Alternative RF coupling configurations for H- ion sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briefi, S.; Gutmann, P.; Fantz, U.

2015-04-01

RF heated sources for negative hydrogen ions both for fusion and accelerators require very high RF powers in order to achieve the required H- current what poses high demands on the RF generators and the RF circuit. Therefore it is highly desirable to improve the RF efficiency of the sources. This could be achieved by applying different RF coupling concepts than the currently used inductive coupling via a helical antenna, namely Helicon coupling or coupling via a planar ICP antenna enhanced with ferrites. In order to investigate the feasibility of these concepts, two small laboratory experiments have been set up. The PlanICE experiment, where the enhanced inductive coupling is going to be investigated, is currently under assembly. At the CHARLIE experiment systematic measurements concerning Helicon coupling in hydrogen and deuterium are carried out. The investigations show that a prominent feature of Helicon discharges occurs: the so-called low-field peak. This is a local improvement of the coupling efficiency at a magnetic field strength of a few mT which results in an increased electron density and dissociation degree. The full Helicon mode has not been achieved yet due to the limited available RF power and magnetic field strength but it might be sufficient for the application of the coupling concept to ion sources to operate the discharge in the low-field-peak region.

Investigation of Readout RF Pulse Impact on the Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Spectrum

PubMed Central

Huang, Sheng-Min; Jan, Meei-Ling; Liang, Hsin-Chin; Chang, Chia-Hao; Wu, Yi-Chun; Tsai, Shang-Yueh; Wang, Fu-Nien

2015-01-01

Chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging (CEST-MRI) is capable of both microenvironment and molecular imaging. The optimization of scanning parameters is important since the CEST effect is sensitive to factors such as saturation power and field homogeneity. The aim of this study was to determine if the CEST effect would be altered by changing the length of readout RF pulses. Both theoretical computer simulation and phantom experiments were performed to examine the influence of readout RF pulses. Our results showed that the length of readout RF pulses has unremarkable impact on the Z-spectrum and CEST effect in both computer simulation and phantom experiment. Moreover, we demonstrated that multiple refocusing RF pulses used in rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) sequence induced no obvious saturation transfer contrast. Therefore, readout RF pulse has negligible effect on CEST Z-spectrum and the optimization of readout RF pulse length can be disregarded in CEST imaging protocol. PMID:26455576

NASA Advanced Refrigerator/Freezer Technology Development Project Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cairelli, J. E.

1995-01-01

NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) has recently initiated a three-year project to develop the advanced refrigerator/freezer (R/F) technologies needed to support future life and biomedical sciences space experiments. Refrigerator/freezer laboratory equipment, most of which needs to be developed, is enabling to about 75 percent of the planned space station life and biomedical science experiments. These experiments will require five different classes of equipment; three storage freezers operating at -20 C, -70 C and less than 183 C, a -70 C freeze-dryer, and a cryogenic (less than 183 C) quick/snap freezer. This project is in response to a survey of cooling system technologies, performed by a team of NASA scientists and engineers. The team found that the technologies, required for future R/F systems to support life and biomedical sciences spaceflight experiments, do not exist at an adequate state of development and concluded that a program to develop the advanced R/F technologies is needed. Limitations on spaceflight system size, mass, and power consumption present a significant challenge in developing these systems. This paper presents some background and a description of the Advanced R/F Technology Development Project, project approach and schedule, general description of the R/F systems, and a review of the major R/F equipment requirements.

Plasma Switch for High-Power Active Pulse Compressor

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

Hirshfield, Jay L.

2013-11-04

Results are presented from experiments carried out at the Naval Research Laboratory X-band magnicon facility on a two-channel X-band active RF pulse compressor that employed plasma switches. Experimental evidence is shown to validate the basic goals of the project, which include: simultaneous firing of plasma switches in both channels of the RF circuit, operation of quasi-optical 3-dB hybrid directional coupler coherent superposition of RF compressed pulses from both channels, and operation of the X-band magnicon directly in the RF pulse compressor. For incident 1.2 ?s pulses in the range 0.63 ? 1.35 MW, compressed pulses of peak powers 5.7 ?more » 11.3 MW were obtained, corresponding to peak power gain ratios of 8.3 ? 9.3. Insufficient bakeout and conditioning of the high-power RF circuit prevented experiments from being conducted at higher RF input power levels.« less

Simple method for RF pulse measurement using gradient reversal.

PubMed

Landes, Vanessa L; Nayak, Krishna S

2018-05-01

To develop and evaluate a simple method for measuring the envelope of small-tip radiofrequency (RF) excitation waveforms in MRI, without extra hardware or synchronization. Gradient reversal approach to evaluate RF (GRATER) involves RF excitation with a constant gradient and reversal of that gradient during signal reception to acquire the time-reversed version of an RF envelope. An outer-volume suppression prepulse is used optionally to preselect a uniform volume. GRATER was evaluated in phantom and in vivo experiments. It was compared with the programmed waveform and the traditional pick-up coil method. In uniform phantom experiments, pick-up coil, GRATER, and outer-volume suppression + GRATER matched the programmed waveforms to less than 2.1%, less than 6.1%, and less than 2.4% normalized root mean square error, respectively, for real RF pulses with flip angle less than or equal to 30°, time-bandwidth product 2 to 8, and two to five excitation bands. For flip angles greater than 30°, GRATER measurement error increased as predicted by Bloch simulation. Fat-water phantom and in vivo experiments with outer-volume suppression + GRATER demonstrated less than 6.4% normalized root mean square error. The GRATER sequence measures small-tip RF envelopes without extra hardware or synchronization in just over two times the RF duration. The sequence may be useful in prescan calibration and for measurement and precompensation of RF amplifier nonlinearity. Magn Reson Med 79:2642-2651, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

"Cooking the sample": radiofrequency induced heating during solid-state NMR experiments.

PubMed

d'Espinose de Lacaillerie, Jean-Baptiste; Jarry, Benjamin; Pascui, Ovidiu; Reichert, Detlef

2005-09-01

Dissipation of radiofrequency (RF) energy as heat during continuous wave decoupling in solid-state NMR experiment was examined outside the conventional realm of such phenomena. A significant temperature increase could occur while performing dynamic NMR measurements provided the sample contains polar molecules and the sequence calls for relatively long applications of RF power. It was shown that the methyl flip motion in dimethylsulfone (DMS) is activated by the decoupling RF energy conversion to heat during a CODEX pulse sequence. This introduced a significant bias in the correlation time-temperature dependency measurement used to obtain the activation energy of the motion. By investigating the dependency of the temperature increase in hydrated lead nitrate on experimental parameters during high-power decoupling one-pulse experiments, the mechanisms for the RF energy deposition was identified. The samples were heated due to dissipation of the energy absorbed by dielectric losses, a phenomenon commonly known as "microwave" heating. It was thus established that during solid-state NMR experiments at moderate B0 fields, RF heating could lead to the heating of samples containing polar molecules such as hydrated polymers and inorganic solids. In particular, this could result in systematic errors for slow dynamics measurements by solid-state NMR.

Loran digital phase-locked loop and RF front-end system error analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccall, D. L.

1979-01-01

An analysis of the system performance of the digital phase locked loops (DPLL) and RF front end that are implemented in the MINI-L4 Loran receiver is presented. Three of the four experiments deal with the performance of the digital phase locked loops. The other experiment deals with the RF front end and DPLL system error which arise in the front end due to poor signal to noise ratios. The ability of the DPLLs to track the offsets is studied.

RF-Plasma Source Commissioning in Indian Negative Ion Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, M. J.; Bandyopadhyay, M.; Bansal, G.; Gahlaut, A.; Soni, J.; Kumar, Sunil; Pandya, K.; Parmar, K. G.; Sonara, J.; Yadava, Ratnakar; Chakraborty, A. K.; Kraus, W.; Heinemann, B.; Riedl, R.; Obermayer, S.; Martens, C.; Franzen, P.; Fantz, U.

2011-09-01

The Indian program of the RF based negative ion source has started off with the commissioning of ROBIN, the inductively coupled RF based negative ion source facility under establishment at Institute for Plasma research (IPR), India. The facility is being developed under a technology transfer agreement with IPP Garching. It consists of a single RF driver based beam source (BATMAN replica) coupled to a 100 kW, 1 MHz RF generator with a self excited oscillator, through a matching network, for plasma production and ion extraction and acceleration. The delivery of the RF generator and the RF plasma source without the accelerator, has enabled initiation of plasma production experiments. The recent experimental campaign has established the matching circuit parameters that result in plasma production with density in the range of 0.5-1×1018/m3, at operational gas pressures ranging between 0.4-1 Pa. Various configurations of the matching network have been experimented upon to obtain a stable operation of the set up for RF powers ranging between 25-85 kW and pulse lengths ranging between 4-20 s. It has been observed that the range of the parameters of the matching circuit, over which the frequency of the power supply is stable, is narrow and further experiments with increased number of turns in the coil are in the pipeline to see if the range can be widened. In this paper, the description of the experimental system and the commissioning data related to the optimisation of the various parameters of the matching network, to obtain stable plasma of required density, are presented and discussed.

RF Priming Experiments and Simulations of Magnetic Priming in Relativistic Magnetrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, W. M.; Gilgenbach, R. M.; Jones, M. C.; Neculaes, V. B.; Lau, Y. Y.; Jordan, N.; Pengvanich, P.; Edgar, R.; Hoff, B.; Spencer, T. A.; Price, D.

2004-11-01

We investigate 2 priming techniques in relativistic magnetrons for rapid startup and mode-locking: RF priming experiments with 0.1-1 MW from a 2nd magnetron; Magnetic-priming simulations by azimuthally-varying-axial magnetic field. Experiments utilize MELBA-C with a Titan 6-vane magnetron: V = -300kV, I = 1-10kA, e-beam T = 0.5 μs, microwave power = 100-500 MW, f= 1-1.3 GHz, base vacuum= 8.5 x 10-10 Torr. The AFRL RF priming magnetron is at 0.1-2 MW, 3 μsec, 1.27-1.32 GHz. About 0.2-0.3 MW is injected into 1 of 3 open coupling slots in the relativistic magnetron. Analysis of the relativistic magnetron's microwave output shows a clear effect of RF priming. Simulations of magnetic priming in the pi-mode are run in MAGIC code by imposing N/2 azimuthal-variations in the axial magnetic field of an N-vane magnetron. Faster startup and mode-locking are simulated by rapid-electron spoke formation and excitation of RF fields.

Cable Modems' Transmitted RF: A Study of SNR, Error Rates, Transmit Levels, and Trouble Call Metrics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tebbetts, Jo A.

2013-01-01

Hypotheses were developed and tested to measure the cable modems operational metrics response to a reconfiguration of the cable modems' transmitted RF applied to the CMTS. The purpose of this experiment was to compare two groups on the use of non-federal RF spectrum to determine if configuring the cable modems' transmitted RF from 25.2…

Microfluidic stretchable RF electronics.

PubMed

Cheng, Shi; Wu, Zhigang

2010-12-07

Stretchable electronics is a revolutionary technology that will potentially create a world of radically different electronic devices and systems that open up an entirely new spectrum of possibilities. This article proposes a microfluidic based solution for stretchable radio frequency (RF) electronics, using hybrid integration of active circuits assembled on flex foils and liquid alloy passive structures embedded in elastic substrates, e.g. polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). This concept was employed to implement a 900 MHz stretchable RF radiation sensor, consisting of a large area elastic antenna and a cluster of conventional rigid components for RF power detection. The integrated radiation sensor except the power supply was fully embedded in a thin elastomeric substrate. Good electrical performance of the standalone stretchable antenna as well as the RF power detection sub-module was verified by experiments. The sensor successfully detected the RF radiation over 5 m distance in the system demonstration. Experiments on two-dimensional (2D) stretching up to 15%, folding and twisting of the demonstrated sensor were also carried out. Despite the integrated device was severely deformed, no failure in RF radiation sensing was observed in the tests. This technique illuminates a promising route of realizing stretchable and foldable large area integrated RF electronics that are of great interest to a variety of applications like wearable computing, health monitoring, medical diagnostics, and curvilinear electronics.

RF Rectification on LAPD and NSTX: the relationship between rectified currents and potentials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perkins, R. J.; Carter, T.; Caughman, J. B.; van Compernolle, B.; Gekelman, W.; Hosea, J. C.; Jaworski, M. A.; Kramer, G. J.; Lau, C.; Martin, E. H.; Pribyl, P.; Tripathi, S. K. P.; Vincena, S.

2017-10-01

RF rectification is a sheath phenomenon important in the fusion community for impurity injection, hot spot formation on plasma-facing components, modifications of the scrape-off layer, and as a far-field sink of wave power. The latter is of particular concern for the National Spherical Torus eXperiment (NSTX), where a substantial fraction of the fast-wave power is lost to the divertor along scrape-off layer field lines. To assess the relationship between rectified currents and rectified voltages, detailed experiments have been performed on the Large Plasma Device (LAPD). An electron current is measured flowing out of the antenna and into the limiters, consistent with RF rectification with a higher RF potential at the antenna. The scaling of this current with RF power will be presented. The limiters are also floated to inhibit this DC current; the impact of this change on plasma-potential and wave-field measurements will be shown. Comparison to data from divertor probes in NSTX will be made. These experiments on a flexible mid-sized experiment will provide insight and guidance into the effects of ICRF on the edge plasma in larger fusion experiments. Funded by the DOE OFES (DE-FC02-07ER54918 and DE-AC02-09CH11466), NSF (NSF- PHY 1036140), and the Univ. of California (12-LR- 237124).

Battery-Powered RF Pre-Ionization System for the Caltech Magnetohydrodynamically-Driven Jet Experiment: RF Discharge Properties and MHD-Driven Jet Dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaplin, Vernon H.

This thesis describes investigations of two classes of laboratory plasmas with rather different properties: partially ionized low pressure radiofrequency (RF) discharges, and fully ionized high density magnetohydrodynamically (MHD)-driven jets. An RF pre-ionization system was developed to enable neutral gas breakdown at lower pressures and create hotter, faster jets in the Caltech MHD-Driven Jet Experiment. The RF plasma source used a custom pulsed 3 kW 13.56 MHz RF power amplifier that was powered by AA batteries, allowing it to safely float at 4-6 kV with the cathode of the jet experiment. The argon RF discharge equilibrium and transport properties were analyzed, and novel jet dynamics were observed. Although the RF plasma source was conceived as a wave-heated helicon source, scaling measurements and numerical modeling showed that inductive coupling was the dominant energy input mechanism. A one-dimensional time-dependent fluid model was developed to quantitatively explain the expansion of the pre-ionized plasma into the jet experiment chamber. The plasma transitioned from an ionizing phase with depressed neutral emission to a recombining phase with enhanced emission during the course of the experiment, causing fast camera images to be a poor indicator of the density distribution. Under certain conditions, the total visible and infrared brightness and the downstream ion density both increased after the RF power was turned off. The time-dependent emission patterns were used for an indirect measurement of the neutral gas pressure. The low-mass jets formed with the aid of the pre-ionization system were extremely narrow and collimated near the electrodes, with peak density exceeding that of jets created without pre-ionization. The initial neutral gas distribution prior to plasma breakdown was found to be critical in determining the ultimate jet structure. The visible radius of the dense central jet column was several times narrower than the axial current channel radius, suggesting that the outer portion of the jet must have been force free, with the current parallel to the magnetic field. The studies of non-equilibrium flows and plasma self-organization being carried out at Caltech are relevant to astrophysical jets and fusion energy research.

RF assisted Glow Discharge Condition experiment for SST-1 Tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raval, Dilip; Khan, Ziauddin; George, Siju; Dhanani, Kalpeshkumar R.; Paravastu, Yuvakiran; Semwal, Pratibha; Thankey, Prashant; Shoaib Khan, Mohammad; Kakati, Bharat; Pradhan, Subrata

2017-04-01

Impurity control reduces the radiation loss from plasma and hence enhances the plasma operation. Oxygen and water vapors are the most common impurities in tokamak devices. Water vapour can be reduced with extensive baking while in order to have a significant reduction in oxygen it is necessary to use glow discharge condition (GDC). RF assisted glow discharge cleaning system will be implemented to remove low z impurities at PFC installed SST-1 vacuum vessel. A RF assisted Glow discharge conditioning is studied at laboratory to find the optimum operating parameters in a view to implement at SST-1 tokamak. Helium is used as a fuel gas in the present experiment. It is observed that the ultimate impurity level is reduced significantly below to the accepted level for plasma operation after RF assisted GDC. The experimental findings of RF assisted Glow discharge conditioning is discussed in details in this paper.

Repetitively Pulsed High Power RF Solid-State System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bowman, Chris; Ziemba, Timothy; Miller, Kenneth E.; Prager, James; Quinley, Morgan

2017-10-01

Eagle Harbor Technologies, Inc. (EHT) is developing a low-cost, fully solid-state architecture for the generation of the RF frequencies and power levels necessary for plasma heating and diagnostic systems at validation platform experiments within the fusion science community. In Year 1 of this program, EHT has developed a solid-state RF system that combines an inductive adder, nonlinear transmission line (NLTL), and antenna into a single system that can be deployed at fusion science experiments. EHT has designed and optimized a lumped-element NLTL that will be suitable RF generation near the lower-hybrid frequency at the High Beta Tokamak (HBT) located at Columbia University. In Year 2, EHT will test this system at the Helicity Injected Torus at the University of Washington and HBT at Columbia. EHT will present results from Year 1 testing and optimization of the NLTL-based RF system. With support of DOE SBIR.

RF priming of a long pulse relativistic magnetron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, William Michael

Rapid startup, increased pulsewidth and mode locking of magnetrons have been demonstrated experimentally on a relativistic magnetron by radio frequency (RF) priming. Experiments utilize a -300 kV, 2-8 kA, 300-500 ns electron beam to drive a Titan 6-vane relativistic magnetron (˜100 MW output power). The RF priming source is a 100 kW pulsed magnetron operating at 1.27-1.32 GHz. Tuning stubs were utilized in the Titan structure to adjust the operating frequency of the relativistic magnetron pi-mode upward by 30%. The tuning was guided by simulation in the MAGIC 3D code and experimental cold tests including a mapping of the azimuthal electric field inside the relativistic magnetron structure. The most successful tuning geometry was that of a standard anode resonant structure, but RF priming experiments were performed on a rising-sun structure as well. The Time Frequency Analysis (TFA) program was used to directly observe the effects of RF priming on the relativistic magnetron. RF priming was successful in decreasing mode competition by suppressing the generation of the 2pi/3-mode power by 41%. RF priming experiments were also successful in increasing microwave pulsewidth by 12% and decreasing microwave output delay by 22%. These improvements were observed while operating in a priming regime not satisfying Adler's Relation. Overall, the improvements made to the performance of the relativistic magnetron were modest because of the low priming power available (50-250 kW).

Measurement of short transverse relaxation times by pseudo-echo nutation experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferrari, Maude; Moyne, Christian; Canet, Daniel

2018-07-01

Very short NMR transverse relaxation times may be difficult to measure by conventional methods. Nutation experiments constitute an alternative approach. Nutation is, in the rotating frame, the equivalent of precession in the laboratory frame. It consists in monitoring the rotation of magnetization around the radio-frequency (rf) field when on-resonance conditions are fulfilled. Depending on the amplitude of the rf field, nutation may be sensitive to the two relaxation rates R1 and R2. A full theoretical development has been worked out for demonstrating how these two relaxation rates could be deduced from a simple nutation experiment, noticing however that inhomogeneity of the rf field may lead to erroneous results. This has led us to devise new experiments which are the equivalent of echo techniques in the rotating frame (pseudo spin-echo nutation experiment and pseudo gradient-echo experiment). Full equations of motion have been derived. Although complicated, they indicate that the sum of the two relaxation rates can be obtained very accurately and not altered by rf field inhomogeneity. This implies however an appropriate data processing accounting for the oscillations which are superposed to the echo decays and, anyway, theoretically predicted. A series of experiments has been carried out for different values of the rf field amplitude on samples of water doped with a paramagnetic compound at different concentrations. Pragmatically, as R1 can be easily measured by conventional methods, its value is entered in the data processing algorithm which then returns exclusively the value of the transverse relaxation time. Very consistent results are obtained that way.

Measurement of short transverse relaxation times by pseudo-echo nutation experiments.

PubMed

Ferrari, Maude; Moyne, Christian; Canet, Daniel

2018-05-03

Very short NMR transverse relaxation times may be difficult to measure by conventional methods. Nutation experiments constitute an alternative approach. Nutation is, in the rotating frame, the equivalent of precession in the laboratory frame. It consists in monitoring the rotation of magnetization around the radio-frequency (rf) field when on-resonance conditions are fulfilled. Depending on the amplitude of the rf field, nutation may be sensitive to the two relaxation rates R 1 and R 2 . A full theoretical development has been worked out for demonstrating how these two relaxation rates could be deduced from a simple nutation experiment, noticing however that inhomogeneity of the rf field may lead to erroneous results. This has led us to devise new experiments which are the equivalent of echo techniques in the rotating frame (pseudo spin-echo nutation experiment and pseudo gradient-echo experiment). Full equations of motion have been derived. Although complicated, they indicate that the sum of the two relaxation rates can be obtained very accurately and not altered by rf field inhomogeneity. This implies however an appropriate data processing accounting for the oscillations which are superposed to the echo decays and, anyway, theoretically predicted. A series of experiments has been carried out for different values of the rf field amplitude on samples of water doped with a paramagnetic compound at different concentrations. Pragmatically, as R 1 can be easily measured by conventional methods, its value is entered in the data processing algorithm which then returns exclusively the value of the transverse relaxation time. Very consistent results are obtained that way. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Deep Machine Learning Algorithm to Optimize the Forecast of Atmospherics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russell, A. M.; Alliss, R. J.; Felton, B. D.

Space-based applications from imaging to optical communications are significantly impacted by the atmosphere. Specifically, the occurrence of clouds and optical turbulence can determine whether a mission is a success or a failure. In the case of space-based imaging applications, clouds produce atmospheric transmission losses that can make it impossible for an electro-optical platform to image its target. Hence, accurate predictions of negative atmospheric effects are a high priority in order to facilitate the efficient scheduling of resources. This study seeks to revolutionize our understanding of and our ability to predict such atmospheric events through the mining of data from a high-resolution Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model. Specifically, output from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is mined using a Random Forest (RF) ensemble classification and regression approach in order to improve the prediction of low cloud cover over the Haleakala summit of the Hawaiian island of Maui. RF techniques have a number of advantages including the ability to capture non-linear associations between the predictors (in this case physical variables from WRF such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and pressure) and the predictand (clouds), which becomes critical when dealing with the complex non-linear occurrence of clouds. In addition, RF techniques are capable of representing complex spatial-temporal dynamics to some extent. Input predictors to the WRF-based RF model are strategically selected based on expert knowledge and a series of sensitivity tests. Ultimately, three types of WRF predictors are chosen: local surface predictors, regional 3D moisture predictors and regional inversion predictors. A suite of RF experiments is performed using these predictors in order to evaluate the performance of the hybrid RF-WRF technique. The RF model is trained and tuned on approximately half of the input dataset and evaluated on the other half. The RF approach is validated using in-situ observations of clouds. All of the hybrid RF-WRF experiments demonstrated here significantly outperform the base WRF local low cloud cover forecasts in terms of the probability of detection and the overall bias. In particular, RF experiments that use only regional three-dimensional moisture predictors from the WRF model produce the highest accuracy when compared to RF experiments that use local surface predictors only or regional inversion predictors only. Furthermore, adding multiple types of WRF predictors and additional WRF predictors to the RF algorithm does not necessarily add more value in the resulting forecasts, indicating that it is better to have a small set of meaningful predictors than to have a vast set of indiscriminately-chosen predictors. This work also reveals that the WRF-based RF approach is highly sensitive to the time period over which the algorithm is trained and evaluated. Future work will focus on developing a similar WRF-based RF model for high cloud prediction and expanding the algorithm to two-dimensions horizontally.

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

Li, Na; Wu, Yu-Ping; Min, Hao

A radio-frequency (RF) source designed for cold atom experiments is presented. The source uses AD9858, a direct digital synthesizer, to generate the sine wave directly, up to 400 MHz, with sub-Hz resolution. An amplitude control circuit consisting of wideband variable gain amplifier and high speed digital to analog converter is integrated into the source, capable of 70 dB off isolation and 4 ns on-off keying. A field programmable gate array is used to implement a versatile frequency and amplitude co-sweep logic. Owing to modular design, the RF sources have been used on many cold atom experiments to generate various complicatedmore » RF sequences, enriching the operation schemes of cold atoms, which cannot be done by standard RF source instruments.« less

System integration of RF based negative ion experimental facility at IPR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bansal, G.; Bandyopadhyay, M.; Singh, M. J.; Gahlaut, A.; Soni, J.; Pandya, K.; Parmar, K. G.; Sonara, J.; Chakraborty, A.

2010-02-01

The setting up of RF based negative ion experimental facility shall witness the beginning of experiments on the negative ion source fusion applications in India. A 1 MHz RF generator shall launch 100 kW RF power into a single driver on the plasma source to produce a plasma of density ~5 × 1012 cm-3. The source can deliver a negative ion beam of ~10 A with a current density of ~30 mA/cm2 and accelerated to 35 kV through an electrostatic ion accelerator. The experimental system is similar to a RF based negative ion source, BATMAN, presently operating at IPP. The subsystems for source operation are designed and procured principally from indigenous resources, keeping the IPP configuration as a base line. The operation of negative ion source is supported by many subsystems e.g. vacuum pumping system with gate valves, cooling water system, gas feed system, cesium delivery system, RF generator, high voltage power supplies, data acquisition and control system, and different diagnostics. The first experiments of negative ion source are expected to start at IPR from the middle of 2009.

Genotoxic effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) in HL-60 cells are not reproducible.

PubMed

Speit, Günter; Gminski, Richard; Tauber, Rudolf

2013-08-15

Conflicting results have been published regarding the induction of genotoxic effects by exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). Various results indicating a genotoxic potential of RF-EMF were reported by the collaborative EU-funded REFLEX (Risk Evaluation of Potential Environmental Hazards From Low Energy Electromagnetic Field Exposure Using Sensitive in vitro Methods) project. There has been a long-lasting scientific debate about the reliability of the reported results and an attempt to reproduce parts of the results obtained with human fibroblasts failed. Another part of the REFLEX study was performed in Berlin with the human lymphoblastoid cell line HL-60; genotoxic effects of RF-EMF were measured by means of the comet assay and the micronucleus test. The plausibility and reliability of these results were also questioned. In order to contribute to a clarification of the biological significance of the reported findings, a repeat study was performed, involving scientists of the original study. Comet-assay experiments and micronucleus tests were performed under the same experimental conditions that had led to genotoxic effects in the REFLEX study. Here we report that the attempts to reproduce the induction of genotoxic effects by RF-EMF in HL-60 cells failed. No genotoxic effects of RF-EMF were measured in the repeat experiments. We could not find an explanation for the conflicting results. However, the negative repeat experiments suggest that the biological significance of genotoxic effects of RF-EMF reported by the REFLEX study should be re-assessed. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Accoustic Localization of Breakdown in Radio Frequency Accelerating Cavities

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

Lane, Peter Gwin

Current designs for muon accelerators require high-gradient radio frequency (RF) cavities to be placed in solenoidal magnetic fields. These fields help contain and efficiently reduce the phase space volume of source muons in order to create a usable muon beam for collider and neutrino experiments. In this context and in general, the use of RF cavities in strong magnetic fields has its challenges. It has been found that placing normal conducting RF cavities in strong magnetic fields reduces the threshold at which RF cavity breakdown occurs. To aid the effort to study RF cavity breakdown in magnetic fields, it wouldmore » be helpful to have a diagnostic tool which can localize the source of breakdown sparks inside the cavity. These sparks generate thermal shocks to small regions of the inner cavity wall that can be detected and localized using microphones attached to the outer cavity surface. Details on RF cavity sound sources as well as the hardware, software, and algorithms used to localize the source of sound emitted from breakdown thermal shocks are presented. In addition, results from simulations and experiments on three RF cavities, namely the Aluminum Mock Cavity, the High-Pressure Cavity, and the Modular Cavity, are also given. These results demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of the described technique for acoustic localization of breakdown.« less

A z-gradient array for simultaneous multi-slice excitation with a single-band RF pulse.

PubMed

Ertan, Koray; Taraghinia, Soheil; Sadeghi, Alireza; Atalar, Ergin

2018-07-01

Multi-slice radiofrequency (RF) pulses have higher specific absorption rates, more peak RF power, and longer pulse durations than single-slice RF pulses. Gradient field design techniques using a z-gradient array are investigated for exciting multiple slices with a single-band RF pulse. Two different field design methods are formulated to solve for the required current values of the gradient array elements for the given slice locations. The method requirements are specified, optimization problems are formulated for the minimum current norm and an analytical solution is provided. A 9-channel z-gradient coil array driven by independent, custom-designed gradient amplifiers is used to validate the theory. Performance measures such as normalized slice thickness error, gradient strength per unit norm current, power dissipation, and maximum amplitude of the magnetic field are provided for various slice locations and numbers of slices. Two and 3 slices are excited by a single-band RF pulse in simulations and phantom experiments. The possibility of multi-slice excitation with a single-band RF pulse using a z-gradient array is validated in simulations and phantom experiments. Magn Reson Med 80:400-412, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Acoustic localization of breakdown in radio frequency accelerating cavities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lane, Peter

Current designs for muon accelerators require high-gradient radio frequency (RF) cavities to be placed in solenoidal magnetic fields. These fields help contain and efficiently reduce the phase space volume of source muons in order to create a usable muon beam for collider and neutrino experiments. In this context and in general, the use of RF cavities in strong magnetic fields has its challenges. It has been found that placing normal conducting RF cavities in strong magnetic fields reduces the threshold at which RF cavity breakdown occurs. To aid the effort to study RF cavity breakdown in magnetic fields, it would be helpful to have a diagnostic tool which can localize the source of breakdown sparks inside the cavity. These sparks generate thermal shocks to small regions of the inner cavity wall that can be detected and localized using microphones attached to the outer cavity surface. Details on RF cavity sound sources as well as the hardware, software, and algorithms used to localize the source of sound emitted from breakdown thermal shocks are presented. In addition, results from simulations and experiments on three RF cavities, namely the Aluminum Mock Cavity, the High-Pressure Cavity, and the Modular Cavity, are also given. These results demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of the described technique for acoustic localization of breakdown.

Electrostatic sensors for SPIDER experiment: Design, manufacture of prototypes, and first tests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brombin, M.; Spolaore, M.; Serianni, G.; Barzon, A.; Franchin, L.; Pasqualotto, R.; Pomaro, N.; Schiesko, L.; Taliercio, C.; Trevisan, L.

2014-02-01

A system of electrostatic sensors has been designed for the SPIDER (Source for the production of Ions of Deuterium Extracted from RF plasma) experiment, prototype RF source of the ITER NBI (neutral beam injection). A prototype of the sensor system was manufactured and tested at the BATMAN (BAvarian Test MAchine for Negative ions) facility, where the plasma environment is similar to that of SPIDER. Different aspects concerning the mechanical manufacturing and the signal conditioning are presented, among them the RF compensation adopted to reduce the RF effects which could lead to overestimated values of the electron temperature. The first commissioning tests provided ion saturation current values in the range assumed for the design, so the deduced plasma density estimate is consistent with the expected values.

Electrostatic sensors for SPIDER experiment: design, manufacture of prototypes, and first tests.

PubMed

Brombin, M; Spolaore, M; Serianni, G; Barzon, A; Franchin, L; Pasqualotto, R; Pomaro, N; Schiesko, L; Taliercio, C; Trevisan, L

2014-02-01

A system of electrostatic sensors has been designed for the SPIDER (Source for the production of Ions of Deuterium Extracted from RF plasma) experiment, prototype RF source of the ITER NBI (neutral beam injection). A prototype of the sensor system was manufactured and tested at the BATMAN (BAvarian Test MAchine for Negative ions) facility, where the plasma environment is similar to that of SPIDER. Different aspects concerning the mechanical manufacturing and the signal conditioning are presented, among them the RF compensation adopted to reduce the RF effects which could lead to overestimated values of the electron temperature. The first commissioning tests provided ion saturation current values in the range assumed for the design, so the deduced plasma density estimate is consistent with the expected values.

Electrostatic sensors for SPIDER experiment: Design, manufacture of prototypes, and first tests

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

Brombin, M., E-mail: matteo.brombin@igi.cnr.it; Spolaore, M.; Serianni, G.

2014-02-15

A system of electrostatic sensors has been designed for the SPIDER (Source for the production of Ions of Deuterium Extracted from RF plasma) experiment, prototype RF source of the ITER NBI (neutral beam injection). A prototype of the sensor system was manufactured and tested at the BATMAN (BAvarian Test MAchine for Negative ions) facility, where the plasma environment is similar to that of SPIDER. Different aspects concerning the mechanical manufacturing and the signal conditioning are presented, among them the RF compensation adopted to reduce the RF effects which could lead to overestimated values of the electron temperature. The first commissioningmore » tests provided ion saturation current values in the range assumed for the design, so the deduced plasma density estimate is consistent with the expected values.« less

Low temperature probe for dynamic nuclear polarization and multiple-pulse solid-state NMR.

PubMed

Cho, HyungJoon; Baugh, Jonathan; Ryan, Colm A; Cory, David G; Ramanathan, Chandrasekhar

2007-08-01

Here, we describe the design and performance characteristics of a low temperature probe for dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) experiments, which is compatible with demanding multiple-pulse experiments. The competing goals of a high-Q microwave cavity to achieve large DNP enhancements and a high efficiency NMR circuit for multiple-pulse control lead to inevitable engineering tradeoffs. We have designed two probes-one with a single-resonance RF circuit and a horn-mirror cavity configuration for the microwaves and a second with a double-resonance RF circuit and a double-horn cavity configuration. The advantage of the design is that the sample is in vacuum, the RF circuits are locally tuned, and the microwave resonator has a large internal volume that is compatible with the use of RF and gradient coils.

Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation: Increase in Lesion Diameter with Continuous Acetic Acid Infusion

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

Lubienski, Andreas; Duex, Markus; Lubienski, Katrin

Purpose. To evaluate the influence of continuous infusion of acetic acid 50% during radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on the size of the thermal lesion produced. Methods. Radiofrequency (RF) was applied to excised bovine liver by using an expandable needle electrode with 10 retractable tines (LeVeen Needle Electrode, RadioTherapeutics, Sunnyvale, CA) connected to a commercially available RF generator (RF 2000, RadioTherapeutics, Sunnyvale, CA). Experiments were performed using three different treatment modalities: RF only (n = 15), RF with continuous saline 0.9% infusion (n = 15), and RF with continuous acetic acid 50% infusion (n = 15). RF duration, power output, tissue impedance,more » and time to a rapid rise in impedance were recorded. The ablated lesions were evaluated both macroscopically and histologically. Results. The ablated lesions appeared as spherical or ellipsoid, well-demarcated pale areas with a surrounding brown rim with both RF only and RF plus saline 0.9% infusion. In contrast, thermolesions generated with RF in combination with acetic acid 50% infusion were irregular in shape and the central portion was jelly-like. Mean diameter of the coagulation necrosis was 22.3 {+-} 2.1 mm (RF only), 29.2 {+-} 4.8 mm (RF + saline 0.9%) and 30.7 {+-} 5.7 mm (RF + acetic acid 50%), with a significant increase in the RF plus saline 0.9% and RF plus acetic acid 50% groups compared with RF alone. Time to a rapid rise in impedance was significantly prolonged in the RF plus saline 0.9% and RF plus acetic acid 50% groups compared with RF alone. Conclusions. A combination of RF plus acetic acid 50% infusion is able to generate larger thermolesions than RF only or RF combined with saline 0.9% infusion.« less

Improvements in Technique of NMR Imaging and NMR Diffusion Measurements in the Presence of Background Gradients.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lian, Jianyu

In this work, modification of the cosine current distribution rf coil, PCOS, has been introduced and tested. The coil produces a very homogeneous rf magnetic field, and it is inexpensive to build and easy to tune for multiple resonance frequency. The geometrical parameters of the coil are optimized to produce the most homogeneous rf field over a large volume. To avoid rf field distortion when the coil length is comparable to a quarter wavelength, a parallel PCOS coil is proposed and discussed. For testing rf coils and correcting B _1 in NMR experiments, a simple, rugged and accurate NMR rf field mapping technique has been developed. The method has been tested and used in 1D, 2D, 3D and in vivo rf mapping experiments. The method has been proven to be very useful in the design of rf coils. To preserve the linear relation between rf output applied on an rf coil and modulating input for an rf modulating -amplifying system of NMR imaging spectrometer, a quadrature feedback loop is employed in an rf modulator with two orthogonal rf channels to correct the amplitude and phase non-linearities caused by the rf components in the rf system. The modulator is very linear over a large range and it can generate an arbitrary rf shape. A diffusion imaging sequence has been developed for measuring and imaging diffusion in the presence of background gradients. Cross terms between the diffusion sensitizing gradients and background gradients or imaging gradients can complicate diffusion measurement and make the interpretation of NMR diffusion data ambiguous, but these have been eliminated in this method. Further, the background gradients has been measured and imaged. A dipole random distribution model has been established to study background magnetic fields Delta B and background magnetic gradients G_0 produced by small particles in a sample when it is in a B_0 field. From this model, the minimum distance that a spin can approach a particle can be determined by measuring and <{bf G}_sp{0 }{2}>. From this model, the particle concentration in a sample can be determined by measuring the lineshape of a free induction decay (fid).

Components of treatment delay in rheumatoid arthritis differ according to autoantibody status: validation of a single-centre observation using national audit data.

PubMed

Pratt, Arthur G; Lendrem, Dennis; Hargreaves, Ben; Aslam, Osman; Galloway, James B; Isaacs, John D

2016-10-01

To determine whether time to treatment following symptom onset differs between RA patients according to autoantibody status. A single-centre retrospective analysis of a UK early RA inception cohort was first undertaken to identify those components of the patient journey that differed by serological subtype. Data from a UK national audit of early inflammatory arthritis patients was accessed to replicate the key finding. A total of 173 RA patients were diagnosed over a 31-month period, of whom 80 (46%) were ACPA/RF double-seropositive (ACPA(+)/RF(+)), 53 (31%) ACPA(-)/RF(-), 17 (10%) ACPA(+)/RF(-) and 23 (13%) RF(+)/ACPA(-) Overall, ACPA(+)/RF(+) patients experienced significantly longer symptom duration before DMARD initiation. This was accounted for by delays in their presentation to primary care following symptom onset-a finding that was robustly confirmed in an independent dataset of 2192 UK early RA patients. In contrast, ACPA(-)/RF(-) patients were significantly more likely to experience delays in DMARD initiation after presenting to secondary care. Causes of treatment delays in early RA differ according to patients' autoantibody status. More insidious symptom onset and/or distinct health-seeking behaviours among ACPA(+)/RF(+) patients may contribute to late presentations in primary care, whereas ACPA(-)/RF(-) patients experience delayed diagnosis and treatment in secondary care. These observations inform the research agenda, potentially influencing the design of service delivery for early arthritis patients. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology.

Radio-frequency power-assisted performance improvement of a magnetohydrodynamic power generator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murakami, Tomoyuki; Okuno, Yoshihiro; Yamasaki, Hiroyuki

2005-12-01

We describe a radio-frequency (rf) electromagnetic-field-assisted magnetohydrodynamic power generation experiment, where an inductively coupled rf field (13.56MHz, 5.2kW) is continuously supplied to the disk generator. The rf power assists the precise plasma ignition, by which the otherwise irregular plasma behavior was stabilized. The rf heating suppresses the ionization instability in the plasma behavior and homogenizes the nonuniformity of the plasma structures. The power-generating performance is significantly improved with the aid of the rf power under wide seeding conditions: insufficient, optimum, and excessive seed fractions. The increment of the enthalpy extraction ratio of around 2% is significantly greater than the fraction of the net rf power, that is, 0.16%, to the thermal input.

Bunch beam cooling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bryzgunov, M. I.; Kamerdzhiev, V.; Li, J.; Mao, L. J.; Parkhomchuk, V. V.; Reva, V. B.; Yang, X. D.; Zhao, H.

2017-07-01

Electron cooling is used for damping both transverse and longitudinal oscillations of heavy particle. The cooling of bunch ion beam (with RF voltage on) is important part of experiments with inner target, ion collision system, stacking and RF manipulation. The short length of an ion bunch increases the peak luminosity, gives a start-time point for using of the time-of-flight methods and obtains a short extraction beam pulse. This article describes the review of last experiments with electron cooling carried out on the CSRm, CSRe (China) and COSY (Germany) storage rings. The accumulated experience may be used for the project of electron cooler on 2.5 MeV (NICA) and 0.5 MeV HIAF for obtaining high luminosity, depressing beam-beam effects and RF manipulation.

CAT/RF Simulation Lessons Learned

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-06-11

IVSS-2003-MAS-7 CAT /RF Simulation Lessons Learned Christopher Mocnik Vetronics Technology Area, RDECOM TARDEC Tim Lee DCS Corporation...developed a re- configurable Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) simulation for the Crew integration and Automation Test bed ( CAT ) and Robotics Follower (RF...Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) experiments. This simulation was developed as a component of the Embedded Simulation System (ESS) of the CAT

High power fast wave experiments in LAPD: interaction with density fluctuations and status/plans for ICRH

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carter, Troy; Martin, Michael; van Compernolle, Bart; Gekelman, Walter; Pribyl, Pat; Vincena, Stephen; Tripathi, Shreekrishna; van Eester, Dirk; Crombe, Kristel

2016-10-01

The LArge Plasma Device (LAPD) at UCLA is a 17 m long, up to 60 cm diameter magnetized plasma column with typical plasma parameters ne 1012 -1013 cm-3, Te 1 - 10 eV, and B 1 kG. A new high-power ( 200 kW) RF system and antenna has been developed for LAPD, enabling the generation of large amplitude fast waves in LAPD. Interaction between the fast waves and density fluctuations is observed, resulting in modulation of the coupled RF power. Two classes of RF-induced density fluctuations are observed. First, a coherent (10 kHz) oscillation is observed spatially near the antenna in response to the initial RF turn-on transient. Second, broadband density fluctuations are enhanced when the RF power is above a threshold a threshold. Strong modulation of the fast wave magnetic fluctuations is observed along with broadening of the primary RF spectral line. Ultimately, high power fast waves will be used for ion heating in LAPD through minority species fundamental heating or second harmonic minority or majority heating. Initial experimental results from heating experiments will be presented along with a discussion of future plans. BaPSF supported by NSF and DOE.

[Development of RF coil of permanent magnet mini-magnetic resonance imager and mouse imaging experiments].

PubMed

Hou, Shulian; Xie, Huantong; Chen, Wei; Wang, Guangxin; Zhao, Qiang; Li, Shiyu

2014-10-01

In the development of radio frequency (RF) coils for better quality of the mini-type permanent magnetic resonance imager for using in the small animal imaging, the solenoid RF coil has a special advantage for permanent magnetic system based on analyses of various types.of RF coils. However, it is not satisfied for imaging if the RF coils are directly used. By theoretical analyses of the magnetic field properties produced from the solenoid coil, the research direction was determined by careful studies to raise further the uniformity of the magnetic field coil, receiving coil sensitivity for signals and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The method had certain advantages and avoided some shortcomings of the other different coil types, such as, birdcage coil, saddle shaped coil and phased array coil by using the alloy materials (from our own patent). The RF coils were designed, developed and made for keeled applicable to permanent magnet-type magnetic resonance imager, multi-coil combination-type, single-channel overall RF receiving coil, and applied for a patent. Mounted on three instruments (25 mm aperture, with main magnetic field strength of 0.5 T or 1.5 T, and 50 mm aperture, with main magnetic field strength of 0.48 T), we performed experiments with mice, rats, and nude mice bearing tumors. The experimental results indicated that the RF receiving coil was fully applicable to the permanent magnet-type imaging system.

Learning Peri-saccadic Remapping of Receptive Field from Experience in Lateral Intraparietal Area.

PubMed

Wang, Xiao; Wu, Yan; Zhang, Mingsha; Wu, Si

2017-01-01

Our eyes move constantly at a frequency of 3-5 times per second. These movements, called saccades, induce the sweeping of visual images on the retina, yet we perceive the world as stable. It has been suggested that the brain achieves this visual stability via predictive remapping of neuronal receptive field (RF). A recent experimental study disclosed details of this remapping process in the lateral intraparietal area (LIP), that is, about the time of the saccade, the neuronal RF expands along the saccadic trajectory temporally, covering the current RF (CRF), the future RF (FRF), and the region the eye will sweep through during the saccade. A cortical wave (CW) model was also proposed, which attributes the RF remapping as a consequence of neural activity propagating in the cortex, triggered jointly by a visual stimulus and the corollary discharge (CD) signal responsible for the saccade. In this study, we investigate how this CW model is learned naturally from visual experiences at the development of the brain. We build a two-layer network, with one layer consisting of LIP neurons and the other superior colliculus (SC) neurons. Initially, neuronal connections are random and non-selective. A saccade will cause a static visual image to sweep through the retina passively, creating the effect of the visual stimulus moving in the opposite direction of the saccade. According to the spiking-time-dependent-plasticity rule, the connection path in the opposite direction of the saccade between LIP neurons and the connection path from SC to LIP are enhanced. Over many such visual experiences, the CW model is developed, which generates the peri-saccadic RF remapping in LIP as observed in the experiment.

Learning Peri-saccadic Remapping of Receptive Field from Experience in Lateral Intraparietal Area

PubMed Central

Wang, Xiao; Wu, Yan; Zhang, Mingsha; Wu, Si

2017-01-01

Our eyes move constantly at a frequency of 3–5 times per second. These movements, called saccades, induce the sweeping of visual images on the retina, yet we perceive the world as stable. It has been suggested that the brain achieves this visual stability via predictive remapping of neuronal receptive field (RF). A recent experimental study disclosed details of this remapping process in the lateral intraparietal area (LIP), that is, about the time of the saccade, the neuronal RF expands along the saccadic trajectory temporally, covering the current RF (CRF), the future RF (FRF), and the region the eye will sweep through during the saccade. A cortical wave (CW) model was also proposed, which attributes the RF remapping as a consequence of neural activity propagating in the cortex, triggered jointly by a visual stimulus and the corollary discharge (CD) signal responsible for the saccade. In this study, we investigate how this CW model is learned naturally from visual experiences at the development of the brain. We build a two-layer network, with one layer consisting of LIP neurons and the other superior colliculus (SC) neurons. Initially, neuronal connections are random and non-selective. A saccade will cause a static visual image to sweep through the retina passively, creating the effect of the visual stimulus moving in the opposite direction of the saccade. According to the spiking-time-dependent-plasticity rule, the connection path in the opposite direction of the saccade between LIP neurons and the connection path from SC to LIP are enhanced. Over many such visual experiences, the CW model is developed, which generates the peri-saccadic RF remapping in LIP as observed in the experiment. PMID:29249953

Design and Calibration of an RF Actuator for Low-Level RF Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geng, Zheqiao; Hong, Bo

2016-02-01

X-ray free electron laser (FEL) machines like the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at SLAC require high-quality electron beams to generate X-ray lasers for various experiments. Digital low-level RF (LLRF) systems are widely used to control the high-power RF klystrons to provide a highly stable RF field in accelerator structures for beam acceleration. Feedback and feedforward controllers are implemented in LLRF systems to stabilize or adjust the phase and amplitude of the RF field. To achieve the RF stability and the accuracy of the phase and amplitude adjustment, low-noise and highly linear RF actuators are required. Aiming for the upgrade of the S-band Linac at SLAC, an RF actuator is designed with an I/Qmodulator driven by two digital-to-analog converters (DAC) for the digital LLRF systems. A direct upconversion scheme is selected for RF actuation, and an on-line calibration algorithm is developed to compensate the RF reference leakage and the imbalance errors in the I/Q modulator, which may cause significant phase and amplitude actuation errors. This paper presents the requirements on the RF actuator, the design of the hardware, the calibration algorithm, and the implementation in firmware and software and the test results at LCLS.

Long pulse EBW start-up experiments in MAST

DOE PAGES

Shevchenko, V. F.; Baranov, Y. F.; Bigelow, T.; ...

2015-03-12

Start-up technique reported here relies on a double mode conversion (MC) for electron Bernstein wave (EBW) excitation. It consists of MC of the ordinary (O) mode, entering the plasma from the low field side of the tokamak, into the extraordinary (X) mode at a mirror-polarizer located at the high field side. The X mode propagates back to the plasma, passes through electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) and experiences a subsequent X to EBW MC near the upper hybrid resonance (UHR). Finally the excited EBW mode is totally absorbed at the Doppler shifted ECR. The absorption of EBW remains high even inmore » cold rarefied plasmas. Furthermore, EBW can generate significant plasma current giving the prospect of a fully solenoid-free plasma start-up. First experiments using this scheme were carried out on MAST [1]. Plasma currents up to 33 kA have been achieved using 28 GHz 100kW 90ms RF pulses. Recently experimental results were extended to longer RF pulses showing further increase of plasma currents generated by RF power alone. A record current of 73kA has been achieved with 450ms RF pulse of similar power. The current drive enhancement was mainly achieved due to RF pulse extension and further optimisation of the start-up scenario.« less

Long pulse EBW start-up experiments in MAST

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

Shevchenko, V. F.; Baranov, Y. F.; Bigelow, T.

Start-up technique reported here relies on a double mode conversion (MC) for electron Bernstein wave (EBW) excitation. It consists of MC of the ordinary (O) mode, entering the plasma from the low field side of the tokamak, into the extraordinary (X) mode at a mirror-polarizer located at the high field side. The X mode propagates back to the plasma, passes through electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) and experiences a subsequent X to EBW MC near the upper hybrid resonance (UHR). Finally the excited EBW mode is totally absorbed at the Doppler shifted ECR. The absorption of EBW remains high even inmore » cold rarefied plasmas. Furthermore, EBW can generate significant plasma current giving the prospect of a fully solenoid-free plasma start-up. First experiments using this scheme were carried out on MAST [1]. Plasma currents up to 33 kA have been achieved using 28 GHz 100kW 90ms RF pulses. Recently experimental results were extended to longer RF pulses showing further increase of plasma currents generated by RF power alone. A record current of 73kA has been achieved with 450ms RF pulse of similar power. The current drive enhancement was mainly achieved due to RF pulse extension and further optimisation of the start-up scenario.« less

Long Pulse EBW Start-up Experiments in MAST

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

Shevchenko, V. F.; Bigelow, Tim S; Caughman, J. B. O.

Start-up technique reported here relies on a double mode conversion (MC) for electron Bernstein wave (EBW) excitation. It consists of MC of the ordinary (0) mode, entering the plasma from the low field side of the tokamak, into the extraordinary (X) mode at a mirror-polarizer located at the high field side. The X mode propagates back to the plasma, passes through electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) and experiences a subsequent X to EBW MC near the upper hybrid resonance (UHR). Finally the excited EBW mode is totally absorbed at the Doppler shifted ECR. The absorption of EBW remains high even inmore » cold rarefied plasmas. Furthermore, EBW can generate significant plasma current giving the prospect of a fully solenoid-free plasma start-up. First experiments using this scheme were carried out on MAST [1]. Plasma currents up to 33 kA have been achieved using 28 GHz 100kW 90ms RF pulses. Recently experimental results were extended to longer RF pulses showing further increase of plasma currents generated by RF power alone. A record current of 73kA has been achieved with 450ms RF pulse of similar power. The current drive enhancement was mainly achieved due to RF pulse extension and further optimisation of the start-up scenario.« less

The contribution of radio-frequency rectification to field-aligned losses of high-harmonic fast wave power to the divertor in the National Spherical Torus eXperiment

DOE PAGES

Perkins, R. J.; Hosea, J. C.; Jaworski, M. A.; ...

2015-04-13

The National Spherical Torus eXperiment (NSTX) can exhibit a major loss of high-harmonic fast wave (HHFW) power along scrape-off layer (SOL) field lines passing in front of the antenna, resulting in bright and hot spirals on both the upper and lower divertor regions. One possible mechanism for this loss is RF sheaths forming at the divertors. We demonstrate that swept-voltage Langmuir probe characteristics for probes under the spiral are shifted relative to those not under the spiral in a manner consistent with RF rectification. We estimate both the magnitude of the RF voltage across the sheath and the sheath heatmore » flux transmission coefficient in the presence of the RF field. Though the precise comparison between computed heat flux and infrared (IR) thermography cannot yet be made, the computed heat deposition compares favorably with the projections from IR camera measurements. The RF sheath losses are significant and contribute substantially to the total SOL losses of HHFW power to the divertor for the cases studied. Our work will guide future experimentation on NSTX-U, where a wide-angle IR camera and a dedicated set of coaxial Langmuir probes for measuring the RF sheath voltage directly will quantify the contribution of RF sheath rectification to the heat deposition from the SOL to the divertor.« less

RF synchronized short pulse laser ion source

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

Fuwa, Yasuhiro, E-mail: fuwa@kyticr.kuicr.kyoto-u.ac.jp; Iwashita, Yoshihisa; Tongu, Hiromu

A laser ion source that produces shortly bunched ion beam is proposed. In this ion source, ions are extracted immediately after the generation of laser plasma by an ultra-short pulse laser before its diffusion. The ions can be injected into radio frequency (RF) accelerating bucket of a subsequent accelerator. As a proof-of-principle experiment of the ion source, a RF resonator is prepared and H{sub 2} gas was ionized by a short pulse laser in the RF electric field in the resonator. As a result, bunched ions with 1.2 mA peak current and 5 ns pulse length were observed at themore » exit of RF resonator by a probe.« less

Generation of multiple analog pulses with different duty cycles within VME control system for ICRH Aditya system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joshi, Ramesh; Singh, Manoj; Jadav, H. M.; Misra, Kishor; Kulkarni, S. V.; ICRH-RF Group

2010-02-01

Ion Cyclotron Resonance Heating (ICRH) is a promising heating method for a fusion device due to its localized power deposition profile, a direct ion heating at high density, and established technology for high RF power generation and transmission at low cost. Multiple analog pulse with different duty cycle in master of digital pulse for Data acquisition and Control system for steady state RF ICRH System(RF ICRH DAC) to be used for operating of RF Generator in Aditya to produce pre ionization and second analog pulse will produce heating. The control system software is based upon single digital pulse operation for RF source. It is planned to integrate multiple analog pulses with different duty cycle in master of digital pulse for Data acquisition and Control system for RF ICRH System(RF ICRH DAC) to be used for operating of RF Generator in Aditya tokamak. The task of RF ICRH DAC is to control and acquisition of all ICRH system operation with all control loop and acquisition for post analysis of data with java based tool. For pre ionization startup as well as heating experiments using multiple RF Power of different powers and duration. The experiment based upon the idea of using single RF generator to energize antenna inside the tokamak to radiate power twise, out of which first analog pulse will produce pre ionization and second analog pulse will produce heating. The whole system is based on standard client server technology using tcp/ip protocol. DAC Software is based on linux operating system for highly reliable, secure and stable system operation in failsafe manner. Client system is based on tcl/tk like toolkit for user interface with c/c++ like environment which is reliable programming languages widely used on stand alone system operation with server as vxWorks real time operating system like environment. The paper is focused on the Data acquisition and monitoring system software on Aditya RF ICRH System with analog pulses in slave mode with digital pulse in master mode for control acquisition and monitoring and interlocking.

RF conditioning and beam experiments on 400 keV RFQ accelerator at BARC

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

Gupta, Shrikrishna; Rao, S.V.L.S.; Kumar, Rajesh, E-mail: sgupta@barc.gov.in

2014-07-01

A 400 keV Radio-frequency quadrupole accelerator (RFQ) has been designed, developed and tested at BARC. This will be used as a neutron generator (via D-T reaction). The RFQ operates at a resonant frequency of 350 MHz and needs an RF power of ∼ 60 kW to accelerate the deuteron beam to 400 keV within a length of 1.03 m. Though the RFQ is designed for deuteron beam, it was tested by accelerating both the proton and deuteron beams to their designed values of 200 and 400 keV respectively. The proton and deuteron beam experiments required peak RF power of approx.more » 15 kW and 60 kW respectively at 350 MHz. The RF power from the tetrode amplifier and coaxial transmission lines is coupled to the cavity by a coaxial loop coupler. As the coupler and cavity operated at vacuum of better than 2e-6 torr, extensive RF conditioning of the cavity and coupler was performed to reach at the desired power levels. (author)« less

Initial experiments with a versatile multi-aperture negative-ion source and related improvements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cavenago, M.

2016-03-01

A relatively compact ion source, named NIO1 (Negative-Ion Optimization 1), with 9 beam apertures for H- extraction is under commissioning, in collaboration between Consorzio RFX and INFN, to provide a test bench for source optimizations, for innovations, and for simulation code validations in support of Neutral Beam Injectors (NBI) optimization. NIO1 installation includes a 60kV high-voltage deck, power supplies for a 130mA ion nominal current, an X-ray shield, and beam diagnostics. Plasma is heated with a tunable 2MHz radiofrequency (rf) generator. Physical aspects of source operation and rf-plasma coupling are discussed. NIO1 tuning procedures and plasma experiments both with air and with hydrogen as filling gas are described, up to a 1.7kW rf power. Transitions to inductively coupled plasma are reported in the case of air (for a rf power of about 0.5kW and a gas pressure below 2Pa), discussing their robust signature in optical emission, and briefly summarized for hydrogen, where more than 1kW rf power is needed.

Influence of the RF electrode cleanliness on plasma characteristics and dust-particle generation in methane dusty plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Géraud-Grenier, I.; Desdions, W.; Faubert, F.; Mikikian, M.; Massereau-Guilbaud, V.

2018-01-01

The methane decomposition in a planar RF discharge (13.56 MHz) leads both to a dust-particle generation in the plasma bulk and to a coating growth on the electrodes. Growing dust-particles fall onto the grounded electrode when they are too heavy. Thus, at the end of the experiment, the grounded electrode is covered by a coating and by fallen dust-particles. During the dust-particle growth, the negative DC self-bias voltage (VDC) increases because fewer electrons reach the RF electrode, leading to a more resistive plasma and to changes in the plasma chemical composition. In this paper, the cleanliness influence of the RF electrode on the dust-particle growth, on the plasma characteristics and composition is investigated. A cleanliness electrode is an electrode without coating and dust-particles on its surface at the beginning of the experiment.

Spontaneous Magnetic Alignment by Yearling Snapping Turtles: Rapid Association of Radio Frequency Dependent Pattern of Magnetic Input with Novel Surroundings

PubMed Central

Landler, Lukas; Painter, Michael S.; Youmans, Paul W.; Hopkins, William A.; Phillips, John B.

2015-01-01

We investigated spontaneous magnetic alignment (SMA) by juvenile snapping turtles using exposure to low-level radio frequency (RF) fields at the Larmor frequency to help characterize the underlying sensory mechanism. Turtles, first introduced to the testing environment without the presence of RF aligned consistently towards magnetic north when subsequent magnetic testing conditions were also free of RF (‘RF off → RF off’), but were disoriented when subsequently exposed to RF (‘RF off → RF on’). In contrast, animals initially introduced to the testing environment with RF present were disoriented when tested without RF (‘RF on → RF off’), but aligned towards magnetic south when tested with RF (‘RF on → RF on’). Sensitivity of the SMA response of yearling turtles to RF is consistent with the involvement of a radical pair mechanism. Furthermore, the effect of RF appears to result from a change in the pattern of magnetic input, rather than elimination of magnetic input altogether, as proposed to explain similar effects in other systems/organisms. The findings show that turtles first exposed to a novel environment form a lasting association between the pattern of magnetic input and their surroundings. However, under natural conditions turtles would never experience a change in the pattern of magnetic input. Therefore, if turtles form a similar association of magnetic cues with the surroundings each time they encounter unfamiliar habitat, as seems likely, the same pattern of magnetic input would be associated with multiple sites/localities. This would be expected from a sensory input that functions as a global reference frame, helping to place multiple locales (i.e., multiple local landmark arrays) into register to form a global map of familiar space. PMID:25978736

Spontaneous magnetic alignment by yearling snapping turtles: rapid association of radio frequency dependent pattern of magnetic input with novel surroundings.

PubMed

Landler, Lukas; Painter, Michael S; Youmans, Paul W; Hopkins, William A; Phillips, John B

2015-01-01

We investigated spontaneous magnetic alignment (SMA) by juvenile snapping turtles using exposure to low-level radio frequency (RF) fields at the Larmor frequency to help characterize the underlying sensory mechanism. Turtles, first introduced to the testing environment without the presence of RF aligned consistently towards magnetic north when subsequent magnetic testing conditions were also free of RF ('RF off → RF off'), but were disoriented when subsequently exposed to RF ('RF off → RF on'). In contrast, animals initially introduced to the testing environment with RF present were disoriented when tested without RF ('RF on → RF off'), but aligned towards magnetic south when tested with RF ('RF on → RF on'). Sensitivity of the SMA response of yearling turtles to RF is consistent with the involvement of a radical pair mechanism. Furthermore, the effect of RF appears to result from a change in the pattern of magnetic input, rather than elimination of magnetic input altogether, as proposed to explain similar effects in other systems/organisms. The findings show that turtles first exposed to a novel environment form a lasting association between the pattern of magnetic input and their surroundings. However, under natural conditions turtles would never experience a change in the pattern of magnetic input. Therefore, if turtles form a similar association of magnetic cues with the surroundings each time they encounter unfamiliar habitat, as seems likely, the same pattern of magnetic input would be associated with multiple sites/localities. This would be expected from a sensory input that functions as a global reference frame, helping to place multiple locales (i.e., multiple local landmark arrays) into register to form a global map of familiar space.

Local Multi-Channel RF Surface Coil versus Body RF Coil Transmission for Cardiac Magnetic Resonance at 3 Tesla: Which Configuration Is Winning the Game?

PubMed

Weinberger, Oliver; Winter, Lukas; Dieringer, Matthias A; Els, Antje; Oezerdem, Celal; Rieger, Jan; Kuehne, Andre; Cassara, Antonino M; Pfeiffer, Harald; Wetterling, Friedrich; Niendorf, Thoralf

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of cardiac MR at 3 Tesla using local four-channel RF coil transmission and benchmark it against large volume body RF coil excitation. Electromagnetic field simulations are conducted to detail RF power deposition, transmission field uniformity and efficiency for local and body RF coil transmission. For both excitation regimes transmission field maps are acquired in a human torso phantom. For each transmission regime flip angle distributions and blood-myocardium contrast are examined in a volunteer study of 12 subjects. The feasibility of the local transceiver RF coil array for cardiac chamber quantification at 3 Tesla is demonstrated. Our simulations and experiments demonstrate that cardiac MR at 3 Tesla using four-channel surface RF coil transmission is competitive versus current clinical CMR practice of large volume body RF coil transmission. The efficiency advantage of the 4TX/4RX setup facilitates shorter repetition times governed by local SAR limits versus body RF coil transmission at whole-body SAR limit. No statistically significant difference was found for cardiac chamber quantification derived with body RF coil versus four-channel surface RF coil transmission. Our simulation also show that the body RF coil exceeds local SAR limits by a factor of ~2 when driven at maximum applicable input power to reach the whole-body SAR limit. Pursuing local surface RF coil arrays for transmission in cardiac MR is a conceptually appealing alternative to body RF coil transmission, especially for patients with implants.

Studies of EUV contamination mitigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graham, Samual, Jr.; Malinowski, Michael E.; Steinhaus, Chip; Grunow, Philip A.; Klebanoff, Leonard E.

2002-07-01

Carbon contamination removal was investigated using remote RF-O2, RF-H2, and atomic hydrogen experiments. Samples consisted of silicon wafers coated with 100 Angstrom sputtered carbon, as well as bare Si-capped Mo/Si optics. Samples were exposed to atomic hydrogen or RF plasma discharges at 100 W, 200 W, and 300 W. Carbon removal rate, optic oxidation rate, at-wavelength (13.4 nm) peak reflectance, and optic surface roughness were characterized. Data show that RF- O2 removes carbon at a rate approximately 6 times faster RF- H2 for a given discharge power. However, both cleaning techniques induce Mo/Si optic degradation through the loss of reflectivity associated with surface oxide growth for RF-O2 and an unknown mechanism with hydrogen cleaning. Atomic hydrogen cleaning shows carbon removal rates sufficient for use as an in-situ cleaning strategy for EUVoptics with less risk of optic degradation from overexposures than RF-discharge cleaning. While hydrogen cleaning (RF and atomic) of EUV optics has proven effective in carbon removal, attempts to dissociate hydrogen in co-exposures with EUV radiation have resulted in no detectable removal of carbon contamination.

Radiofrequency Heating Pathways for Gold Nanoparticles

PubMed Central

Collins, C. B.; McCoy, R. S.; Ackerson, B. J.; Collins, G. J.

2015-01-01

This feature article reviews the thermal dissipation of nanoscopic gold under radiofrequency (RF) irradiation. It also presents previously unpublished data addressing obscure aspects of this phenomenon. While applications in biology motivated initial investigation of RF heating of gold nanoparticles, recent controversy concerning whether thermal effects can be attributed to nanoscopic gold highlight the need to understand the involved mechanism or mechanisms of heating. Both the nature of the particle and the nature of the RF field influence heating. Aspects of nanoparticle chemistry and physics, including the hydrodynamic diameter of the particle, the oxidation state and related magnetism of the core, and the chemical nature of the ligand shell may all strongly influence to what extent a nanoparticle heats in an RF field. Aspects of RF include: power, frequency and antenna designs that emphasize relative strength of magnetic or electric fields, and also influence the extent to which a gold nanoparticle heats in RF. These nanoparticle and RF properties are analysed in the context of three heating mechanisms proposed to explain gold nanoparticle heating in an RF field. This article also makes a critical analysis of the existing literature in the context of the nanoparticle preparations, RF structure, and suggested mechanisms in previously reported experiments. PMID:24962620

Designing dipolar recoupling and decoupling experiments for biological solid-state NMR using interleaved continuous wave and RF pulse irradiation.

PubMed

Bjerring, Morten; Jain, Sheetal; Paaske, Berit; Vinther, Joachim M; Nielsen, Niels Chr

2013-09-17

Rapid developments in solid-state NMR methodology have boosted this technique into a highly versatile tool for structural biology. The invention of increasingly advanced rf pulse sequences that take advantage of better hardware and sample preparation have played an important part in these advances. In the development of these new pulse sequences, researchers have taken advantage of analytical tools, such as average Hamiltonian theory or lately numerical methods based on optimal control theory. In this Account, we focus on the interplay between these strategies in the systematic development of simple pulse sequences that combines continuous wave (CW) irradiation with short pulses to obtain improved rf pulse, recoupling, sampling, and decoupling performance. Our initial work on this problem focused on the challenges associated with the increasing use of fully or partly deuterated proteins to obtain high-resolution, liquid-state-like solid-state NMR spectra. Here we exploit the overwhelming presence of (2)H in such samples as a source of polarization and to gain structural information. The (2)H nuclei possess dominant quadrupolar couplings which complicate even the simplest operations, such as rf pulses and polarization transfer to surrounding nuclei. Using optimal control and easy analytical adaptations, we demonstrate that a series of rotor synchronized short pulses may form the basis for essentially ideal rf pulse performance. Using similar approaches, we design (2)H to (13)C polarization transfer experiments that increase the efficiency by one order of magnitude over standard cross polarization experiments. We demonstrate how we can translate advanced optimal control waveforms into simple interleaved CW and rf pulse methods that form a new cross polarization experiment. This experiment significantly improves (1)H-(15)N and (15)N-(13)C transfers, which are key elements in the vast majority of biological solid-state NMR experiments. In addition, we demonstrate how interleaved sampling of spectra exploiting polarization from (1)H and (2)H nuclei can substantially enhance the sensitivity of such experiments. Finally, we present systematic development of (1)H decoupling methods where CW irradiation of moderate amplitude is interleaved with strong rotor-synchronized refocusing pulses. We show that these sequences remove residual cross terms between dipolar coupling and chemical shielding anisotropy more effectively and improve the spectral resolution over that observed in current state-of-the-art methods.

Local Multi-Channel RF Surface Coil versus Body RF Coil Transmission for Cardiac Magnetic Resonance at 3 Tesla: Which Configuration Is Winning the Game?

PubMed Central

Winter, Lukas; Dieringer, Matthias A.; Els, Antje; Oezerdem, Celal; Rieger, Jan; Kuehne, Andre; Cassara, Antonino M.; Pfeiffer, Harald; Wetterling, Friedrich; Niendorf, Thoralf

2016-01-01

Introduction The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of cardiac MR at 3 Tesla using local four-channel RF coil transmission and benchmark it against large volume body RF coil excitation. Methods Electromagnetic field simulations are conducted to detail RF power deposition, transmission field uniformity and efficiency for local and body RF coil transmission. For both excitation regimes transmission field maps are acquired in a human torso phantom. For each transmission regime flip angle distributions and blood-myocardium contrast are examined in a volunteer study of 12 subjects. The feasibility of the local transceiver RF coil array for cardiac chamber quantification at 3 Tesla is demonstrated. Results Our simulations and experiments demonstrate that cardiac MR at 3 Tesla using four-channel surface RF coil transmission is competitive versus current clinical CMR practice of large volume body RF coil transmission. The efficiency advantage of the 4TX/4RX setup facilitates shorter repetition times governed by local SAR limits versus body RF coil transmission at whole-body SAR limit. No statistically significant difference was found for cardiac chamber quantification derived with body RF coil versus four-channel surface RF coil transmission. Our simulation also show that the body RF coil exceeds local SAR limits by a factor of ~2 when driven at maximum applicable input power to reach the whole-body SAR limit. Conclusion Pursuing local surface RF coil arrays for transmission in cardiac MR is a conceptually appealing alternative to body RF coil transmission, especially for patients with implants. PMID:27598923

Radiofrequency thermo-ablation of PVNS in the knee: initial results.

PubMed

Lalam, Radhesh K; Cribb, Gillian L; Cassar-Pullicino, Victor N; Cool, Wim P; Singh, Jaspreet; Tyrrell, Prudencia N M; Tins, Bernhard J; Winn, Naomi

2015-12-01

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is normally treated by arthroscopic or open surgical excision. We present our initial experience with radiofrequency thermo-ablation (RF ablation) of PVNS located in an inaccessible location in the knee. Review of all patients with histologically proven PVNS treated with RF ablation and with at least 2-year follow-up. Three patients met inclusion criteria and were treated with RF ablation. Two of the patients were treated successfully by one ablation procedure. One of the three patients had a recurrence which was also treated successfully by repeat RF ablation. There were no complications and all patients returned to their previous occupations following RF ablation. In this study we demonstrated the feasibility of performing RF ablation to treat PVNS in relatively inaccessible locations with curative intent. We have also discussed various post-ablation imaging appearances which can confound the assessment for residual/recurrent disease.

Absolute Spatially- and Temporally-Resolved Optical Emission Measurements of rf Glow Discharges in Argon

PubMed Central

Djurović, S.; Roberts, J. R.; Sobolewski, M. A.; Olthoff, J. K.

1993-01-01

Spatially- and temporally-resolved measurements of optical emission intensities are presented from rf discharges in argon over a wide range of pressures (6.7 to 133 Pa) and applied rf voltages (75 to 200 V). Results of measurements of emission intensities are presented for both an atomic transition (Ar I, 750.4 nm) and an ionic transition (Ar II, 434.8 nm). The absolute scale of these optical emissions has been determined by comparison with the optical emission from a calibrated standard lamp. All measurements were made in a well-defined rf reactor. They provide detailed characterization of local time-resolved plasma conditions suitable for the comparison with results from other experiments and theoretical models. These measurements represent a new level of detail in diagnostic measurements of rf plasmas, and provide insight into the electron transport properties of rf discharges. PMID:28053464

Fast and Forceful: Modulation of Response Activation Induced by Shifts of Perceived Depth in Virtual 3D Space

PubMed Central

Plewan, Thorsten; Rinkenauer, Gerhard

2016-01-01

Reaction time (RT) can strongly be influenced by a number of stimulus properties. For instance, there was converging evidence that perceived size rather than physical (i.e., retinal) size constitutes a major determinant of RT. However, this view has recently been challenged since within a virtual three-dimensional (3D) environment retinal size modulation failed to influence RT. In order to further investigate this issue in the present experiments response force (RF) was recorded as a supplemental measure of response activation in simple reaction tasks. In two separate experiments participants’ task was to react as fast as possible to the occurrence of a target located close to the observer or farther away while the offset between target locations was increased from Experiment 1 to Experiment 2. At the same time perceived target size (by varying the retinal size across depth planes) and target type (sphere vs. soccer ball) were modulated. Both experiments revealed faster and more forceful reactions when targets were presented closer to the observers. Perceived size and target type barely affected RT and RF in Experiment 1 but differentially affected both variables in Experiment 2. Thus, the present findings emphasize the usefulness of RF as a supplement to conventional RT measurement. On a behavioral level the results confirm that (at least) within virtual 3D space perceived object size neither strongly influences RT nor RF. Rather the relative position within egocentric (body-centered) space presumably indicates an object’s behavioral relevance and consequently constitutes an important modulator of visual processing. PMID:28018273

A random forest model based classification scheme for neonatal amplitude-integrated EEG.

PubMed

Chen, Weiting; Wang, Yu; Cao, Guitao; Chen, Guoqiang; Gu, Qiufang

2014-01-01

Modern medical advances have greatly increased the survival rate of infants, while they remain in the higher risk group for neurological problems later in life. For the infants with encephalopathy or seizures, identification of the extent of brain injury is clinically challenging. Continuous amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) monitoring offers a possibility to directly monitor the brain functional state of the newborns over hours, and has seen an increasing application in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). This paper presents a novel combined feature set of aEEG and applies random forest (RF) method to classify aEEG tracings. To that end, a series of experiments were conducted on 282 aEEG tracing cases (209 normal and 73 abnormal ones). Basic features, statistic features and segmentation features were extracted from both the tracing as a whole and the segmented recordings, and then form a combined feature set. All the features were sent to a classifier afterwards. The significance of feature, the data segmentation, the optimization of RF parameters, and the problem of imbalanced datasets were examined through experiments. Experiments were also done to evaluate the performance of RF on aEEG signal classifying, compared with several other widely used classifiers including SVM-Linear, SVM-RBF, ANN, Decision Tree (DT), Logistic Regression(LR), ML, and LDA. The combined feature set can better characterize aEEG signals, compared with basic features, statistic features and segmentation features respectively. With the combined feature set, the proposed RF-based aEEG classification system achieved a correct rate of 92.52% and a high F1-score of 95.26%. Among all of the seven classifiers examined in our work, the RF method got the highest correct rate, sensitivity, specificity, and F1-score, which means that RF outperforms all of the other classifiers considered here. The results show that the proposed RF-based aEEG classification system with the combined feature set is efficient and helpful to better detect the brain disorders in newborns.

SIMULATED PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCTION TARGET FOR THE MUON G-2 EXPERIMENT

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

Stratakis, D.; Convery, M.; Morgan, J. P.

The Muon g-2 Experiment plans to use the Fermilab Re-cycler Ring for forming the proton bunches that hit its pro-duction target. The proposed scheme uses one RF system, 80 kV of 2.5 MHz RF. In order to avoid bunch rotations in a mismatched bucket, the 2.5 MHz is ramped adiabatically from 3 to 80 kV in 90 ms. In this study, the interaction of the primary proton beam with the production target for the Muon g-2 Experiment is numerically examined.

RF-SABRE: A Way to Continuous Spin Hyperpolarization at High Magnetic Fields.

PubMed

Pravdivtsev, Andrey N; Yurkovskaya, Alexandra V; Vieth, Hans-Martin; Ivanov, Konstantin L

2015-10-29

A new technique is developed that allows one to carry out the signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) experiments at high magnetic field. SABRE is a hyperpolarization method, which utilizes transfer of spin order from para-hydrogen to the spins of a substrate in transient iridium complexes. Previously, it has been thought that such a transfer of spin order is only efficient at low magnetic fields, notably, at level anti-crossing (LAC) regions. Here it is demonstrated that LAC conditions can also be fulfilled at high fields under the action of a RF field. The high-field RF-SABRE experiment can be implemented using commercially available nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines and does not require technically demanding field-cycling. The achievable NMR enhancements are around 100 for several substrates as compared to their NMR signals at thermal equilibrium conditions at 4.7 T. The frequency dependence of RF-SABRE is comprised of well pronounced peaks and dips, whose position and amplitude are conditioned solely by the magnetic resonance parameters such as chemical shifts and scalar coupling of the spin system involved in the polarization transfer and by the amplitude of the RF field. Thus, the proposed method can serve as a new sensitive tool for probing transient complexes. Simulations of the dependence of magnetization transfer (i.e., NMR signal amplifications) on the frequency and amplitude of the RF field are in good agreement with the developed theoretical approach. Furthermore, the method enables continuous re-hyperpolarization of the SABRE substrate over a long period of time, giving a straightforward way to repetitive NMR experiments.

