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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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NASA NTRS1976

Potential biomedical applications of ion beam technology

Electron bombardment ion thrusters used as ion sources have demonstrated a unique capability to vary the surface morphology of surgical implant materials. The microscopically rough surface texture produced by ion beam sputtering of these materials may result in improvements in the biological response and/or performance of implanted devices. Control of surface roughness may result in improved attachment of the implant to soft tissue, hard tissue, bone cement, or components deposited from blood. Potential biomedical applications of ion beam texturing discussed include: vascular prostheses, artificial heart pump diaphragms, pacemaker fixation, percutaneous connectors, orthopedic prosthesis fixation, and dental implants.

Banks, B. A.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Laboratory degradation of Kapton in a low energy oxygen ion beam

An atomic oxygen ion beam, accelerated from a tunable microwave resonant cavity, was used at Lewis Research Center to bombard samples of the widely used polyimide Kapton. The Kapton experienced degradation and mass loss at high rates, which may be comparable to those found in Space Shuttle operations if the activation energy supplied by the beam enabled surface reactions with the ambient oxygen. The simulation reproduced the directionality (ram-wake dependence) of the degradation, the change in optical properties of the degraded materials, and the structure seen in scanning electron micrographs of samples returned on the Shuttle Trails with a substituted argon ion beam produced no rapid degradation. Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX) showed significant surface composition changes in all bombarded samples. Mass loss rates and surface composition changes are discussed in terms of the possible oxidation chemistry of the interaction. Finally, the question of how the harmful degradation of materials in low Earth orbit can be minimized is addressed.

Ferguson, D. C.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Laboratory degradation of Kapton in a low energy oxygen ion beam

An atomic oxygen ion beam, accelerated from a tunable microwave resonant cavity, was used at Lewis Research Center to bombard samples of the widely used polyimide Kapton. The Kapton experienced degradation and mass loss at high rates, which may be comparable to those found in Space Shuttle operations if the activation energy supplied by the beam enabled surface reactions with the ambient oxygen. The simulation reproduced the directionality (ram-wake dependence) of the degradiation, the change in optical properties of the degraded materials, and the structure seen in scanning electron micrographs of samples returned on the Shuttle Trails with a substituted argon ion beam produced no rapid degradation. Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX) showed significant surface composition changes in all bombarded samples. Mass loss rates and surface composition changes are discussed in terms of the possible oxidation chemistry of the interaction. Finally, the question of how the harmful degradation of materials in low earth orbit can be minimized is addressed.

Ferguson, D. C.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Ion-beam technology and applications

Ion propulsion research and development yields a mature technology that is transferable to a wide range of nonpropulsive applications, including terrestrial and space manufacturing. A xenon ion source was used for an investigation into potential ion-beam applications. The results of cathode tests and discharge-chamber experiments are presented. A series of experiments encompassing a wide range of potential applications is discussed. Two types of processes, sputter deposition, and erosion were studied. Some of the potential applications are thin-film Teflon capacitor fabrication, lubrication applications, ion-beam cleaning and polishing, and surface texturing.

Hudson, W. R.↗

DOE OSTI2020

Sample spinning to mitigate polarization artifact and interstitial-vacancy imbalance in ion-beam irradiation

Accelerator-based ion-beam irradiation has been widely used to mimic the effects of neutron radiation damage in nuclear reactors. However, ion radiation is most often monodisperse in the incoming ions’ momentum direction, leading to excessive polarization in defect distribution, while the scattering under neutron irradiation is often more isotropic and has less radiation-induced polarization. Mitigation of the excess-polarization as well as the damage non-uniformity artifact might be crucial for making the simulation of neutron radiation by ion-beam radiation more realistic. In this work, a general radiation polarization theory in treating radiation as external polar stimuli is established to understand the natural material responses in different contexts, and the possibility to correct the defect polarization artifact in ion-beam irradiation. Inspired by Magic Angle Spinning in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, we present a precise sample spinning strategy to reduce the point-defect imbalance effect in ion-beam irradiation. It can be seen that with optimized surface inclination angle and the axis of sample rotation, the vacancy-interstitial population imbalance, as well as the damage profile non-uniformity in a designated region in the target are both reduced. It is estimated that sample spinning frequency on the order of kHz should be sufficient to scramble the ion momentum monodispersity for commonly taken ion fluxes and dose rates, which is experimentally feasible.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2026

Intrabeam scattering studies with large-emittance-ratio ion beams in the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, and implications for the Electron-Ion Collider

The Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), to be constructed at Brookhaven National Laboratory, will collide polarized, high-energy electron beams with hadron beams, achieving peak luminosities of up to 1.0 x 10 34 cm -2 s -1 . To reach such high luminosity, the EIC will employ flat-beam collisions at the interaction point. The design transverse emittance ratio will be about 10:1 in the Hadron Storage Ring (HSR). Thanks to stochastic cooling and precise decoupling, we successfully generated and accelerated gold ion beams with a large emittance ratio of 11:1 in the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). In this article, we present results of intrabeam scattering (IBS) measurements and modeling for large-emittance gold ion beams, both without and with controlled betatron coupling. To model the IBS growth, we use the formulas developed by Lebedev and Nagaitsev.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

