Poster - Thur Eve - 02: Regulatory oversight of the robotic radiosurgery facilities.

PubMed

Broda, K

2012-07-01

Following a recent review of the Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations and regulatory oversight of particle accelerators, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has changed its policy concerning the regulation of particle accelerators. In November 2011, the CNSC began to exercise its regulatory authority with respect to all particle accelerators operating at a beam energy of 1 (one) MeV or greater. The CNSC already licences and inspects particle accelerators capable of operating at or above 10 MeV. The decision to now include low energy particle accelerators (i.e., those operating at or above 1 MeV) ensures adequate, uniform and consistent regulatory oversight for all Class II accelerators. The CNSC expects these facilities to comply with CNSC requirements by December 2013. Besides conventional linear accelerators of lower energy (6 MeV or below) typically found in cancer clinics, two types of equipment now fall under the CNSC's regulatory oversight as a result of the above change: robotic radiosurgery and tomotherapy equipment and facilities. A number of clinics in Canada already operates these types of equipment and facilities. The safety aspects of radiosurgery equipment differ slightly from those for conventional linear accelerators. This poster aims to present an approach taken by the CNSC to regulate robotic radiosurgery equipment and facilities. The presentation will explain how to meet regulatory requirements of the Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations by licensees operating or planning to acquire these types of equipment and facilities. © 2012 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Petawatt pulsed-power accelerator

DOEpatents

Stygar, William A.; Cuneo, Michael E.; Headley, Daniel I.; Ives, Harry C.; Ives, legal representative; Berry Cottrell; Leeper, Ramon J.; Mazarakis, Michael G.; Olson, Craig L.; Porter, John L.; Wagoner; Tim C.

2010-03-16

A petawatt pulsed-power accelerator can be driven by various types of electrical-pulse generators, including conventional Marx generators and linear-transformer drivers. The pulsed-power accelerator can be configured to drive an electrical load from one- or two-sides. Various types of loads can be driven; for example, the accelerator can be used to drive a high-current z-pinch load. When driven by slow-pulse generators (e.g., conventional Marx generators), the accelerator comprises an oil section comprising at least one pulse-generator level having a plurality of pulse generators; a water section comprising a pulse-forming circuit for each pulse generator and a level of monolithic triplate radial-transmission-line impedance transformers, that have variable impedance profiles, for each pulse-generator level; and a vacuum section comprising triplate magnetically insulated transmission lines that feed an electrical load. When driven by LTD generators or other fast-pulse generators, the need for the pulse-forming circuits in the water section can be eliminated.

SABRE, a 10-MV linear induction accelerator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Corely, J.P.; Alexander, J.A.; Pankuch, P.J.

SABRE (Sandia Accelerator and Beam Research Experiment) is a 10-MV, 250-kA, 40-ns linear induction accelerator. It was designed to be used in positive polarity output. Positive polarity accelerators are important for application to Sandia's ICF (Inertial Confinement Fusion) and LMF (Laboratory Microfusion Facility) program efforts. SABRE was built to allow a more detailed study of pulsed power issues associated with positive polarity output machines. MITL (Magnetically Insulated Transmission Line) voltage adder efficiency, extraction ion diode development, and ion beam transport and focusing. The SABRE design allows the system to operate in either positive polarity output for ion extraction applications ormore » negative polarity output for more conventional electron beam loads. Details of the design of SABRE and the results of initial machine performance in negative polarity operation are presented in this paper. 13 refs., 12 figs., 1 tab.« less

Proton beam spatial distribution and Bragg peak imaging by photoluminescence of color centers in lithium fluoride crystals at the TOP-IMPLART linear accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piccinini, M.; Ronsivalle, C.; Ampollini, A.; Bazzano, G.; Picardi, L.; Nenzi, P.; Trinca, E.; Vadrucci, M.; Bonfigli, F.; Nichelatti, E.; Vincenti, M. A.; Montereali, R. M.

2017-11-01

Solid-state radiation detectors based on the photoluminescence of stable point defects in lithium fluoride crystals have been used for advanced diagnostics during the commissioning of the segment up to 27 MeV of the TOP-IMPLART proton linear accelerator for proton therapy applications, under development at ENEA C.R. Frascati, Italy. The LiF detectors high intrinsic spatial resolution and wide dynamic range allow obtaining two-dimensional images of the beam transverse intensity distribution and also identifying the Bragg peak position with micrometric precision by using a conventional optical fluorescence microscope. Results of the proton beam characterization, among which, the estimation of beam energy components and dynamics, are reported and discussed for different operating conditions of the accelerator.

SU-F-E-06: Dosimetric Characterization of Small Photons Beams of a Novel Linear Accelerator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Almonte, A; Polanco, G; Sanchez, E

2016-06-15

Purpose: The aim of the present contribution was to measure the main dosimetric quantities of small fields produced by UNIQUE and evaluate its matching with the corresponding dosimetric data of one 21EX conventional linear accelerator (Varian) in operation at the same center. The second step was to evaluate comparative performance of the EDGE diode detector and the PinPoint micro-ionization chamber for dosimetry of small fields. Methods: UNIQUE is configured with MLC (120 leaves with 0.5 cm leaf width) and a single low photon energy of 6 MV. Beam data were measured with scanning EDGE diode detector (volume of 0.019 mm{supmore » 3}), a PinPoint micro-ionization chamber (PTW) and for larger fields (≥ 4×4cm{sup 2}) a PTW Semi flex chamber (0.125 cm{sup 3}) was used. The scanning system used was the 3D cylindrical tank manufactured by Sun Nuclear, Inc. The measurement of PDD and profiles were done at 100 cm SSD and 1.5 depth; the relative output factors were measured at 10 cm depth. Results: PDD and the profile data showed less than 1% variation between the two linear accelerators for fields size between 2×2 cm{sup 2} and 5×5cm{sup 2}. Output factor differences was less than 1% for field sizes between 3×3 cm{sup 2} and 10×10 cm{sup 2} and less of 1.5 % for fields of 1.5×1.5 cm{sup 2} and 2×2 cm{sup 2} respectively. The dmax value of the EDGE diode detector, measured from the PDD, was 8.347 mm for 0.5×0,5cm{sup 2} for UNIQUE. The performance of EDGE diode detector was comparable for all measurements in small fields. Conclusion: UNIQUE linear accelerator show similar dosimetrics characteristics as conventional 21EX Varian linear accelerator for small, medium and large field sizes.EDGE detector show good performance by measuring dosimetrics quantities in small fields typically used in IMRT and radiosurgery treatments.« less

Linear fixed-field multipass arcs for recirculating linear accelerators

DOE PAGES

Morozov, V. S.; Bogacz, S. A.; Roblin, Y. R.; ...

2012-06-14

Recirculating Linear Accelerators (RLA's) provide a compact and efficient way of accelerating particle beams to medium and high energies by reusing the same linac for multiple passes. In the conventional scheme, after each pass, the different energy beams coming out of the linac are separated and directed into appropriate arcs for recirculation, with each pass requiring a separate fixed-energy arc. In this paper we present a concept of an RLA return arc based on linear combined-function magnets, in which two and potentially more consecutive passes with very different energies are transported through the same string of magnets. By adjusting themore » dipole and quadrupole components of the constituting linear combined-function magnets, the arc is designed to be achromatic and to have zero initial and final reference orbit offsets for all transported beam energies. We demonstrate the concept by developing a design for a droplet-shaped return arc for a dog-bone RLA capable of transporting two beam passes with momenta different by a factor of two. Finally, we present the results of tracking simulations of the two passes and lay out the path to end-to-end design and simulation of a complete dog-bone RLA.« less

Comparison of conventional and novel quadrupole drift tube magnets inspired by Klaus Halbach

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Feinberg, B.

1995-02-01

Quadrupole drift tube magnets for a heavy-ion linac provide a demanding application of magnet technology. A comparison is made of three different solutions to the problem of providing an adjustable high-field-strength quadrupole magnet in a small volume. A conventional tape-wound electromagnet quadrupole magnet (conventional) is compared with an adjustable permanent-magnet/iron quadrupole magnet (hybrid) and a laced permanent-magnet/iron/electromagnet (laced). Data is presented from magnets constructed for the SuperHILAC heavy-ion linear accelerator, and conclusions are drawn for various applications.

Gain-Scheduled Complementary Filter Design for a MEMS Based Attitude and Heading Reference System

PubMed Central

Yoo, Tae Suk; Hong, Sung Kyung; Yoon, Hyok Min; Park, Sungsu

2011-01-01

This paper describes a robust and simple algorithm for an attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) based on low-cost MEMS inertial and magnetic sensors. The proposed approach relies on a gain-scheduled complementary filter, augmented by an acceleration-based switching architecture to yield robust performance, even when the vehicle is subject to strong accelerations. Experimental results are provided for a road captive test during which the vehicle dynamics are in high-acceleration mode and the performance of the proposed filter is evaluated against the output from a conventional linear complementary filter. PMID:22163824

Small-scale laser based electron accelerators for biology and medicine: a comparative study of the biological effectiveness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Labate, Luca; Andreassi, Maria Grazia; Baffigi, Federica; Basta, Giuseppina; Bizzarri, Ranieri; Borghini, Andrea; Candiano, Giuliana C.; Casarino, Carlo; Cresci, Monica; Di Martino, Fabio; Fulgentini, Lorenzo; Ghetti, Francesco; Gilardi, Maria Carla; Giulietti, Antonio; Köster, Petra; Lenci, Francesco; Levato, Tadzio; Oishi, Yuji; Russo, Giorgio; Sgarbossa, Antonella; Traino, Claudio; Gizzi, Leonida A.

2013-05-01

Laser-driven electron accelerators based on the Laser Wakefield Acceleration process has entered a mature phase to be considered as alternative devices to conventional radiofrequency linear accelerators used in medical applications. Before entering the medical practice, however, deep studies of the radiobiological effects of such short bunches as the ones produced by laser-driven accelerators have to be performed. Here we report on the setup, characterization and first test of a small-scale laser accelerator for radiobiology experiments. A brief description of the experimental setup will be given at first, followed by an overview of the electron bunch characterization, in particular in terms of dose delivered to the samples. Finally, the first results from the irradiation of biological samples will be briefly discussed.

Potential applications of the dielectric wakefield accelerators in the SINBAD facility at DESY

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nie, Y. C.; Assmann, R.; Dorda, U.; Marchetti, B.; Weikum, M.; Zhu, J.; Hüning, M.

2016-09-01

Short, high-brightness relativistic electron bunches can drive ultra-high wakefields in the dielectric wakefield accelerators (DWFAs). This effect can be used to generate high power THz coherent Cherenkov radiation, accelerate a witness bunch with gradient two or three orders of magnitude larger than that in the conventional RF linear accelerators, introduce energy modulation within the driving bunch itself, etc. The paper studies potential applications of the DWFAs in the SINBAD facility at DESY. The simulations show that the ultra-short relativistic bunches from the SINBAD injector ARES can excite accelerating wakefields with peak amplitudes as high as GV/m at THz frequencies in proper DWFA structures. In addition, it illustrates that the DWFA structure can serve as a dechirper to compensate the correlated energy spread of the bunches accelerated by the laser plasma wakefield accelerator.

SU-E-T-197: Helical Cranial-Spinal Treatments with a Linear Accelerator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Anderson, J; Bernard, D; Liao, Y

2014-06-01

Purpose: Craniospinal irradiation (CSI) of systemic disease requires a high level of beam intensity modulation to reduce dose to bone marrow and other critical structures. Current helical delivery machines can take 30 minutes or more of beam-on time to complete these treatments. This pilot study aims to test the feasibility of performing helical treatments with a conventional linear accelerator using longitudinal couch travel during multiple gantry revolutions. Methods: The VMAT optimization package of the Eclipse 10.0 treatment planning system was used to optimize pseudo-helical CSI plans of 5 clinical patient scans. Each gantry revolution was divided into three 120° arcsmore » with each isocenter shifted longitudinally. Treatments requiring more than the maximum 10 arcs used multiple plans with each plan after the first being optimized including the dose of the others (Figure 1). The beam pitch was varied between 0.2 and 0.9 (couch speed 5- 20cm/revolution and field width of 22cm) and dose-volume histograms of critical organs were compared to tomotherapy plans. Results: Viable pseudo-helical plans were achieved using Eclipse. Decreasing the pitch from 0.9 to 0.2 lowered the maximum lens dose by 40%, the mean bone marrow dose by 2.1% and the maximum esophagus dose by 17.5%. (Figure 2). Linac-based helical plans showed dose results comparable to tomotherapy delivery for both target coverage and critical organ sparing, with the D50 of bone marrow and esophagus respectively 12% and 31% lower in the helical linear accelerator plan (Figure 3). Total mean beam-on time for the linear accelerator plan was 8.3 minutes, 54% faster than the tomotherapy average for the same plans. Conclusions: This pilot study has demonstrated the feasibility of planning pseudo-helical treatments for CSI targets using a conventional linac and dynamic couch movement, and supports the ongoing development of true helical optimization and delivery.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rafat, M; Bazalova, M; Palma, B

Purpose: To characterize the effect of very rapid dose delivery as compared to conventional therapeutic irradiation times on clonogenic cell survival. Methods: We used a Varian Trilogy linear accelerator to deliver doses up to 10 Gy using a 6 MV SRS photon beam. We irradiated four cancer cell lines in times ranging from 30 sec to 30 min. We also used a Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator to deliver 9 MeV electrons at 10 Gy in 10 s to 30 min to determine the effect of irradiation time on cell survival. We then evaluated the effect of using 60 and 120more » MeV electrons on cell survival using the Next Linear Collider Test Accelerator (NLCTA) beam line at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. During irradiation, adherent cells were maintained at 37oC with 20%O2/5%CO2. Clonogenic assays were completed following irradiation to determine changes in cell survival due to dose delivery time and beam quality, and the survival data were fitted with the linear-quadratic model. Results: Cell lines varied in radiosensitivity, ranging from two to four logs of cell kill at 10 Gy for both conventional and very rapid irradiation. Delivering radiation in shorter times decreased survival in all cell lines. Log differences in cell kill ranged from 0.2 to 0.7 at 10 Gy for the short compared to the long irradiation time. Cell kill differences between short and long irradiations were more pronounced as doses increased for all cell lines. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that shortening delivery of therapeutic radiation doses to less than 1 minute may improve tumor cell kill. This study demonstrates the potential advantage of technologies under development to deliver stereotactic ablative radiation doses very rapidly. Bill Loo and Peter Maxim have received Honoraria from Varian and Research Support from Varian and RaySearch.« less

Some Alignment Considerations for the Next Linear Collider

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ruland, R

Next Linear Collider type accelerators require a new level of alignment quality. The relative alignment of these machines is to be maintained in an error envelope dimensioned in micrometers and for certain parts in nanometers. In the nanometer domain our terra firma cannot be considered monolithic but compares closer to jelly. Since conventional optical alignment methods cannot deal with the dynamics and cannot approach the level of accuracy, special alignment and monitoring techniques must be pursued.

Proton Injection into the Fermilab Integrable Optics Test Accelerator (IOTA)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Prebys, Eric; Antipov, Sergey; Piekarz, Henryk

The Integrable Optics Test Accelerator (IOTA) is an experimental synchrotron being built at Fermilab to test the concept of non-linear "integrable optics". These optics are based on a lattice including non-linear elements that satisfies particular conditions on the Hamiltonian. The resulting particle motion is predicted to be stable but without a unique tune. The system is therefore insensitive to resonant instabilities and can in principle store very intense beams, with space charge tune shifts larger than those which are possible in conventional linear synchrotrons. The ring will initially be tested with pencil electron beams, but this poster describes the ultimatemore » plan to install a 2.5 MeV RFQ to inject protons, which will produce tune shifts on the order of unity. Technical details will be presented, as well as simulations of protons in the ring.« less

Guided post-acceleration of laser-driven ions by a miniature modular structure

PubMed Central

Kar, Satyabrata; Ahmed, Hamad; Prasad, Rajendra; Cerchez, Mirela; Brauckmann, Stephanie; Aurand, Bastian; Cantono, Giada; Hadjisolomou, Prokopis; Lewis, Ciaran L. S.; Macchi, Andrea; Nersisyan, Gagik; Robinson, Alexander P. L.; Schroer, Anna M.; Swantusch, Marco; Zepf, Matt; Willi, Oswald; Borghesi, Marco

2016-01-01

All-optical approaches to particle acceleration are currently attracting a significant research effort internationally. Although characterized by exceptional transverse and longitudinal emittance, laser-driven ion beams currently have limitations in terms of peak ion energy, bandwidth of the energy spectrum and beam divergence. Here we introduce the concept of a versatile, miniature linear accelerating module, which, by employing laser-excited electromagnetic pulses directed along a helical path surrounding the laser-accelerated ion beams, addresses these shortcomings simultaneously. In a proof-of-principle experiment on a university-scale system, we demonstrate post-acceleration of laser-driven protons from a flat foil at a rate of 0.5 GeV m−1, already beyond what can be sustained by conventional accelerator technologies, with dynamic beam collimation and energy selection. These results open up new opportunities for the development of extremely compact and cost-effective ion accelerators for both established and innovative applications. PMID:27089200

Low Emittance, High Brilliance Relativistic Electron Beams from a Laser-Plasma Accelerator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brunetti, E.; Shanks, R. P.; Manahan, G. G.

2010-11-19

Progress in laser wakefield accelerators indicates their suitability as a driver of compact free-electron lasers (FELs). High brightness is defined by the normalized transverse emittance, which should be less than 1{pi} mm mrad for an x-ray FEL. We report high-resolution measurements of the emittance of 125 MeV, monoenergetic beams from a wakefield accelerator. An emittance as low as 1.1{+-}0.1{pi} mm mrad is measured using a pepper-pot mask. This sets an upper limit on the emittance, which is comparable with conventional linear accelerators. A peak transverse brightness of 5x10{sup 15} A m{sup -1} rad{sup -1} makes it suitable for compact XUVmore » FELs.« less

Biological responses of human solid tumor cells to X-ray irradiation within a 1.5-Tesla magnetic field generated by a magnetic resonance imaging-linear accelerator.

PubMed

Wang, Li; Hoogcarspel, Stan Jelle; Wen, Zhifei; van Vulpen, Marco; Molkentine, David P; Kok, Jan; Lin, Steven H; Broekhuizen, Roel; Ang, Kie-Kian; Bovenschen, Niels; Raaymakers, Bas W; Frank, Steven J

2016-10-01

Devices that combine magnetic resonance imaging with linear accelerators (MRL) represent a novel tool for MR-guided radiotherapy. However, whether magnetic fields (MFs) generated by these devices affect the radiosensitivity of tumors is unknown. We investigated the influence of a 1.5-T MF on cell viability and radioresponse of human solid tumors. Human head/neck cancer and lung cancer cells were exposed to single or fractionated 6-MV X-ray radiation; effects of the MF on cell viability were determined by cell plating efficiency and on radioresponsiveness by clonogenic cell survival. Doses needed to reduce the fraction of surviving cells to 37% of the initial value (D0s) were calculated for multiple exposures to MF and radiation. Results were analyzed using Student's t-tests. Cell viability was no different after single or multiple exposures to MRL than after exposure to a conventional linear accelerator (Linac, without MR-generated MF) in 12 of 15 experiments (all P > 0.05). Single or multiple exposures to MF had no influence on cell radioresponse (all P > 0.05). Cells treated up to four times with an MRL or a Linac further showed no changes in D0s with MF versus without MF (all P > 0.05). In conclusion, MF within the MRL does not seem to affect in vitro tumor radioresponsiveness as compared with a conventional Linac. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:471-480, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Conceptual design of an intense positron source based on an LIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Long, Ji-Dong; Yang, Zhen; Dong, Pan; Shi, Jin-Shui

2012-04-01

Accelerator based positron sources are widely used due to their high intensity. Most of these accelerators are RF accelerators. An LIA (linear induction accelerator) is a kind of high current pulsed accelerator used for radiography. A conceptual design of an intense pulsed positron source based on an LIA is presented in the paper. One advantage of an LIA is its pulsed power being higher than conventional accelerators, which means a higher amount of primary electrons for positron generations per pulse. Another advantage of an LIA is that it is very suitable to decelerate the positron bunch generated by bremsstrahlung pair process due to its ability to adjustably shape the voltage pulse. By implementing LIA cavities to decelerate the positron bunch before it is moderated, the positron yield could be greatly increased. These features may make the LIA based positron source become a high intensity pulsed positron source.

A pixel detector system for laser-accelerated ion detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reinhardt, S.; Draxinger, W.; Schreiber, J.; Assmann, W.

2013-03-01

Laser ion acceleration is an unique acceleration process that creates ultra-short ion pulses of high intensity ( > 107 ions/cm2/ns), which makes online detection an ambitious task. Non-electronic detectors such as radio-chromic films (RCF), imaging plates (IP) or nuclear track detectors (e.g. CR39) are broadly used at present. Only offline information on ion pulse intensity and position are available by these detectors, as minutes to hours of processing time are required after their exposure. With increasing pulse repetition rate of the laser system, there is a growing need for detection of laser accelerated ions in real-time. Therefore, we have investigated a commercial pixel detector system for online detection of laser-accelerated proton pulses. The CMOS imager RadEye1 was chosen, which is based on a photodiode array, 512 × 1024 pixels with 48 μm pixel pitch, thus offering a large sensitive area of approximately 25 × 50 mm2. First detection tests were accomplished at the conventional electrostatic 14 MV Tandem accelerator in Munich as well as Atlas laser accelerator. Detector response measurements at the conventional accelerator have been accomplished in a proton beam in dc (15 MeV) and pulsed (20 MeV) irradiation mode, the latter providing comparable particle flux as under laser acceleration conditions. Radiation hardness of the device was studied using protons (20 MeV) and C-ions (77 MeV), additionally. The detector system shows a linear response up to a maximum pulse flux of about 107 protons/cm2/ns. Single particle detection is possible in a low flux beam (104 protons/cm2/s) for all investigated energies. The radiation hardness has shown to give reasonable lifetime for an application at the laser accelerator. The results from the irradiation at a conventional accelerator are confirmed by a cross-calibration with CR39 in a laser-accelerated proton beam at the MPQ Atlas Laser in Garching, showing no problems of detector operation in presence of electro-magnetic pulse (EMP). The calibrated detector system was finally used for online detection of laser-accelerated proton and carbon ions at the Astra-Gemini laser.

Investigations into dual-grating THz-driven accelerators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Y.; Ischebeck, R.; Dehler, M.; Ferrari, E.; Hiller, N.; Jamison, S.; Xia, G.; Hanahoe, K.; Li, Y.; Smith, J. D. A.; Welsch, C. P.

2018-01-01

Advanced acceleration technologies are receiving considerable interest in order to miniaturize future particle accelerators. One such technology is the dual-grating dielectric structures, which can support accelerating fields one to two orders of magnitude higher than the metal RF cavities in conventional accelerators. This opens up the possibility of enabling high accelerating gradients of up to several GV/m. This paper investigates numerically a quartz dual-grating structure which is driven by THz pulses to accelerate electrons. Geometry optimizations are carried out to achieve the trade-offs between accelerating gradient and vacuum channel gap. A realistic electron bunch available from the future Compact Linear Accelerator for Research and Applications (CLARA) is loaded into an optimized 100-period dual-grating structure for a detailed wakefield study. A THz pulse is then employed to interact with this CLARA bunch in the optimized structure. The computed beam quality is analyzed in terms of emittance, energy spread and loaded accelerating gradient. The simulations show that an accelerating gradient of 348 ± 12 MV/m with an emittance growth of 3.0% can be obtained.

Lowering whole-body radiation doses in pediatric intensity-modulated radiotherapy through the use of unflattened photon beams.

PubMed

Cashmore, Jason; Ramtohul, Mark; Ford, Dan

2011-07-15

Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has been linked with an increased risk of secondary cancer induction due to the extra leakage radiation associated with delivery of these techniques. Removal of the flattening filter offers a simple way of reducing head leakage, and it may be possible to generate equivalent IMRT plans and to deliver these on a standard linear accelerator operating in unflattened mode. An Elekta Precise linear accelerator has been commissioned to operate in both conventional and unflattened modes (energy matched at 6 MV) and a direct comparison made between the treatment planning and delivery of pediatric intracranial treatments using both approaches. These plans have been evaluated and delivered to an anthropomorphic phantom. Plans generated in unflattened mode are clinically identical to those for conventional IMRT but can be delivered with greatly reduced leakage radiation. Measurements in an anthropomorphic phantom at clinically relevant positions including the thyroid, lung, ovaries, and testes show an average reduction in peripheral doses of 23.7%, 29.9%, 64.9%, and 70.0%, respectively, for identical plan delivery compared to conventional IMRT. IMRT delivery in unflattened mode removes an unwanted and unnecessary source of scatter from the treatment head and lowers leakage doses by up to 70%, thereby reducing the risk of radiation-induced second cancers. Removal of the flattening filter is recommended for IMRT treatments. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comments on shielding for dual energy accelerators.

PubMed

Rossi, M C; Lincoln, H M; Quarin, D J; Zwicker, R D

2008-06-01

Determination of shielding requirements for medical linear accelerators has been greatly facilitated by the publication of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) latest guidelines on this subject in NCRP Report No. 151. In the present report the authors review their own recent experience with patient treatments on conventional dual energy linear accelerators to examine the various input parameters needed to follow the NCRP guidelines. Some discussion is included of workloads, occupancy, use factors, and field size, with the effects of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) treatments included. Studies of collimator settings showed average values of 13.1 x 16.2 cm2 for 6 MV and 14.1 x 16.8 cm2 for 18 MV conventional ports, and corresponding average unblocked areas of 228 and 254 cm2, respectively. With an average of 77% of the field area unblocked, this gives a mean irradiated area of 196 cm2 for the 18 MV beam, which dominates shielding considerations for most dual energy machines. Assuming conservatively small room dimensions, a gantry bin angle of 18 degrees was found to represent a reasonable unit for tabulation of use factors. For conventional 18 MV treatments it was found that the usual treatment angles of 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees were still favored, and use factors of 0.25 represent reasonable estimates for these beams. As expected, the IMRT fields (all at 6 MV) showed a high degree of gantry angle randomization, with no bin having a use factor in excess of 0.10. It is concluded that unless a significant number of patients are treated with high energy IMRT, the traditional use factors of 0.25 are appropriate for the dominant high energy beam.

Quasi-monoenergetic laser-plasma acceleration of electrons to 2 GeV

PubMed Central

Wang, Xiaoming; Zgadzaj, Rafal; Fazel, Neil; Li, Zhengyan; Yi, S. A.; Zhang, Xi; Henderson, Watson; Chang, Y.-Y.; Korzekwa, R.; Tsai, H.-E.; Pai, C.-H.; Quevedo, H.; Dyer, G.; Gaul, E.; Martinez, M.; Bernstein, A. C.; Borger, T.; Spinks, M.; Donovan, M.; Khudik, V.; Shvets, G.; Ditmire, T.; Downer, M. C.

2013-01-01

Laser-plasma accelerators of only a centimetre’s length have produced nearly monoenergetic electron bunches with energy as high as 1 GeV. Scaling these compact accelerators to multi-gigaelectronvolt energy would open the prospect of building X-ray free-electron lasers and linear colliders hundreds of times smaller than conventional facilities, but the 1 GeV barrier has so far proven insurmountable. Here, by applying new petawatt laser technology, we produce electron bunches with a spectrum prominently peaked at 2 GeV with only a few per cent energy spread and unprecedented sub-milliradian divergence. Petawatt pulses inject ambient plasma electrons into the laser-driven accelerator at much lower density than was previously possible, thereby overcoming the principal physical barriers to multi-gigaelectronvolt acceleration: dephasing between laser-driven wake and accelerating electrons and laser pulse erosion. Simulations indicate that with improvements in the laser-pulse focus quality, acceleration to nearly 10 GeV should be possible with the available pulse energy. PMID:23756359

Supercomputer algorithms for efficient linear octree encoding of three-dimensional brain images.

PubMed

Berger, S B; Reis, D J

1995-02-01

We designed and implemented algorithms for three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of brain images from serial sections using two important supercomputer architectures, vector and parallel. These architectures were represented by the Cray YMP and Connection Machine CM-2, respectively. The programs operated on linear octree representations of the brain data sets, and achieved 500-800 times acceleration when compared with a conventional laboratory workstation. As the need for higher resolution data sets increases, supercomputer algorithms may offer a means of performing 3-D reconstruction well above current experimental limits.

A new compact structure for a high intensity low-energy heavy-ion accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhi-Jun; He, Yuan; A. Kolomiets, A.; Liu, Shu-Hui; Du, Xiao-Nan; Jia, Huan; Li, Chao; Wang, Wang-Sheng; Chen, Xi-Meng

2013-12-01

A new compact accelerating structure named Hybrid RFQ is proposed to accelerate a high-intensity low-energy heavy ion beam in HISCL (High Intensive heavy ion SuperConducting Linear accelerator), which is an injector of HIAF (Heavy Ion Advanced Research Facility). It is combined by an alternative series of acceleration gaps and RFQ sections. The proposed structure has a high accelerating ability compared with a conventional RFQ and is more compact than traditional DTLs. A Hybrid RFQ is designed to accelerate 238U34+ from 0.38 MeV/u to 1.33 MeV/u. The operation frequency is described to be 81.25 MHz at CW (continuous wave) mode. The design beam current is 1.0 mA. The results of beam dynamics and RF simulation of the Hybrid RFQ show that the structure has a good performance at the energy range for ion acceleration. The emittance growth is less than 5% in both directions and the RF power is less than 150 kW. In this paper, the results of beam dynamics and RF simulation of the Hybrid RFQ are presented.

Lowering Whole-Body Radiation Doses in Pediatric Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy Through the Use of Unflattened Photon Beams;Flattening filter; Pediatric; Intensity-modulated radiotherapy; Second cancers; Radiation-induced malignancies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cashmore, Jason, E-mail: Jason.cashmore@uhb.nhs.uk; Ramtohul, Mark; Ford, Dan

Purpose: Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has been linked with an increased risk of secondary cancer induction due to the extra leakage radiation associated with delivery of these techniques. Removal of the flattening filter offers a simple way of reducing head leakage, and it may be possible to generate equivalent IMRT plans and to deliver these on a standard linear accelerator operating in unflattened mode. Methods and Materials: An Elekta Precise linear accelerator has been commissioned to operate in both conventional and unflattened modes (energy matched at 6 MV) and a direct comparison made between the treatment planning and delivery ofmore » pediatric intracranial treatments using both approaches. These plans have been evaluated and delivered to an anthropomorphic phantom. Results: Plans generated in unflattened mode are clinically identical to those for conventional IMRT but can be delivered with greatly reduced leakage radiation. Measurements in an anthropomorphic phantom at clinically relevant positions including the thyroid, lung, ovaries, and testes show an average reduction in peripheral doses of 23.7%, 29.9%, 64.9%, and 70.0%, respectively, for identical plan delivery compared to conventional IMRT. Conclusions: IMRT delivery in unflattened mode removes an unwanted and unnecessary source of scatter from the treatment head and lowers leakage doses by up to 70%, thereby reducing the risk of radiation-induced second cancers. Removal of the flattening filter is recommended for IMRT treatments.« less

Monte Carlo simulation for Neptun 10 PC medical linear accelerator and calculations of output factor for electron beam

PubMed Central

Bahreyni Toossi, Mohammad Taghi; Momennezhad, Mehdi; Hashemi, Seyed Mohammad

2012-01-01

Aim Exact knowledge of dosimetric parameters is an essential pre-requisite of an effective treatment in radiotherapy. In order to fulfill this consideration, different techniques have been used, one of which is Monte Carlo simulation. Materials and methods This study used the MCNP-4Cb to simulate electron beams from Neptun 10 PC medical linear accelerator. Output factors for 6, 8 and 10 MeV electrons applied to eleven different conventional fields were both measured and calculated. Results The measurements were carried out by a Wellhofler-Scanditronix dose scanning system. Our findings revealed that output factors acquired by MCNP-4C simulation and the corresponding values obtained by direct measurements are in a very good agreement. Conclusion In general, very good consistency of simulated and measured results is a good proof that the goal of this work has been accomplished. PMID:24377010

Variable Acceleration Force Calibration System (VACS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhew, Ray D.; Parker, Peter A.; Johnson, Thomas H.; Landman, Drew

2014-01-01

Conventionally, force balances have been calibrated manually, using a complex system of free hanging precision weights, bell cranks, and/or other mechanical components. Conventional methods may provide sufficient accuracy in some instances, but are often quite complex and labor-intensive, requiring three to four man-weeks to complete each full calibration. To ensure accuracy, gravity-based loading is typically utilized. However, this often causes difficulty when applying loads in three simultaneous, orthogonal axes. A complex system of levers, cranks, and cables must be used, introducing increased sources of systematic error, and significantly increasing the time and labor intensity required to complete the calibration. One aspect of the VACS is a method wherein the mass utilized for calibration is held constant, and the acceleration is changed to thereby generate relatively large forces with relatively small test masses. Multiple forces can be applied to a force balance without changing the test mass, and dynamic forces can be applied by rotation or oscillating acceleration. If rotational motion is utilized, a mass is rigidly attached to a force balance, and the mass is exposed to a rotational field. A large force can be applied by utilizing a large rotational velocity. A centrifuge or rotating table can be used to create the rotational field, and fixtures can be utilized to position the force balance. The acceleration may also be linear. For example, a table that moves linearly and accelerates in a sinusoidal manner may also be utilized. The test mass does not have to move in a path that is parallel to the ground, and no re-leveling is therefore required. Balance deflection corrections may be applied passively by monitoring the orientation of the force balance with a three-axis accelerometer package. Deflections are measured during each test run, and adjustments with respect to the true applied load can be made during the post-processing stage. This paper will present the development and testing of the VASC concept.

Development of new S-band RF window for stable high-power operation in linear accelerator RF system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joo, Youngdo; Lee, Byung-Joon; Kim, Seung-Hwan; Kong, Hyung-Sup; Hwang, Woonha; Roh, Sungjoo; Ryu, Jiwan

2017-09-01

For stable high-power operation, a new RF window is developed in the S-band linear accelerator (Linac) RF systems of the Pohang Light Source-II (PLS-II) and the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory X-ray Free-Electron Laser (PAL-XFEL). The new RF window is designed to mitigate the strength of the electric field at the ceramic disk and also at the waveguide-cavity coupling structure of the conventional RF window. By replacing the pill-box type cavity in the conventional RF window with an overmoded cavity, the electric field component perpendicular to the ceramic disk that caused most of the multipacting breakdowns in the ceramic disk was reduced by an order of magnitude. The reduced electric field at the ceramic disk eliminated the Ti-N coating process on the ceramic surface in the fabrication procedure of the new RF window, preventing the incomplete coating from spoiling the RF transmission and lowering the fabrication cost. The overmoded cavity was coupled with input and output waveguides through dual side-wall coupling irises to reduce the electric field strength at the waveguide-cavity coupling structure and the possibility of mode competitions in the overmoded cavity. A prototype of the new RF window was fabricated and fully tested with the Klystron peak input power, pulse duration and pulse repetition rate of 75 MW, 4.5 μs and 10 Hz, respectively, at the high-power test stand. The first mass-produced new RF window installed in the PLS-II Linac is running in normal operation mode. No fault is reported to date. Plans are being made to install the new RF window to all S-band accelerator RF modules of the PLS-II and PAL-XFEL Linacs. This new RF window may be applied to the output windows of S-band power sources like Klystron as wells as the waveguide windows of accelerator facilities which operate in S-band.

Pulsed-focusing recirculating linacs for muon acceleration

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Johnson, Rolland

2014-12-31

Since the muon has a short lifetime, fast acceleration is essential for high-energy applications such as muon colliders, Higgs factories, or neutrino factories. The best one can do is to make a linear accelerator with the highest possible accelerating gradient to make the accelerating time as short as possible. However, the cost of such a single linear accelerator is prohibitively large due to expensive power sources, cavities, tunnels, and related infrastructure. As was demonstrated in the Thomas Jefferson Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF), an elegant solution to reduce cost is to use magnetic return arcsmore » to recirculate the beam through the accelerating RF cavities many times, where they gain energy on each pass. In such a Recirculating Linear Accelerator (RLA), the magnetic focusing strength diminishes as the beam energy increases in a conventional linac that has constant strength quadrupoles. After some number of passes the focusing strength is insufficient to keep the beam from going unstable and being lost. In this project, the use of fast pulsed quadrupoles in the linac sections was considered for stronger focusing as a function of time to allow more successive passes of a muon beam in a recirculating linear accelerator. In one simulation, it was shown that the number of passes could be increased from 8 to 12 using pulsed magnet designs that have been developed and tested. This could reduce the cost of linac sections of a muon RLA by 8/12, where more improvement is still possible. The expense of a greater number of passes and corresponding number of return arcs was also addressed in this project by exploring the use of ramped or FFAG-style magnets in the return arcs. A better solution, invented in this project, is to use combined-function dipole-quadrupole magnets to simultaneously transport two beams of different energies through one magnet string to reduce costs of return arcs by almost a factor of two. A patent application was filed for this invention and a detailed report published in Physical Review Special Topics. A scaled model using an electron beam was developed and proposed to test the concept of a dog bone RLA with combined-function return arcs. The efforts supported by this grant were reported in a series of contributions to particle accelerator conferences that are reproduced in the appendices and summarized in the body of this report.« less

Laser ion source with solenoid field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanesue, Takeshi; Fuwa, Yasuhiro; Kondo, Kotaro; Okamura, Masahiro

2014-11-01

Pulse length extension of highly charged ion beam generated from a laser ion source is experimentally demonstrated. The laser ion source (LIS) has been recognized as one of the most powerful heavy ion source. However, it was difficult to provide long pulse beams. By applying a solenoid field (90 mT, 1 m) at plasma drifting section, a pulse length of carbon ion beam reached 3.2 μs which was 4.4 times longer than the width from a conventional LIS. The particle number of carbon ions accelerated by a radio frequency quadrupole linear accelerator was 1.2 × 1011, which was provided by a single 1 J Nd-YAG laser shot. A laser ion source with solenoid field could be used in a next generation heavy ion accelerator.

Field stabilization studies for a radio frequency quadrupole accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaur, R.; Kumar, V.

2014-07-01

The Radio Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) linear accelerator is an accelerator that efficiently focuses, bunches and accelerates a high intensity DC beam from an ion source, for various applications. Unlike other conventional RF linear accelerators, the electromagnetic mode used for its operation is not the lowest frequency mode supported by the structure. In a four vane type RFQ, there are several undesired electromagnetic modes having frequency close to that of the operating mode. While designing an RFQ accelerator, care must be taken to ensure that the frequencies of these nearby modes are sufficiently separated from the operating mode. If the undesired nearby modes have frequencies close to the operating mode, the electromagnetic field pattern in the presence of geometrical errors will not be stabilized to the desired field profile, and will be perturbed by the nearby modes. This will affect the beam dynamics and reduce the beam transmission. In this paper, we present a detailed study of the electromagnetic modes supported, which is followed by calculations for implementation of suitable techniques to make the desired operating mode stable against mixing with unwanted modes for an RFQ being designed for the proposed Indian Spallation Neutron Source (ISNS) project at Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore. Resonant coupling scheme, along with dipole stabilization rods has been proposed to increase the mode separation. The paper discusses the details of a generalized optimization procedure that has been used for the design of mode stabilization scheme.

Comparison of marginal accuracy of castings fabricated by conventional casting technique and accelerated casting technique: an in vitro study.

PubMed

Reddy, S Srikanth; Revathi, Kakkirala; Reddy, S Kranthikumar

2013-01-01

Conventional casting technique is time consuming when compared to accelerated casting technique. In this study, marginal accuracy of castings fabricated using accelerated and conventional casting technique was compared. 20 wax patterns were fabricated and the marginal discrepancy between the die and patterns were measured using Optical stereomicroscope. Ten wax patterns were used for Conventional casting and the rest for Accelerated casting. A Nickel-Chromium alloy was used for the casting. The castings were measured for marginal discrepancies and compared. Castings fabricated using Conventional casting technique showed less vertical marginal discrepancy than the castings fabricated by Accelerated casting technique. The values were statistically highly significant. Conventional casting technique produced better marginal accuracy when compared to Accelerated casting. The vertical marginal discrepancy produced by the Accelerated casting technique was well within the maximum clinical tolerance limits. Accelerated casting technique can be used to save lab time to fabricate clinical crowns with acceptable vertical marginal discrepancy.

Ultra-high vacuum photoelectron linear accelerator

DOEpatents

Yu, David U.L.; Luo, Yan

2013-07-16

An rf linear accelerator for producing an electron beam. The outer wall of the rf cavity of said linear accelerator being perforated to allow gas inside said rf cavity to flow to a pressure chamber surrounding said rf cavity and having means of ultra high vacuum pumping of the cathode of said rf linear accelerator. Said rf linear accelerator is used to accelerate polarized or unpolarized electrons produced by a photocathode, or to accelerate thermally heated electrons produced by a thermionic cathode, or to accelerate rf heated field emission electrons produced by a field emission cathode.

Laser ion source with solenoid field

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kanesue, Takeshi, E-mail: tkanesue@bnl.gov; Okamura, Masahiro; Fuwa, Yasuhiro

2014-11-10

Pulse length extension of highly charged ion beam generated from a laser ion source is experimentally demonstrated. The laser ion source (LIS) has been recognized as one of the most powerful heavy ion source. However, it was difficult to provide long pulse beams. By applying a solenoid field (90 mT, 1 m) at plasma drifting section, a pulse length of carbon ion beam reached 3.2 μs which was 4.4 times longer than the width from a conventional LIS. The particle number of carbon ions accelerated by a radio frequency quadrupole linear accelerator was 1.2 × 10{sup 11}, which was provided by a single 1 J Nd-YAGmore » laser shot. A laser ion source with solenoid field could be used in a next generation heavy ion accelerator.« less

Laser ion source with solenoid field

DOE PAGES

Kanesue, Takeshi; Fuwa, Yasuhiro; Kondo, Kotaro; ...

2014-11-12

Pulse length extension of highly charged ion beam generated from a laser ion source is experimentally demonstrated. In this study, the laser ion source (LIS) has been recognized as one of the most powerful heavy ion source. However, it was difficult to provide long pulse beams. By applying a solenoid field (90 mT, 1 m) at plasma drifting section, a pulse length of carbon ion beam reached 3.2 μs which was 4.4 times longer than the width from a conventional LIS. The particle number of carbon ions accelerated by a radio frequency quadrupole linear accelerator was 1.2 × 10 11,more » which was provided by a single 1 J Nd-YAG laser shot. A laser ion source with solenoid field could be used in a next generation heavy ion accelerator.« less

Poster — Thur Eve — 28: Enabling trajectory-based radiotherapy on a TrueBeam accelerator with the Eclipse treatment planning system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mullins, J; Asiev, K; DeBlois, F

2014-08-15

The TrueBeam linear accelerator platform has a developer's mode which permits the user dynamic control over many of the machine's mechanical and radiation systems. Using this research tool, synchronous couch and gantry motion can be programmed to simulate isocentric treatment with a shortened SAD, with benefits such as smaller projected MLC leaf widths and an increased dose rate. In this work, water tank measurements were used to commission a virtual linear accelerator with an 85 cm SAD in Eclipse, from which several arc-based radiotherapy treatments were generated, including an inverse optimized VMAT delivery. For each plan, the pertinent treatment deliverymore » information was extracted from control points specified in the Eclipse-exported DICOM files using the pydicom package in Python, allowing construction of an XML control file. The dimensions of the jaws and MLC positions, defined for an 85 cm SAD in Eclipse, were scaled for delivery on a conventional SAD linear accelerator, and translational couch motion was added as a function of gantry angle to simulate delivery at 85 cm SAD. Ionization chamber and Gafchromic film measurements were used to compare the radiation delivery to dose calculations in Eclipse. With the exception of the VMAT delivery, ionization chamber measurements agreed within 3.3% of the Eclipse calculations. For the VMAT delivery, the ionization chamber was located in an inhomogeneous region, but gamma evaluation of the Gafchromic film plane resulted in a 94.5% passing rate using criteria of 3 mm/3%. The results indicate that Eclipse calculation infrastructure can be used.« less

Multipurpose neutron generators based on the radio frequency quadrupole linear accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamm, Robert W.

2000-12-01

Neutron generators based on the Radio Frequency Quadrupole accelerator are now used for a variety of applications. These compact linear accelerators can produce from 108 to more than 1013 neutrons/second using either proton or deuteron beams to bombard beryllium targets. They exhibit long lifetimes at full output, as there is little target or beam degradation. Since they do not use radioactive materials, licensing requirements are less stringent than for isotopic sources or tritium sealed tube generators. The light weight and compact size of these robust systems make them transportable. The low divergence output beam from the RFQ also allows use of a remote target, which can reduce the seize of the shielding and moderator. The RFQ linac can be designed with a wide range of output beam energy and used with other targets such as lithium and deuterium to produce a neutron spectrum tailored to a specific application. These pulsed systems are well-suited for applications requiring a high peak neutron flux, including activation analysis of very short-lived reaction products. They can replace conventional sources in non-destructive testing applications such as thermal or fast neutron radiography, and can also be used for cancer therapy.

GPU-accelerated non-uniform fast Fourier transform-based compressive sensing spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Xu, Daguang; Huang, Yong; Kang, Jin U

2014-06-16

We implemented the graphics processing unit (GPU) accelerated compressive sensing (CS) non-uniform in k-space spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT). Kaiser-Bessel (KB) function and Gaussian function are used independently as the convolution kernel in the gridding-based non-uniform fast Fourier transform (NUFFT) algorithm with different oversampling ratios and kernel widths. Our implementation is compared with the GPU-accelerated modified non-uniform discrete Fourier transform (MNUDFT) matrix-based CS SD OCT and the GPU-accelerated fast Fourier transform (FFT)-based CS SD OCT. It was found that our implementation has comparable performance to the GPU-accelerated MNUDFT-based CS SD OCT in terms of image quality while providing more than 5 times speed enhancement. When compared to the GPU-accelerated FFT based-CS SD OCT, it shows smaller background noise and less side lobes while eliminating the need for the cumbersome k-space grid filling and the k-linear calibration procedure. Finally, we demonstrated that by using a conventional desktop computer architecture having three GPUs, real-time B-mode imaging can be obtained in excess of 30 fps for the GPU-accelerated NUFFT based CS SD OCT with frame size 2048(axial) × 1,000(lateral).

Wide Linear Corticotomy and Anterior Segmental Osteotomy Under Local Anesthesia Combined Corticision for Correcting Severe Anterior Protrusion With Insufficient Alveolar Housing.

PubMed

Noh, Min-Ki; Lee, Baek-Soo; Kim, Shin-Yeop; Jeon, Hyeran Helen; Kim, Seong-Hun; Nelson, Gerald

2017-11-01

This article presents an alternate surgical treatment method to correct a severe anterior protrusion in an adult patient with an extremely thin alveolus. To accomplish an effective and efficient anterior segmental retraction without periodontal complications, the authors performed, under local anesthesia, a wide linear corticotomy and corticision in the maxilla and an anterior segmental osteotomy in mandible. In the maxilla, a wide linear corticotomy was performed under local anesthesia. In the maxillary first premolar area, a wide section of cortical bone was removed. Retraction forces were applied buccolingually with the aid of temporary skeletal anchorage devices. Corticision was later performed to close residual extraction space. In the mandible, an anterior segmental osteotomy was performed and the first premolars were extracted under local anesthesia. In the maxilla, a wide linear corticotomy facilitated a bony block movement with temporary skeletal anchorage devices, without complications. The remaining extraction space after the bony block movement was closed effectively, accelerated by corticision. In the mandible, anterior segmental retraction was facilitated by an anterior segmental osteotomy performed under local anesthesia. Corticision was later employed to accelerate individual tooth movements. A wide linear corticotomy and an anterior segmental osteotomy combined with corticision can be an effective and efficient alternative to conventional orthodontic treatment in the bialveolar protrusion patient with an extremely thin alveolar housing.

Corneal confocal microscopy following conventional, transepithelial, and accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking procedures for keratoconus.

PubMed

Touboul, David; Efron, Nathan; Smadja, David; Praud, Delphine; Malet, Florence; Colin, Joseph

2012-11-01

To compare early corneal healing following conventional, transepithelial, and accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) protocols. Twenty-four patients with progressive keratoconus were divided into three groups to receive conventional, transepithelial, or accelerated CXL. In vivo corneal confocal microscopy was performed on each patient preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Closure of the epithelial wound was complete 3 days following conventional and accelerated CXL. The subbasal nerve plexus was essentially obliterated immediately following conventional and accelerated CXL, and virtually no nerve fibers had regenerated by 6 months. The anterior stroma showed significant changes 1 month following conventional CXL; these changes were similar but more pronounced following accelerated CXL. Observed stromal changes included complete obliteration of keratocytes, increased tissue reflectivity, a honeycomb-like appearance, and circular lacunae. Some recovery of keratocyte density was noted after 6 months. These changes were less pronounced in the mid-stroma, and there were no apparent changes to the posterior stroma or endothelium. The cornea appeared to be unaltered following transepithelial CXL. In vivo corneal confocal microscopy analysis of the postoperative impact of CXL on the cornea revealed clear differences among conventional, accelerated, and transepithelial CXL protocols. Accelerated CXL had a greater impact than conventional CXL on the anterior cornea, whereas transepithelial CXL did not appear to alter corneal morphology. Copyright 2012, SLACK Incorporated.

ALON® Components With Tunable Dielectric Properties for High Power Accelerator Applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Goldman, Lee M; Jha, Santosh K; Lobur, Nicole

There are challenges in linear particle accelerators associated with the need to suppress “higher order modes” (HOMs). HOMs are detrimental to accelerator operation as they are a source of beam instability. The absorption/suppression of HOMs and dissipation of the energy of higher order modes is vital to the function of these accelerators. Surmet has identified ALON® Optical Ceramic (Aluminum Oxynitride), a hard, durable ceramic that is fabricated through conventional powder processing techniques, as a potential material for HOM absorber. In this Phase I program, Surmet has produced new ALON-composite HOM absorber materials that function at both ambient and cryogenic temperatures.more » The composite materials were developed and evaluated in collaboration with Thomas Jefferson National Labs. Success in this Phase I and the potential Phase II will demonstrate the utility of ALON composite components for RF absorbing applications and lay the groundwork for commercialization of such products, with applications in basic science, medical and digital electronics industries.« less

NOTE: Calibration of low-energy electron beams from a mobile linear accelerator with plane-parallel chambers using both TG-51 and TG-21 protocols

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beddar, A. S.; Tailor, R. C.

2004-04-01

A new approach to intraoperative radiation therapy led to the development of mobile linear electron accelerators that provide lower electron energy beams than the usual conventional accelerators commonly encountered in radiotherapy. Such mobile electron accelerators produce electron beams that have nominal energies of 4, 6, 9 and 12 MeV. This work compares the absorbed dose output calibrations using both the AAPM TG-51 and TG-21 dose calibration protocols for two types of ion chambers: a plane-parallel (PP) ionization chamber and a cylindrical ionization chamber. Our results indicate that the use of a 'Markus' PP chamber causes 2 3% overestimation in dose output determination if accredited dosimetry-calibration laboratory based chamber factors \\big(N_{{\\rm D},{\\rm w}}^{{}^{60}{\\rm Co}}, N_x\\big) are used. However, if the ionization chamber factors are derived using a cross-comparison at a high-energy electron beam, then a good agreement is obtained (within 1%) with a calibrated cylindrical chamber over the entire energy range down to 4 MeV. Furthermore, even though the TG-51 does not recommend using cylindrical chambers at the low energies, our results show that the cylindrical chamber has a good agreement with the PP chamber not only at 6 MeV but also down to 4 MeV electron beams.

Radiation shielding design of a new tomotherapy facility.

PubMed

Zacarias, Albert; Balog, John; Mills, Michael

2006-10-01

It is expected that intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) will replace a large portion of radiation therapy treatments currently performed with conventional MLC-based 3D conformal techniques. IGRT may become the standard of treatment in the future for prostate and head and neck cancer. Many established facilities may convert existing vaults to perform this treatment method using new or upgraded equipment. In the future, more facilities undoubtedly will be considering de novo designs for their treatment vaults. A reevaluation of the design principles used in conventional vault design is of benefit to those considering this approach with a new tomotherapy facility. This is made more imperative as the design of the TomoTherapy system is unique in several aspects and does not fit well into the formalism of NCRP 49 for a conventional linear accelerator.

Ice-sheet modelling accelerated by graphics cards

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brædstrup, Christian Fredborg; Damsgaard, Anders; Egholm, David Lundbek

2014-11-01

Studies of glaciers and ice sheets have increased the demand for high performance numerical ice flow models over the past decades. When exploring the highly non-linear dynamics of fast flowing glaciers and ice streams, or when coupling multiple flow processes for ice, water, and sediment, researchers are often forced to use super-computing clusters. As an alternative to conventional high-performance computing hardware, the Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) is capable of massively parallel computing while retaining a compact design and low cost. In this study, we present a strategy for accelerating a higher-order ice flow model using a GPU. By applying the newest GPU hardware, we achieve up to 180× speedup compared to a similar but serial CPU implementation. Our results suggest that GPU acceleration is a competitive option for ice-flow modelling when compared to CPU-optimised algorithms parallelised by the OpenMP or Message Passing Interface (MPI) protocols.

Parametric emittance measurements of electron beams produced by a laser plasma accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barber, S. K.; van Tilborg, J.; Schroeder, C. B.; Lehe, R.; Tsai, H.-E.; Swanson, K. K.; Steinke, S.; Nakamura, K.; Geddes, C. G. R.; Benedetti, C.; Esarey, E.; Leemans, W. P.

2018-05-01

Laser plasma accelerators (LPA) offer an exciting possibility to deliver high energy, high brightness electrons beams in drastically smaller distance scales than is typical for conventional accelerators. As such, LPAs draw considerable attention as potential drivers for next generation light sources and for a compact linear collider. In order to asses the viability of an LPA source for a particular application, the brightness of the source should be properly characterized. In this paper, we present charge dependent transverse emittance measurements of LPA sources using both ionization injection and shock induced density down ramp injection, with the latter delivering smaller transverse emittances by a factor of two when controlling for charge density. The single shot emittance method is described in detail with a discussion on limitations related to second order transport effects. The direct role of space charge is explored through a series of simulations and found to be consistent with experimental observations.

Peripheral dose measurements with diode and thermoluminescence dosimeters for intensity modulated radiotherapy delivered with conventional and un-conventional linear accelerator

PubMed Central

Kinhikar, Rajesh; Gamre, Poonam; Tambe, Chandrashekhar; Kadam, Sudarshan; Biju, George; Suryaprakash; Magai, C. S.; Dhote, Dipak; Shrivastava, Shyam; Deshpande, Deepak

2013-01-01

The objective of this paper was to measure the peripheral dose (PD) with diode and thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD) for intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with linear accelerator (conventional LINAC), and tomotherapy (novel LINAC). Ten patients each were selected from Trilogy dual-energy and from Hi-Art II tomotherapy. Two diodes were kept at 20 and 25 cm from treatment field edge. TLDs (LiF:MgTi) were also kept at same distance. TLDs were also kept at 5, 10, and 15 cm from field edge. The TLDs were read with REXON reader. The readings at the respective distance were recorded for both diode and TLD. The PD was estimated by taking the ratio of measured dose at the particular distance to the prescription dose. PD was then compared with diode and TLD for LINAC and tomotherapy. Mean PD for LINAC with TLD and diode was 2.52 cGy (SD 0.69), 2.07 cGy (SD 0.88) at 20 cm, respectively, while at 25 cm, it was 1.94 cGy (SD 0.58) and 1.5 cGy (SD 0.75), respectively. Mean PD for tomotherapy with TLD and diode was 1.681 cGy SD 0.53) and 1.58 (SD 0.44) at 20 cm, respectively. The PD was 1.24 cGy (SD 0.42) and 1.088 cGy (SD 0.35) at 25 cm, respectively, for tomotherapy. Overall, PD from tomotherapy was found lower than LINAC by the factor of 1.2-1.5. PD measurement is essential to find out the potential of secondary cancer. PD for both (conventional LINAC) and novel LINACs (tomotherapy) were measured and compared with each other. The comparison of the values for PD presented in this work and those published in the literature is difficult because of the different experimental conditions. The diode and TLD readings were reproducible and both the detector readings were comparable. PMID:23531765

First Experiments with Planar Wire Arrays on U Michigan's Linear Transformer Driver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Safronova, A. S.; Kantsyrev, V. L.; Weller, M. E.; Shrestha, I. K.; Shlyaptseva, V. V.; Cooper, M. C.; Lorance, M.; Stafford, A.; Patel, S. G.; Steiner, A. M.; Yager-Elorriaga, D. A.; Jordan, N. M.; Gilgenbach, R. M.

2014-10-01

For petawatt-class Z-pinch accelerators, a Linear Transformer Driver (LTD)-driven accelerator promises to be (at a given pinch current and implosion time) more efficient than the conventionally used Marx-driven accelerator. Because there exists almost no data on how wire arrays radiate on LTD-based machines in the USA, it is very important to perform radiation and plasma physics studies on this new type of generator. We report on the first outcome of the new partnership with University of Michigan (UM), which resulted in successful UNR-UM experiments on the low-impedance MAIZE generator with planar wire arrays (PWA). PWA is a novel wire array load that was introduced and tested in detail on high-impedance Zebra at UNR during the last years and found to be the most efficient radiator. Implosion of Al Double PWAs of different configurations were achieved on MAIZE, observed with a set of various diagnostics which include x-ray diode detectors, x-ray spectroscopy and imaging, and shadowgraphy. Al and Mg plasmas of more than 450 eV were studied in detail. Research supported by NNSA under DOE Cooperative Agreement DE-NA0001984. S. G. Patel and A. M. Steiner supported by Sandia National Laboratories. D. A. Yager-Elorriaga supported by NSF GF.

Linear Accelerator (LINAC)

MedlinePlus

... equipment? How is safety ensured? What is this equipment used for? A linear accelerator (LINAC) is the ... Therapy (SBRT) . top of page How does the equipment work? The linear accelerator uses microwave technology (similar ...

Comparative study of long-term outcomes of accelerated and conventional collagen crosslinking for progressive keratoconus.

PubMed

Males, J J; Viswanathan, D

2018-01-01

PurposeTo compare the long-term outcomes of accelerated corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) to conventional CXL for progressive keratoconus.Patients and methodsComparative clinical study of consecutive progressive keratoconic eyes that underwent either accelerated CXL (9 mW/cm 2 ultraviolet A (UVA) light irradiance for 10 min) or conventional CXL (3 mW/cm 2 UVA light irradiance for 30 min). Eyes with minimum 12 months' follow-up were included. Post-procedure changes in keratometry readings (Flat meridian: K1; steep meridian: K2), central corneal thickness (CCT), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), and manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) were analysed.ResultsA total of 42 eyes were included. In all, 21 eyes had accelerated CXL (20.5±5.5 months' follow-up) and 21 eyes had conventional CXL group (20.2±5.6 months' follow-up). In the accelerated CXL group, a significant reduction in K2 (P=0.02), however no significant change in K1 (P=0.35) and CCT (P=0.62) was noted. In the conventional CXL group, a significant reduction was seen in K1 (P=0.01) and K2 (P=0.04), but not in CCT (P=0.95). Although both groups exhibited significant reductions in K2 readings, no noteworthy differences were noted between them (P=0.36). Improvements in BSCVA (accelerated CXL; P=0.22 and conventional CXL; P=0.20) and MRSE (accelerated CXL; P=0.97 and conventional CXL; P=0.54) were noted, however were not significant in either group.ConclusionAccelerated and conventional CXL appear to be effective procedures for stabilising progressive keratoconus in the long-term.

Neural processing of gravity information

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schor, Robert H.

1992-01-01

The goal of this project was to use the linear acceleration capabilities of the NASA Vestibular Research Facility (VRF) at Ames Research Center to directly examine encoding of linear accelerations in the vestibular system of the cat. Most previous studies, including my own, have utilized tilt stimuli, which at very low frequencies (e.g., 'static tilt') can be considered a reasonably pure linear acceleration (e.g., 'down'); however, higher frequencies of tilt, necessary for understanding the dynamic processing of linear acceleration information, necessarily involves rotations which can stimulate the semicircular canals. The VRF, particularly the Long Linear Sled, has promise to provide controlled pure linear accelerations at a variety of stimulus frequencies, with no confounding angular motion.

Construction and performance of the magnetic bunch compressor for the THz facility at Chiang Mai University

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saisut, J.; Kusoljariyakul, K.; Rimjaem, S.; Kangrang, N.; Wichaisirimongkol, P.; Thamboon, P.; Rhodes, M. W.; Thongbai, C.

2011-05-01

The Plasma and Beam Physics Research Facility at Chiang Mai University has established a THz facility to focus on the study of ultra-short electron pulses. Short electron bunches can be generated from a system that consists of a radio-frequency (RF) gun with a thermionic cathode, an alpha magnet as a magnetic bunch compressor, and a linear accelerator as a post-acceleration section. The alpha magnet is a conventional and simple instrument for low-energy electron bunch compression. With the alpha magnet constructed in-house, several hundred femtosecond electron bunches for THz radiation production can be generated from the thermionic RF gun. The construction and performance of the alpha magnet, as well as some experimental results, are presented in this paper.

Rapid syntheses of a metal-organic framework material Cu3(BTC)2(H2O)3 under microwave: a quantitative analysis of accelerated syntheses.

PubMed

Khan, Nazmul Abedin; Haque, Enamul; Jhung, Sung Hwa

2010-03-20

A typical MOF material, Cu-BTC has been synthesized with microwave and conventional electric heating in various conditions to elucidate, for the first time, the quantitative acceleration in the synthesis of a MOF by microwaves. The acceleration by microwaves is mainly due to rapid nucleation rather than rapid crystal growth, even though both stages are accelerated. The acceleration in the nucleation stage by microwaves is due to the very large pre-exponential factor (about 1.4 x 10(10) times that of conventional synthesis) in the Arrhenius plot. However, the activation energy for the nucleation in the case of microwave synthesis is higher than the activation energy of conventional synthesis. The large acceleration in the nucleation, compared with that in the crystal growth, is observed once again by the syntheses in two-steps (changing heating methods from microwave into conventional heating or from conventional heating into microwave heating just after the nucleation is completed). The crystal size of Cu-BTC obtained by microwave-nucleation is generally smaller than the Cu-BTC made by conventional-nucleation, probably due to rapid nucleation and the small size of nuclei with microwave-nucleation.

Evaluation of marginal gap of Ni-Cr copings made with conventional and accelerated casting techniques.

PubMed

Tannamala, Pavan Kumar; Azhagarasan, Nagarasampatti Sivaprakasam; Shankar, K Chitra

2013-01-01

Conventional casting techniques following the manufacturers' recommendations are time consuming. Accelerated casting techniques have been reported, but their accuracy with base metal alloys has not been adequately studied. We measured the vertical marginal gap of nickel-chromium copings made by conventional and accelerated casting techniques and determined the clinical acceptability of the cast copings in this study. Experimental design, in vitro study, lab settings. Ten copings each were cast by conventional and accelerated casting techniques. All copings were identical, only their mold preparation schedules differed. Microscopic measurements were recorded at ×80 magnification on the perpendicular to the axial wall at four predetermined sites. The marginal gap values were evaluated by paired t test. The mean marginal gap by conventional technique (34.02 μm) is approximately 10 μm lesser than that of accelerated casting technique (44.62 μm). As the P value is less than 0.0001, there is highly significant difference between the two techniques with regard to vertical marginal gap. The accelerated casting technique is time saving and the marginal gap measured was within the clinically acceptable limits and could be an alternative to time-consuming conventional techniques.

Evaluation of the marginal fit of metal copings fabricated on three different marginal designs using conventional and accelerated casting techniques: an in vitro study.

