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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

The Hubble Space Telescope PanCET Program: An Optical to Infrared Transmission Spectrum of HAT-P-32Ab

We present a 0.3−5 μm transmission spectrum of the hot Jupiter HAT-P-32Ab observed with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph and Wide Field Camera 3 instruments mounted on the Hubble Space Telescope, combined with Spitzer Infrared Array Camera photometry. The spectrum is composed of 51 spectrophotometric bins with widths ranging between 150 and 400 Å, measured to a median precision of 215 ppm. Comparisons of the observed transmission spectrum to a grid of 1D radiative-convective equilibrium models indicate the presence of clouds/hazes, consistent with previous transit observations and secondary eclipse measurements. To provide more robust constraints on the planet’s atmospheric properties, we perform the first full optical to infrared retrieval analysis for this planet. The retrieved spectrum is consistent with a limb temperature of 1248{sub −92}{sup +92} K, a thick cloud deck, enhanced Rayleigh scattering, and ∼10× solar H{sub 2}O abundance. We find log(Z/Z {sub ⊙}) = 2.41{sub −0.07}{sup +0.06}, and compare this measurement with the mass–metallicity relation derived for the solar system.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Chandra Discovery of a Candidate Hyperluminous X-Ray Source in MCG+11-11-032

We present a multiwavelength analysis of MCG+11-11-032, a nearby active galactic nucleus (AGN), with a unique classification as being both a binary and a dual AGN candidate. With new Chandra observations, we aim to resolve any dual AGN system via imaging data and search for signs of a binary AGN via analysis of the X-ray spectrum. Analyzing the Chandra spectrum, we find no evidence of the previously suggested double-peaked Fe Kα lines; the spectrum is instead best fit by an absorbed power law with a single Fe Kα line, as well as an additional line centered at ≈7.5 keV. The Chandra observation reveals faint, soft, and extended X-ray emission, possibly linked to low-level nuclear outflows. Further analysis shows evidence for a compact hard source—MCG+11-11-032 X2—located 3.″3 from the primary AGN. Modeling MCG+11-11-032 X2 as a compact source, we find that it is relatively luminous (L2–10 keV=1.5−0.5+0.9×1041erg s$^{−1}$), and the location is coincident with a compact and off-nuclear source resolved in Hubble Space Telescope infrared (F105W) and optical (F621M, F547M) bands. Pairing our X-ray results with a 144 MHz radio detection at the host galaxy location, we observe X-ray and radio properties similar to those of ESO 243-49 HLX-1, suggesting that MCG+11-11-032 X2 may be a hyperluminous X-ray source. This detection with Chandra highlights the importance of a high-resolution X-ray imager as well as how previous binary AGN candidates detected with large-aperture instruments can benefit from high-resolution follow-up. Future spatially resolved optical spectra, and deeper X-ray observations, can better constrain the origin of MCG+11-11-032 X2.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Seasonal variations of the atmospheric muon neutrino spectrum measured with IceCube

This study presents an analysis of seasonal variations in the atmospheric muon neutrino flux, using 11.3 years of data from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. By leveraging a novel spectral unfolding method, we explore the energy range from 125 GeV to 10 TeV for zenith angles from 90° to 110°, corresponding to the Antarctic atmosphere. Our findings reveal that the differential measurement of the amplitudes of the seasonal variation is consistent with an energy-dependent decrease reaching (-4.5 ± 1.2)% during Austral winter and increase to (+ 3.9 ± 1.3)% during Austral summer relative to the annual average at 10 TeV. While the unfolded flux exceeds the model predictions by up to 30%, the differential measurement of the seasonal to annual average flux remains unaffected. The measured seasonal variations of the muon neutrino spectrum are consistent with theoretical predictions using the MCEq code and the NRLMSISE-00 atmospheric model.

Astroparticle Physics and High-Energy Cosmic Pheno↗
DOE OSTI2020

Exhaustive Product Analysis of Three Benzene Discharges by Microwave Spectroscopy

