SAIP2026

Session

Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics -1

7 Jul 2026, 09:30

University of the Western Cape

Conveners

Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics -1: Session 1

• Sifiso Ntshangase (University of Zululand)

Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics -1: Session 2

• Peane Maleka (NRF-iThemba LABS)

Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics -1: Session 3

• Obed Shirinda (Sol Plaatje University)

Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics -1: Session 1

• Livhuwani Masevhe (University of Johannesburg)

Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics -1: Session 2

• Steve Peterson (University of Cape Town)

Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics -1: Session 3

• P. Z. Ngcobo (University of Zululand)

Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics -1: Session 1

• Shanyn Hart (University of Cape Town and iThemba LABS)

Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics -1: Session 2

• Mohamed Kamil Mohamed (CPUT)

Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics -1: Session 3

• Edward Nkadimeng (University of Witwatersrand)

Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics -1: Session 4

• Zina Ndabeni (NRF-iThemba LABS)

Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics -1

• There are no conveners in this block

Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics -1

• There are no conveners in this block

88. Modelling and validation of neutron detector response functions up to 140 MeV using Geant4

Mr Miles Kidson (University of Cape Town)

07/07/2026, 09:30

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

Cosmic radiation, composed of Galactic Cosmic Rays, Solar Energetic Particles, and their associated secondary particles, represents a recognized radiation risk to space missions, satellites, and air travel. Secondary neutrons, with characteristic spectral features in the MeV and 100 MeV range [1,2], are produced by cosmic ray interactions with atmospheric and spacecraft materials [3]. A...

373. Selective extraction of fast and epithermal neutron beams from a Nuclear Research Reactor energy spectrum using a filter response matrix approach

Deon Marais (South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) SOC Limited)

07/07/2026, 09:50

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

The fission reaction in the core of a Nuclear Research Reactor (NRR) produces free neutrons with energies extending from MeV to meV. In principle, neutrons of specific energy groups can be selected using configurable beam-conditioning filters. The feasibility of such a concept depends on the extent to which the mixed neutron and gamma source external of the core can be transformed into beams...

182. Application of ICP-MS for low background measurement

Ms Naomi Dikeledi Mokhine (North-West University (Mafikeng))

07/07/2026, 10:10

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

An increasing number of fundamental physics investigations require low-background materials for their construction. These investigations require materials exhibiting an unparalleled degree of radiopurity, such as copper, lead, and germanium, for dark matter and neutrino detectors. The concentration of radioactive contaminants is the primary measure for experiments investigating rare natural...

100. SYSTEMATIC RADIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND POPULATION RISK EVALUATION OF PRIMORDIAL RADIONUCLIDES IN SOILS OF TAMBUWAL, NIGERIA

Dr Yusuf Ahijjo Musa (Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto)

07/07/2026, 11:00

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

Abstract: This study presents a systematic radiological assessment of primordial radionuclides in soil samples collected from Tambuwal, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Utilizing high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry, the activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were quantified to evaluate the potential internal and external radiation exposure to the local population. The measured activity...

270. XRF-derived major elements for nuclear forensic signatures in radiothermic carbonatites area using machine learning and multivariate modelling

Liteboho Ntsohi (University of the Witwatersrand)

07/07/2026, 11:20

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

This study evaluates the potential of major elemental compositions obtained from X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry (11 XRF majors: $SiO_{2}$, $K_2 O$, $Na_2 O$, $TiO_2$, $Fe_2 O_3$, $Al_2 O_3$, $P_2 O_5$, $CaO$, $MgO$, $NiO$, $MnO$) for characterizing uranium ore samples from the Mrima Hill carbonatite complex in Kenya, with the aim of assessing their suitability as nuclear forensic...

390. Aerial Radiometric Measurements at an old disused Phosphate Mine in the West Coast Fossil Park, South Africa

Masego Mothapo

07/07/2026, 11:40

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

1Masego E Mothapo, 1Fhulufhelo Nemangwele, 2Le Roux Rikus ,3Jacques Bezuidenhout
1Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, Department of Physics, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, 0950
2Faculty of Military Science, Department of Military Technology, Stellenbosch University, Saldanha, 7395
3Faculty of Military Science, Department of Physics, Stellenbosch University, Saldanha, 7395...

