[en] This report describes the results from an experimental program to investigate the feasibility of laser produced MeV protons as a diagnostic of electric fields or shock compressed materials. The experimental campaign was very successful, and has led to substantial advances in the characterization and optimization of proton sources from ultra-intense laser-solid interaction. This is a subject of the highest scientific interest [1] and is highly relevant to developing its use as a possible NIF implosion diagnostic and other applications relevant to stockpile stewardship

[en] The information that can be obtained from current laser driven high Mach number (compressible) hydrodynamics experiments using solid targets and foams is limited by the need to use X-ray diagnostics. These do well at providing the shape of gross 2D structures which we model well, but are a long way from being able to reveal detailed information at the smaller spatial scales, or in 3D turbulent flows, where most of the modeling uncertainties exist. Remedying this is, and will continue to be, an ongoing research effort. An alternative approach that is not being considered is to use gaseous targets coupled with optical diagnostics. The lower density of gases compared to solids or foams means we can use much larger targets for a given laser energy. This should significantly improve spatial resolution, and the dynamic range of scales that are resolvable. In addition, it may be possible to adapt powerful techniques, such as LIF, used by the low Mach number (incompressible) fluid/gas community so that they work in the high Mach number plasma regime. This would provide much more detailed information on turbulent flows than could be achieved with current X-ray diagnostics. We propose a small research effort to use established techniques such as optical interferometry (absolute electron density), and Schlieren photography (electron density gradient), to study compressible hydrodynamic instabilities. We also propose to explore whether techniques such as LIF may be adapted to the plasma regime, thus providing detailed information, particularly about turbulent flows, that is not currently obtainable in plasmas using X-ray diagnostics. The setting will be radiating blast waves, which avoids costly target fabrication, while promising a high physics payoff to the astrophysics community just from using the established diagnostics alone. We propose to conduct the work in collaboration with Dr Todd Ditmire at the University of Texas at Austin, principally on the Janus laser, and Ditmire's short pulse laser, which is expected to be operational towards the beginning of FY02. Dr Stephen Rose at AWE has expressed interest in collaboration and would provide computational support. He would also look into using the Helen laser at AWE, and developing a UK university contact

[en] Explore the combination of optical diagnostics and gaseous targets to obtain important information about compressible turbulent flows that cannot be derived from traditional laser experiments for the purposes of V and V of hydrodynamics models and understanding scaling. First year objectives: Develop and characterize blast wave-gas jet test bed; Perform single pulse shadowgraphy of blast wave interaction with turbulent gas jet as a function of blast wave Mach number; Explore double pulse shadowgraphy and image correlation for extracting velocity spectra in the shock-turbulent flow interaction; and Explore the use/adaptation of advanced diagnostics

[en] It is anticipated that there will be a substantial growth in the exploitation of renewable energy from the wind over the next few years. A major factor in this expected growth is the environmental acceptance or otherwise of wind turbines and in particular their acoustic characteristics. It is generally accepted within the turbine community that reliable methods of measuring and quantifying a turbine's acoustic signature are essential if this exploitation is to be realised. This paper will seek to review current practice both in the UK and further afield and will describe the development of a practical and reliable test method, which will aid the wind turbine Manufacturer, Developer and Planner. (author)

[en] It is anticipated that there will be a substantial growth in the exploitation of renewable energy from the wind over the next few years. A major factor in this expected growth is the environmental acceptance or otherwise of wind turbines and in particular their noise characteristics. It is generally accepted within the turbine community that reliable methods of measuring and quantifying a turbine's acoustic signature are essential if this exploitation is to be realised. This paper will seek to review current practice both in the UK and further afield and will describe the development of a practical and reliable test method, which will aid the Wind Turbine Manufacturer, Developer and Planner. (author)

[en] This PowerPoint presentation discussed the feed-in tariff (FIT) program established in the United Kingdom (UK) to develop wind power resources. Grants and and other financial incentives available in the UK were also described. The FIT program is comprised of 3 small wind financial incentive bands that are based on wind turbine rate power. Microgeneration certification scheme (MCS) certification is a prerequisite. The MCS is comprised of scheme owners, administrators and licensees, and certification bodies. MCS product standards and scheme documents for factory production control were reviewed. Testing, certification, and accreditation standards were outlined. FIT tariffs will be reviewed in 2013. The FIT program has been guaranteed in the UK for a period of 20 years. An Act of Parliament will be required to overturn it. A chart of wind speed power curves was also included. tabs., figs.

