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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 OSTI2023

In situ high-harmonic microscopy of a nanostructured solid

Nanostructured optical surfaces allow exquisite control over linear and nonlinear light interactions, where the surface actively creates new frequencies up to high-order harmonics of an intense infrared driving laser field. The function and performance of these surfaces depend sensitively on the distribution of the high-harmonic fields in and between the nanostructured elements, as the high-harmonic wavelength becomes comparable to the nanoscale features of the surface. Imaging the nonlinear response at the active surface with nanometer resolution would greatly benefit the optimization of the metasurface's function. Here we demonstrate an approach to lensless imaging of extreme ultraviolet high harmonics that resolves the amplitude and phase of nonlinear polarization at the active nanostructured surface of an MgO crystal. Imaging the near-field distribution of high harmonics is the gateway to optimized functional high-harmonic metasurfaces and the integration of high harmonics on a chip.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Improvements in Reflected Target Non-intrusive Assessment (ReTNA)

Accurate optical surfaces are a primary driver of concentrated solar power plant performance. Errors in pointing and tracking mirrors, the canting of individual mirror facets, and the surface slope of the mirror itself can be caused by errors during assembly, transportation, wind loading, gravity, and many other sources. The tools that exist to measure these error sources today largely rely on fringe deflectometry (SOFAST, QDec, others), or photogrammetry with targets attached to the mirror surface. In 2022, NREL presented a new indoor optical measurement system to measure fully assembled heliostats during development and on the assembly line for quality assurance purposes, which has undergone significant development in the last year, including the installation of a new, larger laboratory setup. This system, called ReTNA (Reflected Target Non-intrusive Assessment), uses a printed pattern as a deflectometry target. Using printed pattern features as deflectometry targets instead of fringes allows the software to measure the surface slope in two dimensions, eliminating the need to for changing, projected targets. In the last year, NREL's ReTNA tool has been adapted to use a tall, thin target, that only spans one dimension of the mirror, and a camera moving on an automatic track system. We will present these new developments, including the new setup, target patterns, software methodology for fast, automatic optical analysis, and important lessons learned throughout the process. ReTNA results will be compared to established tools, to establish the uncertainty of this new method. ReTNA leverages recent improvements in computer vision and photogrammetry to remove as much careful calibration from the setup process as possible, making the tool low cost, simple, and portable. While it will not achieve the resolution of a fringe deflectometry system, its advantages make it well suited for CSP evaluation, and allow it to fill a different industry need.

concentrating solar power↗
DOE OSTI2021

Large Surface Explosion Coupling Experiment - SNL Remote Optical.

Two surface chemical explosive tests were observed for the Large Surface Explosion Coupling Experiment (LSECE) at the Nevada National Security Site in October 2020. The tests consisted of two one-ton explosions, one occurring before dawn and one occurring mid- afternoon. LSECE was performed in the same location as previous underground tests and aimed to explore the relationship between surface and underground explosions in support of global nonproliferation efforts. Several pieces of remote sensing equipment were deployed from a trailer 2.02 km from ground zero including high-speed cameras, radiometers and a spectrometer. The data collected from these tests will increase the knowledge of large surface chemical explosive signatures.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
NASA NTRS1996

Atomic Oxygen Durability of Second Surface Silver Microsheet Glass Concentrators

Second surface silver microsheet glass concentrators are being developed for potential use in future solar dynamic space power systems. Traditional concentrators are aluminum honeycomb sandwich composites with either aluminum or graphite epoxy face sheets, where a reflective aluminum layer is deposited onto an organic leveling layer on the face sheet. To protect the underlying layers, a SiO2 layer is applied on top of the aluminum reflective layer. These concentrators may be vulnerable to atomic oxygen degradation due to possible atomic oxygen attack of the organic layers at defect sites in the protective and reflective coatings. A second surface microsheet glass concentrator would be inherently more atomic oxygen durable than these first surface concentrators. In addition, a second surface microsheet glass concentrator design provides a smooth optical surface and allows for silver to be used as a reflective layer, which would improve the reflectivity of the concentrator and the performance of the system. A potential threat to the performance of second surface microsheet glass concentrators is atomic oxygen attack of the underlying silver at seams and edges or at micrometeoroid and debris (MMD) impacts sites. Second surface silver microsheet glass concentrator samples were fabricated and tested for atomic oxygen durability. The samples were iteratively exposed to an atomic oxygen environment in a plasma asher. Samples were evaluated for potential degradation at fabrication seams, simulated MMD impact sites, and edges. Optical microscopy was used to evaluate atomic oxygen degradation. Reflectance was obtained for an impacted sample prior to and after atomic oxygen exposure. After an initial atomic oxygen exposure to an effective fluence of approx. 1 x 10(exp 21) atoms/cm(exp 2), oxidation of the silver at defect sites and edges was observed. Exposure to an additional approx. 1 x 10(exp 21) atoms/cm(exp 2) caused no observed increase in oxidation. Oxidation at an impact site caused negligible changes in reflectance. In all cases oxidation was found to be confined to the vicinity of the seams, impact sites, edges or defect sites. Asher to in-space atomic oxygen correlation issues will be addressed.

