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At least 505 records · Page 28

SU-D-BRE-04: Evaluating the Dose Accuracy of a 2D Ion Chamber Array in High Dose Rate Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Beam

Purpose: To evaluate the absolute dose accuracy of the PTW Octavius 729 XDR 2D ion chamber array at a high dose rate pencil beam scanning proton therapy facility. Methods: A set of 18 plans were created in our treatment planning system, each of which comprising a unique combination of field sizes (FS), length of spread out of Bragg peaks (SOBP) and depths. The parameters used were: FS of 5×5cm{sup 2}, 10×10cm{sup 2} and 15×15cm{sup 2}; flat SOBP of 5cm and 10cm; and isocenter depths of 10cm, 15cm and 20cm, which coincides with the center of the SOBP. The 2D array detector was positioned at the machine isocenter and the appropriate amount of solid water was used to match the planned depths of 10, 15 and 20 cm water equivalent depth. Subsequently, we measured the absolute dose at isocenter using a CC04 ion chamber in a 1D water tank. Both 2D array and CC04 were previously cross calibrated. We also collected the MU rates used by our proton machine from the log files. Results: The relative differences between the CC04 and the 2D array can be summarized into two groups, one with 5 cm SOBP and another with 10 cm SOBP. Plotting these datasets against FS shows that the 2D array response for high dose rate fields (FS of 5×5cm{sup 2} and 5cm SOBP) can be up to 2% lower. Similarly, plotting them against isocenter depths reveals the detector's response can be up to 2% lower for higher energy beams (about 200MeV nominal). The MU rate found in the machine log files for 5cm SOBP's were as high as twice the MU rate for the 10cm SOBP. Conclusion: The 2D array dose response showed a dose rate effect in scanning pencil beam delivery, which needs to be corrected to achieve a better dose accuracy.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

SU-E-I-01: A Fast, Analytical Pencil Beam Based Method for First Order X-Ray Scatter Estimation of Kilovoltage Cone Beam X-Rays

Purpose: To analytically estimate first-order x-ray scatter for kV cone beam x-ray imaging with high computational efficiency. Methods: In calculating first-order scatter using the Klein-Nishina formula, we found that by integrating the point-to-point scatter along an interaction line, a “pencil-beam” scatter kernel (BSK) can be approximated to a quartic expression when the imaging field is small. This BSK model for monoenergetic, 100keV x-rays has been verified on homogeneous cube and cylinder water phantoms by comparing with the exact implementation of KN formula. For heterogeneous medium, the water-equivalent length of a BSK was acquired with an improved Siddon's ray-tracing algorithm, which was also used in calculating pre- and post- scattering attenuation. To include the electron binding effect for scattering of low-kV photons, the mean corresponding scattering angle is determined from the effective point of scattered photons of a BSK. The behavior of polyenergetic x-rays was also investigated for 120kV x-rays incident to a sandwiched infinite heterogeneous slab phantom, with the electron binding effect incorporated. Exact computation and Monte Carlo simulations were performed for comparisons, using the EGSnrc code package. Results: By reducing the 3D volumetric target (o(n{sup 3})) to 2D pencil-beams (o(n{sup 2})), the computation expense can be generally lowered by n times, which our experience verifies. The scatter distribution on a flat detector shows high agreement between the analytic BSK model and exact calculations. The pixel-to-pixel differences are within (-2%, 2%) for the homogeneous cube and cylinder phantoms and within (0, 6%) for the heterogeneous slab phantom. However, the Monte Carlo simulation shows increased deviation of the BSK model toward detector periphery. Conclusion: The proposed BSK model, accommodating polyenergetic x-rays and electron binding effect at low kV, shows great potential in efficiently estimating the first-order scatter from small imaging fields. We are investigating more thoroughly to improve performance and explore applications.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

SU-E-T-218: Investigating the Differences in Out-Of-Field Dose Between An Inherently Uniform Beam and a Flattening Filter Free Beam Made Uniform Through Inverse Modulation

