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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 OSTI2022

SDSS-IV MaNGA: the chemical co-evolution of gas and stars in spiral galaxies

ABSTRACT We investigate archaeologically how the metallicity in both stellar and gaseous components of spiral galaxies of differing masses evolve with time, using data from the SDSS-IV MaNGA survey. For the stellar component, we can measure this evolution directly by decomposing the galaxy absorption-line spectra into populations of different ages and determining their metallicities. For the gaseous component, we can only measure the present-day metallicity directly from emission lines. However, there is a well-established relationship between gas metallicity, stellar mass, and star formation rate which does not evolve significantly with redshift; since the latter two quantities can be determined directly for any epoch from the decomposition of the absorption-line spectra, we can use this relationship to infer the variation in gas metallicity over cosmic time. Comparison of present-day values derived in this way with those obtained directly from the emission lines confirms the validity of the method. Application of this approach to a sample of 1619 spiral galaxies reveals how the metallicity of these systems has changed over the last 10 billion yr since cosmic noon. For lower-mass galaxies, both stellar and gaseous metallicity increase together, as one might expect in well-mixed fairly isolated systems. In higher-mass systems, the average stellar metallicity has not increased in step with the inferred gas metallicity, and actually decreases with time. Such disjoint behaviour is what one might expect if these more massive systems have accreted significant amounts of largely pristine gas over their lifetimes, and this material has not been well mixed into the galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Spirals and skyrmions in antiferromagnetic triangular lattices

In this work, we study realizations of spirals and skyrmions in two-dimensional antiferromagnets with a triangular lattice on an inversion-symmetry-breaking substrate. As a possible material realization, we investigate the adsorption of transition-metal atoms (Cr, Mn, Fe, or Co) on a monolayer of MoS 2 , WS 2 , or WSe 2 and obtain the exchange, anisotropy, and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction parameters using first-principles calculations. Using energy minimization and parallel-tempering Monte Carlo simulations, we determine the magnetic phase diagrams for a wide range of interaction parameters. We find that skyrmion lattices can appear even with weak Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions, but their stability is hindered by magnetic anisotropy. However, a weak easy plane magnetic anisotropy can be beneficial for stabilizing the skyrmion phase. Our results suggest that Cr/MoS 2 , Fe/MoS 2 , and Fe/WSe 2 interfaces can host spin spirals formed from the 120 degrees antiferromagnetic states. Our results further suggest that for interfaces, such as Fe/MoS 2 , the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction is strong enough to drive the system into a three-sublattice skyrmion lattice in the presence of experimentally feasible external magnetic field.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Observation of the spiral spin liquid in a triangular-lattice material

The spiral spin liquid (SSL) is a highly degenerate state characterized by a continuous contour or surface in reciprocal space spanned by a spiral propagation vector. Although the SSL state has been predicted in a number of various theoretical models, very few materials are so far experimentally identified to host such a state. Via combined single-crystal wide-angle and small-angle neutron scattering, we report observation of the SSL in the quasi-two-dimensional delafossite-like AgCrSe 2 . We show that it is a very close realization of the ideal Heisenberg J 1 –J 2 –J 3 frustrated model on the triangular lattice. By supplementing our experimental results with microscopic spin-dynamics simulations, we demonstrate how such exotic magnetic states are driven by thermal fluctuations and exchange frustration.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Opto-twistronic Hall effect in a three-dimensional spiral lattice

Studies of moire systems have elucidated the exquisite effect of quantum geometry on the electronic bands and their properties, leading to the discovery of new correlated phases. However, most experimental studies have been confined to a few layers in the 2D limit. The extension of twistronics to its 3D limit, where the twist is extended into the third dimension between adjacent layers, remains underexplored due to the challenges in precisely stacking layers. Here, in this study, we focus on 3D twistronics on a platform of self-assembled spiral superlattice of multilayered WS 2 . Our findings reveal an opto-twistronic Hall effect in the spiral superlattice. This mesoscopic response is an experimental manifestation of the noncommutative geometry that arises when translational symmetry is replaced by a non-symmorphic screw operation. We also discover signatures of altered laws of optical excitation, manifested as an unconventional photon momentum-lattice interaction owing to moire of moire modulations in the 3D twistronic system. Crucially, our findings mark the initial identification of higher-order quantum geometrical tensors in light-matter interactions. This breakthrough opens new avenues for designing quantum materials-based optical lattices with large nonlinearities, paving the way for the development of advanced quantum nanophotonic devices.

