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Developing portable and scalable software for the solution of large-scale optimization problems presents many challenges that traditional libraries do not adequately meet. Using object-oriented design in conjunction with other innovative techniques, they address these issues within the SNES (Scalable Nonlinear Equation Solvers) and SUMS (Scalable Unconstrained Minimization Solvers) packages, which are part of the multilevel PETSCs (Portable, Extensible Tools for Scientific computation) library. This paper focuses on the authors design philosophy and its benefits in providing a uniform and versatile framework for developing optimization software and solving large-scale nonlinear problems. They also consider a three-dimensional anisotropic Ginzburg-Landau model as a representative application that exploits the packages' flexible interface with user-specified data structures and customized routines for function evaluation and preconditioning.

The transport of a high current relativistic electron beam in a stripline beam kicker is strongly dependent on the wake properties of the structure. The effect of the beam-induced fields on the steering of the beam must be determined for a prescribed trajectory within the structure. A 3-D time domain electromagnetic code is used to determine the wake fields and the resultant Lorentz force on the beam both for an ultra-relativistic electron beam moving parallel to the beamline axis as well as a beam that follows a curved trajectory through the structure. Usually in determining the wake properties of the structure, a wake impedance is found for a beam that is moving parallel to the beamline axis. However, we extend this concept to curved trajectories by calculating beam induced forces along the curved trajectory. Comparisons are made with simple transmission line models of the structure. The wake properties are used in models to transport the beam self-consistently through the structure.

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An information release document in regards to six metroplex elementary schools plus thirty other schools nationwide were selected to participate as Arts Partner Schools in a $15 million experiment to reform education. The six schools will work with art educators at the University of North Texas, announced this month by the Annenberg Foundation, the Getty Education Institute for the Arts and the National Arts Education Consortium.

As part of a project to develop methods of placing highly reflective multilayer coatings on the inside of Wolter I mirrors, we have been pursuing a program of measuring flat mirrors. These flats have been produced and examined at various stages of the process we plan to use to fabricate multilayer coated Wolter I mirrors. The flats were measured via optical profiler, AFM, (both done at Brookhaven National Lab) and X-ray reflection (done at the Argonne National Lab (ANL) Advanced Photon Source (APS)). We report for the first time, to our knowledge, the successful placement of multilayers on an electroform by depositing the multilayers on a master and then electroforming onto this master and removing the multilayers, intact, on the electroform. This process is the one we plan to use to place multilayers on the inside of Wolter I optics.

The authors report the results of an inelastic neutron scattering experiment on nearly-percolating Heisenberg antiferromagnets (RbMn{sub c}Mg{sub 1{minus}o}F{sub 3}), in which the Mn concentrations (C = 0.31, 0.34 and 0.39) are very close to the percolation threshold (c{sub p} = 0.312). A broad peak superimposed on Ising-cluster excitations was observed throughout the Brillouin zone. The intensity of a broad peak increased on approaching the percolation threshold. The origin of this broad peak is attributed to the excitation of fractons in a percolating network.

The introduction of digital instrumentation and control into reactor safety systems creates a heightened concern about common-mode failure. This paper discusses the concern and methods to cope with the concern. Common-mode failures have been a ``fact-of-life`` in existing systems. The informal introduction of defense-in-depth and diversity (D-in-D&D)-coupled with the fact that hardware common-mode failures are often distributed in time-has allowed systems to deal with past common-mode failures. However, identical software operating in identical redundant systems presents the potential for simultaneous failure. Consequently, the use of digital systems raises the concern about common-mode failure to a new level. A more methodical approach to mitigating common-mode failure is needed to address these concerns. Purposeful introduction of D-in-D&D has been used as a defense against common-mode failure in reactor protection systems. At least two diverse systems are provided to mitigate any potential initiating event. Additionally, diverse displays and controls are provided to allow the operator to monitor plant status and manually initiate engineered safety features. A special form of conimon-mode failure analysis called ``defense-in-depth and diversity analysis`` has been developed to identify possible conimon-mode failure vulnerabilities in digital systems. An overview of this analysis technique is provided.

