Plasma Light Research Articles

Anti/de-icing superhydrophobic coating with durability and self-healing by infiltrating photothermal self-stratifying organic layers into plasma-sprayed porous Al2O3–13%TiO2 underlayer

Superhydrophobic coatings simultaneously exhibiting high substrate binding, mechanical durability and self-healing properties are of great significance for anti/de-icing applications. In this study, we fabricated a high substrate binding and mechanical durability anti/de-icing superhydrophobic coatings (SL-AP/SPS-SiO2) with self-healing performance by spray-coating a photothermal self-healing organic layers (AP/SPS-SiO2) plasma-sprayed porous Al2O3–13%TiO2 underlayer (SL), the resulting soft-hard interlocking structure significantly increased the adhesion strength of the coating to 16.7 ± 0.36 MPa while reducing the ice adhesion strength to 46.5 ± 3.0 kPa. In the as-obtained organic layers, self-stratifying acrylic resin (AR)/20%polymethylsiloxane (PDMS) (AP), not only enhanced the bonding strength with the underlayer but also imparted photothermal self-healing capability to the coating through the action of the photothermal agent (SPS-SiO2). And sodium alginate (SA) guided the self-oxidative polymerization of dopamine (DA) and its deposition on hydrophilic SiO2 to form a π-π stacked fiber structure photothermal agent (SPS), after hydrophobic SiO2 modification increased the coating's roughness and photothermal performance. Remarkably, the coating achieved a contact angle of up to 158.4 ± 0.89° and a rolling angle of 3.5 ± 0.89°, maintaining its superhydrophobic properties even after exposure to acid-base immersion and mechanical abrasion. Furthermore, the coating exhibited self-healing capabilities in superhydrophobicity against O2 plasma etching, with a contact angle recovery rate of up to 98.9% after undergoing 10 cycles of O2 plasma etching and light exposure. Enhancing mechanical and chemical stability with self-healing capabilities is beneficial for extending the lifespan of superhydrophobic coatings used in anti-/de-icing applications.

Divertor tungsten source monitoring by A visible spectroscopy diagnostic on EAST

EAST has been upgraded with top and bottom tungsten divertors to facilitate the high power long pulse operation. A visible spectroscopy diagnostic has been developed progressively to monitor W source as well as line emissions from other particles (e.g., D, He, Li, B, C, N, O, Ne, Ar, Mo, D2, WD) in the divertors. Two sets of lens installed in mid-plane port view tangentially the top and bottom divertors, respectively. Two types of optical fibers transfer the plasma light collected by the lens to three different detecting modules. High spectral resolution (λ/Δλ ∼ 14000) can be achieved by the detecting module consisting of spectrometer and Electron-Multiplying Charge Coupled Device (EMCCD), high temporal resolution (50 μs) is obtained by filtered photoelectric multiplier (PMT), and high spatial resolution (1 mm) is acquired by Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Transistor (CMOS) camera with collimation optics. The multichannel optical fiber array with 500 μm core diameter is used to connect the lens and the first two detecting modules. The imaging fiber bundle with 30 μm core diameter transmits the two-dimensional divertor plasma light to the third detecting module, i.e. collimation optics and CMOS camera. The diagnostic is operated automatically in normal EAST discharges to support experimental operation and divertor physics study. The paper presents a technical description of the diagnostic and typical measurements during EAST discharges.

Elevated plasma and CSF neurofilament light chain concentrations are stabilized in response to mutant huntingtin lowering in the brains of Huntington’s disease mice

