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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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Advancement of LANSCE accelerator facility as a 1-MW Fusion Prototypic Neutron Source

The Fusion Prototypic Neutron Source (FPNS) is considered to be a testbed for scientific understanding of material degradation in future nuclear fusion reactors (Zinkle and Moeslang, 2013; Summary Report on the FPNS Workshop, 2018; Pitcher et al., 2019). The primary mission of FPNS is to provide a damage rate in iron samples of 8-11 dpa/calendar year with He/dpa ratio of 10 appm in irradiation volume of 50 cm 3 or larger with irradiation temperature 300–1000 °C and flux gradient less than 20%/cm in the plane of the sample. The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) is an attractive candidate for the FPNS project. The Accelerator Facility was designed and operated for an extended period as a 0.8-MW Meson Factory. The existing setup of the LANSCE accelerator complex can nearly fulfill requirements of the fusion neutron source station. The primary function of the upgraded accelerator systems is the safe and reliable delivery of a 1.25-mA continuous proton beam current at 800-MeV beam energy from the switchyard to the target assembly to create 1 MW power of proton beam interacting with a solid tungsten target. The present study describes existing accelerator setup and further development required to meet the needs of FPNS project.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2026

Gigacycle Fatigue Strength Evaluation of Welded 316L Stainless Steels for Mercury Target Vessel

At the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) in J-PARC, liquid mercury target for the pulsed spallation neutron source is in operation. An enclosure vessel for the liquid mercury target made of type 316L stainless steel (SS316L) suffers two kinds of cyclic stress during operation. One is the thermal stress due to the internal heating and swings by proton beam trip. The other is the impulsive stress by the pressure waves generated by the proton beam injection. The total number of loading cycles for the former is ∼104, and the latter is ∼4 × 108 for a year operation in the J-PARC mercury target vessel. The target vessel is assembled by an electron beam welding (EBW) and a gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). However, fatigue data of welded SS316L up to gigacycle is limited. Ultrasonic fatigue testing, applying load cycles by utilizing ultrasonic resonance, for the welded SS316L was performed to investigate the effect of welding on fatigue behavior up to a gigacycle. The result showed that the fatigue strength degradation by EBW and EBW with GTAW were not recognized up to 109 cycles. Crack initiation in welded specimens nucliated at off-center areas of the specimen whereas the cracks in base metal specimen originated at the specimen center.

Naoe, Takashi [Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA)]↗
DOE OSTI2023

Progress on an Electron Beam Profile Monitor at the Fermilab Main Injector

The current program at Fermilab involves the construction of a new superconducting linear accelerator (LINAC) to replace the existing warm version. The new LINAC, together with other planned improvements, is in support of proton beam intensities in the Main Injector (MI) that will exceed 2 MW. Measuring the transverse profiles of these high intensity beams in a ring requires non-invasive techniques. The MI uses ionization profile monitors as its only profile system. An alternative technique involves measuring the deflection of a probe beam of electrons with a trajectory perpendicular to the proton beam. This type of device was installed in MI and initial studies of it have been previously presented. This paper will present the status and recent studies of the device utilizing different techniques.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Progress on an Electron Beam Profile Monitor at the Fermilab Main Injector

The current program at Fermilab involves the construction of a new superconducting linear accelerator (LINAC) to replace the existing warm version. The new LINAC, together with other planned improvements, is in support of proton beam intensities in the Main Injector (MI) that will exceed 2 MW. Measuring the transverse profiles of these high intensity beams in a ring requires non-invasive techniques. The MI uses ionization profile monitors as its only profile system. An alternative technique involves measuring the deflection of a probe beam of electrons with a trajectory perpendicular to the proton beam. This type of device was installed in MI and initial studies of it have been previously presented. This paper will present the status and recent studies of the device utilizing different techniques.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

A skew quadrupole for the AGS to minimize the polarization losses of the polarized beams

The partial helices installed in the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS) 9 [1] eliminate both, the imperfection and the vertical intrinsic spin resonances thus yielding a 70% polarized proton beam with rigidity 79.4 [Tm] with 2x10 11 protons/bunch at the end of the AGS acceleration cycle. The initial beam polarization at the exit of the 200 MeV Linac is measured to be 80%. The 10% loss of the polarization at the end of the AGS acceleration cycle is due to the horizontal spin resonances which are caused by the betatron oscillations of the beam in the presence of the partial helices. To reduce the effect of these horizontal spin resonances on the beam polarization, the “jump Quads method” is applied in the AGS [2] which eliminates, almost all, the horizontal spin resonances and increases the final polarization of the proton beam to the value of 70%. A study [3] shows that these horizontal spin resonances can be totally eliminated by introducing into the AGS ring, skew quadrupoles which linearly couple the beam motions to excite new horizontal spin resonances which minimize the horizontal-spin-resonances caused by the partial-helices.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2021

