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Open AccessArticle

Recent Achievements in NAA, PAA, XRF, IBA and AMS Applications for Cultural Heritage Investigations at Nuclear Physics Institute, Řež

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Kateřina Pachnerová Brabcová

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Marek Fikrle

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David Chvátil

Physics 2022, 4(2), 491-503; https://doi.org/10.3390/physics4020033 - 28 Apr 2022

Viewed by 1435

Abstract

Five case studies are reported on the use of neutron and photon activation analysis (NAA and PAA, respectively), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, ion beam analysis (IBA), and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) for the elemental characterization or dating of various objects of cultural heritage, [...] Read more.

Five case studies are reported on the use of neutron and photon activation analysis (NAA and PAA, respectively), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, ion beam analysis (IBA), and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) for the elemental characterization or dating of various objects of cultural heritage, such as building materials, pottery, metallic artefacts, ancient decorations, or the remains of historical personalities. The use of the individual techniques or their combination proved a useful, frequently indispensable tool for revealing the provenance of the artefacts, the method and time of their manufacturing, the elucidation of ancient human activities, or the verification of various hypotheses or legends related to the artefacts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from Applied Nuclear Physics Conference 2021)

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Open AccessArticle

Ion Beam Analysis and ¹⁴C Accelerator Mass Spectroscopy to Identify Ancient and Recent Art Forgeries

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Lucile Beck

Physics 2022, 4(2), 462-472; https://doi.org/10.3390/physics4020031 - 26 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1808

Abstract

Forgeries exist in many fields. Money, goods, and works of art have been imitated for centuries to deceive and make a profit. In the field of Cultural Heritage, nuclear techniques can be used to study art forgeries. Ion beam analysis (IBA), as well [...] Read more.

Forgeries exist in many fields. Money, goods, and works of art have been imitated for centuries to deceive and make a profit. In the field of Cultural Heritage, nuclear techniques can be used to study art forgeries. Ion beam analysis (IBA), as well as ¹⁴C accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), are now established techniques, and the purpose of this paper is to report on their capacity to provide information on ancient, as well as modern, forgeries. Two case studies are presented: the production of silver counterfeit coins in the 16th century and the detection of recent forgeries of 20th century paintings. For the counterfeit coins, two silvering processes were identified by IBA: mercury silvering (also called amalgam silvering or fire silvering) and pure silver plating. The discovery of 14 mercury silvered coins is an important finding since there are very few known examples from before the 17th century. In the detection of recent forgeries, among the five paintings examined, ¹⁴C dating showed that three of them are definitely fakes, one is most likely a fake, and one remains undetermined. These results were obtained by using the bomb peak calibration curve to date canvas and paint samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from Applied Nuclear Physics Conference 2021)

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Open AccessArticle

An Innovative Real-Time Dosimeter for Radiation Hardness Assurance Tests

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Physics 2022, 4(2), 409-420; https://doi.org/10.3390/physics4020027 - 07 Apr 2022

Viewed by 1521

Abstract

The study of the effects of the radiation dose on devices and materials is a topic of high interest in several fields, including radiobiology, space missions, microelectronics, and high energy physics. In this paper, a new method, based on radiochromic film dosimetry, is [...] Read more.

The study of the effects of the radiation dose on devices and materials is a topic of high interest in several fields, including radiobiology, space missions, microelectronics, and high energy physics. In this paper, a new method, based on radiochromic film dosimetry, is proposed for real-time dose assessment in radiation hardness assurance tests. This method allows for correlating the radiation dose at which devices are exposed to the radiation effects (malfunctioning and/or breakdown). In previous studies, it has already been demonstrated that a system, based on optical fibers and a spectrometer, allows for the real-time dose assessment of radiochromic films. The current study not only validates our previous results, but shows that it is possible to apply the new method to an actual radiation environment for the real-time measurement of the dose delivered to a device in radiation hardness assurance tests. This new dosimeter can be used in different radiation environments for a wide dose range, from a few Gy to a few MGy. This high sensitivity can be reached by changing the radiochromic film type and/or the parameters used for the analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from Applied Nuclear Physics Conference 2021)

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Open AccessArticle

Ion Beam Modification for Si Photonics

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Lyudmila V. Goncharova

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Peter J. Simpson

Physics 2022, 4(2), 383-393; https://doi.org/10.3390/physics4020025 - 22 Mar 2022

Viewed by 1694

Abstract

Ion implantation has played a significant role in semiconductor device fabrication and is growing in significance in the fabrication of Si photonic devices. In this paper, recent progress in the growth and characterization of Si and Ge quantum dots (QDs) for photonic light-emitting [...] Read more.

Ion implantation has played a significant role in semiconductor device fabrication and is growing in significance in the fabrication of Si photonic devices. In this paper, recent progress in the growth and characterization of Si and Ge quantum dots (QDs) for photonic light-emitting devices is reviewed, with a focus on ion implantation as a synthetic tool. Light emissions from Si and Ge QDs are compared with emissions from other optically active centers, such as defects in silicon oxide and other thin film materials, as well as rare-earth light emitters. Detection of light in silicon photonics is performed via the integration of germanium and other elements into detector structures, which can also be achieved by ion implantation. Novel techniques to grow SiGe- and SiGeSn-on-Si structure are described along with their application as detectors for operation in the short-wave infrared range. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from Applied Nuclear Physics Conference 2021)

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Review

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Open AccessReview

Ion Implantation into Nonconventional GaN Structures

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Katharina Lorenz

Physics 2022, 4(2), 548-564; https://doi.org/10.3390/physics4020036 - 16 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2197

Abstract

Despite more than two decades of intensive research, ion implantation in group III nitrides is still not established as a routine technique for doping and device processing. The main challenges to overcome are the complex defect accumulation processes, as well as the high [...] Read more.

