Spatially resolved diagnostics for optimization of large ion beam sources

Giant negative ion sources for neutral beam injectors deliver huge negative ion currents, thanks to their multi-beamlet configuration. As the single-beamlet optics defines the transmission losses along the beamline, the extraction of a similar current for all beamlets is extremely desirable, in order to facilitate the beam source operation (i.e., around perveance match). This Review investigates the correlation between the vertical profile of beam intensity and the vertical profiles of plasma properties at the extraction region of the source, focusing on the influence of increasing cesium injection. Only by the combined use of all available source diagnostics, described in this Review, can beam features on the scale of the non-uniformities be investigated with a sufficient space resolution. At RF power of 50 kW/driver, with intermediate bias currents and a filter field of 2.4 mT, it is found that the central part of the four vertical beam segments exhibits comparable plasma density and beamlet currents; at the edges of the central segments, both the beam and electron density appear to decrease (probably maintaining fixed electron-to-ion ratio); at the bottom of the source, an increase of cesium injection can compensate for the vertical drifts that cause a much higher presence of electrons and a lower amount of negative ions.

First operation in SPIDER and the path to complete MITICA

The requirements of ITER neutral beam injectors (1 MeV, 40 A negative deuterium ion current for 1 h) have never been simultaneously attained; therefore, a dedicated Neutral Beam Test Facility (NBTF) was set up at Consorzio RFX (Padova, Italy). The NBTF includes two experiments: SPIDER (Source for the Production of Ions of Deuterium Extracted from Rf plasma), the full-scale prototype of the source of ITER injectors, with a 100 keV accelerator, to investigate and optimize the properties of the ion source; and MITICA, the full-scale prototype of the entire injector, devoted to the issues related to the accelerator, including voltage holding at low gas pressure. The present paper gives an account of the status of the procurements, of the timeline, and of the voltage holding tests and experiments for MITICA. As for SPIDER, the first year of operation is described, regarding the solution of some issues connected with the radiofrequency power, the source operation, and the characterization of the first negative ion beam.

Beam and installation improvements of the NIO1 ion source

The NIO1 (Negative Ion Optimization phase 1) source can provide continuous beam operation, which is convenient for systematic parameter and equipment studies. Even in the pure volume production regime, the source yield was found to depend on conditioning procedures. Magnetic configuration tests continued adding magnets to the existing setup; the filter field component B_x has been progressively extended to span the -12 to 5 mT range, and as a trend, source performances improved with |B_x|. The progress of camera beam diagnostics and of the quality of the volume-produced H^- beam is also shown. The status, off-line results, and reliability of a first NIO1 cesium oven are discussed; other upgrades in preparation (cavity ring down spectrometer, the end calorimeter, and conceptual tests of the energy recovery system) are also listed.

Beamlet scraping and its influence on the beam divergence at the BATMAN Upgrade test facility

For the ITER fusion experiment, two neutral beam injectors are required for plasma heating and current drive. Each injector supplies a power of about 17 MW, obtained from neutralization of 40 A (46 A), 1 MeV (0.87 MeV) negative deuterium (hydrogen) ions. The full beam is composed of 1280 beamlets, formed in 16 beamlet groups, and strict requirements apply to the beamlet core divergence (<7 mrad). The test facility BATMAN Upgrade uses an ITER-like grid with one beamlet group, which consists of 70 apertures. In a joint campaign performed by IPP and Consorzio RFX to better assess the beam optics, the divergence of a single beamlet was compared to a group of beamlets at BATMAN Upgrade. The single beamlet is measured with a carbon fiber composite tile calorimeter and by beam emission spectroscopy, whereas the divergence of the group of beamlets is measured by beam emission spectroscopy only. When increasing the RF power at low extraction voltages, the divergence of the beamlet and of the group of beamlets is continuously decreasing and no inflection point toward an overperveant beam is found. At the same time, scraping of the extracted ion beam at the second grid (extraction grid) takes place at higher RF power, supported by the absence of the normally seen linear behavior between the measured negative ion density in the plasma close to the extraction system and the measured extracted ion current. Beside its influence on the divergence, beamlet scraping needs to be considered for the determination of the correct perveance and contributes to the measured coextracted electron current.

