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At least 163 records · Page 9

Confinement of relativistic electrons in a magnetic mirror en route to a magnetized relativistic pair plasma

Creating a magnetized relativistic pair plasma in the laboratory would enable the exploration of unique plasma physics relevant to some of the most energetic events in the universe. As a step toward a laboratory pair plasma, we have demonstrated an effective confinement of multi-MeV electrons inside a pulsed-power-driven 13 T magnetic mirror field with a mirror ratio of 2.6. The confinement is diagnosed by measuring the axial and radial losses with magnetic spectrometers. The loss spectra are consistent with ≤2.5 MeV electrons confined in the mirror for ∼1 ns. With a source of 1012 electron-positron pairs at comparable energies, this magnetic mirror would confine a relativistic pair plasma with Lorentz factor γ∼6 and magnetization σ∼40.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Long-term multi-wavelength study of 1ES 0647+250

The BL Lac object 1ES 0647+250 is one of the few distant γ-ray emitting blazars detected at very high energies (VHEs; &100 GeV) during a non-flaring state. It was detected with the MAGIC telescopes during a period of low activity in the years 2009-2011 as well as during three flaring activities in the years 2014, 2019, and 2020, with the highest VHE flux in the last epoch. An extensive multi-instrument data set was collected as part of several coordinated observing campaigns over these years. We aim to characterise the long-term multi-band flux variability of 1ES 0647+250, as well as its broadband spectral energy distribution (SED) during four distinct activity states selected in four different epochs, in order to constrain the physical parameters of the blazar emission region under certain assumptions. We evaluated the variability and correlation of the emission in the different energy bands with the fractional variability and the Z transformed discrete correlation function, as well as its spectral evolution in X-rays and γ rays. Owing to the controversy in the redshift measurements of 1ES 0647+250 reported in the literature, we also estimated its distance in an indirect manner through a comparison of the GeV and TeV spectra from simultaneous observations with Fermi-LAT and MAGIC during the strongest flaring activity detected to date. Moreover, we interpret the SEDs from the four distinct activity states within the framework of one-component and two-component leptonic models, proposing specific scenarios that are able to reproduce the available multi-instrument data. We find significant long-term variability, especially in X-rays and VHE γ rays. Furthermore, significant (3-4σ) correlations were found between the radio, optical, and high-energy (HE) γ-ray fluxes, with the radio emission delayed by about ~400 days with respect to the optical and γ-ray bands. The spectral analysis reveals a harder-when-brighter trend during the non-flaring state in the X-ray domain. However, no clear patterns were observed for either the enhanced states or the HE (30 MeV < E < 100 GeV) and VHE γ-ray emission of the source. The indirect estimation of the redshift yielded a value of z = 0.45 ± 0.05, which is compatible with some of the values reported in the literature. The SEDs related to the low-activity state and the three flaring states of 1ES 0647+250 can be described reasonably well with the both one-component and two-component leptonic scenarios. However, the long-term correlations indicate the need for an additional radio-producing region located about 3.6 pc downstream from the gamma-ray producing region.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Deep Learning enabled spectral energy conversion for in situ exposure measurements

A detector-specific deep learning (DL) approach is presented for spectra-to-exposure conversion using large-format sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) detectors deployed for in situ environmental radiation measurements in emergency response scenarios. Accurate determination of exposure from NaI spectra is challenging due to poor energy resolution, partial energy absorption, and the strong sensitivity of traditionally deployed analytical conversion methods to calibrated source geometry and pre-deployment assumptions. Here, to address these limitations, a multi-layer perceptron model was trained on a hybrid in situ /Monte Carlo dataset constructed to span a broad range of photon energies, spatial extents, and realistic deployment variability, representative of general in situ emergency response conditions. The DL model was evaluated against commonly fielded analytical approaches under matched simulation conditions, including a single-factor method, a G-function method, and a modeled pressurized ion chamber (PIC) baseline. This study was intentionally computational in scope to enable controlled, like-for-like comparisons between conversion techniques while minimizing confounding real-world variability. Comparison to the modeled PIC provides contextual benchmarking and is not intended as a field inter-comparison with deployed instruments. Across the evaluated 20 keV to 3 MeV energy range, the DL approach consistently exhibited higher accuracy and reduced variance relative to the analytical methods against a deterministically calculated exposure. This may indicate improved robustness to spectral complexity without reliance on source-, geometric-, or spectral region-specific optimization. While results do not represent real-world validation, the presented work demonstrates that deep learning may effectively learn the nonlinear detector response-to-exposure relationship for asymmetric NaI(Tl) detectors and offers a promising pathway for improving in situ exposure estimation using spectroscopic systems already integrated into initial real-time emergency response operations.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Commissioning and operation of a real-time multi-point Thomson scattering evaluation system at Wendelstein 7-X

