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Design and laser damage properties of a dichroic beam combiner coating for 22.5-deg incidence and S polarization with high transmission at 527 nm and high reflection at 1054 nm
We designed a dichroic beam combiner coating with 11 HfO 2 /SiO 2 layer pairs and deposited it on a large substrate. It provides high transmission (HT) at 527 nm and high reflection (HR) at 1054 nm for a 22.5-deg angle of incidence (AOI), S polarization (Spol), and uses near half-wave layer thicknesses for HT at 527 nm, modified for HR at 1054 nm. The two options for the beam combiner each require that a high intensity beam be incident on the coating from within the substrate (from glass). We analyze the laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) differences between the two options in terms of the 527- and 1054-nm E-field behaviors for air → coating and glass → coating incidences. This indicates that LIDTs should be higher for air → coating than for glass → coating incidence. LIDT tests at the use AOI, Spol with ns pulses at 532 and 1064 nm confirm this, with glass → coating LIDTs about half that of air → coating LIDTs. Lastly, these results clearly indicate that the best beam combiner option is for the high intensity 527 and 1054 nm beams to be incident on the coating from air and glass, respectively.
Scatter correction in cone-beam CT via a half beam blocker technique allowing simultaneous acquisition of scatter and image information
Purpose: X-ray scatter incurred to detectors degrades the quality of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and represents a problem in volumetric image guided and adaptive radiation therapy. Several methods using a beam blocker for the estimation and subtraction of scatter have been proposed. However, due to missing information resulting from the obstruction of the blocker, such methods require dual scanning or dynamically moving blocker to obtain a complete volumetric image. Here, we propose a half beam blocker-based approach, in conjunction with a total variation (TV) regularized Feldkamp-Davis-Kress (FDK) algorithm, to correct scatter-induced artifacts by simultaneously acquiring image and scatter information from a single-rotation CBCT scan. Methods: A half beam blocker, comprising lead strips, is used to simultaneously acquire image data on one side of the projection data and scatter data on the other half side. One-dimensional cubic B-Spline interpolation/extrapolation is applied to derive patient specific scatter information by using the scatter distributions on strips. The estimated scatter is subtracted from the projection image acquired at the opposite view. With scatter-corrected projections where this subtraction is completed, the FDK algorithm based on a cosine weighting function is performed to reconstruct CBCT volume. To suppress the noise in the reconstructed CBCT images produced by geometric errors between two opposed projections and interpolated scatter information, total variation regularization is applied by a minimization using a steepest gradient descent optimization method. The experimental studies using Catphan504 and anthropomorphic phantoms were carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed scheme. Results: The scatter-induced shading artifacts were markedly suppressed in CBCT using the proposed scheme. Compared with CBCT without a blocker, the nonuniformity value was reduced from 39.3% to 3.1%. The root mean square error relative to values inside the regions of interest selected from a benchmark scatter free image was reduced from 50 to 11.3. The TV regularization also led to a better contrast-to-noise ratio. Conclusions: An asymmetric half beam blocker-based FDK acquisition and reconstruction technique has been established. The proposed scheme enables simultaneous detection of patient specific scatter and complete volumetric CBCT reconstruction without additional requirements such as prior images, dual scans, or moving strips.
Measurements of lateral penumbra for uniform scanning proton beams under various beam delivery conditions and comparison to the XiO treatment planning system
Purpose: The main purposes of this study were to (1) investigate the dependency of lateral penumbra (80%–20% distance) of uniform scanning proton beams on various factors such as air gap, proton range, modulation width, compensator thickness, and depth, and (2) compare the lateral penumbra calculated by a treatment planning system (TPS) with measurements.Methods: First, lateral penumbra was measured using solid–water phantom and radiographic films for (a) air gap, ranged from 0 to 35 cm, (b) proton range, ranged from 8 to 30 cm, (c) modulation, ranged from 2 to 10 cm, (d) compensator thickness, ranged from 0 to 20 cm, and (e) depth, ranged from 7 to 15 cm. Second, dose calculations were computed in a virtual water phantom using the XiO TPS with pencil beam algorithm for identical beam conditions and geometrical configurations that were used for the measurements. The calculated lateral penumbra was then compared with the measured one for both the horizontal and vertical scanning magnets of our uniform scanning proton beam delivery system.Results: The results in the current study showed that the lateral penumbra of horizontal scanning magnet was larger (up to 1.4 mm for measurement and up to 1.0 mm for TPS) compared to that of vertical scanning magnet. Both the TPS and measurements showed an almost linear increase in lateral penumbra with increasing air gap as it produced the greatest effect on lateral penumbra. Lateral penumbra was dependent on the depth and proton range. Specifically, the width of lateral penumbra was found to be always lower at shallower depth than at deeper depth within the spread out Bragg peak (SOBP) region. The lateral penumbra results were less sensitive to the variation in the thickness of compensator, whereas lateral penumbra was independent of modulation. Overall, the comparison between the results of TPS with that of measurements indicates a good agreement for lateral penumbra, with TPS predicting higher values compared to measurements.Conclusions: Lateral penumbra of uniform scanning proton beams depends on air gap, proton range, compensator thickness, and depth, whereas lateral penumbra is not dependent on modulation. The XiO TPS typically overpredicted lateral penumbra compared to measurements, within 1 mm for most cases, but the difference could be up to 2.5 mm at a deep depth and large air gap.
