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At least 289 records · Page 16

X-ray diagnostics for the cavity-based x-ray free-electron laser project

The success of x-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) in recent years has greatly advanced many scientific fields. However, most of these XFELs suffer from a low longitudinal coherence and instabilities due to the stochastic start-up process. A cavity-based x-ray free-electron laser (CBXFEL) is a possible future direction in the development of fully coherent and stable x-ray sources. One of the challenges of a CBXFEL is the requirement for the μ⁢m−sized electron bunches to fully overlap in three dimensions with the circulating μ⁢m−sized x-ray pulses in an x-ray cavity tens or hundreds of meters long. We present here the development of an x-ray diagnostics system for accurate alignment of x-ray beams in the CBXFEL cavity. The system was developed within the framework of a CBXFEL research and development collaboration among Argonne National Laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, and Spring-8. All the designed diagnostic components have been fully characterized at the Advanced Photon Source to demonstrate a capability for sub-μ⁢rad angular and μ⁢m spatial alignment of the CBXFEL cavity.

Free-electron lasers↗

An Artificial Neural Network System for Photon-Based Active Interrogation Applications

Active interrogation (AI) is a promising technique to detect shielded special nuclear materials (SNMs). At the University of Michigan, we are developing a photon-based AI system that uses bremsstrahlung radiation from an electron linear accelerator (linac) as an ionizing source and stilbene organic scintillating detectors for neutron detection. Stilbene scintillators are sensitive to fast neutrons and photons and have excellent pulse shape discrimination (PSD) capabilities. The traditional charge integration (CI) method commonly used for PSD analysis eliminates piled-up pulses and relies on a particle discrimination line to separate neutrons and photons. The presence of the intense photon flux during AI creates a significant number of piled-up events in the stilbene scintillator, thereby posing a great challenge to the traditional CI method. Identifying true single neutron pulses becomes challenging due to the presence of a pile-up cloud and overlapping neutron, photon and pile-up clouds in the PSD analysis. To mitigate the effect of pulse pile up and identify true single neutron pulses from stilbene scintillators, an artificial neural network (ANN) system is developed. The developed ANN system identifies single neutron pulses and neutron-photon combinations from piled-up events. The results obtained from a 252Cf measurement in the presence of the intense photon flux show that the developed ANN system outperforms the traditional CI method. Since many piled-up events lie above the particle discrimination line, they get misclassified as neutrons by the traditional CI method resulting in 25% overestimation of the net neutron count rate during the linac pulse. The overall net neutron count rate (single and restored neutrons) during the linac pulse, estimated by the ANN system is 60% of the ground truth. Energy spectroscopy of the ANN attributed single neutron pulses further provides evidence on the detection of prompt fission neutrons from the 252Cf fission source.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Algorithm-Driven Advances for Scientific CT Instruments: From model-based to deep learning-based approaches

Multiscale 3D characterization is widely used by materials scientists to further their understanding of the relationships between microscopic structure and macroscopic function. Scientific computed tomography (SCT) instruments are one of the most popular choices for 3D nondestructive characterization of materials at length scales ranging from the angstrom scale to the micron scale. These instruments typically have a source of radiation (such as electrons, X-rays, or neutrons) that interacts with the sample to be studied and a detector assembly to capture the result of this interaction (see Figure 1 ). A collection of such high-resolution measurements is made by reorienting the sample, which is mounted on a specially designed stage/holder after which reconstruction algorithms are used to produce the final 3D volume of interest. The specific choice of which instrument to use depends on the desired resolution and properties of the materials being imaged. Additionally, the end goal of SCT scans includes determining the morphology, chemical composition, or dynamic behavior of materials when subjected to external stimuli. In summary, SCT instruments are powerful tools that enable 3D characterization across multiple length scales and play a critical role in furthering the understanding of the structure–function relationships of different materials.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Total-Ionizing-Dose Effects on Long-term Data Retention Characteristics of Commercial 3-D NAND Memories

This article evaluates the data retention characteristics of irradiated multi-level cell (MLC) 3-D NAND flash memories. We irradiate the memory chips by a Co-60 gamma-ray source for up to 50 krad(Si) and then write a random data pattern on the irradiated chip to find its retention characteristics. The experimental results show that the data retention property of the irradiated chips is significantly degraded compared to the un-irradiated ones. We evaluate two independent strategies to improve the data retention characteristics of the irradiated chips. Furthermore, the first method involves high-temperature annealing of the irradiated chip while the second method suggests pre-programming the memory modules before deploying them in radiation-prone environments.

