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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Frequency-domain computing using nonlinear acoustic-wave device on lithium niobate

Abstract Multiply-accumulation are crucial computing operations in signal processing, numerical simulations, and machine learning. In recent years, optical analog approaches have demonstrated higher computing performance and better power efficiency than their digital counterparts. However, analog computing chips usually need large areas and complex structures for parallel computing, as a single device element only executes one computing operation at a single time. Here, we demonstrate frequency-domain computing using the nonlinear acoustic-wave devices on lithium niobate, featuring a normalized external second-harmonic generation conversion efficiency of ~ 5.7 × 10-4 W-1. The second-order sum-frequency nonlinear process of lithium niobate enables multiplication of inputs encoded in the frequency domain. Compared to the analog schemes, our device features a notably simpler design, and nanofabrication requires only one lift-off. Using a single acoustic-wave device within an area of 0.03 mm2, we can simultaneously conduct over 130,000 multiply-accumulation operations. Our acoustic-wave device shows applications in real and complex vector convolutions and image processing. This demonstration sets the stage for experimental realizations into frequency-domain integrated nonlinear acoustic computing systems, potentially shaping future developments in acoustic neural networks and quantum computing.

chai, mingzhao (ORCID:0009000466226341)↗
DOE OSTI2026

On-Chip Cavity Electroacoustics Using Lithium Niobate Phononic Crystal Resonators

Mechanical systems are pivotal in quantum technologies because of their long coherent time and versatile coupling to qubit systems. So far, the coherent and dynamic control of gigahertz-frequency mechanical modes mostly relies on optomechanical coupling and piezoelectric coupling to superconducting qubits. Here, we demonstrate on-chip cavity electroacoustic dynamics using our microwave-frequency electrically modulated phononic crystal resonators on lithium niobate. Leveraging the high dispersion of phononic crystal, our acoustic modes space unevenly in the frequency spectrum, emulating atomic energy levels. Atomiclike transitions between different acoustic modes are selectively achieved by applying electrical fields to modulate acoustic modes via the nonlinear piezoelectricity of lithium niobate. Among two modes, we demonstrate Autler-Townes splitting, ac Stark shift, and Rabi oscillation with a maximum cooperativity of 4.18. Extending to three modes, we achieve nonreciprocal frequency conversions with an isolation up to 20 dB. Nonreciprocity can be tuned by the time delay between the two modulating pulses. Finally, our cavity electroacoustic platform could find broad applications in sensing, microwave signal processing, acoustic computing, and quantum acoustics.

Rabi model↗
DOE OSTI2023

Millikelvin measurements of permittivity and loss tangent of lithium niobate

Lithium niobate is an electro-optic material with many applications in microwave and optical signal processing, communication, quantum sensing, and quantum computing. In this Letter, we present findings on evaluating the complex electromagnetic permittivity of lithium niobate at millikelvin temperatures. Measurements are carried out using a resonant-type method with a superconducting radio-frequency cavity operating at 7 GHz and designed to characterize anisotropic dielectrics. The relative permittivity tensor and loss tangent are measured at 50 mK with unprecedented accuracy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Glass-Like Thermal Conductivity of (010)-Textured Lanthanum-Doped Strontium Niobate Synthesized with Wet Chemical Deposition

We have measured the cross-plane thermal conductivity (κ) of (010)-textured, undoped, and lanthanum-doped strontium niobate (Sr 2-x La x Nb 2 O 7-δ ) thin films via time-domain thermoreflectance. Then the thin films were deposited on (001)-oriented SrTiO 3 substrates via the highly-scalable technique of chemical solution deposition. We find that both film thickness and lanthanum doping have little effect on κ, suggesting that there is a more dominant phonon scattering mechanism present in the system; namely the weak interlayer-bonding along the b-axis in the Sr 2 Nb 2 O 7 parent structure. We also compare our experimental results with two variations of the minimum-limit model for κ and discuss the nature of transport in material systems with weakly-bonded layers. The low cross-plane κ of these scalably-fabricated films is comparable to that of similarly layered niobate structures grown epitaxially.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Improved fabrication of scalable hybrid silicon nitride–thin-film lithium niobate electro-optic modulators

Strategies for improved fabrication of integrated thin-film lithium niobate electro-optic (EO) Mach–Zehnder modulators (MZMs) are reported using scalable processes and designs. The MZM devices utilize direct bonding of unetched and unpatterned thin-film lithium niobate to patterned and planarized silicon photonic microchips. The latter contains silicon nitride waveguide structures of various widths that are used to form hybrid modes that are suitable for high-bandwidth low-voltage EO modulators based on Pockels effect. We report that the incorporation of appropriately designed outgassing channels and certain modifications to key processing steps helped achieve a greater than 99% reduction in void density during bonding. Void reduction is critically important for these traveling-wave hybrid MZM devices in which the optical mode is controllably distributed between multiple thin layers and propagates over millimeter-scale lengths.

