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At least 235 records · Page 13

Many-body perturbation theory with hybrid density functional theory starting points accelerated by adaptively compressed exchange

We report on the use of the adaptively compressed exchange (ACE) operator to accelerate many-body perturbation theory (MBPT) calculations, including G 0 W 0 and the Bethe–Salpeter equation (BSE), for hybrid density functional theory starting points. We show that by approximating the exact exchange operator with the low-rank ACE operator, substantial computational savings can be achieved with systematically controllable errors in the quasiparticle energies computed with full-frequency G 0 W 0 and the optical absorption spectra and vertical excitation energies computed by solving the BSE within density matrix perturbation theory. Our implementation makes use of the ACE-accelerated electronic Hamiltonian to carry out both G 0 W 0 and BSE without explicitly computing empty states. We show the robustness of the approach and present the computational gains obtained on both the central processing unit and graphics processing unit nodes. In conclusion, our work will facilitate the exploration and evaluation of fine-tuned hybrid starting points aimed at enhancing the accuracy of MBPT calculations without involving computationally demanding self-consistency in Hedin’s equations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Characterization of laser-accelerated proton beams from a 0.5 kJ sub-picosecond laser for radiography applications

Laser-accelerated ion beams show promise for many applications, including high-resolution flash imaging of static or dynamic objects in next-generation radiography to probe materials and plasmas in extreme environments and inertial confinement fusion. To scale up ion beam production for radiography applications, we conducted experiments using sub-picosecond lasers up to 0.5 kJ at the OMEGA-EP facility to characterize proton beams from solid targets, primarily CH/CD sub-micron thin films from which ion beams were also used for static and dynamic radiography for the first time. For standalone sub-micron thin CH films, the highest detected proton energy is in the range of 72–97 MeV. Proton beams with highest energy near or above 60 MeV at full laser energy and similar beam profiles are also measured from low-density CD foams and flat CH foil target of micrometer-scale thickness. The ~ 700–800 nm CH/CD foils achieve the highest ion yield among the targets tested. For sub-micron thin films, the laser prepulse can expand the target and lead to complex interactions, which is simulated using coupled hydrodynamic and two-step kinetic models. Simulations suggest the presence of a micrometer-scale preplasma plateau with near-critical density and further indicate that target normal sheath acceleration, electron heating from Relativistic transparency in the preplasma plateau, and background proton reflection from carbon ion front at the rear side contribute to the resulting proton spectrum from these sub-micron thin targets at various stages. These proton beams show strong potential for radiography and for production of secondary sources.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Enhanced quantum efficiency from optical interference in alkali antimonide photocathodes: Modeling and experimental results

We present measurements of enhanced quantum efficiency (QE) in thin film alkali antimonide photocathodes from optical interference in the cathode-substrate multilayer. Modulations in the spectral response are observed over a range of visible wavelengths and are shown to increase the QE by more than a factor of two at specific wavelengths. We present a model describing the QE modulations based on the three step photoemission process incorporating cases of both constant density of states and density functional theory-derived density of states and show that the calculated results are in good agreement with the measurements. Model predictions demonstrate that QE can be enhanced by more than a factor of 5 by optimization of cathode and substrate layer thicknesses. Additionally, these calculations reveal that optical interference can yield higher quantum efficiencies in thin films compared to thick, optically dense films. We model the QE vs excitation wavelength of multiple alkali antimonide compounds at different thicknesses. We then discuss the advantages of this interference effect for electron accelerators.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

