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Low-energy particle events associated with sector boundaries

Onsets of some 40 to 45 low-energy proton events during the years 1957-1969 coincided in time with transits of well-defined sector boundaries across the earth. These events can be interpreted as long-lived proton streams filling up some of the magnetic sectors, indicating an acceleration of protons which is not associated with typical proton-producing flares. The sharp onsets of these particle streams, as well as a deficiency of flare-associated particle events shortly before the boundary transit, indicate that in some cases magnetic sector boundaries can inhibit transverse propagation of low-energy particles in the solar corona or in interplanetary space.

Svestka, Z.↗

Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission Observations of the Outer Electron Diffusion Region

This paper presents Magnetospheric Multiscale mission (MMS) observations of the exhaust region in the vicinity of the central reconnection site in Earth's magnetopause current sheet. High-time-resolution measurements of field and particle distributions enable us to explore the fine structure of the diffusion region near the X line. Ions are decoupled from the magnetic field throughout the entire current sheet crossing. Electron jets flow downstream from the X line at speeds greater than the E by B drift velocity. At or around the magnetospheric separatrix, large-amplitude electric fields containing field-aligned components accelerate electrons along the magnetic field toward the X line. Near the neutral sheet, crescent-shaped electron distributions appear coincident with (1) an out-of-plane electric field whose polarity is opposite to that of the reconnection electric field and (2) the energy transfer from bulk kinetic to field energy. The observations indicate that MMS passed through the edge of an elongated electron diffusion region (EDR) or the outer EDR in the exhaust region.

Hwang, K.-J.↗

LEPTON ACCELERATION IN THE VICINITY OF THE EVENT HORIZON: HIGH-ENERGY AND VERY-HIGH-ENERGY EMISSIONS FROM ROTATING BLACK HOLES WITH VARIOUS MASSES

We investigate the electrostatic acceleration of electrons and positrons in the vicinity of the event horizon, applying the pulsar outer-gap model to black hole (BH) magnetospheres. During a low accretion phase, the radiatively inefficient accretion flow (RIAF) cannot emit enough MeV photons that are needed to sustain the force-free magnetosphere via two-photon collisions. In such a charge-starved region (or a gap), an electric field arises along the magnetic field lines to accelerate electrons and positrons into ultra-relativistic energies. These relativistic leptons emit copious gamma rays via curvature and inverse-Compton (IC) processes. Some of such gamma rays collide with the submillimeter-IR photons emitted from the RIAF to materialize as pairs, which polarize to partially screen the original acceleration electric field. It is found that the gap gamma-ray luminosity increases with decreasing accretion rate. However, if the accretion rate decreases too much, the diminished RIAF soft photon field can no longer sustain a stationary pair production within the gap. As long as a stationary gap is formed, the magnetosphere becomes force-free outside the gap by the cascaded pairs, irrespective of the BH mass. If a nearby stellar-mass BH is in quiescence, or if a galactic intermediate-mass BH is in a very low accretion state, its curvature and IC emissions are found to be detectable with Fermi /LAT and imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACT). If a low-luminosity active galactic nucleus is located within about 30 Mpc, the IC emission from its supermassive BH is marginally detectable with IACT.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Radiation from laser-microplasma-waveguide interactions in the ultra-intense regime

When a high-contrast ultra-relativistic (>10{sup 20} W/cm{sup 2}) laser beam enters a micro-sized plasma waveguide, the pulse energy is coupled into waveguide modes, which significantly modifies the interaction between the electrons and electromagnetic wave. Electrons pulled out from the walls of the waveguide form a dense helical bunch inside the channel and are efficiently accelerated by the transverse magnetic modes to hundreds of MeV. The asymmetry in the transverse electric and magnetic fields drives strong oscillations, which lead to the emission of bright, well-collimated, hard X-rays. In this paper, we present our study on the underlying physics in the aforementioned process using 3D particle-in-cell simulations. The mechanism of electron acceleration and the dependence of radiation properties on different laser plasma parameters are addressed. An analytic model and basic scalings for X-ray emission are also presented by considering the lowest optical modes in the waveguide, which is adequate to describe the basic phenomenon. In addition, the effects of high-order modes as well as laser polarization are also qualitatively discussed. The considered X-ray source has promising features, potentially making it a competitive candidate for a future tabletop synchrotron source.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Searching for High-energy, Horizon-scale Emissions from Galactic Black Hole Transients during Quiescence

