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At least 397 records · Page 22

Parasitic Modulation of Microwave Signals by a Hypersonic Plasma Layer

During hypersonic flight, compressional and viscous heating of the air can form a plasma layer which encases the aircraft. If the boundary layer becomes turbulent, then the electron density fluctuations can effect a parasitic modulation in microwave signals transmitted through the plasma. We developed an approach for studying the interaction of microwave signals with a turbulent, hypersonic plasma layer. The approach affords a great deal of flexibility in both the plasma layer model and the antenna configuration. We then analyzed a situation in which microwaves, transmitted from a rectangular aperture antenna, propagate through a turbulent plasma layer to a distant receiver. We characterized the first-and second-order statistics of the computed parasitic modulation and quantified the depolarization of the signal. The amplitude fluctuations are lognormally distributed at low frequencies and Rice-distributed at high frequencies. Fluctuations in the copolarized phase and amplitude of the far-field signal are strongly anticorrelated. Here, we used a multioutput Gaussian process (MOGP) to model these quantities. The efficacy of the MOGP model is demonstrated by recovering the time evolution of the copolarized phase given the copolarized amplitude and occasional measurements of the phase.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Red Noise–based False Alarm Thresholds for Astrophysical Periodograms via Whittle’s Approximation to the Likelihood

Astronomers who search for periodic signals using Lomb–Scargle periodograms rely on false alarm level (FAL) estimates to identify statistically significant peaks. Although FALs are often calculated from white noise models, many astronomical time series suffer from red noise. Prewhitening is a statistical technique in which a continuum model is subtracted from the log power spectrum estimate, after which the observer can proceed with a white-noise treatment. Here we present a prewhitening-based method of calculating frequency-dependent FALs. We fit power laws and autoregressive models of order 1 to each Lomb–Scargle periodogram by minimizing the Whittle approximation to the negative log-likelihood (NLL), then calculate FALs based on the best-fit model power spectrum. Our technique is a novel extension of the Whittle NLL to datasets with uneven time sampling. We demonstrate FAL calculations using observations of α Cen B, GJ 581, HD 192310, synthetic data from the radial velocity (RV) fitting challenge, and Kepler observations of a differential rotator. The Kepler data analysis shows that only true rotation signals are detected by red noise FALs, while white noise FALs suggest all spurious peaks in the low-frequency range are significant. A high-frequency sinusoid injected into α Cen B logR$'$ HK observations exceeds the 1% red noise FAL despite having only 8.9% of the power of the dominant rotation signal. In a periodogram of HD 192310 RVs, peaks associated with differential rotation and planets are detected against the 5% red noise FAL without iterative model fitting or subtraction. The software for calculating red noise–based FALs is available on GitHub.

Astrostatistics (1882)↗

Estimating Subhourly Inverter Clipping Loss From Satellite-Derived Irradiance Data: Preprint

Photovoltaic system production simulations are conventionally run using hourly weather datasets. Hourly simulations are sufficiently accurate to predict the majority of long-term system behavior but cannot resolve high-frequency effects like inverter clipping caused by short-duration irradiance variability. Direct modeling of this subhourly clipping error is only possible for the few locations with high-resolution irradiance datasets. This paper describes a method of predicting the magnitude of this error using a machine learning model and 30-minute satellite irradiance data. The method predicts a correction for each 30-minute interval with the potential to roll up into 60-minute corrections to match an hourly energy model. The model is trained and validated at locations where the error can be directly simulated from 1-minute ground data. The validation shows low bias at most ground station locations. The model is also applied to gridded satellite irradiance to produce a heatmap of the estimated clipping error across the United States. Finally, the relative importance of each predictor satellite variable is retrieved from the model and discussed.

41 EE - Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)↗

Compact high gradient ion accelerating structure

A high gradient linear accelerating structure can propagate high frequency waves at a negative harmonic to accelerate low-energy ions. The linear accelerating structure can provide a gradient of 50 MV/m for particles at a β of between 0.3 and 0.4. The high gradient structure can be a part of a linear accelerator configured to provide an energy range from an ion source to 450 MeV/u for 12 C 6+ and 250 MeV for protons. The linear accelerator can include one or more of the following sections: a radiofrequency quadrupole (RFQ) accelerator operating at the sub-harmonic of the S-band frequency, a high gradient structure for the energy range from ˜45 MeV/u to ˜450 MeV/u.

