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At least 919 records · Page 51

Electron-Beam Shaping in the Transmission Electron Microscope: Control of Electron-Beam Propagation Along Atomic Columns

We present a detailed analysis of the propagation of high-energy electron beams that have different shapes in a crystal of [100]-oriented zincblende GaN. Our study primarily focuses on Bessel beams and makes use of reformulated Bloch wave and multislice simulations. As a result of the simplicity of the momentum spectrum of a Bessel beam and the symmetry of the crystal, its propagation in the material can be described in a free-space representation, providing a deeper understanding of channeling phenomena and of probe intensity oscillation in the propagation direction. We also consider aperture-limited and Gaussian beams. As a result, the latter probes are shown to be optimal for coupling to 1s Bloch states and achieving minimal spreading along atomic columns.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

SU-G-JeP2-15: Proton Beam Behavior in the Presence of Realistic Magnet Fields

Purpose: To investigate the effects of magnetic fields on proton therapy beams for integration with MRI. Methods: 3D magnetic fields from an open-bore superconducting MRI model (previously developed by our group) and 3D magnetic fields from an in-house gradient coil design were applied to various mono energetic proton pencil beam (80MeV to 250MeV) simulations. In all simulations, the z-axis of the simulation geometry coincided with the direction of the B0 field and magnet isocentre. In each simulation, the initial beam trajectory was varied. The first set of simulations performed was based on analytic magnetic force equations (analytic simulations), which could be rapidly calculated yet were limited to propagating proton beams in vacuum. The second set is full Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, which used GEANT4 MC toolkit. Metrics such as the beam position and dose profiles were extracted. Comparisons between the cases with and without magnetic fields present were made. Results: The analytic simulations served as verification checks for the MC simulations when the same simulation geometries were used. The results of the analytic simulations agreed with the MC simulations performed in vacuum. The presence of the MRI’s static magnetic field causes proton pencil beams to follow a slight helical trajectory when there were some initial off-axis components. The 80MeV, 150MeV, and 250MeV proton beams rotated by 4.9o, 3.6o, and 2.8o, respectively, when they reached z=0cm. The deflections caused by gradient coils’ magnetic fields show spatially invariant patterns with a maximum range of 0.5mm at z=0cm. Conclusion: This investigation reveals that both the MRI’s B0 and gradient magnetic fields can cause small but observable deflections of proton beams at energies studied. The MRI’s static field caused a rotation of the beam while the gradient coils’ fields effects were spatially invariant. Dr. B Gino Fallone is a co-founder and CEO of MagnetTx Oncology Solutions (under discussions to license Alberta bi-planar linac MR for commercialization)

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Recent Progress Made in the Development of High-Energy UV Transmitter

In this paper, the status of an all-solid-state UV converter development for ozone sensing applications is discussed. A high energy Nd:YAG laser for pumping the UV converter arrangement was recently reported. The pump is an all-solid-state, single longitudinal mode, and conductively cooled Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm wavelength. Currently, this pump laser provides an output pulse energy of greater than 1J/pulse at 50 Hz PRF and a pulsewidth of 22 ns with an electrical-to-optical system efficiency of greater than 7% and a M(sup 2) value of approx. 2. The spatial profile of the output beam is a rectangular super Gaussian. This Nd:YAG pump laser has been developed to pump the nonlinear optics based UV converter arrangement to generate 320 nm and 308 nm wavelengths by means of 532 nm wavelength. Previously, this UV converter arrangement has demonstrated IR-to-UV conversion efficiency of 24% using a flash lamp pumped laser providing a round, flat top spatial profile. Recently, the UV converter was assembled and tested at NASA LaRC for pumping with the diode pumped Nd:YAG laser. With current spatial profile, the UV converter was made operational. Current efforts to maximize the nonlinear conversion efficiency by refining its spatial profile to match RISTRA OPO requirements are progressing.