3-D NAND flash↗

RISE: robust iterative surface extension for sub-nanometer X-ray mirror fabrication

Precision optics have been widely required in many advanced technological applications. X-ray mirrors, as an example, serve as the key optical components at synchrotron radiation and free electron laser facilities. They are rectangular silicon or glass substrates where a rectangular Clear Aperture (CA) needs to be polished to sub-nanometer Root Mean Squared (RMS) to keep the imaging capability of the incoming X-ray wavefront at the diffraction limit. The convolutional polishing model requires a CA to be extended with extra data, from which the dwell time is calculated via deconvolution. However, since deconvolution is very sensitive to boundary errors and noise, the existing surface extension methods can hardly fulfill the sub-nanometer requirement. On one hand, the figure errors in a CA were improperly modeled during the extension, leading to continuity issues along the boundary. On the other hand, uncorrectable high-frequency errors and noise were also extended. In this study, we propose a novel Robust Iterative Surface Extension (RISE) method that resolves these problems with a data fitting strategy. RISE models the figure errors in a CA with orthogonal polynomials and ensures that only correctable errors are fit and extended. Combined with boundary conditions, an iterative refinement of dwell time is then proposed to compensate the errors brought by the extension and deconvolution, which drastically reduces the estimated figure error residuals in a CA while the increase of total dwell time is negligible. To our best knowledge, RISE is the first data fitting-based surface extension method and is the first to optimize dwell time based on iterative extension. An experimental verification of RISE is given by fabricating two elliptic cylinders (10 mm × 80 mm CAs) starting from a sphere with a radius of curvature around 173 m using ion beam figuring. The figure errors in the two CAs greatly improved from 204.96 nm RMS and 190.28 nm RMS to 0.62 nm RMS and 0.71 nm RMS, respectively, which proves that RISE is an effective method for sub-nanometer level X-ray mirror fabrication.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Real-time machine-learning-driven control system of a deformable mirror for achieving aberration-free X-ray wavefronts

A neural-network machine learning model is developed to control a bimorph adaptive mirror to achieve and preserve aberration-free coherent X-ray wavefronts at synchrotron radiation and free electron laser beamlines. The controller is trained on a mirror actuator response directly measured at a beamline with a real-time single-shot wavefront sensor, which uses a coded mask and wavelet-transform analysis. The system has been successfully tested on a bimorph deformable mirror at the 28-ID IDEA beamline of the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. It achieved a response time of a few seconds and maintained desired wavefront shapes (e.g., a spherical wavefront) with sub-wavelength accuracy at 20 keV of X-ray energy. This result is significantly better than what can be obtained using a linear model of the mirror’s response. The developed system has not been tailored to a specific mirror and can be applied, in principle, to different kinds of bending mechanisms and actuators.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Response of GaN-Based Semiconductor Devices to Ion and Gamma Irradiation

GaN has electronic properties that make it an excellent material for the next generation of power electronics; however, its radiation hardening still needs further understanding before it is used in radiation environments. In this work we explored the response of commercial InGaN LEDs to two different radiation environments: ion and gamma irradiations. For ion irradiations we performed two types of irradiations at the Ion Beam Lab (IBL) at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL): high energy and end of range (EOR) irradiations. For gamma irradiations we fielded devices at the gamma irradiation facility (GIF) at SNL. The response of the LEDs to radiation was investigated by IV, light output and light output vs frequency measurements. We found that dose levels up to 500 krads do not degrade the electrical properties of the devices and that devices exposed to ion irradiations exhibit a linear and non- linear dependence with fluence for two different ranges of fluence levels. We also performed current injection annealing studies to explore the annealing properties of InGaN LEDs.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Understanding Transients: Needs from the Laboratory Astrophysics Community

A growing number of astrophysical transients are pushing astronomers to develop increasingly complex computational tools to model both radiation hydrodynamics and electron transport. Here we review the physics needs and simulation uncertainties associated with modeling these transients. Although this review will focus on theory and simulation aspects of this problem, we also review some experiments designed to study this physics.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

