BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//CERN//INDICO//EN BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Implementation of the k0-based Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) m ethodology and k0-IAEA program at the Centre for Energy Research and Train ing (CERT)\, Zaria\, Nigeria DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220518T103500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220518T110500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2307@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Michael Adeleye (Bingham University\, Nigeria)\nImpl ementation of the k0-standardization method of Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) technique and k0-IAEA program with the Nigeria Research Reactor-1 ( NIRR-1) laboratories’ irradiation and counting facilities was carried ou t as part of a series of projects aimed at achieving one of the goals of t he Strategic Utilization Plan for NIRR-1. Adoption of the k0-standardizati on method of NAA technique and the k0-IAEA gamma-ray spectrum analysis sof tware was due to versatility in meeting the criteria of experimental simpl icity\, analytical accuracy\, and flexibility (with respect to activation and counting conditions). The application of this methodology involved the installation of the k0-IAEA software\, editing of its permanent database\ , calibration of HPGe detectors\, and characterization of the irradiation facility prior to its use for routine analysis. IAEA (Soil-7) certified re ference material was used to evaluate the validity of this method in NIRR- 1 NAA laboratories by analyzing the elemental concentrations with respect to the certified values. In general\, good agreement was obtained between the results of this work and values in the certificate of the reference ma terial\, thus validating the k0 standardization method of NAA using the k0 -IAEA program and confirming its suitability for environmental studies in NIRR-1 laboratories. \n\nKeywords: Neutron activation analysis\, k 0-standardization\, k0-IAEA program\, irradiation facility\, HPGe detector s.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2307/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2307/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring and Radiological Impact Ass essment of Agbara Industrial Area\, Ogun State\, Nigeria DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220518T080000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220518T084500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2116@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mojisola Usikalu (Covenant University)\nNaturally oc curring radionuclides of terrestrial origin exists in every component of t he earth. Making humankind to be continuously exposed to ionizing radiatio n\, which is dangerous to human health. Monitoring of environmental radioa ctivity is very crucial to minimizing exposure above the threshold limit. Consequently\, the background radioactivity due to 232Th\, 238U\, and 40K for some locations in Agbara industrial area of Ogun State was determined using RS230 Gamma Spectrometer (a portable NaI [Tl] detector). The mean ac tivity concentration of the primordial radionuclides ranges between below detectable limit (in Mentos area) and 472.14 Bqkg-1 (Access Bank area) wit h an overall average value of 177.87 Bqkg-1. The in-situ measured dose rat e (DR) ranges between 12. 18 nGyh-1 (Access Bank area) and 97.95 nGyh-1 (M arket area)\, with an average value of 47.22 nGyh-1. The measured and esti mated absorbed dose rates were within the safe limit of 57 nGyh-1 provided by UNSCEAR. The mean values of all the estimated radiological parameters were within the recommended threshold values. It could be concluded that t he risk of exposure higher level of ionizing radiation is low for all the area in Agbara industrial area of Ogun State\, but there is possibility of cancer risk for someone that has stayed in the area for 70 years and abov e.\n\nKeywords: Environmental Assessment Impact\, Radioactivity\, Radiolog ical Parameters\, Agbara Industrial Estate.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/ event/110/contributions/2116/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2116/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:SURVEY OF RADIATION LEVELS AT ITHEMBA LABS USING A MOBILE RADIATIO N DETECTION UNIT EQUIPPED WITH A LaBr3:Ce DETECTOR DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220518T084500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220518T090500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2310@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ferdie van Niekerk (Tshwane University of Technology )\nA mobile radiation detection unit (MRDU) was developed to measure the r adiation levels outside the iThemba LABS buildings\, within the borders of the facility. The main attraction of this mobile unit is the fact that it is equipped with a LaBr3:Ce detector. This detector is superior to more c onventional detectors (such as NaI:Tl) because of typically better spectra l resolution\, a high photon yield\, and good detection efficiency [1\, 2\ , 3]. It is known that the LaBr3:Ce detector has various sources of intrin sic activity of which the main cause is the presence of the radioactive 13 8La-isotope in the scintillation crystal [4]. One of the decay modes of 13 8La produces a gamma photon at 1435.8 keV which overlays with the 40K ener gy peak at 1460.8 keV when the detector resolution is taken