2. TECHnology to support BES user Facilities

 

The Office of Basic Energy Sciences, within the DOE’s Office of Science, is also responsible for other current and future user facilities including synchrotron radiation, free electron lasers, and the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS).  This topic seeks the development of technology to support these user facilities. 

 

Grant applications are sought only in the following subtopics:

 

 

a. Synchroton Radiation Facilities – As synchrotron radiation has become a ubiquitous tool across a broad area of forefront science, the DOE supports collaborative research centers for synchrotron radiation science.  Research is needed for advanced detectors and advanced radiation sources, including superconducting and short-period undulators. 

 

With advances in the brightness of synchrotron radiation sources, a wide gap has developed between the ability of these sources to deliver high photon fluxes and the ability of detectors to measure the resulting photon, electron, or ion signals.  At the same time, advances in microelectronics engineering should make it possible to increase data rates by orders of magnitude, and to increase energy and spatial resolution.  With the development of fourth-generation x-ray sources with femtosecond pulse durations, there will be a need for detectors with sub-picosecond time resolution.  Therefore, grant applications are sought to develop new detectors for synchrotron radiation science across a broad range of applications.  Areas of interest include:  (1) area detectors for diffraction experiments; (2) area detectors for readout of electron and ion signals; (3) detectors capable of ultra-high temporal resolution; (4) high resolution imaging detectors; (5) detectors for high rate fluorescence spectroscopy; and (6) detectors for high energy fluorescence spectroscopy.

 

For medium energy (2-3 GeV) synchrotrons, superconducting undulators (SCU's), with with short periods (around 1.5 cm) and high-peak magnetic fields (around 1.6 tesla), are required to generate tunable, monochromatic x-ray beams in the 2 - 30 keV photon energy range.  Although development efforts are underway at several National Laboratories and in industry to develop such SCUs, the permanent magnets, commonly used in the undulators do not produce sufficiently high magnetic fields to fully cover the desired photon energy range without gaps in the spectrum.  The current designs suffer from an inability to operate without quenching in the presence of the heat induced by the stored electron beam current and by synchrotron radiation encountered in modern synchrotron light sources – this heat load can be up to 100 watts per meter of undulator length.  Grant application are sought to develop novel concepts for SCU design, construction, and thermal management, in order to meet these challenging requirements.

 

For low energy electron beams (1-2 GeV), undulators are required with periods shorter than that generally available on existing synchrotron radiation sources.  Grant applications are sought to develop short wavelength (approximately 1 nm) undulators with period < 1 cm, K-value ~1, impedance shielding of pole faces, and a gap greater than 2.25 mm.

 

Questions – contact Roger Klaffky (Roger.Klaffky@science.doe.gov)

 

 

b. Beam Diagnostic Instrumentation for Free Electron Lasers and 3rd Generation Light Sources – Advanced electron-beam diagnostic instruments are needed to support the development of X-ray Free Electron Lasers (FEL), as well as the operation and upgrade of 3rd generation light sources. 

 

Grant applications are sought to develop monitors for beam position and electron bunch length.  The beam position monitor should have sub-micron resolution and associated electronics for both linac and storage ring applications.  The electron beam bunch length monitor should perform non-destructive measurements, be capable of single-bunch resolution better than 100 fs, and possess a system design that is relevant for the bunch parameters of the future X-ray FEL and 3rd generation light sources.

 

Grant applications also are sought to develop diagnostics devices for the non-destructive measurement of electron beam emittance and for the energy spread within electron bunches.  For FEL applications, measurements of electron bunch properties require resolution on the order of 10 µm, so that the so-called “slice” properties can be determined with sufficient accuracy.  Both the beam emittance and the energy spread of the beam are critical parameters in FELs, and the measurement techniques must allow for rapid and non-invasive tuning, as well as for the implementation of feedback systems for systems optimization.  Approaches of interest include optical techniques that employ transition radiation or synchrotron radiation.  The diagnostics should be small (< 1 m length scale) and suitable for integration into an operational light source.

 

Grant applications also are sought to develop diagnostics for the measurement of charge modulation within an electron bunch at optical wavelengths in the regime 50-1000 nm.  Seeded FELs utilize an inverse FEL scheme to first introduce an energy modulation into an electron bunch; then a dispersive transport region converts the energy modulation into a charge density modulation along the electron bunch.  The charge density is modulated with the same period as the laser, i.e., in the wavelength regime 50-1000 nm. 

