Abstract: An apparatus and method for in-situ determination of arc location within a radio-frequency (RF) waveguide. At least one pair of sound vibration transducers are coupled to positions within the waveguide from which data is collected. When a threshold level of voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) is exceeded, then transducer data is processed to determine time-of-flight (TOF), to then compare data between transducers, to identify the faster longitudinal component with speed of sound in the material of the waveguide, from which longitudinal position information about the arc is generated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for in-situ determination of arc location within a radio-frequency (RF) waveguide. At least one pair of sound vibration transducers are coupled to positions within the waveguide from which data is collected. When a threshold level of voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) is exceeded, then transducer data is processed to determine time-of-flight (TOF), to then compare data between transducers, to identify the faster longitudinal component with speed of sound in the material of the waveguide, from which longitudinal position information about the arc is generated.

Abstract: A method for testing the sensitivity of electronic components and circuits against particle and photon beams using plasma acceleration, in which the flexibility of the multifaceted interaction can produce several types of radiation such as electron, proton, ion, neutron and photon radiation, and combinations of these types of radiation, in a wide range of parameters that are relevant to the use of electronic components in space, such as satellites, at high altitudes or in facilities that work with radioactive substances such as nuclear power plants. Relevant radiation parameter ranges are accessible by this method, which are hardly accessible with conventional accelerator technology. Because of the compactness of the procedure and its versatility, radiation testing can be performed in smaller laboratories at relatively low cost.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing x-rays for use in imaging applications having a piezoelectric or pyroelectric crystal with an upper surface and a conducting film coating the upper surface. The crystal includes a plurality of field emitters formed as micrometer-scale exposed regions in the crystal having a one or more sharp peaks or ridges, or parallel trenches forming a wedge shaped emitter. The crystal is alternately heated and cooled over a period of time so that spontaneous charge polarization occurs in the crystal. The spontaneous charge polarization causes a perpendicular electric field to arise on the crystal's top and bottom faces, that is enhanced by the sharp peaks or ridges, thereby causing field emission of surface electrons from that location. X-rays are produced when the emitted electrons strike a target material located adjacent to the emitting face, and the X-rays may be filtered or collimated.

Abstract: A method for testing the sensitivity of electronic components and circuits against particle and photon beams using laser-plasma interaction, in which the flexibility of the multifaceted interaction can produce several types of radiation such as electron, proton, ion, neutron and photon radiation, and combinations of these types of radiation, in a wide range of parameters that are relevant to the use of electronic components in space, such as satellites, at high altitudes or in facilities that work with radioactive substances such as nuclear power plants. Relevant radiation parameter ranges are accessible by this method, which are hardly accessible with conventional accelerator technology. Because of the compactness of the procedure and its versatility, radiation testing can be performed in smaller laboratories at relatively low cost.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing x-rays for use in imaging applications having a piezoelectric or pyroelectric crystal with an upper surface and a conducting film coating the upper surface. The crystal includes a plurality of field emitters formed as micrometer-scale exposed regions in the crystal having a one or more sharp peaks or ridges, or parallel trenches forming a wedge shaped emitter. The crystal is alternately heated and cooled over a period of-time so that spontaneous charge polarization occurs in the crystal. The spontaneous charge polarization causes a perpendicular electric field to arise on the crystal's top and bottom faces, that is enhanced by the sharp peaks or ridges, thereby causing field emission of surface electrons from that location. X-rays are produced when the emitted electrons strike a target material located adjacent to the emitting face, and the X-rays may be filtered or collimated.

Abstract: A method for testing the sensitivity of electronic components and circuits against particle and photon beams using plasma acceleration, in which the flexibility of the multifaceted interaction can produce several types of radiation such as electron, proton, ion, neutron and photon radiation, and combinations of these types of radiation, in a wide range of parameters that are relevant to the use of electronic components in space, such as satellites, at high altitudes or in facilities that work with radioactive substances such as nuclear power plants. Relevant radiation parameter ranges are accessible by this method, which are hardly accessible with conventional accelerator technology. Because of the compactness of the procedure and its versatility, radiation testing can be performed in smaller laboratories at relatively low cost.

Abstract: A resonant laser powered micro accelerator platform capable of producing relativistic or near relativistic electrons and, optionally, x-rays. The apparatus has a pair of parallel slab-symmetric dielectric slabs that are separated by a narrow vacuum gap that is preferably tapered. The slabs have a top surface with reflective layers with many periodic slots creating longitudinal periodicity in the structure fields when laser light is directed on the reflectors in one embodiment. Electrons introduced into the gap are accelerated along the length of the slabs. The reflective surface of the slabs is preferably a laminate of alternating layers of high index and low index of refraction materials.

Abstract: A compact high energy photoelectron injector integrates the photocathode directly into a multicell linear accelerator with no drift space between the injection and the linac. High electron beam brightness is achieved by accelerating a tightly focused electron beam in an integrated, multi-cell, X-band rf linear accelerator (linac). The photoelectron linac employs a Plane-Wave-Transformer (PWT) design which provides strong cell-to-cell coupling, easing manufacturing tolerances and costs.