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At least 19 records

Multilayer Analyses of an Iron Radiation Beam Experiment

A nonperturbative analytic solution of Green's function for heavy ion transport in a single medium is extended to multilayer transport media. This extension is implemented in the Green's function code (GRNTRN), which is being validated with laboratory experiments. Good agreement is achieved between an iron radiation beam experiment and GRNTRN only when the interactions of the iron radiation beam with several important layers of material located upstream of the target within the beamline are considered.

Shinn, J. L.↗

Statistical Study of the Non-Thermal Continuum Radiation Beaming Angle Measured By the High Frequency Receiver on Van Allen Probes-A

The nonthermal continuum (NTC) radiation beaming angle is computed over the entire Van Allen Probes-A mission when the spacecraft was in the dawn sector. The conditions in the dawn sector are favorable for the wave vector to lie near/in the spacecraft's spin plane allowing a favorable estimate of the beaming angle, and the dawn sector is also advantageous in that previous studies show NTC occurrence to peak in this sector. We found that scatter plots, over the entire mission, of beaming angle versus magnetic latitude form a distinct inverted-V pattern, with the apex at/near the magnetic equator. This pattern was sharpest for frequencies (f) ≲ 100 kHz. Using the NTC beaming formula from the linear mode conversion theory (LMCT), we show that such an inverted-V pattern is expected due to the large variation in the plasmapause location over the entire mission. The theoretical derived pattern qualitatively reproduces the observed pattern but not quantitatively. The lack of quantitative agreement is discussed and is attributed to several factors, one factor is off-centered emissions from the radio window. The qualitative agreement strongly supports LMCT as being the dominant mechanism generating NTC for f ≲ 100 kHz. For f ≳ 100 kHz, the inverted-V pattern becomes less distinct, and strong near-equatorial beaming is observed. After considering contamination of our selections by left-handed polarized AKR, our study suggests that besides LMCT another unidentified NTC generation mechanism becomes important for f ≳ 100 kHz.

Linear Mode Conversion Theory↗

Payload dose rate from direct beam radiation and exhaust gas fission products

A study was made to determine the dose rate at the payload position in the NERVA System (1) due to direct beam radiation and (2) due to the possible effect of fission products contained in the exhaust gases for various amounts of hydrogen propellant in the tank. Results indicate that the gamma radiation is more significant than the neutron flux. Under different assumptions the gamma contribution from the exhaust gases was 10 to 25 percent of total gamma flux.

Capo, M. A.↗

Depth-dose relations for heavy ion beams

Radiation transport of heavy ions in matter is of interest to radiological protection in space and high-altitude aircraft. In addition, heavy ion beams are expected to be of advantage in radiotherapy since their characteristic Bragg curve allows a relative reduction of the dose in reaching a tumor site and the near elimination of exposure beyond the tumor region as the beam exits the body. Furthermore, the radioresistance of tumorous cells due to their hypoxic state may be reduced or eliminated by the high specific ionization of heavy ion beams. The depth-dose distribution of heavy ion beams consists of energy deposited by the attenuated primary beam with its characteristic Bragg curve and a relatively unstructured background due to secondary radiations produced in nuclear reactions. As the ion mass increases, the secondary contribution becomes more structured and may add significantly to the Bragg peak of the primary ions. The result for heavy ions (z greater than 20) is a greatly broadened Bragg peak region, especially in comparison to straggling effects, which may prove to be of importance in radiotherapy and biomedical research.

Wilson, J. W.↗

Polarizing Grids, their Assemblies and Beams of Radiation

This article gives an analysis of the behavior of polarizing grids and reflecting polarizers by solving Maxwell's equations, for arbitrary angles of incidence and grid rotation, for cases where the excitation is provided by an incident plane wave or a beam of radiation. The scattering and impedance matrix representations are derived and used to solve more complicated configurations of grid assemblies. The results are also compared with data obtained in the calibration of reflecting polarizers at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO). From these analysis, we propose a method for choosing the optimum grid parameters (wire radius and spacing). We also provide a study of the effects of two types of errors (in wire separation and radius size) that can be introduced in the fabrication of a grid.

