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At least 199 records · Page 11

Self-Calibration of BICEP1 Three-Year Data and Constraints on Astrophysical Polarization Rotation

Cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarimeters aspire to measure the faint B-mode signature predicted to arise from inflationary gravitational waves. They also have the potential to constrain cosmic birefringence, rotation of the polarization of the CMB arising from parity-violating physics, which would produce nonzero expectation values for the CMB's temperature to B-mode correlation (TB) and E-mode to B-mode correlation (EB) spectra. However, instrumental systematic effects can also cause these TB and EB correlations to be nonzero. In particular, an overall miscalibration of the polarization orientation of the detectors produces TB and EB spectra which are degenerate with isotropic cosmological birefringence, while also introducing a small but predictable bias on the BB spectrum. We find that BICEP1 three-year spectra, which use our standard calibration of detector polarization angles from a dielectric sheet, are consistent with a polarization rotation of alpha = −2.77deg +/- 0.86deg (statistical) +/- 1.3deg (systematic). We have revised the estimate of systematic error on the polarization rotation angle from the two-year analysis by comparing multiple calibration methods. We also account for the (negligible) impact of measured beam systematic effects. We investigate the polarization rotation for the BICEP1 100 GHz and 150 GHz bands separately to investigate theoretical models that produce frequency-dependent cosmic birefringence. We find no evidence in the data supporting either of these models or Faraday rotation of the CMB polarization by the Milky Way galaxy's magnetic field. If we assume that there is no cosmic birefringence, we can use the TB and EB spectra to calibrate detector polarization orientations, thus reducing bias of the cosmological B-mode spectrum from leaked E-modes due to possible polarization orientation miscalibration. After applying this "self-calibration" process, we find that the upper limit on the tensor-to-scalar ratio decreases slightly, from r < 0.70 to r < 0.65 at 95% confidence.

three-year↗

Probing electromagnetic nonreciprocity with quantum geometry of photonic states

Reciprocal and nonreciprocal effects in dielectric and magnetic materials provide crucial information about the microscopic properties of electrons. However, experimentally distinguishing the two has proven to be challenging, especially when the associated effects are extremely small. To this end, we propose a contactless detection using a cross-cavity device where a material of interest is placed at its center. We show that the optical properties of the material, such as Kerr and Faraday rotation, or birefringence, manifest in the coupling between the cavity's electromagnetic modes and in the shift of their resonant frequencies. By calculating the dynamics of a geometrical photonic state, we formulate a measurement protocol based on the quantum metric and quantum process tomography that isolates the individual components of the material's complex refractive index and minimizes the quantum mechanical Cramér-Rao bound on the variance of the associated parameter estimation. Our approach is expected to be applicable across a broad spectrum of experimental platforms including Fock states in optical cavities, or coherent states in microwave and THz resonators. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Petrides, Ioannis (ORCID:0000000174842444)↗

The effect of V2O5 on the growth and properties of Bi-YIG

The effect of V2O5 additions to PbO-Bi2O3 flux was investigated with respect to the properties of Bi-YIG epitaxial films for magnetic bubble devices. The Bi content of the films (including an estimated 10 percent Pt(2+) were calculated from Faraday rotation measurements. For films grown at constant supercooling, the Bi content increased by 60 percent as the V2O5 content of the flux was increased from 0 to 9 mol pct. Lattice constant data were shown to agree with measured Bi and Ca-Si contents. The growth-induced magnetic anisotropy increased proportionally to the Bi content and could be fairly represented by a model; however, the coefficients of the model vary widely between data sets for different melt compositions.

Luther, L. C.↗

A review of studies on ion thruster beam and charge-exchange plasmas

Various experimental and analytical studies of the primary beam and charge-exchange plasmas of ion thrusters are reviewed. The history of plasma beam research is recounted, emphasizing experiments on beam neutralization, expansion of the beam, and determination of beam parameters such as electron temperature, plasma density, and plasma potential. The development of modern electron bombardment ion thrusters is treated, detailing experimental results. Studies on charge-exchange plasma are discussed, showing results such as the relationship between neutralizer emission current and plasma beam potential, ion energies as a function of neutralizer bias, charge-exchange ion current collected by an axially moving Faraday cup-RPA for 8-cm and 30-cm ion thrusters, beam density and potential data from a 15-cm ion thruster, and charge-exchange ion flow around a 30-cm thruster. A 20-cm thruster electrical configuration is depicted and facility effects are discussed. Finally, plasma modeling is covered in detail for plasma beam and charge-exchange plasma.

