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At least 19 records

Computer modeling of a compact isochronous cyclotron

The computer modeling methods of a compact isochronous cyclotron are described. The main stages of analysis of accelerator facilities systems are considered. The described methods are based on theoretical fundamentals of cyclotron physics and mention highlights of creation of the physical project of a compact cyclotron. The main attention is paid to the analysis of the beam dynamics, formation of a magnetic field, stability of the movement, and a realistic assessment of intensity of the generated bunch of particles. In the article, the stages of development of the accelerator computer model, analytical ways of assessment of the accelerator parameters, and the basic technique of the numerical analysis of dynamics of the particles are described.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

First multi-institutional systematic comparison of the neutron ambient dose equivalent produced by proton therapy systems

Objective. Isochronous cyclotrons, synchrocyclotrons, and synchrotrons are used to accelerate protons for proton therapy. An accurate measurement of neutron doses generated by these accelerators and associated delivery systems and its clinical relevance requires systematic protocols and proper neutron dosimetry for a meaningful assessment. We present the first comprehensive comparison of neutron ambient dose equivalent (H*(10)) produced by clinically operational proton therapy systems. Approach. Treatment plans with 10 cm modulation-depth and ranges of 10 cm (R10M10) and 25 cm (R25M10) were created to cover a 10 × 10 × 10 cm 3 water target. The pencil beam scanning proton therapy machines studied were: two gantry-mounted synchrocyclotrons (Hyperscan, Mevion, half-gantry), two isochronous cyclotrons (ProBeam, Varian, full-gantry), one isochronous cyclotron (Proteus, IBA, full-gantry), and two synchrotrons (PROBEAT, Hitachi, full- and half-gantry). Proton beams were delivered to 30 × 30 × 40 cm 3 plastic water phantoms. WENDI-II and LUPIN-BF3-NP neutron rem-meters were positioned at three angles (0°, 45°, 90°) relative to the beam direction to measure the neutron H*(10) at distances between 50–300 cm from the isocenter. Main results. H*(10) showed dependence on beam energy, machine type, and measurement location. The highest reading was for the gantry-mounted synchrocyclotron, whereas other systems produced approximately comparable neutron doses. In all cases, the H*(10) reduced with distance from the isocenter. The H*(10) drop at 2 m distance compared to that at 0.5 m was a factor of ∼5 for the gantry-mounted synchrocyclotron whereas in other systems the decrease was a factor of 10. The WENDI-II device suffered from dead-time-associated under-estimation of the dose by a factor of ∼2–3 under the synchrocyclotron beam due to its high dose-per-pulse. However, WENDI-II and LUPIN-BF3-NP results were within reasonable agreement in isochronous cyclotron and synchrotron beams, indicating that both devices are suitable for those systems. Significance. Neutron H*(10) is dependent on various parameters including beam energy, measurement location, as well as machine design. Caution must be exercised in choosing the appropriate neutron-dose-measurement device to be used for low-duty-factor, particularly in high-instantaneous-rate proton delivery systems. By delivering the same volumetric proton dose across different machines, this work provides a benchmark for inter-system comparisons and serves as a foundation for future studies.

LUPIN↗

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 87

The evaluated experimental data are presented for 14 known nuclides of mass 87 (Ga, Ge, As, Se, Br, Kr, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru). New datasets have been added for {sup 87}Ga, {sup 87}Se, {sup 87}Kr, {sup 87}Rb, {sup 87}Sr, {sup 87}Nb, and {sup 87}Tc. The observation of and new lifetime measurements for {sup 87}As at the NSCL Coupled Cyclotron Facility and the Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron at the HRIBF–ORNL Facility are included in the adopted levels for this isotope. The new evaluation also includes an isomeric level at unknown energy for {sup 87}Tc, changes to the adopted levels for {sup 87}Nb based on newly published data including an extension of the high spin levels and new lifetime measurements, and new heavy ion data for {sup 87}Kr. New high spin levels for {sup 87}Rb were observed, indicating possible neutron core excitations. In addition, the ground state lifetime of {sup 87}Rb has been revised and a new lifetime measurement for an excited level in {sup 87}Rb indicates a possible proton spin flip. New excitation levels have been observed for the first time in {sup 87}Se. New direct and precise measurement of atomic masses of {sup 87}Tc, {sup 87}Mo, {sup 87}Nb, {sup 87}Zr, {sup 87}Mo and {sup 87}Tc have greatly improved the Q value landscape in this mass region. This work supersedes the previous A=87 evaluation published in 2002He09, and Q values for all isotopes were updated to incorporate the mass evaluation in 2012Wa38.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Experimental observation of acoustic emissions generated by a pulsed proton beam from a hospital-based clinical cyclotron

