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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 253 records · Page 14

Measurements of the dielectric properties of simulated comet material as part of the KOSI 10 experiment

The dielectric constant epsilon of the snow-mineral used for the comet simulation in the German KOSI 10 experiment was measured in the radio frequency range from 2 to 4 GHz. The traditional microwave bridge method was used, but instead of using a waveguide that contains the sample material small lambda/4 antennas were used as sensors. A change in the dielectric properties indicates a change in density and/or composition, respectively. The method is presented as an analytical tool for measuring such density or composition changes during alteration snow-dust materials. The KOSI (determined from the German: Kometen Simulation) experiments, performed in the Space simulator of the DLR/Institut for Raumsimulation, during the last years revealed many processes that presumably take place on comets. So far, modifications of the internal structure could be identified only during the post-experiment inspection via hardness tests. It was the aim of the KOSI 10 and KOSI 10a experiments to emphasize on a synoptic detection of events like particle emission or crust formation. The composition of the KOSI 10 sample material was an ice-mineral mixture with about 10 percent mineral (olivine) content. An excellent method to investigate the change of the density of the probe material during its exposure to the artificial sun in situ is to do it via the measurement of the dielectric constant. The traditional method to determine epsilon, by using a microwave-bridge to measure the transmission and the reflection factor of the sample material for electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency range, was modified, since the commonly used practice to fill the sample material into a waveguide was not compatible with the need for in situ measurements during the simulation experiment.

Ulamec, S.↗

System studies of rf current drive for MST

Two rf schemes are being studied on the MST reversed field pinch for their potential in current profile control experiments. MHD modeling has shown that a substantial externally-driven off axis parallel current can improve stability of the dominant core tearing modes. A radially localized axisymmetric population of fast electrons has been observed by SXR emission during LH injection (100kW at 800MHz), and is consistent with CQL3D modeling which predicts a small driven current. Computational work suggests that doubling the input power will statistically improve the LH-induced SXR signal to background ratio, and that about 2MW of injected power (an order of magnitude increase) will drive enough current for stabilization of tearing modes. Additionally, a 1 MW 5.5 GHz electron Bernstein wave (EBW) experiment is under construction, which utilizes a very simple and compact antenna compatible with the demands of the RFP. EBW allows access to electron cyclotron heating and current drive in the overdense plasma. Coupling of the external electromagnetic wave to the EBW has been demonstrated, and initial tests at {approx}100kW power have produced a small, localized xray flux consistent with rf heating and high diffusivity of fast electrons. Computational work is currently underway to answer the very important questions of how much power is required, and what level of electron diffusivity is tolerable, to generate a consequential amount of EBW current.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

The LLNL Program in Nuclear Structure and Nuclear Astrophysics (NSNA) (FY19 Annual Report)

Our major efforts in FY18-19 were devoted to carrying out the second GRETINA/CHICO2 campaign at ANL and the JANUS campaign at MSU/NSCL. Among a total of 13 fielded experiments, three were for Ph.D. thesis projects; two students at MSU and one at UNC at Chapel Hill. Two experiments in the JANUS campaign were led by LLNL; namely, the study of nuclear structure in 72 Se and 76 Se using the sub-barrier Coulomb excitation method. The data analysis was completed for both selenium isotopes and the results were published. The 72 Se results have been submitted to DOE/SC/NP as a science highlight and the article won a prestigious LLNL S&T Excellence in Publication Award in FY19. For experiments fielded in FY17 at TRIUMF/ISAC2 using TIGRESS/Bambino, the data analysis was completed recently and the 21 Mg results were published in FY19. For the results on the mirror nuclei 23 Mg and 23 Na, the manuscript was written and is in circulation among the coauthors. We intend to submit it for publication later this calendar year. These efforts address the isospin symmetry in the sd shell nuclei in terms of the electromagnetic properties measured with the sub-barrier Coulomb excitation method. The proposal to upgrade CHICO2 to CHICOX by resizing the detector chamber to be compatible to GRETA was approved in FY17 with a budget spread over three fiscal years starting FY18. The preliminary design was completed but cannot be finalized until the design for the GRETA holding frame is completed by the LBNL GRETA team in FY19. The fabrication will proceed once the physical compatibility of CHICOX to GRETA holding frame is confirmed. The narrative below focuses on the research efforts for which LLNL led or played a key role. This report includes two sections: 1) Evolution of shell structure and collectivity in neutron-rich nuclei, and 2) Investigating nucleosynthesis and the Standard Model with β decay.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Low-cost, fast-response drive circuit for electromagnetic torque motors

Fast-response coil drive circuit, for electromagnetic torque motors, reduces the inductive coil time constant with a minimum of circuit sophistication. The low-cost modulator servoamplifier is used with a compatible preamplifier stage which provides the servo-loop function of summing, adjustable gain and compensation.

