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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 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Development of a compact magnetic spectrometer for use at the OMEGA Laser Facility and the National Ignition Facility

Measurement of proton spectra is an important diagnostic for a variety of high energy density physics experiments. Current diagnostics are either not designed to capture the spectrum of low-energy protons or are unsuitable for high debris experiments. To bridge the gap, a new CR-39 based compact magnetic spectrometer (MagSpec) has been developed to measure proton spectra in the 1–20 MeV energy range, with a particular focus on the low-energy (1–6 MeV) spectrum, for use in experiments at the OMEGA Laser Facility and the National Ignition Facility (NIF). In the MagSpec diagnostic, protons of different energies are dispersed as they pass through a magnetic field before impinging on a differentially filtered CR-39 surface, resulting in a spatial distribution of CR-39 tracks that corresponds to the energy spectrum. In this paper, we discuss details of the design and implementation of MagSpec on the NIF and OMEGA.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Demonstration of TNSA proton radiography on the National Ignition Facility Advanced Radiographic Capability (NIF-ARC) Laser

We report that proton radiography using short-pulse laser drivers is an important tool in high-energy density (HED) science for dynamically diagnosing key characteristics in plasma interactions. Here we detail the first demonstration of target-normal sheath acceleration (TNSA)-based proton radiography the NIF-ARC laser system aided by the use of compound parabolic concentrators (CPCs). The multi-kJ energies available at the NIF-ARC laser allows for a high-brightness proton source for radiography and thus enabling a wide range of applications in HED science. In this demonstration, proton radiography of a physics package was performed and this work details the spectral properties of the TNSA proton probe as well as description of the resulting radiography quality.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1971

Investigation of environmental effects on coatings for thermal control of large space vehicles

The objective of significantly advancing the state-of-the-art of white, spacecraft-radiator coatings has been realized in a comprehensive goal-oriented, pigmented-coatings research program. Considered were inorganic pigments and coatings, silicone polymers and coatings, the design and construction of a combined ultraviolet-plus-proton irradiation facility, the development of zinc orthotitanate pigment and coatings, and the effects on several low alpha sub s/epsilon paints of combined ultraviolet and proton irradiation.

Zerlaunt, G. A.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Adjustable collimation for dark-field proton radiography contrast enhancement

A dark-field imaging condition established through pre- and post-object beam collimation has been tested for a variety of different settings at the proton radiography facility (pRad) at Los Alamos National Laboratory. This technique facilitates imaging of thin samples and materials with small areal density changes with 800 MeV protons that would otherwise appear nearly transparent for high energy protons. In the configuration that was examined, the pre-object (upstream) collimator is utilized to remove protons with large scattering angles prior to the target object. The post-object collimation entails a combination of a conventional collimator, which eliminates protons with large scattering angles after target interaction, and an inverse collimator. The inverse collimator removes unscattered protons traveling on the beam axis and those with smaller scattering angles up to a desired angle. This establishes a dark-field condition by permitting solely protons that exhibit scattering angles from target interaction within a designated range to contribute to the image. This study explores the potential of combining different sized collimators for pre- and post-object collimation. The objective is to optimize contrast for a range of samples with minimal areal density variations. A series of dark-field conditions are explored employing a remote-controlled collimator wheel and the contrast-to-noise ratio, spatial resolution, and proton transmission are compared for those combinations. It is found that the contrast-to-noise ratio can be substantially enhanced for thin samples and low areal density objects, thereby facilitating capturing high-contrast images of objects that were previously invisible to high energy protons.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Mitigation of Beam Losses in LANSCE Linear Accelerator

