Evaluation of cosmogenic activation of copper and germanium during production in Jinping Underground Laboratory

Intrinsic radiation of materials is one of the major backgrounds for many rare-event search experiments.Thus,the production of pure materials in an underground laboratory is a promising approach for eliminating cosmogenic radionuclides.In this paper,we demonstrate a procedure to evaluate the yields of cosmogenic radionuclides in copper and germanium in the second phase of the China Jinping Underground Laboratory.Our results show that for copper and germanium materials,the largest cosmogenic background comes from 3 H and57,58,60Co,and 3 H and 68Ge,respectively,which all have yields on the order of 10-7 kg-1 day-1.The corresponding radioactivities after 90 days pf exposure underground are estimated to be lower than 10-6μBq kg-1.

Development and preliminary results of a large-pixel two-layer LaBr_(3) Compton camera prototype

Lanthanum bromide(LaBr_(3))crystal has a high energy resolution and time resolution and has been used in Compton cameras(CCs)over the past few decades.However,LaBr_(3) crystal arrays are difficult to process because LaBr_(3) is easy to crack and break;thus,few LaBr_(3)-based CC prototypes have been built.In this study,we designed and fabricated a large-pixel LaBr_(3) CC prototype and evaluated its performance with regard to position,energy,and angular resolution.We used two 10×10 LaBr_(3) crystal arrays with a pixel size of 5 mm×5 mm,silicon photomultipliers(SiPMs),and corresponding decoding circuits to construct our prototype.Additionally,a framework based on a Voronoi diagram and a lookup table was developed for list-mode projection data acquisition.Monte Carlo(MC)simulations based on Geant4 and experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of our CC prototype.The lateral position resolution was 5 mm,and the maximum deviation in the depth direction was 2.5 and 5 mm for the scatterer and absorber,respectively.The corresponding measured energy resolu-tions were 7.65%and 8.44%,respectively,at 511 keV.The experimental results of ^(137)Cs point-like sources were consistent with the MC simulation results with regard to the spatial positions and full widths at half maximum(FWHMs).The angular resolution of the fabricated prototype was approximately 6°when a point-like ^(137)Cs source was centrally placed at a distance of 5 cm from the scatterer.We proposed and investigated a large-pixel LaBr_(3) CC for the first time and verified its feasibility for use in accurate spatial positioning of radiative sources with a high angular resolution.The proposed CC can satisfy the requirements of radiative source imaging and positioning in the nuclear industry and medical applications.

Design,fabrication,and testing of an X-band 9-MeV standing-wave electron linear accelerator

In this study,an X-band standing-wave biperiodic linear accelerator was developed for medical radiotherapy that can accel-erate electrons to 9 MeV using a 2.4-MW klystron.The structure works atπ/2 mode and adopts magnetic coupling between cavities,generating the appropriate adjacent mode separation of 10 MHz.The accelerator is less than 600-mm long and constitutes four bunching cells and 29 normal cells.Geometry optimizations,full-scale radiofrequency(RF)simulations,and beam dynamics calculations were performed.The accelerator was fabricated and examined using a low-power RF test.The cold test results showed a good agreement with the simulation and actual measurement results.In the high-power RF test,the output beam current,energy spectrum,capture ratio,and spot size at the accelerator exit were measured.With the input power of 2.4 MW,the pulse current was 100 mA,and the output spot root-mean-square radius was approximately 0.5 mm.The output kinetic energy was 9.04 MeV with the spectral FWHM of 3.5%,demonstrating the good performance of this accelerator.

Development of a seven-cell S-band standing-wave RF-deflecting cavity for Tsinghua Thomson scattering X-ray source

A 2856-MHz,π-mode,seven-cell standingwave deflecting cavity was designed and fabricated for bunch length measurement in Tsinghua Thomson scattering X-ray source(TTX)facility.This cavity was installed in the TTX and provided a deflecting voltage of 4.2 MV with an input power of 2.5 MW.Bunch length diagnoses of electron beams with energies up to 39 MeV have been performed.In this article,the RF design of the cavity using HFSS,fabrication,and RF test processes are reviewed.High-power operation with accelerated beams and calibration of the deflecting voltage are also presented.

