A source of broad homogeneous beams of low-energy (∼0.5 keV) gas ions

A source of gas ions (argon, oxygen, nitrogen, etc.), the operating principle of which is based on the use of a glow discharge in an electrode system of a wide-aperture hollow cathode and anode in a magnetic field, is described. The exit aperture diameter of the hollow cathode, increased up to a size close to the ion beam diameter (10 cm), ensures the uniform ion emission of the plasma generated in the discharge region near the anode. A decreased angular divergence or increased ultimate ion-beam current density is achieved by a change in the potential drop in the space charge sheath between the plasma and the ion optics. The source generates broad (50 cm²) slightly diverging (ω/2∼3°–5°) ion beams with energies of 300–1000 eV at a beam current density of ∼0.5 mA/cm².     

Regenerative braking control strategy in mild hybrid electric vehicles equipped with automatic manual transmission

The actual regenerative braking force of an integrated starter/generator (ISG), which is varied with desired braking deceleration and vehicle speed, is calculated based on an analysis of the required deceleration, maximum braking force of ISG, engine braking force and state of charge (SOC) of battery. Braking force distribution strategies are presented according to the actual regenerative braking force of ISG. To recover the vehicle’s kinetic energy maximally, braking shift rules for a mild hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) equipped with automatic manual transmission (AMT) are brought forward and effects of transmission ratios are considered. A test-bed is built up and regenerative braking tests are carried out. The results show that power recovered by the braking shift rules is more than that recovered by the normal braking control rules. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2006, 42(10): 156–160 [译自: 机械工程学报]     

X-ray flash radiography system for a high-current discharge in a dense gas

An X-ray diagnostic system for determining the metal vapor concentration in a high-current pulsed discharge in a high- and ultrahigh-pressure gas based on a pulsed X-ray source in a spectral region of 20–50 keV and an X-ray CCD camera has been designed. Two nanosecond generators with durations of high-voltage pulses of 10–20 and 50 ns and new through-target-type X-ray tubes were used. Experiments on the diagnostics of a high-current discharge in an axially symmetric electrode system have been performed at dJ/dt = 10⁹–10¹¹ A/s and discharge currents <1 MA. The data on the spatial distribution of metal vapors injected from the electrodes as a result of erosion are obtained.     

A plasma generator based on nonself-sustained low-pressure glow discharge with a large-volume hollow cathode

The results of studying nonself-sustained glow discharges in an electrode system with a hollow cathode with a volume of 0.25 m³ are presented. A high-current (up to 35 A) nonself-sustained glow discharge at low pressures (0.3–1.0 Pa) is initiated and sustained with the help of an auxiliary cold-hollow-cathode arc discharge. When the current of a nonself-sustained glow discharge increases from 2 to 35 A, its burning voltage changes from 40 to 300 V. These values are much lower than the voltage for a self-sustained glow discharge in the same electrode system. At a discharge current of 30 A, the electron concentration at the center of the hollow cathode is n _e ∼ 10¹⁰–10¹¹ cm⁻³ and the electron temperature is T _e ≈ 2 eV. The discharge considered can be used in the system for modification of materials and products.     

Design,fabrication and experimental investigation of a planar pump using electro-conjugate fluid

This paper presents the design, fabrication, and experimental investigation of a novel planar pump using electro-conjugate fluid. The electro-conjugate fluid (ECF) is a kind of dielectric functional fluid which generates a powerful jet flow (ECF-jet) when a static electric field is applied via a pair of rod-like electrodes. This phenomenon that ECF can generate jet flows from the positive electrode to the ground electrode in an applied electric field is called the ECF effect, and converts electric energy directly into kinetic energy of the fluid. The ECF-jet acts directly on the working fluids; therefore, the proposed planar ECF pump requires no moving parts and produces no vibration or noise. The fabricated planar ECF pump consists of three parts: a pump base, a top cover, and an electrode substrate with dimensions of 280 mm × 190 mm × 1 mm. In this paper, five different electrode patterns and three different flow channel heights were investigated for the realization of a high-performance planar ECF pump. Each array of electrodes was patterned on the glass epoxy substrates using a wet-etching process, and the flow channel heights were either 200 μm, 300 μm, or 500 μm. The pumping experiments used FF-1_EHA2 as the working fluid. Experimentation showed that a no-load flow rate of 5.5 cm³/s, maximum output pressure of 7.2 kPa, and maximum output power of 11.6 mW were achieved at an applied voltage of 2.0 kV.     