Using chirped and cavity microwave spectroscopies, automated double resonance, new high-speed fitting and deep learning algorithms, and large databases of computed structures, the discharge products of benzene alone, or in combination with molecular oxygen or nitrogen, have been exhaustively characterized between 6.5 and 26 GHz. In total, more than 3300 spectral features were observed; 89% of these, accounting for 97% of the total intensity, have now been assigned to 152 distinct chemical species and 60 of their variants (i.e., isotopic species and vibrationally excited states). Roughly 50 of the products are entirely new or poorly characterized at high resolution, including many heavier by mass than the precursor benzene. These findings provide direct evidence for a rich architecture of two- and three-dimensional carbon and indicate that benzene growth, particularly the formation of ring–chain molecules, occurs facilely under our experimental conditions. The present analysis also illustrates the utility of microwave spectroscopy as a precision tool for complex mixture analysis, irrespective of whether the rotational spectrum of a product species is known a priori or not. From this large quantity of data, for example, it is possible to determine with confidence the relative abundances of different product masses, but more importantly the relative abundances of different isomers with the same mass. We review the complementary nature of this type of analysis to traditional mass spectrometry.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Cosmological neutrino mass: a frequentist overview in light of DESI

We derive constraints on the neutrino mass using a variety of recent cosmological datasets, including DESI BAO, the full-shape analysis of the DESI matter power spectrum and the one-dimensional power spectrum of the Lyman-α forest (P1D) from eBOSS quasars as well as the cosmic microwave background (CMB). The constraints are obtained in the frequentist formalism by constructing profile likelihoods and applying the Feldman-Cousins prescription to compute confidence intervals. This method avoids potential prior and volume effects that may arise in a comparable Bayesian analysis. Parabolic fits to the profiles allow one to distinguish changes in the upper limits from variations in the constraining power σ of the different data combinations. We find that all profiles in the ΛCDM model are cut off by the ∑m ν ≥ 0 bound, meaning that the corresponding parabolas reach their minimum in the unphysical sector. The most stringent 95% C.L. upper limit is obtained by the combination of DESI DR2 BAO, Planck PR4 and CMB lensing at 53 meV, below the minimum of 59 meV set by the normal ordering. The corresponding constraining power σ is 43 meV, which highlights the importance of the cut-off by negative values in the determination of the upper limit. Extending ΛCDM to non-zero curvature and w 0 w a CDM relaxes the constraints past 59 meV again, but only w 0 w a CDM exhibits profiles with a minimum at a positive value. Additionally, we extend the formalism to constrain the lightest neutrino mass. For DESI DR2 BAO, Planck PR4 and CMB lensing, we find confidence limits at 20 and 19 meV for normal and inverted ordering, respectively. Using a combination of DESI DR1 full-shape, BBN and eBOSS Lyman-α P1D, we successfully constrain the neutrino mass independently of the CMB. This combination yields m l ≤ 97 and 98 meV in the normal and inverted orderings, and total neutrino mass ∑m ν ≤ 285 meV (95% C.L.). The addition of DESI full-shape or Lyman-α P1D to CMB and DESI BAO results in small but noticeable improvement of the constraining power of the data. Lyman-α free-streaming measurements especially improve the constraint. Since they are based on eBOSS data, this sets a promising precedent for upcoming DESI data.

Frequentist statistics↗
DOE OSTI2021

Reflectivity and spectrum of relativistic flying plasma mirrors

Flying plasma mirrors induced by intense lasers via laser wake field acceleration scheme have been proposed as a promising way to generate few-cycle EUV or x-ray lasers. In addition, if such a relativistic plasma mirror can accelerate, then it would serve as an analog black hole to investigate the information loss paradox associated with the black hole Hawking evaporation. Among these applications, the reflectivity, which is usually frequency-dependent, would affect the outgoing photon spectrum and, therefore, impact on the analysis of the physics under investigation. In this paper, these two issues are investigated analytically and numerically with one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. Based on our simulation results, we propose a new model that provides a better estimate of the reflectivity than those studied previously. Moreover, we found that the peak frequency of the reflected spectrum of a Gaussian incident wave deviates from the expected value, 4γ 2 ω, due to the dependence of reflectivity on the frequency of the incident wave.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Mechanistic Studies of Ligand Substitution, Linkage Isomerism, and Insertion Reactions in Electron Rich Pd(II) Complexes of a Zwitterionic Diimine Ligand

