Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “bremsstrahlung”

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 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

Global spectroscopy and imaging of atmospheric X-ray bremsstrahlung - Instrumentation and initial results from the PEM/AXIS instrument aboard the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite

The Atmospheric X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (PEM/AXIS) aboard NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite provides continuous horizon to horizon images, both day and night, of the 3- to 100-keV X-ray flux emitted from the top of the atmosphere. AXIS achieves a spatial resolution to better than 100 km using a one-dimensional array of 16 passively cooled silicon detectors. The primary purpose of this instrument is to provide a global monitor of electron energy input to the upper atmosphere. We describe the design, development, and calibration of AXIS and provide an assessment of its excellent on-orbit performance. The unique capabilities of X-ray imaging spectrometers are demonstrated through an analysis of specific examples from October and November 1991. Important new developments for follow-on instruments also will be described.

Chenette, D. L.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Identification and Quantification of Beta-Emitters in Waste Packages by Segmented Gamma-Scanning - 20114

A commonly applied method for the non-destructive characterization of the radioactive inventory of waste packages (e.g. 200-l drums) is segmented gamma-scanning. The gamma-emitting inventory is identified via their characteristic lines in the measured spectra. The corresponding net peak areas allow for quantification applying appropriate models. The identification and quantification of beta-emitters present in the waste package require further evaluation. While some of them emit gamma-rays, too, which can be used for identification and quantification, pure beta-emitters contribute to the gamma-spectra only by their Bremsstrahlung-spectra. {sup 32}P, {sup 90}Sr and {sup 90}Y are typical representatives of these isotopes. A method is developed for identification and quantification of these pure beta-emitters in radioactive waste packages. Origin of the procedure is the evaluation of the measured gamma-spectrum. After the identification of all lines present in the spectrum (characteristic gamma-lines, single- and double-escape-lines, X-ray-lines, annihilation peak etc.) this information is used together with calibration data of the detection system and further a-priori information like matrix composition, cross-section data from databases etc. to simulate the spectra without the Bremsstrahlung-components by an appropriate method. This may be Monte Carlo simulations or, like in our case, a computer code taking into account mathematical descriptions of the physical effects like photo effect, (multiple) Compton scattering, backscattering etc. and the attenuation effects of the waste matrix. In any case, the resulting spectrum must simulate the real spectrum without its Bremsstrahlung-component as good as possible. Subtracting the simulated from the measured spectrum then results in the Bremsstrahlung-components caused by the beta-emitters. Prior to evaluation, a set of Bremsstrahlung-spectra is calculated and stored for different beta-emitters in different matrices using the Bethe-Heitler equation. This data set can be extended for new conditions, if necessary, and is allocated in a data base for future application. Applying a non-linear optimization using the generalized reduced gradient method for comparing the calculated with the derived Bremsstrahlung-spectra results in the identification of the beta-emitter and a factor, which is proportional to its activity. The proportionality is determined by previous calibration measurements. The application of the method is demonstrated by measurements on a 200-l mock-up drum and a real waste package. (authors)

