Heavy Ion Production Research Articles

Recent advances in conducting polymer-based magnetic nanosorbents for dyes and heavy metal removal: fabrication, applications, and perspective.

Globally, treating and disposing of industrial pollutants is a techno-economic challenge. Industries' large production of harmful heavy metal ions (HMIs) and dyes and inappropriate disposal worsen water contamination. Much attention is required on the development of efficient and cost-effective technologies and approaches for removing toxic HMIs and dyes from wastewater as they pose a severe threat to public health and aquatic ecosystems. Due to the proven superiority of adsorption over other alternative methods, various nanosorbents have been developed for the efficient removal of HMIs and dyes from wastewater and aqueous solutions. Being a good adsorbent, conducting polymer-based magnetic nanocomposites (CP-MNCPs) has drawn more attention for HMIs and dye removal. Conductive polymers' pH-responsiveness makes CP-MNCP ideal for wastewater treatment. The composite material absorbed dyes and/or HMIs from contaminated water could be removed by changing the pH. Here, we review the production strategies and applications of CP-MNCPs for HMIs and dye removal. The review also sheds light on the adsorption mechanism, adsorption efficiency, kinetic and adsorption models, and regeneration capacity of the various CP-MNCPs. To date, various modifications to conducting polymers (CPs) have been explored to improve the adsorption properties. It is evident from the literature survey that the combination of SiO2, graphene oxide (GO), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with CPs-MNCPs enhances the adsorption capacity of nanocomposites to a large extent, so future research should lean toward the development of cost-effective hybrid CPs-nanocomposites.

A heavy-ion production channel of 149Tb via 63Cu bombardment of 89Y

The radionuclide 149Tb (t1/2 = 4.1 h) is a potential theranostic isotope which can simultaneously be used for targeted-alpha-particle therapy and positron-emission tomography. Feasibility experiments were performed to test a near-symmetric heavy-ion reaction of 63Cu bombardment on monoisotopic 89Y. The indirect reaction was studied to avoid isomer production. Offline gamma spectroscopy was used to quantify thick-target physical yields and experimental results show modest agreement to the fusion-evaporation code PACE4. A near-symmetric fission yield was also observed.

Development of compact 2.45 GHz ECR ion source for generation of singly charged ions

2.45 GHz ECR ion sources are widely used for production of single charged heavy ions and secondary radioactive ion beams. This paper describes the development of a compact ECR ion source based on coaxial quarter wave resonator. The first results of extracted current measurements at different resonator configuration as a function of UHF frequency, power and gas flow are presented. At the extraction voltage about of 10 kV and UHF power about of 100 W more than 500 μA of He+ ions were produced with the extraction hole of 3 mm in diameter that corresponds to the current density of 7.5 mA/cm2.

New developments of HIF injector

The ultra-high intensity heavy-ion beam is highly pursued for heavy-ion researches and applications. However, it is limited by heavy-ion production of ion source and space-charge-effect in the low energy region. The Heavy-ion Inertial Fusion (HIF) facilities were proposed in 1970s. The HIF injectors have large cavity number and long total length, e.g., there are 27 injectors in HIDIF and HIBLIC is 30 km in length, and the corresponding HIF facilities are too large and too expensive to be constructed. Recently, ion acceleration technologies have been developing rapidly, especially in the low energy region, where the acceleration of high intensity heavy-ions is realized. Meanwhile, superconducting (SC) acceleration matures and increases the acceleration gradient in medium and high energy regions. The length of HIF injectors can be shortened to a buildable length of 2.5 km. This paper will present a review of a renewed HIF injector, which adopts multi-beam linac-based cavities.

