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At least 829 records · Page 46

Calibration of a compact ASIC-based data acquisition system for neutron/$γ$ discrimination and spectroscopy with organic scintillators

Segmented neutron detectors that use silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are receiving significant attention in nuclear security applications. Some of these detectors employ hundreds of channels and would therefore benefit from the use of high-channel-density and low-cost-per-channel data acquisition (DAQ) systems. Candidate DAQ systems that meet these requirements exist, but few perform full waveform digitization, which permits neutron and gamma-ray interaction discrimination via pulse shape. In this work, we study the performance of the TOFPET2 (PETsys Electronics), an ASIC-based DAQ designed for positron emission tomography, which has been adapted to provide sensitivity to pulse shape by the use of variable-period charge integration. We use a light-emitting diode to calibrate a combination of an ON Semiconductor (SensL) 60035-64P J-Series SiPM and TOPFET2 DAQ and evaluate the linearity of their response and dynamic range. Here, the calibration curve was obtained by comparing the DAQ response to that measured with a photodiode interfaced with a traditional waveform digitizer. This calibration process was used for rudimentary spectroscopy of various neutron and sources.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Optically stimulated luminescence dosimetry on mobile phone back protective glass

Protective glasses from the back of modern smartphones were tested as potential emergency dosimeters using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). The glasses were shown to exhibit several favorable dosimetric properties including a strong sensitivity to radiation, a linear dose-response relationship from 0.1 to 8 Gy, a 3% reproducibility, and a minimum detectable dose in the low tens of milligray, even after significant fading. The OSL signal was observed to lose ~78% and ~90% of the original intensity over 1 h and 1 week, respectively; however, a fading curve was developed to correct for any such signal loss. A dose-recovery test demonstrated that reconstructed doses were capable of accuracies within 20%.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Hydrological projections over the Upper Indus Basin at 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C temperature increase

We analyse an ensemble of statistically downscaled Global Climate Models (GCMs) to investigate future water availability in the Upper Indus Basin (UIB) of Pakistan for the time horizons when the global and/or regional warming levels cross Paris Agreement (PA) targets. The GCMs data is obtained from the 5th Phase of Coupled Model Inter-Comparison Project under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). Based on the five best performing GCMs, we note that global 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C warming thresholds are projected in 2026 and 2047 under RCP4.5 and 2022 and 3036 under RCP8.5 respectively while these thresholds are reached much earlier over Pakistan i.e. 2016 and 2030 under RCP4.5 and 2012 and 2025 under RCP8.5 respectively. Interestingly, the GCMs with the earliest emergence at the global scale are not necessarily the ones with the earliest emergence over Pakistan, highlighting spatial non-linearity in GCMs response. The emergence of 2.0 °C warming at global scale across 5 GCMs ranges from 2031 (CCSM4) to 2049 (NorESM) under RCP8.5. Precipitation generally exhibits a progressive increasing trend with stronger changes at higher warming or radiative forcing levels. Hydrological simulations representing the historical, 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C global and region warming time horizons indicate a robust but seasonally varying increase in the inflows. The highest inflows in the baseline and future are witnessed in July. However, the highest future increase in inflows is projected in October under RCP4.5 (37.99% and 65.11% at 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C) and in April under RCP8.5 (37% and 62.05% at 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C). These hydrological changes are driven by increases in the snow and glacial melt contribution, which are more pronounced at 2.0 °C warming level. These findings should help for effective water management in Pakistan over the coming decades.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Collisionless zonal-flow dynamics in quasisymmetric stellarators

The linear collisionless plasma response to a zonal-density perturbation in quasisymmetric stellarators is studied, including the geodesic-acoustic-mode oscillations and the Rosenbluth–Hinton residual flow. While the geodesic-acoustic-mode oscillations in quasiaxisymmetric configurations are similar to tokamaks, they become non-existent in quasi-helically symmetric configurations when the effective safety factor in helical-angle coordinates is small. Compared with concentric-circular tokamaks, the Rosenbluth–Hinton residual is also found to be multiplied by a geometric factor $\mathcal {C}$ that arises from the flux-surface-averaged classical polarization. Using the near-axis-expansion framework, we derive an analytic expression for $\mathcal {C}$ , which varies significantly among different configurations. These analytic results are compared with numerical simulation results from the global gyrokinetic particle-in-cell code GTC, and good agreement with the theoretical Rosenbluth–Hinton residual level is achieved when the quasisymmetry error is small enough.