AI-Optimized Polarization at Jefferson Lab

The AI-Optimized Polarization project seeks to develop experimental control applications for polarized targets and beams at Jefferson Lab using AI/ML. This paper will focus on two ongoing efforts involving a cryogenic polarized target and a linearly-polarized photon beam. Firstly, cryogenic targets, such as those used in Halls B and C (and approved for Hall D), are complex systems that are sensitive to a number of factors, including the temperature, beam currents, and the microwave and NMR apparatus. Secondly, the Hall D photon beam polarization depends on the optimal orientation of a diamond radiator, which produces coherent bremsstrahlung radiation from the electron beam incident upon it. Manual operation of both systems is tedious and error prone; implementing well-designed, interpretable control systems that incorporate AI is expected to lead to improved real-time polarization. AI optimization of nuclear physics experiments will lead, not just to cost-savings, but also to more efficient and higher-quality data, and this project will help to lay the foundation for future autonomous experiments.

Moran, Patrick [College of William and Mary, Willi↗

Multipulse Optical-Rectification-Based THz Source for Accelerator Applications

THz sources offer the potential for higher frequencies and higher breakdown thresholds in accelerating structures in comparison with conventional RF sources. They also benefit from larger field strengths, field gradients, better beam synchronization and compactness. In this work, we first present the development of a 49μJ single-cycle THz source centered at 0.6 THz that provides fields over 30 MV/m. With further modifications, multicycle pulses were produced, narrowing the bandwidth of the source and potentially easing the coupling of THz radiation to relativistic electron beams and increasing the usability in other areas of research.

Lenz, Maximilian (ORCID:0009000579693042)↗

The Third Fermi Large Area Telescope Catalog of Gamma-Ray Pulsars

We present 294 pulsars found in GeV data from the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. Another 33 millisecond pulsars (MSPs) discovered in deep radio searches of LAT sources will likely reveal pulsations once phase-connected rotation ephemerides are achieved. A further dozen optical and/or X-ray binary systems colocated with LAT sources also likely harbor gamma-ray MSPs. This catalog thus reports roughly 340 gamma-ray pulsars and candidates, 10% of all known pulsars, compared to ≤11 known before Fermi. Half of the gamma-ray pulsars are young. Of these, the half that are undetected in radio have a broader Galactic latitude distribution than the young radio-loud pulsars. The others are MSPs, with six undetected in radio. Overall, ≥236 are bright enough above 50 MeV to fit the pulse profile, the energy spectrum, or both. For the common two-peaked profiles, the gamma-ray peak closest to the magnetic pole crossing generally has a softer spectrum. The spectral energy distributions tend to narrow as the spindown power $\dot{E}$ decreases to its observed minimum near 10 33 erg s -1 , approaching the shape for synchrotron radiation from monoenergetic electrons. We calculate gamma-ray luminosities when distances are available. Our all-sky gamma-ray sensitivity map is useful for population syntheses. The electronic catalog version provides gamma-ray pulsar ephemerides, properties, and fit results to guide and be compared with modeling results.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

In-Pile Irradiation Induced Defects and the Effect on Thermal Diffusivity of MgO

The effects of neutron irradiation temperature and dose on thermal diffusivity are compared between non-irradiated and in-pile irradiated MgO samples. MgO pellets were irradiated in-pile of the Advanced Test Reactor at Idaho National Laboratory. Samples were irradiated at 623 and 973 K to fast neutron fluences of 1 x 1025 (1.5 dpa) and 2 x 1025 n/m2 (3 dpa). Post irradiation examination included X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, laser flash thermal diffusivity, and transmission electron microscopy. The radiation induced thermophysical and structural evolution of MgO is reported

T. Moorea, Donald↗

Cumulative short-lived photofission product yields for nuclear forensic application

