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At least 649 records · Page 36

Nonlinear simulations of beam-driven Compressional Alfén Eigenmodes in NSTX

Results of 3D nonlinear simulations of neutral-beam-driven compressional Alfvén eigenmodes (CAEs) in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) are presented. Hybrid MHD-particle simulations for the H-mode NSTX discharge (shot 141398) using the HYM code show unstable CAE modes for a range of toroidal mode numbers, n=4-9, and frequencies below the ion cyclotron frequency. It is found that the essential feature of CAEs is their coupling to kinetic Alfvén wave (KAW) that occurs on the high-field side at the Alfvén resonance location. High-frequency Alfvén eigenmodes are frequently observed in beam-heated NSTX plasmas, and have been linked to flattening of the electron temperature profiles at high beam power. Coupling between CAE and KAW suggests an energy channeling mechanism to explain these observations, in which beam-driven CAEs dissipate their energy at the resonance location,therefore significantly modifying the energy deposition profile. Nonlinear simulations demonstrate that CAEs can channel the energy of the beam ions from the injection region near the magnetic axis to the location of the resonant mode conversion at the edge of the beam density profile. A set of nonlinear simulations show that the CAE instability saturates due to nonlinear particle trapping, and a large fraction of beam energy can be transferred to several unstable CAEs of relatively large amplitudes and absorbed at the resonant location. Absorption rate shows a strong scaling with the beam power.

Compressional Alfven Eigenmodes↗

Nonlinear simulations of beam-driven Compressional Alfv´en Eigenmodes in NSTX

We present results for the 3D nonlinear simulations of neutral-beam-driven compressional Alfv´en eigenmodes (CAEs) in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX). Hybrid MHD-particle simulations for the H-mode NSTX discharge (shot 141398) using the HYM code show unstable CAE modes for a range of toroidal mode numbers, n = 4 - 9, and frequencies below the ion cyclotron frequency. It is found that the essential feature of CAEs is their coupling to kinetic Alfv´en wave (KAW) that occurs on the high-field side at the Alfv´en resonance location. We frequently observe high-frequency Alfv´en eigenmodes in beam-heated NSTX plasmas, and have been linked to flattening of the electron temperature profiles at high beam power. Coupling between CAE and KAW suggests an energy channeling mechanism to explain these observations, in which beam driven CAEs dissipate their energy at the resonance location, therefore significantly modifying the energy deposition profile. Nonlinear simulations demonstrate that CAEs can channel the energy of the beam ions from the injection region near the magnetic axis to the location of the resonant mode conversion at the edge of the beam density profile. Furthermore, a set of nonlinear simulations show that the CAE instability saturates due to nonlinear particle trapping, and a large fraction of beam energy can be transferred to several unstable CAEs of relatively large amplitudes and absorbed at the resonant location. Absorption rate shows a strong scaling with the beam power.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A method for the characterization of intra-pixel response of infrared sensor

Due to the response variations within a pixel, response of sensor varies with the positions of the point target. The accurate measurement of intra-pixel response of the sensor is the key to high-precision centroid estimation and radiometric calibration. In this paper, we establish an intra-pixel response model based on the pixel structure and use Gauss function to describe the beam spot profile. We further calculate the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the Gauss function and the fill factor of the infrared sensor using the grid search algorithm. Experimental results show that the Gauss function FWHM differences among different pixels using the same radius could be less than 6%. The fill factors are not constant in different pixels because of errors in the process of manufacture and assembly, and the error between model and measured values is less than 3.6%. This work could be useful for stellar calibration and centroid estimation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Comparative analysis of silicon and black phosphorous as an add-layer in nanomaterial based plasmonic sensor

In the proposed article silicon and black phosphorous as an add-layer above the plasmonic metal in nanomaterial (graphene and MoS{sub 2}) based plasmonic sensor are compared. The reflectance curves are obtained for different thickness of silicon and black phosphorous by using transfer matrix method. The performance defining parameters i.e. shift in resonance angle, beam width of reflectance curve, and minimum reflectance intensity for a minute change of 0.005 in refractive index of sensing medium at the optimized thickness 5 nm of silicon and black-phosphorous, and conventional are (13.86, 10.96, 2.415), (4.956, 3.817, 1.419), and (0.012, 0.002, 0.002) respectively. Further, the addition of nanomaterials increases these parameters and generally follows the order MoS{sub 2}-graphene > MoS{sub 2} > graphene. Furthermore, transverse-magnetic electric field shows that nanomaterial covered silicon have higher penetration depth than the nanomaterial covered black-phosphorous. The analysis shows that nanomaterial covered silicon can replace nanomaterial covered black-phosphorous in terms of higher sensitivity and penetration depth.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Establishment of Microbeam Radiation Therapy at a Small-Animal Irradiator

