Magnetic Trap Research Articles

Impact of geometry on the magnetic flux trapping of superconducting accelerating cavities

Controlling trapped magnetic flux in superconducting radiofrequency (RF) cavities is of crucial importance in modern accelerator projects. In order to study flux trapping efficiency and sensitiv- ity of surface resistance, dedicated experiments have been carried out on different types of low-\b{eta} superconducting accelerating cavities. Even under almost full trapping conditions, we found that the measured magnetic sensitivities of these cavity geometries were significantly lower than the theoretical values predicted by commonly-used models based on local material properties. This must be resolved by taking account of geometrical effects of flux trapping and flux oscillation under RF surface current in such cavity shape. In this paper, we propose a new approach to convolute the influence of geometries. We point out a puzzling contradiction between sample measurements and recent cavity experiments, which leads to two different hypotheses to simulate oscillating flux trapped in the cavity surface. A critical reconsideration of flux oscillation by the RF Lorentz force, compared with temperature mapping studies in elliptical cavities, favoured the results of previous sample measurements, which suggested preferential flux trapping of normal component to the cavity inner surface. Based on this observation, we builded a new model to our experimental results and the discrepancy between old theory and data were resolved.

Martian Crustal Field Influence on O+ and O2+ Escape as Measured by MAVEN

AbstractMartian crustal magnetic fields influence the solar wind interaction with Mars in a way that is not fully understood. In some locations, crustal magnetic fields act as “mini‐magnetospheres,” shielding the planet's atmosphere, while in other locations they act as channels for enhanced energy input and particle escape. The net effect of this system is not intuitively clear, but previous modeling studies have suggested that crustal fields likely decrease global ion escape from Mars. In this study, we use data from the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN spacecraft to analyze how crustal magnetic fields influence both global and local ion escape at Mars. We find that crustal fields only increase ion escape if ions are not bound tightly to the magnetic field. Specifically, ion escape is increased only if closed magnetic fields trap 35% or less of energized oxygen ions. In any other case, crustal fields decrease both global and local ion escape by as much as 40% and 80%, respectively. This suggests that the presence of crustal magnetic fields has had a moderate impact on atmospheric ion loss throughout Martian history, potentially influencing the planet's atmospheric evolution and habitability.

Longitudinal magnetization superoscillation enabled by high-order azimuthally polarized Laguerre-Gaussian vortex modes.

We present an all-optical scheme for the generation of longitudinal magnetization superoscillation based on the vectorial diffraction theory and the inverse Faraday effect. To achieve this, an azimuthally polarized high-order Laguerre-Gaussian vortex mode is firstly focused by a high numerical aperture (NA) objective and then impinges on an isotropic magneto-optical material. It is found that, by judiciously controlling the intrinsic arguments (radial mode index (p) and truncation parameter (β)) of such a configurable vectorial vortex beam, the longitudinal magnetic domain induced in the focal plane can be switched from a peak sub-wavelength magnetization (> 0.36λ/NA), via the fastest Fourier magnetization component (∼0.36λ/NA), to a super-oscillation magnetization hotspot (< 0.36λ/NA). We further examine the dependence of the transverse size, the side lobe, and the energy conversion efficiency within the focal magnetization domain on both the p and β of the initial vortex modes, confirming that the higher-order structured vortex beams are preferable alternatives to trigger robust longitudinal magnetization superoscillation. In addition, the underlying mechanisms behind the well-defined magnetization phenomena are unveiled. The ultra-small-scale longitudinal magnetization demonstrated here may hold massive potential applications in high-density all-optical magnetic recording/storage, super-resolution magnetic resonance imaging, atom trapping and spintronics.

Off-axis gyration induces large-area circular motion of anisotropic microparticles in a dynamic magnetic trap

Magnetic tweezers are crucial for single-molecule and atomic characterization and biomedical isolation of microparticle carriers. The trapping component of magnetic tweezing can be reliant on a magnetic potential well that can confine the relevant species to a localized region. Here, we report that magnetic microparticles with tailored anisotropy can transition from localized off-axis gyration to large-area locomotion in a rotating magnetic trap. The microparticles, consisting of assemblies of magnetic cores, are observed to either rotate about its structural geometric center or gyrate about one of the magnetic cores and the switching of which can be modulated by the external field. Raising the magnetic field strength above a threshold, the particles can go beyond the traditional synchronous-rotation and asynchronous-oscillation modes and into a scenario of large-area circular motion. This results in peculiar retrograde locomotion related to the magnetization maxima of the microparticle. Our finding suggests the important role of the microparticle's magnetic morphology in the controlled transport of microparticles and developing smart micro-actuators and micro-robot devices.

