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DOE OSTI2024

High-Fidelity Velocity and Concentration Measurements of Turbulent Buoyant Jets

Accurate models of turbulent buoyant flows are essential for the design of the cooling circuit of nuclear reactors and passive safety systems. However, available models fail to fully capture the physics of turbulent mixing when buoyancy becomes predominant with respect to momentum. Therefore, high-fidelity experiments of well-controlled fundamental flows are needed to develop and validate more accurate models. We analyze experiments of positive and negative turbulent buoyant jets, both in uniform and stratified environments, with the aim of understanding the thermal hydraulics of turbulent mixing with variable density and providing high-fidelity data for the development and validation of turbulence models. Non-intrusive, simultaneous particle image velocimetry and laser-induced fluorescence measurements were carried out to acquire instantaneous velocity and concentration fields on a vertical section parallel to the axis of a jet in the self-similar region. The refractive index matching method was applied to measure high-resolution buoyant jets with up to 8.6% density difference. These data are free of the typical errors that characterize optical measurements of buoyancy-driven flows (e.g. natural and mixed convection) where the refractive index of the fluid is inhomogeneous throughout the measurement domain. Turbulent statistics and entrainment of buoyant jets in uniform and stratified environments are presented. These data are compared with non-buoyant jets in a uniform environment, as a reference to investigate the effects of buoyancy and stratification on turbulent mixing. The results will be used for the assessment of current turbulence models and as a basis for the development of a new model that captures turbulent mixing.

laser induced fluorescence↗

DOE OSTI2023

Nonlinear Loss Engineering in Near‐Zero‐Index Bulk Materials

Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) show unprecedented optical nonlinearities in the near infrared wavelength range, where the real part of their linear refractive index approaches zero. More specifically, the Kerr nonlinearities of these materials have sparked widespread attention due to their magnitude and speed. However, due to the absorptive nature of these nonlinear processes, it is of fundamental interest to further investigate the imaginary component of the nonlinear index. The present work studies the nonlinear optical absorption properties of aluminium‐doped zinc oxide (AZO) thin films in their near‐zero‐index (NZI) spectral window. It is found that the imaginary part of the refractive index is reduced under optical excitation such that the field penetration depth more than doubles. An optically induced shift of the NZI bandwidth of ≈120 nm for a pump intensity of 1.3 TW cm −2 is also demonstrated. Looking into the optically induced spectral redistribution of the probe signal, local net gain is recorded, which is ascribed to a nonlinear adiabatic energy transfer. The present study adds key information about the fundamental interplay between real and imaginary nonlinear indices in NZI media, while advancing parametric amplification as viable direction for loss compensation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS2019

Tunable mid-wave infrared spectral filters based on GexSbyTez for multispectral imaging

The mid-wave infrared (MWIR) spectrum contains a wealth of invaluable information including the spectral ‘fingerprint’ of many chemical species and has applications in remote sensing and astronomical imaging. Traditionally, filtering for the MWIR is achieved by means of passive multilayer interference (dichroic) filters, Fabry-Perot-based micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) filters, liquid crystal tunable filters, and focal plane array (FPA) filters. For accurate multispectral imaging applications, these approaches suffer from various limitations such as: having moving parts; exhibiting slow response times, and; having limited spectral bandwidth / resolution. Recently, there has been significant interest toward ‘active’ spectral imaging technologies, whereby the ability to provide electrically tunable narrowband filtering—spanning the entire MWIR—is highly desirable. In this work we introduce a new spectral imaging technology, namely actively tunable optical transmission filters using the phase-change material (PCM) GexSbyTez (GST). The GST exhibits a large, reversible change in its refractive index across the MWIR upon a phase transition (from amorphous to crystalline). This refractive index modulation governs the filter’s optical characteristics. Through an optical stimulus or applied voltage—which changes the GST state from amorphous to crystalline—one can actively tune the filter with MHz speed. We incorporate GST into optimized guided mode resonance (GMR) and plasmonic nanohole array (PNA) device architectures, enabling <10nm spectral resolution and tunable operation across 3~5µm. Our proposed PCM-MWIR filter will be able to extract the maximum amount of ‘useful’ information within the atmosphere for remote Earth sensing measurements at operational speeds orders of magnitude faster than current airborne-based sensors. Moreover, it may enable affordable SmallSat-based MWIR instrumentation which is complimentary to other observation systems. The MISSE (Materials International Space Station Experiment-Flight Facility) experiment has been proposed as a testbed for a PCM-based tunable MWIR filter module to allow exposure of the module to the low Earth orbit space environment. This will provide valuable data regarding the robustness of the filter to withstand the radiation and atomic oxygen environment and allow assessment of the technology for use in space applications.