 

Finally, grant applications are sought to develop a diagnostic technique for the dynamic measurement of the transverse position of the centroid of an electron bunch, as a function of position along that bunch.  The transverse wakefields in a linac may introduce the so-called “banana shape” beam as a result of the beam-break-up instability, in which deflecting wakefields introduce a transverse spatial offset in the electron distribution along a bunch.  Proposed diagnostics must be able to measure this effect with spatial resolution on the order of 1 µm, and with temporal resolution (along the bunch) of 10-100 fs, in bunches of peak current 10-500 A.

 

Questions – contact Roger Klaffky (Roger.Klaffky@science.doe.gov)

 

 

c. High Power Mercury Spallation Targets – Technology is needed to mitigate cavitation damage erosion (CDE) in short-pulse liquid-mercury spallation targets.  CDE has the potential to limit the power capacity and lifetime of targets.  Damage has been observed inside test target vessels irradiated with small numbers of intense proton beam pulses; also, this damage has been studied at length in out-of-beam experiments that mimic the driving mechanism of cavitation.  The damage is caused by intense and abrupt pressure waves that are induced by the near instantaneous heating of the mercury by the proton beam.  Although certain surface hardening processes have shown promise in resisting damage, their potential to greatly enhance power capacity is believed to be limited.  Therefore, grant applications are sought to develop:

 

(1) Small gas bubbles to reduce beam-induced pressure.  A population of small gas bubbles introduced in the mercury could absorb and attenuate the beam-induced pressure sufficiently to halt the driving mechanism for cavitation.  The desired bubble size is approximately 10 mm in diameter and the required void fraction approaches 1%.  Grant applications are sought to develop: (1) techniques for generating this population of bubbles in mercury; and (2) credible diagnostics to quantify the generated population.  

 

(2) Protective gas layers.  Mercury, with its highly non-wetting characteristic and high surface tension is well-suited to the formation and stabilization of large gas pockets.  Therefore, one promising option for damage mitigation involves the creation of an interstitial gas layer between the liquid metal and the containment vessel wall.  Grant applications are sought to develop innovative gas/liquid flow concepts for utilizing gas layers to protect pressure-vessel surfaces from damage due to the cavitation of flowing mercury.  Approaches of interest include:  (1) the use of radiation-hard solid materials, such as metallic porous media or screens, as separate structures that are not part of the pressure boundary; (2) extensive surface modifications, such as grooves or cross-hatching to increase surface area, or (3) other geometries designed to trap gas permanently at the desired location.  Because the most vulnerable pressure boundary surfaces in the SNS target are vertical, proposed solutions must address the problem of blanketing (protecting) vertical surfaces, where the hydrostatic gradient tends to force the gas to rise.

 

(3) Alternative and innovative concepts for damage mitigation.  Grant applications also are sought for concepts for damage mitigation aside from small gas bubbles or protective gas walls.  Proposals must demonstrate an awareness of spallation target design and environmental requirements, with respect to high radiation and mercury compatibility.

 

Questions – contact Roger Klaffky (Roger.Klaffky@science.doe.gov)

 

 

d. Instrumentation for Ultrafast X-ray Science – The Department of Energy seeks to advance ultrafast science dealing with physical phenomena that occur in the range of one-trillionth of a second (one picosecond) to less than one-quadrillionth of a second (one femtosecond).  The physical phenomena motivating this subtopic include the direct observation of the formation and breaking of chemical bonds, and structural rearrangements in both isolated molecules and the condensed phase.  These phenomena are typically probed using extremely short pulses of laser light.  Ultrafast technology also would be applicable in other fields, including atomic and molecular physics, chemistry and chemical biology, coherent control of chemical reactions, materials sciences, magnetic- and electric field phenomena, optics, and laser engineering. 

