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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 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1996

Single and Multiple Scattering Components of the Surface Current for Rough Surface Scattering

A method is presented for separating the single and multiple scattering contributions to the surface current which is valid up to the second order in perturbation theory. Using this method, numerical experiments are performed to determine the spectral characteristics of the surface current as a function of incidence angle and surface roughness for long random periodic gratings. It is shown that, as theincidence angle increases, the single scattering contribution shows a dependence on surface slope which is hot present in current perturbation theories.

perturbation theory Single Scattering Components M↗
DOE OSTI2025

Quantum nonlocal modulation cancelation with distributed clocks

We demonstrate nonlocal modulation of entangled photons with truly distributed radio frequency (RF) clocks. Leveraging a custom radio-over-fiber (RFoF) system characterized via classical spectral interference, we validate its effectiveness for quantum networking by multiplexing the RFoF clock with one photon from a frequency-bin-entangled pair and distributing the coexisting quantum-classical signals over fiber. Phase modulation of the two photons reveals nonlocal correlations in excellent agreement with theory: in-phase modulation produces additional sidebands in the joint spectral intensity, while out-of-phase modulation is nonlocally canceled. Our simple, feedback-free design attains subpicosecond synchronization—namely, drift less than ~0.5 ps in a 5.5 km fiber over 30 min (fractionally only ~2×10 -8 of the total fiber delay)—and should facilitate frequency-encoded quantum networking protocols such as high-dimensional quantum key distribution and entanglement swapping, unlocking frequency-bin qubits for practical quantum communications in deployed metropolitan-scale networks.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Form factors and spectral densities from Lightcone Conformal Truncation

We use the method of Lightcone Conformal Truncation (LCT) to obtain form factors and spectral densities of local operators $\mathcal{O}$ in $\phi^4$ theory in two dimensions. We show how to use the Hamiltonian eigenstates from LCT to obtain form factors that are matrix elements of a local operator $\mathcal{O}$ between single-particle bra and ket states, and we develop methods that significantly reduce errors resulting from the finite truncation of the Hilbert space. We extrapolate these form factors as a function of momentum to the regime where, by crossing symmetry, they are form factors of $\mathcal{O}$ between the vacuum and a two-particle asymptotic scattering state. We also compute the momentum-space time-ordered two-point functions of local operators in LCT. These converge quickly at momenta away from branch cuts, allowing us to indirectly obtain the time-ordered correlator and the spectral density at the branch cuts. We focus on the case where the local operator $\mathcal{O}$ is the trace Θ of the stress tensor.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Cosmological quasiparticles and the cosmological collider

The interplay between cosmology and strongly coupled dynamics can yield transient spectral features that vanish at late times, but which may leave behind phenomenological signatures in the spectrum of primordial fluctuations. Of particular interest are strongly coupled extensions of the standard model featuring approximate conformal invariance. In flat space, the spectral density for a scalar operator in a conformal field theory is characterized by a continuum with scaling law governed by the dimension of the operator, and is otherwise featureless. Anti–de Sitter/conformal field theory arguments suggest that for large 𝑁, in an inflationary background with Hubble rate 𝐻, this continuum is gapped. We demonstrate that there can be additional peak structures that become sharp and particlelike at phenomenologically interesting regions in parameter space, and we estimate their contribution to cosmological observables. We find phenomena that are potentially observable in future experiments that are unique to these models, including displaced oscillatory features in the squeezed limit of the bispectrum. These particles can be either fundamental, and localized to a UV brane, or composite at the Hubble scale, 𝐻, and bound to a horizon in the bulk of the 5D geometry. We comment on how stabilization of conformal symmetry breaking vacua can be correlated with these spectral features and their phenomenology.

conformal field theory↗
DOE OSTI2020

Kβ X-ray Emission Spectroscopy as a Probe of Cu(I) Sites: Application to the Cu(I) Site in Preprocessed Galactose Oxidase

