Wide range pulse height discriminator with low power drain.
Wide range pulse height discriminator with milliwatt power drain for use in nuclear experiments on scientific satellites
Cancro, C. A.↗
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Results for “Pulse Power”
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Electrode-plasma-driven radiation cutoff in long-pulse, high-power microwave devices
The impact of electrode plasma dynamics on the radiation production in a high power microwave device is examined using particle-in-cell simulations. Using the design of a compact 2.4 GHz magnetically insulated line oscillator (MILO) as the basis for numerical simulations, we characterize the time-dependent device power and radiation output over a range of cathode plasma formation rates. These numerical simulations can self-consistently produce radiation characteristics that are similar to measured signals in long pulse duration MILOs. This modeling capability should result in improved assessment of existing high-power microwave devices and lead to new designs for increased radiation pulse durations.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
Gas breakdown driven by L band short-pulse high-power microwave
High power microwave (HPM) driven gas breakdown is a major factor in limiting the radiation and transmission of HPM. A method that HPM driven gas breakdown could be obtained by changing the aperture of horn antenna is studied in this paper. Changing the effective aperture of horn antenna can adjust the electric field in near field zone, leading to gas breakdown. With this method, measurements of air and SF{sub 6} breakdowns are carried out on a magnetically insulated transmission-line oscillators, which is capable of generating HPM with pulse duration of 30 ns, and frequency of 1.74 GHz. The typical breakdown waveforms of air and SF{sub 6} are presented. Besides, the breakdown field strengths of the two gases are derived at different pressures. It is found that the effects of air and SF{sub 6} breakdown on the transmission of HPM are different: air breakdown mainly shortens the pulse width of HPM while SF{sub 6} breakdown mainly reduces the peak output power of HPM. The electric field threshold of SF{sub 6} is about 2.4 times larger than that of air. These differences suggest that gas properties have a great effect on the transmission characteristic of HPM in gases.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
Design of a highly-efficient PWM power supply.
Pulse width modulation voltage regulator design for power conversion applications, considering interrelation of loop gain, switching frequency, etc
VOLTAGE REGULATOR↗
The delta S (delta R)-2 question: The pulse-length dependence of signal power for Fresnel scatter
It is proposed that the enhanced echoes from the atmosphere observed with a vertically pointing radar are due to reflections from horizontally stratified layers. The general case in which there are many closely spaced layers at random heights is called Fresnel scatter. The variation of received power with transmitter pulse length is examined for various models of Fresnel backscatter. It is shown that for the model most often used in previous work, the power is proportional to the pulse length, and not to the pulse length squared. However, for more general models a more complex pulse length dependence is found.
Hocking, W. K.↗
Development of High-Power, Long-Pulse Gyrotrons and Its Application for High Electron Temperature, EBWH and ECCD Experiments on LHD
To sustain plasmas with higher parameters and with longer pulse duration in LHD, ECH system has been upgraded by introducing newly developed 77 GHz gyrotrons. The designed output power and operation duration time are over 1 MW for several seconds and 0.3 MW for continuous operation, respectively. Owing to the upgrade of gyrotrons and improved power supply operation procedure, total injection power of EC-waves to LHD increased up to 3.7 MW at the last LHD experimental campaign in 2010.Application of the high-power 77 GHz EC-waves of 3.4 MW as focused beams to the center of plasma with low line-average electron density of {approx}0.2x10{sup 19} m{sup -3} causes highly steep electron temperature profile and the central electron temperature reached up to 20 keV, which highly exceeds the former record of 15 keV. At higher density region of 1x10{sup 19} m{sup -3}, central electron temperature reached 8.6 keV.Additional electron Bernstein wave heatings, O-X-B and slow X-B heatings, using a 77 GHz ECH system caused clear increase in plasma stored energy even for the high-density plasmas over plasma cutoff (>7.35x10{sup 19} m{sup -3}) sustained with NBI. For the O-X-B scenario, the 77 GHz EC-wave was obliquely injected from low-field side in O-mode polarization, aiming at the point where high mode-conversion efficiency was expected. For realizing slow X-B scenario, new inner-vessel mirrors were installed in LHD just close to a helical coil, that is, at the high-field side (HFS) region. Using the inner-vessel mirror, X-mode waves were injected from HFS, showing evident increase in plasma stored energy.Oblique injection of long-pulse 0.77 MW/8 s 77 GHz wave with various N{sub ||} clearly demonstrated ECCD in LHD. The EC-driven current changes its direction with the sign of N{sub ||}, and the highest EC-driven current reached up to 42 kA.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
High Peak Power 355 nm Pulse Shaping Fiber Laser
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43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
High power microwave beam steering based on gyromagnetic nonlinear transmission lines
We demonstrate electronically controlled beam steering by high power RF pulses produced by two gyromagnetic nonlinear transmission lines (NLTLs) connected to a one high voltage driver. Each NLTL is capable of producing several ns RF pulses with peak power from 50 to 700 MW (6% standard deviation) at frequencies from 0.5 to 1.7 GHz (1% standard deviation) with 100 Hz repetition rate. Using a helix antenna allows irradiating of RF pulses with almost circular polarization and 350 MW maximum peak power, which corresponds to 350 kV effective potential of radiation. At the installation of two identical channels, we demonstrate the possibility of beam steering within ±15° in the horizontal plane by coherent RF pulses with circular polarization at 1.0 GHz center frequency. Fourfold increase in the power flux density for in-phase irradiation of RF pulses is confirmed by comparison with one-channel operation.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
