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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 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Bell inequalities in 2-2 scattering

We consider Bell inequalities in 2-2 scattering of photons, gravitons, fermions, and pions. We choose measurement settings that give maximum Bell violation for maximally entangled states and calculate the relevant Bell inequalities for these processes. For photon scattering at low energies, quantum electrodynamics exhibits Bell violation for all scattering angles except for a small transverse region. This leads to a fine-tuning problem. Incorporating a light axion/axionlike particle removes the fine-tuning problem and constrains the axion-coupling–axion-mass parameters. Allowing for graviton exchange and demanding Bell violation in photon scattering, we find that the weak-gravity conjecture is satisfied. Quantum gravity effects on axion coupling is discussed. For 2-2 graviton scattering, we find that CEMZ bounds allow for, at most, small Bell violations. Restriction on the Weinberg angle is found by demanding Bell violation in Bhabha scattering. We use recent $S$-matrix bootstrap data for pions and photons to study the Bell parameter in the space of allowed $S$-matrices. In the photon case, we study the Bell parameters as a function of energy and find support for the effective field theory observations. We discuss Bell parameter for pion $S$-matrices, which are qutrits. For pions, we find that there is a minimization of a suitable Bell parameter for $S$-matrices which exhibit Regge behavior.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1976

A new formulation for anisotropic radiative transfer problems. I - Solution with a variational technique

The equations of radiative transfer in anisotropically scattering media are reformulated as linear operator equations in a single independent variable. The resulting equations are suitable for solution by a variety of standard mathematical techniques. The operators appearing in the resulting equations are in general nonsymmetric; however, it is shown that every bounded linear operator equation can be embedded in a symmetric linear operator equation and a variational solution can be obtained in a straightforward way. For purposes of demonstration, a Rayleigh-Ritz variational method is applied to three problems involving simple phase functions. It is to be noted that the variational technique demonstrated is of general applicability and permits simple solutions for a wide range of otherwise difficult mathematical problems in physics.

Cheyney, H., III↗
NASA NTRS2000

Potential Applications of Satellite Based Low Frequency Microwave Measurements of Snow and Ice

In this presentation we will examine some potential applications of low frequency microwave radar and radiometer data to remote sensing of snow and ice conditions over land. We focus on the following low frequency bands; L-band (1.28 GHz), S-band (2.69 GHz), and C-band (5.0 GHz). To predict the effect of snow cover on microwave emission, we need to characterize the dielectric properties of the snow in terms of important physical parameters such as snow density, temperature, and wetness. For the case of dry snow, we use an empirical mixing formula which gives the effective complex permittivity of snow as a function of density, temperature, and frequency. For wet snow, we use another mixing formula which gives the effective complex permittivity as a function of snow wetness. With dry snow, the loss at low microwave frequencies is very small so the corresponding penetration depths are very large (eg., 100 m). Clearly seasonal snow covers are far too thin to have a direct scattering or emission effect on these low frequency bands. There are, however, indirect effects introduced because of altered reflection at the snow/soil boundary, and an extra reflecting interface at the snow/air boundary. For C-band, layers of snow with different densities can have an impact if the number of layers grows sufficiently large. (eg., many meters of snow pack with cm-scale density layering.) Wet snow poses a more difficult problem. Liquid water is much more effective than ice at scattering and absorbing L-band radiation, so even a small amount of wetness will greatly reduce penetration. For example, with a snow wetness of 1 percent (volume fraction), and a density of 300 kg/cu. m, the penetration depths for L-band, S-band, and C-band are about 1.6 m, 0.3 m, and 0.15 m respectively. Very wet snow has more than 10 percent liquid water, and the corresponding L-band penetration is less than 0.2 m. Because the penetration distance is a strong function of frequency, it may be possible to identify a particular class of snow where the wetness is a few percent, and the depth is around one meter by looking at the frequency gradient.

