Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Collimation”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 613 records · Page 34

Measurement of the jet mass in hadronic decays of boosted W bosons at 13 TeV and extraction of the W boson mass

The jet mass of W bosons decaying to a quark-antiquark pair is measured in W+jets events from proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The data used were collected by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb −1 . Hadronic decays of W bosons with high momenta produce strongly collimated decay products due to the large Lorentz boost, and are reconstructed as single large-radius jets. These jets have a characteristic substructure that is exploited to distinguish them from the large background of quark- and gluon-initiated jets. The jet mass is computed using the soft-drop algorithm, which suppresses soft wide-angle radiation that leads to a broadening of the jet mass distribution. For the first time, unfolded measurements are presented of the double-differential W+jets cross section as a function of the jet transverse momentum and soft-drop mass. From these distributions, the W boson mass is obtained, with a value of 80.83 ± 0.55 GeV in a scheme with mass-dependent width, achieving the smallest uncertainty available today from an all-jets final state at a hadron collider.

hadron-hadron scattering↗

Search for a light pseudoscalar Higgs boson in the boosted $\mu\mu\tau\tau$ final state in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=$ 13 TeV

A search for a light pseudoscalar Higgs boson (a) decaying from the 125 GeV (or a heavier) scalar Higgs boson (H) is performed using the 2016 LHC proton-proton collision data at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{−1}$, collected by the CMS experiment. The analysis considers gluon fusion and vector boson fusion production of the H, followed by the decay H → aa → μμττ, and considers pseudoscalar masses in the range 3.6 < m$_{a}$< 21 GeV. Because of the large mass difference between the H and the a bosons and the small masses of the a boson decay products, both the μμ and the ττ pairs have high Lorentz boost and are collimated. The ττ reconstruction efficiency is increased by modifying the standard technique for hadronic τ lepton decay reconstruction to account for a nearby muon. No significant signal is observed. Model-independent limits are set at 95% confidence level, as a function of m$_{a}$, on the branching fraction (ℬ) for H → aa → μμττ, down to 1.5 (2.0) × 10$^{−4}$ for m$_{H}$ = 125 (300) GeV. Model-dependent limits on ℬ(H → aa) are set within the context of two Higgs doublets plus singlet models, with the most stringent results obtained for Type-III models. These results extend current LHC searches for heavier a bosons that decay to resolved lepton pairs and provide the first such bounds for an H boson with a mass above 125 GeV.[graphic not available: see fulltext]

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Jet substructure from dark sector showers

We examine the robustness of collider phenomenology predictions for a dark sector scenario with QCD-like properties. Pair production of dark quarks at the LHC can result in a wide variety of signatures, depending on the details of the new physics model. A particularly challenging signal results when prompt production induces a parton shower that yields a high multiplicity of collimated dark hadrons with subsequent decays to Standard Model hadrons. The final states contain jets whose substructure encodes their non-QCD origin. This is a relatively subtle signature of strongly coupled beyond the Standard Model dynamics, and thus it is crucial that analyses incorporate systematic errors to account for the approximations that are being made when modeling the signal. We estimate theoretical uncertainties for a canonical substructure observable designed to be sensitive to the gauge structure of the underlying object, the two-point energy correlator $ {e}_2^{\left(\beta \right)} $ , by computing envelopes between resummed analytic distributions and numerical results from Pythia. We explore the separability against the QCD background as the confinement scale, number of colors, number of flavors, and dark quark masses are varied. Additionally, we investigate the uncertainties inherent to modeling dark sector hadronization. Simple estimates are provided that quantify one’s ability to distinguish these dark sector jets from the overwhelming QCD background. Such a search would benefit from theory advances to improve the predictions, and the increase in statistics using the data to be collected at the high luminosity LHC.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Medium modification of the shape of small-radius jets in central Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=2.76$ TeV

We present the measurement of a new set of jet shape observables for track-based jets in central Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=2.76$ TeV. The set of jet shapes includes the first radial moment or angularity, g; the momentum dispersion, pTD; and the difference between the leading and sub-leading constituent track transverse momentum, LeSub. These observables provide complementary information on the jet fragmentation and can constrain different aspects of the theoretical description of jet-medium interactions. The jet shapes were measured for a small resolution parameter R = 0.2 and were fully corrected to particle level. The observed jet shape modifications indicate that in-medium fragmentation is harder and more collimated than vacuum fragmentation as obtained by PYTHIA calculations, which were validated with the measurements of the jet shapes in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV. The comparison of the measured distributions to templates for quark and gluon-initiated jets indicates that in-medium fragmentation resembles that of quark jets in vacuum. We further argue that the observed modifications are not consistent with a totally coherent energy loss picture where the jet loses energy as a single colour charge, suggesting that the medium resolves the jet structure at the angular scales probed by our measurements (R = 0.2). Furthermore, we observe that small-R jets can help to isolate purely energy loss effects from other effects that contribute to the modifications of the jet shower in medium such as the correlated background or medium response.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

