Fine structure of Vavilov-Cherenkov radiation near the Cherenkov threshold

We analyze the Vavilov-Cherenkov radiation (VCR) in a dispersive nontransparent dielectric air-like medium both below and above the Cherenkov threshold, in the framework of classical electrodynamics. It is shown that the transition to the subthreshold energies leads to the destruction of electromagnetic shock waves and to the sharp reduction of the frequency domain where VCR is emitted. The fine wake-like structure of the Vavilov-Cherenkov radiation survives and manifests the existence of the subthreshold radiation in the domain of anomalous dispersion. These domains can approximately be defined by the two phenomenological parameters of the medium, namely, the effective frequency of oscillators and the damping describing an interaction with the other degrees of freedom.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

Theoretical methods for the calculation of Bragg curves and 3D distributions of proton beams

The well-known Bragg-Kleeman rule RCSDA = A dot E0p has become a pioneer work in radiation physics of charged particles and is still a useful tool to estimate the range RCSDA of approximately monoenergetic protons with initial energy E0 in a homogeneous medium. The rule is based on the continuous-slowing-down-approximation (CSDA). It results from a generalized (nonrelativistic) Langevin equation and a modification of the phenomenological friction term. The complete integration of this equation provides information about the residual energy E(z) and dE(z)/dz at each position z (0 <= z <= RCSDA). A relativistic extension of the generalized Langevin equation yields the formula RCSDA = A dot (E0 +E02/2M dot c2)p. The initial energy of therapeutic protons satisfies E0 << 2M dot c2 (M dot c2 = 938.276 MeV), which enables us to consider the relativistic contributions as correction terms. Besides this phenomenological starting-point, a complete integration of the Bethe-Bloch equation (BBE) is developed, which also provides the determination of RCSDA, E(z) and dE(z)/dz and uses only those parameters given by the BBE itself (i.e., without further empirical parameters like modification of friction). The results obtained in the context of the aforementioned methods are compared with Monte-Carlo calculations (GEANT4); this Monte-Carlo code is also used with regard to further topics such as lateral scatter, nuclear interactions, and buildup effects. In the framework of the CSDA, the energy transfer from protons to environmental atomic electrons does not account for local fluctuations.Comment: 97 pages review pape

Energetic particle influence on the Earth's atmosphere

This manuscript gives an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of the effects of energetic particle precipitation (EPP) onto the whole atmosphere, from the lower thermosphere/mesosphere through the stratosphere and troposphere, to the surface. The paper summarizes the different sources and energies of particles, principally galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), solar energetic particles (SEPs) and energetic electron precipitation (EEP). All the proposed mechanisms by which EPP can affect the atmosphere are discussed, including chemical changes in the upper atmosphere and lower thermosphere, chemistry-dynamics feedbacks, the global electric circuit and cloud formation. The role of energetic particles in Earth’s atmosphere is a multi-disciplinary problem that requires expertise from a range of scientific backgrounds. To assist with this synergy, summary tables are provided, which are intended to evaluate the level of current knowledge of the effects of energetic particles on processes in the entire atmosphere

Precise out-vacuum proton beam monitoring system based on vibrating wire

As an instrument for Korea Multi-purpose Accelerator Complex (KOMAC) facility proton beam profiling, a vibrating wire monitor (VWM) has been installed and tested at TR23 target room. Experiments were done at very low (100 nA) beam current conditions. At the number of particles about 10(11) proton/train and trains repetition rate of 0.1 Hz we have measured the beam profile by a few scanning steps. The experience accumulated in these experiments turned out to be useful for the VWM upgrades (e. g. understanding interactions of protons with wire materials and heat transfer processes) and will be particularly helpful for the KOMAC beam halo measurements in the future high-current operation