Study of ion beam transport from the SECRAL electron cyclotron resonance ion source at the Institute of Modern Physics

Ion beam transport from the Superconducting Electron Cyclotron Resonance ion source with Advanced design in Lanzhou (SECRAL) electron cyclotron resonance ion source was studied at the Institute of Modern Physics during 2010. Particle-in-cell simulations and experimental results have shown that both space charge and magnetic aberrations lead to a larger beam envelope and emittance growth. In the existing SECRAL extraction beam line, it has been shown that raising the solenoid lens magnetic field reduces aberrations in the subsequent dipole and results in lower emittance. Detailed beam emittance measurements are presented in this paper.     

Extraction of the carbon ion beam from the U-70 accelerator into beamline 4a using a bent single crystal

A beam of six-charged carbon ions with an energy of 24.8 GeV/nucleon is extracted from the U-70 synchrotron by means of a silicon crystal bent through 85 mrad. A total of 200000 particles are observed in beamline 4a upon forcing 10⁹ circulating ions to the crystal. The geometrical parameters, timing structure, and composition of the beam have been measured. It has been shown for the first time that, using a bent single crystal, an ion beam with required parameters can be extracted from the accelerator ring and formed for regular use in physics experiments.     

Characterization of plasma ion source utilizing anode spot with positively biased electrode for stable and high-current ion beam extraction

The operating conditions of a rf plasma ion source utilizing a positively biased electrode have been investigated to develop a stably operating, high-current ion source. Ion beam characteristics such as currents and energies are measured and compared with bias currents by varying the bias voltages on the electrode immersed in the ambient rf plasma. Current-voltage curves of the bias electrode and photographs confirm that a small and dense plasma, so-called anode spot, is formed near an extraction aperture and plays a key role to enhance the performance of the plasma ion source. The ion beam currents from the anode spot are observed to be maximized at the optimum bias voltage near the knee of the characteristic current-voltage curve of the anode spot. Increased potential barrier to obstruct beam extraction is the reason for the reduction of the ion beam current in spite of the increased bias current indicating the density of the anode spot. The optimum bias voltage is measured to be lower at higher operating pressure, which is favorable for stable operation without severe sputtering damage on the electrode. The ion beam current can be further enhanced by increasing the power for the ambient plasma without increasing the bias voltage. In the same manner, noble gases with higher atomic number as a feedstock gas are preferable for extracting higher beam current more stably. Therefore, performance of the plasma ion source with a positively biased electrode can be enhanced by controlling the operating conditions of the anode spot in various manners.     

The calculation of a human lumped-mass model from acceleration and force-plate data

This paper describes a technique for the calculation of a lumped-mass representation of a human based on acceleration of body locations, typically obtained from a three-dimensional motion tracking system, and external forces and torques, typically measured from a force plate. The inverse problem of solving for lumped masses is presented, which results in a mass model of the individual subject via a fast, fully automated approach. This method can be used to obtain the mass model per se for the identification of growth deformities or together with a kinematic model for inverse and forward dynamics. Furthermore the mass model and acceleration trajectories subsequently can be used to calculate the contact forces between the floor and the subject at locations remote to a force plate.     

A large-area continuous accelerator with the extraction of a high-density electron beam

The design features of the electron accelerator with a large-area 200-keV beam and results of its investigation are described. The accelerator is based on a set of discrete longitudinal filament cathodes and operates in the continuous mode. The cross section of the beam extracted into the atmosphere is 40 × 50 cm², and the maximal current density of the extracted electron beam is up to 100 μA/cm². The nonuniformity of the current density distribution over the electron beam cross section is 10% or less.     

Simultaneous phase and amplitude extraction from a single defocused image of a homogeneous object

We demonstrate simultaneous phase and amplitude extraction from a single defocused image of a homogeneous object. Subject to the assumptions explicitly stated in the derivation, the algorithm solves the twin‐image problem of in‐line holography and is capable of analysing data obtained using X‐ray microscopy, electron microscopy, neutron microscopy or visible‐light microscopy, especially as they relate to defocus and point projection methods. Our simple, robust, non‐iterative and computationally efficient method is applied to data obtained using an X‐ray phase contrast ultramicroscope.     

