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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 397 records · Page 22
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Exploring laser-material interactions of zirconium carbide under additive manufacturing conditions

Zirconium carbide (ZrC) is an ultra-high temperature ceramic with a melting temperature above 3000°C and a broad range of high temperature applications. Given the high melting and sintering temperatures of pure ZrC, producing near-net shape and fully dense parts remains challenging with conventional techniques. In this study, we investigate the fundamental laser-material interactions of ZrC under laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing (AM) conditions. Normalized enthalpy, a scaling law term that is used in welding and AM literature for detailing laser-material interactions in metallic alloys, was calculated to determine the predictive capabilities of melt pool features in ZrC. Further, the melt pool quality of laser irradiated ZrC was used to compare LPBF relevant laser parameter combinations of laser power, scan speed, and beam diameter. Laser build parameters that resulted in desirable melt pool morphologies were applied to the fabrication of ZrC coupons using LPBF AM. A custom LPBF system was used to determine hatch spacing and layer height parameters that resulted in a fabricated sample with a density of 85% as measured by Archimedes and a Vicker's microhardness of 20.9 ± 1.9 GPa. This investigation reveals the laser-material interactions of ZrC under AM relevant conditions and is the first step towards LPBF fabrication of ZrC parts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Microcoulomb (0.7 ± $$\frac{0.4}{0.2}$$ μC) laser plasma accelerator on OMEGA EP

Abstract Laser-plasma accelerators (LPAs) driven by picosecond-scale, kilojoule-class lasers can generate particle beams and x-ray sources that could be utilized in experiments driven by multi-kilojoule, high-energy-density science (HEDS) drivers such as the OMEGA laser at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) or the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. This paper reports on the development of the first LPA driven by a short-pulse, kilojoule-class laser (OMEGA EP) connected to a multi-kilojoule HEDS driver (OMEGA). In experiments, electron beams were produced with electron energies greater than 200 MeV, divergences as low as 32 mrad, charge greater than 700 nC, and conversion efficiencies from laser energy to electron energy up to 11%. The electron beam charge scales with both the normalized vector potential and plasma density. These electron beams show promise as a method to generate MeV-class radiography sources and improved-flux broadband x-ray sources at HEDS drivers.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Iterative wavefront optimization of ultrafast laser beams carrying orbital angular momentum

Structured intense laser beams offer degrees of freedom that are highly attractive for high-field science applications. However, the performance of high-power laser beams in these applications is often hindered by deviations from the desired spatiotemporal profile. This study reports the wavefront optimization of ultrafast Laguerre-Gaussian beams through the synergy of adaptive optics and genetic algorithm-guided feedback. The results indicate that the intensity fluctuations along the perimeter of the target ring-shaped profile can be reduced up to ~15%. Furthermore, the radius of the ring beam profile can be tailored to a certain extent by establishing threshold fitting criteria. The versatility of this approach is experimentally demonstrated in conjunction with different focusing geometries.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Neural network-based control of an ultrafast laser

With the recent advances in machine learning (ML) and data science (DS), the control, modeling, and analysis of these complex systems continues to improve. In this work, we report on the optimization of the intensity of a femtosecond laser using feedforward neural networks (FFNN) that model the input–output relationships of the data. The input parameters of the system were optimized to achieve the required performance of the femtosecond laser. We propose a neural network-based control system to model the relationship between the spectral amplitude and phase of the input laser pulse at the amplifier input and the shape of the output pulse. Low-jitter laser parameter inputs and the resulting laser pulse duration were modeled, and the resulting correlation between the input and output data was used to optimize the laser pulse. Here, we demonstrate improved processing and laser control performance.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Ultrafast radiographic imaging and tracking: An overview of instruments, methods, data, and applications