into account. To quantify 40K activity this internal interference needs to be corrected. Additional to this\, the influence of the radiation-source geometry also needs to be considered\, especially during terrestrial surveys. This has a direct influence on detector efficiency which is a fundamental parameter for the accurate calculation of activity concentrations for the various ra dionuclides present in natural environments. Using the mobile radiation de tection unit an assessment of radiation at the outside areas of the iThemb a LABS facility was done. It was possible to elucidate the naturally occur ring nuclides as well as 22Na from the gamma-ray spectra obtained. Due to the constant change in this geometry at the storage containers the 22Na\, in particular\, could only be estimated. Considering background radiation as well as the intrinsic radiation from the detector due to the presence o f radioactive 138La\, the activities of the nuclides were estimated to be 49.1 Bq/kg for 40K\, 3.78 Bq/kg for 238U\, 12.8 Bq/kg for 232Th and 72.5 k Bq for 22Na. The effective dose rate of the NORM-nuclides was calculated a s 0.0043 mSv/y.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contri butions/2310/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2310/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Spectroscopic Systems: From research to applications DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220517T080000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220517T084500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2316@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Helen Boston (University of Liverpool)\nH C Boston\, on behalf of the Nuclear Physics Group\, Department of Physics\, Universi ty of Liverpool\, UK\n\n\nThe University of Liverpool Nuclear Physics rese arch group has been involved in studying the structure of the nucleus at t he frontiers of nuclear stability since its inception. To compliment thes e studies\, and to push the boundaries of our knowledge we have been foref ront at designing and implementing arrays to be used by the Nuclear Physic s community.\n\nThe evolution of radioactive ion-beam facilities has neces sitated a step change in both the sensitivity of the nuclear instrumentati on and in the data analysis techniques used in these challenging experimen ts and campaigns to study novel and exciting nuclear phenomena.\n\nThe det ection of gamma radiation is at the heart of nuclear structure physics exp eriments and is key to the success of many industrial and medical applicat ions involving gamma ray imaging. Projects such as the Advanced Gamma Trac king Array (AGATA) in Europe and the Gamma-ray Energy Tracking Array (GRET A) in the United States have pushed the technical boundaries needed to rea lise spectrometers capable of measuring nuclei far from stability.\n\nThis presentation will focus on how the technology designed for Nuclear Physic s experiments has found application in areas outside of the core physics p rogramme. Sensors developed for Medical\, Security\, Environmental and Nuc lear imaging systems will be presented and discussed.\n\nhttps://indico.tl abs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2316/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2316/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Level structure and transition multipolarities in 54Mn DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220517T143000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220517T145000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2309@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Abraham Avaa (iThemba/Wits)\nElectromagnetic transit ion probabilities are of great interest to nuclear physicists as they prov ide detailed information about the nature of the wave functions of the ini tial and the final states. Odd-odd nuclei in the vicinity of Z = N = 20 an d 28 shell closure present a unique opportunity for testing the underlying proton-neutron residual interaction. These nuclei exhibit a complex level structure due to many possible couplings of unpaired nucleons to the even -even core [1]. Hence\, the investigation of their nuclear properties prov ides scope for understanding the single-particle energies and the residual neutron-neutron interactions in the shell model substructure [1\,2]. The properties of the low and high spin states in odd-odd 54Mn (Z = 25\, N = 2 9) have been studied [1-3] via different probes. Spectroscopic information such as -ray branching ratios\, and multipole mixing ratios\, were deter mined for transition energies\, 54 keV up to 1509 keV (from J = 2+ up to 6+) [4\,5]. The lifetimes of many states have been also measured [6]. In K umar et al.\, [2]\, the excited states in 54Mn were populated using 51V(20 Ne\,xn\,yp)54Mn reaction up to excitation energy of 5 MeV\, = 15+. Howeve r\, the information on the reduced transitions probabilities in 54Mn is st ill scarce despite numerous studies.\n\nWe shall report on the first conve rsion electron and electron-positron pair conversion study of 54Mn. Excite d states up to 3 MeV have been populated in the 54Cr(p\,n)54Mn reaction at 5.4 MeV bombarding energy\, using DC beams from ANU Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF). Internal Conversion Coefficients (ICC) for the low-lying states in 54Mn were determined in several transitions for the first time [6]. The deduced conversion coefficients allow for the assignment of multi polarities for transition energies > 1 MeV up to ~ 2.1 MeV ( = 1+ up to 4+ ). The results are compared with shell-model calculations as a test of agr eement between theory and the experiment.