Zeller, J. R.↗

Compatibility of the Radio Frequency Mass Gauge with Composite Tanks

The radio frequency mass gauge (RFMG) is a low-gravity propellant quantity gauge being developed at NASA for possible use in long-duration space missions utilizing cryogenic propellants. As part of the RFMG technology development process, we evaluated the compatibility of the RFMG with a graphite-epoxy composite material used to construct propellant tanks. The key material property that can affect compatibility with the RFMG is the electrical conductivity. Using samples of 8552IM7 graphite-epoxy composite, we characterized the resistivity and reflectivity over a range of frequencies. An RF impedance analyzer was used to characterize the out-of-plane electrical properties (along the sample thickness) in the frequency range 10 to 1800 MHZ. The resistivity value at 500 MHz was 4.8 ohm-cm. Microwave waveguide measurements of samples in the range 1.7 2.6 GHz, performed by inserting the samples into a WR-430 waveguide, showed reflectivity values above 98. Together, these results suggested that a tank constructed from graphite-epoxy composite would produce good quality electromagnetic tank modes, which is needed for the RFMG. This was verified by room-temperature measurements of the electromagnetic modes of a 2.4 m diameter tank constructed by Boeing from similar graphite-epoxy composite material. The quality factor Q of the tank electromagnetic modes, measured via RF reflection measurements from an antenna mounted in the tank, was typically in the range 400 Q 3000. The good quality modes observed in the tank indicate that the RFMG is compatible with graphite-epoxy tanks, and thus the RFMG could be used as a low-gravity propellant quantity gauge in such tanks filled with cryogenic propellants.

Radio frequencies↗

ACTIVE LONGITUDES REVEALED BY LARGE-SCALE AND LONG-LIVED CORONAL STREAMERS

We use time-series ultraviolet full sun images to construct limb-synoptic maps of the Sun. On these maps, large-scale, long-lived coronal streamers appear as repetitive sinusoid-like arcs projected over the polar regions. They are caused by high altitude plasma produced from sunspot-rich regions at latitudes generally far from the poles. The non-uniform longitudinal distribution of these streamers reveals four longitudinal zones at the surface of the Sun from which sunspots erupt preferentially over the 5 year observing interval (2006 January to 2011 April). Spots in these zones (or clusters) have individual lifetimes short compared to the lifetimes of the coronal features which they sustain, and they erupt at different times. The four sunspot clusters contain >75% of all numbered sunspots in this period. They occupy two distinct longitudinal zones separated by {approx}180{sup 0} and each spanning {approx}100{sup 0} in longitude. The rotation rates of the spot clusters are {approx}5% faster than the rates at both the surface and the bottom of the convection zone. While no convincing theoretical framework exists to interpret the sunspot clusters in the longitude-time space, their persistent and nonuniform distribution indicates long-lived, azimuthal structures beneath the surface, and are compatible with the existence of previously reported active longitudes on the Sun.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Design of a Novel Variable Geometry Divertor for Tokamaks

The divertor is a key component of fusion reactors, allowing exhaust of gas, impurities, and helium ash to preserve plasma purity. The divertor geometry strongly affects plasma performance, and it is designed to be compatible with different plasma shapes in present-day fusion experiments. Here, we present a novel concept for a variable geometry divertor, in which the divertor baffle tiles are reorientable by external actuation. Implementation of this concept in a medium-sized research tokamak would uniquely provide the flexibility to tailor divertor geometry to the plasma configuration and also enable study of the effect of divertor closure on plasma performance. To ensure compatibility with typical tokamak operations, the adjustable divertor must withstand the effects of significant mechanical and thermal stresses such as MW/m 2 -scale heat fluxes and large electromagnetic fields, e.g., disruption forces. The technological solutions for actuation mechanisms, cooling system, gas baffling and plasma-facing components are assessed. A functional reduced-scale model with movable outer divertor target baffle tiles is developed and the actuation mechanism is tested.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Valence quark contributions for the gamma N -> P11(1440) transition