233. Rare Earth Element and Soil Contamination Assessments around Mrima Hills, Kenya Using ICP–MS

Ms Liteboho Ntsohi (University of the Witwatersrand)

07/07/2026, 12:00

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

This study investigates rare earth elements (REE) and associated soil contamination around Mrima Hills, Kenya, through integration of Post-Archean Australian Shale (PAAS)-normalized REE patterns and the geo-accumulation index (Igeo). Soil samples were collected and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) with analytical precision maintained within ±5% and detection...

150. Electronic Properties of CH3NH3SnI3: A Density Functional Theory Study Toward Lead-Free Perovskite Solar Cells

clarence Mabaso

07/07/2026, 12:20

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

Organic–inorganic halide perovskites have emerged as promising materials for next-generation photovoltaics due to their tunable band gaps and excellent charge transport properties. Lead-based perovskites such as CH3NH3PbI3 have achieved power conversion efficiencies exceeding 25%, making them strong competitors to conventional silicon solar cells. However, concerns over lead toxicity have...

136. Search and analysis of the double hit events in the 242 Pu (ɣ, f) reaction

Thembi Hope Vilane (NWU-JINR)

07/07/2026, 14:40

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

The work focuses on the "double-hit" experimental approach in the registration and analysis
of ternary decay events. The double-hit registration approach means that two fragments, with
an open angle between them 5 0 or less, were detected in the same PIN diode during one
registration gate of 200 ns. The series of experiments dedicated to investigation of 242 Pu (ɣ, f)
reaction...

117. Measurement of angular correlations in γ − γ cascades using coincidence detection and Monte Carlo simulation

Mikayla Chaplin

07/07/2026, 15:00

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

Measurement of angular correlations in $\gamma-\gamma$ cascades using coincidence detection and Monte Carlo simulation
M. Chaplin, T. Hutton, T. Leadbeater
Metrological and Applied Sciences University Research Unit, Department of Physics,
University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Coincidence counting techniques are widely used to determine correlated $\gamma$-ray emissions from nuclear...

277. Status of the (ɣ, f) reactions research at the microtron in FLNR, JINR

P. Z. Ngcobo (University of Zululand)

07/07/2026, 15:20

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

D. V. Kamanin¹, Yu. V. Pyatkov²,1, A. N. Solodov¹, P. Z. Ngcobo³, V. E. Zhuchko¹, T. H. Vilane ^1,4, Z. I. Goryainova¹, O. V. Strekalovsky³, E. A. Kuznetsova¹, A.O. Zhukova¹, Yu. M. Sereda ¹, B.A. Le ¹

¹ Joint Institute for Nuclear...

528. Optimisation of Hermetically sealed sample holders to study sensitive materials using powder XRD techniques

Tjatji Tjebane (Necsa)

07/07/2026, 15:40

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

Hermetically sealed sample holders are widely used in X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses when handling sensitive materials. In the case of radioactive samples, these holders provide effective containment to prevent contamination, while for hygroscopic materials, they offer protection against interaction with atmospheric moisture. Despite these advantages, the materials used to manufacture such...

181. Effects of Re and B on the low-energy photon shielding properties of Re2MnBO6 (Re = La, Sm, and Nd and B = Co and Ni)

Tinashe Dhliwayo (University of Johannesburg)

08/07/2026, 09:30

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

Research into new, cost-effective photon-shielding materials is on the rise amid rising electromagnetic pollution. Double perovskite oxides are possible candidates for low-energy photon shielding due to their flexible structure. In this work, we report the effects of substituting the lanthanide site and B site on the effectiveness of the material in shielding low-energy photons. At energies...

278. PRODUCTION LU-177 BY REGENERATION OF THE YB TARGET FOR NUCLEAR MEDICINE AT THE RESEARCH REACTOR IRT-T

Veronica Kgabisang Gouws (Tomsk Polytechnic University)

08/07/2026, 09:50

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

The radioisotope, Lu-177 is emerging as an important radioisotope for treatment of the cancer such as breast, prostate, colon, and brain, with a longer half-life of 6.65 days. The Lu-177 can be produced by indirect Yb-176(n,γ) Yb-177→Lu-177 route which requires a chemical separation of Lu-177 from the target Yb-176 target atoms.The method of separation of Yb and Lu were used via Yb-176(n,γ)...