Zhu, Hongxuan (ORCID:0000000198446972)↗

Evidence and modeling of turbulence bifurcation in L-mode confinement transitions on Alcator C-Mod

Analysis and modeling of rotation reversal hysteresis experiments show that a single turbulent bifurcation is responsible for the Linear to Saturated Ohmic Confinement (LOC/SOC) transition and concomitant intrinsic rotation reversal on Alcator C-Mod. Plasmas on either side of the reversal exhibit different toroidal rotation profiles and therefore different turbulence characteristics despite the profiles of density and temperature, which are indistinguishable within measurement uncertainty. Elements of this bifurcation are also shown to persist for auxiliary heated L-modes. The deactivation of subdominant (in the linear growth rate and contribution to heat transport) ion temperature gradient and trapped electron mode instabilities is identified as the only possible change in turbulence within a reduced quasilinear transport model across the reversal, which is consistent with the measured profiles and inferred heat and particle fluxes. Experimental constraints on a possible change from strong to weak turbulence, outside the description of the quasilinear model, are also discussed. These results indicate an explanation for the LOC/SOC transition that provides a mechanism for the hysteresis through the dynamics of subdominant modes and changes in their relative populations and does not involve a change in the most linearly unstable ion-scale drift-wave instability.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Improved microwave SQUID multiplexer readout using a kinetic-inductance traveling-wave parametric amplifier

We report on the use of a kinetic-inductance traveling-wave parametric amplifier (KITWPA) as the first amplifier in the readout chain of a microwave superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) multiplexer (μmux). This μmux is designed to multiplex signals from arrays of low temperature detectors, such as superconducting transition-edge sensor microcalorimeters. When modulated with a periodic flux-ramp to linearize the SQUID response, the flux noise improves, on average, from 1.6 μ $\Phi$ 0 /$\sqrt{Hz}$ with the KITWPA off to 0.77 μ $\Phi$ 0 /$\sqrt{Hz}$ with the KITWPA on. When statically biasing the μmux to the maximally flux-sensitive point, the flux noise drops from 0.45 μ $\Phi$ 0 /$\sqrt{Hz}$ to 0.2 μ $\Phi$ 0 /$\sqrt{Hz}$⁠. We validate this new readout scheme by coupling a transition-edge sensor microcalorimeter to the μmux and detecting background radiation. In conclusion, the combination of μmux and KITWPA provides a variety of new capabilities including improved detector sensitivity and more efficient bandwidth utilization.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Kinetic simulation of a 50 mTorr capacitively coupled argon discharge over a range of frequencies and comparison to experiments

The effect of driving frequency in the range of 13.56–73 MHz on electron energy distribution and electron heating modes in a 50 mTorr capacitively coupled argon plasma discharge is studied using 1D-3V particle-in-cell simulations. Calculated electron energy probability functions exhibit three distinct “temperatures” for low-, mid-, and high-energy electrons at all the studied driving frequencies. When compared to published experimental data, the calculated probability functions show a reasonable agreement for the energy range resolved in the measurements (about 2–10 eV). Discrepancies due to limitations in experimental energy resolution outside this range lead to differences between computational and experimental values of the electron number density determined from the distribution functions, and the predicted effective electron temperature is within 25% of experimental values. The impedance of the discharge is interpreted in terms of a homogeneous equivalent circuit model, and the driving frequency dependence of the inferred combined sheath thickness is found to obey a known, theoretically derived, power law. The average power transferred from the field to the electrons (electron heating) is computed, and a region of negative heating near the sheath edge, particularly at higher driving frequencies, is identified. Analysis of the electron momentum equation shows that electron inertia, which on temporal averaging would be zero in a linear regime, is responsible for negative values of power deposition near the sheath edge at high driving frequencies due to the highly nonlinear behavior of the discharge.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Laser pulse induced second- and third-harmonic generation of gold nanorods with real-time time-dependent density functional tight binding (RT-TDDFTB) method

