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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 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

Characterization of interfacial failure in SiC reinforced Si3N4 matrix composite material by both fiber push-out testing and Auger electron spectroscopy

AES depth profiling and a fiber push-out test for interfacial shear-strength determination have been used to ascertain the mechanical/chemical properties of the fiber/matrix interface in SiC-reinforced reaction-bonded Si3N4, with attention to the weak point where interfacial failure occurs. In the cases of both composite fracture and fiber push-outs, the interfacial failure occurred either between the two C-rich coatings that are present on the double-coated SiC fibers, or between the inner C-rich coating and the SiC fiber. Interface failure occurs at points of very abrupt concentration changes.

Eldridge, J. I.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Efficiency droop contributors in InGaN green light emitting diodes

Here, efficiency droop contributors (i.e., inherent Auger–Meitner recombination, polarization-induced effects, thermal effects, and light extraction) in InGaN green light emitting diodes (LEDs) are decoupled and quantified. First, a modified ABC model is developed, and external quantum efficiency measurements are taken under constant and pulsed currents (⁠ EQE Constant and EQE Pulsed ⁠, respectively). The LED internal quantum efficiency with and without thermal effects (⁠ IQE$^{ABC}_{Constant}$ and IQE$^{ABC}_{Pulsed}$⁠, respectively) is extracted using the modified model. Then, using Raman spectroscopy, the LED junction temperature is extracted. Finally, using the optical-electrical model (OEM), the polarization- and temperature-independent LED internal quantum efficiency (⁠ IQE OEM ) is calculated from the modified ABC model and the extracted junction temperature. By comparing external (⁠ EQE Constant ⁠) and the three internal quantum efficiencies (⁠ IQE$^{ABC}_{Constant}$, IQE$^{ABC}_{Pulsed}$⁠, and IQE OEM ), the impacts of inherent Auger–Meitner recombination, polarization-induced effects, thermal effects, and light extraction on the efficiency droop are decoupled and quantified. It is found that inherent Auger–Meitner recombination-induced droop is approximately 49% of the total efficiency droop in commercial green LEDs, while polarization-induced effects contribute about 35%, and thermal droop accounts for nearly 16%. Lastly, these findings suggest, to quash the green gap, it is critical to search for materials and device designs with low inherent Auger–Meitner coefficients and polarization fields, respectively.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Energy variation of double K -shell photoionization of Ne

Herein we report on an experimental and theoretical study of double K-shell photoionization of Ne over the 2.3–8.5 keV x-ray energy range. The ratio of double-to-single K-shell photoionization cross sections was determined experimentally by measuring the relative rates of the KK–KL 2,3 L 2,3 ( 2 D) Auger hypersatellite and the K–L 2,3 L 2,3 ( 1 D) diagram Auger transitions. By scaling the hypersatellite-diagram Auger-electron ratios to KK/K cross-section ratios, comparison was made with theoretical cross-section ratios of He-like Ne 8+ determined by the R matrix with pseudostates method. The experimental Ne and theoretical Ne 8+ cross-section ratios show similar variations with energy, but the experimental ratios systematically exceed the calculated ratios and also show a lower threshold energy for double K-shell photoionization onset compared to the computed Ne 8+ threshold. The discrepancy is attributed to effects of L-shell electrons not included in the He-like Ne 8+ calculations. Quantified scaling with nuclear charge Z along the He-like isoelectronic sequence indicates that the measured 10-electron Z = 10 double K-shell photoionization cross section behaves like the computed He-like Z = 8.9 cross section, suggesting an effective nuclear screening parameter of s L =1.1 by the additional eight outer L-shell electrons. Experimental results for the energy variations of Auger electron transitions from other multielectron hole states are also discussed.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1975

Widths of atomic 4s and 4p vacancy states, 46 less than or equal to Z less than or equal to 50

