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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 73 records · Page 4

Characterization of Miniature Millimeter-Wave Vivaldi Antenna for Local Multipoint Distribution Service

The paper presents first, an efficient measurement technique to characterize the input impedance of a Vivaldi antenna, second, a simple technique to impedance match a Vivaldi antenna to a 50 Ohm feed line and lastly, a desktop arrangement to determine the directional gain of a Vivaldi antenna. The characterization is done using a microwave wafer probe station, a ground-signal microwave probe, impedance standard substrate and an automatic network analyzer. The Vivaldi antenna with a matching transformer has a VSVIR close to unity and a gain of about 10 dB over the frequency band of 27.5 to 28.35 GHz which is allocated for local multipoint distribution service (LMDS).

Simon, Rainee N.↗

Probe impedance measurements for millimeter-wave integrated horn antennas

In order to achieve an impedance-matched millimeter-wave integrated horn antenna mixer array, the characteristics of the antenna probes inside the horn must be known. This paper describes impedance measurements for various probes in low-frequency model horns of two different types: (1) a 3 x 3 array made of aluminum by electric discharge machining and (2) a half horn made of copper sheet placed on a big copper-clad circuit board that was used as an image plane. The results of measurements indicate that the presence of the horn increases the effective length of the probe element, in agreement with reports of Guo et al. (1991) and theoretical analysis of Eleftheriades et al. (1991). It was also found that the resonant frequencies can be controlled by changing the length of the probes or by loading the probes.

Guo, Yong↗

Pulse-shaping circuit for laser excitation

Narrower, impedence-matched pulses initiate stabler electric discharges for gas lasers. Discharges are more efficient, more compact, capable of high repetition rate, and less expensive than conventional electron-beam apparatus, but gas tends to break down and form localized arcs. Pulse-shaping circuit compresses width of high-voltage pulses from relatively-slow rise-time voltage generator and gradually grades circuit impedance from inherent high impedance of generator to low impedence of gas.

Laudenslager, J. B.↗

(abstract) Vibration Method for Tracking the Resonant Mode and Impedance of a Microwave Cavity

We have developed a vibration technique to continuously maintain mode resonance and impedance match between a constant frequency magnetron source and resonant cavity. This method uses a vibrating metal rod to modulate the volume of the cavity that is equivalent to modulating an adjustable plunger. A similar vibrating metal rod attached to a stub tuner modulates the waveguide volume between the source and cavity. A phase sensitive detection scheme determines the optimum position of the adjustable plunger and stub tuner. The improved power transfer during the heating of a 99.8% pure alumina rod was demonstrated using this new technique. Temperature-time and reflected power-time plotswill be presented for the cases of no tracking, impedance tracker only, mode tracker only, and simultaneous impedance and mode tracking. Internal melting of the alumina rod near 2000°C with both trackers on will also be discussed.

microwave↗

A novel approach to RF power coupling in Radio-Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) structures: built-in coaxial double-loop coupling port

Efficient and reliable RF power couplers in accelerating cavities require precise impedance matching and mechanical stability to ensure optimal beam energy transfer. In radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ) accelerators, power is commonly delivered using waveguide iris or coaxial loop couplers. Iris couplers can handle high RF power but lack tunability, while coaxial loop couplers offer tuning flexibility but are limited in power handling and thermal performance. We propose a new RFQ power coupling concept utilizing a single input coaxial center-fed double-loop antenna built into a vane in an RFQ structure . The design integrates back-to-back loops into the RFQ vanes, fed by a TEM coaxial transmission line with standard 50-Ω characteristic impedance. The configuration can allow straightforward and easy ceramic window replacement without retuning, and coupling strength is adjusted with protruding tuning rods. Numerical simulations, performed with both a simplified RFQ model and the Spallation Neutron Source RFQ, demonstrate improved RF performance and reduced dipole mode excitation. The results establish the coaxial double-loop coupler as a practical alternative for high-power RFQ coupling applications.

