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At least 523 records · Page 29

Time-Resolved Beam Position Measurements for the Scorpius Multipulse Linear Induction Accelerator

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 a theoretical derivation and the experimental validation of this result.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Proceedings from the State of the Science and Technology for Minimizing Impacts to Bats from Wind Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy Wind Energy Technologies Office (DOE WETO), and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory convened a workshop entitled the State of the Science and Technology for Minimizing Impacts to Bats from Wind Energy on 13–14 November 2019. The objectives of the workshop were to (1) Identify the current impact minimization measures that are, or can be, used to reduce bat fatalities at wind energy facilities, (2) Assess the current effectiveness of those minimization measures, (3) Identify and assess the research and development (R&D) opportunities needed to optimize and improve the effectiveness of current minimization and deterrent technologies and inform the development of future solutions; and (4) Identify potential emerging or novel methods for informing impact minimization measures at or around wind energy facilities. Specifically, the workshop focused on deterrent and curtailment strategies. For deterrents, the discussion centered on the existing technology (i.e., ultrasonic deterrents, dim-UV light, and texture coating), integration with wind turbines (either retrofitting or out of the box installation), effectiveness, validation studies, and cost (e.g., technology, installation, validation, and maintenance). For curtailment, the conversation was divided into blanket curtailment (i.e., based on time and wind speed) and smart curtailment (i.e., blanket curtailment plus additional variables such as temperature or bat activity). The workshop included plenary presentations, panels, and breakout sessions to share data and stakeholder perspectives, and engage participants. Although there are several priority topics related to bat and wind energy, this workshop focused the discussion on the current technologies and strategies that are, or can be, used to reduce bat fatalities at wind energy facilities, status of research and development (R&D) of minimization measures, opportunities to optimize costs and improve effectiveness, and potential emerging or novel approaches to explore. This workshop took a holistic approach and discussed all aspects associated with advancing deterrent technologies and curtailment strategies, including the technological, biological, economic, and regulatory barriers faced by the wind energy and wildlife community.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Advances in detection for neutron reflectometry with time-resolved imaging detectors

Thermal neutron detection in neutron scattering science is a challenging endeavour due to a limited number of technologies which are sensitive to these weakly interacting particles. While many improvements to conventional detectors are underway at various facilities, there is a great opportunity to make a leap in performance by combining the spatial resolution benefits of imaging and the temporal resolution and background discrimination of event-driven radiation detectors. This idea has been realized by using a neutron sensitive scintillator read out by a single-photon sensitive camera based on a Timepix3 ASIC. We demonstrate how such data-driven imaging sensors can enable unprecedented performance in neutron reflectometry using the ASTERIX instrument at the Los Alamos Neutron Scattering Center. Several samples were measured with both the new and a conventional 3 He detector systems. The results from this work demonstrate that these imaging based systems can satisfy performance parameters for the future QIKR reflectometer to be built at the Second Target Station at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Further improvements to the detector are already underway which will allow streamlined and expedited experiments. We demonstrate at least a two order of magnitude increase in detection rate at an acceptable dead time and introduce a new way of tuning the detector efficiency using light collecting optics to accommodate highly intense direct beams which cannot be measured with any current detectors without severe attenuation. This will allow measurements of complete reflectometry profiles and using a single sample measurement combined with fewer direct beam calibration measurements on QIKR and potentially other reflectometers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The action-integral and energy to explode short gold wires in ambient air

This paper is about electrically induced explosions of short (1 mm) and thin (38 μm diameter) gold bridgewires in ambient air and contrasts this behavior with that observed for longer wires in a vacuum used in applications such as Z-pinch systems. The action-integral (the time integral of the wire current squared) and energy-to-burst are measured using high current discharge systems. It is found that in contrast to some reports, the action-integral to burst is not a constant for a specific wire geometry and material but, instead, is a function of the rate of current change in the wire around the time of burst and the related metric of the current flux at burst. Furthermore, it is found that the accuracy of the constant action-integral to burst approximation is dependent on the discharge system used. Short gold wires such as these have relevancy to exploding bridgewire detonators.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DSP Implementation of a Novel Recurrent Neural Network Controller into a TI Solar Microinverter