We have prepared cationic palladium complexes possessing a new zwitterionic ligand bis-N,N’–1-(2,4,6-triphenylpyridyl) oxalamide [(N ^ N)Pd(Me)(L)] + [BArF] - , (BArF=3,5-(CF 3 ) 2 C 6 H 3 , L=NCMe, CO). The structure of [(N ^ N)Pd(Me)(CO)] + [BArF] - was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Energy Decomposition Analysis (EDA) indi-cates this N ^ N zwitterionic ligand is more electron-donating relative to bidentate diimine ligands. Low temperature NMR analysis shows the existence of linkage isomers with the N ^ N isomer the most stable. Structures were assigned using NMR and DFT analysis. Barriers to interconversion of isomers are ΔG ‡ = 10-12 kcal/mol. Kinetics of acetoni-trile displacement from [(N ^ N)Pd(Me)(NCCH 3 )] + [BArF] - by CD 3 CN, ethylene and t Bu 3 P were measured and mechanisms of exchange determined. The ethylene complex, [(N ^ N)Pd(Me)(C 2 H 4 )] + was generated at -45 °C, and the barrier of migrato-ry insertion determined at 0 °C (ΔG ‡ = 23.4 kcal/mol) and compared to related diimine complexes. The methyl carbonyl complex undergoes migratory insertion in the presence of CO at -70 to -55 °C (ΔG ‡ = ca. 15.7 kcal/mol) to yield the acyl carbonyl complex. Furthermore, the neutral bis-trimethylsilylmethyl complex [(N ^ N)Pd(CH 2 SiMe 3 ) 2 was prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. It displays dynamic behavior at very low temperatures in the NMR spectrum (-90 °C, ΔG ‡ =7.9 kcal/mol) which, supported by DFT analysis, is ascribed to rotation of the bulky -CH 2 SiMe 3 groups.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Intelligent Electrochemical Sensors for Precise Identification of Volatile Organic Compounds Enabled by Neural Network Analysis

The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a wide spectrum of categories were identified as biomarkers in aquatic environments, playing an important role in marine and freshwater ecology and global atmospheric chemistry. VOCs released from biofuel have also attracted increasing attention. Although the importance has been recognized, the portable detection and analysis methods of VOC in aquatic systems have not yet been well developed and understood. Here, in this work, we innovatively proposed an intelligent electrochemical sensing approach to classify and quantify VOCs in solution. Utilizing the cyclic voltammetry (CV) method with an ionic liquid (IL)-based electrolyte, we analyzed 50 μL samples of various VOC analytes, including acetic acid (AC), acetone, dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, methanol, methyl formate (MF), toluene, and a formaldehyde-methanol mixture, along with deionized water (DI water). The generated voltammograms were subsequently analyzed using our uniquely designed and optimized 1-D convolutional neural network (1D-CNN). This deep-learning algorithm achieved a 99.09% accuracy in VOC classification validated through fivefold cross-validation and demonstrated an impressive 94.4% test accuracy for methanol detection within a 10 μL error range. For quantification, the system accurately categorized methanol volumes ranging from 0 to 50 μL in 10 μL increments, achieving a 98.18% accuracy. A notable linear correlation (R2 = 95.56%) was found between max current density at the oxidation peak and methanol volume, with the limit of detection (LOD) at 9.3 μL. Such a sensing method exhibits potential for portability, high accuracy, and generalization in the classification and quantification, ultimately reshaping the realm of VOC analysis in solution.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Unveiling the underlying interactions in Ta 2 NiSe 5 from photoinduced lifetime change

We present a generic procedure for quantifying the interplay of electronic and lattice degrees of freedom in photodoped insulators through a comparative analysis of theoretical many-body simulations and time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (TR-ARPES) of the transient response of the candidate excitonic insulator Ta 2 NiSe 5 . Our analysis demonstrates that the electron-electron interactions dominate the electron-phonon ones. In particular, a detailed analysis of the TR-ARPES spectrum enables a clear separation of the dominant broadening (electronic lifetime) effects from the much smaller band-gap renormalization. Theoretical calculations show that the observed strong spectral broadening arises from the electronic scattering of the photoexcited particle-hole pairs and cannot be accounted for in a model in which electron-phonon interactions are dominant. The competing interactions were quantified using the scaling analysis in the weak fluence regime. We demonstrate that the magnitude of the weaker subdominant band-gap renormalization sensitively depends on the distance from the semiconductor/semimetal transition in the high-temperature state, which could explain the apparent contradictions between various TR-ARPES experiments. The analysis presented here indicates that electron-electron interactions play a vital role (albeit not the sole one) in stabilizing the insulating state, and establishes the comparison between lifetime and gap evolution as an important probe of correlated insulators.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

First spectral measurement of deuterium-tritium fusion γ rays in inertial fusion experiments

