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At least 253 records · Page 14

High-resolution 2-D Bragg diffraction reveal heterogeneous domain transformation behavior in a bulk relaxor ferroelectric

In-situ measurement of fine-structure of neutron Bragg diffraction peaks from a relaxor single-crystal using a time-of-flight instrument reveals highly heterogeneous mesoscale domain transformation behavior under applied electric fields. We observed that only 25% of domains undergo reorienta- tion or phase transition contributing to large average strains, while at least 40% remain invariant and exhibit microstrains. Such insights could be central for designing new relaxor materials with better performance and longevity. The current experimental technique can also be applied to resolve com- plex mesoscale phenomena in other functional materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Observation of x-ray radiation pressure effects on nanocrystals

Bragg coherent diffractive imaging is a powerful technique that can be used to explore the internal structure and strain of nanoscale crystalline objects. During the data collection process, the Bragg peak typically stays within a small range of pixels on the x-ray sensitive area detector. Here, we report abrupt and irreversible Bragg peak movement during the coherent x-ray data collection process for both Pd nanocubes and a Ni nanowire. Here, we report that this phenomenon can be attributed to x-ray momentum transfer, also known as radiation pressure, to the nanocrystals. Understanding this effect is crucial given the anticipated coherent flux increases at next-generation synchrotron sources.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Simple, compact, high-resolution monochromatic x-ray source for characterization of x-ray calorimeter arrays

X-ray calorimeters routinely achieve very high spectral resolution, typically a few eV full width at half maximum (FWHM). Measurements of calorimeter line shapes are usually dominated by the natural linewidth of most laboratory calibration sources. This compounds the data acquisition time necessary to statistically sample the instrumental line broadening and can add systematic uncertainty if the intrinsic line shape of the source is not well known. To address these issues, we have built a simple, compact monochromatic x-ray source using channel cut crystals. A commercial x-ray tube illuminates a pair of channel cut crystals that are aligned in a dispersive configuration to select the Kα1 line of the x-ray tube anode material. The entire device, including the x-ray tube, can be easily hand-carried by one person and may be positioned manually or using a mechanical translation stage. The output monochromatic beam provides a collimated image of the anode spot with magnification of unity in the dispersion direction (typically 100 μm–200 μm for the x-ray tubes used here) and is unfocused in the cross-dispersion direction so that the source image in the detector plane appears as a line. We measured output count rates as high as 10 count/s/pixel for the Hitomi soft x-ray spectrometer, which had 819 μm square pixels. We implemented different monochromator designs for energies of 5.4 keV (one design) and 8.0 keV (two designs), which have effective theoretical FWHM energy resolution of 0.125 eV, 0.197 eV, and 0.086 eV, respectively; these are well-suited for optimal calibration measurements of state-of-the art x-ray calorimeters. We measured an upper limit for the energy resolution of our Cr Kα1 monochromator of 0.7 eV FWHM at 5.4 keV, consistent with the theoretical prediction of 0.125 eV.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Design and expected performance of a variable-radii sinusoidal spiral x-ray spectrometer for the National Ignition Facility

A novel high-resolution x-ray spectrometer for point-like emission sources has been developed using a crystal shape having both a variable major and a variable minor radius of curvature. This variable-radii sinusoidal spiral spectrometer (VR-Spiral) allows three common spectrometer design goals to be achieved simultaneously: 1. reduction of aberrations and improved spectral (energy) resolution, 2. reduction of source size broadening, and 3. use of large crystals to improve total throughput. The VR-Spiral concept and its application to practical spectrometer design are described in detail. This concept is then used to design a spectrometer for an extreme extended x-ray absorption fine structure experiment at the National Ignition Facility looking at the Pb L 3 absorption edge at 13.0352 keV. The expected performance of this VR-Spiral spectrometer, both in terms of energy resolution and spatial resolution, is evaluated through the use of a newly developed raytracing tool, xicsrt. Finally, the expected performance of the VR-Spiral concept is compared to that of spectrometers based on conventional toroidal and variable-radii toroidal crystal geometries showing a greatly improved energy resolution.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Results from a synthetic model of the ITER XRCS-Core diagnostic based on high-fidelity x-ray ray tracing