The metamorphosis of semi-classical mechanisms of confinement: from monopoles on ℝ 3 × S 1 to center-vortices on ℝ 2 × T 2

There are two distinct regimes of Yang-Mills theory where we can demonstrate confinement, the existence of a mass gap, and the multi-branch structure of the effective potential as a function of the theta angle using a reliable semi-classical calculation. The two regimes are deformed Yang-Mills theory on ℝ 3 × S 1 , and Yang-Mills theory on ℝ 2 × T 2 where the torus is threaded by a ’t Hooft flux. The weak coupling regime is ensured by the small size of the circle or torus. In the first case the confinement mechanism is related to self-dual monopoles, whereas in the second case self-dual center-vortices play a crucial role. These two topological objects are distinct. In particular, they have different mutual statistics with Wilson loops. On the other hand, they carry the same topological charge and action. We consider the theory on ℝ × T 2 × S 1 and extrapolate both the monopole and vortex regimes to a quantum mechanical domain, where a cross-over takes place. Both sides of the cross-over are described by a deformed ℤ N TQFT. On ℝ 2 × S 1 × S 1 , we derive an effective field theory (EFT) of vortices from the EFT of monopoles in the presence of a ’t Hooft flux. This construction is based on a two-stage Higgs mechanism, reducing SU(N) to U(1) N−1 in 3d first, followed by reduction to a ℤ N EFT in 2d in the second step. This result shows how monopoles transmute into center-vortices, and suggests adiabatic continuity between the two confinement mechanisms. The basic mechanism is flux fractionalization: the magnetic flux of the monopoles splits up and is collimated in such a way that 2d Wilson loops detect it as a center vortex.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Quality Parameters of Zero-Order Bessel Light Beams

A collimated light beam at the output of a semiconductor laser module was studied experimentally. The intensity distribution in the transverse cross section of this beam did not have infinite-order axial symmetry and varied with the longitudinal coordinate. The experimental spatial intensity distributions in light fields formed by a conical lens (axicon) from radiation of He–Ne and semiconducting lasers were compared. Criteria were proposed for objective numerical quality assessment of zero-order Bessel light beams. The quality parameters of Bessel light fields formed by the axicon from radiation of He–Ne and semiconducting lasers were obtained from trial calculations.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Scalable Detector Design for a High-Resolution Fast-Neutron Radiography Panel

Development of a scalable flat-panel neutron radiography device is needed to meet the nondestructive testing needs of a growing industrial market. Flood field images from a Cs-137 gamma source and a Cf-252 fission neutron source were generated using a detector composed of a 3-mm-thick sheet of EJ-200, and 3-mm-thick sheet of acrylic light spreader, an 8 $\times$ 8 array of SensL MICROFJ-60035-TSV SiPMs, and an IDEAS ROSSPAD readout module. The readout module can be tiled together with similar systems to create a panel of any size, and is only limited by the number of available Ethernet ports in a switching system. A collimated gamma line image demonstrated a 90% spatial resolution of approximately 0.47 line pairs per centimeter and a 10% spatial resolution of approximately 2.32 line pairs per centimeter. A neutron edge image demonstrated a 90% spatial resolution of approximately 0.70 line pairs per centimeter and a 10% spatial resolution of approximately 3.35 line pairs per centimeter. Both of these images show the ability to generate radiographs with sub-SiPM spatial resolution. Using these readout modules, a large-scale radiographic panel can be developed by tiling ROSSPAD modules together.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Advances in imaging instrumentation for nuclear cardiology

Advances in imaging instrumentation and technology have greatly contributed to nuclear cardiology. Dedicated cardiac SPECT cameras incorporating novel, highly efficient detector, collimator, and system designs have emerged with the expansion of nuclear cardiology. Solid-state radiation detectors incorporating cadmium zinc telluride, which directly convert radiation to electrical signals and yield improved energy resolution and spatial resolution and enhanced count sensitivity geometries, are increasingly gaining favor as the detector of choice for application in dedicated cardiac SPECT systems. Additionally, hybrid imaging systems in which SPECT and PET are combined with X-ray CT are currently widely used, with PET/MRI hybrid systems having also been recently introduced. The improved quantitative SPECT/CT has the potential to measure the absolute quantification of myocardial blood flow and flow reserve. Rapid development of silicon photomultipliers leads to enhancement in PET image quality and count rates. In addition, the reduction of emission–transmission mismatch artifacts via application of accurate time-of-flight information, and cardiac motion de-blurring aided by anatomical images, are emerging techniques for further improvement of cardiac PET. This article reviews recent advances such as these in nuclear cardiology imaging instrumentation and technology, and the corresponding diagnostic benefits.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

