Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “FOURIER ANALYSIS”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4

Probing two-path electron quantum interference in strong-field ionization with time-correlation filtering

We report attosecond dynamics in strong-field tunnel ionization are encoded in intricate holographic patterns in the photoelectron momentum distributions. These patterns show the interference between two or more superposed quantum electron trajectories, which are defined by their ionization times and subsequent evolution in the laser field. We determine the ionization time separation between interfering pairs of electron orbits by performing a differential Fourier analysis on the measured momentum spectrum. We identify electron holograms formed by trajectory pairs whose ionization times are separated by less than a single quarter cycle, between a quarter cycle and half cycle, between a half cycle and three fourths of a cycle, and a full cycle apart. We compare our experimental results to the predictions of the Coulomb quantum orbit strong-field approximation (CQSFA) with significant success. We also time-filter the CQSFA trajectory calculations to demonstrate the validity of the technique on spectra with known time correlations. As a general analysis technique, the filter can be applied to all energy- and angularly resolved data sets to recover time correlations between interfering electron pathways, providing an important tool to analyze any strong-field ionization spectra. Moreover, it is independent of theory and can be applied directly to experiments, without the need of a direct comparison with orbit-based theoretical methods.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Chiral Topological Surface States on a Finite Square Photonic Crystal Bounded by Air

Chiral, topologically protected, photonic surface states can be found at the boundary between gyrotropic photonic crystals where a changing magnetic field induces different topology across the interface. Typically, photonic crystals with either a suitable band structure on both sides of the interface to provide a band gap and evanescent decay of the surface states away from the interface, or an outer layer with engineered material properties is required. In this paper, we show the emergence of topological, unidirectional surface states at the termination of finite gyrotropic photonic crystals with a simple square lattice and C 4 rotational symmetry bounded by a vacuum, eliminating the need for an outside layer to enable chiral surface modes. Here, we start from an infinite, time-reversal-symmetry-breaking photonic crystal with a band gap associated with bands with nonzero Chern numbers, different from all-zero Chern numbers in air. We then modify the photonic crystal to move this band gap below the light line, while maintaining the Chern-number discontinuities. Band-structure calculations for a supercell approximating a photonic crystal finite in the direction normal to the surface demonstrate the existence, dispersion, and chirality of the surface mode. Extensive direct scattering calculations for a point source and spatial Fourier analysis further reveal a unidirectional free-space topological surface state, which propagates counterclockwise around the surface of a finite photonic crystal, providing a nearly foolproof way to cross-check the surface-mode band structure unaffected by backscattering from local defects. Additionally, scattering simulations allow an independent characterization of the state dispersion and unveil the robustness of the topological plasmonic mode propagation around the 90° bends of the structure, being due to only radiation leakage. In contrast to buried topological surface states, the observed surface modes at the photonic crystal–air interface have the advantage of being accessible to the outside world, allowing one to take advantage of the defect-tolerant backscattering-free surface modes to engineer emission from photonic crystal surfaces into arbitrary free-space beam shapes and directions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Ultrafast perturbation of magnetic domains by optical pumping in a ferromagnetic multilayer

Ultrafast optical pumping of spatially nonuniform magnetic textures is known to induce far-from-equilibrium spin transport effects. Here, we use ultrafast x-ray diffraction with unprecedented dynamic range to study the laser-induced dynamics of labyrinth domain networks in ferromagnetic CoFe/Ni multilayers. We detected azimuthally isotropic, odd order, magnetic diffraction rings up to fifth order. The amplitudes of all three diffraction rings quench to different degrees within 1.6 ps. In addition, all three of the detected diffraction rings both broaden by 15% and radially contract by 6% during the quench process. We are able to rigorously quantify a 31% ultrafast broadening of the domain walls via Fourier analysis of the order-dependent quenching of the three detected diffraction rings. Here, the broadening of the diffraction rings is interpreted as a reduction in the domain coherence length, but the shift in the ring radius, while unambiguous in its occurrence, remains unexplained. In particular, we demonstrate that a radial shift explained by domain-wall broadening can be ruled out. With the unprecedented dynamic range of our data, our results provide convincing evidence that labyrinth domain structures are spatially perturbed at ultrafast speeds under far-from-equilibrium conditions, albeit the mechanism inducing the perturbations remains yet to be clarified.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Coherent diffraction imaging in the undergraduate laboratory

