared the activity of two batches of AlRu{sub 4}/MgO which had been synthesized at different times in the project. Both batches had approximately the same activity, but the newer batch had greater selectivity for C{sub 6+} hydrocarbons.

The TNX Area post-Cretaceous hydrogeological section consists of an unconfined aquifer in recent to Pliestocene age sediments and a confined aquifer in tertiary aged sediments. The unconfined aquifer is a local water bearing reservoir and will not be correlated to a specific stratigraphic unit at this time. Depth to the water table ranges from 25 feet at the New TNX Seepage Basin to 50 feet at the Old TNX Seepage Basin. The unconfined aquifer is 45--50 feet thick and outcrops in the swamp to the west of TNX. The hydraulic gradient in the unconfined aquifer decreases westerly across the TNX Area from 0.05 to 0.01. The unconfined aquifer is separated from the underlying confined aquifer by a sandy slit aquitard (A1) which is approximately 5--10 feet thick. Researchers reported an increase in hydraulic head across this unit of approximately 8 feet which results in an upward gradient between the unconfined and confined aquifer. The confined Tertiary aquifer (C1) at TNX is 25--30 feet thick and can generally be found 60 to 90 feet below the surface. The C1 aquifer is part of the aquifer commonly referred to as the Congaree'' which occurs in the Congaree Formation. The C1 aquifer lies …

When one attempts to construct classical wormholes in Minkowski signature Lorentzian spacetimes violations of both the weak energy hypothesis and averaged weak energy hypothesis are encountered. Since the weak energy hypothesis is experimentally known to be violated quantum mechanically, this suggests that a quantum mechanical analysis of Minkowski signature wormholes is in order. In this note I perform a minisuperspace analysis of a simple class of Minkowski signature wormholes. By solving the Wheeler-de Witt equation for pure Einstein gravity on this minisuperspace the quantum mechanical wave function of the wormhole is obtained in closed form. The wormhole is shown to be quantum mechanically stabilized with an average radius of order the Planck length. 8 refs.

316L stainless steel is a candidate material for construction of equipment that will be exposed to tritium. Proper design of the equipment will require an understanding of how tritium and its decay product helium affect mechanical properties. This memorandum describes results of rapid heating tensile testing of hydrogen-charged specimens of high-energy-rate-forged (HERF) 316L stainless steel. These results provide a data base for comparison with uncharged and tritium-charged-and-aged specimens to distinguish the effects of hydrogen and helium. Details of the experimental equipment and procedures and results for uncharged specimens were reported previously. 3 refs., 10 figs.

The purpose of this memorandum is to document the improvements and modifications made to the Replacement Costs of Crude Oil (REPCO) Supply Analysis System. While some of this work was performed under our previous support contract to DOE/ASFE, we are presenting all modifications and improvements are presented here for completeness. The memo primarily documents revisions made to the Lower-48 Onshore Model. Revisions and modifications made to other components and models in the REPCO system which are documented elsewhere are only highlighted in this memo. Generally, the modifications made to the Lower-48 Onshore Model reflect changes that have occurred in domestic drilling, oil field costs, and reserves since 1982, the date of the most recent available data used for the original Replacement Costs report, published in 1985.

An investigation of Mound`s ability to measure and process bridges was conducted in 1985. Prior to improvements in the measuring system and technique, bridge width was found to have a sigma of 0.00019 in. After improvements were made, a sigma of 0.000047 was realized. Bridge length was found to be more erratic than width, although most of the inaccuracy was caused by measurement uncertainty. Length and width were found to have little or no correlation.

Two uses of the Perkin-Elmer (PE) robotic system will be presented. In the first, a PE robot functions as an automatic sample changer for up to five low energy photon spectrometry (LEPS) detectors operated with a Nuclear Data ND 6700 system. The entire system, including the robot, is controlled by an IBM PC-AT using software written in compiled BASIC. Problems associated with the development of the system and modifications to the robot will be presented. In the second, an evaluation study was performed to assess the abilities of the PE robotic system for performing complex analytical sample preparation procedures. For this study, a robotic system based upon the PE robot and auxiliary devices was constructed and programmed to perform the preparation of final product samples (UO{sub 3}) for accountability and impurity specification analyses. These procedures require sample dissolution, dilution, and liquid-liquid extraction steps. The results of an in-depth evaluation of all system components will be presented.