Purpose: To characterize with physical measurements the out-of-field dose for flattening filter free (FFF) and IMRT flattened FFF photon beams less than 10 MV from a Siemens Artiste LINAC, field size dependence, thereof, and comparison with the Pinnacle planning system calculation. Methods: Single field plans were developed for 5×5cm{sup 2} and 20×20cm{sup 2} field sizes for 6MV and 7MV-FFF. An additional 7MV-FFF plan was developed for each field size with the purpose of delivering a uniform dose (7MV-FFFUniform), similar to 6MV, utilizing inverse modulation. The calculated and measured dose was normalized to achieve equivalence at 10cm depth in water. Out-of-field dose measurements were acquired with a farmer-type ionization chamber in solid water at incremental distances up to 90cm from the field edge at physical depths of 1.5cm and 5.0cm. The dose contribution from head leakage was determined by closing the jaws symmetrically and the MLC off-axis Results: Data collected show that the out-of-field dose for 6MV is generally greater than 7MV-FFF and 7MV-FFF-Uniform. The 7MV-FFF-Uniform dose is less than 7MV-FFF for the small field size, but similar for the larger field and may be attributed to the small IMRT segments of the 5x5 field developing narrow beam geometry with reduced scatter. The out-of-field dose from 7MV-FFF-Uniform for the 20×20 field was greater than 6MV and 7MV-FFF beyond 50cm from the field edge. Head leakage from the 7MV-FFF-Uniform segmental MU modulation was greater than the un-modulated beams. The calculated out-of-field dose was consistently −200% different than measured for a subset of points considered. Conclusion: The modulation required to deliver a uniform large field dose with 7MV-FFF will increase the peripheral dose to the patient in comparison to already physically flattened fields; however, the dose near the field edge will be reduced. If reliable out-of-field doses are needed physical measurements should be used.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Simulation of the development and interaction of instabilities in a relativistic electron beam under variation of the beam wall thickness

The development and interaction of Bursian and diocotron instabilities in an annular relativistic electron beam propagating in a cylindrical drift chamber are investigated analytically and numerically as functions of the beam wall thickness and the magnitude of the external uniform magnetic field. It is found that the interaction of instabilities results in the formation of a virtual cathode with a complicated rotating helical structure and several reflection regions (electron bunches) in the azimuthal direction. It is shown that the number of electron bunches in the azimuthal direction increases with decreasing beam wall thickness and depends in a complicated manner on the magnitude of the external magnetic field.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Design of An 18 MW Beam Dump for 500 GeV Electron/Positron Beams at An ILC

This article presents a report on the progress made in designing 18 MW water based Beam Dumps for electrons or positrons for an International Linear Collider (ILC). Multi-dimensional technology issues have to be addressed for the successful design of the Beam Dump. They include calculations of power deposition by the high energy electron/positron beam bunch trains, computational fluid dynamic analysis of turbulent water flow, mechanical design, process flow analysis, hydrogen/oxygen recombiners, handling of radioactive 7Be and 3H, design of auxiliary equipment, provisions for accident scenarios, remote window exchanger, radiation shielding, etc. The progress made to date is summarized, the current status, and also the issues still to be addressed.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Further Analysis of Real Beam Line Optics From A Synthetic Beam

Standard closed-orbit techniques for Twiss parameter measurement are not applicable to the open-ended Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) at Jefferson Lab. The evolution of selected sets of real orbits in the accelerator models the behavior of a 'synthetic' beam. This process will be validated against beam profile-based Twiss parameter measurements and should provide the distributed optical information needed to optimize beamline tuning for an open-ended system. This work will discuss the current and future states of this technique, as well as an example of its use in the CEBAF machine.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Laser ion source with solenoid for Brookhaven National Laboratory-electron beam ion source

The electron beam ion source (EBIS) preinjector at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is a new heavy ion-preinjector for relativistic heavy ion collider (RHIC) and NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL). Laser ion source (LIS) is a primary ion source provider for the BNL-EBIS. LIS with solenoid at the plasma drift section can realize the low peak current ({approx}100 {micro}A) with high charge ({approx}10 nC) which is the BNL-EBIS requirement. The gap between two solenoids does not cause serious plasma current decay, which helps us to make up the BNL-EBIS beamline.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Simulation of ion beam transport through the 400 Kv ion implanter at Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory

The Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory houses a 400 kV ion implanter. An application that simulates the ion beam trajectories through the implanter from the ion source to the target was developed using the SIMION Registered-Sign code. The goals were to have a tool to develop an intuitive understanding of abstract physics phenomena and diagnose ion trajectories. Using this application, new implanter users of different fields in science quickly understand how the machine works and quickly learn to operate it. In this article we describe the implanter simulation application and compare the parameters of the implanter components obtained from the simulations with the measured ones. The overall agreement between the simulated and measured values of magnetic fields and electric potentials is {approx}10%.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

A high-resolution multi-slit phase space measurement technique for low-emittance beams

Precise measurement of transverse phase space of a high-brightness electron beamis of fundamental importance in modern accelerators and free-electron lasers. Often, the transverse phase space of a high-brightness, space-charge-dominated electron beam is measured using a multi-slit method. In this method, a transverse mask (slit/pepperpot) samples the beaminto a set of beamlets, which are then analyzed on to a screen downstream. The resolution in this method is limited by the type of screen used which is typically around 20 {mu}m for a high-sensitivity Yttrium Aluminum Garnet screen. Accurate measurement of sub-micron transverse emittance using this method would require a long drift space between the multi-slit mask and observation screen. In this paper, we explore a variation of the technique that incorporates quadrupole magnets between the multi-slit mask and the screen. It is shown that this arrangement can improve the resolution of the transverse-phase-space measurement with in a short footprint.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Electron molecular beam epitaxy: Layer-by-layer growth of complex oxides via pulsed electron-beam deposition

Complex oxide epitaxial film growth is a rich and exciting field, owing to the wide variety of physical properties present in oxides. These properties include ferroelectricity, ferromagnetism, spin-polarization, and a variety of other correlated phenomena. Traditionally, high quality epitaxial oxide films have been grown via oxide molecular beam epitaxy or pulsed laser deposition. Here, we present the growth of high quality epitaxial films using an alternative approach, the pulsed electron-beam deposition technique. We demonstrate all three epitaxial growth modes in different oxide systems: Frank-van der Merwe (layer-by-layer); Stranski-Krastanov (layer-then-island); and Volmer-Weber (island). Analysis of film quality and morphology is presented and techniques to optimize the morphology of films are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Vacancy-type defects in Mg-doped GaN grown by ammonia-based molecular beam epitaxy probed using a monoenergetic positron beam

Vacancy-type defects in Mg-doped GaN were probed using a monoenergetic positron beam. GaN films with a thickness of 0.5–0.7 μm were grown on GaN/sapphire templates using ammonia-based molecular beam epitaxy and characterized by measuring Doppler broadening spectra. Although no vacancies were detected in samples with a Mg concentration [Mg] below 7 × 10{sup 19 }cm{sup −3}, vacancy-type defects were introduced starting at above [Mg] = 1 × 10{sup 20 }cm{sup −3}. The major defect species was identified as a complex between Ga vacancy (V{sub Ga}) and multiple nitrogen vacancies (V{sub N}s). The introduction of vacancy complexes was found to correlate with a decrease in the net acceptor concentration, suggesting that the defect introduction is closely related to the carrier compensation. We also investigated Mg-doped GaN layers grown using In as the surfactant. The formation of vacancy complexes was suppressed in the subsurface region (≤80 nm). The observed depth distribution of defects was attributed to the thermal instability of the defects, which resulted in the introduction of vacancy complexes during the deposition process.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A stable partitioned FSI algorithm for incompressible flow and deforming beams

