Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Accelerator Magnets”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,549 records · Page 86
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

Cryogenic distribution for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams

The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) is a new National User Facility for nuclear science funded by the Department of Energy Office of Science and operated by Michigan State University. The FRIB accelerator linac consists of superconducting radio-frequency (SCRF) cavities operating at 2 K and SC magnets operating at 4.5 K all cooled by a large scale cryogenic refrigeration system. A major subsystem of the cryogenic system will be the distribution system whose primary components will include a distribution box, the transfer lines and the interconnect valve boxes at each cryogenic device. An overview of the conceptual design of the distribution system including engineering details, capabilities and schedule is described.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
NASA NTRS1978

Particle acceleration in pulsar magnetospheres

The structure of pulsar magnetospheres and the acceleration mechanism for charged particles in the magnetosphere was studied using a pulsar model which required large acceleration of the particles near the surface of the star. A theorem was developed which showed that particle acceleration cannot be expected when the angle between the magnetic field lines and the rotation axis is constant (e.g. radial field lines). If this angle is not constant, however, acceleration must occur. The more realistic model of an axisymmetric neutron star with a strong dipole magnetic field aligned with the rotation axis was investigated. In this case, acceleration occurred at large distances from the surface of the star. The magnitude of the current can be determined using the model presented. In the case of nonaxisymmetric systems, the acceleration is expected to occur nearer to the surface of the star.

Baker, K. B.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Comment on “Nonideal Fields Solve the Injection Problem in Relativistic Reconnection”

Sironi (hereafter S22) reported the correlation between high-energy particles and their crossings of regions with electric field larger than magnetic field (E > B regions) in kinetic simulations of relativistic magnetic reconnection. They claim that E > B regions (for vanishing guide fields) accelerate particles to the injection energy γ inj ~ σ (magnetization). S22 shows that if test particles are reset to low energies in E > B regions, injection is suppressed. Here, we reexamine these claims using a simulation resembling the reference case in S22 with no guide field. We show that E > B regions contribute very little to injection (~ 10% γ inj ) as they only host particles for a short duration. The energization before any E > B crossings has a comparable contribution, indicating E > B regions are not unique for pre-acceleration. A new test-particle simulation that zeroes out E during E > B does not strongly influence injection. We suggest that the procedure to exclude E > B acceleration in S22 partly removes acceleration outside E > B, leading to a false conclusion.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2010

Design of a Microwave Assisted Discharge Inductive Plasma Accelerator

The design and construction of a thruster that employs electrodeless plasma preionization and pulsed inductive acceleration is described. Preionization is achieved through an electron cyclotron resonance discharge that produces a weakly-ionized plasma at the face of a conical theta pinch-shaped inductive coil. The presence of the preionized plasma allows for current sheet formation at lower discharge voltages than those employed in other pulsed inductive accelerators that do not employ preionization. The location of the electron cyclotron resonance discharge is controlled through the design of the applied magnetic field in the thruster. Finite element analysis shows that there is an arrangement of permanent magnets that yields a small volume of resonant magnetic field at the coil face. Preionization in the resonant zone leads to current sheet formation at the coil face, which minimizes the initial inductance of the pulse circuit and maximizes the potential electrical efficiency of the accelerator. A magnet assembly was constructed around an inductive coil to provide structural support to the selected arrangement of neodymium magnets. Measured values of the resulting magnetic field compare favorably with the finite element model.