Separated flow operation of the SHARAQ spectrometer for in-flight proton-decay experiments

A new “separated flow” operating mode has been developed for in-flight proton-decay experiments using the SHARAQ spectrometer. In this mode, the protons and heavy-ion products are separated and measured in coincidence at two different focal planes of the SHARAQ. The ion-optical properties of the new mode were studied using a proton beam at 246MeV, and the momentum vector was reconstructed from the parameters measured in the focal plane of the SHARAQ. In the experiment with the (16O, 16F) reaction at a beam energy of 247MeV/u, the outgoing 15O+p produced by the decay of 16F were measured in coincidence with the SHARAQ. High energy resolutions of 100keV (FWHM) and ∼2MeV were achieved for a relative energy of 535keV and a 16F kinetic energy of 3940MeV, respectively. The mode allows a new form of missing-mass spectroscopy using a reaction probe with a particle-decay channel.

Low charge state heavy ion production with sub-nanosecond laser.

We have investigated laser ablation plasma of various species using nanosecond and sub-nanosecond lasers for both high and low charge state ion productions. We found that with sub-nanosecond laser, the generated plasma has a long tail which has low charge state ions determined by an electrostatic ion analyzer even under the laser irradiation condition for highly charged ion production. This can be caused by insufficient laser absorption in plasma plume. This property might be suitable for low charge state ion production. We used a nanosecond laser and a sub-nanosecond laser for low charge state ion production to investigate the difference of generated plasma using the Zirconium target.

Review of highly charged heavy ion production with electron cyclotron resonance ion source (invited)

The electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS) plays an important role in the advancement of heavy ion accelerators and other ion beam applications worldwide, thanks to its remarkable ability to produce a great variety of intense highly charged heavy ion beams. Great efforts over the past decade have led to significant ECRIS performance improvements in both the beam intensity and quality. A number of high-performance ECRISs have been built and are in daily operation or are under construction to meet the continuously increasing demand. In addition, comprehension of the detailed and complex physical processes in high-charge-state ECR plasmas has been enhanced experimentally and theoretically. This review covers and discusses the key components, leading-edge developments, and enhanced ECRIS performance in the production of highly charged heavy ion beams.

Production and diagnostics of spin-polarized heavy ions in the sequential two-electron radiative recombination

The sequential radiative recombination of initially bare ions, which are collided with two spatially separated electron targets, is studied. It is demonstrated that the magnetic sublevel population of H-like ions, which are formed due to electron capture from the first target, depends on the first radiative recombination (RR) photon emission direction. Such a relative population, which can be parameterized in terms of the polarization parameters, affects then the angular and polarization properties of the second photon emitted in the collision with the second target. The coincidence γ–γ RR measurements may allow us to study, therefore, the process in which (i) H-like ions of some particular polarization are ‘selected out’ of the beam by detecting first recombination photons and (ii) this polarization is ‘measured’ in the second electron capture process. In order to describe the output of the (future) γ–γ correlation measurements, we derive the general expression for angular- and polarization-correlation function. Detailed calculations for the dependence of this function on the experimental setup and collision energy are performed for the RR of bare uranium ions.

Production and diagnostics of spin-polarized heavy ions in sequential two-electron radiative recombination

In the present work we investigate the sequential radiative recombination (RR) of initially bare ions colliding with two spatially separated electron targets. It is shown that magnetic sublevel population of the hydrogenlike ions, produced by the electron capture from the first target, depends on the emission direction of the (first) RR photon. This population, which can be expressed in terms of the polarization parameters, affects then the angular and polarization properties of the radiation emitted in the collision with the second target. The coincidence measurements of two subsequent RR photons may allow one to understand, therefore, the production and diagnostics of the ion spin polarization. In order to describe this polarization production and diagnostic scheme we derive the general expression for the $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ correlation function. Detailed calculations for the dependence of this function on the geometry of photon emission and collision energy are performed for the radiative recombination of bare uranium ions.

Features of semiplanotron surface plasma sources

Features of the semiplanotron surface plasma sources (SPS) with cesiation used for high efficient negative ion beam production from first development to modern condition are considered. Design features of semiplanotrons SPS with cylindrical and spherical geometric focusing and the features of the negative ion production in the semiplanotrons are reviewed. Several versions of semiplanotrons with efficiency up to 0.1 A of H(-) per kW of discharge power are discussed. Modifications of the semiplanotrons for dc operation and for heavy negative ion production are reviewed.

