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At least 451 records · Page 25

Fast ground-state-to-ground-state separation of small ion crystals

Rapid separation of linear crystals of trapped ions into different subsets is critical for realizing trapped ion quantum computing architectures where ions are rearranged in trap arrays to achieve all-to-all connectivity between qubits. Here we introduce a general theoretical framework that can be used to describe the separation of same-species and mixed-species crystals into smaller subsets. The framework relies on an efficient description of the evolution of Gaussian motional states under quadratic Hamiltonians that only requires a special solution of the classical equations of motion of the ions to describe their quantum evolution under the influence of a time-dependent applied potential and the ions' mutual Coulomb repulsion. We provide time-dependent applied potentials suitable for separation of a mixed-species three-ion crystal on timescales similar to that of free expansion driven by Coulomb repulsion, with all modes along the crystal axis starting and ending close to their ground states. Three separately confined mixed-species ions can be combined into a crystal held in a single well without energy gain by time-reversal of this separation process.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A high performance cost-effective digital complex correlator for an X-band polarimetry survey

The detailed knowledge of the Milky Way radio emission is important to characterize galactic foregrounds masking extragalactic and cosmological signals. The update of the global sky models describing radio emissions over a very large spectral band requires high sensitivity experiments capable of observing large sky areas with long integration times. Here, we present the design of a new 10 GHz (X-band) polarimeter digital backend to map the polarization components of the galactic synchrotron radiation field of the Northern Hemisphere sky. The design follows the digital processing trends in radio astronomy and implements a large bandwidth (1 GHz) digital complex cross-correlator to extract the Stokes parameters of the incoming synchrotron radiation field. The hardware constraints cover the implemented VLSI hardware description language code and the preliminary results. The implementation is based on the simultaneous digitized acquisition of the Cartesian components of the two linear receiver polarization channels. The design strategy involves a double data rate acquisition of the ADC interleaved parallel bus, and field programmable gate array device programming at the register transfer mode. The digital core of the back-end is capable of processing 32 Gbps and is built around an Altera field programmable gate array clocked at 250 MHz, 1 GSps analog to digital converters and a clock generator. The control of the field programmable gate array internal signal delays and a convenient use of its phase locked loops provide the timing requirements to achieve the target bandwidths and sensitivity. This solution is convenient for radio astronomy experiments requiring large bandwidth, high functionality, high volume availability and low cost. Of particular interest, this correlator was developed for the Galactic Emission Mapping project and is suitable for large sky area polarization continuum surveys. The solutions may also be adapted to be used at signal processing subsystem levels for large projects like the square kilometer array testbeds.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

History-dependent dissipative vortex dynamics in superconducting arrays

In this study, we perform current (I)-voltage (V) measurements on low resistance superconductor-normal-superconductor arrays in finite magnetic fields, focusing on the dilute vortex population regime. We observe significant deviations from predicted behavior, notably the absence of a differential resistance peak near the vortex depinning current, and a broad linear I-V region with an extrapolated I intercept equal to the depinning current. Comparing these results to an overdamped molecular vortex model, we find that this behavior can be explained by the presence of a history-dependent dissipative force. Lastly, this approach has not been considered previously, to our knowledge, yet it is crucial for obtaining a correct description of the vortex dynamics in superconducting arrays.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Investigation of the Generation of Positrons near the Threshold

The results of experimental studies of positron generation near the threshold carried out in 2018 at the ILC MSU femtosecond laser complex and the LUE-8 linear electron accelerator of the Institute for Nuclear Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences are presented. The measurements were carried out using three different detection methods: using a MEDIPIX detector; phosphor films and video cameras; as well as scintillation arrays and silicon photomultipliers.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Adaptive linear predictor FIR filter based on the Cyclone V FPGA with HPS to reduce narrow band RFI in AERA radio detection of cosmic rays