We search for the gamma-ray counterparts of stellar-mass black holes using the long-term Fermi archive to investigate the electrostatic acceleration of electrons and positrons in the vicinity of the event horizon. We achieve this by applying the pulsar outer-gap model to their magnetospheres. When a black hole transient (BHT) is in a low-hard or quiescent state, the radiatively inefficient accretion flow cannot emit enough MeV photons that are required to sustain the force-free magnetosphere in the polar funnel via two-photon collisions. In this charge-starved gap region, an electric field arises along the magnetic field lines to accelerate electrons and positrons into ultra-relativistic energies. These relativistic leptons emit copious Gamma-rays via the curvature and inverse-Compton (IC) processes. It is found that these gamma-ray emissions exhibit a flaring activity when the plasma accretion rate typically stays between 0.01% and 0.005% of the Eddington value for rapidly rotating, stellar-mass black holes. By analyzing the detection limit determined from archival Fermi /Large Area Telescope data, we find that the 7-year averaged duty cycle of such flaring activities should be less than 5% and 10% for XTE J1118+480 and 1A 0620-00, respectively, and that the detection limit is comparable to the theoretical prediction for V404 Cyg. It is predicted that the gap emission can be discriminated from the jet emission if we investigate the high-energy spectral behavior or observe nearby BHTs during deep quiescence simultaneously in infrared wavelength and very-high energies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Observation of particle acceleration in laboratory magnetosphere

The self-organization of magnetospheric plasma is brought about by inward diffusion of magnetized particles. Not only creating a density gradient toward the center of a dipole magnetic field, the inward diffusion also accelerates particles and provides a planetary radiation belt with high energy particles. Here, we report the first experimental observation of a “laboratory radiation belt” created in the ring trap 1 device. By spectroscopic measurement, we found an appreciable anisotropy in the ion temperature, proving the betatron acceleration mechanism which heats particles in the perpendicular direction with respect to the magnetic field when particles move inward. The energy balance model, including the heating mechanism, explains the observed ion temperature profile.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Nonlinear Electrostatic Steepening of Whistler Waves: The Guiding Factors and Dynamics in Inhomogeneous Systems

Whistler mode chorus waves are particularly important in outer radiation belt dynamics due to their key role in controlling the acceleration and scattering of electrons over a very wide energy range. The efficiency of wave-particle resonant interactions is defined by whistler wave properties which have been described by the approximation of plane linear waves propagating through the cold plasma of the inner magnetosphere. However, recent observations of extremely high-amplitude whistlers suggest the importance of nonlinear wave-particle interactions for the dynamics of the outer radiation belt. Oblique chorus waves observed in the inner magnetosphere often exhibit drastically nonsinusoidal (with significant power in the higher harmonics) waveforms of the parallel electric field, presumably due to the feedback from hot resonant electrons. We have considered the nature and properties of such nonlinear whistler waves observed by the Van Allen Probes and Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions define during Substorms in the inner magnetosphere, and we show that the significant enhancement of the wave electrostatic component can result from whistler wave coupling with the beam-driven electrostatic mode through the resonant interaction with hot electron beams. Being modulated by a whistler wave, the electron beam generates a driven electrostatic mode significantly enhancing the parallel electric field of the initial whistler wave. Finally, we confirm this mechanism using a self-consistent particle-in-cell simulation. The nonlinear electrostatic component manifests properties of the beam-driven electron acoustic mode and can be responsible for effective electron acceleration in the inhomogeneous magnetic field.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Plasma flow processes within magnetic nozzle configurations

