Low-power Beam Research Articles

Production of highly charged ion beams Kr32+, Xe44+, Au54+ with Electron String Ion Source (ESIS) Krion-2 and corresponding basic and applied studies

Electron String Ion Source (ESIS) Krion-2 (JINR, Dubna) was used for basic and applied research in various aspects of multiply charged heavy ions production. Energy recuperation mode in ESIS has been proofed first and used for production of highly charged ions 84Kr28+÷84Kr32+, 124Xe40÷124Xe44 and Au51+÷ Au54+. Krion-2 ESIS was mounted on high voltage (HV) platform of LU-20 Linac and used as an injector of highly charged ions during Nuclotron run N° 41. Krion-2 ESIS has produced 3.0·107 124Xe42+ ions per pulse of 7 μs duration. This ion beam was injected into LU-20 and Nuclotron, accelerated up to energy of 186 GeV and the extracted Xe beam was used for physics experiments. Electron String Ion Source Krion-2 demonstrated the high reliability and stability running during 30 days on HV platform. We believe that it is due to an extremely low electron beam power, provided by using the electron string mode of operation: 50 W pulse power and about 10 W average power. Other possible application of ESIS could be its use in injection complexes of synchrotrons and cyclotrons for cancer therapy. Slow and fast extraction of C4+ and C6+ beams from Krion-2 ESIS were preliminary studied towards ESIS optimization for medical accelerators requirements.

Charge exchange recombination spectroscopy on a diagnostic hydrogen beam—measuring impurity rotation and radial electric field at the tokamak TEXTOR

In this work we present an overview on the charge exchange recombination spectroscopy (CXRS) diagnostic operated with the modulated diagnostic hydrogen beam at the tokamak TEXTOR. The diagnostic setup combines two observation systems used for the measurement of the poloidal (vpol) and the toroidal (vtor) ion velocity component. At TEXTOR a differential Doppler spectroscopy approach (accurate absolute rotation scale) is combined with the high intensity and spatial resolution of a direct imaging system necessary for accurate poloidal rotation measurements on a shot-by-shot basis. This setup allows the full utilization of a 2D CCD detector in the spectral and radial direction. In the case of the poloidal system this allows spatial resolution in the range of mm to cm depending on the intensity requirements for the velocity. The toroidal system comprises a fibre-optic array. The combination of the two measurements with a low-power diagnostic beam can in principle be operated during any available heating scenario without interfering with the discharge. Time resolution is limited by the necessary averaging process; typically a stable plateau of 3 s during a TETXOR pulse is used. The TEXTOR tokamak has the ability to apply momentum input with two tangential neutral beam heating injectors, allowing for measurements under various heating and momentum input scenarios. With the presented diagnostic half the plasma minor radius at a spatial resolution of is covered. With the CVI line at 529.053 nm an accuracy of for the poloidal and ∼5 for the toroidal system is given. The temperature is measured with an accuracy of a few eV. The presented work illustrates the capability of the system during a toroidal momentum scan, showing the self-consistent determination of the radial electric field from experimental CXRS data based on the radial force balance.

The Laser Surface Remelting of Austenitic Stainless Steel

The laser surface remelting (LSR) process was successfully applied to restore localized corrosion resistance in sensitized stainless steel and also as a useful method to improve passivity of some martensitic stainless steels. The LSR process can be successfully applied to repair cracks and defects at the surface of highly thermo-mechanically loaded parts of stainless steel. The purpose of presented study was to evaluate the microstructure and properties of laser remelted surface of stainless steels. The wrought austenitic stainless steel and sintered in vacuum 316L type were studied. The laser treatment was performed with the use of high power diode laser (HPDL) and the influence of beam power of 0.7-2.1kW on the properties of the surface layer was evaluated. The geometrical characteristics and x-ray analysis of weld bead were studied as well as microhardness, surface roughness and corrosion resistance were measured. The increase of laser beam power of LSR resulted in the increase of hardness of sintered stainless steel due to the reduction of porosity and formation of fine dendritic and cellular-dendritic microstructure. The corrosion resistance of remelted surface increased for sintered materials, when remelted at 2.1kW. The wrought stainless steel revealed impairment of pitting corrosion when remelted at lower beam power rate.

Control of an electrowetting-based beam deflector

We experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of a small, low-power beam deflector based on electrowetting. The beam deflector deflects light by refraction at the flat interface (meniscus) between two immiscible and density-matched liquids, namely, a nonpolar oil mixture and an aqueous salt solution. The liquids are contained in a square pyramidal frustum with electrode-covered faces. The electrodes can be separately driven by voltage sources in order to control the contact angle between the meniscus and the frustum faces. By controlling the voltage on all four electrodes, a flat meniscus is obtained that can be tilted independently in two perpendicular directions. We present a capacitance-based feedback driving scheme and demonstrate that it can be used for accurate control of the meniscus shape and tilt. Independent, continuous, and accurate beam steering through an angle of ±6° was achieved on two deflection axes.