NASA NTRS1978

Ion beam technology applications study

Specific perceptions and possible ion beam technology applications were obtained as a result of a literature search and contact interviews with various institutions and individuals which took place over a 5-month period. The use of broad beam electron bombardment ion sources is assessed for materials deposition, removal, and alteration. Special techniques examined include: (1) cleaning, cutting, and texturing for surface treatment; (2) crosslinking of polymers, stress relief in deposited layers, and the creation of defect states in crystalline material by ion impact; and (3) ion implantation during epitaxial growth and the deposition of neutral materials sputtered by the ion beam. The aspects, advantages, and disadvantages of ion beam technology and the competitive role of alternative technologies are discussed.

Sellen, J. M., Jr.↗

DOE OSTI2026

Focused ion beam milling of polycrystalline diamond

Focused ion beam (FIB) technology has a large potential for precise milling of ultrahard materials such as diamond. However, studies of the sputtering of diamond with ion species and energies relevant to the FIB technology are scarce. Here, we report a systematic study of the sputtering of polycrystalline diamond surfaces with ion beams in a wide range of ion energies (2 - 30 keV), incident beam angles (0 - 80°), and ion masses (N, O, Ar, and Xe). Results show that the sputter yield is relatively insensitive to ion energy but strongly depends on the ion species and incident beam angles. Bombardment with O ions results in sputter yields that are significantly larger than ballistic predictions due to chemical etching effects. Characteristic surface ripples develop for oblique beam incidence angle irradiation. The critical beam tilt angle for the onset of ripple formation and the wavelength of the ripples depend on ion species and energies. Ripples appear to suppress ion reflection at high beam tilt angles and, hence, a peak in the sputter yield angular dependence. In conclusion, these results have direct implications for the development of process parameter maps for high-precision ion-beam milling of diamond.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS1964

New apparatus increases ion beam power density

To increase ion engine or rocket power, an ion source and emitter, an ion beam focusing electrode, and an ion accelerator are incorporated into the system. In operation the space charge surrounding the ion emitter decreases, the ion beam density accelerates, and engine power increases.

Baldwin, L. V.↗

NASA NTRS2006

A Lunar-Based Spacecraft Propulsion Concept - The Ion Beam Sail

We describe a concept for spacecraft propulsion by means of an energetic ion beam, with the ion source fixed at the spacecraft starting point (e.g., a lunar-based ion beam generator) and not onboard the vessel. This approach avoids the substantial mass penalty associated with the onboard ion source and power supply hardware, and vastly more energetic ion beam systems can be entertained. We estimate the ion beam parameters required for various scenarios, and consider some of the constraints limiting the concept. We find that the "ion beam sail' approach can be viable and attractive for journey distances not too great, for example within the Earth-Moon system, and could potentially provide support for journeys to the inner planets.

Brown, Ian G.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Interaction of a finite-length ion beam with a background plasma - Reflected ions at the quasi-parallel bow shock

The coupling of a finite-length, field-aligned, ion beam with a uniform background plasma is investigated using one-dimensional hybrid computer simulations. The finite-length beam is used to study the interaction between the incident solar wind and ions reflected from the earth's quasi-parallel bow shock, where the reflection process may vary with time. The coupling between the reflected ions and the solar wind is relevant to ion heating at the bow shock and possibly to the formation of hot, flow anomalies and re-formation of the shock itself. Consistent with linear theory, the waves which dominate the interaction are the electromagnetic right-hand polarized resonant and nonresonant modes. However, in addition to the instability growth rates, the length of time that the waves are in contact with the beam is also an important factor in determining which wave mode will dominate the interaction. It is found that interaction will result in strong coupling, where a significant fraction of the available free energy is converted into thermal energy in a short time, provided the beam is sufficiently dense or sufficiently long.

Onsager, T. G.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Planarization, densification, and exfoliation of porous materials by high-energy ion beams

A method and system for providing at least one of planarization, densification, and exfoliation of a porous material using ion beams. The method may use an ion beam generator to generate an ion beam, the ion beam having energy above 0.1 MeV. The ion beam generator may irradiate the surface of a porous material with the ion beam to produce at least one of planarization, densification, and exfoliation of the porous material.

Kucheyev, Sergei O.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Upconversion of lower-hybrid waves by gyrating ion beams in a plasma

A gyrating ion beam, with ring shape distribution in velocity space, supports negative energy modes near the harmonics of beam gyrofrequency. An investigation of the nonlinear interaction of high-frequency lower-hybrid waves with the negative energy beam cyclotron mode is made. A nonlinear dispersion relation is derived for the coupled modes. It is shown that a gyrating ion beam frequency upconverts the lower-hybrid waves separated by harmonics of the beam gyrofrequency. This process of upconversion may thus provide a tool for the diagnostics of the gyrating ion beams. The process may also be important in the saturation of lower-hybrid waves observed in the auroral zone S3-3 satellite data.