Prasad, Narasimha S.↗

Electron beam characterization via quantum coherent electric field imaging

We demonstrate an all-optical, minimally invasive electron beam (𝑒−beam) characterization using Rydberg electrometry. An 𝑒-beam passes through a localized detector volume containing thermal Rb atoms that are optically excited in a quantum superposition of ground and Rydberg states. The 𝑒-beam's electric field perturbs atomic coherence and modifies resonance fluorescence in a narrow spectral region near the two-photon optical transition. Imaging Rb fluorescence provides a map of the electric field from the 𝑒-beam via Rydberg state Stark shifts and allows us to reconstruct the 𝑒-beam width, centroid position, and current. For an 𝑒-beam of 20 keV and electron currents of 20–40 µ⁢A, we measured the centroid position with an accuracy of ≤ 8 µ⁢m and width to within 100 µ⁢m, limited by the experimental sensitivity of electric field reconstruction of ∼0.02 V/cm. This method is suitable for a wide range of electron energies and currents, and can be adopted for nuclear and high-energy experiments for minimally invasive real-time diagnostics and profiling of charged particle beams.

Behary, Rob [College of William and Mary, Williams↗

Spatio-temporally shaped deep UV laser source for ultrabright photocathodes using novel upconversion techniques (Final Report)

The goal of this project was to take a VUV laser system designed by Kapteyn-Murnane Labs (KMLabs)—the Hyperion VUV, and increase its functionality, efficiency, and applicability by further probing the fundamental physics taking place in the system and optimizing the system performance. More specifically, DOE accelerator applications—particularly for XFELs that require low-emittance electron beams, require precisely controlled ultrashort pulses in the deep-UV at 250-260 nm to drive the photocathode electron source. This is conventionally done using an ultrafast infrared laser, with subsequent stages of nonlinear upconversion in solid-state nonlinear-optical crystal media (principally BBO, which is commonly used for UV upconversion). However, maintaining high spatial mode beam quality, as well as precisely controlled temporal profile, has proven a persistent challenge. As a possible alternative to this approach, KMLabs has demonstrated a system that generates vacuum ultraviolet light (VUV) by upconverting pulses from an infrared ultrafast laser in a gas-filled hollow waveguide, driving a process of highly cascaded harmonic generation (HCHG). Because HCHG upconversion is done in a gas, rather than a solid, at high intensity in a guided-wave geometry, it retains an excellent beam spatial profile as well as a large spectral bandwidth that allows for control over the temperal structure of the pulse. A challenge, however, is in energy scaling of this HCHG technique to the ~1-20 μJ pulses required for photocathode applications. To-date, the pulse energies used in published HCHG work are sub-10-nJ. This project proposed to explore ways to generate higher-energy pulses using HCHG, as well as to investigate spectral and temporal shaping of the deep UV pulses by pulse shaping the infrared laser used to seed the process. Although we showed that our approach works for generating light at 259 nm, the total pulse energy achieved seems limited to approximately the same value as past work. However, the techniques we investigated may well have benefits for extending this source to much shorter wavelength output.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Recent progress in laser wire-based H- beam diagnostics at the SNS linac

Laser wire has been used for nonintrusive profile and emittance measurements of operational hydrogen ion (H-) beam at the SNS linac. In this talk, we will describe the following recent developments in the laser wire system. 1) An upgraded light source and laser transport line which enables novel measurement capabilities including longitudinal profile measurement and high-energy proton beam extraction over potentially an entire macropulse. 2) A dual-detector emittance measurement scheme that boosted the dynamic range by an order of magnitude. 3) Design and implementation laser-wire-based nonintrusive longitudinal phase space measurement system.

