Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “cavity design optimization”

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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

A new neutron time-of-flight detector for fuel-areal-density measurements on OMEGA

A new neutron time-of-flight (nTOF) detector for fuel-areal-density measurements in cryogenic DT implosions was installed on the OMEGA Laser System. The nTOF detector has a cylindrical thin-wall, stainless-steel, 8-in.-diam, 4-in.-thick cavity filled with an oxygenated liquid xylene scintillator. Four gated photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) with different gains are used to measure primary DT and D{sub 2} neutrons, down-scattered neutrons in nT and nD kinematic edge regions, and to study tertiary neutrons in the same detector. The nTOF detector is located 13.4 m from target chamber center in a well-collimated line of sight. The design details of the nTOF detector, PMT optimization, and test results on OMEGA will be presented.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Design of a prototypical natural circulation water-based reactor cavity cooling system (RCCS) for a pebble-bed generic FHR

A prototypical natural circulation water-based reactor cavity cooling system (RCCS) for the UC Berkeley Mark-1 pebble-bed gFHR is designed based on one-dimensional thermal hydraulics modeling and optimization implemented in an in-house MATLAB code. The model employs a lumped core consisting of fuel pebble and graphite pebble regions, while the graphite reflector, vessel, and RCCS are represented as separate but energy-coupled regions. The model is derived based on steady state energy balance equations accounting for conductive heat transfer from the lumped core to the vessel and subsequent radiative heat transfer to the RCCS and convective heat transfer in the water. Further, mass flow rate is calculated based on momentum and thermal energy balance in the RCCS. Starting with ANL’s water NSTF as baseline, effects of RCCS design parameters such as size of the plate between pipes, pipe diameter, source-to-sink distance, surface emissivity, and pitch from the core are examined in an integral effects framework which accounts for subsequent variation of the mass flow rate, number of pipes, convection coefficient, mean region and surface temperatures, radiative view factors, and water outlet temperature. The importance of including a prototypical reactor design in RCCS design calculations is emphasized as the calculations show that temperature drops from the core to the RCCS fluid to transfer the heat tend to be the limitation not the heat removal capacity of the fluid. A closed-loop design is obtained with capability to safely remove up to 0.72% of the nominal reactor power at maximum estimated peak conditions and 0.40% at shutdown. The design is based on physics calculations and does not account for economic optimization.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Cavity optomechanics with a nonlinear photonic-crystal nanomembrane

We have designed, fabricated and characterized a nanomembrane which could be used as a moving end mirror of a Fabry-Perot cavity. The high reflectivity and optimized mechanical properties of the membrane should allow us to demonstrate the mechanical ground state of the membrane. As any sub-micron mechanical resonator, our system demonstrates nonlinear dynamical effects. We characterize the mechanical response to a strong pump drive and observe a shift in the oscillation frequency and phase conjugation of the mechanical mode. Such nonlinear effects are expected to play a role in the quantum dynamics of the membrane as well.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Mechanical design of thin-film diamond crystal mounting apparatus for coherence preservation hard x-ray optics

A new thin-film diamond crystal mounting apparatus has been designed at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) for coherence preservation hard x-ray optics with optimized thermal contact and minimized crystal strain. This novel mechanical design can be applied to new development in the field of: x-ray optics cavities for hard x-ray free-electron laser oscillators (XFELOs), self-seeding monochromators for hard x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) with high average thermal loading, high heat load diamond crystal monochromators and beam-sharing/beam-split-and-delay devices for XFEL facilities and future upgraded high-brightness coherent x-ray source in the MBA lattice configuration at the APS.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2012

Compact Crab Cavity Design (Final Report)

The goal of this project is to provide an innovative, new crab cavity design relevant to the MEIC. Through this work, we will provide comprehensive modeling of this new cavity design, including electromagnetic, thermal, and microphonic effects. One most likely candidate configuration is the design put forward by JLab and Lancaster University, UK, researchers known as the four-rod configuration. In the Phase I, Tech-X Corporation researchers performed analysis and design optimization and iteration, utilizing their state-of-the art time-domain particle-in-cell software, on a 400 MHz design for the LHC by JLab and Lancaster University, UK, researchers known as the four-rod design.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2019