Investigation of the homogeneity of a high-power ion beam formed by a diode with a closed electron drift

The results of an investigation of the energy-density distribution over the cross section of a pulsed ion beam formed with a passive-anode diode in the mode of magnetic insulation and a closed electron drift in the anode–cathode gap are presented. Diodes of two types are studied: with external magnetic insulation (B_r diode) on the BIPPAB-450 accelerator (400 kV, 80 ns) and self-magnetic insulation of electrons (spiral diode) on the TEMP-4M accelerator (250 kV, 120 ns). In the investigated diodes, various processes are used to form anode plasma: a breakdown over the surface of a dielectric coating on the anode and ionization of the anode surface with accelerated electrons (B_r diode), as well as explosive emission of electrons (spiral diode). To analyze the ion-beam energy density, thermal-imaging diagnostics is used with a spatial resolution of 1–2 mm. The energy-density is calculated from the one-dimensional Child–Langmuir relationship. It is shown that a continuous plasma layer is efficiently formed on the working anode surface for all the investigated diodes. The anode-plasma concentration is rather high, and the beam-energy density is limited by the space charge of ions, but not by the plasma concentration. It is found that, when the magnetic field in the Br-diode anode–cathode gap decreases or the electron current in the spiral diode increases, the energy density of the high-power ion beam rises significantly, but the beam homogeneity decreases.     

Losses in a pulsed electron beam during its formation and extraction from the diode chamber of an accelerator

The results of experimental studies of the current and charge balance in the diode unit of the ?ЭpU-500 high-current pulsed electron accelerator (an accelerating voltage of 350–500 keV, a half-height pulse duration of 60 ns, and a total kinetic electron energy of 250 J/pulse) during generation of an electron beam are presented. Planar diodes with multipointed cathodes having diameters of 43–60 mm and manufactured from graphite, copper, and carbon felt were studied. It is shown that the electron-beam divergence in the anode-cathode gap caused by a distortion in the electric field at the periphery of the cathode is the main source of parasitic losses in planar diodes. The half-angle of divergence is 68° at small anode-cathode gaps and decreases to 60° with an increase in the gap. When the diode impedance is matched to the generator’s output impedance (at a gap of 10–12 mm), the charge loss is within 12%.     

Direct and transmission milling of suspended silicon nitride membranes with a focused helium ion beam

Helium ion milling of suspended silicon nitride thin films is explored. Milled squares patterned by scanning helium ion microscope are subsequently investigated by atomic force microscopy and the relation between ion dose and milling depth is measured for both the direct (side of ion incidence) and transmission (side opposite to ion incidence) regimes. We find that direct-milling depth varies linearly with beam dose while transmission-milling depth varies with the square of the beam dose, resulting in a straightforward method of controlling local film thickness.     

A secondary beam separator: A combination of the COMBAS fragment separator with the ion catcher

The development of an experimental facility based on the high-luminosity COMBAS fragment separator and a fast ion catcher is discussed. The main characteristics of the COMBAS fragment separator and the ion catcher determining the advantages of the proposed combination are presented. The developed facility is expected to allow production of secondary radioactive beams with a quality higher than the quality of beams obtained using the in-flight separation technique. It is planned that the facility will be used in a tandem with a post-accelerator for producing single-isotope and monochromatic high-intensity secondary radioactive beams in a wide range of mass numbers A and atomic numbers Z. A list of perspective scientific problems requiring high-intensity and high-quality secondary beams of exotic nuclei is proposed.     

A feedback circuit for the stochastic extraction of protons from the U-70 synchrotron: Development and beam tests

Results of research efforts in 2005 that were directed toward developing a system for stochastic (noise) slow extraction of the beam from the U-70 proton synchrotron of the Institute for High Energy Physics are presented. The goal of the study was to develop a full-function prototype of the stochastic slow extraction system and test it on the beam. This prototype, designed for trial operation during machine runs, is capable of producing lengthy flat-topped smooth spills and suppressing their ripple. Approaches to design of the feedback loop that affects the waiting beam stack (which is neither a linear nor time-invariant system) are discussed. A circuit model of the beam being extracted is proposed and analyzed. A dedicated electronic system for beam experiments is described. Results of the beam tests during the U-70 machine run of 2005, which confirm the serviceability of the noise extraction system prototype, are presented.     