Single-phase grid-tied inverters are widely used to integrate small-scale renewable energy sources and distributed generations to the utility grid. A novel Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) current controller is introduced to solve the resonant problem associated with LCL based inverters. The well-trained RNN controller was validated through a Texas Instruments (TI) LCL filter based solar microinverter kit that contains a C2000 TI microcontroller. The inverter closed current loop test without the grid connection was conducted in a laboratory setup to verify the RNN contoller functionality. The laboratory waveform results verified that the RNN current controller produced the strong tracking of the measured inverter AC current to its reference value even at a low sampling frequency of 5KHz. The proposed RNN current controller also proved to perform better than the built-in three-pole-three-zero (3P3Z) current controller provided by TI and produce lower values of Total Harmonic Distortion (THD).

digital signal processor↗

Electrical, optical, and magnetic properties of amorphous yttrium iron oxide thin films and consequences for non-local resistance measurements

We present magnetic characterization, charge resistivity, and optical photoluminescence measurements on amorphous yttrium iron oxide thin films ( ⁠a-Y–Fe–O), with supporting comparisons to amorphous germanium (⁠ a-Ge) films. We measured magnetic properties with both SQUID magnetometry and polarized neutron reflectometry. These results not only confirm that a-Y–Fe–O is a disordered magnetic material with strong predominantly antiferromagnetic exchange interactions and a high degree of frustration, but also that it is best understood electrically as a disordered semiconductor. As with amorphous germanium, a-Y–Fe–O obeys expectations for variable-range hopping through localized electron states over a wide range of temperature. We also clarify the consequences of charge transport through such a semiconducting medium for non-local voltage measurements intended to probe spin transport in nominally insulating magnetic materials. We further compare non-local resistance measurements made with “quasi-dc” automated current reversal to ac measurements made with a lock-in amplifier. These show that the “quasi-dc” measurement has an effective ac current excitation with frequency up to approximately 22 Hz, and that this effective ac excitation can cause artifacts in these measurements including incorrect sign of the non-local resistance. Here, this comprehensive investigation of non-local resistance measurements in a-Y–Fe–O shows no evidence of spin transport on micrometer length scales, which is contrary to our original work, and in line with more recent investigations by other groups.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Distributed, Intelligent Edge-Sensing for a Smarter Grid

The electric grid is undergoing major transformations and developments resulting in unprecedented levels of volatility, uncertainty, and stress on grid infrastructure. Smart sensors and methods aiding in advanced visibility and situational awareness are key for tackling these issues. In this work, a decentralized architecture is proposed, where sensing, local computation and control capability are embedded in the edge devices, communicating with a set of trusted 'data mules' in a 'delay-tolerant' manner, while functioning autonomously. This system has been designed and implemented as an overall platform – called Global Asset Monitoring, Management and Analytics (GAMMA) Platform intended to provide the backbone for a global array of sensors and actuators. Further, as a building block for advanced current sensing solutions, a smart, low-cost ‘clip-on’ current sensor based on PCB-embedded Rogowski coil has been developed. The sensor hosts a novel signal conditioning stage allowing an 'auto-tuning' feature, resulting in a universal current sensor design for measuring a wide range of currents, including faults for smart grid applications. Finally, the research proposes a method to instrument and monitor key parameters for the most common electric utility asset – the pole-top distribution transformer. The work done in this research enables scalable, edge-intelligent sensing solutions for monitoring grid infrastructure, allowing utility operators to gain advanced visibility in an economical way.

Kulkarni, Shreyas Bhalchandra↗

Method and system for measurement of impedance of electrochemical devices

The present disclosure provides methods for determining impedance of an electrochemical device by electrically connecting a variable impedance in parallel with the electrochemical device; electrically connecting a power supply to the electrochemical device, the power supply generating a power supply current; modulating a current through the variable impedance; measuring a stack current flowing through the electrochemical device; measuring, at the electrochemical device, a voltage across at least a portion of the electrochemical device; and calculating, based on the measured stack current and the measured voltage, the impedance of the electrochemical device. Systems for performing such methods are also provided.