Liu, Yun↗

Internal transport barrier triggered by non-linear lower hybrid wave deposition under condition of beam-driven toroidal rotation

By using gyro-Landau fluid transport model (GLF23), time-dependent integrated modeling is carried out using TRANSP to explore the dynamic process of internal transport barrier (ITB) formation in the neutral beam heating discharges. When the current profile is controlled by LHCD (lower hybrid current drive), with appropriate neutral beam injection, the nonlinear interplay between the transport determined gradients in the plasma temperature (T{sub i,e}) and toroidal velocity (V{sub ϕ}) and the E×B flow shear (including q-profile) produces transport bifurcations, generating spontaneously a stepwise growing ITB. In the discharge, the constraints imposed by the wave propagation condition causes interplay of the LH driven current distribution with the plasma configuration modification, which constitutes non-linearity in the LH wave deposition. The non-linear effects cause bifurcation in LHCD, generating two distinct quasi-stationary reversed magnetic shear configurations. The change of current profile during the transition period between the two quasi-stationary states results in increase of the E×B shearing flow arising from toroidal rotation. The turbulence transport suppression by sheared E×B flow during the ITB development is analysed, and the temporal evolution of some parameters characterized the plasma confinement is examined. Ample evidence shows that onset of the ITB development is correlated with the enhancement of E×B shearing rate caused by the bifurcation in LHCD. It is suggested that the ITB triggering is associated with the non-linear effects of the LH power deposition.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Evolution of a Relativistic Electron Beam for Tracing Magnetospheric Field Lines

Tracing magnetic field-lines of the Earth's magnetosphere using beams of relativistic electrons will open up new insights into space weather and magnetospheric physics. Analytic models and a single-particle-motion code were used to explore the dynamics of an electron beam emitted from an orbiting satellite and propagating until impact with the Earth. The impact location of the beam on the upper atmosphere is strongly influenced by magnetospheric conditions, shifting up to several degrees in latitude between different phases of a simulated storm. The beam density cross-section evolves due to cyclotron motion of the beam centroid and oscillations of the beam envelope. The impact density profile is ring shaped, with major radius ~22 m, given by the final cyclotron radius of the beam centroid, and ring thickness ~2 m given by the final beam envelope. Motion of the satellite may also act to spread the beam, however it will remain sufficiently focused for detection by ground-based optical and radio detectors. Furthermore, an array of such ground stations will be able to detect shifts in impact location of the beam, and thereby infer information regarding magnetospheric conditions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Beam characterization at the Neutron Radiography Reactor

The quality of a neutron-imaging beam directly impacts the quality of radiographic images produced using that beam. Fully characterizing a neutron beam, including determination of the beam's effective length-to-diameter ratio, neutron flux profile, energy spectrum, potential image quality, and beam divergence, is vital for producing quality radiographic images. This paper provides a characterization of the east neutron imaging beamline at the Idaho National Laboratory Neutron Radiography Reactor (NRAD). The experiments which measured the beam's effective length-to-diameter ratio and potential image quality are based on American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. An analysis of the image produced by a calibrated phantom measured the beam divergence. The energy spectrum measurements consist of a series of foil irradiations using a selection of activation foils, compared to the results produced by a Monte Carlo n-Particle (MCNP) model of the beamline. The NRAD has an effective collimation ratio greater than 125, a beam divergence of 0.3 +_ 0.1 degrees, and a gold foil cadmium ratio of 2.7. The flux profile has been quantified and the facility is an ASTM Category 1 radiographic facility. Based on bare and cadmium covered foil activation results, the neutron energy spectrum used in the current MCNP model of the radiography beamline over-samples the thermal region of the neutron energy spectrum.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Simulations of Ground and Space-Based Oxygen Atom Experiments

