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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

An all optical approach for comprehensive in-operando analysis of radiative and nonradiative recombination processes in GaAs double heterostructures

We demonstrate an all optical approach that can surprisingly offer the possibility of yielding much more information than one would expect, pertinent to the carrier recombination dynamics via both radiative and nonradiative processes when only one dominant deep defect level is present in a semiconductor material. By applying a band-defect state coupling model that explicitly treats the inter-band radiative recombination and Shockley–Read–Hall (SRH) recombination via the deep defect states on an equal footing for any defect center occupation fraction, and analyzing photoluminescence (PL) as a function of excitation density over a wide range of the excitation density (e.g., 5–6 orders in magnitude), in conjunction with Raman measurements of the LO-phonon plasmon (LOPP) coupled mode, nearly all of the key parameters relevant to the recombination processes can be obtained. They include internal quantum efficiency (IQE), minority and majority carrier density, inter-band radiative recombination rate (W r ), minority carrier nonradiative recombination rate (W nr ), defect center occupation fraction (f), defect center density (N t ), and minority and majority carrier capture cross-sections (σ t and σ tM ). While some of this information is thought to be obtainable optically, such as IQE and the W r /W nr ratio, most of the other parameters are generally considered to be attainable only through electrical techniques, such as current-voltage (I-V) characteristics and deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS). Following a procedure developed herein, this approach has been successfully applied to three GaAs double-heterostructures that exhibit two distinctly different nonradiative recombination characteristics. The method greatly enhances the usefulness of the simple PL technique to an unprecedented level, facilitating comprehensive material and device characterization without the need for any device processing.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Two-dimensional perovskite heterostructures for single crystal semiconductor devices

Two-dimensional (2D) perovskites have gained much attention lately owing to their excellent optoelectronic properties, chemical tunability, and environmental stability. Multiple methods have been devised to synthesize high quality 2D perovskite single crystals, and recent progress in fabricating its heterostructures is notable as well. In particular, with growing interest in 2D van der Waals heterostructures, 2D perovskites have become a strong candidate as a new building block for heterostructures to reveal unique physical properties across different interfaces. Until now, various heterostructure devices of 2D perovskite single crystals with other types of 2D materials such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and graphene have been studied, which have shown intriguing results including interlayer excitons and enhanced electronic properties. Here, we introduce various synthetic approaches to realize 2D perovskite single crystals and unique characteristics of their single crystal heterostructures fabricated with precision, possessing sharp interfaces. Moreover, recent studies of semiconductor devices based on 2D perovskite single crystal heterostructures are discussed in-depth. New perspectives to further the horizon in the field of 2D perovskite heterostructures are suggested in this work including the consideration of metal–2D material van der Waals contact, application of dry transfer techniques, electric bias driven ion diffusion studies, and nanocrystal array fabrication. 2D perovskite heterostructure single crystal devices factoring in these novel perspectives will further uncover the true potential of these materials for highly efficient and stable semiconductor devices.

Physics↗

Probing the Atomic Scale Mechanisms of Time Dependent Dielectric Breakdown in Si/SiO 2 MOSFETs (June 2022)

Here we report on an atomic-scale study of trap generation in the initial/intermediate stages of time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) in high-field stressed (100) Si/SiO2 MOSFETs using two powerful analytical techniques: electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) and near-zero-field magnetoresistance (NZFMR). We find the dominant EDMR-sensitive traps generated throughout the majority of the TDDB process to be silicon dangling bonds at the (100) Si/SiO2 interface (Pb0 and Pb1 centers) for both the spin-dependent recombination (SDR) and trap-assisted tunneling (SDTAT) processes. We find this generation to be linked to both changes in the calculated interface state densities as well as changes in the NZFMR spectra for recombination events at the interface, indicating a redistribution of mobile magnetic nuclei which we conclude could only be due to the redistribution of hydrogen at the interface. Additionally, we observe the generation of traps known as E’ centers in EDMR measurements at lower experimental temperatures via SDR measurements at the interface. Our work strongly suggests the involvement of a rate-limiting step in the tunneling process between the silicon dangling bonds generated at the interface and the ones generated throughout the oxide.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

