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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
NASA NTRS1985

Theoretical and Experimental Beam Plasma Physics (TEBPP)

The theoretical and experimental beam plasma physics (TEBPP) consists of a package of five instruments to measure electric and magnetic fields, plasma density and temperature, neutral density, photometric emissions, and energetic particle spectra during firings of the particle injector (SEPAC) electron beam. The package is deployed on a maneuverable boom (or RMS) and is used to measure beam characteristics and induced perturbations in the near field ( 10 m) and mid field (10 m to 100 m) along the electron beam. The TEBPP package will be designed to investigate induced oscillations and induced electromagnetic mode waves, neutral and ion density and temperature effects, and beam characteristics as a function of axial distance.

Roberts, W. T.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Theoretical and Experimental Beam Plasma Physics (TEBPP)

The theoretical and experimental beam plasma physics (TEBPP) consists of a package of five instruments to measure electric and magnetic fields, plasma density and temperature, neutral density, photometric emissions, and energetic particle spectra during firings of the particle injector (SEPAC) electron beam. The package is developed on a maneuverable boom (or RMS) and is used to measure beam characteristics and induced perturbations field ( 10 m) and mid field ( 10 m to 100 m) along the electron beam. The TEBPP package will be designed to investigate induced oscillations and induced electromagnetic mode waves, neutral and ion density and temperature effects, and beam characteristics as a function of axial distance.

Roberts, B.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Research in Elementary Particle Physics

The Experimental High Energy Physics group in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at Louisiana State University (LSU) is composed of faculty, postdocs and students. We perform research in experimental neutrino physics at the Intensity Frontier (DUNE, ProtoDUNE and T2K). The group continues their principal research efforts on the T2K and DUNE projects to measure neutrino oscillation parameters and study neutrino properties.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Data Science and Machine Learning Platform Supporting Large Particle Accelerator Control and Diagnostics Applications Final Report: SBIR Initial Phase II DE-SC0022583

The Machine Learning Data Platform (MLDP) is a product providing full-stack support for data science, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence (ML/AI) applications at particle accelerator and large experimental physics facilities. It supports ML/AI applications from front-end, high-speed acquisition of heterogeneous, time-series data, through data archiving and management, to back-end analysis. The MLDP embodies a “data-science ready” platform for data analysis and ML/AI applications in diagnosis, modelling, control, and optimization of these facilities. It provides data scientists and applications a consistent, datacentric interface to archive data standardizing implementation and deployment of ML/AI algorithms to different operations configurations within the same facility, or between facilities. Being an open-source, public-domain project, the MLDP is intended for broadest possible impact by increasing accessibility and minimizing the required expertise for installation and operation. The MLDP can also be deployed at user facilities for experimental data collection, archiving, and analysis. It is capable of acquisition and archiving of heterogeneous data from experimental equipment (e.g., images, arrays, structures, etc.) along with system hardware configurations (e.g., scalars, tables), control system process variables, and any metadata required for provenance. Thus, the MLDP can manage experimental data through its entire lifecycle, from acquisition and archiving, through analysis and investigation, to release and final publication.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

An Iterative Machine Learning Framework for Event Classification and Monte Carlo Tuning in SpinQuest

The E1039/SpinQuest experiment at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory uses a 120~GeV proton beam from the Main Injector incident on transversely polarized proton and deuteron targets, using $NH_3$ and $ND_3$, respectively. In addition to measuring the Sivers asymmetry in Drell--Yan $pp$ and $pd$ scattering from sea quarks, SpinQuest will study transverse-spin effects, particularly the transverse single-spin asymmetry (TSSA) in $J/\psi$ production. The angular distributions from the $J/\psi$ decay could play an important role in understanding the gluon contribution to the proton spin structure. However, before extracting these angular distributions, it is necessary to isolate signal events originating from the target from events produced by other sources and from the combinatorial background. To effectively and accurately classify the target events, it is important to ensure that the simulated events are properly tuned to the experimental physics channels. We have introduced an iterative technique to match simulated and experimental events and to classify the physics channels using deep neural networks and a generative model based on normalizing flows.