 

Grant applications are sought to develop and improve laser-driven, table-top x-ray sources and critical component technologies suitable for ultrafast characterization of transient structures of energized molecules undergoing dissociation, isomerization, or intramolecular energy redistribution.  The x-ray sources may be based on, for example, high-harmonic generation to create bursts of x-rays on subfemtosecond time scales, laser-driven Thomson scattering and betatron emission, and laser-driven K-shell emission.  Approaches of interest include:  (1) high-average-power ultrafast sources that achieve the state-of-the-art in short-pulse duration, phase stabilization and coherence, and high duty cycle; (2) driving lasers that operate at wavelengths longer than typical in current CPA titanium sapphire laser systems; and (3) characterization and control technologies capable of measuring and controlling the intensity, temporal, spectral, and phase characteristics of these ultrashort x-ray pulses.

 

Questions – contact Michael Casassa (Michael.Casassa@science.doe.gov)

 

 

Subtopic a References:

 

1        Thompson, A., et al., “A Program in Detector Development for the U.S. Synchrotron Radiation Community,” White paper based on Workshop in Washington, DC, October 30-31, 2000.  (Full text available at: http://www-esg.lbl.gov/Conferences%20&%20Meetings/detectorsync/DetectorSyncWhitePaper0801.pdf) 

 

2        “PSD6-The Sixth International Conference on Position Sensitive Detectors,” Leicester, UK, September 9-13, 2002, Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research, Section A–Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 477(1-3), January 21, 2002.  (ISSN:  0168-9002) (Abstracts of papers and ordering information available at:  http://www.sciencedirect.com/  Conference Programme available at http://www.src.le.ac.uk/psd6conference2002/)

 

3        Warwick , T, et al, eds., “Synchrotron Radiation Instrumentation:  Eighth International Conference on Synchrotron Radiation Instrumentation,” San Francisco, CA, August 25-29, 2003, American Institute of Physics, 2004.  (AIP Conference Proceedings No. 705) (ISBN: 0-7354-01802) (Abstracts of papers and ordering information are available at:  American Institute of Physics Conference Proceedings sub-series:  Accelerators, Beams, Instrumentation at:  http://proceedings.aip.org/proceedings/accelerators.jsp  Search using Proceedings No. above.)

 

4        European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) Workshop on “New Science with New Detectors,” Grenoble, France, February 9-10, 2005. (Abstracts and presentation slides available at:  http://www.esrf.eu/events/conferences/past-conferences-and-workshops/NewDetectors/) 

 

5        ESRF Seventh International Workshop on “Radiation-Imaging Detectors (IWORID-7),” Grenoble, France, July 4-7, 2005. (Workshop Final Programme (with abstracts) currently available at:  http://www.esrf.eu/events/conferences/past-conferences-and-workshops/IWORID7/)

 

6        Proceedings of the SPIE (International Society for Optical Engineering):  “Optics and Photonics 2005:  Ultrafast X-ray Detectors and Applications II,” San Diego, CA, July 31- August 4, 2005, Vol. 5920, Bellingham, WA:  SPIE, 2005.  (ISBN:  08194-59259) (Table of Contents available at: http://spie.org/app/Publications/  Search by Volume number.)

 

 

Subtopic b References:

 

1.      Fiorito, R. B., “Optical Diffraction-Transition Radiation Interferometry Beam Divergence Diagnostics,” Presented at the 12th Beam Instrumentation Workshop, Batavia, IL, May 1– 4, 2006.  (Presentation slides available at:  http://conferences.fnal.gov/biw06/tuesday_talks/TAMC0101_talk.ppt)

 

2.      Roehrs, M., et al., “Time-Resolved Measurements Using a Transversely Deflecting RF-Structure,” Presented at 37th ICFA Advanced Beam Dynamics Workshop on Future Light Sources, Hamburg, Germany, May 15-19, 2006 .  (Abstract available at:  http://adweb.desy.de/mpy/FLS2006/abstract_booklet.pdf   Scroll down to title.)

 

3.      Loos, H., “Instrumentation for Linac-Based X-ray FELs,” Presented at the 12th Beam Instrumentation Workshop, Batavia , IL , May 1– 4, 2006.  (Presentation slides available at:  http://conferences.fnal.gov/biw06/wednesday_talks/WAMI0202_talk.ppt)

 

4.      Schmüser, P., et al., “Single-Shot Longitudinal Diagnostics with THz Radiation,” Presented at 37th ICFA Advanced Beam Dynamics Workshop on Future Light Sources, Hamburg, Germany, May 15-19, 2006.  (Full text available at:  http://adweb.desy.de/mpy/FLS2006/proceedings/PAPERS/WG512.PDF)

