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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 631 records · Page 35
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Methods for estimating the optical constants of atmospheric hazes based on complex optical measurements

The methods of multifrequency laser sounding (MLS) are the most effective remote methods for investigating the atmospheric aerosols, since it is possible to obtain complete information on aerosol microstructure and the effective methods for estimating the aerosol optical constants can be developed. The MLS data interpretation consists in the solution of the set of equations containing those of laser sounding and equations for polydispersed optical characteristics. As a rule, the laser sounding equation is written in the approximation of single scattering and the equations for optical characteristics are written assuming that the atmospheric aerosol is formed by spherical and homogeneous particles. To remove the indeterminacy of equations, the method of optical sounding of atmospheric aerosol, consisting in a joint use of a mutifrequency lidar and a spectral photometer in common geometrical scheme of the optical experiment was suggested. The method is used for investigating aerosols in the cases when absorption by particles is small and indicates the minimum necessary for interpretation of a series of measurements.

Zuev, V. E.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Extraction of inhomogeneous broadening and nonradiative losses in InAs quantum-dot lasers

We present a method to quantify inhomogeneous broadening and nonradiative losses in quantum dot lasers by comparing the gain and spontaneous emission results of a microscopic laser theory with measurements made on 1.3 μm InAs quantum-dot lasers. Calculated spontaneous-emission spectra are first matched to those measured experimentally to determine the inhomogeneous broadening in the experimental samples. This is possible because treatment of carrier scattering at the level of quantum kinetic equations provides the homogeneously broadened spectra without use of free parameters, such as the dephasing rate. Thus we then extract the nonradiative recombination current associated with the quantum-dot active region from a comparison of measured and calculated gain versus current relations.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Laser radiation frequency doubling in a single-crystal fibre based on a stoichiometric LiNbO{sub 3} crystal

We demonstrate the employment of single-crystal optical fibres based on lithium niobate for doubling the laser radiation frequency. The measured characteristics of the fibre confirm its high quality and spatial homogeneity. Parameters of the frequency doublers for neodymium laser radiation (λ = 1 mm) based on fibre and bulk single crystals are compared. Single crystals are grown by the method of laser-heated pedestal growing with heating by radiation of a CO{sub 2} laser (LHPG-method). (nonlinear optical phenomena)

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effects of Synchronous Rolling on Microstructure, Hardness, and Wear Resistance of Laser Multilayer Cladding

A synchronous rolling method was proposed to assist laser multilayer cladding, and the effects of this method on microstructure, microhardness, and wear resistance were studied. Results show that the microstructure and mechanical properties of the traditional cladding layer exhibit periodic inhomogeneity. Synchronous rolling breaks the columnar dendrite crystals to improve the uniformity of the organization, and the residual plastic energy promotes the precipitation of strengthening phases, as CrB, M{sub 7}C{sub 3}, etc. The hardness and wear resistance of the extruded cladding layer increase significantly because of the grain refinement, formation of dislocations, and dispersion strengthening. These positive significances of synchronous rolling provide a new direction for laser cladding technology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

High intensity vacuum ultraviolet and extreme ultraviolet production by noncollinear mixing in laser vaporized media

A method is described for generating intense pulsed vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and extreme ultraviolet (XUV) laser radiation by resonance enhanced four-wave mixing of commercial pulsed nanosecond lasers in laser vaporized mercury under windowless conditions. By employing noncollinear mixing of the input beams, the need of dispersive elements such as gratings for separating the VUV/XUV from the residual UV and visible beams is eliminated. A number of schemes are described, facilitating access to the 9.9–14.6 eV range. A simple and convenient scheme for generating wavelengths of 125 nm, 112 nm, and 104 nm (10 eV, 11 eV, and 12 eV) using two dye lasers without the need for dye changes is described.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2019

Balance-equation method for simulating terahertz quantum-cascade lasers using a wave-function basis with reduced dipole moments of tunnel-coupled states

A model based on a system of balance equations for localised and continuum states is developed to calculate the current − voltage (I − V) and power characteristics of quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs) operating in the terahertz (THz) range. A method for modifying the eigenbasis of the Schrödinger equation by reducing the dipole moments of tunnel-coupled states is proposed to take into account the effect of dephasing on the carrier transport. The calculated and experimental data on the current − voltage characteristics and the dependence of the integrated radiation intensity on current for the THz QCLs lasing at 2.3 THz are compared. The calculated and measured values of the threshold current, lasing current range, and maximum operating temperature T{sub max} are found to be in good agreement. It is shown that T{sub max} can be increased by 25 % by reducing the thickness of the top contact layer n{sup +}-GaAs of the laser structure under study from 800 to 100 nm. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Method and system for advancement of a borehole using a high power laser