3D Printed Microfluidic Device for Magnetic Trapping and SERS Quantitative Evaluation of Environmental and Biomedical Analytes.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is an ideal technique for environmental and biomedical sensor devices due to not only the highly informative vibrational features but also to its ultrasensitive nature and possibilities toward quantitative assays. Moreover, in these areas, SERS is especially useful as water hinders most of the spectroscopic techniques such as those based on IR absorption. Despite its promising possibilities, most SERS substrates and technological frameworks for SERS detection are still restricted to research laboratories, mainly due to a lack of robust technologies and standardized protocols. We present herein the implementation of Janus magnetic/plasmonic Fe3O4/Au nanostars (JMNSs) as SERS colloidal substrates for the quantitative determination of several analytes. This multifunctional substrate enables the application of an external magnetic field for JMNSs retention at a specific position within a microfluidic channel, leading to additional amplification of the SERS signals. A microfluidic device was devised and 3D printed as a demonstration of cheap and fast production, with the potential for large-scale implementation. As low as 100 μL of sample was sufficient to obtain results in 30 min, and the chip could be reused for several cycles. To show the potential and versatility of the sensing system, JMNSs were exploited with the microfluidic device for the detection of several relevant analytes showing increasing analytical difficulty, including the comparative detection of p-mercaptobenzoic acid and crystal violet and the quantitative detection of the herbicide flumioxazin and the anticancer drug erlotinib in plasma, where calibration curves within diagnostic concentration intervals were obtained.

Study of Possible Frequency Dependence of Small AC Fields on Magnetic Flux Trapping in Niobium by Polarized Neutron Imaging

Reducing the size of ambient magnetic flux trapping during cooldown in superconducting radio-frequency niobium cavities is essential to reaching the lowest power dissipation as required for continuous wave application. Here, it is suggested that applying an alternating magnetic field superimposed to the external DC field can potentially reduce the size of trapped flux by supporting flux line movement. This hypothesis is tested for the first time systematically on a buffered chemically polished (BCP) niobium sample before and after high temperature annealing, a procedure which is known to reduce flux pinning. External low-frequency (Hz-range) magnetic fields were applied to the samples during their superconducting transition and the effect of varying their amplitude, frequency and offset was investigated. A few results can be highlighted: The influence of the frequency and magnitude of the AC fields on the flux trapping in the untreated Nb sample cannot be neglected. The trapped flux seems to be homogeneously distributed, unlike the flux trapping in, e.g., lead (Pb), which is a type I superconductor. After annealing, the Nb sample shows practically no dependency of flux trapping on external AC fields. The trapped magnetic flux was measured by polarized neutron imaging, and calculations of trapped fields show good agreement with experimental results.

Development of fast-ion collective Thomson scattering diagnostics for the GDT experiment

In this paper, we describe hardware developed for the collective Thomson scattering (CTS) diagnostic for the large open magnetic trap GDT (Budker Institute, Russia) used in fusion researches. The diagnostic utilizes 400 kW/54.5 GHz gyrotron as a source of probe radiation and is aimed at the reconstruction of fast ion distributions over transverse and longitudinal velocities driven by high-power neutral beam injection. Formation and manipulation of the probe beam and collection of the scattered microwave radiation are done with large-aperture quasi-optical mirror systems. The receiving complex consists of two identical channels for simultaneous detection of scattering in two complement geometries. Each channel includes a highly sensitive radiometer/spectrum analyzer with the band of 54.470 ± 0.550 GHz, the noise temperature of 0.35 eV, the sensitivity less than 0.025 eV, the frequency/time resolution of 5–50 MHz/10 μs, and narrow-band notch filter providing at least -40 dB rejection in the band of 25 MHz with a central frequency tunable in 54.470 ± 0.050 GHz for protection of the input RF circuit from a backlight of powerful gyrotron radiation.

On the formation of antihydrogen beams using travelling optical lattices

The production of beams of antihydrogen atoms using the dipole force provided by a travelling optical lattice to accelerate a sample of the anti-atoms held in a magnetic gradient atom trap is investigated. By considering current and near-future antihydrogen trapping capabilities we find that useful fluxes of the anti-atoms can be achieved with directional properties that can be manipulated using laser parameters such as pulse duration and frequency chirp rate. Applications of the beams are briefly discussed.