Carruth, M. R., Jr.↗

One Million Newton-Second Duration Test of a 600 Watt Hall Effect Thruster Fueled By Xenon

A Hall Effect Thruster fueled by xenon was duration tested for7,198 hours at NASA’s Glenn Research Center.The thruster generated 1 million Newton-seconds of total impulse before the test was terminated voluntarily. Thrust, flow rate, and many other parameters were tracked continuously. Over 98.5% of the test was conducted at a single operating point, where the discharge power was 600 W, mean thrust was 39 mN and mean specific impulse was 1500 s. The shape of the discharge channel was measured via laser profilometery. The shape changed considerably over the course of the test, due to ion sputtering. However, the standard deviation of the thrust and specific impulse measurements at the nominal operating point was less than 1%. Evolution of the plasma plume was measured with a Faraday probe mounted upon a rotating arm. Plume divergence decreased over the course of the test

Electric Propulsion↗

Transfer of polarized radiation in self-absorbed synchrotron sources. II - Treatment of inhomogeneous media and calculation of emergent polarization

As an extension of previous treatments of polarized radiation transfer in homogeneous synchrotron sources, a transfer procedure is derived, based on the coupled-wave formulation, which allows consideration of inhomogeneous sources. It is shown that plasma characteristic wave eccentricities in a source must be fairly large unless Faraday rotation per absorption depth is very large, and that coupling between characteristic waves can be strong in inhomogeneous self-absorbed sources. Calculations are made of the polarized radiation emergent from a source with a boundary of finite thickness. It is found that neglect of propagation effects in the source boundary introduces no significant errors at optically thin frequencies, but that below the self-absorption turnover the emergent polarization may depend significantly upon such effects. In particular, the sign of the circular polarization and the linear polarization position angle depend upon the absorption depth in the boundary region.

Jones, T. W.↗

Measurement of minority-carrier drift mobility in solar cells using a modulated electron beam

A determination of diffusivity on solar cells is here reported which utilizes a one dimensional treatment of diffusion under sinusoidal excitation. An intensity-modulated beam of a scanning electron microscope was used as a source of excitation. The beam was injected into the rear of the cell, and the modulated component of the induced terminal current was recovered phase sensitively. A Faraday cup to measure the modulated component of beam current was mounted next to the sample, and connected to the same electronics. A step up transformer and preamplifier were mounted on the sample holder. Beam currents on the order of 400-pA were used in order to minimize effects of high injection. The beam voltage was 34-kV, and the cell bias was kept at 0-V.

Othmer, S.↗

Spectroscopic analysis of radiation-generated changes in tensile properties of a polyetherimide film

The effects of electron radiation on Ultem, a polyetherimide were studied for doses from 2 x 10 to the 9th power to 6 x 10 to the 9th power rad. Specimens were studied for tensile property testing and for electron paramagnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopic measurements of molecular structure. A Faraday cup design and a method for remote temperature measurement were developed. The spectroscopic data show that radiation caused dehydrogenation of methyl groups, rupture of main-chain ether linkage, and opening of imide rings, all to form radicals and indicate that the so-formed atomic hydrogen attached to phenyl radicals, but not to phenoxyl radicals, which would have formed hydroxyls. The observed decays of the radiation-generated phenoxyl, gem-dimethyl, and carbonyl radicals were interpreted as a combining of the radicals to form crosslinking. This crosslinking is the probable cause of the major reduction in the elongation of the tensile specimens after irradiation. Subsequent classical solubility tests indicate that the irradiation caused massive crosslinking.

Long, E. R., Jr.↗

Total ionospheric electron content calibration using SERIES GPS satellite data

The current status of the Deep Space Network advanced systems research into ionospheric calibration techniques, based on Global Positioning System (GPS) data is described. A GPS-based calibration system is planned to replace the currently used Faraday rotation method by 1989. The SERIES receiver system determines the differential group delay of signals transmitted at two different carrier frequencies. This differential delay includes an ionospheric component and a GPS transmitter offset. The transmitter offsets are different for each GPS satellite. Tests were conducted to assess the effect of the offsets on the ionospheric calibration accuracy. From the obtained data, the total electron content and GPS transmitter offsets are calculated by a least squares estimation method employing a local model of total ionospheric electron content. The end product is an estimation of the total ionospheric content for an arbitrary line-of-sight direction. For the presented polynomial fitting technique, the systematic error due to mismodeling is estimated to be approximately 6 x 10 to the 16th power el/sq m, while the formal error is approximately 2 x 10 to the 16th power el/sq m. The final goal is an error of 3 x 10 to the 16th power el/sq m (approximately 0.7 ns at 2.3 GHz).

