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At least 415 records · Page 23

EIC Yellow Report

he Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) is a new, innovative, large-scale particle accelerator conceived by U.S. nuclear physicists over two decades and planned for construction at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island, New York by the U.S. Department of Energy in the 2020s. The EIC will study protons, neutrons and atomic nuclei with the most powerful electron microscope ever built, in terms of its unique versatility of resolving power and intensity. The resolution and intensity is achieved by colliding high-energy electrons with high-energy protons or (a range of different) ion beams. The EIC provides the capability of colliding beams of polarized electrons with polarized beams of light ions, and this all at high intensity. The EIC was established as the highest priority for new construction in the 2015 US Nuclear Physics Long Range Plan, was favorably endorsed by a committee established by the National Academy of Sciences in 2018 to assess the science case. In December 2019, the EIC was granted Critical Design Zero by the US Department of Energy, which launched the EIC as an official project of the US government

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Polarized internal target experiments based on EIC beams

The Electron-Ion Collider is under construction at BNL. It will have high-energy high-intensity polarized beams of electrons and hadrons. These beams will allow a high accuracy investigation of nucleon structure in the low- to very-low-x DIS regime. At the same time, similar to the realization at HERA, these beams could be used with an internal target for a very productive investigation of medium- to high-x nucleon structure. Due to a novel regime of electron beam operation and its high polarization and intensity, the Figure-of-Merit of an internal target experiment at EIC will be 500+ times higher than was obtained by HERMES.

Wojtsekhowski, Bogdan↗

Light shield and cooling apparatus

A light shield and cooling apparatus was developed for a high intensity ultraviolet lamp including water and high pressure air for cooling and additional apparatus for shielding the light and suppressing the high pressure air noise.

Meador, T. G., Jr.↗

HIRF Tolerance and Avoidance for Advanced Air Mobility Vehicles

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), including Urban Air Mobility (UAM), and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) vehicles may fly in similar airspace to Transport Category Rotorcraft, thereby requiring meeting the same stringent High-Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF) certification requirements. In a previous effort, a proposed map-based approach protects a vehicle by keeping it away from high power sources at safe distances based on its tolerance level. By designing to a lower tolerance level, significant cost savings can be achieved at the cost of slightly more complex flight planning. However, too low a threshold can result in large avoidance areas, potentially reducing the vehicle operating space. This current effort suggests a minimum threshold for vehicles operating in an urban area. It is derived from analyzing regulatory transmitter data for New York City as a representative metropolitan. As a result, a vehicle can tolerate common lower-power transmitters by default and only needs to avoid far less common high-power sources. It is also found the existing HIRF requirements may be insufficient against many powerful transmitters such as weather radars and satellite uplink transmitters, and that the map-based approach can address this concern.

HIRF↗

Time-resolved X-ray imaging of the current filamentation instability in solid-density plasmas

The streaming of energetic charged particles can magnetize astrophysical and laboratory plasmas via the current filamentation instability. Despite its importance, the experimental characterization of this instability has remained a challenge. Here, we report an experiment combining a high-intensity optical laser with a high-brightness X-ray free electron laser that successfully images the instability in solid-density plasmas with 200nm spatial and 50fs temporal resolution. We characterize the development of µm-scale filamentary structures and their evolution over tens of picoseconds through a non-linear merging process. The measured plasma density modulations and long merging time reveal the critical importance of space-charge effects and ion motion on this electron-driven instability. Supporting theoretical analysis and kinetic simulations help distinguish the relative role of space-charge and resistive effects. Our findings indicate that magnetic fields on the order of 10megagauss are produced, with important implications for transport and radiation emission of energetic particles in plasmas.