International Workshop on Next Generation Gamma-Ray Source

A workshop on The Next Generation Gamma-Ray Sources , sponsored by the Office of Nuclear Physics at the Department of Energy, was held November 17--19, 2016 in Bethesda, Maryland. The goals of the workshop were to identify basic and applied research opportunities at the frontiers of nuclear physics that would be made possible by the beam capabilities of an advanced laser Compton beam facility. To anchor the scientific vision to realistically achievable beam specifications using proven technologies, the workshop brought together experts in the fields of electron accelerators, lasers, and optics to examine the technical options for achieving the beam specifications required by the most compelling parts of the proposed research programs. An international assembly of participants included current and prospective $\gamma$-ray beam users, accelerator and light-source physicists, and federal agency program managers. Sessions were organized to foster interactions between the beam users and facility developers, allowing for information sharing and mutual feedback between the two groups. The workshop findings and recommendations are summarized in this report.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Design, characterization and installation of the NEXT-100 cathode and electroluminescence regions

NEXT-100 is currently being constructed at the Laboratorio Subterráneo de Canfranc in the Spanish Pyrenees and will search for neutrinoless double beta decay using a high-pressure gaseous time projection chamber (TPC) with 100 kg of xenon. Charge amplification is carried out via electroluminescence (EL) which is the process of accelerating electrons in a high electric field region causing secondary scintillation of the medium proportional to the initial charge. The NEXT-100 EL and cathode regions are made from tensioned hexagonal meshes of 1 m diameter. This paper describes the design, characterization, and installation of these parts for NEXT-100. Simulations of the electric field are performed to model the drift and amplification of ionization electrons produced in the detector under various EL region alignments and rotations. Measurements of the electrostatic breakdown voltage in air characterize performance under high voltage conditions and identify breakdown points. Furthermore, the electrostatic deflection of the mesh is quantified and fit to a first-principles mechanical model. Measurements were performed with both a standalone test EL region and with the NEXT-100 EL region before its installation in the detector. Finally, we describe the parts as installed in NEXT-100, following their deployment in Summer 2023.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

New Measurements of the Deuteron-to-Proton 𝐹 2 Structure-Function Ratio

Nucleon structure functions, as measured in lepton-nucleon scattering, have historically provided a critical observable in the study of partonic dynamics within the nucleon. However, at very large parton momenta, it is both experimentally and theoretically challenging to extract parton distributions due to the probable onset of nonperturbative contributions and the unavailability of high-precision data at critical kinematics. Extraction of the neutron structure and the d quark distribution have been further challenging because of the necessity of applying nuclear corrections when utilizing scattering data from a deuteron target to extract the free neutron structure. However, a program of experiments has been carried out recently at the energy-upgraded Jefferson Lab electron accelerator aimed at significantly reducing the nuclear correction uncertainties on the d quark distribution function at large partonic momentum. This allows leveraging the vast body of deuterium data covering a large kinematic range to be utilized for d quark parton distribution function extraction. In this Letter, we present new data from experiment E12-10-002, carried out in Jefferson Lab Experimental Hall C, on the deuteron to proton cross section ratio at large Bjorken 𝑥. These results significantly improve the precision of existing data and provide a first look at the expected impact on quark distributions extracted from parton distribution function fits.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Neutron-Neutron Correlations in the Photofission of 238U

Background: In the fission of actinides, the nearly back-to-back motion of the fission fragments has a strong effect on the kinematics of fission neutrons. This leads to a favoring of opening angles near 0? and 180? in the neutron-neutron (n-n) opening angle distributions of correlated neutron pairs from the same fission event. Purpose: To measure the n-n opening angle and energy correlations in the photofission of 238U. As of this writing, measurements of correlated n-n opening angle distributions have been reported only for the spontaneous and neutron-induced fission of actinides. This work is the first to report such a measurement using photofission and will provide useful experimental input for photofission models used in codes such as MCNP and FREYA. Method: Fission is induced using bremsstrahlung photons produced via a low duty factor, pulsed, linear electron accelerator. The bremsstrahlung photon beam impinges upon a 238U target that is surrounded by a large neutron scintillation detection system capable of measuring particle position and time of flight, from which n-n opening angle and energy are measured. Neutron-neutron angular correlations are determined by taking the ratio between a correlated neutron distribution and an uncorrelated neutron distribution formed by the pairing of neutrons produced during different beam pulses. This analysis technique greatly diminishes effects due to detector efficiencies, acceptance, and experimental drifts. Results: The angular correlation of neutrons from the photofission of 238U shows a high dependence on neutron energy as well as a dependence on the angle of the emitted neutrons with respect to the incoming photon beam. Angular correlations were also measured using neutrons from the spontaneous fission of 252Cf, showing good agreement with past measurements. Conclusions: The measured angular correlations reflect the underlying back-to-back nature of the fission fragments. An anomalous decline in n-n yield was observed for opening angles near 180? for 238U.

