Selective diffraction with possible application to solar research

The writer describes diffraction phenomena in transmission gratings made as strips of alternating color. He discusses diffraction in slits formed in semitransparent material including liquid or gaseous layers and particularly when line- and band-absorption is present. He suggests that atmospheric seeing should be influenced by selective diffraction in telluric lines. He also discusses possible seeing effects in the solar atmosphere and prominences and hints at the possibility that irregular or semiregular selective diffraction may appear in the deep layers of sunspots possibly contributing to the scattering of light.     

High diffraction efficiency, broadband, diffraction crystals for use in crystal diffraction lenses

A major goal of the MAX program is to detect and measure gamma rays produced following the nuclear reactions that take place in a supernova explosion. To detect a reasonable number of supernovae, sensitivities of the order of a few times 10-7 γ cm-2sec-1 are needed – much better than possible with current instruments. The approach in the MAX program is to use a crystal diffraction lens to collect photons over a large area and concentrate them on a small well-shielded detector, greatly improving the signal to noise ratio. The crystals need to have both high diffraction efficiency and a relatively broad energy bandwidth. With mosaic crystals there is a trade-off between bandwidth and diffraction efficiency – one can have either high efficiency or large bandwidth, but not both without losing too much intensity through atomic absorption. A recent breakthrough in our understanding of crystal diffraction for high-energy gamma rays has made it possible to develop crystals that have both high diffraction efficiency and a relatively broad energy bandwidth. These crystals have near perfect crystal structure, but the crystalline planes are slightly curved. Such curved planes can be obtained in 3 different ways, by using mixed crystals with a composition gradient, by applying a thermal gradient, and by mechanically bending a near perfect crystal. A series of experiments have been performed on all three types of crystals using high-energy x-ray beams from the Advanced Photon Source at the Argonne National Laboratory. Experiments performed at 3 energies, 93 keV, 123 keV and 153 keV, with both the thermal gradient Si crystals and with the mechanically bent Si crystals, demonstrated that one can achieve diffraction efficiencies approaching 100% with moderate energy bandwidths (ΔE/E = 1.4%) and low atomic absorption (transmission = 0.65), in excellent agreement with theory. The use of this type of diffraction crystal is expected to increase the sensitivity of gamma ray telescopes by a factor of 5 over that possible with normal mosaic crystals.     

Laue diffraction lenses for astrophysics: Theoretical concepts

Beyond the present technologies, Laue diffraction lenses are very promising tools in the field of gamma-ray astrophysics. The theoretical concepts of this kind of instruments are based on the Laue diffraction in crystals, discovered almost 100 years ago. Though they are commonly used in crystallography, their application to γ-ray focusing in astrophysics requires some specific developments, e.g. in terms of energy and imaging responses. The present article describes the physics of X-ray diffraction in crystals. In the context of the Darwin model of mosaic crystals, some peculiar aspects, relevant to the astrophysical observation, are discussed. The evaluation and optimization of diffraction efficiency are discussed, especially with rigards to the crystal’s mosaicity and thickness, its spatial extent and deviations to the “ideally imperfect” Darwin model. PACS 95.55.Ka, 61.50.Ah, 61.10.−i, 41.50.+h     

Review of crystal diffraction and its application to focusing energetic gamma rays

The basic features of crystal diffraction and their application to the construction of a crystal diffraction lens for focusing energetic gamma rays are described using examples from the work performed at the Argonne National Laboratory. Both on-axis and off-axis performance are discussed. The review includes the use of normal crystals, bent crystals, and crystals with variable crystal-plane spacing to develop both condenser-type lenses and point-to-point imaging lenses.     

Modeling Planetary Interiors in Laser Based Experiments Using Shockless Compression

X-ray diffraction is a widely used technique for measuring the crystal structure of a compressed material. Recently, short pulse x-ray sources have been used to measure the crystal structure in-situ while a sample is being dynamically loaded. To reach the ultra high pressures that are unattainable in static experiments at temperatures lower than using shock techniques, shockless quasi-isentropic compression is required. Shockless compression has been demonstrated as a successful means of accessing high pressures. The National Ignition Facility (NIF), which will begin doing high pressure material science in 2010, it should be possible to reach over 2 TPa quasi-isentropically. This paper outlines how x-ray diffraction could be used to study the crystal structure in laser driven, shocklessly compressed targets the same way it has been used in shock compressed samples. A simulation of a shockless laser driven iron is used to generate simulated diffraction signals, and recent experimental results are presented.     

