arXiv subjects

D. Bar

Publications and source records attributed to D. Bar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2017

A method for rapid determination of oil and water content in geological formations

A novel method utilizing Fast Neutron Resonance Transmission Radiography is proposed for rapid, non-destructive and quantitative determination of the weight fractions of oil and water in cores taken from subterranean or underwater geological formations. Its ability to distinguish water from oil stems from the unambiguously-specific energy-dependence of the neutron cross-sections for the principal elemental constituents. Furthermore, the fluid weight fractions permit determining core porosity and oil and water saturations. In this article we show results of experimental determination of oil and water weight fractions in 10 cm thick samples of Berea Sandstone and Indiana Limestone formations, followed by calculation of their porosity and fluid saturations. The technique may ultimately permit rapid, accurate and non-destructive evaluation of relevant petro-physical properties in thick intact cores. It is suitable for all types of formations including tight shales, clays and oil sands.

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2016

Quantitative discrimination between oil and water in drilled bore cores via fast-neutron resonance transmission radiography

A novel method based on Fast Neutron Resonance Transmission Radiography is proposed for non-destructive, quantitative determination of the weight percentages of oil and water in cores taken from subterranean or underwater geological formations. The ability of the method to distinguish water from oil stems from the unambiguously-specific energy dependence of the neutron cross-sections for the principal elemental constituents. Monte-Carlo simulations and initial results of experimental investigations indicate that the technique may provide a rapid, accurate and non-destructive method for quantitative evaluation of core fluids in thick intact cores, including those of tight shales for which the use of conventional core analytical approaches appears to be questionable.

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2014

A Comprehensive Simulation Study of a Liquid-Xe Detector for Contraband Detection

Recently, a new detector concept, for combined imaging and spectroscopy of fast-neutrons and gamma was presented. It encompasses a liquid-xenon (LXe) converter-scintillator coupled to a UV-sensitive gaseous Thick Gas Electron Multiplier (THGEM)-based imaging photomultiplier (GPM). In this work we present and discuss the results of a systematic computer-simulation study aiming at optimizing the type and performance of LXe converter. We have evaluated the detector spectral response, detection efficiency and spatial resolution for gamma-rays and neutrons in the energy range of 2-15 MeV for 50 mm thick converters consisting of plain LXe volume and LXe-filled capillaries, of Teflon, Polyethylene or hydrogen-containing Teflon (Tefzel). Neutron detection efficiencies for plain LXe, Teflon-capillaries and Tefzel-capillaries converters were about 20% over the entire energy range. In polyethylene capillaries converters the neutron detection efficiency was about 10% at 2 MeV and increased up to about 20% at 14 MeV. Detection efficiencies of gammas in Teflon, Tefzel and polyethylene converters were ~35%. The plain-LXe converter provided the highest gamma-ray detection efficiency, of ~40-50% for 2-15 MeV energy range. Optimization of LXe-filled Tefzel capillary dimensions resulted in spatial resolution of ~1.5mm (FWHM) for neutrons and up to 3.5 mm (FWHM) for gamma-rays. Simulations of radiographic images of various materials using two discrete energy gamma-rays (4.4 MeV and 15.1 MeV) and neutrons in broad energy range (2-10 MeV) were performed in order to evaluate the potential of elemental discrimination.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2013

Parameters Affecting Temporal Resolution of Time Resolved Integrative Optical Neutron Detector (TRION)

The Time-Resolved Integrative Optical Neutron (TRION) detector was developed for Fast Neutron Resonance Radiography (FNRR), a fast-neutron transmission imaging method that exploits characteristic energy-variations of the total scattering cross-section in the En = 1-10 MeV range to detect specific elements within a radiographed object. As opposed to classical event-counting time of flight (ECTOF), it integrates the detector signal during a well-defined neutron Time of Flight window corresponding to a pre-selected energy bin, e.g., the energy-interval spanning a cross-section resonance of an element such as C, O and N. The integrative characteristic of the detector permits loss-free operation at very intense, pulsed neutron fluxes, at a cost however, of recorded temporal resolution degradation. This work presents a theoretical and experimental evaluation of detector related parameters which affect temporal resolution of the TRION system.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2012

Monte-Carlo Simulations of Radiation-Induced Activation in a Fast-Neutron and Gamma- Based Cargo Inspection System

An air cargo inspection system combining two nuclear reaction based techniques, namely Fast-Neutron Resonance Radiography and Dual-Discrete-Energy Gamma Radiography is currently being developed. This system is expected to allow detection of standard and improvised explosives as well as special nuclear materials. An important aspect for the applicability of nuclear techniques in an airport inspection facility is the inventory and lifetimes of radioactive isotopes produced by the neutron and gamma radiation inside the cargo, as well as the dose delivered by these isotopes to people in contact with the cargo during and following the interrogation procedure. Using MCNPX and CINDER90 we have calculated the activation levels for several typical inspection scenarios. One example is the activation of various metal samples embedded in a cotton-filled container. To validate the simulation results, a benchmark experiment was performed, in which metal samples were activated by fast-neutrons in a water-filled glass jar. The induced activity was determined by analyzing the gamma spectra. Based on the calculated radioactive inventory in the container, the dose levels due to the induced gamma radiation were calculated at several distances from the container and in relevant time windows after the irradiation, in order to evaluate the radiation exposure of the cargo handling staff, air crew and passengers during flight. The possibility of remanent long-lived radioactive inventory after cargo is delivered to the client is also of concern and was evaluated.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2011

