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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 577 records · Page 32
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Statistically elucidated responses from low-signal contrast mechanisms in ultrafast electron microscopy

The emergence of ultrafast electron microscopy (UEM) has enabled the discovery of strongly correlated dynamic mechanisms, including electron–phonon coupling, structural phase transitions, thermal transport, and electromagnetic deflection. Most UEM systems operate stroboscopically, meaning that the technique is susceptible to artifacts, mistakes, and misinterpretation of the data due to extensive experimental effort. In contrast to the ultrafast designation, data acquisition is extraordinarily slow because the electron beam has significantly reduced signal compared to traditional transmission electron microscopy due to pulsing the electron beam. Consequently, the sample may drift, tilt, or undergo irreversible structural changes that are independent of the time-resolved dynamics throughout the experimental time frame. Furthermore, these datasets require significant user interpretation that can be problematic when proper controls are not implemented thoroughly. Here, we demonstrate a new algorithm designed to separate ultrafast structural dynamics from long-term artifacts using a LiNbO 3 sample experiencing electrically driven surface acoustic wave propagation. Additionally, we provide examples of the impact of user bias when analyzing the data and provide a methodology, which enables the extraction of time-resolved responses when the image signal is extraordinarily low. Overall, the goal of this publication is to provide methods that validate the experimental results and reduce researcher biases during UEM data interpretation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Controlling the plasmonic surface waves of metallic nanowires by transformation optics

In this letter, we introduce the technique of using transformation optics to manipulate the mode states of surface plasmonic waves of metallic nanowire waveguides. As examples we apply this technique to design two optical components: a three-dimensional (3D) electromagnetic mode rotator and a mode convertor. The rotator can rotate the polarization state of the surface wave around plasmonic nanowires by arbitrarily desired angles, and the convertor can transform the surface wave modes from one to another. Full-wave simulation is performed to verify the design and efficiency of our devices. Their potential application in photonic circuits is envisioned.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Magnetohydrodynamic slow mode with drifting He{sup ++}: Implications for coronal seismology and the solar wind

The MHD slow mode wave has application to coronal seismology, MHD turbulence, and the solar wind where it can be produced by parametric instabilities. We consider analytically how a drifting ion species (e.g. He{sup ++}) affects the linear slow mode wave in a mainly electron-proton plasma, with potential consequences for the aforementioned applications. Our main conclusions are as follows. 1. For wavevectors highly oblique to the magnetic field, we find solutions that are characterized by very small perturbations of total pressure. Thus, our results may help to distinguish the MHD slow mode from kinetic Alfvén waves and non-propagating pressure-balanced structures, which can also have very small total pressure perturbations. 2. For small ion concentrations, there are solutions that are similar to the usual slow mode in an electron-proton plasma, and solutions that are dominated by the drifting ions, but for small drifts the wave modes cannot be simply characterized. 3. Even with zero ion drift, the standard dispersion relation for the highly oblique slow mode cannot be used with the Alfvén speed computed using the summed proton and ion densities, and with the sound speed computed from the summed pressures and densities of all species. 4. The ions can drive a non-resonant instability under certain circumstances. For low plasma beta, the threshold drift can be less than that required to destabilize electromagnetic modes, but damping from the Landau resonance can eliminate this instability altogether, unless T{sub e} /T{sub p} >> 1.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Observation of millihertz-level cooperative Lamb shifts in an optical atomic clock

Collective couplings of atomic dipoles to a shared electromagnetic environment produce a wide range of many-body phenomena. We report on the direct observation of resonant electric dipole-dipole interactions in a cubic array of atoms in the many-excitation limit. The interactions produce spatially dependent cooperative Lamb shifts when spectroscopically interrogating the millihertz-wide optical clock transition in strontium-87. We show that the ensemble-averaged shifts can be suppressed below the level of evaluated systematic uncertainties for optical atomic clocks. Additionally, we demonstrate that excitation of the atomic dipoles near a Bragg angle can enhance these effects by nearly an order of magnitude compared with nonresonant geometries. Our work demonstrates a platform for precise studies of the quantum many-body physics of spins with long-range interactions mediated by propagating photons.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2024