A high-fidelity synthetic diagnostic has been developed for the ITER core x-ray crystal spectrometer diagnostic based on x-ray ray tracing. This synthetic diagnostic has been used to model expected performance of the diagnostic, to aid in diagnostic design, and to develop engineering tolerances. The synthetic model is based on x-ray ray tracing using the recently developed xicsrt ray tracing code and includes a fully three-dimensional representation of the diagnostic based on the computer aided design. The modeled components are: plasma geometry and emission profiles, highly oriented pyrolytic graphite pre-reflectors, spherically bent crystals, and pixelated x-ray detectors. Plasma emission profiles have been calculated for Xe 44+ , Xe 47+ , and Xe 51+ , based on an ITER operational scenario available through the Integrated Modelling & Analysis Suite database, and modeled within the ray tracing code as a volumetric x-ray source; the shape of the plasma source is determined by equilibrium geometry and an appropriate wavelength distribution to match the expected ion temperature profile. All individual components of the x-ray optical system have been modeled with high-fidelity producing a synthetic detector image that is expected to closely match what will be seen in the final as-built system. Particular care is taken to maintain preservation of photon statistics throughout the ray tracing allowing for quantitative estimates of diagnostic performance.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

High-resolution bandpass x-ray imaging with crystal reflectors: Overcoming geometric aberrations

The imaging problem of a specular reflector is revisited. Retaining terms through the second order in the reflector surface expansion, we derive the form of the aberration-limiting aperture for arbitrary magnification, assuming no bandwidth limitations. A permissible relative aperture size of the reflector is limited by a set relative aberration tolerance and scales with the tangent of the central glancing angle of incidence. These limiting aberrations become practically insignificant near backscattering. The results extend to x-ray diffracting crystals in symmetric Bragg geometry shaped as an ellipsoid of revolution. This geometry permits polychromatic imaging for hard x-rays over a bandwidth defined by the accepted range of Bragg angles, thereby suppressing aberrations of higher orders. We assess ellipsoidal crystal imagers using ray tracing simulations for two high-magnification designs with Bragg angles far from and close to backscattering. Finally, in both cases, the ellipsoidal crystals produce images of higher quality compared to those formed by equivalent toroidal crystal imagers.

Bragg reflection↗

Linewidth-tunable laser diode array for rubidium laser pumping

To optimise the pump source for a high-power diodepumped rubidium vapour laser, we have designed a laser diode array (LDA) with a narrowed and tunable linewidth and an external cavity formed by two volume Bragg gratings (VBGs). Through controlling the temperature differences between the two VBGs, the LDA linewidth, which was 1.8 nm before mounting the two VBGs, was tunable from 100 pm to 0.2 nm, while the output power changed by no more than 4 %. By changing simultaneously the temperature in both VBGs, the centre wavelength in air of the linewidth-tunable LDA was tunable from 779.40 nm to 780.05 nm. (control of laser radiation parameters)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Deflection of a monochromatic THz beam by acousto-optic methods

The possibility of controlled deflection of an electromagnetic THz beam of a free-electron laser by acousto-optic (AO) methods has been demonstrated for the first time. The material of the AO deflector was chosen to be single-crystal germanium, which has a fairly large refractive index (n = 4.0) and a relatively low absorption coefficient for electromagnetic waves. The absorption coefficient α in germanium is 0.75 ± 0.02 cm{sup -1} at a wavelength λ = 140 μm. The diffracted beam intensity is shown to be maximum at an effective AO interaction length l = 1/α. A diffraction efficiency of 0.05% at a travelling acoustic wave power of 1.0 W is experimentally obtained. It is established that a change in the ultrasonic frequency from 25 to 39 MHz leads to variation in the external Bragg angle in the range from 19.5° to 27.5°. At a fixed Bragg angle θ{sub B} = 22.4° the frequency band of diffraction is 4.2 ± 0.1 MHz and the angular range of laser beam scanning reaches 2.5° ± 0.5°. The results obtained indicate that AO interaction can be used for controlled deflection of electromagnetic THz beams. (terahertz radiation)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Spectral characteristics of multimode semiconductor lasers with a high-order surface diffraction grating

We have studied the spectral characteristics of multimode semiconductor lasers with high-order surface diffraction gratings based on asymmetric separate-confinement heterostructures grown by metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy (λ = 1070 nm). Experimental data demonstrate that, in the temperature range ±50 °C, the laser emission spectrum is ∼5 Å in width and contains a fine structure of longitudinal and transverse modes. A high-order (m = 15) surface diffraction grating is shown to ensure a temperature stability of the lasing spectrum dλ/dT = 0.9 Å K{sup -1} in this temperature range. From analysis of the fine structure of the lasing spectrum, we have evaluated the mode spacing and, thus, experimentally determined the effective length of the Bragg diffraction grating, which was ∼400 μm in our samples. (lasers)