97. Structural and Shielding Properties of Er₂Os₂O₇ Pyrochlore Material

Prof. Buyisiwe Sondezi (University of Johannesburg)

08/07/2026, 10:10

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

The advancement of time, which comes along with the evolution in technology, necessitates a targeted research focus for various applications. In material science and the use of materials for various applications, radiation and shielding are critical aspects to deal with, especially for the health of the users. Attenuation of harmful electromagnetic radiation is of great importance. In this...

395. Assessing UAV Gamma-Ray Spectrometry for Soil Characterisation in Vineyards

Liam Delaney

08/07/2026, 11:00

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

Soil texture is a fundamental parameter in agricultural systems, strongly influencing crop performance and informing soil management decisions. Accurate spatial mapping of soil texture, along with related physical and chemical properties such as bulk density, soil moisture, total organic carbon (TOC), and total nitrogen (TN), is therefore essential for effective and targeted cultivation...

213. Experimental Test of the Generalized Brink-Axel Hypothesis and Thermodynamic Properties of $^{140}$La

Ayabulela Tsewu

08/07/2026, 11:20

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

The generalized Brink-Axel (gBA) hypothesis is central to $\gamma$-ray strength function ($\gamma$SF) extraction and nucleosynthesis reaction network calculations, yet remains insufficiently tested. We present the first experimental test of the gBA hypothesis in the mid-mass odd-odd nucleus $^{140}$La. The results confirm the validity of the gBA for this nucleus, supporting its use in both...

406. Systematic investigation of density-independent and density-dependent nucleon–nucleon interactions in 16O-fusion induced reactions

Gerald Maluleke (UNISA)

08/07/2026, 11:40

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

A systematic investigation of fusion reactions induced by 16O is carried out. Within the double-folding formalism, the nu-
cleus–nucleus interaction potential is constructed using both density-independent nucleon–nucleon interactions (B3Y-Fetal, M3Y-
Paris, and M3Y-Reid) and density-dependent interactions (BDM3Y1, CDM3Y6, and DDM3Y1). The reactions 16O + 70,72,74,76Ge,
16O +...

491. Systematic Efficiency Characterisation of SiPM-Based Scintillator Trackers using Cosmic Muons

Mr Malefetsane Lenka (MSc Student)

08/07/2026, 12:00

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

Cosmic muon trackers using plastic scintillators and Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) are increasingly common in muon tomography applications due to their cost-effectiveness and robustness. In these systems, the high voltage (HV) applied to the SiPM directly influences the overvoltage, which determines key parameters such as gain, photon detection efficiency, and overall detector trigger...

288. Investigating Gamow–Teller β-decays using pn-QRPA framework

Mr Odwa Tyuka (University of the Western Cape)

08/07/2026, 12:20

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

Investigations of weak interactions through Gamow-Teller (GT) β-decays
play an important role in neutrino physics, astrophysics and studies of fundamental symmetries [1–3]. Because these decays happen within nuclei, nuclear-effects significantly influence the decay rates. These effects are incorporated in calculated nuclear matrix elements (NMEs), which convey information about the initial...

333. Effect of Coating Thickness on Proton Radiation Sensitivity for Titanium-Oxide Coated Novel Fiber Optic Sensors

Abdool Sattar Cassim (University of Johannesburg), Emmanuel Igumbor (University of Johannesburg), Samuel Temaugee (University of Johannesburg), Timothy Brooks (University of Johannesburg)

08/07/2026, 14:50

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

The design of the ATLAS Inner Tracker (ITk), which will replace the Inner Detector of ATLAS at CERN, is nearly complete. Following the long shutdown after Run 3, this crucial component for the High-Luminosity era will be installed. However, reliable environmental monitoring tools are required to measure temperature and humidity, ensuring consistent data quality throughout the lifespan of the...

293. Extracting Radioisotope Lifetimes from a 100 MeV Gamma Irradiation Experiment Using HPGe Spectroscopy

Thendo Emmanuel Nemakhavhani (UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG)

08/07/2026, 15:10

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

The Mineral Positron Emission Tomography (MinPET) technology enables a three-dimensional imaging of diamonds within a kimberlite host rock by reconstructing coincidence 511 keV gamma rays from $^{11}$C. These are produced via the $^{12}$C($\gamma$, n)$^{11}$C bremsstrahlung reaction during irradiation. However, the activation process also induces radioactivity in the surrounding kimberlite...