Suppression of beam losses is essential for successful operation of high-intensity accelerator facility. The LANSCE accelerator started routine operation in 1972 as a 0.8 MW average proton beam power facility for meson physics research, and delivered highpower beam for a quarter century. The accelerator currently delivers 100 MeV proton beam to Isotope Production Facility (IPF) and 800 MeV H- beams to various experimental areas. The accelerator is equipped with two independent injectors for H + and H - beams, merging at the entrance of a 201.25 MHz Drift Tube Linac (DTL). The DTL performs acceleration up to the energy of 100 MeV. After the DTL, the Transition Region beamline directs a 100 MeV proton beam to the Isotope Production Facility, while the H - beam is accelerated up to the final energy of 800 MeV in an 805- MHz Coupled Cavity Linac. The H - beams, created with different time structure by a lowenergy chopper, are distributed in the Switch Yard (SY) to four experimental areas: the Lujan Neutron Scattering Center equipped with a Proton Storage Ring (PSR), the Weapons Neutron Research facility (WNR), the Proton Radiography facility (pRad), and the Ultra-Cold Neutron facility (UCN). Multi-beam operation requires careful control of accelerator tune to minimize beam losses. In this paper we review main effects affecting beam losses in LANSCE linear accelerator and discuss methods to reduce them.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

A novel, steerable, low-energy proton source for detector characterization

We report on the conversion of the Manitoba II mass spectrometer into a versatile low-energy proton beam facility. This infrastructure is adaptable to any detector-under-test (DUT), and has proven itself effective with the characterization of silicon detectors used in subatomic beyond-the-Standard-Model (BSM) searches, namely the Nab experiment. A pencil beam of mono-energetic protons can be produced in a range from 25 keV to 35 keV, achieving a beam current of ~1 x 10 -18 A. Electrostatic steering plates were constructed to direct the Gaussian-profile proton beam over a 117 mm diameter area-of-interest with full-width at half-maxima (FWHM) ranging from 0.6 mm to 1.26 mm. This work discusses the modifications and subsequent tests to confirm the beam specifications met the demands of the aforementioned detectors.

Fundamental neutron physics↗
DOE OSTI2020

Control System Plans for SNS Upgrade Projects

The Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is planning two major upgrades to the facility. The Proton Power Upgrade project, currently underway, will double the machine power from 1.4 to 2.8 MW by adding seven additional cryomodules and associated equipment. The Second Target Station project, currently in conceptual design, will construct a new target station effectively doubling the potential scientific output of the facility. This paper discusses the control system upgrades required to integrate these projects into the existing EPICS based control systems used for the machine and neutron instrument beamlines. While much of the control system can be replicated from existing solutions, some systems require new hardware and software. Operating two target stations simultaneously will require a new run permit system to safely manage beam delivery.

Hartman, Steven↗
NASA NTRS2003

Proton and heavy ion acceleration facilities for space radiation research

The particles and energies commonly used for medium energy nuclear physics and heavy charged particle radiobiology and radiotherapy at particle accelerators are in the charge and energy range of greatest interest for space radiation health. In this article we survey some of the particle accelerator facilities in the United States and around the world that are being used for space radiation health and related research, and illustrate some of their capabilities with discussions of selected accelerator experiments applicable to the human exploration of space.

NASA Discipline Radiation Health↗
DOE OSTI2025

Characterizing secondary neutrons at BLIP for isotope production applications

Fast secondary neutrons created at the Brookhaven Linac Isotope Producer (BLIP) facility following proton irradiation were characterized by the foil activation technique and compared with FLUKA Monte Carlo simulations. The FLUKA-simulated neutron flux was spectrally adjusted following the maximum entropy formalism using the International Reactor Dosimetry and Fusion File (IRDFF-II), with predictions agreeing with experimental measurements to within 9 % following the adjustment procedure. Here, a multitude of degrader configurations were simulated to assess the feasibility of improving the fast (E n > 20 MeV) secondary neutron yield at the proposed neutron target position (“N-slot”). A configuration where the N-slot is closest to the proton degrader produced the highest fast neutron yield, with tungsten degraders achieving the best performance. Assuming the optimized target-degrader configuration proposed in this work, we discuss potential isotope production opportunities with secondary neutrons. In most cases the yields are in the order of several mCi.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

New opportunities at the next-generation neutrino experiments I: BSM neutrino physics and dark matter

