Lithium Beam Research Articles

Feasibility study on the JT-60SA tokamak beam emission spectroscopy diagnostics

The JT-60SA superconducting tokamak is proposed to be equipped with a Lithium Beam Emission Spectroscopy (LiBES) and Deuterium Beam Emission Spectroscopy (DBES) diagnostic systems. The purpose of the LiBES system is scrape-off layer (SOL) and plasma edge density profile measurements and density fluctuation measurements in the SOL and outer edge regions, whereas the DBES system on a heating beam would have the capacity of density fluctuation measurements in the edge and the core regions, as well. Considerations for an optimal LiBES system require sufficient plasma penetration beyond the separatrix and a reasonable amount of emission collected by the optical system, while an optimal DBES system mostly requires adequate spatial resolution and a sufficient Doppler shift to enable discrimination of beam emission from emission of the background plasma. Various concepts and geometries of the LiBES system for JT-60SA are analysed in detail, and a potential DBES observation geometry is characterized.

Beam-energy dependence and updated test of the Trojan-horse nucleus invariance via a measurement of the H2(d,p)H3 reaction at low energies

The $\mathrm{^2H}(d,p)\mathrm{^3H}$ bare nucleus astrophysical S(E) factor has been measured indirectly at energies from about 500 keV down to several keV by means of the Trojan-horse method applied to the quasi-free process $\mathrm{^2H({}^6Li},pt)\mathrm{^4He}$ induced at the lithium beam energy of 11 and 9.5 MeV, which makes the virtual binary process incident energy $\mathrm {E}_{dd}^{qf}$ go much closer to the zero-quasi-free-energy point than that in the previous similar experiment. The obtained results are compared with direct data as well as with previous indirect investigation of the same binary reactions. It shows that the precision of S(E) data in low energy range extracted via the same Trojan horse nucleus ($\mathrm{^6Li}=(d \oplus \alpha)$ ) becomes better when the incident energy decreases from high value down to the zero-quasi-free-energy point. The very good agreement between data extracted from different Trojan horse nucleus ($\mathrm{^6Li}=(d \oplus \alpha)$ vs. $\mathrm{^3He}=(d \oplus p)$) gives a strong updated test for the independence of the binary indirect cross section on the chosen Trojan horse nucleus at low energies.

Bayesian electron density inference from JET lithium beam emission spectra using Gaussian processes

A Bayesian model to infer edge electron density profiles is developed for the JET lithium beam emission spectroscopy (Li-BES) system, measuring Li I (2p-2s) line radiation using 26 channels with ∼1 cm spatial resolution and ms temporal resolution. The density profile is modelled using a Gaussian process prior, and the uncertainty of the density profile is calculated by a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) scheme. From the spectra measured by the transmission grating spectrometer, the Li I line intensities are extracted, and modelled as a function of the plasma density by a multi-state model which describes the relevant processes between neutral lithium beam atoms and plasma particles. The spectral model fully takes into account interference filter and instrument effects, that are separately estimated, again using Gaussian processes. The line intensities are inferred based on a spectral model consistent with the measured spectra within their uncertainties, which includes photon statistics and electronic noise. Our newly developed method to infer JET edge electron density profiles has the following advantages in comparison to the conventional method: (i) providing full posterior distributions of edge density profiles, including their associated uncertainties, (ii) the available radial range for density profiles is increased to the full observation range (∼26 cm), (iii) an assumption of monotonic electron density profile is not necessary, (iv) the absolute calibration factor of the diagnostic system is automatically estimated overcoming the limitation of the conventional technique and allowing us to infer the electron density profiles for all pulses without preprocessing the data or an additional boundary condition, and (v) since the full spectrum is modelled, the procedure of modulating the beam to measure the background signal is only necessary for the case of overlapping of the Li I line with impurity lines.

Precision atomic beam density characterization by diode laser absorption spectroscopy.