Inductance of superconductor integrated circuit features with sizes down to 120 nm

Data are presented on the inductance of various features used in superconductor digital integrated circuits: microstrip and stripline inductors with linewidths down to 120 nm and different combinations of ground plane layers, effect of perforations of various sizes in the ground planes and their distance to the inductors on inductance, inductance of vias of various sizes between adjacent layers, inductance of composite vias between distant superconducting layers. Test circuits used for the measurements were fabricated in a new 150 nm node of a fully planarized process with eight niobium layers developed at MIT Lincoln Laboratory for superconductor electronics as well as in our standard SFQ5ee and SC1 fabrication processes with 250 nm minimum feature size. The new SC2 process utilizes 193 nm photolithography in combination with plasma etching and chemical mechanical planarization of interlayer dielectrics to define inductors with linewidth down to about 100 nm on critical layers. The standard processes use 248 nm photolithography. The measured data are compared with the results of inductance extraction using software packages InductEx and wxLC. Variations of circuit inductors caused by the fabrication processes are discussed. Magnetic flux trapping in ground plane moats and its coupling to nearby inductors are discussed for circuit cooling in a residual field of several configurations.

Injection of positrons into a dense electron cloud in a magnetic dipole trap

The creation of an electron space charge in a dipole magnetic trap and the subsequent injection of positrons have been experimentally demonstrated. Positrons (5 eV) were magnetically guided from their source and injected into the trapping field generated by a permanent magnet (0.6 T at the poles) using a cross field E × B drift, requiring tailored electrostatic and magnetic fields. The electron cloud is created by thermionic emission from a tungsten filament. The maximum space charge potential of the electron cloud reaches −42 V, which is consistent with an average electron density of (4±2)×1012 m−3 and a Debye length of (2±1) cm. We demonstrate that the presence of this space potential does not hamper efficient positron injection. Understanding the effects of the negative space charge on the injection and confinement of positrons represents an important intermediate step toward the production of a confined electron–positron pair plasma.

Whey: State of the Art. Part II. Processes and Treatment Methods

The current state of the art on studying of whey is considered. The processes and methods of whey processing (thermal, chemical, physicochemical, biotechnological, and electrophysical) are presented. Thermal and isoelectric precipitation of proteins, using reagents and coagulants, as well as the main membrane processing methods (reverse osmosis, diafiltration, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and nanofiltration) are described. Possibi-lities of effective separation of whey proteins by a combination of membrane and other methods are noted. Chromatographic methods for fractionation of whey proteins (chromatography with imitation of a moving bed, high-gradient chromatography with a magnetic trap, selective adsorption, displacement chromatography, membrane adsorption), which provide a high degree of separation, are described. Highly porous chromatographic materials providing a high flow rate, biotechnological processing methods – biosynthesis of lactulose, enzymatic hydrolysis of lactose and whey proteins, aerobic and anaerobic fermentation are considered. Electrophysical methods of processing whey (electrodialysis, electroactivation), which include electrodialysis and electro-activation, as well as electrochemical activation as a phenomenon and technology, as a new promising processing method that allows to create a waste-free cycle for obtaining valuable components and useful derivatives from whey without the use of reagents are analyzed. It is emphasized that, depending on the regimes used, protein-mineral concentrates with a predetermined protein or mineral composition are obtained with the simultaneous isomerization of lactose into lactulose. It is stated that the efficiency of methods for processing whey is ensured by a significant increase in the efficiency of technological processes, a decrease in labor costs, a reduction in the processing time and materials, and an improvement in the quality and functional properties of the final products.

Recovery of the Two-Dimensional Ion Distribution Function in a Magnetic Mirror from Measurements of Collective Thomson Scattering Spectra

A method is proposed for tomography of the distribution function of energetic ions that are adiabatically trapped in an open magnetic trap, according to the diagnostic data by the method of collective Thomson scattering. This method is based on measurements of the scattering spectra from successive plasma cross sections corresponding to different values of the magnetic-field strength along a single line of force. It is shown that the problem of restoring the ion distribution function in the velocity space from the measurement data in this situation is reduced to an integral equation of the first kind that allows an analytical solution. Several ways to construct exact and approximate solutions of the resulting integral equation are considered.

