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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 55 records · Page 3

Nanosecond Structural Dynamics during Electrical Melting of Charge Density Waves in 1⁢T-TaS 2

Electrical control of charge density waves has been of immense interest, as the strong underlying electron-lattice interactions potentially open new, efficient pathways for manipulating their ordering and, consequently, their electronic properties. However, the transition mechanisms are often unclear as electric field, current, carrier injection, heat, and strain can all contribute and play varying roles across length scales and timescales. Here, we provide insight on how electrical stimulation melts the room temperature charge density wave order in 1T-TaS 2 by visualizing the atomic and mesoscopic structural dynamics from quasistatic to nanosecond pulsed melting. Using a newly developed ultrafast electron microscope setup with electrical stimulation, we reveal the order and strain dynamics during voltage pulses as short as 20 ns. The order parameter dynamics across a range of pulse amplitudes and durations support a thermally driven mechanism even for fields as high as 19 kV cm -1 . In addition, time-resolved imaging reveals a heterogeneous, mesoscopic strain response across the flake, including MHz-scale acoustic resonances that emerge during sufficiently short pulsed excitation which may modulate the order. In conclusion, these results suggest that metallic charge density wave phases like studied here may be more robust to electronic switching pathways than insulating ones, motivating further investigations at higher fields and currents in this and other related systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE

NASA Tech Briefs, August 2008

Customizable Digital Receivers for Radar Two-Camera Acquisition and Tracking of a Flying Target Visual Data Analysis for Satellites A Data Type for Efficient Representation of Other Data Types Hand-Held Ultrasonic Instrument for Reading Matrix Symbols Broadband Microstrip-to-Coplanar Strip Double-Y Balun A Topographical Lidar System for Terrain-Relative Navigation Programmable Low-Voltage Circuit Breaker and Tester Electronic Switch Arrays for Managing Microbattery Arrays Topics covered include: Lower-Dark-Current, Higher-Blue-Response CMOS Imagers; Fabricating Large-Area Sheets of Single-Layer Graphene by CVD; Support for Diagnosis of Custom Computer Hardware; Providing Goal-Based Autonomy for Commanding a Spacecraft; Dynamic Method for Identifying Collected Sample Mass; Optimal Planning and Problem-Solving; Attitude-Control Algorithm for Minimizing Maneuver Execution Errors; Grants Document-Generation System; Heat-Storage Modules Containing LiNO3 3H2O and Graphite Foam; Precipitation-Strengthened, High-Temperature, High-Force Shape Memory Alloys; Improved Relief Valve Would Be Less Susceptible to Failure; Safety Modification of Cam-and-Groove Hose Coupling; Using Composite Materials in a Cryogenic Pump; Using Electronic Noses to Detect Tumors During Neurosurgery; Producing Newborn Synchronous Mammalian Cells; Smaller, Lower-Power Fast-Neutron Scintillation Detectors; Rotationally Vibrating Electric-Field Mill; Estimating Hardness from the USDC Tool-Bit Temperature Rise; Particle-Charge Spectrometer; Automated Production of Movies on a Cluster of Computers; FIDO-Class Development Rover; and Tone-Based Command of Deep Space Probes Using Ground Antennas.

Source record

Sub-1K Cold-Electron Quantum Well Switching at Room Temperature

Quantum states can provide means to systematically manipulate the transport of electrons. Here, in this study, we present electron transport across quasi-bound states of two heterogeneous quantum wells (QWs), where the transport of thermally excited electrons is blocked or enabled depending on the relative positions of the two quasi-bound states, with an abrupt current onset occurring when the two QW states align. The QW switch comprises a source (Cr), QW1 (Cr 2 O 3 ), QW2 (SnO x , x < 2), a tunneling barrier (SiO 2 ), and a drain (Si), where the effective electron mass of QW1 (m* QW1 ) is selected to be larger than QW2 (m* QW2 ). The current-voltage (I-V) measurements of the fabricated devices show abrupt current onsets, with the current transition occurring within 0.25 mV, corresponding to an effective electron temperature of 0.8 K at room temperature. Since transistor power consumption is fundamentally tied to effective electron temperature, this sub-1K cold-electron QW switching holds promise for highly energy-efficient computing.