50 KW Multi-beam Klystron

Statement of problem or situation that is being addressed: microwave power sources (such as klystrons) offering an increased efficiency (80% or above) are needed for various applications. Of a particular interest is a source at 952.6 MHz delivering 50kW (continuous) CW for the RF systems for ion acceleration in the Energy Electron Ion Collider EIC being developed at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. General statement of how this problem is being addressed: A novel tube (klystron) concept with efficiency in excess of 80%, delivering 50 kW CW at 952.6 MHz MHz is proposed. It is a combination of proven technologies put together: its uses multiple beams to have its perveance low to boost beam-power to RF efficiency. It uses a partially grounded depressed collector (as invented by Omega P R&D) with a carefully tailored beam distribution after the cavity chain to recover energy thereby increasing the overall efficiency even more. A low operating voltage makes the tube more user-friendly avoiding need for costly modulators and oil insulation. A sectioned solenoid is used to insure superb beam-matching to all components downstream of the electron gun, increasing the tube performances. What is to be done in Phase I: The overall goal of this project is to develop, design, engineer, manufacture and test a multi-beam klystron operating in CW regime, delivering 50kW CW of power at 952.6 MHz. The effort is to be coordinated with TJNAF to insure excellent compatibility with the facility. The device will have a high efficiency >80% (operating at 12kV). The main goals during Phase I are to numerically simulate and optimize the klystron main components, namely the gun, the RF cavity chain, the multi-channel-channel partially grounded depressed collector, and the magnetic system. Preliminary engineering issues will be coordinated by Omega-P R&D with its strategic alliance partner Calabazas Creek Research Inc., which expected to participate formally during Phase II in final design and fabrication. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: The klystrons of this type can serve as the main RF-energy source of in RF-systems for accelerators which have found their applications both in science and industry, and is of high interest to Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.

RF power sources, klystron, high efficiency, CW, e↗
DOE OSTI2018

High Precision Integrated Beam-Position and Emittance Monitor

The purpose of this project was to design and build a set of resonant cavity beam diagnostics including a monopole cavity, two dipole cavities, and a quadrupole mode cavity. An array of such diagnostics placed in an accelerator FODO lattice can be used to reconstruct beam emittance and envelope information on a pulse-by-pulse basis. In this project a more efficient quadrupole cavity shape was discovered which could provide the required sensitivity with just two cells vs. nine cells as originally envisioned. This new design was studied and optimized with RF simulation programs, followed by mechanical specifications and drawings, and fabrication of the diagnostics. The device was tested with a relativistic electron beam at Brookhaven National Laboratory ATF accelerator.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effect of self-bias on cylindrical capacitive discharge for processing of inner walls of tubular structures—Case of SRF cavities

Cylindrical capacitive discharge is a convenient medium for generating reactive ions to process inner walls superconductive radio-frequency (SRF) cavities. These cavities, used in particle accelerators, present a three-dimensional structure made of bulk Niobium, with axial cylindrical symmetry. Manufactured cavity walls are covered with Niobium oxides and scattered particulates, which must be removed for desired SRF performance. Cylindrical capacitive discharge in a mixture of Ar and Cl 2 is a sole and natural non-wet acid choice to purify the inner surfaces of SRF cavities by reactive ion etching. Coaxial cylindrical discharge is generated between a powered inner electrode and the grounded outer electrode, which is the cavity wall to be etched. Plasma sheath voltages were tailored to process the outer wall by providing an additional dc current to the inner electrode with the help of an external compensating dc power supply and corrugated design of the inner electrode. The dc bias potential difference is established between two electrodes to make the set-up favorable for SRF wall processing. To establish guidelines for reversing the asymmetry and establishing the optimal sheath voltage at the cavity wall, the dc self-bias potential and dc current dependence on process parameters, such as gas pressure, rf power and chlorine content in the Ar/Cl 2 gas mixture was measured. In conclusion, the process is potentially applicable to all concave metallic surfaces.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS1976

Georgia Institute of Technology research on the Gas Core Actinide Transmutation Reactor (GCATR)

The program reviewed is a study of the feasibility, design, and optimization of the GCATR. The program is designed to take advantage of initial results and to continue work carried out on the Gas Core Breeder Reactor. The program complements NASA's program of developing UF6 fueled cavity reactors for power, nuclear pumped lasers, and other advanced technology applications. The program comprises: (1) General Studies--Parametric survey calculations performed to examine the effects of reactor spectrum and flux level on the actinide transmutation for GCATR conditions. The sensitivity of the results to neutron cross sections are to be assessed. Specifically, the parametric calculations of the actinide transmutation are to include the mass, isotope composition, fission and capture rates, reactivity effects, and neutron activity of recycled actinides. (2) GCATR Design Studies--This task is a major thrust of the proposed research program. Several subtasks are considered: optimization criteria studies of the blanket and fuel reprocessing, the actinide insertion and recirculation system, and the system integration. A brief review of the background of the GCATR and ongoing research is presented.

