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At least 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Photon scattering by a 4π -spherically-focused ultrastrong electromagnetic wave

The scattering of high-power probe laser pulses by tightly focused ultrastrong laser pulses has been investigated through a semiclassical approach using a perturbative method based on the Born approximation. Under a 4π-spherically-focused ultrastrong light field, the electric permittivity and magnetic permeability tensors for vacuum are calculated from the Euler-Heisenberg Lagrangian to show the nonlinear birefringent property of vacuum. And, from permittivity and permeability tensors, the scattering potential is derived for the Born approximation. The first-order solution of the Born approximation is taken as an electric field scattered from the 4π-spherically-focused laser pulse when a probe laser pulse propagates through the focused laser field. The differential cross section of the nonlinear birefringent vacuum is derived, and the number of photons scattered from the nonlinear birefringent vacuum is analyzed in the laser power range of 10-1000 PW.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

3D small-gain formula allowing strong focusing and harmonic lasing for a ring-based x-ray free electron laser oscillator

We present a detailed derivation of a formula for the small-gain calculation for an x-ray free electron laser oscillator (XFELO) based on a medium-energy (3–4 GeV) storage ring. We found harmonic lasing and strong focusing are essential for this beam energy range. Taking the small-signal low-gain formula developed by Kim and his colleagues, we modified it in such a way that the gain can be calculated without the “no focusing approximation,” and a strong focusing can be applied, as well as harmonic lasing. In this formula, the gain is represented as a product of two factors with one of them depending only on the harmonic number, undulator period, and gap. Using this factor, we show that it is favorable to use harmonic lasing to achieve hard x-ray FEL working in the small-signal low-gain regime with the medium-energy electron beam. Our formula also allows FEL optimization by varying the vertical gradient of the undulator, the vertical dispersion, and the horizontal and vertical focusing, independently. As an example, we applied this formula to study the feasibility of an XFELO option for the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) upgrade. Since a quite high peak current is required for the FEL, collective effects of beam dynamics in medium-energy synchrotrons significantly affect the electron beam parameters. We carried out a multiparameter optimization taking collective effects into account. Note, even though our example is for a ring-based XFELO at 3 to 4 GeV, the formula and, in particular, the approach developed here may be applied to other types of FELs. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Signatures of vacuum birefringence in low-power flying focus pulses

Vacuum birefringence produces a differential phase between orthogonally polarized components of a weak electromagnetic probe in the presence of a strong electromagnetic field. Despite representing a hallmark prediction of quantum electrodynamics, vacuum birefringence remains untested in pure light configurations due to the extremely large electromagnetic fields required for a detectable phase difference. Here, we exploit the programmable focal velocity and extended focal range of a flying focus laser pulse to substantially lower the laser power required for detection of vacuum birefringence. In the proposed scheme, a linearly polarized x-ray probe pulse counterpropagates with respect to a flying focus pulse, whose focus moves at the speed of light in the same direction as the x-ray probe. The peak intensity of the flying focus pulse overlaps the probe over millimeter-scale distances and induces a polarization ellipticity on the order of 10 − 10 , which lies within the detection sensitivity of existing x-ray polarimeters. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Ultrabright Electron Bunch Injection in a Plasma Wakefield Driven by a Superluminal Flying Focus Electron Beam

Here, we propose a new method for self-injection of high-quality electron bunches in the plasma wakefield structure in the blowout regime utilizing a “flying focus” produced by a drive beam with an energy chirp. In a flying focus the speed of the density centroid of the drive bunch can be superluminal or subluminal by utilizing the chromatic dependence of the focusing optics. We first derive the focal velocity and the characteristic length of the focal spot in terms of the focal length and an energy chirp. We then demonstrate using multidimensional particle-in-cell simulations that a wake driven by a superluminally propagating flying focus of an electron beam can generate GeV-level electron bunches with ultralow normalized slice emittance (~30 nm rad), high current (~17 kA), low slice energy spread (~0.1%), and therefore high normalized brightness (> 10 19 A/ m 2 /rad 2 ) in a plasma of density ~10 19 cm –3 . The injection process is highly controllable and tunable by changing the focal velocity and shaping the drive beam current. Nearterm experiments at FACET II where the capabilities to generate tens of kA, < 10 fs drivers are planned, could potentially produce beams with brightness near 10 20 A / m 2 / rad 2 .

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Self-Focused Pulse Propagation Is Mediated by Spatiotemporal Optical Vortices

We show that the dynamics of high-intensity laser pulses undergoing self-focused propagation in a nonlinear medium can be understood in terms of the topological constraints imposed by the formation and evolution of spatiotemporal optical vortices (STOVs). STOVs are born from point phase defects on the sides of the pulse nucleated by spatiotemporal phase shear. These defects grow into closed loops of spatiotemporal vorticity that initially exclude the pulse propagation axis, but then reconnect to form a pair of toroidal vortex rings that wrap around it. STOVs constrain the intrapulse flow of electromagnetic energy, controlling the focusing-defocusing cycles and pulse splitting inherent to nonlinear pulse propagation. Here, we illustrate this in two widely studied but very different regimes, relativistic self-focusing in plasma and nonrelativistic self-focusing in gas, demonstrating that STOVs mediate nonlinear propagation irrespective of the detailed physics.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Focusing a round coherent beam by spatial filtering the horizontal source