Kim, Hyun Jung↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

TPSAS-NF1676L-19067-DND

We discuss methods to separate absorbing carbonaceous aerosols and dust in the AERONET database, including using the imaginary refractive index and the absorbing Angstrom exponent (AAE). Carbonaceous aerosols can be separated from dust in imaginary refractive index space because 95% of biomass burning aerosols have imaginary indices greater than 0.0042 at the 675--1020 nm wavelengths, and 95% of dust has imaginary refractive indices of less than 0.0042 at the 675--1020 nm wavelengths. Alternatively, about 25% of the AAE histogram for "pure dust" overlaps with 75% of the biomass burning AAE histogram, and unique identification of carbonaceous and dust species through AAE analysis is not possible for data in the overlap region.

Greg Schuster↗

NASA NTRS1986

Observations of mesoscale vertical velocities around frontal zones

Vertical velocity and reflectivity data obtained with a VHF Doppler radar over a 15-day period in October and November of 1981 are analyzed. Standard radiosonde data and surface observations were used to locate two occluded fronts, two warm fronts, and a cold front that passed the radar site. These fronts are also evident in the radar reflectivity data. Most studies of the vertical circulation patterns associated with mososcale systems have used precipitation and cloud formations as tracers. Unlike other observational techniques, the VHF radar permits the continuous measurement of the three-dimensional air velocity vector in time and height from a fixed location. With the beam in a vertically pointing position, signals are scattered from turbulent variations in the refractive index with half the scale of the radar wavelength and by regions with sudden changes in the refractive index associated with horizontally stratified layers. Generally, the strongest echoes occur at the maximum in the vertical gradient of refractivity, usually at the base of a temperature inversion, such as the tropopause. VHF radars can also be used to locate atmospheric fronts, which are characterized by static stability, large horizontal temperature gradients, large vorticities, and vertical wind shears. These radars can provide the velocity field data needed to study wave motions associated with fronts and compare the actual vertical circulation to theoretical predictions.

Dennis, T. S.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Remote sensing of vegetation and soil using microwave ellipsometry

A method is described of determining vegetation height and water content of vegetation from the intensity and state of elliptical polarization of a reflected train of microwaves. The method comprises the steps of reflecting a circularly polarized train of microwaves from vegetation at a predetermined angle of incidence and detecting the reflected train of microwaves. The ratio of the intensities of the electric field vector components is determined, the phase difference of the components is measured, and the refractive index and thickness of the layer of vegetation are computed from a formula. The refractive index is given essentially by the water content of the vegetation.

Auer, S. O.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Optical properties of the ash from El Chichon volcano

The visible wavelength optical properties of the ash from the 1982 El Chichon eruptions are measured using ash samples collected at three surface sites at distances between 12 and 80 km from the volcano. The most distant sample is assumed to be the most representative of the silicate ash injected into the stratosphere. The measured optical properties are presented as a complex refractive index n, while the aerosol absorption is expressed as the imaginary component of the refractive index, n sub IM. Results show that each of these samples exhibited low values of absorption, with n sub IM at 500 nm ranging from 0.0015 for the 12 km sample to 0.001 for the 80 km sample. Based on these measurements, it is estimated that n for the stratospheric silicate ash is given by n = 1.53 - 0.001i.

Patterson, E. M.↗

NASA NTRS1997

Spectral Density of Laser Beam Scintillation in Wind Turbulence: Theory - Part 1

The temporal spectral density of the log-amplitude scintillation of a laser beam wave due to a spatially dependent vector-valued crosswind (deterministic as well as random) is evaluated. The path weighting functions for normalized spectral moments are derived, and offer a potential new technique for estimating the wind velocity profile. The Tatarskii-Klyatskin stochastic propagation equation for the Markov turbulence model is used with the solution approximated by the Rytov method. The Taylor 'frozen-in' hypothesis is assumed for the dependence of the refractive index on the wind velocity, and the Kolmogorov spectral density is used for the refractive index field.