Turbulence-Driven Ion Beams in the Magnetospheric Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability

The description of the local turbulent energy transfer and the high-resolution ion distributions measured by the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission together provide a formidable tool to explore the cross-scale connection between the fluid-scale energy cascade and plasma processes at subion scales. When the small-scale energy transfer is dominated by Alfvénic, correlated velocity, and magnetic field fluctuations, beams of accelerated particles are more likely observed. Here, for the first time, we report observations suggesting the nonlinear wave-particle interaction as one possible mechanism for the energy dissipation in space plasmas.

Modeling and Designing a Proteomics Application on PROTEUS

Objectives: Biomedical applications, such as analysis and management of mass spectrometry proteomics experiments, involve heterogeneous platforms and knowledge, massive data sets, and complex algorithms. Main requirements of such applications are semantic modeling of the experiments and data analysis, as well as high performance computational platforms. In this paper we propose a software platform allowing to model and execute biomedical applications on the Grid.

Methods: Computational Grids offer the required computational power, whereas ontologies and workflow help to face the heterogeneity of biomedical applications. In this paper we propose the use of domain ontologies and workflow techniques for modeling biomedical applications, whereas Grid middleware is responsible for high performance execution. As a case study, the modeling of a proteomics experiment is discussed.

Results: The main result is the design and first use of PROTEUS, a Grid-based problem-solving environment for biomedical and bioinformatics applications.

Conclusion: To manage the complexity of biomedical experiments, ontologies help to model applications and to identify appropriate data and algorithms, workflow techniques allow to combine the elements of such applications in a systematic way. Finally, translation of workflow into execution plans allows the exploitation of the computational power of Grids. Along this direction, in this paper we present PROTEUS discussing a real case study in the proteomics domain.

Magnetospheric Multiscale Observation of Plasma Velocity-Space Cascade: Hermite Representation and Theory

Plasma turbulence is investigated using unprecedented high-resolution ion velocity distribution measurements by the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission (MMS) in the Earth's magnetosheath. This novel observation of a highly structured particle distribution suggests a cascadelike process in velocity space. Complex velocity space structure is investigated using a three-dimensional Hermite transform, revealing, for the first time in observational data, a power-law distribution of moments. In analogy to hydrodynamics, a Kolmogorov approach leads directly to a range of predictions for this phase-space transport. The scaling theory is found to be in agreement with observations. The combined use of state-of-the-art MMS data sets, novel implementation of a Hermite transform method, and scaling theory of the velocity cascade opens new pathways to the understanding of plasma turbulence and the crucial velocity space features that lead to dissipation in plasmas.

Turbulence generation during the head-on collision of Alfvénic wave packets

The description of the Moffatt and Parker problem recently revisited by O. Pezzi et al. [Astrophys. J. 834, 166 (2017)1538-435710.3847/1538-4357/834/2/166] is here extended by analyzing the features of the turbulence produced by the interaction of two colliding Alfvénic wave packets in a kinetic plasma. Although the approach based on the presence of linear modes features is still helpful in characterizing some low-energy fluctuations, other signatures, which go beyond the pure linear modes analysis, are recovered, such as the significant weakening of clear dispersion relations and the production of zero frequency fluctuations.

A new approach to disentangle genetic and epigenetic components on disease comorbidities: studying correlation between genotypic and phenotypic disease networks

Disease comorbidity is a result of complex epigenetic interplay. A disease is rarely a consequence of an abnormality in a single gene; complex pathways to disease patterns emerge from gene-gene interactions and gene-environment interactions. Understanding these mechanisms of disease and comorbidity development, breaking down them into clusters and disentangling the epigenetic - actionable - components, is of utter importance from a public health perspective. With the increase in the average life expectancy, healthy aging becomes a primary objective, from both an individual (i.e. quality of life) and a societal (i.e. healthcare costs) standpoint. Many studies have analyzed disease networks based on common altered genes, on protein-protein interactions, or on shared disease comorbidites, i.e. phenotypic disease networks. In this work we aim at studying the relations between genotypic and phenotypic disease networks, using a large statewide cohort of individuals (100, 000+ from California, USA) with linked clinical and genotypic information, the Genetic Epidemiology Research on Adult Health and Aging (GERA). By comparing their phenotypic and genotypic networks, we try to disentangle the epigenetic component of disease comorbidity.