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Anomalously high noise levels in a fibre Bragg grating semiconductor laser

Taking into account gain nonlinearity allows one to obtain anomalously high noise levels in a fibre Bragg grating laser diode. This paper examines the effect of the gain nonlinearity due to spectral hole burning on noise characteristics. (lasers)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Experimental study of a VBG-based Tm : YLF slab laser at different output coupler parameters

The performance of a Tm : YLF slab laser is studied at different output coupler parameters. Use is made of a 20-mm-long a-cut slab crystal doped with 2.5 at. % thulium ions. With a volume Bragg grating and a Fabry – Perot etalon, the selected output wavelength of this Tm : YLF slab laser is 1908 nm. For the optimised output coupler with a transmission of 20% and a radius of curvature of 300 mm, the output power exceeds 74.1 W and the slope efficiency with respect to the absorbed pump power reaches 48.4%. In addition, the beam quality of the Tm : YLF slab laser is improved. (lasers)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Diffraction of three-colour radiation on an acoustic wave

We study acousto-optic Bragg diffraction of three-colour radiation having wavelengths of 488, 514 and 633 nm on a single acoustic wave propagating in a TeO{sub 2} crystal. A technique is developed that allows one to find diffraction regimes with a proportional change in the intensity of all radiations by varying the acoustic power. According to the technique, radiation with a maximum wavelength has to be in strict Bragg synchronism with the acoustic wave, while other radiations diffract during the synchronism detuning. The results obtained using this technique are experimentally confirmed. (diffraction of light)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Acousto-optic diffraction of multicolour Ar-laser radiation in crystalline quartz

We have studied acousto-optic Bragg diffraction of multicolour radiation, generated by an Ar laser in the blue-green region of the spectrum, on an acoustic wave propagating in crystalline quartz. It is shown that crystalline quartz significantly exceeds commonly used paratellurite in terms of phase matching of optical beams with a single acoustic wave. We have performed experiments on pulse modulation of Ar-laser radiation. It is shown that distortions introduced into optical pulses are substantially less when use is made of a quartz crystal rather than paratellurite. (acoustooptics)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Gamma radiation-induced blue shift of resonance peaks of Bragg gratings in pure silica fibres

We report the first observation of a significant gamma radiation-induced blue shift of the reflection/transmission peak of fibre Bragg gratings inscribed into pure-silica core fibres via multiphoton absorption of femtosecond pulses. At a total dose of ∼100 kGy, the shift is ∼20 pm. The observed effect is attributable to the ionising radiation-induced decrease in the density of the silica glass when the rate of colour centre formation is slow. We present results of experimental measurements that provide the key parameters of the dynamics of the gratings for remote dosimetry and temperature sensing. (laser crystals and braggg ratings)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Acousto-optical modulation of light at a doubled sound frequency

A method of acousto-optical (AO) Bragg diffraction is proposed that provides the amplitude modulation of optical radiation at a doubled acoustic frequency. The method is based on the double transmission of the light through the AO modulator made of a gyrotropic crystal and is experimentally tested by the example of the modulation of light with a wavelength of 0.63 μm, controlled by the paratellurite AO cell. (acoustooptics)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Quantum interference of biphotons with a Doppler frequency shift

We report a theoretical study of transformation of a biphoton state of light under Bragg diffraction on a travelling sound wave in an acousto-optic modulator (AOM). It is shown that the diffraction of AOM biphotons emitted during the collinear parametric scattering of light leads to a shift of the carrier frequency of a biphoton wave packet, which exceeds twice the Doppler frequency shift for the classical field. A method is proposed for measuring the Doppler frequency shift of a biphoton, which is based on interference between independent biphotons. (quantum interferometry)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Fibre lasers

No abstract prepared.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

FBG array-based random distributed feedback Raman fibre laser

We have demonstrated the possibility of making a Raman laser with a random distributed feedback ensured by an array of 57 fibre Bragg gratings with random phases and amplitudes inscribed in a 13-m-long polarisation-maintaining passive fibre. The linearly polarised cw output power at a wavelength of 1092.3 nm reaches 5.7 W. The laser linewidth at the highest output power is about 80 pm. In the nearthreshold regime, we observe single-frequency lasing with a linewidth under 100 kHz as determined by self-heterodyne measurements. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