Results for “Compact accelerators” — Page 19

NASA NTRS2010

Compact Sensitive Piezoelectric Mass Balance for Measurement of Unconsolidated Materials in Space

In many in-situ instruments information about the mass of the sample could aid in the interpretation of the data and portioning instruments might require an accurate sizing of the sample mass before dispensing the sample. In addition, on potential sample return missions a method to directly assess the captured sample size would be required to determine if the sampler could return or needs to continue attempting to acquire sample. In an effort to meet these requirements piezoelectric balances were developed using flextensional actuators which are capable of monitoring the mass using two methods. A piezoelectric balance could be used to measure mass directly by monitoring the voltage developed across the piezoelectric which is linear with force, or it could be used in resonance to produce a frequency change proportional to the mass change. In this case of the latter, the piezoelectric actuator/balance would be swept in frequency through its fundamental resonance. If a mass is added to the balance the resonance frequency would shift down proportionally to the mass. By monitoring the frequency shift the mass could be determined. This design would allow for two independent measurements of the mass. In microgravity environments spacecraft thrusters could be used to provide acceleration in order to produce the required force for the first technique or to bring the mass into contact with the balance in the second approach. In addition, the measuring actuators, if driven at higher voltages, could be used to fluidize the powder to aid sample movement. In this paper, we outline some of our design considerations and present the results of a few prototype balances that we have developed.

resonance↗

DOE OSTI2024

An Engineering Prototype of a Late Stage Ionization Cooling Cell for a Muon Collider

Achieving the low emittances required for a muon collider requires ionization cooling. Much of that cooling occurs in compact cooling cells where superconducting coils and conventional RF cavities are closely interleaved. The real challenges for these cooling cells reside in their engineering challenges: high field solenoids, RF cavities, and absorbers, often designed near technological limits, placed in close proximity to each other. We thus propose to build a prototype ionization cooling cell to demonstrate the capability of constructing an ionization cooling channel reaching the lowest emittances and to provide engineering input for the design of such beamlines.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

NASA NTRS2011

Planck Early Results. XV. Spectral Energy Distributions and Radio Continuum Spectra of Northern Extragalactic Radio Sources

Spectral energy distributions (SEDs) and radio continuum spectra are presented for a northern sample of 104 extragalactic radio sources. based on the Planck Early Release Compact Source Catalogue (ERCSC) and simultaneous multi frequency data. The nine Planck frequencies, from 30 to 857 GHz, are complemented by a set of simultaneous observations ranging from radio to gamma-rays. This is the first extensive frequency coverage in the radio and millimetre domains for an essentially complete sample of extragalactic radio sources, and it shows how the individual shocks, each in their own phase of development, shape the radio spectra as they move in the relativistic jet. The SEDs presented in this paper were fitted with second and third degree polynomials to estimate the frequencies of the synchrotron and inverse Compton (IC) peaks, and the spectral indices of low and high frequency radio data, including the Planck ERCSC data, were calculated. SED modelling methods are discussed, with an emphasis on proper. physical modelling of the synchrotron bump using multiple components. Planck ERCSC data also suggest that the original accelerated electron energy spectrum could be much harder than commonly thought, with power-law index around 1.5 instead of the canonical 2.5. The implications of this are discussed for the acceleration mechanisms effective in blazar shock. Furthermore in many cases the Planck data indicate that gamma-ray emission must originate in the same shocks that produce the radio emission.