Proof of principle of a high-spatial-resolution, resonant-response gamma-ray detector for Gamma Resonance Absorption in 14N

The development of a mm-spatial-resolution, resonant-response detector based on a micrometric glass capillary array filled with liquid scintillator is described. This detector was developed for Gamma Resonance Absorption (GRA) in 14N. GRA is an automatic-decision radiographic screening technique that combines high radiation penetration (the probe is a 9.17 MeV gamma ray) with very good sensitivity and specificity to nitrogenous explosives. Detailed simulation of the detector response to electrons and protons generated by the 9.17 MeV gamma-rays was followed by a proof-of-principle experiment, using a mixed gamma-ray and neutron source. Towards this, a prototype capillary detector was assembled, including the associated filling and readout systems. Simulations and experimental results indeed show that proton tracks are distinguishable from electron tracks at relevant energies, on the basis of a criterion that combines track length and light intensity per unit length.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2010

Development of an LED reference light source for calibration of radiographic imaging detectors

A stable reference light source based on an LED (Light Emission Diode) is presented for stabilizing the conversion gain of the opto-electronic system of a gamma- and fast-neutron radiographic and tomographic imaging device. A constant fraction of the LED light is transported to the image plane of the camera and provides a stable reference exposure. This is used to normalize the images during off-line image processing. We have investigated parameters influencing the stability of LEDs and developed procedures and criteria to prepare and select LEDs suitable for delivering stable light outputs for several 100 h of operation.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2010

A Dual-Purpose Ion-Accelerator for Nuclear-Reaction-Based Explosives-and SNM-Detection in Massive Cargo

A dual-purpose ion-accelerator concept, capable of serving as radiation source in a versatile, nuclear-reaction-based cargo inspection system, is presented. The system will automatically and reliably detect small, operationally-relevant quantities of concealed explosives and special nuclear materials (SNM). It will be cost-effective, employing largely-common hardware, but different reactions/DAQ-modes. Typical expected throughput is 10-20 aviation containers/hr. PACS: 25.20.Dc; 25.40.Ny; 27.20.+n; 29.27.Fh; 79.77.+g; 89.20.Bb; 89.20.Dd Keywords: Cargo inspection; Nuclear-reaction-based methods; Explosives detection; SNM detection

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2009

High Spatial Resolution Fast-Neutron Imaging Detectors for Pulsed Fast-Neutron Transmission Spectroscopy

Two generations of a novel detector for high-resolution transmission imaging and spectrometry of fast-neutrons are presented. These devices are based on a hydrogenous fiber scintillator screen and single- or multiple-gated intensified camera systems (ICCD). This detector is designed for energy-selective neutron radiography with nanosecond-pulsed broad-energy (1 - 10 MeV) neutron beams. Utilizing the Time-of-Flight (TOF) method, such a detector is capable of simultaneously capturing several images, each at a different neutron energy (TOF). In addition, a gamma-ray image can also be simultaneously registered, allowing combined neutron/gamma inspection of objects. This permits combining the sensitivity of the fast-neutron resonance method to low-Z elements with that of gamma radiography to high-Z materials.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2008

Signal and Noise Analysis in TRION -Time-Resolved Integrative Optical Fast Neutron Detector

TRION is a sub-mm spatial resolution fast neutron imaging detector, which employs an integrative optical time-of-flight technique. The detector was developed for fast neutron resonance radiography, a method capable of detecting a broad range of conventional and improvised explosives. In this study we have analyzed in detail, using Monte-Carlo calculations and experimentally determined parameters, all the processes that influence the signal and noise in the TRION detector. In contrast to event-counting detectors where the signal-to-noise ratio is dependent only on the number of detected events (quantum noise), in an energy-integrating detector additional factors, such as the fluctuations in imparted energy, number of photoelectrons, system gain and other factors will contribute to the noise. The excess noise factor (over the quantum noise) due to these processes was 4.3, 2.7, 2.1, 1.9 and 1.9 for incident neutron energies of 2, 4, 7.5, 10 and 14 MeV, respectively. It is shown that, even under ideal light collection conditions, a fast neutron detection system operating in an integrative mode cannot be quantum-noise-limited due to the relatively large variance in the imparted proton energy and the resulting scintillation light distributions.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2008

Double-slit interference pattern from single-slit screen and its gravitational analogues