Study of a high power hydrogen beam diagnostic based on secondary electron emission

In high power neutral beams for fusion, beam uniformity is an important figure of merit. Knowing the transverse power profile is essential during the initial phases of beam source operation, such as those expected for the ITER heating neutral beam (HNB) test facility. To measure it a diagnostic technique is proposed, based on the collection of secondary electrons generated by beam-surface and beam-gas interactions, by an array of positively biased collectors placed behind the calorimeter tubes. This measurement showed in the IREK test stand good proportionality to the primary beam current. To investigate the diagnostic performances in different conditions, we developed a numerical model of secondary electron emission, induced by beam particle impact on the copper tubes, and reproducing the cascade of secondary emission caused by successive electron impacts. The model is first validated against IREK measurements. It is then applied to the HNB case, to assess the locality of the measurement, the proportionality to the beam current density, and the influence of beam plasma.

In-vacuum sensors for the beamline components of the ITER neutral beam test facility

Embedded sensors have been designed for installation on the components of the MITICA beamline, the prototype ITER neutral beam injector (Megavolt ITER Injector and Concept Advancement), to derive characteristics of the particle beam and to monitor the component conditions during operation for protection and thermal control. Along the beamline, the components interacting with the particle beam are the neutralizer, the residual ion dump, and the calorimeter. The design and the positioning of sensors on each component have been developed considering the expected beam-surface interaction including non-ideal and off-normal conditions. The arrangement of the following instrumentation is presented: thermal sensors, strain gages, electrostatic probes including secondary emission detectors, grounding shunt for electrical currents, and accelerometers.

Explosive Particle Dispersion in Plasma Turbulence

Particle dynamics are investigated in plasma turbulence, using self-consistent kinetic simulations, in two dimensions. In the steady state, the trajectories of single protons and proton pairs are studied, at different values of plasma β (ratio between kinetic and magnetic pressure). For single-particle displacements, results are consistent with fluids and magnetic field line dynamics, where particles undergo normal diffusion for very long times, with higher β's being more diffusive. In an intermediate time range, with separations lying in the inertial range, particles experience an explosive dispersion in time, consistent with the Richardson prediction. These results, obtained for the first time with a self-consistent kinetic model, are relevant for astrophysical and laboratory plasmas, where turbulence is crucial for heating, mixing, and acceleration processes.

Collisional Relaxation of Fine Velocity Structures in Plasmas

The existence of several characteristic times during the collisional relaxation of fine velocity structures is investigated by means of Eulerian numerical simulations of a spatially homogeneous force-free weakly collisional plasma. The effect of smoothing out velocity gradients on the evolution of global quantities, such as temperature and entropy, is discussed, suggesting that plasma collisionality can locally increase due to velocity space deformations of the particle velocity distribution function. These results support the idea that high-resolution measurements of the particle velocity distribution function are crucial for an accurate description of weakly collisional systems, such as the solar wind, in order to answer relevant scientific questions, related, for example, to particle heating and energization.

A new deflection technique applied to an existing scheme of electrostatic accelerator for high energy neutral beam injection in fusion reactor devices

A scheme of a neutral beam injector (NBI), based on electrostatic acceleration and magneto-static deflection of negative ions, is proposed and analyzed in terms of feasibility and performance. The scheme is based on the deflection of a high energy (2 MeV) and high current (some tens of amperes) negative ion beam by a large magnetic deflector placed between the Beam Source (BS) and the neutralizer. This scheme has the potential of solving two key issues, which at present limit the applicability of a NBI to a fusion reactor: the maximum achievable acceleration voltage and the direct exposure of the BS to the flux of neutrons and radiation coming from the fusion reactor. In order to solve these two issues, a magnetic deflector is proposed to screen the BS from direct exposure to radiation and neutrons so that the voltage insulation between the electrostatic accelerator and the grounded vessel can be enhanced by using compressed SF6 instead of vacuum so that the negative ions can be accelerated at energies higher than 1 MeV. By solving the beam transport with different magnetic deflector properties, an optimum scheme has been found which is shown to be effective to guarantee both the steering effect and the beam aiming.

