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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
DOE OSTI2015

WE-AB-BRB-04: A Novel Monolithic Silicon 2D Detector Array for Use in Stereotactic Applications

Purpose: To assess the capability of a novel 2D monolithic silicon detector array in measuring stereotactic photon fields. Methods: The silicon array detector used in this work, named Magic Plate-512 (MP512), is a thin monolithic silicon wafer (52 × 52 × 0.47 mm{sup 3}) with 512 ion-implanted diodes (0.5 × 0.5 mm{sup 2}). Adjacent pixels are spaced evenly with 2 mm pitch, covering a maximum detection area 46 mm wide. Its fast, FPGA based read-out system is synchronised with the linac to allow readout of all pixels pulse-by-pulse. A clinical SABR lung plan (consisting of 9 single segment beams, 6MV) was measured with the array at 1.5 cm depth in a solid water phantom (100 cm SSD). The typical field size was in the range of 3 × 3 cm{sup 2} to 4 × 4 cm{sup 2}. Each beam was delivered at perpendicular incidence to the detector plane so as to avoid the need for angular dependence corrections. The fields were measured under the same conditions using Gafchromic EBT3 film for comparison. The film was scanned at 72 dpi resolution, with the red channel data used for analysis. Results: Average gamma passing rates of (92.3 ± 1.8) % for 2%/2mm criteria, and (86.6 ± 2.3) % for 1%/2mm criteria were achieved for MP512, using EBT3 film as the reference distribution. The detector array was able to accurately measure the full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM), to within (0.77 ± 0.01) mm accuracy when compared to film. The penumbral widths (80%-20%) were measured to within (0.30 ± 0.01) mm accuracy to film. Conclusion: The MP512 is a feasible option for measurement of stereotactic photon fields, with its high density of detection points making it useful for small field applications. The prototype array has demonstrated merit; in the future the development of a larger array detection area would be beneficial for clinical applications.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Tests of Scintillator+WLS Strips for Muon System at Future Colliders

Prototype scintilator+WLS strips with SiPM readout for muon system at future colliders were tested for light yield, time resolution and position resolution. Depending on the configuration, light yield of up to 36 photoelectrons per muon per SiPM has been achieved, as well as time resolution of 0.5 ns and position resolution of ~ 7 cm.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Note: Design and implementation of a home-built imaging system with low jitter for cold atom experiments

A novel home-built system for imaging cold atom samples is presented using a readily available astronomy camera which has the requisite sensitivity but no timing-control. We integrate the camera with LabVIEW achieving fast, low-jitter imaging with a convenient user-defined interface. We show that our system takes precisely timed millisecond exposures and offers significant improvements in terms of system jitter and readout time over previously reported home-built systems. Our system rivals current commercial “black box” systems in performance and user-friendliness.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS1972

Development of a three axis fluidic airspeed sensor

A three axis fluidic airspeed sensor system has been fabricated and wind tunnel tested. The complete system consists of the fluidic sensor, air power supply and instrumentation and readout. The system is adapted to aircraft and requires only the standard aircraft 28V dc supply to function.

Neradka, V. F.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Water system virus detection

A monitoring system developed to test the capability of a water recovery system to reject the passage of viruses into the recovered water is described. A nonpathogenic marker virus, bacteriophage F2, is fed into the process stream before the recovery unit and the reclaimed water is assayed for its presence. Detection of the marker virus consists of two major components, concentration and isolation of the marker virus, and detection of the marker virus. The concentration system involves adsorption of virus to cellulose acetate filters in the presence of trivalent cations and low pH with subsequent desorption of the virus using volumes of high pH buffer. The detection of the virus is performed by a passive immune agglutination test utilizing specially prepared polystyrene particles. An engineering preliminary design was performed as a parallel effort to the laboratory development of the marker virus test system. Engineering schematics and drawings of a fully functional laboratory prototype capable of zero-G operation are presented. The instrument consists of reagent pump/metering system, reagent storage containers, a filter concentrator, an incubation/detector system, and an electronic readout and control system.