A real-time multi-point Thomson scattering (rtMPTS) evaluation system has recently been installed and commissioned at the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) stellarator during the 2024 -2025 operational phases. This system has demonstrated successful evaluation of Thomson scattered spectra on millisecond timescales. We discuss initial results from this system, consisting of a comparison of different evaluation techniques, assessment of system evaluation times, and proof-of-principle control experiments carried out with the W7-X poloidal correlation reflectometer (PCR) system. This diagnostic represents the first step towards the development of a density profile controller at W7-X, which can be leveraged to support steady-state operation.

Mohammed, Ameer [Princeton Plasma Physics Laborato↗

Combining Spectroscopic Techniques to Determine the Optical Constants of Powdered Lactose

A method for deriving the optical constants (n/k) of organic powdered materials using pressed pellets in the mid-infrared spectral range is introduced that combines variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry and transmission spectroscopy. The approach is applied to lactose, in which three different forms of pellets were pressed and measured: A pure lactose pellet and a mixed lactose/KBr pellet with a large analyte percentage were used for ellipsometric measurements, and a KBr transmission pellet with only a small analyte percentage were used for transmission measurements. The transmission data provide an initial set of oscillators and improve the spectral fitting of weak absorption features (k<0.01). Ellipsometric data for the pure and mixed pellets are then fit simultaneously to derive the final n/k values for lactose from 6000-400 cm-1. An alternative method just using the ellipsometric data from the mixed pellet and the transmission data is also presented and shows good agreement with the multi-sample analysis, providing a simpler method for powders that do not press easily into pure pellets. Finally, the derived optical constants are used to model the reflectance data, demonstrating a good match with the measured reflectance spectra if non-idealities are included.

Yokosuk, Michael O.↗

Angular Correlations of Gamma Rays from Fission Product Solution

Fission products from photon-induced fission are routinely used at Idaho National Laboratory as part of nuclear forensics activities. Typically, the focus is on fission products with relatively large fission yields (Ba-140, Mo-99, etc.). The nuclear data associated with the well-known isotopes have small uncertainties, and many have well-known angular correlations between emitted gamma-rays, if applicable. However, for isotopes with smaller fission yields or less intense gamma-ray emission intensities, the nuclear decay schemes and gamma-ray emission intensities may be less well-known. The Germanium Rotational Measurements for Angular Correlation (GeRMAC) system was designed to use two high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors in a coincidence counting set-up but allows one of the HPGe detectors to rotate at a constant distance from a radioactive source, changing the relative angle between the two HPGe detectors. Angular correlations can then be determined from the relative photopeak areas between two gamma-rays emitted as part of the same nuclear decay. By recording the HPGe spectra in list mode, the angular correlations of gamma-rays emitted from complex sources, consisting of multiple isotopes, can be measured simultaneously and the individual isotope emissions can be isolated. Using the GeRMAC system, a multi-isotope fission product source, produced with photon-induced fission of U-238, was measured using a single rotational arc (180 degrees) to obtain the angular correlation between gamma-rays emitted by the large number of fission products contained in the solution with an angular accuracy of 1 degree. In particular, La-140 (38 gamma rays) and Nd-147 (26 gamma rays) are of interest to the nuclear forensics community.

46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗

Selective Laser Sintering of High-Temperature Thermoset Polymer

Thermoplastic materials such as PA12 and PA6 have been extensively employed in Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printing applications due to their printability, processability, and crystalline structure. However, thermoplastic-based materials lack polymer inter-chain bonding, resulting in inferior mechanical and thermal properties and relatively low fatigue behavior. Therefore, 3D printing of high-performance crosslinked thermosets using SLS technology is paramount to pursue as an alternative to thermoplastics. In this work, a thermoset resin was successfully 3D printed using SLS, and its thermal stability of printed parts after a multi-step post-curing process was investigated. Dimensionally stable and high glass transition temperature (Tg: ~300 °C) thermoset parts were fabricated using SLS. The polymer crosslinking mechanism during the printing and curing process was investigated through FTIR spectra, while the mechanical stability of the SLS 3D-printed thermoset was characterized through compression tests. It is found that 100% crosslinked thermoset can be 3D printed with 900% higher compressive strength than printed green parts.