Massive twistor worldline in electromagnetic fields

We study the (ambi-)twistor model for spinning particles interacting via electromagnetic field, as a toy model for studying classical dynamics of gravitating bodies including effects of both spins to all orders. We compute the momentum kick and spin kick up to one-loop order and show precisely how they are encoded in the classical eikonal. The all-orders-in-spin effects are encoded as a dynamical implementation of the Newman-Janis shift, and we find that the expansion in both spins can be resummed to simple expressions in special kinematic configurations, at least up to one-loop order. We confirm that the classical eikonal can be understood as the generator of canonical transformations that map the in-states of a scattering process to the out-states. We also remark that cut contributions for converting worldline propagators from time-symmetric to retarded amount to the iterated action of the leading eikonal at one-loop order.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Generation of low-frequency nonlinear currents in plasma by an ultrashort pulse of high-frequency radiation

A kinetic theory of low-frequency currents induced in plasma by an ultrashort high-frequency radiation pulse is developed. General expressions for the currents flowing along the propagation direction of the pulse and along the gradient of the field energy density are analyzed both analytically and numerically for pulse durations longer or shorter than or comparable with the electron collision time in plasma. It is demonstrated that the nonlinear current flowing along the gradient of the field energy density can be described correctly only when the modification of the isotropic part of the electron distribution function is taken into account.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

X-ray free-electron lasing in a flying-focus undulator

Laser-driven free-electron lasers (LDFELs) replace magnetostatic undulators with the electromagnetic fields of a laser pulse. Because the undulator period is half the wavelength of the laser pulse, LDFELs can amplify X rays using lower electron energies and over shorter interaction lengths than a traditional free-electron laser. In LDFELs driven by conventional laser pulses, the undulator uniformity required for high gain necessitates large laser-pulse energies. Here, we show that a flying-focus pulse provides the undulator uniformity required to reach high gain with a substantially lower energy than a conventional pulse. The flying-focus pulse features an intensity peak that travels in the opposite direction of its phase fronts. This enables an LDFEL configuration where an electron beam collides head-on with the phase fronts and experiences a near-constant undulator strength as it co-propagates with the intensity peak. Three-dimensional simulations of this configuration demonstrate the generation of megawatts of coherent X-ray radiation with 20 × less energy than a conventional laser pulse.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Suppression of power losses during laser pulse propagation in underdense plasma slab

For current state-of-the-art terawatt lasers, the primary laser scattering mechanisms in plasma include Forward Raman Scattering (FRS), excitation of plasma waves, and the self-modulational instability (SMI). Using 2D PIC simulations, we demonstrate the dominance of the FRS in the regime with medium-to-low density plasma and non-relativistic laser fields. However, the use of multi-colored lasers with frequency detuning exceeding the plasma frequency, Δω > ω pe , suppresses the FRS. Finally, the laser power can then be transmitted efficiently.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Cocoon shock breakout emission from binary neutron star mergers

Shock breakout emission is among the first observable signals in a wide variety of astrophysical phenomena, including neutron star (NS) mergers, and it can be the dominant component in low-luminosity short γ-ray bursts, as exemplified by GRB 170817A. In this work, we investigate the cocoon shock breakout emission in NS mergers and how its signal depends on the outermost layers of the ejecta profile, which we derive from general relativistic radiation hydrodynamic simulations. We study the formation of the cocoon as a consequence of a relativistic jet propagating through the ejecta. To explore the influence of the outermost layers of the ejecta on the breakout emission, we explore cases where the ejecta has a sharp cutoff or an extended smooth tail. We find that the shock breakout emission is strongly influenced by the shape of the ejecta outer layers, with extended tails yielding results consistent with the observed properties of GRB 170817A, whereas sharp cutoffs overestimate the radiated energy. Using a Bayesian analysis, we estimate the best fit parameters of the central engine, considering both accreting black hole and magnetized neutron star scenarios. Our findings indicate a slight preference for the scenarios where the engine is a black hole. Furthermore, our work probes the nature of neutron star mergers and highlights the importance of the shape of the ejecta profile in modeling early electromagnetic counterparts to these mergers.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Reflection and transmission of light waves from the air-magnetoplasma interface: Spatial and angular Imbert-Fedorov shifts

