Tracks and voids in amorphous Ge induced by swift heavy-ion irradiation.

Ion tracks formed in amorphous Ge by swift heavy-ion irradiation have been identified with experiment and modeling to yield unambiguous evidence of tracks in an amorphous semiconductor. Their underdense core and overdense shell result from quenched-in radially outward material flow. Following a solid-to-liquid phase transformation, the volume contraction necessary to accommodate the high-density molten phase produces voids, potentially the precursors to porosity, along the ion direction. Their bow-tie shape, reproduced by simulation, results from radially inward resolidification.

Role of thermodynamics in the shape transformation of embedded metal nanoparticles induced by swift heavy-ion irradiation.

Swift heavy-ion irradiation of elemental metal nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in amorphous SiO(2) induces a spherical to rodlike shape transformation with the direction of NP elongation aligned to that of the incident ion. Large, once-spherical NPs become progressively more rodlike while small NPs below a critical diameter do not elongate but dissolve in the matrix. We examine this shape transformation for ten metals under a common irradiation condition to achieve mechanistic insight into the transformation process. Subtle differences are apparent including the saturation of the elongated NP width at a minimum sustainable, metal-specific value. Elongated NPs of lesser width are unstable and subject to vaporization. Furthermore, we demonstrate the elongation process is governed by the formation of a molten ion-track in amorphous SiO(2) such that upon saturation the elongated NP width never exceeds the molten ion-track diameter.

Fine structure in swift heavy ion tracks in amorphous SiO2.

We report on the observation of a fine structure in ion tracks in amorphous SiO2 using small angle x-ray scattering measurements. Tracks were generated by high energy ion irradiation with Au and Xe between 27 MeV and 1.43 GeV. In agreement with molecular dynamics simulations, the tracks consist of a core characterized by a significant density deficit compared to unirradiated material, surrounded by a high density shell. The structure is consistent with a frozen-in pressure wave originating from the center of the ion track as a result of a thermal spike.

Anomalous isomeric decays in 174Lu as a probe of K mixing and interactions in deformed nuclei.

A K(pi)=13+, 280 ns four-quasiparticle isomer in the odd-odd nucleus 174Lu has been identified and characterized. The isomer decays to both K(pi)=7(+) and K(pi)=0(+) rotational bands obtained from the parallel and antiparallel coupling of the proton 7/2+[404] and neutron 7/2+[633] orbitals. K mixing caused by particle-rotation coupling explains the anomalously fast transition rates to the 7+ band but those to the 0+ band are caused by a chance degeneracy between the isomer and a collective state, allowing the mixing matrix element for a large K difference to be deduced.

Excitation energies of superdeformed States in 196Pb: towards a systematic study of the second well in Pb isotopes.

The excitation energy of the lowest-energy superdeformed band in 196Pb is established using the techniques of time-correlated gamma-ray spectroscopy. Together with previous measurements on 192Pb and 194Pb, this result allows superdeformed excitation energies, binding energies, and two-proton and two-neutron separation energies to be studied systematically, providing stringent tests for current nuclear models. The results are examined for evidence of a "superdeformed shell gap."

Direct decays from superdeformed states in 192Pb observed using time-correlated gamma-ray spectroscopy.

Correlations of decays above and below isomeric states in the normally deformed minimum of 192Pb have been used to identify discrete transitions in the decay of the superdeformed (SD) band. The data establish the absolute excitation energy of the lowest observed SD level as 4.425 MeV. Extrapolation to the bandhead indicates that the excitation energy of the superdeformed well in 192Pb is 0.5 MeV lower than in the heavier isotope 194Pb. The results confirm the trend to decreasing excitation energy with decreasing neutron number predicted by both a macroscopic Strutinsky method approach and microscopic mean field calculations.

Effective charge of the (pi)h(11/2) orbital and the electric field gradient of Hg from the Yrast structure of 206Hg.

The gamma-ray decay of excited states of the two-proton hole nucleus, 206Hg, has been identified using Gammasphere and 208Pb+238U collisions. The yrast states found include a T(1/2) = 92(8) ns 10(+) isomer located above the known 5(-) isomer. The B(E2;10(+)-->8(+)) strength is used to derive the quadrupole polarization charge induced by the h(11/2) proton hole. Also, the implied quadrupole moment has been used to provide an absolute scale for the electric field gradient of Hg in Hg metal.

Production of terbium-152 by heavy ion reactions and proton induced spallation.

Terbium-152 (Tb-152) is of potential value as a radiotracer for radiolanthanides in positron emission tomography. We report the production of Tb-152 by heavy ion reactions at the ANU Tandem accelerator, and by the spallation method at the CERN proton accelerator using the on-line ISOLDE separator, obtaining microcurie and millicurie yields, respectively. After purification, a phantom image in PET is obtained which shows the feasibility of using Tb-152 for monitoring the kinetics of Tb-149 and other radiolanthanides. However, the current availability of this radioisotope will be restricted to major nuclear physics research centres.

Regression of thyrotoxic ophthalmopathy following lithium withdrawal.

The case of a bipolar patient who developed thyrotoxicosis with severe exophthalmos while on lithium therapy is described. The patient had required two surgical decompressions of the right orbit to relieve pressure, which occurred secondary to progression of the exophthalmos, and was scheduled for further surgery. Lithium therapy was discontinued because of poor compliance to the medication and intolerable polyuria. The exophthalmos improved dramatically within 72 hours of the withdrawal of lithium. A severe form of exophthalmos resulting from lithium therapy has not been described in the literature. The case described here adds to the body of information about the possible causes of thyrotoxic ophthalmopathy.