Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Accelerated”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,099 records · Page 61

Positive-ion accelerator mass spectrometry at ATLAS: Peaks and pits

Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) ion sources and the production of multiple-charge positive ions with high efficiency in combination with a heavy-ion accelerator have opened the way to an alternative and complementary version of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). A notable strength of positive-ion over traditional AMS is the capability of ultra-high sensitivity detection of radioactive isotopes of noble gases, in particular 37 Ar (t 1/2 = 35 d) and 39 Ar (269 y). The complete dissociation of molecular ions in the ECR and in particular of hydride ions of neighboring stable isotopes results in superior isotopic separation. However, the use of high charge states, necessary for acceleration to high energy, entails the existence of severe transmission degeneracies with stable ions having nearly equal mass-to-charge ratios, in addition to that of stable isobaric ions. Separation or discrimination of these parasitic ions require powerful and sophisticated dispersive systems at detection stage. In conclusion, we review here work performed and in progress at the ATLAS facility of Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) where an ECR ion source, a Radio-Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ), a superconducting linear accelerator and a Gas-Filled Magnet (GFM) are used as an AMS setup.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Development of an accelerator-based neutron source to prototype Mo-99 production, Part II: A liquid LBE loop under a high vacuum

To provide US domestic supply of Mo-99 without using high-enriched uranium (HEU), a subcritical uranium target assembly (UTA) is irradiated by an accelerator-based neutron source to create Mo-99 through fission. Part I of this work discusses the design of a liquid lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE) windowless target for an accelerator-based neutron source development. Part II discusses how to couple this windowless target to an accelerator operating at an ultra-high vacuum and the subcritical UTA cooled by water at room temperature. Due to the windowless design of the target, the liquid LBE flow shares an ultra-high vacuum (<1.3 × 10 -7 Pa or 10 -9 Torr) space with the accelerator. As a result of this shared vacuum space, the LBE system must operate at a high vacuum (10 -3 ~10 -6 Pa or 10 -5 ~10 -8 Torr). A magnetic rotary motion feedthrough unit utilizes magnetic fluid to allow rotation of the pump while maintaining a high vacuum environment. Prior to testing the LBE system under vacuum, a pump curve measurement is performed to estimate flowrate in the system. This measurement also generates data on orifice loss coefficients, which are compared to correlations in literature. The second experiment investigates vacuum level in the LBE system during operation. High vacuum is maintained (10 -3 ~10 -5 Pa or 10 -5 ~10 -7 Torr) during system operation, and a residual gas analyzer (RGA) scan shows that partial pressures of residual gases in the LBE system lower over the duration of LBE system operations. The third experiment investigates the gravity driven liquid LBE flowing out of the target chamber in the return line, which is partially full. If the liquid LBE is not drained quickly enough, flooding in the target chamber could occur. The coefficient n in the Manning equation is found to be around 0.008 s/m 1/3 . The last experiment performed is a demonstration that a vacuum jacket could provide sufficient thermal insulation to allow coupling between 300 °C LBE loop and a water tank at room temperature. In conclusion, the results from these experiments have influenced the development of the neutron source for the future commercial scale Mo-99 production system.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Proposed new accelerator design for homeland security x-ray applications

Two goals for security scanning of cargo and freight are the ability to determine the type of material that is being imaged, and to do so at low radiation dose. One commonly used technique to determine the effective Z of the cargo is dual-energy imaging, i.e. imaging with different x-ray energy spectra. Another technique uses the fact that the transmitted x-ray spectrum itself also depends on the effective Z. Spectroscopy is difficult because the energy of individual x rays needs to be measured in a very high count-rate environment. Typical accelerators for security applications offer large but short bursts of x-rays, suitable for current-mode integrated imaging. In order to perform x-ray spectroscopy, a new accelerator design is desired that has the following features: 1) increased duty factor in order to spread out the arrival of x-rays at the detector array over time; 2) x-ray intensity modulation from one delivered pulse to the next by adjusting the accelerator electron beam instantaneous current so as to deliver adequate signal without saturating the spectroscopic detector; and 3) the capability to direct the (forward peaked) x-ray intensity towards high-attenuation areas in the cargo (“fan-beam-steering”). Current sources are capable of 0.1% duty factor, although usually they are operated at significantly lower duty factors (~0.04%), but duty factors in the range 0.4-1.0% are desired. The higher duty factor can be accomplished, e.g., by moving from 300 pulses per second (pps) to 1000 pps and/or increasing the pulse duration from a typical 4 μs to 10 μs. This paper describes initial R&D to examine cost effective modifications that could be performed on a typical accelerator for these purposes, as well as R&D for fan-beam steering.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