Transmission of electrons inside the cryogenic pumps of ITER injector

Large cryogenic pumps are installed in the vessel of large neutral beam injectors (NBIs) used to heat the plasma in nuclear fusion experiments. The operation of such pumps can be compromised by the presence of stray secondary electrons that are generated along the beam path. In this paper, we present a numerical model to analyze the propagation of the electrons inside the pump. The aim of the study is to quantify the power load on the active pump elements, via evaluation of the transmission probabilities across the domain of the pump. These are obtained starting from large datasets of particle trajectories, obtained by numerical means. The transmission probability of the electrons across the domain is calculated for the NBI of the ITER and for its prototype Megavolt ITer Injector and Concept Advancement (MITICA) and the results are discussed.

Simulation of space charge compensation in a multibeamlet negative ion beam

Ion beam space charge compensation occurs by cumulating in the beam potential well charges having opposite polarity, usually generated by collisional processes. In this paper we investigate the case of a H(-) ion beam drift, in a bi-dimensional approximation of the NIO1 (Negative Ion Optimization phase 1) negative ion source. H(-) beam ion transport and plasma formation are studied via particle-in-cell simulations. Differential cross sections are sampled to determine the velocity distribution of secondary particles generated by ionization of the residual gas (electrons and slow H2 (+) ions) or by stripping of the beam ions (electrons, H, and H(+)). The simulations include three beamlets of a horizontal section, so that multibeamlet space charge and secondary particle diffusion between separate generation regions are considered, and include a repeller grid biased at various potentials. Results show that after the beam space charge is effectively screened by the secondary plasma in about 3 μs (in agreement with theoretical expectations), a plasma grows across the beamlets with a characteristic time three times longer, and a slight overcompensation of the electric potential is verified as expected in the case of negative ions.

The characterization and optimization of NIO1 ion source extraction aperture using a 3D particle-in-cell code

The geometry of a single aperture in the extraction grid plays a relevant role for the optimization of negative ion transport and extraction probability in a hybrid negative ion source. For this reason, a three-dimensional particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision model of the extraction region around the single aperture including part of the source and part of the acceleration (up to the extraction grid (EG) middle) regions has been developed for the new aperture design prepared for negative ion optimization 1 source. Results have shown that the dimension of the flat and chamfered parts and the slope of the latter in front of the source region maximize the product of production rate and extraction probability (allowing the best EG field penetration) of surface-produced negative ions. The negative ion density in the plane yz has been reported.

Background gas density and beam losses in NIO1 beam source

NIO1 (Negative Ion Optimization 1) is a versatile ion source designed to study the physics of production and acceleration of H- beams up to 60 keV. In ion sources, the gas is steadily injected in the plasma source to sustain the discharge, while high vacuum is maintained by a dedicated pumping system located in the vessel. In this paper, the three dimensional gas flow in NIO1 is studied in the molecular flow regime by the Avocado code. The analysis of the gas density profile along the accelerator considers the influence of effective gas temperature in the source, of the gas temperature accommodation by collisions at walls, and of the gas particle mass. The calculated source and vessel pressures are compared with experimental measurements in NIO1 during steady gas injection.

Off-normal and failure condition analysis of the MITICA negative-ion accelerator

The negative-ion accelerator for the MITICA neutral beam injector has been designed and optimized in order to reduce the thermo-mechanical stresses in all components below limits compatible with the required fatigue life. However, deviation from the expected beam performances can be caused by "off-normal" operating conditions of the accelerator. The purpose of the present work is to identify and analyse all the "off-normal" operating conditions, which could possibly become critical in terms of thermo-mechanical stresses or of degradation of the optical performances of the beam.