The Trace Telescope Point Spread Function for the 171 Å Filter

We perform an analysis of the TRACE telescope blur from EUV images. Theblur pattern is discussed in terms of the telescope point-spread function (PSF) for the 171 Å filter. The analysis performed consists of two steps. First, an initial shape for the PSF core is determined directly from TRACE EUV images. Second, the blind-deconvolution method is used for obtaining the final PSF shape. The PSF core peak is fitted by analytical functions to determine its parametric characteristics. The determined PSF includes the core central peak and peaks caused by diffraction effects inherent in TRACE EUV data. The diffraction portion of the PSF is studied theoretically in the Fraunhofer diffraction limit. The temperature dependence of the TRACE PSF shape is investigated for a selected temperature range. We also discuss general properties of the obtained PSF and its possible applications.     

正确测定望远镜光能集中度的方法

正确测定望远镜光能集中度的方法苏定强（中国科学院南京天文仪器研制中心，南京２１００４２）主题词天文光学－望远镜－光学检验天文望远镜广泛采用的象质判据是光能集中度，即一定比例的光能量集中在多大的圆中。例如，七十年代的优秀望远镜光能集中度的标准是８０％的...     

Diffraction theory modeling of near-forward radio wave scattering from particle clusters

We investigate the use of diffraction theory as an alternative to solving the full electromagnetic problem of near-forward scattering by a collection of dielectric spheres of arbitrary spacing and orientation. We define an amplitude screen, which is constructed by projecting the shadows of a cluster of spheres onto a plane perpendicular to the wave vector of the incident radio wave. The far-field (Fraunhofer) diffraction pattern of the amplitude screen is then computed and compared with the Mie-theoretic result. We show that for EM scattering from a cluster of electrically large spheres—both singly-sized and belonging to a size distribution—there is excellent agreement between the exact Mie solution and its diffraction theory approximation when near-forward scattering is the angular range of interest. This excellent agreement holds over a broad range of particle separation and orientation configurations relative to the incidence direction. It is also achieved at a much reduced computational cost compared with an exact solution of the electromagnetic interaction problem. Fortified by these results, the authors have applied diffraction theory to the analysis of Cassini radio occultation data, thereby detecting fine-scale structure in Saturn’s rings [Thomson, F.S., Marouf, E.A., Tyler, G.L., French, R.G., Rappoport, N.J., 2007. Periodic microstructure in Saturn’s rings A and B. Geophys. Res. Lett. 34, L24203].     

The performance of a large echelle grating in a solar spectrometer

A number of tests of a large diffraction grating are described. It is shown that useful information about the performance of the grating in a spectrometer can be obtained from an analysis of the diffracted wavefront by the method of Stroke. Comparison of the instrumental profile at three wavelengths strongly suggests that the influence of changes in the angle of diffraction on the profile cannot be neglected. A resolving power of 6.9 × 10⁵ is attained at 6328 Å. At the same wavelength the first order Rowland ghosts in the ninth order of diffraction have an intensity of only 8 × 10^-4 of the parent line. The influence of stray light on the central intensities of deep Fraunhofer lines is shown to be small but by no means negligible.     

Copper Mosaic Crystals for Laue Lenses

Large single crystals of copper with an uniform and very narrow mosaic spread between 25 seconds and 1 minute of arc are now available at I.L.L. This result is of great interest in the construction of a Laue lens for astrophysical applications for which such quality copper single crystals may be used. The X-ray diffraction properties of copper single crystals produced at I.L.L. were studied for x-ray energies ranging from 100 keV to 400 keV. Several monocrystalline plates with different thicknesses and mosaic distributions were then prepared from the as-grown crystals in order to measure their diffraction efficiency as a function of energy. As expected, the value of the peak reflectivity depends on the crystal thickness. Reflectivity measurements show the excellent properties of copper crystals for gamma-ray diffraction. A peak reflectivity of 24% was measured at 220 keV from a copper single crystal of 3.75 mm thickness having a mosaic spread of 1.5 minutes of arc. Some technical aspects on the preparation of copper single crystal plates are also discussed.     