Kutsaev, Sergey↗

Two-temperature effects in Hall-MHD simulations of the HIT-SI experiment

A two-temperature Hall-magnetohydrodynamic (Hall-MHD) model, which evolves the electron and ion temperatures separately, is implemented in the PSI-Tet 3D MHD code and used to model plasma dynamics in the Helicity Injected Torus–Steady Inductive (HIT-SI) experiment. The two-temperature model is utilized for HIT-SI simulations in both the PSI-Tet and NIMROD codes at a number of different injector frequencies in the 14.5–68.5 kHz range. At all frequencies, the NIMROD two-temperature model results in increased toroidal current, lower chord-averaged density, higher average temperatures, outward radial shift of the current centroid, and axial symmetrization of the current centroid, relative to the single-temperature NIMROD simulations. The two-temperature PSI-Tet model illustrates similar trends, but at high frequency operation, it exhibits lower electron temperature, smaller toroidal current, and decreased axial symmetrization with respect to the single-temperature PSI-Tet model. With all models, average temperatures and toroidal currents increase with the injector frequency. Power balance and heat fluxes to the wall are calculated for the two-temperature PSI-Tet model and illustrate considerable viscous and compressive heating, particularly at high injector frequency. Parameter scans are also presented for artificial diffusivity, wall temperature, and density. Both artificial diffusivity and the density boundary condition significantly modify the plasma density profiles, leading to larger average temperatures, toroidal current, and relative density fluctuations at low densities. As a result, a low density simulation achieves sufficiently high current gain (G > 5) to generate significant volumes of closed flux lasting 1–2 injector periods.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Reward based optimization of resonance-enhanced piezoresponse spectroscopy

Dynamic spectroscopies in scanning probe microscopy (SPM) are critical for probing material properties, such as force interactions, mechanical properties, polarization switching, electrochemical reactions, and ionic dynamics. However, the practical implementation of these measurements is constrained by the need to balance imaging time and data quality. Signal to noise requirements favor long acquisition times and high frequencies to improve signal fidelity. However, these are limited on the low end by contact resonant frequency and photodiode sensitivity and on the high end by the time needed to acquire high-resolution spectra or the propensity for sample degradation under high field excitation over long times. The interdependence of key parameters such as instrument settings, acquisition times, and sampling rates makes manual tuning labor-intensive and highly dependent on user expertise, often yielding operator-dependent results. These limitations are prominent in techniques like dual amplitude resonance tracking in piezoresponse force microscopy that utilize multiple concurrent feedback loops for topography and resonance frequency tracking. Here, a reward-driven workflow is proposed that automates the tuning process, adapting experimental conditions in real time to optimize data quality. Furthermore, this approach significantly reduces the complexity and time required for manual adjustments and can be extended to other SPM spectroscopic methods, enhancing overall efficiency and reproducibility.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

New methodology for measuring electron density perturbations caused by plasma coherent modes using profile reflectometry: Magnitudes and radial profiles in DIII-D

New capabilities of fast-sweep frequency-modulated profile reflectometry are explored to measure electron density ne perturbation magnitudes and radial profiles due to plasma coherent modes in DIII-D. The first approach is based on the frequency analysis of phase perturbations associated with high frequency (~MHz) Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs). The measurement of ~5.5 MHz fast-ion-driven global Alfvén eigenmodes (GAEs) is demonstrated in a neutral beam-heated DIII-D plasma. The GAE induced a broad radial distribution of phase perturbations in the profile reflectometer data. Analysis of these data determined the effective cutoff location displacement and the estimated ne fluctuation profile. In the second approach, high resolution ne profiles are used directly to determine the radial structure of ne perturbations due to a neo-classical tearing mode. These new measurements broaden the application of profile reflectometry and advance the development of AE spectroscopy as a tool for non-invasive diagnosis of fast-ion-driven modes in DIII-D and burning plasmas such as ITER.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Long lifetime of bialkali photocathodes operating in high gradient superconducting radio frequency gun

Abstract High brightness, high charge electron beams are critical for a number of advanced accelerator applications. The initial emittance of the electron beam, which is determined by the mean transverse energy (MTE) and laser spot size, is one of the most important parameters determining the beam quality. The bialkali photocathodes illuminated by a visible laser have the advantages of high quantum efficiency (QE) and low MTE. Furthermore, Superconducting Radio Frequency (SRF) guns can operate in the continuous wave (CW) mode at high accelerating gradients, e.g. with significant reduction of the laser spot size at the photocathode. Combining the bialkali photocathode with the SRF gun enables generation of high charge, high brightness, and possibly high average current electron beams. However, integrating the high QE semiconductor photocathode into the SRF guns has been challenging. In this article, we report on the development of bialkali photocathodes for successful operation in the SRF gun with months-long lifetime while delivering CW beams with nano-coulomb charge per bunch. This achievement opens a new era for high charge, high brightness CW electron beams.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Polaron and Exciton Delocalization in Oligomers of High-Performance Polymer PTB7