A source of broad electron beams with a self-heated hollow cathode for plasma nitriding of stainless steel

The principle of operation and characteristics of a broad electron beam source based on the discharge with a self-heated hollow cathode and widened anode part are described. The source is intended for the ion nitriding of metals in the electron beam plasma. The influence of the current density (1–7 mA/cm²) and ion energy (0.1–0.3 keV) on the nitriding rate of the 12X18H10T austenitic stainless steel is studied. It is shown that the maximal nitriding rate is reached by the combining of the minimal bias voltage across the samples (100 V) and maximal ion current density, which ensures the dynamic oxide layer sputtering on the sample surface. The electron source, in which electrons are extracted through a stabilizing grid in the direction normal to the axis of the hollow cathode, ensures the radially divergent electron beam formation with a 700-cm² initial cross section, a current of up to 30 A, and initial electron energy of 0.1–0.5 keV. The source stably operates at nitrogen-argon mixture pressures of up to 3 Pa.     

A calorimetric spectrometer measuring single pulses of relativistic microwave generators

A calorimetric spectrometer measuring individual pulses radiated by wideband relativistic microwave oscillators is described. The calorimetric spectrometer comprises two calorimeters and a set of low-pass filters. In the development of such a spectrometer, the basic feature consists in the high radiation power (∼10⁸ W) and low pulse energy (∼1 J). To prevent the microwave surface discharge, the calorimeters have a rather large area (∼0.1 m²). The calorimeters’ sensitivity is 0.05 J. Frequency responses of the filters were measured experimentally and calculated with the help of a three-dimensional version of the KARAT computer code. The experimental spectrum of a wideband relativistic microwave plasma oscillator measured in a frequency range of 5–40 GHz is presented.     

A high-current nanosecond electron accelerator with a semiconductor opening switch

A compact nanosecond electron accelerator with an output energy of up to 4000 keV, a pulsed power of 100–180 MW, a beam current of 0.25–1.1 kA, and a pulse energy of 5–7 J is described. The accelerator operates with a pulse repetition rate of 200 Hz and ensures an average beam power of up to 1 kW. A nanosecond generator with a solid-state switching system, which is based on magnetic stages of pulse compression and a semiconductor opening switch, is used as a supplying device. The design and electric circuit of the accelerator are described, and test results are presented.     

A closed-cycle cryostat for optical and M?ssbauer spectroscopy in the temperature range 4.2–300 K

A closed cycle cryostat intended for optical and M?ssbauer investigations in the temperature range 4.2–300 K is described. Samples are cooled owing to the operation of a two-stage closed-cycle cryogenic refrigerator (CR) based on the Gifford-MacMahon cycle (with a refrigerating capacity of 1 W at T = 4.2 K at the second stage). The minimum temperature reached at the second stage of the CR was 2.7 K. The methods for reducing vibrations transferred from the CR to a sample are described in detail. The design proposed makes it possible to reduce the vibrational broadening of the resonance M?ssbauer lines to a level of 10–15% at 5 K, thus exceeding the level of the best cryostat prototypes in the world.     

A parallel plate avalanche detector for low energy ion identification

A setup for identifying low-energy (1–10 MeV) ions with charges Z ≥ 1 by simultaneously measuring the energy losses and the time of flight is described. The setup is composed of a multiwire proportional chamber and a strip silicon detector, which are used to measure the ion energy, and two low-pressure avalanche wireless detectors for measuring the energy losses and the time of flight. Results obtained in measuring α particles from ²²⁶Ra source and p, Be, C, and O ions produced on the ITs-100 cyclotron at the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions are presented.     

