Modeling Applications of Radiography

Team: 47

School: Freedom High

Area of Science: Proton Radiography

Interim: Team Number: 047
School Name: Albuquerque Freedom High School
Area of Science: Particle Physics
Project Title: modeling applications of proton radiography

Problem Definition: As of right now we do not have a set problem or question. We realized our proposal was to broad. Over this course of time, we have been doing research which led us to particle acceleration, but even that was still to broad of on area. We met our first mentor, Janet Lovato, whom led us to Proton Radiography. This area of particle acceleration is small and new and allows for a very relevant and precise problem. We now have a mentor and a possible three others from LANL and UNM, and have the necessary resources to gather a focused question. Protons are positively charged particles, that, when passing through materials, can interact with the nucleus via electromagnetic and strong forces elastically, and inelastically. An example of an inelastic interaction is when the proton collides with the nucleus, it is deflected and an angle. An elastic interaction is with direct contact with the nucleus, the proton is "absorbed" and a pion is emitted. When the proton passes through the electron field, an atom can become ionized as the proton "kicks" an electron out of its orbit with its nucleus. Collisions with electrons do nothing much but except that some of the protons energy is lost by colliding with electrons. Measuring the amount of protons that pass through a material and the and the change in energy lost from the protons, we can determine the density of the material. The protons, however, must travel several to tens of centimeters before undergoing significant interaction with the strong and electromagnetic forces. These lengths are great for extracting precise physical characteristics like its density.

Problem Solution: Using JavaScript and possibly MoteCarlo, we will write a program that accurately simulates proton interactions with many different materials--both moving and not moving. Using A GEANT code we will also simulate detection of different materials.

Progress to date: Proton Radiography has currently being used in imaging of some types of cancer, but the earliest tests were not promising because the radiographs were blurred by the scattering of protons as they move through an object because of their electrical charge. In 1995, physicist ant Los Alamos national Laboratory theorized that using a magnetic lens can focus the scattered protons into a clear graph. A team of Lawrence Livermore scientists and Los Alamos scientists tried to determine if magnetic lenses worked and in the las five years, the researchers have conducted a series of tests and Los Alamos and Brookhaven National Laboratories. Theses tests were to understand protons radiography under static and explosive situations.

Expected results:We expect to simulate the interactions of protons under many different situations as accurately as possible.

Team Members: Orlando Lovato, Adam Melton, and Donald Kruse
Sponsoring Teacher: Richard Faust

Team Members:

  Donny Kruse
  Orlando Lovato
  Adam Melton

Sponsoring Teacher: Richard Foust

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