Ultrafast radiographic imaging and tracking (U-RadIT) use state-of-the-art ionizing particle and light sources to experimentally study sub-nanosecond transients or dynamic processes in physics, chemistry, biology, geology, materials science and other fields. These processes are fundamental to modern technologies and applications, such as nuclear fusion energy, advanced manufacturing, communication, and green transportation, which often involve one mole or more atoms and elementary particles, and thus are challenging to compute by using the first principles of quantum physics or other forward models. One of the central problems in U-RadIT is to optimize information yield through, e.g. high-luminosity X-ray and particle sources, efficient imaging and tracking detectors, novel methods to collect data, and large-bandwidth online and offline data processing, regulated by the underlying physics, statistics, and computing power. We review and highlight recent progress in: (a.) Detectors such as high-speed complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) cameras, hybrid pixelated array detectors integrated with Timepix4 and other application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and digital photon detectors; (b.) U-RadIT modalities such as dynamic phase contrast imaging, dynamic diffractive imaging, and four-dimensional (4D) particle tracking; (c.) U-RadIT data and algorithms such as neural networks and machine learning, and (d.) Applications in ultrafast dynamic material science using XFELs, synchrotrons and laser-driven sources. Hardware-centric approaches to U-RadIT optimization are constrained by detector material properties, low signal-to-noise ratio, high cost and long development cycles of critical hardware components such as ASICs. Interpretation of experimental data, including comparisons with forward models, is frequently hindered by sparse measurements, model and measurement uncertainties, and noise. Alternatively, U-RadIT make increasing use of data science and machine learning algorithms, including experimental implementations of compressed sensing. Machine learning and artificial intelligence approaches, refined by physics and materials information, may also contribute significantly to data interpretation, uncertainty quantification and U-RadIT optimization.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Revealing melt flow instabilities in laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing of aluminum alloy via in-situ high-speed X-ray imaging

Laser metal additive manufacturing technologies enable the fabrication of geometrically and compositionally complex parts unachievable by conventional manufacturing methods. However, the certification and qualification of additively manufactured parts are greatly hindered by the stochastic melt flow instabilities intrinsic to the process, which has not been explicitly revealed by direct observation. Here, we report the mechanisms of the melt flow instabilities in laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing process revealed by in-situ high-speed high-resolution synchrotron X-ray imaging. Here we identified powder/droplet impact, significant keyhole oscillation, and melting-mode switching as three major mechanisms for causing melt flow instabilities. We demonstrated the detrimental consequences of these instabilities brought to the process, and presented new understanding on the melt flow evolution and keyhole oscillation. This work provides critical insights into process instabilities during laser metal additive manufacturing, which may guide the development of instability mitigation approaches. The results reported here are also important for the development and validation of high-fidelity computational models.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Photoinduced modification of optical properties of ferroelectric PZT thin films

This study investigates ultrafast photoinduced changes in optical properties of ferroelectrics (PZT) on femtosecond to nanosecond timescales, using broadband transient reflectivity studies. Surprisingly, spectral features were observed below the bandgap, which could not be attributed to ground state bleaching, excited state absorption, and/or stimulated emission. A model based on probe energy independent changes in refractive index and extinction coefficient showed good agreement with experimental results. Three relaxation processes were phenomenologically considered for the temporal evolution. Laser-induced heating was ruled out as the cause of short timescale behavior and photorefractive effect was suggested as a potential mechanism for changes in the optical properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Faraday detector uranium isotope ratio measurement: Insights from solution- and laser ablation-based sampling methodologies on the Neoma MC-ICP-MS

In this study we utilize an all-faraday cup detector configuration on the Neoma MC-ICP-MS to perform uranium isotope ratio determinations from certified reference materials and a nuclear fuel precursor material via solution and laser ablation based sampling methodologies. The goal in performing these measurements is primarily to demonstrate that the all-faraday cup method can produce highly precise and accurate isotope ratios even at relatively low signal intensity levels while also developing a preliminary understanding of how the complex interplay between different amplifier resistor levels (e.g. 10 11 vs 10 13 Ω) and integration times impacts the precision and accuracy of different types of measurements. Our results show that the faraday cups with 1013 Ω resistors in their amplifier feedback loops can be used to produce accurate and relatively precise isotope ratios for ion beams down to ~5 K cps. However, at the lower end of the signal intensities observed in this study, longer integration times are necessary to mitigate the impact of ion beam instability that can occur during laser ablation based sampling. Despite this potential limitation, the all-faraday cup method is highly versatile as exemplified by the analysis of a collection of uranium reference materials with highly variable uranium isotopic compositions.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS1999