Klein, Jr., Walter Ellis↗

First Measurement of Missing Energy due to Nuclear Effects in Monoenergetic Neutrino Charged-Current Interactions

We present the first measurement of the missing energy due to nuclear effects in monoenergetic, muon neutrino charged-current interactions on carbon, originating from 𝐾 + → 𝜇 + ⁢𝜈 𝜇 decay at rest (𝐸 𝜈 𝜇 = 235.5 MeV), performed with the J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search at the J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source liquid scintillator based experiment. Toward characterizing the neutrino interaction, ostensibly 𝜈 𝜇 ⁢𝑛 → 𝜇 − ⁢𝑝 or 𝜈 𝜇 ⁢ 12 C → 𝜇 − ⁢ 12 N, we define the missing energy as the energy transferred to the nucleus (𝜔) minus the kinetic energy of the outgoing proton(s), 𝐸 𝑚 ≡ 𝜔−∑ 𝑇 𝑝 , and relate this to visible energy in the detector, 𝐸 𝑚 = 𝐸 𝜈 𝜇 ⁡(235.5 MeV) − 𝑚 𝜇⁡ (105.7 MeV) + [𝑚 𝑛 − 𝑚 𝑝⁡ (1.3 MeV)] − 𝐸 vis . The missing energy, which is naively expected to be zero in the absence of nuclear effects (e.g., nucleon separation energy, Fermi momenta, and final-state interactions), is uniquely sensitive to many aspects of the interaction, and has previously been inaccessible with neutrinos. The shape-only, differential cross section measurement reported, based on a (77 ± 3)% pure double-coincidence kaon decay-at-rest signal (621 total events), provides detailed insight into neutrino-nucleus interactions, allowing even the nuclear orbital shell of the struck nucleon to be inferred. The measurement provides an important benchmark for models and event generators at hundreds of MeV neutrino energies, characterized by the difficult-to-model transition region between neutrino-nucleus and neutrino-nucleon scattering, and relevant for applications in nuclear physics, neutrino oscillation measurements, and Type-II supernova studies.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Measurement of double-differential charged-current Drell-Yan cross-sections at high transverse masses in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

This paper presents a first measurement of the cross-section for the charged-current Drell-Yan process pp → W ± → ℓ ± ν above the resonance region, where ℓ is an electron or muon. The measurement is performed for transverse masses, $m$$^{W}_{T}$, between 200 GeV and 5000 GeV, using a sample of 140 fb −1 of pp collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of = 13 TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC during 2015–2018. The data are presented single differentially in transverse mass and double differentially in transverse mass and absolute lepton pseudorapidity. A test of lepton flavour universality shows no significant deviations from the Standard Model. The electron and muon channel measurements are combined to achieve a total experimental precision of 3% at low $m$$^{W}_{T}$. The single- and double differential W-boson charge asymmetries are evaluated from the measurements. A comparison to next-to-next-to-leading-order perturbative QCD predictions using several recent parton distribution functions and including next-to-leading-order electroweak effects indicates the potential of the data to constrain parton distribution functions. The data are also used to constrain four fermion operators in the Standard Model Effective Field Theory formalism, in particular the lepton-quark operator Wilson coefficient $c$$^{(c)}_{ℓq}$.

Hadron-Hadron Scattering↗

Improving Dark Energy Constraints Using Low-Redshift Large-Scale Structures

The primary goal of this project was to improve constraints on dark energy measurements by improving our ability to extract cosmological information from low redshift large-scale structures. PI Clowe's project's primary aim was to reduce the bias in measurements of the masses of clusters of galaxies to a level where the evolution of the cluster mass function can be used in the Vera Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time Dark Energy Science Collaboration survey to improve the accuracy of the measurement of dark energy and other cosmological parameters. Co-PI Seo's project studied observational systematics affecting large-scale clustering of galaxies, which will be used to improve dark energy constraints from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). The cluster lensing project employed a series of simulations and observations of clusters of galaxies to test numerous potential systematic errors in cluster mass measurements using weak gravitational lensing as the accuracy of current weak lensing measurements are more than order of magnitude worse than what is required to use clusters of galaxies for accurate determination of dark energy parameters. PI Clowe and group developed and analyzed simulations to test for, and correct biases introduced in, the weak lensing measurement process. Finally, PI Clowe and group developed a method of detecting clusters using galaxy overdensities and applied the method to the BLISS and DES surveys. The success of spectroscopic dark energy mission such as the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) will depend on a thorough understanding of various observational systematics in the target density fluctuations that would give rise to spurious, non-cosmological signals. PI Seo and group developed a deep learning, artificial neural network (ANN) technique that modeled and mitigated such effects, aimed at deriving more robust galaxy clustering signals not only for the baryon acoustic oscillation feature and redshift-space distortions but also for primordial non-Gaussianity constraint.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Modeling Validation of Mechanical and Thermal Borehole Breakouts From Polyaxial Laboratory Tests to Determine Maximum Horizontal in Situ Stress

