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Science Forum Index » Nanotechnology Forum » BuckyBoosted Bandgaps: Nano-Absorptive vs Nano-Emissive
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| sanman |
 Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2003 8:32 pm |
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Guest
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How to absorb high-energy radiation more effectively? Nucleons have
good mass, so that their energy state transitions can result in
high-energy gamma- and x-rays. But unfortunately their tiny size gives
nuclei a poor cross-sectional area to intercept such rays. Conversely,
electronic orbitals have the good cross-sectional area to intercept
incoming rays, however their low mass means that their associated
energy state transitions are of too low a scale to effectively absorb
high-energy rays.
Since there is no known way to improve the size / cross-sectional area
of a nucleon, could it alternatively be more feasible to manipulate
electronic orbitals to intercept higher-energy rays?
We've all read about how "nano-emissive" technologies, such as carbon
nanotubes as ultra-efficient cathodes that can radically lower the
power requirements for video displays. The sharp tips of the nanotubes
are like hairpin turns that cause electrons to jump the curb,
resulting in a much lower work function. Nanotubes are also said to be
capable of efficient passive ionization of gases, with proposals that
they be used as tiny gas detectors.
But could the principles of nanotech and quantum electrodynamics be
used to radically increase work functions and/or ionization energies,
for the purpose of intercepting higher-energy EM rays?
Experiments with QED cavities have shown that QED confinement can
artificially produce lower "ground states" in a confined atom. But
while some enthusiasts have pursued the red herring of "liberating
extra energy" from "hydrinos", perhaps they ought to instead think
more about how QED-altered bandgaps could be used to "catch" more
energy rather than "liberate" more energy.
Could a buckyball encapsulating a heavy atom impose QED confinement on
that atom, in order to increase the energy requirements for the
electrons of that atom to get promoted or to escape? The tight
dimensions of a buckyball and its electron cloud might indeed be able
to squeeze the orbitals of a confined heavy atom for this purpose. The
larger energy deltas associated with such electron transitions might
correspond to absorption of higher energy EM rays.
There are gas-cooled nuclear reactor designs that use graphite as a
moderator. Instead of ordinary pure graphite, could bucky-encapsulated
heavy atoms be used for better radiation absorption? (eg.
bucky-encapsulated Pb)
When we get an X-ray at the hospital, we have to put on the heavy Lead
apron, to shield our private parts from the potentially damaging
X-rays. That heavy Pb nucleus is able to stop some of the high energy
rays. But if you were making a spacecraft, then using a whole lot of
Lead for radiation-shielding might incur a heavy weight penalty. But
bucky-encapsulated Pb might be a lighter weight alternative.
What do you all think? |
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