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DOE OSTI2015

SU-E-T-118: Analysis of Variability and Stability Between Two Water Tank Phantoms Utilizing Water Tank Commissioning Procedures

Purpose: The commissioning criteria of water tank phantoms are essential for proper accuracy and reproducibility in a clinical setting. This study outlines the results of mechanical and dosimetric testing between PTW MP3-M water tank system and the Standard Imaging Doseview 3D water tank system. Methods: Measurements were taken of each axis of movement on the tank using 30 cm calipers at 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 200 mm for accuracy and reproducibility of tank movement. Dosimetric quantities such as percent depth dose and dose profiles were compared between tanks using a 6 MV beam from a Varian 23EX LINAC. Properties such as scanning speed effects, central axis depth dose agreement with static measurements, reproducibility of measurements, symmetry and flatness, and scan time between tanks were also investigated. Results: Results showed high geometric accuracy within 0.2 mm. Central axis PDD and in-field profiles agreed within 0.75% between the tanks. These outcomes test many possible discrepancies in dose measurements across the two tanks and form a basis for comparison on a broader range of tanks in the future. Conclusion: Both 3D water scanning phantoms possess a high degree of spatial accuracy, allowing for equivalence in measurements regardless of the phantom used. A commissioning procedure when changing water tanks or upon receipt of a new tank is nevertheless critical to ensure consistent operation before and after the arrival of new hardware.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2014

SU-F-18C-08: A Validation Study of a Commercially Available Software Package's Absorbed Dose Estimates in a Physical Phantom

Purpose: This study assesses the accuracy of the absorbed dose estimates from CT scans generated by Monte Carlo (MC) simulation using a commercially available radiation dose monitoring software program. Methods: Axial CT studies of an anthropomorphic abdomen phantom with dose bores at a central location and 4 peripheral locations were conducted using a fixed tube current at 120 kV. A 100 mm ion chamber and a 0.6 cc ion chamber calibrated at diagnostic energy levels were used to measure dose in the phantom at each of the 5 dose bore locations. Simulations using the software program's Monte Carlo engine were run using a mathematical model of the anthropomorphic phantom to determine conversion coefficients between the CTDIvol used for the study and the dose at the location of the dose bores. Simulations were conducted using both the software's generic CT beam model and a refined model generated using HVL and bow tie filter profile measurements made on the scanner used for the study. Results: Monte Carlo simulations completed using the generalized beam model differed from the measured conversion factors by an absolute value average of 13.0% and 13.8% for the 100 mm and 0.6 cc ion chamber studies, respectively. The MC simulations using the scanner specific beam model generated conversion coefficients that differed from the CTDIvol to measured dose conversion coefficients by an absolute value average of 7.3% and 7.8% for the 100 mm and 0.6 cc ion chamber cases, respectively. Conclusion: A scanner specific beam model used in MC simulations generates more accurate dose conversion coefficients in an anthropomorphic phantom than those generated with a generalized beam model. Agreement between measured conversion coefficients and simulated values were less than 20% for all positions using the universal beam model.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

DOE OSTI2015

SU-E-T-556: Monte Carlo Generated Dose Distributions for Orbital Irradiation Using a Single Anterior-Posterior Electron Beam and a Hanging Lens Shield

Purpose: Various cancers of the eye are successfully treated with radiotherapy utilizing one anterior-posterior (A/P) beam that encompasses the entire content of the orbit. In such cases, a hanging lens shield can be used to spare dose to the radiosensitive lens of the eye to prevent cataracts. Methods: This research focused on Monte Carlo characterization of dose distributions resulting from a single A-P field to the orbit with a hanging shield in place. Monte Carlo codes were developed which calculated dose distributions for various electron radiation energies, hanging lens shield radii, shield heights above the eye, and beam spoiler configurations. Film dosimetry was used to benchmark the coding to ensure it was calculating relative dose accurately. Results: The Monte Carlo dose calculations indicated that lateral and depth dose profiles are insensitive to changes in shield height and electron beam energy. Dose deposition was sensitive to shield radius and beam spoiler composition and height above the eye. Conclusion: The use of a single A/P electron beam to treat cancers of the eye while maintaining adequate lens sparing is feasible. Shield radius should be customized to have the same radius as the patient’s lens. A beam spoiler should be used if it is desired to substantially dose the eye tissues lying posterior to the lens in the shadow of the lens shield. The compromise between lens sparing and dose to diseased tissues surrounding the lens can be modulated by varying the beam spoiler thickness, spoiler material composition, and spoiler height above the eye. The sparing ratio is a metric that can be used to evaluate the compromise between lens sparing and dose to surrounding tissues. The higher the ratio, the more dose received by the tissues immediately posterior to the lens relative to the dose received by the lens.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

