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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 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2011

Quantification Of Cesium In Negative Hydrogen Ion Sources By Laser Absorption Spectroscopy

The use of cesium in negative hydrogen ion sources and the resulting cesium dynamics caused by the evaporation and redistribution in the vacuum and plasma phase makes a reliable and on-line monitoring of the cesium amount in the source highly desirable. For that purpose, a robust and compact laser absorption setup suitable for the ion source environment has been developed utilizing the Cs D{sub 2} resonance line at 852.1 nm. First measurements are taken in a small laboratory plasma chamber with cesium evaporation. A detection limit of {approx_equal}5x10{sup 13} m{sup -3} at a typical path length of 15 cm has been obtained with a dynamic range of more than three orders of magnitude, limited by line saturation at high densities. For on-line monitoring an automatic data analysis is established achieving a temporal resolution of 100 ms. The setup has then been applied to the ITER prototype ion sources developed at IPP. It is been shown that the method is well suited for routine measurements revealing a new insight into the cesium dynamics during source operation and cesium conditioning.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Gas dynamic effects on formation of carbon dimers in laser-produced plasmas

We investigated the effect of helium and nitrogen pressures on the dynamics of molecular species formation during laser ablation of carbon. For producing plasmas, planar carbon targets were irradiated with 1064 nm, 6 ns pulses from an Nd:yttrium aluminum garnet laser. The emission from excited C{sub 2} and CN molecules was studied using space resolved optical time-of-flight emission spectroscopy and spectrally resolved fast imaging. The intensity oscillations in C{sub 2} and CN monochromatic fast imaging and their emission space-time contours suggest that recombination is the major mechanism of C{sub 2} formation within the laser ablation carbon plumes in the presence of ambient gas.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Collisional current drive in two interpenetrating plasma jets

The magnetic field generation in two interpenetrating, weakly collisional plasma streams produced by intense lasers is considered. The generation mechanism is very similar to the neutral beam injection current drive in toroidal fusion devices, with the differences related to the absence of the initial magnetic field, short interaction time, and different geometry. Spatial and temporal characteristics of the magnetic field produced in two counterstreaming jets are evaluated; it is shown that the magnetic field of order of 1 T can be generated for modest jet parameters. Conditions under which this mechanism dominates that of the ''Biermann battery'' are discussed. Other settings where the mechanism of the collisional current drive can be important for the generation of seed magnetic fields include astrophysics and interiors of hohlraums.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Enhancements of extreme ultraviolet emission using prepulsed Sn laser-produced plasmas for advanced lithography applications

Laser-produced plasmas (LPP) from Sn targets are seriously considered to be the light source for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) next generation lithography, and optimization of such a source will lead to improved efficiency and reduced cost of ownership of the entire lithography system. We investigated the role of reheating a prepulsed plasma and its effect on EUV conversion efficiency (CE). A 6 ns, 1.06 {mu}m Nd:yttrium aluminum garnet laser was used to generate the initial plasma that was then reheated by a 40 ns, 10.6 {mu}m CO{sub 2} laser to generate enhanced EUV emission from a planar Sn target. The effects of prepulsed laser intensity and delay timings between the prepulsed and the pumping pulse were investigated to find the optimal pre-plasma conditions before the pumping pulse. The initial optimization of these parameters resulted in 25% increase in CE from the tin LPP. The cause of increased EUV emission was identified from EUV emission spectra and ion signal data.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Directional elliptically polarized terahertz emission from air plasma produced by circularly polarized intense femtosecond laser pulses

We have observed directional elliptically polarized terahertz (THz) waves emitted from air plasma produced by circularly polarized femtosecond laser pulses. The spatial distribution of the THz waves shows that the radiation is strongly directed forward with a peak around the laser propagation direction. Measured THz power shows a square dependence on laser energy. We consider the parametric decay of laser light to R-waves in plasma in the presence of a spontaneous magnetic field as a possible explanation for the polarization, power dependence, and direction of the THz beam.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Mechanisms of impulsive magnetic reconnection: Global and local aspects