deGroh, Kim K.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Effect of Optical Properties on Thermal Design

When considering the effect of external surface optical properties, subsystems contained within the vehicle must be considered in addition to the thermal protection system. Representative subsystem temperature limits for orbital flight (long term) and entry transients (short term) are presented.

Statham, C. L.↗
DOE OSTI2026

In Situ Measurements of the Reflectances of the LSSTCam Optics and Assessing the Impact of Optical Ghosts

Optical ghosts are image artifacts caused by successive reflections of light between optical surfaces such as lenses, filters, and detectors. These artifacts are unavoidable due to the nonzero reflectances of optical elements and are a major source of contamination for low-surface-brightness science. We use optical ray tracing simulations tuned to observations from LSST Commissioning to quantify the impact of optical ghosts on the LSST data. In particular, we find that ~0.57% of the LSSTCam focal plane is impacted by optical ghosts when averaged across all bands. We also use data from the Collimated Beam Projector to measure the reflectances of various optical elements, generally confirming estimates of ~2% from the systems engineering throughput predictions.

Pai, Aashay↗
NASA NTRS1988

Surface emitting lasers for optical circuitry - Optical interconnect technology

Surface emitting (SE) lasers and their application in VLSI optical interconnect networks are considered. In particular, the advantages provided by SE lasers in optical interconnect circuits and monolithic integration are discussed. Some of the requirements, such as wavelength stability, power dissipation, emission angle, size, etc., are compared with respect to conventional laser diodes. It is noted that the operation of SE lasers will be critically dependent on the properties of the feedback reflectors. Experimental measurements of reflection spectra on AlGaAs/GaAs multilayer reflectors and InAlAs/InGaAs etalons formed with molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) are presented.

Yu, P. K. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Evaluation and study of advanced optical contamination, deposition, measurement, and removal techniques

A program is described to design, fabricate and install an experimental work chamber assembly (WCA) to provide a wide range of experimental capability. The WCA incorporates several techniques for studying the kinetics of contaminant films and their effect on optical surfaces. It incorporates the capability for depositing both optical and contaminant films on temperature-controlled samples, and for in-situ measurements of the vacuum ultraviolet reflectance. Ellipsometer optics are mounted on the chamber for film thickness determinations, and other features include access ports for radiation sources and instrumentation. Several supporting studies were conducted to define specific chamber requirements, to determine the sensitivity of the measurement techniques to be incorporated in the chamber, and to establish procedures for handling samples prior to their installation in the chamber. A bibliography and literature survey of contamination-related articles is included.

Linford, R. M. F.↗
NASA NTRS2002

A Simplified, Closed-Form Method for Screening Spacecraft Orbital Heating Variations

A closed-form analytical technique has been developed to screen orbital average heating variations as a function of beta angle, altitude, surface area, and surface optical properties. Using planetary view factor equations for surfaces parallel-to and normal-to the local vertical, a cylindrical umbral shadow approximation, and a simplified albedo flux model, heating rate equations are formulated and then integrated to obtain orbital average heating. The results are compared to detailed analytical predictions using Monte Carlo integration and an assessment of error is presented.

Rickman, S. L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Optical property measurements as a diagnostic tool for control of materials processing in space and on Earth

A new method is described, including results, to measure, control, and follow containerless processing in ground based levitators. This technique enables instantaneous optical property measurements from a transient solid or liquid surface concurrent with true temperature measurement. This was used successfully as a diagnostic tool to follow processing of Al, Si, and Ti during electromagnetic levitation. Experiments on Al show the disappearance of the oxide (emittance 0.33) at ca. 1300 C leaving a liquid surface with an emittance of 0.06. Electromagnetic levitation of silicon shows a liquid with a constant emittance (0.2) but with a solid whose emittance decreases very rapidly with increasing temperature. Consequently, the processing of materials at high temperatures can be controlled quite well through the control of surface optical properties.