[en] Au foils were irradiated with a 100-TW, 100-fs laser at intensities greater than 10²⁰ W/cm² producing proton beams with a total yield of ∼ 10¹¹ and maximum proton energy of > 9 MeV. Removing contamination from the back surface of Au foils with an Ar-ion sputter gun reduced the total yield of accelerated protons to less than 1% of the yield observed without removing contamination. Removing contamination the front surface (laser-interaction side) of the target had no observable effect on the proton beam. We present a one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation that models the experiment. Both experimental and simulation results are consistent with the back-surface acceleration mechanism described in the text

[en] Recent advances in laser and optical technologies have now enabled the current generation of high intensity, ultrashort-pulse lasers to achieve focal intensities of 10²⁰-10²¹ W/cm² in pulse durations of 100-500fs. These ultraintense laser pulses are capable of producing highly relativistic plasma states with densities, temperatures, and pressures rivaling those found in the interiors of stars and nuclear weapons. Utilizing the ultraintense 100TW JanUSP laser at LLNL we have explored the possibility of ion shock heating small micron-sized plasmas to extremely high energy densities approaching 1GJ/g on timescales of a few hundred femtoseconds. The JanUSP laser delivers 10 Joules of energy in a 100fs pulse in a near diffraction-limited beam, producing intensities on target of up to 10²¹W/cm². The electric field of the laser at this intensity ionizes and accelerates electrons to relativistic MeV energies. The sudden ejection of electrons from the focal region produces tremendous electrostatic forces which in turn accelerate heavier ions to MeV energies. The predicted ion flux of 1 MJ/cm² is sufficient to achieve thermal equilibrium conditions at high temperature in solid density targets. Our initial experiments were carried out at the available laser contrast of 10^-7 (i.e. the contrast of the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), and of the pre-pules produced in the regenerative amplifier). We used the nuclear photoactivation of Au-197 samples to measure the gamma production above 12MeV-corresponding to the threshold for the Au-197(y,n) reaction. Since the predominant mechanism for gamma production is through the bremsstrahlung emission of energetic electrons as they pass through the solid target we were able to infer a conversion yield of several percent of the incident laser energy into electrons with energies >12MeV. This result is consistent with the interaction of the main pulse with a large pre-formed plasma. The contrast of the laser was improved to the 10^-10 level by the insertion of two additional pockel cells to reduce the pre-pulse intensities, and by the implementation of a pulse clean up technique based on adding an additional pre-amplifier and saturable absorber which resulted in a reduction in the ASE level by a factor of approximately 1000. In FY00/01 we performed a series of experiments to investigate the mechanisms for ion generation and acceleration in thin foil targets irradiated at incident laser intensities above 10²⁰ W/cm², and with the laser contrast at 10^-10. Full details of this work can be found in the two accompanying papers: Energy spectrum and angular distribution of multi-MeV protons produced from ultraintense laser interactions, UCRL-JC-143112, P.K. Pate1 et al., and Enhancement of proton acceleration by hot electron re-circulation in thin foils irradiated by ultra-intense laser pulses, A.J. Mackinnon et al. UCRL-JC-145540. To obtain a more complete picture of the ion emission a range of detectors were developed and fielded including radiachromic films (measuring ion, electron, and x-ray dose), nuclear activation detectors (high energy protons), and single particle nuclear track detectors (protons and heavy ions). Significantly we found that a large fraction of the incident laser energy (greater than 1%) is coupled to highly energetic protons forming a well-collimated beam. The proton spectrum can be fit by an exponential distribution containing 10¹¹ particles with a mean energy of 3 MeV and a high energy cutoff of 25 MeV. However, these particles appear to originate not from the interaction region at the front of the target but rather from a thin adsorption layer on the rear surface

[en] This paper examines how the output from a cup anemometer, used for wind speed measurement, can be recorded on magnetic tape and analysed using instrumentation normally employed to measure acoustic data. The purpose of this being to allow true simultaneous analysis of acoustic and wind speed data. NEL's NWTC (National Wind Turbine Centre) Anemometer Calibration Facility is used to compare pulsed and analogue outputs from a typical anemometer to the data obtained from a pitot/static tube for a range of different wind speeds. The usefulness of 1/24- and 1/12-octave analysis is examined and accuracy limits are derived for the 'acoustic' approach to wind speed measurement. The allowable positions for anemometer locations are also discussed with reference to currently available standards and recommended practices. (Author)

[en] This paper gives an account of an experimental programme to assess the ground microphone measurement technique which can potentially increase the accuracy, reliability and confidence in wind turbine noise emission measurements. It shows that a 1 m diameter circular board can achieve acceptable accuracy and, since it is significantly more practical to use, could readily be adopted for international standards. (author)