A systematic analysis of the influence of the surrounding media in the photothermal beam deflection signal

The photothermal beam deflection (PDS) technique was tested for low thermal diffusivity materials. The effect of using different liquids as surrounding media was studied in a systematic way. The fundamental experimental parameters, like the pump beam power and the modulation frequency were also studied in order to find out the best combination that still allows us to get good signals.Due to the complexity of the optical alignment required, the usual mirage setup was adapted in order to allow the decoupling of the alignment of the cell containing the liquid and the sample holder.Simple, straightforward methods (like e.g. the phase method) were used for the thermal diffusivity determination of solids once the thermal diffusivity of the liquids used is always much lower than that of solids.The obtained values for the thermal diffusivity of test samples allow us to conclude that besides being possible to use any of the studied liquids as surrounding medium, ethanol is clearly the best choice, avoiding health problems related to CCl4, which is the standard choice for PDS and PDS spectroscopy experiments, and technical/physical problems related to water and acetone. Modulation frequencies around 8 Hz combined with a pump beam power below 15 mW were proved to be the ideal conditions for this kind of experiment. The very low pump beam power required is also an important issue when talking about non-destructive analysis.

Laser-induced Bessel beams can realize fast all-optical switching in gold nanosol prepared by pulsed laser ablation

We demonstrate the possibility of realizing, all-optical switching in gold nanosol. Two overlapping laser beams are used for this purpose, due to which a low-power beam passing collinear to a high-power beam will undergo cross phase modulation and thereby distort the spatial profile. This is taken to advantage for performing logic operations. We have also measured the threshold pump power to obtain a NOT gate and the minimum response time of the device. Contrary to the general notion that the response time of thermal effects used in this application is of the order of milliseconds, we prove that short pump pulses can result in fast switching. Different combinations of beam splitters and combiners will lead to the formation of other logic functions too.

Precision tests of QED and non-standard models by searching photon-photon scattering in vacuum with high power lasers

We study how to search for photon-photon scattering in vacuum at present petawatt laser facilities such as HERCULES, and test Quantum Electrodynamics and non-standard models like Born-Infeld theory or scenarios involving minicharged particles or axion-like bosons. First, we compute the phase shift that is produced when an ultra-intense laser beam crosses a low power beam, in the case of arbitrary polarisations. This result is then used in order to design a complete test of all the parameters appearing in the low energy effective photonic Lagrangian. In fact, we propose a set of experiments that can be performed at HERCULES, eventually allowing either to detect photon-photon scattering as due to new physics, or to set new limits on the relevant parameters, improving by several orders of magnitude the current constraints obtained recently by PVLAS collaboration. We also describe a multi-cross optical mechanism that can further enhance the sensitivity, enabling HERCULES to detect photon-photon scattering even at a rate as small as that predicted by QED. Finally, we discuss how these results can be improved at future exawatt facilities such as ELI, thus providing a new class of precision tests of the Standard Model and beyond.

Operational radiation protection in synchrotron light and free electron laser facilities

The third-generation synchrotron radiation (SR) facilities are storage ring-based facilities with many insertion devices and photon beamlines, and have low injection beam power, but extremely high stored beam power. The fourth-generation X-ray free electron laser (FEL) facilities are based on an electron Linac with a long undulator and have high injection beam power. Due to its electron and photon beam characteristics and modes of operation, storage ring and photon beamlines have unique safety aspects, which are the main subjects of this paper. The shielding design limits, operational modes and beam losses are reviewed. Shielding analysis (source terms and methodologies) and interlocked safety systems for storage ring and photon beamlines (including SR and gas bremsstrahlung) are described. Specific safety issues for storage ring top-off injection and FEL facilities are discussed. Operational safety programme elements, e.g. operation authorisation, commissioning, training and radiation measurements, for SR facilities are also presented.