Microbeam radiation therapy is a preclinical concept in radiation oncology. It spares normal tissue more effectively than conventional radiation therapy at equal tumor control. The radiation field consists of peak regions with doses of several hundred gray, whereas doses between the peaks (valleys) are below the tissue tolerance level. Widths and distances of the beams are in the submillimeter range for microbeam radiation therapy. A similar alternative concept with beam widths and distances in the millimeter range is presented by minibeam radiation therapy. Although both methods were developed at large synchrotron facilities, compact alternative sources have been proposed recently.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Virtual edge illumination and one dimensional beam tracking for absorption, refraction, and scattering retrieval

We propose two different approaches to retrieve x-ray absorption, refraction, and scattering signals using a one dimensional scan and a high resolution detector. The first method can be easily implemented in existing procedures developed for edge illumination to retrieve absorption and refraction signals, giving comparable image quality while reducing exposure time and delivered dose. The second method tracks the variations of the beam intensity profile on the detector through a multi-Gaussian interpolation, allowing the additional retrieval of the scattering signal.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

High-frequency fluctuation measurements by far-infrared laser Faraday-effect polarimetry-interferometry and forward scattering system on MST

Magnetic fluctuation-induced transport driven by global tearing modes has been measured by Faraday-effect polarimetry and interferometry (phase measurements) in the MST reversed field pinch. However, the role of small-scale broadband magnetic and density turbulence in transport remains unknown. In order to investigate broadband magnetic turbulence, we plan to upgrade the existing detector system by using planar-diode fundamental waveguide mixers optimized for high sensitivity. Initial tests indicate these mixers have ×10 sensitivity improvement compared to currently employed corner-cube Schottky-diode mixers and ×5 lower noise. Compact mixer design will allow us to resolve the wavenumbers up to k ∼ 1–2 cm{sup −1} for beam width w = 1.5 cm and 15 cm{sup −1} for beam width w = 2 mm. The system can also be used to measure the scattered signal (amplitude measurement) induced by both plasma density and magnetic fluctuations.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Adaptive array technique for differential-phase reflectometry in QUEST

A Phased Array Antenna (PAA) was considered as launching and receiving antennae in reflectometry to attain good directivity in its applied microwave range. A well-focused beam was obtained in a launching antenna application, and differential-phase evolution was properly measured by using a metal reflector plate in the proof-of-principle experiment at low power test facilities. Differential-phase evolution was also evaluated by using the PAA in the Q-shu University Experiment with Steady State Spherical Tokamak (QUEST). A beam-forming technique was applied in receiving phased-array antenna measurements. In the QUEST device that should be considered as a large oversized cavity, standing wave effect was significantly observed with perturbed phase evolution. A new approach using derivative of measured field on propagating wavenumber was proposed to eliminate the standing wave effect.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Terahertz generation by mixing of two super-Gaussian laser beams in collisional plasma

Considering a realistic situation, where electron-neutral collisions persist in plasma, analytical calculations are carried out for the Terahertz (THz) radiation generation by beating of two Super-Gaussian (SG) lasers of index p. The competency of these lasers over Gaussian lasers is discussed in detail with respect to the effects of collision and beam width on the THz field amplitude and efficiency of the mechanism. A critical transverse distance of the peak of the THz field is defined that shows a dependence on the index of SG lasers. Although electron-neutral collisions and larger beam width lead to the drastic reduction in the THz field when the SG lasers are used in the plasma, the efficiency of the mechanism remains much larger than the case of Gaussian lasers. Moreover, the higher index SG lasers produce stronger and focused THz radiation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Buckling analysis of planar compression micro-springs

Large compression deformation causes micro-springs buckling and loss of load capacity. We analyzed the impact of structural parameters and boundary conditions for planar micro-springs, and obtained the change rules for the two factors that affect buckling. A formula for critical buckling deformation of micro-springs under compressive load was derived based on elastic thin plate theory. Results from this formula were compared with finite element analysis results but these did not always correlate. Therefore, finite element analysis is necessary for micro-spring buckling analysis. We studied the variation of micro-spring critical buckling deformation caused by four structural parameters using ANSYS software under two constraint conditions. The simulation results show that when an x-direction constraint is added, the critical buckling deformation increases by 32.3-297.9%. The critical buckling deformation decreases with increase in micro-spring arc radius or section width and increases with increase in micro-spring thickness or straight beam width. We conducted experiments to confirm the simulation results, and the experimental and simulation trends were found to agree. Buckling analysis of the micro-spring establishes a theoretical foundation for optimizing micro-spring structural parameters and constraint conditions to maximize the critical buckling load.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Faraday rotation study of plasma bubbles in GeV wakefield accelerators