A covariant spectator quark model is applied to estimate the valence quark contributions to the$ F1*(Q2) and F2*(Q2) transition form factors for the gamma N -> P11(1440) reaction. The Roper resonance, P11(1440), is assumed to be the first radial excitation of the nucleon. The model requires no extra parameters except for those already fixed by the previous studies for the nucleon. The results are consistent with the experimental data in the high Q2 region, and those from the lattice QCD. Finally the model is also applied to estimate the meson cloud contributions from the CLAS and MAID analysis.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Land Use and Mapping

From the standpoint of technology, the most encouraging thing about ERTS has been the level of land-use identification. Land-use detail has exceeded the expectations of the Interagency Steering Committee and the requirements of land-use classification proposed by the Department of Interior. Whereas in the latter instance it was anticipated that only nine classes of land use would probably be identifiable, in fact some 14 to 18 classes have been identified. The success in the level of land-use identification results primarily from the various attributes of the ERTS system. These include the ability to provide repetitive coverage, and in particular seasonal coverage; the ability to image in four bands of the electromagnetic spectrum (green, red, and two near-infrared), which allows for manipulation of various combinations of bands; and the provision by the ERTS system of computer-compatible tapes for machine processing of data. Furthermore, the resolution of ERTS imagery has been better than expected. Although there is some question as to its exact resolving power, it is safe to say objects as small as 100 meters (300 feet) in diameter have been identified. Linear features as narrow as 16 meters (50 feet) can be detected (Figure 1).

Lindgren, D. T.↗

High performance millimeter-wave microstrip circulators and isolators

Millimeter wave systems, phased array antennas, and high performance components all require wideband circulators (and isolators) to perform diplexing and switching, to improve isolation and Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR), and to construct IMPATT diode reflection amplifiers. Presently, most of the millimeter-wave circulators and isolators are available in the configurations of waveguide or stripline, both of which suffer from the shortcomings of bulky size/weight, narrow bandwidth, and poor compatibility with monolithic millimeter-wave integrated circuits (MMIC). MMW microstrip circulators/isolators can eliminate or improve these shortcomings. Stub-tuned microstrip circulator configuration were developed utilizing the electromagnetic fields perturbation technique, the adhesion problems of microstrip metallization on new ferrite substrate were overcome, the fabrication, assembly, packaging techniques were improved, and then successfully designed, fabricated a Ka band circulator which has isolation and return loss of greater than 16dB, insertion loss less than 0.7dB. To assess the steady and reliable performance of the circulator, a temperature cycling test was done over the range of -20 to +50 C for 3 continuous cycles and found no significant impact or variation of circulator performance.

Shih, Ming↗

Compatibility of the Radio Frequency Mass Gauge with Graphite-Epoxy Composite Tanks

The radio frequency mass gauge (RFMG) is a low-gravity propellant quantity gauge being developed at NASA for possible use in long-duration space missions utilizing cryogenic propellants. As part of the RFMG technology development process, we evaluated the compatibility of the RFMG with a graphite-epoxy composite material used to construct propellant tanks. The key material property that can affect compatibility with the RFMG is the electrical conductivity. Using samples of 8552/IM7 graphite-epoxy composite, we characterized the resistivity and reflectivity over a range of frequencies. An RF impedance analyzer was used to characterize the out-of-plane electrical properties (along the sample thickness) in the frequency range 10 to 1800 MHZ. The resistivity value at 500 MHz was 4.8 ohm-cm. Microwave waveguide measurements of samples in the range 1.7 - 2.6 GHz, performed by inserting the samples into a WR-430 waveguide, showed reflectivity values above 98%. Together, these results suggested that a tank constructed from graphite/epoxy composite would produce good quality electromagnetic tank modes, which is needed for the RFMG. This was verified by room-temperature measurements of the electromagnetic modes of a 2.4 m diameter tank constructed by Boeing from similar graphite-epoxy composite material. The quality factor Q of the tank electromagnetic modes, measured via RF reflection measurements from an antenna mounted in the tank, was typically in the range 400 less than Q less than 3000. The good quality modes observed in the tank indicate that the RFMG is compatible with graphite-epoxy tanks, and thus the RFMG could be used as a low-gravity propellant quantity gauge in such tanks filled with cryogenic propellants.