Burggraf, Jeff↗

Multi-GeV wakefield acceleration in a plasma-modulated plasma accelerator

We investigate the accelerator stage of a plasma-modulated plasma accelerator (P-MoPA) [Jakobsson , ] using both the paraxial wave equation and particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. We show that adjusting the laser and plasma parameters of the modulator stage of a P-MoPA allows the temporal profile of pulses within the pulse train to be controlled, which in turn allows the wake amplitude in the accelerator stage to be as much as 72 % larger than that generated by a plasma beat-wave accelerator with the same total drive laser energy. Our analysis shows that Rosenbluth-Liu detuning is unimportant in a P-MoPA if the number of pulses in the train is less than ∼ 30 , and that this detuning is also partially counteracted by increased red-shifting, and hence increased pulse spacing, towards the back of the train. An analysis of transverse mode oscillations of the driving pulse train is found to be in good agreement with 2D (Cartesian) PIC simulations. PIC simulations demonstrating energy gains of ∼ 1.5 GeV ( ∼ 2.5 GeV ) for drive pulse energies of 2.4 J ( 5.0 J ) are presented. Our results suggest that P-MoPAs driven by few-joule, picosecond pulses, such as those provided by high-repetition-rate thin-disk lasers, could accelerate electron bunches to multi-GeV energies at pulse repetition rates in the kilohertz range. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

van de Wetering, J. J. (ORCID:0000000303292355)↗

Optical Guiding in Meter-Scale Plasma Waveguides

In this work, we demonstrate a new highly tunable technique for generating meter-scale low density plasma waveguides. Such guides can enable laser-driven electron acceleration to tens of GeV in a single stage. Plasma waveguides are imprinted in hydrogen gas by optical field ionization induced by two time-separated Bessel beam pulses: The first pulse, a $J_0$ beam, generates the core of the waveguide, while the delayed second pulse, here a $J_8$ or $J_{16}$ beam, generates the waveguide cladding, enabling wide control of the guide’s density, depth, and mode confinement. We demonstrate guiding of intense laser pulses over hundreds of Rayleigh lengths with on-axis plasma densities as low as $N_{e0}$ ~ 5 × 10 16 cm –3 .

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Numerical simulation of terahertz radiation by laser-driven plasma dipole oscillation

Laser-plasma interactions have many theoretical and technological applications. One is the use of coherently accelerated electrons to provide novel sources of THz radiation. Our research focuses on simulating the cross/self-interactions between two high intensity, ultra-short, counter propagating and detuned laser pulses and an initial neutral target for controlled ionization. Unlike our previous studies of laser-matter interaction over preformed plasma, we explore the injection and collision of laser pulses to induce background plasma driven by the self-guided laser wakefield mechanism, which is then used to perturb the plasma resulting in induced dipole oscillations leading to transverse radiation. Inducing a cylindrical spatial plasma column within the laser beam radius regime provides a stable, spatially localized plasma channel. The emitted radiation from the plasma dipole oscillation (PDO) will not be affected by surrounding plasma absorption, resulting in effective radiation distribution. Finally, results include 3D EM-PIC simulations and a comparison of the self- ionizing plasma against the preformed plasma to assess the efficiency of the mechanisms.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Modeling the inner part of the jet in M87: Confronting jet morphology with theory