CTAP REPORT. Commercialization of Power Spectrum Analysis (PSA) Technology

Power Spectrum Analysis (PSA) is a Sandia-developed, non-intrusive, electrical technique that captures distinct frequency-domain signatures of microelectronics devices using an innovative, unconventional biasing scheme (off-normal biasing). PSA can identify subtle differences in devices and is applicable in various areas such as device screening, counterfeit identification, reliability assurance, and trust authentication. From October 2020 to April 2021, Sandia worked with entrepreneurs from a new start-up company, Chiplytics, to commercialize PSA technology through NNSA-sponsored FedTech Program. In September 2021, Sandia received funding through Covid-19 Technical Assistance Program (CTAP) to provide technical assistance to Chiplytics for commercialization. Under the CTAP Statement of Work, Sandia was tasked with providing technical assistance to Chiplytics in PSA pilot testing for Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) at Crane and other pilot participants. Sandia was also tasked with assisting Chiplytics in hardware development and evaluation of Chiplytics prototype system.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Evaluation of the ECAS open cycle MHD power plant design

The Energy Conversion Alternatives Study (ECAS) MHD/steam power plant is described. The NASA critical evaluation of the design is summarized. Performance of the MHD plant is compared to that of the other type ECAS plant designs on the basis of efficiency and the 30-year levelized cost of electricity. Techniques to improve the plant design and the potential performance of lower technology plants requiring shorter development time and lower development cost are then discussed.

Seikel, G. R.↗

Process and Radiation Induced Defects in Electronic Materials and Devices

Process and radiation induced defects are characterized by a variety of electrical techniques, including capacitance-voltage measurements and charge pumping. Separation of defect type into stacking faults, displacement damage, oxide traps, interface states, etc. and their related causes are discussed. The defects are then related to effects on device parameters. Silicon MOS technology is emphasized. Several reviews of radiation effects and silicon processing exist.

Washington, Kenneth↗

Application of selection techniques to electric-propulsion options on an advanced synchronous satellite

This paper addresses the comparison of several candidate auxiliary-propulsion systems and system combinations for an advanced synchronous satellite. Economic selection techniques, evolved at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, are used as a basis for system option comparisons. Electric auxiliary-propulsion types considered include pulsed plasma and ion bombardment, with hydrazine systems used as a state-of-the-art reference. Current as well as projected electric-propulsion system performance data are used, as well as projected hydrazine system costs resulting from NASA standardization program projections.

Holcomb, L. B.↗

Comparing Parameter Estimation Techniques for an Electrical Power Transformer Oil Temperature Prediction Model

This paper examines various sources of error in MIT's improved top oil temperature rise over ambient temperature model and estimation process. The sources of error are the current parameter estimation technique, quantization noise, and post-processing of the transformer data. Results from this paper will show that an output error parameter estimation technique should be selected to replace the current least squares estimation technique. The output error technique obtained accurate predictions of transformer behavior, revealed the best error covariance, obtained consistent parameter estimates, and provided for valid and sensible parameters. This paper will also show that the output error technique should be used to minimize errors attributed to post-processing (decimation) of the transformer data. Models used in this paper are validated using data from a large transformer in service.

Morris, A. Terry↗

Technique for Solving Electrically Small to Large Structures for Broadband Applications

Fast iterative algorithms are often used for solving Method of Moments (MoM) systems, having a large number of unknowns, to determine current distribution and other parameters. The most commonly used fast methods include the fast multipole method (FMM), the precorrected fast Fourier transform (PFFT), and low-rank QR compression methods. These methods reduce the O(N) memory and time requirements to O(N log N) by compressing the dense MoM system so as to exploit the physics of Green s Function interactions. FFT-based techniques for solving such problems are efficient for spacefilling and uniform structures, but their performance substantially degrades for non-uniformly distributed structures due to the inherent need to employ a uniform global grid. FMM or QR techniques are better suited than FFT techniques; however, neither the FMM nor the QR technique can be used at all frequencies. This method has been developed to efficiently solve for a desired parameter of a system or device that can include both electrically large FMM elements, and electrically small QR elements. The system or device is set up as an oct-tree structure that can include regions of both the FMM type and the QR type. The system is enclosed with a cube at a 0- th level, splitting the cube at the 0-th level into eight child cubes. This forms cubes at a 1st level, recursively repeating the splitting process for cubes at successive levels until a desired number of levels is created. For each cube that is thus formed, neighbor lists and interaction lists are maintained. An iterative solver is then used to determine a first matrix vector product for any electrically large elements as well as a second matrix vector product for any electrically small elements that are included in the structure. These matrix vector products for the electrically large and small elements are combined, and a net delta for a combination of the matrix vector products is determined. The iteration continues until a net delta is obtained that is within the predefined limits. The matrix vector products that were last obtained are used to solve for the desired parameter. The solution for the desired parameter is then presented to a user in a tangible form; for example, on a display.

