First Measurement of a Long-Lived π

The adapted DIRAC experiment at the CERN PS accelerator observed for the first time long-lived hydrogenlike π^{+}π^{-} atoms, produced by protons hitting a beryllium target. A part of these atoms crossed the gap of 96 mm between the target and a 2.1 µm thick platinum foil, in which most of them dissociated. Analyzing the observed number of atomic pairs, n_{A}^{L}=436_{-61}^{+157}|_{tot}, the lifetime of the 2p state is found to be τ_{2p}=(0.45_{-0.30}^{+1.08}|_{tot})×10^{-11} s, not contradicting the corresponding QED 2p state lifetime τ_{2p}^{QED}=1.17×10^{-11} s. This lifetime value is three orders of magnitude larger than our previously measured value of the π^{+}π^{-} atom ground state lifetime τ=(3.15_{-0.26}^{+0.28}|_{tot})×10^{-15} s. Further studies of long-lived π^{+}π^{-} atoms will allow us to measure energy differences between p and s atomic states and so to discriminate between the isoscalar and isotensor ππ scattering lengths with the aim to check QCD predictions.

Evaluation of human body irradiation caused by radionuclides deposited in the filtration unit of gas mask.

Radioactive aerosol particles represent a serious risk for people facing the consequences of nuclear accident of any kind. The first responders to emergency situation need to be protected by personal protective equipment which includes radiation protection suit supplemented with gas mask. The purpose of this work is to estimate the dose to the organs of responder's body as a result of radionuclide deposition in the filtration unit of the gas mask. The problem was analyzed using Monte Carlo simulations. The dose absorbed by different organs for five representative radionuclides and the dose distribution over the responder's body are presented in this paper. Based on presented MC simulations, we suggest a method of evaluating the irradiation of the responder by the radionuclides deposited in the filtration unit of the gas mask.

Observation of π

The observation of hydrogenlike πK atoms, consisting of π^{-}K^{+} or π^{+}K^{-} mesons, is presented. The atoms are produced by 24 GeV/c protons from the CERN PS accelerator, interacting with platinum or nickel foil targets. The breakup (ionization) of πK atoms in the same targets yields characteristic πK pairs, called "atomic pairs," with small relative momenta Q in the pair center-of-mass system. The upgraded DIRAC experiment observed 349±62 such atomic πK pairs, corresponding to a signal of 5.6 standard deviations. This is the first statistically significant observation of the strange dimesonic πK atom.

Remedial activities effectiveness verification in tailing areas.

The complex radiological study of the basin of sludge from the uranium ore mining and preprocessing was done. Air kerma rates (including its spectral analysis) at the reference height of 1 m above ground over the whole area were measured and radiation fields mapped during two measuring campaigns (years 2009 and 2014). K, U and Th concentrations in sludge and concentrations in depth profiles (including radon concentration and radon exhalation rates) in selected points were determined using gamma spectrometry for in situ as well as laboratory samples measurement. Results were used for the analysis, design evaluation and verification of the efficiency of the remediation measures. Efficiency of the sludge basin covering by the inert material was modelled using MicroShield code.

Contribution of atmospherical radon to in-situ scintillation gamma spectrometry data.

In-situ gamma spectrometry can be used for monitoring and determining natural and man-made radionuclide concentrations in the environment. The low detection limit of potential contaminants depends on the natural background variations, including variations in the atmospheric concentrations of radon and its decay products. The scintillation spectrometer response for atmospheric radon was simulated by the Monte Carlo method, and the results were compared with the experimental measurements over large water surfaces. The contributions of atmospheric radon to the natural background were assessed.

An evaluation of the response of a scintillation detector for estimating the radionuclide composition of a contaminated cloud.

We have made Monte Carlo calculations of the scintillation spectrometer response for the photon field from a cloud of contaminated air after selected scenarios of a nuclear power plant accident. Calculations (using MCNP5 code-X-5 Monte Carlo Team, 2005) were performed for 36 main energy lines of the expected radionuclides. The evaluated spectra enable us to simulate real composite spectra and their evolution in time, and to assess the applicability of a specific spectrometry system for a semi-qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of the composition of the cloud.

In-situ gamma spectrometry in environmental monitoring.

In-situ gamma spectrometry (scintillation or semiconductor) can be used effectively for monitoring natural and man-made radionuclide concentrations, together with the corresponding photon fields, in the environment and in workplaces. It is applied in operational and emergency monitoring of nuclear facilities, waste storage facilities and the uranium industry, in radioactive contamination measurements and mapping, environmental, radiohygienic and radiation safety studies, etc. Methods for processing and interpreting data, experimental techniques (ground or airborne arrangement), calibration and verification and examples of applications are discussed in this paper.

Inactivation of individual cells by divers ions at different LET values.

A new formula linking the shape of survival curve to the inactivation probabilities after different numbers of cell hits has been derived. It has been used in analyzing recent experimental data obtained with monolayer cells irradiated at definite values of LET (in different parts of Bragg peaks). The new approach allows not only deriving the values of inactivation probabilities at given LET values; unexpected consequences seem to follow especially for inactivation characteristics of carbon ions in different parts of the Bragg peak, too.

Population dose near the Semipalatinsk test site.

To determine the consequences of atmospheric atomic bomb tests for the population in the surroundings of the former nuclear weapons test site near Semipalatinsk in Kazakhstan, a pilot study was performed by an international cooperation between Kazakh, French, Czech and German institutions at two villages, Mostik and Maisk. Together with Kazakh scientists, eight experts from Europe carried out a field mission in September 1995 to assess, within the framework of a NATO supported project, the radiological situation as far as external doses, environmental contamination and body burden of man were concerned. A summary of the results obtained is presented. The actual radiological situation near the test site is characterized by fallout contaminations. Cs was found in upper soil layers in concentrations similar to those of the global fallout. Also Sr, Am and Co were observed. The resulting present dose to the population is low. Mean external doses from soil contamination for Maisk and Mostik (0.60-0.63 mSv/year) presently correspond to mean external doses in normal environments. Mean values of the annual internal doses observed in these two villages are below 2 microSv/year for 90Sr. For other radionuclides the internal doses are also negligible.