Lee, Sung-Woo [ORNL] (ORCID:000000030915835X)↗

In Situ MOF Pyrolysis Construction of Hierarchical Porous Co‐Nanoparticles/Carbon Cloth Composites for Enhanced Electromagnetic Wave Shielding and Absorption

The development of high-performance electromagnetic protection materials integrating broadband absorption and effective shielding capabilities is hindered by challenges in simultaneously optimizing multiple electromagnetic properties through conventional material designs. This study pioneers a hierarchical porous Co nanoparticle/carbon cloth (Co/CC) composite via controlled annealing of a Co-MOF precursor on carbon cloth. The Co-MOF served a dual role as both magnetic source and pore-forming agent, enabling in situ generation of uniformly dispersed Co nanoparticles and creation of abundant pores/interfaces on the CC fibers during pyrolysis. This unique architecture synergistically enhanced dielectric loss (via interfacial/dipolar polarization) and magnetic loss (via natural resonance, exchange interactions, and eddy currents), significantly improving impedance matching. The hierarchical pores further functioned as integrated “absorption–reflection” units for efficient electromagnetic energy attenuation. Consequently, the Co/CC composite annealed at 800°C (Co/CC-800) achieves minimum reflection loss (−40.69 dB) and 120% effective absorption bandwidth extension (6.16 GHz) as a filler, and exhibits superior electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (46.66 dB) as an integrated component. Significantly, Co/CC-800 demonstrated robust photothermal and electrothermal conversion capabilities, ensuring operational stability in ice-covered and humid harsh environments. This work pioneers a pore-structure-mediated strategy to harmonize dielectric–magnetic synergy, providing a new paradigm for designing advanced multifunctional electromagnetic protection materials.

dielectric‐magnetic synergy↗

A Simplified Method for Predicting Shaker Voltage in IMMATs

Impedance Matched Multi-Axis Tests (IMMATs) can replicate in-service vibration induced stress more accurately than single axis shaker table tests as they can better match a part’s operational boundary conditions and excite it in multiple degrees of freedom simultaneously. Here, the shakers used in IMMATs are less powerful than shaker tables, so shaker force limits can be exceeded during tests if they are not placed adequately for the desired environment. The ability to predict shaker voltage and force before performing a test is, therefore, helpful in selecting shaker locations so that their limits are not exceeded. In this study, electrodynamic shakers were modeled as discrete electromechanical systems, and the shaker parameters were chosen to match experimentally obtained acceleration/voltage frequency response functions (FRFs). These models were coupled to a finite element model of the device under test (DUT) via dynamic substructuring, and the substructured model was demonstrated to accurately predict shaker voltage as well as the error in reproducing the environment at multiple accelerometer locations. A simple method called the FRF Multiplication method, in which the FRF of the substructured system is approximated as the product of two separate FRFs of the shaker and DUT respectively, was proposed and applied to the same system, yielding similar voltage and error predictions to those obtained using substructuring. Simple case studies were presented to explore the applicability of the proposed method, and it was demonstrated to have similar accuracy to the substructuring method in a range of cases. Additionally, we showed that while it was not possible to derive a unique model of the shakers from acceleration/voltage FRFs alone, the models that could be obtained were sufficient to predict test error almost perfectly and shaker voltage with less than 40 percent error.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Signal propagation in reversible digital mechanics

Digital mechanics explores information processing through binary, mechanical circuits. This work demonstrates a flexural, mechanical integrated circuit (m-IC) that achieves reversible, non-reciprocal signal propagation through integrated AND logic and memory. Our approach exploits sequential bistable transitions with symmetric energy wells, tunable stiffness, impedance matching, and AND gate non-linearity, to enable signal propagation, repeatability, and reversibility. We present a generalized model of logic kinematics and energetics, validated experimentally, to study energy flows, quantify energetic limits, and identify operating regimes for reversible logic. Macro-scale experiments confirm propagation dynamics, and new fabrication methods extend the architecture to micro-scale devices. By achieving controlled, reversible signal transmission across interconnected logic and memory, this work establishes a scalable platform for robust mechanical computing and adaptive sensing.