A Simple Method for Improving the Spatial Resolution in Infrared Laser Ablation Mass Spectrometry Imaging

In mass spectrometry imaging of tissues, the size of structures that can be distinguished is determined by the spatial resolution of the imaging technique. Here, the spatial resolution of IR laser ablation is markedly improved by increasing the distance between the laser and the focusing lens. As the distance between the laser and the lens is increased from 1 to 18 m, the ablation spot size decreases from 440 to 44 μm. This way, only the collimated center of the divergent laser beam is directed on the focusing lens, which results in better focusing of the beam. Part of the laser energy is lost at longer distance, but this is compensated by focusing of the radiation to a smaller area on the sample surface. The long distance can also be achieved by a set of mirrors, between which the radiation travels before it is directed to the focusing lens and the sample. This method for improving the spatial resolution can be utilized in mass spectrometry imaging of tissues by techniques that utilize IR laser ablation, such as laser ablation electrospray ionization, laser ablation atmospheric pressure photoionization, and matrix-assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization. .

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Radiation damage of a two-dimensional carbon fiber composite (CFC)

Carbon fiber composites (CFC) are, among other applications, already in use as low-impedance collimating elements for intercepting TeV-level protons machines, like the CERN Large Hadron Collider. Towards a comprehensive understanding of these materials’ properties and behavior, a series of radiation damage campaigns have been undertaken in order to quantitively investigate the response of AC-150 K CFC to high proton fluences. The CFCs dimensional changes, stability, micro-structural evolution, and structural integrity below and above 5 × 10 20 p/cm 2 fluence threshold were studied. The irradiating particles were protons of kinetic energies in the range of 130–200 MeV. The effects of the irradiation temperature (~90–180°C and 280–500°C) combined with the proton fluence on the dimensional stability and the microstructural evolution of this anisotropic two-dimensional composite structure were studied using precision dilatometry and X-ray diffraction. Our results shed light on the fluence-based limitations for these composite materials. Furthermore, we compare these results with reference unirradiated graphite, and we discuss the similarities and differences in the dimensional changes and post-irradiation annealing properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Insight into the BiFeO 3 flash sintering process by in-situ energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (ED-XRD)

The sintering mechanism of BiFeO 3 has been investigated in-situ by energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (ED-XRD) using a high-energy white collimated X-ray beam from the Advanced Photon Source (Argonne National Laboratories). Such radiation is very penetrating thereby allowing measurements of the sample even when placed inside the flash sintering set up. Additionally, the fast ED-XRD measurements permit monitoring the flash sintering process by providing information about phase composition and sample temperature in real time. Moreover, profile scans, obtained by moving the stage vertically while recording the ED-XRD spectra, permit investigating the homogeneity of the flash for the entire length of the sample. All experiments have been complemented by ex-situ studies. Here, it has been concluded that flash sintering of BiFeO 3 is a homogeneous process without any directionality effects. Furthermore, flash sintering takes place at quite low temperatures (below the Tc ≈ 830 °C), which may be related to the high quality of the samples, as pure, highly insulating ceramics without evidence of secondary phases with a homogenous nanostructured grain size distribution are obtained by this technique. Moreover, it is also evidenced that the rapid heating of the sample does not seem to justify, at least by itself, the densification process. Therefore, it appears that the electric current should play a role in the enhanced mobility during the sintering process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Quantitative investigation of sooting dynamics in droplet combustion using an automated image analysis algorithm