An attempt is made to separate the interactive processes occurring in electromagnetic devices and to examine the acceleration of ionized gas within magnetic fields which can guide it through an expansion process. The plasma was generated in a single turn coil 50 cm long with a radius of 5.25 cm which surrounded a quartz tube with an internal radius of 3.81 cm and a length of 100 cm. Choking was found to occur at both sonic and cusp velocities which were coincident in the present experiment.

York, Thomas M.↗

Electron Ion Collider Machine Detector Interface

Here we review the major physics requirements, accelerator challenges and some magnet design issues for the Machine Detector Interface (MDI) of an Electron Ion Collider (EIC) Interaction Region (IR). In order to fully exploit the rich physics potential of an EIC, an IR MDI team must balance a complex interplay that arises when combining hadron and electron collider accelerators in an optimized IR. The work described in this paper results from ongoing close collaboration between many people at BNL, JLab and other institutes to realize an EIC as the next, highest priority, future nuclear physics project.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Initial performance of the magnet system in the splitter/combiner section of the Cornell-Brookhaven Energy-Recovery Linac Test Accelerator

The Cornell-Brookhaven Energy-recovery Linac Test Ac- celerator is a four-pass, 150-MeV electron accelerator with a six-cell 1.3 GHz superconducting-RF linear accelerator and a fixed-field alternating-gradient (FFAG) return loop made up of Halbach-style quadrupole magnets. The optics matching between the linear accelerator and the return loop is achieved with a conventional magnet system comprised of 50 dipole magnets and 64 quadrupole magnets in four beamlines at each end of the linac. The 42-, 78-, 114- and 150-MeV electron beams are separated into independent vacuum chambers in order to allow for the path-length ad- justment required by energy recovery. We report on the first beam tests of the initial installation of the splitter/combiner section at the exit of the linac. The vacuum system of the 42-MeV S1 line was installed during the first week of April. Nine dipole and four quadrupole magnets were installed and surveyed into position the following week, and the water cooling system was commissioned. A 6-MeV beam passed through the line on April 11 with no need for adjusting pre-set magnet excitation currents. One week later, time- of-flight measurements were used to calibrate and phase the individual superconducting RF cavities. The S1 magnet settings were then scaled up to achieve 5-cavity, 42-MeV operation through the first nine FFAG permanent-magnet quadrupoles. This initial Fractional Arc Test will conclude on May 18, when the installation of the remaining seven split- ter/combiner lines and the return loop will begin. CBETA operations are scheduled to begin in early 2019.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Volumetric Radiosurgery for 1 to 10 Brain Metastases: A Multicenter, Single-Arm, Phase 2 Study

Purpose: Interest is growing in treating multiple brain metastases with radiosurgery. We report on the effectiveness and tolerability of volumetric radiosurgery (VRS). Methods and Materials: We enrolled patients with a ≥6-month estimated life expectancy and 1 to 10 brain metastases with a diameter of ≤3 cm at 5 cancer centers. Volumetric radiosurgery was delivered in 5 fractions with 98% target coverage, prescribed as 95% of 50 Gy (47.5 Gy in 5 fractions) to the metastases with no margin and 95% of 40 Gy (38 Gy in 5 fractions) to their 2-mm planning target volumes, concurrent with 20 Gy to the whole brain planning target volume. The treatment was delivered with daily image guidance using conventional linear accelerators and volumetric modulated arc therapy. A magnetic resonance imaging scan was obtained every 3 months. The primary endpoint was the 3-month objective response in the brain according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1. The principal secondary endpoint was 1-year actuarial control of treated metastases. Toxicities were graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0. The present study is registered with (ClinicalTrials.gov) ( (clinicaltrials.gov) identifier (NCT01046123)). Results: From July 2010 to May 2013, 60 patients underwent VRS with 47.5 Gy in 5 fractions for 12 metastases in the thalamus and basal ganglia (deep metastases) and 207 non-deep metastases. The median follow-up period was 30.5 months, and the median survival was 10.1 months. For the 43 patients assessable at 3 months, the objective response in the brain was 56%. The treated metastases were controlled in 88% of patients at 1 year and 84% at 3 years. Overall survival did not differ for patients with 4 to 10 versus 1 to 3 metastases (hazard ratio 1.18, P=.6). The crude incidence of severe radionecrosis (grade 3-5) was 25% (3 of 12) per deep metastasis, 1.9% (4 of 219) per non-deep metastasis, and 10% (6 of 60) per patient. Conclusions: For non-deep brain metastases, 47.5 Gy in 5 fractions was tolerable. Volumetric radiosurgery was effective for long-term control of treated brain metastases.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