A new deflection technique applied to an existing scheme of electrostatic accelerator for high energy neutral beam injection in fusion reactor devices

A scheme of a neutral beam injector (NBI), based on electrostatic acceleration and magneto-static deflection of negative ions, is proposed and analyzed in terms of feasibility and performance. The scheme is based on the deflection of a high energy (2 MeV) and high current (some tens of amperes) negative ion beam by a large magnetic deflector placed between the Beam Source (BS) and the neutralizer. This scheme has the potential of solving two key issues, which at present limit the applicability of a NBI to a fusion reactor: the maximum achievable acceleration voltage and the direct exposure of the BS to the flux of neutrons and radiation coming from the fusion reactor. In order to solve these two issues, a magnetic deflector is proposed to screen the BS from direct exposure to radiation and neutrons so that the voltage insulation between the electrostatic accelerator and the grounded vessel can be enhanced by using compressed SF{sub 6} instead of vacuum so that the negative ions can be accelerated at energies higher than 1 MeV. By solving the beam transport with different magnetic deflector properties, an optimum scheme has been found which is shown to be effective to guarantee both the steering effect and the beam aiming.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Energy spread minimization in a cascaded laser wakefield accelerator via velocity bunching

We propose a scheme to minimize the energy spread of an electron beam (e-beam) in a cascaded laser wakefield accelerator to the one-thousandth-level by inserting a stage to compress its longitudinal spatial distribution. In this scheme, three-segment plasma stages are designed for electron injection, e-beam length compression, and e-beam acceleration, respectively. The trapped e-beam in the injection stage is transferred to the zero-phase region at the center of one wakefield period in the compression stage where the length of the e-beam can be greatly shortened owing to the velocity bunching. After being seeded into the third stage for acceleration, the e-beam can be accelerated to a much higher energy before its energy chirp is compensated owing to the shortened e-beam length. A one-dimensional theory and two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations have demonstrated this scheme and an e-beam with 0.2% rms energy spread and low transverse emittance could be generated without loss of charge.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Recent progress on particle acceleration and reconnection physics during magnetic reconnection in the magnetically-dominated relativistic regime

Magnetic reconnection in strongly magnetized astrophysical plasma environments is believed to be the primary process for fast energy release and particle energization. Currently, there is strong interest in relativistic magnetic reconnection in that it may provide a new explanation for high-energy particle acceleration and radiation in strongly magnetized astrophysical systems. We review recent advances in particle acceleration and reconnection physics in the magnetically dominated regime. Much discussion is focused on the physics of particle acceleration and power-law formation as well as the reconnection rate problem. In addition, we provide an outlook for studying reconnection acceleration mechanisms and kinetic physics in the next step.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Kinetic study of shock formation and particle acceleration in laser-driven quasi-parallel magnetized collisionless shocks

Quasi-parallel magnetized collisionless shocks are believed to be one of the most efficient accelerators in the universe. Compared to quasi-perpendicular shocks, quasi-parallel shocks are more difficult to form in the laboratory and to simulate because of their large spatial scales and long formation times. Our two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations show that the early stages of quasi-parallel shock formation are achievable in experiments planned for the National Ignition Facility and that particles accelerated by diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) are expected to be observable in the experiment. Repetitive ion acceleration by crossings of the shock front, a key feature of DSA, is seen in the simulations. Other characteristic features of quasi-parallel shocks such as upstream wave excitation by energetic ions are also observed, and energy partition between the ions and the electrons in the downstream of the shock is briefly discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Transverse electron acceleration in the field of terahertz radiation. Terahertz synchrotron

