The research progress of an E//B neutral particle analyzer

An E//B neutral particle analyzer(NPA)has been designed and is under development at Sichuan University and Southwestern Institute of Physics.The main purpose of the E//B NPA is to measure the distribution function of fast ions in the HL-2A/3 tokamak.The E//B NPA contains three main units,i.e.the stripping unit,the analyzing unit and the detection unit.A gas stripping chamber was adopted as the stripping unit.The results of the simulations and beam tests for the stripping chamber are presented.Parallel electric and magnetic fields provided by a NdFeB permanent magnet and two parallel electric plates were designed and constructed for the analyzing unit.The calibration of the magnetic and electric fields was performed using a 50 kV electron cyclotron resonance ion source(ECRIS)platform.The detection unit consists of 32lutetium-yttrium oxyorthosilicate(LYSO)detector modules arranged in two rows.The response functions ofα,hydrogen ions(H^(+),H_(2)^(+)and H_(3)^(+))andγfor a detector module were measured with^(241)Am,^(137)Cs and^(152)Eu sources together with the 50 kV ECRIS platform.The overall results indicate that the designed E//B NPA device is capable of measuring the intensity of neutral hydrogen and deuteron atoms with energy higher than 20 keV.

Proton pitch angle distributions in the Martian induced magnetosphere: A survey of Tianwen-1 Mars Ion and Neutral Particle Analyzer observations

The pitch angle distributions of ions and electrons can be affected by various processes;thus,they can serve as an important indicator of the physical mechanisms driving the dynamics of space plasmas.From observations from the Mars Ion and Neutral Particle Analyzer onboard the Tianwen-1 orbiter,we calculated the pitch angle distributions of protons in the Martian induced magnetosphere by using information from the magnetohydrodynamically simulated magnetic field,and we statistically analyzed the spatial occurrence pattern of different types of pitch angle distributions.Even though no symmetrical features were seen in the dataset,we found the dominance of the field-aligned distribution type over the energy range from 188 to 6232 eV.Maps of the occurrence rate showed the preferential presence of a trapped-like distribution at the lower altitudes of the surveyed nightside region.Although our results are more or less restricted by the adopted magnetic field,they indicate the complexity of the near-Mars proton pitch angle distributions and infer the possibility of wave–particle interactions in the Martian induced magnetosphere.

Readout electronics of a prototype time-of-flight ion composition analyzer for space plasma

Readout electronics is developed for a prototype time-of-flight(TOF) ion composition spectrometer for in situ measurement of the mass/charge distributions of major ion species from 200 to 100 ke V/e in space plasma.By utilizing a constant fraction discriminator(CFD) and time-to-digital converter(TDC), challenging dynamic range measurements were performed with high time resolution and event rates. CFD was employed to discriminate the TOF signals from the micro-channel plate and channel electron multipliers. TDC based on the combination of counter and OR-gate delay chain was designed in a highreliability flash field programmable gate array. Owing to the non-uniformity of the delay chain, a correction algorithm based on integral nonlinearity compensation was implemented to reduce the time uncertainty. The test results showed that the electronics achieved a low timingerror of < 200 ps in the input range from 35 to 500 m V for the CFD, and a time resolution of ～550 ps with time uncertainty < 180 ps after correction and a time range of6.4 ls for the TDC. The TOF spectrum from an electron beam experiment of the impacting N_2 gas further indicated the good performance of this readout electronic.

Mars Ion and Neutral Particle Analyzer (MINPA) for Chinese Mars Exploration Mission (Tianwen-1): Design and ground calibration