SU-F-T-197: Investigating Optimal Oblique-Beam Arrangement for Bilateral Metallic Prosthesis Prostate Cancer in Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Therapy
Purpose: The main purpose of this study is to investigate the optimum oblique-beam arrangement for bilateral metallic prosthesis prostate cancer treatment in pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton therapy. Methods: A computed tomography dataset of bilateral metallic prosthesis prostate cancer case was selected for this retrospective study. A total of four beams (rightanterior- oblique [RAO], left-anterior-oblique [LAO], left-posterior-oblique [LPO], and right-posterior-oblique [RPO]) were selected for treatment planning. PBS plans were generated using multi-field-optimization technique for a total dose of 79.2 Gy[RBE] to be delivered in 44 fractions. Specifically, five different PBS plans were generated based on 2.5% ± 2 mm range uncertainty using five different beam arrangements (i)LAO+RAO+LPO+RPO, (ii)LAO+RAO, (iii)LPO+RPO, (iv)RAO+LPO, and (v)LAO+RPO. Each PBS plan was optimized by applying identical dose-volume constraints to the PTV, rectum, and bladder. Treatment plans were then compared based on the dose-volume histograms results. Results: The PTV coverage was found to be greater than 99% in all five plans. The homogeneity index (HI) was found to be almost identical (range, 0.03–0.04). The PTV mean dose was found to be comparable (range, 81.0–81.1 Gy[RBE]). For the rectum, the lowest mean dose (8.0 Gy[RBE]) and highest mean dose (31.1 Gy[RBE]) were found in RAO+LAO plan and LPO+RPO plan, respectively. LAO+RAO plan produced the most favorable dosimetric results of the rectum in the medium-dose region (V50) and high-dose region (V70). For the bladder, the lowest (5.0 Gy[RBE]) and highest mean dose (10.3 Gy[RBE]) were found in LPO+RPO plan and RAO+LAO plan, respectively. Other dosimetric results (V50 and V70) of the bladder were slightly better in LPO+RPO plan than in other plans. Conclusion: Dosimetric findings from this study suggest that two anterior-oblique proton beams arrangement (LAO+RAO) is a more favorable option with the possibility of reducing rectal dose significantly while maintaining comparable target coverage and acceptable bladder dose.
Electron stripping processes of H{sup −} ion beam in the 80 kV high voltage extraction column and low energy beam transport line at LANSCE
Basic vacuum calculations were performed for various operating conditions of the Los Alamos National Neutron Science H{sup −} Cockcroft-Walton (CW) injector and the Ion Source Test Stand (ISTS). The vacuum pressure was estimated for both the CW and ISTS at five different points: (1) inside the H{sup −} ion source, (2) in front of the Pierce electrode, (3) at the extraction electrode, (4) at the column electrode, and (5) at the ground electrode. A static vacuum analysis of residual gases and the working hydrogen gas was completed for the normal ion source working regime. Gas density and partial pressure were estimated for the injected hydrogen gas. The attenuation of H{sup −} beam current and generation of electron current in the high voltage acceleration columns and low energy beam transport lines were calculated. The interaction of H{sup −} ions on molecular hydrogen (H{sub 2}) is discussed as a dominant collision process in describing electron stripping rates. These results are used to estimate the observed increase in the ratio of electrons to H{sup −} ion beam in the ISTS beam transport line.
Electron-Beam Shaping in the Transmission Electron Microscope: Control of Electron-Beam Propagation Along Atomic Columns
We present a detailed analysis of the propagation of high-energy electron beams that have different shapes in a crystal of [100]-oriented zincblende GaN. Our study primarily focuses on Bessel beams and makes use of reformulated Bloch wave and multislice simulations. As a result of the simplicity of the momentum spectrum of a Bessel beam and the symmetry of the crystal, its propagation in the material can be described in a free-space representation, providing a deeper understanding of channeling phenomena and of probe intensity oscillation in the propagation direction. We also consider aperture-limited and Gaussian beams. As a result, the latter probes are shown to be optimal for coupling to 1s Bloch states and achieving minimal spreading along atomic columns.
