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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Ka-band linearizer for the Ultra-Compact X-ray free-electron laser at UCLA

There is a strong demand for accelerating structures able to achieve higher gradients and more compact dimensions for the next generation of linear accelerators for research, industrial and medical applications. Notably innovative technologies will permit compact and affordable advanced accelerators as the linear collider and X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) with accelerating gradients over twice the value achieved with current technologies. In particular XFELs are able to produce coherent X-ray pulses with peak brightness 10 orders of magnitude greater than preceding approaches, which has revolutionized numerous research fields through imaging of the nanoscopic world at the time and length scale of atom-based systems, that is of femtosecond and Angstrom. There is a strong interest for combining these two fields, to form a proper tool with the goal of producing a very compact XFEL in order to investigate multi-disciplinary topics in chemistry, biology, materials science, medicine and physics. In the framework of the Ultra-Compact XFEL project under study at the University of California, Los Angeles, a high gradient radio-frequency accelerating structure for the longitudinal phase-space linearization with an integrated voltage of at least 15 MV working on 6th harmonic of the main Linac frequency is required. We here present the electromagnetic design of a cryogenic normal-conducting 8 cm long Ka-band standing-wave linearizer working on π mode with a target accelerating gradient beyond 100 MV/m. The studies have been performed analytically and numerically to investigate the beam dynamics and electromagnetic issues.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2026

Unitary Qubit Lattice Algorithms for Plasma Physics

This final technical report summarizes research conducted under DOE Award DE-SC0021653 to develop unitary Quantum Lattice Algorithms for modeling electromagnetic wave propagation and scattering in complex media, including plasmas. The project developed and validated quantum-inspired formulations of Maxwell's equations that preserve unitary evolution and can be evaluated on classical high-performance computing systems while providing a foundation for future quantum-computing implementations. Major accomplishments include the development of two- and three-dimensional algorithms for electromagnetic scattering; scalable, distributed-memory implementations demonstrated on the Perlmutter supercomputer; formulations for nonlinear lossless fluid dynamics and cold, lossless, inhomogeneous magnetized plasmas; and an explicit quantum algorithm for a time-discretized Lorenz model. Simulations reproduced a range of characteristic wave phenomena, including transient effects that are not readily apparent in conventional frequency-domain studies, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed approach for modeling complex electromagnetic and plasma systems. The work establishes a unified theoretical and computational framework for quantum and quantum-inspired simulation and provides a foundation for future implementation on fault-tolerant quantum systems.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Dyson maps and unitary evolution for Maxwell equations in tensor dielectric media

The propagation and scattering of electromagnetic waves in dielectric media is of theoretical and experimental interest in a wide variety of fields. An understanding of observational results generally requires a numerical solution of Maxwell equations—usually implemented on conventional computers using sophisticated numerical algorithms. In recent years, advances in quantum information science and in the development of quantum computers have piqued curiosity about taking advantage of these resources for an alternate numerical approach to Maxwell equations. This requires a reformulation of the classical Maxwell equations into a form suitable for quantum computers which, unlike conventional computers, are limited to unitary operations. In this paper, a unitary framework is developed for the propagation of electromagnetic waves in a spatially inhomogeneous, passive, nondispersive, and anisotropic dielectric medium. For such a medium, generally, the evolution operator in the combined Faraday-Ampere equations is not unitary. There are two steps needed to convert this equation into a unitary evolution equation. In the first step, a weighted Hilbert space is formulated in which the generator of dynamics is a pseudo-Hermitian operator. In the second step, a Dyson map is constructed which maps the weighted-physical-Hilbert space to the original Hilbert space. Furthermore, the resulting evolution equation for the electromagnetic wave fields is unitary. Utilizing the framework developed in these steps, a unitary evolution equation is derived for electromagnetic wave propagation in a uniaxial dielectric medium. The resulting form is suitable for quantum computing.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Self-consistent interaction of linear gravitational and electromagnetic waves in non-magnetized plasma