Fermi−Dirac thermal smearing

On the Ordering Mechanism of Cu + in 2D van der Waals Multiferroic CuCrP 2 S 6

CuCrP 2 S 6 is a van der Waals multiferroic where the tunable Cu + sublattice underpins its exceptional ferroelectric and electronic switching properties. Yet, the microscopic mechanism governing Cu + ordering has remained elusive. Here, we combine single-crystal X-ray and neutron diffraction with pair distribution function analysis to uncover a temperature-driven evolution of Cu + ordering, giving rise to an incommensurate quasi-antipolar phase between the paraelectric and antiferroelectric states. The modulation originates from correlated Cu + occupancy redistribution coupled to breathing distortion of surrounding S 3 triangles, establishing a symmetry-adapted lattice distortion mode. Diffuse scattering persisting over 35 K above the transition confirms that the structural instability follows an order-disorder mechanism. The spontaneous off-centering of Cu + positions CuCrP 2 S 6 as a model platform for correlated order-disorder phenomena in 2D layered ferroics, and provides design principles for next-generation memory and logic devices.

ferroelectrics

Electronic coherence evolution at the nearly commensurate-incommensurate CDW boundary of 1⁢T−TaS 2

Transition-metal dichalcogenides host a variety of charge-density-wave phases that couple lattice, charge, and correlation effects. In 1⁢𝑇−TaS 2 , the commensurate and nearly commensurate states are well characterized, yet the transition near 350 K into the incommensurate phase has lacked direct momentum-resolved insight. In this work, we use temperature-dependent angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to track the electronic structure across this transition. We observe a suppression of quasiparticle spectral weight at the Brillouin-zone center, coincident with the transport anomaly, but without clear evidence of a full band-gap opening. The transition appears to involve momentum-dependent redistribution of spectral weight, consistent with a loss of coherence that reshapes the Fermi surface while leaving conduction dispersions largely intact. These results suggest that the nearly commensurate–incommensurate transition may not align with a conventional metal-insulator transition picture, but rather as an electronic reconstruction driven by loss of coherence. Our work provides new microscopic insight into the resistivity anomaly near room temperature and may guide design principles for collective electronic switching in transition-metal dichalcogenides.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE

Dynamic linearity measurement technique

Measurement technique involves frequency modulated discriminator which produces an error signal as two signals, one of known and one of unknown frequency. The signals are electronically switched to a discriminator input, allowing independent measuring of dynamic linearity in a frequency modulated subcarrier oscillator.

Merz, K.

Electro-optical time marker for high-speed cameras

Electro-optical device converts high-frequency electrical pulses into permanent optical records on film. Accurate, well defined images are formed of electronic pulses having repetition rates greater than 10,000 pulses/sec and pulse widths of 20 microseconds or less. Small electronic switch drives a silicon carbide electroluminescent diode.

Copeland, J. T., Jr.

Peak acceleration limiter

Device is described that limits accelerations by shutting off shaker table power very rapidly in acceleration tests. Absolute value of accelerometer signal is used to trigger electronic switch which terminates test and sounds alarm.

Chapman, C. P.

Ultraprecision tool positioner

A linear actuator was designed with a range of several centimeters plus. Two independently functioning devices were combined to form a tool positioner, which could be used for the generation of optical elements in highly stable materials or to actively control the figure of a lightweight astronomical mirror. The advantages of the positioner over other displacement actuators are: simplicity of construction, large displacement range, bidirectional displacement, and the ability to work against opposing forces. An engineering model positioner was manufactured and tested. The system includes an electronic switching circuit and a laser interferometer gage. It was demonstrated that, by combining a holding and a driving mechanism, the capabilities of a limited positioning device are extended.

Schmidt, E. E.

Circular polarization of twilight.

Review of observations of circular polarization of twilight performed with a polarimeter which uses an electronically switched Pockels cell operated as a reversible quarter-wave plate to convert circular into linear polarization. The latter was then analyzed by a Wollaston prism followed by two gallium-arsenide photomultipliers. The discovery of a definite natural circular polarization at twilight does suggest that, with increased observation precision, measurements of the small daylight component are possible. These could give useful information about particles in the atmosphere and be valuable in studies of meteorology and air pollution.

Angel, J. R. P.