Lanyi, G.↗

Research and Development to Reduce Impurity Production and Transport of the Impurities to the Target in Linear Plasma Devices Using Helicon Plasma Sources

Linear plasma devices used to test plasma facing materials (PFMs) and components for fusion reactors are often suffering under the production of intrinsic impurities from the plasma source system. Most linear plasma devices use internal electrodes (hollow cathodes, reflex arc, or cascading arc), which typically are the source of the main impurities. The next-generation plasma generators use radio frequency (RF) plasma sources like helicons to avoid internal electrodes. However, high power operation of helicons has proven to result in impurity production due to the high rectified sheath voltages created. Depending on the plasma parameters and magnetic configuration, these impurities can be transported to the target and deposited there to unacceptable high levels. Here, in this contribution, the experimental results from Proto-MPEX are summarized, and the conclusions of the impurity source physics are given. Methods to reduce the impurity production, the impurity transport, and the net deposition on the target are presented. These methods to reduce the impurity production include Faraday screens to reduce the sheath voltage drop, high-Z refractory coatings to reduce the erosion yield, and wall conditioning methods. Methods to reduce the impurity transport include changes in the magnetic configuration as well as electron heating to change axial and radial temperature profiles. Preliminary results on the effectiveness of some of these methods are presented.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Magneto-thermo-elastokinetics of Geometrically Nonlinear Laminated Composite Plates. Part 1: Foundation of the Theory

A fully coupled magneto-thermo-elastokinetic model of laminated composite, finitely electroconductive plates incorporating geometrical nonlinearities and subjected to a combination of magnetic and thermal fields, as well as carrying an electrical current is developed, In this context. the first-order transversely shearable plate theory in conjunction with von-Karman geometrically nonlinear strain concept is adopted. Related to the distribution of electric and magnetic field disturbances within the plate, the assumptions proposed by Ambartsumyan and his collaborators are adopted. Based on the electromagnetic equations (i.e. the ones by Faraday, Ampere, Ohm, Maxwell and Lorentz), the modified Fourier's law of heat conduction and on the elastokinetic field equations, the 3-D coupled problem is reduced to an equivalent 2- D one. The theory developed herein provides a foundation for the investigation, both analytical and numerical, of the interacting effects among the magnetic, thermal and elastic fields in multi-layered thin plates made of anisotropic materials.

Hasanyan, Davresh↗

Secondary Electron Emission Yields

The secondary electron emission (SEE) characteristics for a variety of spacecraft materials were determined under UHV conditions using a commercial double pass CMA which permits sequential Auger electron electron spectroscopic analysis of the surface. The transparent conductive coating indium tin oxide (ITO) was examined on Kapton and borosilicate glass and indium oxide on FED Teflon. The total SEE coefficient ranges from 2.5 to 2.6 on as-received surfaces and from 1.5 to 1.6 on Ar(+) sputtered surfaces with 5 nm removed. A cylindrical sample carousel provides normal incidence of the primary beam as well as a multiple Faraday cup measurement of the approximately nA beam currents. Total and true secondary yields are obtained from target current measurements with biasing of the carousel. A primary beam pulsed mode to reduce electron beam dosage and minimize charging of insulating coatings was applied to Mg/F2 coated solar cell covers. Electron beam effects on ITO were found quite important at the current densities necessary to do Auger studies.

Krainsky, I.↗

Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSoLo)

Introduction: In 2019, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that it would seek to have humans return to the moon by 2024 in the hopes of establishing a more sustainable lunar presence by 2028. This goal comes with many challenges, one of upmost importance will be to utilize resources that can be found on the moon. Water, which has been identified in the lunar Polar Regions, will be a key resource for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), as it is capable of being processed for vehicular fuel, as well as life support systems materials such as oxygen. Upcoming Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) missions will be critical for these resource assessments. Methods: A modified commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) mass spectrometer developed at Kennedy Space Center known as MSolo, consisting of a quadrupole mass filter and space rated electronics undergoes testing and modifications in order to study operational parameters to unconventional approaches needed in flight situations. In general, MSolo operates in the 0-100 m/z range with the ability to detect with a faraday cup (FC) or an electron multiplier (EM) for enhanced detection. A crossbeam (XB) ionization source is used. Preliminary Data: Prior to construction, little information was available on how the MSolo system would perform at lunar like environments, factors such as temperatures (possible fluctuations from 70 to -45 °C), vibrations from launch and their side effects, the general ability to operate while the entire system (hardware and electronic components) were in a vacuum environment, were factors that while know to flight instruments, were something new to a modified COTS system. As components start to warm up, temperature becomes a key factor (ie. heat can no longer escape the electronics as no atmosphere is present), therefore it becomes crucial to find new ways to maintain stable signals and keep the instrument tuned. Calibration itself becomes an important parameter that needs to be performed while maintaining all flight like characteristics. Even the structure itself of MSolo’s sensor needed to be changed to survive the verification parameters needed to be approved for flight. Most important, all the modifications made to the COTS system have to keep the instrument working at the same specifications of the standard commercial systems. Novel Aspect: Results gathered provide key parameters that will assist to the unconventional mass spectrometry approaches of the upcoming CLPS missions to which MSolo has been selected to.

