Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “diffraction in time”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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

At least 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

The laser shock station in the dynamic compression sector. I

The Laser Shock Station in the Dynamic Compression Sector [Advanced Photon Source (APS), Argonne National Laboratory] links a laser-driven shock compression platform with high energy x-ray pulses from the APS to achieve in-situ, time-resolved x-ray measurements (diffraction and imaging) in materials subjected to well-characterized, high stress, short duration planar shock waves. Additionally, the combination of this station and the other DCS experimental stations provides a unique and versatile experimental facility to study condensed state phenomena by undertaking real-time, multi-scale measurements in materials subjected to a wide range of shock amplitudes (to above ~350 GPa) and time-durations (~10 ns to 1 μs). The Laser Shock Station uses a 100 joule, 5-17 ns, 351 nm frequency tripled Nd:glass laser with programmable pulse shaping and focal profile smoothing for maximum precision. The laser is capable of a shot every 30 minutes. The interaction chamber contains multiple ports for simultaneous diagnostics, a sample holder that allows sequential exposure for 14 samples without breaking vacuum, the capability to vary the angle between the x-ray beam and laser beam by 135°, and the ability to translate to select one of two types of x-ray beams. X-ray data can be taken with a temporal resolution of ~90 psec. Highly reproducible, planar shocks can be propagated in samples to undertake precise and well-characterized experiments. In a series of ten shots, the absolute variation in the time the shock breaks out at the back of the sample is less than 500ps and the variation in peak particle velocity at the sample/window interface is 4.3%. Lastly, this paper describes the entire DCS Laser Shock Station, including sample fabrication and diagnostics, as well as representative experimental results from shock compressed tantalum to demonstrate the excellent quality of x-ray diffraction data in solid tantalum and to establish the stress for tantalum melting.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2014

THE LOW-FREQUENCY CHARACTERISTICS OF PSR J0437–4715 OBSERVED WITH THE MURCHISON WIDE-FIELD ARRAY

We report on the detection of the millisecond pulsar PSR J0437–4715 with the Murchison Wide-field Array (MWA) at a frequency of 192 MHz. Our observations show rapid modulations of pulse intensity in time and frequency that arise from diffractive scintillation effects in the interstellar medium (ISM), as well as prominent drifts of intensity maxima in the time-frequency plane that arise from refractive effects. Our analysis suggests that the scattering screen is located at a distance of ∼80-120 pc from the Sun, in disagreement with a recent claim that the screen is closer (∼10 pc). Comparisons with higher frequency data from Parkes reveal a dramatic evolution of the pulse profile with frequency, with the outer conal emission becoming comparable in strength to that from the core and inner conal regions. As well as demonstrating the high time resolution science capabilities currently possible with the MWA, our observations underscore the potential to conduct low-frequency investigations of timing-array millisecond pulsars, which may lead to increased sensitivity in the detection of nanoHertz gravitational waves via the accurate characterization of ISM effects.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Improved neutron-gamma discrimination for a {sup 6}Li-glass neutron detector using digital signal analysis methods

A {sup 6}Li-glass scintillator (GS20) based neutron Anger camera was developed for time-of-flight single-crystal diffraction instruments at Spallation Neutron Source. Traditional Pulse-Height Analysis (PHA) for Neutron-Gamma Discrimination (NGD) resulted in the neutron-gamma efficiency ratio (defined as NGD ratio) on the order of 10{sup 4}. The NGD ratios of Anger cameras need to be improved for broader applications including neutron reflectometers. For this purpose, six digital signal analysis methods of individual waveforms acquired from photomultiplier tubes were proposed using (i) charge integration, (ii) pulse-amplitude histograms, (iii) power spectrum analysis combined with the maximum pulse-amplitude, (iv) two event parameters (a{sub 1}, b{sub 0}) obtained from a Wiener filter, (v) an effective amplitude (m) obtained from an adaptive least-mean-square filter, and (vi) a cross-correlation coefficient between individual and reference waveforms. The NGD ratios are about 70 times those from the traditional PHA method. Our results indicate the NGD capabilities of neutron Anger cameras based on GS20 scintillators can be significantly improved with digital signal analysis methods.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

Crystal structure, thermal expansion and high-temperature electrical conductivity of A-site deficient La{sub 2−z}Co{sub 1+y}(Mg{sub x}Nb{sub 1−x}){sub 1−y}O{sub 6} double perovskites