A Compact Gas Liquid Separator for the Spallation Neutron Source Mercury Process Loop

Upgrades at the spallation neutron source (SNS) accelerator at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are underway to double its proton beam power from 1.4 to 2.8 MW. About 2 MW will go to the current first station while the rest will go to the future Second Target Station. The increase of beam power to the first target station is especially challenging for its mercury target. When the short proton beam hits the target, strong pressure waves are generated, causing cavitation erosion and challenging stresses for the target's weld regions. SNS has successfully operated reliably at 1.4 MW by mitigating the pressure wave with the injection of small Helium bubbles into the mercury. To operate reliably at 2 MW, more gas will be injected into mercury to mitigate the pressure wave further. However, the mercury process loop was not originally designed for gas injection, and the accumulation of gas in the pipes is a concern. Due to space constraints, a custom gas liquid separator (GLS) was designed to fit a 90-deg horizontal elbow space in the SNS mercury loop. Simulations and experiments were performed, and a successful design was developed that has the desired efficiency while keeping the pressure losses acceptable.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2026

A Dedicated Muon EDM Experiment in the `g-2 Storage Ring

Spin precession experiments offer exciting motivations to search for new physics. We propose here an idea of using a modified version of the Muon g-2 storage ring for a potential new scientific program to search for a non-zero muon electric dipole moment (EDM). Using both electric and magnetic dipole fields to produce a "frozen spin" condition for the MDM (all the while enhancing the EDM spin precession), the storage ring would operate at a lower central muon momentum than for the present Muon g-2 measurement. The incident proton beam on target for the muon production can be obtained from the PIP-II high intensity proton beam. Preliminary calculations and simulation results of muon production at 800 MeV PoT, along with the determination of the closed orbit inside the hybrid 'g-2' storage ring configuration, shall be presented. Possibilities of using the 'g-2' storage ring as a test bench to demonstrate the freezing of the MDM spin precession shall be discussed. The operational range of the muon's momentum and energy, and their respective window of electric and magnetic field values to establish the frozen spin condition, shall be presented. We shall also briefly discuss the physics prospects and improvements in muon EDM bounds upon using Fermilab's PIP-II beam.

Narayanan, Aakaash [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000157944↗
DOE OSTI2026

A Dedicated Muon EDM Experiment in the `g-2 Storage Ring

Spin precession experiments offer exciting motivations to search for new physics. We propose here an idea of using a modified version of the Muon g-2 storage ring for a potential new scientific program to search for a non-zero muon electric dipole moment (EDM). Using both electric and magnetic dipole fields to produce a "frozen spin" condition for the MDM (all the while enhancing the EDM spin precession), the storage ring would operate at a lower central muon momentum than for the present Muon g-2 measurement. The incident proton beam on target for the muon production can be obtained from the PIP-II high intensity proton beam. Preliminary calculations and simulation results of muon production at 800 MeV PoT, along with the determination of the closed orbit inside the hybrid 'g-2' storage ring configuration, shall be presented. Possibilities of using the 'g-2' storage ring as a test bench to demonstrate the freezing of the MDM spin precession shall be discussed. The operational range of the muon's momentum and energy, and their respective window of electric and magnetic field values to establish the frozen spin condition, shall be presented. We shall also briefly discuss the physics prospects and improvements in muon EDM bounds upon using Fermilab's PIP-II beam.

Narayanan, Aakaash [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000157944↗
DOE OSTI2026

PIP-II Particle Accelerator Project

The PIP-II project is an essential upgrade of Fermilab’s particle accelerator complex. Groundbreaking occurred in March 2019. The upgrade will enable Fermilab’s accelerators to generate an unprecedented stream of neutrinos—subtle, subatomic particles that could hold the key to understanding the universe’s evolution—by creating the world’s most intense high-energy neutrino beams. This capability positions Fermilab to be the world leader in accelerator-based neutrino research. It enables the scientific program for the international, Fermilab-hosted Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) and Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF). The key to PIP-II is power. When the PIP-II project is complete, Fermilab will be able to generate proton beams greater than 1 megawatt—60 percent higher than current capabilities. These powerful beams of protons will in turn create intense beams of neutrinos. Future PIP-II upgrades will triple the lab’s current beam power. PIP-II’s high-intensity proton beams will provide a flexible platform for the long-term future of the Fermilab accelerator complex and the U.S. accelerator-based particle physics program.