There is provided a system, apparatus and methods for the laser drilling of a borehole in the earth. There is further provided with in the systems a means for delivering high power laser energy down a deep borehole, while maintaining the high power to advance such boreholes deep into the earth and at highly efficient advancement rates, a laser bottom hole assembly, and fluid directing techniques and assemblies for removing the displaced material from the borehole.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2013

Enhanced light scattering in Si nanostructures produced by pulsed laser irradiation

An innovative method for Si nanostructures (NS) fabrication is proposed, through nanosecond laser irradiation (λ = 532 nm) of thin Si film (120 nm) on quartz. Varying the laser energy fluences (425–1130 mJ/cm{sup 2}) distinct morphologies of Si NS appear, going from interconnected structures to isolated clusters. Film breaking occurs through a laser-induced dewetting process. Raman scattering is enhanced in all the obtained Si NS, with the largest enhancement in interconnected Si structures, pointing out an increased trapping of light due to multiple scattering. The reported method is fast, scalable and cheap, and can be applied for light management in photovoltaics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2011

Controlling Second Harmonic Efficiency of Laser Beam Interactions

A method is provided for controlling second harmonic efficiency of laser beam interactions. A laser system generates two laser beams (e.g., a laser beam with two polarizations) for incidence on a nonlinear crystal having a preferred direction of propagation. Prior to incidence on the crystal, the beams are optically processed based on the crystal's beam separation characteristics to thereby control a position in the crystal along the preferred direction of propagation at which the beams interact.

Barnes, Norman P.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Topographic Change Detection Using Full-Waveform Imaging Lidar

The capability of wide-footprint (i.e. 10m or greater), full-waveform laser altimeters to penetrate beneath dense vegetation to directly measure the sub-canopy topography provides us with a unique capability for sensing topographic change in the presence of vegetation. We evaluate the feasibility of using a geolocated laser altimeter return waveform instead of individual elevation measurements to measure vertical elevation change within a laser footprint. The method, dubbed the return pulse correlation method, maximizes the shape similarity of nea-coincident, vertically- geolocated laser return waveforms from two observation epochs as they are vertically-shifted relative to each other. First, we evaluate the inherent accuracy of the pulse correlation method using models and simulations under "bare-Earth" conditions. We then analyze the effects of vegetation and vegetation growth on the change detection capability. The use of this method, combined with order of magnitude improvements to laser altimeter swath widths (from 1 km to 10 km) and the potential for a future spaceborne imaging lidar, may provide subcentimeter level relative change detection beneath vegetation to complement IFSAR's ability to make similar measurements in low or vegetation-free conditions.

Blair, Bryan↗
NASA NTRS2001

Numerical Investigation of Radiative Heat Transfer in Laser Induced Air Plasmas

Radiative heat transfer is one of the most important phenomena in the laser induced plasmas. This study is intended to develop accurate and efficient methods for predicting laser radiation absorption and plasma radiative heat transfer, and investigate the plasma radiation effects in laser propelled vehicles. To model laser radiation absorption, a ray tracing method along with the Beer's law is adopted. To solve the radiative transfer equation in the air plasmas, the discrete transfer method (DTM) is selected and explained. The air plasma radiative properties are predicted by the LORAN code. To validate the present nonequilibrium radiation model, several benchmark problems are examined and the present results are found to match the available solutions. To investigate the effects of plasma radiation in laser propelled vehicles, the present radiation code is coupled into a plasma aerodynamics code and a selected problem is considered. Comparisons of results at different cases show that plasma radiation plays a role of cooling plasma and it lowers the plasma temperature by about 10%. This change in temperature also results in a reduction of the coupling coefficient by about 10-20%. The present study indicates that plasma radiation modeling is very important for accurate modeling of aerodynamics in a laser propelled vehicle.

Liu, J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Experimental investigation of a unique airbreathing pulsed laser propulsion concept

Investigations were conducted into unique methods of converting pulsed laser energy into propulsive thrust across a flat impulse surface under atmospheric conditions. The propulsion experiments were performed with a 1-micron neodymium-glass laser at the Space Plasma Branch of the Naval Research Laboratory. Laser-induced impulse was measured dynamically by ballistic pendulums and statically using piezoelectric pressure transducers on a stationary impulse surface. The principal goal was to explore methods for increasing the impulse coupling performance of airbreathing laser-propulsion engines. A magnetohydrodynamic thrust augmentation effect was discovered when a tesla-level magnetic field was applied perpendicular to the impulse surface. The impulse coupling coefficient performance doubled and continued to improve with increasing laser-pulse energies. The resultant performance of 180 to 200 N-s/MJ was found to be comparable to that of the earliest afterburning turbojets.

