X-Ray Sources for the Triggering of Electromagnetic Pulses from Isomeric Materials
Abstract
Nuclear isomers can store tremendous amounts of energy for long times for example, the 31- year metastable excited state of .178m2Hf stores 2.445 MeV per nucleus, or 1.2 GigaJoules per gram. These special states of certain isotopes therefore may prove useful as nuclear batteries, provided that a means is found by which to control (trigger) their energy release upon demand. The concentration of current research is on the use of externally-produced photons to serve as such a trigger. At this point, much research must be conducted to test this process and measure the important physical parameters, from which an evaluation of the feasibility of applications may be conducted. The x-ray generating and support equipment purchased through this award are permitting improved investigations of triggered gamma emission from nuclear isomers and have created, at Youngstown State University's X-Ray Effects Laboratories (XEL and XEL2), a unique facility for these studies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA418979
Entities
People
- J. J. Carroll
Organizations
- Youngstown State University