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At least 1,783 records · Page 99
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Extremum Seeking-Based Control System for Particle Accelerator Beam Loss Minimization

Particle accelerators throughout the world vary widely in terms of age and availability of advanced noninvasive diagnostics that provide varying levels of detail about the accelerated beams. Additionally, beam loss measurements and current monitors are ubiquitous in the accelerator community, they are noninvasive, and they are some of the most important metrics in terms of preventing damage or irradiation of beam pipes and equipment for high-energy machines. However, beam loss and current measurements are difficult to use for feedback tuning because of a lack of a known analytic relationship between scalar loss measurements throughout an accelerator and the hundreds of thousands of parameters that influence the beam and time variation of the beam source itself. In this work, we present a model-independent extremum seeking (ES) controller, which has been implemented for automated tuning and optimization of the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) linear ion accelerator based only on scalar quantities, such as beam loss or flux measurements. We demonstrate the approach on various accelerator subsystems, including groups of radio frequency (RF) accelerating cavities, quadrupole magnets, bending magnets, and steering magnets. This tool is now available as a use graphical user interface (GUI) in the LANSCE control room, allowing beam physicists to choose arbitrary groups of parameters and beam loss or current monitors for adaptive tuning.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Experimental Safe Extremum Seeking for Accelerators

Here, we demonstrate the recent designs of safe extremum seeking (Safe ES) on the 1-km-long charged particle accelerator at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). Safe ES is a modification of extremum seeking (ES) which, in addition to minimizing an analytically unknown cost, also employs a safety filter based on an analytically unknown control barrier function (CBF) safety metric. Tuning is necessitated by accelerators being large complex systems, with many drifting parameters due to thermal effects and degradation. At the same time, safe operation (the maintenance of state constraints) is crucial, as damage brings astronomical costs, both financially and in operation downtime. Our measured (but analytically unknown) safety metric is the beam current. We perform multivariable Safe ES on three accelerator applications, in which we adapt 4, 6, and 3 magnet strength parameters, respectively. Two of the three applications are for validated simulation models of beamlines at LANSCE: the first for the proton radiography (pRad) beamline of 800-MeV protons for spot size tuning; the second on a high-performance code, HPSim, for tuning the low-energy beam transport (LEBT) region that contains a beam of 750-keV protons. The third is an experimental tuning of the steering magnets in the LEBT at LANSCE.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Assaying Used Nuclear Fuel Assemblies Using Lead Slowing-Down Spectroscopy and Singular Value Decomposition

This study investigates the use of a Lead Slowing-Down Spectrometer (LSDS) for the direct and independent measurement of fissile isotopes in light-water nuclear reactor fuel assemblies. The current study applies MCNPX, a Monte Carlo radiation transport code, to simulate the measurement of the assay of the used nuclear fuel assemblies in the LSDS. An empirical model has been developed based on the calibration of the LSDS to responses generated from the simulated assay of six well-characterized fuel assemblies. The effects of self-shielding are taken into account by using empirical basis vectors calculated from the singular value decomposition (SVD) of a matrix containing the self-shielding functions from the assay of assemblies in the calibration set. The performance of the empirical algorithm was tested on version 1 of the Next-Generation Safeguards Initiative (NGSI) used fuel library consisting of 64 assemblies, as well as a set of 27 diversion assemblies, both of which were developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory. The potential for direct and independent assay of the sum of the masses of Pu-239 and Pu-241 to within 2%, on average, has been demonstrated.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Analysis of Radiation Effects in Silicon using Kinetic Monte Carlo Methods

The transient degradation of semiconductor device performance under irradiation has long been an issue of concern. Neutron irradiation can instigate the formation of quasi-stable defect structures, thereby introducing new energy levels into the bandgap that alter carrier lifetimes and give rise to such phenomena as gain degradation in bipolar junction transistors. Normally, the initial defect formation phase is followed by a recovery phase in which defect-defect or defect-dopant interactions modify the characteristics of the damaged structure. A kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) code has been developed to model both thermal and carrier injection annealing of initial defect structures in semiconductor materials. The code is employed to investigate annealing in electron-irradiated, p-type silicon as well as the recovery of base current in silicon transistors bombarded with neutrons at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) “Blue Room” facility. Our results reveal that KMC calculations agree well with these experiments once adjustments are made, within the appropriate uncertainty bounds, to some of the sensitive defect parameters.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
DOE OSTI2021

