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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

Near-infrared noise in intense electron beams

Requirements for the noise in electron beams (NEB) have recently approached the Shot-noise level in some new applications. The density fluctuations of intense beams in the near-infrared (NIR) region are being measured at the Fermilab Accelerator Science and Technology (FAST) facility. The main goal of the experiment is to accurately compare the Shot-noise model with the observations of optical transition radiation (OTR) generated by the gamma=63 electron beam transiting an Al metal surface. In addition, evidence for longitudinal-space-charge-induced microbunching for the chicane-compressed beam was obtained with coherent enhancements up to 100 in the various bandwidth-filtered NIR OTR photodiode signals. With micropulse charges up to 1 nC, the beam parameters are close to those proposed for a stage in an Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) with coherent electron cooling (CEC). In this paper we present the current progress of the NEB project and compare the low electron energy measurements with ImpactX simulations.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Insight into the Fast-Rechargeability of a Novel Mo 1.5 W 1.5 Nb 14 O 44 Anode Material for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Wadsley–Roth phased niobates are promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, while their inherently low electrical conductivity still limits their rate-capability. Herein, a novel doped Mo 1.5 W 1.5 Nb 14 O 44 (MWNO) material is facilely prepared via an ionothermal-synthesis-assisted doping strategy. The detailed crystal structure of MWNO is characterized by neutron powder diffraction and aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscope, unveiling the full occupation of Mo 6+ -dopant at the t1 tetrahedral site. In half-cells, MWNO exhibits enhanced fast-rechargeability. In this work, the origin of the improved performance is investigated by ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, density functional theory (DFT) computation, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, revealing that bandgap narrowing improves the electrical conductivity of MWNO. Furthermore, operando X-ray diffraction elucidates that MWNO exhibits a typical solid-solution phase conversion-based lithium-ion insertion/extraction mechanism with reversible structural evolution during the electrochemical reaction. The boosted lithium-ion diffusivity of MWNO, due to the Mo 6+ /W 6+ doping effect, is confirmed by a galvanostatic intermittent titration technique and DFT. With the simultaneously enhanced electrical conductivity and lithium-ion diffusivity, MWNO successfully demonstrates its fast-rechargeability and practicality in the LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 -coupled full-cells. Therefore, this work illustrates the potential of ionothermal synthesis in energy storage materials and provides a mechanistic understanding of the doping effect on improving material's electrochemical performance.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

High resolution microstructural, chemical studies and localized burnup analysis in an irradiated U–10Zr metallic fuel

This study involves high resolution characterization of a sodium bonded solid uranium (U)-10 wt% zirconium (Zr) metallic fuel irradiated in Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF). The fuel centerline temperature during irradiation was estimated to be around 675 °C with the peak burnup 13.1 atomic percent. Samples for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT) were prepared from different regions/zones in the fuel cross section radially to elucidate the microstructural changes and chemical redistribution of solute elements as well as fission products during irradiation experiment. TEM results indicate the irradiation in fast flux testing leads to the formation of extensive Zr-rich precipitates with varying sizes in the U–Zr fuel matrix. APT analysis performed to investigate redistribution of Zr, U and fission products along the radial direction of fuel pin showed Zr-rich precipitates entrapping the fission products in higher concentration as compared to the α-U phases. Here, the local burnup ( 235 U depletion) is found to be consistent, calculated by quantification of 235 U, 236 U and 238 U isotopes from mass spectrum obtained from APT along the radial direction. Zr-rich precipitation and its implication on fuel constitutional redistribution are discussed based on SEM, TEM and APT results.