8.0-Tesla human MR system: temperature changes associated with radiofrequency-induced heating of a head phantom.

PubMed

Kangarlu, Allahyar; Shellock, Frank G; Chakeres, Donald W

2003-02-01

To investigate if the heat induced in biological tissues by typical radio frequency (RF) energy associated with an 8.0-Tesla magnetic resonance (MR) system causes excessive temperature changes. Fluoroptic thermometry was used to measure temperatures in multiple positions in a head phantom made of ground turkey breast. A series of experiments were conducted with measurements obtained at RF power levels ranging from a specific absorption rate (SAR) of up to 4.0 W/kg for 10 minutes. The highest temperature increases were up to 0.7 degrees C. An inhomogeneous heating pattern was observed. In general, the deep regions within the phantom registered higher temperature increases compared to the peripheral sites. The expectation of an inhomogeneous RF distribution in ultra high field systems (> 4 T) was confirmed. At a frequency of 340 MHz and in-tissue RF wave length of about 10 cm, the RF inhomogeneity was measured to create higher temperatures in deeper regions of a human head phantom compared to peripheral tissues. Our results agree with the computational electromagnetic calculations for such frequencies. Importantly, these experiments indicated that there were no regions of heating that exceeded the current FDA guidelines. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Experimental Study of RF Sheaths due to Shear Alfv'en Waves in the LAPD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Michael; van Compernolle, Bart; Carter, Troy; Gekelman, Walter; Pribyl, Patrick; D'Ippolito, Daniel A.; Myra, James R.

2012-10-01

Ion cyclotron resonance frequency (ICRF) heating is an important tool in current fusion experiments and will be an essential part of the heating power in ITER. A current limitation of ICRF heating is impurity generation through the formation of radiofrequency (RF) sheaths, both near-field (at the antenna) and far-field (e.g. in the divertor region). Far-field sheaths are thought to be generated through the direct launch of or mode conversion to shear Alfv'en waves. Shear Alfv'en waves have an electric field component parallel to the background magnetic field near the wall that drives an RF sheath.footnotetextD. A. D'Ippolito and J. R. Myra, Phys. Plasmas 19, 034504 (2012) In this study we directly launch the shear Alfv'en wave and measure the plasma potential oscillations and DC potential in the bulk plasma of the LAPD using emissive and Langmuir probes. Measured changes in the DC plasma potential can serve as an indirect measurement of the formation of an RF sheath because of rectification. These measurements will be useful in guiding future experiments to measure the plasma potential profile inside RF sheaths as part of an ongoing campaign.

Far-Field RF Sheaths due to Shear Alfvén Waves in the LAPD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Michael; van Compernolle, Bart; Gekelman, Walter; Pribyl, Pat; Carter, Troy; D'Ippolito, Daniel A.; Myra, James R.

2013-10-01

Ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) is an important tool in current fusion experiments and will be an essential heating component in ITER. ICRH could be limited by deleterious effects due to the formation of radio frequency (RF) sheaths in the near-field (at the antenna) and in the far-field (e.g. in the divertor region). Far-field sheaths are thought to be caused by the direct launch of or mode conversion to a shear Alfvén wave with an electric field component parallel to the background magnetic field at the wall. In this experiment a limiter plate was inserted into a cylindrical plasma in the LAPD (ne ~ 1010-11 cm-3, Te ~ 5 eV, B0 = 1.2 kG) and RF sheaths were created by directly launching the shear Alfven wave. Plasma potential measurements were made with an emissive probe. DC plasma potential rectification was observed along field lines connected to the plate, serving as an indirect measure of RF sheath formation. 2-D maps of plasma properties and rectified plasma potential will be presented. This research is part of an ongoing campaign to study the formation and structure of RF sheaths.

Experimental Studies of Compact Toroidal Plasma on BCTX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morse, Edward C.; Coomer, Eric D.; Hartman, Charles W.

1998-11-01

The Berkeley Compact Toroid Experiment (BCTX) is a spheromak-type magnetically confined fusion confinement experiment. The plasma is formed using a Marshall gun and injected into a 70 cm diameter copper flux conserver. The BCTX device has an RF heating sy stem which can deliver twenty megawatts of RF power for 100 μs pulse length. The RF system operates at 450 MHz, and energy is coupled into the plasma by lower hybrid waves. The purpose of the experiment is to assess the energy-confining capability of the spheromak plasma configuration by using the RF power as a heat pulse and determining the decay rate of the plasma temperature following the heat pulse. Electron temperatures up to 150 eV have been measured in BCTX using Thomson scattering. Core dens ities have been measured with the Raman-calibrated Thomson system in the 2 arrow 5 × 10^14 per cc range. Other diagnostics include magnetic probes, a laser interferometer electron density measurement, three UV spectrometers for impurity l ine radiation, and an ion Doppler temperature measurement. Some data will be presented which shows the effects of an axial pinch being present in the device, giving the device a nonzero q at the wall.

Proof of principle experiments for helicon discharges in hydrogen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briefi, Stefan; Fantz, Ursel

2013-09-01

In order to reduce the amount of power required for generating CW hydrogen discharges with high electron densities and a high degree of dissociation via RF coupling, the helicon concept is investigated. For this purpose a small laboratory experiment (length of the discharge vessel 40 cm, diameter 10 cm) has been built up. The RF generator has a maximum power of 600 W (frequency 13.56 MHz) and a Nagoya type III antenna is applied. As water cooling was avoided in constructing the experiment for simplicity, the induction coils can only generate a rather low magnetic field up to 14 mT. The performed investigations cover a variation of the RF power and the magnetic field in a pressure range between 0.3 and 10 Pa. Around a magnetic field of 3 mT the low field peak which is typical for helicon discharges could be observed. As the high density mode of helicon discharges has not yet been reached, a different RF generator (2 MHz, 2 KW) and water cooled induction coils will be applied in a next step in order to increase the available power and the magnetic field.

Dissociations of spatial congruence effects across response measures: an examination of delta plots.

PubMed

Miller, Jeff; Roüast, Nora M

2016-09-01

Spatial congruence ("Simon") effects on reaction time (RT) and response force (RF) were studied in two experiments requiring speeded choice responses to the color of a stimulus located irrelevantly to the left or right of fixation. In Experiment 1 with unimanual responses, both RT and incorrect-hand RF were sensitive to spatial congruence, and both showed larger Simon effects following a congruent trial than following an incongruent one. RT and incorrect-hand RF were dissociated in distributional (i.e., delta plot) analyses, however. As in previous studies, the Simon effect on RT was largest for the fastest responses and diminished as RT increased (i.e., decreasing delta plot). In contrast, Simon effects on RF did not decrease for slower responses; if anything, they increased slightly. In Experiment 2 participants made bimanual responses, allowing measurement of the spatial congruence effect for each trial. Responses were both faster and more forceful with the spatially congruent hand than with the spatially incongruent one, but neither of these effects decreased for slower responses. Overall, the results demonstrate that at least some motor-level effects of irrelevant spatial location persist for slower responses.

Novel uses of detonator diagnostics

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

Gibson, John R.; Wilde, Zakary Robert; Tasker, Douglas George

A novel combination of diagnostics is being used to research the physics of detonator initiation. The explosive PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate) commonly used in detonators, is also a piezo-electric material that, when sufficiently shocked, emits an electromagnetic field in the radio frequency (RF) range, along crystal fracture planes. In an effort to capture this RF signal, a new diagnostic was created. A copper foil, used as an RF antenna, was wrapped around a foam fixture encompassing a PETN pellet. Rogowski coils were used to obtain the change in current with respect to time (di/dt) the detonator circuit, in and polyvinylidene difluoridemore » (PVDF) stress sensors were used to capture shockwave arrival time. The goal of these experiments is to use these diagnostics to study the reaction response of a PETN pellet of known particle size to shock loading with various diagnostics including an antenna to capture RF emissions. Our hypothesis is that RF feedback may signify the rate of deflagration to detonation transition (DDT) or lack thereof. The new diagnostics and methods will be used to determine the timing of start of current, bridge burst, detonator breakout timing and RF generated from detonation. These data will be compared to those of currently used diagnostics in order to validate the accuracy of these new methods. Future experiments will incorporate other methods of validation including dynamic radiography, optical initiation and use of magnetic field sensors.« less

Methylation of bacterial release factors RF1 and RF2 is required for normal translation termination in vivo.

PubMed

Mora, Liliana; Heurgué-Hamard, Valérie; de Zamaroczy, Miklos; Kervestin, Stephanie; Buckingham, Richard H

2007-12-07

Bacterial release factors RF1 and RF2 are methylated on the Gln residue of a universally conserved tripeptide motif GGQ, which interacts with the peptidyl transferase center of the large ribosomal subunit, triggering hydrolysis of the ester bond in peptidyl-tRNA and releasing the newly synthesized polypeptide from the ribosome. In vitro experiments have shown that the activity of RF2 is stimulated by Gln methylation. The viability of Escherichia coli K12 strains depends on the integrity of the release factor methyltransferase PrmC, because K12 strains are partially deficient in RF2 activity due to the presence of a Thr residue at position 246 instead of Ala. Here, we study in vivo RF1 and RF2 activity at termination codons in competition with programmed frameshifting and the effect of the Ala-246 --> Thr mutation. PrmC inactivation reduces the specific termination activity of RF1 and RF2(Ala-246) by approximately 3- to 4-fold. The mutation Ala-246 --> Thr in RF2 reduces the termination activity in cells approximately 5-fold. After correction for the decrease in level of RF2 due to the autocontrol of RF2 synthesis, the mutation Ala-246 --> Thr reduced RF2 termination activity by approximately 10-fold at UGA codons and UAA codons. PrmC inactivation had no effect on cell growth in rich media but reduced growth considerably on poor carbon sources. This suggests that the expression of some genes needed for optimal growth under such conditions can become growth limiting as a result of inefficient translation termination.

Efficient model for low-energy transverse beam dynamics in a nine-cell 1.3 GHz cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hellert, Thorsten; Dohlus, Martin; Decking, Winfried

2017-10-01

FLASH and the European XFEL are SASE-FEL user facilities, at which superconducting TESLA cavities are operated in a pulsed mode to accelerate long bunch-trains. Several cavities are powered by one klystron. While the low-level rf system is able to stabilize the vector sum of the accelerating gradient of one rf station sufficiently, the rf parameters of individual cavities vary within the bunch-train. In correlation with misalignments, intrabunch-train trajectory variations are induced. An efficient model is developed to describe the effect at low beam energy, using numerically adjusted transfer matrices and discrete coupler kick coefficients, respectively. Comparison with start-to-end tracking and dedicated experiments at the FLASH injector will be shown. The short computation time of the derived model allows for comprehensive numerical studies on the impact of misalignments and variable rf parameters on the transverse intra-bunch-train beam stability at the injector module. Results from both, statistical multibunch performance studies and the deduction of misalignments from multibunch experiments are presented.

Active control of the spatial MRI phase distribution with optimal control theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lefebvre, Pauline M.; Van Reeth, Eric; Ratiney, Hélène; Beuf, Olivier; Brusseau, Elisabeth; Lambert, Simon A.; Glaser, Steffen J.; Sugny, Dominique; Grenier, Denis; Tse Ve Koon, Kevin

2017-08-01

This paper investigates the use of Optimal Control (OC) theory to design Radio-Frequency (RF) pulses that actively control the spatial distribution of the MRI magnetization phase. The RF pulses are generated through the application of the Pontryagin Maximum Principle and optimized so that the resulting transverse magnetization reproduces various non-trivial and spatial phase patterns. Two different phase patterns are defined and the resulting optimal pulses are tested both numerically with the ODIN MRI simulator and experimentally with an agar gel phantom on a 4.7 T small-animal MR scanner. Phase images obtained in simulations and experiments are both consistent with the defined phase patterns. A practical application of phase control with OC-designed pulses is also presented, with the generation of RF pulses adapted for a Magnetic Resonance Elastography experiment. This study demonstrates the possibility to use OC-designed RF pulses to encode information in the magnetization phase and could have applications in MRI sequences using phase images.

Non-Equilibrium Plasma MHD Electrical Power Generation at Tokyo Tech

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murakami, T.; Okuno, Y.; Yamasaki, H.

2008-02-01

This paper reviews the recent activities on radio-frequency (rf) electromagnetic-field-assisted magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generation experiments at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. An inductively coupled rf field (13.56 MHz) is continuously supplied to the disk-shaped Hall-type MHD generator. The first part of this paper describes a method of obtaining increased power output from a pure Argon plasma MHD power generator by incorporating an rf power source to preionize and heat the plasma. The rf heating enhances ionization of the Argon and raises the temperature of the free electron population above the nominally low 4500 K temperatures obtained without rf heating. This in turn enhances the plasma conductivity making MHD power generation feasible. We demonstrate an enhanced power output when rf heating is on approximately 5 times larger than the input power of the rf generator. The second part of this paper is a demonstration of a physical phenomenon of the rf-stabilization of the ionization instability, that had been conjectured for some time, but had not been seen experimentally. The rf heating suppresses the ionization instability in the plasma behavior and homogenizes the nonuniformity of the plasma structures. The power-generating performance is significantly improved with the aid of the rf power under wide seeding conditions. The increment of the enthalpy extraction ratio of around 2% is significantly greater than the fraction of the net rf power, that is, 0.16%, to the thermal input.

Workgroup report: base stations and wireless networks-radiofrequency (RF) exposures and health consequences.

PubMed

Valberg, Peter A; van Deventer, T Emilie; Repacholi, Michael H

2007-03-01

Radiofrequency (RF) waves have long been used for different types of information exchange via the air waves--wireless Morse code, radio, television, and wireless telephone (i.e., construction and operation of telephones or telephone systems). Increasingly larger numbers of people rely on mobile telephone technology, and health concerns about the associated RF exposure have been raised, particularly because the mobile phone handset operates in close proximity to the human body, and also because large numbers of base station antennas are required to provide widespread availability of service to large populations. The World Health Organization convened an expert workshop to discuss the current state of cellular-telephone health issues, and this article brings together several of the key points that were addressed. The possibility of RF health effects has been investigated in epidemiology studies of cellular telephone users and workers in RF occupations, in experiments with animals exposed to cell-phone RF, and via biophysical consideration of cell-phone RF electric-field intensity and the effect of RF modulation schemes. As summarized here, these separate avenues of scientific investigation provide little support for adverse health effects arising from RF exposure at levels below current international standards. Moreover, radio and television broadcast waves have exposed populations to RF for > 50 years with little evidence of deleterious health consequences. Despite unavoidable uncertainty, current scientific data are consistent with the conclusion that public exposures to permissible RF levels from mobile telephone and base stations are not likely to adversely affect human health.

Workgroup Report: Base Stations and Wireless Networks—Radiofrequency (RF) Exposures and Health Consequences

PubMed Central

Valberg, Peter A.; van Deventer, T. Emilie; Repacholi, Michael H.

2007-01-01

Radiofrequency (RF) waves have long been used for different types of information exchange via the airwaves—wireless Morse code, radio, television, and wireless telephony (i.e., construction and operation of telephones or telephonic systems). Increasingly larger numbers of people rely on mobile telephone technology, and health concerns about the associated RF exposure have been raised, particularly because the mobile phone handset operates in close proximity to the human body, and also because large numbers of base station antennas are required to provide widespread availability of service to large populations. The World Health Organization convened an expert workshop to discuss the current state of cellular-telephone health issues, and this article brings together several of the key points that were addressed. The possibility of RF health effects has been investigated in epidemiology studies of cellular telephone users and workers in RF occupations, in experiments with animals exposed to cell-phone RF, and via biophysical consideration of cell-phone RF electric-field intensity and the effect of RF modulation schemes. As summarized here, these separate avenues of scientific investigation provide little support for adverse health effects arising from RF exposure at levels below current international standards. Moreover, radio and television broadcast waves have exposed populations to RF for > 50 years with little evidence of deleterious health consequences. Despite unavoidable uncertainty, current scientific data are consistent with the conclusion that public exposures to permissible RF levels from mobile telephony and base stations are not likely to adversely affect human health. PMID:17431492

Radiofrequency heating pathways for gold nanoparticles.

PubMed

Collins, C B; McCoy, R S; Ackerson, B J; Collins, G J; Ackerson, C J

2014-08-07

This feature article reviews the thermal dissipation of nanoscopic gold under radiofrequency (RF) irradiation. It also presents previously unpublished data addressing obscure aspects of this phenomenon. While applications in biology motivated initial investigation of RF heating of gold nanoparticles, recent controversy concerning whether thermal effects can be attributed to nanoscopic gold highlight the need to understand the involved mechanism or mechanisms of heating. Both the nature of the particle and the nature of the RF field influence heating. Aspects of nanoparticle chemistry which may affect thermal dissipation include the hydrodynamic diameter of the particle, the oxidation state and related magnetism of the core, and the chemical nature of the ligand shell. Aspects of RF which may affect thermal dissipation include power, frequency and antenna designs that emphasize relative strength of magnetic or electric fields. These nanoparticle and RF properties are analysed in the context of three heating mechanisms proposed to explain gold nanoparticle heating in an RF field. This article also makes a critical analysis of the existing literature in the context of the nanoparticle preparations, RF structure, and suggested mechanisms in previously reported experiments.

BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES OF LOW-FREQUENCY SINUSOIDAL ELECTROMAGNETIC SIGNALS ALONE AND SUPERIMPOSED ON RF CARRIER WAVES

EPA Science Inventory

The report describes in a historical context the experiments that have been performed to examine the biological responses caused by exposure to low frequency electromagnetic radiation directly or as modulation of RF carrier waves. A detailed review is provided of the independentl...

Spatial Concentrations of Silicon Atoms in RF Discharges of Silane.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-02-18

regions. These profiles were much more sensitive to plasma chemistry changes than profiles obtained from plasma emission. Experiments with nitrogen...addition demonstrated significant changes in the silicon atom profiles near the sheath boundary. Originator supplied keywords include: rf discharge, silane, plasma chemistry , silicon atom, laser-induced fluorescence.

RF Guns for Generation of Polarized Electron Beams

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

Clendenin, J.E.; Brachmann, A.; Dowell, D.H.

2005-11-09

Several accelerators, including the SLC, JLAB, Mainz, Bates/MIT, and Bonn have successfully operated for medium and high energy physics experiments using polarized electron beams generated by dc-biased guns employing GaAs photocathodes. Since these guns have all used a bias on the order of 100 kV, the longitudinal emittance of the extracted bunch is rather poor. Downstream rf bunching systems increase the transverse emittance. An rf gun with a GaAs photocathode would eliminate the need for separate rf bunchers, resulting in a simpler injection system. In addition, the thermal emittance of GaAs-type cathodes is significantly lower than for other photocathode materials.more » The environmental requirements for operating activated GaAs photocathodes cannot be met by rf guns as currently designed and operated. These requirements, including limits on vacuum and electron back bombardment, are discussed in some detail. Modifications to actual and proposed rf gun designs that would allow these requirements to be met are presented.« less

Radiofrequency ablation for hepatic hemangiomas: A consensus from a Chinese panel of experts

PubMed Central

Gao, Jun; Fan, Rui-Fang; Yang, Jia-Yin; Cui, Yan; Ji, Jian-Song; Ma, Kuan-Sheng; Li, Xiao-Long; Zhang, Long; Xu, Chong-Liang; Kong, Xin-Liang; Ke, Shan; Ding, Xue-Mei; Wang, Shao-Hong; Yang, Meng-Meng; Song, Jin-Jin; Zhai, Bo; Nin, Chun-Ming; Guo, Shi-Gang; Xin, Zong-Hai; Lu, Jun; Dong, Yong-Hong; Zhu, Hua-Qiang; Sun, Wen-Bing

2017-01-01

Recent studies have shown that radiofrequency (RF) ablation therapy is a safe, feasible, and effective procedure for hepatic hemangiomas, even huge hepatic hemangiomas. RF ablation has the following advantages in the treatment of hepatic hemangiomas: minimal invasiveness, definite efficacy, high safety, fast recovery, relatively simple operation, and wide applicability. It is necessary to formulate a widely accepted consensus among the experts in China who have extensive expertise and experience in the treatment of hepatic hemangiomas using RF ablation, which is important to standardize the application of RF ablation for the management of hepatic hemangiomas, regarding the selection of patients with suitable indications to receive RF ablation treatment, the technical details of the techniques, therapeutic effect evaluations, management of complications, etc. A final consensus by a Chinese panel of experts who have the expertise of using RF ablation to treat hepatic hemangiomas was reached by means of literature review, comprehensive discussion, and draft approval. PMID:29093616

Integrated RF-shim coil allowing two degrees of freedom shim current.

PubMed

Jiazheng Zhou; Ying-Hua Chu; Yi-Cheng Hsu; Pu-Yeh Wu; Stockmann, Jason P; Fa-Hsuan Lin

2016-08-01

High-quality magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopic measurements require a highly homogeneous magnetic field. Different from global shimming, localized off-resonance can be corrected by using multi-coil shimming. Previously, integrated RF and shimming coils have been used to implement multi-coil shimming. Such coils share the same conductor for RF signal reception and shim field generation. Here we propose a new design of the integrated RF-shim coil at 3-tesla, where two independent shim current paths are allowed in each coil. This coil permits a higher degree of freedom in shim current distribution design. We use both phantom experiments and simulations to demonstrate the feasibility of this new design.

Observation of Repetition-Rate Dependent Emission From an Un-Gated Thermionic Cathode Rf Gun

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

Edelen, J. P.; Sun, Y.; Harris, J.R.

Recent work at Fermilab in collaboration with the Advanced Photon Source and members of other national labs, designed an experiment to study the relationship between the RF repetition rate and the average current per RF pulse. While existing models anticipate a direct relationship between these two parameters we observed an inverse relationship. We believe this is a result of damage to the barium coating on the cathode surface caused by a change in back-bombardment power that is unaccounted for in the existing theories. These observations shed new light on the challenges and fundamental limitations associated with scaling an ungated thermionicmore » cathode RF gun to high average current.« less

RF slice profile effects in magnetic resonance fingerprinting.

PubMed

Hong, Taehwa; Han, Dongyeob; Kim, Min-Oh; Kim, Dong-Hyun

2017-09-01

The radio frequency (RF) slice profile effects on T1 and T2 estimation in magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) are investigated with respect to time-bandwidth product (TBW), flip angle (FA) level and field inhomogeneities. Signal evolutions are generated incorporating the non-ideal slice selective excitation process using Bloch simulation and matched to the original dictionary with and without the non-ideal slice profile taken into account. For validation, phantom and in vivo experiments are performed at 3T. Both simulations and experiments results show that T1 and T2 error from non-ideal slice profile increases with increasing FA level, off-resonance, and low TBW values. Therefore, RF slice profile effects should be compensated for accurate determination of the MR parameters. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Radiofrequency antenna for suppression of parasitic discharges in a helicon plasma thruster experiment.

PubMed

Takahashi, Kazunori

2012-08-01

A radiofrequency (rf) antenna for helicon plasma thruster experiments is developed and tested using a permanent magnets helicon plasma source immersed in a vacuum chamber. A magnetic nozzle is provided by permanent magnets arrays and an argon plasma is produced by a 13.56 MHz radiofrequency helicon-wave or inductively-coupled discharge. A parasitic discharge outside the source tube is successfully suppressed by covering the rf antenna with a ceramic ring and a grounded shield; a decrease in the ion saturation current of a Langmuir probe located outside the source tube is observed and the ion saturation current on axis increases simultaneously, compared with the case of a standard uncovered rf antenna. It is also demonstrated that the covered antenna can yield stable operation of the source.

RF breakdown in "cold" slow wave structures operating at travelling wave mode of TM01

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Yuzhang; Zhang, Jun; Zhong, Huihuang; Zhang, Dian; Bai, Zhen; Zhu, Danni

2018-01-01

RF breakdown experiments and simulations in "cold" slow wave structures (SWSs) are executed. All the SWSs are designed as traveling wave structures, which operate at the π/2 mode of TM01 waves. The experimental results indicate that the input microwave energy is mainly absorbed, not reflected by the RF breakdown process in traveling wave SWSs. Both larger magnitude of Es-max and more numbers of periods of SWSs aggravate the microwave absorption in the breakdown process and bring about a shorter transmission pulse width. We think that the critical surface E-field of the multi-period SWSs is 1 MV/cm. However, little correlation between RF breakdown effects and Bext is observed in the experiments. The simulation conditions are coincident with the experimental setup. Explosive emissions of electrons in the rounded corner of SWSs together with the ionization of the gas layer close to it supply the breakdown plasma. The gas layer consists of water vapor and hydrogen gas and has a pressure of 1 Pa. Different kinds of circumstances of SWSs are simulated. We mainly concern about the characteristic of the plasma and its influence on microwave power. Comprehensive simulation results are obtained. The simulation results match the experimental results basically and are helpful in explaining the RF breakdown phenomenon physically.

Exposure of magnetic bacteria to simulated mobile phone-type RF radiation has no impact on mortality.

PubMed

Cranfield, Charles G; Wieser, Heinz Gregor; Dobson, Jon

2003-09-01

The interaction of mobile phone RF emissions with biogenic magnetite in the human brain has been proposed as a potential mechanism for mobile phone bioeffects. This is of particular interest in light of the discovery of magnetite in human brain tissue. Previous experiments using magnetite-containing bacteria exposed directly to emissions from a mobile phone have indicated that these emissions might be causing greater levels of cell death in these bacterial populations when compared to sham exposures. A repeat of these experiments examining only the radio frequency (RF) global system for mobile communication (GSM) component of the mobile phone signal in a well-defined waveguide system (REFLEX), shows no significant change in cell mortality compared to sham exposures. A nonmagnetite containing bacterial cell strain (CC-26) with similar genotype and phenotype to the magnetotactic bacteria was used as a control. These also showed no significant change in cell mortality between RF and sham exposed samples. Results indicate that the RF components of mobile phone exposure do not appear to be responsible for previous findings indicating cell mortality as a result of direct mobile phone exposure. A further mobile phone emission component that should be investigated is the 2-Hz magnetic field pulse generated by battery currents during periods of discontinuous transmission.

The Escherichia coli O157:H7 bovine rumen fluid proteome reflects adaptive bacterial responses.

PubMed

Kudva, Indira T; Stanton, Thaddeus B; Lippolis, John D

2014-02-21

To obtain insights into Escherichia coli O157:H7 (O157) survival mechanisms in the bovine rumen, we defined the growth characteristics and proteome of O157 cultured in rumen fluid (RF; pH 6.0-7.2 and low volatile fatty acid content) obtained from rumen-fistulated cattle fed low protein content "maintenance diet" under diverse in vitro conditions. Bottom-up proteomics (LC-MS/MS) of whole cell-lysates of O157 cultured under anaerobic conditions in filter-sterilized RF (fRF; devoid of normal ruminal microbiota) and nutrient-depleted and filtered RF (dRF) resulted in an anaerobic O157 fRF-and dRF-proteome comprising 35 proteins functionally associated with cell structure, motility, transport, metabolism and regulation, but interestingly, not with O157 virulence. Shotgun proteomics-based analysis using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation used to further study differential protein expression in unfiltered RF (uRF; RF containing normal rumen microbial flora) complemented these results. Our results indicate that in the rumen, the first anatomical compartment encountered by this human pathogen within the cattle gastrointestinal tract (GIT), O157 initiates a program of specific gene expression that enables it to adapt to the in vivo environment, and successfully transit to its colonization sites in the bovine GIT. Further experiments in vitro using uRF from animals fed different diets and with additional O157 strains, and in vivo using rumen-fistulated cattle will provide a comprehensive understanding of the adaptive mechanisms involved, and help direct evolution of novel modalities for blocking O157 infection of cattle.

Anthropogenic Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Elicit Neuropathic Pain in an Amputation Model

PubMed Central

Jones, Erick; Romero-Ortega, Mario

2016-01-01

Anecdotal and clinical reports have suggested that radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) may serve as a trigger for neuropathic pain. However, these reports have been widely disregarded, as the epidemiological effects of electromagnetic fields have not been systematically proven, and are highly controversial. Here, we demonstrate that anthropogenic RF EMFs elicit post-neurotomy pain in a tibial neuroma transposition model. Behavioral assays indicate a persistent and significant pain response to RF EMFs when compared to SHAM surgery groups. Laser thermometry revealed a transient skin temperature increase during stimulation. Furthermore, immunofluorescence revealed an increased expression of temperature sensitive cation channels (TRPV4) in the neuroma bulb, suggesting that RF EMF-induced pain may be due to cytokine-mediated channel dysregulation and hypersensitization, leading to thermal allodynia. Additional behavioral assays were performed using an infrared heating lamp in place of the RF stimulus. While thermally-induced pain responses were observed, the response frequency and progression did not recapitulate the RF EMF effects. In vitro calcium imaging experiments demonstrated that our RF EMF stimulus is sufficient to directly contribute to the depolarization of dissociated sensory neurons. Furthermore, the perfusion of inflammatory cytokine TNF-α resulted in a significantly higher percentage of active sensory neurons during RF EMF stimulation. These results substantiate patient reports of RF EMF-pain, in the case of peripheral nerve injury, while confirming the public and scientific consensus that anthropogenic RF EMFs engender no adverse sensory effects in the general population. PMID:26760033

Skyrme forces and decay of the Rf266*104 nucleus synthesized via different incoming channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niyti, Deep, Aman; Kharab, Rajesh; Chopra, Sahila; Gupta, Raj K.

2017-03-01

The excitation functions for the production of 262Rf, 261Rf, and 260Rf isotopes via 4 n -, 5 n -, and 6 n -decay channels from the *266Rf compound nucleus are studied within the dynamical cluster-decay model (DCM), including deformations β2 i and so-called hot-optimum orientations θi which support symmetric fission, in agreement with experiments. The data are available for 18O+248Cm and 22Ne+244Pu reactions, respectively, at the energy ranges of Elab=88.2 to 101.3 and 109.0 to 124.8 MeV. For the nuclear interaction potentials, we use the Skyrme energy density functional (SEDF) based on semiclassical extended Thomas Fermi (ETF) approach, which means an extension of the earlier study of excitation functions of *266Rf formed in 18O+248Cm reaction, based on the DCM using the pocket formula for nuclear proximity potential, showing interaction dependence. The Skyrme forces used here are the old SIII and SIV and new GSkI and KDE0(v1) given for both normal and isospin-rich nuclei, with densities added in frozen density approximation. Interestingly, the DCM gives an excellent fit to the measured data on fusion evaporation residue (ER) for both the incoming channels (18O+248Cm and 22Ne+244Pu ) at the energy range Elab=88.2 to 124.8 MeV, independent of the entrance channel and Skyrme force used. The possible fusion-fission (ff) and quasifission (qf) mass regions of fragments on DCM are also predicted. The DCM with Skyrme forces is further used to look for all the possible target-projectile (t-p) combinations forming the cold compound nucleus (CN) *266Rf at the CN excitation energy of Elab for hot compact configurations. The fusion evaporation residue cross sections, for the proposed new reactions in synthesizing the CN *266Rf, are also estimated for the future experiments, and role of mass asymmetry of nuclei is indicated.

Random forests, a novel approach for discrimination of fish populations using parasites as biological tags.

PubMed

Perdiguero-Alonso, Diana; Montero, Francisco E; Kostadinova, Aneta; Raga, Juan Antonio; Barrett, John

2008-10-01

Due to the complexity of host-parasite relationships, discrimination between fish populations using parasites as biological tags is difficult. This study introduces, to our knowledge for the first time, random forests (RF) as a new modelling technique in the application of parasite community data as biological markers for population assignment of fish. This novel approach is applied to a dataset with a complex structure comprising 763 parasite infracommunities in population samples of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, from the spawning/feeding areas in five regions in the North East Atlantic (Baltic, Celtic, Irish and North seas and Icelandic waters). The learning behaviour of RF is evaluated in comparison with two other algorithms applied to class assignment problems, the linear discriminant function analysis (LDA) and artificial neural networks (ANN). The three algorithms are used to develop predictive models applying three cross-validation procedures in a series of experiments (252 models in total). The comparative approach to RF, LDA and ANN algorithms applied to the same datasets demonstrates the competitive potential of RF for developing predictive models since RF exhibited better accuracy of prediction and outperformed LDA and ANN in the assignment of fish to their regions of sampling using parasite community data. The comparative analyses and the validation experiment with a 'blind' sample confirmed that RF models performed more effectively with a large and diverse training set and a large number of variables. The discrimination results obtained for a migratory fish species with largely overlapping parasite communities reflects the high potential of RF for developing predictive models using data that are both complex and noisy, and indicates that it is a promising tool for parasite tag studies. Our results suggest that parasite community data can be used successfully to discriminate individual cod from the five different regions of the North East Atlantic studied using RF.

Dipolar recoupling in solid state NMR by phase alternating pulse sequences

PubMed Central

Lin, J.; Bayro, M.; Griffin, R. G.; Khaneja, N.

2009-01-01

We describe some new developments in the methodology of making heteronuclear and homonuclear recoupling experiments in solid state NMR insensitive to rf-inhomogeneity by phase alternating the irradiation on the spin system every rotor period. By incorporating delays of half rotor periods in the pulse sequences, these phase alternating experiments can be made γ encoded. The proposed methodology is conceptually different from the standard methods of making recoupling experiments robust by the use of ramps and adiabatic pulses in the recoupling periods. We show how the concept of phase alternation can be incorporated in the design of homonuclear recoupling experiments that are both insensitive to chemical-shift dispersion and rf-inhomogeneity. PMID:19157931

Plasma current start-up experiments without the central solenoid in the TST-2 spherical tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takase, Y.; Ejiri, A.; Shiraiwa, S.; Adachi, Y.; Ishii, N.; Kasahara, H.; Nuga, H.; Ono, Y.; Oosako, T.; Sasaki, M.; Shimada, Y.; Sumitomo, N.; Taguchi, I.; Tojo, H.; Tsujimura, J.; Ushigome, M.; Yamada, T.; Hanada, K.; Hasegawa, M.; Idei, H.; Nakamura, K.; Sakamoto, M.; Sasaki, K.; Sato, K. N.; Zushi, H.; Nishino, N.; Mitarai, O.

2006-08-01

Several techniques for initiating the plasma current without the use of the central solenoid are being developed in TST-2. While TST-2 was temporarily located at Kyushu University, two types of start-up scenarios were demonstrated. (1) A plasma current of 4 kA was generated and sustained for 0.28 s by either electron cyclotron wave or electron Bernstein wave, without induction. (2) A plasma current of 10 kA was obtained transiently by induction using only outboard poloidal field coils. In the second scenario, it is important to supply sufficient power for ionization (100 kW of EC power was sufficient in this case), since the vertical field during start-up is not adequate to maintain plasma equilibrium. In addition, electron heating experiments using the X-B mode conversion scenario were performed, and a heating efficiency of 60% was observed at a 100 kW RF power level. TST-2 is now located at the Kashiwa Campus of the University of Tokyo. Significant upgrades were made in both magnetic coil power supplies and RF systems, and plasma experiments have restarted. RF power of up to 400 kW is available in the high-harmonic fast wave frequency range around 20 MHz. Four 200 MHz transmitters are now being prepared for plasma current start-up experiments using RF power in the lower-hybrid frequency range. Preparations are in progress for a new plasma merging experiment (UTST) aimed at the formation and sustainment of ultra-high β ST plasmas.

Method of phase space beam dilution utilizing bounded chaos generated by rf phase modulation

DOE PAGES

Pham, Alfonse N.; Lee, S. Y.; Ng, K. Y.

2015-12-10

This paper explores the physics of chaos in a localized phase-space region produced by rf phase modulation applied to a double rf system. The study can be exploited to produce rapid particle bunch broadening exhibiting longitudinal particle distribution uniformity. Hamiltonian models and particle-tracking simulations are introduced to understand the mechanism and applicability of controlled particle diffusion. When phase modulation is applied to the double rf system, regions of localized chaos are produced through the disruption and overlapping of parametric resonant islands and configured to be bounded by well-behaved invariant tori to prevent particle loss. The condition of chaoticity and themore » degree of particle dilution can be controlled by the rf parameters. As a result, the method has applications in alleviating adverse space-charge effects in high-intensity beams, particle bunch distribution uniformization, and industrial radiation-effects experiments.« less

Improved Magnetron Stability and Reduced Noise in Efficient Transmitters for Superconducting Accelerators

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

Kazakevich, G.; Johnson, R.; Lebedev, V.

State of the art high-current superconducting accelerators require efficient RF sources with a fast dynamic phase and power control. This allows for compensation of the phase and amplitude deviations of the accelerating voltage in the Superconducting RF (SRF) cavities caused by microphonics, etc. Efficient magnetron transmitters with fast phase and power control are attractive RF sources for this application. They are more cost effective than traditional RF sources such as klystrons, IOTs and solid-state amplifiers used with large scale accelerator projects. However, unlike traditional RF sources, controlled magnetrons operate as forced oscillators. Study of the impact of the controlling signalmore » on magnetron stability, noise and efficiency is therefore important. This paper discusses experiments with 2.45 GHz, 1 kW tubes and verifies our analytical model which is based on the charge drift approximation.« less

Parenting and Adolescent Adjustment: The Role of Parental Reflective Function

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Benbassat, Naomi; Priel, Beatriz

2012-01-01

Reflective function (RF) is the capacity to reflect on one's own mental experiences and those of others. This study examined the relationship between parental RF and adolescent adjustment. One hundred and five adolescents, aged 14-18, and their mothers and fathers were interviewed and completed questionnaires during home visits. We measured…

Semiconductor laser-based optoelectronics oscillators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, X. S.; Maleki, Lute; Wu, Chi; Davis, Lawrence J.; Forouhar, Siamak

1998-08-01

We demonstrate the realization of coupled opto-electronic oscillators (COEO) with different semiconductor lasers, including a ring laser, a Fabry-Perot laser, and a colliding pulse mode-locked laser. Each COEO can simultaneously generate short optical pulses and spectrally pure RF signals. With these devices, we obtained optical pulses as short as 6 picoseconds and RF signals as high in frequency as 18 GHz with a spectral purity comparable with a HP8561B synthesizer. These experiments demonstrate that COEOs are promising compact sources for generating low jitter optical pulses and low phase noise RF/millimeter wave signals.

Development of a model and test equipment for cold flow tests at 500 atm of small nuclear light bulb configurations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jaminet, J. F.

1972-01-01

A model and test equipment were developed and cold-flow-tested at greater than 500 atm in preparation for future high-pressure rf plasma experiments and in-reactor tests with small nuclear light bulb configurations. With minor exceptions, the model chamber is similar in design and dimensions to a proposed in-reactor geometry for tests with fissioning uranium plasmas in the nuclear furnace. The model and the equipment were designed for use with the UARL 1.2-MW rf induction heater in tests with rf plasmas at pressures up to 500 atm. A series of cold-flow tests of the model was then conducted at pressures up to about 510 atm. At 504 atm, the flow rates of argon and cooling water were 3.35 liter/sec (STP) and 26 gal/min, respectively. It was demonstrated that the model is capable of being operated for extended periods at the 500-atm pressure level and is, therefore, ready for use in initial high-pressure rf plasma experiments.

Silicon Carbide Mixers Demonstrated to Improve the Interference Immunity of Radio-Based Aircraft Avionics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neudeck, Philip G.

1998-01-01

Concern over the interference of stray radiofrequency (RF) emissions with key aircraft avionics is evident during takeoff and landing of every commercial flight when the flight attendant requests that all portable electronics be switched off. The operation of key radio-based avionics (such as glide-slope and localizer approach instruments) depends on the ability of front-end RF receivers to detect and amplify desired information signals while rejecting interference from undesired RF sources both inside and outside the aircraft. Incidents where key navigation and approach avionics malfunction because of RF interference clearly represent an increasing threat to flight safety as the radio spectrum becomes more crowded. In an initial feasibility experiment, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and the NASA Lewis Research Center recently demonstrated the strategic use of silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor components to significantly reduce the susceptibility of an RF receiver circuit to undesired RF interference. A pair of silicon carbide mixer diodes successfully reduced RF interference (intermodulation distortion) in a prototype receiver circuit by a factor of 10 (20 dB) in comparison to a pair of commercial silicon-based mixer diodes.

OBSERVATION OF REPETITION-RATE DEPENDANT EMISSION FROM AN UN-GATED THERMIONIC CATHODE RF GUN

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

Edelen, J. P.; Sun, Y.; Harris, J. R.

Recent work at Fermilab in collaboration with the Advanced Photon Source and members of other national labs, designed an experiment to study the relationship between the RF repetition rate and the average current per RF pulse. While existing models anticipate a direct relationship between these two parameters we observed an inverse relationship. We believe this is a result of damage to the barium coating on the cathode surface caused by a change in back-bombardment power that is unaccounted for in the existing theories. These observations shed new light on the challenges and fundamental limitations associated with scaling an ungated thermionicmore » cathode RF gun to high average current machines.« less

Design optimization of RF lines in vacuum environment for the MITICA experiment

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

De Muri, Michela, E-mail: michela.demuri@igi.cnr.it; Consorzio RFX, Corso Stati Uniti, 4, I-35127 Padova; Pavei, Mauro

This contribution regards the Radio Frequency (RF) transmission line of the Megavolt ITER Injector and Concept Advancement (MITICA) experiment. The original design considered copper coaxial lines of 1″ 5/8, but thermal simulations under operating conditions showed maximum temperatures of the lines at regime not compatible with the prescription of the component manufacturer. Hence, an optimization of the design was necessary. Enhancing thermal radiation and increasing the conductor size were considered for design optimization: thermal analyses were carried out to calculate the temperature of MITICA RF lines during operation, as a function of the emissivity value and of other geometrical parameters.more » Five coating products to increase the conductor surface emissivity were tested, measuring the outgassing behavior of the selected products and the obtained emissivity values.« less

Direct coupling of pulsed radio frequency and pulsed high power in novel pulsed power system for plasma immersion ion implantation.

PubMed

Gong, Chunzhi; Tian, Xiubo; Yang, Shiqin; Fu, Ricky K Y; Chu, Paul K

2008-04-01

A novel power supply system that directly couples pulsed high voltage (HV) pulses and pulsed 13.56 MHz radio frequency (rf) has been developed for plasma processes. In this system, the sample holder is connected to both the rf generator and HV modulator. The coupling circuit in the hybrid system is composed of individual matching units, low pass filters, and voltage clamping units. This ensures the safe operation of the rf system even when the HV is on. The PSPICE software is utilized to optimize the design of circuits. The system can be operated in two modes. The pulsed rf discharge may serve as either the seed plasma source for glow discharge or high-density plasma source for plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII). The pulsed high-voltage glow discharge is induced when a rf pulse with a short duration or a larger time interval between the rf and HV pulses is used. Conventional PIII can also be achieved. Experiments conducted on the new system confirm steady and safe operation.

Demonstration of Space Optical Transmitter Development for Multiple High Frequency Bands

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, Hung; Simons, Rainee; Wintucky, Edwin; Freeman, Jon

2013-01-01

As the demand for multiple radio frequency carrier bands continues to grow in space communication systems, the design of a cost-effective compact optical transmitter that is capable of transmitting selective multiple RF bands is of great interest, particularly for NASA Space Communications Network Programs. This paper presents experimental results that demonstrate the feasibility of a concept based on an optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technique that enables multiple microwave bands with different modulation formats and bandwidths to be combined and transmitted all in one unit, resulting in many benefits to space communication systems including reduced size, weight and complexity with corresponding savings in cost. Experimental results will be presented including the individual received RF signal power spectra for the L, C, X, Ku, Ka, and Q frequency bands, and measurements of the phase noise associated with each RF frequency. Also to be presented is a swept RF frequency power spectrum showing simultaneous multiple RF frequency bands transmission. The RF frequency bands in this experiment are among those most commonly used in NASA space environment communications.

DC currents collected by a RF biased electrode quasi-parallel to the magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faudot, E.; Devaux, S.; Moritz, J.; Bobkov, V.; Heuraux, S.

2017-10-01

Local plasma biasings due to RF sheaths close to ICRF antennas result mainly in a negative DC current collection on the antenna structure. In some specific cases, we may observe positive currents when the ion mobility (seen from the collecting surface) overcomes the electron one or/and when the collecting surface on the antenna side becomes larger than the other end of the flux tube connected to the wall. The typical configuration is when the antenna surface is almost parallel to the magnetic field lines and the other side perpendicular. To test the optimal case where the magnetic field is quasi-parallel to the electrode surface, one needs a linear magnetic configuration as our magnetized RF discharge experiment called Aline. The magnetic field angle is in our case lower than 1 relative to the RF biased surface. The DC current flowing through the discharge has been measured as a function of the magnetic field strength, neutral gas (He) pressure and RF power. The main result is the reversal of the DC current depending on the magnetic field, collision frequency and RF power level.

Pneumothorax as a complication of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for lung neoplasms.

PubMed

Yamagami, Takuji; Kato, Takeharu; Hirota, Tatsuya; Yoshimatsu, Rika; Matsumoto, Tomohiro; Nishimura, Tsunehiko

2006-10-01

The present study was performed to determine the frequency of the complication of pneumothorax after radiofrequency (RF) ablation for lung neoplasms and risk factors affecting such pneumothoraces. The study was based on 129 consecutive sessions of percutaneous RF ablation of lung neoplasms under real-time computed tomographic fluoroscopic guidance performed in a single institution between May 2003 and November 2005 in 41 patients (17 women, 24 men; mean age, 63 years; age range, 29-82 y). Correlation was determined between the incidence of pneumothorax after RF ablation and multiple factors: sex, age, presence of emphysema, lesion size, lesion depth, contact of tumor with pleura, number of punctures, maximum power of RF generator, period of ablation, tissue temperature at the end of the RF ablation session, and patient position during the procedure. Management of each case of iatrogenic pneumothorax was reviewed. Pneumothorax after RF ablation occurred in 38 of 129 RF ablation sessions (29.5%). Fourteen of the 38 cases were treated by manual aspiration, and 24 were simply observed. In five cases (3.9%), chest tube placement was required as therapy for pneumothorax. The risk of pneumothorax was significantly increased in patients with pulmonary emphysema. The frequency of pneumothorax after RF ablation in our experience is similar to the frequency of pneumothorax after lung biopsy reported in the literature. Various conditions for RF ablation did not influence the incidence of pneumothorax. Emphysema was the only individual factor that correlated significantly with the development of iatrogenic pneumothorax.

Ciprofloxacin Modulates Cytokine/Chemokine Profile in Serum, Improves Bone Marrow Repopulation, and Limits Apoptosis and Autophagy in Ileum after Whole Body Ionizing Irradiation Combined with Skin-Wound Trauma

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-08

design , data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no...slides were briefly washed with PBS and desalted by soaking in distilled-deionized water and sealed by coverslips in mounting medium with DAPI (Life...Contributions Edited the paper: TBE. Conceived and designed the experiments: JGK. Performed the experiments: JGK RF LHC NVG EDL TBE. Analyzed the data: JGK RF

Millimeter wave generation by relativistic electron beams and microwave-plasma interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuo, Spencer

1990-12-01

The design and operation of a compact, high power, millimeter wave source (cusptron) has been completed and proven successful. Extensive theoretical analysis of cusptron beam and rf dynamics has been carried out and published. Theory agrees beautifully with experiment. Microwave Bragg scattering due to been achieved by using expanding plasmas to upshift rf signal frequencies.

Cardiac MOLLI T1 mapping at 3.0 T: comparison of patient-adaptive dual-source RF and conventional RF transmission.

PubMed

Rasper, Michael; Nadjiri, Jonathan; Sträter, Alexandra S; Settles, Marcus; Laugwitz, Karl-Ludwig; Rummeny, Ernst J; Huber, Armin M

2017-06-01

To prospectively compare image quality and myocardial T 1 relaxation times of modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) imaging at 3.0 T (T) acquired with patient-adaptive dual-source (DS) and conventional single-source (SS) radiofrequency (RF) transmission. Pre- and post-contrast MOLLI T 1 mapping using SS and DS was acquired in 27 patients. Patient wise and segment wise analysis of T 1 times was performed. The correlation of DS MOLLI measurements with a reference spin echo sequence was analysed in phantom experiments. DS MOLLI imaging reduced T 1 standard deviation in 14 out of 16 myocardial segments (87.5%). Significant reduction of T 1 variance could be obtained in 7 segments (43.8%). DS significantly reduced myocardial T 1 variance in 16 out of 25 patients (64.0%). With conventional RF transmission, dielectric shading artefacts occurred in six patients causing diagnostic uncertainty. No according artefacts were found on DS images. DS image findings were in accordance with conventional T 1 mapping and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging. Phantom experiments demonstrated good correlation of myocardial T 1 time between DS MOLLI and spin echo imaging. Dual-source RF transmission enhances myocardial T 1 homogeneity in MOLLI imaging at 3.0 T. The reduction of signal inhomogeneities and artefacts due to dielectric shading is likely to enhance diagnostic confidence.

Microwave, irrigated, pulsed, or conventional radiofrequency energy source: which energy source for which catheter ablation?

PubMed

Erdogan, Ali; Grumbrecht, Stephan; Neumann, Thomas; Neuzner, Joerg; Pitschner, Heinz F

2003-01-01

The aim of the study was to compare the diameter of endomyocardial lesions induced with the delivery of microwave, cooled, or pulsed energy versus conventional RF energy. In vitro tests were performed in fresh endomyocardial preparations of pig hearts in a 10-L bath of NaCl 0.9% solution at 37 degrees C and constant 1.5 L/min flow. Ablation 7 Fr catheters with 4-mm tip electrodes were used, except for the delivery of microwave energy. Energy delivery time was set to 60 s/50 W in all experiments. Cooled energy delivery was performed with a closed irrigation catheter. Pulsed energy delivery was performed using a special controller with a duty-cycle of 5 ms. Microwave energy was delivered with a 2.5-GHz generator and 10-mm antenna. Electrode temperature and impedance were measured simultaneously. After ablation, lesion length, width, and depth were measured with microcalipers, and volume calculated by a formula for ellipsoid bodies. Each energy delivery mode was tested in ten experiments. The deepest lesions were created with cooled energy delivery, and the largest volume by microwave energy delivery. Pulsed RF produced significantly deeper lesions than conventional RF energy delivery. Cooled or pulsed RF energy delivery created deeper transmural lesions than conventional RF. To create linear lesions at anatomically complex sites (isthmus), microwave energy seemed superior by rapidly creating deep and long lesions.

Adapting High Brightness Relativistic Electron Beams for Ultrafast Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scoby, Cheyne Matthew

This thesis explores the use of ultrashort bunches generated by a radiofrequency electron photoinjector driven by a femtosecond laser. Rf photoinjector technology has been developed to generate ultra high brightness beams for advanced accelerators and to drive advanced light source applications. The extremely good quality of the beams generated by this source has played a key role in the development of 4th generation light sources such as the Linac Coherent Light Source, thus opening the way to studies of materials science and biological systems with high temporal and spatial resolution. At the Pegasus Photoinjector Lab, we have developed the application of a BNL/SLAC/UCLA 1.6-cell rf photoinjector as a tool for ultrafast science in its own right. It is the aim of this work to explore the generation of ultrashort electron bunches, give descriptions of the novel ultrafast diagnostics developed to be able to characterize the electron bunch and synchronize it with a pump laser, and share some of the scientific results that were obtained with this technology at the UCLA Pegasus laboratory. This dissertation explains the requirements of the drive laser source and describes the principles of rf photoinjector design and operation necessary to produce electron bunches with an rms longitudinal length < 100 femtoseconds containing 107 - 108 electrons per bunch. In this condition, when the laser intensity is sufficiently high, multiphoton photoemission is demonstrated to be more efficient in terms of charge yield than single photon photoemission. When a short laser pulse hits the cathode the resulting beam dynamics are dominated by a strong space charge driven longitudinal expansion which leads to the creation of a nearly ideal uniformly filled ellipsoidal distribution. These beam distributions are characterized by linear space charge forces and hence by high peak brightness and small transverse emittances. This regime of operation of the RF photoinjector is also termed the “blow-out regime.” When the beam charge is maintained low, ultrashort electron bunches can be obtained enabling novel applications such as single shot Femtosecond Relativistic Electron Diffraction (FRED). High precision temporal diagnostic and synchronization techniques are integral to the use of femtosecond electron bunches for ultrafast science. An x-band rf streak camera provides measurements of the longitudinal profiles of sub-ps electron bunches. Spatial encoded electro-optic timestamping is developed to overcome the inherent rf-laser synchronization errors in rf photoinjectors. The ultrafast electron beams generated with the RF photoenjector are employed in pump-probe experiments wherein a target is illuminated with an intense pump laser to induce a transient behavior in the sample. FRED is used to study the melting of gold after heating with an intense femtosecond laser pulse. In a first experiment we study the process by taking different single-shot diffraction patterns at varying delays between the pump an probe beams. In a second experiment a variation of the technique is employed using the rf streak camera to time-stretch the beam after it has diffraction from the sample in order to capture the full melting dynamics in a single shot. Finally, relativistic ultrashort electron bunches are used as a probe of plasma dynamics in electron radiography/shadowgraphy experiments. This technique is used to study photoemission with intense laser pulses and the evolution of electromagnetic fields in a photoinduced dense plasma. This experiment is also performed in two different modes: one where different pictures are acquired at different time delays, and the other where a single streak image is used to obtain visualization of the propagation electromagnetic fields with an unprecedented 35 femtosecond resolution.

ADRF experiments using near n.pi pulse strings. [Adiabatic Demagnetization due to Radio Frequency pulses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhim, W. K.; Burum, D. P.; Elleman, D. D.

1977-01-01

Adiabatic demagnetization (ADRF) can be achieved in a dipolar coupled nuclear spin system in solids by applying a string of short RF pulses and gradually modulating the pulse amplitudes or pulse angles. This letter reports an adiabatic inverse polarization effect in solids and a rotary spin echo phenomenon observed in liquids when the pulse angle is gradually changed across integral multiples of pi during a string of RF pulses. The RF pulse sequence used is illustrated along with the NMR signal from a CaF2 single crystal as observed between the RF pulses and the rotary spin echo signal observed in liquid C6F6 for n = 2. The observed effects are explained qualitatively on the basis of average Hamiltonian theory.

A Polarized Electron RF Photoinjector Using the Plane-Wave-Transformer (PWT) Design

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

Clendenin, James E

Polarized electron beams are now in routine use in particle accelerators for nuclear and high energy physics experiments. These beams are presently produced by dc-biased photoelectron sources combined with rf chopping and bunching systems with inherently high transverse emittances. Low emittances can be produced with an rf gun, but the vacuum environment has until now been considered too harsh to support a negative electron affinity GaAs photocathode. We propose to significantly improve the vacuum conditions by adapting a PWT rf photoinjector to achieve reasonable cathode emission rates and lifetimes. This adaptation can also be combined with special optics that willmore » result in a flat beam with a normalized rms emittance in the narrow dimension that may be as low as 10{sup -8} m.« less

Ways to improve the efficiency and reliability of radio frequency driven negative ion sources for fusion.

PubMed

Kraus, W; Briefi, S; Fantz, U; Gutmann, P; Doerfler, J

2014-02-01

Large RF driven negative hydrogen ion sources are being developed at IPP Garching for the future neutral beam injection system of ITER. The overall power efficiency of these sources is low, because for the RF power supply self-excited generators are utilized and the plasma is generated in small cylindrical sources ("drivers") and expands into the source main volume. At IPP experiments to reduce the primary power and the RF power required for the plasma production are performed in two ways: The oscillator generator of the prototype source has been replaced by a transistorized RF transmitter and two alternative driver concepts, a spiral coil, in which the field is concentrated by ferrites, which omits the losses by plasma expansion and a helicon source are being tested.

Genetic algorithm optimized triply compensated pulses in NMR spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manu, V. S.; Veglia, Gianluigi

2015-11-01

Sensitivity and resolution in NMR experiments are affected by magnetic field inhomogeneities (of both external and RF), errors in pulse calibration, and offset effects due to finite length of RF pulses. To remedy these problems, built-in compensation mechanisms for these experimental imperfections are often necessary. Here, we propose a new family of phase-modulated constant-amplitude broadband pulses with high compensation for RF inhomogeneity and heteronuclear coupling evolution. These pulses were optimized using a genetic algorithm (GA), which consists in a global optimization method inspired by Nature's evolutionary processes. The newly designed π and π / 2 pulses belong to the 'type A' (or general rotors) symmetric composite pulses. These GA-optimized pulses are relatively short compared to other general rotors and can be used for excitation and inversion, as well as refocusing pulses in spin-echo experiments. The performance of the GA-optimized pulses was assessed in Magic Angle Spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR experiments using a crystalline U-13C, 15N NAVL peptide as well as U-13C, 15N microcrystalline ubiquitin. GA optimization of NMR pulse sequences opens a window for improving current experiments and designing new robust pulse sequences.

Recent Results With Coupled Opto-Electronic Oscillators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, X. S.; Maleki, L.; Wu, C.; Davis, L.; Forouhar, S.

1998-07-01

We present experimental results of coupled opto-electronic oscillators (COEOs) constructed with a semiconductor optical-amplifier-based ring laser, a semiconductor Fabry-Perot laser, and a semiconductor colliding-pulse mode-locked laser. Each COEO can simultaneously generate short optical pulses and spectrally pure RF signals. With these devices, we obtained optical pulses as short as 6 ps and RF signals as high in frequency as 18 GHz with a spectral purity comparable to an HP 8561B synthesizer. These experiments demonstrate that COEOs are promising compact sources for generating low jitter optical pulses and low phase noise RF/millimeter wave signals.

Recent results with the coupled opto-electronic oscillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, X. S.; Maleki, Lute; Wu, Chi; Davis, Lawrence J.; Forouhar, Siamak

1998-11-01

We present experimental results of coupled opto-electronic oscillators (COEO) constructed with a semiconductor optical amplifier based ring laser, a semiconductor Fabry-Perot laser, and a semiconductor colliding pulse mode-locked laser. Each COEO can simultaneously generate short optical pulses and spectrally pure RF signals. With these devices, we obtained optical pulses as short as 6 picoseconds and RF signals as high in frequency as 18 GHz with a spectral purity comparable with a HP8561B synthesizer. These experiments demonstrate that COEOs are promising compact sources for generating low jitter optical pulses and low phase noise RF/millimeter wave signals.

A high power, high density helicon discharge for the plasma wakefield accelerator experiment AWAKE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buttenschön, B.; Fahrenkamp, N.; Grulke, O.

2018-07-01

A plasma cell prototype for the plasma wakefield accelerator experiment AWAKE based on a helicon discharge is presented. In the 1 m long prototype module a multiple antenna helicon discharge with an rf power density of 100 MW m‑3 is established. Based on the helicon dispersion relation, a linear scaling of plasma density with magnetic field is observed for rf frequencies above the lower hybrid frequency, ω LH ≤ 0.8ω rf. Density profiles are highest on the device axis and show shallow radial gradients, thus providing a relatively constant plasma density in the center over a radial range of Δr ≈ 10 mm with less than 10% variation. Peak plasma densities up to 7 × 1020 m‑3 are transiently achieved with a reproducibility that is sufficient for AWAKE. The results are in good agreement with power balance calculations.

rf breakdown tests of mm-wave metallic accelerating structures

DOE PAGES

Dal Forno, Massimo; Dolgashev, Valery; Bowden, Gordon; ...

2016-01-06

In this study, we explore the physics and frequency-scaling of vacuum rf breakdowns at sub-THz frequencies. We present the experimental results of rf tests performed in metallic mm-wave accelerating structures. These experiments were carried out at the facility for advanced accelerator experimental tests (FACET) at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The rf fields were excited by the FACET ultrarelativistic electron beam. We compared the performances of metal structures made with copper and stainless steel. The rf frequency of the fundamental accelerating mode, propagating in the structures at the speed of light, varies from 115 to 140 GHz. The traveling wavemore » structures are 0.1 m long and composed of 125 coupled cavities each. We determined the peak electric field and pulse length where the structures were not damaged by rf breakdowns. We calculated the electric and magnetic field correlated with the rf breakdowns using the FACET bunch parameters. The wakefields were calculated by a frequency domain method using periodic eigensolutions. Such a method takes into account wall losses and is applicable to a large variety of geometries. The maximum achieved accelerating gradient is 0.3 GV/m with a peak surface electric field of 1.5 GV/m and a pulse length of about 2.4 ns.« less

Investigation of Helicon discharges as RF coupling concept of negative hydrogen ion sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briefi, S.; Fantz, U.

2013-02-01

The ITER reference source for H- and D- requires a high RF input power (up to 90 kW per driver). To reduce the demands on the RF circuit, it is highly desirable to reduce the power consumption while retaining the values of the relevant plasma parameters namely the positive ion density and the atomic hydrogen density. Helicon plasmas are a promising alternative RF coupling concept but they are typically generated in long thin discharge tubes using rare gases and an RF frequency of 13.56 MHz. Hence the applicability to the ITER reference source geometry, frequency and the utilization of hydrogen/deuterium has to be proved. In this paper the strategy of the approach for using Helicon discharges for ITER reference source parameters is introduced and the first promising measurements which were carried out at a small laboratory experiment are presented. With increasing RF power a mode transition to the Helicon regime was observed for argon and argon/hydrogen mixtures. In pure hydrogen/deuterium the mode transition could not yet be achieved as the available RF power is too low. In deuterium a special feature of Helicon discharges, the socalled low field peak, could be observed at a moderate B-field of 3 mT.

Development of echolocation calls and neural selectivity for echolocation calls in the pallid bat.

PubMed

Razak, Khaleel A; Fuzessery, Zoltan M

2015-10-01

Studies of birdsongs and neural selectivity for songs have provided important insights into principles of concurrent behavioral and auditory system development. Relatively little is known about mammalian auditory system development in terms of vocalizations or other behaviorally relevant sounds. This review suggests echolocating bats are suitable mammalian model systems to understand development of auditory behaviors. The simplicity of echolocation calls with known behavioral relevance and strong neural selectivity provides a platform to address how natural experience shapes cortical receptive field (RF) mechanisms. We summarize recent studies in the pallid bat that followed development of echolocation calls and cortical processing of such calls. We also discuss similar studies in the mustached bat for comparison. These studies suggest: (1) there are different developmental sensitive periods for different acoustic features of the same vocalization. The underlying basis is the capacity for some components of the RF to be modified independent of others. Some RF computations and maps involved in call processing are present even before the cochlea is mature and well before use of echolocation in flight. Others develop over a much longer time course. (2) Normal experience is required not just for refinement, but also for maintenance, of response properties that develop in an experience independent manner. (3) Experience utilizes millisecond range changes in timing of inhibitory and excitatory RF components as substrates to shape vocalization selectivity. We suggest that bat species and call diversity provide a unique opportunity to address developmental constraints in the evolution of neural mechanisms of vocalization processing. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Development of echolocation calls and neural selectivity for echolocation calls in the pallid bat

PubMed Central

Razak, Khaleel A.; Fuzessery, Zoltan M.

2014-01-01

Studies of birdsongs and neural selectivity for songs have provided important insights into principles of concurrent behavioral and auditory system development. Relatively little is known about mammalian auditory system development in terms of vocalizations, or other behaviorally relevant sounds. This review suggests echolocating bats are suitable mammalian model systems to understand development of auditory behaviors. The simplicity of echolocation calls with known behavioral relevance and strong neural selectivity provides a platform to address how natural experience shapes cortical receptive field (RF) mechanisms. We summarize recent studies in the pallid bat that followed development of echolocation calls and cortical processing of such calls. We also discuss similar studies in the mustached bat for comparison. These studies suggest: (1) there are different developmental sensitive periods for different acoustic features of the same vocalization. The underlying basis is the capacity for some components of the RF to be modified independent of others. Some RF computations and maps involved in call processing are present even before the cochlea is mature and well before use of echolocation in flight. Others develop over a much longer time course. (2) Normal experience is required not just for refinement, but also for maintenance, of response properties that develop in an experience independent manner. (3) Experience utilizes millisecond range changes in timing of inhibitory and excitatory RF components as substrates to shape vocalization selectivity. We suggest that bat species and call diversity provide a unique opportunity to address developmental constraints in the evolution of neural mechanisms of vocalization processing. PMID:25142131

Langmuir probes for SPIDER (source for the production of ions of deuterium extracted from radio frequency plasma) experiment: Tests in BATMAN (Bavarian test machine for negative ions)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brombin, M.; Spolaore, M.; Serianni, G.; Pomaro, N.; Taliercio, C.; Palma, M. Dalla; Pasqualotto, R.; Schiesko, L.

2014-11-01

A prototype system of the Langmuir probes for SPIDER (Source for the production of Ions of Deuterium Extracted from RF plasma) was manufactured and experimentally qualified. The diagnostic was operated in RF (Radio Frequency) plasmas with cesium evaporation on the BATMAN (BAvarian Test MAchine for Negative ions) test facility, which can provide plasma conditions as expected in the SPIDER source. A RF passive compensation circuit was realised to operate the Langmuir probes in RF plasmas. The sensors' holder, designed to better simulate the bias plate conditions in SPIDER, was exposed to a severe experimental campaign in BATMAN with cesium evaporation. No detrimental effect on the diagnostic due to cesium evaporation was found during the exposure to the BATMAN plasma and in particular the insulation of the electrodes was preserved. The paper presents the system prototype, the RF compensation circuit, the acquisition system (as foreseen in SPIDER), and the results obtained during the experimental campaigns.

Langmuir probes for SPIDER (Source for the production of Ions of Deuterium Extracted from Radio Frequency plasma) experiment: tests in BATMAN (BAvarian Test Machine for Negative ions).

PubMed

Brombin, M; Spolaore, M; Serianni, G; Pomaro, N; Taliercio, C; Dalla Palma, M; Pasqualotto, R; Schiesko, L

2014-11-01

A prototype system of the Langmuir probes for SPIDER (Source for the production of Ions of Deuterium Extracted from RF plasma) was manufactured and experimentally qualified. The diagnostic was operated in RF (Radio Frequency) plasmas with cesium evaporation on the BATMAN (BAvarian Test MAchine for Negative ions) test facility, which can provide plasma conditions as expected in the SPIDER source. A RF passive compensation circuit was realised to operate the Langmuir probes in RF plasmas. The sensors' holder, designed to better simulate the bias plate conditions in SPIDER, was exposed to a severe experimental campaign in BATMAN with cesium evaporation. No detrimental effect on the diagnostic due to cesium evaporation was found during the exposure to the BATMAN plasma and in particular the insulation of the electrodes was preserved. The paper presents the system prototype, the RF compensation circuit, the acquisition system (as foreseen in SPIDER), and the results obtained during the experimental campaigns.

MEASUREMENT OF RF LOSSES DUE TO TRAPPED FLUX IN A LARGE-GRAIN NIOBIUM CAVITY

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

Gianluigi Ciovati; Alex Gurevich

Trapped magnetic field in superconducting niobium is a well known cause of radio-frequency (RF) residual losses. In this contribution, we present the results of RF tests on a single-cell cavity made of high-purity large grain niobium before and after allowing a fraction of the Earth’s magnetic field to be trapped in the cavity during the cooldown below the critical temperature Tc. This experiment has been done on the cavity before and after a low temperature baking. Temperature mapping allowed us to determine the location of hot-spots with high losses and to measure their field dependence. The results show not onlymore » an increase of the low-field residual resistance, but also a larger increase of the surface resistance for intermediate RF field (higher "medium field Qslope"), which depends on the amount of the trapped flux. These additional field-dependent losses can be described as losses of pinned vortices oscillating under the applied RF magnetic field.« less

Interaction force in a vertical dust chain inside a glass box.

PubMed

Kong, Jie; Qiao, Ke; Matthews, Lorin S; Hyde, Truell W

2014-07-01

Small number dust particle clusters can be used as probes for plasma diagnostics. The number of dust particles as well as cluster size and shape can be easily controlled employing a glass box placed within a Gaseous Electronics Conference (GEC) rf reference chamber to provide confinement of the dust. The plasma parameters inside this box and within the larger plasma chamber have not yet been adequately defined. Adjusting the rf power alters the plasma conditions causing structural changes of the cluster. This effect can be used to probe the relationship between the rf power and other plasma parameters. This experiment employs the sloshing and breathing modes of small cluster oscillations to examine the relationship between system rf power and the particle charge and plasma screening length inside the glass box. The experimental results provided indicate that both the screening length and dust charge decrease as rf power inside the box increases. The decrease in dust charge as power increases may indicate that ion trapping plays a significant role in the sheath.

Bridging the Gap between RF and Optical Patch Antenna Analysis via the Cavity Model.

PubMed

Unal, G S; Aksun, M I

2015-11-02

Although optical antennas with a variety of shapes and for a variety of applications have been proposed and studied, they are still in their infancy compared to their radio frequency (rf) counterparts. Optical antennas have mainly utilized the geometrical attributes of rf antennas rather than the analysis tools that have been the source of intuition for antenna engineers in rf. This study intends to narrow the gap of experience and intuition in the design of optical patch antennas by introducing an easy-to-understand and easy-to-implement analysis tool in rf, namely, the cavity model, into the optical regime. The importance of this approach is not only its simplicity in understanding and implementation but also its applicability to a broad class of patch antennas and, more importantly, its ability to provide the intuition needed to predict the outcome without going through the trial-and-error simulations with no or little intuitive guidance by the user.

RF HEATING OF MRI-ASSISTED CATHETER STEERING COILS FOR INTERVENTIONAL MRI

PubMed Central

Settecase, Fabio; Hetts, Steven W.; Martin, Alastair J.; Roberts, Timothy P. L.; Bernhardt, Anthony F.; Evans, Lee; Malba, Vincent; Saeed, Maythem; Arenson, Ronald L.; Kucharzyk, Walter; Wilson, Mark W.

2010-01-01

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To assess magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiofrequency (RF) related heating of conductive wire coils used in magnetically steerable endovascular catheters. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 3-axis microcoil was fabricated onto a 1.8 Fr catheter tip. In vitro testing was performed in a 1.5 T MRI system using an agarose gel filled vessel phantom, a transmit/receive body RF coil and a steady state free precession (SSFP) pulse sequence, and a fluoroptic thermometry system. Temperature was measured without simulated blood flow at varying distances from magnet isocenter and varying flip angles. Additional experiments were performed with laser-lithographed single-axis microcoil-tipped microcatheters in air and in a saline bath with varied grounding of the microcoil wires. Preliminary in vivo evaluation of RF heating was performed in pigs at 1.5 T with coil-tipped catheters in various positions in the common carotid arteries with SSFP pulse sequence on and off, and under physiologic flow and zero flow conditions. RESULTS In tissue-mimicking agarose gel, RF heating resulted in a maximal temperature increase of 0.35°C after 15 minutes of imaging, 15 cm from magnet isocenter. For a single axis microcoil, maximal temperature increases were 0.73-1.91°C in air and 0.45-0.55°C in saline. In vivo, delayed contrast enhanced MRI revealed no evidence of vascular injury and histopathological sections from the common carotid arteries confirmed the lack of vascular damage. CONCLUSIONS Microcatheter tip microcoils for endovascular catheter steering in MRI experience minimal RF heating under the conditions tested. These data provide the basis for further in vivo testing of this promising technology for endovascular interventional MRI. PMID:21075019

On RF heating of inhomogeneous collisional plasma under ion-cyclotron resonance conditions

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

Timofeev, A. V., E-mail: Timofeev-AV@nrcki.ru

2015-11-15

During ion-cyclotron resonance (ICR) heating of plasma by the magnetic beach method, as well as in some other versions of ICR heating, it is necessary to excite Alfvén oscillations. In this case, it is difficult to avoid the phenomenon of the Alfvén resonance, in which Alfvén oscillations transform into lower hybrid oscillations. The latter efficiently interact with electrons, due to which most of the deposited RF energy is spent on electron (rather than ion) heating. The Alfvén resonance takes place due to plasma inhomogeneity across the external magnetic field. Therefore, it could be expected that variations in the plasma densitymore » profile would substantially affect the efficiency of the interaction of RF fields with charged particles. However, the results obtained for different plasma density profiles proved to be nearly the same. In the present work, a plasma is considered the parameters of which correspond to those planned in future ICR plasma heating experiments on the PS-1 facility at the Kurchatov Institute. When analyzing the interaction of RF fields with charged particles, both the collisionless resonance interaction and the interaction caused by Coulomb collisions are taken into account, because, in those experiments, the Coulomb collision frequency will be comparable with the frequency of the heating field. Antennas used for ICR heating excite RF oscillations with a wide spectrum of wavenumbers along the magnetic field. After averaging over the spectrum, the absorbed RF energy calculated with allowance for collisions turns out to be close to that absorbed in collisionless plasma, the energy fraction absorbed by electrons being substantially larger than that absorbed by ions.« less

Ion Cyclotron Resonant Heating (ICRH) system used on the Tandem Mirror Experiment-Upgrade (TMX-U)

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

Ferguson, S.W.; Maxwell, T.M.; Antelman, D.R.

1985-11-11

Ion Cyclotron Resonant Heating (ICRH) is part of the plasma heating system used on the TMX-U experiment. Radio frequency (RF) energy is injected into the TMX-U plasma at a frequency near the fundamental ion resonance (2 to 5 MHz). The RF fields impart high velocities to the ions in a direction perpendicular to the TMX-U magnetic field. Particle collision then converts this perpendicular heating to uniform plasma heating. This paper describes the various aspects of the ICRH system: antennas, power supplies, computer control, and data acquisition. 4 refs., 10 figs.

ICRF-edge and surface interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Ippolito, D. A.; Myra, J. R.

2011-08-01

This paper describes a number of deleterious interactions between radio-frequency (rf) waves and the boundary plasma in fusion experiments. These effects can lead to parasitic power dissipation, reduced heating efficiency, formation of hot spots at material boundaries, sputtering and self-sputtering, and arcing in the antenna structure. Minimizing these interactions is important to the success of rf heating, especially in future experiments with long-pulse or steady-state operation, higher power density, and high-Z divertor and walls. These interactions will be discussed with experimental examples. Finally, the present state of modeling and future plans will be summarized.

Characteristic properties of the frame-antenna-produced RF discharge evolution in the Uragan-3M torsatron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chechkin, V. V.; Grigor'eva, L. I.; Pavlichenko, R. O.; Kulaga, A. Ye.; Zamanov, N. V.; Moiseenko, V. E.; Burchenko, P. Ya.; Lozin, A. V.; Tsybenko, S. A.; Tarasov, I. K.; Pankratov, I. M.; Grekov, D. L.; Beletskii, A. A.; Kasilov, A. A.; Voitsenya, V. S.; Pashnev, V. K.; Konovalov, V. G.; Shapoval, A. N.; Mironov, Yu. K.; Romanov, V. S.

2014-08-01

In the ℓ = 3 Uragan-3M torsatron, hydrogen plasma is produced and heated by RF fields in the Alfvén range of frequencies (ω ≲ ω ci ). To this end, a frame antenna with a broad spectrum of generated parallel wavenumbers is used. The RF discharge evolution is studied experimentally at different values of the RF power fed to the antenna (the anode voltage of the oscillator and the antenna current) and the initial pressure of the fueling gas. It is shown that, depending on the antenna current and hydrogen pressure, the discharge can operate in two regimes differing in the plasma density, temperature, and particle loss. The change in the discharge regime with increasing anode voltage is steplike in character. The particular values of the anode voltage and pressure at which the change occurs are affected by RF preionization or breakdown stabilization by a microwave discharge. The obtained results will be used in future experiments to choose the optimal regimes of the frame-antenna-produced RF discharge as a target for the production and heating of a denser plasma by another, shorter wavelength three-half-turn antenna.

Effect of a 2.45-GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field on neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis in differentiated human HL-60 cells.

PubMed

Koyama, Shin; Narita, Eijiro; Suzuki, Yoshihisa; Taki, Masao; Shinohara, Naoki; Miyakoshi, Junji

2015-01-01

The potential public health risks of radiofrequency (RF) fields have been discussed at length, especially with the use of mobile phones spreading extensively throughout the world. In order to investigate the properties of RF fields, we examined the effect of 2.45-GHz RF fields at the specific absorption rate (SAR) of 2 and 10 W/kg for 4 and 24 h on neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis in differentiated human HL-60 cells. Neutrophil chemotaxis was not affected by RF-field exposure, and subsequent phagocytosis was not affected either compared with that under sham exposure conditions. These studies demonstrated an initial immune response in the human body exposed to 2.45-GHz RF fields at the SAR of 2 W/kg, which is the maximum value recommended by the International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines. The results of our experiments for RF-field exposure at an SAR under 10 W/kg showed very little or no effects on either chemotaxis or phagocytosis in neutrophil-like human HL-60 cells. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japan Radiation Research Society and Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology.