Propellant tanks↗

Interactions of particles with “continuous spin” fields

Powerful general arguments allow only a few families of long-range interactions, exemplified by gauge field theories of electromagnetism and gravity. However, all of these arguments presuppose that massless fields have zero spin scale (Casimir invariant) and hence exactly boost invariant helicity. This misses the most general behavior compatible with Lorentz symmetry. We present a Lagrangian formalism describing interactions of matter particles with bosonic “continuous spin” fields with arbitrary spin scale ρ. Remarkably, physical observables are well approximated by familiar theories at frequencies larger than ρ, with calculable deviations at low frequencies and long distances. For example, we predict specific ρ-dependent modifications to the Lorentz force law and the Larmor formula, which lay the foundation for experimental tests of the photon’s spin scale. We also reproduce known soft radiation emission amplitudes for nonzero ρ. The particles’ effective matter currents are not fully localized to their worldlines when ρ ≠ 0, which motivates investigation of manifestly local completions of our theory. Our results also motivate the development of continuous spin analogues of gravity and non-Abelian gauge theories. Given the correspondence with familiar gauge theory in the small ρ limit, we conjecture that continuous spin particles may in fact mediate known long-range forces, with testable consequences.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Trapping light in air with membrane metasurfaces for vibrational strong coupling

Optical metasurfaces can manipulate electromagnetic waves in unprecedented ways at ultra-thin engineered interfaces. Specifically, in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) region, metasurfaces have enabled numerous biochemical sensing, spectroscopy, and vibrational strong coupling (VSC) applications via enhanced light-matter interactions in resonant cavities. However, mid-IR metasurfaces are usually fabricated on solid supporting substrates, which degrade resonance quality factors (Q) and hinder efficient sample access to the near-field electromagnetic hotspots. Besides, typical IR-transparent substrate materials with low refractive indices, such as CaF 2 , NaCl, KBr, and ZnSe, are usually either water-soluble, expensive, or not compatible with low-cost mass manufacturing processes. Here, we present novel free-standing Si-membrane mid-IR metasurfaces with strong light-trapping capabilities in accessible air voids. We employ the Brillouin zone folding technique to excite tunable, high-Q quasi-bound states in the continuum (qBIC) resonances with our highest measured Q-factor of 722. Leveraging the strong field localizations in accessible air cavities, we demonstrate VSC with multiple quantities of PMMA molecules and the qBIC modes at various detuning frequencies. Our new approach of fabricating mid-IR metasurfaces into semiconductor membranes enables scalable manufacturing of mid-IR photonic devices and provides exciting opportunities for quantum-coherent light-matter interactions, biochemical sensing, and polaritonic chemistry. The authors introduce a mid-IR metasurface fabricated by decorating a free-standing Si-membrane with air holes. The enhanced light-matter interactions in such air cavities enable vibrational strong coupling and advanced biochemical sensing.

infrared spectroscopy↗

The formal path integral and quantum mechanics

Given an arbitrary Lagrangian function on R{sup d} and a choice of classical path, one can try to define Feynman's path integral supported near the classical path as a formal power series parameterized by 'Feynman diagrams', although these diagrams may diverge. We compute this expansion and show that it is (formally, if there are ultraviolet divergences) invariant under volume-preserving changes of coordinates. We prove that if the ultraviolet divergences cancel at each order, then our formal path integral satisfies a 'Fubini theorem' expressing the standard composition law for the time evolution operator in quantum mechanics. Moreover, we show that when the Lagrangian is inhomogeneous quadratic in velocity such that its homogeneous-quadratic part is given by a matrix with constant determinant, then the divergences cancel at each order. Thus, by 'cutting and pasting' and choosing volume-compatible local coordinates, our construction defines a Feynman-diagrammatic 'formal path integral' for the nonrelativistic quantum mechanics of a charged particle moving in a Riemannian manifold with an external electromagnetic field.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Electromagnetic interference assessment of an ion drive electric propulsion system

An electric propulsion thrust system has the capability of providing a high specific impulse for long duration scientific missions in space. The EMI from the elements of an ion engine was characterized. The compatibility of ion drive electric propulsion systems with typical interplanetary spacecraft engineering was predicted.

