Beam Decay Research Articles

A hybrid variational method for beam propagation and interaction in a graded-index nonlinear waveguide

The hybrid variational method can be used to simplify multidimensional numerical simulations. We examine the applicability of this method to study the nonlinear propagation of a single beam and the interference of two spatial soliton beams in a graded-index optical waveguide governed by a two-dimensional nonlinear Schrodinger equation. We classified three distinct regimes of the dynamics that emerge during single Gaussian beam propagation, corresponding to beam decay, breather formation, and self-focusing. When two spatial soliton beams were set up to interfere in the waveguide, we identified the boundary where the nonlinear interaction during the interference led to excitation or self-focusing. These quite involved dynamics were used to test the predictive power of our variational models by comparing them with direct numerical simulations, obtaining good agreement.

Macroscopic Zeno Effect in a Su–Schrieffer–Heeger Photonic Topological Insulator

AbstractThe quantum Zeno effect refers to the slowdown of the decay of a quantum system due to frequent measurements. It has been extended beyond quantum systems, manifesting itself in such phenomena as the suppression of output beam decay by sufficiently strong absorption introduced in guiding optical systems. In this case, the phenomenon is termed as macroscopic Zeno effect. Here the observation of the macroscopic Zeno effect in a topological photonic system is reported. The phenomenon is based on the suppression of decay for only a subspace of edge modes that can propagate in the system and does not rely on the existence of exceptional points. By introducing controlled losses in one of the arms of a topological insulator comprising two closely positioned Su–Schrieffer–Heeger arrays, the macroscopic Zeno effect is demonstrated, which manifests itself in an increase of the transparency of the system with respect to the topological modes created at the interface between two arrays. The phenomenon remains robust against disorder in the non‐Hermitian topological regime. In contrast, coupling a topological array with a non‐topological one results in a monotonic decrease in output power with increasing absorption.

Estimation of point defects content in bulk GaN

The paper reveals the investigation of cathodoluminescent properties of point defects in bulk GaN sample grown by the HVPE technique. The cathodoluminescence spectra of GaN exhibit two broad luminescence bands in the blue and yellow optical ranges. The studies have shown that each of the observed luminescence bands is associated with the emission of several point defects - luminescence centers with similar spectral positions, but different decay times. The paper proposes a technique for estimation of the luminescent centers relative content. The technique is based on measuring the cathodoluminescence intensity dependence on the electron beam current density and decay times of the bands. The changes in the relative contents of point defects - luminescent centers are determined for the back and front sample regions – at the beginning of growth and near the sample surface. The excitation capture efficiency was determined for luminescence centers with the longest decay time emitting in the yellow range. It was found to be constant for different regions of the sample.

Proton Beam Abundance Variations and Their Relation to Alpha Particle Properties

Abstract Less abundant but still dynamically important solar wind components are the proton beam and alpha particles, which usually contribute similarly to the total ion momentum. The main characteristics of alpha particles are determined by the solar wind source region, but the origin of the proton beam and its properties are still not fully explained. We use the plasma data measured in situ on the path from 0.3 to 1 au (Helios 1 and 2) and focus on the proton beam development with an increasing radial distance as well as on the connection between the proton beam and alpha particle properties. We found that the proton beam relative abundance increases with increasing distance from the Sun in the collisionally young streams. Among the mechanisms suggested for beam creation, we have identified the wave–particle interactions with obliquely propagating Alfvén modes being consistent with observations. As the solar wind streams get collisionally older, the proton beam decay gradually dominates and the beam abundance is reduced. In search for responsible mechanisms, we found that the content of alpha particles is correlated with the proton beam abundance, and this effect is more pronounced in the fast solar wind streams during the solar maximum. We suggest that Coulomb collisions are the main agent leading to merging of the proton beam and core. We are also showing that the variations of the proton beam abundance are correlated with a decrease of the alpha particle velocity in order to maintain the total momentum balance in the solar wind frame.

Muon colliders to expand frontiers of particle physics

Particle colliders have arguably been the most important instruments for particle physics over the past 50 years. As they became more powerful, they were used to push the frontier of our knowledge into previously uncharted territory. The LHC, the highest energy collider to date, at which the Higgs boson was discovered, is a prime example. To continue along the road into the Terra Promissa beyond the Standard Model requires colliders with energy reach even greater than that of the LHC. Beams of muons offer enormous potential for the exploration of the energy frontier. Since the muon is a fundamental particle, its full energy is available in collisions in contrast to protons which are composed of quarks and gluons. However, muon beams decay rapidly, which presents a special challenge for a collider. Recent research indicates that the technologies required to overcome this challenge are within our grasp and may offer a cost-effective and energy-efficient option to continue our explorations. A new international collaboration is forming to bring together the diverse expertise and complementary capabilities from around the world to realize the muon collider as the next-generation energy-frontier discovery machine.