A METHOD FOR IN-SITU CHARACTERIZATION OF RF HEATING IN PARALLEL TRANSMIT MRI

PubMed Central

Alon, Leeor; Deniz, Cem Murat; Brown, Ryan; Sodickson, Daniel K.; Zhu, Yudong

2012-01-01

In ultra high field magnetic resonance imaging, parallel radio-frequency (RF) transmission presents both opportunities and challenges for specific absorption rate (SAR) management. On one hand, parallel transmission provides flexibility in tailoring electric fields in the body while facilitating magnetization profile control. On the other hand, it increases the complexity of energy deposition as well as possibly exacerbating local SAR by improper design or delivery of RF pulses. This study shows that the information needed to characterize RF heating in parallel transmission is contained within a local power correlation matrix. Building upon a calibration scheme involving a finite number of magnetic resonance thermometry measurements, the present work establishes a way of estimating the local power correlation matrix. Determination of this matrix allows prediction of temperature change for an arbitrary parallel transmit RF pulse. In the case of a three transmit coil MR experiment in a phantom, determination and validation of the power correlation matrix was conducted in less than 200 minutes with induced temperature changes of <4 degrees C. Further optimization and adaptation are possible, and simulations evaluating potential feasibility for in vivo use are presented. The method allows general characteristics indicative of RF coil/pulse safety determined in situ. PMID:22714806

Attachment comes of age: adolescents' narrative coherence and reflective functioning predict well-being in emerging adulthood.

PubMed

Borelli, Jessica L; Brugnera, Agostino; Zarbo, Cristina; Rabboni, Massimo; Bondi, Emi; Tasca, Giorgio A; Compare, Angelo

2018-06-04

This study investigated the effects of adolescents' attachment security and reflective functioning (RF) (assessed by the adult attachment interview [AAI]) in the prediction of well-being in adulthood. Adolescents (N = 79; M = 14.6 years old; SD = 3.5 years) completed the AAI at Time 1 (T1), which was subsequently coded for inferred attachment experiences, narrative coherence, and RF by three nonoverlapping teams of raters. Participants completed the Psychological General Well-being Index at T1 and 8 years later (Time 2, T2). Analyses showed that (a) both adolescent narrative coherence and RF were significant predictors of almost all indices of well-being at T2 in adulthood; (b) both narrative coherence and RF indirectly linked inferred loving parental care and T2 well-being; (c) when included in the same model, RF was a significant indirect effect linking inferred loving parental care and T2 well-being. These findings contribute to theory in suggesting that both RF and narrative coherence are predictive of subsequent psychological well-being and operate as links between inferred parental care and subsequent adjustment. Possible mechanisms underlying these findings are discussed.

Ecological mechanisms underlying the sustainability of the agricultural heritage rice-fish coculture system.

PubMed

Xie, Jian; Hu, Liangliang; Tang, Jianjun; Wu, Xue; Li, Nana; Yuan, Yongge; Yang, Haishui; Zhang, Jiaen; Luo, Shiming; Chen, Xin

2011-12-13

For centuries, traditional agricultural systems have contributed to food and livelihood security throughout the world. Recognizing the ecological legacy in the traditional agricultural systems may help us develop novel sustainable agriculture. We examine how rice-fish coculture (RF), which has been designated a "globally important agricultural heritage system," has been maintained for over 1,200 y in south China. A field survey demonstrated that although rice yield and rice-yield stability are similar in RF and rice monoculture (RM), RF requires 68% less pesticide and 24% less chemical fertilizer than RM. A field experiment confirmed this result. We documented that a mutually beneficial relationship between rice and fish develops in RF: Fish reduce rice pests and rice favors fish by moderating the water environment. This positive relationship between rice and fish reduces the need for pesticides in RF. Our results also indicate a complementary use of nitrogen (N) between rice and fish in RF, resulting in low N fertilizer application and low N release into the environment. These findings provide unique insights into how positive interactions and complementary use of resource between species generate emergent ecosystem properties and how modern agricultural systems might be improved by exploiting synergies between species.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma response to chemotherapy enhanced with non-invasive radio frequency evaluated via an integrated experimental/computational approach.

PubMed

Ware, Matthew J; Curtis, Louis T; Wu, Min; Ho, Jason C; Corr, Stuart J; Curley, Steven A; Godin, Biana; Frieboes, Hermann B

2017-06-13

Although chemotherapy combined with radiofrequency exposure has shown promise in cancer treatment by coupling drug cytotoxicity with thermal ablation or thermally-induced cytotoxicity, limited access of the drug to tumor loci in hypo-vascularized lesions has hampered clinical application. We recently showed that high-intensity short-wave capacitively coupled radiofrequency (RF) electric-fields may reach inaccessible targets in vivo. This non-invasive RF combined with gemcitabine (Gem) chemotherapy enhanced drug uptake and effect in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC), notorious for having poor response and limited therapeutic options, but without inducing thermal injury. We hypothesize that the enhanced cytotoxicity derives from RF-facilitated drug transport in the tumor microenvironment. We propose an integrated experimental/computational approach to evaluate chemotherapeutic response combined with RF-induced phenotypic changes in tissue with impaired transport. Results show that RF facilitates diffusive transport in 3D cell cultures representing hypo-vascularized lesions, enhancing drug uptake and effect. Computational modeling evaluates drug vascular extravasation and diffusive transport as key RF-modulated parameters, with transport being dominant. Assessment of hypothetical schedules following current clinical protocol for Stage-IV PDAC suggests that unresponsive lesions may be growth-restrained when exposed to Gem plus RF. Comparison of these projections to experiments in vivo indicates that synergy may result from RF-induced cell phenotypic changes enhancing drug transport and cytotoxicity, thus providing a potential baseline for clinically-focused evaluation.

Development of sub-100 femtosecond timing and synchronization system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Zhenyang; Du, Yingchao; Yang, Jin; Xu, Yilun; Yan, Lixin; Huang, Wenhui; Tang, Chuanxiang; Huang, Gang; Du, Qiang; Doolittle, Lawrence; Wilcox, Russell; Byrd, John

2018-01-01

The precise timing and synchronization system is an essential part for the ultra-fast electron and X-ray sources based on the photocathode injector where strict synchronization among RF, laser, and beams are required. In this paper, we present an integrated sub-100 femtosecond timing and synchronization system developed and demonstrated recently in Tsinghua University based on the collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. The timing and synchronization system includes the fiber-based CW carrier phase reference distribution system for delivering stabilized RF phase reference to multiple receiver clients, the Low Level RF (LLRF) control system to monitor and generate the phase and amplitude controllable pulse RF signal, and the laser-RF synchronization system for high precision synchronization between optical and RF signals. Each subsystem is characterized by its blocking structure and is also expansible. A novel asymmetric calibration sideband signal method was proposed for eliminating the non-linear distortion in the optical synchronization process. According to offline and online tests, the system can deliver a stable signal to each client and suppress the drift and jitter of the RF signal for the accelerator and the laser oscillator to less than 100 fs RMS (˜0.1° in 2856 MHz frequency). Moreover, a demo system with a LLRF client and a laser-RF synchronization client is deployed and operated successfully at the Tsinghua Thomson scattering X-ray source. The beam-based jitter measurement experiments have been conducted to evaluate the overall performance of the system, and the jitter sources are discussed.

Development of sub-100 femtosecond timing and synchronization system.

PubMed

Lin, Zhenyang; Du, Yingchao; Yang, Jin; Xu, Yilun; Yan, Lixin; Huang, Wenhui; Tang, Chuanxiang; Huang, Gang; Du, Qiang; Doolittle, Lawrence; Wilcox, Russell; Byrd, John

2018-01-01

The precise timing and synchronization system is an essential part for the ultra-fast electron and X-ray sources based on the photocathode injector where strict synchronization among RF, laser, and beams are required. In this paper, we present an integrated sub-100 femtosecond timing and synchronization system developed and demonstrated recently in Tsinghua University based on the collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. The timing and synchronization system includes the fiber-based CW carrier phase reference distribution system for delivering stabilized RF phase reference to multiple receiver clients, the Low Level RF (LLRF) control system to monitor and generate the phase and amplitude controllable pulse RF signal, and the laser-RF synchronization system for high precision synchronization between optical and RF signals. Each subsystem is characterized by its blocking structure and is also expansible. A novel asymmetric calibration sideband signal method was proposed for eliminating the non-linear distortion in the optical synchronization process. According to offline and online tests, the system can deliver a stable signal to each client and suppress the drift and jitter of the RF signal for the accelerator and the laser oscillator to less than 100 fs RMS (∼0.1° in 2856 MHz frequency). Moreover, a demo system with a LLRF client and a laser-RF synchronization client is deployed and operated successfully at the Tsinghua Thomson scattering X-ray source. The beam-based jitter measurement experiments have been conducted to evaluate the overall performance of the system, and the jitter sources are discussed.

Radiative Forcing of the Direct Aerosol Effect from AeroCom Phase II Simulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Myhre, G.; Samset, B. H.; Schulz, M.; Balkanski, Y.; Bauer, S.; Berntsen, T. K.; Bian, H.; Bellouin, N.; Chin, M.; Diehl, T.;

Gigawatt peak power generation in a relativistic klystron amplifier driven by 1 kW seed-power

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Y.; Xie, H. Q.; Li, Z. H.; Zhang, Y. J.; Ma, Q. S.

2013-11-01

An S-band high gain relativistic klystron amplifier driven by kW-level RF power is proposed and studied experimentally. In the device, the RF lossy material is introduced to suppress higher mode excitation. An output power of 1.95 GW with a gain of 62.8 dB is obtained in the simulation. Under conditions of an input RF power of 1.38 kW, a microwave pulse with power of 1.9 GW, frequency of 2.86 GHz, and duration of 105 ns is generated in the experiment, and the corresponding gain is 61.4 dB.

Interleaving lattice for the Argonne Advanced Photon Source linac

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, S.; Sun, Y.; Dooling, J.; Borland, M.; Zholents, A.

2018-06-01

To realize and test advanced accelerator concepts and hardware, a beam line is being reconfigured in the linac extension area (LEA) of the Argonne Advanced Photon Source (APS) linac. A photocathode rf gun installed at the beginning of the APS linac will provide a low emittance electron beam into the LEA beam line. The thermionic rf gun beam for the APS storage ring and the photocathode rf gun beam for the LEA beam line will be accelerated through the linac in an interleaved fashion. In this paper, the design studies for interleaving lattice realization in the APS linac is described with the initial experiment result.

An alternative way to increase the power gain of resonant rings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhuang, Dehao; Liu, Yunqi; Wang, Fang; Lin, Lin; Feng, Liwen; Quan, Shengwen; Liu, Kexin

2018-03-01

Resonant rings which can amplify RF power through the coupling of waves are used for high power breakdown tests, unidirectional filters, or pulse-shaping techniques. Usually, the RF output terminal of a resonant ring is connected to a matched load. For the resonant ring at Peking University, the matched load has been replaced by a waveguide shorting plate to obtain higher conditioning power for the 1.3 GHz capacitive type power couplers. The power gain is increased significantly with this short termination with the same input RF power. Working mechanism analysis, experiments, and results of this modified resonant ring will be presented.

Density measurements in low pressure, weakly magnetized, RF plasmas: experimental verification of the sheath expansion effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yunchao; Charles, Christine; Boswell, Roderick W.

2017-07-01

This experimental study shows the validity of Sheridan's method in determining plasma density in low pressure, weakly magnetized, RF plasmas using ion saturation current data measured by a planar Langmuir probe. The ion density derived from Sheridan's method which takes into account the sheath expansion around the negatively biased probe tip, presents a good consistency with the electron density measured by a cylindrical RF-compensated Langmuir probe using the Druyvesteyn theory. The ion density obtained from the simplified method which neglects the sheath expansion effect, overestimates the true density magnitude, e.g., by a factor of 3 to 12 for the present experiment.

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

Kerns, Q.A.; Jackson, G.; Kerns, C.R.

This paper describes the damper design for 6 proton on 6 pbar bunches in the Tevatron collider. Signal pickup, transient phase detection, derivative networks, and phase correction via the high-level rf are covered. Each rf station is controlled by a slow feedback loop. In addition, global feedback loops control each set of four cavities, one set for protons and one set for antiprotons. Operational experience with these systems is discussed. 7 refs., 9 figs.

Study of dual radio frequency capacitively coupled plasma: an analytical treatment matched to an experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saikia, P.; Bhuyan, H.; Escalona, M.; Favre, M.; Wyndham, E.; Maze, J.; Schulze, J.

2018-01-01

The behavior of a dual frequency capacitively coupled plasma (2f CCP) driven by 2.26 and 13.56 MHz radio frequency (rf) source is investigated using an approach that integrates a theoretical model and experimental data. The basis of the theoretical analysis is a time dependent dual frequency analytical sheath model that casts the relation between the instantaneous sheath potential and plasma parameters. The parameters used in the model are obtained by operating the 2f CCP experiment (2.26 MHz + 13.56 MHz) in argon at a working pressure of 50 mTorr. Experimentally measured plasma parameters such as the electron density, electron temperature, as well as the rf current density ratios are the inputs of the theoretical model. Subsequently, a convenient analytical solution for the output sheath potential and sheath thickness was derived. A comparison of the present numerical results is done with the results obtained in another 2f CCP experiment conducted by Semmler et al (2007 Plasma Sources Sci. Technol. 16 839). A good quantitative correspondence is obtained. The numerical solution shows the variation of sheath potential with the low and high frequency (HF) rf powers. In the low pressure plasma, the sheath potential is a qualitative measure of DC self-bias which in turn determines the ion energy. Thus, using this analytical model, the measured values of the DC self-bias as a function of low and HF rf powers are explained in detail.

Commissioning of two RF operation modes for RF negative ion source experimental setup at HUST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, D.; Chen, D.; Liu, K.; Zhao, P.; Zuo, C.; Wang, X.; Wang, H.; Zhang, L.

2017-08-01

An RF-driven negative ion source experimental setup, without a cesium oven and an extraction system, has been built at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST). The working gas is hydrogen, and the typical operational gas pressure is 0.3 Pa. The RF generator is capable of delivering up to 20 kW at 0.9 - 1.1 MHz, and has two operation modes, the fixed-frequency mode and auto-tuning mode. In the fixed-frequency mode, it outputs a steady RF forward power (Pf) at a fixed frequency. In the auto-tuning mode, it adjusts the operating frequency to seek and track the minimum standing wave ratio (SWR) during plasma discharge. To achieve fast frequency tuning, the RF signal source adopts a direct digital synthesizer (DDS). To withstand high SWR during the discharge, a tetrode amplifier is chosen as the final stage amplifier. The trend of maximum power reflection coefficient |ρ|2 at plasma ignition is presented at the fixed frequency of 1.02 MHz with the Pf increasing from 5 kW to 20 kW, which shows the maximum |ρ|2 tends to be "steady" under high RF power. The experiments in auto-tuning mode fail due to over-current protection of screen grid. The possible reason is the relatively large equivalent anode impedance caused by the frequency tuning. The corresponding analysis and possible solution are presented.

RF Sheath-Enhanced Plasma Surface Interaction Studies using Beryllium Optical Emission Spectroscopy in JET ITER-Like Wall

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

Agarici, G.; Klepper, C Christopher; Colas, L.

A dedicated study on JET-ILW, deploying two types of ICRH antennas and spectroscopic observation spots at two outboard, beryllium limiters, has provided insight on long-range (up to 6m) RFenhanced plasma-surface interactions (RF-PSI) due to near-antenna electric fields. To aid in the interpretation of optical emission measurements of these effects, the antenna near-fields are computed using the TOPICA code, specifically run for the ITER-like antenna (ILA); similar modelling already existed for the standard JET antennas (A2). In the experiment, both antennas were operated in current drive mode, as RF-PSI tends to be higher in this phasing and at similar power (∼0.5more » MW). When sweeping the edge magnetic field pitch angle, peaked RF-PSI effects, in the form of 2-4 fold increase in the local Be source,are consistently measured with the observation spots magnetically connect to regions of TOPICAL-calculated high near-fields, particularly at the near-antenna limiters. It is also found that similar RF-PSI effects are produced by the two types of antenna on similarly distant limiters. Although this mapping of calculated near-fields to enhanced RF-PSI gives only qualitative interpretion of the data, the present dataset is expected to provide a sound experimental basis for emerging RF sheath simulation model validation.« less

Coupling extended magnetohydrodynamic fluid codes with radiofrequency ray tracing codes for fusion modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jenkins, Thomas G.; Held, Eric D.

2015-09-01

Neoclassical tearing modes are macroscopic (L ∼ 1 m) instabilities in magnetic fusion experiments; if unchecked, these modes degrade plasma performance and may catastrophically destroy plasma confinement by inducing a disruption. Fortunately, the use of properly tuned and directed radiofrequency waves (λ ∼ 1 mm) can eliminate these modes. Numerical modeling of this difficult multiscale problem requires the integration of separate mathematical models for each length and time scale (Jenkins and Kruger, 2012 [21]); the extended MHD model captures macroscopic plasma evolution while the RF model tracks the flow and deposition of injected RF power through the evolving plasma profiles. The scale separation enables use of the eikonal (ray-tracing) approximation to model the RF wave propagation. In this work we demonstrate a technique, based on methods of computational geometry, for mapping the ensuing RF data (associated with discrete ray trajectories) onto the finite-element/pseudospectral grid that is used to model the extended MHD physics. In the new representation, the RF data can then be used to construct source terms in the equations of the extended MHD model, enabling quantitative modeling of RF-induced tearing mode stabilization. Though our specific implementation uses the NIMROD extended MHD (Sovinec et al., 2004 [22]) and GENRAY RF (Smirnov et al., 1994 [23]) codes, the approach presented can be applied more generally to any code coupling requiring the mapping of ray tracing data onto Eulerian grids.

Shaped saturation with inherent radiofrequency-power-efficient trajectory design in parallel transmission.

PubMed

Schneider, Rainer; Haueisen, Jens; Pfeuffer, Josef

2014-10-01

A target-pattern-driven (TD) trajectory design is introduced in combination with parallel transmit (pTX) radiofrequency (RF) pulses to provide localized suppression of unwanted signals. The design incorporates target-pattern and B1+ information to adjust denser sampling and coverage in k-space regions where the main pattern information lies. Based on this approach, two-dimensional RF spiral saturation pulses sensitive to RF power limits were applied in vivo for the first time. The TD method was compared with two state-of-the-art spiral design methods. Simulations at different spatial fidelities, acceleration factors and anatomical regions were carried out for an eight-channel pTX 3 Tesla (T) coil. Human in vivo experiments were performed on a two-channel pTX 3T scanner saturating shaped patterns in the brain, heart, and thoracic spine. Using the TD trajectory, RF pulse power can be substantially reduced by up to 34% compared with other trajectory designs with the same spatial accuracy. Local and global specific absorption rates are decreased in most cases. The TD trajectory design uses available a priori information to enhance RF power efficiency and spatial response of the RF pulses. Shaped saturation pulses show improved spatial accuracy and saturation performance. Thus, RF pulses can be designed more efficiently and can be further accelerated. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Inferring species trees from incongruent multi-copy gene trees using the Robinson-Foulds distance

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Constructing species trees from multi-copy gene trees remains a challenging problem in phylogenetics. One difficulty is that the underlying genes can be incongruent due to evolutionary processes such as gene duplication and loss, deep coalescence, or lateral gene transfer. Gene tree estimation errors may further exacerbate the difficulties of species tree estimation. Results We present a new approach for inferring species trees from incongruent multi-copy gene trees that is based on a generalization of the Robinson-Foulds (RF) distance measure to multi-labeled trees (mul-trees). We prove that it is NP-hard to compute the RF distance between two mul-trees; however, it is easy to calculate this distance between a mul-tree and a singly-labeled species tree. Motivated by this, we formulate the RF problem for mul-trees (MulRF) as follows: Given a collection of multi-copy gene trees, find a singly-labeled species tree that minimizes the total RF distance from the input mul-trees. We develop and implement a fast SPR-based heuristic algorithm for the NP-hard MulRF problem. We compare the performance of the MulRF method (available at http://genome.cs.iastate.edu/CBL/MulRF/) with several gene tree parsimony approaches using gene tree simulations that incorporate gene tree error, gene duplications and losses, and/or lateral transfer. The MulRF method produces more accurate species trees than gene tree parsimony approaches. We also demonstrate that the MulRF method infers in minutes a credible plant species tree from a collection of nearly 2,000 gene trees. Conclusions Our new phylogenetic inference method, based on a generalized RF distance, makes it possible to quickly estimate species trees from large genomic data sets. Since the MulRF method, unlike gene tree parsimony, is based on a generic tree distance measure, it is appealing for analyses of genomic data sets, in which many processes such as deep coalescence, recombination, gene duplication and losses as well as phylogenetic error may contribute to gene tree discord. In experiments, the MulRF method estimated species trees accurately and quickly, demonstrating MulRF as an efficient alternative approach for phylogenetic inference from large-scale genomic data sets. PMID:24180377

Battery-powered pulsed high density inductively coupled plasma source for pre-ionization in laboratory astrophysics experiments.

PubMed

Chaplin, Vernon H; Bellan, Paul M

2015-07-01

An electrically floating radiofrequency (RF) pre-ionization plasma source has been developed to enable neutral gas breakdown at lower pressures and to access new experimental regimes in the Caltech laboratory astrophysics experiments. The source uses a customized 13.56 MHz class D RF power amplifier that is powered by AA batteries, allowing it to safely float at 3-6 kV with the electrodes of the high voltage pulsed power experiments. The amplifier, which is capable of 3 kW output power in pulsed (<1 ms) operation, couples electrical energy to the plasma through an antenna external to the 1.1 cm radius discharge tube. By comparing the predictions of a global equilibrium discharge model with the measured scalings of plasma density with RF power input and axial magnetic field strength, we demonstrate that inductive coupling (rather than capacitive coupling or wave damping) is the dominant energy transfer mechanism. Peak ion densities exceeding 5 × 10(19) m(-3) in argon gas at 30 mTorr have been achieved with and without a background field. Installation of the pre-ionization source on a magnetohydrodynamically driven jet experiment reduced the breakdown time and jitter and allowed for the creation of hotter, faster argon plasma jets than was previously possible.

Hartmann-Hahn 2D-map to optimize the RAMP-CPMAS NMR experiment for pharmaceutical materials.

PubMed

Suzuki, Kazuko; Martineau, Charlotte; Fink, Gerhard; Steuernagel, Stefan; Taulelle, Francis

2012-02-01

Cross polarization-magic angle spinning (CPMAS) is the most used experiment for solid-state NMR measurements in the pharmaceutical industry, with the well-known variant RAMP-CPMAS its dominant implementation. The experimental work presented in this contribution focuses on the entangled effects of the main parameters of such an experiment. The shape of the RAMP-CP pulse has been considered as well as the contact time duration, and a particular attention also has been devoted to the radio-frequency (RF) field inhomogeneity. (13)C CPMAS NMR spectra have been recorded with a systematic variation of (13)C and (1)H constant radiofrequency field pair values and represented as a Hartmann-Hahn matching two-dimensional map. Such a map yields a rational overview of the intricate optimal conditions necessary to achieve an efficient CP magnetization transfer. The map also highlights the effects of sweeping the RF by the RAMP-CP pulse on the number of Hartmann-Hahn matches crossed and how RF field inhomogeneity helps in increasing the CP efficiency by using a larger fraction of the sample. In the light of the results, strategies for optimal RAMP-CPMAS measurements are suggested, which lead to a much higher efficiency than constant amplitude CP experiment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Time-multiplexed two-channel capacitive radiofrequency hyperthermia with nanoparticle mediation.

PubMed

Kim, Ki Soo; Hernandez, Daniel; Lee, Soo Yeol

2015-10-24

Capacitive radiofrequency (RF) hyperthermia suffers from excessive temperature rise near the electrodes and poorly localized heat transfer to the deep-seated tumor region even though it is known to have potential to cure ill-conditioned tumors. To better localize heat transfer to the deep-seated target region in which electrical conductivity is elevated by nanoparticle mediation, two-channel capacitive RF heating has been tried on a phantom. We made a tissue-mimicking phantom consisting of two compartments, a tumor-tissue-mimicking insert against uniform background agarose. The tumor-tissue-mimicking insert was made to have higher electrical conductivity than the normal-tissue-mimicking background by applying magnetic nanoparticle suspension to the insert. Two electrode pairs were attached on the phantom surface by equal-angle separation to apply RF electric field to the phantom. To better localize heat transfer to the tumor-tissue-mimicking insert, RF power with a frequency of 26 MHz was delivered to the two channels in a time-multiplexed way. To monitor the temperature rise inside the phantom, MR thermometry was performed at a 3T MRI intermittently during the RF heating. Finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) electromagnetic and thermal simulations on the phantom model were also performed to verify the experimental results. As compared to the one-channel RF heating, the two-channel RF heating with time-multiplexed driving improved the spatial localization of heat transfer to the tumor-tissue-mimicking region in both the simulation and experiment. The two-channel RF heating also reduced the temperature rise near the electrodes significantly. Time-multiplexed two-channel capacitive RF heating has the capability to better localize heat transfer to the nanoparticle-mediated tumor region which has higher electrical conductivity than the background normal tissues.

Radio frequency cavity analysis, measurement, and calibration of absolute Dee voltage for K-500 superconducting cyclotron at VECC, Kolkata

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

Som, Sumit; Seth, Sudeshna; Mandal, Aditya

2013-02-15

Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre has commissioned a K-500 superconducting cyclotron for various types of nuclear physics experiments. The 3-phase radio-frequency system of superconducting cyclotron has been developed in the frequency range 9-27 MHz with amplitude and phase stability of 100 ppm and {+-}0.2{sup 0}, respectively. The analysis of the RF cavity has been carried out using 3D Computer Simulation Technology (CST) Microwave Studio code and various RF parameters and accelerating voltages ('Dee' voltage) are calculated from simulation. During the RF system commissioning, measurement of different RF parameters has been done and absolute Dee voltage has been calibrated using a CdTemore » X-ray detector along with its accessories and known X-ray source. The present paper discusses about the measured data and the simulation result.« less

The utility of MMPI-2-RF substantive scales in prediction of negative treatment outcomes in a community mental health center.

PubMed

Anestis, Joye C; Gottfried, Emily D; Joiner, Thomas E

2015-02-01

This study examined the utility of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) substantive scales in the prediction of premature termination and therapy no-shows while controlling for other relevant predictors in a university-based community mental health center, a sample at high risk of both premature termination and no-show appointments. Participants included 457 individuals seeking services from a university-based psychology clinic. Results indicated that Juvenile Conduct Problems (JCP) predicted premature termination and Behavioral/Externalizing Dysfunction and JCP predicted number of no-shows, when accounting for initial severity of illness, personality disorder diagnosis, therapist experience, and other related MMPI-2-RF scales. The MMPI-2-RF Aesthetic-Literary Interests scale also predicted number of no-shows. Recommendations for applying these findings in clinical practice are discussed. © The Author(s) 2014.

Progress of MICE RFCC Module

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

Li, D.; Bowring, D.; DeMello, A.

2012-05-20

Recent progress on the design and fabrication of the RFCC (RF and superconducting Coupling Coil) module for the international MICE (Muon Ionization Cooling Experiment) are reported. The MICE ionization cooling channel has two RFCC modules, each having four 201- MHz normal conducting RF cavities surrounded by one superconducting coupling coil (solenoid) magnet. The magnet is designed to be cooled by three cryocoolers. Fabrication of the RF cavities is complete; preparation for the cavity electro-polishing, low power RF measurements, and tuning are in progress at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). Fabrication of the cold mass of the first coupling coil magnetmore » has been completed in China and the cold mass arrived at LBNL in late 2011. Preparations for testing the cold mass are currently under way at Fermilab. Plans for the RFCC module assembly and integration are being developed and are described.« less

Compression of high-density 0.16 pC electron bunches through high field gradients for ultrafast single shot electron diffraction: The Compact RF Gun

PubMed Central

Daoud, Hazem; Floettmann, Klaus; Dwayne Miller, R. J.

2017-01-01

We present an RF gun design for single shot ultrafast electron diffraction experiments that can produce sub-100 fs high-charge electron bunches in the 130 keV energy range. Our simulations show that our proposed half-cell RF cavity is capable of producing 137 keV, 27 fs rms (60 fs FWHM), 106 electron bunches with an rms spot size of 276 μm and a transverse coherence length of 2.0 nm. The required operation power is 9.2 kW, significantly lower than conventional rf cavity designs and a key design feature. This electron source further relies on high electric field gradients at the cathode to simultaneously accelerate and compress the electron bunch to open up new space-time resolution domains for atomically resolved dynamics. PMID:28428973

Re-examination of radiofrequency mass spectrometers: Center Director's Discretionary Fund

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carruth, M. R., Jr.

1989-01-01

The three-stage, two-cycle, Bennett mass spectrometers in use in space and ground experiments today are of the same physical configuration as developed by Bennett in 1950. Sine-wave radiofrequency (RF) is also still used. The literature indicates that the electronics and physical manufacturing capabilities of 1950 technology may have limited the use of other improvements at that time. Therefore, a study, experimental and analytical, was undertaken to examine previously rejected RF approaches as well as new ones. The results of this study indicate there are other approaches which use fewer grids and square wave or a combination of square-wave and sine-wave RF. In regard to suppression of harmonics, none performed better than the three-stage, two-cycle, Bennett mass spectrometer. Use of square-wave RF in the Bennett approach can provide a slightly more compact configuration but no increase in throughput.

Constraining Crustal Anisotropy by Receiver Functions at the Deep Continental Drilling Site KTB in Southern Germany

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bianchi, Irene; Qorbani, Ehsan; Bokelmann, Götz

2016-04-01

As one of the rare observational tools for studying deformation and stress within the Earth, seismic anisotropy has been one of the focuses of geophysical studies over the last decade. In order to unravel the anisotropic properties of the crust, the teleseismic receiver functions (RF) methodology has started to be widely applied recently. Such effects of anisotropy on RF were illustrated in theoretical studies, showing the strong backazimuthal dependence of RF on the 3D characteristics of the media sampled by the waves. The use of teleseismic RF has the advantage of not being affected by a heterogeneous depth distribution of local earthquakes, since teleseismic rays sample the entire crust beneath the stations. The application of this technique however, needs to be critically assessed using a suitable field test. To test the technique, we need a crustal block where the underground structure is reasonably well-known, e.g., where there is extensive knowledge from local seismic experiments and drilling. A field experiment has thus been carried out around the KTB (Kontinental Tiefbohrung) site in the Oberpfalz area in Southeastern Germany, in order to compare with previous results from deep drilling, and high-frequency seismic experiments around the drill site. The investigated region has been studied extensively by local geophysical experiments, and geological studies. The deep borehole was placed into gneiss rocks of the Zone Erbendorf-Vohenstrauss. The drilling activity lasted from 1987 to 1994, and descended down to a depth of 9101 meters, sampling an alternating sequence of paragneiss and amphibolite, with metamorphism of upper amphibolite facies conditions, and ductile deformation produced a strong foliation of the rocks. The application of the RFs reveals strong seismic anisotropy in the upper crust related to the so-called Erbendorf body. The SKS shear-wave splitting method has been applied as well, revealing coherent results for the whole region with exception of the southernmost station, for which the seismic waves show larger delays. We use the RF observations to test the effect of crustal anisotropy on the SKS records, which sample entire crust and upper mantle.

A new slip stacking RF system for a twofold power upgrade of Fermilab's Accelerator Complex

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

Madrak, Robyn

2014-05-15

Fermilab's Accelerator Complex has been recently upgraded, in order to increase the 120 GeV proton beam power on target from about 400 kW to over 700 kW for NOvA and other future intensity frontier experiments. One of the key ingredients of the upgrade is the offloading of some Main Injector synchrotron operations - beam injection and RF manipulation called ''slip stacking'' - to the 8GeV Recycler Ring, which had until recently been used only for low-intensity antiproton storage and cooling. This required construction of two new 53 MHz RF systems for the slip-stacking manipulations. The cavities operate simultaneously at Vmore » peak ≲150 kV, but at slightly different frequencies (Δf=1260 Hz). Their installation was completed in September 2013. This article describes the novel solutions used in the design of the new cavities, their tuning system, and the associated high power RF system. First results showing effective operation of the RF system, beam capture and successful slip-stacking in the Recycler Ring are presented.« less

Langmuir probes for SPIDER (source for the production of ions of deuterium extracted from radio frequency plasma) experiment: Tests in BATMAN (Bavarian test machine for negative ions)

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

Brombin, M., E-mail: matteo.brombin@igi.cnr.it; Spolaore, M.; Serianni, G.

2014-11-15

A prototype system of the Langmuir probes for SPIDER (Source for the production of Ions of Deuterium Extracted from RF plasma) was manufactured and experimentally qualified. The diagnostic was operated in RF (Radio Frequency) plasmas with cesium evaporation on the BATMAN (BAvarian Test MAchine for Negative ions) test facility, which can provide plasma conditions as expected in the SPIDER source. A RF passive compensation circuit was realised to operate the Langmuir probes in RF plasmas. The sensors’ holder, designed to better simulate the bias plate conditions in SPIDER, was exposed to a severe experimental campaign in BATMAN with cesium evaporation.more » No detrimental effect on the diagnostic due to cesium evaporation was found during the exposure to the BATMAN plasma and in particular the insulation of the electrodes was preserved. The paper presents the system prototype, the RF compensation circuit, the acquisition system (as foreseen in SPIDER), and the results obtained during the experimental campaigns.« less

10-fs-level synchronization of photocathode laser with RF-oscillator for ultrafast electron and X-ray sources

PubMed Central

Yang, Heewon; Han, Byungheon; Shin, Junho; Hou, Dong; Chung, Hayun; Baek, In Hyung; Jeong, Young Uk; Kim, Jungwon

2017-01-01

Ultrafast electron-based coherent radiation sources, such as free-electron lasers (FELs), ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) and Thomson-scattering sources, are becoming more important sources in today’s ultrafast science. Photocathode laser is an indispensable common subsystem in these sources that generates ultrafast electron pulses. To fully exploit the potentials of these sources, especially for pump-probe experiments, it is important to achieve high-precision synchronization between the photocathode laser and radio-frequency (RF) sources that manipulate electron pulses. So far, most of precision laser-RF synchronization has been achieved by using specially designed low-noise Er-fibre lasers at telecommunication wavelength. Here we show a modular method that achieves long-term (>1 day) stable 10-fs-level synchronization between a commercial 79.33-MHz Ti:sapphire laser oscillator and an S-band (2.856-GHz) RF oscillator. This is an important first step toward a photocathode laser-based femtosecond RF timing and synchronization system that is suitable for various small- to mid-scale ultrafast X-ray and electron sources. PMID:28067288

10-fs-level synchronization of photocathode laser with RF-oscillator for ultrafast electron and X-ray sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Heewon; Han, Byungheon; Shin, Junho; Hou, Dong; Chung, Hayun; Baek, In Hyung; Jeong, Young Uk; Kim, Jungwon

2017-01-01

Ultrafast electron-based coherent radiation sources, such as free-electron lasers (FELs), ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) and Thomson-scattering sources, are becoming more important sources in today’s ultrafast science. Photocathode laser is an indispensable common subsystem in these sources that generates ultrafast electron pulses. To fully exploit the potentials of these sources, especially for pump-probe experiments, it is important to achieve high-precision synchronization between the photocathode laser and radio-frequency (RF) sources that manipulate electron pulses. So far, most of precision laser-RF synchronization has been achieved by using specially designed low-noise Er-fibre lasers at telecommunication wavelength. Here we show a modular method that achieves long-term (>1 day) stable 10-fs-level synchronization between a commercial 79.33-MHz Ti:sapphire laser oscillator and an S-band (2.856-GHz) RF oscillator. This is an important first step toward a photocathode laser-based femtosecond RF timing and synchronization system that is suitable for various small- to mid-scale ultrafast X-ray and electron sources.

Development progresses of radio frequency ion source for neutral beam injector in fusion devices.

PubMed

Chang, D H; Jeong, S H; Kim, T S; Park, M; Lee, K W; In, S R

2014-02-01

A large-area RF (radio frequency)-driven ion source is being developed in Germany for the heating and current drive of an ITER device. Negative hydrogen ion sources are the major components of neutral beam injection systems in future large-scale fusion experiments such as ITER and DEMO. RF ion sources for the production of positive hydrogen (deuterium) ions have been successfully developed for the neutral beam heating systems at IPP (Max-Planck-Institute for Plasma Physics) in Germany. The first long-pulse ion source has been developed successfully with a magnetic bucket plasma generator including a filament heating structure for the first NBI system of the KSTAR tokamak. There is a development plan for an RF ion source at KAERI to extract the positive ions, which can be applied for the KSTAR NBI system and to extract the negative ions for future fusion devices such as the Fusion Neutron Source and Korea-DEMO. The characteristics of RF-driven plasmas and the uniformity of the plasma parameters in the test-RF ion source were investigated initially using an electrostatic probe.

10-fs-level synchronization of photocathode laser with RF-oscillator for ultrafast electron and X-ray sources.

PubMed

Yang, Heewon; Han, Byungheon; Shin, Junho; Hou, Dong; Chung, Hayun; Baek, In Hyung; Jeong, Young Uk; Kim, Jungwon

2017-01-09

Ultrafast electron-based coherent radiation sources, such as free-electron lasers (FELs), ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) and Thomson-scattering sources, are becoming more important sources in today's ultrafast science. Photocathode laser is an indispensable common subsystem in these sources that generates ultrafast electron pulses. To fully exploit the potentials of these sources, especially for pump-probe experiments, it is important to achieve high-precision synchronization between the photocathode laser and radio-frequency (RF) sources that manipulate electron pulses. So far, most of precision laser-RF synchronization has been achieved by using specially designed low-noise Er-fibre lasers at telecommunication wavelength. Here we show a modular method that achieves long-term (>1 day) stable 10-fs-level synchronization between a commercial 79.33-MHz Ti:sapphire laser oscillator and an S-band (2.856-GHz) RF oscillator. This is an important first step toward a photocathode laser-based femtosecond RF timing and synchronization system that is suitable for various small- to mid-scale ultrafast X-ray and electron sources.

Operation of large RF sources for H-: Lessons learned at ELISE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fantz, U.; Wünderlich, D.; Heinemann, B.; Kraus, W.; Riedl, R.

2017-08-01

The goal of the ELISE test facility is to demonstrate that large RF-driven negative ion sources (1 × 1 m2 source area with 360 kW installed RF power) can achieve the parameters required for the ITER beam sources in terms of current densities and beam homogeneity at a filling pressure of 0.3 Pa for pulse lengths of up to one hour. With the experience in operation of the test facility, the beam source inspection and maintenance as well as with the results of the achieved source performance so far, conclusions are drawn for commissioning and operation of the ITER beam sources. Addressed are critical technical RF issues, extrapolations to the required RF power, Cs consumption and Cs ovens, the need of adjusting the magnetic filter field strength as well as the temporal dynamic and spatial asymmetry of the co-extracted electron current. It is proposed to relax the low pressure limit to 0.4 Pa and to replace the fixed electron-to-ion ratio by a power density limit for the extraction grid. This would be highly beneficial for controlling the co-extracted electrons.

Study of Direct RF Injection on Microcontroller

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-06

TASK NUMBER PPM00010812 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER EF002775 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) The University of Texas at Dallas Dept. of...Electrical Engineering Richardson, TX 75080 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS...test board and micro-instruction. 2.3 Organization of Report Section 3.0 describes the experiment procedure for direct RF injection. Section 4.0

B1 field-insensitive transformers for RF-safe transmission lines.

PubMed

Krafft, Axel; Müller, Sven; Umathum, Reiner; Semmler, Wolfhard; Bock, Michael

2006-11-01

Integration of transformers into transmission lines suppresses radiofrequency (RF)-induced heating. New figure-of-eight-shaped transformer coils are compared to conventional loop transformer coils to assess their signal transmission properties and safety profile. The transmission properties of figure-of-eight-shaped transformers were measured and compared to transformers with loop coils. Experiments to quantify the effect of decoupling from the B1 field of the MR system were conducted. Temperature measurements were performed to demonstrate the effective reduction of RF-induced heating. The transformers were investigated during active tracking experiments. Coupling to the B1 field was reduced by 18 dB over conventional loop-shaped transformer coils. MR images showed a significantly reduced artifact for the figure-of-eight- shaped coils generated by local flip-angle amplification. Comparable transmission properties were seen for both transformer types. Temperature measurements showed a maximal temperature increase of 30 K/3.5 K for an unsegmented/segmented cable. With a segmented transmission line a robotic assistance system could be successfully localized using active tracking. The figure-of-eight-shaped transformer design reduces both RF field coupling with the MR system and artifact sizes. Anatomical structure close to the figure-of-eight-shaped transformer may be less obscured as with loop-shaped transformers if these transformers are integrated into e.g. intravascular catheters.

Interaction between high harmonic fast waves and fast ions in NSTX/NSTX-U plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bertelli, N.; Valeo, E. J.; Gorelenkova, M.; Green, D. L.; RF SciDAC Team

2016-10-01

Fast wave (FW) heating in the ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) has been successfully used to sustain and control the fusion plasma performance, and it will likely play an important role in the ITER experiment. As demonstrated in the NSTX and DIII-D experiments the interactions between fast waves and fast ions can be so strong to significantly modify the fast ion population from neutral beam injection. In fact, it has been recently found in NSTX that FWs can modify and, under certain conditions, even suppress the energetic particle driven instabilities, such as toroidal Alfvén eigenmodes and global Alfvén eigenmodes and fishbones. This paper examines such interactions in NSTX/NSTX-U plasmas by using the recent extension of the RF full-wave code TORIC to include non-Maxwellian ions distribution functions. Particular attention is given to the evolution of the fast ions distribution function w/ and w/o RF. Tests on the RF kick-operator implemented in the Monte-Carlo particle code NUBEAM is also discussed in order to move towards a self consistent evaluation of the RF wave-field and the ion distribution functions in the TRANSP code. Work supported by US DOE Contract DE-AC02-09CH11466.

Atrial Fibrillation Radiofrequency Ablation: Safety Using Contact Force Catheter In A Low-Volume Centre.

PubMed

Vaccari Md, Diego; Giacopelli MSc, Daniele; Rocchetto MSc, Eros; Vittadello Md, Sabina; Mantovan Md, Roberto; Neri Md, Gianfilippo

2014-01-01

The tip-to-tissue contact force (CF) has been identified as a potential determinant of lesion quality during radiofrequency (RF) ablation. The aim of this paper is to report the experience of a single low-volume centre in the atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedure with an RF catheter capable of measuring this parameter. CF data and their possible implications on patient safety are presented. Thirty-nine consecutive patients suffering of paroxysmal or permanent AF received percutaneous ablation with the novel catheter studied. Procedural characteristics, CF applied and safety events related to the procedure were reported. During RF application the mean CF value was 17 ± 3 g, with a maximum mean value of 37 ± 8 g. CF value never exceeded 62 g and in the 74% of the RF applications ranged between 10 g and 30 g. No complication related to the catheter manipulation or to the energy delivered was observed. This study of a single centre with a low level of experience in AF ablation suggests that the ability to measure CF may provide additional useful information to the operator. It ensures uniform ablations, with little variability in the catheter manipulations, and it avoids excessive contact forces increasing the patient safety.

The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on sperm function.

PubMed

Houston, B J; Nixon, B; King, B V; De Iuliis, G N; Aitken, R J

2016-12-01

Mobile phone usage has become an integral part of our lives. However, the effects of the radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) emitted by these devices on biological systems and specifically the reproductive systems are currently under active debate. A fundamental hindrance to the current debate is that there is no clear mechanism of how such non-ionising radiation influences biological systems. Therefore, we explored the documented impacts of RF-EMR on the male reproductive system and considered any common observations that could provide insights on a potential mechanism. Among a total of 27 studies investigating the effects of RF-EMR on the male reproductive system, negative consequences of exposure were reported in 21. Within these 21 studies, 11 of the 15 that investigated sperm motility reported significant declines, 7 of 7 that measured the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) documented elevated levels and 4 of 5 studies that probed for DNA damage highlighted increased damage due to RF-EMR exposure. Associated with this, RF-EMR treatment reduced the antioxidant levels in 6 of 6 studies that discussed this phenomenon, whereas consequences of RF-EMR were successfully ameliorated with the supplementation of antioxidants in all 3 studies that carried out these experiments. In light of this, we envisage a two-step mechanism whereby RF-EMR is able to induce mitochondrial dysfunction leading to elevated ROS production. A continued focus on research, which aims to shed light on the biological effects of RF-EMR will allow us to test and assess this proposed mechanism in a variety of cell types. © 2016 Society for Reproduction and Fertility.

First experiments with the negative ion source NIO1.

PubMed

Cavenago, M; Serianni, G; De Muri, M; Agostinetti, P; Antoni, V; Baltador, C; Barbisan, M; Baseggio, L; Bigi, M; Cervaro, V; Degli Agostini, F; Fagotti, E; Kulevoy, T; Ippolito, N; Laterza, B; Minarello, A; Maniero, M; Pasqualotto, R; Petrenko, S; Poggi, M; Ravarotto, D; Recchia, M; Sartori, E; Sattin, M; Sonato, P; Taccogna, F; Variale, V; Veltri, P; Zaniol, B; Zanotto, L; Zucchetti, S

2016-02-01

Neutral Beam Injectors (NBIs), which need to be strongly optimized in the perspective of DEMO reactor, request a thorough understanding of the negative ion source used and of the multi-beamlet optics. A relatively compact radio frequency (rf) ion source, named NIO1 (Negative Ion Optimization 1), with 9 beam apertures for a total H(-) current of 130 mA, 60 kV acceleration voltage, was installed at Consorzio RFX, including a high voltage deck and an X-ray shield, to provide a test bench for source optimizations for activities in support to the ITER NBI test facility. NIO1 status and plasma experiments both with air and with hydrogen as filling gas are described. Transition from a weak plasma to an inductively coupled plasma is clearly evident for the former gas and may be triggered by rising the rf power (over 0.5 kW) at low pressure (equal or below 2 Pa). Transition in hydrogen plasma requires more rf power (over 1.5 kW).

Compact field programmable gate array-based pulse-sequencer and radio-frequency generator for experiments with trapped atoms.

PubMed

Pruttivarasin, Thaned; Katori, Hidetoshi

2015-11-01

We present a compact field-programmable gate array (FPGA) based pulse sequencer and radio-frequency (RF) generator suitable for experiments with cold trapped ions and atoms. The unit is capable of outputting a pulse sequence with at least 32 transistor-transistor logic (TTL) channels with a timing resolution of 40 ns and contains a built-in 100 MHz frequency counter for counting electrical pulses from a photo-multiplier tube. There are 16 independent direct-digital-synthesizers RF sources with fast (rise-time of ∼60 ns) amplitude switching and sub-mHz frequency tuning from 0 to 800 MHz.

Compact field programmable gate array-based pulse-sequencer and radio-frequency generator for experiments with trapped atoms

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

Pruttivarasin, Thaned, E-mail: thaned.pruttivarasin@riken.jp; Katori, Hidetoshi; Innovative Space-Time Project, ERATO, JST, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656

We present a compact field-programmable gate array (FPGA) based pulse sequencer and radio-frequency (RF) generator suitable for experiments with cold trapped ions and atoms. The unit is capable of outputting a pulse sequence with at least 32 transistor-transistor logic (TTL) channels with a timing resolution of 40 ns and contains a built-in 100 MHz frequency counter for counting electrical pulses from a photo-multiplier tube. There are 16 independent direct-digital-synthesizers RF sources with fast (rise-time of ∼60 ns) amplitude switching and sub-mHz frequency tuning from 0 to 800 MHz.

Progress on the Development of Low Pressure High Density Plasmas on the Helicon Plasma Experiment (HPX)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

James, R. W.; Chamberlin, A.; Azzari, P.; Crilly, P.; Emami, T.; Hopson, J.; Karama, J.; Green, A.; Paolino, R. N.; Sandri, E.; Turk, J.; Wicke, M.; Cgapl Team

2017-10-01

The small Helicon Plasma Experiment (HPX) at the Coast Guard Academy Plasma Lab (CGAPL), continues to progress toward utilizing the reputed high densities (1013 cm-3 and higher) at low pressure (.01 T) [1] of helicons, for eventual high temperature and density diagnostic development in future laboratory investigations. HPX is designed to create repeatedly stable plasmas ( 20-30 ns) induced by an RF frequency in the 10 to 70 MHz range. HPX has constructed a protected Langmuir probe where raw data will be collected, compared to the RF compensated probe and used to measure the plasma's density, temperature, and behavior during experiments. Our 2.5 J YAG laser Thomson Scattering system backed by a 32-channel Data Acquisition (DAQ) system is capable 12 bits of sampling precision at 2 MS/s for HPX plasma property investigations are being integrated into the existing diagnostics and control architecture. Progress on the construction of the RF coupling system, Helicon Mode development, and magnetic coils, along with observations from the Thomson Scattering, particle, and electromagnetic scattering diagnostics will be reported. Supported by U.S. DEPS Grant [HEL-JTO] PRWJFY17.

Theory and Practice in ICRF Antennas for Long Pulse Operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colas, L.; Faudot, E.; Brémond, S.; Heuraux, S.; Mitteau, R.; Chantant, M.; Goniche, M.; Basiuk, V.; Bosia, G.; Tore Supra Team

2005-09-01

Long plasma discharges on the Tore Supra (TS) tokamak were extended in 2004 towards higher powers and plasma densities by combined Lower Hybrid (LH) and Ion Cyclotron Range of Frequencies (ICRF) waves. RF pulses of 20s×8MW and 60s×4MW were produced. TS is equipped with 3 ICRF antennas, whose front faces are ready for CW operation. This paper reports on their behaviour over high power long pulses, as observed with infrared (IR) thermography and calorimetric measurements. Edge parasitic losses, although modest, are concentrated on a small surface and can raise surface temperatures close to operational limits. A complex hot spot pattern was revealed with at least 3 physical processes involved : convected power, electron acceleration in the LH near field, and a RF-specific phenomenon compatible with RF sheaths. LH coupling was also perturbed in the antenna shadow. This was attributed to RF-induced DC E×B0 convection. This motivated sheath modelling in two directions. First, the 2D topology of RF potentials was investigated in relation with the RF current distribution over the antenna, via a Green's function formalism and full-wave calculation using the ICANT code. In front of phased arrays of straps, convective cells were interpreted using the RF current profiles of strip line theory. Another class of convective cells, specific to antenna box corners, was evidenced for the first time. Within 1D sheath models assuming independent flux tubes, RF and rectified DC potentials are proportional. 2D fluid models couple nearby flux tubes via transverse polarisation currents. Unexpectedly this does not necessarily smooth RF potential maps. Peak DC potentials can even be enhanced. The experience gained on TS and the numerical tools are valuable for designing steady state high power antennas for next step devices. General rules to reduce RF potentials as well as concrete design options are discussed.

Theory and Practice in ICRF Antennas for Long Pulse Operation

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

Colas, L.; Bremond, S.; Mitteau, R.

2005-09-26

Long plasma discharges on the Tore Supra (TS) tokamak were extended in 2004 towards higher powers and plasma densities by combined Lower Hybrid (LH) and Ion Cyclotron Range of Frequencies (ICRF) waves. RF pulses of 20sx8MW and 60sx4MW were produced. TS is equipped with 3 ICRF antennas, whose front faces are ready for CW operation. This paper reports on their behaviour over high power long pulses, as observed with infrared (IR) thermography and calorimetric measurements. Edge parasitic losses, although modest, are concentrated on a small surface and can raise surface temperatures close to operational limits. A complex hot spot patternmore » was revealed with at least 3 physical processes involved : convected power, electron acceleration in the LH near field, and a RF-specific phenomenon compatible with RF sheaths. LH coupling was also perturbed in the antenna shadow. This was attributed to RF-induced DC ExB0 convection. This motivated sheath modelling in two directions. First, the 2D topology of RF potentials was investigated in relation with the RF current distribution over the antenna, via a Green's function formalism and full-wave calculation using the ICANT code. In front of phased arrays of straps, convective cells were interpreted using the RF current profiles of strip line theory. Another class of convective cells, specific to antenna box corners, was evidenced for the first time. Within 1D sheath models assuming independent flux tubes, RF and rectified DC potentials are proportional. 2D fluid models couple nearby flux tubes via transverse polarisation currents. Unexpectedly this does not necessarily smooth RF potential maps. Peak DC potentials can even be enhanced. The experience gained on TS and the numerical tools are valuable for designing steady state high power antennas for next step devices. General rules to reduce RF potentials as well as concrete design options are discussed.« less

MISSE Results Used for RF Plasma Ground Testing-To-Space-Exposure Correlation for Coated Kapton

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Sharon K. R.; Banks, Bruce A.; Tollis, Greg

2008-01-01

The ability to predict the durability of materials in the low Earth orbit (LEO) environment by exposing them in ground-based facilities is important because one can achieve test results sooner, expose more types of materials, and do it much more cost effectively than to test them in flight. However, flight experiments to determine the durability of groups or classes of materials that behave similarly are needed in order to provide correlations of how much time in ground-based facilities represents certain durations in LEO for the material type of interest. An experiment was designed and flown on the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) 2 (3.95 yr in LEO) and MISSE 4 (1.04 yr in LEO) in order to develop this type of correlation between ground-based RF plasma exposure and LEO exposure for coated Kapton. The experiment consisted of a sample of Kapton H (DuPont) polyimide coated with 1300 of silicon dioxide by Sheldahl, Inc. The samples were exposed to atomic oxygen in a radio frequency (RF) generated atomic oxygen plasma. Mass change was measured for the samples and then the same samples were exposed in flight on MISSE and the mass change was again recorded post-flight. After documentation, the samples were exposed again in the ground-based RF plasma in order to determine if the erosion would be the same as it had been in the same facility pre-flight which would indicate whether or not the sample had been damaged during flight and if the defects on the surface were those that were there preflight. The slopes of the mass change versus fluence plots were then used to develop a correlation factor that can be used to help predict the durability of coated Kapton in ground-based isotropic atomic oxygen plasma systems. This paper describes the experiment and presents the correlation factor results.

Pulsed laser illumination of photovoltaic cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yater, Jane A.; Lowe, Roland A.; Jenkins, Phillip P.; Landis, Geoffrey A.

1995-01-01

In future space missions, free electron lasers (FEL) may be used to illuminate photovoltaic receivers to provide remote power. Both the radio-frequency (RF) and induction FEL produce pulsed rather than continuous output. In this work we investigate cell response to pulsed laser light which simulates the RF FEL format. The results indicate that if the pulse repetition is high, cell efficiencies are only slightly reduced compared to constant illumination at the same wavelength. The frequency response of the cells is weak, with both voltage and current outputs essentially dc in nature. Comparison with previous experiments indicates that the RF FEL pulse format yields more efficient photovoltaic conversion than does an induction FEL format.

Pulsed laser illumination of photovoltaic cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yater, Jane A.; Lowe, Roland A.; Jenkins, Phillip P.; Landis, Geoffrey A.

1994-01-01

In future space missions, free electron lasers (FEL) may be used to illuminate photovoltaic array receivers to provide remote power. Both the radio-frequency (RF) and induction FEL provide FEL produce pulsed rather than continuous output. In this work we investigate cell response to pulsed laser light which simulates the RF FEL format. The results indicate that if the pulse repetition is high, cell efficiencies are only slightly reduced compared to constant illumination at the same wavelength. The frequency response of the cells is weak, with both voltage and current outputs essentially dc in nature. Comparison with previous experiments indicates that the RF FEL pulse format yields more efficient photovoltaic conversion than does an induction FEL pulse format.

Scaling laws for AC gas breakdown and implications for universality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loveless, Amanda M.; Garner, Allen L.

2017-10-01

The reduced dependence on secondary electron emission and electrode surface properties makes radiofrequency (RF) and microwave (MW) plasmas advantageous over direct current (DC) plasmas for various applications, such as microthrusters. Theoretical models relating molecular constants to alternating current (AC) breakdown often fail due to incomplete understanding of both the constants and the mechanisms involved. This work derives simple analytic expressions for RF and MW breakdown, demonstrating the transition between these regimes at their high and low frequency limits, respectively. We further show that the limiting expressions for DC, RF, and MW breakdown voltage all have the same universal scaling dependence on pressure and gap distance at high pressure, agreeing with experiment.

Rejecting probability summation for radial frequency patterns, not so Quick!

PubMed

Baldwin, Alex S; Schmidtmann, Gunnar; Kingdom, Frederick A A; Hess, Robert F

2016-05-01

Radial frequency (RF) patterns are used to assess how the visual system processes shape. They are thought to be detected globally. This is supported by studies that have found summation for RF patterns to be greater than what is possible if the parts were being independently detected and performance only then improved with an increasing number of cycles by probability summation between them. However, the model of probability summation employed in these previous studies was based on High Threshold Theory (HTT), rather than Signal Detection Theory (SDT). We conducted rating scale experiments to investigate the receiver operating characteristics. We find these are of the curved form predicted by SDT, rather than the straight lines predicted by HTT. This means that to test probability summation we must use a model based on SDT. We conducted a set of summation experiments finding that thresholds decrease as the number of modulated cycles increases at approximately the same rate as previously found. As this could be consistent with either additive or probability summation, we performed maximum-likelihood fitting of a set of summation models (Matlab code provided in our Supplementary material) and assessed the fits using cross validation. We find we are not able to distinguish whether the responses to the parts of an RF pattern are combined by additive or probability summation, because the predictions are too similar. We present similar results for summation between separate RF patterns, suggesting that the summation process there may be the same as that within a single RF. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Resonant interaction of the electron beam with a synchronous wave in controlled magnetrons for high-current superconducting accelerators

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

Kazakevich, G.; Johnson, R.; Lebedev, V.

A simplified analytical model of the resonant interaction of the beam of Larmor electrons drifting in the crossed constant fields of a magnetron with a synchronous wave providing a phase grouping of the drifting charge was developed to optimize the parameters of an rf resonant injected signal driving the magnetrons for management of phase and power of rf sources with a rate required for superconducting high-current accelerators. The model, which considers the impact of the rf resonant signal injected into the magnetron on the operation of the injection-locked tube, substantiates the recently developed method of fast power control of magnetronsmore » in the range up to 10 dB at the highest generation efficiency, with low noise, precise stability of the carrier frequency, and the possibility of wideband phase control. Experiments with continuous wave 2.45 GHz, 1 kW microwave oven magnetrons have verified the correspondence of the behavior of these tubes to the analytical model. A proof of the principle of the novel method of power control in magnetrons, based on the developed model, was demonstrated in the experiments. The method is attractive for high-current superconducting rf accelerators. This study also discusses vector methods of power control with the rates required for superconducting accelerators, the impact of the rf resonant signal injected into the magnetron on the rate of phase control of the injection-locked tubes, and a conceptual scheme of the magnetron transmitter with highest efficiency for high-current accelerators.« less

Resonant interaction of the electron beam with a synchronous wave in controlled magnetrons for high-current superconducting accelerators

DOE PAGES

Kazakevich, G.; Johnson, R.; Lebedev, V.; ...

2018-06-14

A simplified analytical model of the resonant interaction of the beam of Larmor electrons drifting in the crossed constant fields of a magnetron with a synchronous wave providing a phase grouping of the drifting charge was developed to optimize the parameters of an rf resonant injected signal driving the magnetrons for management of phase and power of rf sources with a rate required for superconducting high-current accelerators. The model, which considers the impact of the rf resonant signal injected into the magnetron on the operation of the injection-locked tube, substantiates the recently developed method of fast power control of magnetronsmore » in the range up to 10 dB at the highest generation efficiency, with low noise, precise stability of the carrier frequency, and the possibility of wideband phase control. Experiments with continuous wave 2.45 GHz, 1 kW microwave oven magnetrons have verified the correspondence of the behavior of these tubes to the analytical model. A proof of the principle of the novel method of power control in magnetrons, based on the developed model, was demonstrated in the experiments. The method is attractive for high-current superconducting rf accelerators. This study also discusses vector methods of power control with the rates required for superconducting accelerators, the impact of the rf resonant signal injected into the magnetron on the rate of phase control of the injection-locked tubes, and a conceptual scheme of the magnetron transmitter with highest efficiency for high-current accelerators.« less

Development of a micro nuclear magnetic resonance system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goloshevsky, Artem

Application of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) to on-line/in-line control of industrial processes is currently limited by equipment costs and requirements for installation. A superconducting magnet generating strong fields is the most expensive part of a typical NMR instrument. In industrial environments, fringe magnetic fields make accommodation of NMR instruments difficult. However, a portable, low-cost and low-field magnetic resonance system can be used in virtually any environment. Development of a number of hardware components for a portable, low-cost NMR instrument is reported in this dissertation. Chapter one provides a discussion on a miniaturized Helmholtz spiral radio-frequency (RF) coil (average diameter equal to 3.5 mm) and an NMR probe built around a capillary (outer diameter = 1.59 mm and inner diameter = 1.02 mm) for flow imaging. Experiments of NMR spectroscopy, static and dynamic (flow) imaging, conducted with the use of the miniaturized coil, are described. Chapter two presents a microfabricated package of two biaxial gradient coils and a Helmholtz RF coil. Planar configuration of discrete wires was used to create magnetic field gradients. Performance of the microfabricated gradient coils while imaging water flow compared well with a commercial gradient set of much larger size. Chapter three reports on flow imaging experiments with power law fluids (aqueous solutions of sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)) of different viscosities, carried out in the NMR probe with the miniaturized RF coil and capillary. Viscosities of the CMC solutions were determined based on the curve fits of the velocity profiles and simultaneous measurements of the flow rates. The curve fits were carried out according to the power law model equations. The NMR viscosity measurements compared well with measurements of the same CMC samples, performed on a conventional rotational rheometer. A portable, home-built transceiver, designed for NMR applications utilizing a miniaturized RF coil, is described in chapter four. The maximum RF power, occurring in the transceiver, was 21.5 dBm. Two transistor-transistor logic (TTL) switches functioned as an active duplexer. A quadrature detection scheme was used. The transceiver, combined with a filter/amplifier module, data acquisition (DAQ and RF generating PC boards, was successfully tested in NMR spectroscopy experiments at low magnetic field. It was demonstrated that, starting with the RF probe, a typical, large size NMR instrument can be miniaturized without impairment to the quality of the data. Such an instrument will be readily used in many industrial process control applications (e.g. for analysis of material properties and identification of chemicals).

Review: Weak radiofrequency radiation exposure from mobile phone radiation on plants.

PubMed

Halgamuge, Malka N

2017-01-01

The aim of this article was to explore the hypothesis that non-thermal, weak, radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) have an effect on living plants. In this study, we performed an analysis of the data extracted from the 45 peer-reviewed scientific publications (1996-2016) describing 169 experimental observations to detect the physiological and morphological changes in plants due to the non-thermal RF-EMF effects from mobile phone radiation. Twenty-nine different species of plants were considered in this work. Our analysis demonstrates that the data from a substantial amount of the studies on RF-EMFs from mobile phones show physiological and/or morphological effects (89.9%, p < 0.001). Additionally, our analysis of the results from these reported studies demonstrates that the maize, roselle, pea, fenugreek, duckweeds, tomato, onions and mungbean plants seem to be very sensitive to RF-EMFs. Our findings also suggest that plants seem to be more responsive to certain frequencies, especially the frequencies between (i) 800 and 1500 MHz (p < 0.0001), (ii) 1500 and 2400 MHz (p < 0.0001) and (iii) 3500 and 8000 MHz (p = 0.0161). The available literature on the effect of RF-EMFs on plants to date observed the significant trend of radiofrequency radiation influence on plants. Hence, this study provides new evidence supporting our hypothesis. Nonetheless, this endorses the need for more experiments to observe the effects of RF-EMFs, especially for the longer exposure durations, using the whole organisms. The above observation agrees with our earlier study, in that it supported that it is not a well-grounded method to characterize biological effects without considering the exposure duration. Nevertheless, none of these findings can be directly associated with human; however, on the other hand, this cannot be excluded, as it can impact the human welfare and health, either directly or indirectly, due to their complexity and varied effects (calcium metabolism, stress proteins, etc.). This study should be useful as a reference for researchers conducting epidemiological studies and the long-term experiments, using whole organisms, to observe the effects of RF-EMFs.

RF System for the MICE Demonstration of Ionisation Cooling

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

Ronald, K.; et al.

2017-04-01

Muon accelerators offer an attractive option for a range of future particle physics experiments. They can enable high energy (TeV+) high energy lepton colliders whilst mitigating the difficulty of synchrotron losses, and can provide intense beams of neutrinos for fundamental physics experiments investigating the physics of flavor. The method of production of muon beams results in high beam emittance which must be reduced for efficient acceleration. Conventional emittance control schemes take too long, given the very short (2.2 microsecond) rest lifetime of the muon. Ionisation cooling offers a much faster approach to reducing particle emittance, and the international MICE collaborationmore » aims to demonstrate this technique for the first time. This paper will present the MICE RF system and its role in the context of the overall experiment.« less

The development of data acquisition and processing application system for RF ion source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xiaodan; Wang, Xiaoying; Hu, Chundong; Jiang, Caichao; Xie, Yahong; Zhao, Yuanzhe

2017-07-01

As the key ion source component of nuclear fusion auxiliary heating devices, the radio frequency (RF) ion source is developed and applied gradually to offer a source plasma with the advantages of ease of control and high reliability. In addition, it easily achieves long-pulse steady-state operation. During the process of the development and testing of the RF ion source, a lot of original experimental data will be generated. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a stable and reliable computer data acquisition and processing application system for realizing the functions of data acquisition, storage, access, and real-time monitoring. In this paper, the development of a data acquisition and processing application system for the RF ion source is presented. The hardware platform is based on the PXI system and the software is programmed on the LabVIEW development environment. The key technologies that are used for the implementation of this software programming mainly include the long-pulse data acquisition technology, multi-threading processing technology, transmission control communication protocol, and the Lempel-Ziv-Oberhumer data compression algorithm. Now, this design has been tested and applied on the RF ion source. The test results show that it can work reliably and steadily. With the help of this design, the stable plasma discharge data of the RF ion source are collected, stored, accessed, and monitored in real-time. It is shown that it has a very practical application significance for the RF experiments.

Radio-frequency energy quantification in magnetic resonance imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alon, Leeor

Mapping of radio frequency (RF) energy deposition has been challenging for 50+ years, especially, when scanning patients in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment. As result, electromagnetic simulation software is often used for estimating the specific absorption rate (SAR), the rate of RF energy deposition in tissue. The thesis work presents challenges associated with aligning information provided by electromagnetic simulation and MRI experiments. As result of the limitations of simulations, experimental methods for the quantification of SAR were established. A system for quantification of the total RF energy deposition was developed for parallel transmit MRI (a system that uses multiple antennas to excite and image the body). The system is capable of monitoring and predicting channel-by-channel RF energy deposition, whole body SAR and capable of tracking potential hardware failures that occur in the transmit chain and may cause the deposition of excessive energy into patients. Similarly, we demonstrated that local RF power deposition can be mapped and predicted for parallel transmit systems based on a series of MRI temperature mapping acquisitions. Resulting from the work, we developed tools for optimal reconstruction temperature maps from MRI acquisitions. The tools developed for temperature mapping paved the way for utilizing MRI as a diagnostic tool for evaluation of RF/microwave emitting device safety. Quantification of the RF energy was demonstrated for both MRI compatible and non-MRI-compatible devices (such as cell phones), while having the advantage of being noninvasive, of providing millimeter resolution and high accuracy.

Reaction of the immune system to low-level RF/MW exposures.

PubMed

Szmigielski, Stanislaw

2013-06-01

Radiofrequency (RF) and microwave (MW) radiation have been used in the modern world for many years. The rapidly increasing use of cellular phones in recent years has seen increased interest in relation to the possible health effects of exposure to RF/MW radiation. In 2011 a group of international experts organized by the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon) concluded that RF/MW radiations should be listed as a possible carcinogen (group 2B) for humans. The incomplete knowledge of RF/MW-related cancer risks has initiated searches for biological indicators sensitive enough to measure the "weak biological influence" of RF/MWs. One of the main candidates is the immune system, which is able to react in a measurable way to discrete environmental stimuli. In this review, the impacts of weak RF/MW fields, including cell phone radiation, on various immune functions, both in vitro and in vivo, are discussed. The bulk of available evidence clearly indicates that various shifts in the number and/or activity of immunocompetent cells are possible, however the results are inconsistent. For example, a number of lymphocyte functions have been found to be enhanced and weakened within single experiments based on exposure to similar intensities of MW radiation. Certain premises exist which indicate that, in general, short-term exposure to weak MW radiation may temporarily stimulate certain humoral or cellular immune functions, while prolonged irradiation inhibits the same functions. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Conduct of a personal radiofrequency electromagnetic field measurement study: proposed study protocol.

PubMed

Röösli, Martin; Frei, Patrizia; Bolte, John; Neubauer, Georg; Cardis, Elisabeth; Feychting, Maria; Gajsek, Peter; Heinrich, Sabine; Joseph, Wout; Mann, Simon; Martens, Luc; Mohler, Evelyn; Parslow, Roger C; Poulsen, Aslak Harbo; Radon, Katja; Schüz, Joachim; Thuroczy, György; Viel, Jean-François; Vrijheid, Martine

2010-05-20

The development of new wireless communication technologies that emit radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) is ongoing, but little is known about the RF-EMF exposure distribution in the general population. Previous attempts to measure personal exposure to RF-EMF have used different measurement protocols and analysis methods making comparisons between exposure situations across different study populations very difficult. As a result, observed differences in exposure levels between study populations may not reflect real exposure differences but may be in part, or wholly due to methodological differences. The aim of this paper is to develop a study protocol for future personal RF-EMF exposure studies based on experience drawn from previous research. Using the current knowledge base, we propose procedures for the measurement of personal exposure to RF-EMF, data collection, data management and analysis, and methods for the selection and instruction of study participants. We have identified two basic types of personal RF-EMF measurement studies: population surveys and microenvironmental measurements. In the case of a population survey, the unit of observation is the individual and a randomly selected representative sample of the population is needed to obtain reliable results. For microenvironmental measurements, study participants are selected in order to represent typical behaviours in different microenvironments. These two study types require different methods and procedures. Applying our proposed common core procedures in future personal measurement studies will allow direct comparisons of personal RF-EMF exposures in different populations and study areas.

Conduct of a personal radiofrequency electromagnetic field measurement study: proposed study protocol

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background The development of new wireless communication technologies that emit radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) is ongoing, but little is known about the RF-EMF exposure distribution in the general population. Previous attempts to measure personal exposure to RF-EMF have used different measurement protocols and analysis methods making comparisons between exposure situations across different study populations very difficult. As a result, observed differences in exposure levels between study populations may not reflect real exposure differences but may be in part, or wholly due to methodological differences. Methods The aim of this paper is to develop a study protocol for future personal RF-EMF exposure studies based on experience drawn from previous research. Using the current knowledge base, we propose procedures for the measurement of personal exposure to RF-EMF, data collection, data management and analysis, and methods for the selection and instruction of study participants. Results We have identified two basic types of personal RF-EMF measurement studies: population surveys and microenvironmental measurements. In the case of a population survey, the unit of observation is the individual and a randomly selected representative sample of the population is needed to obtain reliable results. For microenvironmental measurements, study participants are selected in order to represent typical behaviours in different microenvironments. These two study types require different methods and procedures. Conclusion Applying our proposed common core procedures in future personal measurement studies will allow direct comparisons of personal RF-EMF exposures in different populations and study areas. PMID:20487532

Radiative forcing of the direct aerosol effect from AeroCom Phase II simulations

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

Myhre, G.; Samset, B. H.; Schulz, M.

2013-01-01

We report on the AeroCom Phase II direct aerosol effect (DAE) experiment where 16 detailed global aerosol models have been used to simulate the changes in the aerosol distribution over the industrial era. All 16 models have estimated the radiative forcing (RF) of the anthropogenic DAE, and have taken into account anthropogenic sulphate, black carbon (BC) and organic aerosols (OA) from fossil fuel, biofuel, and biomass burning emissions. In addition several models have simulated the DAE of anthropogenic nitrate and anthropogenic influenced secondary organic aerosols (SOA). The model simulated all-sky RF of the DAE from total anthropogenic aerosols has amore » range from -0.58 to -0.02 Wm -2, with a mean of -0.27 Wm -2 for the 16 models. Several models did not include nitrate or SOA and modifying the estimate by accounting for this with information from the other AeroCom models reduces the range and slightly strengthens the mean. Modifying the model estimates for missing aerosol components and for the time period 1750 to 2010 results in a mean RF for the DAE of -0.35 Wm -2. Compared to AeroCom Phase I (Schulz et al., 2006) we find very similar spreads in both total DAE and aerosol component RF. However, the RF of the total DAE is stronger negative and RF from BC from fossil fuel and biofuel emissions are stronger positive in the present study than in the previous AeroCom study. We find a tendency for models having a strong (positive) BC RF to also have strong (negative) sulphate or OA RF. This relationship leads to smaller uncertainty in the total RF of the DAE compared to the RF of the sum of the individual aerosol components. The spread in results for the individual aerosol components is substantial, and can be divided into diversities in burden, mass extinction coefficient (MEC), and normalized RF with respect to AOD. We find that these three factors give similar contributions to the spread in results.« less

Radiative forcing of the direct aerosol effect from AeroCom Phase II simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myhre, G.; Samset, B. H.; Schulz, M.; Balkanski, Y.; Bauer, S.; Berntsen, T. K.; Bian, H.; Bellouin, N.; Chin, M.; Diehl, T.; Easter, R. C.; Feichter, J.; Ghan, S. J.; Hauglustaine, D.; Iversen, T.; Kinne, S.; Kirkevåg, A.; Lamarque, J.-F.; Lin, G.; Liu, X.; Lund, M. T.; Luo, G.; Ma, X.; van Noije, T.; Penner, J. E.; Rasch, P. J.; Ruiz, A.; Seland, Ø.; Skeie, R. B.; Stier, P.; Takemura, T.; Tsigaridis, K.; Wang, P.; Wang, Z.; Xu, L.; Yu, H.; Yu, F.; Yoon, J.-H.; Zhang, K.; Zhang, H.; Zhou, C.

2013-02-01

We report on the AeroCom Phase II direct aerosol effect (DAE) experiment where 16 detailed global aerosol models have been used to simulate the changes in the aerosol distribution over the industrial era. All 16 models have estimated the radiative forcing (RF) of the anthropogenic DAE, and have taken into account anthropogenic sulphate, black carbon (BC) and organic aerosols (OA) from fossil fuel, biofuel, and biomass burning emissions. In addition several models have simulated the DAE of anthropogenic nitrate and anthropogenic influenced secondary organic aerosols (SOA). The model simulated all-sky RF of the DAE from total anthropogenic aerosols has a range from -0.58 to -0.02 Wm-2, with a mean of -0.27 Wm-2 for the 16 models. Several models did not include nitrate or SOA and modifying the estimate by accounting for this with information from the other AeroCom models reduces the range and slightly strengthens the mean. Modifying the model estimates for missing aerosol components and for the time period 1750 to 2010 results in a mean RF for the DAE of -0.35 Wm-2. Compared to AeroCom Phase I (Schulz et al., 2006) we find very similar spreads in both total DAE and aerosol component RF. However, the RF of the total DAE is stronger negative and RF from BC from fossil fuel and biofuel emissions are stronger positive in the present study than in the previous AeroCom study. We find a tendency for models having a strong (positive) BC RF to also have strong (negative) sulphate or OA RF. This relationship leads to smaller uncertainty in the total RF of the DAE compared to the RF of the sum of the individual aerosol components. The spread in results for the individual aerosol components is substantial, and can be divided into diversities in burden, mass extinction coefficient (MEC), and normalized RF with respect to AOD. We find that these three factors give similar contributions to the spread in results.

Radiative forcing of the direct aerosol effect from AeroCom Phase II simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myhre, G.; Samset, B. H.; Schulz, M.; Balkanski, Y.; Bauer, S.; Berntsen, T. K.; Bian, H.; Bellouin, N.; Chin, M.; Diehl, T.; Easter, R. C.; Feichter, J.; Ghan, S. J.; Hauglustaine, D.; Iversen, T.; Kinne, S.; Kirkevåg, A.; Lamarque, J.-F.; Lin, G.; Liu, X.; Luo, G.; Ma, X.; Penner, J. E.; Rasch, P. J.; Seland, Ø.; Skeie, R. B.; Stier, P.; Takemura, T.; Tsigaridis, K.; Wang, Z.; Xu, L.; Yu, H.; Yu, F.; Yoon, J.-H.; Zhang, K.; Zhang, H.; Zhou, C.

2012-08-01

We report on the AeroCom Phase II direct aerosol effect (DAE) experiment where 15 detailed global aerosol models have been used to simulate the changes in the aerosol distribution over the industrial era. All 15 models have estimated the radiative forcing (RF) of the anthropogenic DAE, and have taken into account anthropogenic sulphate, black carbon (BC) and organic aerosols (OA) from fossil fuel, biofuel, and biomass burning emissions. In addition several models have simulated the DAE of anthropogenic nitrate and anthropogenic influenced secondary organic aerosols (SOA). The model simulated all-sky RF of the DAE from total anthropogenic aerosols has a range from -0.58 to -0.02 W m-2, with a mean of -0.30 W m-2 for the 15 models. Several models did not include nitrate or SOA and modifying the estimate by accounting for this with information from the other AeroCom models reduces the range and slightly strengthens the mean. Modifying the model estimates for missing aerosol components and for the time period 1750 to 2010 results in a mean RF for the DAE of -0.39 W m-2. Compared to AeroCom Phase I (Schulz et al., 2006) we find very similar spreads in both total DAE and aerosol component RF. However, the RF of the total DAE is stronger negative and RF from BC from fossil fuel and biofuel emissions are stronger positive in the present study than in the previous AeroCom study. We find a tendency for models having a strong (positive) BC RF to also have strong (negative) sulphate or OA RF. This relationship leads to smaller uncertainty in the total RF of the DAE compared to the RF of the sum of the individual aerosol components. The spread in results for the individual aerosol components is substantial, and can be divided into diversities in burden, mass extinction coefficient (MEC), and normalized RF with respect to AOD. We find that these three factors give similar contributions to the spread in results.