Myrabo, L. N.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Physical mechanisms of SiN{sub x} layer structuring with ultrafast lasers by direct and confined laser ablation

In the production process of silicon microelectronic devices and high efficiency silicon solar cells, local contact openings in thin dielectric layers are required. Instead of photolithography, these openings can be selectively structured with ultra-short laser pulses by confined laser ablation in a fast and efficient lift off production step. Thereby, the ultrafast laser pulse is transmitted by the dielectric layer and absorbed at the substrate surface leading to a selective layer removal in the nanosecond time domain. Thermal damage in the substrate due to absorption is an unwanted side effect. The aim of this work is to obtain a deeper understanding of the physical laser-material interaction with the goal of finding a damage-free ablation mechanism. For this, thin silicon nitride (SiN{sub x}) layers on planar silicon (Si) wafers are processed with infrared fs-laser pulses. Two ablation types can be distinguished: The known confined ablation at fluences below 300 mJ/cm{sup 2} and a combined partial confined and partial direct ablation at higher fluences. The partial direct ablation process is caused by nonlinear absorption in the SiN{sub x} layer in the center of the applied Gaussian shaped laser pulses. Pump-probe investigations of the central area show ultra-fast reflectivity changes typical for direct laser ablation. Transmission electron microscopy results demonstrate that the Si surface under the remaining SiN{sub x} island is not damaged by the laser ablation process. At optimized process parameters, the method of direct laser ablation could be a good candidate for damage-free selective structuring of dielectric layers on absorbing substrates.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2017

A method for measuring the amplitude and phase of ultrashort laser pulses using self-modulation in a Kerr medium and spectral interferometry

A new method is proposed for measuring the field of ultrashort pulses by assessing spectral interference between an input pulse and the pulse transmitted through a Kerr medium. The proposed iterative algorithm allows the pulse amplitude and phase to be reconstructed. Our numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can be used to reconstruct pulses with complex intensity and phase shapes and is stable to a noise in input data. The method requires that only one nonlinear element be placed in the laser beam to be studied. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Improved spectral data unfolding for radiochromic film imaging spectroscopy of laser-accelerated proton beams

An improved method to unfold the space-resolved proton energy distribution function of laser-accelerated proton beams using a layered, radiochromic film (RCF) detector stack has been developed. The method takes into account the reduced RCF response near the Bragg peak due to a high linear energy transfer (LET). This LET dependence of the active RCF layer has been measured, and published data have been re-interpreted to find a nonlinear saturation scaling of the RCF response with stopping power. Accounting for the LET effect increased the integrated particle yield by 25% after data unfolding. An iterative, analytical, space-resolved deconvolution of the RCF response functions from the measured dose was developed that does not rely on fitting. After the particle number unfold, three-dimensional interpolation is performed to determine the spatial proton beam distribution for proton energies in-between the RCF data points. Here, image morphing has been implemented as a novel interpolation method that takes into account the energy-dependent, changing beam topology.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Comparison of in vivo and ex vivo laser scanning microscopy and multiphoton tomography application for human and porcine skin imaging

Two state-of-the-art microscopic optical methods, namely, confocal laser scanning microscopy in the fluorescence and reflectance regimes and multiphoton tomography in the autofluorescence and second harmonic generation regimes, are compared for porcine skin ex vivo and healthy human skin in vivo. All skin layers such as stratum corneum (SC), stratum spinosum (SS), stratum basale (SB), papillary dermis (PD) and reticular dermis (RD) as well as transition zones between these skin layers are measured noninvasively at a high resolution, using the above mentioned microscopic methods. In the case of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), measurements in the fluorescence regime were performed by using a fluorescent dye whose topical application on the surface is well suited for the investigation of superficial SC and characterisation of the skin barrier function. For investigations of deeply located skin layers, such as SS, SB and PD, the fluorescent dye must be injected into the skin, which markedly limits fluorescence measurements using CLSM. In the case of reflection CLSM measurements, the obtained results can be compared to the results of multiphoton tomography (MPT) for all skin layers excluding RD. CLSM cannot distinguish between dermal collagen and elastin measuring their superposition in the RD. By using MPT, it is possible to analyse the collagen and elastin structures separately, which is important for the investigation of anti-aging processes. The resolution of MPT is superior to CLSM. The advantages and limitations of both methods are discussed and the differences and similarities between human and porcine skin are highlighted. (laser biophotonics)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS1992

Method and circuit for controlling the evolution time interval of a laser output pulse

The invention is a method and circuit for controlling the evolution time interval of a laser output pulse used for making precise spectral measurements. It comprises the means for pumping a laser medium in a resonator that includes a Q-switch and polarizer that act in combination to control the loss in the resonator. A photodiode senses the resulting fluorescence which is applied to a two level Q-switch and polarizer from high to intermediate to substantially zero loss states to control the evolution time interval of the resulting laser output pulse.

Barnes, Norman P.↗