Beam Intensity Research Articles

Influence of source parameters on the longitudinal phase-space distribution of a pulsed cryogenic beam of barium fluoride molecules

Recently, we have demonstrated a method to record the longitudinal phase-space distribution of a pulsed cryogenic buffer gas cooled beam of barium fluoride molecules with high resolution. In this paper, we use this method to determine the influence of various source parameters. Besides the expected dependence on temperature and pressure, the forward velocity of the molecules is strongly correlated with the time they exit the cell, revealing the dynamics of the gas inside the cell. Three observations are particularly noteworthy: (1) The velocity of the barium fluoride molecules increases rapidly as a function of time, reaches a maximum 50–200 µs after the ablation pulse and then decreases exponentially. We attribute this to the buffer gas being heated up by the plume of hot atoms released from the target by the ablation pulse and subsequently being cooled down via conduction to the cell walls. (2) The time constant associated with the exponentially decreasing temperature increases when the source is used for a longer period of time, which we attribute to the formation of a layer of isolating dust on the walls of the cell. By thoroughly cleaning the cell, the time constant is reset to its initial value. (3) The velocity of the molecules at the trailing end of the molecular pulse depends on the length of the cell. For short cells, the velocity is significantly higher than expected from the sudden freeze model. We attribute this to the target remaining warm over the duration of the molecular pulse giving rise to a temperature gradient within the cell. Our observations will help to optimize the source parameters for producing the most intense molecular beam at the target velocity.

For intense proton beam production with compact ion sources: the ALISES ion source family developed at CEA Saclay

The production of intense proton beams in CEA Saclay started in the 90’s with the development of the SILHI source to inject the IPHI accelerator. This ECR ion source is still in operation nowadays. ECR plasma is a well-known heating process and plasma chamber internal dimensions were investigated in order to reduce size and maintenance time. In 2012 R&D investigations on those simple plasma chamber parameters were started with the design of the first ALISES ion source that will give birth to a new source family still in progress today. This paper will summarize the different steps of this development.

Analytical modeling of the spray amplification of a spatially smoothed laser beam

Spatial amplification of the near-forward Brillouin scattering (FSBS) produced by a laser beam smoothed with a random phase plate (RPP) is considered by using a novel technique based on the central limit theorem [C. Ruyer et al., Phys. Rev. E 107, 035208 (2023)]. It is demonstrated that FSBS amplification proceeds over a length much larger than the longitudinal speckle correlation length and, under certain conditions, scales as a square of the average gain coefficient. Analytical expressions for the spatial gain are successfully compared with paraxial electromagnetic simulations, demonstrating that the beamlet correlation through ion-acoustic waves dominates the spatial growth for intense enough laser beams. The scattered wave aperture increases with the gain and can extend beyond the small angle scattering limit. These results open the way for developing reduced modeling of beam spray amplification in radiation hydrodynamics codes.

Neutron spectroscopy for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy beams characterization

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a therapeutic treatment for malignant tumors that utilizes the nuclear reactions that happen when thermal neutrons are captured by boron-10 atoms to selectively destroy designated cells. Boron-10 atoms are biochemically accumulated inside the tumor target, which is then irradiated with thermal neutrons.In recent years, the possibility to obtain accelerator based intense neutron beams has given a boost to the diffusion of BNCT also in Europe, removing the need of nuclear reactors. In this contest, the monitoring and characterization of the epithermal neutron beams dedicated to BNCT becomes an important issue.The directional neutron spectrometer called NCT-WES (Neutron Capture Therapy Wide Energy Spectrometer) is a single moderator neutron spectrometer composed of a polyethylene cylinder embedding six semiconductor-based detectors positioned at different depths along the cylinder axes. The position of the six detectors is studied in order to maximize the response of each one in a selected neutron energy range. The unfolding of the six simultaneous readings allows to reconstruct the incoming neutron energy spectrum as in a parallelized Bonner Sphere System. A cylindrical collimator situated in the front of the spectrometer makes the instrument sensitive to neutrons coming only from a given direction, which allows to exclude the contribution of the room scattered radiation. The experimental validation of the spectrometer, obtained through several measuring campaigns, is reported and discussed.