Biomass productivity and phytoremediation potential of Salix alba and Salix viminalis

Abstract The aim of this work was to determine selected Salix clones’ capacities for biomass production and accumulation of heavy metal ions. Determination of the relationship between sorption of metals and biomass productivity was a further purpose of this study. Eight Salix viminalis cultivars and one Salix alba cultivar were analyzed. The taxa characterized by greatest biomass production were S. alba var. Chermesina and S. viminalis ‘1056’ (respectively 6.8 and 4.3 kg of fresh mass per shrub per year). The results have revealed significant differences among clones. The clones most effective in accumulating all five metals were S. viminalis ‘1154’ and ‘1054’. The studied Salix population was significantly diverse as regards accumulation efficiency. The differences between the highest and lowest heavy metal content in extreme clones were for: Cd 84%, Cu 90%, Hg 167%, Pb 190% and Zn 36%. At the same time, significant differences were observed in Salix structure. The greatest cellulose content was observed in S. viminalis ‘Sprint’ (49.69%) and the lowest in S. viminalis ‘1059’ (42.09%).

Double K-shell excitation of He-like Ar16+ and Li-like Ar15+ ions using periodic crystal fields

We exploited the double resonance technique in three-dimensional resonant coherent excitation to the production of hollow He-like and Li-like heavy ions. The two K-shell electron were sequentially excited to the L-shell using two frequency components of the oscillating fields arising from the different arrays of atomic planes in a Si crystal.

The effect of magnetic field strength on the time evolution of high energy bremsstrahlung radiation created by an electron cyclotron resonance ion source

An electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source is one of the most used ion source types for high charge state heavy ion production. In ECR plasma the electrons are heated by radio frequency microwaves in order to provide ionization of neutral gases. As a consequence, ECR heating also generates very high electron energies (up to MeV region) which can produce a vast amount of bremsstrahlung radiation causing problems with radiation shielding and heating superconducting cryostat of an ECR ion source. To gain information about the time evolution of the electron energies in ECR plasma radial bremsstrahlung measurements were performed. JYFL 14 GHz ECR ion source was operated in pulsed mode and time evolution measurements were done with different axial magnetic field strengths with oxygen and argon plasmas. Bremsstrahlung data were analyzed with a time interval of 2 ms yielding information at unprecedented detail about the time evolution of high energy bremsstrahlung radiation from an ECR ion source. It was observed, for example, that reaching the steady state phase of the plasma bremsstrahlung requires several hundred milliseconds and the steady state time can be different with different gases.

Sensitivity of a Titan ionospheric model to the ion-molecule reaction parameters

Various aspects of ion-molecule reactions for Titan ionospheric chemistry modeling are reviewed in this work: temperature/collision energy effects on reaction rates and, more importantly, on products distributions; differential reactivity of isomers of ions; reactivity of excited states of ions; pathways to the building of complex ions. We evaluate here the extent to which these points affect model predictions. We find that the present limiting factors to model predictivity are the model incompleteness for heavy ion production pathways; the differential reactivity of isomers; and, to a lesser degree, the temperature effects on the branching ratios of ion-molecule reactions. Extensive experimental studies are required to fill these gaps in ion-molecule reactivity knowledge.