To accurately assess rock behavior in the deep subsurface, it is necessary to measure the in situ stress directions and magnitudes. The current methods for measuring the in situ stress state in the deep subsurface primarily include hydraulic fracturing tests (i.e., the minimum horizontal stress) or occasionally observing existing compressive borehole breakouts (i.e., the maximum horizontal stress) that have occurred naturally from drilling. If there are no existing compressive breakouts in a borehole, the maximum horizontal in situ stress cannot be estimated with much confidence. In response to this data gap, a new thermal breakout technology is being developed that will provide a method for thermally inducing borehole breakouts and obtaining consistent measurements of the maximum horizontal stress magnitude. This thermal breakout technology involves heating the borehole and increasing the thermoelastic compressive stress in the rock until a breakout develops, which is directly correlated to the maximum horizontal stress magnitude. In support of developing the thermal breakout technology, polyaxial laboratory tests have been performed on small-scale boreholes within rock blocks where mechanically- and thermally-induced borehole breakouts have been created. Numerical models along with the principal of superposition were created and used to analyze the polyaxial laboratory tests to predict the maximum horizontal stress, given the same data that would be obtained in an actual subsurface borehole thermal breakout test. Multiple failure criteria were used to evaluate the best prediction of the breakout onset and maximum horizontal stress. The maximum horizontal stress predictions were compared to the actual maximum horizontal stress applied at breakout using acoustic events recorded from emission sensors in the polyaxial tests. The results showed consistent results that could be used to refine the modeling approach and failure criterion that are used to make the maximum horizontal stress predictions. This study provided insight and validation for the thermal breakout stress measurement concept.

Jones, Matt↗

Commissioning of the Power Supplies and Coils of the SMART Tokamak

The small aspect ratio tokamak (SMART) is a spherical tokamak (ST) that offers unique capabilities for studying the potential of negative triangularity. It has been designed, constructed, and is currently being operated by the Plasma Science Fusion Technology (PSFT) Laboratory at the University of Seville. SMART has a total of 21 coils, organized into seven independent circuits and driven by five modular power supplies (PS). The PS operation relies on switching converter technology based on IGBT and supercapacitors (SCs). The PS delivers predefined current waveforms to the copper coil system consisting of the central solenoid (CS), 12 toroidal field (TF) coils, three series pairs of poloidal field (PF) coils, and two independent PF coils. This study details the commissioning and validation of the PS toroidal and solenoid coils, as well as the assembly of coils in SMART. The maximum rated current and slope were measured, along with the series impedance of the coils, the output current ripple, and the noise levels. The internal parameters of the SCs were measured, and optimized current profiles were proposed to enhance overall performance. A comparison has been made between the theoretical values and the experimental results, providing insight into the performance of the PS and areas for improvement.

Power electronics↗

Application of Frequency Division Multiplexing and Neural Networks in the Operation and Diagnosis of the Stator Current and Shaft Position Sensors Used in Electric/Hybrid Vehicles

Fast, precise and robust sensing of currents and motor shaft angle is essential for the excellent performance of electric and hybrid vehicles (EV/HEV). Multiplexing techniques are commonly applied in data acquisition systems (DAQs) to digitize the signals sensed in EV/HEV drives. Frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) applied to get the signals from current sensors and resolver angular position sensor has advantages over conventional multiplexing approaches. However, problems such as aging and mechanical imperfections distort the outputs of those sensors, producing measurement errors of the angular position and currents. Conventional techniques designed to compensate for those errors cannot be applied in signals multiplexed in frequency. This paper proposes online techniques to detect and compensate for the distortions in the resolver sensor and current sensors. The demultiplexing process was adjusted to allow distortion detection and compensation. An auto-associative neural network (ANN) compensates for the current measurement error, while an energy-based technique is applied to compensate for the distortions in the resolver outputs. The obtained results show that the distortions were compensated, allowing a more accurate estimation of stator currents and angular position when FDM is applied in EV/HEV DAQs.