Fraser, A. S.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Extension of the energy range accessible with a TES using bath temperature variations

The energy range of transition-edge sensor (TES) X-ray microcalorimeters with a multiplexed readout depends upon the width and shape of the TES superconducting transition, and also on the dynamic range of the readout. In many detector systems, the multiplexed readout slew rate capability will be the limiting factor for the energy range. In these cases, if we are willing to accept some energy resolution degradation, we can significantly extend the energy range by increasing the bath temperature of operation, essentially creating a second “extended energy range” mode of operation. For example, if we require the very highest energy resolution up to 7 keV, and wish to optimize the design up to this energy, for some measurements it could be very beneficial to have a mode where we can extend the energy range to 15–20 keV even if some energy resolution is sacrificed. In this paper, we explore the trade-off between dynamic range and energy resolution from changing the bath temperature of the TES. We present measurements of TES resolution and slew rate as a function of bath temperature and compare to numerical simulations.

S Beaumont↗
NASA NTRS1982

Agricultural Aircraft Aid

Farmers are increasingly turning to aerial applications of pesticides, fertilizers and other materials. Sometimes uneven distribution of the chemicals is caused by worn nozzles, improper alignment of spray nozzles or system leaks. If this happens, job must be redone with added expense to both the pilot and customer. Traditional pattern analysis techniques take days or weeks. Utilizing NASA's wind tunnel and computer validation technology, Dr. Roth, Oklahoma State University (OSU), developed a system for providing answers within minutes. Called the Rapid Distribution Pattern Evaluation System, the OSU system consists of a 100-foot measurement frame tied in to computerized analysis and readout equipment. System is mobile, delivered by trailer to airfields in agricultural areas where OSU conducts educational "fly-ins." A fly-in typically draws 50 to 100 aerial applicators, researchers, chemical suppliers and regulatory officials. An applicator can have his spray pattern checked. A computerized readout, available in five to 12 minutes, provides information for correcting shortcomings in the distribution pattern.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2017

Reconstructing Solar Particle Event Spectra from Absorbed Dose Measurements

The space radiation environment is unlike anything encountered on Earth. It is dominated by heavy charged particles consisting of highly charged nuclei with atomic numbers ranging from 1 to 94 with a broad spectrum of kinetic energies. The three primary sources of radiation in space are trapped belts, galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), and solar particle events (SPEs). The trapped belts are only of concern near bodies with significant magnetic fields and GCR flux spectra are relatively well-predicted using models that account for solar modulation of the local interstellar spectrum. SPEs, which consist primarily of protons, are difficult to predict in terms of occurrence, duration, intensity, and energy spectrum. SPE intensity and energy spectrum are critical for understanding radiation exposure-related health effects for astronauts in space. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) relies on data from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite series to characterize intensities and energy spectra of SPEs near Earth. However, these data are not applicable for spacecraft in other regions of the solar system. To understand the radiation environment for astronauts embarking on travel beyond Earth orbit, NASA is developing the Hybrid Electronic Radiation Assessor (HERA), a distributed dosimetry system that employs a solid-state silicon sensor coupled with the Timepix readout chip. The pixelated nature of the detector permits detailed analyses of charged particle tracks which can then be used to characterize the fluence spectrum at the location of the detector. Despite the unprecedented level of detail regarding the radiation environment provided by these detectors, knowledge of the fluence spectrum at all locations within the vehicle, specifically inside of astronauts, is desired to fully characterize the associated risk of harmful health effects. Radiation transport of the external radiation environment, considering the shielding provided by the vehicle, other objects, and even astronauts, is performed to obtain this information. Thus, there is clearly a need to define the external radiation environment using measurements performed within the vehicle. The number of detectors that may be flown as a part of HERA is limited by logistics, including data, power, and mass restrictions. The current configuration for crewed flight consists of six detectors at various locations with in the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV). It follows that an external proton fluence spectrum can be characterized with at most six energy bins with traditional matrix inversion techniques. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether it is possible to reconstruct SPE spectra with greater resolution from absorbed dose measurements and knowledge of the response of individual detectors using linear programming.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Time-resolved single-photon detection module based on silicon photomultiplier: A novel building block for time-correlated measurement systems