End-to-End Simulations of a 3.4-Meter Detector Wall for Neutron-Diagnosed Subcritical Experiments

The Nevada National Security Site, together with Los Alamos National Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, is developing a novel diagnostic to measure the reactivity of subcritical experiments. This capability is known as neutron-diagnosed subcritical experiments. The decay of the fission gamma rays from the neutron-interrogated subcritical experiment is measured as a function of time with a large (~3-meter diameter) detector wall consisting of 151 individual detector pixels. The data from this current mode measurement inform the neutron multiplication factor, keff, and thus the relative reactivity of the subcritical experiment. The Nevada National Security Site developed the Gamma Array Simulation Toolkit initially to help inform the design of the individual detector pixels and the 3.4-meter diameter detector wall to be fielded as part of neutron-diagnosed subcritical experiments. This toolkit is now being used to simulate and predict the performance of the final design of the individual detector pixels and the aggregate detector wall. Additionally, key detector characteristics evaluated from these simulations include impulse response, pulse height spectrum, number of photoelectrons per MeV, detector efficiency, and cross talk between detector pixels. Collectively, the results of these simulations inform how well the fission gamma ray die-off distribution from a neutron-diagnosed subcritical experiment measurement can be resolved. This is critical to determining the relative reactivity of the experiment. Furthermore, the Gamma Array Simulation Toolkit can be used to aid in the analysis of the experimental data from a neutron-diagnosed subcritical experiment measurement once the simulation has been benchmarked.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Large Area Picosecond Photodetector for Neutron Transmission Measurements at DICER at LANSCE

The Device for Indirect Capture Experiments on Radionuclides (DICER) is a new instrument that is being developed at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) to study neutron capture reactions on short-lived radionuclides. To achieve that, DICER is using an indirect technique based on measuring the neutron transmission through very small samples (0.12–1.2 mm in diameter, $\mu \text{g}$ -mg in mass). The main detection system of DICER consists of two dual photomultiplier (PMT)-based detectors which are sensitive to the scintillation light produced when neutrons interact with 6 Li glass disks. DICER is developing a new collimation system that includes a 0.1-mm collimator. In such small sizes, the need for neutron beam imaging is crucial and necessary to confirm the appropriate alignment between the irradiated sample and the neutron detectors. The large area picosecond photodetector (LAPPD) is a multichannel plate (MCP)-based photodetector, with picosecond-level timing, single-photon detection capabilities, and spatial resolution of the order of 1 mm. Coupling the LAPPD with a 6 Li glass scintillator results in a neutron imaging detector. The first irradiation of the LAPPD at DICER indicated that apart from imaging the beam, the LAPPD can be used as the main neutron detection system. Furthermore, these results were proof of principle measurements demonstrating the capabilities of the beamline, and the challenge with small samples will be addressed in the future. The first efforts and developments, including irradiations of the LAPPD and the first beam images, will be presented.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Fidelity of a Time-Resolved Imaging Diagnostic for Electron Beam Profiles

An optical tomographic diagnostic instrument has been fielded at the Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test Facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Four optical lines of sight create projections of an image of an electron beam on a Cerenkov target, which are relayed via optical fiber to streak cameras. From these projections, a reconstruction algorithm creates time histories of the beam’s cross section. The instrument was fielded during and after facility commissioning, and tomographic reconstructions reported beam parameters. Results from reconstructions and analysis are noted.

Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test, DARHT, e↗
DOE OSTI2022

Beam Breakup Simulations for the Scorpius Flash-Radiography Accelerator

Beam breakup (BBU) in linear induction accelerators (LIAs) used for flash radiography is problematic because the high-frequency beam motion can blur the source spot, thereby degrading resolution. Amplification of BBU depends directly on details of cell design and is suppressed in operation by the solenoidal magnetic field focusing on the electron beam. Therefore, much effort has gone into design of the cells and magnetic focusing for the new Scorpius radiography LIA. Here, in this article, we use computer simulations to demonstrate that BBU in Scorpius should be no more than in present radiography LIAs at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Verification Studies for the Noh Problem using Non-ideal Equations of State and Finite Strength Shocks

We present that the Noh verification test problem is extended beyond the commonly studied ideal gamma-law gas to more realistic equations of state (EOSs) including the stiff gas, the Noble-Abel gas, and the Carnahan-Starling EOS for hard-sphere fluids. Self-similarity methods are used to solve the Euler compressible flow equations, which in combination with the Rankine-Hugoniot jump conditions provide a tractable general solution. This solution can be applied to fluids with EOSs that meet criterion such as it being a convex function and having a corresponding bulk modulus. For the planar case the solution can be applied to shocks of arbitrary strength, but for cylindrical and spherical geometries it is required that the analysis be restricted to strong shocks. Finally, the exact solutions are used to perform a variety of quantitative code verification studies of the Los Alamos National Laboratory Lagrangian hydrocode FLAG.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2019

Assessment of Model Confidence of a Laser Source Model in xRAGE Using Omega Direct-Drive Implosion Experiments

Los Alamos National Laboratory is interested in developing high-energy-density physics validation capabilities for its multiphysics code xRAGE. xRAGE was recently updated with the laser package Mazinisin to improve predictability. We assess the current implementation and coupling of the laser package via validation of laser-driven, direct-drive spherical capsule experiments from the Omega laser facility. Here, the ASME V&V 20-2009 standard is used to determine the model confidence of xRAGE, and considerations for high-energy-density physics are identified. With current modeling capabilities in xRAGE, the model confidence is overwhelmed by significant systematic errors from the experiment or model. Validation evidence suggests cross-beam energy transfer as a dominant source of the systematic error.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2013

Strip Velocity Measurements for Gated X-Ray Imagers Using Short Pulse Lasers

Strip velocity measurements of gated X-ray imagers are presented using an ultra-short pulse laser. Obtaining time-resolved X-ray images of inertial confinement fusion shots presents a difficult challenge. One diagnostic developed to address this challenge is the gated X-ray imagers. The gated X-ray detectors (GXDs) developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory use a microchannel plate (MCP) coated with a gold strip line, which serves as a photocathode. GXDs are used with an array of pinholes, which image onto various parts of the GXD image plane. As the pulse sweeps over the strip lines, it creates a time history of the event with consecutive images. In order to accurately interpret the timing of the images obtained using the GXDs, it is necessary to measure the propagation of the pulse over the strip line. The strip velocity was measured using a short pulse laser with a pulse duration of approximately 1-2 ps. The 200nm light from the laser is used to illuminate the GXD MCP. The laser pulse is split and a retroreflective mirror is used to delay one of the legs. By adjusting the distance to the mirror, one leg is temporally delayed compared to the reference leg. The retroreflective setup is calibrated using a streak camera with a 1 ns full sweep. Resolution of 0.5 mm is accomplished to achieve a temporal resolution of ~5 ps on the GXD strip line.

detectors, x-ray, short pulse lasers↗
DOE OSTI2017

New results from sub-3 MeV Compton spectrometer experiments

We report that our team at Los Alamos National Laboratory has successfully employed Compton spectrometers to measure the X-ray spectra of both continuous and flash radiographic sources. In this method, a collimated beam of X-rays incident on a converter foil ejects Compton electrons. A collimator may be inserted into the entrance of the spectrometer to narrow the angular acceptance of the forward-scattered electrons, which then enter the magnetic field region of the spectrometer. The position of the electrons at the magnet’s focal plane is proportional to the square root of their momentum, allowing the X-ray spectrum to be reconstructed. A new samarium-cobalt spectrometer with an energy range of 50 keV to 4 MeV has been fielded at two facilities. Finally, the X-ray generating machines produced intense photon beams (> 4 rad at 1 m) with spectral endpoints below 3 MeV. Recent experimental results will be presented.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2018

