Inelastic Electron Scattering Cross Section Measurements in Liquid Water
EMSL Project ID
24803
Abstract
This proposal is a continuation of research under EMSL User Proposal #21891. An understanding of electron-initiated processes in aqueous systems is significant not only in fundamental research but also in such diverse fields as waste remediation and environmental cleanup, radiation processing, nuclear reactors, biology, medical diagnosis, charged particle cancer-therapy, astrophysics and atmospheric sciences. The interactions of electrons strongly affect the feasibility and possibilities for the best use of present and future energy technologies. Research to develop an understanding of the consequences of energetic electrons is at the core of many research programs, especially those sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. Fundamental studies of electron-water interactions provide a basic knowledge which supports major EMSL science themes on Biological Interactions and Interfaces, Science of Interfacial Phenomena and Atmospheric Aerosol Chemistry. The primary objective of this work is to measure total electron scattering cross sections as a function of energy and angle in liquid water jets in the energy range of 30 keV. These values will allow the first direct comparison of experimental cross sections with calculated data. This will give us confidence in the input data to track structure codes which can then be used for various applications from biology (to simulate water-mediated pathways leading to DNA base damage) to nuclear technology (to simulate water radiolysis in nuclear reactors, spent fuel storage and liquid radioactive waste disposal). The outcome of this work will be of direct relevance to the radiobiology community as they have the potential to predict adverse health effects of ionizing radiation, elucidate the mechanisms of radiation damage to biological materials, and suggest ways to inhibit, prevent, and correct this damage.
Project Details
Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2007-05-31
End Date
2009-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
Kimmel GA, and NG Petrik. 2008. "Tetraoxygen on Reduced Ti02(110): Oxygen Adsorption and Reactions with Oxygen Vacancies." Physical Review Letters 100(19):Art. No. 196102. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.196102