Rotating raster generator

A rotating raster generator is provided which enables display of a television raster at any arbitrary roll angle. The generator includes four integrator circuits each of which receives a first voltage input corresponding to the sine or cosine of the desired roll angle and a second input comprising conventional horizontal or vertical sync pulses. The integrator circuits each comprise an operational amplifier and a capacitor connected for producing a ramp output having a rate of change proportional to the roll angle input, an electronic switch responsive to the sync input for resetting the integrator, and a summer that adds the ramp output of the integrator to the roll angle input so as to provide a zero-centered deflection control voltage.

Wagner, C. A.

Summary of the CTS Transient Event Counter data after one year of operation

The environmental charging of satellite surfaces during geomagnetic substorms is the apparent cause of a significant number of anomalous events occurring on geosynchronous satellites since the early 1970's. Electromagnetic pulses produced in connection with the differential charging of insulators can couple into the spacecraft harness and cause electronic switching anomalies. An investigation conducted to determine the response of the spacecraft surfaces to substorm particle fluxes makes use of a harness transient detector. The harness transient detector, called the Transient Event Counter (TEC) was built and integrated into the Canadian-American Communications Technology Satellite (CTS). A description of the TEC and its operational characteristics is given and the obtained data are discussed. The data show that the satellite surfaces appear to be charged to the point that discharges occur and that the discharge-induced transients couple into the wire harnesses.

Stevens, N. J.

The ESSA solution

ESSA (Electronic Switching Spherical Array) is a fixed truncated spherical antenna with its elements over the complete surface, conceived to satisfy many future antenna system requirements. Constant gain and beam shape throughout large volumetric coverage regions are the principle characteristics. In the present paper, the two existing types of ESSA are discussed. ESSA I is a simple nonphase correcting aperture approach characterized by light weight, low dc power consumption, gain between +7 and +14 dB, and 90% spherical coverage. ESSA II is a phase corrected aperture which would have very low sidelobe levels and improved gain over ESSA I (12 to 22 dB), but would be heavier and require more dc power.

Hockensmith, R. P.

Data acquisition system for NASA LaRC impact dynamics research facility

A data system is designed to permit the simultaneous recording of 90 data channels on one 28 track magnetic tape recorder using a constant bandwidth FM multiplexing technique. Dynamic signals from transducers located in the test aircraft are amplified and fed to voltage controlled oscillators where they are converted to discrete FM signals. The signals from each group of five VCO's are fed to a mixer/distribution amplifier where they are combined into one composite signal and recorded, using direct recording techniques, on one magnetic tape recorder track. Millivolt signals from the recorders reproduce heads are amplified to one volt and then electronically switched to an FM demultiplexing system where appropriate frequency discrimination and signal filtering recover the original analog information.

Mccormick, R. F.

Coupling an induction motor type generator to ac power lines

A system for coupling an induction motor type generator to an A.C. power line includes an electronic switch means that is controlled by a control system and is regulated to turn on at a relatively late point in each half cycle of its operation. The energizing power supplied by the line to the induction motor type generator is decreased and the net power delivered to the line is increased.

Nola, F. J.

Thermoelectric and Thermionic Conversion Technology

Applied research and technology efforts in thermoelectric and thermionic programs were recommended that will enable space power systems for the nation's future space missions. Specifically it was argued that the effort in thermoelectric materials technology be broadened with the objective of obtaining a material with a Figure of Merit greater than 1.0 x 10(-3)/K for hot junction temperatures of 1100 to 1500 K. The recommended effort in thermionics is to pursue technology programs that will result in an understanding and lifetime prediction methodologies for fuel-emitter and sheath-insulator behavior as a function of operating time and temperature. Also it is recommended that an effort be initiated that combines the thermoelectric, thermionic and power electronic technologies into a program to develop the technology for high temperature, high radiation resistant, and high current electronic switches.

Mondt, J. F.

Circuit for Lifetime and Surface-Recombination Measurements

Test circuit for silicon solar cells suppresses spurious effects. New circuit increases accuracy of measurements of recombination lifetime and effective surface recombination velocity in silicon solar cell. Fast electronic switch, circuit grounds forward-biased cell so rapidly transient voltage to be measured not affected significantly.

Lindholm, F. A.