Lens design challenges for scintillator-based neutron imaging

Neutron imaging is an important diagnostic to study inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) using neutrons emitted in the fusion reactions. Analysis of time-gated images of the primary fusion (14.1 MeV) and down-scattered (6-12 MeV) neutrons based on their time-of-flight allows for the reconstruction of the burning hot spot undergoing fusion and the surrounding cold fuel. The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Advanced Imaging team has been providing these images since 2011. Currently, two additional lines of sight are being designed and built for NIF to allow three-dimensional reconstructions. Neutron imaging relies on the conversion of neutrons into light to be captured by an imaging system through the use of a scintillator. Although the current neutron imaging system utilizes a fiber scintillator array, a newly designed imaging system will consist of a thick monolithic scintillator and custom-designed lenses to collect the light. The custom lens has to resolve an image produced in the thick volume of the scintillator and therefore needs a large depth of field.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2012

Technical Note: Improved implementation of doppler broadening in MCNP5

Purpose: Incoherent scattering has a substantial effect on spectroscopic measurements and simulations. Many general-purpose Monte Carlo codes include models that account for the effects of bound electrons on incoherent scattering, including Doppler broadening (DB). This work investigates the DB model used in the Monte Carlo N-particle transport code (MCNP5). Methods: Simulations were run with three versions of MCNP5: v1.51, v1.60, and a modified form of v1.60 (v1.60m). All simulations used the MCPLIB04 photon data library, which presents the electron subshell data for incoherent scattering in the form of a probability density function. In v1.60m, the source code was altered to sample the electron subshell from a cumulative density function instead. Each version of the code was tested using an identical set of simulations that investigated DB in a slab of silicon at scattering angles of 15 Degree-Sign , 30 Degree-Sign , and 45 Degree-Sign . For each angle, simulations were run for multiple energies between 200 keV and 800 keV. The spectrum of singly-scattered photons at the exit of the slab was scored. Spectra were analytically calculated for comparison. Results: In v1.51, DB was modeled for incident photon energies below 760 keV, 384 keV, and 260 keV at scattering angles of 15 Degree-Sign , 30 Degree-Sign , and 45 Degree-Sign , respectively. Above these energy thresholds, v1.51 did not model DB. The spectra calculated using v1.60 and v1.60m exhibited DB for all energy-angle combinations; however, v1.60m, exhibited more energy broadening than did v1.60. The spectra calculated with v1.60m agreed with the analytical calculations. Conclusions: MCNP5 v1.51 and v1.60 model partial broadening when used with the MCPLIB04 data library. MCNP5 v1.60m models DB more accurately due to the form of the electron subshell data. In response to these results, Los Alamos National Laboratory has released a new photon data library, MCPLIB84, that presents the electron subshell data in cumulative distribution form. MCNP5 v1.60 should be used with this library when incoherent scattering has a significant impact on simulation results.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-I-06: Evaluation of Imaging Dose for Modulation Layer Based Dual Energy Cone-Beam CT

Purpose: Dual energy cone beam CT system is finding a variety of promising applications in diagnostic CT, both in imaging of endogenous materials and exogenous materials across a range of body sites. Dual energy cone beam CT system to suggest in this study acquire image by rotating 360 degree with half of the X-ray window covered using copper modulation layer. In the region that covered by modulation layer absorb the low energy X-ray by modulation layer. Relative high energy X-ray passes through the layer and contributes to image reconstruction. Dose evaluation should be carried out in order to utilize such an imaging acquirement technology for clinical use. Methods: For evaluating imaging dose of modulation layer based dual energy cone beam CT system, Prototype cone beam CT that configured X-ray tube (D054SB, Toshiba, Japan) and detector (PaxScan 2520V, Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) is used. A range of 0.5–2.0 mm thickness of modulation layer is implemented in Monte Carlo simulation (MCNPX, ver. 2.6.0, Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA) with half of X-ray window covered. In-house phantom using in this study that has 3 cylindrical phantoms configured water, Teflon air with PMMA covered for verifying the comparability the various material in human body and is implemented in Monte Carlo simulation. The actual dose with 2.0 mm copper covered half of X-ray window is measured using Gafchromic EBT3 film with 5.0 mm bolus for compared with simulative dose. Results: Dose in phantom reduced 33% by copper modulation layer of 2.0 mm. Scattering dose occurred in modulation layer by Compton scattering effect is 0.04% of overall dose. Conclusion: Modulation layer of that based dual energy cone beam CT has not influence on unnecessary scatter dose. This study was supported by the Radiation Safety Research Programs (1305033) through the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-T-159: Monte Carlo Simulation Studies of Three-Dimensional Dose Distribution for Polymer Gel Dosimeter and Radiochromic Gel Dosimeter in a Proton Beam