PubMed

Vaidya, Sharad; Parkash, Hari; Bhargava, Akshay; Gupta, Sharad

2014-01-01

Abundant resources and techniques have been used for complete coverage crown fabrication. Conventional investing and casting procedures for phosphate-bonded investments require a 2- to 4-h procedure before completion. Accelerated casting techniques have been used, but may not result in castings with matching marginal accuracy. The study measured the marginal gap and determined the clinical acceptability of single cast copings invested in a phosphate-bonded investment with the use of conventional and accelerated methods. One hundred and twenty cast coping samples were fabricated using conventional and accelerated methods, with three finish lines: Chamfer, shoulder and shoulder with bevel. Sixty copings were prepared with each technique. Each coping was examined with a stereomicroscope at four predetermined sites and measurements of marginal gaps were documented for each. A master chart was prepared for all the data and was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version. Evidence of marginal gap was then evaluated by t-test. Analysis of variance and Post-hoc analysis were used to compare two groups as well as to make comparisons between three subgroups . Measurements recorded showed no statistically significant difference between conventional and accelerated groups. Among the three marginal designs studied, shoulder with bevel showed the best marginal fit with conventional as well as accelerated casting techniques. Accelerated casting technique could be a vital alternative to the time-consuming conventional casting technique. The marginal fit between the two casting techniques showed no statistical difference.

Is Africa a 'Graveyard' for Linear Accelerators?

PubMed

Reichenvater, H; Matias, L Dos S

2016-12-01

Linear accelerator downtimes are common and problematic in many African countries and may jeopardise the outcome of affected radiation treatments. The predicted increase in cancer incidence and prevalence on the African continent will require, inter alia, improved response with regard to a reduction in linear accelerator downtimes. Here we discuss the problems associated with the maintenance and repair of linear accelerators and propose alternative solutions relevant for local conditions in African countries. The paper is based on about four decades of experience in capacity building, installing, commissioning, calibrating, servicing and repairing linear accelerators in Africa, where about 40% of the low and middle income countries in the world are geographically located. Linear accelerators can successfully be operated, maintained and repaired in African countries provided proper maintenance and repair plans are put in place and executed. Copyright © 2016 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparison of accelerated and conventional corneal collagen cross-linking for progressive keratoconus.

PubMed

Cınar, Yasin; Cingü, Abdullah Kürşat; Türkcü, Fatih Mehmet; Çınar, Tuba; Yüksel, Harun; Özkurt, Zeynep Gürsel; Çaça, Ihsan

2014-09-01

To compare outcomes of accelerated and conventional corneal cross-linking (CXL) for progressive keratoconus (KC). Patients were divided into two groups as the accelerated CXL group and the conventional CXL group. The uncorrected distant visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA), refraction and keratometric values were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. The data of the two groups were compared statistically. The mean UDVA and CDVA were better at the six month postoperative when compared with preoperative values in two groups. While change in UDVA and CDVA was statistically significant in the accelerated CXL group (p = 0.035 and p = 0.047, respectively), it did not reach statistical significance in the conventional CXL group (p = 0.184 and p = 0.113, respectively). The decrease in the mean corneal power (Km) and maximum keratometric value (Kmax) were statistically significant in both groups (p = 0.012 and 0.046, respectively in the accelerated CXL group, p = 0.012 and 0.041, respectively, in the conventional CXL group). There was no statistically significant difference in visual and refractive results between the two groups (p > 0.05). Refractive and visual results of the accelerated CXL method and the conventional CXL method for the treatment of KC in short time period were similar. The accelerated CXL method faster and provide high throughput of the patients.

Beam dynamics simulation of a double pass proton linear accelerator

DOE PAGES

Hwang, Kilean; Qiang, Ji

2017-04-03

A recirculating superconducting linear accelerator with the advantage of both straight and circular accelerator has been demonstrated with relativistic electron beams. The acceleration concept of a recirculating proton beam was recently proposed and is currently under study. In order to further support the concept, the beam dynamics study on a recirculating proton linear accelerator has to be carried out. In this paper, we study the feasibility of a two-pass recirculating proton linear accelerator through the direct numerical beam dynamics design optimization and the start-to-end simulation. This study shows that the two-pass simultaneous focusing without particle losses is attainable including fullymore » 3D space-charge effects through the entire accelerator system.« less

The Role of Linear Acceleration in Visual-Vestibular Interactions and Implications in Aircraft Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Correia, Manning J.; Luke, Brian L.; McGrath, Braden J.; Clark, John B.; Rupert, Angus H.

1996-01-01

While considerable attention has been given to visual-vestibular interaction (VVI) during angular motion of the head as might occur during an aircraft spin, much less attention has been given to VVI during linear motion of the head. Such interaction might occur, for example, while viewing a stationary or moving display during vertical take-off and landing operations Research into linear VVI, particularly during prolonged periods of linear acceleration, has been hampered by the unavailability of a programmable translator capable of large excursions We collaborated with Otis Elevator Co. and used their research tower and elevator, whose motion could be digitally programmed, to vertically translate human subjects over a distance of 92.3 meters with a peak linear acceleration of 2 meters/sec(exp 2) During pulsatile or sinusoidal translation, the subjects viewed moving stripes (optokinetic stimulus) or a fixed point source (light emitting diode, led, display), respectively and it was generally found that. The direction of linear acceleration relative to the cardinal head axes and the direction of the slow component of optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) determined the extent of VVI during concomitant stripe motion and linear acceleration. Acceleration along the z head axis (A(sub z)) produced the largest VVI, particularly when the slow component of OKN was in the same direction as eye movements produced by the linear acceleration and Eye movements produced by linear acceleration are suppressed by viewing a fixed target at frequencies below 10 Hz But, above this frequency the suppression produced by VVI is removed. Finally, as demonstrated in non-human primates, vergence of the eyes appears to modulate the vertical eye movement response to linear acceleration in humans.

Vastly accelerated linear least-squares fitting with numerical optimization for dual-input delay-compensated quantitative liver perfusion mapping.

PubMed

Jafari, Ramin; Chhabra, Shalini; Prince, Martin R; Wang, Yi; Spincemaille, Pascal

2018-04-01

To propose an efficient algorithm to perform dual input compartment modeling for generating perfusion maps in the liver. We implemented whole field-of-view linear least squares (LLS) to fit a delay-compensated dual-input single-compartment model to very high temporal resolution (four frames per second) contrast-enhanced 3D liver data, to calculate kinetic parameter maps. Using simulated data and experimental data in healthy subjects and patients, whole-field LLS was compared with the conventional voxel-wise nonlinear least-squares (NLLS) approach in terms of accuracy, performance, and computation time. Simulations showed good agreement between LLS and NLLS for a range of kinetic parameters. The whole-field LLS method allowed generating liver perfusion maps approximately 160-fold faster than voxel-wise NLLS, while obtaining similar perfusion parameters. Delay-compensated dual-input liver perfusion analysis using whole-field LLS allows generating perfusion maps with a considerable speedup compared with conventional voxel-wise NLLS fitting. Magn Reson Med 79:2415-2421, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Space shuttle nonmetallic materials age life prediction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mendenhall, G. D.; Hassell, J. A.; Nathan, R. A.

1975-01-01

The chemiluminescence from samples of polybutadiene, Viton, Teflon, Silicone, PL 731 Adhesive, and SP 296 Boron-Epoxy composite was measured at temperatures from 25 to 150 C. Excellent correlations were obtained between chemiluminescence and temperature. These correlations serve to validate accelerated aging tests (at elevated temperatures) designed to predict service life at lower temperatures. In most cases, smooth or linear correlations were obtained between chemiluminescence and physical properties of purified polymer gums, including the tensile strength, viscosity, and loss tangent. The latter is a complex function of certain polymer properties. Data were obtained with far greater ease by the chemiluminescence technique than by the conventional methods of study. The chemiluminescence from the Teflon (Halon) samples was discovered to arise from trace amounts of impurities, which were undetectable by conventional, destructive analysis of the sample.

The Spallation Neutron Source accelerator system design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henderson, S.; Abraham, W.; Aleksandrov, A.; Allen, C.; Alonso, J.; Anderson, D.; Arenius, D.; Arthur, T.; Assadi, S.; Ayers, J.; Bach, P.; Badea, V.; Battle, R.; Beebe-Wang, J.; Bergmann, B.; Bernardin, J.; Bhatia, T.; Billen, J.; Birke, T.; Bjorklund, E.; Blaskiewicz, M.; Blind, B.; Blokland, W.; Bookwalter, V.; Borovina, D.; Bowling, S.; Bradley, J.; Brantley, C.; Brennan, J.; Brodowski, J.; Brown, S.; Brown, R.; Bruce, D.; Bultman, N.; Cameron, P.; Campisi, I.; Casagrande, F.; Catalan-Lasheras, N.; Champion, M.; Champion, M.; Chen, Z.; Cheng, D.; Cho, Y.; Christensen, K.; Chu, C.; Cleaves, J.; Connolly, R.; Cote, T.; Cousineau, S.; Crandall, K.; Creel, J.; Crofford, M.; Cull, P.; Cutler, R.; Dabney, R.; Dalesio, L.; Daly, E.; Damm, R.; Danilov, V.; Davino, D.; Davis, K.; Dawson, C.; Day, L.; Deibele, C.; Delayen, J.; DeLong, J.; Demello, A.; DeVan, W.; Digennaro, R.; Dixon, K.; Dodson, G.; Doleans, M.; Doolittle, L.; Doss, J.; Drury, M.; Elliot, T.; Ellis, S.; Error, J.; Fazekas, J.; Fedotov, A.; Feng, P.; Fischer, J.; Fox, W.; Fuja, R.; Funk, W.; Galambos, J.; Ganni, V.; Garnett, R.; Geng, X.; Gentzlinger, R.; Giannella, M.; Gibson, P.; Gillis, R.; Gioia, J.; Gordon, J.; Gough, R.; Greer, J.; Gregory, W.; Gribble, R.; Grice, W.; Gurd, D.; Gurd, P.; Guthrie, A.; Hahn, H.; Hardek, T.; Hardekopf, R.; Harrison, J.; Hatfield, D.; He, P.; Hechler, M.; Heistermann, F.; Helus, S.; Hiatt, T.; Hicks, S.; Hill, J.; Hill, J.; Hoff, L.; Hoff, M.; Hogan, J.; Holding, M.; Holik, P.; Holmes, J.; Holtkamp, N.; Hovater, C.; Howell, M.; Hseuh, H.; Huhn, A.; Hunter, T.; Ilg, T.; Jackson, J.; Jain, A.; Jason, A.; Jeon, D.; Johnson, G.; Jones, A.; Joseph, S.; Justice, A.; Kang, Y.; Kasemir, K.; Keller, R.; Kersevan, R.; Kerstiens, D.; Kesselman, M.; Kim, S.; Kneisel, P.; Kravchuk, L.; Kuneli, T.; Kurennoy, S.; Kustom, R.; Kwon, S.; Ladd, P.; Lambiase, R.; Lee, Y. Y.; Leitner, M.; Leung, K.-N.; Lewis, S.; Liaw, C.; Lionberger, C.; Lo, C. C.; Long, C.; Ludewig, H.; Ludvig, J.; Luft, P.; Lynch, M.; Ma, H.; MacGill, R.; Macha, K.; Madre, B.; Mahler, G.; Mahoney, K.; Maines, J.; Mammosser, J.; Mann, T.; Marneris, I.; Marroquin, P.; Martineau, R.; Matsumoto, K.; McCarthy, M.; McChesney, C.; McGahern, W.; McGehee, P.; Meng, W.; Merz, B.; Meyer, R.; Meyer, R.; Miller, B.; Mitchell, R.; Mize, J.; Monroy, M.; Munro, J.; Murdoch, G.; Musson, J.; Nath, S.; Nelson, R.; Nelson, R.; O`Hara, J.; Olsen, D.; Oren, W.; Oshatz, D.; Owens, T.; Pai, C.; Papaphilippou, I.; Patterson, N.; Patterson, J.; Pearson, C.; Pelaia, T.; Pieck, M.; Piller, C.; Plawski, T.; Plum, M.; Pogge, J.; Power, J.; Powers, T.; Preble, J.; Prokop, M.; Pruyn, J.; Purcell, D.; Rank, J.; Raparia, D.; Ratti, A.; Reass, W.; Reece, K.; Rees, D.; Regan, A.; Regis, M.; Reijonen, J.; Rej, D.; Richards, D.; Richied, D.; Rode, C.; Rodriguez, W.; Rodriguez, M.; Rohlev, A.; Rose, C.; Roseberry, T.; Rowton, L.; Roybal, W.; Rust, K.; Salazer, G.; Sandberg, J.; Saunders, J.; Schenkel, T.; Schneider, W.; Schrage, D.; Schubert, J.; Severino, F.; Shafer, R.; Shea, T.; Shishlo, A.; Shoaee, H.; Sibley, C.; Sims, J.; Smee, S.; Smith, J.; Smith, K.; Spitz, R.; Staples, J.; Stein, P.; Stettler, M.; Stirbet, M.; Stockli, M.; Stone, W.; Stout, D.; Stovall, J.; Strelo, W.; Strong, H.; Sundelin, R.; Syversrud, D.; Szajbler, M.; Takeda, H.; Tallerico, P.; Tang, J.; Tanke, E.; Tepikian, S.; Thomae, R.; Thompson, D.; Thomson, D.; Thuot, M.; Treml, C.; Tsoupas, N.; Tuozzolo, J.; Tuzel, W.; Vassioutchenko, A.; Virostek, S.; Wallig, J.; Wanderer, P.; Wang, Y.; Wang, J. G.; Wangler, T.; Warren, D.; Wei, J.; Weiss, D.; Welton, R.; Weng, J.; Weng, W.-T.; Wezensky, M.; White, M.; Whitlatch, T.; Williams, D.; Williams, E.; Wilson, K.; Wiseman, M.; Wood, R.; Wright, P.; Wu, A.; Ybarrolaza, N.; Young, K.; Young, L.; Yourd, R.; Zachoszcz, A.; Zaltsman, A.; Zhang, S.; Zhang, W.; Zhang, Y.; Zhukov, A.

2014-11-01

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) was designed and constructed by a collaboration of six U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories. The SNS accelerator system consists of a 1 GeV linear accelerator and an accumulator ring providing 1.4 MW of proton beam power in microsecond-long beam pulses to a liquid mercury target for neutron production. The accelerator complex consists of a front-end negative hydrogen-ion injector system, an 87 MeV drift tube linear accelerator, a 186 MeV side-coupled linear accelerator, a 1 GeV superconducting linear accelerator, a 248-m circumference accumulator ring and associated beam transport lines. The accelerator complex is supported by ~100 high-power RF power systems, a 2 K cryogenic plant, ~400 DC and pulsed power supply systems, ~400 beam diagnostic devices and a distributed control system handling ~100,000 I/O signals. The beam dynamics design of the SNS accelerator is presented, as is the engineering design of the major accelerator subsystems.

Drift tube suspension for high intensity linear accelerators

DOEpatents

Liska, D.J.; Schamaun, R.G.; Clark, D.C.; Potter, R.C.; Frank, J.A.

1980-03-11

The disclosure relates to a drift tube suspension for high intensity linear accelerators. The system comprises a series of box-sections girders independently adjustably mounted on a linear accelerator. A plurality of drift tube holding stems are individually adjustably mounted on each girder.

Luminosity Limitations of Linear Colliders Based on Plasma Acceleration

DOE PAGES

Lebedev, Valeri; Burov, Alexey; Nagaitsev, Sergei

2016-01-01

Particle acceleration in plasma creates a possibility of exceptionally high accelerating gradients and appears as a very attractive option for future linear electron-positron and/or photon-photon colliders. These high accelerating gradients were already demonstrated in a number of experiments. Furthermore, a linear collider requires exceptionally high beam brightness which still needs to be demonstrated. In this article we discuss major phenomena which limit the beam brightness of accelerated beam and, consequently, the collider luminosity.

New stereotactic X-ray knife

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Barish, R.J.; Barish, S.V.

1988-06-01

For many years, the irradiation of small volumes of tissue in the brain to necrotizing doses has been investigated as a non-invasive alternative to neurosurgery. We propose a new system in which a precisely machined helmet serves as a multi-port focussed X-ray collimator when it is itself irradiated by a conventional medical linear accelerator run in the electron mode. When the collimator is attached to a stereotactic frame, the geometric accuracy of delivering small radiation fields to the brain is limited primarily by the accuracy of the stereotactic localization, and is relatively independent of the positional stability of the accelerator.more » Field sizes as small as two millimeters are readily achievable. The problem of low dose rate associated with these small fields is overcome by the use of high electron beam currents.« less

A developed nearly analytic discrete method for forward modeling in the frequency domain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Shaolin; Lang, Chao; Yang, Hui; Wang, Wenshuai

2018-02-01

High-efficiency forward modeling methods play a fundamental role in full waveform inversion (FWI). In this paper, the developed nearly analytic discrete (DNAD) method is proposed to accelerate frequency-domain forward modeling processes. We first derive the discretization of frequency-domain wave equations via numerical schemes based on the nearly analytic discrete (NAD) method to obtain a linear system. The coefficients of numerical stencils are optimized to make the linear system easier to solve and to minimize computing time. Wavefield simulation and numerical dispersion analysis are performed to compare the numerical behavior of DNAD method with that of the conventional NAD method. The results demonstrate the superiority of our proposed method. Finally, the DNAD method is implemented in frequency-domain FWI, and high-resolution inverse results are obtained.

Neuromuscular Control of Rapid Linear Accelerations in Fish

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-22

2014 30-Apr-2015 Approved for Public Release; Distribution Unlimited Final Report: Neuromuscular Control of Rapid Linear Accelerations in Fish The...it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. Tufts University Research... Control of Rapid Linear Accelerations in Fish Report Title In this project, we measured muscle activity, body movements, and flow patterns during linear

Design of four-beam IH-RFQ linear accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikeda, Shota; Murata, Aki; Hayashizaki, Noriyosu

2017-09-01

The multi-beam acceleration method is an acceleration technique for low-energy high-intensity heavy ion beams, which involves accelerating multiple beams to decrease space charge effects, and then integrating these beams by a beam funneling system. At the Tokyo Institute of Technology a two beam IH-RFQ linear accelerator was developed using a two beam laser ion source with direct plasma injection scheme. This system accelerated a carbon ion beam with a current of 108 mA (54 mA/channel × 2) from 5 up to 60 keV/u. In order to demonstrate that a four-beam IH-RFQ linear accelerator is suitable for high-intensity heavy ion beam acceleration, we have been developing a four-beam prototype. A four-beam IH-RFQ linear accelerator consists of sixteen RFQ electrodes (4 × 4 set) with stem electrodes installed alternately on the upper and lower ridge electrodes. As a part of this development, we have designed a four-beam IH-RFQ linear accelerator using three dimensional electromagnetic simulation software and beam tracking simulation software. From these simulation results, we have designed the stem electrodes, the center plate and the side shells by evaluating the RF properties such as the resonance frequency, the power loss and the electric strength distribution between the RFQ electrodes.

Automated ultrafast kilovoltage-megavoltage cone-beam CT for image guided radiotherapy of lung cancer: System description and real-time results.

PubMed

Blessing, Manuel; Arns, Anna; Wertz, Hansjoerg; Stsepankou, Dzmitry; Boda-Heggemann, Judit; Hesser, Juergen; Wenz, Frederik; Lohr, Frank

2018-04-01

To establish a fully automated kV-MV CBCT imaging method on a clinical linear accelerator that allows image acquisition of thoracic targets for patient positioning within one breath-hold (∼15s) under realistic clinical conditions. Our previously developed FPGA-based hardware unit which allows synchronized kV-MV CBCT projection acquisition is connected to a clinical linear accelerator system via a multi-pin switch; i.e. either kV-MV imaging or conventional clinical mode can be selected. An application program was developed to control the relevant linac parameters automatically and to manage the MV detector readout as well as the gantry angle capture for each MV projection. The kV projections are acquired with the conventional CBCT system. GPU-accelerated filtered backprojection is performed separately for both data sets. After appropriate grayscale normalization both modalities are combined and the final kV-MV volume is re-imported in the CBCT system to enable image matching. To demonstrate adequate geometrical accuracy of the novel imaging system the Penta-Guide phantom QA procedure is performed. Furthermore, a human plastinate and different tumor shapes in a thorax phantom are scanned. Diameters of the known tumor shapes are measured in the kV-MV reconstruction. An automated kV-MV CBCT workflow was successfully established in a clinical environment. The overall procedure, from starting the data acquisition until the reconstructed volume is available for registration, requires ∼90s including 17s acquisition time for 100° rotation. It is very simple and allows target positioning in the same way as for conventional CBCT. Registration accuracy of the QA phantom is within ±1mm. The average deviation from the known tumor dimensions measured in the thorax phantom was 0.7mm which corresponds to an improvement of 36% compared to our previous kV-MV imaging system. Due to automation the kV-MV CBCT workflow is speeded up by a factor of >10 compared to the manual approach. Thus, the system allows a simple, fast and reliable imaging procedure and fulfills all requirements to be successfully introduced into the clinical workflow now, enabling single-breath-hold volume imaging. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Online Kidney Position Verification Using Non-Contrast Radiographs on a Linear Accelerator with on Board KV X-Ray Imaging Capability

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Willis, David J.; Kron, Tomas; Hubbard, Patricia

2009-01-01

The kidneys are dose-limiting organs in abdominal radiotherapy. Kilovoltage (kV) radiographs can be acquired using on-board imager (OBI)-equipped linear accelerators with better soft tissue contrast and lower radiation doses than conventional portal imaging. A feasibility study was conducted to test the suitability of anterior-posterior (AP) non-contrast kV radiographs acquired at treatment time for online kidney position verification. Anthropomorphic phantoms were used to evaluate image quality and radiation dose. Institutional Review Board approval was given for a pilot study that enrolled 5 adults and 5 children. Customized digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) were generated to provide a priori information on kidney shapemore » and position. Radiotherapy treatment staff performed online evaluation of kidney visibility on OBI radiographs. Kidney dose measured in a pediatric anthropomorphic phantom was 0.1 cGy for kV imaging and 1.7 cGy for MV imaging. Kidneys were rated as well visualized in 60% of patients (90% confidence interval, 34-81%). The likelihood of visualization appears to be influenced by the relative AP separation of the abdomen and kidneys, the axial profile of the kidneys, and their relative contrast with surrounding structures. Online verification of kidney position using AP non-contrast kV radiographs on an OBI-equipped linear accelerator appears feasible for patients with suitable abdominal anatomy. Kidney position information provided is limited to 2-dimensional 'snapshots,' but this is adequate in some clinical situations and potentially advantageous in respiratory-correlated treatments. Successful clinical implementation requires customized partial DRRs, appropriate imaging parameters, and credentialing of treatment staff.« less

A versatile program for the calculation of linear accelerator room shielding.

PubMed

Hassan, Zeinab El-Taher; Farag, Nehad M; Elshemey, Wael M

2018-03-22

This work aims at designing a computer program to calculate the necessary amount of shielding for a given or proposed linear accelerator room design in radiotherapy. The program (Shield Calculation in Radiotherapy, SCR) has been developed using Microsoft Visual Basic. It applies the treatment room shielding calculations of NCRP report no. 151 to calculate proper shielding thicknesses for a given linear accelerator treatment room design. The program is composed of six main user-friendly interfaces. The first enables the user to upload their choice of treatment room design and to measure the distances required for shielding calculations. The second interface enables the user to calculate the primary barrier thickness in case of three-dimensional conventional radiotherapy (3D-CRT), intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and total body irradiation (TBI). The third interface calculates the required secondary barrier thickness due to both scattered and leakage radiation. The fourth and fifth interfaces provide a means to calculate the photon dose equivalent for low and high energy radiation, respectively, in door and maze areas. The sixth interface enables the user to calculate the skyshine radiation for photons and neutrons. The SCR program has been successfully validated, precisely reproducing all of the calculated examples presented in NCRP report no. 151 in a simple and fast manner. Moreover, it easily performed the same calculations for a test design that was also calculated manually, and produced the same results. The program includes a new and important feature that is the ability to calculate required treatment room thickness in case of IMRT and TBI. It is characterised by simplicity, precision, data saving, printing and retrieval, in addition to providing a means for uploading and testing any proposed treatment room shielding design. The SCR program provides comprehensive, simple, fast and accurate room shielding calculations in radiotherapy.

On Atwood's Machine with a Nonzero Mass String

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarnopolski, Mariusz

2015-11-01

Let us consider a classical high school exercise concerning two weights on a pulley and a string, illustrated in Fig. 1(a). A system like this is called an Atwood's machine and was invented by George Atwood in 1784 as a laboratory experiment to verify the mechanical laws of motion with constant acceleration. Nowadays, Atwood's machine is used for didactic purposes to demonstrate uniformly accelerated motion with acceleration arbitrarily smaller than the gravitational acceleration g. The simplest case is with a massless and frictionless pulley and a massless string. With little effort one can include the mass of the pulley in calculations. The mass of a string has been incorporated previously in some considerations and experiments. These include treatments focusing on friction, justifying the assumption of a massless string, incorporating variations in Earth's gravitational field, comparing the calculated value of g based on a simple experiment, taking the mass of the string into account in such a way that the resulting acceleration is constant, or in one exception solely focusing on a heavy string, but with a slightly different approach. Here we wish to provide i) a derivation of the acceleration and position dependence on the weights' masses based purely on basic dynamical reasoning similar to the conventional version of the exercise, and ii) focus on the influence of the string's linear density, or equivalently its mass, on the outcome compared to a massless string case.

TU-H-BRA-06: Characterization of a Linear Accelerator Operating in a Compact MRIGuided Radiation Therapy System

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Green, O; Mutic, S; Li, H

2016-06-15

Purpose: To describe the performance of a linear accelerator operating in a compact MRI-guided radiation therapy system. Methods: A commercial linear accelerator was placed in an MRI unit that is employed in a commercial MR-based image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) system. The linear accelerator components were placed within magnetic field-reducing hardware that provided magnetic fields of less than 40 G for the magnetron, gun driver, and port circulator, with 1 G for the linear accelerator. The system did not employ a flattening filter. The test linear accelerator was an industrial 4 MV model that was employed to test the abilitymore » to run an accelerator in the MR environment. An MR-compatible diode detector array was used to measure the beam profiles with the accelerator outside and inside the MR field and with the gradient coils on and off to examine if there was any effect on the delivered dose distribution. The beam profiles and time characteristics of the beam were measured. Results: The beam profiles exhibited characteristic unflattened Bremsstrahlung features with less than ±1.5% differences in the profile magnitude when the system was outside and inside the magnet and less than 1% differences with the gradient coils on and off. The central axis dose rate fluctuated by less than 1% over a 30 second period when outside and inside the MRI. Conclusion: A linaccompatible MR design has been shown to be effective in not perturbing the operation of a commercial linear accelerator. While the accelerator used in the tests was 4MV, there is nothing fundamentally different with the operation of a 6MV unit, implying that the design will enable operation of the proposed clinical unit. Research funding provided by ViewRay, Inc.« less

Luis Alvarez, the Hydrogen Bubble Chamber, Tritium, and Dinosaurs

Science.gov Websites

linear accelerator, patented three types of radar still used today, designed an instrument that for 15 is available in documents and on the Web. Documents: Berkeley Proton Linear Accelerator, DOE Technical Report Download Adobe PDF Reader , June 1985 History of Proton Linear Accelerators, DOE Technical

High-efficiency acceleration in the laser wakefield by a linearly increasing plasma density

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dong, Kegong; Wu, Yuchi; Zhu, Bin

The acceleration length and the peak energy of the electron beam are limited by the dephasing effect in the laser wakefield acceleration with uniform plasma density. Based on 2D-3V particle in cell simulations, the effects of a linearly increasing plasma density on the electron acceleration are investigated broadly. Comparing with the uniform plasma density, because of the prolongation of the acceleration length and the gradually increasing accelerating field due to the increasing plasma density, the electron beam energy is twice higher in moderate nonlinear wakefield regime. Because of the lower plasma density, the linearly increasing plasma density can also avoidmore » the dark current caused by additional injection. At the optimal acceleration length, the electron energy can be increased from 350 MeV (uniform) to 760 MeV (linearly increasing) with the energy spread of 1.8%, the beam duration is 5 fs and the beam waist is 1.25 μm. This linearly increasing plasma density distribution can be achieved by a capillary with special gas-filled structure, and is much more suitable for experiment.« less

MO-F-16A-02: Simulation of a Medical Linear Accelerator for Teaching Purposes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Carlone, M; Lamey, M; Anderson, R

Purpose: Detailed functioning of linear accelerator physics is well known. Less well developed is the basic understanding of how the adjustment of the linear accelerator's electrical components affects the resulting radiation beam. Other than the text by Karzmark, there is very little literature devoted to the practical understanding of linear accelerator functionality targeted at the radiotherapy clinic level. The purpose of this work is to describe a simulation environment for medical linear accelerators with the purpose of teaching linear accelerator physics. Methods: Varian type lineacs were simulated. Klystron saturation and peak output were modelled analytically. The energy gain of anmore » electron beam was modelled using load line expressions. The bending magnet was assumed to be a perfect solenoid whose pass through energy varied linearly with solenoid current. The dose rate calculated at depth in water was assumed to be a simple function of the target's beam current. The flattening filter was modelled as an attenuator with conical shape, and the time-averaged dose rate at a depth in water was determined by calculating kerma. Results: Fifteen analytical models were combined into a single model called SIMAC. Performance was verified systematically by adjusting typical linac control parameters. Increasing klystron pulse voltage increased dose rate to a peak, which then decreased as the beam energy was further increased due to the fixed pass through energy of the bending magnet. Increasing accelerator beam current leads to a higher dose per pulse. However, the energy of the electron beam decreases due to beam loading and so the dose rate eventually maximizes and the decreases as beam current was further increased. Conclusion: SIMAC can realistically simulate the functionality of a linear accelerator. It is expected to have value as a teaching tool for both medical physicists and linear accelerator service personnel.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hwang, Kilean; Qiang, Ji

A recirculating superconducting linear accelerator with the advantage of both straight and circular accelerator has been demonstrated with relativistic electron beams. The acceleration concept of a recirculating proton beam was recently proposed and is currently under study. In order to further support the concept, the beam dynamics study on a recirculating proton linear accelerator has to be carried out. In this paper, we study the feasibility of a two-pass recirculating proton linear accelerator through the direct numerical beam dynamics design optimization and the start-to-end simulation. This study shows that the two-pass simultaneous focusing without particle losses is attainable including fullymore » 3D space-charge effects through the entire accelerator system.« less

Using Strassen's algorithm to accelerate the solution of linear systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bailey, David H.; Lee, King; Simon, Horst D.

1990-01-01

Strassen's algorithm for fast matrix-matrix multiplication has been implemented for matrices of arbitrary shapes on the CRAY-2 and CRAY Y-MP supercomputers. Several techniques have been used to reduce the scratch space requirement for this algorithm while simultaneously preserving a high level of performance. When the resulting Strassen-based matrix multiply routine is combined with some routines from the new LAPACK library, LU decomposition can be performed with rates significantly higher than those achieved by conventional means. We succeeded in factoring a 2048 x 2048 matrix on the CRAY Y-MP at a rate equivalent to 325 MFLOPS.

Polarized electron sources

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Prepost, R.

1994-12-01

The fundamentals of polarized electron sources are described with particular application to the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. The SLAC polarized electron source is based on the principle of polarized photoemission from Gallium Arsenide. Recent developments using epitaxially grown, strained Gallium Arsenide cathodes have made it possible to obtain electron polarization significantly in excess of the conventional 50% polarization limit. The basic principles for Gallium and Arsenide polarized photoemitters are reviewed, and the extension of the basic technique to strained cathode structures is described. Results from laboratory measurements of strained photocathodes as well as operational results from the SLAC polarized sourcemore » are presented.« less

A system for monitoring the radiation effects of a proton linear accelerator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Skorkin, V. M., E-mail: skorkin@inr.ru; Belyanski, K. L.; Skorkin, A. V.

2016-12-15

The system for real-time monitoring of radioactivity of a high-current proton linear accelerator detects secondary neutron emission from proton beam losses in transport channels and measures the activity of radionuclides in gas and aerosol emissions and the radiation background in the environment affected by a linear accelerator. The data provided by gamma, beta, and neutron detectors are transferred over a computer network to the central server. The system allows one to monitor proton beam losses, the activity of gas and aerosol emissions, and the radiation emission level of a linear accelerator in operation.

Sci—Fri PM: Topics — 05: Experience with linac simulation software in a teaching environment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Carlone, Marco; Harnett, Nicole; Jaffray, David

Medical linear accelerator education is usually restricted to use of academic textbooks and supervised access to accelerators. To facilitate the learning process, simulation software was developed to reproduce the effect of medical linear accelerator beam adjustments on resulting clinical photon beams. The purpose of this report is to briefly describe the method of operation of the software as well as the initial experience with it in a teaching environment. To first and higher orders, all components of medical linear accelerators can be described by analytical solutions. When appropriate calibrations are applied, these analytical solutions can accurately simulate the performance ofmore » all linear accelerator sub-components. Grouped together, an overall medical linear accelerator model can be constructed. Fifteen expressions in total were coded using MATLAB v 7.14. The program was called SIMAC. The SIMAC program was used in an accelerator technology course offered at our institution; 14 delegates attended the course. The professional breakdown of the participants was: 5 physics residents, 3 accelerator technologists, 4 regulators and 1 physics associate. The course consisted of didactic lectures supported by labs using SIMAC. At the conclusion of the course, eight of thirteen delegates were able to successfully perform advanced beam adjustments after two days of theory and use of the linac simulator program. We suggest that this demonstrates good proficiency in understanding of the accelerator physics, which we hope will translate to a better ability to understand real world beam adjustments on a functioning medical linear accelerator.« less

Computed lateral rate and acceleration power spectral response of conventional and STOL airplanes to atmospheric turbulence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lichtenstein, J. H.

1975-01-01

Power-spectral-density calculations were made of the lateral responses to atmospheric turbulence for several conventional and short take-off and landing (STOL) airplanes. The turbulence was modeled as three orthogonal velocity components, which were uncorrelated, and each was represented with a one-dimensional power spectrum. Power spectral densities were computed for displacements, rates, and accelerations in roll, yaw, and sideslip. In addition, the power spectral density of the transverse acceleration was computed. Evaluation of ride quality based on a specific ride quality criterion was also made. The results show that the STOL airplanes generally had larger values for the rate and acceleration power spectra (and, consequently, larger corresponding root-mean-square values) than the conventional airplanes. The ride quality criterion gave poorer ratings to the STOL airplanes than to the conventional airplanes.

Variable-energy drift-tube linear accelerator

DOEpatents

Swenson, Donald A.; Boyd, Jr., Thomas J.; Potter, James M.; Stovall, James E.

1984-01-01

A linear accelerator system includes a plurality of post-coupled drift-tubes wherein each post coupler is bistably positionable to either of two positions which result in different field distributions. With binary control over a plurality of post couplers, a significant accumlative effect in the resulting field distribution is achieved yielding a variable-energy drift-tube linear accelerator.

Variable-energy drift-tube linear accelerator

DOEpatents

Swenson, D.A.; Boyd, T.J. Jr.; Potter, J.M.; Stovall, J.E.

A linear accelerator system includes a plurality of post-coupled drift-tubes wherein each post coupler is bistably positionable to either of two positions which result in different field distributions. With binary control over a plurality of post couplers, a significant accumlative effect in the resulting field distribution is achieved yielding a variable-energy drift-tube linear accelerator.

Free electron lasers driven by linear induction accelerators: High power radiation sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Orzechowski, T. J.

1989-01-01

The technology of Free Electron Lasers (FELs) and linear induction accelerators (LIAs) is addressed by outlining the following topics: fundamentals of FELs; basic concepts of linear induction accelerators; the Electron Laser Facility (a microwave FEL); PALADIN (an infrared FEL); magnetic switching; IMP; and future directions (relativistic klystrons). This presentation is represented by viewgraphs only.

Magnetic Diagnostics on the Magnetized Shock Experiment (MSX)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hutchinson, T. M.; Weber, T. E.; Boguski, J. C.; Intrator, T. P.; Smith, R. J.; Dunn, J. P.

2013-10-01

The Magnetized Shock Experiment (MSX) at Los Alamos National Laboratory was built to investigate the physics of high-Alfvénic, supercritical, magnetized shocks through the acceleration and subsequent stagnation of a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) plasmoid against a magnetic mirror and/or plasma target. An array of high-bandwidth, multi-axis, robust, internal magnetic probes has been constructed to characterize flux compression ratios, instability formation, and turbulent macro-scale features of the post-shock plasma. The mirror magnet is mounted on a linear translation stage, providing a capability to axially move the shock layer through the probe field of view. An independent, external probe array also provides conventional information on the FRC shape, velocity, and total pressure during the formation and acceleration phases. Probe design, characterization, configuration, and initial results are presented. This work is supported by the DOE OFES and NNSA under LANS contract DE-AC52-06NA25369. LA-UR-13-25189.

Accelerator Science: Circular vs. Linear

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lincoln, Don

Particle accelerator are scientific instruments that allow scientists to collide particles together at incredible energies to study the secrets of the universe. However, there are many manners in which particle accelerators can be constructed. In this video, Fermilab’s Dr. Don Lincoln explains the pros and cons of circular and linear accelerators.

FBX aqueous chemical dosimeter for measurement of virtual wedge profiles.

PubMed

Semwal, Manoj K; Bansal, Anil K; Thakur, Pradeep K; Vidyasagar, Pandit B

2008-10-24

We investigated the ferrous sulfate-benzoic acid-xylenol orange (FBX) aqueous chemical dosimeter for measurement of virtual (dynamic) wedge profiles on a linear accelerator. The layout for irradiation of the FBX-filled tubes mimicked a conventional linear detector array geometry. A comparison of the resulting measurements with film-measured profiles showed that, in the main beam region, the difference between the FBX system and the film system was within +/-2% and that, in the penumbra region, the difference varied from +/-1 mm to +/-2.5 mm in terms of positional equivalence, depending on the size of the dosimeter tubes. We thus believe that the energy-independent FBX dosimetry system can measure virtual wedge profiles with reasonable accuracy at reasonable cost. However, efficiency improvement is required before this dosimetry system can be accepted into routine practice.

Feasibility study of a lead(II) iodide-based dosimeter for quality assurance in therapeutic radiology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heo, Y. J.; Kim, K. T.; Oh, K. M.; Lee, Y. K.; Ahn, K. J.; Cho, H. L.; Kim, J. Y.; Min, B. I.; Mun, C. W.; Park, S. K.

2017-09-01

The most widely used form of radiotherapy to treat tumors uses a linear accelerator, and the apparatus requires regular quality assurance (QA). QA for a linear accelerator demands accuracy throughout, from mock treatment and treatment planning, up to treatment itself. Therefore, verifying a radiation dose is essential to ensure that the radiation is being applied as planned. In current clinical practice, ionization chambers and diodes are used for QA. However, using conventional gaseous ionization chambers presents drawbacks such as complex analytical procedures, difficult measurement procedures, and slow response time. In this study, we discuss the potential of a lead(II) iodide (PbI2)-based radiation dosimeter for radiotherapy QA. PbI2 is a semiconductor material suited to measurements of X-rays and gamma rays, because of its excellent response properties to radiation signals. Our results show that the PbI2-based dosimeter offers outstanding linearity and reproducibility, as well as dose-independent characteristics. In addition, percentage depth dose (PDD) measurements indicate that the error at a fixed reference depth Dmax was 0.3%, very similar to the measurement results obtained using ionization chambers. Based on these results, we confirm that the PbI2-based dosimeter has all the properties required for radiotherapy: stable dose detection, dose linearity, and rapid response time. Based on the evidence of this experimental verification, we believe that the PbI2-based dosimeter could be used commercially in various fields for precise measurements of radiation doses in the human body and for measuring the dose required for stereotactic radiosurgery or localized radiosurgery.

Computation of linear acceleration through an internal model in the macaque cerebellum

PubMed Central

Laurens, Jean; Meng, Hui; Angelaki, Dora E.

2013-01-01

A combination of theory and behavioral findings has supported a role for internal models in the resolution of sensory ambiguities and sensorimotor processing. Although the cerebellum has been proposed as a candidate for implementation of internal models, concrete evidence from neural responses is lacking. Here we exploit un-natural motion stimuli, which induce incorrect self-motion perception and eye movements, to explore the neural correlates of an internal model proposed to compensate for Einstein’s equivalence principle and generate neural estimates of linear acceleration and gravity. We show that caudal cerebellar vermis Purkinje cells and cerebellar nuclei neurons selective for actual linear acceleration also encode erroneous linear acceleration, as expected from the internal model hypothesis, even when no actual linear acceleration occurs. These findings provide strong evidence that the cerebellum might be involved in the implementation of internal models that mimic physical principles to interpret sensory signals, as previously hypothesized by theorists. PMID:24077562

Design and implementation of a new autonomous sensor fish to support advanced hydropower development.

PubMed

Deng, Z D; Lu, J; Myjak, M J; Martinez, J J; Tian, C; Morris, S J; Carlson, T J; Zhou, D; Hou, H

2014-11-01

Acceleration in development of additional conventional hydropower requires tools and methods to perform laboratory and in-field validation of turbine performance and fish passage claims. The new-generation Sensor Fish has been developed with more capabilities to accommodate a wider range of users over a broader range of turbine designs and operating environments. It provides in situ measurements of three-dimensional (3D) linear accelerations, 3D rotational velocities, 3D orientation, pressure, and temperature at a sampling frequency of 2048 Hz. It also has an automatic floatation system and built-in radio-frequency transmitter for recovery. The relative errors of the pressure, acceleration, and rotational velocity were within ±2%, ±5%, and ±5%, respectively. The accuracy of orientation was within ±4° and accuracy of temperature was ±2 °C. The new-generation Sensor Fish is becoming a major technology and being deployed for evaluating the conditions for fish passage of turbines or other hydraulic structures in both the United States and several other countries.

Design of Linear Accelerator (LINAC) tanks for proton therapy via Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) approaches

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Castellano, T.; De Palma, L.; Laneve, D.

2015-07-01

A homemade computer code for designing a Side- Coupled Linear Accelerator (SCL) is written. It integrates a simplified model of SCL tanks with the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. The computer code main aim is to obtain useful guidelines for the design of Linear Accelerator (LINAC) resonant cavities. The design procedure, assisted via the aforesaid approach seems very promising, allowing future improvements towards the optimization of actual accelerating geometries. (authors)

Investigation of Ion Beam Production and Acceleration Using Linear Electron Beams and a Pulse Powered Plasma Focus.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-03-01

POWERED PLASMA FOCUS Contract No. AFOSR-83-0145 PROGRESS REPORT For the Period April 1, 1983 through March 31, 1984 Submitted to Air Force Office of...AND ACCELERATION USING LINEAR ELECTRON BEAMS AND A PULSE POWERED PLASMA FOCUS Contract No. AFOSR-83-0145 PROGRESS REPORT For the Period April 1, 1983...Acceleration Using Linear Electron Beams and a Pulse Powered Plasma Focus " 01 €,G APRIL 1, 1983 THROUGH MRCH 31, 1984 A. Collective Acceleration and Related

The Rim Inertial Measuring System (RIMS). [to measure angular rate and linear acceleration of a moving vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Groom, N. J.

1979-01-01

The rim inertial measuring system (RIMS) is introduced and an approach for extracting angular rate and linear acceleration information from a RIMS unit is presented and discussed. The RIMS consists of one or more small annular momentum control devices (AMCDs), mounted in a strapped down configuration, which are used to measure angular rates and linear accelerations of a moving vehicle. An AMCD consists of a spinning rim, a set of noncontacting magnetic bearings for supporting the rim, and a noncontacting electromagnetic spin motor. The approach for extracting angular rate and linear acceleration information is for a single spacecraft mounted RIMS unit.

MABE multibeam accelerator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hasti, D.E.; Ramirez, J.J.; Coleman, P.D.

1985-01-01

The Megamp Accelerator and Beam Experiment (MABE) was the technology development testbed for the multiple beam, linear induction accelerator approach for Hermes III, a new 20 MeV, 0.8 MA, 40 ns accelerator being developed at Sandia for gamma-ray simulation. Experimental studies of a high-current, single-beam accelerator (8 MeV, 80 kA), and a nine-beam injector (1.4 MeV, 25 kA/beam) have been completed, and experiments on a nine-beam linear induction accelerator are in progress. A two-beam linear induction accelerator is designed and will be built as a gamma-ray simulator to be used in parallel with Hermes III. The MABE pulsed power systemmore » and accelerator for the multiple beam experiments is described. Results from these experiments and the two-beam design are discussed. 11 refs., 6 figs.« less

Accelerator Science: Circular vs. Linear

ScienceCinema

Lincoln, Don

2018-06-12

Particle accelerator are scientific instruments that allow scientists to collide particles together at incredible energies to study the secrets of the universe. However, there are many manners in which particle accelerators can be constructed. In this video, Fermilab’s Dr. Don Lincoln explains the pros and cons of circular and linear accelerators.

Experimental evidence of space charge driven resonances in high intensity linear accelerators

DOE PAGES

Jeon, Dong -O

2016-01-12

In the construction of high intensity accelerators, it is the utmost goal to minimize the beam loss by avoiding or minimizing contributions of various halo formation mechanisms. As a halo formation mechanism, space charge driven resonances are well known for circular accelerators. However, the recent finding showed that even in linear accelerators the space charge potential can excite the 4σ = 360° fourth order resonance [D. Jeon et al., Phys. Rev. ST Accel. Beams 12, 054204 (2009)]. This study increased the interests in space charge driven resonances of linear accelerators. Experimental studies of the space charge driven resonances of highmore » intensity linear accelerators are rare as opposed to the multitude of simulation studies. This paper presents an experimental evidence of the space charge driven 4σ ¼ 360° resonance and the 2σ x(y) – 2σ z = 0 resonance of a high intensity linear accelerator through beam profile measurements from multiple wire-scanners. Moreover, measured beam profiles agree well with the characteristics of the space charge driven 4σ = 360° resonance and the 2σ x(y) – 2σ z = 0 resonance that are predicted by the simulation.« less

Intern Programs | Tours

Science.gov Websites

accelerated through the Linac (Linear Accelerator) to an energy of 400 MeV. The Linac consists of two main of linear accelerators at NML ! Meet at the South entrance to NML (New Muon Lab) Building. 1:00 PM 1

Perception of linear acceleration in weightlessness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arrott, A. P.; Young, L. R.

1987-01-01

Eye movements and subjective detection of acceleration were measured on human experimental subjects during vestibular sled acceleration during the D1 Spacelab Mission. Methods and results are reported on the time to detection of small acceleration steps, the threshold for detection of linear acceleration, perceived motion path, and CLOAT. A consistently shorter time to detection of small acceleration steps is found. Subjective reports of perceived motion during sinusoidal oscillation in weightlessness were qualitatively similar to reports on earth.

Evaluating activation of the shielding walls of a treatment room using the Monte Carlo method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, D.-Y.; Kim, J.-H.

2018-05-01

This study investigates the radiation activation process in a medical linear accelerator, which creates a photon beam with the energy acquired from accelerated electrons. The concrete shielding walls used in conjunction with a medical linear accelerator occupy the largest portion of facility decommissioning costs. Therefore, to evaluate the activation of the shielding wall, this study simulated the operation of a linear accelerator with high-energy photon beams (10, 15, and 20 MV). The results of the simulations showed that the high-energy photon beams produced a large number of neutrons in the areas around the linear accelerator head. Several radionuclides were identified, and their half-lives and radioactivity levels were calculated. Half-lives ranged from 2.62 hours to 3.68E+06 years, and the radioactivity levels of most of the radionuclides were found to satisfy their respective clearance requirements. These results indicate that photon beams of 15 MV or lower satisfy the clearance requirements for decommissioning a linear accelerator facility, whereas those of 20 MV or higher lie partially above the regulatory clearance levels.

Acceleration of the Particle Swarm Optimization for Peierls-Nabarro modeling of dislocations in conventional and high-entropy alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pei, Zongrui; Eisenbach, Markus

2017-06-01

Dislocations are among the most important defects in determining the mechanical properties of both conventional alloys and high-entropy alloys. The Peierls-Nabarro model supplies an efficient pathway to their geometries and mobility. The difficulty in solving the integro-differential Peierls-Nabarro equation is how to effectively avoid the local minima in the energy landscape of a dislocation core. Among the other methods to optimize the dislocation core structures, we choose the algorithm of Particle Swarm Optimization, an algorithm that simulates the social behaviors of organisms. By employing more particles (bigger swarm) and more iterative steps (allowing them to explore for longer time), the local minima can be effectively avoided. But this would require more computational cost. The advantage of this algorithm is that it is readily parallelized in modern high computing architecture. We demonstrate the performance of our parallelized algorithm scales linearly with the number of employed cores.

Linear Motor With Air Slide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Bruce G.; Gerver, Michael J.; Hawkey, Timothy J.; Fenn, Ralph C.

1993-01-01

Improved linear actuator comprises air slide and linear electric motor. Unit exhibits low friction, low backlash, and more nearly even acceleration. Used in machinery in which positions, velocities, and accelerations must be carefully controlled and/or vibrations must be suppressed.

ON THE PROBLEM OF PARTICLE GROUPINGS IN A TRAVELING WAVE LINEAR ACCELERATOR

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhileyko, G.I.

1957-01-01

A linear accelerator with traveling'' waves may be used for the production of especially short electron momenta, although in many cases the grouping capacity of the accelerator is not sufficient. Theoretically the case is derived in which grouping of the electrons takes place in the accelerator itself. (With 3 illustrations and 1 Slavic Reference). (TCO)

Conventional and Accelerated-Solvent Extractions of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) for Metabolomics-based Chemometrics

PubMed Central

Kellogg, Joshua J.; Wallace, Emily D.; Graf, Tyler N.; Oberlies, Nicholas H.; Cech, Nadja B.

2018-01-01

Metabolomics has emerged as an important analytical technique for multiple applications. The value of information obtained from metabolomics analysis depends on the degree to which the entire metabolome is present and the reliability of sample treatment to ensure reproducibility across the study. The purpose of this study was to compare methods of preparing complex botanical extract samples prior to metabolomics profiling. Two extraction methodologies, accelerated solvent extraction and a conventional solvent maceration, were compared using commercial green tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (Theaceae)] products as a test case. The accelerated solvent protocol was first evaluated to ascertain critical factors influencing extraction using a D-optimal experimental design study. The accelerated solvent and conventional extraction methods yielded similar metabolite profiles for the green tea samples studied. The accelerated solvent extraction yielded higher total amounts of extracted catechins, was more reproducible, and required less active bench time to prepare the samples. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of accelerated solvent as an efficient methodology for metabolomics studies. PMID:28787673

LINEAR ACCELERATOR

DOEpatents

Christofilos, N.C.; Polk, I.J.

1959-02-17

Improvements in linear particle accelerators are described. A drift tube system for a linear ion accelerator reduces gap capacity between adjacent drift tube ends. This is accomplished by reducing the ratio of the diameter of the drift tube to the diameter of the resonant cavity. Concentration of magnetic field intensity at the longitudinal midpoint of the external sunface of each drift tube is reduced by increasing the external drift tube diameter at the longitudinal center region.

Non-perturbative aspects of particle acceleration in non-linear electrodynamics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Burton, David A.; Flood, Stephen P.; Wen, Haibao

2015-04-15

We undertake an investigation of particle acceleration in the context of non-linear electrodynamics. We deduce the maximum energy that an electron can gain in a non-linear density wave in a magnetised plasma, and we show that an electron can “surf” a sufficiently intense Born-Infeld electromagnetic plane wave and be strongly accelerated by the wave. The first result is valid for a large class of physically reasonable modifications of the linear Maxwell equations, whilst the second result exploits the special mathematical structure of Born-Infeld theory.

Detecting chaos in particle accelerators through the frequency map analysis method.

PubMed

Papaphilippou, Yannis

2014-06-01

The motion of beams in particle accelerators is dominated by a plethora of non-linear effects, which can enhance chaotic motion and limit their performance. The application of advanced non-linear dynamics methods for detecting and correcting these effects and thereby increasing the region of beam stability plays an essential role during the accelerator design phase but also their operation. After describing the nature of non-linear effects and their impact on performance parameters of different particle accelerator categories, the theory of non-linear particle motion is outlined. The recent developments on the methods employed for the analysis of chaotic beam motion are detailed. In particular, the ability of the frequency map analysis method to detect chaotic motion and guide the correction of non-linear effects is demonstrated in particle tracking simulations but also experimental data.

Wireless acceleration sensor of moving elements for condition monitoring of mechanisms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sinitsin, Vladimir V.; Shestakov, Aleksandr L.

2017-09-01

Comprehensive analysis of the angular and linear accelerations of moving elements (shafts, gears) allows an increase in the quality of the condition monitoring of mechanisms. However, existing tools and methods measure either linear or angular acceleration with postprocessing. This paper suggests a new construction design of an angular acceleration sensor for moving elements. The sensor is mounted on a moving element and, among other things, the data transfer and electric power supply are carried out wirelessly. In addition, the authors introduce a method for processing the received information which makes it possible to divide the measured acceleration into the angular and linear components. The design has been validated by the results of laboratory tests of an experimental model of the sensor. The study has shown that this method provides a definite separation of the measured acceleration into linear and angular components, even in noise. This research contributes an advance in the range of methods and tools for condition monitoring of mechanisms.

SEMIANNUAL REPORT TO THE ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jacobson, L.O. ed.

Progress is reported in the following studies: carbohydrate metabolism in human erythrocytes; the development of a system of electron therapy employing a linear electron accelerator and an electromagnetic beann deflector; the capacity of progesterone to inhibit the sodium-retaining influence of aldosterone and desoxycorticosterone; use of tritium-labeled cholesterol in measuring the lability of cholesterol in human atherosclerotic plaques; the capacity of a number of steroid hormone metabelites to provoke fever in man; the failure of human placental tissue homogenates to convent progesterone to estrogens; and tracer studies on enzyme requirements for the incorporation of cytidine triphosphate into ribonucleic acid in amore » mammalian system. (L.H.)« less

Accuracy of ringless casting and accelerated wax-elimination technique: a comparative in vitro study.

PubMed

Prasad, Rahul; Al-Keraif, Abdulaziz Abdullah; Kathuria, Nidhi; Gandhi, P V; Bhide, S V

2014-02-01

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the ringless casting and accelerated wax-elimination techniques can be combined to offer a cost-effective, clinically acceptable, and time-saving alternative for fabricating single unit castings in fixed prosthodontics. Sixty standardized wax copings were fabricated on a type IV stone replica of a stainless steel die. The wax patterns were divided into four groups. The first group was cast using the ringless investment technique and conventional wax-elimination method; the second group was cast using the ringless investment technique and accelerated wax-elimination method; the third group was cast using the conventional metal ring investment technique and conventional wax-elimination method; the fourth group was cast using the metal ring investment technique and accelerated wax-elimination method. The vertical marginal gap was measured at four sites per specimen, using a digital optical microscope at 100× magnification. The results were analyzed using two-way ANOVA to determine statistical significance. The vertical marginal gaps of castings fabricated using the ringless technique (76.98 ± 7.59 μm) were significantly less (p < 0.05) than those castings fabricated using the conventional metal ring technique (138.44 ± 28.59 μm); however, the vertical marginal gaps of the conventional (102.63 ± 36.12 μm) and accelerated wax-elimination (112.79 ± 38.34 μm) castings were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The ringless investment technique can produce castings with higher accuracy and can be favorably combined with the accelerated wax-elimination method as a vital alternative to the time-consuming conventional technique of casting restorations in fixed prosthodontics. © 2013 by the American College of Prosthodontists.

Cooperative wireless network control based health and activity monitoring system.

PubMed

Prakash, R; Ganesh, A Balaji; Girish, Siva V

2016-10-01

A real-time cooperative communication based wireless network is presented for monitoring health and activity of an end-user in their environment. The cooperative communication offers better energy consumption and also an opportunity to aware the current location of a user non-intrusively. The link between mobile sensor node and relay node is dynamically established by using Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and Link Quality Indicator (LQI) based on adaptive relay selection scheme. The study proposes a Linear Acceleration based Transmission Power Decision Control (LA-TPDC) algorithm to further enhance the energy efficiency of cooperative communication. Further, the occurrences of false alarms are carefully prevented by introducing three stages of sequential warning system. The real-time experiments are carried-out by using the nodes, namely mobile sensor node, relay nodes and a destination node which are indigenously developed by using a CC430 microcontroller integrated with an in-built transceiver at 868 MHz. The wireless node performance characteristics, such as energy consumption, Signal-Noise ratio (SNR), Bit Error Rate (BER), Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR) and transmission offset are evaluated for all the participated nodes. The experimental results observed that the proposed linear acceleration based transmission power decision control algorithm almost doubles the battery life time than energy efficient conventional cooperative communication.

Linear inductive voltage adders (IVA) for advanced hydrodynamic radiography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mazarakis, M.G.; Boyes, J.D.; Johnson, D.L.

The electron beam which drifts through the multiple cavities of conventional induction linacs (LIA) is replaced in an IVA by a cylindrical metal conductor which extends along the entire length of the device and effectuates the addition of the accelerator cavity voltages. In the approach to radiography, the linear inductive voltage adder drives a magnetically immersed electron diode with a millimeter diameter cathode electrode and a planar anode/bremsstrahlung converter. Both anode and cathode electrodes are immersed in a strong (15--50 T) solenoidal magnetic field. The electron beam cross section is approximately of the same size as the cathode needle andmore » generates a similar size, very intense x-ray beam when it strikes the anode converter. An IVA driven diode can produce electron beams of equal size and energy as a LIA but with much higher currents (40--50 kA versus 4--5 kA), simpler hardware and thus lower cost. The authors present here first experimental validations of the technology utilizing HERMES 3 and SABRE IVA accelerators. The electron beam voltage and current were respectively of the order of 10 MV and 40 kA. X-ray doses of up to 1 kR {at} 1 m and spot sizes as small as 1.7 mm (at 200 R doses) were measured.« less

Fast higher-order MR image reconstruction using singular-vector separation.

PubMed

Wilm, Bertram J; Barmet, Christoph; Pruessmann, Klaas P

2012-07-01

Medical resonance imaging (MRI) conventionally relies on spatially linear gradient fields for image encoding. However, in practice various sources of nonlinear fields can perturb the encoding process and give rise to artifacts unless they are suitably addressed at the reconstruction level. Accounting for field perturbations that are neither linear in space nor constant over time, i.e., dynamic higher-order fields, is particularly challenging. It was previously shown to be feasible with conjugate-gradient iteration. However, so far this approach has been relatively slow due to the need to carry out explicit matrix-vector multiplications in each cycle. In this work, it is proposed to accelerate higher-order reconstruction by expanding the encoding matrix such that fast Fourier transform can be employed for more efficient matrix-vector computation. The underlying principle is to represent the perturbing terms as sums of separable functions of space and time. Compact representations with this property are found by singular-vector analysis of the perturbing matrix. Guidelines for balancing the accuracy and speed of the resulting algorithm are derived by error propagation analysis. The proposed technique is demonstrated for the case of higher-order field perturbations due to eddy currents caused by diffusion weighting. In this example, image reconstruction was accelerated by two orders of magnitude.

1985 Particle Accelerator Conference: Accelerator Engineering and Technology, 11th, Vancouver, Canada, May 13-16, 1985, Proceedings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strathdee, A.

1985-10-01

The topics discussed are related to high-energy accelerators and colliders, particle sources and electrostatic accelerators, controls, instrumentation and feedback, beam dynamics, low- and intermediate-energy circular accelerators and rings, RF and other acceleration systems, beam injection, extraction and transport, operations and safety, linear accelerators, applications of accelerators, radiation sources, superconducting supercolliders, new acceleration techniques, superconducting components, cryogenics, and vacuum. Accelerator and storage ring control systems are considered along with linear and nonlinear orbit theory, transverse and longitudinal instabilities and cures, beam cooling, injection and extraction orbit theory, high current dynamics, general beam dynamics, and medical and radioisotope applications. Attention is given to superconducting RF structures, magnet technology, superconducting magnets, and physics opportunities with relativistic heavy ion accelerators.

Design and Analysis of Megawatt Class Free Electron Laser Weapons

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-01

accelerating structure. The SRF linear accelerator stores RF fields within its niobium cavities. Superconductors require less average RF power than...is needed to cool the superconductor for the SRF linear accelerator. A current outstanding research topic is the RF frequency to use for the SRF

Superconducting six-axis accelerometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paik, H. J.

1990-01-01

A new superconducting accelerometer, capable of measuring both linear and angular accelerations, is under development at the University of Maryland. A single superconducting proof mass is magnetically levitated against gravity or any other proof force. Its relative positions and orientations with respect to the platform are monitored by six superconducting inductance bridges sharing a single amplifier, called the Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID). The six degrees of freedom, the three linear acceleration components and the three angular acceleration components, of the platform are measured simultaneously. In order to improve the linearity and the dynamic range of the instrument, the demodulated outputs of the SQUID are fed back to appropriate levitation coils so that the proof mass remains at the null position for all six inductance bridges. The expected intrinsic noise of the instrument is 4 x 10(exp -12)m s(exp -2) Hz(exp -1/2) for linear acceleration and 3 x 10(exp -11) rad s(exp -2) Hz(exp -1/2) for angular acceleration in 1-g environment. In 0-g, the linear acceleration sensitivity of the superconducting accelerometer could be improved by two orders of magnitude. The design and the operating principle of a laboratory prototype of the new instrument is discussed.

Coupling and decoupling of the accelerating units for pulsed synchronous linear accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Yi; Liu, Yi; Ye, Mao; Zhang, Huang; Wang, Wei; Xia, Liansheng; Wang, Zhiwen; Yang, Chao; Shi, Jinshui; Zhang, Linwen; Deng, Jianjun

2017-12-01

A pulsed synchronous linear accelerator (PSLA), based on the solid-state pulse forming line, photoconductive semiconductor switch, and high gradient insulator technologies, is a novel linear accelerator. During the prototype PSLA commissioning, the energy gain of proton beams was found to be much lower than expected. In this paper, the degradation of the energy gain is explained by the circuit and cavity coupling effect of the accelerating units. The coupling effects of accelerating units are studied, and the circuit topologies of these two kinds of coupling effects are presented. Two methods utilizing inductance and membrane isolations, respectively, are proposed to reduce the circuit coupling effects. The effectiveness of the membrane isolation method is also supported by simulations. The decoupling efficiency of the metal drift tube is also researched. We carried out the experiments on circuit decoupling of the multiple accelerating cavity. The result shows that both circuit decoupling methods could increase the normalized voltage.

Inverse compton light source: a compact design proposal

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Deitrick, Kirsten Elizabeth

In the last decade, there has been an increasing demand for a compact Inverse Compton Light Source (ICLS) which is capable of producing high-quality X-rays by colliding an electron beam and a high-quality laser. It is only in recent years when both SRF and laser technology have advanced enough that compact sources can approach the quality found at large installations such as the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. Previously, X-ray sources were either high flux and brilliance at a large facility or many orders of magnitude lesser when produced by a bremsstrahlung source. A recent compact source wasmore » constructed by Lyncean Technologies using a storage ring to produce the electron beam used to scatter the incident laser beam. By instead using a linear accelerator system for the electron beam, a significant increase in X-ray beam quality is possible, though even subsequent designs also featuring a storage ring offer improvement. Preceding the linear accelerator with an SRF reentrant gun allows for an extremely small transverse emittance, increasing the brilliance of the resulting X-ray source. In order to achieve sufficiently small emittances, optimization was done regarding both the geometry of the gun and the initial electron bunch distribution produced off the cathode. Using double-spoke SRF cavities to comprise the linear accelerator allows for an electron beam of reasonable size to be focused at the interaction point, while preserving the low emittance that was generated by the gun. An aggressive final focusing section following the electron beam's exit from the accelerator produces the small spot size at the interaction point which results in an X-ray beam of high flux and brilliance. Taking all of these advancements together, a world class compact X-ray source has been designed. It is anticipated that this source would far outperform the conventional bremsstrahlung and many other compact ICLSs, while coming closer to performing at the levels found at large facilities than ever before. The design process, including the development between subsequent iterations, is presented here in detail, with the simulation results for this groundbreaking X-ray source.« less

77 FR 12371 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Regulation Project

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-29

... applicable conventions under the accelerated cost recovery system. DATES: Written comments should be received... INFORMATION: Title: Applicable Conventions Under the Accelerated Cost Recovery System. OMB Number: 1545-1146...-profit organizations, and farms. Estimated Number of Respondents: 700. Estimated Time per Respondent: 6...

Cast dielectric composite linear accelerator

DOEpatents

Sanders, David M [Livermore, CA; Sampayan, Stephen [Manteca, CA; Slenes, Kirk [Albuquerque, NM; Stoller, H M [Albuquerque, NM

2009-11-10

A linear accelerator having cast dielectric composite layers integrally formed with conductor electrodes in a solventless fabrication process, with the cast dielectric composite preferably having a nanoparticle filler in an organic polymer such as a thermosetting resin. By incorporating this cast dielectric composite the dielectric constant of critical insulating layers of the transmission lines of the accelerator are increased while simultaneously maintaining high dielectric strengths for the accelerator.