Influence of the thickness of the base Nb layer in a Josephson junction on magnetic flux trapping

We measured the two-dimensional magnetic field dependence of a Josephson current by applying external magnetic fields Hx and Hy parallel to the plane of a Nb/Al-AlOx/Nb Josephson junction from two directions. In addition, we measured the modulation characteristics of the Josephson current by applying a magnetic field Hz in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the junction. When the perpendicular magnetic field Hz was applied to the Josephson junction and removed, the main peak of the Fraunhofer pattern did not return to the origin of the (Hx, Hy) plane completely because the magnetic flux was trapped in the Nb superconducting film around the Josephson junction. In the present study, we investigated the influence of the thickness of the base Nb layer on magnetic flux trapping in a Josephson junction by fabricating Josephson junctions with base Nb layers of different thickness. We found that the magnetic flux became increasingly difficult to be trapped in the Nb superconducting thin film with increasing thickness of the Nb superconducting film.

Rapid generation of metastable helium Bose-Einstein condensates

We report the realisation of Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) of metastable helium atoms using an in-vacuum coil magnetic trap and a crossed beam optical dipole trap. A novel quadrupole-Ioffe configuration (QUIC) magnetic trap made from in-vacuum hollow copper tubes provides fast switching times while generating traps with a 10G bias, without compromising optical access. The bias enables in-trap 1D doppler cooling to be used, which is the only cooling stage between the magneto-optic trap (MOT) and the optical dipole trap. This allows direct transfer to the dipole trap without the need for any additional evaporative cooling in the magnetic trap. The entire experimental sequence takes 3.3 seconds, with essentially pure BECs observed with $\sim 10^6$ atoms after evaporative cooling in the dipole trap.

Prospects of Phobos Sample Return Mission Using Electrostatic Container

This paper explores the feasibility and benefits of a new way of the Phobos sample return delivery mission to a Phobos Sample Return (PSR) orbiter using the electrostatic field artificially generated in proximity to the Mars–Phobos L1 libration point. The proposed method uses the electrostatic interaction to retrieve an orbit sample container (OS) launched from Phobos. This is possibly the first discussion of the mission to deliver Phobos samples to a small area around a PSR orbiter for the subsequent capture of the OS, e.g., using a magnetic trap or net. The feasibility of the proposed retrieval system is discussed from the aspect of local space weather Debye length. The container’s motion is studied, and the conditions of reaching the small given vicinity, the L1 point, are determined. The proposed mission’s principal feasibility is demonstrated. The influence of the electrostatic charge level and the Debye length is studied on the container trajectory and the possibility of capturing the container. In addition, the possible launching points of the container from the Phobos surface and the launching velocity at which the PSR orbiter can capture the container are determined by the backward numerical integration method of the motion equations.

Electron evaporation from magnetic trap in Troitsk nu-mass experiment

This paper is dedicated to the simulation of the so-called trapping-effect observed in the Troitsk nu-mass experiment. The effect is caused by the magnetic trapping of decay electrons in the windowless gaseous tritium source and the gradual evaporation of those electrons. As a result, alongside regular tritium beta-spectrum electrons, we see additional electrons that are initially trapped in the source and escape it with changed energy. The spectrum of evaporated electrons is quite peculiar (almost flat for monochromatic initial electrons) and could not be directly measured in the experiment. So one has to rely on simulations. Also, it is possible that the same effect could be observed in other cases of magnetic traps.

Charge exchange radiation diagnostic with gas jet target for measurement of plasma flow velocity in the linear magnetic trap

The ambipolar electrostatic potential rising along the magnetic field line from the grounded wall to the centre in the linear gas dynamic trap, rules the available suppression of axial heat and particle losses. In this paper, the visible range optical diagnostic is described using the Doppler shift of plasma emission lines for measurements of this accelerating potential drop. We used the room temperature hydrogen jet puffed directly on the line of sight as the charge exchange target for plasma ions moving in the expanding flux from the mirror towards the wall. Both bulk plasma protons and He2+ ions velocity distribution functions can be spectroscopically studied; the latter population is produced via the neutral He tracer puff into the central cell plasma. This way, potential in the centre and in the mirror area can be measured simultaneously along with the ion temperature. A reasonable accuracy of 4 ÷ 8% was achieved in observations with the frame rate of ≈1 kHz. Active acquisitions on the gas jet also provide the spatial resolution better than 5 mm in the middle plane radial coordinate because of the strong compression of the object size when projected to the centre along the magnetic flux surface. The charge exchange radiation diagnostic operates with three emission lines: H-α 656.3 nm, He-I 667.8 nm and He-I 587.6 nm. Recorded spectra are shown in the paper and examples for physical dependences are presented. The considered experimental technique can be scaled to the upgraded multi-point diagnostic for the next generation linear traps and other magnetic confinement systems.

Collisions between Ultracold Molecules and Atoms in a Magnetic Trap.