Fermilab, Fermilab↗
DOE OSTI2026

Neutrino oscillation prospects with a dual-baseline beam from BNL to SNOLAB and SURF

The Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) is a next-generation accelerator primarily designed to study the internal structure of nucleons through high-precision electron-hadron collisions. In this work, we explore the feasibility of employing a 1 MW fraction of the EIC proton beam to generate a high-intensity GeV-scale neutrino beam for long-baseline oscillation studies. We have simulated proton-target interactions and optimize the resulting neutrino fluxes for water-based liquid scintillator (WbLS) detectors located at distinct baselines of 900 km and at 2900 km. Oscillation analyses performed with GLoBES show that extended baselines allow access to multiple oscillation maxima, significantly enhancing sensitivity to leptonic CP violation. The study also examines the interplay between matter effects and the intrinsic CP violating phase in shaping observable asymmetries. We note that simplified systematics and no backgrounds are used in this analysis to establish the baseline physics potential. These results suggest that the EIC proton beam could provide a novel and complementary source for precision neutrino physics, extending the scientific reach of the EIC program.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Accelerator Neutrinos

Neutrino beams from particle accelerators are vital for probing fundamental physics, enabling experiments like DUNE and NOvA to study neutrino oscillations and CP violation. These experiments push proton beam power to multi-MW levels and require precise beam instrumentation to manage flux and enhance precision. This talk will explore advancements in neutrino beam technology, highlighting the challenges and future prospects of high-intensity, well-collimated beams for next-generation accelerator facilities. Neutrino beams from particle accelerators are vital for probing fundamental physics, enabling experiments like DUNE and NOvA to study neutrino oscillations and CP violation. These experiments push proton beam power to multi-MW levels and require precise beam instrumentation to manage flux and enhance precision. This talk will explore advancements in neutrino beam technology, highlighting the challenges and future prospects of high-intensity, well-collimated beams for next-generation accelerator facilities.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Production of zirconium-88 via proton irradiation of metallic yttrium and preparation of target for neutron transmission measurements at DICER

Abstract A process for the production of tens to hundreds of GBq amounts of zirconium-88 ( 88 Zr) using proton beams on yttrium was developed. For this purpose, yttrium metal targets (≈20 g) were irradiated in a ~16 to 34 MeV proton beam at a beam current of 100–200 µA at the Los Alamos Isotope Production Facility (IPF). The 88 Zr radionuclide was produced and separated from the yttrium targets using hydroxamate resin with an elution yield of 94(5)% (1σ). Liquid DCl solution in D 2 O was selected as a suitable 88 Zr sample matrix due to the high neutron transmission of deuterium compared to hydrogen and an even distribution of 88 Zr in the sample matrix. The separated 88 Zr was dissolved in DCl and 8 µL of the obtained solution was transferred to a tungsten sample can with a 1.2 mm diameter hole using a syringe and automated filling station inside a hot cell. Neutron transmission of the obtained 88 Zr sample was measured at the Device for Indirect Capture Experiments on Radionuclides (DICER).

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Fermilab’s Muon Campus: Status, Experiments, and Future

The Fermilab Muon Campus, repurposed Tevatron-era Antiproton Source facilities, is currently the home to the g-2 and Mu2e muon experiments. Collecting data since 2017, the g-2 experiment is wrapping up a final run before the Muon Campus transitions to Mu2e operation. Currently in the commissioning process, the Mu2e experiment is expected to begin calibration and data collection in fiscal year 2024. A majority of the Muon Campus is shared between the two experiments, however the modes of operation for each are significantly different. An 8 GeV primary proton beam strikes a target to produce a 3.1 GeV/c secondary muon beam for g-2, while the Mu2e experiment uses the Delivery Ring, formerly the Antiproton Accumulator Ring, for a pulsed, resonantly extracted, 8 kW, 8 GeV proton beam incident on a target in the experiment's target hall to produce a muon beam for the experiment. The design and current state of the Muon Campus and the current and future plans of the g-2 and Mu2e experiments, including the transition between operating modes, will be presented.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Automated control and optimization of laser-driven ion acceleration