A General Accelerated Degradation Model Based on the Wiener Process.

PubMed

Liu, Le; Li, Xiaoyang; Sun, Fuqiang; Wang, Ning

2016-12-06

Accelerated degradation testing (ADT) is an efficient tool to conduct material service reliability and safety evaluations by analyzing performance degradation data. Traditional stochastic process models are mainly for linear or linearization degradation paths. However, those methods are not applicable for the situations where the degradation processes cannot be linearized. Hence, in this paper, a general ADT model based on the Wiener process is proposed to solve the problem for accelerated degradation data analysis. The general model can consider the unit-to-unit variation and temporal variation of the degradation process, and is suitable for both linear and nonlinear ADT analyses with single or multiple acceleration variables. The statistical inference is given to estimate the unknown parameters in both constant stress and step stress ADT. The simulation example and two real applications demonstrate that the proposed method can yield reliable lifetime evaluation results compared with the existing linear and time-scale transformation Wiener processes in both linear and nonlinear ADT analyses.

A General Accelerated Degradation Model Based on the Wiener Process

PubMed Central

Liu, Le; Li, Xiaoyang; Sun, Fuqiang; Wang, Ning

2016-01-01

Accelerated degradation testing (ADT) is an efficient tool to conduct material service reliability and safety evaluations by analyzing performance degradation data. Traditional stochastic process models are mainly for linear or linearization degradation paths. However, those methods are not applicable for the situations where the degradation processes cannot be linearized. Hence, in this paper, a general ADT model based on the Wiener process is proposed to solve the problem for accelerated degradation data analysis. The general model can consider the unit-to-unit variation and temporal variation of the degradation process, and is suitable for both linear and nonlinear ADT analyses with single or multiple acceleration variables. The statistical inference is given to estimate the unknown parameters in both constant stress and step stress ADT. The simulation example and two real applications demonstrate that the proposed method can yield reliable lifetime evaluation results compared with the existing linear and time-scale transformation Wiener processes in both linear and nonlinear ADT analyses. PMID:28774107

Thermal limits on MV x-ray production by bremsstrahlung targets in the context of novel linear accelerators.

PubMed

Wang, Jinghui; Trovati, Stefania; Borchard, Philipp M; Loo, Billy W; Maxim, Peter G; Fahrig, Rebecca

2017-12-01

To study the impact of target geometrical and linac operational parameters, such as target material and thickness, electron beam size, repetition rate, and mean current on the ability of the radiotherapy treatment head to deliver high-dose-rate x-ray irradiation in the context of novel linear accelerators capable of higher repetition rates/duty cycle than conventional clinical linacs. The depth dose in a water phantom without a flattening filter and heat deposition in an x-ray target by 10 MeV pulsed electron beams were calculated using the Monte-Carlo code MCNPX, and the transient temperature behavior of the target was simulated by ANSYS. Several parameters that affect both the dose distribution and temperature behavior were investigated. The target was tungsten with a thickness ranging from 0 to 3 mm and a copper heat remover layer. An electron beam with full width at half maximum (FWHM) between 0 and3 mm and mean current of 0.05-2 mA was used as the primary beam at repetition rates of 100, 200, 400, and 800 Hz. For a 10 MeV electron beam with FWHM of 1 mm, pulse length of 5 μs, by using a thin tungsten target with thickness of 0.2 mm instead of 1 mm, and by employing a high repetition rate of 800 Hz instead of 100 Hz, the maximum dose rate delivered can increase two times from 0.57 to 1.16 Gy/s. In this simple model, the limiting factor on dose rate is the copper heat remover's softening temperature, which was considered to be 500°C in our study. A high dose rate can be obtained by employing thin targets together with high repetition rate electron beams enabled by novel linac designs, whereas the benefit of thin targets is marginal at conventional repetition rates. Next generation linacs used to increase dose rate need different target designs compared to conventional linacs. © 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

LINEAR LATTICE AND TRAJECTORY RECONSTRUCTION AND CORRECTION AT FAST LINEAR ACCELERATOR

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Romanov, A.; Edstrom, D.; Halavanau, A.

2017-07-16

The low energy part of the FAST linear accelerator based on 1.3 GHz superconducting RF cavities was successfully commissioned [1]. During commissioning, beam based model dependent methods were used to correct linear lattice and trajectory. Lattice correction algorithm is based on analysis of beam shape from profile monitors and trajectory responses to dipole correctors. Trajectory responses to field gradient variations in quadrupoles and phase variations in superconducting RF cavities were used to correct bunch offsets in quadrupoles and accelerating cavities relative to their magnetic axes. Details of used methods and experimental results are presented.

A method for evaluating dynamical friction in linear ball bearings.

PubMed

Fujii, Yusaku; Maru, Koichi; Jin, Tao; Yupapin, Preecha P; Mitatha, Somsak

2010-01-01

A method is proposed for evaluating the dynamical friction of linear bearings, whose motion is not perfectly linear due to some play in its internal mechanism. In this method, the moving part of a linear bearing is made to move freely, and the force acting on the moving part is measured as the inertial force given by the product of its mass and the acceleration of its centre of gravity. To evaluate the acceleration of its centre of gravity, the acceleration of two different points on it is measured using a dual-axis optical interferometer.

Comparative Evaluation of Conventional and Accelerated Castings on Marginal Fit and Surface Roughness.

PubMed

Jadhav, Vivek Dattatray; Motwani, Bhagwan K; Shinde, Jitendra; Adhapure, Prasad

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the marginal fit and surface roughness of complete cast crowns made by a conventional and an accelerated casting technique. This study was divided into three parts. In Part I, the marginal fit of full metal crowns made by both casting techniques in the vertical direction was checked, in Part II, the fit of sectional metal crowns in the horizontal direction made by both casting techniques was checked, and in Part III, the surface roughness of disc-shaped metal plate specimens made by both casting techniques was checked. A conventional technique was compared with an accelerated technique. In Part I of the study, the marginal fit of the full metal crowns as well as in Part II, the horizontal fit of sectional metal crowns made by both casting techniques was determined, and in Part III, the surface roughness of castings made with the same techniques was compared. The results of the t -test and independent sample test do not indicate statistically significant differences in the marginal discrepancy detected between the two casting techniques. For the marginal discrepancy and surface roughness, crowns fabricated with the accelerated technique were significantly different from those fabricated with the conventional technique. Accelerated casting technique showed quite satisfactory results, but the conventional technique was superior in terms of marginal fit and surface roughness.

The Ability of American Football Helmets to Manage Linear Acceleration With Repeated High-Energy Impacts.

PubMed

Cournoyer, Janie; Post, Andrew; Rousseau, Philippe; Hoshizaki, Blaine

2016-03-01

Football players can receive up to 1400 head impacts per season, averaging 6.3 impacts per practice and 14.3 impacts per game. A decrease in the capacity of a helmet to manage linear acceleration with multiple impacts could increase the risk of traumatic brain injury. To investigate the ability of football helmets to manage linear acceleration with multiple high-energy impacts. Descriptive laboratory study. Laboratory. We collected linear-acceleration data for 100 impacts at 6 locations on 4 helmets of different models currently used in football. Impacts 11 to 20 were compared with impacts 91 to 100 for each of the 6 locations. Linear acceleration was greater after multiple impacts (91-100) than after the first few impacts (11-20) for the front, front-boss, rear, and top locations. However, these differences are not clinically relevant as they do not affect the risk for head injury. American football helmet performance deteriorated with multiple impacts, but this is unlikely to be a factor in head-injury causation during a game or over a season.

Conventional and accelerated-solvent extractions of green tea (camellia sinensis) for metabolomics-based chemometrics.

PubMed

Kellogg, Joshua J; Wallace, Emily D; Graf, Tyler N; Oberlies, Nicholas H; Cech, Nadja B

2017-10-25

Metabolomics has emerged as an important analytical technique for multiple applications. The value of information obtained from metabolomics analysis depends on the degree to which the entire metabolome is present and the reliability of sample treatment to ensure reproducibility across the study. The purpose of this study was to compare methods of preparing complex botanical extract samples prior to metabolomics profiling. Two extraction methodologies, accelerated solvent extraction and a conventional solvent maceration, were compared using commercial green tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (Theaceae)] products as a test case. The accelerated solvent protocol was first evaluated to ascertain critical factors influencing extraction using a D-optimal experimental design study. The accelerated solvent and conventional extraction methods yielded similar metabolite profiles for the green tea samples studied. The accelerated solvent extraction yielded higher total amounts of extracted catechins, was more reproducible, and required less active bench time to prepare the samples. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of accelerated solvent as an efficient methodology for metabolomics studies. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Applications of Electron Linear Induction Accelerators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Westenskow*, Glen; Chen, Yu-Jiuan

Linear Induction Accelerators (LIAs) can readily produce intense electron beams. For example, the ATA accelerator produced a 500 GW beam and the LIU-30 a 4 TW beam (see Chap. 2). Since the induction accelerator concept was proposed in the late 1950s [1, 2], there have been many proposed schemes to convert the beam power to other forms. Categories of applications that have been demonstrated for electron LIAs include:

Two Step Acceleration Process of Electrons in the Outer Van Allen Radiation Belt by Time Domain Electric Field Bursts and Large Amplitude Chorus Waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agapitov, O. V.; Mozer, F.; Artemyev, A.; Krasnoselskikh, V.; Lejosne, S.

2014-12-01

A huge number of different non-linear structures (double layers, electron holes, non-linear whistlers, etc) have been observed by the electric field experiment on the Van Allen Probes in conjunction with relativistic electron acceleration in the Earth's outer radiation belt. These structures, found as short duration (~0.1 msec) quasi-periodic bursts of electric field in the high time resolution electric field waveform, have been called Time Domain Structures (TDS). They can quite effectively interact with radiation belt electrons. Due to the trapping of electrons into these non-linear structures, they are accelerated up to ~10 keV and their pitch angles are changed, especially for low energies (˜1 keV). Large amplitude electric field perturbations cause non-linear resonant trapping of electrons into the effective potential of the TDS and these electrons are then accelerated in the non-homogeneous magnetic field. These locally accelerated electrons create the "seed population" of several keV electrons that can be accelerated by coherent, large amplitude, upper band whistler waves to MeV energies in this two step acceleration process. All the elements of this chain acceleration mechanism have been observed by the Van Allen Probes.

Amplitude-dependent orbital period in alternating gradient accelerators

DOE PAGES

Machida, S.; Kelliher, D. J.; Edmonds, C. S.; ...

2016-03-16

Orbital period in a ring accelerator and time of flight in a linear accelerator depend on the amplitude of betatron oscillations. The variation is negligible in ordinary particle accelerators with relatively small beam emittance. In an accelerator for large emittance beams like muons and unstable nuclei, however, this effect cannot be ignored. In this study, we measured orbital period in a linear non-scaling fixed-field alternating-gradient accelerator, which is a candidate for muon acceleration, and compared it with the theoretical prediction. The good agreement between them gives important ground for the design of particle accelerators for a new generation of particlemore » and nuclear physics experiments.« less

Wideband Motion Control by Position and Acceleration Input Based Disturbance Observer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Irie, Kouhei; Katsura, Seiichiro; Ohishi, Kiyoshi

The disturbance observer can observe and suppress the disturbance torque within its bandwidth. Recent motion systems begin to spread in the society and they are required to have ability to contact with unknown environment. Such a haptic motion requires much wider bandwidth. However, since the conventional disturbance observer attains the acceleration response by the second order derivative of position response, the bandwidth is limited due to the derivative noise. This paper proposes a novel structure of a disturbance observer. The proposed disturbance observer uses an acceleration sensor for enlargement of bandwidth. Generally, the bandwidth of an acceleration sensor is from 1Hz to more than 1kHz. To cover DC range, the conventional position sensor based disturbance observer is integrated. Thus, the performance of the proposed Position and Acceleration input based disturbance observer (PADO) is superior to the conventional one. The PADO is applied to position control (infinity stiffness) and force control (zero stiffness). The numerical and experimental results show viability of the proposed method.

Instrumented mouthguard acceleration analyses for head impacts in amateur rugby union players over a season of matches.

PubMed

King, Doug; Hume, Patria A; Brughelli, Matt; Gissane, Conor

2015-03-01

Direct impacts with the head (linear acceleration or pressure) and inertial loading of the head (rotational acceleration or strain) have been postulated as the 2 major mechanisms of head-related injuries such as concussion. Although data are accumulating for soccer and American football, there are no published data for nonhelmeted collision sports such as rugby union. To quantify head impacts via instrumented mouthguard acceleration analyses for rugby union players over a season of matches. Descriptive epidemiology study. Data on impact magnitude and frequency were collected with molded instrumented mouthguards worn by 38 premier amateur senior rugby players participating in the 2013 domestic season of matches. A total of 20,687 impacts >10g (range, 10.0-164.9g) were recorded over the duration of the study. The mean ± SD number of impacts per player over the duration of the season of matches was 564 ± 618, resulting in a mean ± SD of 95 ± 133 impacts to the head per player, per match over the duration of the season of matches. The impact magnitudes for linear accelerations were skewed to the lower values (Sp = 3.7 ± 0.02; P < .001), with a mean linear acceleration of 22.2 ± 16.2g. Rotational accelerations were also skewed to the lower values (Sp = 2.0 ± 0.02; P < .001), with a mean rotational acceleration of 3902.9 ± 3948.8 rad/s(2). The acceleration magnitudes and number of head impacts in amateur rugby union players over a season of matches, measured via instrumented mouthguard accelerations, were higher than for most sports previously reported. Mean linear acceleration measured over a season of matches was similar to the mean linear accelerations previously reported for youth, high school, and collegiate American football players but lower than that for female youth soccer players. Mean rotational acceleration measured over a season of matches was similar to mean rotational accelerations for youth, high school, and collegiate American football players but less than those for female youth soccer players, concussed American collegiate players, collegiate American football players, and professional American football players. © 2014 The Author(s).

Scaling fixed-field alternating gradient accelerators with a small orbit excursion.

PubMed

Machida, Shinji

2009-10-16

A novel scaling type of fixed-field alternating gradient (FFAG) accelerator is proposed that solves the major problems of conventional scaling and nonscaling types. This scaling FFAG accelerator can achieve a much smaller orbit excursion by taking a larger field index k. A triplet focusing structure makes it possible to set the operating point in the second stability region of Hill's equation with a reasonable sensitivity to various errors. The orbit excursion is about 5 times smaller than in a conventional scaling FFAG accelerator and the beam size growth due to typical errors is at most 10%.

Dual linear accelerator system for use in sterilization of medical disposable supplies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sadat, Theo

1991-05-01

Accelerators can be used for sterilization or decontamination (medical disposables, food, plastics, hospital waste, etc.). Most of these accelerators are located in an industrial environment and must have a high availability. A dual accelerator system (composed of two accelerators) offers optimal flexibility and reliability. The main advantage of this system is "all-in all-out" because it does not need a turnover of products. Such a dual system, composed of two 10 MeV 20 kW linear accelerators (instead of one 40 kW linac), has been chosen by a Swedish company (Mölnlycke).

Monte Carlo radiotherapy simulations of accelerated repopulation and reoxygenation for hypoxic head and neck cancer

PubMed Central

Harriss-Phillips, W M; Bezak, E; Yeoh, E K

2011-01-01

Objective A temporal Monte Carlo tumour growth and radiotherapy effect model (HYP-RT) simulating hypoxia in head and neck cancer has been developed and used to analyse parameters influencing cell kill during conventionally fractionated radiotherapy. The model was designed to simulate individual cell division up to 108 cells, while incorporating radiobiological effects, including accelerated repopulation and reoxygenation during treatment. Method Reoxygenation of hypoxic tumours has been modelled using randomised increments of oxygen to tumour cells after each treatment fraction. The process of accelerated repopulation has been modelled by increasing the symmetrical stem cell division probability. Both phenomena were onset immediately or after a number of weeks of simulated treatment. Results The extra dose required to control (total cell kill) hypoxic vs oxic tumours was 15–25% (8–20 Gy for 5×2 Gy per week) depending on the timing of accelerated repopulation onset. Reoxygenation of hypoxic tumours resulted in resensitisation and reduction in total dose required by approximately 10%, depending on the time of onset. When modelled simultaneously, accelerated repopulation and reoxygenation affected cell kill in hypoxic tumours in a similar manner to when the phenomena were modelled individually; however, the degree was altered, with non-additive results. Simulation results were in good agreement with standard linear quadratic theory; however, differed for more complex comparisons where hypoxia, reoxygenation as well as accelerated repopulation effects were considered. Conclusion Simulations have quantitatively confirmed the need for patient individualisation in radiotherapy for hypoxic head and neck tumours, and have shown the benefits of modelling complex and dynamic processes using Monte Carlo methods. PMID:21933980

Acceleration modules in linear induction accelerators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shao-Heng; Deng, Jian-Jun

2014-05-01

The Linear Induction Accelerator (LIA) is a unique type of accelerator that is capable of accelerating kilo-Ampere charged particle current to tens of MeV energy. The present development of LIA in MHz bursting mode and the successful application into a synchrotron have broadened LIA's usage scope. Although the transformer model is widely used to explain the acceleration mechanism of LIAs, it is not appropriate to consider the induction electric field as the field which accelerates charged particles for many modern LIAs. We have examined the transition of the magnetic cores' functions during the LIA acceleration modules' evolution, distinguished transformer type and transmission line type LIA acceleration modules, and re-considered several related issues based on transmission line type LIA acceleration module. This clarified understanding should help in the further development and design of LIA acceleration modules.

Classical-trajectory simulation of accelerating neutral atoms with polarized intense laser pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Q. Z.; Fu, L. B.; Liu, J.

2013-03-01

In the present paper, we perform the classical trajectory Monte Carlo simulation of the complex dynamics of accelerating neutral atoms with linearly or circularly polarized intense laser pulses. Our simulations involve the ion motion as well as the tunneling ionization and the scattering dynamics of valence electron in the combined Coulomb and electromagnetic fields, for both helium (He) and magnesium (Mg). We show that for He atoms, only linearly polarized lasers can effectively accelerate the atoms, while for Mg atoms, we find that both linearly and circularly polarized lasers can successively accelerate the atoms. The underlying mechanism is discussed and the subcycle dynamics of accelerating trajectories is investigated. We have compared our theoretical results with a recent experiment [Eichmann Nature (London)NATUAS0028-083610.1038/nature08481 461, 1261 (2009)].

[A study of magnetic shielding design for a magnetic resonance imaging linac system].

PubMed

Zhang, Zheshun; Chen, Wenjing; Qiu, Yang; Zhu, Jianming

2017-12-01

One of the main technical challenges when integrating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems with medical linear accelerator is the strong interference of fringe magnetic fields from the MRI system with the electron beams of linear accelerator, making the linear accelerator not to work properly. In order to minimize the interference of magnetic fields, a magnetic shielding cylinder with an open structure made of high permeability materials is designed. ANSYS Maxwell was used to simulate Helmholtz coil which generate uniform magnetic field instead of the fringe magnetic fields which affect accelerator gun. The parameters of shielding tube, such as permeability, radius, length, side thickness, bottom thickness and fringe magnetic fields strength are simulated, and the data is processed by MATLAB to compare the shielding performance. This article gives out a list of magnetic shielding effectiveness with different side thickness and bottom thickness under the optimal radius and length, which showes that this design can meet the shielding requirement for the MRI-linear accelerator system.

Differences in 1D electron plasma wake field acceleration in MeV versus GeV and linear versus blowout regimes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsiklauri, David

2018-03-01

In some laboratory and most astrophysical situations, plasma wake-field acceleration of electrons is one dimensional, i.e., variation transverse to the beam's motion can be ignored. Thus, one dimensional, particle-in-cell (PIC), fully electromagnetic simulations of electron plasma wake field acceleration are conducted in order to study the differences in electron plasma wake field acceleration in MeV versus GeV and linear versus blowout regimes. First, we show that caution needs to be taken when using fluid simulations, as PIC simulations prove that an approximation for an electron bunch not to evolve in time for a few hundred plasma periods only applies when it is sufficiently relativistic. This conclusion is true irrespective of the plasma temperature. We find that in the linear regime and GeV energies, the accelerating electric field generated by the plasma wake is similar to the linear and MeV regimes. However, because GeV energy driving bunch stays intact for a much longer time, the final acceleration energies are much larger in the GeV energies case. In the GeV energy range and blowout regime, the wake's accelerating electric field is much larger in amplitude compared with the linear case and also plasma wake geometrical size is much larger. Thus, the correct positioning of the trailing bunch is needed to achieve the efficient acceleration. For the considered case, optimally, there should be approximately (90-100)c/ωpe distance between the trailing and driving electron bunches in the GeV blowout regime.

Photoelectron linear accelerator for producing a low emittance polarized electron beam

DOEpatents

Yu, David U.; Clendenin, James E.; Kirby, Robert E.

2004-06-01

A photoelectron linear accelerator for producing a low emittance polarized electric beam. The accelerator includes a tube having an inner wall, the inner tube wall being coated by a getter material. A portable, or demountable, cathode plug is mounted within said tube, the surface of said cathode having a semiconductor material formed thereon.

Parametric study of transport beam lines for electron beams accelerated by laser-plasma interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scisciò, M.; Lancia, L.; Migliorati, M.; Mostacci, A.; Palumbo, L.; Papaphilippou, Y.; Antici, P.

2016-03-01

In the last decade, laser-plasma acceleration of high-energy electrons has attracted strong attention in different fields. Electrons with maximum energies in the GeV range can be laser-accelerated within a few cm using multi-hundreds terawatt (TW) lasers, yielding to very high beam currents at the source (electron bunches with up to tens-hundreds of pC in a few fs). While initially the challenge was to increase the maximum achievable electron energy, today strong effort is put in the control and usability of these laser-generated beams that still lack of some features in order to be used for applications where currently conventional, radio-frequency (RF) based, electron beam lines represent the most common and efficient solution. Several improvements have been suggested for this purpose, some of them acting directly on the plasma source, some using beam shaping tools located downstream. Concerning the latter, several studies have suggested the use of conventional accelerator magnetic devices (such as quadrupoles and solenoids) as an easy implementable solution when the laser-plasma accelerated beam requires optimization. In this paper, we report on a parametric study related to the transport of electron beams accelerated by laser-plasma interaction, using conventional accelerator elements and tools. We focus on both, high energy electron beams in the GeV range, as produced on petawatt (PW) class laser systems, and on lower energy electron beams in the hundreds of MeV range, as nowadays routinely obtained on commercially available multi-hundred TW laser systems. For both scenarios, our study allows understanding what are the crucial parameters that enable laser-plasma accelerators to compete with conventional ones and allow for a beam transport. We show that suitable working points require a tradeoff-combination between low beam divergence and narrow energy spread.

Broadband Energy Harvester Using Non-linear Polymer Spring and Electromagnetic/Triboelectric Hybrid Mechanism

PubMed Central

Gupta, Rahul Kumar; Shi, Qiongfeng; Dhakar, Lokesh; Wang, Tao; Heng, Chun Huat; Lee, Chengkuo

2017-01-01

Over the years, several approaches have been devised to widen the operating bandwidth, but most of them can only be triggered at high accelerations. In this work, we investigate a broadband energy harvester based on combination of non-linear stiffening effect and multimodal energy harvesting to obtain high bandwidth over wide range of accelerations (0.1 g–2.0 g). In order to achieve broadband behavior, a polymer based spring exhibiting multimodal energy harvesting is used. Besides, non-linear stiffening effect is introduced by using mechanical stoppers. At low accelerations (<0.5 g), the nearby mode frequencies of polymer spring contribute to broadening characteristics, while proof mass engages with mechanical stoppers to introduce broadening by non-linear stiffening at higher accelerations. The electromagnetic mechanism is employed in this design to enhance its output at low accelerations when triboelectric output is negligible. Our device displays bandwidth of 40 Hz even at low acceleration of 0.1 g and it is increased up to 68 Hz at 2 g. When non-linear stiffening is used along with multimodal energy-harvesting, the obtained bandwidth increases from 23 Hz to 68 Hz with percentage increment of 295% at 1.8 g. Further, we have demonstrated the triboelectric output measured as acceleration sensing signals in terms of voltage and current sensitivity of 4.7 Vg−1 and 19.7 nAg−1, respectively. PMID:28120924

The influence of acceleration loading curve characteristics on traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Post, Andrew; Blaine Hoshizaki, T; Gilchrist, Michael D; Brien, Susan; Cusimano, Michael D; Marshall, Shawn

2014-03-21

To prevent brain trauma, understanding the mechanism of injury is essential. Once the mechanism of brain injury has been identified, prevention technologies could then be developed to aid in their prevention. The incidence of brain injury is linked to how the kinematics of a brain injury event affects the internal structures of the brain. As a result it is essential that an attempt be made to describe how the characteristics of the linear and rotational acceleration influence specific traumatic brain injury lesions. As a result, the purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the characteristics of linear and rotational acceleration pulses and how they account for the variance in predicting the outcome of TBI lesions, namely contusion, subdural hematoma (SDH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and epidural hematoma (EDH) using a principal components analysis (PCA). Monorail impacts were conducted which simulated falls which caused the TBI lesions. From these reconstructions, the characteristics of the linear and rotational acceleration were determined and used for a PCA analysis. The results indicated that peak resultant acceleration variables did not account for any of the variance in predicting TBI lesions. The majority of the variance was accounted for by duration of the resultant and component linear and rotational acceleration. In addition, the components of linear and rotational acceleration characteristics on the x, y, and z axes accounted for the majority of the remainder of the variance after duration. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Broadband Energy Harvester Using Non-linear Polymer Spring and Electromagnetic/Triboelectric Hybrid Mechanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Rahul Kumar; Shi, Qiongfeng; Dhakar, Lokesh; Wang, Tao; Heng, Chun Huat; Lee, Chengkuo

2017-01-01

Over the years, several approaches have been devised to widen the operating bandwidth, but most of them can only be triggered at high accelerations. In this work, we investigate a broadband energy harvester based on combination of non-linear stiffening effect and multimodal energy harvesting to obtain high bandwidth over wide range of accelerations (0.1 g-2.0 g). In order to achieve broadband behavior, a polymer based spring exhibiting multimodal energy harvesting is used. Besides, non-linear stiffening effect is introduced by using mechanical stoppers. At low accelerations (<0.5 g), the nearby mode frequencies of polymer spring contribute to broadening characteristics, while proof mass engages with mechanical stoppers to introduce broadening by non-linear stiffening at higher accelerations. The electromagnetic mechanism is employed in this design to enhance its output at low accelerations when triboelectric output is negligible. Our device displays bandwidth of 40 Hz even at low acceleration of 0.1 g and it is increased up to 68 Hz at 2 g. When non-linear stiffening is used along with multimodal energy-harvesting, the obtained bandwidth increases from 23 Hz to 68 Hz with percentage increment of 295% at 1.8 g. Further, we have demonstrated the triboelectric output measured as acceleration sensing signals in terms of voltage and current sensitivity of 4.7 Vg-1 and 19.7 nAg-1, respectively.

Comparative Evaluation of Conventional and Accelerated Castings on Marginal Fit and Surface Roughness

PubMed Central

Jadhav, Vivek Dattatray; Motwani, Bhagwan K.; Shinde, Jitendra; Adhapure, Prasad

2017-01-01

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the marginal fit and surface roughness of complete cast crowns made by a conventional and an accelerated casting technique. Settings and Design: This study was divided into three parts. In Part I, the marginal fit of full metal crowns made by both casting techniques in the vertical direction was checked, in Part II, the fit of sectional metal crowns in the horizontal direction made by both casting techniques was checked, and in Part III, the surface roughness of disc-shaped metal plate specimens made by both casting techniques was checked. Materials and Methods: A conventional technique was compared with an accelerated technique. In Part I of the study, the marginal fit of the full metal crowns as well as in Part II, the horizontal fit of sectional metal crowns made by both casting techniques was determined, and in Part III, the surface roughness of castings made with the same techniques was compared. Statistical Analysis Used: The results of the t-test and independent sample test do not indicate statistically significant differences in the marginal discrepancy detected between the two casting techniques. Results: For the marginal discrepancy and surface roughness, crowns fabricated with the accelerated technique were significantly different from those fabricated with the conventional technique. Conclusions: Accelerated casting technique showed quite satisfactory results, but the conventional technique was superior in terms of marginal fit and surface roughness. PMID:29042726

Technical Note: Mobile accelerator guidance using an optical tracker during docking in IOERT procedures.

PubMed

Marinetto, Eugenio; Victores, Juan González; García-Sevilla, Mónica; Muñoz, Mercedes; Calvo, Felipe Ángel; Balaguer, Carlos; Desco, Manuel; Pascau, Javier

2017-10-01

Intraoperative electron radiation therapy (IOERT) involves the delivery of a high radiation dose during tumor resection in a shorter time than other radiation techniques, thus improving local control of tumors. However, a linear accelerator device is needed to produce the beam safely. Mobile linear accelerators have been designed as dedicated units that can be moved into the operating room and deliver radiation in situ. Correct and safe dose delivery is a key concern when using mobile accelerators. The applicator is commonly fixed to the patient's bed to ensure that the dose is delivered to the prescribed location, and the mobile accelerator is moved to dock the applicator to the radiation beam output (gantry). In a typical clinical set-up, this task is time-consuming because of safety requirements and the limited degree of freedom of the gantry. The objective of this study was to present a navigation solution based on optical tracking for guidance of docking to improve safety and reduce procedure time. We used an optical tracker attached to the mobile linear accelerator to track the prescribed localization of the radiation collimator inside the operating room. Using this information, the integrated navigation system developed computes the movements that the mobile linear accelerator needs to perform to align the applicator and the radiation gantry and warns the physician if docking is unrealizable according to the available degrees of freedom of the mobile linear accelerator. Furthermore, we coded a software application that connects all the necessary functioning elements and provides a user interface for the system calibration and the docking guidance. The system could safeguard against the spatial limitations of the operating room, calculate the optimal arrangement of the accelerator and reduce the docking time in computer simulations and experimental setups. The system could be used to guide docking with any commercial linear accelerator. We believe that the docking navigator we present is a major contribution to IOERT, where docking is critical when attempting to reduce surgical time, ensure patient safety and guarantee that the treatment administered follows the radiation oncologist's prescription. © 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Study of the damage evolution function of tin silver copper in cycling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qasaimeh, Awni

The present research focused on the assessment of solder joint fatigue life in microelectronics assemblies. A general concern of any reliability engineer is whether accelerated tests are relevant to field conditions. The risk of this was minimized by developing an approach to reduce the duration of an accelerated thermal cycling test, thus allowing for the use of less accelerated test conditions. For this purpose the conventional dye and pry technique was improved and used together with artificial neural networks to measure and characterize very early stages of crack growth. The same work also demonstrated a quantitative link between thermal cycling induced recrystallization and a strong acceleration of the subsequent fatigue crack growth and failure. A new study was conducted in which different combinations of annealing and isothermal cycling provided a systematic characterization of the effects of a range of individual parameters on the recrystallization. Experiments showed the ongoing coarsening of secondary precipitates to have a clear effect on recrystallization. The rate of recrystallization was also shown not to scale with the inelastic energy deposition. This means that the most popular current thermal cycling model cannot apply to SnAgCu solder joints. Recrystallization of the Sn grains is usually not the rate limiting mechanism in isothermal cycling. The crack initiation stage often takes up a much greater fraction of the overall life, and the eventual failure of BGA joints tends to involve transgranular crack growth instead. Cycling of individual solder joints allowed for monitoring of the evolution of the solder properties and the rate of inelastic energy deposition. Both the number of cycles to crack initiation and the subsequent number of cycles to failure were shown to be determined by the inelastic energy deposition. This provides for a simple model for the extrapolation of accelerated test results to the much milder cycling amplitudes characteristic of long term service conditions based on conventional Finite Element Modeling. It also offers a critical basis for the ongoing development of a practical model to account for the often dramatic break-down of Miner's rule of linear damage accumulation under variable cycling amplitudes as expected in realistic applications.

Impact attenuation of protective boxing and taekwondo headgear.

PubMed

O'Sullivan, David M; Fife, Gabriel P

2016-11-01

This study aimed to compare the impact attenuation performance of boxing and taekwondo headgear in terms of peak linear and rotational acceleration. To measure the impact attenuation of headgear, a standardized (American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F-2397) martial arts headgear striker was used to impart impacts to a 50th Percentile Male Hybrid III Crash Test Dummy head and neck complex. Two boxing (Adidas and Greenhill) and two taekwondo (Adidas and Nike) headgear, approved by the Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur and the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), were selected. Each of the selected headgear was fitted to the Hybrid III head and subsequently subjected to five impacts at the front and side with a maximum impact interim time of 60 seconds by the rotating striker at 8 ± 0.3 m/s. Linear and rotational acceleration were recorded at 10,000 Hz. There were significant interactions of the impact location and brand on the rotational acceleration, F(3,40) = 6.7, p < .05. There were significant main effects of both impact location F(1,40) = 9.07, p < .05 and headgear brand F(3,40) = 9.9, p < .05 on the linear acceleration. Pairwise comparisons show significant differences between the front and side for both linear and rotational acceleration. The headgear tested failed the ASTM high impact test requirement to reduce the linear acceleration to below a threshold of 150 g. Further development of headgear to reduce impact linear and rotational acceleration magnitudes should be called for by the relevant sport governing bodies and initiated by headgear manufactures.

Pros and Cons of the Acceleration Scheme (NF-IDS)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bogacz, Alex; Bogacz, Slawomir

The overall goal of the acceleration systems: large acceptance acceleration to 25 GeV and beam shaping can be accomplished by various fixed field accelerators at different stages. They involve three superconducting linacs: a single pass linear Pre-accelerator followed by a pair of multi-pass Recirculating Linear Accelerators (RLA) and finally a nonâ scaling FFAG ring. The present baseline acceleration scenario has been optimized to take maximum advantage of appropriate acceleration scheme at a given stage. Pros and cons of various stages are discussed here in detail. The solenoid based Pre-accelerator offers very large acceptance and facilitates correction of energy gain acrossmore » the bunch and significant longitudinal compression trough induced synchrotron motion. However, far off-crest acceleration reduces the effective acceleration gradient and adds complexity through the requirement of individual RF phase control for each cavity. Close proximity of strong solenoids and superc« less

Electron acceleration via magnetic island coalescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shinohara, I.; Yumura, T.; Tanaka, K. G.; Fujimoto, M.

2009-06-01

Electron acceleration via fast magnetic island coalescence that happens as quick magnetic reconnection triggering (QMRT) proceeds has been studied. We have carried out a three-dimensional full kinetic simulation of the Harris current sheet with a large enough simulation run for two magnetic islands coalescence. Due to the strong inductive electric field associated with the non-linear evolution of the lower-hybrid-drift instability and the magnetic island coalescence process observed in the non-linear stage of the collisionless tearing mode, electrons are significantly accelerated at around the neutral sheet and the subsequent X-line. The accelerated meandering electrons generated by the non-linear evolution of the lower-hybrid-drift instability are resulted in QMRT, and QMRT leads to fast magnetic island coalescence. As a whole, the reconnection triggering and its transition to large-scale structure work as an effective electron accelerator.

Laser-plasma-based linear collider using hollow plasma channels

DOE PAGES

Schroeder, C. B.; Benedetti, C.; Esarey, E.; ...

2016-03-03

A linear electron–positron collider based on laser-plasma accelerators using hollow plasma channels is considered. Laser propagation and energy depletion in the hollow channel is discussed, as well as the overall efficiency of the laser-plasma accelerator. Example parameters are presented for a 1-TeV and 3-TeV center-of-mass collider based on laser-plasma accelerators.

A new RF window designed for high-power operation in an S-band LINAC RF system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joo, Youngdo; Kim, Seung-Hwan; Hwang, Woonha; Ryu, Jiwan; Roh, Sungjoo

2016-09-01

A new RF window is designed for high-power operation at the Pohang Light Source-II (PLSII) S-band linear accelerator (LINAC) RF system. In order to reduce the strength of the electric field component perpendicular to the ceramic disk, which is commonly known as the main cause of most discharge breakdowns in ceramic disk, we replace the pill-box type cavity in the conventional RF window with an overmoded cavity. The overmoded cavity is coupled with input and output waveguides through dual side-wall coupling irises to reduce the electric field strength at the iris and the number of possible mode competitions. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation, CST MWS, was used in the design process. The simulated maximum electric field component perpendicular to the ceramic for the new RF window is reduced by an order of magnitude compared with taht for the conventional RF window, which holds promise for stable high-power operation.

Acceleration of the Particle Swarm Optimization for Peierls–Nabarro modeling of dislocations in conventional and high-entropy alloys

DOE PAGES

Pei, Zongrui; Max-Planck-Inst. fur Eisenforschung, Duseldorf; Eisenbach, Markus

2017-02-06

Dislocations are among the most important defects in determining the mechanical properties of both conventional alloys and high-entropy alloys. The Peierls-Nabarro model supplies an efficient pathway to their geometries and mobility. The difficulty in solving the integro-differential Peierls-Nabarro equation is how to effectively avoid the local minima in the energy landscape of a dislocation core. Among the other methods to optimize the dislocation core structures, we choose the algorithm of Particle Swarm Optimization, an algorithm that simulates the social behaviors of organisms. By employing more particles (bigger swarm) and more iterative steps (allowing them to explore for longer time), themore » local minima can be effectively avoided. But this would require more computational cost. The advantage of this algorithm is that it is readily parallelized in modern high computing architecture. We demonstrate the performance of our parallelized algorithm scales linearly with the number of employed cores.« less

Anthropometrics and maturity status: A preliminary study of youth football head impact biomechanics.

PubMed

Yeargin, Susan W; Kingsley, Payton; Mensch, Jim M; Mihalik, Jason P; Monsma, Eva V

2017-10-03

There is a paucity of head impact biomechanics research focusing on youth athletes. Little is known about how youth subconcussive head impact tolerances are related to physical size and maturation. To examine the effects of age, anthropometric and maturational status variability on head impact biomechanics. Cross-sectional. Outdoor youth football facilities in South Carolina. Thirty-four male recreational youth football players, 8 to 13yrs. Categorized by CDC standards, independent variables were: age, height, mass, BMI, and estimated peak height velocity (PHV). Participants wore a designated head impact sensor (xPatch) on their mastoid process during practices and games. Linear acceleration (g) and rotational acceleration (rad/s 2 ). Boys in the older age category had a greater linear (F=17.72; P<0.001) and rotational acceleration (F=10.74; P<0.001) than those in the younger category. Post-PHV boys had higher linear (F=9.09, P=0.002) and rotational (F=5.57, P=0.018) accelerations than those who were pre-PHV. Rotational, but not linear acceleration differed by height category with lowest impacts found for the tallest category, whereas both linear and rotational accelerations by mass differences favored average and heavy categories. BMI overweight boys, had the greatest linear (F=5.25; P=0.011) and rotational acceleration (F=4.13; P=0.260) means. Post-PHV boys who were older, taller and had longer legs, but who were not heavier, had higher impacts perhaps due to the type of impacts sustained. Taller boys' heads are above their peers possibly encouraging hits in the torso region resulting in lower impact accelerations. Obese boys did not have sequential results compared to boys in the other BMI categories probably due to league rules, player position, and lack of momentum produced. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Technology evaluation of man-rated acceleration test equipment for vestibular research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taback, I.; Kenimer, R. L.; Butterfield, A. J.

1983-01-01

The considerations for eliminating acceleration noise cues in horizontal, linear, cyclic-motion sleds intended for both ground and shuttle-flight applications are addressed. the principal concerns are the acceleration transients associated with change in direction-of-motion for the carriage. The study presents a design limit for acceleration cues or transients based upon published measurements for thresholds of human perception to linear cyclic motion. The sources and levels for motion transients are presented based upon measurements obtained from existing sled systems. The approaches to a noise-free system recommends the use of air bearings for the carriage support and moving-coil linear induction motors operating at low frequency as the drive system. Metal belts running on air bearing pulleys provide an alternate approach to the driving system. The appendix presents a discussion of alternate testing techniques intended to provide preliminary type data by means of pendulums, linear motion devices and commercial air bearing tables.

Critical system issues and modeling requirements: The problem of beam energy sweep in an electron linear induction accelerator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Turner, W.C.; Barrett, D.M.; Sampayan, S.E.

1990-08-06

In this paper we discuss system issues and modeling requirements within the context of energy sweep in an electron linear induction accelerator. When needed, particular parameter values are taken from the ETA-II linear induction accelerator at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. For this paper, the most important parameter is energy sweep during a pulse. It is important to have low energy sweep to satisfy the FEL resonance condition and to limit the beam corkscrew motion. It is desired to achieve {Delta}E/E = {plus minus}1% for a 50-ns flattop whereas the present level of performance is {Delta}E/E = {plus minus}1% in 10more » ns. To improve this situation we will identify a number of areas in which modeling could help increase understanding and improve our ability to design linear induction accelerators.« less

Accelerators for Cancer Therapy

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Lennox, Arlene J.

2000-05-30

The vast majority of radiation treatments for cancerous tumors are given using electron linacs that provide both electrons and photons at several energies. Design and construction of these linacs are based on mature technology that is rapidly becoming more and more standardized and sophisticated. The use of hadrons such as neutrons, protons, alphas, or carbon, oxygen and neon ions is relatively new. Accelerators for hadron therapy are far from standardized, but the use of hadron therapy as an alternative to conventional radiation has led to significant improvements and refinements in conventional treatment techniques. This paper presents the rationale for radiation therapy, describes the accelerators used in conventional and hadron therapy, and outlines the issues that must still be resolved in the emerging field of hadron therapy.

Fourier transform and particle swarm optimization based modified LQR algorithm for mitigation of vibrations using magnetorheological dampers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Gaurav; Kumar, Ashok

2017-11-01

Structural control has gained significant attention in recent times. The standalone issue of power requirement during an earthquake has already been solved up to a large extent by designing semi-active control systems using conventional linear quadratic control theory, and many other intelligent control algorithms such as fuzzy controllers, artificial neural networks, etc. In conventional linear-quadratic regulator (LQR) theory, it is customary to note that the values of the design parameters are decided at the time of designing the controller and cannot be subsequently altered. During an earthquake event, the response of the structure may increase or decrease, depending the quasi-resonance occurring between the structure and the earthquake. In this case, it is essential to modify the value of the design parameters of the conventional LQR controller to obtain optimum control force to mitigate the vibrations due to the earthquake. A few studies have been done to sort out this issue but in all these studies it was necessary to maintain a database of the earthquake. To solve this problem and to find the optimized design parameters of the LQR controller in real time, a fast Fourier transform and particle swarm optimization based modified linear quadratic regulator method is presented here. This method comprises four different algorithms: particle swarm optimization (PSO), the fast Fourier transform (FFT), clipped control algorithm and the LQR. The FFT helps to obtain the dominant frequency for every time window. PSO finds the optimum gain matrix through the real-time update of the weighting matrix R, thereby, dispensing with the experimentation. The clipped control law is employed to match the magnetorheological (MR) damper force with the desired force given by the controller. The modified Bouc-Wen phenomenological model is taken to recognize the nonlinearities in the MR damper. The assessment of the advised method is done by simulation of a three-story structure having an MR damper at the ground floor level subjected to three different near-fault historical earthquake time histories, and the outcomes are equated with those of simple conventional LQR. The results establish that the advised methodology is more effective than conventional LQR controllers in reducing inter-storey drift, relative displacement, and acceleration response.

Analysis of Monte Carlo accelerated iterative methods for sparse linear systems: Analysis of Monte Carlo accelerated iterative methods for sparse linear systems

DOE PAGES

Benzi, Michele; Evans, Thomas M.; Hamilton, Steven P.; ...

2017-03-05

Here, we consider hybrid deterministic-stochastic iterative algorithms for the solution of large, sparse linear systems. Starting from a convergent splitting of the coefficient matrix, we analyze various types of Monte Carlo acceleration schemes applied to the original preconditioned Richardson (stationary) iteration. We expect that these methods will have considerable potential for resiliency to faults when implemented on massively parallel machines. We also establish sufficient conditions for the convergence of the hybrid schemes, and we investigate different types of preconditioners including sparse approximate inverses. Numerical experiments on linear systems arising from the discretization of partial differential equations are presented.

Applications of the Strategic Defense Initiative's compact accelerators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Montanarelli, Nick; Lynch, Ted

1991-01-01

The Strategic Defense Initiative's (SDI) investment in particle accelerator technology for its directed energy weapons program has produced breakthroughs in the size and power of new accelerators. These accelerators, in turn, have produced spinoffs in several areas: the radio frequency quadrupole linear accelerator (RFQ linac) was recently incorporated into the design of a cancer therapy unit at the Loma Linda University Medical Center, an SDI-sponsored compact induction linear accelerator may replace Cobalt-60 radiation and hazardous ethylene-oxide as a method for sterilizing medical products, and other SDIO-funded accelerators may be used to produce the radioactive isotopes oxygen-15, nitrogen-13, carbon-11, and fluorine-18 for positron emission tomography (PET). Other applications of these accelerators include bomb detection, non-destructive inspection, decomposing toxic substances in contaminated ground water, and eliminating nuclear waste.

An experimental attenuation plate to improve the dose distribution in intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy for breast cancer.

PubMed

Oshima, T; Aoyama, Y; Shimozato, T; Sawaki, M; Imai, T; Ito, Y; Obata, Y; Tabushi, K

2009-06-07

Intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy (IOERT) is a technique in which a single-fraction high dose is intraoperatively delivered to subclinical tumour cells using an electron beam after breast-conserving surgery. In IOERT, an attenuation plate consisting of a pair of metal disks is commonly used to protect the normal tissues posterior to the breast. However, the dose in front of the plate is affected by backscatter, resulting in an unpredictable delivered dose to the tumour cells. In this study, an experimental attenuation plate, termed a shielding plate, was designed using Monte Carlo simulation, which significantly diminished the electron beam without introducing any backscatter radiation. The plate's performance was verified by measurements. It was made of two layers, a first layer (source side) of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and a second layer of copper, which was selected from among other metals (aluminium, copper and lead) after testing for shielding capability and the range and magnitude of backscatter. The optimal thicknesses of the PMMA (0.71 cm) and copper (0.3 cm) layers were determined by changing their thicknesses during simulations. On the basis of these results, a shielding plate was prototyped and depth doses with and without the plate were measured by radiophotoluminescence glass dosimeters using a conventional stationary linear accelerator and a mobile linear accelerator dedicated for IOERT. The trial shielding plate functioned as intended, indicating its applicability in clinical practice.

New concept on an integrated interior magnetic resonance imaging and medical linear accelerator system for radiation therapy.

PubMed

Jia, Xun; Tian, Zhen; Xi, Yan; Jiang, Steve B; Wang, Ge

2017-01-01

Image guidance plays a critical role in radiotherapy. Currently, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is routinely used in clinics for this purpose. While this modality can provide an attenuation image for therapeutic planning, low soft-tissue contrast affects the delineation of anatomical and pathological features. Efforts have recently been devoted to several MRI linear accelerator (LINAC) projects that lead to the successful combination of a full diagnostic MRI scanner with a radiotherapy machine. We present a new concept for the development of the MRI-LINAC system. Instead of combining a full MRI scanner with the LINAC platform, we propose using an interior MRI (iMRI) approach to image a specific region of interest (RoI) containing the radiation treatment target. While the conventional CBCT component still delivers a global image of the patient's anatomy, the iMRI offers local imaging of high soft-tissue contrast for tumor delineation. We describe a top-level system design for the integration of an iMRI component into an existing LINAC platform. We performed numerical analyses of the magnetic field for the iMRI to show potentially acceptable field properties in a spherical RoI with a diameter of 15 cm. This field could be shielded to a sufficiently low level around the LINAC region to avoid electromagnetic interference. Furthermore, we investigate the dosimetric impacts of this integration on the radiotherapy beam.

Two-dimensional spatiotemporal coding of linear acceleration in vestibular nuclei neurons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Angelaki, D. E.; Bush, G. A.; Perachio, A. A.

1993-01-01

Response properties of vertical (VC) and horizontal (HC) canal/otolith-convergent vestibular nuclei neurons were studied in decerebrate rats during stimulation with sinusoidal linear accelerations (0.2-1.4 Hz) along different directions in the head horizontal plane. A novel characteristic of the majority of tested neurons was the nonzero response often elicited during stimulation along the "null" direction (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the maximum sensitivity vector, Smax). The tuning ratio (Smin gain/Smax gain), a measure of the two-dimensional spatial sensitivity, depended on stimulus frequency. For most vestibular nuclei neurons, the tuning ratio was small at the lowest stimulus frequencies and progressively increased with frequency. Specifically, HC neurons were characterized by a flat Smax gain and an approximately 10-fold increase of Smin gain per frequency decade. Thus, these neurons encode linear acceleration when stimulated along their maximum sensitivity direction, and the rate of change of linear acceleration (jerk) when stimulated along their minimum sensitivity direction. While the Smax vectors were distributed throughout the horizontal plane, the Smin vectors were concentrated mainly ipsilaterally with respect to head acceleration and clustered around the naso-occipital head axis. The properties of VC neurons were distinctly different from those of HC cells. The majority of VC cells showed decreasing Smax gains and small, relatively flat, Smin gains as a function of frequency. The Smax vectors were distributed ipsilaterally relative to the induced (apparent) head tilt. In type I anterior or posterior VC neurons, Smax vectors were clustered around the projection of the respective ipsilateral canal plane onto the horizontal head plane. These distinct spatial and temporal properties of HC and VC neurons during linear acceleration are compatible with the spatiotemporal organization of the horizontal and the vertical/torsional ocular responses, respectively, elicited in the rat during linear translation in the horizontal head plane. In addition, the data suggest a spatially and temporally specific and selective otolith/canal convergence. We propose that the central otolith system is organized in canal coordinates such that there is a close alignment between the plane of angular acceleration (canal) sensitivity and the plane of linear acceleration (otolith) sensitivity in otolith/canal-convergent vestibular nuclei neurons.

A novel electron accelerator for MRI-Linac radiotherapy.

PubMed

Whelan, Brendan; Gierman, Stephen; Holloway, Lois; Schmerge, John; Keall, Paul; Fahrig, Rebecca

2016-03-01

MRI guided radiotherapy is a rapidly growing field; however, current electron accelerators are not designed to operate in the magnetic fringe fields of MRI scanners. As such, current MRI-Linac systems require magnetic shielding, which can degrade MR image quality and limit system flexibility. The purpose of this work was to develop and test a novel medical electron accelerator concept which is inherently robust to operation within magnetic fields for in-line MRI-Linac systems. Computational simulations were utilized to model the accelerator, including the thermionic emission process, the electromagnetic fields within the accelerating structure, and resulting particle trajectories through these fields. The spatial and energy characteristics of the electron beam were quantified at the accelerator target and compared to published data for conventional accelerators. The model was then coupled to the fields from a simulated 1 T superconducting magnet and solved for cathode to isocenter distances between 1.0 and 2.4 m; the impact on the electron beam was quantified. For the zero field solution, the average current at the target was 146.3 mA, with a median energy of 5.8 MeV (interquartile spread of 0.1 MeV), and a spot size diameter of 1.5 mm full-width-tenth-maximum. Such an electron beam is suitable for therapy, comparing favorably to published data for conventional systems. The simulated accelerator showed increased robustness to operation in in-line magnetic fields, with a maximum current loss of 3% compared to 85% for a conventional system in the same magnetic fields. Computational simulations suggest that replacing conventional DC electron sources with a RF based source could be used to develop medical electron accelerators which are robust to operation in in-line magnetic fields. This would enable the development of MRI-Linac systems with no magnetic shielding around the Linac and reduce the requirements for optimization of magnetic fringe field, simplify design of the high-field magnet, and increase system flexibility.

A novel electron accelerator for MRI-Linac radiotherapy

PubMed Central

Whelan, Brendan; Gierman, Stephen; Holloway, Lois; Schmerge, John; Keall, Paul; Fahrig, Rebecca

2016-01-01

Purpose: MRI guided radiotherapy is a rapidly growing field; however, current electron accelerators are not designed to operate in the magnetic fringe fields of MRI scanners. As such, current MRI-Linac systems require magnetic shielding, which can degrade MR image quality and limit system flexibility. The purpose of this work was to develop and test a novel medical electron accelerator concept which is inherently robust to operation within magnetic fields for in-line MRI-Linac systems. Methods: Computational simulations were utilized to model the accelerator, including the thermionic emission process, the electromagnetic fields within the accelerating structure, and resulting particle trajectories through these fields. The spatial and energy characteristics of the electron beam were quantified at the accelerator target and compared to published data for conventional accelerators. The model was then coupled to the fields from a simulated 1 T superconducting magnet and solved for cathode to isocenter distances between 1.0 and 2.4 m; the impact on the electron beam was quantified. Results: For the zero field solution, the average current at the target was 146.3 mA, with a median energy of 5.8 MeV (interquartile spread of 0.1 MeV), and a spot size diameter of 1.5 mm full-width-tenth-maximum. Such an electron beam is suitable for therapy, comparing favorably to published data for conventional systems. The simulated accelerator showed increased robustness to operation in in-line magnetic fields, with a maximum current loss of 3% compared to 85% for a conventional system in the same magnetic fields. Conclusions: Computational simulations suggest that replacing conventional DC electron sources with a RF based source could be used to develop medical electron accelerators which are robust to operation in in-line magnetic fields. This would enable the development of MRI-Linac systems with no magnetic shielding around the Linac and reduce the requirements for optimization of magnetic fringe field, simplify design of the high-field magnet, and increase system flexibility. PMID:26936713

Signature energetic analysis of accelerate electron beam after first acceleration station by accelerating stand of Joint Institute for Nuclear Research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sledneva, A. S.; Kobets, V. V.

2017-06-01

The linear electron accelerator based on the LINAC - 800 accelerator imported from the Netherland is created at Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in the framework of the project on creation of the Testbed with an electron beam of a linear accelerator with an energy up to 250 MV. Currently two accelerator stations with a 60 MV energy of a beam are put in operation and the work is to put the beam through accelerating section of the third accelerator station. The electron beam with an energy of 23 MeV is used for testing the crystals (BaF2, CsI (native), and LYSO) in order to explore the opportunity to use them in particle detectors in experiments: Muon g-2, Mu2e, Comet, whose preparation requires a detailed study of the detectors properties such as their irradiation by the accelerator beams.

Self-shielded electron linear accelerators designed for radiation technologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belugin, V. M.; Rozanov, N. E.; Pirozhenko, V. M.

2009-09-01

This paper describes self-shielded high-intensity electron linear accelerators designed for radiation technologies. The specific property of the accelerators is that they do not apply an external magnetic field; acceleration and focusing of electron beams are performed by radio-frequency fields in the accelerating structures. The main characteristics of the accelerators are high current and beam power, but also reliable operation and a long service life. To obtain these characteristics, a number of problems have been solved, including a particular optimization of the accelerator components and the application of a variety of specific means. The paper describes features of the electron beam dynamics, accelerating structure, and radio-frequency power supply. Several compact self-shielded accelerators for radiation sterilization and x-ray cargo inspection have been created. The introduced methods made it possible to obtain a high intensity of the electron beam and good performance of the accelerators.

The radiation fields around a proton therapy facility: A comparison of Monte Carlo simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ottaviano, G.; Picardi, L.; Pillon, M.; Ronsivalle, C.; Sandri, S.

2014-02-01

A proton therapy test facility with a beam current lower than 10 nA in average, and an energy up to 150 MeV, is planned to be sited at the Frascati ENEA Research Center, in Italy. The accelerator is composed of a sequence of linear sections. The first one is a commercial 7 MeV proton linac, from which the beam is injected in a SCDTL (Side Coupled Drift Tube Linac) structure reaching the energy of 52 MeV. Then a conventional CCL (coupled Cavity Linac) with side coupling cavities completes the accelerator. The linear structure has the important advantage that the main radiation losses during the acceleration process occur to protons with energy below 20 MeV, with a consequent low production of neutrons and secondary radiation. From the radiation protection point of view the source of radiation for this facility is then almost completely located at the final target. Physical and geometrical models of the device have been developed and implemented into radiation transport computer codes based on the Monte Carlo method. The scope is the assessment of the radiation field around the main source for supporting the safety analysis. For the assessment independent researchers used two different Monte Carlo computer codes named FLUKA (FLUktuierende KAskade) and MCNPX (Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended) respectively. Both are general purpose tools for calculations of particle transport and interactions with matter, covering an extended range of applications including proton beam analysis. Nevertheless each one utilizes its own nuclear cross section libraries and uses specific physics models for particle types and energies. The models implemented into the codes are described and the results are presented. The differences between the two calculations are reported and discussed pointing out disadvantages and advantages of each code in the specific application.

First Observations of Laser-Driven Acceleration of Relativistic Electrons in a Semi-Infinite Vacuum Space

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Plettner, T.; Byer, R.L.; Smith, T.I.

2006-02-17

We have observed acceleration of relativistic electrons in vacuum driven by a linearly polarized visible laser beam incident on a thin gold-coated reflective boundary. The observed energy modulation effect follows all the characteristics expected for linear acceleration caused by a longitudinal electric field. As predicted by the Lawson-Woodward theorem the laser driven modulation only appears in the presence of the boundary. It shows a linear dependence with the strength of the electric field of the laser beam and also it is critically dependent on the laser polarization. Finally, it appears to follow the expected angular dependence of the inverse transitionmore » radiation process. experiment as the Laser Electron Accelerator Project (LEAP).« less

Inviscid linear stability analysis of two vertical columns of different densities in a gravitational acceleration field

DOE PAGES

Prathama, Aditya Heru; Pantano, Carlos

2017-08-09

Here, we study the inviscid linear stability of a vertical interface separating two fluids of different densities and subject to a gravitational acceleration field parallel to the interface. In this arrangement, the two free streams are constantly accelerated, which means that the linear stability analysis is not amenable to Fourier or Laplace solution in time. Instead, we derive the equations analytically by the initial-value problem method and express the solution in terms of the well-known parabolic cylinder function. The results, which can be classified as an accelerating Kelvin–Helmholtz configuration, show that even in the presence of surface tension, the interfacemore » is unconditionally unstable at all wavemodes. This is a consequence of the ever increasing momentum of the free streams, as gravity accelerates them indefinitely. The instability can be shown to grow as the exponential of a quadratic function of time.« less

International Workshop on Linear Colliders 2010

ScienceCinema

Lebrun, Ph.

2018-06-20

IWLC2010 International Workshop on Linear Colliders 2010ECFA-CLIC-ILC joint meeting: Monday 18 October - Friday 22 October 2010Venue: CERN and CICG (International Conference Centre Geneva, Switzerland). This year, the International Workshop on Linear Colliders organized by the European Committee for Future Accelerators (ECFA) will study the physics, detectors and accelerator complex of a linear collider covering both CLIC and ILC options. Contact Workshop Secretariat  IWLC2010 is hosted by CERN.

International Workshop on Linear Colliders 2010

ScienceCinema

Yamada, Sakue

2018-05-24

IWLC2010 International Workshop on Linear Colliders 2010ECFA-CLIC-ILC joint meeting: Monday 18 October - Friday 22 October 2010Venue: CERN and CICG (International Conference Centre Geneva, Switzerland) This year, the International Workshop on Linear Colliders organized by the European Committee for Future Accelerators (ECFA) will study the physics, detectors and accelerator complex of a linear collider covering both CLIC and ILC options. Contact Workshop Secretariat  IWLC2010 is hosted by CERN

Adaptation to vestibular disorientation. IX, Influence of head position on the habituation of vertical nystagmus.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1968-03-01

Interactions of linear and angular accelerations are frequently experienced by pilots during aircraft maneuvers. Several recent studies have indicated that the otoliths (detectors of linear acceleration) may influence responses of the semicircular ca...

Conduction cooling systems for linear accelerator cavities

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kephart, Robert

A conduction cooling system for linear accelerator cavities. The system conducts heat from the cavities to a refrigeration unit using at least one cavity cooler interconnected with a cooling connector. The cavity cooler and cooling connector are both made from solid material having a very high thermal conductivity of approximately 1.times.10.sup.4 W m.sup.-1 K.sup.-1 at temperatures of approximately 4 degrees K. This allows for very simple and effective conduction of waste heat from the linear accelerator cavities to the cavity cooler, along the cooling connector, and thence to the refrigeration unit.

Assessment of human exposure doses received by activation of medical linear accelerator components

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, D.-Y.; Kim, J.-H.; Park, E.-T.

2017-08-01

This study analyzes the radiation exposure dose that an operator can receive from radioactive components during maintenance or repair of a linear accelerator. This study further aims to evaluate radiological safety. Simulations are performed on 10 MV and 15 MV photon beams, which are the most frequently used high-energy beams in clinics. The simulation analyzes components in order of activity and the human exposure dose based on the amount of neutrons received. As a result, the neutron dose, radiation dose, and human exposure dose are ranked in order of target, primary collimator, flattening filter, multi-leaf collimator, and secondary collimator, where the minimum dose is 9.34E-07 mSv/h and the maximum is 1.71E-02 mSv/h. When applying the general dose limit (radiation worker 20 mSv/year, pubic 1 mSv/year) in accordance with the Nuclear Safety Act, all components of a linear accelerator are evaluated as below the threshold value. Therefore, the results suggest that there is no serious safety issue for operators in maintaining and repairing a linear accelerator. Nevertheless, if an operator recognizes an exposure from the components of a linear accelerator during operation and considers the operating time and shielding against external exposure, exposure of the operator is expected to be minimized.

Third party EPID with IGRT capability retrofitted onto an existing medical linear accelerator

PubMed Central

Odero, DO; Shimm, DS

2009-01-01

Radiation therapy requires precision to avoid unintended irradiation of normal organs. Electronic Portal Imaging Devices (EPIDs), can help with precise patient positioning for accurate treatment. EPIDs are now bundled with new linear accelerators, or they can be purchased from the Linac manufacturer for retrofit. Retrofitting a third party EPID to a linear accelerator can pose challenges. The authors describe a relatively inexpensive third party CCD camera-based EPID manufactured by TheraView (Cablon Medical B.V.), installed onto a Siemens Primus linear accelerator, and integrated with a Lantis record and verify system, an Oldelft simulator with Digital Therapy Imaging (DTI) unit, and a Philips ADAC Pinnacle treatment planning system (TPS). This system integrates well with existing equipment and its software can process DICOM images from other sources. The system provides a complete imaging system that eliminates the need for separate software for portal image viewing, interpretation, analysis, archiving, image guided radiation therapy and other image management applications. It can also be accessed remotely via safe VPN tunnels. TheraView EPID retrofit therefore presents an example of a less expensive alternative to linear accelerator manufacturers’ proprietary EPIDs suitable for implementation in third world countries radiation therapy departments which are often faced with limited financial resources. PMID:21611056

Third party EPID with IGRT capability retrofitted onto an existing medical linear accelerator.

PubMed

Odero, D O; Shimm, D S

2009-07-01

Radiation therapy requires precision to avoid unintended irradiation of normal organs. Electronic Portal Imaging Devices (EPIDs), can help with precise patient positioning for accurate treatment. EPIDs are now bundled with new linear accelerators, or they can be purchased from the Linac manufacturer for retrofit. Retrofitting a third party EPID to a linear accelerator can pose challenges. The authors describe a relatively inexpensive third party CCD camera-based EPID manufactured by TheraView (Cablon Medical B.V.), installed onto a Siemens Primus linear accelerator, and integrated with a Lantis record and verify system, an Oldelft simulator with Digital Therapy Imaging (DTI) unit, and a Philips ADAC Pinnacle treatment planning system (TPS). This system integrates well with existing equipment and its software can process DICOM images from other sources. The system provides a complete imaging system that eliminates the need for separate software for portal image viewing, interpretation, analysis, archiving, image guided radiation therapy and other image management applications. It can also be accessed remotely via safe VPN tunnels. TheraView EPID retrofit therefore presents an example of a less expensive alternative to linear accelerator manufacturers' proprietary EPIDs suitable for implementation in third world countries radiation therapy departments which are often faced with limited financial resources.