Aatrokoski, J.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Fermi-LAT Captures a Late-2024 Gamma-Ray Outburst near Two Newly Identified Gamma-Ray-emitting Galactic Supernova Remnants, without Evidence of Physical Association

We report the gamma-ray study of two neighboring in the sky Galactic supernova remnants (SNRs), namely, 3C 434.1 (or G094.0+01.0) and G093.7–00.2. In the vicinity of the two SNRs, a late-2024 gamma-ray outburst—not physically connected to the SNRs—was detected with the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT). Employing 16.5 yr of Fermi-LAT data, we report the first firm detection of the gamma-ray counterpart of 3C 434.1 at a 7.2σ significance and a likely detection of an enhanced gamma-ray emission signal at a 4.5σ level from G093.7–00.2. The late-2024 gamma-ray outburst is detected at a ∼12σ significance level over a duration of 3 days. For all three objects, a comprehensive morphological and spectral analysis of the corresponding gamma-ray data was conducted. The prevalent scenario for the nature of the gamma-ray emission of both SNRs is attributed to their surrounding environment. Both are likely interacting with nearby dense material, resulting in hadronically induced gamma-ray emission. We deduce that the outburst source is most likely a blazar in flare, linked to the compact, flat-spectrum radio source TXS 2138+527 (also known as NVSS J213953+530016). Further, the spectral analysis of the gamma-ray source conducted within the 100 MeV–800 GeV energy range using the complete LAT data sets, which yielded a soft averaged spectral shape, supports the hypothesis of a flat spectrum radio quasar (FSRQ) origin for the source; with a most likely leptonically induced scenario for the observed gamma-ray outburst as inferred from the obtained hard spectral shape when utilizing short time intervals focusing on the outburst.

Michailidis, Miltiadis [Stanford Univ., CA (United↗

NASA NTRS1965

Hypervelocity gun

A velocity amplifier system which uses both electric and chemical energy for projectile propulsion is provided in a compact hypervelocity gun suitable for laboratory use. A relatively heavy layer of a tamping material such as concrete encloses a loop of an electrically conductive material. An explosive charge at least partially surrounding the loop is adapted to collapse the loop upon detonation of the charge. A source of electricity charges the loop through two leads, and an electric switch which is activated by the charge explosive charge, disconnects the leads from the source of electricity and short circuits them. An opening in the tamping material extends to the loop and forms a barrel. The loop, necked down in the opening, forms the sabot on which the projectile is located. When the loop is electrically charged and the explosive detonated, the loop is short circuited and collapsed thus building up a magnetic field which acts as a sabot catcher. The sabot is detached from the loop and the sabot and projectile are accelerated to hypervelocity.

Ford, F. C.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Roadmap on basic research needs for laser technology

Motivated by the profound impact of laser technology on science, arising from an increase in focused light intensity by seven orders of magnitude and flashes so short electron motion is visible, this roadmap outlines the paths forward in laser technology to enable the next generation of science and applications. Despite remarkable progress, the field confronts challenges in developing compact, high-power sources, enhancing scalability and efficiency, and ensuring safety standards. Future research endeavors aim to revolutionize laser power, energy, repetition rate and precision control; to transform mid-infrared sources; to revolutionize approaches to field control and frequency conversion. These require reinvention of materials and optics to enable intense laser science and interdisciplinary collaboration. The roadmap underscores the dynamic nature of laser technology and its potential to address global challenges, propelling progress and fostering sustainable development. Ultimately, advancements in laser technology hold promise to revolutionize myriad applications, heralding a future defined by innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2025

Analytic reconstruction with massive particles: one-loop amplitudes for $0\to \overline{q} qt\overline{t}H$

We present an analytic reconstruction of one-loop amplitudes for the process $0\to \overline{q} qt\overline{t}H$. Our calculation is a novel use of analytic reconstruction, retaining explicit covariance in the massive spin states through the massive spinor-helicity formalism. The analytic reconstruction relies on embedding the massive five-point kinematics in a fully massless eight-point phase space while still building a minimal ansatz directly in the five-point phase space. In order to obtain compact analytic expressions it is necessary to identify suitable partial fraction decompositions and extract common numerator factors, which we achieve through careful inspection of limits in which pairs of denominators vanish. We find that the resulting amplitudes are more numerically efficient than ones computed using automatic methods but that the gains are not as significant as in the massless case, at least at present. The method opens the door to applications at two-loop order, where numerical efficiency and improvements in the reconstruction methodology are more crucial, especially with regards to the number of free parameters in the ansatz.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