The main objective of the Mars Ion and Neutral Particle Analyzer(MINPA)aboard the Chinese Mars Exploration Mission(Tianwen-1)is to study the solar wind-Mars interaction by measuring the ions and energetic neutral atoms(ENAs)near Mars.The MINPA integrates ion and ENA measurements into one sensor head,sharing the same electronics box.The MINPA utilizes a standard toroidal top-hat electrostatic analyzer(ESA)followed by a time of flight(TOF)unit to provide measurement of ions with energies from 2.8 eV to 25.9 keV and ENAs from 50 eV to 3 keV with a base time resolution of 4 seconds.Highly polished silicon single crystal substrates with an Al2O3 film coating are used to ionize the ENAs into positive ions.These ions can then be analyzed by the ESA and TOF,to determine the energy and masses of the ENAs.The MINPA provides a 360°×90°field of view(FOV)with 22.5°×5.4°angular resolution for ion measurement,and a 360°×9.7°FOV with 22.5°×9.7°angular resolution for ENA measurement.The TOF unit combines a-15 kV acceleration high voltage with ultra-thin carbon foils to resolve H+,He2+,He+,O+,O2+and CO2+for ion measurement and to resolve H and O(≥16 amu group)for ENA measurement.Here we present the design principle and describe our ground calibration of the MINPA.

Recent Progress of the Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) Mission

The SMILE(Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer)mission is a joint space science mission between the Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS)and the European Space Agency(ESA),aiming to understand the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth’s magnetosphere in a global manner.As of May 2024,the SMILE mission is in phase-D with an expected launch date of September 2025.This report summarizes developments in the mission during the past two years.

Characteristics of the SOL ion-to-electron temperature ratio on the J-TEXT tokamak with different plasma configurations

Accurate measurement of the average plasma parameters in the edge region,including the temperature and density of electrons and ions,is critical for understanding the characteristics of the scrape-off layer(SOL) and divertor plasma transport in magnetically confined fusion research.On the J-TEXT tokamak,a multi-channel retarding field analyzer(RFA) probe has been developed to study average plasma parameters in the edge region under various poloidal divertor and island divertor configurations.The edge radial profile of the ion-to-electron temperature ratio,τ_(i/e),has been determined,which gradually decreases as the SOL ion self-collisionality,v_(SOL)*,increases.This is broadly consistent with what has been observed previously from various tokamak experiments.However,the comparison of experimental results under different configurations shows that in the poloidal divertor configuration,even under the same v_(SOL)*,τ_(i/e) in the SOL region becomes smaller as the distance from the X-point to the target plate increases.In the island divertor configuration,τ_(i/e) near the O-point is higher than that near the X-point at the same v_(SOL)*,and both are higher than those in the limiter configuration.These results suggest that the magnetic configuration plays a critical role in the energy distributions between electrons and ions at the plasma boundary.

Investigation of the Ion Energy Transport in the Scrape-Off Layer on the J-TEXT Tokamak Using a Retarding Field Analyzer

Radial profiles of the ion temperature,Ti,have been measured by a double-sided retarding field analyzer（RFA） in the scrape-off layer（SOL） of the J-TEXT tokamak（R = 105 cm,r = 25-29 cm,Bt = 1.8-2.0 T,Ip = 120-180 kA,ne =（2-2.5） × 10^19 m^-3）.Strongly declining Ti profiles in the SOL have been found.The different e-folding lengths,At,of the Ti profiles in two experimental configurations with different magnetic connection lengths,Lc,reveal that a longer Lc results in weaker parallel energy transport and longer At.In similarity with the particle transport across the SOL,At is approximately proportional to the square root of Lc.Additionally,the poloidal asymmetry has been identified with enhanced ion energy transport across the SOL on the low-field side.

Multi-channel retarding field analyzer for EAST

A multi-channel retarding field analyzer（MC-RFA） including two RFA modules and two Langmuir probes to measure the ion and electron temperature profiles within the scrape-off layer was developed for investigations of the interplay between magnetic topology and plasma transport at the plasma boundary.The MC-RFA probe for the stellarator W7-X and first measurements at the tokamak EAST was designed.The probe head allows simultaneous multichannel ion temperature as well as for electron temperature measurements.The usability for radial correlation measurements of the measured ion currents is also given.

