120 MeV swift Au9+ion induced phase transition in ZrO2: monoclinic to tetragonal and cubic to tetragonal structure.

This study reports the effect of 120 MeV swift Au9+ion irradiation on the structures of monoclinic, tetragonal and cubic ZrO2, probed through x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Three phases of ZrO2were prepared using the solution combustion method. The tetragonal and cubic phases of ZrO2were stabilized at room temperature by adding 6% and 10% of yttrium ions, respectively. Both the XRD and Raman results confirm the partial phase transition from monoclinic to tetragonal, which was approximately 74%. Tetragonal ZrO2is stable under 120 MeV Au9+ion irradiation. Interestingly, a phase transition from cubic to tetragonal ZrO2was observed under 120 MeV Au9+ion irradiation. The roles of transient temperature, defects and strain in the lattice induced by swift heavy ions are discussed. This study reveals the structural stability of different phases of ZrO2under swift heavy ion irradiation and should be helpful in choosing potential hosts for various applications such as inert fuel matrix inside the core of nuclear reactors, oxygen sensors and accelerators, and radiation shielding.

Dating human occupation at Toca do Serrote das Moendas, São Raimundo Nonato, Piauí-Brasil by electron spin resonance and optically stimulated luminescence.

Excavation of Toca do Serrote das Moendas, in Piauí state, Brazil revealed a great quantity of fossil wild fauna associated with human remains. In particular, fossils of a cervid (Blastocerus dichotomus) were found, an animal frequently pictured in ancient rock wall paintings. In a well-defined stratum, two loose teeth of this species were found in close proximity to human bones. The teeth were independently dated by electron spin resonance (ESR) in two laboratories. The ages obtained for the teeth were 29 ± 3 ka (thousands of years) and 24 ± 1 ka. The concretion layer capping this stratum was dated by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of the quartz grains to 21 ± 3 ka. As these values were derived independently in three different laboratories, using different methods and equipment, these results are compelling evidence of early habitation in this area.

TL, OSL and C-14 dating results of the sediments and bricks from mummified nuns' grave.

This paper presents the results of TL and OSL dating of soil and fragments of bricks from a grave, which was occupied by two mummified nuns, found at "Luz" Monastery, located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The TL and OSL ages were compared to C-14 dating ones obtained from bone collagens of the mummies. The majority of the ages is related to the eighteenth century. The gamma-ray spectroscopy was used to evaluate natural radioisotope concentrations in the samples, and by using these concentrations the annual dose rates, from 3.0 to 5.3 Gy/kyr, were obtained. Neutron activation analysis was performed and the radioisotope contents results are in agreement with those obtained by gamma-ray spectroscopy. The contents of U, Th and Ce elements were higher than those found in usual sediments.

Luminescence dating of quaternary deposits in geology in Brazil.

In the present work, systematic dating by luminescence methods has been done on 50 Quaternary geological samples within the study area of São Paulo State, Brazil. Bleaching experiments showed that residual TL intensity of 375 degrees C peak, of the quartz, was obtained after 10 h of sunlight exposition. Intensities decays of the 325 and 375 degrees C TL peaks can be fitted using second order exponential equation. Paleodose values were evaluated using regeneration methods with multiple aliquots. Samples dated indicate preliminary ages varying from 9 +/- 1 to 935 +/- 130 ka for colluvio-elluvial deposits, and from 17 +/- 2 to 215 +/- 30 ka for alluvial deposits of the study area. They cover four peneplained surfaces shaped during the Quaternary: I (1000-400 ka), II (400-120 ka), III (120-10 ka) and IV (10 ka until today), in decreasing order.