Hassan, Md Sahid (ORCID:0000000304665395)↗

Spin Dynamics of Triple-𝐐 Magnetic Orderings in a Triangular Lattice: Implications for Multi-𝐐 Orderings in General Two-Dimensional Lattices

Multi-𝐐 magnetic structures on two-dimensional (2D) lattices provide a key route to realizing topological physics in 2D magnetism. A major experimental challenge is to unambiguously confirm their formation by excluding the possibility of topologically trivial multidomain single- or double-𝐐 magnetic orders, which cannot be distinguished using conventional diffraction techniques. Here, we propose that long-wavelength spin dynamics offers a universal diagnostic for triangular lattices: Triple-𝐐 orders that preserve rotational symmetry and single- or double-𝐐 orders that break it exhibit qualitatively distinct anisotropies in their Goldstone-mode velocities, stemming from fundamental differences in their underlying spin configurations. We validate this concept using the metallic triangular-lattice antiferromagnet Co 0.325 ⁢TaS 2 , which hosts both a stripe-type single-𝐐 state and a triple-𝐐 tetrahedral ordering at different temperatures. Using inelastic neutron-scattering and spin dynamics simulations, we first refine the spin Hamiltonian by fitting the paramagnetic excitation spectra, allowing us to develop an unbiased model independent of magnetic ordering. We then show that the observed velocity profiles of the Goldstone modes agree with the high-temperature model’s predictions: markedly anisotropic for the single-𝐐 phase and near isotropic for the triple-𝐐 phase. Importantly, this contrast persists across various exchange parameters, highlighting its model-independent nature and suggesting potential applicability to other 2D lattice systems. Beyond the long-wavelength regime, we present a substantial discrepancy between the measured and simulated magnon spectra exclusively in the triple-𝐐 phase. We attribute this discrepancy to magnon energy renormalization arising from order-of-magnitude-enhanced magnon-magnon interactions in the triple-𝐐 phase, due to its noncollinear configuration. This work provides universal insight into the dynamical properties of topological multi-𝐐 magnetic orderings in 2D lattice structures, offering a broadly applicable diagnostic to distinguishing them from topologically trivial single- or double-𝐐 counterparts. The unequivocal confirmation of the triple-𝐐 structure in Co 0.325 ⁢TaS 2 further establishes it as a prominent material platform for exploring topological spin textures in the genuine 2D limit.

Park, Pyeongjae [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (OR↗

GLEAM: Galaxy Line Emission & Absorption Modeling

We present Galaxy Line Emission & Absorption Modeling (gleam), a Python tool for fitting Gaussian models to emission and absorption lines in large samples of 1D extragalactic spectra. gleam is tailored to work well in batch mode without much human interaction. With gleam, users can uniformly process a variety of spectra, including galaxies and active galactic nuclei, in a wide range of instrument setups and signal-to-noise regimes. gleam also takes advantage of multiprocessing capabilities to process spectra in parallel. With the goal of enabling reproducible workflows for its users, gleam employs a small number of input files, including a central, user-friendly configuration in which fitting constraints can be defined for groups of spectra and overrides can be specified for edge cases. For each spectrum, gleam produces a table containing measurements and error bars for the detected spectral lines and continuum and upper limits for nondetections. For visual inspection and publishing, gleam can also produce plots of the data with fitted lines overlaid. In the present paper, we describe gleam’s main features, the necessary inputs, expected outputs, and some example applications, including thorough tests on a large sample of optical/infrared multi-object spectroscopic observations and integral field spectroscopic data. gleam is developed as an open-source project hosted at https://github.com/multiwavelength/gleam and welcomes community contributions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Electron–phonon physics from first principles using the EPW code

EPW is an open-source software for ab initio calculations of electron–phonon interactions and related materials properties. The code combines density functional perturbation theory and maximally localized Wannier functions to efficiently compute electron–phonon coupling matrix elements, and to perform predictive calculations of temperature-dependent properties and phonon-assisted quantum processes in bulk solids and low-dimensional materials. Here, we report on significant developments in the code since 2016, namely: a transport module for the calculation of charge carrier mobility under electric and magnetic fields using the Boltzmann transport equation; a superconductivity module for calculations of phonon-mediated superconductors using the anisotropic multi-band Eliashberg theory; an optics module for calculations of phonon-assisted indirect transitions; a module for the calculation of small and large polarons without supercells; and a module for calculating band structure renormalization and temperature-dependent optical spectra using the special displacement method. For each capability, we outline the methodology and implementation and provide example calculations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Determination of the mean energy of fast electron losses and anisotropies through thick-target emission on WEST