BackgroundTherapeutic approaches aimed at lowering toxic mutant huntingtin (mHTT) levels in the brain can reverse disease phenotypes in animal models of Huntington's disease (HD) and are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. Sensitive and dynamic response biomarkers are needed to assess the efficacy of such candidate therapies. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a biomarker of neurodegeneration that increases in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood with progression of HD. However, it remains unknown whether NfL in biofluids could serve as a response biomarker for assessing the efficacy of disease-modifying therapies for HD.MethodsLongitudinal plasma and cross-sectional CSF samples were collected from the YAC128 transgenic mouse model of HD and wild-type (WT) littermate control mice throughout the natural history of disease. Additionally, biofluids were collected from YAC128 mice following intracerebroventricular administration of an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) targeting the mutant HTT transgene (HTT ASO), at ages both before and after the onset of disease phenotypes. NfL concentrations in plasma and CSF were quantified using ultrasensitive single-molecule array technology.ResultsPlasma and CSF NfL concentrations were significantly elevated in YAC128 compared to WT littermate control mice from 9 months of age. Treatment of YAC128 mice with either 15 or 50 µg HTT ASO resulted in a dose-dependent, allele-selective reduction of mHTT throughout the brain at a 3-month interval, which was sustained with high-dose HTT ASO treatment for up to 6 months. Lowering of brain mHTT prior to the onset of regional brain atrophy and HD-like motor deficits in this model had minimal effect on plasma NfL at either dose, but led to a dose-dependent reduction of CSF NfL. In contrast, initiating mHTT lowering in the brain after the onset of neuropathological and behavioural phenotypes in YAC128 mice resulted in a dose-dependent stabilization of NfL increases in both plasma and CSF.ConclusionsOur data provide evidence that the response of NfL in biofluids is influenced by the magnitude of mHTT lowering in the brain and the timing of intervention, suggesting that NfL may serve as a promising exploratory response biomarker for HD.

Plasma and CSF neurofilament light chain distinguish neurodegenerative from primary psychiatric conditions in a clinical setting.

People with neurodegenerative disorders (ND) frequently face diagnostic delay and misdiagnosis. We investigated blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament light chain (NfL) to distinguish ND from primary psychiatric disorders (PPD), a common challenge in clinical settings. Plasma and CSF NfL levels were measured and compared between groups, adjusting for age, sex, and weight. A total of 337 participants were included: 136 ND, 77 PPD, and 124 Controls. Plasma NfL was 2.5-fold elevated in ND compared to PPD and had strong diagnostic performance (area under the curve, [AUC]: 0.86, 81%/85% specificity/sensitivity) that was comparable to CSF NfL (2-fold elevated, AUC: 0.89, 95%/71% specificity/sensitivity). Diagnostic performance was especially strong in younger people (40-<60 years). Additional findings were cutoffs optimized for sensitivity and specificity, and issues important for future clinical translation. This study adds important evidence for a simple blood-based biomarker to assist as a screening test for neurodegeneration and distinction from PPD, in clinical settings. NfL levels were significantly higher in ND versus PPD. Plasma NfL showed strong diagnostic performance, comparable to CSF NfL, to distinguish ND from PPD. Diagnostic performance was higher in younger people, where diagnostic challenges are greater. Further research is needed on analytical and reference range factors, for clinical translation. These findings support a simple screening blood test for neurodegeneration.

Power-Law Scaling Relating the Average Charge State and Kinetic Energy in Expanding Laser-Driven Plasmas.

A universal power-law scaling z[over ¯]∝E^{0.4} in the correlation between the average ion charge state z[over ¯] and kinetic energy E in expanding laser-driven tin plasmas is identified. Universality here refers to an insensitivity to all experimental conditions: target geometry, expansion direction, laser wavelength, and power density. The power law is accurately captured in an analytical consideration of the dependence of the charge state on temperature and the subsequent transfer of internal to kinetic energy in the expansion. These analytical steps are individually, and collectively, validated by a two-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamic simulation of an expanding laser-driven plasma. This power-law behavior is expected to hold also for dense plasma containing heavier, complex ions such as those relevant to current and future laser-driven plasma light sources.