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
NASA NTRS1998

Analysis of Gamma-Ray Data from Solar Flares in Cycles 21 and 22

One of our primary accomplishments under grant NAGW-35381 was the systematic derivation and compilation, for the first time, of physical parameters for all gamma-ray flares detected by the SMM GRS during its ten year lifetime. The flare parameters derived from the gamma-ray spectra include: bremsstrahlung fluence and best-fit power-law parameters, narrow nuclear line fluence, positron annihilation line fluence, neutron capture line fluence, and an indication of whether or not greater than 10 MeV emissions were present. We combined this compilation of flare parameters with our plots of counting rate time histories and flare spectra to construct an atlas of gamma-ray flare characteristics. The atlas time histories display four energy bands: 56-199 kev, 298526 keV, 4-8 MeV, and 10-25 MeV. These energy bands respectively measure nonrelativistic bremsstrahlung, trans-relativistic bremsstrahlung, nuclear de-excitation, and ultra-relativistic bremsstrahlung. The atlas spectra show the integrated high-energy spectra measured for all GRS flares and dissects them into electron bremsstrahlung, positron annihilation and nuclear emission components. The atlas has been accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Supplements and is currently in press. The atlas materials were also supplied to the Solar Data Analysis Center at Goddard Space Flight Center and were made available through a web site at the University of New Hampshire. Since a uniform methodology was adopted for deriving the flare parameters, this atlas will be very useful for future statistical and correlative studies of solar flares-three independent groups are presently using it to correlate interplanetary energetic particle measurements with our gamma-ray measurements. A better model for the response of the GRS instrument to high energy radiation was also developed. A refined response model was needed because the old model was not adequate for predicting the first and second escape peaks associated with strong nuclear lines nor could it accurately describe the Compton continuum shape. The new response was developed using a GEANT based simulation code and tested against preflight calibration data. The refinement of the response model and the removal of systematic errors now allow more detailed spectral studies of the GRS gamma-ray measurements. This refined response function was supplied to the Solar DAC at Goddard and was also made available via a web site at the University of New Hampshire.

Vestrand, W. Thomas↗
DOE OSTI2021

GETaLM: A generator for electron tagger and luminosity monitor for electron - proton and ion collisions

The study of elastic bremsstrahlung and electron tagging in electron-proton or ion collisions is gaining importance with the planned construction of several experimental facilities focused on deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) measurements. This paper describes a program which generates bremsstrahlung photons in electron-proton and electron-ion interactions as well as scattered electrons in bremsstrahlung processes and in a quasi-real photon approximation to the general DIS process. Here, the effects of electron beam divergence and the spread of the interaction vertex are implemented. The program can be used as an input to simulations of instrumentation for bremsstrahlung photon detection, luminosity measurements, electron tagging, and the determination of the cross sections of corresponding processes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Free-electron crystals for enhanced X-ray radiation

Abstract Bremsstrahlung—the spontaneous emission of broadband radiation from free electrons that are deflected by atomic nuclei—contributes to the majority of X-rays emitted from X-ray tubes and used in applications ranging from medical imaging to semiconductor chip inspection. Here, we show that the bremsstrahlung intensity can be enhanced significantly—by more than three orders of magnitude—through shaping the electron wavefunction to periodically overlap with atoms in crystalline materials. Furthermore, we show how to shape the bremsstrahlung X-ray emission pattern into arbitrary angular emission profiles for purposes such as unidirectionality and multi-directionality. Importantly, we find that these enhancements and shaped emission profiles cannot be attributed solely to the spatial overlap between the electron probability distribution and the atomic centers, as predicted by the paraxial and non-recoil theory for free electron light emission. Our work highlights an unprecedented regime of free electron light emission where electron waveshaping provides multi-dimensional control over practical radiation processes like bremsstrahlung. Our results pave the way towards greater versatility in table-top X-ray sources and improved fundamental understanding of quantum electron-light interactions.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2025

On the origins of the continuum radiation of an underwater nanosecond pulsed discharge: an absolute-intensity optical emission spectroscopy study

The plasma properties of an underwater nanosecond pulsed discharge remain not fully understood despite being extensively studied for several decades. In this work, we focus on the continuum radiation generated in such discharges. The discharge is characterized by power measurements as well as by absolute emission spectroscopy. When observed, Stark broadenings of H α , H β and O (777 nm) are employed for electron number densities measurements. The discharge was generated by a 10 ns main voltage pulse followed by multiple secondary pulses, which last up to 4 μs after the primary pulse. It is shown that a peak power of 3.5 MW and energy of 35 mJ is coupled during the main voltage pulse. A quantitative estimation of the different possible continuum radiation sources is performed through analytical calculations. This includes emission (blackbody, free–bound and free–free bremsstrahlung radiations) and absorption (electron–ion and electron–neutral free–free inverse bremsstrahlung) mechanisms. Our results suggest that electron–neutral free–free bremsstrahlung is the principal mechanism responsible for the strong continuum radiation observed experimentally during the primary pulse. We also show that self-absorption through electron–neutral (and electron–ion) inverse bremsstrahlung plays an important role in the main discharge pulse. Further, our results indicate the non-negligible additional contribution of the H 2 continuum during the first reflected pulse which is likely ignited in bubbles generated by the first discharge pulse.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1971