Preliminary results concerning the simulation of beam profiles from extracted ion current distributions for mini-STRIKE

The Radio Frequency (RF) negative hydrogen ion source prototype has been chosen for the ITER neutral beam injectors due to its optimal performances and easier maintenance demonstrated at Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik, Garching in hydrogen and deuterium. One of the key information to better understand the operating behavior of the RF ion sources is the extracted negative ion current density distribution. This distribution-influenced by several factors like source geometry, particle drifts inside the source, cesium distribution, and layout of cesium ovens-is not straightforward to be evaluated. The main outcome of the present contribution is the development of a minimization method to estimate the extracted current distribution using the footprint of the beam recorded with mini-STRIKE (Short-Time Retractable Instrumented Kalorimeter). To accomplish this, a series of four computational models have been set up, where the output of a model is the input of the following one. These models compute the optics of the ion beam, evaluate the distribution of the heat deposited on the mini-STRIKE diagnostic calorimeter, and finally give an estimate of the temperature distribution on the back of mini-STRIKE. Several iterations with different extracted current profiles are necessary to give an estimate of the profile most compatible with the experimental data. A first test of the application of the method to the BAvarian Test Machine for Negative ions beam is given.

Preliminary design of electrostatic sensors for MITICA beam line components

Megavolt ITER Injector and Concept Advancement, the full-scale prototype of ITER neutral beam injector, is under construction in Italy. The device will generate deuterium negative ions, then accelerated and neutralized. The emerging beam, after removal of residual ions, will be dumped onto a calorimeter. The presence of plasma and its parameters will be monitored in the components of the beam-line, by means of specific electrostatic probes. Double probes, with the possibility to be configured as Langmuir probes and provide local ion density and electron temperature measurements, will be employed in the neutralizer and in the residual ion dump. Biased electrodes collecting secondary emission electrons will be installed in the calorimeter with the aim to provide a horizontal profile of the beam.

Multi-beamlet investigation of the deflection compensation methods of SPIDER beamlets

SPIDER (Source for Production of Ions of Deuterium Extracted from a Rf plasma) is an ion source test bed designed to extract and accelerate a negative ion current up to 40 A and 100 kV whose first beam is expected by the end of 2016. Two main effects perturb beamlet optics during the acceleration stage: space charge repulsion and the deflection induced by the permanent magnets (called co-extracted electron suppression magnets) embedded in the EG. The purpose of this work is to evaluate and compare benefits, collateral effects, and limitations of electrical and magnetic compensation methods for beamlet deflection. The study of these methods has been carried out by means of numerical modeling tools: multi-beamlet simulations have been performed for the first time.

First experiments with the negative ion source NIO1

Neutral Beam Injectors (NBIs), which need to be strongly optimized in the perspective of DEMO reactor, request a thorough understanding of the negative ion source used and of the multi-beamlet optics. A relatively compact radio frequency (rf) ion source, named NIO1 (Negative Ion Optimization 1), with 9 beam apertures for a total H(-) current of 130 mA, 60 kV acceleration voltage, was installed at Consorzio RFX, including a high voltage deck and an X-ray shield, to provide a test bench for source optimizations for activities in support to the ITER NBI test facility. NIO1 status and plasma experiments both with air and with hydrogen as filling gas are described. Transition from a weak plasma to an inductively coupled plasma is clearly evident for the former gas and may be triggered by rising the rf power (over 0.5 kW) at low pressure (equal or below 2 Pa). Transition in hydrogen plasma requires more rf power (over 1.5 kW).

Optics of the NIFS negative ion source test stand by infrared calorimetry and numerical modelling

At National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), a multi-ampere negative ion source is used to support the R&D on H(-) production, extraction, and acceleration. In this contribution, we study the characteristics of the acceleration system of this source, in order to characterize the beam optics at different operational conditions. A dedicated experimental campaign was carried out at NIFS, using as main diagnostic the infra-red imaging of the beam profiles. The experimental measurements are also compared with 3D numerical simulations, in order to validate the codes and to assess their degree of reliability. The simulations show a satisfactory agreement with the experimental results.