The double slit experiment (DSE) is known as an important cornerstone in the foundations of physical theories such as Quantum Mechanics and Special Relativity. A large number of different variants of it were designed and performed over the years. We perform and discuss here a new verion with the somewhat unexpected results of obtaining interference pattern from single-slit screen. This outcome, which shows that the routes of the photons through the array were changed, leads one to discuss it, using the equivalence principle, in terms of geodesics mechanics. We show using either the Brill's version of the canonical formulation of general relativity or the linearized version of it that one may find corresponding and analogous situations in the framework of general relativity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

Gravitational brainwaves, quantum fluctuations and stochastic quantization

It is known that the biological activity of the brain involves radiation of electric waves. These waves result from ionic currents and charges traveling among the brain's neurons. But it is obvious that these ions and charges are carried by their relevant masses which should give rise, according to the gravitational theory, to extremely weak gravitational waves. We use in the following the stochastic quantization (SQ) theory to calculate the probability to find a large ensemble of brains radiating similar gravitational waves. We also use this SQ theory to derive the equilibrium state related to the known Lamb shift.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

Gravitational wave holography

We represent and discuss a theory of gravitational holography in which all the involved waves; subject, reference and illuminator are gravitational waves (GW). Although these waves are so weak that no terrestrial experimental set-ups, even the large LIGO, VIRGO, GEO and TAMA facilities, were able up to now to directly detect them they are, nevertheless, known under certain conditions (such as very small wavelengths) to be almost indistinguishable (see P. 962 in Ref. \cite{mtw}) from their analogue electromagnetic waves (EMW). We, therefore theoretically, show, using the known methods of optical holography and taking into account the very peculiar nature of GW, that it is also possible to reconstruct subject gravitational waves.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

Gravitational holography and trapped surfaces

We have previously discussed the characteristics of the gravitational waves (GW) and have, theoretically, shown that, like the corresponding electromagnetic (EM) waves, they also demonstrate, under certain conditions, holographic properties. In this work we have expanded this discussion and show that the assumed gravitational holographic images may, theoretically, be related to another property of GW's which is their possible relation to singular (or nonsingular) trapped surfaces. We also show that this possibility may be, theoretically, related even to weak GW's.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

A possible quantum probability increase of the cylindrical gravitational field

As known, the cylindrical gravitational field (wave) have been canonically quantized and its wave function, as the quantum one, interpreted in probability terms. We show in this work, using quantum Zeno methods, that this probability may be substantially increased and even approach unity. For that we first show, in detailed manner, that the cylindrical gravitational field may be discussed in the commutation number representation. We also discuss this field in the transverse-traceless (TT) gauge and calculate the related trapped surface.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

Decoherence and the appearance of classicality in physical phenomena

It is accepted that among the ways through which a quantum phenomenon decoheres and becomes a classical one is what is termed in the literature the Zeno effect. This effect, named after the ancient Greek philosopher Zeno of Elea (born about 485 B.C), were used in 1977 to analytically predict that an initial quantum state may be preserved in time by merely repeating a large number of times, in a finite total time, the experiment of checking its state. Since then this effect has been experimentally validated and has become an established physical fact. It has been argued by Simonius that the Zeno effect must be related not only to quantum phenomena but also to many macroscopic and classical effects. Thus, since it operates in both quantum and classical regimes it must cause to a more generalized kind of decoherence than the restricted one that ``classicalizes'' a quantum phenomenon. We show that this generalized decoherence, {\it obtained as a result of dense measurement}, not only gives rise to new phenomena that are demonstrated through new responses of the densely interacted-upon system but also may physically {\it establish} them. For that matter we have found and established the analogous {\it space Zeno effect} which leads to the necessity of an ensemble of related observers (systems) for the remarked physical validation of new phenomena. As will be shown in Chapters 3-5 of this work the new phenomena (new responses of the system) that result from the space Zeno effect may be of an unexpected nature. We use quantum field theory in addition to the more conventional methods of analysis and also corroborate our analytical findings by numerical simulations.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

Computer simulations discussed in physical terms and terminology

As known, any numerical simulation is composed of two parts: (1) the initial part of writing the relevant code and (2) the running of this code on the computer screen. The second part of running the program is extensively discussed theoretically and technically in the relevant literature. In this work we pay special attention to the less discussed first part and show that it may be discussed in a terminology and notation which describe physical phenomena. As examples we discuss the two cases of simulating (1) the harmonic oscillator and (2) the electron-photon interaction which results in the known Lamb shift.

physics.data-an↗

arXiv2006

The classical diffusion limited Kronig-Penney system

We have previously discussed the classical diffusive system of the bounded one-dimensional multitrap using the transfer-matrix method which is generally applied for studying the energy spectrum of the unbounded quantum Kronig-Penney multibarrier. It was shown, by this method, that for certain values of the relevant parameters the bounded multitrap array have unity transmission and a double-peak phase transitional behaviour. We discuss in this work, using the same transfer matrix method, the energy related to the diffusion through the unbounded one-dimensional multitrap and find that it may be expressed in two entirely different ways with different results and consequences. Also, it is shown that, unlike the barriers in the Kronig-Penney case, the energies at one face of the imperfect trap greatly differ from the energies at the other face of the same trap.

physics.class-ph↗