Schoenwaelder, Christopher↗

On the Origin of Whistler Mode Radiation in the Plasmasphere

The origin of whistler mode radiation in the plasmasphere is examined from three years of plasma wave observations from the Dynamics Explorer and three years from the Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) spacecraft. These data are used to construct plasma wave intensity maps of whistler mode radiation in the plasmasphere. The highest average intensities of the radiation in the wave maps show source locations and/or sites of wave amplification. Each type of emission is classified based on its magnetic latitude and longitude rather than any spectral feature. Equatorial electromagnetic (EM) emissions (approx. 30-330 Hz), plasmaspheric hiss (approx. 330 Hz - 3.3 kHz), chorus (approx. 2 kHz - 6 kHz), and VLF transmitters (approx. 10-50 kHz) are the main types of waves that are clearly delineated in the plasma wave maps. Observations of the equatorial EM emissions show that the most intense region is on or near the magnetic equator in the afternoon sector and that during times of negative B(sub z) (interplanetary magnetic field),the maximum intensity moves from L values of 3 to less than 2. These observations are consistent with the origin of this emission being particle-wave interactions in or near the magnetic equator. Plasmaspheric hiss shows high intensity at high latitudes and low altitudes (L shells from 2 to 4) and in the magnetic equator over L values from 2 to 3 in the early afternoon sector. The longitudinal distribution of the hiss intensity (excluding the enhancement at the equator) is similar to the distribution of lightning: stronger over continents than over the ocean, stronger in the summer than winter, and stronger on the dayside than nightside. These observations strongly support lightning as the dominant source for plasmaspheric hiss, which through particle-wave interactions, maintains the slot region in the radiation belts. The enhancement of hiss at the magnetic equator is consistent with particle-wave interactions. The chorus emissions are most intense on the morning side as previously reported. At frequencies from approx. 10-50 kHz VLF transmitters dominate the spectrum. The maximum intensity of the VLF transmitters is in the late evening or early morning with enhancements all along L shells from 1.8 to 3.

Green, James L.↗

A HIRF-Map Certification Approach for UAM, AAM, and UAS Vehicles

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Urban Air Mobility (UAM), and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) vehicles will fly in airspace similar to Transport Category Rotorcraft, requiring them to meet stringent requirements for High-Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF) certification. The environment is notably severe, particularly compared to fixed-wing aircraft, due to operations at lower altitudes. This potentially exposes the vehicles to high-power transmitters on the ground, leading to significant challenges. High-level HIRF exposure can result in avionic system upsets, interference, and undesirable effects. Shielding and circuit protection against HIRF pose significant barriers concerning size, weight, and cost, especially for emerging electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and electric short take-off and landing (eSTOL) vehicles. This paper proposes a novel HIRF protection approach, aiming to reduce costs by certifying vehicles to a "vehicle tolerance level" lower than that required for Transport Category Rotorcraft. The remaining protection is achieved by maintaining a safe distance from known HIRF sources. This distance is calculated based on the vehicle's tolerance level and transmitter characteristics, such as transmit power, antenna beamwidth, and direction. Tailored flight maps are developed to identify transmitters and avoidance zones within an operating area or along a flight path, enabling restricted vehicle operations. Vehicles with higher tolerance levels could have smaller HIRF avoidance zones, allowing them to operate closer to transmitters. Transmitter data are sourced from government databases, such as those of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A map tool is developed using Matlab to calculate and visualize HIRF avoidance zones based on available databases. The tool determines stand-off distances based on input vehicle tolerance levels, displaying results on various base maps depicting HIRF-restricted areas. Illustrations cover various FCC transmitters, including AM/FM/TV transmitters, satellite earth stations, and NOAA weather radars. The HIRF zones of smaller transmitters, such as land-mobile radios, pagers, microwave links, and cellular towers, are also illustrated. An example of flight planning around transmitters is provided. For now, airports and government-owned lands are excluded due to limited access to sensitive transmitter data. Despite this approach, a minimum HIRF tolerance level for vehicles may still be necessary to cover mobile devices, cellular base stations, transmitters on other AAM vehicles, and other small power devices not included in the FCC databases. The paper discusses findings and areas for improving existing databases and suggests an approach for better access to sanitized data in more restricted government databases. This method significantly deviates from the standard approach and introduces slightly higher flight-planning complexity. However, the potential cost savings are considerable. Future AAM/UAM/UAS aeronautical charts could potentially incorporate these new HIRF avoidance zones. Keywords—HIRF; Map; AAM; UAM; UAS; Advanced Air Mobility; Urban Air Mobility; Unmanned Aerial Systems; Certification.

HIRF↗

Matched Guiding and Controlled Injection in Dark-Current-Free, 10-GeV-Class, Channel-Guided Laser-Plasma Accelerators

Here we measure the high-intensity laser propagation throughout meter-scale, channel-guided laser-plasma accelerators by adjusting the length of the plasma channel on a shot-by-shot basis, showing high-quality guiding of 500 TW laser pulses over 30 cm in a hydrogen plasma of density n 0 ≈ 1 X 10 17 cm -3 . We observed transverse energy transport of higher-order modes in the first ≈ 12 cm of the plasma channel, followed by quasimatched propagation, and the gradual, dark-current-free depletion of laser energy to the wake. We quantify the laser-to-wake transfer efficiency limitations of currently available petawatt-class lasers and demonstrate via simulation how control over the laser mode can significantly improve beam parameters. Using 21.3 J of laser energy, and triggering localized electron injection, we observed electron bunches with single, quasimonoenergetic peaks up to 9.2 GeV with charge extending beyond 10 GeV.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Temperature Sensing Above 1000 C Using Cr-Doped GdAlO3 Spin-Allowed Broadband Luminescence

