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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 559 records · Page 31

Microfabrication of a gadolinium-derived solid-state sensor for thermal neutrons

Neutron sensing is critical in civilian and military applications. Conventional neutron sensors are limited by size, weight, cost, portability and helium supply. Here in this study, the microfabrication of gadolinium (Gd) conversion material–based heterojunction diodes for detecting thermal neutrons using electrical signals produced by internal conversion electrons (ICEs) is described. Films with negligible stress were produced at the tensile-compressive crossover point, enabling Gd coatings of any desired thickness by controlling the radiofrequency sputtering power and using the zero-point near p(Ar) of 50 mTorr at 100 W. Post-deposition Gd oxidation–induced spallation was eliminated by growing a residual stress-free 50 nm neodymium-doped aluminum cap layer atop Gd. The resultant coatings were stable for at least 6 years, demonstrating excellent stability and product shelf-life. Depositing Gd directly on the diode surface eliminated the air gap, leading to a 200-fold increase in electron capture efficiency and facilitating monolithic microfabrication. The conversion electron spectrum was dominated by ICEs with energies of 72, 132 and 174 keV. Results are reported for neutron reflection and moderation by polyethylene for enhanced sensitivity, and γ- and X-ray elimination for improved specificity. The optimal Gd thickness was 10.4 μm for a 300 μm-thick partially depleted diode of 300 mm 2 active surface area. Fast detection (within 10 min) at a neutron source-to-diode distance of 11.7 cm was achieved with this configuration. All ICE energies along with γ-ray and K α ,β X-rays were modeled to emphasize correlations between experiment and theory. Semi-conductor thermal neutron detectors offer advantages for field-sensing of radioactive neutron sources.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

All-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor based on porous cobalt selenide thin films

As a significant semiconductor material, cobalt selenide has enormous potential and extensive application prospects in the field of solar cells, photocatalysis and supercapacitor. In this paper, porous CoSe thin films were successfully fabricated on stainless-steel sheet using a facile, effective electrodeposition technique. Electrochemical tests reveal that the specific capacitance reaches as high as 510 F g –1 at the current density of 1 A g –1 with the capacitance retention of 91% over 5000 cycles. An asymmetric all-solid-state supercapacitor is fabricated using CoSe thin film as the positive electrode and activate carbon as the negative electrode. The combined solid device displays a high area specific capacitance of 18.1 mF cm –2 accompanied with good cycling stability, outstanding flexibility and satisfactory mechanical stability. Furthermore, the solid devices connected in series can power the red light-emitting diodes. Here, the results show great potential for preparing large scale high energy density storage systems.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Solid-State Photomultiplier Development for Radiation Detection

We are pursuing the sensitivity of back-thinned silicon (BT Si) with the gain of an SSPM (Baker 2011). Working in collaboration with Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc., we are designing and fabricating prototype devices. Our original idea spurred from hybrid designs of advanced image sensors that use the sensitivity of BT Si that is then bump bonded to a CMOS readout device. As shown in the graph below (right), the BT Si has a far superior quantum efficiency (QE) than the standard photocathode response available in photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). Collecting as many scintillation photons as possible is the first objective. There has been major concern that the prototype could not deliver the ~105 electronic gain of a PMT. However, recently developed SSPMs do provide the electronic gain needed. We are now pursuing the design of a BTSSPM. With a smaller footprint, the SSPM can potentially lead to a simple, compact deployment package. Because the SSPM can be pixelated and tiled, we foresee developing an imaging detector. Pinhole imaging of radiation sources is a well-exercised technology. Our implementation of the coded aperture (Marks 2010) imager provides a high throughput pinhole imager. We intend to apply miniature coded apertures to minimal pixel count SSPMs to evaluate image quality.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Understanding the p-doping of spiroOMeTAD by tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane

The solid-state organization of photoabsorber, hole and electron transporting layers, and interfaces between them plays an important role in governing the performance and stability of emerging optoelectronic devices such as perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The molecular organic semiconductor (OSC) 2,2' ,7,7' -tetrakis [N,N-di(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]-9,9'-spirobifluorene (spiroOMeTAD) is a promising hole-transporting material (HTM) for PSCs, which is p-doped by molecular dopants to augment the charge carrier mobility. Here, the p-type doping of spiroOMeTAD by tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (BCF) is investigated by a combination of techniques including optical spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), solid-state (ss)NMR, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. BCF molecules interact with traces of water molecules to form BCF-water complexes. Optical spectroscopy analysis suggests that the BCF/BCF-water complexes oxidize spiroOMeTAD molecules and facilitate p-type doping of spiroOMeTAD molecules. The different distributions of BCF and BCF-water molecules in doped spiroOMeTAD are characterized by FTIR and 11B NMR spectroscopy. An NMR crystallography approach which combines two-dimensional (2D) ssNMR and crystallography modeling is employed to unravel the packing interactions in spiroOMeTAD, and this analysis is extended to probe the morphological and structural changes in spiroOMeTAD:BCF blends. The hyperfine interactions are characterized by 2D hyperfine sub-level correlation (HYSCORE) spectroscopy. In this way, insight into the complex spiroOMeTAD:BCF blend morphology is obtained and compared for different dopant concentrations. Further, molecular-level analysis of doped HTMs enabled by this study has much wider relevance for further investigation, for example, chemical design and interfacial engineering of p-type doped HTMs for stable and efficient hybrid perovskite photovoltaics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Fundamental Studies and Development of III-N Visible LEDs for High-Power Solid-State Lighting Applications

The goal of this program is to understand in a fundamental way the impact of strain, defects, polarization, and Stokes loss in relation to unique device structures upon the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) and efficiency droop (ED) of III-nitride (III-N) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and to employ this understanding in the design and growth of high-efficiency LEDs capable of highly-reliable, high-current, high-power operation. This knowledge will be the basis for our advanced device epitaxial designs that lead to improved device performance. The primary approach we will employ is to exploit new scientific and engineering knowledge generated through the application of a set of unique advanced growth and characterization tools to develop new concepts in strain-, polarization-, and carrier dynamics-engineered and low-defect materials and device designs having reduced dislocations and improved carrier collection followed by efficient photon generation. We studied the effects of crystalline defect, polarizations, hole transport, electron-spillover, electron blocking layer, underlying layer below the multiplequantum- well active region, and developed high-efficiency and efficiency-droop-mitigated blue LEDs with a new LED epitaxial structure. We believe new LEDs developed in this program will make a breakthrough in the development of high-efficiency high-power visible III-N LEDs from violet to green spectral region.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Dynamical Arrest, Structural Disorder, and Optimization of Organic Photovoltaic Devices

This project describes fundamental experimental and theoretical work that relates to charge separation and migration in the solid, heterogeneous or aggregated state. Marcus theory assumes a system in equilibrium with all possible solvent (dipolar) configurations, with rapid interconversion among these on the ET timescale. This project has addressed the more general situation where the medium is at least partially frozen on the ET timescale, i.e. under conditions of dynamical arrest. The approach combined theory and experiment and includes: (1) Computer simulations of model systems, (2) Development of analytical procedures consistent with computer experiment and (3) Experimental studies and testing of the formal theories on this data. Electron transfer processes are unique as a consequence of the close connection between kinetics, spectroscopy and theory, which is an essential component of this work.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Solid neon as a noise-resilient host for electron qubits above 100 mK

Solid neon can be used as a solid host for single-electron qubits. At temperatures of around 10 mK, electron-on-solid-neon charge qubits exhibit long coherence times and high operation fidelities. However, a systematic characterization of the noise features of such systems is needed for the development of scalable quantum information architectures. Here, in this work, we show that solid neon can be used as a noise-resilient host for electron qubits above 100 mK. We examine the resilience of solid neon against charge and thermal noise when electron-on-solid-neon charge qubits are operated away from the charge-insensitive sweet spot and at elevated temperatures. We show that the extracted high-frequency charge noise density of electron-on-solid-neon qubits, projected as voltage fluctuations on nearby electrodes, is between 10 −4 μV 2 Hz −1 and 10 −6 μV 2 Hz −1 at 0.01 MHz to 1 MHz, which is comparable to common semiconductor hosts. We also show that the electron-on-solid-neon charge qubits operating at frequencies of around 5 GHz can maintain echo coherence times of over 1 μs at temperatures up to 400 mK.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Advanced Epi Tools for Gallium Nitride Light Emitting Diode Devices