Jandhyala, Vikram↗

A study of fatigue crack closure using electric potential and compliance techniques

Compared are closure data produced on the same specimen by the crack tip compliance gage and electric potential techniques. Experiments on 7075-T651 aluminum center cracked panels produced equivalent results on closure using the two techniques. The results also indicated that closure is a function of stress ratio, specimen thickness and maximum applied stress intensity. Maximum stress intensity had a strong effect on closure in the range of applied stresses used. This dependence of closure on specimen thickness and maximum stress intensity accounts for many of the discrepencies in closure behavior reported in the literature.

Clarke, C. K.↗

Electrical noise reduction techniques contributing to improved data quality at the National Transonic Facility

In initial use, the high-speed digital data acquisition systems at Langley Research Center's National Transonic Facility produced data containing unacceptably high noise levels. Described is a process whereby the contributing noise sources were identified and eliminated. The effects of 60 Hz power, system grounding, EMI/RFI, and other problems are discussed and the corrective action taken is outlined. The overall effort resulted in an improvement of greater than 5:1 in system performance. Although the report describes a system specifically used for wind tunnel data acquisition, the corrective techniques employed are generally applicable to large scale high-speed data systems where signal resolution in the low microvolts range is important.

Mcphee, J. R.↗

Applicability of Electrical and Electroanalytical Techniques to Detect Water and Characterize the Geochemistry of Undisturbed Planetary Soils

The search for life is a primary goal of NASA s planetary exploration program. The search is, of necessity, tiered in both the detection approach (looking for evidence of microbial fossils or the presence of water in the geological history of a planetary body and/or looking for evidence of water, energy sources, precursors to life, signatures of life and/or life itself in the present day planetary environment) and in the survey method (scale, range, specificity) employed. Terrestrial investigations suggests that life as we know it requires water. Thus, the search for extant microbial life and habitats requires identifying water-bearing soils. Determining Reduction-Oxidation (REDOX) couples present in water, once it is found, provides information on soil geochemistry and identifies potential chemical energy sources for life. Mars offers a near-term target for conducting this search. The identification of gully formation [1], layered deposits [2] and elemental ratios of bromine and chlorine [3] present indirect evidence that water was abundant locally in the Martian past. Additionally, Viking images of polar ice and frost formation on the surface of Mars demonstrate that water can exist in at least some near-surface regions of present-day Mars. Atmospheric pressure data further suggest that liquid water may be stable for short periods of time in the mid-latitudes of the Martian surface. [4] Measurements of the global distribution of hydrogen in the Martian regolith offer tantalizing indirect evidence that water may at least exist in near-surface soils. [5] Evidently, any water to be found is likely to exist as soil mixtures at levels ranging between approx.0.5% and approx.5 %.

Seshadri, S.↗

Combined fast multipole-QR compression technique for solving electrically small to large structures for broadband applications

An approach that efficiently solves for a desired parameter of a system or device that can include both electrically large fast multipole method (FMM) elements, and electrically small QR elements. The system or device is setup as an oct-tree structure that can include regions of both the FMM type and the QR type. An iterative solver is then used to determine a first matrix vector product for any electrically large elements, and a second matrix vector product for any electrically small elements that are included in the structure. These matrix vector products for the electrically large elements and the electrically small elements are combined, and a net delta for a combination of the matrix vector products is determined. The iteration continues until a net delta is obtained that is within predefined limits. The matrix vector products that were last obtained are used to solve for the desired parameter.

Jandhyala, Vikram↗

A study of fatigue crack closure using electric potential and compliance techniques

The objective of this study was to compare closure data obtained on the same specimen with crack tip compliance gage and electric potential techniques. Equivalent results on closure using the two techniques were obtained on 7075-T651 aluminum center cracked panels. The results also indicated that closure was a function of stress ratio, specimen thickness and maximum applied stress intensity. Maximum stress intensity had a particularly strong effect on closure in the range of applied stresses used. This observed dependence of closure on specimen thickness and maximum stress intensity should account for many of the discrepancies in closure behavior found in the literature. Observations on potential system behavior during closure measurements are also reported.

Clarke, C. K.↗