Stereo electroencephalography-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation (SEEG-guided RF-TC) in drug-resistant focal epilepsy: Results from a 10-year experience.

PubMed

Bourdillon, Pierre; Isnard, Jean; Catenoix, Hélène; Montavont, Alexandra; Rheims, Sylvain; Ryvlin, Philippe; Ostrowsky-Coste, Karine; Mauguiere, François; Guénot, Marc

2017-01-01

Stereo electroencephalography (SEEG)-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation (SEEG-guided RF-TC) has been proposed since 2004 as a possible treatment of some focal drug-resistant epilepsy. The aim of this study is to provide extensive data about efficacy and safety of SEEG-guided RF-TC. Over a 10-year period, 162 patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy were eligible for SEEG-guided RF-TG during phase II invasive investigation by SEEG. All follow-up and safety data were collected prospectively. The primary outcome was seizure freedom at 2 months and at 1 year after SEEG-guided RF-TC. Secondary outcomes were the responders' rate (patient with at least 50% decrease in seizure frequency) and their long-term follow-up. Twenty-five percent of patients were seizure-free at 2 months and 7% at 1 year. We reported 67% of responders at 2 months and 48% at 1 year; 58% of responders maintained their status during the long-term follow-up. The seizure outcome was significantly better when the SEEG-guided RF-TC involved the occipital region (p = 0.007). When surgery followed an SEEG-guided RF-TC, the positive predictive value of being a responder 2 months after an SEEG-guided RF-TC and to be Engel's class I or II after surgery was 93%. We reported 1.1% of permanent deficit and 2.4% of transient side effects. Our results, gathered in a large population over a 10-year period, confirm that SEEG-guided RF-TC is a safe technique, being efficient in many cases. More than two thirds of patients showed a short-term improvement, and almost half of them were responders at 1-year follow-up. The technique appears to be especially interesting for limited epileptic zone inaccessible to surgery and when epilepsy is related to a large unilateral network (network disruption by multiple RF-TC). Furthermore, SEEG-guided RF-TC effect is a predictor of outcome after conventional cortectomy in patients eligible for surgery. Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 International League Against Epilepsy.

Investigation of the RF efficiency of inductively coupled hydrogen plasmas at 1 MHz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rauner, D.; Mattei, S.; Briefi, S.; Fantz, U.; Hatayama, A.; Lettry, J.; Nishida, K.; Tran, M. Q.

2017-08-01

The power requirements of RF heated sources for negative hydrogen ions in fusion are substantial, which poses strong demands on the generators and components of the RF circuit. Consequently, an increase of the RF coupling efficiency would be highly beneficial. Fundamental investigations of the RF efficiency in inductively coupled hydrogen and deuterium discharges in cylindrical symmetry are conducted at the lab experiment CHARLIE. The experiment is equipped with several diagnostics including optical emission spectroscopy and a movable floating double probe to monitor the plasma parameters. The presented investigations are performed in hydrogen at a varying pressure between 0.3 and 10 Pa, utilizing a conventional helical ICP coil driven at a frequency of 1 MHz and a fixed power of 520 W for plasma generation. The coupling efficiency is strongly affected by the variation in pressure, reaching up to 85 % between 1 and 3 Pa while dropping down to only 50 % at 0.3 Pa, which is the relevant operating pressure for negative hydrogen ion sources for fusion. Due to the lower power coupling, also the measured electron density at 0.3 Pa is only 5 . 1016 m-3, while it reaches up to 2.5 . 1017 m-3 with increasing coupling efficiency. In order to gain information on the spatially resolved aspects of RF coupling and plasma heating which are not diagnostically accessible, first simulations of the discharge by an electromagnetic Particle-In-Cell Monte Carlo collision method have been conducted and are compared to the measurement data. At 1 Pa, the simulated data corresponds well to the results of both axially resolved probe measurements and radially resolved emission profiles obtained via OES. Thereby, information regarding the radial distribution of the electron density and mean energy is provided, revealing a radial distribution of the electron density which is well described by a Bessel profile.

RF Heating of MRI-Assisted Catheter Steering Coils for Interventional MRI.

PubMed

Settecase, Fabio; Hetts, Steven W; Martin, Alastair J; Roberts, Timothy P L; Bernhardt, Anthony F; Evans, Lee; Malba, Vincent; Saeed, Maythem; Arenson, Ronald L; Kucharzyk, Walter; Wilson, Mark W

2011-03-01

The aim of this study was too assess magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiofrequency (RF)-related heating of conductive wire coils used in magnetically steerable endovascular catheters. A three-axis microcoil was fabricated onto a 1.8Fr catheter tip. In vitro testing was performed on a 1.5-T MRI system using an agarose gel-filled vessel phantom, a transmit-receive body RF coil, a steady-state free precession pulse sequence, and a fluoroptic thermometry system. Temperature was measured without simulated blood flow at varying distances from the magnet isocenter and at varying flip angles. Additional experiments were performed with laser-lithographed single-axis microcoil-tipped microcatheters in air and in a saline bath with varied grounding of the microcoil wires. Preliminary in vivo evaluation of RF heating was performed in pigs at 1.5 T with coil-tipped catheters in various positions in the common carotid arteries with steady-state free precession pulse sequence on and off and under physiologic-flow and zero-flow conditions. In tissue-mimicking agarose gel, RF heating resulted in a maximal temperature increase of 0.35°C after 15 minutes of imaging, 15 cm from the magnet isocenter. For a single-axis microcoil, maximal temperature increases were 0.73°C to 1.91°C in air and 0.45°C to 0.55°C in saline. In vivo, delayed contrast-enhanced MRI revealed no evidence of vascular injury, and histopathologic sections from the common carotid arteries confirmed the lack of vascular damage. Microcatheter tip microcoils for endovascular catheter steering in MRI experience minimal RF heating under the conditions tested. These data provide the basis for further in vivo testing of this promising technology for endovascular interventional MRI. Copyright © 2011 AUR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High-efficiency Resonant rf Spin Rotator with Broad Phase Space Acceptance for Pulsed Polarized Cold Neutron Beams

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

Seo, P. -N.; Barron-Palos, L.; Bowman, J. D.

2008-01-01

High precision fundamental neutron physics experiments have been proposed for the intense pulsed spallation neutron beams at JSNS, LANSCE, and SNS to test the standard model and search for new physics. Certain systematic effects in some of these experiments have to be controlled at the few ppb level. The NPD Gamma experiment, a search for the small parity-violating {gamma}-ray asymmetry A{sub Y} in polarized cold neutron capture on parahydrogen, is one example. For the NPD Gamma experiment we developed a radio-frequency resonant spin rotator to reverse the neutron polarization in a 9.5 cm x 9.5 cm pulsed cold neutron beammore » with high efficiency over a broad cold neutron energy range. The effect of the spin reversal by the rotator on the neutron beam phase space is compared qualitatively to rf neutron spin flippers based on adiabatic fast passage. We discuss the design of the spin rotator and describe two types of transmission-based neutron spin-flip efficiency measurements where the neutron beam was both polarized and analyzed by optically polarized {sup 3}He neutron spin filters. The efficiency of the spin rotator was measured at LANSCE to be 98.8 {+-} 0.5% for neutron energies from 3 to 20 meV over the full phase space of the beam. Systematic effects that the rf spin rotator introduces to the NPD Gamma experiment are considered.« less

Microwaves create larger ablations than radiofrequency when controlled for power in ex vivo tissue.

PubMed

Andreano, A; Huang, Yu; Meloni, M Franca; Lee, Fred T; Brace, Christopher

2010-06-01

To compare ablation zones created with equal amounts of 2.45 GHz microwave and 480 kHz radiofrequency (RF) energy in ex vivo liver and lung. A total of 38 ablations were performed in ex vivo liver and lung for 10 min each. Nineteen RF ablations (nine liver, ten lung) were performed with a 480 kHz system (200 W max, impedance-based pulsing) and cooled electrode while measuring the average RF power applied. Nineteen microwave ablations (nine liver, ten lung) were then created using a cooled triaxial antenna to deliver 2.45 GHz at the same power level as in RF experiments. Ablation zones were then sectioned and measured for minimum, maximum and mean diameters, and circularity. Measurements were compared using t-tests, with P < 0.05 indicating statistical significance. Mean diameters of microwave ablations were greater than RF ablations in both liver and lung (4.4 +/- 0.3 vs 3.3 +/- 0.2 cm in liver; 2.45 +/- 0.3 vs 1.6 +/- 0.5 cm in lungs; P < 0.0005 all comparisons). There was no significant difference in the mean power applied during microwave or RF ablations in either organ (54.44 +/- 1.71 W vs 56.4 +/- 6.7 W in liver, P > 0.05; 40 +/- 0.95 W vs 44.9 +/- 7.1 W in lung, P > 0.05). Using a single cooled applicator, microwave energy at 2.45 GHz produces larger ablations than an equivalent amount of 480 kHz RF energy in normal liver and lung. This was more apparent in lung, likely due to the high baseline impedance which limits RF, but not microwave power delivery.

Sounding rocket flight experiment for demonstrating “Furoshiki Satellite” for large phased array antenna

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakasuka, Shinichi; Funane, Tsukasa; Nakamura, Yuya; Nojiri, Yuta; Sahara, Hironori; Sasaki, Fumiki; Kaya, Nobuyuki

2006-07-01

University of Tokyo and Kobe University are planning a sounding rocket experiment of large membrane "Furoshiki Satellite" extension and large phased array RF transmission. The paper will describe the concept of "Furoshiki Satellite," its application to solar power satellite, and the scenario of micro-gravity experiment using a small sounding rocket. University of Tokyo has been proposing the idea of "Furoshiki Satellite," a large membrane or a net structure, say 1km×1km in size, extended by satellites which hold its corners. The attitude and the shape of the membrane or net structure is controlled by these corner satellites. As one application of Furoshiki Satellite, a large solar power satellite can be configured by several solar cells and RF transmitters placed on several parts of the large net structure. It is difficult to control the position and attitude of the RF transmitters precisely, but using the "retro-directive" method, the tolerance of such position and attitude disturbance will be relaxed by large. This is one of promising systems' concept of the future large solar power satellite or large antenna, because quite a large area can be obtained without any hard structure, and the weight will not depend very much on the size. To demonstrate the feasibility of the extension of large net structure and phased array performance, micro-gravity experiment is planned using a sounding rocket of JAXA/ISAS, Japan.

Handling the influence of chemical shift in amplitude-modulated heteronuclear dipolar recoupling solid-state NMR

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

Basse, Kristoffer; Shankar, Ravi; Bjerring, Morten

We present a theoretical analysis of the influence of chemical shifts on amplitude-modulated heteronuclear dipolar recoupling experiments in solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The method is demonstrated using the Rotor Echo Short Pulse IRrAdiaTION mediated Cross-Polarization ({sup RESPIRATION}CP) experiment as an example. By going into the pulse sequence rf interaction frame and employing a quintuple-mode operator-based Floquet approach, we describe how chemical shift offset and anisotropic chemical shift affect the efficiency of heteronuclear polarization transfer. In this description, it becomes transparent that the main attribute leading to non-ideal performance is a fictitious field along the rf field axis, which is generated frommore » second-order cross terms arising mainly between chemical shift tensors and themselves. This insight is useful for the development of improved recoupling experiments. We discuss the validity of this approach and present quaternion calculations to determine the effective resonance conditions in a combined rf field and chemical shift offset interaction frame transformation. Based on this, we derive a broad-banded version of the {sup RESPIRATION}CP experiment. The new sequence is experimentally verified using SNNFGAILSS amyloid fibrils where simultaneous {sup 15}N → {sup 13}CO and {sup 15}N → {sup 13}C{sub α} coherence transfer is demonstrated on high-field NMR instrumentation, requiring great offset stability.« less

Storage of RF photons in minimal conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cromières, J.-P.; Chanelière, T.

2018-02-01

We investigate the minimal conditions to store coherently a RF pulse in a material medium. We choose a commercial quartz as a memory support because it is a widely available component with a high Q-factor. Pulse storage is obtained by varying dynamically the light-matter coupling with an analog switch. This parametric driving of the quartz dynamics can be alternatively interpreted as a stopped-light experiment. We obtain an efficiency of 26%, a storage time of 209 μs and a time-to-bandwidth product of 98 by optimizing the pulse temporal shape. The coherent character of the storage is demonstrated. Our goal is to connect different types of memories in the RF and optical domain for quantum information processing. Our motivation is essentially fundamental.

Biophysics and pathology of catheter energy delivery systems.

PubMed

Nath, S; Haines, D E

1995-01-01

Catheter ablation has rapidly emerged as the treatment of choice for many symptomatic cardiac arrhythmias. The initial experience with catheter ablation used high-energy DC as the energy source. However, over the last several years radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation has become the dominant mode of energy delivery. Currently, a major limitation of RF ablation is the small lesion size created by this technique that has reduced its success rate in ablation of larger arrhythmogenic substrates such as coronary artery disease-related ventricular tachycardia. Alternate energy sources such as microwave or ultrasound catheter ablation are being developed that have the potential for producing larger lesions than RF ablation. This review will discuss the biophysics and pathophysiology of the various energy modalities used in catheter ablation.

Cyclotron autoresonant accelerator for electron beam dry scrubbing of flue gases

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

LaPointe, M. A.; Hirshfield, J. L.; Department of Physics, Yale University, P.O. Box 208124, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8124

1999-06-10

Design and construction is underway for a novel rf electron accelerator for electron beam dry scrubbing (EBDS) of flue gases emanating from fossil-fuel burners. This machine, a cyclotron autoresonance accelerator (CARA), has already shown itself capable of converting rf power to electron beam power with efficiency values as high as 96%. This proof-of-principle experiment will utilize a 300 kV, 33 A Pierce type electron gun and up to 24 MW of available rf power at 2.856 GHz to produce 1.0 MeV, 33 MW electron beam pulses. The self-scanning conical beam from the high power CARA will be evaluated for EBDSmore » and other possible environmental applications.« less

Commissioning of the 112 MHz SRF Gun and 500 MHz bunching cavities for the CeC PoP Linac

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

Belomestnykh, S.; Ben-Zvi, I.; Brutus, J. C.

The Coherent electron Cooling Proof-of-Principle (CeC PoP) experiment at BNL includes a short electron linac. During Phase 1, a 112 MHz superconducting RF photo-emission gun and two 500 MHz normal conducting bunching cavities were installed and are under commissioning. The paper describes the Phase1 linac layout and presents commissioning results for the cavities and associated RF, cryogenic and other sub-systems

An optically coupled system for quantitative monitoring of MRI-induced RF currents into long conductors.

PubMed

Zanchi, Marta G; Venook, Ross; Pauly, John M; Scott, Greig C

2010-01-01

The currents induced in long conductors such as guidewires by the radio-frequency (RF) field in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are responsible for potentially dangerous heating of surrounding media, such as tissue. This paper presents an optically coupled system with the potential to quantitatively measure the RF currents induced on these conductors. The system uses a self shielded toroid transducer and active circuitry to modulate a high speed light-emitting-diode transmitter. Plastic fiber guides the light to a photodiode receiver and transimpedance amplifier. System validation included a series of experiments with bare wires that compared wire tip heating by fluoroptic thermometers with the RF current sensor response. Validations were performed on a custom whole body 64 MHz birdcage test platform and on a 1.5 T MRI scanner. With this system, a variety of phenomena were demonstrated including cable trap current attenuation, lossy dielectric Q-spoiling and even transverse electromagnetic wave node patterns. This system should find applications in studies of MRI RF safety for interventional devices such as pacemaker leads, and guidewires. In particular, variations of this device could potentially act as a realtime safety monitor during MRI guided interventions.

Experimental Study of RF Sheath Formation on a Fast Wave Antenna and Limiter in the LAPD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Michael; Gekelman, Walter; Pribyl, Patrick; van Compernolle, Bart; Carter, Troy

2015-11-01

Ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) will be an essential component of heating power in ITER. During ICRH, radio frequency (RF) sheaths may form both at the exciting antenna and further away, e.g. in the divertor region, and may cause wall material sputtering and decreased RF power coupling to the plasma. It is important to do detailed laboratory experiments that fully diagnose the sheaths and wave fields. This is not possible in fusion devices. A new RF system has recently been constructed for performing such studies in the LAPD plasma column (ne ~1012 -1013cm-3 , Te ~ 1 - 10 eV ,B0 ~ 400 - 2000 G , diameter ~ 60cm , length ~ 18 m) . The RF system is capable of pulsing at the 1 Hz rep. rate of the LAPD plasma and operating between 2-6 MHz (1st - 9th harmonic of fci in H) with a power output of 200 kW. First results of this system driving a single-strap fast wave antenna will be presented. Emissive and Langmuir probe measurements in the vicinity of both the antenna and a remote limiter and wave coupling measured by magnetic pickup loops will be presented.

EMOTIONALLY AVOIDANT LANGUAGE IN THE PARENTING INTERVIEWS OF SUBSTANCE-DEPENDENT MOTHERS: ASSOCIATIONS WITH REFLECTIVE FUNCTIONING, RECENT SUBSTANCE USE, AND PARENTING BEHAVIOR

PubMed Central

Borelli, Jessica L.; West, Jessica L.; Decoste, Cindy; Suchman, Nancy E.

2012-01-01

Parenting and emotion regulation are two known, and potentially interrelated, areas of impairment among substance-abusing mothers. In this study, we examine substance -abusing mothers’ (positive and negative) emotion language word use during their discussion of negative parenting experiences on the Parent Development Interview for its association with reflective functioning (RF), recent substance-use history, and sensitivity to child cues. Within a sample of 47 methadone-maintained mothers, we evaluate the hypothesis that linguistic evidence of emotional avoidance (more frequent positive feeling words and less frequent negative emotion words) will be associated with lower RF, more recent substance use, and more insensitive parenting. Further, we evaluate whether language use mediates the association between self-focused RF and insensitive parenting. Results of hierarchical regressions suggest that more frequent positive feeling word use, but not negative emotion word use, is associated with lower RF, more recent substance use, and lower sensitivity to child cues. Positive feeling word use partially mediates the association between self-focused RF and insensitive parenting. Results are discussed in the context of their contribution to the literature on emotion and parenting in substance-abusing populations. PMID:23049148

Static current-voltage characteristics for radio-frequency induction discharge

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

Budyansky, A.; Zykov, A.

1995-12-31

The aim of this work was to obtain experimentally such characteristic of Radio-Frequency Induction Discharge (RFID) that can play the role of its current-voltage characteristic (CVC) and to explain the nature of current and voltage jumps arising in RF coils at exciting of discharge. Experiments were made in quartz 5.5, 11, 20 cm diam tubes with outer RF coil at pressures 10--100 mTorr, at frequency 13.56 MHz and discharge power to 500 W. In case of outer coil as analogue of discharge voltage it`s convenient to use the value of the RF voltage U{sub R}, induced around outer perimeter ofmore » discharge tube. It is evident that current and voltage jumps arising at exciting of discharge are due to low output resistance of standard generators and negative slope of initial part of CVC. Three sets of such dependencies for different pressures were obtained for each diameter of tubes. The influence of different metal electrodes placed into discharge volume on CVC`s shape has been studied also. Experimental results can explain the behavior of HFI discharge as a load of RF generator and give data for calculation of RF circuit.« less

Fast response of electron-scale turbulence to auxiliary heating cessation in National Spherical Torus Experiment

DOE PAGES

Ren, Y.; Wang, W. X.; LeBlanc, B. P.; ...

2015-11-03

In this letter, we report the first observation of the fast response of electron-scale turbulence to auxiliary heating cessation in National Spherical Torus eXperiment [Ono et al., Nucl. Fusion 40, 557 (2000)]. The observation was made in a set of RF-heated L-mode plasmas with toroidal magnetic field of 0.55 T and plasma current of 300 kA. It is observed that electron-scale turbulence spectral power (measured with a high-k collective microwave scattering system) decreases significantly following fast cessation of RF heating that occurs in less than 200 μs. The large drop in the turbulence spectral power has a short time delaymore » of about 1–2 ms relative to the RF cessation and happens on a time scale of 0.5–1 ms, much smaller than the energy confinement time of about 10 ms. Power balance analysis shows a factor of about 2 decrease in electron thermal diffusivity after the sudden drop of turbulence spectral power. Measured small changes in equilibrium profiles across the RF cessation are unlikely able to explain this sudden reduction in the measured turbulence and decrease in electron thermal transport, supported by local linear stability analysis and both local and global nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations. Furthermore, the observations imply that nonlocal flux-driven mechanism may be important for the observed turbulence and electron thermal transport.« less

Robust control of accelerators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joel, W.; Johnson, D.; Chaouki, Abdallah T.

1991-07-01

The problem of controlling the variations in the rf power system can be effectively cast as an application of modern control theory. Two components of this theory are obtaining a model and a feedback structure. The model inaccuracies influence the choice of a particular controller structure. Because of the modelling uncertainty, one has to design either a variable, adaptive controller or a fixed, robust controller to achieve the desired objective. The adaptive control scheme usually results in very complex hardware; and, therefore, shall not be pursued in this research. In contrast, the robust control method leads to simpler hardware. However, robust control requires a more accurate mathematical model of the physical process than is required by adaptive control. Our research at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the University of New Mexico (UNM) has led to the development and implementation of a new robust rf power feedback system. In this article, we report on our research progress. In section 1, the robust control problem for the rf power system and the philosophy adopted for the beginning phase of our research is presented. In section 2, the results of our proof-of-principle experiments are presented. In section 3, we describe the actual controller configuration that is used in LANL FEL physics experiments. The novelty of our approach is that the control hardware is implemented directly in rf. without demodulating, compensating, and then remodulating.

Classifier ensemble construction with rotation forest to improve medical diagnosis performance of machine learning algorithms.

PubMed

Ozcift, Akin; Gulten, Arif

2011-12-01

Improving accuracies of machine learning algorithms is vital in designing high performance computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) systems. Researches have shown that a base classifier performance might be enhanced by ensemble classification strategies. In this study, we construct rotation forest (RF) ensemble classifiers of 30 machine learning algorithms to evaluate their classification performances using Parkinson's, diabetes and heart diseases from literature. While making experiments, first the feature dimension of three datasets is reduced using correlation based feature selection (CFS) algorithm. Second, classification performances of 30 machine learning algorithms are calculated for three datasets. Third, 30 classifier ensembles are constructed based on RF algorithm to assess performances of respective classifiers with the same disease data. All the experiments are carried out with leave-one-out validation strategy and the performances of the 60 algorithms are evaluated using three metrics; classification accuracy (ACC), kappa error (KE) and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). Base classifiers succeeded 72.15%, 77.52% and 84.43% average accuracies for diabetes, heart and Parkinson's datasets, respectively. As for RF classifier ensembles, they produced average accuracies of 74.47%, 80.49% and 87.13% for respective diseases. RF, a newly proposed classifier ensemble algorithm, might be used to improve accuracy of miscellaneous machine learning algorithms to design advanced CADx systems. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Using dust as probes to determine sheath extent and structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Douglass, Angela; Land, V.; Qiao, K.; Matthews, L.; Hyde, T.

2016-08-01

Two in situ experimental methods are presented in which dust particles are used to determine the extent of the sheath and gain information about the time-averaged electric force profile within a radio frequency (RF) plasma sheath. These methods are advantageous because they are not only simple and quick to carry out, but they also can be performed using standard dusty plasma experimental equipment. In the first method, dust particles are tracked as they fall through the plasma towards the lower electrode. These trajectories are then used to determine the electric force on the particle as a function of height as well as the extent of the sheath. In the second method, dust particle levitation height is measured across a wide range of RF voltages. Similarities were observed between the two experiments, but in order to understand the underlying physics behind these observations, the same conditions were replicated using a self-consistent fluid model. Through comparison of the fluid model and experimental results, it is shown that the particles exhibiting a levitation height that is independent of RF voltage indicate the sheath edge - the boundary between the quasineutral bulk plasma and the sheath. Therefore, both of these simple and inexpensive, yet effective, methods can be applied across a wide range of experimental parameters in any ground-based RF plasma chamber to gain useful information regarding the sheath, which is needed for interpretation of dusty plasma experiments.

Detection of radio frequency perturbations using an ion beam diagnostic (abstract)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Howard, S.; Si, J.; Crowley, T. P.; Connor, K. A.; Schoch, P. M.; Schatz, J. G.

2001-01-01

Presently, experiments are underway at the Plasma Dynamics Laboratory at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to demonstrate that the techniques developed for heavy ion beam probe diagnostics (HIBP) can be used to measure radio frequency (rf) fluctuations in plasmas. We hope to measure fluctuations in plasma density and magnetic and electric fields. This will provide a direct measurement of the electric and magnetic fields in the plasma during ICRF heating and thereby improve understanding of heating deposition and wave physics. In addition, the field and the density measurements will be used to determine the plasma reaction to the heating experiments. It is expected that the density measurements will be easiest to interpret, while the electric field measurement will be the most difficult to interpret. The diagnostic issues that will be important in taking data at rf frequencies include faster electronics, signal levels, and path effects. We have used a current to voltage amplifier design to measure 0-500 kHz fluctuations in several previous experiments. By reducing the gain and changing some components, a very similar design is capable of operation at rf frequencies. The modified circuit has been tested up to 15 MHz and worked well. The number of beam ions striking the detector plate in one rf period will be too small to obtain good enough statistics for fluctuation measurements, and therefore, averages over many cycles will be required. We expect to be able to achieve millisecond time resolution in the experiments. The global nature of the modes will tend to make path effects important in the HIBP signals. On the other hand, since the beam will take more than one period to cross the plasma, phase shifts may cancel some of these effects. In addition, a path effect term due to dA/dt will be much more important relative to the electric potential than in lower frequency experiments. The initial experimental plan is to do a series of measurements in which a lithium ion beam passes through an argon helicon plasma. The helicon plasma was chosen because its high density (of order 1019 m-3) will produce a larger HIBP signal than can be obtained from other small plasmas. The helicon plasma is formed within a solenoidal magnetic field of 1 kG on axis. The plasma is excited by an rf antenna that is a modification of the type used in Boswell's experiments.1 The rf power source is presently a 500 W, 13.56 MHz generator. From calculation of final trajectories we have determined that 16-29 keV Li ions can be used to probe a plasma with 1 kG magnetic field on axis. If the signal levels with a lithium beam are too small, a molecular hydrogen source will be used. For testing the basic operation of the ion beam probe we will use a simple plate detector mounted on the output flange. These preliminary experiments will be used to determine the feasibility of measuring density and magnetic field fluctuations. A second set of experiments using a more traditional HIBP energy analyzer as a detector is also planned. This detector will also be able to measure electric field effects on the probing ions. It will also be less sensitive to UV noise from the plasma.

A PIC-MCC code RFdinity1d for simulation of discharge initiation by ICRF antenna

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tripský, M.; Wauters, T.; Lyssoivan, A.; Bobkov, V.; Schneider, P. A.; Stepanov, I.; Douai, D.; Van Eester, D.; Noterdaeme, J.-M.; Van Schoor, M.; ASDEX Upgrade Team; EUROfusion MST1 Team

2017-12-01

Discharges produced and sustained by ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) waves in absence of plasma current will be used on ITER for (ion cyclotron-) wall conditioning (ICWC, Te = 3{-}5 eV, ne < 1018 m-3 ). In this paper, we present the 1D particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision (PIC-MCC) RFdinity1d for the study the breakdown phase of ICRF discharges, and its dependency on the RF discharge parameters (i) antenna input power P i , (ii) RF frequency f, (iii) shape of the electric field and (iv) the neutral gas pressure pH_2 . The code traces the motion of both electrons and ions in a narrow bundle of magnetic field lines close to the antenna straps. The charged particles are accelerated in the parallel direction with respect to the magnetic field B T by two electric fields: (i) the vacuum RF field of the ICRF antenna E_z^RF and (ii) the electrostatic field E_zP determined by the solution of Poisson’s equation. The electron density evolution in simulations follows exponential increase, {\\dot{n_e} ∼ ν_ion t } . The ionization rate varies with increasing electron density as different mechanisms become important. The charged particles are affected solely by the antenna RF field E_z^RF at low electron density ({ne < 1011} m-3 , {≤ft \\vert E_z^RF \\right \\vert \\gg ≤ft \\vert E_zP \\right \\vert } ). At higher densities, when the electrostatic field E_zP is comparable to the antenna RF field E_z^RF , the ionization frequency reaches the maximum. Plasma oscillations propagating toroidally away from the antenna are observed. The simulated energy distributions of ions and electrons at {ne ∼ 1015} m-3 correspond a power-law Kappa energy distribution. This energy distribution was also observed in NPA measurements at ASDEX Upgrade in ICWC experiments.

Joint design of large-tip-angle parallel RF pulses and blipped gradient trajectories.

PubMed

Cao, Zhipeng; Donahue, Manus J; Ma, Jun; Grissom, William A

2016-03-01

To design multichannel large-tip-angle kT-points and spokes radiofrequency (RF) pulses and gradient waveforms for transmit field inhomogeneity compensation in high field magnetic resonance imaging. An algorithm to design RF subpulse weights and gradient blip areas is proposed to minimize a magnitude least-squares cost function that measures the difference between realized and desired state parameters in the spin domain, and penalizes integrated RF power. The minimization problem is solved iteratively with interleaved target phase updates, RF subpulse weights updates using the conjugate gradient method with optimal control-based derivatives, and gradient blip area updates using the conjugate gradient method. Two-channel parallel transmit simulations and experiments were conducted in phantoms and human subjects at 7 T to demonstrate the method and compare it to small-tip-angle-designed pulses and circularly polarized excitations. The proposed algorithm designed more homogeneous and accurate 180° inversion and refocusing pulses than other methods. It also designed large-tip-angle pulses on multiple frequency bands with independent and joint phase relaxation. Pulses designed by the method improved specificity and contrast-to-noise ratio in a finger-tapping spin echo blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging study, compared with circularly polarized mode refocusing. A joint RF and gradient waveform design algorithm was proposed and validated to improve large-tip-angle inversion and refocusing at ultrahigh field. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Low pressure and high power rf sources for negative hydrogen ions for fusion applications (ITER neutral beam injection).

PubMed

Fantz, U; Franzen, P; Kraus, W; Falter, H D; Berger, M; Christ-Koch, S; Fröschle, M; Gutser, R; Heinemann, B; Martens, C; McNeely, P; Riedl, R; Speth, E; Wünderlich, D

2008-02-01

The international fusion experiment ITER requires for the plasma heating and current drive a neutral beam injection system based on negative hydrogen ion sources at 0.3 Pa. The ion source must deliver a current of 40 A D(-) for up to 1 h with an accelerated current density of 200 Am/(2) and a ratio of coextracted electrons to ions below 1. The extraction area is 0.2 m(2) from an aperture array with an envelope of 1.5 x 0.6 m(2). A high power rf-driven negative ion source has been successfully developed at the Max-Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) at three test facilities in parallel. Current densities of 330 and 230 Am/(2) have been achieved for hydrogen and deuterium, respectively, at a pressure of 0.3 Pa and an electron/ion ratio below 1 for a small extraction area (0.007 m(2)) and short pulses (<4 s). In the long pulse experiment, equipped with an extraction area of 0.02 m(2), the pulse length has been extended to 3600 s. A large rf source, with the width and half the height of the ITER source but without extraction system, is intended to demonstrate the size scaling and plasma homogeneity of rf ion sources. The source operates routinely now. First results on plasma homogeneity obtained from optical emission spectroscopy and Langmuir probes are very promising. Based on the success of the IPP development program, the high power rf-driven negative ion source has been chosen recently for the ITER beam systems in the ITER design review process.

No adverse effects detected for simultaneous whole-body exposure to multiple-frequency radiofrequency electromagnetic fields for rats in the intrauterine and pre- and post-weaning periods

PubMed Central

Shirai, Tomoyuki; Wang, Jianqing; Kawabe, Mayumi; Wake, Kanako; Watanabe, So-ichi; Takahashi, Satoru; Fujiwara, Osamu

2017-01-01

In everyday life, people are exposed to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) with multiple frequencies. To evaluate the possible adverse effects of multifrequency RF EMFs, we performed an experiment in which pregnant rats and their delivered offspring were simultaneously exposed to eight different communication signal EMFs (two of 800 MHz band, two of 2 GHz band, one of 2.4 GHz band, two of 2.5 GHz band and one of 5.2 GHz band). Thirty six pregnant Sprague-Dawley (SD) 10-week-old rats were divided into three groups of 12 rats: one control (sham exposure) group and two experimental (low- and high-level RF EMF exposure) groups. The whole body of the mother rats was exposed to the RF EMFs for 20 h per day from Gestational Day 7 to weaning, and F1 offspring rats (46–48 F1 pups per group) were then exposed up to 6 weeks of age also for 20 h per day. The parameters evaluated included the growth, gestational condition and organ weights of the dams; the survival rates, development, growth, physical and functional development, memory function, and reproductive ability of the F1 offspring; and the embryotoxicity and teratogenicity in the F2 rats. No abnormal findings were observed in the dams or F1 offspring exposed to the RF EMFs or to the F2 offspring for any of the parameters evaluated. Thus, under the conditions of the present experiment, simultaneous whole-body exposure to eight different communication signal EMFs at frequencies between 800 MHz and 5.2 GHz did not show any adverse effects on pregnancy or on the development of rats. PMID:27694283

Multimode intravascular RF coil for MRI-guided interventions.

PubMed

Kurpad, Krishna N; Unal, Orhan

2011-04-01

To demonstrate the feasibility of using a single intravascular radiofrequency (RF) probe connected to the external magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system via a single coaxial cable to perform active tip tracking and catheter visualization and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) intravascular imaging. A multimode intravascular RF coil was constructed on a 6F balloon catheter and interfaced to a 1.5T MRI scanner via a decoupling circuit. Bench measurements of coil impedances were followed by imaging experiments in saline and phantoms. The multimode coil behaves as an inductively coupled transmit coil. The forward-looking capability of 6 mm was measured. A greater than 3-fold increase in SNR compared to conventional imaging using optimized external coil was demonstrated. Simultaneous active tip tracking and catheter visualization was demonstrated. It is feasible to perform 1) active tip tracking, 2) catheter visualization, and 3) high SNR imaging using a single multimode intravascular RF coil that is connected to the external system via a single coaxial cable. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Multi-mode Intravascular RF Coil for MRI-guided Interventions

PubMed Central

Kurpad, Krishna N.; Unal, Orhan

2011-01-01

Purpose To demonstrate the feasibility of using a single intravascular RF probe connected to the external MRI system via a single coaxial cable to perform active tip tracking and catheter visualization, and high SNR intravascular imaging. Materials and Methods A multi-mode intravascular RF coil was constructed on a 6F balloon catheter and interfaced to a 1.5T MRI scanner via a decoupling circuit. Bench measurements of coil impedances were followed by imaging experiments in saline and phantoms. Results The multi-mode coil behaves as an inductively-coupled transmit coil. Forward looking capability of 6mm is measured. Greater than 3-fold increase in SNR compared to conventional imaging using optimized external coil is demonstrated. Simultaneous active tip tracking and catheter visualization is demonstrated. Conclusions It is feasible to perform 1) active tip tracking, 2) catheter visualization, and 3) high SNR imaging using a single multi-mode intravascular RF coil that is connected to the external system via a single coaxial cable. PMID:21448969

Using optimal control methods with constraints to generate singlet states in NMR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodin, Bogdan A.; Kiryutin, Alexey S.; Yurkovskaya, Alexandra V.; Ivanov, Konstantin L.; Yamamoto, Satoru; Sato, Kazunobu; Takui, Takeji

2018-06-01

A method is proposed for optimizing the performance of the APSOC (Adiabatic-Passage Spin Order Conversion) technique, which can be exploited in NMR experiments with singlet spin states. In this technique magnetization-to-singlet conversion (and singlet-to-magnetization conversion) is performed by using adiabatically ramped RF-fields. Optimization utilizes the GRAPE (Gradient Ascent Pulse Engineering) approach, in which for a fixed search area we assume monotonicity to the envelope of the RF-field. Such an approach allows one to achieve much better performance for APSOC; consequently, the efficiency of magnetization-to-singlet conversion is greatly improved as compared to simple model RF-ramps, e.g., linear ramps. We also demonstrate that the optimization method is reasonably robust to possible inaccuracies in determining NMR parameters of the spin system under study and also in setting the RF-field parameters. The present approach can be exploited in other NMR and EPR applications using adiabatic switching of spin Hamiltonians.

High temperature UF6 RF plasma experiments applicable to uranium plasma core reactors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roman, W. C.

1979-01-01

An investigation was conducted using a 1.2 MW RF induction heater facility to aid in developing the technology necessary for designing a self critical fissioning uranium plasma core reactor. Pure, high temperature uranium hexafluoride (UF6) was injected into an argon fluid mechanically confined, steady state, RF heated plasma while employing different exhaust systems and diagnostic techniques to simulate and investigate some potential characteristics of uranium plasma core nuclear reactors. The development of techniques and equipment for fluid mechanical confinement of RF heated uranium plasmas with a high density of uranium vapor within the plasma, while simultaneously minimizing deposition of uranium and uranium compounds on the test chamber peripheral wall, endwall surfaces, and primary exhaust ducts, is discussed. The material tests and handling techniques suitable for use with high temperature, high pressure, gaseous UF6 are described and the development of complementary diagnostic instrumentation and measurement techniques to characterize the uranium plasma, effluent exhaust gases, and residue deposited on the test chamber and exhaust system components is reported.

The history of bacteriologic concepts of rheumatic fever and rheumatoid arthritis.

PubMed

Benedek, Thomas G

2006-10-01

Review of the development of etiologic and pathogenetic concepts of rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from the beginning of clinical bacteriology to the discovery of antibiotics. Analysis of English and German language publications pertaining to bacteriology and "rheumatism" between the 1870s and 1940s. Early in the 20th century there was a widely held belief that a microbial cause would eventually be found for most diseases. This encouraged pursuit of the intermittent findings of positive blood and synovial fluid cultures in cases of RF and RA. Development of a streptococcal agglutination test supported the erroneous belief that RA is a streptococcal infection, while the simultaneous development of other immunologic tests for streptococci suggested that a hemolytic streptococcus was etiologic in RF. Table 1 provides a chronology of major events supporting and retarding resolutions. Much of the conflicting data and inferences regarding the etiology of RF and RA can be attributed to the absence or inadequacy of controls in observations of clinical cohorts and laboratory experiments.

Retarding field analyzer for ion energy distribution measurements at a radio-frequency biased electrode

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

Gahan, D.; Hopkins, M. B.; Dolinaj, B.

2008-03-15

A retarding field energy analyzer designed to measure ion energy distributions impacting a radio-frequency biased electrode in a plasma discharge is examined. The analyzer is compact so that the need for differential pumping is avoided. The analyzer is designed to sit on the electrode surface, in place of the substrate, and the signal cables are fed out through the reactor side port. This prevents the need for modifications to the rf electrode--as is normally the case for analyzers built into such electrodes. The capabilities of the analyzer are demonstrated through experiments with various electrode bias conditions in an inductively coupledmore » plasma reactor. The electrode is initially grounded and the measured distributions are validated with the Langmuir probe measurements of the plasma potential. Ion energy distributions are then given for various rf bias voltage levels, discharge pressures, rf bias frequencies - 500 kHz to 30 MHz, and rf bias waveforms - sinusoidal, square, and dual frequency.« less

Review of the High Performance Antiproton Trap (HiPAT) Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, James J.; Lewis, Raymond A.; Pearson, J. Boise; Sims, W. Herb; Chakrabarti, Suman; Fant, Wallace E.; McDonald, Stan

2003-01-01

Many space propulsion concepts exist that use matter-antimatter reactions. Current antiproton production rates are enough to conduct proof-of-principle evaluation of these concepts. One enabling technology for such experiments is portable storage of low energy antiprotons, to transport antiprotons to experimental facilities. To address this need, HiPAT is being developed, with a design goal of containing 10(exp 12) particles for up to 18 days. HiPAT is a Penning-Malmberg trap with a 4 Tesla superconductor, 20kV electrodes, radio frequency (RF) network, and 10(exp -13) Torr vacuum. 'Normal' matter is being used to evaluate the system. An electron beam ionizes background gas in situ, and particle beams are captured dynamically. The experiment examines ion storage lifetimes, RF plasma diagnostics, charge exchange with background gases, and dynamic ion beam capture.

Exploration of Anomalous Gravity Effects by rf-Pumped Magnetized High-T(c) Superconducting Oxides

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robertson, Tony; Litchford, Ron; Peters, Randall; Thompson, Byran; Rodgers, Stephen L. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

A number of anomalous gravitational effects have been reported in the scientific literature during recent years, but there has been no independent confirmation with regard to any of these claims. Therefore, the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, in response to the propulsion challenges specified by NASA's Breakthrough Propulsion Physics (BPP) program, proposed to explore the possibility of observing anomalous gravitation behavior through the manipulation of Josephson junction effects in magnetized high-Tc superconducting oxides. The technical goal was to critically test this revolutionary physical claim and provide a rigorous, independent, empirical confirmation (or refutation) of anomalous effects related to the manipulation of gravity by radio frequency (rf)-pumped magnetized type-2 superconductors. Because the current empirical evidence for gravity modification is anecdotal, our objective was to design, construct, and meticulously implement a discriminating experiment, which would put these observations on a more firm footing within the scientific community. Our approach is unique in that we advocate the construction of an extremely sensitive torsion balance with which to measure gravity modification effects by rf-pumped type-2 superconductor test masses. This paper reviews the anecdotal evidence for anomalous gravity effects, describes the design and development of a simplified torsion balance experiment for empirically investigating these claims, and presents the results of preliminary experiments.

ADX - Advanced Divertor and RF Tokamak Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greenwald, Martin; Labombard, Brian; Bonoli, Paul; Irby, Jim; Terry, Jim; Wallace, Greg; Vieira, Rui; Whyte, Dennis; Wolfe, Steve; Wukitch, Steve; Marmar, Earl

2015-11-01

The Advanced Divertor and RF Tokamak Experiment (ADX) is a design concept for a compact high-field tokamak that would address boundary plasma and plasma-material interaction physics challenges whose solution is critical for the viability of magnetic fusion energy. This device would have two crucial missions. First, it would serve as a Divertor Test Tokamak, developing divertor geometries, materials and operational scenarios that could meet the stringent requirements imposed in a fusion power plant. By operating at high field, ADX would address this problem at a level of power loading and other plasma conditions that are essentially identical to those expected in a future reactor. Secondly, ADX would investigate the physics and engineering of high-field-side launch of RF waves for current drive and heating. Efficient current drive is an essential element for achieving steady-state in a practical, power producing fusion device and high-field launch offers the prospect of higher efficiency, better control of the current profile and survivability of the launching structures. ADX would carry out this research in integrated scenarios that simultaneously demonstrate the required boundary regimes consistent with efficient current drive and core performance.

Two-photon Lee-Goldburg nuclear magnetic resonance: Simultaneous homonuclear decoupling and signal acquisition

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

Michal, Carl A.; Hastings, Simon P.; Lee, Lik Hang

2008-02-07

We present NMR signals from a strongly coupled homonuclear spin system, {sup 1}H nuclei in adamantane, acquired with simultaneous two-photon excitation under conditions of the Lee-Goldburg experiment. Small coils, having inside diameters of 0.36 mm, are used to achieve two-photon nutation frequencies of {approx}20 kHz. The very large rf field strengths required give rise to large Bloch-Siegert shifts that cannot be neglected. These experiments are found to be extremely sensitive to inhomogeneity of the applied rf field, and due to the Bloch-Siegert shift, exhibit a large asymmetry in response between the upper and lower Lee-Goldburg offsets. Two-photon excitation has themore » potential to enhance both the sensitivity and performance of homonuclear dipolar decoupling, but is made challenging by the high rf power required and the difficulties introduced by the inhomogeneous Bloch-Siegert shift. We briefly discuss a variation of the frequency-switched Lee-Goldburg technique, called four-quadrant Lee-Goldburg (4QLG) that produces net precession in the x-y plane, with a reduced chemical shift scaling factor of 1/3.« less

Ultra-low output impedance RF power amplifier for parallel excitation.

PubMed

Chu, Xu; Yang, Xing; Liu, Yunfeng; Sabate, Juan; Zhu, Yudong

2009-04-01

Inductive coupling between coil elements of a transmit array is one of the key challenges faced by parallel RF transmission. An ultra-low output impedance RF power amplifier (PA) concept was introduced to address this challenge. In an example implementation, an output-matching network was designed to transform the drain-source impedance of the metallic oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) into a very low value for suppressing interelement coupling effect, and meanwhile, to match the input impedance of the coil to the optimum load of the MOSFET for maximizing the available output power. Two prototype amplifiers with 500-W output rating were developed accordingly, and were further evaluated with a transmit array in phantom experiments. Compared to the conventional 50-Omega sources, the new approach exhibited considerable effectiveness suppressing the effects of interelement coupling. The experiments further indicated that the isolation performance was comparable to that achieved by optimized overlap decoupling. The new approach, benefiting from a distinctive current-source characteristic, also exhibited a superior robustness against load variation. Feasibility of the new approach in high-field MR was demonstrated on a 3T clinical scanner.

Trap Design and Construction for High-Power Multinuclear Magnetic Resonance Experiments

PubMed Central

Rispoli, Joseph V.; Dimitrov, Ivan E.; Cheshkov, Sergey; Malloy, Craig; Wright, Steven M.; McDougall, Mary P.

2016-01-01

Performing multinuclear experiments requires one or more radiofrequency (RF) coils operating at both the proton and second-nucleus frequencies; however, inductive coupling between coils must be mitigated to retain proton sensitivity and coil tuning stability. The inclusion of trap circuits simplifies placement of multinuclear RF coils while maintaining inter-element isolation. Of the commonly investigated non-proton nuclei, perhaps the most technically demanding is carbon-13, particularly when applying a proton decoupling scheme to improve the resulting spectra. This work presents experimental data for trap circuits withstanding high-power broadband proton decoupling of carbon-13 at 7 T. The advantages and challenges of building trap circuits with various inductor and capacitor components are discussed. Multiple trap designs are evaluated on the bench and utilized on an RF coil at 7 T to detect broadband proton-decoupled carbon-13 spectra from a lipid phantom. A particular trap design, built from a coaxial stub inductor and high-voltage ceramic chip capacitors, is highlighted owing to both its performance and adaptability for planar array coil elements with diverse spatial orientations. PMID:28529464

Renal Sympathetic Denervation System via Intraluminal Ultrasonic Ablation: Therapeutic Intravascular Ultrasound Design and Preclinical Evaluation.

PubMed

Chernin, Gil; Szwarcfiter, Iris; Bausback, Yvonne; Jonas, Michael

2017-05-01

To assess the safety and performance of a nonfocused and nonballooned ultrasonic (US) catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) system in normotensive swine. RDN with the therapeutic intravascular US catheter was evaluated in 3 experiments: (i) therapeutic intravascular US RDN vs a control group of untreated animals with follow-up of 30, 45, and 90 days (n = 6; n = 12 renal arteries for each group); (ii) therapeutic intravascular US RDN vs radiofrequency (RF) RDN in the contralateral artery in the same animal (n = 2; n = 4 renal arteries); and (iii) therapeutic intravascular US RDN in a recently stent-implanted renal artery (n = 2; n = 4 renal arteries). In the first experiment, therapeutic intravascular US RDN was safe, without angiographic evidence of dissection or renal artery stenosis. Neuronal tissue vacuolization, nuclei pyknosis, and perineuronal inflammation were evident after RDN, without renal artery wall damage. Norepinephrine levels were significantly lower after therapeutic intravascular US RDN after 30, 45, and 90 days compared with the control group (200.17 pg/mg ± 63.35, 184.75 pg/mg ± 44.51, and 203.43 pg/mg ± 58.54, respectively, vs 342.42 pg/mg ± 79.97). In the second experiment, deeper neuronal ablation penetrance was found with therapeutic intravascular US RDN vs RF RDN (maximal penetrance from endothelium of 7.0 mm vs 3.5 mm, respectively). There was less damage to the artery wall after therapeutic intravascular US RDN than with RF RDN, after which edema and injured endothelium were seen. In the third experiment, denervation inside the stent-implanted segments was feasible without damage to the renal artery wall or stent. The therapeutic intravascular US system performed safely and reduced norepinephrine levels. Deeper penetrance and better preservation of vessel wall were observed with therapeutic intravascular US RDN vs RF RDN. Neuronal ablations were observed in stent-implanted renal arteries. Copyright © 2017 SIR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Recent progress of RF-dominated experiments on EAST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, F. K.; Zhao, Y. P.; Shan, J. F.; Zhang, X. J.; Ding, B. J.; Wang, X. J.; Wang, M.; Xu, H. D.; Qin, C. M.; Li, M. H.; Gong, X. Z.; Hu, L. Q.; Wan, B. N.; Song, Y. T.; Li, J. G.

2017-10-01

The research of EAST program is mostly focused on the development of high performance steady state scenario with ITER-like poloidal configuration and RF-dominated heating schemes. With the enhanced ITER-relevant auxiliary heating and current drive systems, the plasma profile control by coupling/integration of various combinations has been investigated, including lower hybrid current drive (LHCD), electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) and ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH). The 12 MW ICRH system has been installed on EAST. Heating and confinement studies using the Hydrogen Minority Heating scheme have been investigated. One of the importance challenges for EAST is coupling higher power into the core plasma, experiments including changing plasma position, electron density, local gas puffing and antenna phasing scanning were performed to improve ICRF coupling efficiency on EAST. Results show that local gas injection and reducing the k|| can improve the coupling efficiency directly. By means of the 4.6 GHz and 2.45 GHz LHCD systems, H-mode can be obtained and sustained at relatively high density, even up to ne ˜ 4.5 × 1019 m-3, where a current drive effect is still observed. Meanwhile, effect of source frequency (2.45GHz and 4.6GHz) on LHCD characteristic has been studied on EAST, showing that higher frequency improves penetration of the coupled LH (lower hybrid) power into the plasma core and leads to a better effect on plasma characteristics. Studies demonstrate the role of parasitic effects of edge plasma in LHCD and the mitigation by increasing source frequency. Experiments of effect of LH spectrum and plasma density on plasma characteristics are performed, suggesting the possibility of plasma control for high performance. The development of a 4MW ECRH system is in progress for the purpose of plasma heating and MHD control. The built ECRH system with 1MW source power has been successfully put into use on EAST in 2015. H-mode discharges with L-H transition triggered by ECRH injection were obtained and its effects on the electron temperature, particle confinement and the core MHD stabilities were observed. By further exploring and optimizing the RF combination for the sole RF heating and current drive regime, fully non-inductive H-mode discharges with Vloop˜0V has progressed steadily in the 2016 campaign. The overview of the significant progress of RF dominated experiments is presented in this paper.

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

Harvey, R. W.

This DOE grant supported fusion energy research, a potential long-term solution to the world's energy needs. Magnetic fusion, exemplified by confinement of very hot ionized gases, i.e., plasmas, in donut-shaped tokamak vessels is a leading approach for this energy source. Thus far, a mixture of hydrogen isotopes has produced 10's of megawatts of fusion power for seconds in a tokamak reactor at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory in New Jersey. The research grant under consideration, ER54684, uses computer models to aid in understanding and projecting efficacy of heating and current drive sources in the National Spherical Torus Experiment, a tokamak variant,more » at PPPL. The NSTX experiment explores the physics of very tight aspect ratio, almost spherical tokamaks, aiming at producing steady-state fusion plasmas. The current drive is an integral part of the steady-state concept, maintaining the magnetic geometry in the steady-state tokamak. CompX further developed and applied models for radiofrequency (rf) heating and current drive for applications to NSTX. These models build on a 30 year development of rf ray tracing (the all-frequencies GENRAY code) and higher dimensional Fokker-Planck rf-collisional modeling (the 3D collisional-quasilinear CQL3D code) at CompX. Two mainline current-drive rf modes are proposed for injection into NSTX: (1) electron Bernstein wave (EBW), and (2) high harmonic fast wave (HHFW) modes. Both these current drive systems provide a means for the rf to access the especially high density plasma--termed high beta plasma--compared to the strength of the required magnetic fields. The CompX studies entailed detailed modeling of the EBW to calculate the efficiency of the current drive system, and to determine its range of flexibility for driving current at spatial locations in the plasma cross-section. The ray tracing showed penetration into NSTX bulk plasma, relatively efficient current drive, but a limited ability to produce current over the whole radial plasma cross-section. The actual EBW experiment will cost several million dollars, and remains in the proposal stage. The HHFW current drive system has been experimentally implemented on NSTX, and successfully drives substantial current. The understanding of the experiment is to be accomplished in terms of general concepts of rf current drive, and also detailed modeling of the experiment which can discern the various competing processes which necessarily occur simultaneously in the experiment. An early discovery of the CompX codes, GENRAY and CQL3D, was that there could be significant interference between the neutral beam injection fast ions in the machine (injected for plasma heating) and the HHFW energy. Under many NSTX experimental conditions, power which could go to the fast ions would then be unavailable for current drive by the desired HHFW interaction with electrons. This result has been born out by experiments; the modeling helps in understanding difficulties with HHFW current drive, and has enabled adjustment of the experiment to avoid interaction with neutral beam injected fast ions thereby achieving stronger HHFW current drive. The detailed physics modeling of the various competing processes is almost always required in fusion energy plasma physics, to ensure a reasonably accurate and certain interpretation of the experiment, enabling the confident design of future, more advanced experiments and ultimately a commercial fusion reactor. More recent work entails detailed investigation of the interaction of the HHFW radiation for fast ions, accounting for the particularly large radius orbits in NSTX, and correlations between multiple HHFW-ion interactions. The spherical aspect of the NSTX experiment emphasized particular physics such as the large orbits which are present to some degree in all tokamaks, but gives clearer clues on the resulting physics phenomena since competing physics effects are reduced.« less

Radiofrequency-enhanced vascular gene transduction and expression for intravascular MR imaging-guided therapy: feasibility study in pigs.

PubMed

Du, Xiangying; Qiu, Bensheng; Zhan, Xiangcan; Kolmakova, Antonina; Gao, Fabao; Hofmann, Lawrence V; Cheng, Linzhao; Chatterjee, Subroto; Yang, Xiaoming

2005-09-01

To evaluate the feasibility of radiofrequency (RF)-enhanced vascular gene transduction and expression by using a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-heating guidewire as an intravascular heating vehicle during MR imaging-guided therapy. The institutional committee for animal care and use approved the experimental protocol. The study included in vitro evaluation of the use of RF energy to enhance gene transduction and expression in vascular cells, as well as in vivo validation of the feasibility of intravascular MR imaging-guided RF-enhanced vascular gene transduction and expression in pig arteries. For in vitro experiments, approximately 10(4) vascular smooth muscle cells were seeded in each of four chambers of a cell culture plate. Next, 1 mL of a green fluorescent protein gene (gfp)-bearing lentivirus was added to each chamber. Chamber 4 was heated at approximately 41 degrees C for 15 minutes by using an MR imaging-heating guidewire connected to a custom RF generator. At day 6 after transduction, the four chambers were examined and compared at confocal microscopy to determine the efficiency of gfp transduction and expression. For the in vivo experiments, a lentivirus vector bearing a therapeutic gene, vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF-165), was transferred by using a gene delivery balloon catheter in 18 femoral-iliac arteries (nine artery pairs) in domestic pigs and Yucatan pigs with atherosclerosis. During gene infusion, one femoral-iliac artery in each pig was heated to approximately 41 degrees C with RF energy transferred via the intravascular MR imaging-heating guidewire, while the contralateral artery was not heated (control condition). At day 6, the 18 arteries were harvested for quantitative Western blot analysis to compare VEGF-165 transduction and expression efficiency between RF-heated and nonheated arterial groups. Confocal microscopy showed gfp expression in chamber 4 that was 293% the level of expression in chamber 1 (49.6% +/- 25.8 vs 16.8% +/- 8.0). Results of Western blot analysis showed VEGF-165 expression for normal arteries in the RF-heated group that was 300% the level of expression in the nonheated group (70.4 arbitrary units [au] +/- 107.1 vs 23.5 au +/- 29.8), and, for atherosclerotic arteries in the RF-heated group, 986% the level in the nonheated group (129.2 au +/- 100.3 vs 13.1 au +/- 4.9). Simultaneous monitoring and enhancement of vascular gene delivery and expression is feasible with the MR imaging-heating guidewire.

Analysis of an Optical Channelization Technique for Microwave Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-06-27

optical heterodyne RF signal generation using a mode- locked - laser frequency comb: theory and experiments,” in... optical carrier where +5 dBm RF tones at 9 GHz and 12 GHz were applied to the MZM biased at quadrature. The labels applied to this plot correspond to...Fig. 2 and Table I assuming ω1=2π· 9 GHz and ω2=2π·12 GHz . The laser -only spectrum illustrates the limitation set by the OSA. 7 -80 -60 -40 -20

Experimental pathways to understand and avoid high-Z impurity contamination from ICRF heating in tokamaks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reinke, Matthew

2016-10-01

Recent results from Alcator C-Mod and JET demonstrate progress in understanding and mitigating core high-Z impurity contamination linked to ICRF heating in tokamaks with high-Z PFCs. Theory has identified two likely mechanisms: impurity sources due to sputtering enhanced by RF-rectified sheaths and greater cross-field SOL transport due to ExB convective cells. New experiments on Alcator C-Mod and JET demonstrate convective cell transport is likely a sub-dominant effect, despite directly observing ExB flows from rectified RF fields on C-Mod. Trace N2 introduced in the far SOL on field lines connected to and well away from an active ICRF antenna result in similar levels of core nitrogen, indicating local RF-driven transport is weak. This suggests the core high-Z density, nZ,core, is determined by sheath-induced sputtering and RF-independent SOL transport, allowing further reductions through antenna design. ICRF heating on C-Mod uses a unique, field aligned (FAA) and a pair of conventional, toroidally aligned (TAA) antennas. The FAA is designed to reduce rectified voltages relative to the TAA, and the impact of sheath-induced sputtering is explored by observing nZ,core while varying the TAA/FAA heating mix. A reduction of approximately 50% in core high-Z content is seen in L-modes when using the FAA and high-Z sources at the antenna limiter are effectively eliminated, indicating the remaining RF-driven source is away from the limiter. A drop in nZ,core may also be realized by locating the RF antenna on the inboard side where SOL transport aids impurity screening. New C-Mod experiments demonstrate up to a factor of 5 reduction in core nitrogen when N2 is injected on the high-field side as compared to low-field side impurity fueling. Varying the magnetic topology helps to elucidate the SOL transport physics responsible, laying a physics basis for inboard RF antenna placement. This work is supported by U.S. DOE Award DE-FC02-99ER54512, using Alcator C-Mod and carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from Euratom under Grant Agreement No 633053.

Cyclotron autoresonant accelerator for electron beam dry scrubbing of flue gases

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

LaPointe, M.A.; Hirshfield, J.L.; Hirshfield, J.L.

1999-06-01

Design and construction is underway for a novel rf electron accelerator for electron beam dry scrubbing (EBDS) of flue gases emanating from fossil-fuel burners. This machine, a cyclotron autoresonance accelerator (CARA), has already shown itself capable of converting rf power to electron beam power with efficiency values as high as 96{percent}. This proof-of-principle experiment will utilize a 300 kV, 33 A Pierce type electron gun and up to 24 MW of available rf power at 2.856 GHz to produce 1.0 MeV, 33 MW electron beam pulses. The self-scanning conical beam from the high power CARA will be evaluated for EBDSmore » and other possible environmental applications. {copyright} {ital 1999 American Institute of Physics.}« less

In Situ observation of dark current emission in a high gradient rf photocathode gun

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

Shao, Jiahang; Shi, Jiaru; Antipov, Sergey P.

Undesirable electron field emission (also known as dark current) in high gradient rf photocathode guns deteriorates the quality of the photoemission current and limits the operational gradient. To improve the understanding of dark current emission, a high-resolution (~100 μm) dark current imaging experiment has been performed in an L-band photocathode gun operating at ~100 MV/m of surface gradient. Scattered strong emission areas with high current have been observed on the cathode. The field enhancement factor β of selected regions on the cathode has been measured. Finally, the postexaminations with scanning electron microscopy and white light interferometry reveal the origins ofmore » ~75% strong emission areas overlap with the spots where rf breakdown has occurred.« less

In Situ observation of dark current emission in a high gradient rf photocathode gun

DOE PAGES

Shao, Jiahang; Shi, Jiaru; Antipov, Sergey P.; ...

2016-08-15

Undesirable electron field emission (also known as dark current) in high gradient rf photocathode guns deteriorates the quality of the photoemission current and limits the operational gradient. To improve the understanding of dark current emission, a high-resolution (~100 μm) dark current imaging experiment has been performed in an L-band photocathode gun operating at ~100 MV/m of surface gradient. Scattered strong emission areas with high current have been observed on the cathode. The field enhancement factor β of selected regions on the cathode has been measured. Finally, the postexaminations with scanning electron microscopy and white light interferometry reveal the origins ofmore » ~75% strong emission areas overlap with the spots where rf breakdown has occurred.« less

Design of an interventional magnetic resonance imaging coil for cerebral surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Yue; Wang, Wen-Tao; Wang, Wei-Min

2012-11-01

In clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the design of the radiofrequency (RF) coil is very important. For certain applications, the appropriate coil can produce an improved image quality. However, it is difficult to achieve a uniform B1 field and a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) simultaneously. In this article, we design an interventional transmitter-and-receiver RF coil for cerebral surgery. This coil adopts a disassembly structure that can be assembled and disassembled repeatedly on the cerebral surgery gantry to reduce the amount of interference from the MRI during surgery. The simulation results and the imaging experiments demonstrate that this coil can produce a uniform RF field, a high SNR, and a large imaging range to meet the requirements of the cerebral surgery.

First results of the ITER-relevant negative ion beam test facility ELISE (invited).

PubMed

Fantz, U; Franzen, P; Heinemann, B; Wünderlich, D

2014-02-01

An important step in the European R&D roadmap towards the neutral beam heating systems of ITER is the new test facility ELISE (Extraction from a Large Ion Source Experiment) for large-scale extraction from a half-size ITER RF source. The test facility was constructed in the last years at Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik Garching and is now operational. ELISE is gaining early experience of the performance and operation of large RF-driven negative hydrogen ion sources with plasma illumination of a source area of 1 × 0.9 m(2) and an extraction area of 0.1 m(2) using 640 apertures. First results in volume operation, i.e., without caesium seeding, are presented.

RF Jitter Modulation Alignment Sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ortega, L. F.; Fulda, P.; Diaz-Ortiz, M.; Perez Sanchez, G.; Ciani, G.; Voss, D.; Mueller, G.; Tanner, D. B.

2017-01-01

We will present the numerical and experimental results of a new alignment sensing scheme which can reduce the complexity of alignment sensing systems currently used, while maintaining the same shot noise limited sensitivity. This scheme relies on the ability of electro-optic beam deflectors to create angular modulation sidebands in radio frequency, and needs only a single-element photodiode and IQ demodulation to generate error signals for tilt and translation degrees of freedom in one dimension. It distances itself from current techniques by eliminating the need for beam centering servo systems, quadrant photodetectors and Gouy phase telescopes. RF Jitter alignment sensing can be used to reduce the complexity in the alignment systems of many laser optical experiments, including LIGO and the ALPS experiment.

Exploring channeling optimized radiofrequency energy: a review of radiofrequency history and applications in esthetic fields.

PubMed

Belenky, Inna; Margulis, Ariel; Elman, Monica; Bar-Yosef, Udi; Paun, Silviu D

2012-03-01

Because of its high efficiency and safety, radiofrequency (RF) energy is widely used in the dermatological field for heating biological tissue in various esthetic applications, including skin tightening, skin lifting, body contouring, and cellulite reduction. This paper reviews the literature on the use of nonablative RF energy in the esthetic field and its scientific background. The purpose of this article is to describe in detail the extensive use of medical devices based on RF technology, the development of these medical devices over the years, and recent developments and trends in RF technology. The authors conducted a systematic search of publications that address safety and efficacy issues, technical system specifications, and clinical techniques. Finally, the authors focused on their own clinical experiences with the use of patented Channeling Optimized RF Energy technique and mechanical massage. An in-vivo study was conducted in domestic pigs, with a thermal video camera. Twenty-seven female patients participated in a cellulite and body shaping study. The treatments were conducted according to a three-phase protocol. An additional 16 females participated in a skin tightening case study. All of the patients underwent three treatment sessions at 3-week intervals, each according to a protocol specific to the area being treated. The review of the literature on RF-based systems revealed that these systems are safe, with low risks for potential side effects, and effective for cellulite, body contouring, and skin tightening procedures. The in-vivo measurements confirmed the theory that the penetration depth of RF is an inverse function of its frequency, and using a vacuum mechanism makes an additional contribution to the RF energy penetration. The heating effect of RF was also found to increase blood circulation and to induce collagen remodeling. The results from the cellulite and body shaping treatments showed an overall average improvement of 55% in the appearance of cellulite, with an average circumferential reduction of 3.31 cm in the buttocks, 2.94 cm in the thighs, and 2.14 cm in the abdomen. The results from the skin tightening procedure showed moderate improvement of skin appearance in 50% and significant improvement in 31%. At the follow-up visits the results were found to be sustained without any significant side effects. Of all tissue heating techniques, RF-based technologies appear to be the most established and clinically proven. The design and specifications of the described vacuumassisted bipolar RF device fall within the range of the specifications currently prescribed for esthetic, nonablative RF systems.

Anvil cell gasket design for high pressure nuclear magnetic resonance experiments beyond 30 GPa

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

Meier, Thomas; Haase, Jürgen

2015-12-15

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments are reported at up to 30.5 GPa of pressure using radiofrequency (RF) micro-coils with anvil cell designs. These are the highest pressures ever reported with NMR, and are made possible through an improved gasket design based on nano-crystalline powders embedded in epoxy resin. Cubic boron-nitride (c-BN), corundum (α-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}), or diamond based composites have been tested, also in NMR experiments. These composite gaskets lose about 1/2 of their initial height up to 30.5 GPa, allowing for larger sample quantities and preventing damages to the RF micro-coils compared to precipitation hardened CuBe gaskets. It ismore » shown that NMR shift and resolution are less affected by the composite gaskets as compared to the more magnetic CuBe. The sensitivity can be as high as at normal pressure. The new, inexpensive, and simple to engineer gaskets are thus superior for NMR experiments at high pressures.« less

Impact of 900 MHz electromagnetic field exposure on main male reproductive hormone levels: a Rattus norvegicus model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sepehrimanesh, Masood; Saeb, Mehdi; Nazifi, Saeed; Kazemipour, Nasrin; Jelodar, Gholamali; Saeb, Saeedeh

2014-09-01

This work analyzes the effects of radiofrequency-electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on the reproductive system of male rats, assessed by measuring circulating levels of FSH, LH, inhibin B, activin B, prolactin, and testosterone. Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (180 ± 10 g) were exposed to 900 MHz RF-EMF in four equal separated groups. The duration of exposure was 1, 2, and 4 h/day over a period of 30 days and sham-exposed animals were kept under the same environmental conditions as the exposed group except with no RF-EMF exposure. Before the exposure, at 15 and 30 days of exposure, determination of the abovementioned hormone levels was performed using ELISA. At the end of the experiment, FSH and LH values of the long time exposure (LTE) group were significantly higher than the sham-exposed group ( p < 0.05). Serum activin B and prolactin in the LTE group showed significant increase and inhibin B showed significant decrease than sham and short time exposed (STE) groups after 30 days RF-EMF exposure ( p < 0.05). Also, a significant decrease in serum testosterone levels in the LTE group was found compared to short and moderate time exposed (MTE) groups after 30 days RF-EMF exposure ( p < 0.05). Results suggest that reproductive hormone levels are disturbed as a result of RF-EMF exposure and it may possibly affect reproductive functions. However, testosterone and inhibin B concentrations as a fertility marker and spermatogenesis were decreased significantly.

An 8-channel transceiver 7-channel receive RF coil setup for high SNR ultrahigh-field MRI of the shoulder at 7T.

PubMed

Rietsch, Stefan H G; Pfaffenrot, Viktor; Bitz, Andreas K; Orzada, Stephan; Brunheim, Sascha; Lazik-Palm, Andrea; Theysohn, Jens M; Ladd, Mark E; Quick, Harald H; Kraff, Oliver

2017-12-01

In this work, we present an 8-channel transceiver (Tx/Rx) 7-channel receive (Rx) radiofrequency (RF) coil setup for 7 T ultrahigh-field MR imaging of the shoulder. A C-shaped 8-channel Tx/Rx coil was combined with an anatomically close-fitting 7-channel Rx-only coil. The safety and performance parameters of this coil setup were evaluated on the bench and in phantom experiments. The 7 T MR imaging performance of the shoulder RF coil setup was evaluated in in vivo measurements using a 3D DESS, a 2D PD-weighted TSE sequence, and safety supervision based on virtual observation points. Distinct SNR gain and acceleration capabilities provided by the additional 7-channel Rx-only coil were demonstrated in phantom and in vivo measurements. The power efficiency indicated good performance of each channel and a maximum B 1 + of 19 μT if the hardware RF power limits of the MR system were exploited. MR imaging of the shoulder was demonstrated with clinically excellent image quality and submillimeter spatial resolution. The presented 8-channel transceiver 7-channel receive RF coil setup was successfully applied for in vivo 7 T MRI of the shoulder providing a clear SNR gain vs the transceiver array without the additional receive array. Homogeneous images across the shoulder region were obtained using 8-channel subject-specific phase-only RF shimming. © 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

rf breakdown measurements in electron beam driven 200 GHz copper and copper-silver accelerating structures

DOE PAGES

Dal Forno, Massimo; Dolgashev, Valery; Bowden, Gordon; ...

2016-11-30

This study explores the physics of vacuum rf breakdowns in subterahertz high-gradient traveling-wave accelerating structures. We present the experimental results of rf tests of 200 GHz metallic accelerating structures, made of copper and copper-silver. These experiments were carried out at the Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests (FACET) at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The rf fields were excited by the FACET ultrarelativistic electron beam. The traveling-wave structure is an open geometry, 10 cm long, composed of two halves separated by a gap. The rf frequency of the fundamental accelerating mode depends on the gap size and can be changedmore » from 160 to 235 GHz. When the beam travels off axis, a deflecting field is induced in addition to the longitudinal field. We measure the deflecting forces by observing the displacement of the electron bunch and use this measurement to verify the expected accelerating gradient. Furthermore, we present the first quantitative measurement of rf breakdown rates in 200 GHz metallic accelerating structures. The breakdown rate of the copper structure is 10 –2 per pulse, with a peak surface electric field of 500 MV/m and a rf pulse length of 0.3 ns, which at a relatively large gap of 1.5 mm, or one wavelength, corresponds to an accelerating gradient of 56 MV/m. For the same breakdown rate, the copper-silver structure has a peak electric field of 320 MV/m at a pulse length of 0.5 ns. For a gap of 1.1 mm, or 0.74 wavelengths, this corresponds to an accelerating gradient of 50 MV/m.« less

The fear factor: drivers and barriers to follow-up screening for human papillomavirus-related anal cancer in men who have sex with men.

PubMed

Truesdale, M D; Goldstone, S E

2010-07-01

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related anal cancer incidence is rising in men who have sex with men (MSM). Effective screening strategies exist, but many patients are lost to follow-up (LTF). We studied factors impacting screening compliance to recommended annual screening visits. Retrospective chart review identified MSM with anal dysplasia. MSM were grouped as regular screeners (regular to follow-up [RF]) (≥1 visit/year), lost to follow-up (LTF) (>1 year since previous screening) and LTF who then returned for screening (lost came back [LCB]). From June 2007 to March 2008, subjects completed a questionnaire in-person at the time of screening or via telephone (LTF). Questionnaires were completed after anal dysplasia diagnosis. One hundred and ninety-five MSM were enrolled (96 RF, 50 LTF and 49 LCB). RF were compliant for 4.8 years; LTF were lost for 2.3 years. LCB were previously lost for 5.6 years before returning. Mean knowledge score of screening procedures was larger in RF versus LTF (P < 0.001). MSM with more sexual partners in the past six months were more likely to be LCB versus LTF (P = 0.05). RF were more likely to describe their HPV diagnosis as 'upsetting' (P = 0.003). RF were more likely driven by physical symptoms versus LTF (P = 0.002). MSM with high-grade intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) were more likely to be RF versus those with low-grade intraepithelial lesions (P = 0.001. Positive predictors for screening compliance include an upsetting experience during the HPV diagnosis, physical symptoms driving the initial visit and HSIL. Engaging patients in a firm, salient approach may facilitate follow-up compliance.

Digital processing of RF signals from optical frequency combs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cizek, Martin; Smid, Radek; Buchta, Zdeněk.; Mikel, Břetislav; Lazar, Josef; Cip, Ondřej

2013-01-01

The presented work is focused on digital processing of beat note signals from a femtosecond optical frequency comb. The levels of mixing products of single spectral components of the comb with CW laser sources are usually very low compared to products of mixing all the comb components together. RF counters are more likely to measure the frequency of the strongest spectral component rather than a weak beat note. Proposed experimental digital signal processing system solves this problem by analyzing the whole spectrum of the output RF signal and using software defined radio (SDR) algorithms. Our efforts concentrate in two main areas: Firstly, using digital servo-loop techniques for locking free running continuous laser sources on single components of the fs comb spectrum. Secondly, we are experimenting with digital signal processing of the RF beat note spectrum produced by f-2f 1 technique used for assessing the offset and repetition frequencies of the comb, resulting in digital servo-loop stabilization of the fs comb. Software capable of computing and analyzing the beat-note RF spectrums using FFT and peak detection was developed. A SDR algorithm performing phase demodulation on the f- 2f signal is used as a regulation error signal source for a digital phase-locked loop stabilizing the offset frequency of the fs comb.

n+ GaAs/AuGeNi-Au Thermocouple-Type RF MEMS Power Sensors Based on Dual Thermal Flow Paths in GaAs MMIC

PubMed Central

Zhang, Zhiqiang; Liao, Xiaoping

2017-01-01

To achieve radio frequency (RF) power detection, gain control, and circuit protection, this paper presents n+ GaAs/AuGeNi-Au thermocouple-type RF microelectromechanical system (MEMS) power sensors based on dual thermal flow paths. The sensors utilize a conversion principle of RF power-heat-voltage, where a thermovoltage is obtained as the RF power changes. To improve the heat transfer efficiency and the sensitivity, structures of two heat conduction paths are designed: one in which a thermal slug of Au is placed between two load resistors and hot junctions of the thermocouples, and one in which a back cavity is fabricated by the MEMS technology to form a substrate membrane underneath the resistors and the hot junctions. The improved sensors were fabricated by a GaAs monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) process. Experiments show that these sensors have reflection losses of less than −17 dB up to 12 GHz. At 1, 5, and 10 GHz, measured sensitivities are about 63.45, 53.97, and 44.14 µV/mW for the sensor with the thermal slug, and about 111.03, 94.79, and 79.04 µV/mW for the sensor with the thermal slug and the back cavity, respectively. PMID:28629144

Radiofrequency ablation of chondroblastoma using a multi-tined expandable electrode system: initial results.

PubMed

Tins, Bernhard; Cassar-Pullicino, Victor; McCall, Iain; Cool, Paul; Williams, David; Mangham, David

2006-04-01

The standard treatment for chondroblastoma is surgery, which can be difficult and disabling due to its apo- or epiphyseal location. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation potentially offers a minimally invasive alternative. The often large size of chondroblastomas can make treatment with plain electrode systems difficult or impossible. This article describes the preliminary experience of RF treatment of chondroblastomas with a multi-tined expandable RF electrode system. Four cases of CT guided RF treatment are described. The tumour was successfully treated in all cases. In two cases, complications occurred; infraction of a subarticular chondroblastoma in one case and cartilage and bone damage in the unaffected compartment of a knee joint in the other. Radiofrequency treatment near a joint surface threatens the integrity of cartilage and therefore long-term joint function. In weight-bearing areas, the lack of bone replacement in successfully treated lesions contributes to the risk of mechanical failure. Multi-tined expandable electrode systems allow the treatment of large chondroblastomas. In weight-bearing joints and lesions near to the articular cartilage, there is a risk of cartilage damage and mechanical weakening of the bone. In lesions without these caveats, RF ablation appears promising. The potential risks and benefits need to be evaluated for each case individually.

n⁺ GaAs/AuGeNi-Au Thermocouple-Type RF MEMS Power Sensors Based on Dual Thermal Flow Paths in GaAs MMIC.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhiqiang; Liao, Xiaoping

2017-06-17

To achieve radio frequency (RF) power detection, gain control, and circuit protection, this paper presents n⁺ GaAs/AuGeNi-Au thermocouple-type RF microelectromechanical system (MEMS) power sensors based on dual thermal flow paths. The sensors utilize a conversion principle of RF power-heat-voltage, where a thermovoltage is obtained as the RF power changes. To improve the heat transfer efficiency and the sensitivity, structures of two heat conduction paths are designed: one in which a thermal slug of Au is placed between two load resistors and hot junctions of the thermocouples, and one in which a back cavity is fabricated by the MEMS technology to form a substrate membrane underneath the resistors and the hot junctions. The improved sensors were fabricated by a GaAs monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) process. Experiments show that these sensors have reflection losses of less than -17 dB up to 12 GHz. At 1, 5, and 10 GHz, measured sensitivities are about 63.45, 53.97, and 44.14 µ V/mW for the sensor with the thermal slug, and about 111.03, 94.79, and 79.04 µ V/mW for the sensor with the thermal slug and the back cavity, respectively.

