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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 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2011

Assessment of the CALIPSO Lidar 532 nm Attenuated Backscatter Calibration Using the NASA LaRC Airborne High Spectral Resolution Lidar

The Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) instrument on the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) spacecraft has provided global, high-resolution vertical profiles of aerosols and clouds since it became operational on 13 June 2006. On 14 June 2006, the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) was deployed aboard the NASA Langley B-200 aircraft for the first of a series of 86 underflights of the CALIPSO satellite to provide validation measurements for the CALIOP data products. To better assess the range of conditions under which CALIOP data products are produced, these validation flights were conducted under both daytime and nighttime lighting conditions, in multiple seasons, and over a large range of latitudes and aerosol and cloud conditions. This paper presents a quantitative assessment of the CALIOP 532 nm calibration (through the 532 nm total attenuated backscatter) using an internally calibrated airborne HSRL underflight data and is the most extensive study of CALIOP 532 nm calibration. Results show that average HSRL and CALIOP 532 nm total attenuated backscatter agree on average within 2.7% +/- 2.1% (CALIOP lower) at night and within 2.9 % +/- 3.9% (CALIOP lower) during the day., demonstrating the accuracy of the CALIOP 532 nm calibration algorithms. Additionally, comparisons with HSRL show consistency of the CALIOP calibration before and after the laser switch in 2009 as well as improvements in the daytime version 3 calibration scheme compared with the version 2 calibration scheme. Potential systematic uncertainties in the methodology relevant to validating satellite lidar measurements with an airborne lidar system are discussed and found to be less than 3.7% for this validation effort with HSRL. Results from this study are also compared to those from prior assessments of CALIOP calibration and attenuated backscatter.

Rogers, Raymond R.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Backscatter Measurements Over Vegetation by Ground-Based Microwave Radars

In the study of radar backscattering from vegetated terrain, it is important to understand how the electromagnetic wave interacts with vegetation and the underlying ground. In this paper, an expression of backscattering from a vegetation canopy in the case of spherical wave illumination is derived. Such an expression might apply to the practical case of a ground-based scatterometer overlooking vegetation. The relative importance of the beamwidth as well as the platform height on backscattering from vegetated terrain is studied. Preliminary results indicate that the discrepancy with plane wave illumination can be rather significant, and therefore should not be overlooked.

Kurum, Mehmet↗
NASA NTRS2016

3D Backscatter Imaging System

Systems and methods for imaging an object using backscattered radiation are described. The imaging system comprises both a radiation source for irradiating an object that is rotationally movable about the object, and a detector for detecting backscattered radiation from the object that can be disposed on substantially the same side of the object as the source and which can be rotationally movable about the object. The detector can be separated into multiple detector segments with each segment having a single line of sight projection through the object and so detects radiation along that line of sight. Thus, each detector segment can isolate the desired component of the backscattered radiation. By moving independently of each other about the object, the source and detector can collect multiple images of the object at different angles of rotation and generate a three dimensional reconstruction of the object. Other embodiments are described.

Turner, D. Clark↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Lidar Simulations of Backscatter and Extinction Uncertainty Estimates for ACCP Assessments

As part of the NASA Aerosols and Clouds, Convection, and Precipitation (ACCP) pre-formulation study, several lidar instruments are being assessed for their capabilities in advancing the science objectives enumerated in the most recent Earth Sciences Decadal Survey. These assessments are conducted using the NASA Langley Research Center(LaRC) lidar simulator, which produces profiles of backscatter and extinction uncertainty estimates for a given set of input parameters. Specifically, attention is focused onevaluating the science benefits and improvements of a candidate two-wavelength space-based High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) compared to an elastic backscatter lidar with similar capabilities to the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization(CALIOP), flying aboard the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) satellite. In this talk, simulations of satellite-based HSRL and those of a CALIOP-like system are compared for different atmospheric scenes that capture varying total aerosol loadings, aerosol vertical distributions, and aerosol types.The results of these analyses are presented as functions of averaging resolution(horizontal/vertical), lighting conditions (daytime/nighttime), surface type (land/ocean),and wavelength (532 nm/1064 nm). Also, simulations of multiple aerosol layers and of aerosols beneath transparent cirrus clouds are shown to demonstrate the consequent impacts on underlying backscatter and extinction uncertainties, and to better differentiate the performance of HSRL compared to that of CALIOP for real-world atmospheric scenarios.