The global and local aspects of mechanisms of impulsive magnetic reconnection are discussed focusing on results from a dedicated laboratory experiment, MRX (Magnetic Reconnection Experiment), as well as fusion experiments. Possible application of the present analysis to reconnection phenomena in solar and space plasmas is also discussed. An external force which drives internal current in a fusion plasma causes magnetic flux to accumulate in a core section of the plasma (flux build-up). When the flux build-up generates a magnetic profile that satisfies a condition for a global magnetohydrodynamic instability to develop, reconnection takes place in an induced current layer generated by the instability leading to a global self-organization of the plasma. Generally the flux build-up phase is significantly longer than the reconnection time, {tau}{sub H} >> {tau}{sub Rec}, thus making the waveform of flux evolution or other plasma parameters sawtooth shaped. In the reconnection layer of collisionless plasmas, the two fluid dynamics would lead to the formation of a narrow electron current channel which tends to become unstable against micro-instabilities, leading to an unsteady or impulsive reconnection. A common feature of impulsive reconnection after flux build-up is presented.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

First neutral beam injection experiments on KSTAR tokamak

The first neutral beam (NB) injection system of the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) tokamak was partially completed in 2010 with only 1/3 of its full design capability, and NB heating experiments were carried out during the 2010 KSTAR operation campaign. The ion source is composed of a JAEA bucket plasma generator and a KAERI large multi-aperture accelerator assembly, which is designed to deliver a 1.5 MW, NB power of deuterium at 95 keV. Before the beam injection experiments, discharge, and beam extraction characteristics of the ion source were investigated. The ion source has good beam optics in a broad range of beam perveance. The optimum perveance is 1.1-1.3 {mu}P, and the minimum beam divergence angle measured by the Doppler shift spectroscopy is 0.8 deg. The ion species ratio is D{sup +}:D{sub 2}{sup +}:D{sub 3}{sup +}= 75:20:5 at beam current density of 85 mA/cm{sup 2}. The arc efficiency is more than 1.0 A/kW. In the 2010 KSTAR campaign, a deuterium NB power of 0.7-1.5 MW was successfully injected into the KSTAR plasma with a beam energy of 70-90 keV. L-H transitions were observed within a wide range of beam powers relative to a threshold value. The edge pedestal formation in the T{sub i} and T{sub e} profiles was verified through CES and electron cyclotron emission diagnostics. In every deuterium NB injection, a burst of D-D neutrons was recorded, and increases in the ion temperature and plasma stored energy were found.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Extreme ultraviolet source at 6.7 nm based on a low-density plasma

We demonstrate an efficient extreme ultraviolet (EUV) source for operation at {lambda} = 6.7 nm by optimizing the optical thickness of gadolinium (Gd) plasmas. Using low initial density Gd targets and dual laser pulse irradiation, we observed a maximum EUV conversion efficiency (CE) of 0.54% for 0.6% bandwidth (BW) (1.8% for 2% BW), which is 1.6 times larger than the 0.33% (0.6% BW) CE produced from a solid density target. Enhancement of the EUV CE by use of a low-density plasma is attributed to the reduction of self-absorption effects.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2011

Experimental quiescent drifting dusty plasmas and temporal dust acoustic wave growth

We report on dust acoustic wave growth rate measurements taken in a dc (anode glow) discharge plasma device. By introducing a mesh with a variable bias 12-17 cm from the anode, we developed a technique to produce a drifting dusty plasma. A secondary dust cloud, free of dust acoustic waves, was trapped adjacent to the anode side of the mesh. When the mesh was returned to its floating potential, the secondary cloud was released and streamed towards the anode and primary dust cloud, spontaneously exciting dust acoustic waves. The amplitude growth of the excited dust acoustic waves was measured directly along with the wavelength and Doppler shifted frequency. These measurements were compared to fluid and kinetic dust acoustic wave theories. As the wave growth saturated a transition from linear to nonlinear waves was observed. The merging of the secondary and primary dust clouds was also observed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