Multimodal, Longitudinal Profiling of SCA1 Identifies Predictors of Disease Severity and Progression.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a rare autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease. Objective surrogate markers sensitive to detect changes in disease severity are needed to reduce sample sizes in interventional trials and identification of predictors of faster disease progression would facilitate patient selection, enrichment, or stratification in such trials. We performed a prospective 1-year longitudinal, multimodal study in 34 ataxic SCA1 individuals and 21 healthy controls. We collected clinical, patient-reported outcomes, biochemical and magnetic resonance (MR) biomarkers at baseline and after 1 year. We determined 1-year progression and evaluated the potential predictive value of several baseline markers on 1-year disease progression. At baseline, multiple structural and spectroscopic MR markers in pons and cerebellum differentiated SCA1 from healthy controls and correlated with disease severity. Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament light (NfL) chain and CSF glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were elevated in SCA1. In longitudinal analysis, total brainstem and pontine volume change, inventory of non-ataxia signs (INAS) count, and SCA functional index (SCAFI) showed larger responsiveness compared to the Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA). Longer disease duration, longer non-expanded CAG repeat length, and higher disease burden were associated with faster SARA increase after 1-year in the SCA1 group. Similarly, lower baseline brainstem, pontine, and cerebellar volumes, as well as lower levels of N-acetylaspartate and glutamate in the cerebellar white matter, were also associated with faster SARA increase. Our results guide the selection of the most sensitive measures of disease progression in SCA1 and have identified features associated with accelerated progression that could inform the design of clinical trials. ANN NEUROL 2024;96:774-787.

Correlations between X-rays, visible light and drive-beam energy loss observed in plasma wakefield acceleration experiments at FACET-II

This study documents several correlations observed during the first run of the plasma wakefield acceleration experiment E300 conducted at FACET-II, using a single drive electron bunch. The established correlations include those between the measured maximum energy loss of the drive electron beam and the integrated betatron X-ray signal, the calculated total beam energy deposited in the plasma and the integrated X-ray signal, among three visible light emission measuring cameras and between the visible plasma light and X-ray signal. The integrated X-ray signal correlates almost linearly with both the maximum energy loss of the drive beam and the energy deposited into the plasma, demonstrating its usability as a measure of energy transfer from the drive beam to the plasma. Visible plasma light is found to be a useful indicator of the presence of a wake at three locations that overall are two metres apart. Despite the complex dynamics and vastly different time scales, the X-ray radiation from the drive bunch and visible light emission from the plasma may prove to be effective non-invasive diagnostics for monitoring the energy transfer from the beam to the plasma in future high-repetition-rate experiments.

Performance of MT-I spherical tokamak with upgraded power supplies

This paper describes the upgradation of power supply systems for the improved performance of a small spherical tokamak (MT-I) with an aspect ratio of 1.67 in operation at the Pakistan Tokamak Plasma Research Institute (PTPRI), Islamabad. Three mutually independent power supplies are designed to generate current pulses of desired shape and magnitude in central solenoid (CS), toroidal field (TF) and vertical field (VF) coil systems. The main parts of a power supply are capacitor banks as energy storage devices, ignitrons and thyristors as fast switches for controlled power switching. A double capacitor bank topology with enhanced second capacitor bank voltage is found to be suitable for CS to improve the plasma startup conditions. Simulations are performed in MATLAB Simulink for confirmation of the designed power supply system. The Rogowski coil and current transformers are employed to measure plasma current and the coil’s current waveforms during the experiment in the presence of hydrogen as working gas. An ocean spectrometer and a photron high-speed camera (SA-8) are used for optical measurements and fast plasma imaging. An improvement in startup conditions is observed, enhancing the plasma current duration and light emission intensity recorded in the high-speed camera masked with a Hα filter.

Fenton reaction in the process of “Laser + Fe” mode excited plasma for Rhodamine B degradation

The spectral emission of laser-induced plasma in water has a broadband continuum containing ultraviolet light, which can be used as a novel light source for the degradation of organic compounds. We studied the degradation process of the organic dye Rhodamine B (RhB) using plasma light source excited by the “Laser + Fe” mode. Spectral analysis and reaction kinetics modelling were used to study the degradation mechanism. The degradation process using this light source could be divided into two stages. The initial stage was mainly photocatalytic degradation, where ultraviolet light broke the chemical bond of RhB, and then RhB was degraded by the strong oxidising ability of ·OH. As the iron and hydrogen ion concentrations increased, the synergistic effect of photocatalysis and the Fenton reaction further enhanced the degradation rate in the later stage. The plasma excited by the “Laser + Fe” mode achieved photodegradation by effectively enhancing the ultraviolet wavelength ratio of the emission spectrum and triggered the Fenton reaction to achieve rapid organic matter degradation. Our findings indicate that the participation of the Fenton reaction can increase the degradation rate by approximately 10 times. Besides, the impact of pH on degradation efficiency demonstrates that both acidic and alkaline environments have better degradation effects than neutral conditions; this is because acidic environments can enhance the Fenton reaction, while alkaline environments can provide more ·OH.