ORNL diagnostic and modeling development for LAPD ICRF experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isler, R. C.; Caughman, J. B. O.; Lau, C.; Martin, E. H.; Perkins, R. J.; Compernolle, B. Van; Vincena, S.; Tripathi, S. K. P.; Gekelman, W.

2017-10-01

PPPL, UCLA, and ORNL scientists have recently collaborated on a three week ICRF campaign at the upgraded LAPD device to study near field-plasma interactions associated with a single strap antenna driven at 2.38 MHz with 100 kW of RF power. This poster highlights ORNL involvement through implementation of the following diagnostics: an optical emission probe to measure neutral density, a retarding field energy analyzer to measure fast ions, phase locked imaging to measure line integrated RF-driven optical emission fluctuations, and an RF compensated triple Langmuir probe to measure density and temperature. To interpret the results of the experimental campaign a 3D cold plasma finite element model with realistic antenna and vacuum vessel geometry was developed in COMSOL. A summary of these results will be discussed. Highlights include a proof of principle localized and spatially resolved measurement of the neutral density, a strong increase in RF-driven optical emission fluctuations directly in front of the RF antenna strap, a shift in fast ion energies near the plasma edge, and qualitative agreement between the COMSOL cold plasma model with the various diagnostics. Funded by the DOE OFES (DE-AC05-00OR22725, DE-AC02-09CH11466, and DE-FC02-07ER54918) and the Univ. of California (12-LR-237124).

An 8/15-channel Tx/Rx head neck RF coil combination with region-specific B1 + shimming for whole-brain MRI focused on the cerebellum at 7T.

PubMed

Pfaffenrot, Viktor; Brunheim, Sascha; Rietsch, Stefan H G; Koopmans, Peter J; Ernst, Thomas M; Kraff, Oliver; Orzada, Stephan; Quick, Harald H

2018-02-09

To design and evaluate an 8/15-channel transmit/receive (Tx/Rx) head-neck RF coil combination with region-specific B1+ shimming for whole-brain MRI with focus on improved functional MRI of the cerebellum at 7 T. An 8-channel transceiver RF head coil was combined with a 7-channel receive-only array. The noise parameters and acceleration capabilities of this 8Tx/15Rx coil setup were compared with a commercially available 1Tx/32Rx RF head coil. Region-specific 8-channel B1+ shimming was applied when using the 8Tx/15Rx RF coil. To evaluate the capability for functional MRI of the cerebellum, temporal SNR and statistical nonparametric maps for finger-tapping experiments with 14 healthy subjects were derived by applying a variable slice thickness gradient-echo echo-planar functional MRI sequence. The 8Tx/15Rx setup had a lower maximum noise correlation between channels, but higher average correlations compared with the 1Tx/32Rx coil. Both RF coils exhibited identical g-factors in the cerebellum with R = 3 acceleration. The enlarged FOV of the 8Tx/15Rx coil in combination with region-specific B1+ shimming increased homogeneity of the transmission field and temporal SNR in caudal cerebellar regions. Temporal SNR losses in cranial parts were reduced, resulting in more highly significant voxels in the caudally activated areas and identical patterns in the cranial cerebellar parts during a finger-tapping task. Compared with the 1Tx/32Rx RF coil, the presented 8Tx/15Rx RF coil combination successfully improves functional MRI of the human cerebellum at 7 T while maintaining whole-brain coverage. A clear temporal SNR gain in caudal cerebellar regions is shown. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Outcomes after cryoballoon or radiofrequency ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation: a multicentric propensity-score matched study.

PubMed

Boveda, Serge; Providência, Rui; Defaye, Pascal; Pavin, Dominique; Cebron, Jean-Pierre; Anselme, Frederic; Halimi, Franck; Khoueiry, Ziad; Combes, Nicolas; Combes, Stephane; Jacob, Sophie; Albenque, Jean-Paul; Sousa, Pedro

2016-11-01

Recent data show no benefit of additional ablation beyond pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Evidence suggests that radiofrequency energy (RF) and cryoballoon (CRYO) have comparable efficacy for PVI. We aimed to assess the outcomes after a single catheter ablation procedure, comparing PVI using CRYO vs. RF ablation for PVI plus additional ablation in a cohort of patients with persistent AF. In this prospective multicenter propensity score-matched comparison, 59 consecutive patients undergoing CRYO ablation of persistent AF were matched to 59 patients treated with RF from November 2010 to June 2012. During a mean follow-up of 15.6 ± 11.5 months, 43.2 % of patients presented atrial arrhythmia relapse after a blanking period of 3 months, which was comparable between the two groups (40.7 % in CRYO vs. 45.8 % in RF, Log rank P = 0.14; HR = 0.67, 95 %CI 0.38-1.16, P = 0.15), despite the fact that 52.5 % of RF patients add additional complex fractionated atrial electrogram ablation, as well as left atrial linear ablation in over two-thirds (roof line in 67.8 % and mitral isthmus in 32.2 %). On multivariate Cox regression, only AF duration in years (HR = 1.10, 95 %CI 1.01-1.10, P = 0.04) was a predictor of relapse. Patients undergoing RF ablation presented a numerically, but non-significantly, lower complication rate (6.8 vs 10.2 %, P = 0.51). In our multicenter experience, freedom from atrial arrhythmias was comparable among matched patients treated with CRYO and RF, despite non-significant trends in favor of RF in terms of complications, at the cost of longer procedure times.

Elevation discrepancies between MMPI-2 clinical and MMPI-2-RF restructured clinical (RC) scales in people with seizure disorders.

PubMed

Bowden, Stephen C; White, Jessica R; Simpson, Leonie; Ben-Porath, Yossef S

2014-05-01

People with seizure disorders experience elevated rates of psychopathology, often undiagnosed and untreated. Accurate diagnosis of psychopathology remains an important goal of quality health care for people with seizure disorders. One of the most widely used dimensional measures of psychopathology is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Second Edition (MMPI-2). Research in heterogeneous mental health samples suggests that the 2008 revision of this measure, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Second Edition-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF), offers better construct fidelity and more cost-effective administration. This study seeks to extend research on MMPI-2-RF scale elevations to a sample of people with seizure disorders. In a consecutive, heterogeneous sample of people with seizure disorders, MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF scores were compared in terms of categorical classification agreement (clinically elevated versus not clinically elevated). Scores were also compared in terms of variance attributable to diagnosis-specific items, general demoralization, subtle items, social desirability, and demographic factors. Scores on MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF provided a statistically significant level of agreement between corresponding clinical diagnostic scales ranging from 68% to 84%. Most classification disagreement was attributable to MMPI-2 clinical scale elevations when MMPI-2-RF scales were not elevated. Regression analysis supported the interpretation that general demoralization, subtle items, social desirability, and demographic factors led to MMPI-2 clinical scale elevations. The results provide evidence that in the context of strong psychopathology classification agreement, the MMPI-2-RF restructured clinical scales provide better construct fidelity compared with the more trait heterogeneous MMPI-2 clinical scales. These results should encourage clinicians to use the MMPI-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) for improved psychopathology assessment compared with the MMPI-2 in patients with seizure disorders. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Seven-tesla time-of-flight angiography using a 16-channel parallel transmit system with power-constrained 3-dimensional spoke radiofrequency pulse design.

PubMed

Schmitter, Sebastian; Wu, Xiaoping; Auerbach, Edward J; Adriany, Gregor; Pfeuffer, Josef; Hamm, Michael; Uğurbil, Kâmil; van de Moortele, Pierre-François

2014-05-01

Ultrahigh magnetic fields of 7 T or higher have proven to significantly enhance the contrast in time-of-flight (TOF) imaging, one of the most commonly used non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography techniques. Compared with lower field strength, however, the required radiofrequency (RF) power is increased at 7 T and the contrast obtained with a conventional head transmit RF coil is typically spatially heterogeneous.In this work, we addressed the contrast heterogeneity in multislab TOF acquisitions by optimizing the excitation flip angle homogeneity while constraining the RF power using 3-dimensional tailored RF pulses ("spokes") with a 16-channel parallel transmission system and a 16-channel transceiver head coil. We investigated in simulations and in vivo experiments flip angle homogeneity and angiogram quality with a same 3-slab TOF protocol for different excitations including 1-, 2-, and 3-spoke parallel transmit RF pulses and compared the results with a circularly polarized (CP) phase setting similar to a birdcage excitation. B1 and B0 calibration maps were obtained in multiple slices, and the RF pulse for each slab was designed on the basis of 3 calibration slices located at the bottom/middle/top of each slab, respectively. By design, all excitations were computed to generate the same total RF power for the same flip angle. In 8 subjects, we quantified the excitation homogeneity and the distribution of the RF power to individual channels. In addition, we investigated the consequences of local flip angle variations at the junction between adjacent slabs as well as the impact of ΔB0 on image quality. The flip angle heterogeneity, expressed as the coefficient of variation, averaged over all volunteers and all slabs could be reduced from 29.4% for CP mode excitation to 14.1% for a 1-spoke excitation and to 7.3% for 2-spoke excitations. A separate detailed analysis shows only a marginal improvement for 3-spoke compared with the 2-spoke excitation. The strong improvement in flip angle homogeneity particularly impacted the junction between adjacent TOF slabs, where significant residual artifacts observed with 1-spoke excitation could be efficiently mitigated using a 2-spoke excitation with same RF power and same average flip angle. Although the total RF power is maintained at the same level than that in CP mode excitation, the energy distribution is fairly heterogeneous through the 16 transmit channels for 1- and 2-spoke excitations, with the highest energy for 1 channel being a factor of 2.4 (1 spoke) and 2.2 (2 spokes) higher than that in CP mode. In vivo experiments demonstrated the necessity for including ΔB0 spatial variations during 2-spoke RF pulse design, particularly in areas with strong local susceptibility variations such as the lower frontal lobe. Significant improvement in excitation fidelity leading to improved TOF contrast, particularly in the brain periphery, as well as smooth slab transitions can be achieved with 2-spoke excitation while maintaining the same excitation energy as that in CP mode. These results suggest that expanding parallel transmit methods, including the use of multidimensional spatially selective excitation, will also be very beneficial for other techniques, such as perfusion imaging.

Seven-tesla time-of-flight angiography using a 16-channel parallel transmit system with power-constrained 3-dimensional spoke radiofrequency pulse design

PubMed Central

Schmitter, Sebastian; Wu, Xiaoping; Auerbach, Edward J.; Adriany, Gregor; Pfeuffer, Josef; Hamm, Michael; Ugurbil, Kamil; Van de Moortele, Pierre-Francois

2015-01-01

Objectives Ultra high magnetic fields of ≥7 Tesla have proven to significantly enhance the contrast in time-of-flight (TOF) imaging, one of the most commonly used non-contrast enhanced MR angiography techniques. Compared to lower field strength, however, the required RF power is increased at 7 Tesla and the contrast obtained with a conventional head transmit RF coil is typically spatially heterogeneous. In this work we address the contrast heterogeneity in multi-slab TOF acquisitions by optimizing the excitation flip angle homogeneity while constraining the RF power using 3D tailored RF pulses (“spokes”) with a 16 channel parallel transmission system and a 16 channel transceiver head coil. Material and Methods We investigate in simulations and in-vivo experiments flip angle homogeneity and angiogram quality with a same 3-slab TOF protocol for different excitations including 1-, 2- and 3-spoke parallel transmit RF pulses and compare the results with a circularly polarized (CP) phase setting similar to a birdcage excitation. B1 and B0 calibration maps were obtained in multiple slices and the RF pulse for each slab was designed based on 3 calibration slices located at the bottom/middle/top of each slab respectively. By design, all excitations were computed to generate the same total RF power for the same flip angle. In 8 subjects we quantify the excitation homogeneity and the distribution of the RF power to individual channels. In addition, we investigate the consequences of local flip angle variations at the junction between adjacent slabs as well as the impact of ΔB0 on image quality. Results The flip angle heterogeneity, expressed as the coefficient of variation, averaged over all volunteers and all slabs could be reduced from 29.4% for CP mode excitation to 14.1% for a 1-spoke excitation and to 7.3% for a 2-spoke excitations. A separate detailed analysis shows only a marginal improvement for 3-spoke compared to the 2-spoke excitation. The strong improvement in flip angle homogeneity particularly impacted the junction between adjacent TOF slabs, where significant residual artifacts observed with 1-spoke excitation could be efficiently mitigated using a 2-spoke excitation with same RF power and same average flip angle. Even though the total RF power is maintained at the same level than in CP mode excitation, the energy distribution is fairly heterogeneous through the 16 transmit channels for 1- and 2-spoke excitation, with the highest energy for one channel being a factor of 2.4 (1-spoke) and 2.2 (2-spoke) higher than in CP mode. In vivo experiments demonstrate the necessity of including ΔB0 spatial variations during 2-spoke RF pulse design, in particular in areas with strong local susceptibility variations such as the lower frontal lobe. Conclusion Significant improvement in excitation fidelity leading to improved TOF contrast, particularly in the brain periphery, as well as smooth slab transitions can be achieved with 2-spoke excitation while maintaining the same excitation energy as in CP mode. These results suggest that expanding parallel transmit methods, including the use of multi-dimensional spatially selective excitation, will also be very beneficial for other techniques, such as perfusion imaging. PMID:24598439

LLRF System for the Fermilab Muon g-2 and Mu2e Projects

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

Varghese, P.; Chase, B.

The Mu2e experiment measures the conversion rate of muons into electrons and the Muon g-2 experiment measures the muon magnetic moment. Both experiments require 53 MHz batches of 8 GeV protons to be re-bunched into 150 ns, 2.5 MHz pulses for extraction to the g-2 target for Muon g-2 and to a delivery ring with a single RF cavity running at 2.36 MHz for Mu2e. The LLRF system for both experiments is implemented in a SOC FPGA board integrated into the existing 53 MHz LLRF system in a VXI crate. The tight timing requirements, the large frequency difference and themore » non-harmonic relationship between the two RF systems provide unique challenges to the LLRF system design to achieve the required phase alignment specifications for beam formation, transfers and beam extinction between pulses. The new LLRF system design for both projects is described and the results of the initial beam commissioning tests for the Muon g-2 experiment are presented.« less

Forced-rupture of cell-adhesion complexes reveals abrupt switch between two brittle states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toan, Ngo Minh; Thirumalai, D.

2018-03-01

Cell adhesion complexes (CACs), which are activated by ligand binding, play key roles in many cellular functions ranging from cell cycle regulation to mediation of cell extracellular matrix adhesion. Inspired by single molecule pulling experiments using atomic force spectroscopy on leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), expressed in T-cells, bound to intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM), we performed constant loading rate (rf) and constant force (F) simulations using the self-organized polymer model to describe the mechanism of ligand rupture from CACs. The simulations reproduce the major experimental finding on the kinetics of the rupture process, namely, the dependence of the most probable rupture forces (f*s) on ln rf (rf is the loading rate) exhibits two distinct linear regimes. The first, at low rf, has a shallow slope, whereas the slope at high rf is much larger, especially for a LFA-1/ICAM-1 complex with the transition between the two occurring over a narrow rf range. Locations of the two transition states (TSs) extracted from the simulations show an abrupt change from a high value at low rf or constant force, F, to a low value at high rf or F. This unusual behavior in which the CACs switch from one brittle (TS position is a constant over a range of forces) state to another brittle state is not found in forced-rupture in other protein complexes. We explain this novel behavior by constructing the free energy profiles, F(Λ)s, as a function of a collective reaction coordinate (Λ), involving many key charged residues and a critical metal ion (Mg2+). The TS positions in F(Λ), which quantitatively agree with the parameters extracted using the Bell-Evans model, change abruptly at a critical force, demonstrating that it, rather than the molecular extension, is a good reaction coordinate. Our combined analyses using simulations performed in both the pulling modes (constant rf and F) reveal a new mechanism for the two loading regimes observed in the rupture kinetics in CACs.

Thermal magnetic resonance: physics considerations and electromagnetic field simulations up to 23.5 Tesla (1GHz).

PubMed

Winter, Lukas; Oezerdem, Celal; Hoffmann, Werner; van de Lindt, Tessa; Periquito, Joao; Ji, Yiyi; Ghadjar, Pirus; Budach, Volker; Wust, Peter; Niendorf, Thoralf

2015-09-22

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and most aggressive malign brain tumor. The 5-year survival rate after tumor resection and adjuvant chemoradiation is only 10 %, with almost all recurrences occurring in the initially treated site. Attempts to improve local control using a higher radiation dose were not successful so that alternative additive treatments are urgently needed. Given the strong rationale for hyperthermia as part of a multimodal treatment for patients with glioblastoma, non-invasive radio frequency (RF) hyperthermia might significantly improve treatment results. A non-invasive applicator was constructed utilizing the magnetic resonance (MR) spin excitation frequency for controlled RF hyperthermia and MR imaging in an integrated system, which we refer to as thermal MR. Applicator designs at RF frequencies 300 MHz, 500 MHz and 1GHz were investigated and examined for absolute applicable thermal dose and temperature hotspot size. Electromagnetic field (EMF) and temperature simulations were performed in human voxel models. RF heating experiments were conducted at 300 MHz and 500 MHz to characterize the applicator performance and validate the simulations. The feasibility of thermal MR was demonstrated at 7.0 T. The temperature could be increased by ~11 °C in 3 min in the center of a head sized phantom. Modification of the RF phases allowed steering of a temperature hotspot to a deliberately selected location. RF heating was monitored using the integrated system for MR thermometry and high spatial resolution MRI. EMF and thermal simulations demonstrated that local RF hyperthermia using the integrated system is feasible to reach a maximum temperature in the center of the human brain of 46.8 °C after 3 min of RF heating while surface temperatures stayed below 41 °C. Using higher RF frequencies reduces the size of the temperature hotspot significantly. The opportunities and capabilities of thermal magnetic resonance for RF hyperthermia interventions of intracranial lesions are intriguing. Employing such systems as an alternative additive treatment for glioblastoma multiforme might be able to improve local control by "fighting fire with fire". Interventions are not limited to the human brain and might include temperature driven targeted drug and MR contrast agent delivery and help to understand temperature dependent bio- and physiological processes in-vivo.

Bunch compression efficiency of the femtosecond electron source at Chiang Mai University

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thongbai, C.; Kusoljariyakul, K.; Saisut, J.

2011-07-01

A femtosecond electron source has been developed at the Plasma and Beam Physics Research Facility (PBP), Chiang Mai University (CMU), Thailand. Ultra-short electron bunches can be produced with a bunch compression system consisting of a thermionic cathode RF-gun, an alpha-magnet as a magnetic bunch compressor, and a linear accelerator as a post acceleration section. To obtain effective bunch compression, it is crucial to provide a proper longitudinal phase-space distribution at the gun exit matched to the subsequent beam transport system. Via beam dynamics calculations and experiments, we investigate the bunch compression efficiency for various RF-gun fields. The particle distribution at the RF-gun exit will be tracked numerically through the alpha-magnet and beam transport. Details of the study and results leading to an optimum condition for our system will be presented.

Coagulation of dust grains in the plasma of an RF discharge in argon

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

Mankelevich, Yu. A.; Olevanov, M. A.; Pal', A. F.

2009-03-15

Results are presented from experimental studies of coagulation of dust grains of different sizes injected into a low-temperature plasma of an RF discharge in argon. A theoretical model describing the formation of dust clusters in a low-temperature plasma is developed and applied to interpret the results of experiments on the coagulation of dust grains having large negative charges. The grain size at which coagulation under the given plasma conditions is possible is estimated using the developed theory. The theoretical results are compared with the experimental data.

Analysis of signal to noise enhancement using a highly selective modulation tracking filter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haden, C. R.; Alworth, C. W.

1972-01-01

Experiments are reported which utilize photodielectric effects in semiconductor loaded superconducting resonant circuits for suppressing noise in RF communication systems. The superconducting tunable cavity acts as a narrow band tracking filter for detecting conventional RF signals. Analytical techniques were developed which lead to prediction of signal-to-noise improvements. Progress is reported in optimization of the experimental variables. These include improved Q, new semiconductors, improved optics, and simplification of the electronics. Information bearing signals were passed through the system, and noise was introduced into the computer model.

Deuterium results at the negative ion source test facility ELISE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kraus, W.; Wünderlich, D.; Fantz, U.; Heinemann, B.; Bonomo, F.; Riedl, R.

2018-05-01

The ITER neutral beam system will be equipped with large radio frequency (RF) driven negative ion sources, with a cross section of 0.9 m × 1.9 m, which have to deliver extracted D- ion beams of 57 A at 1 MeV for 1 h. On the extraction from a large ion source experiment test facility, a source of half of this size is being operational since 2013. The goal of this experiment is to demonstrate a high operational reliability and to achieve the extracted current densities and beam properties required for ITER. Technical improvements of the source design and the RF system were necessary to provide reliable operation in steady state with an RF power of up to 300 kW. While in short pulses the required D- current density has almost been reached, the performance in long pulses is determined in particular in Deuterium by inhomogeneous and unstable currents of co-extracted electrons. By application of refined caesium evaporation and distribution procedures, and reduction and symmetrization of the electron currents, considerable progress has been made and up to 190 A/m2 D-, corresponding to 66% of the value required for ITER, have been extracted for 45 min.

Multipactor Physics, Acceleration, and Breakdown in Dielectric-Loaded Accelerating Structures

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

Fischer, Richard P.; Gold, Steven H.

2016-07-01

The objective of this 3-year program is to study the physics issues associated with rf acceleration in dielectric-loaded accelerating (DLA) structures, with a focus on the key issue of multipactor loading, which has been found to cause very significant rf power loss in DLA structures whenever the rf pulsewidth exceeds the multipactor risetime (~10 ns). The experiments are carried out in the X-band magnicon laboratory at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and Euclid Techlabs LLC, who develop the test structures with support from the DoE SBIR program. There are two main elements inmore » the research program: (1) high-power tests of DLA structures using the magnicon output (20 MW @11.4 GHz), and (2) tests of electron acceleration in DLA structures using relativistic electrons from a compact X-band accelerator. The work during this period has focused on a study of the use of an axial magnetic field to suppress multipactor in DLA structures, with several new high power tests carried out at NRL, and on preparation of the accelerator for the electron acceleration experiments.« less

Mode conversion in three ion species ICRF heating scenario

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Y.; Edlund, E.; Ennever, P.; Porkolab, M.; Wright, J.; Wukitch, S.

2016-10-01

Three-ion species ICRF heating has been studied on Alcator C-Mod and on JET. It has been shown to heat the plasma and generate energetic particles. In a typical three-ion scenario, the plasma consists of 60-70% D, 30-40% H and a trace level (1% or less) of 3He. This species mixture creates two hybrid resonances (D-3He and 3He-H) in the plasma, in the vicinity of the 3He IC resonance (on both sides). The fast wave can undergo mode conversion (MC) to ion Bernstein waves and ion cyclotron waves at the two hybrid resonances. A phase contrast imaging (PCI) system has been used to measure the RF waves in the three-ion heating experiment. The experimentally measured MC locations and the separating distance between the two MC regions help to determine the concentration of the three species. The PCI signal amplitudes for the RF waves are found to be sensitive to RF and plasma parameters, including PRF, Te, ne and also the species mix concentration. The parameter dependences found in the experiment will be compared with ICRF code simulations. Supported by USDoE Awards DE-FC02-99ER54512 and DE-FG02-94-ER54235.

Recent developments in trapping and manipulation of atoms with adiabatic potentials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garraway, Barry M.; Perrin, Hélène

2016-09-01

A combination of static and oscillating magnetic fields can be used to ‘dress’ atoms with radio-frequency (RF), or microwave, radiation. The spatial variation of these fields can be used to create an enormous variety of traps for ultra-cold atoms and quantum gases. This article reviews the type and character of these adiabatic traps and the applications which include atom interferometry and the study of low-dimensional quantum systems. We introduce the main concepts of magnetic traps leading to adiabatic dressed traps. The concept of adiabaticity is discussed in the context of the Landau-Zener model. The first bubble trap experiment is reviewed together with the method used for loading it. Experiments based on atom chips show the production of double wells and ring traps. Dressed atom traps can be evaporatively cooled with an additional RF field, and a weak RF field can be used to probe the spectroscopy of the adiabatic potentials. Several approaches to ring traps formed from adiabatic potentials are discussed, including those based on atom chips, time-averaged adiabatic potentials and induction methods. Several proposals for adiabatic lattices with dressed atoms are also reviewed.

Experimental observation of ion beams in the Madison Helicon eXperiment

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

Wiebold, Matt; Sung, Yung-Ta; Scharer, John E.

2011-06-15

Argon ion beams up to E{sub b} = 165 eV at P{sub rf} = 500 W are observed in the Madison Helicon eXperiment (MadHeX) helicon source with a magnetic nozzle. A two-grid retarding potential analyzer (RPA) is used to measure the ion energy distribution, and emissive and rf-filtered Langmuir probes measure the plasma potential, electron density, and temperature. The supersonic ion beam (M = v{sub i}/c{sub s} up to 5) forms over tens of Debye lengths and extends spatially for a few ion-neutral charge-exchange mean free paths. The parametric variation of the ion beam energy is explored, including flow rate,more » rf power, and magnetic field dependence. The beam energy is equal to the difference in plasma potentials in the Pyrex chamber and the grounded expansion chamber. The plasma potential in the expansion chamber remains near the predicted eV{sub p} {approx} 5kT{sub e} for argon, but the upstream potential is much higher, likely due to wall charging, resulting in accelerated ion beam energies E{sub b} = e[V{sub beam} - V{sub plasma}] > 10kT{sub e}.« less

[Monitoring radiofrequency ablation by ultrasound temperature imaging and elastography under different power intensities].

PubMed

Geng, Xiaonan; Li, Qiang; Tsui, Pohsiang; Wang, Chiaoyin; Liu, Haoli

2013-09-01

To evaluate the reliability of diagnostic ultrasound-based temperature and elasticity imaging during radiofrequency ablation (RFA) through ex vivo experiments. Procine liver samples (n=7) were employed for RFA experiments with exposures of different power intensities (10 and 50w). The RFA process was monitored by a diagnostic ultrasound imager and the information were postoperatively captured for further temperature and elasticity image analysis. Infrared thermometry was concurrently applied to provide temperature change calibration during the RFA process. Results from this study demonstrated that temperature imaging was valid under 10 W RF exposure (r=0.95), but the ablation zone was no longer consistent with the reference infrared temperature distribution under high RF exposures. The elasticity change could well reflect the ablation zone under a 50 W exposure, whereas under low exposures, the thermal lesion could not be well detected due to the limited range of temperature elevation and incomplete tissue necrosis. Diagnostic ultrasound-based temperature and elastography is valid for monitoring thr RFA process. Temperature estimation can well reflect mild-power RF ablation dynamics, whereas the elastic-change estimation can can well predict the tissue necrosis. This study provide advances toward using diagnostic ultrasound to monitor RFA or other thermal-based interventions.

Novel exposure units for at-home personalized testing of electromagnetic sensibility.

PubMed

Huss, Anke; Murbach, Manuel; van Moorselaar, Imke; Kuster, Niels; van Strien, Rob; Kromhout, Hans; Vermeulen, Roel; Slottje, Pauline

2016-01-01

Previous experimental studies on electromagnetic hypersensitivity have been criticized regarding inflexibility of choice of exposure and of study locations. We developed and tested novel portable exposure units that can generate different output levels of various extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF; 50 Hz field plus harmonics) and radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). Testing was done with a group of healthy volunteers (n = 25 for 5 ELF-MF and n = 25 for 5 RF-EMF signals) to assess if units were indeed able to produce double-blind exposure conditions. Results substantiated that double-blind conditions were met; on average participants scored 50.6% of conditions correct on the ELF-MF, and 50.0% on the RF-EMF unit, which corresponds to guessing probability. No cues as to exposure conditions were reported. We aim to use these units in a future experiment with subjects who wish to test their personal hypothesis of being able to sense or experience when being exposed to EMF. The new units allow for a high degree of flexibility regarding choice of applied electromagnetic signal, output power level and location (at home or another environment of subjects' choosing). © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Radio frequency electromagnetic field exposure in humans: Estimation of SAR distribution in the brain, effects on sleep and heart rate.

PubMed

Huber, Reto; Schuderer, Jürgen; Graf, Thomas; Jütz, Kathrin; Borbély, Alexander A; Kuster, Niels; Achermann, Peter

2003-05-01

In two previous studies we demonstrated that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) similar to those emitted by digital radiotelephone handsets affect brain physiology of healthy young subjects exposed to RF EMF (900 MHz; spatial peak specific absorption rate [SAR] 1 W/kg) either during sleep or during the waking period preceding sleep. In the first experiment, subjects were exposed intermittently during an 8 h nighttime sleep episode and in the second experiment, unilaterally for 30 min prior to a 3 h daytime sleep episode. Here we report an extended analysis of the two studies as well as the detailed dosimetry of the brain areas, including the assessment of the exposure variability and uncertainties. The latter enabled a more in depth analysis and discussion of the findings. Compared to the control condition with sham exposure, spectral power of the non-rapid eye movement sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) was initially increased in the 9-14 Hz range in both experiments. No topographical differences with respect to the effect of RF EMF exposure were observed in the two experiments. Even unilateral exposure during waking induced a similar effect in both hemispheres. Exposure during sleep reduced waking after sleep onset and affected heart rate variability. Exposure prior to sleep reduced heart rate during waking and stage 1 sleep. The lack of asymmetries in the effects on sleep EEG, independent of bi- or unilateral exposure of the cortex, may indicate involvement of subcortical bilateral projections to the cortex in the generation of brain function changes, especially since the exposure of the thalamus was similar in both experiments (approx. 0.1 W/kg). Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Initial Testing of the Mark-0 X-Band RF Gun at SLAC

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

Vlieks, Arnold; Adolphsen, C.; Dolgashev, V.

A new X-band RF gun (Mark-0) has been assembled, tuned and was tested in the ASTA facility at SLAC. This gun has been improved from an earlier gun used in Compton-scattering experiments at SLAC by the introduction of a racetrack dual-input coupler to reduce quadrupole fields. Waveguide-to-coupler irises were also redesigned to reduce surface magnetic fields and therefore peak pulse surface heating. Tests of this photocathode gun will allow us to gain early operational experience for beam tests of a new gun with further improvements (Mark-1) being prepared for SLAC's X-Band Test Area (XTA) program and the LLNL MEGa-ray program.more » Results of current testing up to {approx} 200 MV/m peak surface Electric fields are presented.« less

An MR-compatible stereoscopic in-room 3D display for MR-guided interventions.

PubMed

Brunner, Alexander; Groebner, Jens; Umathum, Reiner; Maier, Florian; Semmler, Wolfhard; Bock, Michael

2014-08-01

A commercial three-dimensional (3D) monitor was modified for use inside the scanner room to provide stereoscopic real-time visualization during magnetic resonance (MR)-guided interventions, and tested in a catheter-tracking phantom experiment at 1.5 T. Brightness, uniformity, radio frequency (RF) emissions and MR image interferences were measured. Due to modifications, the center luminance of the 3D monitor was reduced by 14%, and the addition of a Faraday shield further reduced the remaining luminance by 31%. RF emissions could be effectively shielded; only a minor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) decrease of 4.6% was observed during imaging. During the tracking experiment, the 3D orientation of the catheter and vessel structures in the phantom could be visualized stereoscopically.

Genome-wide association data classification and SNPs selection using two-stage quality-based Random Forests.

PubMed

Nguyen, Thanh-Tung; Huang, Joshua; Wu, Qingyao; Nguyen, Thuy; Li, Mark

2015-01-01

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) selection and identification are the most important tasks in Genome-wide association data analysis. The problem is difficult because genome-wide association data is very high dimensional and a large portion of SNPs in the data is irrelevant to the disease. Advanced machine learning methods have been successfully used in Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for identification of genetic variants that have relatively big effects in some common, complex diseases. Among them, the most successful one is Random Forests (RF). Despite of performing well in terms of prediction accuracy in some data sets with moderate size, RF still suffers from working in GWAS for selecting informative SNPs and building accurate prediction models. In this paper, we propose to use a new two-stage quality-based sampling method in random forests, named ts-RF, for SNP subspace selection for GWAS. The method first applies p-value assessment to find a cut-off point that separates informative and irrelevant SNPs in two groups. The informative SNPs group is further divided into two sub-groups: highly informative and weak informative SNPs. When sampling the SNP subspace for building trees for the forest, only those SNPs from the two sub-groups are taken into account. The feature subspaces always contain highly informative SNPs when used to split a node at a tree. This approach enables one to generate more accurate trees with a lower prediction error, meanwhile possibly avoiding overfitting. It allows one to detect interactions of multiple SNPs with the diseases, and to reduce the dimensionality and the amount of Genome-wide association data needed for learning the RF model. Extensive experiments on two genome-wide SNP data sets (Parkinson case-control data comprised of 408,803 SNPs and Alzheimer case-control data comprised of 380,157 SNPs) and 10 gene data sets have demonstrated that the proposed model significantly reduced prediction errors and outperformed most existing the-state-of-the-art random forests. The top 25 SNPs in Parkinson data set were identified by the proposed model including four interesting genes associated with neurological disorders. The presented approach has shown to be effective in selecting informative sub-groups of SNPs potentially associated with diseases that traditional statistical approaches might fail. The new RF works well for the data where the number of case-control objects is much smaller than the number of SNPs, which is a typical problem in gene data and GWAS. Experiment results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed RF model that outperformed the state-of-the-art RFs, including Breiman's RF, GRRF and wsRF methods.

Modification of atrioventricular nodal electrophysiology by selective radiofrequency delivery on the anterior or posterior approaches.

PubMed

Chorro, F J; Sanchis, J; Such, L; Artal, L; Llavador, J J; Llavador, E; Monmeneu, J V; López-Merino, V

1997-05-01

An analysis was made in 14 isolated and perfused rabbit hearts of the electrophysiological effects of selective radiofrequency (RF) delivery in the anterior (group I, n = 7) or posterior zone (group II, n = 7) of the Koch triangle, with the aim of modifying atrioventricular nodal (AVN) conduction without suppressing 1:1 transmission. After opening the right atrium, RF was delivered (0.5 W) with a 1-mm diameter unipolar electrode positioned in the selected zone until a prolongation of no less than 15% was obtained in the Wenckebach cycle length (WCL). Before and after (30 min) RF, anterograde and retrograde AVN refractoriness and conduction were evaluated, stimulating from the crista terminalis (CT), the interatrial septum (IAS), and from the RV epicardium. After RF, the following percentage increments were observed in group I: AH(CT) = 36% +/- 9%, AH(IAS) = 38% +/- 11%, WCL(CT) = 28% +/- 8%, WCL(IAS) = 22% +/- 6%, functional refractory period (FRP) of the AVN(CT) = 13% +/- 11%, FRP-AVN(IAS) = 13% +/- 8%, retrograde WCL = 20% +/- 19%, and retrograde FRPVA = 13% +/- 16%. The increments observed in group II and the significances of the differences with respect to group I were: AH(CT) = 11% +/- 14% (P < 0.01), AH(IAS) = 19% +/- 32% (NS), WCL(CT) = 42% +/- 14% (P < 0.05), WCL(IAS) = 42% +/- 16% (P < 0.01), FRP-AVN(CT) = 28% +/- 28% (NS), FRP-AVN(LAS) = 21% +/- 19% (NS), retrograde WCL = 35% +/- 24% (NS), and retrograde FRP = 16% +/- 13% (NS). In both groups, the AH interval variations were not correlated with those of the rest of the parameters analyzed. Truncated nodal function curves suggestive of a dual AV nodal pathway were obtained in three experiments, though in only one of them was this observed under basal conditions. In the other two experiments, with dual AV nodal physiology only after RF (one from each group), AV nodal reentrant tachycardias were triggered with atrial extrastimulus at coupling intervals equal to or shorter than at those that cause a sudden lengthening of the AH interval, RF delivered in the anterior and posterior zones of the Koch triangle produced effects of different magnitude on the AH interval and Wenckebach cycle length. In the anterior zone the AH interval was prolonged to a greater extent, while in the posterior zone the effects were greater on the Wenckebach cycle length. No correlation existed between the variations in AH interval and Wenckebach cycle length, regardless of where RF was delivered. The evaluation of anterograde AV nodal refractoriness was similar when stimulating from the crista terminalis or from the interatrial septum. By delivering RF, it was possible to induce dual AV nodal physiology and reentrant tachycardias.

Active experiments in geospace plasmas with gigawatts of RF power at HAARP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheerin, James

2016-07-01

The ionosphere provides a relatively quiescent plasma target, stable on timescales of minutes, for a whole host of active plasma experiments. The largest HF transmitter built to date is the HAARP phased-array HF transmitter near Gakona, Alaska which can deliver up to 3.6 Gigawatts (ERP) of CW RF power in the range of 2.8 - 10 MHz to the ionosphere with millisecond pointing, power modulation, and frequency agility. With an ionospheric background thermal energy in the range of only 0.1 eV, this amount of power gives access to the highest regimes of the nonlinearity (RF intensity to thermal pressure) ratio. HAARP's unique features have enabled the conduct of a number of nonlinear plasma experiments in the inter¬action region of overdense ionospheric plasma including generation of artificial aurorae, artificial ionization layers, VLF wave-particle interactions in the magnetosphere, parametric instabilities, stimulated electromagnetic emissions (SEE), strong Langmuir turbulence (SLT) and suprathermal electron acceleration. Diagnostics include the Modular UHF Ionospheric Radar (MUIR) sited at HAARP, the SuperDARN-Kodiak HF radar, spacecraft radio beacons, HF receivers to record stimulated electromagnetic emissions (SEE) and optics for optical emissions. We report on short timescale ponderomotive overshoot effects, artificial field-aligned irregularities (AFAI), the aspect angle dependence of the intensity of the HF-enhanced plasma line, and production of suprathermal electrons. Applications are made to the controlled study of fundamental nonlinear plasma processes of relevance to laboratory plasmas, ionospheric irregularities affecting spacecraft communication and navigation systems, artificial ionization mirrors, wave-particle interactions in the magnetosphere, active global magnetospheric experiments, and many more.

Large membrane “Furoshiki Satellite” applied to phased array antenna and its sounding rocket experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakasuka, Shinichi; Funase, Ryu; Nakada, Kenji; Kaya, Nobuyuki; Mankins, John C.

2006-04-01

University of Tokyo and Kobe University are planning a sounding rocket experiment of large membrane "Furoshiki Satellite" extension and large phased array RF transmission. The paper will describe the concept of "Furoshiki Satellite," its application to phased array antenna, and the scenario of micro gravity experiment using a small sounding rocket. University of Tokyo has been proposing the idea of "Furoshiki Satellite," a large membrane or a net structure, say 1km×1km in size, extended by satellites which hold its corners. The attitude and the shape of the membrane or net structure is controlled by these corner satellites. As one application of Furoshiki Satellite, a large phased array antenna can be configured by several RF transmitters placed on several parts of the large net structure. It is difficult to control the position and attitude of the RF transmitters precisely, but using the "retro-directive" method, the tolerance of such position and attitude disturbance will be relaxed by large. This is one of promising systems' concept of the future large solar power satellite or large antenna, because quite a large area can be obtained without any hard structure, and the weight will not depend very much on the size [S. Motohashi, T. Nagamura, Large scaled membrane structure Furoshiki Satellite—its concept and orbital/attitude dynamics, in: Proceedings of 20th International Symposium on Space Technology and Science (ISTS), 1996, p. 96-n-14]. To demonstrate the feasibility of the extension of large net structure and phased array performance, micro-gravity experiment is planned using a sounding rocket of ISAS/JAXA, Japan.

Cluster ensemble based on Random Forests for genetic data.

PubMed

Alhusain, Luluah; Hafez, Alaaeldin M

2017-01-01

Clustering plays a crucial role in several application domains, such as bioinformatics. In bioinformatics, clustering has been extensively used as an approach for detecting interesting patterns in genetic data. One application is population structure analysis, which aims to group individuals into subpopulations based on shared genetic variations, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms. Advances in DNA sequencing technology have facilitated the obtainment of genetic datasets with exceptional sizes. Genetic data usually contain hundreds of thousands of genetic markers genotyped for thousands of individuals, making an efficient means for handling such data desirable. Random Forests (RFs) has emerged as an efficient algorithm capable of handling high-dimensional data. RFs provides a proximity measure that can capture different levels of co-occurring relationships between variables. RFs has been widely considered a supervised learning method, although it can be converted into an unsupervised learning method. Therefore, RF-derived proximity measure combined with a clustering technique may be well suited for determining the underlying structure of unlabeled data. This paper proposes, RFcluE, a cluster ensemble approach for determining the underlying structure of genetic data based on RFs. The approach comprises a cluster ensemble framework to combine multiple runs of RF clustering. Experiments were conducted on high-dimensional, real genetic dataset to evaluate the proposed approach. The experiments included an examination of the impact of parameter changes, comparing RFcluE performance against other clustering methods, and an assessment of the relationship between the diversity and quality of the ensemble and its effect on RFcluE performance. This paper proposes, RFcluE, a cluster ensemble approach based on RF clustering to address the problem of population structure analysis and demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach. The paper also illustrates that applying a cluster ensemble approach, combining multiple RF clusterings, produces more robust and higher-quality results as a consequence of feeding the ensemble with diverse views of high-dimensional genetic data obtained through bagging and random subspace, the two key features of the RF algorithm.

RF tissue-heating near metallic implants during magnetic resonance examinations: an approach in the ac limit.

PubMed

Ballweg, Verena; Eibofner, Frank; Graf, Hansjorg

2011-10-01

State of the art to access radiofrequency (RF) heating near implants is computer modeling of the devices and solving Maxwell's equations for the specific setup. For a set of input parameters, a fixed result is obtained. This work presents a theoretical approach in the alternating current (ac) limit, which can potentially render closed formulas for the basic behavior of tissue heating near metallic structures. Dedicated experiments were performed to support the theory. For the ac calculations, the implant was modeled as an RLC parallel circuit, with L being the secondary of a transformer and the RF transmission coil being its primary. Parameters influencing coupling, power matching, and specific absorption rate (SAR) were determined and formula relations were established. Experiments on a copper ring with a radial gap as capacitor for inductive coupling (at 1.5 T) and on needles for capacitive coupling (at 3 T) were carried out. The temperature rise in the embedding dielectric was observed as a function of its specific resistance using an infrared (IR) camera. Closed formulas containing the parameters of the setup were obtained for the frequency dependence of the transmitted power at fixed load resistance, for the calculation of the resistance for optimum power transfer, and for the calculation of the transmitted power in dependence of the load resistance. Good qualitative agreement was found between the course of the experimentally obtained heating curves and the theoretically determined power curves. Power matching revealed as critical parameter especially if the sample was resonant close to the Larmor frequency. The presented ac approach to RF heating near an implant, which mimics specific values for R, L, and C, allows for closed formulas to estimate the potential of RF energy transfer. A first reference point for worst-case determination in MR testing procedures can be obtained. Numerical approaches, necessary to determine spatially resolved heating maps, can be supported.

PADF RF localization experiments with multi-agent caged-MAV platforms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barber, Christopher; Gates, Miguel; Selmic, Rastko; Al-Issa, Huthaifa; Ordonez, Raul; Mitra, Atindra

2011-06-01

This paper provides a summary of preliminary RF direction finding results generated within an AFOSR funded testbed facility recently developed at Louisiana Tech University. This facility, denoted as the Louisiana Tech University Micro- Aerial Vehicle/Wireless Sensor Network (MAVSeN) Laboratory, has recently acquired a number of state-of-the-art MAV platforms that enable us to analyze, design, and test some of our recent results in the area of multiplatform position-adaptive direction finding (PADF) [1] [2] for localization of RF emitters in challenging embedded multipath environments. Discussions within the segmented sections of this paper include a description of the MAVSeN Laboratory and the preliminary results from the implementation of mobile platforms with the PADF algorithm. This novel approach to multi-platform RF direction finding is based on the investigation of iterative path-loss based (i.e. path loss exponent) metrics estimates that are measured across multiple platforms in order to develop a control law that robotically/intelligently positionally adapt (i.e. self-adjust) the location of each distributed/cooperative platform. The body of this paper provides a summary of our recent results on PADF and includes a discussion on state-of-the-art Sensor Mote Technologies as applied towards the development of sensor-integrated caged-MAV platform for PADF applications. Also, a discussion of recent experimental results that incorporate sample approaches to real-time singleplatform data pruning is included as part of a discussion on potential approaches to refining a basic PADF technique in order to integrate and perform distributed self-sensitivity and self-consistency analysis as part of a PADF technique with distributed robotic/intelligent features. These techniques are extracted in analytical form from a parallel study denoted as "PADF RF Localization Criteria for Multi-Model Scattering Environments". The focus here is on developing and reporting specific approaches to self-sensitivity and self-consistency within this experimental PADF framework via the exploitation of specific single-agent caged-MAV trajectories that are unique to this experiment set.

No adverse effects detected for simultaneous whole-body exposure to multiple-frequency radiofrequency electromagnetic fields for rats in the intrauterine and pre- and post-weaning periods.

PubMed

Shirai, Tomoyuki; Wang, Jianqing; Kawabe, Mayumi; Wake, Kanako; Watanabe, So-Ichi; Takahashi, Satoru; Fujiwara, Osamu

2017-01-01

In everyday life, people are exposed to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) with multiple frequencies. To evaluate the possible adverse effects of multifrequency RF EMFs, we performed an experiment in which pregnant rats and their delivered offspring were simultaneously exposed to eight different communication signal EMFs (two of 800 MHz band, two of 2 GHz band, one of 2.4 GHz band, two of 2.5 GHz band and one of 5.2 GHz band). Thirty six pregnant Sprague-Dawley (SD) 10-week-old rats were divided into three groups of 12 rats: one control (sham exposure) group and two experimental (low- and high-level RF EMF exposure) groups. The whole body of the mother rats was exposed to the RF EMFs for 20 h per day from Gestational Day 7 to weaning, and F 1 offspring rats (46-48 F1 pups per group) were then exposed up to 6 weeks of age also for 20 h per day. The parameters evaluated included the growth, gestational condition and organ weights of the dams; the survival rates, development, growth, physical and functional development, memory function, and reproductive ability of the F 1 offspring; and the embryotoxicity and teratogenicity in the F 2 rats. No abnormal findings were observed in the dams or F 1 offspring exposed to the RF EMFs or to the F 2 offspring for any of the parameters evaluated. Thus, under the conditions of the present experiment, simultaneous whole-body exposure to eight different communication signal EMFs at frequencies between 800 MHz and 5.2 GHz did not show any adverse effects on pregnancy or on the development of rats. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japan Radiation Research Society and Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology.

Experimental benchmark of the NINJA code for application to the Linac4 H- ion source plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briefi, S.; Mattei, S.; Rauner, D.; Lettry, J.; Tran, M. Q.; Fantz, U.

2017-10-01

For a dedicated performance optimization of negative hydrogen ion sources applied at particle accelerators, a detailed assessment of the plasma processes is required. Due to the compact design of these sources, diagnostic access is typically limited to optical emission spectroscopy yielding only line-of-sight integrated results. In order to allow for a spatially resolved investigation, the electromagnetic particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision code NINJA has been developed for the Linac4 ion source at CERN. This code considers the RF field generated by the ICP coil as well as the external static magnetic fields and calculates self-consistently the resulting discharge properties. NINJA is benchmarked at the diagnostically well accessible lab experiment CHARLIE (Concept studies for Helicon Assisted RF Low pressure Ion sourcEs) at varying RF power and gas pressure. A good general agreement is observed between experiment and simulation although the simulated electron density trends for varying pressure and power as well as the absolute electron temperature values deviate slightly from the measured ones. This can be explained by the assumption of strong inductive coupling in NINJA, whereas the CHARLIE discharges show the characteristics of loosely coupled plasmas. For the Linac4 plasma, this assumption is valid. Accordingly, both the absolute values of the accessible plasma parameters and their trends for varying RF power agree well in measurement and simulation. At varying RF power, the H- current extracted from the Linac4 source peaks at 40 kW. For volume operation, this is perfectly reflected by assessing the processes in front of the extraction aperture based on the simulation results where the highest H- density is obtained for the same power level. In surface operation, the production of negative hydrogen ions at the converter surface can only be considered by specialized beam formation codes, which require plasma parameters as input. It has been demonstrated that this input can be provided reliably by the NINJA code.

Evaluation of the Effect of Radiofrequency Radiation Emitted From Wi-Fi Router and Mobile Phone Simulator on the Antibacterial Susceptibility of Pathogenic Bacteria Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Taheri, M; Mortazavi, S M J; Moradi, M; Mansouri, S; Hatam, G R; Nouri, F

2017-01-01

Mobile phones and Wi-Fi radiofrequency radiation are among the main sources of the exposure of the general population to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). Previous studies have shown that exposure of microorganisms to RF-EMFs can be associated with a wide spectrum of changes ranged from the modified bacterial growth to the alterations of the pattern of antibiotic resistance. Our laboratory at the nonionizing department of the Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center has performed experiments on the health effects of exposure to animal models and humans to different sources of electromagnetic fields such as cellular phones, mobile base stations, mobile phone jammers, laptop computers, radars, dentistry cavitrons, magnetic resonance imaging, and Helmholtz coils. On the other hand, we have previously studied different aspects of the challenging issue of the ionizing or nonionizing radiation-induced alterations in the susceptibility of microorganisms to antibiotics. In this study, we assessed if the exposure to 900 MHz GSM mobile phone radiation and 2.4 GHz radiofrequency radiation emitted from common Wi-Fi routers alters the susceptibility of microorganisms to different antibiotics. The pure cultures of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli were exposed to RF-EMFs generated either by a GSM 900 MHz mobile phone simulator and a common 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi router. It is also shown that exposure to RF-EMFs within a narrow level of irradiation (an exposure window) makes microorganisms resistant to antibiotics. This adaptive phenomenon and its potential threats to human health should be further investigated in future experiments. Altogether, the findings of this study showed that exposure to Wi-Fi and RF simulator radiation can significantly alter the inhibition zone diameters and growth rate for L monocytogenes and E coli. These findings may have implications for the management of serious infectious diseases.

Evaluation of the Effect of Radiofrequency Radiation Emitted From Wi-Fi Router and Mobile Phone Simulator on the Antibacterial Susceptibility of Pathogenic Bacteria Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli

PubMed Central

Taheri, M.; Mansouri, S.; Hatam, G. R.; Nouri, F.

2017-01-01

Mobile phones and Wi-Fi radiofrequency radiation are among the main sources of the exposure of the general population to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). Previous studies have shown that exposure of microorganisms to RF-EMFs can be associated with a wide spectrum of changes ranged from the modified bacterial growth to the alterations of the pattern of antibiotic resistance. Our laboratory at the nonionizing department of the Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center has performed experiments on the health effects of exposure to animal models and humans to different sources of electromagnetic fields such as cellular phones, mobile base stations, mobile phone jammers, laptop computers, radars, dentistry cavitrons, magnetic resonance imaging, and Helmholtz coils. On the other hand, we have previously studied different aspects of the challenging issue of the ionizing or nonionizing radiation-induced alterations in the susceptibility of microorganisms to antibiotics. In this study, we assessed if the exposure to 900 MHz GSM mobile phone radiation and 2.4 GHz radiofrequency radiation emitted from common Wi-Fi routers alters the susceptibility of microorganisms to different antibiotics. The pure cultures of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli were exposed to RF-EMFs generated either by a GSM 900 MHz mobile phone simulator and a common 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi router. It is also shown that exposure to RF-EMFs within a narrow level of irradiation (an exposure window) makes microorganisms resistant to antibiotics. This adaptive phenomenon and its potential threats to human health should be further investigated in future experiments. Altogether, the findings of this study showed that exposure to Wi-Fi and RF simulator radiation can significantly alter the inhibition zone diameters and growth rate for L monocytogenes and E coli. These findings may have implications for the management of serious infectious diseases. PMID:28203122

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

Dal Forno, Massimo; Dolgashev, Valery; Bowden, Gordon

This study explores the physics of vacuum rf breakdowns in subterahertz high-gradient traveling-wave accelerating structures. We present the experimental results of rf tests of 200 GHz metallic accelerating structures, made of copper and copper-silver. These experiments were carried out at the Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests (FACET) at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The rf fields were excited by the FACET ultrarelativistic electron beam. The traveling-wave structure is an open geometry, 10 cm long, composed of two halves separated by a gap. The rf frequency of the fundamental accelerating mode depends on the gap size and can be changedmore » from 160 to 235 GHz. When the beam travels off axis, a deflecting field is induced in addition to the longitudinal field. We measure the deflecting forces by observing the displacement of the electron bunch and use this measurement to verify the expected accelerating gradient. Furthermore, we present the first quantitative measurement of rf breakdown rates in 200 GHz metallic accelerating structures. The breakdown rate of the copper structure is 10 –2 per pulse, with a peak surface electric field of 500 MV/m and a rf pulse length of 0.3 ns, which at a relatively large gap of 1.5 mm, or one wavelength, corresponds to an accelerating gradient of 56 MV/m. For the same breakdown rate, the copper-silver structure has a peak electric field of 320 MV/m at a pulse length of 0.5 ns. For a gap of 1.1 mm, or 0.74 wavelengths, this corresponds to an accelerating gradient of 50 MV/m.« less

Screening and identification of gastric adenocarcinoma metastasis-related genes by using cDNA microarray coupled to FDD-PCR.

PubMed

Wang, Jian-Hua; Chen, Shi-Shu

2002-07-01

To clone gastric adenocarcinoma metastasis related genes, RF-1 cell line (primary tumor of a gastric adenocarcinoma patient ) and RF-48 cell line (its metastatic counterpart) were used as a model for studying the molecular mechanism of tumor metastasis. Two fluorescent cDNA probes, labeled with Cy3 and Cy5 dyes, were prepared from RF-1 and RF-48 mRNA samples by reverse transcription method. The two color probes were then mixed and hybridized to the cDNA chip constructed by double-dots of 4 096 human genes, and scanned at two wavelengths. The experiment was repeated for 2 times. Differential expression genes from the above two cells were analyzed using the computer. 138 in all genes (3.4%) revealed differential expression in RF-48 cells compared with RF-1 cells: 81(2.1%) genes revealed apparent up-regulation, and 56(1.3%) genes revealed down-regulation. 45 genes involved in gastric adenocarcinoma metastasis were cloned using fluorescent differential display-PCR (FDD-PCR), including 3 novel genes. There were 7 differential expression genes that agreed with each other in two detection methods. The possible roles of some differential expressed genes, which maybe involved in the mechanism of tumor metastasis, were discussed. cDNA chip was used to analyze gene expression in a high-throughput and large scale manner, in combination with FDD-PCR for cloning unknown novel genes. In conclusion, some genes related to metastasis were preliminarily scanned, which would contribute to disclose the molecular mechanism of gastric adenocarcinoma metastasis.

Radiofrequency artefacts in echoplanar imaging induced by two 1.5 T MR scanners in close proximity.

PubMed

Li, X; Cui, J; Christopasak, S P; Kumar, A; Peng, Z-G

2014-06-01

The purpose of this study was to assess radio frequency (RF) artefacts in echoplanar imaging (EPI) induced by two 1.5 T MR scanners in close proximity and to find an effective method to correct them. Based on the intact shielding of rooms, experiments were performed by two MR scanners with similar centre frequencies. Phantom A (PA) was scanned in one scanner by EPI at different bandwidths (BWs). Simultaneously, phantom B was scanned in a fixed sequence for scanning with the other scanner. RF artefact gaps of PA, scanning time and the image signal-noise ratio (SNR) were measured and recorded. Statistical analysis was performed with the repeated-measures analysis of variance test. Based on findings obtained from PA, three healthy volunteers were studied at a conventional BW and a lower BW to observe the artefact variance. EPI RF artefacts were symmetrically situated in both sides of the image following the phase-encoding direction. The gap size of the artefact became larger and the SNR was significantly improved with a narrower BW. RF artefacts with a lower BW in volunteers presented the same characteristic as PA. For EPI RF artefacts produced by two 1.5 T MR scanners with approximately similar centre frequencies, we can reduce BWs in a suitable range to minimize the effect on MRI. MR scanners with the same field strength installed in the same vicinity might produce RF artefacts in the sequence at larger BWs. Reducing BWs properly is effective to control the position of artefacts and improve the image quality.

Parallel transmit excitation at 1.5 T based on the minimization of a driving function for device heating

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

Gudino, N., E-mail: natalia.gudino@nih.gov; Sonmez, M.; Nielles-Vallespin, S.

2015-01-15

Purpose: To provide a rapid method to reduce the radiofrequency (RF) E-field coupling and consequent heating in long conductors in an interventional MRI (iMRI) setup. Methods: A driving function for device heating (W) was defined as the integration of the E-field along the direction of the wire and calculated through a quasistatic approximation. Based on this function, the phases of four independently controlled transmit channels were dynamically changed in a 1.5 T MRI scanner. During the different excitation configurations, the RF induced heating in a nitinol wire immersed in a saline phantom was measured by fiber-optic temperature sensing. Additionally, amore » minimization of W as a function of phase and amplitude values of the different channels and constrained by the homogeneity of the RF excitation field (B{sub 1}) over a region of interest was proposed and its results tested on the benchtop. To analyze the validity of the proposed method, using a model of the array and phantom setup tested in the scanner, RF fields and SAR maps were calculated through finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations. In addition to phantom experiments, RF induced heating of an active guidewire inserted in a swine was also evaluated. Results: In the phantom experiment, heating at the tip of the device was reduced by 92% when replacing the body coil by an optimized parallel transmit excitation with same nominal flip angle. In the benchtop, up to 90% heating reduction was measured when implementing the constrained minimization algorithm with the additional degree of freedom given by independent amplitude control. The computation of the optimum phase and amplitude values was executed in just 12 s using a standard CPU. The results of the FDTD simulations showed similar trend of the local SAR at the tip of the wire and measured temperature as well as to a quadratic function of W, confirming the validity of the quasistatic approach for the presented problem at 64 MHz. Imaging and heating reduction of the guidewire were successfully performed in vivo with the proposed hardware and phase control. Conclusions: Phantom and in vivo data demonstrated that additional degrees of freedom in a parallel transmission system can be used to control RF induced heating in long conductors. A novel constrained optimization approach to reduce device heating was also presented that can be run in just few seconds and therefore could be added to an iMRI protocol to improve RF safety.« less

Mapping the MMPI-2-RF Substantive Scales Onto Internalizing, Externalizing, and Thought Dysfunction Dimensions in a Forensic Inpatient Setting.

PubMed

Romero, Isabella E; Toorabally, Nasreen; Burchett, Danielle; Tarescavage, Anthony M; Glassmire, David M

2017-01-01

Contemporary models of psychopathology-encompassing internalizing, externalizing, and thought dysfunction factors-have gained significant support. Although research indicates the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF; Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008 /2011) measures these domains of psychopathology, this study addresses extant limitations in MMPI-2-RF diagnostic validity research by examining associations between all MMPI-2-RF substantive scales and broad dichotomous indicators of internalizing, externalizing, and thought dysfunction diagnoses in a sample of 1,110 forensic inpatients. Comparing those with and without internalizing diagnoses, notable effects were observed for Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism-Revised (NEGE-r), Emotional/Internalizing Dysfunction (EID), Dysfunctional Negative Emotions (RC7), Demoralization (RCd), and several other internalizing and somatic/cognitive scales. Comparing those with and without thought dysfunction diagnoses, the largest hypothesized differences occurred for Thought Dysfunction (THD), Aberrant Experiences (RC8), and Psychoticism-Revised (PSYC-r), although unanticipated differences were observed on internalizing and interpersonal scales, likely reflecting the high prevalence of internalizing dysfunction in forensic inpatients not experiencing thought dysfunction. Comparing those with and without externalizing diagnoses, the largest effects were for Substance Abuse (SUB), Antisocial Behavior (RC4), Behavioral/Externalizing Dysfunction (BXD), Juvenile Conduct Problems (JCP), and Disconstraint-Revised (DISC-r). Multivariate models evidenced similar results. Findings support the construct validity of MMPI-2-RF scales as measures of internalizing, thought, and externalizing dysfunction.

Multiband Spectral-Spatial RF Excitation for Hyperpolarized [2-13C]Dihydroxyacetone 13C-MR Metabolism Studies

PubMed Central

Marco-Rius, Irene; Cao, Peng; von Morze, Cornelius; Merrit, Matthew; Moreno, Karlos X; Chang, Gene-Yuan; Ohliger, Michael A.; Pearce, David; Kurhanewicz, John; Larson, Peder E. Z.; Vigneron, Daniel B.

2016-01-01

Purpose To develop a specialized multislice, single-acquisition approach to detect the metabolites of hyperpolarized [2-13C]dihydroxyacetone (DHAc) to probe gluconeogenesis in vivo, which have a broad 144 ppm spectral range (~4.6 KHz at 3T). A novel multiband RF excitation pulse was designed for independent flip angle control over 5-6 spectral-spatial (SPSP) excitation bands, each corrected for chemical shift misregistration effects. Methods Specialized multi-band SPSP RF pulses were designed, tested and applied to investigate hyperpolarized [2-13C]DHAc metabolism in kidney and liver of fasted rats with dynamic 13C-MRS and an optimal flip angle scheme. For comparison, experiments were also performed with narrow-band slice-selective RF pulses and a sequential change of the frequency offset to cover the five frequency bands of interest. Results The SPSP pulses provided a controllable spectral profile free of baseline distortion with improved signal to noise of the metabolite peaks, allowing for quantification of the metabolic products. We observed organ-specific differences in DHAc metabolism. There was 2-5 times more [2-13C]phosphoenolpyruvate and about 19 times more [2-13C]glycerol 3-phosphate in the liver than in the kidney. Conclusion A multiband SPSP RF pulse covering a spectral range over 144 ppm enabled in vivo characterization of HP [2-13C]dihydroxyacetone metabolism in rat liver and kidney. PMID:27017966

Ultraminiaturized photovoltaic and radio frequency powered optoelectronic systems for wireless optogenetics.

PubMed

Park, Sung Il; Shin, Gunchul; Banks, Anthony; McCall, Jordan G; Siuda, Edward R; Schmidt, Martin J; Chung, Ha Uk; Noh, Kyung Nim; Mun, Jonathan Guo-Han; Rhodes, Justin; Bruchas, Michael R; Rogers, John A

2015-10-01

Wireless control and power harvesting systems that operate injectable, cellular-scale optoelectronic components provide important demonstrated capabilities in neuromodulatory techniques such as optogenetics. Here, we report a radio frequency (RF) control/harvesting device that offers dramatically reduced size, decreased weight and improved efficiency compared to previously reported technologies. Combined use of this platform with ultrathin, multijunction, high efficiency solar cells allows for hundred-fold reduction of transmitted RF power, which greatly enhances the wireless coverage. Fabrication involves separate construction of the harvester and the injectable µ-ILEDs. To test whether the presence of the implantable device alters behavior, we implanted one group of wild type mice and compared sociability behavior to unaltered controls. Social interaction experiments followed protocols defined by Silverman et al. with minor modifications. The results presented here demonstrate that miniaturized RF harvesters, and RF control strategies with photovoltaic harvesters can, when combined with injectable µ-ILEDs, offer versatile capabilities in optogenetics. Experimental and modeling studies establish a range of effective operating conditions for these two approaches. Optogenetics studies with social groups of mice demonstrate the utility of these systems. The addition of miniaturized, high performance photovoltaic cells significantly expands the operating range and reduces the required RF power. The platform can offer capabilities to modulate signaling path in the brain region of freely-behaving animals. These suggest its potential for widespread use in neuroscience.

A method for safety testing of radiofrequency/microwave-emitting devices using MRI.

PubMed

Alon, Leeor; Cho, Gene Y; Yang, Xing; Sodickson, Daniel K; Deniz, Cem M

2015-11-01

Strict regulations are imposed on the amount of radiofrequency (RF) energy that devices can emit to prevent excessive deposition of RF energy into the body. In this study, we investigated the application of MR temperature mapping and 10-g average specific absorption rate (SAR) computation for safety evaluation of RF-emitting devices. Quantification of the RF power deposition was shown for an MRI-compatible dipole antenna and a non-MRI-compatible mobile phone via phantom temperature change measurements. Validation of the MR temperature mapping method was demonstrated by comparison with physical temperature measurements and electromagnetic field simulations. MR temperature measurements alongside physical property measurements were used to reconstruct 10-g average SAR. The maximum temperature change for a dipole antenna and the maximum 10-g average SAR were 1.83°C and 12.4 W/kg, respectively, for simulations and 1.73°C and 11.9 W/kg, respectively, for experiments. The difference between MR and probe thermometry was <0.15°C. The maximum temperature change and the maximum 10-g average SAR for a cell phone radiating at maximum output for 15 min was 1.7°C and 0.54 W/kg, respectively. Information acquired using MR temperature mapping and thermal property measurements can assess RF/microwave safety with high resolution and fidelity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A Method for Safety Testing of Radiofrequency/Microwave-Emitting Devices Using MRI

PubMed Central

Alon, Leeor; Cho, Gene Y.; Yang, Xing; Sodickson, Daniel K.; Deniz, Cem M.

2015-01-01

Purpose Strict regulations are imposed on the amount of radiofrequency (RF) energy that devices can emit to prevent excessive deposition of RF energy into the body. In this study, we investigated the application of MR temperature mapping and 10-g average specific absorption rate (SAR) computation for safety evaluation of RF-emitting devices. Methods Quantification of the RF power deposition was shown for an MRI-compatible dipole antenna and a non–MRI-compatible mobile phone via phantom temperature change measurements. Validation of the MR temperature mapping method was demonstrated by comparison with physical temperature measurements and electromagnetic field simulations. MR temperature measurements alongside physical property measurements were used to reconstruct 10-g average SAR. Results The maximum temperature change for a dipole antenna and the maximum 10-g average SAR were 1.83° C and 12.4 W/kg, respectively, for simulations and 1.73° C and 11.9 W/kg, respectively, for experiments. The difference between MR and probe thermometry was <0.15° C. The maximum temperature change and the maximum 10-g average SAR for a cell phone radiating at maximum output for 15 min was 1.7° C and 0.54 W/kg, respectively. Conclusion Information acquired using MR temperature mapping and thermal property measurements can assess RF/microwave safety with high resolution and fidelity. PMID:25424724

B1 transmit phase gradient coil for single-axis TRASE RF encoding.

PubMed

Deng, Qunli; King, Scott B; Volotovskyy, Vyacheslav; Tomanek, Boguslaw; Sharp, Jonathan C

2013-07-01

TRASE (Transmit Array Spatial Encoding) MRI uses RF transmit phase gradients instead of B0 field gradients for k-space traversal and high-resolution MR image formation. Transmit coil performance is a key determinant of TRASE image quality. The purpose of this work is to design an optimized RF transmit phase gradient array for spatial encoding in a transverse direction (x- or y- axis) for a 0.2T vertical B0 field MRI system, using a single transmitter channel. This requires the generation of two transmit B1 RF fields with uniform amplitude and positive and negative linear phase gradients respectively over the imaging volume. A two-element array consisting of a double Maxwell-type coil and a Helmholtz-type coil was designed using 3D field simulations. The phase gradient polarity is set by the relative phase of the RF signals driving the simultaneously energized elements. Field mapping and 1D TRASE imaging experiments confirmed that the constructed coil produced the fields and operated as designed. A substantially larger imaging volume relative to that obtainable from a non-optimized Maxwell-Helmholtz design was achieved. The Maxwell (sine)-Helmholtz (cosine) approach has proven successful for a horizontal phase gradient coil. A similar approach may be useful for other phase-gradient coil designs. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nonlinear plasma experiments in geospace with gigawatts of RF power at HAARP

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

Sheerin, J. P., E-mail: jsheerin@emich.edu; Cohen, Morris B., E-mail: mcohen@gatech.edu

2015-12-10

The ionosphere is the ionized uppermost layer of our atmosphere (from 70 – 500 km altitude) where free electron densities yield peak critical frequencies in the HF (3 – 30 MHz) range. The ionosphere thus provides a quiescent plasma target, stable on timescales of minutes, for a whole host of active plasma experiments. High power RF experiments on ionospheric plasma conducted in the U.S. have been reported since 1970. The largest HF transmitter built to date is the HAARP phased-array HF transmitter near Gakona, Alaska which can deliver up to 3.6 Gigawatts (ERP) of CW RF power in the range of 2.8more » – 10 MHz to the ionosphere with microsecond pointing, power modulation, and frequency agility. With an ionospheric background thermal energy in the range of only 0.1 eV, this amount of power gives access to the highest regimes of the nonlinearity (RF intensity to thermal pressure) ratio. HAARP’s unique features have enabled the conduct of a number of unique nonlinear plasma experiments in the interaction region of overdense ionospheric plasma including generation of artificial aurorae, artificial ionization layers, VLF wave-particle interactions in the magnetosphere, parametric instabilities, stimulated electromagnetic emissions (SEE), strong Langmuir turbulence (SLT) and suprathermal electron acceleration. Diagnostics include the Modular UHF Ionospheric Radar (MUIR) sited at HAARP, the SuperDARN-Kodiak HF radar, spacecraft radio beacons, HF receivers to record stimulated electromagnetic emissions (SEE) and telescopes and cameras for optical emissions. We report on short timescale ponderomotive overshoot effects, artificial field-aligned irregularities (AFAI), the aspect angle dependence of the intensity of the HF-enhanced plasma line, and production of suprathermal electrons. One of the primary missions of HAARP, has been the generation of ELF (300 – 3000 Hz) and VLF (3 – 30 kHz) radio waves which are guided to global distances in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide. We review recent efforts to improve the efficiency of the generation ELF/VLF and develop alternative mechanisms that do not require a natural ionospheric current. Applications include the controlled study of ionospheric irregularities affecting spacecraft communication and navigation systems.« less

Nonlinear plasma experiments in geospace with gigawatts of RF power at HAARP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheerin, J. P.; Cohen, Morris B.

2015-12-01

The ionosphere is the ionized uppermost layer of our atmosphere (from 70 - 500 km altitude) where free electron densities yield peak critical frequencies in the HF (3 - 30 MHz) range. The ionosphere thus provides a quiescent plasma target, stable on timescales of minutes, for a whole host of active plasma experiments. High power RF experiments on ionospheric plasma conducted in the U.S. have been reported since 1970. The largest HF transmitter built to date is the HAARP phased-array HF transmitter near Gakona, Alaska which can deliver up to 3.6 Gigawatts (ERP) of CW RF power in the range of 2.8 - 10 MHz to the ionosphere with microsecond pointing, power modulation, and frequency agility. With an ionospheric background thermal energy in the range of only 0.1 eV, this amount of power gives access to the highest regimes of the nonlinearity (RF intensity to thermal pressure) ratio. HAARP's unique features have enabled the conduct of a number of unique nonlinear plasma experiments in the interaction region of overdense ionospheric plasma including generation of artificial aurorae, artificial ionization layers, VLF wave-particle interactions in the magnetosphere, parametric instabilities, stimulated electromagnetic emissions (SEE), strong Langmuir turbulence (SLT) and suprathermal electron acceleration. Diagnostics include the Modular UHF Ionospheric Radar (MUIR) sited at HAARP, the SuperDARN-Kodiak HF radar, spacecraft radio beacons, HF receivers to record stimulated electromagnetic emissions (SEE) and telescopes and cameras for optical emissions. We report on short timescale ponderomotive overshoot effects, artificial field-aligned irregularities (AFAI), the aspect angle dependence of the intensity of the HF-enhanced plasma line, and production of suprathermal electrons. One of the primary missions of HAARP, has been the generation of ELF (300 - 3000 Hz) and VLF (3 - 30 kHz) radio waves which are guided to global distances in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide. We review recent efforts to improve the efficiency of the generation ELF/VLF and develop alternative mechanisms that do not require a natural ionospheric current. Applications include the controlled study of ionospheric irregularities affecting spacecraft communication and navigation systems.

Development of transition edge sensors with rf-SQUID based multiplexing system for the HOLMES experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puiu, A.; Becker, D.; Bennett, D.; Faverzani, M.; Ferri, E.; Fowler, J.; Gard, J.; Hays-Wehle, J.; Hilton, G.; Giachero, A.; Maino, M.; Mates, J.; Nucciotti, A.; Schmidt, D.; Swetz, D.; Ullom, J.; Vale, L.

2017-09-01

Measuring the neutrino mass is one the most compelling issue in particle physics. HOLMES is an experiment funded by the European Research Council for a direct measurement of neutrino mass. HOLMES will perform a precise measurement of the end point of the Electron Capture decay spectrum of 163Ho in order to extract information on neutrino mass with a sensitivity as low as 1 eV. HOLMES, in its final configuration will deploy a 1000 pixel array of low temperature microcalorimeters: each calorimeter consists of an absorber, where the Ho atoms will be implanted, coupled to a Transition Edge Sensor thermometer. The detectors will be kept at the working temperature of ˜70 mK using a dilution refrigerator. In order to gather the required 3 × 1013 events in a three year long data taking with a pile up fraction as low as 10-4, detectors must fulfill rather high speed and resolution requirements, i.e. 10 µs rise time and 4 eV resolution. To ensure such performances with an efficient read out technique for very large detectors array kept at low temperature inside a cryostat is no trivial matter: at the moment, the most appealing read out technique applicable to large arrays of Transition Edge Sensors is rf-SQUID multiplexing. It is based on the use of rf-SQUIDs as input devices with flux ramp modulation for linearisation purposes; the rf-SQUID is then coupled to a super-conductive λ/4-wave resonator in the GHz range, and the modulated signal is finally read out using the homodyne technique.

High intensity single bunch operation with heavy periodic transient beam loading in wide band rf cavities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamura, Fumihiko; Hotchi, Hideaki; Schnase, Alexander; Yoshii, Masahito; Yamamoto, Masanobu; Ohmori, Chihiro; Nomura, Masahiro; Toda, Makoto; Shimada, Taihei; Hasegawa, Katsushi; Hara, Keigo

2015-09-01

The rapid cycling synchrotron (RCS) in the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) was originally designed to accelerate two high intensity bunches, while some of neutron experiments in the materials and life science experimental facility and a muon experiment using main ring beams require a single bunch operation mode, in which one of the two rf buckets is filled and the other is empty. The beam intensity in the single bunch operation has been limited by longitudinal beam losses due to the rf bucket distortions by the wake voltage of the odd harmonics (h =1 ,3 ,5 ) in the wide band magnetic alloy cavities. We installed an additional rf feedforward system to compensate the wake voltages of the odd harmonics (h =1 ,3 ,5 ). The additional system has a similar structure as the existing feedforward system for the even harmonics (h =2 ,4 ,6 ). We describe the function of the feedforward system for the odd harmonics, the commissioning methodology, and the commissioning results. The longitudinal beam losses during the single bunch acceleration disappeared with feedforward for the odd harmonics. We also confirmed that the beam quality in the single bunch acceleration are similar to that of the normal operation with two bunches. Thus, high intensity single bunch acceleration at the intensity of 2.3 ×1013 protons per bunch has been achieved in the J-PARC RCS. This article is a follow-up of our previous article, Phys. Rev. ST Accel. Beams 14, 051004 (2011). The feedforward system extension for single bunch operation was successful.

Upgrade of the cryogenic infrastructure of SM18, CERN main test facility for superconducting magnets and RF cavities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perin, A.; Dhalla, F.; Gayet, P.; Serio, L.

2017-12-01

SM18 is CERN main facility for testing superconducting accelerator magnets and superconducting RF cavities. Its cryogenic infrastructure will have to be significantly upgraded in the coming years, starting in 2019, to meet the testing requirements for the LHC High Luminosity project and for the R&D program for superconducting magnets and RF equipment until 2023 and beyond. This article presents the assessment of the cryogenic needs based on the foreseen test program and on past testing experience. The current configuration of the cryogenic infrastructure is presented and several possible upgrade scenarios are discussed. The chosen upgrade configuration is then described and the characteristics of the main newly required cryogenic equipment, in particular a new 35 g/s helium liquefier, are presented. The upgrade implementation strategy and plan to meet the required schedule are then described.