Design improvements to the SNS ion source and diagnostics

The U.S. Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) is a state-of-the-art neutron scattering facility delivering the world’s most intense pulsed-neutron beams to a wide array of instruments which are used to conduct investigations in many fields of science and engineering. The accelerator system is fed by an RF-driven, multicusp, H− ion source which nominally provides pulsed beam currents of 50-60 mA (1ms, 60Hz). This report provides a discussion of ongoing design improvements to the SNS ion source and Low Energy Beam Transport (LEBT) as well as diagnostic upgrades undertaken since the previous ICIS conference. These improvements include (i) simple mechanical modifications to the source outlet aperture which resulted in dramatically increased extracted beam current and comparable or lower emittance at similar beam currents, (ii) design improvements to the LEBT chopper target which will enable full power beam-dumping during physics studies, (iii) refinement of the SNS Allison emittance scanner that has enabled the first reliable LEBT beam measurements at full beam power (65kV, 50-100mA, 1ms, 60Hz) on the SNS ion source test stand and (iv) the implementation of a thermal imaging camera for the monitoring the LEBT electrode temperatures. (v) The design of an advanced Cs system, capable of more efficient Cs utilization with significantly lower Cs losses from the source is also presented. Mechanical details, computational simulations and experimental results are discussed within the context of these improvements.

Installation, commissioning, and testing of the HB650 CM at PIP2IT

The Proton Improvement Plan-II (PIP-II) is a major upgrade to the Fermilab accelerator complex, featuring a new 800-MeV Superconducting Radio-Frequency (SRF) linear accelerator (LINAC) powering the accelerator complex to provide the world’s most intense high-energy neutrino beam. This paper describes the conversion of the PIP-II Injector Test Facility (PIP2IT) cryogenic system into a test stand for PIP-II High-Beta 650 MHz (HB650) cryomodules at Fermilab’s Cryomodule Test Facility (CMTF). A description of the associated mechanical, electrical, and controls modifications necessary for testing HB650 cryomodules are provided. The cooldown and warmup requirements, procedures and associated controls logic is described.

Design of the beam transport optics of TRIUMF’s new 300 keV H− ion source terminal

An ion beam transport system has been designed to transport a highly intense and bright beam extracted from the H− ion source. This new system will be installed at the new injection terminal for the TRIUMF’s 500 MeV H− cyclotron. The low energy part of the transport section (25 keV) in the injection terminal has been designed with magnetic optical elements in order to maintain space charge neutralization. The injection terminal includes a permanent magnet lens, magnetic steerers, a pulser, a beam dump, and a 300 kV acceleration column with electron and positive ion suppressor rings. Beam optics calculations have been performed, including space charge effects up to 1 mA. The simulation results of the beam optics design are presented in this paper.

Overview and status of the PIP-II cryogenic system

The Proton Improvement Plan-II (PIP-II) is a major upgrade to the Fermilab accelerator complex, featuring a new 800-MeV Superconducting Radio-Frequency (SRF) linear accelerator (Linac) powering the accelerator complex to provide the world’s most intense high-energy neutrino beam. The PIP-II Linac consists of 23 SRF cryomodules operating at 2 K, 5 K, and 40 K temperature levels supplied by a single helium cryoplant providing 2.5 kW of cooling capacity at 2.0 K. The PIP-II cryogenic system consists of two major systems: a helium cryogenic plant and a cryogenic distribution system. The cryogenic plant includes a refrigerator cold box, a warm compressor system, and helium storage, recovery, and purification systems. The cryogenic distribution system includes a distribution box, intermediate transfer line, and a tunnel transfer line consisting of modular bayonet cans which supply and return cryogens to the cryomodules. A turnaround can is located at the end of the Linac to turnaround cryogenic flows. This paper describes the layout, design, and current status of the PIP-II cryogenic system.

Producing intense uranium ion beam for RIKEN RI beam factory

Intense highly charged uranium (U) ion beams were produced using RIKEN 28 GHz superconducting electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source in a high-temperature oven (HTO). We used a double-oven system to ensure ample vapor supply. Moreover, we optimized the vapor delivery into the plasma at a constant microwave power input. Consequently, we achieved intense U-ion beams, specifically 250 eμA for U35+, 36 eμA for U46+, and 10 eμA for U54+, at an injected microwave power of approximately 3000 W. This achievement stems from recent advancements, notably the optimization of the material consumption rates aimed at maximizing beam intensity, which we briefly review here.

LHC Upgrades in preparation of Run 3

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) Long Shutdown 2 (2019–2021), following LHC Run 2, was primarily dedicated to the upgrade of the LHC Injectors but it included also a significant amount of activities aimed at consolidation of the LHC machine components, removal of known limitations and initial upgrades in view of the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) to favour the intensity ramp-up during Run 3 (2022–2025). An overview of the major modifications to the accelerator and its systems is followed by a summary of the results of the superconducting magnet training campaign to increase the LHC operation energy beyond the maximum value of 6.5 TeV reached during Run 2. The LHC configuration and the scenarios for proton and ion operation for Run 3 are presented considering the expected performance of the upgraded LHC Injectors and the proton beam intensity limitations resulting from the heat load on the cryogenic system due to beam-induced electron cloud and impedance.