We present the design and preliminary characterization of the first detection module based on Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) tailored for single-photon timing applications. The aim of this work is to demonstrate, thanks to the design of a suitable module, the possibility to easily exploit SiPM in many applications as an interesting detector featuring large active area, similarly to photomultipliers tubes, but keeping the advantages of solid state detectors (high quantum efficiency, low cost, compactness, robustness, low bias voltage, and insensitiveness to magnetic field). The module integrates a cooled SiPM with a total photosensitive area of 1 mm{sup 2} together with the suitable avalanche signal read-out circuit, the signal conditioning, the biasing electronics, and a Peltier cooler driver for thermal stabilization. It is able to extract the single-photon timing information with resolution better than 100 ps full-width at half maximum. We verified the effective stabilization in response to external thermal perturbations, thus proving the complete insensitivity of the module to environment temperature variations, which represents a fundamental parameter to profitably use the instrument for real-field applications. We also characterized the single-photon timing resolution, the background noise due to both primary dark count generation and afterpulsing, the single-photon detection efficiency, and the instrument response function shape. The proposed module can become a reliable and cost-effective building block for time-correlated single-photon counting instruments in applications requiring high collection capability of isotropic light and detection efficiency (e.g., fluorescence decay measurements or time-domain diffuse optics systems).

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

An architecture for integrating planar and 3D cQED devices

Numerous loss mechanisms can limit coherence and scalability of planar and 3D-based circuit quantum electrodynamics (cQED) devices, particularly due to their packaging. The low loss and natural isolation of 3D enclosures make them good candidates for coherent scaling. We introduce a coaxial transmission line device architecture with coherence similar to traditional 3D cQED systems. Measurements demonstrate well-controlled external and on-chip couplings, a spectrum absent of cross-talk or spurious modes, and excellent resonator and qubit lifetimes. We integrate a resonator-qubit system in this architecture with a seamless 3D cavity, and separately pattern a qubit, readout resonator, Purcell filter, and high-Q stripline resonator on a single chip. Device coherence and its ease of integration make this a promising tool for complex experiments.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Ceramic Seal.

Containment/Surveillance (C/S) measures are critical to any verification regime in order to maintain Continuity of Knowledge (CoK). The Ceramic Seal project is research into the next generation technologies to advance C/S, in particular improving security and efficiency. The Ceramic Seal is a small form factor loop seal with improved tamper-indication including a frangible seal body, tamper planes, external coatings, and electronic monitoring of the seal body integrity. It improves efficiency through a self-securing wire and in-situ verification with a handheld reader. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), under sponsorship from the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development (DNN R&D), have previously designed and have now fabricated and tested Ceramic Seals. Tests have occurred at both SNL and SRNL, with different types of tests occurring at each facility. This interim report will describe the Ceramic Seal prototype, the design and development of a handheld standalone reader and an interface to a data acquisition system, fabrication of the seals, and results of initial testing.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
DOE OSTI2021