High-current discharge channel contraction in high density gas

Research results for discharges at current amplitudes of 0.5-1.6 MA and current rise rate of {approx}10{sup 10} A/s are presented. The discharge is performed in the hydrogen environment at the initial pressure of 5-35 MPa. Initiation is implemented by a wire explosion. The time length of the first half-period of the discharge current is 70-150 {mu}s. Under such conditions, discharge channel contraction is observed; the contraction is followed by soft x-ray radiation. The phenomena are discussed, which are determined by high density of the gas surrounding the discharge channel. These phenomena are increase of the current critical value, where the channel contraction begins and growth of temperature in the axis region of the channel, where the initial density of the gas increases.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Status of the plasma generator of the superconducting proton linac

In the framework of the superconducting proton linac (SPL) study at CERN, a new non-cesiated H{sup -} plasma generator driven by an external 2 MHz RF antenna has been developed and successfully operated at repetition rates of 50 Hz, pulse lengths of up to 3 ms, and average RF powers of up to 3 kW. The coupling efficiency of RF power into the plasma was determined by the cooling water temperatures and the analysis of the RF forward and reflected power and the antenna current and amounts to 50%-60%. The plasma resistance increases between 10 kW and 40 kW RF power from about 0.45 {Omega} to 0.65 {Omega}. Measurements of RF power dissipated in the ferrites and the magnets on a test bench show a 5-fold decrease of the power losses for the magnets when they are contained in a Cu box, thus validating the strategy of shielding the magnets with a high electrical conductivity material. An air cooling system was installed in the SPL plasma generator to control the temperatures of the ferrites despite hysteresis losses of several Watts.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Tore Supra LH transmitter upgrade, a new RF driver for the power spectrum

New real time tools have been developed for testing new 700kW/3.7GHz/CW klystrons and for the operations on very long plasma shots. After the commissioning of the 18 series tubes on the high power test bed facility, the installation of the first 8 klystrons in the Tore Supra transmitter and the adjustment tests on load, this upgrade work has been materialized during the last 2010 campaign by a successful operation on the Full Active Multijunction (FAM) C3 antenna, with new performances: 3.5MW/40s on plasma. The RF output power control in amplitude and phase has been improved for a better control of the wave spectrum launched into the plasma. The new klystrons have no modulating anode and the high cathode voltage must be adjusted with the RF input power in order to optimize the RF output power with a minimization of the thermal power losses in the collector. A new phase correction, depending on the 3 RF output power ranges used, has been introduced. The improvements made in 2009 and 2010 on the generic phase loop and the procedures used during the real time tests of the RF transfer functions in amplitude and phase are detailed below. All RF measurements systems, RF safety systems and the RF calibration procedures have been revised in order to have the best consistency, reproducibility and with a measurement error against the calorimetry measurement lower than 10%.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Upgrade and validation on plasma of the Tore Supra CW LHCD generator

A one year-long major upgrade of the 3.7 GHz Lower Hybrid Current Drive (LHCD) generator for the Tore Supra (TS) tokamak has been performed. It consisted in installing a first series of eight Thales Electron Devices (TED) 700 kW CW klystrons, new CW components and auxiliaries, and in modifying the transmitter control and protection software. Modifications and calibration of the sensors and the RF subsystems were completed as well. Finally, the RF power available in the generator has been increased by 35% and the pulse duration could reach 1000 s. A complete validation and optimization of the klystrons have been performed in 2010 on matched load before the generator could enter into operation. The eight klystrons connected with the Full Active Multijunction (FAM) antenna delivered 3.5 MW/50s in December 2010. The upgrade of the generator and the steps to validate the modifications are described.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Elimination of Radio-Frequency Noise by Identifying and Diverting Large RF Ground Currents

