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At least 19 records

Optical diagnostic suite (schlieren, interferometry, and grid image refractometry) on OMEGA EP using a 10-ps, 263-nm probe beam

A 10-ps, 263-nm (4{omega}) laser is being built to probe plasmas produced on the OMEGA EP [J. H. Kelly, L. J. Waxer, V. Bagnoud, I. A. Begishev, J. Bromage, B. E. Kruschwitz, T. E. Kessler, S. J. Loucks, D. N. Maywar, R. L. McCrory et al., J. Phys. IV France 133, 75-80 (2006)]. A suite of optical diagnostics (schlieren, interferometry, and grid image refractometry) has been designed to diagnose and characterize a wide variety of plasmas. Light scattered by the probe beam is collected by an f/4 catadioptric telescope and a transport system is designed to image with a near-diffraction-limited resolution ({approx}1 -{mu}m full width at half maximum) over a 5-mm field of view to a diagnostic table. The transport system provides a contrast greater than 1 : 10{sup 4} with respect to all wavelengths outside of the 263 {+-} 2 nm measurement range.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Angular filter refractometry analysis using simulated annealing [An improved method for characterizing plasma density profiles using angular filter refractometry]

Here, a new method of analysis for angular filter refractometry images was developed to characterize laser-produced, long-scale-length plasmas using an annealing algorithm to iterative converge upon a solution. Angular filter refractometry (AFR) is a novel technique used to characterize the density pro files of laser-produced, long-scale-length plasmas. A synthetic AFR image is constructed by a user-defined density profile described by eight parameters, and the algorithm systematically alters the parameters until the comparison is optimized. The optimization and statistical uncertainty calculation is based on a minimization of the $\chi$2 test statistic. The algorithm was successfully applied to experimental data of plasma expanding from a flat, laser-irradiated target, resulting in average uncertainty in the density profile of 5-10% in the region of interest.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Intracavity Laser Refractometry In Reflection: Development And Implementation In Biomedical Investigations

The Intracavity Laser Refractometry in Reflection (ILRR) method is developed for precise investigation of the processes on an interface of different media in real time. This method is very attractive for the study of biological liquids. It is based on the control of two-mode phase-anisotropic laser spectrum. In the aggregate the values of the sensitivity, time of measuring, potential parameters of investigated media of ILRR method correspond to the best results in optical refractometry. The absolute value of refractive index correlates with the course of different diseases. It can serve the objective parameter for an estimation of a level of illness processes in organism and drug efficiency. In result of the investigation of the photoresponse of the blood to low-level laser irradiation both the slow thermal effect and fast biophysical effect were discovered. The refractive index behaviour in real time allows the photoacceptors and maximum therapeutic doses on organism, cellular, and molecular levels to be determined.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Improved filters for angular filter refractometry

Angular filter refractometry is an optical diagnostic that measures the absolute contours of a line-integrated density gradient by placing a filter with alternating opaque and transparent zones in the focal plane of a probe beam, which produce corresponding alternating light and dark regions in the image plane. Identifying transitions between these regions with specific zones on the angular filter (AF) allows the line-integrated density to be determined, but the sign of the density gradient at each transition is degenerate and must be broken using other information about the object plasma. Additional features from diffraction in the filter plane often complicate data analysis. Here, in this paper, we present an improved AF design that uses a stochastic pixel pattern with a sinusoidal radial profile to minimize unwanted diffraction effects in the image caused by the sharp edges of the filter bands. We also present a technique in which a pair of AFs with different patterns on two branches of the same probe beam can be used to break the density gradient degeneracy. Both techniques are demonstrated using a synthetic diagnostic and data collected on the OMEGA EP (extended performance) laser.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Quantifying the Solubility of Boron Nitride Nanotubes and Sheets with Static Light Scattering and Refractometry

The dissolution of nanoparticles, particularly those containing boron, is an important area of interest for polymer nanocomposite formation and material development. In this work, the solubility of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT), functionalized boron nitride nanotubes (FBNNT), and boron nitride sheets (BNZG) is quantified in toluene and THF with static light scattering, refractometry, UV vis spectroscopy, and physical observations. UV vis spectroscopy provides a method to determine the concentration and solubility limits of the solutions tested. Using light scattering, the second virial coefficient, A2, is determined and used to calculate , the solute solvent interaction parameter. The Hildebrand solubility parameter, , is then extracted from this data using the Hildebrand Scatchard Solution Theory. A list of potential good solvents based on the estimated value is provided for each nanoparticle. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and prepolymers (EN4 and EN8) used to synthesize polyurethanes were also tested, because the published and molar attraction constants of these materials provided a selfconsistent check. The dn/dc of SWNTs and boron-containing particles was measured for the first time in this work. A solvent screen for BN-ZG provides additional information that supports the obtained and . Three systems were found to have values below 0.5 and were thermodynamically soluble: BNNT in THF, EN8 in THF, and EN8 in toluene.