A PIPS + SrI 2 (Eu) detector for atmospheric radioxenon monitoring

The PIPS–SrI 2 (Eu) is a prototype atmospheric radioxenon detection system designed at Oregon State University in support of international efforts towards monitoring clandestine nuclear weapon testing activities. This detector aims to address some shortcomings found in currently deployed beta–gamma atmospheric radioxenon detection systems, such as lackluster energy resolution and memory effect, by employing modern detection materials and readout. The system uses a PIPSBox, a silicon-based gas cell, for electron detection, and a pair of ultrabright, D-shaped SrI 2 (Eu) scintillators coupled to silicon photomultipliers for photon detection. A custom eight-channel digital pulse processor equipped with a field programmable gate-array (FPGA) identifies electron–photon coincidences between the volumes in near real-time. Gas samples of the four radioxenon isotopes of interest were independently measured with the PIPS–SrI 2 (Eu) detection system to determine energy resolution and efficiency. Application of FPGA-based coincidence discrimination in near real-time reduced the ambient background count rate by 95.85 ± 0.04%. Using parameters from the Xenon International gas processing unit and assuming a blank sample and zero memory effect the minimum detectable concentrations (MDCs) for the isotopes were calculated to be 0.12 ± 0.03, 0.27 ± 0.05, 0.15 ± 0.02, and 1.00 ± 0.08 mBq/m 3 air for 131m Xe, 133 Xe, 133m Xe, and 135 Xe, respectively. These MDC estimates compare well with other radioxenon detection systems employed in the International Monitoring System (IMS) and indicate that the PIPS–SrI 2 (Eu) is in compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban-Treaty Organization (CTBTO) sensitivity requirement of ≤ 1 mBq/m 3 for 133 Xe.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

Coherent-state storage and retrieval between superconducting cavities using parametric frequency conversion

In superconducting quantum information, machined aluminum superconducting cavities have proven to be a well-controlled, low-dissipation electromagnetic environment for quantum circuits such as qubits. They can possess large internal quality factors, Q{sub int} > 10{sup 8}, and present the possibility of storing quantum information for times far exceeding those of microfabricated circuits. However, in order to be useful as a storage element, these cavities require a fast “read/write” mechanism—in other words, they require tunable coupling between other systems of interest such as other cavity modes and qubits, as well as any associated readout hardware. In this work, we demonstrate these qualities in a simple dual cavity architecture in which a low-Q “readout” mode is parametrically coupled to a high-Q “storage” mode, allowing us to store and retrieve classical information. Specifically, we employ a flux-driven Josephson junction-based coupling scheme to controllably swap coherent states between two cavities, demonstrating full, sequenced control over the coupling rates between modes.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2023

Scalable Skipper-CCD Analog Readout Electronics (SSCARE) for the Massive Multichannel OSCURA Experiment

We present a multiplexed analog readout electronics system for Skipper-CCDs based on the MIDNA ASIC. It allows for subelectron noise-level operation while maintaining a minimal number of acquisition channels. In addition, it requires low-disk storage and low-bandwidth data transfer with zero added multiplexing time during the simultaneous operation of thousands of channels. We describe the implementation of such a system in a new instrument composed by 16 sensors operated with a two-stage analog multiplexed readout scheme. The instrument is a part of the R&D effort of the OSCURA experiment.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Event driven readout architecture with non-priority arbitration for radiation detectors

A novel event driven readout architecture, EDWARD (Event Driven with Access and 8 Reset Decoder) architecture, for highly granular pixel detectors is presented. It incorporates, inter alia, an asynchronous arbitration tree based on Seitz' arbiters, removing the need for an imposed prioritization scheme. It also provides protection against glitches during readout. The system allows not only reading pixel activities, but also retrieving additional data, both analog and digital, from the pixels. A novel in-channel logic allows the entire readout process to be split into consecutive phases for additional flexibility. All operations are controlled by only one edge of the clock signal, seen as an acknowledge token, so there is no dead time between readouts.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2016

Optical trapping and control of nanoparticles inside evacuated hollow core photonic crystal fibers

We demonstrate an optical conveyor belt for levitated nanoparticles over several centimeters inside both air-filled and evacuated hollow-core photonic crystal fibers (HCPCF). Detection of the transmitted light field allows three-dimensional read-out of the particle center-of-mass motion. An additional laser enables axial radiation pressure based feedback cooling over the full fiber length. We show that the particle dynamics is a sensitive local probe for characterizing the optical intensity profile inside the fiber as well as the pressure distribution along the fiber axis. In contrast to some theoretical predictions, we find a linear pressure dependence inside the HCPCF, extending over three orders of magnitude from 0.2 mbar to 100 mbar. A targeted application is the controlled delivery of nanoparticles from ambient pressure into medium vacuum.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