Hyperspectral super-resolution imaging with far-red emitting fluorophores using a thin-film tunable filter

New innovations in single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) have revolutionized optical imaging, enabling the characterization of biological structures and interactions with unprecedented detail and resolution. However, multi-color or hyperspectral SMLM can pose particular challenges which affect image quality and data interpretation, such as unequal photophysical performance of fluorophores and non-linear image registration issues, which arise as two emission channels travel along different optical paths to reach the detector. In addition, using evanescent-wave based approaches (Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence: TIRF) where beam shape, decay depth, and power density are important, different illumination wavelengths can lead to unequal imaging depth across multiple channels on the same sample. A potential useful approach would be to use a single excitation wavelength to perform hyperspectral localization imaging. We report herein on the use of a variable angle tunable thin-film filter to spectrally isolate far-red emitting fluorophores. This solution was integrated into a commercial microscope platform using an open-source hardware design, enabling the rapid acquisition of SMLM images arising from fluorescence emission captured within ∼15 nm to 20 nm spectral windows (or detection bands). By characterizing intensity distributions, average intensities, and localization frequency through a range of spectral windows, we investigated several far-red emitting fluorophores and identified an optimal fluorophore pair for two-color SMLM using this method. Fluorophore crosstalk between the different spectral windows was assessed by examining the effect of varying the photon output thresholds on the localization frequency and fraction of data recovered. The utility of this approach was demonstrated by hyper-spectral super-resolution imaging of the interaction between the mitochondrial protein, TOM20, and the peroxisomal protein, PMP70.

A new neutron lifetime experiment with cold neutron beam decay in superfluid helium-4

The puzzle remains in the large discrepancy between neutron lifetime measured by the two distinct experimental approaches—counts of beta decays in a neutron beam and storage of ultracold neutrons in a potential trap, namely, the beam method versus the bottle method. In this paper, we propose a new experiment to measure the neutron lifetime in a cold neutron (CN) beam with a sensitivity goal of 0.1% or sub-1 s. The neutron beta decays will be counted in a superfluid helium-4 scintillation detector at 0.5 K, and the neutron flux will be simultaneously monitored by the helium-3 captures in the same volume. The CN beam must be of wavelength λ > 16.5 Å to eliminate scattering with superfluid helium. A new precise measurement of neutron lifetime with the beam method of unique inherent systematic effects will greatly advance in resolving the puzzle.

Searches for decays of new particles in the DUNE Multi-Purpose near Detector

One proposed component of the upcoming Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) near detector complex is a multi-purpose, magnetized, gaseous argon time projection chamber: the Multi-Purpose Detector (MPD). We explore the new-physics potential of the MPD, focusing on scenarios in which the MPD is significantly more sensitive to new physics than a liquid argon detector, specifically searches for semi-long-lived particles that are produced in/near the beam target and decay in the MPD. The specific physics possibilities studied are searches for dark vector bosons mixing kinetically with the Standard Model hypercharge group, leptophilic vector bosons, dark scalars mixing with the Standard Model Higgs boson, and heavy neutral leptons that mix with the Standard Model neutrinos. We demonstrate that the MPD can extend existing bounds in most of these scenarios. We illustrate how the ability of the MPD to measure the momentum and charge of the final state particles leads to these bounds.

Runaway electron beam stability and decay in COMPASS

This paper presents two scenarios used for generation of a runaway electron (RE) beam in the COMPASS tokamak with a focus on the decay phase and control of the beam. The first scenario consists of massive gas injection of argon into the current ramp-up phase, leading to a disruption accompanied by runaway plateau generation. In the second scenario, injection of a smaller amount of gas is used in order to isolate the RE beam from high-temperature plasma. The performances of current control and radial and vertical position feedback control in the second scenario were experimentally studied and analysed. The role of RE energy in the radial position stability of the RE beam seems to be crucial. A comparison of the decay phase of the RE beam in various amounts of Ar or Ne was studied using absolute extreme ultraviolet (AXUV) tomography and hard x-ray (HXR) intensity measurement. Argon clearly leads to higher HXR fluxes for the same current decay rate than neon, while radiated power based on AXUV measurements is larger for Ne in the same set of discharges.