In this paper, we investigate second- and third-harmonic generation processes in Au nanorod systems using the real-time time-dependent density functional tight binding method. Our study focuses on the computation of nonlinear signals based on the time dependent dipole response induced by linearly polarized laser pulses interacting with nanoparticles. We systematically explore the influence of various laser parameters, including pump intensity, duration, frequency, and polarization directions, on harmonic generation. We demonstrate all the results using Au nanorod dimer systems arranged in end-to-end configurations, and disrupting the spatial symmetry of regular single nanorod systems is crucial for second-harmonic generation processes. Furthermore, we study the impact of nanorod lengths, which lead to variable plasmon energies, on harmonic generation, and estimates of polarizabilities and hyper-polarizabilities are provided.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Origin of multifractality in solar wind turbulence: the role of current sheets

ABSTRACT In this work, a multifractal framework is proposed to investigate the effects of current sheets in solar wind turbulence. By using multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis coupled with surrogate methods and volatility, two solar wind magnetic field time series are investigated, one with current sheets and one without current sheets. Despite the lack of extreme-events intermittent bursts in the current sheet-free series, both series are shown to be strongly multifractal, although the current sheet-free series displays an almost linear behaviour for the scaling exponent of structure functions. Long-range correlations are shown to be the main source of multifractality for the series without current sheets, while a combination of heavy-tail distribution and non-linear correlations is responsible for multifractality in the series with current sheets. The multifractality in both time series is formally shown to be associated with an energy-cascade process using the p-model.

Gomes, Leonardo F.↗

Flexocaloric effect near a ferroelastic transition

A Ginzburg-Landau model embedded into a vibrational model is used to study the flexocaloric effect in a beam near a ferroelastic transition. The caloric response upon bending is characterized by the isothermal entropy change and the adiabatic temperature change of the beam. Here, we obtain a larger response relative to the strength of the applied forces at temperatures slightly above the transition temperature. It is also obtained that the maximum caloric response is almost linear with the bending angle of the beam, whereas the relation between the bending angle and the applied forces is highly nonlinear. Small hysteresis associated with the phase transition is obtained for sufficiently large bending forces due to the existence of a critical point in the temperature-stress phase diagram of the ferroelastic material. Finally, the microstructure changes with bending in the beam are consistent with previous experimental observations.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Third-order Hall effect in the surface states of a topological insulator

Time reversal and inversion symmetric materials fail to yield linear and nonlinear responses since they possess net zero Berry curvature. However, higher-order Hall response can be generated in these systems upon constraining the crystalline symmetries. Motivated by the recently discovered third-order Hall (TOH) response mediated by Berry connection polarizability, namely, the variation of the Berry connection with respect to an applied electric field, here, we investigate the existence of such a Hall effect in the surface states of hexagonal warped topological insulators (e.g., Bi 2 Te 3 ) under the application of only electric field. Using the semiclassical Boltzmann formalism, we investigate the effect of tilt and hexagonal warping on the Berry connection polarizability tensor and, consequently, the TOH effect, provided the Dirac cone remains gapless. We find that the magnitude of the response increases significantly with increasing tilt strength and warping, and therefore, they can provide the tunability of this effect. In addition, we also explore the effect of chemical doping on the TOH response in this system. Interestingly, we show, based on the symmetry analysis, that the TOH can be the leading-order response in this system, which can directly be verified in experiments.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Micromachined Piezoresistive-sensed Diaphragms for Infrasonic Monitoring

Micromachined, piezoresistive-sensed diaphragms are designed and fabricated specifically for infrasound sensing applications. Relatively large diaphragms, up to 6 mm × 6 mm, are fabricated to meet the high sensitivity requirements of infrasonic monitoring. A double-stack SOI wafer process is used, resulting in a streamlined two-mask process without the need for doping or ion-implantation. Pressure-sensitivities of diaphragms are studied using a custom static calibration set-up. Here, the piezoresistance of longitudinal and transverse resistors are studied over a large pressure range of ±5,500 Pa so that the linear and nonlinear response regions of diaphragms are observed. Measurements are compared against a nonlinear finite element simulation—shown to accurately predict the sensor’s behavior over a large response range.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Implementing Superresolution of Nonstationary Tides with Wavelets: An Introduction to CWT_Multi