The interaction of relativistically intense lasers with opaque targets represents a highly non-linear, multi-dimensional parameter space. This limits the utility of sequential 1D scanning of experimental parameters for the optimization of secondary radiation, although to-date this has been the accepted methodology due to low data acquisition rates. High repetition-rate (HRR) lasers augmented by machine learning present a valuable opportunity for efficient source optimization. Here, an automated, HRR-compatible system produced high-fidelity parameter scans, revealing the influence of laser intensity on target pre-heating and proton generation. A closed-loop Bayesian optimization of maximum proton energy, through control of the laser wavefront and target position, produced proton beams with equivalent maximum energy to manually optimized laser pulses but using only 60% of the laser energy. This demonstration of automated optimization of laser-driven proton beams is a crucial step towards deeper physical insight and the construction of future radiation sources.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Coupled Target-Beam-Moderator Optimization for the Second Target Station

This report describes the results for a coupled target-beam-moderator optimization analysis for the Second Target Station (STS) at ORNL's Spallation Neutron Source. This study is a continuation of the optimization analysis for the moderators in the preliminary design of STS performed in 2022. In the 2022 analysis the dimensions of the moderators are parameterized, while the target and the proton beam profile are kept constant. In this analysis the target height and the proton beam profile are added as parameters. This allows to study the coupled effects of changing target, moderator and beam dimensions. Similar to the 2022 analysis, this work is performed with an automated optimization workflow that uses the optimization toolbox DAKOTA, parameterized geometries in CREO and SpaceClaim, the unstructured mesh generation in Attila4MC, and the particle transport code MCNP6.2©. This workflow enables an efficient optimization using high-fidelity geometries. The main conclusions of this analysis are the following: • Coupled beam-target-moderator optimization provides a few additional percent performance gain over stand-alone moderator optimization. • The moderator performance is not very sensitive to the target height (between ≈60 and ≈80 mm) as long as the beam profile is chosen adequately. • The moderator performance is sensitive to the choice of beam spatial standard deviations, even when the footprint is kept constant. • The optimal moderator radius is the same for a beam footprint of 30 cm 2 , 62.5 cm 2 , and 90 cm 2 . Also the slope of the super-gaussian beam profile does not significantly impact the optimal moderator radius. • The optimal parameters and sensitivities are very similar to the 2022 optimization analysis. These results only indicate a a difference in the optimal radius of the cylindrical moderator, however, this has been corrected in the final design moderator optimization. The main purpose of this report is to document the simulations, results and lessons learned. The most impactful results are summarized in. We also note that the target geometry used in this work is not the final design.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Design of an RF-Dipole Crabbing Cavity System for the Electron-Ion Collider

The Electron-Ion Collider requires several crabbing systems to facilitate head-on collisions between electron and proton beams in increasing the luminosity at the interaction point. One of the critical rf systems is the 197 MHz crabbing system that will be used in crabbing the proton beam. Many factors such as the low operating frequency, large transverse voltage requirement, tight longitudinal and transverse impedance thresholds, and limited beam line space makes the crabbing cavity design challenging. The rf-dipole cavity design is considered as one of the crabbing cavity options for the 197 MHz crabbing system. The cavity is designed including the HOM couplers, FPC and other ancillaries. This paper presents the detailed electromagnetic design, mechanical analysis, and conceptual cryomodule design of the crabbing system.

De Silva, S. U.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Digital twin framework for PIP-II linac: AI-driven multi-scale modeling from ion source to 800 MeV

The PIP-II superconducting linac at Fermilab is designed to deliver multi-megawatt proton beams for neutrino physics and other high-intensity applications. To expedite commissioning and enhance operational reliability, we have developed an EPICS-based data flow framework that seamlessly integrates digital twins (DT) with physical twins (PT). These digital twins comprise high-fidelity beam dynamics models or data-driven surrogate models connected to their physical counterparts through real-time diagnostics and advanced machine-learning algorithms.Central to this framework is Linac_Gen, an accelerated simulation tool that incorporates convolutional neural networks, random forests, and genetic algorithms to provide up to a tenfold speedup in optimizing the accelerator geometry model. An EPICS translator layer ensures interoperability by efficiently mapping lattice parameters across diverse simulation platforms.Our EPICS-based framework supports multiple operational modes—monitoring, passive learning, closed-loop control, and online learning—covering the entire machine lifecycle. By leveraging HPC resources and multi-objective optimization techniques, the digital twin enables adaptive trajectory correction, real-time fault detection, and predictive modeling of beam stability. This comprehensive approach paves the way for robust, high-intensity operation and data-driven accelerator R&D at Fermilab.

Pathak, Abhishek [Fermilab]↗