New La-deficient double perovskites with P2{sub 1}/n symmetry, La{sub ∼1.90}(Co{sup 2+}{sub 1−x}Mg{sup 2+}{sub x})(Co{sup 3+}{sub 1/3}Nb{sup 5+}{sub 2/3})O{sub 6} with x=0, 0.13 and 0.33, and La{sub 2}(Co{sup 2+}{sub 1/2}Mg{sup 2+}{sub 1/2}) (Co{sup 3+}{sub 1/2}Nb{sup 5+}{sub 1/2})O{sub 6} were prepared by solid state reaction at 1450 °C. Their crystal structures were refined using time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction data. Our results show that certain cations such as Nb{sup 5+}, with very strong B–O bonds in the perovskite structure, can induce A-site vacancies in double perovskites. Upon heating in N{sub 2} gas atmosphere at 1200 °C ∼1% O atom vacancies are formed together with a partial reduction of the Co{sup 3+} content. The average thermal expansion coefficient between 25 and 900 °C of La{sub 1.90}(Co{sup 2+}{sub 2/3}Mg{sup 2+}{sub 1/3})(Co{sup 3+}{sub 1/3}Nb{sup 5+}{sub 2/3})O{sub 6} was determined to be 17.4 ppm K{sup −1}. Four-point electronic conductivity measurements showed that the compounds are semiconductors, with conductivities varying between 3.7·10{sup −2} and 7.7·10{sup −2} S cm{sup −1} at 600 °C and activation energies between 0.77 and 0.81 eV. Partial replacement of La{sup 3+} with Sr{sup 2+} does not lead to any increase of conductivity, while replacement of Mg{sup 2+} with Cu{sup 2+} in La{sub 1.9}CoCu{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3}O{sub 6} and La{sub 1.8}CoCu{sub 1/2}Nb{sub 1/2}O{sub 6} leads to ∼100 times larger conductivities at 600 °C, 0.35 and 1.0 S cm{sup −1}, respectively, and lower activation energies, 0.57 and 0.73 eV, respectively. - Highlights: • Double perovskites, P2{sub 1}/n, La{sub 2−z}(Co{sup 2+}{sub 1−x}Mg{sup 2+}{sub x})(Co{sup 3+}{sub 1/3}Nb{sup 5+}{sub 2/3})O{sub 6} have been synthesized. • Crystal structures have been refined using neutron powder diffraction data. • Strong Nb–O bond and size ordering of Mg{sup 2+}/Co{sup 2+} and Nb{sup 5+}/Co{sup ~3+} leads to La-deficiency. • The compounds are semi conductors (~10{sup −2} S cm{sup −1}) at 600 °C. • Replacement of Mg{sup 2+} with Cu{sup 2+} leads to higher conductivity (~1.0 S cm{sup −1}) at 600 °C.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2013

Elimination of ghosting artifacts from wavelength-shifting fiber neutron detectors

Misassignment of neutron position (ghosting) produces artifacts, which have been observed in wavelength-shifting (WLS) fiber detectors developed for time-of-flight (TOF) neutron powder diffraction. In position-sensitive detectors (PSDs) with WLS fiber encoding, thermal and cold neutrons interact with a monolithic 6LiF/ZnS:Ag scintillator screen, and scintillation photons are generated and transported through the crossed fibers to photomultipliers (PMTs). The neutron position is determined by photon counts in PMTs within a preset time window. Ghosting occurs when neutrons hit the group boundaries of two neighboring PMTs for x-position multiplexing, which is modeled as resulting from a long travel length (about 3-5 mm) of a small number of scintillation photons. This model is supported by the change observed in aperture images when the threshold number for photon-pulses was adjusted for a neutron event determination. When the threshold number of photon-pulses was set above 10 for each PMT, the ghost peaks in the aperture images and TOF spectra of powder diffraction were strongly suppressed or completely eliminated, and the intrinsic background levels of the WLS detectors were significantly reduced. Our result indicates that WLS fiber detector is a promising alternative for 3He PSDs for neutron scattering.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Laser bandwidth interlock capable of single pulse detection and rejection

A pulse of laser light is switched out of a pulse train and spatially dispersed into its constituent wavelengths. The pulse is collimated to a suitable size and then diffracted by high groove density multilayer dielectric gratings. This imparts a different angle to each individual wavelength so that, when brought to the far field with a lens, the colors have spread out in a linear arrangement. The distance between wavelengths (resolution) can be tailored for the specific laser and application by altering the number of times the beam strikes the diffraction gratings, the groove density of the gratings and the focal length of the lens. End portions of the linear arrangement are each directed to a respective detector, which converts the signal to a 1 if the level meets a set-point, and a 0 if the level does not. If both detectors produces a 1, then the pulse train is allowed to propagate into an optical system.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Anisotropic Transient Disordering of Colloidal, Two-Dimensional CdSe Nanoplatelets upon Optical Excitation