Here, this paper explores the hybridization of linear metric perturbations with linear electromagnetic (EM) perturbations in non-magnetized plasma for a general background metric. The local wave properties are derived from first principles for inhomogeneous plasma, without assuming any symmetries of the background metric. First, we derive the effective (“oscillation-center”) Hamiltonian that governs the average dynamics of plasma particles in a prescribed quasimonochromatic wave that involves metric perturbations and EM fields simultaneously. Then, using this Hamiltonian, we derive the backreaction of plasma particles on the wave itself and obtain gauge-invariant equations that describe the resulting self-consistent gravito-electromagnetic (GEM) waves in a plasma. The transverse tensor modes of gravitational waves are found to have no interaction with the plasma and the EM modes in the geometrical-optics limit. However, for $longitudinal$ GEM modes with large values of the refraction index, the interplay between gravitational and EM interactions in plasma can have a strong effect. In particular, the dispersion relation of the Jeans mode is significantly affected by electrostatic interactions. As a spin-off, our calculation also provides an alternative resolution of the so-called Jeans swindle.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Modeling the Dynamics of Energetic Protons in Earth's Inner Magnetosphere

Recently, Van Allen Probes data have revealed the interesting energy-dependent dynamics of energetic protons in Earth's inner magnetosphere. To quantify the role of radial diffusion and charge exchange to the observed energy-dependent dynamics of ring current protons, a 1D radial diffusion model with charge exchange loss is implemented. The observed proton flux over the long-term period of November 2012 to September 2013 is first converted to phase space densities, which are then simulated by our model driven by an outer boundary condition at L* = 5.5 derived from the data. The simulation results show that our model generally captures the transport and acceleration of energetic protons at μ = 30, 50, and 80 MeV/G and K = 0.11 G 1/2 R E , suggesting that radial diffusion is the dominant source mechanism for >75 keV protons at L* = 3.5–5.5. Additionally, the observed fast decay of protons at lower μ and slow decay at higher μ are well captured by the model, demonstrating the dominant role of charge exchange in explaining the observed energy-dependent proton decay. For higher μ protons, prompt losses of protons on the time scale of hours are observed over a wide range of L*, which is too fast to be explained by charge exchange. Some of the prompt losses at high L* regions are reproduced by the model with outward radial diffusion to the outer boundary. However, many prompt losses observed at lower L* regions are not captured by the model, which could be due to other loss mechanisms including electromagnetic ion cyclotron wave scattering and field line curvature scattering.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Monitoring Preferential Flow of Water in Sand Using Thermoacoustics Wave Imaging

Abstract Accurate predictions of fluid flow, mass transport, and reaction rates critically impact the efficiency and reliability of subsurface exploration and sustainable use of subsurface resources. Quantitative dynamical sensing and imaging can play a pivotal role in the ability to make such predictions. Geophysical thermoacoustic technology has the potential to provide the aforementioned capabilities, since it builds upon the principle that electromagnetic and mechanical wave fields can be coupled through a thermodynamic process. In this letter, we present laboratory experiments featuring the efficacy of thermoacoustic imaging in the monitoring of preferential flow of water in porous media. Our laboratory experimental equipment can be readily packaged in a form factor that fits in a borehole, and the use of multiple acoustic transducers—which can be combined with volumetric coding techniques—has the potential to provide quasi‐real‐time imaging (0.5 Hz video rate) of regions in close proximity (a few meters) of an open field well.