We present an undergraduate optics instructional laboratory designed to teach skills relevant to a broad range of modern scientific and technical careers. In this laboratory project, students image a custom aperture using coherent diffraction imaging, while learning principles and skills related to digital image processing and computational imaging, including multidimensional Fourier analysis, iterative phase retrieval, noise reduction, finite dynamic range, and sampling considerations. After briefly reviewing these imaging principles, we describe the required experimental materials and setup for this project. Our experimental apparatus is both inexpensive and portable, and a software application we developed for interactive data analysis is freely available.

Porter, J. Nicholas↗

Tuning Shinkarev’s Bicycle: Separating the Parallel Cycles of Photosystem II Using Empirical Wavelet Transform

The oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of Photosystem II (PSII) catalyzes light-driven water oxidation, a process necessary to sustain Earth’s atmospheric oxygen. Oxygen yields measured during single-turnover flash sequences exhibit period-four oscillations, which form the basis of the Joliot–Kok (S-state) model. However, when the oscillations of other processes contribute to the measured oxygen yield, fitting methods can conflate these signals and distort estimates of inefficiencies and initial S-state populations. To address this, we applied the empirical wavelet transform (EWT) as a model-independent method to separate overlapping oscillators and capture damping dynamics that are not well represented in Fourier analysis. We tested this framework on polarographic flash-oxygen traces from both our Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 thylakoid membrane preparations and archival datasets on Chlorella and isolated chloroplasts. EWT consistently resolves the expected period-four component alongside a distinct binary oscillation. Simulations suggest that fitting this isolated period-four signal recovers VZAD parameters more accurately than analysis of raw traces, yielding different estimates for S-state distributions and transition probabilities. Notably, this binary oscillation aligns closely with semiquinone dynamics predicted solely from period-four fit parameters. These findings indicate that EWT can effectively distinguish complex signals in oxygen evolution, offering a framework potentially applicable to other spectroscopic probes of the S-state cycle.

Ferrari, Nicholas [Louisiana State Univ., Baton Ro↗

Cosmic-ray anisotropies in right ascension measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory

We present measurements of the large-scale cosmic-ray anisotropies in right ascension, using data collected by the surface detector array of the Pierre Auger Observatory over more than 14 years. We determine the equatorial dipole component, $\vec{d}_\perp$, through a Fourier analysis in right ascension that includes weights for each event so as to account for the main detector-induced systematic effects. For the energies at which the trigger efficiency of the array is small, the ``East-West'' method is employed. Besides using the data from the array with detectors separated by 1500 m, we also include data from the smaller but denser sub-array of detectors with 750 m separation, which allows us to extend the analysis down to $\sim 0.03$ EeV. The most significant equatorial dipole amplitude obtained is that in the cumulative bin above 8~EeV, $d_\perp=6.0^{+1.0}_{-0.9}$%, which is inconsistent with isotropy at the 6$\sigma$ level. In the bins below 8 EeV, we obtain 99% CL upper-bounds on $d_\perp$ at the level of 1 to 3 percent. At energies below 1 EeV, even though the amplitudes are not significant, the phases determined in most of the bins are not far from the right ascension of the Galactic center, at $\alpha_{\rm GC}=-94^\circ$, suggesting a predominantly Galactic origin for anisotropies at these energies. The reconstructed dipole phases in the energy bins above 4 EeV point instead to right ascensions that are almost opposite to the Galactic center one, indicative of an extragalactic cosmic ray origin.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Current measurements in the intermittent-contact mode of atomic force microscopy using the Fourier method: a feasibility analysis