Динамика уровня маркеров повреждения центральной нервной системы при лечении пациентов с аутизмом

&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objectives. &lt;/strong&gt;Studies to identify serologic markers of the nature of protein associated with the development of autism spectrum disorders are relevant for the improvement of diagnostic methods. The relationship between the quantitative content of phosphorylated tau protein and light chains of neurofilaments in the blood of children with autism and changes in the clinical picture of the disease during therapeutic interventions was revealed.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;Children aged from 3 to 12 years with diagnoses: infantile autism &amp;mdash; 23 children; impaired psycho-verbal development due to organic brain damage &amp;mdash; 34; conditionally healthy children &amp;mdash; 15 people were studied. Anamnestic data was collected, an objective examination was conducted, and medical records were analyzed. The study utilized: the Denver Developmental Screening Test, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS); Human Tau [pT181] phosphoELISA Kit system test (KHO0631, USA), as well as the Human Neurofilament-Light Chain (NFL) ELISA Kit (EiAab, USA) for the quantitative determination of the phosphorylated isoform of tau protein and light chains of neurofilaments in blood samples by enzyme-linked immunoassay. The statistical processing of data was performed using the MannWhitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Wilcoxon tests. Qualitative features were analyzed using Fisher&amp;rsquo;s criterion.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;When studying the quantitative content of phosphorylated tau protein in the blood plasma and neurofilament light chains in the blood serum over time in 18 patients with autism, a significant decrease in the content of phosphorylated tau protein (p &amp;lt; 0.001, Wilcoxon test) and neurofilament light chains (p = 0.007, Wilcoxon test) was revealed when prescribing pathogenetic treatment with a positive effect from therapy. An example of a clinical case is presented.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;It is shown that the determination of the quantitative content of markers of central nervous system damage in blood can be used to assess changes in the functional state of its neuronal and axonal apparatus under the influence of therapy in children with autism. It is possible to further develop the research using the results obtained in the comparison of clinical, neuropsychological and biochemical indicators in assessing the dynamics of the clinical picture of the disease.&lt;/p&gt;

Temporal evolution of the light emitted by a thin, laser-ionized plasma source

We present an experimental and simulation-based investigation of the temporal evolution of light emission from a thin, laser-ionized helium plasma source. We demonstrate an analytic model to calculate the approximate scaling of the time-integrated, on-axis light emission with the initial plasma density and temperature, supported by the experiment, which enhances the understanding of plasma light measurement for plasma wakefield accelerator (PWFA) plasma sources. Our model simulates the plasma density and temperature using a split-step Fourier code and a particle-in-cell code. A fluid simulation is then used to model the plasma and neutral density, and the electron temperature as a function of time and position. We then show the numerical results of the space-and-time-resolved light emission and that collisional excitation is the dominant source of light emission. We validate our model by measuring the light emitted by a laser-ionized plasma using a novel statistical method capable of resolving the nanosecond-scale temporal dynamics of the plasma light using a cost-effective camera with microsecond-scale timing jitter. This method is ideal for deployment in the high radiation environment of a particle accelerator that precludes the use of expensive nanosecond-gated cameras. Our results show that our models can effectively simulate the dynamics of a thin, laser-ionized plasma source. In addition, this work provides a detailed understanding of the plasma light measurement, which is one of the few diagnostic signals available for the direct measurement of PWFA plasma sources.