Geology↗
DOE OSTI2021

Electromagnetic turbulence in increased β plasmas in the Large Plasma Device

The variation of pressure-gradient-driven turbulence with plasma $\beta$ (up to $\beta \approx 15\,\%$ ) is investigated in linear, magnetized plasma. The magnitude of magnetic fluctuations is observed to increase substantially with increasing $\beta$ . More importantly, parallel magnetic fluctuations are observed to dominate at higher $\beta$ values, with $\delta B_\parallel / \delta B_\perp \approx 2$ and $\delta B / B_0 \approx 1\,\%$ . Parallel magnetic fluctuations are strongly correlated with density fluctuations and the two are observed to be out of phase. The relative magnitude of and cross-phase between density and parallel magnetic field fluctuations are consistent with the dynamic pressure balance ( $P+{B_{0}^2}/{2\mu _0} = \textrm {constant}$ ). A local slab model theory for electromagnetic, modified drift Alfvén waves, including parallel magnetic fluctuations, shows partial agreement with experimental observations.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2024

Microwave-Absorbing Foams with Adjustable Absorption Frequency and Structural Coloration

Microwave-absorbing materials with regulatable absorption frequency and optical camouflage hold great significance in intelligent electronic devices and advanced stealth technology. Herein, we present an innovative microwave-absorbing foam that can dynamically tune microwave absorption frequencies via a simple mechanical compression while in parallel enabling optical camouflage over broad spectral ranges by adjusting the structural colors. In this study, the vivid colors spanning different color categories generated from thin-film interference can be precisely regulated by adjusting the thickness of the conformal TiO 2 coatings on Ni/melamine foam. Enhanced interfacial and defect-induced polarizations resulting from the introduction of TiO 2 coating synergistically contribute to the dielectric attenuation performance. Consequently, such a foam exhibits exceptional microwave absorption capabilities, and the absorption frequency can be dynamically tuned from the S band to the Ku band by manipulating its compression ratio. Additionally, simulation calculations validate the adjustable electromagnetic wave loss behavior, offering valuable insights for the development of next-generation intelligent electromagnetic devices across diverse fields.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Lightwave terahertz quantum manipulation of nonequilibrium superconductor phases and their collective modes

In this work, we present a gauge-invariant density matrix description of nonequilibrium superconductor (SC) states with spatial and temporal correlations driven by intense terahertz (THz) lightwaves. We derive superconductor Bloch-Maxwell equations of motion that extend Anderson pseudospin models to include the Cooper pair center-of-mass motion and electromagnetic propagation effects. We thus describe quantum control of dynamical phases, collective modes, quasiparticle coherence, and high nonlinearities during cycles of carrier wave oscillations, which relates to our recent experiments. Coherent photogeneration of a nonlinear supercurrent with a dc component, achieved via condensate acceleration by an effective lightwave field, dynamically breaks the equilibrium inversion symmetry. Experimental signatures include high harmonic light emission at equilibrium-symmetry-forbidden frequencies, Rabi-Higgs collective modes and quasiparticle coherence, and nonequilibrium moving condensate states tuned by few-cycle THz fields. We use such lightwaves as an oscillating accelerating force that drives strong nonlinearities and anisotropic quasiparticle populations to control and amplify different classes of collective modes, e.g., damped oscillations, persistent oscillations, and overdamped dynamics via Rabi flopping. Recent phase-coherent nonlinear spectroscopy experiments can be modeled by solving the full nonlinear quantum dynamics including self-consistent light-matter coupling.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2020

Nonlocal elastic metasurfaces: Enabling broadband wave control via intentional nonlocality