We study transverse acceleration of an electron introduced to a terahertz pulse along the direction of the electromagnetic field wave vector in the presence of an external permanent magnetic field. We estimate the possible increment of the electron energy as well as the acceleration length and turn angle of the electron leaving the pulse. The developed acceleration scheme may be employed (in addition to the electron accelerator itself) in a terahertz synchrotron, possible parameters of which are estimated. (paper)

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Experimental studies of a high-gradient X-band welded hard-copper split accelerating structure

We report on recent research on high-gradient radio frequency (RF) accelerating structures indicates that the use of hard copper alloys provides improvement in high gradient performance over annealed copper. Such structures are made by bonding individually manufactured parts. However, there are no well-established bonding techniques that preserve the hardness, surface finish and cleanliness required for high gradient operation. To preserve the copper hardness, RadiaBeam has developed a novel high-gradient split accelerating structure, based on electron beam welding joining technique. This technique provides efficient bonding with strong, clean welds and minimal thermal loading, while maintaining a clean inner RF environment. Our RF design and fabrication methodology limits the small heat affected zone to the outer cavity envelop, with virtually no distortions or thermal loading of critical RF surfaces. It also incorporates provisions to precisely control the gap despite conventional issues with weld joint shrinkage. To date we have manufactured and validated an RF accelerating structure joined by electron-beam welding that incorporates a novel open split design to significantly reduce the assembly complexity and cost. In this paper, we will present the electromagnetic design of this structure, discuss bonding, and present the results of high-power tests, where the accelerating gradients of 140 MV m -1 with surface peak fields of 400 MV m -1 were achieved for flat-top pulse length of 600 ns with an RF breakdown rate of 10 -4 1/(pulsecm).

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Record high-gradient SRF beam acceleration at Fermilab

Here, many modern and future particle accelerators employ high gradient superconducting RF (SRF) to generate beams of high energy, high intensity and high brightness for research in high energy and nuclear physics, basic energy sciences, etc. In this paper we report the record performance large-scale SRF system with average beam accelerating gradient matching the International Linear Collider (ILC) specification of 31.5 MV m –1 . Design of the eight cavity 1.3 GHz SRF cryomodule, its performance without the beam and results of the system commissioning with high intensity electron beam at Fermilab Accelerator Science and Technology (FAST) facility are presented. We also briefly discuss opportunities for further beam studies and tests at FAST including those on even higher gradient and more efficient SRF acceleration, as well as exploration of the system performance with full ILC-type beam specifications.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Single-particle dynamics in a nonlinear accelerator lattice: attaining a large tune spread with octupoles in IOTA

Fermilab is constructing the Integrable Optics Test Accelerator (IOTA) as the centerpiece of the Accelerator R&D Program towards high-intensity circular machines. One of the factors limiting the beam intensity in present circular accelerators is collective instabilities, which can be suppressed by a spread of betatron frequencies (tunes) through the Landau damping mechanism or by an external damper, if the instability is slow enough. The spread is usually created by octupole magnets, which introduce the tune dependence on the amplitude and, in some cases, by a chromatic spread (tune dependence on particle's momentum). The introduction of octupoles usually lead to a resonant behavior and a reduction of the dynamic aperture. One of the goals of the IOTA research program is to achieve a high betatron tune spread, while retaining a large dynamic aperture using conventional octupole magnets in a special but realistic accelerator configuration. In this report, we present results of computer simulations of an electron beam in the IOTA by particle tracking and the Frequency Map Analysis. The results show that the ring's octupole magnets can be configured to provide a betatron tune shift of 0.08 (for particles at large amplitudes) with the dynamical aperture of over 20 beam sigma for a 150-MeV electron beam. The influence of the synchrotron motion, lattice errors, and magnet imperfections is insignificant for the parameters and levels of tolerances set by the design of the ring. Here, the described octupole insert could be beneficial for suppression of space-charge induced instabilities in high intensity machines.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Channeling acceleration in crystals and nanostructures and studies of solid plasmas: new opportunities