Cr-doped GdAlO3 (Cr:GdAlO3) is shown to produce remarkably high-intensity spin-allowed broadband luminescence with sufficiently long decay times to make effective luminescence-decay-time based temperature measurements above 1000 C. This phosphor is therefore an attractive alternative to the much lower luminescence intensity rare-earth-doped thermographic phosphors that are typically utilized at these elevated temperatures. In particular, Cr:GdAlO3 will be preferred over rare-earth-doped phosphors, such as Dy:YAG, at temperatures up to 1200 C for intensity-starved situations when the much lower emission intensity from rare-earth-doped phosphors is insufficient for accurate temperature measurements in the presence of significant radiation background. While transition-metal-doped phosphors such as Cr:Al2O3 (ruby) are known to exhibit high luminescence intensity at low dopant concentrations, quenching due to nonradiative decay pathways competing with the (sup 2)E to (sup 4)A(sub 2) radiative transition (R line) has typically restricted their use for temperature sensing to below 600 C. Thermal quenching of the broadband (sup 4)T(sub 2) to (sup 4)A(sub 2) radiative transition from Cr:GdAlO3, however, is delayed until much higher temperatures (above 1000 C). This spin-allowed broadband emission persists to high temperatures because the lower-lying (sup 2)E energy level acts as a reservoir to thermally populate the higher shorter-lived (sup 4)T(sub 2) energy level and because the activation energy for nonradiative crossover relaxation from the (sup 4)T(sub 2) level to the (sup 4)A(sub 2) ground state is high. The strong crystal field associated with the tight bonding of the AlO6 octahedra in the GdAlO3 perovskite structure is responsible for this behavior.

Eldridge, Jeffrey I.↗

An experimental investigation of a low Reynolds number turbulent boundary layer subject to an adverse pressure gradient

A very low Reynolds number turbulent boundary layer subject to an adverse pressure gradient is studied. The aim is to obtain highly accurate mean-flow and turbulence measurements under conditions that can be closely related to the numerical simulations of Philippe Spalart for the purposes of CFD validation. Much of the Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel was completely rebuilt with a new wider contraction and working section which will improve compatibility with the simulations. A unique sophisticated high-speed computer controlled 3-D probe traversing mechanism was integrated into the test section. Construction of the tunnel and traverse is discussed in some detail. The hardware is now complete, and measurements are in progress. The mean-flow data indicate that a suitably two-dimensional base flow was established. Automation of the probe positioning and data acquistion have led to a decreased running time for total pressure measurements. However, the most significant benefits are expected to occur when using hot-wire probes. Calibrations can be performed automatically and there is no need to handle fragile probes when moving between measuring stations. Techniques are being developed which require sampling of the signals from moving hot-wire probes on the basis of their position in the flow. Measurements can be made in high intensity turbulence by flying probes upstream at high speed so that the relative magnitude of the turbulent velocity fluctuations are reduced. In regions, where the turbulence intensity is not too large, the probe can also be repetitively scanned across very dense spatial grids in other directions. With this technique, a complete profile can be measured in about 1/3 the time and with a spatial density about 50 times that obtainable using a stationary probe.

Watmuff, Jonathan H.↗

Gas Stopper Developments for Improved Purity and Intensity of Low-Energy, Rare Isotope Ion Beams (Final Technical Report)