Clinical stage and plasma neurofilament concentration in adults with Friedreich ataxia

ObjectivesFriedreich Ataxia (FRDA) is the most common recessive ataxia disorder. Yet, little is known of the prevalence in Sweden. In the future, there may be effective disease-modifying therapies, and use of clinical rating scales as well as possible biomarkers in serum or cerebrospinal fluid may be of importance. We evaluated the axonal protein neurofilament light in plasma (p-NfL) as a possible biomarker for disease severity in FRDA. Materials & methodsWe searched for all possible genetically confirmed FRDA cases in the Västra Götaland Region (VGR) of Sweden, and investigated each patient clinically and obtained blood sample for analysis of p-NfL. ResultsWe found eight patients corresponding to 1/170.000 adults in the VGR, and 5 of these participated in the study. Three out of the five FRDA patients displayed a small or moderate increase in the p-NfL value, compared to the age-adjusted cut-offs for p-NfL established in the Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory at our hospital. The two others were the oldest and most severely affected, displayed normal values according the cut-off values. The cohort is too small to make any statistically significant correlation between the five p-NfL values with regard to disease severity. ConclusionsFRDA is less prevalent in our region of Sweden than could be assumed. In concordance with previous studies from other authors, we find that p-NfL may be increased in patients with FRDA, but less so in older more clinically affected patients. Thus, we conclude that on an individual basis, p-NFL is of uncertain clinical value as a suitable biomarker.

Area Deprivation Index is associated with biomarkers of inflammation cross‐sectionally and longitudinally over a 9‐year follow‐up period

AbstractBackgroundLiving in a socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhood has a negative impact on health outcomes, including increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The biological mechanisms underlying this risk are poorly understood. We examined how neighborhood disadvantage relates to core AD pathology, neurodegeneration, and inflammatory biomarkers in community‐dwelling older adultsMethodVanderbilt Memory and Aging Project participants (n = 327, 73±8 years, 41% female) underwent fasting blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) acquisition serially over a 9‐year follow‐up period (mean follow‐up = 5.8 years). Area Deprivation Index (ADI), representing neighborhood disadvantage, was quantified at baseline based on 17 components [e.g., housing, income, education, and household characteristics (Kind &amp; Buckingham, 2018)]. Ordinary least squares regressions cross‐sectionally related ADI to plasma and CSF biomarkers adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, modified Framingham Stroke Risk Profile score, apolipoprotein E‐e4 status, and cognitive status. Linear mixed‐effects regression models related baseline ADI to longitudinal biomarkers with identical baseline covariates plus follow‐up time. Outcomes included CSF chitinase‐3‐like protein 1 (YKL‐40), CSF soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2), CSF amyloid‐b40 (Ab40), CSF amyloid‐b42 (Ab42), CSF Ab40/Ab42 ratio, CSF tau, CSF phosphorylated tau (ptau), plasma high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (CRP), and plasma and CSF neurofilament light chain (NfL).ResultOn average, the sample was from relatively less disadvantaged neighborhoods (ADI national decile = 35.4±25.0, range = 1‐98). Greater neighborhood disadvantage at study entry was cross‐sectionally associated with elevated CSF YKL‐40 (β = ‐0.733, p = 0.003), sTREM2 (β = 19.74, p = 0.04), Aβ40 (β = 35.96, p = 0.01), tau (β = 2.31, p = 0.02), and ptau (β = 0.33, p = 0.03). Greater neighborhood disadvantage at study entry related to longitudinal increases in CRP (β = 0.012, p&lt;0.001) and decreases in plasma NfL (β = ‐0.025, p = 0.04) over the follow‐up period.ConclusionAmong community‐dwelling older adults, greater neighborhood disadvantage was associated with elevated inflammatory and AD CSF biomarkers cross‐sectionally, and longitudinal increases in a non‐specific inflammatory blood biomarker. Collectively, findings suggest that neighborhood disadvantage confers immediate risk for systemic neuroinflammation and AD and future risk for non‐specific inflammation, providing valuable evidence of a sociobiological mechanism underlying health disparities in aging adults based on geographic location. Funding. R01‐AG034962, K24‐AG046373, T32‐AG058524, P20‐AG068082