Over the course of this program, Applied Materials, Inc., with generous support from the United States Department of Energy, developed a world-class three chamber III-Nitride epi cluster tool for low-cost, high volume GaN growth for the solid state lighting industry. One of the major achievements of the program was to design, build, and demonstrate the world’s largest wafer capacity HVPE chamber suitable for repeatable high volume III-Nitride template and device manufacturing. Applied Materials’ experience in developing deposition chambers for the silicon chip industry over many decades resulted in many orders of magnitude reductions in the price of transistors. That experience and understanding was used in developing this GaN epi deposition tool. The multi-chamber approach, which continues to be unique in the ability of the each chamber to deposit a section of the full device structure, unlike other cluster tools, allows for extreme flexibility in the manufacturing process. This robust architecture is suitable for not just the LED industry, but GaN power devices as well, both horizontal and vertical designs. The new HVPE technology developed allows GaN to be grown at a rate unheard of with MOCVD, up to 20x the typical MOCVD rates of 3{micro}m per hour, with bulk crystal quality better than the highest-quality commercial GaN films grown by MOCVD at a much cheaper overall cost. This is a unique development as the HVPE process has been known for decades, but never successfully commercially developed for high volume manufacturing. This research shows the potential of the first commercial-grade HVPE chamber, an elusive goal for III-V researchers and those wanting to capitalize on the promise of HVPE. Additionally, in the course of this program, Applied Materials built two MOCVD chambers, in addition to the HVPE chamber, and a robot that moves wafers between them. The MOCVD chambers demonstrated industry-leading wavelength yield for GaN based LED wafers and industry-leading uptime enabled in part by a novel in-situ cleaning process developed in this program.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

SU-E-J-51: Dose Response of Common Solid State Detectors in Homogeneous Transverse and Longitudinal Magnetic Fields

Purpose: Solid state radiation detectors are often used for dose profiles and percent depth dose measurements. The dose response of selected solid state detectors is evaluated in varying transverse and longitudinal magnetic fields for eventual use in MR-Linac devices. Methods: A PTW 60003 and IBA PFD detector were modeled in the Monte Carlo code PENELOPE, incorporating a magnetic field which was varied in strength and oriented both transversely and longitudinally with respect to the incident photon beam. The detectors' long axis was in turn oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the photon beam. Dose to the active volume of each detector was scored, and its ratio to dose with zero magnetic field strength (dose response) was determined. Accuracy of the simulations was evaluated by measurements using both chambers taken at low field with a small electromagnet. Simulations were also performed in a water phantom to compare to the in air results. Results: Significant dose response was found in transverse field geometries, nearing 20% at 1.5T. The response is highly dependent on relative orientations to the magnetic field and photon beam, and on detector composition. Low field measurements confirm these results. In the presence of longitudinal magnetic fields, the detectors exhibit little dose response, reaching 0.5–1% at 1.5T regardless of detector orientation. Water tank simulations compared well to the in air simulations when not at the beam periphery, where in transverse magnetic fields only, the water tank simulations differed from the in air results. Conclusion: Transverse magnetic fields can cause large deviations in dose response, and are highly position orientation dependent. Comparatively, longitudinal magnetic fields exhibit little to no dose response in each detector as a function of magnetic field strength. Water tank simulations show longitudinal fields are generally easier to work with, but each detector must be evaluated separately.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Synthesis and energy band characterization of hybrid molecular materials based on organic–polyoxometalate charge-transfer salts