We visualize plasma bubbles driven by 0.67 PW laser pulses in a plasma of density ne≈5×1017cm−3 by imaging Faraday rotation patterns imprinted on linearly polarized probe pulses of wavelength λpr=1.05 μm and duration τpr=2 or 1 ps that cross the bubble's path at right angles. When the bubble captures and accelerates tens to hundreds of pC of electron charges, we observe two parallel streaks of length cτpr straddling the drive pulse propagation axis, separated by ∼45 μm, in which probe polarization rotates by 0.3° to more than 5° in opposite directions. Accompanying simulations show that they result from Faraday rotation within portions of dense bubble side walls that are pervaded by the azimuthal magnetic field of accelerating electrons during the probe transit across the bubble. Analysis of the width of the streaks shows that quasi-monoenergetic high-energy electrons and trailing lower energy electrons inside the bubble contribute distinguishable portions of the observed signals, and relativistic flow of sheath electrons suppresses Faraday rotation from the rear of the bubble. The results demonstrate favorable scaling of Faraday rotation diagnostics to 40× lower plasma density than previously demonstrated.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Evaluation of current density measurement methods for high-current, low-beta electron beams

Recent current density measurements with a low-beta electron beam (β=0.5-0.75) are strongly affected by electron scatter and Cherenkov limits. These invasive measurements are heavily influenced by the electron energy and the intercepting material properties: density, index of refraction, and atomic number. We evaluate various measurement methods, including x-ray scintillation and Cherenkov emission. To optimize the x-ray scintillation technique for this energy regime, metal foils of differing atomic number (Z) and thickness were placed upstream of a scintillation screen. We have selected Cherenkov emitters, based on a material refractive index, in order to differentiate the contributions from electron scatter and produced fluorescence, Cherenkov emission, and total internal reflection. The observed distributions for both approaches are verified through MCNP6®. Additionally, the simulations provide insight as to what physical processes dominate the measured distribution. We conclude by determining the limits and optimal measurement range for each measurement technique.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Optimisation of the prism coupling of optical whispering-gallery-mode microcavities

The methods for increasing the coupling efficiency of a prism with spheroidal microcavities, aimed at exciting whispering-gallery modes, have been analytically investigated. Optimal angles of incidence and incident beam parameters are obtained for a spheroidal cavity. The cavity eigenfrequency shift caused by the presence of a prism and the introduced loss by it is calculated. (resonators)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

On the stability of pick-up ion ring distributions in the outer heliosheath

The 'secondary energetic neutral atom (ENA)' hypothesis for the ribbon feature observed by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) posits that the neutral component of the solar wind continues beyond the heliopause and charge exchanges with interstellar ions in the Outer Heliosheath (OHS). This creates pick-up ions that gyrate about the draped interstellar magnetic field (ISMF) lines at pitch angles near 90° on the locus where the ISMF lies tangential to the heliopause and perpendicular to the heliocentric radial direction. This location closely coincides with the location of the ribbon feature according to the prevailing inferences of the ISMF orientation and draping. The locally gyrating ions undergo additional charge exchange and escape as free-flying neutral atoms, many of which travel back toward the inner solar system and are imaged by IBEX as a ribbon tracing out the locus described above. For this mechanism to succeed, the pick-up ions must diffuse in pitch angle slowly enough to permit secondary charge exchange before their pitch angle distribution substantially broadens away from 90°. Previous work using linear Vlasov dispersion analysis of parallel propagating waves has suggested that the ring distribution in the OHS is highly unstable, which, if true, would make the secondary ENA hypothesis incapable of rendering the observed ribbon. In this paper, we extend this earlier work to more realistic ring distribution functions. We find that, at the low densities necessary to produce the observed IBEX ribbon via the secondary ENA hypothesis, growth rates are highly sensitive to the temperature of the beam and that even very modest temperatures of the ring beam corresponding to beam widths of <1° are sufficient to damp the self-generated waves associated with the ring beam. Thus, at least from the perspective of linear Vlasov dispersion analysis of parallel propagating waves, there is no reason to expect that the ring distributions necessary to produce the observed IBEX ENA flux via the secondary ENA hypothesis will be unstable to their own self-generated turbulence.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Design and development of a 40 kV pierce electron gun

A 40 kV electron gun is designed and developed using the Pierce configuration for the focusing electrode. Simulations were carried out using CST Particle Studio. The Gun is a thermionic type electron gun with indirect heating of the LaB6 cathode. The gun is capable of delivering a beam current of more than 500 mA at 40 kV with a beam size of less than 5 mm. The cathode assembly consists of cups and heat shields made out of Tantalum and Rhenium sheets. The cathode assembly and the electron gun was fabricated, assembled and tested on test bench for cathode conditioning, HV conditioning and beam characterization. This paper presents the gun design, particle simulations study, testing of the gun on test bench. (author)

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