Analysis of the Anomalous Phenomenon in the Retarding Potential Analyzer Measurements

An anomalous phenomenon was observed in the retarding potential analyzer （RPA） measurements of the energy of the ion beam from an 8 cm argon ion source. The current-voltage （Ⅰ- Ⅴ） curve, which should theoretically descend, went up as the ion retarding potential was increased. Various explanations, such as the Townsend discharge theory and secondary electron emission etc. were proposed but denied by the theory application condition or the experiment results. An angle of about -10° was found between the axes of the ion beam and the RPA according to the contours of the ion beam density and direction. The particle simulation and experiment of the sum of the collector and wall current were conducted at different incident ion angles. The trends of the Ⅰ- Ⅴ curve in simulation results conformed with the experimental results in most cases. The ion trajectories were simulated at different retarding potentials with an incident angle of -10°. According ：to these results, the reason for the anomalous phenomenon is that when there is a specific angle between the axes of the ion beam and the RPA, more ions are repelled from the vicinity of the ion retarding grid to avoid striking on the grid as the ion retarding potential increases. These redundant ions reach the plate and thus lead to the formation of an ascending Ⅰ- Ⅴ curve.

高分辨率阻滞势分析仪设计与验证

为提高电推进羽流离子能量分布测量分辨率,设计研制了结构尺寸为Φ19 mm×24 mm的4栅型阻滞势分析仪(RPA)。设计关键参数为栅网网孔直径为0.3 mm,网孔心距为0.5 mm,电子排斥栅和离子阻滞势栅间距2 mm,能量分辨率为9.8%。RPA在LIPS-200离子电推进羽流区验证的结果表明:离子能量分布在955~1 047 eV,离子能量平均值为1 001.0 eV,ΔE_(FWHM)为36.1 eV,能量分辨率为3.6%。在LHT-40霍尔电推进羽流区验证结果表明:离子能量分布在220~279 eV,离子能量平均值为249.6 eV,ΔE_(FWHM)为23.4 eV,能量分辨率为9.4%。该RPA离子能量分辨率指标优于国内外同类产品,具有更小的测量不确定度。

中性粒子分析仪的研究现状

中性粒子分析仪(NPA)作为托卡马克(Tokamak)装置的重要诊断工具,在等离子体物理研究中具有重要科学意义和广泛应用前景。NPA通过精确测量从等离子体中逃逸的中性粒子,可获取等离子体内部的关键信息,包括离子温度、快离子能谱分布和氢同位素比例等。自20世纪60年代首台NPA问世以来,经过60余年的技术发展,其诊断能力已经实现了质的飞跃,并且发展出了多种类型的NPA。针对中国环流3号(HL-3)装置的快离子物理研究,四川大学与核工业西南物理研究院联合研制了基于LYSO+SiPM探测器的串联式平行电磁场结构的NPA(E//B NPA)。该E//B NPA已安装到HL-3装置,并在等离子体放电实验中成功测量到高能量氘(D)中性粒子能谱,为今后HL-3装置中性粒子诊断及快离子研究奠定了坚实的技术基础。

超微粉氯离子含量升高的原因分析及改进

通过分析超微粉氯离子来源、影响因素及影响程度,找出了造成氯离子升高的主要原因,并分析了控制和降低氯离子的途径和方法,通过改进措施实施,彻底解决了该问题。

多流路在线分析仪在盐水精制中的应用

介绍了盐水精制过程中使用的卤水浓度在线分析仪、钙镁含量在线分析仪、硫酸根含量在线分析仪、游离氯含量在线分析仪和过碱量在线分析仪的测量原理及使用经验。

质谱仪离子源和质谱仪质量分析器的生产制造工艺

质谱仪离子源和质谱仪质量分析器能够将化学样品分析为其组成部分的离子,并根据其质量-电荷比进行分离和检测,是许多关键领域不可或缺的分析工具。剖析质谱仪离子源和质谱仪质量分析器的生产制造工艺,通过解决当前面临的技术难题、改进工艺流程以及推动新技术的创新发展,以有效提高质谱仪离子源和质谱仪质量分析器的制造质量和性能,为相关领域的科学研究和应用提供更加可靠和先进的分析工具。

Energy properties and spatial plume profile of ionic liquid ion sources based on an array of porous metal strips