Interaction of fast particles with intergalactic matter.

A discussion is given of the relaxation of power-law cosmic-ray spectra in the intergalactic medium. The theoretical time-dependent spectra obtained are used to calculate the nonthermal radiation produced by bremsstrahlung of subcosmic-ray electrons colliding with ambient protons of the intergalactic gas. A comparison is made between the theory and the observations of the diffuse X-ray and gamma-ray background. The calculated cosmic-ray proton spectra are applied to a computation of the heating of the intergalactic medium, and the resulting thermal bremsstrahlung radiation is compared with the suprathermal proton bremsstrahlung flux. We conclude that nonthermal bremsstrahlung is unlikely to be an important contributor to the isotropic X- and gamma-ray background. However, cosmic-ray heating can provide a plausible heat source for maintaining a hot intergalactic gas, especially when evolutionary effects are included in the distribution of cosmic-ray sources.

Arons, J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Studies on solar hard X-Rays and gamma-rays: Compton backscatter, anisotropy, polarization and evidence for two phases of acceleration

Observations of solar X-rays and gamma-rays from large flares show that the hard X-ray spectrum extends into the gamma ray region, where a flattening in the spectrum of the continuum emission is observed above about 1 MeV. This emission is believed to be due to bremsstrahlung. In addition to electron-proton collisions, at energies greater than approximately 500 keV, bremsstrahlung due to electron-electron collisions becomes significant. Bremsstrahlung production was calculated for a variety of electron spectra extending from the nonrelativistic region to relativistic energies and electron-electron bremsstrahlung is taken into account. By comparing these calculations with data, it is shown that the flattening in the spectrum of the continuum emission can be best explained by an electron spectrum consisting of two distinctive components. This evidence, together with information on the X-ray and gamma ray time profiles, implied the existence of two phases of acceleration. The first phase accelerates electrons mainly up to about several hundred keV; the second phase accelerates a small fraction of the electrons accelerated in the first phase to relativistic energies and accelerates protons to tens and hundreds of MeV.

Bai, T.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Photon pair production in astrophysical transrelativistic plasmas

Photon pair-production processes in marginally relativistic (transrelativistic) accretion plasmas are investigated in both Planckian and non-Planckian cases. Pair production in a plasma with an equilibrium (Planck) spectrum is reviewed, and pair-concentration calculations are performed for three general non-Planckian situations most relevant to black-hole accretion scenarios: steady-state transrelativistic plasmas of relatively high density characterized by a pure bremsstrahlung spectrum, a comptonized bremsstrahlung spectrum, and an unsaturated Compton scattering spectrum. The results obtained indicate that for transrelativistic temperatures (600 million to 6 billion K) photon pair production is not generally a dominant process for a plasma with a pure bremsstrahlung spectrum, but becomes dominant for plasmas where comptonization is important. It is also shown that photon pair-creation processes in a transrelativistic bremsstrahlung-radiating plasma that is more than marginally optically thick to Compton scattering significantly alter the plasma's spectrum by forcing it to become black-body before it reaches relativistic temperatures. Pair production and instabilities in unsteady-state plasmas are briefly considered

Stoeger, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Radio emission from the outer parts of stellar atmospheres (mantles) at centimeter wavelengths and the winds of early-type stars