Thermal processing and crystallization of amorphous Mg‐Ca silicates

The structural evolution of sol–gel‐produced amorphous Mg_(x)Ca_(1–x)SiO₃ silicates is investigated. Mid‐IR Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and synchrotron X‐ray diffraction are used to confirm the amorphous nature of the as‐prepared silicates, while subsequent in situ synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction measurements are used to study the evolution of crystalline mineral phases as a function of annealing temperature. Multiple silicate phases, including diopside, enstatite, forsterite, and SiO₂, are identified, while Rietveld (i.e., structure) refinement of the diffraction data is used to quantify phase change relationships. Investigated as possible analogs for the refractory dust grain materials likely to have been present in the early solar nebula, the likely relevance of these investigations to the observed silicate compositions of chondritic meteorites and cometary bodies and the processing of their precursor materials is discussed.     

Laue diffraction lenses for astrophysics: From theory to experiments

Based on the laws of X-ray diffraction in crystals, Laue lenses offer a promising way to achieve the sensitivity and angular resolution leap required for the next generation of hard X-ray and gamma-ray telescopes.The present paper describes the instrumental responses of Laue diffraction lenses designed for nuclear astrophysics. Different possible geometries are discussed, as well as the corresponding spectral and imaging capabilities. These theoretical predictions are then compared with Monte-Carlo simulations and experimental results (ground and stratospheric observations from the CLAIRE project). PACS 95.55.Ka, 61.50.Ah, 61.10.−i, 41.50.+h     

Thick self-standing bent crystals as optical elements for a Laue lens for applications in astrophysics

In this paper we report progresses in the realization of self-standing bent crystals, which are suitable as optical elements for Laue lenses, i.e. for optic to focus hard X-rays in the 100–1000 keV energy range. The curvature of the crystals is a key factor to enhance diffraction efficiency and energy bandpass for such an optic. In particular, two bent crystals featuring a thickness of 5 mm, made of Si and Ge respectively, were produced at the Sensor and Semiconductor Laboratory in Ferrara, Italy. The crystals were bent through the application of a carbon fibre composite. This proved to be a relatively low cost method for crystal bending, suitable for mass production. The manufactured samples were characterised via optical interferometry, and showed a fairly uniform curvature. Finally, the samples were tested exploiting hard X-ray diffraction at the ID11 facility of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France. A careful analysis of the experimental data highlighted that the samples feature large energy bandpass, wide geometrical acceptance for incoming hard X-rays, and high diffraction efficiency. We therefore conclude that such self-standing crystals are good candidates as Laue lens components for astrophysics applications.     

On Hapke photometric model predictions on reflectance of closely packed particulate surfaces

In a recent paper Hapke et al. (Hapke, B., Shepard, M., Nelson, R., Smythe, W., Piatek, J. [2009]. Icarus 199, 210-218) performed bi-directional reflectance measurements on closely-packed particulate surfaces of micrometer-sized particles and compared these with both the Hapke IMSA photometric model, and a numerical radiative transfer algorithm, the MDYZ (Mishchenko, M., Dlugach, J., Yanovitskij, E., Zakharova, N. [1999a]. J. Quant. Spectrosc. Radiat. Trans. 63, 409-432). To account for the effects of close packing, Hapke et al. applied a diffraction truncation scheme to remove the diffraction spike and supplied the renormalized single scattering phase function to the IMSA. They found that the IMSA prediction is a better match with measurement than that of MDYZ. In this work we demonstrate that the diffraction truncation procedure outlined by Hapke et al. contains an error. By following Hapke et al.’s intended truncation scheme, we have found that the IMSA model is not sufficiently anisotropic to describe the reflectance pattern of measurements on surface reflectance of closely packed large spherical particles.     

Development of a new photon diffraction imaging system for diagnostic nuclear medicine

