Projectile

About: Projectile is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 13047 publications have been published within this topic receiving 115563 citations.

Fragmentation of gold projectiles: From evaporation to total disassembly

Abstract: We have studied the fragmentation of Au projectiles interacting with targets of C, Al and Cu at an incident energy ofE/A=600 MeV. The employed inverse kinematics allowed a nearly complete detection of projectile fragments with chargeZ≧2. The recorded fragmentation events were sorted according to three observables, the multiplicityMlp of light charged particles, the largest atomic numberZmax within an event, and a new observable,Zbound, representing the sum of the atomic numbersZ of all fragments withZ≧2. Using these observables, the impact parameter dependence of the fragmentation process was investigated. For all three targets, a maximum mean multiplicity of 3 to 4 intermediate mass fragments (IMFs) is observed. The corresponding impact parameters range from central collisions for theC target to increasingly peripheral collisions for the heavier targets. It is found that the correlation between the IMF multiplicity andZbound, extending from evaporation type processes (largeZbound) to the total disassembly of the projectile (smallZbound), is independent of the target nucleus. This universal behaviour may suggest an — at least partial — equilibration of the projectile fragment prior to its decay.

Storage ring system and method for high-yield nuclear production

Abstract: A storage ring system and method for high-yield nuclear production of neutrons, isotopes and photons, include a particle supply for generating a beam of projectile or reaction particles, a closed storage ring for containing and recycling the projectile particles, an electron cooling system for stabilizing the projectile particles, and a target for initiating nuclear reactions with the projectile particles so as to generate the desired end-products, with improved efficiency and safety. The invention also provides a plurality of dipoles and/or trim magnets selectively situated around the ring to guide the projectile particles as they circulate within the system. Substantially trapped in the closed storage ring, the particle beam is recirculated inside the storage ring for repeated exposure to the target, until the particles either favorably react with the target or are lost through scattering. As new particles are injected into the storage ring, they merge with previously injected particles circulating the ring, thereby allowing a relatively high intensity beam to develop, even though the input current used to populate the system remains relatively low throughout the operation of the system. Advantageously, the present invention maintains the particle beam within optimal reaction parameters by providing the electron cooling system to stabilize the particle beam.

Dynamic response of electromagnetic railgun due to projectile movement

Abstract: A model is developed to investigate the dynamic response of an electromagnetic railgun, induced by a moving magnetic pressure during launch of projectiles. As the projectile velocity approaches a critical value, resonance can occur and cause high amplitude stress and strain in the rail at the instant and location of the projectile's passage. In this study, governing equations of a railgun under dynamic loading conditions are derived that illustrate a lower-bound critical velocity in terms of material properties, geometry, and barrel cross section; this represents the worst case or a lower bound solution for the structure under a dynamic loading condition. A study is then performed to show the effect of these parameters on the critical velocity of the barrel. Accordingly, the model that accounts for projectile velocity and gun construction can be used to guide and improve barrel design.