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BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Generating function approach to open quantum walks
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7005@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ayanda Zungu (Department of Physics\, North-West Uni
 versity\, Mafikeng Campus)\nOpen quantum walks (OQWs) have been introduced
  as a type of quantum walks which are entirely driven by the dissipative i
 nteraction with external environments and are defined in terms of discrete
  completely positive trace-preserving maps on graphs [1]. Recently\, a qua
 ntum optical scheme for the experimental realization of OQWs was proposed 
 [2]. In the proposed scheme\, a two-level atom plays the role of the "walk
 er" and the Fock states of the cavity mode correspond to the lattice sites
  of the OQW. Using the small unitary rotations approach and rotating wave 
 approximation the effective dynamics of the system is shown to be an OQW. 
 The presence of spontaneous emission in the system was an essential ingred
 ient for obtaining an OQW. In this contribution\, we solve this OQW analyt
 ically using generating functions. We used the obtained solution to constr
 uct the moments of this quantum walk explicitly. The dynamics of the obser
 vables (mean\, variance) are presented for various parameters.\n\nKeywords
 : Open quantum walks\; quantum optics\; quantum dynamics engineering.\n\nR
 eferences:\n \n[1] S. Attal\, F. Petruccione\, C. Sabot and I. Sinayskiy\,
  J. Stat. Phys. 147 (2012)\, 832.\n[2] I. Sinayskiy and F. Petruccione\, I
 nt. J. Quantum Inform. 12 (2014)\, 1461010.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/
 event/206/contributions/7005/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7005/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Towards discrimination and improved modelling of dark-sector showe
 rs
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T134500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T140000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7007@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sukanya Sinha (The University of Witwatersrand)\nOne
  of the biggest problems in particle physics today\, is understanding the 
 nature of dark matter. If dark mesons exist\, their evolution and hadroniz
 ation procedure are currently little constrained. They could decay promptl
 y and result in a very SM QCD like jet structure\, even though the origina
 l decaying particles are dark sector ones\; they could behave as semi-visi
 ble jets\; or they could behave as completely detector-stable hadrons\, in
  which case the final state is just the missing transverse momentum. In a 
 recent work\, we have shown that the dark sector can potentially be probed
  with jet-substructure observables\, however\, the modelling of these scen
 arios is somewhat an unexplored area\, owing to the existence of only Pyth
 ia Hidden Valley dark shower module. An alternate dark shower model is bec
 oming more necessary\, in order to gauge the theory systematics and the ex
 tent of model dependence. In this talk\, I will cover the proposed idea of
  having a Herwig hidden valley dark shower and hadronisation module\, as w
 ell as our published work on jet-substructure studies  for semi-visible je
 ts.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7007/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7007/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Constraints on Dark Matter Models using current LHC Measurements
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T140000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T141500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7008@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Danielle Wilson (University of the Witwatersrand)\nI
 n an era where high energy particle physics is having to transition from a
  theory-driven to a data-driven approach\, the traditional method of perfo
 rming specific searches off of theory models may be inefficient. Contur (C
 onstraints On New Theories Using Rivet) was designed as a means to quickly
  exclude BSM models based off the many LHC measurements currently containe
 d in Rivet. Focusing on track based measurements\, the sensitivity of Cont
 ur to some Dark Matter models was explored. The exclusion potential of sof
 t unclustered energy patterns (SUEP) and different dark sector jets scenar
 ios will be presented.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributio
 ns/7008/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7008/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:The impact of the field model on pre-service students’ qualitati
 ve understanding of basic DC circuits.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T130000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T131500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6974@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mphiriseni Khwanda (UJ)\nThe electron transport mode
 l is one of the consensus models currently used to teach DC circuits world
 wide. The model explains current in terms of the flow of electrons. Regard
 less of its frequent use in high schools to explain DC circuits\, the mode
 l was ineffective in helping students to understand the topic of DC qualit
 atively. The electron transport model also fail to provide a complete and 
 coherent account of how electrons are involved in the transportation and d
 istribution of energy around the circuit.  As an alternative to the electr
 on transport model\, the field model was used during intervention to teach
  DC circuits to pre-service teachers at the University of Johannesburg. Th
 e current study reports the impact of the field model on preservice studen
 ts’ qualitative understanding of DC circuits as measured by the internat
 ional DIRECT concept test instrument.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/
 206/contributions/6974/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6974/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Generation of GHZ states via projected squeezed states
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7009@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Byron Alexander (Stellenbosch University)\nEmerging 
 quantum technologies rely principally on quantum phenomena such as superpo
 sition and entanglement for their unique capabilities. To this end\, it is
  essential to develop well-defined and efficient protocols to produce and 
 further exercise control over states of quantum bits that exhibit desired 
 quantum mechanical traits. From a pure separable multipartite state\, a co
 ntrol sequence\, which includes rotation\, spin squeezing via one-axis twi
 sting\, quantum measurement and post-selection\, generates a highly entang
 led multipartite state\, which we refer to as a *Projected Squeezed* ($PS$
 )  state. Through an optimization method\, we then identify parameters req
 uired to maximize the overlap fidelity of the $PS$ state with the maximall
 y entangled Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger ($GHZ$) state. The method leads to
  an appreciable decrease in the state preparation time of $n$-qubit $GHZ$ 
 states when compared to preparation through unitary evolution. The efficie
 ncy of the $PS$ state protocol is studied in non-ideal experimentally rele
 vant settings by simulating decoherence channels using numerical methods.\
 n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7009/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7009/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:THE INFLUENCE OF LOCATION AND GENDER ON SHAPING STUDENT PERFORMANC
 E IN PHYSICS
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6967@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: oluseye sadare ()\nThe influence of Location and Gen
 der on Shaping Student Performance in Physics. \nOluseye Folasayo Sadare¹
 \, Thasmai Dhurumraj2&Awelani V. Mudau3\n1.	Department of Science and Tech
 nology Education\, University of South Africa.\n2.	Department of Science a
 nd Technology Education\, University of Johannesburg\n3.	Department of Sci
 ence and Technology Education\, University of South Africa.\nEmail: sadare
 oluseye@gmail.com1\,tdhurumraj@uj.ac.za2\, \, mudauav@unisa.ac.za\nAbstrac
 t\nThe poor enrolment of females in Science subjects creates gender inequa
 lities.  This study sought to explore how location and gender shape studen
 t performance in Physics. A qualitative approach was adopted for this stud
 y that randomly selected four co-educational public secondary schools\, tw
 o schools from urban areas and rural areas respectively in Nigeria.  Ethic
 al considerations were accounted for by gaining permissions from the relev
 ant departments to conduct the study.  Pseudo names have been used for all
  participants. Data was collected through interviews\, classroom observati
 ons\, and document analysis.  Data was analyzed deductively.  The findings
  revealed that the gender of the students affect their performance in Phys
 ics with male students performing better than female students. Also\, urba
 n students perform better than rural students in physics.  This study will
  assist government in the distribution of amenities to various towns and c
 ommunities and also develop the interest of female students in Physics.\n\
 nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6967/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6967/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Effective remote learning
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6968@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Eric Mazur (Harvard University)\nThe rapid transitio
 n to online teaching necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic has been a g
 ood opportunity to rethink our approach to teaching. Moving to an online f
 ormat suggests that many activities that have traditionally been synchrono
 us and instructor-paced\, can be made asynchronous and self-paced. What ma
 y have seemed like a challenge\, is a great opportunity to improve the qua
 lity of education.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6
 968/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6968/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:An Investigation of overtraining within Semi-Supervised Machine Le
 arning Models in the search for heavy resonances at the LHC
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T104500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7249@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Benjamin Lieberman (University of Witwatersrand)\nWh
 en utilizing semi-supervised techniques in training machine learning model
 s in the search for bosons at ATLAS\, the overtraining of the model must b
 e investigated. In particle physics internal fluctuations of the phase spa
 ce and bias in training can cause semi-supervised models to label false si
 gnals within the phase space due to overfitting. The issue of false signal
  generation in semi-supervised models has not been fully analyzed and ther
 efore utilizing a toy Monte Carlo model\, the probability of such situatio
 ns occurring can be quantified. This investigation of Zgamma resonances is
  performed using a pure background Monte Carlo sample. Through unique pure
  background samples extracted to mimic ATLAS data in a background-plus-sig
 nal region\, multiple runs enable the probability of these fake signals oc
 curring due to overtraining to be thoroughly investigated.\n\nhttps://even
 ts.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7249/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7249/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Teaching measurement and uncertainty the SI way
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6970@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Andy Buffler (University of Cape Town)\nIn May 2019 
 a very significant event in the world of metrology occurred whereby all se
 ven of the SI base units were refined in reference to seven “defining”
  constants. Among them are fundamental constants of nature such as the Pla
 nck constant and the speed of light\, and thus the definitions are based o
 n and represent our present understanding of the laws of physics. The new 
 self-consistent approach offers a unique opportunity to make useful impact
  on physics education both at high school and university level. \n\nThe pr
 esent project is developing a set of teaching materials for use by educato
 rs and students which introduce the fundamentals of measurement and uncert
 ainty in ways which are aligned to the ISO-recommended framework for measu
 rement [1].  \n\nThe work is being informed both by our research into stud
 ents’ understanding of measurement [2]\, and our experience in teaching 
 measurement and uncertainty to university students [3]. It has been shown 
 [4] that students are able to develop a more robust understanding of the n
 ature of scientific measurement when the measurement result is understood 
 to be a statement of knowledge. Uncertainty is then associated with the qu
 ality of this knowledge.\n\nWe present the development of posters which ar
 e freely available for download [3]\, and progress towards a set of worksh
 eet-based materials which are aimed to be distributed to schools and unive
 rsities throughout South Africa and beyond. The teaching materials will be
  designed to be used within a wide range of contexts\, with few additional
  resources\, and will also introduce the new definitions of the SI base un
 its in a way which promotes an improved philosophy of scientific measureme
 nt.\n\n[1] BIPM\, IEC\, IFCC\, ISO\, IUPAC\, IUPAP and OIML (1995) *Guide 
 to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement* (GUM) (Geneva: ISO)\n[2] 
 A. Buffler et al. (2001)  *Int. J. Sci. Educ*. **23**\, 1137.\n[3] [http:/
 /www.measure.uct.ac.za/msr/education][1]\n[4] A. Pillay et al. (2008) *Eur
 . J. of Phys*. **29**\, 647.\n\n\n  [1]: http://www.measure.uct.ac.za/msr/
 education\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6970/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6970/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Music\, Context-Based Inquiry and Computer Simulation as Engagemen
 t Strategy
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6979@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Grace Djan (SAIP\,    North West University\, SAASTE
 \, STERS)\nThe standard of engagement in science classes is fundamental fo
 r effective learning. Creating an active learning environment is essential
  for engaging learners. However\, implementing engagement is one of the mo
 st important problems facing teachers. Furthermore\, there are different e
 ngagement strategies and teachers often do not know what strategy to use\,
  or only use one of them. This paper attends to the factors that could inf
 luence the choice of an appropriate engagement strategy.  \n\nIn a researc
 h study we set out to explore music\, context-based inquiry\, and computer
  simulation as engagement strategies as well as the impact of these strate
 gies on the four components (behavioural\, emotional\, cognitive\, and aut
 hentic) of engagement. The application of mixed methods comprised of a pre
 -test and post-test questionnaire (quantitative)\, video recording and sem
 i-structural interviews (qualitative). The general results that follow fro
 m this research is that the choice of an appropriate engagement strategy d
 oes not only depend on the topic to be taught\, but also on other factors 
 namely  teachers' acquaintance with the strategy\, the learning environmen
 t\, the background of the learners\, the engagement components that need a
 ttention as well as the amount of time available. A combination of the thr
 ee engagement strategies has proven to enhance engagement.\n\nhttps://even
 ts.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6979/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6979/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Science for Development at Honours level
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T141500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T143000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6976@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Carolina Odman (Inter-University Institute for Data 
 Intensive Astronomy\, University of the Western Cape)\nPhysics is a founda
 tional science that lays the groundwork for scientific thinking and proble
 m solving. South Africa has a strong Physics community in experimental and
  theoretical physics\, but our graduates are not always given the chance t
 o appreciate how broadly applicable physics principles and tools are. At t
 he University of the Western Cape\, we are setting up a Science for Develo
 pment course to equip our graduates with a broad physics perspective on de
 velopment challenges of all kinds. In this paper\, we describe the UWC Hon
 ours programme's origins and the efforts to adapt it to the needs of our s
 tudents\, our research capacity and pressing issues of our country. We the
 n describe the syllabus for this Science for Development module\, how it f
 its into a university physics curriculum and how we hope it will broaden o
 ur physics graduates' thinking.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/co
 ntributions/6976/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6976/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:GA2024: an opportunity for physics in Africa
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6981@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Vanessa McBride (University of Cape Town &amp\; SAAO
 )\nIn 2024\, for the first time in the 100 year history of the Internation
 al Astronomical Union (IAU)\, the General Assembly will take place on the 
 African continent! The capacity to host a General Assembly is a result of 
 exciting infrastructure and human capital development projects on the cont
 inent\, and also shows that Africa is no longer just peripheral to the glo
 bal scientific endeavour. In this presentation\, we share the vision for 
 the 2024 General Assembly of the IAU through the lenses of research\, peop
 le\, infrastructure and legacy. We hope to stimulate collaborations that c
 an shape the future of astronomy and physics both on the African continent
 \, and globally.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/698
 1/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6981/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:10 years of Astronomy for Development
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6978@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kevindran Govender (South African Astronomical Obser
 vatory)\nAs a branch of Physics\, Astronomy has put significant effort and
  resources into using all aspects of the field to stimulate global develop
 ment. This talk will reflect on the first decade of the International Astr
 onomical Union's Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD). Established in
  April 2011\, the OAD is a partnership between the IAU and the South Afric
 an National Research Foundation\, mandated to use astronomy to stimulate d
 evelopment globally. Over the past decade the OAD has established 11 regio
 nal offices and language centres and funded over 200 projects targeting au
 diences in over 100 countries\, which includes 43 COVID-related projects. 
 We will discuss the OAD's activities\, challenges and impact over the year
 s\, as well as plans for the future.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/2
 06/contributions/6978/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6978/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:The global Gender Gap project: fair treatment\, and some recommend
 ations for South Africa
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6984@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Irvy (Igle) Gledhill (U. Witwatersrand)\nThe design 
 of initiatives for reducing the gender gap should be based on evidence. Th
 e resolution on which the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics 
 (IUPAP) Working Group on Women in Physics was founded was to “to survey 
 the situation of women physicists in IUPAP member countries\, to analyze a
 nd report the data collected along with suggestions on how to improve the 
 situation…”. A major step in this direction was the Global Survey of P
 hysicists of 2010 [Ivie and Tesfaye\, Physics Today **65** 47-50\, 2012]. 
 However\, changes occur in the global academic\, scientific and social env
 ironment\, and in 2016 a successful application was made to the Internatio
 nal Science Council for the project “A Global Approach to the Gender Gap
  in Mathematical\, Computing\, and Natural Sciences: How to Measure It\, H
 ow to Reduce It?”. The project was proposed by IUPAP\, and involved seve
 n additional international unions: mathematics\, chemistry\, astronomy\, i
 ndustrial and applied mathematics\, biosciences\, history and philosophy o
 f science\, and computing machinery\, together with three international or
 ganisations: UNESCO\, GenderInSITE\, and the Organisation of Women in Scie
 nce for the Developing World. The project undertook three tasks: a global 
 survey to which there were 32 346 respondents\, a data-backed study of pub
 lication patterns\, and the collection of initiatives known to have succes
 sfully addressed the gender gap in science. When a statistically significa
 nt difference is seen between the responses of men and women in a multivar
 iate model that includes discipline\, geographic region\, country developm
 ent level\, and employment sector\, then it is likely that the difference 
 in the men’s and women’s responses is due to gender and not to any oth
 er factors. The most significant difference was seen in reporting on sexua
 l harassment\, with 29% of women and 2% of men in physics indicating that 
 they personally encountered sexual harassment at school or work. In this s
 hort paper the focus will be on fair treatment at work. In physics there i
 s a statistically significant gap in response to the statement “My emplo
 yer treats everyone fairly”\, with which 62% of women and 73% agree. Rec
 ommendations will be offered.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/cont
 ributions/6984/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6984/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Machine Learning fo
 r economic growth in Africa
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T134500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T140000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6990@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Keaotshepha Karabo ()\nArtificial Intelligence (AI) 
 and Quantum Machine Learning (QML) have become the most promising signific
 ant tools for addressing the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolutio
 n (4IR). Besides its use in understanding physical and complex systems\, t
 hese tools have demonstrated unmatched potential applications in numerous 
 research disciplines and sectors such as banking\, finance\, social networ
 ks\, cybersecurity\, and health. Most importantly\, recently\, they play a
  critical role in addressing challenges related to the Covid-19 pandemic. 
 While these developments are remarkable\, Africa has been lagging. Therefo
 re\, this paper aims to identify opportunities behind the challenges of im
 plementing AI and MLA in addressing this technology gap\, especially in th
 e sectors mentioned above\, and to participate in the 4IR fully. While the
  “quantum difference” presents various opportunities\, especially for 
 industries and stakeholders\, we examine which challenges can be addressed
  by these intelligent tools. Thus\, this will allow the proper application
  of these techniques to provide solutions to Africa’s long-standing prob
 lems.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6990/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6990/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Quantum technology: A potential tool for development in Africa
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T141500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T143000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6983@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Makhamisa Senekane (Institute for Intelligent System
 s\, University of Johannesburg\, South Africa)\nThe first quantum revoluti
 on started in the early 1900s and was characterized by the exploration of 
 physics at the sub-atomic level. This was followed by a second revolution 
 around the 1970s\, which witnessed the application of quantum physics to d
 evelop quantum technologies. Currently\, quantum technology is gaining tra
 ction in most parts of the world. However\, besides having a history of in
 novation in quantum physics\, Africa has fallen behind in each quantum rev
 olution. Therefore\, this paper addresses challenges relating to quantum t
 echnologies and points to the opportunities that quantum technologies pres
 ent to close the gap and drive economic growth and development in Africa. 
 The latter can be achieved through capacitation and the democratization of
  quantum technology knowledge. This initiative will\, in turn\, ensure tha
 t Africa is adequately represented in the second quantum revolution. Final
 ly\, in this paper\, we introduce a new development framework\, namely qua
 ntum technology for development (QT4D)\, and explore how Africa could depl
 oy this framework to advance the adoption and use of quantum technology an
 d become part of mainstream computing landscape. This will allow Africa to
  apply these technologies in space communications\, finance\, drug\ndevelo
 pment\, and material science\, thus solving some everyday challenges and o
 pening new opportunities for industries leading to economic growth and dev
 elopment.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6983/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6983/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Data Science Skills Development with Big Data Hackathons
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T140000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T141500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6988@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Nikhita Madhanpall (Office of Astronomy for Developm
 ent)\nThe IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) and DARA Big Data 
 (Development in Africa through Radio Astronomy)\, in partnership with the 
 Inter-University Institute For Data Intensive Astronomy (IDIA) is implemen
 ting a number of Big Data Hackathons in Africa in order to promote data-in
 tensive research skills development ahead of the Fourth Industrial Revolut
 ion (4IR). These hackathons are part of a multi-year programme that aims t
 o provide data science and machine learning exposure through interesting r
 eal-world projects that are astronomy or development related. We present t
 he programme initiatives thus far\, as well as a preliminary impact analys
 is and future model implementations.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/2
 06/contributions/6988/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6988/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Inaugural Quantum Computing School in Lesotho: Its impact and the 
 Lessons Learnt
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T133000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T134500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6989@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Makhamisa Senekane (Department of Physics and Electr
 onics\, National University of Lesotho\, Roma\, Lesotho)\nThis paper repor
 ts events and impact of a two-day Physics Without Frontiers (PWF)\nquantum
  computing School that took place on the 14th and 15th of November 2020 at
  the National University of Lesotho (NUL). Sponsored by the International 
 Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and aimed to run annually\, the Scho
 ol was intended to introduce quantum computing\; using existing open-sourc
 e quantum computing platforms\, to undergraduate students in Lesotho as we
 ll as to highlight how quantum computing can be used as a driver for the F
 ourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The School was also intended to encoura
 ge students to consider furthering their study in quantum computing and re
 lated disciplines. This (hoped-to-be annual) event will potentially unite 
 the NUL\, the Lesotho government and the ICTP in a long-term relationship\
 ; to the benefit of young Basotho scientists and students. The November 20
 20 event was\, in and of itself\, a success on several response measures i
 ncluding good and consistent attendance over the two days\, as well as bei
 ng influential based on several students’ requests for postgraduate refe
 rence letters following this event. The outreach approach used here can be
  replicated elsewhere\, especially in Africa\, in order to capacitate stud
 ents with quantum computing skills. Challenges encountered in this event w
 ill also be discussed in the paper.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/20
 6/contributions/6989/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6989/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Evolution of the 3rd Year Major Project at WITS
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6993@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jonathan Keartland (University of the Witwatersrand)
 \nThe Major Project has been an important component of the 3rd Year Physic
 s curriculum at WITS for many decades.  It has proven very popular with st
 udents\, and has allowed academic staff to identify students with research
  potential as early as final year undergraduate level.  In the original mo
 del each student chose a project offered by a member of the academic staff
 \, and completed the work required during one of the first three quarters 
 of the academic year.  In 2015 the student numbers increased dramatically 
 from approximately 25 students to approximately 50 students\, and it becam
 e increasingly difficult to run the projects in their existing form.  In 2
 018 the major project underwent a transformation\, and since then students
  have completed an Independent Research Essay (IRE) under supervision of a
  member of the academic staff\, with a student teaching assistant acting a
 s a mentor for a small group of students.  This presentation will provide 
 a description of the evolution of the Major Project\, paying particular at
 tention to the components of the IRE as it is at present.  In particular\,
  it will be shown how the IRE may be used to inculcate or enhance essentia
 l skills for budding scientists.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/c
 ontributions/6993/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6993/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Modular logic gate emulator for online laboratory
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6996@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Marco Mariola (University Of Kwazulu Natal)\nThe pan
 demic year represented a challenging time for educators\, a time where the
  classical way of teaching change from contact to remote learning. While c
 ontact lectures can be replaced by videos or video conferences\, the labor
 atory can be replaced with simulations or by instructing the students to b
 uy and build ad hoc systems by supplying the essential instructions. A rem
 ote assisted experiment requires to be conducted safely\, the components r
 eadily available\, and possibly low-cost. Technical High Schools and unive
 rsities teach the logic gates and how to assemble a circuit to solve a spe
 cific function. Several licensed and free software are available for simul
 ation\, and for a hypothetical real experiment\, it is necessary to supply
  the students with several components and tools. This project proposes per
 forming several digital electronics experiments by using a building block\
 , a logic gate emulator. This device can be modified according to the teac
 her's needs and sent to the students to do remote experiments.\n\nhttps://
 events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6996/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6996/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Energy deposition through Landau damping
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7042@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Gert Botha (Northumbria University)\nCharged particl
 es and plasma waves occur throughout the solar system. These particles can
  move slowly relative to the plasma or be accelerated to relativistic spee
 ds by reconnection events such as solar flares. The types of waves depend 
 on whether one considers the plasma in the solar chromosphere\, solar coro
 na\, solar wind or the planetary magnetospheres. In this study we investig
 ate the amount of energy that becomes available when the charged particles
  interact with the plasma waves through the mechanism of Landau damping. T
 he linearised Vlasov equation is solved\, from which we obtain an expressi
 on for the total amount of energy available for transfer through the Landa
 u mechanism. The interactions with Alfven\, slow and fast magnetosonic\, a
 s well as ion-cyclotron waves are obtained. In each case the energy deposi
 ted into the plasma is calculated\, which is then available to do work in 
 the form of heating or acceleration of the local plasma. The final express
 ions are presented in terms of Stokes parameters.\n\nhttps://events.saip.o
 rg.za/event/206/contributions/7042/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7042/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Unlocking Education lockdown with the iNethi platform
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T133000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T134500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6980@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: David Johnson (University of Cape Town)\nIn South Af
 rica\, only 22% of households have a computer\, and 10% have an internet c
 onnection at home. This disparity has exacerbated education inequalities d
 uring the COVID-19 pandemic\; school closures and limited online schooling
  saw learners struggling to catch up – especially in crucial subjects li
 ke Science and Mathematics. The iNethi project seeks to solve the lack of 
 access or affordable access to the Internet and locally relevant content i
 n low-income communities. The iNethi platform allows communities to quickl
 y bootstrap a community owned network to provide affordable Internet acces
 s and host a local cloud server that allows communities to interact with f
 ast free local content easily. The local cloud service currently provide f
 ree access to a local file storage platform\, a local chat server\, and a 
 video streaming platform and education-focused resources such as Physics E
 ducation Technology (PhET) simulations\, Wikipedia\, Khan Academy and TED 
 talks. iNethi also provides a mechanism to automatically synchronise conte
 nt uploaded to a global server from anywhere in the world to a server runn
 ing in a local community. iNethi has been deployed in Ocean View\, Cape To
 wn and during COVID-19  it allowed teachers to stay in contact with high s
 chool learners. The learners downloaded free teaching videos from nine hot
  spots around Ocean View\; these videos were recorded by the high-school t
 eachers\, uploaded to the global platform and then synchronised to the ser
 ver in Ocean View. The “Essential Skills” Physics Videos and resources
  created by the UniZulu Science Centre have also recently been uploaded to
  the platform to enrich the learning experience of matric students. These 
 videos will also be available for free from any iNethi hotspots in Ocean V
 iew. In this work\, we will describe the architecture of iNethi\, its curr
 ent impact and the potential of iNethi to provide public access to high-va
 lue digital resources in low-income communities throughout South Africa.\n
 \nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6980/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6980/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:First year physics students  perception of online learning
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6997@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mark Herbert (University of the Western Cape)\nThe C
 OVID-19 pandemic has impacted teaching and learning at the University of t
 he Western Cape\, in particularly the first year students from high school
 s.  These students who traditionally received their teaching and learning 
 through face-to-face teaching and learning method now receive their teachi
 ng and learning via online (electronic teaching and learning) because the 
 university has decided to make online teaching and learning the core metho
 d to deliver the curriculum during the pandemic. \nAfter the first term of
  online teaching and learning\, an online survey was conducted to investig
 ate the perception of online teaching and learning among the first year ma
 in stream physics students in the department of Physics and Astronomy at t
 he University of the Western Cape. In this presentation the results of the
  survey will be presented and discussed.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/eve
 nt/206/contributions/6997/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6997/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:The SAIP Benchmark Statement and Physics Graduate Preparedness: A 
 Case Study of University of the Western Cape.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T104500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6999@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Bako Nyikun AUDU (University of the Western Cape)\nI
 n line with current realities and best practices across the world\, prepar
 ing physics students and graduates is beyond the usual physics career brac
 ket. Preparation of Physics students in the now is beyond the standard mod
 el\, where preparation now include working well in teams\, understanding h
 ow science and technology are used in real-world settings\, writing\, and 
 speaking well\, and understanding the context in which work is now done\; 
 where use and value of knowledge and graduate skills go beyond the knowled
 ge of physics is often engaged. These concerns led the researchers to draw
  on various education theories in to order to understand\, investigate and
  relate how preparedness in terms of graduate skills will benefit physics 
 graduates. In this study\, the researchers will focus on the Benchmark Sta
 tement on BSc Physics and BSc (Hons) Physics programs in South Africa as a
 rticulated by SAIP\, graduate attributes (transferable skills and citizen 
 skills) in the context of Physics Graduate Attributes (PGAs)\, the physics
  curriculum from a progressive university in South Africa in answering “
 How are intended physics graduate attributes (as specified by SAIP and Cha
 rter of graduate attributes) embedded in the BSc and BSc (Hons) physics cu
 rriculum?”. The study will assess the stand of SAIP regarding how Univer
 sities adopt the Benchmark Statement and recommend suggestions for further
  oversight by SAIP.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/
 6999/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6999/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Astronomy as a tool for human capacity development: the Namibian e
 xample
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6995@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Hannah Dalgleish (University of Namibia)\nAstronomy 
 for development is making great strides in Namibia. As a country renowned 
 for its dark and pristine skies\, Namibia offers the perfect landscape for
  the construction of ground-based observatories. The benefits of developin
 g astrophysics infrastructure are not only limited to solving the mysterie
 s of the Universe\, however. Numerous research has shown that astronomy pr
 ojects around the world lead to many other benefits – societal\, cultura
 l\, economic\, and environmental.\n\nThe High Energy Stereoscopic System (
 H.E.S.S.) is so far the first and only large-scale telescope to arrive in 
 Namibia\, in operation since 2002. Plans of building more telescopes in th
 e country\, such as the African Millimetre Telescope (AMT) and a part of t
 he African Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network (AVN) of telescopes a
 re currently underway.\n\nThe AMT will bring with it many more opportuniti
 es for capacity-building\, and our multi-disciplinary collaboration is wor
 king on a Social Impact Plan to maximise the societal benefits brought abo
 ut by the future observatory. This Plan takes a multi-disciplinary approac
 h to setting the scene for astronomy and sustainable development in Namibi
 a. Looking at education more closely\, we outline plans for the Mobile Pla
 netarium\; the materials we will create for schools\; teacher training\; b
 ringing international astronomy training programmes to Namibia\; mentorshi
 p\, scholarship\, and fellowship programmes\; and the inclusion of indigen
 ous knowledge. In all\, sustainability is our utmost priority and by incor
 porating these different efforts we hope to inspire a new generation of sc
 ientists in Namibia.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions
 /6995/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6995/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:GRADE 11 PHYSICAL SCIENCES LEARNERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF SCIENTIFIC I
 NQUIRY
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T131500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T133000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6977@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Rosemary Zunga (University of Johannesburg)\nThis st
 udy explored South African Grade 11 Physical Sciences learners’ percepti
 ons of scientific inquiry within the context of science classrooms. The st
 udy adopted a mixed method approach as part of an exploratory descriptive 
 survey design and involved 50 purposively selected Grade 11 physical scien
 ces learners from 3 South African township schools. The empirical investig
 ation is underpinned by inquiry in school science as the underlying theore
 tical framework. Quantitative data was collected by administering a valida
 ted Learner Perceptions of Classroom Inquiry (LPCI) instrument with the pa
 rticipants. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured intervi
 ews. The study revealed that the learners held mixed conceptions about the
  nature of scientific inquiry. A substantial number of learners held naïv
 e and incoherent views about the nature of scientific inquiry. Lack of pra
 ctical laboratory lessons\, lack of well-equipped science laboratories\, i
 nadequate teacher professional competence when conducting scientific inves
 tigations\, and limited opportunities for meaningful engagement in inquiry
 -based learning activities were perceived to be contextual factors that se
 rve to hinder meaningful enactment of scientific inquiry in science classr
 ooms. The findings have profound implications for meaningful enactment of 
 contemporary pedagogic approaches such as inquiry-based learning in divers
 e contexts. Theoretical implications for coherent development of scientifi
 c literacy through meaningful enactment of scientific inquiry within the b
 roader South African educational context are discussed.\n\nhttps://events.
 saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6977/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6977/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Determining the water isotope compositions in the North West Provi
 nce\, South Africa
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6991@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Joseph Mathuthu (North West University)\, Manny Math
 uthu (North West University)\, Naomi\, Dikheledi Mokhine (North West Unive
 rsity)\nThis study examines the origin of the sources and the effect of th
 e change in water isotope composition isotopic constituent of hydrogen (2H
 )\, oxygen (18O) and radioactive tritium (3H). The rare stable isotopes of
  hydrogen and oxygen (2H\, 18O) which are the constituents of the water mo
 lecule (H2O) itself and the radioactive tritium (3H ) are the classical to
 ols of isotope hydrology. The aim of this study was to determine the water
  isotope composition in the North West Province of South Africa. About for
 ty borehole water samples from selected villages in the Northwest Province
  of South Africa was collected to investigate the relationship between sta
 ble isotopes (δ 18O and δ 2H)\, climate\, and topography from undergroun
 d water aquifers. A cavity ring-down spectroscopy analyser with laser-curr
 ent-tuned cavity resonance a Picarro L2130-i was used to measure high-prec
 ision triple water-isotope ratios at the Center for Applied Radiation Scie
 nce and Technology. Results show that a plot of δ2H  vs δ 18O (y = 8.242
 3x + 13.185) gives a line  which is very close to IAEA Global Meteoric Wat
 er Line\, defined by the IAEA to represent global meteoric water line. The
  study of the origin of groundwater and groundwater recharge In hydrogeolo
 gy\, is often described by the composition of δ18O and δ2H. This composi
 tion in local meteoric water can be applied to trace local relative humidi
 ty\, study local climate and used as a tracer of climate change.\n\nhttps:
 //events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6991/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6991/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Aviation dosimetry science in South Africa
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7043@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Godfrey Mosotho (NORTH - WEST UNIVERSITY)\nRadiation
  exposure during commercial flights remains one of the dominating and inev
 itable factors relevant to flight personnel and passengers' health and saf
 ety. At aviation altitudes\, the radiation environment that the flight per
 sonnel are exposed to\, during their day-to-day occupational activities\, 
 differs significantly from terrestrial radiation received by the general p
 opulation on the ground. Currently\, there are no dosimetric services in S
 outh Africa that collects data of the flight personnel's exposure during t
 heir occupational activities. The North-West University\, in conjunction w
 ith scientists from the *Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel*\, have 
 assembled an active (battery powered) dosimeter (known as the RPiRENA) to 
 measure the flight personnel and passengers' exposure during commercial fl
 ight cruises. Here we introduce this device\, discuss its calibration\, an
 d show initial results during long-haul flights.\n\nkeyword(s): Radiation 
 dosimetry\, Active dosimeters\, Cosmic-rays\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/
 event/206/contributions/7043/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7043/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Online classes and the effects on conceptual understanding
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T131500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T133000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6969@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Alan Cornell ()\nThe Force Concept Inventory (FCI) c
 an be used as an assessment tool to measure the gains in a cohort of stude
 nts. In this study it was given to first year mechanics students pre- and 
 post-mechanics lectures\, for students at the University of Johannesburg. 
