Session M01: Student Oral Presentations I

Evaluation of Nuclear Reaction Cross Sections for the Production of $^{\mathrm{52}}$Mn to be used in Nuclear Medicines.

Hybrid diagnostic techniques like Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/ Magnetic Resonating Imaging ( MRI) are field of interest and $^{\mathrm{52}}$Mn is among several other contenders' radionuclides of this sprint. Although Mn have other potential radionuclides including $^{\mathrm{51}}$Mn, $^{\mathrm{52g}}$Mn$^{\mathrm{\thinspace }}$and $^{\mathrm{\thinspace 52m}}$Mn but $^{\mathrm{52}}$Mn possess most suitable attributes which brought it as promising participant for PET/MRI applications. Soaring applications of the radionuclides in both diagnostic and therapeutic demands high yield, socio economic and optimum production routes. Production cross section for $^{\mathrm{52}}$Mn have been reported by many groups via nuclear reactions namely$^{\mathrm{\thinspace 52}}$Cr(p, x)$^{\mathrm{52}}$Mn$^{\mathrm{,\thinspace nat}}$Cr(p, x)$^{\mathrm{52}}$Mn, $^{\mathrm{50}}$Cr(a, x)$^{\mathrm{52}}$Mn ,$^{\mathrm{\thinspace 54}}$Fe(d, x)$^{\mathrm{52}}$Mn, $^{\mathrm{nat}}$Ni(d, x)$^{\mathrm{52}}$Mn, and $^{\mathrm{59}}$Co(d, x)$^{\mathrm{52}}$Mn. Current study emphasizes the production via charge particle induce reactions on Cr and Ni. Experimental reported data were rivalled to theoretic computations by means of EMPIRE-3.2, TALYS-1.9 and ALLICE-IPPE nuclear model codes. Using recommended excitation functions based on established techniques Thick Target Yield (TTY) were calculated. Radionuclidic impurities analysis were done for each case and optimum production route is proposed for future productions.   

Tuning Properties of Super Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles by Microfluidics Approach

Microfluidic synthesis methods offer control of reaction parameters such as, concentrations of the reactants, pH, temperature, and flow rate. In the biomedical field nanomaterials have improved both diagnostic and therapeutic methods leading to the emergence of theranostic nanomedicine. Nanoparticle-based theranostics allow for the simultaneous treatment and imaging of effected tissue. Of interest are Super Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs), which are biocompatible and have the property, at less than 10 nm in diameter, of only being magnetized in the presence of an external magnetic field due to each SPION being a single-domain, having each their own magnetic moment. In the absence of a magnetic field, each SPION has zero-net magnetic coercivity and moment. Colloidal suspensions of SPIONs and protection from aggregation can be achieved via surface passivation with ligands. The coupling of SPIONS to nanomaterials such as Quantum Dots (QDs) has the capacity to offer greater specificity in both targeting and drug-delivery efforts. Due to their excellent photostability, broad absorption spectra, and tunable size and emission wavelength, QDs have applications as energy-efficient photovoltaics, quantum computing, and biomedical imaging. A problem presents itself with the elemental toxicity of first generation QDs consisting of the heavy metals Cd and Pb; however, through surface passivation and coupling with SPIONs, they may be made biocompatible via microfluidic synthesis methods.   

Crossed Andreev reflection in InSb nanowire multi-terminal devices.

Crossed Andreev reflection (CAR), as known as a non-local Andreev reflection, is a process where the quasiparticles that form a Cooper pair, are spatially separated but still entangled. The process is of interest in the formation of solid-state quantum entanglement, via the formation of a spatially separated entangled electron-hole (Andreev) pair, with applications in spintronics and quantum computing. Additionally, coupling two one-dimensional (1D) structures via CAR is interesting for engineering a topological state of matter hosting parafermion or Majorana. Thus, searching for systems with a large probability and convenient manipulation of CAR is desirable. InSb is known for its large g-factor and strong spin-orbit interaction, which is a good candidate for this purpose. Here, we designed InSb nanowire multi-terminal devices with superconducting electrode (Al) and observed a strong CAR, which is gate-tunable. In general, the InSb nanowire provide a promising platform to use CAR for creating topological zero modes or for applications in Cooper pair splitting.   

Searches for sub-solar mass ultracompact objects with Advanced LIGO

The recent observations of stellar mass black hole binaries by Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo have revived interest in the possibility of sub-solar mass ultracompact objects. Due to the lack of knowledge surrounding the composition of sub-solar mass ultracompact objects, they have long been of interest as a potential dark matter candidate. Since astrophysical processes are not expected to produce ultracompact objects below one solar mass, the detection of such an object could be an indication of new physics. We aim to test this theory by conducting an Advanced LIGO search for sub-solar mass binaries. We describe the effects that signal frequency, black hole mass, and spin have on the computational difficulty of the search. The results of this work have been implemented in Advanced LIGO sub-solar mass searches.   

Capillary Condensations: Phase Transitions for Two Gravitation-Free Confined Systems

Due to van der Waals forces, the vapor contained inside a confined geometry is adsorbed and condenses into a liquid: capillary condensation occurs. Three possible phases can exist. The empty phase arises when there is no wetting, the film phase when a thin liquid film forms, and the full phase when the system is filled with liquid. The transitions between the phases were studied, in the cases of condensation between two parallel planes and within a cylinder. We derived the grand free potential for each phase as well as the potential differences between phases. By graphing a phase diagram, the triple-point was obtained, illustrating the possible coexistence of the three phases. In addition, the shape of the meniscus during film-full phase coexistence was found for the two parallel planes geometry. The understanding of capillary condensation is particularly valuable for industrial applications that use microscale or nanoscale materials.