搬运机械臂的初始加速度和速度连续运动规划研究

工业机械臂在执行搬运任务时可能会出现初始关节加速度和速度跳变的情况,这会影响机械臂电机的使用寿命,并使搬运的物品受到较大的冲击力,从而造成物品的损坏.针对该情况,设计了一种基于伪逆的机械臂初始加速度和速度连续运动规划方案.首先,根据机械臂关节角状态和末端执行器运动状态,对机械臂在加速度层以及速度层上建立伪逆算法求解模型...     

Experimental comparison of the performance of a journal bearing with a single and a twin axial groove configuration

It is often assumed that a journal bearing will operate more effectively with a twin groove arrangement than a single groove one, but little evidence has been presented in support of this.An experimental assessment of a journal bearing with either one or two axial grooves located perpendicularly to the load line was performed.It was found that under heavy loaded operation the twin groove configuration might actually deteriorate the bearing performance when compared with the single groove arrangement, namely due to uneven lubricant feed through each groove. It is concluded that the knowledge of the feed flow rates through each groove can be used to improve bearing performance under specific regimes by implementing groove deactivation or flow balancing strategies.     

Development and machining performance of a textured diamond cutting tool fabricated with a focused ion beam and heat treatment

This paper presents the fabrication method and machining performance of a textured diamond cutting tool. To improve the machining performance, a texture was fabricated on the rake face of the diamond tool with a depth of 43 nm and width of 1.8 μm by utilizing a focused ion beam (FIB) followed by heat treatment. In addition, a FIB-induced non-diamond phase that adversely affects the machining performance was removed. A machining experiment using aluminum alloy and nickel phosphorus was conducted to evaluate the proposed method. A significant decrease in friction was observed at the tool–chip interface after texturing. This corresponds to a reduced cutting force, which indicates that the machining performance of the tool was improved by texturing. The magnitude of the effect depends on the shape and direction of the texture. The textured tool was able to machine a surface topography similar to that with a non-textured tool, which indicates that the texture effect can be obtained while maintaining the quality of the machined surface by fabricating the texture far from the cutting edge.     

Spatial distribution of the charged particles and potentials during beam extraction in a negative-ion source

We report on the characteristics of the electronegative plasma in a large-scale hydrogen negative ion (H(-)) source. The measurement has been made with a time-resolved Langmuir probe installed in the beam extraction region. The H(-) density is monitored with a cavity ring-down system to identify the electrons in the negative charges. The electron-saturation current decreases rapidly after starting to seed Cs, and ion-ion plasma is observed in the extraction region. The H(-) density steps down during the beam extraction and the electron density jumps up correspondingly. The time integral of the decreasing H(-) charge density agrees well with the electron charge collected with the probe. The agreement of the charges is interpreted to indicate that the H(-) density decreasing at the beam extraction is compensated by the electrons diffusing from the driver region. In the plasmas with very low electron density, the pre-sheath of the extraction field penetrates deeply inside the plasmas. That is because the shielding length in those plasmas is longer than that in the usual electron-ion plasmas, and furthermore the electrons are suppressed to diffuse to the extraction region due to the strong magnetic field.     

Diffusible ion localization by ion microscopy: a comparison of chemically prepared and fast-frozen,freeze-dried,unfixed liver sections

The necessity of low temperature preparative procedures for diffusible ion localization using the ion microscope has been established with rat liver as the test material. Using conventional fixation procedures, significant ion loss and redistribution were observed which exceeded the 1 μm lateral resolution of the direct imaging ion microanalyser. The compositional morphology evidenced in chemically prepared versus fast-frozen, freeze-dried, unfixed material was compared and evaluated in terms of ion retention, ion redistribution and morphological integrity. A mass spectral analysis of both preparations has been presented and discussed with regard to spectral interferences and elemental sensitivities. Ion images of sodium and potassium were recorded for chemically prepared liver sections and compared with the ion distributions obtained for unfixed, fast-frozen, freeze-dried 1 μm thick sections. The magnitude of ion loss during preparation of samples removed at different stages in the course of chemical processing was determined by atomic absorption and flame emission spectrophotometry.     