Cu(I) active sites in metalloproteins are involved in O 2 activation, but their O 2 reactivity is difficult to study due to the Cu(I) d 10 closed shell which precludes the use of conventional spectroscopic methods. Kβ X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) is a promising technique for investigating Cu(I) sites as it detects photons emitted by electronic transitions from occupied orbitals. Here, we demonstrate the utility of Kβ XES in probing Cu(I) sites in model complexes and a metalloprotein. Using Cu(I)Cl, emission features from double-ionization (DI) states are identified using varying incident X-ray photon energies, and a reasonable method to correct the data to remove DI contributions is presented. Kβ XES spectra of Cu(I) model complexes, having biologically relevant N/S ligands and different coordination numbers, are compared and analyzed, with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, to evaluate the sensitivity of the spectral features to the ligand environment. While the low-energy Kβ 2,5 emission feature reflects the ionization energy of ligand np valence orbitals, the high-energy Kβ 2,5 emission feature corresponds to transitions from molecular orbitals (MOs) having mainly Cu 3d character with the intensities determined by ligand-mediated d–p mixing. A Kβ XES spectrum of the Cu(I) site in preprocessed galactose oxidase (GO pre ) supports the 1Tyr/2His structural model that was determined by our previous X-ray absorption spectroscopy and DFT study. Finally, the high-energy Kβ 2,5 emission feature in the Cu(I)-GO pre data has information about the MO containing mostly Cu 3d x 2 –y 2 character that is the frontier molecular orbital (FMO) for O 2 activation, which shows the potential of Kβ XES in probing the Cu(I) FMO associated with small-molecule activation in metalloproteins.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Optical conductivity and vibrational spectra of the narrow-gap semiconductor FeGa 3

Intermetallic narrow-gap semiconductors have been intensively explored due to their large thermoelectric power at low temperatures and a possible role of strong electronic correlations in their unusual thermodynamic and transport properties. Here we study the optical spectra and vibrational properties of FeGa 3 . The optical conductivity indicates that FeGa 3 has a direct band gap of ≈ 0.7 eV, consistent with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Most importantly, we find a substantial spectral weight also below 0.4 eV, which is the energy of the indirect (charge) gap found in resistivity measurements and ab initio calculations. We find that the spectral weight below the gap decreases with increasing temperature, which indicates that it originates from the impurity states and not from the electronic correlations. Interestingly, we did not find any signatures of the impurity states in vibrational spectra. The infrared and Raman vibrational lines are narrow and weakly temperature dependent. The vibrational frequencies are in excellent agreement with our DFT calculations, implying a modest role of electronic correlations. Narrow Mössbauer spectral lines also indicate high crystallinity of the sample.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

Signatures of the attractive interaction in spin spectra of one-dimensional cuprate chains

Identifying the minimal model for cuprates is crucial for explaining the high- T c pairing mechanism. Recent photoemission experiments have suggested a significant near-neighbor attractive interaction V in cuprate chains, favoring pairing instability. To determine its strength, we systematically investigate the dynamical spin structure factors S ( q , ω ) using the density matrix renormalization group. Our analysis quantitatively reveals a notable softening in the two-spinon continuum, particularly evident in the intense spectrum at large momentum. This softening is primarily driven by the renormalization of the superexchange interaction, as determined by a comparison with the slave-boson theory. We also demonstrate the feasibility of detecting this spectral shift in thin-film samples using resonant inelastic x-ray scattering. Therefore, this provides a distinctive fingerprint for the attractive interaction, motivating future experiments to unveil essential ingredients in cuprates. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Shen, Zecheng↗
DOE OSTI2020

Solar Wind Turbulence from 1 to 45 au. III. Anisotropy of Magnetic Fluctuations in the Inertial Range Using Voyager and ACE Observations

We examine both Voyager and Advanced Composition Explorer magnetic field measurements at frequencies that characterize the inertial range and evaluate the anisotropy of the fluctuations as they relate to both the compressive component and underlying wavevector anisotropy of the turbulence. The magnetic fluctuation anisotropy as it relates to the compressive component is directly dependent upon both the plasma beta of the thermal proton component and the ratio of magnetic fluctuation magnitude to the strength of the mean magnetic field. This has been seen before at 1 au. The magnetic fluctuation anisotropy in the plane perpendicular to the mean magnetic field, which is a measure of the anisotropy of the underlying wavevector distribution, should depend on the angle between the mean magnetic field and the radial direction and should be confined to values between one and the index of the power spectrum, which is typically 5/3. Our results show that the average of this anisotropy exceeds the value of the spectral index and is out of bounds with the theory. Although the results are suggestive of past analyses, we find that spherical expansion of the turbulence may offer at least a partial explanation of the apparent amplification of this measured anisotropy.

heliosphere↗
NASA NTRS1972

Radiant heat transfer between nongray directional surfaces.