We provide experimental and theoretical details of a simple technique to determine absolute line-of-sight integrated atomic beam densities based on resonant laser absorption. In our experiments, a thermal lithium beam is chopped on and off while the frequency of a laser crossing the beam at right angles is scanned slowly across the resonance transition. A lock-in amplifier detects the laser absorption signal at the chop frequency from which the atomic density is determined. The accuracy of our experimental method is confirmed using the related technique of wavelength modulation spectroscopy. For beams which absorb of order 1% of the incident laser light, our measurements allow the beam density to be determined to an accuracy better than 5% and with a precision of 3% on a time scale of order 1 s. Fractional absorptions of order 10-5 are detectable on a one-minute time scale when we employ a double laser beam technique which limits laser intensity noise. For a lithium beam with a thickness of 9 mm, we have measured atomic densities as low as 5 × 104 atoms cm-3. The simplicity of our technique and the details we provide should allow our method to be easily implemented in most atomic or molecular beam apparatuses.

From soft photon study at Nuclotron and U-70 to NICA

Experimental and theoretical studies of direct photon production in hadronic collisions essentially expand our insights in multiparticle production mechanisms. These photons are useful probes to investigate nuclear matter at all stages of the interaction. Soft photons play a particular role in these studies. Until now we have no explanation for the experimentally observed excess of soft photons. These photons have low transverse momenta \( p_{T} < 0.1\) GeV/c, \( \vert x\vert < 0.01\) . In this domain their yield exceeds the theoretical estimates by 5-8 times. The registration of soft photons at Nuclotron (LHEP, JINR) has been carried out by the electromagnetic calorimeter built by the SVD-2 Collaboration. Soft photon electromagnetic calorimeter was tested at U-70, IHEP (Protvino). For the first time the soft photon yield at interactions of 3.5A GeV/c per nucleon deuterium and lithium beams has been measured. The obtained energy spectra confirm the increased yield of soft photons with their energy less than 50MeV (in the laboratory system) in comparison with theoretical predictions and agree with previous experiments at high-energy interactions. It is planned to continue soft photon study at the future accelerator complex NICA with heavy-ion beams.

Transverse laser cooled Lithium atomic beam for plasma edge diagnostics

We have built a set up to achieve a collimated atomic Lithium beam to be used for plasma edge diagnostics. The collimation is achieved by two-dimensional laser cooling, and such a beam could be very useful to obtain electron density at the edge of a plasma with very high spatial resolution. We present in this manuscript the details of this setup, including details of the oven we designed for the Lithium source. We present the metrics of the beam, including the transverse velocity profile of the atomic beam.

Lithium beam diagnostic system on the COMPASS tokamak

An improved lithium beam based beam emission spectroscopy system – installed on COMPASS tokamak – is described. The beam energy enhanced up to 120keV for Atomic Beam Probe measurement. The size of the ion source is doubled, using a newly developed thermionic heater instead of the conventionally used heating (tungsten or molybdenum) filament. The neutralizer is also improved. It produces the same sodium vapor in a cell but minimize the loss condensing the vapor on a cold surface which is led back (in fluid state) into the sodium oven. This way we call it recirculating neutralizer. The observation system consists of a CCD camera and an avalanche photodiode array.

Bayesian modelling of the emission spectrum of the Joint European Torus Lithium Beam Emission Spectroscopy system.

A Bayesian model of the emission spectrum of the JET lithium beam has been developed to infer the intensity of the Li I (2p-2s) line radiation and associated uncertainties. The detected spectrum for each channel of the lithium beam emission spectroscopy system is here modelled by a single Li line modified by an instrumental function, Bremsstrahlung background, instrumental offset, and interference filter curve. Both the instrumental function and the interference filter curve are modelled with non-parametric Gaussian processes. All free parameters of the model, the intensities of the Li line, Bremsstrahlung background, and instrumental offset, are inferred using Bayesian probability theory with a Gaussian likelihood for photon statistics and electronic background noise. The prior distributions of the free parameters are chosen as Gaussians. Given these assumptions, the intensity of the Li line and corresponding uncertainties are analytically available using a Bayesian linear inversion technique. The proposed approach makes it possible to extract the intensity of Li line without doing a separate background subtraction through modulation of the Li beam.