NASA NTRS1996

On the Anticorrelation Between High Accretion Luminosity and Radio Jet Ejection in Gro J1655-40 and Other Objects

A model is described in which radio jet formation in accreting objects is suppressed by processes which occur when the accretion rate approaches the Eddington limit. This was motivated by GRO J1655-40 and other objects which show an anticorrelation between high luminosity and the onset of a radio jet. The jet production mechanism employed is the Blandford-Payne MHD acceleration process, seeded by an e'e- pair wind. Observations indicate that all key ingredients of this mechanism are, or should be, present in these sources. Observed jet velocities and total powers are consistent with theoretical and numerical predictions of this model. The primary jet suppression mechanism proposed is the Papaloizou-Pringle compressible shear instability, which should disrupt the jet-producing region of the disk when the accretion rate approaches about one-third Eddington. The turn-on of the jet in GRO J 1 655 - 40 is consistent with this estimate. When super-Eddington, the disk should also drive an optically thick, subrelativistic wind, which may be a secondary jet suppression mechanism. The possible presence of such a wind is seen in the early spectral evolution of GRO J1655-40 and in the broad absorption lines of certain quasi-stellar objects (QSOs). Important tests of the model would be independent measurements of the compact object masses in these sources, a comparison of normal and broad absorption line (BAL) QSO X-ray spectra to see if the latter objects are significantly cooler, and a low-frequency search around BAL QSOs to see if at least some have fossil radio sources.

Meier, D.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Reactive Carbide‐Based Synthesis and Microstructure of NASICON Sodium Metal All Solid‐State Electrolyte

Reactive carbide precursor-based synthesis of NASICON-type NZSP (Na 1+x Zr 2 Si x P 3-x O 12 ) solid-state electrolyte (SSE) is demonstrated, in contrast to the established oxide-based approach. Exothermic decomposition of ZrC and SiC in air homogenizes microstructure, yielding 98% compact density after conventional sintering at 1200 °C. Quantitative stereology demonstrates that significant microstructural differences are present. Compacts of carbide-derived Carb-NZSP are 98% dense with a secondary zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ) volume fraction of 0.2% ± 0.3%, versus 93% dense and 3% ± 1% for oxide-derived baseline. For Carb-NZSP, the secondary glassy phosphate phase is agglomerated, while for baseline, it is dispersed and percolated. Electrochemical testing combined with post-mortem analysis demonstrates how microstructural control of secondary phases is critical for dendrite suppression: Carb-NZSP critical current density (CCD) is 3.1 ± 0.8 mA cm −2 at 0.1 mAh cm −2 , versus 1.0 ± 0.7 mA cm −2 at 0.1 mAh cm −2 . Cryogenic focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) analysis demonstrates that in both materials, the porous 2D sheet-like sodium metal dendrites propagate around and subsume NZSP grains, likely following a path enriched with glassy phase and with porosity. Dendrites also flow around isolated zirconia particles. Phase field simulation reveals deflection of dendrites by mechanically tough zirconia, while brittle glassy phase accelerates dendrite growth, especially when finely distributed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2025

Efficient mutagenesis and genotyping of maize inbreds using biolistics, multiplex CRISPR/Cas9 editing, and Indel-Selective PCR

CRISPR/Cas9 based genome editing has advanced our understanding of a myriad of important biological phenomena. Important challenges to multiplex genome editing in maize include assembly of large complex DNA constructs, few genotypes with efficient transformation systems, and costly/labor-intensive genotyping methods. Here we present an approach for multiplex CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system that delivers a single compact DNA construct via biolistics to Type I embryogenic calli, followed by a novel efficient genotyping assay to identify desirable editing outcomes. We first demonstrate the creation of heritable mutations at multiple target sites within the same gene. Next, we successfully created individual and stacked mutations for multiple members of a gene family. Genome sequencing found off-target mutations are rare. Multiplex genome editing was achieved for both the highly transformable inbred line H99 and Illinois Low Protein1 (ILP1), a genotype where transformation has not previously been reported. In addition to screening transformation events for deletion alleles by PCR, we also designed PCR assays that selectively amplify deletion or insertion of a single nucleotide, the most common outcome from DNA repair of CRISPR/Cas9 breaks by non-homologous end-joining. The Indel-Selective PCR (IS-PCR) method enabled rapid tracking of multiple edited alleles in progeny populations. The ‘end to end’ pipeline presented here for multiplexed CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis can be applied to accelerate maize functional genomics in a broader diversity of genetic backgrounds.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2025