Theory of Photothermal Displacement Method for Determining Physical Properties of Multilayered Coatings

In this study theoretical principles underlying the photothermal method for determining thermal properties of opaque multilayered and functionally graded coatings are analyzed. The method is based on irradiation of the assembly by the repetitive pulse of focused laser radiation that is absorbed in the subsurface region and causes non-uniform heating and buckling of a coating. The irradiated surface of a coating is monitored by a low power beam of a second laser that is reflected from the specimen. The deflection angle of the monitoring beam, as a function of time, contains the relaxation and the “wave” components. It is shown that the phase of the “wave” component depends on the thermophysical properties (e.g., thermal diffusivity or thermal conductivity) of a coating. These properties can be determined by comparing experimentally measured values of the phase shift of the “wave” component with the theoretical values obtained from the analytical solution of the two-dimensional thermal elasticity problem for a multilayered coating–substrate assembly.

Nematic liquid crystal optical amplifier consisting of layered structures

Coherent amplification was observed in an optical structure with multilayer C(60) doped nematic films, in which photorefractive gratings working in the Raman-Nath regime were created, leading to an asymmetric energy transfer in two-beam coupling. This multilayer optical structure exhibited exponential dependence of the signal gain on the number of nematic layers when higher-order diffractions were negligibly small. A gain of the 0.1 microW signal as high as approximately 4000 was achieved in the six-layer sample at a low dc voltage of 1.2 V and a low pump beam power of 8 mW. The gain of this ultrahigh sensitive six-layer sample depended strongly on the pump to signal beam power ratio as well as the power of the signal.

Cooperative interaction in azopolymers upon irradiation

We present two optical experiments which permits to evaluate individual and collective behaviours of molecules leading to a well-organized pattern in a randomly activated molecular assembly; in a first experiment a white light and a laser beam are sent together; in a second experiment a low-power coherent beam carrying polarization and wavelength information is used to organize a surface relief grating on a photochromic polymer thin film which is photo-activated by a powerful incoherent beam; we show that collective movements originate at the molecular level.

SNS Target Systems initial operating experience

The SNS mercury target started operation with low beam power when commissioned on April 28, 2006. The beam power has been following a planned ramp up since then and has reached 340 kW as of February 2008. The target systems supporting neutron production include the target and mercury loop, the cryogenic and ambient moderator systems, reflector and vessel systems, bulk shielding and shutters systems, utility systems, remote handling systems and the associated instrumentation and controls. Availability for these systems has improved with time and reached 100% for the first 2000 hour neutron production run in fiscal year 2008. An overview of the operating experience and the planning to support continued power increases to 1.4 MW for these systems will be given in this paper.

A focal-spot diagnostic for on-shot characterization of high-energy petawatt lasers

An on-shot focal-spot diagnostic for characterizing high-energy, petawatt-class laser systems is presented. Accurate measurements at full energy are demonstrated using high-resolution wavefront sensing in combination with techniques to calibrate on-shot measurements with low-power sample beams. Results are shown for full-energy activation shots of the OMEGA EP Laser System.

A novel backscatter focus diagnostic for the TRIDENT 200 TW laser

Here we present the first direct focal spot images and analysis of an ultrahigh intensity short-pulse laser focus (>5x10(19) W/cm(2)) on target. Such a focal spot characterization is typically done previous to the shot with a low-power alignment beam using equivalent plane imaging techniques. The resulting intensity of the shot is then inferred from these results. We report on the development of a backscatter focus diagnostic, which enables imaging of the on-target full-power focal spot.

Spatial Solitons in Chiral Nematics

In this work we present for the first time experimental results of measurements of spatial solitons (nematicons) in chiral nematic liquid crystalline film. We measured the propagation of light beam at the distance of a few millimeters and the nonlinear self-focusing was observed for a light power of order of a few tenths of milliwats. Additional, in a waveguide induced by the nematicon, other low-power light beam (signal beam) with different wavelength was trapped. There were also observed the changes of the nematicon direction by changing the position across the nematics layer. The experimental results are in a good agreement with theoretical predictions.

Noninvasive Measurement of Protein Aggregation by Mutant Huntingtin Fragments or α-Synuclein in the Lens

Many diverse human diseases are associated with protein aggregation in ordered fibrillar structures called amyloid. Amyloid formation may mediate aberrant protein interactions that culminate in neurodegeneration in Alzheimer, Huntington, and Parkinson diseases and in prion encephalopathies. Studies of protein aggregation in the brain are hampered by limitations in imaging techniques and often require invasive methods that can only be performed postmortem. Here we describe transgenic mice in which aggregation-prone proteins that cause Huntington and Parkinson disease are expressed in the ocular lens. Expression of a mutant huntingtin fragment or alpha-synuclein in the lens leads to protein aggregation and cataract formation, which can be monitored in real time by noninvasive, highly sensitive optical techniques. Expression of a mutant huntingtin fragment in mice lacking the major lens chaperone, alphaB-crystallin, markedly accelerated the onset and severity of aggregation, demonstrating that the endogenous chaperone activity of alphaB-crystallin suppresses aggregation in vivo. These novel mouse models will facilitate the characterization of protein aggregation in vivo and are being used in efficient and economical screens for chemical and genetic modifiers of disease-relevant protein aggregation.

