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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

Multi-Wavelength Mode-Locked Laser Arrays for WDM Applications

Multi-wavelength arrays of colliding pulse mode-locked (CPM) lasers have been demonstrated for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) applications. The need for increased bandwidth is driving the development of both increased speed in time division multiplexing (TDM) and more channels in WDM for fiber optic communication systems.

division↗

Launch Lock Mechanism for Resource Prospector Rover

The Resource Prospector Rover is being designed to carry the RESOLVE (Regolith Environment Science, and Oxygen Lunar Volatile Extraction) payload on a mission to the Moon to prospect for water ice. This is a joint project between KSC Swamp Works UB-R1 and JSC. JSC is building the Resource Prospector 2015 (RP15) rover and KSC designed and fabricated a Launch-Lock (LL) hold down mechanism for the rover. The LL mechanism will attach and support the rover on a Lunar Lander during launch and transit to the moon, then release the RP15 rover after touchdown on the lunar surface. This report presents the design and development of the LL mechanism and its unique features which make it suitable for this lunar exploration mission. An EDU (engineering development unit) prototype of the LL has been built and tested at KSC which is the subject of this paper.

Lunar Lander↗

Phase Locking of a Second Harmonic Gyrotron Using a Quasi-Optical Circulator

The benefits of high power millimeter wave radiation for use in communication and radar systems are well known. Recently a frequency near 35 GHz was allotted for use in deep space communications, including bands for spacecraft uplink and downlink. Described is the phase locking of a high power pulsed gyrotron oscillator through the use of a quasi-optical circulator (using a second harmonic gyrotron).

35↗

Correlation of Dimer-Linker-Induced Conformational Lock with Nonradiative Energy Loss in Organic Solar Cells

The efficiencies of dimer-based devices still lag those of their small molecule-based counterparts. This is primarily due to the considerable dihedrals in the dimer skeleton, which compromises the molecular packing, thus influencing the charge generation and nonradiative voltage loss (ΔV oc,nr ). Herein, we developed two dimeric acceptors with varied π-linkers to investigate the influence of linker-induced conformational lock on ΔV oc,nr . We find that the helically lapped O-shaped dimer delivers better intermolecular packing than the planar S-shaped one that incorporates a bulkier π-linker. However, its planar skeleton is instead more favorable for forming a compact and ordered stacking with the host acceptor in ternary blend. This possibly promotes exciton dissociation, thus reducing the nonradiative decay of excited states. Moreover, its longer exciton lifetime could offer additional charge-transfer channels. Finally, these contributions effectively minimize ΔV oc,nr to 0.195 eV, while delivering a high efficiency approaching 20% in the derived ternary device.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Hidden Spin-Valley Locking Stabilizes Nanosecond Spin Polarization in 2D Perovskites

Room-temperature spin control in semiconductors is fundamental to spin-optoelectronics. Although inversion symmetry breaking offers one path for spin control in semiconductors, strong spin dephasing at elevated temperatures remains a persistent limitation. Hidden spin polarization without global symmetry breaking provides another promising material design strategy, but robust spin stabilization from this effect has yet to be experimentally realized. Here we show spin stabilization at room temperature in two-dimensional hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites through hidden spin-valley locking. We use functional non-primary ammonium cations to induce symmetry-breaking distortions in the metal-halide layers, producing giant local spin splitting while preserving global inversion symmetry. Time-resolved circular dichroism measurements reveal optically generated spin-polarized carriers that persist for 686 ps in (AzOH)2PbI4 and 4.7 ns in the lead-free analogue (AzOH)2SnI4 at room temperature, without an external magnetic field. First-principles calculations suggest that these long lifetimes arise from hidden spin valleys, enhanced dielectric screening and reduced spin-orbit-induced scattering in the Sn-based compound. Our design paradigm unlocks inversion-symmetric semiconductors with ultralong spin lifetimes, broadening the materials options for light-driven spin control.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Linewidth narrowing in self-injection locked lasers: Effects of quantum confinement

This paper explores the impact of gain medium on linewidth narrowing in integrated self-injection locked III–V/SiN lasers, theoretically and experimentally. We focus on the effects of carrier densities of states in zero- and two-dimensional structures due to quantum-dot and quantum-well confinement. The theoretical approach includes (a) multimode laser interaction to treat mode competition and wave mixing, (b) quantum-optical contributions from spontaneous emission, and (c) composite laser/free-space eigenmodes to describe outcoupling and coupling among components within an extended cavity. For single-cavity lasers, such as distributed feedback lasers, the model reproduces the experimentally observed better linewidth performance of quantum-dot active regions over quantum-well ones. When applied to integrated III–V/SiN lasers, our analysis indicates Hz-level linewidth performance for both quantum-dot and quantum-well gain media due to overcoming the difference in carrier-induced refractive index by incorporating a high-Q SiN passive resonator. Trade-offs are also explored between linewidth, output power, and threshold current.

Cavity quantum electrodynamics↗