Micro laser welding of polymer microstructures using low power laser diodes

The use of laser welding for joining micro parts has experienced a substantial increase in popularity during recent years. Specifically translucent microfluidic devices are assembled using laser welding; however, a major issue is the laser beam size of commercially available laser-welding equipment and thus the resulting welding seam size, which may be orders of magnitude larger than microfluidic channels and structures. We have successfully achieved extremely small welding seams using focussed low-power laser diodes. Commercial laser welding stations for polymer assembly will typically operate in the power-region 15–50 Watts. The focussed laser beam will have a size of typically 500 μm × 500 μm and may, depending on optical configuration, be up to several mm². The resulting welding-seam will thus be in the area of 300–600 μm depending on beam energy distribution; additionally the melt will spread to unheated areas due to capillary forces. As microfluidic channels are in 20–100 μm regions, even a very limited amount of stray melt may completely fill a part of a channel and thus render it useless. We have used commercially available “single-die” laser-diodes of optical power 200–500 mW. The beam has been focussed and directed using simple optical installations, resulting in a beam-size in the area of 50 μm × 5 μm full width half maximum (FWHM) We have achieved firm welding seams of width <10 μm, with a welding speed of 15 mm/s and with virtually no noticeable spread of melt.     

Effects on mechanical properties in electron beam welding of TC4 alloy by laser shock processing

The surface of TC4 titanium alloy welding line by electron beam welding (EBW) was processed by high power Q-switched and repetition-rate Nd: glass laser. Effects of laser power and spot diameter on residual stress and microhardness of the TC4 alloy welding line by laser shock processing (LSP) have been analyzed. Results show that residual stresses almost do not change as laser power is 45.9 J, spot diameter is ϕ9 mm; While laser power is 45.9 J, spot diameter less than ϕ3 mm, the distribution of residual stress in welding line occurs obvious variation, which residual stress increase obviously with spot diameter decrease. When power density is bigger than 1.8 × 10¹⁰ W/cm², residual stresses of electron beam welding line occur change by LSP, which improve obviously residual stress distribution; while laser power is bigger than 1.2 × 10¹⁰ W/cm², the surface micro-hardness of electron beam welding line occurs change by LSP, which improve obviously micro-hardness distribution. Mechanical properties of TC4 titanium alloy welding line will be improved by LSP, which provides experimental foundation for further controlling the distributions of residual stress and micro-hardness during laser shock processing. __________ Translated from Journal of Jiangsu University (Natural Science), 2006, 27(3): 207–210 [译自: 江苏大学学报 (自然科学版)]     

Tunable quasioptical power dividers operating in the millimeter wavelength range

Circuits and principle of operation of quasioptical power dividers based on two-row periodic structures, formed by grids of metal bars and a dielectric waveguide placed along their longitudinal axis, are described. The experimental studies of power divider prototypes in a frequency range of 60–80 GHz have shown a possibility of regulating the emitted power level in the main divider arm by changing longitudinal and angular coordinates of the two-row periodic structure, which can be used for designing quasioptical attenuators.     

A forevacuum plasma source of pulsed electron beams

A plasma electron source designed for generation of a pulsed wide-aperture electron beam in the forevacuum pressure range (5–20 Pa) is described. The source is based on the use of a hollow-cathode glow discharge. At an accelerating voltage of 20 kV, a current pulse length of 100 μs, and a pulse repetition rate of 10 Hz, the electron beam current is 100 A, and the maximum density of the beam pulse power is 10 J/cm². The obtained parameters of the electron beam and the features of the source functioning in the forevacuum pressure range show that this source can be used to good effect to modify the surface properties of nonconducting materials.     

A technique for identifying nuclei in the MONICA experiment

We discuss the results of comparison and optimization of (ΔE − E) methods for identifying nuclei with the aid of a multilayer Si detector that will be used in the MONICA satellite-based experiment aimed at studying the nuclear component of cosmic rays from hydrogen to nickel in the energy range of 10–300 MeV/nucleon. The residual-range and Bethe-Bloch curve approximation methods are considered. Using the GEANT4 simulation, it is shown that the Bethe-Bloch curve approximation method not only ensures a better mass resolution (which is particularly important for identification of heavy nuclei), but also provides a means for identifying “drift” nuclei with satisfactory charge (<0.3) and energy (<3%) resolutions. The results can be used to prepare new experiments in which (ΔE − E) nuclear identification methods are expected to be employed.     

A UV source on hydroxyl molecules operating in a pulsed-periodic mode

The emission and energy characteristics of a UV source based on water vapors, which was excited by a longitudinal pulsed-periodic discharge, are presented. The emission in the spectral range 280–340 nm was studied. The average emission power of gas-discharge plasma of low-pressure (∼130 Pa) water vapors in the UV region was 75 mW.     