Overview of the SNS target system testing and initial beam operation experience

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) construction project has been completed including initial beam operation with the mercury target, moderators and associated systems. The project was initiated in 1999, with groundbreaking in December of 1999. Final integrated system testing for the mercury target, cryogenic moderators, shutter systems, water and other utility systems and all control and safety systems were completed in April 2006 and first beam on target was delivered April 28, 2006. This paper will give an overview of the system testing conducted in preparation for beam operation and initial operating experience with low power beams. One area of testing was extensive remote handling testing in the target service bay to demonstrate all key operations associated with the target and mercury loop. Many improvements were implemented as a result of this experience. Another set of tests involved bringing the supercritical cryogenic moderator systems on line. Again, lessons learned here resulted in system changes. Testing of the four water loops was very time consuming because of the complexity of the systems and many instrumentation issues had to be resolved. A temporary phosphor view-screen was installed on the front of the target which has been extremely useful in evaluating the beam profile on the target. Initial profile results will be presented. Target system performance for initial beam operation will be discussed. In general, all systems performed well with excellent availability. There were some unexpected findings. For example, xenon spallation gas products are believed to have deposited on a downstream gold amalgamation bed designed to remove mercury vapor and this disposition increased the local dose rate. A summary of findings and plans for ramping up in power will be given.

In Vitro Assessment of Optical Properties of Blood by Applying the Extended Huygens-Fresnel Principle to Time-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Signal at 1300 nm

A direct method for the measurement of the optical attenuation coefficient and the scattering anisotropy parameter based on applying the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle to optical coherence tomography images of blood is demonstrated. The images are acquired with a low-power probing beam at the wavelength of 1300 nm. Values of 12.15 mm−1 and 0.95 are found for the total attenuation coefficient and the scattering anisotropy factor, respectively. Also, as a preliminary step, the optical refraction index is determined with a precision of two decimal numbers directly from optical coherence images. The total attenuation coefficient and the scattering anisotropy factor are determined with precisions within experimental error margins of 5% and 2%, respectively. Readable OCT signal is obtained for a maximum propagation of light into blood of 0.25 mm. At the maximum probed depth, the measured signal is almost 103 smaller than its initial intensity when entering the sample.

“Thermal Mirror” Method for Measuring Physical Properties of Multilayered Coatings

In this study theoretical principles underlying the photothermal displacement (“thermal mirror”) method for measuring physical properties of opaque multilayered and functionally graded coatings with low thermal conductivity are analyzed. In this method, the specimen is locally heated by a power laser beam, and a two-dimensional transient temperature field is formed in a specimen. The physical basis for the photothermal displacement method is the non-stationary buckling and displacement of an irradiated surface due to a non-uniform thermal expansion. The surface is monitored by a low-power probe beam of a second laser, which is reflected from the specimen, i.e., the system operates as a convex “thermal mirror.” The photoinduced displacement varies with time, and the probe beam is reflected at a different angle depending on the slope of the displacement. The deflection angle is measured as a function of time by a position sensor, and the results of these measurements are compared with the theoretical dependence of the deflection angle on time and physical properties of a coating. This dependence was determined analytically from the solution of the two-dimensional thermal elasticity problem. It is shown that for the specimen composed of a substrate and a coating it is feasible to determine the properties of the coating, e.g., the thermal diffusivity and coefficient of linear thermal expansion provided that the analogous properties of the substrate are previously measured or otherwise known.

Efficient Low-Voltage Operation of a CW Gyrotron Oscillator at 233 GHz.

The gyrotron oscillator is a source of high average power millimeter-wave through terahertz radiation. In this paper, we report low beam power and high-efficiency operation of a tunable gyrotron oscillator at 233 GHz. The low-voltage operating mode provides a path to further miniaturization of the gyrotron through reduction in the size of the electron gun, power supply, collector, and cooling system, which will benefit industrial and scientific applications requiring portability. Detailed studies of low-voltage operation in the TE(2) (,) (3) (,) (1) mode reveal that the mode can be excited with less than 7 W of beam power at 3.5 kV. During CW operation with 3.5-kV beam voltage and 50-mA beam current, the gyrotron generates 12 W of RF power at 233.2 GHz. The EGUN electron optics code describes the low-voltage operation of the electron gun. Using gun-operating parameters derived from EGUN simulations, we show that a linear theory adequately predicts the low experimental starting currents.