Travis D. Toth↗
NASA NTRS2021

Interpretation of Spectral LiDAR Backscattering off the Florida Coast

A multispectral backscattering LiDAR (Light detection and range) system (hereafter Oculus) was integrated into a wave glider and used to estimate the scattering order (i.e., single vs multiple collisions), inherent optical properties (IOPs) and characteristics of particulate scatterers (i.e., relative size, composition and motion) on shelf waters of South East Florida. Oculus has a dual-wavelength configuration (473 and 532 nm) and two detection geometries (off- and on-axis). Characteristics of scatterers were investigated based on two complementary LiDAR-derived proxies (the Structural Dissimilarity Index and the spectral slope of LiDAR backscattering). In March 2017, field measurements showed a covariation between direct and diffuse backscattering contributions during morning hours and away from shore. LiDAR attenuation coefficients explained up to 57% of IOPs variability. The analysis of LiDAR-derived proxies suggested higher turbidity and larger particulates near the coast.

LiDAR↗
DOE OSTI2014

X-ray backscatter imaging of nuclear materials

The energy of an X-ray beam and critical depth are selected to detect structural discontinuities in a material having an atomic number Z of 57 or greater. The critical depth is selected by adjusting the geometry of a collimator that blocks backscattered radiation so that backscattered X-ray originating from a depth less than the critical depth is not detected. Structures of Lanthanides and Actinides, including nuclear fuel rod materials, can be inspected for structural discontinuities such as gaps, cracks, and chipping employing the backscattered X-ray.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2019

Self-focusing of cosh-Gaussian laser beam and its effect on the excitation of ion-acoustic wave and stimulated Brillouin backscattering in collisionless plasma

An analytical and numerical study has been carried out for self-focusing of an intense cosh-Gaussian laser beam in collisionless plasma and its impact on the excitation of ion-acoustic wave and stimulated Brillouin backscattering process. The analytical model has been developed under Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin and paraxial ray approximations. The nonlinearities of ponderomotive force on electron and the relativistic oscillation of the electron mass have been used in this study. The nonlinear differential equations have been set up for the beam width parameters of the main beam, ion-acoustic wave, backscattered wave and back reflectivity of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS). These equations have been solved numerically for different values of decentred parameter (b), relative plasma density (ω{sub p0}/ω{sub 0}) and incident laser intensity (a). The results have been compared with only relativistic nonlinearity and Gaussian profile of laser beam. The focusing of laser beam, ion-acoustic wave and scattered wave are found to be strong under relativistic-ponderomotive regime compared to only relativistic regime. Further, it is observed that focusing/intensity of main laser beam, ion acoustic wave and SBS back reflectivity increases with increasing the values of b and ω{sub p0}/ω{sub 0}. Itis also found that back reflectivity of SBS process gets suppressed with the increase in the value of a. This study may be useful in laser induced fusion scheme where back scattering of SBS plays very important role.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Temperature Dependence of Ar{sub n}{sup +} Cluster Backscattering from Polymer Surfaces: a New Method to Determine the Surface Glass Transition Temperature

In this work, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was used to study the intensity variations of the backscattered Ar{sub n}{sup +} clusters as a function of temperature for several amorphous polymer surfaces (polyolefins, polystyrene, and polymethyl methacrylate). For all these investigated polymers, our results show a transition of the ratio Ar{sub 2}{sup +}/(Ar{sub 2}{sup +} + Ar{sub 3}{sup +}) when the temperature is scanned from –120 °C to +125 °C (the exact limits depend on the studied polymer). This transition generally spans over a few tens of degrees and the temperature of the inflection point of each curve is always lower than the bulk glass transition temperature (T{sub g}) reported for the considered polymer. Due to the surface sensitivity of the cluster backscattering process (several nanometers), the presented analysis could provide a new method to specifically evaluate a surface transition temperature of polymers, with the same lateral resolution as the gas cluster beam. .