301. pnQRPA study to extract the axial-vector coupling strength from β-decay data

Mr Sifiso Mngonyama (University of the Western Cape)

08/07/2026, 15:30

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

$\beta$-decay studies are important for searches for fundamental physics beyond the Standard Model [1, 2]. In particular, $\beta$-decay transition rates involve several crucial model-dependent variables such as nuclear matrix elements (NMEs), coupling constants, phase-space factors, etc, which may be calculated and compared with experiments. Of particular interest are NMEs and their relation...

446. A possible bound state of the 21C as a halo nucleus

Thando Timax Khedzi (University of South Africa)

09/07/2026, 09:30

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

This work investigates the possible existence of a bound state of the 21C carbon isotope. This nucleus is suggested to possibly exist as a weakly bound neutron halo. The 20C and the 22C carbon isotopes have already been confirmed as weakly bound halo nuclei near the neutron drip line. Despite advancements in research technologies, the characteristics, structures, and reaction dynamics of these...

367. Testing the vibrational nature of 100Ru.

Lwazikazi Maqungo (UWC)

09/07/2026, 09:50

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

There is renewed interest in the exploration of the nature of low-lying collective excitations in nuclei, as several recent studies have posed serious ques tions regarding the veracity of multiphonon quadrupole vibrations [1, 2]. A recent survey of nuclei with previously assumed low-lying spherical vibrational structure showed that very few passed the criteria [3]. Of the few remaining...

356. Role of Nuclear Density in Heavy-Ion Fusion Hindrance within the Double-Folding Framework

Dr Joshua Tolulope Majekodunmi (University Of South Africa)

09/07/2026, 10:10

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

Two competing theoretical approaches - the Sudden Model and the Adiabatic Model - have been widely used to explain the phenomenon of fusion hindrance in heavy-ion fusion reactions at deep sub-barrier energies. These models predict significantly different depths of the nucleus–nucleus interaction potential, yet they often reproduce similar fusion cross-sections. Thus, the underlying mechanism...

416. Fabrication of thin-film targets for nuclear physics experiments at iThemba LABS and Daresbury Laboratory

Mr Esmond Craig Vyfers (University of the Western Cape)

09/07/2026, 11:00

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

Thin-film targets are indispensable to nuclear physics research. This talk will
focus on Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) techniques to produce mono- and
multi-layered samples in dedicated target laboratories at iThemba LABS and
Daresbury Laboratory [1, 2]. We produced such samples by thermally evaporat-
ing ZnS and LiF source-materials and Ni/Ti and Cr/Au metals in high vacuum
(∼10−7...

417. Assessment of natural gamma radiation as a proxy for soil health indicators with application of spatial mapping for national security

Anathi Cutha

09/07/2026, 11:20

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

South Africa faces a critical deficit in spatially continuous, cost-effective soil health monitoring, a gap that undermines informed land management, food security planning, and national resource governance. Conventional soil assessment methods, which depend on discrete point sampling and laboratory analysis, are inherently too slow, too costly, and too spatially limited to capture the...

426. Electric Quadrupole Matrix Elements Supports Triaxial Rotation in Semimagic 60Ni

Andile Zulu (University of the Western Cape)

09/07/2026, 11:40

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

Low-energy Coulomb-excitation (reorientation-effect) measurements [1] of the first excited $2_1^+$ state in $^{60}$Ni were performed at iThemba LABS using the $^{194}$Pt($^{60}$Ni,$^{60}$Ni)$^{194}$Pt reaction at $T_{\mathrm{lab}} = 242.7$ MeV. Previous Coulomb-excitation measurements at iThemba LABS have been performed for $^{20}$Ne [2] and $^{36}$Ar [3]. A diagonal electric quadrupole...

433. UAV-Based Survey of the radionuclide isotopes on phosphate mining, South Africa

Masego Mothapo

09/07/2026, 12:00

Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics

Oral Presentation

This study focuses on radiometric measurements, which will be conducted at phosphate mines in South Africa, including sites of a former phosphate mine known for its fossil-rich Varswater Formation, phosphate processing areas, and tailing and waste areas. Phosphate rocks are significant to industry but naturally contain radionuclide isotopes such as uranium (²³⁸U), thorium (²³²Th), and...