 

5.      Beutner, B., et al., “Beam Dynamics Experiments and Analysis in FLASH on CSR and Space Charge Effects,” Presented at 37th ICFA Advanced Beam Dynamics Workshop on Future Light Sources, Hamburg, Germany, May 15-19, 2006.  (Abstract and presentation slides available at:  http://adweb.desy.de/mpy/FLS2006/proceedings/HTML/AUTH0055.HTM)

 

6.      Smith, G. and Russo, T., “Proceedings of 10th Beam Instrumentation Workshop (BIW 2002),” Upton, New York, May 2002, American Institute of Physics (AIP), 2002.  (ISBN:  0-7354-01039) (AIP conference Proceedings 648) (Table of contents and ordering information available at:  http://proceedings.aip.org/proceedings/confproceed/648.jsp)

 

 

Subtopic c References:

 

1.      Haines, J. R., et al., “Summary of Cavitation Erosion Investigations for the SNS (Spallation Neutron Source) Mercury Target,” Journal of Nuclear Materials, 343: 58-69, 2005.  (ISSN: 0022-3115)

 

2.      Futakawa, M., et al., “Pitting Damage by Pressure Waves in a Mercury Target,” Journal of Nuclear Materials, 343: 70-80, 2005.  (ISSN:  0022-3115)

 

3.      Riemer, B. W., et al., “SNS Target Tests at the LANSCE-WNR in 2001, Part I,” Journal of Nuclear Materials, 318: 92-101, 2003.  (ISSN:  0022-3115)

 

4.      Wendel, M. W., et al., “Experiments and Simulations with Large Gas Bubbles in Mercury Towards Establishing a Gas Layer to Mitigate Cavitation Damage,” Proceedings of FEDSM-2006:  2006 ASME Joint U.S. European Fluids Engineering Summer Meeting, Miami, Florida, July 17-20, 2006.  (Paper No. FEDSM2006-98222) (Abstract and ordering information available at:  http://store.asme.org/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=Conference+Papers&category%5Fname=Fluids+Engineering%A0&Page=1  Click on title at 2nd bullet.  Search for 98222.)

 

 

Subtopic d References: 

 

1        “The Science and Applications of Ultrafast, Ultraintense Lasers (SAUUL): Opportunities in Science and Technology Using the Brightest Light Known to Man,” Report on the SAUUL workshop sponsored by DOE and NSF, 2002.  (Full text available at:  http://www.er.doe.gov/bes/chm/Publications/SAUUL_report_final.pdf)

 

2        “National Task Force on High Energy Density Physics, Frontiers for Discovery in High Energy Density Physics,” U.S. DOE Office of Science and Technology Policy, July 2004.  (Full text available at: http://www.ofes.fusion.doe.gov/News/HEDPReport.pdf)

 

3        Kapteyn, H. C., et al., “Extreme Nonlinear Optics:  Coherent X-Rays from Lasers," Physics Today, 58: 39, 2005. (Full text available at: http://scitation.aip.org/journals/doc/PHTOAD-ft/vol_58/iss_3/39_1.shtml)

 

4        Phuoc, K. T., et al., “Laser-Based Synchrotron Radiation,” Physics of Plasmas, 12: 023101, January 2005.  (Full text available at: http://loa.ensta.fr/pxf/Articles/pop_2005.pdf)

 

5        Jiang, Y., et al., “Generation of Ultrashort Hard-X-ray Pulses with Tabletop Laser Systems at a 2-kHz Repetition Rate,” Journal of the Optical Society of America, B20: 229 – 237, 2003. (http://josab.osa.org/abstract.cfm?id=70903)

 

6        Seres, J., et al., “Source of Coherent Kiloelectronvolt X-Rays,” Nature, 433: 596, 2005.  (ISSN:  0028-0836)

 

7        Zhang , X. et al, “Quasi-Phase-Matching and Quantum-Path Control of High-Harmonic Generation Using Counterpropagating Light,” Nature Physics, 3: 270 – 275 (2007) (Abstract Available at http://www.nature.com/nphys/journal/v3/n4/abs/nphys541.html)

 

8        “Controlling the Quantum World: The Science of Atoms, Molecules, and Photons,” Committee on AMO 2010, National Research Council, National Academy of Science, 2007. (Full text available at: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11705.html)