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At least 793 records · Page 44

LCLS RF Station Anomaly Candidates, SLAC, Nov 2020 to Dec 2020, Version 1

The data consists of radio-frequency (RF) station process variables (amplitude and amplitude-mean-out-of-tolerance bit) and beam position monitor (BPM) values for about a month of Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) time. The data is all from normal conducting hard X-ray operation. The dataset contains roughly 5000 anomaly “candidates.” For each candidate, we include 3.5 minutes of data from the 82 RF stations and ~20 seconds of data from 4 BPMs. We also include several CSV files with additional information and labels for each candidate.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Recent Progress on the Stochastic Objective Decision Aide (SODA) Application

Idaho State University, in collaboration with Idaho National Laboratory, is engaged in development of a simple to use software application that utilizes stochastic techniques for the calculation of radiation doses associated with hypothetical radioactive material releases. This work is being performed through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Nuclear Safety Research and Development (NSR and D) Program. Initial progress on the application was reported previously. Recent additions to the application are reported here. The Stochastic Objective Decision Aide (SODA) provides an easy to use software application to help decision makers support their judgment about the need or lack of need for safety structures, systems, and components. SODA is not intended to replace traditional design basis accident dose calculation methodology, nor is it intended to replace existing software used to perform formal dose consequence calculations. Rather, SODA is intended to supplement information obtained from existing codes to give a decision maker more information about an accident scenario. SODA also provides a simple method to perform parametric or sensitivity studies on individual input parameters. Non-reactor nuclear facilities operated under the approval authority of the US DOE use unmitigated hazard evaluations to determine if potential radiological doses associated with design basis events challenge dose evaluation guidelines. Unmitigated events that sufficiently challenge dose evaluation guidelines merit the selection of safety structures, systems, or components (SSCs) to prevent or mitigate the hazard. Dose consequence calculations traditionally involve use of the 'five-factor' formula: ST = MAR.DR.ARF.RF.LPF where ST is the source term (Bq), MAR is the total available material-at-risk (Bq), DR is the damage ratio (no units), ARF is the airborne release fraction (no units), RF is the respirable fraction (no units), and LPF is the leak path factor (no units). Potential radiation doses are then calculated using: CED = χ/Q.BR.ST.DCF (2) where CED is the committed effective dose (Sv), χ/Q is the plume dispersion (s/m{sup 3}), BR is the breathing rate (m{sup 3}/s), ST is the source term (Bq), and DCF is the dose conversion factor (Sv/Bq). Conservative single value input parameters are typically used to represent ARF, RF, LPF and BR. The traditional methodology, while conservative, can lead to skewed conclusions in the balance between cost and risk reduction resulting in over engineered systems with greater design, construction and operating costs. Rather than using a bounding single point value for each parameter in the dose consequence calculation, SODA uses distributions for some or all of the parameters. Each input parameter distribution is stochastically sampled and the resulting dose consequence calculation is repeated many times to develop a dose consequence distribution. The resulting distribution provides more information for the decision maker to rely upon when determining the need for safety SSCs. The SODA application was developed using MATLAB and it incorporates the use of Monte Carlo techniques as well as a graphical user interface (GUI). The application includes user selection of the governing distribution for parameters such as the MAR, DR, ARF, RF, LPF,χ/Q, BR, and DCF. While MATLAB was used for the development work, the application is distributed as a self-contained executable program. Features of the application include pull down menus with available distributions for the various parameters. The user has the option to plot the input parameter distribution that results from the random sampling process. The resulting dose consequence distribution is automatically analyzed to determine its similarity to well know distributions. This was done using the Bayesian Information Criterion method. If the resulting distribution is sufficiently similar to a well-known distribution, the application provides information about the distributions such as the mean value and other parameters. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Low-Charge, Hard X-Ray Free Electron Laser Driven with an X-Band Injector and Accelerator