Mutz, M↗

Metamaterial near-field sensor for deep-subwavelength thickness measurements and sensitive refractometry in the terahertz frequency range

We present a metamaterial-based terahertz (THz) sensor for thickness measurements of subwavelength-thin materials and refractometry of liquids and liquid mixtures. The sensor operates in reflection geometry and exploits the frequency shift of a sharp Fano resonance minimum in the presence of dielectric materials. We obtained a minimum thickness resolution of 12.5 nm (1/16 000 times the wavelength of the THz radiation) and a refractive index sensitivity of 0.43 THz per refractive index unit. We support the experimental results by an analytical model that describes the dependence of the resonance frequency on the sample material thickness and the refractive index.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Reconstruction of 2D line-integrated electron density using angular filter refractometry and a fast marching Eikonal solver

Refraction of an optical probe beam by a plasma can be measured with angular filter refractometry (AFR), which produces an image of the beam’s 2D spatial profile that contains intensity contours corresponding to curves of constant refraction angle. Further analysis is required to reconstruct the underlying line-integrated electron density. Most prior efforts to calculate density from AFR data have been limited to 1D analysis or forward-fitting techniques. Here, in this paper, we detail the use of a fast-marching Eikonal solver to directly invert AFR data and obtain the full 2D line-integrated electron density. The analysis method is first verified with synthetic data and then applied to experimental measurements of single and colliding plasma plumes collected at the OMEGA EP Laser Facility. The calculated densities agree with 1D results and are shown to be consistent with the original AFR measurements via forward modeling. We also discuss ways to improve the precision of this technique.

McCluskey, B. [Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)↗

Characterization of Various Materials Using Refractometry

Refractive index (RI) is a fundamental physical property of a material. However, the RI values of several binders, including nitroplasticizer (NP), Estanes, and KelF/FK 800, are not available in literature. Further, their temperature dependencies are undocumented either. In this study, we have developed a set of methodologies to accurately and effectively determine the RIs of these binder materials between 20 and 70°C. The RIs of these binders without aging show linear correlations with temperature, as shown in the figure below. Among these materials, Estane 5714 has the highest RI whereas FK800 has the lowest RI. As materials age, the changes in their RIs are different, suggesting different aging behavior of these binders upon heating. Typically, NP and Estane degraded through hydrolysis give lower RIs than the baseline materials. However, when KelF/FK800 materials thermally age, their RIs increase. Overall, this study demonstrates refractometry is a sensitive technique to detect aging signs in various materials of interest.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Glass 3D Printing of Microfluidic Pressure Sensor Interrogated by Fiber-Optic Refractometry

This letter reports a novel fused silica microfluidic device with pressure sensing capability that is fabricated by integrated additive and subtractive manufacturing (IASM) method. The sensor consists of a capillary and a 3D printed glass reservoir, where the reservoir volume change under pressure manifests liquid level deviation inside the capillary, thus realizing the conversion between small pressure change into large liquid level variation. Thanks to the design flexibility of this unique IASM method, the proposed microfluidic device is fabricated with liquid-in-glass thermometer configuration, where the reservoir is sealed following a novel 3D printing assisted glass bonding process. And liquid level is interrogated by a fiber-optic sensor based on multimode interference (MMI) effect. This proposed microfluidic device is attractive for chemical and biomedical sensing because it is flexible in design, and maintains good chemical and mechanical stability, and adjustable sensitivity and range.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Analysis of Blood Serum by the Method of Refractometry in Antitumor Therapy in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

The serum of patients with multiple myeloma was examined by refractometric methods before and after the course of antitumor therapy. It was found that the amount of protein in the serum of patients with multiple myeloma, determined by the value of the serum refractive index, tended to decrease after the course of treatment. The value of the refractive index of blood serum can be used as an additional criterion for assessing the dynamics of changes in blood-serum properties during antitumor therapy.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Refractometry of TGS crystals doped with L-threonine impurity under uniaxial pressure

The temperature and spectral dependences of the refractive indices of triglycine sulphate (TGS) crystals doped with L-threonine impurity have been investigated. It is established that the introduction of an impurity weakens the temperature dependence of refractive indices. The electronic polarizability, refractions, and parameters of UV oscillators of mechanically deformed impurity crystals are calculated. The temperature coefficients of the phase transition shift are determined.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Quantifying the thermodynamic interactions of polyhedral boranes in solution to guide nanocomposite fabrication

