With the advent of larger and faster computers, as well as modern shell model codes, nuclear structure calculations for the light nuclei (A<16) which include full 2/bar h/..omega.. model spaces are quite feasible. However, there can be serious problems in the mixing of 2/bar h/..omega.. and higher excitations into the low-lying spectra if the effective interaction is non-saturating. Furthermore, effective interactions which are both saturating and density dependent have not generally been used in previous nuclear structure calculations. Therefore, we have undertaken studies of /sup 4/He using two-body potential interactions which incorporate both saturation and density-dependence. Encouraging initial results in remedying the mixing of 0 and 2/bar h/..omega.. excitations have been obtained. We have also considered the effects of our interaction on the /sup 4/He compressibility and the centroid of the breathing mode strength. First indications are that a saturating effective interaction, with a short-range density dependent part and a long-range density independent part, comes close to matching crude predictions for the compressibility of /sup 4/He. 11 refs., 6 tabs.

The characterization of radiation fields is important to many applications. For example, in operational health physics, the choice of instrumentation for monitoring and of a personnel dosimeter for use by radiation workers depend on both the type and spectral characteristics of the radiation. Furthermore, the spectral distribution of the fluence affects radiation damage estimates for materials for new or replacement equipment within the radiation environment. At the same time, knowledge of the character of the radiation fields at a high-energy accelerator leads to a better theoretical understanding of its nature, and is important to the specification of civil construction requirements for future upgrades of the accelerator. At Fermilab as at many high-energy accelerators neutrons dominate the radiation fields outside of beam pipes within enclosures. In a continuing effort to characterize as completely as possible the fields at various locations around the site, we have measured the neutron spectrum within the DO collision hall. Both the fluence and dose-equivalent energy distributions are summarized in this note. 12 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.

The High Resolution Spectrometer is a general-purpose spectrometer which measures both charged particles and electromagnetic energy over 90% of the solid angle. The detection elements are in a 1.62-T magnetic field. The detector elements consist of a central drift chamber, an outer drift-chamber system, a barrel shower counter, and an end-cap shower-counter system. The goals of the program of research with the High Resolution Spectrometer include measurements of the electroweak coupling of the quarks and leptons, studies of the strong interactions of the quarks, and search for qualitatively new phenomena. 20 refs., 35 figs. (LEW)

Sufficient data exist to provide a high level of confidence that refractory-alloy-clad ceramic fuel pins and refractory structural alloys can be used successfully in an operational space power system. However, data are not yet sufficient to ensure that these materials can meet the temperature, lifetime, and system mass envelope requirements for reliable operation of a 100 kW(e) system as specified by the SP-100 Project. Development efforts to provide these data are being initiated.

Liquid slurries expected under normal in-tank processing (ITP) operations are not ignitible because of their high water content. However, deposits of dry solids from the slurries are combustible and produce dense, black smoke when burned. The dry solids burn similarly to Styrofoam and more easily than sawdust. It is the opinion of fire hazard experts that a benzene vapor deflagration could ignite the dry solids. A tetraphenylborate solids fire will rapidly plug the waste tank HEPA ventilation filters due to the nature of the smoke produced. To prevent ignition and combustion of these solids, the waste tanks have been equipped with a nitrogen inerting system.

Liquid slurries expected under normal in-tank processing (ITP) operations are not ignitible because of their high water content. However, deposits of dry solids from the slurries are combustible and produce dense, black smoke when burned. The dry solids burn similarly to Styrofoam and more easily than sawdust. It is the opinion of fire hazard experts that a benzene vapor deflagration could ignite the dry solids. A tetraphenylborate solids fire will rapidly plug the waste tank HEPA ventilation filters due to the nature of the smoke produced. To prevent ignition and combustion of these solids, the waste tanks have been equipped with a nitrogen inerting system.

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The feasibilities of two new separate techniques to control particle contamination in practical gas-insulated sytems were tested in a small-scale concentric cylinder geometry. In one technique an insulating coating was first formed on the particles in a contaminated system by low-pressure discharges in appropriate gases such as 1-C/sub 3/F/sub 6/ and c-C/sub 4/F/sub 8/. When SF/sub 6/ was subsequently introduced into the same system at practical pressure as the operating insulation, the considerable harm ordinarily caused by particles was found to be eliminated. The nature of the coating formed also on the electrodes in this process was studied, with the conclusion that the observed benefits were primarily due to coating on particles, not on electrodes. In the second technique the particles, moved randomly by electrical stress, struck and adhered to the surface of a tacky insulating solid material; they were subsequently encapsulated in a melt-resolidify cycle without electrical stress. This trapping technique was also found to eliminate the harmful effects of particles in SF/sub 6/ at practical pressure. A technique for producing a trapping material with temperature characteristics appropriate for practical apparatus was devised. The effect of particle contamination on the dielectric strength of SF/sub 6//N/sub 2/ mixtures was studied …