Clement, J. D.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Optimization of cathodic arc deposition and pulsed plasma melting techniques for growing smooth superconducting Pb photoemissive films for SRF injectors

Superconducting photoinjectors have a potential to be the optimal solution for moderate and high current cw operating free electron lasers. For this application, a superconducting lead (Pb) cathode has been proposed to simplify the cathode integration into a 1.3 GHz, TESLA-type, 1.6-cell long purely superconducting gun cavity. In the proposed design, a lead film several micrometres thick is deposited onto a niobium plug attached to the cavity back wall. Traditional lead deposition techniques usually produce very non-uniform emission surfaces and often result in a poor adhesion of the layer. A pulsed plasma melting procedure reducing the non-uniformity of the lead photocathodes is presented. In order to determine the parameters optimal for this procedure, heat transfer from plasma to the film was first modelled to evaluate melting front penetration range and liquid state duration. The obtained results were verified by surface inspection of witness samples. The optimal procedure was used to prepare a photocathode plug, which was then tested in an electron gun. In conclusion, the quantum efficiency and the value of cavity quality factor have been found to satisfy the requirements for an injector of the European-XFEL facility.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1973

Nuclear characteristics of a fissioning uranium plasma test reactor with light-water cooling

An analytical study was performed to determine a design configuration for a cavity test reactor. Test section criteria were that an average flux of 10 to the 15th power neutrons/sq cm/sec (E less than or equal to 0.12 eV) be supplied to a 61-cm-diameter spherical cavity at 200-atm pressure. Design objectives were to minimize required driver power, to use existing fuel-element technology, and to obtain fuel-element life of 10 to 100 full-power hours. Parameter calculations were made on moderator region size and material, driver fuel arrangement, control system, and structure in order to determine a feasible configuration. Although not optimized, a configuration was selected which would meet design criteria. The driver fuel region was a cylindrical annular region, one element thick, of 33 MTR-type H2O-cooled elements (Al-U fuel plate configuration), each 101 cm long. The region between the spherical test cavity and the cylindrical driver fuel region was Be (10 vol. % H2O coolant) with a midplane dimension of 8 cm. Exterior to the driver fuel, the 25-cm-thick cylindrical and axial reflectors were also Be with 10 vol. % H2O coolant. The entire reactor was contained in a 10-cm-thick steel pressure vessel, and the 200-atm cavity pressure was equalized throughout the driver reactor. Fuel-element life was 50 hr at the required driver power of 200 MW. Reactor control would be achieved with rotating poison drums located in the cylindrical reflector region. A control range of about 18 percent delta k/k was required for reactor operation.

Whitmarsh, C. L., Jr.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Design Evaluation of a Next-Generation High-Temperature Particle Receiver for Concentrating Solar Thermal Applications

High-temperature particle receivers are being developed to achieve temperatures in excess of 700 °C for advanced power cycles and solar thermochemical processes. This paper describes designs and features of a falling particle receiver system that has been evaluated and tested at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility at Sandia National Laboratories. These advanced designs are intended to reduce heat losses and increase the thermal efficiency. Novel features include aperture covers, active air flow, particle flow obstructions, and optimized receiver shapes that minimize advective heat losses, increase particle curtain opacity and uniformity, and reduce cavity wall temperatures. Control systems are implemented in recent on-sun tests to maintain a desired particle outlet temperature using an automated closed-loop proportional–integral–derivative controller. These tests demonstrate the ability to achieve and maintain particle outlet temperatures approaching 800 °C with efficiencies between 60 and 90%, depending on incident power, mass flow, and environmental conditions. Lessons learned regarding the testing of design features and overall receiver operation are also presented.

Mills, Brantley H.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Compaction in optical fibres and fibre Bragg gratings under nuclear reactor high neutron and gamma fluence

In the framework of the development by CEA and SCK.CEN of a Fabry Perot Sensor (FPS) able to measure dimensional changes in Material Testing Reactor (MTR), the first goal of the SAKE 1 (Smirnof extention - Additional Key-tests on Elongation of glass fibres) irradiation was to measure the linear compaction of single mode fibres under high fast neutron fluence. Indeed, the compaction of the fibre which forms one side of the Fabry Perot cavity, may in particular cause a noticeable measurement error. An accurate quantification of this effect is then required to predict the radiation-induced drift and optimize the sensor design. To achieve this, an innovative approach was used. Approximately seventy uncoated fibre tips (length: 30 to 50 mm) have been prepared from several different fibre samples and were installed in the SCK.CEN BR2 reactor (Mol Belgium). After 22 days of irradiation a total fast (E > 1 MeV) fluence of 3 to 5x10{sup 19} n{sub fast}/cm{sup 2}, depending on the sample location, was accumulated. The temperature during irradiation was 291 deg. C, which is not far from the condition of the intended FPS use. A precise measurement of each fibre tip length was made before the irradiation and compared to the post irradiation measurement highlighting a decrease of the fibres' length corresponding to about 0.25% of linear compaction. The amplitude of the changes is independent of the capsule, which could mean that the compaction effect saturates even at the lowest considered fluence. In the prospect of performing distributed temperature measurement in MTR, several fibre Bragg gratings written using a femtosecond laser have been also irradiated. All the gratings were written in radiation hardened fibres, and underwent an additional treatment with a procedure enhancing their resistance to ionizing radiations. A special mounting made it possible to test the reflection and the transmission of the gratings on fibre samples cut down to 30 to 50 mm. The comparison of measurements made before and after the irradiation, at the same temperature, allowed us to measure the loss in reflectivity as well as the Bragg wavelength drift. The results are quite promising for some of the investigated gratings. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2023