West, Richard D.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Solving the “Coloring Problem” in InPd 3– x Ag x ( x = 0–0.7) by Phase Diagrams Modeling and Diffraction Experiments

Here, a series of InPd 3–x Ag x (x = 0–1) compositions were synthesized by conventional high-temperature synthesis, and as-synthesized samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction experiments. Up to x = 0.7, InPd 3–x Ag x adopts the ternary substitutional variant of the InPd 3 structure (TiAl 3 -type), when x > 0.7, elemental Ag starts to segregate along with the main phase. Accurate structural characterization in InPd 3–x Ag x faces a critical challenge due to the narrow X-ray scattering contrast among constituents In, Pd, and Ag and nearly identical neutron scattering lengths of Pd and Ag. To overcome this “coloring problem”, a combination of calculation of phase diagrams modeling (CALPHAD) and diffraction techniques (X-ray and neutron) was employed. In the compositional range 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.7, InPd 3–x Ag x presents a ternary variant of the TiAl 3 -type structure, where Ag atoms selectively substitute one (the 2b Wyckoff site) of the two Pd sites in InPd 3 . Notably, in contrast to the isologous InPd 3–x Cu x (x = 0–1) system, Ag substitution does not form an ordered VRh 2 Sn-type structure at the limiting composition. The distinct site preference in InPd 3–x Ag x is elucidated by charge population analysis, electronic structure calculations, and orbital-resolved chemical bonding investigations, and the extent of substitution is supported by formation free energy calculations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Dynamic color mapping with a multi-scale histogram: A design study with physical scientists

Many research and development activities for scientific data analysis have focused on scalability challenges and data-driven features. Conversely, data visualization that focus on models requiring human interaction rarely involve practical and largescale scientific data analysis. Therefore, a gap exists between interactive data visualization and scientific data analysis applications. In this paper, we present a design study of interactive data visualization to support scientists who visually analyze data from neutron scattering experiments. This study was conducted in multiple phases: 1) problem characterization; 2) initial design and formative evaluation; and 3) iterative design. We characterize the problems and the design requirements for the analysis of the specific physical science data. We discuss the design, development, evaluation of our visual analytics tool and as well as our iterative developments with physical scientists. We show how to bridge the gap between the two disciplines uncovering new potential to solve their challenges in this design study. We focus on a specific challenge, finding an optimal color mapping, which plays a critical role in neutron scattering science and is broadly applicable to other scientific domains. To address the challenge, we propose two interactive visualization techniques: a dynamic color scale bar (DCSB) and a multi-scale histogram (MSH).

Chae, Junghoon↗
NASA NTRS1981

High frequency scattering by a thin dielectric slab

The geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD) is applied to the problem of a source in the presence of a three-dimensional thin dielectric slab. It is assumed that the reflection and transmission properties of the slab are known, and the slab is not lossy and/or multilayered. Two-dimensional thin dielectric layer scattering is analyzed when diffraction emanates from a single point, the source is not near the slab, and random energy approaching tangentially due to transmission is negligible. Coefficients are obtained for the scattering and the GTD solution is extended to the three dimensional case after development of a ray fixed coordinate system. The results are applied to a half wavelength dipole mounted above a square polystyrene covered ground plane.

Burnside, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The role of multiple scattering in one-dimensional radiative transfer

The usual methods of solving the radiative transfer equation yield answers which embrace all orders of scattering and thus shed little light on the underlying physical process. The present analysis examines the contributions of the various orders of scattering to the one dimensional transfer of radiation. In the one dimensional case an exact analytical solution exists and the problem reduces to that of expanding these exact solutions in powers of the albedo for single scattering. Formulas are given which permit the calculation of any order of scattering in an atmosphere of arbitrary optical thickness, particle albedo, and asymmetry parameter. The results should aid in identifying those physical situations where only the lowest orders of scattering play a significant role and where appropriate approximate methods might provide results of acceptable accuracy.