Purpose: To measure the acoustic signal generated by a pulsed proton spill from a hospital-based clinical cyclotron. Methods: An electronic function generator modulated the IBA C230 isochronous cyclotron to create a pulsed proton beam. The acoustic emissions generated by the proton beam were measured in water using a hydrophone. The acoustic measurements were repeated with increasing proton current and increasing distance between detector and beam. Results: The cyclotron generated proton spills with rise times of 18 μs and a maximum measured instantaneous proton current of 790 nA. Acoustic emissions generated by the proton energy deposition were measured to be on the order of mPa. The origin of the acoustic wave was identified as the proton beam based on the correlation between acoustic emission arrival time and distance between the hydrophone and proton beam. The acoustic frequency spectrum peaked at 10 kHz, and the acoustic pressure amplitude increased monotonically with increasing proton current. Conclusions: The authors report the first observation of acoustic emissions generated by a proton beam from a hospital-based clinical cyclotron. When modulated by an electronic function generator, the cyclotron is capable of creating proton spills with fast rise times (18 μs) and high instantaneous currents (790 nA). Measurements of the proton-generated acoustic emissions in a clinical setting may provide a method for in vivo proton range verification and patient monitoring.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Modern compact accelerators of cyclotron type for medical applications

Ion beam therapy and hadron therapy are types of external beam radiotherapy. Recently, the vast majority of patients have been treated with protons and carbon ions. Typically, the types of accelerators used for therapy were cyclotrons and synchrocyclotrons. It is intuitively clear that a compact facility fits best to a hospital environment intended for particle therapy and medical diagnostics. Another criterion for selection of accelerators to be mentioned in this article is application of superconducting technology to the magnetic system design of the facility. Compact isochronous cyclotrons, which accelerate protons in the energy range 9–30 MeV, have been widely used for production of radionuclides. Energy of 230 MeV has become canonical for all proton therapy accelerators. Similar application of a carbon beam requires ion energy of 430 MeV/u. Due to application of superconducting coils the magnetic field in these machines can reach 4–5 T and even 9 T in some cases. Medical cyclotrons with an ironless or nearly ironless magnetic system that have a number of advantages over the classical accelerators are in the development stage. In this work an attempt is made to describe some conceptual and technical features of modern accelerators under consideration. The emphasis is placed on the magnetic and acceleration systems along with the beam extraction unit, which are very important from the point of view of the facility compactness and compliance with the strict medical requirements.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Comparison of the MCNP6 and FLUKA Codes in Shielding Calculation at ProNova Proton Therapy Facility

The Monte Carlo method is a powerful tool to simulate particle transport in materials, and can be effectively used to design radiation shielding. The purpose of this study is to compare the results from two Monte Carlo codes (MCNP6 and FLUKA ) in shielding design. The calculation was also compared with the measured results from the ProNova Superconducting 360 degrees (SC360) installation at the Knoxville Provision Center for Proton Therapy (PCPT) facility. The SC360 230 MeV continue wave (CW) proton beam is produced by an isochronous cyclotron, the Sumitomo P235. The maximum beam that is extracted into the beamline is 300 nA, which is of 60% of the full current generated in cyclotron. The SC360 facility has an energy selection system for adjusting the proton range, one fixed beam and one gantry room for rotating the beam around the stationary patient. At the entrance to each treatment room beamline, a thickness adjustable Beryllium degrader inserted in the beam path is used to achieve the desirable beam energy. When protons interact with beamline components, the secondary neutrons become the dominant source to determine the radiation shielding. In this study, the dose rate outside the lateral wall of the beamline vault was discussed. The calculations from two Monte Carlo codes were compared and they agreed very well. The dose rates measured by a Wendi-II Neutron Detector agreed within a factor of less than seven compared with the calculation results. The difference may be explained by a variety of factors such as the uncertainty in knowing the exact composition of shielding materials, geometry difference, and the measurement uncertainty due to instrumentation. (authors)

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Comparison of Proton Energy Deposition from Monte Carlo Simulations and Measurement Results

