Search NASA⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Johnson, J.

Publications and source records attributed to Johnson, J..

At least 37 records · Page 2

Projected sensitivities of the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment to new physics via low-energy electron recoils

LUX-ZEPLIN is a dark matter detector expected to obtain world-leading sensitivity to weakly-interacting massive particles interacting via nuclear recoils with a ∼7-tonne xenon target mass. This paper presents sensitivity projections to several low-energy signals of the complementary electron recoil signal type: 1) an effective neutrino magnetic moment, and 2) an effective neutrino millicharge, both for 𝑝⁢𝑝-chain solar neutrinos, 3) an axion flux generated by the Sun, 4) axionlike particles forming the Galactic dark matter, 5) hidden photons, 6) mirror dark matter, and 7) leptophilic dark matter. World-leading sensitivities are expected in each case, a result of the large 5.6 t 1000 d exposure and low expected rate of electron-recoil backgrounds in the <100 keV energy regime. A consistent signal generation, background model and profile-likelihood analysis framework is used throughout.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Convection-Permitting Simulations With the E3SM Global Atmosphere Model

This paper describes the first implementation of the Δx = 3.25 km version of the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) global atmosphere model and its behavior in a 40-day prescribed-sea-surface-temperature simulation (January 20 through February 28, 2020). This simulation was performed as part of the DYnamics of the Atmospheric general circulation Modeled On Non-hydrostatic Domains (DYAMOND) Phase 2 model intercomparison. Effective resolution is found to be ~ 6x the horizontal dynamics grid resolution despite using a coarser grid for physical parameterizations. Despite this new model being in an immature and untuned state, moving to 3.25 km grid spacing solves several long-standing problems with the E3SM model. In particular, Amazon precipitation is much more realistic, the frequency of light and heavy precipitation is improved, agreement between the simulated and observed diurnal cycle of tropical precipitation is excellent, and the vertical structure of tropical convection and coastal stratocumulus look good. In addition, the new model is able to capture the frequency and structure of important weather events (e.g., tropical cyclones, extratropical cyclones including atmospheric rivers, and cold air outbreaks). Interestingly, this model does not get rid of the erroneous southern branch of the intertropical convergence zone nor the tendency for strongest convection to occur over the Maritime Continent rather than the West Pacific, both of which are classic climate model biases. Several other problems with the simulation are identified, underscoring the fact that this model is a work in progress.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Silicon strip defects and their impact on electrical performance of readout electronics

Abstract In preparation for the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) runs, the ATLAS inner detector will be completely replaced with an all silicon Inner Tracker (ITk). Hybrid silicon pixel modules will be used for the innermost tracking layers, and silicon micro-strip detectors will be used the outer layers of the tracker. During the production of the detector, the sensors, readout electronics, and other components will undergo a series of quality control (QC) and quality assurance tests. Defects in the fabrication of the sensors will be flagged early in the manufacturer's and ATLAS QC tests. A study of the influence of sensor defects was performed to assess the characteristics of these defects in completed modules, and whether any defect posed a risk to the operation of the front-end readout electronics. All defects were found to have no impact on the performance of the front-end readout electronics for healthy amplifier channels, and defects that short the coupling between the strip implant and the metal readout electrode were only noticeable for strip leakage currents in excess of 250 nA, beyond the end-of-life currents expected for most sensors at the HL-LHC.

Instruments & Instrumentation↗

Simulations of Events for the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) Dark Matter Experiment

The LUX-ZEPLIN dark matter search aims to achieve a sensitivity to the WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross-section down to (1–2) ×10−12 pb at a WIMP mass of 40 GeV/ c 2 . This paper describes the simulations framework that, along with radioactivity measurements, was used to support this projection, and also to provide mock data for validating reconstruction and analysis software. Of particular note are the event generators, which allow us to model the background radiation, and the detector response physics used in the production of raw signals, which can be converted into digitized waveforms similar to data from the operational detector. Inclusion of the detector response allows us to process simulated data using the same analysis routines as developed to process the experimental data.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