A compact X-band backward traveling-wave accelerating structure

Very high-energy electrons(VHEEs)are potential candidates for FLASH radiotherapy for deep-seated tumors.We proposed a compact VHEE facility based on an X-band high-gradient high-power technique.In this study,we investigated and realized the first X-band backward traveling-wave(BTW)accelerating structure as the buncher for a VHEE facility.A method for calculating the parameters of single cell from the field distribution was introduced to simplify the design of the BTW structure.Time-domain circuit equations were applied to calculate the transient beam parameters of the buncher in the unsteady state.A prototype of the BTW structure with a thermionic cathode-diode electron gun was designed,fabricated,and tested at high power at the Tsinghua X-band high-power test stand.The structure successfully operated with 5-MW microwave pulses from the pulse compressor and outputted electron bunches with an energy of 8 MeV and a pulsed current of 108 mA.

Fabrication,tuning,and high-gradient testing of an X-band traveling-wave accelerating structure for VIGAS

X-band high-gradient linear accelerators are a challenging and attractive technology for compact electron linear-accelerator facilities.The Very Compact Inverse Compton Scattering Gamma-ray Source(VIGAS)program at Tsinghua University will utilize X-band high-gradient accelerating structures to boost the electron beam from 50 to 350 MeV over a short distance.A constant-impedance traveling-wave structure consisting of 72 cells working in the 2π/3 mode was designed and fabricated for this project.Precise tuning and detailed measurements were successfully applied to the structure.After 180 h of conditioning in the Tsinghua high-power test stand,the structure reached a target gradient of 80 MV/m.The breakdown rate versus gradient of this structure was measured and analyzed.

A review of geometric calibration for different 3-D X-ray imaging systems

A precise knowledge of geometry is always pivotal to a 3-D X-ray imaging system,such as computed tomography(CT),digital X-ray tomosynthesis,and computed laminography.To get an accurate and reliable reconstruction image,exact knowledge of geometry is indispensable.Nowadays,geometric calibration has become a necessary step after completing CT system installation.Various geometric calibration methods have been reported with the fast development of 3-D X-ray imaging techniques.In these methods,different measuring methods,calibration phantoms or markers,and calculation algorithms were involved with their respective advantages and disadvantages.This paper reviews the history and current state of geometric calibration methods for different3-D X-ray imaging systems.Various calibration algorithms are presented and summarized,followed by our discussion and outlook.

Design, fabrication, and testing of low-group-velocity S-band traveling-wave accelerating structure

To implement the Tsinghua Thomson Scattering X-ray Source upgrade plan and the Very Compact Inverse Compton Scattering Gamma-ray Source (VIGAS) program, a new 1.5-m traveling-wave accelerating structure was designed to replace the old 3-m SLAC-type structure with the aim of increasing the accelerating gradient from15 to 30 MV/m. The new type of structure works in the 3π/4 mode with a comparatively low group velocity varying from 0.007c to 0.003c to increase the accelerating gradient at a given power. An elliptical iris was employed to reduce the surface field enhancement. The filling process of the low-group-velocity structure was analyzed using a circuit model. After fabrication, the structure was precisely tuned using the non-contact tuning method, followed by detailed low-power radiofrequency measurements. The structure was first installed and utilized at a beamline for the terahertz experiment at Tsinghua University. After 120 h of conditioning, it is now operating at a gradient of 24.2 MV/m and a 20.7-MW input power, with the klystron operating at its full power. It is expected to generate an accelerating gradient of 30 MV/m when the klystron power is upgraded to 30 MW in the near future.

Analysis and simulation of the tune ripple effect on beam spill ripple in RF-KO slow extraction

Tune ripple has a significant influence on beam spill ripple in RF-knockout(RF-KO)slow extraction.In this study,a model was proposed to explain how the tune ripple affects the beam spill in RF-KO slow extraction;consequently,a simulation was performed using the lattice of the Xi’an Proton Application Facility(XiPAF)synchrotron to verify the model.The simulation demonstrates that the tune ripple influences the beam spill in two ways.On the one hand,the tune ripple causes a direct fluctuation in the separatrix area,which induces beam spill ripple.On the other hand,the tune ripple influences the emittance growth rate in RF-knockout slow extraction.These two aspects simultaneously contribute to the beam spill ripple.