ProNova's mission is to deliver a lower-cost, smaller, lighter and more energy efficient solution for Proton Therapy without sacrificing performance and improving upon existing capabilities. A high current, isochronous cyclotron (Sumitomo P235) is used as the mono-energetic 230 MeV proton beam source for the ProNova SC360 Proton Therapy System installation at the Knoxville Provision Center for Proton Therapy (PCPT). The energy of the proton beam ranges from 70 MeV to 230 MeV in the treatment room by adjusting the thickness of a Beryllium degrader installed at the Energy Section Beamline (ESB) for each treatment room. In order to better characterize the proton energy loss in the treatment volume, the proton energy deposition in a water phantom located at the treatment position is analyzed in this study, including Monte Carlo simulation and experimental measurements for different energies. It is concluded that Monte Carlo simulations give a good prediction of proton energy deposition. The results also confirmed that at increasing beam energy, protons will have broader FWHM and decreased peak-to-entrance dose ratio. The ProNova SC360 design results in an energy spread that does not change linearly with the energy due to the unique degrader and ESB design. Monte Carlo simulation results match proton beam measurement well. The Monte Carlo simulation results, validated by measurement, will be used as proton beam data for Treatment Planning System commissioning. (authors)

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Simulation experiments for gamma-ray mapping of planetary surfaces: Scattering of high-energy neutrons

The concentration and distribution of certain elements in surface layers of planetary objects specify constraints on models of their origin and evolution. This information can be obtained by means of remote sensing gamma-ray spectroscopy, as planned for a number of future space missions, i.e., Mars, Moon, asteroids, and comets. To investigate the gamma-rays made by interactions of neutrons with matter, thin targets of different composition were placed between a neutron-source and a high-resolution germanium spectrometer. Gamma-rays in the range of 0.1 to 8 MeV were accumulated. In one set of experiments a 14-MeV neutron generator using the T(d,n) reaction as neutron-source was placed in a small room. Scattering in surrounding walls produced a spectrum of neutron energies from 14 MeV down to thermal. This complex neutron-source induced mainly neutron-capture lines and only a few scattering lines. As a result of the set-up, there was a considerable background of discrete lines from surrounding materials. A similar situation exists under planetary exploration conditions: gamma-rays are induced in the planetary surface as well as in the spacecraft. To investigate the contribution of neutrons with higher energies, an experiment for the measurement of prompt gamma radiation was set up at the end of a beam-line of an isochronous cyclotron.

Brueckner, J.↗

Transverse beam dynamics in non-linear Fixed Field Alternating Gradient accelerators

In this paper, we present some aspects of the transverse beam dynamics in Fixed Field Ring Accelerators (FFRA): we start from the basic principles in order to derive the linearized transverse particle equations of motion for FFRA, essentially FFAGs and cyclotrons are considered here. This is a simple extension of a previous work valid for linear lattices that we generalized by including the bending terms to ensure its correctness for FFAG lattice. The space charge term (contribution of the internal coulombian forces of the beam) is contained as well, although it is not discussed here. The emphasis is on the scaling FFAG type: a collaboration work is undertaken in view of better understanding the properties of the 150 MeV scaling FFAG at KURRI in Japan, and progress towards high intensity operation. Some results of the benchmarking work between different codes are presented. Analysis of certain type of field imperfections revealed some interesting features about this machine that explain some of the experimental results and generalize the concept of a scaling FFAG to a non-scaling one for which the tune variations obey a well-defined law.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

INFRARED HIGH-RESOLUTION INTEGRATED LIGHT SPECTRAL ANALYSES OF M31 GLOBULAR CLUSTERS FROM APOGEE

Chemical abundances are presented for 25 M31 globular clusters (GCs), based on moderately high resolution ( R = 22,500) H -band integrated light (IL) spectra from the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE). Infrared (IR) spectra offer lines from new elements, lines of different strengths, and lines at higher excitation potentials compared to the optical. Integrated abundances of C, N, and O are derived from CO, CN, and OH molecular features, while Fe, Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, and Ti abundances are derived from atomic features. These abundances are compared to previous results from the optical, demonstrating the validity and value of IR IL analyses. The CNO abundances are consistent with typical tip of the red giant branch stellar abundances but are systematically offset from optical Lick index abundances. With a few exceptions, the other abundances agree between the optical and the IR within the 1 σ uncertainties. The first integrated K abundances are also presented and demonstrate that K tracks the α elements. The combination of IR and optical abundances allows better determinations of GC properties and enables probes of the multiple populations in extragalactic GCs. In particular, the integrated effects of the Na/O anticorrelation can be directly examined for the first time.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