Krishnan, Shankar↗
NASA NTRS1990

Glass sample characterization

The development of in-house integrated optical performance modelling capability at MSFC is described. This performance model will take into account the effects of structural and thermal distortions, as well as metrology errors in optical surfaces to predict the performance of large an complex optical systems, such as Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility. The necessary hardware and software were identified to implement an integrated optical performance model. A number of design, development, and testing tasks were supported to identify the debonded mirror pad, and rebuilding of the Technology Mirror Assembly. Over 300 samples of Zerodur were prepared in different sizes and shapes for acid etching, coating, and polishing experiments to characterize the subsurface damage and stresses produced by the grinding and polishing operations.

Ahmad, Anees↗
NASA NTRS2013

Fabrication Methods for Adaptive Deformable Mirrors

Previously, it was difficult to fabricate deformable mirrors made by piezoelectric actuators. This is because numerous actuators need to be precisely assembled to control the surface shape of the mirror. Two approaches have been developed. Both approaches begin by depositing a stack of piezoelectric films and electrodes over a silicon wafer substrate. In the first approach, the silicon wafer is removed initially by plasmabased reactive ion etching (RIE), and non-plasma dry etching with xenon difluoride (XeF2). In the second approach, the actuator film stack is immersed in a liquid such as deionized water. The adhesion between the actuator film stack and the substrate is relatively weak. Simply by seeping liquid between the film and the substrate, the actuator film stack is gently released from the substrate. The deformable mirror contains multiple piezoelectric membrane layers as well as multiple electrode layers (some are patterned and some are unpatterned). At the piezolectric layer, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), or its co-polymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride trifluoroethylene P(VDF-TrFE) is used. The surface of the mirror is coated with a reflective coating. The actuator film stack is fabricated on silicon, or silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate, by repeatedly spin-coating the PVDF or P(VDFTrFE) solution and patterned metal (electrode) deposition. In the first approach, the actuator film stack is prepared on SOI substrate. Then, the thick silicon (typically 500-micron thick and called handle silicon) of the SOI wafer is etched by a deep reactive ion etching process tool (SF6-based plasma etching). This deep RIE stops at the middle SiO2 layer. The middle SiO2 layer is etched by either HF-based wet etching or dry plasma etch. The thin silicon layer (generally called a device layer) of SOI is removed by XeF2 dry etch. This XeF2 etch is very gentle and extremely selective, so the released mirror membrane is not damaged. It is possible to replace SOI with silicon substrate, but this will require tighter DRIE process control as well as generally longer and less efficient XeF2 etch. In the second approach, the actuator film stack is first constructed on a silicon wafer. It helps to use a polyimide intermediate layer such as Kapton because the adhesion between the polyimide and silicon is generally weak. A mirror mount ring is attached by using adhesive. Then, the assembly is partially submerged in liquid water. The water tends to seep between the actuator film stack and silicon substrate. As a result, the actuator membrane can be gently released from the silicon substrate. The actuator membrane is very flat because it is fixed to the mirror mount prior to the release. Deformable mirrors require extremely good surface optical quality. In the technology described here, the deformable mirror is fabricated on pristine substrates such as prime-grade silicon wafers. The deformable mirror is released by selectively removing the substrate. Therefore, the released deformable mirror surface replicates the optical quality of the underlying pristine substrate.