We have investigated the reflection and transmission of an electromagnetic wave from the air-magnetoplasma interface. The reflection and transmission coefficients are obtained for an arbitrary polarized incident wave. The spatial and angular Imbert-Fedorov (IF) shifts are discussed. The numerical results are presented to study the dependence of the reflection and transmission coefficients and IF shifts on relevant parameters of the system. The plasma and wave parameters can be used to control the reflection coefficients and IF shifts.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Spatially resolved x-ray detection with photonic crystal scintillators

We study the self-collimation phenomenon in photonic crystals (PhC) of wide bandgap materials for ultra-fast and high spatial resolution x-ray detection. We work on various heavy inorganic scintillators: BaF 2 , GaN, ZnO, CsI:Tl, NaI:Tl, LYSO, WO 4 compounds, and plastic scintillators. Conventional scintillator detectors do not rely on a direct detection mechanism; hence, they require intricate design and fabrication processes. We offer a PhC design to observe self-collimation phenomena and overcome the ongoing spatial resolution challenges with these types of materials. We investigate the photonic band diagrams and iso-frequency contours. Fourier transforms based on finite-difference time-domain and frequency domain simulations are done for verifying and analyzing the self-collimation with the selected material. Light extraction efficiency at the PhC–air interface, depending on the truncation distance from the excitation point, is measured. Beam divergence values are calculated at 1 mm propagation distance. The vertical field profiles are obtained to observe the confinement. For the spatial resolution analysis, cross-sectional beam profiles have been examined. Furthermore, Gaussian envelopes are fitted to beam profiles for a consistent data analysis, and full-width-at-half-maximum values are considered. As a result, we theoretically prove and demonstrate the spatially resolved x-ray detection at the sub-micrometer level for a wide range of scintillator materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Fast-Response High-Accuracy Overvoltage Protection Circuit for Soft-Switching Current-Source Converters

Although voltage-source converters (VSCs) have been a focus of research for decades and are widely applied in numerous applications, they face great challenges in short-circuit failures, high dv/dt and electromagnetic interference (EMI), especially using wide bandgap devices. Instead, current-source converters (CSCs) are attracting increasing attention in recent years owing to their friendliness to short-circuit faults, improved EMI, etc. For CSCs, overvoltage is the most catastrophic failure since the semiconductor devices can hardly withstand an overvoltage for a short pulse. In this paper, a fast-response high-accuracy overvoltage protection (OVP) circuit is proposed to protect CSCs from overvoltage damage. It also features a small form factor, good noise-immunity, friendly retrofit capability, and no need for active switches. In this paper, the operating principle and design guideline of the proposed OVP circuit is introduced. Its effectiveness is validated in soft-switching solid-state transformer (S4T) at 500 V. In experiments, the voltage detection error of less than 5% and a propagation delay of fewer than 400 ns have been achieved.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2019

Digital signal processing in coupled photonic crystal waveguides and its application to an all-optical AND logic gate

The realization of all-optical AND logic gates for pulsed signal operation based on the photonic bandgap transmission phenomenon is proposed. We are using realistic planar air-hole type coupled photonic crystal waveguides (C-PCWs) with Kerr-type nonlinear background medium. The novelty of our analysis is that the proposed AND logic gate operates with the temporal solitons, which maintain a stable envelope propagating in the nonlinear C-PCWs, enabling true ultrafast full-optical digital signal processing in the time-domain. The bandgap transmission takes place when the operating frequency is chosen at the very edge of the dispersion curve of one of the supermodes in the C-PCWs. In this regard, our original fast and accurate method is used to efficiently calculate the supermodes of the C-PCW system. The underlying semi-analytical full-wave modal analysis is based on the evaluation of the lattice sums for complex wavenumbers using the transition-matrix method in combination with the generalized reflection-matrix approach. As a proof of concept successful pulse operation of the all-optical AND logic gate is demonstrated in the framework of extensive full-wave finite-difference time-domain electromagnetics analysis.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Helicon waves in uniform plasmas. IV. Bessel beams, Gendrin beams, and helicons