Nanoplatelets (NPLs)-colloidally synthesized, spatially anisotropic, two-dimensional semiconductor quantum wells-are of intense interest owing to exceptionally narrow transition line widths, coupled with solution processability and bandgap tunability. However, given large surface areas and undercoordinated bonding at facet corners and edges, excitation under sufficient intensities may induce anisotropic structural instabilities that impact desired properties. We employ time-resolved X-ray diffraction to study the crystal structure of CdSe NPLs in response to optical excitation. Photoexcitation induces greater out-of-plane than in-plane disordering in 4 and 5 monolayer (ML) NPLs, while 3 ML NPLs display the opposite behavior. Recovery dynamics suggest that out-of-plane cooling slightly outpaces in-plane cooling in 5 ML NPLs with recrystallization occurring on indistinguishable time scales. In comparison, for zero-dimensional CdSe nanocrystals, disordering is isotropic and recovery is faster. These results favor the use of NPLs in optoelectronic applications, where they are likely to exhibit superior performance over traditional, zero-dimensional nanocrystals.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Grain size determination in nano-scale polycrystalline aggregates by precession illumination-hollow cone dark field imaging in the transmission electron microscope

Precession illumination hollow cone dark field (PI-HCDF) transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provides high contrast multi-beam dark field images, which are suitable for effective and robust grain size measurements in nano-scale polycrystalline aggregates. Precession illumination with slightly converged electron beam probes and precession angles up to 3 Degree-Sign has been produced using a computer-controlled system using a JEOL JEM 2000FX TEM instrument. Theoretical and practical aspects of the experimental technique are discussed using example precession illumination hollow cone diffraction patterns from single crystalline NiAl and the importance of selecting the appropriate precession angle for PI-HCDF image formation and interpretation is described. Results obtained for precession illumination are compared with those of conventional parallel beam illumination experiments. Nanocrystalline Al has been used to evaluate the influence of the precession angle on PI-HCDF image contrast with a focus on grain size analysis. PI-HCDF imaging has been applied for grain size measurements in regions of a nanocrystalline Al thin film adjacent to the edge of a pulsed laser melted and rapidly solidified region and determined the dimensions of a heat-affected zone. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer New TEM method for grain size measurements combines TEM resolution with obtainability of statistically significant data sets. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We use precession illumination to produce time precession illumination hollow cone diffraction patterns PI-HCDP. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Contrast in dark field images (PI-HCDF) formed from PI-HCDP is easy to interpret as dynamical effects are reduced. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer PI-HCDFs use several time-averaged g-rings simultaneously and contain more information than conventional DF-images. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Easy contrast interpretation and less dark field images required, allows fast, robust and reliable grain size determination.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Raman spectroscopy: A tool to investigate alpha decay damage in a PuO 2 crystal lattice and determining sample age since calcination

Raman microspectroscopy can be used to measure local physical properties of materials, such as the lattice parameter. Alpha decay induced lattice damage of plutonium dioxide (PuO 2 ) results in the growth of new bands and broadening of the T 2g band. A relationship between the change in the lattice parameter and storage time has been established in the literature using X-ray diffraction (XRD). In this work, our measured time-dependent Raman spectra of PuO 2 particulates matches the XRD results. This new Raman spectroscopic technique can provide dating information on the time elapsed since the last calcination of PuO 2 using a single >5 μm particulate in contrast to 50 mg of 10–50 μm particles required by XRD.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
DOE OSTI2023

Enabling Real-time Scattering Data Analysis with Scalable Optimization [Slides]