Evaluation of dosimetric properties of 6 MV & 10 MV photon beams from a linear accelerator with no flattening filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pearson, David

A linear accelerator manufactured by Elekta, equipped with a multi leaf collimation (MLC) system has been modelled using Monte Carlo simulations with the photon flattening filter removed. The purpose of this investigation was to show that more efficient and more accurate Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) treatments can be delivered from a standard linear accelerator with the flattening filter removed from the beam. A range of simulations of 6 MV and 10 MV photon were studied and compared to a model of a standard accelerator which included the flattening filter for those beams. Measurements using a scanning water phantom were also performed after the flattening filter had been removed. We show here that with the flattening filter removed, an increase to the dose on the central axis by a factor of 2.35 and 4.18 is achieved for 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams respectively using a standard 10x 10cm2 field size. A comparison of the dose at points at the field edges led to the result that, removal of the flattening filter reduced the dose at these points by approximately 10% for the 6 MV beam over the clinical range of field sizes. A further consequence of removing the flattening filter was the softening of the photon energy spectrum leading to a steeper reduction in dose at depths greater than dmax. Also studied was the electron contamination brought about by the removal of the filter. To reduce this electron contamination and thus reduce the skin dose to the patient we consider the use of an electron scattering foil in the beam path. The electron scattering foil had very little effect on dmax. From simulations of a standard 6MV beam, a filter-free beam and a filter-free beam with electron scattering foil, we deduce that the proportion of electrons in the photon beam is 0.35%, 0.28% and 0.27%, consecutively. In short, higher dose rates will result in decreased treatment times and the reduced dose outside of the field is indicative of reducing the dose to the surrounding tissue. Electron contamination was found to be comparable with conventional IMRT treatments carried out with a flattening filter.

Respiratory motion guided four dimensional cone beam computed tomography: encompassing irregular breathing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Brien, Ricky T.; Cooper, Benjamin J.; Kipritidis, John; Shieh, Chun-Chien; Keall, Paul J.

2014-02-01

Four dimensional cone beam computed tomography (4DCBCT) images suffer from angular under sampling and bunching of projections due to a lack of feedback between the respiratory signal and the acquisition system. To address this problem, respiratory motion guided 4DCBCT (RMG-4DCBCT) regulates the gantry velocity and projection time interval, in response to the patient’s respiratory signal, with the aim of acquiring evenly spaced projections in a number of phase or displacement bins during the respiratory cycle. Our previous study of RMG-4DCBCT was limited to sinusoidal breathing traces. Here we expand on that work to provide a practical algorithm for the case of real patient breathing data. We give a complete description of RMG-4DCBCT including full details on how to implement the algorithms to determine when to move the gantry and when to acquire projections in response to the patient’s respiratory signal. We simulate a realistic working RMG-4DCBCT system using 112 breathing traces from 24 lung cancer patients. Acquisition used phase-based binning and parameter settings typically used on commercial 4DCBCT systems (4 min acquisition time, 1200 projections across 10 respiratory bins), with the acceleration and velocity constraints of current generation linear accelerators. We quantified streaking artefacts and image noise for conventional and RMG-4DCBCT methods by reconstructing projection data selected from an oversampled set of Catphan phantom projections. RMG-4DCBCT allows us to optimally trade-off image quality, acquisition time and image dose. For example, for the same image quality and acquisition time as conventional 4DCBCT approximately half the imaging dose is needed. Alternatively, for the same imaging dose, the image quality as measured by the signal to noise ratio, is improved by 63% on average. C-arm cone beam computed tomography systems, with an acceleration up to 200°/s2, a velocity up to 100°/s and the acquisition of 80 projections per second, allow the image acquisition time to be reduced to below 60 s. We have made considerable progress towards realizing a system to reduce projection clustering in conventional 4DCBCT imaging and hence reduce the imaging dose to the patient.

RELATIVISTIC THOMSON SCATTERING EXPERIMENT AT BNL - STATUS REPORT.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

POGORELSKY,I.V.; BEN ZVI,I.; KUSCHE,K.

2001-12-03

1.7 x 10{sup 8} x-ray photons per 3.5 ps pulse have been produced in Thomson scattering by focusing CO{sub 2} laser pulse on counter-propagating relativistic electron beam. We explore a possibility of further enhancement of process efficiency by propagating both beams in a plasma capillary. Conventional synchrotron light sources based on using giga-electron-volt electron synchrotron accelerators and magnetic wigglers generate x-ray radiation for versatile application in multi-disciplinary research. An intense laser beam causes relativistic electron oscillations similar to a wiggler. However, because the laser wavelength is thousand times shorter than a wiggler period, very moderate electron energy is needed tomore » produce hard x-rays via Thomson scattering. This allows using relatively compact mega-electron-volt linear accelerators instead of giga-electron-volt synchrotrons. Another important advantage of Thomson sources is a possibility to generate femtosecond x-ray pulses whereas conventional synchrotron sources have typically {approx}300 ps pulse duration. This promises to revolutionize x-ray research in chemistry, physics, and biology expanding it to ultra-fast processes. Thomson sources do not compete in repetition rate and average intensity with conventional light sources that operate at the megahertz frequency. However, Thomson sources have a potential to produce much higher photon numbers per pulse. This may allow developing a single shot exposure important for structural analysis of live biological objects. The BNL Thomson source is a user's experiment conducted at the Accelerator Test Facility since 1998 by an international collaboration in High Energy Physics. Since inception, the ATF source produces the record peak x-ray yield, intensity and brightness among other similar proof-of-principle demonstrations attempted elsewhere. Note that this result is achieved with a moderate laser power of 15 GW. A key to this achievement is in choosing right apparatus and efficient interaction geometry. We use a CO{sub 2} laser that delivers 10 times more photons per unit energy than the 1-{micro}m laser, a high-brightness linac, and the most energy-efficient backscattering interaction geometry. The purpose of this report is to give an update on new results obtained during this year and our near-term plans.« less

Permanent magnet focused X-band photoinjector

DOEpatents

Yu, David U. L.; Rosenzweig, James

2002-09-10

A compact high energy photoelectron injector integrates the photocathode directly into a multicell linear accelerator with no drift space between the injection and the linac. High electron beam brightness is achieved by accelerating a tightly focused electron beam in an integrated, multi-cell, X-band rf linear accelerator (linac). The photoelectron linac employs a Plane-Wave-Transformer (PWT) design which provides strong cell-to-cell coupling, easing manufacturing tolerances and costs.

Staging optics considerations for a plasma wakefield acceleration linear collider

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindstrøm, C. A.; Adli, E.; Allen, J. M.; Delahaye, J. P.; Hogan, M. J.; Joshi, C.; Muggli, P.; Raubenheimer, T. O.; Yakimenko, V.

2016-09-01

Plasma wakefield acceleration offers acceleration gradients of several GeV/m, ideal for a next-generation linear collider. The beam optics requirements between plasma cells include injection and extraction of drive beams, matching the main beam beta functions into the next cell, canceling dispersion as well as constraining bunch lengthening and chromaticity. To maintain a high effective acceleration gradient, this must be accomplished in the shortest distance possible. A working example is presented, using novel methods to correct chromaticity, as well as scaling laws for a high energy regime.

HEAVY ION LINEAR ACCELERATOR

DOEpatents

Van Atta, C.M.; Beringer, R.; Smith, L.

1959-01-01

A linear accelerator of heavy ions is described. The basic contributions of the invention consist of a method and apparatus for obtaining high energy particles of an element with an increased charge-to-mass ratio. The method comprises the steps of ionizing the atoms of an element, accelerating the resultant ions to an energy substantially equal to one Mev per nucleon, stripping orbital electrons from the accelerated ions by passing the ions through a curtain of elemental vapor disposed transversely of the path of the ions to provide a second charge-to-mass ratio, and finally accelerating the resultant stripped ions to a final energy of at least ten Mev per nucleon.

Angular Impact Mitigation System for Bicycle Helmets to Reduce Head Acceleration and Risk of Traumatic Brain Injury

PubMed Central

Hansen, Kirk; Dau, Nathan; Feist, Florian; Deck, Caroline; Willinger, Rémy; Madey, Steven M.; Bottlang, Michael

2013-01-01

Angular acceleration of the head is a known cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI), but contemporary bicycle helmets lack dedicated mechanisms to mitigate angular acceleration. A novel Angular Impact Mitigation (AIM) system for bicycle helmets has been developed that employs an elastically suspended aluminum honeycomb liner to absorb linear acceleration in normal impacts as well as angular acceleration in oblique impacts. This study tested bicycle helmets with and without AIM technology to comparatively assess impact mitigation. Normal impact tests were performed to measure linear head acceleration. Oblique impact tests were performed to measure angular head acceleration and neck loading. Furthermore, acceleration histories of oblique impacts were analyzed in a computational head model to predict the resulting risk of TBI in the form of concussion and diffuse axonal injury (DAI). Compared to standard helmets, AIM helmets resulted in a 14% reduction in peak linear acceleration (p < 0.001), a 34% reduction in peak angular acceleration (p < 0.001), and a 22% to 32% reduction in neck loading (p < 0.001). Computational results predicted that AIM helmets reduced the risk of concussion and DAI by 27% and 44%, respectively. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that AIM technology could effectively improve impact mitigation compared to a contemporary expanded polystyrene-based bicycle helmet, and may enhance prevention of bicycle-related TBI. Further research is required. PMID:23770518

Accelerated versus conventional corneal collagen cross-linking in patients with keratoconus: an intrapatient comparative study.

PubMed

Sadoughi, Mohammad Mehdi; Einollahi, Bahram; Baradaran-Rafii, Alireza; Roshandel, Danial; Hasani, Hamidreza; Nazeri, Mehrdad

2018-02-01

To compare the outcomes of the conventional and accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in patients with bilateral progressive keratoconus (KC). Fifteen consecutive patients with bilateral progressive KC were enrolled. In each patient, the fellow eyes were randomly assigned to the conventional CXL (3 mW/cm 2 for 30 min) or accelerated CXL (ACXL) (9 mW/cm 2 for 10 min) groups. Manifest refraction; uncorrected and corrected distant visual acuity; maximum and mean keratometry; corneal hysteresis and corneal resistance factor; endothelial cell density and morphology; central corneal thickness; and wavefront aberrations were measured before and 12 months after the CXL. Manifest refraction spherical equivalent and refractive cylinder improved significantly only in conventional group. Uncorrected and corrected distant visual acuity did not change significantly in either group. Also there was no significant change in the maximum and mean keratometry after 12 months. There was significant decrease in central corneal thickness in both groups which was more prominent in conventional group. Endothelial cell density reduced only in the conventional group which was not statistically significant (P = 0.147). CH, CRF, and wavefront aberrations did not change significantly in either group. We did not observe any significant difference in the changes of the variables between the two groups. Accelerated CXL with 9 mW/cm 2 irradiation for 10 min had similar refractive, visual, keratometric, and aberrometric results and less adverse effects on the corneal thickness and endothelial cells as compared with the conventional method after 12 months follow-up. However, randomized clinical trials with longer follow-ups and larger sample sizes are needed.

Radiotherapy using a laser proton accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murakami, Masao; Hishikawa, Yoshio; Miyajima, Satoshi; Okazaki, Yoshiko; Sutherland, Kenneth L.; Abe, Mitsuyuki; Bulanov, Sergei V.; Daido, Hiroyuki; Esirkepov, Timur Zh.; Koga, James; Yamagiwa, Mitsuru; Tajima, Toshiki

2008-06-01

Laser acceleration promises innovation in particle beam therapy of cancer where an ultra-compact accelerator system for cancer beam therapy can become affordable to a broad range of patients. This is not feasible without the introduction of a technology that is radically different from the conventional accelerator-based approach. Because of its compactness and other novel characteristics, the laser acceleration method provides many enhanced capabilities

The detrimental effect of friction on space microgravity robotics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newman, Wyatt S.; Glosser, Gregory D.; Miller, Jeffrey H.; Rohn, Douglas

1992-01-01

The authors present an analysis of why control systems are ineffective in compensating for acceleration disturbances due to Coulomb friction. Linear arguments indicate that the effects of Coulomb friction on a body are most difficult to reject when the control actuator is separated from the body of compliance. The linear arguments were illustrated in a nonlinear simulation of optimal linear tracking control in the presence of nonlinear friction. The results of endpoint acceleration measurements for four robot designs are presented and are compared with simulation and to equivalent measurements on a human. It is concluded that Coulomb friction in common bearings and transmission induces unacceptable levels of endpoint acceleration, that these accelerations cannot be adequately attenuated by control, and that robots for microgravity work will require special design considerations for inherently low friction.

Parametric study of transport beam lines for electron beams accelerated by laser-plasma interaction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Scisciò, M.; Antici, P., E-mail: patrizio.antici@polytechnique.edu; INRS-EMT, Université du Québec, 1650 Lionel Boulet, Varennes, Québec J3X 1S2

2016-03-07

In the last decade, laser-plasma acceleration of high-energy electrons has attracted strong attention in different fields. Electrons with maximum energies in the GeV range can be laser-accelerated within a few cm using multi-hundreds terawatt (TW) lasers, yielding to very high beam currents at the source (electron bunches with up to tens-hundreds of pC in a few fs). While initially the challenge was to increase the maximum achievable electron energy, today strong effort is put in the control and usability of these laser-generated beams that still lack of some features in order to be used for applications where currently conventional, radio-frequencymore » (RF) based, electron beam lines represent the most common and efficient solution. Several improvements have been suggested for this purpose, some of them acting directly on the plasma source, some using beam shaping tools located downstream. Concerning the latter, several studies have suggested the use of conventional accelerator magnetic devices (such as quadrupoles and solenoids) as an easy implementable solution when the laser-plasma accelerated beam requires optimization. In this paper, we report on a parametric study related to the transport of electron beams accelerated by laser-plasma interaction, using conventional accelerator elements and tools. We focus on both, high energy electron beams in the GeV range, as produced on petawatt (PW) class laser systems, and on lower energy electron beams in the hundreds of MeV range, as nowadays routinely obtained on commercially available multi-hundred TW laser systems. For both scenarios, our study allows understanding what are the crucial parameters that enable laser-plasma accelerators to compete with conventional ones and allow for a beam transport. We show that suitable working points require a tradeoff-combination between low beam divergence and narrow energy spread.« less

QUEST+: A general multidimensional Bayesian adaptive psychometric method.

PubMed

Watson, Andrew B

2017-03-01

QUEST+ is a Bayesian adaptive psychometric testing method that allows an arbitrary number of stimulus dimensions, psychometric function parameters, and trial outcomes. It is a generalization and extension of the original QUEST procedure and incorporates many subsequent developments in the area of parametric adaptive testing. With a single procedure, it is possible to implement a wide variety of experimental designs, including conventional threshold measurement; measurement of psychometric function parameters, such as slope and lapse; estimation of the contrast sensitivity function; measurement of increment threshold functions; measurement of noise-masking functions; Thurstone scale estimation using pair comparisons; and categorical ratings on linear and circular stimulus dimensions. QUEST+ provides a general method to accelerate data collection in many areas of cognitive and perceptual science.

A simple filter circuit for denoising biomechanical impact signals.

PubMed

Subramaniam, Suba R; Georgakis, Apostolos

2009-01-01

We present a simple scheme for denoising non-stationary biomechanical signals with the aim of accurately estimating their second derivative (acceleration). The method is based on filtering in fractional Fourier domains using well-known low-pass filters in a way that amounts to a time-varying cut-off threshold. The resulting algorithm is linear and its design is facilitated by the relationship between the fractional Fourier transform and joint time-frequency representations. The implemented filter circuit employs only three low-order filters while its efficiency is further supported by the low computational complexity of the fractional Fourier transform. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can denoise the signals effectively and is more robust against noise as compared to conventional low-pass filters.

Development of a dual-pulse RF driver for an S-band (= 2856 MHz) RF electron linear accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cha, Sungsu; Kim, Yujong; Lee, Byeong-No; Lee, Byung Cheol; Cha, Hyungki; Ha, Jang Ho; Park, Hyung Dal; Lee, Seung Hyun; Kim, Hui Su; Buaphad, Pikad

2016-04-01

The radiation equipment research division of Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has developed a Container Inspection System (CIS) using a Radio Frequency (RF) electron linear accelerator for port security. The primary purpose of the CIS is to detect nuclear materials and explosives, as well country-specific prohibited substances, e.g., smuggled. The CIS consists of a 9/6 MeV dualenergy electron linear accelerator for distinguishing between organic and inorganic materials. The accelerator consists of an electron gun, an RF accelerating structure, an RF driver, a modulator, electromagnets, a cooling system, a X-ray generating target, X-ray collimator, a detector, and a container moving system. The RF driver is an important part of the configuration because it is the RF power source: it supplies the RF power to the accelerating structure. A unique aspect of the RF driver is that it generates dual RF power to generate dual energy (9/6 MeV). The advantage of this RF driver is that it can allow the pulse width to vary and can be used to obtain a wide range of energy output, and pulse repetition rates up to 300 Hz. For this reason, 140 W (5 MW - 9 MeV) and 37 W (3.4 MW - 6 MeV) power outputs are available independently. A high power test for 20 minutes demonstrate that stable dual output powers can be generated. Moreover, the dual power can be applied to the accelerator which has stable accelerator operation. In this paper, the design, fabrication and high power test of the RF driver for the RF electron linear accelerator (linac) are presented.

Study of quality assurance regulations for linear accelerators in Korea: A comparison study between the current status in Korea and the international guidelines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hyunho; Jeong, Seonghoon; Jo, Yunhui; Yoon, Myonggeun

2015-07-01

Quality assurance (QA) for medical linear accelerators is indispensable for appropriate cancer treatment. Some international organizations and advanced Western countries have provided QA guidelines for linear accelerators. Currently, QA regulations for linear accelerators in Korean hospitals specify a system in which each hospital stipulates its independent hospital-based protocols for QA procedures (HP_QAPs) and conducts QA based on those HP_QAPs while regulatory authorities verify whether items under those HP_QAPs have been performed. However, because this regulatory method cannot guarantee the quality of universal treatment and QA items with tolerance criteria are different in many hospitals, the presentation of standardized QA items and tolerance criteria is essential. In this study, QA items in HP_QAPs from various hospitals and those presented by international organizations, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the European Union, and the American Association of Physicist in Medicine, and by advanced Western countries, such as the USA, the UK, and Canada, were compared. Concordance rates between QA items for linear accelerators that were presented by the aforementioned organizations and those currently being implemented in Korean hospitals were shown to exhibit a daily QA of 50%, a weekly QA of 22%, a monthly QA of 43%, and an annual QA of 65%, and the overall concordance rates of all QA items were approximately 48%. In the comparison between QA items being implemented in Korean hospitals and those being implemented in advanced Western countries, concordance rates were shown to exhibit a daily QA of 50%, a weekly QA of 33%, a monthly QA of 60%, and an annual QA of 67%, and the overall concordance rates of all QA items were approximately 57%. The results of this study indicate that the HP_QAPs currently implemented by Korean hospitals as QA standards for linear accelerators used in radiation therapy do not meet international standards. If this problem is to be solved, national standardized QA items and procedures for linear accelerators need to be developed.

SU-D-207-05: Real-Time Intrafractional Motion Tracking During VMAT Delivery Using a Conventional Elekta CBCT System

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Park, Yang-Kyun; Sharp, Gregory C.; Gierga, David P.

2015-06-15

Purpose: Real-time kV projection streaming capability has become recently available for Elekta XVI version 5.0. This study aims to investigate the feasibility and accuracy of real-time fiducial marker tracking during CBCT acquisition with or without simultaneous VMAT delivery using a conventional Elekta linear accelerator. Methods: A client computer was connected to an on-board kV imaging system computer, and receives and processes projection images immediately after image acquisition. In-house marker tracking software based on FFT normalized cross-correlation was developed and installed in the client computer. Three gold fiducial markers with 3 mm length were implanted in a pelvis-shaped phantom with 36more » cm width. The phantom was placed on a programmable motion platform oscillating in anterior-posterior and superior-inferior directions simultaneously. The marker motion was tracked in real-time for (1) a kV-only CBCT scan with treatment beam off and (2) a kV CBCT scan during a 6-MV VMAT delivery. The exposure parameters per projection were 120 kVp and 1.6 mAs. Tracking accuracy was assessed by comparing superior-inferior positions between the programmed and tracked trajectories. Results: The projection images were successfully transferred to the client computer at a frequency of about 5 Hz. In the kV-only scan, highly accurate marker tracking was achieved over the entire range of cone-beam projection angles (detection rate / tracking error were 100.0% / 0.6±0.5 mm). In the kV-VMAT scan, MV-scatter degraded image quality, particularly for lateral projections passing through the thickest part of the phantom (kV source angle ranging 70°-110° and 250°-290°), resulting in a reduced detection rate (90.5%). If the lateral projections are excluded, tracking performance was comparable to the kV-only case (detection rate / tracking error were 100.0% / 0.8±0.5 mm). Conclusion: Our phantom study demonstrated a promising Result for real-time motion tracking using a conventional Elekta linear accelerator. MV-scatter suppression is needed to improve tracking accuracy during MV delivery. This research is funded by Motion Management Research Grant from Elekta.« less

The hydrodynamics of linear accelerations in bluegill sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wise, Tyler; Boden, Alex; Schwalbe, Margot; Tytell, Eric

2015-11-01

As fish swim, their body interacts with the fluid around them in order to generate thrust. In this study, we examined the hydrodynamics of linear acceleration by bluegill sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus, which swims using a carangiform mode. Carangiform swimmers primarily use their caudal fin and posterior body for propulsion, which is different from anguilliform swimmers, like eels, that undulate almost their whole body to swim. Most previous studies have examined steady swimming, but few have looked at linear accelerations, even though most fish do not often swim steadily. During steady swimming, thrust and drag forces are balanced, which makes it difficult to separate the two, but during acceleration, thrust exceeds drag, making it easier to measure; this may reveal insights into how thrust is produced. This study used particle image velocimetry (PIV) to compare the structure of the wake during steady swimming and acceleration and to estimate the axial force. Axial force increased during acceleration, but the orientation of the vortices did not differ between steady swimming and acceleration, which is different than anguilliform swimmers, whose wakes change structure during acceleration. This difference may point to fundamental differences between the two swimming modes. This material is based upon work supported by the U. S. Army Research Office under grant number W911NF-14-1-0494.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Khan, Salman, E-mail: sksafi@comsats.edu.pk

The dynamics of tripartite entanglement of fermionic system in noninertial frames through linear contraction criterion when one or two observers are accelerated is investigated. In one observer accelerated case the entanglement measurement is not invariant with respect to the partial realignment of different subsystems and for two observers accelerated case it is invariant. It is shown that the acceleration of the frame does not generate entanglement in any bipartite subsystems. Unlike the bipartite states, the genuine tripartite entanglement does not completely vanish in both one observer accelerated and two observers accelerated cases even in the limit of infinite acceleration. Themore » degradation of tripartite entanglement is fast when two observers are accelerated than when one observer is accelerated. It is shown that tripartite entanglement is a better resource for quantum information processing than the bipartite entanglement in noninertial frames. - Highlights: • Tripartite entanglement of fermionic system in noninertial frames is studied. • Linear contraction criterion for quantifying tripartite entanglement is used. • Acceleration does not produce any bipartite entanglement. • The invariance of entanglement quantifier depends on accelerated observers. • The tripartite entanglement degrades against the acceleration, it never vanishes.« less

Comprehensive quantification of signal-to-noise ratio and g-factor for image-based and k-space-based parallel imaging reconstructions.

PubMed

Robson, Philip M; Grant, Aaron K; Madhuranthakam, Ananth J; Lattanzi, Riccardo; Sodickson, Daniel K; McKenzie, Charles A

2008-10-01

Parallel imaging reconstructions result in spatially varying noise amplification characterized by the g-factor, precluding conventional measurements of noise from the final image. A simple Monte Carlo based method is proposed for all linear image reconstruction algorithms, which allows measurement of signal-to-noise ratio and g-factor and is demonstrated for SENSE and GRAPPA reconstructions for accelerated acquisitions that have not previously been amenable to such assessment. Only a simple "prescan" measurement of noise amplitude and correlation in the phased-array receiver, and a single accelerated image acquisition are required, allowing robust assessment of signal-to-noise ratio and g-factor. The "pseudo multiple replica" method has been rigorously validated in phantoms and in vivo, showing excellent agreement with true multiple replica and analytical methods. This method is universally applicable to the parallel imaging reconstruction techniques used in clinical applications and will allow pixel-by-pixel image noise measurements for all parallel imaging strategies, allowing quantitative comparison between arbitrary k-space trajectories, image reconstruction, or noise conditioning techniques. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Induction linear accelerators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Birx, Daniel

1992-03-01

Among the family of particle accelerators, the Induction Linear Accelerator is the best suited for the acceleration of high current electron beams. Because the electromagnetic radiation used to accelerate the electron beam is not stored in the cavities but is supplied by transmission lines during the beam pulse it is possible to utilize very low Q (typically<10) structures and very large beam pipes. This combination increases the beam breakup limited maximum currents to of order kiloamperes. The micropulse lengths of these machines are measured in 10's of nanoseconds and duty factors as high as 10-4 have been achieved. Until recently the major problem with these machines has been associated with the pulse power drive. Beam currents of kiloamperes and accelerating potentials of megavolts require peak power drives of gigawatts since no energy is stored in the structure. The marriage of liner accelerator technology and nonlinear magnetic compressors has produced some unique capabilities. It now appears possible to produce electron beams with average currents measured in amperes, peak currents in kiloamperes and gradients exceeding 1 MeV/meter, with power efficiencies approaching 50%. The nonlinear magnetic compression technology has replaced the spark gap drivers used on earlier accelerators with state-of-the-art all-solid-state SCR commutated compression chains. The reliability of these machines is now approaching 1010 shot MTBF. In the following paper we will briefly review the historical development of induction linear accelerators and then discuss the design considerations.

Quantitative Approach to Failure Mode and Effect Analysis for Linear Accelerator Quality Assurance

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

O'Daniel, Jennifer C., E-mail: jennifer.odaniel@duke.edu; Yin, Fang-Fang

Purpose: To determine clinic-specific linear accelerator quality assurance (QA) TG-142 test frequencies, to maximize physicist time efficiency and patient treatment quality. Methods and Materials: A novel quantitative approach to failure mode and effect analysis is proposed. Nine linear accelerator-years of QA records provided data on failure occurrence rates. The severity of test failure was modeled by introducing corresponding errors into head and neck intensity modulated radiation therapy treatment plans. The relative risk of daily linear accelerator QA was calculated as a function of frequency of test performance. Results: Although the failure severity was greatest for daily imaging QA (imaging vsmore » treatment isocenter and imaging positioning/repositioning), the failure occurrence rate was greatest for output and laser testing. The composite ranking results suggest that performing output and lasers tests daily, imaging versus treatment isocenter and imaging positioning/repositioning tests weekly, and optical distance indicator and jaws versus light field tests biweekly would be acceptable for non-stereotactic radiosurgery/stereotactic body radiation therapy linear accelerators. Conclusions: Failure mode and effect analysis is a useful tool to determine the relative importance of QA tests from TG-142. Because there are practical time limitations on how many QA tests can be performed, this analysis highlights which tests are the most important and suggests the frequency of testing based on each test's risk priority number.« less

Introduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takayama, Ken; Briggs*, Richard J.

The motivation for the initial development of linear induction accelerators starting in the early 1960s came mainly from applications requiring intense electron pulses with beam currents and a charge per pulse above the range accessible to RF accelerators, and with particle energies beyond the capabilities of single stage pulsed-power diodes. The linear induction accelerators developed to meet these needs utilize a series of induction cells containing magnetic cores (torroidal geometry) driven directly by pulse modulators (pulsed power sources). This multistage "one-to-one transformer" configuration with non-resonant, low impedance induction cells accelerates kilo-Ampere-scale electron beam current pulses in induction linacs.

Beam breakup in an advanced linear induction accelerator

DOE PAGES

Ekdahl, Carl August; Coleman, Joshua Eugene; McCuistian, Brian Trent

2016-07-01

Two linear induction accelerators (LIAs) have been in operation for a number of years at the Los Alamos Dual Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) facility. A new multipulse LIA is being developed. We have computationally investigated the beam breakup (BBU) instability in this advanced LIA. In particular, we have explored the consequences of the choice of beam injector energy and the grouping of LIA cells. We find that within the limited range of options presently under consideration for the LIA architecture, there is little adverse effect on the BBU growth. The computational tool that we used for this investigation wasmore » the beam dynamics code linear accelerator model for DARHT (LAMDA). In conclusion, to confirm that LAMDA was appropriate for this task, we first validated it through comparisons with the experimental BBU data acquired on the DARHT accelerators.« less

Motion sickness and otolith sensitivity - A pilot study of habituation to linear acceleration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Potvin, A. R.; Sadoff, M.; Billingham, J.

1977-01-01

Astronauts, particularly in Skylab flights, experienced varying degrees of motion sickness lasting 3-5 days. One possible mechanism for this motion sickness adaptation is believed to be a reduction in otolith sensitivity with an attendant reduction in sensory conflict. In an attempt to determine if this hypothesis is valid, a ground-based pilot study was conducted on a vertical linear accelerator. The extent of habituation to accelerations which initially produced motion sickness was evaluated, along with the possible value of habituation training to minimize the space motion sickness problem. Results showed that habituation occurred for 6 of the 8 subjects tested. However, in tests designed to measure dynamic and static otolith function, no significant differences between pre- and post-habituation tests were observed. Cross habituation effects to a standard Coriolis acceleration test were not significant. It is unlikely that ground-based pre-habituation to linear accelerations of the type examined would alter susceptibility to space motion sickness.

Laser-driven electron beam acceleration and future application to compact light sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hafz, N.; Jeong, T. M.; Lee, S. K.; Pae, K. H.; Sung, J. H.; Choi, I. W.; Yu, T. J.; Jeong, Y. U.; Lee, J.

2009-07-01

Laser-driven plasma accelerators are gaining much attention by the advanced accelerator community due to the potential these accelerators hold in miniaturizing future high-energy and medium-energy machines. In the laser wakefield accelerator (LWFA), the ponderomotive force of an ultrashort high intensity laser pulse excites a longitudinal plasma wave or bubble. Due to huge charge separation, electric fields created in the plasma bubble can be several orders of magnitude higher than those available in conventional microwave and RF-based accelerator facilities which are limited (up to ˜100 MV/m) by material breakdown. Therefore, if an electron bunch is injected into the bubble in phase with its field, it will gain relativistic energies within an extremely short distance. Here, in the LWFA we show the generation of high-quality and high-energy electron beams up to the GeV-class within a few millimeters of gas-jet plasmas irradiated by tens of terawatt ultrashort laser pulses. Thus we realize approximately four orders of magnitude acceleration gradients higher than available by conventional technology. As a practical application of the stable high-energy electron beam generation, we are planning on injecting the electron beams into a few-meters long conventional undulator in order to realize compact X-ray synchrotron (immediate) and FEL (future) light sources. Stable laser-driven electron beam and radiation devices will surely open a new era in science, medicine and technology and will benefit a larger number of users in those fields.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

In an advance that could dramatically shrink particle accelerators for science and medicine, researchers at DOE's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory used a laser to accelerate electrons at a rate 10 times higher than conventional technology in a nanostructured glass chip smaller than a grain of rice. This technique uses ultrafast lasers to drive the accelerator. (This achievement was reported in Nature, 27 Sept 2013)

Microwave and Electron Beam Computer Programs

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-06-01

Research (ONR). SCRIBE was adapted by MRC from the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center Beam Trajectory Program, EGUN . oTIC NSECE Acc !,,o For IDL1C I...achieved with SCRIBE. It is a ver- sion of the Stanford Linear Accelerator (SLAC) code EGUN (Ref. 8), extensively modified by MRC for research on

SOME PROBLEMS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ELECTRON LINEAR ACCELERATOR (in Dutch)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Verhaeghe, J.; Vanhuyse, V.; Van Leuven, P.

1959-01-01

Special problems encountered in the construction of the electron linear accelerator of the Natuurkundig Laboratorium der Rijksuniversiteit of Ghent are discussed. The subjects considered are magnetic focusing, magnetic screening of the electron gun cathode, abnormal attenuation-multipactor effects, and electron energy control. (J.S.R.)

Behind the Scenes of the Spallation Neutron Source – The Linear Accelerator

ScienceCinema

Galambos, John

2018-06-25

The Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a one-of-a-kind research facility that provides the most intense pulsed neutron beams in the world for scientific research and industrial development. Take a look inside the facility's linear accelerator.

Radio frequency quadrupole resonator for linear accelerator

DOEpatents

Moretti, Alfred

1985-01-01

An RFQ resonator for a linear accelerator having a reduced level of interfering modes and producing a quadrupole mode for focusing, bunching and accelerating beams of heavy charged particles, with the construction being characterized by four elongated resonating rods within a cylinder with the rods being alternately shorted and open electrically to the shell at common ends of the rods to provide an LC parallel resonant circuit when activated by a magnetic field transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Radio-frequency quadrupole resonator for linear accelerator

DOEpatents

Moretti, A.

1982-10-19

An RFQ resonator for a linear accelerator having a reduced level of interfering modes and producing a quadrupole mode for focusing, bunching and accelerating beams of heavy charged particles, with the construction being characterized by four elongated resonating rods within a cylinder with the rods being alternately shorted and open electrically to the shell at common ends of the rods to provide an LC parallel resonant circuit when activated by a magnetic field transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Vestibular coriolis effect differences modeled with three-dimensional linear-angular interactions.

PubMed

Holly, Jan E

2004-01-01

The vestibular coriolis (or "cross-coupling") effect is traditionally explained by cross-coupled angular vectors, which, however, do not explain the differences in perceptual disturbance under different acceleration conditions. For example, during head roll tilt in a rotating chair, the magnitude of perceptual disturbance is affected by a number of factors, including acceleration or deceleration of the chair rotation or a zero-g environment. Therefore, it has been suggested that linear-angular interactions play a role. The present research investigated whether these perceptual differences and others involving linear coriolis accelerations could be explained under one common framework: the laws of motion in three dimensions, which include all linear-angular interactions among all six components of motion (three angular and three linear). The results show that the three-dimensional laws of motion predict the differences in perceptual disturbance. No special properties of the vestibular system or nervous system are required. In addition, simulations were performed with angular, linear, and tilt time constants inserted into the model, giving the same predictions. Three-dimensional graphics were used to highlight the manner in which linear-angular interaction causes perceptual disturbance, and a crucial component is the Stretch Factor, which measures the "unexpected" linear component.

A 10 Billion MeV Cyclotron

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edge, R. D.

1974-01-01

Discusses the design of a device which serves to demonstrate the principle of acceleration and phase stability by accelerating gravitationally a ball bearing along a spiral groove. Application of the design principle to the acceleration aspect of a linear accelerator is recommended. (CC)

Bacterial cells enhance laser driven ion acceleration

PubMed Central

Dalui, Malay; Kundu, M.; Trivikram, T. Madhu; Rajeev, R.; Ray, Krishanu; Krishnamurthy, M.

2014-01-01

Intense laser produced plasmas generate hot electrons which in turn leads to ion acceleration. Ability to generate faster ions or hotter electrons using the same laser parameters is one of the main outstanding paradigms in the intense laser-plasma physics. Here, we present a simple, albeit, unconventional target that succeeds in generating 700 keV carbon ions where conventional targets for the same laser parameters generate at most 40 keV. A few layers of micron sized bacteria coating on a polished surface increases the laser energy coupling and generates a hotter plasma which is more effective for the ion acceleration compared to the conventional polished targets. Particle-in-cell simulations show that micro-particle coated target are much more effective in ion acceleration as seen in the experiment. We envisage that the accelerated, high-energy carbon ions can be used as a source for multiple applications. PMID:25102948

Simultaneous Multislice Echo Planar Imaging With Blipped Controlled Aliasing in Parallel Imaging Results in Higher Acceleration: A Promising Technique for Accelerated Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Skeletal Muscle.

PubMed

Filli, Lukas; Piccirelli, Marco; Kenkel, David; Guggenberger, Roman; Andreisek, Gustav; Beck, Thomas; Runge, Val M; Boss, Andreas

2015-07-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of accelerated diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of skeletal muscle using echo planar imaging (EPI) applying simultaneous multislice excitation with a blipped controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration unaliasing technique. After federal ethics board approval, the lower leg muscles of 8 healthy volunteers (mean [SD] age, 29.4 [2.9] years) were examined in a clinical 3-T magnetic resonance scanner using a 15-channel knee coil. The EPI was performed at a b value of 500 s/mm2 without slice acceleration (conventional DTI) as well as with 2-fold and 3-fold acceleration. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were measured in all 3 acquisitions. Fiber tracking performance was compared between the acquisitions regarding the number of tracks, average track length, and anatomical precision using multivariate analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney U tests. Acquisition time was 7:24 minutes for conventional DTI, 3:53 minutes for 2-fold acceleration, and 2:38 minutes for 3-fold acceleration. Overall FA and MD values ranged from 0.220 to 0.378 and 1.595 to 1.829 mm2/s, respectively. Two-fold acceleration yielded similar FA and MD values (P ≥ 0.901) and similar fiber tracking performance compared with conventional DTI. Three-fold acceleration resulted in comparable MD (P = 0.199) but higher FA values (P = 0.006) and significantly impaired fiber tracking in the soleus and tibialis anterior muscles (number of tracks, P < 0.001; anatomical precision, P ≤ 0.005). Simultaneous multislice EPI with blipped controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration can remarkably reduce acquisition time in DTI of skeletal muscle with similar image quality and quantification accuracy of diffusion parameters. This may increase the clinical applicability of muscle anisotropy measurements.

Plasma production for electron acceleration by resonant plasma wave

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anania, M. P.; Biagioni, A.; Chiadroni, E.; Cianchi, A.; Croia, M.; Curcio, A.; Di Giovenale, D.; Di Pirro, G. P.; Filippi, F.; Ghigo, A.; Lollo, V.; Pella, S.; Pompili, R.; Romeo, S.; Ferrario, M.

2016-09-01

Plasma wakefield acceleration is the most promising acceleration technique known nowadays, able to provide very high accelerating fields (10-100 GV/m), enabling acceleration of electrons to GeV energy in few centimeter. However, the quality of the electron bunches accelerated with this technique is still not comparable with that of conventional accelerators (large energy spread, low repetition rate, and large emittance); radiofrequency-based accelerators, in fact, are limited in accelerating field (10-100 MV/m) requiring therefore hundred of meters of distances to reach the GeV energies, but can provide very bright electron bunches. To combine high brightness electron bunches from conventional accelerators and high accelerating fields reachable with plasmas could be a good compromise allowing to further accelerate high brightness electron bunches coming from LINAC while preserving electron beam quality. Following the idea of plasma wave resonant excitation driven by a train of short bunches, we have started to study the requirements in terms of plasma for SPARC_LAB (Ferrario et al., 2013 [1]). In particular here we focus on hydrogen plasma discharge, and in particular on the theoretical and numerical estimates of the ionization process which are very useful to design the discharge circuit and to evaluate the current needed to be supplied to the gas in order to have full ionization. Eventually, the current supplied to the gas simulated will be compared to that measured experimentally.

Critical Nucleation Length for Accelerating Frictional Slip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aldam, Michael; Weikamp, Marc; Spatschek, Robert; Brener, Efim A.; Bouchbinder, Eran

2017-11-01

The spontaneous nucleation of accelerating slip along slowly driven frictional interfaces is central to a broad range of geophysical, physical, and engineering systems, with particularly far-reaching implications for earthquake physics. A common approach to this problem associates nucleation with an instability of an expanding creep patch upon surpassing a critical length Lc. The critical nucleation length Lc is conventionally obtained from a spring-block linear stability analysis extended to interfaces separating elastically deformable bodies using model-dependent fracture mechanics estimates. We propose an alternative approach in which the critical nucleation length is obtained from a related linear stability analysis of homogeneous sliding along interfaces separating elastically deformable bodies. For elastically identical half-spaces and rate-and-state friction, the two approaches are shown to yield Lc that features the same scaling structure, but with substantially different numerical prefactors, resulting in a significantly larger Lc in our approach. The proposed approach is also shown to be naturally applicable to finite-size systems and bimaterial interfaces, for which various analytic results are derived. To quantitatively test the proposed approach, we performed inertial Finite-Element-Method calculations for a finite-size two-dimensional elastically deformable body in rate-and-state frictional contact with a rigid body under sideway loading. We show that the theoretically predicted Lc and its finite-size dependence are in reasonably good quantitative agreement with the full numerical solutions, lending support to the proposed approach. These results offer a theoretical framework for predicting rapid slip nucleation along frictional interfaces.

New concept on an integrated interior magnetic resonance imaging and medical linear accelerator system for radiation therapy

PubMed Central

Jia, Xun; Tian, Zhen; Xi, Yan; Jiang, Steve B.; Wang, Ge

2017-01-01

Abstract. Image guidance plays a critical role in radiotherapy. Currently, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is routinely used in clinics for this purpose. While this modality can provide an attenuation image for therapeutic planning, low soft-tissue contrast affects the delineation of anatomical and pathological features. Efforts have recently been devoted to several MRI linear accelerator (LINAC) projects that lead to the successful combination of a full diagnostic MRI scanner with a radiotherapy machine. We present a new concept for the development of the MRI-LINAC system. Instead of combining a full MRI scanner with the LINAC platform, we propose using an interior MRI (iMRI) approach to image a specific region of interest (RoI) containing the radiation treatment target. While the conventional CBCT component still delivers a global image of the patient’s anatomy, the iMRI offers local imaging of high soft-tissue contrast for tumor delineation. We describe a top-level system design for the integration of an iMRI component into an existing LINAC platform. We performed numerical analyses of the magnetic field for the iMRI to show potentially acceptable field properties in a spherical RoI with a diameter of 15 cm. This field could be shielded to a sufficiently low level around the LINAC region to avoid electromagnetic interference. Furthermore, we investigate the dosimetric impacts of this integration on the radiotherapy beam. PMID:28331888

Beam-driven acceleration in ultra-dense plasma media

DOE PAGES

Shin, Young-Min

2014-09-15

Accelerating parameters of beam-driven wakefield acceleration in an extremely dense plasma column has been analyzed with the dynamic framed particle-in-cell plasma simulator, and compared with analytic calculations. In the model, a witness beam undergoes a TeV/m scale alternating potential gradient excited by a micro-bunched drive beam in a 10 25 m -3 and 1.6 x 10 28 m -3 plasma column. The acceleration gradient, energy gain, and transformer ratio have been extensively studied in quasi-linear, linear-, and blowout-regimes. The simulation analysis indicated that in the beam-driven acceleration system a hollow plasma channel offers 20 % higher acceleration gradient by enlargingmore » the channel radius (r) from 0.2 Ap to 0.6 .Ap in a blowout regime. This paper suggests a feasibility of TeV/m scale acceleration with a hollow crystalline structure (e.g. nanotubes) of high electron plasma density.« less

The adequate stimulus for avian short latency vestibular responses to linear translation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, T. A.; Jones, S. M.; Colbert, S.

1998-01-01

Transient linear acceleration stimuli have been shown to elicit eighth nerve vestibular compound action potentials in birds and mammals. The present study was undertaken to better define the nature of the adequate stimulus for neurons generating the response in the chicken (Gallus domesticus). In particular, the study evaluated the question of whether the neurons studied are most sensitive to the maximum level of linear acceleration achieved or to the rate of change in acceleration (da/dt, or jerk). To do this, vestibular response thresholds were measured as a function of stimulus onset slope. Traditional computer signal averaging was used to record responses to pulsed linear acceleration stimuli. Stimulus onset slope was systematically varied. Acceleration thresholds decreased with increasing stimulus onset slope (decreasing stimulus rise time). When stimuli were expressed in units of jerk (g/ms), thresholds were virtually constant for all stimulus rise times. Moreover, stimuli having identical jerk magnitudes but widely varying peak acceleration levels produced virtually identical responses. Vestibular response thresholds, latencies and amplitudes appear to be determined strictly by stimulus jerk magnitudes. Stimulus attributes such as peak acceleration or rise time alone do not provide sufficient information to predict response parameter quantities. Indeed, the major response parameters were shown to be virtually independent of peak acceleration levels or rise time when these stimulus features were isolated and considered separately. It is concluded that the neurons generating short latency vestibular evoked potentials do so as "jerk encoders" in the chicken. Primary afferents classified as "irregular", and which traditionally fall into the broad category of "dynamic" or "phasic" neurons, would seem to be the most likely candidates for the neural generators of short latency vestibular compound action potentials.

Influence of tungsten fiber’s slow drift on the measurement of G with angular acceleration method

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Luo, Jie; Wu, Wei-Huang; Zhan, Wen-Ze

In the measurement of the gravitational constant G with angular acceleration method, the equilibrium position of torsion pendulum with tungsten fiber undergoes a linear slow drift, which results in a quadratic slow drift on the angular velocity of the torsion balance turntable under feedback control unit. The accurate amplitude determination of the useful angular acceleration signal with known frequency is biased by the linear slow drift and the coupling effect of the drifting equilibrium position and the room fixed gravitational background signal. We calculate the influences of the linear slow drift and the complex coupling effect on the value ofmore » G, respectively. The result shows that the bias of the linear slow drift on G is 7 ppm, and the influence of the coupling effect is less than 1 ppm.« less

Influence of tungsten fiber's slow drift on the measurement of G with angular acceleration method.

PubMed

Luo, Jie; Wu, Wei-Huang; Xue, Chao; Shao, Cheng-Gang; Zhan, Wen-Ze; Wu, Jun-Fei; Milyukov, Vadim

2016-08-01

In the measurement of the gravitational constant G with angular acceleration method, the equilibrium position of torsion pendulum with tungsten fiber undergoes a linear slow drift, which results in a quadratic slow drift on the angular velocity of the torsion balance turntable under feedback control unit. The accurate amplitude determination of the useful angular acceleration signal with known frequency is biased by the linear slow drift and the coupling effect of the drifting equilibrium position and the room fixed gravitational background signal. We calculate the influences of the linear slow drift and the complex coupling effect on the value of G, respectively. The result shows that the bias of the linear slow drift on G is 7 ppm, and the influence of the coupling effect is less than 1 ppm.

Influence of tungsten fiber's slow drift on the measurement of G with angular acceleration method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Jie; Wu, Wei-Huang; Xue, Chao; Shao, Cheng-Gang; Zhan, Wen-Ze; Wu, Jun-Fei; Milyukov, Vadim

2016-08-01

In the measurement of the gravitational constant G with angular acceleration method, the equilibrium position of torsion pendulum with tungsten fiber undergoes a linear slow drift, which results in a quadratic slow drift on the angular velocity of the torsion balance turntable under feedback control unit. The accurate amplitude determination of the useful angular acceleration signal with known frequency is biased by the linear slow drift and the coupling effect of the drifting equilibrium position and the room fixed gravitational background signal. We calculate the influences of the linear slow drift and the complex coupling effect on the value of G, respectively. The result shows that the bias of the linear slow drift on G is 7 ppm, and the influence of the coupling effect is less than 1 ppm.

Calculations of beam dynamics in Sandia linear electron accelerators, 1984

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Poukey, J.W.; Coleman, P.D.

1985-03-01

A number of code and analytic studies were made during 1984 which pertain to the Sandia linear accelerators MABE and RADLAC. In this report the authors summarize the important results of the calculations. New results include a better understanding of gap-induced radial oscillations, leakage currents in a typical MABE gas, emittance growth in a beam passing through a series of gaps, some new diocotron results, and the latest diode simulations for both accelerators. 23 references, 30 figures, 1 table.

Particle acceleration on a chip: A laser-driven micro-accelerator for research and industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoder, R. B.; Travish, G.

2013-03-01

Particle accelerators are conventionally built from radio-frequency metal cavities, but this technology limits the maximum energy available and prevents miniaturization. In the past decade, laser-powered acceleration has been intensively studied as an alternative technology promising much higher accelerating fields in a smaller footprint and taking advantage of recent advances in photonics. Among the more promising approaches are those based on dielectric field-shaping structures. These ``dielectric laser accelerators'' (DLAs) scale with the laser wavelength employed and can be many orders of magnitude smaller than conventional accelerators; DLAs may enable the production of high-intensity, ultra-short relativistic electron bunches in a chip-scale device. When combined with a high- Z target or an optical-period undulator, these systems could produce high-brilliance x-rays from a breadbox-sized device having multiple applications in imaging, medicine, and homeland security. In our research program we have developed one such DLA, the Micro-Accelerator Platform (MAP). We describe the fundamental physics, our fabrication and testing program, and experimental results to date, along with future prospects for MAP-based light-sources and some remaining challenges. Supported in part by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and National Nuclear Security Administration.

Astronaut mass measurement using linear acceleration method and the effect of body non-rigidity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Hui; Li, LuMing; Hu, ChunHua; Chen, Hao; Hao, HongWei

2011-04-01

Astronaut's body mass is an essential factor of health monitoring in space. The latest mass measurement device for the International Space Station (ISS) has employed a linear acceleration method. The principle of this method is that the device generates a constant pulling force, and the astronaut is accelerated on a parallelogram motion guide which rotates at a large radius to achieve a nearly linear trajectory. The acceleration is calculated by regression analysis of the displacement versus time trajectory and the body mass is calculated by using the formula m= F/ a. However, in actual flight, the device is instable that the deviation between runs could be 6-7 kg. This paper considers the body non-rigidity as the major cause of error and instability and analyzes the effects of body non-rigidity from different aspects. Body non-rigidity makes the acceleration of the center of mass (C.M.) oscillate and fall behind the point where force is applied. Actual acceleration curves showed that the overall effect of body non-rigidity is an oscillation at about 7 Hz and a deviation of about 25%. To enhance body rigidity, better body restraints were introduced and a prototype based on linear acceleration method was built. Measurement experiment was carried out on ground on an air table. Three human subjects weighing 60-70 kg were measured. The average variance was 0.04 kg and the average measurement error was 0.4%. This study will provide reference for future development of China's own mass measurement device.

Recording the synchrotron radiation by a picosecond streak camera for bunch diagnostics in cyclic accelerators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vereshchagin, A K; Vorob'ev, N S; Gornostaev, P B

2016-02-28

A PS-1/S1 picosecond streak camera with a linear sweep is used to measure temporal characteristics of synchrotron radiation pulses on a damping ring (DR) at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics (BINP) of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Novosibirsk). The data obtained allow a conclusion as to the formation processes of electron bunches and their 'quality' in the DR after injection from the linear accelerator. The expediency of employing the streak camera as a part of an optical diagnostic accelerator complex for adjusting the injection from a linear accelerator is shown. Discussed is the issue ofmore » designing a new-generation dissector with a time resolution up to a few picoseconds, which would allow implementation of a continuous bunch monitoring in the DR during mutual work with the electron-positron colliders at the BINP. (acoustooptics)« less

Initial Human Response to Nuclear Radiation

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-04-01

radiation from a linear accelerator . Victim A , age 31, received a dose of 100 rads; victim B, age 29... The radiation has always been in the million-electron- volt range, usually from a cobalt 60 source but sometimes using linear accelerators prouucing up...more recent medical experience, Appendix B presents comments by a radiation oncologist on the

Indirectly sensing accelerator beam currents for limiting maximum beam current magnitude

DOEpatents

Bogaty, J.M.; Clifft, B.E.; Bollinger, L.M.

1995-08-08

A beam current limiter is disclosed for sensing and limiting the beam current in a particle accelerator, such as a cyclotron or linear accelerator, used in scientific research and medical treatment. A pair of independently operable capacitive electrodes sense the passage of charged particle bunches to develop an RF signal indicative of the beam current magnitude produced at the output of a bunched beam accelerator. The RF signal produced by each sensing electrode is converted to a variable DC voltage indicative of the beam current magnitude. The variable DC voltages thus developed are compared to each other to verify proper system function and are further compared to known references to detect beam currents in excess of pre-established limits. In the event of a system malfunction, or if the detected beam current exceeds pre-established limits, the beam current limiter automatically inhibits further accelerator operation. A high Q tank circuit associated with each sensing electrode provides a narrow system bandwidth to reduce noise and enhance dynamic range. System linearity is provided by injecting, into each sensing electrode, an RF signal that is offset from the bunching frequency by a pre-determined beat frequency to ensure that subsequent rectifying diodes operate in a linear response region. The system thus provides a large dynamic range in combination with good linearity. 6 figs.

Indirectly sensing accelerator beam currents for limiting maximum beam current magnitude

DOEpatents

Bogaty, John M.; Clifft, Benny E.; Bollinger, Lowell M.

1995-01-01

A beam current limiter for sensing and limiting the beam current in a particle accelerator, such as a cyclotron or linear accelerator, used in scientific research and medical treatment. A pair of independently operable capacitive electrodes sense the passage of charged particle bunches to develop an RF signal indicative of the beam current magnitude produced at the output of a bunched beam accelerator. The RF signal produced by each sensing electrode is converted to a variable DC voltage indicative of the beam current magnitude. The variable DC voltages thus developed are compared to each other to verify proper system function and are further compared to known references to detect beam currents in excess of pre-established limits. In the event of a system malfunction, or if the detected beam current exceeds pre-established limits, the beam current limiter automatically inhibits further accelerator operation. A high Q tank circuit associated with each sensing electrode provides a narrow system bandwidth to reduce noise and enhance dynamic range. System linearity is provided by injecting, into each sensing electrode, an RF signal that is offset from the bunching frequency by a pre-determined beat frequency to ensure that subsequent rectifying diodes operate in a linear response region. The system thus provides a large dynamic range in combination with good linearity.

Distributed coupling high efficiency linear accelerator

DOEpatents

Tantawi, Sami G.; Neilson, Jeffrey

2016-07-19

A microwave circuit for a linear accelerator includes multiple monolithic metallic cell plates stacked upon each other so that the beam axis passes vertically through a central acceleration cavity of each plate. Each plate has a directional coupler with coupling arms. A first coupling slot couples the directional coupler to an adjacent directional coupler of an adjacent cell plate, and a second coupling slot couples the directional coupler to the central acceleration cavity. Each directional coupler also has an iris protrusion spaced from corners joining the arms, a convex rounded corner at a first corner joining the arms, and a corner protrusion at a second corner joining the arms.

Free electron laser

DOEpatents

Villa, Francesco

1990-01-01

A high gain, single-pass free electron laser formed of a high brilliance electron injector source, a linear accelerator which imparts high energy to the electron beam, and an undulator capable of extremely high magnetic fields, yet with a very short period. The electron injector source is the first stage (gap) of the linear accelerator or a radial line transformer driven by fast circular switch. The linear accelerator is formed of a plurality of accelerating gaps arranged in series. These gaps are energized in sequence by releasing a single pulse of energy which propagates simultaneously along a plurality of transmission lines, each of which feeds the gaps. The transmission lines are graduated in length so that pulse power is present at each gap as the accelerated electrons pass therethrough. The transmission lines for each gap are open circuited at their ends. The undualtor has a structure similar to the accelerator, except that the transmission lines for each gap are substantially short circuited at their ends, thus converting the electric field into magnetic field. A small amount of resistance is retained in order to generate a small electric field for replenishing the electron bunch with the energy lost as it traverses through the undulator structure.

[Psychiatric Rehabilitation - From the Linear Continuum Approach Towards Supported Inclusion].

PubMed

Richter, Dirk; Hertig, Res; Hoffmann, Holger

2016-11-01

Background: For many decades, psychiatric rehabilitation in the German-speaking countries is following a conventional linear continuum approach. Methods: Recent developments in important fields related to psychiatric rehabilitation (UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, theory of rehabilitation, empirical research) are reviewed. Results: Common to all developments in the reviewed fields are the principles of choice, autonomy and social inclusion. These principles contradict the conventional linear continuum approach. Conclusions: The linear continuum approach of psychiatric rehabilitation should be replaced by the "supported inclusion"-approach. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

TU-H-BRA-01: The Physics of High Power Radiofrequency Isolation in a Novel Compact Linear Accelerator Based MRI Guided Radiation Therapy System

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lamb, J; Low, D; Mutic, S

Purpose: To develop a method for isolating the radiofrequency waves emanating from linear accelerator components from the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system of an integrated MRI-linac. Methods: An MRI-guided radiation therapy system has been designed that integrates a linear accelerator with simultaneous MR imaging. The radiofrequency waves created by the accelerating process would degrade MR image quality, so a method for containing the radiofrequency waves and isolating the MR imager from them was developed. The linear accelerator radiofrequency modulator was placed outside the room, so a filter was designed to eliminate the radiofrequency corresponding to the proton Larmour frequency ofmore » 14.7 MHz. Placing the radiofrequency emitting components in a typical Faraday cage would have reduced the radiofrequency emissions, but the design would be susceptible to small gaps in the shield due to the efficiency of the Faraday cage reflecting internal radiofrequency emissions. To reduce internal radiofrequency reflections, the Faraday cage was lined with carbon fiber sheets. Carbon fiber has the property of attenuating the radiofrequency energy so that the overall radiofrequency field inside the Faraday cage is reduced, decreasing any radiofrequency energy emitted from small gaps in the cage walls. Results: Within a 1.2 MHz band centered on the Larmor frequency, the radiofrequency (RF) leakage from the Faraday cage was measured to be −90 dB with no RF on, −40 dB with the RF on and no shield, returning to −90 dB with the RF on and shields in place. The radiofrequency filter attenuated the linear accelerator modulator emissions in the 14.7 MHz band by 70 dB. Conclusions: One of the major challenges in designing a compact linear accelerator based MRI-guided radiation therapy system, that of isolating the high power RF system from the MRI, has been solved. The measured radiofrequency emissions are sufficiently small to enable system integration. This research was funded by ViewRay, Inc., Oakwood, OH.« less

TU-H-BRA-02: The Physics of Magnetic Field Isolation in a Novel Compact Linear Accelerator Based MRI-Guided Radiation Therapy System

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Low, D; Mutic, S; Shvartsman, S

Purpose: To develop a method for isolating the MRI magnetic field from field-sensitive linear accelerator components at distances close to isocenter. Methods: A MRI-guided radiation therapy system has been designed that integrates a linear accelerator with simultaneous MR imaging. In order to accomplish this, the magnetron, port circulator, radiofrequency waveguide, gun driver, and linear accelerator needed to be placed in locations with low magnetic fields. The system was also required to be compact, so moving these components far from the main magnetic field and isocenter was not an option. The magnetic field sensitive components (exclusive of the waveguide) were placedmore » in coaxial steel sleeves that were electrically and mechanically isolated and whose thickness and placement were optimized using E&M modeling software. Six sets of sleeves were placed 60° apart, 85 cm from isocenter. The Faraday effect occurs when the direction of propagation is parallel to the magnetic RF field component, rotating the RF polarization, subsequently diminishing RF power. The Faraday effect was avoided by orienting the waveguides such that the magnetic field RF component was parallel to the magnetic field. Results: The magnetic field within the shields was measured to be less than 40 Gauss, significantly below the amount needed for the magnetron and port circulator. Additional mu-metal was employed to reduce the magnetic field at the linear accelerator to less than 1 Gauss. The orientation of the RF waveguides allowed the RT transport with minimal loss and reflection. Conclusion: One of the major challenges in designing a compact linear accelerator based MRI-guided radiation therapy system, that of creating low magnetic field environments for the magnetic-field sensitive components, has been solved. The measured magnetic fields are sufficiently small to enable system integration. This work supported by ViewRay, Inc.« less

Detection of linear ego-acceleration from optic flow.

PubMed

Festl, Freya; Recktenwald, Fabian; Yuan, Chunrong; Mallot, Hanspeter A

2012-07-20

Human observers are able to estimate various ego-motion parameters from optic flow, including rotation, translational heading, time-to-collision (TTC), time-to-passage (TTP), etc. The perception of linear ego-acceleration or deceleration, i.e., changes of translational velocity, is less well understood. While time-to-passage experiments indicate that ego-acceleration is neglected, subjects are able to keep their (perceived) speed constant under changing conditions, indicating that some sense of ego-acceleration or velocity change must be present. In this paper, we analyze the relation of ego-acceleration estimates and geometrical parameters of the environment using simulated flights through cylindrical and conic (narrowing or widening) corridors. Theoretical analysis shows that a logarithmic ego-acceleration parameter, called the acceleration rate ρ, can be calculated from retinal acceleration measurements. This parameter is independent of the geometrical layout of the scene; if veridical ego-motion is known at some instant in time, acceleration rate allows updating of ego-motion without further depth-velocity calibration. Results indicate, however, that subjects systematically confuse ego-acceleration with corridor narrowing and ego-deceleration with corridor widening, while veridically judging ego-acceleration in straight corridors. We conclude that judgments of ego-acceleration are based on first-order retinal flow and do not make use of acceleration rate or retinal acceleration.

Atomic References for Measuring Small Accelerations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maleki, Lute; Yu, Nan

2009-01-01

Accelerometer systems that would combine the best features of both conventional (e.g., mechanical) accelerometers and atom interferometer accelerometers (AIAs) have been proposed. These systems are intended mainly for use in scientific research aboard spacecraft but may also be useful on Earth in special military, geological, and civil-engineering applications. Conventional accelerometers can be sensitive, can have high dynamic range, and can have high frequency response, but they lack accuracy and long-term stability. AIAs have low frequency response, but they offer high sensitivity, and high accuracy for measuring small accelerations. In a system according to the proposal, a conventional accelerometer would be used to perform short-term measurements of higher-frequency components of acceleration, while an AIA would be used to provide consistent calibration of, and correction of errors in, the measurements of the conventional accelerometer in the lower-frequency range over the long term. A brief description of an AIA is prerequisite to a meaningful description of a system according to the proposal. An AIA includes a retroreflector next to one end of a cell that contains a cold cloud of atoms in an ultrahigh vacuum. The atoms in the cloud are in free fall. The retroreflector is mounted on the object, the acceleration of which is to be measured. Raman laser beams are directed through the cell from the end opposite the retroreflector, then pass back through the cell after striking the retroreflector. The Raman laser beams together with the cold atoms measure the relative acceleration, through the readout of the AIA, between the cold atoms and the retroreflector.

Heating and Acceleration of Charged Particles by Weakly Compressible Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lynn, Jacob William

We investigate the interaction between low-frequency magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence and a distribution of charged particles. Understanding this physics is central to understanding the heating of the solar wind, as well as the heating and acceleration of other collisionless plasmas. Our central method is to simulate weakly compressible MHD turbulence using the Athena code, along with a distribution of test particles which feel the electromagnetic fields of the turbulence. We also construct analytic models of transit-time damping (TTD), which results from the mirror force caused by compressible (fast or slow) MHD waves. Standard linear-theory models in the literature require an exact resonance between particle and wave velocities to accelerate particles. The models developed in this thesis go beyond standard linear theory to account for the fact that wave-particle interactions decorrelate over a short time, which allows particles with velocities off resonance to undergo acceleration and velocity diffusion. We use the test particle simulation results to calibrate and distinguish between different models for this velocity diffusion. Test particle heating is larger than the linear theory prediction, due to continued acceleration of particles with velocities off-resonance. We also include an artificial pitch-angle scattering to the test particle motion, representing the effect of high-frequency waves or velocity-space instabilities. For low scattering rates, we find that the scattering enforces isotropy and enhances heating by a modest factor. For much higher scattering rates, the acceleration is instead due to a non-resonant effect, as particles "frozen" into the fluid adiabatically gain and lose energy as eddies expand and contract. Lastly, we generalize our calculations to allow for relativistic test particles. Linear theory predicts that relativistic particles with velocities much higher than the speed of waves comprising the turbulence would undergo no acceleration; resonance-broadening modifies this conclusion and allows for a continued Fermi-like acceleration process. This may affect the observed spectra of black hole accretion disks by accelerating relativistic particles into a quasi-powerlaw tail.

Development work for a superconducting linear collider

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Matheisen, Axel

1995-01-01

For future linear e(+)e(-) colliders in the TeV range several alternatives are under discussion. The TESLA approach is based on the advantages of superconductivity. High Q values of the accelerator structures give high efficiency for converting RF power into beam power. A low resonance frequency for the RF structures can be chosen to obtain a large number of electrons (positrons) per bunch. For a given luminosity the beam dimensions can be chosen conservatively which leads to relaxed beam emittance and tolerances at the final focus. Each individual superconducting accelerator component (resonator cavity) of this linear collider has to deliver an energy gain of 25 MeV/m to the beam. Today s.c. resonators are in use at CEBAF/USA, at DESY/Germany, Darmstadt/Germany KEK/Japan and CERN/Geneva. They show acceleration gradients between 5 MV/m and 10 MV/m. Encouraging experiments at CEA Saclay and Cornell University showed acceleration gradients of 20 MV/m and 25 MV/m in single and multicell structures. In an activity centered at DESY in Hamburg/Germany the TESLA collaboration is constructing a 500 MeV superconducting accelerator test facility (TTF) to demonstrate that a linear collider based on this technique can be built in a cost effective manner and that the necessary acceleration gradients of more than 15 MeV/m can be reached reproducibly. The test facility built at DESY covers an area of 3.000 m2 and is divided into 3 major activity areas: (1) The testlinac, where the performance ofthe modular components with an electron beam passing the 40 m long acceleration section can be demonstrated. (2) The test area, where all individual resonators are tested before installation into a module. (3) The preparation and assembly area, where assembly of cavities and modules take place. We report here on the design work to reach a reduction of costs compared to actual existing superconducting accelerator structures and on the facility set up to reach high acceleration gradients in a reproducible way.