Johnson, Hilary A. [Lawrence Livermore National La↗

Shock compression of single-crystal austenitic FeCr18Ni12.5 stainless steel to 60 GPa

We measured the austenitic FeCr18Ni12.5 stainless steel Hugoniot as a function of crystallographic direction to approximately 60 GPa. We shock-compressed FeCr18Ni12.5 samples oriented along $\langle$100$\rangle$, $\langle$110$\rangle$, and $\langle$111$\rangle$ to mean stresses ranging 30.5–58.1 GPa via Ta plate impact in a large-bore powder gun and measured the free-surface velocities with laser interferometry. We unambiguously observed the largest post-shock free-surface velocity along $\langle$100$\rangle$ in each experiment, which consequently produced the lowest shock velocity along that orientation. However, the propagation of experimental uncertainties through the impedance matching scheme used to compute the shock velocity produced sufficient uncertainty overlap to preclude definitive conclusion of Hugoniot anisotropy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Platform for 100 s Mbar equation of state measurements on the National Ignition Facility

Equation of state (EOS) measurements in the 100 s Mbar range are needed to underwrite models employed in the simulation of high energy density plasmas. To this end, a platform has been developed for fielding on the National Ignition Facility, capable of producing high-quality impedance match EOS data, wherein a planar, high-pressure, steady shock is driven into a sample package, and sample and reference standard shock velocities are measured. This platform, dubbed planar high pressure, or PHP, was fielded with an initial proof-of-concept shot in January 2023. The first PHP shot, aiming to study gold, demonstrated a pressure close to 400 Mbar, two orders of magnitude higher than previously reported gold EOS data.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Laser pulse-length dependent ablation and shock generation in silicon at 5 × 10 14 W/ cm 2 intensities

The effect of laser pulse duration on energy coupling into a planar silicon target is investigated in experiments at the OMEGA-EP facility by varying the laser pulse length τ —spanning 3 orders of magnitude from 100 ps to 10 ns—while maintaining a constant peak laser intensity, I 0 = 5 × 10 14 W/ cm 2 . In theoretical models, the ablation pressure primarily scales for a given material with laser intensity and wavelength, which are all fixed variables here, allowing us to explore the specific role of laser pulse duration. Two-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamics simulations benchmarked with optical probing of the expanding plasma show that the pulse duration is critical for the ablation pressure to reach a steady state. Moreover, the pulse duration impacts shock decay and multiple wave effects, which strongly dictate the evolving shock profile that propagates within the laser-shocked target as ultimately measured by rear-surface diagnostics. The shock velocities inferred from the theoretical model, after considering shock decay, impedance matching, and shock Hugoniot, are found to be in good agreement with velocimetry measurements. However, discrepancies are observed with simulations for the shorter (0.1 ns) and longer (10 ns) pulse durations, which are respectively attributed to unaccounted contributions of kinetic absorption mechanisms and instabilities in simulations. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Bailly-Grandvaux, M. (ORCID:0000000175294013)↗

3D-Printed mmWave Quasi-Holographic Antenna for 2-D Beamforming

This paper presents the design and manufacturing of a novel 2D-scanning antenna that integrates a 3D-printed Rotman lens with a quasi-holographic leaky-wave antenna (HLWA). The proposed design achieved beam-scanning capabilities by leveraging the beamforming of the Rotman lens and the high-gain directive properties of the quasi-HLWA. The Rotman lens (RL) enables beam steering in the elevation plane by switching between input ports. The quasi-HLWA, designed using holographic principles, achieves frequency-controlled beam scanning in the azimuth plane. The entire antenna structure was fabricated using additive manufacturing with an Ink1092 substrate and silver ink for the conductive traces. This approach provides greater control over material placement and design freedom compared to traditional methods. A 25° transmission linear substrate taper was used to ensure good impedance matching between the Rotman lens and the quasi-HLWA, allowing greater gain while maintaining a good scanning range. The experimental results validate the 2D scanning capability of the proposed antenna. The antenna system provides coverage from −54° to 54° in the elevation θ plane and −28° to 28° in the azimuth plane ϕ , with a maximum measured gain of 21.3 dBi at 28 GHz with an average radiation efficiency η=60 %. The fabricated prototype was tested, and the performance was in good agreement with the simulated performance.