This final technical report summarizes the work of the Michigan State University (MSU) team supported by grant # DE-SC0021423 awarded by the Office of Nuclear Physics, Department of Energy. Objectives: The successful fulfillment of the FRIB science mission hinges on ensuring the availability of fast, stopped, and reaccelerated beams consisting of rare isotopes. This project's research and development focus was dedicated to supporting the advancement and creation of a cutting-edge linear gas stopper. The primary aim is to efficiently convert the high-intensity fast beams of rare isotopes provided by FRIB into high-quality, low-energy beams. These beams are essential for conducting stopped beam experiments or for subsequent reacceleration. The overarching goal is to advance technology, aiming to increase the beam rate capability of the linear gas stopper for medium-to-heavy-mass rare isotopes by more than tenfold compared to the currently most effective gas stopper in operation, and to improve the purity of the delivered beams. Project Description: The existing technology employed in gas stopping devices designed for low-energy, rare-isotope beams presents limitations in both the purity of extracted beams and the intensities of injected beams. These limitations are incompatible with the requirements of the recently commissioned rare isotope beam facility, FRIB. Our research and development efforts, aligned with the previously outlined objectives, focused on addressing the most critical aspects for enhancing beam-rate capability and purity. Specifically, advanced particle-in-cell simulations were developed and integrated into a simulation pipeline to explore the efficacy of multi-layer RF carpets on increasing ion transport efficiency with high incoming beam rates that generate space charge fields which can limit it. We also explored the possibility of using a collision-induced-dissociation (CID) gas cell to break up molecular contaminant ions that are generated during the stopping process. A prototype CID gas cell was constructed and tested with beams from an offline ion source, validating the concept with the successful demonstration of breaking of molecular ions. The outcome of this research enabled the formulation a conceptual design for a next-generation linear gas stopping device specifically tailored for FRIB. This device is envisioned to deliver rare-isotope-ion beams at a rate of 10 8 particles per second or higher, accompanied by advancements in purity. Methods employed: This project leverages advancements in technologies initially designed for the Advanced Cryogenic Gas Stopper (ACGS), the current state-of-the-art linear gas stopper, through the use of new simulations and beam purification via collision-induced-dissociation. The methods include: 1. Development of a prototype low-energy, low-pressure CID gas stopper. This prototype features a thin, approximately 20 nm, Si 3 N 4 entrance window designed for dissociating stable and rare-isotope molecular ions. The goal is to enhance beam purification and overall efficiency. 2. Creation of Particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations to assess the advantages of multi-layer RF carpets and multi-point extraction for ion transport efficiency. These simulations rely on the 3DCylPIC package, specifically designed for studying devices of this nature. The goal is to quantify and mitigate ion transport losses due to space charge generated in the stopping process of large numbers of ions. 3. Perform ion transport simulations across an RF carpet using an 8-phase travelling wave and evaluate its performance. Compared to the 4-phase RF carpets used in ACGS, the 8-phase carpets will double the wavelength of the generated traveling wave allowing for larger maximum RF amplitudes that could result in improved ion transport efficiency for high-intensity incoming beams when large space charge fields are present. Impact: Tackling the primary challenges associated with transforming high-energy projectile fragment beams into low-energy beams—specifically, addressing efficiency and purity—holds significant promise for advancing FRIB science. This advancement will particularly impact precision mass measurements, laser spectroscopy of short-lived nuclei, and studies in astrophysics and nuclear reactions using reaccelerated beams. These domains play a crucial role in addressing key questions outlined in the 2023 NSAC long-range plan, spanning nuclear structure, nuclear astrophysics, and fundamental symmetries. Additionally, they contribute to addressing 10 out of the 17 benchmarks identified by the NRC RISAC. The development of a next-generation gas stopping device capable of delivering low-energy, rare-isotope beams at a rate of 10 8 particles per second, or more, with high purity holds the potential to unlock experiments that would otherwise be unfeasible. Furthermore, it is expected to reduce the time required for experiments at FRIB, thereby maximizing scientific output. The research and development activities performed as part of this project bolstered essential competencies at FRIB in beam physics and ion source technologies, provided valuable training opportunities for junior scientists.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Acoustic power dissipation on radiation through duct terminations - Experiments

An acoustic impulse technique is used to study the acoustic transmission characteristics of ducts, nozzles, orifices, and perforated plates. High intensity pulses were generated by discharging a capacitor across a spark gap for both heated and unheated flows, with and without simulated flights. The effect of a termination geometry on power absorption for high acoustic intensities was observed, showing the existence of power absorption at low frequencies for the duct, nozzles, orifice plates, and perforated plates at a no flow condition; the amount of power absorption was controlled primarily by the open area at the exit. Power conservation with flow was similar to that for no flow: Power absorption initially increased for the duct and conical nozzles and then decreased with increasing Mach number. Power absorption results for the suppressor nozzle were similar to those for the conical nozzle, and the nonlinear effect was found to be insignificant in the presence of flow. A power imbalance was noted for heated jets, with a greater power loss at low frequencies than for unheated jets. Low frequency power absorption increased with the simulated flight, and a small amount of low frequency power absorption was found even for low intensity sound. A typical schlieren photograph of vortex formation (Whiffen and Ahuja, 1981) helped to confirm that sound energy can be converted into vortical energy and may account for low frequency power losses.