The solubility of boron containing nanoparticles in a variety of solvents is quantified using static light scattering in conjunction with refractometry. Four polyhedral boranes were tested in this work, using refractometry to obtain dn/dc, while static light scattering quantifies A2. A2 obtained from these measurements was then used to calculate v, the solute solvent interaction parameter, and the ildebrand solubility parameter, d, which provides a quantifiable method to identify good solvents. Of the nanoparticles studied, 1,3-di-o-carboranylpropane is thermodynamically stable in toluene, with a v less than 0.5, a solubility limit of 2.47 mg/mL, and all solutions remaining clear with no visible particle settling. For all of the particles tested, there was good correlation between the physical observations of the solutions, v, and d. For instance, lower values of v correspond to a smaller radius of gyration (Rg). A list of suitable solvents based on d is also presented.

boranes↗

Measurements of electron density profiles using an angular filter refractometer

A novel diagnostic technique, angular filter refractometry (AFR), has been developed to characterize high-density, long-scale-length plasmas relevant to high-energy-density physics experiments. AFR measures plasma densities up to 10{sup 21} cm{sup −3} with a 263-nm probe laser and is used to study the plasma expansion from CH foil and spherical targets that are irradiated with ∼9 kJ of ultraviolet (351-nm) laser energy in a 2-ns pulse. The data elucidate the temporal evolution of the plasma profile for the CH planar targets and the dependence of the plasma profile on target radius for CH spheres.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Polarimetry diagnostic on OMEGA EP using a 10-ps, 263-nm probe beam

A polarimetry diagnostic was built and characterized for magnetic-field measurements in laser-plasma experiments on the OMEGA EP laser. This diagnostic was built into the existing 4ω (263-nm) probe system that employs a 10-ps laser pulse collected with an f/4 imaging system. The diagnostic measures the rotation of the probe beam's polarization. The polarimeter uses a Wollaston prism to split the probe beam into orthogonal polarization components. Spatially localized intensity variations between images indicate polarization rotation. Magnetic fields can be calculated by combining the polarimetry data with the measured plasma density profile obtained from angular filter refractometry.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Phase state diagram of a poly(amic acid)–solvent–nonsolvent system

Phase behavior and structure formation was studied using optical interferometry, nephelometry, and refractometry in the polymer–solvent–nonsolvent system for DMF solutions of two poly(amic acids): based on 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and meta-phenylenediamine (PAA-1) and pyromellitic acid dianhydride and 4,4′-oxydianiline (PAA-2). Distilled water and its mixtures with DMF were used as a nonsolvent. According to the results of the study, isothermal cross sections of the phase state diagram in the threecomponent system were plotted, the position of the critical point, the spinodal, and the conodes were determined, the movement of the figurative points in the system was traced depending on the nonsolvent composition.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Research at ITER towards DEMO: Specific reactor diagnostic studies to be carried out on ITER

In ITER diagnostics will operate in the very hard radiation environment of fusion reactor. Extensive technology studies are carried out during development of the ITER diagnostics and procedures of their calibration and remote handling. Results of these studies and practical application of the developed diagnostics on ITER will provide the direct input to DEMO diagnostic development. The list of DEMO measurement requirements and diagnostics will be determined during ITER experiments on the bases of ITER plasma physics results and success of particular diagnostic application in reactor-like ITER plasma. Majority of ITER diagnostic already passed the conceptual design phase and represent the state of the art in fusion plasma diagnostic development. The number of related to DEMO results of ITER diagnostic studies such as design and prototype manufacture of: neutron and γ–ray diagnostics, neutral particle analyzers, optical spectroscopy including first mirror protection and cleaning technics, reflectometry, refractometry, tritium retention measurements etc. are discussed.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Dispersion and guidance characteristics of microstructured 68TeO{sub 2} - 22WO{sub 3} - 8La{sub 2}O{sub 3} - 2Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3} glass fibres for supercontinuum generation

We report the preparation of a high-purity optical-quality four-component glass of composition 68TeO{sub 2} - 22WO{sub 3} - 8La{sub 2}O{sub 3} - 2Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}, containing (2.7{+-}0.5)x10{sup -5} mol % OH groups. Its refractive index has been determined in the range 0.9 - 5.45 {mu}m using interference refractometry. The data are used to assess the dispersion and guidance characteristics of microstructured optical fibres potentially attractive for supercontinuum generation in the range 1 - 5 {mu}m (optical fibres)

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Near- to mid-IR refractive index of {sup 28}Si, {sup 29}Si and {sup 30}Si monoisotopic single crystals

We have prepared {sup 28}Si, {sup 29}Si and {sup 30}Si single crystals with enrichments above 99.9 at % and a silicon single crystal of natural isotopic composition. The oxygen and carbon concentrations in all the crystals are within 5x10{sup 15} cm{sup -3}, and the content of metal impurities is 0.01 - 0.1 ppma. The refractive index of the crystals has been determined in the range 1.05-25.5 {mu}m using interference refractometry, and its dispersion and material dispersion have been determined. (letters)

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