Here, the R-matrix analysis of A = 5 nuclear systems has been partially validated by applying the technique to the 5 Li system and comparing the predicted γ-ray spectrum with historical data. R-matrix analysis of the similar 5 He system was then used to predict the γ-ray spectral shape for the deuterium-tritium (DT) reaction. The resulting spectra have been used in the analysis of DT implosions on the Omega laser where the γ-ray interaction rate was measured by a gas Cherenkov detector. Comparison of predictions to experiment confirmed the presence of both 16.75 and ≈ 13 MeV γ-ray contributions; analysis, using R-matrix spectra, yielded a ratio of γ-ray emission from a transition to the intermediate excited state to that from a transition to the ground state of (2.1 ± 0.4):1, substantiating the first spectral measurement of the DT fusion γ ray in an inertial fusion environment.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Constraints on low-mass, relic dark matter candidates from a surface-operated SuperCDMS single-charge sensitive detector

This article presents an analysis and the resulting limits on light dark matter inelastically scattering off of electrons, and on dark photon and axionlike particle absorption, using a second-generation SuperCDMS high-voltage eV-resolution detector. The 0.93 g Si detector achieved a 3 eV phonon energy resolution; for a detector bias of 100 V, this corresponds to a charge resolution of 3% of a single electron-hole pair. The energy spectrum is reported from a blind analysis with 1.2 g-days of exposure acquired in an above-ground laboratory. With charge carrier trapping and impact ionization effects incorporated into the dark matter signal models, the dark matter-electron cross section σ ¯ e is constrained for dark matter masses from 0.5 to 10 4 MeV / c 2 ; in the mass range from 1.2 to 50 eV / c 2 the dark photon kinetic mixing parameter ϵ and the axioelectric coupling constant g a e are constrained. The minimum 90% confidence-level upper limits within the above-mentioned mass ranges are σ ¯ e = 8.7 × 10 - 34 cm 2 , ϵ = 3.3 × 10 - 14 , and g a e = 1.0 × 10 - 9 .

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

GeV–TeV Counterparts of SS 433/W50 from Fermi -LAT and HAWC Observations

The extended jets of the microquasar SS 433 have been observed in optical, radio, X-ray, and recently very-high-energy γ-rays by High Altitude Water Cerenkov (HAWC). The detection of HAWC γ-rays with energies as great as 25 TeV motivates searches for high-energy γ-ray counterparts in the Fermi-Large Area Telescope (LAT) data in the 100 MeV–300 GeV band. In this paper, we report on the first joint analysis of Fermi-LAT and HAWC observations to study the spectrum and location of γ-ray emission from SS 433. Our analysis finds common emission sites of GeV-to-TeV γ-rays inside the eastern and western lobes of SS 433. The total flux above 1 GeV is $\sim 1\times {10}^{-10}\,{\mathrm{cm}}^{-2}\,{{\rm{s}}}^{-1}$ in both lobes. The γ-ray spectrum in the eastern lobe is consistent with inverse Compton emission by an electron population that is accelerated by jets. To explain both the GeV and TeV flux, the electrons need to have a soft intrinsic energy spectrum, or undergo a quick cooling process due to synchrotron radiation in a magnetized environment.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Phonons in Copper Diphosphide (CuP 2 ): Raman Spectroscopy and Lattice Dynamics Calculations

Copper diphosphide (CuP 2 ) is an emerging binary semiconductor with promising properties for energy conversion and storage applications. While functionality and possible applications of CuP 2 have been studied, there is a curious gap in the investigation of its vibrational properties. In this work, we provide a reference Raman spectrum of CuP 2 , with a complete analysis of all Raman active modes from both experimental and theoretical perspectives. Raman measurements have been performed on polycrystalline CuP 2 thin films with close to stoichiometric composition. Detailed deconvolution of the Raman spectrum with Lorentzian curves has allowed identification of all theoretically predicted Raman active modes (9A g and 9B g ), including their positions and symmetry assignment. Furthermore, calculations of the phonon density of states (PDOS), as well as the phonon dispersions, provide a microscopic understanding of the experimentally observed phonon lines, in addition to the assignment to the specific lattice eigenmodes. We further provide the theoretically predicted positions of the infrared (IR) active modes, along with the simulated IR spectrum from density functional theory (DFT). Overall good agreement is found between the experimental and DFT-calculated Raman spectra of CuP 2 , providing a reference platform for future investigations on this material.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Spectral evidence of solar neighborhood analogs in CALIFA galaxies