Balakrishnan, A. V.↗

NASA NTRS2016

Application of Scanning-Imaging X-Ray Microscopy to Fluid Inclusion Candidates in Carbonates of Carbonaceous Chondrites

In order to search for such fluid inclusions in carbonaceous chondrites, a nondestructive technique using x-ray micro-absorption tomography combined with FIB sampling was developed and applied to a carbonaceous chondrite. They found fluid inclusion candidates in calcite grains, which were formed by aqueous alteration. However, they could not determine whether they are really aqueous fluids or merely voids. Phase and absorption contrast images can be simultaneously obtained in 3D by using scanning-imaging x-ray microscopy (SIXM). In refractive index, n=1-sigma+i(beta), in the real part, 1-sigma is the refractive index with decrement, sigma, which is nearly proportional to the density, and the imaginary part, beta, is the extinction coefficient, which is related to the liner attenuation coefficient, mu. Many phases, including water and organic materials as well as minerals, can be identified by SIXM, and this technique has potential availability for Hayabusa-2 sample analysis too. In this study, we examined quantitative performance of d and m values and the spatial resolution in SIXM by using standard materials, and applied this technique to carbonaceous chondrite samples. We used POM ([CH2O]n), silicon, quartz, forsterite, corundum, magnetite and nickel as standard materials for examining the sigma and mu values. A fluid inclusion in terrestrial quartz and bi-valve shell (Atrina vexillum), which are composed of calcite and organic layers with different thickness, were also used for examining the spatial resolution. The Ivuna (CI) and Sutter's Mill (CM) meteorites were used as carbonaceous chondrite samples. Rod- or cube-shaped samples 20-30 micron in size were extracted by using FIB from cross-sectional surfaces of the standard materials or polished thin sections of the chondrites, which was previously observed with SEM. Then, the sample was attached to a thin W-needle and imaged by SIXM system at beamline BL47XU, SPring-8, Japan. The slice thickness was 109.3 nm and the pixel size was mostly 100 nm.

Tsuchiyama, Akira↗

NASA NTRS1974

Interpretation of the polarization of Venus

The linear polarization of sunlight reflected by Venus is analyzed by comparing observations with extensive multiple scattering computations. The analysis establishes that Venus is veiled by a cloud or haze layer of spherical particles. The refractive index of the particles is about 1.44 at 0.55 microns with a normal dispersion, the refractive index decreasing from about 1.46 at 0.365 microns to 1.43 at 0.99 microns. The cloud particles have a narrow size distribution with a mean radius of about 1 micron; specifically, the effective radius of the size distribution is approximately 1.05 microns and the effective variance is about 0.07. The particles exist at a high level in the atmosphere, with the optical thickness unity occurring where the pressure is about 50 mb. The particle properties deduced from the polarization eliminate all but one of the cloud compositions which have been proposed for Venus. A concentrated solution of sulfuric acid provides good agreement with the polarization data.

Hansen, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Partial phase diagram for the system NH3-H2O - The water-rich region

Phase boundaries of the H2O-NH3 system for (NH3)/x/(H2O)/1-x/ have been determined with diamond-anvil cells for mixtures in two composition ranges: (1) for x in the range from 0 to 0.3, at pressures up to 4 GPa at 21 C, and (2) for x in the range from 0.46 to 0.50, at pressures up to 5 GPa from 150 to 400 K. Phases were identified visually with a microscope and polarized optics. The NH3.2(H2O) phase is strongly anisotropic with a much smaller refractive index than that of ice VII and cracks in two nonperpendicular networks. NH3.H2O has a refractive index closer to that of Ice VII and does not appear to form cracks. Both phases are colorless. Phase boundaries were determined on both increasing and decreasing pressures, and compositions of the ammonia ices were determined by estimating relative amounts of water and ammonia ices at known overall compositions. For low-ammonia compositions (x equal to or less than 0.15), the following assemblages succedd one another as pressure increases: liquid; liquid and Ice VI (at 1.0 + GPa); liquid and Ice VII (at 2.1 GPa); Ice VII and NH3.H2O (at 3.5 GPa). For x in the range from 0.15 to 0.30, the water ice and liquid fields are replaced by the NH3.2(H2O) and liquid field at pressures down to 1.0 GPa and lower.

Johnson, M. L.↗

NASA NTRS2016

Optical Phased Array Using Guided Resonance with Backside Reflectors

Methods and systems for controlling the phase of electromagnetic waves are disclosed. A device can consist of a guided resonance grating layer, a spacer, and a reflector. A plurality of devices, arranged in a grid pattern, can control the phase of reflected electromagnetic phase, through refractive index control. Carrier injection, temperature control, and optical beams can be applied to control the refractive index.