It is noted that when magnetic lines of force are present in the mantle of an early-type star, gyroresonance radiation at radio wavelengths may occur at detectable levels in addition to bremsstrahlung. An expression is derived for the effective value of the ratio of the emissivity in gyroresonance radiation to that in bremsstrahlung, and some numerical values are estimated using values of the parameters which may be typical for conditions in the mantles of early-type stars. The volume emissivity in gyroresonance radiation may exceed that for bremsstrahlung by a large factor. The implications of this result for the interpretation of the radio fluxes from early-type stars are discussed. It is shown that the radio-frequency radiation emerging from a hot star probably consists of gyroresonance radiation from an array of magnetic loops as well as bremsstrahlung from a low-density wind. It is argued that it is probable that the estimates of rate of mass loss made ignoring the possibility of gyroresonance radiation may be too large by a factor of at least 10.

Underhill, A. B.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Design and Construction of a High-Resolution Hodoscope for the GlueX Experiment with High-Statistics Analysis of the p0, ¿, and ¿1 Photoproduction Cross Sections from the RadPhi Experiment

Differential cross sections for forward-angle photoproduction of p0, ¿, and ¿ 1 pseudoscalar mesons were measured using data from the RadPhi experiment conducted in Hall B at Jef ferson Lab. RadPhi utilized a tagged bremsstrahlung photon beam incident on a stationary 9Be target, with a detector system configured to trigger on a recoil proton in coincidence with multiple neutral showers in the calorimeter. Events were reconstructed and subjected to kinematic constraints, with background suppressed via sideband subtraction guided by Monte Carlo modeling of background contributions. Cross sections were extracted over the photon energy range 4.4– 5.4 GeV and binned in invariant momentum transfer t, providing measurements from one of the first high-statistics experiments of forward ¿ and ¿1 pro duction from a nuclear target at these energies. Acceptance corrections were applied using a detailed GEANT-based simulation of the detector geometry and response. The resulting cross sections are consistent with 2020 CLAS results, when scaled by the number of protons in beryllium, and show broad agreement with other data and theoretical models. In parallel, a high-resolution photon tagger detector, the Tagger Microscope (TAGM), was designed, constructed, and commissioned for the GlueX experiment in Hall D at Jefferson Lab. The TAGM was developed to provide high-rate tagging capability in the coherent bremsstrahlung peak by detecting post-bremsstrahlung electrons across a one GeV range along the focal plane of the tagging spectrometer. The detector consists of a 5ˆ102 array of 2ˆ2 mm2 square BCF-20 plastic scintillating fibers thermally fused to BCF-98 light guide fibers optically coupled to silicon photomultipliers. These fibers are mounted in a precision machined framework enabling fine positional adjustments to maintain precise alignment with post-bremsstrahlung electron trajectories, while ensuring mechanical rigidity, thermal stability, optical isolation, minimal inactive area, and radiation shielding for electronics. The construction effort involved extensive testing of fiber quality, light transmission, thermal fusing, radiation hardness, and defect analysis using SEM and EDX techniques. Following its installation and commissioning, the TAGM became a critical component of the GlueX beamline, enabling high-rate tagging essential for studies of hybrid mesons and gluonic ex citations.

McIntyre, James [Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Calorimeter with Bayesian unfolding of spectra of high-flux broadband x rays

We report the development of a multipurpose differential x-ray calorimeter with a broad energy bandwidth. The absorber architecture is combined with a Bayesian unfolding algorithm to unfold high energy x-ray spectra generated in high-intensity laser–matter interactions. Particularly, we show how to extract absolute energy spectra and how our unfolding algorithm can reconstruct features not included in the initial guess. The performance of the calorimeter is evaluated via Monte Carlo generated data. The method accuracy to reconstruct electron temperatures from bremsstrahlung is shown to be 5% for electron temperatures from 1 to 50 MeV. We study bremsstrahlung generated in solid target interaction showing an electron temperature of 0.56 ± 0.04 MeV for a 700 μm Ti titanium target and 0.53 ± 0.03 MeV for a 50 μm target. We investigate bremsstrahlung from a target irradiated by laser-wakefield accelerated electrons showing an endpoint energy of 551 ± 5 MeV, inverse Compton generated x rays with a peak energy of 1.1 MeV, and calibrated radioactive sources. The total energy range covered by all these sources ranges from 10 keV to 551 MeV.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Plasmon production from dark matter scattering