Real surface property effects on local and overall heat transfer are studied for a simple system of interacting opaque surfaces. Wavelength, temperature and directional dependence of surface properties is included in the analysis for equal and unequal temperature specularly reflecting surfaces. Tungsten is employed as a representative metal and Roberts' model is used to describe the wavelength and temperature dependence of its optical parameters. The relationships of electromagnetic theory are employed to describe the directional dependence of spectral properties. Numerical results establish that gray direction independent property analysis adequately predicts the general trends of real surface analysis. The results also establish that spectral and temperature dependence of surface properties influences radiant heat transfer to a greater degree than does directional dependence of properties. Property models which adequately account for the nongray character of engineering surfaces while neglecting directional dependence of properties can provide heat transfer results of acceptable engineering accuracy.

Fischer, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Outdoor flat-plate collector performance prediction from solar simulator test data

Solar collector performance data obtained from tests with a simulator was modified for real-life conditions. The data obtained with the simulator was corrected for the variable conditions of ambient temperature, wind, incident angle, flow rate, etc., that are encountered outdoors. Modification of simulator data was accomplished by combining experiment with theory. The technique was demonstrated by application to a spectrally selective and a nonselective type of collector. This kind of modified simulator collector performance data should be valuable in solar systems analysis and for collector performance ranking based on all-day calculated conditions.

Simon, F. F.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Outdoor flat-plate collector performance prediction from solar simulator test data

This paper describes how collector performance obtained from test data with a simulator can be modified for real-life conditions. The approach taken is to correct the performance data obtained with the simulator for the variable conditions of ambient temperature, wind, incident angle, flow rate, etc., that are encountered in outdoor conditions. Modification of simulator data is accomplished by combining experiment with theory. The technique is demonstrated by application to a spectrally selective and a nonselective type of collector. This kind of modified simulator collector performance data should be valuable in solar systems analyses and for collector performance ranking based on all-day calculated conditions.

Simon, F. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Low frequency noise in a quiet, clean, general aviation turbofan engine

A quiet, clean, general aviation, turbofan engine was instrumented to measure the fluctuating pressures in the combustor, turbine exit duct, engine nozzle and the far field. Both a separate flow nozzle and an internal mixer nozzle were tested. The fluctuating pressure data are presented in overall pressure and power levels and in spectral plots. The combustor data are compared to recent theory and found to be in excellent agreement. The results indicate that microphone correction procedures for elevated mean pressures are questionable. Ordinary coherence function analysis suggests the presence of an additional low frequency noise source downstream of the turbine that is due to the turbine itself. Low frequency narrowband data and coherence function analysis are presented.

Huff, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Cascade model for fluvial geomorphology

Erosional landscapes are generally scale invariant and fractal. Spectral studies provide quantitative confirmation of this statement. Linear theories of erosion will not generate scale-invariant topography. In order to explain the fractal behavior of landscapes a modified Fourier series has been introduced that is the basis for a renormalization approach. A nonlinear dynamical model has been introduced for the decay of the modified Fourier series coefficients that yield a fractal spectra. It is argued that a physical basis for this approach is that a fractal (or nearly fractal) distribution of storms (floods) continually renews erosional features on all scales.