FEBIAD ionization development via a web-app for multidimensional characterization

The ISAC-FEBIAD is an electron impact ion source typically used to ionize radioactive molecules or isotopes of elements beyond the reach of either surface or laser ion sources. The FEBIAD’s key tuning parameters are the cathode temperature defining the number of electrons created; the anode voltage establishing the electron energy; and the magnetic field controlling the electron density inside the anode volume. However, these parameters are typically scanned in a small and limited range when optimizing the source. Recent investigations have shown the need to explore the entire range of operational values accessible by the power supplies, not only due to the intrinsic variations from source to source but also to operate the source at optimal settings. To address this, a scanning algorithm has been implemented as a web interface thanks to the High-Level-Application (HLA) infrastructure available at TRIUMF. The ion beam intensity during both offline and online commissioning of the web app are presented here as contour plots. The optimal settings found for stable 20Ne are confirmed as the optimal settings for radioactive 18Ne. The main takeaway, however, is that the optimal ion source parameters differ between singly-charged, doubly-charged, and molecular species. This development demonstrate and facilitate the need for element and charge state-specific parameter optimization. Additionally, the results highlight the possibility of parameter optimization to enhance the ratio of the species of interest to co-ionized contamination.

Installation and first results of a 1.1 kW TWT system for the AECR-U based ion source at UMCG-Partrec

To meet the demand for intense highly charged stable ion beams for medical and nuclear physics a traveling-wave-tube (TWT) based RF generator has been installed and is in commissioning at the Advanced Electron Cyclotron Resonance Upgrade (AECR-U) ion source at the UMCG-PAR-TREC facility. The generator comprises 2 x 750W in-phase combining TWT RF generators with an output frequency range of 12.75-14.5 GHz. Frequency scanning routines have been incorporated in the control software which makes it possible to identify intense and stable ion-beam regimes within the plasma-heating frequency domain. The new RF generator replaces a 14.1 GHz fixed frequency klystron. In this paper we present the setup, the scanning methodology, the first measurements, and discuss the frequency scans measured from a helium and a xenon beam. These results improve the stability and increase the beam intensity at the UMCG-PARTREC facility.

Intensity Modulated Therapy for Patients With Breast Cancer. Practical Guidelines and Tips for an Effective Treatment Planning Strategy

PurposePractical guidelines and tips for effective and robust radiotherapy treatment planning for breast cancer patients are addressed for intensity-modulated fixed field or volumetric modulated arc therapy techniques. The concepts described here are general and valid on all the treatment planning systems. However, some details have been shown here applied to the Varian platforms used at the authors’ institutions. MethodsThe specific aspects of using C-arm or O-ring mounted linear accelerators are covered in the document, as well as tips for dealing with certain resource constraints, target cropping and skin flash aiming to reduce risks of skin toxicity and to manage (residual after breath control) respiration motion or oedema. ResultsA decision tree is presented, and practical solutions are discussed for cases where a target volume is contoured or not; where volumetric modulated arc therapy or fixed beams intensity modulation should be applied and details about the technical implementation (tangential IMRT, butterfly IMRT or VMAT, large partial VMAT arcs). Target cropping and skin flash implications are discussed in detail, and links to plan robustness are outlined. ConclusionsPractical guidelines for breast planning are presented and summarized with a decision tree and technical summaries.

ASTERICS, a new 28 GHz electron cyclotron resonance ion source for the SPIRAL2 accelerator

A new A/Q=7 injector is under development for the SPIRAL2 accelerator at Caen, France (NEWGAIN project). A new 28 GHz superconducting electron cyclotron resonance ion source named ASTERICS is under design for this project. The source features a modern cryostat and a large plasma chamber (91 mm radius and 600 mm length). The physical and technical motivations for a larger plasma volume are detailed and estimates of expected beam intensities enhancement are discussed. The source will mainly produce metallic ion beams: the concept of a temperature-controlled liner (up to 900°C) to stabilize high vapor pressure metal re-evaporation in the source is presented. The preliminary design of the ion source and its superconducting magnet are described.