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is an important tool for measuring a variety of nanoscale surface properties, such as topography, viscoelasticity, electrical potential and conductivity. Some of these properties are measured using contact methods (static contact or intermittent contact), while others are measured using noncontact methods. Some properties can be measured using different approaches. Conductivity, in particular, is mapped using the contact-mode method. However, this modality can be destructive to delicate samples, since it involves continuously dragging the cantilever tip on the surface during the raster scan, while a constant tip–sample force is applied. In this paper we discuss a possible approach to develop an intermittent-contact conductive AFM mode based on Fourier analysis, whereby the measured current response consists of higher harmonics of the cantilever oscillation frequency. Such an approach may enable the characterization of soft samples with less damage than contact-mode imaging. To explore its feasibility, we derive the analytical form of the tip–sample current that would be obtained for attractive (noncontact) and repulsive (intermittent-contact) dynamic AFM characterization, and compare it with results obtained from numerical simulations. Although significant instrumentation challenges are anticipated, the modelling results are promising and suggest that Fourier-based higher-harmonics current measurement may enable the development of a reliable intermittent-contact conductive AFM method.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

High Mass Analysis with a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer: From Inorganic Salt Clusters to Antibody Conjugates and Beyond

Analysis of proteins and complexes under native mass spectrometric (MS) and solution conditions was typically performed using time-of-flight (ToF) analyzers, due to their routine high m/z transmission and detection capabilities. However, over recent years, the ability of Orbitrap-based mass spectrometers to transmit and detect a range of high molecular weight species is well documented. Herein, we describe how a 15 Tesla Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (15 T FT-ICR MS) is more than capable of analyzing a wide range of ions in the high m/z scale (>5000), in both positive and negative instrument polarities, ranging from the inorganic cesium iodide salt clusters; a humanized IgG1k monoclonal antibody (mAb; 148.2 kDa); an IgG1-mertansine drug conjugate (148.5 kDa, drug-to-antibody ratio; DAR 2.26); an IgG1-siRNA conjugate (159.1 kDa; ribonucleic acid to antibody ratio; RAR 1); the membrane protein aquaporin-Z (97.2 kDa) liberated from a C8E4 detergent micelle; the empty MSP1D1-nanodisc (142.5 kDa) and the tetradecameric chaperone protein complex GroEL (806.2 kDa; GroEL dimer at 1.6 MDa). We also investigate different regions of the FT-ICR MS that impact ion transmission and desolvation. Finally, we demonstrate how the transmission of these species and resultant spectra are highly consistent with those previously generated on both quadrupole-ToF (Q-ToF) and Orbitrap instrumentation. This article serves as an impactful example of how FT-ICR mass analyzers are competitive to Q-ToFs and Orbitraps for high mass detection at high m/z.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Fourier-method beam analysis for coherent vertical cavity surface emitting laser arrays

Effective engineering and exploitation of coherently coupled vertical cavity surface emitting laser arrays will benefit from simple and fast characterization of the optical coupling and coherence. We propose a Fourier method of analyzing beam profiles as an alternative to the prior beam visibility analysis and show that the mode suppression ratio and phase between a pair of supermodes can be extracted. Our analysis enables fast quantitative determination of the array coherence and supermode characteristics.

Strzebonski, Pawel (ORCID:0000000156286296)↗

$Z$-Pinch Interferometry Analysis With the Fourier-Based TNT Code

Here, we present the analysis of interferometry diagnostics with the user-friendly Talbot Numerical Tool (TNT), a Fourier-based postprocessing code that enables real-time assessment of plasma systems. TNT performance was explored with visible and infrared interferometry in pulsed-power-driven Z -pinch configurations to expand its capabilities beyond Talbot X-ray interferometry in the high-intensity laser environment. TNT enabled accurate electron density characterization of magnetically driven plasma flows and shocks through phase-retrieval methods that did not require data modification or masking. TNT demonstrated enhanced resolution, detecting below 4 % fringe shift, which corresponds to 8.7 × 10 15 cm –2 within 28 μ m, approaching the laser probing system limit. TNT was tested against a well-known interferometry analysis software, delivering an average resolving power nearly ten times better (~28 μ m versus ~ 210 μ m) when resolving plasma ablation features. TNT demonstrated higher sensitivity when probing sharp electron density gradients in supersonic shocks. A maximum electron areal density of 4.1 × 10 17 cm –2 was measured in the shocked plasma region, and a minimum electron density detection of ~ 1.0 × 10 15 cm –2 was achieved. When probing colliding plasma flows, the calculations of the effective adiabatic index and the associated errors were improved from γ* = 2.6 ± 1.6 – 1.4 ± 0.2 with TNT postprocessing, contributing valuable data for the interpretation of radiative transport. Additional applications of TNT in the characterization of pulsed-power plasmas and beyond are discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