Fast, pulsed atomic oxygen sources are a key tool in ground-based investigations of spacecraft contamination and surface erosion effects. These technically challenging ground-based studies provide a before and after picture of materials under low-earth-orbit (LEO) conditions. It would be of great interest to track in real time the pulsed flux from the source to the surface sample target and beyond in order to characterize the population of atoms and molecules that actually impact the surface and those that make it downstream to any coincident detectors. We have performed simulations in order to provide such detailed descriptions of these ground-based measurements and to provide an assessment of their correspondence to the actual LEO environment. Where possible we also make comparisons to measured fluxes and erosion yields. To perform the calculations we use a detailed description of a measurement beam and surface geometry based on the W, pulsed apparatus at Montana State University. In this system, a short pulse (on the order of 10 microseconds) of an O/O2 beam impacts a flat sample about 40 cm downstream and slightly displaced &om the beam s central axis. Past this target, at the end of the beam axis is a quadrupole mass spectrometer that measures the relative in situ flux of 0102 to give an overall normalized erosion yield. In our simulations we use the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method, and track individual atoms within the atomic oxygen pulse. DSMC techniques are typically used to model rarefied (few collision) gas-flows which occur at altitudes above approximately 110 kilometers. These techniques are well suited for the conditions here, and multi-collision effects that can only be treated by this or a similar technique are included. This simulation includes collisions with the surface and among gas atoms that have scattered from the surface. The simulation also includes descriptions of the velocity spread and spatial profiles of the O/O2 beam obtained from separate measurements. These computations use basic engineering models for the gas-gas and gas-surface scattering and focus on the influence of multi-collision effects. These simulations characterize many important quantities of interest including the actual flux of atoms that reach the surface, the energy distribution of this flux, as well as the direction of the velocity of the flux that strikes the surface. These quantities are important in characterizing the conditions which give rise to measured surface erosion. The calculations also yield time- snapshots of the pulse as it impacts and flows around the surface. These snapshots reveal the local environment of gas near the surface for the duration of the pulse. We are also able to compute the flux of molecules that travel downstream and reach the spectrometer, and we characterize their velocity distribution. The number of atoms that reach the spectrometer can in fact be influenced by the presence of the surface due to gas-gas collisions from atoms scattered h m the surface, and it will generally be less than that with the surface absent. This amounts to an overall normalization factor in computing erosion yields. We discuss these quantities and their relationship to the gas-surf$ce interaction parameters. We have also performed similar calculations corresponding to conditions (number densities, temperatures, and velocities) of low-earth orbit. The steady-state nature and lower overall flux of the actual space environment give rise to differences in the nature of the gas-impacts on the surface from those of the ground-based measurements using a pulsed source.

Minton, T. K.↗

Propagation of whistler waves driven by fine structured ion beams in the magnetotail

In a previous paper, which examined the propagation of low-frequency whistler waves generated by ion beams in the Earth's plasma sheet boundary layer (PSBL), it was found that whistler waves driven in the PSBL are focused toward the central plasma sheet due to the global magnetotail inhomogeneities; this finding may help explain the observations of magnetic noise bursts in the tail (Burinskaya et al., 1993). In this paper the same phenomenon is examined, but this time a much more realistic model is used for the ion beam in the PSBL. While the PSBL has been modeled as a solid, homogeneous ion beams with a width of one Earth radius, observations and theoretical considerations have shown that PSBL ion beams actually have a decreasing velocity profile toward the plasma sheet and that the density of the beams within the PSBL can vary locally. We consider again the propagation and generation of electromagnetic waves but in the presence of fine structured ion beams in the PSBL. Our results show that whistler waves, generated quasi-parallel to the background magnetic field, can be trapped locally within small spatial regions where the ion beam density is enhanced compared to the density of the adjacent PSBL region. Wave spectra and nonlinear saturation mechanisms are discussed.

Burinskaya, T.↗

Tapered helical undulator system for high efficiency energy extraction from a high brightness electron beam

In this work we discuss the design choices and construction strategy of the tapered undulator system designed for a high energy extraction efficiency experiment in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum planned for installation at the Argonne National Laboratory Linac Extension Area (LEA) beamline. The undulator is comprised of 4 sections pure permanent magnet Halbach array separated by short break sections, each one of them housing a focusing quadrupole doublet and a phase shifter. The quadrupoles use a novel hybrid design which allows one to vary the gradient and match the beam transversely. Finally, the undulator tapering profile is optimized to maximize the energy conversion efficiency from a 340 MeV 1 kA beam into coherent 257.5 nm radiation taking into account the longitudinal current profile generated by the linac.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

SU-E-T-451: Accuracy and Application of the Standard Imaging W1 Scintillator Dosimeter