DOE OSTI2016

The preplasma effect on the properties of the shock wave driven by a fast electron beam

Strong shock wave generation by a mono-energetic fast electron beam in a plasma with an increasing density profile is studied theoretically. The proposed analytical model describes the shock wave characteristics for a homogeneous plasma preceded by a low density precursor. The shock pressure and the time of shock formation depend on the ratio of the electron stopping length to the preplasma areal density and on the initial energy of injected electrons. The conclusions of theoretical model are confirmed in numerical simulations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2015

The effects of an uncapped nanocrystal on a simulated induced current collected by a nano-contact

The effects of the charge capture process by an isolated and uncapped nanocrystal on the electron beam induced current are studied by the use of the Monte Carlo simulation. In the calculation, the current is created by an electron beam irradiation and is collected by a hemispherical nano-contact. The nanocrystal is considered as a recombination center, and the surface recombination velocity at the free surface is assumed to be equal to zero. The diffusion length is taken out from the fitting of simulated collection efficiency profiles, and studied as a function of the electron beam energy. The diffusion length rapidly decreases at very low energy (≤∼5 keV), increases to reach a maximum at middle energies (∼13 keV), and then decreases to reach saturation for high energy (≥∼25 keV). The effect of the isolated nanocrystal at the surface is highlighted at high energy, when the diffusion length becomes energy independent. This situation leads to determination of effective surface recombination velocities the values of which underline the trapping process in the nanocrystal.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2015

SU-E-T-283: Dose Perturbations Near Heterogeneity Junctions for Modulated-Scanning Protons

Purpose: To compare calculated and measured doses near heterogeneity junctions of tissue-substitute materials for modulated-scanning protons. Methods: Three heterogeneous phantoms were configured using slabs of various plastics to simulate lung, fat, soft-tissue (polystyrene), and bone with known relative linear stopping powers (RLSPs). Each phantom consisted of soft-tissue and a single heterogeneity of a 5 or 10 cm thickness of a non-soft-tissue material. CT images were loaded into a Syngo treatment planning system and each material contoured and assigned its RLSP. Planning target volumes (PTVs) were drawn such that a beam would partially traverse the heterogeneity and partially only soft-tissue. Lateral profiles were measured using EDR2 films at a minimum of six depths between the phantom surface and the depth corresponding to the beam range. Absolute doses were measured inside and distal to the PTV in all phantoms using either a parallel plate or thimble chamber. Additional dose measurements were made between two lung slabs. Results: Profiles measured by film generally agreed with calculations except for depths distal to lung and fat junctions. Measured lateral penumbras for depths at the distal junction of lung were found to be wider than calculated ones. Compared with calculated doses, measured doses in the PTVs were 5.19% and 2.51% lower for lung and fat respectively but for bone were 0.2% higher. Measured doses for depths distal to the PTV were up to 29.65% and 10.58% higher for lung and fat, respectively but 6.30% lower for bone. Conclusion: The low measured doses in the PTVs for lung and fat might be due to underestimation of lateral scattering of protons. The higher measured doses distal to the PTV for the lung and fat are a Result of a shortened calculated beam range whereas the higher dose distal to the bone junction is within uncertainties.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2021

Testing the DIII-D co/counter off-axis neutral beam injected power and ability to balance injected torque

DIII-D has undergone a major upgrade and successfully injected high power off-axis neutral beams (~4 MW) in both co-current and counter-current directions. This capability of high power co/counter steerable off-axis neutral beams on a major tokamak opens a unique parameter space of broad pressure and current profiles for high beta steady-state advanced tokamak (AT) scenarios, while retaining the ability to balance the injected torque for low rotation studies. This co/counter off-axis neutral beam capability is being used to validate physics-based energetic particle and thermal transport models for designing next-step facilities based on the steady-state AT approach. This paper reports on the critical evaluation of the transmitted power and energetic ion population produced by this heating and current drive system, which is assessed through visible imaging, neutron measurements and rotation profile measurements at balanced torque. Minimal losses of neutral beam power have been achieved by optimizing the strongly focused ion sources required to pass through the aperture. Tilting of the ion source has been guided by fast visible imaging and resulted in neutral beam injection along the design centerline with empirical characterization of each beam's divergence derived from the imaging data and used in the NUBEAM description of the beam injection. Through exclusive power injection of each neutral beam into MHD quiescent plasmas across a range of neutral beam voltage, perveance and plasma current we conclude that a modest reduction (~10%–15%) of transmitted power compared to on-axis, standard focus has been incurred. We report corrections that more accurately represent the injected power. Good ability to balance the neutral beam torque has been demonstrated by injecting the new off-axis counter injecting beam against the existing off-axis co-injected beam in 2.0 T, 1.0 MA, MHD quiescent L-mode plasmas. Furthermore, the torque balance studies verify the ability to operate with balanced injection, which is critical for achieving low torque and low rotation operation for physics studies and in ITER demonstration discharges.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2016