Magnetic-Field Diffusion Effects in Beam Position Monitors III: Application to DARHT-II Beam Data
Beam position monitors (BPMs) provide time-resolved measurements of the current and centroid position of high-current electron beams in linear induction accelerators (LIAs). One of the types of detectors used in BPMs is the B-dot loop, which generates a signal from the EMF due to the time varying magnetic flux through the loop. If some of the boundaries of the loop are composed of thick metal walls with finite conductivity, the resulting signal must be corrected for the magnetic field diffusion into the metal. The theoretically predicted flux due to diffusion is in remarkable agreement with experimental measurements. Although accurate BPM measurements of beam current require correction of magnetic field diffusion, accurate measurement of beam position requires no correction. In this note, we present experimental validation of current and position results from a prototype detector employing finite conductivity sensing areas, based on experiments on the DARHT-II LIA.
A transmitted-beam diagnostic for the wavelength-tunable UV drive beam on OMEGA
A transmitted-beam diagnostic (P9TBD) was developed as part of a new experimental platform used to study laser–plasma interactions on OMEGA. Located in the opposing port to the wavelength-tunable (350 nm to 353 nm) UV drive beam, the P9TBD characterizes the beam after it propagates through an undersense plasma. The instrument consists of a large-aperture window that allows light to exit the target chamber and project onto a thin sheet of semi-transparent diffuser material. Light transmitted through the diffuser is recorded using a time-integrated camera and a fiber-optically coupled streaked spectrometer, providing measurements of the energy, power, fluence, polarization, and spectrum of the transmitted beam. Here, the diagnostic enables direct observation of a variety of cross-beam energy transfer phenomena, such as wavelength detuning, polarization effects, and gain saturation.
Investigation of UV, ns-laser damage resistance of hafnia films produced by electron beam evaporation and ion beam sputtering deposition methods
Laser-induced damage in coating materials with a high index of refraction, such as hafnia, limits the performance of high power and high energy laser systems. Understanding the underlying physics responsible for laser damage holds the key for developing damage-resistant optical films. Previous studies have reported a substantial difference in laser damage onset for hafnia films produced by different deposition methods, yet the underlying mechanisms for the observed difference remain elusive. We combined laser damage testing with analytical characterizations and theoretical simulations to investigate the response of hafnia films produced by electron (e-) beam evaporation vs ion beam sputtering (IBS) methods upon UV ns-laser exposure. We found that e-beam produced hafnia films were overall more damage resistant; in addition, we observed a polarization anisotropy associated with the onset of damage in the e-beam films, while this effect was absent in the latter films. The observed differences can be attributed to the stark contrast in the pressure inside the pores inherent in both films. The high pressure inside the IBS-induced nanobubbles has been shown to reduce the threshold for laser-induced plasma breakdown leading to film damage. The polarization effects in the e-beam coatings can be related to the asymmetric electric field intensification induced by the columnar void structure. Our findings provide a fundamental basis for developing strategies to produce laser damage-resistant coatings for UV pulsed laser applications.
Theory and simulations of cross-beam energy transfer between speckled laser beams
In this paper, we introduce a realistic modeling of laser beams smoothed by random phase plates to investigate cross-beam energy transfer (CBET). We compute the total field of the smoothed laser beams, which allows us to perform accurate simulations and to build a model accounting for the realistic structure of the speckles. This lets us confirm the results already discussed in a previous work given by Oudin et al. [Phys. Plasmas 29, 112112 (2022)]. When CBET is induced by a plasma flow, plane wave models can predict the exchange between smoothed laser beams. By contrast, when the exchange is caused by a wavelength shift between the laser fields of each beam, plane wave models overestimate the energy transfer, even for strongly Landau-damped ion acoustic waves. We also show that the laser angular spread, which results from its focusing, affects the resonance between the ponderomotive force induced by the laser fields and the ion acoustic wave. It increases the resonance width, which weakly depends on the Landau damping rate when there is a wavelength shift and no flow. In addition, the power transfer obtained with or without a phase plate is essentially the same in the perturbative regime and for small crossing angles.
Direct matter disassembly via electron beam control: electron-beam-mediated catalytic etching of graphene by nanoparticles
Here, we report electron-beam activated motion of a catalytic nanoparticle along a graphene step edge and associated etching of the edge. The catalytic hydrogenation process was observed to be activated by a combination of elevated temperature and electron beam irradiation. Reduction of beam fluence on the particle was sufficient to stop the process, leading to the ability to switch on and off the etching. Such an approach enables the targeting of individual nanoparticles to induce motion and beam-controlled etching of matter through activated electrocatalytic processes. The applications of electron-beam control as a paradigm for molecular-scale robotics are discussed.