Hallock, Ashley K.↗
DOE OSTI2016

SUPRATHERMAL ELECTRONS AT SATURN'S BOW SHOCK

The leading explanation for the origin of galactic cosmic rays is particle acceleration at the shocks surrounding young supernova remnants (SNRs), although crucial aspects of the acceleration process are unclear. The similar collisionless plasma shocks frequently encountered by spacecraft in the solar wind are generally far weaker (lower Mach number) than these SNR shocks. However, the Cassini spacecraft has shown that the shock standing in the solar wind sunward of Saturn (Saturn's bow shock) can occasionally reach this high-Mach number astrophysical regime. In this regime Cassini has provided the first in situ evidence for electron acceleration under quasi-parallel upstream magnetic conditions. Here we present the full picture of suprathermal electrons at Saturn's bow shock revealed by Cassini . The downstream thermal electron distribution is resolved in all data taken by the low-energy electron detector (CAPS-ELS, <28 keV) during shock crossings, but the higher energy channels were at (or close to) background. The high-energy electron detector (MIMI-LEMMS, >18 keV) measured a suprathermal electron signature at 31 of 508 crossings, where typically only the lowest energy channels (<100 keV) were above background. We show that these results are consistent with the theory in which the “injection” of thermal electrons into an acceleration process involves interaction with whistler waves at the shock front, and becomes possible for all upstream magnetic field orientations at high Mach numbers like those of the strong shocks around young SNRs. A future dedicated study will analyze the rare crossings with evidence for relativistic electrons (up to ∼1 MeV).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2016

Van Allen Probes Observations of Magnetic Field Dipolarization and Its Associated O+ Flux Variations in the Inner Magnetosphere at L 6.6

We investigate the magnetic field dipolarization in the inner magnetosphere and its associated ion flux variations, using the magnetic field and energetic ion flux data acquired by the Van Allen Probes. From a study of 74 events that appeared at L= 4.5-6.6 between 1 October 2012 and 31 October 2013, we reveal the following characteristics of the dipolarization in the inner magnetosphere: (1) its time scale is approximately 5 min; (2) it is accompanied by strong magnetic fluctuations that have a dominant frequency close to the O+ gyrofrequency; (3) ion fluxes at 20-50 keV are simultaneously enhanced with larger magnitudes for O+ than for H+; (4) after a few minutes of the dipolarization, the flux enhancement at 0.1-5 keV appears with a clear energy-dispersion signature only for O+; and (5) the energy-dispersed O+ flux enhancement appears in directions parallel or antiparallel to the magnetic field. From these characteristics, we discuss possible mechanisms that can provide selective acceleration to O+ ions at > 20 keV. We conclude that O+ ions at L= 5.4-6.6 undergo nonadiabatic local acceleration caused by oscillating electric field associated with the magnetic fluctuations and/or adiabatic convective transport from the plasma sheet to the inner magnetosphere by the impulsive electric field. At L= 4.5-5.4, however, only the former acceleration is plausible. We also conclude that the field-aligned energy-dispersed O+ ions at 0.1-5 keV originate from the ionosphere and are extracted nearly simultaneously to the onset of the dipolarization.

Magnetosphere↗
DOE OSTI2013

On plasma rotation induced by waves in tokamaks

The momentum conservation for resonant wave-particle interactions, now proven rigorously and for general settings, is applied to explain in simple terms how tokamak plasma is spun up by the wave momentum perpendicular to the dc magnetic field. The perpendicular momentum is passed through resonant particles to the dc field and, giving rise to the radial electric field, is accumulated as a Poynting flux; the bulk plasma is then accelerated up to the electric drift velocity proportional to that flux, independently of collisions. The presence of this collisionless acceleration mechanism permits varying the ratio of the average kinetic momentum absorbed by the resonant-particle and bulk distributions depending on the orientation of the wave vector. Both toroidal and poloidal forces are calculated, and a fluid model is presented that yields the plasma velocity at equilibrium.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Microwave processes in the SPD-ATON stationary plasma thruster

Results of experimental studies of microwave processes accompanying plasma acceleration in the SPD-ATON stationary plasma thruster are presented. Specific features of the generation of microwave oscillations in both the acceleration channel and the plasma flow outgoing from the thruster are analyzed on the basis of local measurements of the spectra of the plasma wave fields. Mechanisms for generation of microwave oscillations are considered with allowance for the inhomogeneity of the electron density and magnetic field behind the edge of the acceleration channel. The effect of microwave oscillations on the electron transport and the formation of the discharge current in the acceleration channel is discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1976