High Performance Superconducting Undulator Development

Initial Phase I work has involved a collaborative technical analysis of the superconducting magnet design. ANL has provided CMI with a history of the SCAPE prototype including the short 0.5m wet coil versions as well as thoughts on possible manufacturing methods.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Harmonic Resonant Kicker Design for the MEIC Electron Circular Cooler Ring

Bunched-beam electron cooling of the high-energy ion beam emittance may be a crucial technology for the proposed Medium energy Electron Ion Collider (MEIC) to achieve its design luminosity. A critical component is a fast kicker system in the Circular Ring (CR) that periodically switches electron bunches in and out of the ring from and to the driver Energy Recovery Linac (ERL). Compared to a conventional strip-line type kicker, a quarter-wave resonator (QWR)-based deflecting structure has a much higher shunt impedance and so requires much less RF power. The cavity has been designed to resonate simultaneously at many harmonic modes that are integer multiples of the fundamental mode. In this way the resulting waveform will kick only a subset of the circulating bunches. In this paper, analytical shunt impedance optimization, the electromagnetic simulations of this type of cavity, as well as tuner and coupler concept designs to produce 5 odd and 5 even harmonics of 47.63MHz will be presented, in order to kick every 10th bunch in a 476.3 MHz bunch train.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Assembly and Tests of Mechanical Models of the 15-T Nb 3 Sn Dipole Demonstrator

Within the US Magnet Development Program, Fermilab is developing a 15-T Nb 3 Sn dipole demonstrator. Prior to the construction of the real magnet model, short sections and the whole structure were instrumented with strain gauges and assembled to confirm the results of structural analysis, check tooling and to gain experience with the assembly of the real magnet components. We summarize the lessons learned from these mechanical models and compares the measured data with the finite element analysis.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Electric field screening with backflow at pulsar polar cap

Recent γ-ray observations suggest that particle acceleration occurs at the outer region of the pulsar magnetosphere. The magnetic field lines in the outer acceleration region (OAR) are connected to the neutron star surface (NSS). If copious electron–positron pairs are produced near the NSS, such pairs flow into the OAR and screen the electric field there. To activate the OAR, the electromagnetic cascade due to the electric field near the NSS should be suppressed. However, since a return current is expected along the field lines through the OAR, the outflow extracted from the NSS alone cannot screen the electric field just above the NSS. In this paper, we analytically and numerically study the electric field screening at the NSS, taking into account the effects of the backflowing particles from the OAR. In certain limited cases, the electric field is screened without significant pair cascade if only ultra-relativistic particles (γ≫1) flow back to the NSS. On the other hand, if electron–positron pairs with a significant number density and mildly relativistic temperature, expected to distribute in a wide region of the magnetosphere, flow back to the NSS, these particles adjust the current and charge densities so that the electric field can be screened without pair cascade. We obtain the condition needed for the number density of particles to screen the electric field at the NSS. We also find that in the ion-extracted case from the NSS, bunches of particles are ejected to the outer region quasi-periodically, which is a possible mechanism of observed radio emission.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Design and fabrication of a 30 T superconducting solenoid using overpressure processed Bi2212 round wire