Shuttle Laser Altimeter

The Shuttle Laser Altimeter (SLA) is a Hitchhiker experiment that has flown twice; first on STS-72 in January 1996 and then on STS-85 in August 1997. Both missions produced successful laser altimetry and surface lidar data products from approximately 80 hours per mission of SLA data operations. A total of four Shuttle missions are planned for the SLA series. This paper documents SLA mission results and explains SLA pathfinder accomplishments at the mid-point in this series of Hitchhiker missions. The overall objective of the SLA mission series is the transition of the Goddard Space Flight Center airborne laser altimeter and lidar technology to low Earth orbit as a pathfinder for NASA operational space-based laser remote sensing devices. Future laser altimeter sensors will utilize systems and approaches being tested with SLA, including the Multi-Beam Laser Altimeter (MBLA) and the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS). MBLA is the land and vegetation laser sensor for the NASA Earth System Sciences Pathfinder Vegetation Canopy Lidar (VCL) Mission, and GLAS is the Earth Observing System facility instrument on the Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite (ICESat). The Mars Orbiting Laser Altimeter, now well into a multi-year mapping mission at the red planet, is also directly benefiting from SLA data analysis methods, just as SLA benefited from MOLA spare parts and instrument technology experience [5] during SLA construction in the early 1990s.

Bufton, Jack L.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Science Highlights

Also contains "Mitigation of Low Energy Laser Pulses"

David Winker↗
DOE OSTI2024

DOE Phase II Final Technical Report Bright Electron Source for X-ray Free Electron Lasers Award Number DE-SC0020607 Prepared for U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, SC-1 For the Period May 3, 2021 – August 2, 2024 Report Date November 25, 2024 Submitted by Harish B. Bhandari, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Report Contributors Dr. Oleg Maksimov, RMD Inc. Dr. Bryan Rachmilowitz, RMD Inc. Dr. Jared Maxson, Cornell University Dr. Hisato Yamaguchi, LANL

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Bhandari, Harish↗
DOE OSTI2022

Photodiode-based machine learning for optimization of laser powder bed fusion parameters in complex geometries

We report the quality of parts produced through laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing can be irregular, with complex geometries sometimes exhibiting dimensional inaccuracies and defects. For optimal part quality, laser process parameters should be selected carefully prior to printing and adjusted during the print if necessary. This is challenging since approaches to control and optimize the build parameters need to take into account the part geometry, the material, and the complex physics of laser powder bed fusion. This work describes a data-driven approach using experimental diagnostics for the optimization of laser process parameters prior to printing. A training dataset is generated by collecting high speed photodiode signal data while printing simple parts containing key geometry features with various process parameter strategies. Supervised learning approaches are employed to train both a forward model and an inverse model. The forward model takes as inputs track-wise geometry features and laser parameters and outputs the photodiode signal along the scan path. The inverse model takes as inputs the geometry features and photodiode signal and predicts the laser parameters. Given the part geometry and a desired photodiode signal, the inverse model can thus determine the required laser parameters. Two test parts which contain defect-prone features are used to assess the validity of the inverse model. The use of the model leads to improved part quality (higher dimensional accuracy, reduced dross, reduced distortion) for both test geometries.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Particle Beam Acceleration Using 3 Petawatt Laser Pulses

The Zettawatt-Equivalent Ultrashort pulse laser System (ZEUS) is presently operational at the Gerard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science (CUOS) at the University of Michigan. ZEUS is a significant upgrade of the previous high power laser systems at CUOS and consists of two beamlines thatoperate in perfect synchronization. The 500 TW beamline became operational in 2023, 2 PW operation started in 2025 and full 3 PW power levels will be available in 2026. It is presently the highest power laser system in the US. In this grant the high field science group at CUOS has leveraged this unique high power laser facility to investigate laser wake field acceleration (LWFA) in ultra-high power laser plasma interactions and have shown how this can scale for future electron–positron colliders at high energy. The dual beam experimental configuration enables flexibility for many frontier experiments in laser-driven acceleration research, in particular, enabling extended channelling/acceleration experiments, positron generation/acceleration experiments and proof-of-principle transverse pumping “dephasingless” electron acceleration experiment and theory. LWFA may be able to miniaturize particle accelerators for high energy physics and also enable new sources of ultrafast, extreme brightness and precise x-rays for a wide variety of applications. In laser wake field acceleration, an electron bunch “surfs” on the electron plasma wave (the “wake field”) generated by the ponderomotive force of an intense laser. The plasma wave has a strong longitudinal electric field that stays in phase with the relativistic driver. A relativistic charged particle may, therefore, remain in phase with the accelerating field over long distances and gain ultra-relativistic energies. The accelerating electric field strength that the plasma wave can support can be many orders of magnitude higher than that of conventional accelerators, which makes laser wakefield acceleration an exciting prospect as an advanced accelerator concept. In this research project we have investigated the scaling of this mechanism to laser powers of 2 PW and have measured the x-ray emission and radio frequency emission resulting from the acceleration process. We have also performed theoretical investigation of mechanisms to scale laser driven accelerators to much higher energy using dephasingless acceleration processes.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
NASA NTRS2011

PLIF Study of Mars Science Laboratory Capsule Reaction Control System Jets

Nitric-oxide planar laser-induced fluorescence (NO PLIF) was used to visualize the flow in the wake of a Mars Science Lab (MSL) entry capsule with activated reaction control system (RCS) jets in NASA Langley Research Center s 31-Inch Mach 10 Air Tunnel facility. Images were processed using the Virtual Diagnostics Interface (ViDI) method, which brings out the three-dimensional nature of the flow visualization data while showing the relative location of the data with respect to the model. Comparison of wind-on and wind-off results illustrates the effect that the hypersonic crossflow has on the trajectory and structure of individual RCS jets. The visualization and comparison of both single and multiple activated RCS jets indicate low levels of jet-jet interaction. Quantitative streamwise velocity was also obtained via NO PLIF molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV).

Johansen, C. T.↗
NASA NTRS2011

PLIF Study of Mars Science Laboratory Capsule Reaction Control System Jets

Nitric-oxide planar laser-induced fluorescence (NO PLIF) was used to visualize the flow in the wake of a Mars Science Lab (MSL) entry capsule with activated reaction control system (RCS) jets in NASA Langley Research Center's 31-Inch Mach 10 Air Tunnel facility. Images were processed using the Virtual Diagnostics Interface (ViDI) method, which brings out the three-dimensional nature of the flow visualization data while showing the relative location of the data with respect to the model. Comparison of wind-on and wind-off results illustrates the effect that the hypersonic crossflow has on the trajectory and structure of individual RCS jets. The visualization and comparison of both single and multiple activated RCS jets indicate low levels of jet-jet interaction. Quantitative streamwise velocity was also obtained via NO PLIF molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV).

Johansen, C. T.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Vacuum-Compatible Wideband White Light and Laser Combiner Source System

For the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) Spectrum Calibration Development Unit (SCDU) testbed, wideband white light is used to simulate starlight. The white light source mount requires extremely stable pointing accuracy (<3.2 microradians). To meet this and other needs, the laser light from a single-mode fiber was combined, through a beam splitter window with special coating from broadband wavelengths, with light from multimode fiber. Both lights were coupled to a photonic crystal fiber (PCF). In many optical systems, simulating a point star with broadband spectrum with stability of microradians for white light interferometry is a challenge. In this case, the cameras use the white light interference to balance two optical paths, and to maintain close tracking. In order to coarse align the optical paths, a laser light is sent into the system to allow tracking of fringes because a narrow band laser has a great range of interference. The design requirements forced the innovators to use a new type of optical fiber, and to take a large amount of care in aligning the input sources. The testbed required better than 1% throughput, or enough output power on the lowest spectrum to be detectable by the CCD camera (6 nW at camera). The system needed to be vacuum-compatible and to have the capability for combining a visible laser light at any time for calibration purposes. The red laser is a commercially produced 635-nm laser 5-mW diode, and the white light source is a commercially produced tungsten halogen lamp that gives a broad spectrum of about 525 to 800 nm full width at half maximum (FWHM), with about 1.4 mW of power at 630 nm. A custom-made beam splitter window with special coating for broadband wavelengths is used with the white light input via a 50-mm multi-mode fiber. The large mode area PCF is an LMA-8 made by Crystal Fibre (core diameter of 8.5 mm, mode field diameter of 6 mm, and numerical aperture at 625 nm of 0.083). Any science interferometer that needs a tracking laser fringe to assist in alignment can use this system.

Azizi, Alineza↗