RF tomography of metallic objects in free space: preliminary results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jia; Ewing, Robert L.; Berdanier, Charles; Baker, Christopher

2015-05-01

RF tomography has great potential in defense and homeland security applications. A distributed sensing research facility is under development at Air Force Research Lab. To develop a RF tomographic imaging system for the facility, preliminary experiments have been performed in an indoor range with 12 radar sensors distributed on a circle of 3m radius. Ultra-wideband pulses are used to illuminate single and multiple metallic targets. The echoes received by distributed sensors were processed and combined for tomography reconstruction. Traditional matched filter algorithm and truncated singular value decomposition (SVD) algorithm are compared in terms of their complexity, accuracy, and suitability for distributed processing. A new algorithm is proposed for shape reconstruction, which jointly estimates the object boundary and scatter points on the waveform's propagation path. The results show that the new algorithm allows accurate reconstruction of object shape, which is not available through the matched filter and truncated SVD algorithms.

Phase incremented echo train acquisition applied to magnetic resonance pore imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hertel, S. A.; Galvosas, P.

2017-02-01

Efficient phase cycling schemes remain a challenge for NMR techniques if the pulse sequences involve a large number of rf-pulses. Especially complex is the Carr Purcell Meiboom Gill (CPMG) pulse sequence where the number of rf-pulses can range from hundreds to several thousands. Our recent implementation of Magnetic Resonance Pore Imaging (MRPI) is based on a CPMG rf-pulse sequence in order to refocus the effect of internal gradients inherent in porous media. While the spin dynamics for spin- 1 / 2 systems in CPMG like experiments are well understood it is still not straight forward to separate the desired pathway from the spectrum of unwanted coherence pathways. In this contribution we apply Phase Incremented Echo Train Acquisition (PIETA) to MRPI. We show how PIETA offers a convenient way to implement a working phase cycling scheme and how it allows one to gain deeper insights into the amplitudes of undesired pathways.

Intermodulation in nonlinear SQUID metamaterials: Experiment and theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Daimeng; Trepanier, Melissa; Antonsen, Thomas; Ott, Edward; Anlage, Steven M.

2016-11-01

The response of nonlinear metamaterials and superconducting electronics to two-tone excitation is critical for understanding their use as low-noise amplifiers and tunable filters. A new setting for such studies is that of metamaterials made of radio frequency superconducting quantum interference devices (rf-SQUIDs). The two-tone response of self-resonant rf-SQUID meta-atoms and metamaterials is studied here via intermodulation (IM) measurement over a broad range of tone frequencies and tone powers. A sharp onset followed by a surprising strongly suppressed IM region near the resonance is observed. Using a two time scale analysis technique, we present an analytical theory that successfully explains our experimental observations. The theory predicts that the IM can be manipulated with tone power, center frequency, frequency difference between the two tones, and temperature. This quantitative understanding potentially allows for the design of rf-SQUID metamaterials with either very low or very high IM response.

Surface plasma source with saddle antenna radio frequency plasma generator.

PubMed

Dudnikov, V; Johnson, R P; Murray, S; Pennisi, T; Piller, C; Santana, M; Stockli, M; Welton, R

2012-02-01

A prototype RF H(-) surface plasma source (SPS) with saddle (SA) RF antenna is developed which will provide better power efficiency for high pulsed and average current, higher brightness with longer lifetime and higher reliability. Several versions of new plasma generators with small AlN discharge chambers and different antennas and magnetic field configurations were tested in the plasma source test stand. A prototype SA SPS was installed in the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) ion source test stand with a larger, normal-sized SNS AlN chamber that achieved unanalyzed peak currents of up to 67 mA with an apparent efficiency up to 1.6 mA∕kW. Control experiments with H(-) beam produced by SNS SPS with internal and external antennas were conducted. A new version of the RF triggering plasma gun has been designed. A saddle antenna SPS with water cooling is fabricated for high duty factor testing.

Multi-MW K-Band Harmonic Multiplier: RF Source For High-Gradient Accelerator R & D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solyak, N. A.; Yakovlev, V. P.; Kazakov, S. Yu.; Hirshfield, J. L.

2009-01-01

A preliminary design is presented for a two-cavity harmonic multiplier, intended as a high-power RF source for use in experiments aimed at developing high-gradient structures for a future collider. The harmonic multiplier is to produce power at selected frequencies in K-band (18-26.5 GHz) using as an RF driver an XK-5 S-band klystron (2.856 GHz). The device is to be built with a TE111 rotating mode input cavity and interchangeable output cavities running in the TEn11 rotating mode, with n = 7,8,9 at 19.992, 22.848, and 25.704 GHz. An example for a 7th harmonic multiplier is described, using a 250 kV, 20 A injected laminar electron beam; with 10 MW of S-band drive power, 4.7 MW of 20-GHz output power is predicted. Details are described of the magnetic circuit, cavities, and output coupler.

The study of helicon plasma source.

PubMed

Miao, Ting-Ting; Zhao, Hong-Wei; Liu, Zhan-Wen; Shang, Yong; Sun, Liang-Ting; Zhang, Xue-Zhen; Zhao, Huan-Yu

2010-02-01

Helicon plasma source is known as efficient generator of uniform and high density plasma. A helicon plasma source was developed for investigation of plasma neutralization and plasma lens in the Institute of Modern Physics in China. In this paper, the characteristics of helicon plasma have been studied by using Langmuir four-probe and a high argon plasma density up to 3.9x10(13) cm(-3) have been achieved with the Nagoya type III antenna at the conditions of the magnetic intensity of 200 G, working gas pressure of 2.8x10(-3) Pa, and rf power of 1200 W with a frequency of 27.12 MHz. In the experiment, the important phenomena have been found: for a given magnetic induction intensity, the plasma density became greater with the increase in rf power and tended to saturation, and the helicon mode appeared at the rf power between 200 and 400 W.

Radio-frequency Electrometry Using Rydberg Atoms in Vapor Cells: Towards the Shot Noise Limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Santosh; Fan, Haoquan; Jahangiri, Akbar; Kuebler, Harald; Shaffer, James P.; 5. Physikalisches Institut, Universitat Stuttgart, Germany Collaboration

2016-05-01

Rydberg atoms are a promising candidate for radio frequency (RF) electric field sensing. Our method uses electromagnetically induced transparency with Rydberg atoms in vapor cells to read out the effect that the RF electric field has on the Rydberg atoms. The method has the potential for high sensitivity (pV cm-1 Hz- 1 / 2) and can be self-calibrated. Some of the main factors limiting the sensitivity of RF electric field sensing from reaching the shot noise limit are the residual Doppler effect and the sensitivity of the optical read-out using the probe laser. We present progress on overcoming the residual Doppler effect by using a new multi-photon scheme and reaching the shot noise detection limit using frequency modulated spectroscopy. Our experiments also show promise for studying quantum optical effects such as superradiance in vapor cells using Rydberg atoms. This work is supported by DARPA, ARO, and NRO.

Single element of the matrix source of negative hydrogen ions: Measurements of the extracted currents combined with diagnostics

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

Yordanov, D., E-mail: yordanov@phys.uni-sofia.bg; Lishev, St.; Shivarova, A.

2016-02-15

Combining measurements of the extracted currents with probe and laser-photodetachment diagnostics, the study is an extension of recent tests of factors and gas-discharge conditions stimulating the extraction of volume produced negative ions. The experiment is in a single element of a rf source with the design of a matrix of small-radius inductively driven discharges. The results are for the electron and negative-ion densities, for the plasma potential and for the electronegativity in the vicinity of the plasma electrode as well as for the currents of the extracted negative ions and electrons. The plasma-electrode bias and the rf power have beenmore » varied. Necessity of a high bias to the plasma electrode and stable linear increase of the extracted currents with the rf power are the main conclusions.« less

Assessment of Alternative RF Linac Structures for APT

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

None

The APT program has been examining both normal and superconducting variants of the APT linac for the past two years. A decision on which of the two will be the selected technology will depend upon several considerations including the results of ongoing feasibility experiments, the performance and overall attractiveness of each of the design concepts, and an assessment of the system-level features of both alternatives. The primary objective of the Assessment of Alternative RF Linac Structures for APT study reported herein was to assess and compare, at the system-level, the performance, capital and life cycle costs, reliability/availability/maintainability (RAM) and manufacturingmore » schedules of APT RF linear accelerators based upon both superconducting and normal conducting technologies. A secondary objective was to perform trade studies to explore opportunities for system optimization, technology substitution and alternative growth pathways and to identify sensitivities to design uncertainties.« less

Decoupling PI Controller Design for a Normal Conducting RF Cavity Using a Recursive LEVENBERG-MARQUARDT Algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwon, Sung-il; Lynch, M.; Prokop, M.

2005-02-01

This paper addresses the system identification and the decoupling PI controller design for a normal conducting RF cavity. Based on the open-loop measurement data of an SNS DTL cavity, the open-loop system's bandwidths and loop time delays are estimated by using batched least square. With the identified system, a PI controller is designed in such a way that it suppresses the time varying klystron droop and decouples the In-phase and Quadrature of the cavity field. The Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm is applied for nonlinear least squares to obtain the optimal PI controller parameters. The tuned PI controller gains are downloaded to the low-level RF system by using channel access. The experiment of the closed-loop system is performed and the performance is investigated. The proposed tuning method is running automatically in real time interface between a host computer with controller hardware through ActiveX Channel Access.

Experience using radio frequency laptops to access the electronic medical record in exam rooms.

PubMed Central

Dworkin, L. A.; Krall, M.; Chin, H.; Robertson, N.; Harris, J.; Hughes, J.

1999-01-01

Kaiser Permanente, Northwest, evaluated the use of laptop computers to access our existing comprehensive Electronic Medical Record in exam rooms via a wireless radiofrequency (RF) network. Eleven of 22 clinicians who were offered the laptops successfully adopted their use in the exam room. These clinicians were able to increase their exam room time with the patient by almost 4 minutes (25%), apparently without lengthening their overall work day. Patient response to exam room computing was overwhelmingly positive. The RF network response time was similar to the hardwired network. Problems cited by some laptop users and many of the eleven non-adopters included battery issues, different equipment layout and function, and inadequate training. IT support needs for the RF laptops were two to four times greater than for hardwired desktops. Addressing the reliability and training issues should increase clinician acceptance, making a successful general roll-out for exam room computing more likely. PMID:10566458

Experiments on the Interaction of Light and Sound for the Advanced Laboratory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pierce, D. T.; Byer, R. L.

1973-01-01

An experiment in which both Raman-Nath and Bragg diffraction of light by acoustic waves in water are observed in the sound frequency range from 5 to 45 MHz. The apparatus consists of a laser, light detector, rf power source, quartz transducer, and homemade water cell. (Author/DF)

A digital low-level radio-frequency system R&D for a 1.3 GHz nine-cell cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, Feng; Gao, Jie; Lin, Hai-Ying; Liu, Rong; Ma, Xin-Peng; Sha, Peng; Sun, Yi; Wang, Guang-Wei; Wang, Qun-Yao; Xu, Bo

2012-03-01

To test and verify the performance of the digital low-level radio-frequency (LLRF) and tuner system designed by the IHEP RF group, an experimental platform with a retired KEK 1.3 GHz nine-cell cavity is set up. A radio-frequency (RF) field is established successfully in the cavity and the frequency of the cavity is locked by the tuner in ±0.5° (about ±1.2 kHz) at room temperature. The digital LLRF system performs well in a five-hour experiment, and the results show that the system achieves field stability at amplitude <0.1% (peak to peak) and phase <0.1° (peak to peak). This index satisfies the requirements of the International Linear Collider (ILC), and this paper describes this closed-loop experiment of the LLRF system.

Modeling landslide susceptibility in data-scarce environments using optimized data mining and statistical methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Jung-Hyun; Sameen, Maher Ibrahim; Pradhan, Biswajeet; Park, Hyuck-Jin

2018-02-01

This study evaluated the generalizability of five models to select a suitable approach for landslide susceptibility modeling in data-scarce environments. In total, 418 landslide inventories and 18 landslide conditioning factors were analyzed. Multicollinearity and factor optimization were investigated before data modeling, and two experiments were then conducted. In each experiment, five susceptibility maps were produced based on support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), weight-of-evidence (WoE), ridge regression (Rid_R), and robust regression (RR) models. The highest accuracy (AUC = 0.85) was achieved with the SVM model when either the full or limited landslide inventories were used. Furthermore, the RF and WoE models were severely affected when less landslide samples were used for training. The other models were affected slightly when the training samples were limited.

Factors that contribute to the botulinal safety of reduced-fat and fat-free process chesse products.

PubMed

Glass, Kathleen A; Johnson, Eric A

2004-08-01

The effects of fat, type of natural cheese, and adjunct process cheese ingredients were evaluated to determine factors that contribute to the botulinal safety of reduced-fat (RF) process cheese products stored at 30 degrees C. In the first set of experiments, pasteurized process cheese products (PPCPs) were formulated using full-fat (FF) Cheddar, 30% RF Cheddar, or skim milk (SM) cheese as cheese-base types and were standardized to 59% moisture, pH 5.75, 2.8 or 3.2% total salts, and 15 to 19% fat. Subsequent trials evaluated the effect of fat levels and adjunct ingredients in PPCPs made with SM, RF, and FF cheese (final fat levels, less than 1, 13, and 24%, respectively). When fat levels of PPCPs were comparable (15.1, 19.1, and 16.2 for product manufactured with SC, RE and FF cheese, respectively), botulinal toxin production was delayed for up to 2 days in PPCPs formulated with SM compared with RF or FF cheese; however, the effect was not statistically significant. When fat levels were reduced to less than 1% in SM PPCPs, toxin production was delayed 2 weeks in products made with SM compared with RF or FF cheese manufactured with 13 or 24% fat, respectively. The antibotulinal effect of adjunct ingredients varied among the products manufactured with different fat levels. Sodium lactate significantly delayed toxin production (P < 0.05) for all fat levels tested, whereas beta-glucan fat replacer did not delay toxin production. An enzyme-modified cheese used as a flavor enhancer significantly delayed toxin production (P < 0.05) in SM (less than 1% fat) products but had little to no inhibitory effect in RF (13% fat) and FF (24% fat) cheese products. Similarly, monolaurin increased the time to detectable toxin in SM products but was ineffective in RF or FF cheese products. These results verify that RF PPCPs exhibit greater safety than FF products and that safety may be enhanced by using certain adjunct ingredients as antimicrobials.

Exhaust Plume Measurements of the VASIMR VX-200

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longmier, Benjamin; Bering, Edgar, III; Squire, Jared; Glover, Tim; Chang-Diaz, Franklin; Brukardt, Michael

2008-11-01

Recent progress is discussed in the development of an advanced RF electric propulsion concept: the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) VX-200 engine, a 200 kW flight-technology prototype. Results from high power Helicon only and Helicon with ICRH experiments are performed on the VX-200 using argon plasma. Recent measurements of axial plasma density and potential profiles, magnetic field-line shaping, charge exchange, and force measurements taken in the plume of the VX-200 exhaust are made within a new 125 cubic meter cryo-pumped vacuum chamber and are presented in the context of RF plasma thruster physics.

Development of RF plasma simulations of in-reactor tests of small models of the nuclear light bulb fuel region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roman, W. C.; Jaminet, J. F.

1972-01-01

Experiments were conducted to develop test configurations and technology necessary to simulate the thermal environment and fuel region expected to exist in in-reactor tests of small models of nuclear light bulb configurations. Particular emphasis was directed at rf plasma tests of approximately full-scale models of an in-reactor cell suitable for tests in Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory's Nuclear Furnace. The in-reactor tests will involve vortex-stabilized fissioning uranium plasmas of approximately 200-kW power, 500-atm pressure and equivalent black-body radiating temperatures between 3220 and 3510 K.

Flexible RF filter using a nonuniform SCISSOR.

PubMed

Zhuang, Leimeng

2016-03-15

This work presents a flexible radiofrequency (RF) filter using an integrated microwave photonic circuit that comprises a nonuniform side-coupled integrated spaced sequence of resonators (N-SCISSOR). The filter passband can be reconfigured by varying the N-SCISSOR parameters. When employing a dual-parallel Mach-Zechnder modulator, the filter is also able to perform frequency down-conversion. In the experiment, various filter response shapes are shown, ranging from a flat-top band-pass filter to a total opposite high-rejection (>40  dB) notch filter, with a frequency coverage of greater than two octaves. The frequency down-conversion function is also demonstrated.

Characteristics of a high-power RF source of negative hydrogen ions for neutral beam injection into controlled fusion devices

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

Abdrashitov, G. F.; Belchenko, Yu. I.; Gusev, I. A.

An injector of hydrogen atoms with an energy of 0.5–1 MeV and equivalent current of up to 1.5 A for purposes of controlled fusion research is currently under design at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Within this project, a multiple-aperture RF surface-plasma source of negative hydrogen ions is designed. The source design and results of experiments on the generation of a negative ion beam with a current of >1 A in the long-pulse mode are presented.

High peak and high average radiofrequency power transmit/receive switch for thermal magnetic resonance.

PubMed

Ji, Yiyi; Hoffmann, Werner; Pham, Michal; Dunn, Alexander E; Han, Haopeng; Özerdem, Celal; Waiczies, Helmar; Rohloff, Michael; Endemann, Beate; Boyer, Cyrille; Lim, May; Niendorf, Thoralf; Winter, Lukas

2018-04-01

To study the role of temperature in biological systems, diagnostic contrasts and thermal therapies, RF pulses for MR spin excitation can be deliberately used to apply a thermal stimulus. This application requires dedicated transmit/receive (Tx/Rx) switches that support high peak powers for MRI and high average powers for RF heating. To meet this goal, we propose a high-performance Tx/Rx switch based on positive-intrinsic-negative diodes and quarter-wavelength (λ/4) stubs. The λ/4 stubs in the proposed Tx/Rx switch design route the transmitted RF signal directly to the RF coil/antenna without passing through any electronic components (e.g., positive-intrinsic-negative diodes). Bench measurements, MRI, MR thermometry, and RF heating experiments were performed at f = 297 MHz (B 0  = 7 T) to examine the characteristics and applicability of the switch. The proposed design provided an isolation of -35.7dB/-41.5dB during transmission/reception. The insertion loss was -0.41dB/-0.27dB during transmission/reception. The switch supports high peak (3.9 kW) and high average (120 W) RF powers for MRI and RF heating at f = 297 MHz. High-resolution MRI of the wrist yielded image quality competitive with that obtained with a conventional Tx/Rx switch. Radiofrequency heating in phantom monitored by MR thermometry demonstrated the switch applicability for thermal modulation. Upon these findings, thermally activated release of a model drug attached to thermoresponsive polymers was demonstrated. The high-power Tx/Rx switch enables thermal MR applications at 7 T, contributing to the study of the role of temperature in biological systems and diseases. All design files of the switch will be made available open source at www.opensourceimaging.org. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

An in vitro model to study interactions between Escherichia coli and lactic acid bacterial inoculants for silage in rumen fluid.

PubMed

Weinberg, Z G; Chen, Y; Volchinski, V; Sela, S; Ogunade, I M; Adesogan, A

2016-07-01

Previous studies have shown that silages treated with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculants enhance ruminants' performance. The objective of the current experiments was to develop an in vitro model to study interactions between LAB silage inoculants and inoculated silages and Escherichia coli (EC) in rumen fluid (RF). Our hypothesis was that some inoculants inhibit EC in RF. For that purpose buffered RF was incubated under anaerobic conditions at 39°C with commercial strains of LAB silage inoculants or with laboratory corn and wheat silages treated with these LAB, an EC strain and with various ruminant feed ingredients. The EC strain was originally isolated from cattle manure and tagged with a plasmid expressing the green fluorescence protein and kanamycin and streptomycin resistance. Results indicate that the LAB or the treated silages did not suppress EC numbers in the RF. When the pH of the RF decreased below 5·0 the EC disappeared. We conclude that both LAB inoculants for silage and EC survived in RF for several days; however, the inoculants and silages treated with such inoculants did not inhibit EC in RF in vitro. Forage crops, silage and hay are initial stages of the food chain for humans. Cattle harbours and sheds enterobacteria regularly, some strains of which are pathogens. These can contaminate forage crops through field fertilization with cattle manure. The objective of this study was to develop an in vitro model to test whether lactic acid bacteria, which are used in silage inoculants, alone or in treated silages can inhibit Escherichia coli in rumen fluid. This study presents safety aspects and it is also part of a broad research effort aimed at finding out how LAB silage inoculants and inoculated silages enhance ruminant performance or exert probiotic effects in ruminants. © 2016 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

[Study of anatomy of the lateral attachment of the renal fascia in adult with multidetector computed tomography].

PubMed

Qi, Rui; Zhou, Xianping; Yu, Jianqun; Chen, Weixia; Li, Zhenlin; Zhang, Chunle

2012-08-01

The present paper is aimed to observe the lateral attachment of the renal fascia (RF) in vivo with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scanning, and to discuss its diagnostic value. 121 healthy adults were adopted into this experiment. All images were obtained with MDCT and double phase enhancement scanning. Then we observed the lateral attachment of RF. In addition, we mad a fresh body specimen as anatomical basis. The study found that above the renal hilar plane (RHP), the anterior renal fascia laterally fused with the peritoneum of the liver on the right and the peritoneum of the spleen on the left,and the posterior renal fascia fused with the subdiaphragmatic fascia. The lateral attachment of the RF at the RHP and the lower renal pole(LRP)is divided into three types. The RF in Type I is about 47.9% (58/121) at the left RHP, while about 33.9% (41/121) at the right RHP. At the LRP of the kidney is about 55.3% (67/121) on the left, and about 42.1% (51/121) on the right. The RF in Type I is about 38.8% (47/121) on the left side at the RHP, about 26.4% (32/121) on the right side. At the LRP, left side about 27.3% (33/121), right side about 13.3%(16/121). The RF in Type III at the RHP is 13.3% (16/121) on the left side, and on the right side is about 39.7% (48/121). At the LRP, it is about 17.4% (21/121) on the left side, and about 44.6% (54/121) on the right side. MDCT can display the lateral attachment of the RF better as well as the outside connection of the retroperitoneal space.

Comparative study of flavins binding with human serum albumin: a fluorometric, thermodynamic, and molecular dynamics approach.

PubMed

Sengupta, Abhigyan; Sasikala, Wilbee D; Mukherjee, Arnab; Hazra, Partha

2012-06-04

Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN) are derivatives of riboflavin (RF), a water-soluble vitamin, more commonly known as vitamin B(2). Flavins have attracted special attention in the last few years because of the recent discovery of a large number of flavoproteins. In this work, these flavins are used as extrinsic fluorescence markers for probing the microheterogeneous environment of a well-known transport protein, human serum albumin (HSA). Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence experiments confirm that both FMN and FAD bind to the Sudlow's site-1 (SS1) binding pocket of HSA, where Trp214 resides. In the case of RF, a fraction of RF molecules binds at the SS1, whereas the major fraction of RF molecules remains unbound or surface bound to the protein. Moreover, flavin(s)-HSA interactions are monitored with the help of isothermal titration calorimetry, which provides free energy, enthalpy, and entropy changes of binding along with the binding constants. The molecular picture of binding interaction between flavins and HSA is well explored by docking and molecular dynamics studies. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Submacropulse electron-beam dynamics correlated with higher-order modes in Tesla-type superconducting rf cavities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lumpkin, A. H.; Thurman-Keup, R.; Edstrom, D.; Ruan, J.; Eddy, N.; Prieto, P.; Napoly, O.; Carlsten, B. E.; Bishofberger, K.

2018-06-01

We report the direct observations of submacropulse beam centroid oscillations correlated with higher order modes (HOMs) which were generated by off-axis electron beam steering in TESLA-type superconducting rf cavities. The experiments were performed at the Fermilab Accelerator Science and Technology (FAST) facility using its unique configuration of a photocathode rf gun injecting beam into two separated nine-cell cavities in series with corrector magnets and beam position monitors (BPMs) located before, between, and after them. Oscillations of ˜100 kHz in the vertical plane and ˜380 kHz in the horizontal plane with up to 600 -μ m amplitudes were observed in a 3-MHz micropulse repetition rate beam with charges of 100, 300, 500, and 1000 pC /b . However, the effects were much reduced at 100 pC /b . The measurements were based on HOM detector circuitry targeting the first and second dipole passbands, rf BPM bunch-by-bunch array data, imaging cameras, and a framing camera. Calculations reproduced the oscillation frequencies of the phenomena in the vertical case. In principle, these fundamental results may be scaled to cryomodule configurations of major accelerator facilities.

Submacropulse electron-beam dynamics correlated with higher-order modes in Tesla-type superconducting rf cavities

DOE PAGES

Lumpkin, A. H.; Thurman-Keup, R.; Edstrom, D.; ...

2018-06-04

Here, we report the direct observations of submacropulse beam centroid oscillations correlated with higher order modes (HOMs) which were generated by off-axis electron beam steering in TESLA-type superconducting rf cavities. The experiments were performed at the Fermilab Accelerator Science and Technology (FAST) facility using its unique configuration of a photocathode rf gun injecting beam into two separated nine-cell cavities in series with corrector magnets and beam position monitors (BPMs) located before, between, and after them. Oscillations of ~100 kHz in the vertical plane and ~380 kHz in the horizontal plane with up to 600-μm amplitudes were observed in a 3-MHzmore » micropulse repetition rate beam with charges of 100, 300, 500, and 1000 pC/b. However, the effects were much reduced at 100 pC/b. The measurements were based on HOM detector circuitry targeting the first and second dipole passbands, rf BPM bunch-by-bunch array data, imaging cameras, and a framing camera. Calculations reproduced the oscillation frequencies of the phenomena in the vertical case. In principle, these fundamental results may be scaled to cryomodule configurations of major accelerator facilities.« less

High-order multiband encoding in the heart.

PubMed

Cunningham, Charles H; Wright, Graham A; Wood, Michael L

2002-10-01

Spatial encoding with multiband selective excitation (e.g., Hadamard encoding) has been restricted to a small number of slices because the RF pulse becomes unacceptably long when more than about eight slices are encoded. In this work, techniques to shorten multiband RF pulses, and thus allow larger numbers of slices, are investigated. A method for applying the techniques while retaining the capability of adaptive slice thickness is outlined. A tradeoff between slice thickness and pulse duration is shown. Simulations and experiments with the shortened pulses confirmed that motion-induced excitation profile blurring and phase accrual were reduced. The connection between gradient hardware limitations, slice thickness, and flow sensitivity is shown. Excitation profiles for encoding 32 contiguous slices of 1-mm thickness were measured experimentally, and the artifact resulting from errors in timing of RF pulse relative to gradient was investigated. A multiband technique for imaging 32 contiguous 2-mm slices, with adaptive slice thickness, was developed and demonstrated for coronary artery imaging in healthy subjects. With the ability to image high numbers of contiguous slices, using relatively short (1-2 ms) RF pulses, multiband encoding has been advanced further toward practical application. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Prediction of Detailed Enzyme Functions and Identification of Specificity Determining Residues by Random Forests

PubMed Central

Nagao, Chioko; Nagano, Nozomi; Mizuguchi, Kenji

2014-01-01

Determining enzyme functions is essential for a thorough understanding of cellular processes. Although many prediction methods have been developed, it remains a significant challenge to predict enzyme functions at the fourth-digit level of the Enzyme Commission numbers. Functional specificity of enzymes often changes drastically by mutations of a small number of residues and therefore, information about these critical residues can potentially help discriminate detailed functions. However, because these residues must be identified by mutagenesis experiments, the available information is limited, and the lack of experimentally verified specificity determining residues (SDRs) has hindered the development of detailed function prediction methods and computational identification of SDRs. Here we present a novel method for predicting enzyme functions by random forests, EFPrf, along with a set of putative SDRs, the random forests derived SDRs (rf-SDRs). EFPrf consists of a set of binary predictors for enzymes in each CATH superfamily and the rf-SDRs are the residue positions corresponding to the most highly contributing attributes obtained from each predictor. EFPrf showed a precision of 0.98 and a recall of 0.89 in a cross-validated benchmark assessment. The rf-SDRs included many residues, whose importance for specificity had been validated experimentally. The analysis of the rf-SDRs revealed both a general tendency that functionally diverged superfamilies tend to include more active site residues in their rf-SDRs than in less diverged superfamilies, and superfamily-specific conservation patterns of each functional residue. EFPrf and the rf-SDRs will be an effective tool for annotating enzyme functions and for understanding how enzyme functions have diverged within each superfamily. PMID:24416252

Screening and identification of gastric adenocarcinoma metastasis-related genes using cDNA microarray coupled to FDD-PCR.

PubMed

Wang, Jianhua; Chen, Shishu

2002-10-01

To identify certain gastric adenocarcinoma metastasis-related genes, an RF-1 cell line (primary tumor from a gastric adenocarcinoma patient) and an RF-48 cell line (its metastatic counterpart) were used as a model for studying the molecular mechanism of tumor metastasis. Two fluorescent cDNA probes, labeled with Cy3 and Cy5 dyes, were prepared from RF-1 and RF-48 mRNA samples by the reverse transcription method. The two color probes were then mixed and hybridized to a cDNA chip constructed with double-dots from 4,096 human genes, and scanned at two wavelengths. The experiment was repeated twice. Differentially expressedn genes from the above two cells were analyzed by use of computer. Of the total genes, 138 (3.4%) revealed differential expression in RF-48 cells compared with RF-1 cells: 81 (2.1%) genes revealed apparent up-regulation, and 56 (1.3%) genes revealed down-regulation. Forty-five genes involved in gastric adenocarcinoma metastasis were cloned using fluorescent differential display-PCR (FDD-PCR), including three novel genes. There were seven differentially expressed genes that presented the same behaviour under both detection methods. The possible roles of some differentially expressed genes, which may be involved in the mechanism of tumor metastasis, were discussed. cDNA chip was used to analyze gene expression in a high-throughput and large-scale manner in combination with FDD-PCR for cloning unknown novel genes. Some genes related to metastasis were preliminarily scanned, which would contribute to disclose the molecular mechanism of gastric adenocarcinoma metastasis and provide new targets for therapeutic intervention.

Radio-Frequency Plasma Cleaning of a Penning Malmberg Trap

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sims, William Herbert, III; Martin, James; Pearson, J. Boise; Lewis, Raymond

2005-01-01

Radio-frequency-generated plasma has been demonstrated to be a promising means of cleaning the interior surfaces of a Penning-Malmberg trap that is used in experiments on the confinement of antimatter. {Such a trap was reported in Modified Penning-Malmberg Trap for Storing Antiprotons (MFS-31780), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 29, No. 3 (March 2005), page 66.} Cleaning of the interior surfaces is necessary to minimize numbers of contaminant atoms and molecules, which reduce confinement times by engaging in matter/antimatter-annihilation reactions with confined antimatter particles. A modified Penning-Malmberg trap like the one described in the cited prior article includes several collinear ring electrodes (some of which are segmented) inside a tubular vacuum chamber, as illustrated in Figure 1. During operation of the trap, a small cloud of charged antiparticles (e.g., antiprotons or positrons) is confined to a spheroidal central region by means of a magnetic field in combination with DC and radiofrequency (RF) electric fields applied via the electrodes. In the present developmental method of cleaning by use of RF-generated plasma, one evacuates the vacuum chamber, backfills the chamber with hydrogen at a suitable low pressure, and uses an RF-signal generator and baluns to apply RF voltages to the ring electrodes. Each ring is excited in the polarity opposite that of the adjacent ring. The electric field generated by the RF signal creates a discharge in the low-pressure gas. The RF power and gas pressure are adjusted so that the plasma generated in the discharge (see Figure 2) physically and chemically attacks any solid, liquid, and gaseous contaminant layers on the electrode surfaces. The products of the physical and chemical cleaning reactions are gaseous and are removed by the vacuum pumps.

Mapping B(1)-induced eddy current effects near metallic structures in MR images: a comparison of simulation and experiment.

PubMed

Vashaee, S; Goora, F; Britton, M M; Newling, B; Balcom, B J

2015-01-01

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the presence of metallic structures is very common in medical and non-medical fields. Metallic structures cause MRI image distortions by three mechanisms: (1) static field distortion through magnetic susceptibility mismatch, (2) eddy currents induced by switched magnetic field gradients and (3) radio frequency (RF) induced eddy currents. Single point ramped imaging with T1 enhancement (SPRITE) MRI measurements are largely immune to susceptibility and gradient induced eddy current artifacts. As a result, one can isolate the effects of metal objects on the RF field. The RF field affects both the excitation and detection of the magnetic resonance (MR) signal. This is challenging with conventional MRI methods, which cannot readily separate the three effects. RF induced MRI artifacts were investigated experimentally at 2.4 T by analyzing image distortions surrounding two geometrically identical metallic strips of aluminum and lead. The strips were immersed in agar gel doped with contrast agent and imaged employing the conical SPRITE sequence. B1 mapping with pure phase encode SPRITE was employed to measure the B1 field around the strips of metal. The strip geometry was chosen to mimic metal electrodes employed in electrochemistry studies. Simulations are employed to investigate the RF field induced eddy currents in the two metallic strips. The RF simulation results are in good agreement with experimental results. Experimental and simulation results show that the metal has a pronounced effect on the B1 distribution and B1 amplitude in the surrounding space. The electrical conductivity of the metal has a minimal effect. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Design of catheter radio frequency coils using coaxial transmission line resonators for interventional neurovascular MR imaging.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiaoliang; Martin, Alastair; Jordan, Caroline; Lillaney, Prasheel; Losey, Aaron; Pang, Yong; Hu, Jeffrey; Wilson, Mark; Cooke, Daniel; Hetts, Steven W

2017-04-01

It is technically challenging to design compact yet sensitive miniature catheter radio frequency (RF) coils for endovascular interventional MR imaging. In this work, a new design method for catheter RF coils is proposed based on the coaxial transmission line resonator (TLR) technique. Due to its distributed circuit, the TLR catheter coil does not need any lumped capacitors to support its resonance, which simplifies the practical design and construction and provides a straightforward technique for designing miniature catheter-mounted imaging coils that are appropriate for interventional neurovascular procedures. The outer conductor of the TLR serves as an RF shield, which prevents electromagnetic energy loss, and improves coil Q factors. It also minimizes interaction with surrounding tissues and signal losses along the catheter coil. To investigate the technique, a prototype catheter coil was built using the proposed coaxial TLR technique and evaluated with standard RF testing and measurement methods and MR imaging experiments. Numerical simulation was carried out to assess the RF electromagnetic field behavior of the proposed TLR catheter coil and the conventional lumped-element catheter coil. The proposed TLR catheter coil was successfully tuned to 64 MHz for proton imaging at 1.5 T. B 1 fields were numerically calculated, showing improved magnetic field intensity of the TLR catheter coil over the conventional lumped-element catheter coil. MR images were acquired from a dedicated vascular phantom using the TLR catheter coil and also the system body coil. The TLR catheter coil is able to provide a significant signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) increase (a factor of 200 to 300) over its imaging volume relative to the body coil. Catheter imaging RF coil design using the proposed coaxial TLR technique is feasible and advantageous in endovascular interventional MR imaging applications.

Colliders Come of Age in Europe: PETRA and LEP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hofmann, Albert

2003-04-01

Based on the success with early electron positron rings a new generation of facilities was constructed, optimized in cost and performance. In Europe PETRA was built at DESY with many innovations: smooth vacuum chamber with small impedance, efficient multi-cell RF-cavities, an optics giving an emittance optimized for luminosity, few bunches in head-on collision, a mini-beta scheme, accurate energy calibration based on depolarization resonances. From 1978 to 1986 PETRA provided high luminosity with over 22 GeV beam energy for particle physics experiments. The next ring, LEP at CERN, was optimized for two beam energy ranges, 46 and 93 - 105 GeV for Z0 and W production and particle search. This resulted in a large circumference of 27 km and low field bending magnets which had widely spaced laminations filled with concrete. The RF-voltage was produced in Cu cavities being coupled to low loss storage cavities at the lower, and with a superconducting RF-system, exceeding 3.6 GV, at the higher energy. Superconducting low beta insertions helped to obtain a high luminosity which reached integrated values of over 2000 1/nb per day at high energy. Very important for LEP was a precise energy calibration using depolarizing resonaces and careful control of all relevant parameters. LEP operated with four experiments from 1989 to 2000.

Theoretical and experimental studies of a planar inductive coupled rf plasma source as the driver in simulator facility (ISTAPHM) of interactions of waves with the edge plasma on tokamaks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghanei, V.; Nasrabadi, M. N.; Chin, O.-H.; Jayapalan, K. K.

2017-11-01

This research aims to design and build a planar inductive coupled RF plasma source device which is the driver of the simulator project (ISTAPHM) of the interactions between ICRF Antenna and Plasma on tokamak by using the AMPICP model. For this purpose, a theoretical derivation of the distribution of the RF magnetic field in the plasma-filled reactor chamber is presented. An experimental investigation of the field distributions is described and Langmuir measurements are developed numerically. A comparison of theory and experiment provides an evaluation of plasma parameters in the planar ICP reactor. The objective of this study is to characterize the plasma produced by the source alone. We present the results of the first analysis of the plasma characteristics (plasma density, electron temperature, electron-ion collision frequency, particle fluxes and their velocities, stochastic frequency, skin depth and electron energy distribution functions) as function of the operating parameters (injected power, neutral pressure and magnetic field) as measured with fixed and movable Langmuir probes. The plasma is currently produced only by the planar ICP. The exact goal of these experiments is that the produced plasma by external source can exist as a plasma representative of the edge of tokamaks.

Ultra-High Accelerating Gradients in Radio-Frequency Cryogenic Copper Structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cahill, Alexander David

Normal conducting radio-frequency (rf) particle accelerators have many applications, including colliders for high energy physics, high-intensity synchrotron light sources, non-destructive testing for security, and medical radiation therapy. In these applications, the accelerating gradient is an important parameter. Specifically for high energy physics, increasing the accelerating gradient extends the potential energy reach and is viewed as a way to mitigate their considerable cost. Furthermore, a gradient increase will enable for more compact and thus accessible free electron lasers (FELs). The major factor limiting larger accelerating gradients is vacuum rf breakdown. Basic physics of this phenomenon has been extensively studied over the last few decades. During which, the occurrence of rf breakdowns was shown to be probabilistic, and can be characterized by a breakdown rate. The current consensus is that vacuum rf breakdowns are caused by movements of crystal defects induced by periodic mechanical stress. The stress may be caused by pulsed surface heating and large electric fields. A compelling piece of evidence that supports this hypothesis is that accelerating structures constructed from harder materials exhibit larger accelerating gradients for similar breakdown rates. One possible method to increase sustained electric fields in copper cavities is to cool them to temperatures below 77 K, where the rf surface resistance and coefficient of thermal expansion decrease, while the yield strength (which correlates with hardness) and thermal conductivity increase. These changes in material properties at low temperature increases metal hardness and decreases the mechanical stress from exposure to rf electromagnetic fields. To test the validity of the improvement in breakdown rate, experiments were conducted with cryogenic accelerating cavities in the Accelerator Structure Test Area (ASTA) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. A short 11.4 GHz standing wave accelerating structure was conditioned to an accelerating gradient of 250 MV/m at 45 K with 108 rf pulses. At gradients greater than 150 MV/m I observed a degradation in the intrinsic quality factor of the cavity, Q0. I developed a model for the change in Q0 using measured field emission currents and rf signals. I found that the Q 0 degradation is consistent with the rf power being absorbed by strong field emission currents accelerated inside the cavity. I measured rf breakdown rates for 45 K and found 2*10-4/pulse/meter when accounting for any change in Q0. These are the largest accelerating gradients for a structure with similar breakdown rates. The final chapter presents the design of an rf photoinjector electron source that uses the cryogenic normal conducting accelerator technology: the TOPGUN. With this cryogenic rf photoinjector, the beam brightness will increase by over an order of a magnitude when compared to the current photoinjector for the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). When using the TOPGUN as the source for an X-ray Free Electron Laser, the higher brightness would allow for a decrease in the required length of the LCLS undulator by more than a factor of two.

Study for identification of Beneficial uses of Space (BUS). Volume 3: Appendices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

The quantification of required specimen(s) from space processing experiments, the typical EMI measurements and estimates of a typical RF source, and the integration of commercial payloads into spacelab were considered.

Relating Engineering Technology Students' Experiences in Electromagnetics with Performance in Communications Coursework: A Mixed-Methods Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richards, Grant P.

2009-01-01

This study presents the results of a multi-year mixed-methods study of students' performance (n = 94) and experiences (n = 28) with electromagnetics in an elective Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology RF communications course. Data sources used in this study include academic transcripts, course exams, interviews, a learning styles…

Multiple conversion between the genes encoding bacterial class-I release factors

PubMed Central

Ishikawa, Sohta A.; Kamikawa, Ryoma; Inagaki, Yuji

2015-01-01

Bacteria require two class-I release factors, RF1 and RF2, that recognize stop codons and promote peptide release from the ribosome. RF1 and RF2 were most likely established through gene duplication followed by altering their stop codon specificities in the common ancestor of extant bacteria. This scenario expects that the two RF gene families have taken independent evolutionary trajectories after the ancestral gene duplication event. However, we here report two independent cases of conversion between RF1 and RF2 genes (RF1-RF2 gene conversion), which were severely examined by procedures incorporating the maximum-likelihood phylogenetic method. In both cases, RF1-RF2 gene conversion was predicted to occur in the region encoding nearly entire domain 3, of which functions are common between RF paralogues. Nevertheless, the ‘direction’ of gene conversion appeared to be opposite from one another—from RF2 gene to RF1 gene in one case, while from RF1 gene to RF2 gene in the other. The two cases of RF1-RF2 gene conversion prompt us to propose two novel aspects in the evolution of bacterial class-I release factors: (i) domain 3 is interchangeable between RF paralogues, and (ii) RF1-RF2 gene conversion have occurred frequently in bacterial genome evolution. PMID:26257102

Studies on omnidirectional enhancement of giga-hertz radiation by sub-wavelength plasma modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fanrong, KONG; Qiuyue, NIE; Shu, LIN; Zhibin, WANG; Bowen, LI; Shulei, ZHENG; Binhao, JIANG

2018-01-01

The technology of radio frequency (RF) radiation intensification for radio compact antennas based on modulation and enhancement effects of sub-wavelength plasma structures represents an innovative developing strategy. It exhibits important scientific significance and promising potential of broad applications in various areas of national strategic demands, such as electrical information network and microwave communication, detection and control technology. In this paper, laboratory experiments and corresponding analyses have been carried out to investigate the modulation and enhancement technology of sub-wavelength plasma structure on the RF electromagnetic radiation. An application focused sub-wavelength plasma-added intensification up to ∼7 dB higher than the free-space radiation is observed experimentally in giga-hertz (GHz) RF band. The effective radiation enhancement bandwidth covers from 0.85 to 1.17 GHz, while the enhanced electromagnetic signals transmitted by sub-wavelength plasma structures maintain good communication quality. Particularly, differing from the traditional RF electromagnetic radiation enhancement method characterized by focusing the radiation field of antenna in a specific direction, the sub-wavelength plasma-added intensification of the antenna radiation presents an omnidirectional enhancement, which is reported experimentally for the first time. Corresponding performance characteristics and enhancement mechanism analyses are also conducted in this paper. The results have demonstrated the feasibility and promising potential of sub-wavelength plasma modulation in application focused RF communication, and provided the scientific basis for further research and development of sub-wavelength plasma enhanced compact antennas with wide-range requests and good quality for communication.

Study of the damage rate caused by intervertebral foramen type inside and outside and the pass of the intervertebral DRG RF puncture way.

PubMed

Sun, Jiashu; Zhang, Haitao

2014-09-01

This paper was to analyze and contrast the damage rate on the thoracic segment different position of the dorsal root ganglion(dorsal root ganglion, DRG) caused by different puncture path in radiofrequency ablation, thus the best RF target way for the thoracic segment of different types of DRG was confirmed. According to the difference of puncture and ablation damage way, 14 segmental spinal specimens were randomly divided into three groups, and then conducted DRG radiofrequency damage on percutaneous puncture path according to the type of DRG position.The damage effect of different puncture path by the judgment standard of the result of pathology analyzed. The experiment showed that RF damage of group A were 72.58 ± 18.88%, 54.16 ± 24.84% and 32.85 ± 28.11%; that of group B were 771.86 ± 15.15% and 72.02 ± 17.86%, 57.14 ± 18.02% and 52.47 ± 20.64%, 68.75 ± 14.63% and 71.78 ± 16.00%; and that of group C were 82.46 ± 14.10%, 81.53 ± 11.81% and 80.83 ± 13.33%. It was concluded that the singleness of DRG puncture route is one of the important reasons for the poor thoracic segments DRG radiofrequency (RF) ablation effect. While according to the type of DRG different positions with double joint puncture path can significantly improve the rate of DRG RF damage.

Quality Matters: Systematic Analysis of Endpoints Related to “Cellular Life” in Vitro Data of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure

PubMed Central

Simkó, Myrtill; Remondini, Daniel; Zeni, Olga; Scarfi, Maria Rosaria

2016-01-01

Possible hazardous effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) at low exposure levels are controversially discussed due to inconsistent study findings. Therefore, the main focus of the present study is to detect if any statistical association exists between RF-EMF and cellular responses, considering cell proliferation and apoptosis endpoints separately and with both combined as a group of “cellular life” to increase the statistical power of the analysis. We searched for publications regarding RF-EMF in vitro studies in the PubMed database for the period 1995–2014 and extracted the data to the relevant parameters, such as cell culture type, frequency, exposure duration, SAR, and five exposure-related quality criteria. These parameters were used for an association study with the experimental outcome in terms of the defined endpoints. We identified 104 published articles, from which 483 different experiments were extracted and analyzed. Cellular responses after exposure to RF-EMF were significantly associated to cell lines rather than to primary cells. No other experimental parameter was significantly associated with cellular responses. A highly significant negative association with exposure condition-quality and cellular responses was detected, showing that the more the quality criteria requirements were satisfied, the smaller the number of detected cellular responses. According to our knowledge, this is the first systematic analysis of specific RF-EMF bio-effects in association to exposure quality, highlighting the need for more stringent quality procedures for the exposure conditions. PMID:27420084

Radio-Frequency Illuminated Superconductive Disks: Reverse Josephson Effects and Implications for Precise Measuring of Proposed Gravity Effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Noever, David A.; Koczor, Ronald J.

1998-01-01

We have previously reported results using a high precision gravimeter to probe local gravity changes in the neighborhood of large bulk-processed high-temperature superconductors. It have been indicated three essential components to achieve anomalous gravity effects, namely large, two-layer high-temperature YBCO superconductors, magnetic levitation and AC input in the form of radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields. We report experiments on RF-illuminated (1-15 MHz) superconducting disks with corresponding gravity readings indicating an apparent increase in observed gravity of approximately 3-5 x l0(exp -5)cm/sq s, above and to the side of the superconductor. In this preliminary study, RF- illumination is achieved using a series of large radius (15 cm) spiral antenna with RF power inputs equal to or greater than 90 W. The observed gravitational modification range is significantly lower than the 2.1% gravity modification. The error analyses of thermal and electromagnetic interference in a magnetically shielded gravimeter with vacuum enclosures, Faraday cages and shielded instrument leads, are outlined both experimentally and theoretically. The nearly exact correspondence between the peak gravity effects reported and the well-known peak in AC resistance in superconductors (2-7 MHz, owing to reverse Josephson quantum effects) suggests that electrical resistance will arise in this frequency range and subsequently any trapped magnetic fields in the superconductor may disperse partially into the measuring instrument's local environment. Implications for propulsion initiatives and RF-heating in superconductors will be discussed.

Using the ATL HDI 1000 to collect demodulated RF data for monitoring HIFU lesion formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anand, Ajay; Kaczkowski, Peter J.; Daigle, Ron E.; Huang, Lingyun; Paun, Marla; Beach, Kirk W.; Crum, Lawrence A.

2003-05-01

The ability to accurately track and monitor the progress of lesion formation during HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) therapy is important for the success of HIFU-based treatment protocols. To aid in the development of algorithms for accurately targeting and monitoring formation of HIFU induced lesions, we have developed a software system to perform RF data acquisition during HIFU therapy using a commercially available clinical ultrasound scanner (ATL HDI 1000, Philips Medical Systems, Bothell, WA). The HDI 1000 scanner functions on a software dominant architecture, permitting straightforward external control of its operation and relatively easy access to quadrature demodulated RF data. A PC running a custom developed program sends control signals to the HIFU module via GPIB and to the HDI 1000 via Telnet, alternately interleaving HIFU exposures and RF frame acquisitions. The system was tested during experiments in which HIFU lesions were created in excised animal tissue. No crosstalk between the HIFU beam and the ultrasound imager was detected, thus demonstrating synchronization. Newly developed acquisition modes allow greater user control in setting the image geometry and scanline density, and enables high frame rate acquisition. This system facilitates rapid development of signal-processing based HIFU therapy monitoring algorithms and their implementation in image-guided thermal therapy systems. In addition, the HDI 1000 system can be easily customized for use with other emerging imaging modalities that require access to the RF data such as elastographic methods and new Doppler-based imaging and tissue characterization techniques.

Real-time temperature monitoring during radiofrequency treatments on ex-vivo animal model by fiber Bragg grating sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palumbo, Giovanna; Tosi, Daniele; Schena, Emiliano; Massaroni, Carlo; Ippolito, Juliet; Verze, Paolo; Carlomagno, Nicola; Tammaro, Vincenzo; Iadicicco, Agostino; Campopiano, Stefania

2017-05-01

Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors applied to bio-medical procedures such as surgery and rehabilitation are a valid alternative to traditional sensing techniques due to their unique characteristics. Herein we propose the use of FBG sensor arrays for accurate real-time temperature measurements during multi-step RadioFrequency Ablation (RFA) based thermal tumor treatment. Real-time temperature monitoring in the RF-applied region represents a valid feedback for the success of the thermo-ablation procedure. In order to create a thermal multi-point map around the tumor area to be treated, a proper sensing configuration was developed. In particular, the RF probe of a commercial medical instrumentation, has been equipped with properly packaged FBGs sensors. Moreover, in order to discriminate the treatment areas to be ablated as precisely as possible, a second array 3.5 cm long, made by several FBGs was used. The results of the temperature measurements during the RFA experiments conducted on ex-vivo animal liver and kidney tissues are presented herein. The proposed FBGs based solution has proven to be capable of distinguish different and consecutive discharges and for each of them, to measure the temperature profile with a resolution of 0.1 °C and a minimum spatial resolution of 5mm. Based upon our experiments, it is possible to confirm that the temperature decreases with distance from a RF peak ablation, in accordance with RF theory. The proposed solution promises to be very useful for the surgeon because a real-time temperature feedback allows for the adaptation of RFA parameters during surgery and better delineates the area under treatment.

A pulse programmable parahydrogen polarizer using a tunable electromagnet and dual channel NMR spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coffey, Aaron M.; Shchepin, Roman V.; Feng, Bibo; Colon, Raul D.; Wilkens, Ken; Waddell, Kevin W.; Chekmenev, Eduard Y.

2017-11-01

Applications of parahydrogen induced polarization (PHIP) often warrant conversion of the chemically-synthesized singlet-state spin order into net heteronuclear magnetization. In order to obtain optimal yields from the overall hyperpolarization process, catalytic hydrogenation must be tightly synchronized to subsequent radiofrequency (RF) transformations of spin order. Commercial NMR consoles are designed to synchronize applied waves on multiple channels and consequently are well-suited as controllers for these types of hyperpolarization experiments that require tight coordination of RF and non-RF events. Described here is a PHIP instrument interfaced to a portable NMR console operating with a static field electromagnet in the milliTesla regime. In addition to providing comprehensive control over chemistry and RF events, this setup condenses the PHIP protocol into a pulse-program that in turn can be readily shared in the manner of traditional pulse sequences. In this device, a TTL multiplexer was constructed to convert spectrometer TTL outputs into 24 VDC signals. These signals then activated solenoid valves to control chemical shuttling and reactivity in PHIP experiments. Consolidating these steps in a pulse-programming environment speeded calibration and improved quality assurance by enabling the B0/B1 fields to be tuned based on the direct acquisition of thermally polarized and hyperpolarized NMR signals. Performance was tested on the parahydrogen addition product of 2-hydroxyethyl propionate-1-13C-d3, where the 13C polarization was estimated to be P13C = 20 ± 2.5% corresponding to 13C signal enhancement approximately 25 million-fold at 9.1 mT or approximately 77,000-fold 13C enhancement at 3 T with respect to thermally induced polarization at room temperature.

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

Sands, M.; Rees, J.

A rather simple electronic bench experiment is proposed for obtaining a measure of the impulse energy loss of a stored particle bunch to an rf cavity or other vacuum-chamber structure--the so-called "cavity radiation". The proposed method is analyzed in some detail.

Mathematical Modeling and Data Analysis of NMR Experiments using Hyperpolarized 13C Metabolites

PubMed Central

Pagès, Guilhem; Kuchel, Philip W.

2013-01-01

Rapid-dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) has made significant impact in the characterization and understanding of metabolism that occurs on the sub-minute timescale in several diseases. While significant efforts have been made in developing applications, and in designing rapid-imaging radiofrequency (RF) and magnetic field gradient pulse sequences, very few groups have worked on implementing realistic mathematical/kinetic/relaxation models to fit the emergent data. The critical aspects to consider when modeling DNP experiments depend on both nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and (bio)chemical kinetics. The former constraints are due to the relaxation of the NMR signal and the application of ‘read’ RF pulses, while the kinetic constraints include the total amount of each molecular species present. We describe the model-design strategy we have used to fit and interpret our DNP results. To our knowledge, this is the first report on a systematic analysis of DNP data. PMID:25114541

Study on the steady operating state of a micro-pulse electron gun.

PubMed

Kui, Zhou; Xiangyang, Lu; Shengwen, Quan; Jifei, Zhao; Xing, Luo; Ziqin, Yang

2014-09-01

Micro-pulse electron gun (MPG) employs the basic concept of multipacting to produce high-current and short-pulse electron beams from a radio-frequency (RF) cavity. The concept of MPG has been proposed for more than two decades. However, the unstable operating state of MPG vastly obstructs its practical applications. This paper presents a study on the steady operating state of a micro-pulse electron gun with theory and experiments. The requirements for the steady operating state are proposed through the analysis of the interaction between the RF cavity and the beam load. Accordingly, a MPG cavity with the frequency of 2856 MHz has been designed, constructed, and tested. Some primary experiments have been finished. Both the unstable and stable operating states of the MPG have been observed. The stable output beam current has been detected at about 3.8 mA. Further experimental study is under way now.

Structural insights into eRF3 and stop codon recognition by eRF1

PubMed Central

Cheng, Zhihong; Saito, Kazuki; Pisarev, Andrey V.; Wada, Miki; Pisareva, Vera P.; Pestova, Tatyana V.; Gajda, Michal; Round, Adam; Kong, Chunguang; Lim, Mengkiat; Nakamura, Yoshikazu; Svergun, Dmitri I.; Ito, Koichi; Song, Haiwei

2009-01-01

Eukaryotic translation termination is mediated by two interacting release factors, eRF1 and eRF3, which act cooperatively to ensure efficient stop codon recognition and fast polypeptide release. The crystal structures of human and Schizosaccharomyces pombe full-length eRF1 in complex with eRF3 lacking the GTPase domain revealed details of the interaction between these two factors and marked conformational changes in eRF1 that occur upon binding to eRF3, leading eRF1 to resemble a tRNA molecule. Small-angle X-ray scattering analysis of the eRF1/eRF3/GTP complex suggested that eRF1's M domain contacts eRF3's GTPase domain. Consistently, mutation of Arg192, which is predicted to come in close contact with the switch regions of eRF3, revealed its important role for eRF1's stimulatory effect on eRF3's GTPase activity. An ATP molecule used as a crystallization additive was bound in eRF1's putative decoding area. Mutational analysis of the ATP-binding site shed light on the mechanism of stop codon recognition by eRF1. PMID:19417105

A second-order orientation-contrast stimulus for population-receptive-field-based retinotopic mapping.

PubMed

Yildirim, Funda; Carvalho, Joana; Cornelissen, Frans W

2018-01-01

Visual field or retinotopic mapping is one of the most frequently used paradigms in fMRI. It uses activity evoked by position-varying high luminance contrast visual patterns presented throughout the visual field for determining the spatial organization of cortical visual areas. While the advantage of using high luminance contrast is that it tends to drive a wide range of neural populations - thus resulting in high signal-to-noise BOLD responses - this may also be a limitation, especially for approaches that attempt to squeeze more information out of the BOLD response, such as population receptive field (pRF) mapping. In that case, more selective stimulation of a subset of neurons - despite reduced signals - could result in better characterization of pRF properties. Here, we used a second-order stimulus based on local differences in orientation texture - to which we refer as orientation contrast - to perform retinotopic mapping. Participants in our experiment viewed arrays of Gabor patches composed of a foreground (a bar) and a background. These could only be distinguished on the basis of a difference in patch orientation. In our analyses, we compare the pRF properties obtained using this new orientation contrast-based retinotopy (OCR) to those obtained using classic luminance contrast-based retinotopy (LCR). Specifically, in higher order cortical visual areas such as LO, our novel approach resulted in non-trivial reductions in estimated population receptive field size of around 30%. A set of control experiments confirms that the most plausible cause for this reduction is that OCR mainly drives neurons sensitive to orientation contrast. We discuss how OCR - by limiting receptive field scatter and reducing BOLD displacement - may result in more accurate pRF localization as well. Estimation of neuronal properties is crucial for interpreting cortical function. Therefore, we conclude that using our approach, it is possible to selectively target particular neuronal populations, opening the way to use pRF modeling to dissect the response properties of more clearly-defined neuronal populations in different visual areas. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Experimental analysis of surface finish in normal conducting cavities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zarrebini-Esfahani, A.; Aslaninejad, M.; Ristic, M.; Long, K.

2017-10-01

A normal conducting 805 MHz test cavity with an in built button shaped sample is used to conduct a series of surface treatment experiments. The button enhances the local fields and influences the likelihood of an RF breakdown event. Because of their smaller sizes, compared to the whole cavity surface, they allow practical investigations of the effects of cavity surface preparation in relation to RF breakdown. Manufacturing techniques and steps for preparing the buttons to improve the surface quality are described in detail. It was observed that even after the final stage of the surface treatment, defects on the surface of the cavities still could be found.

A circuit model for nonlinear simulation of radio-frequency filters using bulk acoustic wave resonators.

PubMed

Ueda, Masanori; Iwaki, Masafumi; Nishihara, Tokihiro; Satoh, Yoshio; Hashimoto, Ken-ya

2008-04-01

This paper describes a circuit model for the analysis of nonlinearity in the filters based on radiofrequency (RF) bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonators. The nonlinear output is expressed by a current source connected parallel to the linear resonator. Amplitude of the nonlinear current source is programmed proportional to the product of linear currents flowing in the resonator. Thus, the nonlinear analysis is performed by the common linear analysis, even for complex device structures. The analysis is applied to a ladder-type RF BAW filter, and frequency dependence of the nonlinear output is discussed. Furthermore, this analysis is verified through comparison with experiments.

Integrated optical modulator for signal up-conversion over radio-on-fiber link.

PubMed

Kim, Woo-Kyung; Kwon, Soon-Woo; Jeong, Woo-Jin; Son, Geun-Sik; Lee, Kwang-Hyun; Choi, Woo-Young; Yang, Woo-Seok; Lee, Hyung-Man; Lee, Han-Young

2009-02-16

An integrated optical modulator, which consists of a dual-sideband suppressed carrier (DSB-SC) modulator cascaded with a single-sideband (SSB) modulator, is proposed for signal up-conversion over Radio-on-Fiber. Utilizing a single-drive domain inverted structure in both modulators, balanced modulations were obtained without complicated radio frequency (RF) driving circuits and delicate RF phase adjustments. Intermediate frequency (IF) band signal was up-conversed to 60GHz band by using the fabricated device and was transmitted over optical fiber. Experiment results show that the proposed device enables millimeter wave generation and signal transmission without any power penalty caused by chromatic dispersion.

Advances in simulation of wave interactions with extended MHD phenomena

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Batchelor, D.; Abla, G.; D'Azevedo, E.; Bateman, G.; Bernholdt, D. E.; Berry, L.; Bonoli, P.; Bramley, R.; Breslau, J.; Chance, M.; Chen, J.; Choi, M.; Elwasif, W.; Foley, S.; Fu, G.; Harvey, R.; Jaeger, E.; Jardin, S.; Jenkins, T.; Keyes, D.; Klasky, S.; Kruger, S.; Ku, L.; Lynch, V.; McCune, D.; Ramos, J.; Schissel, D.; Schnack, D.; Wright, J.

2009-07-01

The Integrated Plasma Simulator (IPS) provides a framework within which some of the most advanced, massively-parallel fusion modeling codes can be interoperated to provide a detailed picture of the multi-physics processes involved in fusion experiments. The presentation will cover four topics: 1) recent improvements to the IPS, 2) application of the IPS for very high resolution simulations of ITER scenarios, 3) studies of resistive and ideal MHD stability in tokamk discharges using IPS facilities, and 4) the application of RF power in the electron cyclotron range of frequencies to control slowly growing MHD modes in tokamaks and initial evaluations of optimized location for RF power deposition.

Effect of rotating electric field on 3D complex (dusty) plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wörner, L.; Nosenko, V.; Ivlev, A. V.; Zhdanov, S. K.; Thomas, H. M.; Morfill, G. E.; Kroll, M.; Schablinski, J.; Block, D.

2011-06-01

The effect of rotating electric field on 3D particle clusters suspended in rf plasma was studied experimentally. Spheroidal clusters were suspended inside a glass box mounted on the lower horizontal rf electrode, with gravity partially balanced by thermophoretic force. Clusters rotated in the horizontal plane, in response to rotating electric field that was created inside the box using conducting coating on its inner surfaces ("rotating wall" technique). Cluster rotation was always in the direction of applied field and had a shear in the vertical direction. The angular speed of rotation was 104-107 times lower than applied frequency. The experiment is compared to a recent theory.

Polarization Facilities at COSY

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

Eversheim, Dieter

2008-02-06

The cooler synchrotron COSY at the Forschungszentrum Juelich, Germany has been equipped with all necessary tools to accelerate polarized protons and deuterons to their maximum energy. For the EDDA and ANKE experiments two atomic beam targets for polarized protons and deuterons have been installed in the COSY-ring. Tests of the RF Spin-Flipper have been very successful. Externally polarization experiments are carried out by the TOF spectrometer. The performance of the relevant components and experiments is discussed.

Polarization Facilities at COSY

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eversheim, Dieter

2008-02-01

The cooler synchrotron COSY at the Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany has been equipped with all necessary tools to accelerate polarized protons and deuterons to their maximum energy. For the EDDA and ANKE experiments two atomic beam targets for polarized protons and deuterons have been installed in the COSY-ring. Tests of the RF Spin-Flipper have been very successful. Externally polarization experiments are carried out by the TOF spectrometer. The performance of the relevant components and experiments is discussed.

Ion source with external RF antenna

DOEpatents

Leung, Ka-Ngo; Ji, Qing; Wilde, Stephen

2005-12-13

A radio frequency (RF) driven plasma ion source has an external RF antenna, i.e. the RF antenna is positioned outside the plasma generating chamber rather than inside. The RF antenna is typically formed of a small diameter metal tube coated with an insulator. An external RF antenna assembly is used to mount the external RF antenna to the ion source. The RF antenna tubing is wound around the external RF antenna assembly to form a coil. The external RF antenna assembly is formed of a material, e.g. quartz, which is essentially transparent to the RF waves. The external RF antenna assembly is attached to and forms a part of the plasma source chamber so that the RF waves emitted by the RF antenna enter into the inside of the plasma chamber and ionize a gas contained therein. The plasma ion source is typically a multi-cusp ion source.

A 4 K cryogenic probe for use in magnetic resonance force microscopy experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Doran D.; Alexson, Dimitri A.; Garbini, Joseph L.

2013-09-01

The detailed design of a mechanically detected nuclear magnetic resonance probe using the SPAM (Springiness Preservation by Aligning Magnetization) geometry, operating at 4 K, in vacuum, and a several-Tesla magnetic field is described. The probe head is vibration-isolated well enough from the environment by a three-spring suspension system that the cantilever achieves thermal equilibrium with the environment without the aid of eddy current damping. The probe uses an ultra-soft Si cantilever with a Ni sphere attached to its tip, and magnetic resonance is registered as a change in the resonant frequency of the driven cantilever. The RF system uses frequency sweeps for adiabatic rapid passage using a 500 μm diameter RF coil wound around a sapphire rod. The RF coil and optical fiber of the interferometer used to sense the cantilever's position are both located with respect to the cantilever using a Garbini micropositioner, and the sample stage is mounted on an Attocube nanopositioner.

The learning curve of robot-assisted laparoscopic fundoplication in children: a prospective evaluation and CUSUM analysis.

PubMed

Cundy, Thomas P; Rowland, Simon P; Gattas, Nicholas E; White, Alan D; Najmaldin, Azad S

2015-06-01

Fundoplication is a leading application of robotic surgery in children, yet the learning curve for this procedure (RF) remains ill-defined. This study aims to identify various learning curve transition points, using cumulative summation (CUSUM) analysis. A prospective database was examined to identify RF cases undertaken during 2006-2014. Time-based surgical process outcomes were evaluated, as well as clinical outcomes. A total of 57 RF cases were included. Statistically significant transitions beyond the learning phase were observed at cases 42, 34 and 37 for docking, console and total operating room times, respectively. A steep early learning phase for docking time was overcome after 12 cases. There were three Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3 complications, with two patients requiring redo fundoplication. We identified numerous well-defined learning curve trends to affirm that experience confers significant temporal improvements. Our findings highlight the value of the CUSUM method for learning curve evaluation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Noise elimination method using a transmission line for the diagnostics of radio frequency plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimizu, K.; Hallil, A.; Amemiya, H.

1997-04-01

A filter using a transmission line formed by a cascade connection of inverted L-type networks has been developed to reject the distortion of the probe characteristics by rf (radio-frequency) noise. Each inverse L network consists of two coaxial cables with the same physical constant and length. The filter can remove discrete frequency components including the fundamental and harmonic components, the cut-off frequencies being determined by the distributed circuit constant and the length of the cables. By inserting different kinds of the network in cascade, many noise components associated with the rf frequency can be eliminated at the end section of the filter. Experiments have been performed in rf plasmas by inserting three kinds of inverted L networks with the frequency f (13.56 MHz), 2 f and 4f as the cut-off frequency. Distortion free probe characteristics have been obtained, from which accurate determination of plasma parameter such as the electron energy distribution is possible.

Classification of acoustic emission signals using wavelets and Random Forests : Application to localized corrosion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morizet, N.; Godin, N.; Tang, J.; Maillet, E.; Fregonese, M.; Normand, B.

2016-03-01

This paper aims to propose a novel approach to classify acoustic emission (AE) signals deriving from corrosion experiments, even if embedded into a noisy environment. To validate this new methodology, synthetic data are first used throughout an in-depth analysis, comparing Random Forests (RF) to the k-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN) algorithm. Moreover, a new evaluation tool called the alter-class matrix (ACM) is introduced to simulate different degrees of uncertainty on labeled data for supervised classification. Then, tests on real cases involving noise and crevice corrosion are conducted, by preprocessing the waveforms including wavelet denoising and extracting a rich set of features as input of the RF algorithm. To this end, a software called RF-CAM has been developed. Results show that this approach is very efficient on ground truth data and is also very promising on real data, especially for its reliability, performance and speed, which are serious criteria for the chemical industry.

Radio frequency magnetic field limits of Nb and Nb 3Sn

DOE PAGES

Posen, S.; Valles, N.; Liepe, M.

2015-07-21

Superconducting radio frequency (srf) cavities, essential components of many large particle accelerators, rely on the metastable flux-free state of superconducting materials. In this Letter, we present results of experiments measuring the magnetic field limits of two srf materials, Nb and Nb 3Sn. Resonators made using these materials were probed using both high power rf pulses and dc magnetic fields. Nb, which is the current standard material for srf cavities in applications, was found to be limited by the superheating field H sh when prepared using methods to avoid excessive rf dissipation at high fields. Nb 3Sn, which is a promisingmore » alternative material that is still in the early stages of development for srf purposes, was found to be limited between the onset field of metastability H c1 and H sh. Furthermore, analysis of the results shows that the limitation is consistent with nucleation of flux penetration at defects in the rf layer.« less

Laboratory-scale uranium RF plasma confinement experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roman, W. C.

1976-01-01

An experimental investigation was conducted using 80 kW and 1.2 MW RF induction heater facilities to aid in developing the technology necessary for designing a self-critical fissioning uranium plasma core reactor. Pure uranium hexafluoride (UF6) was injected into argon-confined, steady-state, RF-heated plasmas in different uranium plasma confinement tests to investigate the characteristics of plamas core nuclear reactors. The objectives were: (1) to confine as high a density of uranium vapor as possible within the plasma while simultaneously minimizing the uranium compound wall deposition; (2) to develop and test materials and handling techniques suitable for use with high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous UF6; and (3) to develop complementary diagnostic instrumentation and measurement techniques to characterize the uranium plasma and residue deposited on the test chamber components. In all tests, the plasma was a fluid-mechanically-confined vortex-type contained within a fused-silica cylindrical test chamber. The test chamber peripheral wall was 5.7 cm ID by 10 cm long.

Radio Frequencies Emitted by Mobile Granular Materials: A Basis for Remote Sensing of Sand and Dust Activity on Mars and Earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marshall, J.; Farrell, W.; Houser, G.; Bratton, C.

1999-01-01

In recent laboratory experiments, measurements were made of microsecond radio-wave (RF) bursts emitted by grains of sand as they energetically circulated in a closed, electrically ungrounded chamber. The bursts appeared to result from nanoscale electrical discharging from grain surfaces. Both the magnitude and wave form of the RF pulses varied with the type of material undergoing motion. The release of RF from electrical discharging is a well-known phenomenon, but it is generally measured on much larger energy scales (e.g., in association with lightning or electrical motors). This phenomenon might be used to detect, on planetary surfaces, the motion and composition of sand moving over dunes, the turbulent motion of fine particles in dust storms, highly-energetic grain and rock collisions in volcanic eruptions, and frictional grinding of granular materials in dry debris flows, landslides, and avalanches. The occurrence of these discharges has been predicted from theoretical considerations Additional information is contained in the original.

An integrated classifier for computer-aided diagnosis of colorectal polyps based on random forest and location index strategies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Yifan; Han, Hao; Zhu, Wei; Li, Lihong; Pickhardt, Perry J.; Liang, Zhengrong

2016-03-01

Feature classification plays an important role in differentiation or computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) of suspicious lesions. As a widely used ensemble learning algorithm for classification, random forest (RF) has a distinguished performance for CADx. Our recent study has shown that the location index (LI), which is derived from the well-known kNN (k nearest neighbor) and wkNN (weighted k nearest neighbor) classifier [1], has also a distinguished role in the classification for CADx. Therefore, in this paper, based on the property that the LI will achieve a very high accuracy, we design an algorithm to integrate the LI into RF for improved or higher value of AUC (area under the curve of receiver operating characteristics -- ROC). Experiments were performed by the use of a database of 153 lesions (polyps), including 116 neoplastic lesions and 37 hyperplastic lesions, with comparison to the existing classifiers of RF and wkNN, respectively. A noticeable gain by the proposed integrated classifier was quantified by the AUC measure.

The study of helicon plasma source

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

Miao Tingting; Shang Yong; Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049

2010-02-15

Helicon plasma source is known as efficient generator of uniform and high density plasma. A helicon plasma source was developed for investigation of plasma neutralization and plasma lens in the Institute of Modern Physics in China. In this paper, the characteristics of helicon plasma have been studied by using Langmuir four-probe and a high argon plasma density up to 3.9x10{sup 13} cm{sup -3} have been achieved with the Nagoya type III antenna at the conditions of the magnetic intensity of 200 G, working gas pressure of 2.8x10{sup -3} Pa, and rf power of 1200 W with a frequency of 27.12more » MHz. In the experiment, the important phenomena have been found: for a given magnetic induction intensity, the plasma density became greater with the increase in rf power and tended to saturation, and the helicon mode appeared at the rf power between 200 and 400 W.« less

Accuracy of WAAS-Enabled GPS-RF Warning Signals When Crossing a Terrestrial Geofence

PubMed Central

Grayson, Lindsay M.; Keefe, Robert F.; Tinkham, Wade T.; Eitel, Jan U. H.; Saralecos, Jarred D.; Smith, Alistair M. S.; Zimbelman, Eloise G.

2016-01-01

Geofences are virtual boundaries based on geographic coordinates. When combined with global position system (GPS), or more generally global navigation satellite system (GNSS) transmitters, geofences provide a powerful tool for monitoring the location and movements of objects of interest through proximity alarms. However, the accuracy of geofence alarms in GNSS-radio frequency (GNSS-RF) transmitter receiver systems has not been tested. To achieve these goals, a cart with a GNSS-RF locator was run on a straight path in a balanced factorial experiment with three levels of cart speed, three angles of geofence intersection, three receiver distances from the track, and three replicates. Locator speed, receiver distance and geofence intersection angle all affected geofence alarm accuracy in an analysis of variance (p = 0.013, p = 2.58 × 10−8, and p = 0.0006, respectively), as did all treatment interactions (p < 0.0001). Slower locator speed, acute geofence intersection angle, and closest receiver distance were associated with reduced accuracy of geofence alerts. PMID:27322287

Novel Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus: Safety and Feasibility

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

Mizandari, Malkhaz; Ao, Guokun; Zhang Yaojun

2013-02-15

We report our experience of the safety of partial recanalization of the portal vein using a novel endovascular radiofrequency (RF) catheter for portal vein tumor thrombosis. Six patients with liver cancer and tumor thrombus in the portal vein underwent percutaneous intravascular radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using an endovascular bipolar RF device. A 0.035-inch guidewire was introduced into a tributary of the portal vein and through which a 5G guide catheter was introduced into the main portal vein. After manipulation of the guide catheter over the thrombus under digital subtraction angiography, the endovascular RF device was inserted and activated around the thrombus.more » There were no observed technique specific complications, such as hemorrhage, vessel perforation, or infection. Post-RFA portography showed partial recanalization of portal vein. RFA of portal vein tumor thrombus in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma is technically feasible and warrants further investigation to assess efficacy compared with current recanalization techniques.« less

Effects of RF profile on precision of quantitative T2 mapping using dual-echo steady-state acquisition.

PubMed

Wu, Pei-Hsin; Cheng, Cheng-Chieh; Wu, Ming-Long; Chao, Tzu-Cheng; Chung, Hsiao-Wen; Huang, Teng-Yi

2014-01-01

The dual echo steady-state (DESS) sequence has been shown successful in achieving fast T2 mapping with good precision. Under-estimation of T2, however, becomes increasingly prominent as the flip angle decreases. In 3D DESS imaging, therefore, the derived T2 values would become a function of the slice location in the presence of non-ideal slice profile of the excitation RF pulse. Furthermore, the pattern of slice-dependent variation in T2 estimates is dependent on the RF pulse waveform. Multi-slice 2D DESS imaging provides better inter-slice consistency, but the signal intensity is subject to integrated effects of within-slice distribution of the actual flip angle. Consequently, T2 measured using 2D DESS is prone to inaccuracy even at the designated flip angle of 90°. In this study, both phantom and human experiments demonstrate the above phenomena in good agreement with model prediction. © 2013.

Accuracy of WAAS-Enabled GPS-RF Warning Signals When Crossing a Terrestrial Geofence.

PubMed

Grayson, Lindsay M; Keefe, Robert F; Tinkham, Wade T; Eitel, Jan U H; Saralecos, Jarred D; Smith, Alistair M S; Zimbelman, Eloise G

2016-06-18

Geofences are virtual boundaries based on geographic coordinates. When combined with global position system (GPS), or more generally global navigation satellite system (GNSS) transmitters, geofences provide a powerful tool for monitoring the location and movements of objects of interest through proximity alarms. However, the accuracy of geofence alarms in GNSS-radio frequency (GNSS-RF) transmitter receiver systems has not been tested. To achieve these goals, a cart with a GNSS-RF locator was run on a straight path in a balanced factorial experiment with three levels of cart speed, three angles of geofence intersection, three receiver distances from the track, and three replicates. Locator speed, receiver distance and geofence intersection angle all affected geofence alarm accuracy in an analysis of variance (p = 0.013, p = 2.58 × 10(-8), and p = 0.0006, respectively), as did all treatment interactions (p < 0.0001). Slower locator speed, acute geofence intersection angle, and closest receiver distance were associated with reduced accuracy of geofence alerts.