Vestibular afferent responses to linear accelerations in the alert squirrel monkey

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Somps, Christopher J.; Schor, Robert H.; Tomko, David L.

1994-01-01

The spontaneous activity of 40 otolith afferents and 44 canal afferents was recorded in 4 alert, intact squirrel monkeys. Polarization vectors and response properties of otolith afferents were determined during static re-orientations relative to gravity and during Earth-horizontal, sinusoidal, linear oscillations. Canal afferents were tested for sensitivity to linear accelerations. For regular otolith afferents, a significant correlation between upright discharge rate and sensitivity to dynamic acceleration in the horizontal plane was observed. This correlation was not present in irregular units. The sensitivity of otolith afferents to both static tilts and dynamic linear acceleration was much greater in irregularly discharging units than in regularly discharging units. The spontaneous activity and static and dynamic response properties of regularly discharging otolith afferents were similar to those reported in barbiturate-anesthetized squirrel monkeys. Irregular afferents also had similar dynamic response properties when compared to anesthetized monkeys. However, this sample of irregular afferents in alert animals had higher resting discharge rates and greater sensitivity to static tilts. The majority of otolith polarization vectors were oriented near the horizontal in the plane of the utricular maculae; however, directions of maximum sensitivity were different during dynamic and static testing. Canal afferents were not sensitive to static tilts or linear oscillations of the head.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bartolac, S; Letourneau, D; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario

Purpose: Application of process control theory in quality assurance programs promises to allow earlier identification of problems and potentially better quality in delivery than traditional paradigms based primarily on tolerances and action levels. The purpose of this project was to characterize underlying seasonal variations in linear accelerator output that can be used to improve performance or trigger preemptive maintenance. Methods: Review of runtime plots of daily (6 MV) output data acquired using in house ion chamber based devices over three years and for fifteen linear accelerators of varying make and model were evaluated. Shifts in output due to known interventionsmore » with the machines were subtracted from the data to model an uncorrected scenario for each linear accelerator. Observable linear trends were also removed from the data prior to evaluation of periodic variations. Results: Runtime plots of output revealed sinusoidal, seasonal variations that were consistent across all units, irrespective of manufacturer, model or age of machine. The average amplitude of the variation was on the order of 1%. Peak and minimum variations were found to correspond to early April and September, respectively. Approximately 48% of output adjustments made over the period examined were potentially avoidable if baseline levels had corresponded to the mean output, rather than to points near a peak or valley. Linear trends were observed for three of the fifteen units, with annual increases in output ranging from 2–3%. Conclusion: Characterization of cyclical seasonal trends allows for better separation of potentially innate accelerator behaviour from other behaviours (e.g. linear trends) that may be better described as true out of control states (i.e. non-stochastic deviations from otherwise expected behavior) and could indicate service requirements. Results also pointed to an optimal setpoint for accelerators such that output of machines is maintained within set tolerances and interventions are required less frequently.« less

Spatiotemporal processing of linear acceleration: primary afferent and central vestibular neuron responses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Angelaki, D. E.; Dickman, J. D.

2000-01-01

Spatiotemporal convergence and two-dimensional (2-D) neural tuning have been proposed as a major neural mechanism in the signal processing of linear acceleration. To examine this hypothesis, we studied the firing properties of primary otolith afferents and central otolith neurons that respond exclusively to horizontal linear accelerations of the head (0.16-10 Hz) in alert rhesus monkeys. Unlike primary afferents, the majority of central otolith neurons exhibited 2-D spatial tuning to linear acceleration. As a result, central otolith dynamics vary as a function of movement direction. During movement along the maximum sensitivity direction, the dynamics of all central otolith neurons differed significantly from those observed for the primary afferent population. Specifically at low frequencies (

Evaluation of corneal changes after conventional versus accelerated corneal cross-linking: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Hashemian, Hesam; Jabbarvand, Mahmoud; Khodaparast, Mehdi; Ameli, Kambiz

2014-12-01

To evaluate the outcome of accelerated and conventional corneal cross-linking (CXL) procedures regarding their effect on morphological and optical properties of the cornea. One hundred fifty-three eyes of 153 patients were evaluated before and during a 15-month follow-up period after CXL (76 eyes in the conventional group and 77 eyes in the accelerated group). Measured variables include corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), refraction, maximum keratometry, endothelial cell density, anterior and posterior stromal keratocyte density, and subbasal nerve density. All variables were compared between the two study groups. Cylindrical and spherical components of refraction improved significantly during 15 months of follow-up. No difference was observed between the two study groups. UDVA and CDVA improved in the same manner, with no intergroup differences. Endothelial cell density did not change significantly during the follow-up period in either group. K-max increased slightly in the first month of the follow-up, but started to decrease at postoperative visits without any significant difference in the two groups. Anterior stromal keratocyte density and subbasal nerve density decreased significantly in both groups 1 month postoperatively. Both variables had a more significant decrease in the conventional group at all visits before the 1-year visit. At the final 15-month visit, there were no significant differences in any value between the two groups. Accelerated and conventional CXL seem to have a comparable and acceptable effect on keratoconus in the short-term follow-up period. Copyright 2014, SLACK Incorporated.

From laser particle acceleration to the synthesis of extremely neutron rich isotopes via the novel fission-fusion mechanism

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thirolf, P. G., E-mail: Peter.Thirolf@lmu.de

2015-02-24

High-power, short pulse lasers have emerged in the last decade as attractive tools for accelerating charged particles (electrons, ions) to high energies over mm-scale acceleration lengths, thus promising to rival conventional acceleration techniques in the years ahead. In the first part of the article, the principles of laser-plasma interaction as well as the techniques and the current status of the acceleration of electron and ion beams will be briefly introduced. In particular with the upcoming next generation of multi-PW class laser systems, such as the one under construction for the ELI-Nuclear Physics project in Bucharest (ELI-NP), very efficient acceleration mechanismsmore » for brilliant ion beams like radiation pressure acceleration (RPA) come into reach. Here, ultra-dense ion beams reaching solid-state density can be accelerated from thin target foils, exceeding the density of conventionally accelerated ion beams by about 14 orders of magnitude. This unique property of laser-accelerated ion beams can be exploited to explore the scenario of a new reaction mechanism called ‘fission-fusion’, which will be introduced in the second part of the article. Accelerating fissile species (e.g. {sup 232}Th) towards a second layer of the same material will lead to fission both of the beam-like and target-like particles. Due to the close to solid-state density of the accelerated ion bunches, fusion may occur between neutron-rich (light) fission products. This may open an access path towards extremely neutron-rich nuclides in the vicinity of the N=126 waiting point of the astrophysical r process. ‘Waiting points’ at closed nucleon shells play a crucial role in controlling the reaction rates. However, since most of the pathway of heavy-element formation via the rapid-neutron capture process (r-process) runs in ‘terra incognita’ of the nuclear landscape, in particular the waiting point at N=126 is yet unexplored and will remain largely inaccessible to conventional nuclear reaction schemes even at next-generation radioactive beam facilities, underlining the attractive perspectives offered, e.g., by ELI-NP.« less

Symposium on electron linear accelerators in honor of Richard B. Neal's 80th birthday: Proceedings

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Siemann, R.H.

The papers presented at the conference are: (1) the construction of SLAC and the role of R.B. Neal; (2) symposium speech; (3) lessons learned from the SLC; (4) alternate approaches to future electron-positron linear colliders; (5) the NLC technical program; (6) advanced electron linacs; (7) medical uses of linear accelerators; (8) linac-based, intense, coherent X-ray source using self-amplified spontaneous emission. Selected papers have been indexed separately for inclusion in the Energy Science and Technology Database.

Spin dynamics in storage rings and linear accelerators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Irwin, J.

1994-12-01

The purpose of these lectures is to survey the subject of spin dynamics in accelerators: to give a sense of the underlying physics, the typical analytic and numeric methods used, and an overview of results achieved. Consideration will be limited to electrons and protons. Examples of experimental and theoretical results in both linear and circular machines are included.

Finite element analyses of a linear-accelerator electron gun

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iqbal, M.; Wasy, A.; Islam, G. U.; Zhou, Z.

2014-02-01

Thermo-structural analyses of the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider (BEPCII) linear-accelerator, electron gun, were performed for the gun operating with the cathode at 1000 °C. The gun was modeled in computer aided three-dimensional interactive application for finite element analyses through ANSYS workbench. This was followed by simulations using the SLAC electron beam trajectory program EGUN for beam optics analyses. The simulations were compared with experimental results of the assembly to verify its beam parameters under the same boundary conditions. Simulation and test results were found to be in good agreement and hence confirmed the design parameters under the defined operating temperature. The gun is operating continuously since commissioning without any thermal induced failures for the BEPCII linear accelerator.

Finite element analyses of a linear-accelerator electron gun.

PubMed

Iqbal, M; Wasy, A; Islam, G U; Zhou, Z

2014-02-01

Thermo-structural analyses of the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider (BEPCII) linear-accelerator, electron gun, were performed for the gun operating with the cathode at 1000 °C. The gun was modeled in computer aided three-dimensional interactive application for finite element analyses through ANSYS workbench. This was followed by simulations using the SLAC electron beam trajectory program EGUN for beam optics analyses. The simulations were compared with experimental results of the assembly to verify its beam parameters under the same boundary conditions. Simulation and test results were found to be in good agreement and hence confirmed the design parameters under the defined operating temperature. The gun is operating continuously since commissioning without any thermal induced failures for the BEPCII linear accelerator.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

In an advance that could dramatically shrink particle accelerators for science and medicine, researchers used a laser to accelerate electrons at a rate 10 times higher than conventional technology in a nanostructured glass chip smaller than a grain of rice.

Calibration of a Six-Degree-of-Freedom Acceleration Measurement Device

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1994-12-01

This report describes the calibration of a six-degree-of-freedom acceleration measurement system designed for use in the measurement of linear and angular head accelerations of anthropomorphic dummies during crash tests. The calibration methodology, ...

Economic feasibility of irradiation-composting plant of sewage sludge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hashimoto, S.; Nishimura, K.; Machi, S.

Design and cost analysis were made for a sewage sludge treatment plant (capacity 25 - 200 ton sludge/day) with an electron accelerator. Dewatered sludge is spreaded on a rolling drum through a flat nozzle and disinfected by electron irradiation with a dose of 5 kGy. Composting of the irradiated sludge is also made at the optimum temperature for 3 days. The accelerating voltage of electron and capacity of the accelerator are 1.5 MV and 15 kW, respectively. Total volume of the fermentor is about one third of that of conventional composting process because the irradiation makes the time of composting shorter. The cost of sludge treatment is almost the same as that of conventional method.

Marginal accuracy of nickel chromium copings fabricated by conventional and accelerated casting procedures, produced with ringless and metal ring investment procedures: A comparative in vitro study.

PubMed

Alex, Deepa; Shetty, Y Bharath; Miranda, Glynis Anita; Prabhu, M Bharath; Karkera, Reshma

2015-01-01

Conventional investing and casting techniques are time-consuming and usually requires 2-4 h for completion. Accelerated nonstandard, casting techniques have been reported to achieve similar quality results in significantly less time, namely, in 30-40 min. During casting, it is essential to achieve compensation for the shrinkage of solidifying alloy by investment expansion. The metal casting ring restricts the thermal expansion of investment because the thermal expansion of the ring is lesser than that of the investment. The use of casting ring was challenged with the introduction of the ringless technique. A total of 40 test samples of nickel chromium (Ni-Cr) cast copings were obtained from the patterns fabricated using inlay casting wax. The 20 wax patterns were invested using metal ring and 20 wax patterns were invested using the ringless investment system. Of both the groups, 10 samples underwent conventional casting, and the other 10 underwent accelerated casting. The patterns were casted using the induction casting technique. All the test samples of cast copings were evaluated for vertical marginal gaps at four points on the die employing a stereo optical microscope. The vertical marginal discrepancy data obtained were tabulated. Mean and standard deviations were obtained. Vertical discrepancies were analyzed using analysis of variance and Tukey honestly significantly different. The data obtained were found to be very highly significant (P < 0.001). Mean vertical gap was the maximum for Group II (53.64 μm) followed by Group IV (47.62 μm), Group I (44.83 μm) and Group III (35.35 μm). The Ni-Cr cast copings fabricated with the conventional casting using ringless investment system showed significantly better marginal fit than that of cast copings fabricated from conventional and accelerated casting with metal ring investment and accelerated casting using ringless investment since those copings had shown the least vertical marginal discrepancies among the four methods evaluated in this study.

Distance-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry: What, Why, and How?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dennis, Elise A.; Gundlach-Graham, Alexander W.; Ray, Steven J.; Enke, Christie G.; Hieftje, Gary M.

2016-11-01

Distance-of-flight mass spectrometry (DOFMS) separates ions of different mass-to-charge ( m/ z) by the distance they travel in a given time after acceleration. Like time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS), separation and mass assignment are based on ion velocity. However, DOFMS is not a variant of TOFMS; different methods of ion focusing and detection are used. In DOFMS, ions are driven orthogonally, at the detection time, onto an array of detectors parallel to the flight path. Through the independent detection of each m/ z, DOFMS can provide both wider dynamic range and increased throughput for m/ z of interest compared with conventional TOFMS. The iso-mass focusing and detection of ions is achieved by constant-momentum acceleration (CMA) and a linear-field ion mirror. Improved energy focus (including turn-around) is achieved in DOFMS, but the initial spatial dispersion of ions remains unchanged upon detection. Therefore, the point-source nature of surface ionization techniques could put them at an advantage for DOFMS. To date, three types of position-sensitive detectors have been used for DOFMS: a microchannel plate with a phosphorescent screen, a focal plane camera, and an IonCCD array; advances in detector technology will likely improve DOFMS figures-of-merit. In addition, the combination of CMA with TOF detection has provided improved resolution and duty factor over a narrow m/ z range (compared with conventional, single-pass TOFMS). The unique characteristics of DOFMS can enable the intact collection of large biomolecules, clusters, and organisms. DOFMS might also play a key role in achieving the long-sought goal of simultaneous MS/MS.

[Statocyst regulation of the heart and statokinetic reflexes in the crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus, during linear acceleration].

PubMed

Kuntsova, M Ia; Sveshnikov, V G; Timofeeva, E V

1978-01-01

In experiments on the shore crab H. sanguineus studies have been made of the effect of variable longitudinal acceleration during swinging (for 15--30 min) upon cardiac activity and gravitational reflexes. High sensitivity of gravitational receptors of the canal statocyst to the effect of acceleration was demonstrated. Removal of the statocysts increases the frequency and amplitude of cardiac contractions as revealed by ECG recording. Changes in stato-kinetic coordinations cause both the disorder of overturning reactions and the disorder of reciprocal inhibition in antagonistic muscles of the dactylopodite. Statocyst regulation of skeletal muscles and heart is presumably realised via contralateral inhibitory canal which is sensitive to linear accelerations.

Individual Impact Magnitude vs. Cumulative Magnitude for Estimating Concussion Odds.

PubMed

O'Connor, Kathryn L; Peeters, Thomas; Szymanski, Stefan; Broglio, Steven P

2017-08-01

Helmeted impact devices have allowed researchers to investigate the biomechanics of head impacts in vivo. While increased impact magnitude has been associated with greater concussion risk, a definitive concussive threshold has not been established. It is likely that concussion risk is not determined by a single impact itself, but a host of predisposing factors. These factors may include genetics, fatigue, and/or prior head impact exposure. The objective of the current paper is to investigate the association between cumulative head impact magnitude and concussion risk. It is hypothesized that increased cumulative magnitudes will be associated with greater concussion risk. This retrospective analysis included participants that were recruited from regional high-schools in Illinois and Michigan from 2007 to 2014 as part of an ongoing study on concussion biomechanics. Across seven seasons, 185 high school football athletes were instrumented with the Head Impact Telemetry system. Out of 185 athletes, 31 (17%) sustained a concussion, with two athletes sustaining two concussions over the study period, yielding 33 concussive events. The system recorded 78,204 impacts for all concussed players. Linear acceleration, rotational acceleration, and head impact telemetry severity profile (HITsp) magnitudes were summed within five timeframes: the day of injury, three days prior to injury, seven days prior to injury, 30 days prior to injury, and prior in-season exposure. Logistic regressions were modeled to explain concussive events based on the singular linear acceleration, rotational acceleration, and HITsp event along with the calculated summations over time. Linear acceleration, rotational acceleration, and HITsp all produced significant models estimating concussion (p < 0.05). The strongest estimators of a concussive impact were the linear acceleration (OR = 1.040, p < 0.05), rotational acceleration (OR = 1.001, p < 0.05), and HITsp (OR = 1.003, p < 0.05) for the singular impact rather than any of the cumulative magnitude calculations. Moreover, no cumulative count measure was significant for linear or rotational acceleration. Results from this investigation support the growing literature indicating cumulative magnitude is not related to concussion likelihood. Cumulative magnitude is a simplistic measure of the total exposure sustained by a player over a given period. However, this measure is limited as it assumes the brain is a static structure unable to undergo self-repair. Future research should consider how biological recovery between impacts may influence concussion risk.

The sense of balance in humans: Structural features of otoconia and their response to linear acceleration

PubMed Central

Kniep, Rüdiger; Zahn, Dirk; Wulfes, Jana

2017-01-01

We explored the functional role of individual otoconia within the otolith system of mammalians responsible for the detection of linear accelerations and head tilts in relation to the gravity vector. Details of the inner structure and the shape of intact human and artificial otoconia were studied using environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), including decalcification by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to discriminate local calcium carbonate density. Considerable differences between the rhombohedral faces of human and artificial otoconia already indicate that the inner architecture of otoconia is not consistent with the point group -3m. This is clearly confirmed by decalcified otoconia specimen which are characterized by a non-centrosymmetric volume distribution of the compact 3+3 branches. This structural evidence for asymmetric mass distribution was further supported by light microscopy in combination with a high speed camera showing the movement of single otoconia specimen (artificial specimen) under gravitational influence within a viscous medium (artificial endolymph). Moreover, the response of otoconia to linear acceleration forces was investigated by particle dynamics simulations. Both, time-resolved microscopy and computer simulations of otoconia acceleration show that the dislocation of otoconia include significant rotational movement stemming from density asymmetry. Based on these findings, we suggest an otolith membrane expansion/stiffening mechanism for enhanced response to linear acceleration transmitted to the vestibular hair cells. PMID:28406968

Low dose megavoltage cone beam computed tomography with an unflattened 4 MV beam from a carbon target

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Faddegon, Bruce A.; Wu, Vincent; Pouliot, Jean

2008-12-15

Megavoltage cone beam computed tomography (MVCBCT) is routinely used for visualizing anatomical structures and implanted fiducials for patient positioning in radiotherapy. MVCBCT using a 6 MV treatment beam with high atomic number (Z) target and flattening filter in the beamline, as done conventionally, has lower image quality than can be achieved with a MV beam due to heavy filtration of the low-energy bremsstrahlung. The unflattened beam of a low Z target has an abundance of diagnostic energy photons, detected with modern flat panel detectors with much higher efficiency given the same dose to the patient. This principle guided the developmentmore » of a new megavoltage imaging beamline (IBL) for a commercial radiotherapy linear accelerator. A carbon target was placed in one of the electron primary scattering foil slots on the target-foil slide. A PROM on a function controller board was programed to put the carbon target in place for MVCBCT. A low accelerating potential of 4.2 MV was used for the IBL to restrict leakage of primary electrons through the target such that dose from x rays dominated the signal in the monitor chamber and the patient surface dose. Results from phantom and cadaver images demonstrated that the IBL had much improved image quality over the treatment beam. For similar imaging dose, the IBL improved the contrast-to-noise ratio by as much as a factor of 3 in soft tissue over that of the treatment beam. The IBL increased the spatial resolution by about a factor of 2, allowing the visualization of finer anatomical details. Images of the cadaver contained useful information with doses as low as 1 cGy. The IBL may be installed on certain models of linear accelerators without mechanical modification and results in significant improvement in the image quality with the same dose, or images of the same quality with less than one-third of the dose.« less

Acceleration of boundary element method for linear elasticity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zapletal, Jan; Merta, Michal; Čermák, Martin

2017-07-01

In this work we describe the accelerated assembly of system matrices for the boundary element method using the Intel Xeon Phi coprocessors. We present a model problem, provide a brief overview of its discretization and acceleration of the system matrices assembly using the coprocessors, and test the accelerated version using a numerical benchmark.

The Feasibility of Linear Motors and High-Energy Thrusters for Massive Aerospace Vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stull, M. A.

A combination of two propulsion technologies, superconducting linear motors using ambient magnetic fields and high- energy particle beam thrusters, may make it possible to develop massive aerospace vehicles the size of aircraft carriers. If certain critical thresholds can be attained, linear motors can enable massive vehicles to fly within the atmosphere and can propel them to orbit. Thrusters can do neither, because power requirements are prohibitive. However, unless superconductors having extremely high critical current densities can be developed, the interplanetary magnetic field is too weak for linear motors to provide sufficient acceleration to reach even nearby planets. On the other hand, high-energy thrusters can provide adequate acceleration using a minimal amount of reaction mass, at achievable levels of power generation. If the requirements for linear motor propulsion can be met, combining the two modes of propulsion could enable huge nuclear powered spacecraft to reach at least the inner planets of the solar system, the asteroid belt, and possibly Jupiter, in reasonably short times under continuous acceleration, opening them to exploration, resource development and colonization.

SU-F-T-554: Dark Current Effect On CyberKnife Beam Dosimetry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, H; Chang, A

Purpose: All RF linear accelerators produce dark current to varying degrees when an accelerating voltage and RF input is applied in the absence of electron gun injection. This study is to evaluate how dark current from the linear accelerator of CyberKnife affect the dose in the reference dosimetry. Methods: The G4 CyberKnife system with 6MV photon beam was used in this study. Using the ion chamber and the diode detector, the dose was measured in water with varying time delay between acquiring charges and staring beam-on after applying high-voltage into the linear accelerator. The dose was measured after the timemore » delay with over the range of 0 to 120 seconds in the accelerating high-voltage mode without beam-on, applying 0, 10, 50, 100, and 200 MUs. For the measurements, the collimator of 60 mm was used and the detectors were placed at the depths of 10 cm with the source-to-surface distance of 80 cm. Results: The dark current was constant over time regardless of MU. The dose due to the dark current increased over time linearly with the R-squared value of 0.9983 up to 4.4 cGy for the time 120 seconds. In the dose rate setting of 720 MU/min, the relative dose when applying the accelerating voltage without beam-on was increased over time up to 0.6% but it was less than the leakage radiation resulted from the accelerated head. As the reference dosimetry condition, when 100 MU was delivered after 10 seconds time delay, the relative dose increased by 0.7% but 6.7% for the low MU (10 MU). Conclusion: In the dosimetry using CyberKnife system, the constant dark current affected to the dose. Although the time delay in the accelerating high-voltage mode without beam-on is within 10 seconds, the dose less than 100 cGy can be overestimated more than 1%.« less

Generation and Characterization of Electron Bunches with Ramped Current Profiles in a Dual-Frequency Superconducting Linear Accelerator

DOE PAGES

Piot, P.; Behrens, C.; Gerth, C.; ...

2011-09-07

We report on the successful experimental generation of electron bunches with ramped current profiles. The technique relies on impressing nonlinear correlations in the longitudinal phase space using a superconducing radiofrequency linear accelerator operating at two frequencies and a current-enhancing dispersive section. The produced {approx} 700-MeV bunches have peak currents of the order of a kilo-Ampere. Data taken for various accelerator settings demonstrate the versatility of the method and in particular its ability to produce current profiles that have a quasi-linear dependency on the longitudinal (temporal) coordinate. The measured bunch parameters are shown, via numerical simulations, to produce gigavolt-per-meter peak acceleratingmore » electric fields with transformer ratios larger than 2 in dielectric-lined waveguides.« less

Finite element analyses of a linear-accelerator electron gun

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Iqbal, M., E-mail: muniqbal.chep@pu.edu.pk, E-mail: muniqbal@ihep.ac.cn; Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049; Wasy, A.

Thermo-structural analyses of the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider (BEPCII) linear-accelerator, electron gun, were performed for the gun operating with the cathode at 1000 °C. The gun was modeled in computer aided three-dimensional interactive application for finite element analyses through ANSYS workbench. This was followed by simulations using the SLAC electron beam trajectory program EGUN for beam optics analyses. The simulations were compared with experimental results of the assembly to verify its beam parameters under the same boundary conditions. Simulation and test results were found to be in good agreement and hence confirmed the design parameters under the defined operating temperature. The gunmore » is operating continuously since commissioning without any thermal induced failures for the BEPCII linear accelerator.« less

Perception of linear acceleration in weightlessness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arrott, Anthony P.; Young, Laurence R.; Merfeld, Daniel M.

1991-01-01

Tests of the perception and use of linear acceleration sensory information were performed on the science crews of the Spacelab 1 (SL-1) and D-1 missions using linear 'sleds' in-flight (D-1) and pre-post flight. The time delay between the acceleration step stimulus and the subjective response was consistently reduced during weightlessness, but was neither statistically significant nor of functional importance. Increased variability of responses when going from one environment to the other was apparent from measurements on the first day of the mission and in the first days post-flight. Subjective reports of perceived motion during sinusoidal oscillation in weightlessness were qualitatively similar to reports on earth. In a closed-loop motion nulling task, enhanced performance was observed post-flight in all crewmembers tested in the Y or Z axes.

Perception of linear acceleration in weightlessness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arrott, A. P.; Young, L. R.; Merfeld, D. M.

1990-01-01

Tests of the perception and use of linear acceleration sensory information were performed on the science crews of the Spacelab 1 (SL-1) and D-1 missions using linear "sleds" in-flight (D-1) and pre-post flight. The time delay between the acceleration step stimulus and the subjective response was consistently reduced during weightlessness, but was neither statistically significant nor of functional importance. Increased variability of responses when going from one environment to the other was apparent from measurements on the first day of the mission and in the first days post-flight. Subjective reports of perceived motion during sinusoidal oscillation in weightlessness were qualitatively similar to reports on earth. In a closed-loop motion nulling task, enhanced performance was observed post-flight in all crewmembers tested in the Y or Z axes.

Evaluation of stone/RAP interlayers under accelerated loading : tech summary.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-08-01

The first Louisiana accelerated loading experiment, Evaluation of Louisianas Conventional and Alternative Base Courses, showed that pavement performance could be enhanced signifi cantly if a layer of stone was placed over the cement stabilized sub...

Evaluation of stone/RAP interlayers under accelerated loading : tech summary.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-08-01

The fi rst Louisiana accelerated loading experiment, Evaluation of Louisianas Conventional and Alternative Base Courses, : showed that pavement performance could be enhanced signifi cantly if a layer of stone was placed over the cement : stabilize...

Can MOND type hypotheses be tested in a free fall laboratory environment?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Saurya; Patitsas, S. N.

2013-05-01

The extremely small accelerations of objects required for the onset of modified Newtonian dynamics, or modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND), makes testing the hypothesis in conventional terrestrial laboratories virtually impossible. This is due to the large background acceleration of Earth, which is transmitted to the acceleration of test objects within an apparatus. We show, however, that it may be possible to test MOND-type hypotheses with experiments using a conventional apparatus capable of tracking very small accelerations of its components but performed in locally inertial frames such as artificial satellites and other freely falling laboratories. For example, experiments involving an optical interferometer or a torsion balance in these laboratories would show nonlinear dynamics and displacement amplitudes larger than expected. These experiments may also be able to test potential violations of the strong equivalence principle by MOND and to distinguish between its two possible interpretations (modified inertia and modified gravity).

FPGA Coprocessor for Accelerated Classification of Images

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pingree, Paula J.; Scharenbroich, Lucas J.; Werne, Thomas A.

2008-01-01

An effort related to that described in the preceding article focuses on developing a spaceborne processing platform for fast and accurate onboard classification of image data, a critical part of modern satellite image processing. The approach again has been to exploit the versatility of recently developed hybrid Virtex-4FX field-programmable gate array (FPGA) to run diverse science applications on embedded processors while taking advantage of the reconfigurable hardware resources of the FPGAs. In this case, the FPGA serves as a coprocessor that implements legacy C-language support-vector-machine (SVM) image-classification algorithms to detect and identify natural phenomena such as flooding, volcanic eruptions, and sea-ice break-up. The FPGA provides hardware acceleration for increased onboard processing capability than previously demonstrated in software. The original C-language program demonstrated on an imaging instrument aboard the Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite implements a linear-kernel SVM algorithm for classifying parts of the images as snow, water, ice, land, or cloud or unclassified. Current onboard processors, such as on EO-1, have limited computing power, extremely limited active storage capability and are no longer considered state-of-the-art. Using commercially available software that translates C-language programs into hardware description language (HDL) files, the legacy C-language program, and two newly formulated programs for a more capable expanded-linear-kernel and a more accurate polynomial-kernel SVM algorithm, have been implemented in the Virtex-4FX FPGA. In tests, the FPGA implementations have exhibited significant speedups over conventional software implementations running on general-purpose hardware.

Linear induction accelerators made from pulse-line cavities with external pulse injection.

PubMed

Smith, I

1979-06-01

Two types of linear induction accelerator have been reported previously. In one, unidirectional voltage pulses are generated outside the accelerator and injected into the accelerator cavity modules, which contain ferromagnetic material to reduce energy losses in the form of currents induced, in parallel with the beam, in the cavity structure. In the other type, the accelerator cavity modules are themselves pulse-forming lines with energy storage and switches; parallel current losses are made zero by the use of circuits that generate bidirectional acceleration waveforms with a zero voltage-time integral. In a third type of design described here, the cavities are externally driven, and 100% efficient coupling of energy to the beam is obtained by designing the external pulse generators to produce bidirectional voltage waveforms with zero voltage-time integral. A design for such a pulse generator is described that is itself one hundred percent efficient and which is well suited to existing pulse power techniques. Two accelerator cavity designs are described that can couple the pulse from such a generator to the beam; one of these designs provides voltage doubling. Comparison is made between the accelerating gradients that can be obtained with this and the preceding types of induction accelerator.

Aligning the magnetic field of a linear induction accelerator with a low-energy electron beam

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Clark, J.C.; Deadrick, F.J.; Kallman, J.S.

1989-03-10

The Experimental Test Accelerator II (ETA-II) linear induction accelerator at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory uses a solenoid magnet in each acceleration cell to focus and transport an electron beam over the length of the accelerator. To control growth of the corkscrew mode the magnetic field must be precisely aligned over the full length of the accelerate. Concentric with each solenoid magnet is sine/cosmic-wound correction coil to steer the beam and correct field errors. A low-energy electron probe traces the central flux line through the accelerator referenced to a mechanical axis that is defined by a copropagating laser beam. Correction coilsmore » are activated to force the central flux line to cross the mechanical axis at the end of each acceleration cell. The ratios of correction coil currents determined by the low-energy electron probe are then kept fixed to correct for field errors during normal operation with an accelerated beam. We describe the construction of the low-energy electron probe and report the results of experiments we conducted to measure magnetic alignment with and without the correction coils activated. 5 refs., 3 figs.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Clendenin, James E

The International Committee supported the proposal of the Chairman of the XVIII International Linac Conference to issue a new Compendium of linear accelerators. The last one was published in 1976. The Local Organizing Committee of Linac96 decided to set up a sub-committee for this purpose. Contrary to the catalogues of the High Energy Accelerators which compile accelerators with energies above 1 GeV, we have not defined a specific limit in energy. Microtrons and cyclotrons are not in this compendium. Also data from thousands of medical and industrial linacs has not been collected. Therefore, only scientific linacs are listed in themore » present compendium. Each linac found in this research and involved in a physics context was considered. It could be used, for example, either as an injector for high energy accelerators, or in nuclear physics, materials physics, free electron lasers or synchrotron light machines. Linear accelerators are developed in three continents only: America, Asia, and Europe. This geographical distribution is kept as a basis. The compendium contains the parameters and status of scientific linacs. Most of these linacs are operational. However, many facilities under construction or design studies are also included. A special mention has been made at the end for the studies of future linear colliders.« less

Radio to Gamma-Ray Emission from Shell-Type Supernova Remnants: Predictions from Non-Linear Shock Acceleration Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baring, Matthew G.; Ellison, Donald C.; Reynolds, Stephen P.; Grenier, Isabelle A.; Goret, Philippe

1998-01-01

Supernova remnants (SNRs) are widely believed to be the principal source of galactic cosmic rays, produced by diffusive shock acceleration in the environs of the remnant's expanding blast wave. Such energetic particles can produce gamma-rays and lower energy photons via interactions with the ambient plasma. The recently reported observation of TeV gamma-rays from SN1006 by the CANGAROO Collaboration, combined with the fact that several unidentified EGRET sources have been associated with known radio/optical/X-ray-emitting remnants, provides powerful motivation for studying gamma-ray emission from SNRs. In this paper, we present results from a Monte Carlo simulation of non-linear shock structure and acceleration coupled with photon emission in shell-like SNRs. These non-linearities are a by-product of the dynamical influence of the accelerated cosmic rays on the shocked plasma and result in distributions of cosmic rays which deviate from pure power-laws. Such deviations are crucial to acceleration efficiency considerations and impact photon intensities and spectral shapes at all energies, producing GeV/TeV intensity ratios that are quite different from test particle predictions.

Quasi-linear heating and acceleration in bi-Maxwellian plasmas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hellinger, Petr; Passot, Thierry; Sulem, Pierre-Louis

2013-12-15

Quasi-linear acceleration and heating rates are derived for drifting bi-Maxwellian distribution functions in a general nonrelativistic case for arbitrary wave vectors, propagation angles, and growth/damping rates. The heating rates in a proton-electron plasma due to ion-cyclotron/kinetic Alfvén and mirror waves for a wide range of wavelengths, directions of propagation, and growth or damping rates are explicitly computed.

Experimental demonstration of high efficiency electron cyclotron autoresonance acceleration

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

LaPointe, M.A.; Yoder, R.B.; Wang, C.

1996-04-01

First experimental results are reported on the operation of a multimegawatt 2.856 GHz cyclotron autoresonance accelerator (CARA). A 90{endash}100 kV, 2{endash}3 MW linear electron beam has had up to6.6 MW added to it in CARA, with an rf-to-beam power efficiency of up to 96{percent}. This efficiency level is larger than that reported for any fast-wave interaction between radiation and electrons, and also larger than that in normal conducting rf linear accelerators. The results obtained are in good agreement with theoretical predictions. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}

A feasibility study using TomoDirect for craniospinal irradiation

PubMed Central

Molloy, Janelle A.; Gleason, John F.; Feddock, Jonathan M.

2013-01-01

The feasibility of delivering craniospinal irradiation (CSI) with TomoDirect is investigated. A method is proposed to generate TomoDirect plans using standard three‐dimensional (3D) beam arrangements on Tomotherapy with junctioning of these fields to minimize hot or cold spots at the cranial/spinal junction. These plans are evaluated and compared to a helical Tomotherapy and a three‐dimensional conformal therapy (3D CRT) plan delivered on a conventional linear accelerator (linac) for CSI. The comparison shows that a TomoDirect plan with an overlap between the cranial and spinal fields might be preferable over Tomotherapy plans because of decreased low dose to large volumes of normal tissues outside of the planning target volume (PTV). Although the TomoDirect plans were not dosimetrically superior to a 3D CRT linac plan, the patient can be easily treated in the supine position, which is often more comfortable and efficient from an anesthesia standpoint. TomoDirect plans also have only one setup position which obviates the need for matching of fields and feathering of junctions, two issues encountered with conventional 3D CRT plans. TomoDirect plans can be delivered with comparable treatment times to conventional 3D plans and in shorter times than a Tomotherapy plan. In this paper, a method is proposed for creating TomoDirect craniospinal plans, and the dosimetric consequences for choosing different planning parameters are discussed. PACS number: 87.55.D‐ PMID:24036863

Head impact exposure sustained by football players on days of diagnosed concussion.

PubMed

Beckwith, Jonathan G; Greenwald, Richard M; Chu, Jeffrey J; Crisco, Joseph J; Rowson, Steven; Duma, Stefan M; Broglio, Steven P; McAllister, Thomas W; Guskiewicz, Kevin M; Mihalik, Jason P; Anderson, Scott; Schnebel, Brock; Brolinson, P Gunnar; Collins, Michael W

2013-04-01

This study compares the frequency and severity of head impacts sustained by football players on days with and without diagnosed concussion and to identify the sensitivity and specificity of single-impact severity measures to diagnosed injury. One thousand two hundred eight players from eight collegiate football teams and six high school football teams wore instrumented helmets to measure head impacts during all team sessions, of which 95 players were diagnosed with concussion. Eight players sustained two injuries and one sustained three, providing 105 injury cases. Measures of head kinematics (peak linear and rotational acceleration, Gadd severity index, head injury criteria (HIC15), and change in head velocity (Δv)) and the number of head impacts sustained by individual players were compared between days with and without diagnosed concussion. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of each kinematic measure to diagnosed concussion using only those impacts that directly preceded diagnosis. Players sustained a higher frequency of impacts and impacts with more severe kinematic properties on days of diagnosed concussion than on days without diagnosed concussion. Forty-five injury cases were immediately diagnosed after head impact. For these cases, peak linear acceleration and HIC15 were most sensitive to immediately diagnosed concussion (area under the curve = 0.983). Peak rotational acceleration was less sensitive to diagnosed injury than all other kinematic measures (P = 0.01), which are derived from linear acceleration (peak linear, HIC15, Gadd severity index, and Δv). Players sustained more impacts and impacts of higher severity on days of diagnosed concussion than on days without diagnosed concussion. In addition, of historical measures of impact severity, those associated with peak linear acceleration are the best predictors of immediately diagnosed concussion.

Head Impact Exposure Sustained by Football Players on Days of Diagnosed Concussion

PubMed Central

Beckwith, Jonathan G.; Greenwald, Richard M.; Chu, Jeffrey J.; Crisco, Joseph J.; Rowson, Steven; Duma, Stefan M.; Broglio, Steven P.; McAllister, Thomas W.; Guskiewicz, Kevin M.; Mihalik, Jason P.; Anderson, Scott; Schnebel, Brock; Brolinson, P. Gunnar; Collins, Michael W.

2012-01-01

Purpose This study compares the frequency and severity of head impacts sustained by football players on days with and without diagnosed concussion and to identify the sensitivity and specificity of single impact severity measures to diagnosed injury. Methods 1,208 players from eight collegiate and six high school football teams wore instrumented helmets to measure head impacts during all team sessions, of which 95 players were diagnosed with concussion. Eight players sustained two injuries and one three, providing 105 injury cases. Measures of head kinematics (peak linear and rotational acceleration, Gadd Severity Index (GSI), Head Injury Criteria (HIC15), change in head velocity (Δv)) and the number of head impacts sustained by individual players were compared between days with and without diagnosed concussion. Receiver operator characteristic curves were generated to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of each kinematic measure to diagnosed concussion using only those impacts that directly preceded diagnosis. Results Players sustained a higher frequency of impacts and impacts with more severe kinematic properties on days of diagnosed concussion than on days without diagnosed concussion. Forty-five injury cases were immediately diagnosed following head impact. For these cases, peak linear acceleration and HIC15 were most sensitive to immediately diagnosed concussion (AUC = 0.983). Peak rotational acceleration was less sensitive to diagnosed injury than all other kinematic measures (p = 0.01) which are derived from linear acceleration (peak linear, HIC15, GSI, and Δv). Conclusions Players sustain more impacts and impacts of higher severity on days of diagnosed concussion than on days without diagnosed concussion. Additionally, of historical measures of impact severity, those associated with peak linear acceleration are the best predictors of immediately diagnosed concussion. PMID:23135363

Analysis of peripheral doses for base of tongue treatment by linear accelerator and helical TomoTherapy IMRT

PubMed Central

Lamba, Michael A. S.; Elson, Howard R.

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the peripheral doses to various organs from a typical head and neck intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment delivered by linear accelerator (linac) and helical TomoTherapy. Multiple human CT data sets were used to segment critical structures and organs at risk, fused and adjusted to an anthropomorphic phantom. Eighteen contours were designated for thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) placement. Following the RTOG IMRT Protocol 0522, treatment of the primary tumor and involved nodes (PTV70) and subclinical disease sites (PTV56) was planned utilizing IMRT to 70 Gy and 56 Gy. Clinically acceptable treatment plans were produced for linac and TomoTherapy treatments. TLDs were placed and each treatment plan was delivered to the anthropomorphic phantom four times. Within 2.5 cm (one helical TomoTherapy field width) superior and inferior to the field edges, normal tissue doses were on average 45% lower using linear accelerator. Beyond 2.5 cm, the helical TomoTherapy normal tissue dose was an average of 52% lower. The majority of points proved to be statistically different using the Student's t‐test with p<0.05. Using one method of calculation, probability of a secondary malignancy was 5.88% for the linear accelerator and 4.08% for helical TomoTherapy. Helical TomoTherapy delivers more dose than a linac immediately above and below the treatment field, contributing to the higher peripheral doses adjacent to the field. At distances beyond one field width (where leakage is dominant), helical TomoTherapy doses are lower than linear accelerator doses. PACS number: 87.50.cm Dosimetry/exposure assessment

Accelerating molecular property calculations with nonorthonormal Krylov space methods

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Furche, Filipp; Krull, Brandon T.; Nguyen, Brian D.

Here, we formulate Krylov space methods for large eigenvalue problems and linear equation systems that take advantage of decreasing residual norms to reduce the cost of matrix-vector multiplication. The residuals are used as subspace basis without prior orthonormalization, which leads to generalized eigenvalue problems or linear equation systems on the Krylov space. These nonorthonormal Krylov space (nKs) algorithms are favorable for large matrices with irregular sparsity patterns whose elements are computed on the fly, because fewer operations are necessary as the residual norm decreases as compared to the conventional method, while errors in the desired eigenpairs and solution vectors remainmore » small. We consider real symmetric and symplectic eigenvalue problems as well as linear equation systems and Sylvester equations as they appear in configuration interaction and response theory. The nKs method can be implemented in existing electronic structure codes with minor modifications and yields speed-ups of 1.2-1.8 in typical time-dependent Hartree-Fock and density functional applications without accuracy loss. The algorithm can compute entire linear subspaces simultaneously which benefits electronic spectra and force constant calculations requiring many eigenpairs or solution vectors. The nKs approach is related to difference density methods in electronic ground state calculations, and particularly efficient for integral direct computations of exchange-type contractions. By combination with resolution-of-the-identity methods for Coulomb contractions, three- to fivefold speed-ups of hybrid time-dependent density functional excited state and response calculations are achieved.« less

Accelerating molecular property calculations with nonorthonormal Krylov space methods

DOE PAGES

Furche, Filipp; Krull, Brandon T.; Nguyen, Brian D.; ...

2016-05-03

Here, we formulate Krylov space methods for large eigenvalue problems and linear equation systems that take advantage of decreasing residual norms to reduce the cost of matrix-vector multiplication. The residuals are used as subspace basis without prior orthonormalization, which leads to generalized eigenvalue problems or linear equation systems on the Krylov space. These nonorthonormal Krylov space (nKs) algorithms are favorable for large matrices with irregular sparsity patterns whose elements are computed on the fly, because fewer operations are necessary as the residual norm decreases as compared to the conventional method, while errors in the desired eigenpairs and solution vectors remainmore » small. We consider real symmetric and symplectic eigenvalue problems as well as linear equation systems and Sylvester equations as they appear in configuration interaction and response theory. The nKs method can be implemented in existing electronic structure codes with minor modifications and yields speed-ups of 1.2-1.8 in typical time-dependent Hartree-Fock and density functional applications without accuracy loss. The algorithm can compute entire linear subspaces simultaneously which benefits electronic spectra and force constant calculations requiring many eigenpairs or solution vectors. The nKs approach is related to difference density methods in electronic ground state calculations, and particularly efficient for integral direct computations of exchange-type contractions. By combination with resolution-of-the-identity methods for Coulomb contractions, three- to fivefold speed-ups of hybrid time-dependent density functional excited state and response calculations are achieved.« less

An extended macro model accounting for acceleration changes with memory and numerical tests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Rongjun; Ge, Hongxia; Sun, Fengxin; Wang, Jufeng

2018-09-01

Considering effect of acceleration changes with memory, an improved continuum model of traffic flow is proposed in this paper. By applying the linear stability theory, we derived the new model's linear stability condition. Through nonlinear analysis, the KdV-Burgers equation is derived to describe the propagating behavior of traffic density wave near the neutral stability line. Numerical simulation is carried out to study the extended traffic flow model, which explores how acceleration changes with memory affected each car's velocity, density and fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. Numerical results demonstrate that acceleration changes with memory have significant negative effect on dynamic characteristic of traffic flow. Furthermore, research results verify that the effect of acceleration changes with memory will deteriorate the stability of traffic flow and increase cars' total fuel consumptions and emissions during the whole evolution of small perturbation.

Separated-orbit bisected energy-recovered linear accelerator

DOEpatents

Douglas, David R.

2015-09-01

A separated-orbit bisected energy-recovered linear accelerator apparatus and method. The accelerator includes a first linac, a second linac, and a plurality of arcs of differing path lengths, including a plurality of up arcs, a plurality of downgoing arcs, and a full energy arc providing a path independent of the up arcs and downgoing arcs. The up arcs have a path length that is substantially a multiple of the RF wavelength and the full energy arc includes a path length that is substantially an odd half-integer multiple of the RF wavelength. Operation of the accelerator includes accelerating the beam utilizing the linacs and up arcs until the beam is at full energy, at full energy executing a full recirculation to the second linac using a path length that is substantially an odd half-integer of the RF wavelength, and then decelerating the beam using the linacs and downgoing arcs.

Enhanced dielectric-wall linear accelerator

DOEpatents

Sampayan, S.E.; Caporaso, G.J.; Kirbie, H.C.

1998-09-22

A dielectric-wall linear accelerator is enhanced by a high-voltage, fast e-time switch that includes a pair of electrodes between which are laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators. A high voltage is placed between the electrodes sufficient to stress the voltage breakdown of the insulator on command. A light trigger, such as a laser, is focused along at least one line along the edge surface of the laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators extending between the electrodes. The laser is energized to initiate a surface breakdown by a fluence of photons, thus causing the electrical switch to close very promptly. Such insulators and lasers are incorporated in a dielectric wall linear accelerator with Blumlein modules, and phasing is controlled by adjusting the length of fiber optic cables that carry the laser light to the insulator surface. 6 figs.

Enhanced dielectric-wall linear accelerator

DOEpatents

Sampayan, Stephen E.; Caporaso, George J.; Kirbie, Hugh C.

1998-01-01

A dielectric-wall linear accelerator is enhanced by a high-voltage, fast e-time switch that includes a pair of electrodes between which are laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators. A high voltage is placed between the electrodes sufficient to stress the voltage breakdown of the insulator on command. A light trigger, such as a laser, is focused along at least one line along the edge surface of the laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators extending between the electrodes. The laser is energized to initiate a surface breakdown by a fluence of photons, thus causing the electrical switch to close very promptly. Such insulators and lasers are incorporated in a dielectric wall linear accelerator with Blumlein modules, and phasing is controlled by adjusting the length of fiber optic cables that carry the laser light to the insulator surface.

TH-EF-204-04: Experience of IMRT and Other Conformal Techniques in Russia

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krylova, T.

Joanna E. Cygler, Jan Seuntjens, J. Daniel Bourland, M. Saiful Huq, Josep Puxeu Vaque, Daniel Zucca Aparicio, Tatiana Krylova, Yuri Kirpichev, Eric Ford, Caridad Borras Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT) utilizes small static and dynamic (IMRT) fields, to successfully treat malignant and benign diseases using techniques such as Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). SRT is characterized by sharp dose gradients for individual fields and their resultant dose distributions. For appropriate targets, small field radiotherapy offers improved treatment quality by allowing better sparing of organs at risk while delivering the prescribed target dose. Specialized small field treatment deliverymore » systems, such as robotic-controlled linear accelerators, gamma radiosurgery units, and dynamic arc linear accelerators may utilize rigid fixation, image guidance, and tumor tracking, to insure precise dose delivery to static or moving targets. However, in addition to great advantages, small field delivery techniques present special technical challenges for dose calibration due to unique geometries and small field sizes not covered by existing reference dosimetry protocols such as AAPM TG-51 or IAEA TRS 398. In recent years extensive research has been performed to understand small field dosimetry and measurement instrumentation. AAPM, IAEA and ICRU task groups are expected to provide soon recommendations on the dosimetry of small radiation fields. In this symposium we will: 1] discuss the physics, instrumentation, methodologies and challenges for small field radiation dose measurements; 2] review IAEA and ICRU recommendations on prescribing, recording and reporting of small field radiation therapy; 3] discuss selected clinical applications and technical aspects for specialized image-guided, small field, linear accelerator based treatment techniques such as IMRT and SBRT. Learning Objectives: To learn the physics of small fields in contrast to dosimetry of conventional fields To learn about detectors suitable for small fields To learn about the role of Monte Carlo simulations in determination of small field output factors To provide an overview of the IAEA small field dosimetry recommendations To provide an overview of the content of the ICRU report on Prescribing, Reporting and Recording of Small Field Radiation Therapy. To learn about special technical considerations in delivering IMRT and SBRT treatments To appreciate specific challenges of IMRT implementation J. Seuntjens, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council; Canadian Institutes of Health Research.« less

TH-EF-204-00: AAPM-AMPR (Russia)-SEFM (Spain) Joint Course On Challenges and Advantages of Small Field Radiation Treatment Techniques

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

Joanna E. Cygler, Jan Seuntjens, J. Daniel Bourland, M. Saiful Huq, Josep Puxeu Vaque, Daniel Zucca Aparicio, Tatiana Krylova, Yuri Kirpichev, Eric Ford, Caridad Borras Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT) utilizes small static and dynamic (IMRT) fields, to successfully treat malignant and benign diseases using techniques such as Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). SRT is characterized by sharp dose gradients for individual fields and their resultant dose distributions. For appropriate targets, small field radiotherapy offers improved treatment quality by allowing better sparing of organs at risk while delivering the prescribed target dose. Specialized small field treatment deliverymore » systems, such as robotic-controlled linear accelerators, gamma radiosurgery units, and dynamic arc linear accelerators may utilize rigid fixation, image guidance, and tumor tracking, to insure precise dose delivery to static or moving targets. However, in addition to great advantages, small field delivery techniques present special technical challenges for dose calibration due to unique geometries and small field sizes not covered by existing reference dosimetry protocols such as AAPM TG-51 or IAEA TRS 398. In recent years extensive research has been performed to understand small field dosimetry and measurement instrumentation. AAPM, IAEA and ICRU task groups are expected to provide soon recommendations on the dosimetry of small radiation fields. In this symposium we will: 1] discuss the physics, instrumentation, methodologies and challenges for small field radiation dose measurements; 2] review IAEA and ICRU recommendations on prescribing, recording and reporting of small field radiation therapy; 3] discuss selected clinical applications and technical aspects for specialized image-guided, small field, linear accelerator based treatment techniques such as IMRT and SBRT. Learning Objectives: To learn the physics of small fields in contrast to dosimetry of conventional fields To learn about detectors suitable for small fields To learn about the role of Monte Carlo simulations in determination of small field output factors To provide an overview of the IAEA small field dosimetry recommendations To provide an overview of the content of the ICRU report on Prescribing, Reporting and Recording of Small Field Radiation Therapy. To learn about special technical considerations in delivering IMRT and SBRT treatments To appreciate specific challenges of IMRT implementation J. Seuntjens, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council; Canadian Institutes of Health Research.« less

TH-EF-204-02: Small Field Radiation Therapy: Physics and Recent Recommendations From IAEA and ICRU

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Seuntjens, J.

Joanna E. Cygler, Jan Seuntjens, J. Daniel Bourland, M. Saiful Huq, Josep Puxeu Vaque, Daniel Zucca Aparicio, Tatiana Krylova, Yuri Kirpichev, Eric Ford, Caridad Borras Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT) utilizes small static and dynamic (IMRT) fields, to successfully treat malignant and benign diseases using techniques such as Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). SRT is characterized by sharp dose gradients for individual fields and their resultant dose distributions. For appropriate targets, small field radiotherapy offers improved treatment quality by allowing better sparing of organs at risk while delivering the prescribed target dose. Specialized small field treatment deliverymore » systems, such as robotic-controlled linear accelerators, gamma radiosurgery units, and dynamic arc linear accelerators may utilize rigid fixation, image guidance, and tumor tracking, to insure precise dose delivery to static or moving targets. However, in addition to great advantages, small field delivery techniques present special technical challenges for dose calibration due to unique geometries and small field sizes not covered by existing reference dosimetry protocols such as AAPM TG-51 or IAEA TRS 398. In recent years extensive research has been performed to understand small field dosimetry and measurement instrumentation. AAPM, IAEA and ICRU task groups are expected to provide soon recommendations on the dosimetry of small radiation fields. In this symposium we will: 1] discuss the physics, instrumentation, methodologies and challenges for small field radiation dose measurements; 2] review IAEA and ICRU recommendations on prescribing, recording and reporting of small field radiation therapy; 3] discuss selected clinical applications and technical aspects for specialized image-guided, small field, linear accelerator based treatment techniques such as IMRT and SBRT. Learning Objectives: To learn the physics of small fields in contrast to dosimetry of conventional fields To learn about detectors suitable for small fields To learn about the role of Monte Carlo simulations in determination of small field output factors To provide an overview of the IAEA small field dosimetry recommendations To provide an overview of the content of the ICRU report on Prescribing, Reporting and Recording of Small Field Radiation Therapy. To learn about special technical considerations in delivering IMRT and SBRT treatments To appreciate specific challenges of IMRT implementation J. Seuntjens, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council; Canadian Institutes of Health Research.« less

TH-EF-204-06: Closing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Borras, C.

2016-06-15

Joanna E. Cygler, Jan Seuntjens, J. Daniel Bourland, M. Saiful Huq, Josep Puxeu Vaque, Daniel Zucca Aparicio, Tatiana Krylova, Yuri Kirpichev, Eric Ford, Caridad Borras Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT) utilizes small static and dynamic (IMRT) fields, to successfully treat malignant and benign diseases using techniques such as Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). SRT is characterized by sharp dose gradients for individual fields and their resultant dose distributions. For appropriate targets, small field radiotherapy offers improved treatment quality by allowing better sparing of organs at risk while delivering the prescribed target dose. Specialized small field treatment deliverymore » systems, such as robotic-controlled linear accelerators, gamma radiosurgery units, and dynamic arc linear accelerators may utilize rigid fixation, image guidance, and tumor tracking, to insure precise dose delivery to static or moving targets. However, in addition to great advantages, small field delivery techniques present special technical challenges for dose calibration due to unique geometries and small field sizes not covered by existing reference dosimetry protocols such as AAPM TG-51 or IAEA TRS 398. In recent years extensive research has been performed to understand small field dosimetry and measurement instrumentation. AAPM, IAEA and ICRU task groups are expected to provide soon recommendations on the dosimetry of small radiation fields. In this symposium we will: 1] discuss the physics, instrumentation, methodologies and challenges for small field radiation dose measurements; 2] review IAEA and ICRU recommendations on prescribing, recording and reporting of small field radiation therapy; 3] discuss selected clinical applications and technical aspects for specialized image-guided, small field, linear accelerator based treatment techniques such as IMRT and SBRT. Learning Objectives: To learn the physics of small fields in contrast to dosimetry of conventional fields To learn about detectors suitable for small fields To learn about the role of Monte Carlo simulations in determination of small field output factors To provide an overview of the IAEA small field dosimetry recommendations To provide an overview of the content of the ICRU report on Prescribing, Reporting and Recording of Small Field Radiation Therapy. To learn about special technical considerations in delivering IMRT and SBRT treatments To appreciate specific challenges of IMRT implementation J. Seuntjens, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council; Canadian Institutes of Health Research.« less

TH-EF-204-01: Introduction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cygler, J.

2016-06-15

Joanna E. Cygler, Jan Seuntjens, J. Daniel Bourland, M. Saiful Huq, Josep Puxeu Vaque, Daniel Zucca Aparicio, Tatiana Krylova, Yuri Kirpichev, Eric Ford, Caridad Borras Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT) utilizes small static and dynamic (IMRT) fields, to successfully treat malignant and benign diseases using techniques such as Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). SRT is characterized by sharp dose gradients for individual fields and their resultant dose distributions. For appropriate targets, small field radiotherapy offers improved treatment quality by allowing better sparing of organs at risk while delivering the prescribed target dose. Specialized small field treatment deliverymore » systems, such as robotic-controlled linear accelerators, gamma radiosurgery units, and dynamic arc linear accelerators may utilize rigid fixation, image guidance, and tumor tracking, to insure precise dose delivery to static or moving targets. However, in addition to great advantages, small field delivery techniques present special technical challenges for dose calibration due to unique geometries and small field sizes not covered by existing reference dosimetry protocols such as AAPM TG-51 or IAEA TRS 398. In recent years extensive research has been performed to understand small field dosimetry and measurement instrumentation. AAPM, IAEA and ICRU task groups are expected to provide soon recommendations on the dosimetry of small radiation fields. In this symposium we will: 1] discuss the physics, instrumentation, methodologies and challenges for small field radiation dose measurements; 2] review IAEA and ICRU recommendations on prescribing, recording and reporting of small field radiation therapy; 3] discuss selected clinical applications and technical aspects for specialized image-guided, small field, linear accelerator based treatment techniques such as IMRT and SBRT. Learning Objectives: To learn the physics of small fields in contrast to dosimetry of conventional fields To learn about detectors suitable for small fields To learn about the role of Monte Carlo simulations in determination of small field output factors To provide an overview of the IAEA small field dosimetry recommendations To provide an overview of the content of the ICRU report on Prescribing, Reporting and Recording of Small Field Radiation Therapy. To learn about special technical considerations in delivering IMRT and SBRT treatments To appreciate specific challenges of IMRT implementation J. Seuntjens, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council; Canadian Institutes of Health Research.« less

TH-EF-204-03: Determination of Small Field Output Factors, Advantages and Limitations of Monte Carlo Simulation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vaque, J. Puxeu

2016-06-15

Joanna E. Cygler, Jan Seuntjens, J. Daniel Bourland, M. Saiful Huq, Josep Puxeu Vaque, Daniel Zucca Aparicio, Tatiana Krylova, Yuri Kirpichev, Eric Ford, Caridad Borras Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT) utilizes small static and dynamic (IMRT) fields, to successfully treat malignant and benign diseases using techniques such as Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). SRT is characterized by sharp dose gradients for individual fields and their resultant dose distributions. For appropriate targets, small field radiotherapy offers improved treatment quality by allowing better sparing of organs at risk while delivering the prescribed target dose. Specialized small field treatment deliverymore » systems, such as robotic-controlled linear accelerators, gamma radiosurgery units, and dynamic arc linear accelerators may utilize rigid fixation, image guidance, and tumor tracking, to insure precise dose delivery to static or moving targets. However, in addition to great advantages, small field delivery techniques present special technical challenges for dose calibration due to unique geometries and small field sizes not covered by existing reference dosimetry protocols such as AAPM TG-51 or IAEA TRS 398. In recent years extensive research has been performed to understand small field dosimetry and measurement instrumentation. AAPM, IAEA and ICRU task groups are expected to provide soon recommendations on the dosimetry of small radiation fields. In this symposium we will: 1] discuss the physics, instrumentation, methodologies and challenges for small field radiation dose measurements; 2] review IAEA and ICRU recommendations on prescribing, recording and reporting of small field radiation therapy; 3] discuss selected clinical applications and technical aspects for specialized image-guided, small field, linear accelerator based treatment techniques such as IMRT and SBRT. Learning Objectives: To learn the physics of small fields in contrast to dosimetry of conventional fields To learn about detectors suitable for small fields To learn about the role of Monte Carlo simulations in determination of small field output factors To provide an overview of the IAEA small field dosimetry recommendations To provide an overview of the content of the ICRU report on Prescribing, Reporting and Recording of Small Field Radiation Therapy. To learn about special technical considerations in delivering IMRT and SBRT treatments To appreciate specific challenges of IMRT implementation J. Seuntjens, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council; Canadian Institutes of Health Research.« less

TH-EF-204-05: Application of Small-Field Treatment: The Promises and Pitfalls of SBRT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ford, E.

2016-06-15

Joanna E. Cygler, Jan Seuntjens, J. Daniel Bourland, M. Saiful Huq, Josep Puxeu Vaque, Daniel Zucca Aparicio, Tatiana Krylova, Yuri Kirpichev, Eric Ford, Caridad Borras Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT) utilizes small static and dynamic (IMRT) fields, to successfully treat malignant and benign diseases using techniques such as Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). SRT is characterized by sharp dose gradients for individual fields and their resultant dose distributions. For appropriate targets, small field radiotherapy offers improved treatment quality by allowing better sparing of organs at risk while delivering the prescribed target dose. Specialized small field treatment deliverymore » systems, such as robotic-controlled linear accelerators, gamma radiosurgery units, and dynamic arc linear accelerators may utilize rigid fixation, image guidance, and tumor tracking, to insure precise dose delivery to static or moving targets. However, in addition to great advantages, small field delivery techniques present special technical challenges for dose calibration due to unique geometries and small field sizes not covered by existing reference dosimetry protocols such as AAPM TG-51 or IAEA TRS 398. In recent years extensive research has been performed to understand small field dosimetry and measurement instrumentation. AAPM, IAEA and ICRU task groups are expected to provide soon recommendations on the dosimetry of small radiation fields. In this symposium we will: 1] discuss the physics, instrumentation, methodologies and challenges for small field radiation dose measurements; 2] review IAEA and ICRU recommendations on prescribing, recording and reporting of small field radiation therapy; 3] discuss selected clinical applications and technical aspects for specialized image-guided, small field, linear accelerator based treatment techniques such as IMRT and SBRT. Learning Objectives: To learn the physics of small fields in contrast to dosimetry of conventional fields To learn about detectors suitable for small fields To learn about the role of Monte Carlo simulations in determination of small field output factors To provide an overview of the IAEA small field dosimetry recommendations To provide an overview of the content of the ICRU report on Prescribing, Reporting and Recording of Small Field Radiation Therapy. To learn about special technical considerations in delivering IMRT and SBRT treatments To appreciate specific challenges of IMRT implementation J. Seuntjens, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council; Canadian Institutes of Health Research.« less

Response of an Impact Test Apparatus for Fall Protective Headgear Testing Using a Hybrid-III Head/Neck Assembly

PubMed Central

Caccese, V.; Ferguson, J.; Lloyd, J.; Edgecomb, M.; Seidi, M.; Hajiaghamemar, M.

2017-01-01

A test method based upon a Hybrid-III head and neck assembly that includes measurement of both linear and angular acceleration is investigated for potential use in impact testing of protective headgear. The test apparatus is based upon a twin wire drop test system modified with the head/neck assembly and associated flyarm components. This study represents a preliminary assessment of the test apparatus for use in the development of protective headgear designed to prevent injury due to falls. By including angular acceleration in the test protocol it becomes possible to assess and intentionally reduce this component of acceleration. Comparisons of standard and reduced durometer necks, various anvils, front, rear, and side drop orientations, and response data on performance of the apparatus are provided. Injury measures summarized for an unprotected drop include maximum linear and angular acceleration, head injury criteria (HIC), rotational injury criteria (RIC), and power rotational head injury criteria (PRHIC). Coefficient of variation for multiple drops ranged from 0.4 to 6.7% for linear acceleration. Angular acceleration recorded in a side drop orientation resulted in highest coefficient of variation of 16.3%. The drop test apparatus results in a reasonably repeatable test method that has potential to be used in studies of headgear designed to reduce head impact injury. PMID:28216804

A Conforming Multigrid Method for the Pure Traction Problem of Linear Elasticity: Mixed Formulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Chang-Ock

1996-01-01

A multigrid method using conforming P-1 finite element is developed for the two-dimensional pure traction boundary value problem of linear elasticity. The convergence is uniform even as the material becomes nearly incompressible. A heuristic argument for acceleration of the multigrid method is discussed as well. Numerical results with and without this acceleration as well as performance estimates on a parallel computer are included.