\n\n[1] S. Basu\, et al.\, 64th D AE BRNS Symp. on Nucl. Phys. 64 66-67 (2019).\n[2] G. K. Kumar\, et al.\, Jour. Phys. G: Nucl. Part. Phys. 35 095104 (2008).\n[3] A. R. Poletti\, et al.\, Physical Review C 10 2329-2339 (1974).\n[4] M. Ogawa and H. Taketan i\, Nucl. Phys. A 194 259-291 (1972).\n[5] D.C.Radford\, A.R.Poletti\, J. Phys. G 5\, 409 (1979).\n[6] A.A. Avaa\, et al.\, Physical Review C (in pr eparation)\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2309/ LOCATION: URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2309/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Welcome DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220516T073000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220516T080000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2320@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Rudzani Nemutudi (iThemba LABS)\nhttps://indico.tlab s.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2320/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2320/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Evaluation of Nuclear Radiation Damage on Lutetium-Aluminium for P ractical Applications Using Neutron Irradiation Technique DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220517T123000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220517T125000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2299@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Samuel Terungwa Temaugee (School of Physics\, Univer sity of the Witwatersrand\, Johannesburg\, South Africa)\nMaterials expose d to a high radiation environment such as a nuclear reactor\, high energy collider systems or in space can gradually degrade and weaken. Studies on radiation damage have become necessary to ascertain which materials are ca pable of withstanding the stress of these extreme radiation environments. This study is based on the evaluation of neutron radiation damage in Lutet ium-Aluminium (Lu-Al) looking at its possible usage in reactor technology and other sensitive extreme radiation environments. The study will employ fission nuclear reactor as the radiation field source to irradiate the mat erial. Monte Carlo Simulation methods using MCNP are deployed to study the expected damage of the material due to neutron irradiation. Characterizat ion of the sample material will be carried out pre and post irradiation wi th HRTEM and XRD. Measurements of the number of displacements per atom (dp a) which is an accepted measure for radiation damage will be discussed in order to ascertain the level of radiation damage to the microstructure of the material. Finally\, characterization results of the material degradati on as a result of the irradiation will be compared with the Monte Carlo si mulated results.\n\nKeywords: Radiation Damage\, DPA\, Monte Carlo Simulat ion\, NAA.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2299/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2299/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Magnetized dense neutron and neutron star matter DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220517T100000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220517T104500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2308@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jacobus Diener (Botswana International University of Science and Technology)\nA neutron star is one of the possible end states of a massive star. It is compressed by gravity and stabilized by the nuc lear degeneracy pressure. Despite its name\, the composition of these obj ects are not exactly known. However\, from the inferred densities\, neutr ons will most likely compose a significant fraction of the star’s interi or. While all neutron stars are expected to have a magnetic field\, some neutron stars ("magnetars") are much more highly magnetized than others: t he inferred magnetar surface magnetic field is between $10^{14}$ to $10^{1 5}$ gauss.\n\nNeutron stars are the densest stable states of matter that c an currently be directly observed. Some neutron stars ("pulsars") emit str ongly in the radio part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Observation of t his radiation is one of the major observational targets of what will the w orld's largest radio telescope\, the Square Kilometre Array. \n\nWhile neu tron stars are macroscopic objects\, due to the extreme value of the stars ' energy\, pressure\, and magnetic field the physics of the microscopic sc ale can be imprinted on the star's large scale behaviour. Thus the study of these objects are a combination of various fields of physics ranging fr om Quantum Mechanics to General Relativity. One of the main inputs to any calculation of neutron star properties is the equation of state of the ma tter that comprises the interior of the star. \n\nThis talk will focus on describing the thermodynamics of magnetized dense neutron and neutron star matter\, its equation of state\, and how the equation of state is applied to study observational consequences in neutron stars.