The combination of the high intensity proton beam facilities and massive detectors for precision measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters including the charge-parity violating (CPV) phase will open the door to help make beyond the standard model (BSM) physics reachable even in low energy regimes in the accelerator-based experiments. Large-mass detectors with highly precise tracking and energy measurements, excellent timing resolution, and low energy thresholds will enable the searches for BSM phenomena from cosmogenic origin, as well. Therefore, it is also conceivable that BSM topics in the next-generation neutrino experiments could be the dominant physics topics in the foreseeable future, as the precision of the neutrino oscillation parameter and CPV measurements continue to improve. This paper reviews the current landscape of BSM theory in neutrino experiments in two selected areas of the BSM topics-dark matter and neutrino related BSM-and summarizes the current results from existing neutrino experiments to set benchmarks for both theory and experiment. This paper then provides a review of upcoming neutrino experiments throughout the next 10 to 15 year time scale and their capabilities to set the foundation for potential reach in BSM physics in the two aforementioned themes. An important outcome of this paper is to ensure theoretical and simulation tools exist to carry out studies of these new areas of physics, from the first day of the experiments, such as Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment in the U.S. and Hyper-Kamiokande Experiment in Japan.

dark sector↗
DOE OSTI2020

Developing Sample Management Tools for the Irradiation Test Area (ITA)

The ITA Data Manager (IDM) has been ported from CERN’s Proton Irradiation Facility (IRRAD), where it was used previously as the IRRAD Data Manager (IDM), in order to meet the data management and sample tracking needs of the Irradiation Test Area (ITA), a newly developed facility at Fermilab (launching Fall 2020) operating under the Fermilab Test Beam Facility.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Study of charge trapping in CZT detectors

A semiconductor detection material, Cadmium Zinc Telluride, was investigated for potential use as a particle detector for space flight applications. Our set of detectors was determined to be flawed for particle detection methods, likely due to charge transport mechanisms within the detector material, or due to reduced voltage required to avoid dielectric breakdown. It was observed that the method of crystal growth may play a role in the performance, but performance may also vary between manufacturers using the same growth method. It is recommended to perform further study at a larger proton beam facility.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1999

Radiation Effects: Core Project

The risks to personnel in space from the naturally occurring radiations are generally considered to be one of the most serious limitations to human space missions, as noted in two recent reports of the National Research Council/National Academy of Sciences. The Core Project of the Radiation Effects Team for the National Space Biomedical Research Institute is the consequences of radiations in space in order to develop countermeasure, both physical and pharmaceutical, to reduce the risks of cancer and other diseases associated with such exposures. During interplanetary missions, personnel in space will be exposed to galactic cosmic rays, including high-energy protons and energetic ions with atomic masses of iron or higher. In addition, solar events will produce radiation fields of high intensity for short but irregular durations. The level of intensity of these radiations is considerably higher than that on Earth's surface, and the biological risks to astronauts is consequently increased, including increased risks of carcinogenesis and other diseases. This group is examining the risk of cancers resulting from low-dose, low-dose rate exposures of model systems to photons, protons, and iron by using ground-based accelerators which are capable of producing beams of protons, iron, and other heavy ions at energies comparable to those encountered in space. They have begun the first series of experiments using a 1-GeV iron beam at the Brookhaven National Laboratory and 250-MeV protons at Loma Linda University Medical Center's proton synchrotron facility. As part of these studies, this group will be investigating the potential for the pharmaceutical, Tamoxifen, to reduce the risk of breast cancer in astronauts exposed to the level of doses and particle types expected in space. Theoretical studies are being carried out in a collaboration between scientists at NASA's Johnson Space Center and Johns Hopkins University in parallel with the experimental program have provided methods and predictions which are being used to assess the levels of risks to be encountered and to evaluate appropriate strategies for countermeasures. Although the work in this project is primarily directed toward problems associated with space travel, the problem of protracted exposures to low-levels of radiation is one of national interest in our energy and defense programs, and the results may suggest new paradigms for addressing such risks.