Effect of magnetic field on reduction of nickel oxide

Results of observations recorded during constant temperature reduction of NiO, a paramagnetic substance, to Ni, a ferromagnetic element, are presented. The application of a large magnetic field (4,200 oersted) does not result in an acceleration of the reduction rate. To explain earlier observations that 500- and 1,400-oersted magnetic fields increase the reduction rate of iron ore which contains hematite (Fe2O3), Peters (1973) had suggested that thermodynamics theory could predict the acceleration in reaction rate when product and reactant species differ widely in their magnetic properties.

Rowe, M. W.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Radiation from Accelerated Particles in Shocks and Reconnections

We have investigated particle acceleration and shock structure associated with an unmagnetized relativistic jets propagating into an unmagnetized plasmas. Strong magnetic fields generated in the trailing shock contribute to the electrons transverse deflection and acceleration. We have calculated, self-consistently, the radiation from electrons accelerated in the turbulent magnetic fields. We found that the synthetic spectra depend on the Lorentz factor of the jet, its thermal temperature and strength of the generated magnetic fields. The properties of the radiation may be important for understanding the complex time evolution and/or spectral structure in gamma-ray bursts, relativistic jets in general, and supernova remnants

Nishikawa, K.-I.↗
DOE OSTI2015

THE HARD X-RAY VIEW OF THE YOUNG SUPERNOVA REMNANT G1.9+0.3

NuSTAR observed G1.9+0.3, the youngest known supernova remnant in the Milky Way, for 350 ks and detected emission up to ∼30 keV. The remnant's X-ray morphology does not change significantly across the energy range from 3 to 20 keV. A combined fit between NuSTAR and Chandra shows that the spectrum steepens with energy. The spectral shape can be well fitted with synchrotron emission from a power-law electron energy distribution with an exponential cutoff with no additional features. It can also be described by a purely phenomenological model such as a broken power law or a power law with an exponential cutoff, though these descriptions lack physical motivation. Using a fixed radio flux at 1 GHz of 1.17 Jy for the synchrotron model, we get a column density of N {sub H} = (7.23 ± 0.07) × 10{sup 22} cm{sup –2}, a spectral index of α = 0.633 ± 0.003, and a roll-off frequency of ν{sub rolloff} = (3.07 ± 0.18) × 10{sup 17} Hz. This can be explained by particle acceleration, to a maximum energy set by the finite remnant age, in a magnetic field of about 10 μG, for which our roll-off implies a maximum energy of about 100 TeV for both electrons and ions. Much higher magnetic-field strengths would produce an electron spectrum that was cut off by radiative losses, giving a much higher roll-off frequency that is independent of magnetic-field strength. In this case, ions could be accelerated to much higher energies. A search for {sup 44}Ti emission in the 67.9 keV line results in an upper limit of 1.5 × 10{sup –5} photons cm{sup –2} s{sup –1} assuming a line width of 4.0 keV (1 sigma)

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

SU-E-T-745: The Use of Electron Dense Materials for Quality Assurance Testing in a Magnetic Field

Purpose: Due to the effect of the magnetic field on the dose deposition (skewing the beam), machine quality assurance (QA) tests for the MR-linac (MRI combined with a linear accelerator) need to be redesigned. In this work we focus on the redesign of QA tests that address geometrical accuracy of the system. Methods: Using electron dense materials (e.g. copper in our experiment) the dose kernel is minimized and thereby the effect of the magnetic field on the dose distribution. This approach is supported by Monte-Carlo simulations and can be used in practice with film measurements. Two examples of QA tests are presented: beam profile and star-shot measurements. Results: The novel method was verified by performing both measurements on a conventional linac and the MR-linac with a film that was sandwiched between copper layers. Measurements were compared with a reference setup which was similar to setup used in clinical practice. On a conventional linac the experimental outcome showed good agreement between the reference and the new setup for both QA tests. The results from the MR-linac showed that the symmetry of the beam profile was restored in presence of the copper layers in the setup and that the isocenter size can be determined accurately with the introduced star-shot setup (see supporting material). Conclusion: The use of electron dense materials for QA tests was shown to be a simple and effective method to remove the effects on the dose distribution enabling assessment of geometrical accuracy of a MR-linac system. The use of high dense materials is not limited to the presented QA tests only, but has a broad applicability for beam specific QA tests in presence of a magnetic field.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Jefferson Lab CLAS12 Superconducting Solenoid magnet Requirements and Design Evolution