Design of a portable optical emission tomography system for microwave induced compact plasma for visible to near-infrared emission lines

A new non-invasive diagnostic system is developed for Microwave Induced Plasma (MIP) to reconstruct tomographic images of a 2D emission profile. A compact MIP system has wide application in industry as well as research application such as thrusters for space propulsion, high current ion beams, and creation of negative ions for heating of fusion plasma. Emission profile depends on two crucial parameters, namely, the electron temperature and density (over the entire spatial extent) of the plasma system. Emission tomography provides basic understanding of plasmas and it is very useful to monitor internal structure of plasma phenomena without disturbing its actual processes. This paper presents development of a compact, modular, and versatile Optical Emission Tomography (OET) tool for a cylindrical, magnetically confined MIP system. It has eight slit-hole cameras and each consisting of a complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor linear image sensor for light detection. The optical noise is reduced by using aspheric lens and interference band-pass filters in each camera. The entire cylindrical plasma can be scanned with automated sliding ring mechanism arranged in fan-beam data collection geometry. The design of the camera includes a unique possibility to incorporate different filters to get the particular wavelength light from the plasma. This OET system includes selected band-pass filters for particular argon emission 750 nm, 772 nm, and 811 nm lines and hydrogen emission H{sub α} (656 nm) and H{sub β} (486 nm) lines. Convolution back projection algorithm is used to obtain the tomographic images of plasma emission line. The paper mainly focuses on (a) design of OET system in detail and (b) study of emission profile for 750 nm argon emission lines to validate the system design.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2013

The effect of initial conditions on the electromagnetic radiation generation in type III solar radio bursts

Extensive particle-in-cell simulations of fast electron beams injected in a background magnetised plasma with a decreasing density profile were carried out. These simulations were intended to further shed light on a newly proposed mechanism for the generation of electromagnetic waves in type III solar radio bursts [D. Tsiklauri, Phys. Plasmas, 18, 052903 (2011)]. The numerical simulations were carried out using different density profiles and fast electron distribution functions. It is shown that electromagnetic L and R modes are excited by the transverse current, initially imposed on the system. In the course of the simulations, no further interaction of the electron beam with the background plasma could be observed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

NASA NTRS2007

WGM-Resonator/Tapered-Waveguide White-Light Sensor Optics

Theoretical and experimental investigations have demonstrated the feasibility of compact white-light sensor optics consisting of unitary combinations of (1) low-profile whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) resonators and (2) tapered rod optical waveguides. These sensors are highly wavelength-dispersive and are expected to be especially useful in biochemical applications for measuring absorption spectra of liquids. These sensor optics exploit the properties of a special class of non-diffracting light beams that are denoted Bessel beams because their amplitudes are proportional to Bessel functions of the radii from their central axes. High-order Bessel beams can have large values of angular momentum. In a sensor optic of this type, a low-profile WGM resonator that supports modes having large angular momenta is used to generate high-order Bessel beams. As used here, "low-profile" signifies that the WGM resonator is an integral part of the rod optical waveguide but has a radius slightly different from that of the adjacent part(s).