Inductively coupled plasma light source driven by an all solid-state pulsed power system

We describe the development of an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source using a discharged produced plasma. The source uses a xenon plasma in a Z-pinch configuration to produce 13.5 nm ± 1% bandwidth radiation. The source is used in the semiconductor industry for metrology, mask inspection, and resist development. Based on the previously developed inductively coupled Z-pinch design, this improved source uses an innovative transistor-based switching system that overcomes the limitations of traditional magnetically switched systems. With this configuration, which includes a pre-ionization stage and direct xenon fueling, both repetition rate and energy per pulse can be greatly increased. Consequently, EUV radiation output, measured in brightness or power, can be also be increased. We describe the driver for this system and the resulting performance.

Tomographic optical emission spectroscopy of an atmospheric pressure plasma jet and surface ionization waves on planar and structured surfaces

In this paper, an approach for 3D plasma structure diagnostics using tomographic optical emission spectroscopy (Tomo-OES) of a nanosecond pulsed atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) is presented. In contrast to the well-known Abel inversion, Tomo-OES does not require cylindrical symmetry to recover 3D distributions of plasma light emission. Instead, many 2D angular projections are measured with intensified cameras and the multiplicative algebraic reconstruction technique is used to recover the 3D distribution of light emission. This approach solves the line-of-sight integration problem inherent to optical diagnostics, allowing recovery of localized OES information within the plasma that can be used to better infer plasma parameters within complex plasma structures. Here, Tomo-OES was applied to investigate an APPJ operated with helium in ambient air and impinging on planar and structured dielectric surfaces. Surface charging caused the guided streamer from the APPJ to transition to a surface ionization wave (SIW) that propagated along the surface. The SIW experienced variable geometrical and electrical material properties as it propagated, leading to 3D configurations that were non-symmetric and spatially complex. Light emission from He, N, and N2 were imaged at ten angular projections and the respective time-resolved 3D emission distributions in the plasma were then reconstructed. The spatial resolution of each tomographic reconstruction was 7.4 µm and the temporal resolution was 5 ns, sufficient to observe the guided streamer and the effects of the structured surface on the SIW. Emission from He showed the core of the jet and emission from N and N2 indicated effects of entrainment of ambient air. Penning ionization of N2 created a ring or outer layer of N that spatially converged to form the ‘plasma bullet’ or spatially diverged across a surface as part of a SIW. The SIW entered trenches of size 150 µm, leading to decreases in plasma light emission in regions above the trenches. The plasma light emission was higher in some regions with trenches, possibly due to effects of field enhancement.

Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet and Plasma Lamp Interaction with Plants: Electrostimulation, Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species, and Side Effects

Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) treatment is a highly effective method of protecting seeds, plants, flowers, and trees from diseases and infection and significantly increasing crop yields. Here we found that cold atmospheric pressure He-plasma jet (CAPPJ) can also cause side effects and damage to plants if the plasma exposure time is too long. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), electromagnetic fields, and ultraviolet photons emitted by CAPPJ can cause both positive and negative effects on plants. CAPPJ can interact with biological tissue surfaces. The plasma lamp has no visible side effects on Aloe vera plants, cabbage, and tomatoes. A plasma lamp and a cold atmospheric pressure plasma He-jet cause strong electrical signaling in plants with a very high amplitude with frequencies equal to the frequency of plasma generation. The use of plasma lamps for electrostimulation of biological tissues can help to avoid side processes in biological tissues associated with the generation of RONS, UV photons, and direct interaction with cold plasma. CAPP technology can play an important role in agriculture, medicine, the food industry, chemistry, surface science, material science, and engineering applications without side effects if the plasma exposure is short enough.