 From these results we examine of the change from traditional classes to on
 line classes\, as imposed by the COVID-19 lockdown. Overall gains and stud
 ent perspectives indicate no appreciable difference of gain\, when bench-m
 arked against previous studies using this assessment tool. When compared w
 ith 2019 grades\, the 2020 semester grades do not appear to be greatly aff
 ected. Furthermore\, initial statistical analyses also indicate a gender d
 ifference in mean gains in favour of females at the 95% significance level
 . A survey given to students also appeared to indicate that most students 
 were aware of their conceptual performance in physics\, and the main const
 raint to their studies was due to difficulties associated with being onlin
 e. As such\, the change in pedagogy and the stresses of lockdown were foun
 d to not be suggestive of a depreciation of FCI gains and grades.\n\nhttps
 ://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6969/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6969/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Grey Rationale Analysis for the sustainable rural community projec
 t success in Manghweni community \, Limpopo: A physics approach
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T134500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T140000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6987@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ndzalama  Heighten  Maluleke (University of Johannes
 burg)\nManghweni village in Limpopo as any rural area does not have enough
  job opportunities for its inhabitants. Community projects might be initia
 ted and  developed to provide community residents with opportunities to ei
 ther start their own small businesses or work for part-time jobs under the
  municipality or the local leadership. This would contribute to the socio-
 economical survival. In the past 10 years\, many community led project hav
 e been found failing and abandoned. The need to palliate the root causes o
 f community project deliverables failure and abandonment and the necessity
  to set and successfully implement appropriate remedial strategies in Mang
 hweni prompted this paper. The physics reasoning behind the grey rationale
  analysis methodology has been employed in this qualitative study where st
 ructured questionnaires were administered in a semi-structured interviews.
  Secondary data from recorded municipality information center were also us
 ed. Findings identified failure root causes as expressed by the Pareto dia
 grams. Based on the above\, strategies for sustainability of future commun
 ity led projects in Manghweni are discussed while the most suitable outcom
 e alternatives are derived from the grey rationale analysis on the above.\
 n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6987/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6987/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Classification of Sound Conceptions
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6971@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Derek Fish (University of Zululand)\nExperience and 
 other studies show that students come to our Science Centres with pre-exis
 ting ideas of how the world works (often called prior-\, naïve- or mis-co
 nceptions). When confronted with conflicting ideas from science they are f
 orced to make a “border crossing” (Aikenhead\, 1999) from the familiar
  territory of their cherished beliefs into the “unknown country” of sc
 ience. How difficult this crossing is and how comfortable a student feels 
 to remain in this new country depends on many factors both internal and ex
 ternal to the student. The challenge for our Science Centres is to assist 
 students to cross these borders more easily and to remain in their new cou
 ntry without feeling threatened. An example will be given of student prior
  conceptions with regard to sound and waves: a brief literature survey wil
 l outline pre-existent conceptions noted around the world. The 4 level fra
 mework of (Grayson et al\, 2001) is used to classify these conceptions and
  modify them in the light of data gathered. Student responses to a questio
 nnaire provide multiple mode (MCQ\, written and drawings) feedback into th
 is process. The result is a modified table of local students’ prior conc
 eptions with regard to sound and waves. This is a useful resource when des
 igning (and improving) science shows\, exhibits and other programme materi
 als in this area. While the specific example of sound and waves will be th
 e focus of this presentation\, suggestions will be made of how this resour
 ce can be used in other subject areas.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event
 /206/contributions/6971/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6971/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:The effects of global radical changes on students’ attitudes in 
 the new mode of teaching and learning
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6972@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Paul Molefe (University of Johannesburg)\, Buyi Sond
 ezi (University of Johannesburg)\nOne of the challenges facing Physics Edu
 cation worldwide is the improvement of learning outcomes. These have been 
 intensified by the known attitudes of many\, towards this subject. The Glo
 bal Corona Pandemic also added fire to the challenge by shifting the teach
 ing and learning from face-to-face to online. Based on this radical change
  to online teaching and learning platforms\, it is necessary to assess if 
 students’ attitude towards their learning of Physics has changed or not.
  To achieve this an attitude test called Epistemological Beliefs about Phy
 sical Sciences was deployed. The current study reports preliminary results
  of the EBAPS questionnaire administered at UJ to first-year extended and 
 pre-service teachers’ students.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/
 contributions/6972/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6972/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Using the Arduino in the laboratory
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T130000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T131500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6994@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Miriam Lemmer (North-West University (Potchefstroom)
 )\nMicroprocessors and controllers are used everywhere: in microwave ovens
 \, televisions\, computers\, cell phones\, motor cars\, traffic lights\, s
 atellites\, etc.  Therefore\, Physics students need to gain basic knowledg
 e about it\, at least of how it works and can be used. The introductory ph
 ysics laboratory is an appropriate environment and the Arduino a suitable 
 tool to learn about it.  \nAn Arduino contains a microcontroller and compo
 nents that aid inputs and outputs of data. Digital and analog pins may be 
 interfaced to breadboards with circuits and electronic components as well 
 as sensors and actuators. Open-source software (mostly programmed in C++) 
 is available for numerous applications. \nUsing the Arduino combines knowl
 edge about electronics\, control and programming. In the physics laborator
 y\, it allows for student experimentation (e.g. Ohm’s law and Hooke’s 
 law) with low cost instruments (e.g. for measuring temperature\, pH\, pres
 sure\, etc). Real world controlled systems can be planned\, constructed an
 d tested (e.g. alarm systems\, cranes and robots). Additional educational 
 advantages are the learning of scientific problem solving\, critical think
 ing and collaboration.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributio
 ns/6994/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6994/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Science teachers’ beliefs about the impact of 4IR on their class
 room practices
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6982@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lydia Mavuru (University of Johannesburg)\nEmbracing
  4IR in the education system has become mandatory more than before conside
 ring the current global pandemic. Teacher beliefs influence their practice
 s. It has also been found that sometimes there is a mismatch between teach
 ers’ beliefs about the affordances of technology and the actual practice
 s in the classrooms due to contextual factors. Many countries have embrace
 d 4IR in their education system and South Africa is part of the change. Be
 cause this is a ‘revolution’ many science teachers have been caught of
 f guard and they harbour mixed feelings regarding their roles and what the
  future has in store for them. The current study sought to establish newly
  qualified science teachers’ perspectives on their roles due to the call
  to embrace 4IR tools in their classrooms. The qualitative study was guide
 d by the research question: What are teachers’ beliefs about their roles
  in science classrooms where 4IR is embraced? The participants were ideal 
 considering their relative young age which is coined as ‘the digital age
 ’. An online questionnaire was administered to 60 teachers who had just 
 qualified to teach science. The questionnaire specifically sought science 
 teachers’ levels of preparedness in terms of competencies\, resource ava
 ilability and management\, and future professional prospects. Data was sub
 jected to content analysis and three themes emerged. 1. Teachers believed 
 that the government and the Department of Basic Education’s stance to em
 brace 4IR is a vehicle that promotes unequal education opportunities for s
 cience learners. The teachers’ argument was that whilst it is a welcome 
 development\, there has not been parity in resource distribution in school
 s because learners come from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Those from
  disadvantaged backgrounds even struggled with acquisition of simple calcu
 lators in which case the acquisition of electronic gadgets could even be o
 ut of reach for many. 2. Most of the science teachers showed lack of confi
 dence as they believed they were not technologically prepared to embrace 4
 IR tools such as AI\, coding and robotics. As such\, they expressed fears 
 and insecurities when it comes to their competencies to deliver technology
  led classroom teaching and learning of science. 3. The science teachers b
 elieved that too much utilisation of technology in a science classroom wil
 l demean the actual teaching and learning of scientific concepts. In this 
 case the teachers questioned the effectiveness of technology in providing 
 meaningful learning of science. The findings of this study contribute towa
 rds the need to change the status quo on the disparities between urban\, r
 ural as well as township and suburban schools in terms of resource distrib
 ution\; and teacher professional development on the need for continued tec
 hnological knowledge and skills development.\nKey words: Classroom practic
 es\, science teacher beliefs\, 4IR.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/20
 6/contributions/6982/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6982/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Creating the Support for High School After-Hour-Tutorial Programme
 : A Pilot Study
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T130000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T131500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7000@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Bako Nyikun AUDU (University of the Western Cape)\nT
 here seems to be problems in South African schools regarding Science and M
 athematics at the GET and FET phases in parts of Cape Flats where crime an
 d other vices thrive. The security\, social and economic effect cannot be 
 overemphasized as whatever choice learners make in school regarding mathem
 atics and the sciences impact the very society they live in. This problem 
 will have economic implications in the long run if South Africa wants to b
 e a global player in the 4th Industrial Revolution. That is because\, Sout
 h Africa will need to produce students who can follow careers in the Scien
 ces\, Technology\, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) stream\, to foster s
 kills relating to the 4th Industrial Revolution and to lead life in the gl
 obal village. For the STEM career paths\, learners with good foundation in
  Mathematics will always be needed and will always be in short supply. The
  North High School is a technical school with great potential of meeting a
  small portion of the supply chain for learners that are needed for the ST
 EM field in South Africa and it stands to develop individuals to attain th
 eir full potentials in life. The pass rate for grades 8 and 9 mathematics 
 for 2017/2018 was about 10% respectively\, thus the need for this interven
 tion. The overall goal of the intervention is at the community level with 
 high schools is to ensure significant growth and improvement in learners
 ’ achievement\, learners’ interest and learners’ participation in Ma
 thematics. The study sought to identify factors that encourages learners
 ’ retention in such programme.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/c
 ontributions/7000/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7000/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Quantum Computing in the Industry 4.0: A Review and Applications
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T131500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T133000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6992@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tshepiso Amber Gosenyang (Botswana International Uni
 versity of Science and Technology)\nSince the birth of quantum computing a
 round 1982\, when Richard Feynman envisioned a quantum computer that could
  mimic quantum physics using quantum mechanics laws to work and function\,
  quantum computers have offered numerous powerful possibilities in solving
  complex problems. In particular\, quantum computers take advantage of qua
 ntum mechanical properties such as entanglement and superposition to provi
 de massive computational power for simulations of complex quantum systems.
  Quantum computing can outperform any modern supercomputer in terms of com
 putational capability\, raising the interest of both the computer science 
 industry and academics to create the world's first quantum computer. Quant
 um computing has demonstrated numerous applications in the 4.0 industry\, 
 such as artificial intelligence and machine learning\, computational chemi
 stry\, cybersecurity and cryptography\, drug design and development\, fina
 ncial modelling\, and weather forecasting. However\, in all these technolo
 gies and applications\, Africa has not been fully participating. Consideri
 ng that technology is potentially a potent tool for economic development\,
  this work unveils the challenges and opportunities faced by African resea
 rch institutions and industries in using AI and ML techniques in Industry 
 4.0. Moreover\, we review the progress in these areas especially relating 
 to Africa and provide instances where these techniques have been applied. 
 Lastly\, we provide a roadmap on how these techniques can be used by stake
 holders such as start-ups\, research institutions\, and industries for eco
 nomic development.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6
 992/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6992/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Solving the Schrödinger equation for Hydrogen Molecular ion (H2+)
  using Sinc functions and empolying both Python and Numpy
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7006@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: OBIAGELI LOVENDA EZENWACHUKWU (UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH A
 FRICA (UNISA))\nIn this contribution\, we present the results of calculati
 ons for the ground state energy of H2+ employing Sinc functions as a basis
  set as discussed for a number of\nexamples in [1]. The modifications requ
 ired to the basis functions to make them suitable for calculating the grou
 nd state energy of H2+ as well as the application of the cusp factor formu
 lism [2] are outlined. Finally the resulting energies are investigated as 
 a function of the number of basis functions and double-logarithmic fits ar
 e performed. It is found that they converge with an order of at least six.
  \n[1] Proceedings of 64th SAIP Conference 2019\, ISBN: 978-0-620-88875-2\
 , edited by Prof. Makaiko Chithambo\, p 347\n[2] Eur. Phys. J. B. (2019) 9
 2: 230\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7006/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7006/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Fitting the relic density with contributions from dimension-five o
 perators
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T133000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T134500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7003@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lara Mason (University of Johannesburg)\nWe study th
 e relic density and astrophysical constraints of an effective model featur
 ing top-philic scalar dark matter and a heavy T-channel mediator. The addi
 tion of a dimension-five contact term which is common to BSM scenarios mod
 ifies the available parameter space\, and the model features interplay bet
 ween the associated Wilson coefficient and Yukawa parameter in producing t
 he correct relic density. We present an analytical fit to the relic densit
 y\, considering co-annihilations when relevant\, and discuss the detection
  constraints.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7003/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7003/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Random Number Generation using IBM Quantum Processors
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T141500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T143000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7012@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Conrad Strydom (Stellenbosch University)\nRandom num
 bers are used extensively in both cryptography and simulation\, but are di
 fficult to generate reliably using classical methods. We investigate rando
 m number generation on the ibmq_16_melbourne quantum processor\, a 15-qubi
 t superconducting quantum computer. By applying simple post-processing tec
 hniques to the random bits generated\, we were able to extract a sample of
  random bits which passed the NIST Statistical Test Suite. This shows that
 \, with some post-processing\, solid-state quantum computers such as IBM q
 uantum processors can be used to generate random numbers of sufficient qua
 lity for cryptographic applications.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/2
 06/contributions/7012/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7012/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Bianchi Type V Model In R^n Gravity: A Dynamical System Approach
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7016@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Thato Tsabone (North-West University)\nThe accelerat
 ed expansion of the universe and the rotational dynamics of galaxies have 
 become part of the mysteries of the physical world and have had theorists 
 working tirelessy for the past years. There is no consensus on what is cau
 sing these observable effects: whether it is the the unknown dark energy a
 nd dark matter or it is the breaking down of our currently accepted theory
  of gravity\, General Relativity\, at larger scales. In this work we study
  the dynamics of a cosmological model described by the Bianchi Type V spac
 etime in f(R) gravity using the dynamical system analysis. We derive the f
 ield equations for a general Bianchi model in the context of f(R) gravity 
 using the tetrad formalism and then specialize in the Type V model. Qualit
 ative description and exact solutions are given for f(R) = R (General Rela
 tivity) and for f(R) = R^n. We find no accelerating solutions in the case 
 of General Relativity with an exception when darkn energy is considered wh
 ere we find one accelerating solution. In the case of Rn-gravity we find 2
  possible accelerating solutions depending on the value of n.\n\nhttps://e
 vents.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7016/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7016/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:An alternative test of Bell's theorem?
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7023@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Thomas Konrad (UKZN)\nInspired by the dual correspon
 dence between measurement and preparation procedures\, we discuss inequali
 ties for observables of local realistic models which are violated accordin
 g to the predictions of quantum mechanics\, thus demonstrating the inabili
 ty of classical physics to reproduce all quantum predictions (Bell's theor
 em). Such Bell inequalities test the statistical correlation between diffe
 rent state preparations that lead to the same measurement result rather th
 an vice versa as in previous Bell tests. The different perspective on quan
 tum foundations leads to a new QKD protocol and hopefully paves the way to
  other applications of quantum mechanics.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/ev
 ent/206/contributions/7023/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7023/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Comment on the Quantum Supremacy Claim by Google
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T104500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7022@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Anirudh Reddy Segireddy (University of KwaZulu-natal
 )\nThe recent paper by google [1] claiming to achieve quantum supremacy in
  quantum computing has risen a lot of interest. While there seems to be lo
 t of questions regarding the validity of their claims of achieving quantum
  supremacy and comparison with the classical time frames in calculating th
 e same quantity\, it seems that there is little doubt they indeed perform 
 computation using quantum operations. But the question still remains “af
 ter operating the random quantum gates on the input state and making measu
 rement\, with just the output data available\, how do we classify the data
  as quantum or classical?” I.e\, The inputs sate has indeed has gone thr
 ough a series of quantum operations (that operate on more than 2 qubits at
  a time) to produce the available data. This due to the fact that the data
  supporting supremacy is not verified. To address this question we propose
  a modified verification scheme to test the output data which can tell us 
 whether data available is generated from a quantum computer or not along w
 ith the fidelity and number of qubits in the quantum computer.\n \n \n \n 
 \n \nReferences:\n \n[1] Frank Arute etal. Quantum supremacy using a progr
 ammable superconducting processor\, Nature\, Vol574\, 24 October 2019\, 50
 5.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7022/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7022/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Factorization in Heavy Ion Collisions
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T130000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T131500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7027@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: William Horowitz (University of Cape Town)\nWe prese
 nt our latest findings on the status of factorization in heavy ion collisi
 ons.  In the first microsecond of the universe\, space was filled with dec
 onfined nuclear matter at a temperature of a trillion degrees.  These cond
 itions are recreated thousands of times a second at experiments in the US 
 and Europe in which large nuclei such as gold and lead are collided at nea
 rly the speed of light.  Very high momentum particles that propagate throu
 gh the fireballs generated in these heavy ion collisions form one of the e
 ssential probes of the properties of the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) that per
 meated the early universe.  In order for these high momentum particles to 
 be a well-calibrated probe\, we must ensure that the quantitative predicti
 ons for their behavior are well-controlled.  The rigorous language for thi
 s control is known as factorization\, which implies that the production an
 d hadronization processes are independent of the interaction of the probe 
 with the QGP medium.  We show how previous energy loss calculations diagra
 mmatically fail at factorization and point to a way forward for future pro
 gress.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7027/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7027/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:B and D meson Suppression and Azimuthal Anisotropy in a Strongly C
 oupled Plasma at $\\sqrt{s_{NN}}=5.5$ TeV
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T131500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T133000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7025@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Blessed Ngwenya (University of Cape Town)\nWe presen
 t predictions for the suppression and angular distribution of B and D meso
 ns in $\\sqrt{s}=5.5$ TeV Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC for central\, semi-c
 entral and peripheral collisions. Ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions p
 roduce an enormous amount of energy\, resulting in the formation of a quar
 k-gluon plasma (QGP). Studying the behaviour of particles (e.g. heavy quar
 ks) propagating through the QGP enables us to probe the physics of the QGP
  and the many-body dynamics of QCD.  B and D mesons are the decay products
  of heavy quarks i.e. bottom and charm respectively and their large mass i
 mplies that they are produced very early in the collision and act as ideal
  probes\, since they navigate the whole evolution of the QGP medium. The s
 uppression of heavy mesons is a result of interactions with the produced Q
 GP medium and the angular distribution is due to the initial geometric asy
 mmetry during the collision. These heavy flavour energy loss studies are c
 rucial for understanding the properties of nuclear matter and we provide t
 hese predictions for comparison to future LHC measurements.\n\nhttps://eve
 nts.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7025/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7025/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Cosmological Models in Gravitational Scalar-Tensor Theories
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7029@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Heba Abdulrahman (North West University\, South Afri
 ca)\nIn this work\, a brief review of a new form of scalar-tensor theories
  of gravity\, known as gravitational scalar-tensor theories (GST) in which
  the action is composed of the Ricci scalar and its first and second deriv
 atives is made. Some of the cosmological applications that have been inves
 tigated in these new theories are discussed considering different models c
 orresponding to the first non-trivial extensions of general relativity pos
 sessing 2 + 2 degrees of freedom. We show that the resulting cosmological 
 behavior is in agreement with observations.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/
 event/206/contributions/7029/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7029/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Imaging with moving detectors
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7033@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Nicholas Bornman (University of the Witwatersrand)\n
 The theoretical framework behind modern-day quantum optics has been succes
 sful in explaining a number of interesting phenomena. However\, since it i
 s traditionally formulated using ordinary quantum mechanics and Fourier op
 tics\, it cannot account for relativistic notions such as different refere
 nce frames (including non-inertial ones) or curved classical gravitational
  backgrounds. In an attempt to understand the quantum imaging process with
 in a more complete quantum field theory (QFT) framework\, a novel analogy 
 is proposed: so-called Unruh-DeWitt (UDW) detectors can be used to model b
 oth the object one wishes to image as well as the pixelated imaging device
  itself. As an example\, after coupling a QFT version of a biphoton state 
 created via spontaneous parametric down-conversion (which is one of the pr
 incipal processes used to create entangled photons in the laboratory) with
  arrays of Unruh-DeWitt detectors\, we investigate quantum ghost imaging u
 nder both inertial and accelerating conditions. Given that the reconstruct
 ed images can be discerned better than a pure guess\, the formalism appear
 s capable of describing the quantum imaging process in non-trivial referen
 ce frames.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7033/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7033/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Three-party reference frame independent quantum key distribution w
 ith an imperfect source
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7021@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Comfort Sekga (Department of Physics and Astronomy\,
  Botswana International University fo Science and Technology\, Private Bag
  16 Palapye\, Botswana)\nTraditionally\, quantum key distribution (QKD) is
  used for sharing secret key between two distant authorized participants w
 ith unconditional security. Here\, we extend the reach of QKD by proposing
  a reference frame independent quantum key distribution (RFI-QKD) which al
 lows three legitimate parties to share the common secret keys without any 
 alignment of reference frames in their quantum channels. Furthermore\, we 
 relax the assumption of perfect state preparation by employing loss tolera
 nt technique proposed by Tamaki et al. [Phys. Rev. A 90\, 052314 (2014)]  
 in our security proof\, which makes the proposed protocol suitable for pra
 ctical applications. In addition\, we derive bounds of the proposed RFI-QK
 D protocol by considering ﬁnite-size key security analysis against gener
 al attacks in the presence of statistical ﬂuctuations. The simulation re
 sults show that the performance of RFI-QKD with an imperfect source is com
 parable to that of RFI-QKD with a perfect source. Also\, we investigated t
 he impact of reference frame misalignment on the stability of our protocol
  for drifting of reference frames by angles 𝛽 = 𝜋/4\, 𝜋/6 and 
 𝛽 = 𝜋/8. Remarkably\, our results demonstrate that our proposed prot
 ocol is not heavily aﬀected by an increase in misalignment of reference 
 frames as the achievable transmission distances are still comparable to th
 e case where there is no misalignment in reference frames (when 𝛽 = 0).
   The proposed protocol has immediate application in quantum network scena
 rios such as web conferences and online courses\, where there are more tha
 n two users who need to share keys.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/20
 6/contributions/7021/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7021/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Motor Protein Transport on Cytoskeleton Networks
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T104500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7013@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Nadine Dempers (Department of Physics\, Stellenbosch
  University and National Institute of Theoretical Physics)\nMolecular mach
 ines\, known as motor proteins\, walk along configurations of filamentous 
 proteins which make up the cytoskeleton of a cell. These motor proteins\, 
 for example kinesins\, are responsible for transporting a variety of cargo
 es within the cell. The arrival of the cargoes at specific locations withi
 n the cell are imperative for the successful execution of various cellular
  processes\, including cell division. Although much detail is known about 
 the different proteins that are able to transport certain cargoes\, the ex
 act processes that influence the distribution of these cargoes throughout 
 the cell are still unclear. Whilst theoretical models may provide further 
 insights into intracellular processes\, there is an absence of  such model
 s describing the dynamics and diffusion of motor proteins throughout the i
 nterior of cells. In light of this\, the aim of this talk is to explore po
 ssibilities for analytical modelling of the motion of motor proteins withi
 n the context of a cell. To begin this exploration\, the Langevin dynamics
  of a single motor protein transporting a cargo as it progresses along dif
 ferent configurations of a single filament will be considered.   The mathe
 matical challenge posed by modelling this process in a similar manner for 
 more intricate filament configurations will then be addressed through a co
 mbination of a dynamical field theoretical formalism with a networking the
 ory employed in polymer physics (see e.g. [1]).  The talk will be conclude
 d with a glimpse of how the formalism may allow for the extension of the m
 odel to describe transport over a density of filaments that one might expe
 ct to find within a cell. \n\n\n[1] S. F. Edwards\, “A field theory form
 ulation of polymer networks\,” J. Phys. Fr.\, vol. 49\,\npp. 1673–1682
 \, 1988.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7013/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7013/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Quasinormal modes in the large angular momentum limit: an inverse 
 multipolar expansion analysis
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7004@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Anna Chrysostomou (University of Johannesburg)\nThe 
 quasinormal modes (QNMs) of a black hole (BH) may be identified as a class
  of damped\, classical oscillations in spacetime\, emergent as part of the
  late-stage response to a perturbation of the compact body. In the weak-fi
 eld limit\, the radial behaviour of these oscillations can be modelled as 
 a wave equation whose potential varies to represent different fields. The 
 choice of computational method applied to solve these QNMs must accommodat
 e the specifics of the BH spacetime and wave equation dependencies\, as a 
 certain approach may fail under conditions where another proves more accur
 ate. Through a novel exploitation of the null geodesics of spherically-sym
 metric BHs\, Dolan and Ottewill recently constructed an inverse multipolar
  expansion method that allows for the efficient computation of BH quasinor
 mal frequencies (QNFs). In a previous work\, we have seen that this method
  is well suited to the exploration of the large angular momentum regime of
  QNFs of various spin for Schwarzschild\, Reissner-Nordström\, and Schwar
 zschild de Sitter BHs. Here\, we extend this method to the computation of 
 the QNM wavefunctions within a Schwarzschild BH spacetime\, and subject th
 e resulting expressions to the asymptotic limit of $\\ell \\rightarrow \\i
 nfty$.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7004/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7004/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Quantum Entanglement and relativistic quantum mechanics.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7024@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jonathan Hartman (University of Johannesburg)\nPrevi
 ously\, we have discussed Bell correlations in a relativistic setting and 
 the possibility of using these to detect weak forces between particles. No
 w a theoretical description of quantum entanglement in terms of relativist
 ic quantum mechanics is presented. Essentially\, in non-relativistic quant
 um mechanics\, entanglement leads to a non-local correlation between 2 par
 ticles. This was shown by John Bell in 1964 when he derived an inequality 
 that should hold for all possible correlations that could be described by 
 classical local realism. However\, it turns out that the predictions of qu
 antum mechanics can violate this inequality and these predictions have sub
 sequently been confirmed experimentally\, hence these correlations must be
  non-local. Bell’s original calculation was only done for non-relativist
 ic quantum mechanics but there have been some recent authors who have trie
 d to do the calculation for relativistic quantum mechanics. What they have
  found is that the Bell correlations in relativistic quantum mechanics are
  altered slightly from the non-relativistic case. For example\, the measur
 ement of the Bell correlations from a lab frame in a Lorentz boost perpend
 icular to the centre of momentum frame produces a correlation that differs
  from the maximum violation by the Wigner angle (i.e. the angle produced b
 y combining 2 Lorentz boosts in special relativity). While at first sight\
 , it appears as the the correlation is weakened\, one can in fact recover 
 the maximal violation of the Bell inequality by adjusting the directions o
 f measurement relative to each other by this Wigner angle. So in fact\, th
 e maximal violation of Bell’s inequality is preserved but in different d
 irections. This effect was the centrepiece of our previous work published 
 in SAIP conference proceedings because we showed that if there were accele
 rations between the entangled particles (probably due to forces between th
 e particles)\, it could potentially produce a measurable effect. Now we’
 re putting this work on a more theoretical footing\, by calculating the ef
 fect in the language of relativistic quantum mechanics by making use of Di
 rac spinors and the Schwinger-Tomonaga equation.\n\nhttps://events.saip.or
 g.za/event/206/contributions/7024/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7024/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Solar modulation of Helium isotopes from minimum to maximum activi
 ty
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7035@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Donald Ngobeni (1. Centre for Space Research\, North
 -West University\, Potchefstroom\, South Africa 2. School of Physical & Ch
 emical Sciences\, North-West University\, Mmabatho\, South Africa)\nThe so
 lar modulation of Helium isotopes (Helium-3 and Helium-4) is studied and c
 ompared to observations at the Earth. This is done from the period of mini
 mum solar activity from 2006 to 2011\, up to the period of solar maximum a
 ctivity from 2012 to 2015. Computed spectra are compared to the precise me
 asurements of Helium-3 and Helium-4 fluxes measured by the PAMELA and AMS-
 02 space missions between July 2006 and December 2015\, spanning time fram
 es that include the solar magnetic field reversal epoch. Insight gained fr
 om this comprehensive modeling\, with a three-dimensional drift model\, ab
 out the relative roles of the four main modulation processes over the ment
 ioned period will be shown and discussed.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/ev
 ent/206/contributions/7035/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7035/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Obliquely propagating solitons and supersolitons in magnetized thr
 ee-component plasmas with adiabatic ions and two-temperature electrons
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7039@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Shivani Singh (SANSA)\nLarge amplitude nonlinear sol
 iton and supersoliton structures are investigated in three-component magne
 tized plasma models\, consisting of inertial adiabatic ions and two-temper
 ature electrons. We determine the existence of nonlinear structures which 
 are propagating obliquely relative to the ambient magnetic field using the
  Sagdeev pseudopotential formalism in which an energy integral is derived\
 , under the assumption of quasineutrality. We will test the plasma composi
 tion and parameter range to establish whether the system supports the exis
 tence of supersolitons. The electric fields of such structures have a char
 acteristic wiggled appearance in comparison with regular solitons. We cons
 ider first Boltzmann distributions for the cool and hot electrons and then
  study the effect of nonthermal Cairns and kappa distributions for the hot
  electrons\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7039/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7039/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Simulations of coronal loops undergoing transverse decay-less osci
 llations
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T104500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7044@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Konstantinos Karampelas (Northumbria University)\nOb
 servations of solar coronal loops with the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (A
 IA) instrument of SDO have revealed the existence of a low amplitude decay
 -less regime of transverse oscillations. These appear to be like the well 
 understood large amplitude and rapidly decaying fast kink-mode oscillation
 s observed in loops\, but their means of excitation and exact nature are s
 till debated. Addressing these two questions is essential for using the fo
 rmer as diagnostic tools in coronal seismology\, as well as determining th
 eir potential role in wave heating of the solar corona. In this talk\, res
 ults from a number of 3D numerical magnetohydrodynamic studies will be pre
 sented\, in which we have studied loops undergoing decay-less oscillations
 . The different proposed interpretations and excitation mechanisms of thes
 e waves will be presented\, alongside our results on the spatial evolution
  of these oscillating loops. Wave energy dissipation in the case of decay-
 less oscillations will also be discussed\, alongside some of our recent fi
 ndings supporting the idea that the dissipated energy can potentially over
 come of the radiative losses for the Quiet Sun.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org
 .za/event/206/contributions/7044/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7044/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Remote sensing of atmospheric Aerosol Optical Depth
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7045@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Zimbini Faniso (CSIR)\nThe paper presents the data a
 nalysis of Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) measured from a CIMEL Sun-photomete
 r at CSIR-Defence and Security in Pretoria\, South Africa. This Aeronet in
 strument has been recording data since 2011 till 2018 for use in the calib
 ration and validation process of space sensors such as earth observation s
 atellites in space. These sensors encounter challenges while capturing inf
 ormation about the earth surface since the presence of aerosols in the atm
 osphere inhibit the target image and degrade information about the area. T
 he purpose of ground truth instruments such as the CIMEL Sunphotometer is 
 to generate aerosol measurements specifically the AOD\, and requires analy
 sis of the data to ensure stability and quality before any calibration or 
 validation of the Satellite sensor. The study will provide an overview of 
 the AOD behaviour during warm and dry seasons of the 2017 data.\n\nhttps:/
 /events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7045/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7045/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Assessment of NORM in fruits and vegetables from local markets in 
 Hartbeespoort\, Mahikeng and Pretoria
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7049@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Veronica Gouws (Tomsk Polytechnic University)\nhttps
 ://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7049/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7049/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Study of the 44Ti(alpha\,p)47V reaction rate using high-precision 
 50Cr(p\,t)48Cr measurements
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T131500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T133000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7057@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sifundo Binda (University of the Witwatersrand)\nhtt
 ps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7057/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7057/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Measurement of the photoabsorption cross section of 24Mg.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T130000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T131500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7056@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jacob Bekker (Student)\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/e
 vent/206/contributions/7056/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7056/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:The scissors resonance in 151Sm
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T134500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T140000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7059@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: SEBENZILE PRETTY ENGELINAH MAGAGULA (IThemba Labs an
 d University of the Witwatersrand)\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/c
 ontributions/7059/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7059/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Impact of Experimentally Constrained Nuclear Level Density and Pho
 ton Strength  Function of 182Hf on the Nucleosynthesis Puzzle of 182Hf
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T140000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T141500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7060@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Nomcebo Yende ()\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/2
 06/contributions/7060/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7060/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Fine structure of the ISGMR in 90Zr\, 120Sn and 208Pb
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7062@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Armand Bahini (School of Physics\, Wits)\nhttps://ev
 ents.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7062/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7062/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Transfer reactions to populate the PDR in 96Mo
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7063@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Thuthukile Khumalo (Wits/iThemba LABS)\nhttps://even
 ts.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7063/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7063/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Validation of the Monte Carlo model for 6 and 15 MV photon beams o
 f VARIAN CLINAC IX Linac
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7064@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: KHOMBO DUMELA (STUDENT)\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/
 event/206/contributions/7064/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7064/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Application of tagged neutron method for detecting diamonds in kim
 berlite.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7065@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Motswakae Sebele (Botswana International University 
 of Science and Technology)\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contribut
 ions/7065/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7065/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Activity Concentration Measurement of Naturally-Occurring Radionuc
 lides in Various Vegetation plots in Rustenburg\, North-West Province\, So
 uth Africa
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7048@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Peter Olagbaju (North West University\, South Africa
 )\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7048/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7048/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Investigation of limit of detection using standard radioactive sou
 rces with a LaBr3(Ce) detector
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7053@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ferdie van Niekerk ()\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/ev
 ent/206/contributions/7053/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7053/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Multi-photon decay mode spectroscopy of positronium
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T104500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7054@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Storm Johnson (University of Cape Town)\nhttps://eve
 nts.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7054/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7054/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Optic Fibre Sensors for Temperature Sensing in Pressurized Water R
 eactors
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T133000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T134500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7055@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Bongani Maqabuka (University of Johannesburg)\nhttps
 ://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7055/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7055/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Theoretical Modeling of High Entropy Alloys
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7067@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Volkmar Nolting (Vaal University of Technology)\nHig
 h entropy alloys (HEA) containing Co\, Ni\, Fe have recently enjoyed consi
 derable attention in the material sciences due to their interesting mechan
 ical and magnetic properties that are further enhanced by the additive man
 ufacturing technique often used to process them.\nHEAs are theoretically d
 ifficult to describe as they often form amorphous structures and the Bloch
  theorem is not applicable. In this article the method of the effective me
 dium is used and the corresponding many body problem is solved selfconsist
 ently within the coherent potential approximation. The mixing entropy of H
 EAs and their phase stability are explained using an optimization approach
 . The complex micro- and multi phase structure are due to many body effect
 s that are discussed from a calculation of the quasiparticle density of st
 ates. It turns out that these many body effects are most significant if th
 e components of the alloy are present at about equal proportions. Applicat
 ions to Kondo insulators and superparamagnetism are investigated where the
  interaction between magnetic moments is of indirect type and mediated by 
 the free electrons of the conduction band (RKKY interaction). In the stron
 g coupling limit it is shown that the susceptibility has a maximum at the 
 blocking temperature indicating a phase transition from ferromagnetism to 
 superparamagnetism. Using alternatively a lattice gas model to represent t
 he disordered alloy the existence of the second order phase transition is 
 confirmed and the blocking temperature is calculated. It is shown that the
  results of the two model calculations are in qualitative agreement with o
 ne another and must thus be regarded as good and reliable.\n\nhttps://even
 ts.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7067/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7067/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Heavy Ion Beam Induced Sputtering of Thin Film Indium Tin Oxide at
  MEV SIMS Energies.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7073@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Grant Tshepo Mafa (Tshwane University of Technology 
 & iThemba LABS TAMS)\nIon beam induced sputtering in matter is of interest
  for fundamental ion-atom interaction studies. It is also important for pr
 actical applications such as ion beam materials analysis techniques like S
 econdary Ion Mass Spectrometry at MeV ion energies (MeV SIMS).  Theoretica
 l descriptions of nuclear sputtering yields due to keV projectile ions are
  generally in good agreement with experimental data\, but this is not the 
 case for electronic sputtering yields using heavy projectile ions There is
  thus a need for experimental data to improve existing theoretical models 
 that describe electronic sputtering due to MeV ions. This work presents re
 sults of thin film sputtering yield measurements carried out using the Ela
 stic Recoil Detection Analysis technique (ERDA). Measurements were carried
  out to determine the electronic sputtering yield in Indium Tin Oxide (ITO
 ) due to 29 Cu q+ and 79 Au q+ MeV ion beams at an ion velocity range of 0
 .1 MeV/u - 0.6 MeV/u. The UV-Vis characterization technique was also used 
 to determine the changes in the optical properties of the conducting oxide
  films due to heavy-ion beam irradiation. Results show that reduction in t
 hickness of the ITO film is attributed to the preferential sputtering of o
 xygen from the surface. The measured sputtering yield data were found to d
 ecrease with increasing ion fluence in the ITO target material for both Au
  and Cu ion beams. The optical band gap was found to decrease only slightl
 y from 3.99 eV (for pristine) to 3.93 eV with increasing ion fluence. The 
 results\, in general\, indicate that heavy ion beams irradiation can be us
 ed as an effective tool to induce surface modifications in thin films by d
 ense electronic excitation.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contri
 butions/7073/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7073/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Surface\, structural\, and optical investigations of heavy ion-irr
 adiated polyaniline thin films
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7074@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ingrid Kutlwano Segola (TUT/iThemba LABS)\nIn this s
 tudy\, polyaniline thin films with thickness of approximately 100 nm were 
 spin-coated on a silicon substrate. The films were then irradiated at norm
 al incidence and room temperature by 150 keV Ar+ ions to fluences ranging 
 from 1 × 10^12 to 5 × 10^16 ions/cm2. According to the Monte Carlo simul
 ation code\, Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM)\, the approximate
  penetration depth of the Ar+ ions in the thin films was found to be 279 n
 m. The surface morphology and roughness of the irradiated films was invest
 igated by atomic force microscopy (AFM)\, while the optical properties and
  bandgap determination of the thin films were investigated by ultraviolet-
 visible spectrophotometry (UV–Vis). Rutherford backscattering spectromet
 ry (RBS) and elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA) were used to study t
 he effects of irradiation on the film thickness and compositional changes.