Optimized online filter stack spectrometer for ultrashort X-ray pulses

Currently,with the advent of high-repetition-rate laser-plasma experiments,the demand for online diagnosis for the X-ray spectrum is increasing because the laser-plasma-generated X-ray spectrum is very important for characterizing electron dynamics and applications.In this study,scintillators and silicon PIN(P-type–intrinsic-N-type semiconductor)diodes were used to construct a wideband online filter stack spectrometer.The X-ray sensor and filter arrangement was optimized using a genetic algorithm to minimize the condition number of the response matrix.Consequently,the unfolding error was significantly reduced based on numerical experiments.The detector responses were quantitatively calibrated by irradiating the scintillator and PIN diode with various nuclides and comparing the measuredγ-ray peaks.A prototype 15-channel spectrometer was developed by integrating an X-ray detector with front-and back-end electronics.The prototype spectrometer could record X-ray pulse signals at a repetition rate of 1 kHz.Furthermore,an optimized spectrometer was employed to record the real-time spectra of laser-driven bremsstrahlung sources.This optimized spectrometer offers a compact solution for spectrum diagnostics of ultrashort X-ray pulses,exhibiting improved accuracy in terms of spectrum measurements and repetition rates,and could be widely used in next-generation high-repetition-rate high-power laser facilities.

GERO: a general SCA-based readout ASIC for micro-pattern gas detectors with configurable storage depth and on-chip digitizer

The paper presents GEneral ReadOut (GERO), a general readout ASIC based on a switched capacitor array for micro-pattern gas detectors. It aims at providing general readout electronics for low-to-medium event-rate gas detectors with high sampling frequency, configurable storage depth, and data digitalization. The first prototype GERO chip integrates 16 channels and was fabricated using a 0.18-lm CMOS process. Each channel consists of a sampling array working in a ping-pong mode, a storage array with a 1024-cell depth, and 32 Wilkinson analog-todigital converters. The detailed design and test results are presented in the paper.

Development of a compact DOI-TOF detector module for high-performance PET systems

To increase spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio in PET imaging,we present in this paper the design and performance evaluation of a PET detector module combining both depth-of-interaction(DOI) and time-offlight(TOF) capabilities.The detector module consists of a staggered dual-layer LYSO block with2 mm × 2 mm × 7 mm crystals.MR-compatible SiPM sensors(MicroFJ-30035-TSV,SensL) are assembled into an 8× 8 array.SiPM signals from both fast and slow outputs are read out by a 128-channel ASIC chip.To test its performance,a flood histogram is acquired with a ^(22)Na point source on top of the detector,and the energy resolution and the coincidence resolving time(CRT) value for each individual crystal are measured.The flood histogram shows excellent crystal separation in both layers.The average energy resolution at 511 keV is 14.0 and 12.7%at the bottom and top layers,respectively.The average CRT of a single crystal is 635 and 565 ps at the bottom and top layers,respectively.In conclusion,the compact DOI-TOF PET detector module is of excellent crystal identification capability,good energy resolution and reasonable time resolution and has promising application prospective in clinical TOF PET,PET/MRI,and brain PET systems.

Application of the asynchronous advantage actor–critic machine learning algorithm to real-time accelerator tuning

This paper describes a real-time beam tuning method with an improved asynchronous advantage actor–critic(A3C)algorithm for accelerator systems.The operating parameters of devices are usually inconsistent with the predictions of physical designs because of errors in mechanical matching and installation.Therefore,parameter optimization methods such as pointwise scanning,evolutionary algorithms(EAs),and robust conjugate direction search are widely used in beam tuning to compensate for this inconsistency.However,it is difficult for them to deal with a large number of discrete local optima.The A3C algorithm,which has been applied in the automated control field,provides an approach for improving multi-dimensional optimization.The A3C algorithm is introduced and improved for the real-time beam tuning code for accelerators.Experiments in which optimization is achieved by using pointwise scanning,the genetic algorithm(one kind of EAs),and the A3C-algorithm are conducted and compared to optimize the currents of four steering magnets and two solenoids in the low-energy beam transport section(LEBT)of the Xi’an Proton Application Facility.Optimal currents are determined when the highest transmission of a radio frequency quadrupole(RFQ)accelerator downstream of the LEBT is achieved.The optimal work points of the tuned accelerator were obtained with currents of 0 A,0 A,0 A,and 0.1 A,for the four steering magnets,and 107 A and 96 A for the two solenoids.Furthermore,the highest transmission of the RFQ was 91.2%.Meanwhile,the lower time required for the optimization with the A3C algorithm was successfully verified.Optimization with the A3C algorithm consumed 42%and 78%less time than pointwise scanning with random initialization and pre-trained initialization of weights,respectively.