After the successful operation of the Free Electron Laser in Hamburg (FLASH) and the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), soft and hard x-ray free electron lasers (FELs) are being built, designed, or proposed at many accelerator laboratories. Acceleration employing lower frequency rf cavities, ranging from L-band to C-band, is usually adopted in these designs. In the first stage bunch compression, higher-frequency harmonic rf system is employed to linearize the beam's longitudinal phase space, which is nonlinearly chirped during the lower frequency rf acceleration process. In this paper, a hard x-ray FEL design using an all X-band accelerator at 11.424 GHz (from photocathode rf gun to linac end) is presented, without the assistance of any harmonic rf linearization. It achieves LCLS-like performance at low charge using X-band linac drivers, which is more versatile, efficient, and compact than ones using S-band or C-band rf technology. It employs initially 42 microns long (rms), low-charge (10 pC) electron bunches from an X-band photoinjector. An overall bunch compression ratio of roughly 100 times is proposed in a two stage bunch compressor system. The start-to-end macroparticle 3D simulation employing several computer codes is presented in this paper, where space charge, wakefields, and incoherent and coherent synchrotron radiation effects are included. Employing an undulator with a short period of 1.5 cm, a Genesis FEL simulation shows successful lasing at a wavelength of 0.15 nm with a pulse length of 2 fs and a power saturation length as short as 20 meters, which is equivalent to LCLS low-charge mode. Its overall length of both accelerators and undulators is 180 meters (much shorter than the effective LCLS overall length of 1230 meters, including an accelerator length of 1100 meters and an undulator length of 130 meters), which makes it possible to be built in places where only limited space is available.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Film Deposition, Cryogenic RF Testing and Materials Analysis of a Nb/Cu Single Cell SRF Cavity

In this study, we present preliminary results on using a cathodic-arc-discharge Nb plasma ion source to establish a Nb film-coated single-cell Cu cavity for SRF research. The polycrystalline Cu cavity was fabricated and mirror-surface-finished by a centrifugal barrel polishing (CBP) process at Jefferson Lab. Special pre-coating processes were conducted, in order to create a template-layer for follow-on Nb grain thickening. A sequence of cryogenic RF testing demonstrated that the Nb film does show superconductivity. But the quality factor of this Nb/Cu cavity is low as a result of high residual surface resistance. We are conducting a thorough materials characterization to explore if some microstructural defects or hydrogen impurities, led to such a low quality factor.

Zhao, Xin↗

Pulsed high-voltage dc RF sputtering

Sputtering technique uses pulsed high voltage direct current to the object to be plated and a radio frequency sputtered film source. Resultant film has excellent adhesion, and objects can be plated uniformly on all sides.

Przybyszewski, J. S., Jr.↗

Convergence study of wakefield simulations with GdfidL and ECHO3D

The interaction of charged particle beams with vacuum chamber components gives rise to electromagnetic wakefields, whose frequency-domain representation is known as beam coupling impedance. Geometric impedance arising from discontinuities and transitions in the vacuum chamber is the focus of this study. Minimizing this impedance is essential to mitigate adverse collective effects in modern storage rings operating with high-intensity particle beams. Accurate and reliable impedance simulations is a key factor of the vacuum chamber design. This paper presents the results of a convergence study of two widely used electromagnetic solvers, GdfidL and ECHO3D, applied to key vacuum-chamber components of the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) storage ring. Detailed comparisons are performed for several geometries, including flange absorbers, RF bellows, button-type beam position monitors, and an in-vacuum undulator (IVU). The results show notable differences in convergence and computational efficiency between the two codes. While GdfidL provides highly resolved results and serves as a common benchmark tool, ECHO3D yields consistent results with coarser meshes, significantly reducing simulation time and memory demands. Simulations with a full-geometry IVU model demonstrate that simplified taper-transition models can miss important impedance contributions. In conclusion, these findings provide practical guidelines for efficient and accurate impedance modeling to optimize design of vacuum chamber components for accelerators.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

