arXiv subjects

K. Shih

Publications and source records attributed to K. Shih.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

First implementation of AXUV-based analysis and macro-instability diagnostics on WHAM

Absolute extreme ultraviolet (AXUV) diode arrays are widely used in fusion experiments for time-resolved measurements of plasma radiation. We report the first implementation of an AXUV-based analysis framework on the Wisconsin High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) Axisymmetric Mirror (WHAM). A single, precisely calibrated 20-channel AXUV assembly measures line-integrated plasma emission with $ 100~\mathrm{kHz}$ temporal resolution and $\sim1~\mathrm{cm}$ spatial accuracy across the mid-plane. The data were processed to obtain plasma's statistical moments, yielding time-resolved measurement of the centroid displacement $\Phi(t)$ and effective radius $R(t)$. From the joint covariance of these quantities, we define a macroscopic instability parameter $\chi(t)$, that quantifies large-scale plasma motion and profile evolution directly from AXUV observables. The parameter $\chi$ serves as a compact indicator of global macroscopic instability, decreasing with increasing end-plate bias and exhibiting strong anti-correlation with diamagnetic flux during confinement transitions. These results demonstrate that a single AXUV array can provide quantitative, real-time assessment of macroscopic plasma instabilities, constituting the first demonstration of such capability in a magnetic mirror plasma. Future extensions to multiple arrays will further enhance spatial coverage and enable full-mode tracking in axisymmetric mirror configurations and related fusion devices.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2025

Nonlinear anisotropic equilibrium reconstruction in axisymmetric magnetic mirrors

Magnetic equilibrium reconstruction is a crucial simulation capability for interpreting diagnostic measurements of experimental plasmas. Equilibrium reconstruction has mostly been applied to systems with isotropic pressure and relatively low plasma $\beta = 2\mu_0p/B^2$. This work extends nonlinear equilibrium reconstruction to high-$\beta$ plasmas with anisotropic pressure and applies it to the Wisconsin High Temperature Superconducting Axisymmetric Magnetic Mirror experiments to infer the presence of sloshing ions. A novel basis set for the plasma profiles and machine learning algorithm using scalable constrained Bayesian optimization allow accurate nonlinear reconstructions with uncertainty quantification to be made more quickly with fewer experimental diagnostics and improves the robustness of reconstructions at high $\beta$. In addition to WHAM and other mirrors, such reconstruction techniques are potentially attractive in high-performance devices with constrained diagnostic capabilities such as fusion power plants.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2024

Confinement performance predictions for a high field axisymmetric tandem mirror

This paper presents Hammir tandem mirror confinement performance analysis based on Realta Fusion's first-of-a-kind model for axisymmetric magnetic mirror fusion performance. This model uses an integrated end plug simulation model including, heating, equilibrium, and transport combined with a new formulation of the plasma operation contours (POPCONs) technique for the tandem mirror central cell. Using this model in concert with machine learning optimization techniques, it is shown that an end plug utilizing high temperature superconducting magnets and modern neutral beams enables a classical tandem mirror pilot plant producing a fusion gain Q > 5. The approach here represents an important advance in tandem mirror design. The high fidelity end plug model enables calculations of heating and transport in the highly non-Maxwellian end plug to be made more accurately. The detailed end plug modelling performed in this work has highlighted the importance of classical radial transport and neutral beam absorption efficiency on end plug viability. The central cell POPCON technique allows consideration of a wide range of parameters in the relatively simple near-Maxwellian central cell, facilitating the selection of more optimal central cell plasmas. These advances make it possible to find more conservative classical tandem mirror fusion pilot plant operating points with lower temperatures, neutral beam energies, and end plug performance requirements than designs in the literature. Despite being more conservative, it is shown that these operating points have sufficient confinement performance to serve as the basis of a viable fusion pilot plant provided that they can be stabilized against MHD and trapped particle modes.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2023

Improved Calibration of RF Cavities for Relativistic Electron Beams: Effects of Secondary Corrections and Experimental Verification

In the aspect of longitudinal beam bunching, the bunching strength can be controlled by the RF cavity phase and voltage. However, these machine parameters are different from those that interact with the beam itself. In order to gain control of the beam-cavity interaction, cavity calibration must be performed. Furthermore, it relies on fitting the beam energy gain versus cavity phase to a calibration function. Under the conventional assumption of relativistic beam conditions, the calibration function is a first harmonic sinusoidal function (a sinusoidal function with a period of 2{\pi}). However, this expression is insufficient for a high-voltage bunching cavity. Due to beam acceleration inside the cavity, an energy bias and a second harmonic function should be included to modify the conventional calibration function, even for a relativistic electron beam. In this paper, we will derive this modification and provide a comparison to both the Coherent Electron Cooling Experiment and the IMPACT-T simulation, respectively.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2020