APT↗

Tracking ultrafast non-adiabatic dissociation dynamics of the deuterated water dication molecule

Here, we applied reaction microscopy to elucidate fast non-adiabatic dissociation dynamics of deuterated water molecules after direct photo-double ionization at 61 eV with synchrotron radiation. For the very rare D + + O + + D breakup channel, the particle momenta, angular, and energy distributions of electrons and ions, measured in coincidence, reveal distinct electronic dication states and their dissociation pathways via spin–orbit coupling and charge transfer at crossings and seams on the potential energy surfaces. Notably, we could distinguish between direct and fast sequential dissociation scenarios. For the latter case, our measurements reveal the geometry and orientation of the deuterated water molecule with respect to the polarization vector that leads to this rare 3-body molecular breakup channel. Aided by multi-reference configuration-interaction calculations, the dissociation dynamics could be traced on the relevant potential energy surfaces and particularly their crossings and seams. This approach also unraveled the ultrafast time scales governing these processes.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

RF Harmonic Kicker R&D Demonstration and Its Application to the RCS Injection of the EIC

The Rapid Cycling Synchrotron (RCS) of the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is an accelerating component of the electron injection complex, which provides polarized electrons in electron-ion collisions in the main Electron Storage Ring (ESR). We present the injection scheme into the RCS based on an ultra-fast harmonic kicker, whose "five odd-harmonic modes" prototype was developed in the context of the Jefferson Lab EIC (JLEIC) conceptual design. In its early stage of R&D, the sharp (~3 ns width) waveform construction, beam dynamics, and pulsed power operation with short ramping time (~10 us) will be discussed together with the fabrication work of the JLEIC prototype.

Park, G. -T.↗

Experimental Phase-Space Tracking of a Single Electron in a Storage Ring

This paper presents the results of the first ever experimental tracking of the betatron and synchrotron phases for a single electron in the Fermilab’s IOTA ring. The reported technology makes it is possible to fully track a single electron in a storage ring, which requires tracking of amplitudes and phases for both, slow synchrotron and fast betatron oscillations.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System for Cyber-Intrusion Detection in a Smart Grid

The evolution of the power grid has brought increasing deployment of advance metering infrastructure, penetration of intelligent electronic devices, and integration of physical power system components with information and communications technologies. With the fast-expanding connectivity, cyber vulnerabilities arise due to the use of internet-based communication systems. These systems are targets of cyber-intrusions which attempt to disturb the normal power system functions. Traditional intrusion detection algorithms have been developed without an explicit model of the cyber components. In this paper, an algorithm to detect false data injections in the power system is proposed considering both cyber and physical models of the power system. The algorithm is based on an Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) which collects information from state variables of the cyber-physical system to meet the performance requirements of the grid. Simulations of the proposed approach using the IEEE 13-bus test system validate the effectiveness of this artificial intelligence-based algorithm.

Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), cyb↗

Experimental Single Electron 4D Tracking in IOTA

This paper presents the results of the first experiments on 4D tracking of a single electron using a linear multi-anode photomultiplier tube. The reported technology makes it is possible to fully track a single electron in a storage ring, which requires tracking of amplitudes and phases for both, slow synchrotron and fast betatron oscillations. Complete tracking of a point-like object enabled the first direct measurements of single-particle dynamical properties, including dynamical invariants, amplitude-dependent oscillation frequencies, and chaotic behavior.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Linear Modelling from Betatron Phase Measurements at the Fermilab Recycler NOvA ring

Utilizing the measurement of coherent betatron oscillation phase has emerged as fast and precise approach for identifying and rectifying errors in implementing a desired lattice in CESR (Cornell Electron Storage Ring). One key advantage of betatron phase measurement over β measurement is its sensitivity to phase variations between widely separated points. This methodology has been successfully implemented for the Recycler NOvA Ring at Fermilab, with the adoption of TAO (Tool for Accelerator Optics) developed by Cornell University. By employing this technique, a linear model of the Recycler NOvA ring is established, enabling the correction of quadrupole errors.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

BESSIE: Battery & Energy Storage Supply Chain Analysis, Mitigation Deployment, and Tools

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) and their associated power electronic interfaces are key components to delivering clean and more resilient energy, providing much-needed fast-ramping, emergency discharge, generation, and operations support to the electric grid. These services have grown to be invaluable over the past ten years and will soon be an irreplaceable element of energy delivery. The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) strives to address these challenges through a strategic approach to supply chain risk assessment and mitigation for BESS and related digital energy equipment through the BESSIE project under the Center for Securing Digital Energy Technology. Recognizing that decreasing dependence on a foreign supply chain will take significant time and investment, BESSIE’s focus is strategically addressing battery supply chain risks by pairing short-term steps to operate securely through today’s risks with long-term steps to shape the supply chain over the coming years.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Time-dependent experimental identification of inter-ELM microtearing modes in the tokamak edge on DIII-D

In a series of discharges on the DIII-D tokamak, fast vertical plasma jogs are used to induce current perturbations in the steep gradient region of the H-mode edge. These current perturbations directly influence the edge q profile, decoupling the resonant location and instability drive of pedestal-localized microtearing modes (MTMs.) By exploiting this effect, we develop and apply a new experimental technique to track the dynamical frequency evolution of MTMs in the pedestal region, providing a compelling validation of the MTM model. The frequency of potential MTMs is calculated as the Doppler-shifted electron diamagnetic frequency at rational q=m/n surfaces, showing remarkable agreement with chirped frequency behavior of n=3, 4 and 5 modes detected with fast magnetics. Data is collected throughout multiple ELM cycles in order to build robust statistics describing the time-dependent frequency evolution of MTMs, which can be explained by examining the recovery of pedestal gradients after an ELM event. MTMs have a dominant transport contribution in the electron thermal channel, so the presented results indicate that reduced models of pedestal transport must be electromagnetic in nature and constructed with accurate calculations of MTM stability; inclusion of this physics is essential for accurate predictions of the electron temperature pedestal profile. Supporting measurements of mode saturation, propagation direction and transport fingerprints are made to support the dynamic frequency determination, unambiguously and experimentally identifying MTMs in the pedestal region of DIII-D.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Fuel-Cladding Eutectic Study of Legacy Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) MFF HT9/U-10Zr Metallic Fuel

This report presents the first systematic investigation of fuel-cladding eutectic interaction (FCEI) in irradiated HT9/U-10Zr metallic fuel from the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) Materials Fuels Form (MFF) program, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) coupled with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Two irradiated fuel cross-sections, MNT07H (9.5 at% burnup, x/L = 0.78) and MNT08H (7.0 at% burnup, x/L = 0.93), were subjected to three successive isothermal annealing rounds (R1–R3) at 820°C for 20 minutes each, yielding a cumulative transient duration of one hour. This study directly addresses a recognized gap in the existing FCEI database, which previously lacked irradiated HT9/U-10Zr data at burnup levels above 8 at%. Two principal findings emerge from the study. First, for both samples, FCEI remained spatially confined within the pre-existing fuel-cladding chemical interaction (FCCI) zone boundaries after R3, with no measurable eutectic penetration into unaffected cladding beyond the original FCCI layer. This self-limiting behavior is consistent with historical Fuel Behavior Test Apparatus (FBTA) results and is attributed to the near-eutectic phase composition of the FCCI zone, which rapidly absorb the available eutectic-forming constituents and then stall penetration once the FCCI zone is consumed. A comparison with unirradiated surrogate data further supports this mechanism: whereas a U–34 at.% Fe sample would be expected to show ~176 µm of iron penetration under comparable conditions, the irradiated samples exhibited only ~20 µm, a discrepancy attributed to irradiation-induced interfacial porosity and pre-existing FCCI composition gradients. Second, for MNT08H, FCEI was observed exclusively on the half of the cladding circumference where pre-existing steady-state FCCI was present, with no detectable FCEI on the opposite half. Three hypotheses are proposed to explain this asymmetry: the inhibiting role of a zirconium-rich rind at the fuel-cladding interface; the chemical sequestration of iron by redistributed zirconium within the fuel matrix; and the persistence of fuel-cladding gaps on the FCEI-free half that preclude direct contact. All three hypotheses require further experimental investigation. The results extend the empirical FCEI database into higher-burnup territory and demonstrate the viability of DSC-based testing as a substitute for the no-longer-available FBTA apparatus. Future work will include additional cross-section testing, compilation of the full FCEI dataset, model evaluation, and DSC testing of ternary fuel compositions to broaden the experimental basis for safety assessment of sodium-cooled fast reactor systems.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Ultrafast Optomechanical Strain in Layered GeS

Strong coupling between light and mechanical strain forms the foundation for next-generation optical micro- and nano-electromechanical systems. Such optomechanical responses in two-dimensional materials present novel types of functionalities arising from the weak van der Waals bond between atomic layers. In this paper, by using structure-sensitive megaelectronvolt ultrafast electron diffraction, we report the experimental observation of optically driven ultrafast in-plane strain in the layered group IV monochalcogenide germanium sulfide (GeS). Surprisingly, the photoinduced structural deformation exhibits strain amplitudes of order 0.1% with a 10 ps fast response time and a significant in-plane anisotropy between zigzag and armchair crystallographic directions. Rather than arising due to heating, experimental and theoretical investigations suggest deformation potentials caused by electronic density redistribution and converse piezoelectric effects generated by photoinduced electric fields are the dominant contributors to the observed dynamic anisotropic strains. Our observations define new avenues for ultrafast optomechanical control and strain engineering within functional devices.

2D materials↗

Observations On Submicropulse Electron-beam Effects From Short-range Wakefields In Tesla-type Superconducting RF Cavities

aExperiments were performed at The Fermilab Accelerator Science and Technology (FAST) facility to elucidate the effects of short-range wakefields (SRWs) in TESLA-type rf cavities. FAST has a unique configuration of a photocathode rf gun beam injecting two TESLA-type single cavities (CC1 and CC2) in series prior to the cryomodule. To investigate short-range wakefield effects, we have steered the beam to minimize the signals in the higher-order mode (HOM) detectors of CC1 and CC2 for a baseline, and then selected a vertical corrector to steer the beam off axis at an angle into CC1 or CC2. A Hamamatsu synchro-scan streak camera viewing a downstream OTR screen provided an image of y-t effects within the micropulses with ~10-micron spatial resolution and 2-ps temporal resolution. At 500 pC/b, 50 b, and 2 mrad off-axis steering into CC2, we observed an ~ 100-micron head-tail centroid shift in the streak camera image y(t)-profiles. This centroid shift value is consistent wit h a calculated short-range wakefield effect using ASTRA simulations.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DIRECT OBSERVATIONS OF SUBMICROPULSE ELECTRON-BEAM EFFECTS FROM SHORT-RANGE WAKEFIELDS IN TESLA-TYPE SUPERCONDUCTING RF CAVITIES

Experiments were performed at The Fermilab Accelerator Science and Technology (FAST) facility to elucidate the effects of short-range wakefields (SRWs) in TESLA-type rf cavities. FAST has a unique configuration of a photocathode rf gun beam injecting two TESLA-type single cavities (CC1 and CC2) in series prior to the cryomodule. To investigate short-range wakefield effects, we have steered the beam to minimize the signals in the higher-order mode (HOM) detectors of CC1 and CC2 for a baseline, and then used a vertical corrector between the two cavities to steer the beam off axis at an angle into CC2. A Hamamatsu synchroscan streak camera viewing a downstream OTR screen provided an image of y-t effects within the micropulses with ~10-micron spatial resolution and 2-ps temporal resolution. At 500 pC/b, 50 b, and 4 mrad off-axis steering into CC2, we observed an ~ 100-micron head-tail centroid shift in the streak camera image y(t)-profiles. This centroid shift value is 5 times l arger than the observed HOM-driven centroid oscillation within the macropulse, and it is consistent with a calculated short-range wakefield effect using ASTRA simulations.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Improved Beam Loss Accounting with Fast Data Acquisition (DAQ) Chassis

Identifying the source of beam loss events in the CE-BAF accelerator can be a challenging task. However, with our new prototype system, this task becomes more effi-cient. The system, developed in the fall of 2022, utilizes a dispersive beam position monitor (BPM) and the exist-ing switched electrode electronics BPM hardware. Previ-ously a commercial off-the-shelf data acquisition (DAQ) system was employed to capture BPM wire signals at a sample rate of 20 kS/s. The fast shutdown signal triggered the system, which disables the beam at the injector. Analysis of beam position and energy variation before a beam loss event was used to determine if the beam loss event was associated with an energy transient. The proto-type system, implemented using National Instruments hardware and LabVIEW® software, relied on a software trigger. Manual post-processing was required to ascertain whether the fault was due to an un-tripped cavity with a gradient or phase transient. This work focuses on deploying a Fast DAQ Chassis to monitor BPM hardware in real time and during beam loss events. This system was originally developed and in-stalled in CEBAF to monitor the time-domain RF control signals in the legacy analog RF systems. This technology was leveraged to also monitor BPM signals. As the new system employs a hardware trigger, developing tools to automatically identify faults linked to energy transients unrelated to cavity faults will be straightforward. This paper will discuss the project's initial updates, underlin-ing the crucial role of each member of our team in this achievement

Tiskumara, J.↗

Fast Muon Capture Monitoring in Mu2e with the CAPHRI Detector

The Mu2e experiment at Fermilab will search for the charged lepton flavor violating (CLFV) process of a neutrinoless muon-to-electron conversion in the field of an aluminum nucleus. Reaching the experiment’s target sensitivity requires precise normalization of the physics signal through accurate monitoring of the muon capture rate on the stopping target. For this purpose, the Calorimeter Precise High-Resolution Intensity detector (CAPHRI) has been developed. The detector is composed of four LYSO crystals installed in the upstream disk of the Mu2e calorimeter and read out with the standard calorimeter readout. CAPHRI measures the muon capture rate by detecting the characteristic 1.8~MeV gamma emission line of the $^{27}Al(\mu^−, \nu n \gamma) ^{26}Mg$ nuclear reaction. The fast, precise response enables injection-by-injection monitoring of proton beam intensity fluctuations. We report on the commissioning and performance characterization of CAPHRI. The response of each channel is calibrated at two SiPM overvoltages using both the intrinsic self-emission of the LYSO crystals and cosmic ray signals. In parallel, Monte Carlo simulations are used to evaluate the detector acceptance and the expected signal-to-background ratio under realistic running conditions. Preliminary results show a crystal light yield consistent with expectations and a channel inter-calibration at the 2--4% level. Simulation studies indicate that the detector acceptance and background rejection satisfy the requirements for physics operations, with about 1000 detected events per beam injection at a beam power of 1.5~kW. These results demonstrate that CAPHRI is an effective tool for beam monitoring and signal normalization in Mu2e.

Ciccarella, V. [Frascati; U. Rome La Sapienza (mai↗

Quantum Efficiency Gain in 2D Perovskite Photo and X‐Ray Detectors

Abstract The perovskite polycrystalline thin film detector fabricated by solution method is a promising low‐cost, scalable technology for radiation imaging, but its thin volume limits the sensing efficiency for high‐energy X‐ray photons. This work reports 2D perovskite thin film photo‐diodes with a detection gain when sensing visible and X‐ray photons. Detailed power and temperature‐dependent device characterizations reveal a charge multiplication effect to be responsible for the observed high gain. This is caused by a disparity in electron and hole transport, where electron transport is retarded by a trap/de‐trap process via shallow trap states, whereas the hole transport is fast enough to produce a photoconductive gain in satisfying the charge neutrality. The 2D perovskite made with butylamine spacers is also found to exhibit a larger efficiency gain than those made with phenylethylamines because of the higher likelihood of forming shallow traps in the former. The thin film diodes feature a high temporal response over 1 MHz due to the fast charge collection across a thin volume, and the discovery provides device physics mechanisms in connection to material structure‐function relationship for future optoelectronics design that can boost the efficiency of X‐ray sensing and dim light detection.

2D perovskites↗