Increasing the reliability and service life of the cathode unit of an electron accelerator with extraction of a large-cross-section beam to the atmosphere

The design of an electron accelerator cathode unit with short filament elements in the form of a coil without a tightening mechanism is described. The advantage of the developed design over those of cathodes with long filaments with tightening mechanisms is shown. The nonuniformity of the beam-current density distribution behind the foil is <3%. The filament power required for cathodes in the form of coils is 20% lower than that for long-filament cathodes at the same beam-current density. Mechanical stresses leading to a breakdown of the cathode filaments are absent. The service life is determined mainly by the emission-caused wear of cathodes.     

Development of bellows and gate valves with a comb-type rf shield for high-current accelerators: four-year beam test at KEK B-Factory

Since a comb-type rf shield was proposed in 2003 as a rf shield for future high-intensity accelerators, various types of bellow chambers and gate valves with this rf shield have been installed in the KEK B-Factory rings in series and tested with beams. Through beam tests to check the performance, a structural simplification has been tried in parallel. The temperatures of the bellow corrugations decreased by a factor of 3-6 compared to those with a conventional finger-type rf shield in most cases. The temperatures of the body of the gate valves also decreased by a factor of 2-5. These results demonstrated the availability of the comb-type rf shield. Although a discharge was observed in one simplified model, the latest model has shown no problem up to a stored beam current of 1.8 A (1.3 mA/bunch, 6 mm bunch length). Experiences with the comb-type rf shield in these four-year beam tests are reviewed here.     

Low damage lamella preparation of metallic materials by FIB processing with low acceleration voltage and a low incident angle Ar ion milling finish

Metallic materials are known to be very sensitive to Gallium (Ga) focused ion beam (FIB) processing. Crystal defects formed by FIB irradiation degrade the transmission electron microscope image quality, and it is difficult to distinguish original defects from FIB process-induced damage. A solution to this problem is the low acceleration voltage and low incident angle (LVLA) Argon ion milling, which can be incorporated as an extensional countermeasure for FIB damage removal and eventually for preparation of high-quality lamellae. The transmission electron microscope image quality of iron single crystal could be improved by removing crystal defects using the low acceleration voltage and low incident angle Argon ion milling finish. Lamella quality of the processing result was almost similar with that of the conventional electrolytic polishing. As a practical application of the process, low damage lamella of stainless cast steel could be prepared. Effectiveness of the FIB system equipped with the low acceleration voltage and low incident angle Argon ion milling function as a tool to make high-quality metallic material lamellae is illustrated.     

Structural inspection and troubleshooting analysis of a lab-scale distillation column using gamma scanning technique in comparison with Monte Carlo simulations

In the present study, structural inspection and troubleshooting analysis of a lab-scale distillation column has been performed using gamma scanning technique and Monte Carlo simulations. MCNP4C Monte Carlo code has been used for simulations of the column and calculation of the computational density profile. The tested column is a one-pass tray type with 51 cm diameter. A Cs-137 sealed source and a 1 × 1 inch NaI (Tl) detector has been used for this gamma scanning process. According to the results, both experimental and simulation results showed the specification of trays and another section of the column accurately. Also, in addition to the flooding and damaged tray in the column, defects such as foaming with the density of 0.17 g/cm³ can be distinguished using this technique. Based on the results, using photopeak count approach the differences in the material attenuations can be better distinguished. The effectiveness of this approach in determination of malfunctions increases with the density of the material between the source and the detector. Analyzing the experimental and simulation results are indicative of the fact that the procedures and methods used in this work are quite suitable for improving the accuracy of the troubleshooting analysis based on gamma scanning technique.