  AFM analysis showed that the roughness of the films decreases from about 
 33 nm to 19 nm as the ion fluence increases. The optical band gap of PANI 
 film also decreased from 1\,9 eV at 1 × 10^12  ions/cm2  to 1\,4 eV at 5 
 × 10^16 ions/cm2 signifying the presence of new defect states within the 
 bandgap as fluence increases.  RBS results showed that there is a decrease
  of the thickness with increasing fluence while ERDA showed a decrease in 
 hydrogen atoms of the film.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contri
 butions/7074/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7074/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Elastic recoiled detection analysis (ERDA) and Rutherford Backscat
 tering Spectrometry (RBS) investigation of hydrogenated Pd/Ti/Pd multilaye
 r system
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7076@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Christopher Mtshali (iThemba LABS)\nERDA and RBS ana
 lysis of hydrogenated Pd-Ti-Pd multilayer stacked film prepared on CT-Ti a
 nd Ti6Al4V substrates using an electron beam evaporator were conducted in 
 this investigation.  The hydrogenation of the samples was achieved by flow
 ing pure H2 (100%) and H2(15%)/Ar(85%) gas mixture while annealing samples
  at 550oC. The stability of the multilayer stack system at 550 °C was als
 o investigated using RBS for the investigation of possible intermixing of 
 layers and XRD for crystal structure and any possible new phase formation 
 due to elevated temperatures. SEM was used for surface topography investig
 ation. ERDA revealed an average H content of ~ 3.5 at.% in CP-Ti and ~6.2 
 at.% in Ti6Al4V for samples annealed under H2(15%)/Ar(85%) gas mixture. We
  recorded a hydrogen content of ~19.5 at.% in CP-Ti annealed under pure H2
  while ~25.5 at.% was found in Ti6Al4V annealed under the same conditions.
  Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) revealed intermixing of laye
 rs as evidenced by the diffusion of Pd toward the bulk\, while XRD indicat
 ed the formation of the PdTi2 phase in the samples annealed under vacuum a
 nd H/Ar gas mixture atmosphere. In-situ\, real-time RBS showed that the an
 nealing under pure H2 preserves the integrity of the Pd catalyst. No indic
 ation of the PdTi2 formation in the pure H2 annealed samples was observed\
 ; instead only the TiH2 phase appeared\, indicating the absorption of H in
 to the system. These results indicated the sensitivity of such a system to
  the H2(15%)/Ar(85%) gas mixture.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/
 contributions/7076/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7076/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Atomistic Simulation Study of Li-rich Li1.2Mn0.8O2 Cathode Materia
 ls
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T130000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T131500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7077@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Nkgaphe Tsebesebe (University of Limpopo)\nThe catho
 de materials that can exhibits a capacity of >270 mAh/g with little or no 
 capacity fade are the most promising next-generation cathode active materi
 als for Li-ion batteries. Hence\, the layered oxides relative to the stoic
 hiometry Li1+yMn1-yO2 can deliver discharge capacities of >250 mAh/g after
  they have been activated by charging first to a voltage of 4.6–4.9 V in
  a Li-cell. However\, the structural inherent complexity of Li-rich oxides
  causes deficiencies\, and the ways to illuminate them have not yet establ
 ished. In the present work\, we investigate the structures of the pure and
  Li-rich\, LiMnO2 and Li1.2Mn0.8O2 at the nanoscale to shorten the path le
 ngth of lithium-ion transportation\, in an attempt to improve the rate per
 formance of the systems. High-temperature molecular dynamics simulations r
 unning a DL_POLY code was utilized to carry out the amorphization and recr
 ystallization technique under a microcanonical ensemble (NVE) and a canoni
 cal ensemble (NVT) respectively. The microstructure snapshots confirm the 
 two defective phase composites of Li2MnO3/LiMnO2 with crystallographic def
 ects within the nanostructures\; dominated mainly by Li and Mn ions mixing
  layers and grain boundaries. Furthermore\, the calculated XRD patterns co
 nfirm the single-phase formation of orthorhombic LiMnO2 in the pure struct
 ure and formation of the two-phase together with a spinel-type Li2Mn2O4 in
  the Li-rich nanoparticles. The findings of the current study will provide
  a better understanding of the Li-rich structures.\n\nhttps://events.saip.
 org.za/event/206/contributions/7077/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7077/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Investigating the effect of heat transfer on immersion behavior of
  plasma sprayed HAp coatings deposited on Ti-6Al-4V alloy substrates
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7087@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Unaisa Dockrat (University of Pretoria)\nIn this inv
 estigation\, air plasma spraying was used to coat two sets of geometricall
 y different Ti-6Al-4V alloy substrates with hydroxyapatite (HAp). The two 
 sets of samples were then immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF)\, a fluid
  whose ionic composition resembles that of the human fluid\, to determine 
 the biofunctional performance of the coatings. Immersion was done for vary
 ing time periods (0\, 7\, 28 and 56 days) under physiological conditions. 
 Samples where then analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning ele
 ctron microscopy (SEM) in order to compare coatings deposited on the two g
 eometrically different substrates before and after immersion. XRD techniqu
 e was used to investigate the effect of the simulated body fluid on the th
 ermal products formed\, the degree of crystallinity and the residual stres
 ses of the coating for both substrate geometries. SEM was used to study th
 e surface morphology and microstructure of both samples after coating and 
 immersion. Previous investigations conducted on these coatings indicated t
 hat immersion in SBF has an effect on the morphology and chemical composit
 ion of the samples.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/
 7087/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7087/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Investigation of a novel iron-based  cubic compound RhFe3C
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T104500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7088@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Nyawasedza Magoda ()\nA polycrystalline sample with 
 the nominal composition RhFe3C was synthesized and its properties were inv
 estigated using powder x-ray diffraction (XRD)\, transmission Mössbauer s
 pectroscopy and heat capacity Cp(T) measurements. The XRD data shows that 
 RhFe3C has a cubic structure with a lattice parameter of 5.8907(3) Å. The
  room temperature Mössbauer spectrum of RhFe3C exhibits magnetic structur
 e with three spectral components assigned to three different iron sites. T
 he site assignments will be discussed in detail. The Cp(T) data show a dis
 tinct behavior and can be fitted with the Debye model with an additional E
 instein term. The extracted fitted value of the Debye temperature was dete
 rmined as 371(1) K. The results obtained from the different experiments wi
 ll be discussed and compared with literature.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.z
 a/event/206/contributions/7088/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7088/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Elastic and Magnetic properties of Tb-MnO based Thin Films
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7093@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Geoffrey Mwendwa (School of Physics\, Material Physi
 cs Research Institute\, University of the Witwatersrand\, Private Bag 3\, 
 2050\, South Africa)\nMultiferroic rare-earth composites in thin-film form
 at have shown promising results towards the attainment of strong coupling 
 of ferroic orders (ferroelasticity\, ferromagnetism\, ferroelectricity\, a
 nd ferrotoroidicity) at room temperature\, which is a key parameter to the
  realization of low-energy dissipating devices such as solid-state refrige
 rators\, spintronic memory storage\, etc. In this work\, we have synthesiz
 ed Tb-MnO based thin films on (001) Si at ambient temperature using radio 
 frequency magnetron (RF) sputtering at 50 W and investigated their elastic
  and magnetic properties. The elastic properties of the films have been me
 asured by surface Brillouin scattering (SBS) at ambient temperature\, opti
 mized\, and fitted with data simulated using surface Elastodynamic Green
 ’s function for discrete phonon dispersion in the k//d range of 0–5. B
 y least-squares fitting approach\, the measurement uncertainties have been
  obtained from the Taylor series expansion of the phonon phase velocity de
 pendence on the primary elastic constants (C11 and C44)\, yielding the opt
 imum values as\; C11 = 180 +/- 4.90 GPa and C44 = 43 +/- 0.89 GPa. On the 
 other hand\, the magnetic properties of the films have been studied by vib
 rating sample magnetometry (VSM). The films have been noted to attain ferr
 omagnetic ordering at T<150 K. Spin-glass-like behaviour associated with c
 ompeting ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic magnetic ordering has also be
 en observed at T~50 K.\n\nKeywords: Multiferroics\, thin-film\, elastic co
 nstants\, ferromagnetism\, spin-glass\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/
 206/contributions/7093/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7093/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Ab-initio study of ethylene carbonate adsorption on the major α-A
 l2O3 (0001) surface
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T134500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T140000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7092@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Brian Ramogayana (UL)\nAluminium oxide (α-Al2O3) em
 erged as a potential surface coating material for Li-ion batteries because
  it has proved to improve the electrochemical performance and capacity upo
 n cycling. It was also considered due to its high thermal conductivity\, r
 esistance against extreme temperatures and excellent electric insulation. 
 Despite the intense studies on the surface coating with α-Al2O3\, there r
 emains a lack of deep understanding of its reactivity towards the electrol
 yte content. Herein\, we report the adsorption of organic solvent\, ethyle
 ne carbonate (EC) on the major α-Al2O3 (0001) surface using density funct
 ional theory calculations. During the single EC adsorption\, it was found 
 that the molecule prefers to binds with the surface when placed parallel i
 nteracting through the carbonyl oxygen. The adsorption energy per EC molec
 ule (*E*ads/EC) was found to increases for parallel interactions and decre
 ase for perpendicular. Upon increasing the surface coverage\, we have note
 d a decrease in surface free energy\, thus a decrease in surface stability
 . Furthermore\, it has been observed a decrease in electronic charge trans
 fer as we increase the EC coverage.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/20
 6/contributions/7092/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7092/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Using Asymptotic Matching to Study Accretion Disks
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T134500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T140000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7123@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Justine Tarrant (University of the Witwatersrand)\nG
 enerally\, one expects to find accretion disks around massive objects sinc
 e their gravity is able to pull in  surrounding gas\, dust\, etc. toward t
 hemselves. Such astrophysical objects include black holes and their binari
 es. However\, as of yet\, no circumbinary disks have been found around ins
 piralling stellar-mass black hole binaries related to LIGO events. Our aim
  is to try find a mechanism to explain why this is the case. We start by a
 ssuming that these binaries do indeed possess a circumbinary disk initiall
 y but that they\, through some as yet-to-be-determined mechanism\, lose th
 eir disk by the time the LIGO-observable inspiral begins. We perform a com
 putational study of a Kerr binary black hole system\, for masses in the LI
 GO regime.  We do this to derive some properties of the circumbinary accre
 tion disk. This is possible using a novel approach to numerical relativity
  calculations where the disk dynamics are studied with the help of recentl
 y developed analytical spacetime models. In this talk we discuss two types
  of analytical models which may be used to study the geodesics relating to
  two different metrics. That is\, we compare asymptotic patching vs. asymp
 totic matching\, which is used to build a global metric from subdivided me
 tric pieces. We discuss preliminary results.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za
 /event/206/contributions/7123/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7123/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:The influence of thermal annealing on defects induced in Xe implan
 ted n-type 4H-silicon carbide
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T102700Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7101@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ezekiel Omotoso (Department of Physics\, University 
 of Johannesburg)\nIn this study\, 4H-silicon carbide samples were bombarde
 d with 167 MeV Xe ions to a fluence of 1×108 cm-2 at 300 K prior to the f
 abrication of Schottky contacts. The samples were also annealed at approxi
 mately 900 °C before thermal fabrication of the contacts. When compared c
 urrent-voltage results with the as-grown device\, generation-recombination
  occurred in the implanted samples. The presence of four deep level defect
 s (0.10\, 0.12\, 0.16 and 0.65 eV) were observed in as-grown devices when 
 characterized by deep level transient spectroscopy. In addition\, two deep
  level defects with activation energies of 0.40 and 0.69 eV below the cond
 uction band minimum were induced as a result of implantation. These two in
 duced-defects have similar signatures to other defects observed by MeV ele
 ctron irradiation. It was observed that the two defects induced were annea
 led out at 400 °C which indicated the instability of the defects after an
 nealing the implanted sample.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/cont
 ributions/7101/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7101/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:The Mechanical Properties Study of Li1+XMn2O4\, 0 ≤ X ≤ 1 Cath
 ode Materials
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T140000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T141500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7103@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Shibiri Beauty (University of Limpopo)\nOne of the m
 ajor limitations associated with spinel LiMn2O4 despite its superior prope
 rties such as high voltage\, great cycling performance\, being environment
 ally friendly and cost-effective is the impact of the stress it endures th
 rough strain during the process of cycling. For that reason\, this study s
 eeks to understand the implications that come with stress-strain and how i
 t affects the mechanical properties of a battery material\; and eventually
  come with a better nanoporous structure that can withstand these harsh co
 nditions. \nHerein\, the amorphisation and recrystallisation technique wer
 e used to simulate the Li-Mn-O nanoporous structures of different lattice 
 sizes at 75\, 69 and 67 Å and varying lithium concentrations\, (Li1+XMn2O
 4\, 0 ≤ X ≤ 1) using the DL_POLY code. Recrystallisation of the nanopo
 rous structures resulted in single and multiple grained materials with mic
 rostructures that shows a profusion of point defects. Furthermore\, the mi
 crostructures capture the spinel layered composites which are also validat
 ed by the X-ray diffraction patterns of these structures. The stress and s
 train analysis shows that nanoporous 69 Å has the highest yield strength 
 compared to its nanoporous counterparts. This\, therefore\, implies that n
 anoporous 69 Å is more robust and can be a better candidate to help restr
 ict battery hazards in the future as far as fracture is concerned.\n\nhttp
 s://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7103/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7103/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Evaluating the growth/evolution of Ti5 cluster in LiCl medium
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T141500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T143000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7106@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Andile Mazibuko (University of Limpopo)\nTitanium ca
 n be produced as both a metal and in powder form. It finds applications in
  various industries such as in medical and aerospace\, where the fabricati
 on of components with excellent corrosion and high-temperature performance
  are significant. The titanium metal also plays a significant role in the 
 titanium production process due to its desirable physical and chemical pro
 perties. Also\, this process occurs in the presence of alkali metal and al
 kali earth metal salt mediums. Recent experimental studies are on testing 
 the lithiothermic part of the titanium formation process\, however\, the s
 mall titanium clusters are thermodynamically unstable. In this study\, cla
 ssical molecular dynamic calculations were performed to understand the gro
 wth/evolution of the small titanium Ti5 cluster after interactions with Li
 Cl medium. The DL_POLY code was used to evaluate the temperature dependenc
 e of the structure. Furthermore\, the stability of the cluster was evaluat
 ed using the CASTEP code. It was found that the cluster maintains its trig
 onal bipyramid geometry at the temperature range of 100 K – 2000 K. More
 over\, the cluster was observed to show growth patterns\, indicated by the
  absence of bonding between atoms. The results of this study might give us
  more insight into the growth/evolution of titanium in salt mediums.\n\nht
 tps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7106/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7106/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Computational Modelling Study of Structure and Stoichiometry of Ta
  Doped Tetragonal Li7La3Zr2O12 Oxide Garnet for Solid State Batteries.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T131500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T133000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7102@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Refiloe Maphoto ()\nDue to the outstanding chemical 
 stability against high voltage electrode\, the oxide garnet with tetragona
 l structure Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO)\, is one of the most promising solid-state
  electrolytes for li-ion batteries. However\, it has low ionic conductivit
 y (~10-6 S.cm-1) at room temperature\, which limits its practical applicat
 ion. Doping with a supervalent cation such as Ta on the Zr site of LLZO is
  an effective way to improve Li+ conductivity and further stabilize the te
 tragonal phase. To this end\, the fundamental aspects regarding stability 
 of most stable structural configuration of Ta-doped LLZO structures are st
 ill not entirely clear.\nIn this study\, we have combined the first-princi
 ple calculations within the generalised gradient approximation (GGA) by de
 termining the structural and thermodynamic properties of pure and doped t-
 LLZO for high ionic conductivity. The negative energy of formation in pure
  t-LLZO shows that the structure is thermodynamically stable.  We further 
 employed the substitutional search (SS) module to identify all possible st
 ructures and provide a better understanding of doped supervalent cation Ta
  on the octahedral 16c Zr site of LLZO. The substitutional search was used
  to replace a fraction of Zr atoms with Ta atoms\, so that it can enable e
 xcess Li to occupy the disordered octahedral sites (occupied by Zr atoms)\
 , which could facilitate better li-ion transport and increase ionic conduc
 tivity. Furthermore\, the substitutional search generated 3 new multi-comp
 onent structures (monoclinic Li28La12Zr7TaO48\, orthorhombic Li14La6Zr3TaO
 24 and triclinic Li28La12Zr7TaO48) of Ta doped LLZO. The calculated lattic
 e parameters of doped LLZO are smaller than that of pure t-LLZO. The resul
 ts show that the distance between Li-Li in doped Ta-LLZO is smaller than i
 n pure t-LLZO\, which indicates that the smaller the difference between th
 e dopant ionic radius and the critical dopant radius\, the higher the cond
 uctivity. Therefore\, the structural properties of tantalum-doped structur
 es are shown to improve\, due to the smooth decrease in calculated lattice
  parameters. Hence\, it is important to understand the stability of Ta dop
 ed LLZO for the development of all solid-state Li batteries.\n\nhttps://ev
 ents.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7102/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7102/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:First-Principles DFT Study on the Effect of Lithiation on the Spin
 el LixMn2O4 Structure: Calibration of CASTEP and ONETEP Simulation Codes.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T140000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T141500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7114@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: DONALD HLUNGWANI (university of limpopo physics depa
 rtment)\nLi-Mn-O layered-spinel composites are among the promising and eco
 nomically viable\, high energy density cathode materials for improving the
  performance of lithium ion batteries. A number of studies have focused on
  the specific capacity of these composite materials. However\, the complex
  internal structural changes affecting their performance during the discha
 rge process (lithiation) are not yet fully understood. As such\, we perfor
 m the spin polarised density functional theory DFT calculations using the 
 CASTEP (traditional DFT) and the ONETEP (linear-scaling DFT) codes to eluc
 idate the effect of lithiation on the electronic structure of spinel LixMn
 2O4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 2). The electronic structure calculations were performed 
 under the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). Electronic structure a
 nalysis depicted semiconducting properties for delithiated-Mn2O4 with a ba
 nd gap of ~0.65 eV whilst\, LiMn2O4 and lithiated-LiMn2O4 were found to be
  conductors. Furthermore\, it was found that less amount of energy is requ
 ired for electrons to occupy the eg orbitals of LiMn2O4 than of the eg orb
 itals of the delithiated-Mn2O4. This indicates that lithiation favours Mn3
 + which is in line with what was observed experimentally. The LiMn2O4 Dens
 ity of States (DoS) calculated with ONETEP clearly distinguish the dx2-y2 
 and dz2 orbitals. The dx2-y2 orbital is filled and the dz2 orbital is empt
 y\, which is consistent with the dual-existence of Mn4+ and Mn3+. We also 
 performed a scaling test with ONETEP on supercells of LiMn2O4 spinel struc
 ture and the best performance was achieved by ensuring that the product of
  MPI processes and OMPI_THREADS are equivalent to the requested number of 
 cores in the Lengau cluster. Our current findings forms a basis for moving
  from traditional DFT to linear-scaling DFT which will enable the study of
  the electronic properties of Li-Mn-O layered-spinel nanoarchitectures.\n\
 nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7114/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7114/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Computational Modelling Study on Stability of Li<sub>2</sub>MnO<su
 b>3</sub> Cathode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T133000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T134500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7116@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mamonamane Mphahlele (university of Limpopo)\nThe de
 mand for lithium-ion batteries has increased in the last decades due to th
 eir broad applicability as power storage systems. However\, their energy d
 ensity is too low for high-power applications such as electric vehicles an
 d renewable energy storage grids. The most substantial electroactive compo
 nent of a battery is the cathode and thus much research has been devoted t
 o improving them. In this regard\, lithium-rich layered oxide Li2MnO3 has 
 been considered as a promising cathode material for lithium-ion batteries 
 due to their high theoretical specific capacity of 459 mA h/g\, environmen
 tal friendliness and a high operating voltage. Therefore\, it is necessary
  to investigate its properties to gain a better understating of the system
 . In the current study\, density functional theory calculations with Hubba
 rd Hamiltonian (DFT+U) were employed to explore stability\, structural and
  electronic properties of bulk Li2MnO3. The calculated lattice parameters 
 were found to be in good agreement with the experimental data\, validating
  the approach employed. Furthermore\, the negative heats of formation sugg
 est that the structure is thermodynamically stable. The density of states 
 revealed the presence of a bandgap at the Fermi level\, implying that pris
 tine Li2MnO3 is semiconducting\, this agrees with what was found in litera
 ture. The system was found to mechanically unstable due to negative C25 an
 d C46 elastic constants. There were no soft modes observed in the phonon d
 ispersion curves\, suggesting vibrational stability. These findings gave a
 n insight into the bulk properties and stability of Li2MnO3.\n\nhttps://ev
 ents.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7116/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7116/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Effect of annealing time on the structure\, morphology and optical
  properties of mixed phases of barium and strontium aluminates doped with 
 0.1% Tb3+ prepared by citrate sol-gel method
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7120@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mpho Maluleka (Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences Unive
 rsity)\nCitrate sol-gel method was used to successfully prepare mixed phas
 es of strontium and barium aluminate powders doped with 0.1% Tb3+. All pow
 ders were annealed at 1000 oC while varying the annealing time (AT) from 0
 .5 – 4 hours (h). The X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) results revealed th
 at the prepared powders is the mixture of phases consisting of cubic (Sr3A
 l2O6\, Ba3Al2H12O12)\, monoclinic (SrAl2O4\, SrAl4O7)\, hexagonal (Ba0.6Sr
 0.4Al2O4\, SrO\, BaAl2O4) and orthorhombic (BaH4O3) crystal structures. Tb
 3+ did not influence the structure of mixed phases of BaAl2O4/BaH4O3/Ba3Al
 2H12O12/Ba0.6Sr0.4Al2O4/SrAl2O4\,SrAl4O7/ Sr3Al2O6/SrO (BBBBSSSS). The ene
 rgy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping showed homogeneous distrib
 ution of elements on the surface. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) i
 mages showed that as the AT increases the particle becomes more agglomerat
 ed and smoother. Transition electron microscopy (TEM) images suggested tha
 t the particle sizes were not influenced by the AT. Ultraviolet–visible 
 (UV–vis) diffuse reflection spectroscopy confirmed that AT influenced th
 e energy band gap (Eg) of the prepared nanophosphor. The Eg can be tuned b
 etween 5.1 and 5.7 eV. Photoluminescence (PL) results showed four emission
  peaks located around 489\, 546\, 589 and 618 nm which are attributed to 5
 D4 →7F6\, 5D4 →7F5\, 5D4 →7F4\, and 5D4 →7F3 transitions of Tb3+ i
 ons\, respectively.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/
 7120/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7120/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Probing Dark Matter in the Madala Model using MeerKAT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T131500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T133000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7121@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ralekete Temo (School of Physics and Centre for Astr
 ophysics\, University of the Witwatersrand)\nThe Madala model was introduc
 ed to explain several anomalies observed at the Large Hadron Collider. Thi
 s model introduces a dark matter candidate through the extension of the st
 andard model’s Higgs-sector\, i.e. heavier scalar bosons are introduced\
 , which can couple to dark matter. The cosmic ray spectra and galactic cen
 tre's gamma-ray flux excesses have been observed in the AMS-02 and Fermi-L
 AT experiments\, respectively. Assuming the Madala model can explain these
  excesses\, the aim is to make synchrotron emission predictions for MeerKA
 T observations. The region of interest for the predictions is the nearby s
 atellite Reticulum II. The MeerKAT predictions will instigate the validati
 on of our assumption and otherwise allow us to constrain the particle prop
 erties of the Madala model from an astrophysical standpoint. In essence we
  are able to describe the multi-lepton anomalies at the LHC and the anomal
 ies in astrophysics simultaneously.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/20
 6/contributions/7121/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7121/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Diffusing assumptions in astroparticle physics
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T141500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T143000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7122@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Michael Sarkis (University of the Witwatersrand)\nPr
 evious calculations of diffuse radio emissions from dark matter annihilati
 ons have made use of Green’s function approximations to solve the diffus
 ive cosmic ray transport equation. Some notable astrophysical code package
 s\, including GALPROP and DRAGON\, take a numerical approach to this calcu
 lation that involves the use of the Crank-Nicolson finite-differencing sch
 eme. In this work we analyse the physical accuracy of the analytic approxi
 mations and directly compare the computational efficiency of the two solut
 ion methods. We also incorporate full spatial dependence into the diffusio
 n and energy-loss coefficients\, and compare this to the approach of using
  spatially-averaged values of the magnetic field strength and thermal elec
 tron population.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/712
 2/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7122/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Galaxy Evolution in the Local Universe: Studying the Complete Loca
 l-Volume Groups Sample (CLoGS)
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7127@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Clinton Stevens (Centre for Space Research\, North-W
 est University)\nMore than half of all galaxies within the local Universe 
 are found within group environments. Therefore\, galaxy groups are excelle
 nt laboratories for studying galaxy evolution in the local Universe. The C
 omplete Local Volume Groups Sample (CLoGS) is the first statistically comp
 lete galaxy group survey in the optical\, X-ray and radio bands\, consisti
 ng of 53 galaxy groups and 1427 member galaxies in total. The basic proper
 ties of the member galaxies\, such as their morphologies\, star formation 
 rates\, stellar masses and radio emission have been determined and studied
  with regards to their unique group environments. Exciting statistical rel
 ations between the properties of the member galaxies and their group envir
 onments have been found\; such as trends in star formation that relate to 
 each group's dynamical age\, X-ray halo and radio emission from their brig
 htest group ellipticals (BGEs). As a continuation of this study\, a detail
 ed optical spectroscopic study of these BGEs using data obtained on SALT (
 Southern African Large Telescope) is currently underway. The determined st
 atistical relations and latest spectroscopy results will be presented.\n\n
 https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7127/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7127/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:A Study of The Lobes of Radio Galaxy Hydra A using MeerKAT Observa
 tions
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T130000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T131500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7130@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mika Naidoo (The University of the Witwatersrand)\nH
 ydra A is a type I Fanaroff-Riley radio galaxy which hosts a pair of 300-k
 iloparsec diameter radio lobes that are being powered by the previous powe
 rful AGN outburst. Radio observations provide us with an excellent probe f
 or the study of high energy particles residing in the lobes. The MeerKAT r
 adio telescope carried out observations of Hydra A\, from which we obtaine
 d radio maps at several frequencies. A spatial analysis of the radio maps 
 reveals a pair of inner lobes and a pair of outer lobes.  Using these obse
 rvations\, we computed the radiative flux densities and combined them with
  previous results from low frequency VLA observations at 74MHz and 327 MHz
 .  We found that the spectrum in the MeerKAT frequency range is well descr
 ibed by a power law.  We set constraints on the magnetic field strength an
 d the age of the outer radio lobes through electron spectrum modelling whi
 ch includes electron ageing.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contr
 ibutions/7130/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7130/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Satellite contamination on Single Dish HI Intensity Mapping with M
 eerKAT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T131500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T133000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7137@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Brandon Engelbrecht (University of the Western Cape)
 \nNeutral Hydrogen (HI) Intensity Mapping (IM) promises to open a new wind
 ow for cosmology\, probing Large Scales Structures (LSS) in the Universe o
 ver a wide range of redshifts. Unfortunately\, HI IM is contaminated by se
 veral effects\, one of these is the emission from artificial satellites. W
 e aim to simulate the Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) emitted from the 
 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) for the MeerKAT Single Dish HI I
 M observations\, focusing on the 1000-1500 MHz frequency range. We fit our
  satellite model to data taken using the MeerKAT telescope and study the i
 mpact of the residual contamination in the supposedly RFI free regions.\n\
 nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7137/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7137/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Dark-fluid constraints of shear-free universes
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T140000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T141500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7136@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Maye Elmardi (Center for Space Research\, NWU)\nWe p
 resent the evolutionary constraints of shear-free cosmological solutions i
 n the presence of a dark fluid. After describing the general evolution and
  constraint equations for *quasi-Newtonian* and *anti-Newtonian* spacetime
 s\, we derive\, at the level of linear perturbations\,  the conditions for
  the existence and consistent evolution of such spacetimes when they are e
 ndowed with the Chaplygin gas which mimics a unified description of dark m
 atter and dark energy.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributio
 ns/7136/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7136/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Shaken\, not stirred: test particles in binary black hole mergers.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T130000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T131500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7140@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Pieter Van der Merwe (North-west University\, Center
  for Space Research)\nIn 2015 the advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitatio
 nal-Wave Observatory (aLIGO) detected the first ever gravitational\nevent\
 , gravitational wave event GW150914\, with multiple new gravitational wave
  events\, originating from both\nbinary neutron stars and binary black hol
 e (BBH) mergers\, detected in subsequent years. In light of these detectio
 ns\,\nwe simulate the dynamics of ambient test particles in the gravitatio
 nal potential well of a BBH system close to its\ninspiral phase with the g
 oal of simulating the associated electromagnetic radiation and resulting s
 pectral energy\ndensity distribution of such a BBH system. This could shed
  light on possible detection ranges of electromagnetic\ncounterparts to BB
 H mergers. The potentials are numerically calculated using finite differen
 ce methods\, under the\nassumption of non-rotating black holes with the po
 st-Newtonian Paczynski-Wiita potential approximation in tandem\nwith retar
 ded time concepts analogous to electrodynamics. We find that the frequenci
 es of potential electromagnetic\nradiation produced by these systems (poss
 ibly reaching earth)\, range between a few kHz to a few 100kHz. The bulk\n
 of radiation is distributed at frequencies below 100kHz.\nKeywords: Binary
  black hole merger\, binary black hole\, binary black hole merger simulati
 on\, particle acceleration\,\ngravity.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event
 /206/contributions/7140/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7140/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Spatio-Kinematics of the Massive Star Forming Region NGC6334I duri
 ng a Episodic Accretion Event
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7145@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jakobus Vorster (Centre for Space Research)\nIn 2015
 \, the massive protostellar cluster NGC6334I-MM1 flared in various maser s
 pecies detected by long term monitoring at HartRAO. Followup infrared\, mi
 llimetre and centimetre observations confirmed that a massive protostar MM
 1B (M ~ $6.7 M_\\odot$) inside the cluster underwent a period of high mass
  gain\, an accretion burst. To probe the effects of such a transient event
  on the native protostellar environment\, multi-wavelength\, multi-epoch a
 nd multi-scale observations are required. We present high-resolution relat
 ive proper motion observations of highly variable water masers in NGC6334I
  during the onset of the accretion burst. High veloctiy ($\\bar{v} = 85$ k
 ms$^{-1}$) proper motions were detected in five regions\, CM2-W2\, MM1-W1\
 , MM1-W3\, UCHII-W1 and UCHII-W3. Using velocity variance and covariance a
 nalysis\, we calculated the position angle of the major axis of motions to
  be -79.4$^\\circ$ centred on MM1B\, showing the axis of the jet driving t
 he CM2-W2 shock. The axis traced by water maser motion correspond to an ou
 tflow previously detected in CO emission. Complex motions in MM1-W1 indica
 te possible turbulent interactions between multiple outflows centred on MM
 1. Unpublished high resolution water maser maps of the period before\, dur
 ing and after the accretion burst will also be presented\, showing the lar
 ge effects of these bursts on protostellar environments.\n\nhttps://events
 .saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7145/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7145/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:A multi-band view on the evolution of group central galaxies
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T104500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7151@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Konstantinos Kolokythas (North-West University)\nMuc