A number of X-ray astronomy satellites are scheduled for launch in the next few years. The Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) is scheduled for launch in 1998, and the X-Ray Multi-mirror Mission (XMM) and Astro-E in 1999. These satellites will carry spectrometers with resolving powers in the Fe L-shell emission region over an order of magnitude greater than the spectrometers aboard A CA. Interpreting AXAF, XMM, Astro-E spectra will require atomic data at an accuracy significantly greater than the data presently used in the standard emission codes. To address some of the existing and upcoming needs of X-ray astrophysics, we have continued our studies of Fe XXIV line emission. In this work, we measured Fe XXIV 3{yields}2 line emission at energies around threshold, using EBIT to examine the resonance contributions to the line emissivity. Here we present relative cross sections, at electron energies between 700 and 1500 eV, for producing line emission at wavelength A = 11.18 of the Fe XXIV 3d{sub 5/2}{yields}2P{sub 3} transition. Various processes can contribute to line emission observed from a collisional plasma. Direct excitation (DE) is the most important one at energies above the EIE threshold. Below threshold, Dielectronic recombination (DR) produces high n satellites …

The concept to use a slab as active element, working in zig-zag geometry, and also as Fresnel rhomb, seems to be rather attractive. However, in this case different depolarization effects in active element arc of crucial importance. We have carried out the estimations of depolarization effects arising both due to mechanical loading of an active element at its fastening and due to thermooptical distortions. To check up these rigid requirements to depolarization (0.1 % - 0.01 %) careful measurements of depolarization effects and their sources are being carried out. Mechanical loading gives one of the main contributions in depolarization at fastening of active element. Using model experiments with glass Fresnel rhomb under mechanical loading we have measured depolarization effects. It is proposed to use additional glass plate to compensate beam depolarization in zig-zag slab. The received results allow to expect successful use of the slab amplifier as a Fresnel rhomb providing rather high quality of optical material of active clement.

Positron annihilation spectroscopy is a sensitive probe for studying the electronic structure of defects in solids. The high momentum part of the Doppler-broadened annihilation spectra can be used to distinguish different elements. This is achieved by using a new two-detector coincidence system and by imposing appropriate kinematic cuts to exclude background events. The new setup improves the peak to background ratio in the annihilation spectrum to {approximately}10{sup 5}. As a result, the line shape variations arising from different core electrons can be studied. The new approach adds elemental specificity to the Doppler broadening technique, and is useful in studying elemental variations around a defect site. Results from several case studies are reviewed.

The most serious challenges in the design of chambers for inertial fusion energy (IFE) are 1) protecting the first wall from fusion energy pulses on the order of several hundred megajoules released in the form of x rays, target debris, and high energy neutrons, and 2) operating the chamber at a pulse repetition rate of 5-10 Hz (i.e., re-establishing, the wall protection and chamber conditions needed for beam propagation to the target between pulses). In meeting these challenges, designers have capitalized on the ability to separate the fusion burn physics from the geometry and environment of the fusion chamber. Most recent conceptual designs use gases or flowing liquids inside the chamber. Thin liquid layers of molten salt or metal and low pressure, high-Z gases can protect the first wall from x rays and target debris, while thick liquid layers have the added benefit of protecting structures from fusion neutrons thereby significantly reducing the radiation damage and activation. The use of thick liquid walls is predicted to 1) reduce the cost of electricity by avoiding the cost and down time of changing damaged structures, and 2) reduce the cost of development by avoiding the cost of developing a new, low-activation material. …