Stekalov, Dmitry↗

DOE OSTI2016

Detection of special nuclear material from delayed neutron emission induced by a dual-particle monoenergetic source

Detection of unique signatures of special nuclear materials is critical for their interdiction in a variety of nuclear security and nonproliferation scenarios. We report on the observation of delayed neutrons from fission of uranium induced in dual-particle active interrogation based on the {sup 11}B(d,n γ){sup 12}C nuclear reaction. Majority of the fissions are attributed to fast fission induced by the incident quasi-monoenergetic neutrons. A Li-doped glass–polymer composite scintillation neutron detector, which displays excellent neutron/γ discrimination at low energies, was used in the measurements, along with a recoil-based liquid scintillation detector. Time-dependent buildup and decay of delayed neutron emission from {sup 238}U were measured between the interrogating beam pulses and after the interrogating beam was turned off, respectively. Characteristic buildup and decay time profiles were compared to the common parametrization into six delayed neutron groups, finding a good agreement between the measurement and nuclear data. This method is promising for detecting fissile and fissionable materials in cargo scanning applications and can be readily integrated with transmission radiography using low-energy nuclear reaction sources.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2015

Technical Note: Study of the electron transport parameters used in PENELOPE for the Monte Carlo simulation of Linac targets

Purpose: The Monte Carlo simulation of electron transport in Linac targets using the condensed history technique is known to be problematic owing to a potential dependence of absorbed dose distributions on the electron step length. In the PENELOPE code, the step length is partially determined by the transport parameters C1 and C2. The authors have investigated the effect on the absorbed dose distribution of the values given to these parameters in the target. Methods: A monoenergetic 6.26 MeV electron pencil beam from a point source was simulated impinging normally on a cylindrical tungsten target. Electrons leaving the tungsten were discarded. Radial absorbed dose profiles were obtained at 1.5 cm of depth in a water phantom located at 100 cm for values of C1 and C2 in the target both equal to 0.1, 0.01, or 0.001. A detailed simulation case was also considered and taken as the reference. Additionally, lateral dose profiles were estimated and compared with experimental measurements for a 6 MV photon beam of a Varian Clinac 2100 for the cases of C1 and C2 both set to 0.1 or 0.001 in the target. Results: On the central axis, the dose obtained for the case C1 = C2 = 0.1 shows a deviation of (17.2% ± 1.2%) with respect to the detailed simulation. This difference decreases to (3.7% ± 1.2%) for the case C1 = C2 = 0.01. The case C1 = C2 = 0.001 produces a radial dose profile that is equivalent to that of the detailed simulation within the reached statistical uncertainty of 1%. The effect is also appreciable in the crossline dose profiles estimated for the realistic geometry of the Linac. In another simulation, it was shown that the error made by choosing inappropriate transport parameters can be masked by tuning the energy and focal spot size of the initial beam. Conclusions: The use of large path lengths for the condensed simulation of electrons in a Linac target with PENELOPE conducts to deviations of the dose in the patient or phantom. Based on the results obtained in this work, values of C1 and C2 larger than 0.001 should not be used in Linac targets without further investigation.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

DOE OSTI2024

Applicability of alkali beam emission spectroscopy on NSTX-U

Understanding fast pedestal dynamics and turbulent transport in the edge and scrape-off layer (SOL) plasma of spherical tokamaks is crucial for the design and operation of future fusion reactors. The alkali beam emission spectroscopy diagnostic technique offers a means to measure the absolute electron density radial profile and fluctuation amplitude in these regions. Here, in this study, we demonstrate that injecting a sodium neutral beam radially into the plasma and analyzing the light emission from its 3p–3s atomic transition using near-orthogonal viewing angles allows for accurate measurement of the electron density profile and fluctuations in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) Upgrade spherical tokamak. Our findings indicate a peak signal-to-noise ratio of 118 in the pedestal and 12 in the SOL under typical NSTX plasma conditions. The spatial resolution for the electron density profile is estimated to be between 2 and 8 mm, while for fluctuation measurements, it ranges from 12 to 15 mm.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-T-300: Impact of Electron Density Modeling of ArcCHECK Cylindricaldiode Array On 3DVH Patient Specific QA Software Tool Analysis