Adamson, D.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Modified Geometric Truncation of the Scattering Phase Function

Phase function of light scattering on large atmospheric particles has very strong peak in forward direction constituting a challenge for accurate numerical calculations of radiance required in remote sensing problems. Scaling transformation replaces original phase function with a sum of the delta function and a new regular smooth phase function. Geometric truncation is one of the ways to construct such a smooth function. The replacement phase function coincides with the original one outside the forward cone and preserves the asymmetry parameter. It has discontinuity at the cone. Another simple functional form of the replacement phase function within the cone is suggested. It enables continuity and allows for a number of modifications. Three of them are considered in this study: preserving asymmetry parameter, providing continuity of the 1st derivative of the phase function, and preserving mean scattering angle. Yet another problem addressed in this study is objective selection of the width of the forward cone. That angle affects truncation fraction and values of the phase function within the cone. A heuristic approach providing unambiguous criterion of selection of the truncation angle is proposed. The approach has easy numerical implementation. Suggested modifications were tested on cloud phase function using discrete ordinates and Monte Carlo methods. It was shown that the modifications provide better accuracy of the radiance computation compare to the original geometric truncation with discrete ordinates while continuous derivative approach provides significant gain in computer time with Monte Carlo simulations.

Alexander Radkevich↗
DOE OSTI2020

A quadratic programming flux correction method for high-order DG discretizations of S transport

In this work, we present a new flux-fixup approach for arbitrarily high-order discontinuous Galerkin (DG) discretizations of the S N transport equation, and we demonstrate the compatibility of this approach with the Variable Eddington Factor (VEF) method. The new fixup approach is sweep-compatible: during a transport sweep (block Gauss-Seidel iteration in which the scattering source is lagged), a local quadratic programming (QP) problem is solved in each spatial element to ensure that the solution satisfies certain physical constraints, including local particle balance. In this paper, we describe two choices of physical constraints, resulting in two variants of the method: QP Zero (QPZ) and QP Maximum Principle (QPMP). In QPZ, the finite element coefficients of the solution are constrained to be nonnegative. In QPMP, they are constrained to adhere to an approximate discrete maximum principle. There are two primary takeaways in this paper. First, when the positive Bernstein basis is used for DG discretization, the QPMP method eliminates negativities, preserves high-order accuracy for smooth problems, and significantly dampens unphysical oscillations in the solution. The latter feature – the dampening of unphysical oscillations – is an improvement upon standard, simpler fixup approaches such as the approach described in (denoted as the “zero and rescale” (ZR) method in this paper). This improvement comes at a moderate computational cost, but it is not prohibitive. Our results show that, even in an unrealistic worst-case scenario where 83% of the spatial elements require a fixup, the computational cost of performing a transport sweep with fixup is only ~31% greater than performing one without fixup. The second takeaway is that the VEF method can be used to accelerate the convergence of transport sweeps even when a fixup is applied. When optically thick regions are present, transport sweeps converge slowly, regardless of whether a fixup is applied, and acceleration is needed. However, attempting to apply standard diffusion synthetic acceleration (DSA) to fixed-up transport sweeps results in divergence for optically thick problems. Our results show that the same is not true for VEF. When VEF is combined with fixed-up transport sweeps, the result is a scheme that produces a nonnegative solution, converges independently of the mean free path, and, in the case of the QPMP fixup, adheres to an approximate discrete maximum principle.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Suppressed-moment 2-k order in the canonical frustrated antiferromagnet Gd 2 Ti 2 O 7

In partially ordered magnets, order and disorder coexist in the same magnetic phase, distinct from both spin liquids and spin solids. Here, we determine the nature of partial magnetic ordering in the canonical frustrated antiferromagnet Gd 2 Ti 2 O 7 , in which Gd 3+ spins occupy a pyrochlore lattice. Using single-crystal neutron-diffraction measurements in applied magnetic field, magnetic symmetry analysis, inelastic neutron-scattering measurements, and spin-wave modeling, we show that its low-temperature magnetic structure involves two propagation vectors (2-k structure) with suppressed ordered magnetic moments and enhanced spin-wave fluctuations. Our experimental results are consistent with theoretical predictions of thermal fluctuation-driven order in Gd 2 Ti 2 O 7 , and reveal that inelastic neutron-scattering measurements on powder samples can solve the longstanding problem of distinguishing single-k and multi-k magnetic structures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

AI for nuclear physics: the EXCLAIM project

An overview of the recent activity of the newly funded EXCLusives with AI and Machine learning (EXCLAIM) collaboration is presented. The main goal of the collaboration is to develop a framework to implement AI and machine learning techniques in problems emerging from the phenomenology of high energy exclusive scattering processes from nucleons and nuclei, maximizing the information that can be extracted from various sets of experimental data, while implementing theoretical constraints from lattice QCD. A specific perspective embraced by EXCLAIM is to use the methods of theoretical physics to understand the working of ML, beyond its standardized applications to physics analyses which most often rely on industrially provided tools, in an automated way.