A cationic amphiphilic molecule was synthesized and employed to encapsulate Lindqvist ([M{sub 6}O{sub 19}]{sup 2−}) and Keggin polyoxometalates ([SiM{sub 12}O{sub 40}]{sup 4−}, M=Mo, W) to form hybrid molecules through electrostatic interaction. The X-ray diffraction results illustrate that the former hybrids possess lamellar nanostructures in their solid states, while the latter hybrids show a cubic Im3m packing model with low intensities and poor long-range order. These hybrids have clear charge-transfer characters as shown in their deeper colors and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra. According to the reported reduction potentials of the POM acceptors and the band gaps deduced from their diffuse reflectance spectra, we have calculated the theoretical values of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) position similar to the electron affinity (E{sub A}) of solid materials. Such energy level parameters are comparable to those of electroluminescence and electron-transport materials commonly used in organic electroluminescence devices. These organic–polyoxometalate charge-transfer salts have more advantages, such as higher decomposition temperatures, easier film fabrication and better electron affinities, which presumably would be used for electron-transport materials in the area of the electroluminescence. - Graphical abstract: Hybrid molecular materials with charge-transfer characters formed by a positively charged donor L and acceptors of the Lindqvist-type and Keggin-type POMs have lamellar and cubic structures in their solid state. - Highlights: • Charge-transfer salts are obtained by self-assembling POMs with an anthracene cation. • Their energy parameters are comparable to those of optoelectronic materials in OLEDs. • These POM-based hybrids could be applied in the area of optoelectronic devices.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Response of a Memristive Biomembrane and Demonstration of Potential Use in Online Learning

The pervasive von Neumann architecture uses complex processor cores and sequential computation. In contrast, the brain is massively parallel and highly efficient, owing to the ability of the neurons and synapses to store and process information simultaneously and to adapt according to incoming information. These features have motivated researchers to develop a host of brain-inspired computers, devices, and models, collectively referred to as neuromorphic computing systems. The quest for synaptic materials capable of closely mimicking biological synapses has led to an alamethicin-doped, synthetic biomembrane with volatile memristive properties which can emulate key synaptic functions to facilitate learning and computation. In contrast to its solid-state counterparts, this two-terminal, biomolecular memristor features similar structure, switching mechanisms, and ionic transport modality as biological synapses while consuming considerably lower power. To use the device as a circuit element, it is important to understand its response to different kinds of input signals. Here we develop a simplified closed form analytical solution based on the underlying state equations for pulse and sine wave inputs. A Verilog-A model based on Runge-Kutta method was developed to incorporate the device in a circuit simulator. Finally, the paper demonstrates possible applications for short- and long-term learning using its unique volatile memristive properties.

Hasan, Md Sakib↗

Up-conversion luminescent properties of La{sub (0.80−x)}VO{sub 4}:Yb{sub x}, Er{sub 0.20} phosphors

Highlights: • A novel green and red emitting LaVO{sub 4}:Yb{sub x}{sup 3+}, Er{sub 0.20}{sup 3+} phosphors were synthesized. • Their structures, luminescent properties have also been investigated. • Major laser transition for Er{sup 3+} ion is {sup 2}H{sub 11/2} → {sup 4}I{sub 15/2} (525 nm). • These results suggest the possibility as photonic devices. - Abstract: Yb{sup 3+}, Er{sup 3+} co-doped LaVO{sub 4} phosphors were synthesized by solid state reaction method. Yb{sup 3+} concentrations were changed from 0.01 to 0.20 mol for the fixed Er{sup 3+} concentration at 0.2 mol. The crystalline structure of samples was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The composition was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The surface morphology was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The red and green up-conversion emissions were observed in Yb{sup 3+}, Er{sup 3+} co-doped LaVO{sub 4} phosphors under the excitation of 980 nm laser diode. Several emissions in green and red regions of the spectrum were observed near 525 nm, 553 nm and 659 nm radiated by {sup 2}H{sub 11/2} → {sup 4}I{sub 15/2}, {sup 4}S{sub 3/2} → {sup 4}I{sub 15/2}, and {sup 4}F{sub 3/2} → {sup 4}I{sub 15/2} transitions, respectively.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A method to characterize the sheet resistance of a laser doped line on crystalline silicon wafers for photovoltaic applications

