I am a nuclear engineer. My areas of expertise are gamma and neutron spectroscopy, Monte Carlo simulations, radiation detection, data acquisition systems, and data analysis. I am part of the science/engineering team of the Dragonfly Gamma ray and Neutron Spectrometer (DraGNS), which will explore the surface of Titan.
Mauricio Ayllon Unzueta
(Postdoctoral Research Associate)
| Email: | mauricio.ayllonunzueta@nasa.gov |
| Org Code: | 691 |
| Address: |
NASA/GSFC Mail Code 691 Greenbelt, MD 20771 |
| Employer: | CATHOLIC UNIV OF AMERICA |
Brief Bio
Research Interests
Bulk elemental composition measurements with neutrons and gamma rays
Solar System: AstrochemistryNeutrons and gamma rays offer the possibility to measure elemental concentrations of the near-surface of planetary objects in a non-destructive way.
Inelastic scattering cross section measurements
Solar System: AstrochemistryReliable nuclear data is needed to predict the performance of planetary nuclear spectrometers. Inelastic scattering cross sections are particularly problematic in public databases because of discrepancies between measurements and/or lack of data for certain isotopes.
Graphical User Interfaces for data analysis
Solar System: AstrochemistryDedicated GUIs for quick analysis of data is important. I am interested in programing GUIs in Python.
Current Projects
Neutron techniques to measure the bulk elemental composition of meteorites
Astrochemistry
Accurate non-destructive techniques to measure the bulk elemental composition of meteorites are needed to aid in the interpretation of data from past and future gamma ray and neutron spectrometers. Current techniques, albeit very accurate and precise, measure the composition of only a small and possibly non-representative sample. A novel instrument known as Associated Particle Imaging (API) has the potential to precisely measure the composition of medium to large meteorite samples.
Compact Neutron Monitor (CNM) lead of DraGNS
Planetary surfaces
The CNM is a key sensor of DraGNS that will allow for accurate bulk elemental composition measurements on the surface of Titan. The CNM is a diamond detector used to measure high energy neutrons, and hence calibrate the neutron source onboard Dragonfly.
Inelastic scattering cross section measurements with API
Novel Data Analysis Development
In collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, we are developing a novel technique to measure needed nuclear data for gamma ray and neutron spectrometers in a more precise and cost-effective way.