Abstract A new method to obtain the mean energy of fast electron losses in fusion plasmas using a versatile multi-energy hard x-ray (HXR) detector is presented. The method is based on measuring the thick-target emission of tungsten in the divertor region produced by fast electron losses interacting with the target and modeling the tungsten spectra by a Monte Carlo code which simulates the interaction between a beam of electrons and a solid target. The mean energy of the fast electron losses is determined through the comparison between the experimental and synthetic emission. The results show that fast electron losses during lower hybrid current drive discharges at WEST have a mean energy of 90–140 keV and represent only 2% of the total heat flux at the target. Additionally, anisotropic HXR emission has been detected for the first time at the WEST core and edge plasma, with opposite directions. It is due to the forward-peak emission of two distinctive populations of fast electrons: co-current fast electrons in the core and counter-current fast electron losses at the inner strike point. In view of future experiments like ITER where electron cyclotron current drive will generate a fast electron population, this technique could serve as a real-time monitor of fast electron losses and eventually feed an actuator on the current drive generation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

SNM Radiation Signature Classification Using Different Semi-Supervised Machine Learning Models

The timely detection of special nuclear material (SNM) transfers between nuclear facilities is an important monitoring objective in nuclear nonproliferation. Persistent monitoring enabled by successful detection and characterization of radiological material movements could greatly enhance the nuclear nonproliferation mission in a range of applications. Supervised machine learning can be used to signal detections when material is present if a model is trained on sufficient volumes of labeled measurements. However, the nuclear monitoring data needed to train robust machine learning models can be costly to label since radiation spectra may require strict scrutiny for characterization. Therefore, this work investigates the application of semi-supervised learning to utilize both labeled and unlabeled data. As a demonstration experiment, radiation measurements from sodium iodide (NaI) detectors are provided by the Multi-Informatics for Nuclear Operating Scenarios (MINOS) venture at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) as sample data. Anomalous measurements are identified using a method of statistical hypothesis testing. After background estimation, an energy-dependent spectroscopic analysis is used to characterize an anomaly based on its radiation signatures. In the absence of ground-truth information, a labeling heuristic provides data necessary for training and testing machine learning models. Supervised logistic regression serves as a baseline to compare three semi-supervised machine learning models: co-training, label propagation, and a convolutional neural network (CNN). In each case, the semi-supervised models outperform logistic regression, suggesting that unlabeled data can be valuable when training and demonstrating value in semi-supervised nonproliferation implementations.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗

Spectroscopic methods and systems for isotopic analysis

Disclosed are spectroscopy systems and methods. A spectroscopy system can include a reference cell and a multi-pass sample cell. The reference arm can include an etalon and a reference cavity containing a reference gas. A system can include a fractional sublimation cold trap. Detectors of the reference and sample arms can detect both intensity and absorption spectra of impinging beams. A frequency calibration based on a reference absorption spectra can be used to analyze a sample absorption spectrum. The analysis can provide information regarding an absorption band shift of the sample absorption spectrum, said shift being related to the isotope concentration of the sample.

O'Rourke, Patrick E.↗

Highly efficient small molecule multi-junction organic photovoltaic cells

A highly efficient multi junction photovoltaic device, such as a two, three, or four junction device, is disclosed. The multi-junction device may include a first subcell comprising a first photoactive region and a second subcell comprising a second photoactive region. The first and second photoactive regions are designed to minimize spectral overlap and maximize photocurrent across a broad absorption spectra, such as wavelengths ranging from 400 nm to 900 nm. The device may further include an inter-connecting layer, disposed between the first subcell and the second subcell, that is at least substantially transparent. By introducing a transparent interconnecting layer, a dual element (tandem) cell achieves a power conversion efficiency of 10.0±0.5%. By adding an additional (3rd) sub-cell that absorbs at the second order optical interference maximum within the stack. The triple junction cell significantly improves the quantum efficiency at shorter wavelengths, achieving a power conversion efficiency of 11.1±0.5%. Adding additional sub-cells has been shown to increase power conversion efficiency above 12%.