An FFT-based approach for Bloch wave analysis: application to polycrystals

A method based on the Fast Fourier Transform is proposed to obtain the dispersion relation of acoustic waves in heterogeneous periodic media with arbitrary microstructures. The microstructure is explicitly considered using a voxelized Representative Volume Element (RVE). The dispersion diagram is obtained solving an eigenvalue problem for Bloch waves in Fourier space. To this aim, two linear operators representing stiffness and mass are defined through the use of differential operators in Fourier space. The smallest eigenvalues are obtained using the implicitly restarted Lanczos and the subspace iteration methods, and the required inverse of the stiffness operator is done using the conjugate gradient with a preconditioner. The method is used to study the propagation of acoustic waves in elastic polycrystals, showing the strong effect of crystal anistropy and polycrystaline texture on the propagation. It is shown that the method combines the simplicity of classical Fourier series analysis with the versatility of Finite Elements to account for complex geometries proving an efficient and general approach which allows the use of large RVEs in 3D.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Recursive Use of the Short-Time Fast Fourier Transform for Signature Analysis in Continuous Processes

Although a nuclear reactor is a hostile environment for sensing and electrical communications, the reactor core is amenable to acoustic communication. An acoustic measurement infrastructure (AMI) has been installed in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) to record acoustic signals that can capture its different operating regimes. AMI uses coolant pumps as continuous signal sources, coolant and structural components as transmission lines, and accelerometers to capture system motion. A recursive signal processing technique based on the short-time fast Fourier transform (STFFT) for continuous processes provides unique signatures for diagnostic and prognostic analyses from the system motion data. Here this article presents a recursive STFFT methodology that processes acoustic signals from continuous industrial processes. The article first discusses the initial STFFT use with simulated data to elucidate the basic principles necessary to understand and interpret the STFFT results from actual pump vibration data. Each repetitive use of the STFFT on pump vibration data using the results from the prior STFFT processing will generate additional complimentary time-frequency-based signatures. These signatures are generated by the coolant pumps operating under different process conditions. After each use of the STFFT, the resulting signatures provide exemplary examples of the diversity and intuitive nature of recursively using the STFFT. This article focuses on recursively using the STFFT to provide numerous complimentary and diverse signatures that will ultimately be inputs for machine learning algorithms that provide predictive data analytics. The intuitive nature of the information and signatures from recursive STFFT processing will also bring intuitive interpretation capabilities to machine learning and predictive data analytic techniques.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

FREDA: A Web Application for the Processing, Analysis, and Visualization of Fourier‐Transform Mass Spectrometry Data

The high-resolution measurement capability of Fourier-transform mass spectrometry (FT-MS) has made it a necessity for exploring the molecular composition of complex organic mixtures, like soil, plant, aquatic, and petroleum samples. This demand has driven a need for informatics tools to explore and analyze FT-MS data in a robust and reproducible manner. FREDA is an interactive web application developed to enable spectrometrists to format, process, and explore their FT-MS data without the need for statistical programming expertise. FREDA was built to explore outputs from a molecular identification tool, like CoreMS, and provide a suite of methods to filter data, compute chemical properties of peaks, statistically compare samples and groups of samples, conduct exploratory data analysis, and download the results with a report detailing all steps conducted. To demonstrate the utility of FREDA, an example analysis was conducted using FT-MS data from a soil microbiology study of samples collected in two different soil depths at the Sphagnum bog forest north of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Differences between the two depths are observed using Kendrick, Gibbs free energy, and van Krevelen plots. G-tests are used to quantify a significant difference between the groups. All analyses and plotting are conducted using only the FREDA application. FREDA is an open-source and readily available web application that allows users to explore and make statistically valid conclusions about their FT-MS data. The application is available online (https://map.emsl.pnnl.gov/app/freda) with a tutorial web series (https://youtu.be/k5HLE2kNSBY?si=yB6sGoyvzxrFf5MP) and freely accessible code on Github (https://github.com/EMSL-Computing/FREDA).

