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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.

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At least 307 records · Page 17

A quantitative assessment of RFI in the near-earth environment

This paper reviews the known sources of RF noise, their spectral and intensity characteristics, and how serious a threat each represents to monitoring in the earth's neighborhood. It is clear that the quietest frequency/time regime for monitoring galactic and extragalactic sources is over the dayside of the earth in the 0.8-10 MHz band. Observations made in 1969 from RAE-1 achieved an interference-free duty cycle of nearly 50 percent in the band below 4 MHz on the nightside of the planet. It is felt that, by going to an altitude of about 10 Re, observations during the present epoch could match or exceed the 1969 RAE observing conditions, particularly on the dayside of the planet.

Desch, Michael D.↗

Hadron Beam Monitor Design with Gas-Filled RF Resonators in Intense Neutrino Source

For the future Long Baseline Neutrino Facility at Fermilab, a new radiation-robust hadron beam profile monitor has been proposed consisting of an interface of gas-filled radiofrequency cavity detectors in the backward region of the LBNF decay pipe. A tailored monitor layout will be used along with the new RF instrumentation. Proposed designs for the detector configuration include a variety of radially symmetric arrangements of RF resonators located at the position of maximum gradient in the beam distribution across the monitor. Until the final detector cavities are available, a prototype tunable Q-factor RF cavity will provide functional emulation for studies of the monitor layout configurations presented here.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Improvements of the magnetic field design for SPIDER and MITICA negative ion beam sources

The design of the magnetic field configuration in the SPIDER and MITICA negative ion beam sources has evolved considerably during the past four years. This evolution was driven by three factors: 1) the experimental results of the large RF-driven ion sources at IPP, which have provided valuable indications on the optimal magnetic configurations for reliable RF plasma source operation and for large negative ion current extraction, 2) the comprehensive beam optics and heat load simulations, which showed that the magnetic field configuration in the accelerator is crucial for keeping the heat load due to electrons on the accelerator grids within tolerable limits, without compromising the optics of the negative ion beam in the foreseen operating scenarios, 3) the progress of the detailed mechanical design of the accelerator, which stimulated the evaluation of different solutions for the correction of beamlet deflections of various origin and for beamlet aiming. On this basis, new requirements and solution concepts for the magnetic field configuration in the SPIDER and MITICA beam sources have been progressively introduced and updated until the design converged. The paper presents how these concepts have been integrated into a final design solution based on a horizontal “long-range” field (few mT) in combination with a “local” vertical field of some tens of mT on the acceleration grids.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

500 MW X-Band RF System of a 0.25 GeV Electron LINAC for Advanced Compton Scattering Source Application

A Mono-Energetic Gamma-Ray (MEGa-Ray) Compton scattering light source is being developed at LLNL in collaboration with the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The electron beam for the Compton scattering interaction will be generated by a X-band RF gun and a X-band LINAC at the frequency of 11.424 GHz. High power RF in excess of 500 MW is needed to accelerate the electrons to energy of 250 MeV or greater for the interaction. Two high power klystron amplifiers, each capable of generating 50 MW, 1.5 msec pulses, will be the main high power RF sources for the system. These klystrons will be powered by state of the art solid-state high voltage modulators. A RF pulse compressor, similar to the SLED II pulse compressor, will compress the klystron output pulse with a power gain factor of five. For compactness consideration, we are looking at a folded waveguide setup. This will give us 500 MW at output of the compressor. The compressed pulse will then be distributed to the RF gun and to six traveling wave accelerator sections. Phase and amplitude control are located at the RF gun input and additional control points along the LINAC to allow for parameter control during operation. This high power RF system is being designed and constructed. In this paper, we will present the design, layout, and status of this RF system.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Linear electromagnetic excitation of an asymmetric low pressure capacitive discharge with unequal sheath widths

It is well-known that standing waves having radially center-high radio frequency (rf) voltage profiles exist in high frequency capacitive discharges. In this work, we determine the symmetric and antisymmetric radially propagating waves in a cylindrical capacitive discharge that is asymmetrically driven at the lower electrode by an rf voltage source. The discharge is modeled as a uniform bulk plasma which at lower frequencies has a thicker sheath at the smaller area powered electrode and a thinner sheath at the larger area grounded electrode. These are self-consistently determined at a specified density using the Child law to calculate sheath widths and the electron power balance to calculate the rf voltage. The fields and the system resonant frequencies are determined. The center-to-edge voltage ratio on the powered electrode is calculated versus frequency, and central highs are found near the resonances. The results are compared with simulations in a similar geometry using a two-dimensional hybrid fluid-analytical code, giving mainly a reasonable agreement. The analytic model may be useful for finding good operating frequencies for a given discharge geometry and power.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Radio Frequency Plasma Discharge Lamps for Use as Stable Calibration Light Sources