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Crystallographic analysis of lenticular martensite in Fe–1.0C–17Cr stainless steel by electron backscatter diffraction

The crystallography of lenticular martensite, which formed in coarse austenite grains (size about 80 μm) after subzero treatment at − 196 °C (liquid nitrogen) for different holding times, was investigated using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). For the sample treated with 15 min of isothermal holding, more than 50 martensite plates (with a thickness of larger than 1 μm) that formed within a coarse austenite grain were employed to obtain the pole figures. The pole figures clearly indicated that the individual plate of lenticular martensite approximately adopted the Kurdjumov–Sachs (K–S) orientation relationship with respect to the austenite matrix. For the sample treated with 30 s of isothermal holding, a few martensite plates that formed in variant pairings in a coarse austenite grain were analyzed. The results showed that zigzag couplings (including spear couplings), the major product of plate martensite, had an absolute dominance of a specific variant pair (V1/V17). The orientation gradient within a lenticular martensite plate was also measured using convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED). The evidence strongly suggests that the spread in diffracted intensity within pole figures is related to the misorientation gradient within the lenticular martensite plate. - Highlights: • The orientation relationship between lenticular martensite and austenite was investigated by pole figures via Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD). • The initial stage of lenticular martensite formation was investigated, excluding interference from hard impingement. • In addition to EBSD, convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) was used to measure the misorientation angle from the midrib to the untwinned region in lenticular martensite plate. • Zigzag couplings (including spear couplings), the major product of plate martensite, had an absolute dominance of a specific variant pair (V1/V17).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Correlated characterization of 20 Ne-implanted targets using nuclear reaction analysis, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, and ion transport modeling

In this article, we present the preparation and characterization of a large sample of implanted noble gas targets for use in precision nuclear astrophysics measurements with intense proton beams. Tantalum and titanium backings were prepared using wet-acid etching, outgassed via resistive heating, and implanted with 20 Ne + beams from differing ion sources. These experimental targets were investigated using both nuclear reaction analysis techniques on the 1169-keV resonance in 20 Ne(p, $\gamma$) 21 Na and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry analysis with 2-MeV α-particle beams. Results from these analyses reveal small target-to-target variations in stoichiometry, while exhibiting excellent agreement independent of ion-beam analysis method. We also present a self-consistent validation of the nuclear reaction analysis results using ion transport simulations in TRIM-2013 that rely on input parameters from SIMNRA scattering-yield fits to Rutherford backscattering spectra. In addition to a complete description of the implantation profile, this analysis method provides an alternate solution for characterizing a large sample of implanted targets when no suitable resonances are available for nuclear reaction analysis.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2019

Reflector Selection for the Indexing of Electron Backscatter Diffraction Patterns

Abstract We propose a new methodology for ranking the reflectors used in traditional Hough-based indexing of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) patterns. Instead of kinematic X-ray or electron structure factors ( F hkl ) currently utilized, we propose the integrated Kikuchi band intensity parameter ( β hkl ) based on integrated dynamical electron backscatter intensities. The proposed parameter is compared with the traditional kinematical intensity, $I_{hkl}^{{\rm kin}} $ , as well as the average Hough transform peak intensity, $I_{hkl}^{{\rm HSP}} $ and used to index EBSD patterns for a number of different material systems of varying unit cell complexities including nickel, silicon, rutile, and forsterite. For elemental structures, β hkl closely follows the kinematical ranking. However, significant ranking differences arise for more complex unit cells, with the β hkl parameter showing a better correlation with the integrated Hough intensities. Lastly, Hough-based indexing of a simulated forsterite data set showed an appreciable improvement in the median confidence index (0.15 to 0.35) when β hkl is used instead of $I_{hkl}^{{\rm kin}} $ for ranking the reflectors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Backscattering and absorption coefficients for electrons: Solutions of invariant embedding transport equations using a method of convergence