We introduce a novel nonparametric method to find solar neighborhood analogs (SNAs) in extragalactic integral field spectroscopic surveys. The main ansatz is that the physical properties of the solar neighborhood (SN) should be encoded in its optical stellar spectrum. We assume that our best estimate of such a spectrum is the one extracted from the analysis performed by the Code for Stellar properties Heuristic Assignment (CoSHA) from the MaStar stellar library. It follows that finding SNAs in other galaxies consist in matching, in a χ 2 sense, the SN reference spectrum across the optical extent of the observed galaxies. We applied this procedure to a selection of CALIFA galaxies, by requiring a close to face-on projection, relative isolation, and non-active galactic nucleus. We explore how the local and global properties of the SNAs (stellar age, metallicity, dust extinction, mass-to-light ratio, stellar surface mass density, star-formation density, and galactocentric distance) and their corresponding host galaxies (morphological type, total stellar mass, star-formation rate, and effective radius) compared with those of the SN and the Milky Way (MW). We find that SNAs are located preferentially in S(B)a–S(B)c galaxies, in a ring-like structure, which radii seem to scale with the galaxy size. Despite the known sources of systematics and errors, most properties present a considerable agreement with the literature on the SN. We conclude that the solar neighborhood is relatively common in our sample of SNAs. Our results warrant a systematic exploration of correlations among the physical properties of the SNAs and their host galaxies. We reckon that our method should inform current models of the galactic habitable zone in our MW and other galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Standoff Detection of Chemical Plumes Using Swept-ECQCL Remote Detection Technology: Results from EMRTC Complex Terrain Dual Tracer Experiment

As part of the Complex Terrain Dual Tracer Experiments performed in support of the LYNM program, a swept-wavelength external cavity quantum cascade laser (swept-ECQCL) remote detection system was deployed to measure chemical plume propagation with high temporal resolution. The swept-ECQCL remote detection technology was initially developed at PNNL, and is now under further development at Opticslah, LLC under SBIR funding from DOE (DOE SBIR Phase I Project DE-SC0019855, Remote Detection Technologies, Program Manager Chris Ramos). The swept-ECQCL technology provides a single-frequency infrared laser source which is rapidly scanned over a large wavelength range to measure the infrared absorption of gases, liquids, or solids. Analysis of the measured infrared absorption spectrum is used to detect, identify, and quantify the chemical species which are present. While most previous laser-based techniques used small wavelength tuning ranges to measure only a few isolated spectral lines of a few species, the swept-ECQCL provides the large tuning range needed to measure multiple species simultaneously, and to detect broad absorption features from large molecules or condensed phase materials. In addition, the swept-ECQCL systems have high enough spectral resolution and sensitivity to measure narrow lines of small molecules and determine isotope ratios. The remote detection system for gas plumes is based on the swept-ECQCL technology, and consists of a swept-ECQCL source, infrared detector, control electronics, and beam transmitting and alignment optics. The remote detection system directs the infrared output of the swept-ECQCL to a target retro reflector typically located at ~10-10,000 m distance. The swept-ECQCL wavelength is varied continuously over a large wavelength range (>1000 nm) at rates up to 1000 Hz. The swept ECQCL light reflected from the remote target is collected and focused onto an infrared photodetector. By measuring the detector signal continuously as the swept-ECQCL wavelength is varied, a time-series of absorption spectra are measured for the gases along the beam line of-sight. Based on analysis and fitting of the measured absorption spectra, the time-dependent chemical concentrations of species are determined. Multiple species and mixtures can be detected simultaneously, for all species with absorption features above the sensor noise floor. The sensor output is thus a continuous, high-speed record of identified chemicals along with their concentrations and isotope ratios of interest. The high-speed operation enables low-noise operation in conditions of atmospheric turbulence and allows tracking of fluctuating concentrations in transient chemical plumes as needed for reliable remote detection applications. All components operate with minimal cooling requirements and no cryogens are needed. In addition, the output infrared light is invisible with an intensity below the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) threshold of 100 mW/cm2 for these infrared wavelengths and thus eye safe. The measurement concept for plume detection using the swept-ECQCL remote detection system is as follows. The ECQCL beam is directed toward a remote retro-reflector, which reflects the beam back to the ECQCL system where it is focused onto an infrared photodetector. The line-of-sight from the ECQCL system to the retro-reflector defines the measurement path. The detected infrared signal is recorded continuously and detects the absorption of molecular species along the measurement path. Before a plume release, the system measures absorption from atmospheric constituents, which in this LWIR band consist primarily of lines from H 2 O and CO 2 , with additional weaker absorption from N 2 O, NH 3 , and O 3 possibly contributing. The system then measures any changes in absorption due to the tracer compounds when they enter the measurement path. The shape of absorption features is used to distinguish and identify the different tracer compounds, and the strength of the absorption is used to determine the path-integrated concentration – also called the column density.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Compilation of a Solar Mirror Materials Database and an Analysis of Natural and Accelerated Mirror Exposure and Degradation