Che, Xiaozhou↗

Multi-tracer intensity mapping: cross-correlations, line noise & decorrelation

Line intensity mapping (LIM) is a rapidly emerging technique for constraining cosmology and galaxy formation using multi-frequency, low angular resolution maps. Many LIM applications crucially rely on cross-correlations of two line intensity maps, or of intensity maps with galaxy surveys or galaxy/CMB lensing. We present a consistent halo model to predict all these cross-correlations and enable joint analyses, in 3D redshift-space and for 2D projected maps. We extend the conditional luminosity function formalism to the multi-line case, to consistently account for correlated scatter between multiple galaxy line luminosities. This allows us to model the scale-dependent decorrelation between two line intensity maps, a key input for foreground rejection and for approaches that estimate auto-spectra from cross-spectra. This also enables LIM cross-correlations to reveal astrophysical properties of the interstellar medium inacessible with LIM auto-spectra. We expose the different sources of luminosity scatter or "line noise" in LIM, and clarify their effects on the 1-halo and galaxy shot noise terms. In particular, we show that the effective number density of halos can in some cases exceed that of galaxies, counterintuitively. Using observational and simulation input, we implement this halo model for the Hα, [Oiii], Lyman-α, CO and [Cii] lines. Here, we encourage observers and simulators to measure galaxy luminosity correlation coefficients for pairs of lines whenever possible. Our code is publicly available at https://github.com/EmmanuelSchaan/HaloGen/tree/LIM. In a companion paper, we use this halo model formalism and code to highlight the degeneracies between cosmology and astrophysics in LIM, and to compare the LIM observables to galaxy detection for a number of surveys.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Periodic Eruptive Variability of the Isolated Pre-main-sequence Star V347 Aurigae

V347 Aurigae is associated with the small dark cloud L1438 and appears to be an isolated pre-main-sequence star located at distance d ≈ 200 pc. Multi-epoch, archival photometry reveals periodic brightness variations with amplitude V ≈ 2.0 mag occurring on timescales of ~160 days that have persisted for decades. Regular-cadence, optical imaging of the source with the Zwicky Transient Facility shows that a small reflection nebula illuminated by V347 Aur also fluctuates in brightness, at times fading completely. Multi-epoch, Keck/HIRES data suggests the presence of two distinct spectral components: a prominent emission-line-dominated spectrum with a heavily veiled continuum correlated with the bright photometric state, and an M-type absorption line spectrum associated with quiescence. All spectra exhibit strong Balmer and He i line emission, consistent with accretion, as well as high velocity emission arising from the forbidden transitions of [O i], [N ii], and [S ii] that are generally associated with collimated jets and disk winds. There is no evidence in existing high-dispersion spectroscopy or high-resolution imaging for binarity of V347 Aur. The repeating outburst events are possibly linked to accretion instabilities induced by an undetected companion or a structure within the circumstellar disk that periodically increases the mass accretion rate. V347 Aur is perhaps analogous to an EXor-type variable, though more regularly recurring.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Multi-Frequency Analysis of Simulated versus Observed Variability in Tropospheric Temperature

Studies seeking to identify a human-caused global warming signal generally rely on climate model estimates of the “noise” of intrinsic natural variability. Assessing the reliability of these noise estimates is of critical importance. We evaluate here the statistical significance of differences between climate model and observational natural variability spectra for global-mean mid- to upper-tropospheric temperature (TMT). We use TMT information from satellites and large multimodel ensembles of forced and unforced simulations. Our main goal is to explore the sensitivity of model-versus-data spectral comparisons to a wide range of subjective decisions. These include the choice of satellite and climate model TMT datasets, the method for separating signal and noise, the frequency range considered, and the statistical model used to represent observed natural variability. Of particular interest is the amplitude of the interdecadal noise against which an anthropogenic tropospheric warming signal must be detected. We find that on time scales of 5–20 years, observed TMT variability is (on average) overestimated by the last two generations of climate models participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. This result is relatively insensitive to different plausible analyst choices, enhancing confidence in previous claims of detectable anthropogenic warming of the troposphere and indicating that these claims may be conservative. A further key finding is that two commonly used statistical models of short-term and long-term memory have deficiencies in their ability to capture the complex shape of observed TMT spectra.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Assessment of Self-interrogation Safeguards Signatures for Pebble Bed Reactor Fuel

New reactor designs, such as pebble-bed reactors, present challenges for the safeguarding of fissile material. Due to the multi-pass fuel circulation design and the non-uniform path a pebble may traverse through a pebble-bed reactor, there will be variations in the irradiation history of spent fuel pebbles. The standard approach of estimating actinide quantities based on fission gamma spectra or neutron emission paired with depletion modeling may yield uncertainties too large for safeguards and material accountancy. This project investigated, through modeling and experimentation, the potential of neutron self-interrogation of spent fuel pebbles as an innovative method to implement materials accountability. As an example, our feasibility studies indicate that the mass of U-235, U-238, Pu-239 and Pu-241 can be predicted to 4.1, 0.86, 13 and 13 % accuracy, respectively, when measuring 100 closely packed end-of-life spent fuel pebbles over approximately 12 days using a 4π counting geometry.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