The formation of jets in black hole accretion systems is a long-standing problem. It has been proposed that a jet can be formed by extracting the rotation energy of the black hole (“BZ-jet”) or the accretion flow (“disk-jet”). While both models can produce collimated relativistic outflows, neither has successfully explained the observed jet morphology. By using general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations and considering nonthermal electrons accelerated by magnetic reconnection that is likely driven by magnetic eruption in the underlying accretion flow, we obtain images by radiative transfer calculations and compared them to millimeter observations of the jet in M87. We find that the BZ-jet originating from a magnetically arrested disk around a high-spin black hole can well reproduce the jet morphology, including its width and limb-brightening feature.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Octave-spanning mid-infrared femtosecond OPA in a ZnGeP 2 pumped by a 2.4 μm Cr:ZnSe chirped-pulse amplifier

We report on the highly efficient, octave-spanning mid-infrared (mid-IR) optical parametric amplification (OPA) in a ZnGeP 2 (ZGP) crystal, pumped by a 1 kHz, 2.4 μm, 250 fs Cr:ZnSe chirped-pulse amplifier. The full spectral coverage of 3−10 μm with the amplified signal and idler beams is demonstrated. The signal beam in the range of ∼3 − 5 μm is produced by either white light generation (WLG) in YAG or optical parametric generation (OPG) in ZGP using the common 2.4 μm pump laser. We demonstrate the pump to signal and idler combined conversion efficiency of 23% and the pulse energy of up to 130 μJ with ∼2 μJ OPG seeding, while we obtain the efficiency of 10% and the pulse energy of 55 μJ with ∼0.2 μJ WLG seeding. The OPA output energy is limited by the available pump pulse energy (0.55 mJ at ZGP crystal) and therefore further energy scaling is feasible with multi-stage OPA and higher pump pulse energy. The autocorrelation measurements based on random quasi-phase matching show that the signal pulse durations are ∼318 fs and ∼330 fs with WLG and OPG seeding, respectively. In addition, we show the spectrally filtered 30 μJ OPA output at 4.15 μm suitable for seeding a Fe:ZnSe amplifier. Our ultrabroadband femtosecond mid-IR source is attractive for various applications, such as strong-field interactions, dielectric laser electron acceleration, molecular spectroscopy, and medical surgery.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A 15-Mev/nucleon Iso-Cyclotron for Security and Radioisotope Production

Cargo inspection systems exploit the broad bremsstrahlung spectrum from a 6-10 MeV, low-duty cycle electron accelerator which in the presence of significant backgrounds presents challenges in image and material identification. An alternative approach is to use ions which can excite nuclear states either directly, or through generation of secondary high-energy signature gammas produced from nuclear interactions in a target. RadiaBeam is designing a compact sector isocyclotron 1.25 m in radius, with high-gradient cavities to accelerate multi-ion species up to 15-20 MeV/u with large turn-to turn, centimeter-level separation for low-loss extraction without lossy foil stripping. A strong-focusing radial field profile will be optimized in a separated-sector format for control over machine tune simultaneous with isochronous orbist requirements for high-current (~0.5 milliamp) operation. Innovation in injection will be introduced to replace the high-loss central region. Non-security applications of the cyclotron include medical isotope production, ion radiobiology, as well as material science research and ion instrumentation development.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Quantum efficiency and lifetime study for negative electron affinity GaAs nanopillar array photocathode