 h of the evolution of galaxies takes place in groups that occupy the inter
 esting intermediate-mass range\, where feedback has the greatest impact on
  galaxy formation and evolution. By using multi-band data (FUV\, Mid-IR\, 
 Radio\, CO\, and X-rays)\, and an optically selected\, statistically compl
 ete sample of 53 groups (< 80 Mpc\; CLoGS sample) the galaxy evolution and
  star-formation activity of the central group dominant early-type galaxies
  is examined in relation to their gas content\, AGN activity and local env
 ironment. The majority of the group dominant galaxies (87%\; 41/47) are fo
 und to be passive systems without any significant star-forming activity\, 
 with the rest of the highest star-forming systems found to present signifi
 cant cold gas detections\, residing in X-ray faint groups (X-ray halo <65 
 kpc) and none hosting a powerful radio source (P1.4GHz>10^23 W/Hz). As gal
 axy groups are a favorable environment for both cooling flows and gas-rich
  galaxy mergers and interactions\, the significant role of both processes 
 on the origin of cold gas and the fuelling of an AGN or star-formation wil
 l be discussed along with results on the properties of the highest star-fo
 rming systems and the implications on AGN feedback in galaxy groups.\n\nht
 tps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7151/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7151/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Bow shocks formed by massive runaway stars in 3D
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7156@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Katlego Ramalatswa (University of Cape Town)\nHyper-
 runaways are stars moving at supersonic speeds through the interstellar me
 dium\; they can be thought of as a subset of runaway stars but moving with
  velocities that are comparable to the Galactic escape velocity $(\\sim 50
 0\\\,$km/s). Because of the strong stellar winds and high space velocities
 \, we expect massive (hyper)runaway stars to produce bow shocks. We use PL
 UTO\, a magneto-hydrodynamics grid code\, to simulate these bow shocks\, p
 erforming axi-symmetric hydrodynamic simulations in 3-dimensions while inc
 luding thermal conduction and detailed radiative cooling processes. In thi
 s talk we will present our results for a range of stellar  velocities ($10
 0 \\leq v_{\\rm star} \\leq 500\\\,$km/s) and discuss the implications for
  potentially observing hyper-runaways.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event
 /206/contributions/7156/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7156/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Stokes polarimetry performed with a digital micromirror device
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T130000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T131500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7160@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Angela Dudley (CSIR National Laser Centre)\nIn this 
 work\, Stokes polarimetery is used to extract the polarization structure o
 f optical fields from only four measurements as opposed to the usual six m
 easurements. Here\, instead of using static polarization optics\, we devel
 op an all-digital technique by implementing a Polarization Grating (PG) wh
 ich projects a mode into left- and right-circular states which are subsequ
 ently directed to a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) which imparts a phase
  retardance for full polarization acquisition. We apply our approach in re
 al-time to reconstruct the State of Polarization (SoP) and intra-modal pha
 se of optical modes.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions
 /7160/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7160/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Potential of the MeerKAT telescope to detect the stimulated decay 
 of axion-like particles
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T133000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T134500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7159@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ahmed Ayad (University of the Witwatersrand)\nThe na
 ture of the cold dark matter (CDM) can be understood by looking for light 
 scalar candidates such as axion-like particles (ALPs).  The coupling betwe
 en ALPs and photons allows for the spontaneous decay of ALPs into pairs of
  photons. However\, the rate of this process is believed to be small enoug
 h to be ignored on cosmological timescales. Furthermore\, it has been clai
 med in several recent works that ALPs can gravitationally thermalize and f
 orm macroscopic condensates. The stimulated decay of the ALP condensates i
 s also possible with a significantly high rate. Consequently\, the photon 
 occupation number can receive Bose enhancement and grows exponentially. Th
 is can lead to radio emissions produced from this process and could be obs
 erved by the forthcoming radio telescopes. In this work\, we investigate t
 he detectability of such a radio signature from some astrophysical targets
  using the MeerKAT radio telescopes. This might provide indirect evidence 
 for the existence of the CDM ALPs.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206
 /contributions/7159/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7159/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Purity and Dimensionality measurements using Werner States
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7161@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Donovan Slabbert (University of Witwatersrand)\, Pie
 ter Neethling (Laser Research Institute\, University of Stellenbosch)\nHig
 h dimensional entangled quantum systems are important in various applicati
 ons such as quantum teleportation\, secure quantum key distribution and cr
 yptography. Such applications require a method to characterize the state d
 ensity matrix. Conventional methods such a Quantum State Tomography work\,
  however\, can become computationally cumbersome if the dimension becomes 
 too great. The method outlined\, which is an extension of a proven method 
 that uses isotropic states as model states\, makes use of Werner states in
 stead. Minimization techniques are used to extract key parameters that det
 ermine the state\, rather than to necessarily reconstruct the state itself
 . Werner states are mixed entangled states and are good representations of
  bipartite quantum entangled systems. They consist of different weightings
  of projectors onto anti-symmetric and symmetric subspaces. The process in
 volves using analyser matrices to probe Hilbert space. Chi-squared minimiz
 ation using visibility calculations leads to the extraction of a symmetric
  weighting value and the dimensionality.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/eve
 nt/206/contributions/7161/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7161/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:EFFECTS OF ATMOSPHERIC TURBULENCE ON HERMITE GAUSSIAN MODES VIA CO
 NVOLUTIONAL NEURAL NETWORKS
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T104500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7165@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kemi Adewale (University of KwaZulu-Natal\, Durban\,
  South Africa)\nHermite-Gaussian laser modes are a complete set of solutio
 ns to the free-space paraxial wave equation in Cartesian coordinates. They
  are often referred to as transverse electromagnetic modes and represent a
  close approximation to physically realizable laser cavity modes. Their ap
 plications ranges from enhancing optical communications information capaci
 ty to description of optical fields as well as in achieving high resolutio
 n imaging in microscopy. This study will propose and implement atmospheric
  turbulence effects on hermite Gaussian laser modes with orbital angular m
 omentum.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7165/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7165/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Quantitative measurements of the purity and dimensionality of high
  dimensional entagled states
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T141500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T143000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7168@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Isaac Nape (Structured Light Lab\, School of Physics
 \, University of Witwatersrand)\nQuantum information processing beyond the
  traditional 2-dimensional qubit states has recently become topical\, bene
 fiting numerous applications such as quantum computing\, quantum ghost ima
 ging\, quantum cryptography and quantum teleportation with high informatio
 n capacities. The need to accurately characterize key performance paramete
 rs\, such as the dimensionality of the encoding basis or the purity of an 
 entangled state\, is an essential step towards deploying any quantum proto
 col that uses high dimensional entanglement as a resource. Quantum state t
 omography takes far too long as the measurements scale to the fourth power
  with increasing dimensions while a simple spectral decomposition is not s
 ufficient to confirm entanglement. Here\, we present a simple to implement
  approach that scales linearly with dimensions and returns the purity and 
 dimensionality of a quantum state accurately. In our approach a set of con
 ditional measurements return visibilities that can be used in a simple fit
 ting procedure to infer the purity and dimensions of the system.  Our tech
 nique advances the toolbox for accurate characterisation of entangled quan
 tum states. We demonstrate the technique in the orbital angular momentum a
 nd pixel (coordinate) basis using photons generated from spontaneous param
 etric down conversion.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributio
 ns/7168/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7168/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Changing colour for detecting spatial structures of light
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T140000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T141500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7173@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Bereneice Sephton (University of the Witwatersrand)\
 nLight affords a convenient avenue for transmitting\, encoding\, computing
  and filtering information where structuring the spatial degree of freedom
  allows us to perform operations at the speed of light and transfer a larg
 e range of information simultaneously in both the classical and quantum re
 alms of physics. For example\, exploiting the spatial structure of light p
 rovides a notable increase in the rate of transmission in both free-space 
 and optical fiber transmissions. Applying this to photons also extends qua
 ntum protocols\, entangling experiments into multidimensionality. \n\nAcco
 rdingly\, these schemes rely on the ability to detect and distinguish the 
 structures holding the information encoded. Hermite-Gaussian (HG) or Lague
 rre-Gaussian (LG) modes are two examples of spatial modes that form an ort
 hogonal basis and thus allows one to identify\, extract and thus retrieve 
 the entirety of the states being carried by the beam by projecting onto th
 e individual states.\n\nTraditionally\, this is done by unitary transforma
 tions whereby the light is passed through linear elements such as a spatia
 l light modulator. Here we demonstrate that this idea is not confined to t
 his\, but can also be extended into the non-linear regime by utilizing sum
 -frequency generation (SFG). By co-linearly directing the beam one would l
 ike to analyze into a χ^2 crystal with another beam carrying the basis mo
 de one would like to project onto\, one can detect the associated informat
 ion in the resulting color-converted or SFG beam due to the conservation o
 f momentum. Not only is non-linear optics shown to be a viable method for 
 detecting spatial structures\, changing the color of the light being detec
 ted offers additional flexibility in the detection hardware required as we
 ll as encryption schemes\, such as high dimensional teleportation.\n\nhttp
 s://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7173/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7173/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:ACCELERATING POLARIZATION STATES AND STRUCTURES
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T131500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T133000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7175@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Wagner Tavares Buono (University of the Witwatersran
 d)\nOptical fields can often show unexpected effects when interference eff
 ects are used. Examples of these are angularly accelerating beams. In this
  work we present a novel structure of light that exhibits State-of-Polariz
 ation (SoP) structures that rotate with acceleration and deceleration when
  propagating in free space. We achieve this by creating a superposition of
  beams with accelerated transport of intensity in different polarization c
 omponents\, in such a way that the intensity profile remains constant\, bu
 t each polarization projection changes differently. The Stokes vector for 
 each point of the transverse profile exhibits a circular trajectory in the
  Poincaré sphere\, showing an accelerated rotation around the axis of the
  generating polarization basis. We hope that this vector field with non-tr
 ivial structures can be used to study the interaction of vector light with
  matter.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7175/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7175/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Fluorescence spectroscopy of quantum dots in an optical tweezer
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T133000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T134500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7174@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ané Kritzinger (Chemistry Department\, University o
 f Pretoria\, Pretoria\, South Africa)\nOptical tweezers have found countle
 ss applications in the fields of physics and biology ever since its advent
  in 1986 by Arthur Ashkin. Using only focused light\, optical tweezers are
  able to trap and manipulate microscopic particles. In this work\, we inve
 stigate the possibility of combining the optical tweezer with fluorescence
  spectroscopy to develop an ultra-sensitive analytical instrument. We spec
 ifically focus on the feasibility of quantum dot nanoparticles used in con
 junction with optical tweezers. In this work\, we report on the synthesis 
 of L-cysteine capped CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) and the coupling thereof 
 to commercial carboxyl-modified beads. The QD-tagged beads which are two 
 µm in diameter can be trapped with the optical tweezers and will be used 
 as the fluorescence probe. A setup of an optical tweezer with a 532 nm las
 er was employed with which trapping of particles was demonstrated. The det
 ection of fluorescence emission from the QDs that are covalently bonded to
  the beads was also demonstrated with the optical tweezer. This research\,
  therefore\, serves as a proof of concept for a sensitive analytical metho
 d that makes use of an optical tweezer in combination with fluorescent QDs
 .\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7174/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7174/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Generation of a Hybrid Mode Vector Beam
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T133000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T134500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7179@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Alice Vadimovna Drozdov (University of the Witwaters
 rand)\nVector beams have inhomogeneous polarisation distributions that int
 roduce a new degree of freedom that can be used to structure light. Pure v
 ector beams have spatial and polarisation components that are non-separabl
 e affording them various interesting properties. Common examples include c
 ylindrical vector vortex modes\, Poincaré beams and vector beams on the H
 igher Order Poincaré Sphere. These beams are created using orthogonal mod
 es from the same mode set\, on two orthogonal polarisation bases. Vector m
 odes have been studied in atmospheric turbulence and have displayed no spe
 cific advantage over scalar modes. Interestingly\, it has recently been sh
 own that different modal bases experience turbulence differently- can we u
 se this to improve the robustness of a vector mode in turbulence by creati
 ng a “hybrid mode vector beam” that makes use of orthogonal component 
 modes from the Hermite-Gaussian and Laguerre-Gaussian bases? Here we prese
 nt an analysis of experimentally generated hybrid mode vector beams by det
 ermining the state of polarisation through Stokes’ polarimetry and by ca
 lculating the vector quality factor.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/2
 06/contributions/7179/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7179/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Light Sheet Microscope Development
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T131500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T133000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7178@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Imraan Badrodien (Stellenbosch University)\nLight sh
 eet fluorescence microscopy is a powerful tool within the field of microsc
 opy. The inherent advantages over other fluorescence microscopy techniques
  inclue high sectioning capabilities\, reduced photo-damage in the sample 
 and short data acquisition times.  \n\n\nIn this presentation\, the develo
 pment of a light sheet microscope is described.  The system relies on the 
 use of a thin sheet of light to illuminate a fluorescent sample. The light
  sheet can be generated using a cylindrical lens or by rapidly scanning a 
 circular beam using a galvonometer. Two dimensional images are acquired pe
 rpendicular the the illumination path. The sample can be translated throug
 h the light sheet\, acquiring images at different depths in the sample. Th
 e images are then used to reconstruct a three dimentional fluorescence ima
 ge of the sample.  \n\nThe light sheet microscope system is developed to a
 llow for the incorporation of various light sheet generation techniques\, 
 allowing for the parameters of the light sheet to be tailored for various 
 applications.  The implementation of the scanned beams to generate light s
 heets allow for the use of non-diffracting beams. A comparison of the resu
 lts for various light sheet generation techniques are presented. Using the
  microscope\, images are acquired and analysed to demonstrate the systems 
 capabilities and limitations. Image restoration is implemented by the deco
 nvolution of the point spread function and the images. Using the deconvolv
 ed images\, three dimensional fluorescence images of the sample are obtain
 ed. The result is a multi-purpose light sheet microscope for use in biolog
 ical imaging.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7178/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7178/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:On the interaction of structured light fields and the atmosphere
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7180@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Asher Klug (University of the Witwatersrand)\nIt is 
 well understood that structured light becomes distorted after propagating 
 through the atmosphere. These distortions are the result of random refract
 ive index fluctuations\, themselves a product of atmospheric turbulence. I
 n particular\, these distortions have been realised as modal crosstalk in 
 beams carrying orbital angular momentum.  Such beams are ubiquitously used
  in free space optical communication applications. Commonly\, the atmosphe
 re is treated as a phase-only effect that induces this modal scattering. H
 owever\, this approach offers little insight as it does not focus on the g
 ain or loss of OAM that the beam experiences from interacting with the atm
 osphere. We ask the question: from where did the OAM come? We develop an a
 lternate\, novel model to provide generalised explanations to the sometime
 s-contested effects of atmospheric turbulence on light.\n\nhttps://events.
 saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7180/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7180/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:FACILITATING iADMSC DIFFERENTIATION INTO NEURONAL CELLS BY PHOTOBI
 OMODULATION USING VISIBLE AND NEAR-INFRARED WAVELENGTHS
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7182@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Madeleen Clasina Jansen van Rensburg (Laser Research
  Centre\, University of Johannesburg)\nThe central nervous system (CNS) of
  mammals is limited in its repair and regeneration in the event of injury 
 due to trauma or neurodegeneration\, therefore\, optimization of its regen
 eration capabilities is necessary. Studies have shown that this issue may 
 be addressed through the transdifferentiation of adipose-derived mesenchym
 al stem cells (ADMSCs) into neuronal cells. This process has not been effi
 ciently achieved with chemical and biological inducers\; this study explor
 ed possible optimization through the addition of photobiomodulation (PBM).
  PBM uses low intensity light to stimulate intracellular processes and has
  been known to increase cell proliferation and aid in stem cell differenti
 ation. This in vitro research aimed to differentiate ADMSCs with growth fa
 ctors and chemical inducers and subsequently measure the optimization effe
 cts that PBM had on differentiation. PBM was applied as single use at a lo
 w energy density\, at visible and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. Charact
 erization of immortalized ADMSCs (iADMSCs) with ELISA\, immunofluorescence
  microscopy\, and flow cytometry was used in identifying specific transcri
 ption factors and neuronal markers. After this\, biochemical analysis was 
 performed to observe reactive oxygen species (ROS) production\, cytotoxici
 ty\, migration abilities for homing\, morphology\, proliferation\, and the
  mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Probable results will be effectiv
 e ADMSC transdifferentiation to neuronal cells through induction with grow
 th factors and PBM support. Moreover\, an optimized protocol for in vitro 
 differentiation of ADMSCs will be established for subsequent use in clinic
 al application and regenerative therapy in the event of damage to the CNS.
 \n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7182/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7182/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Comparison of different techniques for resonance ionization spectr
 oscopy and report on progress towards its application on tin isotopes
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T141500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T143000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7184@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Frederick Waso (Stellenbosch University)\nResonance 
 Ionization Spectroscopy (RIS) is a spectroscopic technique that relies on 
 the resonant excitation of an atom using lasers. The process involves seri
 es of atomic excitations\, with at least one resonant transition\, and end
 s when the atom is ionized. The RIS process can be applied in the producti
 on and study of rare and exotic nuclei via radioactive ion beams at accele
 rator facilities such as ISOLDE at CERN or LERIB at iThemba LABS. RIS can 
 also be used to enhance the production and quality of isotopes used for me
 dical applications. \nThe main aim of this project is to improve and optim
 ize an existing RIS setup for the study of the various stable isotopes of 
 tin. Tin is an important element in the study of nucleus structure as it h
 as a high stability due to completely filled proton shells\, and therefore
  a large number of isotopes. In this presentation\, we report on the diffe
 rent methods applied at the RIS facility at CERN while highlighting key di
 fferences\, advantages\, and disadvantages of the methods used. We also re
 port on the progress made at the RIS lab at Stellenbosch University and th
 e future plans for applications.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/c
 ontributions/7184/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7184/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Dr
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7185@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Darryl Naidoo (Council for Scientific and Industrial
  Research)\nPhotonics and Lasers have become the centre of several modern 
 day technologies such as the internet\, additive manufacturing\, remote se
 nsors and even entertainment. They have revolutionized how we view Physics
  opening the door to a plethora of applications and new Photonics phenomen
 a. In this non-specialist lecture we will take you on a trip through the d
 evelopment of lasers and the concept of structured laser beams and its imp
 ressive advances in Photonics.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/con
 tributions/7185/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7185/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Targeted photodynamic treatment of colorectal cancer
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7186@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Nkune Nkune (Laser Research Centre\, University of J
 ohannesburg)\nAbstract. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a fatal malignancy with
  limited therapeutic options and its incidence is on the rise in recent ye
 ars. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising minimally invas
 ive therapeutic modality that employs three fundamentals to induce tumour 
 damage: a photosensitizer (PS)\, light of a specific wavelength and molecu
 lar oxygen. However\, PDT has shown undesirable lack of specificity for tu
 mour cells. The aim of this study was to develop a targeted PDT multicompo
 nent nanoparticle-antibody (ZnPcS4 – AuNP-PEG5000-SH-NH2 - Anti-GCC Ab) 
 based system that is capable of enhanced and targeted ZnPcS4 PS delivery w
 ithin in vitro cultured CRC cells (CaCo-2) for improved PDT treatment. The
  final conjugate was successfully synthesized and characterized to confirm
  the efficient binding of the antibody and PS to functionalized gold nanop
 article surfaces. Immunofluorescent results noted that the final actively 
 targeted PS nanoconjugate was able to actively and specifically localize i
 n target CRC cells only. Thus\, the increased bioavailability of ZnPcS4 PS
  in CaCo-2 cells elicited significant cytotoxic responses\, suggesting tha
 t through nano active targeting the enhanced PDT treatment of CRC can be a
 chieved.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7186/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7186/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Experimental Validation of Novel Point Spread Function Models
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T140000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T141500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7189@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ratsimandresy Holinirina Dina Miora (Stellenbosch Un
 iversity and Friedrich Schiller University Jena)\nAny image of a point sou
 rce in a diffraction-limited system will result in a blurred pattern\, the
  point spread function (PSF). In the case of fluorescence microscopy\, inc
 oherent imaging modality can be described by a convolution of the object w
 ith the PSF\, a common approach to improve the image quality tries to undo
  this convolution. A successful deconvolution requires a good model of the
  PSF [1\,2]. A practical way to obtain a PSF is by measuring it experiment
 ally and averaging over images of multiple fluorescent beads with diameter
 s far below the diffraction limit of the system\, but the photon noise and
  small depth of field in the region of interest can limit its use [3]. Stu
 dies have been conducted for computing PSFs. Each technique has its own pr
 os and cons. In this work\, we present novel approaches for computing PSFs
  and we aim to validate the models experimentally.\n\nImportant parameters
  of the imaging system such as it satisfying the aplanatic condition and a
  possible refractive index mismatch are included in our theoretical PSF mo
 dels. Aberrated PSFs with varying spherical aberration are measured by var
 ying the refractive index of the embedding medium of the bead sample and/o
 r the immersion medium. A high fidelity of a theoretical PSF model to repr
 esent the imaging system corresponds to the normalized cross-correlation (
 NCC) to the ground truth\, which is the experimental PSF\, being close to 
 one. The accuracy of the PSF models are also tested by using them in image
  reconstruction. To this aim\, we image a spherical sample object of diame
 ter four times higher than the diffraction limit and retrieve the most acc
 urate representation of the object by deconvolving the recorded image of t
 he object with the theoretical aberrated PSFs and the experimental PSF. Th
 e accuracy of each PSF model is deduced from the NCC between the deconvolv
 ed image and the ground truth\, which corresponds to our input sample obje
 ct.\n\nAs a result\, PSF models\, which uses Fourier transform as a mathem
 atical operator deviate significantly from the ground truth at higher dept
 h if the window size of the image is too small. A combination of adjusted 
 windows sizes and using the Chirp-Z transform prevents this large error bu
 t ads computational costs. This experimental validation and comparisons wi
 th respect to the precision and accuracy of each PSF technique under a giv
 en condition are discussed in depth in this presentation.\n\n[1] Griffa A\
 , Garin N\, Sage D. Comparison of deconvolution software in 3D microscopy:
  a user point of view—part 1. GIT Imaging & Microscopy. 2010\;12(ARTICLE
 ):43-5.\n[2] Griffa A\, Garin N\, Sage D. Comparison of deconvolution soft
 ware: a user point of view—part 2. GIT Imaging & Microscopy. 2010\;12(AR
 TICLE):41-3.\n[3] Diaz Zamboni JE\, Casco VH. Estimation Methods of the Po
 int Spread Function Axial Position: A Comparative Computational Study. Jou
 rnal of Imaging. 2017 Mar\;3(1):7.\n[4] Ghosh S\, Preza C. Fluorescence mi
 croscopy point spread function model accounting for aberrations due to ref
 ractive index variability within a specimen. Journal of biomedical optics.
  2015 Jul\;20(7):075003.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contribut
 ions/7189/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7189/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Multiband superconductivity in the doped Skutterudite compound Pr0
 .5La0.5Pt4Ge12.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7081@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Masego Katametsi (University of Johannesburg)\nA sui
 te of electronic and magnetic property studies were conducted on a Pr0.5La
 0.5Pt4Ge12 (Skutterudite) polycrystalline sample with an objective of inve
 stigating its superconducting state. The two parent compounds PrPt4Ge12 (T
 c= 8K) and LaPt4Ge12 (Tc= 7.8K) both form in the filled-cage cubic Skutter
 udite structure and both have a superconducting ground state. However\, th
 eir superconducting order parameters differ: PrPt4Ge12 has been characteri
 zed in the literature as an unconventional\, multi-band superconductor and
  furthermore with evidence for time reversal symmetry breaking in its supe
 rconducting state. The isostructural compound LaPt4Ge12 on the other hand 
 is a conventional superconductor. In this work we report the results of ma
 gnetization\, magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity as functions of te
 mperature and applied magnetic field in order to study the entanglement of
  the two types of superconductivity\, and in an attempt to search for evid
 ence of time-reversal symmetry breaking that may result from an internal m
 agnetic field generated in the superconducting state.\n\nhttps://events.sa
 ip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7081/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7081/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Cascade Outreach model
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T140000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T141500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6973@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Carolina Odman (Inter-University Institute for Data 
 Intensive Astronomy\, University of the Western Cape)\nWe present an appro
 ach to outreach that is based on developing scientist communicators\, more
  than it is focused the audience and the contents. Indeed\, outreach has t
 hree aspects - both the people carrying it out and the audience\, and the 
 content itself. While there has been a lot of work on outreach content cre
 ation and audience engagement\, the relatability and role modelling of the
  ambassadors of the field who carry out the outreach have been less of a f
 ocus. In the Cascade Outreach model\, we emphasise the development of rela
 table role models and stimulate a cascading effect of the outreach\, simil
 ar to near-peer mentoring. While doing so\, we explicitly ensure that the 
 scientist communicators themselves are empowered and gain in communication
  and teaching skills\, as well as confidence to navigate their professiona
 l environment. Challenges that are faced by scientist communicators often 
 relate to their professional situation and personal exposure. This has so 
 far not been seen as priority in outreach\, but is a natural area of conce
 rn when focusing on the scientist communicators. We discuss how we approac
 h this\, especially in the context of social media.\n\nhttps://events.saip
 .org.za/event/206/contributions/6973/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6973/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Effects of photodynamic therapy on A375 Melanoma cells using alumi
 nium phthalocyanine photosensitizer
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7193@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Bridgette Mkhobongo (Laser Research Centre)\nMetasta
 tic Melanoma (MM) is highly aggressive and is among cancers causing major 
 global deaths annually. It is imperative to find therapies that can elimin
 ate MM and has become a major concern due to the potential for cancer rela
 pse and metastasis\, as well as the disease being accounted to be resistan
 t to multiple forms of therapy. This *in vitro* study explores the effect 
 of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) using an Aluminium Phthalocyanine Photosensi
 tizer (AlPcS4Cl) at 673 nm and a fluency of 5 J/cm2\, in targeting Melanom
 a cells (A375). Dose dependent response of AlPcS4Cl was studied on both A3
 75 and fibroblast (WS1) cell lines and the IC50 calculated from this. Sign
 ificant post-irradiation signs of cell death were detected using microscop
 y and biochemical assays. Cell viability testing showed increased damaged 
 cells taking up Trypan Blue Dye. A decrease in cell proliferation was obse
 rved through the measurement of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) content. An i
 ncreased release of Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) content due to cytotoxicit
 y with increasing doses of AlPcS4Cl was measured. The study suggested an e
 ffective treatment against Melanoma cells. Enhanced capabilities of PDT fo
 r MM could possibly be achieved through gold nanoparticle (AuNP) activated
  increased uptake of AlPcS4Cl photosensitizer\, targeting their quiescent 
 cancer stem cells.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7
 193/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7193/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Nuclear translocation of Map Kinase and release of basic fibroblas
 t growth factor following photobiomodulation at 660 nm in diabetic wounded
  cells.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7169@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Patricia Kasowanjete (University of Johannesburg)\nM
 itogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) signalling is one of the best chara
 cterised signal transduction pathways in cell biology and is involved in w
 ound healing processes. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been used to induce p
 hysiological changes and has been shown to improve wound healing processes
 \, however underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of action remain l
 argely unexplained. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect 
 of PBM at 660 nm on nuclear translocation of MAPK and release of basic fib
 roblast growth factor (b-FGF) in diabetic wounded fibroblast cells in vitr
 o. This was evaluated by irradiating cells at a wavelength of 660 nm with 
 5 J/cm2 and incubating them for 24 and 48 h. Non-irradiated cells (0 J/cm2
 ) served as controls. b-FGF was measured by the Enzyme Linked Immunosorben
 t Assay (ELISA) and translocation of phosphorylated MAPK was assessed by i
 mmunofluorescence. PBM of diabetic wounded cells showed an increased relea
 se of b-FGF and translocation of MAPK in irradiated cells at 24 and 48 h a
 s compared to non-irradiated cells. The findings of this study showed that
  PBM is capable of facilitating the releasing of b-FGF and activation of M
 APK in diabetic wound cells in vitro\, thus facilitating wound healing und
 er diabetic conditions.\n\n\n----------\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/even
 t/206/contributions/7169/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7169/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Programming the load readout board micro-controllers used in the d
 evelopment of a Burn-In test bench for the ATLAS TileCal Phase-II Upgrade
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T131500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T133000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7205@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Nkosiphendule Njara (School of Physics University of
  the Witswatersrand)\nThe University of the Witwatersrand will be producin
 g over 1200 Low Voltage Power Supplies (LVPS) to power the on-detector ele
 ctronics of the Tile Calorimeter (TileCal) ATLAS detector in preparation f
 or the Phase II upgrade. Two burn-in type test stations are currently bein
 g developed in the high-throughput electronics laboratory. The Load readou
 t board is used to read and control/adjust parameters of four channels ele
 ctronic dummy load board\, and several parameters. In this talk\, we discu
 ss how different commands for each PIC micro-controller are written and us
 ed to shift bits into the register of the Digital to Analog converter (DAC
 ) contained on the dummy load to control the load current. A hexadecimal s
 ource file is thus generated and typically used by programmable logic devi
 ces which provides general information of the configured functions.\n\nhtt
 ps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7205/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7205/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Investigating optically trapped spherical particles by Mie scatter
 ing.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T134500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T140000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7194@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Anneke Erasmus (Stellenbosch University)\nWe investi
 gate Mie scattering from particles in an optical trap. Optical tweezers an
 d counter propagating optical traps allow micron sized particles to be opt
 ically trapped and investigated by scattering white light off the particle
 s. In optical tweezers\, a high numerical aperture microscope objective is
  used to focus a laser beam and create an optical trap for microscopic par
 ticles\, such as polystyrene beads or biological cells suspended in water.