MSolo↗

Characterization of a multi-kW, large-aperture gas-cooled Faraday rotator

We characterize a large-aperture gas-cooled Faraday rotator (FR) designed to mitigate stress-induced depolarization in high-energy, high-power laser systems. The rotator, based on ceramic TGG, was tested using a 150 mW probe beam at 1047 nm and a pump beam at 1070 nm. Compensating for the birefringence induced by the surrogate depolarization plate at 3.3 kW of effective pump power, the rotator reduces the spatially in-homogeneous depolarized light containing linear, circular, and elliptical polarization states to nearly linear with approximately 0.8% (or −21 dB) of residual depolarized energy. The FR demonstrated effective depolarization compensation across its 58×58 mm 2 aperture.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Effects on the geomagnetic tail at 60 earth radii of the geomagnetic storm of April 9, 1971.

A geomagnetic storm beginning with an sc occurred on Apr. 9, 1971. During the storm the charged particle lunar environment experiment at the Apollo 14 site, the solar wind spectrometer experiment at the Apollo 12 site, and the Ames magnetometers on Explorer 35 took data in the magnetosheath, at the magnetopause, in the plasma sheet, and in the high-latitude geomagnetic tail. The MIT Faraday cup and Ames magnetometers on board Explorer 33 monitored the solar wind. The data show that the storm was caused by a corotating tangential discontinuity in the solar wind, the magnetopause position is strongly dependent on the attack angle of the solar wind, and the tail field strength was indirectly measured to increase from 10 to 14 gamma after the sc. During the main phase the field strength in the tail was observed to increase to between 28 and 34 gamma. This increase is consistent with a thermal and magnetic compression of the tail radius from about 26 to about 16 earth radii.

Burke, W. J.↗

Effect of low-frequency ambient magnetic fields on the control unit and RF head of a commercial SQUID magnetometer

The control unit and RF head of the SHE model 330XRFSQUID system are shown to be sensitive to ambient ac magnetic fields below 1 HZ, which cause the appearance of false signals corresponding to a magnetometer signal of 0.000001 phi(0) per gauss of field applied. The control unit shows a sensitivity that is linear with frequency, suggesting that the signal is generated by Faraday induction. In contrast, the RF head response is independent of frequency and shows a strong second-harmonic coversion. This response may be due to the magnetic field sensitivity of the ferrite core inductor in the tuned amplifier of the RF head. These signals induced by ambient fields are a potential source of error in Stanford's Relativity Gyroscope experiment, which uses SQUID's on board a rolling satellite as part of the gyroscope readout system. The extent of the magnetic field sensitivity in these components necessitates the use of additional magnetic shielding aboard the satellite.

Marcus, C. M.↗

ROSAT observations and correlated X-ray, radio, and optical features in cluster cooling flows

Images from the Rosat high resolution imager (HRI) of the central regions of cluster cooling flows are compared to optical continuum and radio continuum images. The radio sources associated with cooling flows show two distinct morphologies. In most sources, the jets appear to be inflating distinct lobes of radio plasma. These sources show strong Faraday rotation, radio pressures in agreement with the X-ray gas pressure, and a radio X-ray spatial anti-correlation. A few cooling sources are seen to have amorphous radio morphologies, Faraday depolarization, low radio pressure and a possible radio-X-ray spatial correlation. These properties suggest that the radio jets are disrupted and that the radio plasma is mixed with the thermal X-ray plasma. Blue continuum lobes are seen in several cooling flow central galaxies. These could be due to star formation induced by the hydrodynamical effects of the radio source or due to the scattered light from beamed emission from the active galactic nucleus.

Sarazin, C. L.↗