Validation of the diamond detectors for the Super Fragment Separator beam diagnostics

The Super-FRS at the FAIR accelerator complex will adopt Chemical Vapor Deposition diamond detectors as radiation-hard particle rate counters. Their role will be to monitor the beam transmission for beams with ions rates up to 107 ions/spill and to calibrate the other beam diagnostics devices that are in duty at higher beam intensities. The target vacuum chamber of the Super-FRS hosts a 7 × 7 mm2 single crystal diamond and a 25 × 25 mm2 polycrystalline diamond: they are required to detect crossing particles with high efficiency (> 98%) in the case of heavy ion species (Ar to U), and to stand for several years in an environment in which they can potentially accumulate a dose of a few MGy per year. Laboratory measurements and beam test campaigns were arranged in the past years for the validation of the proposed sensors, in particular for the case of the polycrystalline technology. Here we report the outcome of the irradiation of a sensor based on a 20 × 20 mm2 polycrystalline diamond produced by Element Six, with high intensity 1 GeV/nucleon Pb and U beams at GSI (Darmstadt). The detector signal shape characteristics and the ion counting efficiency have been monitored by interleaving periods of low ions rates, to evaluate possible damages or performance degradation during and after a total bombardment of about 6 × 1011 heavy ions.

Design for an 18 GHz Open Hexapole Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Source

Responding to a request by the user community for higher beam intensities, an upgrade of the Argonne National Laboratory ECR2 ion source is in progress. The upgrade has three main constraints: 1) The overall source architecture as defined by the solenoid coils cannot change, 2) radial access to the plasma chamber has to be maintained, and 3) the amount of time the source can be shut down for hardware installation is < 2 months. A new NdFeB open hexapole is projected to produce a 1.19 T wall field (r = 38.1 mm) with six radial slots (6.35 mm x 91.2 mm) allowing solid material access and ∼120 l/s of pumping to the plasma chamber. The axial magnetic fields will be enhanced with a vanadium permendur plug and optimization of the iron resulting in a magnetic field at injection Binj of 2.4 T, magnetic field at center Bmin of 0.4 T, and magnetic field at extraction Bext of 1.0 T and magnetic gradients Bgrad of 5.9 T/m for 14.5 GHz and 7.4 T/m for 18 GHz. The plasma is currently heated with multiple-frequency RF provided by two traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTA) operating between 11 and 14.5 GHz and capable of providing 1100 W total power. The new magnetic structure will support 18 GHz operation with RF provided by a new TWTA.

Simulation of laser-plasma focusing using taper solenoid

A laser ion source can produce ion beams of various elements, including high melting point metals. Owing to its ability to switch beams rapidly by loading multiple solid targets, we are developing a laser ion source to implement it in a 400 kV ion implanter, which requires a wide range of ion species. Although a laser ion source offers above advantages, most of the plasma is lost in an ion source due to the generation of the beam from a part of the diffused plasma with a broad angular distribution. To suppress this loss and enhance beam intensity, we employ a linear solenoid to increase the amount of plasma reaching the extraction electrode by suppressing the three-dimensional plasma diffusion. However, the linear solenoid cannot suppress the loss of plasma near the target as the plasma spreads three-dimensionally from the plasma generation point. Therefore, by placing a taper solenoid near the target, it is possible to suppress the diffusion of plasma immediately after its generation and to transport most of the generated plasma to the extraction electrode. In this paper, we present the results of plasma trajectory calculations using the particle-in-cell method by the plasma simulations involving taper solenoids.

Absorption characteristics of diffracted X-ray radiation in a quartz crystal at an external temperature gradient

In this work the dependence of the anomalous absorption of X-rays on the crystal thickness and temperature gradient value was studied. The refracted and reflected beams intensities, as well as their sum intensities were measured for crystal thicknesses in the range of 0.3–4.5 mm. Significant increase in the sum intensity of the refracted and reflected beams is observed in presence of temperature gradient. It is shown that the anomalous absorption in the crystal in presence of the temperature gradient is decreased and this effect is stronger expressed in thick crystals.

Intense vanadium ion beam production for super-heavy element research experiments

Long-term production of an intense 51V13+ ion beam was imperative for synthesizing a new element (Z=119) at RIKEN. We systematically measured the beam intensity as a function of microwave power and material consumption rate for effectively producing an intense beam. Consequently, we generated a 1 emA of 51V13+ ion beam at an injected microwave power and extraction voltage of 3.5 kW and 12.6 kV, respectively.

High intensity beam dynamics assessment and challenges for HL-LHC

The High Luminosity (HL-LHC) project aims to increase the integrated luminosity of CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) by an order of magnitude compared to its initial design. This requires a large increase in bunch intensity and beam brightness compared to the first three LHC runs, and hence poses serious collective-effects challenges, related in particular to electron cloud, instabilities from beam-coupling impedance, and beam-beam effects. Here, we present the associated constraints and the mitigation measures proposed to achieve the baseline performance of the upgraded LHC machine. We also discuss the interplay of these mitigation measures with other aspects of the accelerator, such as optics, physical and dynamic apertures, the collimation system, and crab cavities. Additional potential sources of intensity limitations are also briefly discussed.