Auger and X-ray photoelectron spectra involving N1, N2, and N3 vacancy states of Pd, Ag, Cd, In, and Sn were measured and compared with results of free atom calculations. As previously observed in Cu and Zn Auger spectra that involve 3d-band electrons, free-atom characteristics with regard to widths and structure were found in the Ag and Cd M4-N4,5N4,5 and M5-N4,5N4,5 Auger spectra that arise from transitions of 4d-band electrons. Theoretical N1 widths computed with calculated free-atom Auger energies agree well with measurements. Theory however predicts wider N2 than N3 vacancy states (as observed for Xe), while the measured N2 and N3 widths are nearly equal to each other and to the average of the calculated N2 and N3 widths. The calculations are made difficult by the exceedingly short lifetime of some 4p vacancies and by the extreme sensitivity of super-Coster-Kronig rates, which dominate the deexcitation, to the transition energy and to the fine details of the atomic potential.

Hsiungchen, M.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Widths of atomic 4s and 4p vacancy states, Z between 46 and 50

X-ray photoelectron and Auger spectra involving N sub 1, N sub 2, and N sub 3 vacancy states of Pd, Ag, Cd, In, and Sn were measured and compared with results of free-atom calculations. As previously observed in Cu and Zn Auger spectra that involve 3d-band electrons, free-atom characteristics are found, with regard to widths and structure, in the Ag and Cd M sub 4-N sub 4,5 N sub 4,5 and M sub 5-N sub 4,5 N sub 4,5 Auger spectra that arise from transitions of 4d-band electrons. Theoretical N sub 1 widths computed with calculated free-atom Auger energies agree well with measurements. Theory, however, predicts wider N sub 2 than N sub 3 vacancy states (as observed for Xe), while the measured N sub 2 and N sub 3 widths are nearly equal to each other and to the average of the calculated N sub 2 and N sub 3 widths. The calculations are made difficult by the exceedingly short lifetime of some 4 p vacancies and by the extreme sensitivity of super-Coster-Kronig rates, which dominate the deexcitation to the transition energy and to the fine details of the atomic potential.

Chen, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Atomic Data for the K-Vacancy States of Fe XXIV

As part of a project to compute improved atomic data for the spectral modeling of iron K lines, we report extensive calculations and comparisons of atomic data for K-vacancy states in Fe XXIV. The data sets include: (i) energy levels, line wavelengths, radiative and Auger rates; (ii) inner-shell electron impact excitation rates and (iii) fine structure inner-shell photoionization cross sections. The calculations of energy levels and radiative and Auger rates have involved a detailed study of orbital representations, core relaxation, configuration interaction, relativistic corrections, cancellation effects and semi-empirical corrections. It is shown that a formal treatment of the Breit interaction is essential to render the important magnetic correlations that take part in the decay pathways of this ion. As a result, the accuracy of the present A-values is firmly ranked at better than 10% while that of the Auger rates at only 15%. The calculations of collisional excitation and photoionization cross sections take into account the effects of radiation and spectator Auger dampings. In the former, these effects cause significant attenuation of resonances leading to a good agreement with a simpler method where resonances are excluded. In the latter, resonances converging to the K threshold display symmetric profiles of constant width that causes edge smearing.

Bautista, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Atomic Data for the K-vacancy States of Fe XXIV

As part of a project to compute improved atomic data for the spectral modeling of iron K lines, we report extensive calculations and comparisons of atomic data for K-vacancy states in Fe XXIV. The data sets include: (i) energy levels, line wavelengths, radiative and Auger rates; (ii) inner-shell electron impact excitation rates and (iii) fine structure inner-shell photoionization cross sections. The calculations of energy levels and radiative and Auger rates have involved a detailed study of orbital representations, core relaxation, configuration interaction, relativistic corrections, cancellation effects and semi-empirical corrections. It is shown that a formal treatment of the Breit interaction is essential to render the important magnetic correlations that take part in the decay pathways of this ion. As a result, the accuracy of the present A-values is firmly ranked at better than 10% while that of the Auger rates at only 15%. The calculations of collisional excitation and photoionization cross sections take into account the effects of radiation and spectator Auger dampings. In the former, these effects cause significant attenuation of resonances leading to a good agreement with a simpler method where resonances are excluded. In the latter, resonances converging to the K threshold display symmetric profiles of constant width that causes edge smearing.