Purpose: 3DVH software is a patient specific quality assurance tool which estimates the 3D dose to the patient specific geometry with the help of Planned Dose Perturbation algorithm. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of HU value of ArcCHECK phantom entered in Eclipse TPS on 3D dose & DVH QA analysis. Methods: Manufacturer of ArcCHECK phantom provides CT data set of phantom & recommends considering it as a homogeneous phantom with electron density (1.19 gm/cc or 282 HU) close to PMMA. We performed this study on Eclipse TPS (V13, VMS) & trueBEAM STx VMS Linac & ArcCHECK phantom (SNC). Plans were generated for 6MV photon beam, 20cm×20cm field size at isocentre & SPD (Source to phantom distance) of 86.7 cm to deliver 100cGy at isocentre. 3DVH software requires patients DICOM data generated by TPS & plan delivered on ArcCHECK phantom. Plans were generated in TPS by assigning different HU values to phantom. We analyzed gamma index & the dose profile for all plans along vertical down direction of beam’s central axis for Entry, Exit & Isocentre dose. Results: The global gamma passing rate (2% & 2mm) for manufacturer recommended HU value 282 was 96.3%. Detector entry, Isocentre & detector exit Doses were 1.9048 (1.9270), 1.00(1.0199) & 0.5078(0.527) Gy for TPS (Measured) respectively.The global gamma passing rate for electron density 1.1302 gm/cc was 98.6%. Detector entry, Isocentre & detector exit Doses were 1.8714 (1.8873), 1.00(0.9988) & 0.5211(0.516) Gy for TPS (Measured) respectively. Conclusion: Electron density value assigned by manufacturer does not hold true for every user. Proper modeling of electron density of ArcCHECK in TPS is essential to avoid systematic error in dose calculation of patient specific QA.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2026

Neutrino Beam Monitoring

Accelerator facilities produce neutrino beams from meson decays in a decay volume. Experiments measure event rates that depend on flux, cross sections, and detector response, so the flux is predicted using hadron production and beamline modeling and constrained by beam instrumentation, since near detectors alone cannot separate flux from cross section. Proton, hadron, and muon monitors can track the parent particle distributions and beam conditions, providing the inputs needed for flux predictions in long-baseline experiments such as NOvA, T2K, and DUNE. This talk reviews how beam monitors are used in practice to understand neutrino flux. Proton beam monitors tell where the beam hits the target and how stable it is. Farther downstream, hadron and muon monitors sample particles produced in meson decays. Because those muons come from the same parents as the neutrinos, their profiles reveal focusing, alignment shifts, and other changes in the beam, and they are routinely used to detect problems and guide flux predictions. The muon information can be used more quantitatively; for example, to infer the parent meson phase space, and fast radiation-hard timing detectors can add sensitivity to the momentum dependence of the focusing. These developments show both how tightly beam measurements can constrain the flux and where the current limits still lie. These approaches complement monitored-beam concepts, in which the decay region is instrumented to detect charged leptons from meson decays and to measure the neutrino flux directly.

Ganguly, Sudeshna [Fermilab] (ORCID:00000003163482↗

DOE OSTI2026

Neutrino Beam Monitoring

Ganguly, Sudeshna [Fermilab] (ORCID:00000003163482↗

DOE OSTI2017

A collision timing monitor for SuperKEKB

The analysis of beamstrahlung radiation, emitted from a beam of charged particles due to the electromagnetic interaction with a second beam of charged particles, provides a diagnostic tool that can be used to monitor beam–beam collisions in a e + e - storage ring. In this paper we show that the beamstrahlung time profile is related to the timing of the collisions and the length of the beams, and how its measurement can be used to monitor and optimize collisions at the interaction point of the SuperKEKB collider. The method has a unique passive monitor capability, since it allows to monitor the timing of the collision without disturbing (scanning) the beam–beam timing, which needs to be measured to unprecedented accuracy at SuperKEKB. To measure the time dependence of beamstrahlung, here we describe a method based on nonlinear frequency mixing in a nonlinear crystal of beamstrahlung radiation with photons from a pulsed laser. We demonstrate that the method allows to measure and optimize the relative timing and length of the colliding bunches with 3% accuracy.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

NASA NTRS1986

Progress in coherent laser radar

Considerable progress with coherent laser radar has been made over the last few years, most notably perhaps in the available range of high performance devices and components and the confidence with which systems may now be taken into the field for prolonged periods of operation. Some of this increasing maturity was evident at the 3rd Topical Meeting on Coherent Laser Radar: Technology and Applications. Topics included in discussions were: mesoscale wind fields, nocturnal valley drainage and clear air down bursts; airborne Doppler lidar studies and comparison of ground and airborne wind measurement; wind measurement over the sea for comparison with satellite borne microwave sensors; transport of wake vortices at airfield; coherent DIAL methods; a newly assembled Nd-YAG coherent lidar system; backscatter profiles in the atmosphere and wavelength dependence over the 9 to 11 micrometer region; beam propagation; rock and soil classification with an airborne 4-laser system; technology of a global wind profiling system; target calibration; ranging and imaging with coherent pulsed and CW system; signal fluctuations and speckle. Some of these activities are briefly reviewed.

Vaughan, J. M.↗