RF breakdown of 805 MHz cavities in strong magnetic fields

Ionization cooling of intense muon beams requires the operation of high-gradient, normal-conducting RF structures in the presence of strong magnetic fields. We have measured the breakdown rate in several RF cavities operating at several frequencies. Cavities operating within solenoidal magnetic fields B > 0.25 T show an increased RF breakdown rate at lower gradients compared with similar operation when B = 0 T. Ultimately, this breakdown behavior limits the maximum safe operating gradient of the cavity. Beyond ionization cooling, this issue affects the design of photoinjectors and klystrons, among other applications. We have built an 805 MHz pillbox-type RF cavity to serve as an experimental testbed for this phenomenon. This cavity is designed to study the problem of RF breakdown in strong magnetic fields using various cavity materials and surface treatments, and with precise control over sources of systematic error. We present results from tests in which the cavity was run with all copper surfaces in a variety of magnetic fields.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Direct Observations of Sub-micropulse Electron-beam Effects from Short-range Wakefields in TESLA-type Superconducting RF Cavities

The preservation of the low emittance of electron beams during transport in the accelerating structures of large facilities is an ongoing challenge. In the cases of the TESLA-type superconducting rf cavities currently used in the European X-ray Free-electron Laser (FEL) and the under construction Linac Coherent Light Source upgrade (LCLS-II), off-axis beam transport may result in emittance dilution due to transverse long-range and short-range wakefields (SRW)*. To investigate such effects, experiments were performed at the Fermilab Accelerator Science and Technology (FAST) facility with its unique two-cavity configuration after the photocathode rf gun. We used optical transition radiation (OTR) imaging with a UV-visible synchroscan streak camera to display sub-micropulse y-t effects in the 41-MeV beam. The head-tail transverse kicks within the 11-ps-long micropulses were observed at the 100-micron level for steering off-axis in one cavity and several 100 microns for two cavities. Since the SRW kick angles go inversely with energy, these results may inform the commissioning plans of the LCLS-II injector where beam will be injected at ~1 MeV into a cryomodule.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

(abstract) Design and Testing of a Fullerene RF Ion Engine

Because of the large mass, low ionization potential and large electron impact ionization cross section, use of buckminsterfullerene (C 60 ) as a propellant might result in significant increases in ion engine efficiency over that obtained with xenon at low specific impulse. Consequently, an experimantal program to investigate the feasibility of using fullerenes as a propellant was initiated. To eliminate the possibility of hot cathode surfaces causing fragmentation, fabrication of a radio-frequency discharge chamber was pursued. Experimental results using the radio-frequency source will be presented.

fullerenes↗

Uncertainty quantification in multiscale simulation of woven fiber composites

We report woven fiber composites have been increasingly employed as light-weight materials in aerospace, construction, and transportation industries due to their superior properties. These materials possess a hierarchical structure that necessitates the use of multiscale simulations in their modeling. To account for the inherent uncertainty in materials, such simulations must be integrated with statistical uncertainty quantification (UQ) and propagation (UP) methods. However, limited advancement has been made in this regard due to the significant computational costs and complexities in modeling spatially correlated structural variations coupled at different scales. In this work, a non-intrusive approach is proposed for multiscale UQ and UP to address these limitations. We introduce the top-down sampling method that allows to model non-stationary and continuous (but not differentiable) spatial variations of uncertainty sources by creating nested random fields (RFs) where the hyperparameters of an ensemble of RFs is characterized by yet another RF. We employ multi-response Gaussian RFs in top-down sampling and leverage statistical techniques (such as metamodeling and dimensionality reduction) to address the considerable computational costs of multiscale simulations. We apply our approach to quantify the uncertainty in a cured woven composite due to spatial variations of yarn angle, fiber volume fraction, and fiber misalignment angle. Finally, our results indicate that, even in linear analysis, the effect of uncertainty sources on the material’s response could be significant.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Pantechnik new superconducting ion source: PantechniK Indian Superconducting Ion Source