The backscattering coefficient is a magnitude whose measurement is fundamental for the characterization of materials with techniques that make use of particle beams and particularly when performing microanalysis. In this work, we report the results of an analytic method to calculate the backscattering and absorption coefficients of electrons in similar conditions to those of electron probe microanalysis. Starting on a five level states ladder model in 3D, we deduced a set of integro-differential coupled equations of the coefficients with a method know as invariant embedding. By means of a procedure proposed by authors, called method of convergence, two types of approximate solutions for the set of equations, namely complete and simple solutions, can be obtained. Although the simple solutions were initially proposed as auxiliary forms to solve higher rank equations, they turned out to be also useful for the estimation of the aforementioned coefficients. In previous reports, we have presented results obtained with the complete solutions. In this paper, we present results obtained with the simple solutions of the coefficients, which exhibit a good degree of fit with the experimental data. Both the model and the calculation method presented here can be generalized to other techniques that make use of different sorts of particle beams.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Design of a backscatter 14-MeV neutron time-of-flight spectrometer for experiments at ITER

Neutron energy spectrometry diagnostics play an important role in present-day experiments related to fusion energy research. Measurements and thorough analysis of the neutron emission from the fusion plasma give information on a number of basic fusion performance quantities, on the condition of the neutron source and plasma behavior. Here we discuss the backscatter Time-of-Flight (bTOF) spectrometer concept as a possible instrument for performing high resolution measurements of 14 MeV neutrons. The instrument is based on two sets of scintillators, a first scatterer exposed to a collimated neutron beam and a second detector set placed in the backward direction. The scintillators of the first set are enriched in deuterium to achieve neutron backscattering. The energy resolution and efficiency of a bTOF instrument have been determined for various geometrical configurations. A preliminary design of optimal geometry for the two scintillator sets has been obtained by Monte Carlo simulations based on the MCNPX code.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Generation of steep phase anisotropy with zero-backscattering by arrays of coupled dielectric nano-resonators

The interaction of light with high-permittivity dielectric nano-resonators can lead to zero-backscattering (i.e., full transmission), attributed to the simultaneous excitation of electric and magnetic dipolar modes in these resonators. In this paper, we numerically demonstrate that 2-dimensional Si nanocuboid arrays with anisotropic periodicity and finely tuned cuboid height can generate up to 2π optical phase anisotropy with zero-backscattering. Especially, by introducing strong Fano-type coupling into unit cells of the array, the induced phase anisotropy becomes ultra-steep with excitation wavelength. These special optical properties promise applications in various transmissive photonic devices, and we discuss their potential applications in transmissive polarization conversion and sensing.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

The perturbation of backscattered fast neutrons spectrum caused by the resonances of C, N and O for possible use in pyromaterial detection

Neutron radiation is able to determine the signature of land mine detection based on backscattering energy spectrum of landmine. In this study, the Monte Carlo simulation of backscattered fast neutrons was performed on four basic elements of land mine; hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and carbon. The moderation of fast neutrons to thermal neutrons and their resonances cross-section between 0.01 eV until 14 MeV were analysed. The neutrons energies were divided into 29 groups and ten million neutrons particles histories were used. The geometries consist of four main components: neutrons source, detectors, landmine and soil. The neutrons source was placed at the origin coordinate and shielded with carbon and polyethylene. Americium/Beryllium neutron source was placed inside lead casing of 1 cm thick and 2.5 cm height. Polyethylene was used to absorb and disperse radiation and was placed outside the lead shield of width 10 cm and height 7 cm. Two detectors were placed between source with distance of 8 cm and radius of 1.9 cm. Detectors of Helium-3 was used for neutron detection as it has high absorption cross section for thermal neutrons. For the anomaly, the physical is in cylinder form with radius of 10 cm and 8.9 cm height. The anomaly is buried 5 cm deep in the bed soil measured 80 cm radius and 53.5 cm height. The results show that the energy spectrum for the four basic elements of landmine with specific pattern which can be used as indication for the presence of landmines.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Bulk elastic waves with unidirectional backscattering-immune topological states in a time-dependent superlattice