The problem of electromagnetic interference in scientific instruments is compounded for high-power plasma experiments by the large currents and voltages as well as by the broad bandwidths of the instruments. Ground loops are known to allow stray magnetic fields to drive large ground currents that can induce spurious signals and damage electronics. Furthermore, even when a ground loop is broken, capacitive coupling can still permit the flow of radio-frequency current, resulting in high-frequency spurious signals that can overwhelm the desired signal. We present the effects of RF ground loops on the output of vacuum photodiodes used in the Caltech Solar Loop Experiment and demonstrate the elimination of the spurious signals by diverting the ground currents away from the most vulnerable point of the signal line. Techniques for identifying the RF ground loops are also discussed. These techniques should be valuable in many high-power systems where interference from spurious coupling is an issue.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2011

Operation of the ORNL High Particle Flux Helicon Plasma Source

A high power, high particle flux rf-based helicon plasma source has been constructed at ORNL and operated at power levels up to 30 kW. High-density hydrogen and helium plasmas have been produced. The source has been designed as the basis for a linear plasma materials interaction (PMI) test facility that will generate particle fluxes {Gamma}{sub p}10{sup 23} m{sup -3} s{sup -1}, and utilize additional ion and electron cyclotron heating to produce high parallel (to the magnetic field) heat fluxes of {approx}10 MW/m{sup 2}. An rf-based source for PMI research is of interest because high plasma densities are generated with no internal electrodes, allowing true steady state operation with minimal impurity generation. The ORNL helicon source has a diameter of 15 cm and to-date has operated at a frequency f = 13.56 MHz, with magnetic field strength |B| in the antenna region up to {approx}0.15 T. Maximum densities of 3x10{sup 19} m{sup -3} in He and 2.5x10{sup 19} m{sup -3} in H have been achieved. Radial density profiles have been seen to be dependent on the axial |B| profile.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Development of a versatile multiaperture negative ion source

A 60 kV ion source (9 beamlets of 15 mA each of H{sup -}) and plasma generators are being developed at Consorzio RFX and INFN-LNL, for their versatility in experimental campaigns and for training. Unlike most experimental sources, the design aimed at continuous operation. Magnetic configuration can achieve a minimum |B| trap, smoothly merged with the extraction filter. Modular design allows for quick substitution and upgrading of parts such as the extraction and postacceleration grids or the electrodes in contact with plasma. Experiments with a radio frequency plasma generator and Faraday cage inside the plasma are also described.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2012

New ion source for KSTAR neutral beam injection system

The neutral beam injection system (NBI-1) of the KSTAR tokamak can accommodate three ion sources; however, it is currently equipped with only one prototype ion source. In the 2010 and 2011 KSTAR campaigns, this ion source supplied deuterium neutral beam power of 0.7-1.6 MW to the KSTAR plasma with a beam energy of 70-100 keV. A new ion source will be prepared for the 2012 KSTAR campaign with a much advanced performance compared with the previous one. The newly designed ion source has a very large transparency ({approx}56%) without deteriorating the beam optics, which is designed to deliver a 2 MW injection power of deuterium beams at 100 keV. The plasma generator of the ion source is of a horizontally cusped bucket type, and the whole inner wall, except the cathode filaments and plasma grid side, functions as an anode. The accelerator assembly consists of four multi-circular aperture grids made of copper and four electrode flanges made of aluminum alloy. The electrodes are insulated using PEEK. The ion source will be completed and tested in 2011.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Radiation pressure acceleration of corrugated thin foils by Gaussian and super-Gaussian beams

Rayleigh-Taylor instability of radiation pressure accelerated ultrathin foils by laser having Gaussian and super-Gaussian intensity distribution is investigated using a single fluid code. The foil is allowed to have ring shaped surface ripples. The radiation pressure force on such a foil is non-uniform with finite transverse component F{sub r}; F{sub r} varies periodically with r. Subsequently, the ripple grows as the foil moves ahead along z. With a Gaussian beam, the foil acquires an overall curvature due to non-uniformity in radiation pressure and gets thinner. In the process, the ripple perturbation is considerably washed off. With super-Gaussian beam, the ripple is found to be more strongly washed out. In order to avoid transmission of the laser through the thinning foil, a criterion on the foil thickness is obtained.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