A study on vacuum aspects of electron cyclotron resonance ion source plasma

The electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source is special type hot plasma machine where the high temperature electrons co-exist with multiply charge state ions and neutrals. A few years ago 6.4 GHz. ECR ion source (VEC-ECR) was developed indigenously at VECC. This multiply charged ion source is being used continuously to inject heavy ion beams into the cyclotron. Vacuum plays the major role in ECR ion source. The water cooled plasma chamber is made from an oxygen free high conductivity copper billet to meet the suitable surface condition for vacuum purpose. The entire volume of the ion source is pumped by two 900 1/s special type oil diffusion pumps to achieve 5×10−8 Torr. Usually main plasma chamber is pumped by the plasma itself. Moreover a few 1/s additional pumping speed is provided through extraction hole and pumping slot on the extraction electrode. A study has been carried out to understand the role of vacuum on the multiply charged heavy ion production process. Considering the ion production and loss criteria, it is seen that for getting Ar18+ better vacuum is essential for lower frequency operation. So, an ECR ion source can give better charge state current output operating at higher frequency and stronger confining magnetic field under a specific vacuum condition. The low pressure condition is essential to minimize charge exchange loss due to recombination of multiply charged ions with the neutral atoms. A fixed ratio of neutral to electron density must be maintained for optimizing a particular charge state in the steady state condition. As the electron density is proportional to square of the injected microwave frequency (ne∝f2) a particular operating pressure is essential for a specific charge state. From the study, it has been obtained that the production of Ar18+ ions needs a pressure ∼ 9.6×10−8 Torr for 6.4 GHz. ECR ion source. It is also obtained that an ECR ion source, works at a particular vacuum level, can give better charge state production performance, if it operates at higher frequency and stronger magnetic confinement.

High current carbon beam production with direct plasma injection scheme

We have been studying a new heavy-ion production technique called “direct plasma injection scheme,” DPIS, since 2000. A new radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) designed especially for the DPIS was commissioned in 2004 and very intense carbon beam was successfully obtained, reaching more than 60mA accelerated current from the RFQ. Most of the contents of the accelerated beam was carbon 4+ as verified by beam analysis.

Experimental results of DPIS with a new RFQ

We have developed a new heavy ion production system which uses a combination of an RFQ and a laser ion source. Induced plasma by a laser shot is delivered to the RFQ without an extraction electrode. We named this new idea ‘direct plasma injection scheme (DPIS)’. In 2004, a new RFQ was built for demonstrating the capability of the DPIS. After a few months of commissioning period, we could obtain more than 60 mA of carbon beam from the RFQ. This new scheme could be applied to cancer therapy facilities and high energy nuclear physics accelerator complexes.

Compact surface plasma sources for heavy negative ion production

Features of a compact surface plasma source designed for heavy negative ion beam production are considered. Discharges in crossed E×B fields with hollow cathodes were used for efficient plasma generation. Production of heavy negative ion beams by plasma interaction with the surface of spherical focusing emitters made of different materials, such as copper and lanthanum hexaboride, with cesium catalysis are presented. The dynamics of emitter activation is discussed. dc ion beams with current up 0.9 mA have been extracted from the compact surface plasma sources with a 12-mm-diam LaB6 emitter and a emission aperture of 3 mm diam. Minimizing plasma and gas thickness between emitter and emission aperture is essential for minimizing negative ion destruction and maximizing high intensity beam production. A small mass analyzer and secondary ion mass spectroscopy were used to quantify boron ion yield. Presence of atomic and molecular boron negative ions is confirmed. The estimated emittance of the 0.5 mA heavy negative ion beam is ε=13 π mm mrad(MeV)1/2.

Photoelectron-photoion momentum spectroscopy as a clock for chemical rearrangements: isomerization of the di-cation of acetylene to the vinylidene configuration.

We have used complete correlated momentum mapping of the photoelectron and heavy ion products from the dissociation of the di-cation of acetylene, induced by photoionizing the carbon K shell of one of the atoms, to map out the angular correlation between the electron and the axis of the target molecule. The (quasi-) symmetric decay is found to proceed through both acetylene and vinylidene configurations. By using the strongly peaked photoelectron emission to "start a clock," an upper limit of 60 fs is placed on the isomerization time from the acetylene to the vinylidene configuration.

High-energy neutron detection and spectrometry with superheated emulsions

The response of some superheated emulsions was investigated using quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams in the 46–134MeV energy range at the Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain la Neuve, Belgium and at The Svedberg Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden. In order to determine the detector response to the high-energy beams, the spectra of incident neutrons were folded over functions modeled after the cross-sections for the neutron-induced production of heavy ions from the detector elements. The cross-sections for fluorine and chlorine were produced in this work by means of the Monte Carlo high-energy transport code HADRON based on the cascade-exciton model of nuclear interactions.