Ji, Zhurun↗
DOE OSTI2021

Topological spin/structure couplings in layered chiral magnet Cr 1/3 TaS 2 : The discovery of spiral magnetic superstructure

Significance Magnets in which chirality of crystal lattice gives rise to noncollinear spin orders are ideal playgrounds for studies of novel physical phenomena originating from the nontrivial topology of magnetic textures. Most studies have been focused on homochiral materials, while topological magnetic states of heterochiral magnets have rarely been explored. Here, we report a layered chiral helimagnet with highly tunable topological heterochiral states. Tuning the chiral domain density, we have observed a topological magnetic texture that has the form of a spiral unfolding in the radial direction. In weak in-plane fields, this spiral magnetic superstructure transforms into a nonspiral array of concentric rings. Our results open a horizon for studies of tunable topological magnetic textures.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Analyzing the cosmic web environment in the vicinity of grand-design and flocculent spirals with local geometric index

We explore the environment of a combined set of 367 grand-design and 619 flocculent spiral galaxies. We introduce a novel estimator called the local geometric index to quantify the morphology of the local environment of these 986 spirals. The local geometric index allows us to classify the environment of galaxies into voids, sheets, filaments, and clusters. We find that grand-designs are mostly located in dense environments like clusters and filaments (∼ 78%), whereas the fraction of the flocculents lying in sparse environments like voids and sheets is significantly higher (> 10%) than that of the grand-designs. A p-value < 10 -3 from a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test indicates that our results are statistically significant at 99.9% confidence level. Further, we note that dense environments with large tidal flows are dominated by the grand-designs. On the other hand, low-density environments such as sheets and voids favor the growth of flocculents.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

SDSS-IV MaNGA: 3D spin alignment of spiral and S0 galaxies

ABSTRACT We investigate the 3D spin alignment of galaxies with respect to the large-scale filaments using the MaNGA survey. The cosmic web is reconstructed from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey using disperse and the 3D spins of MaNGA galaxies are estimated using the thin disc approximation with integral field spectroscopy kinematics. Late-type spiral galaxies are found to have their spins parallel to the closest filament’s axis. The alignment signal is found to be dominated by low-mass spirals. Spins of S0-type galaxies tend to be oriented preferentially in perpendicular direction with respect to the filament’s axis. This orthogonal orientation is found to be dominated by S0s that show a notable misalignment between their kinematic components of stellar and ionized gas velocity fields and/or by low-mass S0s with lower rotation support compared to their high-mass counterparts. Qualitatively similar results are obtained when splitting galaxies based on the degree of ordered stellar rotation, such that galaxies with high spin magnitude have their spin aligned, and those with low spin magnitude in perpendicular direction to the filaments. In the context of conditional tidal torque theory, these findings suggest that galaxies’ spins retain memory of their larger scale environment. In agreement with measurements from hydrodynamical cosmological simulations, the measured signal at low redshift is weak, yet statistically significant. The dependence of the spin-filament orientation of galaxies on their stellar mass, morphology, and kinematics highlights the importance of sample selection to detect the signal.

