Garcia-Barcelo, J. M., Diaz-Morcillo, A., & Gimeno, B. (2023). Enhancing resonant circular-section haloscopes for dark matter axion detection: approaches and limitations in volume expansion. J. High Energy Phys., 11(11), 159–30pp.
Abstract: Haloscopes, microwave resonant cavities utilized in detecting dark matter axions within powerful static magnetic fields, are pivotal in modern astrophysical research. This paper delves into the realm of cylindrical geometries, investigating techniques to augment volume and enhance compatibility with dipole or solenoid magnets. The study explores volume constraints in two categories of haloscope designs: those reliant on single cavities and those employing multicavities. In both categories, strategies to increase the expanse of elongated structures are elucidated. For multicavities, the optimization of space within magnets is explored through 1D configurations. Three subcavity stacking approaches are investigated, while the foray into 2D and 3D geometries lays the groundwork for future topological developments. The results underscore the efficacy of these methods, revealing substantial room for progress in cylindrical haloscope design. Notably, an elongated single cavity design attains a three-order magnitude increase in volume compared to a WC-109 standard waveguide-based single cavity. Diverse prototypes featuring single cavities, 1D, 2D, and 3D multicavities highlight the feasibility of leveraging these geometries to magnify the volume of tangible haloscope implementations.
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Berenguer, A., Coves, A., Gimeno, B., Bronchalo, E., & Boria, V. E. (2019). Experimental Study of the Multipactor Effect in a Partially Dielectric-Loaded Rectangular Waveguide. IEEE Microw. Wirel. Compon. Lett., 29(9), 595–597.
Abstract: This letter presents the experimental study of the multipactor threshold in a partially dielectric-loaded rectangular waveguide, whose results validate a multipactor model recently developed by the authors, which includes the charge distribution appearing on the dielectric surface during the multipactor discharge. First, the variation of the multipactor RF voltage threshold has been theoretically analyzed in different waveguide configurations: in an empty waveguide, and also in the cases of a one-sided and two-sided dielectric-loaded waveguides. To reach this aim, an in-house Monte Carlo simulation tool has been developed. The Secondary Electron Yield (SEY) of the metallic and dielectric materials used in the numerical simulations have been measured experimentally. Finally, an aluminum WR-75 symmetric E-plane rectangular waveguide transformer has been designed and fabricated, in which several multipaction tests have been carried out to validate the in-house software tool, demonstrating an excellent agreement between the simulation results and the experimental data.
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Vague, J., Melgarejo, J. C., Boria, V. E., Guglielmi, M., Moreno, R., Reglero, M., et al. (2019). Experimental Validation of Multipactor Effect for Ferrite Materials Used in L- and S-Band Nonreciprocal Microwave Components. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 67(6), 2151–2161.
Abstract: This paper reports on the experimental measurement of power threshold levels for the multipactor effect between samples of ferrite material typically used in the practical implementation of L-and S-band circulators and isolators. For this purposes, a new family of wideband, nonreciprocal rectangular waveguide structures loaded with ferrites has been designed with a full-wave electromagnetic simulation tool. The design also includes the required magnetostatic field biasing circuits. The multipactor breakdown power levels have also been predicted with an accurate electron tracking code using measured values for the secondary electron yield (SEY) coefficient. The measured results agree well with simulations, thereby fully validating the experimental campaign.
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Alvarez Melcon, A. et al, & Gimeno, B. (2021). First results of the CAST-RADES haloscope search for axions at 34.67 μeV. J. High Energy Phys., 10(10), 075–16pp.
Abstract: We present results of the Relic Axion Dark-Matter Exploratory Setup (RADES), a detector which is part of the CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST), searching for axion dark matter in the 34.67 μeV mass range. A radio frequency cavity consisting of 5 sub-cavities coupled by inductive irises took physics data inside the CAST dipole magnet for the first time using this filter-like haloscope geometry. An exclusion limit with a 95% credibility level on the axion-photon coupling constant of g(a gamma) greater than or similar to 4 x 10(-13) GeV-1 over a mass range of 34.6738 μeV < m(a)< 34.6771 μeV is set. This constitutes a significant improvement over the current strongest limit set by CAST at this mass and is at the same time one of the most sensitive direct searches for an axion dark matter candidate above the mass of 25 μeV. The results also demonstrate the feasibility of exploring a wider mass range around the value probed by CAST-RADES in this work using similar coherent resonant cavities.
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Monerris-Belda, O., Cervera Marin, R., Rodriguez Jodar, M., Diaz-Caballero, E., Alcaide Guillen, C., Petit, J., et al. (2021). High Power RF Discharge Detection Technique Based on the In-Phase and Quadrature Signals. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 69(12), 5429–5438.
Abstract: High power radio frequency (RF) breakdown testing is a subject of great relevance in the space industry, due to the increasing need of higher transmission power and smaller devices. This work presents a novel RF breakdown detection system, which monitors the same parameters as the microwave nulling system but with several advantages. Where microwave nulling-a de facto standard in RF breakdown testing-is narrowband and requires continuous tuning to keep its sensitivity, the proposed technique is broadband and maintains its performance for any RF signal. On top of that, defining the detection threshold is cumbersome due to the lack of an international standardized criterion. Small responses may appear in the detection system during the test and, sometimes, it is not possible to determine if these are an actual RF breakdown or random noise. This new detection system uses a larger analysis bandwidth, thus reducing the cases in which a small response is difficult to be classified. The proposed detection method represents a major step forward in high power testing as it runs without human intervention, warning the operator or decreasing the RF power automatically much faster than any human operator.
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