Houde, Martin↗

Light beams and radiation patterns in random media

The purpose of this paper is to apply a numerical technique in solving problems involving light beams in a random medium. The technique starts by generating numerically sample media with prescribed statistical properties. Rays are then traced in these sample media, and the ray statistics are compiled. These statistics are utilized to find the mean square displacement and distribution of a beam. Problems on beam broadening and distortion of radiation patterns are considered. Fluctuations in wave amplitude and phase are also investigated. When possible, the numerical results are compared with the analytical results and experimental results.

Youakim, M. Y.↗

Radiation resistance of a baffled beam.

The radiation resistance of a beam is theoretically determined from the total acoustic power radiated into the farfield. The beam is supported in an infinite baffle, with both hinged and clamped supports considered. Asymptotic solutions are derived for frequencies well below the critical frequency. Curves, covering the entire frequency range between the low- and high-frequency asymptotic solutions, are obtained through numerical integration for the first ten modes of beams with various width-to-length ratios. For frequencies well below the critical frequency, the ratio of the radiation resistance of a beam clamped at each end to that of a beam hinged at each end is 0.851 for the first mode, 0.711 for the second mode, and asymptotically approaches 2 as the mode number tends to infinity. For both hinged and clamped supports, the radiation resistance of all modes increases with the beam width-to-length ratio.

Wallace, C. E.↗

Light-Curve Modelling Constraints on the Obliquities and Aspect Angles of the Young Fermi Pulsars

In more than four years of observation the Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi satellite has identified pulsed gamma-ray emission from more than 80 young or middle-aged pulsars, in most cases providing light curves with high statistics. Fitting the observed profiles with geometrical models can provide estimates of the magnetic obliquity alpha and of the line of sight angle zeta, yielding estimates of the radiation beaming factor and radiated luminosity. Using different gamma-ray emission geometries (Polar Cap, Slot Gap, Outer Gap, One Pole Caustic) and core plus cone geometries for the radio emission, we fit gamma-ray light curves for 76 young or middle-aged pulsars and we jointly fit their gamma-ray plus radio light curves when possible. We find that a joint radio plus gamma-ray fit strategy is important to obtain (alpha, zeta) estimates that can explain simultaneously detectable radio and gamma-ray emission: when the radio emission is available, the inclusion of the radio light curve in the fit leads to important changes in the (alpha, gamma) solutions. The most pronounced changes are observed for Outer Gap and One Pole Caustic models for which the gamma-ray only fit leads to underestimated alpha or zeta when the solution is found to the left or to the right of the main alpha-zeta plane diagonal respectively. The intermediate-to-high altitude magnetosphere models, Slot Gap, Outer Gap, and One pole Caustic, are favored in explaining the observations. We find no apparent evolution of α on a time scale of 106 years. For all emission geometries our derived gamma-ray beaming factors are generally less than one and do not significantly evolve with the spin-down power. A more pronounced beaming factor vs. spin-down power correlation is observed for Slot Gap model and radio-quiet pulsars and for the Outer Gap model and radio-loud pulsars. The beaming factor distributions exhibit a large dispersion that is less pronounced for the Slot Gap case and that decreases from radio-quiet to radio-loud solutions. For all models, the correlation between gamma-ray luminosity and spin-down power is consistent with a square root dependence. The gamma-ray luminosities obtained by using the beaming factors estimated in the framework of each model do not exceed the spin-down power. This suggests that assuming a beaming factor of one for all objects, as done in other studies, likely overestimates the real values. The data show a relation between the pulsar spectral characteristics and the width of the accelerator gap. The relation obtained in the case of the Slot Gap model is consistent with the theoretical prediction.

neutron aEuro" pulsars:↗

Method for analyzing radiation sensitivity of integrated circuits

A method for analyzing the radiation sensitivity of an integrated circuit is described to determine the components. The application of a narrow radiation beam to portions of the circuit is considered. The circuit is operated under normal bias conditions during the application of radiation in a dosage that is likely to cause malfunction of at least some transistors, while the circuit is monitored for failure of the irradiated transistor. When a radiation sensitive transistor is found, then the radiation beam is further narrowed and, using a fresh integrated circuit, a very narrow beam is applied to different parts of the transistor, such as its junctions, to locate the points of greatest sensitivity.