Recent studies showed significant improvement in quantum efficiency (QE) by negative electron affinity (NEA) GaAs nanopillar array (NPA) photocathodes over their flat surface peers, particularly at 500 ─ 800 nm waveband. However, the underlying physics is yet to be well understood for further improvement in its performance. In this report, NEA GaAs NPA photocathodes with different dimensions were studied. The diameter of the nanopillars varied from 200 ─ 360 nm, the height varied from 230 ─ 1000 nm and the periodicity varied from 470 ─ 630 nm. The QE and photocathode lifetime were measured. Mie-resonance enhancement was observed at tunable resonance wavelengths. Simulations was also performed to understand the mechanism of photo-absorption and possible ways to further improve the photocathode performance to meet the stringent requirement of the electron sources in large scale electron accelerators. **Acknowledgement** Authored by Jefferson Science Associates, LLC under U.S. DOE contract no. DE-AC05-06OR23177. The U.S. Government retains a non-exclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce this manuscript for U.S. Government purposes. *mrahm008@odu.edu

Rahman, M.↗

Deep learning reconstruction of attosecond X-ray pulses from an angularly streaked 2D photoelectron momentum distribution

The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory produces intense X-ray pulses using a beam of accelerated electrons. The X-ray laser enhanced attosecond pulse generation (XLEAP) project at SLAC has enabled LCLS to produce much shorter X-ray pulses than previously possible, with durations of a few hundred attoseconds. To measure the time-profile of these extremely short pulses a velocity map imaging spectrometer (VMI) was developed. The pulse duration is measured with using an angular streaking method.

Franz, Paris↗

A multi-institution collaboration to study copper wire hybrid and laser-cut foil X-pinches

X-pinches are a pulsed power wire-array configuration that produce nanosecond and micron-scale X-ray sources with numerous applications. The earliest embodiment of the X-pinch inspired its name, as it is typically composed of two or more fine (5-50 µm) wires crossed into the shape of an X (Fig. 1a). The ‘X’ ablates when subjected to large (10 1 -10 4 kA), fast-rising (~1 kA/ns) currents, and extreme magnetic pressure at the cross-point constricts the ablated plasma, which develops instabilities and then pinches to near-zero radius, localized ‘hot spots’, emitting X-rays from a sub-nanosecond and 1 µm scale source characteristic of a hot (~1 keV), dense (10% solid density) plasma. A subsequent gap forms where the hot spot(s) occurred, across which substantial potential accelerates electron beams (e-beams) that generate larger, longer-lasting X-ray bursts composed of harder X-rays.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Laser Network US Experiments at the University of Texas at Austin

Under Subcontract B638654, The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) Center for High Energy Density Science supported three Laser Network US experiments and conducted upgrade planning for the Texas Petawatt Laser Facility. For the experiment “Investigation of the physics of MeV X-ray and particle generation using Compound Parabolic Concentrators” led by Dr. Andrew Mackinnon of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, UT Austin provided postdoctoral associate support in the person of Dr. Ganesh Tiwari. For the experiments “Megatesla magnetic fields and enhanced gamma-ray beam generation” led by Hans Rinderknecht of LLE, University of Rochester (experiment) and Alexey Arefiev of UC San Diego (theory) and “High resolution imaging of resonately accelerated electrons under tight focusing” led by Deepak Kumar of ELI-Beamlines, Czech Republic, UT Austin provided the Texas Petawatt Laser staff and a prorated share of the materials and supplies approximately equal to the average of those required for one 5-week experimental campaign. Summaries of these three experiments are provided in this report. Two staff members were hired—Dr. Sandra Bruce at 40% and Dr. Erhard Gaul at 50% time—to support Texas Petawatt Laser maintenance and operations and to plan for the Texas Relativistic Intensity Ultrafast Multi-beam Plasma Facility (TRIUMPF).

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Evaluation of Niowave's Proposed Solvent Washing Approach

Niowave, Inc., is a domestic supplier of medical and industrial isotopes from uranium (U) and radium (Ra). The company has recently entered into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and plans to deploy a superconducting electron accelerator (LINAC) to fission U for molybdenum-99 ( 99 Mo) production without the need for a nuclear reactor or highly enriched uranium (HEU). NNSA provided funding to the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) to support Niowave in this effort. SRNL evaluated the application of the solvent washing process for Niowave.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