Data for "Efficient Mutagenesis and Genotyping of Maize Inbreds Using Biolistics, Multiplex CRISPR/Cas9 Editing, and Indel-Selective PCR"

CRISPR/Cas9 based genome editing has advanced our understanding of a myriad of important biological phenomena. Important challenges to multiplex genome editing in maize include assembly of large complex DNA constructs, few genotypes with efficient transformation systems, and costly/labor-intensive genotyping methods. Here we present an approach for multiplex CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system that delivers a single compact DNA construct via biolistics to Type I embryogenic calli, followed by a novel efficient genotyping assay to identify desirable editing outcomes. We first demonstrate the creation of heritable mutations at multiple target sites within the same gene. Next, we successfully created individual and stacked mutations for multiple members of a gene family. Genome sequencing found off-target mutations are rare. Multiplex genome editing was achieved for both the highly transformable inbred line H99 and Illinois Low Protein1 (ILP1), a genotype where transformation has not previously been reported. In addition to screening transformation events for deletion alleles by PCR, we also designed PCR assays that selectively amplify deletion or insertion of a single nucleotide, the most common outcome from DNA repair of CRISPR/Cas9 breaks by non-homologous end-joining. The Indel-Selective PCR (IS-PCR) method enabled rapid tracking of multiple edited alleles in progeny populations. The ‘end to end’ pipeline presented here for multiplexed CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis can be applied to accelerate maize functional genomics in a broader diversity of genetic backgrounds.

gene editing↗

NASA NTRS2008

High Velocity Linear Induction Launcher with Exit-Edge Compensation for Testing of Aerospace Components

Advances in ultra high speed linear induction electromagnetic launchers over the past decade have focused on magnetic compensation of the exit and entry-edge transient flux wave to produce efficient and compact linear electric machinery. The paper discusses two approaches to edge compensation in long-stator induction catapults with typical end speeds of 150 to 1,500 m/s. In classical linear induction machines, the exit-edge effect is manifest as two auxiliary traveling waves that produce a magnetic drag on the projectile and a loss of magnetic flux over the main surface of the machine. In the new design for the Stator Compensated Induction Machine (SCIM) high velocity launcher, the exit-edge effect is nulled by a dual wavelength machine or alternately the airgap flux is peaked at a location prior to the exit edge. A four (4) stage LIM catapult is presently being constructed for 180 m/s end speed operation using double-sided longitudinal flux machines. Advanced exit and entry edge compensation is being used to maximize system efficiency, and minimize stray heating of the reaction armature. Each stage will output approximately 60 kN of force and produce over 500 G s of acceleration on the armature. The advantage of this design is there is no ablation to the projectile and no sliding contacts, allowing repeated firing of the launcher without maintenance of any sort. The paper shows results of a parametric study for 500 m/s and 1,500 m/s linear induction launchers incorporating two of the latest compensation techniques for an air-core stator primary and an iron-core primary winding. Typical thrust densities for these machines are in the range of 150 kN/sq.m. to 225 kN/sq.m. and these compete favorably with permanent magnet linear synchronous machines. The operational advantages of the high speed SCIM launcher are shown by eliminating the need for pole-angle position sensors as would be required by synchronous systems. The stator power factor is also improved.