RF Pulse Design using Nonlinear Gradient Magnetic Fields

PubMed Central

Kopanoglu, Emre; Constable, R. Todd

2014-01-01

Purpose An iterative k-space trajectory and radio-frequency (RF) pulse design method is proposed for Excitation using Nonlinear Gradient Magnetic fields (ENiGMa). Theory and Methods The spatial encoding functions (SEFs) generated by nonlinear gradient fields (NLGFs) are linearly dependent in Cartesian-coordinates. Left uncorrected, this may lead to flip-angle variations in excitation profiles. In the proposed method, SEFs (k-space samples) are selected using a Matching-Pursuit algorithm, and the RF pulse is designed using a Conjugate-Gradient algorithm. Three variants of the proposed approach are given: the full-algorithm, a computationally-cheaper version, and a third version for designing spoke-based trajectories. The method is demonstrated for various target excitation profiles using simulations and phantom experiments. Results The method is compared to other iterative (Matching-Pursuit and Conjugate Gradient) and non-iterative (coordinate-transformation and Jacobian-based) pulse design methods as well as uniform density spiral and EPI trajectories. The results show that the proposed method can increase excitation fidelity significantly. Conclusion An iterative method for designing k-space trajectories and RF pulses using nonlinear gradient fields is proposed. The method can either be used for selecting the SEFs individually to guide trajectory design, or can be adapted to design and optimize specific trajectories of interest. PMID:25203286

Digital processing of signals from femtosecond combs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Čížek, Martin; Šmíd, Radek; Buchta, Zdeněk.; Mikel, Břetislav; Lazar, Josef; Číp, Ondrej

2012-01-01

The presented work is focused on digital processing of beat note signals from a femtosecond optical frequency comb. The levels of mixing products of single spectral components of the comb with CW laser sources are usually very low compared to products of mixing all the comb components together. RF counters are more likely to measure the frequency of the strongest spectral component rather than a weak beat note. Proposed experimental digital signal processing system solves this problem by analyzing the whole spectrum of the output RF signal and using software defined radio (SDR) algorithms. Our efforts concentrate in two main areas: Firstly, we are experimenting with digital signal processing of the RF beat note spectrum produced by f-2f 1 technique and with fully digital servo-loop stabilization of the fs comb. Secondly, we are using digital servo-loop techniques for locking free running continuous laser sources on single components of the fs comb spectrum. Software capable of computing and analyzing the beat-note RF spectrums using FFT and peak detection was developed. A SDR algorithm performing phase demodulation on the f- 2f signal is used as a regulation error signal source for a digital phase-locked loop stabilizing the offset and repetition frequencies of the fs comb.

FID navigator-based MR thermometry method to monitor small temperature changes in the brain of ventilated animals.

PubMed

Boulant, Nicolas; Bottlaender, Michel; Uhrig, Lynn; Giacomini, Eric; Luong, Michel; Amadon, Alexis; Massire, Aurélien; Larrat, Benoît; Vignaud, Alexandre

2015-01-01

An MR thermometry method is proposed for measuring in vivo small temperature changes engendered by external RF heat sources. The method relies on reproducible and stable respiration and therefore currently applies to ventilated animals whose breathing is carefully controlled. It first consists in characterizing the stability of the main magnetic field as well as the variations induced by breathing during a first monitoring stage. Second, RF heating is applied while the phase and thus temperature evolutions are continuously measured, the corrections due to breathing and field drift being made thanks to the data accumulated during the first period. The RF heat source is finally stopped and the temperature rise likewise is continuously monitored during a third and last stage to observe the animal cooling down and to validate the assumptions made for correcting for the main field variation and the physiological noise. Experiments were performed with a clinical 7 T scanner on an anesthetized baboon and with a dedicated RF heating setup. Analysis of the data reveals a precision around 0.1°C, which allows us to reliably measure sub-degree temperature rises in the muscle and in the brain of the animal. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Gradient-Modulated SWIFT

PubMed Central

Zhang, Jinjin; Idiyatullin, Djaudat; Corum, Curtis A.; Kobayashi, Naoharu; Garwood, Michael

2017-01-01

Purpose Methods designed to image fast-relaxing spins, such as sweep imaging with Fourier transformation (SWIFT), often utilize high excitation bandwidth and duty cycle, and in some applications the optimal flip angle cannot be used without exceeding safe specific absorption rate (SAR) levels. The aim is to reduce SAR and increase the flexibility of SWIFT by applying time-varying gradient-modulation (GM). The modified sequence is called GM-SWIFT. Theory and Methods The method known as gradient-modulated offset independent adiabaticity was used to modulate the radiofrequency (RF) pulse and gradients. An expanded correlation algorithm was developed for GM-SWIFT to correct the phase and scale effects. Simulations and phantom and in vivo human experiments were performed to verify the correlation algorithm and to evaluate imaging performance. Results GM-SWIFT reduces SAR, RF amplitude, and acquisition time by up to 90%, 70%, and 45%, respectively, while maintaining image quality. The choice of GM parameter influences the lower limit of short T2* sensitivity, which can be exploited to suppress unwanted image haze from unresolvable ultrashort T2* signals originating from plastic materials in the coil housing and fixatives. Conclusions GM-SWIFT reduces peak and total RF power requirements and provides additional flexibility for optimizing SAR, RF amplitude, scan time, and image quality. PMID:25800547

Evaluation of the dependence of CEST-EPI measurement on repetition time, RF irradiation duty cycle and imaging flip angle for enhanced pH sensitivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhe Sun, Phillip; Lu, Jie; Wu, Yin; Xiao, Gang; Wu, Renhua

2013-09-01

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast mechanism that can detect dilute CEST agents and microenvironmental properties, with a host of promising applications. Experimental measurement of the CEST effect is complex, and depends on not only CEST agent concentration and exchange rate, but also experimental parameters such as RF irradiation amplitude and scheme. Although echo planar imaging (EPI) has been increasingly used for CEST MRI, the relationship between CEST effect and repetition time (TR), RF irradiation duty cycle (DC) and EPI flip angle (α) has not been fully evaluated and optimized to enhance CEST MRI sensitivity. In addition, our study evaluated gradient echo CEST-EPI by quantifying the CEST effect and its signal-to-noise ratio per unit time (SNRput) as functions of TR, DC and α. We found that CEST effect increased with TR and DC but decreased with α. Importantly, we found that SNRput peaked at intermediate TRs of about twice the T1 and α, at approximately 75°, and increased with RF DC. The simulation results were validated using a dual-pH creatine-gel CEST phantom. In summary, our study provides a useful framework for optimizing CEST MRI experiments.

MEMS-Based Flexible Force Sensor for Tri-Axial Catheter Contact Force Measurement

PubMed Central

Sheng, Jun; Desai, Jaydev P.

2016-01-01

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a significant healthcare problem caused by the uneven and rapid discharge of electrical signals from pulmonary veins (PVs). The technique of radiofrequency (RF) ablation can block these abnormal electrical signals by ablating myocardial sleeves inside PVs. Catheter contact force measurement during RF ablation can reduce the rate of AFib recurrence, since it helps to determine effective contact of the catheter with the tissue, thereby resulting in effective power delivery for ablation. This paper presents the development of a three-dimensional (3D) force sensor to provide the real-time measurement of tri-axial catheter contact force. The 3D force sensor consists of a plastic cubic bead and five flexible force sensors. Each flexible force sensor was made of a PEDOT:PSS strain gauge and a PDMS bump on a flexible PDMS substrate. Calibration results show that the fabricated sensor has a linear response in the force range required for RF ablation. To evaluate its working performance, the fabricated sensor was pressed against gelatin tissue by a micromanipulator and also integrated on a catheter tip to test it within deionized water flow. Both experiments simulated the ventricular environment and proved the validity of applying the 3D force sensor in RF ablation. PMID:28190945

Feasibility of Frequency-Modulated Wireless Transmission for a Multi-Purpose MEMS-Based Accelerometer

PubMed Central

Sabato, Alessandro; Feng, Maria Q.

2014-01-01

Recent advances in the Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) technology have made wireless MEMS accelerometers an attractive tool for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of civil engineering structures. To date, sensors' low sensitivity and accuracy—especially at very low frequencies—have imposed serious limitations for their application in monitoring large-sized structures. Conventionally, the MEMS sensor's analog signals are converted to digital signals before radio-frequency (RF) wireless transmission. The conversion can cause a low sensitivity to the important low-frequency and low-amplitude signals. To overcome this difficulty, the authors have developed a MEMS accelerometer system, which converts the sensor output voltage to a frequency-modulated signal before RF transmission. This is achieved by using a Voltage to Frequency Conversion (V/F) instead of the conventional Analog to Digital Conversion (ADC). In this paper, a prototype MEMS accelerometer system is presented, which consists of a transmitter and receiver circuit boards. The former is equipped with a MEMS accelerometer, a V/F converter and a wireless RF transmitter, while the latter contains an RF receiver and a F/V converter for demodulating the signal. The efficacy of the MEMS accelerometer system in measuring low-frequency and low-amplitude dynamic responses is demonstrated through extensive laboratory tests and experiments on a flow-loop pipeline. PMID:25198003

Harmonic Kicker RF Cavity for the Jefferson Lab Electron-Ion Collider EM Simulation, Modification, and Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Overstreet, Sarah; Wang, Haipeng

2017-09-01

An important step in the conceptual design for the future Jefferson Lab Electron-Ion Collider (JLEIC) is the development of supporting technologies for the Energy Recovery Linac (ERL) Electron Cooling Facility. The Harmonic Radiofrequency (RF) kicker cavity is one such device that is responsible for switching electron bunches in and out of the Circulator Cooling Ring (CCR) from and to the ERL, which is a critical part of the ion cooling process. Last year, a half scale prototype of the JLEIC harmonic RF kicker model was designed with resonant frequencies to support the summation of 5 odd harmonics (95.26 MHz, 285.78 MHz, 476.30 MHz, 666.82 MHz, and 857.35 MHz); however, the asymmetry of the kicker cavity gives rise to multipole components of the electric field at the electron-beam axis of the cavity. Previous attempts to symmetrize the electric field of this asymmetrical RF cavity have been unsuccessful. The aim of this study is to modify the existing prototype for a uniform electric field across the beam pathway so that the electron bunches will experience nearly zero beam current loading. In addition to this, we have driven the unmodified cavity with the harmonic sum and used the wire stretching method for an analysis of the multipole electric field components.

Design of an RF System for Electron Bernstein Wave Studies in MST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kauffold, J. X.; Seltzman, A. H.; Anderson, J. K.; Nonn, P. D.; Forest, C. B.

2010-11-01

Motivated by the possibility of current profile control a 5.5GHz RF system for EBW is being developed. The central component is a standard radar Klystron with 1.2MW peak power and 4μs typical pulse length. Meaningful experiments require RF pulse lengths similar to the characteristic electron confinement times in MST necessitating the creation of a power supply providing 80kV at 40A for 10ms. A low inductance IGBT network switches power at 20kHz from an electrolytic capacitor bank into the primary of a three-phase resonant transformer system that is then rectified and filtered. The system uses three magnetically separate transformers with microcrystalline iron cores to provide suitable volt-seconds and low hysteresis losses. Each phase has a secondary with a large leakage inductance and a parallel capacitor providing a boost ratio greater than 60:1 with a physical turns ratio of 13.5:1. A microprocessor feedback control system varies the drive frequency around resonance to regulate the boost ratio and provide a stable output as the storage bank discharges. The completed system will deliver RF to the plasma boundary where coupling to the Bernstein mode and subsequent heating and current drive can occur.

When "Bouba" equals "Kiki": Cultural commonalities and cultural differences in sound-shape correspondences.

PubMed

Chen, Yi-Chuan; Huang, Pi-Chun; Woods, Andy; Spence, Charles

2016-05-27

It has been suggested that the Bouba/Kiki effect, in which meaningless speech sounds are systematically mapped onto rounded or angular shapes, reflects a universal crossmodal correspondence between audition and vision. Here, radial frequency (RF) patterns were adapted in order to compare the Bouba/Kiki effect in Eastern and Western participants demonstrating different perceptual styles. Three attributes of the RF patterns were manipulated: The frequency, amplitude, and spikiness of the sinusoidal modulations along the circumference of a circle. By testing participants in the US and Taiwan, both cultural commonalities and differences in sound-shape correspondence were revealed. RF patterns were more likely to be matched with "Kiki" than with "Bouba" when the frequency, amplitude, and spikiness increased. The responses from both groups of participants had a similar weighting on frequency; nevertheless, the North Americans had a higher weighting on amplitude, but a lower weighting on spikiness, than their Taiwanese counterparts. These novel results regarding cultural differences suggest that the Bouba/Kiki effect is partly tuned by differing perceptual experience. In addition, using the RF patterns in the Bouba/Kiki effect provides a "mid-level" linkage between visual and auditory processing, and a future understanding of sound-shape correspondences based on the mechanism of visual pattern processing.

High-Power X-Band Semiconductor RF Switch for Pulse Compression Systems of Future Colliders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tantawi, Sami G.; Tamura, Fumihiko

2000-04-01

We describe the potential of semiconductor X-band RF switch arrays as a means of developing high power RF pulse compression systems for future linear colliders. The switch systems described here have two designs. Both designs consist of two 3dB hybrids and active modules. In the first design the module is composed of a cascaded active phase shifter. In the second design the module uses arrays of SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) switches. Each cascaded element of the phase shifter and the SPST switch has similar design. The active element consists of symmetrical three-port tee-junctions and an active waveguide window in the symmetrical arm of the tee-junction. The design methodology of the elements and the architecture of the whole switch system are presented. We describe the scaling law that governs the relation between power handling capability and number of elements. The design of the active waveguide window is presented. The waveguide window is a silicon wafer with an array of four hundred PIN/NIP diodes covering the surface of the window. This waveguide window is located in an over-moded TE01 circular waveguide. The results of high power RF measurements of the active waveguide window are presented. The experiment is performed at power levels of tens of megawatts at X-band.

Fast wave experiments in LAPD: RF sheaths, convective cells and density modifications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carter, T. A.; van Compernolle, B.; Martin, M.; Gekelman, W.; Pribyl, P.; van Eester, D.; Crombe, K.; Perkins, R.; Lau, C.; Martin, E.; Caughman, J.; Tripathi, S. K. P.; Vincena, S.

2017-10-01

An overview is presented of recent work on ICRF physics at the Large Plasma Device (LAPD) at UCLA. The LAPD has typical plasma parameters ne 1012 -1013 cm-3, Te 1 - 10 eV and B 1000 G. A new high-power ( 150 kW) RF system and fast wave antenna have been developed for LAPD. The source runs at a frequency of 2.4 MHz, corresponding to 1 - 7fci , depending on plasma parameters. Evidence of rectified RF sheaths is seen in large increases ( 10Te) in the plasma potential on field lines connected to the antenna. The rectified potential scales linearly with antenna current. The rectified RF sheaths set up convective cells of local E × B flows, measured indirectly by potential measurements, and measured directly with Mach probes. At high antenna powers substantial modifications of the density profile were observed. The plasma density profile initially exhibits transient low frequency oscillations (10 kHz). The amplitude of the fast wave fields in the core plasma is modulated at the same low frequency, suggesting fast wave coupling is affected by the density rearrangement. Work performed at the Basic Plasma Science Facility, supported jointly by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy.

An RF-Powered Micro-Reactor for Efficient Extraction and Hydrolysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scott, V.

2014-12-01

An RF sample-processing micro-reactor that was developed as part of potential in situ Exploration Missions to inner- and outer-planetary bodies was designed to utilize aqueous solutions subjected to 60 GHz radiation at 730 mW of input power to extract target organic compounds and molecular and inorganic ions as well as to hydrolyze complex polymeric materials. Successful identification and characterization of these molecules relies on the sample-processing techniques utilized alongside state-of-the-art detection and analysis. For mass and power restrictions put on space exploration missions, smaller and more efficient instruments are highly desirable. The RF micro-reactor potentially offers a simplified alternative to the typical gold-standard extractions that often use solvents, chemicals, and conditions that can vary wildly and depend on the targeted molecules. Instead, this instrument uses a single solvent ­— water — that can be "tuned" under the different experimental conditions, leveraging the operating principles of the Sub-Critical Water Extractor. Proof-of-concept experiments examining the hydrolysis of glycosidic and peptide bonds were successful in demonstrating the RF micro-reactor's capabilities. Progress toward coupling the reactor with a micro-scale sample-handling system enabling slurry delivery has been made and preliminary results on heterogeneous reactions and extractions will be presented.

Feasibility of frequency-modulated wireless transmission for a multi-purpose MEMS-based accelerometer.

PubMed

Sabato, Alessandro; Feng, Maria Q

2014-09-05

Recent advances in the Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) technology have made wireless MEMS accelerometers an attractive tool for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of civil engineering structures. To date, sensors' low sensitivity and accuracy--especially at very low frequencies--have imposed serious limitations for their application in monitoring large-sized structures. Conventionally, the MEMS sensor's analog signals are converted to digital signals before radio-frequency (RF) wireless transmission. The conversion can cause a low sensitivity to the important low-frequency and low-amplitude signals. To overcome this difficulty, the authors have developed a MEMS accelerometer system, which converts the sensor output voltage to a frequency-modulated signal before RF transmission. This is achieved by using a Voltage to Frequency Conversion (V/F) instead of the conventional Analog to Digital Conversion (ADC). In this paper, a prototype MEMS accelerometer system is presented, which consists of a transmitter and receiver circuit boards. The former is equipped with a MEMS accelerometer, a V/F converter and a wireless RF transmitter, while the latter contains an RF receiver and a F/V converter for demodulating the signal. The efficacy of the MEMS accelerometer system in measuring low-frequency and low-amplitude dynamic responses is demonstrated through extensive laboratory tests and experiments on a flow-loop pipeline.

Upgrades to the MARIA Helicon Experiment at UW-Madison

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Green, Jonathan; Hershkowitz, Noah; Schmitz, Oliver; Severn, Greg; Winters, Victoria

2016-10-01

The MARIA helicon plasma device at UW Madison is setup to investigate the neutral particle fueling of helicon discharges. Following initial results from the 668.614nm diode laser LIF system, the active spectroscopy diagnostic suite was expanded by establishing a 1.4J pulsed Nd:YAG pumped dye laser. To verify the new laser system, a comparison of measured ion velocities near a target plate was made between the diode based and dye based LIF systems. Additionally, theory and further verification of a new technique for measuring ion velocities leveraging Zeeman splitting is presented. During a campaign with <= 750W RF power, densities in the range of 1x1018 m-3 and 2 eV electron temperature were achieved with 4.1 mTorr of argon and a magnetic field of 750G. To achieve higher densities and explore the physics of neutral depletion, the available RF power was increased from 750W to 2kW, with further expansion to 4kW on a single antenna planned. For both power levels a clear helicon mode can be reliably established and its extension increases with increasing RF power. Basic plasma characterization at the higher RF power, such as electron density vs magnetic field scans, will be presented. This work was funded by the NSF CAREER Award PHY-1455210.

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

Lee Cadwallader

The safety of personnel at existing fusion experiments is an important concern that requires diligence. Looking to the future, fusion experiments will continue to increase in power and operating time until steady state power plants are achieved; this causes increased concern for personnel safety. This paper addresses four important aspects of personnel safety in the present and extrapolates these aspects to future power plants. The four aspects are personnel exposure to ionizing radiation, chemicals, magnetic fields, and radiofrequency (RF) energy. Ionizing radiation safety is treated well for present and near-term experiments by the use of proven techniques from other nuclearmore » endeavors. There is documentation that suggests decreasing the annual ionizing radiation exposure limits that have remained constant for several decades. Many chemicals are used in fusion research, for parts cleaning, as use as coolants, cooling water cleanliness control, lubrication, and other needs. In present fusion experiments, a typical chemical laboratory safety program, such as those instituted in most industrialized countries, is effective in protecting personnel from chemical exposures. As fusion facilities grow in complexity, the chemical safety program must transition from a laboratory scale to an industrial scale program that addresses chemical use in larger quantity. It is also noted that allowable chemical exposure concentrations for workers have decreased over time and, in some cases, now pose more stringent exposure limits than those for ionizing radiation. Allowable chemical exposure concentrations have been the fastest changing occupational exposure values in the last thirty years. The trend of more restrictive chemical exposure regulations is expected to continue into the future. Other issues of safety importance are magnetic field exposure and RF energy exposure. Magnetic field exposure limits are consensus values adopted as best practices for worker safety; a typical exposure value is ~1000 times the Earth’s magnetic field, but the Earth’s field is a very low value. Allowable static magnetic field exposure limits have remained constant over the recent past and would appear to remain constant for the foreseeable future. Some existing fusion experiments have suffered from RF energy leakage from waveguides, the typical practice to protect personnel is establishing personnel exclusion areas when systems are operating. RF exposure limits have remained fairly constant for overall body exposures, but have become more specific in the exposure frequency values. This paper describes the occupational limits for those types of exposure, how these exposures are managed, and also discusses the likelihood of more restrictive regulations being promulgated that will affect the design of future fusion power plants and safety of their personnel.« less

Effect of magnetic field on the phase transition in a dusty plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaiswal, S.; Hall, T.; LeBlanc, S.; Mukherjee, R.; Thomas, E.

2017-11-01

The formation of a self-consistent crystalline structure is a well-known phenomenon in complex plasmas. In most experiments, the pressure and rf power are the main controlling parameters in determining the phase of the system. We have studied the effect of the externally applied magnetic field on the configuration of plasma crystals, suspended in the sheath of a radio-frequency discharge using the Magnetized Dusty Plasma Experiment device. Experiments are performed at a fixed pressure and rf power where a crystalline structure is formed within a confining ring. The magnetic field is then increased from 0 to 1.28 T. We report on the breakdown of the crystalline structure with the increasing magnetic field. The magnetic field affects the dynamics of the plasma particles and first leads to a rotation of the crystal. At a higher magnetic field, there is a radial variation (shear) in the angular velocity of the moving particles which we believe to lead to the melting of the crystal. This melting is confirmed by evaluating the variation of the pair correlation function as a function of magnetic field.

The processed isoform of the translation termination factor eRF3 localizes to the nucleus to interact with the ARF tumor suppressor

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

Hashimoto, Yoshifumi; Kumagai, Naomichi; Hosoda, Nao

2014-03-14

Highlights: • So far, eRF3 has been thought to function exclusively in the cytoplasm. • eRF3 is a nucleo-cutoplasmic shuttling protein. • eRF3 has a leptomycin-sensitive nuclear export signal (NES). • Removal of NES by proteolytic cleavage allows eRF3 to translocate to the nucleus. • The processed eRF3 (p-eRF3) interacts with a nuclear tumor suppressor ARF. - Abstract: The eukaryotic releasing factor eRF3 is a multifunctional protein that plays pivotal roles in translation termination as well as the initiation of mRNA decay. eRF3 also functions in the regulation of apoptosis; eRF3 is cleaved at Ala73 by an as yet unidentifiedmore » protease into processed isoform of eRF3 (p-eRF3), which interacts with the inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). The binding of p-eRF3 with IAPs leads to the release of active caspases from IAPs, which promotes apoptosis. Although full-length eRF3 is localized exclusively in the cytoplasm, p-eRF3 localizes in the nucleus as well as the cytoplasm. We here focused on the role of p-eRF3 in the nucleus. We identified leptomycin-sensitive nuclear export signal (NES) at amino acid residues 61–71 immediately upstream of the cleavage site Ala73. Thus, the proteolytic cleavage of eRF3 into p-eRF3 leads to release an amino-terminal fragment containing NES to allow the relocalization of eRF3 into the nucleus. Consistent with this, p-eRF3 more strongly interacted with the nuclear ARF tumor suppressor than full-length eRF3. These results suggest that while p-eRF3 interacts with IAPs to promote apoptosis in the cytoplasm, p-eRF3 also has some roles in regulating cell death in the nucleus.« less

Review of the High Performance Antiproton Trap (HiPAT) Experiment at the Marshall Space Flight Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pearson, J. B.; Sims, Herb; Martin, James; Chakrabarti, Suman; Lewis, Raymond; Fant, Wallace

2003-01-01

The significant energy density of matter-antimatter annihilation is attractive to the designers of future space propulsion systems, with the potential to offer a highly compact source of power. Many propulsion concepts exist that could take advantage of matter-antimatter reactions, and current antiproton production rates are sufficient to support basic proof-of-principle evaluation of technology associated with antimatter- derived propulsion. One enabling technology for such experiments is portable storage of low energy antiprotons, allowing antiprotons to be trapped, stored, and transported for use at an experimental facility. To address this need, the Marshall Space Flight Center's Propulsion Research Center is developing a storage system referred to as the High Performance Antiproton Trap (HiPAT) with a design goal of containing 10(exp 12) particles for up to 18 days. The HiPAT makes use of an electromagnetic system (Penning- Malmberg design) consisting of a 4 Telsa superconductor, high voltage electrode structure, radio frequency (RF) network, and ultra high vacuum system. To evaluate the system normal matter sources (both electron guns and ion sources) are used to generate charged particles. The electron beams ionize gas within the trapping region producing ions in situ, whereas the ion sources produce the particles external to the trapping region and required dynamic capture. A wide range of experiments has been performed examining factors such as ion storage lifetimes, effect of RF energy on storage lifetime, and ability to routinely perform dynamic ion capture. Current efforts have been focused on improving the FW rotating wall system to permit longer storage times and non-destructive diagnostics of stored ions. Typical particle detection is performed by extracting trapped ions from HiPAT and destructively colliding them with a micro-channel plate detector (providing number and energy information). This improved RF system has been used to detect various plasma modes for both electron and ion plasmas in the two traps at MSFC, including axial, cyclotron, and diocotron modes. New diagnostics are also being added to HiPAT to measure the axial density distribution of the trapped cloud to match measured RF plasma modes to plasma conditions.

Negative ion source with external RF antenna

DOEpatents

Leung, Ka-Ngo; Hahto, Sami K.; Hahto, Sari T.

2007-02-13

A radio frequency (RF) driven plasma ion source has an external RF antenna, i.e. the RF antenna is positioned outside the plasma generating chamber rather than inside. The RF antenna is typically formed of a small diameter metal tube coated with an insulator. An external RF antenna assembly is used to mount the external RF antenna to the ion source. The RF antenna tubing is wound around the external RF antenna assembly to form a coil. The external RF antenna assembly is formed of a material, e.g. quartz, which is essentially transparent to the RF waves. The external RF antenna assembly is attached to and forms a part of the plasma source chamber so that the RF waves emitted by the RF antenna enter into the inside of the plasma chamber and ionize a gas contained therein. The plasma ion source is typically a multi-cusp ion source. A converter can be included in the ion source to produce negative ions.

Fast and robust estimation of spectro-temporal receptive fields using stochastic approximations.

PubMed

Meyer, Arne F; Diepenbrock, Jan-Philipp; Ohl, Frank W; Anemüller, Jörn

2015-05-15

The receptive field (RF) represents the signal preferences of sensory neurons and is the primary analysis method for understanding sensory coding. While it is essential to estimate a neuron's RF, finding numerical solutions to increasingly complex RF models can become computationally intensive, in particular for high-dimensional stimuli or when many neurons are involved. Here we propose an optimization scheme based on stochastic approximations that facilitate this task. The basic idea is to derive solutions on a random subset rather than computing the full solution on the available data set. To test this, we applied different optimization schemes based on stochastic gradient descent (SGD) to both the generalized linear model (GLM) and a recently developed classification-based RF estimation approach. Using simulated and recorded responses, we demonstrate that RF parameter optimization based on state-of-the-art SGD algorithms produces robust estimates of the spectro-temporal receptive field (STRF). Results on recordings from the auditory midbrain demonstrate that stochastic approximations preserve both predictive power and tuning properties of STRFs. A correlation of 0.93 with the STRF derived from the full solution may be obtained in less than 10% of the full solution's estimation time. We also present an on-line algorithm that allows simultaneous monitoring of STRF properties of more than 30 neurons on a single computer. The proposed approach may not only prove helpful for large-scale recordings but also provides a more comprehensive characterization of neural tuning in experiments than standard tuning curves. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High gradient tests of metallic mm-wave accelerating structures

DOE PAGES

Dal Forno, Massimo; Dolgashev, Valery; Bowden, Gordon; ...

2017-05-10

This study explores the physics of vacuum rf breakdowns in high gradient mm-wave accelerating structures. We performed a series of experiments with 100 GHz and 200 GHz metallic accelerating structures, at the Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests (FACET) at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. This paper presents the experimental results of rf tests of 100 GHz travelling-wave accelerating structures, made of hard copper-silver alloy. The results are compared with pure hard copper structures. The rf fields were excited by the FACET ultra-relativistic electron beam. The accelerating structures have open geometries, 10 cm long, composed of two halves separated bymore » a variable gap. The rf frequency of the fundamental accelerating mode depends on the gap size and can be changed from 90 GHz to 140 GHz. The measured frequency and pulse length are consistent with our simulations. When the beam travels off-axis, a deflecting field is induced in addition to the decelerating longitudinal field. We measured the deflecting forces by observing the displacement of the electron bunch and used this measurement to verify the expected accelerating gradient. We present the first quantitative measurement of rf breakdown rates in 100 GHz copper-silver accelerating structure, which was 10 –3 per pulse, with peak electric field of 0.42 GV/m, an accelerating gradient of 127 MV/m, at a pulse length of 2.3 ns. The goal of our studies is to understand the physics of gradient limitations in order to increase the energy reach of future accelerators.« less

High gradient tests of metallic mm-wave accelerating structures

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

Dal Forno, Massimo; Dolgashev, Valery; Bowden, Gordon

This study explores the physics of vacuum rf breakdowns in high gradient mm-wave accelerating structures. We performed a series of experiments with 100 GHz and 200 GHz metallic accelerating structures, at the Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests (FACET) at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. This paper presents the experimental results of rf tests of 100 GHz travelling-wave accelerating structures, made of hard copper-silver alloy. The results are compared with pure hard copper structures. The rf fields were excited by the FACET ultra-relativistic electron beam. The accelerating structures have open geometries, 10 cm long, composed of two halves separated bymore » a variable gap. The rf frequency of the fundamental accelerating mode depends on the gap size and can be changed from 90 GHz to 140 GHz. The measured frequency and pulse length are consistent with our simulations. When the beam travels off-axis, a deflecting field is induced in addition to the decelerating longitudinal field. We measured the deflecting forces by observing the displacement of the electron bunch and used this measurement to verify the expected accelerating gradient. We present the first quantitative measurement of rf breakdown rates in 100 GHz copper-silver accelerating structure, which was 10 –3 per pulse, with peak electric field of 0.42 GV/m, an accelerating gradient of 127 MV/m, at a pulse length of 2.3 ns. The goal of our studies is to understand the physics of gradient limitations in order to increase the energy reach of future accelerators.« less

Integrated Parallel Reception, Excitation, and Shimming (iPRES) with multiple shim loops per RF coil element for improved B0 shimming

PubMed Central

Darnell, Dean; Truong, Trong-Kha; Song, Allen W.

2016-01-01

Purpose Integrated parallel reception, excitation, and shimming (iPRES) coil arrays allow radio-frequency (RF) currents and direct currents (DC) to flow in the same coils, which enables excitation/reception and localized B0 shimming with a single coil array. The purpose of this work was to improve their shimming performance by adding the capability to shim higher-order local B0 inhomogeneities that are smaller than the RF coil elements. Methods A novel design was proposed in which each RF/shim coil element is divided into multiple DC loops, each using an independent DC current, to increase the number of magnetic fields available for shimming while maintaining the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the coil. This new design is termed iPRES(N), where N represents the number of DC loops per RF coil element. Proof-of-concept phantom and human experiments were performed with an 8-channel body coil array to demonstrate its advantages over the original iPRES(1) design. Results The average B0 homogeneity in various organs before shimming and after shimming with the iPRES(1) or iPRES(3) coil arrays was 0.24, 0.11, and 0.05 ppm, respectively. iPRES(3) thus reduced the B0 inhomogeneity by 53% and further reduced distortions in echo-planar images of the abdomen when compared to iPRES(1). Conclusion iPRES(N) can correct for localized B0 inhomogeneities more effectively than iPRES(1) with no SNR loss, resulting in a significant improvement in image quality. PMID:27174387

Reconfiguration of the upper extremity relative to the pushrim affects load distribution during wheelchair propulsion.

PubMed

Munaretto, Joseph M; McNitt-Gray, Jill L; Flashner, Henryk; Requejo, Philip S

2013-08-01

Repetitive loading during manual wheelchair propulsion (WCP) is associated with overuse injury to the upper extremity (UE). The aim of this study was to determine how RF redirection and load distribution are affected by changes upper extremity kinematic modifications associated with modifications in seat positions during a WCP task. The aim of this study was to determine how RF redirection and load distribution are affected by upper extremity kinematic changes associated with seat position adjustment during a WCP task. Dynamic simulations using an experiment-based multi-link inverse dynamics model were used to generate solutions for redistributing UE mechanical load in different seating positions without decrements in WCP task performance. Experimental RF and kinematic data were collected for one subject propelling at a self-selected speed and used as input into the model. Shoulder/axle distance, wrist angular position, and RF direction were systematically modified to simulate how the mechanical demand imposed on the upper extremity (elbow and shoulder net joint moments (NJMs) and net joint forces) may vary. Load distribution depended on UE orientation relative to the wheel. At peak force, lower shoulder/axle distances and more anterior wrist positions on the pushrim allowed for more extended elbow positions and reduced total NJM load. Simulation results incorporating subject-specific data may provide mechanically based information to guide clinical interventions that aim to maintain WCP performance and redistribute load by modifying RF direction, seat configuration and hand/rim interaction. Copyright © 2012 IPEM. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Duty factor variation possibility from 1% to 100% with PKU microwave driven Cs-free volume H{sup −} sources

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

Peng, S. X., E-mail: sxpeng@pku.edu.cn; Zhang, T.; Ren, H. T.

Microwave driven cesium-free volume H{sup −} sources, that have the ability to deliver tens of mA H{sup −} at 35 keV both in CW and 10% duty factor (100 Hz/1 ms), were developed at Peking University (PKU) [S. X. Peng et al., in Proceeding of IPAC 2015, WEPWA027, Richmond, Virginia, USA, 3–8 May 2015]. Recently, special efforts were paid on the investigation of duty factor variation possibility from 1% to 100% with them. Most of the experiments were carried out with a pulsed length (τ) of 1 ms and different intervals of 99 ms, 49 ms, 39 ms, 29 ms,more » 19 ms, 9 ms, 4 ms, 2 ms, 1 ms, 0.5 ms, and 0 ms, respectively. Other experiments were focused on CW operation and fixed duty factor of 1%. Experimental results prove that PKU H{sup −} sources can deliver tens of mA H{sup −} at duty factor from 1% to 100%. The RF power efficiency increases steadily with the increasing of duty factor from 1% to CW at a fixed pulsed length. Under a given duty factor and pulsed length, RF power efficiency keeps constant and the H{sup −} current increases with RF power linearly. Details will be presented in the paper.« less

Progress in joining, reuse, and customization of WR284 waveguide in the laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, Mike; Flanagan, Ken; Milhone, Jason; Nonn, Paul; Forest, Cary

2017-10-01

A system of five 20 kW magnetrons is being installed for the Big Red Ball (BRB) to produce and heat the plasma with 2.45GHz RF energy. An existing system of two 6 kW magentrons of the same frequency is actively used for the same purpose on Plasma Couette Experiment Upgrade (PCX-U). In each experiment, the RF is transmitted to the vessel via WR284 waveguide. Waveguide occasionally needs to be disassembled, modified and rebuilt for different reasons such as physics interests, ongoing problems (arcing), or efficient utilization of laboratory space. Reuse of disassembled waveguide parts is desirable for cost savings. Methods of assembly, disassembly, and modification of waveguide will be discussed. Also, frequently used designs of chokes, windows, and limiters will be shown. Materials used include copper, brass, and even aluminum. The vacuum vessel of PCX-U is a 1 meter diameter, 1 meter tall cylinder comprised of ¼'' thick stainless steel. PCX-U has one removable end. The vacuum vessel of the BRB is a 3 meter diameter, sphere comprised of two hemispheres of 1-¼'' thick cast A356 aluminum. Rings comprised of hundreds of SmCo magnets in each vessel create a cusp field to contain the plasma and provide a resonance surface for the RF. Supported by NSF and DoE.

Ion absorption of the high harmonic fast wave in the National Spherical Torus Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosenberg, Adam Lewis

Ion absorption of the high harmonic fast wave in a spherical torus is of critical importance to assessing the viability of the wave as a means of heating and driving current. Analysis of recent NSTX shots has revealed that under some conditions when neutral beam and RF power are injected into the plasma simultaneously, a fast ion population with energy above the beam injection energy is sustained by the wave. In agreement with modeling, these experiments find the RF-induced fast ion tail strength and neutron rate at lower B-fields to be less enhanced, likely due to a larger β profile, which promotes greater off-axis absorption where the fast ion population is small. Ion loss codes find the increased loss fraction with decreased B insufficient to account for the changes in tail strength, providing further evidence that this is an RF interaction effect. Though greater ion absorption is predicted with lower k∥, surprisingly little variation in the tail was observed, along with a neutron rate enhancement with higher k∥. Data from the neutral particle analyzer, neutron detectors, x-ray crystal spectrometer, and Thomson scattering is presented, along with results from the TRANSP transport analysis code, ray-tracing codes HPRT and CURRAY, full-wave code and AORSA, quasilinear code CQL3D, and ion loss codes EIGOL and CONBEAM.

Real-time 2D spatially selective MRI experiments: Comparative analysis of optimal control design methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maximov, Ivan I.; Vinding, Mads S.; Tse, Desmond H. Y.; Nielsen, Niels Chr.; Shah, N. Jon

2015-05-01

There is an increasing need for development of advanced radio-frequency (RF) pulse techniques in modern magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems driven by recent advancements in ultra-high magnetic field systems, new parallel transmit/receive coil designs, and accessible powerful computational facilities. 2D spatially selective RF pulses are an example of advanced pulses that have many applications of clinical relevance, e.g., reduced field of view imaging, and MR spectroscopy. The 2D spatially selective RF pulses are mostly generated and optimised with numerical methods that can handle vast controls and multiple constraints. With this study we aim at demonstrating that numerical, optimal control (OC) algorithms are efficient for the design of 2D spatially selective MRI experiments, when robustness towards e.g. field inhomogeneity is in focus. We have chosen three popular OC algorithms; two which are gradient-based, concurrent methods using first- and second-order derivatives, respectively; and a third that belongs to the sequential, monotonically convergent family. We used two experimental models: a water phantom, and an in vivo human head. Taking into consideration the challenging experimental setup, our analysis suggests the use of the sequential, monotonic approach and the second-order gradient-based approach as computational speed, experimental robustness, and image quality is key. All algorithms used in this work were implemented in the MATLAB environment and are freely available to the MRI community.

IRIS Update Batch 1, Group 1

EPA Science Inventory

Update the following IRIS chemical dose-response assessments: Barium (cancer, RfC), o-Cresol (RfD, cancer), carbon disulfied (RfD, RfC), 1,1-Dichloroethane (cancer), 2,4-Dimethylphenol (RfD), 1,4-Dibromobenzene (RfD), 1-chloro-1,1-difluroelfane (RfC, Acetyl chloride (cancer),2,4...

Rf Feedback free electron laser

DOEpatents

Brau, Charles A.; Swenson, Donald A.; Boyd, Jr., Thomas J.

1981-01-01

A free electron laser system and electron beam system for a free electron laser which use rf feedback to enhance efficiency. Rf energy is extracted from an electron beam by decelerating cavities and returned to accelerating cavities using rf returns such as rf waveguides, rf feedthroughs, etc. This rf energy is added to rf klystron energy to lower the required input energy and thereby enhance energy efficiency of the system.

Airborne characterization of smoke marker ratios from prescribed burning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sullivan, A. P.; May, A. A.; Lee, T.; McMeeking, G. R.; Kreidenweis, S. M.; Akagi, S. K.; Yokelson, R. J.; Urbanski, S. P.; Collett, J. L., Jr.

2014-05-01

A Particle-into-Liquid Sampler - Total Organic Carbon and fraction collector system was flown aboard aTwin Otter aircraft sampling prescribed burning emissions in South Carolina in November2011 to obtain smoke marker measurements. The fraction collector provided 2 min time-integrated off-line samples for carbohydrate (i.e., smoke markers levoglucosan, mannosan, galactosan) analysis by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection. Each fire location appeared to have aunique Δ levoglucosan / Δ water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) ratio (RF01/RF02/RF03/RF05 = 0.163 ± 0.007 μg C μg C-1, RF08 = 0.115 ± 0.011 μg C μg C-1, RF09A = 0.072 ± 0.028 μg C μg C-1, RF09B = 0.042 ± 0.008 μg C μg C-1). These ratios were comparable to those obtained from controlled laboratory burns and suggested that the emissions sampled during RF01/RF02/RF03/RF05 were dominated by the burning of grasses, RF08 by leaves, RF09A by needles, and RF09B by marsh grasses. These findings were further supported by the Δ galactosan / Δ levoglucosan ratios (RF01/RF02/RF03/RF05 = 0.067 ± 0.004 μg μg-1, RF08 = 0.085 ± 0.009 μg μg-1, RF09A = 0.101 ± 0.029 μg μg-1) obtained as well as by the ground-based fuel and filter sample analyses during RF01/RF02/RF03/RF05. Differences between Δ potassium / Δ levoglucosan ratios obtained for these prescribed fires vs. laboratory-scale measurements suggest that some laboratory burns may not accurately represent potassium emissions from prescribed burns. The Δ levoglucosan / Δ WSOC ratio had no clear dependence on smoke age or fire dynamics suggesting that this ratio is more dependent on the type of fuel being burned. Levoglucosan was stable over a timescale of at least 1.5 h and could be useful to help estimate the air quality impacts of biomass burning.

Overview of High Power Vacuum Dry RF Load Designs

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

Krasnykh, Anatoly

2015-08-27

A specific feature of RF linacs based on the pulsed traveling wave (TW) mode of operation is that only a portion of the RF energy is used for the beam acceleration. The residual RF energy has to be terminated into an RF load. Higher accelerating gradients require higher RF sources and RF loads, which can stably terminate the residual RF power. RF feeders (from the RF source though the accelerating section to the load) are vacuumed to transmit multi-megawatt high power RF. This overview will outline vacuumed RF loads only. A common method to terminate multi-MW RF power is tomore » use circulated water (or other liquid) as an absorbing medium. A solid dielectric interface (a high quality ceramic) is required to separate vacuum and liquid RF absorber mediums. Using such RF load approaches in TW linacs is troubling because there is a fragile ceramic window barrier and a failure could become catastrophic for linac vacuum and RF systems. Traditional loads comprising of a ceramic disk have limited peak and average power handling capability and are therefore not suitable for high gradient TW linacs. This overview will focus on ''vacuum dry'' or ''all-metal'' loads that do not employ any dielectric interface between vacuum and absorber. The first prototype is an original design of RF loads for the Stanford Two-Mile Accelerator.« less

Rf feedback free electron laser

DOEpatents

Brau, C.A.; Swenson, D.A.; Boyd, T.J. Jr.

1979-11-02

A free electron laser system and electron beam system for a free electron laser are provided which use rf feedback to enhance efficiency. Rf energy is extracted from an electron beam by decelerating cavities and returned to accelerating cavities using rf returns such as rf waveguides, rf feedthroughs, etc. This rf energy is added to rf klystron energy to lower the required input energy and thereby enhance energy efficiency of the system.

Phase stable RF transport system

DOEpatents

Curtin, Michael T.; Natter, Eckard F.; Denney, Peter M.

1992-01-01

An RF transport system delivers a phase-stable RF signal to a load, such as an RF cavity of a charged particle accelerator. A circuit generates a calibration signal at an odd multiple frequency of the RF signal where the calibration signal is superimposed with the RF signal on a common cable that connects the RF signal with the load. Signal isolating diplexers are located at both the RF signal source end and load end of the common cable to enable the calibration to be inserted and extracted from the cable signals without any affect on the RF signal. Any phase shift in the calibration signal during traverse of the common cable is then functionally related to the phase shift in the RF signal. The calibration phase shift is used to control a phase shifter for the RF signal to maintain a stable RF signal at the load.

Imaging performance of a dedicated radiation transparent RF coil on a 1.0 Tesla inline MRI-linac.

PubMed

Liney, Gary P; Dong, Bin; Weber, Ewald; Rai, Robba; Destruel, Aurelien; Garcia-Alvarez, Roberto; Manton, David; Jelen, Urszula; Zhang, Kevin; Barton, Michael; Keall, Paul J; Crozier, Stuart

2018-05-25

This work describes the first imaging studies on a 1.0 Tesla inline MRI-Linac using a dedicated transmit/receive RF body coil that has been designed to be completely radio transparent and provide optimum imaging performance over a large patient opening. Methods: A series of experiments was performed on the MRI-Linac to investigate the performance and imaging characteristics of a new dedicated volumetric RF coil: (1) numerical electromagnetic simulations were used to measure transmit efficiency in two patient positions; (2) image quality metrics of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), ghosting and uniformity were assessed in a large diameter phantom with no radiation beam; (3) radiation induced effects were investigated in both the raw data (k-space) and image sequences acquired with simultaneous irradiation; (4) radiation dose was measured with and without image acquisition; (5) RF heating was studied using an MR-compatible fluoroptic thermometer and; (6) the in vivo image quality and versatility of the coil was demonstrated in normal healthy subjects for both supine and standing positions. Results: Daily phantom measurements demonstrated excellent imaging performance with stable SNR over a period of 3 months (42.6 ± 0.9). Simultaneous irradiation produced no statistical change in image quality (p>0.74) and no interference in raw data for a 20  20 cm radiation field. The coil was found to be efficient over large volumes and negligible RF heating was observed. Volunteer scans acquired in both supine and standing positions provided artefact free images with good anatomical visualisation. Conclusions: The first completely radio transparent RF coil for use on a 1.0 Tesla MRI-Linac has been described. There is no impact on either the imaging or dosimetry performance with a simultaneous radiation beam. The open design enables imaging and radiotherapy guidance in a variety of positons. . © 2018 Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine.

A theoretical model of the application of RF energy to the airway wall and its experimental validation.

PubMed

Jarrard, Jerry; Wizeman, Bill; Brown, Robert H; Mitzner, Wayne

2010-11-27

Bronchial thermoplasty is a novel technique designed to reduce an airway's ability to contract by reducing the amount of airway smooth muscle through controlled heating of the airway wall. This method has been examined in animal models and as a treatment for asthma in human subjects. At the present time, there has been little research published about how radiofrequency (RF) energy and heat is transferred to the airways of the lung during bronchial thermoplasty procedures. In this manuscript we describe a computational, theoretical model of the delivery of RF energy to the airway wall. An electro-thermal finite-element-analysis model was designed to simulate the delivery of temperature controlled RF energy to airway walls of the in vivo lung. The model includes predictions of heat generation due to RF joule heating and transfer of heat within an airway wall due to thermal conduction. To implement the model, we use known physical characteristics and dimensions of the airway and lung tissues. The model predictions were tested with measurements of temperature, impedance, energy, and power in an experimental canine model. Model predictions of electrode temperature, voltage, and current, along with tissue impedance and delivered energy were compared to experiment measurements and were within ± 5% of experimental averages taken over 157 sample activations.The experimental results show remarkable agreement with the model predictions, and thus validate the use of this model to predict the heat generation and transfer within the airway wall following bronchial thermoplasty. The model also demonstrated the importance of evaporation as a loss term that affected both electrical measurements and heat distribution. The model predictions showed excellent agreement with the empirical results, and thus support using the model to develop the next generation of devices for bronchial thermoplasty. Our results suggest that comparing model results to RF generator electrical measurements may be a useful tool in the early evaluation of a model.

Comparison of direct and alternating current vacuum ultraviolet lamps in atmospheric pressure photoionization.

PubMed

Vaikkinen, Anu; Haapala, Markus; Kersten, Hendrik; Benter, Thorsten; Kostiainen, Risto; Kauppila, Tiina J

2012-02-07

A direct current induced vacuum ultraviolet (dc-VUV) krypton discharge lamp and an alternating current, radio frequency (rf) induced VUV lamp that are essentially similar to lamps in commercial atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) ion sources were compared. The emission distributions along the diameter of the lamp exit window were measured, and they showed that the beam of the rf lamp is much wider than that of the dc lamp. Thus, the rf lamp has larger efficient ionization area, and it also emits more photons than the dc lamp. The ionization efficiencies of the lamps were compared using identical spray geometries with both lamps in microchip APPI mass spectrometry (μAPPI-MS) and desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization-mass spectrometry (DAPPI-MS). A comprehensive view on the ionization was gained by studying six different μAPPI solvent compositions, five DAPPI spray solvents, and completely solvent-free DAPPI. The observed reactant ions for each solvent composition were very similar with both lamps except for toluene, which showed a higher amount of solvent originating oxidation products with the rf lamp than with the dc lamp in μAPPI. Moreover, the same analyte ions were detected with both lamps, and thus, the ionization mechanisms with both lamps are similar. The rf lamp showed a higher ionization efficiency than the dc lamp in all experiments. The difference between the lamp ionization efficiencies was greatest when high ionization energy (IE) solvent compositions (IEs above 10 eV), i.e., hexane, methanol, and methanol/water, (1:1 v:v) were used. The higher ionization efficiency of the rf lamp is likely due to the larger area of high intensity light emission, and the resulting larger efficient ionization area and higher amount of photons emitted. These result in higher solvent reactant ion production, which in turn enables more efficient analyte ion production. © 2012 American Chemical Society

Airborne characterization of smoke marker ratios from prescribed burning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sullivan, A. P.; May, A. A.; Lee, T.; McMeeking, G. R.; Kreidenweis, S. M.; Akagi, S. K.; Yokelson, R. J.; Urbanski, S. P.; Collett, J. L., Jr.

2014-10-01

A Particle-Into-Liquid Sampler - Total Organic Carbon (PILS-TOC) and fraction collector system was flown aboard a Twin Otter aircraft sampling prescribed burning emissions in South Carolina in November 2011 to obtain smoke marker measurements. The fraction collector provided 2 min time-integrated offline samples for carbohydrate (i.e., smoke markers levoglucosan, mannosan, and galactosan) analysis by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection. Each fire location appeared to have a unique Δlevoglucosan/Δwater-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) ratio (RF01/RF02/RF03/RF05 = 0.163 ± 0.007 μg C μg-1 C, RF08 = 0.115 ± 0.011 μg C μg-1 C, RF09A = 0.072 ± 0.028 μg C μg-1 C, and RF09B = 0.042 ± 0.008 μg C μg-1 C, where RF means research flight). These ratios were comparable to those obtained from controlled laboratory burns and suggested that the emissions sampled during RF01/F02/RF03/RF05 were dominated by the burning of grasses, RF08 by leaves, RF09A by needles, and RF09B by marsh grasses. These findings were further supported by the Δgalactosan/Δlevoglucosan ratios (RF01/RF02/RF03/RF05 = 0.067 ± 0.004 μg μg-1, RF08 = 0.085 ± 0.009 μg μg-1, and RF09A = 0.101 ± 0.029 μg μg-1) obtained as well as by the ground-based fuel and filter sample analyses during RF01/RF02/RF03/RF05. Differences between Δpotassium/Δlevoglucosan ratios obtained for these prescribed fires vs. laboratory-scale measurements suggest that some laboratory burns may not accurately represent potassium emissions from prescribed burns. The Δlevoglucosan/ΔWSOC ratio had no clear dependence on smoke age or fire dynamics suggesting that this ratio is more dependent on the type of fuel being burned. Levoglucosan was stable over a timescale of at least 1.5 h and could be useful to help estimate the air quality impacts of biomass burning.

An ex-vivo experimental study on optimization of bipolar radiofrequency liver ablation using perfusion-cooled electrodes.

PubMed

Lee, J M; Han, J K; Kim, S H; Lee, J Y; Shin, K S; Choi, B I

2005-08-01

To determine optimal parameters for bipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using perfusion-cooled electrodes to create a large ablation volume in ex vivo bovine liver. Three sets of RF experiments were performed using a 200-Watt generator and two 15-gauge perfusion-cooled or internally cooled electrodes in ex vivo bovine livers. In the first set of experiments, to find the ideal inter-electrode distance for creating large coagulation necrosis, 30 ablation lesions were created by bipolar RFAs at inter-electrode spacings of 3 cm, 4 cm, and 5 cm. In the second set of experiments, to explore the ideal duration of RF application, bipolar RFAs were performed for 10 min and 20 min. In the first and second experiments, 10 lesions were made for each condition with infusion of 6% hypertonic saline (HS) at 2 ml/min. In the third set of experiments, 10 ablation lesions were created by bipolar RFAs using internally cooled electrodes without HS infusion. The mean volume of those ablation lesions was then compared to that of the lesions created by bipolar RFA using perfusion-cooled electrodes in the second experiments. Tissue impedance, dimension, and shape of the ablated areas were compared in each condition. In the first set of experiments, bipolar RFA created a homogeneous oval or spherical-shaped ablation area between the electrodes at 3-5 cm spacing, but showed a more spherical-shaped lesion at 3 cm inter-electrode spacing than at 4 cm and 5 cm spacing. In the second set of experiments, RF energy delivered for 20 min created a larger dimension of coagulation necrosis than energy delivered for 10 min: 107.6 +/- 34 cm3 versus 59.5 +/- 27 cm3 (P<0.05). In addition, the mean volume of ablation regions obtained with bipolar RFA using the internally cooled electrode was 47.5+/- 17 cm3, which was significantly less than that with bipolar RFA using perfusion-cooled electrodes (P <0.05). Bipolar RFA using perfusion-cooled electrodes achieves homogeneous areas of coagulation necrosis between two electrodes, preferably at 3 or 4 cm inter-electrode distance for 20 min, and is better in creating large coagulation necrosis than bipolar RFA using internally cooled electrodes.

Single electron beam rf feedback free electron laser

DOEpatents

Brau, C.A.; Stein, W.E.; Rockwood, S.D.

1981-02-11

A free electron laser system and electron beam system for a free electron laser which uses rf feedback to enhance efficiency are described. Rf energy is extracted from a single electron beam by decelerating cavities and energy is returned to accelerating cavities using rf returns, such as rf waveguides, rf feedthroughs, resonant feedthroughs, etc. This rf energy is added to rf klystron energy to reduce the required input energy and thereby enhance energy efficiency of the system.

Visualization of frequency-modulated electric field based on photonic frequency tracking in asynchronous electro-optic measurement system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hisatake, Shintaro; Yamaguchi, Koki; Uchida, Hirohisa; Tojyo, Makoto; Oikawa, Yoichi; Miyaji, Kunio; Nagatsuma, Tadao

2018-04-01

We propose a new asynchronous measurement system to visualize the amplitude and phase distribution of a frequency-modulated electromagnetic wave. The system consists of three parts: a nonpolarimetric electro-optic frequency down-conversion part, a phase-noise-canceling part, and a frequency-tracking part. The photonic local oscillator signal generated by electro-optic phase modulation is controlled to track the frequency of the radio frequency (RF) signal to significantly enhance the measurable RF bandwidth. We demonstrate amplitude and phase measurement of a quasi-millimeter-wave frequency-modulated continuous-wave signal (24 GHz ± 80 MHz with a 2.5 ms period) as a proof-of-concept experiment.

Electromagnetic Simulation and Design of a Novel Waveguide RF Wien Filter for Electric Dipole Moment Measurements of Protons and Deuterons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slim, J.; Gebel, R.; Heberling, D.; Hinder, F.; Hölscher, D.; Lehrach, A.; Lorentz, B.; Mey, S.; Nass, A.; Rathmann, F.; Reifferscheidt, L.; Soltner, H.; Straatmann, H.; Trinkel, F.; Wolters, J.

2016-08-01

The conventional Wien filter is a device with orthogonal static magnetic and electric fields, often used for velocity separation of charged particles. Here we describe the electromagnetic design calculations for a novel waveguide RF Wien filter that will be employed to solely manipulate the spins of protons or deuterons at frequencies of about 0.1-2 MHz at the COoler SYnchrotron COSY at Jülich. The device will be used in a future experiment that aims at measuring the proton and deuteron electric dipole moments, which are expected to be very small. Their determination, however, would have a huge impact on our understanding of the universe.

A far-field radio-frequency experimental exposure system with unrestrained mice.

PubMed

Hansen, Jared W; Asif, Sajid; Singelmann, Lauren; Khan, Muhammad Saeed; Ghosh, Sumit; Gustad, Tom; Doetkott, Curt; Braaten, Benjamin D; Ewert, Daniel L

2015-01-01

Many studies have been performed on exploring the effects of radio-frequency (RF) energy on biological function in vivo. In particular, gene expression results have been inconclusive due, in part, to a lack of a standardized experimental procedure. This research describes a new far field RF exposure system for unrestrained murine models that reduces experimental error. The experimental procedure includes the materials used, the creation of a patch antenna, the uncertainty analysis of the equipment, characterization of the test room, experimental equipment used and setup, power density and specific absorption rate experiment, and discussion. The result of this research is an experimental exposure system to be applied to future biological studies.

Practical experience and challenges in the operation of medical cyclotron.

PubMed

Kumar, Rajeev; Sonkawade, Rajendra G; Pandey, Anil K; Tripathi, Madhavi; Damle, Nishikant A; Kumar, Praveen; Bal, Chandra S

2017-01-01

The aim of this article was to share 10 years of operational experience of medical cyclotron and to provide working knowledge on the same. This experience has helped us gain working knowledge on cyclotron operation with practical points, which may help in improving F yield, minimizing the breakdown time, and help in the prevention of the occurrence of unusual events. Our facility has a self-shielded radioisotope delivery system eclipse 111 medical cyclotron with an 11 MeV proton beam in use for the past 10 years to produce positron emitters - namely, F, N, and F-2 gas - for PET imaging. During F production, we have followed a set protocol comprising the following: monitoring target pressure, rinsing the target with O water just immediately after bombardment, ion source feedback, radiofrequency (RF) feedback, and recording any unusual events that occurred during the operation. Besides this, enrichment of O water, target volume, target current, energy of the beam, variation in argon pressure on the target, bombardment duration, target status (new or old target or total number of previous bombardments on the same target), status of the delivery lines from target to the radiochemistry module (old or new) were also recorded. Rinsing with O water immediately after bombardment increases the life of the target and delivery line. The frequent problems encountered were with the ion source, RF, and target foil rupture. These problems were solved by rebuilding the ion source, changing the fuse of RF, and rebuilding the target. F yield can be increased by rinsing with O water immediately after bombardment. The effect of target leak - that is, rupture of vacuum window - can be avoided by immediate stoppage of bombardment.

Small Unmanned Aircraft Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Initial Assessment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jung, Jaewoo; Ippolito, Corey; Rogers, Christopher; Kerczewski, Robert; Downey, Alan; Matheou, Konstantin

2018-01-01

With many applications envisioned for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), and potentially millions of sUAS expected to be in operation in the future, the electromagnetic interference environment associated with the sUAS is of interest to understanding the potential performance impacts on the sUAS command and control communications link as well as the sUAS payload and payload links. As part of NASA's UAS Traffic Management (UTM) Project, flight experiments are planned to characterize the RF environment at altitudes up to 400 ft to better understand how UTM command and control links can be expected to perform. The flight experiments will use an RF channel sensing payload attached to an sUAS. In terms of the payload being capable of measuring relatively low level signals at altitude, electromagnetic interference (EMI) emanating from the sUAS vehicle itself could potentially complicate the measurement process. For this reason, NASA was interested in measuring the EMI performance of the sUAS planned for these flight experiments, a DJI model S1000. The S1000 was thus measured in a controlled EMI test chamber at the NASA Ames Research Center. The S1000 is a carbon fiber based platform with eight rotors. As such, the EMI test results represent potential performance of a number of similar sUAS types. sUAS platforms significantly different from the S1000 may also require EMI testing, and the method employed for NASA's S1000 EMI tests can be applied to other platforms. In this paper we describe the UTM project, the RF channel sensing payload, the EMI testing method and EMI test results for the S1000, and discuss the implications of these results.

Small Unmanned Aircraft Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Initial Assessment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jung, Jaewoo; Ippolito, Corey; Rogers, Christopher; Kerczewski, Robert; Downey, Alan; Matheou, Konstantin

2018-01-01

With many applications envisioned for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), and potentially millions of sUAS expected to be in operation in the future, the electromagnetic interference environment associated with the sUAS is of interest to understanding the potential performance impacts on the sUAS command and control communications link as well as the sUAS payload and payload links. As part of NASAâ€"TM"s UAS Traffic Management (UTM) Project, flight experiments are planned to characterize the RF environment at altitudes up to 400 ft to better understand how UTM command and control links can be expected to perform. The flight experiments will use an RF channel sensing payload attached to an sUAS. In terms of the payload being capable of measuring relatively low level signals at altitude, electromagnetic interference (EMI) emanating from the sUAS vehicle itself could potentially complicate the measurement process. For this reason, NASA was interested in measuring the EMI performance of the sUAS planned for these flight experiments, a DJI model S1000. The S1000 was thus measured in a controlled EMI test chamber at the NASA Ames Research Center. The S1000 is a carbon fiber based platform with eight rotors. As such, the EMI test results represent potential performance of a number of similar sUAS types. sUAS platforms significantly different from the S1000 may also require EMI testing, and the method employed for NASAâ€"TM"s S1000 EMI tests can be applied to other platforms. In this paper we describe the UTM project, the RF channel sensing payload, the EMI testing method and EMI test results for the S1000, and discuss the implications of these results.

Recirculating planar magnetrons: simulations and experiment

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

Franzi, Matthew; Gilgenbach, Ronald; French, David

2011-07-01

The Recirculating Planar Magnetron (RPM) is a novel crossed-field device whose geometry is expected to reduce thermal load, enhance current yield as well as ease the geometric limitations in scaling to high RF frequencies as compared to the conventional cylindrical magnetrons. The RPM has two different adaptations: A. Axial B field and radial E field; B. Radial B field and axial E field. The preliminary configuration (A) to be used in experiments at the University of Michigan consists of two parallel planar sections which join on either end by cylindrical regions to form a concentric extruded ellipse. Similar to conventionalmore » magnetrons, a voltage across the AK gap in conjunction with an axial magnetic field provides the electrons with an ExB drift. The device is named RPM because the drifting electrons recirculate from one planar region to the other. The drifting electrons interact with the resonantly tuned slow wave structure on the anode causing spoke formation. These electron spokes drive a RF electric field in the cavities from which RF power may be extracted to Waveguides. The RPM may be designed in either a conventional configuration with the anode on the outside, for simplified extraction, or as an inverted magnetron with the anode at the inner conductor, for fast start-up. Currently, experiments at the Pulsed Power and Microwave Laboratory at the University of Michigan are in the setup and design phase. A conventional RPM with planar cavities is to be installed on the Michigan Electron Long Beam Accelerator (MELBA) and is anticipated to operate at -200kV, 0.2T with a beam current of 1-10 kA at 1GHz. The conventional RPM consists of 12 identical planar cavities, 6 on each planar side, with simulated quality factor of 20.« less

Energy Saving Glass Lamination via Selective Radio Frequency Heating

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

Allan, Shawn M; Baranova, Inessa; Poley, Joseph

2012-02-27

This project focused on advancing radio-frequency (RF) lamination technology closer to commercial implementation, in order to reduce the energy intensity of glass lamination by up to 90%. Lamination comprises a wide range of products including autoglass, architectural safety and innovative design glass, transparent armor (e.g. bullet proof glass), smart glass, mirrors, and encapsulation of photovoltaics. Lamination is also the fastest growing segment of glass manufacturing, with photovoltaics, architectural needs, and an anticipated transition to laminated side windows in vehicles. The state-of-the-art for glass lamination is to use autoclaves, which apply heat and uniform gas pressure to bond the laminates overmore » the course of 1 to 18 hours. Laminates consist of layers of glass or other materials bonded with vinyl or urethane interlayers. In autoclaving, significant heat energy is lost heating the chamber, pressurized air, glass racks, and the glass. In RF lamination, the heat is generated directly in the vinyl interlayer, causing it to heat and melt quickly, in just 1 to 10 minutes, without significantly heating the glass or the equipment. The main purpose of this project was to provide evidence that low energy, rapid RF lamination quality met the same standards as conventionally autoclaved windows. The development of concepts for laminating curved glass with RF lamination was a major goal. Other primary goals included developing a stronger understanding of the lamination product markets described above, and to refine the potential benefits of commercial implementation. The scope of the project was to complete implementation concept studies in preparation for continuation into advanced development, pilot studies, and commercial implementation. The project consisted of 6 main tasks. The first dealt with lamination with poly-vinyl butyral (PVB) interlayers, which prior work had shown difficulties in achieving good quality laminates, working with Pilkington North America. The second task dealt with a study of current lamination processes in the various laminate industries, and development of concepts for integrating RF lamination into new or existing processes. The third task explored the use of a non-destructive technique for analyzing laminate adhesion with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The fourth task focused on developing concepts for curved glass lamination using RF lamination. The fifth and sixth tasks together comprised an analysis of laminate product markets, ranking for applicability and commercialization potential, and the development of commercialization strategies for those products. In addition, throughout the project as new experimental data and conventional process data were obtained, the benefits analysis of RF lamination was refined. The goals of the project described above were achieved, positioning RF lamination for the next stage growth envisioned in the original Industrial Grand Challenge proposal. Working with Pilkington North America, lamination of flat autoglass with PVB was achieved, meeting all 16 stringent industry tests. In particular, PVB laminates made with RF lamination passed environmental tests including the high temperature, 120°C bake test, without significant formation of bubbles (defects). The adhesion of PVB to glass was measured using the pummel method. Adhesion values ranging from 1 to 7 out of 10 were obtained. The significant process parameters affecting the environmental and adhesion performance were identified through a designed experiment. Pre-lamination process variables including PVB storage humidity and the de-airing process (vacuum or nip rolling) were significant, as well as the level of pressure applied to the laminate during the RF process. Analysis of manufacturing with RF lamination equipment, based on the processes developed indicated that 3 RF presses could replace a typical auto-industry autoclave to achieve equal or greater throughput with possibly less capital cost and smaller footprint. Concepts for curved lamination identifying castable molds for prototyping were developed, which allowed Ceralink to obtain commitment to begin curved tooling development. The project significantly helped to advance RF lamination past the feasibility and novelty stage and into the realm of commercial acceptance as a viable alternative to autoclaves. The demonstration of autoclave-quality autoglass produced in just 1 minute with RF lamination, with validation by Pilkington, has fueled industry motivation to seriously consider RF lamination. The industry and other contacts and outreach made in the study of laminate markets (including 3 technical publications and 5 conference presentations), has resulted in a recent surge in RF lamination activity.« less

Energy Saving Glass Lamination via Selective Radio Frequency Heating

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

Allan, Shawn M.

2012-02-27

This project focused on advancing radio-frequency (RF) lamination technology closer to commercial implementation, in order to reduce the energy intensity of glass lamination by up to 90%. Lamination comprises a wide range of products including autoglass, architectural safety and innovative design glass, transparent armor (e.g. bullet proof glass), smart glass, mirrors, and encapsulation of photovoltaics. Lamination is also the fastest growing segment of glass manufacturing, with photovoltaics, architectural needs, and an anticipated transition to laminated side windows in vehicles. The state-of-the-art for glass lamination is to use autoclaves, which apply heat and uniform gas pressure to bond the laminates overmore » the course of 1 to 18 hours. Laminates consist of layers of glass or other materials bonded with vinyl or urethane interlayers. In autoclaving, significant heat energy is lost heating the chamber, pressurized air, glass racks, and the glass. In RF lamination, the heat is generated directly in the vinyl interlayer, causing it to heat and melt quickly, in just 1 to 10 minutes, without significantly heating the glass or the equipment. The main purpose of this project was to provide evidence that low energy, rapid RF lamination quality met the same standards as conventionally autoclaved windows. The development of concepts for laminating curved glass with RF lamination was a major goal. Other primary goals included developing a stronger understanding of the lamination product markets described above, and to refine the potential benefits of commercial implementation. The scope of the project was to complete implementation concept studies in preparation for continuation into advanced development, pilot studies, and commercial implementation. The project consisted of 6 main tasks. The first dealt with lamination with poly-vinyl butyral (PVB) interlayers, which prior work had shown difficulties in achieving good quality laminates, working with Pilkington North America. The second task dealt with a study of current lamination processes in the various laminate industries, and development of concepts for integrating RF lamination into new or existing processes. The third task explored the use of a non-destructive technique for analyzing laminate adhesion with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The fourth task focused on developing concepts for curved glass lamination using RF lamination. The fifth and sixth tasks together comprised an analysis of laminate product markets, ranking for applicability and commercialization potential, and the development of commercialization strategies for those products. In addition, throughout the project as new experimental data and conventional process data were obtained, the benefits analysis of RF lamination was refined. The goals of the project described above were achieved, positioning RF lamination for the next stage growth envisioned in the original Industrial Grand Challenge proposal. Working with Pilkington North America, lamination of flat autoglass with PVB was achieved, meeting all 16 stringent industry tests. In particular, PVB laminates made with RF lamination passed environmental tests including the high temperature, 120 C bake test, without significant formation of bubbles (defects). The adhesion of PVB to glass was measured using the pummel method. Adhesion values ranging from 1 to 7 out of 10 were obtained. The significant process parameters affecting the environmental and adhesion performance were identified through a designed experiment. Pre-lamination process variables including PVB storage humidity and the de-airing process (vacuum or nip rolling) were significant, as well as the level of pressure applied to the laminate during the RF process. Analysis of manufacturing with RF lamination equipment, based on the processes developed indicated that 3 RF presses could replace a typical auto-industry autoclave to achieve equal or greater throughput with possibly less capital cost and smaller footprint. Concepts for curved lamination identifying castable molds for prototyping were developed, which allowed Ceralink to obtain commitment to begin curved tooling development. The project significantly helped to advance RF lamination past the feasibility and novelty stage and into the realm of commercial acceptance as a viable alternative to autoclaves. The demonstration of autoclave-quality autoglass produced in just 1 minute with RF lamination, with validation by Pilkington, has fueled industry motivation to seriously consider RF lamination. The industry and other contacts and outreach made in the study of laminate markets (including 3 technical publications and 5 conference presentations), has resulted in a recent surge in RF lamination activity.« less

ATS-6 engineering performance report. Volume 2: Orbit and attitude controls

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wales, R. O. (Editor)

1981-01-01

Attitude control is reviewed, encompassing the attitude control subsystem, spacecraft attitude precision pointing and slewing adaptive control experiment, and RF interferometer experiment. The spacecraft propulsion system (SPS) is discussed, including subsystem, SPS design description and validation, orbital operations and performance, in-orbit anomalies and contingency operations, and the cesium bombardment ion engine experiment. Thruster failure due to plugging of the propellant feed passages, a major cause for mission termination, are considered among the critical generic failures on the satellite.

Mutation at Tyrosine in AMLRY (GILRY Like) Motif of Yeast eRF1 on Nonsense Codons Suppression and Binding Affinity to eRF3

PubMed Central

Akhmaloka; Susilowati, Prima Endang; Subandi; Madayanti, Fida

2008-01-01

Termination translation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is controlled by two interacting polypeptide chain release factors, eRF1 and eRF3. Two regions in human eRF1, position at 281-305 and position at 411-415, were proposed to be involved on the interaction to eRF3. In this study we have constructed and characterized yeast eRF1 mutant at position 410 (correspond to 415 human eRF1) from tyrosine to serine residue resulting eRF1(Y410S). The mutations did not affect the viability and temperature sensitivity of the cell. The stop codons suppression of the mutant was analyzed in vivo using PGK-stop codon-LACZ gene fusion and showed that the suppression of the mutant was significantly increased in all of codon terminations. The suppression on UAG codon was the highest increased among the stop codons by comparing the suppression of the wild type respectively. In vitro interaction between eRF1 (mutant and wild type) to eRF3 were carried out using eRF1-(His)6 and eRF1(Y410S)-(His)6 expressed in Escherichia coli and indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae eRF3. The results showed that the binding affinity of eRF1(Y410S) to eRF3 was decreased up to 20% of the wild type binding affinity. Computer modeling analysis using Swiss-Prot and Amber version 9.0 programs revealed that the overall structure of eRF1(Y410S) has no significant different with the wild type. However, substitution of tyrosine to serine triggered the structural change on the other motif of C-terminal domain of eRF1. The data suggested that increasing stop codon suppression and decreasing of the binding affinity of eRF1(Y410S) were probably due to the slight modification on the structure of the C-terminal domain. PMID:18463713

Porcine MuRF2 and MuRF3: molecular cloning, expression and association analysis with muscle production traits.

PubMed

Shen, H; Zhao, S H; Cao, J H; Li, X Y; Fan, B

2011-11-01

Muscle specific RING finger protein2 (MuRF2) and Muscle specific RING finger protein3(MuRF3) are two important members of the muscle specific RING finger protein family, which are especially expressed in cardiac and skeletal muscle tissues and play critical roles during the myocyte differentiation, development and morphogenesis. In this study, the molecular characteristics of porcine MuRF2 and MuRF3 gene were reported, and furthermore two variants of MuRF2 were identified. The tissue distribution pattern analyses revealed that MuRF2-b and MuRF3 mRNA was exclusively expressed in striated muscle tissues while MuRF2-a had a low-level expression in liver tissue. Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) results displayed MuRF2 mRNA expression levels were significantly varied at three stages of fetal skeletal muscle in Landrace pigs, and the expression of MuRF2-a was lower than that of MuRF2-b in all stages. An essencial region of -396 to -22 for transcription was identified at the 5'UTR of porcine MuRF2 gene, while no active regulatory fragment found in the 5'UTR of mouse MuRF2. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), c.915G > A was identified in MuRF2 exon 5. A HinfI PCR-RFLP was developed for SNP genotyping in two different pig populations. Association of the genotypes with growth and carcass traits showed that different genotypes of MuRF2 were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with average daily gain on test, carcass weight and carcass length. The study suggested that the porcine MuRF2 and MuRF3 genes are involved in the muscle growth and development, and can be considered as potential candidate genes affecting muscle production traits in the pig.

“Triple M” Effect: A Proposed Mechanism to Explain Increased Dental Amalgam Microleakage after Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation

PubMed Central

Mortazavi, Gh.; Mortazavi, S.A.R.; Mehdizadeh, A.R.

2018-01-01

A large body of evidence now indicates that the amount of mercury released from dental amalgam fillings can be significantly accelerated by exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) such as common mobile phones and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Studies performed on the increased microleakage of dental amalgam restorations after exposure to RF-EMFs have further supported these findings. Although the accelerated microleakage induced by RF-EMFs is clinically significant, the entire mechanisms of this phenomenon are not clearly understood. In this paper, we introduce “Triple M” effect, a new evidence-based theory which can explain the accelerated microleakage of dental amalgam fillings after exposure to different sources of electromagnetic radiation. Based on this theory, there are saliva-filled tiny spaces between amalgam and the tooth. Exposure of the oral cavity to RF-EMFs increases the energy of these small amounts of saliva. Due to the small mass of saliva in these tiny spaces, a small amount of energy will be required for heating. Moreover, reflection of the radiofrequency radiation on the inner walls of the tiny spaces causes interference which in turn produces some “hot spots” in these spaces. Finally, formation of gas bubbles in response to increased temperature and very rapid expansion of these bubbles will accelerate the microleakage of amalgam. Experiments that confirm the validity of this theory are discussed. PMID:29732349

Evaluation of Mobile Phone and Cordless Phone Use and Glioma Risk Using the Bradford Hill Viewpoints from 1965 on Association or Causation.

PubMed

Carlberg, Michael; Hardell, Lennart

2017-01-01

Objective. Bradford Hill's viewpoints from 1965 on association or causation were used on glioma risk and use of mobile or cordless phones. Methods. All nine viewpoints were evaluated based on epidemiology and laboratory studies. Results. Strength: meta-analysis of case-control studies gave odds ratio (OR) = 1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.31-2.76 with highest cumulative exposure. Consistency: the risk increased with latency, meta-analysis gave in the 10+ years' latency group OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.20-2.19. Specificity: increased risk for glioma was in the temporal lobe. Using meningioma cases as comparison group still increased the risk. Temporality: highest risk was in the 20+ years' latency group, OR = 2.01, 95% CI =1.41-2.88, for wireless phones. Biological gradient: cumulative use of wireless phones increased the risk. Plausibility: animal studies showed an increased incidence of glioma and malignant schwannoma in rats exposed to radiofrequency (RF) radiation. There is increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from RF radiation. Coherence: there is a change in the natural history of glioma and increasing incidence. Experiment: antioxidants reduced ROS production from RF radiation. Analogy: there is an increased risk in subjects exposed to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields. Conclusion. RF radiation should be regarded as a human carcinogen causing glioma.

"Triple M" Effect: A Proposed Mechanism to Explain Increased Dental Amalgam Microleakage after Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation.