Mere, Viphretuo↗
DOE OSTI2021

Photonic integration of Er 3+ :Y 2 SiO 5 with thin-film lithium niobate by flip chip bonding

Rare earth ions are known as promising candidates for building quantum light-matter interface. However, tunable photonic cavity access to rare earth ions in their desired host crystal remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate the integration of erbium doped yttrium orthosilicate (Er 3+ :Y 2 SiO 5 ) with thin-film lithium niobate photonic circuit by plasma-activated direct flip chip bonding. Resonant coupling to erbium ions is realized by on-chip electro-optically tuned high Q lithium niobate micro-ring resonators. Fluorescence and absorption of erbium ions at 1536.48 nm are measured in the waveguides, while the collective ion-cavity cooperativity with micro-ring resonators is assessed to be 0.36. This work presents a versatile scheme for future rare earth ion integrated quantum devices.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Ultra-broadband mid-infrared generation in dispersion-engineered thin-film lithium niobate

Thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) is an emerging platform for compact, low-power nonlinear-optical devices, and has been used extensively for near-infrared frequency conversion. Recent work has extended these devices to mid-infrared wavelengths, where broadly tunable sources may be used for chemical sensing. To this end, we demonstrate efficient and broadband difference frequency generation between a fixed 1-µm pump and a tunable telecom source in uniformly-poled TFLN-on-sapphire by harnessing the dispersion-engineering available in tightly-confining waveguides. We show a simultaneous 1–2 order-of-magnitude improvement in conversion efficiency and ∼5-fold enhancement of operating bandwidth for mid-infrared generation when compared to equal-length conventional lithium niobate waveguides. We also examine the effects of mid-infrared loss from surface-adsorbed water on the performance of these devices.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Spectrally separable photon-pair generation in dispersion engineered thin-film lithium niobate

Existing nonlinear-optic implementations of pure, unfiltered heralded single-photon sources do not offer the scalability required for densely integrated quantum networks. Additionally, lithium niobate has hitherto been unsuitable for such use due to its material dispersion. We engineer the dispersion and the quasi-phasematching conditions of a waveguide in the rapidly emerging thin-film lithium niobate platform to generate spectrally separable photon pairs in the telecommunications band. Such photon pairs can be used as spectrally pure heralded single-photon sources in quantum networks. We estimate a heralded-state spectral purity of >94% based on joint spectral intensity measurements. Further, a joint spectral phase-sensitive measurement of the unheralded time-integrated second-order correlation function yields a heralded-state purity of (86 ± 5)%.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Symmetric second-harmonic generation in sub-wavelength periodically poled thin film lithium niobate

Second-harmonic generation (SHG) extensively employs periodically poled nonlinear crystals through forward quasi-phase-matching to achieve efficient frequency conversion. As poling periods approach sub-micrometers, backward quasi-phase-matching has also been demonstrated, albeit by utilizing pulsed laser drives. The realization of symmetric second-harmonic generation, characterized by counterpropagating pumps, however, has remained elusive despite theoretical predictions. The main challenge lies in achieving strong nonlinear coupling with the poling period below half the wavelength of the second-harmonic light. The recent emergence of high-quality ferroelectric lithium niobate thin films provides an opportunity for achieving precise domain control at submicron dimensions. In this paper, we demonstrate reliable control of ferroelectric domains in a thin film lithium niobate waveguide with a poling period down to 370 nm, thereby realizing highly efficient continuous-wave pumped symmetric SHG. This demonstration not only validates the feasibility of achieving subwavelength periodic poling on waveguides but could also enable submicron ferrolectric domain structures to be leveraged in integrated photonics and nonlinear optics research.