A key characteristic of organic photovoltaic cells is the efficient charge separation in the active layer. Sufficient delocalization of the positive polaron in organic photovoltaics is considered essential for the effective separation of the opposite charges and the suppression of recombination. Here we use light-induced EPR and ENDOR spectroscopy combined with DFT calculations to determine the electronic structure of the positive polaron in PTB7-type oligomers. Utilizing the superior spectral resolution of high-frequency (130 GHz) D-band EPR, the principal components of the g tensors were determined. Pulsed ENDOR spectroscopy at X-band allowed the measurement of H-1 hyperfine coupling constants. A comparison of g tensors and H-1 hyperfine coupling constants of the PTB7-type oligomers with the high-performance PTB7 polymer revealed a delocalization of the positive polaron in the polymer over about four monomeric units, corresponding to about 45 angstrom in length. Our current study thus not only determines the polaron delocalization length in PTB7 but also validates the approach combining EPR/ENDOR spectroscopy with DFT-calculated magnetic resonance parameters. This is of importance in those cases where oligomers of defined length are not easily obtained. In addition, the delocalization of the neutral triplet exciton was also determined in the oligomers and compared with polymer PTB7. The analysis revealed that the neutral triplet exciton is substantially more delocalized than the positive polaron, exceeding 10 monomeric units.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Exploring Critical Synthetic Parameters for Nanoscale ε-Fe 2 O 3 and Their Influence on Magnetic Behaviors

An intermediate polymorph of iron oxide, ε-Fe 2 O 3 , has attracted significant attention due to its giant coercive field ( H c ) and potential applications in high-frequency millimeter-wave absorption and high-density magnetic recording. However, the fabrication of ε-Fe 2 O 3 with high phase purity is still a challenge due to complicated synthetic procedures and a large variety of reaction parameters. In this study, we have identified critical reaction parameters to improve the phase purity of ε-Fe 2 O 3 , and the effects of all possible reaction parameters have been tested through systematic studies. A combination of structural and magnetic characterization techniques provides us with an accurate and reliable phase purity analysis of the ε-Fe 2 O 3 phase. Specifically, we observed that (1) the reaction temperature and time and (2) the addition of Ba are critical parameters to improve the phase purity. We identified the optimal conditions that maximize the coercivity and phase purity, giving insight into the effects of each parameter on the γ- to ε- to α-phase-transition pathway. We obtained nearly single-phase ε-Fe 2 O 3 (~87 wt % with ~13 wt % α-phase) with a large coercivity of H c = 20.6 kOe, enabling us to obtain pure ε-Fe 2 O 3 by a simple magnetic separation protocol, and tuned the H c of the ε-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles in the range of 4.0–20.6 kOe by controlling the reaction parameters. Furthermore, the structural properties of the resulting ε-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles are confirmed by characterizing their chemical and magnetic properties using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electron Spin Relaxation Induced by a Cantilever when the Spin Frequency Matches the Cantilever Frequency

We study the electron spin relaxation induced by a high frequency nanomechanical cantilever with an attached ferromagnetic particle in a situation when the spin Larmor frequency matches the cantilever frequency. We consider a situation when the spin-cantilever system is described by the Jaynes-Cumming model. We have obtained an analytical solution describing the spin relaxation caused by the spin-cantilever interaction. Based on these results, we suggest a “spin thermometer” which could measure the temperature of nanomechanical cantilevers.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Low-loss millimeter-wave resonators with an improved coupling structure

Millimeter-wave superconducting resonators are a useful tool for studying quantum device coherence in a new frequency domain. However, improving resonators is difficult without a robust and reliable method for coupling millimeter-wave signals to 2D structures. We develop and characterize a tapered transition structure coupling a rectangular waveguide to a planar slotline waveguide with better than 0.5 dB efficiency over 14 GHz, and use it to measure ground-shielded resonators in the W band (75–110 GHz). Having decoupled the resonators from radiative losses, we consistently achieve single-photon quality factors above 10 5 , with a two-level-system loss limit above 10 6 , and verify the effectiveness of oxide removal treatments to reduce loss. These values are 4–5 times higher than those previously reported in the W band, and much closer to typical planar microwave resonators. The improved losses demonstrated by these on-chip millimeter-wave devices shed new light on quantum decoherence in a different frequency regime, offer increased selectivity for high-frequency detectors, and enables new possibilities for hybrid quantum experiments integrating millimeter-wave frequencies.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Machine learning for seismic low-frequency extrapolation

The cycle-skipping problem that plagues full waveform inversion (FWI) can be at least partially mitigated if low frequencies (which encode the kinematics of wave propagation in seismic data) are recorded. However, seismic sources and receivers are band-limited, so seismic data does not generally include signals down to 0 Hz. To improve our ability to solve the seismic inverse problem, one can synthesize this missing low-frequency (LF) content from the recorded high-frequency (HF) data using machine learning (ML) models. Deep learning models such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) demonstrate impressive ability to perform low frequency extrapolation. However, such models require powerful hardware (GPU machines) and careful training. We assess the extrapolation capabilities of three different ML models that do not require GPU machines, namely, random forest, Gaussian process regression and gradient boosting, on both synthetic and real data. Experimental results on two synthetic data sets (generated from a low velocity lens embedded in a homogeneous medium, and the Marmousi model) demonstrate that FWI applied to the extrapolated data consistently improves inversion accuracy relative to FWI applied to the original data sets that do not contain low frequencies. Application of low-frequency extrapolation to real data from the Northwest Shelf of Australia demonstrates that tree-based ML models such as gradient boosting can outperform CNNs in terms of both accuracy and computational cost on non-GPU architectures.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Capacitor Design for Self-Resonant Coils for Long-Distance Wireless Power Transfer System

In this paper, an integrated capacitor design is proposed for higher-order resonant tank topologies for self-resonant coils, such as series, parallel, LCC, LLC, etc. The capacitor is one of the large, lossy, and thermally vulnerable components of a high-frequency resonant tank, and designing a high-voltage, thermally stable resonant capacitor can be highly challenging. Designing the extremely high-voltage capacitor as an integral part of the coil reduces the size and complexity of the coil assembly. This paper proposes a low-loss PCB-based high-voltage capacitor design to achieve that target, which can be implemented as an integral part of the coil. The proposed capacitor designs are simulated using Multiphysics FEA and tested experimentally. A 23 kV, 133 pF capacitor prototype was built and tested as part of a 1 kW long-distance wireless charging system. The test results verify the capacitor’s voltage, current, and thermal resiliency performance.

Mohammad, Mostak [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000256388783)↗

Exploring limitations in the induced polarization versus surface conductivity relationship in the case of wetland soils

Recent induced polarization studies suggest that the real part of surface conductivity (σ' surf ) scales linearly with the imaginary conductivity (σ'' = σ'' surf ) or normalized chargeability (Mn) for a range of soil types. The coefficients of this relationship l and l_Mn ( l = σ''/σ' surf or l_Mn = Mn/σ' surf ) allow the separation of the surface and electrolytic conductivities from the bulk conductivity. However, the dependence of these constants on varying soil physicochemical properties, including under unsaturated conditions, is yet to be assessed. Using estimates of σ' surf from 18 undisturbed soil samples from a restored wetland and σ'' measured over a frequency range of 0.01 Hz to 10 kHz, the σ' surf and σ'' were compared with the laboratory measurements of soil properties. Also, l and l_Mn were calculated for each soil sample and regressed them against the soil properties. We find an apparent dependence of l on soil texture, bulk density, organic matter, and moisture contents, with coefficients of determination (R 2 ) ranging from 0.5 to 0.65 at low frequencies (e.g., 1 Hz) but not at high frequencies (e.g., 936 Hz). This dependence of l on soil texture results from the insensitivity of σ'' at low frequency to σ' surf and, by implication, to the soil properties controlling σ' surf . In contrast, l_Mn indicates no correlation with the soil properties because Mn is linearly correlated with σ' surf and correlated with the soil properties controlling σ' surf . Finally, our results call for caution on the application of σ'' at a single frequency as a proxy of σ' surf because σ'' is not necessarily correlated with σ' surf across all soil types. Although using l_Mn derived from multifrequency measurements overcomes this limitation, field acquisition of spectral information (e.g., up to 1000 Hz) remains a challenge.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Examination of stiff ion temperature gradient mode physics in simulations of DIII-D H-mode transport

A systematic evaluation of gyrokinetic and gyrofluid model predictions of ion temperature gradient (ITG) stability and transport using parameters from DIII-D high confinement mode (H-mode) plasmas has been performed. The nonlinear CGYRO code is used to make the gyrokinetic predictions, and the quasilinear TGLF model for the corresponding gyrofluid predictions. The assessments are made at three radii (normalized toroidal flux ρtor = 0.4, 0.55, and 0.7) in three different plasma scenarios with varying levels of neutral beam heating and torque. For each of the nine cases (3 radii × 3 scenarios) considered, ITG turbulence is found to be the dominant long-wavelength instability and transport mechanism. The inclusions of both transverse magnetic fluctuations and dynamic fast beam ions are stabilizing for all cases considered, with strongest effects seen at ρor = 0.4 where the fast ion population and normalized plasma pressure β = 2μ0nT/B2 are highest. The further inclusion of parallel magnetic fluctuations does not have a meaningful impact on the ITG turbulence in these scenarios, but does destabilize (in combination with fast ions) new high-frequency instabilities at ρtor = 0.4 in the high power scenarios. In each case the linear and nonlinear ITG critical gradients are predicted to be lower than the measured ITG scale lengths and their associated uncertainties. Inclusion of equilibrium flow shear in the transport predictions generally leads to an upshift in effective critical gradient rather than a qualitative change in the predicted stiffness, with stronger responses typically seen in the gyrokinetic predictions than in the gyrofluid results. However, in most cases these upshifted gradients still remain below the measured values and their uncertainties. Although the predicted critical gradients are below the measured gradients, both models predicted flux-matching gradients consistent with measured values in six of the nine cases considered, with no clear systematic over- or underprediction. Thus, while the experimental ion temperature profiles do not appear to be closely pinned to the ITG critical gradient, both gyrokinetic and gyrofluid models are able to accurately match the measured gradients reasonably well in most cases.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

ESR Dipole Power Supply Current Ripple and Noise Specifications

This note presents key findings for the ESR main magnet dipole power supplies (PS), where we find the current ripple specification to be close to or beyond the state-of-the-art. These specifications originate from beam-beam considerations, with the requirement to limit the ripple-induced hadron emittance growth to below 10%/hour. Beam dynamics that drive this PS ripple specification arise from the beam motions at the Interaction Point (IP). The frequency of the motions can be separated into "low", compared to the betatron frequency, and "high", i.e. around the betatron frequency and harmonics. In terms of the driving frequency, "low" implies ƒ<<ƒ 0 v x,y and "fast" means ƒ≈{ƒ 0 v x,y , ƒ 0 (1- v x,y , etc.}, where ƒ 0 =1/ T 0 =78.2 kHz is the revolution frequency, and v x,y are the fractional parts of the betatron tunes. Frequencies higher than ƒ 0 /2 will be folded back due to the particles sampling the field once per turn. To provide flexibility for future lattice adjustments and working point variations, we do not consider the tunes as fixed. Instead, we assume a certain margin and allow them to potentially fall within the range of 0.1< v x,y <0.5. In other words, the high-frequency region spans approximately from 8kHz to 40 kHz. Consequently,, we definte the dipole PS ripple in two distinct frequency ranges: the low-frequency range of [1-8000] Hz and the high-frequency range of [8-40] kHz. For the physics effects we analyzed in this note, there is no distinction between the ripple (which can be approximately reproduced in the frequency domain) and the random noise if both have some power within the frequency bandwidth of interest. Therefore, while we will use the term "ripple" for short, it should always be understood that we are referring to "ripple plus noise." Except for the lower end of the low-frequency range, the impact of the rippling PS current on the beam will be considerably reduced due to the eddy currents induced in the walls of the vacuum chamber. We will account for this effect in the PS ripple specifications to follow. The remaining sections of this note are structure as follows: Section II outlines the beam-beam physics requirements for the positional stability of the beam at the IP. Section III describes the anticipated shielding effect of the eddy currents induced in the vacuum chamber. Section IV derives the ripple requirement for the low-frequency range by propagating the closed orbit ripple resulting from the rippling dipoles to the IP (relevant lattice simulation results are summarized in the Appendix). In Section V, we present the analytical criterion for the ripple in the high-frequency range by considering resonant oscillations of the electron beam around a stable closed orbit near the betatron frequency. Finally, Section VI provides a summary of our findings and discusses related work.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Multicode Signaling in a Filter Bank Multicarrier Spread Spectrum System and Its Application to HF Communications

The use of filter banks for implementing multicarrier spread spectrum systems leads to a class of effective waveforms that are highly resilient to partial-band interferers. Such waveforms can be also designed to keep the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of the resulting signal at a minimum level. The use of multiple spreading gain vectors (known as multicodes), on the other hand, is an effective method for increasing the data rate in spread spectrum systems, in general. This paper presents a detailed analysis of a class of filter bank multicarrier spread spectrum (FBMC-SS) waveforms and demonstrates an effective receiver implementation of them when multicodes are applied. Application of the developed multicode waveform for communications over high-frequency (HF) skywave channels is also explored, and the benefits that it provides are studied both numerically, through computer simulations, and experimentally, by examining the receivers performance over a variety of skywave links.

42 ENGINEERING↗