Purpose: To evaluate the Standard Imaging W1 scintillator dosimeter in a range of clinical radiation beams to determine its range of possible applications. Methods: The W1 scintillator is a small perturbation-free dosimeter which is of interest in absolute and relative clinical dosimetry due to its small size and water equivalence. A single version of this detector was evaluated in Co-60 and linac photon and electron beams to investigate the following: linearity, sensitivity, precision, and dependence on electrometer type. In addition, depth-dose and cross-plane profiles were obtained in both photon and electron beams and compared with data obtained with wellbehaved ionization chambers. Results: In linac beams the precision and linearity was very impressive, with typical values of 0.3% and 0.1% respectively. Performance in a Co-60 beam was much poorer (approximately three times worse) and it is not clear whether this is due to the lower signal current or the effect of the continuous beam (rather than pulsed beam of the linac measurements). There was no significant difference in the detector reading when using either the recommended SI Supermax electrometer or two independent high-quality electrometers, except for low signal levels, where the Supermax exhibited an apparent threshold effect, preventing the measurement of the bremsstrahlung background in electron depth-dose curves. Comparisons with ion chamber measurements in linac beams were somewhat variable: good agreement was seen for cross-profiles (photon and electron beams) and electron beam depth-dose curves, generally within the 0.3% precision of the scintillator but systematic differences were observed as a function of measurement depth in photon beam depth-dose curves. Conclusion: A first look would suggest that the W1 scintillator has applications beyond small field dosimetry but performance appears to be limited to higher doserate and/or pulsed radiation beams. Further work is required to resolve discrepancies compared to ion chambers.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Plasma shape control by pulsed solenoid on laser ion source

A Laser ion source (LIS) provides high current heavy ion beams with a very simple mechanical structure. Plasma is produced by a pulsed laser ablation of a solid state target and ions are extracted by an electric field. It was difficult to manipulate the beam parameters of a LIS, since the plasma condition could only be adjusted by the laser irradiation condition. To enhance flexibility of LIS operation, we employed a pulsed solenoid in the plasma drift section and investigated the effect of the solenoid field on singly charged iron beams. The experimentally obtained current profile was satisfactorily controlled by the pulsed magnetic field. Thus, this approach may also be useful to reduce beam emittance of a LIS.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Self-consistent integrated modeling of combined hybrid discharge-laser produced plasma devices for extreme ultraviolet metrology

Discharge- and laser-produced plasma (DLPP) devices are being used as light sources for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) generation. A key challenge for both, DPP and LPP, is achieving sufficient brightness to support the throughput requirements of nanometrology tools. To simulate the environment of a hybrid DLPP device and optimize the EUV output, we have developed an integrated HEIGHTS-DLPP computer simulation package. The package integrates simulation of two evolving plasmas (DPP and LPP) and includes modeling of a set of integrated self-consistent processes: external power source and plasma energy balance, plasma resistive magnetohydrodynamics, plasma heat conduction, detailed radiation transport (RT), and laser absorption and refraction. We simulated and optimized DLPP devices using Xe gas as a target material. We synchronized the external circuit parameters, chamber gas parameters, and laser beam temporal and spatial profiles to achieve maximum EUV output. The full 3D Monte Carlo scheme was integrated for detailed RT and EUV output calculations in Xe using more than 3600 spectral groups. The modeling results are in good agreement with Julich Forschungszentrum experimental data. Theoretical models, developed and integrated into the HEIGHTS package, showed wide capabilities and flexibility. In conclusion, the models and package can be used for optimization of the experimental parameters and settings, investigation of DLPP devices with complex design, analyzing the impact of integrated spatial effects and working timeline arrangement on the final EUV output, and EUV source size, shape, and angular distribution.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

SU-E-T-384: Experimental Verification of a Monte Carlo Linear Accelerator Model Using a Radiochromic Film Stack Dosimeter