The new ECR ion source PantechniK Indian Superconducting Ion Source (PKISIS) was recently commissioned at Pantechnik. Three superconducting coils generate the axial magnetic field configuration, while the radial magnetic field is done with the multi-layer permanent magnets. Special care was devoted to the design of the hexapolar structure, allowing a maximum magnetic field of 1.32 T at the wall of the 82 mm diameter plasma chamber. The three superconducting coils using low temperature superconducting wires are cooled by a single double stage cryo-cooler (4.2 K). Cryogen-free technology is used, providing reliability and easy maintenance at low cost. The maximum installed RF power (18.0 GHz) is of 2 kW. Metallic beams can be produced with an oven (T{sub max}= 1400 deg. C) installed with an angle of 5 deg. with respect to the source axis or a sputtering system, mounted on the axis of the source. The beam extraction system is constituted of three electrodes in accel-decel configuration. The new source of Pantechnik is conceived for reaching optimum performances at 18 GHz RF frequencies. PKISIS magnetic fields are 2.1 T axial B{sub inj} and 1.32 T radial field in the wall, variable B{sub min} with an independent coil and a large and opened extraction region. Moreover, PKISIS integrates modern design concepts, like RF direct injection (2 kW availability), dc-bias moving disk, out-of-axis oven and axial sputtering facility for metal beams. Finally, PKISIS is also conceived in order to operate in a high-voltage platform with minor power consumption.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

RF Performance of Al0.85Ga0.15N/Al0.70Ga0.30N High Electron Mobility Transistors with 80 nm Gates

Al-rich A1GaN-channel high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with 80 nm long gates and 85% (70%) Al in the barrier (channel) were evaluated for RF performance. DC characteristics include a maximum current of 160 mA/mm with transconductance of 24 mS/mm, limited by source and drain contacts, and an on/off current ratio of 10 9 . fT of 28.4 GlIz and fMAX of 18.5 GHz were determined from small-signal S-parameter measurements. Output power density of 0.38 W/mm was realized at 3 GHz in a power sweep using on-wafer load pull techniques.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Time-drift Aware RF Optimization with Machine Learning Techniques

The Fermilab Linac delivers 400 MeV H- beam to the rest of the accelerator chain. Providing stable intensity, energy, and emittance is key since it directly affects downstream machines. To operate high current beam, accelerators must minimize uncontrolled particle loss; this can be accomplished by minimizing beam longitudinal emittance via RF parameter optimization. However, RF tuning is required daily since the resonance frequency of the accelerating cavities is affected by ambient temperature and humidity variations and thus drifts with time. In addition, the energy and phase space distribution of particles emerging from the ion source are subject to fluctuations. Such drift is not unique to Fermilab, but rather affects most laboratories. We are exploring machine learning (ML) algorithms for automated RF tuning for 2 objectives: optimization of Linac output energy and phase oscillation correction, with an emphasis on time-drift aware modeling that can account for conditions changing over time.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

RF System Requirements for a Medium-Energy Electron-Ion Collider (MEIC) at JLab

JLab is studying options for a medium energy electron-ion collider that could fit on the JLab site and use CEBAF as a full-energy electron injector. A new ion source, linac and booster would be required, together with collider storage rings for the ions and electrons. In order to achieve the maximum luminosity these will be high-current storage rings with many bunches. We present the high-level RF system requirements for the storage rings, ion booster ring and high-energy ion beam cooling system, and describe the technology options under consideration to meet them. We also present options for staging that might reduce the initial capital cost while providing a smooth upgrade path to a higher final energy. The technologies under consideration may also be useful for other proposed storage ring colliders or ultimate light sources.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Analysis of RF Sheath-Driven Tungsten Erosion at RF Antenna in the WEST Tokamak