CHEMICAL ABUNDANCES IN A SAMPLE OF RED GIANTS IN THE OPEN CLUSTER NGC 2420 FROM APOGEE

NGC 2420 is a ∼2 Gyr old well-populated open cluster that lies about 2 kpc beyond the solar circle, in the general direction of the Galactic anti-center. Most previous abundance studies have found this cluster to be mildly metal-poor, but with a large scatter in the obtained metallicities. Detailed chemical abundance distributions are derived for 12 red-giant members of NGC 2420 via a manual abundance analysis of high-resolution ( R = 22,500) near-infrared ( λ 1.5–1.7 μ m) spectra obtained from the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) survey. The sample analyzed contains six stars that are identified as members of the first-ascent red giant branch (RGB), as well as six members of the red clump (RC). We find small scatter in the star-to-star abundances in NGC 2420, with a mean cluster abundance of [Fe/H] = −0.16 ± 0.04 for the 12 red giants. The internal abundance dispersion for all elements (C, N, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co and Ni) is also very small (∼0.03–0.06 dex), indicating a uniform cluster abundance distribution within the uncertainties. NGC 2420 is one of the clusters used to calibrate the APOGEE Stellar Parameter and Chemical Abundance Pipeline (ASPCAP). The results from this manual analysis compare well with ASPCAP abundances for most of the elements studied, although for Na, Al, and V there are more significant offsets. No evidence of extra-mixing at the RGB luminosity bump is found in the {sup 12}C and {sup 14}N abundances from the pre-luminosity-bump RGB stars in comparison to the post-He core-flash RC stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

IDENTIFICATION OF NEODYMIUM IN THE APOGEE H -BAND SPECTRA

We present the detection of 10 lines of singly ionized neodymium (Nd ii, Z = 60) in H -band spectra using observations from the SDSS-III Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) survey. These lines were detected in a metal-poor ([Fe/H] ∼ −1.5), neutron-capture element-enhanced star recently discovered in the APOGEE sample. Using an optical high-resolution spectrum, we derive a Nd abundance for this star using Nd ii lines with precise, laboratory-derived gf values. This optical abundance is used to derive log( gf ) values for the H -band lines. We use these lines to rederive Nd ii abundances for two more metal-rich, s -process enhanced stars observed by APOGEE and find that these lines yield consistent Nd ii abundances, confirming the Nd enhancement of these stars. We explore the region of parameter space in the APOGEE sample over which these lines can be used to measure Nd ii abundances. We find that Nd abundances can be reliably derived for ∼18% of the red giants observed by APOGEE. This will result in ∼50,000 Milky Way stars with Nd ii abundances following the conclusion of APOGEE-2, allowing for studies of neutron-capture element abundance distributions across the entire Milky Way.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NLTE ANALYSIS OF HIGH-RESOLUTION H -BAND SPECTRA. II. NEUTRAL MAGNESIUM

Aiming at testing the validity of our magnesium atomic model and investigating the effects of non-local thermodynamical equilibrium (NLTE) on the formation of the H -band neutral magnesium lines, we derive the differential Mg abundances from selected transitions for 13 stars either adopting or relaxing the assumption of local thermodynamical equilibrium (LTE). Our analysis is based on high-resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio H -band spectra from the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) and optical spectra from several instruments. The absolute differences between the Mg abundances derived from the two wavelength bands are always less than 0.1 dex in the NLTE analysis, while they are slightly larger for the LTE case. This suggests that our Mg atomic model is appropriate for investigating the NLTE formation of the H -band Mg lines. The NLTE corrections for the Mg i H -band lines are sensitive to the surface gravity, becoming larger for smaller log g values, and strong lines are more susceptible to departures from LTE. For cool giants, NLTE corrections tend to be negative, and for the strong line at 15765 Å they reach −0.14 dex in our sample, and up to −0.22 dex for other APOGEE stars. Our results suggest that it is important to include NLTE corrections in determining Mg abundances from the H -band Mg i transitions, especially when strong lines are used.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

SDSS IV MaNGA—Rotation Velocity Lags in the Extraplanar Ionized Gas from MaNGA Observations of Edge-on Galaxies

We present a study of the kinematics of the extraplanar ionized gas around several dozen galaxies observed by the Mapping of Nearby Galaxies at the Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey. We considered a sample of 67 edge-on galaxies out of more than 1400 extragalactic targets observed by MaNGA, in which we found 25 galaxies (or 37%) with regular lagging of the rotation curve at large distances from the galactic midplane. We model the observed H α emission velocity fields in the galaxies, taking projection effects and a simple model for the dust extinction into account. We show that the vertical lag of the rotation curve is necessary in the modeling, and estimate the lag amplitude in the galaxies. We find no correlation between the lag and the star formation rate in the galaxies. At the same time, we report a correlation between the lag and the galactic stellar mass, central stellar velocity dispersion, and axial ratio of the light distribution. These correlations suggest a possible higher ratio of infalling-to-local gas in early-type disk galaxies or a connection between lags and the possible presence of hot gaseous halos, which may be more prevalent in more massive galaxies. These results again demonstrate that observations of extraplanar gas can serve as a potential probe for accretion of gas.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