Visual-vestibular interaction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Young, Laurence R.; Merfeld, D.

1994-01-01

Significant progress was achieved during the period of this grant on a number of different fronts. A list of publications, abstracts, and theses supported by this grant is provided at the end of this document. The completed studies focused on three general areas: eye movements induced by dynamic linear acceleration, eye movements and vection reports induced by visual roll stimulation, and the separation of gravito-inertial force into central estimates of gravity and linear acceleration.

Linear induction accelerator

DOEpatents

Buttram, M.T.; Ginn, J.W.

1988-06-21

A linear induction accelerator includes a plurality of adder cavities arranged in a series and provided in a structure which is evacuated so that a vacuum inductance is provided between each adder cavity and the structure. An energy storage system for the adder cavities includes a pulsed current source and a respective plurality of bipolar converting networks connected thereto. The bipolar high-voltage, high-repetition-rate square pulse train sets and resets the cavities. 4 figs.

Laser-Induced Linear-Field Particle Acceleration in Free Space.

PubMed

Wong, Liang Jie; Hong, Kyung-Han; Carbajo, Sergio; Fallahi, Arya; Piot, Philippe; Soljačić, Marin; Joannopoulos, John D; Kärtner, Franz X; Kaminer, Ido

2017-09-11

Linear-field particle acceleration in free space (which is distinct from geometries like the linac that requires components in the vicinity of the particle) has been studied for over 20 years, and its ability to eventually produce high-quality, high energy multi-particle bunches has remained a subject of great interest. Arguments can certainly be made that linear-field particle acceleration in free space is very doubtful given that first-order electron-photon interactions are forbidden in free space. Nevertheless, we chose to develop an accurate and truly predictive theoretical formalism to explore this remote possibility when intense, few-cycle electromagnetic pulses are used in a computational experiment. The formalism includes exact treatment of Maxwell's equations and exact treatment of the interaction among the multiple individual particles at near and far field. Several surprising results emerge. We find that electrons interacting with intense laser pulses in free space are capable of gaining substantial amounts of energy that scale linearly with the field amplitude. For example, 30 keV electrons (2.5% energy spread) are accelerated to 61 MeV (0.5% spread) and to 205 MeV (0.25% spread) using 250 mJ and 2.5 J lasers respectively. These findings carry important implications for our understanding of ultrafast electron-photon interactions in strong fields.

Klystron-linac combination

DOEpatents

Stein, W.E.

1980-04-24

A combination klystron-linear accelerator which utilizes anti-bunch electrons generated in the klystron section as a source of electrons to be accelerated in the accelerator section. Electron beam current is controlled by second harmonic bunching, constrictor aperture size and magnetic focusing. Rf coupling is achieved by internal and external coupling.

Adaptation to vestibular disorientation. XI, The influence of specific and nonspecific gravi-receptors on nystagmic responses to angular acceleration.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1969-10-01

Data from several recent experiments indicate that the otoliths (detectors of linear acceleration) may exert regulatory effects on responses of the semicircular canals (detectors of angular acceleration). This study was designed to explore further th...

Scintillator for low accelerating voltage scanning electron microscopy imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bowser, Christopher; Tzolov, Marian; Barbi, Nicholas

Scintillators are essential in detecting electrons in SEM. The conventional scintillators such as YAP and YAG have poor response at low accelerating voltages due to a top conductive layer of ITO or Al. We have developed a thin film ZnWO4 scintillator with high photoluminescence quantum efficiency of 60% with enough electrical conductivity to prevent charging. We are showing that the ZnWO4 films are effective in detecting electrons at low accelerating voltages. This makes it a good option for a top layer on crystalline scintillators and we have integrated ZnWO4 with YAP to explore the high response of YAP at high electron energies and the effective response of ZnWO4 at low electron energies. We will compare the spectral intensities over a range of accelerating voltages between 1 and 30kV between the conventional and coupled thin film scintillator. The results are interpreted using a simulation of the depth profile of the electron penetration in the scintillator using CASINO. We have verified the absence of charging by measuring the sum of the secondary and backscattered electron coefficients. We have built detectors with the combined scintillators and we will compare SEM images recorded simultaneously by conventional and ZnWO4-based scintillators.

Single-Shot MR Spectroscopic Imaging with Partial Parallel Imaging

PubMed Central

Posse, Stefan; Otazo, Ricardo; Tsai, Shang-Yueh; Yoshimoto, Akio Ernesto; Lin, Fa-Hsuan

2010-01-01

An MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) pulse sequence based on Proton-Echo-Planar-Spectroscopic-Imaging (PEPSI) is introduced that measures 2-dimensional metabolite maps in a single excitation. Echo-planar spatial-spectral encoding was combined with interleaved phase encoding and parallel imaging using SENSE to reconstruct absorption mode spectra. The symmetrical k-space trajectory compensates phase errors due to convolution of spatial and spectral encoding. Single-shot MRSI at short TE was evaluated in phantoms and in vivo on a 3 T whole body scanner equipped with 12-channel array coil. Four-step interleaved phase encoding and 4-fold SENSE acceleration were used to encode a 16×16 spatial matrix with 390 Hz spectral width. Comparison with conventional PEPSI and PEPSI with 4-fold SENSE acceleration demonstrated comparable sensitivity per unit time when taking into account g-factor related noise increases and differences in sampling efficiency. LCModel fitting enabled quantification of Inositol, Choline, Creatine and NAA in vivo with concentration values in the ranges measured with conventional PEPSI and SENSE-accelerated PEPSI. Cramer-Rao lower bounds were comparable to those obtained with conventional SENSE-accelerated PEPSI at the same voxel size and measurement time. This single-shot MRSI method is therefore suitable for applications that require high temporal resolution to monitor temporal dynamics or to reduce sensitivity to tissue movement. PMID:19097245

Iterative Nonlinear Tikhonov Algorithm with Constraints for Electromagnetic Tomography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Xu, Feng; Deshpande, Manohar

2012-01-01

Low frequency electromagnetic tomography such as the capacitance tomography (ECT) has been proposed for monitoring and mass-gauging of gas-liquid two-phase system under microgravity condition in NASA's future long-term space missions. Due to the ill-posed inverse problem of ECT, images reconstructed using conventional linear algorithms often suffer from limitations such as low resolution and blurred edges. Hence, new efficient high resolution nonlinear imaging algorithms are needed for accurate two-phase imaging. The proposed Iterative Nonlinear Tikhonov Regularized Algorithm with Constraints (INTAC) is based on an efficient finite element method (FEM) forward model of quasi-static electromagnetic problem. It iteratively minimizes the discrepancy between FEM simulated and actual measured capacitances by adjusting the reconstructed image using the Tikhonov regularized method. More importantly, it enforces the known permittivity of two phases to the unknown pixels which exceed the reasonable range of permittivity in each iteration. This strategy does not only stabilize the converging process, but also produces sharper images. Simulations show that resolution improvement of over 2 times can be achieved by INTAC with respect to conventional approaches. Strategies to further improve spatial imaging resolution are suggested, as well as techniques to accelerate nonlinear forward model and thus increase the temporal resolution.

High power ring methods and accelerator driven subcritical reactor application

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tahar, Malek Haj

2016-08-07

High power proton accelerators allow providing, by spallation reaction, the neutron fluxes necessary in the synthesis of fissile material, starting from Uranium 238 or Thorium 232. This is the basis of the concept of sub-critical operation of a reactor, for energy production or nuclear waste transmutation, with the objective of achieving cleaner, safer and more efficient process than today’s technologies allow. Designing, building and operating a proton accelerator in the 500-1000 MeV energy range, CW regime, MW power class still remains a challenge nowadays. There is a limited number of installations at present achieving beam characteristics in that class, e.g.,more » PSI in Villigen, 590 MeV CW beam from a cyclotron, SNS in Oakland, 1 GeV pulsed beam from a linear accelerator, in addition to projects as the ESS in Europe, a 5 MW beam from a linear accelerator. Furthermore, coupling an accelerator to a sub-critical nuclear reactor is a challenging proposition: some of the key issues/requirements are the design of a spallation target to withstand high power densities as well as ensure the safety of the installation. These two domains are the grounds of the PhD work: the focus is on the high power ring methods in the frame of the KURRI FFAG collaboration in Japan: upgrade of the installation towards high intensity is crucial to demonstrate the high beam power capability of FFAG. Thus, modeling of the beam dynamics and benchmarking of different codes was undertaken to validate the simulation results. Experimental results revealed some major losses that need to be understood and eventually overcome. By developing analytical models that account for the field defects, one identified major sources of imperfection in the design of scaling FFAG that explain the important tune variations resulting in the crossing of several betatron resonances. A new formula is derived to compute the tunes and properties established that characterize the effect of the field imperfections on the transverse beam dynamics. The results obtained allow to develop a correction scheme to minimize the tune variations of the FFAG. This is the cornerstone of a new fixed tune non-scaling FFAG that represents a potential candidate for high power applications. As part of the developments towards high power at the KURRI FFAG, beam dynamics studies have to account for space charge effects. In that framework, models have been installed in the tracking code ZGOUBI to account for the self-interaction of the particles in the accelerator. Application to the FFAG studies is shown. Finally, one focused on the ADSR concept as a candidate to solve the problem of nuclear waste. In order to establish the accelerator requirements, one compared the performance of ADSR with other conventional critical reactors by means of the levelized cost of energy. A general comparison between the different accelerator technologies that can satisfy these requirements is finally presented. In summary, the main drawback of the ADSR technology is the high Levelized Cost Of Energy compared to other advanced reactor concepts that do not employ an accelerator. Nowadays, this is a show-stopper for any industrial application aiming at producing energy (without dealing with the waste problem). Besides, the reactor is not intrinsically safer than critical reactor concepts, given the complexity of managing the target interface between the accelerator and the reactor core.« less

Perception of the dynamic visual vertical during sinusoidal linear motion.

PubMed

Pomante, A; Selen, L P J; Medendorp, W P

2017-10-01

The vestibular system provides information for spatial orientation. However, this information is ambiguous: because the otoliths sense the gravitoinertial force, they cannot distinguish gravitational and inertial components. As a consequence, prolonged linear acceleration of the head can be interpreted as tilt, referred to as the somatogravic effect. Previous modeling work suggests that the brain disambiguates the otolith signal according to the rules of Bayesian inference, combining noisy canal cues with the a priori assumption that prolonged linear accelerations are unlikely. Within this modeling framework the noise of the vestibular signals affects the dynamic characteristics of the tilt percept during linear whole-body motion. To test this prediction, we devised a novel paradigm to psychometrically characterize the dynamic visual vertical-as a proxy for the tilt percept-during passive sinusoidal linear motion along the interaural axis (0.33 Hz motion frequency, 1.75 m/s 2 peak acceleration, 80 cm displacement). While subjects ( n =10) kept fixation on a central body-fixed light, a line was briefly flashed (5 ms) at different phases of the motion, the orientation of which had to be judged relative to gravity. Consistent with the model's prediction, subjects showed a phase-dependent modulation of the dynamic visual vertical, with a subject-specific phase shift with respect to the imposed acceleration signal. The magnitude of this modulation was smaller than predicted, suggesting a contribution of nonvestibular signals to the dynamic visual vertical. Despite their dampening effect, our findings may point to a link between the noise components in the vestibular system and the characteristics of dynamic visual vertical. NEW & NOTEWORTHY A fundamental question in neuroscience is how the brain processes vestibular signals to infer the orientation of the body and objects in space. We show that, under sinusoidal linear motion, systematic error patterns appear in the disambiguation of linear acceleration and spatial orientation. We discuss the dynamics of these illusory percepts in terms of a dynamic Bayesian model that combines uncertainty in the vestibular signals with priors based on the natural statistics of head motion. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

Implementing Electric Potential Difference as a New Practical Parameter for Rapid and Specific Measurement of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Antibiotics.

PubMed

Mobasheri, Nasrin; Karimi, Mehrdad; Hamedi, Javad

2018-06-05

New methods to determine antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial pathogens especially the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibiotics have great importance in pharmaceutical industry and treatment procedures. In the present study, the MIC of several antibiotics was determined against some pathogenic bacteria using macrodilution test. In order to accelerate and increase the efficiency of culture-based method to determine antimicrobial susceptibility, the possible relationship between the changes in some physico-chemical parameters including conductivity, electrical potential difference (EPD), pH and total number of test strains was investigated during the logarithmic phase of bacterial growth in presence of antibiotics. The correlation between changes in these physico-chemical parameters and growth of bacteria was statistically evaluated using linear and non-linear regression models. Finally, the calculated MIC values in new proposed method were compared with the MIC derived from macrodilution test. The results represent significant association between the changes in EPD and pH values and growth of the tested bacteria during the exponential phase of bacterial growth. It has been assumed that the proliferation of bacteria can cause the significant changes in EPD values. The MIC values in both conventional and new method were consistent to each other. In conclusion, cost and time effective antimicrobial susceptibility test can be developed based on monitoring the changes in EPD values. The new proposed strategy also can be used in high throughput screening of biocompounds for their antimicrobial activity in a relatively shorter time (6-8 h) in comparison with the conventional methods.

QSRR modeling for the chromatographic retention behavior of some β-lactam antibiotics using forward and firefly variable selection algorithms coupled with multiple linear regression.

PubMed

Fouad, Marwa A; Tolba, Enas H; El-Shal, Manal A; El Kerdawy, Ahmed M

2018-05-11

The justified continuous emerging of new β-lactam antibiotics provokes the need for developing suitable analytical methods that accelerate and facilitate their analysis. A face central composite experimental design was adopted using different levels of phosphate buffer pH, acetonitrile percentage at zero time and after 15 min in a gradient program to obtain the optimum chromatographic conditions for the elution of 31 β-lactam antibiotics. Retention factors were used as the target property to build two QSRR models utilizing the conventional forward selection and the advanced nature-inspired firefly algorithm for descriptor selection, coupled with multiple linear regression. The obtained models showed high performance in both internal and external validation indicating their robustness and predictive ability. Williams-Hotelling test and student's t-test showed that there is no statistical significant difference between the models' results. Y-randomization validation showed that the obtained models are due to significant correlation between the selected molecular descriptors and the analytes' chromatographic retention. These results indicate that the generated FS-MLR and FFA-MLR models are showing comparable quality on both the training and validation levels. They also gave comparable information about the molecular features that influence the retention behavior of β-lactams under the current chromatographic conditions. We can conclude that in some cases simple conventional feature selection algorithm can be used to generate robust and predictive models comparable to that are generated using advanced ones. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Generation and characterization of electron bunches with ramped current profiles in a dual-frequency superconducting linear accelerator.

PubMed

Piot, P; Behrens, C; Gerth, C; Dohlus, M; Lemery, F; Mihalcea, D; Stoltz, P; Vogt, M

2012-01-20

We report on the successful experimental generation of electron bunches with ramped current profiles. The technique relies on impressing nonlinear correlations in the longitudinal phase space using a superconducing radio frequency linear accelerator operating at two frequencies and a current-enhancing dispersive section. The produced ~700-MeV bunches have peak currents of the order of a kilo-Ampère. Data taken for various accelerator settings demonstrate the versatility of the method and, in particular, its ability to produce current profiles that have a quasilinear dependency on the longitudinal (temporal) coordinate. The measured bunch parameters are shown, via numerical simulations, to produce gigavolt-per-meter peak accelerating electric fields with transformer ratios larger than 2 in dielectric-lined waveguides. © 2012 American Physical Society

Choosing order of operations to accelerate strip structure analysis in parameter range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuksenko, S. P.; Akhunov, R. R.; Gazizov, T. R.

2018-05-01

The paper considers the issue of using iteration methods in solving the sequence of linear algebraic systems obtained in quasistatic analysis of strip structures with the method of moments. Using the analysis of 4 strip structures, the authors have proved that additional acceleration (up to 2.21 times) of the iterative process can be obtained during the process of solving linear systems repeatedly by means of choosing a proper order of operations and a preconditioner. The obtained results can be used to accelerate the process of computer-aided design of various strip structures. The choice of the order of operations to accelerate the process is quite simple, universal and could be used not only for strip structure analysis but also for a wide range of computational problems.

Modelling and Closed-Loop System Identification of a Quadrotor-Based Aerial Manipulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dube, Chioniso; Pedro, Jimoh O.

2018-05-01

This paper presents the modelling and system identification of a quadrotor-based aerial manipulator. The aerial manipulator model is first derived analytically using the Newton-Euler formulation for the quadrotor and Recursive Newton-Euler formulation for the manipulator. The aerial manipulator is then simulated with the quadrotor under Proportional Derivative (PD) control, with the manipulator in motion. The simulation data is then used for system identification of the aerial manipulator. Auto Regressive with eXogenous inputs (ARX) models are obtained from the system identification for linear accelerations \\ddot{X} and \\ddot{Y} and yaw angular acceleration \\ddot{\\psi }. For linear acceleration \\ddot{Z}, and pitch and roll angular accelerations \\ddot{θ } and \\ddot{φ }, Auto Regressive Moving Average with eXogenous inputs (ARMAX) models are identified.

SiSeRHMap v1.0: a simulator for mapped seismic response using a hybrid model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grelle, Gerardo; Bonito, Laura; Lampasi, Alessandro; Revellino, Paola; Guerriero, Luigi; Sappa, Giuseppe; Guadagno, Francesco Maria

2016-04-01

The SiSeRHMap (simulator for mapped seismic response using a hybrid model) is a computerized methodology capable of elaborating prediction maps of seismic response in terms of acceleration spectra. It was realized on the basis of a hybrid model which combines different approaches and models in a new and non-conventional way. These approaches and models are organized in a code architecture composed of five interdependent modules. A GIS (geographic information system) cubic model (GCM), which is a layered computational structure based on the concept of lithodynamic units and zones, aims at reproducing a parameterized layered subsoil model. A meta-modelling process confers a hybrid nature to the methodology. In this process, the one-dimensional (1-D) linear equivalent analysis produces acceleration response spectra for a specified number of site profiles using one or more input motions. The shear wave velocity-thickness profiles, defined as trainers, are randomly selected in each zone. Subsequently, a numerical adaptive simulation model (Emul-spectra) is optimized on the above trainer acceleration response spectra by means of a dedicated evolutionary algorithm (EA) and the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm (LMA) as the final optimizer. In the final step, the GCM maps executor module produces a serial map set of a stratigraphic seismic response at different periods, grid solving the calibrated Emul-spectra model. In addition, the spectra topographic amplification is also computed by means of a 3-D validated numerical prediction model. This model is built to match the results of the numerical simulations related to isolate reliefs using GIS morphometric data. In this way, different sets of seismic response maps are developed on which maps of design acceleration response spectra are also defined by means of an enveloping technique.

Construction and comparison of Louisiana's conventional and alternative base courses under accelerated loading

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-08-01

The report describes the first testing series, Phase, of the first project, Experiment 1, with the Louisiana Transportation Research Center Accelerated Loading Facility. The background to the project is described and details of the trial pavements si...

Construction comparison of Louisiana's conventional and alternative base courses under accelerated loading : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-11-01

This report describes the test results of the first project at the Louisiana Transportation Research Center's Accelerated Loading Facility (ALF). In 1995, 9 test lanes were constructed at the Louisiana Pavement Research Facility in Port Allen. These ...

Marginal accuracy of nickel chromium copings fabricated by conventional and accelerated casting procedures, produced with ringless and metal ring investment procedures: A comparative in vitro study

PubMed Central

Alex, Deepa; Shetty, Y. Bharath; Miranda, Glynis Anita; Prabhu, M. Bharath; Karkera, Reshma

2015-01-01

Background: Conventional investing and casting techniques are time-consuming and usually requires 2–4 h for completion. Accelerated nonstandard, casting techniques have been reported to achieve similar quality results in significantly less time, namely, in 30–40 min. During casting, it is essential to achieve compensation for the shrinkage of solidifying alloy by investment expansion. The metal casting ring restricts the thermal expansion of investment because the thermal expansion of the ring is lesser than that of the investment. The use of casting ring was challenged with the introduction of the ringless technique. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 test samples of nickel chromium (Ni-Cr) cast copings were obtained from the patterns fabricated using inlay casting wax. The 20 wax patterns were invested using metal ring and 20 wax patterns were invested using the ringless investment system. Of both the groups, 10 samples underwent conventional casting, and the other 10 underwent accelerated casting. The patterns were casted using the induction casting technique. All the test samples of cast copings were evaluated for vertical marginal gaps at four points on the die employing a stereo optical microscope. Results: The vertical marginal discrepancy data obtained were tabulated. Mean and standard deviations were obtained. Vertical discrepancies were analyzed using analysis of variance and Tukey honestly significantly different. The data obtained were found to be very highly significant (P < 0.001). Mean vertical gap was the maximum for Group II (53.64 μm) followed by Group IV (47.62 μm), Group I (44.83 μm) and Group III (35.35 μm). Conclusion: The Ni-Cr cast copings fabricated with the conventional casting using ringless investment system showed significantly better marginal fit than that of cast copings fabricated from conventional and accelerated casting with metal ring investment and accelerated casting using ringless investment since those copings had shown the least vertical marginal discrepancies among the four methods evaluated in this study. PMID:26929488

Antigraviceptive neck muscle responses to "moving up and moving down" in human.

PubMed

Aoki, M; Han, X Y; Yamada, H; Muto, T; Satake, H; Ito, Y; Matsunami, K

2000-07-01

The responses of neck muscle to sudden transit from one 'g' to hyper 'g', work to support the head and remain the relative position of head on trunk as common observed: i.e. in sudden acceleration or deceleration by car or ejection of pilot from aircraft. Accordingly it is highly possible that the neck muscle responses to moving up may be important to prevent the neck injury due to sudden linear acceleration such as moving up against gravity. However little is known about the evaluation of mechanism of this reflex. Therefore the present study was conducted with two aims. The first aim was to investigate the neck muscle responses to vertical linear acceleration bv 0.4 g produced with an electro-hydraulic servo-system. We chose the vertical linear acceleration because it activates mainly sacculus, from which afferents have been demonstrated to be connected directly to sternocleidomastoid muscle in animals and human. The second aim was to determine whether there is a difference of neck muscle response to moving down and moving up.

Antigraviceptive neck muscle responses to "moving up and moving down" in human

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aoki, M.; Han, X. Y.; Yamada, H.; Muto, T.; Satake, H.; Ito, Y.; Matsunami, K.

2000-01-01

The responses of neck muscle to sudden transit from one 'g' to hyper 'g', work to support the head and remain the relative position of head on trunk as common observed: i.e. in sudden acceleration or deceleration by car or ejection of pilot from aircraft. Accordingly it is highly possible that the neck muscle responses to moving up may be important to prevent the neck injury due to sudden linear acceleration such as moving up against gravity. However little is known about the evaluation of mechanism of this reflex. Therefore the present study was conducted with two aims. The first aim was to investigate the neck muscle responses to vertical linear acceleration bv 0.4 g produced with an electro-hydraulic servo-system. We chose the vertical linear acceleration because it activates mainly sacculus, from which afferents have been demonstrated to be connected directly to sternocleidomastoid muscle in animals and human. The second aim was to determine whether there is a difference of neck muscle response to moving down and moving up.

Accelerator Generation and Thermal Separation (AGATS) of Technetium-99m

ScienceCinema

Grover, Blaine

2018-05-01

Accelerator Generation and Thermal Separation (AGATS) of Technetium-99m is a linear electron accelerator-based technology for producing medical imaging radioisotopes from a separation process that heats, vaporizes and condenses the desired radioisotope. You can learn more about INL's education programs at http://www.facebook.com/idahonationallaboratory.

Acceleration of a trailing positron bunch in a plasma wakefield accelerator

DOE PAGES

Doche, A.; Beekman, C.; Corde, S.; ...

2017-10-27

High gradients of energy gain and high energy efficiency are necessary parameters for compact, cost-efficient and high-energy particle colliders. Plasma Wakefield Accelerators (PWFA) offer both, making them attractive candidates for next-generation colliders. Here in these devices, a charge-density plasma wave is excited by an ultra-relativistic bunch of charged particles (the drive bunch). The energy in the wave can be extracted by a second bunch (the trailing bunch), as this bunch propagates in the wake of the drive bunch. While a trailing electron bunch was accelerated in a plasma with more than a gigaelectronvolt of energy gain, accelerating a trailing positronmore » bunch in a plasma is much more challenging as the plasma response can be asymmetric for positrons and electrons. We report the demonstration of the energy gain by a distinct trailing positron bunch in a plasma wakefield accelerator, spanning nonlinear to quasi-linear regimes, and unveil the beam loading process underlying the accelerator energy efficiency. A positron bunch is used to drive the plasma wake in the experiment, though the quasi-linear wake structure could as easily be formed by an electron bunch or a laser driver. Finally, the results thus mark the first acceleration of a distinct positron bunch in plasma-based particle accelerators.« less

Acceleration of a trailing positron bunch in a plasma wakefield accelerator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Doche, A.; Beekman, C.; Corde, S.

High gradients of energy gain and high energy efficiency are necessary parameters for compact, cost-efficient and high-energy particle colliders. Plasma Wakefield Accelerators (PWFA) offer both, making them attractive candidates for next-generation colliders. Here in these devices, a charge-density plasma wave is excited by an ultra-relativistic bunch of charged particles (the drive bunch). The energy in the wave can be extracted by a second bunch (the trailing bunch), as this bunch propagates in the wake of the drive bunch. While a trailing electron bunch was accelerated in a plasma with more than a gigaelectronvolt of energy gain, accelerating a trailing positronmore » bunch in a plasma is much more challenging as the plasma response can be asymmetric for positrons and electrons. We report the demonstration of the energy gain by a distinct trailing positron bunch in a plasma wakefield accelerator, spanning nonlinear to quasi-linear regimes, and unveil the beam loading process underlying the accelerator energy efficiency. A positron bunch is used to drive the plasma wake in the experiment, though the quasi-linear wake structure could as easily be formed by an electron bunch or a laser driver. Finally, the results thus mark the first acceleration of a distinct positron bunch in plasma-based particle accelerators.« less

Katherine E. Weimer Award: X-ray light sources from laser-plasma and laser-electron interaction: development and applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Albert, Felicie

2017-10-01

Bright sources of x-rays, such as synchrotrons and x-ray free electron lasers (XFEL) are transformational tools for many fields of science. They are used for biology, material science, medicine, or industry. Such sources rely on conventional particle accelerators, where electrons are accelerated to gigaelectronvolts (GeV) energies. The accelerated particles are wiggled in magnetic structures to emit x-ray radiation that is commonly used for molecular crystallography, fluorescence studies, chemical analysis, medical imaging, and many other applications. One of the drawbacks of these machines is their size and cost, because electric field gradients are limited to about 100 V/M in conventional accelerators. Particle acceleration in laser-driven plasmas is an alternative to generate x-rays via betatron emission, Compton scattering, or bremsstrahlung. A plasma can sustain electrical fields many orders of magnitude higher than that in conventional radiofrequency accelerator structures. When short, intense laser pulses are focused into a gas, it produces electron plasma waves in which electrons can be trapped and accelerated to GeV energies. X-ray sources, driven by electrons from laser-wakefield acceleration, have unique properties that are analogous to synchrotron radiation, with a 1000-fold shorter pulse. An important use of x-rays from laser plasma accelerators is in High Energy Density (HED) science, which requires laser and XFEL facilities to create in the laboratory extreme conditions of temperatures and pressures that are usually found in the interiors of stars and planets. To diagnose such extreme states of matter, the development of efficient, versatile and fast (sub-picosecond scale) x-ray probes has become essential. In these experiments, x-ray photons can pass through dense material, and absorption of the x-rays can be directly measured, via spectroscopy or imaging, to inform scientists about the temperature and density of the targets being studied. Performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under contract DE-AC52-07NA27344, supported by the LLNL LDRD program (16ERD024), and by the DOE Office Science Early Career Research Program (SCW1575).

Analysis of accelerated motion in the theory of relativity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, R. T.

1976-01-01

Conventional treatments of accelerated motion in the theory of relativity have led to certain difficulties of interpretation. Certain reversals in the apparent gravitational field of an accelerated body may be avoided by simpler analysis based on the use of restricted conformal transformations. In the conformal theory the velocity of light remains constant even for experimenters in accelerated motion. The problem considered is that of rectilinear motion with a variable velocity. The motion takes place along the x or x' axis of two coordinate systems.

Plasma block acceleration based upon the interaction between double targets and an ultra-intense linearly polarized laser pulse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Yanxia; Wang, Jiaxiang; Hora, Heinrich; Qi, Xin; Xing, Yifan; Yang, Lei; Zhu, Wenjun

2018-04-01

A new scheme of plasma block acceleration based upon the interaction between double targets and an ultra-intense linearly polarized laser pulse with intensity I ˜ 1022 W/cm2 is investigated via two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. The targets are composed of a pre-target of low-density aluminium plasma and an overdense main-target of hydrogen plasma. Through intensive parameter optimization, we have observed highly efficient plasma block accelerations with a monochromatic proton beam peaked at GeVs. The underlying mechanism is attributed to the enhancement of the charge separation field due to the properly selected pre-target.

QALMA: A computational toolkit for the analysis of quality protocols for medical linear accelerators in radiation therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahman, Md Mushfiqur; Lei, Yu; Kalantzis, Georgios

2018-01-01

Quality Assurance (QA) for medical linear accelerator (linac) is one of the primary concerns in external beam radiation Therapy. Continued advancements in clinical accelerators and computer control technology make the QA procedures more complex and time consuming which often, adequate software accompanied with specific phantoms is required. To ameliorate that matter, we introduce QALMA (Quality Assurance for Linac with MATLAB), a MALAB toolkit which aims to simplify the quantitative analysis of QA for linac which includes Star-Shot analysis, Picket Fence test, Winston-Lutz test, Multileaf Collimator (MLC) log file analysis and verification of light & radiation field coincidence test.

Effect of dynamic factors of space flights on the green alga Chlorella vulgaris.

PubMed

Moskvitin, E V; Vaulina, E N

1974-01-01

The biological effects of vibrational and linear acceleration on the alga Chlorella vulgaris were studied. Periodic vibration in the frequency range of 4-4000 Hz with vibrational acceleration up to 16 g did not affect the survival and mutability of Chlorella cells and did not modify the effects of acute gamma-radiation. However, random vibration similar to that occurring during launch of spaceships, combined with linear acceleration increased the radiation damage to algae produced by acute gamma-radiation at a dose of 10000 r. This effect is seen only in cells at the beginning of the G1 stage, which precedes DNA synthesis.

Preliminary design of a high-intensity continuous-wave deuteron RFQ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, X.; Kamigaito, O.; Sakamoto, N.; Yamada, K.

2017-07-01

A high-intensity deuteron linear accelerator is currently being studied as a promising candidate to treat high-level radioactive waste through the nuclear transmutation process. This paper presents the study on a design of a 75.5 MHz, 400 mA, continuous-wave deuteron radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ), which is proposed as the front-end of such a linear accelerator. The results of the beam dynamics simulation suggest that the designed RFQ can accelerate a 400-mA deuteron beam from 100 keV to 2.5 MeV with a transmission rate of 92.0 ∼ 93.3%, depending on the assumed input transverse emittance.

Flattening filter-free accelerators: a report from the AAPM Therapy Emerging Technology Assessment Work Group.

PubMed

Xiao, Ying; Kry, Stephen F; Popple, Richard; Yorke, Ellen; Papanikolaou, Niko; Stathakis, Sotirios; Xia, Ping; Huq, Saiful; Bayouth, John; Galvin, James; Yin, Fang-Fang

2015-05-08

This report describes the current state of flattening filter-free (FFF) radiotherapy beams implemented on conventional linear accelerators, and is aimed primarily at practicing medical physicists. The Therapy Emerging Technology Assessment Work Group of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) formed a writing group to assess FFF technology. The published literature on FFF technology was reviewed, along with technical specifications provided by vendors. Based on this information, supplemented by the clinical experience of the group members, consensus guidelines and recommendations for implementation of FFF technology were developed. Areas in need of further investigation were identified. Removing the flattening filter increases beam intensity, especially near the central axis. Increased intensity reduces treatment time, especially for high-dose stereotactic radiotherapy/radiosurgery (SRT/SRS). Furthermore, removing the flattening filter reduces out-of-field dose and improves beam modeling accuracy. FFF beams are advantageous for small field (e.g., SRS) treatments and are appropriate for intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). For conventional 3D radiotherapy of large targets, FFF beams may be disadvantageous compared to flattened beams because of the heterogeneity of FFF beam across the target (unless modulation is employed). For any application, the nonflat beam characteristics and substantially higher dose rates require consideration during the commissioning and quality assurance processes relative to flattened beams, and the appropriate clinical use of the technology needs to be identified. Consideration also needs to be given to these unique characteristics when undertaking facility planning. Several areas still warrant further research and development. Recommendations pertinent to FFF technology, including acceptance testing, commissioning, quality assurance, radiation safety, and facility planning, are presented. Examples of clinical applications are provided. Several of the areas in which future research and development are needed are also indicated.

A proposal for antiparallel acceleration of positrons using CEBAF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiefenback, M.; Wojtsekhowski, B.

2018-05-01

We present a scheme for positron beam acceleration in CEBAF antiparallel to the normal electron path, requiring no change in polarity of the magnet systems. This feature is essential to the principal benefit: enabling extremely simple configuration changes between conventional (clockwise) e- acceleration and counter clockwise e+ acceleration. Additionally, it appears possible to configure the accelerating cavity phases to support concurrent acceleration of the electron and positron beams. The last mode also may enable use of the higher peak current electron beam for system diagnostics. The inherent penalty of the concurrent mode in acceleration efficiency and increased energy spread may render this a commissioning-only diagnostic option, but the possibility appears worthy of consideration.

The evaluation of speed skating helmet performance through peak linear and rotational accelerations.

PubMed

Karton, Clara; Rousseau, Philippe; Vassilyadi, Michael; Hoshizaki, Thomas Blaine

2014-01-01

Like many sports involving high speeds and body contact, head injuries are a concern for short track speed skating athletes and coaches. While the mandatory use of helmets has managed to nearly eliminate catastrophic head injuries such as skull fractures and cerebral haemorrhages, they may not be as effective at reducing the risk of a concussion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance characteristics of speed skating helmets with respect to managing peak linear and peak rotational acceleration, and to compare their performance against other types of helmets commonly worn within the speed skating sport. Commercially available speed skating, bicycle and ice hockey helmets were evaluated using a three-impact condition test protocol at an impact velocity of 4 m/s. Two speed skating helmet models yielded mean peak linear accelerations at a low-estimated probability range for sustaining a concussion for all three impact conditions. Conversely, the resulting mean peak rotational acceleration values were all found close to the high end of a probability range for sustaining a concussion. A similar tendency was observed for the bicycle and ice hockey helmets under the same impact conditions. Speed skating helmets may not be as effective at managing rotational acceleration and therefore may not successfully protect the user against risks associated with concussion injuries.

A neutron track etch detector for electron linear accelerators in radiotherapy

PubMed Central

Vukovic, Branko; Faj, Dario; Poje, Marina; Varga, Maja; Radolic, Vanja; Miklavcic, Igor; Ivkovic, Ana; Planinic, Josip

2010-01-01

Background Electron linear accelerators in medical radiotherapy have replaced cobalt and caesium sources of radiation. However, medical accelerators with photon energies over 10 MeV generate undesired fast neutron contamination in a therapeutic X-ray photon beam. Photons with energies above 10 MeV can interact with the atomic nucleus of a high-Z material, of which the target and the head of an accelerator consist, and lead to the neutron ejection. Results and conclusions. Our neutron dosimeter, composed of the LR-115 track etch detector and boron foil BN-1 converter, was calibrated on thermal neutrons generated in the nuclear reactor of the Josef Stefan Institute (Slovenia), and applied to dosimetry of undesirable neutrons in photon radiotherapy by the linear accelerator 15 MV Siemens Mevatron. Having considered a high dependence of a cross-section between neutron and boron on neutron energy, and broad neutron spectrum in a photon beam, as well as outside the entrance door to maze of the Mevatron, we developed a method for determining the effective neutron detector response. A neutron dose rate in the photon beam was measured to be 1.96 Sv/h. Outside the Mevatron room the neutron dose rate was 0.62 μSv/h. PACS: 87.52. Ga; 87.53.St; 29.40.Wk. PMID:22933893

Orbit correction in a linear nonscaling fixed field alternating gradient accelerator

DOE PAGES

Kelliher, D. J.; Machida, S.; Edmonds, C. S.; ...

2014-11-20

In a linear non-scaling FFAG the large natural chromaticity of the machine results in a betatron tune that varies by several integers over the momentum range. In addition, orbit correction is complicated by the consequent variation of the phase advance between lattice elements. Here we investigate how the correction of multiple closed orbit harmonics allows correction of both the COD and the accelerated orbit distortion over the momentum range.

Magnetic Linear Accelerator (MAGLAC) as Driver for Impact Fusion (IF)

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-07-01

qualitatively different. For example, a superconductor levitated by Meis- sner effect ("flux exculsion") would be vertically stable for z > a/2; an iron...These include, for example, 1. Further material research on superconductors under high magnetic field and high frequencies. 2. Theoretical and...DEFENSE PENTAGON IMSHJNGT0N5& 20301-7100 £?1C ^ALITY INSPECTED 4 This paper presents considerations on the design of a magnetic linear accelerator

R&D status of linear collider technology at KEK

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urakawa, Junji

1992-02-01

This paper gives an outline of the Japan Linear Collider (JLC) project, especially JLC-I. The status of the various R&D works is particularly presented for the following topics: (1) electron and positron sources, (2) S-band injector linacs, (3) damping rings, (4) high power klystrons and accelerating structures, (5) the final focus system. Finally, the status of the construction and design studies for the Accelerator Test Facility (ATF) is summarized.

Linear induction accelerator and pulse forming networks therefor

DOEpatents

Buttram, Malcolm T.; Ginn, Jerry W.

1989-01-01

A linear induction accelerator includes a plurality of adder cavities arranged in a series and provided in a structure which is evacuated so that a vacuum inductance is provided between each adder cavity and the structure. An energy storage system for the adder cavities includes a pulsed current source and a respective plurality of bipolar converting networks connected thereto. The bipolar high-voltage, high-repetition-rate square pulse train sets and resets the cavities.

When is quasi-linear theory exact. [particle acceleration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, F. C.; Birmingham, T. J.

1975-01-01

We use the cumulant expansion technique of Kubo (1962, 1963) to derive an integrodifferential equation for the average one-particle distribution function for particles being accelerated by electric and magnetic fluctuations of a general nature. For a very restricted class of fluctuations, the equation for this function degenerates exactly to a differential equation of Fokker-Planck type. Quasi-linear theory, including the adiabatic assumption, is an exact theory only for this limited class of fluctuations.

The influence of air humidity on an unsealed ionization chamber in a linear accelerator.

PubMed

Blad, B; Nilsson, P; Knöös, T

1996-11-01

The safe and accurate delivery of the prescribed absorbed dose is the central function of the dose monitoring and beam stabilization system in a medical linear accelerator. The absorbed dose delivered to the patient during radiotherapy is often monitored by a transmission ionization chamber. Therefore it is of utmost importance that the chamber behaves correctly. We have noticed that the sensitivity of an unsealed chamber in a Philips SL linear accelerator changes significantly, especially during and after the summer season. The reason for this is probably a corrosion effect of the conductive plates in the chamber due to the increased relative humidity during hot periods. We have found that the responses of the different ion chamber plates change with variations in air humidity and that they do not return to their original values when the air humidity is returned to ambient conditions.

Detection of infrasound and linear acceleration in fishes.

PubMed

Sand, O; Karlsen, H E

2000-09-29

Fishes have an acute sensitivity to extremely low-frequency linear acceleration, or infrasound, even down to below 1 Hz. The otolith organs are the sensory system responsible for this ability. The hydrodynamic noise generated by swimming fishes is mainly in the infrasound range, and may be important in courtship and prey predator interactions. Intense infrasound has a deterring effect on some species, and has a potential in acoustic barriers. We hypothesize that the pattern of ambient infrasound in the oceans may be used for orientation in migratory fishes, and that pelagic fishes may detect changes in the surface wave pattern associated with altered water depth and distant land formations. We suggest that the acute sensitivity to linear acceleration could be used for inertial guidance, and to detect the relative velocity of layered ocean currents. Sensitivity to infrasound may be a widespread ability among aquatic organisms, and has also been reported in cephalopods and crustaceans.

Detection of infrasound and linear acceleration in fishes.

PubMed Central

Sand, O; Karlsen, H E

2000-01-01

Fishes have an acute sensitivity to extremely low-frequency linear acceleration, or infrasound, even down to below 1 Hz. The otolith organs are the sensory system responsible for this ability. The hydrodynamic noise generated by swimming fishes is mainly in the infrasound range, and may be important in courtship and prey predator interactions. Intense infrasound has a deterring effect on some species, and has a potential in acoustic barriers. We hypothesize that the pattern of ambient infrasound in the oceans may be used for orientation in migratory fishes, and that pelagic fishes may detect changes in the surface wave pattern associated with altered water depth and distant land formations. We suggest that the acute sensitivity to linear acceleration could be used for inertial guidance, and to detect the relative velocity of layered ocean currents. Sensitivity to infrasound may be a widespread ability among aquatic organisms, and has also been reported in cephalopods and crustaceans. PMID:11079418

Ion acceleration in a plasma focus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gary, S. P.

1974-01-01

The electric and magnetic fields associated with anomalous diffusion to the axis of a linear plasma discharge are used to compute representative ion trajectories. Substantial axial acceleration of the ions is demonstrated.

External Beam Therapy (EBT)

MedlinePlus

... deliver the daily treatments. top of page What equipment is used? Radiation oncologists use linear accelerators or ... accelerator page top of page Who operates the equipment? The equipment is operated by a radiation therapist, ...

Feasibility study of basic characterization of MAGAT polymer gel using CBCT attached in linear accelerator: Preliminary study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sathiyaraj, P.; Samuel, E. James jebaseelan

2018-01-01

The aim of this study is to evaluate the methacrylic acid, gelatin and tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride gel (MAGAT) by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) attached with modern linear accelerator. To compare the results of standard diagnostic computed tomography (CT) with CBCT, different parameters such as linearity, sensitivity and temporal stability were checked. MAGAT gel showed good linearity for both diagnostic CT and CBCT measurements. Sensitivity and temporal stability were also comparable with diagnostic CT measurements. In both the modalities, the sensitivity of the MAGAT increased to 4 days and decreased till the 10th day of post irradiation. Since all measurements (linearity, sensitivity and temporal stability) from diagnostic CT and CBCT were comparable, CBCT could be a potential tool for dose analysis study for polymer gel dosimeter.

Beam transport results on the multi-beam MABE accelerator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Coleman, P.D.; Alexander, J.A.; Hasti, D.E.

1985-10-01

MABE is a multistage, electron beam linear accelerator. The accelerator has been operated in single beam (60 kA, 7 Mev) and multiple beam configurations. This paper deals with the multiple beam configuration in which typically nine approx. = 25 kA injected beams are transported through three accelerating gaps. Experimental results from the machine are discussed, including problems encountered and proposed solutions to those problems.

Development of High-Gradient Dielectric Laser-Driven Particle Accelerator Structures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Byer, Robert L.

2013-11-07

The thrust of Stanford's program is to conduct research on high-gradient dielectric accelerator structures driven with high repetition-rate, tabletop infrared lasers. The close collaboration between Stanford and SLAC (Stanford Linear Accelerator Center) is critical to the success of this project, because it provides a unique environment where prototype dielectric accelerator structures can be rapidly fabricated and tested with a relativistic electron beam.

Effects of Transducer Installation on Unsteady Pressure Measurements on Oscillating Blades

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lepicovsky, Jan

2006-01-01

Unsteady pressures were measured above the suction side of a blade that was oscillated to simulate blade stall flutter. Measurements were made at blade oscillation frequencies up to 500 Hz. Two types of miniature pressure transducers were used: surface-mounted flat custom-made, and conventional miniature, body-mounted transducers. The signals of the surface-mounted transducers are significantly affected by blade acceleration, whereas the signals of body-mounted transducers are practically free of this distortion. A procedure was introduced to correct the signals of surface-mounted transducers to rectify the signal distortion due to blade acceleration. The signals from body-mounted transducers, and corrected signals from surface-mounted transducers represent true unsteady pressure signals on the surface of a blade subjected to forced oscillations. However, the use of body-mounted conventional transducers is preferred for the following reasons: no signal corrections are needed for blade acceleration, the conventional transducers are noticeably less expensive than custom-made flat transducers, the survival rate of body-mounted transducers is much higher, and finally installation of body-mounted transducers does not disturb the blade surface of interest.

Similar head impact acceleration measured using instrumented ear patches in a junior rugby union team during matches in comparison with other sports.

PubMed

King, Doug A; Hume, Patria A; Gissane, Conor; Clark, Trevor N

2016-07-01

OBJECTIVE Direct impact with the head and the inertial loading of the head have been postulated as major mechanisms of head-related injuries, such as concussion. METHODS This descriptive observational study was conducted to quantify the head impact acceleration characteristics in under-9-year-old junior rugby union players in New Zealand. The impact magnitude, frequency, and location were collected with a wireless head impact sensor that was worn by 14 junior rugby players who participated in 4 matches. RESULTS A total of 721 impacts > 10g were recorded. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) number of impacts per player was 46 (IQR 37-58), resulting in 10 (IQR 4-18) impacts to the head per player per match. The median impact magnitudes recorded were 15g (IQR 12g-21g) for linear acceleration and 2296 rad/sec(2) (IQR 1352-4152 rad/sec(2)) for rotational acceleration. CONCLUSIONS There were 121 impacts (16.8%) above the rotational injury risk limit and 1 (0.1%) impact above the linear injury risk limit. The acceleration magnitude and number of head impacts in junior rugby union players were higher than those previously reported in similar age-group sports participants. The median linear acceleration for the under-9-year-old rugby players were similar to 7- to 8-year-old American football players, but lower than 9- to 12-year-old youth American football players. The median rotational accelerations measured were higher than the median and 95th percentiles in youth, high school, and collegiate American football players.

Role of autophagy in high linear energy transfer radiation-induced cytotoxicity to tumor cells

PubMed Central

Jin, Xiaodong; Liu, Yan; Ye, Fei; Liu, Xiongxiong; Furusawa, Yoshiya; Wu, Qingfeng; Li, Feifei; Zheng, Xiaogang; Dai, Zhongying; Li, Qiang

2014-01-01

Heavy-ion radiotherapy has a potential advantage over conventional radiotherapy due to improved dose distribution and a higher biological effectiveness in cancer therapy. However, there is a little information currently available on the cellular and molecular basis for heavy-ion irradiation-induced cell death. Autophagy, as a novel important target to improve anticancer therapy, has recently attracted considerable attention. In this study, the effect of autophagy induced by high linear energy transfer (LET) carbon ions was examined in various tumor cell lines. To our knowledge, our study is the first to reveal that high-LET carbon ions could induce autophagy in various tumor cells effectively, and the autophagic level in the irradiated cells increased in a dose- and LET-dependent manner. The ability of carbon ions to inhibit the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway rose with increasing their LET. Moreover, modulation of autophagy in tumor cells could modify their sensitivity to high-LET radiation, and inhibiting autophagy accelerated apoptotic cell death, resulting in an increase in radiosensitivity. Our data imply that targeting autophagy might enhance the effectiveness of heavy-ion radiotherapy. PMID:24731006

Efficient least angle regression for identification of linear-in-the-parameters models

PubMed Central

Beach, Thomas H.; Rezgui, Yacine

2017-01-01

Least angle regression, as a promising model selection method, differentiates itself from conventional stepwise and stagewise methods, in that it is neither too greedy nor too slow. It is closely related to L1 norm optimization, which has the advantage of low prediction variance through sacrificing part of model bias property in order to enhance model generalization capability. In this paper, we propose an efficient least angle regression algorithm for model selection for a large class of linear-in-the-parameters models with the purpose of accelerating the model selection process. The entire algorithm works completely in a recursive manner, where the correlations between model terms and residuals, the evolving directions and other pertinent variables are derived explicitly and updated successively at every subset selection step. The model coefficients are only computed when the algorithm finishes. The direct involvement of matrix inversions is thereby relieved. A detailed computational complexity analysis indicates that the proposed algorithm possesses significant computational efficiency, compared with the original approach where the well-known efficient Cholesky decomposition is involved in solving least angle regression. Three artificial and real-world examples are employed to demonstrate the effectiveness, efficiency and numerical stability of the proposed algorithm. PMID:28293140

Covariant Uniform Acceleration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Friedman, Yaakov; Scarr, Tzvi

2013-04-01

We derive a 4D covariant Relativistic Dynamics Equation. This equation canonically extends the 3D relativistic dynamics equation , where F is the 3D force and p = m0γv is the 3D relativistic momentum. The standard 4D equation is only partially covariant. To achieve full Lorentz covariance, we replace the four-force F by a rank 2 antisymmetric tensor acting on the four-velocity. By taking this tensor to be constant, we obtain a covariant definition of uniformly accelerated motion. This solves a problem of Einstein and Planck. We compute explicit solutions for uniformly accelerated motion. The solutions are divided into four Lorentz-invariant types: null, linear, rotational, and general. For null acceleration, the worldline is cubic in the time. Linear acceleration covariantly extends 1D hyperbolic motion, while rotational acceleration covariantly extends pure rotational motion. We use Generalized Fermi-Walker transport to construct a uniformly accelerated family of inertial frames which are instantaneously comoving to a uniformly accelerated observer. We explain the connection between our approach and that of Mashhoon. We show that our solutions of uniformly accelerated motion have constant acceleration in the comoving frame. Assuming the Weak Hypothesis of Locality, we obtain local spacetime transformations from a uniformly accelerated frame K' to an inertial frame K. The spacetime transformations between two uniformly accelerated frames with the same acceleration are Lorentz. We compute the metric at an arbitrary point of a uniformly accelerated frame. We obtain velocity and acceleration transformations from a uniformly accelerated system K' to an inertial frame K. We introduce the 4D velocity, an adaptation of Horwitz and Piron s notion of "off-shell." We derive the general formula for the time dilation between accelerated clocks. We obtain a formula for the angular velocity of a uniformly accelerated object. Every rest point of K' is uniformly accelerated, and its acceleration is a function of the observer's acceleration and its position. We obtain an interpretation of the Lorentz-Abraham-Dirac equation as an acceleration transformation from K' to K.

All-Optical Electron Injector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Umstadter, Donald

2002-04-01

Conventional electron acceleration at a place like SLAC needs miles to boost particles up to 50 GeV energies by feeding microwaves into a succession of cavities. In recent years we have been developing alternative acceleration concepts, based on lasers focused into plasmas, that might someday do the job in a much smaller space without the use of cavities. Our near term goal is to produce a first stage accelerator that outputs electron beams with lower energy but with properties that are more suitable for x-ray sources, such as those based on Compton scattering or the proposed linear synchrotrons at SLAC and DESY. In the plasma wakefield approach, for example, a terawatt laser beam is focused onto a gas jet, ionizing it and driving plasma waves that move at relativistic speeds. If timed just right, electrons in the plasma can surf the plasma waves to high speeds, as high as 100 MeV in the space of only a millimeter. NanoCoulombs of charge have been accelerated in well-collimated beams (1-degree divergence angle). One problem with this concept is the mismatch between the electron source (sometimes an external photocathode, sometimes an uncontrolled cloud of electrons from the plasma itself) and the incoming laser pulse. We will be reporting methods for generating electrons in a controllable way, namely the use of a pair of crossed laser beams which position, heat, and synchronize the insertion of electrons into the plasma wave. We show that this "all-optical injection" increases the number and energy of energetic electrons as compared with use of only one laser beam. It has been shown theoretically that this approach can ultimately be used to reduce the electron energy spread to a few percent. Besides potential applications to particle physics and x-ray lasers, high gradient acceleration schemes are also expected to benefit the production of medical radioisotopes and the ignition of thermonuclear fusion reactions.

Mass perturbation techniques for tuning and decoupling of a Disk Resonator Gyroscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwartz, David

Axisymmetric microelectromechanical (MEM) vibratory rate gyroscopes are designed so that the two Coriolis-coupled modes exploited for rate sensing possess equal modal frequencies and so that the central post which attaches the resonator to the sensor case is a nodal point of the these two modes. The former quality maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio of the sensor, while the latter quality eliminates any coupling of linear acceleration to the modes of interest, which, if present, creates spurious rate signals in response to linear vibration of the sensor case. When the gyro resonators are fabricated, however, small mass and stiffness asymmetries cause the frequencies of the two modes to deviate from each other and couple these modes to linear acceleration. In a resonator post-fabrication step, these effects can be reduced by altering the mass distribution of the resonator. In this dissertation, a scale model of the axisymmetric resonator of the Disk Resonator Gyroscope (DRG) is used to develop and test methods that successfully reduce frequency detuning (Part I) and linear acceleration coupling (Part II) through guided mass perturbations.

The adequate stimulus for mammalian linear vestibular evoked potentials (VsEPs)

PubMed Central

Jones, Timothy A.; Jones, Sherri M.; Vijayakumar, Sarath; Brugeaud, Aurore; Bothwell, Marcella; Chabbert, Christian

2013-01-01

Short latency linear vestibular sensory evoked potentials (VsEPs) provide a means to objectively and directly assess the function of gravity receptors in mammals and birds. The importance of this functional measure is illustrated by its use in studies of the genetic basis of vestibular function and disease. Head motion is the stimulus for the VsEP. In the bird, it has been established that neurons mediating the linear VsEP respond collectively to the rate of change in linear acceleration during head movement (i.e. jerk) rather than peak acceleration. The kinematic element of motion responsible for triggering mammalian VsEPs has not been characterized in detail. Here we tested the hypothesis that jerk is the kinematic component of head motion responsible for VsEP characteristics. VsEP amplitudes and latencies changed systematically when peak acceleration level was held constant and jerk level was varied from ~0.9 to 4.6 g/ms. In contrast, responses remained relatively constant when kinematic jerk was held constant and peak acceleration was varied from ~0.9 to 5.5g in mice and ~0.44 to 2.75g in rats. Thus the mammalian VsEP depends on jerk levels and not peak acceleration. We conclude that kinematic jerk is the adequate stimulus for the mammalian VsEP. This sheds light on the behavior of neurons generating the response. The results also provide the basis for standardizing the reporting of stimulus levels, which is key to ensuring that response characteristics reported in the literature by many laboratories can be effectively compared and interpreted. PMID:21664446

Coarse mesh and one-cell block inversion based diffusion synthetic acceleration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Kang-Seog

DSA (Diffusion Synthetic Acceleration) has been developed to accelerate the SN transport iteration. We have developed solution techniques for the diffusion equations of FLBLD (Fully Lumped Bilinear Discontinuous), SCB (Simple Comer Balance) and UCB (Upstream Corner Balance) modified 4-step DSA in x-y geometry. Our first multi-level method includes a block Gauss-Seidel iteration for the discontinuous diffusion equation, uses the continuous diffusion equation derived from the asymptotic analysis, and avoids void cell calculation. We implemented this multi-level procedure and performed model problem calculations. The results showed that the FLBLD, SCB and UCB modified 4-step DSA schemes with this multi-level technique are unconditionally stable and rapidly convergent. We suggested a simplified multi-level technique for FLBLD, SCB and UCB modified 4-step DSA. This new procedure does not include iterations on the diffusion calculation or the residual calculation. Fourier analysis results showed that this new procedure was as rapidly convergent as conventional modified 4-step DSA. We developed new DSA procedures coupled with 1-CI (Cell Block Inversion) transport which can be easily parallelized. We showed that 1-CI based DSA schemes preceded by SI (Source Iteration) are efficient and rapidly convergent for LD (Linear Discontinuous) and LLD (Lumped Linear Discontinuous) in slab geometry and for BLD (Bilinear Discontinuous) and FLBLD in x-y geometry. For 1-CI based DSA without SI in slab geometry, the results showed that this procedure is very efficient and effective for all cases. We also showed that 1-CI based DSA in x-y geometry was not effective for thin mesh spacings, but is effective and rapidly convergent for intermediate and thick mesh spacings. We demonstrated that the diffusion equation discretized on a coarse mesh could be employed to accelerate the transport equation. Our results showed that coarse mesh DSA is unconditionally stable and is as rapidly convergent as fine mesh DSA in slab geometry. For x-y geometry our coarse mesh DSA is very effective for thin and intermediate mesh spacings independent of the scattering ratio, but is not effective for purely scattering problems and high aspect ratio zoning. However, if the scattering ratio is less than about 0.95, this procedure is very effective for all mesh spacing.

Alternating phase focused linacs

DOEpatents

Swenson, Donald A.

1980-01-01

A heavy particle linear accelerator employing rf fields for transverse and ongitudinal focusing as well as acceleration. Drift tube length and gap positions in a standing wave drift tube loaded structure are arranged so that particles are subject to acceleration and succession of focusing and defocusing forces which contain the beam without additional magnetic or electric focusing fields.

Acceleration-Augmented LQG Control of an Active Magnetic Bearing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feeley, Joseph J.

1993-01-01

A linear-quadratic-gaussian (LQG) regulator controller design for an acceleration-augmented active magnetic bearing (AMB) is outlined. Acceleration augmentation is a key feature in providing improved dynamic performance of the controller. The optimal control formulation provides a convenient method of trading-off fast transient response and force attenuation as control objectives.

Conventional and conformal technique of external beam radiotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer: Dose distribution, tumor response, and side effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mutrikah, N.; Winarno, H.; Amalia, T.; Djakaria, M.

2017-08-01

The objective of this study was to compare conventional and conformal techniques of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in terms of the dose distribution, tumor response, and side effects in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer patients. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on cervical cancer patients who underwent EBRT before brachytherapy in the Radiotherapy Department of Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. The prescribed dose distribution, tumor response, and acute side effects of EBRT using conventional and conformal techniques were investigated. In total, 51 patients who underwent EBRT using conventional techniques (25 cases using Cobalt-60 and 26 cases using a linear accelerator (LINAC)) and 29 patients who underwent EBRT using conformal techniques were included in the study. The distribution of the prescribed dose in the target had an impact on the patient’s final response to EBRT. The complete response rate of patients to conformal techniques was significantly greater (58%) than that of patients to conventional techniques (42%). No severe acute local side effects were seen in any of the patients (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) grades 3-4). The distribution of the dose and volume to the gastrointestinal tract affected the proportion of mild acute side effects (RTOG grades 1-2). The urinary bladder was significantly greater using conventional techniques (Cobalt-60/LINAC) than using conformal techniques at 72% and 78% compared to 28% and 22%, respectively. The use of conformal techniques in pelvic radiation therapy is suggested in radiotherapy centers with CT simulators and 3D Radiotherapy Treatment Planning Systems (RTPSs) to decrease some uncertainties in radiotherapy planning. The use of AP/PA pelvic radiation techniques with Cobalt-60 should be limited in body thicknesses equal to or less than 18 cm. When using conformal techniques, delineation should be applied in the small bowel, as it is considered a critical organ according to RTOG consensus guidelines.

EH 11n modes E type in the disk and washer accelerating structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andreev, V. G.; Belugin, V. M.; Daikovsky, A. G.; Esin, S. K.; Kravchuk, L. V.; Paramonov, V. V.; Ryabov, A. D.

1983-01-01

The disk and washer accelerating structure has a great deal to do with high-beta structures progress. The frequencies and electromagnetic fields for modes, which have a different number of azimuthal variations, are calculated to determined the dispersion properties and other characteristics of parasitic modes in a disc and washer accelerating structure. The main attention was given to the accelerating structure of the linear accelerator of the Institute for Nuclear Research (INR) of the USSR Academy of Sciences. Modification of a structure for PIGMI accelerator (LANL, USA) is considered briefly.

Shielding evaluation for IMRT implementation in an existing accelerator vault

PubMed Central

Price, R. A.; Chibani, O.; Ma, C.‐M.

2003-01-01

A formalism is developed for evaluating the shielding in an existing vault to be used for IMRT. Existing exposure rate measurements are utilized as well as a newly developed effective modulation scaling factor. Examples are given for vaults housing 6, 10 and 18 MV linear accelerators. The use of an 18 MV Siemens linear accelerator is evaluated for IMRT delivery with respect to neutron production and the effects on individual patients. A modified modulation scaling factor is developed and the risk of the incurrence of fatal secondary malignancies is estimated. The difference in neutron production between 18 MV Varian and Siemens accelerators is estimated using Monte Carlo results. The neutron production from the Siemens accelerator is found to be approximately 4 times less than that of the Varian accelerator resulting in a risk of fatal secondary malignancy occurrence of approximately 1.6% when using the SMLC delivery technique and our measured modulation scaling factors. This compares with a previously published value of 1.6% for routine 3D CRT delivery on the Varian accelerator. PACS number(s): 87.52.Ga, 87.52.Px, 87.53.Qc, 87.53.Wz PMID:12841794

Non-linear effects in bunch compressor of TARLA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yildiz, Hüseyin; Aksoy, Avni; Arikan, Pervin

2016-03-01

Transport of a beam through an accelerator beamline is affected by high order and non-linear effects such as space charge, coherent synchrotron radiation, wakefield, etc. These effects damage form of the beam, and they lead particle loss, emittance growth, bunch length variation, beam halo formation, etc. One of the known non-linear effects on low energy machine is space charge effect. In this study we focus on space charge effect for Turkish Accelerator and Radiation Laboratory in Ankara (TARLA) machine which is designed to drive InfraRed Free Electron Laser covering the range of 3-250 µm. Moreover, we discuss second order effects on bunch compressor of TARLA.

MO-DE-BRA-02: SIMAC: A Simulation Tool for Teaching Linear Accelerator Physics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Carlone, M; Harnett, N; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario

Purpose: The first goal of this work is to develop software that can simulate the physics of linear accelerators (linac). The second goal is to show that this simulation tool is effective in teaching linac physics to medical physicists and linac service engineers. Methods: Linacs were modeled using analytical expressions that can correctly describe the physical response of a linac to parameter changes in real time. These expressions were programmed with a graphical user interface in order to produce an environment similar to that of linac service mode. The software, “SIMAC”, has been used as a learning aid in amore » professional development course 3 times (2014 – 2016) as well as in a physics graduate program. Exercises were developed to supplement the didactic components of the courses consisting of activites designed to reinforce the concepts of beam loading; the effect of steering coil currents on beam symmetry; and the relationship between beam energy and flatness. Results: SIMAC was used to teach 35 professionals (medical physicists; regulators; service engineers; 1 week course) as well as 20 graduate students (1 month project). In the student evaluations, 85% of the students rated the effectiveness of SIMAC as very good or outstanding, and 70% rated the software as the most effective part of the courses. Exercise results were collected showing that 100% of the students were able to use the software correctly. In exercises involving gross changes to linac operating points (i.e. energy changes) the majority of students were able to correctly perform these beam adjustments. Conclusion: Software simulation(SIMAC), can be used to effectively teach linac physics. In short courses, students were able to correctly make gross parameter adjustments that typically require much longer training times using conventional training methods.« less

Estimation of absorbed dose in clinical radiotherapy linear accelerator beams: Effect of ion chamber calibration and long-term stability

PubMed Central

Ravichandran, Ramamoorthy; Binukumar, Johnson Pichy; Davis, Cheriyathmanjiyil Antony

2013-01-01

The measured dose in water at reference point in phantom is a primary parameter for planning the treatment monitor units (MU); both in conventional and intensity modulated/image guided treatments. Traceability of dose accuracy therefore still depends mainly on the calibration factor of the ion chamber/dosimeter provided by the accredited Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratories (SSDLs), under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) network of laboratories. The data related to Nd,water calibrations, thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) postal dose validation, inter-comparison of different dosimeter/electrometers, and validity of Nd,water calibrations obtained from different calibration laboratories were analyzed to find out the extent of accuracy achievable. Nd,w factors in Gray/Coulomb calibrated at IBA, GmBH, Germany showed a mean variation of about 0.2% increase per year in three Farmer chambers, in three subsequent calibrations. Another ion chamber calibrated in different accredited laboratory (PTW, Germany) showed consistent Nd,w for 9 years period. The Strontium-90 beta check source response indicated long-term stability of the ion chambers within 1% for three chambers. Results of IAEA postal TL “dose intercomparison” for three photon beams, 6 MV (two) and 15 MV (one), agreed well within our reported doses, with mean deviation of 0.03% (SD 0.87%) (n = 9). All the chamber/electrometer calibrated by a single SSDL realized absorbed doses in water within 0.13% standard deviations. However, about 1-2% differences in absorbed dose estimates observed when dosimeters calibrated from different calibration laboratories are compared in solid phantoms. Our data therefore imply that the dosimetry level maintained for clinical use of linear accelerator photon beams are within recommended levels of accuracy, and uncertainties are within reported values. PMID:24672156

Single-Event Effect Testing of the Linear Technology LTC6103HMS8#PBF Current Sense Amplifier

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yau, Ka-Yen; Campola, Michael J.; Wilcox, Edward

2016-01-01

The LTC6103HMS8#PBF (henceforth abbreviated as LTC6103) current sense amplifier from Linear Technology was tested for both destructive and non-destructive single-event effects (SEE) using the heavy-ion cyclotron accelerator beam at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Berkeley Accelerator Effects (BASE) facility. During testing, the input voltages and output currents were monitored to detect single event latch-up (SEL) and single-event transients (SETs).