Despite more than two decades of intensive research, ion implantation in group III nitrides is still not established as a routine technique for doping and device processing. The main challenges to overcome are the complex defect accumulation processes, as well as the high post-implant annealing temperatures necessary for efficient dopant activation. This review summarises the contents of a plenary talk, given at the Applied Nuclear Physics Conference, Prague, 2021, and focuses on recent results, obtained at Instituto Superior Técnico (Lisbon, Portugal), on ion implantation into non-conventional GaN structures, such as non-polar thin films and nanowires. Interestingly, the damage accumulation is strongly influenced by the surface orientation of the samples, as well as their dimensionality. In particular, basal stacking faults are the dominant implantation defects in c-plane GaN films, while dislocation loops predominate in a-plane samples. Ion implantation into GaN nanowires, on the other hand, causes a much smaller density of extended defects compared to thin films. Finally, recent breakthroughs concerning dopant activation are briefly reviewed, focussing on optical doping with europium and electrical doping with magnesium. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from Applied Nuclear Physics Conference 2021)

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Open AccessReview

Hadron Therapy Achievements and Challenges: The CNAO Experience

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Sandro Rossi

Physics 2022, 4(1), 229-257; https://doi.org/10.3390/physics4010017 - 22 Feb 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3799

Abstract

Protons and carbon ions (hadrons) have useful properties for the treatments of patients affected by oncological pathologies. They are more precise than conventional X-rays and possess radiobiological characteristics suited for treating radio-resistant or inoperable tumours. This paper gives an overview of the status [...] Read more.

Protons and carbon ions (hadrons) have useful properties for the treatments of patients affected by oncological pathologies. They are more precise than conventional X-rays and possess radiobiological characteristics suited for treating radio-resistant or inoperable tumours. This paper gives an overview of the status of hadron therapy around the world. It focusses on the Italian National Centre for Oncological Hadron therapy (CNAO), introducing operation procedures, system performance, expansion projects, methodologies and modelling to build individualized treatments. There is growing evidence that supports safety and effectiveness of hadron therapy for a variety of clinical situations. However, there is still a lack of high-level evidence directly comparing hadron therapy with modern conventional radiotherapy techniques. The results give an overview of pre-clinical and clinical research studies and of the treatments of 3700 patients performed at CNAO. The success and development of hadron therapy is strongly associated with the creation of networks among hadron therapy facilities, clinics, universities and research institutions. These networks guarantee the growth of cultural knowledge on hadron therapy, favour the efficient recruitment of patients and present available competences for R&D (Research and Development) programmes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from Applied Nuclear Physics Conference 2021)

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Open AccessReview

Dose Limits and Countermeasures for Mitigating Radiation Risk in Moon and Mars Exploration

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Daria Boscolo

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Marco Durante

Physics 2022, 4(1), 172-184; https://doi.org/10.3390/physics4010013 - 09 Feb 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3027

Abstract

After decades of research on low-Earth orbit, national space agencies and private entrepreneurs are investing in exploration of the Solar system. The main health risk for human space exploration is late toxicity caused by exposure to cosmic rays. On Earth, the exposure of [...] Read more.

After decades of research on low-Earth orbit, national space agencies and private entrepreneurs are investing in exploration of the Solar system. The main health risk for human space exploration is late toxicity caused by exposure to cosmic rays. On Earth, the exposure of radiation workers is regulated by dose limits and mitigated by shielding and reducing exposure times. For space travel, different international space agencies adopt different limits, recently modified as reviewed in this paper. Shielding and reduced transit time are currently the only practical solutions to maintain acceptable risks in deep space missions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from Applied Nuclear Physics Conference 2021)

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Open AccessReview

Application of Ion Beam Analysis in Studies of First Wall Materials in Controlled Fusion Devices

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Physics 2022, 4(1), 37-50; https://doi.org/10.3390/physics4010004 - 17 Jan 2022

Viewed by 1924

Abstract

The paper provides a concise overview of ion beam analysis methods and procedures in studies of materials exposed to fusion plasmas in controlled fusion devices with magnetic confinement. An impact of erosion–deposition processes on the morphology of wall materials is presented. In particular, [...] Read more.

The paper provides a concise overview of ion beam analysis methods and procedures in studies of materials exposed to fusion plasmas in controlled fusion devices with magnetic confinement. An impact of erosion–deposition processes on the morphology of wall materials is presented. In particular, results for deuterium analyses are discussed. Underlying physics, advantages and limitations of methods are addressed. The role of wall diagnostics in studies of material migration and fuel retention is explained. A brief note on research and handling of radioactive and beryllium-contaminated materials is also given. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from Applied Nuclear Physics Conference 2021)

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