Stable high radiance in visible and near-ultraviolet wavelengths is desirable for radiometric calibration sources. In this work, newly available electrodeless radio-frequency (RF) driven plasma light sources were combined with research grade, low-noise power supplies and coupled to an integrating sphere to produce a uniform radiance source. The stock light sources consist of a 28 VDC power supply, RF driver, and a resonant RF cavity. The RF cavity includes a small bulb with a fill gas that is ionized by the electric field and emits light. This assembly is known as the emitter. The RF driver supplies a source of RF energy to the emitter. In commercial form, embedded electronics within the RF driver perform a continual optimization routine to maximize energy transfer to the emitter. This optimization routine continually varies the light output sinusoidally by approximately 2% over a several-second period. Modifying to eliminate this optimization eliminates the sinusoidal variation but allows the output to slowly drift over time. This drift can be minimized by allowing sufficient warm-up time to achieve thermal equilibrium. It was also found that supplying the RF driver with a low-noise source of DC electrical power improves the stability of the lamp output. Finally, coupling the light into an integrating sphere reduces the effect of spatial fluctuations, and decreases noise at the output port of the sphere.

McAndrew, Brendan↗

The Klynac: An integrated klystron and linear accelerator

The Klynac concept integrates an electron gun, a radio frequency (RF) power source, and a coupled-cavity linear accelerator into a single resonant system. The klystron is essentially a conventional klystron structure with an input cavity, some number of intermediate cavities and an output cavity. The accelerator structure is, likewise, a conventional on-axis coupled structure. The uniqueness is the means of coupling the klystron output cavity to the accelerator. The coupler is a resonant coupler rather than an ordinary transmission line. The geometry of such a system need not be coaxial. However, if the klystron and accelerator are coaxial we can eliminate the need for a separate cathode for the accelerator by injecting some of the klystron beam into the accelerator. Such a device can be made cylindrical which is ideal for some applications.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Development of a 402.5 MHz 140 kW Inductive Output Tube

This report contains the results of Phase I of an SBIR to develop a Pulsed Inductive Output Tube (IOT) with 140 kW at 400 MHz for powering H-proton beams. A number of sources, including single beam and multiple beam klystrons, can provide this power, but the IOT provides higher efficiency. Efficiencies exceeding 70% are routinely achieved. The gain is typically limited to approximately 24 dB; however, the availability of highly efficient, solid state drivers reduces the significance of this limitation, particularly at lower frequencies. This program initially focused on developing a 402 MHz IOT; however, the DOE requirement for this device was terminated during the program. The SBIR effort was refocused on improving the IOT design codes to more accurately simulate the time dependent behavior of the input cavity, electron gun, output cavity, and collector. Significant improvement was achieved in modeling capability and simulation accuracy.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Optimization of sputtering NiOx films for perovskite solar cell applications

Highlights: • NiO{sub x} HTLs were fabricated by three kinds of magnetron sputtering techniques. • Chemical composition, lattice strain and energy levels of NiO{sub x} films were studied and compared. • PSCs based on sputtered NiO{sub x} HTL achieved highest PCE of 16.3% with negligible hysteresis. • Compared with PEDOT:PSS HTL, PSCs based on NiO{sub x} HTL exhibited enhanced stability in air. - Abstract: In this work, we systematically investigated the properties of three kinds of NiO{sub x} films prepared by magnetron sputtering either NiO or Ni target under direct current (DC) or radio frequency (RF) power without any preheating. Those NiO{sub x} films were found to be different in composition ratios, lattice strain and energy levels, thus showing different optical and carrier transport properties. By RF power source, sputtering Ni target in pure O{sub 2} atmosphere led to NiO{sub x} film with relatively good crystallization and surface properties compared with other two types of NiO{sub x} films. These NiO{sub x} films were further introduced into CH{sub 3}NH{sub 3}PbI{sub 3} based planar p-i-n heterojunction perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as the hole transport layers (HTL). It is revealed that PSCs based on NiO{sub x} HTL prepared by sputtering Ni target in pure O{sub 2} atmosphere achieved a highest power conversion efficiency of 16.3% with negligible hysteresis. Compared with devices with PEDOT:PSS HTL, PSCs based on magnetron sputtered NiO{sub x} HTL presented substantially improved stability in air. The results provide theoretical and experimental guidance on selecting NiO{sub x} HTLs fabricated by magnetron sputtering techniques.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Bi-resonant klynac