SuperCam Calibration Targets: Design and Development

Abstract SuperCam is a highly integrated remote-sensing instrumental suite for NASA’s Mars 2020 mission. It consists of a co-aligned combination of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Time-Resolved Raman and Luminescence (TRR/L), Visible and Infrared Spectroscopy (VISIR), together with sound recording (MIC) and high-magnification imaging techniques (RMI). They provide information on the mineralogy, geochemistry and mineral context around the Perseverance Rover. The calibration of this complex suite is a major challenge. Not only does each technique require its own standards or references, their combination also introduces new requirements to obtain optimal scientific output. Elemental composition, molecular vibrational features, fluorescence, morphology and texture provide a full picture of the sample with spectral information that needs to be co-aligned, correlated, and individually calibrated. The resulting hardware includes different kinds of targets, each one covering different needs of the instrument. Standards for imaging calibration, geological samples for mineral identification and chemometric calculations or spectral references to calibrate and evaluate the health of the instrument, are all included in the SuperCam Calibration Target (SCCT). The system also includes a specifically designed assembly in which the samples are mounted. This hardware allows the targets to survive the harsh environmental conditions of the launch, cruise, landing and operation on Mars during the whole mission. Here we summarize the design, development, integration, verification and functional testing of the SCCT. This work includes some key results obtained to verify the scientific outcome of the SuperCam system.

Manrique, J. A. (ORCID:0000000220532819)↗

Projected sensitivity of the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment to the $0\nu\beta\beta$ decay of $^{136}Xe$

The LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment will enable a neutrinoless double β decay search in parallel to the main science goal of discovering dark matter particle interactions. We report the expected LZ sensitivity to Xe136 neutrinoless double β decay, taking advantage of the significant (>600 kg) Xe136 mass contained within the active volume of LZ without isotopic enrichment. After 1000 live-days, the median exclusion sensitivity to the half-life of Xe136 is projected to be 1.06×1026 years (90% confidence level), similar to existing constraints. We also report the expected sensitivity of a possible subsequent dedicated exposure using 90% enrichment with Xe136 at 1.06×1027 years.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Gamma-ray spectroscopic characterization of long, rapidly-grown KSr 2 I 5 :Eu crystals

Collimation and volumetric studies were done to evaluate the gamma-ray spectroscopic performance of KSr 2 I 5 :Eu scintillators grown via the vertical Bridgman method. To demonstrate practical crystal growth for large-scale production, Ø1 in. × 6 in. long crystals were grown using fast pulling rates up to 5 mm/h and short cooling times. The long crystals were sectioned into shorter Ø1 in. cylinders to investigate sample-to-sample variation of scintillation properties, the effects of self-absorption and scintillation non-uniformity using different gamma-ray excitation configurations. The best light output and energy resolution achieved for the largest volume and aspect ratio crystals (60 cm 3 Ø1 in x 4.7 in. long) were 53,500 ph/MeV and 4.6% at 662 keV. Finally, we produced eight Ø1 in. × 1 in. (12.5 cm 3 ) cylindrical samples, four from each boule, with energy resolutions between 3.1%-3.5% at 662 keV.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Explore Air Quality from NASA Satellite Data

Space-borne earth observation has been important to monitor the earth condition and played acritical role in validating other instruments or modeling's outputs. However, the data from satellite earth observation are usually very complex in terms of science contents, formats, and spatiotemporal granularities, making them difficult to use from many aspects. NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC), one of the 12 official NASA data centers, archives and distributes rich collections of data from multiple satellite missions and model results. The GES DISC is also the official archive center for data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) aboard NASA's Aura mission since 2004. Recently, the GES DISChas been evolving and improving its data management and services in order to promote NASA data to be easily discovered and accessed, as well as to facilitate interoperability. We'll show in this presentation how to explore and analyze NASA earth observation data for air quality through a suite of user-friendly tools - from Giovanni to ArcGIS, demonstrating in using this set of tools prepares us to serve the Sentinel 5P TROPOMI to the community.

Wei, J.↗

Crystal growth and characterization of high performance KSr 2 Br x I 5-x :Eu scintillators

In this work we investigated the effects of replacing some of the matrix iodine atoms in KSr 2 I 5 :Eu with bromine, forming new solid solutions of KSr 2 Br x I (5-x) :Eu (where 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 1). Transparent 15 and 22mm diameter single crystals of KSr 2 Br x I (5-x) :Eu were grown via the vertical Bridgman technique using a two-zone transparent furnace. The scintillation properties of the mixed compounds were investigated and compared to the non-mixed parent compound, KSr 2 I 5 :Eu. The addition of bromine blue-shifted the x-ray excited emission from 450 to 446 nm, increased the light yield by ~11% and decreased the scintillation decay time by suppressing its secondary component (≥3 μs), while maintaining energy resolutions comparable to the reference crystal. Thermoluminescence glow curves showed that the addition of bromine modified the shallow traps located between 25 and 55 K, suggesting that these traps are responsible for lengthening KSI’s decay time. In large sizes (10.3 cm 3 ), KSr 2 Br 0.10 I 4.90 :Eu 2% had light yields up to 79,000 ph/MeV and energy resolutions as low as 3.2% at 662 keV.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Data Preservation: Final Step in the Life Cycle of a Mission

