Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “precision”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2

High-Precision Timing of Millisecond Pulsars and Precision Astrometry

We present the technique of long-term, high-precision timing of millisecond pulsars as applied to precision astrometry. We provide a tutorial on pulsars and pulsar timing, as well as up-to-date results of long-term observation of two millisecond pulsars. We consider the feasibility of tying the extragalactic and optical reference frames to that defined by solar system objects, and we conclude that precision astrometry from millisecond pulsar timing will continue to yield interesting results at an accelerating pace in the next decade.

pulsars pulsar timing millisecond pulsars precisio↗

Towards Precision-Aware Fault Tolerance Approaches for Mixed-Precision Applications

Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), the dominantly adopted accelerators in HPC systems, are susceptible to transient hardware fault. New generation of GPUs feature mixed-precision architectures such as NVIDIA Tensor Cores to accelerate matrix multiplications. While being widely adapted, how would they behave under transient hardware faults remain unclear. In this study, we conduct a large-scale fault injection experiments on GEMM kernels implemented with different floating-point data types on the V100 and A100 Tensor Cores, and show distinct error resilience characteristics for the GEMMS with different formats. In the future, we plan to explore this space by building precision-aware floating-point fault tolerance techniques for applications such as DNNs that exercise low-precision computations.

Fang, Bo↗

Deterministic Design of High Precision Slicing Machine Final Report CRADA No. T-160-91-1-C (Advanced manufacturing initiative final report. Deterministic design of high precision slicing machine)

The project is designed to merge the expertise of LLNL and a US slicing machine builder in the development and production of a family of ultra-precise, slicing/grinding machines. The project will lead to the joint development of a modular family of slicers which are easily configured to a given accuracy and size. The slicers can then be profitably produced and marketed for similar precision machining applications. This project is directed towards maintaining a competitive edge for US manufacturers in the area of high precision slicing and grinding machines.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

PROBE (Precision Reflector Orbital Build Experiment): A proposed flight experiment to study EVA assembly of precision segmented reflectors

PROBE (Precision Reflector Orbital Build Experiment) is a Shuttle flight demonstration experiment designed to study extravehicular activity (EVA) assembly of precision segmented reflectors. PROBE will support missions being considered for NASA's Global Change Technology Initiative as well as other missions in astrophysics and spacecraft optical communications requiring large precision reflectors. Such reflectors are envisioned to consist of a low-mass backup truss to which the optical surface is attached. Because of their large size, these reflectors will be constructed on-orbit from smaller pieces which can be packaged in the launch vehicle. The technology to be developed with PROBE also has application for construction of solar dynamic collectors which are planned for the enhanced configuration of Space Station Freedom. Viewgraphs of PROBE are presented.

Heard, Walter↗

Improved precision and accuracy in quantifying plutonium isotope ratios by RIMS

Resonance ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS) holds the promise of rapid, isobar-free quantification of actinide isotope ratios in as-received materials (i.e. not chemically purified). Recent progress in achieving this potential using two Pu test materials is presented. RIMS measurements were conducted multiple times over a period of two months on two different Pu solutions deposited on metal surfaces. Measurements were bracketed with a Pu isotopic standard, and yielded absolute accuracies of the measured Pu-240/Pu-239 ratios of 0.7 and 0.58 %, with precisions (95 % confidence intervals) of 1.49 and 0.91 %. The minor isotope Pu-238 was also quantified despite the presence of a significant quantity of U-238 in the samples.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Precision Oncology and Genomically Guided Radiation Therapy: A Report From the American Society for Radiation Oncology/American Association of Physicists in Medicine/National Cancer Institute Precision Medicine Conference

To summarize important talking points from a 2016 symposium focusing on real-world challenges to advancing precision medicine in radiation oncology, and to help radiation oncologists navigate the practical challenges of precision, radiation oncology.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Sequential Linker Installation: Precise Placement of Functional Groups in Multivariate Metal-Organic Frameworks

A unique strategy, sequential linker installation (SLI), has been developed to construct multivariate MOFs with functional groups precisely positioned. PCN-700, a Zr-MOF with eight-connected Zr6O4(OH)(8)(H2O)(4) clusters, has been judiciously designed; the Zr-6 clusters in this MOF are arranged in such a fashion that, by replacement of terminal OH-/H2O ligands, subsequent insertion of linear dicarboxylate linkers is achieved. We demonstrate that linkers with distinct lengths and functionalities can be sequentially installed into PCN-700. Single-crystal to single-crystal transformation is realized so that the positions of the subsequently installed linkers are pinpointed via single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. This methodology provides a powerful tool to construct multivariate MOFs with precisely positioned functionalities in the desired proximity, which would otherwise be difficult to achieve.

Yuan, S↗

Evidence for dark matter interactions in cosmological precision data?