Negative ion production and beam extraction processes in a large ion source (invited)

Recent research results on negative-ion-rich plasmas in a large negative ion source have been reviewed. Spatial density and flow distributions of negative hydrogen ions (H(-)) and positive hydrogen ions together with those of electrons are investigated with a 4-pin probe and a photodetachment (PD) signal of a Langmuir probe. The PD signal is converted to local H(-) density from signal calibration to a scanning cavity ring down PD measurement. Introduction of Cs changes the slope of plasma potential local distribution depending upon the plasma grid bias. A higher electron density H2 plasma locally shields the bias potential and behaves like a metallic free electron gas. On the other hand, the bias and extraction electric fields penetrate in a Cs-seeded electronegative plasma even when the electron density is similar. Electrons are transported by the penetrated electric fields from the driver region along and across the filter and electron deflection magnetic fields. Plasma ions exhibited a completely different response against the penetration of electric fields.

Numerical simulations of the first operational conditions of the negative ion test facility SPIDER

In view of the realization of the negative ion beam injectors for ITER, a test facility, named SPIDER, is under construction in Padova (Italy) to study and optimize production and extraction of negative ions. The present paper is devoted to the analysis of the expected first operations of SPIDER in terms of single-beamlet and multiple-beamlet simulations of the hydrogen beam optics in various operational conditions. The effectiveness of the methods adopted to compensate for the magnetic deflection of the particles is also assessed. Indications for a sequence of the experimental activities are obtained.

Particle transport and heat loads in NIO1

NIO1 is a compact radio frequency ion source designed to generate a 60 kV-135 mA hydrogen negative ion beam and it aims at continuous operation, which implies a detailed thermo-mechanical analysis of the beam-facing components, in particular, the accelerator grids. A 3D analysis of the entire NIO1 beam has been performed for the first time with a fully 3D version of EAMCC, a relativistic particle tracking code for the calculation of the grid power deposition induced by particle impacts. According to the results presented in this paper, secondary and co-extracted electrons cause a non-negligible heat load on the grids, where different high-power density regions, within reasonable sustainable standard limits, are calculated.

A 2D Particle in Cell model for ion extraction and focusing in electrostatic accelerators

Negative ions are fundamental to produce intense and high energy neutral beams used to heat the plasma in fusion devices. The processes regulating the ion extraction involve the formation of a sheath on a scale comparable to the Debye length of the plasma. On the other hand, the ion acceleration as a beam is obtained on distances greater than λD. The paper presents a model for both the phases of ion extraction and acceleration of the ions and its implementation in a numerical code. The space charge of particles is deposited following usual Particle in Cell codes technique, while the field is solved with finite element methods. Some hypotheses on the beam plasma transition are described, allowing to model both regions at the same time. The code was tested with the geometry of the NIO1 negative ions source, and the results are compared with existing ray tracing codes and discussed.

Comparative study of beam losses and heat loads reduction methods in MITICA beam source

In negative ion electrostatic accelerators a considerable fraction of extracted ions is lost by collision processes causing efficiency loss and heat deposition over the components. Stripping is proportional to the local density of gas, which is steadily injected in the plasma source; its pumping from the extraction and acceleration stages is a key functionality for the prototype of the ITER Neutral Beam Injector, and it can be simulated with the 3D code AVOCADO. Different geometric solutions were tested aiming at the reduction of the gas density. The parameter space considered is limited by constraints given by optics, aiming, voltage holding, beam uniformity, and mechanical feasibility. The guidelines of the optimization process are presented together with the proposed solutions and the results of numerical simulations.