Electromagnetic waves in the low frequency whistler mode regime are investigated experimentally and by digital data superposition. The radiation from a novel circular antenna array is shown to produce highly collimated helicon beams in a uniform unbounded plasma. The differences to Bessel beams in free space are remarked upon. Low divergence beams arise from the parallel group velocity of whistlers with phase velocity either along the guide field or at the Gendrin angle. Waves with angular momentum are produced by phasing the array in the circular direction. The differences in the field topologies for positive and negative modes numbers are shown. It is also shown that in uniform plasmas, the radial amplitude profile of the waves depends on the antenna field topology. Thus, there are no helicon “eigenmodes” with radial Bessel function profiles in uniform plasmas. It is pointed out that phase measurements in helicon devices indicate radial wave propagation which is inconsistent with helicon eigenmode theory based on paraxial wave propagation. Trivelpiece-Gould modes also exist in uniform unbounded plasmas.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Resonance cones in cold plasma: Origin, singularities, and power flow

In magnetized tenuous plasma, typical at the plasma edge of fusion devices, a nearly electrostatic wave mode with relatively enhanced electric field can propagate along a specific angle with the magnetic field. For this characteristic, it is known as a “resonance cone.” For instance, these waves can be excited by radio frequency antennas in the ion-cyclotron and lower-hybrid range of frequencies. We consider the resonance cones emitted by idealized spatially extended sources. In 2D, we use a novel geometric construction which generalizes the d'Alembert solution to curved boundaries/moving sources, and show, for the first time, that singular electric fields arise under these conditions, thereby bringing the resonance cones in line with the other resonances of the cold plasma theory. Still in 2D, we give an expression for the amount of power radiated by resonance cones in terms of surface quantities on the source, which is finite despite the singular electric field. In conclusion, we generalize the conclusions regarding the presence and location of singular electric fields to the 3D electromagnetic case.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Normal modes for electromagnetically induced transparency in a lambda system of degenerate energy levels

This paper presents an analytical study of the formation of normal modes of probe light for electromagnetically induced transparency in a lambda system of quantum transitions between {sup 3}P{sub 0}, and {sup 3}P{sub 2} levels in the case of an elliptically polarised control field and inhomogeneous broadening. The normal modes are elliptically polarised waves with identical polarisation ellipse eccentricities but different electric vector rotation directions. The mode eccentricities are only determined by the control field polarisation ellipse eccentricity. The major axis of the polarisation ellipse of one of the normal modes is parallel to the major axis of the control light polarisation ellipse, whereas the major axis of the polarisation ellipse of the other normal mode is perpendicular to it. The former type of mode has a higher group velocity than does the latter type of mode, and both velocities depend on control light polarisation ellipse eccentricity and intensity. Probe light with an arbitrary elliptical polarisation is the sum of normal modes which propagate independently of each other. Since the modes differ in group velocity, a probe pulse entering the medium splits into two components, each of which is a normal mode. The fraction of energy in each normal mode depends only on polarisation characteristics of coupled fields and is independent of their intensity. The bibliography includes 27 references. (nonlinear optical phenomena)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Resonant tunneling assisted propagation and amplification of plasmons in high electron mobility transistors

A rigorous theoretical and computational model is developed for the plasma-wave propagation in high electron mobility transistor structures with electron injection from a resonant tunneling diode at the gate. We discuss the conditions in which low-loss and sustainable plasmon modes can be supported in such structures. The developed analytical model is used to derive the dispersion relation for these plasmon-modes. A non-linear full-wave-hydrodynamic numerical solver is also developed using a finite difference time domain algorithm. The developed analytical solutions are validated via the numerical solution. We also verify previous observations that were based on a simplified transmission line model. It is shown that at high levels of negative differential conductance, plasmon amplification is indeed possible. The proposed rigorous models can enable accurate design and optimization of practical resonant tunnel diode-based plasma-wave devices for terahertz sources, mixers, and detectors, by allowing a precise representation of their coupling when integrated with other electromagnetic structures.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