The objective of this project is to develop and construct an innovative imaging system for nuclear medicine and molecular imaging that uses photon diffraction and is capable of generating 1–2 mm spatial resolution images in two or three dimensions. The proposed imaging system would be capable of detecting radiopharmaceuticals that emit 100–200 keV gamma rays which are typically used in diagnostic nuclear medicine and in molecular imaging. The system is expected to be optimized for the 140.6 keV gamma ray from a Tc-99m source, which is frequently used in nuclear medicine. This new system will focus the incoming gamma rays in a manner analogous to a magnifying glass focusing sunlight into a small focal point on a detector's sensitive area. Focusing gamma rays through photon diffraction has already been demonstrated with the construction of a diffraction lens telescope for astrophysics and a scaled-down lens for medical imaging, both developed at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). In addition, spatial resolutions of 3 mm have been achieved with a prototype medical lens. The proposed imaging system would be comprised of an array of photon diffraction lenses tuned to diffract a specific gamma ray energy (within 100–200 keV) emitted by a common source. The properties of photon diffraction make it possible to diffract only one specific gamma ray energy at a time, which significantly reduces scattering background. The system should be sufficiently sensitive to the detection of small concentrations of radioactivity that can reveal potential tumor sites at their initial stages of development. Moreover, the system's sensitivity would eliminate the need for re-injecting a patient with more radiopharmaceutical if this patient underwent a prior nuclear imaging scan. Detection of a tumor site at its inception could allow for an earlier initiation of treatment and wider treatment options, which can potentially improve the chances for cure.     

X-ray rings by grain diffraction

It is suggested that X-ray diffraction rings by small silicate crystals included into small cloudlets of dust grains or space debris within the Galaxy could be observable.     

由两块拼接反射镜组成的光学系统的衍射能量分布

LAMOST的光学系统由反射施密特改正板MA 和球面主镜MB 组成 ,MA 和MB 均为对角径 1 .1m的六角形子镜的拼镜面 .本文计算了星在子午圈上时望远镜观测不同的天区零视场和有视场时的光学系统衍射能量分布 ,还计算了MA 不变MB 改为整块的 6m镜以及MA 和MB 均为对角径 1 .5m的六角形子镜的拼镜面的衍射能量分布 .对这些计算结果进行分析 ,论证了六角形子镜尺寸选择的合理性     

Galileiite: A new meteoritic phosphate minera

Abstract— A new mineral named galileiite, NaFe₄(PO₄)₃, has been found within troilite nodules in iron meteorites of the IIIA and IIIB groups. the mineral is optically positive (ω = 1.72, ω = 1.75), colorless in transmitted light and pale amber in reflected light. Grains of galileiite are very small, generally 10 μm or less; rarely, grains are up to 30 μm. It is associated with Ca-free graftonite (or Ca-free sarcopside), chromite and, occasionally, schreibersite. Johnsomervilleite may occur within troilite nodules in the same meteorite as galileiite, but they have never been observed together in the same troilite nodule. Because of the small sample size, single crystal x-ray work was not successful; however, Gandolfi diffraction measurements were made. The three strongest diffraction peaks are 2.71 Å, 3.01 Å and 4.13 Å. On the basis of its composition and similar diffraction pattern, it is considered to be related to johnsomervilleite, fillowite and chladniite, all of which are rhombohedral and isostructural. Galileiite may also be rhombohedral, but that is yet to be demonstrated.     

A METHOD OF EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS OF POSSIBLE COSMIC PARTICLES FROM MANGANESE NODULES

A method is described for extracting magnetic micron-size particles from manganese nodules, and for studying the selected particles by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe and X-ray diffraction.     

Shock experiments on anhydrite and new constraints on the impact‐induced SOx release at the K‐Pg boundary

Abstract– We have performed six shock experiments at nominal peak‐shock pressures of 12.5, 20, 33, 46.5, 64, and 85 GPa using polycrystalline anhydrite discs embedded in ARMCO‐Fe sample containers and the shock reverberation technique. The recovered samples were analyzed using X‐ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The X‐ray diffraction patterns recorded on all samples are compatible with the anhydrite structure; extra‐peaks have not been observed. Peak intensities decrease and peak broadening increases progressively in the pressure range from 0 to 46.5 GPa. At higher pressures, peak broadening diminishes and the X‐ray diffraction pattern of the 85 GPa sample resembles essentially that of unshocked, well‐crystallized anhydrite. Related structural changes at the nanoscale include in the pressure regime up to 20 GPa “cold” deformation phenomena such as cracks and deformation twins. Dislocation density increases up to 33 GPa and the strain increases up to 46.5 GPa. In the pressure range from 46.5 to 85 GPa, high postshock temperatures caused annealing of the deformation features. Increasing density and size of voids in the anhydrite samples shocked at 64 and 85 GPa indicate partial decomposition of anhydrite. Recalculation of the peak‐shock pressure in the experiments to a more realistic natural loading path indicates the onset of degassing of anhydrite in the pressure range of 30–41 GPa.