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Effective Polarizability in Near-Field Microscopy of Phonon-Polariton Resonances

We investigate the resonant characteristics of planar surfaces and distinct edges of structures with the excitation of phonon-polaritons. We analyze two materials supporting phonon-polariton excitations in the mid-infrared spectrum: silicon carbide, characterized by an almost isotropic dielectric constant, and hexagonal boron nitride, notable for its pronounced anisotropy in a spectral region exhibiting hyperbolic dispersion. We formulate a theoretical framework that accurately captures the excitations of the structure involving phonon-polaritons, predicts the response in scattering-type near-field optical microscopy, and is effective for complex resonant geometries where the locations of hot spots are uncertain. We account for the tapping motion of the probe, perform analysis for different heights of the probe, and demodulate the signal using a fast Fourier transform. Using this Fourier demodulation analysis, we show that light enhancement across the entire apex is the most accurate characteristic for describing the response of all resonant excitations and hot spots. We demonstrate that computing the demodulation orders of light enhancement in the microscope probe accurately predicts its imaging.

Chemistry↗

Robust Automatic EXAFS First-Shell Fits

Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) is a widely used technique for atomic structure determination. Fourier transformation connects EXAFS in k space and R space. However, determining the appropriate k-range for the transformation can be challenging, but critical for the first-shell fit. In this study, we present an automatic method to determine the k-range using the Larch package and a Python program. The first step is to estimate spectral noise across a series of k-ranges with a fixed minimum value and identify the optimal maximum value in the k-range (k max ). The k max is determined by an empirical noise threshold that marks the point where the noise level in the Fourier transformed spectrum changes dramatically. Using the obtained k max value, the first shell is modeled to determine the minimum k value (k min ) by optimizing the background function through alignment of the spectrum with theory. The optimal k min corresponds to the point of the minimum R-factor, which quantifies the difference between the experimental and fitted spectrum. Our method was tested on various typical datasets and yielded suitable k-ranges for Fourier transformation and accurate first-shell fits. This approach helps avoid unreliable, irreproducible data analysis, especially for noisy data from diluted samples, and enables robust automatic first-shell EXAFS fitting.

EXAFS analysis↗

Resolving ECRH deposition broadening due to edge turbulence in DIII-D

Microwave heat pulse propagation experiments have demonstrated a correlation between millimeter-scale turbulence and deposition profile broadening of electron cyclotron (EC) waves on the DIII-D tokamak. In a set of discharges in DIII-D, a variation in edge density fluctuations on the mm-scale is associated with 40%–150% broader deposition profiles, expressed in terms of normalized minor radius, as compared with equilibrium ray tracing. The 1D power profile is determined from transport analysis of the electron temperature response to EC power modulation using perturbative analysis with a square wave power modulation at 20–70 Hz, producing a series of Fourier harmonics that are fit collectively to resolve transport. Fitting an integrated heat flux expressed in the Fourier basis of the modulation to diffusive, convective, and coupled transport terms in a linear model can resolve the broadened EC deposition width from the power perturbation to resolve a broadening in each case. The best fit degree of beam broadening observed scales approximately linearly with the Doppler backscattering measured fluctuation level in the steep gradient region. Quantifying the effect of edge fluctuation broadening on EC current drive power needs of future devices will require 3D full-wave codes that can be validated on the current generation of machines. These DIII-D experiments provide a quantitative measure of fluctuation effects and a dataset to benchmark full-wave simulations that can model and eventually predict nonlinear effects neglected by 1D equilibrium beam and ray tracing.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

FTIR analysis of unaged encapsulants

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FITR) analysis (in ATR mode) of unaged encapsulants (EVA, POE, EPE) from a commercial source.

characterization↗

Microstructural characterization and assessment of mechanical properties of concrete based on combined elemental analysis techniques and Fast-Fourier transform-based simulations

This paper presents a pixel-based modeling approach of concrete which combines an experimental characterization of concrete and the Fast-Fourier transform simulations. High-resolution phase maps created from experimental characterization by micro X-ray fluorescence, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and X-ray diffraction contain 9 different phases, including 22.17 vol.% of hydrated cement paste, 54.21 vol.% of minerals, and 23.62 vol.% of interfaces. These phases provide the input for determining the effective elastic properties, coupled with Fast-Fourier transform-based simulation. The simulation results show that the effective range of Young’s modulus of concrete is comparable with the range of experimental values ~ 37 ± 4 GPa with the assumption of realistic properties of interfaces.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