Multi-electron beam generation using co-propagating, parallel laser beams
High intensity short pulse laser plasma interaction experiments were performed to investigate laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) in the 'bubble' regime. Using a specially designed phase plate, two high intensity laser focal spots were generated adjacent to each other with a transverse spacing of 70 μm and were focused onto a low density plasma target. We found that this configuration generated two simultaneous relativistic electron beams from LWFA (with low divergence) and that these beams often interact strongly with each other for longer propagation distances in the plasma thus reducing beam quality. In addition, it was observed that the existence of an adjacent laser driven wakefield significantly reduced the self-trapping threshold for injection of electrons. Numerical modeling of these interactions demonstrated similar phenomena and also showed that electron beam properties can be affected through precise control of the phase and polarization of the incident laser beam.
Longitudinal Beam-Shaping Simulation for Enhanced Transformer Ratio in Beam-Driven Accelerators
A beam-driven structure wakefield accelerator (SWFA) is currently under consideration for future multi-user Xray free-electron-laser (FEL) light sources. One of the challenges associated with SWFA is the efficient energy transfer from the drive to the main bunch that can be enhanced via a precise control over the drive-bunch current profile. This paper discusses the development and initial beam-dynamics simulation of the drivebunch longitudinal dynamics using the fast-tracking program TWICE. This code, written in PYTHON, allows for rapid prototyping of the beam shaping process while taking into account the collective effects using simplified models. This paper describes the algorithm implementation and its capabilities of including collective effects into both forward and backward tracking. Initial results of optimizing beam shape with a conventional linac to produce a drive beam with a shape optimized for SFWA are presented.
Progress with Long-Range Beam-Beam Compensation Studies for High Luminosity LHC
Long-range beam-beam (LRBB) interactions can be a source of emittance growth and beam losses in the LHC during physics and will become even more relevant with the smaller '* and higher bunch intensities foreseen for the High Luminosity LHC upgrade (HL-LHC), in particular if operated without crab cavities. Both beam losses and emittance growth could be mitigated by compensat-ing the non-linear LRBB kick with a correctly placed current carrying wire. Such a compensation scheme is currently being studied in the LHC through a demonstration test using current-bearing wires embedded into col-limator jaws, installed either side of the high luminosity interaction regions. For HL-LHC two options are considered, a current-bearing wire as for the demonstrator, or electron lenses, as the ideal distance between the particle beam and compensating current may be too small to allow the use of solid materials. This paper reports on the ongoing activities for both options, covering the progress of the wire-in-jaw collimators, the foreseen LRBB experiments at the LHC, and first considerations for the design of the electron lenses to ultimately replace material wires for HL-LHC.
MEASUREMENTS OF BEAM-BEAM INTERACTIONS IN GEAR-CHANGING COLLISIONS IN DESIREE
In this work, we perform measurements on the interactions of colliding beams in a gear-changing system. Gear-changing was first demonstrated in DESIREE in May of 2020 and showed several promising avenues to measure beam-beam effects. DESIREE has a unique collision scheme where the beams are moving in the same direction, which provides for unique interactions. This experiment used a 4 on 3 gear changing system with one bucket in each ring left empty, this allows us to see the bunch profile while undergoing collisions. We then measured the bunch length over time and used a Fourier transform to extract longitudinal evolution data and compared it to baseline data of uncollided beams.
Beam Performance of the Positron Transport Line for CEBAF Positron Upgrade
The Low Energy Recirculator Facility (LERF) at Jefferson Lab, formerly operated for the Free-Electron Laser program, has been proposed as the injector complex for the planned 12 GeV CEBAF positron upgrade (Ce+BAF), with an additional pathway to support a potential 22 GeV CEBAF electron upgrade. In this configuration, LERF would generate and pre-accelerate positrons to 123 MeV, matching the present injection energy into the North Linac. Due to the relatively large emittance expected from the positron source, a comprehensive acceptance study has been performed from LERF through the CEBAF recirculating linacs and beam transport lines to the experimental halls. The objective is to establish the positron phase-space acceptance and provide design feedback to the positron production and capture systems. Furthermore, given CEBAF’s capability to deliver highly polarized beams, spin-tracking simulations have been carried out including magnet imperfections, alignment errors, and synchrotron-radiation–induced energy spread. Particular attention is given to the evolution of the spin tune and the corresponding depolarization mechanisms along the beam delivery path, especially for providing longitudinal polarization at the experimental halls. These results inform injector design choices and assess the overall feasibility of delivering high-polarization positron beams in CEBAF.
NuMI Beam Muon Monitor Data Analysis and Simulation for Improved Beam Monitoring
The NuMI muon monitors (MMs) are a very important diagnostic tool for monitoring the stability of the neutrino beam used by the NOvA experiment at Fermilab. The goal of our study is to maintain the quality of the MM signal and to establish the correlations between the neutrino and muon beam profile. This study could also inform the LBNF decision on the beam diagnostic tools. We report on the progress of beam scan data analysis (beam position, spot size, and magnetic horn current scan) and comparison with the simulation outcomes.