  The trapped particle has a higher refractive index than the medium which 
 surrounds the particle. The light refracts through the particle and due to
  conservation of momentum\, a net force pushes the particle towards the fo
 cus of the beam. In a counter propagating optical trap\, microscope object
 ives with a longer working distance can be used. Using two high numerical 
 aperture microscope objectives\, two counter propagating beams create a tr
 ap where the two foci overlap in space. The design and construction of the
  counter propagating optical trap will be discussed. In this work\, the ul
 timate aim is to trap microscopic water droplets suspended in air. Once tr
 apped\, the droplet’s morphology can be studied using whispering gallery
  modes\, also known as morphologically dependent resonances\, formed withi
 n the particle when it is illuminated with white light. Specific wavelengt
 hs resonate within the spherical cavity due to total internal reflection o
 f the light. These resonances can be seen on the measured spectrum of the 
 Mie scattered light from the particle. By comparing the spectrum of the sc
 attered light to that predicted by Mie Theory one can precisely determine 
 the particle’s diameter and/or its refractive index. Mie scattering theo
 ry and simulations will be briefly discussed to illustrate this.\n\nhttps:
 //events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7194/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7194/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Inhibition of Lung Cancer Migration and Invasion Using a Gold Nano
  Photosensitizer Conjugate.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7196@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Anine Crous (University of Johannesburg)\nDespite ad
 vances in cancer treatment\, lung cancer remains one of the leading causes
  of cancer deaths worldwide. Lung cancer can spread through the blood and 
 lymphatic systems\, as well as infiltrate healthy tissues underlying the l
 ung\, resulting in both distant and local metastasis. The most common caus
 es of death are cancer metastasis and the threat of secondary tumours. The
  ability of cells to invade\, which is largely controlled by cell motility
 \, is an essential aspect of metastases. Photodynamic therapy (PDT)\, a mi
 nimally invasive cancer treatment\, is based on the concept of light stimu
 lation of a photosensitizing agent at a certain wavelength\, which\, combi
 ned with an optimum energy density of light activation\, induces the photo
 sensitizer (PS) to reach their triplet state\, where oxidants causing tumo
 ur cell death can form in the presence of molecular oxygen. Due to their p
 hysicochemical and optical properties\, gold nanoparticles have been shown
  to improve the effectivity of PDT by increasing the loading potential of 
 the PS within cancer cells\, are biocompatible and non-toxic\, and give im
 proved permeability and retention. The use of gold nanoparticles in nano-m
 ediated PDT has been shown to cause lung cancer cell death. Several physio
 logical studies\, including migration\, cell cycle analysis and the extrac
 ellular matrix cell invasion assay were carried out in this study to deter
 mine whether PDT using a gold nano sensitizer inhibits lung cancer migrati
 on and invasion. The results show that nano mediated PDT treatment of lung
  cancer inhibits lung cancer migration and invasion\, causes cell cycle ar
 rest\, and reduces lung cancer proliferative abilities\, elaborating on th
 e efficacy of nano mediated PDT treatment of lung cancer.\n\nhttps://event
 s.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7196/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7196/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Effect of Gold Nanoparticle-Hypericin Mediated Photodynamic Therap
 y on breast Cancer Cells.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T104500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7166@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Dimakatso Mokoena (UJ Laser Research Center)\nCancer
  is a global emergency that needs instant intervention. Breast cancer is t
 he second most common cancer after Lung\, and the first most common cancer
  amongst women. Current treatments are linked with adverse side effects\, 
 treatment failure and cancer relapse. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of
  the emerging cancer treatment options that is highly selective and specif
 ic towards cancer cells. Consequently\, the use of gold nanoparticles (AuN
 P) further enhances the efficacy of PDT. In this study\, gold-nanoparticle
  (AuNP) conjugated Hypericin (Hyp) mediated PDT was used for the treatment
  of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells by inducing cell death\, in vitro. Cel
 lular responses after treatment at 12 and 24 h incubation post PDT\, and a
 t different laser fluencies was observed. The morphological changes\, viab
 ility\, cytotoxicity and cell death analysis by Annexin V/PI staining was 
 performed. The results showed activation of the apoptotic pathway with cha
 racteristic features of dying cells observed in their morphology and bioch
 emical responses. Hence this study provided an insight into the applicatio
 n of advanced PDT in breast cancer treatment by actively targeting the apo
 ptotic cell death pathway in vitro.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/20
 6/contributions/7166/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7166/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Amplification of structured light in end-pumped solid-state amplif
 iers
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7163@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Justin Harrison ()\nStructured light beams from the 
 Laguerre-Hermite-Gaussian mode families with scalar or vector polarization
  structures have found applications in many diverse areas\, particularly i
 n high dimensional quantum communication\, optical particle trapping and s
 uper-resolution microscopy. However\, only a small subset of these structu
 red beams\, namely\, the radially and azimuthally polarized annular modes\
 , have been applied in the laser materials processing industry. The full s
 pectrum of scalar and vector polarized structured light modes are easily a
 ccessible through devices such as the Spatial Light Modulator (SLM's) and 
 Digital Micromirror Devices (DMD's)\, but due to their low-power handlinin
 g ability\, direct generation at high power (>100W) is not possible. We pr
 opose a system that performs beam shaping (Gaussian -> Structured Mode) at
  low power with subsequent amplification to high-power using the Master Os
 cillator Power Amplifier (MOPA) strategy while preserving the complex spat
 ial\, phase and polarization properties of the beam. In this work\, we exp
 lore amplification of vector and scalar polarized structured beams selecte
 d with a spatial light modulator using a detailed analytical model develop
 ed for double-pass end-pumped MOPA architecture. We demonstrate stable out
 put power from the amplifier system and confirm the preservation of the be
 am characteristics using the modal decomposition and vector quality factor
  characterization techniques. This novel work will form part of an interme
 diate step towards the realization of Killo-watt level structured light be
 ams for application in industrial laser material processing.\n\nhttps://ev
 ents.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7163/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7163/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Beam shaping applied to Spontaneous Parametric Down-Conversion (SP
 DC)
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T134500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T140000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7167@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Michael Lovemore (Univeristy of the Witwatersrand)\n
 The study of the spatial properties of light has been rapidly evolving in 
 the past decades. One of many applications of studying spatial light can b
 e found in the field of quantum optics and quantum information. In these f
 ields of study\, it has become increasingly important to shape beams in ex
 periments. This is done in order to achieve a desired output\, such as inc
 reasing the entanglement amongst photons for example. This can be achieved
  in theory by investigating the degree of entanglement of two correlated p
 hotons created by the process of spontaneous parametric down-conversion of
  an input photon whose transverse probability distribution is given by the
  field known as a pump field. Manipulation of the pump beam in order to at
 tain a specified correlation between the two output beams is what is known
  as pump shaping. Here we aim for an arbitrary decomposition of the output
  beams in two bases (Hermite-Gaussian or Laguerre-Gaussian transverse mode
 s)\, depending on the desired properties that wish to be explored. One not
 eworthy result is the generation of high dimensional maximally entangled s
 tates with no post-selection.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/cont
 ributions/7167/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7167/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Carbon Nanostructures beyond Graphene
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7321@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Gotthard Seifert  ( Theoretische Chemie\, Technische
  Universität Dresden\, D-01062 Dresden\, Germany )\nCarbon based nanostru
 ctures have a long history\, dating back to the 30ies and 40ies of the 20t
 h century. They got a strong boost with the discovery of the fullerenes an
 d nanotubes\, and they were crowned by the research on graphene. The inves
 tigations on these nanostructures are of both fundamental and technologica
 l interest due to the interesting electronic and physical properties intri
 nsically associated with their low dimensionality and quantum confinement 
 effects. With the successful synthesis of graphene nanoribbons and functio
 nalization of graphene layers some shortcoming of 2D graphene could be ove
 rcome\, opening extremely promising applications in the future nanoscale e
 lectronic devices. The intrinsic physical and chemical properties of such 
 modified graphene based systems\, will be discussed in comparison with gra
 phene. Especially\, the electronic\, magnetic and mechanical properties of
  such structures in terms of their functionalization will be discussed on 
 the basis of theoretical investigations.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/eve
 nt/206/contributions/7321/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7321/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:The Physics of Vacuum Arc Propulsion Systems
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7211@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Paul Stansell ()\nThe Vacuum Arc Thruster (VAT) is a
 n unconventional plasma propulsion system with unique advantages for small
  satellite applications. The relevant literature and figures of merit were
  presented. An inductive energy storage pulsed power circuit was built whi
 ch delivered triangular submillisecond current pulses to a coaxial VAT. Th
 e dense copper plasma\, the expansion of the macroparticle plume\, high ve
 locity luminous micro-droplets and cathode ablation were documented among 
 other plasma phenomena. A pulse forming network was built to deliver squar
 e pulses with higher current to the VAT. Thruster performance differences 
 between the two circuits are discussed. The fractal and explosive ecton mo
 dels of the arc are considered. The retrograde motion of the cathode spots
  is discussed with special attention given to the balance of plasma and ma
 gnetic pressure. Finally\, ion current density measurements are presented.
 \n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7211/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7211/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Development of 18F Radiochemistry for Positron Emission Particle T
 racking (PEPT)
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7212@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ameerah Camroodien (University of Cape Town)\nPositr
 on Emission Particle Tracking (PEPT) is a radioactive tracer technique use
 d to determine the trajectory of a positron emitting macroscopic particle 
 used as a flow follower. The nearly collinear 511 keV gamma ray pairs resu
 lting from positron annihilation are detected in dedicated arrays. The tra
 cking efficiency and performance is dependent on the physical properties o
 f the tracer\, particularly the achievable positron activity. The primary 
 application of PEPT is to study dynamic flow systems under varying conditi
 ons\; including a wide range of particle size distributions\, physical\, a
 nd chemical properties (e.g. densities\, shapes\, surface chemistry\, fric
 tion coefficients\, etc.)\, with applications across the science disciplin
 es.\n\nWe are developing tracer particles for PEPT applications based on t
 he radioisotope 18F. Radiochemical and physical methods are being explored
  to produce tracer particles representative of the system under study with
  respect to size\, density and shape. In radiochemical tracer particle pro
 duction\, we extract 18F from commercially available 18-fluorodeoxyglucose
  (18FDG) and implement ion-exchange techniques to label small phase-repres
 entative resin particles (diameter < 1mm). For physical activation we util
 ise the novel reaction 16O(alpha\,pn)18F using 100 MeV alpha particles pro
 duced by the iThemba LABS separated sector cyclotron (SSC) to produce 18F 
 in-situ for larger particles (>5mm diameter).\n\nThis work will develop iT
 hemba LABS specific tracer particle production mechanisms using 18F for th
 e first time. The effects of tracer particle properties in PEPT applicatio
 ns\, including optimisation of the PEPT technique and enhanced tracer prod
 uction mechanisms\, will be discussed.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event
 /206/contributions/7212/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7212/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:A REVIEW ON MODELLING OF SOLAR FOOD DRYERS  WITH THERMAL ENERGY ST
 ORAGE
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T134500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T140000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7218@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Masodi Ramokali (Student )\nFood drying is an energy
 -intensive operation that results in the removal or reduction of the moist
 ure content of different foods for storage\, quality retention\, and enhan
 cement purposes. In developing countries\, open solar drying is one of the
  major methods adopted for the preservation of agricultural products due t
 o the availability of solar energy at little or no cost\, especially in Af
 rica. Open sun drying is not as effective as solar drying using a solar co
 llector in terms of the quality of the product\, and the reduced drying pe
 riod\, thus different types of solar dryers have been developed in recent 
 years.  The absence of solar energy at night and cloudy periods has led to
  the development of thermal energy storage (TES) for solar dryers. This st
 ored solar thermal energy can be utilized for drying at night and cloudy p
 eriods. The aim of this article is to review various thermal energy storag
 e systems used in solar dryers with a particular emphasis on numerical mod
 els aimed at enhancing the efficiency and cost of TES.  Different types of
  models and numerical results of TES systems for solar dryers will be pres
 ented. These models include finite difference\, computational fluid dynami
 cs (CFD)\, and artificial neural network (ANN) models.\n\nKeywords: Modell
 ing\, Thermal Energy Storage (TES)\, Solar Food Dryer\n\nhttps://events.sa
 ip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7218/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7218/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Density modified tracer particles for Positron Emission Particle T
 racking (PEPT)
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7220@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Michael Mike (UCT)\nPEPT Cape Town has established t
 he development of Gallium-68 based tracer particle analogues for use in po
 sitron emission particle tracking studies of granular and multiphase syste
 ms. The accuracy of the measured data relies strongly on how representativ
 e the tracer particle analogue is to the media of interest in these dynami
 c systems. The ability to control and manipulate the tracer particle prope
 rties expands the range of applications and systems suitable for investiga
 tion with PEPT. The density of the material represented by the analogue is
  often a critical parameter of the system under study. Tracer production m
 ethods developed at PEPT Cape Town rely on multiple layers of coatings on 
 tracers created by radiolabelling ion exchange resin beads. The layers inc
 lude the radioactive core\, a density-controlled region and may include an
  additional coating used to control the surface chemistry of the particle.
  The current available densities range between 1.00 and 2.85 g cm-3 with f
 inal particle diameters as small as 450 microns.  We report on our methods
  for creating density-modified tracer particles and illustrate their appli
 cation in PEPT measurements from an industrial system designed to separate
  higher density minerals from lower density gangue.\n\nhttps://events.saip
 .org.za/event/206/contributions/7220/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7220/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Optimization of processing parameters of dip coated CuO films for 
 photoelectrochemical water-splitting
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T140000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T141500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7224@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mano Mosalakgotla ()\nAbstract.\n\nIn this work\, th
 in films of dip coated CuO nanoparticles were prepared on fluorine-doped t
 in oxide (FTO) substrates and the film’s processing parameters which inc
 ludes the withdrawal rate\, film thickness and annealing temperature were 
 optimized for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. CuO films were p
 repared at withdrawal speeds ranging from 50-200 mm/min\, with thicknesses
  of 158-627 nm and annealed at 400-650 °C for 1 hr. X-ray diffraction (XR
 D) and Raman spectroscopy studies confirmed the preparation of crystallize
 d CuO films of high purity. The estimated crystal sizes  for the films inc
 reases with withdrawal rate and annealing temperature\, producing the high
 est value for films withdrawn and annealed at 150 mm/min and 600°C respec
 tively.  The  CuO films indicated strong optical absorptions in the visibl
 e region and their absorbance increases with increasing film thickness. Th
 e band gaps of all samples ranged from 1.69 to 2.08 eV. Linear Sweep Volta
 mmetry (LSV) measurements yielded the highest photocurrent densities of 2\
 , 2.6 and 2.9 mA/cm2 at 0.37 V vs RHE for films prepared at withdrawal spe
 ed of 150 mm/min\, deposited with 7 layers and annealed at 600°C.  The hi
 gh photocurrent obtained for the films was due to the optimized film thick
 ness\, enhanced crystallization and the decrease in charge transfer resist
 ance at solid/liquid interface achieved for the films. The least photocurr
 ent was observed for films annealed at 400°C due to poor crystallization 
 and  high charge transfer resistance obtained. This study emphasized the i
 mportance of optimizing processing parameters such as  withdrawal speed\, 
 film thickness and annealing temperature in the preparation of CuO films f
 or photocatalytic applications. \n\n\nKeywords: CuO photocathodes\, PEC wa
 ter-splitting\, withdrawal speed\, film thickness\, annealing temperature.
 \n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7224/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7224/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Effect of methoxy functionalized group on the photocatalytic prope
 rties of diphenylaniline organic Chromophores
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7222@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: ife Fortunate Elegbeleye (Physics department\, Unive
 rsity of Venda)\nDiphenylaniline dyes are important sets of organic dyes t
 hat has stirred many research interest as photosensitizers in TiO2 semicon
 ductor based dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The advantages of organic
  dyes over metal based complexes are higher extinction coefficient\, low c
 ost\, good environmental compatibility and electrochemical properties. The
  diphenylaniline organic dyes with basic configuration of donor-π-accepto
 r are relatively cheap\, easy to synthesize and possess chemical structure
 s that can easily be altered to optimize their photocatalytic properties. 
 The enormous interest in dipheylaniline dyes as photosensitizers is due to
  their fascinating spectral properties which include visible light to near
  infra-red light absorption. In this work\, density functional theory appr
 oach via GPAW\, Avogadro and ASE were employed to study the effect of the 
 methoxy functionalized group on the spectral properties of diphenylaniline
  dyes to improve their photocatalytic properties to harness more near infr
 ared photons. Our results shows that the two dyes with pure phenyl groups 
 D5 and D7 shows maximum absorption peaks at 750 nm and 850 nm\, while D9 a
 nd D11 with  methoxy group shows maximum absorption peak at 800 nm and 900
  nm respectively. The highest absorption wavelength is notable for D9 and 
 D11 containing methoxy groups. Also D9 and D11 dyes with the methoxy group
  shows lower energy gap of 0.98 and 0.85 respectively than the correspondi
 ng D5 and D7 dyes with energy gap of 1.32 and 1.08.  The analysis of their
  electron injection kinetics ∆Ginject into the band gap of TiO2 shows th
 at D9 and D11 with the methoxy group has higher electron injection kinetic
 s of -2.070 and  -2.030 than the corresponding pure phenyl dyes with ∆Gi
 nject values of -2.820 and  -2.130 respectively. Our findings suggest that
  the photocatalytic properties of organic chromophores with donor-π-accep
 tor configuration can be enhanced by the addition of functionalized groups
 .\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7222/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7222/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:A new instrumental activation analysis facility at UCT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T140000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T141500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7225@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sizwe Mhlongo (University of Cape Town)\nInstrumenta
 l neutron activation analysis (INAA) is a non-destructive technique used f
 or qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis in a range of contexts\
 , including the food\, coal and minerals processing industries\, and the d
 etection of contraband. Broadly\, INAA requires the irradiation of a sampl
 e in a neutron field\, and the neutron interactions within the sample to p
 roduce radioactive isotopes with characteristic gamma ray emissions. These
  characteristic gamma ray emissions are then detected using a gamma ray sp
 ectrometer and further analysed to determine elemental composition.\n\nIn 
 2017\, the UCT Department of Physics commissioned the n-lab\, a fast neutr
 on laboratory centred around a Thermo MP-320 deuterium-tritium sealed tube
  neutron generator (STNG) and a 220 GBq Americium-Beryllium (Am-Be) radioi
 sotopic source. The aims of this project are to characterise the n-lab as 
 an INAA facility\, and to develop standardised analysis protocols for the 
 elemental analysis of bulk materials. Fundamental to INAA is knowledge of 
 the number and energy distribution of neutrons incident upon the sample of
  interest. The process of determining the neutron flux by the activation o
 f foils is presented\, in addition to the recent results from the activati
 on of copper and aluminium samples by the STNG. The next stages of this pr
 oject are discussed with respect to measurement and radiation transport si
 mulations\, with a particular focus on the use of pulsed 14.1 MeV neutron 
 beams produced by the STNG.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contri
 butions/7225/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7225/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Structural and optical properties of shape-dependent gold nanopart
 icles
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7223@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tlangelani Ngunyulu (Department of Physics\, Univers
 ity of Pretoria\, Private Bag X20\, Hatfield 0028\, South Africa)\nAbstrac
 t\nAt nanoscale\, the electrical\, optical\, and catalytic properties of m
 etal nanoparticles depend on shape and size. In this study\, gold nanopart
 icles (AuNPs) were synthesized using the seed-mediated growth method. Au n
 anospheres\, nanoprisms and nanorods with average sizes of 6 and 68 nm\, (
 70 nm length\, 40 nm width) and grain sizes of 14\, 20 and 130 nm\, respec
 tively\; obtained by SEM and TEM. The plasmon absorption bands of Au seeds
 \, nanospheres\, nanoprisms were observed to be 395\, 511\, 543 and 528-62
 9 nm\, respectively\, using UV-Vis spectroscopy. As the AuNPs shape change
 d\, size increased and the wavelength increased\, hence a red-shift was ob
 served. From Raman spectrum\, strong and sharp Raman peaks for the three s
 hapes were observed. The XRD patterns confirmed AuNPs with the face-center
 ed cubic (fcc) of gold and crystalline. The crystallite sizes of Au nanoro
 ds and Au nanoprisms obtained from XRD studies were 14.65 and 11.44 nm\, r
 espectively. The lattice constants of Au nanorods and Au nano-prisms were 
 4.15 and 4.10 Å\, respectively. The structural and optical properties of
  shape dependent AuNPs were studied. The obtained nanoparticles\, Au nanop
 risms\, nanospheres and nanorods have good applications in organic solar c
 ells\, photothermal therapy\, sensing and imaging. Therefore\, the results
  indicate that the sizes and shapes of AuNPs can be controlled by using di
 fferent reducing agents.\nKeywords: Gold nanoparticles\; Plasmonic effect\
 ; synthesis\; Au nanorods\; Au nanoprisms\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/ev
 ent/206/contributions/7223/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7223/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Plasma Diagnostics of Miniaturised DC Glow Discharge Thruster Conc
 ept
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7228@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Maheen Parbhoo (University of the Witwatersrand)\, P
 hilippe Ferrer (University of Witwatersrand)\nThe DC discharge microthrust
 er concept is a simple\, energy efficient plasma micropropulsion system th
 at operates using an ionisation-acceleration coupling mechanism. This syst
 em was developed in the hopes of addressing some of the shortcomings of ma
 ny state-of-the art electric micropropulsion systems. Preliminary studies 
 have been conducted on the thruster from which the stable operating parame
 ters were deduced. Plasma plume diagnostic measurements\, including the io
 n current density and ion energy distribution and the influence of changes
  in the operating parameters (applied voltage\, discharge current etc.) on
  these measured quantities will be presented.  The estimated thrust-to pow
 er-ratio of the system and its overall feasibility as a micropropulsion me
 chanism will also be discussed.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/co
 ntributions/7228/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7228/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:In situ test results for a cavity solar receiver
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7227@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: phil ferrer (wits)\nA novel cavity type solar receiv
 er for solar trough thermal plants was developed. Previously\, the theory 
 for such a receiver was developed\, and a simulation written based on it. 
 Some results from the simulation were compared to an indoors experiment to
  encouraging agreement. In this talk\, I present a version that was develo
 ped for a ~20kW solar plant and is tested in the open using an in-house de
 signed solar setup. Engineering and economic aspects of the solar plant wi
 ll be discussed as well as some results related to the thermal properties.
 \n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7227/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7227/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Enhancing PEPT: high fidelity analysis with augmented detection
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T141500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T143000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7226@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Robert van der Merwe (University of Cape Town)\nThe 
 Positron Emission Particle Tracking (PEPT) technique enables the tracking 
 of a moving\nradioactive tracer particle at high spatial and temporal reso
 lution\, from which its trajectory can\nbe accurately reconstructed. The u
 ncertainty budget is complex and poorly understood\,\nparticularly for der
 ived quantities such as momenta\, energies\, and forces\, which are typica
 lly\ncalculated using numerical differentiation techniques.\n\nWe report a
  filtering and data processing method based on a local polynomial least sq
 uares\nfitting approach known as the Savitzky-Golay filter. The method is 
 adapted to incorporate the\npropagation of measurement uncertainties\, mai
 ntaining them within useful bounds. The\nmethod is benchmarked against sev
 eral systems of known particle motion\, including constant\nvelocity and c
 onstant acceleration\, to place confidence limits on the results. Across a
 ll tested\nregimes the Savitzky-Golay filter resolves higher precision tha
 n existing methods\, providing\nnotable improvements to the uncertainty bu
 dget in PEPT analysis. We demonstrate tracking of\na particle moving up to
  3 m/s with location precision within its diameter\, and a 60% and 40% \na
 verage reduction in uncertainty bounds for velocity and acceleration respe
 ctively.\n\nThese results have motivated development of a high-resolution 
 detector array for PEPT\,\nenabling measurements on the micro-scale by mak
 ing immediate use of the improvements in\nprecision. Successful implementa
 tion will allow the meaningful application of PEPT to identified\nproblems
  in diagnostic medicine and in the study of micro-fluidic devices.\n\nhttp
 s://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7226/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7226/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Spatial resolution in positron emission particle tracking (PEPT)
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T134500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T140000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7230@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Thomas Leadbeater (University of Cape Town)\nTime co
 incidence detection of annihilation photon pairs is used to determine the 
 instantaneous position of point-like particles used as flow following trac
 ers in dynamic systems. Locations are calculated by a minimisation approac
 h applied to a small number of reconstructed pairs assuming a fixed signal
  to noise ratio. Consecutive locations define the particle trajectory\, an
 d hence the dynamic parameters of particle motion\, from which the global 
 system behaviour is inferred. The measurement precision depends upon the p
 ositron range and annihilation physics\, the spatial resolution and geomet
 ry of the detector array\, and the amount of photon scattering and absorbi
 ng material within the field of view. Statistical processes further limit 
 the precision\, with high activity tracers (100s MBq) and high event rates
  (MHz) preferred. However\, deadtime\, pulse pileup\, and the increased co
 ntribution of random coincidences reduce the signal to noise ratio in thes
 e conditions. \n\nAt PEPT Cape Town large arrays of position sensitive det
 ectors are used to track particles with diameters down to 50 um to within 
 1 mm in 3D. Typically particles moving at speeds up to 10 m/s can be relia
 bly tracked\, by measuring locations many thousands of times per second. I
 n an effort to observe flow phenomena on the micro-scale we have investiga
 ted the use of small scale pixelated semiconductor detectors with superior
  energy resolution. An analysis of the factors contributing to spatial res
 olution in PEPT measurements in both scenarios is presented.\n\nhttps://ev
 ents.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7230/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7230/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Search for heavy resonances in the $\\ell^+\\ell^-\\ell^+\\ell^-$ 
 final state in association with missing transverse energy using $pp$ colli
 sions at $\\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV with the ATLAS detector
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7259@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Humphry Tlou (University of the Witwatersrand)\nSear
 ch for the presence of a new heavy resonance\, produced via gluon-gluon fu
 sion and decaying to the four-lepton ($4\\ell$) final state\, in associati
 on with missing transverse energy ($E^{\\text{miss}}_{\\text{T}}$)\, with 
 $\\ell$ = $e$\, $\\mu$. The search uses 2015–2018 proton–proton collis
 ion data at $\\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV\, corresponding to an integrated luminosi
 ty of 139 fb$^{-1}$\, collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron 
 Collider at CERN. The data is interpreted in terms of two models\, firstly
  the $R\\rightarrow SH \\rightarrow 4\\ell+ E^{\\text{miss}}_{\\text{T}}$\
 , where $R$ is a scalar boson\, which decays to two lighter scalar bosons 
 ($S$ and $H$). The $S$ decays to a pair of neutrinos ($E^{\\text{miss}}_{\
 \text{T}}$) and the $H$ decays into $4\\ell$\, through $ZZ$ bosons. The se
 cond model is the $A\\rightarrow ZH \\rightarrow 4\\ell + E^{\\text{miss}}
 _{\\text{T}}$\, where $A$ is considered to be a CP-odd scalar which decays
  to a CP-even scalar $H$\, and  the $Z$ boson. The $Z$ boson decays to a p
 air of neutrinos\, and the $H$ decays to the $4\\ell$ final state.\n\nhttp
 s://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7259/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7259/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Performance analysis of thin-film Photovoltaic (PV) technologies i
 n an embedded generation network
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7232@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Roelof Roodt (Nelson Mandela University)\nThin-film 
 photovoltaic (PV) technology has been around for quite some time with vary
 ing performance for the different technologies. A major shortcoming of thi
 n-film PV modules compared to crystalline PV technology is their shorter g
 uaranteed operational lifespan as they degrade faster. In this study\, the
  performance of thin-film technology operating in an outdoor environment i
 s monitored and analysed. \nAn embedded generation network has been establ
 ished by the PV Research group at Nelson Mandela University.  The network 
 is currently based at the PV Outdoor Research Facility (ORF) on the Nelson
  Mandela University\, South Campus in Port Elizabeth. This embedded genera
 tion network contains three kW-scale grid-connected PV arrays comprising o
 f various thin-film technologies. These technologies are Cadmium Telluride
  (CdTe)\, Copper Indium diselenide (CIS) and amorphous Silicon (a-Si). Cus
 tom designed and built data loggers were used to acquire AC and DC data fo
 r the various PV systems\, as well as relevant meteorological data. a LabV
 IEW program was developed and used to process the respective datasets and 
 for analysis. This paper presents and discusses the performance data of th
 ese three arrays over an extended period of time. A thorough comparison of
  the energy production is given\, together with preliminary performance lo
 ss and degradation. From the data acquired\, it is observed that the CIS a
 nd CdTe systems have higher performance ratios of the order of 85 %\, whil
 e the performance ratio of the a-Si system consistently below 80 %.  \n \n
 Key words:  PV systems\, Thin-film technology\, embedded generation\, perf
 ormance monitoring\, PV modules\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/co
 ntributions/7232/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7232/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Photons in Darkness
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7260@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Karien du Plessis (University of the Witwatersrand)\
 nSeveral astronomical observations have revealed the existence of larger m
 atter quantities which are thought to occupy 27% of the universe. Many hyp
 otheses exist about the nature of these elusive dark matter particles. One
  of these hypotheses predicts the existence of a hypothetical dark photon.