\n\nhttps://indico.t labs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2308/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2308/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Overview on the African LaBr Array at iThemba LABS DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220519T084500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220519T090500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2314@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Luna Pellegri (University of the Witwatersrand and i Themba LABS)\nThe African LaBr Array (ALBA) consists of 21 large volume La Br3:Ce. The characteristics of these crystals\, such as the good energy re solution and the high efficiency\, make this array very useful for the det ection of high-energy gamma rays. The ALBA project foresees the use of the gamma spectrometer in stand-alone mode and coupled to the K600 spectromet er or to silicon-detector arrays for the particle identification. A Digita l acquisition system based on XIA PIXIE 16 cards (12 bit 500Mz digitizatio n) will be used. The 21 detectors of ALBA arrived in 2021 and the S-line s upport frame is now being completed. An overview of the project will be gi ven underling the physics program that is envisage for the upcoming future .\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2314/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2314/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Photon strength functions from (p\, γ) reactions DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220519T095000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220519T101000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2303@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Adivhaho Netshiya (iThemba LABS and WITS)\nIn the 19 70s and 80s (p\, γ) reactions were successfully utilized to measure the p hoton strength function (PSF) using the Average Resonance Capture Method [ 1] and this work seeks to explore these reactions to measure the PSF using the ratio and X2 method [2]. The 50Cr(p\, γ)51Mn capture reaction has be en used to study primary γ-ray transitions from the entry states between the proton and neutron separation energies to discrete states of known spi ns and parities. For a proof-of-principle experiment\, the Tandetron accel erator at iThemba LABS was used to deliver proton beams of 2.5 to 3 MeV an d 3.675 to 4.498 MeV in intervals of 20-25 keV with beam currents of up to 5 𝜇A. The primary γ-rays emitted from the reaction were detected usin g one segmented Clover detector placed at 90° to the beam direction. A to tal of 64 gamma-ray spectra were collected with 26 and 38 of these spectra collected for 2.5 to 3 MeV and 3.675 to 4.498 MeV beam energies respectiv ely. The level scheme of the 51Mn compound nucleus was built with several new transitions and states being identified. The average intensities of th e primary γ-rays decaying to discrete states of known spin and parity wer e extracted. The PSF of 51Mn will be extracted using the ratio and X2 meth od [2]. In this talk\, I will present the analysis and preliminary results on the extraction of the PSF of 51Mn populated using 50Cr(p\, γ) reactio n.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2303/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2303/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Strength of the scissors resonance in 151Sm DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220519T093000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220519T095000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2306@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sebenzile Magagula (SSC Laboratory\, iThemba labs\, Somerset west\, 7129\, South Africa)\nThe number of stable isotopes of sa marium (Sm)\, makes this isotopic chain interesting to study at stable ion beam facilities. The scissors resonance (SR) of 151Sm was studied with th e aim of understanding the evolution of the SR along the Sm isotopic chain . Change in deformation of a nucleus as it transitions from prolate throug h spherical to oblate\, leads to changes in statistical properties particu larly the nuclear level density (NLD) and γ-strength function (γSF). The evolution of resonances observed in the γSF\, such as the SR which is se nsitive to changes in deformation across the isotopic chain\, was studied in this work. The experiment was performed at the Oslo Cyclotron laborator y where a 152Sm self-supporting target was bombarded with a 13.5 MeV deute ron beam. The reaction 152Sm (d\,tγ)151Sm populated the nucleus of intere st. An array of NaI(Tl) detectors\, CACTUS [1]\, detected γ-rays and the silicon particle telescope array\, SiRi [2]\, was used to detect charged p articles in coincidence. The NLD and γSF were extracted from the particle -γ coincidences below the neutron separation energy\, Sn\, using the Oslo Method [3].\nThese results are used to place the SR in 151Sm and its magn etic dipole strength B(M1) value into the context of previously measured s amarium isotopes[4\, 5\, 6]. I will present the results for 151Sm\, which depicts a near complete picture of the evolution of the strength of the SR [B(M1)] for the stable Sm isotopic chain.