Newman, W. I.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Analytical and phenomenological studies of rotating turbulence

A framework, which combines mathematical analysis, closure theory, and phenomenological treatment, is developed to study the spectral transfer process and reduction of dimensionality in turbulent flows that are subject to rotation. First, we outline a mathematical procedure that is particularly appropriate for problems with two disparate time scales. The approach which is based on the Green's method leads to the Poincare velocity variables and the Poincare transformation when applied to rotating turbulence. The effects of the rotation are now reflected in the modifications to the convolution of a nonlinear term. The Poincare transformed equations are used to obtain a time-dependent analog of the Taylor-Proudman theorem valid in the asymptotic limit when the non-dimensional parameter mu is identical to Omega(t) approaches infinity (Omega is the rotation rate and t is the time). The 'split' of the energy transfer in both direct and inverse directions is established. Secondly, we apply the Eddy-Damped-Quasinormal-Markovian (EDQNM) closure to the Poincare transformed Euler/Navier-Stokes equations. This closure leads to expressions for the spectral energy transfer. In particular, an unique triple velocity decorrelation time is derived with an explicit dependence on the rotation rate. This provides an important input for applying the phenomenological treatment of Zhou. In order to characterize the relative strength of rotation, another non-dimensional number, a spectral Rossby number, which is defined as the ratio of rotation and turbulence time scales, is introduced. Finally, the energy spectrum and the spectral eddy viscosity are deduced.

Mahalov, Alex↗
NASA NTRS2003

The Infrared Spectrum of Matrix Isolated Aminoacetonitrile: A Precursor to the Amino Acid Glycine

We present infrared (IR) spectral data from matrix isolation experiments and density functional theory calculations on the pre-biologically interesting molecule aminoacetonitrile, a precursor to glycine. We find that this nitrile has an unusually weak nitrile (C=N) stretch in the infrared, in contrast to expectations based on measurements and models of other nitriles under astrophysical conditions. The absence of an observable nitrile absorption feature in the infrared will make the IR search for this molecule considerably more difficult, and will raise estimates of upper limits on nitriles in interstellar and outer Solar System ices. This is also of relevance to assessing the formation routes of the amino acid glycine, since aminoacetonitrile is the putative precursor to glycine via the Strecker synthesis, the mechanism postulated to have produced the amino acids in meteorites.

Bernstein, Max P.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Non-perturbative BRST symmetry and the spectral structure of the ghost propagator

In BRST-quantised Yang-Mills theory the existence of BRST symmetry imposes significant constraints on the analytic structure of the continuum theory. In particular, the presence of this symmetry in the non-perturbative regime implies that any on-shell state with vanishing norm must have an associated partner state with identical mass, but negative inner product. In this work we demonstrate that for quantum chromodynamics (QCD) this constraint gives rise to an interconnection between the ghost and gluon spectra, and in doing so provides a non-trivial test of whether BRST symmetry is realised non-perturbatively. By analysing infrared lattice data for the minimal Landau gauge ghost propagator in pure SU(3) Yang-Mills theory, and comparing this with previous results for the gluon propagator, we show that this interconnection is violated, and hence conclude that continuum and current lattice formulations of Yang-Mills theory in Landau gauge represent two distinct realisations of the theory.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Topology and spectral entanglement in cavity-mediated photon scattering

Here, we develop a microscopic diagrammatic theory for cavity-mediated photon scattering in a topological one-dimensional insulator described by the Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model. Within the velocity-gauge formulation, we derive the photon self-energy and vertex corrections arising from virtual electron–hole excitations coupled to a quantized cavity mode, and we evaluate the resulting polariton dispersion and two-photon correlation spectra. Our analysis shows that vacuum fluctuations of the cavity field induce a momentum-resolved self-energy that mixes conduction and valence bands through virtual photon exchange, producing interband hybridization and avoided crossings in the electronic dispersion. This “cavity dressing” is symmetry-dependent, vanishing at the Brillouin-zone edge where the dipole matrix element is zero, and its strength is controlled by the spatial coherence range ζ ≈ (l c /a) 2 of virtual excitations. We further examine how the cavity modifies nonlinear optical observables, including the Kerr nonlinearity and biphoton spectral entanglement, and identify the regimes where these effects become sensitive to the underlying topological phase. The theoretical framework established here provides a unified description of light–matter coupling in topological and polaritonic systems, bridging solid-state cavity QED with the emerging field of cavity-modified quantum materials. Our results suggest that engineered photonic environments can coherently reshape the electronic landscape of topological insulators, offering new routes to control collective electronic and optical phenomena through vacuum-field fluctuations.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