Modernization of the Element 2 mass spectrometer

To perform direct elemental analysis of solids, it is proposed to complement an Element 2 ICP mass spectrometer commercially produced by Thermo Electron Corp. with a glow-discharge ion source based on a hollow cathode. The analyzed sample, in the form of a rod 1.0–2.5 mm in diameter and 15–20 mm in length, is set along the axis of the cathode cavity with an inner diameter of 15–16 mm and a depth of 15 mm. The cathode is placed in a discharge chamber, which, using a viton seal, is substituted for the ICP-source sampler. The use of a plasma mirror and getter evacuation of the source chamber allows a decrease in the source’s hydrocarbon background by a factor of 10³–10⁴. The ion source is evacuated by a mechanical pump of the mass spectrometer and an additional turbomolecular pump. Ion sources in a mass spectrometer are replaced (a change from one analytical method to another) within 5 min. The ion current extracted from the IS allows analysis of conducting solids with a sensitivity at a level of several ppb (10⁻⁷%) at a resolution of the mass spectrometer of 4000. Combining two easily replaceable ICP and GD ion sources in a single high-resolution analyzer significantly extends the analytical capabilities of the Element 2 mass spectrometer. Original Russian Text ? G.G. Sikharulidze, 2009, published in Pribory i Tekhnika Eksperimenta, 2009, No. 2, pp. 98–100.     

A low-voltage ionization chamber for the ITER

An ionization chamber with an operating supply voltage of 10 V has been designed for use at the ITER. The sensitivity of the chamber filled with air at atmospheric pressure is 100–200 times higher than the sensitivity of the chamber pumped down to a pressure of 10⁻³–10⁻⁴ Torr. It is shown that application of the supply voltage modulation technique allows the pickup noise to be substantially reduced; as a result, the amplifier can be located at a large (70–100 m) distance from the chamber. Results of the experiments aimed at testing this technique on the T-10 facility are described. Original Russian Text ? Yu.V. Gott, M.M. Stepanenko, 2009, published in Pribory i Tekhnika Eksperimenta, 2009, No. 2, pp. 117–121.     

Ultimate characteristics of an X-ray prism spectrometer

X-ray prism spectrometry schemes for experimental investigations of fast processes are considered. Diamond and beryllium prism dispersion parameters and special features of transmission spectra for crystal prisms are analyzed. It is shown that relative energy resolution E/ΔE at photon energies E ∼ 10 keV may reach 10³–10⁴ and the total working spectral band is ∼100 keV. This opens unique possibilities for measuring fine structures of single-shot absorption spectra for quasi-parallel beams and continuous monitoring of the fundamental and high-frequency harmonics of an X-ray free electron laser. Original Russian Text ? A.G. Tur’yanskii, 2009, published in Pribory i Tekhnika Eksperimenta, 2009, No. 4, pp. 150–158.     

Microwave drying and moisture diffusivity of white mulberry: experimental and mathematical modeling

The literature surveyed revealed that drying kinetics of white mulberry under microwave treatment has not been investigated. In present study, both experimental study and mathematical modeling on microwave drying of white mulberry was performed. The microwave drying process which reduced the moisture content of mulberry from 3.76 to 0.25 (g water/g dry matter) was carried out at 90, 180, 360, 600, and 800 W in a modified microwave drying set-up. The effects of microwave drying technique on the moisture ratio and drying rate of white mulberry were investigated experimentally. Both the effects of microwave power level (under the range of 90–800W) and initial sample weight (50–150g) were studied. No constant rate period was observed. Mathematical modeling of thin layer drying kinetics of white mulberry under microwave treatment was also investigated by fitting the experimental drying data to eight thin layer drying models. Among the models proposed, Midilli et al. model precisely represented the microwave drying behavior of white mulberry with the coefficient of determination higher than 0.999 and mean square of deviation (χ²) and root mean square error (RMSE) lower than 1.1×10⁻⁴ and 8.9×10⁻³, respectively for all the microwave drying conditions studied. The effective moisture diffusivity (D_eff) of white mulberry varied from 0.45×10⁻⁸ to 3.25×10⁻⁸ m²s⁻¹. Both the drying constant (k) and D_eff increased with the increase of microwave power level.