While elastic metasurfaces offer a remarkable and very effective approach to the subwavelength control of stress waves, their use in practical applications is severely hindered by intrinsically narrow band performance. In applications to electromagnetic and photonic metamaterials, some success in extending the operating dynamic range was obtained by using nonlocality. However, while electronic properties in natural materials can show significant nonlocal effects, even at the macroscales, in mechanics, nonlocality is a higher-order effect that becomes appreciable only at the microscales. This study introduces the concept of intentional nonlocality as a fundamental mechanism to design passive elastic metasurfaces capable of an exceptionally broadband operating range. The nonlocal behavior is achieved by exploiting nonlocal forces, conceptually akin to long-range interactions in nonlocal material microstructures, between subsets of resonant unit cells forming the metasurface. These long-range forces are obtained via carefully crafted flexible elements, whose specific geometry and local dynamics are designed to create remarkably complex transfer functions between multiple units. The resulting nonlocal coupling forces enable achieving phase-gradient profiles that are functions of the wavenumber of the incident wave. The identification of relevant design parameters and the assessment of their impact on performance are explored via a combination of semianalytical and numerical models. The nonlocal metasurface concept is tested, both numerically and experimentally, by embedding a total-internal-reflection design in a thin-plate waveguide. Results confirm the feasibility of the intentionally nonlocal design concept and its ability to achieve a fully passive and broadband wave control.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Analytical model and dynamical phase-field simulation of terahertz transmission across ferroelectrics

Here, we theoretically investigate the steady-state transmission of continuous terahertz (THz) wave across a freestanding ferroelectric slab. Based on the Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire theory of ferroelectrics and the coupled equations of motion for polarization and electromagnetic (EM) waves, we derive the analytical expressions of the frequency- and thickness-dependent dielectric susceptibility and transmission coefficient at the thin slab limit in the harmonic excitation regime. When the slab thickness is much smaller than the THz wavelength in the ferroelectric, the analytical predictions agree well with the numerical simulations from a dynamical phase-field model that incorporates the coupled dynamics of strain, polarization, and EM wave in multiphase systems. At larger thicknesses, the transmission is mainly determined by the frequency-dependent attenuation of THz waves in the ferroelectric and the formation of a standing polarization/THz wave. Our results advance the understanding of the interaction between THz wave and ferroelectrics and suggest the potential of exploiting ferroelectrics to achieve low-heat-dissipation, nonvolatile voltage modulation of THz transmission for high-data-rate wireless communication.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Biermann battery magnetic fields in ICF capsules: Total magnetic flux generation

This paper focuses on the process of magnetic flux generation in inertial confinement fusion implosions. Hot-spots are shown to be dominated by fields generated during stagnation when the temperature and density gradients are largest. A scaling of hot-spot magnetic flux is derived and compared with simulations, revealing that perturbations with both larger amplitudes and higher mode numbers generate more magnetic flux. Furthermore, the model allows for greater understanding of which target designs will be susceptible to magnetohydrodynamic effects. For example, the model can be used to ascertain the time when most magnetic flux is generated. If generation is weighted more toward early times, then more high-mode magnetic field loops will be present. A hot-spot with no high-mode perturbations at time of peak neutron production can still contain significant magnetic flux on those scales. By assuming that magnetic flux is deposited at the hot-spot edge by Nernst advection, the model can be used to post-process radiation-hydrodynamics data to estimate magnetic field strengths and magnetizations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

NSTXU Diagnostic Disruption Dynamic Loading Represented by Response Spectra

This article presents the results of transient dynamic simulations of loads due to disruption eddy currents on the NSTXU vacuum vessel. Dynamic loading at diagnostic mounting locations is expressed as response spectra derived from the time history results of the dynamic structural simulations of a variety of disruption scenarios. The disruption simulations draw on a history of the project assessments of worst case disruptions for specific components. Major efforts to assess disruption loading have included the vacuum vessel which is the major structural support for the machine, as well as the passive plates (PPs), high harmonic fast wave (HHFW) antenna, and centerstack casing. Each one of these efforts included transient electromagnetic simulations producing time-dependent eddy current Lorentz loads (and in some cases halo loads) which then were applied to time-dependent structural dynamic analyses intended to obtain the proper dynamic amplification factors. In some instances, the EM model and structural model were identical allowing direct transfer of EM forces to the structural model. In other cases, the EM and structural model were not identical and the vector potential (VP) transfer method was used. The results files from these analyses were available (or re-run) to post process in ANSYS Classic time history postprocessor. In conclusion, the ANSYS command is used to create response spectra from time history data at desired points on the vessel.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