An added-mass partitioned (AMP) algorithm is described for solving fluid–structure interaction (FSI) problems coupling incompressible flows with thin elastic structures undergoing finite deformations. The new AMP scheme is fully second-order accurate and stable, without sub-time-step iterations, even for very light structures when added-mass effects are strong. The fluid, governed by the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations, is solved in velocity-pressure form using a fractional-step method; large deformations are treated with a mixed Eulerian-Lagrangian approach on deforming composite grids. The motion of the thin structure is governed by a generalized Euler–Bernoulli beam model, and these equations are solved in a Lagrangian frame using two approaches, one based on finite differences and the other on finite elements. The key AMP interface condition is a generalized Robin (mixed) condition on the fluid pressure. This condition, which is derived at a continuous level, has no adjustable parameters and is applied at the discrete level to couple the partitioned domain solvers. Special treatment of the AMP condition is required to couple the finite-element beam solver with the finite-difference-based fluid solver, and two coupling approaches are described. A normal-mode stability analysis is performed for a linearized model problem involving a beam separating two fluid domains, and it is shown that the AMP scheme is stable independent of the ratio of the mass of the fluid to that of the structure. A traditional partitioned (TP) scheme using a Dirichlet–Neumann coupling for the same model problem is shown to be unconditionally unstable if the added mass of the fluid is too large. A series of benchmark problems of increasing complexity are considered to illustrate the behavior of the AMP algorithm, and to compare the behavior with that of the TP scheme. The results of all these benchmark problems verify the stability and accuracy of the AMP scheme. Results for one benchmark problem modeling blood flow in a deforming artery are also compared with corresponding results available in the literature.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Pore structure refinement of cement paste incorporating nanosilica: Study with dual beam scanning electron microscopy/focused ion beam (SEM/FIB)

Highlights: • The modifying effects of nanosilica on pore structure of cement-based composites are investigated. • Dual beam SEM/FIB is implemented to create the 3D pore structure model and calculate porosity and pore size distribution. • The porosity and pore diameter are found to decrease with the inclusion of nanosilica. - Abstract: Pozzolanic materials, micro- and nano-, have been found to improve the durability properties of cement-based materials by refining their pore structure. As a relatively newer material, the modifying effects of nanosilica on pore structure are still inconclusive in the literature. In this study, this was characterized by implementing dual beam SEM/FIB, which can generate 3D models of porous materials for quantitative analysis. The sample is milled by focused ion beam layer-by-layer, and each surface layer is 2D imaged via scanning electron microscopy. Three types of pores – large capillary pore, medium capillary pore and gel pore – can be observed. A 3D pore structure model is then reconstructed from 1000 of these 2D images, from which porosity and pore size distribution can be calculated. Cement pastes incorporating nanosilica and silica fume were compared. The porosity and pore diameter were found to decrease with the inclusion of nanosilica. Furthermore, reduction in capillary pores and subsequent increase in gel pores were also observed.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Controlling the polarization and vortex charge of attosecond high-harmonic beams via simultaneous spin–orbit momentum conservation

Optical interactions are governed by both spin and angular momentum conservation laws, which serve as a tool for controlling light–matter interactions or elucidating electron dynamics and structure of complex systems. Here, we uncover a form of simultaneous spin and orbital angular momentum conservation and show, theoretically and experimentally, that this phenomenon allows for unprecedented control over the divergence and polarization of extreme-ultraviolet vortex beams. High harmonics with spin and orbital angular momenta are produced, opening a novel regime of angular momentum conservation that allows for manipulation of the polarization of attosecond pulses—from linear to circular—and for the generation of circularly polarized vortices with tailored orbital angular momentum, including harmonic vortices with the same topological charge as the driving laser beam. As a result, our work paves the way to ultrafast studies of chiral systems using high-harmonic beams with designer spin and orbital angular momentum.

High-harmonic generation↗

Investigation of effect of solenoid magnet on emittances of ion beam from laser ablation plasma

A magnetic field can increase an ion current of a laser ablation plasma and is expected to control the change of the plasma ion current. However, the magnetic field can also make some fluctuations of the plasma and the effect on the beam emittance and the emission surface is not clear. To investigate the effect of a magnetic field, we extracted the ion beams under three conditions where without magnetic field, with magnetic field, and without magnetic field with higher laser energy to measure the beam distribution in phase space. Then we compared the relations between the plasma ion current density into the extraction gap and the Twiss parameters with each condition. We observed the effect of the magnetic field on the emission surface.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