A detailed comparison of antenna impedance measurements on ASDEX Upgrade with the ion cyclotron range of frequencies antenna code TOPICA

New antenna diagnostics on the ASDEX Upgrade, in the form of voltage and current probe pairs on the feeding lines of each ion cyclotron range of frequencies antenna, close to the input ports, have made it possible to study in detail the behavior of the ASDEX Upgrade two-strap antenna under changing loading conditions, and compare these measurements with the results of simulations using the TOPICA code. The present work extends previous studies by using the input impedance (more precisely, the complex voltage reflection coefficient ) on each antenna port for comparison, instead of the more commonly used loading resistance or coupled power. The electron density profiles used for the simulation were reconstructed from the deuterium-carbon-nitrogen interferometer and lithium beam emission spectroscopy measurements, edge-localized mode-synchronized and averaged over time intervals from 10 to 200 ms depending on the case; 112 cases were compared from seven ASDEX Upgrade discharges with widely different plasma parameters and two operating frequencies (30 and 36.5 MHz). Very good agreement in was found with the measurements on antenna 3 (<3% averaged over a shot), and good agreement was found with antennas 1 and 2 (<10%); the code reproduced the correct trend in loading resistance in a significant majority of cases, although the discrepancies in the absolute values were rather high (up to ∼50%) due to high reflection. Sources of discrepancy are discussed.

Measurement of theH2(d,p)H3reaction at astrophysical energies via the Trojan-horse method

The study of d(d,p)t reaction is very important for the nucleosynthesis in both standard Big Bang and stellar evolution, as well as for the future fusion reactors planning of energy production. The d(d,p)t bare nucleus astrophysical S(E) factor has been measured indirectly at energies from about 400 keV down to several keV by means of the Trojan horse method applied to the quasi-free process $\rm {}^2H({}^6Li,pt){}^4He$ induced at a lithium beam energy of 9.5 MeV, which is closer to the zero quasi-free energy point. An accurate analysis leads to the determination of the $\rm S_{bare}(0)=56.7 \pm 2.0 keV \cdot b$ and of the corresponding electron screening potential $\rm U_e = 13.2 \pm 4.3 eV$. In addition, this work gives an updated test for the Trojan horse nucleus invariance comparing with previous indirect investigations using $\rm {}^3He=(d+p)$ breakup.

Combined hydrogen and lithium beam emission spectroscopy observation system for Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research.

A novel beam emission spectroscopy observation system was designed, built, and installed onto the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research tokamak. The system is designed in a way to be capable of measuring beam emission either from a heating deuterium or from a diagnostic lithium beam. The two beams have somewhat complementary capabilities: edge density profile and turbulence measurement with the lithium beam and two dimensional turbulence measurement with the heating beam. Two detectors can be used in parallel: a CMOS camera provides overview of the scene and lithium beam light intensity distribution at maximum few hundred Hz frame rate, while a 4 × 16 pixel avalanche photo-diode (APD) camera gives 500 kHz bandwidth data from a 4 cm × 16 cm region. The optics use direct imaging through lenses and mirrors from the observation window to the detectors, thus avoid the use of costly and inflexible fiber guides. Remotely controlled mechanisms allow adjustment of the APD camera's measurement location on a shot-to-shot basis, while temperature stabilized filter holders provide selection of either the Doppler shifted deuterium alpha or lithium resonance line. The capabilities of the system are illustrated by measurements of basic plasma turbulence properties.

Filament transport, warm ions and erosion in ASDEX Upgrade L-modes

The dynamics of blob filaments are investigated in the scrape-off layer of ASDEX Upgrade by means of lithium beam emission spectroscopy. A comparison of the measurements in L-mode with a recently developed analytical blob model based on a drift-interchange-Alfvén fluid model indicates an influence of a finite ion temperature on the blob dynamics which has typically been neglected in other blob models. The blob dynamics agree well with the sheath-connected regime at lower plasma densities, and inertial effects play only a minor role. At higher densities, a transition into another regime with large blob amplitudes and increased transport is found. This points to a prominent role of blob transport at higher Greenwald fractions. On the basis of the measured blob properties, the erosion on plasma facing components is estimated. For pure deuterium plasmas, the high ion temperatures of blobs lead to a dominant erosion induced by blobs. However, if an impurity concentration of 1% is taken into account, the blob-induced erosion plays a minor role and background plasma parameters determine the total gross erosion.