Whittlesey, A. C.↗

A 1D Model of Radial Ion Motion Interrupted by Ion–Neutral Interactionsin a Cometary Coma

Because ion–neutral reaction cross sections are energy dependent, the distance from a cometary nucleus within which ions remain collisionally coupled to the neutrals is dictated not only by the comet’s activity level but also by the electromagnetic fields in the coma. Here we present a 1D model simulating the outward radial motion of water group ions with radial acceleration by an ambipolar electric field interrupted primarily by charge transfer processes with H{sub 2}O. We also discuss the impact of plasma waves. For a given electric field profile, the model calculates key parameters, including the total ion density, n {sub I}, the H{sub 3}O{sup +}/H{sub 2}O{sup +} number density and flux ratios, R {sub dens} and R {sub flux}, and the mean ion drift speed, 〈u{sub I}〉, as a function of cometocentric distance. We focus primarily on a coma roughly resembling that of the ESA Rosetta mission target comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko near its perihelion in 2015 August. In the presence of a weak ambipolar electric field in the radial direction the model results suggest that the neutral coma is not sufficiently dense to keep the mean ion flow speed close to that of the neutrals by the spacecraft location (∼200 km from the nucleus). In addition, for electric field profiles giving n {sub I} and 〈u{sub I}〉 within limits constrained by measurements, the R {sub dens} values are significantly higher than values typically observed. However, when including the ion motion in large-amplitude plasma waves in the model, results more compatible with observations are obtained. We suggest that the variable and often low H{sub 3}O{sup +}/H{sub 2}O{sup +} number density ratios observed may reflect nonradial ion trajectories strongly influenced by electromagnetic forces and/or plasma instabilities, with energization of the ion population by plasma waves.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Optical leakage mitigation in ortho-mode transducer detectors for microwave applications

Ortho-mode transducers (OMT) are a commonly used method of coupling opti-cal signals between waveguides and on-chip circuitry and detectors. While the ideal OMT-waveguide coupling requires minimal disturbance to the waveguide, when used for mm-wave applications the waveguide is often slide though and the OMT probes inserted on a thin support membrane. This interface is a potential source of signal leakage and can lead to signal loss and experimental systematics (e.g. in CMB polarization experiments where lost signal can result in temperature to polarization leakage). Here we report on the development of new OMT- waveguide coupling structures with the goal of reducing leakage at the horn-to-detector-wafer interface. The pixel to pixel optical leakage due to the gap be-tween the coupling waveguide and the backshort is reduced by means of a protrusion that passes through the OMT membrane and connects the waveguide sections on each side of the wafer. High frequency electromagnetic simulations indicate that these protrusions can reduce optical leakage in the gap by ~80% percent, with a ~60% filling factor, respect to an ordinary OMT coupling without protrusion, using designs that are compatible with current fabrication processes. We describe the design of the new coupling structure including the impact of varying two key parameters: wafer to optical coupling gap and protrusion fill factor. Prototype devices have been designed that will characterize the performance of the new design using a relative measurement with varying filling factors. We describe the simulation setup and results, and present a chip layout and sample box designed to perform an initial measurement.

Detectors↗

A SEARCH FOR CONCENTRIC CIRCLES IN THE 7 YEAR WILKINSON MICROWAVE ANISOTROPY PROBE TEMPERATURE SKY MAPS

In this Letter, we search for concentric circles with low variance in cosmic microwave background sky maps. The detection of such circles would hint at new physics beyond the current cosmological concordance model, which states that the universe is isotropic and homogeneous, and filled with Gaussian fluctuations. We first describe a set of methods designed to detect such circles, based on matched filters and {chi}{sup 2} statistics, and then apply these methods to the best current publicly available data, the 7 year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) temperature sky maps. We compare the observations with an ensemble of 1000 Gaussian {Lambda}CDM simulations. Based on these tests, we conclude that the WMAP sky maps are fully compatible with the Gaussian and isotropic hypothesis as measured by low-variance ring statistics.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