An MPMD approach coupling electromagnetic continuum mechanics approximations in ALEGRA

In this work, two complementary approximations for describing aspects of continuum electromagnetics in moving media are discussed: electroquasistatic and magnetoquasistatic. Each has been implemented in the finite element shock code ALEGRA for modeling dynamic electromechanical phenomena on typical engineering time scales, with fully integrated circuit coupling. The approximations can be obtained by consistent asymptotic balancing of Maxwell’s equations relative to timescales associated with magnetic diffusion, charge relaxation, and electromagnetic wave propagation. In ALEGRA, the electroquasistatic approximation is used for ferroelectric (FE) modeling, while the magnetoquasistatic approximation is used for magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modeling. In this paper we introduce for the first time a detailed derivation of a useful quasi-steady “low-R m ” variant of the MHD approximation applicable for cases, such as with detonators, where the thermodynamic pressure arising from Joule heating dominates over magnetic forces. An additional purpose of this paper is to present a coupling mode using Multiple Program-Multiple Data (MPMD) message passing communication that allows the user to run 3D FE problems together with 2D and/or 3D MHD problems with the respective simulation domains coupled through a common circuit equation. The MPMD coupling capability is used here to model the dynamic coupling of a notional ferroelectric generator with an RP-87 exploding bridgewire detonator. The simulated bridgewire heats up and bursts under current generated by simulated depoling of the ferroelectric generator, as a demonstration of the MPMD capability.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Fusing 4D coded thermoacoustic, electromagnetic, and acoustic/seismic wavefields for subsurface characterization and imaging of fluid flow in porous media

This research program aims to address critical challenges in subsurface exploration and monitoring of anthropogenic CO 2 storage by advancing quantitative dynamic sensing and imaging technologies. Two primary applications—petrophysical assessment of hydrocarbon reservoirs (C1) and CO 2 storage monitoring (C2)—require significant innovation to overcome three barriers (B1-B3). These barriers include the need for enhanced understanding of interactions between physical wave fields (thermoacoustic, electromagnetic, acoustic/seismic, and X-ray) with fluid-filled porous media, the development of multi-sensor data fusion for real-time imaging, and upscaling microscopic quantum effects for macroscopic observations. The project’s objective was to establish a unified 4D coded sensing and imaging approach, integrating EM, AC/S, and TA fields for multi-scale and multi-physics material characterization and subsurface imaging.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Microphysically modified magnetosonic modes in collisionless, high-β plasmas

With the support of hybrid-kinetic simulations and analytic theory, we describe the nonlinear behaviour of long-wavelength non-propagating (NP) modes and fast magnetosonic waves in high-β collisionless plasmas, with particular attention to their excitation of and reaction to kinetic micro-instabilities. The perpendicularly pressure balanced polarization of NP modes produces an excess of perpendicular pressure over parallel pressure in regions where the plasma β is increased. For mode amplitudes |δB/B 0 |≳0.3, this excess excites the mirror instability. Particle scattering off these micro-scale mirrors frustrates the nonlinear saturation of transit-time damping, ensuring that large-amplitude NP modes continue their decay to small amplitudes. At asymptotically large wavelengths, we predict that the mirror-induced scattering will be large enough to interrupt transit-time damping entirely, isotropizing the pressure perturbations and morphing the collisionless NP mode into the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) entropy mode. In fast waves, a fluctuating pressure anisotropy drives both mirror and firehose instabilities when the wave amplitude satisfies |δB/B 0 |≳2β -1 . The induced particle scattering leads to delayed shock formation and MHD-like wave dynamics. Taken alongside prior work on self-interrupting Alfvén waves and self-sustaining ion-acoustic waves, our results establish a foundation for new theories of electromagnetic turbulence in low-collisionality, high-β plasmas such as the intracluster medium, radiatively inefficient accretion flows and the near-Earth solar wind.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