Experiments have long been carried out with linear accelerator (linac) produced bremsstrahlung X-rays to study high-energy photon-induced fission, known as “photofission”. One benefit of photofission, when compared with neutron-induced fission, is the ability to investigate fundamental physics of fission at excitation energies lower than what is possible with neutrons [1]. Absorption of an incident neutron results in a compound nucleus with an excitation energy at least equal to the neutron binding energy; thus, the lowest energy region of the fission barrier cannot be studied. Fission product yield distributions are dependent on the incident particle energy and the target nucleus mass. They are generally represented by a double-humped curve, with low and high mass “peaks” and an intermediate mass “valley”. As incident particle energy increases, the excitation energy of the nucleus increases, thereby increasing the overall yield of isotopes in the valley with respect to the two maxima or peaks of the fission product curve [3]. Photofission is most probable for incident photons around 14 MeV due to the giant dipole resonance. Induced photofission around this energy results in a fission product yield distribution that resembles 14 MeV DT neutron fission more than thermal or fast (500 keV) neutron fission. In post-detonation nuclear forensics, the peak-to-valley ratio of the fission product yield curve could be used for characterizing device type by providing an indication of the neutron energy spectrum that had induced fission (e.g., 500 keV vs. 14 MeV). The goal of this work is to improve nuclear data for isotopes of interest in nuclear forensics and special nuclear material (SNM) detection, specifically the fission product yield data via photofission experiments for the isotopes of 238U and 232Th. Photofission has been proposed as a less costly and more flexible production method for the valley isotopes that are representative of DT neutron fission product yield distributions, which would benefit nuclear forensics exercises in testing for analysis techniques. Natural uranium and thorium targets were irradiated with bremsstrahlung photons (nominal endpoint energies of 8, 14, and 20 MeV), generated via impingement of high-energy electrons on a tungsten electron-to-photon radiator. Gamma-ray spectroscopy was used to observe and identify the decay of the resulting fission products. The photofission yields of 102 fission products were measured for the set of the 238U and 232Th targets at the three bremsstrahlung X-ray endpoint energies 8, 14, and 20 MeV. These fragments included masses ranging from A=84 to A=144, with half-lives as short as 1.07 seconds.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Early-stage oxidation and subsequent damage of the used nuclear fuel extractant TODGA; electron pulse radiolysis and theoretical insights

Radiation induced damage of extractant molecules is a well-known phenomenon responsible for reducing efficiency and increasing the waste and cost of reprocessing used nuclear fuel (UNF). As such, understanding early-stage (pico- to nanoseconds) radiation-induced reaction mechanisms is essential for informing the design of next generation extractants with enhanced radiation robustness. Here, in this work, we utilized picosecond and nanosecond electron pulse radiolysis experiments to probe the early-stage radioactive environment experienced by the organic phase extractant N,N,N',N'-tetraoctyldiglycolamide (TODGA), proposed for separating highly radioactive trivalent minor actinides (specifically americium and curium) from the trivalent lanthanides. Using comparisons to the similar ionization potential (IP) solute p-xylene, this work determined the mechanism of reaction with the ionized diluent (i.e., n-dodecane radical cation, DD˙ + ) is hole transfer to produce TODGA˙ + . At high TODGA concentrations (>100 mM), the majority of this transfer occurs faster than 10 ps via the capture of DD˙ + holes prior to their solvation with a C 37 = 300 mM. The surviving solvated holes were captured with k = (2.38 ± 0.15) × 10 10 M -1 s -1 . Attempts at subsequent hole transfer to lower IP solutes found that only 10% of holes were transferred, indicating bond rupture of TODGA˙ + occurs within 2.6 ns at 200 mM TODGA. Possible reaction pathways for the rapid decomposition of TODGA˙ + were explored using a combination of experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Transformations to amorphous and X-type phases in swift heavy ion-irradiated Ln 2 O 3 and Mn 2 O 3

The intense, highly localized electronic excitation resulting from swift heavy ion irradiation induces phase transformations in many materials, including the lanthanide sesquioxides (Ln 2 O 3 ). To explore the effects of chemical composition on radiation-induced transformations, the structural responses of several related sesquioxides to swift heavy ion irradiation were compared. Polycrystalline Nd 2 O 3 , Eu 2 O 3 , Yb 2 O 3 , and Mn 2 O 3 were irradiated by 946 MeV Au ions to a range of ion fluences up to 2 × 10 13 cm -2 , and structural modifications were characterized using beamline-based in situ x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement. Amorphization was induced in Nd 2 O 3 , Eu 2 O 3 , and Mn 2 O 3 , with the extent of the induced transformation following a clear dependence on cation ionic radius. Nd 2 O 3 and Eu 2 O 3 , having the largest cations, rapidly amorphized, whereas Mn 2 O 3 , having the smallest cation, experienced only a slight loss of crystallinity at the highest fluences studied. The radiation response was different for Yb 2 O 3 , which underwent a sluggish transformation to a nonequilibrium X-type phase. Furthermore, the crystalline-to-amorphous transformations proceeded by direct-impact mechanisms, while the C-to-X transformation proceeded by a multi-impact mechanism.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