Diffraction experiments produce datasets with rich multidimensional physics information such as microstructure, equations of state, crystal structure, elastoplastic properties, and other key inputs to LANL mission-essential multiphysics models. This information is typically extracted through a process called Rietveld refinement, which involves selecting appropriate models of the instrument, crystal structure, and microstructure, identifying suitable starting values, and then fitting often hundreds of model parameters using a sequence of empirical parameter turnon/off sequences within a non-global gradient-based optimization. Extensive user expertise is required to properly setup a refinement, identify appropriate models, and select initial parameter values close to truth, such that the refinement will yield parameter values that are optimally predictive. This is a very tedious manual process performed far after the beamline campaign has ended. As facilities have become capable of generating larger volumes of data, the limitation in throughput due to Rietveld refinement has led to a dramatic increase in unanalyzed data as opposed to an intended increase in new science. In our FY22 TED, we demonstrated an integrated toolset providing near real-time automated Rietveld analysis. If this toolset can be optimized to provide automated Rietveld analysis in real-time, this could alleviate the bottleneck in unanalyzed diffraction data, aid in decision-making during experiments, and increase efficiency of the facility.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Coupled Mooring Analyses for the WEC-Sim Wave Energy Converter Design Tool: Preprint

A wave-energy-converter-specific time-domain modeling method (WEC-Sim) was coupled with a lumped-mass-based mooring model (MoorDyn) to improve its mooring dynamics modeling capability. This paper presents a verification and validation study on the coupled numerical method. First, a coupled model was built to simulate a 1/25 model scale floating power system connected to a traditional three-point catenary mooring with an angle of 120 between the lines. The body response and the tension force on the mooring lines at the fairlead in decay tests and under regular and irregular waves were examined. To validate and verify the coupled numerical method, the simulation results were compared to the measurements from a wave tank test and a commercial code (OrcaFlex). Second, a coupled model was built to simulate a two-body point absorber system with a chain-connected catenary system. The influence of the mooring connection on the point absorber was investigated. Overall, the study showed that the coupling of WEC-Sim and the MoorDyn model works reasonably well for simulating a floating system with practical mooring designs and predicting the corresponding dynamic loads on the mooring lines. Further analyses on improving coupling efficiency and the feasibility of applying the numerical method to simulate WEC systems with more complex mooring configuration are still needed.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2013

Method of optical coherence tomography with parallel depth-resolved signal reception and fibre-optic phase modulators

The method of optical coherence tomography with the scheme of parallel reception of the interference signal (P-OCT) is developed on the basis of spatial paralleling of the reference wave by means of a phase diffraction grating producing the appropriate time delay in the Mach–Zehnder interferometer. The absence of mechanical variation of the optical path difference in the interferometer essentially reduces the time required for 2D imaging of the object internal structure, as compared to the classical OCT that uses the time-domain method of the image construction, the sensitivity and the dynamic range being comparable in both approaches. For the resulting field of the interfering object and reference waves an analytical expression is derived that allows the calculation of the autocorrelation function in the plane of photodetectors. For the first time a method of linear phase modulation by 2π is proposed for P-OCT systems, which allows the use of compact high-frequency (a few hundred kHz) piezoelectric cell-based modulators. For the demonstration of the P-OCT method an experimental setup was created, using which the images of the inner structure of biological objects at the depth up to 1 mm with the axial spatial resolution of 12 μm were obtained. (optical coherence tomography)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2013

X-ray Diffraction and Multi-Frame Phase Contrast Imaging Diagnostics for IMPULSE at the Advanced Photon Source

The diagnostic needs of any dynamic loading platform present unique technical challenges that must be addressed in order to accurately measure in situ material properties in an extreme environment. The IMPULSE platform (IMPact system for Ultrafast Synchrotron Experiments) at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) is no exception and, in fact, may be more challenging, as the imaging diagnostics must be synchronized to both the experiment and the 60 ps wide x-ray bunches produced at APS. The technical challenges of time-resolved x-ray diffraction imaging and high-resolution multi-frame phase contrast imaging (PCI) are described in this paper. Example data from recent IMPULSE experiments are shown to illustrate the advances and evolution of these diagnostics with a focus on comparing the performance of two intensified CCD cameras and their suitability for multi-frame PCI. The continued development of these diagnostics is fundamentally important to IMPULSE and many other loading platforms and will benefit future facilities such as the Dynamic Compression Sector at APS and MaRIE at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

IMPULSE, x-ray, diffraction, PCI, imaging↗
DOE OSTI2012

Phase-Specific Elastic/Plastic Interface Interactions in Layered Cr-NiAl Structures