Hossain, Forhad [Virginia U. (main)] (ORCID:000000↗
NASA NTRS1987

Experiments in Planetary and Related Sciences and the Space Station

Numerous workshops were held to provide a forum for discussing the full range of possible experiments, their science rationale, and the requirements on the Space Station, should such experiments eventually be flown. During the workshops, subgroups met to discuss areas of common interest. Summaries of each group and abstracts of contributed papers as they developed from a workshop on September 15 to 16, 1986, are included. Topics addressed include: planetary impact experimentation; physics of windblown particles; particle formation and interaction; experimental cosmochemistry in the space station; and an overview of the program to place advanced automation and robotics on the space station.

Greeley, Ronald↗
NASA NTRS1999

Prediction of Fatigue Crack Growth Using Regularized Numerical Models

Though it is known in the engineering community that successful analyses rest upon the proper balance of (1) theoretical analysis of mathematical models, (2) physical experimentation and (3) computational simulation, this balance is currently handled in sometimes unwieldy and inefficient manner. It is proposed to investigate and develop rigorous and computationally efficient method to effectively combine all available information, from both experimental measurements and mathematical models, in the emulation of physical systems. This will be specifically applied to fatigue crack growth in metallic structures of interest to NASA.

Meade, Andrew J.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Multi-modality deep learning for pulse prediction in homogeneous nonlinear systems via parametric conversion

In this Letter, we introduce FusionNet, a multi-modality deep learning framework designed to predict and analyze output pulses in high-power rare-earth-doped laser systems driving parametric conversion in homogeneous guided nonlinear media. FusionNet integrates temporal, spectral, and physical experimental conditions to model ultrafast nonlinear phenomena, including parametric nonlinear frequency conversion, self-phase modulation, and cross-phase modulation in homogeneous guided systems such as gas-filled hollow-core fibers. These systems bridge physical models with experimental data, advancing our understanding of light-guiding principles and nonlinear interactions while expediting the design and optimization of on-demand high-power, high-brightness systems. Our results demonstrate a 73% reduction in prediction error and an 83% improvement in computational efficiency compared to conventional neural networks. This work establishes a new paradigm for accelerating parametric simulations and optimizing experimental designs in high-power laser systems, with further implications for high-precision spectroscopy, quantum information science, and distributed entangled interconnects.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

FLUKA simulation validation to measure the beam energy of a cyclotron

FLUKA is a fully integrated particle physics MonteCarlo simulation package which has many applications in high energy experimental physics and engineering. When using a cyclotron for medical radionuclide production, it is important to know that the beam energy is suitable to cause the intended nuclear reaction and minimize unwanted impurities. Here, this work focuses on the comparison of FLUKA as a tool to measure the beam energy of a cyclotron with experimental results using the method of stacked copper foils interspaced by an aluminum degrader. We compared two methods to determine the activity ratio: determining the activity in each foil using the experimentally measured cross-sections from the National Nuclear Data Center (NNDC) cross-section data and calculating the activity in the two Cu foils using the FLUKA program. These results were compared to those reported by Gagnon et al., 2011. The FLUKA results gave energy measurements that were different than the true energy by a percentage in the range of 2.4% to 13%, suggesting that FLUKA is not recommended for pre-calculating the cyclotron beam energy using these low Z materials without experimental confirmation. It also confirms that the experimental cross-section data from the NNDC database is superior for this application giving energy values that ranged from 0.1% to 1.6% from the true energy.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS2001

The CASSINI Ka-band gravitational wave experiments

The detection of gravitational radiation is one of the most challenging efforts in the physics of this century. A successful observation will not only represent a great triumph in experimental physics, but will also provide a new observational tool for obtaining better and deeper understanding about its sources, as well as a unique test of the proposed relativistic theories of gravity.