Here in this work, we present the first analysis of a new device called the bi-resonant klynac, which is a combined klystron and linac. In a bi-resonant klynac, all RF cells, except for the cell that acts as the input for the klystron section, belong to a single resonant circuit. This resonant coupling configuration leads to increased operational stability and can tolerate significant temperature variations. In this paper, a basic analysis of this device is presented, including discussions of how it operates and of the advantages of resonantly coupling the RF generation directly to the linac. We additionally describe the approach used to numerically model the klynac and we include detailed simulations of a 50-kV, 10-A klynac that produces a 1-MeV, 0.1-A output beam. In conclusion, this type of device may be especially useful for situations where an electron beam is needed at low cost.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Negative ion production in the RF multiaperture surface-plasma source

The experiments on negative hydrogen ion beam production in a multi-aperture long-pulse surface-plasma source are described. H- ions are produced on the surface of a plasma grid covered by cesium and illuminated by fast plasma particles. The source uses a radio-frequency driver to generate plasma. A composite magnet system made of external permanent magnets confines and filters electrons in the plasma region, and deflects them in the extraction area. A multiaperture, multi-electrode ion optical system is used for beam formation. The electrode heating and cooling during long pulses is accomplished by circulating a heat transfer fluid through channels drilled in the electrodes bodies. H- ions extraction through a single aperture and 21 apertures was performed and studied. A stable H- beam with the current up to 0.7 A, energy up to 74 kV, and pulse duration up to 7 s was routinely obtained.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Helicon antenna radiation patterns in a high-density hydrogen linear plasma device

Antenna radiation patterns in the vicinity of a helicon antenna are investigated in hydrogen plasmas produced in the MAGPIE linear plasma device. Using a uniform cold-plasma full-wave code, we model the wave physics in MAGPIE and find good agreement with experimental wave measurements. We show for the first time which antenna elements in a helicon device couple most strongly to the plasma and discuss the physical mechanism that determines this effect. Helicon wavefields in the near field of the antenna are best described in terms of the group velocity and ray direction, while far from the antenna, helicon wavefields behave like plane waves and are best described in terms of eigen-modes. In addition, we present recent 2D axis-symmetric full-wave simulations of the 120 kW helicon source in ProtoMPEX [Rapp et al., IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. 44(12), 3456–3464 (2016); Caughman et al., J. Vac. Sci. Technol. Vac. Surf. Films 35, 03E114 (2017); and Goulding et al., Fusion Sci. Technol. 72(4), 588–594 (2017)] (ne∼ 5 × 1019 m−3, B0∼ 70 mT, and f= 13.56 MHz) where the antenna radiation patterns are evident, and we provide an interpretation of the numerical results using the ideas developed in this paper.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Observations of electron heating during 28 GHz microwave power application in proto-MPEX

The Prototype Material Plasma Exposure Experiment at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory utilizes a variety of power systems to generate and deliver a high heat flux plasma onto the surface of material targets. In the experiments described here, a deuterium plasma is produced via a ~100 kW, 13.56 MHz RF helicon source, to which ~20 kW of 28 GHz microwave power is applied. The electron density and temperature profiles are measured using a Thomson scattering (TS) diagnostic, and indicate that the electron density is centrally peaked. In the core of the plasma column, the electron density is higher than the cut-off density (~0.9 × 1019 m -3 ) for the launched mixture of X- and O-mode electron cyclotron heating waves to propagate. TS measurements indicate electron temperature increases from ~5 eV to ~20 eV during 28 GHz power application when the neutral deuterium pressure is reduced below 0.13 Pa (~1 mTorr.).

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Low-loss superconducting titanium nitride grown using plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy

Titanium nitride (TiN) is a known superconducting material that is attractive for use as passive components in superconducting circuits for both conventional and quantum information devices. In contrast to conventional synthesis techniques, here, plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy is reported to produce high-quality TiN on bare silicon wafers. Using a rf-plasma source to crack the nitrogen molecules and a conventional high-temperature effusion cell for titanium, TiN growth is completed under nitrogen-rich conditions. The growth and nucleation is monitored in situ, while the structure and composition are characterized using x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy. The stoichiometric TiN (111) films sit on an amorphous nitride layer with low impurity concentrations. The films superconduct with Tc=5.4 K, and coplanar waveguide resonators are fabricated with a small center width of 6 μm that demonstrate single-photon quality factors approaching 1M and high-power quality factors over 5M without observing saturation.