Kraljic, Katarina↗
DOE OSTI2023

Chemical cartography with LAMOST and Gaia reveal azimuthal and spiral structure in the Galactic disc

Chemical Cartography, or mapping, of our Galaxy has the potential to fully transform our view of its structure and formation. In this work, we use chemical cartography to explore the metallicity distribution of OBAF-type disc stars from the LAMOST survey and a complementary sample of disc giant stars from Gaia DR3. We use these samples to constrain the radial and vertical metallicity gradients across the Galactic disc. We also explore whether there are detectable azimuthal variations in the metallicity distribution on top of the radial gradient. For the OBAF-type star sample from LAMOST, we find a radial metallicity gradient of Δ[Fe/H]/ΔR ~–0.078 ± 0.001 dex kpc –1 in the plane of the disc and a vertical metallicity gradient of Δ[Fe/H]/ΔZ ~–0.15 ± 0.01 dex kpc –1 in the solar neighbourhood. The radial gradient becomes shallower with increasing vertical height, while the vertical gradient becomes shallower with increasing Galactocentric radius, consistent with other studies. We also find detectable spatially dependent azimuthal variations on top of the radial metallicity gradient at the level of ~0.10 dex. Interestingly, the azimuthal variations appear be close to the Galactic spiral arms in one data set (Gaia DR3) but not the other (LAMOST). Furthermore, these results suggest that there is azimuthal structure in the Galactic metallicity distribution and that in some cases it is co-located with spiral arms.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Combinatorial split-ring and spiral metaresonator for efficient magnon-photon coupling

Developing hybrid materials and structures for electromagnetic wave engineering has been a promising route towards novel functionalities and tunabilities in many modern applications. Despite its established success in engineering optical light and terahertz waves, the implementation of metaresonators operating in the microwave band is still emerging, especially the implementation of metaresonators that allow on-chip integration and size miniaturization, which is crucial for developing hybrid quantum systems in the microwave band. In this work, we present a microwave metaresonator consisting of split-ring and spiral resonators, and implement it for the investigation of photon-magnon coupling for hybrid magnonic applications. We observe broadened bandwidth of the split-ring modes augmented by the additional spiral resonator, and, by coupling the modes to a magnetic sample, the resultant photon-magnon coupling can be significantly enhanced by more than tenfold. Furthermore, our work suggests that combinatorial, hybrid microwave resonators may be a promising approach towards future development and implementation of photon-magnon coupling in hybrid magnonic systems.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2021

Quantum magnetism of iron-based ladders: Blocks, spirals, and spin flux

Motivated by increasing experimental evidence of exotic magnetism in low-dimensional iron-based materials, we present a comprehensive theoretical analysis of magnetic states of the multiorbital Hubbard ladder in the orbital-selective Mott phase (OSMP). Here, the model we used is relevant for iron-based compounds of the AFe 2 X 3 family (where A=Cs, Rb, Ba, K are alkali metals and X=S, Se are chalcogenides). To reduce computational effort, and obtain almost exact numerical results in the ladder geometry, we utilize a low-energy description of the Hubbard model in the OSMP—the generalized Kondo-Heisenberg Hamiltonian. Our main result is the doping vs interaction magnetic phase diagram. We reproduce the experimental findings on the AFe 2 X 3 materials, especially the exotic block magnetism of BaFe 2 Se 3 (antiferromagnetically coupled 2×2 ferromagnetic islands of the ↑↑↓↓ form). As in recent studies of the chain geometry, we also unveil block magnetism beyond the 2×2 pattern (with block sizes varying as a function of the electron doping) and also an interaction-induced frustrated block-spiral state (a spiral order of rigidly rotating ferromagnetic islands). Moreover, we predict new phases beyond the one-dimensional system: a robust regime of phase separation close to half filling, incommensurate antiferromagnetism for weak interaction, and a quantum spin-flux phase of staggered plaquette spin currents at intermediate doping. Finally, exploiting the bonding/antibonding band occupations, we provide an intuitive physical picture giving insight into the structure of the phase diagram.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2026

Design of a broadband, high-power, off-axis spiral polarization reflector

Spirally polarized beams are known to produce a strong longitudinal field under high numerical aperture focusing. Here, we report on the design of a reflective optical element with an off-axis geometry that is capable of transforming a uniformly polarized beam into a predominantly spirally polarized beam. By utilizing the retardance present in Fresnel reflection, our device can operate over a broad range of wavelengths. The output polarization and intensity structure of a beam passing through the reflector are calculated using polarization and scalar ray tracing. Vector diffraction is used to calculate the polarization and intensity structure under $f/0.656$ focusing. The off-axis reflective design is well-suited for high-power laser applications and could enable current and future laser-based particle accelerators to achieve strong longitudinal fields at focus.