An experimental investigation of the high density transition of the scrape-off layer transport in ASDEX Upgrade

A multidiagnostic approach, utilizing Langmuir probes in the midplane, X-point and divertor walls, along with lithium beam and infrared measurements is employed to evaluate the evolution of the scrape-off layer (SOL) of ASDEX Upgrade across the L-mode density transition leading to the formation of a density shoulder. The flattening of the SOL density profiles is linked to a regime change of filaments, which become faster and larger, and to a similar flattening of the q∥ profile. This transition is related to the beginning of outer divertor detachment and leads to the onset of a velocity shear layer in the SOL. Experimental measurements are in good agreement with several filament models which describe the process as a transition from conduction to convection-dominated SOL perpendicular transport caused by an increase of parallel collisionality. These results could be of great relevance since both ITER and DEMO will feature detached divertors and densities largely over the transition values, and might therefore exhibit convective transport levels different to those observed typically in present-day devices.

Localized Scrape-Off Layer density modifications by Ion Cyclotron near fields in JET and ASDEX-Upgrade L-mode plasmas

Combining Lithium beam emission spectroscopy and edge reflectometry, localized Scrape-Off Layer (SOL) density modifications by Ion Cyclotron Range of Frequencies (ICRF) near fields were characterized in JET L-mode plasmas. When using the ICRF wave launchers connected magnetically to the Li-beam chord, the density decreased more steeply 2–3cm outside the last closed flux surface (mapped onto the outer mid-plane) and its value at the outer limiter radial position was half the ohmic value. The depletion depends on the ICRF power and on the phasing between adjacent radiating straps. Convection due to ponderomotive effects and/or E×B0 drifts is suspected: during ICRF-heated H-mode discharges in 2013, DC potentials up to 70V were measured locally in the outer SOL by a floating reciprocating probe, located toroidally several metres from the active antennas. These observations are compared with probe measurements on ASDEX-Upgrade. Their implications for wave coupling, heat loads and impurity production are discussed.

Influence of electronic environment on nuclear reaction rates

Electron screening has been studied in the 1H(7Li,\( \alpha\))4He fusion reaction at lithium beam energies from 0.34 to 2.07 MeV for hydrogen-implanted Pd, Pt, Zn and Ni targets. A large electron screening has been observed in all the targets. However, no large electron screening has been observed in the following proton-induced reactions: 55Mn(p,\( \gamma\))56Fe, 55Mn(p, n)55Fe, 113Cd(p, n)113In, 115In(p, n)115Sn, 50V(p, n)50Cr and 51V(p,\( \gamma\))52Cr. Moreover, no shift in the resonance energy for the metallic compared to the insulator environment has been observed within our uncertainties for the studied (p,n) and (p,\( \gamma\)) reactions. These results raise the question about the validity of the measurements that showed large electron screening potentials in nuclear reactions involving high-Z targets, and point to a dependence of the electron screening potential on the position of the target nuclei in the metallic lattice.

Compact and high-particle-flux thermal-lithium-beam probe system for measurement of two-dimensional electron density profile.

A compact and high-particle-flux thermal-lithium-beam source for two-dimensional measurement of electron density profiles has been developed. The thermal-lithium-beam oven is heated by a carbon heater. In this system, the maximum particle flux of the thermal lithium beam was ~4 × 10(19) m(-2) s(-1) when the temperature of the thermal-lithium-beam oven was 900 K. The electron density profile was evaluated in the small tokamak device HYBTOK-II. The electron density profile was reconstructed using the thermal-lithium-beam probe data and this profile was consistent with the electron density profile measured with a Langmuir electrostatic probe. We confirm that the developed thermal-lithium-beam probe can be used to measure the two-dimensional electron density profile with high time and spatial resolutions.

Method for estimating the propagation direction of a coherent plasma structure using a one-dimensional diagnostic array.