Linear unstable whistler eigenmodes excited by a finite electron beam

Electron beam-generated whistler waves are widely found in the Earth's space plasma environment and are intricately involved in a number of phenomena. Here, we study the linear growth of whistler eigenmodes excited by a finite gyrating electron beam, to facilitate the interpretation of relevant experiments on beam-generated whistler waves in the Large Plasma Device at UCLA. A linear instability analysis for an infinite gyrating beam is first performed. It is shown that the whistler waves are excited through a combination of cyclotron resonance, Landau resonance, and anomalous cyclotron resonance, consistent with our experimental results. By matching the whistler eigenmodes inside and outside the beam at the boundary, a linear growth rate is obtained for each wave mode and the corresponding mode structure is constructed. These eigenmodes peak near the beam boundary, leak out of the beam region, and decay to zero far away from the beam.

Contrast Mechanisms of Solution-Dispersed Graphene Compounds in Twilight Fluorescence Microscopy.

Twilight fluorescence microscopy is a newly developed technique that is capable of imaging a single-layer graphene compound dispersed in a liquid. A graphene solution mixed with a highly concentrated dye is placed on a glass plate and is irradiated by the excitation beam with an incident angle that has a finite width around the total internal reflection angle. Both the evanescence field and the faint refracted beam decay exponentially as they travel from the glass surface. The dye fluorescence excited by both beams is used as illumination. A simplified theory for dark contrast of graphene compounds is developed based on absorption and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), assuming that (1) FRET has a sharp cutoff distance, (2) FRET is independent of the number of layers, and (3) Dexter electron transfer is negligible. The contrast of a reduced graphene oxide multilayer, whose layer heights have been determined by atomic force microscopy, shows good agreement with the simplified theory under various dye concentrations. The FRET cutoff distance is found to be much shorter than one expected for graphene and similar to the distance between two small molecules. This short cutoff distance is the main reason for the assumption to be valid.

The Higgs Factory muon collider superconducting magnets and their protection against beam decay radiation

A low-energy medium-luminosity Muon Collider (MC) is being studied as a possible Higgs Factory (HF). Electrons from muon decays will deposit more than 300 kW in superconducting (SC) magnets of the HF collider ring. This imposes significant challenges to SC magnets used in the HF storage ring (SR) and interaction regions (IR). Conceptual designs of SC dipole and quadrupole magnets are described which provide high operating gradient and field in a large aperture to accommodate the large size of muon beams (due to low β*), as well as a cooling system to intercept the large heat deposition from the showers induced by decay electrons. The distribution of heat deposition in the main elements of HF SR lattice requires large-aperture magnets to accommodate thick high-Z absorbers to protect the SC coils. Based on the developed MARS15 model and intensive simulations, a sophisticated protection system from radiation was designed for the collider SR and IR to bring the peak power density in the SC coils well below the quench limit and reduce the dynamic heat deposition in the cold mass of SC magnets by a factor of 100. The radiation protection system consists of tight tungsten masks in the magnet interconnect regions and elliptical tungsten liners in the magnet aperture optimized for each magnet. These elements reduce also the background particle fluxes in the collider detector.

Dynamics of the optical swallowtail catastrophe

Perturbing the external control parameters of nonlinear systems leads to dramatic changes of its bifurcations. A branch of singular theory, the catastrophe theory, analyses the generating function that depends on state and control parameters. It predicts the formation of bifurcations as geometrically stable structures and categorizes them hierarchically. We evaluate the catastrophe diffraction integral with respect to two-dimensional cross-sections through the control parameter space and thus transfer these bifurcations to optics, where they manifest as caustics in transverse light fields. For all optical catastrophes that depend on a single state parameter, we analytically derive a universal expression for the propagation of all corresponding caustic beams. We reveal that the dynamics of the resulting caustics can be expressed by higher-order optical catastrophes. We show analytically and experimentally that particular swallowtail beams dynamically transform to higher-order butterfly caustics, whereas other swallowtail beams decay to lower-order cusp catastrophes.

Online monitoring the detector calibration process at a synchrotron X-ray source

This paper describes an online noble gas monitor used for the detector calibration process with a cryogenic radiometer. The process is implemented under a high-flux synchrotron radiation X-ray source in the energy range from 2100 to 6000 eV at the Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility (BSRF). This online monitoring system aims to lower the uncertainty of the calibration results caused by electron beam decay in the storage ring during the detector calibration process. Because the calibration process is performed under the high vacuum condition, an ionization chamber with adjustable Kr gas pressure is chosen as the monitoring device. To decrease the electronic noise, a method for obtaining the signal by collecting the counts within a specified time has been applied. Under the properly controlled conditions, the uncertainty of the calibration results introduced by the online monitoring system is estimated to be better than 0.15%, which can meet the demands of various high-precision calibration processes.