An ionic liquid ion source(ILIS)is a kind of high brightness ion source capable of providing high-speed positive or negative ion beams.This paper presents a miniaturized ILIS based on an array of porous metal strips.The porous emitter array,integrated with seven 10 mm long strips,is fabricated using wire electrical discharge machining(WEDM)combined with electrochemical etching.The assembled ILIS is 30 mm×30 mm×17.5 mm in size and weighs less than 25 g.A series of experiments,including anⅠ-Ⅴcharacteristic test,a retarding potential analyzer(RPA)test,and a spatial plume distribution test,have been conducted in vacuo to characterize the performance of the ILIS.Results show that the emitted current is up to about 800μA and ion transparency is as high as 94%.Besides,RPA curves reveal that the total fragmentation rate of the emitted particles accounts for 48.8%in positive mode and 59.8%in negative mode.Further,with the increase in applied acceleration voltage,the voltage loss rises while the energy efficiency decreases.It is also found that the plume perpendicular to the strips has a higher divergence than the one parallel to the strips.A numerical simulation by COMSOL reveals that the electric field distribution between the two electrodes results in such a spatial plume profile.

Update on the ESA-CAS Joint Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer(SMILE)Mission

The SMILE(Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer)mission aims at deepening our understanding of the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth magnetosphere.It is the first time that ESA and CAS jointly select,design,implement,launch,and operate a space mission.The mission was adopted by CAS in November 2016 and by ESA in March 2019 with a target launch date by the end of 2023.

Recent Advance in the Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer(SMILE)Mission

The SMILE(Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer)mission is a joint space science mission between the European Space Agency(ESA)and the Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS),aiming to understand the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth’s magnetosphere in a global manner.The mission was adopted by CAS in November 2016 and by ESA in March 2019 with a target launch date in the year 2024-2025.We report the recent progress of SMILE mission by May,2022.

DISTRIBUTION OF HYDROGEN NEAR NOTCH TIP UNDER MODE Ⅰ LOADING

The distribution of hydrogen near the notch tip of the austenitic steel 21Cr9Ni9MnN under mode Ⅰ loading has been studid with ion microprobe mass analyzer.Two peaks of hydrogen accumulation,one at notch tip and other far apart from it,were found.The distribution of hydrostatic stress and plastic strain in front of the notch tip under planar stress condition were calculated using ADINA non-linear finite element method.The calculated result in compari- son with data measured showed that the hydrogen concentration peak at the notch tip is caused by trapping effect of dislocation on dissolved hydrogen,while the other from the hydrostatic stress.The influence of stress intensity factor on the distribution of hydrogen con- centration and the process of hydrogen accumulation near notch tip was also discussed.

Glowing discharge ion source of ion mobility spectrometry

The paper investigated a new method of analyzing perfume odors.The study adopted IMS with glow dischargeas ion source and with positive ion mode.We got the quality characteristics of perfume odors in this way without any collection and concentration process.The quality of perfume odors can be identified by IMS peak characteristics,and the characteristics of different quality of perfume also can be identified.In summary,the IMS is an effective technique in the perfume odor detection,it is also a new way of gas sample analysis.

HL-2A装置上成像型中性粒子分析器的物理设计和初步实验结果

在HL-2A装置上发展了基于硫化锌银闪烁体的成像型中性粒子分析器,对磁约束聚变等离子体中高能量粒子(EP)的分布、能量和螺距角等关键信息,以及EP与磁流体不稳定性之间的相互作用等物理问题进行了研究.在中性束注入路径上逃逸出的具有等离子体中快离子能量和螺距角信息的中性粒子,通过由入射孔和碳微晶体膜片组成的准直系统后转化为离子,在装置边缘磁场中受洛伦兹力偏转而撞击到闪烁体屏上.通过分析发光点的位置和光强度,可以推断出装置中快离子的位置、能量和螺距角等关键信息.在HL-2A装置高能量粒子物理实验中,通过该诊断和理论计算初步证实了长寿模不稳定性是由能量、螺距角和位置分别为E=12.5—32 keV,θ~149.2°(v///v~0.86)和R=170.5—171.5 cm的芯部快离子激发.