Dicello, John F.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Virtex-II Pro PowerPC SEE Characterization Test Methods and Results

The Xilinx Vix-11 Pro is a platform FPGA that embeds multiple microprocessors within the fabric of an SRAM-based reprogrammable FPGA. The variety and quantity of resources provided by this family of devices make them very attractive for spaceflight applications. However,these devices will be susceptible to single event effects (SEE), which must be mitigated. Observations from prior testing of the Xilinx Virtex-II Pro suggest that the PowerPC core has significant vulnerability to SEES. However, these initial tests were not designed to exclusively target the functionality of the PowerPC, therefore making it difficult to distinguish processor upsets from fabric upsets. The main focus of this paper involves detailed SEE testing of the embedded PowerPC core. Due to the complexity of the PowerPC, various custom test applications, both static and dynamic, will be designed to isolate each Unit of the processor. Collective analysis of the test results will provide insight into the exact upset mechanism of the PowerPC. With this information, mitigations schemes can be developed and tested that address the specific susceptibilities of these devices. The test bed will be the Xilinx SEE Consortium Virtex-II Pro test board, which allows for configuration scrubbing, design triplication, and ease of data collection. Testing will be performed at the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility using protons of varying energy levels and fluencies. This paper will present the detailed test approach along with the results.

Petrick, David↗
DOE OSTI2024

Hohlraum fields with monoenergetic proton radiography at OMEGA

A more complete understanding of laser-driven hohlraum plasmas is critical for the continued development and improvement of ICF experiments. In these hohlraums, self-generated electric and magnetic fields can play an important role in modifying plasma properties such as heat transport; however, the strength and distribution of electromagnetic fields in such hohlraums remain largely uncertain. To explore this question, we conducted experiments at the OMEGA laser facility, using monoenergetic proton radiography to probe laser-driven vacuum hohlraums. We then utilized reconstructive methods to recover information about proton deflections. To interpret these reconstructions, a new technique for detangling the contributions of electric and magnetic fields to proton deflections was developed. This work was supported in part by the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Laser Users’ Facility, and the Laboratory for Laser Energetics.

Pearcy, Jacob A. (ORCID:0000000155817219)↗
DOE OSTI2025

A profile monitor for proton radiography experiments at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center

The Proton Radiography (pRad) facility at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center utilizes pulses of protons delivered by the 800 MeV linear accelerator to produce a series of radiographic images to study the dynamic behavior of materials under extreme conditions. Radiographs taken with an empty field of view, or beam pictures, are used to normalize transmission. However, because the center of the proton beam shifts between pulses, an in situ method for measuring beam position is required to normalize images for beam movement to perform absolute radiography. The beam profile monitor described here uses an array of scintillating fibers positioned in the beam path to produce light proportional to beam intensity across the beam cross section. This light is detected using fast photodiodes and a digital oscilloscope, providing a response time of several nanoseconds—suitable for measuring the 50-ns proton pulses used in pRad. The profile monitor achieves a measured position precision of 40 μm and an intensity precision of 0.7%, allowing for beam movement corrections to be applied to images, thereby improving data accuracy and image quality.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

A laser parameter study on enhancing proton generation from microtube foil targets

Abstract The interaction of an intense laser with a solid foil target can drive $$\sim$$ ∼ TV/m electric fields, accelerating ions to MeV energies. In this study, we experimentally observe that structured targets can dramatically enhance proton acceleration in the target normal sheath acceleration regime. At the Texas Petawatt Laser facility, we compared proton acceleration from a $$1\, {\upmu }\hbox {m}$$ 1 μ m flat Ag foil, to a fixed microtube structure 3D printed on the front side of the same foil type. A pulse length (140–450 fs) and intensity ((4–10) $$\times 10^{20}$$ × 10 20 W/cm $$^2$$ 2 ) study found an optimum laser configuration (140 fs, 4 $$\times 10^{20}$$ × 10 20 W/cm $$^2$$ 2 ), in which microtube targets increase the proton cutoff energy by 50% and the yield of highly energetic protons ( $$>10$$ > 10 MeV) by a factor of 8 $$\times$$ × . When the laser intensity reaches $$10^{21}$$ 10 21 W/cm $$^2$$ 2 , the prepulse shutters the microtubes with an overcritical plasma, damping their performance. 2D particle-in-cell simulations are performed, with and without the preplasma profile imported, to better understand the coupling of laser energy to the microtube targets. The simulations are in qualitative agreement with the experimental results, and show that the prepulse is necessary to account for when the laser intensity is sufficiently high.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