A theory is presented that correlates the different sheet resistance (R{sub sh}) values of the same phosphorus laser doped (LD) line approximated by two different methods: the LD box and transfer length measurement (TLM) methods. By modeling the LD line junction profile, an effective R{sub sh} value using the LD box method is obtained and used to derive the R{sub sh} upper limit (R{sub sh.UL}) of the LD line. This value matches within {+-}10% of the R{sub sh.UL} value obtained using the TLM method across four lasing speeds. Subsequently, a LD box method is introduced to determine the LD line R{sub sh.UL} easily without modeling work.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Coupling Front-End Separations, Ion Mobility Spectrometry, and Mass Spectrometry For Enhanced Multidimensional Biological and Environmental Analyses

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is a widely used analytical technique for rapid molecular separations in the gas phase. IMS alone is useful, but its coupling with mass spectrometry (MS) and front-end separations has been extremely beneficial for increasing measurement sensitivity, peak capacity of complex mixtures, and the scope of molecular information in biological and environmental sample analyses. Multiple studies in disease screening and environmental evaluations have even shown these IMS-based multidimensional separations extract information not possible with each technique individually. This review highlights 3-dimensional separations using IMS-MS in conjunction with a range of front-end techniques, such as gas chromatography (GC), supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), liquid chromatography (LC), solid phase extractions (SPE), capillary electrophoresis (CE), field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS), and microfluidic devices. The origination, current state, various applications, and future capabilities for these multidimensional approaches are described to provide insight into the utility and potential of each technique.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗

Effect of Solvent on Fluorescence Emission from Polyethylene Glycol-Coated Graphene Quantum Dots under Blue Light Illumination

To explore aggregate-induced emission (AIE) properties, this study adopts a one-pot hydrothermal route for synthesizing polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated graphene quantum dot (GQD) clusters, enabling the emission of highly intense photoluminescence under blue light illumination. The hydrothermal synthesis was performed at 300 °C using o-phenylenediamine as the nitrogen and carbon sources in the presence of PEG. Three different solvents, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate (PGMEA), ethanol, and water, were used for dispersing the PEG-coated GQDs, where extremely high fluorescent emission was achieved at 530–550 nm. It was shown that the quantum yield (QY) of PEG-coated GQD suspensions is strongly dependent on the solvent type. The pristine GQD suspension tends to be quenched (i.e., QY: ~1%) when dispersed in PGMEA (aggregation-caused quenching). However, coating GQD nanoparticles with polyethylene glycol results in substantial enhancement of the quantum yield. When investigating the photoluminescence emission from PEG-coated GQD clusters, the surface tension of the solvents was within the range of from 26.9 to 46.0 mN/m. This critical index can be tuned for assessing the transition point needed to activate the AIE mechanism which ultimately boosts the fluorescence intensity. The one-pot hydrothermal route established in this study can be adopted to engineer PEG-coated GQD clusters with solid-state PL emission capabilities, which are needed for next-generation optical, bio-sensing, and energy storage/conversion devices.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Biomimetic, Soft-Material Synapse for Neuromorphic Computing: from Device to Network

Neuromorphic computing refers to a variety of brain-inspired computers, devices, and models inspired by the interconnectivity, performance, and energy efficiency of the human brain. Unlike the ubiquitous von Neumann computer architectures with complex processor cores and sequential computation, biological neurons and synapses operate by storing and processing information simultaneously with the capacity of flexible adaptation resulting in massive computational capability with much less power consumption. The search for a synaptic material which can closely imitate bio-synapse has led to an alamethicin-doped, synthetic biomembrane which can emulate key synaptic functions due to generic memristive property enabling learning and computation. This two-terminal, biomolecular memristor, in contrast to its solid-state counterparts, features similar structure, switching mechanism, and ionic transport modality as biological synapses while consuming considerably lower power. In this paper, we outline a methodology for using this biomolecular synapse to build neural networks capable of solving real-world problems. The physical mechanism underlying its volatile memristance is explored followed by the development of a model of this device for circuit simulation. We outline a circuit design technique to integrate this synapse with solid-state neuron circuit for hardware implementation. Based on these results, we develop a high level simulation framework and use a training scheme called Evolutionary Optimization for Neuromorphic System (EONS) to generate networks for solving two problems, namely iris dataset classification and EEG classification task. The small network size and comparable to state-of-the-art accuracy of these preliminary networks show its potential to enhance synaptic functionality in next generation neuromorphic hardware.

Sakib hasan, Md↗