PubMed

Mortazavi, Gh; Mortazavi, S A R; Mehdizadeh, A R

2018-03-01

A large body of evidence now indicates that the amount of mercury released from dental amalgam fillings can be significantly accelerated by exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) such as common mobile phones and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Studies performed on the increased microleakage of dental amalgam restorations after exposure to RF-EMFs have further supported these findings. Although the accelerated microleakage induced by RF-EMFs is clinically significant, the entire mechanisms of this phenomenon are not clearly understood. In this paper, we introduce "Triple M" effect, a new evidence-based theory which can explain the accelerated microleakage of dental amalgam fillings after exposure to different sources of electromagnetic radiation. Based on this theory, there are saliva-filled tiny spaces between amalgam and the tooth. Exposure of the oral cavity to RF-EMFs increases the energy of these small amounts of saliva. Due to the small mass of saliva in these tiny spaces, a small amount of energy will be required for heating. Moreover, reflection of the radiofrequency radiation on the inner walls of the tiny spaces causes interference which in turn produces some "hot spots" in these spaces. Finally, formation of gas bubbles in response to increased temperature and very rapid expansion of these bubbles will accelerate the microleakage of amalgam. Experiments that confirm the validity of this theory are discussed.

A finite element procedure for radio-frequency sheath–plasma interactions based on a sheath impedance model

DOE PAGES

Kohno, H.; Myra, J. R.

2017-07-24

A finite element code that solves self-consistent radio-frequency (RF) sheath-plasma interaction problems is improved by incorporating a generalized sheath boundary condition in the macroscopic solution scheme. This sheath boundary condition makes use of a complex sheath impedance including both the sheath capacitance and resistance, which enables evaluation of not only the RF voltage across the sheath but also the power dissipation in the sheath. The newly developed finite element procedure is applied to cases where the background magnetic field is perpendicular to the sheath surface in one- and two-dimensional domains filled by uniform low- and high-density plasmas. The numerical resultsmore » are compared with those obtained by employing the previous capacitive sheath model at a typical frequency for ion cyclotron heating used in fusion experiments. It is shown that for sheaths on the order of 100 V in a high-density plasma, localized RF power deposition can reach a level which causes material damage. It is also shown that the sheath-plasma wave resonances predicted by the capacitive sheath model do not occur when parameters are such that the generalized sheath impedance model substantially modifies the capacitive character of the sheath. Here, possible explanations for the difference in the maximum RF sheath voltage depending on the plasma density are also discussed.« less

Impurity migration pattern under RF sheath potential in tokamak and the response of Plasma to RMP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Xiaotao; Gui, Bin; Xia, Tianyang; Xu, Xueqiao; Sun, Youwen

2017-10-01

The migration pattern of impurity sputtered from RF guarder limiter, is simulated by a test particle module. The electric potential with RF sheath boundary condition on the guard limiter and the thermal sheath boundary condition on the divertor surface are used. The turbulence transport is implemented by random walk model. It is found the RF sheath potential enhances the impurity percentage lost at low filed side middle plane, and decreases impurity percentage drifting into core region. This beneficial effect is stronger when sheath potential is large. When turbulence transport is strong enough, their migration pattern will be dominated by transport, not by sheath potential. The Resonant Magnetic field Perturbation (RMP) is successfully applied in EAST experiment and the suppression and mitigation effect on ELM is obtained. A two field fluid model is used to simulate the plasma response to RMP in EAST geometry. The current sheet on the resonance surface is obtained initially and the resonant component of radial magnetic field is suppressed there. With plasma rotation, the Alfven resonance occurs and the current is separated into two current sheets. The simulation result will be integrated with the ELM simulations to study the effects of RMP on ELM. Prepared by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344 and the China Natural Science Foundation under Contract No. 11405215, 11505236 and 11675217.

An exploration in acoustic radiation force experienced by cylindrical shells via resonance scattering theory.

PubMed

Rajabi, Majid; Behzad, Mehdi

2014-04-01

In nonlinear acoustic regime, a body insonified by a sound field is known to experience a steady force that is called the acoustic radiation force (RF). This force is a second-order quantity of the velocity potential function of the ambient medium. Exploiting the sufficiency of linear solution representation of potential function in RF formulation, and following the classical resonance scattering theorem (RST) which suggests the scattered field as a superposition of the resonant field and a background (non-resonant) component, we will show that the radiation force is a composition of three components: background part, resonant part and their interaction. Due to the nonlinearity effects, each part contains the contribution of pure partial waves in addition to their mutual interaction. The numerical results propose the residue component (i.e., subtraction of the background component from the RF) as a good indicator of the contribution of circumferential surface waves in RF. Defining the modal series of radiation force function and its components, it will be shown that within each partial wave, the resonance contribution can be synthesized as the Breit-Wigner form for adequately none-close resonant frequencies. The proposed formulation may be helpful essentially due to its inherent value as a canonical subject in physical acoustics. Furthermore, it may make a tunnel through the circumferential resonance reducing effects on radiation forces. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Cross-Cultural Validity of the MMPI-2-RF Higher-Order Scales in a Sample of North Korean Female Refugees.

PubMed

Kim, Seong-Hyeon; Goodman, Grace M; Toruno, Joseph A; Sherry, Alissa R; Kim, Hee Kyung

2015-10-01

We investigated the cross-cultural factorial validity of the three Higher-Order (H-O) scales in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) among a sample of North Korean female refugees (N = 2,732). Given the importance of the H-O scales in the overall structure of the MMPI-2-RF scales and in interpretation, we were interested in exploring their cross-cultural validity. We conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on the nine Restructured Clinical (RC) scale raw scores and fitted and compared one- to three-factor models. The three-factor model, akin to the model in Tellegen and Ben-Porath, demonstrated the best fit to the data. Furthermore, the pattern matrices of loadings across the current sample and the U.S. samples were comparable despite some differences, such as the RC2 scale's salient, negative loading on a factor analogous to the Behavioral/Externalizing Dysfunction scale. We also investigated the unique psychological characteristics of the refugees, possibly resulting from the arduous, perilous journeys out of North Korea taken by this group of female refugees and discussed the results of EFA in light of those singular psychological traits and experiences. Overall, the three H-O scales of the Korean MMPI-2-RF evidenced reasonable cross-cultural factorial validity among the sample of North Korean female refugees. © The Author(s) 2014.

Multi-Channel RF System for MRI-Guided Transurethral Ultrasound Thermal Therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yak, Nicolas; Asselin, Matthew; Chopra, Rajiv; Bronskill, Michael

2009-04-01

MRI-guided transurethral ultrasound thermal therapy is an approach to treating localized prostate cancer which targets precise deposition of thermal energy within a confined region of the gland. This treatment requires a system incorporating a heating applicator with multiple planar ultrasound transducers and associated RF electronics to control individual elements independently in order to achieve accurate 3D treatment. We report the design, construction, and characterization of a prototype multi-channel system capable of controlling 16 independent RF signals for a 16-element heating applicator. The main components are a control computer, microcontroller, and a 16-channel signal generator with 16 amplifiers, each incorporating a low-pass filter and transmitted/reflected power detection circuit. Each channel can deliver from 0.5 to 10 W of electrical power and good linearity from 3 to 12 MHz. Harmonic RF signals near the Larmor frequency of a 1.5 T MRI were measured to be below -30 dBm and heating experiments within the 1.5 T MR system showed no significant decrease in SNR of the temperature images. The frequency and power for all 16 channels could be changed in less than 250 ms, which was sufficiently rapid for proper performance of the control algorithms. A common backplane design was chosen which enabled an inexpensive, modular approach for each channel resulting in an overall system with minimal footprint.

Radio-frequency response of single pores and artificial ion channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, H. S.; Ramachandran, S.; Stava, E.; van der Weide, D. W.; Blick, R. H.

2011-09-01

Intercellular communication relies on ion channels and pores in cell membranes. These protein-formed channels enable the exchange of ions and small molecules to electrically and/or chemically interact with the cells. Traditionally, recordings on single-ion channels and pores are performed in the dc regime, due to the extremely high impedance of these molecular junctions. This paper is intended as an introduction to radio-frequency (RF) recordings of single-molecule junctions in bilipid membranes. First, we demonstrate how early approaches to using microwave circuitry as readout devices for ion channel formation were realized. The second step will then focus on how to engineer microwave coupling into the high-impedance channel by making use of bio-compatible micro-coaxial lines. We then demonstrate integration of an ultra-broadband microwave circuit for the direct sampling of single α-hemolysin pores in a suspended bilipid membrane. Simultaneous direct current recordings reveal that we can monitor and correlate the RF transmission signal. This enables us to relate the open-close states of the direct current to the RF signal. Altogether, our experiments lay the ground for an RF-readout technique to perform real-time in vitro recordings of pores. The technique thus holds great promise for research and drug screening applications. The possible enhancement of sampling rates of single channels and pores by the large recording bandwidth will allow us to track the passage of single ions.

A finite element procedure for radio-frequency sheath–plasma interactions based on a sheath impedance model

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

Kohno, H.; Myra, J. R.

A finite element code that solves self-consistent radio-frequency (RF) sheath-plasma interaction problems is improved by incorporating a generalized sheath boundary condition in the macroscopic solution scheme. This sheath boundary condition makes use of a complex sheath impedance including both the sheath capacitance and resistance, which enables evaluation of not only the RF voltage across the sheath but also the power dissipation in the sheath. The newly developed finite element procedure is applied to cases where the background magnetic field is perpendicular to the sheath surface in one- and two-dimensional domains filled by uniform low- and high-density plasmas. The numerical resultsmore » are compared with those obtained by employing the previous capacitive sheath model at a typical frequency for ion cyclotron heating used in fusion experiments. It is shown that for sheaths on the order of 100 V in a high-density plasma, localized RF power deposition can reach a level which causes material damage. It is also shown that the sheath-plasma wave resonances predicted by the capacitive sheath model do not occur when parameters are such that the generalized sheath impedance model substantially modifies the capacitive character of the sheath. Here, possible explanations for the difference in the maximum RF sheath voltage depending on the plasma density are also discussed.« less

The alteration of spontaneous low frequency oscillations caused by acute electromagnetic fields exposure.

PubMed

Lv, Bin; Chen, Zhiye; Wu, Tongning; Shao, Qing; Yan, Duo; Ma, Lin; Lu, Ke; Xie, Yi

2014-02-01

The motivation of this study is to evaluate the possible alteration of regional resting state brain activity induced by the acute radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure (30min) of Long Term Evolution (LTE) signal. We designed a controllable near-field LTE RF-EMF exposure environment. Eighteen subjects participated in a double-blind, crossover, randomized and counterbalanced experiment including two sessions (real and sham exposure). The radiation source was close to the right ear. Then the resting state fMRI signals of human brain were collected before and after the exposure in both sessions. We measured the amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and fractional ALFF (fALFF) to characterize the spontaneous brain activity. We found the decreased ALFF value around in left superior temporal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, right superior temporal gyrus, right medial frontal gyrus and right paracentral lobule after the real exposure. And the decreased fALFF value was also detected in right medial frontal gyrus and right paracentral lobule. The study provided the evidences that 30min LTE RF-EMF exposure modulated the spontaneous low frequency fluctuations in some brain regions. With resting state fMRI, we found the alteration of spontaneous low frequency fluctuations induced by the acute LTE RF-EMF exposure. Copyright © 2013 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experimental Study of Convective Cells and RF Sheaths Excited by a Fast Wave Antenna in the LAPD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Michael; Gekelman, Walter; Pribyl, Patrick; van Compernolle, Bart; Carter, Troy; van Eester, Dirk; Crombé, Kristel

2016-10-01

Ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) will be essential for ITER where it is planned to couple 20 MW to the plasma. During ICRH, radio frequency (RF) sheaths may form on the antenna or farther away, and convective cells are suspected to form adjacent to ICRH antennas, negatively affecting both machine and plasma performance. The LAPD (ne 10 12 - 13cm-3 , Te 1-10 eV, B0 0.4 to 2 kG, diameter 60 cm, length 17m) is an ideal device for performing detailed experiments to fully diagnose these phenomena. A 200 kW RF system capable of pulsing at the 1 Hz. rep. rate of the LAPD and operating from 2 to 2.5 MHz has been constructed to perform such studies. B0 can be adjusted so that this encompasses the 1st to 7th harmonic of fci in H plasmas. Emissive, Mach, Langmuir, and B-field probes measured plasma potential, bulk plasma flows, wave patterns, ne, and Te in 2D planes at various axial locations from the antenna. Plasma potential enhancements of up to 90 V along magnetic field lines connected to the antenna and induced ExB flows consistent in structure with convective cells were observed. Details of these observations along with power scaling of RF sheath voltage and convective cell flows will be presented.

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

Ren, Y.; Wang, W. X.; LeBlanc, B. P.

In this letter, we report the first observation of the fast response of electron-scale turbulence to auxiliary heating cessation in National Spherical Torus eXperiment [Ono et al., Nucl. Fusion 40, 557 (2000)]. The observation was made in a set of RF-heated L-mode plasmas with toroidal magnetic field of 0.55 T and plasma current of 300 kA. It is observed that electron-scale turbulence spectral power (measured with a high-k collective microwave scattering system) decreases significantly following fast cessation of RF heating that occurs in less than 200 μs. The large drop in the turbulence spectral power has a short time delaymore » of about 1–2 ms relative to the RF cessation and happens on a time scale of 0.5–1 ms, much smaller than the energy confinement time of about 10 ms. Power balance analysis shows a factor of about 2 decrease in electron thermal diffusivity after the sudden drop of turbulence spectral power. Measured small changes in equilibrium profiles across the RF cessation are unlikely able to explain this sudden reduction in the measured turbulence and decrease in electron thermal transport, supported by local linear stability analysis and both local and global nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations. Furthermore, the observations imply that nonlocal flux-driven mechanism may be important for the observed turbulence and electron thermal transport.« less

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

Ren, Y.; Wang, W. X.; LeBlanc, B. P.

In this letter, we report the first observation of the fast response of electron-scale turbulence to auxiliary heating cessation in National Spherical Torus eXperiment [Ono et al., Nucl. Fusion 40, 557 (2000)]. The observation was made in a set of RF-heated L-mode plasmas with toroidal magnetic field of 0.55 T and plasma current of 300 kA. It is observed that electron-scale turbulence spectral power (measured with a high-k collective microwave scattering system) decreases significantly following fast cessation of RF heating that occurs in less than 200 μs. The large drop in the turbulence spectral power has a short time delay of about 1–2 msmore » relative to the RF cessation and happens on a time scale of 0.5–1 ms, much smaller than the energy confinement time of about 10 ms. Power balance analysis shows a factor of about 2 decrease in electron thermal diffusivity after the sudden drop of turbulence spectral power. Measured small changes in equilibrium profiles across the RF cessation are unlikely able to explain this sudden reduction in the measured turbulence and decrease in electron thermal transport, supported by local linear stability analysis and both local and global nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations. The observations imply that nonlocal flux-driven mechanism may be important for the observed turbulence and electron thermal transport.« less

Evaluation of Mobile Phone and Cordless Phone Use and Glioma Risk Using the Bradford Hill Viewpoints from 1965 on Association or Causation

PubMed Central

Hardell, Lennart

2017-01-01

Objective. Bradford Hill's viewpoints from 1965 on association or causation were used on glioma risk and use of mobile or cordless phones. Methods. All nine viewpoints were evaluated based on epidemiology and laboratory studies. Results. Strength: meta-analysis of case-control studies gave odds ratio (OR) = 1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.31–2.76 with highest cumulative exposure. Consistency: the risk increased with latency, meta-analysis gave in the 10+ years' latency group OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.20–2.19. Specificity: increased risk for glioma was in the temporal lobe. Using meningioma cases as comparison group still increased the risk. Temporality: highest risk was in the 20+ years' latency group, OR = 2.01, 95% CI =1.41–2.88, for wireless phones. Biological gradient: cumulative use of wireless phones increased the risk. Plausibility: animal studies showed an increased incidence of glioma and malignant schwannoma in rats exposed to radiofrequency (RF) radiation. There is increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from RF radiation. Coherence: there is a change in the natural history of glioma and increasing incidence. Experiment: antioxidants reduced ROS production from RF radiation. Analogy: there is an increased risk in subjects exposed to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields. Conclusion. RF radiation should be regarded as a human carcinogen causing glioma. PMID:28401165

Specifics of Chemical Toxilogical Analyses in the Russian Federation for the Purpose of Identification of Narcotics in Biological Matters

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

Coates, Cameron W; Eisele, Gerhard R

2011-01-01

The Russian Federation (RF) is committed to implementing a comprehensive drug testing program under its Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) for military personnel involved in handling sensitive nuclear materials. This commitment leads to a number of mandatory requirements for the laboratory conducting the confirmation testing to ensure the legitimacy and integrity of the testing process. These requirements are established by the RF Duma to ensure that individuals conducting these tests have adequate training, certifications, and experience to conduct narcotic confirmation tests. This paper describes the facility requirements and personnel qualifications needed for conducting comprehensive drug abuse confirmation testing. Details regarding themore » personnel training and laboratory experience in the theory and practice of analytical forensic toxicology of drugs of abuse will be presented, as well as the facility requirements for the laboratory conducting such tests. Chain-of-custody, from sample receipt through completion of testing, reporting of results, and continuing until final disposition of specimens will be addressed.« less

Phase measurement for driven spin oscillations in a storage ring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hempelmann, N.; Hejny, V.; Pretz, J.; Soltner, H.; Augustyniak, W.; Bagdasarian, Z.; Bai, M.; Barion, L.; Berz, M.; Chekmenev, S.; Ciullo, G.; Dymov, S.; Eversmann, D.; Gaisser, M.; Gebel, R.; Grigoryev, K.; Grzonka, D.; Guidoboni, G.; Heberling, D.; Hetzel, J.; Hinder, F.; Kacharava, A.; Kamerdzhiev, V.; Keshelashvili, I.; Koop, I.; Kulikov, A.; Lehrach, A.; Lenisa, P.; Lomidze, N.; Lorentz, B.; Maanen, P.; Macharashvili, G.; Magiera, A.; Mchedlishvili, D.; Mey, S.; Müller, F.; Nass, A.; Nikolaev, N. N.; Nioradze, M.; Pesce, A.; Prasuhn, D.; Rathmann, F.; Rosenthal, M.; Saleev, A.; Schmidt, V.; Semertzidis, Y.; Senichev, Y.; Shmakova, V.; Silenko, A.; Slim, J.; Stahl, A.; Stassen, R.; Stephenson, E.; Stockhorst, H.; Ströher, H.; Tabidze, M.; Tagliente, G.; Talman, R.; Thörngren Engblom, P.; Trinkel, F.; Uzikov, Yu.; Valdau, Yu.; Valetov, E.; Vassiliev, A.; Weidemann, C.; Wrońska, A.; Wüstner, P.; Zuprański, P.; Żurek, M.; JEDI Collaboration

2018-04-01

This paper reports the first simultaneous measurement of the horizontal and vertical components of the polarization vector in a storage ring under the influence of a radio frequency (rf) solenoid. The experiments were performed at the Cooler Synchrotron COSY in Jülich using a vector polarized, bunched 0.97 GeV /c deuteron beam. Using the new spin feedback system, we set the initial phase difference between the solenoid field and the precession of the polarization vector to a predefined value. The feedback system was then switched off, allowing the phase difference to change over time, and the solenoid was switched on to rotate the polarization vector. We observed an oscillation of the vertical polarization component and the phase difference. The oscillations can be described using an analytical model. The results of this experiment also apply to other rf devices with horizontal magnetic fields, such as Wien filters. The precise manipulation of particle spins in storage rings is a prerequisite for measuring the electric dipole moment (EDM) of charged particles.

Study on the steady operating state of a micro-pulse electron gun

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

Kui, Zhou; Xing, Luo; Institute of Applied Electronics, Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900

Micro-pulse electron gun (MPG) employs the basic concept of multipacting to produce high-current and short-pulse electron beams from a radio-frequency (RF) cavity. The concept of MPG has been proposed for more than two decades. However, the unstable operating state of MPG vastly obstructs its practical applications. This paper presents a study on the steady operating state of a micro-pulse electron gun with theory and experiments. The requirements for the steady operating state are proposed through the analysis of the interaction between the RF cavity and the beam load. Accordingly, a MPG cavity with the frequency of 2856 MHz has been designed,more » constructed, and tested. Some primary experiments have been finished. Both the unstable and stable operating states of the MPG have been observed. The stable output beam current has been detected at about 3.8 mA. Further experimental study is under way now.« less

Experimental Observation of Convective Cell Formation due to a Fast Wave Antenna in the Large Plasma Device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, M. J.; Gekelman, W.; Van Compernolle, B.; Pribyl, P.; Carter, T.

2017-11-01

An experiment in a linear device, the Large Plasma Device, is used to study sheaths caused by an actively powered radio frequency (rf) antenna. The rf antenna used in the experiment consists of a single current strap recessed inside a copper box enclosure without a Faraday screen. A large increase in the plasma potential was observed along magnetic field lines that connect to the antenna limiter. The electric field from the spatial variation of the rectified plasma potential generated E →×B→0 flows, often referred to as convective cells. The presence of the flows generated by these potentials is confirmed by Mach probes. The observed convective cell flows are seen to cause the plasma in front of the antenna to flow away and cause a density modification near the antenna edge. These can cause hot spots and damage to the antenna and can result in a decrease in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies antenna coupling.

Experimental Observation of Convective Cell Formation due to a Fast Wave Antenna in the Large Plasma Device.

PubMed

Martin, M J; Gekelman, W; Van Compernolle, B; Pribyl, P; Carter, T

2017-11-17

An experiment in a linear device, the Large Plasma Device, is used to study sheaths caused by an actively powered radio frequency (rf) antenna. The rf antenna used in the experiment consists of a single current strap recessed inside a copper box enclosure without a Faraday screen. A large increase in the plasma potential was observed along magnetic field lines that connect to the antenna limiter. The electric field from the spatial variation of the rectified plasma potential generated E[over →]×B[over →]_{0} flows, often referred to as convective cells. The presence of the flows generated by these potentials is confirmed by Mach probes. The observed convective cell flows are seen to cause the plasma in front of the antenna to flow away and cause a density modification near the antenna edge. These can cause hot spots and damage to the antenna and can result in a decrease in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies antenna coupling.

Development of a radio frequency ion source with multi-helicon plasma injectors for neutral beam injection system of Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus

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

Choe, Kyumin; Jung, Bongki; Chung, Kyoung-Jae, E-mail: jkjlsh1@snu.ac.kr

2014-02-15

Despite of high plasma density, helicon plasma has not yet been applied to a large area ion source such as a driver for neutral beam injection (NBI) system due to intrinsically poor plasma uniformity in the discharge region. In this study, a radio-frequency (RF) ion source with multi-helicon plasma injectors for high plasma density with good uniformity has been designed and constructed for the NBI system of Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus at Seoul National University. The ion source consists of a rectangular plasma expansion chamber (120 × 120 × 120 mm{sup 3}), four helicon plasma injectors with annular permanent magnetsmore » and RF power system. Main feature of the source is downstream plasma confinement in the cusp magnetic field configuration which is generated by arranging polarities of permanent magnets in the helicon plasma injectors. In this paper, detailed design of the multi-helicon plasma injector and plasma characteristics of the ion source are presented.« less

Development of a radio frequency ion source with multi-helicon plasma injectors for neutral beam injection system of Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choe, Kyumin; Jung, Bongki; Chung, Kyoung-Jae; Hwang, Y. S.

2014-02-01

Despite of high plasma density, helicon plasma has not yet been applied to a large area ion source such as a driver for neutral beam injection (NBI) system due to intrinsically poor plasma uniformity in the discharge region. In this study, a radio-frequency (RF) ion source with multi-helicon plasma injectors for high plasma density with good uniformity has been designed and constructed for the NBI system of Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus at Seoul National University. The ion source consists of a rectangular plasma expansion chamber (120 × 120 × 120 mm3), four helicon plasma injectors with annular permanent magnets and RF power system. Main feature of the source is downstream plasma confinement in the cusp magnetic field configuration which is generated by arranging polarities of permanent magnets in the helicon plasma injectors. In this paper, detailed design of the multi-helicon plasma injector and plasma characteristics of the ion source are presented.

Development of a radio frequency ion source with multi-helicon plasma injectors for neutral beam injection system of Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus.

PubMed

Choe, Kyumin; Jung, Bongki; Chung, Kyoung-Jae; Hwang, Y S

2014-02-01

Despite of high plasma density, helicon plasma has not yet been applied to a large area ion source such as a driver for neutral beam injection (NBI) system due to intrinsically poor plasma uniformity in the discharge region. In this study, a radio-frequency (RF) ion source with multi-helicon plasma injectors for high plasma density with good uniformity has been designed and constructed for the NBI system of Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus at Seoul National University. The ion source consists of a rectangular plasma expansion chamber (120 × 120 × 120 mm(3)), four helicon plasma injectors with annular permanent magnets and RF power system. Main feature of the source is downstream plasma confinement in the cusp magnetic field configuration which is generated by arranging polarities of permanent magnets in the helicon plasma injectors. In this paper, detailed design of the multi-helicon plasma injector and plasma characteristics of the ion source are presented.

Primary experimental study on safety of deep brain stimulation in RF electromagnetic field.

PubMed

Jun, Xu; Luming, Li; Hongwei, Hao

2009-01-01

With the rapid growth of clinical application of Deep Brain Stimulation, its safety and functional concern in the electromagnetic field, another pollution becoming much more serious, has become more and more significant. Meanwhile, the measuring standards on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) for DBS are still incomplete. Particularly, the knowledge of the electromagnetic field induced signals on the implanted lead is ignorant while some informal reports some side effects. This paper briefly surmised the status of EMC standards on implantable medical devices. Based on the EMC experiments of DBS device we developed, two experiments for measuring the induced voltage of the deep brain stimulator in RF electromagnetic field were reported. The measured data showed that the induced voltage in some frequency was prominent, for example over 2V. As a primary research, we think these results would be significant to cause researcher to pay more attention to the EMC safety problem and biological effects of the induced voltage in deep brain stimulation and other implantable devices.

HETEROCLITIC POLYCLONAL AND MONOCLONAL ANTI-Gm(a) AND ANTI-Gm(g) HUMAN RHEUMATOID FACTORS REACT WITH EPITOPES INDUCED IN Gm(a−) Gm(g−) IgG BY INTERACTION WITH ANTIGEN OR BY NONSPECIFIC AGGREGATION

PubMed Central

WILLIAMS, RALPH C.; MALONE, CHRISTINE C.; CASALI, PAOLO

2015-01-01

Heteroclitic rheumatoid factors (RF) are specific for allotypic determinants, e.g., Gm(a) or Gm(g) on allogeneic, but not autologous IgG. All polyclonal RF we isolated from nine rheumatoid arthritis patients with circulating Gm(a−), (b+), (g−), (f+) IgG displayed dual heteroclitic activity for the Gm(a) and Gm(g) allotypes, as shown by using appropriate RBC agglutination assays and affinity columns bearing Gm(a+) or Gm(g+) IgG. To investigate possible mechanisms underlying the in vivo generation of heteroclitic RF, we tested the ability of non-specifically and immune-specifically aggregated Gm(a−), (g−) IgG to function as targets for RF from Gm(a−), (g−) patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Heat aggregation (63°C for 20 min) or binding to Ag (as in tetanus toxoid-antitetanus toxoid complexes) induced a “functional” Gm(a+) and/or (g+) phenotype in Gm(a−), (g−) IgG from five healthy subjects and five rheumatoid patients, as suggested by the ability of these altered IgG to function as efficient targets for six heteroclitic RF in direct binding and competitive inhibition experiments. That heterocliticity and dual Gm(a), Gm(g) specificity can be features of a single antibody molecule was formally demonstrated by analysis of a monoclonal RF (IgM mAb 61) generated from a Gm(a−), (g−) rheumatoid patient. RF mAb 61 displayed a high affinity (Kd, 10−7 M) for IgG Fc fragment of Gm(a+) and (g+) IgG or aggregated autologous Gm(a−), (g−) IgG but did not bind to native autologous IgG. To investigate the molecular basis of the acquired Gm(a) phenotype, PBMC from five Gm(a−) patients with rheumatoid arthritis and two Gm(a−) normal subjects were cultured in vitro after activation with PWM. In most instances, these PBMC produced IgG that behaved as Gm(a+) in sensitive ELISA. Application of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using probes specific for the nucleotide sequence coding for the Gm(a) tetrapeptide, to the amplification of DNA from the in vitro-stimulated Gm(a−) normals or rheumatoid patients’ PBMC provided no evidence for Gm(a) nucleotide sequences. The present data suggest that acquisition of the Gm(a) determinant by Gm(a−) IgG may result from subtle changes in the CH2-CH3 RF-binding region. Such changes would occur when Gm(a) IgG are complexed with Ag or nonspecifically altered, thereby providing a possible explanation for the induction of heteroclitic RF in Gm(a−) rheumatoid arthritis patients. PMID:1380541

Quantum Information Experiments with Trapped Ions at NIST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, Andrew

2015-03-01

We present an overview of recent trapped-ion quantum information experiments at NIST. Advancing beyond few-qubit ``proof-of-principle'' experiments to the many-qubit systems needed for practical quantum simulation and information processing, without compromising on the performance demonstrated with small systems, remains a major challenge. One approach to scalable hardware development is surface-electrode traps. Micro-fabricated planar traps can have a number of useful features, including flexible electrode geometries, integrated microwave delivery, and spatio-temporal tuning of potentials for ion transport and spin-spin interactions. In this talk we report on a number of on-going investigations with surface traps. Experiments feature a multi-zone trap with closely spaced ions in a triangular arrangement (a first step towards 2D arrays of ions with tunable spin-spin interactions), a scheme for smooth transport through a junction in a 2D structure based on switchable RF potentials, and a micro-fabricated photo-detector integrated into a trap. We also give a progress report on our latest efforts to improve the fidelity of both optical and microwave 2-qubit gates. This work was supported by IARPA, ONR and the NIST Quantum Information Program. The 3-ion and switchable-RF-junction traps were developed in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratory.

Characterization and evaluation of a flexible MRI receive coil array for radiation therapy MR treatment planning using highly decoupled RF circuits.

PubMed

McGee, Kiaran P; Stormont, Robert S; Lindsay, Scott A; Taracila, Victor; Savitskij, Dennis; Robb, Fraser; Witte, Robert J; Kaufmann, Timothy J; Huston, John; Riederer, Stephen J; Borisch, Eric A; Rossman, Phillip J

2018-04-13

The growth in the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data for radiation therapy (RT) treatment planning has been facilitated by scanner hardware and software advances that have enabled RT patients to be imaged in treatment position while providing morphologic and functional assessment of tumor volumes and surrounding normal tissues. Despite these advances, manufacturers have been slow to develop radiofrequency (RF) coils that closely follow the contour of a RT patient undergoing MR imaging. Instead, relatively large form surface coil arrays have been adapted from diagnostic imaging. These arrays can be challenging to place on, and in general do not conform to the patient's body habitus, resulting in sub optimal image quality. The purpose of this study is to report on the characterization of a new flexible and highly decoupled RF coil for use in MR imaging of RT patients. Coil performance was evaluated by performing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and noise correlation measurements using two coil (SNR) and four coil (noise correlation) element combinations as a function of coil overlap distance and comparing these values to those obtained using conventional coil elements. In vivo testing was performed in both normal volunteers and patients using a four and 16 element RF coil. Phantom experiments demonstrate the highly decoupled nature of the new coil elements when compared to conventional RF coils, while in vivo testing demonstrate that these coils can be integrated into extremely flexible and form fitting substrates that follow the exact contour of the patient. The new coil design addresses limitations imposed by traditional surface coil arrays and have the potential to significantly impact MR imaging for both diagnostic and RT applications.

Transfer of Herb-Resistance Plasmid From Escherichia coli to Staphylococcus aureus Residing in the Human Urinary Tract

PubMed Central

Tong, Yan Qing; Xin, Bing; Zhu, Li

2014-01-01

Background: Plasmid transfer among bacteria provides a means for dissemination of resistance. Plasmid Analysis has made it possible to track plasmids that induce resistance in bacterial population. Objectives: To screen the presence of herb-resistance plasmid in Escherichia coli strains and determine the transferability of this resistance plasmid directly from E. coli to the Gram-positive, Staphylococcus aureus. Materials and Methods: The donor strain E. coli CP9 and recipient strain S. aureus RN450RF were isolated from UTI patients. E. coli CP9 was highly resistant to herbal concoction. Isolates of S. aureus RN450RF were fully susceptible. Total plasmid DNA was prepared and transferred into E. coli DH5α. Transconjugants were selected on agar plates containing serial dilutions of herbal concoction. Resistance plasmid was transferred to susceptible S. aureus RN450RFin triple replicas. The mating experiments were repeated twice. Results: The identified 45 kb herb-resistance plasmid could be transferred from E. coli CP9 isolates to E. coli DH5α. As a consequence E. coli DH5α transconjugant MIC increased from 0.0125 g/mL to 0.25 g/mL. The plasmid was easily transferred from E. coli CP9 strain to S. aureus RN450RF with a mean transfer rate of 1×10-2 transconjugants/recipient. The E. coli donor and the S. aureus RN450RF transconjugant contained a plasmid of the same size, which was absent in the recipient before mating. Susceptibility testing showed that the S. aureus RN450RF transconjugant was resistant to herbal concoction. Conclusions: E. coli herb-resistance plasmid can replicate and be expressed in S. aureus. PMID:25147679

Endoluminal full-thickness plication and radiofrequency treatments for GERD: an outcomes comparison.

PubMed

Jeansonne, Louis O; White, Brent C; Nguyen, Vien; Jafri, Syed M; Swafford, Vickie; Katchooi, Mina; Khaitan, Leena; Davis, S Scott; Smith, C Daniel; Sedghi, Shahriar; Lin, Edward

2009-01-01

Endoluminal therapies have emerged as adjuncts for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in select patients. To compare the effectiveness of endoscopic full-thickness plication and endoscopic radiofrequency treatments for patients with GERD. A total of 126 patients who underwent either endoscopic full-thickness plication (FTP) of the gastric cardia or endoscopic radiofrequency (RF) treatment of the esophagogastric junction during a 4-year period were included (68 underwent RF and 58 underwent FTP). Follow-up data was obtained for 51% of patients (mean follow-up, 6 months). Comparison of medication use, symptom scores, and pH values at baseline and follow-up. In the RF group, patients with moderate to severe heartburn decreased from 55% to 22% (P < .01), and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use decreased from 84% to 50% (P = .01). Decreases were also seen for dysphagia, voice symptoms, and cough. Percentage of time the pH was less than 4 was unchanged. In the FTP group, patients with moderate to severe heartburn decreased from 53% to 43% (P = .3), and PPI use decreased from 95% to 43% (P = .01). Percentage of time the pH was less than 4 decreased from 10.0% to 6.1% (P = .05). Decreases were also seen for regurgitation, voice symptoms, and dysphagia. There was no change in scores for chest pain or asthma in either group. For patients with GERD, RF and FTP both resulted in a decrease in both PPI use and in scores for voice symptoms and dysphagia. In addition, RF resulted in decreased heartburn and cough, while FTP resulted in the most dramatic reduction in regurgitation. Our experience indicates that both procedures are effective, providing symptomatic relief and reduction in PPI use. For patients whose chief complaint is regurgitation, FTP may be the preferred procedure.

Analysis of proto-oncogene and heat-shock protein gene expression in human derived cell-lines exposed in vitro to an intermittent 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency field.

PubMed

Chauhan, Vinita; Mariampillai, Anusiyanthan; Gajda, Greg B; Thansandote, Artnarong; McNamee, James P

2006-05-01

Several studies have reported that radiofrequency (RF) fields, as emitted by mobile phones, may cause changes in gene expression in cultured human cell-lines. The current study was undertaken to evaluate this possibility in two human-derived immune cell-lines. HL-60 and Mono-Mac-6 (MM6) cells were individually exposed to intermittent (5 min on, 10 min off) 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated RF fields at a average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 1 and 10 W/kg at 37 +/- 0.5 degrees C for 6 h. Concurrent negative and positive (heat-shock for 1 h at 43 degrees C) controls were conducted with each experiment. Immediately following RF field exposure (T = 6 h) and 18 h post-exposure (T = 24 h), cell pellets were collected from each of the culture dishes and analyzed for transcript levels of proto-oncogenes (c-jun, c-myc and c-fos) and the stress-related genes (heat shock proteins (HSP) HSP27 and HSP70B) by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). No significant effects were observed in mRNA expression of HSP27, HSP70, c-jun, c-myc or c-fos between the sham and RF-exposed groups, in either of the two cell-lines. However, the positive (heat-shock) control group displayed a significant elevation in the expression of HSP27, HSP70, c-fos and c-jun in both cell-lines at T = 6 and 24 h, relative to the sham and negative control groups. This study found no evidence that exposure of cells to non-thermalizing levels of 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated RF fields can cause any detectable change in stress-related gene expression.

Characterization and evaluation of a flexible MRI receive coil array for radiation therapy MR treatment planning using highly decoupled RF circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McGee, Kiaran P.; Stormont, Robert S.; Lindsay, Scott A.; Taracila, Victor; Savitskij, Dennis; Robb, Fraser; Witte, Robert J.; Kaufmann, Timothy J.; Huston, John, III; Riederer, Stephen J.; Borisch, Eric A.; Rossman, Phillip J.

2018-04-01

The growth in the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data for radiation therapy (RT) treatment planning has been facilitated by scanner hardware and software advances that have enabled RT patients to be imaged in treatment position while providing morphologic and functional assessment of tumor volumes and surrounding normal tissues. Despite these advances, manufacturers have been slow to develop radiofrequency (RF) coils that closely follow the contour of a RT patient undergoing MR imaging. Instead, relatively large form surface coil arrays have been adapted from diagnostic imaging. These arrays can be challenging to place on, and in general do not conform to the patient’s body habitus, resulting in sub optimal image quality. The purpose of this study is to report on the characterization of a new flexible and highly decoupled RF coil for use in MR imaging of RT patients. Coil performance was evaluated by performing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and noise correlation measurements using two coil (SNR) and four coil (noise correlation) element combinations as a function of coil overlap distance and comparing these values to those obtained using conventional coil elements. In vivo testing was performed in both normal volunteers and patients using a four and 16 element RF coil. Phantom experiments demonstrate the highly decoupled nature of the new coil elements when compared to conventional RF coils, while in vivo testing demonstrate that these coils can be integrated into extremely flexible and form fitting substrates that follow the exact contour of the patient. The new coil design addresses limitations imposed by traditional surface coil arrays and have the potential to significantly impact MR imaging for both diagnostic and RT applications.

Meal sequence and glucose excursion, gastric emptying and incretin secretion in type 2 diabetes: a randomised, controlled crossover, exploratory trial.

PubMed

Kuwata, Hitoshi; Iwasaki, Masahiro; Shimizu, Shinobu; Minami, Kohtaro; Maeda, Haruyo; Seino, Susumu; Nakada, Koji; Nosaka, Chihiro; Murotani, Kenta; Kurose, Takeshi; Seino, Yutaka; Yabe, Daisuke

2016-03-01

Investigation of dietary therapy for diabetes has focused on meal size and composition; examination of the effects of meal sequence on postprandial glucose management is limited. The effects of fish or meat before rice on postprandial glucose excursion, gastric emptying and incretin secretions were investigated. The experiment was a single centre, randomised controlled crossover, exploratory trial conducted in an outpatient ward of a private hospital in Osaka, Japan. Patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 12) and healthy volunteers (n = 10), with age 30-75 years, HbA1c 9.0% (75 mmol/mol) or less, and BMI 35 kg/m(2) or less, were randomised evenly to two groups by use of stratified randomisation, and subjected to meal sequence tests on three separate mornings; days 1 and 2, rice before fish (RF) or fish before rice (FR) in a crossover fashion; and day 3, meat before rice (MR). Pre- and postprandial levels of glucose, insulin, C-peptide and glucagon as well as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide were evaluated. Gastric emptying rate was determined by (13)C-acetate breath test involving measurement of (13)CO2 in breath samples collected before and after ingestion of rice steamed with (13)C-labelled sodium acetate. Participants, people doing measurements or examinations, and people assessing the outcomes were not blinded to group assignment. FR and MR in comparison with RF ameliorated postprandial glucose excursion (AUC-15-240 min-glucose: type 2 diabetes, FR 2,326.6 ± 114.7 mmol/l × min, MR 2,257.0 ± 82.3 mmol/l × min, RF 2,475.6 ± 87.2 mmol/l × min [p < 0.05 for FR vs RF and MR vs RF]; healthy, FR 1,419.8 ± 72.3 mmol/l × min, MR 1,389.7 ± 69.4 mmol/l × min, RF 1,483.9 ± 72.8 mmol/l × min) and glucose variability (SD-15-240 min-glucose: type 2 diabetes, FR 1.94 ± 0.22 mmol/l, MR 1.68 ± 0.18 mmol/l, RF 2.77 ± 0.24 mmol/l [p < 0.05 for FR vs RF and MR vs RF]; healthy, FR 0.95 ± 0.21 mmol/l, MR 0.83 ± 0.16 mmol/l, RF 1.18 ± 0.27 mmol/l). FR and MR also enhanced GLP-1 secretion, MR more strongly than FR or RF (AUC-15-240 min-GLP-1: type 2 diabetes, FR 7,123.4 ± 376.3 pmol/l × min, MR 7,743.6 ± 801.4 pmol/l × min, RF 6,189.9 ± 581.3 pmol/l × min [p < 0.05 for FR vs RF and MR vs RF]; healthy, FR 3,977.3 ± 324.6 pmol/l × min, MR 4,897.7 ± 330.7 pmol/l × min, RF 3,747.5 ± 572.6 pmol/l × min [p < 0.05 for MR vs RF and MR vs FR]). FR and MR delayed gastric emptying (Time50%: type 2 diabetes, FR 83.2 ± 7.2 min, MR 82.3 ± 6.4 min, RF 29.8 ± 3.9 min [p < 0.05 for FR vs RF and MR vs RF]; healthy, FR 66.3 ± 5.5 min, MR 74.4 ± 7.6 min, RF 32.4 ± 4.5 min [p < 0.05 for FR vs RF and MR vs RF]), which is associated with amelioration of postprandial glucose excursion (AUC-15-120 min-glucose: type 2 diabetes, r = -0.746, p < 0.05; healthy, r = -0.433, p < 0.05) and glucose variability (SD-15-240 min-glucose: type 2 diabetes, r = -0.578, p < 0.05; healthy, r = -0.526, p < 0.05), as well as with increasing GLP-1 (AUC-15-120 min-GLP-1: type 2 diabetes, r = 0.437, p < 0.05; healthy, r = 0.300, p = 0.107) and glucagon (AUC-15-120 min-glucagon: type 2 diabetes, r = 0.399, p < 0.05; healthy, r = 0.471, p < 0.05). The measured outcomes were comparable between the two randomised groups. Meal sequence can play a role in postprandial glucose control through both delayed gastric emptying and enhanced incretin secretion. Our findings provide clues for medical nutrition therapy to better prevent and manage type 2 diabetes. UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000017434. Japan Society for Promotion of Science, Japan Association for Diabetes Education and Care, and Japan Vascular Disease Research Foundation.

Radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective comparison of four radiofrequency devices.

PubMed

Lin, Shi-Ming; Lin, Chen-Chun; Chen, Wei-Ting; Chen, Yi-Chen; Hsu, Chao-Wei

2007-09-01

To compare the effectiveness of ablation techniques for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the use of four radiofrequency (RF) devices. One hundred patients with 133 HCC lesions no larger than 4 cm were treated with one of four RF devices: RF 2000 (maximum power, 100 W) and RF 3000 generators (maximum power, 200 W) with LeVeen expandable electrodes with a maximum dimension of 3.5 cm or 4 cm, internally cooled single electrode with a thermal dimension of 3 cm, and a RITA RF generator with expandable electrodes with a maximum dimension of 5 cm. Numbers of RF sessions needed per HCC to achieve complete necrosis were 1.4 +/- 0.5 with the RF 2000 device and greater than 1.1 +/- 0.3 with the other three devices (P < .05). The RF 2000 device required a more interactive algorithm than the RF 3000 device. Session times per patient were 31.7 minutes +/- 13.2 in the RF 2000 group and longer than 16.6 minutes +/- 7.5 in the RF 3000 group, 28.3 minutes +/- 12 in the RITA device group, and 27.1 minutes +/- 12 with the internally cooled electrode device (P < .005 for RF 2000 vs other devices and for RF 3000 vs RITA or internally cooled electrode device). Complete necrosis and local tumor progression rates at 2 years in the RF 2000, RF 3000, RITA, and internally cooled electrode device groups were 91.1%, 97.1%, 96.7%, and 96.8% and 12%, 8%, 8.2%, and 8.3%, respectively (P = .37). Ablation with the RF 3000 device required a shorter time than the other three devices and required a less interactive algorithm than the RF 2000 device. However, complete necrosis and local tumor progression rates were similar among devices.

A wideband dual-antenna receiver for wireless recording from animals behaving in large arenas.

PubMed

Lee, Seung Bae; Yin, Ming; Manns, Joseph R; Ghovanloo, Maysam

2013-07-01

A low-noise wideband receiver (Rx) is presented for a multichannel wireless implantable neural recording (WINeR) system that utilizes time-division multiplexing of pulse width modulated (PWM) samples. The WINeR-6 Rx consists of four parts: 1) RF front end; 2) signal conditioning; 3) analog output (AO); and 4) field-programmable gate array (FPGA) back end. The RF front end receives RF-modulated neural signals in the 403-490 MHz band with a wide bandwidth of 18 MHz. The frequency-shift keying (FSK) PWM demodulator in the FPGA is a time-to-digital converter with 304 ps resolution, which converts the analog pulse width information to 16-bit digital samples. Automated frequency tracking has been implemented in the Rx to lock onto the free-running voltage-controlled oscillator in the transmitter (Tx). Two antennas and two parallel RF paths are used to increase the wireless coverage area. BCI-2000 graphical user interface has been adopted and modified to acquire, visualize, and record the recovered neural signals in real time. The AO module picks three demultiplexed channels and converts them into analog signals for direct observation on an oscilloscope. One of these signals is further amplified to generate an audio output, offering users the ability to listen to ongoing neural activity. Bench-top testing of the Rx performance with a 32-channel WINeR-6 Tx showed that the input referred noise of the entire system at a Tx-Rx distance of 1.5 m was 4.58 μV rms with 8-bit resolution at 640 kSps. In an in vivo experiment, location-specific receptive fields of hippocampal place cells were mapped during a behavioral experiment in which a rat completed 40 laps in a large circular track. Results were compared against those acquired from the same animal and the same set of electrodes by a commercial hardwired recording system to validate the wirelessly recorded signals.

A Wideband Dual-Antenna Receiver for Wireless Recording From Animals Behaving in Large Arenas

PubMed Central

Lee, Seung Bae; Yin, Ming; Manns, Joseph R.

2014-01-01

A low-noise wideband receiver (Rx) is presented for a multichannel wireless implantable neural recording (WINeR) system that utilizes time-division multiplexing of pulse width modulated (PWM) samples. The WINeR-6 Rx consists of four parts: 1) RF front end; 2) signal conditioning; 3) analog output (AO); and 4) field-programmable gate array (FPGA) back end. The RF front end receives RF-modulated neural signals in the 403–490 MHz band with a wide bandwidth of 18 MHz. The frequency-shift keying (FSK) PWM demodulator in the FPGA is a time-to-digital converter with 304 ps resolution, which converts the analog pulse width information to 16-bit digital samples. Automated frequency tracking has been implemented in the Rx to lock onto the free-running voltage-controlled oscillator in the transmitter (Tx). Two antennas and two parallel RF paths are used to increase the wireless coverage area. BCI-2000 graphical user interface has been adopted and modified to acquire, visualize, and record the recovered neural signals in real time. The AO module picks three demultiplexed channels and converts them into analog signals for direct observation on an oscilloscope. One of these signals is further amplified to generate an audio output, offering users the ability to listen to ongoing neural activity. Bench-top testing of the Rx performance with a 32-channel WINeR-6 Tx showed that the input referred noise of the entire system at a Tx–Rx distance of 1.5 m was 4.58 μVrms with 8-bit resolution at 640 kSps. In an in vivo experiment, location-specific receptive fields of hippocampal place cells were mapped during a behavioral experiment in which a rat completed 40 laps in a large circular track. Results were compared against those acquired from the same animal and the same set of electrodes by a commercial hardwired recording system to validate the wirelessly recorded signals. PMID:23428612

A Novel Application of Machine Learning Methods to Model Microcontroller Upset Due to Intentional Electromagnetic Interference

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bilalic, Rusmir

A novel application of support vector machines (SVMs), artificial neural networks (ANNs), and Gaussian processes (GPs) for machine learning (GPML) to model microcontroller unit (MCU) upset due to intentional electromagnetic interference (IEMI) is presented. In this approach, an MCU performs a counting operation (0-7) while electromagnetic interference in the form of a radio frequency (RF) pulse is direct-injected into the MCU clock line. Injection times with respect to the clock signal are the clock low, clock rising edge, clock high, and the clock falling edge periods in the clock window during which the MCU is performing initialization and executing the counting procedure. The intent is to cause disruption in the counting operation and model the probability of effect (PoE) using machine learning tools. Five experiments were executed as part of this research, each of which contained a set of 38,300 training points and 38,300 test points, for a total of 383,000 total points with the following experiment variables: injection times with respect to the clock signal, injected RF power, injected RF pulse width, and injected RF frequency. For the 191,500 training points, the average training error was 12.47%, while for the 191,500 test points the average test error was 14.85%, meaning that on average, the machine was able to predict MCU upset with an 85.15% accuracy. Leaving out the results for the worst-performing model (SVM with a linear kernel), the test prediction accuracy for the remaining machines is almost 89%. All three machine learning methods (ANNs, SVMs, and GPML) showed excellent and consistent results in their ability to model and predict the PoE on an MCU due to IEMI. The GP approach performed best during training with a 7.43% average training error, while the ANN technique was most accurate during the test with a 10.80% error.

Simultaneous radiofrequency (RF) heating and magnetic resonance (MR) thermal mapping using an intravascular MR imaging/RF heating system.

PubMed

Qiu, Bensheng; El-Sharkawy, Abdel-Monem; Paliwal, Vaishali; Karmarkar, Parag; Gao, Fabao; Atalar, Ergin; Yang, Xiaoming

2005-07-01

Previous studies have confirmed the possibility of using an intravascular MR imaging guidewire (MRIG) as a heating source to enhance vascular gene transfection/expression. This motivated us to develop a new intravascular system that can perform MR imaging, radiofrequncy (RF) heating, and MR temperature monitoring simultaneously in an MR scanner. To validate this concept, a series of mathematical simulations of RF power loss along a 0.032-inch MRIG and RF energy spatial distribution were performed to determine the optimum RF heating frequency. Then, an RF generator/amplifier and a filter box were built. The possibility for simultaneous RF heating and MR thermal mapping of the system was confirmed in vitro using a phantom, and the obtained thermal mapping profile was compared with the simulated RF power distribution. Subsequently, the feasibility of simultaneous RF heating and temperature monitoring was successfully validated in vivo in the aorta of living rabbits. This MR imaging/RF heating system offers a potential tool for intravascular MR-mediated, RF-enhanced vascular gene therapy.

A 2.4-GHz ISM RF and UWB hybrid RFID real-time locating system for industrial enterprise Internet of Things

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhai, Chuanying; Zou, Zhuo; Zhou, Qin; Mao, Jia; Chen, Qiang; Tenhunen, Hannu; Zheng, Lirong; Xu, Lida

2017-07-01

This paper presents a 2.4-GHz radio frequency (RF) and ultra-wide bandwidth (UWB) hybrid real-time locating system (RTLS) for industrial enterprise Internet of Things (IoT). It employs asymmetric wireless link, that is, UWB radio is utilised for accurate positioning up to 10 cm in critical sites, whereas 2.4-GHz RF is used for tag control and coarse positioning in non-critical sites. The specified communication protocol and the adaptive tag synchronisation rate ensure reliable and deterministic access with a scalable system capacity and avoid unpredictable latency and additional energy consumption of retransmissions due to collisions. The tag, consisting of a commercial 2.4-GHz transceiver and a customised application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) UWB transmitter (Tx), is able to achieve up to 3 years' battery life at 1600 tags per position update second with 1000 mAh battery in one cluster. The time difference of arrival (TDoA)-based positioning experiment at UWB radio is performed on the designed software-defined radio (SDR) platform.

Progress towards the Advanced Cryogenic Gas Stopper at NSCL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lund, Kasey; Bollen, Georg; Villiari, Antonio; Lawton, Don; Morrissey, Dave; Otterson, Jack; Ringle, Ryan; Schwarz, Stefan; Sumithrarachchi, Chandana; Yurkon, John; Advanced Cryogenic Gas Stopper Design Team

2016-09-01

Beam stopping is the key to performing experiments with low-energy beams of rare isotopes produced by projectile fragmentation. Linear gas stoppers filled with helium have become reliable tools to accomplish this task. Further developments are underway to maximize efficiency and beam rate capability in order to increase scientific reach. Improvements include increasing extraction efficiency, lowering decay losses due to slow transport time, reducing molecular combination of the isotope of interest with background impurity gases, and minimizing space charge effects. The ACGS under construction at NSCL is designed to increase performance by overcoming some of the more common issues. The use of a 4-phase RF wire carpet to generate an electrical traveling wave speeds up the ion transport times. Cryogenic cooling of the helium gas chamber reduces molecular ion information. A geometry that puts the RF carpet in the mid-plane of the gas stopper alleviates space charge effects. Prototype testing of important ACGS components has been completed, specifically ion transport tests of the newly designed RF wire carpets. Transport efficiencies up to 95% were demonstrated as well as transport speeds up to 100 m/s. RC104100.7301.

Nb3Sn SRF Cavities for Nuclear Physics Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eremeev, Grigory

2017-01-01

Nuclear physics experiments rely increasingly on accelerators, which employ superconducting RF (SRF) technology. CEBAF, SNS, FRIB, ESS, among others exploit the low surface resistance of SRF cavities to efficiently accelerate particle beams towards experimental targets. Niobium is the cavity material of choice for all current or planned SRF accelerators, but it has been long recognized that other superconductors with high superconducting transition temperatures have the potential to surpass niobium for SRF applications. Among the alternatives, Nb3Sn coated cavities are the most advanced on the path to practical applications: Nb3Sn coatings on R&D cavities have Tc consistently close the optimal 18 K, very low RF surface resistances, and very recently were shown to reach above Hc1 without anomalous RF surface resistance increase. In my talk I will discuss the prospects of Nb3Sn SRF cavities, the research efforts to realize Nb3Sn coatings on practical multi-cell accelerating structures, and the path toward possible inclusion in CEBAF. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Nuclear Physics.

Calculation of the radial electric field with RF sheath boundary conditions in divertor geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gui, B.; Xia, T. Y.; Xu, X. Q.; Myra, J. R.; Xiao, X. T.

2018-02-01

The equilibrium electric field that results from an imposed DC bias potential, such as that driven by a radio frequency (RF) sheath, is calculated using a new minimal two-field model in the BOUT++ framework. Biasing, using an RF-modified sheath boundary condition, is applied to an axisymmetric limiter, and a thermal sheath boundary is applied to the divertor plates. The penetration of the bias potential into the plasma is studied with a minimal self-consistent model that includes the physics of vorticity (charge balance), ion polarization currents, force balance with E× B , ion diamagnetic flow (ion pressure gradient) and parallel electron charge loss to the thermal and biased sheaths. It is found that a positive radial electric field forms in the scrape-off layer and it smoothly connects across the separatrix to the force-balanced radial electric field in the closed flux surface region. The results are in qualitative agreement with the experiments. Plasma convection related to the E× B net flow in front of the limiter is also obtained from the calculation.

Gap cycling for SWIFT.

PubMed

Corum, Curtis A; Idiyatullin, Djaudat; Snyder, Carl J; Garwood, Michael

2015-02-01

SWIFT (SWeep Imaging with Fourier Transformation) is a non-Cartesian MRI method with unique features and capabilities. In SWIFT, radiofrequency (RF) excitation and reception are performed nearly simultaneously, by rapidly switching between transmit and receive during a frequency-swept RF pulse. Because both the transmitted pulse and data acquisition are simultaneously amplitude-modulated in SWIFT (in contrast to continuous RF excitation and uninterrupted data acquisition in more familiar MRI sequences), crosstalk between different frequency bands occurs in the data. This crosstalk leads to a "bulls-eye" artifact in SWIFT images. We present a method to cancel this interband crosstalk by cycling the pulse and receive gap positions relative to the un-gapped pulse shape. We call this strategy "gap cycling." We carry out theoretical analysis, simulation and experiments to characterize the signal chain, resulting artifacts, and their elimination for SWIFT. Theoretical analysis reveals the mechanism for gap-cycling's effectiveness in canceling interband crosstalk in the received data. We show phantom and in vivo results demonstrating bulls-eye artifact free images. Gap cycling is an effective method to remove bulls-eye artifact resulting from interband crosstalk in SWIFT data. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Can we estimate the cellular phone RF peak output power with a simple experiment?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fioreze, Maycon; dos Santos Junior, Sauli; Goncalves Hönnicke, Marcelo

2016-07-01

Cellular phones are becoming increasingly useful tools for students. Since cell phones operate in the microwave bandwidth, they can be used to motivate students to demonstrate and better understand the properties of electromagnetic waves. However, since these waves operate at higher frequencies (L-band, from 800 MHz to 2 GHz) it is not simple to detect them. Usually, expensive real-time high frequency oscilloscopes are required. Indirect measurements are also possible through heat-based and diode-detector-based radio-frequency (RF) power sensors. Another didactic and intuitive way is to explore a simple and inexpensive detection system, based on the interference effect caused in the electronic circuit of TV and PC soundspeakers, and to try to investigate different properties of the cell phones’ RF electromagnetic waves, such as its power and modulated frequency. This manuscript proposes a trial to quantify these measurements, based on a simple Friis equation model and the time constant of the circuit used in the detection system, in order to show it didactically to the students and even allow them also to explore such a simple detection system at home.

[Effects of applying nitrogen fertilizer at different stages in ploughed furrow on dry matter production and yield of rice].

PubMed

Shi, Kun; Hao, Shufeng; Xie, Hongtu; Zhang, Xudong

2002-12-01

The effects of applying nitrogen fertilizer in ploughed furrow at different stages on dry matter production and yield of rice were studied in a field experiment in 1999. The results showed that applying N fertilizer at booting stage (BS) had better effects on dry weight (2.9 g.hill-1) of leaf, stem and whole plant than at panicle primordia formation stage (PPFS), tillering stage (TS) and regular N fertilization (RF). Meanwhile, the dry weight of leaf and sheath as well as the leaf area index (LAI, 8.9) could be maintained at a high level for a relative long time in BS treatment, compared with PPFS, TS and RF treatments. Similar phenomenon was observed in the growth velocity (0.73 g.d-1.hill-1) of stem and whole plant, and the dry weight (10434 kg.hm-2) of seed. The grain yield of rice followed the sequence of BS > or = PPFS > TS > or = RF. Thus, the optimum stage of applying N fertilizer in ploughed furrow was the booting stage.

Space-time codependence of retinal ganglion cells can be explained by novel and separable components of their receptive fields.

PubMed

Cowan, Cameron S; Sabharwal, Jasdeep; Wu, Samuel M

2016-09-01

Reverse correlation methods such as spike-triggered averaging consistently identify the spatial center in the linear receptive fields (RFs) of retinal ganglion cells (GCs). However, the spatial antagonistic surround observed in classical experiments has proven more elusive. Tests for the antagonistic surround have heretofore relied on models that make questionable simplifying assumptions such as space-time separability and radial homogeneity/symmetry. We circumvented these, along with other common assumptions, and observed a linear antagonistic surround in 754 of 805 mouse GCs. By characterizing the RF's space-time structure, we found the overall linear RF's inseparability could be accounted for both by tuning differences between the center and surround and differences within the surround. Finally, we applied this approach to characterize spatial asymmetry in the RF surround. These results shed new light on the spatiotemporal organization of GC linear RFs and highlight a major contributor to its inseparability. © 2016 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Physiological Society and The Physiological Society.

Direct rate constant measurements for the reaction of ground-state atomic oxygen with ethylene, 244-1052 K

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

Klemm, R.B.; Nesbitt, F.L.; Skolnik, E.G.

The rate constant for the reaction of ground-state atomic oxygen with ethylene was determined by using two techniques: flash photolysis-resonance fluorescence (FP-RF, 244-1052 K) and discharge flow-resonance fluorescence (DF-RF, 298-1017 K). Kinetic complications due to the presence of molecular oxygen in the FP-RF experiments at high temperatures (T > 800 K) were overcome by using NO as the photolytic source of the O atoms. The rate constant, k/sub 1/ (T), derived in this study exhibits extreme non-Arrhenius behavior, but it can be successfully fit to the sum of exponentials expression, 244-1052 K, k/sub 1/(T) = (1.02 +/- 0.06) x 10/supmore » -11/ exp(-753 +/- 17 K/T) + (2.75 +/- 0.26) x 10/sup -10/ exp(-4220 +/- 550 K/T), in units of cm/sup 3/ molecule/sup -1/ s/sup -1/. Additionally, a fit of the results of this work to a simple transition-state theory expression and the comparison of these results with those of other workers are discussed.« less

Operational Parameters, Considerations, and Design Decisions for Resource-Constrained Ion Trap Mass Spectrometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Danell, Ryan M.; VanAmerom, Friso H. W.; Pinnick, Veronica; Cotter, Robert J.; Brickerhoff, William; Mahaffy, Paul

2011-01-01

Mass spectrometers are increasingly finding applications in new and unique areas, often in situations where key operational resources (i.e. power, weight and size) are limited. One such example is the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA). This instrument is a joint venture between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop an ion trap mass spectrometer for chemical analysis on Mars. The constraints on such an instrument are significant as are the performance requirements. While the ideal operating parameters for an ion trap are generally well characterized, methods to maintain analytical performance with limited power and system weight need to be investigated and tested. Methods Experiments have been performed on two custom ion trap mass spectrometers developed as prototypes for the MOMA instrument. This hardware consists of quadrupole ion trap electrodes that are 70% the size of common commercial instrumentation. The trapping RF voltage is created with a custom tank circuit that can be tuned over a range of RF frequencies and is driven using laboratory supplies and amplifiers. The entire instrument is controlled with custom Lab VIEW software that allows a high degree of flexibility in the definition of the scan function defining the ion trap experiment. Ions are typically generated via an internal electron ionization source, however, a laser desorption source is also in development for analysis of larger intact molecules. Preliminary Data The main goals in this work have been to reduce the power required to generate the radio frequency trapping field used in an ion trap mass spectrometer. Generally minimizing the power will also reduce the volume and mass of the electronics to support the instrument. In order to achieve optimum performance, commercial instruments typically utilize RF frequencies in the 1 MHz range. Without much concern for power usage, they simply generate the voltage required to access the mass range of interest. In order to reduce the required RF voltage (and power), operation of the ion trap at lower RF frequencies has been investigated. Surprisingly, the performance of the instrument has only been slightly degraded at RF frequencies all the way down to 500 kHz. Mass resolution is relatively stable to this point and depending on the resonant ejection point used, the peak intensity is also quite stable. To date only masses up to m/z 200 have been fully investigated, however, additional studies are planned to verify the performance with higher mass ions. The lower frequency and voltage should reduce the pseudo potential well depth, eventually affecting the trapping efficiency of the instrument -- effect that could manifest itself in significantly limiting the mass range of trapped ions. Other methods to reduce the RF power while maintaining analytical performance are also under investigation. This includes ion ejection at lower q(sub z) values to access a given mass with a lower RF voltage. The loss of mass resolution at lower q(sub eject) points has been measured and current work is underway to leverage scan speed and the use of non-linear resonances in order to counter this trend. The overall trap performance under this range of operating conditions will be presented with a goal of identifying what trade-offs are acceptable.

Real-time 2D spatially selective MRI experiments: Comparative analysis of optimal control design methods.

PubMed

Maximov, Ivan I; Vinding, Mads S; Tse, Desmond H Y; Nielsen, Niels Chr; Shah, N Jon

2015-05-01

There is an increasing need for development of advanced radio-frequency (RF) pulse techniques in modern magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems driven by recent advancements in ultra-high magnetic field systems, new parallel transmit/receive coil designs, and accessible powerful computational facilities. 2D spatially selective RF pulses are an example of advanced pulses that have many applications of clinical relevance, e.g., reduced field of view imaging, and MR spectroscopy. The 2D spatially selective RF pulses are mostly generated and optimised with numerical methods that can handle vast controls and multiple constraints. With this study we aim at demonstrating that numerical, optimal control (OC) algorithms are efficient for the design of 2D spatially selective MRI experiments, when robustness towards e.g. field inhomogeneity is in focus. We have chosen three popular OC algorithms; two which are gradient-based, concurrent methods using first- and second-order derivatives, respectively; and a third that belongs to the sequential, monotonically convergent family. We used two experimental models: a water phantom, and an in vivo human head. Taking into consideration the challenging experimental setup, our analysis suggests the use of the sequential, monotonic approach and the second-order gradient-based approach as computational speed, experimental robustness, and image quality is key. All algorithms used in this work were implemented in the MATLAB environment and are freely available to the MRI community. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Could the heat sink effect of blood flow inside large vessels protect the vessel wall from thermal damage during RF-assisted surgical resection?

PubMed

González-Suárez, Ana; Trujillo, Macarena; Burdío, Fernando; Andaluz, Anna; Berjano, Enrique

2014-08-01

To assess by means of computer simulations whether the heat sink effect inside a large vessel (portal vein) could protect the vessel wall from thermal damage close to an internally cooled electrode during radiofrequency (RF)-assisted resection. First,in vivo experiments were conducted to validate the computational model by comparing the experimental and computational thermal lesion shapes created around the vessels. Computer simulations were then carried out to study the effect of different factors such as device-tissue contact, vessel position, and vessel-device distance on temperature distributions and thermal lesion shapes near a large vessel, specifically the portal vein. The geometries of thermal lesions around the vessels in the in vivo experiments were in agreement with the computer results. The thermal lesion shape created around the portal vein was significantly modified by the heat sink effect in all the cases considered. Thermal damage to the portal vein wall was inversely related to the vessel-device distance. It was also more pronounced when the device-tissue contact surface was reduced or when the vessel was parallel to the device or perpendicular to its distal end (blade zone), the vessel wall being damaged at distances less than 4.25 mm. The computational findings suggest that the heat sink effect could protect the portal vein wall for distances equal to or greater than 5 mm, regardless of its position and distance with respect to the RF-based device.

Measured performance of the GTA rf systems

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

Denney, P.M.; Jachim, S.P.

1993-06-01

This paper describes the performance of the RF systems on the Ground Test Accelerator (GTA). The RF system architecture is briefly described. Among the RF performance results presented are RF field flatness and stability, amplitude and phase control resolution, and control system bandwidth and stability. The rejection by the RF systems of beam-induced disturbances, such as transients and noise, are analyzed. The observed responses are also compared to computer-based simulations of the RF systems for validation.

Measured performance of the GTA rf systems

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

Denney, P.M.; Jachim, S.P.

1993-01-01

This paper describes the performance of the RF systems on the Ground Test Accelerator (GTA). The RF system architecture is briefly described. Among the RF performance results presented are RF field flatness and stability, amplitude and phase control resolution, and control system bandwidth and stability. The rejection by the RF systems of beam-induced disturbances, such as transients and noise, are analyzed. The observed responses are also compared to computer-based simulations of the RF systems for validation.

Application of the Physics of Wave-Particle Interactions in the Auroral Upward Current Region for Use in the VASIMR° Deep Space Electric Propulsion System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bering, E. A.; Olsen, C.; Longmier, B.; Ballenger, M.; Giambusso, M.; Carter, M.; Cassady, L.; Chang Diaz, F.; Glover, T.; McCaskill, G.; Squire, J.

2011-12-01

This paper will describe the laboratory application of the lessons learned from the study of wave particle interactions in the auroral upward current region to the industrial development problem of electric spacecraft propulsion. The VAriable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR°) has been developed by using the results of space plasma experiments in laboratory plasma studies that will ultimately enable further space exploration. VASIMR° is a high power electric spacecraft propulsion system, capable of Isp/thrust modulation at constant power. The VASIMR° uses a helicon discharge to generate plasma. The plasma is leaked though a strong magnetic mirror to the second stage. In this stage, this plasma is energized by an RF booster stage that uses left hand polarized slow mode waves launched from the high field side of the ion cyclotron resonance. In the experiments reported in this paper, the booster uses 0.5-0.7 MHz waves with up to 170 kW of power. The single pass ion cyclotron heating (ICH) produced a substantial increase in ion velocity. Pitch angle distribution studies showed that this increase took place in the resonance region where the ion cyclotron frequency was roughly equal to the frequency on the injected rf waves. Downstream of the resonance region the perpendicular velocity boost should be converted to axial flow velocity through the conservation of the first adiabatic invariant as the magnetic field decreases in the exhaust region of the VASIMR°. Results from high power Helicon only and Helicon with ICH experiments are presented from the VX-200 using argon propellant. A two-axis translation stage has been used to survey the spatial structure of plasma parameters, momentum flux and magnetic perturbations in the VX-200 exhaust plume. These recent measurements were made within a new 150 cubic meter cryo-pumped vacuum chamber and are presented in the context of plasma detachment. For the first time, the thruster efficiency and thrust of a high-power VASIMR° prototype have been measured with the thruster installed inside a vacuum chamber with sufficient volume and pumping to simulate the vacuum conditions of space. Using an ion flux probe array and a plasma momentum flux sensor (PMFS), the exhaust of the VX-200 engine was characterized as a function of the coupled RF power and as a function of the radial and axial position within the exhaust plume. The ionization cost of argon propellant was determined to be 87 eV for optimized values of RF power and propellant flow rate. Recent results at 200 kW coupled RF power have shown a thruster efficiency of 72% at a specific impulse of 5000 s and a thrust of 5.7 N.

Social scaling of extrapersonal space: target objects are judged as closer when the reference frame is a human agent with available movement potentialities.

PubMed

Fini, C; Brass, M; Committeri, G

2015-01-01

Space perception depends on our motion potentialities and our intended actions are affected by space perception. Research on peripersonal space (the space in reaching distance) shows that we perceive an object as being closer when we (Witt, Proffitt, & Epstein, 2005; Witt & Proffitt, 2008) or another actor (Costantini, Ambrosini, Sinigaglia, & Gallese, 2011; Bloesch, Davoli, Roth, Brockmole, & Abrams, 2012) can interact with it. Similarly, an object only triggers specific movements when it is placed in our peripersonal space (Costantini, Ambrosini, Tieri, Sinigaglia, & Committeri, 2010) or in the other's peripersonal space (Costantini, Committeri, & Sinigaglia, 2011; Cardellicchio, Sinigaglia, & Costantini, 2013). Moreover, also the extrapersonal space (the space outside reaching distance) seems to be perceived in relation to our movement capabilities: the more effort it takes to cover a distance, the greater we perceive the distance to be (Proffitt, Stefanucci, Banton, & Epstein, 2003; Sugovic & Witt, 2013). However, not much is known about the influence of the other's movement potentialities on our extrapersonal space perception. Three experiments were carried out investigating the categorization of distance in extrapersonal space using human or non-human allocentric reference frames (RF). Subjects were asked to judge the distance ("Near" or "Far") of a target object (a beach umbrella) placed at progressively increasing or decreasing distances until a change from near to far or vice versa was reported. In the first experiment we found a significant "Near space extension" when the allocentric RF was a human virtual agent instead of a static, inanimate object. In the second experiment we tested whether the "Near space extension" depended on the anatomical structure of the RF or its movement potentialities by adding a wooden dummy. The "Near space extension" was only observed for the human agent but not for the dummy. Finally, to rule out the possibility that the effect was simply due to a line-of-sight mechanism (visual perspective taking) we compared the human agent free to move with the same agent tied to a pole with a rope, thus reducing movement potentialities while maintaining equal visual accessibility. The "Near space extension" disappeared when this manipulation was introduced, showing that movement potentialities are the relevant factor for such an effect. Our results demonstrate for the first time that during allocentric distance judgments within extrapersonal space, we implicitly process the movement potentialities of the RF. A target object is perceived as being closer when the allocentric RF is a human with available movement potentialities, suggesting a mechanism of social scaling of extrapersonal space processing. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Improving RF Transmit Power and Received Signal Strength in 2.4 GHz ZigBee Based Active RFID System with Embedded Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Po'ad, F. A.; Ismail, W.; Jusoh, J. F.

2017-08-01

This paper describes the experiments and analysis conducted on 2.4 GHz embedded active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) - Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) based system that has been developed for the purposes of location tracking and monitoring in indoor and outdoor environments. Several experiments are conducted to test the effectiveness and performance of the developed system and two of them is by measuring the Radio Frequency (RF) transmitting power and Received Signal Strength (RSS) to prove that the embedded active RFID tag is capable to generate higher transmit power during data transmission and able to provide better RSS reading compared to standalone RFID tag. Experiments are carried out on two RFID tags which are active RFID tag embedded with GPS and GSM (ER2G); and standalone RFID tag communicating with the same active RFID reader. The developed ER2G contributes 12.26 % transmit power and 6.47 % RSS reading higher than standalone RFID tag. The results conclude that the ER2G gives better performance compared to standalone RFID tag and can be used as guidelines for future design improvements.

Exploration of high harmonic fast wave heating on the National Spherical Torus Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, J. R.; Bell, R. E.; Bernabei, S.; Bitter, M.; Bonoli, P.; Gates, D.; Hosea, J.; LeBlanc, B.; Mau, T. K.; Medley, S.; Menard, J.; Mueller, D.; Ono, M.; Phillips, C. K.; Pinsker, R. I.; Raman, R.; Rosenberg, A.; Ryan, P.; Sabbagh, S.; Stutman, D.; Swain, D.; Takase, Y.; Wilgen, J.

2003-05-01

High harmonic fast wave (HHFW) heating has been proposed as a particularly attractive means for plasma heating and current drive in the high beta plasmas that are achievable in spherical torus (ST) devices. The National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) [M. Ono, S. M. Kaye, S. Neumeyer et al., in Proceedings of the 18th IEEE/NPSS Symposium on Fusion Engineering, Albuquerque, 1999 (IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, 1999), p. 53] is such a device. An rf heating system has been installed on the NSTX to explore the physics of HHFW heating, current drive via rf waves and for use as a tool to demonstrate the attractiveness of the ST concept as a fusion device. To date, experiments have demonstrated many of the theoretical predictions for HHFW. In particular, strong wave absorption on electrons over a wide range of plasma parameters and wave parallel phase velocities, wave acceleration of energetic ions, and indications of current drive for directed wave spectra have been observed. In addition HHFW heating has been used to explore the energy transport properties of NSTX plasmas, to create H-mode discharges with a large fraction of bootstrap current and to control the plasma current profile during the early stages of the discharge.

Effect of magnetic field on the phase transition in dusty plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaiswal, Surabhi; Thomas, Edward; Mukherjee, Rupak

2017-10-01

The formation of self-consistent crystalline structure is a well-known phenomenon in complex plasmas. In most experiments the pressure and rf power are the main controlling parameter in determining the phase of the system. We have studied the effect of externally applied magnetic field on the configuration of plasma crystals, suspended in the sheath of a radio-frequency discharge using the Magnetized Dusty Plasma Experiment (MDPX) device. Experiments are performed at a fixed pressure and rf power where a crystalline structure formed within the confining ring, but ramping the magnetic field up to 1.28 T. We report on the breakdown of the crystalline structure with increasing magnetic field. The magnetic field affects the dynamics of the plasma particles and first leads to a rotation of the crystal. At higher magnetic field, there is a radial variation (shear) in the angular velocity of the moving particles which we believe leads to the melting of the crystal. This melting is confirmed by evaluating the variation of the pair correlation function as a function of magnetic field. This work was supported by the US Dept. of Energy, DE - SC0010485.

Characterization and Mitigation of ICRF Antenna - Plasma Edge Interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Rongjie; Tynan, George; Wukitch, Steve; Lin, Yijun; Terry, Jim; Chilenski, M.; Golfinopoulos, T.; Hubbard, A.; Mumgaard, R. T.; Perkins, R.; Reinke, M. L.; Alcator C-Mod Team

2017-10-01

Recent experiments reveal that RF-induced potentials (VRF) in the SOL and impurity source at the antenna can be reduced to background levels via optimizing the power ratio between the inner and outer current straps, Pcent /Pout . Experiments indicate the antenna impurity source reduction for the field aligned antenna is due to geometrical alignment rather than electrical symmetry. Additional experiments performed without an optimized Pcent /Pout showed that VRF and the associated convection cells do not influence the impurity penetration or core impurity confinement. These results suggest the core impurity contamination associated with ICRF heating is dominated by an increased impurity source rather than a change in impurity transport. Further, the convective cell strength was expected to scale inversely with B-field. The observed poloidal velocity (measure of convective cell strength), however, decreased less than expected. In addition, the measured maximum VRF increased and penetrated farther into the SOL at higher B-field and plasma current. Results also suggest VRF is strongly influenced by the SOL plasma parameters rather than by RF parameters. Work supported by the U.S. DoE, Office of Science, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, User Facility Alcator C-Mod under DE-FC02-99ER54512 and DE-SC 0010720.