Recent progress in electronic and electromagnetic topological insulators has led to the demonstration of one way propagation of electron and photon edge states and the possibility of immunity to backscattering by edge defects. Unfortunately, such topologically protected propagation of waves in the bulk of a material has not been observed. We show, in the case of sound/elastic waves, that bulk waves with unidirectional backscattering-immune topological states can be observed in a time-dependent elastic superlattice. The superlattice is realized via spatial and temporal modulation of the stiffness of an elastic material. Bulk elastic waves in this superlattice are supported by a manifold in momentum space with the topology of a single twist Möbius strip. Our results demonstrate the possibility of attaining one way transport and immunity to scattering of bulk elastic waves.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

A novel lobster-eye imaging system based on Schmidt-type objective for X-ray-backscattering inspection

This paper presents a novel lobster-eye imaging system for X-ray-backscattering inspection. The system was designed by modifying the Schmidt geometry into a treble-lens structure in order to reduce the resolution difference between the vertical and horizontal directions, as indicated by ray-tracing simulations. The lobster-eye X-ray imaging system is capable of operating over a wide range of photon energies up to 100 keV. In addition, the optics of the lobster-eye X-ray imaging system was tested to verify that they meet the requirements. X-ray-backscattering imaging experiments were performed in which T-shaped polymethyl-methacrylate objects were imaged by the lobster-eye X-ray imaging system based on both the double-lens and treble-lens Schmidt objectives. The results show similar resolution of the treble-lens Schmidt objective in both the vertical and horizontal directions. Moreover, imaging experiments were performed using a second treble-lens Schmidt objective with higher resolution. The results show that for a field of view of over 200 mm and with a 500 mm object distance, this lobster-eye X-ray imaging system based on a treble-lens Schmidt objective offers a spatial resolution of approximately 3 mm.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2025

Real-time steerable frequency-stepped Doppler backscattering (DBS) system for local helicon wave electric field measurements on the DIII-D tokamak

A new frequency-stepped Doppler backscattering (DBS) system has been integrated into a real-time steerable electron cyclotron heating launcher system to simultaneously probe local background turbulence (f < 10 MHz) and high-frequency (20–550 MHz) density fluctuations in the DIII-D tokamak. The launcher allows for 2D steering (horizontally and vertically) over wide angular ranges to optimize probe location and wavenumber response. The vertical steering can be optimized during a discharge in real time. The new DBS system employs a programmable frequency synthesizer with adjustable dwell time as a source to launch either O or X-mode polarized millimeter waves. This system can step in real-time over the entire E-band frequency range (60–90 GHz). This combination of capabilities allows for the diagnosis of the complex internal spatial structure of high power (>200 kW) helicon waves (476 MHz) injected from an external antenna during helicon current drive experiments in DIII-D. Broadband density fluctuations around the helicon frequency are observed during real-time scans of measurement location and wavenumber during these experiments. Analysis indicates that these broadband high-frequency fluctuations are a result of backscattering of the DBS millimeter-wave probe beam from plasma turbulence modulated by the helicon wave. It is observed that background turbulence is effectively locally “tagged” with the helicon wave electric field, forming images of the turbulent spectrum in the overall density fluctuation spectrum that appear as high-frequency sidebands of the turbulence. These observations of background turbulence and high-frequency fluctuations open up the possibility of monitoring local helicon wave amplitude by comparing the high-frequency signal amplitude to the simultaneously measured background turbulence. In combination with the real-time measurement location and wavenumber scanning capabilities (offered by real-time frequency-stepping and steering), this allows rapid determination of the spatial distribution of the helicon wave power during steady-state plasma operation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