This article proposes a new method to evaluate basic characteristics of the dynamics of a coherent plasma structure (blob). With this method, one can evaluate the propagation angle of a blob in a two-dimensional plasma cross section as well as the blob velocity, size, and amplitude from one-dimensional data. The method is applied to blob measurements from the Lithium beam emission spectroscopy system in ASDEX-Upgrade. Statistical features of the observed blob velocities, angles of propagation, blob sizes, and amplitudes are discussed. The validity of the method is examined by comparing two values of the propagation angle that are evaluated in an independent manner.

Magnetic field dependence of the blob dynamics in the edge of ASDEX upgrade L-mode plasmas

The magnetic field dependence of intermittently expelled density filaments (blobs) is investigated in the scrape-off layer of ASDEX Upgrade low confinement (L-mode) plasmas. It is demonstrated that lithium beam emission spectroscopy can be used to determine the frequency, radial size and velocity of the blobs. The measured radial blob sizes depend only weakly on magnetic field B. Normalizing the blob sizes to the drift parameter ρs ∝ B−1 results in a large variation beneficial for a quantitative comparison with theoretical blob scaling laws. The blob velocity scales inversely proportional to the square of the blob size in agreement with analytic models for blobs in the sheath-connected regime. The measurements point towards an influence of finite ion temperature on radial blob transport.

Comparison of simulations with PHITS and HIBRAC with experimental data in the context of particle therapy monitoring

Therapeutic irradiation with protons and ions is advantageous over radiotherapy with photons due to its favorable dose deposition. Additionally, ion beams provide a higher relative biological effectiveness than photons. For this reason, an improved treatment of deep-seated tumors is achieved and normal tissue is spared. However, small deviations from the treatment plan can have a large impact on the dose distribution. Therefore, a monitoring is required to assure the quality of the treatment. Particle therapy positron emission tomography (PT-PET) is the only clinically proven method which provides a non-invasive monitoring of dose delivery. It makes use of the β+-activity produced by nuclear fragmentation during irradiation. In order to evaluate these PT-PET measurements, simulations of the β+-activity are necessary. Therefore, it is essential to know the yields of the β+-emitting nuclides at every position of the beam path as exact as possible. We evaluated the three-dimensional Monte-Carlo simulation tool PHITS (version 2.30) [ 1] and the 1D deterministic simulation tool HIBRAC [ 2] with respect to the production of β+-emitting nuclides. The yields of the most important β+-emitting nuclides for carbon, lithium, helium and proton beams have been calculated. The results were then compared with experimental data obtained at GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung Darmstadt, Germany. GEANT4 simulations provide an additional benchmark [ 3]. For PHITS, the impact of different nuclear reaction models, total cross-section models and evaporation models on the β+-emitter production has been studied. In general, PHITS underestimates the yields of positron-emitters and cannot compete with GEANT4 so far. The β+-emitters calculated with an extended HIBRAC code were in good agreement with the experimental data for carbon and proton beams and comparable to the GEANT4 results, see [ 4] and Fig. 1. Considering the simulation results and its speed compared with three-dimensional Monte-Carlo tools, HIBRAC is a good candidate for the implementation in clinical routine PT-PET. Fig 1.Depth-dependent yields of the production of 11C and 15O during proton irradiation of a PMMA target with 140 MeV [ 4].

Characterization of the Li-BES at ASDEX Upgrade

The lithium beam emission spectroscopy (Li-BES) is a powerful diagnostic to resolve the plasma edge density with high temporal and spatial resolution. The recent upgrades of the Li-BES at ASDEX Upgrade and the resulting gain in photon flux allow the plasma edge density to be determined with an advanced level of accuracy. Furthermore, electron density fluctuations are measured using Li-BES. The Li-BES capabilities and limitations to measure electron density profiles as well as density fluctuations are presented. It is well suited to characterize electron density turbulence in the scrape off layer (SOL) with decreasing sensitivity towards the plasma core. This is demonstrated by simulations as well as by comparisons with other diagnostics. The Li-BES is an appropriate tool to study transport phenomena in the SOL over a wide range of plasma parameters due to its robustness and routine usage.