We present the new approach to a filtering of radio frequency interferences (RFI) in the Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA) which study the electromagnetic part of the Extensive Air Showers. The radio stations can observe radio signals caused by coherent emissions due to geomagnetic radiation and charge excess processes. AERA observes frequency band from 30 to 80 MHz. This range is highly contaminated by human-made RFI. In order to improve the signal to noise ratio RFI filters are used in AERA to suppress this contamination. The first kind of filter used by AERA was the Median one, based on the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) technique. The second one, which is currently in use, is the infinite impulse response (IIR) notch filter. The proposed new filter is a finite impulse response (FIR) filter based on a linear prediction (LP). A periodic contamination hidden in a registered signal (digitized in the ADC) can be extracted and next subtracted to make signal cleaner. The FIR filter requires a calculation of n=32, 64 or even 128 coefficients (dependent on a required speed or accuracy) by solving of n linear equations with coefficients built from the covariance Toeplitz matrix. This matrix can be solved by the Levinson recursion, which is much faster than the Gauss procedure. The filter has been already tested in the real AERA radio stations on Argentinean pampas with a very successful results. The linear equations were solved either in the virtual soft-core NIOSR processor (implemented in the FPGA chip as a net of logic elements) or in the external Voipac PXA270M ARM processor. The NIOS processor is relatively slow (50 MHz internal clock), calculations performed in an external processor consume a significant amount of time for data exchange between the FPGA and the processor. Test showed a very good efficiency of the RFI suppression for stationary (long-term) contaminations. However, we observed a short-time contaminations, which could not be suppressed either by the IIR-notch filter or by the FIR filter based on the linear predictions. For the LP FIR filter the refreshment time of the filter coefficients was to long and filter did not keep up with the changes of a contamination structure, mainly due to a long calculation time in a slow processors. We propose to use the Cyclone V SE chip with embedded micro-controller operating with 925 MHz internal clock to significantly reduce a refreshment time of the FIR coefficients. The lab results are promising. (authors)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

TU-H-BRA-06: Characterization of a Linear Accelerator Operating in a Compact MRIGuided Radiation Therapy System

Purpose: To describe the performance of a linear accelerator operating in a compact MRI-guided radiation therapy system. Methods: A commercial linear accelerator was placed in an MRI unit that is employed in a commercial MR-based image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) system. The linear accelerator components were placed within magnetic field-reducing hardware that provided magnetic fields of less than 40 G for the magnetron, gun driver, and port circulator, with 1 G for the linear accelerator. The system did not employ a flattening filter. The test linear accelerator was an industrial 4 MV model that was employed to test the ability to run an accelerator in the MR environment. An MR-compatible diode detector array was used to measure the beam profiles with the accelerator outside and inside the MR field and with the gradient coils on and off to examine if there was any effect on the delivered dose distribution. The beam profiles and time characteristics of the beam were measured. Results: The beam profiles exhibited characteristic unflattened Bremsstrahlung features with less than ±1.5% differences in the profile magnitude when the system was outside and inside the magnet and less than 1% differences with the gradient coils on and off. The central axis dose rate fluctuated by less than 1% over a 30 second period when outside and inside the MRI. Conclusion: A linaccompatible MR design has been shown to be effective in not perturbing the operation of a commercial linear accelerator. While the accelerator used in the tests was 4MV, there is nothing fundamentally different with the operation of a 6MV unit, implying that the design will enable operation of the proposed clinical unit. Research funding provided by ViewRay, Inc.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Linear accelerator x-ray sources with high duty cycle

X-ray cargo inspection systems typically use a several-MV pulsed linear accelerator (linac) to produce a bremsstrahlung spectrum of x rays by bombarding a target with electrons. The x rays traverse the cargo and are detected by a detector array. Spectroscopy of the detected x rays is very desirable: if one can determine the spectrum of the transmitted x rays, one can determine the Z of the material they traversed. Even in relatively low-dose modes of operation, thousands of x rays arrive at each detector element during each pulse, unless the x rays are heavily absorbed or scattered by the cargo. For portal or fixed-site systems, dose rates, and therefore x-ray count rates, are even higher. Because of the high x-ray count rate, spectroscopy is impractical in conventional cargo inspection systems, except in certain special cases. For a mobile system, typical pulse durations are a few microseconds, and the number of pulses is on the order of 100 per second, leading to a duty factor of about 0.04%. Clearly, a linear accelerator x-ray source with much higher duty factor would be useful, since then the same number of x rays could be spread out over time, reducing the x-ray count rate. In this paper, we explore the possibility of designing a linear accelerator system, using more or less Conventional Off the Shelf (COTS) components, capable of duty cycles of 1% or greater. A survey was conducted of available linac RF source options and, given the possibilities, calculations were performed for suitable beam centerline designs. Keeping in mind that the size and cost of the accelerator system should be practical for use in a mobile cargo inspection system, only a few options are shown to be reasonably feasible, both requiring the use of klystrons instead of the magnetrons used in conventional systems. An S-Band design appears clearly possible, and there is also a promising X-Band design.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Airborne Acoustic Vortex End Effector‐Based Contactless, Multi‐Mode, Programmable Control of Object Surfing