The CSU Accelerator and FEL Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biedron, Sandra; Milton, Stephen; D'Audney, Alex; Edelen, Jonathan; Einstein, Josh; Harris, John; Hall, Chris; Horovitz, Kahren; Martinez, Jorge; Morin, Auralee; Sipahi, Nihan; Sipahi, Taylan; Williams, Joel

2014-03-01

The Colorado State University (CSU) Accelerator Facility will include a 6-MeV L-Band electron linear accelerator (linac) with a free-electron laser (FEL) system capable of producing Terahertz (THz) radiation, a laser laboratory, a microwave test stand, and a magnetic test stand. The photocathode drive linac will be used in conjunction with a hybrid undulator capable of producing THz radiation. Details of the systems used in CSU Accelerator Facility are discussed.

Laser-Induced Linear-Field Particle Acceleration in Free Space

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wong, Liang Jie; Hong, Kyung -Han; Carbajo, Sergio

Linear-field particle acceleration in free space (which is distinct from geometries like the linac that requires components in the vicinity of the particle) has been studied for over 20 years, and its ability to eventually produce high-quality, high energy multi-particle bunches has remained a subject of great interest. Arguments can certainly be made that linear-field particle acceleration in free space is very doubtful given that first-order electron-photon interactions are forbidden in free space. Nevertheless, we chose to develop an accurate and truly predictive theoretical formalism to explore this remote possibility when intense, few-cycle electromagnetic pulses are used in a computationalmore » experiment. The formalism includes exact treatment of Maxwell’s equations and exact treatment of the interaction among the multiple individual particles at near and far field. Several surprising results emerge. We find that electrons interacting with intense laser pulses in free space are capable of gaining substantial amounts of energy that scale linearly with the feld amplitude. For example, 30keV electrons (2.5% energy spread) are accelerated to 61MeV (0.5% spread) and to 205MeV (0.25% spread) using 250 mJ and 2.5J lasers respectively. Furthermore, these findings carry important implications for our understanding of ultrafast electron-photon interactions in strong fields.« less

Laser-Induced Linear-Field Particle Acceleration in Free Space

DOE PAGES

Wong, Liang Jie; Hong, Kyung -Han; Carbajo, Sergio; ...

2017-09-11

Linear-field particle acceleration in free space (which is distinct from geometries like the linac that requires components in the vicinity of the particle) has been studied for over 20 years, and its ability to eventually produce high-quality, high energy multi-particle bunches has remained a subject of great interest. Arguments can certainly be made that linear-field particle acceleration in free space is very doubtful given that first-order electron-photon interactions are forbidden in free space. Nevertheless, we chose to develop an accurate and truly predictive theoretical formalism to explore this remote possibility when intense, few-cycle electromagnetic pulses are used in a computationalmore » experiment. The formalism includes exact treatment of Maxwell’s equations and exact treatment of the interaction among the multiple individual particles at near and far field. Several surprising results emerge. We find that electrons interacting with intense laser pulses in free space are capable of gaining substantial amounts of energy that scale linearly with the feld amplitude. For example, 30keV electrons (2.5% energy spread) are accelerated to 61MeV (0.5% spread) and to 205MeV (0.25% spread) using 250 mJ and 2.5J lasers respectively. Furthermore, these findings carry important implications for our understanding of ultrafast electron-photon interactions in strong fields.« less

Mechanisms of force production during linear accelerations in bluegill sunfish Lepomis macrochirus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tytell, Eric D.; Wise, Tyler N.; Boden, Alexandra L.; Sanders, Erin K.; Schwalbe, Margot A. B.

2016-11-01

In nature, fish rarely swim steadily. Although unsteady behaviors are common, we know little about how fish change their swimming kinematics for routine accelerations, and how these changes affect the fluid dynamic forces and the wake produced. To study force production during acceleration, particle image velocimetry was used to quantify the wake of bluegill sunfish Lepomis macrochirus and to estimate the pressure field during linear accelerations and steady swimming. We separated "steady" and "unsteady" trials and quantified the forward acceleration using inertial measurement units. Compared to steady sequences, unsteady sequences had larger accelerations and higher body amplitudes. The wake consisted of single vortices shed during each tail movement (a '2S' wake). The structure did not change during acceleration, but the circulation of the vortices increased, resulting in larger forces. A fish swimming unsteadily produced significantly more force than the same fish swimming steadily, even when the accelerations were the same. This increase is likely due to increased added mass during unsteady swimming, as a result of the larger body amplitude. Pressure estimates suggest that the increase in force is correlated with more low pressure regions on the anterior body. This work was supported by ARO W911NF-14-1-0494 and NSF RCN-PLS 1062052.

Dynamic propagation of symmetric Airy pulses with initial chirps in an optical fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Xiaohui; Huang, Xianwei; Deng, Yangbao; Tan, Chao; Bai, Yanfeng; Fu, Xiquan

2017-09-01

We analytically and numerically investigate the propagation dynamics of initially chirped symmetric Airy pulses in an optical fiber. The results show that the positive chirps act to promote the interference in generating a focal point on the propagation axis, while the negative chirps tend to suppress the focusing effect, as compared to conventional unchirped symmetric Airy pulses. The numerical results demonstrate that the linear propagation of chirped symmetric Airy pulses depend considerably on the chirp parameter and the primary lobe position. In the anomalous dispersion region, positively chirped symmetric Airy pulses first undergo an initial compression, and reach a foci due to the opposite acceleration, and then experience a lossy inversion transformation, and come to the opposite facing focal position. The impact of truncation coefficient and Kerr nonlinearity on the chirped symmetric Airy pulses propagation is also disclosed separately.

Wall shear stress measurements using a new transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vakili, A. D.; Wu, J. M.; Lawing, P. L.

1986-01-01

A new instrument has been developed for direct measurement of wall shear stress. This instrument is simple and symmetric in design with small moving mass and no internal friction. Features employed in the design of this instrument eliminate most of the difficulties associated with the traditional floating element balances. Vibration problems associated with the floating element skin friction balances have been found to be minimized by the design features and optional damping provided. The unique design of this instrument eliminates or reduces the errors associated with conventional floating-element devices: such as errors due to gaps, pressure gradient, acceleration, heat transfer and temperature change. The instrument is equipped with various sensing systems and the output signal is a linear function of the wall shear stress. Measurement made in three different tunnels show good agreement with theory and data obtained by the floating element devices.

Compact accelerator for medical therapy

DOEpatents

Caporaso, George J.; Chen, Yu-Jiuan; Hawkins, Steven A.; Sampayan, Stephen E.; Paul, Arthur C.

2010-05-04

A compact accelerator system having an integrated particle generator-linear accelerator with a compact, small-scale construction capable of producing an energetic (.about.70-250 MeV) proton beam or other nuclei and transporting the beam direction to a medical therapy patient without the need for bending magnets or other hardware often required for remote beam transport. The integrated particle generator-accelerator is actuable as a unitary body on a support structure to enable scanning of a particle beam by direction actuation of the particle generator-accelerator.

SLAC All Access: FACET

ScienceCinema

Hogan, Mark

2018-02-13

SLAC's Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests, or FACET, is a test-bed where researchers are developing the technologies required for particle accelerators of the future. Scientists from all over the world come to explore ways of improving the power and efficiency of the particle accelerators used in basic research, medicine, industry and other areas important to society. In this video, Mark Hogan, head of SLAC's Advanced Accelerator Research Department, offers a glimpse into FACET, which uses part of SLAC's historic two-mile-long linear accelerator.

Accelerated Electron-Beam Formation with a High Capture Coefficient in a Parallel Coupled Accelerating Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chernousov, Yu. D.; Shebolaev, I. V.; Ikryanov, I. M.

2018-01-01

An electron beam with a high (close to 100%) coefficient of electron capture into the regime of acceleration has been obtained in a linear electron accelerator based on a parallel coupled slow-wave structure, electron gun with microwave-controlled injection current, and permanent-magnet beam-focusing system. The high capture coefficient was due to the properties of the accelerating structure, beam-focusing system, and electron-injection system. Main characteristics of the proposed systems are presented.

Acceleration and Velocity Sensing from Measured Strain

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pak, Chan-Gi; Truax, Roger

2015-01-01

A simple approach for computing acceleration and velocity of a structure from the strain is proposed in this study. First, deflection and slope of the structure are computed from the strain using a two-step theory. Frequencies of the structure are computed from the time histories of strain using a parameter estimation technique together with an autoregressive moving average model. From deflection, slope, and frequencies of the structure, acceleration and velocity of the structure can be obtained using the proposed approach. Simple harmonic motion is assumed for the acceleration computations, and the central difference equation with a linear autoregressive model is used for the computations of velocity. A cantilevered rectangular wing model is used to validate the simple approach. Quality of the computed deflection, acceleration, and velocity values are independent of the number of fibers. The central difference equation with a linear autoregressive model proposed in this study follows the target response with reasonable accuracy. Therefore, the handicap of the backward difference equation, phase shift, is successfully overcome.

A charged particle in a homogeneous magnetic field accelerated by a time-periodic Aharonov-Bohm flux

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kalvoda, T.; Stovicek, P., E-mail: stovicek@kmlinux.fjfi.cvut.cz

2011-10-15

We consider a nonrelativistic quantum charged particle moving on a plane under the influence of a uniform magnetic field and driven by a periodically time-dependent Aharonov-Bohm flux. We observe an acceleration effect in the case when the Aharonov-Bohm flux depends on time as a sinusoidal function whose frequency is in resonance with the cyclotron frequency. In particular, the energy of the particle increases linearly for large times. An explicit formula for the acceleration rate is derived with the aid of the quantum averaging method, and then it is checked against a numerical solution and a very good agreement is found.more » - Highlights: > A nonrelativistic quantum charged particle on a plane. > A homogeneous magnetic field and a periodically time-dependent Aharonov-Bohm flux. > The quantum averaging method applied to a time-dependent system. > A resonance of the AB flux with the cyclotron frequency. > An acceleration with linearly increasing energy; a formula for the acceleration rate.« less

Translational Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex and Motion Perception During Interaural Linear Acceleration: Comparison of Different Motion Paradigms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beaton, K. H.; Holly, J. E.; Clement, G. R.; Wood, S. J.

2011-01-01

The neural mechanisms to resolve ambiguous tilt-translation motion have been hypothesized to be different for motion perception and eye movements. Previous studies have demonstrated differences in ocular and perceptual responses using a variety of motion paradigms, including Off-Vertical Axis Rotation (OVAR), Variable Radius Centrifugation (VRC), translation along a linear track, and tilt about an Earth-horizontal axis. While the linear acceleration across these motion paradigms is presumably equivalent, there are important differences in semicircular canal cues. The purpose of this study was to compare translation motion perception and horizontal slow phase velocity to quantify consistencies, or lack thereof, across four different motion paradigms. Twelve healthy subjects were exposed to sinusoidal interaural linear acceleration between 0.01 and 0.6 Hz at 1.7 m/s/s (equivalent to 10 tilt) using OVAR, VRC, roll tilt, and lateral translation. During each trial, subjects verbally reported the amount of perceived peak-to-peak lateral translation and indicated the direction of motion with a joystick. Binocular eye movements were recorded using video-oculography. In general, the gain of translation perception (ratio of reported linear displacement to equivalent linear stimulus displacement) increased with stimulus frequency, while the phase did not significantly vary. However, translation perception was more pronounced during both VRC and lateral translation involving actual translation, whereas perceptions were less consistent and more variable during OVAR and roll tilt which did not involve actual translation. For each motion paradigm, horizontal eye movements were negligible at low frequencies and showed phase lead relative to the linear stimulus. At higher frequencies, the gain of the eye movements increased and became more inphase with the acceleration stimulus. While these results are consistent with the hypothesis that the neural computational strategies for motion perception and eye movements differ, they also indicate that the specific motion platform employed can have a significant effect on both the amplitude and phase of each.

A proposal for antiparallel acceleration of positrons using CEBAF

DOE PAGES

Tiefenback, M.; Wojtsekhowski, B.

2018-05-01

Here, we present a scheme for positron beam acceleration in CEBAF antiparallel to the normal electron path, requiring no change in polarity of the magnet systems. This feature is essential to the principal benefit: enabling extremely simple configuration changes between conventional (clockwise) e - acceleration and counter clockwise e + acceleration. Additionally, it appears possible to configure the accelerating cavity phases to support concurrent acceleration of the electron and positron beams. The last mode also may enable use of the higher peak current electron beam for system diagnostics. The inherent penalty of the concurrent mode in acceleration efficiency and increasedmore » energy spread may render this a commissioning-only diagnostic option, but the possibility appears worthy of consideration.« less

A proposal for antiparallel acceleration of positrons using CEBAF

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tiefenback, M.; Wojtsekhowski, B.

Here, we present a scheme for positron beam acceleration in CEBAF antiparallel to the normal electron path, requiring no change in polarity of the magnet systems. This feature is essential to the principal benefit: enabling extremely simple configuration changes between conventional (clockwise) e - acceleration and counter clockwise e + acceleration. Additionally, it appears possible to configure the accelerating cavity phases to support concurrent acceleration of the electron and positron beams. The last mode also may enable use of the higher peak current electron beam for system diagnostics. The inherent penalty of the concurrent mode in acceleration efficiency and increasedmore » energy spread may render this a commissioning-only diagnostic option, but the possibility appears worthy of consideration.« less

Radiation Field Forming for Industrial Electron Accelerators Using Rare-Earth Magnetic Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ermakov, A. N.; Khankin, V. V.; Shvedunov, N. V.; Shvedunov, V. I.; Yurov, D. S.

2016-09-01

The article describes the radiation field forming system for industrial electron accelerators, which would have uniform distribution of linear charge density at the surface of an item being irradiated perpendicular to the direction of its motion. Its main element is non-linear quadrupole lens made with the use of rare-earth magnetic materials. The proposed system has a number of advantages over traditional beam scanning systems that use electromagnets, including easier product irradiation planning, lower instantaneous local dose rate, smaller size, lower cost. Provided are the calculation results for a 10 MeV industrial electron accelerator, as well as measurement results for current distribution in the prototype build based on calculations.

Proposal for an astronaut mass measurement device for the Space Shuttle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beyer, Neil; Lomme, Jon; Mccollough, Holly; Price, Bradford; Weber, Heidi

1994-01-01

For medical reasons, astronauts in space need to have their mass measured. Currently, this measurement is performed using a mass-spring system. The current system is large, inaccurate, and uncomfortable for the astronauts. NASA is looking for new, different, and preferably better ways to perform this measurement process. After careful analysis our design team decided on a linear acceleration process. Within the process, four possible concept variants are put forth. Among these four variants, one is suggested over the others. The variant suggested is that of a motor-winch system to linearly accelerate the astronaut. From acceleration and force measurements of the process combined Newton's second law, the mass of an astronaut can be calculated.

Single-shot magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging with partial parallel imaging.

PubMed

Posse, Stefan; Otazo, Ricardo; Tsai, Shang-Yueh; Yoshimoto, Akio Ernesto; Lin, Fa-Hsuan

2009-03-01

A magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) pulse sequence based on proton-echo-planar-spectroscopic-imaging (PEPSI) is introduced that measures two-dimensional metabolite maps in a single excitation. Echo-planar spatial-spectral encoding was combined with interleaved phase encoding and parallel imaging using SENSE to reconstruct absorption mode spectra. The symmetrical k-space trajectory compensates phase errors due to convolution of spatial and spectral encoding. Single-shot MRSI at short TE was evaluated in phantoms and in vivo on a 3-T whole-body scanner equipped with a 12-channel array coil. Four-step interleaved phase encoding and fourfold SENSE acceleration were used to encode a 16 x 16 spatial matrix with a 390-Hz spectral width. Comparison with conventional PEPSI and PEPSI with fourfold SENSE acceleration demonstrated comparable sensitivity per unit time when taking into account g-factor-related noise increases and differences in sampling efficiency. LCModel fitting enabled quantification of inositol, choline, creatine, and N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) in vivo with concentration values in the ranges measured with conventional PEPSI and SENSE-accelerated PEPSI. Cramer-Rao lower bounds were comparable to those obtained with conventional SENSE-accelerated PEPSI at the same voxel size and measurement time. This single-shot MRSI method is therefore suitable for applications that require high temporal resolution to monitor temporal dynamics or to reduce sensitivity to tissue movement.

The Type Ia Supernova Color-Magnitude Relation and Host Galaxy Dust: A Simple Hierarchical Bayesian Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mandel, Kaisey; Scolnic, Daniel; Shariff, Hikmatali; Foley, Ryan; Kirshner, Robert

2017-01-01

Inferring peak optical absolute magnitudes of Type Ia supernovae (SN Ia) from distance-independent measures such as their light curve shapes and colors underpins the evidence for cosmic acceleration. SN Ia with broader, slower declining optical light curves are more luminous (“broader-brighter”) and those with redder colors are dimmer. But the “redder-dimmer” color-luminosity relation widely used in cosmological SN Ia analyses confounds its two separate physical origins. An intrinsic correlation arises from the physics of exploding white dwarfs, while interstellar dust in the host galaxy also makes SN Ia appear dimmer and redder. Conventional SN Ia cosmology analyses currently use a simplistic linear regression of magnitude versus color and light curve shape, which does not model intrinsic SN Ia variations and host galaxy dust as physically distinct effects, resulting in low color-magnitude slopes. We construct a probabilistic generative model for the dusty distribution of extinguished absolute magnitudes and apparent colors as the convolution of an intrinsic SN Ia color-magnitude distribution and a host galaxy dust reddening-extinction distribution. If the intrinsic color-magnitude (MB vs. B-V) slope βint differs from the host galaxy dust law RB, this convolution results in a specific curve of mean extinguished absolute magnitude vs. apparent color. The derivative of this curve smoothly transitions from βint in the blue tail to RB in the red tail of the apparent color distribution. The conventional linear fit approximates this effective curve near the average apparent color, resulting in an apparent slope βapp between βint and RB. We incorporate these effects into a hierarchical Bayesian statistical model for SN Ia light curve measurements, and analyze a dataset of SALT2 optical light curve fits of 277 nearby SN Ia at z < 0.10. The conventional linear fit obtains βapp ≈ 3. Our model finds a βint = 2.2 ± 0.3 and a distinct dust law of RB = 3.7 ± 0.3, consistent with the average for Milky Way dust, while correcting a systematic distance bias of ~0.10 mag in the tails of the apparent color distribution. This research is supported by NSF grants AST-156854, AST-1211196, and NASA grant NNX15AJ55G.

Phenolic composition, anitproliferative and anti-inflammatory properties of conventional and organic cinnamon and peppermint

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Conventional and organic cinnamon and peppermint were investigated for their phenolic profile, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) with 75% acetone was a better method than Soxhlet and overnight extraction for phenolic content and a...

Supplementary Education: Global Growth, Japan's Experience, Canada's Future

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dierkes, Julian

2008-01-01

Supplementary education is on the rise globally, taking many different forms, from private tutors to small schools and large corporations. These providers exist outside conventional public and private school systems, offering remedial education and tutoring, parallel instruction to conventional schools, and accelerated or more advanced…

Horizontal vestibuloocular reflex evoked by high-acceleration rotations in the squirrel monkey. IV. Responses after spectacle-induced adaptation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clendaniel, R. A.; Lasker, D. M.; Minor, L. B.; Shelhamer, M. J. (Principal Investigator)

2001-01-01

The horizontal angular vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) evoked by sinusoidal rotations from 0.5 to 15 Hz and acceleration steps up to 3,000 degrees /s(2) to 150 degrees /s was studied in six squirrel monkeys following adaptation with x2.2 magnifying and x0.45 minimizing spectacles. For sinusoidal rotations with peak velocities of 20 degrees /s, there were significant changes in gain at all frequencies; however, the greatest gain changes occurred at the lower frequencies. The frequency- and velocity-dependent gain enhancement seen in normal monkeys was accentuated following adaptation to magnifying spectacles and diminished with adaptation to minimizing spectacles. A differential increase in gain for the steps of acceleration was noted after adaptation to the magnifying spectacles. The gain during the acceleration portion, G(A), of a step of acceleration (3,000 degrees /s(2) to 150 degrees /s) increased from preadaptation values of 1.05 +/- 0.08 to 1.96 +/- 0.16, while the gain during the velocity plateau, G(V), only increased from 0.93 +/- 0.04 to 1.36 +/- 0.08. Polynomial fits to the trajectory of the response during the acceleration step revealed a greater increase in the cubic than the linear term following adaptation with the magnifying lenses. Following adaptation to the minimizing lenses, the value of G(A) decreased to 0.61 +/- 0.08, and the value of G(V) decreased to 0.59 +/- 0.09 for the 3,000 degrees /s(2) steps of acceleration. Polynomial fits to the trajectory of the response during the acceleration step revealed that there was a significantly greater reduction in the cubic term than in the linear term following adaptation with the minimizing lenses. These findings indicate that there is greater modification of the nonlinear as compared with the linear component of the VOR with spectacle-induced adaptation. In addition, the latency to the onset of the adapted response varied with the dynamics of the stimulus. The findings were modeled with a bilateral model of the VOR containing linear and nonlinear pathways that describe the normal behavior and adaptive processes. Adaptation for the linear pathway is described by a transfer function that shows the dependence of adaptation on the frequency of the head movement. The adaptive process for the nonlinear pathway is a gain enhancement element that provides for the accentuated gain with rising head velocity and the increased cubic component of the responses to steps of acceleration. While this model is substantially different from earlier models of VOR adaptation, it accounts for the data in the present experiments and also predicts the findings observed in the earlier studies.

Using High-Powered Laser, Scientists Record Images of Chemical Interactions in RNA | Poster

Cancer.gov

A recent study at the Department of Energy’s Stanford Linear Accelerator Center National Accelerator Laboratory has literally shed new light on the structural interactions between RNA and another biomolecule.

Which Accelerates Faster--A Falling Ball or a Porsche?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rall, James D.; Abdul-Razzaq, Wathiq

2012-01-01

An introductory physics experiment has been developed to address the issues seen in conventional physics lab classes including assumption verification, technological dependencies, and real world motivation for the experiment. The experiment has little technology dependence and compares the acceleration due to gravity by using position versus time…

Improving linear accelerator service response with a real- time electronic event reporting system.

PubMed

Hoisak, Jeremy D P; Pawlicki, Todd; Kim, Gwe-Ya; Fletcher, Richard; Moore, Kevin L

2014-09-08

To track linear accelerator performance issues, an online event recording system was developed in-house for use by therapists and physicists to log the details of technical problems arising on our institution's four linear accelerators. In use since October 2010, the system was designed so that all clinical physicists would receive email notification when an event was logged. Starting in October 2012, we initiated a pilot project in collaboration with our linear accelerator vendor to explore a new model of service and support, in which event notifications were also sent electronically directly to dedicated engineers at the vendor's technical help desk, who then initiated a response to technical issues. Previously, technical issues were reported by telephone to the vendor's call center, which then disseminated information and coordinated a response with the Technical Support help desk and local service engineers. The purpose of this work was to investigate the improvements to clinical operations resulting from this new service model. The new and old service models were quantitatively compared by reviewing event logs and the oncology information system database in the nine months prior to and after initiation of the project. Here, we focus on events that resulted in an inoperative linear accelerator ("down" machine). Machine downtime, vendor response time, treatment cancellations, and event resolution were evaluated and compared over two equivalent time periods. In 389 clinical days, there were 119 machine-down events: 59 events before and 60 after introduction of the new model. In the new model, median time to service response decreased from 45 to 8 min, service engineer dispatch time decreased 44%, downtime per event decreased from 45 to 20 min, and treatment cancellations decreased 68%. The decreased vendor response time and reduced number of on-site visits by a service engineer resulted in decreased downtime and decreased patient treatment cancellations.

Maximum cycle work output optimization for generalized radiative law Otto cycle engines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Shaojun; Chen, Lingen; Sun, Fengrui

2016-11-01

An Otto cycle internal combustion engine which includes thermal and friction losses is investigated by finite-time thermodynamics, and the optimization objective is the maximum cycle work output. The thermal energy transfer from the working substance to the cylinder inner wall follows the generalized radiative law (q∝Δ (Tn)). Under the condition that all of the fuel consumption, the compression ratio and the cycle period are given, the optimal piston trajectories for both the examples with unlimited and limited accelerations on every stroke are determined, and the cycle-period distribution among all strokes is also optimized. Numerical calculation results for the case of radiative law are provided and compared with those obtained for the cases of Newtonian law and linear phenomenological law. The results indicate that the optimal piston trajectory on each stroke contains three sections, which consist of an original maximum-acceleration and a terminal maximum-deceleration parts; for the case of radiative law, optimizing the piston motion path can achieve an improvement of more than 20% in both the cycle-work output and the second-law efficiency of the Otto cycle compared with the conventional near-sinusoidal operation, and heat transfer mechanisms have both qualitative and quantitative influences on the optimal paths of piston movements.

Electron Beam Instrumentation Techniques Using Coherent Radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, D. X.

1997-05-01

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in short electron bunches for different applications such as short wavelength FELs, linear colliders, advanced accelerators such as laser or plasma wakefield accelerators, and Compton backscattering X-ray sources. A short bunch length is needed to meet various requirements such as high peak current, low momentum spread, high luminosity, small ratio of bunch length to plasma wavelength, or accurate timing. Meanwhile, much progress has been made on photoinjectors and different magnetic and RF bunching schemes to produce very short bunches. Measurement of those short bunches becomes essential to develop, characterize, and operate such demanding machines. Conventionally, bunch duration of short electron bunches is measured by transverse RF deflecting cavities or streak camera. With such devices it becomes very challenging to measure bunch length down to a few hundred femtoseconds. Many frequency domain techniques have been recently developed, based on a relation between bunch profile and coherent radiation spectrum. These techniques provide excellent performance for short bunches. In this paper, coherent radiation and its applications to bunch length measurement will be discussed. A strategy for bunch length control at Jefferson Lab will be presented, which includes a noninvasive coherent synchrotron radiation (CSR) monitor, a zero-phasing technique used to calibrate the CSR detector, and phase transfer measurement used to correct RF phase drifts.

Investigation into image quality difference between total variation and nonlinear sparsifying transform based compressed sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Jian; Kudo, Hiroyuki

2017-03-01

Compressed sensing (CS) is attracting growing concerns in sparse-view computed tomography (CT) image reconstruction. The most standard approach of CS is total variation (TV) minimization. However, images reconstructed by TV usually suffer from distortions, especially in reconstruction of practical CT images, in forms of patchy artifacts, improper serrate edges and loss of image textures. Most existing CS approaches including TV achieve image quality improvement by applying linear transforms to object image, but linear transforms usually fail to take discontinuities into account, such as edges and image textures, which is considered to be the key reason for image distortions. Actually, discussions on nonlinear filter based image processing has a long history, leading us to clarify that the nonlinear filters yield better results compared to linear filters in image processing task such as denoising. Median root prior was first utilized by Alenius as nonlinear transform in CT image reconstruction, with significant gains obtained. Subsequently, Zhang developed the application of nonlocal means-based CS. A fact is gradually becoming clear that the nonlinear transform based CS has superiority in improving image quality compared with the linear transform based CS. However, it has not been clearly concluded in any previous paper within the scope of our knowledge. In this work, we investigated the image quality differences between the conventional TV minimization and nonlinear sparsifying transform based CS, as well as image quality differences among different nonlinear sparisying transform based CSs in sparse-view CT image reconstruction. Additionally, we accelerated the implementation of nonlinear sparsifying transform based CS algorithm.

Extracting Time-Accurate Acceleration Vectors From Nontrivial Accelerometer Arrangements.

PubMed

Franck, Jennifer A; Blume, Janet; Crisco, Joseph J; Franck, Christian

2015-09-01

Sports-related concussions are of significant concern in many impact sports, and their detection relies on accurate measurements of the head kinematics during impact. Among the most prevalent recording technologies are videography, and more recently, the use of single-axis accelerometers mounted in a helmet, such as the HIT system. Successful extraction of the linear and angular impact accelerations depends on an accurate analysis methodology governed by the equations of motion. Current algorithms are able to estimate the magnitude of acceleration and hit location, but make assumptions about the hit orientation and are often limited in the position and/or orientation of the accelerometers. The newly formulated algorithm presented in this manuscript accurately extracts the full linear and rotational acceleration vectors from a broad arrangement of six single-axis accelerometers directly from the governing set of kinematic equations. The new formulation linearizes the nonlinear centripetal acceleration term with a finite-difference approximation and provides a fast and accurate solution for all six components of acceleration over long time periods (>250 ms). The approximation of the nonlinear centripetal acceleration term provides an accurate computation of the rotational velocity as a function of time and allows for reconstruction of a multiple-impact signal. Furthermore, the algorithm determines the impact location and orientation and can distinguish between glancing, high rotational velocity impacts, or direct impacts through the center of mass. Results are shown for ten simulated impact locations on a headform geometry computed with three different accelerometer configurations in varying degrees of signal noise. Since the algorithm does not require simplifications of the actual impacted geometry, the impact vector, or a specific arrangement of accelerometer orientations, it can be easily applied to many impact investigations in which accurate kinematics need to be extracted from single-axis accelerometer data.

FSILP: fuzzy-stochastic-interval linear programming for supporting municipal solid waste management.

PubMed

Li, Pu; Chen, Bing

2011-04-01

Although many studies on municipal solid waste management (MSW management) were conducted under uncertain conditions of fuzzy, stochastic, and interval coexistence, the solution to the conventional linear programming problems of integrating fuzzy method with the other two was inefficient. In this study, a fuzzy-stochastic-interval linear programming (FSILP) method is developed by integrating Nguyen's method with conventional linear programming for supporting municipal solid waste management. The Nguyen's method was used to convert the fuzzy and fuzzy-stochastic linear programming problems into the conventional linear programs, by measuring the attainment values of fuzzy numbers and/or fuzzy random variables, as well as superiority and inferiority between triangular fuzzy numbers/triangular fuzzy-stochastic variables. The developed method can effectively tackle uncertainties described in terms of probability density functions, fuzzy membership functions, and discrete intervals. Moreover, the method can also improve upon the conventional interval fuzzy programming and two-stage stochastic programming approaches, with advantageous capabilities that are easily achieved with fewer constraints and significantly reduces consumption time. The developed model was applied to a case study of municipal solid waste management system in a city. The results indicated that reasonable solutions had been generated. The solution can help quantify the relationship between the change of system cost and the uncertainties, which could support further analysis of tradeoffs between the waste management cost and the system failure risk. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Statistics of vacuum breakdown in the high-gradient and low-rate regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wuensch, Walter; Degiovanni, Alberto; Calatroni, Sergio; Korsbäck, Anders; Djurabekova, Flyura; Rajamäki, Robin; Giner-Navarro, Jorge

2017-01-01

In an increasing number of high-gradient linear accelerator applications, accelerating structures must operate with both high surface electric fields and low breakdown rates. Understanding the statistical properties of breakdown occurrence in such a regime is of practical importance for optimizing accelerator conditioning and operation algorithms, as well as of interest for efforts to understand the physical processes which underlie the breakdown phenomenon. Experimental data of breakdown has been collected in two distinct high-gradient experimental set-ups: A prototype linear accelerating structure operated in the Compact Linear Collider Xbox 12 GHz test stands, and a parallel plate electrode system operated with pulsed DC in the kV range. Collected data is presented, analyzed and compared. The two systems show similar, distinctive, two-part distributions of number of pulses between breakdowns, with each part corresponding to a specific, constant event rate. The correlation between distance and number of pulses between breakdown indicates that the two parts of the distribution, and their corresponding event rates, represent independent primary and induced follow-up breakdowns. The similarity of results from pulsed DC to 12 GHz rf indicates a similar vacuum arc triggering mechanism over the range of conditions covered by the experiments.

LIONs at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Constant, T.N.; Zdarko, R.W.; Simmons, R.H.

1998-01-01

The term LION is an acronym for Long Ionization Chamber. This is a distributed ion chamber which is used to monitor secondary ionization along the shield walls of a beam line resulting from incorrectly steered charged particle beams in lieu of the use of many discrete ion chambers. A cone of ionizing radiation emanating from a point source as a result of incorrect steering intercepts a portion of 1-5/8 inch Heliax cable (about 100 meters in length) filled with Argon gas at 20 psi and induces a pulsed current which is proportional to the ionizing charge. This signal is transmittedmore » via the cable to an integrator circuit whose output is directed to an electronic comparators, which in turn is used to turn off the accelerated primary beam when preset limits are exceeded. This device is used in the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) Beam Containment System (BCS) to prevent potentially hazardous ionizing radiation resulting from incorrectly steered beams in areas that might be occupied by people. This paper describes the design parameters and experience in use in the Final Focus Test Beam (FFTB) area of the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center.« less

The International Linear Collider Technical Design Report - Volume 3.II: Accelerator Baseline Design

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Adolphsen, Chris

2013-06-26

The International Linear Collider Technical Design Report (TDR) describes in four volumes the physics case and the design of a 500 GeV centre-of-mass energy linear electron-positron collider based on superconducting radio-frequency technology using Niobium cavities as the accelerating structures. The accelerator can be extended to 1 TeV and also run as a Higgs factory at around 250 GeV and on the Z0 pole. A comprehensive value estimate of the accelerator is give, together with associated uncertainties. It is shown that no significant technical issues remain to be solved. Once a site is selected and the necessary site-dependent engineering is carriedmore » out, construction can begin immediately. The TDR also gives baseline documentation for two high-performance detectors that can share the ILC luminosity by being moved into and out of the beam line in a "push-pull" configuration. These detectors, ILD and SiD, are described in detail. They form the basis for a world-class experimental programme that promises to increase significantly our understanding of the fundamental processes that govern the evolution of the Universe.« less

The International Linear Collider Technical Design Report - Volume 3.I: Accelerator \\& in the Technical Design Phase

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Adolphsen, Chris

2013-06-26

The International Linear Collider Technical Design Report (TDR) describes in four volumes the physics case and the design of a 500 GeV centre-of-mass energy linear electron-positron collider based on superconducting radio-frequency technology using Niobium cavities as the accelerating structures. The accelerator can be extended to 1 TeV and also run as a Higgs factory at around 250 GeV and on the Z0 pole. A comprehensive value estimate of the accelerator is give, together with associated uncertainties. It is shown that no significant technical issues remain to be solved. Once a site is selected and the necessary site-dependent engineering is carriedmore » out, construction can begin immediately. The TDR also gives baseline documentation for two high-performance detectors that can share the ILC luminosity by being moved into and out of the beam line in a "push-pull" configuration. These detectors, ILD and SiD, are described in detail. They form the basis for a world-class experimental programme that promises to increase significantly our understanding of the fundamental processes that govern the evolution of the Universe.« less

Electrostatic quadrupole focused particle accelerating assembly with laminar flow beam

DOEpatents

Maschke, A.W.

1984-04-16

A charged particle accelerating assembly provided with a predetermined ratio of parametric structural characteristics and with related operating voltages applied to each of its linearly spaced focusing and accelerating quadrupoles, thereby to maintain a particle beam traversing the electrostatic fields of the quadrupoles in the assembly in an essentially laminar flow through the assembly.

Electrostatic quadrupole focused particle accelerating assembly with laminar flow beam

DOEpatents

Maschke, Alfred W.

1985-01-01

A charged particle accelerating assembly provided with a predetermined ratio of parametric structural characteristics and with related operating voltages applied to each of its linearly spaced focusing and accelerating quadrupoles, thereby to maintain a particle beam traversing the electrostatic fields of the quadrupoles in the assembly in an essentially laminar flow throughout the assembly.

Aircraft automatic-flight-control system with inversion of the model in the feed-forward path using a Newton-Raphson technique for the inversion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, G. A.; Meyer, G.; Nordstrom, M.

1986-01-01

A new automatic flight control system concept suitable for aircraft with highly nonlinear aerodynamic and propulsion characteristics and which must operate over a wide flight envelope was investigated. This exact model follower inverts a complete nonlinear model of the aircraft as part of the feed-forward path. The inversion is accomplished by a Newton-Raphson trim of the model at each digital computer cycle time of 0.05 seconds. The combination of the inverse model and the actual aircraft in the feed-forward path alloys the translational and rotational regulators in the feedback path to be easily designed by linear methods. An explanation of the model inversion procedure is presented. An extensive set of simulation data for essentially the full flight envelope for a vertical attitude takeoff and landing aircraft (VATOL) is presented. These data demonstrate the successful, smooth, and precise control that can be achieved with this concept. The trajectory includes conventional flight from 200 to 900 ft/sec with path accelerations and decelerations, altitude changes of over 6000 ft and 2g and 3g turns. Vertical attitude maneuvering as a tail sitter along all axes is demonstrated. A transition trajectory from 200 ft/sec in conventional flight to stationary hover in the vertical attitude includes satisfactory operation through lift-cure slope reversal as attitude goes from horizontal to vertical at constant altitude. A vertical attitude takeoff from stationary hover to conventional flight is also demonstrated.

A compact linear accelerator based on a scalable microelectromechanical-system RF-structure

DOE PAGES

Persaud, A.; Ji, Q.; Feinberg, E.; ...

2017-06-08

Here, a new approach for a compact radio-frequency (RF) accelerator structure is presented. The new accelerator architecture is based on the Multiple Electrostatic Quadrupole Array Linear Accelerator (MEQALAC) structure that was first developed in the 1980s. The MEQALAC utilized RF resonators producing the accelerating fields and providing for higher beam currents through parallel beamlets focused using arrays of electrostatic quadrupoles (ESQs). While the early work obtained ESQs with lateral dimensions on the order of a few centimeters, using a printed circuit board (PCB), we reduce the characteristic dimension to the millimeter regime, while massively scaling up the potential number ofmore » parallel beamlets. Using Microelectromechanical systems scalable fabrication approaches, we are working on further red ucing the characteristic dimension to the sub-millimeter regime. The technology is based on RF-acceleration components and ESQs implemented in the PCB or silicon wafers where each beamlet passes through beam apertures in the wafer. The complete accelerator is then assembled by stacking these wafers. This approach has the potential for fast and inexpensive batch fabrication of the components and flexibility in system design for application specific beam energies and currents. For prototyping the accelerator architecture, the components have been fabricated using the PCB. In this paper, we present proof of concept results of the principal components using the PCB: RF acceleration and ESQ focusing. Finally, ongoing developments on implementing components in silicon and scaling of the accelerator technology to high currents and beam energies are discussed.« less

A compact linear accelerator based on a scalable microelectromechanical-system RF-structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Persaud, A.; Ji, Q.; Feinberg, E.; Seidl, P. A.; Waldron, W. L.; Schenkel, T.; Lal, A.; Vinayakumar, K. B.; Ardanuc, S.; Hammer, D. A.

2017-06-01

A new approach for a compact radio-frequency (RF) accelerator structure is presented. The new accelerator architecture is based on the Multiple Electrostatic Quadrupole Array Linear Accelerator (MEQALAC) structure that was first developed in the 1980s. The MEQALAC utilized RF resonators producing the accelerating fields and providing for higher beam currents through parallel beamlets focused using arrays of electrostatic quadrupoles (ESQs). While the early work obtained ESQs with lateral dimensions on the order of a few centimeters, using a printed circuit board (PCB), we reduce the characteristic dimension to the millimeter regime, while massively scaling up the potential number of parallel beamlets. Using Microelectromechanical systems scalable fabrication approaches, we are working on further reducing the characteristic dimension to the sub-millimeter regime. The technology is based on RF-acceleration components and ESQs implemented in the PCB or silicon wafers where each beamlet passes through beam apertures in the wafer. The complete accelerator is then assembled by stacking these wafers. This approach has the potential for fast and inexpensive batch fabrication of the components and flexibility in system design for application specific beam energies and currents. For prototyping the accelerator architecture, the components have been fabricated using the PCB. In this paper, we present proof of concept results of the principal components using the PCB: RF acceleration and ESQ focusing. Ongoing developments on implementing components in silicon and scaling of the accelerator technology to high currents and beam energies are discussed.

A compact linear accelerator based on a scalable microelectromechanical-system RF-structure.

PubMed

Persaud, A; Ji, Q; Feinberg, E; Seidl, P A; Waldron, W L; Schenkel, T; Lal, A; Vinayakumar, K B; Ardanuc, S; Hammer, D A

2017-06-01

A new approach for a compact radio-frequency (RF) accelerator structure is presented. The new accelerator architecture is based on the Multiple Electrostatic Quadrupole Array Linear Accelerator (MEQALAC) structure that was first developed in the 1980s. The MEQALAC utilized RF resonators producing the accelerating fields and providing for higher beam currents through parallel beamlets focused using arrays of electrostatic quadrupoles (ESQs). While the early work obtained ESQs with lateral dimensions on the order of a few centimeters, using a printed circuit board (PCB), we reduce the characteristic dimension to the millimeter regime, while massively scaling up the potential number of parallel beamlets. Using Microelectromechanical systems scalable fabrication approaches, we are working on further reducing the characteristic dimension to the sub-millimeter regime. The technology is based on RF-acceleration components and ESQs implemented in the PCB or silicon wafers where each beamlet passes through beam apertures in the wafer. The complete accelerator is then assembled by stacking these wafers. This approach has the potential for fast and inexpensive batch fabrication of the components and flexibility in system design for application specific beam energies and currents. For prototyping the accelerator architecture, the components have been fabricated using the PCB. In this paper, we present proof of concept results of the principal components using the PCB: RF acceleration and ESQ focusing. Ongoing developments on implementing components in silicon and scaling of the accelerator technology to high currents and beam energies are discussed.

Operations and maintenance manual for the linear accelerator (sled)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1981-01-01

The Linear Accelerator, a sliding chair which is pulled along a stationary platform in a horizontal axis is described. The driving force is a motor controlled by a velocity loop amplifier, and the mechanical link to the chair is a steel cable. The chair is moved in forward and reverse directions as indicated by the direction of motor rotation. The system operation is described with emphasis on the electronic control and monitoring functions. Line-by-line schematics and wire lists are included.

Non-linear acceleration at supernova remnant shocks and the hardening in the cosmic ray spectrum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Recchia, S.; Gabici, S.

2018-02-01

In the last few years, several experiments have shown that the cosmic ray spectrum below the knee is not a perfect power law. In particular, the proton and helium spectra show a spectral hardening by ˜0.1-0.2 in spectral index at particle energies of ˜ 200-300 GeV nucleon-1. Moreover, the helium spectrum is found to be harder than that of protons by ˜0.1 and some evidence for a similar hardening was also found in the spectra of heavier elements. Here, we consider the possibility that the hardening may be the result of a dispersion in the slope of the spectrum of cosmic rays accelerated at supernova remnant shocks. Such a dispersion is indeed expected within the framework of non-linear theories of diffusive shock acceleration, which predict steeper (harder) particle spectra for larger (smaller) cosmic ray acceleration efficiencies.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Edstrom Jr., D.; et al.

The low-energy section of the photoinjector-based electron linear accelerator at the Fermilab Accelerator Science & Technology (FAST) facility was recently commissioned to an energy of 50 MeV. This linear accelerator relies primarily upon pulsed SRF acceleration and an optional bunch compressor to produce a stable beam within a large operational regime in terms of bunch charge, total average charge, bunch length, and beam energy. Various instrumentation was used to characterize fundamental properties of the electron beam including the intensity, stability, emittance, and bunch length. While much of this instrumentation was commissioned in a 20 MeV running period prior, some (includingmore » a new Martin- Puplett interferometer) was in development or pending installation at that time. All instrumentation has since been recommissioned over the wide operational range of beam energies up to 50 MeV, intensities up to 4 nC/pulse, and bunch structures from ~1 ps to more than 50 ps in length.« less

Beam-based measurements of long-range transverse wakefields in the Compact Linear Collider main-linac accelerating structure

DOE PAGES

Zha, Hao; Latina, Andrea; Grudiev, Alexej; ...

2016-01-20

The baseline design of CLIC (Compact Linear Collider) uses X-band accelerating structures for its main linacs. In order to maintain beam stability in multibunch operation, long-range transverse wakefields must be suppressed by 2 orders of magnitude between successive bunches, which are separated in time by 0.5 ns. Such strong wakefield suppression is achieved by equipping every accelerating structure cell with four damping waveguides terminated with individual rf loads. A beam-based experiment to directly measure the effectiveness of this long-range transverse wakefield and benchmark simulations was made in the FACET test facility at SLAC using a prototype CLIC accelerating structure. Furthermore,more » the experiment showed good agreement with the simulations and a strong suppression of the wakefields with an unprecedented minimum resolution of 0.1 V/(pC mm m).« less

State of the art in electromagnetic modeling for the Compact Linear Collider

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Candel, Arno; Kabel, Andreas; Lee, Lie-Quan

SLAC's Advanced Computations Department (ACD) has developed the parallel 3D electromagnetic time-domain code T3P for simulations of wakefields and transients in complex accelerator structures. T3P is based on state-of-the-art Finite Element methods on unstructured grids and features unconditional stability, quadratic surface approximation and up to 6th-order vector basis functions for unprecedented simulation accuracy. Optimized for large-scale parallel processing on leadership supercomputing facilities, T3P allows simulations of realistic 3D structures with fast turn-around times, aiding the design of the next generation of accelerator facilities. Applications include simulations of the proposed two-beam accelerator structures for the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) - wakefieldmore » damping in the Power Extraction and Transfer Structure (PETS) and power transfer to the main beam accelerating structures are investigated.« less

Reduction of beam corkscrew motion on the ETAII linear induction accelerator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Turner, W.C.; Allen, S.L.; Brand, H.R.

1990-09-04

The ETAII linear induction accelerator (6MeV, 3kA, 70ns) is designed to drive a microwave free electron laser (FEL) and demonstrate the front end accelerator technology for a shorter wavelength FEL. Performance to date has been limited by beam corkscrew motion that is driven by energy sweep and misalignment of the solenoidal focusing magnets. Modifications to the pulse power distribution system and magnetic alignment are expected to reduce the radius of corkscrew motion from its present value of 1 cm to less than 1 mm. The modifications have so far been carried out on the first 2.7 MeV (injector plus 20more » accelerator cells) and experiments are beginning. In this paper we will present calculations of central flux line alignment, beam corkscrew motion and beam brightness that are anticipated with the modified ETAII. 10 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.« less

SU-F-T-313: Clinical Results of a New Customer Acceptance Test for Elekta VMAT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rusk, B; Fontenot, J

Purpose: To report the results of a customer acceptance test (CAT) for VMAT treatments for two matched Elekta linear accelerators. Methods: The CAT tests were performed on two clinically matched Elekta linear accelerators equipped with a 160-leaf MLC. Functional tests included performance checks of the control system during dynamic movements of the diaphragms, MLC, and gantry. Dosimetric tests included MLC picket fence tests at static and variable dose rates and a diaphragm alignment test, all performed using the on-board EPID. Additionally, beam symmetry during arc delivery was measured at the four cardinal angles for high and low dose rate modesmore » using a 2D detector array. Results of the dosimetric tests were analyzed using the VMAT CAT analysis tool. Results: Linear accelerator 1 (LN1) met all stated CAT tolerances. Linear accelerator 2 (LN2) passed the geometric, beam symmetry, and MLC position error tests but failed the relative dose average test for the diaphragm abutment and all three picket fence fields. Though peak doses in the abutment regions were consistent, the average dose was below the stated tolerance corresponding to a leaf junction that was too narrow. Despite this, no significant differences in patient specific VMAT quality assurance measured were observed between the accelerators and both passed monthly MLC quality assurance performed with the Hancock test. Conclusion: Results from the CAT showed LN2 with relative dose averages in the abutment regions of the diaphragm and MLC tests outside the tolerances resulting from differences in leaf gap distances. Tolerances of the dose average tests from the CAT may be small enough to detect MLC errors which do not significantly affect patient QA or the routine MLC tests.« less

Method of Calibrating a Force Balance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, Peter A. (Inventor); Rhew, Ray D. (Inventor); Johnson, Thomas H. (Inventor); Landman, Drew (Inventor)

2015-01-01

A calibration system and method utilizes acceleration of a mass to generate a force on the mass. An expected value of the force is calculated based on the magnitude and acceleration of the mass. A fixture is utilized to mount the mass to a force balance, and the force balance is calibrated to provide a reading consistent with the expected force determined for a given acceleration. The acceleration can be varied to provide different expected forces, and the force balance can be calibrated for different applied forces. The acceleration may result from linear acceleration of the mass or rotational movement of the mass.

Left ventricular outflow tract mean systolic acceleration as a surrogate for the slope of the left ventricular end-systolic pressure-volume relationship

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bauer, Fabrice; Jones, Michael; Shiota, Takahiro; Firstenberg, Michael S.; Qin, Jian Xin; Tsujino, Hiroyuki; Kim, Yong Jin; Sitges, Marta; Cardon, Lisa A.; Zetts, Arthur D.;

Transients in the inhibitory driving of neurons and their postsynaptic consequences.

PubMed

Segundo, J P; Stiber, M; Altshuler, E; Vibert, J F

1994-09-01

The presynaptic fiber at an inhibitory synapse on a pacemaker neuron was forced to generate transients, defined here as spike trains with a trend, unceasingly accelerating or slowing. Experiments were on isolated crayfish stretch receptor organs. Spike train analyses used tools and notions from conventional point processes and from non-linear dynamics. Pre- and postsynaptic discharges contrasted clearly in terms of rates and interspike intervals. The inhibitory train evolved monotonically and smoothly, following tightly the simple prescribed curves; it was uniform, exhibiting throughout a single and simple discharge form (i.e. interval patterning). The inhibited postsynaptic train alternately accelerated and slowed, not following tightly any simple curve; it was heterogeneous, exhibiting in succession several different and often complex discharge forms, and switching abruptly from one to another. The inhibited trains depended on the inhibitory transient's span, range and average slope. Accordingly, transients separated (not cuttingly) into categories with prolonged spans (over 1 s) and slow slopes (around 1/s2) and those with short spans (under 1 s) and fast slopes (around 30/s2). Special transients elicited postsynaptic discharges that reproduced it faithfully, e.g. accelerated with the transient and proportionately; no transient elicited postsynaptic discharges faithful to its mirror image. Crayfish synapses are prototypes, so these findings should be expected in any other junction, as working hypotheses at least. Implications involve the operation of neural networks, including the role of distortions and their compensation, and the underlying mechanisms. Transients have received little attention, most work on synaptic coding concentrating on stationary discharges. Transients are inherent to the changing situations that pervade everyday life, however, and their biological importance is self-evident. The different discharges encountered during a transient had strong similarities to the stationary forms reported for different pacemaker drivings that are called locking, intermittency, erratic and stammering; they were, in fact, trendy versions of these. Such forms appear with several synaptic drivings in the same order along the presynaptic rate scale; they may constitute basic building blocks for synaptic operation. In terms of non-linear science, it is as if the attractors postulated for stationary drivings remained strongly influential during the transients, though affected by the rate of change.

Multiple solution of linear algebraic systems by an iterative method with recomputed preconditioner in the analysis of microstrip structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahunov, Roman R.; Kuksenko, Sergey P.; Gazizov, Talgat R.

2016-06-01

A multiple solution of linear algebraic systems with dense matrix by iterative methods is considered. To accelerate the process, the recomputing of the preconditioning matrix is used. A priory condition of the recomputing based on change of the arithmetic mean of the current solution time during the multiple solution is proposed. To confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach, the numerical experiments using iterative methods BiCGStab and CGS for four different sets of matrices on two examples of microstrip structures are carried out. For solution of 100 linear systems the acceleration up to 1.6 times, compared to the approach without recomputing, is obtained.

Non-linear effects in bunch compressor of TARLA

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yildiz, Hüseyin, E-mail: huseyinyildiz006@gmail.com, E-mail: huseyinyildiz@gazi.edu.tr; Aksoy, Avni; Arikan, Pervin

2016-03-25

Transport of a beam through an accelerator beamline is affected by high order and non-linear effects such as space charge, coherent synchrotron radiation, wakefield, etc. These effects damage form of the beam, and they lead particle loss, emittance growth, bunch length variation, beam halo formation, etc. One of the known non-linear effects on low energy machine is space charge effect. In this study we focus on space charge effect for Turkish Accelerator and Radiation Laboratory in Ankara (TARLA) machine which is designed to drive InfraRed Free Electron Laser covering the range of 3-250 µm. Moreover, we discuss second order effects onmore » bunch compressor of TARLA.« less

High-frequency ground motion amplification during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake explained by soil dilatancy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roten, D.; Fäh, D.; Bonilla, L. F.

2013-05-01

Ground motions of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake recorded at Onahama port (Iwaki, Fukushima prefecture) rank among the highest accelerations ever observed, with the peak amplitude of the 3-D acceleration vector approaching 2g. The response of the site was distinctively non-linear, as indicated by the presence of horizontal acceleration spikes which have been linked to cyclic mobility during similar observations. Compared to records of weak ground motions, the response of the site during the Mw 9.1 earthquake was characterized by increased amplification at frequencies above 10 Hz and in peak ground acceleration. This behaviour contrasts with the more common non-linear response encountered at non-liquefiable sites, which results in deamplification at higher frequencies. We simulate propagation of SH waves through the dense sand deposit using a non-linear finite difference code that is capable of modelling the development of excess pore water pressure. Dynamic soil parameters are calibrated using a direct search method that minimizes the difference between observed and simulated acceleration envelopes and response spectra. The finite difference simulations yield surface acceleration time-series that are consistent with the observations in shape and amplitude, pointing towards soil dilatancy as a likely explanation for the high-frequency pulses recorded at Onahama port. The simulations also suggest that the occurrence of high-frequency spikes coincided with a rapid increase in pore water pressure in the upper part of the sand deposit between 145 and 170 s. This sudden increase is possibly linked to a burst of high-frequency energy from a large slip patch below the Iwaki region.

Dielectric-wall linear accelerator with a high voltage fast rise time switch that includes a pair of electrodes between which are laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators

DOEpatents

Caporaso, G.J.; Sampayan, S.E.; Kirbie, H.C.

1998-10-13

A dielectric-wall linear accelerator is improved by a high-voltage, fast rise-time switch that includes a pair of electrodes between which are laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators. A high voltage is placed between the electrodes sufficient to stress the voltage breakdown of the insulator on command. A light trigger, such as a laser, is focused along at least one line along the edge surface of the laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators extending between the electrodes. The laser is energized to initiate a surface breakdown by a fluence of photons, thus causing the electrical switch to close very promptly. Such insulators and lasers are incorporated in a dielectric wall linear accelerator with Blumlein modules, and phasing is controlled by adjusting the length of fiber optic cables that carry the laser light to the insulator surface. 12 figs.

Dielectric-wall linear accelerator with a high voltage fast rise time switch that includes a pair of electrodes between which are laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators

DOEpatents

Caporaso, George J.; Sampayan, Stephen E.; Kirbie, Hugh C.

1998-01-01

A dielectric-wall linear accelerator is improved by a high-voltage, fast rise-time switch that includes a pair of electrodes between which are laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators. A high voltage is placed between the electrodes sufficient to stress the voltage breakdown of the insulator on command. A light trigger, such as a laser, is focused along at least one line along the edge surface of the laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators extending between the electrodes. The laser is energized to initiate a surface breakdown by a fluence of photons, thus causing the electrical switch to close very promptly. Such insulators and lasers are incorporated in a dielectric wall linear accelerator with Blumlein modules, and phasing is controlled by adjusting the length of fiber optic cables that carry the laser light to the insulator surface.

On isocentre adjustment and quality control in linear accelerator based radiosurgery with circular collimators and room lasers.

PubMed

Treuer, H; Hoevels, M; Luyken, K; Gierich, A; Kocher, M; Müller, R P; Sturm, V

2000-08-01

We have developed a densitometric method for measuring the isocentric accuracy and the accuracy of marking the isocentre position for linear accelerator based radiosurgery with circular collimators and room lasers. Isocentric shots are used to determine the accuracy of marking the isocentre position with room lasers and star shots are used to determine the wobble of the gantry and table rotation movement, the effect of gantry sag, the stereotactic collimator alignment, and the minimal distance between gantry and table rotation axes. Since the method is based on densitometric measurements, beam spot stability is implicitly tested. The method developed is also suitable for quality assurance and has proved to be useful in optimizing isocentric accuracy. The method is simple to perform and only requires a film box and film scanner for instrumentation. Thus, the method has the potential to become widely available and may therefore be useful in standardizing the description of linear accelerator based radiosurgical systems.

Radiosurgery with a linear accelerator. Methodological aspects.

PubMed

Betti, O O; Galmarini, D; Derechinsky, V

1991-01-01

Based on the concepts of Leksell and on recommendations of different Swedish physicists on the use of linear accelerator for radiosurgical use, we developed a new methodology coupling the Talairach stereotactic system with a commercial linac. Anatomical facts encouraged us to use coronal angles of irradiation employing the angular displacement of the linac above the horizontal plane. Different coronal planes are obtained by rotation of the stereotactic frame. The center of the irradiated target coincides with the irradiation and rotation center of the linear accelerator. Multiple targets can be irradiated in the same session. We use as recommended a secondary collimator in heavy alloy. Special software was prepared after different dosimetric controls. The use of a PC allows us to employ 1-6 targets and different collimators to displace the isocenters in order to obtain geometrical isodose modification, and to change the value of each irradiation arc or portions of each arc in some minutes. Simple or sophisticated neurosurgical strategies can be applied in the treatment of frequently irregular shape and volume AVMs.

Alignment of the Stanford Linear Collider Arcs: Concepts and results

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pitthan, R.; Bell, B.; Friedsam, H.

1987-02-01

The alignment of the Arcs for the Stanford Linear Collider at SLAC has posed problems in accelerator survey and alignment not encountered before. These problems come less from the tight tolerances of 0.1 mm, although reaching such a tight statistically defined accuracy in a controlled manner is difficult enough, but from the absence of a common reference plane for the Arcs. Traditional circular accelerators, including HERA and LEP, have been designed in one plane referenced to local gravity. For the SLC Arcs no such single plane exists. Methods and concepts developed to solve these and other problems, connected with themore » unique design of SLC, range from the first use of satellites for accelerator alignment, use of electronic laser theodolites for placement of components, computer control of the manual adjustment process, complete automation of the data flow incorporating the most advanced concepts of geodesy, strict separation of survey and alignment, to linear principal component analysis for the final statistical smoothing of the mechanical components.« less

GPU-accelerated iterative reconstruction for limited-data tomography in CBCT systems.

PubMed

de Molina, Claudia; Serrano, Estefania; Garcia-Blas, Javier; Carretero, Jesus; Desco, Manuel; Abella, Monica

2018-05-15

Standard cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) involves the acquisition of at least 360 projections rotating through 360 degrees. Nevertheless, there are cases in which only a few projections can be taken in a limited angular span, such as during surgery, where rotation of the source-detector pair is limited to less than 180 degrees. Reconstruction of limited data with the conventional method proposed by Feldkamp, Davis and Kress (FDK) results in severe artifacts. Iterative methods may compensate for the lack of data by including additional prior information, although they imply a high computational burden and memory consumption. We present an accelerated implementation of an iterative method for CBCT following the Split Bregman formulation, which reduces computational time through GPU-accelerated kernels. The implementation enables the reconstruction of large volumes (>1024 3 pixels) using partitioning strategies in forward- and back-projection operations. We evaluated the algorithm on small-animal data for different scenarios with different numbers of projections, angular span, and projection size. Reconstruction time varied linearly with the number of projections and quadratically with projection size but remained almost unchanged with angular span. Forward- and back-projection operations represent 60% of the total computational burden. Efficient implementation using parallel processing and large-memory management strategies together with GPU kernels enables the use of advanced reconstruction approaches which are needed in limited-data scenarios. Our GPU implementation showed a significant time reduction (up to 48 ×) compared to a CPU-only implementation, resulting in a total reconstruction time from several hours to few minutes.

Studies on Muon Induction Acceleration and an Objective Lens Design for Transmission Muon Microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Artikova, Sayyora; Yoshida, Mitsuhiro; Naito, Fujio

Muon acceleration will be accomplished by a set of induction cells, where each increases the energy of the muon beam by an increment of up to 30 kV. The cells are arranged in a linear way resulting in total accelerating voltage of 300 kV. Acceleration time in the linac is about hundred nanoseconds. Induction field calculation is based on an electrostatic approximation. Beam dynamics in the induction accelerator is investigated and final beam focusing on specimen is realized by designing a pole piece lens.

AN EVALUATION OF SAMPLE DISPERSION MEDIAS USED WITH ACCELERATED SOLVENT EXTRACTION FOR THE EXTRACTION AND RECOVERY OF ARSENICALS FROM LFB AND DORM-2

EPA Science Inventory

An accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) device was evaluated as a semi-automated means for extracting arsenicals from quality control (QC) samples and DORM-2 [standard reference material (SRM)]. Unlike conventional extraction procedures, the ASE requires that the sample be dispe...

Foil Bearing Starting Considerations and Requirements for Rotorcraft Engine Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Radil, Kevin C.; DellaCorte, Christopher

2009-01-01

Foil gas bearings under development for rotorcraft-sized, hot core engine applications have been susceptible to damage from the slow acceleration and rates typically encountered during the pre-ignition stage in conventional engines. Recent laboratory failures have been assumed to be directly linked to operating foil bearings below their lift-off speed while following conventional startup procedures for the engines. In each instance, the continuous sliding contact between the foils and shaft was believed to thermally overload the bearing and cause the engines to fail. These failures highlight the need to characterize required acceleration rates and minimum operating speeds for these applications. In this report, startup experiments were conducted with a large, rotorcraft engine sized foil bearing under moderate load and acceleration rates to identify the proper start procedures needed to avoid bearing failure. The results showed that a bearing under a 39.4 kPa static load can withstand a modest acceleration rate of 500 rpm/s and excessive loitering below the bearing lift-off speed provided an adequate solid lubricant is present.

Measuring Gravitation Using Polarization Spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Matsko, Andrey; Yu, Nan; Maleki, Lute

2004-01-01

A proposed method of measuring gravitational acceleration would involve the application of polarization spectroscopy to an ultracold, vertically moving cloud of atoms (an atomic fountain). A related proposed method involving measurements of absorption of light pulses like those used in conventional atomic interferometry would yield an estimate of the number of atoms participating in the interferometric interaction. The basis of the first-mentioned proposed method is that the rotation of polarization of light is affected by the acceleration of atoms along the path of propagation of the light. The rotation of polarization is associated with a phase shift: When an atom moving in a laboratory reference interacts with an electromagnetic wave, the energy levels of the atom are Doppler-shifted, relative to where they would be if the atom were stationary. The Doppler shift gives rise to changes in the detuning of the light from the corresponding atomic transitions. This detuning, in turn, causes the electromagnetic wave to undergo a phase shift that can be measured by conventional means. One would infer the gravitational acceleration and/or the gradient of the gravitational acceleration from the phase measurements.

Design of general apochromatic drift-quadrupole beam lines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindstrøm, C. A.; Adli, E.

2016-07-01

Chromatic errors are normally corrected using sextupoles in regions of large dispersion. In low emittance linear accelerators, use of sextupoles can be challenging. Apochromatic focusing is a lesser-known alternative approach, whereby chromatic errors of Twiss parameters are corrected without the use of sextupoles, and has consequently been subject to renewed interest in advanced linear accelerator research. Proof of principle designs were first established by Montague and Ruggiero and developed more recently by Balandin et al. We describe a general method for designing drift-quadrupole beam lines of arbitrary order in apochromatic correction, including analytic expressions for emittance growth and other merit functions. Worked examples are shown for plasma wakefield accelerator staging optics and for a simple final focus system.