  The unique signature of this particle can be searched for at the Large Ha
 dron Collider (LHC) at CERN. A study is performed to determine the feasibi
 lity of this search in ATLAS. A theoretical model containing a vector-like
  quark is considered which decays into a top quark and a dark photon. The 
 focus will be on the decay channel containing a leptonic top consisting of
  either an electron or muon. Signal and several background distributions f
 or some key variables of this decay mode will also be presented. This prop
 osed search could lead to detectable dark matter whilst simultaneously exp
 anding our limited understanding thereof.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/ev
 ent/206/contributions/7260/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7260/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Search for dark-sector showering in ATLAS using semi-visible jets
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7265@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sukanya Sinha (The University of Witwatersrand)\nRec
 ent studies in particle physics have shown that there are myriad possibili
 ties for strong dark sector studies at the LHC. One signature is the case 
 of semi-visible jets\, where parton evolution includes dark sector emissio
 ns\, resulting in jets overlapping with missing transverse energy. Owing t
 o the unusual MET-along-the-jet event topology\, this is yet an unexplored
  domain within ATLAS. In this talk\, I will discuss my ongoing ATLAS searc
 h\, focussing on the performance and optimisation challenges associated wi
 th such a unique final state\, specifically looking at the angle differenc
 e between the hardest jet and the missing transverse energy\, and targetin
 g a cut-and-count strategy.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contri
 butions/7265/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7265/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Kinetics study of thiosulphate gold dissolution from primary leach
 ing precipitates of refractory gold ores
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7239@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Danielle Owiredu (University of Johannesburg)\nThe g
 old industry in South Africa\, mainly based on the metal extraction throug
 h cyanide leaching and the use of microorganisms\, has been among the top 
 10% country's main source of income. This results in a strong economy\, em
 ergence of new towns and new financial structures. The use of cyanide as a
  lixiviant raises serious environmental concerns as it negatively impacts 
 on the biodiversity\, humans\, soil\, water\, air and surrounding flora. A
 dditionally\, gold extraction operational costs continue to grow because o
 f the ore falling grades\, increased mining depth in the reserves\, and a 
 drop in the gold price on the market\, resulting in a gradual drop in gold
  production. As a result\, enhanced productivity is crucial to the gold in
 dustry's sustainability in South Africa. In the search of alternative solu
 tions\, thiosulphate (copper ammonia system) is studied as a potential sub
 stitute to cyanide for the recovery of gold from its minerals. The paper d
 iscusses the kinetics of gold dissolution in a thiosulphate aqueous soluti
 on as lixiviant concentration is varied from 0.5 M to 3M and the contact t
 ime in the leaching vessel is maintained in the range between 30 minutes a
 nd 6 hours. The shrinking core model as well as the solution diffusion mod
 el exploiting the double layer concept elucidate the outcomes of the work 
 justifying the kinetics models observed.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/eve
 nt/206/contributions/7239/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7239/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:An experimental study of a combined solar cooking and thermal ener
 gy storage system for domestic applications
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T141500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T143000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7243@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Katlego Lentswe (NWU)\nIn this paper\, a combined so
 lar cooker with a sunflower oil storage tank is presented. The solar cooke
 r consists of a 1.8 m parabolic dish that has an oil circulating copper sp
 iral coil receiver embedded to a metallic cooking plate. The receiver is c
 onnected to a 50 L sunflower oil storage tank for the dual purpose of heat
  storage and cooking. A DC pump is used to circulate the oil during chargi
 ng and discharging. The receiver has a circular metallic plate for cooking
 \, while the copper coil is embedded below the plate to circulate sunflowe
 r oil that is heated up and stored during the cooking (charging) experimen
 ts. During charging\, 1.5 L of water is boiled in a cooking pot with stora
 ge tank temperatures above 100 oC being achieved. During discharging\, the
  pump is reversed and 1.5 L of water is heated up with the stored heat\, h
 owever\, heat transfer is poor with the water temperature only achieving t
 emperatures just above 50 oC. Preliminary experiments are presented\, and 
 the charging process is seen to be more efficient than the discharging pro
 cess with the charging pump reversed. The system can be used to cook food 
 as well as provide heat for indirect cooking using insulated bag slow cook
 ers. However\, cooking food directly on the cooking plate using the revers
 e discharging progress is not efficient\, and heat transfer should be enha
 nced to make the process more efficient and viable.\nKeywords\; Combined s
 olar cooking and storage\; Sunflower oil\; Receiver\; Thermal performance\
 n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7243/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7243/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Density functional theory study of Ni doped NaMnO2 cathode materia
 l
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T130000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T131500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7242@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tshifhiwa Steven Ranwaha (University of Venda)\nRech
 argeable sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted great attention for la
 rge-scale electric energy storage applications and smart grid owing to the
  abundance of Na resources and comparable performance with lithium-ion bat
 teries. The use of organic electrode materials enables a sodium storage sy
 stem with high energy/power density\, metal-free\, environmental friendlin
 ess\, flexibility\, lightweight\, and cost-effectiveness\, in this study D
 ensity functional theory (DFT) has been used to study the electronic (band
  structure & TDOS)\, Elastic properties and intercalation voltage of  NaMn
 O2 doped with Ni.The generalized gradient approximation (GGA) was used in 
 the scheme of Perdew-Burke Ernzerhof to describe the exchange -correlation
  function as implemented in the CASTEP package in material studio of BIOVI
 A. Our findings show that NaMnO2 possess high voltage window and a good re
 versible capacity. The elastic properties shows that NaMnO2 doped with Ni 
 is stable\, while the electronic properties shows that metallicity of NaMn
 O⁠2 gradually increases during Na extraction\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.
 za/event/206/contributions/7242/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7242/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Heat Transfer Improvement of a Thermal Interface Material for Heat
  Sink Applications Using Carbon Nanomaterials
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7209@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Othmane Mouane ()\, Edward Nkadimeng (University of 
 the Witwatersrand)\nA functional material of carbon nano-composite is inve
 stigated to be utilised as a Thermal Interface Material (TIM) in the Low V
 oltage Power Supply (LVPS) bricks as part of the upgrade of  the large Har
 dron Collider (LHC) accelerator at CERN. The TIM is a composite in a pasty
  form\, based on carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) and Silicone heat transfer co
 mpound. The goal behind the implementation of the carbon nano-material in 
 the TIM was to increase the thermal transfer from the electronics to the h
 eat sink by the intermediary of the aluminium oxide (Al2O3) posts. The tem
 perature of the thermal posts was aquisite by the means of an automated te
 st stand built in house and monitored hourly with a Labview interface. The
  composite of CNMs and silicone compound were dissolved in acetone\, then 
 annealed at high temperatures in atmospheric air in order to achieve a hom
 ogeneous mixture. The CNMs investigated in this research work are Carbon N
 anotubes (CNTs) and Carbon Nanospheres (CNSs) which were synthesised by Ch
 emical Vapor Deposition. Also\, the study included the investigation of th
 e weighting of the CNMs in the nano-composite.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.
 za/event/206/contributions/7209/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7209/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Non Specialist Presentation: Bridging scales in materials simulati
 ons - Quantum versus classical simulations
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T130000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T133000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7245@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Gotthard Seifert (TU Dresden)\nhttps://events.saip.o
 rg.za/event/206/contributions/7245/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7245/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Computational study of electronic and optical properties of graphe
 ne/brookite (210) composite
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T104500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7233@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lutendo Phuthu (University of Venda)\nRecently\, car
 bonaceous nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and two-dimensional graph
 ene have attracted the attention of the scientific community in probe to i
 mprove energy conversion and storage technologies. The graphene sheet is m
 ore preferred due to its large specific area\, flexible structure\, high t
 ransparency\, excellent mobility of charge carriers and is expected to be 
 able to slow the charge recombination.  Graphene/Transition metal oxides n
 anocomposite study has become much of a wide interest recently with metal 
 oxides like TiO2 and ZnO. These metal oxides are used as thin films in pho
 tovoltaic technology to harness energy. The final composite embodies both 
 the transport properties of the former and the semiconducting properties o
 f the latter species. This work describes an analysis of the electronic an
 d optical properties of graphene/TiO2 studied using the Density Functional
  Theory (DFT) in application to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).\n\nhtt
 ps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7233/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7233/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Glancing Incidence X-ray Diffraction (GIXRD) analysis of induced n
 anocrystalline boron nitride (BN) on ion-implanted poly-crystalline hexago
 nal BN.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7214@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lehlohonolo Lisema (School of Physics\, University o
 f Witwatersrand\, Johannesburg 2050\, South Africa\, DSI-NRF Centre of Exc
 ellence in Strong Materials (DSI-NRF CoE-SM) and) iThemba LABS (Gauteng)\,
  Private Bag 11\, P.O. Wits\, Johannesburg 2050\, South Africa.)\nThis stu
 dy examined changes in the properties of poly-crystalline hexagonal boron 
 nitride (h-BN) samples implanted with light ions (He+\, Li+\, B+\, and Ne+
 ) at 150 keV and at a fluence of 1x1015 ions/cm2. We have previously repor
 ted the production of cubic boron nitride nanoparticles in a subsurface la
 yer\, accompanied by a measurable hardening. The GIXRD findings show a new
  peak at 46.45° characteristic of c-BN (111) on the XRD spectra of implan
 ted samples.  The as-grown h-BN lattice parameter\, as determined from XRD
 \, was 2.499 Å and the lattice parameters of samples implanted with He+\,
  Li+\, B+ and Ne+ ions were 2.581 Å\, 2.514 Å\, 2.508 Å and 2.509 Å\, 
 respectively. There is a transition to lower angles and expansion in the p
 eak position\, this is due to the residual stress caused by ion implantati
 on since there is a difference in the lattice parameter ratios\, i.e.\, on
 e lattice parameter is shorter\, the other is longer (a and c lattice para
 meters\, respectively). This could mean a hexagonal stress-related phase c
 hange to cubic nanoparticles (nc-BN). The increase in hardness affects the
  attenuation of X-ray photons because the density of the material on the i
 mplanted surface is affected and the X-ray photons penetrate deep into the
  sample. The Scherrer equation was used to calculate the particle size of 
 the induced nc-BN particles.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contr
 ibutions/7214/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7214/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Background decomposition in $Z\\gamma$ events used in the search f
 or high-mass resonances.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7256@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Phuti Ntsoko Rapheeha (University of the Witwatersra
 nd)\nThe study present the measurement of the contribution\, purity\, of $
 Z + \\gamma$  and $Z+$ jet background events in the search for high-mass $
 Z\\gamma$ resonances. The study uses events were the $Z$ boson decays into
  a pairs of oppositely charged electrons or muons.  The events used consis
 t of 139 fb${}^{-1}$ of proton-proton\, $pp$\, collisions data at $\\sqrt{
 s} = 13$ TeV\, recorded by the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Col
 lider. \nThe measured purity of $Z+\\gamma$ background events depends on t
 he parameter $R$ that gives the correlation between the isolation and iden
 tification criteria for jets faking photons in $Z+$ jet events. A data-dri
 ven method that uses $\\gamma\\gamma$ events collected in the same detecto
 r conditions as the $Z\\gamma$ events is used to determine $R$ in various 
 bins of the photon transverse momentum or the invariant mass bins. The res
 ults are compared against results that are obtained using the  $R$ compute
 d using a $Z+$jet Monte Carlo sample and a data-driven method that uses $Z
 +\\gamma$ events to estimate $R$.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/
 contributions/7256/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7256/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:The use of Semi-Supervision in the search for heavy resonances wit
 h the Zγ final state
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7255@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Nalamotse Joshua Choma (Wits University)\nUnlike sup
 ervised learning which is known to assume a full knowledge of the underlyi
 ng model\, semi-supervised learning\, weak supervision in particular allow
 s with partial knowledge to extract new information from the data. The obj
 ective of this study is to set up the search for heavy resonances at the e
 lectroweak scale with topological requirements. These resonances could be 
 produced with different production mechanisms. In this case we will be foc
 using on the searches for new resonances in the Zγ final state using weak
  supervised learning approach. This will then be compared to the performan
 ce of the full supervision approach.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/2
 06/contributions/7255/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7255/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Single Leptoquark Search in ATLAS
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T104500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7264@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lawrence Davou Christopher (University of the Witwat
 ersrand (ZA))\nThe recent anomalous magnetic moment of the muon (muon g-2)
  result presents a pattern of deviation from the standard model prediction
  in the interaction of muons with a surrounding magnetic field. A similar 
 deviation from the standard model prediction is seen in the LHCb results o
 n rare B-meson decay. Plausible explanations of these anomalies are leptoq
 uarks. Leptoquarks when coupled with a chirality flip interaction to a hea
 vy quark can boost the muon's anomalous magnetic moment. This study presen
 ts a search for leptoquark in single production in ATLAS\, with the leptoq
 uark decaying into a one-light jet (b-tagged) and one lepton accompanied b
 y an oppositely charged lepton in the final state.\n\nhttps://events.saip.
 org.za/event/206/contributions/7264/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7264/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Search for a heavy pseudo-scalar decaying into a $Z$ boson and ano
 ther heavy scalar boson leading to four lepton final states in $pp$  colli
 sions at $\\sqrt{s}$ = 13~TeV with the ATLAS detector
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T141500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T143000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7262@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Onesimo Mtintsilana (University of Witwatersrand)\nA
  search for a heavy resonance pseudo-scalar\, A\, decaying into a $Z$ boso
 n and another heavy scalar boson\, $H$\, is carried out at the LHC using a
  data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb$^{-1}$ fr
 om proton-proton collisions at $\\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV. In these studies\, th
 e scalars $H$ will decay to two scalars $S$ or an $S$ and a Standard Model
  Higgs boson $H$ via an effective model. The $A \\rightarrow Z(\\rightarro
 w \\ell\\ell) $ and $ H (H\\rightarrow SS $ or $Sh)$ production in at leas
 t four leptons final state will be examined in this search.\n\nhttps://eve
 nts.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7262/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7262/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Quark versus Gluon Jet Tagging
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7267@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tasnuva CHOWDHURY (University of the Witwatersrand\,
  Johannesburg)\nClassifying a jet initiated from quarks or gluons based on
  its substructure is one of the most challenging problems at the LHC. The 
 difference in the color structure of quarks and gluons can reflect in the 
 amount of energy loss or the pattern of radiated energy of a jet originate
 d from quarks or gluons. The low-level detector output can be used to iden
 tify parton jets using Machine learning techniques. Here we will present t
 he performance of the existing quark versus gluon jet tagger in the ATLAS 
 experiment for RUN 2 data with a 60% efficiency for selecting a quark-init
 iated jet. We will also present preliminary studies for a new forward tagg
 er using the ATLAS calorimeter where the granularity is coarse.\n\nhttps:/
 /events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7267/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7267/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Connecting multi-lepton anomalies at the LHC and Astrophysical obs
 ervations
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7280@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Elias Malwa (Wits HEP Group)\nThe connection between
  the multi-lepton anomalies at the Large Hadron Collider and astrophysics 
 can be described by a two Higgs doublet model with an additional singlet s
 calar (2HDM+S). We make studies on the interaction mechanism of singlet S 
 to dark matter.  This is achieved from the annihilation of Dark Matter  (D
 M).  We  demonstrate  that  using  this  model  we  could  also  describe 
 the  excesses  in  gamma-ray  flux  from  the  galactic  centre  and  the 
  cosmic-ray spectra from AMS-02.  Moreover\, this study provides indirect 
 searches for new bosons that have never been performed before at the LHC\,
  namely the search for H→SS\,S→invisible and S decaying into other par
 ticles.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7280/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7280/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:A search for tWZ production in the trilepton channel using Run 2 d
 ata from the ATLAS experiment
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T130000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T131500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7294@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Benjamin Warren (University of Cape Town)\nA search 
 for $tWZ$ production using events containing three leptons from Run 2 ATLA
 S proton-proton collision data with a centre of mass energy of 13 TeV will
  be presented. An event selection scheme was developed using simulation to
  select $tWZ$ events and to broadly suppress background events. Events wer
 e then separated into mutually-exclusive regions of phase space to increas
 e the amount of $tWZ$ events compared to background events\, and to calibr
 ate the modelling of the background production processes. Background event
 s were further suppressed through the use of Gradient Boosted Decision Tre
 e (GBDT) machine learning algorithms. First\, a GBDT was trained to identi
 fy hadronically-decaying $W$ bosons since these are a characteristic featu
 re of $tWZ$ events and help distinguish between $tWZ$ and one of the major
  background processes\, $WZ$. Then\, this GBDT and other event information
  was used to train an event-level GBDT used to distinguish between $tWZ$ a
 nd all backgrounds. Using the output of the event-level GBDT\, a maximum l
 ikelihood fit was used to estimate the signal strength\, $\\mu$\, of $tWZ$
  production\, where nuisance parameters were assigned to theoretical and e
 xperimental systematic uncertainties. A signal strength of $\\mu = 1.80^{+
 1.88}_{-1.83}$ was determined with an expected significance of $0.55\\sigm
 a$\, and an expected upper limit on $\\mu$ of $3.6^{+3.1}_{-1.7}$ was also
  determined. The preliminary blinded results show that the search has the 
 potential to put the strongest ever constraint on tWZ production\, but doe
 s not have the potential to observe tWZ production as predicted by the Sta
 ndard Model. These constraints are limited by statistical uncertainties\, 
 therefore an outlook on future measurements of $tWZ$ within ATLAS will be 
 discussed.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7294/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7294/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Measurement of the leptonic charge asymmetry in the tri-lepton fin
 al state of ttW in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 
 13 TeV using the ATLAS detector
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T134500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T140000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7298@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Cameron Garvey ()\nStudies towards a measurement of 
 the leptonic charge asymmetry in top quark pair production in association 
 with a W boson($t\\bar{t}W^{\\pm} $)  at 13 TeV with the ATLAS experiment 
 are presented.  Previous measurements of the $t\\bar{t}W^{\\pm} $ cross-se
 ction have been shown to be higher than that predicted by the standard mod
 el indicating a potential discrepancy in the modeling of the $t\\bar{t}W^{
 \\pm} $ process. This analysis aimed to study the leptonic charge asymmetr
 y of  $t\\bar{t}W^{\\pm} $ as it provides an independent method of verifyi
 ng the modeling of the process and has never been measured before in $t\\b
 ar{t}W^{\\pm} $. The full run II data(139 $fb^{-1}$) was utilized in these
  studies. An event selection scheme was put in place to optimally select f
 or $t\\bar{t}W^{\\pm} $ events in the three-lepton final state while suppr
 essing background events. The leptonic charge asymmetry is calculated usin
 g the $\\eta$ of the top and anti-top leptons. As such a machine learning 
 algorithm was implemented to optimally select the pair of leptons decaying
  from the top quarks from the total three leptons in the event. Finally\, 
 the extraction of the leptonic charge asymmetry was implemented using a me
 thod known as template morphing. This analysis has remained blinded as it 
 forms the basis of an official ATLAS analysis. Several sources of error ha
 ve been considered namely: cross-sections\, lepton trigger efficiencies\, 
 and b-tagging efficiencies. The main source of uncertainty in these studie
 s is the limited statistics. With this in place a leptonic charge asymmetr
 y of $A_{C}^{\\ell} $ = $-0.08^{ +0.29}_{-0.31}$ was extracted using Asimo
 v data. This analysis does not have sufficient statistics to observe the l
 eptonic charge asymmetry at the level predicted by the standard model. How
 ever\, novel constraints on effective field theories may be possible and a
 re being investigated.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributio
 ns/7298/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7298/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Search for a heavy di-photon resonance in association with b-jets 
 with the ATLAS detector at the LHC
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T140000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T141500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7300@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Esra Shrif (University of the Witwatersrand)\nWe sea
 rch for a heavy resonance decaying into diphoton in association with at le
 ast one b jet. The search uses Run II proton-proton collision data with an
  integrated luminosity of 139~fb^{−1} recorded by the ATLAS experiment a
 t a centre-of-mass energy of \\sqrt{s} = 13~TeV during 2015 to 2018 at the
  Large Hadron Collider. Three models are tested in this final state. A Hig
 gs boson like heavy scalar X produced with top quarks\, b quarks or Z boso
 n decaying into b\\bar{b} are examined. In this Analysis\, we setup limits
  on production cross-section times branching ratio on these models for the
  resonance mass ranging from 180~GeV–1.5~TeV.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org
 .za/event/206/contributions/7300/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7300/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Simplified Template Cross Section measurements of the V(H->bb) pro
 cess with the ATLAS detector at sqrt(s)=13 TeV
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T141500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T143000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7303@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ryan Atkin (University of Cape Town)\nPresented are 
 the studies of the production of the Standard Model Higgs boson in associa
 tion with a $W$ or $Z$ boson\, where the Higgs decays to $b\\bar{b}$ and t
 he $W/Z$ bosons decay leptonically. The $H\\rightarrow b\\bar{b}$ decay ha
 s a branching fraction of $\\sim58\\%$\, so this study allows the probing 
 of the dominant Higgs decay mode\, as well as providing the best sensitivi
 ty to the $WH$ and $ZH$ production modes and allowing the study of the Hig
 gs at high transverse momentum. These points are important for the interpr
 etation of the Higgs measurements in Effective Field Theories (EFTs). Sinc
 e $b$-hadrons are the only down-type hadrons that can be effectively tagge
 d\, this decay mode also allows the study of the Yukawa coupling of the Hi
 ggs boson to the down-type quarks.\\\\\nThe full Run-2 dataset\, correspon
 ding to 139 fb$^{-1}$ of instantaneous luminosity\, was collected in proto
 n-proton collisions with the ATLAS detector at a centre of mass energy of 
 $\\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV. The cross-sections of this process were measured using
  the Simplified Template Cross Section (STXS) method. Here\, the cross sec
 tions are measured as a function of the $W/Z$ boson transverse momentum in
  different fiducial volumes based on kinematic cuts. Results of both the r
 esolved (where each $b$-jet is reconstructed as a separate jet) and the bo
 osted (where the two $b$-jets are reconstructed as one fat jet) analyses a
 re shown\, as well as the future prospects of the combination of these two
  different methods.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/
 7303/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7303/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:The characterization and functionality of the interface boards use
 d on the burn-in test station for the ATLAS Tile Calorimeter Low Voltage P
 ower Supplies phase II upgrade
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T133000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T134500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7206@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Thabo Lepota (University of the Witwatersrand)\nWith
  University of the Witwatersrand responsible for producing 50% of the Low 
 Voltage Power Supplies (LVPS) bricks for powering on-detector electronics 
 of the Handronic Tile Calorimeter (TileCal). The Burn-in testing station i
 s used to detect early failures in components of the LVPS bricks\, thereby
  increasing component reliability\, detect early failures in components. T
 he LVPS bricks that passes this test are then shipped to CERN\, for instal
 lation on the detector. Here we describe the significance and functionalit
 y of the brick interface board on the burn-in station\, and the process to
  programme PIC16f883 microcontroller\, which is used to send commands and 
 act as a multiplexer to main board\, brick interface boards on the burn-in
  test station and enables the LabView software programme to interface with
  the hardware of the Burn-in to successfully carryout its functions.\n\nht
 tps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7206/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7206/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Characterising laser beams through tubulence using vector beams an
 d a simple quantum trick
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7237@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Isaac Nape (Structured Light Lab\, School of Physics
 \, University of Witwatersrand)\nStructure light beams that are tailored i
 n the polarisation and transverse spatial degrees of freedom are ubiquitou
 s to numerous applications and emerging technologies ranging from laser cu
 tting\, particle tracking\, to high dimensional classical and quantum secu
 re communication.  Imperfections in optical elements or perturbations in a
  propagation medium can degrade the quality of spatial modes therefore lim
 iting the performance of structure light beams in practical applications. 
 For vector beams\, where the spatial and polarisation components are coupl
 ed in a nonseparable way\, spatially dependent perturbations can also indi
 rectly distort the polarisation vector fields. Remarkably\, vector beams p
 ossess intriguing features such as the ability to behave like quantum enta
 ngled particles\, where the nonseparable correlations exist between the in
 ternal degrees of freedom (polarisation and spatial). Here we show that ve
 ctor beams can be used to characterise the nonseparability\, or equivalent
 ly entanglement\, between the spatial and polarisation components of modes
  within the same subspace. By exploiting the parallelism between nonsepara
 bility in vector beams and quantum entanglement\, we invoke a unique featu
 re inherent to entangled states\, namely channel state duality\, to map th
 e nonseparability of any spatial mode using a single vector beam. We demon
 strate this principle through turbulence and apply it to different mode se
 ts. This method advances the use of nonseparable states of light for the a
 nalysis of spatial mode decay through an optical medium.\n\nhttps://events
 .saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7237/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7237/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Statistical correlations impacting a top quark mass measurement in
  13 TeV proton-proton collision data from the ATLAS detector
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7308@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kevin Nicholas Barends (University of Cape Town)\nTh
 e top quark is the heaviest particle in the standard model and reducing th
 e uncertainty of the top quark mass directly speaks to/ affects precision 
 tests of the consistency of the standard model\, where breaks from this co
 nsistency would point to the existence of more massive particles. Since th
 e top quark decays before hadronizing\, either the kinematic properties of
  the decay products or measurements of the rate of the top quark productio
 n have been used to measure the mass of the top quark. The majority of mea
 surements consider various decay modes of the W boson with no specificatio
 n on the decay of the b-quark when utilizing the kinematic properties of t
 he decay products. These measurements are predominantly limited by uncerta
 inties related to the reconstruction of jets. However\, there is a top qua
 rk decay mode which are largely independent of the aforementioned uncertai
 nty but require large amounts of data due to their low production rate. Th
 is decay mode includes a $J/\\psi$ meson originating from a b-hadron and a
  semi-leptonic decay of the W boson. The invariant mass of the $J/\\psi$ m
 eson and lepton is sensitive to the top quark mass. This paper describes a
  maximum likelihood approach to extract the top quark mass from a probabil
 ity density function\, pdf\, while studying the impact of the correlations
  between each of the pdf parameters.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/2
 06/contributions/7308/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7308/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Birefringence from digital phase-shifting measurements
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7236@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Keshaan Singh (University of the Witwatersrand)\nMea
 suring phase differences between orthogonal polarisations has become a com
 mon industry practice. In food and drug production the circular birefringe
 nce exhibited by chiral molecules has been used to identify and measure th
 e concentrations of enantiomers\, while linear birefringence has been used
  in stress and biological imaging. Conventional techniques regularly rely 
 on stressing photo-elastic materials to produce birefringence in order to 
 measure the same phenomenon. We demonstrate how holographic phase shifting
  induced by a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) can be used to acquire spa
 tially resolved arbitrary birefringence measurements. Linear and circular 
 birefringence in both static and dynamic liquid crystal optics\, metasurfa
 ces as well as chiral sugar solutions were measured through maximum-likeli
 hood estimation fitting. The acquired images have resolutions dependent pu
 rely on the camera used and the entire measurement process involves no mov
 ing parts. The polarisation and wavelength independence of DMDs as well as
  high refresh rates and relative low cost makes the technique a promising 
 digital candidate for applications in industry.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org
 .za/event/206/contributions/7236/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7236/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:NUCLEAR-MEDICAL TECHNIQUES IN 4IR DIAMOND MINING
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T104500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7240@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Gideon Gideon Bentum (University of Johannesburg)\, 
 Thendo  Nemakhavhani (University of Johannesburg )\nKimberlite rock has be
 en activated with a high energy photon beam\, following which high energy 
 resolution spectra have been acquired in time differential mode. This enab
 les a lifetime analysis of the isotopes that have been activated. An isoto
 pe identification is then performed using the dual information of characte
 ristic gamma rays and lifetimes. This enables an unambiguous assignment of
  the isotope identification. The results have been made quantitative by th
 e Monte Carlo modelling of the activation process to extract the product o
 f the effective radiation field and integrate this over the energy depende
 nce of the cross-section. The results are compared to the known compositio
 n of kimberlite as follows: The time differential activation code\, FISPAC
 T\, is used to perform a pathway analysis to establish the various activat
 ion pathways\, given the mixed radiation field and the ENDF / TENDL cross 
 sections for the various nuclear reactions. The pathway analysis is then u
 sed to attribute the measured activity to specific parent isotope composit
 ion\, and hence to the elemental analysis of the kimberlite. The experimen
 tal work was performed using the Aarhus 100 MeV electron microtron. The re
 sults have two roles. In the first place\, they establish the radiological
  significance of the activation process of the MinPET method in sorting di
 amondiferous from barren kimberlite rock. In the second place\, this is an
  interesting analysis technique capable of nuclear analysis of light eleme
 nts (carbon and oxygen) and also differentiating various PET isotopes.\n\n
 https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7240/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7240/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Solar irradiance in Gauteng during the 2020 COVID-19 lock-down –
  can we detect decreased aerosol loading?
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T133000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T134500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7213@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Charles H. Fourie (Dept. Physics\, University of Joh
 annesburg)\nDuring the early high-level lockdown linked to the COVID-19 pa
 ndemic in 2020 much of the South African industrial and economic sectors g
 round to a halt. This provided an opportunity to identify the role human a
 ctivities have on the local contribution to aerosol emissions in Gauteng b
 y comparing the 2020 atmospheric turbidity during that time of the year wi
 th the levels observed in prior years. We examine Council for Scientific a
 nd Industrial Research solar spectral irradiance\, broadband irradiance an
 d weather data for the period in question together with corresponding data
  from an earlier year. We categorise days and months according to the meas
 ured degree of turbidity for the period April-July for 2018 and 2020 throu
 gh analysis of the relationship between the measured irradiance and the so
 lar zenith angle on cloud-free days. Spectral data also allows an insight 
 into the aerosol type and particle size. We discuss whether the solar irra
 diance data provides evidence of lower aerosol concentrations due to the C
 OVID-19 lockdown.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/72
 13/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7213/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Injection dependent dark IR imaging of PV modules as an alternativ
 e to EL imaging for individual cell characterisation
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7231@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ross Dix-Peek (Nelson Mandela University)\nThe deter
 mination of the dark electrical characteristics of each cell within a PV m
 odule enables the simulation of the complete PV modules electrical perform
 ance when in operation. It is\, therefore\, possible to estimate the power
  output of a PV module in operation. In a previous study\, a method was de
 veloped that used injection dependent Electroluminescence (EL) images to c
 haracterise individual cells within a module. However\, this method has sp
 ecific weaknesses. The first major weakness is that when the cells are not
  luminescing\, the cell voltages cannot be determined. The second weakness
  is that if the module has parallel string\, the assumption that all cell 
 currents are equal\, is not valid. The method developed in the current wor
 k proposes that individual cell voltages can be determined using dark IR i
 maging only. When combined with the previous method\, the proposed method 
 allows for the individual cell characterisation in modules with parallel s
 trings.  This paper discusses the method employed and presents results for
  various modules\, including modules with parallel strings.\n\nhttps://eve
 nts.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7231/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7231/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Nanostructured meta-surfaces for arbitrarily structured twisted li
 ght
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7094@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Bereneice Sephton (University of the Witwatersrand)\
 nStructuring materials to exhibit phenomena such as negative refractive in
 dices and near-zero indices has given rise to an exciting class of materia
 ls\, known as metamaterials and their 2D counterparts\, metasurfaces. Due 
 to these unique properties and the ability to control the size\, shape\, d
 ensity and orientations of these materials\, one is able to have unprecede
 nted control of their impact on light striking these structures. Controlli
 ng light with subwavelength-designed metasurfaces (MSs) has thus allowed f
 or the arbitrary creation of structured light by precisely engineering bot
 h the material and composite structures formed from them.  With structured
  light modes such as those carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) taking 
 hold in many fields from communications\, cryptography and optical trappin
 g to metrology\, it follows that arbitrary generational control and easily
  employed devices such as these can form an important part in helping deve
 lop these fields. \n\nAs such\, we characterize both the purity and conver
 sion efficiency of such MSs\, designed to generate hybrid twisted light mo
 des\, which exemplify the versatility of the imparted properties that are 
 possible. Here we used a recently reported method to design and fabricate 
 meta-surfaces that exploit generalized spin-orbit coupling and propagation
  phase to produce vector OAM or twisted states with asymmetric superpositi
 ons\; this allowing for one to break the symmetrical restrictions imposed 
 by previous classes of such devices. Here\, the symmetrical restrictions a
 re broken both in the input spin states required for the modal patterning 
 as well as the OAM values paired in each device. For example\, asymmetrica
 l charges of 1 and 5 are coupled to linear and circular polarization state
 s in addition to fractional vector OAM states with charges of 3.5 and 6.5 
 being generated on the same device. The common symmetrical conjugate spin 
 and OAM of 1 is also demonstrated as reported in previously restricted spi
 n-orbit coupling devices.  The generated structures of the resulting beams
  are quantitatively studied here\, by exploiting the reciprocal nature of 
 light. We thus establish both the purity and conversion efficiency with co
 nversion efficiencies exceeding 75% and purities in excess of 95%\, yieldi
 ng good modal quality.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributio
 ns/7094/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7094/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Magnetic and physical properties of the Shastry-Sutherland compoun
 d Pr2Pd2In
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7080@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Redrisse Djoumessi Fobasso (Highly Correlated Matter
  Research Group\, Physics Department\, University of Johannesburg)\nThe cl
 ass of R2T2X intermetallics (R = rare earth\, T = transition metal\, X = m
 ain group) have a geometrically frustrated R-lattice which forms layers ar
 ranged in a Shastry-Sutherland lattice. In addition\, due to the basic tri
 angular motif in the frustrated structure\, stabilization of different nea
 rest-neighbor J values leads to complex low-temperature magnetic behavior.
  In this work\, we have synthesized the Pr2Pd2In compound by arc-melting t
 echnique. The powder X-ray diffraction spectrum with a full-profile refine
 ment confirms that Pr2Pd2In crystallizes in the layered Mo2B2Fe-type tetra
 gonal structure\, where planes of R = Pr ions lie on a triangular network.