Salikuddin, M.↗

Response of two-phase droplets to intense electromagnetic radiation

The behavior of two-phase droplets subjected to high intensity radiation pulses is studied. Droplets are highly absorbing solids in weakly absorbing liquid medium. The objective of the study was to define heating thresholds required for causing explosive boiling and secondary atomization of the fuel droplet. The results point to mechanisms for energy storage and transport in two-phase systems.

TWO PHASE DROPLETS↗

Investigation on laser absorption and x-ray radiation in microstructured titanium targets heated by short-pulse relativistic laser pulses

The enhancement effect of a microstructured surface on laser absorption and characteristic K α emission has been investigated by measuring K-shell emission from titanium (Ti) targets irradiated with high-intensity ( ∼ 10 20 W cm − 2 ), subpicosecond (500 fs) laser pulses. The experimental results indicate a modest enhancement ( 1.6 × ) of K α emission from microstructured targets compared to flat foils, but with a similar intensity and profile of He α and Li-like satellites. Particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations are implemented to further understand the underlying physical processes in the laser interaction with both targets, interpreting the mechanisms responsible for the K α enhancement. The reasons for the lower-than-expected enhancement of K α emission are discussed. The rapid heating of the bulk plasma might result in the premature shutdown of K α emission before the thermalization of hot electrons or even the end of laser pulses, suggesting that the use of K α emission as a diagnostic of the hot-electron yield or relaxation could lead to a misinterpretation. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Enhancements in laser-generated hot-electron production via focusing cone targets at short pulse and high contrast

We report on the increase in the accelerated electron number and energy using compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) targets from a short-pulse (~150 fs), high-intensity (>10 18 W/cm 2 ), and high-contrast (~10 8 ) laser-solid interaction. We report on experimental measurements using CPC targets where the hot-electron temperature is enhanced up to ~ 9 times when compared to planar targets. The temperature measured from the CPC target is (T e ) = 4.4 ± 1.3 MeV. Using hydrodynamic and particle in cell simulations, we identify the primary source of this temperature enhancement is the intensity increase caused by the CPC geometry that focuses the laser, reducing the focal spot and therefore increasing the intensity of the laser-solid interaction, which is also consistent with analytic expectations for the geometrical focusing.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Supersonic jet plume interaction with a flat plate

Supersonic jet plume interaction with a flat plate was studied using a model scaled test apparatus designed to simulate plume/aircraft structure interaction for the cruise configuration. The generic configuration consisted of a rectangular supersonic nozzle of aspect ratio 7, and a large flat plate located beneath the nozzle at various nozzle plate distances; the plate was instrumented to measure surface dynamic pressure and mean wall temperature, with provisions for measurements of acceleration and strain on coupon size panels that could be inserted in the plate. Phase-averaged schlieren measurements revealed the presence of high-intensity acoustic emission from the supersonic plume above the plate, directed upstream; this radiation could be associated with the shock noise generation. Narrow band spectra of surface dynamic pressure show spectral peaks with amplitude levels reaching 1 psi, related to the screech tones. Temperature measurements indicated elevated surface temperatures in regions of high turbulence intensity.

Seiner, John M.↗

Luminescence Quenching via Deep Defect States: A Recombination Pathway via Oxygen Vacancies in Ce-Doped YAG

Luminescence quenching via nonradiative recombination channels limits the efficiency of optical materials such as phosphors and scintillators and therefore has implications for conversion efficiency and device lifetimes. In materials such as Ce-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG:Ce), quenching shows strong dependence on both temperature and activator concentration, limiting the fabrication of high-intensity white-light emitting diodes with high operating temperatures. Here, we reveal by means of first-principles calculations an efficient recombination mechanism in YAG:Ce that involves oxygen vacancies and gives rise to thermally activated concentration quenching. We demonstrate that the key requirements for this mechanism to be active are localized states with strong electron-phonon coupling. These conditions are commonly found for intrinsic defects such as anion vacancies in wide band gap materials. The present findings are therefore relevant to a broad class of optical materials and shine light on thermal quenching mechanisms in general.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

High-Speed Self-Aligned Focusing Schlieren and Background-Oriented Schlieren with Pulsed Laser Illumination

Laser light sources are commonly used in schlieren-based flow visualization techniques that are in development at NASA Langley Research Center. Of particular interest are high-intensity, low coherence sources that allow for high signal-to-noise schlieren imagery to be acquired without the laser speckle that typically occurs as a result of interference. Results from a self-aligned focusing schlieren system developed at NASA Langley and a background-oriented schlieren system are presented to highlight the effectiveness of these sources.

Schlieren↗