We prepare mixtures of ultracold CaF molecules and Rb atoms in a magnetic trap and study their inelastic collisions. When the atoms are prepared in the spin-stretched state and the molecules in the spin-stretched component of the first rotationally excited state, they collide inelastically with a rate coefficient k_{2}=(6.6±1.5)×10^{-11} cm^{3}/s at temperatures near 100 μK. We attribute this to rotation-changing collisions. When the molecules are in the ground rotational state we see no inelastic loss and set an upper bound on the spin-relaxation rate coefficient of k_{2}<5.8×10^{-12} cm^{3}/s with 95%confidence. We compare these measurements to the results of a single-channel loss model based on quantum defect theory. The comparison suggests a short-range loss parameter close to unity for rotationally excited molecules, but below 0.04 for molecules in the rotational ground state.

Jupiter's Ion Radiation Belts Inward of Europa's Orbit

AbstractJupiter is surrounded by intense and energetic radiation belts, yet most of the available in‐situ data, in volume and quality, were taken outward of Europa's orbit, where radiation conditions are not as extreme. Here, we study measurements of ions of tens of keV to tens of MeV at &lt;10 Jupiter radii (RJ) distance to Jupiter, therefore inward of the orbit of Europa. Ion intensities drop around 6 RJ, near Io's orbit. Previous missions reported on radiation belts of tens and hundreds of MeV ions located between 2 and 4 RJ. Measurements of lower energies were not conclusive because high energy particles often contaminate the measurement of lower energy particles. Here, we show for the first time that ions in the hundreds of keV range are present and suggest that ions may extend even into the GeV range. The observation of charged particles yields information on the entire field line, not just the local field. We find that there is a region close to Jupiter where no magnetic trapping is possible. Jupiter's innermost radiation belt is located at &lt;2 RJ, inward of the main ring. Previous work suggested that this belt is sourced by re‐ionized energetic neutral atoms coming steadily inward from distant regions. Here, we perform a phase space density analysis that shows consistency with such a local source. However, an alternative explanation is that the radiation belt is populated by occasional strong radial transport and then decays on the timescale of years.

Evaluation of Mosquito Magnet and other collection tools for Anopheles mosquito vectors of simian malaria

BackgroundVector surveillance is essential in determining the geographical distribution of mosquito vectors and understanding the dynamics of malaria transmission. With the elimination of human malaria cases, knowlesi malaria cases in humans are increasing in Malaysia. This necessitates intensive vector studies using safer trapping methods which are both field efficient and able to attract the local vector populations. Thus, this study evaluated the potential of Mosquito Magnet as a collection tool for Anopheles mosquito vectors of simian malaria along with other known collection methods.MethodsA randomized 4 × 4 Latin square designed experiment was conducted to compare the efficiency of the Mosquito Magnet against three other common trapping methods: human landing catch (HLC), CDC light trap and human baited trap (HBT). The experiment was conducted over six replicates where sampling within each replicate was carried out for 4 consecutive nights. An additional 4 nights of sampling was used to further evaluate the Mosquito Magnet against the “gold standard” HLC. The abundance of Anopheles sampled by different methods was compared and evaluated with focus on the Anopheles from the Leucosphyrus group, the vectors of knowlesi malaria.ResultsThe Latin square designed experiment showed HLC caught the greatest number of Anopheles mosquitoes (n = 321) compared to the HBT (n = 87), Mosquito Magnet (n = 58) and CDC light trap (n = 13). The GLMM analysis showed that the HLC method caught significantly more Anopheles mosquitoes compared to Mosquito Magnet (P = 0.049). However, there was no significant difference in mean nightly catch of Anopheles mosquitoes between Mosquito Magnet and the other two trapping methods, HBT (P = 0.646) and CDC light traps (P = 0.197). The mean nightly catch for both An. introlatus (9.33 ± 4.341) and An. cracens (4.00 ± 2.273) caught using HLC was higher than that of Mosquito Magnet, though the differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). This is in contrast to the mean nightly catch of An. sinensis (15.75 ± 5.640) and An. maculatus (15.78 ± 3.479) where HLC showed significantly more mosquito catches compared to Mosquito Magnet (P < 0.05).ConclusionsMosquito Magnet has a promising ability to catch An. introlatus and An. cracens, the important vectors of knowlesi and other simian malarias in Peninsular Malaysia. The ability of Mosquito Magnet to catch some of the Anopheles mosquito species is comparable to HLC and makes it an ethical and safer alternative.Graphical