The release of {sup 99}Tc can be used as a reliable marker for the extent of spent oxide fuel reaction under unsaturated high-drip-rate conditions at 90{degrees}C. Evidence from leachate data and from scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) examination of reacted fuel samples is presented for radionuclide release, potential reaction pathways, and the formation of alteration products. In the ATM-103 fuel, 0.03 of the total inventory of {sup 99}Tc is released in 3.7 years under unsaturated and oxidizing conditions. Two reaction pathways that have been identified from SEM are (1) through-grain dissolution with subsequent formation of uranyl alteration products, and (2) grain-boundary dissolution. The major alteration product identified by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and SEM, is Na-boltwoodite, Na[(UO{sub 2})(SiO{sub 3}OH)]{lg_bullet}H{sub 2}O, which is formed from sodium and silicon in the water leachant.

The Bean model is almost solely used to interpret ac losses in the powder-in-tube processed composite conductor, Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 10}/Ag. In order to examine the limits of the applicability of the model, a detailed comparison was made between the values of critical current density J{sub c} for Bi(2223)/Ag tapes which were determined by standard four-probe-dc measurement, and which were deduced from the field dependence of the ac losses utilizing the model. A significant inconsistency between these values of J{sub c} were found, particularly at high fields. Possible sources of the discrepancies are discussed.

This paper summarizes preliminary remote handling and robotic concepts being developed as part of the US Department of Energy's (DOE) Yucca Mountain Project. The DOE is currently evaluating the Yucca Mountain Nevada site for suitability as a possible underground geologic repository for the disposal of high level nuclear waste. The current advanced conceptual design calls for the disposal of more than 12,000 high level nuclear waste packages within a 225 km underground network of tunnels and emplacement drifts. Many of the waste packages may weigh as much as 66 tonnes and measure 1.8 m in diameter and 5.6 m long. The waste packages will emit significant levels of radiation and heat. Therefore, remote handling is a cornerstone of the repository design and operating concepts. This paper discusses potential applications areas for robotics and remote handling technologies within the subsurface repository. It also summarizes the findings of a preliminary technology survey which reviewed available robotic and remote handling technologies developed within the nuclear, mining, rail and industrial robotics and automation industries, and at national laboratories, universities, and related research institutions and government agencies.

An experimental setup to measure the thermal contact conductance across a silicon-copper (Si-Cu) interface is described, and the results obtained are presented. The resulting thermal contact resistance data are used in estimating the thermo-mechanical and optical performance of optical substrates cooled by interfaced copper cooling blocks. Several factors influence the heat transfer across solid interfaces. These include the material properties, interface pressure, flatness and roughness of the contacting surfaces, temperature, and interstitial material, if any. Results presented show the variation of thermal contact conductance as a function of applied interface pressure for a Cu-Si interface. Various interstitial materials investigated include iridium foil, silver foil and a liquid eutectic (Ga-In-Sn). As expected, thermal contact resistance decreases as interface pressure increases, except in the case of the eutectic, in which it was nearly constant. The softer the interstitial material, the lower the thermal contact resistance, Liquid metal provides the lowest thermal contact resistance across the Cu-Si interface, followed by the iridium foil, and then the silver foil.

The chemistry of geothermal, production, and injection fluids at the Dixie Valley Geothermal Field, Nevada, was characterized to address an ongoing scaling problem and to evaluate the effects of reinjection into the reservoir. Fluids generally followed mixing-dilution trends. Recharge to the Dixie Valley system apparently originates from local sources. The low-pressure brine and injection waters were saturated with respect to amorphous silica, which correlated with the ongoing scaling problem. Local shallow ground water contains about 15% geothermal brine mixed with regional recharge. The elevated Ca, Mg, and HCO{sub 3} content of this water suggests that carbonate precipitation may occur if shallow groundwater is reinjected. Downhole reservoir fluids are close to equilibrium with the latest vein mineral assemblage of wairakite-epidote-quartz-calcite. Reinjection of spent geothermal brine is predicted to affect the region near the wellbore differently than it does the region farther away.