  Dc-magnetic susceptibility shows that the Pr ions are in the magnetic tri
 valent state. Field-dependent magnetization shows metamagnetic behavior in
  the compound with the critical field of 1.5 T at 2 K. The antiferromagnet
 ic order is unstable in applied magnetic fields\, becoming ferromagnetic b
 eyond a field value of 1.5 T. The magnetic entropy from our heat capacity 
 studies revealed that the magnetic ground state is a well-isolated doublet
 . The electronic heat capacity coefficient value estimated from C4f data i
 ndicated that the compound belongs to the heavy-fermion family. The variet
 y of magnetic properties such as para- ferro- and antiferromagnetic behavi
 or including metamagnetic transition is observed due to the magnetic frust
 ration from distorted triangles of Pr-atoms in Pr2Pd2In. This study may co
 ntribute towards a better understanding of the physics in Shastry-Sutherla
 nd structure compounds since in a frustrated lattice system such as this t
 here are strict constraints imposed upon the magnetic order parameter.\n\n
 https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7080/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7080/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Impact of helium (He) in the migration of strontium implanted 6H-S
 iC
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7091@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Thapelo Freddy Mokgadi (University of Pretoria)\n**I
 mpact of Helium (He) in the migration of strontium implanted 6H-SiC**\n\n 
   T.F. Mokgadi$^1$\, T.T. Hlatshwayo$^1$\, M. Msimanga$^2$\, V.A. Skuratov
 $^3$\n\n   ‎$^1$ *Physics Department\, University of Pretoria\, Pretoria
 \, South Africa*.‎\n   $^‎2$ *Physics Department\, Tshwane University 
 of Technology\, P Bag X680\, Pretoria 0001\, South Africa ‎*\n        
 ‎$^3$ *Joint Institute for Nuclear Research\, Dubna\, Russia*\n\n‎Sili
 con carbide (SiC) is regarded as the main candidate material for nuclear e
 nergy ‎application\, such as a structural material in future fusion reac
 tors and as fuel cladding in ‎future generation fission reactors\, based
  on its low neutron capture cross-section\, outstanding ‎chemical and th
 ermal stability. In fission reactors such as the PBMR\, the fuel particle 
 (TRISO ‎particle) where SiC is the main diffusion barrier of fission pro
 ducts (FPs)\, is able to retain ‎most of the radiologically important FP
 s with the exception of strontium ($^{90}$Sr)\, Europium (Eu) ‎and silve
 r (Ag). $^{90}$Sr is an isotope of naturally occurring nontoxic and nonrad
 ioactive ‎strontium\, it is also a by-product of fission reactions in nu
 clear reactors with yields of about ‎‎5.7% and 6.6% from U-235 and U-2
 33\, respectively. It has a half-life of about 29 years and ‎undergoes a
  beta decay into yttrium-90 ($^{90}$Y) accompanied by a decay energy of ab
 out 0.55 ‎MeV. This\, is the more reason why it is important to investig
 ate the retention of Sr in the ‎TRISO particle\, specifically SiC. Simul
 taneous to the release of FPs in fission reactions is the ‎release of al
 pha-particles. Alpha-particles/helium ions (He$^+$) are a product of nucle
 ar ‎reactions with generation rates of about 2.5 appm He/dpa and have be
 en reported to form ‎bubbles in SiC which in the long run compromises it
 s structural integrity. Therefore\, in the ‎nuclear reactor environment 
 SiC will be exposed to high dose\, temperature irradiation\, and ‎He$^+$
  generation. ‎We will be presenting the results of a study that looks in
 to the dual implantation of Sr and He at room temperature and the impact o
 f He bubbles in the Sr migration in SiC at high temperatures.\n\n\n‎\n\n
 https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7091/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7091/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:STRUCTURAL AND OPTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF BETA-GALLIUM OXIDE
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7079@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Valentine Muramba (University of Pretoria)\nDemands 
 for higher performance of solar cells have led researchers to non-sophisti
 cated\, low temperature crystal-growth processes like spray pyrolysis and 
 sol-gel spin coating as the future of efficient solar cells technology as 
 stability remains challenge. This project seeks investigation of Beta-Gall
 ium Trioxide (β-Ga2O3) for solar cells passivation to improve their stabi
 lity and PCE\, insulating barrier in light junctions\, gas sensors\, lumin
 escent phosphors and dielectric coating for solar cells. In spray pyrolysi
 s\, precursor Tetrahydroxogallate (III) Ammonium from Gallium Nitrate with
  32% concentrated ammonium hydroxide was deposited on 1cm2-Sapphire substr
 ate at 3200C and 2.4kPa. In spin coating\, precursor viscosity was improve
 d by the addition of Monoethanolamine. Monocrystalline β-Ga2O3 was obtain
 ed by post annealing films at 7500C and investigated using XRD to determin
 e crystallite size and orientation\, Raman spectroscopy\, EDX to determine
  percentage of elements composition and SEM to image film morphology. Film
  thicknesses were determined by profilometry\, transmittance and absorbanc
 e were determined by UV-Vis spectroscopy and used to determine optical ban
 d gaps by Tauc technique. Spin coated films had orientation along (-201) w
 ith thickness range 165nm-354nm having 16.08nm grain size and optical band
  gap range 4.59eV-4.99eV. Films from spray pyrolysis had (-201) orientatio
 n with thickness range 158-255nm\, grain size of 15.52nm and band gap 4.60
 eV-4.93eV that showed a broad emission in UV-blue region originating from 
 oxygen and gallium vacancies in lattice\; an essential component for good 
 photodetectors and vital for solar cells passivation since dielectric coat
 ing with β-Ga2O3 will reduce refractive index between air and solar cells
 \, hence improve solar energy absorption.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/ev
 ent/206/contributions/7079/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7079/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Effect of Eu3+ concentration on the BaAl2O4/CaAl4O7:x% Eu3+ (0 ≤
  x ≤ 5.5) mixed phases nanophosphors synthesized using citrate sol-gel m
 ethod.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T104500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7098@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Bamba Mahman (SMU)\nA series of undoped mixed phase 
 BaAl2O4/CaAl4O7 (hereafter called BC) and doped BC:x% Eu3+ (0 < x ≤ 5.5)
  mixed phases nanophosphors were successfully prepared by the citrate sol-
 gel technique. The structure\, morphology and optical properties of the na
 nophosphors were studied in details by the X-ray diffraction (XRD)\, Scann
 ing electron microscopy (SEM)\, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and
  Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. XRD and SEM showed that all the BC:x
 % Eu3+ samples consists of the crystalline structure of the mixed phases o
 f both the BaAl2O4 and CaAl4O7 materials. The structure resembles more of 
 the BaAl2O4 than the CaAl4O7 phase. The TEM results suggest that crystalli
 te sizes are in the nanometer scale with rods-like particles. PL results s
 howed multiple emission peaks located at 436\, 590\, 616\, 656 and 703 nm\
 , which were assigned to the intrinsic defects within the BC matrix\, 5D0 
 → 7F1\, 5D0 → 7F2\, 5D0 → 7F3 and 5D0 → 7F4 transitions of Eu3+\, 
 respectively. The decay curves evidently showed that the nanophosphors hav
 e persistent luminescence. The Commission International de l’Eclairage (
 CIE) analysis revealed that BC emits a blue colour while the Eu3+-doped BC
  phosphors emit in the orange-red region. The results indicate that the Eu
 3+-doped samples can potentially be used in the orange/red-emitting phosph
 ors.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7098/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7098/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Spin-imbalances in atomistic systems: Using non-equilibrium Green
 ’s function density functional theory to model spin-selective phenomena 
 mediated by spin-orbit coupling in non-magnetic materials.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T130000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T131500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7083@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Wynand Dednam (University of South Africa)\nHeavy tr
 ansition metals are frequently used as electrodes and substrates in scanni
 ng tunneling microscopy experiments. In the constricted low dimensional sy
 stems that occur in such experiments\, typically under conditions of non-z
 ero bias voltage\, spin-imbalance may develop even in non-magnetic atomic-
  and nano-systems. This phenomenon arises as a result of spin selective ef
 fects mediated by spin-orbit coupling.  It is important to not only unders
 tand the emergence of the spin imbalance\, but also to model associated pr
 operties such as spin-polarized electron transport in these systems. Conve
 ntional theoretical approaches cannot model these effects because they usu
 ally neglect spin-orbit coupling. Therefore\, to model spin-imbalance in t
 he electronic transport of constricted nano-systems\, such as in atomicall
 y sharp transition metal electrode tips or surfaces\, as well as in organi
 c molecules bridging the electrode tips\, we have implemented spin-orbit c
 oupling as a post-self-consistent correction in atomic orbital basis densi
 ty functional theory within the non-equilibrium Green’s function formali
 sm. Our method takes advantage of optimized Gaussian orbital basis sets an
 d effective core potentials and one-shot transport calculations with stead
 y convergence and charge transfer properties compared to other similar app
 roaches. We apply this method to a selected number of sample constricted l
 ow dimensional systems where spin-imbalance is important by performing den
 sity functional transport calculations. This permits us to demonstrate tha
 t incorporation of spin-orbit coupling is essential to understanding emerg
 ent spin-imbalance in molecular electronics\, while in certain instances\,
  the consideration of the applied bias is also important to the manifestat
 ion of spin imbalance phenomena in heavy transition metal electrodes and s
 ubstrates.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7083/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7083/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Effect of 6.25 at.% Ta on TiPtCo Shape Memory Alloy
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T131500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T133000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7071@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mphamela Enos Baloyi (University of Limpopo)\nIn thi
 s study\, the phase stability of B2 and B19 Ti50Pt43.75-xCoxTa6.25 structu
 res using ab initio density functional theory approach was investigated. T
 heir structural\, vibrational and mechanical properties were determined to
  show their stability. The supercell approach was employed to substitute P
 t with Ta on the TiPtCo and evaluate the stability of the structures. The 
 calculated heats of formation predicted Ti50Pt37.50Co6.25Ta6.25 to be the 
 most stable structures as compared to other concentrations for both B2 and
  B19 systems. The calculated elastic properties show that TiPtCoTa is mech
 anically stable at different concentrations of Co. Moreover\, the temperat
 ure dependence was also calculated to predict the possible transformation.
 \n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7071/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7071/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:EXPERIMETAL AND DENSITY FUNCTIONAL THEORY COMPARISON STUDY OF XANT
 HATE\, DITHIOCARBAMATE AND DITHIOPHOSPHATE ADSORPTION ON SPERRYLITE SURFAC
 E
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T133000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T134500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7085@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Bradley Nemutudi (University of Limpopo)\nThe compar
 ison study on adsorption of normal butyl xanthate (PNBX)\, mono butyl dith
 iocarbamate (BDTC) and dibutyl dithiophosphate (DBDTP) on sperrylite miner
 al forms a basis in understanding the floatability improvement and paves a
  way for design of collectors that may impact a wide range of arsenide min
 erals. This study used a computational density functional theory (DFT) and
  experimental microcalorimetry approach to determine the adsorption energi
 es of NBX\, BDTC and BDTP collectors onto sperrylite mineral surface. For 
 computational aspect\, we considered the most stable surface plane of (100
 ) surface\, which had been found to give the lowest surface energy as comp
 ared to the other surface planes. We observed that the NBX\, BDTC and BDTP
  preferred to bridge on the As and Pt atoms through the S atoms. These fin
 ding showed that the collector adsorb on the surface through both Pt and A
 s atoms and indicated that the As atoms were significantly active in the a
 dsorptions. The computational calculated adsorption energies were in the o
 rder: BDTC (–376.93 kJ/mol) > NBX (–369.47 kJ/mol) > BDTP (–350.97 k
 J/mol)\, indicating that the dithiocarbamate had strong exothermic adsorpt
 ion. From the microcalorimetry test we also found that the BDTC was more e
 xothermic than the BDTP and the PNBX and the adsorption energies were in t
 he order: BDTC (–473.50 kJ/mol) > BDTP (–392.56 kJ/mol) > NBX (–331.
 13 kJ/mol). These results showed that nitrogen atom in the BDTC collector 
 had a great influence in the adsorption strength of the collector on the m
 ineral surface. These results paved a way for design of novel collector fo
 r sperrylite and other chalcogenide minerals and suggested that nitrogen i
 n a collector may significantly improve the affinity of the collector for 
 better recovery.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/708
 5/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7085/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Heav Ion Beam Analaysis of Ion Implanted Polymer Nanocomposites
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7075@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Dakalo Mashamba (Tshwane University of Technology)\n
 Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) is a suite of techniques used to determine element
 al composition and depth profiles of thin film materials. Ion beam induced
  damage in soft insulating materials like polymers can be a limiting facto
 r to the accuracy of IBA especially when using heavy ions.  The usability 
 of Heavy Ion Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis (ERDA) at iThemba LABS for 
 analysis of polymeric films is presented in this work. The primary aim of 
 the work was to optimize the applicability of the technique towards depth 
 profiling ion implanted species in polymer films using different heavy ion
 s of Au7+ and Cu5+. The films were implanted with different ion fluences o
 f 80 keV Ti+ ions ranging from 5 x 1015 to 5 x 1016 ions/cm2 at liquid nit
 rogen temperature. Effects of ion implantation on the optical properties o
 f polymers were investigated using Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrosco
 py. Comparative Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS) analysis conf
 irmed the implanted ion doses and increase in carbon concentration in the 
 polymers. Ion implantation induced loss of hydrogen in the near surface of
  the polymers has been observed using Time of Flight-ERDA. The analysis ef
 ficacy of and ion beam induced damages due to Au7+ and Cu5+ beams have bee
 n investigated comparatively. UV-Vis analysis shows an increase in absorpt
 ion intensity and a decrease in optical energy band gap as the ion fluence
  increases. The observed changes in UV-Vis have been correlated with RBS a
 nd Time of Flight-ERDA results. Possible ways of minimizing beam induced d
 amage while improving efficacy of the analysis have been suggested.\n\nhtt
 ps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7075/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7075/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:The study of amorphous GaAs following Ar+ and Si+ implantation
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7078@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ongeziwe Mpatani (Wits School of Physics)\nIon impla
 ntation is a technique of choice for inducing disorder in semiconducting m
 aterials such as crystalline GaAs. Interestingly\, the properties of these
  amorphous materials such as the medium-range order (MRO) and small range 
 order (SRO) depend heavily on the material of interest and its implantatio
 n conditions. Understanding the crystalline to amorphous phase transformat
 ions is vital for the continued use of GaAs in optoelectronic applications
 . In the present work\, the configuration of the disordered layer in GaAs 
 is generated using Ar$^+$ and Si$^+$ ions at different energies and differ
 ent fluences\, and the elastic properties are investigated. Raman spectros
 copy was used to determine the structural configurations and phonon confin
 ement of the damage layers after ion implantation. The crystal structure a
 nd the physical properties were determined using GIXRD and XRR for phonon 
 dispersion simulations. The dynamics of acoustic propagation of the disord
 ered layer are investigated using surface Brillouin scattering in the back
 scattering geometry. The derived phonon dispersion curves are fitted using
  surface elastodynamic Green's function to yield the elastic constants of 
 the disordered layers on (001) GaAs substrate.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.
 za/event/206/contributions/7078/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7078/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:The simulated synthesis of nanostructured Li2MnO3 cathode material
 s
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T134500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T140000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7115@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:The realisation of advanced lithium-ion battery (LIB) technolo
 gies has been hindered by the slow progress in discovering high capacity c
 athodes. Considerable research is focused on the lithium-rich layered Li2M
 nO3 owing to its ability to reversibly intercalate more lithium. However\,
  the cycling of this material results in capacity degradation due to compl
 ex phenomena such as the irreversible oxygen loss and phase transformation
  caused by lattice reconstruction. Herein\, a series of nanostructured Li2
 MnO3 models have been generated via the simulated amorphisation and recrys
 tallisation (A+R) technique and their internal microstructures interrogate
 d during the cycling process. The charging process involved the concurrent
  removal of lithium (Li) and oxygen (O) ions to restrain the release of ox
 ygen and resulted in Li2-xMnO3-x  composites. Detailed analysis of these c
 omposites reveals that the models crystallised into multiple grains which 
 increased with decreasing Li/O content along with stacking faults and vaca
 ncies thus leading to Mn ions migrating to the Li layers. The internal mic
 rostructures display a wealth of defects leading to the emergence of disto
 rted cubic spinel LiMn2O4\, Li2MnO3 and LiMnO2 polymorphs. Characterisatio
 n of the x-ray diffraction patterns revealed peak broadening along with th
 e growing of 2Θ~18-25 and 2Θ~29⁰ peaks associated with the spinel-like
  phase. These results shed insights on the mechanism that takes place duri
 ng the cycling of the Li2MnO3  with complex structures and will help guide
  the optimisation of high-capacity energy storages.\n\nhttps://events.saip
 .org.za/event/206/contributions/7115/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7115/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Synthesis and characterization of iron doped sodium and potassium 
 titanates using the Pechini sol-gel method
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7109@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Aluwani Guga (Nelson Mandela University)\nIron doped
  (FE:5Ti) sodium and (FE:10Ti) potassium titanates were prepared by the Pe
 chini sol-gel method and calcined at 800  . X-ray diffraction (XRD)\, Scan
 ning electron microscopy (SEM)\, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)\, 
 Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS)\, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy w
 ere used to characterize the titanate nanomaterials. A quantitative XRD an
 alysis using Rietveld refinement of the titanates confirmed the powders to
  consist of crystalline phases with the Na2Ti7O15 and K2Ti8O17 phases pred
 ominant for the sodium and potassium titanate\, respectively. This was fur
 ther confirmed using selected area electron diffraction (SAED) in the TEM.
  SEM analysis indicated the titanates consistent with a nanostructured mat
 erial exhibiting rod like morphology. The elemental compositions of the ti
 tanites were examined by SEM-EDS and TEM-EDS and found to agree well with 
 the targeted Fe to Ti ratio from synthesis. Limited evidence for the segre
 gation of iron in the titanate regions were found indicating the iron to b
 e incorporated within the titanate lattice. Electron energy loss spectrosc
 opy (EELS) fine-structure analysis of the Fe L2\,3 core-loss edge was succ
 essfully used to match the Fe to a 3+ or 4+ valence state. Finally\, Fouri
 er transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to classify the stretch
 ing and bending vibration modes of the functional group of sodium and pota
 ssium titanates along with Raman spectroscopy.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.
 za/event/206/contributions/7109/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7109/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Analysis of varying Tb3+ concentrations on the structural and opti
 cal properties of mixed phases of CaAl2O4/Ca1.02Sr1.98Al2O4/SrAl2O4/SrO/Al
 2O3:x%Tb3+ (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) prepared by sol-gel method.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7119@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tshepo Mabelane (Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences Uni
 versity)\nMixed phases of Tb3+ doped CaAl2O4/Ca1.02Sr1.98Al2O4/SrAl2O4/SrO
 /Al2O3 (CCSSA:x%Tb3+ (0 ≤ x ≤ 2)) nanophosphors were successfully prep
 ared using sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed that 
 all the annealed samples resembled the mixed phases of monoclinic (CaAl2O4
  and SrAl2O4)\, cubic (Ca1.02Sr1.98Al2O4 and SrO) and hexagonal (Al2O3) cr
 ystal structures\, which were not influenced by variation the Tb3+ concent
 ration. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the morpholo
 gical features of the prepared nanophosphors were influenced by the Tb3+ c
 oncentration. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed that the pr
 epared materials were on the nanoscale region. Ultraviolet–visible (UV
 –vis) diffuse reflection spectroscopy showed that the band gap energy ca
 n be tuned in the range 4.90- 5.35 eV.  Photoluminescence (PL) results sho
 wed four emission peaks located at around 490\, 544\, 583 and 622 nm and t
 hey were respectively ascribed to 5D4 → 7F6\, 5D4 → 7F5\, 5D4 → 7F4 
 and 5D4 → 7F3 transitions of Tb3+ ions.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/ev
 ent/206/contributions/7119/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7119/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Charge transfer mechanism and recombination process of hybrid pero
 vskite solar cell
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7072@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Akin Olaleru (University of venda\, South Africa)\nP
 erovskite-based solar cells (PSC) is the rapidly emerging solar technology
  up to the present since its introduction in 2009\, hence invigorating the
  photovoltaic (PV) zone. To reach the maximum potential of hybrid perovski
 te solar cell performance\, analyses of the dominant mechanisms in a perov
 skite material\, together with interfacial properties of contact materials
  and their impact on the performance and stability of the device become im
 perative. Understanding the interface properties of the contact materials 
 is the primary strategy for harnessing the full potential of perovskite-ba
 sed solar cells. In this study\, we focused on the charge transfer process
  and interfacial recombination within solar cell devices with n–i–p ar
 chitecture. The motivation for this paper is to investigate the impact of 
 recombination mechanisms that exist within the interface in order to quant
 ify their effects on the performance and stability.\nTo achieve our object
 ive\, we firstly provide a rationale for the photoluminescence and UV-vis 
 measurements on perovskite thin film to allow for disentangling of differe
 nt recombination pathways. Secondly\, we use ideality factor measurements 
 (I-V curve) and impedance spectroscopy to access information about recombi
 nation mechanisms in full device. Our findings suggest that charge loss in
  PSC is dependent mainly on the configuration of the cell and morphology o
 f the layer\, with insignificant dependence on the material preparation of
  the perovskite itself. This is based on result of the individual analyses
  of the perovskite film and device\, which suggest that major recombinatio
 n losses are most likely located at the interface.\n\nhttps://events.saip.
 org.za/event/206/contributions/7072/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7072/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Studying limestone pores using Small Angle Scattering techniques
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7105@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ntombizodwa Mosete ()\nLimestone is a calcareous roc
 k and is among the common hydrocarbon reservoirs (others being dolostone\,
  sandstone and unconsolidated sands). Carbonate reservoirs hold a signific
 ant percentage of the world's oil and gas reserves. This study explores th
 e nanopore structure of calcitic and dolomitic limestone by virtue of them
  being abundant in the chosen area of study. The difference between these 
 two types of limestones is their magnesium carbonate content\, calcitic li
 mestone has about 5% of magnesium carbonate while dolomitic limestone has 
 about 40%. By characterizing the nanopore structure\, the intent is to det
 ermine the fluid transport capabilities of the limestones under study. The
  results of the study will be beneficial to the energy resources explorati
 on and add on to the understanding of pore systems in limestone. \nA reser
 voir\, body of porous rock that contains fluids (water and/or hydrocarbons
 ) and in which these fluids can migrate\, is controlled by two key propert
 ies\, which are porosity and permeability. These properties are further in
 fluenced by other parameters such as pore size\, pore diameter\, pore thro
 at radius\, pore coordination number and pore size distribution. \nThis pr
 esentation gives an account of sample preparation of the limestones for an
 alysis using small angle scattering (SAS) techniques\, small angle light s
 cattering (SALS) and small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) in particular. SA
 LS can structurally characterize materials with pore diameters in the sub-
 micron range and SAXS is effective in characterizing nano-range structured
  materials.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7105/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7105/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Optical emission line properties of some little-known Narrow Line 
 Seyfert 1 galaxies
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7131@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Bynish Paul (Dept. Physics\, University of Johannesb
 urg & SAAO)\nWe analyse medium resolution optical spectra of six Active Ga
 lactic Nuclei (AGN)\, with strong iron emission spectra and characteristic
 s associated with the class referred to as Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) ga
 laxies. These were observed using the 1.9 m telescope at the South African
  Astronomical Observatory in Sutherland. The objects are among the brighte
 r sources of that description accessible from the southern hemisphere: Fai
 rall 265\, NPM1G $-$15.0297\, CTS J03.19\, EUVE 0414$-$596\, A 644-1\, and
  HE 2116$-$3609. For each target we performed multiple integrations totall
 ing between 1 and 2.5 hours\, yielding spectra in the range $\\sim$ 3700-6
 000 A with relatively high signal-to-noise ratios. This enabled us to loca
 te multiple spectral emission features\, including the strong Fe II bands 
 in the range 4000-5400 A as well as other prominent emission lines associa
 ted with the Balmer series\, Helium and the [O III] nebular doublet. Our m
 easurements include the flux\, the width and peak wavelength shifts of the
  lines\, which sometimes displayed multiple components. We describe the pr
 operties of our sample\, compare these to other representatives of the NLS
 1 class and interpret their physical mechanism in the context of AGN theor
 y.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7131/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7131/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Re-designing a radiation-tolerant low voltage power supply for the
  ATLAS Tile Calorimeter Phase-II Upgrade
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T140000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T141500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7258@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Edward Nkadimeng (University of the Witwatersrand)\n
 Power Electronics used in high-energy physics experiments at the Large Had
 ron\nCollider (LHC) more specifically the ATLAS detector\, which are custo
 m built and have to work reliably in the presence of ionizing radiation an
 d an ever present magnetic field. In many such applications\, owing to cos
 t constraints\, Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components are often used 
 instead of components that are radiation-hard by design. Moreover\, design
  complexity\, verification effort\, and scalability issues in centralized 
 structures can impede performance improvement in monolithic designs. This 
 talk presents the steps followed for upgrading and re-designing a radiatio
 n tolerant low voltage power supply for a large scale operation and the co
 nsiderations made for such a design. This includes measurements taken at c
 omponent level\, system level\, and radiation tests done using the newly u
 pgraded low voltage power supply\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/c
 ontributions/7258/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7258/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Time-Dependent Modeling of Blazar Spectral Variability with Diffus
 ive Shock Acceleration
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T094500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7128@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Markus Bottcher (University of North West)\nJets in 
 blazars are an excellent forum for studying acceleration at relativistic \
 nMHD shocks\, since this process is likely to spawn the highly-variable em
 ission \nseen across the electromagnetic spectrum from radio to gamma-rays
 . Our recent \nwork on combining time-dependent multi-wavelength leptonic 
 emission models with \ncomplete simulated thermal + non-thermal particle d
 istributions from shock \nacceleration theory has resulted in new insights
  into plasma conditions in \nAGN jets. This has demonstrated the ability t
 o infer the plasma density\, and \nsuggested the interpretation that turbu
 lence levels decline with remoteness from \njet shocks\, with a significan
 t role for non-gyroresonant diffusion. Using our \ntime-dependent two-zone
  construction\, we are able to model together both extended\, \nenhanced e
 mission states from larger radiative regions\, and prompt flare events \ni
 n select Fermi-LAT and TeV blazars. In this contribution\, I present recen
 t\napplications of this simulation framework to AstroSAT and multi-wavelen
 gth\nobservations of the prototypical VHE gamma-ray blazar 1ES 1959+650 an
 d \nNuSTAR and multi-wavelength observations of the high-redshift FSRQ PKS
  0537-286. \nA prime goal is to ascertain whether such flares are truly as
 sociated with prompt \nshock acceleration activity in relatively confined 
 regions. The results illustrate \nhow parametric degeneracies in shock acc
 eleration conditions can lead to refined \ndeterminations of the plasma de
 nsity and particle diffusion character in blazar jets.\n\nhttps://events.s
 aip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7128/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7128/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Simulations of Stochastic Long-Term Variability in Leptonic Models
  for External-Compton and Synchrotron Self-Compton Dominated Blazars
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7133@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Hannes Thiersen (NWU)\nIn this talk we present an in
 vestigation into the nature of\n    multi-wavelength variability of blazar
 s from a purely numerical approach.\n    We use a time-dependent one-zone 
 leptonic blazar emission model to\n    simulate multi-wavelength variabili
 ty by introducing stochastic parameter\n    variations in the emission reg
 ion.  These stochastic parameter variations\n    are generated by Monte Ca
 rlo methods and have a characteristic power law\n    index\, $\\alpha=-2$ 
 in their power spectral densities (PSDs). We include\n    representative b
 lazar test cases for a flat spectrum radio quasar (FSRQ)\n    and a high s
 ynchrotron peaked BL Lacertae object (HBL) for which the high\n    energy 
 component of the Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) is dominated by\n    e
 xternal Compton (EC) or synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) emission\n    respe
 ctively.  The simulated variability is analyzed in order to\n    character
 ise the distinctions between the two blazar cases and the type of\n    pro
 genitor variations.  We show that the variability's power spectrum is\n   
  closely related to underlying progenitor variations for both cases.\n    
 Distinct differences between the different progenitor variations are\n    
 present in the multi-wavelength cross-correlation functions.\n\nhttps://ev
 ents.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7133/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7133/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Search for a heavier Higgs like boson and a 	dark force boson usin
 g ATLAS experiment 	results
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T131500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T133000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7295@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Xola Mapekula (University of Johannesburg)\nThis pap
 er presents the search for the Higgs boson\, with mass 125GeV\, decaying t
 o two new intermediate states and then into four lepton final states\, H 
 → ZdZd → 4l together with the search for a double Zd1 and Zd2 hypothes
 is. The analysis is conducted using the Run II data set from pp collisions
  collected with the ATLAS detector corresponding to a total integrated lum
 inosity of 140fb−1 at a centre of mass energy of √s = 13TeV. A study o
 n modifying the signal region has also been conducted\, assuming a broader
  width on the Zd. Based on the signal and background models\, the total nu
 mber of expected events is 14\, while 19 events were observed in the modif
 ied signal region. The results are compatible with Standard Model predicti
 ons. The search for the double hypothesized Zd1 and Zd2 is performed in th
 e medium signal region. For this study\, clustering algorithms and azimuth
 al integration are used to find the hypothesized Zd1 and Zd2 vector boson 
 masses. Particular emphasis is also given to the limit setting procedure u
 sed in this analysis. In addition\, the procedure used to port the limit s
 etting code from CPU to GPU is reviewed together with the performance of t
 he modified machinery.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributio
 ns/7295/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7295/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Monte-Carlo Applications for Partially Polarized Inverse External-
 Compton Scattering (MAPPIES)
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7139@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lente Dreyer (North-West University)\nThe spectral e
 nergy distributions (SEDs) of some blazars exhibit an ultraviolet (UV) and
 /or soft Xray excess\, which can be modelled with different radiation mech
 anisms. Polarization measurements of the UV/X-ray emission from blazars ma
 y provide new and unique information about the astrophysical environment o
 f blazar jets and could thus help to distinguish between different emissio
 n scenarios. I will present a new Monte-Carlo code – MAPPIES (Monte-Carl
 o Applications for Partially Polarized Inverse External-Compton Scattering
 ) – for polarization-dependent Compton scattering. I will present the co
 de by showing results of the polarization signatures in a model where the 
 UV/soft X-ray excess arises from the bulk Compton process. Predictions of 
 the expected polarization signatures of Compton emission from the soft X-r
 ay excess in the SED of AO 0235+164\, and the UV excess in the SED of 3C 2
 79 are made for upcoming and proposed polarimetry missions.\n\nhttps://eve
 nts.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7139/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7139/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Simulating the enrichment of cosmological gas
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7124@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Renier Hough (North-West University)\nLarge\, state-
 of-the-art cosmological simulations allow us to follow the evolution of va
 rious galaxies\, and since it contains detailed knowledge of e.g. the meta
 l content of the stars in each galaxy\, it can be used to compare to galax
 ies in the real Universe. In our work\, we are improving the implementatio
 ns of the stellar feedback model within the GIZMO-Mufasa cosmological simu
 lation. This particular simulation is the merged product of GIZMO's public
  available code and Mufasa/SIMBA to create realistic large-scale enviromen
 ts. Specifically\, we are improving the current simplistic instantaneous r
 ecycling of the metals model\, with a more accurate Cosmic Chemical Enrich
 ment model developed by Kobayashi et al (2007) and updated in Kobayashi et
  al (2020). This will improve the time delay due to the star's evolution a
 nd the time delay for the local enrichment to occur\, as well as add new m
 etals to the evolutionary tracks of stars tracked by simulations. We added
  a probability distribution to determine if a specific region will be enri
 ched (rather than a fixed distance distribution) into the mechanical feedb
 ack process. This distribution can be found in the thermal feedback proces
 s in the main GIZMO simulation. This will lead to more realistic black hol
 e seedings. Ultimately\, we can compare the new model to the old simplisti
 c model using various different well-tested scenarios (e.g Mass-Metallicit
 y relation) and interpret any differences.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/e
 vent/206/contributions/7124/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7124/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Modelling the Spectral Energy Distributions and Multi-Wavelength P
 olarisation of Blazars
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7155@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Hester Schutte (NWU Potchefstroom)\nThe radio throug
 h optical/UV/X-ray emission from blazars is dominated by highly polarised 
 synchrotron emission from relativistic electrons in their jets. The total 
 degree of polarisation is a composition of the polarised non-thermal synch
 rotron emission and thermal unpolarised emission components from the dusty
  torus\, host galaxy\, emission lines from the broad line region (BLR) and
  accretion disk. For some blazars the accretion disk is not directly obser
 ved as it is outshone by synchrotron emission. However\, it reveals its pr
 esence through a decrease of the optical polarisation degree towards highe
 r frequencies in spectropolarimetry observations\, where the disk is dilut
 ing the synchrotron polarisation.  Considering a leptonic model\, the high
 -energy X-ray and gamma-ray emission can be modelled as polarised synchrot
 ron self-Compton radiation which is diluted by Compton up-scattering of un
 polarised external radiation fields of the BLR and accretion disk. A model
  is constructed that simultaneously fits spectral energy distributions and
  multi-wavelength polarisation of blazars. A target-of-opportunity\, Large
  Science program "Observing the Transient Universe" from the *Southern Afr
 ican Large Telescope*\, provides spectropolarimetry data for flaring blaza
 rs in the optical-UV regime. This program includes co-ordinated multi-wave
 length observations from the *Las Cumbres Observatory*\, the *Swift*-XRT a
 nd the *Fermi*-LAT.  We present results for the flat spectrum radio quasar
  4C+01.02 ($z=2.1$)\, for which we constrained its black hole mass as $4 \
 \times 10^8 \\\; M_{\\odot}$ and obtained a scaling factor that is indicat
 ive of the degree of order of the magnetic field (and dependent on line-of
 -sight) in the emission region.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/co
 ntributions/7155/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7155/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:A Monte Carlo simulation study of the excitation of molecules in h
 igh mass star forming regions
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7143@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lebogang Mfulwane ()\nAstronomical maser emission oc
 curs in various astrophysical environments and can be used to infer the ph
 ysical properties of the regions where they are excited. An import part of
  interpreting the presence of maser emission associated with a specific as
 trophysical environment is knowing what the pumping mechanism (radiative o
 r collisional) for a particular maser is. Based on calculations using the 
 online RADEX facility\, Baan et al (2017) recently concluded that the extr
 agalactic $4.8$GHz formaldehyde megamasers are radiatively pumped. This is
  contrary to the conclusion of van der Walt (2014) that formaldehyde maser
 s associated with high mass star forming regions are collisionally pumped.
  Since much of the interpretation of the maser emission depends on pumping
  mechanism\, we revisited the pumping of the formaldehyde masers (1) to tr
 y to understand the results obtained by Baan et al (2017) using the RADEX 
 facility and (2) to extend the calculations of van der Walt (2014) to also
  include parts of parameter space considered by Baan et al (2017) but not 
 by van der Walt (2014). Some preliminary results\, which suggest that the 
 formaldehyde masers are indeed collisionally pumped\, are presented.\n\nht
 tps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7143/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7143/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Capturing Transients -- From Biostatistics to Astronomy
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T104500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7147@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Anke van Dyk (University of Cape Town/SAAO)\nCapture
 -recapture has been identified as a possible use case for estimating the u
 nderlying size of astrophysical transient and variable populations. We pre
 sent a series of exploratory analyses using capture-recapture methods from
  biostatistics.  Several estimators were tested for their applicability. W
 e implemented two different capture-recapture approaches: a statistically 
 closed population and a robust design\, a mixture of closed and open popul
 ation modelling.  \n\nIn the first approach\, we used simulations of the X
 -ray lightcurves of high mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) to probe the converge
 nce to the input population for several estimators as a function of the nu
 mber of observations. The cadence played a crucial role in the rate of con
 vergence to the underlying population with respect to the number of observ
 ations relative to the underlying period distribution of the recurrent sou
 rce outbursts. The cadence and threshold discrimination of sources between
  outburst and quiescent states affect the capture probability of sources. 