As part of the Jefferson Lab 12GeV accelerator upgrade project, one of the experimental halls (Hall B) requires two superconducting magnets. One is a magnet system consisting of six superconducting trapezoidal racetrack-type coils assembled in a toroidal configuration and the second is an actively shielded solenoidal magnet system consisting of 5 coils. In this presentation the physics requirements for the 5 T solenoid magnet, design constraints, conductor decision, and cooling choice will be discussed. The various design iterations to meet the specification will also be discussed in this presentation.

Rajput-Ghoshal, Renuka↗
DOE OSTI2016

NARROWBAND GYROSYNCHROTRON BURSTS: PROBING ELECTRON ACCELERATION IN SOLAR FLARES

Recently, in a few case studies we demonstrated that gyrosynchrotron microwave emission can be detected directly from the acceleration region when the trapped electron component is insignificant. For the statistical study reported here, we have identified events with steep (narrowband) microwave spectra that do not show a significant trapped component and, at the same time, show evidence of source uniformity, which simplifies the data analysis greatly. Initially, we identified a subset of more than 20 radio bursts with such narrow spectra, having low- and high-frequency spectral indices larger than three in absolute value. A steep low-frequency spectrum implies that the emission is nonthermal (for optically thick thermal emission, the spectral index cannot be steeper than two), and the source is reasonably dense and uniform. A steep high-frequency spectrum implies that no significant electron trapping occurs, otherwise a progressive spectral flattening would be observed. Roughly half of these radio bursts have RHESSI data, which allow for detailed, joint diagnostics of the source parameters and evolution. Based on an analysis of radio-to-X-ray spatial relationships, timing, and spectral fits, we conclude that the microwave emission in these narrowband bursts originates directly from the acceleration regions, which have a relatively strong magnetic field, high density, and low temperature. In contrast, the thermal X-ray emission comes from a distinct loop with a smaller magnetic field, lower density, but higher temperature. Therefore, these flares likely occurred due to interaction between two (or more) magnetic loops.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2019

Advanced Electronics for the SONTRAC Neutron Spectrometer

Solar neutrons are the tell-tale of highly energetic processes (e.g. solar flares) at the Sun in which particle acceleration is taking place over a broad range in energy. Unlike charged radiation, neutrons escape unscathed from the ambient magnetic fields, providing a view of particle acceleration unhindered by the effects of transport. High-energy neutrons are challenging to measure with the traditional double scatter technique based on time-of-flight (ToF). This technique is limited by the finite flight path and active scintillator sizes required by small satellite platforms. The new SOlar Neutron TRACking (SONTRAC) concept, based on scintillating-fiber bundles, will provide high resolution imaging of fast neutrons at energies where the bulk of solar and magnetospheric neutrons resides. Recent development of the new SONTRAC instrument concept's advanced electronics and processing algorithms are presented.

SiPM readout↗
DOE OSTI2013

Magnetic Bunch Compression for a Compact Compton Source

A compact electron accelerator suitable for Compton source applications is in design at the Center for Accelerator Science at Old Dominion University and Jefferson Lab. Here we discuss two options for transverse magnetic bunch compression and final focus, each involving a 4-dipole chicane with M_{56} tunable over a range of 1.5-2.0m with independent tuning of final focus to interaction point $\beta$*=5mm. One design has no net bending, while the other has net bending of 90 degrees and is suitable for compact corner placement.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