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At least 847 records · Page 47
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

Evaluation of Skyshine from an Accelerator Facility: Dependence on Distance and Angle

Neutron skyshine from Linac Coherent Light Source II 4 GeV electron beam operation at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory can contribute to prompt radiation exposure to the public at distances far beyond the accelerator tunnel housing. One of the shielding design requirements at SLAC is that the annual dose to a member of the public is no more than 0.05 mSv y -1 . Our work uses Monte Carlo code FLUKA to simulate the generation of neutrons from 4 GeVelectron beam losses on a thick copper target inside a generalized geometry of the Linac Coherent Light Source II Beam Transport Hall accelerator tunnel section. The effective dose from neutron skyshine was characterized as a function of both distance from the tunnel wall (up to 1 km away) and angle relative to the beam direction (between 0° and 180°). Furthermore, this new methodology for evaluating neutron skyshine dose is applicable to high-energy GeV-range electron accelerator facilities both at SLAC and elsewhere.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Analysis of Nb$_3$Sn Accelerator Magnet Training

Nb 3 Sn accelerator magnet technology has made significant progress during the past decades. For the first time, it is planned to be used in a real accelerator. A relatively small number of Nb 3 Sn quadrupoles and dipoles will be installed in the LHC to increase machine luminosity. Although it will prove the possibility of using Nb 3 Sn magnets in real machines, many questions of scaling this technology up remain. One of them is related to slow training of Nb 3 Sn magnets compared to the traditional Nb-Ti accelerator magnets. Since the goal is to operate thousands of Nb 3 Sn magnets in a future post-LHC accelerator, the slow training will affect both the practical design margin and the nominal operation field. Consequently, the cost of the project to reach the design field level is also increased. Furthermore, to improve our understanding of slow magnet training the existing Fermilab data from Nb 3 Sn magnet tests were re-analyzed. A summary of coil training features and correlations with fabrication parameters observed is presented in this paper.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

High Average Current Bunched Electron Source for RF Accelerators

High-average current high-quality electron beams are imperative for high-power RF accelerators used in various energy and environmental applications in industry, medicine, and national security as well as for advanced existing and future accelerator systems such as PIP II, particle colliders (eRHIC BNL) for cooling high-energy proton, ion, and hadron beams, storage rings, wakefield accelerators (AWA), and energy recovery linacs. The most common current approach to generate high-peak current high-brightness short electron bunches uses photoemission excited by intense laser radiation. However, to avoid overheating photocathodes are operated at a subharmonic of the linac frequency that in turn restricts the average beam current. There are also limitations in the electron-beam average current due to the average power available from drive lasers. On the other hand, the state of the art thermionic sources that produce high average current electron beams do not have yet good emission gating methods to realize sufficiently short and good quality electron bunches. We develop a robust thermionic electron source (e-source) of >1 A average current with advanced gating of the emission at the linac-frequency and its 3rd harmonic. Central to the approach is a novel scheme for energy efficient feeding of the 3rd-harmonic power in the RF gap. The cathode is attached to the gun cavity through this small emission-gating gap in which the RF modes are excited. The use of thermionic emission allows for the desired high-average current CW electron beams. Adding the 3rd emission gating harmonic shortens the electron bunches and by this means lessens impact of the RF curvature on the beam quality resulting in the smaller energy spread and bunch emittances. Such high current electron beam is suitable for injection into high-power normal- or superconducting linacs in CW mode at a high repetition rate of the linac frequency. In Phase I, we performed modeling and beam dynamics, parametric, and optimization studies. A >1A average current e-source with 200,000hrs lifetime expectancy has been demonstrated in the simulations. We have developed baseline design of the e-source and its components. It is anticipated that the e-source will be in demand for normal- and superconducting particle accelerators and will benefit many commercial and energy and environmental applications such as treating waste and potable water, sludge, stack gases, and medical waste as well as X-ray sources for medicine, sterilization, materials processing, geology, and non-intrusive imaging.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Continual Learning for Particle Accelerators

Particle accelerators operate under dynamically changing conditions, which often lead to data distribution drifts. These drifts pose significant challenges for Machine Learning (ML) models, which typically fail to maintain performance when faced with such non-stationary data. In particle accelerators, the primary sources of these data drifts include changes in accelerator settings and non-measured parameters such as machine degradation and environmental factors. Previous research has proposed conditional models to handle multiple beam configurations effectively; however, it is challenging to train the ML models on all possible configuration settings. Additionally, conditional models alone can not address performance degradation caused by drifts due to non-measured factors. These limitations contribute to a significant gap between ML development and its deployment in real-world operational settings. To bridge this gap, in this paper, we identify some of the key areas within particle accelerators where continual learning can help mitigate drift-induced performance degradation. In addition, we present a practical use case where a conditional Auto-Encoder model coupled with memory-based continual learning has been employed to demonstrate stable performance even when underlying data drifts.