First negative ion beam measurement by the Short-Time Retractable Instrumented Kalorimeter Experiment (STRIKE)

The Source for Production of Ion of Deuterium Extracted from Rf plasma (SPIDER) test facility is under construction in Padova to optimise the operation of the beam source of ITER neutral beam injectors. The SPIDER beam will be characterised by the instrumented calorimeter STRIKE, whose main components are one-directional carbon-fibre-carbon-composite tiles. A small-scale version of the entire system has been employed in the BAvarian Test MAchine for Negative ions (BATMAN) testbed by arranging two prototype tiles in the vertical direction. The paper presents a description of the mini-STRIKE system and of the data analysis procedures, as well as some results concerning the BATMAN beam under varying operating conditions.

Installation of a versatile multiaperture negative ion source

Neutral Beam Injectors (NBI), which need to be strongly optimized in the perspective of DEMO reactor, request a thorough understanding of the negative ion source used and of the multi-beamlet optics. A relatively compact RF ion source, named NIO1 (Negative Ion Optimization 1), with 9 beam apertures for a total H(-) current of 130 mA, 60 kV acceleration voltage, is being installed at Padua, in Consorzio RFX, to provide a test bench for source optimizations in the framework of the accompanying activities in support to the ITER NBI test facility. NIO1 construction and status of the overall installation, including a high voltage deck and an optical cavity ring down spectrometer are here summarized and reported. Plasma and low voltage beam operations are discussed. Development of a sampling beam calorimeter (with small sampling holes, and a segmented cooling circuit) is also discussed.

Physics design of the injector source for ITER neutral beam injector (invited)

Two Neutral Beam Injectors (NBI) are foreseen to provide a substantial fraction of the heating power necessary to ignite thermonuclear fusion reactions in ITER. The development of the NBI system at unprecedented parameters (40 A of negative ion current accelerated up to 1 MV) requires the realization of a full scale prototype, to be tested and optimized at the Test Facility under construction in Padova (Italy). The beam source is the key component of the system and the design of the multi-grid accelerator is the goal of a multi-national collaborative effort. In particular, beam steering is a challenging aspect, being a tradeoff between requirements of the optics and real grids with finite thickness and thermo-mechanical constraints due to the cooling needs and the presence of permanent magnets. In the paper, a review of the accelerator physics and an overview of the whole R&D physics program aimed to the development of the injector source are presented.

In PCOS patients the addition of low-dose spironolactone induces a more marked reduction of clinical and biochemical hyperandrogenism than metformin alone

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by ovarian dysfunction and hyperandrogenism and by insulin resistance and related metabolic alterations. Both metformin and anti-androgens, such as spironolactone, are used to ameliorate the different aspects of this disorder. We investigated whether therapy with metformin plus low-dose spironolactone is more effective than metformin alone in PCOS patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fifty-six PCOS patients were randomized in two groups: group A (28 patients) was treated with metformin (1700 mg/die) and group B (28 patients) was treated with metformin (1700 mg/die) plus low-dose spironolactone (25 mg/die). Anthropometric, hormonal and metabolic parameters were evaluated at baseline and after six months of treatment. After therapy regular menses were restored in approximately 82% of group A patients (P < 0.001) and in 68% of group B patients (P < 0.001). Circulating testosterone, Δ-4-androstenedione and Hirsutism Score (HS) significantly decreased in both groups. However, dehydro-epiandrosterone sulphate significantly decreased only in group B, and HS underwent a stronger reduction in group B (P < 0.001). At baseline, 39/56 (69.6%) patients met the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome, but only one patient met these criteria after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms the beneficial effects of metformin in PCOS patients. It also indicates that the addition of low-dose spironolactone induces a more marked reduction of clinical and biochemical hyperandrogenism as compared to metformin alone.

Cancellation of the ion deflection due to electron-suppression magnetic field in a negative-ion accelerator

A new magnetic configuration is proposed for the suppression of co-extracted electrons in a negative-ion accelerator. This configuration is produced by an arrangement of permanent magnets embedded in one accelerator grid and creates an asymmetric local magnetic field on the upstream and downstream sides of this grid. Thanks to the "concentration" of the magnetic field on the upstream side of the grid, the resulting deflection of the ions due to magnetic field can be "intrinsically" cancelled by calibrating the configuration of permanent magnets. At the same time, the suppression of co-extracted electrons can be improved.