Toda, Risaku↗
NASA NTRS2003

Capabilities of the Materials Contamination Team at Marshall Space Flight Center

The Materials Contamination Team at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has been recognized for its contributions supporting the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) spacecraft development programs. These programs include the Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM), Chandra X-Ray Observatory, and the International Space Station (ISS). The Environmental Effects Group, with the Materials Contamination Team and the Space Environmental Effects Team has been an integral part of NASA's success by the testing, evaluation, and qualification of materials, hardware, and processes. This paper focuses on the capabilities of the Materials Contamination Team. The Materials Contamination Team's realm of responsibility includes establishing contamination control during all phases of hardware development, including design, manufacturing, assembly, test, transportation, launch site processing, on-orbit exposure, return, and refurbishment. The team continues its mission of reducing the risk of equipment failure due to molecular or particulate contamination. Contamination is a concern in the Space Shuttle with sensitive bond-lines and reactive fluid (liquid oxygen) compatibility as well as for spacecraft with sensitive optics, such as Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory. The Materials Contamination Team has a variety of facilities and instrumentation capable of contaminant detection, identification, and monitoring. The team addresses material applications dealing with environments, including production facilities, clean rooms, and on-orbit exposure. The optically stimulated electron emission (OSEE) system, the Ultraviolet (UV) fluorescence (UVF) surface contamination detection, and the Surface Optics Corporation 400 (SOC 400) portable hand-held Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer are state-of-the-art tools for in-process molecular contamination detection. The team of engineers and technicians also develop contamination calibration standards and evaluate new surface cleanliness inspection technologies. The team utilizes facilities for on-orbit simulation testing of materials for outgassing and molecular film deposition characteristics in the presence of space environmental effects, such as Atomic Oxygen (AO) and UV radiation exposure. The Materials Contamination Team maintains databases for process materials as well as outgassing and optical compatibility test results for specific environments.

Burns, Howard↗
DOE OSTI2025

High-emissivity, thermally robust emitters for high power density thermophotovoltaics

Thermal radiative energy transport is essential for high-temperature energy harvesting technologies, including thermophotovoltaics (TPVs) and grid-scale thermal energy storage. However, the inherently low emissivity of conventional high-temperature materials constrains radiative energy transfer, thereby limiting system performance and technoeconomic viability. Here, in this study, we demonstrate ultrafast femtosecond laser-material interactions to transform diverse materials into near-blackbody surfaces with broadband spectral emissivity above 0.96. This enhancement arises from hierarchically engineered light-trapping microstructures enriched with nanoscale features, effectively decoupling surface optical properties from bulk thermomechanical properties. These laser-blackened surfaces (LaBS) exhibit exceptional thermal stability, retaining high emissivity for over 100 h at temperatures exceeding 1,000°C, even in oxidizing environments. When applied as TPV thermal emitters, Ta LaBS double electrical power output from 2.19 to 4.10 W cm −2 at 2,200°C while sustaining TPV conversion efficiencies above 30%. This versatile, largely material-independent technique offers a scalable and economically viable pathway to enhance emissivity for advanced thermal energy applications.

laser-blackened surfaces↗
DOE OSTI2022

Random adaptive tool path for zonal optics fabrication

Deterministic optics fabrication using sub-aperture tools has been vital for manufacturing precision optical surfaces. The fabrication process requires the tool influence function and the tool path to calculate the dwell time that guides the tool to bring surface quality within tight design tolerances. Widely used spiral and raster paths may leave excess waviness from the tool path, and the unavoidable constant removal layer is added to obtain positive dwell time. This waviness can be removed by either using smaller tools sequentially or randomizing the tool path. However, the existing tool-path solutions can hardly adapt to different surface aperture shapes and localized surface errors. Process efficiency and accuracy are also not well considered in tool-path planning. We propose an innovative zonal Random Adaptive Path (RAP) to solve these problems in this study. Firstly, RAP can be flexibly adapted to different surface aperture shapes by introducing part boundary. Secondly, an average threshold strategy is used in the RAP planning to improve efficiency, enabling the surface errors to be selectively corrected. Finally, the threshold is performed in several passes within one processing cycle, each with its RAP, until the desired residual is achieved. The performance of the proposed RAP is studied by comparing it with the conventional tool paths. The results demonstrated that RAP takes the least processing time and achieves the best surface quality, which verifies the effectiveness of RAP in deterministic optics fabrication.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1985

Reaction of metals in lower earth orbit during Space Shuttle flight 41-G

The effects of ambient space environment on metals were studied by exposing specimens of Cu, Ag, Au, Ni, Cr, Al, Pt, and Pd on flight 41-G (STS-17). Data obtained by ellipsometry (ELL), Rutherford backscattering (RBS), and proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) before and after flight are summarized. Although the effects of space environment were most pronounced for silver, there were significant changes in the surface properties of the majority of the other metals. The surface optical constants proved to be the most sensitive measure of surface changes. These changes are attributed to the interaction of the metals with atomic oxygen.

Fromhold, A. T., Jr.↗