doppler tracking gravitational wave experiments↗
NASA NTRS1992

Summary: Experimental validation of real-time fault-tolerant systems

Testing and validation of real-time systems is always difficult to perform since neither the error generation process nor the fault propagation problem is easy to comprehend. There is no better substitute to results based on actual measurements and experimentation. Such results are essential for developing a rational basis for evaluation and validation of real-time systems. However, with physical experimentation, controllability and observability are limited to external instrumentation that can be hooked-up to the system under test. And this process is quite a difficult, if not impossible, task for a complex system. Also, to set up such experiments for measurements, physical hardware must exist. On the other hand, a simulation approach allows flexibility that is unequaled by any other existing method for system evaluation. A simulation methodology for system evaluation was successfully developed and implemented and the environment was demonstrated using existing real-time avionic systems. The research was oriented toward evaluating the impact of permanent and transient faults in aircraft control computers. Results were obtained for the Bendix BDX 930 system and Hamilton Standard EEC131 jet engine controller. The studies showed that simulated fault injection is valuable, in the design stage, to evaluate the susceptibility of computing sytems to different types of failures.

Iyer, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Quasi-Static and Dynamic Analysis of Composite Panels: Characterization and Validation

The predictive capability of a progressive damage model to simulate the quasi-static and dynamic crushing of composite specimens is evaluated in this article. The material model is commercially available within the ABAQUS finite element software package, i.e., “Damage for Fiber reinforced Composites”, and is often utilized to simulate damage progression and failure in static and dynamic failure scenarios such as crushing of a composite plate. The composite specimens used in this study consist of quasi-isotropic C-shaped and corrugated composite panels comprised of carbon fiber/epoxy braided fabric. The C-shaped panel specimen is used to calibrate the model and optimize material/model properties through comparison with experimental results. Then, using the same model parameters, the quasi-static crush response of the corrugated panel is predicted. The predictive capability of the model is further demonstrated by simulating the dynamic crushing response of both C-shaped and corrugated panels using the same material properties as in the quasi-static crush case with only minor adjustments for the dynamic elastic properties (i.e., rate dependent modulus). Results show that the in-built material model available in ABAQUS can successfully reproduce experimental results for both panels (C-shaped and corrugated) subjected to both quasi-static and dynamic loading scenarios. A small-scale parametric study on physical (experimentally measurable) and nonphysical (purely mathematical) model parameters was also conducted. It can be concluded that, achieving successful simulation results requires a more in-depth understanding of the influence of model parameter variation on the mechanical response of the composite together with the strategies and challenges of the utilized modeling methodology (e.g., FEA mesh density, etc.).

Naghipour Ghezeljeh, Paria↗
NASA NTRS2003

Positron Physics

I will give a review of the history of low-energy positron physics, experimental and theoretical, concentrating on the type of work pioneered by John Humberston and the positronics group at University College. This subject became a legitimate subfield of atomic physics under the enthusiastic direction of the late Sir Harrie Massey, and it attracted a diverse following throughout the world. At first purely theoretical, the subject has now expanded to include high brightness beams of low-energy positrons, positronium beams, and, lately, experiments involving anti-hydrogen atoms. The theory requires a certain type of persistence in its practitioners, as well as an eagerness to try new mathematical and numerical techniques. I will conclude with a short summary of some of the most interesting recent advances.

Drachman, Richard J.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Monte Carlo Methods in Materials Science Based on FLUKA and ROOT

A comprehensive understanding of mitigation measures for space radiation protection necessarily involves the relevant fields of nuclear physics and particle transport modeling. One method of modeling the interaction of radiation traversing matter is Monte Carlo analysis, a subject that has been evolving since the very advent of nuclear reactors and particle accelerators in experimental physics. Countermeasures for radiation protection from neutrons near nuclear reactors, for example, were an early application and Monte Carlo methods were quickly adapted to this general field of investigation. The project discussed here is concerned with taking the latest tools and technology in Monte Carlo analysis and adapting them to space applications such as radiation shielding design for spacecraft, as well as investigating how next-generation Monte Carlos can complement the existing analytical methods currently used by NASA. We have chosen to employ the Monte Carlo program known as FLUKA (A legacy acronym based on the German for FLUctuating KAscade) used to simulate all of the particle transport, and the CERN developed graphical-interface object-oriented analysis software called ROOT. One aspect of space radiation analysis for which the Monte Carlo s are particularly suited is the study of secondary radiation produced as albedoes in the vicinity of the structural geometry involved. This broad goal of simulating space radiation transport through the relevant materials employing the FLUKA code necessarily requires the addition of the capability to simulate all heavy-ion interactions from 10 MeV/A up to the highest conceivable energies. For all energies above 3 GeV/A the Dual Parton Model (DPM) is currently used, although the possible improvement of the DPMJET event generator for energies 3-30 GeV/A is being considered. One of the major tasks still facing us is the provision for heavy ion interactions below 3 GeV/A. The ROOT interface is being developed in conjunction with the CERN ALICE (A Large Ion Collisions Experiment) software team through an adaptation of their existing AliROOT (ALICE Using ROOT) architecture. In order to check our progress against actual data, we have chosen to simulate the ATIC14 (Advanced Thin Ionization Calorimeter) cosmic-ray astrophysics balloon payload as well as neutron fluences in the Mir spacecraft. This paper contains a summary of status of this project, and a roadmap to its successful completion.