SPIDER on-line data visualization tool

SPIDER (Source for Production of Ion of Deuterium Extracted from Radio Frequency plasma), has been operating in Padova since May 2018, with the aim to test and develop the ITER-scale radio-frequency negative ion source, to study the beam characteristics and to verify the source operation. The source produces more than 500 gigabyte per operational day. Extracting as much information as possible from a set of selected signals (plasma light, voltages and currents of power supplies, cameras, tomography, beam emission spectroscopy, caesium oven parameters and others) during an experimental day allows a more efficient use of the largest neutral beam operating source. The simultaneous visualization of signals, related to pre-defined times of interest arrays, monitors the state of the beam and source features from quite different points of view. However, the time evolution of signals of interest often does not represent the expected format for data analysis. The experimental pulse can be divided in phases called ‘blips’, which correspond to a given experimental configuration typically lasting 40 s. Blips are separated by time periods, required for changing the experiment settings to different configurations. Some punctual information is required for visualization, while derived information is then stored in a relational database for subsequent analysis.The derivation of punctual values was performed offline, with the disadvantage of not being able to derive results of interest during the experiment itself. The new tool derives blip-related information during the pulse, as soon as required data have been stored in the pulse file. The availability of such tool represents a big improvement in the exploitation of the scientific results of SPIDER that can be used in this way during the experimental session itself. Furthermore new features are being developed regarding the addition of other signals including secondary ones and the access to the database from multiple platforms.

Fabrication of Antifouling/Antimicrobial Polysulfonium‐Coated Surface Against Biofilms and Water Bacterial Contamination

Bacterial attachment and colonization on the surface have caused a severe threat to human healthcare. The development of surface coatings with high antibacterial activity and low toxicity is highly desired. Herein, a series of sulfonium‐containing polypeptoids with various structural motifs on the side chains is synthesized, which are efficiently grafted on the silicone surface via plasma and ultraviolet light treatment. The resulting coating demonstrates excellent antibacterial properties against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, as well as a sustained antibacterial effect at ambient temperature for up to one week. Moreover, the coating exhibits excellent in vitro antibiofilm and protein resistance properties, as well as excellent hemo/biocompatibility. Further, by fabricating a decontamination system with the coated substrates, the obtained coating materials show high efficiency in bacterial decontamination of water, which has great potential for use in water disinfection systems. All these results suggest that prepared coating with dual antibacterial and antifouling properties has great potential in combating bacterial contamination.

Investigating of plasma diagnostics by utilizing spectroscopic measurements of Balmer emission

Plasma technology offers revolutionary potential for particle accelerators by enabling the acceleration of electron beams to ultra-relativistic velocities in a small-scale dimension. The compact nature of plasma-based accelerators permits the creation of accelerating gradients on the GV scale. Plasma acceleration structures are created by utilizing either ultra-short laser pulses (Laser Wakefield Acceleration, LWFA) or energetic particle beams (Particle Wakefield Acceleration, PWFA), which need to be tailored to the plasma parameters. However, both methods face the challenge of limited acceleration length, which is currently only a few centimeters. To overcome this challenge, one approach is to generate plasma within a capillary tube, which can extend the acceleration length up to approximately forty centimeters or more. Consequently, it is crucial to characterize the produced plasma in terms of density and geometric structure. Optical emission spectroscopy (EOS) methods can be employed to measure and characterize the plasma electron density by analyzing the emitted plasma light. This paper presents measurements of the plasma electron density distribution for a hydrogen-filled capillary tube using both Balmer alpha (Hα) and Balmer beta (Hβ) lines. Comparing the intensities of Hα and Hβ emissions enables more precise measurements of the plasma electron density and provides additional information about other plasma properties.

Toward streaked collective Thomson scattering measurements on an extreme ultraviolet plasma light source

We show through forward modeling calculations that streaked collective Thomson scattering measurements are feasible on laser-produced tin plasmas generated under conditions relevant for extreme ultraviolet lithography. Using a 532 nm probe laser beam, the feasibility of simultaneous measurements of electron plasma wave (EPW) and ion acoustic wave (IAW) spectra is investigated. Absolute photon counts for laser scattering off both waves are calculated. Probe laser electron heating and bremsstrahlung background radiation effects are accounted for. While a large spatiotemporal region can be successfully probed based on the IAW feature, only one measurement location can be accessed through the EPW as a result of the low signal to noise ratio. A portable/traveling tabletop system is proposed.