Applied Nuclear Update
John Dunning

We will offer both of our applied nuclear chemistry and physics courses in Fall 1998. The lecture course will continue the emphasis shift toward biochemistry and health physics along with neutron activation analysis of unknowns. New lecture applications include neutron diffraction and gamma ray astronomy. In the lab course we will exploit our new multi-channel analyzer, EG&G’s latest software, and the computer-coupled gamma ray library in Nuclide Navigator.

A high-intensity spallation neutron source is in the planning stage at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Students will be introduced to the nature of this neutron source, neutron diffraction to study crystal structure, and small angle neutron scattering to study thin films on surfaces.

Gamma ray astronomy now employs detectors whose sensitivity and angular resolution is an order of magnitude better than previously. These detectors are now orbiting the earth. They are revealing much about the center of our galaxy, element formation in exploding stars, and powerful objects at great distances.

In introductory lab courses we have developed new experiments to optimize learning using the gamma ray database in Nuclide Navigator. With every gamma known at your fingertips, there are too many possibilities unless you use logical reasons to narrow the search.

New gamma ray hardware includes an 8000+ channel analyzer and a rock-stable amplifier. The software makes energy calibration to within 0.2 keV easy. The result is high precision and the ability to use longer data collection times. An overnight run now yields quality data while the investigator sleeps.

In the advanced laboratory we will again offer neutron activation analysis of your hair using a 0.3-gram sample and Washington State University’s reactor, measurement of the uptake of I-131 by the thyroid, and a tour of a local cardiology facility where nuclear techniques are employed.