DEVELOPMENT OF A PROTOTYPE 197 MHz CRAB CAVITY FOR THE ELECTRON-ION COLLIDER AT JLAB

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab) is currently developing a prototype 197MHz Radio-Frequency Dipole (RFD) crab cavity as part of the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) to be built at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). Cryomodules containing these cavities will be part of the Hadron Storage Ring (HSR) of the EIC. The prototype cavity is constructed primarily of formed niobium sheets of thickness 4.17mm, with machined niobium parts used as interfaces where tight tolerancing is required. The cavity?s large size and complex features present sever-al challenges in fabrication, tuning, and RF testing. Structural and forming analyses have been carried out to optimize the design and fabrication processes. An overview of the design phase and the current state of fabrication are presented in this paper.

Huque, Naeem↗
DOE OSTI2025

Highly excited electron cyclotron for QCD axion and dark-photon detection

We propose using highly excited cyclotron states of a trapped electron to detect meV axion and dark-photon dark matter, marking a significant improvement over our previous proposal and demonstration [One-electron quantum cyclotron as a milli-ev dark-photon detector, .]. When the axion mass matches the cyclotron frequency ω c , the cyclotron state is resonantly excited, with a transition probability proportional to its initial quantum number, n c . The sensitivity is enhanced by taking n c ∼ 10 6 ( 0.1 meV ω c ) 2 . By optimizing key experimental parameters, we minimize the required averaging time for cyclotron detection to t ave ∼ 10 − 6 s, permitting detection of such a highly excited state before its decay. An open–end-cap trap design enables the external photon signal to be directed into the trap, rendering our background-free detector compatible with large focusing cavities, such as the BREAD proposal, while capitalizing on their strong magnetic fields. Furthermore, the axion conversion rate can be coherently enhanced by incorporating layers of dielectrics with alternating refractive indices within the cavity. Collectively, these optimizations enable us to probe the QCD axion parameter space from 0.1 to 2.3 meV (25–560 GHz), covering a substantial portion of the predicted postinflationary QCD axion mass range. This sensitivity corresponds to probing the kinetic mixing parameter of the dark photon down to ε ≈ 2 × 10 − 16 . Published by the American Physical Society 2025

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2018

High gradient RF test results of S-band and C-band cavities for medical linear accelerators

TERA Foundation has proposed and designed hadrontherapy facilities based on novel linacs, i.e. high gradient linacs which accelerate either protons or light ions. The overall length of the linac, and therefore its cost, is almost inversely proportional to the average accelerating gradient. With the scope of studying the limiting factors for high gradient operation and to optimize the linac design, TERA, in collaboration with the CLIC Structure Development Group, has conducted a series of high gradient experiments. The main goals were to study the high gradient behavior and to evaluate the maximum gradient reached in 3 and 5.7 GHz structures to direct the design of medical accelerators based on high gradient linacs. Lastly, this paper summarizes the results of the high power tests of 3.0 and 5.7 GHz single-cell cavities.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Fast Machine Learning for Quantum Control of Microwave Qudits on Edge Hardware

Quantum optimal control is a promising approach to improve the accuracy of quantum gates, but it relies on complex algorithms to determine the best control settings. CPU or GPU-based approaches often have delays that are too long to be applied in practice. It is paramount to have systems with extremely low delays to quickly and with high fidelity adjust quantum hardware settings, where fidelity is defined as overlap with a target quantum state. Here, we utilize machine learning (ML) models to determine control-pulse parameters for preparing Selective Number-dependent Arbitrary Phase (SNAP) gates in microwave cavity qudits, which are multi-level quantum systems that serve as elementary computation units for quantum computing. The methodology involves data generation using classical optimization techniques, ML model development, design space exploration, and quantization for hardware implementation. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach, with optimized models achieving low gate trace infidelity near $10^{-3}$ and efficient utilization of programmable logic resources.

Sanders, Flor [Columbia U.]↗