Purpose: The purpose of this simulation study is to evaluate the proton detectability of gel dosimeters, and estimate the three-dimensional dose distribution of protons in the radiochromic gel and polymer gel dosimeter compared with the dose distribution in water. Methods: The commercial composition ratios of normoxic polymer gel and LCV micelle radiochromic gel were included in this simulation study. The densities of polymer and radiochromic gel were 1.024 and 1.005 g/cm3, respectively. The 50, 80 and 140 MeV proton beam energies were selected. The dose distributions of protons in the polymer and radiochromic gel were simulated using Monte Carlo radiation transport code (MCNPX 2.7.0, Los Alamos Laboratory). The water equivalent depth profiles and the dose distributions of two gel dosimeters were compared for the water. Results: In case of irradiating 50, 80 and 140 MeV proton beam to water phantom, the reference Bragg-peak depths are represented at 2.22, 5.18 and 13.98 cm, respectively. The difference in the water equivalent depth is represented to about 0.17 and 0.37 cm in the radiochromic gel and polymer gel dosimeter, respectively. The proton absorbed doses in the radiochromic gel dosimeter are calculated to 2.41, 3.92 and 6.90 Gy with increment of incident proton energies. In the polymer gel dosimeter, the absorbed doses are calculated to 2.37, 3.85 and 6.78 Gy with increment of incident proton energies. The relative absorbed dose in radiochromic gel (about 0.47 %) is similar to that of water than the relative absorbed dose of polymer gel (about 2.26 %). In evaluating the proton dose distribution, we found that the dose distribution of both gel dosimeters matched that of water in most cases. Conclusion: As the dosimetry device, the radiochromic gel dosimeter has the potential particle detectability and is feasible to use for quality assurance of proton beam therapy beam.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Study of Light Neutron-Rich Nuclei Using a Multilayer Semiconductor Setup

The characteristics of two modifications of the semiconductor (s.c.d.) setup consisting of telescopes on the basis of silicon detectors are presented. These settings allow performing a precision measurement of energy in a large dynamic range (from a few to hundreds of MeV) and particle identification in a wide range of masses. The issues of measurement of the characteristics of s.c.d. telescopes and their impact on the quality of the obtained experimental data are considered. Considerable attention is paid to the use of created semiconductor devices for the search for and spectroscopy of light exotic nuclei on the accelerators of PNPI (Gatchina) and LANL (Los Alamos).

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Constraining the nuclear spin distribution using improved 197 Au neutron resonance parameters

New neutron transmission data at resonance energies using a 197 Au sample were measured using an early version of the Device for Indirect Capture Experiments on Radionuclides (DICER), which is under development at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). These data were combined with previous neutron transmission and capture data in a simultaneous R-matrix analysis to extract improved neutron resonance parameters for this nuclide. As a result, total radiation widths, Γ γ , were obtained for 33 J=1 and 44 J=2 197 Au+n resonances. Γ γ distributions for these two spins states were compared to distributions calculated according to the nuclear statistical model using published nuclear level density (NLD) and photon strength functions (PSF) measured using the Oslo technique. The calculated distributions were found to be narrower and the average values for the two spins states closer together than the data. The calculation can be brought into agreement with the data by substantial modifications to the spin distribution in 198 Au as a function of excitation energy. As far as we know, the spin distribution currently is otherwise poorly constrained. The modified spin distribution changes the shapes of the NLD and PSF extracted using the Oslo technique and so could have broad implications.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