Short-range wakefields generated in the blowout regime of plasma-wakefield acceleration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stupakov, G.

2018-04-01

In the past, calculation of wakefields generated by an electron bunch propagating in a plasma has been carried out in linear approximation, where the plasma perturbation can be assumed small and plasma equations of motion linearized. This approximation breaks down in the blowout regime where a high-density electron driver expels plasma electrons from its path and creates a cavity void of electrons in its wake. In this paper, we develop a technique that allows us to calculate short-range longitudinal and transverse wakes generated by a witness bunch being accelerated inside the cavity. Our results can be used for studies of the beam loading and the hosing instability of the witness bunch in plasma-wakefield and laser-wakefield acceleration.

USLCSG Task Force

Science.gov Websites

Unites States Linear Collider Steering Group dot dot dot dot What's New! June 2003 Meeting Welcome to the USLCSG Task Force at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center [Enter] dot dot SLAC Page Owners

Creation of high-energy electron tails by means of the modified two-stream instability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tanaka, M.; Papadopoulos, K.

1983-01-01

Particle simulations of the modified two-stream instability demonstrate strong electron acceleration rather than bulk heating when the relative drift speed is below a critical speed Vc. A very interesting nonlinear mode transition and autoresonance acceleration process is observed which accelerates the electrons much above the phase speed of the linearly unstable modes. Simple criteria are presented that predict the value of Vc and the number density of the accelerated electrons.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dahl, P.F.

This year, 1992, marks the 65th anniversary of the publication of Rolf Wideroe`s doctoral dissertation. In it, he described not only the operating principles of the betatron, but also a working model of the first linear accelerator, constructed according to his own design. The latter, a resonance accelerator, gave Ernest Lawrence the idea for his cyclotron. Since Wideroe and his accelerator initiatives may not be very familiar to today`s accelerator physicists, the following is a brief recapitulation of the man and his work.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dahl, P.F.

This year, 1992, marks the 65th anniversary of the publication of Rolf Wideroe's doctoral dissertation. In it, he described not only the operating principles of the betatron, but also a working model of the first linear accelerator, constructed according to his own design. The latter, a resonance accelerator, gave Ernest Lawrence the idea for his cyclotron. Since Wideroe and his accelerator initiatives may not be very familiar to today's accelerator physicists, the following is a brief recapitulation of the man and his work.

Relating Time-Dependent Acceleration and Height Using an Elevator

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kinser, Jason M.

2015-01-01

A simple experiment in relating a time-dependent linear acceleration function to height is explored through the use of a smartphone and an elevator. Given acceleration as a function of time, a(t), the velocity function and position functions are determined through integration as in v(t)=? a(t) dt (1) and x(t)=? v(t) dt. Mobile devices such as…

Minimum time acceleration of aircraft turbofan engines by using an algorithm based on nonlinear programming

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Teren, F.

1977-01-01

Minimum time accelerations of aircraft turbofan engines are presented. The calculation of these accelerations was made by using a piecewise linear engine model, and an algorithm based on nonlinear programming. Use of this model and algorithm allows such trajectories to be readily calculated on a digital computer with a minimal expenditure of computer time.

Acceleration and torque feedback for robotic control - Experimental results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mclnroy, John E.; Saridis, George N.

1990-01-01

Gross motion control of robotic manipulators typically requires significant on-line computations to compensate for nonlinear dynamics due to gravity, Coriolis, centripetal, and friction nonlinearities. One controller proposed by Luo and Saridis avoids these computations by feeding back joint acceleration and torque. This study implements the controller on a Puma 600 robotic manipulator. Joint acceleration measurement is obtained by measuring linear accelerations of each joint, and deriving a computationally efficient transformation from the linear measurements to the angular accelerations. Torque feedback is obtained by using the previous torque sent to the joints. The implementation has stability problems on the Puma 600 due to the extremely high gains inherent in the feedback structure. Since these high gains excite frequency modes in the Puma 600, the algorithm is modified to decrease the gain inherent in the feedback structure. The resulting compensator is stable and insensitive to high frequency unmodeled dynamics. Moreover, a second compensator is proposed which uses acceleration and torque feedback, but still allows nonlinear terms to be fed forward. Thus, by feeding the increment in the easily calculated gravity terms forward, improved responses are obtained. Both proposed compensators are implemented, and the real time results are compared to those obtained with the computed torque algorithm.

Source-to-accelerator quadrupole matching section for a compact linear accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seidl, P. A.; Persaud, A.; Ghiorso, W.; Ji, Q.; Waldron, W. L.; Lal, A.; Vinayakumar, K. B.; Schenkel, T.

2018-05-01

Recently, we presented a new approach for a compact radio-frequency (RF) accelerator structure and demonstrated the functionality of the individual components: acceleration units and focusing elements. In this paper, we combine these units to form a working accelerator structure: a matching section between the ion source extraction grids and the RF-acceleration unit and electrostatic focusing quadrupoles between successive acceleration units. The matching section consists of six electrostatic quadrupoles (ESQs) fabricated using 3D-printing techniques. The matching section enables us to capture more beam current and to match the beam envelope to conditions for stable transport in an acceleration lattice. We present data from an integrated accelerator consisting of the source, matching section, and an ESQ doublet sandwiched between two RF-acceleration units.

Integration and Interoperability of Special Operations Forces and Conventional Forces in Irregular Warfare

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-06-12

Phasing Model ......................................................................................................9 Figure 2. The Continuum of...the communist periphery. In a high-intensity conflict, doctrine at the time called for conventional forces to fight the traditional, linear fight...operations and proximity of cross component forces in a non- linear battlespace – Rigid business rules, translator applications, or manual workarounds to

Development of high intensity linear accelerator for heavy ion inertial fusion driver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Liang; Hattori, Toshiyuki; Hayashizaki, Noriyosu; Ishibashi, Takuya; Okamura, Masahiro; Kashiwagi, Hirotsugu; Takeuchi, Takeshi; Zhao, Hongwei; He, Yuan

2013-11-01

In order to verify the direct plasma injection scheme (DPIS), an acceleration test was carried out in 2001 using a radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) heavy ion linear accelerator (linac) and a CO2-laser ion source (LIS) (Okamura et al., 2002) [1]. The accelerated carbon beam was observed successfully and the obtained current was 9.22 mA for C4+. To confirm the capability of the DPIS, we succeeded in accelerating 60 mA carbon ions with the DPIS in 2004 (Okamura et al., 2004; Kashiwagi and Hattori, 2004) [2,3]. We have studied a multi-beam type RFQ with an interdigital-H (IH) cavity that has a power-efficient structure in the low energy region. We designed and manufactured a two-beam type RFQ linac as a prototype for the multi-beam type linac; the beam acceleration test of carbon beams showed that it successfully accelerated from 5 keV/u up to 60 keV/u with an output current of 108 mA (2×54 mA/channel) (Ishibashi et al., 2011) [4]. We believe that the acceleration techniques of DPIS and the multi-beam type IH-RFQ linac are technical breakthroughs for heavy-ion inertial confinement fusion (HIF). The conceptual design of the RF linac with these techniques for HIF is studied. New accelerator-systems using these techniques for the HIF basic experiment are being designed to accelerate 400 mA carbon ions using four-beam type IH-RFQ linacs with DPIS. A model with a four-beam acceleration cavity was designed and manufactured to establish the proof of principle (PoP) of the accelerator.

On the Impact of a Quadratic Acceleration Term in the Analysis of Position Time Series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bogusz, Janusz; Klos, Anna; Bos, Machiel Simon; Hunegnaw, Addisu; Teferle, Felix Norman

2016-04-01

The analysis of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position time series generally assumes that each of the coordinate component series is described by the sum of a linear rate (velocity) and various periodic terms. The residuals, the deviations between the fitted model and the observations, are then a measure of the epoch-to-epoch scatter and have been used for the analysis of the stochastic character (noise) of the time series. Often the parameters of interest in GNSS position time series are the velocities and their associated uncertainties, which have to be determined with the highest reliability. It is clear that not all GNSS position time series follow this simple linear behaviour. Therefore, we have added an acceleration term in the form of a quadratic polynomial function to the model in order to better describe the non-linear motion in the position time series. This non-linear motion could be a response to purely geophysical processes, for example, elastic rebound of the Earth's crust due to ice mass loss in Greenland, artefacts due to deficiencies in bias mitigation models, for example, of the GNSS satellite and receiver antenna phase centres, or any combination thereof. In this study we have simulated 20 time series with different stochastic characteristics such as white, flicker or random walk noise of length of 23 years. The noise amplitude was assumed at 1 mm/y-/4. Then, we added the deterministic part consisting of a linear trend of 20 mm/y (that represents the averaged horizontal velocity) and accelerations ranging from minus 0.6 to plus 0.6 mm/y2. For all these data we estimated the noise parameters with Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) using the Hector software package without taken into account the non-linear term. In this way we set the benchmark to then investigate how the noise properties and velocity uncertainty may be affected by any un-modelled, non-linear term. The velocities and their uncertainties versus the accelerations for different types of noise are determined. Furthermore, we have selected 40 globally distributed stations that have a clear non-linear behaviour from two different International GNSS Service (IGS) analysis centers: JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) and BLT (British Isles continuous GNSS Facility and University of Luxembourg Tide Gauge Benchmark Monitoring (TIGA) Analysis Center). We obtained maximum accelerations of -1.8±1.2 mm2/y and -4.5±3.3 mm2/y for the horizontal and vertical components, respectively. The noise analysis tests have shown that the addition of the non-linear term has significantly whitened the power spectra of the position time series, i.e. shifted the spectral index from flicker towards white noise.

Pre-trial quality assurance processes for an intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) trial: PARSPORT, a UK multicentre Phase III trial comparing conventional radiotherapy and parotid-sparing IMRT for locally advanced head and neck cancer.

PubMed

Clark, C H; Miles, E A; Urbano, M T Guerrero; Bhide, S A; Bidmead, A M; Harrington, K J; Nutting, C M

2009-07-01

The purpose of this study was to compare conventional radiotherapy with parotid gland-sparing intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) using the PARSPORT trial. The validity of such a trial depends on the radiotherapy planning and delivery meeting a defined standard across all centres. At the outset, many of the centres had little or no experience of delivering IMRT; therefore, quality assurance processes were devised to ensure consistency and standardisation of all processes for comparison within the trial. The pre-trial quality assurance (QA) programme and results are described. Each centre undertook exercises in target volume definition and treatment planning, completed a resource questionnaire and produced a process document. Additionally, the QA team visited each participating centre. Each exercise had to be accepted before patients could be recruited into the trial. 10 centres successfully completed the quality assurance exercises. A range of treatment planning systems, linear accelerators and delivery methods were used for the planning exercises, and all the plans created reached the standard required for participation in this multicentre trial. All 10 participating centres achieved implementation of a comprehensive and robust IMRT programme for treatment of head and neck cancer.

Breast conserving treatment for breast cancer: dosimetric comparison of sequential versus simultaneous integrated photon boost.

PubMed

Van Parijs, Hilde; Reynders, Truus; Heuninckx, Karina; Verellen, Dirk; Storme, Guy; De Ridder, Mark

2014-01-01

Breast conserving surgery followed by whole breast irradiation is widely accepted as standard of care for early breast cancer. Addition of a boost dose to the initial tumor area further reduces local recurrences. We investigated the dosimetric benefits of a simultaneously integrated boost (SIB) compared to a sequential boost to hypofractionate the boost volume, while maintaining normofractionation on the breast. For 10 patients 4 treatment plans were deployed, 1 with a sequential photon boost, and 3 with different SIB techniques: on a conventional linear accelerator, helical TomoTherapy, and static TomoDirect. Dosimetric comparison was performed. PTV-coverage was good in all techniques. Conformity was better with all SIB techniques compared to sequential boost (P = 0.0001). There was less dose spilling to the ipsilateral breast outside the PTVboost (P = 0.04). The dose to the organs at risk (OAR) was not influenced by SIB compared to sequential boost. Helical TomoTherapy showed a higher mean dose to the contralateral breast, but less than 5 Gy for each patient. SIB showed less dose spilling within the breast and equal dose to OAR compared to sequential boost. Both helical TomoTherapy and the conventional technique delivered acceptable dosimetry. SIB seems a safe alternative and can be implemented in clinical routine.

Breast Conserving Treatment for Breast Cancer: Dosimetric Comparison of Sequential versus Simultaneous Integrated Photon Boost

PubMed Central

Reynders, Truus; Heuninckx, Karina; Verellen, Dirk; Storme, Guy; De Ridder, Mark

2014-01-01

Background. Breast conserving surgery followed by whole breast irradiation is widely accepted as standard of care for early breast cancer. Addition of a boost dose to the initial tumor area further reduces local recurrences. We investigated the dosimetric benefits of a simultaneously integrated boost (SIB) compared to a sequential boost to hypofractionate the boost volume, while maintaining normofractionation on the breast. Methods. For 10 patients 4 treatment plans were deployed, 1 with a sequential photon boost, and 3 with different SIB techniques: on a conventional linear accelerator, helical TomoTherapy, and static TomoDirect. Dosimetric comparison was performed. Results. PTV-coverage was good in all techniques. Conformity was better with all SIB techniques compared to sequential boost (P = 0.0001). There was less dose spilling to the ipsilateral breast outside the PTVboost (P = 0.04). The dose to the organs at risk (OAR) was not influenced by SIB compared to sequential boost. Helical TomoTherapy showed a higher mean dose to the contralateral breast, but less than 5 Gy for each patient. Conclusions. SIB showed less dose spilling within the breast and equal dose to OAR compared to sequential boost. Both helical TomoTherapy and the conventional technique delivered acceptable dosimetry. SIB seems a safe alternative and can be implemented in clinical routine. PMID:25162031

Overview of Accelerators with Potential Use in Homeland Security

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garnett, Robert W.

Quite a broad range of accelerators have been applied to solving many of the challenging problems related to homeland security and defense. These accelerator systems range from relatively small, simple, and compact, to large and complex, based on the specific application requirements. They have been used or proposed as sources of primary and secondary probe beams for applications such as radiography and to induce specific reactions that are key signatures for detecting conventional explosives or fissile material. A brief overview and description of these accelerator systems, their specifications, and application will be presented. Some recent technology trends will also be discussed.

Electric field stimulated growth of Zn whiskers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niraula, D.; McCulloch, J.; Warrell, G. R.; Irving, R.; Karpov, V. G.; Shvydka, Diana

2016-07-01

We have investigated the impact of strong (˜104 V/cm) electric fields on the development of Zn whiskers. The original samples, with considerable whisker infestation were cut from Zn-coated steel floors and then exposed to electric fields stresses for 10-20 hours at room temperature. We used various electric field sources, from charges accumulated in samples irradiated by: (1) the electron beam of a scanning electron microscope (SEM), (2) the electron beam of a medical linear accelerator, and (3) the ion beam of a linear accelerator; we also used (4) the electric field produced by a Van der Graaf generator. In all cases, the exposed samples exhibited a considerable (tens of percent) increase in whiskers concentration compared to the control sample. The acceleration factor defined as the ratio of the measured whisker growth rate over that in zero field, was estimated to approach several hundred. The statistics of lengths of e-beam induced whiskers was found to follow the log-normal distribution known previously for metal whiskers. The observed accelerated whisker growth is attributed to electrostatic effects. These results offer promise for establishing whisker-related accelerated life testing protocols.

Suppressing beam-centroid motion in a long-pulse linear induction accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ekdahl, Carl; Abeyta, E. O.; Archuleta, R.; Bender, H.; Broste, W.; Carlson, C.; Cook, G.; Frayer, D.; Harrison, J.; Hughes, T.; Johnson, J.; Jacquez, E.; McCuistian, B. Trent; Montoya, N.; Nath, S.; Nielsen, K.; Rose, C.; Schulze, M.; Smith, H. V.; Thoma, C.; Tom, C. Y.

2011-12-01

The second axis of the dual-axis radiography of hydrodynamic testing (DARHT) facility produces up to four radiographs within an interval of 1.6μs. It does this by slicing four micropulses out of a 2-μs long electron beam pulse and focusing them onto a bremsstrahlung converter target. The 1.8-kA beam pulse is created by a dispenser cathode diode and accelerated to more than 16 MeV by the unique DARHT Axis-II linear induction accelerator (LIA). Beam motion in the accelerator would be a problem for multipulse flash radiography. High-frequency motion, such as from beam-breakup (BBU) instability, would blur the individual spots. Low-frequency motion, such as produced by pulsed-power variation, would produce spot-to-spot differences. In this article, we describe these sources of beam motion, and the measures we have taken to minimize it. Using the methods discussed, we have reduced beam motion at the accelerator exit to less than 2% of the beam envelope radius for the high-frequency BBU, and less than 1/3 of the envelope radius for the low-frequency sweep.

Skyshine radiation resulting from 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams from a medical accelerator.

PubMed

Elder, Deirdre H; Harmon, Joseph F; Borak, Thomas B

2010-07-01

Skyshine radiation scattered in the atmosphere above a radiation therapy accelerator facility can result in measurable dose rates at locations near the facility on the ground and at roof level. A Reuter Stokes RSS-120 pressurized ion chamber was used to measure exposure rates in the vicinity of a Varian Trilogy Linear Accelerator at the Colorado State University Veterinary Medical Center. The linear accelerator was used to deliver bremsstrahlung photons from 6 MeV and 10 MeV electron beams with several combinations of field sizes and gantry angles. An equation for modeling skyshine radiation in the vicinity of medical accelerators was published by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements in 2005. However, this model did not provide a good fit to the observed dose rates at ground level or on the roof. A more accurate method of estimating skyshine may be to measure the exposure rate of the radiation exiting the roof of the facility and to scale the results using the graphs presented in this paper.

Perception of tilt (somatogravic illusion) in response to sustained linear acceleration during space flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clement, G.; Moore, S. T.; Raphan, T.; Cohen, B.

2001-01-01

During the 1998 Neurolab mission (STS-90), four astronauts were exposed to interaural and head vertical (dorsoventral) linear accelerations of 0.5 g and 1 g during constant velocity rotation on a centrifuge, both on Earth and during orbital space flight. Subjects were oriented either left-ear-out or right-ear-out (Gy centrifugation), or lay supine along the centrifuge arm with their head off-axis (Gz centrifugation). Pre-flight centrifugation, producing linear accelerations of 0.5 g and 1 g along the Gy (interaural) axis, induced illusions of roll-tilt of 20 degrees and 34 degrees for gravito-inertial acceleration (GIA) vector tilts of 27 degrees and 45 degrees , respectively. Pre-flight 0.5 g and 1 g Gz (head dorsoventral) centrifugation generated perceptions of backward pitch of 5 degrees and 15 degrees , respectively. In the absence of gravity during space flight, the same centrifugation generated a GIA that was equivalent to the centripetal acceleration and aligned with the Gy or Gz axes. Perception of tilt was underestimated relative to this new GIA orientation during early in-flight Gy centrifugation, but was close to the GIA after 16 days in orbit, when subjects reported that they felt as if they were 'lying on side'. During the course of the mission, inflight roll-tilt perception during Gy centrifugation increased from 45 degrees to 83 degrees at 1 g and from 42 degrees to 48 degrees at 0.5 g. Subjects felt 'upside-down' during in-flight Gz centrifugation from the first in-flight test session, which reflected the new GIA orientation along the head dorsoventral axis. The different levels of in-flight tilt perception during 0.5 g and 1 g Gy centrifugation suggests that other non-vestibular inputs, including an internal estimate of the body vertical and somatic sensation, were utilized in generating tilt perception. Interpretation of data by a weighted sum of body vertical and somatic vectors, with an estimate of the GIA from the otoliths, suggests that perception weights the sense of the body vertical more heavily early in-flight, that this weighting falls during adaptation to microgravity, and that the decreased reliance on the body vertical persists early post-flight, generating an exaggerated sense of tilt. Since graviceptors respond to linear acceleration and not to head tilt in orbit, it has been proposed that adaptation to weightlessness entails reinterpretation of otolith activity, causing tilt to be perceived as translation. Since linear acceleration during in-flight centrifugation was always perceived as tilt, not translation, the findings do not support this hypothesis.

Broadband linearisation of high-efficiency power amplifiers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kenington, Peter B.; Parsons, Kieran J.; Bennett, David W.

1993-01-01

A feedforward-based amplifier linearization technique is presented which is capable of yielding significant improvements in both linearity and power efficiency over conventional amplifier classes (e.g. class-A or class-AB). Theoretical and practical results are presented showing that class-C stages may be used for both the main and error amplifiers yielding practical efficiencies well in excess of 30 percent, with theoretical efficiencies of much greater than 40 percent being possible. The levels of linearity which may be achieved are required for most satellite systems, however if greater linearity is required, the technique may be used in addition to conventional pre-distortion techniques.

A TE-mode accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeuchi, S.; Sakai, K.; Matsumoto, M.; Sugihara, R.

1987-04-01

An accelerator is proposed in which a TE-mode wave is used to drive charged particles in contrast to the usual linear accelerators in which longitudinal electric fields or TM-mode waves are supposed to be utilized. The principle of the acceleration is based on the V(p) x B acceleration of a dynamo force acceleration, in which a charged particle trapped in a transverse wave feels a constant electric field (Faraday induction field) and subsequently is accelerated when an appropriate magnetic field is externally applied in the direction perpendicular to the wave propagation. A pair of dielectric plates is used to produce a slow TE mode. The conditions of the particle trapping the stabilization of the particle orbit are discussed.

Design and analysis of fractional order seismic transducer for displacement and acceleration measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veeraian, Parthasarathi; Gandhi, Uma; Mangalanathan, Umapathy

2018-04-01

Seismic transducers are widely used for measurement of displacement, velocity, and acceleration. This paper presents the design of seismic transducer in the fractional domain for the measurement of displacement and acceleration. The fractional order transfer function for seismic displacement and acceleration transducer are derived using Grünwald-Letnikov derivative. Frequency response analysis of fractional order seismic displacement transducer (FOSDT) and fractional order seismic acceleration transducer (FOSAT) are carried out for different damping ratio with the different fractional order, and the maximum dynamic measurement range is identified. The results demonstrate that fractional order seismic transducer has increased dynamic measurement range and less phase distortion as compared to the conventional seismic transducer even with a lower damping ratio. Time response of FOSDT and FOSAT are derived analytically in terms of Mittag-Leffler function, the effect of fractional behavior in the time domain is evaluated from the impulse and step response. The fractional order system is found to have significantly reduced overshoot as compared to the conventional transducer. The fractional order seismic transducer design proposed in this paper is illustrated with a design example for FOSDT and FOSAT. Finally, an electrical equivalent of FOSDT and FOSAT is considered, and its frequency response is found to be in close agreement with the proposed fractional order seismic transducer.

Zeroth-order design report for the next linear collider. Volume 2

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Raubenheimer, T.O.

This Zeroth-Order Design Report (ZDR) for the Next Linear Collider (NLC) has been completed as a feasibility study for a TeV-scale linear collider that incorporates a room-temperature accelerator powered by rf microwaves at 11.424 GHz--similar to that presently used in the SLC, but at four times the rf frequency. The purpose of this study is to examine the complete systems of such a collider, to understand how the parts fit together, and to make certain that every required piece has been included. The ``design`` presented here is not fully engineered in any sense, but to be assured that the NLCmore » can be built, attention has been given to a number of critical components and issues that present special challenges. More engineering and development of a number of mechanical and electrical systems remain to be done, but the conclusion of this study is that indeed the NLC is technically feasible and can be expected to reach the performance levels required to perform research at the TeV energy scale. Volume II covers the following: collimation systems; IP switch and big bend; final focus; the interaction region; multiple bunch issues; control systems; instrumentation; machine protection systems; NLC reliability considerations; NLC conventional facilities. Also included are four appendices on the following topics: An RF power source upgrade to the NLC; a second interaction region for gamma-gamma, gamma-electron; ground motion: theory and measurement; and beam-based feedback: theory and implementation.« less

Comparison of linear measurements between CBCT orthogonally synthesized cephalograms and conventional cephalograms

PubMed Central

Yang, S; Liu, D G

2014-01-01

Objectives: The purposes of the study are to investigate the consistency of linear measurements between CBCT orthogonally synthesized cephalograms and conventional cephalograms and to evaluate the influence of different magnifications on these comparisons based on a simulation algorithm. Methods: Conventional cephalograms and CBCT scans were taken on 12 dry skulls with spherical metal markers. Orthogonally synthesized cephalograms were created from CBCT data. Linear parameters on both cephalograms were measured via Photoshop CS v. 5.0 (Adobe® Systems, San Jose, CA), named measurement group (MG). Bland–Altman analysis was utilized to assess the agreement of two imaging modalities. Reproducibility was investigated using paired t-test. By a specific mathematical programme “cepha”, corresponding linear parameters [mandibular corpus length (Go-Me), mandibular ramus length (Co-Go), posterior facial height (Go-S)] on these two types of cephalograms were calculated, named simulation group (SG). Bland–Altman analysis was used to assess the agreement between MG and SG. Simulated linear measurements with varying magnifications were generated based on “cepha” as well. Bland–Altman analysis was used to assess the agreement of simulated measurements between two modalities. Results: Bland–Altman analysis suggested the agreement between measurements on conventional cephalograms and orthogonally synthesized cephalograms, with a mean bias of 0.47 mm. Comparison between MG and SG showed that the difference did not reach clinical significance. The consistency between simulated measurements of both modalities with four different magnifications was demonstrated. Conclusions: Normative data of conventional cephalograms could be used for CBCT orthogonally synthesized cephalograms during this transitional period. PMID:25029593

Relativistic klystron driven compact high gradient accelerator as an injector to an X-ray synchrotron radiation ring

DOEpatents

Yu, David U. L.

1990-01-01

A compact high gradient accelerator driven by a relativistic klystron is utilized to inject high energy electrons into an X-ray synchrotron radiation ring. The high gradients provided by the relativistic klystron enables accelerator structure to be much shorter (typically 3 meters) than conventional injectors. This in turn enables manufacturers which utilize high energy, high intensity X-rays to produce various devices, such as computer chips, to do so on a cost effective basis.

X-ray Laser Animated Fly-Through

ScienceCinema

None

2018-01-16

Take a tour with an electron's-eye-view through SLAC's revolutionary new X-ray laser facility with this 5 1/2 minute animation. See how the X-ray pulses are generated using the world's longest linear accelerator along with unique arrays of machinery specially designed for this one-of-a-kind tool. For more than 40 years, SLAC's two-mile-long linear accelerator (or linac) linac has produced high-energy electrons for cutting-edge physics experiments. Now, SLAC's linac has entered a new phase of its career with the creation of the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS).

ACCELERATORS: Preliminary application of turn-by-turn data analysis to the SSRF storage ring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jian-Hui; Zhao, Zhen-Tang

2009-07-01

There is growing interest in utilizing the beam position monitor turn-by-turn (TBT) data to debug accelerators. TBT data can be used to determine the linear optics, coupled optics and nonlinear behaviors of the storage ring lattice. This is not only a useful complement to other methods of determining the linear optics such as LOCO, but also provides a possibility to uncover more hidden phenomena. In this paper, a preliminary application of a β function measurement to the SSRF storage ring is presented.

Failure of metoclopramide to control emesis or nausea due to stressful angular or linear acceleration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kohl, Randall Lee

1987-01-01

Orally administered metoclopramide (REGLAN) at doses of 10 or 20 mg, 75 min prior to either stressful linear acceleration (parabolic flight) or cross-coupled accelerative semicircular canal stimulation in a rotating chair was evaluated for its ability to prevent emesis or nausea II, respectively. Although metoclopramide is an effective antiemetic agent that enhances gastric emptying and prevents cancer chemotherapy-induced emesis, it was not possible to demonstrate any significant (p less than 0.05) effects of this drug on motion sickness.

Microphysics of Waves and Instabilities in the Solar Wind and their Macro Manifestations in the Corona and Interplanetary Space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Habbal, Shadia R.; Gurman, Joseph (Technical Monitor)

2003-01-01

Investigations of the physical processes responsible for the acceleration of the solar wind were pursued with the development of two new solar wind codes: a hybrid code and a 2-D MHD code. Hybrid simulations were performed to investigate the interaction between ions and parallel propagating low frequency ion cyclotron waves in a homogeneous plasma. In a low-beta plasma such as the solar wind plasma in the inner corona, the proton thermal speed is much smaller than the Alfven speed. Vlasov linear theory predicts that protons are not in resonance with low frequency ion cyclotron waves. However, non-linear effect makes it possible that these waves can strongly heat and accelerate protons. This study has important implications for study of the corona and the solar wind. Low frequency ion cyclotron waves or Alfven waves are commonly observed in the solar wind. Until now, it is believed that these waves are not able to heat the solar wind plasma unless some cascading processes transfer the energy of these waves to high frequency part. However, this study shows that these waves may directly heat and accelerate protons non-linearly. This process may play an important role in the coronal heating and the solar wind acceleration, at least in some parameter space.

Analysis of head impacts during sub-elite hurling practice sessions.

PubMed

O'Sullivan, D; Roe, M; Blake, C

2018-06-01

The reported incidence of head and neck injuries in hurling is 0.12 per 1000 hours, but no previous research has quantified head impact characteristics in this sport. Here, a wireless accelerometer and gyroscope captured head impacts, in 20 senior club level hurling players. Peak linear and rotational acceleration and impact location were recorded during three hurling training sessions, each player participating once. A mean of 27.9 impacts (linear acceleration >10g) per player, per session were recorded; 1314 impacts during a total exposure time of 247 minutes. Only 2.6% impacts had peak linear acceleration of >70g and 6.2% had peak rotational acceleration >7900 rad/s 2 . There were significant differences in the number and magnitude of impacts, quantified by the accelerometer, between three training sessions of differing intensity (ŋ2 0.03-0.09, p < 0.001). This study represents a first step in quantifying head impacts during hurling, demonstrating the feasibility of this technology in the field. The sensors were able to discriminate between sessions of varying intensity. These data can be used to develop athlete monitoring protocols and may be useful in developing innovative helmet-testing standards for hurling. The potential for this technology to provide feedback has clinical utility for team medical personnel.

An Exact Solution to the Draining Reservoir Problem of the Incompressible and Non-Viscous Liquid

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hong, Seok-In

2009-01-01

The exact expressions for the drain time and the height, velocity and acceleration of the free surface are found for the draining reservoir problem of the incompressible and non-viscous liquid. Contrary to the conventional approximate results, they correctly describe the initial time dependence of the liquid velocity and acceleration. Torricelli's…

School Restructuring: A Study of the Role of Parents in Selected Accelerated Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davidson, Betty M.

This paper presents findings of a study that examined the change process involved when four elementary schools implemented the accelerated schools model. Specifically, the study focused on transitions in parental roles that occurred when the schools changed from a conventional mode of organization to a participatory mode. The case study data were…

Liquid-phase penetration under unsteady in-cylinder conditions: Soy- and Cuphea-derived biodiesel fuels vs. conventional diesel

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Accelerated dilution of engine-lubrication oil is a significant potential issue when fueling with biodiesel. Biodiesel produced from some feedstocks is less volatile than conventional diesel, which makes wall-impingement of liquid fuel more likely, a problem that could be exacerbated by advanced in...

Design of a control configured tanker aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walker, S. A.

1976-01-01

The benefits that accrue from using control configured vehicle (CCV) concepts were examined along with the techniques for applying these concepts to an advanced tanker aircraft design. Reduced static stability (RSS) and flutter mode control (FMC) were the two primary CCV concepts used in the design. The CCV tanker was designed to the same mission requirements specified for a conventional tanker design. A seven degree of freedom mathematical model of the flexible aircraft was derived and used to synthesize a lateral stability augmentation system (SAS), a longitudinal control augmentation system (CAS), and a FMC system. Fatigue life and cost analyses followed the control system synthesis, after which a comparative evaluation of the CCV and conventional tankers was made. This comparison indicated that the CCV weight and cost were lower but that, for this design iteration, the CCV fatigue life was shorter. Also, the CCV crew station acceleration was lower, but the acceleration at the boom operator station was higher relative to the corresponding conventional tanker. Comparison of the design processes used in the CCV and conventional design studies revealed that they were basically the same.

Acceleration of the direct reconstruction of linear parametric images using nested algorithms.

PubMed

Wang, Guobao; Qi, Jinyi

2010-03-07

Parametric imaging using dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) provides important information for biological research and clinical diagnosis. Indirect and direct methods have been developed for reconstructing linear parametric images from dynamic PET data. Indirect methods are relatively simple and easy to implement because the image reconstruction and kinetic modeling are performed in two separate steps. Direct methods estimate parametric images directly from raw PET data and are statistically more efficient. However, the convergence rate of direct algorithms can be slow due to the coupling between the reconstruction and kinetic modeling. Here we present two fast gradient-type algorithms for direct reconstruction of linear parametric images. The new algorithms decouple the reconstruction and linear parametric modeling at each iteration by employing the principle of optimization transfer. Convergence speed is accelerated by running more sub-iterations of linear parametric estimation because the computation cost of the linear parametric modeling is much less than that of the image reconstruction. Computer simulation studies demonstrated that the new algorithms converge much faster than the traditional expectation maximization (EM) and the preconditioned conjugate gradient algorithms for dynamic PET.

SU-E-T-354: Efficient and Enhanced QA Testing of Linear Accelerators Using a Real-Time Beam Monitor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jung, J; Farrokhkish, M; Norrlinger, B

2015-06-15

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of performing routine QA tests of linear accelerators (Linac) using the Integral Quality Monitoring (IQM) system. The system, consisting of a 1-D sensitivity gradient large area ion-chamber mounted at the collimator, allows automatic collection and analysis of beam data. Methods: The IQM was investigated to perform several QA constancy tests, similar to those recommended by AAPM TG142, of a Linac including: beam output, MLC calibration, beam symmetry, relative dose factor (RDF), dose linearity, output as a function of gantry angle and dose rate. All measurements by the IQM system accompanied a reference measurement using amore » conventional dosimetry system and were performed on an Elekta Infinity Linac with Agility MLC. The MLC calibration check is done using a Picket-Fence type 2×10cm{sup 2} field positioned at different off-axis locations along the chamber gradient. Beam symmetry constancy values are established by signals from an 4×4cm{sup 2} aperture located at various off-axis positions; the sensitivity of the test was determined by the changes in the signals in response to a tilt in the beam. The data for various square field sizes were used to develop a functional relationship with RDF. Results: The IQM tracked the beam output well within 1% of the reference ion-chamber readings. The Picket-Fence type field test detected a 1mm shift error of one MLC bank. The system was able to detect 2.5% or greater beam asymmetry. The IQM results for all other QA tests were found to agree with the reference values to within 0.5%. Conclusion: It was demonstrated that the IQM system can effectively monitor the Linac performance parameters for the purpose of routine QA constancy tests. With minimum user interactions a comprehensive set of tests can be performed efficiently, allowing frequent monitoring of the Linac. The presenting author’s salary is funded by the manufacturer of the QA device. All the other authors have financial interests with the commercialization of this QA device.« less

Quadrupole Alignment and Trajectory Correction for Future Linear Colliders: SLC Tests of a Dispersion-Free Steering Algorithm

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Assmann, R

2004-06-08

The feasibility of future linear colliders depends on achieving very tight alignment and steering tolerances. All proposals (NLC, JLC, CLIC, TESLA and S-BAND) currently require a total emittance growth in the main linac of less than 30-100% [1]. This should be compared with a 100% emittance growth in the much smaller SLC linac [2]. Major advances in alignment and beam steering techniques beyond those used in the SLC are necessary for the next generation of linear colliders. In this paper, we present an experimental study of quadrupole alignment with a dispersion-free steering algorithm. A closely related method (wakefield-free steering) takesmore » into account wakefield effects [3]. However, this method can not be studied at the SLC. The requirements for future linear colliders lead to new and unconventional ideas about alignment and beam steering. For example, no dipole correctors are foreseen for the standard trajectory correction in the NLC [4]; beam steering will be done by moving the quadrupole positions with magnet movers. This illustrates the close symbiosis between alignment, beam steering and beam dynamics that will emerge. It is no longer possible to consider the accelerator alignment as static with only a few surveys and realignments per year. The alignment in future linear colliders will be a dynamic process in which the whole linac, with thousands of beam-line elements, is aligned in a few hours or minutes, while the required accuracy of about 5 pm for the NLC quadrupole alignment [4] is a factor of 20 higher than in existing accelerators. The major task in alignment and steering is the accurate determination of the optimum beam-line position. Ideally one would like all elements to be aligned along a straight line. However, this is not practical. Instead a ''smooth curve'' is acceptable as long as its wavelength is much longer than the betatron wavelength of the accelerated beam. Conventional alignment methods are limited in accuracy by errors in the survey and the fiducials. Beam-based alignment methods ideally only depend upon the BPM resolution and generally provide much better precision. Many of those techniques are described in other contributions to this workshop. In this paper we describe our experiences with a dispersion-free steering algorithm for linacs. This algorithm was first suggested by Raubenheimer and Ruth in 1990 [5]. It h as been studied in simulations for NLC [5], TESLA [6], the S-BAND proposal [7] and CLIC [8]. The dispersion-free steering technique can be applied to the whole linac at once and returns the alignment (or trajectory) that minimizes the dispersive emittance growth of the beam. Thus it allows an extremely fast alignment of the beam-line. As we will show dispersion-free steering is only sensitive to quadrupole misalignments. Wakefield-free steering [3] as mentioned before is a closely related technique that minimizes the emittance growth caused by both dispersion and wakefields. Due to hardware limitations (i.e. insufficient relative range of power supplies) we could not study this method experimentally in the SLC. However, its systematics are very similar to those of dispersion-free steering. The studies of dispersion-free steering which are presented made extensive use of the unique potential of the SLC as the only operating linear collider. We used it to study the performance and problems of advanced beam-based optimization tools in a real beam-line environment and on a large scale. We should mention that the SLC has utilized beam-based alignment for years [9], using the difference of electron and positron trajectories. This method, however, cannot be used in future linear colliders. The goal of our work is to demonstrate the performance of advanced beam-based alignment techniques in linear colliders and to anticipate possible reality-related problems. Those can then be solved in the design state for the next generation of linear colliders.« less

Re-Shielding of Cobalt-60 Teletherapy Rooms for Tomotherapy and Conventional Linear Accelerators using Monte Carlo Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Çeçen, Yiğit; Yazgan, Çağrı

2017-09-01

Purpose. Nearly all Cobalt-60 teletherapy machines were removed around the world during the last two decades. The remaining ones are being used for experimental purposes. However, the rooms of these teletherapy machines are valuable because of lack of space in radiotherapy clinics. In order to place a new technology treatment machine in one of these rooms, one should re-shield the room since it was designed only for 1.25 MeV gamma beams on average. Mostly, the vendor of the new machine constructs the new shielding of the room using their experience. However, every radiotherapy room has different surrounding work areas and it would be wise to shield the room considering these special conditions. Also, the shield design goal of the clinic may be much lower than the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or the local association accepts. The study shows re-shielding of a Cobalt-60 room, specific to the clinic, using Monte Carlo simulations. Materials & Methods: First, a 6 MV Tomotherapy machine, then a 10 MV conventional linear accelerator (LINAC) was placed inside the Cobalt-60 teletherapy room. The photon flux outside the room was simulated using Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP6.1) code before and after re-shielding. For the Tomotherapy simulation, flux distributions around the machine were obtained from the vendor and implemented as the source of the model. The LINAC model was more generic with the 10 MeV electron source, the tungsten target, first and secondary collimators. The aim of the model was to obtain the maximum (40x40 cm2) open field at the isocenter. Two different simulations were carried out for gantry angles 90o and 270o. The LINAC was placed in the room such that the primary walls were A' (Gantry 270o) and C' (Gantry 90o) (figure 1). The second part of the study was to model the re-shielding of the room for Tomotherapy and for the conventional LINAC, separately. The aim was to investigate the recommended shielding by the vendors. Left side of the room was adjacent to a LINAC room with 2 meters thick concrete wall (figure 1). No shielding was necessary for that wall. Behind wall A-A' there was an outdoors forbidden area; behind wall B-B' was the contouring room for the doctors; and the control room was behind wall C-C' (figure 1). After some modifications, the final shielding was designed. Results: The photon flux distributions outside the room before and after the re-shielding were compared. The re-shielding of Tomotherapy reduced the flux down to 1.89 % on average with respect to pre-shielding (table 1). For the conventional LINAC case; after re-shielding, the photon flux in the control room -which corresponds to gantry 90°- decreased down to 0.57% with respect to pre-shielding (table 2). The photon flux behind wall A' -which corresponds to gantry 270°- decreased down to 2.46%. Everybody was all safe behind wall B' even before re-shielding.

Gait event detection using linear accelerometers or angular velocity transducers in able-bodied and spinal-cord injured individuals.

PubMed

Jasiewicz, Jan M; Allum, John H J; Middleton, James W; Barriskill, Andrew; Condie, Peter; Purcell, Brendan; Li, Raymond Che Tin

2006-12-01

We report on three different methods of gait event detection (toe-off and heel strike) using miniature linear accelerometers and angular velocity transducers in comparison to using standard pressure-sensitive foot switches. Detection was performed with normal and spinal-cord injured subjects. The detection of end contact (EC), normally toe-off, and initial contact (IC) normally, heel strike was based on either foot linear accelerations or foot sagittal angular velocity or shank sagittal angular velocity. The results showed that all three methods were as accurate as foot switches in estimating times of IC and EC for normal gait patterns. In spinal-cord injured subjects, shank angular velocity was significantly less accurate (p<0.02). We conclude that detection based on foot linear accelerations or foot angular velocity can correctly identify the timing of IC and EC events in both normal and spinal-cord injured subjects.

HOM-Free Linear Accelerating Structure for e+ e- Linear Collider at C-Band

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kubo, Kiyoshi

2003-07-07

HOM-free linear acceleration structure using the choke mode cavity (damped cavity) is now under design for e{sup +}e{sup -} linear collider project at C-band frequency (5712 MHz). Since this structure shows powerful damping effect on most of all HOMs, there is no multibunch problem due to long range wakefields. The structure will be equipped with the microwave absorbers in each cells and also the in-line dummy load in the last few cells. The straightness tolerance for 1.8 m long structure is closer than 30 {micro}m for 25% emittance dilution limit, which can be achieved by standard machining and braising techniques.more » Since it has good vacuum pumping conductance through annular gaps in each cell, instabilities due to the interaction of beam with the residual-gas and ions can be minimized.« less

Response of semicircular canal dependent units in vestibular nuclei to rotation of a linear acceleration vector without angular acceleration

PubMed Central

Benson, A. J.; Guedry, F. E.; Jones, G. Melvill

1970-01-01

1. Recent experiments have shown that rotation of a linear acceleration vector round the head can generate involuntary ocular nystagmus in the absence of angular acceleration. The present experiments examine the suggestion that adequate stimulation of the semicircular canals may contribute to this response. 2. Decerebrate cats were located in a stereotaxic device on a platform, slung from four parallel cables, which could be driven smoothly round a circular orbit without inducing significant angular movement of the platform. This Parallel Swing Rotation (PSR) generated a centripetal acceleration of 4·4 m/sec2 which rotated round the head at 0·52 rev/sec. 3. The discharge frequency of specifically lateral canal-dependent neural units in the vestibular nuclei of cats was recorded during PSR to right and left, and in the absence of motion. The dynamic responses to purely angular motion were also examined on a servo-driven turntable. 4. Without exception all proven canal-dependent cells examined (twenty-nine cells in nine cats) were more active during PSR in the direction of endolymph circulation assessed to be excitatory to the unit, than during PSR in the opposite direction. 5. The observed changes in discharge frequency are assessed to have been of a magnitude appropriate for the generation of the involuntary oculomotor response induced by the same stimulus in the intact animal. 6. The findings suggest that a linear acceleration vector which rotates in the plane of the lateral semicircular canals can be an adequate stimulus to ampullary receptors, though an explanation which invokes the modulation of canal cells by a signal dependent upon the sequential activation of macular receptors cannot be positively excluded. PMID:5501270

Short-range wakefields generated in the blowout regime of plasma-wakefield acceleration

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stupakov, G.

In the past, calculation of wakefields generated by an electron bunch propagating in a plasma has been carried out in linear approximation, where the plasma perturbation can be assumed small and plasma equations of motion linearized. This approximation breaks down in the blowout regime where a high-density electron driver expels plasma electrons from its path and creates a cavity void of electrons in its wake. Here in this paper, we develop a technique that allows us to calculate short-range longitudinal and transverse wakes generated by a witness bunch being accelerated inside the cavity. Our results can be used for studiesmore » of the beam loading and the hosing instability of the witness bunch in plasma-wakefield and laser-wakefield acceleration.« less

Linear particle accelerator with seal structure between electrodes and insulators

DOEpatents

Broadhurst, John H.

1989-01-01

An electrostatic linear accelerator includes an electrode stack comprised of primary electrodes formed or Kovar and supported by annular glass insulators having the same thermal expansion rate as the electrodes. Each glass insulator is provided with a pair of fused-in Kovar ring inserts which are bonded to the electrodes. Each electrode is designed to define a concavo-convex particle trap so that secondary charged particles generated within the accelerated beam area cannot reach the inner surface of an insulator. Each insulator has a generated inner surface profile which is so configured that the electrical field at this surface contains no significant tangential component. A spark gap trigger assembly is provided, which energizes spark gaps protecting the electrodes affected by over voltage to prevent excessive energy dissipation in the electrode stack.

Short-range wakefields generated in the blowout regime of plasma-wakefield acceleration

DOE PAGES

Stupakov, G.

2018-04-02

In the past, calculation of wakefields generated by an electron bunch propagating in a plasma has been carried out in linear approximation, where the plasma perturbation can be assumed small and plasma equations of motion linearized. This approximation breaks down in the blowout regime where a high-density electron driver expels plasma electrons from its path and creates a cavity void of electrons in its wake. Here in this paper, we develop a technique that allows us to calculate short-range longitudinal and transverse wakes generated by a witness bunch being accelerated inside the cavity. Our results can be used for studiesmore » of the beam loading and the hosing instability of the witness bunch in plasma-wakefield and laser-wakefield acceleration.« less

Beam Size Measurement by Optical Diffraction Radiation and Laser System for Compton Polarimeter (in Chinese)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Chuyu

2012-12-31

Beam diagnostics is an essential constituent of any accelerator, so that it is named as "organs of sense" or "eyes of the accelerator." Beam diagnostics is a rich field. A great variety of physical effects or physical principles are made use of in this field. Some devices are based on electro-magnetic influence by moving charges, such as faraday cups, beam transformers, pick-ups; Some are related to Coulomb interaction of charged particles with matter, such as scintillators, viewing screens, ionization chambers; Nuclear or elementary particle physics interactions happen in some other devices, like beam loss monitors, polarimeters, luminosity monitors; Some measuremore » photons emitted by moving charges, such as transition radiation, synchrotron radiation monitors and diffraction radiation-which is the topic of the first part of this thesis; Also, some make use of interaction of particles with photons, such as laser wire and Compton polarimeters-which is the second part of my thesis. Diagnostics let us perceive what properties a beam has and how it behaves in a machine, give us guideline for commissioning, controlling the machine and indispensable parameters vital to physics experiments. In the next two decades, the research highlight will be colliders (TESLA, CLIC, JLC) and fourth-generation light sources (TESLA FEL, LCLS, Spring 8 FEL) based on linear accelerator. These machines require a new generation of accelerator with smaller beam, better stability and greater efficiency. Compared with those existing linear accelerators, the performance of next generation linear accelerator will be doubled in all aspects, such as 10 times smaller horizontal beam size, more than 10 times smaller vertical beam size and a few or more times higher peak power. Furthermore, some special positions in the accelerator have even more stringent requirements, such as the interaction point of colliders and wigglor of free electron lasers. Higher performance of these accelerators increases the difficulty of diagnostics. For most cases, intercepting measurements are no longer acceptable, and nonintercepting method like synchrotron radiation monitor can not be applied to linear accelerators. The development of accelerator technology asks for simutanous diagnostics innovations, to expand the performance of diagnostic tools to meet the requirements of the next generation accelerators. Diffraction radiation and inverse Compton scattering are two of the most promising techniques, their nonintercepting nature avoids perturbance to the beam and damage to the instrumentation. This thesis is divided into two parts, beam size measurement by optical diffraction radiation and Laser system for Compton polarimeter. Diffraction radiation, produced by the interaction between the electric field of charged particles and the target, is related to transition radiation. Even though the theory of diffraction radiation has been discussed since 1960s, there are only a few experimental studies in recent years. The successful beam size measurement by optical diffraction radiation at CEBAF machine is a milestone: First of all, we have successfully demonstrated diffraction radiation as an effective nonintercepting diagnostics; Secondly, the simple linear relationship between the diffraction radiation image size and the actual beam size improves the reliability of ODR measurements; And, we measured the polarized components of diffraction radiation for the first time and I analyzed the contribution from edge radiation to diffraction radiation.« less

Acceleration and stability of a high-current ion beam in induction fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karas', V. I.; Manuilenko, O. V.; Tarakanov, V. P.; Federovskaya, O. V.

2013-03-01

A one-dimensional nonlinear analytic theory of the filamentation instability of a high-current ion beam is formulated. The results of 2.5-dimensional numerical particle-in-cell simulations of acceleration and stability of an annular compensated ion beam (CIB) in a linear induction particle accelerator are presented. It is shown that additional transverse injection of electron beams in magnetically insulated gaps (cusps) improves the quality of the ion-beam distribution function and provides uniform beam acceleration along the accelerator. The CIB filamentation instability in both the presence and the absence of an external magnetic field is considered.

Proceedings of the 1995 Particle Accelerator Conference and international Conference on High-Energy Accelerators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

1996-01-01

Papers from the sixteenth biennial Particle Accelerator Conference, an international forum on accelerator science and technology held May 1–5, 1995, in Dallas, Texas, organized by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC), jointly sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society (NPSS), the American Physical Society (APS) Division of Particles and Beams (DPB), and the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), and conducted with support from the US Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and the Office of Naval Research.

BBU design of linear induction accelerator cells for radiography application

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shang, C.C.; Chen, Y.J.; Gaporaso, G.J.

1997-05-06

There is an ongoing effort to develop accelerating modules for high-current electron accelerators for advanced radiography application. Accelerating modules with low beam-cavity coupling impedances along with gap designs with acceptable field stresses comprise a set of fundamental design criteria. We examine improved cell designs which have been developed for accelerator application in several radiographic operating regimes. We evaluate interaction impedances, analyze the effects of beam structure coupling on beam dynamics (beam break-up instability and corkscrew motion). We also provide estimates of coupling through interesting new high-gradient insulators and evaluate their potential future application in induction cells.

WE-G-BRD-09: Novel MRI Compatible Electron Accelerator for MRI-Linac Radiotherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Whelan, B; Keall, P; Gierman, S

Purpose: MRI guided radiotherapy is a rapidly growing field; however current linacs are not designed to operate in MRI fringe fields. As such, current MRI- Linac systems require magnetic shielding, impairing MR image quality and system flexibility. Here, we present a bespoke electron accelerator concept with robust operation in in-line magnetic fields. Methods: For in-line MRI-Linac systems, electron gun performance is the major constraint on accelerator performance. To overcome this, we propose placing a cathode directly within the first accelerating cavity. Such a configuration is used extensively in high energy particle physics, but not previously for radiotherapy. Benchmarked computational modellingmore » (CST, Darmstadt, Germany) was employed to design and assess a 5.5 cell side coupled accelerator with a temperature limited thermionic cathode in the first accelerating cell. This simulation was coupled to magnetic fields from a 1T MRI model to assess robustness in magnetic fields for Source to Isocenter Distance between 1 and 2 meters. Performance was compared to a conventional electron gun based system in the same magnetic field. Results: A temperature limited cathode (work function 1.8eV, temperature 1245K, emission constant 60A/K/cm{sup 2}) will emit a mean current density of 24mA/mm{sup 2} (Richardson’s Law). We modeled a circular cathode with radius 2mm and mean current 300mA. Capture efficiency of the device was 43%, resulting in target current of 130 mA. The electron beam had a FWHM of 0.2mm, and mean energy of 5.9MeV (interquartile spread of 0.1MeV). Such an electron beam is suitable for radiotherapy, comparing favourably to conventional systems. This model was robust to operation the MRI fringe field, with a maximum current loss of 6% compared to 85% for the conventional system. Conclusion: The bespoke electron accelerator is robust to operation in in-line magnetic fields. This will enable MRI-Linacs with no accelerator magnetic shielding, and minimise painstaking optimisation of the MRI fringe field. This work was supported by US (NIH) and Australian (NHMRC & Cancer Institute NSW) government research funding. In addition, I would like to thank cancer institute NSW and the Ingham Institute for scholarship support.« less

Recursive Factorization of the Inverse Overlap Matrix in Linear-Scaling Quantum Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

PubMed

Negre, Christian F A; Mniszewski, Susan M; Cawkwell, Marc J; Bock, Nicolas; Wall, Michael E; Niklasson, Anders M N

2016-07-12

We present a reduced complexity algorithm to compute the inverse overlap factors required to solve the generalized eigenvalue problem in a quantum-based molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Our method is based on the recursive, iterative refinement of an initial guess of Z (inverse square root of the overlap matrix S). The initial guess of Z is obtained beforehand by using either an approximate divide-and-conquer technique or dynamical methods, propagated within an extended Lagrangian dynamics from previous MD time steps. With this formulation, we achieve long-term stability and energy conservation even under the incomplete, approximate, iterative refinement of Z. Linear-scaling performance is obtained using numerically thresholded sparse matrix algebra based on the ELLPACK-R sparse matrix data format, which also enables efficient shared-memory parallelization. As we show in this article using self-consistent density-functional-based tight-binding MD, our approach is faster than conventional methods based on the diagonalization of overlap matrix S for systems as small as a few hundred atoms, substantially accelerating quantum-based simulations even for molecular structures of intermediate size. For a 4158-atom water-solvated polyalanine system, we find an average speedup factor of 122 for the computation of Z in each MD step.

Recursive Factorization of the Inverse Overlap Matrix in Linear Scaling Quantum Molecular Dynamics Simulations

DOE PAGES

Negre, Christian F. A; Mniszewski, Susan M.; Cawkwell, Marc Jon; ...

2016-06-06

We present a reduced complexity algorithm to compute the inverse overlap factors required to solve the generalized eigenvalue problem in a quantum-based molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Our method is based on the recursive iterative re nement of an initial guess Z of the inverse overlap matrix S. The initial guess of Z is obtained beforehand either by using an approximate divide and conquer technique or dynamically, propagated within an extended Lagrangian dynamics from previous MD time steps. With this formulation, we achieve long-term stability and energy conservation even under incomplete approximate iterative re nement of Z. Linear scaling performance ismore » obtained using numerically thresholded sparse matrix algebra based on the ELLPACK-R sparse matrix data format, which also enables e cient shared memory parallelization. As we show in this article using selfconsistent density functional based tight-binding MD, our approach is faster than conventional methods based on the direct diagonalization of the overlap matrix S for systems as small as a few hundred atoms, substantially accelerating quantum-based simulations even for molecular structures of intermediate size. For a 4,158 atom water-solvated polyalanine system we nd an average speedup factor of 122 for the computation of Z in each MD step.« less

Experimental validation of spatial Fourier transform-based multiple sound zone generation with a linear loudspeaker array.

PubMed

Okamoto, Takuma; Sakaguchi, Atsushi

2017-03-01

Generating acoustically bright and dark zones using loudspeakers is gaining attention as one of the most important acoustic communication techniques for such uses as personal sound systems and multilingual guide services. Although most conventional methods are based on numerical solutions, an analytical approach based on the spatial Fourier transform with a linear loudspeaker array has been proposed, and its effectiveness has been compared with conventional acoustic energy difference maximization and presented by computer simulations. To describe the effectiveness of the proposal in actual environments, this paper investigates the experimental validation of the proposed approach with rectangular and Hann windows and compared it with three conventional methods: simple delay-and-sum beamforming, contrast maximization, and least squares-based pressure matching using an actually implemented linear array of 64 loudspeakers in an anechoic chamber. The results of both the computer simulations and the actual experiments show that the proposed approach with a Hann window more accurately controlled the bright and dark zones than the conventional methods.

Construction of a High Energy Linear Accelerator for Research in Free Electron Lasers, Beam-Wave Interactions, Spectroscopy and Microcircuitry Fabrication.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-12-03

will be published in Particle Accelerators. .. 0$ , . ’ ,,". . ". ..... " .. " ,", ’ - .’’--%:’ -i: .’ .’’" --.- ’ " FIL.M FD - * -" DIO1 DT IC

The Experimental Study of Rayleigh-Taylor Instability using a Linear Induction Motor Accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamashita, Nicholas; Jacobs, Jeffrey

2009-11-01

The experiments to be presented utilize an incompressible system of two stratified miscible liquids of different densities that are accelerated in order to produce the Rayleigh-Taylor instability. Three liquid combinations are used: isopropyl alcohol with water, a calcium nitrate solution or a lithium polytungstate solution, giving Atwood numbers of 0.11, 0.22 and 0.57, respectively. The acceleration required to drive the instability is produced by two high-speed linear induction motors mounted to an 8 m tall drop tower. The motors are mounted in parallel and have an effective acceleration length of 1.7 m and are each capable of producing 15 kN of thrust. The liquid system is contained within a square acrylic tank with inside dimensions 76 x76x184 mm. The tank is mounted to an aluminum plate, which is driven by the motors to create constant accelerations in the range of 1-20 g's, though the potential exists for higher accelerations. Also attached to the plate are a high-speed camera and an LED backlight to provide continuous video of the instability. In addition, an accelerometer is used to provide acceleration measurements during each experiment. Experimental image sequences will be presented which show the development of a random three-dimensional instability from an unforced initial perturbation. Measurements of the mixing zone width will be compared with traditional growth models.

Laser-driven three-stage heavy-ion acceleration from relativistic laser-plasma interaction.

PubMed

Wang, H Y; Lin, C; Liu, B; Sheng, Z M; Lu, H Y; Ma, W J; Bin, J H; Schreiber, J; He, X T; Chen, J E; Zepf, M; Yan, X Q

2014-01-01

A three-stage heavy ion acceleration scheme for generation of high-energy quasimonoenergetic heavy ion beams is investigated using two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation and analytical modeling. The scheme is based on the interaction of an intense linearly polarized laser pulse with a compound two-layer target (a front heavy ion layer + a second light ion layer). We identify that, under appropriate conditions, the heavy ions preaccelerated by a two-stage acceleration process in the front layer can be injected into the light ion shock wave in the second layer for a further third-stage acceleration. These injected heavy ions are not influenced by the screening effect from the light ions, and an isolated high-energy heavy ion beam with relatively low-energy spread is thus formed. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations show that ∼100MeV/u quasimonoenergetic Fe24+ beams can be obtained by linearly polarized laser pulses at intensities of 1.1×1021W/cm2.

Efficient Homodifunctional Bimolecular Ring-Closure Method for Cyclic Polymers by Combining RAFT and Self-Accelerating Click Reaction.

PubMed

Qu, Lin; Sun, Peng; Wu, Ying; Zhang, Ke; Liu, Zhengping

2017-08-01

An efficient metal-free homodifunctional bimolecular ring-closure method is developed for the formation of cyclic polymers by combining reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and self-accelerating click reaction. In this approach, α,ω-homodifunctional linear polymers with azide terminals are prepared by RAFT polymerization and postmodification of polymer chain end groups. By virtue of sym-dibenzo-1,5-cyclooctadiene-3,7-diyne (DBA) as small linkers, well-defined cyclic polymers are then prepared using the self-accelerating double strain-promoted azide-alkyne click (DSPAAC) reaction to ring-close the azide end-functionalized homodifunctional linear polymer precursors. Due to the self-accelerating property of DSPAAC ring-closing reaction, this novel method eliminates the requirement of equimolar amounts of telechelic polymers and small linkers in traditional bimolecular ring-closure methods. It facilitates this method to efficiently and conveniently produce varied pure cyclic polymers by employing an excess molar amount of DBA small linkers. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Responses to rotating linear acceleration vectors considered in relation to a model of the otolith organs. [human oculomotor response to transverse acceleration stress

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Benson, A. J.; Barnes, G. R.

1973-01-01

Human subjects were exposed to a linear acceleration vector that rotated in the transverse plane of the skull without angular counterrotation. Lateral eye movements showed a sinusoidal change in slow phase velocity and an asymmetry or bias in the same direction as vector rotation. A model is developed that attributes the oculomotor response to otolithic mechanisms. It is suggested that the bias component is the manifestation of torsion of the statoconial plaque relative to the base of the utricular macula and that the sinusoidal component represents the translational oscillation of the statoconia. The model subsumes a hypothetical neural mechanism which allows x- and y-axis accelerations to be resolved. Derivation of equations of motion for the statoconial plaque in torsion and translation, which take into account forces acting in shear and normal to the macula, yield estimates of bias and sinusoidal components that are in qualitative agreement with the diverse experimental findings.

Berkeley Proton Linear Accelerator

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Alvarez, L. W.; Bradner, H.; Franck, J.; Gordon, H.; Gow, J. D.; Marshall, L. C.; Oppenheimer, F. F.; Panofsky, W. K. H.; Richman, C.; Woodyard, J. R.

1953-10-13

A linear accelerator, which increases the energy of protons from a 4 Mev Van de Graaff injector, to a final energy of 31.5 Mev, has been constructed. The accelerator consists of a cavity 40 feet long and 39 inches in diameter, excited at resonance in a longitudinal electric mode with a radio-frequency power of about 2.2 x 10{sup 6} watts peak at 202.5 mc. Acceleration is made possible by the introduction of 46 axial "drift tubes" into the cavity, which is designed such that the particles traverse the distance between the centers of successive tubes in one cycle of the r.f. power. The protons are longitudinally stable as in the synchrotron, and are stabilized transversely by the action of converging fields produced by focusing grids. The electrical cavity is constructed like an inverted airplane fuselage and is supported in a vacuum tank. Power is supplied by 9 high powered oscillators fed from a pulse generator of the artificial transmission line type.

Skyshine photon doses from 6 and 10 MV medical linear accelerators.

PubMed

de Paiva, Eduardo; da Rosa, Luiz A R

2012-01-05

The skyshine radiation phenomenon consists of the scattering of primary photon beams in the atmosphere above the roof of a medical linear accelerator facility, generating an additional dose at ground level in the vicinity of the treatment room. Thus, with respect to radioprotection, this situation plays an important role when the roof is designed with little shielding and there are buildings next to the radiotherapy treatment room. In literature, there are few reported skyshine-measured doses and these contain poor agreement with empirical calculations. In this work, we carried out measurements of skyshine photon dose rates produced from eight different 6 and 10 MV medical accelerators. Each measurement was performed outside the room facility, with the beam positioned in the upward direction, at a horizontal distance from the target and for a 40 cm × 40 cm maximum photon field size at the accelerator isocenter. Measured dose-equivalent rates results were compared with calculations obtained by an empirical expression, and differences between them deviated in one or more order of magnitude.

Linear accelerator: a reproducible, efficacious and cost effective alternative for blood irradiation.

PubMed

Shastry, Shamee; Ramya, B; Ninan, Jefy; Srinidhi, G C; Bhat, Sudha S; Fernandes, Donald J

2013-12-01

The dedicated devices for blood irradiation are available only at a few centers in developing countries thus the irradiation remains a service with limited availability due to prohibitive cost. To implement a blood irradiation program at our center using linear accelerator. The study is performed detailing the specific operational and quality assurance measures employed in providing a blood component-irradiation service at tertiary care hospital. X-rays generated from linear accelerator were used to irradiate the blood components. To facilitate and standardize the blood component irradiation, a blood irradiator box was designed and fabricated in acrylic. Using Elekta Precise Linear Accelerator, a dose of 25 Gy was delivered at the centre of the irradiation box. Standardization was done using five units of blood obtained from healthy voluntary blood donors. Each unit was divided to two parts. One aliquot was subjected to irradiation. Biochemical and hematological parameters were analyzed on various days of storage. Cost incurred was analyzed. Progressive increase in plasma hemoglobin, potassium and lactate dehydrogenase was noted in the irradiated units but all the parameters were within the acceptable range indicating the suitability of the product for transfusion. The irradiation process was completed in less than 30 min. Validation of the radiation dose done using TLD showed less than ± 3% variation. This study shows that that the blood component irradiation is within the scope of most of the hospitals in developing countries even in the absence of dedicated blood irradiators at affordable cost. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.