Purpose: To experimentally verify a Monte Carlo (MC) linear accelerator model for the simulation of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatments of moving targets. Methods: A Varian Clinac™ 21EX linear accelerator was modeled using the EGSnrc user code BEAMnrc. The mean energy, radial-intensity distribution, and divergence of the electron beam incident on the bremsstrahlung target were adjusted to achieve agreement between simulated and measured percentage-depth-dose and transverse field profiles for a 6 MV beam. A seven-field step-and-shoot IMRT lung procedure was prepared using Varian Eclipse™ treatment planning software. The plan was delivered using a Clinac™ 21EX linear accelerator and measured with a Gafchromic™ EBT2 film stack dosimeter (FSD) in two separate static geometries: within a cylindrical water-equivalent-plastic phantom and within an anthropomorphic chest phantom. Two measurements were completed in each setup. The dose distribution for each geometry was simulated using the EGSnrc user code DOSXYZnrc. MC geometries of the treatment couch, cylindrical phantom, and chest phantom were developed by thresholding CT data sets using MATLAB™. The FSD was modeled as water. The measured and simulated dose distributions were normalized to the median dose within the FSD. Results: Using an electron beam with a mean energy of 6.05 MeV, a Gaussian radial-intensity distribution with a full width at half maximum of 1.5 mm, and a divergence of 0°, the measured and simulated dose profiles agree within 1.75% and 1 mm. Measured and simulated dose distributions within both the cylindrical and chest phantoms agree within 3% over 94% of the FSD volume. The overall uncertainty in the FSD measurements is 3.1% (k=1). Conclusion: MC simulations agree with FSD measurements within measurement uncertainty, thereby verifying the accuracy of the linear accelerator model for the simulation of IMRT treatments of static geometries. The experimental verification will be extended to treatments of targets undergoing three-dimensional motion.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Transformation of double-half inverse Gaussian hollow beams into superposition of finite Airy beams using an optical Airy transform

In the present work, we investigate theoretically the transformation of a double-half inverse Gaussian hollow (DHIGH) beam into a superposition of finite Airy beams by using an optical Airy transform system. The analytical expression of the generated finite Airy beam is derived by means of the generalized Huygens–Fresnel integral diffraction. Numerical calculations show that the optical Airy transform system converts the central dark spot of the hollow incident beam into peak intensity. It is demonstrated that the characteristics of the transverse intensity distribution of the output finite Airy beam are determined by the phase pattern’s constants of the Airy transform system and the radius size of the incident DHIGH beam. Moreover, it is shown that the profile of the central peak intensity of the generated beam can be controlled by means of the radius size of the incident hollow DHIGH beam.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

The absorption and radiation of a tungsten plasma plume during nanosecond laser ablation

In this paper, the effect of absorption of the laser beam and subsequent radiation on the dynamics of a tungsten plasma plume during pulsed laser ablation is analyzed. Different laser wavelengths are taken into consideration. The absorption and emission coefficients of tungsten plasma in a pressure range of 0.1–100 MPa and temperature up to 70 000 K are presented. The shielding effects due to the absorption and radiation of plasma may have an impact on the course of ablation. The numerical model that describes the tungsten target heating and the formation of the plasma and its expansion were made for 355 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths of a Nd:YAG laser. The laser beam with a Gaussian profile was focused to a spot size of 0.055 mm{sup 2} with a power density of 1 × 10{sup 9 }W/cm{sup 2} (10 ns full width half maximum pulse duration). The plasma expands into air at ambient pressure of 1 mPa. The use of the shorter wavelength causes faster heating of the target, thus the higher ablation rate. The consequences of a higher ablation rate are slower expansion and smaller dimensions of the plasma plume. The higher plasma temperature in the case of 1064 nm is due to the lower density and lower plasma radiation. In the initial phase of propagation of the plasma plume, when both the temperature and pressure are very high, the dominant radiation is emission due to photo-recombination. However, for a 1064 nm laser wavelength after 100 ns of plasma expansion, the radiation of the spectral lines is up to 46.5% of the total plasma radiation and should not be neglected.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