Bautista, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS2009

The Orbiting Wide-Angle Light Collectors (OWL) Mission for Charged-Particle Astronomy

The space-based OWL mission is designed to perform high-statistics measurements of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECR) using the Earth's atmosphere as a vast particle calorimeter, furthering the field of charged-particle astronomy. OWL has been developed in formal NASA instrument and mission studies and is comprised of two large telescopes separated by approx.600 km in 1000 km, near-equatorial orbits to stereoscopically image the near-UV air fluorescence emitted by UHECR-induced particle cascades. The High Resolution Fly's Eye (HiRes) Collaboration, and subsequently the Pierre Auger Observatory, recently reported confirmation of the expected Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuzmin (GZK) suppression of the UHECR flux above a few times 10(exp 19) eV. This observation is consistent with the majority of UHECR originating in astrophysical objects and reduces the need to invoke exotic physical processes. Particles observed above the GZK threshold energy must have come from sources within about 100 Mpc from the Earth. The small particle deflection angles expected at UHECR energies, with standard assumptions of extragalactic magnetic fields, are on the order of 1 degree. Thus by observing particles above the GZK threshold with sufficient exposure, there is the potential of identifying and characterizing individual UHECR sources. Auger has reported significant anisotropy in the arrival directions of UHECR at energies above about 6 10(exp 19) eV observed in the South, and a correlation to AGN in the 12th VCV catalog, suggesting that the sources of UHECR are traced by the distribution of luminous matter in the Universe. However, with similar statistics and the same event selection criteria, HiRes observations in the North are consistent with isotropy. Extended observations by Auger-South, by Telescope Array in the North, and possibly by the proposed Auger-North, will further these investigations. However, much greater exposures will be required to fully identify individual sources and measure their cosmic ray spectra. A five-year OWL mission would deliver approximately 10(exp 6)sq km/sr/yr of exposure with full aperture reached at approx. 10(exp 19) eV. The baseline 3 m optical aperture OWL telescopes with 45 degree full field-of-view are easily accomodated on a single conventional launch vehicle. On orbit, the simultaneous viewing of the same volume of atmosphere allows for precise stereo event reconstruction, which is nearly independent of the inclination of the particle track and tolerant of atmospheric conditions. The availability of monocular operation provides increased reliability or can be employed to increase the instantaneous aperture. In stereo mode, OWL is also capable of fully reconstructing horizontal or upward-moving showers and so has unmatched sensitivity to neutrino-induced events. The details of the OWL mission will he presented and its science capabilities will be discussed.

Mitchell, John↗
DOE OSTI2022

Modeling Heat Transfer and Reaction Kinetics of Biomass in Pyrolysis Feeding Systems

Biomass feedstocks can be used to produce low carbon-intensity chemicals and liquid fuels by displacing fossil-fuel sources. Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of biomass in the absence of oxygen and can be used to produce crude biofuels. A typical feeding mechanism for pyrolysis reactors is by lock hopper followed by a horizontal auger feeder. Particle agglomeration and plugging of the auger screw are regularly occurring phenomena that is detrimental to the process since it results in the need for periodic inspection and cleaning. The underlying mechanisms leading to agglomeration and plugging are unclear, but a working hypothesis is that heat from the reactor raises the temperature of the biomass in the feeder to the point at which preliminary decomposition reactions occur and produce "sticky" products. Using principles of heat and mass transfer, we derived one-dimensional differential equations for heat flow from the pyrolysis reactor through the auger feeder. Temperature profiles were solved from the system of one-dimensional differential equations using the shooting method. Subsequently, we used the temperature profiles as a one-way coupling to a reaction model for the biomass in the feeder. Kinetic models were adopted from the literature and used to predict the formation of intermediates, products, char, extractives, and metaplastics as well as phase changes along the auger feeder. Species were identified that correlated with softening of the biomass, causing it to become sticky and plug the feeder. We will discuss the details of this work, our findings, and the direction of future work that includes fully coupled transport and reaction-kinetics simulations.

BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

New full-sky studies of the distribution of ultra-high-energy cosmic-ray arrival directions

Ground-based full-sky studies of the angular distribution of arrival directions of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays require combining data from different observatories, such as the Pierre Auger Observatory (Auger) and the Telescope Array (TA), because no single array can cover all declinations. A working group comprising members from the Auger and TA collaborations has been tasked with performing such studies for more than a decade and has found several indications of full-sky anisotropies. Here, we update the results for the large- and medium-scale anisotropy analyses using the latest data from TA, which include corrections for daily and yearly atmospheric effects in data for large-scale anisotropies and looser selection criteria in data for medium-scale anisotropies. We extend the latter one by considering two more galaxy catalogues, consisting of jetted or all AGNs. Finally we also introduce a new angular harmonic space analysis that allows us to measure both the auto-correlation and cross-correlation with all catalogues for all multipoles independently ($\ell_\text{max} = 20$ in this work) and scanning the energy threshold.

Abdul Halim, A. [Adelaide U.]↗
DOE OSTI2025

Charged- and Multi-Exciton Dynamics in Colloidal Quantum Dot Molecules

Multicarrier states in quantum dots are confined to small volumes, resulting in increased nonradiative Auger recombination rates with implications for different optoelectronic applications. Recently, the fusion of two core-shell quantum dots into a dimer has provided a new physical landscape for multiexciton states, since the excitons may share a core (intradot, localized) or occupy different cores (interdot, segregated). Here, in this study, we employ transient absorption spectroscopy to investigate the multiexciton dynamics in coupled quantum dot dimers. We observe that multiexciton populations in the dimers live significantly longer in comparison to the parent monomers, in contrast to the single exciton regime. A kinetic model that accounts for the statistical differences between monomers and dimers reveals that, while intradot multiexcitons show Auger rates similar to the monomers, interdot states have reduced Auger rates. These results pave the way for the rational design of new quantum dot molecules with tailored multiexciton properties.

Auger recombination↗
DOE OSTI2020

Uncovering the Role of Hole Traps in Promoting Hole Transfer from Multiexcitonic Quantum Dots to Molecular Acceptors

The understanding of electronic dynamics in multiexcitonic quantum dots (QDs) is important for designing efficient systems useful in high power scenarios, such as solar concentrators and multielectron charge transfer. The multiple charge carriers within a QD can undergo undesired Auger recombination events, which rapidly annihilate carriers on picosecond time scales and generate heat from absorbed photons instead of useful work. Compared to the transfer of multiple electrons, the transfer of multiple holes has proven to be more difficult due to slower hole transfer rates. To probe the competition between Auger recombination and hole transfer in CdSe, CdS, and CdSe/CdS QDs of varying sizes, we synthesized a phenothiazine derivative with optimized functionalities for binding to QDs as a hole accepting ligand and for spectroscopic observation of hole transfer. Transient absorption spectroscopy was used to monitor the photoinduced absorption features from both trapped holes and oxidized ligands under excitation fluences where the averaged initial number of excitons in a QD ranged from ~1 to 19. We observed fluence-dependent hole transfer kinetics that last around 100 ps longer than the predicted Auger recombination lifetimes, and the transfer of up to 3 holes per QD. Theoretical modeling of the kinetics suggests that binding of hole acceptors introduces trapping states significantly different from those in native QDs passivated with oleate ligands. Holes in these modified trap states have prolonged lifetimes, which promotes the hole transfer efficiency. These results highlight the beneficial role of hole-trapping states in devising hole transfer pathways in QD-based systems under multiexcitonic conditions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