Pinsky, Lawrence↗
DOE OSTI2024

Enhancements and Deployment of the TDAQ System for the Mu2e Experiment

The Real Time Processing Systems Division at Fermilab has deployed new features to the Off-The-Shelf Data Acquisition framework (otsdaq) for the Mu2e experiment. The Mu2e experiment will search for the coherent neutrino-less conversion of a muon into an electron in the field of an aluminum nucleus with a sensitivity improvement of 10,000 times over existing limits. Such a charged lepton flavor-violating reaction probes new physics at a scale unavailable at present or planned high-energy colliders. The Mu2e Trigger and Data Acquisition (TDAQ) system uses otsdaq as its online Data Acquisition System (DAQ) framework. otsdaq integrates the artdaq and art frameworks for event transfer, filtering, and processing. otsdaq is a web-based DAQ software suite focusing on flexibility and scalability and provides a multi-user interface accessible through a web browser. artdaq handles the entire data stream, which is read over the peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) bus to a software filter algorithm that selects events combined with the data flux coming from a cosmic-ray veto (CRV) system. Detector front-ends are configured through the PCIe bus by customized otsdaq plugins. The otsdaq slow controls infrastructure has been further developed using the experimental physics and industrial control system (EPICS) open-source platform for monitoring, controlling, alarming, and archiving. The detector control system (DCS) for Mu2e has been integrated into otsdaq. The production TDAQ and DCS system has been deployed at the experimental hall and is being debugged and optimized for experiment operations. We report on the feature enhancements and deployment of otsdaq for Mu2e.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Stochastic Waveform Estimation at the Fundamental Quantum Limit

Although measuring the deterministic waveform of a weak classical force is a well-studied problem, estimating a random waveform, such as the spectral density of a stochastic signal field, is much less well understood despite it being a widespread task at the frontier of experimental physics. State-of-the-art precision sensors of random forces must account for the underlying quantum nature of the measurement but the optimal quantum protocol for interrogating such linear sensors is not known. We derive the fundamental precision limit: the extended-channel quantum Cramér-Rao bound. In the experimentally relevant regime in which losses dominate, we prove that non-Gaussian-state preparation and measurement are required to achieve this fundamental limit and we determine numerically the optimal non-Gaussian protocol. We discuss how this scheme could accelerate searches for signatures of quantum gravity, stochastic gravitational waves, and axionic dark matter.

Axions↗
DOE OSTI2024

SMEFT matching to Z ’ models at dimension eight

Heavy neutral gauge bosons arise in many motivated models of beyond the Standard Model Physics. Experimental searches require that such gauge bosons are above the TeV scale in most models which means that the tools of effective field theories, in particular the Standard Model effective field theory (SMEFT), are useful. We match the SMEFT to models with heavy Z ’ bosons, including effects of dimension-8 operators, and consider the restrictions on model parameters from electroweak precision measurements and from Drell Yan invariant mass distributions and forward-backward asymmetry, 𝐴FB, measurements at the LHC. The results demonstrate the model dependence of the resulting limits on SMEFT coefficients and the relatively small impact of including dimension-8 matching. In all cases, the limits from invariant mass distributions are stronger than from 𝐴FB measurements in the Z ’ models we consider.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