A.S. Dhaliwal

Thick target bremsstrahlung spectra produced by 204Tl beta particles in the photon energy region of 10–30 keV

Total bremsstrahlung (BS) spectra in thick targets of Al, Ti, Sn and Pb targets produced by complete absorption of 204Tl beta particles are studied at photon energy from 10 keV to 30 keV. The experimental BS spectra measured with X-PIPS Si(Li) detector are compared with the theoretical BS spectra obtained from Elwert corrected (non-relativistic) Bethe–Heitler theory and modified Elwert factor (relativistic) Bethe–Heitler theories, with and without the contributions of polarization bremsstrahlung in a stripped atom approximation, described by Avdonina and Pratt (1999 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 321 4261). It is observed that the experimental results show better agreement with the modified Elwert factor (relativistic) Bethe–Heitler theory having the contribution of polarization bremsstrahlung at photon energy from 10 keV to 30 keV. This indicates that the polarization bremsstrahlung must be taken into account while studying the spectral photon distributions produced by continuous beta particles in thick target materials.

Z-dependence of spectral shape of external bremsstrahlung produced by beta particles

Abstract The Z -dependence of external bremsstrahlung (EB) in Al, Cu, Sn and Pb targets produced by beta particles of 204 Tl and 170 Tm beta emitters have been measured using a thick NaI(Tl) detector. It is found that the values of the Z -dependence obtained both from Bethe–Heitler–Elwert and Tseng and Pratt theories and experiment are not constant. Rather these values increase with increasing photon energy, suggesting thereby that the EB spectral shape is not independent of the atomic number ( Z ) of the target material.

Novel Green Synthesis and Characterization of the Antioxidant Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Prepared from Nepeta leucophylla Root Extract

ABSTRACT Bioinspired silver nanoparticles were synthesized using nontoxic, eco-friendly, and novel root extract of Nepeta leucophylla. The reduction of silver nitrate salt into nanoparticles is performed using the root extract, which is rich in polyphenolic and flavonoid contents. The reduction of silver salt by this extract is occurred at several temperatures and the reaction mixture turns brown and displayed representative absorbance spectra of silver nanoparticles. The influence of numerous synthesis parameters such as the concentration of root extract, time, temperature, and reaction pH on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles was also examined. Furthermore, the synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The formation of silver nanoparticles was enhanced with time, temperature, and at basic pH. The surface plasmon resonance band characteristics of silver nanoparticles were detected at 410 nm in the ultraviolet–visible absorbance spectra. The infrared spectroscopy results show that the extract contains phenol which is responsible for reduction and proteins may be capping the silver nanoparticles which prevent agglomeration. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that silver nanoparticles were spherical and the sizes matched well with X-ray diffraction and theoretical calculations by Mie theory. Furthermore, the antioxidant potential of the synthesized silver nanoparticles was assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay and showed considerable antioxidant potential.

Study of the Z-dependence of external bremsstrahlung produced by beta particles of 147Pm and 32P

The Z-dependence of external bremsstrahlung (EB) produced by beta particles of 147Pm and 32P beta emitters in Al, Cu, Sn, and Pb targets has been studied, as a function of photon energy, on the basis of the theoretical and experimental EB spectral distributions. The present results show that the values of the Z-dependence index, obtained both from Elwert-corrected Bethe?Heitler and Tseng and Pratt theories and from experiments, are not constant. It is found that the index n increases with increasing photon energy.

Plasmon induced photocatalytic degradation of Methylene blue dye using biosynthesized silver nanoparticles as photocatalyst

ABSTRACT Bio-fabrication of silver nanoparticles, using stem extracts of Nepeta leucophylla and their photocatalytic degradation activity, has been undertaken. The synthesized silver nanoparticles are characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The Surface Plasmon Resonance band detected at 430 nm in the ultraviolet-visible spectrum confirms the formation of silver nanoparticles in the aqueous solution. Transmission Electron and Field Emission Scanning Electron micrographs reveal that the synthesized silver nanoparticles are spherical with an average size in the range of 15–25 nm. But, the X-ray diffraction confirms the face-centred cubic structure of silver nanoparticles with an average crystal size of the nanoparticles is about 10 nm. Furthermore, the infrared spectrogram confirms that the stem extract of Nepeta leucophylla contains phenol which causes reduction of silver salt to silver nanoparticles and protein might act as an overlaying agent which prevents the agglomeration of these nanoparticles. Moreover, the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye, by using biosynthesized silver nanoparticles of optimized dose (1.8 ml) for 180 min in the presence and absence of light are 82.8% and 61.25%, respectively, specifies that the resultant photocatalyst is proved to have good photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue dye from the liquid phase. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Thick target total bremsstrahlung spectra of lead compounds in the photon energy region 1–10 keV by 90Sr beta particles