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/e vent/110/contributions/2306/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2306/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Ion source development for the LERIB test facility DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220519T101000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220519T103000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2313@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Skye Segal (iThemba LABS)\nIon-source development fo r the LERIB test facility \n\nSkye Segal1\, J. Abrahams1\, H. Anderson1\, S. Baard1\, R. Bark1\, H. Barnard1\, J. Conradie1\, B. Cornelius1\, A. Cro mbie1\, J. de Villiers1\, W. Duckitt1\, C. Ellis1\, D. Fourie1 and P. Van Schalkwyk1\n\n1iThemba LABS\, South Africa\n\nAt the off-line test facilit y of the Low-Energy Radioactive-Ion Beam\, or LERIB [1] project\, at iThem ba LABS\, two ion-sources are being developed: a surface ion source\, and a Forced Electron Beam Induced Arc Discharge\, or FEBIAD\, plasma ion-sour ce [2]. \nThe hot-cavity type surface ionization source has already underg one some development at the LERIB off-line test facility. The production of ions from group 1 was accomplished with the creation of stable beams of 39K+\, 41K+ and 23Na+\, and beam currents were measured in the µA range. This source is a good choice as a pilot beam for similar mass beams that could eventually be used for RIB experiments - stable and bright beams can be created\, and they can be switched on or off quickly by limiting heati ng current through the tantalum oven. \nThe LERIB FEBIAD is in its initia l stages of development. The FEBIAD will be essential for the production o f RIBs\, as a wide variety of elements can be ionized with it through the process of electron-impact ionization. The FEBIAD under consideration will include the use of magnetic fields for the confinement of the electron be am. Magnetic fields produced by solenoids have been shown to improve the i onization in plasma ion sources [3]. Electromagnetic solenoid fields as we ll as arrays of permanent magnets will be studied for use in the LERIB FEB IAD.\n \n\n[1] J. Conradie\, et al.\, Progress with a New Radioisotope Pro duction Facility and Construction of Radioactive Beam Facility at iThemba LABS\, (2016).\n[2] T. Stora\, Radioactive Ion Sources\, CERN Yellow Repor t CERN-2013-007 pp.331-349 (2014).\n[3] J. Ballof\, et al.\, A cold electr on-impact ion source driven by a photo-cathode\, (2022).\n\nhttps://indico .tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2313/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2313/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Update on NMISA radioactivity standards lab activities since 2020 DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220516T101500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220516T103500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2315@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Milton van Rooy (NMISA)\nAn update on the NMISA RS l ab activities since the start of 2020 will be provided. This comprises int ernational comparisons of activity measurements using primary methods\, pa rticipation in proficiency tests using gamma-spec and liquid scintillation counting\, and low-level comparisons. An update on our scope of accredita tion will also be provided and various types of client work that has been completed. Future plans will also be discussed.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac .za/event/110/contributions/2315/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2315/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:NMISA Keynote Speaker DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220516T093000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220516T101500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2120@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Wynand Louw (NMISA)\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/even t/110/contributions/2120/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2120/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:EVALUATION OF RADIOLOGICAL HAZARDS DUE TO NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY IN SOIL SAMPLES COLLECTED IN AND AROUND SOME GOLD MINING AREAS OF THE MAYO-K EBBI REGION IN CHAD WITH STATISTICAL ANALYSES. DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220518T093000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220518T101500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2312@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Daniel BONGUE (Centre for Atomic Molecular Physics a nd Quantum Optics (CEPAMOQ) - Faculty of Science - University of Douala - Cameroon)\, Samafou Penabei ()\nIn this work\, a HPGe detector in a low-ba ckground setup was used to determine the activity concentrations of 238U\, 232Th and 40K in soil samples collected in and around some gold mining ar eas of the Mayo-Kebbi region in Chad. Subsequently\, the radiological risk s due to these natural radionuclides were also assessed. The range of acti vity concentrations of 238U\, 232Th and 40K varied respectively from 1.42 to 430.88 Bq/kg\, 1.19 to 56.61 Bq/kg and 27.38 to 840.51 Bq/kg with respe ctive average values of 29.67 Bq/kg\, 11.98 Bq/kg and 234.43 Bq/kg. The hi ghest value of 238U\, 232Th and 40K concentrations were found in soil samp le collected at gold mining area of Zabili. Correlation studies between 23 8U versus 232Th\, 40K versus 238U\, and 40K versus 232Th were performed. T he results showed a good correlation between the pairs (238U\, 232Th) howe ver a weak correlation was observed between the pairs (238U\, 40K) and (23 2Th\, 40K). In order to investigate the statistical variation of the data and its implications on environmental exposure\, the hierarchical binary c luster tree was implemented. The mean annual effective dose of the soil sa mples collected in the studied area was found to be 0.18 mSv/y. The calcul ated mean values of the external hazard index (Hex) and the internal hazar d index (Hin) of the study area were 0.26\, 0.26\, respectively. These val ues are lower than unity. Therefore\, mining activities in Mayo-kebbi regi on do not present any radiological hazard to the general public.