WE-G-204-05: Relative Object Detectability Evaluation of a New High Resolution A-Se Direct Detection System Compared to Indirect Micro-Angiographic Fluoroscopic (MAF) Detectors

Purpose: To evaluate the task specific imaging performance of a new 25µm pixel pitch, 1000µm thick amorphous selenium direct detection system with CMOS readout for typical angiographic exposure parameters using the relative object detectability (ROD) metric. Methods: The ROD metric uses a simulated object function weighted at each spatial frequency by the detectors’ detective quantum efficiency (DQE), which is an intrinsic performance metric. For this study, the simulated objects were aluminum spheres of varying diameter (0.05–0.6mm). The weighted object function is then integrated over the full range of detectable frequencies inherent to each detector, and a ratio is taken of the resulting value for two detectors. The DQE for the 25µm detector was obtained from a simulation of a proposed a-Se detector using an exposure of 200µR for a 50keV x-ray beam. This a-Se detector was compared to two microangiographic fluoroscope (MAF) detectors [the MAF-CCD with pixel size of 35µm and Nyquist frequency of 14.2 cycles/mm and the MAF-CMOS with pixel size of 75µm and Nyquist frequency of 6.6 cycles/mm] and a standard flat-panel detector (FPD with pixel size of 194µm and Nyquist frequency of 2.5cycles/mm). Results: ROD calculations indicated vastly superior performance by the a-Se detector in imaging small aluminum spheres. For the 50µm diameter sphere, the ROD values for the a-Se detector compared to the MAF-CCD, the MAF-CMOS, and the FPD were 7.3, 9.3 and 58, respectively. Detector performance in the low frequency regime was dictated by each detector’s DQE(0) value. Conclusion: The a-Se with CMOS readout is unique and appears to have distinctive advantages of incomparable high resolution, low noise, no readout lag, and expandable design. The a-Se direct detection system will be a powerful imaging tool in angiography, with potential break-through applications in diagnosis and treatment of neuro-vascular disease. Supported by NIH Grant: 2R01EB002873 and an equipment grant from Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

SU-E-I-88: The Effect of System Dead Time On Real-Time Plastic and GOS Based Fiber-Optic Dosimetry Systems

Purpose: A methodology is presented to correct for measurement inaccuracies at high detector count rates using a plastic and GOS scintillation fibers coupled to a photomultiplier tube with digital readout. This system allows temporal acquisition and manipulation of measured data. Methods: The detection system used was a plastic scintillator and a separate gadolinium scintillator, both (0.5 diameter) coupled to an optical fiber with a Hamamatsu photon counter with a built-in microcontroller and digital interface. Count rate performance of the system was evaluated using the nonparalzable detector model. Detector response was investigated across multiple radiation sources including: orthovoltage x-ray system, colbat-60 gamma rays, proton therapy beam, and a diagnostic radiography x-ray tube. The dead time parameter was calculated by measuring the count rate of the system at different exposure rates using a reference detector. Results: The system dead time was evaluated for the following sources of radiation used clinically: diagnostic energy x-rays, cobalt-60 gamma rays, orthovoltage xrays, particle proton accelerator, and megavoltage x-rays. It was found that dead time increased significantly when exposing the detector to sources capable of generating Cerenkov radiation, all of the sources sans the diagnostic x-rays, with increasing prominence at higher photon energies. Percent depth dose curves generated by a dedicated ionization chamber and compared to the detection system demonstrated that correcting for dead time improves accuracy. On most sources, nonparalzable model fit provided an improved system response. Conclusion: Overall, the system dead time was variable across the investigated radiation particles and energies. It was demonstrated that the system response accuracy was greatly improved by correcting for dead time effects. Cerenkov radiation plays a significant role in the increase in the system dead time through transient absorption effects attributed to electron hole-pair creations within the optical waveguide.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