Sensitivity of magnetohydrodynamic simulations of Joule-heated conductors to the vaporization curve in equations of state
Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of electrically exploded aluminum and copper rods demonstrate a technique to validate equations of state (EOS) for rapidly Joule-heated conductors. The balance of internal and magnetic forces at the conductor-insulator interface drives the metal there along the vaporization phase boundary. Variations between critical points and vaporization curves in existing models predict differing densities and temperatures in MHD simulations for these models. Here, the inclusion of Maxwell constructs in the liquid-vapor biphase region of the EOS caused the rod surface to vaporize earlier in time than unmodified tables with van der Waals loops. Velocimetry of recent experiments is used to validate the location of the vaporization curve in existing EOS models and differentiate between the vapor dome treatments. Dielectric coatings applied to the metal surface restricted the conductor’s expansion and diverted the metal into the warm dense matter regime.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Performance of efficient Q-switched diode-laser-pumped Nd:YAG and Ho:YLF lasers for space applications
Solid-state lasers pumped by continuous-wave diode lasers can be Q-switched to obtain high peak power output pulses. The dependence of laser-pulse energy, average output power, peak power, and pulse width on pulse-repetition frequency in Q-switched Nd:YAG and Ho:YLF lasers is determined and compared. At low pulse repetition rates, the much longer upper-stage lifetime in Ho:YLF gives a distinct advantage. At higher pulse rates, the overall laser efficiency and the stimulated emission cross section are more important parameters, leading to an advantage for Nd:YAG. The results are of significance for designing lasers for use in space optical communications and remote sensing systems.
Marshall, W. K.↗
Development of negative ion extractor in the high-power and long-pulse negative ion source for fusion application
High power and long-pulse negative ion extractor, which is composed of the plasma grid (PG) and the extraction grid (EXG), is newly developed toward the neutral beam injector for heating and current drive of future fusion machines such as ITER, JT-60 Super Advanced and DEMO reactor. The PG is designed to enhance surface production of negative ions efficiently by applying the chamfered aperture. The efficiency of the negative ion production for the discharge power increased by a factor of 1.3 against that of the conventional PG. The EXG is also designed with the thermal analysis to upgrade the cooling capability for the long pulse operation of >1000 s required in ITER. Though the magnetic field for electron suppression is reduced to 0.75 of that in the conventional EXG due to this upgrade, it was experimentally confirmed that the extracted electron current can be suppressed to the allowable level for the long pulse operation. These results show that newly developed extractor has the high potential for the long pulse extraction of the negative ions.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
Towards Integrated Pulse Detonation Propulsion and MHD Power
The interest in pulse detonation engines (PDE) arises primarily from the advantages that accrue from the significant combustion pressure rise that is developed in the detonation process. Conventional rocket engines, for example, must obtain all of their compression from the turbopumps, while the PDE provides additional compression in the combustor. Thus PDE's are expected to achieve higher I(sub sp) than conventional rocket engines and to require smaller turbopumps. The increase in I(sub sp) and the decrease in turbopump capacity must be traded off against each other. Additional advantages include the ability to vary thrust level by adjusting the firing rate rather than throttling the flow through injector elements. The common conclusion derived from these aggregated performance attributes is that PDEs should result in engines which are smaller, lower in cost, and lighter in weight than conventional engines. Unfortunately, the analysis of PDEs is highly complex due to their unsteady operation and non-ideal processes. Although the feasibility of the basic PDE concept has been proven in several experimental and theoretical efforts, the implied performance improvements have yet to be convincingly demonstrated. Also, there are certain developmental issues affecting the practical application of pulse detonation propulsion systems which are yet to be fully resolved. Practical detonation combustion engines, for example, require a repetitive cycle of charge induction, mixing, initiation/propagation of the detonation wave, and expulsion/scavenging of the combustion product gases. Clearly, the performance and power density of such a device depends upon the maximum rate at which this cycle can be successfully implemented. In addition, the electrical energy required for direct detonation initiation can be significant, and a means for direct electrical power production is needed to achieve self-sustained engine operation. This work addresses the technological issues associated with PDEs for integrated aerospace propulsion and MHD power. An effort is made to estimate the energy requirements for direct detonation initiation of potential fuel/oxidizer mixtures and to determine the electrical power requirements. This requirement is evaluated in terms of the possibility for MHD power generation using the combustion detonation wave. Small scale laboratory experiments were conducted using stoichiometric mixtures of acetylene and oxygen with an atomized spray of cesium hydroxide dissolved in alcohol as an ionization seed in the active MHD region. Time resolved thrust and MHD power generation measurements were performed. These results show that PDEs yield higher I(sub sp) levels than a comparable rocket engine and that MHD power generation is viable candidate for achieving self-excited engine operation.