 Capture probability was demonstrated to be a key factor for population est
 imation\, categorised into 'behavioural'\, 'temporal'\, and 'heterogeneous
 ' effects. The simulations were extended to a real data application for HM
 XBs in the Small Magellanic Cloud using the OGLE-IV XROM survey. The obser
 vations were grouped into a fixed number of samples\, and the optical char
 acteristics included large variation in quiescent flux that creates hetero
 geneous population capture probability. The estimation was notably limited
  by the observational flux threshold in this instance.\n\nThe robust desig
 n investigated a population of Dwarf Nova identified from the OGLE-II\, -I
 II\, and -IV phases. New individuals were added to the monitoring sample b
 etween phases\, which the robust design accounts for in its modelling\, an
 d abundances were estimated within phases and for the entire study. \n\nTh
 ese investigations have opened a course for population estimation of trans
 ients and variable stars alongside population synthesis simulations. The g
 eneration of capture histories remain non-trivial through the choice of ob
 servation grouping\, brightness scale\, and imposed flux threshold. Recomm
 endations are made for further exploration of the topic.\n\nhttps://events
 .saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7147/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7147/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Eliminating single-band dominance in dual-band pulsar light curve 
 fitting
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T134500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T140000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7135@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Albertus Seyffert (Centre for Space Research\, North
 -West University\, Potchefstroom Campus\, 2520 Potchefstroom\, South Afric
 a)\nThe wealth of multiwavelength pulsar data has stimulated the developme
 nt of emission models that predict light curves (LCs) over multiple waveba
 nds\, most notably radio and gamma-ray. Using established statistical meth
 ods to fit these model LCs to data can prove ineffectual if the data from 
 one waveband are substantially more precise. This waveband—typically rad
 io—dominates the fit and biases inferred parameters. We re-examine the u
 se of Pearson's chi-squared statistic for joint fits\, and introduce a new
 \, derived statistic. The core insight that this statistic encodes is that
  the component single-band chi-squared values implicitly express goodness 
 of fit in units of the respective LC uncertainties. The resulting implicit
  weighting the dual-band chi-squared carries is eliminated by expressing t
 hese values in a shared unit before calculating their sum\, derived by eff
 ectively standardizing the scaled pulsar-associated flux across the two wa
 vebands. Importantly\, chi-squared and our new statistic converge to the s
 ame constraints as the precision disparity dissipates. As a first test\, w
 e fit two amalgamated dual-band models to 23 Fermi LAT pulsars and compare
  the resulting constraints to earlier results derived using the same data 
 and similar models. Our fits consistently show no radio dominance\, and ou
 r constraints more strongly correlate with those derived by eye.\n\nhttps:
 //events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7135/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7135/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Assessing TeV Visibility of Pulsars
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T133000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T134500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7142@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Christo Venter (North-west University\, Potchefstroo
 m Campus)\nRecent detections of the Crab\, Vela\, Geminga pulsar as well a
 s PSR B1706-44 by ground-based Cherenkov telescopes have created exciting 
 prospects of many more such discoveries by the upcoming Cherenkov Telescop
 e Array. Pulsed photons with energies in excess of 1 TeV detected from the
  Crab and Vela pulsars severely constrain the particle energetics\, emissi
 on mechanisms\, as well as spatial aspects of the dissipation regions with
 in the pulsar magnetosphere. Within an extended slot-gap framework\, we mo
 del the broad-band pulsar spectrum invoking force-free-like fields and mul
 tiple emission components\, including synchro-curvature\, synchrotron self
 -Compton (SSC) and inverse Compton (IC) radiation by both primary particle
 s and pairs. IOn particular\, we predict two TeV components: (i) SSC from 
 pairs and (ii) IC from particles accelerated in the current sheet upscatte
 ring pair synchrotron radiation. We fit our predictions to available broad
 band data\, indicating that it may now be possible to directly measure the
  maximum particle energy in pulsars.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/2
 06/contributions/7142/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7142/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Constraining the magnetic field geometry of millisecond pulsar PSR
  J0030+0451 using NICER and Fermi data
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T140000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T141500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7144@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Anu Kundu (Centre for Space Research\, North-West Un
 iversity)\nThe Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) was inst
 alled aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2017 with the major 
 aim of a better understanding of the extreme nature and composition of neu
 tron stars (NSs). With its exceptional sensitivity\, it hopes to constrain
  the equation of state for these compact objects to high precision. Modell
 ing thermal X-ray light curves (LCs) of pulsars can also provide us insigh
 ts into the magnetic field structure of NS which further helps in understa
 nding the morphology of the surface hot spots.\n \nRecently\, works by [Mi
 ller et al. (2019)][1] and [Riley et al. (2019)][2] suggested strong evide
 nce for a multipolar magnetic field of the millisecond pulsar PSR J0030+04
 51\, constraining its mass and radius with unprecedented accuracy. [Kalapo
 tharakos et al. (2021)][3] constrained the parameter space for an offset-d
 ipole plus quadrupole field configuration\, by calculating polar caps whic
 h accurately produce the NICER X-ray LC (and inferred surface hotspots) of
  J0030 making use of Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. This approac
 h indicates field degeneracies for offset static vacuum and force-free con
 figurations\, meaning different configurations adequately describe the sam
 e observed LCs. Exploring the same configuration to fit the gamma-ray LCs 
 measured by Fermi data breaks the field degeneracies – giving a more con
 strained model solution. \n \nWe are extending the above study by changing
  the static vacuum field configuration to a more realistic retarded field 
 in terms of a multipole expansion\, where we include higher multipoles\, i
 .e. beyond quadrupole\, and then including general relativistic effects an
 d an offset configuration. Exploring the field parameter space by using MC
 MC for this configuration to fit the X-ray LCs and corresponding Fermi gam
 ma-ray LCs would help us constrain the field structure\, and eventually th
 e stellar mass and radii\, more robustly. In the talk\, the impact of this
  work and future implications would be discussed.\n\n\n  [1]: https://ui.a
 dsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2019ApJ...887L..24M/abstract/\n  [2]: https://ui.ads
 abs.harvard.edu/abs/2019ApJ...887L..21R/abstract\n  [3]: https://ui.adsabs
 .harvard.edu/abs/2021ApJ...907...63K/abstract\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.z
 a/event/206/contributions/7144/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7144/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Phase-resolved polarimetric constraints on the white dwarf pulsar 
 in AR Sco
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T141500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T143000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7154@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Louis Du Plessis (NWU\, Potchefstroom\, Department o
 f Physics)\nMarsh et al.~(2016) detected radio/optical/UV pulsations from 
 the binary system AR Scorpii (AR Sco) mainly at the beat period of $118$~s
 . This system\, with an orbital period of $3.55$h\, is composed of a  cool
 \, low-mass star and a white dwarf with a spin period of $117$~s. More rec
 ent observations also showed X-ray pulsations from this source (Takata et 
 al. 2018). Buckley et al.~(2017) found that the polarimetric emission from
  the white dwarf is strongly linearly polarised (up to $\\sim 40\\%$) with
  periodically changing intensities. This emission is thought to be powered
  by the highly magnetised ($5\\times10^{8}$~G) white dwarf that is spinnin
 g down. We fitted a standard rotating vector model to these polarisation p
 osition angle data\, and found a magnetic inclination angle $\\alpha\\sim9
 0^{\\circ}$ and an observer angle $\\zeta\\sim60^{\\circ}$\, similar to in
 dependent constraints found by others. Previously we determined that synch
 rotron radiation dominates other radiation mechanisms for producing the op
 tical emission as long as the pitch angles of the particles can be maintai
 ned\; otherwise curvature radiation would dominate. We applied our model t
 o the orbitally phase-resolved polarisation position angle data from Potte
 r and Buckley (2018b) and present these results on the evolution of $\\alp
 ha$ and $\\zeta$ vs. orbital phase. Additionally\, we investigate the evol
 ution of the linear-flux light curves binned independently at the spin and
  beat frequency independently vs. orbital phase. Finally we include a Lomb
 $-$Scargle periodogram for the different regions of the orbital phase ther
 eby constraining any potential signature of precession in the system.\n\nh
 ttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7154/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7154/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Energy assessment in tertiary institution laboratory for a sustain
 ed learning and teaching experience during COVID-19 restrictions
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T134500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T140000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6986@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Pitsi Regan Selelo (University of Johannesburg)\nInt
 ense domestic resources utilisation might have been heavy weighing toward 
 an increased electricity and water consumptions during the COVID-19 relate
 d lockdowns and people movement restrictions\, while the routine energy co
 nsumption by technical instrumentations\, and electronic and electrical ap
 pliance at institutions of higher learning would have been slightly reduce
 d. Closely monitored access to laboratories by student groups and academic
  and technical staff compounded with a reduced frequency might be the root
  causes. Energy and resources utilisation are also tools used in the perfo
 rmance assessment of a tertiary programme or an academic department sustai
 nability. The effective and efficient laboratory usages during the lockdow
 ns imposed online learning and teaching activities have been assessed for 
 the period between March 2020 to April 2021. Five laboratories (mineral pr
 ocessing\, analytical techniques laboratory\, heat treatment laboratory\, 
 wet chemistry laboratory\, and coal processing laboratory) of a metallurgi
 cal engineering department at a local university were used. Bill of materi
 als\, water and related energy consumed were benchmarked with respect to t
 he average consumption within the country while laboratory access by stude
 nts and student to staff ratio during the above-mentioned period served as
  supporting additional component into the sustainability criteria of the s
 tudied academic department. The paper discusses the modelling of the susta
 inability of the studied academic department using the Grey rationale anal
 ysis optimisation methodology.  Multiple alternatives as sustainability po
 inters are discussed and the most desirable outcomes elucidated.\n\nhttps:
 //events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6986/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6986/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:DOING DIGITAL OFFLINE – THE COVIDEO PROJECT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T140000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T141500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6975@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Derek Fish (University of Zululand)\nUnizulu Science
  Centre (USC) has been running face to face matric workshops for 25 years\
 , presenting practicals and sharpening skills for over 200 000 matric scie
 nce students. The 2020 lockdown presented a dilemma: matrics needed assist
 ance more than ever\, but schools were closed and large gatherings impossi
 ble. Many SC’s around the world went online\, making digital content ava
 ilable through the internet. Very few of the schools in which USC works ha
 ve reliable internet and almost none of the homes\, so this route was not 
 possible. USC worked to convert a 4 hour contact workshop into 8 one-hour 
 videos\, highlighting the essential skills for Matric Science Paper 1 – 
 the physics paper. While these videos were made available on the internet 
 for download or streaming\, they were physically distributed on memory sti
 cks to teachers\, along with an accompanying 48-page workbook. Local indus
 try funding saw provision for the King Cetshwayo district  (5500 students 
 in 180 schools) and further SAIP funding (with support from Allan Gray) sa
 w a further 20 000 booklets printed and 500 memory sticks manufactured. Th
 ese were distributed to schools in 3 other provinces and used as the basis
  for teacher training.\nNow\, in 2021\, the Physics booklet and videos hav
 e been extensively rewritten and refilmed\, adding about 50 % more content
  and updating with 2020 exams. In addition\, projects are underway to make
  a video series for Life Science and Chemistry. Evaluation has been conduc
 ted to try to measure the effectiveness of this method and for further imp
 rovement.  Valuable lessons learnt in the process will be shared.\n\nhttps
 ://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6975/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6975/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Advanced Electronics in South Africa : Speaker: Benjamin Hlope\, D
 irector of Technology Operations at Kutleng Engineering Technologies
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T093000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7310@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Iyabo Usman (University of the Witwatersrand\, Johan
 nesburg.)\nSpeaker: Benjamin Hlope\, Director of Technology Operations at 
 Kutleng Engineering Technologies\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/c
 ontributions/7310/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7310/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Data Convergence\, a showcase of incubation in Artificial Intellig
 ence:  Speaker: Dominque Adams\, Project manager at Data Convergence
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7311@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Iyabo Usman (University of the Witwatersrand\, Johan
 nesburg.)\nSpeaker: Dominque Adams\, Project manager at Data Convergence\n
 \nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7311/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7311/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Bridging the gap between academia and industry : Speaker: Rinae Nn
 duvheni\, Intelligence and Insights Lead at EY Consulting
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7312@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Iyabo Usman (University of the Witwatersrand\, Johan
 nesburg.)\nSpeaker: Rinae Nnduvheni\, Intelligence and Insights Lead at EY
  Consulting\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7312/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7312/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Relativistic Fluid Dynamics for Nuclear Matter under Extreme Condi
 tions in Heavy-Ion Collisions and Astrophysics
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T083000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T091500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7313@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Azwinndini Muronga ()\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/ev
 ent/206/contributions/7313/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7313/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Vibrant Color Centers in Diamond Particles: Production and Perspec
 tive Applications
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T120000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T124500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7314@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Olga Shenderova ()\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event
 /206/contributions/7314/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7314/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Can MeerKAT unveil the last of the secrets  about galaxy overdensi
 ties obscured by the Milky Way
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T083000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T091500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7315@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Renee Kraan-Korteweg ()\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/
 event/206/contributions/7315/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7315/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:TBC
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T120000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T124500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7316@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Eric Mazur ()\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/
 contributions/7316/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7316/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Transduction: towards a better understanding of how students learn
  physics
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T083000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T091500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7317@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Trevor Volkwyn ()\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/
 206/contributions/7317/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7317/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Quick and Quirk with Quarks: Using new ideas in AI to search for D
 ark Matter
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T120000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T124500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7318@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Philip Harris ()\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/2
 06/contributions/7318/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7318/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Layered Inorganic Nanostructures – Electronic and Structural Pro
 perties
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T083000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T091500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7319@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Gotthard Seifert ()\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/even
 t/206/contributions/7319/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7319/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Structured light: from fundamentals to applications
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T120000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T124500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7320@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Andrew Forbes ()\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/2
 06/contributions/7320/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7320/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Development of a digital data acquisition system for neutron metro
 logy
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T104500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7210@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Chloé Sole (University of Cape Town)\nFast neutron 
 fields are found in a wide variety of contexts\, for example at accelerato
 r and medical radiation facilities\, around nuclear power plants\, in avia
 tion and space flight. The essence of neutron metrology is to quantify bot
 h the fluence and energy of these fields\, which is complicated by the lar
 ge range of energies\, intensities and directional characteristics in each
  unique scenario [1]. Neutron metrology and spectrometry communities are b
 eginning to adopt modern digital pulse processing systems to complement\, 
 and eventually replace\, the existing analogue data acquisition systems [1
 \,2]. Digital pulse processing electronics offer several distinct advantag
 es over the existing analogue systems\, with a need to rigorously benchmar
 k against the current metrology standards prior to deployment [3]. \n\nThe
  standard analogue data acquisition system at the AMANDE fast neutron metr
 ology facility [5] at the IRSN\, is compared to a new digital system compr
 ised of a CAEN DT5730 digitizer and the open source QtDAQ software [4]. Me
 asurements were made using a BC-501A scintillator detector for neutron fie
 lds with energies between 1.2 MeV and 20.0 MeV over the full range of avai
 lable beam currents at AMANDE. Uncertainty budgets were constructed and co
 mpared for the measurements of energy dependent neutron fluence. The resul
 ts of the comparison are presented along with recommendations for measurem
 ents with a fully digital acquisition system in contexts where metrologica
 l considerations are critical.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/con
 tributions/7210/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7210/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:South African contribution towards the ATLAS Tile Calorimeter PreP
 rocessor
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T133000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T134500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7252@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mpho Gift Doctor Gololo (Witwatersrand University)\n
 Four major experiments for the High Luminosity Large Hardron Collider (HL-
 LHC) are upgraded to accommodate an increase in luminosity. ATLAS (A Toroi
 dal LHC ApparatuS) is part of these four major experiments and it is upgra
 ded to investigate a wide range of physics. The detector is divided into l
 ong barrel and two extended barrels. The Tile Calorimeter (TileCal) is par
 t of the ATLAS detector and is the central hadronic calorimeter. The main 
 aim of the TileCal Phase-II upgrade is to completely redesign the on- and 
 off-detector electronics. The Tile PreProcessor (TilePPr) is part of the o
 ff-detector electronics and it is responsible for storing the detector dat
 a with a total data bandwidth of 40 Tbps. University of the Witwatersrand 
 is contributing 24 % to the total design and production of boards toward t
 he TilePPr. The TilePPr is made up of numerous components and University o
 f the Witwatersrand is responsible for Tile GbE Switch and TileCoM compone
 nts.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7252/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7252/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Reliability testing of the End-of-Substructure card for operation 
 within the ATLAS Inner Tracker
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T131500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T133000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7278@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Max van der Merwe (UCT)\nThis study presents the res
 ults of irradiation tests used to qualify the End-of-Substructure (EoS) ca
 rd for operation within the ATLAS Inner Tracker (ITk) at the High Luminosi
 ty Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC). The EoS card is responsible for interfa
 cing the data\, command\, and power signals between on and off-detector el
 ectronics. The radiation environment within the ITk poses a challenge for 
 electronics as energized particles are capable of upsetting the logic\, re
 ferred to as Single Event Upsets (SEU)\, of the constituent components\, r
 esulting in corrupted data. The irradiation test setup at the University o
 f Cape Town is outlined and the steps taken in the experiments are discuss
 ed. The results found indicate that one of the primary ASICs on the EoS ca
 rd is susceptible to SEUs under experimental conditions.\n\nhttps://events
 .saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7278/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7278/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Simulation of the strip sub-detector system in the new Inner Track
 er of the ATLAS detector
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T134500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T140000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7302@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ryan Atkin (University of Cape Town)\nIn the beginni
 ng of 2025\, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will be shutdown in order for
  the final upgrades to the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) to commence. This 
 will almost quadruple the amount of collisions in the LHC\, increasing the
  amount of data the detectors will have to deal with. Since the detectors 
 were not designed to operate at these levels\, they will also need an upgr
 ade to deal with the increased radiation\, data rates and amount of partic
 les travelling through the detectors. One of the most extensive upgrades t
 o the ATLAS detector will be the replacement of the current Inner Detector
  (ID) with an all silicon semiconductor based Inner Tracker (ITk). However
 \, not only will the actual detector be upgraded\, but the simulation of t
 he detector will also need to be updated to match this new version. An acc
 urate simulation of the detector is important since this is what is used t
 o convert the outputs of the theoretical calculations (be it Standard Mode
 l (SM) or Beyond the Standard Model (BSM)) into a format that can be direc
 tly compared with the data coming from the experiment. Presented is some o
 f the work behind updating the simulation of the strip detector in the ITk
 \, from the sensors to the support structures and shielding components.\n\
 nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7302/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7302/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Quality assurance testing of the ATLAS Tile-Calorimeter Phase-II u
 pgrade low-voltage power supplies
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T141500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T143000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7261@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ryan Mckenzie (University Of the Witwatersrand)\, Ed
 ward Nkadimeng (University of the Witwatersrand)\nThe start of the operati
 on of the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) is planned\nfor the year 2027. The 
 planned increase in luminosity provides the opportunity for further\nscien
 tific discoveries within the field of particle physics as well as many tec
 hnical challenges\nassociated with the new HL-LHC environment. Due to thes
 e environmental changes the ATLAS\nTile-Calorimeter (TileCal) is to underg
 o its Phase-II upgrade in 2025 in order to ensure peak\nperformance in the
  coming years. To this end the University of the Witwatersrand Institute f
 or\nCollider Particle Physics\, iThemba Labs\, and SA-CERN\, in collaborat
 ion with the University of\nTexas at Arlington\, are currently undertaking
  the development and production of approximately\n2300 Low-Voltage Power S
 upply (LVPS) Bricks. In order to ensure the reliable operation of\nthese B
 ricks on-detector an extensive quality control procedure is to be implemen
 ted. This\nprocedure is two-pronged in its approach. Firstly\, initial tes
 ting is undertaken to ensure\nvarious performance metrics such as the Bric
 ks output voltage are met. After which\, the\nBricks undergo Burn-in testi
 ng which functions to improve the reliability of the components via\naccel
 erated aging. Both of these processes require custom test apparatus which 
 take the form\nof the Initial and Burn-in test stations. This presentation
  will provide an overview of these test\nstations including their hardware
 \, software\, and the certification of the Bricks before installation\nwit
 hin TileCal.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7261/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7261/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Electronics Research Laboratory at University of Zululand: Contrib
 uting towards the ATLAS Experiment at CERN
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T130000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T131500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7263@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Betty Kibirige (University of Zululand)\nIn December
  2017\, the Executive Board of the SA-CERN Consortium approved an investme
 nt in the local research infrastructure at the University of Zululand. As 
 a result\, an Electronics Research Laboratory was developed and completed 
 in 2019. The laboratory host state of the art electronics test equipment a
 nd it was enhanced when the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) i
 n Cape Town deployed a High Performance Cluster (HPC) to the institution. 
 While it services members of the ATLAS team in South Africa who are heavil
 y involved in the TileCal Instrumentation upgrades at CERN\, the laborator
 y goes beyond just the ATLAS group to accommodate other research groups. T
 his presentation focuses on possible projects that can be dealt with in th
 is laboratory. It is to create an awareness to the Physics community\, esp
 ecially the Nuclear and High Energy Particle Physics groups\, on what the 
 laboratory offers.\n\nKey words: Electronics Research Laboratory\, State o
 f the Art Test Equipment\, High Performance Computing.\n\nhttps://events.s
 aip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7263/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7263/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Search for the non-resonant Higgs-pair production in $\\ell^+\\ell
 ^-\\ell^+\\ell^-$ final state at $\\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV in the ATLAS detecto
 r
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T133000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T134500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7296@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Abdualazem Fadol (University of Witwatersrand)\nA se
 arch for the non-resonant production of a pair of the Standard Model Higgs
  boson $h$ via gluon-fusion\, $gg\\rightarrow hh$\, is performed. Each Hig
 gs boson decays to either $W^+W^-W^+W^-$\, $ZZZZ$ or $ZZW^+W^-$ leading to
  $4\\ell+X$ in the final state. The $\\ell$ could be an electron or a muon
 \, and $X$ is missing transverse energy or jets. The b-tagged as jets is v
 etoed in this analysis. The search uses the data at a centre-of-mass energ
 y of 13 TeV collected by the ATLAS detector between 2015-2018 at the Large
  Hadron Collider. Cut-based and multivariate analyses are used to exploit 
 the signal.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7296/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7296/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:The anatomy of the multi-lepton anomalies at the LHC and the poten
 tial connection with other anomalies
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T104500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210729T110000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7266@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Bruce Mellado (University of the Witwatersrand)\nIn 
 this presentation an account of the multi-lepton (electrons and muons) ano
 malies at the LHC will be given. These include the excess production of op
 posite sign leptons with and without $b$-quarks\, including a corner of th
 e phase-space with a full hadronic jet veto\; same sign leptons with and w
 ithout b-quarks\; three leptons with and without $b$-quarks\, including al
 so the presence of a $Z$. Excesses emerge in corners of the phase space wh
 ere a range of SM processes dominate\, indicating that the potential mismo
 deling of a particular SM process is unlikely to explain them. A procedure
  is implemented that avoids parameter tuning or scanning the phase-space i
 n order to nullify potential look-else-where effects or selection biases. 
 The internal consistency of these anomalies and their interpretation in th
 e framework of a simplified model  will be presented. Implications on the 
 SM Higgs boson measurements\, the muon g-2\, astrophysics and other potent
 ial deviations from the Standard Model will be discussed.\n\nhttps://event
 s.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7266/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7266/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Anomaly detection with Data Quality Early Warning Systems in ATLAS
  using machine learning
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7292@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Senzo Msutwana ()\nIn this project\, ideas for the i
 mplementation of a data-quality early warning system (DQEWS) are explored.
  The DQEWS project aims to use supervised machine learning (ML) methods to
  evaluate data-quality from the ATLAS detector for each sequential luminos
 ity-block over the course of a run. The idea is to then\nmake use of featu
 re extraction from the results of the classification procedure in order to
  determine which of these features in the data-sets can reliably indicate 
 problems in the detector\, while accounting for expected differences in di
 stributions as the beam intensity reduces over the course of a run. In pri
 nciple\, it is these features which may point experts to issues further do
 wn in the DAQ process which may be resulting in this drift during a run of
  the detector. This is\, in essence\, an exploration of an idea for a data
 -quality monitoring\nsystem for the ATLAS detector. Within the scope of th
 is project thus far\, the following have been shown. Firstly\, the use of 
 gradient boosted decision trees (GBDTs) are preferable to deep neural netw
 orks (DNNs). This is due to DNNs requiring more computational power than G
 BDTs to backpropagate through the trained\nmodels’ internal weights in o
 rder to rank the features used in classification. Secondly\, differences i
 n datasets have been shown with the training of the GBDTs\, and are shown 
 to increase with comparisons of LB data further apart from the initiation 
 of a run of the detector.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contribu
 tions/7292/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7292/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Machine learning approach for the search of resonances with topolo
 gical features at the Large Hadron Collider
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T103000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210730T104500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7274@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Salah-eddine Dahbi (University of Wits)\nWe propose 
 a new approach to search for new resonances beyond the Standard Model (SM)
  of particle physics in topological configurations using Machine Learning 
 techniques. This involves a novel classification procedure based on a comb
 ination of weak-supervision and full-supervision in conjunction with Deep 
 Neural Network algorithms. The performance of this strategy is evaluated o
 n the production of SM Higgs boson decaying to a pair of photons inclusive
 ly and exclusive regions of phase space\, for specific production modes at
  the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)\, namely through the gluon-gluon fusion\,
  the fusion of weak vector bosons\, in associated production with a weak v
 ector boson\, or in association  with  a  pair  of  top  quarks.  After  v
 erifying  the  ability  of  the methodology to extract different Higgs sig
 nal mechanisms\, a search for new phenomena in high-mass diphoton final st
 ates is setup for the LHC.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contrib
 utions/7274/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7274/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:A search for a high-momentum high-mass neutrino in $pp$ collisions
  with the ATLAS detector
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T094500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T100000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7271@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mvelo Dhlamini (University of the Witwatersrand)\nOn
 e indication that the Standard Model of particle physics is incomplete lie
 s in the unanswered question of neutrino mass generation. Most popular amo
 ng the possible explanations of this mystery is the see-saw mechanism whic
 h postulates that small neutrino masses arise from the exchange of heavy f
 orce-carriers. Additionally\, a framework for this mechanism is the so-cal
 led Left-Right Symmetric Model (LRSM) which is favoured since it offers a 
 number of advantages such as explanations for violation of parity in the S
 tandard Model\, generation of mass in both heavy and light neutrinos\, and
  accounts for parity symmetry at high energies. This model can be analysed
  through studying lepton-number violation\, of which the Keung-Senjanovi\\
 'c process is a culprit. The search herein investigates the decay of a hea
 vy right-handed gauge boson $W_R$ into a heavy neutrino $N_R$ via the afor
 ementioned process\, with keen focus on regions where the gauge boson $W_R
 $ is much heavier than the boosted neutrino $N_R$. The basis of the search
  is Run 2 data collected during the years 2015 to 2018\, from the ATLAS de
 tector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). For such a search\, muon and el
 ectron channels result in different topologies\; in the former\, a unique 
 method of large-radius jets containing electrons is employed.\n\nhttps://e
 vents.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7271/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7271/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Interaction between the photo-induced electric fields of the front
  and rear Si/SiO2 interfaces of thin silicon membranes probed by Electric 
 Field Induced Second Harmonic (EFISH) generation
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T130000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T131500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7188@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Christine Steenkamp (Laser Research Institute\, Univ
 ersity of Stellenbosch)\nElectric Field Induced Second Harmonic (EFISH) ge
 neration is a technique to probe the structure of and charge transfer acro
 ss buried interfaces. It is particularly suitable to study the Si/SiO2 int
 erfaces that are crucial in electronics undergoing continuous miniaturizat
 ion. This makes it important to investigate the interaction of the front a
 nd rear Si/SiO2 interfaces of thin silicon membranes. EFISH signals typica
 lly increase quadratically with both the pump beam intensity and the quasi
 -static electric field that builds up over the interface due to photo-indu
 ced charge transfer.\nThe EFISH signals from the front and rear Si/SiO2 in
 terfaces of thin silicon membranes (10-30 micron thick\, slightly p-doped)
  were generated by a laser beam (Ti:sapphire laser tuned to 800 nm\, 90 fs
  pulse duration at 80 MHz repetition rate) transmitted through the membran
 e. Detailed measurements on samples with different thicknesses have confir
 med counter-intuitive results that for thin samples the EFISH signal gener
 ated at the rear interface is stronger than that at the front interface in
  spite of attenuation of the incident beam. These results lead to a hypoth
 esis that the quasi-static electric field at the rear interface consists o
 f two counteracting components and the degree of interaction between the f
 ront and rear interfaces varies significantly with thickness over the 10-3
 0 micron range. It is also shown that the effective third order susceptibi
 lity for the EFISH-active layers at the rear interface is larger than that
  at the front interface which paves the way for future theoretical modelli
 ng.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7188/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7188/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:The derivation of preliminary reference levels for radioactivity i
 n drinking water surrounding authorised sites.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T100000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T101500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7246@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Thato Molokwe (National Nuclear Regulator)\nThe Nati
 onal Nuclear Regulator's (NNR) mandate is to protect the people\, property
  and environment from radiological damage. NNR is currently involved in pr
 ojects to establish the radioactivity of drinking water in the vicinity of
  authorised sites. It is important that before this\, preliminary referenc
 e levels which will be used to assess the radioactivity levels in collecte
 d samples are established. These reference levels will inform whether the 
 water resource from which the samples were collected poses a radiological 
 threat to human health if ingested. The study seeks to derive preliminary 
 reference levels based on international best practices. Annual Limit on In
 take (ALI) was calculated making use of the principles of the World Health
  Organisation (WHO) which is considered to be international best practice.
  The calculations factored in different age groups and made use of dose co
 nversion factors provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
  in the General Safety Regulations (GSR Part 3). Calculated ALI values for
  infant\, child and adult age groups are presented. The results suggest an
  insignificant (orders of magnitude) difference in calculated ALI values a
 cross ages. Therefore it is recommended that the NNR use calculated ALI fo
 r adults as preliminary reference levels. These can be used in assessing t
 he radioactivity status of baseline data that is currently being collected
 .\n\nKeywords: Drinking water\, radioactivity\, reference levels\n\nhttps:
 //events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7246/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7246/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Upgrade of the iThemba LABS Fast Neutron Beam Facility towards ISO
 /IEC 17025 Accreditation
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T101500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210726T103000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-7288@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Zina Ndabeni (University of Cape Town/iThemba LABS)\
 , Andy Buffler (University of Cape Town)\, Veronique Lacoste (Institut de 
 Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire)\, Peane Maleka (iThemba LABS)\,
  Ralf Nolte (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt)\nThe iThemba LABS fast
  neutron beam facility (D-line vault) is an international niche facility t
 hat can provide ns-pulsed quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams in the energy 
 range of 30 to 200 MeV. Available neutron beam facilities with energy rang
 e similar to this facility are described in details by the EURADOS (Europe
 an Radiation Dosimetry) Report [1]. The facility has remained practically 
 unchanged since it was first built more than 30 years ago and over the yea
 rs\, a number of problems associated with low energy neutron backgrounds i
 n the vault and the stability of the proton beam on target were identified
  [2].\n \nAs a plan going forward and motivation for the vault development
 \, the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) designated iTh
 emba LABS facility as an entity responsible for providing traceability for
  the medium and high-energy neutron measurements in South Africa. This res
 ulted in a formal collaboration between iThemba LABS\, University of Cape 
 Town\, together with international partners Institute de Radioprotection e
 t Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN in France)\, National Physical Laboratory (NPL
  in UK) and Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB in Germany) to upgr
 ade the facility in order to achieve ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation status fo
 r the medium and high-energy neutron region. We present the status on the 
 progress of the D-line vault upgrade\, including results from previous mea
 surements of the neutron background from the original configuration of the
  vault. Results from these measurements\, together with results from Monte
 -Carlo simulations\, were used to reconfigure the physical infrastructure 
 of the D-line vault.\n\nReferences\n[1] Pomp S. et al.\, “High-energy qu
 asi-monoenergetic neutron fields: existing facilities and future needs”\
 , EURADOS\, Braunschweig\, Germany\, EURADOS Rep. 2013-02 (May 2013).\n[2]
  Mosconi M. et al.\, "Characterisation of the High-energy Neutron Beam at 
 iThemba LABS"\, Radiation Measurements 45\, 1342-1345 (2010).\n\nhttps://e
 vents.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7288/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/7288/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:South Africa and the Joint Data-backed Study of Publication Patter
 ns of the Global Gender Gap project
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T133000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20210727T134500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260521T051531Z
UID:indico-contribution-206-6985@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Irvy (Igle) Gledhill (U. Witwatersrand)\nPeer-review
 ed publications are the basis of the body of scientific knowledge and of a
 cknowledgement of contributions to science. In many countries\, authorship
  is also used in the evaluation of individual performance and institutiona
 l achievement\, and has become a part of hiring and promotion practices. A
 s the participation of women in physics changes\, it is of interest to und
 erstand whether a gender gap exists in publication. A Joint Data-backed St
 udy of Publication Patterns was undertaken as a task within the Gender Gap
  in Science Project initiated through the International Science Council. T
 his global project was a collaboration of eight scientific unions (mathema
 tics\, chemistry\, physics\, astronomy\, industrial and applied mathematic
 s\, biosciences\, history and philosophy of science\, and computing machin
 ery) together with three international organisations (UNESCO\, GenderInSIT
 E\, and the Organisation of Women in Science for the Developing World). Th
 e bibliometric study of gender patterns was based on metadata available th
 rough publication databases\, which allow inference of author gender from 
 name strings using services that provide access to databases of names. Fiv
 e such services were benchmarked. Results have been made available in an i
 nteractive online tool\, from which the data available from South Africa h
 ave been drawn. Within the NASA Astrophysics Data System\, the rise in Sou
 th African publications in the field can be observed\, together with the e
 volution of the proportion of authorships by women. Global results on frac
 tional authorships by women in high-impact journals in theoretical physics
  shows average percentages of women near 10%\, with little or no tendency 
 to rise since 1999\, while top journals in astrophysics and astronomy show
  steadily rising fractional authorships by women which have approximately 
 doubled since 1999 [Mihalević and Santamaría\, chapter in Roy\, Guillop
 é and Cesa\, eds.\, A Global Approach to the Gender Gap in Mathematical\,
  Computing\, and Natural Sciences\, Int. Mathematical Union\, Berlin 2020]
 .\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6985/
LOCATION:North-West University Potchefstroom Campus
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/206/contributions/6985/
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR