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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 541 records · Page 30
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

The ePix10k 2-megapixel hard X-ray detector at LCLS

The ePix10ka2M (ePix10k) is a new large area detector specifically developed for X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) applications. The hybrid pixel detector was developed at SLAC to provide a hard X-ray area detector with a high dynamic range, running at the 120 Hz repetition rate of the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). The ePix10k consists of 16 modules, each with 352 × 384 pixels of 100 µm × 100 µm distributed on four ASICs, resulting in a 2.16 megapixel detector, with a 16.5 cm × 16.5 cm active area and ∼80% coverage. The high dynamic range is achieved with three distinct gain settings (low, medium, high) as well as two auto-ranging modes (high-to-low and medium-to-low). Here the three fixed gain modes are evaluated. The resulting dynamic range (from single photon counting to 10000 photons pixel −1 pulse −1 at 8 keV) makes it suitable for a large number of different XFEL experiments. The ePix10k replaces the large CSPAD in operation since 2011. The dimensions of the two detectors are similar, making the upgrade from CSPAD to ePix10k straightforward for most setups, with the ePix10k improving on experimental performance. The SLAC-developed ePix cameras all utilize a similar platform, are tailored to target different experimental conditions and are designed to provide an upgrade path for future high-repetition-rate XFELs. Here the first measurements on this new ePix10k detector are presented and the performance under typical XFEL conditions evaluated during an LCLS X-ray diffuse scattering experiment measuring the 9.5 keV X-ray photons scattered from a thin liquid jet.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

A 32-Channel Cryo-CMOS ASIC for SNSPD Biasing and Readout with Picosecond

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPD) are a promising technology for particle detection. Although SNSPDs have demonstrated picosecond timing accuracy, scaling up large arrays has proved challenging. In this work, we introduce a 32-channel cryo-CMOS application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that can be tightly integrated with SNSPD arrays. The ASIC is designed to operate at a temperature of 4K and can perform up to 32 simultaneous timing measurements with a root-mean-square (RMS) accuracy of 8.0ps. The ASIC includes on-chip circuitry for externally biasing superconducting devices, low-noise amplifiers for reading superconducting devices, high-resolution time-to-digital converters (TDC) for time-tagging events, and serializers for transmitting data to room-temperature electronics. The ASIC is manufactured in a 22nm FDSOI process and occupies an area of 4.0mm x 1.0mm. The performance of the ASIC was verified using custom cryogenic device models internally developed for the 22nm SOI process. Measurement results will be presented at the conference.

Fredenburg, Jeff↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Large Area Picosecond Photodetector for Neutron Transmission Measurements at DICER at LANSCE

The Device for Indirect Capture Experiments on Radionuclides (DICER) is a new instrument that is being developed at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) to study neutron capture reactions on short-lived radionuclides. To achieve that, DICER is using an indirect technique based on measuring the neutron transmission through very small samples (0.12–1.2 mm in diameter, $\mu \text{g}$ -mg in mass). The main detection system of DICER consists of two dual photomultiplier (PMT)-based detectors which are sensitive to the scintillation light produced when neutrons interact with 6 Li glass disks. DICER is developing a new collimation system that includes a 0.1-mm collimator. In such small sizes, the need for neutron beam imaging is crucial and necessary to confirm the appropriate alignment between the irradiated sample and the neutron detectors. The large area picosecond photodetector (LAPPD) is a multichannel plate (MCP)-based photodetector, with picosecond-level timing, single-photon detection capabilities, and spatial resolution of the order of 1 mm. Coupling the LAPPD with a 6 Li glass scintillator results in a neutron imaging detector. The first irradiation of the LAPPD at DICER indicated that apart from imaging the beam, the LAPPD can be used as the main neutron detection system. Furthermore, these results were proof of principle measurements demonstrating the capabilities of the beamline, and the challenge with small samples will be addressed in the future. The first efforts and developments, including irradiations of the LAPPD and the first beam images, will be presented.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Strain-dependent luminescence and piezoelectricity in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides

The modification of optical and electronic properties of transition metal dichalcogenides via mechanical deformation has been widely studied. Their ability to withstand large deformations before rupture has enabled large tunability of the bandgap, and further, the spatially varying strain has been shown to control the spatial distribution of the bandgap and lead to effects such as carrier funneling. Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides exhibit a significant piezoelectric effect that could couple to a spatially inhomogeneous strain distribution to influence electronic and optical behavior. We investigate both experimentally and theoretically an example case of photoluminescence in structures with a strain distribution similar to that employed in single-photon emitters but generated here via nanoindentation. Using a mechanical model for strain induced by nanoindentation, we show that piezoelectricity can result in charge densities reaching 10 12 e/cm 2 and can generate electrostatic potential variations on the order of ±0.1 V across the suspended monolayer. We analyze the implications of these results for luminescence and exciton transport in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides with spatially varying strain.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Coexistent quantum channel characterization using quantum process tomography with spectrally resolved detection

The coexistence of classical and quantum signals over the same optical fiber is critical for quantum networks operating within the existing communications infrastructure. Here, we characterize the quantum channel that results from distributing approximate single-photon polarization-encoded qubits simultaneously with classical light of varying intensities through a 25 km fiber-optic channel. We use spectrally resolved quantum process tomography with a newly developed Bayesian reconstruction method to estimate the quantum channel from experimental data, both with and without classical noise. Furthermore, we show that the coexistent fiber-based quantum channel has high process fidelity with an ideal depolarizing channel if the noise is dominated by Raman scattering. These results aid future development of quantum repeater designs and quantum error-correcting codes which benefit from realistic channel error models.

Chapman, Joseph↗
DOE OSTI2019

Nonclassical Light Sources Based on Selectively Positioned Deterministic Microlens Structures and (111) In(Ga)As Quantum Dots

The results of investigations of the optical characteristics of nonclassical light sources based on selectively positioned microlens structures and single (111) In(Ga)As quantum dots grown on a (111) BGaAs substrate are presented. The single-photon nature of the radiation is confirmed by measuring and analyzing second-order correlation functions g{sup (2)}(τ); g{sup (2)}(0) = 0.07. The fine structure of the exciton states of (111) In(Ga)As quantum dots is investigated. It is shown that, in the energy range of 1.320–1.345 eV, the splitting of exciton states is comparable to the natural width of the exciton lines, which is of interest for developing photon-pair emitters based on them.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Time-Resolved Photoluminescence of InGaAs Nanostructures Different in Quantum Dimensionality

The time-resolved photoluminescence of quantum-confined InGaAs heterostructures grown on GaAs substrates is studied by time-correlated single photon counting. The heterostructures have different dimensionalities: the structures are formed as quantum dots, quantum wells, and structures of transition dimensionality (quantum well-dots). It is found that the room-temperature photoluminescence decay time of the samples substantially depends on their dimensionality and corresponds to 6, 7, and >20 ns for quantum dots, well-dots, and wells, respectively. It is thought that the presence of localization centers for charge carriers can be responsible for the experimentally observed shortening of the photoluminescence time in the heterostructures.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

HERMES

HERMES - High-speed Event Retrieval and Management for Enhanced Spectral imaging code. This code is meant to unpack and process neutron imaging data from the TPX3Cam made by Amsterdam Scientific Instruments. The TPX3Cam utilizes the Timepix3 chip in a single photon counting mode of image acquisition. The photon counting data streaming off the TPX3Cam needs to be process and analyzed in order to create final images. Therefore we are developing both python and cpp codes to allow for users of the TPX3Cam to efficiently analyze data and create images.

Long, Alexander↗
DOE OSTI2024

Peering into cloud physics using ultra-fine resolution radar and lidar systems

Cloud microphysical processes, such as droplet activation, condensational growth, and collisional growth, play a central role in the evolution of clouds and precipitation. Accurate representations of these processes in numerical models are challenging partially due to incomplete understanding of them at the process-level arising from limited systematic observations. Most surface-based active remote sensors, including today’s operational cloud radars and lidars, have a resolution on the order of tens of meters. This resolution is insufficient to resolve cloud microphysical processes that manifest at finer (meter and sub-meter) scales. A new set of ultra-high-resolution ground-based radar and lidar systems have been developed to address this observational gap. The newly developed 94-GHz cloud radar has a range resolution down to 2.8 m, or a factor of 10 finer than typical radars, using a large bandwidth and quadratic phase coding techniques. The lidar has a range resolution down to 10 cm, or a factor of 100 finer than typical lidars, using a time-gated time-correlated single photon counting technique. Such high-resolution observations were previously only achievable through in situ aircraft measurements. Even then, aircraft measurements do not permit continuous long-term cloud observation as is possible with ground-based remote sensing instruments. In this study, the first-light cloud observations from the new radar and lidar systems are shown to reveal detailed cloud structures that conventional sensors could only perceive in a bulk sense, thus providing new avenues to investigate cloud microphysical processes and their impact on weather and climate.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Heterodyne spectrometer sensitivity limit for quantum networking

We report optical heterodyne detection-based spectrometers are attractive due to their relatively simple construction and ultrahigh resolution. Here we demonstrate a proof-of-principle single-mode optical-fiber-based heterodyne spectrometer that has picometer resolution and quantum-limited sensitivity around 1550 nm. Moreover, we report a generalized quantum limit of detecting broadband multispectral-temporal-mode light using heterodyne detection, which provides a sensitivity limit on a heterodyne detection-based optical spectrometer. We then compare this sensitivity limit to several spectrometer types and dim light sources of interest such as spontaneous parametric downconversion, Raman scattering, and spontaneous four-wave mixing. We calculate that the heterodyne spectrometer is significantly less sensitive than a single-photon detector and is unable to detect these dim light sources, except for the brightest and narrowest-bandwidth examples.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Manipulation of quantum dot emission with semiconductor metasurfaces exhibiting magnetic quadrupole resonances

Optical metasurfaces were suggested as a route for engineering advanced light sources with tailored emission properties. In particular, they provide a control over the emission directionality, which is essential for single-photon sources and LED applications. Here, we experimentally study light emission from a metasurface composed of III-V semiconductor Mie-resonant nanocylinders with integrated quantum dots (QDs). Specifically, we focus on the manipulation of the directionality of spontaneous emission from the QDs due to excitation of different magnetic quadrupole resonances in the nanocylinders. To this end, we perform both back focal plane imaging and momentum-resolved spectroscopy measurements of the emission. This allows for a comprehensive analysis of the effect of the different resonant nanocylinder modes on the emission characteristics of the metasurface. Our results show that the emission directionality can be manipulated by an interplay of the excited quadrupolar nanocylinder modes with the metasurface lattice modes and provide important insights for the design of novel smart light sources and new display concepts.

Vaskin, Aleksandr↗
DOE OSTI2023

Triply-resonant sum frequency conversion with gallium phosphide ring resonators

We demonstrate quasi-phase matched, triply-resonant sum frequency conversion in 10.6-µm-diameter integrated gallium phosphide ring resonators. A small-signal, waveguide-to-waveguide power conversion efficiency of 8 ± 1.1%/mW; is measured for conversion from telecom (1536 nm) and near infrared (1117 nm) to visible (647 nm) wavelengths with an absolute power conversion efficiency of 6.3 ± 0.6%; measured at saturation pump power. For the complementary difference frequency generation process, a single photon conversion efficiency of 7.2%/mW from visible to telecom is projected for resonators with optimized coupling. Efficient conversion from visible to telecom will facilitate long-distance transmission of spin-entangled photons from solid-state emitters such as the diamond NV center, allowing long-distance entanglement for quantum networks.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Parasitic erbium photoluminescence in commercial telecom fiber optical components

Noiseless optical components are critical for applications ranging from metrology to quantum communication. Here, we characterize several commercial telecom C-band fiber components for parasitic noise using a tunable laser. We observe the spectral signature of trace concentrations of erbium in all devices from the underlying optical crystals including YVO 4 , LiNbO 3 , TeO 2 , and amorphous material transmitting infrared radiation glass. Furthermore, due to the long erbium lifetime, these signals are challenging to mitigate at the single photon level in the telecom range and suggests the need for higher purity optical crystals.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

In vitro and in vivo NIR fluorescence lifetime imaging with a time-gated SPAD camera

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLI) provides a unique contrast mechanism to monitor biological parameters and molecular events in vivo . Single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) cameras have been recently demonstrated in FLI microscopy (FLIM) applications, but their suitability for in vivo macroscopic FLI (MFLI) in deep tissues remains to be demonstrated. Herein, we report in vivo NIR MFLI measurement with SwissSPAD2, a large time-gated SPAD camera. We first benchmark its performance in well-controlled in vitro experiments, ranging from monitoring environmental effects on fluorescence lifetime, to quantifying Förster resonant energy transfer (FRET) between dyes. Next, we use it for in vivo studies of target-drug engagement in live and intact tumor xenografts using FRET. Information obtained with SwissSPAD2 was successfully compared to that obtained with a gated intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) camera, using two different approaches. Our results demonstrate that SPAD cameras offer a powerful technology for in vivo preclinical applications in the NIR window.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Undulator radiation of single electrons: coherence length and quantum-optical properties

The aims of the CLARA experiment at the Fermilab Integrable Optics Test Accelerator (IOTA) were to directly measure the coherence length of undulator radiation emitted by a single electron and to test whether the radiation is in a pure classical Glauber coherent state or in a quantum mixture of coherent and Fock states. We used a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) to study visible radiation generated by 150-MeV electrons circulating in the ring. The relative delay between the two arms of the MZI was adjusted by varying the length of one of them with a resolution of 10 nm. The intensity of the circulating beam spanned several orders of magnitude, down to single electrons. A pair of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) was placed at the output of the MZI arms to detect photocounts with high efficiency and timing resolution. We describe the observed interference patterns and photocount rates as a function of interferometer delay and discuss their implications.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Dynamics of Product Branching from Radical Intermediates in Elementary Combustion Reactions (Final Technical Report)

While the total rate constant for many elementary reactions is well-characterized, understanding the product branching in complex reactions presents a formidable challenge. To gain an incisive probe of such reactions, our experiments investigate the dynamics of the product channels that arise from transient radical intermediates along the bimolecular reaction coordinates. Our recent published work uses the methodology developed in my group in the last fifteen years, using both imaging and scattering apparatuses. The experiments generate a particular isomeric form of an unstable radical intermediate along a bimolecular reaction coordinate and study the branching between the ensuing product channels of the energized radical as a function of its internal rotational and vibrational energy under collision-less conditions. The experiments use a combination of: 1) measurement of product velocity and angular distributions in a crossed laser-molecular beam apparatus, with electron bombardment detection in my lab in Chicago or 2) with tunable vacuum ultraviolet photoionization detection at Taiwan's National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC), and 3) velocity map imaging using state-selective REMPI and single photon VUV ionization of radical intermediates and reaction products. We also employ tunable VUV photoionization detection in our imaging apparatus, using difference frequency four-wave mixing to produce photoionization light tunable from 8 to 10.8 eV. This year of support funded our work to photolytically generate the radical intermediate important in the OH + propene reaction when OH adds to an end carbon. Our other major result this past year was on the photoionization detection of vinoxy radicals. Our experiments at the NSRRC definitively show that vinoxy dissociatively ionizes to both CH 3 + and HCO + , and establishes the absolute partial photoionization cross section of vinoxy to CH 3 + at 10.5 and 11.44 eV. This should allow experimentalists detecting vinoxy radicals produced in bimolecular reactions such as OH + propene to get good branching fractions to that product channel. Finally we initiated studies of the photodissociation of 1-bromo-2-chloroethane and 1,1-bromochloroethane at 193 nm at the NSRRC.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

A Fast-Cycle Charge Noise Measurement for Better Qubits

Defects in materials are an ongoing challenge for quantum bits, so called qubits. Solid state qubits—both spins in semiconductors and superconducting qubits—suffer from losses and noise caused by two-level-system (TLS) defects thought to reside on surfaces and in amorphous materials. Understanding and reducing the number of such defects is an ongoing challenge to the field. Superconducting resonators couple to TLS defects and provide a handle that can be used to better understand TLS. We develop noise measurements of superconducting resonators at very low temperatures (20 mK) compared to the resonant frequency, and low powers, down to single photon occupation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Optical Generation and Manipulation of Spin Qubits for Molecular Quantum Information Science (DE-SC0020199 Final Report)

Final Report containing published results and major accomplishments. Major accomplishments during this grant include elucidating the complex mechanisms of photoinduced ground-state electron spin polarization (PIESP) for these complexes. Several detailed studies relating molecular structure and PIESP are detailed. In addition, we have demonstrated polarization of two coupled ground-state spins with a single photon.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