Total bremsstrahlung spectral photon distribution generated in thick targets of lead compounds Pb(CH3COO)2·3H2O, Pb(NO3)2 and PbCl2 by 90Sr beta particles has been investigated theoretically and experimentally in the photon energy region 1-10keV. The experimental results are compared with the theoretical models describing ordinary bremsstrahlung and the theoretical model which includes polarization bremsstrahlung into ordinary bremsstrahlung, in stripped approximation. It is observed that the experimental results show better agreement with the model which describes bremsstrahlung in stripped approximation in the energy range 3-10keV. However, the results show positive deviation in the photon energy region of 1-3keV. Further, it has been found that there is a continuous decrease of polarization bremsstrahlung contribution into ordinary bremsstrahlung in the formation of total bremsstrahlung spectra with increase in photon energy. The suppression of polarization bremsstrahlung has been observed due to the presence of large fraction of low Z elements in the compounds. The results clearly indicate that polarization bremsstrahlung plays an important role in the formation of total bremsstrahlung spectra in compounds in the studied energy region.

Effect of applied mechanical stress on absorption coefficient of compounds

The absorption coefficient of given materials is the parameter required for the basic information. The measurement of absorption coefficient of compounds Al2O3, CaCO3, ZnO2, SmO2 and PbO has been taken at different incident photon energies 26, 59.54, 112, 1173, 1332keV. The studies involve the measurements of absorption coefficient of the self supporting samples prepared under different mechanical stress. This mechanical stress is render in terms of pressure up to 0-6 ton by using hydraulic press. Measurements shows that absorption coefficient of a material is directly proportional to applied mechanical stress on it up to some extent then become independent. Experimentally measured results are in fairly good agreement with in theoretical values obtained from WinXCOM.

Bremsstrahlung in Mo and Pt targets produced by 90Sr beta particles in the photon energy region of 1-100 keV

Bremsstrahlung spectra in thick targets of Mo and Pt, produced by beta emitter 90Sr (end point energy = 546 keV) have been studied in the photon energy range of 1-100 keV. The experimentally measured bremsstrahlung spectra measured with Si(Li) detector were compared with the theoretical spectral distributions calculated from Elwert corrected (non relativistic) Bethe-Heitler [EBH] theory, modified Elwert factor (relativistic) Bethe-Heitler (FmodBH) theory for ordinary bremsstrahlung (OB) and the modified Elwert factor (relativistic) Bethe-Heitler (FmodBH+PB) theory, which includes the polarization bremsstrahlung (PB) into total bremsstrahlung (BS). The present results indicate the correctness of FmodBH+PB theory in the low energy region, where the contributions of PB into BS are dominant, which is described in terms of stripped atom (SA) approximation. But at the middle and higher energy region of the bremsstrahlung spectrum, where the contribution of PB is negligible, the FmodBH theory is more close to th...

Determination of loss tangent of human tear film at 9.8 GHz

Basal (non-stimulated) tears that are produced by accessory lacrimal glands located in conjunctiva of human eye, form tear film which in turn keeps the eye moist and lubricate; nourishes the eye; protects the eye from dust, bacterial infection and shear forces generated during eye movements and blinking; and provides a refractive surface on the corneal epithelium. Film is known to contain water, mucin, lipids, lysozyme, glucose, urea, sodium etc. In present communication, loss tangent of human tear film has been determined at 9.8 GHz microwaves by employing cavity perturbation technique at a temperature of 37°C. The basal tears from a small population comprising six subjects were collected and average value of loss tangent is reported. Slater’s technique was used to reduce the error caused in measuring the volume of sample. The determined values are useful to study the biological effects of microwaves on tear film as well as other parts of human eye such as eye lens and lens epithelial cells. To the best ...

Raman spectral study of electrochemically synthesized aupolyaniline composite

In this report, a two step electrochemical synthesis of Au-polyaniline composite is explored. In the first step polyaniline film was deposited on the ITO coated glass substrate by using chronopotentiometery technique. Later, using CV the surface of as prepared film was decorated by Au particles to fabricate Au-polyaniline composite. The composite is characterized by Raman spectroscopy, XRD and SEM. The SEM analysis shows a uniform dispersion of Au particles on the porous polyaniline film. A Raman spectrum confirms the existence of polyaniline in different oxidation states, which are attributed to specific signatures of delocalized charge carriers. XRD spectra confirmed Braggs reflection at various planes.