Effect of negative gases admixture on the stability of beam-driven discharges

The influence of negative gas SF6 admixture on the stability of low-pressure beam-driven discharge is studied by self-consistent 1D particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collisions model. We find that the plasma parameters as well as its stability are changed drastically when SF6 is added to argon gas. In an electropositive plasma we obtain the excitation of both fast and slow electrostatic plasma waves which is explained by the propagation of electron beam through the non-homogeneous bounded plasma. These waves lead to the heating of plasma electrons and ions. On the other hand, in electronegative plasma we also obtain a decay of the electron beam. However, since in electronegative beam-generated plasma the electron plasma density is homogeneous the beam is more stable. As a consequence, we obtain only the excitation of two fast electrostatic waves. One wave is excited due to two-stream instability and another wave is excited due to beam decay. The excitation of these fast waves does not influence the plasma homogeneity but influences the heating of plasma electrons.

Investigation of hypernuclei with Nuclotron beams

At the Laboratory of High Energy Physics (JINR, Dubna) a unique approach was elaborated with hypernuclei produced by the excitation of the accelerator beam nuclei and decay observed at a distance of tens of cm behind the production target. While the very first experiments were carried out in the Synchrophasotron beams, a more extensive hypernuclei research programme is planned for the Nuclotron accelerator and the new spectrometer created by the authors (Hypernuclei and NIS experiments). An investigation of hydrogen hypernuclei isotopes is in the first line of the experimental research plans. Namely, lifetimes and cross sections of Λ4H and Λ3H together with the search for Λ6H are among the tasks. The next experiment can be the investigation of Λ6He.

Nuclear particle decay in a multi-MeV beam ejected by pulsed-laser impact on ultra-dense hydrogen H(0)

The multi-MeV particles ejected from pulsed laser-induced processes in ultra-dense hydrogen H(0) are observed in vacuum at three different distances up to 2[Formula: see text]m from the laser target. In previous publications, massive neutral particles with energy of 1–30[Formula: see text]MeV[Formula: see text]u[Formula: see text] were identified. Direct energy spectra of the particles show energies well above 1[Formula: see text]MeV. The particles studied here interact with metallic collectors and give signals due to several processes like secondary electron emission and lepton pair production (published). Two experimental facts are immediate: (1) the signal per sr at large distance is up to 10 times higher than at short distance, (2) the signal at large distance is faster in real time than at short distance. These results show directly that the signal at long distance is mainly due to a mixture of intermediate particles formed by decay in the beam. The decaying signals have time constants of approximately 12 and 26[Formula: see text]ns for ultra-dense deuterium D(0) and 52 ns for ultra-dense protium p(0). These decay time constants agree well with those for decay of light mesons. These particles with narrow MeV energy distributions are formed by stepwise decay from particles like H[Formula: see text](0). The main result is that a decaying particle flux is formed by the laser-induced processes. The final muons produced may be useful for muon catalyzed fusion.

Influence of the multipole order of the source on the decay of an inertial wave beam in a rotating fluid

We analyze theoretically and experimentally the far-field viscous decay of a two-dimensional inertial wave beam emitted by a harmonic line source in a rotating fluid. By identifying the relevant conserved quantities along the wave beam, we show how the beam structure and decay exponent are governed by the multipole order of the source. Two wavemakers are considered experimentally, a pulsating and an oscillating cylinder, aiming to produce a monopole and a dipole source, respectively. The relevant conserved quantity which discriminates between these two sources is the instantaneous flow rate along the wave beam, which is non-zero for the monopole and zero for the dipole. For each source, the beam structure and decay exponent, measured using particle image velocimetry, are in good agreement with the predictions.

Characterization of a new electrostatic storage ring for photofragmentation experiments.

We describe the design of and the first commissioning experiments with a newly constructed electrostatic storage ring named SAPHIRA (Storage Ring in Aarhus for PHoton-Ion Reaction Analysis). With an intense beam of Cu(-) at 4 keV, the storage ring is characterized in terms of the stored ion beam decay rate, the longitudinal spreading of an injected ion bunch, as well as the direct measurements of the transverse spatial distributions under different conditions of storage. The ion storage stability in SAPHIRA was investigated systematically in a selected region of its electrical configuration space.

Simulator for beam-based LHC collimator alignment

In the CERN Large Hadron Collider, collimators need to be set up to form a multistage hierarchy to ensure efficient multiturn cleaning of halo particles. Automatic algorithms were introduced during the first run to reduce the beam time required for beam-based setup, improve the alignment accuracy, and reduce the risk of human errors. Simulating the alignment procedure would allow for off-line tests of alignment policies and algorithms. A simulator was developed based on a diffusion beam model to generate the characteristic beam loss signal spike and decay produced when a collimator jaw touches the beam, which is observed in a beam loss monitor (BLM). Empirical models derived from the available measurement data are used to simulate the steady-state beam loss and crosstalk between multiple BLMs. The simulator design is presented, together with simulation results and comparison to measurement data.