Schram, Malachi [Thomas Jefferson National Acceler↗
DOE OSTI2026

Continual Learning for Production-Level Machine Learning in Particle Accelerators

Particle accelerators operate in complex environments where data distribution can change dynamically, leading to data drifts that significantly challenge Machine Learning (ML) models. These non-stationary conditions often cause ML models to deteriorate in performance, making it difficult to maintain reliable predictions in operation. The primary sources of data drifts are changes in accelerator settings and changes in equipment performance which cannot be measured directly. To bridge this gap between ML development and long-term deployment in operational settings, we identify key areas within particle accelerators where continual learning can help mitigate drift-induced performance degradation. We will provide a practical guide on selecting the appropriate method given resource constraints and desired stability plasticity trade offs. As a concrete example, we will present a real-world use case for anomaly detection to predict errant beams at the Spallation Neutron Source accelerator, where continual learning has been employed to demonstrate stable performance on drifting data streams. We will present practical challenges, lessons learned, and the results from the deployed ML model.

Rajput, Kishansingh [Thomas Jefferson National Acc↗
NASA NTRS1993

Test-to-Failure of a Two-Grid, 30-cm-dia. Ion Accelerator System

To determine the failure mechanism and erosion characteristics of an ion accelerator system due to erosion by charge-exchange ions a test was performed in which a 30-cm-diameter, 2-grid ion accelerator system was tested to failure. The erosion charcteristics observed in this test, however, imply significantly shorter accelerator grid life times than typically stated in the literature. Finally, the test suggests that structural failure is probably not the most likely first failure mechanism for the accelerator grid.

distortion↗
DOE OSTI2024

Photoneutron Production Using an Electron Linear Accelerator for Applications in Neutron Imaging

Photoneutron production is possible using an electron linear accelerator and a target capable of generating photonuclear reactions. A short pulse neutron source can be useful for neutron imaging dynamic experiments. This study is aimed at the feasibility of photoneutron production using a 20 MeV electron linear accelerator and tungsten and depleted uranium targets of various thicknesses. MCNP6 (Monte Carlo N-Particle) code will be used to develop a computational model to estimate total neutron yield, and this will be verified at the Idaho State University’s Accelerator Center. After verification of the neutron yield and energy spectra, an additional MCNP6 model will be developed to analyze the neutron imaging processes. This study will potentially prove it is possible to conduct multi-mode imaging experiments on the anticipated Scorpius electron linear accelerator at the Nevada National Security Sites.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Continual Learning for Particle Accelerators

Particle accelerators operate under dynamically changing conditions, which often lead to data distribution drifts. These drifts pose significant challenges for Machine Learning (ML) models, which typically fail to maintain performance when faced with such non-stationary data. In particle accelerators, the primary sources of these data drifts include changes in accelerator settings and non-measured parameters such as machine degradation and environmental factors. Previous research has proposed conditional models to handle multiple beam configurations effectively; however, it is challenging to train the ML models on all possible configuration settings. Additionally, conditional models alone can not address performance degradation caused by drifts due to non-measured factors. These limitations contribute to a significant gap between ML development and its deployment in real-world operational settings. To bridge this gap, in this paper, we identify some of the key areas within particle accelerators where continual learning can help mitigate drift-induced performance degradation. In addition, we present a practical use case where a conditional Auto-Encoder model coupled with memory-based continual learning has been employed to demonstrate stable performance even when underlying data drifts

Rajput, Kishansingh [Thomas Jefferson National Acc↗
DOE OSTI2025

Analysis of Screening Current Effects in a Hybrid Nb$_{3}$Sn/REBCO Superconducting Accelerator Magnet Using a T - A Formulation

To explore the feasibility of using high-temperature superconducting (HTS) REBCO coated conductors in future accelerator magnets, two REBCO flat racetrack coils were fabricated using 4-mm wide EuBCO tapes at the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK). These coils were tested as an insert inside a Nb$_{3}$Sn common-coil dipole magnet, which provides a background field of up to $\sim$ 9.5T, at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). REBCO tapes offer exceptionally high critical current density under strong magnetic fields; however, they also exhibit significant magnetization due to screening currents, leading to magnetic field errors. Here, this study presents a 2D finite element model of screening current-induced fields (SCIF) in REBCO coils using the T-A formulation, along with the results obtained. Simulations were then performed for two KEK test cases: one where the REBCO conductors were oriented with the HTS tapes parallel to the background field, and another where the tapes were perpendicular to it. Since screening currents also influence the stress distribution and increase the peak stress in the coils, the mechanical effects of these currents were analyzed. The implications of these simulation and test results for the design of Nb$_{3}$Sn/REBCO superconducting accelerator magnets are discussed.

