Cryogenic Current Comparators for Larger Beamlines
The new version of a cryogenic current comparator with eXtended dimensions (CCC-XD) for the beam monitoring of charged particles, which is currently in the optimization cycle, is presented herein. The CCC-XD is designed for a nondestructive, highly sensitive monitoring of a few nA beam intensities for 150-mm beamline diameters at the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research at GSI (Helmholtz Center of Heavy Ion Research). The new CCC comprises a combined superconducting pickup loop, a magnetic shield, and a ferrite core with superconducting quantum interference device based readout. Compared to the previous CCC currently running at CERN, the niobium shield exhibits enlarged geometric dimensions, which results in a more effective suppression of magnetic stray fields from the beamline environment. First results of laboratory measurements as well as simulations of the electrical behavior are presented in this paper. The CCC-XD system—in combination with a newly developed cryostat—will be ready for testing in the beamline of CRYRING at GSI in 2018.
A Precise Low Temperature dc Ratio Transformer
A prototype low temperature dc ratio transformer is described. This transformer, which uses a new technique for the precise equalization of current ratios, provides dc ratios which have accuracies of the order of 0.01 ppm and may be calibrated to 0.002 ppm. The ratio transformer may be applied in low temperature current and resistance ratio measurements of high accuracy and may, without modification, be used as a sensitive current detector.
X-rays and photocarcinogenesis in hairless mice
It is well known that excessive X-ray radiation can cause non-melanoma skin cancers. With the increased incidence of sun-related skin cancer there is a need to investigate the combination of sunlight and X-rays. Immunocompetent C3.Cg/TifBomTac mice (n = 298) were divided into 12 groups. Mice were irradiated with 12, 29 or 50 kV X-rays. The mice received a total dose of 45 Gy. They were irradiated with 3 SED simulated solar radiation (SSR) either before or after irradiation with X-rays. The groups irradiated with X-rays alone, 0, 3, 9 and 10 mice (0, 12, 29 and 50 kV, respectively) developed squamous cell carcinoma. In the groups irradiated with SSR after X-rays the development of tumours was significantly faster in the 50 kV group than in the corresponding control group (175 vs. 194 days, p < 0.001). In the groups irradiated with SSR prior to the X-ray radiation the development of tumours was significantly faster in the 29 and the 50 kV groups than in the corresponding control group (175 vs. 202 days, p < 0.001 and 158 vs. 202 days, p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, X-ray radiation alone is a weak carcinogen in hairless mice. There is an added carcinogenic effect if X-ray radiation is given on prior sun-exposed skin or if the skin is sun-exposed after X-rays. We still believe that X-ray radiation is a safe and effective therapy for various dermatological diseases but caution should be observed if a patient has severely sun-damaged skin or has a high-risk sun behaviour.