Pereira Pinto, Joao↗

Application of FREMES to Characterize and Sort Soil During Site Remediation - 20182

During decommissioning of buildings and the related release of nuclear sites, large amounts of bulk materials such as soil must be measured for clearance. These measurements are required to demonstrate that for example potentially contaminated soil is below the respective radiological limits. Doing so also helps to minimize the amount of bulk material which has to be disposed of as nuclear waste. NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services GmbH (NUKEM) applies their FREMES technology in a project at the former fuel element factory of FBFC International at Dessel, Belgium. The purpose is to measure and check for potential contamination within the excavated soil. The project started in 2017 with design and procurement of the necessary equipment. In October 2017 the FREMES system was installed at the site. After installation and an extensive test program the FREMES facility went fully into operation in July 2018. Original foreseen to measure between 4.000 and 8.000 tons of material, it has currently (mid 2019) measured 23.600 tons. It is expected that another 5.000 tons still have to be measured before the project successfully ends. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Probing the electronic properties of the electrified silicon/water interface by combining simulations and experiments.

Silicon (Si) is broadly used in electrochemical and photoelectrochemical devices, where the capacitive and Faradaic reactions at the Si/water interfaces are critical for signal transduction or noise generation. However, probing the electrified Si/water interface at the microscopic level remains a challenging task. Here we focus on hydrogenated Si surfaces in contact with water, relevant to transient electronics and photoelectrochemical modulation of biological cells and tissues. We show that by carrying out first principles molecular dynamics simulations of the Si(100)/water interface in the presence of an electric field we can realistically correlate the computed flat-band potential and tunneling current images at the interface with experimentally measured capacitive and Faradaic currents. Specifically, we validate our simulations in the presence of bias by performing pulsed chronoamperometry measurements on Si wafers in solution. Consistent with prior experiments, our measurements and simulations indicate the presence of voltage-dependent capacitive currents at the interface. We also find that Faradaic currents are weakly dependent on the applied bias, which we relate to surface defects present in newly prepared samples.

Ye, Zifan↗

Muon-Neutrino Charged-Current Cross Sections from MicroBooNE: First Simultaneous Measurements of Final States with and without Protons for Muon-Neutrino Scattering on Argon

A detailed understanding of muon neutrino charged-current interactions on argon is crucial to the study of neutrino oscillations in current and future experiments using liquid argon time projection chambers. To help fill this need, MicroBooNE has produced a comprehensive set of cross section measurements which simultaneously probe the leptonic and hadronic systems by dividing the inclusive channel into final states with and without protons. Data-driven model validation utilizing the conditional constraint formalism is employed to detect mismodeling that may bias the nominal flux averaged cross section results, which are extracted with the Wiener-SVD unfolding method. The results are compared to widely used event generator predictions revealing significant mismodeling of final states without protons, possibly due to insufficient treatment of final state interactions. These are first differential muon neutrino-argon cross section measurements made simultaneously for final states with and without protons and provide novel information that will help stimulate the improvement of event generator modeling.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Measurement of the neutrino-oxygen neutral-current quasielastic cross section using atmospheric neutrinos in the SK-Gd experiment

We report the first measurement of the atmospheric neutrino-oxygen neutral-current quasielastic (NCQE) cross section in the gadolinium-loaded Super-Kamiokande (SK) water Cherenkov detector. In June 2020, SK began a new experimental phase, named SK-Gd, by loading 0.011% by mass of gadolinium into the ultrapure water of the SK detector. The introduction of gadolinium to ultrapure water has the effect of improving the neutron-tagging efficiency. Using a 552.2 day dataset from August 2020 to June 2022, we measure the NCQE cross section to be 0.74 ± 0.22 ( stat ) − 0.15 + 0.85 ( syst ) × 10 − 38 cm 2 / oxygen in the energy range from 160 MeV to 10 GeV, which is consistent with the atmospheric neutrino-flux-averaged theoretical NCQE cross section and the measurement in the SK pure-water phase within the uncertainties. Furthermore, we compare the models of the nucleon-nucleus interactions in water and find that the binary cascade model and the Liège intranuclear cascade model provide a somewhat better fit to the observed data than the Bertini cascade model. Since the atmospheric neutrino-oxygen NCQE reactions are one of the main backgrounds in the search for diffuse supernova neutrino background (DSNB), these new results will contribute to future studies—and the potential discovery—of the DSNB in SK. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Sakai, S. (ORCID:0000000221900062)↗