[Triumf-seminars] TRIUMF Nuclear Physics Seminar today at 11:00

[TRIUMF Seminars]

Date/Time: Wed 2023-11-15 at 11:00

Location:  ISAC Conf Room      

Speaker:   Pete Jones (iThemba Labs)

Title:     Accelerator Based Applications at iThemba LABS (and beyond)

Abstract: At the very tip of Africa lies the largest accelerator facility in the Southern Hemisphere and the only cyclotron facility on the African continent offering unique research capabilities to local and international researchers. iThemba Laboratories for Accelerator Bases Sciences provides laboratories within which particle accelerators (linear accelerators and cyclotrons) are exploited as research tools to probe the nature, structure and properties of matter and materials, and to produce radioisotopes that can be used for diagnostics, imaging and therapy in nuclear medicine applications. The new flagship project, the South African Isotope Facility (SAIF) in 2023-4 will signal the dawn of a new dispensation where all beam-time from the SSC will be devoted to applied and fundamental nuclear physics.
Radiation detection forms an essential part of fundamental research at iThemba LABS utilising state-of-the-art instrumentation. These detectors, including nuclear techniques, have been applied to the study of environmental samples in the laboratory. LaBr3:Ce scintillation detectors and the gamma-gamma coincidence method has the advantage of virtually eliminating all background peaks that do not exist in coincidence with other peaks, significantly improving detection limits of useful radionuclides. The activity concentration of 238U, 232Th and 40K in mineral sands has been determined and compared to certified values.
Further to these measurements, the detectors have been taken outside of the confides of the laboratory, and integrated into a mobile radiation detection unit. Proof-of-principal of the measurement system was undertaken on site with radioactive sources and at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation. One measurement application has recently been used to study the effects of a leak from phosphate mining activity close to the Mopani District situated in the Limpopo Province. This caused the pollution of water running into the Kruger National Park. Pollution included heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Pb and Zn), a significant drop in the pH of the water, and technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material (TENORM).
Recently, a new project: Portable African Neutron-Gamma Laboratory for Innovative Nuclear Science (PANGoLINS) aims to further add on other features to reducing current, temperature monitoring that impacts data and overall analysis.  Various deployment methods are planned with human or remote supervision or control.  Benefits of the outcome of this project includes economic impact, contribution to GDP etc., increased highly skilled capacity and knowledge base and increased capabilities for technically innovation and social impact including  improvement in quality of life, poverty alleviation and the potential impact in lower