Kuznetsov, Stephen↗

NASA NTRS2013

Induction Heating Model of Cermet Fuel Element Environmental Test (CFEET)

Deep space missions with large payloads require high specific impulse and relatively high thrust to achieve mission goals in reasonable time frames. Nuclear Thermal Rockets (NTR) are capable of producing a high specific impulse by employing heat produced by a fission reactor to heat and therefore accelerate hydrogen through a rocket nozzle providing thrust. Fuel element temperatures are very high (up to 3000 K) and hydrogen is highly reactive with most materials at high temperatures. Data covering the effects of high‐temperature hydrogen exposure on fuel elements are limited. The primary concern is the mechanical failure of fuel elements due to large thermal gradients; therefore, high‐melting‐point ceramics‐metallic matrix composites (cermets) are one of the fuels under consideration as part of the Nuclear Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (NCPS) Advance Exploration System (AES) technology project at the Marshall Space Flight Center. The purpose of testing and analytical modeling is to determine their ability to survive and maintain thermal performance in a prototypical NTR reactor environment of exposure to hydrogen at very high temperatures and obtain data to assess the properties of the non‐nuclear support materials. The fission process and the resulting heating performance are well known and do not require that active fissile material to be integrated in this testing. A small‐scale test bed; Compact Fuel Element Environmental Tester (CFEET), designed to heat fuel element samples via induction heating and expose samples to hydrogen is being developed at MSFC to assist in optimal material and manufacturing process selection without utilizing fissile material. This paper details the analytical approach to help design and optimize the test bed using COMSOL Multiphysics for predicting thermal gradients induced by electromagnetic heating (Induction heating) and Thermal Desktop for radiation calculations.

Gomez, C. F.↗

NASA NTRS2013

Induction Heating Model of Cermet Fuel Element Environmental Test (CFEET)

Deep space missions with large payloads require high specific impulse and relatively high thrust to achieve mission goals in reasonable time frames. Nuclear Thermal Rockets (NTR) are capable of producing a high specific impulse by employing heat produced by a fission reactor to heat and therefore accelerate hydrogen through a rocket nozzle providing thrust. Fuel element temperatures are very high (up to 3000 K) and hydrogen is highly reactive with most materials at high temperatures. Data covering the effects of high‐temperature hydrogen exposure on fuel elements are limited. The primary concern is the mechanical failure of fuel elements due to large thermal gradients; therefore, high‐melting‐point ceramics‐metallic matrix composites (cermets) are one of the fuels under consideration as part of the Nuclear Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (NCPS) Advance Exploration System (AES) technology project at the Marshall Space Flight Center. The purpose of testing and analytical modeling is to determine their ability to survive and maintain thermal performance in a prototypical NTR reactor environment of exposure to hydrogen at very high temperatures and obtain data to assess the properties of the non‐nuclear support materials. The fission process and the resulting heating performance are well known and do not require that active fissile material to be integrated in this testing. A small‐scale test bed; Compact Fuel Element Environmental Tester (CFEET), designed to heat fuel element samples via induction heating and expose samples to hydrogen is being developed at MSFC to assist in optimal material and manufacturing process selection without utilizing fissile material. This paper details the analytical approach to help design and optimize the test bed using COMSOL Multiphysics for predicting thermal gradients induced by electromagnetic heating (Induction heating) and Thermal Desktop for radiation calculations.

Gomez, Carlos F.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Uncertainty Propagation from Experiment Measurements to Modeling Approaches: A Case for SMR Steam Entrainment Testing

To license new and advanced reactor designs, regulators must be convinced that their unique safety cases—relative to existing large scale reactors—have been adequately addressed by the designed reactor protection systems. In water cooled small modular reactors (SMRs), droplet entrainment in steam flow has significant implications on the progression of accident scenarios due to its compact design features, which requires representative test data applicable to SMR designs. Computer code, modeling and simulation (M&S) tools and models require adequate verification, assessment, and qualification. This includes M&S results validation against scaled empirical data within allowable uncertainty bands to gain regulatory approvals during the various stages of reactor system design, demonstration, and commercialization. However, measurement uncertainty within the empirical datasets and test data applicability ranges requires careful consideration of M&S inputs (i.e., boundary conditions, and initial conditions), and verification and validation efforts. This study focuses on uncertainty quantification in designing scaled test facilities for SMR applications with appropriate measurements and a standard data-reduction method to estimate thermal hydraulics characteristics parameters that incorporate physics phenomena of interest. In addition, this study supports the evaluation model development and assessment process using M&S that interfaces with advanced computing tools and digital twin capabilities. This will allow synchronization between experiment and modeling approaches for droplet entrainment testing and analysis, improving diagnostics, prognostics, and decision-making to accelerate regulatory approval.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Design, Fabrication and Concept for the Surface Treatment of the SRF Cavity Prototype for the CLIC Damping Rings

The Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) Damping Rings (DRs) need to generate ultra-low emittance bunches to achieve high luminosity in CLIC. This requires many wiggler magnets with big energy loss which is compensated by the Radio Frequency (RF) system. The resulting strong beam loading transients lead to a challenging design for the RF system. A novel SRF cavity at 2 GHz with an ultra-low R/Q parameter of below 1 Ω is proposed to minimize the transient beam loading effects below acceptable level. The design and fabrication of the bulk Nb prototype based on turning from a single piece of Nb and EB welding is presented. Moreover, conceptual study of the system for cavity surface treatment to achieve the highest surface magnetic field which is the main goal of the prototype cold test is described as well. To enable excellent performance in this cavity, we plan to apply the 75/120C modified low temperature bake in combination with the cold electropolishing process. This surface treatment approach has been shown to consistently deliver high accelerating gradients and improved quality factors in TESLA-shaped 1.3 GHz SRF cavities. By adapting and implementing this process for the 2 GHz ultra-low R/Q design, we aim to maximize the achievable surface magnetic field while minimizing residual resistance and field emission. This treatment strategy will be critical for demonstrating that the cavity can meet the demanding performance requirements of the CLIC damping ring RF system under high beam loading conditions.

Bafia, Daniel P. [Fermilab]↗

DOE OSTI2025

Possible origin of α -vacua as the initial state of the Universe

We investigate the cosmological observables using the Euclidean path integral approach. Specifically, we study both the no-boundary compact instantons scenario and the Euclidean wormholes scenario that can induce the creation of two universes from nothing. It is known that perturbations associated with the no-boundary scenario can only be consistent with the Bunch-Davies vacuum. Here, in this study, we demonstrate that the Euclidean wormholes can allow for a de Sitter invariant vacuum, the so-called α -vacua state, where the Bunch-Davies vacuum is a special case. This therefore provides the α -vacua a geometrical origin. As an aside, we discuss a subtle phase issue when considering the power spectrum related to α -vacua in the closed universe framework.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Fine-tuning machine-learned particle-flow reconstruction for new detector geometries in future colliders

We demonstrate transfer learning capabilities in a machine-learned algorithm trained for particle-flow reconstruction in high energy particle colliders. This paper presents a cross-detector fine-tuning study, where we initially pretrain the model on a large full simulation dataset from one detector design, and subsequently fine-tune the model on a sample with a different collider and detector design. Specifically, we use the Compact Linear Collider detector (CLICdet) model for the initial training set and demonstrate successful knowledge transfer to the CLIC-like detector (CLD) proposed for the Future Circular Collider in electron-positron mode. We show that with an order of magnitude less samples from the second dataset, we can achieve the same performance as a costly training from scratch, across particle-level and event-level performance metrics, including jet and missing transverse momentum resolution. Furthermore, we find that the fine-tuned model achieves comparable performance to the traditional rule-based particle-flow approach on event-level metrics after training on 100,000 CLD events, whereas a model trained from scratch requires at least 1 million CLD events to achieve similar reconstruction performance. To our knowledge, this represents the first full-simulation cross-detector transfer learning study for particle-flow reconstruction. These findings offer valuable insights towards building large foundation models that can be fine-tuned across different detector designs and geometries, helping to accelerate the development cycle for new detectors and opening the door to rapid detector design and optimization using machine learning.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