\n\nhttps: //indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2312/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2312/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Gamma-ray spectroscopy and its associated radiological risk of bea ch sand and soil samples from Zanzibar\, United Republic of Tanzania DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220518T120000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220518T123000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2317@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Gharib Mohamed (The State University of Zanzibar)\nE veryone on the planet is exposed to some background radiation. Human expos ure to ionising radiation is one of the scientific subjects that attract p ublic attention\, since radiation of natural origin is responsible for mos t of the total radiation exposure of the human exposure. \nThis study pres ents the results of Gamma-ray spectroscopy and its associated radiological risk of beach sand and soil samples from Zanzibar\, United Republic of Ta nzania. The activity concentration of natural radionuclides (40K\, and 232 Th and 238U decay products) in beach sand and soil samples were measured u sing a combination of in-situ and ex-situ gamma-ray spectroscopy. The in-s itu gamma-ray survey was conducted using the Multi Element Sediment Detect or for Underwater Sediment Activity (MEDUSA) detector. The detector was mo unted on the front of a 4×4 vehicle\, 60 cm off the ground. Activity conc entrations of the primordial radionuclides were extracted from the MEDUSA spectra using the Full Spectrum Analysis (FSA) procedure. The collected be ach sands and soil samples from the beaches and the land mapped using the MEDUSA detector were analysed using a Hyper Purity Germanium (HPGe) detect or. \nThe activity concentrations of 40K\, 238U and 232Th in beach sand ar e much lower than in soil samples\, with one major exception at Kukuu. Two beach sand samples from Kukuu beach were found to have enhanced radioacti vity levels due to the presence of heavy minerals. \nThe spatial distribut ions maps for 40K\, 238U and 232Th show large variation in soil samples fo r two relatively small islands. These strong variations are unexpected\, t hat could have implications for agriculture. \nThe outdoor gamma dose rate s obtained in beach sand and soil samples ranged from 3 to 2156 nGy h-1 an d 50 to 294 nGy h-1\, respectively. The highest absorbed dose rates in soi l samples and beach sand are respectively 5 and 38 times higher than the a verage world level of 57 nGyh-1 for terrestrial doses. Apart from the Kuku u black sand samples that contain the high 238U and 232Th levels\, the bea ch sands and soil in this study do not pose any radiological threat to the public using beaches for various activities.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.z a/event/110/contributions/2317/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2317/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Radioactivity assessment of radium and radon concentrations in wat er sources at and near selected former uranium mines in the West-Rand area of Johannesburg DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220518T101500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220518T103500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2319@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ayabulela Tsewu (Student)\nThe present work aimed at establishing the extent and distribution of the activity concentration le vels of 238U daughter-nuclides\; 226Ra and 222Rn in the\nWest Rand-area of Johannesburg. The main motive was to ascertain whether\nthe exposure of t he nearby residents to ionising radiation due to former mining\nactivities was within the maximum acceptable limit of 1.0 mSv/y for the public. Meas urements include the use of Alpha Spectroscopy system (Canberra)\nwith Pas sivated Implanted Planar Silicon (PIPS) and Solid-state Alpha Detectors fo r Radon measurements (RAD-7) detectors to identify radionuclides\,\nquanti fy and analyze isotopes of interest.\nA seasonal collection of a total 32 water samples from the mining areas\nwas carried out and analysed for 226R a and 222Rn. The results of radium\n(\n226Ra) concentration in water sampl es obtained by using alpha spectrometry\nranged from (1.58±2.74 to 164.42 ±18.47) mBq/l\, (11.23±3.89 to 136.01±15.4)\nmBq/l\, (-3.38±-2.39 to 1 56.15±18.14) mBq/l\, and (4.25±1.23 to 108±8) for\nJune 2019\, Septembe r 2019\, December 2019 and March 2020 water samples\,\nrespectively. The r adium values were lower than the suggested maximum contamination levels by US-EPA 555 mBq/L.\nThe results shows that the range of radon (222Rn) conc entration values\nvary from (37.1±74.1 to 269±79.2) mBq/l\, (57.2±73.9t o 190±94.9) mBq/l\,\n(76.6±63.2 to 211±146) mBq/l\, and (56.3±71.1 to 289±272) mBq/l for June\n2019\, September 2019\, December 2019 and March 2020\, respectively. The obtained 222Rn concentration results in drinking water samples in the current\nstudy are low than the approved maximum cont amination level (MCL) 11.1\nBq/l as approved by US-EPA.