We study a two-parameter extension of the cosmological standard model ΛCDM in which cold dark matter interacts with a new form of dark radiation. The two parameters correspond to the energy density in the dark radiation fluid Δ N fluid and the interaction strength between dark matter and dark radiation. The interactions give rise to a very weak "dark matter drag" which damps the growth of matter density perturbations throughout radiation domination, allowing to reconcile the tension between predictions of large scale structure from the CMB and direct measurements of σ 8 . We perform a precision fit to Planck CMB data, BAO, large scale structure, and direct measurements of the expansion rate of the universe today. Our model lowers the χ-squared relative to ΛCDM by about 12, corresponding to a preference for non-zero dark matter drag by more than 3σ. Particle physics models which naturally produce a dark matter drag of the required form include the recently proposed non-Abelian dark matter model in which the dark radiation corresponds to massless dark gluons.

cosmological parameters from CMB↗

Precise and accurate cosmology with CMB×LSS power spectra and bispectra

With the advent of a new generation of cosmological experiments that will provide high-precision measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and galaxies in the large-scale structure, it is pertinent to examine the potential of performing a joint analysis of multiple cosmological probes. In this paper, we study the cosmological information content contained in the one-loop power spectra and tree bispectra of galaxies cross-correlated with CMB lensing. We use the FFTLog method to compute angular correlations in spherical harmonic space, applicable for wide angles that can be accessed by forthcoming galaxy surveys. Here, we find that adding the bispectra and cross-correlations with CMB lensing offers a significant improvement in parameter constraints, including those on the total neutrino mass, M ν , and local non-Gaussianity amplitude, ƒ NL . In particular, our results suggest that the combination of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) and CMB-S4 will be able to achieve σ(M ν )=42 meV from galaxy and CMB lensing correlations, and σ(M ν )=12 meV when further combined with the CMB temperature and polarization data, without any prior on the optical depth.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Towards robust PICOSEC Micromegas precise timing detectors

The PICOSEC Micromegas (MM) detector is a precise timing gaseous detector consisting of a Cherenkov radiator combined with a photocathode and a MM amplifying structure. A 100-channel PICOSEC MM prototype with 10 × 10 cm 2 active area equipped with a Cesium Iodide (CsI) photocathode demonstrated a time resolution below σ = 18 ps. The objective of this work is to improve the PICOSEC MM detector robustness aspects, i.e. integration of resistive MM and carbon-based photocathodes, while maintaining good time resolution. The PICOSEC MM prototypes have been tested in laboratory conditions and successfully characterised with 150 GeV/c muon beams at the CERN SPS H4 beam line. The excellent timing performance below σ = 20 ps for an individual pad obtained with the 10 × 10 cm 2 area resistive PICOSEC MM of 20 MΩ/$\square$ showed no significant time resolution degradation as a result of adding a resistive layer. A single-pad prototype equipped with a 12 nm thick Boron Carbide (B 4 C) photocathode presented a time resolution below σ = 35 ps, opening up new possibilities for detectors with robust photocathodes. The results made the concept more suitable for the experiments in need of robust detectors with good time resolution.

RETHGEM↗

Spin-squeezing-enhanced dual-species atom interferometric accelerometer employing large momentum transfer for precision test of the equivalence principle

Here, we theoretically investigate the feasibility of applying spin squeezing to a light pulse atom interferometer in the presence of large momentum transfer using off resonant Raman transitions, in order to enhance the sensitivity of accelerometry close to the Heisenberg limit. We also show how to implement this scheme in a dual-species atom interferometer for a precision test of the equivalence principle by measuring the Eötvös parameter, and to identify the spin squeezing protocol that is best suited for such an experiment. For a space borne platform in low Earth orbit, such a scheme may eventually enable the measurement of the Eötvös parameter with a sensitivity of the order of 10 -20 within 150 days when 10 5 atoms are employed in each cycle of the experiment.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Role of low-energy observables in precision Higgs boson analyses

A conventional approach to precision calculations of Higgs boson observables uses quark masses m c and m b as inputs. However, quark masses are single numbers that hide a variety of low-energy data from which they are extracted, and also hide the various sources of theoretical uncertainties and correlations with additional input parameters such as α s . Higher-precision calculations, which are needed to give meaning to future measurements, require more direct engagement with the low-energy data in a global analysis. As a result, we present an initial calculation in this direction, which illustrates the procedure and reveals some of the theory uncertainties that challenge subpercent determinations of Higgs boson partial widths.