This paper reports an image analysis approach using a newly-developed open-source program to extract quantitative measurements of soot volume fraction (SVF) from digital video images of burning n-heptane droplets. The automated program developed in this work can analyze images of fixed and untethered droplets to quantify sooting dynamics. The images analyzed in the program were taken from experiments carried out in the Multi-user Droplet Combustion Apparatus (MDCA) onboard the International Space Station (ISS). In these experiments, video imaging of burning droplets was obtained using backlighting by a laser diode with a wavelength of 653 nm. Here, the light was collimated before it passed through the droplet and soot-containing region, after which the light was then attenuated and projected onto the camera’s sensors. This technique facilitates the measurements of SVF based on the principles of the full field light extinction method (FFLEM). The measurements provide quantitative data that reveal the sooting dynamics of liquid fuels during droplet combustion processes. The analyses of a soot-attenuating image (ISS n-heptane, untethered droplet) at an instant during the burning show that the SVF distribution has a peak at the soot shell location. It then decreases due to soot oxidation when the location is further away from the burning droplet. Regarding temporal effects on the maximum SVF (SVF max ), results show that SVF max first increases after the burning is initiated until a peak value is reached, after which SVF max decreases. The SVF max values identified in this study for n-heptane are quantitatively consistent with previously reported values for fiber-supported droplets and are reached relatively early in the burning history. n-Heptane images are also analyzed to show the effects of initial droplet sizes on the maximum soot volume fraction. Results show that SVF max decreases with increasing initial droplet size, which is consistent with visual observations of less soot formed and dimmer flame brightness as Do increases.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A plasma deflagration accelerator as a platform for laboratory astrophysics

The replication of astrophysical flows in the laboratory is critical for isolating particular phenomena and dynamics that appear in complex, highly-coupled natural systems. Particularly, plasma jets are observed in astrophysical contexts at a variety of scales, typically at high magnetic Reynolds number and driven by internal currents. In this paper, we present detailed measurements of the plasma parameters within deflagration-produced plasma jets, the scaling of these parameters against both machine operating conditions and the corresponding astrophysical phenomena. Using optical and spectroscopic diagnostics, including Schlieren cinematography, we demonstrate the production of current-driven plasma jets of »100 km/s and magnetic Reynolds numbers of »100, and discuss the dynamics of their acceleration into vacuum. Finally, the results of this study will contribute to the reproduction of various types of astrophysical jets in the laboratory and indicate the ability to further probe active research areas such as jet collimation, stability, and interaction.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Hard X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy of high pressure cavitating fluids in aluminum nozzles

X-rays are frequently used to study the internal geometry of dense objects, and to measure the density of multiphase flows. However, quantitatively measuring fluid density inside a metallic object such as a high pressure spray nozzle is difficult. X-rays of sufficiently high energy to penetrate a metal object are not appreciably absorbed by the fluid inside. This requires the use of plastic or beryllium test sections, which are not suited to high pressure conditions. We present a high-energy X-ray fluorescence technique which can overcome this problem. The experiments were conducted at the 7-BM beamline of the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. A hydrocarbon fluid was seeded with cerium nanoparticles. The fluid was pumped at high pressure through aluminum nozzles with inner diameters of 0.36-0.90 mm and wall thicknesses of 2-3 mm. A collimated, monochromatic 42.5 keV X-ray beam excited K-edge fluorescence from the cerium. The K-alpha emission lines at 34-35 keV were recorded by a cryogenic germanium detector. Changes in fluid density due to cavitation of the liquid inside the nozzle were measured by raster scanning the nozzle across the beam. A spatial resolution of 20 x 20 mu m(2) was achieved with a slitted beam, which was improved to 5 x 10 mu m(2) with X-ray focusing mirrors. The uncertainty in the path-integrated vapor fraction was 30-40 mu m at 95% confidence. A limitation of this approach is that for low vapor pressure fluids, the nanoparticles increase the vapor pressure of the fluid and act as additional nucleation sites. These experiments demonstrate a path forward for measurements of multiphase flows inside metal components under conditions that are not feasible in optically accessible materials.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule Are Induced by Ionizing Radiation on Lymphatic Endothelium

Purpose/Objectives: The goal of this study was to assess the effects of ionizing radiation on the expression of the integrin ligands ICAM-1 and VCAM that control leucocyte transit by lymphatic endothelial cells. Materials/Methods: Confluent monolayers of primary human lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) were irradiated with single dose of 2, 5, 10 or 20 Gy, with 6 MeV-x-rays using a Linear-Accelerator. ICAM-1 and VCAM expression was determined by flow cytometry. Human tissue specimens received a single dose of 20 Gy with 15 MeV-x-rays. MC38, B16-OVA or B16-VEGF-C tumors grown in C57BL/6 mice were irradiated with single dose of 20Gy using a Linear-Accelerator fitted with a 10mm Radiosurgery collimator. Clinical samples were obtained from patients previous and 4 weeks after complete standard radiotherapy. ICAM-1 and VCAM expression was detected in all tissue specimens by confocal microscopy. To understand the role of TGFβ in this process anti-TGFβ blocking mAb were injected i.p. 30min before radiotherapy. Cell adhesion to irradiated LEC was analyzed in adhesion experiments performed in the presence or in the absence of anti- TGFβ and /or anti-ICAM1 blocking mAb. Results: We demonstrate that lymphatic endothelial cells in tumor samples experience induction of surface ICAM-1 and VCAM when exposed to ionizing radiation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. These effects can be recapitulated in cultured LEC, and are in part mediated by TGFβ. These data are consistent with increases in ICAM-1 and VCAM expression on LYVE-1+ endothelial cells in freshly explanted human tumor tissue and in mouse transplanted tumors after radiotherapy. Finally, ICAM-1 and VCAM expression accounts for enhanced adherence of human T lymphocytes to irradiated LEC. Conclusion: Our results show induction of ICAM-1 and VCAM on LVs in irradiated lesions and offer a starting point for elucidating the biological and therapeutic implications of targeting leukocyte traffic in combination to immunotherapy.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Prompt Gamma Imaging for In Vivo Range Verification of Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Therapy