In this study, plasma wakefield acceleration (PWFA) has shown illustrious progress and resulted in an impressive demonstration of tens of GeV particle acceleration in meter-long single structures. To reach even higher energies in the 1 TeV to 10 TeV range, a promising scheme is channeling acceleration in solid-density plasmas within crystals or nanostructures. The E336 experiment studies the beam-nanotarget interaction with the highly compressed electron bunches available at the FACET-II accelerator. These studies furthermore involve an in-depth research on dynamics of beam-plasma instabilities in ultra-dense plasma, its development and suppression in structured media like carbon nanotubes and crystals, and its potential use to transversely modulate the electron bunch.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

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↗

Spectral modification of shock accelerated ions using a hydrodynamically shaped gas target

We report on reproducible shock acceleration from irradiation of a λ=10 μm CO2 laser on optically shaped H2 and He gas targets. A low energy laser prepulse (I≲10 14 W cm –2 ) is used to drive a blast wave inside the gas target, creating a steepened, variable density gradient. This is followed, after 25 ns, by a high intensity laser pulse (I>10 16 W cm –2 ) that produces an electrostatic collisionless shock. Upstream ions are accelerated for a narrow range of prepulse energies. For long density gradients (≳40 μm), broadband beams of He + and H + were routinely produced, whilst for shorter gradients (≲20 μm), quasimonoenergetic acceleration of protons is observed. These measurements indicate that the properties of the accelerating shock and the resultant ion energy distribution, in particular the production of narrow energy spread beams, is highly dependent on the plasma density profile. These findings are corroborated by 2D particle-in-cell simulations.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Compact lumped circuit model of discharges in DC accelerator using partial element equivalent circuit

DC Accelerators undergoes different types of discharges during its operation. A model depicting the discharges has been simulated to study the different transient conditions. The paper presents a Physics based approach of developing a compact circuit model of the DC Accelerator using Partial Element Equivalent Circuit (PEEC) technique. The equivalent RLC model aids in analyzing the transient behavior of the system and predicting anomalies in the system. The electrical discharges and its properties prevailing in the accelerator can be evaluated by this equivalent model. A parallel coupled voltage multiplier structure is simulated in small scale using few stages of corona guards and the theoretical and practical results are compared. The PEEC technique leads to a simple model for studying the fault conditions in accelerator systems. Compared to the Finite Element Techniques, this technique gives the circuital representation. The lumped components of the PEEC are used to obtain the input impedance and the result is also compared to that of the FEM technique for a frequency range of (0-200) MHz. (author)

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

RF cavity design and qualification for proton accelerator

Alvarez type Drift Tube Linac (DTL) is used for acceleration of proton beam in low energy section of beta ranging from 0.04 to 0.40. DTL is cylindrical RF cavity resonating in TM010 mode at 352.21 MHz frequency. It consists of array of drift tubes arranged ensuring that DTL centre and Drift Tube centre are concentric. The Drift Tubes also houses Permanent Magnet Quadrupole for transverse focusing of proton beam. A twelve cell prototype of DTL section is designed, developed and fabricated at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay. Complete DTL accelerator consists of eight such DTL sections. High frequency microwave simulations are carried out in SOPRANO, vector fields and COMSOL simulation software. This prototype DTL is 1640.56 mm long cavity with 520 mm ID, 600 mm OD and consists of eleven Drift Tubes, two RF end flanges, three slug tuners, six post couplers, three RF field monitors, one RF waveguide coupler, two DN100 vacuum flanges and DTL tank platform with alignment features. Girder based Drift tube mounting arrangement utilizing uncompressing energy of disc springs for optimum combo RF-vacuum seal compression is worked out and implemented. This paper discusses design of this RF vacuum cavity operating at high accelerating field gradient in ultra-high vacuum. Detailed vacuum design and results of RF and vacuum qualifications are discussed. Results on mechanical accuracy achieved on scaled pre-prototype are also presented. Paper summarizes the engineering developments carried out for this RF cavity and brings out the future activities proposed in indigenous development of high gradient RF cavities for ion accelerators. (author)

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

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↗

Suppressing Parasitic Effects in a Long Dielectric Wakefield Accelerator

Dielectric wakefield acceleration is a promising concept for increasing the accelerating gradient above the limits of conventional accelerators. Although superior gradients are reported in short dielectric wakefield accelerator tubes, problems arise when it comes to efficiency and multi-meter long interaction lengths. Here we discuss possible issues and provide some solutions backed by simulations.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