The depth-dependent, as-grown and deformation-induced strain and dislocations partitioned through the interfaces in a two-phase layered NiAl-Cr(Mo) structure are directly measured at the mesoscale using 3-D X-ray microdiffraction. It is demonstrated that in the as-grown, undeformed state, neighboring submicron Cr solid solution and NiAl eutectic lamellae (doped with {approx}3% Mo) form a heterointerface with 180{sup o} rotation around a <1 1 2> pole. It is shown that the mechanical response to the indentation of a layered composite with alternating Cr(Mo)-NiAl lamellae is distinct from the response of single-phase materials. In the center of the indent, after the load is released, the NiAl lamellae are under compressive forward stresses (with the same sign as the indentation-induced compression) while Cr solid solution lamellae are under tensile back stresses (with opposite sign from the indentation load). The depth-dependent alternation of compressive/tensile residual strains in the neighboring Cr solid solution and NiAl lamellae is understood in the framework of the Mughrabi's composite model considering two types of structure elements: harder and softer regions. Under indentation, both kinds of lamellae are assumed to deform compatibly. After the load is released, residual forward stresses are formed in the harder lamellae, and back stresses are formed in the mechanically softer lamellae. Line-broadening analysis of the intensity distribution along the diffraction vector reveals a 15-times increase in dislocation density in the near-surface zone in the center of the indent. Such a large increase is typical for severe deformation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Impact of microstructure on the thermoelectric properties of the ternary compound Ce{sub 3}Cu{sub 3}Sb{sub 4}

We present detailed structural and thermoelectric studies of the ternary compound Ce{sub 3}Cu{sub 3}Sb{sub 4}. This material is of interest due to previously reported considerable thermopower above room temperature (∼ 100 μV/K) and low thermal conductivity (2 W/(m K)). Here, we present detailed studies concerning microstructural and thermoelectric data, their variation across the samples and possible explanations for the observed behaviour. We have used X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) for microstructural analysis. The thermoelectric properties were examined using a physical property measurement system (PPMS). We analyse the impact of the sample quality on the thermoelectric properties. The most unstable parameter is the material resistivity which varies between 1.5 and 15 mΩ cm at room temperature. The properties variability is mainly due to structural defects caused by stresses during material preparation and also due to formation of foreign phases CeCuSb{sub 2} and CeSb. The figure of merit ZT is also strongly dependent on the quality of the sample. The largest value ZT ≈ 0.15 at 400 K is determined for the almost stoichiometric sample with small amounts of a impurity phases. - Highlights: •The Ce{sub 3}Cu{sub 3}Sb{sub 4} has considerable thermoelectric properties and potential for further chemical and/or structural modification. •The control over foreign phases formation is challenging. •The defects arising during arc melting process highly deteriorate ZT of material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Nonequilibrium charge-density-wave order beyond the thermal limit

The interaction of many-body systems with intense light pulses may lead to novel emergent phenomena far from equilibrium. Recent discoveries, such as the optical enhancement of the critical temperature in certain superconductors and the photo-stabilization of hidden phases, have turned this field into an important research frontier. Here, we demonstrate nonthermal charge-density-wave (CDW) order at electronic temperatures far greater than the thermodynamic transition temperature. Using time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and time-resolved X-ray diffraction, we investigate the electronic and structural order parameters of an ultrafast photoinduced CDW-to-metal transition. Tracking the dynamical CDW recovery as a function of electronic temperature reveals a behaviour markedly different from equilibrium, which we attribute to the suppression of lattice fluctuations in the transient nonthermal phonon distribution. A complete description of the system’s coherent and incoherent order-parameter dynamics is given by a time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau framework, providing access to the transient potential energy surfaces.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

An in situ approach to study trace element partitioning in the laser heated diamond anvil cell

Data on partitioning behavior of elements between different phases at in situ conditions are crucial for the understanding of element mobility especially for geochemical studies. Here, we present results of in situ partitioning of trace elements (Zr, Pd, and Ru) between silicate and iron melts, up to 50 GPa and 4200 K, using a modified laser heated diamond anvil cell (DAC). This new experimental set up allows simultaneous collection of x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) data as a function of time using the high pressure beamline ID27 (ESRF, France). The technique enables the simultaneous detection of sample melting based to the appearance of diffuse scattering in the XRD pattern, characteristic of the structure factor of liquids, and measurements of elemental partitioning of the sample using XRF, before, during and after laser heating in the DAC. We were able to detect elements concentrations as low as a few ppm level (2-5 ppm) on standard solutions. In situ measurements are complimented by mapping of the chemical partitions of the trace elements after laser heating on the quenched samples to constrain the partitioning data. Our first results indicate a strong partitioning of Pd and Ru into the metallic phase, while Zr remains clearly incompatible with iron. This novel approach extends the pressure and temperature range of partitioning experiments derived from quenched samples from the large volume presses and could bring new insight to the early history of Earth.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