Litchford, Ron J.↗
Note: Synchronous energy extraction through four output ports of microwave compressor
The energy stored in a resonant cavity was extracted through four output ports and added in phase in a common line. Operation of a single switch provided synchronism and the power portions transmitted through the ports were combined in a waveguide turnstile junction. Estimation shows that the compressor peak power can reach a value eight times as much as the switched wave power, provided the output pulsewidth is shortened by the same factor with reference to the cavity double transit time. The performance of the X-band compressor prototype was investigated. Signals radiated through each of four output ports had identical envelope shapes and equal peak power values. The reflected wave did not accompany the power combining. The pulses of 1.2 MW peak power and 1.6 ns pulse width were obtained when the compressor was driven by the 50 kW pulse power magnetron generator.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
Ferroelectric switch for a high-power Ka-band active pulse compressor
Results are presented for design of a high-power microwave switch for operation at 34.3 GHz, intended for use in an active RF pulse compressor. The active element in the switch is a ring of ferroelectric material, whose dielectric constant can be rapidly changed by application of a high-voltage pulse. As envisioned, two of these switches would be built into a pair of delay lines, as in SLED-II at SLAC, so as to allow 30-MW μs-length Ka-band pulses to be compressed in time by a factor-of-9 and multiplied in amplitude to generate 200 MW peak power pulses. Such high-power pulses could be used for testing and evaluation of high-gradient mm-wave accelerator structures, for example. Evaluation of the switch design was carried out with an X-band (11.43 GHz) prototype, built to incorporate all the features required for the Ka-band version.
43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
Pulsed radio frequency power modulation for profile control in cryogenic reactive ion etching of silicon gratings
Cryogenic silicon etching with SF 6 /O 2 plasmas enables vertical sidewalls and smooth surfaces for high–aspect-ratio structures, yet precise control of etched profiles (sidewall angle, lateral etching, and linewidth retention) remains challenging under continuous-wave excitation due to coupling among radical fluxes, ion energy distributions, and in situ passivation dynamics. In this work, we investigated pulsed radio frequency bias delivery as a process knob for profile control during cryogenic silicon etching. Systematic experiments on 500 nm-wide, 1 μm-pitch gratings etched to 0.8–1.1 μm depth at 0.5–2 kHz pulsing frequency and 25%–75% duty cycle revealed strong dependencies of etch rate, linewidth, and sidewall angle on modulation conditions. We proposed a conceptual kinetic picture combined with feature-scale electrostatic analysis to understand the alternation of ion-driven etching and passivation recovery between on/off segments and local electric field shaping and modulation of ion trajectories within the trench. Moderate duty cycles (50%–75%) near 1 kHz achieved a balance between anisotropy and etch rate. These results demonstrate pulsed-bias modulation can be utilized to tune directionality and sidewall preservation in cryogenic SF 6 /O 2 etching, which are relevant to photonic, metrology, and quantum device fabrication.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Magnetic Fields on the National Ignition Facility (MagNIF)
A magnetized target capability on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has been investigated. Stakeholders’ needs and project feasibility analysis were considered in order to down-select from a wide variety of different potential magnetic field magnitudes and volumes. From the large range of different target platforms, laser configurations, and diagnostics configurations of interest to the stakeholders, the gas-pipe platform has been selected for the first round of magnetized target experiments. Gas pipe targets are routinely shot on the NIF and provide unique value for external collaborators. High-level project goals have been established including an experimentally relevant 20Tesla magnetic field magnitude. The field will be achieved using pulsed power-driven coils. A system architecture has been proposed. The pulsed power drive system will be located in the NIF target bay. This decision provides improved maintainability and mitigates equipment safety risks associated with explosive failure of the drive capacitor. High-level and first-level subsystem requirements have been established. Requirements have been included for two distinct coil designs – full solenoid and quasi-Helmholtz. A Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) has been performed and documented. Additional requirements have been derived from the mitigations included in the FMEA document. A project plan is proposed. The plan includes a first phase of electromagnetic simulations to assess whether the design will meet performance requirements, then a second phase of risk mitigation projects to address the areas of highest technical risk. The duration from project kickoff to the first magnetized target shot is approximately 29 months.
42 ENGINEERING↗
Experimental study of filamentation of high-power ultrashort laser pulses with initial angular divergence in air
Experimental study of the nonlinear propagation of near-IR gigawatt femtosecond laser pulses in air in the self-focusing and filamentation regimes have been performed in open air and in laboratory. The influence of the initial geometric divergence (both positive and negative) of the laser beam with an irregular intensity profile on the transverse light energy distribution at the end of the path is studied. It is shown experimentally that the displacement of the filamentation region due to geometric focusing or defocusing, makes it possible to control the number and spatial location of light energy density peaks in the receiving plane. The conditions under which a light filament can be reconstructed after the beam transmission through a linear focal waist are determined. A semi-empirical threshold relation is obtained for the beam focusing force and the beam power, when light beam undergoes filamentation behind the geometric focus of the optical system. (extreme light fields and their applications)
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Development and Optimization of a 10-Stage Solid-State Linear Transformer Driver
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pulsed power↗