Accelerator magnets↗
DOE OSTI2026

AI-Ready Control System for the Fermilab Accelerator Complex

Reliable, high-intensity operation of the Fermilab Accelerator Complex is critical to the success of the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility and Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment. We describe the requirements and infrastructure necessary to support routine use of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) in the accelerator control system. Three capabilities are identified: a machine learning operations (MLOps) framework standardizing the lifecycle of AI/ML automation from data management through deployment and monitoring; a data quality framework defining and enforcing standards required to build trustworthy AI/ML applications; and workflow integration with large language models to assist physicists, engineers, and operators with information retrieval, code development, and routine analysis. Use cases spanning beam diagnostics, beam control, and support system automation illustrate the technical requirements across the complex.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Accelerated Stress Testing of Perovskite Photovoltaic Modules: Differentiating Degradation Modes with Electroluminescence Imaging

Herein, electroluminescence (EL) and thermal imaging are used to examine p–i–n metal halide perovskite (MHP) photovoltaic (PV) mini-modules (MA0.6FA0.4PbI3, 20 cells, 78 cm2) before and after indoor-accelerated stress testing or outdoor deployment. Distinct spatial patterns in the EL images emerge, which depend on the external stress conditions experienced by the mini-module. Imaging results highlight a distribution of dark speckle features that dominate after UV stress, attributed to widespread interfacial contact degradation. Lateral intensity gradients across cells dominate after thermal cycling (TC) stress, attributed to current crowding near scribe defects. While current–voltage analysis alone does not give full insight on the degradation process, this study shows that distinct degradation modes can be further defined by multimodal electro-optical imaging (i.e., EL combined with photoluminescence and dark lock-in thermography). Neither UV exposure nor TC-accelerated stress testing alone replicates the same degradation signatures observed after outdoor deployment, suggesting that multiple degradation modes occur under concurrent stressors outdoors. Finally, spatial characterization of degradation modes in MHP PV mini-modules before and after accelerated stress testing lays the groundwork for developing targeted accelerated stress testing procedures through comparison with outdoor aging.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Occupation Time of a Randomly Accelerated Particle on the Positive Half Axis: Results for the First Five Moments

In the random acceleration process a point particle is accelerated by Gaussian white noise with zero mean. Although several fundamental statistical properties of the motion have been analyzed in detail, the statistics of occupation times is still not well understood. We consider the occupation or residence time T{sub +} on the positive x axis of a particle which is randomly accelerated on the unbounded x axis for a time t. The first two moments of T{sub +} were recently derived by Ouandji Boutcheng et al. (J Stat Mech 053213:1–10, 2016). With an alternate approach utilizing basis functions which have proved useful in other studies of randomly accelerated motion, results for the first five moments are obtained in this paper.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2019

Improved Corrosion Resistance of Ni-Co Coatings Prepared by Electrodeposition with Large Centrifugal Acceleration

A higher Co content in Ni-Co coatings leads to better corrosion resistance to a certain degree. In this paper, centrifugal acceleration was introduced in the electrodeposition of Ni-Co coatings in order to obtain improved Ni-Co coatings with high Co content. With different centrifugal accelerations, the Co content, morphology, preferred coating orientation, microhardness, and wear and corrosion resistance were examined. Under large centrifugal acceleration, a maximal Co content of 38.25% was obtained according to the EDS results, which was higher than that obtained using normal electrodeposition. The SEM images indicated that the morphology of the prepared Ni-Co coatings with the highest Co content was smoothened. In addition, the microhardness of Ni-Co coatings with increased Co content was improved to about 530HV, which was hardly achieved under normal electrodeposition. Most of all, based on the polarization curve and EIS results, the corrosion resistance was significantly enhanced as the Co content reached the maximum. In general, corrosion resistance of the deposited Ni-Co coatings can be improved with large centrifugal acceleration.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Physico-chemical mechanisms involved in the acceleration of the hydration of calcium sulfoaluminate cement by lithium ions

This work investigates the influence of lithium ions on the hydration at 25 °C of two calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cements comprising 0 or 10% gypsum. Small concentrations of lithium salts (LiOH, LiNO{sub 3}) accelerate the early hydration of both CSA cements either in paste or in diluted and stirred suspension. The effect of the lithium cation is much stronger than its counter-ion. Hydration is accelerated by an increase in the lithium concentration up to 30 μmol Li/g of the used CSA cement (with a high ye'elimite content), and then levels off. The postulated mechanism relies on a fast precipitation of amorphous Li-containing Al(OH){sub 3}, which acts as seeds for accelerating the precipitation of amorphous Al(OH){sub 3} that speeds up the whole hydration process. This process seems to be closely related to the one involved in the acceleration of the hydration of calcium aluminate cement by lithium ions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Stereoscopic detection of hot spots in superfluid 4 He (He II) for accelerator-cavity diagnosis

Superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) cavities cooled by superfluid 4He (He II) are building blocks of many modern particle accelerators due to their high quality factor. However, Joule heating from sub-millimeter surface defects on cavities can lead to cavity quenching, which limits the maximum acceleration gradient of the accelerators. Developing a non-contacting detection technology to accurately locate these surface hot spots is the key to improve the performance of SRF cavities and hence the accelerators. In a recent proof-of-concept experiment, we demonstrated that a molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV) technique based on the tracking of a He molecular tracer line created nearby a surface hot spot in He II can be utilized to locate the hot spot. In order to make this technique practically useful, here we describe our further development of a stereoscopic MTV setup for tracking the tracer line’s motion in three-dimensional (3D) space. We simulate a quench spot by applying a transient voltage pulse to a small heater mounted on a substrate plate. Images of the drifted tracer line, taken with two cameras from orthogonal directions, are used to reconstruct the line profile in 3D space. Here, a new algorithm for analyzing the 3D line profile is developed, which incorporates the finite size effect of the heater. We show that the center location of the heater can be reproduced on the substrate surface with an uncertainty of only a few hundred microns, thereby proving the practicability of this method.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Quantitative Approach to Failure Mode and Effect Analysis for Linear Accelerator Quality Assurance

Purpose: To determine clinic-specific linear accelerator quality assurance (QA) TG-142 test frequencies, to maximize physicist time efficiency and patient treatment quality. Methods and Materials: A novel quantitative approach to failure mode and effect analysis is proposed. Nine linear accelerator-years of QA records provided data on failure occurrence rates. The severity of test failure was modeled by introducing corresponding errors into head and neck intensity modulated radiation therapy treatment plans. The relative risk of daily linear accelerator QA was calculated as a function of frequency of test performance. Results: Although the failure severity was greatest for daily imaging QA (imaging vs treatment isocenter and imaging positioning/repositioning), the failure occurrence rate was greatest for output and laser testing. The composite ranking results suggest that performing output and lasers tests daily, imaging versus treatment isocenter and imaging positioning/repositioning tests weekly, and optical distance indicator and jaws versus light field tests biweekly would be acceptable for non-stereotactic radiosurgery/stereotactic body radiation therapy linear accelerators. Conclusions: Failure mode and effect analysis is a useful tool to determine the relative importance of QA tests from TG-142. Because there are practical time limitations on how many QA tests can be performed, this analysis highlights which tests are the most important and suggests the frequency of testing based on each test's risk priority number.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Data-driven acceleration of thermal radiation transfer calculations with the dynamic mode decomposition and a sequential singular value decomposition

In this work, we present a method for accelerating discrete ordinates radiative transfer calculations for radiative transfer. Our method works with nonlinear positivity fixes, in contrast to most acceleration schemes. The method is based on the dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) and using a sequence of rank-one updates to compute the singular value decomposition needed for DMD. Using a sequential method allows us to automatically determine the number of solution vectors to include in the DMD acceleration. We present results for slab geometry discrete ordinates calculations with the standard temperature linearization. Compared with positive source iteration, our results demonstrate that our acceleration method reduces the number of transport sweeps required to solve the problem by a factor of about 3 on a standard diffusive Marshak wave problem, a factor of several thousand on a cooling problem where the effective scattering ratio approaches unity, and a factor of 20 improvement in a realistic, multimaterial radiating shock problem.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Advancement of LANSCE accelerator facility as a 1-MW Fusion Prototypic Neutron Source

The Fusion Prototypic Neutron Source (FPNS) is considered to be a testbed for scientific understanding of material degradation in future nuclear fusion reactors (Zinkle and Moeslang, 2013; Summary Report on the FPNS Workshop, 2018; Pitcher et al., 2019). The primary mission of FPNS is to provide a damage rate in iron samples of 8-11 dpa/calendar year with He/dpa ratio of 10 appm in irradiation volume of 50 cm 3 or larger with irradiation temperature 300–1000 °C and flux gradient less than 20%/cm in the plane of the sample. The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) is an attractive candidate for the FPNS project. The Accelerator Facility was designed and operated for an extended period as a 0.8-MW Meson Factory. The existing setup of the LANSCE accelerator complex can nearly fulfill requirements of the fusion neutron source station. The primary function of the upgraded accelerator systems is the safe and reliable delivery of a 1.25-mA continuous proton beam current at 800-MeV beam energy from the switchyard to the target assembly to create 1 MW power of proton beam interacting with a solid tungsten target. The present study describes existing accelerator setup and further development required to meet the needs of FPNS project.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