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has been conducting exposure experiments on solar reflectors for over four decades. Thousands of mirror samples from over one hundred suppliers have been exposed to and monitored in a range of relevant environments. These test conditions include outdoor test settings and several controlled laboratory environments. These samples have been rigorously individually characterized using a series of reflectance measurements, visual inspections, and in some cases, in-depth composition analysis to identify degradation modes, reflectance losses, and other mirror properties integral to understanding the solar reflector's life cycle. Here, this paper compiles the decades of measurement data into a concise statistical analysis. It includes exposure and degradation data for numerous reflector types, including secondary-surface reflector permutations of polymer and glass superstrates with silver and aluminum reflectors as well as front-surface reflectors. The results herein are intended to analyze environmental stressors and degradation trends among various historical and state-of-the-art solar reflectors. It may be used to support solar reflector design, effective testing methodology, and inform manufacturing decisions moving forward. Presented are the results of the compiled database and an initial analysis for degradation rate modeling using full-spectrum and wavelength-dependent approaches. The database is a growing resource hosted on a live, publicly accessible website. In conjunction with the analysis presented here, it provides a valuable resource to the solar reflector manufacturing and testing industry.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Harmonic analysis of 2d CFT partition functions

We apply the theory of harmonic analysis on the fundamental domain of SL(2, Z) to partition functions of two-dimensional conformal field theories. We decompose the partition function of c free bosons on a Narain lattice into eigenfunctions of the Laplacian of worldsheet moduli space H/SL(2, Z), and of target space moduli space O(c, c; Z)\O(c, c; R)/O(c)×O(c). This decomposition manifests certain properties of Narain theories and ensemble averages thereof. We extend the application of spectral theory to partition functions of general two-dimensional conformal field theories, and explore its meaning in connection to AdS 3 gravity. An implication of harmonic analysis is that the local operator spectrum is fully determined by a certain subset of degeneracies.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2020

Aerosol Optical Tweezers Elucidate the Chemistry, Acidity, Phase Separations, and Morphology of Atmospheric Microdroplets

Aerosol particles represent unique chemical environments because of their high surface area-to-volume ratio that promotes the effects of interfacial chemistry in confined environments. Properties such as viscosity, diffusivity, water content, pH, and morphology—following liquid–liquid phase separation—can strongly alter how a particle interacts with condensable vapors and reactive trace gases, thus modifying its continual evolution and environmental effects. Our understanding of this chemical evolution of atmospheric particulate matter and its environmental impacts is largely limited by our ability to directly observe how these critical particle properties respond to the addition or reactive uptake of new chemical components. Aerosol optical tweezers (AOT) stably trap particles in focused laser beams, providing positional control and the retrieval of many of these critical properties required to understand and predict the chemistry of aerosolized microdroplets. The analytical power of the AOT stems from the retrieval of the cavity-enhanced Raman spectrum induced by the trapping laser. Analysis of the whispering gallery modes (WGMs) that resonate as a standing wave around the droplet’s interface, provide high accuracy measurements of the droplet’s size, refractive index (and thus a measurement of composition), and can distinguish between core–shell, partially engulfed, and homogeneous morphologies. In this study, we have advanced the ability to determine the properties of the core and shell phases in biphasic droplets, including obtaining high-accuracy pH measurements. These capabilities were applied to perform AOT physical chemistry experiments on authentic secondary organic aerosol (SOA) produced directly in the AOT chamber by ozonolysis of terpene vapors. The propensity of the SOA to phase separate as a shell from a wide range of nonpolar to polar core phases was observed, along with the discovery of a stable emulsified state of SOA particles in an aqueous salt droplet. Micron-thick SOA shells did not impede the gain or loss of water or squalane from the core to the surrounding air, indicating no significant diffusional limitations to condensational growth or partitioning even under dry conditions. These experiments formed the foundation of a new framework that predicts how the phase-separated morphology of complex aerosols containing organic carbon evolves during continual atmospheric oxidation processes. Increases in oxidation state will quickly drive conversion from a partially engulfed to core–shell morphology that has dramatically different chemical reactivity since the core phase is completely concealed by the shell. The recent advances in the experimental capabilities of the AOT technique such as presented here enable novel experimental methodologies that provide insights into the chemistry and multidimensional properties of aerosol microdroplets, and how these coevolve and respond to continual chemical reactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