\nThe observed rado n annual ingestion dose from the current study were\nlower than the Europe an Commission and the World Health Organization proiii\nposed concentratio n of 222Rn in drinking water of 100 Bq/l [1]. The results of\nthis study i ndicates that the total annual effective doses from possible intake\nof 22 6Ra and 222Rn radionuclides in sampled water in West-Rand area were\nfound below the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended limit of 0.1\nmSv/y as well as the average radiation dose of 0.29 mSv/y received per head\nwo rldwide due to ingestion of natural radionuclides assessed by UNSCEAR 2002 \n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2319/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2319/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Role of Inter-Africa UK Collaboration in Improving Nuclear Ins trumentation for Research and Development in Africa DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220520T080000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220520T084500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2318@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Innocent Jimmy Lugendo (University of Dar es Salaam) \nIn the current world of science and technology\, the contribution of nuc lear science\, technology and techniques cannot be overestimated. Humankin d have benefited from many aspects of nuclear science and technology espec ially in areas such as power production\, health services\, agricultural d evelopments and security. Moreover\, nuclear techniques have continued to be beneficial for analysing food as well as environmental samples hence pr omoting good quality of life for everyone. Such benefits are the outcomes of continuous research efforts and knowledge expansion in nuclear science. That is to say\, continuous research and development (R&D) activities is the key to the future success. Yet\, the R&D activities require reliable e xpertise and instrumentation\, which are vital aspects for safe and effect ive use of several nuclear techniques and technology. Nevertheless\, most developing countries are far behind the developed countries in terms the a forementioned aspects. This causes not only difficulties in conducting cut ting edge nuclear researches in the developing countries but also failure to take full advantage of the available nuclear technology\, which could h ugely boost the economies of these countries. In order to ease the situati on\, research collaborations between the less developed\, developing and d eveloped countries have always been suggested to take advantage of the ava ilable nuclear instruments. Thus\, nuclear instrumentation and expertise m ake an important point of focus for collaborations between African countri es and the United Kingdom (UK). This talk will highlight the importance of the inter-Africa and United Kingdom (UK) collaborations in the developmen t of nuclear instrumentation and nuclear technology in Africa taking Tanza nia as a case study.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions /2318/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2318/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Lifetime measurements on A∼100 nuclei using LaBr3(Ce) arrays. DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220519T080000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220519T084500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2186@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Alison Bruce (University of Brighton)\nThe region of the nuclear chart around neutron-rich A~100 nuclei is one where prolate a nd oblate nuclear shapes are predicted to be in close competition. An indi rect measurement of the shape of the nucleus can be obtained from measurin g level lifetimes which relate\, via transition rates\, to beta_2 deformat ion. In order to make measurements of level lifetimes in the sub nanosecon d range an array of 36 LaBr3(Ce) detectors has been constructed for use at the FAIR facility in Darmstadt\, Germany. This presentation will give an overview of the array and examples of its use in commissioning experiments at the RIKEN Nishina Center in Japan and the Argonne National Laboratory in the USA.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2186/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2186/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Design and construction of a gamma-ray spectrometer with water shi elding for low-level natural occurring radioactive material measurement DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220517T084500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220517T090500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2311@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Munirat Bashir (Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Universit y\, Lapai. Nigeria)\nGamma-ray spectrometer with a single HPGe or NaI:Tl d etector shielded with lead is often used to measure the activity concentra tion of radionuclides in soil samples. A passive water shield to reduce ba ckground radiation reaching the detectors was designed using GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulations and then constructed. IAEA-375 soil and beach sand each placed in Marinelli beaker were measured for 48 hours using two LaBr$_3$:C e detectors placed inside the constructed water shield. The samples were a lso measured for 24 hours using a NaI:Tl detector inside the constructed w ater shield and HPGe shielded with lead and copper to compare and validate the results from measurements with the LaBr$_3$:Ce detectors. Both the si mulated and measured results show that the water shield attenuates the 261 4.5 keV gamma rays by over 90 % and energies lower than the 2614.5 keV by far above 90 %. The activity concentration of $^{40}$K radionuclide in IAE A-375 soil and beach sand measured using the LaBr$_3$:Ce detectors was bel ow the minimum detectable activity (MDA) due to the internal activity of t he detector. The measured activity concentrations of $^{238}$U and $^{232} $Th series and $^{40}$K radionuclides in IAEA-375 soil were comparable wit h certified values to within measurement uncertainties. The activity conce ntrations of $^{238}$U and $^{232}$Th series radionuclides in beach sand w ere determined using all the measurement geometries and consistent to with in 1$\\sigma$ to 2$\\sigma$ level.