Analytic RF design of a linear accelerator with a SLED-Ⅰ type RF pulse compressor

This study presents the RF design of a linear accelerator(linac)operated in single-bunch mode.The accelerator is powered by a compressed RF pulse produced from a SLED-I type RF pulse compressor.The compressed RF pulse has an unflattened shape with a gradient distribution which varies over the structure cells.An analytical study to optimize the accelerating structure together with the RF pulse compressor is performed.The optimization aims to maximize the efficiency by minimizing the required RF power from the generator for a given average accelerating gradient.The study shows that,owing to the compressed RF pulse shape,the constant-impedance structure has a similar efficiency to the optimal structure using varying iris apertures.The constant-impedance structure is easily fabricated and is favorable for the design of a linac with a pulse compressor.We utilize these findings to optimize the RF design of a X-band linac using the constant-impedance accelerating structure for the Tsinghua Thomson X-ray source facility.

Effects of systematic octupole coupling resonances

The Xi’an proton accelerator facility synchrotron lattice has a systematic fourth-order resonance. The systematic octupole component in dipole magnets is found to have no adverse effect on the dynamic aperture in multiparticle tracking. The frequency map shows particles locked onto the 2v x 2v z-0 resonance. However, we will show that the instantaneous betatron tunes can vary widely around the resonance line for particles locked onto the resonance.

A machine learning approach to TCAD model calibration for MOSFET

Machine learning-based surrogate models have significant advantages in terms of computing efficiency. In this paper, we present a pilot study on fast calibration using machine learning techniques. Technology computer-aided design(TCAD) is a powerful simulation tool for electronic devices. This simulation tool has been widely used in the research of radiation effects.However, calibration of TCAD models is time-consuming. In this study, we introduce a fast calibration approach for TCAD model calibration of metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors(MOSFETs). This approach utilized a machine learning-based surrogate model that was several orders of magnitude faster than the original TCAD simulation. The desired calibration results were obtained within several seconds. In this study, a fundamental model containing 26 parameters is introduced to represent the typical structure of a MOSFET. Classifications were developed to improve the efficiency of the training sample generation. Feature selection techniques were employed to identify important parameters. A surrogate model consisting of a classifier and a regressor was built. A calibration procedure based on the surrogate model was proposed and tested with three calibration goals. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of machine learning-based fast model calibrations for MOSFET. In addition, this study shows that these machine learning techniques learn patterns and correlations from data instead of employing domain expertise. This indicates that machine learning could be an alternative research approach to complement classical physics-based research.

Compact CubeSat Gamma-ray detector for GRID mission

Gamma-Ray Integrated Detectors(GRID)mis-sion is a student project designed to use multiple gamma-ray detectors carried by nanosatellites(CubeSats),forming a full-time all-sky gamma-ray detection network that monitors the transient gamma-ray sky in the multi-mes-senger astronomy era.A compact CubeSat gamma-ray detector,including its hardware and firmware,was designed and implemented for the mission.The detector employs four Gd 2 Al 2 Ga 3 O 12:Ce(GAGG:Ce)scintillators coupled with four silicon photomultiplier(SiPM)arrays to achieve a high gamma-ray detection efficiency between 10 keV and 2 MeV with low power and small dimensions.The first detector designed by the undergraduate student team onboard a commercial CubeSat was launched into a Sun-synchronous orbit on October 29,2018.The detector was in a normal observation state and accumulated data for approximately one month after on-orbit functional and performance tests,which were conducted in 2019.

Laser-RF synchronization based on digital phase detector

Laser oscillator synchronization with RF reference signal is ultra-important for a modern light source based on the accelerator.For Tsinghua Thomson scattering X-ray source,we have synchronized the mode-locked laser oscillator to RF reference signal with 48.2 fs RMS relative jitter.Both fundamental and harmonic signals derived from photo diode detection are used for laser-RF synchronization in our scheme.The fundamental signal is for coarse laser-RF synchronization and multiple laser oscillator synchronization.The harmonic signal is for high precise phase locking.The digital phase detector is implemented in the synchronization scheme for less noise,replacing the mixing to DC phase detection scheme.The digital processing algorithm for synchronization is commonly used in low-level RF control field.In order to test the phase locking loop logic without damaging the real laser oscillator,a laser oscillator emulator was developed for phase locking.This paper will report the laser-RF synchronization scheme and its performance.The laser oscillator emulator system will also be introduced here.