Rotman lens↗

Booster cavity damper redesign for PIP-II

A new Higher Order Mode (HOM) damper was designed and is undergoing testing for the Booster accelerator cavity at Fermilab. In anticipation of the PIP-II upgrade, it was discovered that the higher intensity of PIP-II may cause beam instability due to an excited mode at 106 MHz. This unfortunately corresponds with the cavity’s 2nd order harmonic mode, which will sweep from 86-105.7 MHz. The new damper is a modification of an existing damper that was designed to reduce an existing static HOM at 83 MHz, with the new design intending to cover the 2nd order HOM as well. The existing damper uses an inductive coupling loop to extract RF energy from the cavity which then goes through a filter in order to reflect the fundamental frequency back into the cavity while passing HOMs to a dump load. The new damper intends to replace the filter portion of the system with a wider band variant while also changing the topology from a coaxial cable loop filter to a componentized PCB-based design. Primary design challenges include bandwidth coverage, impedance matching of the various modes, long term thermal and mechanical stability, radiation hardness, and high voltage handling. Initial designs achieved the desired damping but were found to quickly succumb to destructive arcing due to the voltages present. More finalized designs intend to address this problem through circuit design modifications as well as the use of hardier components.

Pieper, Dustin [Fermilab]↗

Booster Cavity Damper Redesign for PIP-II

A new Higher Order Mode (HOM) damper was designed and tested for the Booster accelerator cavity at Fermilab. In anticipation of the PIP-II upgrade, it was discovered that the higher beam intensity of PIP-II may cause beam instability due to an excited mode at 106 MHz. This unfortunately corresponds with the cavity s 2nd order harmonic mode, which will sweep from 86-105.7 MHz. The new damper is a modification of an existing damper that was designed to reduce an existing static HOM at 83 MHz, with the new design intending to cover the 2nd order HOM as well. The existing damper uses an inductive coupling loop to extract RF energy from the cavity which then goes through a filter in order to reflect the fundamental frequency back into the cavity while passing HOMs to a dump load. The new damper intends to replace the filter portion of the system with a wider band variant while also changing the topology from a coaxial cable loop filter to a componentized PCB-based design. Primary design challenges include bandwidth coverage, impedance matching of the various modes, long term thermal and mechanical stability, radiation hardness, and high voltage handling. Initial designs achieved the desired damping but were found to quickly succumb to destructive arcing due to the voltages present. More finalized designs intend to address this problem through circuit design modifications as well as the use of hardier components.

Pieper, Dustin [Fermilab]↗

Toward a persistent event-streaming system for high-performance computing applications

High-performance computing (HPC) applications have traditionally relied on parallel file systems and file transfer services to manage data movement and storage. Alternative approaches have been proposed that use direct communications between application components, trading persistence and fault tolerance for speed. Event-driven architectures, as popularized in enterprise contexts, present a compelling middle ground, avoiding the performance cost and API constraints of parallel file systems while retaining persistence and offering impedance matching between application components. However, adapting streaming frameworks to HPC workloads requires addressing challenges unique to HPC systems. This paper investigates the potential for a streaming framework designed for HPC infrastructures and use cases. We introduce Mofka, a persistent event-streaming framework designed specifically for HPC environments. Mofka combines the capabilities of a traditional streaming service with optimizations tailored to the HPC context, such as support for massively multicore nodes, efficient scaling for large producer-consumer workflows, RDMA-enabled high-performance network communications, specialized network fabrics with multiple links per node, and efficient handling of large scientific data payloads. Built using the Mochi suite of HPC data service components, Mofka provides a lightweight, modular, and high-performance solution for persistent streaming in HPC systems. We present the architecture of Mofka and evaluate its performance against Kafka and Redpanda using benchmarks on diverse platforms, including Argonne's Polaris and Oak Ridge's Frontier supercomputers, showing up to 8× improvement in throughput in some scenarios. We then demonstrate its utility in several real-world applications: a tomographic reconstruction pipeline, a workflow for the discovery of metal-organic frameworks for carbon capture, and the instrumentation of Dask workflows for provenance tracking and performance analysis.

HPC↗