APOGEE Chemical Abundances of the Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy

The Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment provides the opportunity of measuring elemental abundances for C, N, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni in vast numbers of stars. We analyze thechemical-abundance patterns of these elements for 158 red giant stars belonging to the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy (Sgr). This is the largest sample of Sgr stars with detailed chemical abundances, and it is the first time that C, N, P, K, V, Cr, Co, and Ni have been studied at high resolution in this galaxy. We find that the Sgr stars with [Fe/H] ≳ −0.8 are deficient in all elemental abundance ratios (expressed as [X/Fe]) relative to the Milky Way, suggesting that the Sgr stars observed today were formed from gas that was less enriched by Type II SNe than stars formed in the Milky Way. By examining the relative deficiencies of the hydrostatic (O, Na, Mg, and Al) and explosive (Si, P, K, and Mn) elements, our analysis supports the argument that previous generations of Sgr stars were formed with a top-light initial mass function, one lacking the most massive stars that would normally pollute the interstellar medium with the hydrostatic elements. We use a simple chemical-evolution model, flexCE, to further support our claim and conclude that recent stellar generations of Fornax and the Large Magellanic Cloud could also have formed according to a top-light initial mass function.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

EVIDENCE OF AGB POLLUTION IN GALACTIC GLOBULAR CLUSTERS FROM THE Mg–Al ANTICORRELATIONS OBSERVED BY THE APOGEE SURVEY

We study the formation of multiple populations in globular clusters (GCs), under the hypothesis that stars in the second generation formed from the winds of intermediate-mass stars, ejected during the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase, possibly diluted with pristine gas, sharing the same chemical composition of first-generation stars. To this aim, we use the recent Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) data, which provide the surface chemistry of a large sample of giant stars, belonging to clusters that span a wide metallicity range. The APOGEE data set is particularly suitable to discriminate among the various pollution scenarios proposed so far, as it provides the surface abundances of Mg and Al, the two elements involved in a nuclear channel extremely sensitive to the temperature, hence to the metallicity of the polluters. The present analysis shows a remarkable agreement between the observations and the theoretical yields from massive AGB stars. In particular, the observed extension of the depletion of Mg and O and the increase in Al is well reproduced by the models and the trend with the metallicity is also fully accounted for. This study further supports the idea that AGB stars were the key players in the pollution of the intra-cluster medium, from which additional generations of stars formed in GCs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Atypical Mg-poor Milky Way Field Stars with Globular Cluster Second-generation-like Chemical Patterns

We report the peculiar chemical abundance patterns of 11 atypical Milky Way (MW) field red giant stars observed by the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE). These atypical giants exhibit strong Al and N enhancements accompanied by C and Mg depletions, strikingly similar to those observed in the so-called second-generation (SG) stars of globular clusters (GCs). Remarkably, we find low Mg abundances ([Mg/Fe] < 0.0) together with strong Al and N overabundances in the majority (5/7) of the metal-rich ([Fe/H] ≳ −1.0) sample stars, which is at odds with actual observations of SG stars in Galactic GCs of similar metallicities. This chemical pattern is unique and unprecedented among MW stars, posing urgent questions about its origin. These atypical stars could be former SG stars of dissolved GCs formed with intrinsically lower abundances of Mg and enriched Al (subsequently self-polluted by massive AGB stars) or the result of exotic binary systems. We speculate that the stars Mg-deficiency as well as the orbital properties suggest that they could have an extragalactic origin. This discovery should guide future dedicated spectroscopic searches of atypical stellar chemical patterns in our Galaxy, a fundamental step forward to understanding the Galactic formation and evolution.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Beam and Spin Optics Simulation Tutorials, Using Zgoubi

This tutorial is an introduction to the classical cyclotron, with some hints at spin dynamics, hands-on: by numerical simulation. It begins with a brief reminder of the historic context, and then introduces the theoretical material needed for the simulation exercises, which follow. Basic charge particle optics and acceleration concepts are addressed, including closed orbit in a cyclic accelerator, weak focusing in a dipole magnet, periodic transverse motion, revolution period and isochronism, voltage gap and resonant acceleration, the cyclotron equation.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