Optics↗
DOE OSTI2013

Photoelectrochemistry, Electronic Structure, and Bandgap Sizes of Semiconducting Cu(I)-Niobates and Cu(I)-Tantalates

Semiconducting metal-oxides have remained of intense research interest owing to their potential for achieving efficient solar-driven photocatalytic reactions in aqueous solutions that occur as a result of their bandgap excitation. The photocatalytic reduction of water or carbon dioxide to generate hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels, respectively, can be driven on p-type (photocathodic) electrodes with suitable band energies. However, metal-oxide semiconductors are typically difficult to dope as p-type with a high mobility of carriers. The supported research led to the discovery of new p-type Cu(I)-niobate and Cu(I)-tantalate film electrodes that can be prepared on FTO glass. New high-purity flux syntheses and the full structural determination of several Cu(I)-containing niobates and tantalates have been completed, as well as new investigations of their optical and photoelectrochemical properties and electronic structures via density-functional theory calculations. For example, CuNbO3, Cu5Ta11O30 and CuNb3O8 were prepared in high purity and their structures were characterized by both single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. These two classes of Cu(I)-containing compounds exhibit optical bandgap sizes ranging from ~1.3 eV to ~2.6 eV. Photoelectrochemical measurements of these compounds show strong photon-driven cathodic currents that confirm the p-type semiconductor behavior of CuNbO3, CuNb3O8, and Cu5Ta11O30. Incident-photon-to-current efficiencies are measured that approach greater than ~1%. Electronic-structure calculations based on density functional theory reveal the visible-light absorption stems from a nearly-direct bandgap transition involving a copper-to-niobium or tantalum (d10 to d0) charge-transfer excitations.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Advanced QPSK Optical Modulators Using Lithium Niobate Thin Films (Final Scientific Report)

Lithium niobate thin film based optical modulator devices have been produced using this SBIR award. A bonding apparatus was developed that was used to bond lithium niobate to silicon at room temperature. The bonding apparatus was designed, assembled and qualified for production of thin film substrates. The optical properties of ion sliced thin films produced using this bonding apparatus was optimized to achieve low loss optical waveguides. Optical grating coupler and other component of the proposed optical modulator were designed. Preliminary results show the proposed method for making optical modulator meets the required customer specifications. All the required process steps for manufacturing of the devices were developed and optimized. Further funding is required to make a final prototype device that can be provided to customers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1968

Improved process for making thin-film sodium niobate capacitors

Sodium niobate, formed by high vacuum, flash, and reactive evaporations, has a high dielectric constant and is used as a thin film dielectric in microelectronic capacitors. High purity films are formed from relatively inexpensive, pure starting materials. Crystalline sodium niobate films can be formed on amorphous or crystalline materials.

Micka, E. Z.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Study of multiple hologram recording in lithium niobate

The results of a number of theoretical and experimental studies relating to multiple hologram recording in lithium niobate are reported. The analysis of holographic gratings stored in lithium niobate has been extended to cover a more realistic range of physical situations. A new successful dynamic (feedback) theory for describing recording, nondestructive reading, erasure, enhancement, and angular sensitivity has been developed. In addition, the possible architectures of mass data storage systems have been studied.

Gaylord, T. K.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Optical and holographic storage properties of F3, Cu, and Mg-doped lithium niobate

Several samples of iron, copper, and magnesium doped lithium niobate were tested to determine their storage properties which would be applicable to an optical data storage system and an integrated optics data preprocessor which makes use of holographic storage techniques. The parameters of interest were the diffraction efficiency, write power, write time, erase time, erase energy, and write sensitivity. Results of these parameters are presented. It was found that iron doped lithium niobate samples yielded the best results in all parameters except for a few percent higher diffraction efficiency in copper doped samples. The magnesium doped samples were extremely insensitive and are not recommended for use in holographic optical data storage and processing systems.

Beatty, M. E., III↗
DOE OSTI2017

Declamped Piezoelectric Coefficients in Patterned 70/30 Lead Magnesium Niobate–Lead Titanate Thin Films

Lateral subdivision of blanket piezoelectric thin films increases the functional properties through both increased domain wall mobility and declamping of the intrinsic response. This work presents the local effects of substrate declamping on the piezoelectric coefficient d 33,f of 300 nm thick, rhombohedral, {001}-oriented lead magnesium niobate–lead titanate thin films at the 70/30 composition (70PMN–30PT). Films grown by chemical solution deposition on platinized Si substrates are patterned into strip structures ranging from 0.75 to 9 µm in width. The longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient, d 33,f , is interrogated as a function of position across the patterned structures by three approaches: finite element modeling, piezoresponse force microscopy, and nanoprobe synchrotron X-ray diffraction. It is found that d 33,f increases from the clamped value of 40–50 to ≈160 pm V -1 at the free sidewall under 200 kV cm -1 excitation. The sidewalls partially declamp the piezoelectric response 500–600 nm into the patterned structure, raising the piezoelectric response at the center of features with lateral dimensions less than 1 µm (3:1 width to thickness aspect ratio). The normalized data from all three methods are in excellent agreement, with quantitative differences providing insight to the field dependence of the piezoelectric coefficient and its declamping behavior.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of lead-free niobium-rich potassium lithium tantalate niobate single crystals