Abstract Tweezers based on optical, electric, magnetic, and acoustic fields have shown great potential for contactless object manipulation. However, current tweezers designed for manipulating millimeter‐sized objects such as droplets, particles, and small animals exhibit limitations in translation resolution, range, and path complexity. Here, a novel acoustic vortex tweezers system is introduced, which leverages a unique airborne acoustic vortex end effector integrated with a three‐degree‐of‐freedom (DoF) linear motion stage, for enabling contactless, multi‐mode, programmable manipulation of millimeter‐sized objects. The acoustic vortex end effector utilizes a cascaded circular acoustic array, which is portable and battery‐powered, to generate an acoustic vortex with a ring‐shaped energy pattern. The vortex applies acoustic radiation forces to trap and spin an object at its center, simultaneously protecting this object by repelling other materials away with its high‐energy ring. Moreover, The vortex tweezers system facilitates contactless, multi‐mode, programmable object surfing, as demonstrated in experiments involving trapping, repelling, and spinning particles, translating particles along complex paths, guiding particles around barriers, translating and rotating droplets containing zebrafish larvae, and merging droplets. With these capabilities, It is anticipated that the tweezers system will become a valuable tool for the automated, contactless handling of droplets, particles, and bio‐samples in biomedical and biochemical research.

Li, Teng↗

Multi-channel conduction in redox-based resistive switch modelled using quantum point contact theory

A simple analytic model for the electron transport through filamentary-type structures in Si-rich silica (SiO{sub x})-based resistive switches is proposed. The model is based on a mesoscopic description and is able to account for the linear and nonlinear components of conductance that arise from both fully and partially formed conductive channels spanning the dielectric film. Channels are represented by arrays of identical scatterers whose number and quantum transmission properties determine the current magnitude in the low and high resistance states. We show that the proposed model not only reproduces the experimental current-voltage (I-V) characteristics but also the normalized differential conductance (dln(I)/dln(V)-V) curves of devices under test.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Beam power scale-up in micro-electromechanical systems based multi-beam ion accelerators

We report on the development of multi-beam RF linear ion accelerators that are formed from stacks of low cost wafers and describe the status of beam power scale-up using an array of 120 beams. The total argon ion current extracted from the 120-beamlet extraction column was 0.5 mA. The measured energy gain in each RF gap reached as high as 7.25 keV. We present a path of using this technology to achieve ion currents >1 mA and ion energies >100 keV for applications in materials processing.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

FBG array-based random distributed feedback Raman fibre laser

We have demonstrated the possibility of making a Raman laser with a random distributed feedback ensured by an array of 57 fibre Bragg gratings with random phases and amplitudes inscribed in a 13-m-long polarisation-maintaining passive fibre. The linearly polarised cw output power at a wavelength of 1092.3 nm reaches 5.7 W. The laser linewidth at the highest output power is about 80 pm. In the nearthreshold regime, we observe single-frequency lasing with a linewidth under 100 kHz as determined by self-heterodyne measurements. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Anharmonic Bloch oscillations in a coupler composed of two parallel optical fibre arrays

The effects of laser beam propagation in a coupler composed of two parallel optical-fibre arrays are studied by the coupled-mode method taking into account the interaction of a given fibre with the nearest neighbours and the linear dependence of the propagation constant on the fibre number. It is shown that, due to the complex structure of each subsystem, the structure of light intensity spatial distribution becomes significantly complicated in the system under study. The occurrence of space limited transverse light diffraction is predicted. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DISCOVERY OF THE FIRST GIANT DOUBLE RADIO RELIC IN A GALAXY CLUSTER FOUND IN THE PLANCK SUNYAEV-ZEL'DOVICH CLUSTER SURVEY: PLCK G287.0+32.9