Analysis and statistical methods↗
NASA NTRS1984

Reflectance spectroscopy - Quantitative analysis techniques for remote sensing applications

The empirical methods and scattering theories that are important for solving remote sensing problems are among the methods for remotely sensed reflectance data analysis presently compared. In the case of the photon mean optical path length concept's implications for reflectance spectra modeling, it is shown that the mean optical path length in a particulate surface is in roughly inverse proportion to the square root of the absorption coefficient. Absorption bands, which are Gaussian in shape when plotted as true absorptance vs photon energy, are also Gaussians in apparent absorptance, although they have a smaller intensity. An apparent continuum in a reflectance spectrum is modeled as a mathematical function that is used to isolate a particular absorption feature for analysis, and it is noted that this continuum should be removed by dividing it into the reflectance spectrum.

Clark, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The optimal polarizations for achieving maximum contrast in radar images

There is considerable interest in determining the optimal polarizations that maximize contrast between two scattering classes in polarimetric radar images. A systematic approach is presented for obtaining the optimal polarimetric matched filter, i.e., that filter which produces maximum contrast between two scattering classes. The maximization procedure involves solving an eigenvalue problem where the eigenvector corresponding to the maximum contrast ratio is an optimal polarimetric matched filter. To exhibit the physical significance of this filter, it is transformed into its associated transmitting and receiving polarization states, written in terms of horizontal and vertical vector components. For the special case where the transmitting polarization is fixed, the receiving polarization which maximizes the contrast ratio is also obtained. Polarimetric filtering is then applies to synthetic aperture radar images obtained from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It is shown, both numerically and through the use of radar imagery, that maximum image contrast can be realized when data is processed with the optimal polarimeter matched filter.

Swartz, A. A.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Improvement of SCALE-XSPROC Multigroup Cross Section Processing Based on the CENTRM Pointwise Slowing Down Calculation

The SCALE-XSProc multigroup (MG) cross section processing procedure based on the CENTRM pointwise slowing down calculation is the primary procedure to process problem-dependent self-shielded MG cross sections and scattering matrices for neutron transport calculations.This procedure supports various cell-based geometries including slab, 1-D cylindrical, 1-D spherical and 2-D rectangular configurations and doubly heterogeneous particulate fuels. Recently, this procedure has been significantly improved to be applied to any advanced reactor analysis covering thermal and fast reactor systems, and to be comparable to continuous energy (CE) Monte Carlo calculations. Some reactivity bias and reaction rate differences have been observed compared with CE Monte Carlo calculations, and several areas for improvement have been identified in the SCALE-XSProc MG cross section processing: (1) resonance self-shielding calculations within the unresolved resonance range, (2) 10 eV thermal cut-off energy for the free gas model, (3) on-the-fly adjustments to the thermal scattering matrix, (4) normalization of the pointwise neutron flux, and (5) fine MG energy structure. This procedure ensures very accurate MG cross section processing for high-fidelity deterministic reactor physics analysis for various advanced reactor systems.