Horie, Yu↗

NASA NTRS2018

Optical Phased Array Using Guided Resonance with Backside Reflectors

Horie, Yu↗

NASA NTRS1979

Determination of the ground albedo and the index of absorption of atmospheric particulates by remote sensing. I - Theory

A statistical technique is developed for inferring the optimum values of the ground albedo and the effective imaginary term of the complex refractive index of atmospheric particulates. The procedure compares measurements of the ratio of the hemispheric diffuse to directly transmitted solar flux density at the earth's surface with radiative transfer computations of the same as suggested by Herman et al. (1975). A detailed study is presented which shows the extent to which the ratio of diffuse to direct solar radiation is sensitive to many of the radiative transfer parameters. Results indicate that the optical depth and size distribution of atmospheric aerosol particles are the two parameters which uniquely specify the radiation field to the point where ground albedo and index of absorption can be inferred. Varying the real part of the complex refractive index of atmospheric particulates as well as their vertical distribution is found to have a negligible effect on the diffuse-direct ratio. The statistical procedure utilizes a semi-analytic gradient search method from least-squares theory and includes a detailed error analysis.

King, M. D.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Nature of the Venus clouds as derived from their polarization

The linear polarization of sunlight reflected by Venus is analyzed by comparing observations with extensive multiple scattering computations. The analysis establishes that Venus is veiled by a cloud or haze layer of particles which have a narrow size distribution with a mean radius of about 1 micron. The refractive index of the particles is 1.44 at 0.55 micron wavelength with a small normal dispersion, the refractive index decreasing from the ultraviolet toward the infrared. The particles exist at a high level in the atmosphere, with the optical thickness unity occurring where the pressure is about 50 mb. The particle properties deduced from the polarization eliminate all but one of the cloud compositions which have been proposed for Venus. A concentrated solution of sulfuric acid provides good agreement with the polarization data.

Hansen, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1972

An experimental investigation of radiative properties of aluminum oxide particles.

The radiative properties of aluminum oxide at high temperatures were determined at various wavelengths. Absorption cross-sections of aluminum oxide particles averaged over a particle size distribution were determined by measuring the radiative emission from the particles in a flame and by determining the particle number density and size distribution from measurements of the scattering of laser light incident on the particles in this flame. From these values of average absorption cross-section, the imaginary part of the refractive index was deduced. Results indicate that the absorption cross-section and the imaginary part of the refractive index increase as the temperature increases in the range from 1920 to 2610 K, and that these properties decrease with increasing wavelength in the interval from 0.35 to 1.2 micron, indicating a nongray-body behavior.

Mularz, E. J.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Time-refraction near the critical angle and angular streaking with attosecond resolution [Invited]

We study the time-refraction of optical waves as they propagate through a time-varying slab and find the frequency shift associated with the abrupt change in the refractive index. We discover a geometrical mechanism responsible for an ultrafast blueshift followed by a redshift, occurring while the refractive index is increased monotonically. Furthermore, we find high sensitivity to incident angles near the traditional critical angle and unravel a new critical angle that varies in time. Finally, we introduce an innovative concept of a streak camera design that utilizes ultrafast nonlinearities in time-varying media and offers attosecond resolution capabilities.

Fruhling, Colton (ORCID:0000000282968802)↗

NASA NTRS1995

Two color holographic interferometry for microgravity application

Holographic interferometry is a primary candidate for determining temperature and concentration in crystal growth experiments designed for space. The method measures refractive index changes within the fluid of an experimental test cell resulting from temperature and/or concentration changes. When the refractive index changes are caused by simultaneous temperature and concentration changes, the contributions of the two effects cannot be separated by single wavelength interferometry. By using two wavelengths, however, two independent interferograms can provide the additional independent equation required to determine the two unknowns. There is no other technique available that provides this type of information. The primary objectives of this effort were to experimentally verify the mathematical theory of two color holographic interferometry (TCHI) and to determine the practical value of this technique for space application. In the foregoing study, the theory of TCHI has been tested experimentally over a range of interest for materials processing in space where measurements of temperature and concentration in a solution are required. New techniques were developed and applied to stretch the limits beyond what could be done with existing procedures. The study resulted in the production of one of the most advanced, enhanced sensitivity holographic interferometers in existence. The interferometric measurements made at MSFC represent what is believed to be the most accurate holographic interferometric measurements made in a fluid to date. The tests have provided an understanding of the limitations of the technique in practical use.

Trolinger, James D.↗