Richardson, C. J. K. (ORCID:0000000188175347)↗

One-dimensional ion-beam figuring for grazing-incidence reflective optics

One-dimensional ion-beam figuring (1D-IBF) can improve grazing-incidence reflective optics, such as Kirkpatrick–Baez mirrors. 1D-IBF requires only one motion degree of freedom, which reduces equipment complexity, resulting in compact and low-cost IBF instrumentation. Furthermore, 1D-IBF is easy to integrate into a single vacuum system with other fabrication processes, such as a thin-film deposition. The NSLS-II Optical Metrology and Fabrication Group has recently integrated the 1D-IBF function into an existing thin-film deposition system by adding an RF ion source to the system. Using a rectangular grid, a 1D removal function needed to perform 1D-IBF has been produced. In this paper, demonstration experiments of the 1D-IBF process are presented on one spherical and two plane samples. The final residual errors on both plane samples are less than 1 nm r.m.s. In conclusion, the surface error on the spherical sample has been successfully reduced by a factor of 12. The results show that the 1D-IBF method is an effective method to process high-precision 1D synchrotron optics.

ion beam figuring↗

High-Efficiency Inductive Output Tubes Using a Third Harmonic Drive on the Grid

In this article, we discuss the use of a third harmonic component to the drive voltage on the grid of an inductive output tube (IOT). High-efficiency IOTs are typically characterized by efficiencies up to 70%–75%. However, the achievement of efficiencies greater than 80% would substantially reduce the operating costs of next-generation accelerators. In order to achieve this goal, we consider the addition of a third harmonic component to the drive signal on the grid of an IOT. The use of a third harmonic drive component in IOT guns has been considered in order to apply such a gun as the injector of radio frequency linear accelerators (RF linacs). Furthermore, we consider that the IOT will be used to provide the rf power to drive RF linacs and apply the third harmonic with the intention of increasing the efficiency of the RF output of the IOT. We consider a model IOT with a 700-MHz resonant cavity and using an annular beam with a voltage of 30 kV, an average current of 6.67 A yielding a perveance of about 1.3 μP. We simulate this IOT using the NEMESIS simulation code which has been successfully validated by comparison with the K5H90W-2 IOT developed by Communications and Power Industries. It is found that the effect of the third harmonic on the efficiency is greatest when the phase of the third harmonic is shifted by radians with respect to the fundamental drive signal and with third harmonic powers greater than about 50% that of the fundamental drive power. For the present example, we show that efficiencies approaching 86% are possible by this means.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

MAGNETIC FLUX EXPULSION IN SUPERCONDUCTING RADIO-FREQUENCY NIOBIUM CAVITIES MADE FROM COLD WORKED NIOBIUM

Trapped residual magnetic field during the cool down of superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities is one of the primary sources of RF residual losses leading to lower quality factor. Historically, SRF cavities have been fabricated from high purity fine grain niobium with grain size ~50 to 100 µm as well as large grain with grain size of the order of few centimeters. Non-uniform recrystallization of fine-grain Nb cavities after the post fabrication heat treatment leads to higher flux trapping during the cool down, and hence the lower quality factor. We fabricated two 1.3 GHz single cell cavities from cold-worked niobium from different vendors and processed along with cavities made from SRF grade Nb. The flux expulsion and flux trapping sensitivity were measured after successive heat treatments in the range 800 to 1000°C. The flux expulsion from cold-worked fine-grain Nb cavities improves after 800°C/3h heat treatments and it becomes similar to that of standard fine-grain Nb cavities when the heat treatment temperature is higher than 900°C.

Khanal, B. D.↗

EVALUATION OF FLUX EXPULSION AND FLUX TRAPPING SENSITIVITY OF SRF CAVITIES FABRICATED FROM COLDWORK NB SHEET WITH SUCCESSIVE HEAT TREATMENT

The main source of RF losses leading to lower quality factor of SRF cavities is due to the residual magnetic flux trapped during cooldown. The loss due to flux trapping is more pronounced for cavities subjected to impurities doping. The flux trapping and its sensitivity to rf losses are related to several intrinsic and extrinsic phenomena. To elucidate the effect of recrystallization by high temperature heat treatment on the flux trapping sensitivity, we have fabricated two 1.3 GHz single cell cavities from cold-worked Nb sheets and compared with cavities made from standard fine-grain Nb. Flux expulsion ratio and flux trapping sensitivity were measured after successive high temperature heat treatments as well as after low temperature, 120 0C baking. The cavity made from cold worked Nb showed better performance after 800 0C/3hr heat treatment and similar behavior when heat treated with additional 900 0C and 1000 0C compared to standard fine-grain Nb cavity. In this contribution, we present the summary of flux expulsion, trapping sensitivity and results from RF tests at 2 K.

Khanal, Bashu↗