Kim, Kang Seog↗
NASA NTRS1973

Detection of S02 and N02 in Stack Plume by Raman Scattering and Fluorescence

We have been studying laser-Raman radar which can be used as the remote detector of sulfur dioxide concentration in the stack plume of boiler exhaust gas, and some results have been published. In this paper, we report the interference of nitrogen dioxide fluorescence against sulfur dioxide Raman scattering and the measuring method of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide concentration. In a stack plume, high density dust and high concentration carbon dioxide are included, therefore very strong Mie back-scattering and carbon dioxide Raman scattering are observed. The separation of these scattering signals from sulfur dioxide Raman signal was the first problem for the laser-Raman radar. But, this problem was solved by using the filter which have high resolving power. It is well known that nitrogen dioxide can be excited to emit fluorescence of broad spectrum by blue-green light. The light source of the laser-Raman radar is SH of Nd:YAG laser, and boiler exhaust gas includes several tens ppm of nitrogen dioxide, then the interference of nitrogen dioxide fluorescence brings the error to sulfur dioxide measurement. 'rhe rejection of the interference can be achieved by the subtraction of the nitrogen dioxide fluorescence contribution from detected signal at sulfur dioxide Raman scattering wavelength. The nitrogen dioxide fluorescence contribution can be measured by two methods. The first is to convert the nitrogen dioxide fluorescence intensity which is measured at a different wavelength from sulfur dioxide Raman line into the one at sulfur dioxide Raman line. The second is to convert the detected signal intensity, which is obtained when the range gate is set just behind the plume, into the one obtained at the range of the plume using the difference of the time dependence between sulfur dioxide Raman scattering and nitrogen dioxide fluorescence. Nitrogen dioxide fluorescence has lifetime of about 300nS, while Raman scattering has none. By either of the two methods, the contribution of nitrogen dioxide fluorescence is determined. Then, we can measure the nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide concentration.The minimum detectable concentration and the experimental results of the remote sensing of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide in stack plume will be discussed in detail.

Nakahara, S.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The transmission or scattering of elastic waves by an inhomogeneity of simple geometry: A comparison of theories

The extended method of equivalent inclusions is applied to study the specific wave problems: (1) the transmission of elastic waves in an infinite medium containing a layer of inhomogeneity, and (2) the scattering of elastic waves in an infinite medium containing a perfect spherical inhomogeneity. Eigenstrains are expanded as a geometric series and a method of integration based on the inhomogeneous Helmholtz operator is adopted. This study compares results, obtained by using limited number of terms in the eigenstrain expansion, with exact solutions for the layer problem and that for a perfect sphere.

Sheu, Y. C.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Time-dependent phenomena in correlated materials

Understanding time-dependent processes and light-matter interaction in strongly correlated materials, and the interplay between electronic, orbital, vibrational, and spin degrees of freedom, is a cornerstone of condensed matter. These mechanisms can be proven by measuring the response of the systems to time-dependent perturbations. The corresponding time scales are dictated by the way light couples to the different excitations, and how these excitations exchange energy and momentum. Our research advances our understanding of these processes, and the interpretation of different equilibrium and time-resolved spectroscopies. Our project encompasses two main themes: (i) developing and refining computational techniques to study non-equilibrium spectroscopies including non-perturbative effects and (ii) applications to non-equilibrium phenomena. We have developed a new computational approach that works directly in the time domain: by including all the degrees of freedom involved in the scattering process (e.g. electrons, photons, neutrons), we solve the time dependent problem: a faithful numerical simulation of the experiment. By measuring the energy and momentum of the outgoing particles, we can extract information about the energy and momentum absorbed by the system. Prior to our work, people attempting to model and calculate non-equilibrium spectral functions relied on a description of the scattering cross section based on a formulation in the frequency domain, a treatment that is extremely cumbersome and complex. Our technique works in and out of equilibrium and can reproduce spectra by several spectroscopic techniques, such as time-resolved photoemission, neutron scattering, Raman, X-ray spectroscopies (RIXS, Auger, XAS, XMCD), and, by not relying on analytical approximations, yields results that reveal novel overlooked transient mechanisms. These tools provide sorely needed intuition for understanding the phenomenology of strongly correlated materials and will help experimentalists in identifying signatures of relevant excitations in pump-probe experiments, such as those conducted in DOE supported facilities.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1977

Analytic model approach to the inversion of scattering data

An analytic model approach is applied to several simple atmospheric inversion problems. This method gives a sharp determination of aerosol size distribution parameters. It is shown that this analytic approach, together with ground level point sampling data measurements, can be used to infer information on the tropospheric ozone profile.

Green, A. E. S.↗