This study applies the newly developed STRIPE (Simulated Transport of RF Impurity Production and Emission) framework to analyze tungsten (W) erosion at RF antenna structures in the WEST tokamak. STRIPE integrates SolEdge3x for edge plasma backgrounds, COMSOL for 3D RF sheath potentials, RustBCA for sputtering yields, and GITR for impurity transport and ion energy–angle distributions. Building on prior work by Kumar et al. (2025) Nuclear Fusion, 65, 076039, which validated STRIPE for WEST ICRH discharge #57877, the present study provides a spatially resolved assessment of gross W erosion at both Q2 antenna limiters under ohmic and ICRH conditions. Simulations using 2D SolEdge3x profiles in COMSOL capture rectified sheath potentials exceeding 300 V, leading to strong upper-limiter localization. Both poloidal and toroidal asymmetries are observed and attributed to RF sheath effects, with modeled erosion patterns deviating from experiment—highlighting sensitivity to sheath geometry and plasma resolution. Erosion is driven primarily by high-charge-state oxygen ions (O6+–O8+), while D+ plays a negligible role. Assuming a plasma composition of 1% oxygen and 98% deuterium, STRIPE predicts a 30-fold increase in gross W erosion from ohmic to ICRH phases, consistent with a >25-fold rise in W-I (400.9 nm) brightness. Quantitative agreement is within 5% in the ohmic phase and 30% under ICRH, demonstrating predictive capability. Importantly, the study shows that the magnitude of ICRH-driven W erosion depends strongly on the concentration of light impurities (O, B, N, C), which drive sputtering through high charge states. Cleaner plasma conditions with reduced impurity content are therefore expected to substantially mitigate antenna W sources in WEST and other toroidal fusion devices. These findings establish STRIPE as a predictive framework for RF-induced plasma–material interactions and support its application to reactor-scale antenna design.

Kumar, Atul [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000277475210)↗

A simplified HTc rf SQUID to analyze the human cardiac magnetic field

We have developed a four-channel high temperature radio-frequency superconducting quantum interference device (HT{sub c} rf SQUID) in a simple magnetically shielded room (MSR) that can be used to analyze the cardiac magnetic field. It is more robust and compact than existing systems. To achieve the high-quality magnetocardiographic signal, we explored new adaptive software gradiometry technology constructed by the first-order axial gradiometer with a baseline of 80mm, which can adjust its performance timely with the surrounding conditions. The magnetic field sensitivity of each channel was less than 100fT/√Hz in the white noise region. Especially, in the analysis of MCG signal data, we proposed the total transient mapping (TTM) technique to visualize current density map (CDM), then we focused to observe the time-varying behavior of excitation propagation and estimated the underlying currents at T wave. According to the clear 3D imaging, isomagnetic field and CDM, the position and distribution of a current source in the heart can be visualized. It is believed that our four-channel HT{sub c} rf SQUID magnetometer based on biomagnetic system is available to detect MCG signals with sufficient signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio. In addition, the CDM showed the macroscopic current activation pattern, in a way, it has established strong underpinnings for researching the cardiac microscopic movement mechanism and opening the way for its use in clinical diagnosis.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electron cyclotron resonance ion source plasma chamber studies using a network analyzer as a loaded cavity probe

A method and first results utilizing a network analyzer as a loaded cavity probe to study the resonance properties of a plasma filled electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS) plasma chamber are presented. The loaded cavity measurements have been performed using a dual port technique, in which two separate waveguides were used simultaneously. One port was used to ignite and sustain the plasma with a microwave source operating around 11 GHz and the other was used to probe the cavity properties with the network analyzer using a frequency range around 14 GHz. The first results obtained with the JYFL 14 GHz ECRIS demonstrate that the presence of plasma has significant effects on the resonance properties of the cavity. With plasma the frequency dependent behavior is strongly damped and this trend strengthens with increasing microwave power.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

The rare isotope beams production at the Texas A and M university Cyclotron Institute

The Cyclotron Institute at Texas A and M initiated an upgrade project for the production of radioactive-ion beams that incorporates a light-ion guide (LIG) and a heavy-ion guide coupled (HIG) with an Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Source (ECRIS) constructed for charge-boosting (CB-ECRIS). This scheme is intended to produce radioactive beams suitable for injection into the K500 superconducting cyclotron. The current status of the project and details on the ion sources and devices used in the project is presented.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