Many NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) have either already reached the end of their active life or are nearing it. Preservmissionsation of data products is a fairly well defined task for the NASA EOS Data Centers or DAACs.The Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES-DISC) has implemented a repository system, which is capable of long-term archive of documentation artifacts and other associated digital content. The existing GES-DISC Repository System is based on Fedora Commons, an open-source repository management software, for cost savings and flexibility.The first mission to utilize the GES-DISC Repository System was the High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder (HIRDLS) on the Aura spacecraft. Since then, the GES DISC has gathered documentation from the UARS and TOMS into the Repository. The Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) team has begun delivering some early pre-launch documents to the GES-DISC Repository System as well. Other missions in planning or progress include AIRS, OMI, SORCE, SNPP Sounder, and TRMM.

Johnson, J.↗

Martian Eolian Dust Probed by ChemCam

Here, the ubiquitous eolian dust on Mars plays important roles in the current sedimentary and atmospheric processes of the planet. The ChemCam instrument retrieves a consistent eolian dust composition at the sub–mm scale from every first laser shot on Mars targets. Its composition presents significant differences with the Aeolis Palus soils and the Bagnold dunes as it contains lower CaO and higher SiO 2 . The dust FeO and TiO 2 contents are also higher, probably associated with nanophase oxide components. The dust spectra show the presence of volatile elements (S, Cl), and the hydrogen content is similar to Bagnold sands, but lower than Aeolis Palus soils. Consequently, the dust may be a contributor to the amorphous component of soils but differences in composition indicate that the two materials are not equivalent.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

OMI/TROPOMI Data Support from GES DISC

The NASA GES DISC has been the official archive center for data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) aboard NASA's Aura mission since 2004. In recent years, the GES DISC has been evolving and improving its data management and services in order to promote its data to be easily discovered and accessed, as well as to facilitate data "interoperability". This presentation will summarize metrics collected of OMI data usage and GES DISC data services. In order to support the recently released Sentinel-5P/TROPOMI data from ESA at the NASA GES DISC, a new End User License Agreement (EULA) has been implemented for users accessing these data from the GES DISC.

Johnson, J.↗

Meteoritic Evidence for Injection of Trans-Neptunian Objects into the Inner Solar System

There is excellent evidence that a dynamical instability in the early solar system led to gravitational interactions between the giant planets and trans-Neptunian planetesimals. Giant planetary migration triggered by the instability dispersed a disk of primordial trans-Neptunian object (TNOs) and created a number of small body reservoirs (e.g. the Kuiper Belt, scattered disk, irregular satellites, and the Jupiter/Neptune Trojan populations). It also injected numerous bodies into the main asteroid belt, where modeling shows they can successfully reproduce the observed P and D-type asteroid populations.

Zolensky, M.↗

Recovering Nimbus Era Observations at the NASA GES DISC

Between 1964 and 1978, NASA launched a series of seven Nimbus meteorological satellites which provided Earth observations for 30 years. These satellites, carrying a total of 33 instruments to observe the Earth at visible, infrared, ultraviolet, and microwave wavelengths, revolutionized weather forecasting, provided early observations of ocean color and atmospheric ozone, and prototyped location-based search and rescue capabilities. The Nimbus series paved the way for a number of currently operational systems such as the EOS (Earth Observation System) Terra, Aqua, and Aura platforms. The original data archive includes both magnetic tapes and film media. These media are well past their expected end of life, placing at risk valuable data that are critical to extending the history of Earth observations back in time. GES DISC (Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center) has been incorporating these data into a modern online archive by recovering the digital data files from the tapes, and scanning images of the data from film strips. The digital data products were written on obsolete hardware systems in outdated file formats, and in the absence of metadata standards at that time, were often written in proprietary file structures. Through a tedious and laborious process, oft-corrupted data are recovered, and incomplete metadata and documentation are reconstructed.

data recovery↗

Accessing Suomi NPP OMPS Products through the GES DISC Online Data Services

This presentation will provide an overview of the OMPS products available at the GES DISC archive, as well as demonstrate the various data services provided by the GES DISC. Since the TOMS, SBUV, and EOS Aura (OMI, MLS, HIRDLS) data products are also available from the GES DISC archive, these can be easily accessed and compared with the OMPS data.

OMPS↗