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Lead-free K{sub 0.95}Li{sub 0.05}Ta{sub 1−x}Nb{sub x}O{sub 3} single crystals were grown using the top-seeded melt growth method. • The piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of as-grown crystals were systematically investigated. • The piezoelectric properties are very attractive, e.g. for x = 0.60 composition, k{sub t} ≈ 70%, k{sub 31} ≈ 70%, k{sub 33} ≈ 77%, d{sub 31} ≈ 230 pC/N, d{sub 33} ≈ 600 pC/N. • The coercive fields of P–E hysteresis loops are quite small, about or less than 1 kV/mm. - Abstract: Lead-free potassium lithium tantalate niobate single crystals with the composition of K{sub 0.95}Li{sub 0.05}Ta{sub 1−x}Nb{sub x}O{sub 3} (abbreviated as KLTN, x = 0.51, 0.60, 0.69, 0.78) were grown using the top-seeded melt growth method. Their piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties in as-grown crystals have been systematically investigated. The phase transitions and Curie temperatures were determined from dielectric and pyroelectric measurements. Piezoelectric coefficients and electromechanical coupling factors in thickness mode, length-extensional mode and longitudinal mode were obtained. The piezoelectric properties are very attractive, e.g. for x = 0.60 composition, k{sub t} ≈ 70%, k{sub 31} ≈ 70%, k{sub 33} ≈ 77%, d{sub 31} ≈ 230 pC/N, d{sub 33} ≈ 600 pC/N are comparable to the lead-based PZT composition. The polarization versus electric field hysteresis loops show saturated shapes. In short, lead-free niobium-rich KLTN system possesses comparable properties to those in important lead-based piezoelectric material nowadays.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effect of Er{sub 2}O{sub 3} dopant on electrical and optical properties of potassium sodium niobate silicate glass-ceramics

Highlights: • The KNN–SiO{sub 2} doped Er{sub 2}O{sub 3} glass-ceramics was prepared by incorporation method. • High dielectric constant (458.41 at 100 kHz) and low loss (0.0005) could be obtained. • TEM and SEM confirmed the existence of KNN crystals embedded in glass matrix. • The Er{sub 2}O{sub 3} dopant causes insignificant effect on modifying E{sub g} value. - Abstract: In this study, transparent glass-ceramics from potassium sodium niobate (KNN)-silicate glass system doped with erbium oxide (Er{sub 2}O{sub 3}) were successfully prepared by incorporation method. KNN was added in glass batches as heterogeneous nucleating agent. The KNN powder was mixed with SiO{sub 2} and Er{sub 2}O{sub 3} dopant with KNN and Er{sub 2}O{sub 3} content varied between 70–80 and 0.5–1.0 mol%, respectively. Each batch was subsequently melted at 1300 °C for 15 min in a platinum crucible using an electric furnace. The quenched glasses were then subjected to heat treatment at various temperatures for 4 h. XRD results showed that the prepared glass ceramics contained crystals of KNN solid solution. In contrary, dielectric constant (ϵ{sub r}) and dielectric loss (tan δ) were found to increase with increasing heat treatment temperature. Additionally, optical properties such as absorbance and energy band gap have been investigated.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Synthesis and characterization of Ca{sup 2+} substituted barium niobate nanopaticles for photocatalytic and luminescence applications

Highlights: • Nanoparticles of Ca{sup 2+} (30 mol%) substituted BaNb{sub 2}O{sub 6} were synthesized. • Ca{sup 2+} ions occupy newer 8d Wyckoff positions rather than 4c. • Self-activated photoluminescence was observed. • Excellent H{sub 2} generation tendency from pure water under UV light was also observed. - Abstract: Ca{sup 2+} substituted barium niobate i.e. Ca{sub x}Ba{sub 1-x}Nb{sub 2}O{sub 6} (x = 0.3) compound in nanoparticles form was synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method for the first time and its structural characterization has been done by using powder X-ray diffraction data. Other characterizations were done by using transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. It was found that the Ca{sub x}Ba{sub 1-x}Nb{sub 2}O{sub 6} (x = 0.3) compound stabilizes in the orthorhombic phase (Pbcn space group) with the lattice parameters a = 14.984 Å, b = 5.761 Å and c = 5.216 Å. A representative TEM image shows the irregular sphere like morphology of the synthesized particles with the size ranging from 70 to 120 nm. The optical band gap energy was found to be 3.74 eV. It was observed that the synthesized nanoparticles exhibit excellent H{sub 2} evolution tendency and self–activated photoluminescence under the excitation of UV light. These activities were assigned to the nanocrystalline nature of the synthesized material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