Sharma, O. P.↗

NASA NTRS1965

Investigation of ion beam diagnostics final report

Ion beam diagnostics - plasma wind tunnel stream generation and characteristics, mercury optical resonance probe, environment effects on ion stream neutralization, and electric field meters

PLASMA GENERATION↗

NASA NTRS1995

Solar wind double ions beams and the heliospheric current sheet

Double ion beams are often observed in the solar wind, but little work has been done in relating these beams to structures within the solar wind. Double ion beams are observed as beams of a given ion species and charge state occurring at two different energies. We use the three-dimensional ion plasma instrument on board the Ulysses spacecraft to look for evidence of such beams associated with the heliospheric current sheet. In a subset chosen independently of plasma parameters consisting of 8 of cover 47 crossings of the current sheet made during the inecliptic phase of the Ulysses mission we find that these double ion beams are always present on either side of the current sheet. The double beams are present in both the proton and helium species. The secondary beam typically has a higher helium abundance, which suggests that these beams are formed in the helium-rich corona rather than in interplanetary space. The double beams are not present in the interior of the current sheet. Neither collisions nor effects of plasma beta can account for the disappearance of the double beams inside the current sheet in all eight cases. We postulate that these beams are formed by reconnection occurring near the Sun in the boundary region between the open field lines of the coronal holes and the closed field line region of the heliospheric current sheet. Such a scenario would be consistent with previous X ray measurements which suggect that reconnection is occurring in this region.

Hammond, C. M.↗

NASA NTRS1977

A heavy ion beam probe system for investigation of a modified Penning discharge

An ion beam probe diagnostic system can measure time- and space-resolved profiles of plasma space potential and electron density. In combination with a computer iterative technique, the ion beam probe can determine both the space potential profile in plasmas containing strong electric fields and potentials comparable in magnitude to the energy of the probing ion beam. During ion beam probing of a modified Penning discharge, several groups of secondary ions were observed coming from the plasma with a fixed primary beam energy and momentum. The energies of these ions were within 10 percent of the values predicted by a computer-generated model of the potential profile in the plasma. The mechanical and electronic components of the system are described, with particular emphasis on those features required to probe plasma potentials comparable in magnitude to the ion beam energy.

Kambic, G. X.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Characterization of beam ion loss in high poloidal beta regime on EAST

A critical issue for achieving the integrated operation of steady-state long-pulse high-confinement (H-mode) plasmas on experimental advanced superconducting tokamak (EAST) is to improve beam ion population confinement during neutral beam injection (NBI). To study the characterization of beam ion loss and improve beam ion confinement, the steady-state long pulse scenario discharges were conducted on EAST (β p $\geqslant$ 2.0, β N $\geqslant$ 1.7, q 95 $\geqslant$ 6.7 and H 98y2 $\geqslant$ 1.1) with NBI heating. Based on neutron yield, the beam voltage and line-averaged electron density were adjusted from 50 kV to 60 kV and 4.4 × 10 19 m –3 to 5.0 × 10 19 m –3 , respectively. The results show that the dominant mechanisms of beam ion loss are shine-through loss, prompt loss, and stochastic ripple loss. The shine-through loss fraction is determined by initial velocity, flight time and entire beam path. The change in prompt loss fraction is caused by the change in the deposition of beam ions. The change in stochastic ripple loss fraction is caused by the change in the initial fraction of trapped-confined ions. Detailed physics shows that the prompt loss fraction during counter-Ip injections (~45%) is far larger than during co-Ip injections (~5%) due to the finite orbit width. The lost ions are mainly deposited on the lower divertor or below the midplane since the direction of magnetic drift is vertical down. The orbit types of prompt loss during counter-Ip injections are mainly trapped-lost and ctr-passing lost. To minimize the prompt loss fraction during counter-Ip injections, a reversed Ip configuration (rev-Ip) discharge #94758 was conducted. The result suggests that the beam ion wall load fraction during counter-Ip tangential injection (~3%) is far lower than that in normal Ip configuration (nor-Ip) discharge #94820. It is also found that the confinement of beam ion population in the counter-Ip injection #94758 was greatly improved when compared to #94820. Finally, this study can provide unique support for the improvement of beam ion population confinement and for the performance evaluation of the NBI system on EAST and future tokamaks.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

NASA NTRS1975

Experimental observation of the ion-ion beam instability in a cylindrical geometry

The ion-ion beam instability is investigated in a cylindrical geometry. In the presence of a cylindrically symmetric ion beam a coherent ion-ion beam instability is observed for a well-defined range of beam velocity. This instability gives rise to cylindrical standing waves whose frequency depends upon beam velocity. The beam distribution function is measured to be a ring in velocity space. The dispersion relation appropriate for the cylindrical standing waves is solved numerically and is shown to be in good agreement with the experimentally observed instability.

Romesser, T.↗