Purpose: To report the first clinical results and value assessment of prompt gamma imaging for in vivo proton range verification in pencil beam scanning mode. Methods and Materials: A stand-alone, trolley-mounted, prototype prompt gamma camera utilizing a knife-edge slit collimator design was used to record the prompt gamma signal emitted along the proton tracks during delivery of proton therapy for a brain cancer patient. The recorded prompt gamma depth detection profiles of individual pencil beam spots were compared with the expected profiles simulated from the treatment plan. Results: In 6 treatment fractions recorded over 3 weeks, the mean (± standard deviation) range shifts aggregated over all spots in 9 energy layers were −0.8 ± 1.3 mm for the lateral field, 1.7 ± 0.7 mm for the right-superior-oblique field, and −0.4 ± 0.9 mm for the vertex field. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility and illustrates the distinctive benefits of prompt gamma imaging in pencil beam scanning treatment mode. Accuracy in range verification was found in this first clinical case to be better than the range uncertainty margin applied in the treatment plan. These first results lay the foundation for additional work toward tighter integration of the system for in vivo proton range verification and quantification of range uncertainties.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Cobalt-60, Barium-133, Cesium-137, and Europium-152 migration from cementitious sources through sediment under field conditions

Safe and effective storage of radioactive waste is essential to protect human and environmental health. Due to the potential for accidental releases and the severity of the associated risks, it is imperative to further understand radionuclide transport should an accident occur. This study was the second set of measurements conducted in 2022 of an ongoing experiment that has analyzed the vadose zone migration of radionuclides from cementitious wasteforms at the Savannah River Site over the last ten years. The radionuclides introduced within the sources are prominent constituents of radioactive waste or analogs for other groups or series of radionuclides. Lysimeters were first analyzed in 2016 using a collimated high-purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometer to non-destructively measure the concentration of each radionuclide in the sediment column as a function of depth. Following these measurements, the lysimeters were redeployed for another 4 years. All radionuclides in all lysimeters were observed to transport further during the redeployment period; however, the extent of migration varied with the material used for introduction. Except for 137Cs, migration through the sediment control system increased with decreasing ionic potential (ionic charge/radius); migration order: 152Eu<137Cs<60Co<133Ba. Overall, the cementitious wasteforms were observed to decrease radionuclide migration extent relative to natural vadose zone conditions. In both cementitious wasteforms, the migration extent increased in the order 152Eu<133Ba<60Co<137Cs. However, less migration was measured when the radionuclides were incorporated into a reducing grout wasteform. The novelty of this paper is the demonstration of a technique capable of creating non-destructive measurements over decade time scales. Ultimately, this work provides insight into the long-term migration of alkali, alkali earth, divalent transition metal, and trivalent (e.g., lanthanide and actinide element) isotopes.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

$In-situ$ synchrotron x-ray diffraction and thermal expansion of TiB2 up to ~3050 °C

There is an increasing interest in understanding the performance and properties of ultra-high temperature ceramics due to their high melting points (<3000 °C) that make them promising for extreme environment applications. In-situ high temperature X-ray diffraction experiments were performed on TiB 2 beads up to ~3050 °C. For these experiments, TiB 2 powders were fabricated into spherical beads via gel casting methods and densified in a high temperature graphite furnace. These sample beads were then levitated in a conical nozzle levitator with reducing atmosphere (3% H 2 -Ar) while being heated using a 400 W CO 2 laser. During levitation a collimated synchrotron X-ray source was used to perform in-situ, temperature-dependent structural characterizations. The anisotropic coefficients of thermal expansion of TiB 2 were characterized as a function of temperature up to ~3050 °C. Elucidation of these properties are critical for the advancement of TiB 2 ceramics and other transition metal di-borides for use in high temperature applications such as hypersonic platforms, nuclear reactors, and atmospheric re-entry.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