We report the discovery of large-scale diffuse non-thermal radio emission in PLCK G287.0+32.9, an exceptionally hot (T {approx} 13 keV), massive, and luminous galaxy cluster, strongly detected by the Planck satellite in a recent, all-sky blind search for new clusters through Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope 150 MHz and Very Large Array 1.4 GHz radio data reveal a pair of giant (>1 Mpc) 'arc'-shaped peripheral radio relics (signatures of shock waves) of unprecedented scale (linear separation {approx}4.4 Mpc at redshift 0.39), located at distances from the cluster center that are about 0.7 and 1.3 of the cluster's virial radius, respectfully. Another possible giant relic and a radio halo is detected closer to the cluster center. These relic sources are unique 'signposts' of extremely energetic mergers and shocks (both ongoing and past) that are assembling and heating up this very massive galaxy cluster. They are also a probe of the filamentary cosmic-web structure beyond the cluster virial radius. Optical imaging with the IUCAA 2 m telescope and XMM-Newton X-ray data confirm a very rich galaxy cluster with a morphologically disturbed core region, suggesting a dynamically perturbed merging system.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DEEP RADIO CONTINUUM IMAGING OF THE DWARF IRREGULAR GALAXY IC 10: TRACING STAR FORMATION AND MAGNETIC FIELDS

We exploit the vastly increased sensitivity of the Expanded Very Large Array to study the radio continuum and polarization properties of the post-starburst, dwarf irregular galaxy IC 10 at 6 cm, at a linear resolution of {approx}50 pc. We find close agreement between radio continuum and H{alpha} emission, from the brightest H II regions to the weaker emission in the disk. A quantitative analysis shows a strictly linear correlation, where the thermal component contributes 50% to the total radio emission, the remainder being due to a non-thermal component with a surprisingly steep radio spectral index of between -0.7 and -1.0 suggesting substantial radiation losses of the cosmic-ray electrons. We confirm and clearly resolve polarized emission at the 10%-20% level associated with a non-thermal superbubble, where the ordered magnetic field is possibly enhanced due to the compression of the expanding bubble. A fraction of the cosmic-ray electrons has likely escaped because the measured radio emission is a factor of three lower than what is suggested by the H{alpha}-inferred star formation rate.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE) of Aluminum Alloy 7075, 2024, and Al-12.4TM

The most common aluminum alloys utilized in the aerospace industry are 7075 and 2024 due to their high strength-to-weight ratio compared to advanced high strength steels and other aluminum alloys. Despite excellent performance, these aluminum alloys have seen limited use outside of the aerospace industry due in part to high cost. If high-performance aluminum extrusions could be made more cost effectively by eliminating energy intensive process steps typical of conventional extrusion, then numerous opportunities exist for more widespread adoption. A key reason for the high cost of 7075 and 2024 extrusions (25-75% higher than 6061) is their slow extrusion speed. 7075 and 2024 are limited to 2 m/min and 3.5 m/min respectively, in contrast to 6061 which can be extruded at 20–80 m/min. In addition to slow speed, aluminum alloys require numerous thermal treatments throughout the extrusion process including homogenization and pre-heating prior to extrusion, and solution heat treating and artificial aging after extrusion. Each of these steps contribute to the total energy consumed during manufacturing of extruded components. This project investigates the use of ShAPE to improve extrusion speed and reduce, or even eliminate, the typical thermal treatments for high strength aluminum alloys, all while improving material performance. The overarching goal of this project was to demonstrate that Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE) can manufacture high-performance aluminum alloy tubing with lower manufacturing energy and improved mechanical properties compared to conventional extrusion. Unlike conventional extrusion where the billet is rammed against a stationary die using a strictly linear motion, the ShAPE process superimposes a rotational shear force by spinning the die while the billet is plunged. Compared to conventional linear extrusion, the ShAPE process imparts significantly more strain into the feedstock material, which enables the formation of novel microstructures. These microstructures manifest an array of property and process improvements for extrusion of high-performance aluminum alloys. The following accomplishments were achieved for this project: Extrusion of 7075 at 12.2 meters/min compared to 2 meters/min for conventional extrusion; Elimination of 7075 billet homogenization (430 °C for 20 hours) which is required prior to conventional extrusion; Elimination of 7075 billet pre-heating (400 °C for 1 hour) in a separate furnace which is required prior to conventional extrusion; Achieved 7075-T6with yield strength = 595 MPa, ultimate tensile strength = 531MPa, and elongation = 17.4% for extrusions made from unhomogenized billets. Exceeds the ASTM and ASM standard, and typical industry values; Achieved 7075-T5 (i.e., no solution heat treatment) with yield strength = 588 MPa, ultimate tensile strength = 535 MPa, and elongation = 14.8% for extrusions made from homogenized billets; Extrusion of 2024 at 7.4 meters/min compared to 3.5 meters/min for conventional extrusion; Achieved 2024-T8510 yield strength = 522 MPa, ultimate strength = 510MPa, and elongation = 7.1% for extrusions made from wrought billets. Exceeds the ASTM and ASM standard, and typical industry values; Extrusion of Al-12.4TM high-performance aluminum powder directly into tubing, in a single step, which eliminates process steps typical of powder metallurgy extrusion.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Unconventional Defects in a Quasi-One-Dimensional KMn 6 Bi 5

Quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) structures comprising a compact array of indefinitely long 1D nanowires (NWs) are scarce, especially in a bulk device-scale showing metallic and semiconducting behaviors along different axes. Unlike plentiful observations of nature of defects in three-/two -dimensional materials, there is a notable paucity of such reports in Q1D. Herein we present unconventional motific defects and their properties in a bulk Q1D KMn 6 Bi 5 crystal, in which an individual NW motif acts as one body. We discovered motific inter- and intra-NW defects, such that a linear set of 1D motifs are displaced. Stress generates two domains with altered inter-NW spacings and a Bi–Mn solid solution grain, leading to a local bulk plasmon shift due to NW array reconfiguration as well as atomic rearrangement. The observation of such exotic defects and associated phenomena in this Q1D may provide guidance on overall defect mechanism in other Q1D systems and their collective anisotropic properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

SU-F-T-32: Evaluation of the Performance of a Multiple-Array-Diode Detector for Quality Assurance Tests in High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy with Ir-192 Source

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of a two-dimensional (2D) array-diode- detector for geometric and dosimetric quality assurance (QA) tests of high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy with an Ir-192-source. Methods: A phantom setup was designed that encapsulated a two-dimensional (2D) array-diode-detector (MapCheck2) and a catheter for the HDR brachytherapy Ir-192 source. This setup was used to perform both geometric and dosimetric quality assurance for the HDR-Ir192 source. The geometric tests included: (a) measurement of the position of the source and (b) spacing between different dwell positions. The dosimteric tests include: (a) linearity of output with time, (b) end effect and (c) relative dose verification. The 2D-dose distribution measured with MapCheck2 was used to perform the previous tests. The results of MapCheck2 were compared with the corresponding quality assurance testes performed with Gafchromic-film and well-ionization-chamber. Results: The position of the source and the spacing between different dwell-positions were reproducible within 1 mm accuracy by measuring the position of maximal dose using MapCheck2 in contrast to the film which showed a blurred image of the dwell positions due to limited film sensitivity to irradiation. The linearity of the dose with dwell times measured from MapCheck2 was superior to the linearity measured with ionization chamber due to higher signal-to-noise ratio of the diode readings. MapCheck2 provided more accurate measurement of the end effect with uncertainty < 1.5% in comparison with the ionization chamber uncertainty of 3%. Although MapCheck2 did not provide absolute calibration dosimeter for the activity of the source, it provided accurate tool for relative dose verification in HDR-brachytherapy. Conclusion: The 2D-array-diode-detector provides a practical, compact and accurate tool to perform quality assurance for HDR-brachytherapy with an Ir-192 source. The diodes in MapCheck2 have high radiation sensitivity and linearity that is superior to Gafchromic-films and ionization chamber used for geometric and dosimetric QA in HDR-brachytherapy, respectively.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Fast-ion transport by Alfvén eigenmodes above a critical gradient threshold

Experiments on the DIII-D tokamak have identified how multiple simultaneous Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs) lead to overlapping wave-particle resonances and stochastic fast-ion transport in fusion grade plasmas [C. S. Collins et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 095001 (2016)]. The behavior results in a sudden increase in fast-ion transport at a threshold that is well above the linear stability threshold for Alfvén instability. A novel beam modulation technique [W. W. Heidbrink et al., Nucl. Fusion 56, 112011 (2016)], in conjunction with an array of fast-ion diagnostics, probes the transport by measuring the fast-ion flux in different phase-space volumes. Well above the threshold, simulations that utilize the measured mode amplitudes and structures predict a hollow fast-ion profile that resembles the profile measured by fast-ion Dα spectroscopy; the modelling also successfully reproduces the temporal response of neutral-particle signals to beam modulation. The use of different modulated sources probes the details of phase-space transport by populating different regions in phase space and by altering the amplitude of the AEs. Both effects modulate the phase-space flows.

Heidbrink, W. W.↗