Petrov, Alexey A.↗

High-Precision Mass Measurement of Cu 56 and the Redirection of the r p -Process Flow

We report the mass measurement of 56 Cu, using the LEBIT 9.4 T Penning trap mass spectrometer at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University. The mass of 56 Cu is critical for constraining the reaction rates of the 55 Ni(p,y), 56 Cu(p,y), 57 Zn(β + ) 57 Cu bypass around the 56 Ni waiting point. Previous recommended mass excess values have disagreed by several hundred keV. Our new value, ME = -38626.7(7.1) keV, is a factor of 30 more precise than the extrapolated value suggested in the 2012 atomic mass evaluation [Chin. Phys. C 36, 1603 (2012)], and more than a factor of 12 more precise than values calculated using local mass extrapolations, while agreeing with the newest 2016 atomic mass evaluation value [Chin. Phys. C 41, 030003 (2017)]. The new experimental average, using our new mass and the value from AME2016, is used to calculate the astrophysical 55 Ni(p,y) and 56 Cu(p,y) forward and reverse rates and perform reaction network calculations of the rp process. These show that the rp-process flow redirects around the 56 Ni waiting point through the 55 Ni(p,y) route, allowing it to proceed to higher masses more quickly and resulting in a reduction in ashes around this waiting point and an enhancement to higher mass ashes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Photothermal alternative to device fabrication using atomic precision advanced manufacturing techniques

The attachment of dopant precursor molecules to depassivated areas of hydrogen-terminated silicon templated with a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) has been used to create electronic devices with sub-nanometer precision, typically for quantum physics demonstrations, and to dope silicon past the solid-solubility limit, with potential applications in microelectronics and plasmonics. However, this process, which we call atomic precision advanced manufacturing (APAM), currently lacks the throughput required to develop sophisticated applications because there is no proven scalable hydrogen lithography pathway. Here, we demonstrate and characterize an APAM device workflow where STM lithography has been replaced with photolithography. An ultraviolet laser is shown to locally heat silicon controllably above the temperature required for hydrogen depassivation. STM images indicate a narrow range of laser energy density where hydrogen has been depassivated, and the surface remains well-ordered. A model for photothermal heating of silicon predicts a local temperature which is consistent with atomic-scale STM images of the photo-patterned regions. Finally, a simple device made by exposing photo-depassivated silicon to phosphine is found to have a carrier density and mobility similar to that produced by similar devices patterned by STM.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Precise predictions for $V+$jets dark matter backgrounds

High-energy jets recoiling against missing transverse energy (MET) are powerful probes of dark matter at the LHC. Searches based on large MET signatures require a precise control of the $Z(\nu\bar\nu)+$jet background in the signal region. This can be achieved by taking accurate data in control regions dominated by $Z(\ell^+\ell^-)+$jet, $W(\ell\nu)+$jet and $\gamma+$jet production, and extrapolating to the $Z(\nu\bar\nu)+$jet background by means of precise theoretical predictions. In this context, recent advances in perturbative calculations open the door to significant sensitivity improvements in dark matter searches. In this spirit, we present a combination of state-of-the art calculations for all relevant $V+$jets processes, including throughout NNLO QCD corrections and NLO electroweak corrections supplemented by Sudakov logarithms at two loops. Predictions at parton level are provided together with detailed recommendations for their usage in experimental analyses based on the reweighting of Monte Carlo samples. Particular attention is devoted to the estimate of theoretical uncertainties in the framework of dark matter searches, where subtle aspects such as correlations across different $V+$jet processes play a key role. In conclusion, the anticipated theoretical uncertainty in the $Z(\nu\bar\nu)+$jet background is at the few percent level up to the TeV range.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

A microfluidic platform for precision small-volume sample processing and its use to size separate biological particles with an acoustic microdevice [Precision size separation of biological particles in small-volume samples by an acoustic microfluidic system]

Here, a major advantage of microfluidic devices is the ability to manipulate small sample volumes, thus reducing reagent waste and preserving precious sample. However, to achieve robust sample manipulation it is necessary to address device integration with the macroscale environment. To realize repeatable, sensitive particle separation with microfluidic devices, this protocol presents a complete automated and integrated microfluidic platform that enables precise processing of 0.15–1.5 ml samples using microfluidic devices. Important aspects of this system include modular device layout and robust fixtures resulting in reliable and flexible world to chip connections, and fully-automated fluid handling which accomplishes closed-loop sample collection, system cleaning and priming steps to ensure repeatable operation. Different microfluidic devices can be used interchangeably with this architecture. Here we incorporate an acoustofluidic device, detail its characterization, performance optimization, and demonstrate its use for size-separation of biological samples. By using real-time feedback during separation experiments, sample collection is optimized to conserve and concentrate sample. Although requiring the integration of multiple pieces of equipment, advantages of this architecture include the ability to process unknown samples with no additional system optimization, ease of device replacement, and precise, robust sample processing.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Application of precise altimetry to the study of precise leveling of the sea surface, the Earth's gravity field, and the rotation of the Earth

Our program includes five research items: (1) determination of a precision geoid and gravity anomaly field; (2) precise leveling and detection of tidal changes of the sea surface and study of the role of the tide in the global energy exchange; (3) oceanic effect on the Earth's rotation and polar motion; (4) geological and geophysical interpretation of the altimetry gravity field; and (5) evaluation of the effectiveness of local tracking of TOPEX/POSEIDON by use of a laser tracker.

Segawa, J.↗