Gauthier, M. K.↗

Optically reconfigured active phased array antennas

Future generations of phased array antennas for space-based and airborne platforms are designed based on a large number of active T/R modules. The constructed radiating beam is degraded in the event of modules failure. Simulation results indicate that the control of frequency, interelement spacing, and the individual radiating element pattern alongside the more conventional technique of amplitude and phase can be used to reconfigure the desired radiating beam in the event of the active T/R module failure.

Daryoush, A. S.↗

Compton scattering in jets: A mechanism for approximately 0.4 and less than or approximately 0.2 MeV line production

We show that gamma-ray line emission at approximately 0.4 and less than or approximately 0.2 MeV can be produced by Compton scattering of beamed radiation in the jets of Galactic black hole candidates. This mechanism has the novel feature of not invoking the presence of e(exp +)-e(exp -) pairs. To produce the two lines, we employ a symmetric double-sided jet with bulk flow velocity of about 0.5c and incident beam radiation with a hard energy spectrum. We show that the two lines can be seen at viewing-angle cosines relative to the jet ranging from 0.2 to 0.6. This comprises 40% of the total solid angle. In addition, the line radiation is approximately 10% polarized. Depending on the bulk flow and viewing angle, the model can produce lines at other energies as well. In particular, a broad feature near 1 MeV can be seen by viewing the jet close to its axis. Our model can also accommodate single-line spectra if the beamed gamma-ray emission or the jets themselves are asymmetric.

Skibo, J. G.↗

PKS 2155-304 - Relativistically beamed synchrotron radiation from a BL Lacertae object

The previously reported variability by a factor of two in less than a day is confirmed for the newly discovered BL Lac object PKS 2155-304, by means of the HEAO 1 A-2 experiment's medium- and high-energy detectors. An interpretation of the overall spectrum from radio through X-rays in terms of a synchrotron self-Compton model yields a good description of the data if relativistic beaming is allowed for. The presence of jets is inferred without their direct observation through consideration of the spectrum, combined with an estimate of the size of the source.

Urry, C. M.↗

Multispectral glancing incidence X-ray telescope

A multispectural glancing incidence X-ray telescope is illustrated capable of broadband, high-resolution imaging of solar and stellar X-ray and extreme ultraviolet radiation sources which includes a primary optical system preferably of the Wolter I type having a primary mirror system. The primary optical system further includes an optical axis having a primary focus at which the incoming radiation is focused by the primary mirrors. A plurality of ellipsoidal mirrors are carried at an inclination to the optical axis behind the primary focus. A rotating carrier is provided on which the ellipsoidal mirrors are carried so that a desired one of the ellipsoidal mirrors may be selectively positioned in front of the incoming radiation beam. In the preferred embodiment, each of the ellipsoidal mirrors has an identical concave surface carrying a layered synthetic microstructure coating tailored to reflect a desired wavelength of 1.5A or longer. Each of the identifical ellipsoidal mirrors has a second focus at which a detector is carried. Thus the different wavelength image is focused upon the detector irregardless of which mirror is positioned in front of the radiation beam.

Hoover, R. B.↗

Multispectral glancing incidence X-ray telescope

A multispectral glancing incidence X-ray telescope is illustrated capable of broadband, high-resolution imaging of solar and stellar X-ray and extreme ultraviolet radiation sources which includes a primary optical system preferably of the Wolter I type having a primary mirror system (20, 22). The primary optical system further includes an optical axis (24) having a primary focus (F1) at which the incoming radiation is focused by the primary mirrors. A plurality of ellipsoidal mirrors (30a, 30b, 30cand 30d) are carried at an inclination to the optical axis behind the primary focus (F1). A rotating carrier (32) is provided on which the ellipsoidal mirrors are carried so that a desired one of the ellipsoidal mirrors may be selectively positioned in front of the incoming radiation beam (26). In the preferred embodiment, each of the ellipsoidal mirrors has an identical concave surface carrying a layered synthetic microstructure coating tailored to reflect a desired wavelength of 1.5 .ANG. or longer. Each of the identical ellipsoidal mirrors has a second focus (F2) at which a detector (16) is carried. Thus the different wavelength image is focused upon the detector irregardless of which mirror is positioned in front of the radiation beam. In this manner, a plurality of low wavelengths in a wavelength band generally less than 30 angstroms can be imaged with a high resolution.

Hoover, Richard B.↗