High brightness CW electron beams from Superconducting RF photoemission gun

CW photoinjectors operating at high accelerating gradients promise to revolutionize many areas of science and applications. They can establish the basis for a new generation of monochromatic X-ray free electron lasers, high brightness hadron beams, or a new generation of microchip production. In this letter we report on the record-performing superconducting RF electron gun with $\textrm{CsK}_{2}\textrm{Sb}$ photocathode. The gun is generating high charge electron bunches (up to 10 nC/bunch) and low transverse emittances, while operating for months with a single photocathode. This achievement opens a new era in generating high-power beams with a very high average brightness.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2015

Measurement of Cosmic-ray Muons and Muon-induced Neutrons in the Aberdeen Tunnel Underground Laboratory

We have measured the muon flux and production rate of muon-induced neutrons at a depth of 611 m water equivalent. Our apparatus comprises three layers of crossed plastic scintillator hodoscopes for tracking the incident cosmic-ray muons and 760 L of gadolinium-doped liquid scintillator for producing and detecting neutrons. The vertical muon intensity was measured to be $I_{\mu} = (5.7 \pm 0.6) \times 10^{-6}$ cm$^{-2}$s$^{-1}$sr$^{-1}$. The yield of muon-induced neutrons in the liquid scintillator was determined to be $Y_{n} = (1.19 \pm 0.08 (stat) \pm 0.21 (syst)) \times 10^{-4}$ neutrons/($\mu\cdot$g$\cdot$cm$^{-2}$). A fit to the recently measured neutron yields at different depths gave a mean muon energy dependence of $\left\langle E_{\mu} \right\rangle^{0.76 \pm 0.03}$ for liquid-scintillator targets.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2013

Assembly and Installation of the Daya Bay Antineutrino Detectors

The Daya Bay reactor antineutrino experiment is designed to make a precision measurement of the neutrino mixing angle theta13, and recently made the definitive discovery of its nonzero value. It utilizes a set of eight, functionally identical antineutrino detectors to measure the reactor flux and spectrum at baselines of 300 - 2000m from the Daya Bay and Ling Ao Nuclear Power Plants. The Daya Bay antineutrino detectors were built in an above-ground facility and deployed side-by-side at three underground experimental sites near and far from the nuclear reactors. This configuration allows the experiment to make a precision measurement of reactor antineutrino disappearance over km-long baselines and reduces relative systematic uncertainties between detectors and nuclear reactors. This paper describes the assembly and installation of the Daya Bay antineutrino detectors.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2013

An apparatus for studying spallation neutrons in the Aberdeen Tunnel laboratory

In this paper, we describe the design, construction and performance of an apparatus installed in the Aberdeen Tunnel laboratory in Hong Kong for studying spallation neutrons induced by cosmic-ray muons under a vertical rock overburden of 611 meter water equivalent (m.w.e.). The apparatus comprises of six horizontal layers of plastic-scintillator hodoscopes for determining the direction and position of the incident cosmic-ray muons. Sandwiched between the hodoscope planes is a neutron detector filled with 650 kg of liquid scintillator doped with about 0.06% of Gadolinium by weight for improving the efficiency of detecting the spallation neutrons. Performance of the apparatus is also presented.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2012

Daya Bay Antineutrino Detector Gas System

The Daya Bay Antineutrino Detector gas system is designed to protect the liquid scintillator targets of the antineutrino detectors against degradation and contamination from exposure to ambient laboratory air. The gas system is also used to monitor the leak tightness of the antineutrino detector assembly. The cover gas system constantly flushes the gas volumes above the liquid scintillator with dry nitrogen to minimize oxidation of the scintillator over the five year lifetime of the experiment. This constant flush also prevents the infiltration of radon or other contaminants into these detecting liquids keeping the internal backgrounds low. Since the Daya Bay antineutrino detectors are immersed in the large water pools of the muon veto system, other gas volumes are needed to protect vital detector cables or gas lines. These volumes are also purged with dry gas. Return gas is monitored for oxygen content and humidity to provide early warning of potentially damaging leaks. The design and performance of the Daya Bay Antineutrino Detector gas system is described.

physics.ins-det↗