Black, A. Nicholas [Univ. of Rochester, NY (United↗
DOE OSTI2023

State Preparation in the Heisenberg Model through Adiabatic Spiraling

An adiabatic state preparation technique, called the adiabatic spiral, is proposed for the Heisenberg model. This technique is suitable for implementation on a number of quantum simulation platforms such as Rydberg atoms, trapped ions, or superconducting qubits. Classical simulations of small systems suggest that it can be successfully implemented in the near future. A comparison to Trotterized time evolution is performed and it is shown that the adiabatic spiral is able to outperform Trotterized adiabatics.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

An “Eddy β-Spiral” mechanism for vertical velocity dipole patterns of isolated oceanic mesoscale eddies

Oceanic eddies accompanied by a significant vertical velocity ( w ) are known to be of great importance for the vertical transport of various climatically, biologically or biogeochemically relevant properties. Using quasi-geostrophic w -thinking to extend the classic “ β -spiral” w -theory for gyre circulations to isolated and nearly symmetric oceanic mesoscale eddies, we propose that their w motion will be dominated by a strong east-west dipole pattern with deep ocean penetrations. Contrasting numerical simulations of idealized isolated eddies together with w -equation diagnostics confirm that the w -dipole is indeed dominated by the “eddy β -spiral” mechanism in the β -plane simulation, whereas this w -dipole expectedly disappears in the f -plane simulation. Analyses of relatively isolated warm and cold eddy examples show good agreement with the proposed mechanism. Our studies further clarify eddy vertical motions, have implications for ocean mixing and vertical transport, and inspire further studies.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Pericytes control vascular stability and auditory spiral ganglion neuron survival

The inner ear has a rich population of pericytes, a multi-functional mural cell essential for sensory hair cell heath and normal hearing. However, the mechanics of how pericytes contribute to the homeostasis of the auditory vascular-neuronal complex in the spiral ganglion are not yet known. In this study, using an inducible and conditional pericyte depletion mouse (PDGFRB-CreER T2 ; ROSA26iDTR) model, we demonstrate, for the first time, that pericyte depletion causes loss of vascular volume and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and adversely affects hearing sensitivity. Using an in vitro trans-well co-culture system, we show pericytes markedly promote neurite and vascular branch growth in neonatal SGN explants and adult SGNs. The pericyte-controlled neural growth is strongly mediated by pericyte-released exosomes containing vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A). Treatment of neonatal SGN explants or adult SGNs with pericyte-derived exosomes significantly enhances angiogenesis, SGN survival, and neurite growth, all of which were inhibited by a selective blocker of VEGF receptor 2 (Flk1). Our study demonstrates that pericytes in the adult ear are critical for vascular stability and SGN health. Cross-talk between pericytes and SGNs via exosomes is essential for neuronal and vascular health and normal hearing.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1965

Spiraled channels improve heat transfer between fluids

Spiral flow channels increase heat transfer between two fluids in a countercurrent heat exchanger of given volume. The heat exchanger is constructed by connecting a spiraled bellows-shaped ducting between two concentric cylindrical tubes.

Higa, W.↗
NASA NTRS1968

On a property of logarithmic spirals.

Logarithmic spirals, analyzing curve on surface of cylinder, existence and conditions of ellipticity conditions, determining curve transformation into ellipse based on logarithmic spiral properties

Vinh, N. X.↗