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110 /contributions/2311/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2311/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Does Accelerator Mass Spectrometry have a place in an emerging eco nomy? DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220516T080000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220516T084500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2301@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Stephan Woodborne ()\nSouth Africa’s science infra structure is required to respond to a mandate that specifies a number of o utcomes\, and one of the core tenets is that science must impact on wellbe ing in the country. Extremely expensive science platforms\, such as the re cently commissioned Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) facility at iThemb a LABS\, must respond by facilitating research for users\; by training the next generation of scientists\; and by leading cutting edge research with a local benefit. The AMS facility is the only one of its kind on the Afri can continent and will grow to serve not only the South African science co mmunity\, but also the wider African community until it has a continental footprint. In meeting the mandate the AMS facility must operate in a partn ership with the user base\, both in the provision of know-how to run analy ses on a science agenda set by the users\, but also in leading in-house re search that accommodates academic partners and facilitates post-graduate s tudent participation. Many of the societal benefits of AMS are not to be f ound in the particle physics domain\, but rather in the applied science th at falls in to other disciplines. The basis of these applications is in th e systematics of rare element production\, decay and distribution among di fferent reservoirs. Scientists at iThemba LABS are partnering with users w ho require traditional chronology-based applications of AMS\, but they are also using the AMS facility across a wide range of novel applied domains. These include: testing climate change forecasts\, dating groundwater rech arge\, assessing global phenomenon such as magnetic field fluctuations ove r the last 50 000 years. The essence of the program is to use particle phy sics for the benefit of the people of South Africa\, and Africa.\n\nhttps: //indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2301/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2301/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:MeASURe: the art and science of nuclear measurement at the Univers ity of Cape Town DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220516T120000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20220516T133000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260520T170336Z UID:indico-contribution-110-2304@indico.tlabs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Andy Buffler (UCT)\, Chloe Sole (University of Cape Town)\, Josiah De Klerk (University of Cape Town)\, Mike Van Heerden (Univ ersity of Cpe Town)\, Robert Van der Merwe (University of Cape Town)\, Ste ve Peterson (University of Cape Town)\, Tanya Hutton (University of Cape T own)\, Tom Leadbeater (University of Cape Town)\, Zina Ndabeni (University of Cape Town)\nThe Metrological and Applied Sciences University Research Unit (MeASURe) was established in the Department of Physics at the Univers ity of Cape Town in 2018 to consolidate and expand research programs in ap plied nuclear physics\, nanophysics\, and measurement education and traini ng. Integral to MeASURe is a robust understanding of reference standards\, uncertainties\, traceability\, and how this translates into the developme nt of novel measurement techniques to address real-world problems. Central to these activities is access to particle beams and radioisotopes through niche fast neutron facilities\, proton therapy research beamline\, and po sition emission particle tracking laboratories at the University of Cape T own and iThemba LABS. \n\nWe present the current state-of-the-art of neut ron- and gamma ray-based research within MeASURe\, including the developme nt of detectors and instrumentation\, advanced computation and stochastic modelling\, and the applications of such measurements and techniques. A su bset of current postgraduate students will present their research into mod ern fast neutron detector systems\, positron emission particle tracking an d prompt gamma ray imaging. Future avenues of research at MeASURe are expl ored with respect to the SDGs and potential impact to the African continen t and beyond.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2304/ LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Visitors Centre URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/110/contributions/2304/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR