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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 451 records · Page 25

THE MEGAMASER COSMOLOGY PROJECT. VII. INVESTIGATING DISK PHYSICS USING SPECTRAL MONITORING OBSERVATIONS

We use single-dish radio spectra of known 22 GHz H{sub 2}O megamasers, primarily gathered from the large data set observed by the Megamaser Cosmology Project, to identify Keplerian accretion disks and to investigate several aspects of the disk physics. We test a mechanism for maser excitation proposed by Maoz and McKee (1998), whereby population inversion arises in gas behind spiral shocks traveling through the disk. Though the flux of redshifted features is larger on average than that of blueshifted features, in support of the model, the high-velocity features show none of the predicted systematic velocity drifts. We find rapid intra-day variability in the maser spectrum of ESO 558−G009 that is likely the result of interstellar scintillation, for which we favor a nearby (D ≈ 70 pc) scattering screen. In a search for reverberation in six well-sampled sources, we find that any radially propagating signal must be contributing ≲10% of the total variability. We also set limits on the magnetic field strengths in seven sources, using strong flaring events to check for the presence of Zeeman splitting. These limits are typically 200–300 mG (1σ), but our most stringent limits reach down to 73 mG for the galaxy NGC 1194.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The submillimeter-wave spectrum of propionitrile (C2H5CN)

The laboratory millimeter-wave and submillimeter-wave rotational spectrum of propionitrile (ethyl cyanide, C2H5CN) in its ground vibrational state has been extended through J = 70 and K(sub a) = 36. Transitions measured in this study are in the frequency range 250-610 GHz. A fit of 952 transitions including 732 new measurements to a Watson A-reduced Hamiltonian has yielded a complete set of quartic and sextic distortion constants, in addition to six octic distortion constants. Internal rotation and hyperfine splittings have not been resolved, so they are not included in the analysis. Predicted transition frequencies for a large number of additional transitions of interest to radioastronomers are provided.

Pearson, J. C.↗

Preconditioners for multiphase poromechanics with strong capillarity

This paper aims to enhance the performance of Newton–Krylov solvers for coupled poromechanical problems with two-phase flow. In particular, we investigate the impact of capillary pressure on preconditioning strategies. Capillarity complicates the coupling between the solid deformation and fluid pressure degrees of freedom, as well as increases the nonlinearity of the system. Depending on the capillary pressure relation used in the constitutive formulation, the flow equations may exhibit a spectrum of advection-dominated to diffusion-dominated behavior. We propose preconditioning approaches that account for this behavior and lead to robust numerical performance within a broad range of regimes.

42 ENGINEERING↗

The motional Stark effect diagnostic for ITER

An overview of the plans for the motional Stark effect (MSE) diagnostic installation on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is presented. The MSE diagnostic uniquely provides spatially localized magnetic field measurements inside the plasma. These are used to constrain equilibrium reconstructions to determine q(r), the safety factor as a function of minor radius. Meeting the system requirements to deliver q-profiles and related quantities with the specified radial resolution of 20 points over the minor radius, 10 ms time resolution, and better than 10% accuracy is challenging. MSE systems observe the D/H-α emission near 656.3 nm from neutral beams. As the beam atoms traverse the magnetic field, B⃗, at high velocity, v⃗, they experience a Lorentz electric field, v⃗×B⃗, which causes the spectral emission to be split and polarized due to the Stark effect. Traditional MSE-LP (line polarization) measurements determine the direction of the magnetic field in the observation volume using polarimetric analysis of the detected light. The harsh conditions of ITER are expected to deposit thin films of contaminants on the first mirror, which would alter the polarization state of reflected light significantly. On ITER, the combination of high magnetic field strength and high energy beams makes the Stark spectrum resolution suitable for the determination of the magnetic field magnitude from the line shift, so this approach has been selected. Every aspect of the measurement system must be planned for the burning plasma environment and carefully analyzed ahead of time. Current status and plans for the system are presented.

Instruments & Instrumentation↗

Early quantitative method for measuring germination in non-green spores of Dryopteris paleacea using an epifluorescence-microscope technique

A method is described to determine germination by blue-light excited red fluorescence in the positively photoblastic spores of Dryopteris paleacea Sw. This fluorescence is due to chlorophyll as evidenced from 1) a fluorescence-emission spectrum in vivo, where a bright fluorescence around 675 nm is obtained only in red light (R)-irradiated spores and 2) in vitro measurements with acetone extracts prepared from homogenized spores. Significant amounts of chlorophyll can be found only in R-treated spores; this chlorophyll exhibits an emission band around 668 nm, when irradiated with 430 nm light at 21 degrees C. Compared to other criteria for germination, such as swelling of the cell, coat splitting, greening, and rhizoid formation, which require longer periods after induction for their expression, chlorophyll fluorescence can be used to quantify germination after two days. This result is confirmed by fluence-response curves for R-induced spore germination; the same relationship between applied R and germination is obtained by the evaluation with the epifluorescence method 2 days after the light treatment as compared with the evaluation with bright-field microscopy 5 days after the inducing R. Using this technique we show for the first time that Ca2+ contributes to the signal-transduction chain in phytochrome-mediated chlorophyll synthesis in spores of Dryopteris paleacea.

NASA Discipline Plant Biology↗

Ultrastrong Coupling of Band‐Nested Excitons in Few‐Layer Molybdenum Disulphide

Abstract The 2D transition‐metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDCs) are an intriguing platform for studying strong light–matter interactions because they combine the electronic properties of conventional semiconductors with the optical resonances found in organic systems. However, the coupling strengths demonstrated in strong exciton–polariton coupling in the 2D TMDCs remain much lower than those found in organic systems. In this paper, a new approach is taken by utilizing the large oscillator strength of the above‐band gap C exciton in few‐layer molybdenum disulphide (FL‐MoS 2 ). A k ‐space Rabi splitting of 293 meV is shown when coupling FL‐MoS 2 C excitons to surface plasmon polaritons at room temperature. This value is 11% of the uncoupled exciton energy (2.67 eV or 464 nm), ≈2× what is typically seen in the TMDCs, placing the system in the ultrastrong coupling regime. The results take a step toward finally achieving the efficient quantum coherent processes of ultrastrong coupling in a CMOS‐compatible system—the 2D TMDCs—in the visible spectrum.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Beyond the Condon limit: Condensed phase optical spectra from atomistic simulations

While dark transitions made bright by molecular motions determine the optoelectronic properties of many materials, simulating such non-Condon effects in condensed phase spectroscopy remains a fundamental challenge. We derive a Gaussian theory to predict and analyze condensed phase optical spectra beyond the Condon limit. Our theory introduces novel quantities that encode how nuclear motions modulate the energy gap and transition dipole of electronic transitions in the form of spectral densities. By formulating the theory through a statistical framework of thermal averages and fluctuations, we circumvent the limitations of widely used microscopically harmonic theories, allowing us to tackle systems with generally anharmonic atomistic interactions and non-Condon fluctuations of arbitrary strength. We show how to calculate these spectral densities using first-principles simulations, capturing realistic molecular interactions and incorporating finite-temperature, disorder, and dynamical effects. Our theory accurately predicts the spectra of systems known to exhibit strong non-Condon effects (phenolate in various solvents) and reveals distinct mechanisms for electronic peak splitting: timescale separation of modes that tune non-Condon effects and spectral interference from correlated energy gap and transition dipole fluctuations. We further introduce analysis tools to identify how intramolecular vibrations, solute–solvent interactions, and environmental polarization effects impact dark transitions. Moreover, we prove an upper bound on the strength of cross correlated energy gap and transition dipole fluctuations, thereby elucidating a simple condition that a system must follow for our theory to accurately predict its spectrum.

Chemistry↗

Best Practices in PEC Water Splitting: How to Reliably Measure Solar-to-Hydrogen Efficiency of Photoelectrodes

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, which utilizes sunlight and water to produce hydrogen fuel, is potentially one of the most sustainable routes to clean energy. One challenge to success is that, to date, similar materials and devices measured in different labs or by different operators lead to quantitatively different results, due to the lack of accepted standard operating procedures and established protocols for PEC efficiency testing. With the aim of disseminating good practices within the PEC community, we provide a vetted protocol that describes how to prepare integrated components and accurately measure their solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency (η STH ). This protocol provides details on electrode fabrication, η STH test device assembly, light source calibration, hydrogen evolution measurement, and initial material qualification by photocurrent measurements under monochromatic and broadband illumination. Common pitfalls in translating experimental results from any lab to an accurate STH efficiency under an AM1.5G reference spectrum are discussed. A III–V tandem photocathode is used to exemplify the process, though with small modifications, the protocol can be applied to photoanodes as well. Dissemination of PEC best practices will help those approaching the field and provide guidance for comparing the results obtained at different lab sites by different groups.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Understanding Active Sites in Pyrolyzed Fe–N–C Catalysts for Fuel Cell Cathodes by Bridging Density Functional Theory Calculations and 57 Fe Mössbauer Spectroscopy

Pyrolyzed Fe–N–C materials are promising platinum-group-metal-free catalysts for proton-exchange membrane fuel cell cathodes. However, the detailed structure, oxidation, and spin states of their active sites are still undetermined. As such, 57 Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy has identified FeN x moieties as the most active sites, with their fingerprint being a doublet in low-temperature Mössbauer spectra. However, the interpretation of the doublets for such materials has lacked theoretical basis. Here, we applied density functional theory to calculate the quadrupole splitting energy of doublets (Δ E QS ) for a range of FeN x structures in different oxidation and spin states. The calculated and experimental values are then compared for a reference Fe–N–C catalyst, whereas further information on the Fe oxidation and spin states was obtained from electron paramagnetic resonance, superconducting quantum interference device, and 57 Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy under external magnetic field. The combined theoretical and experimental results identify the main presence of FeN x moieties in Fe(II) low-spin and Fe(III) high-spin states, whereas a minor fraction of sites could exist in the Fe(II) S = 1 state. From the analysis of the 57 Fe Mössbauer spectrum under the external magnetic field and the comparison of calculated and measured Δ E QS values, we assign the experimental doublet D1 with a mean Δ E QS value of around 0.9 mm·s –1 to Fe(III)N 4 C 12 moieties in high-spin state and the experimental doublet D2 with a mean Δ E QS value of around 2.3 mm·s –1 to Fe(II)N 4 C 10 moieties in low and medium spin. These conclusions indicate that D1 corresponds to surface-exposed sites, whereas D2 may correspond either to bulk sites that are inaccessible to O 2 or to surface sites that bind O 2 weaker than D1.

fuel cell↗

Luminescence of phosphorus containing oxide materials: Crystalline SiO{sub 2}‐P and 3P{sub 2}O{sub 5}⋅7SiO{sub 2}; CaO⋅P{sub 2}O{sub 5}; SrO⋅P{sub 2}O{sub 5} glasses

Luminescence of phosphate glasses such as CaO⋅P{sub 2}O{sub 5} and SrO⋅P{sub 2}O{sub 5} is compared with that of phosphorus doped crystalline α-quartz and phosphosilicate glass with content 3P{sub 2}O{sub 5}⋅7SiO{sub 2}. Water and OH groups are found by IR spectra in these materials. The spectrum of luminescence contains many bands in the range 1.5 - 5.5 eV. The luminescence bands in UV range at 4.5-5 eV are similar in those materials. Decay duration in exponential approximation manifests a time constant about 37 ns. Also a component in μs range was detected. PL band of μs component is shifted to low energy with respect to that of ∼37 ns component. This shift is about 0.6 eV. It is explained as singlet-triplet splitting of excited state. Below 14 K increase of luminescence kinetics duration in μs range was observed and it was ascribed to zero magnetic field splitting of triplet excited state of the center. Yellow-red luminescence was induced by irradiation in phosphorus doped crystalline α-quartz, phosphosilicate glasses. The yellowl uminescence contains two bands at 600 and 740 nm. Their decay is similar under 193 nm laser and may be fitted with the first order fractal kinetics or stretched exponent. Thermally stimulated luminescence contains only band at 600 nm. The 248 nm laser excites luminescence at 740 nm according to intra center process with decay time constant about 4 ms at 9 K. Both type of luminescence UV and yellow were ascribed to different defects containing phosphorus. P-doped α-quartz sample heated to 550 co become opalescent. Ir spectra related to water and OH groups are changed. Photoluminescence intensity of all three bands, UV (250 nm), yellow (600 nm) and red (740 nm) strongly diminished and disappeared after heating to 660 C°. Radiation induced red luminescence of non-bridging oxygen luminescence center (NBO) appeared in crystal after heat treatment. We had observed a crystalline version of this center (l. Skuja et al, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 286,159-168 (2012)). Effect of heat treatment explained as sedimentation of phosphorus in some state. Keeping of treated sample at 450-500 C° leads to partial revival of ability to create yellow luminescence center under irradiation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Polarized scattering with Paschen-Back effect, hyperfine structure, and partial frequency redistribution in magnetized stellar atmospheres

F-state interference significantly modifies the polarization produced by scattering processes in the solar atmosphere. Its signature in the emergent Stokes spectrum in the absence of magnetic fields is depolarization in the line core. In the present paper, we derive the partial frequency redistribution (PRD) matrix that includes interference between the upper hyperfine structure states of a two-level atom in the presence of magnetic fields of arbitrary strengths. The theory is applied to the Na I D{sub 2} line that is produced by the transition between the lower J = 1/2 and upper J = 3/2 states which split into F states because of the coupling with the nuclear spin I{sub s} = 3/2. The properties of the PRD matrix for the single-scattering case is explored, in particular, the effects of the magnetic field in the Paschen-Back regime and their usefulness as a tool for the diagnostics of solar magnetic fields.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

He2-36 - A planetary nebula with a high velocity jet?

The ultraviolet spectrum of the planetary nebula He2-36 was observed in the low-dispersion mode of the IUE. Strong emission lines of semiforbidden C III, He II, and C IV are observed, as well as some weak line and a moderately strong stellar continuum, suggesting a hot companion to the visual A2 III central star. The extinction to He2-36 was determined from the He II I (1640)/I (4686) ratio. The C IV line has an unusual split structure. If the 1545 component is due to a blueshifted component from the 'jet' emanating from the nebula, its velocity would be -600 km/s, which is unique for a planetary nebula.

Feibelman, W. A.↗

Lagrangian conditional statistics and flow topology in edge plasma turbulence

Lagrangian statistics and particle transport in edge plasma turbulence are investigated using the Hasegawa–Wakatani model and its modified version. The latter shows the emergence of pronounced zonal flows. Different values of the adiabaticity parameter are considered. The main goal is to characterize the role of coherent structures, i.e., vortices and zonal flows, and their impact on the Lagrangian statistics of particles. Computationally intensive long time simulations following ensembles of test particles over hundreds of eddy turnover times are considered in statistically stationary turbulent flows. The flow topology is characterized using the Lagrangian Okubo–Weiss criterion in order to split the flow into topologically different domains. In elliptic and hyperbolic regions, the probability density functions (PDFs) of the residence time have self-similar algebraic decaying tails. However, in the intermediate regions, the PDFs exhibit exponentially decaying tails. Topologically conditioned PDFs of the Lagrangian velocity, and acceleration and density fluctuations are likewise computed. The differences between the classical Hasegawa–Wakatani system and its modified version are assessed, and the role of zonal flows is highlighted. Here, the density flux spectrum, which characterizes the contributions of different length scales, is studied, and its inertial scaling is found to be in agreement with predictions based on dimensional arguments. Analyzing the angular change of particle tracers at different time scales, corresponding to coarse grained curvature, completes the study, and these multiscale geometric statistics quantify the directional properties of the particle motion in different flow regimes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Renormalization of the 3D exciton spectrum by the disorder

Effect of short-range disorder on the excited states of the exciton is studied. Disorder causes an obvious effect of broadening. Microscopically, an exciton, as an entity, is scattered by the large-scale disorder fluctuations. Much less trivial is that short-scale fluctuations, with a period of the order of the Bohr radius, cause a well-defined down-shift of the exciton levels. We demonstrate that this shift exceeds the broadening parametrically and study the dependence of this shift on the orbital number. Difference of the shifts for neighboring levels leads to effective renormalization of the Bohr energy. Most remarkable effect is the disorder-induced splitting of S and P exciton levels. The splitting originates from the fact that disorder lifts the accidental degeneracy of the hydrogen-like levels. We draw an analogy between this splitting and the Lamb shift in quantum electrodynamics.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Pressure effect on hydrogen tunneling and vibrational spectrum in α-Mn

Here in this paper, the pressure effect on the tunneling mode and vibrational spectra of hydrogen in α-MnH0.07 has been studied by inelastic neutron scattering. Applying hydrostatic pressure of up to 30 kbar is shown to shift both the hydrogen optical modes and the tunneling peak to higher energies. First-principles calculations show that the potential for hydrogen in α-Mn becomes overall steeper with increasing pressure. At the same time, the barrier height and its extent in the direction of tunneling decrease and the calculations predict significant changes of the dynamics of hydrogen in α-Mn at 100 kbar, when the estimated tunneling splitting of the hydrogen ground state exceeds the barrier height.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