Abstract Tides are often nonstationary due to nonastronomical influences. Investigating variable tidal properties implies a trade-off between separating adjacent frequencies (using long analysis windows) and resolving their time variations (short analysis windows). Previous continuous wavelet transform (CWT) tidal methods resolved tidal species. Here, we present CWT_Multi, a MATLAB code that 1) uses CWT linearity (via the “response coefficient method”) to implement superresolution, i.e., resolving tidal constituents beyond the Rayleigh criterion; 2) provides a Munk–Hasselmann constituent selection criterion appropriate for superresolution; and 3) introduces an objective, time-variable form of inference (“dynamic inference”) based on time-varying data properties. CWT_Multi resolves tidal species on time scales of days, and multiple constituents per species with fortnightly filters. It outputs astronomical phase lags and admittances, analyzes multiple records, and provides power spectra of the signal(s), residual(s), and reconstruction(s); confidence limits; and signal-to-noise ratios. Artificial data and water levels from the Lower Columbia River Estuary (LCRE) and San Francisco Bay Delta (SFBD) are used to test CWT_Multi and compare it to harmonic analysis programs NS_Tide and UTide. CWT_Multi provides superior reconstruction, detiding, dynamic analysis utility, and time resolution of constituents (but with broader confidence limits). Dynamic inference resolves closely spaced constituents (like K 1 , S 1 , and P 1 ) on fortnightly time scales, quantifying impacts of diel power peaking (with a 24-h period, like S 1 ) on water levels in the LCRE. CWT_Multi also helps quantify the impacts of high flows and a salt barrier closing on tidal properties in the SFBD. On the other hand, CWT_Multi does not excel at prediction, and results depend on analysis details, as for any method applied to nonstationary data. Significance Statement Ocean tides, especially in coastal and estuarine systems, are often nonstationary, in the sense that the mean and standard deviation of tidal properties vary over time, usually in response to some nontidal process. We introduce here a MATLAB code, CWT_Multi, that uses wavelet transforms to resolve both tidal species and constituents on time scales from a few days to months. Our code accommodates multiple scalar time series and has typical tidal analysis features like constituent selection and inference, plus two forms of uncertainty analyses. It is flexible, allowing the user to adapt analysis properties to diverse datasets. CWT_Multi is applicable to many problems involving time-variable tides, including sea level rise, compound flooding, sediment transport, and wetland habitat analyses. Application to vector data is a straightforward extension, but further development of our uncertainty analysis is merited. Because nonstationary tidal analysis is rapidly advancing, we also define the features of a “well-formed” analysis code.

Lobo, Matthew↗

Kinetic Modeling and Experimental Studies of Capacitively Coupled Macro- and Microplasmas at Microwave Frequencies

The effect of driving frequency in the range of 13.56 MHz to 73 MHz on electron energy distribution and electron heating modes in a 50 mTorr capacitively coupled argon plasma discharge is studied using 1D-3V particle-in-cell simulations. Calculated electron energy probability functions exhibit three distinct temperatures for low-, mid-, and high-energy electrons at all the studied driving frequencies. When compared to published experimental data, the calculated probability functions show a reasonable agreement for the energy range resolved in the measurements (about 2 eV to 10 eV). Discrepancies due to limitations in experimental energy resolution outside this range lead to differences between computational and experimental values of the electron number density determined from the distribution functions, and the predicted effective electron temperature is within 25 % of experimental values. The impedance of the discharge is interpreted in terms of a homogeneous equivalent circuit model and the driving frequency dependence of the inferred combined sheath thickness is found to obey a known, theoretically-derived, power law. The average power transferred from the field to the electrons (electron heating) is computed, and a region of negative heating near the sheath edge, particularly at higher driving frequencies, is identified. Analysis of the electron momentum equation shows that electron inertia, which on temporal averaging would be zero in a linear regime, is responsible for negative values of power deposition near the sheath edge at high driving frequencies due to the highly nonlinear behavior of the discharge.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