This paper illustrates the use of spatial filtering with a horizontal slit near the source to enlarge the horizontal coherence in an experimental station and produce a diffraction-limited round focus at an insertion device beamline for X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy experiments. Simple expressions are provided to guide the optical layout, and wave propagation simulations confirm their applicability. The two-dimensional focusing performance of Be compound refractive lenses to produce a round diffraction-limited focus at 11 keV capable of generating a high-contrast speckle pattern of an aerogel sample is demonstrated. The coherent scattering patterns have comparable speckle sizes in both horizontal and vertical directions. The focal spot sizes are consistent with hybrid ray-tracing calculations. Producing a two-dimensional focus on the sample can be helpful to resolve speckle patterns with modern pixel array detectors with high visibility. This scheme has now been in use since 2019 for the 8-ID beamline at the Advanced Photon Source, sharing the undulator beam with two separate beamlines, 8-ID-E and 8-ID-I at 7.35 keV, with increased partially coherent flux, reduced horizontal spot sizes on samples, and good speckle contrast.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1971

A study of transient stimulated Raman scattering and self-focusing in the picosecond time regime

Two third order processes, stimulated Raman scattering and self-focusing, with picosecond pulses are studied. In the case of transient stimulated scattering, the gain is reduced from the steady state value, and qualitatively new features, such as shortening and delay of the Stokes pulse relative to the laser pulse, appear. These predictions are extended to realistic laser pulses, and experiments confirm all of the theoretical predictions. The self-focusing and frequency broadening of picosecond pulses is studied in the absence of stimulated Raman scattering in several materials with large orientational Kerr constants. Measurements of the relaxation time indicate that the orientational Kerr effect is important in the self-focusing of picosecond pulses. Self-focused filaments are observed to propagate with constant diameters over a distance greater than 10 cm, but disappear before the end of a 20 cm cell. The filaments radiate light continuously along their path and the spectrum of the light shows that the frequency content extends symmetrically for several hundred wave numbers on either side of the laser frequency.

Reintjes, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Prediction of sonic boom at a focus

The behavior of sonic boom at a focus has been reviewed for the purpose of extending present sonic boom computational methods to include focal zones. The geometry of a focal zone - whether a smooth caustic, a cusped caustic, or a perfect focus to a point - determines the character of focused signatures. The seeming contradiction of various experimental data can be resolved by noting these differences. A ray acoustic analysis has been developed for quantitative determination of caustic geometry. The only reliable theory presently available for signatures at a focus is for a smooth caustic. There has been some controversy between theoretical and experimental values of a constant in the scaling law for this case. It has been found that this discrepancy can be resolved by accounting for the finite thickness of real sonic boom shock waves. These findings have been incorporated into an existing sonic boom computer program.

Plotkin, K. J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

The effect of adiabatic focusing upon charged-particle propagation in random magnetic fields

The charged particles considered are scattered by random fields while they propagate along the diverging lines of force of a spatially inhomogeneous guiding field. Their longitudinal transport is described in terms of the eigenfunctions of a Sturm-Liouville operator which incorporates the effect of adiabatic focusing along with that of scattering. The relaxation times and characteristic velocities which appear in this matrix formulation of the transport problem are graphed and tabulated. Explicit formulas which describe the particle-density profile that results from a localized impulsive injection are derived for two different regimes. In the first regime, where focusing is relatively weak, a diffusive mode of propagation is dominant, but coherent modes are also present, and they become prominent as the intensity of focusing increases. In the second regime, where focusing is strong and where diffusion does not occur, the propagation is purely coherent. The existence of this supercoherent mode of particle transport opens up many possibilities for the interpretation of astrophysical phenomena.

Earl, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Scanning and focusing mechanisms of METEOSAT radiometer

The scanning and focusing mechanisms settled onboard the METEOSAT Radiometer are described. A large camera which will take line by line pictures of the earth from a geostationary satellite in the same manner as a TV picture using both the spin of the spacecraft and the tilt of a telescope is included. The scanning mechanism provides the + or - 9 degrees tilt angle of the telescope through 2,500 elementary steps of 1.256 0.0001 radian. As the radiometer image quality is closely dependent on the characteristics of the scanning law, the mechanism is required to fulfill functional performances specifications particularly severe in terms of linearity of the scan curve, accuracy of each step as well as repeatability of the short-term scanning. The focusing mechanism allows + or - 12 millimeters shift of the telescope focus by step increments of 0.140 mm. The focus adjustment is achieved by moving a dihedral reflector according to a pure straight-line motion. The main requirements of each mechanism are summarized and their design and performances are described in detail.

Jouan, J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Investigation of a staged plasma-focus apparatus

A new staged plasma-focus geometry combining two Mather-type plasma-focus guns was constructed, and the current-sheet dynamics were investigated. The production of simultaneous pairs of plasma foci was achieved. The intensities of X-ray and fusion-neutron emission were measured and found to agree with the scaling law for a plasma focus. Advantages of this new geometry include the possibility of using plasma-focus type pinches in multiple arrays at power levels beyond the validity regime of the current scaling law for a single gun.