High field magnets are needed for frontier accelerator facilities and have many applications beyond high-energy physics. Of particular interest are 30-40T class (LTS/HTS hybrid) solenoids required for the final beam cooling stages of a muon collider facility. The successful design of such magnets using Bi2212 conductor depends critically on the conductor processing, stress management in the coil, and quench protection. These are the challenges addressed in the proposal and the overall objectives of the combined Phase I and Phase II projects. Bi2212 round wire conductor will be evaluated for accelerator use by concentrating on the design of a solenoid magnet that will be the enabling technology for realizing the final stages of muon beam cooling and thus a high luminosity muon collider. A full mechanical characterization of a test coil made from overpressure-processed conductor with engineering current density JE in the range of & gt;600 A/mm2 at 20-30 T will be performed. The data from the test coil will serve as input to a 30+ T magnet that will be designed, built, and tested to demonstrate the suitability of overpressure-processed Bi2212 for solenoids for final muon cooling and 6D cooling channels. Short lengths and coils wound from up to 100 m length conductor will be overpressure processed. Characterization of an overpressure processed Bi2212 round-wire based solenoid will be performed at 4.2 K in a background field of up to 14 T. The characterization will include mechanical, thermal, and quench properties. The data will be used as input to a 30+ T coil design that has suitable stress management and quench protection, to be built and tested in Phase II. Commercial applications and other benefits: The technology developed by this work will benefit high-energy physics applications. The knowledge and expertise gained from this project will enable the development of very high-field solenoids, dipoles, and quadrupoles using Bi2212 cable at low temperature for applications in future particle accelerators. The technology will also extend the range available to Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, an important technique used to understand molecular structures of proteins and other materials.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Particle-in-cell simulation study of a lower-hybrid shock

The expansion of a magnetized high-pressure plasma into a low-pressure ambient medium is examined with particle-in-cell simulations. The magnetic field points perpendicular to the plasma's expansion direction and binary collisions between particles are absent. The expanding plasma steepens into a quasi-electrostatic shock that is sustained by the lower-hybrid (LH) wave. The ambipolar electric field points in the expansion direction and it induces together with the background magnetic field a fast E cross B drift of electrons. The drifting electrons modify the background magnetic field, resulting in its pile-up by the LH shock. The magnetic pressure gradient force accelerates the ambient ions ahead of the LH shock, reducing the relative velocity between the ambient plasma and the LH shock to about the phase speed of the shocked LH wave, transforming the LH shock into a nonlinear LH wave. The oscillations of the electrostatic potential have a larger amplitude and wavelength in the magnetized plasma than in an unmagnetized one with otherwise identical conditions. The energy loss to the drifting electrons leads to a noticeable slowdown of the LH shock compared to that in an unmagnetized plasma.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Pulsed acceleration in solar flares

We study the nonlinear dynamics of particle acceleration in solar flares by analyzing the time series of various quasi-periodic radio signatures during flares. In particular we present the radio and hard X-ray data of three flares which suppport the following tentative conclusions: (1) Particle acceleration and injection into magnetic structures occurs intrinsically in a pulsed mode (with a typical period of 1-2 s), produced by a single, spatially coherent, nonlinear system, rather than by a stochastic system with many spatially independent components ('statistical flare' produced by a fragmented primary energy release). (2) The nonlinear (quasi-periodic) mode of pulsed particle acceleration and injection into a coronal loop can be stabilized by phase locking with an MHD wave (oscillation) mode, if both periods are close to each other. (3) Pulsed injection of electron beams into a coronal loop may trigger nonlinear relaxational oscillations of wave-particle interactions. This is particularly likely when the limit cycles of both systems are similar.

Aschwanden, Markus J.↗