We present a first calculation of the rate for plasmon production in semiconductors from nuclei recoiling against dark matter. The process is analogous to bremsstrahlung of transverse photon modes, but with a longitudinal plasmon mode emitted instead. For dark matter in the 10 MeV—1 GeV mass range, we find that the plasmon bremsstrahlung rate is 4–5 orders of magnitude smaller than that for elastic scattering, but 4–5 orders of magnitude larger than the transverse bremsstrahlung rate. Because the plasmon can decay into electronic excitations and has characteristic energy given by the plasma frequency ω p , with ω p ≈ 16 eV in Si crystals, plasmon production provides a new signature and method to detect nuclear recoils from sub-GeV dark matter.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

New physics at a neutron beam dump

We find a new utility of neutrons, usually treated as an experimental nuisance causing unwanted background, in probing new physics signals. The new physics signals can either be radiated from neutrons (neutron bremsstrahlung) or appear through secondary particles from neutron-on-target interactions, dubbed “neutron beam dump.” As a concrete example, we take the FASER/FASER2 experiment as a “factory” of high-energy neutrons that interact with the iron dump. We find that if new physics particles had the same interaction strength to protons and neutrons, their production rate via neutron-initiated bremsstrahlung would be comparable to that via proton-initiated ones, in terms of the resulting flux and the range of couplings that can be probed. The neutron bremsstrahlung can be used, for instance, to probe dark gauge bosons with nonzero neutron coupling. In particular, we investigate protophobic gauge bosons and find that FASER/FASER2 can probe new parameter space. We also illustrate the possibility of neutron-induced secondary particles by considering axionlike particles with electron couplings. We conclude that the physics potential of FASER/FASER2 in terms of new physics searches can be greatly extended and improved with the inclusion of neutron interactions. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗
DOE OSTI2025

Hard-photon-triggered jets in 𝑝−𝑝 and 𝐴−𝐴 collisions

An investigation of high-transverse-momentum (high-𝑝 𝑇 ) photon-triggered jets in proton-proton (𝑝−𝑝) and ion-ion (𝐴−𝐴) collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$=0.2 and 5.02TeV is carried out, using the multistage description of in-medium jet evolution. Monte Carlo simulations of hard scattering and energy loss in heavy-ion collisions are performed using parameters tuned in a previous study of the nuclear modification factor (𝑅 𝐴⁢𝐴 ) for inclusive jets and high-𝑝𝑇 hadrons. We obtain a good reproduction of the experimental data for photon-triggered jet 𝑅 𝐴⁢𝐴 , as measured by the ATLAS detector, the distribution of the ratio of jet to photon 𝑝 𝑇 (𝑋 𝐽⁢𝛾 ), measured by both CMS and ATLAS, and the photon-jet azimuthal correlation as measured by CMS. We obtain a moderate description of the photon-triggered jet 𝐼 𝐴⁢𝐴 , as measured by STAR. A noticeable improvement in the comparison is observed when one goes beyond prompt photons and includes bremsstrahlung and decay photons, revealing their significance in certain kinematic regions, particularly at 𝑋 𝐽⁢𝛾 >1. Moreover, azimuthal angle correlations demonstrate a notable impact of bremsstrahlung photons on the distribution, emphasizing their role in accurately describing experimental results. This work highlights the success of the multistage model of jet modification to straightforwardly predict (this set of) photon-triggered jet observables. This comparison, along with the role played by bremsstrahlung photons, has important consequences on the inclusion of such observables in a future Bayesian analysis.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