Lee, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Solar thermal power systems point-focusing thermal and electric applications projects. Volume 1: Executive summary

The activities of the Point-Focusing Thermal and Electric Applications (PETEA) project for the fiscal year 1979 are summarized. The main thrust of the PFTEA Project, the small community solar thermal power experiment, was completed. Concept definition studies included a small central receiver approach, a point-focusing distributed receiver system with central power generation, and a point-focusing distributed receiver concept with distributed power generation. The first experiment in the Isolated Application Series was initiated. Planning for the third engineering experiment series, which addresses the industrial market sector, was also initiated. In addition to the experiment-related activities, several contracts to industry were let and studies were conducted to explore the market potential for point-focusing distributed receiver (PFDR) systems. System analysis studies were completed that looked at PFDR technology relative to other small power system technology candidates for the utility market sector.

Marriott, A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

A new method for focusing and imaging X-rays and gamma-rays with diffraction crystals

Bent diffraction crystals in which the intercrystalline-plane spacing is varied as a function of position in the crystal are used to focus monochromatic radiation from a point source or parallel beam down to a point image. Conversely, radiation from a point source can be focused into an outgoing parallel beam. The Bragg angle for diffraction of monochromatic radiation will now vary as a function of position in the crystal and this new degree of freedom is used to obtain focusing and imaging of the diffracted beam. This approach to focusing and imaging is applied to the design of a large-area, high resolution X-ray telescope that is also a high resolution monochromator with the unique feature that the width of the energy increment that is diffracted can be controlled and varied during the operation of the instrument. The field can be scanned with a wide energy increment and then switched to a narrow energy increment for the high resolution work. Both transmission and reflection type diffraction crystals can be used.

Smither, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Sharp-Focus Composite Microscope Imaging by Computer

Enhanced depth of focus aids medical analysis. Computer image-processing system synthesizes sharply-focused composite picture from series of photomicrographs of same object taken at different depths. Computer rejects blured parts of each photomicrograph. Remaining in focus portions form focused composite. System used to study alveolar lung tissue and has applications in medicine and physical sciences.

Wall, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Electron-Focus Adjustment for Photo-Optical Imagers

Internal electron focus made independent of optical focus. Procedure enables fine tuning of internal electron-focusing system of photo-optical imager, without complication by imperfections of associated external optics. Applicable to imager in which electrons emitted from photocathode in optical focal plane, then electrostatically and/or magnetically focused to replica of image in second focal plane containing photodiodes, phototransistorss, charge-coupled devices, multiple-anode outputs, or other detectors.

Fowler, Walter B.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Transformational derivation of programs using the Focus system

A program derivation support system called Focus is being constructed. It will formally derive programs using the paradigm of program transformation. The following issues are discussed: (1) the integration of validation and program derivation activities in the Focus system; (2) its tree-based user interface; (3) the control of search spaces in program derivation; and (4) the structure and organization of program derivation records. The inference procedures of the system are based on the integration of functional and logic programming principles. This brings about a synthesis of paradigms that were heretofore considered far apart, such as logical and executable specifications and constructive and transformational approaches to program derivation. A great emphasis has been placed, in the design of Focus, on achieving small search spaces during program derivation. The program manipulation operations such as expansion, simplification and rewriting were designed with this objective. The role of operations that are expensive in search spaces, such as folding, has been reduced. Program derivations are documented in Focus in a way that the high level descriptions of derivations are expressed only using program level information. All the meta-level information, together with dependencies between derivations of program components, is automatically recorded by the system at a lower level of description for its own use in replay.

Reddy, Uday S.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Inverse photoelectron spectrometer with magnetically focused electron gun

An inverse photoelectron spectrometer is described which is based on the design of a magnetically focused low energy electron gun. The magnetic lens extends its field over a relatively large segment of the electron trajectory, which could provide a better focusing effect on a high-current-density low-velocity electron beam, providing the magnetic field in the vicinity of the target is reduced sufficiently to preserve the collinearity of the beam. In order to prove the concept, ray tracing is conducted using the Herrmannsfeldt program for solving electron trajectories in electrostatic and magnetostatic focusing systems. The program allows the calculation of the angles of the electron trajectories with the z axis, at the target location. The results of the ray-tracing procedure conducted for this gun are discussed. Some of the advantages of the magnetic focusing are also discussed.

Krainsky, Isay L.↗
NASA NTRS1992

A large-field laser holographic focusing schilieren system

A large-field laser holographic focusing schlieren system for high-speed flow visualization has been built and evaluated. This system is based on a recently improved large-field focusing schlieren technique and is combined with laser holography methods to record three-dimensional flows. A coordinated experimental and computational study of supersonic flows over wedge, cone, and sphere geometries was conducted to evaluate the capabilities and limitations of the system. The ability of the system to focus on planes normal to its optical axis is demonstrated. The sharpness of focus of the present system was found to be limited. Issues regarding obtaining quantitative measurements of the density gradient are discussed.

Doggett, Glen P.↗