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DOE OSTI2025

AC-LGADs Fermilab front-end electronics characterization

Here, we characterized the front-end electronics used to process high-frequency signals from low-gain avalanche diodes (LGADs) at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility. LGADs are silicon detectors employed for charged particle tracking, offering exceptional spatial and temporal resolution. The purpose of this characterization was to understand how the time resolution is influenced by the front-end electronics. To achieve this, we developed a setup capable of generating input signals with varying amplitudes. The output results demonstrated that signal processing by the front-end electronics plays a crucial role in enhancing time resolution. We showed that the time resolution achieved by the FEE board is better than 2 p s at the 1 σ level.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2025

Composite Behavior of Nanopore Array Large Memristors

Synthetic nanopores were recently demonstrated with memristive and nonlinear voltage-current behaviors, akin to ion channels in a cell membrane. Such ionic devices are considered a promising candidate for the development of brain-inspired neuromorphic computing techniques. In this work, we show the composite behavior of nanopore-array large memristors, formed with different membrane materials, pore sizes, electrolytes, and device arrangements. Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes with 5 nm and 20 nm diameter pores and track-etched polycarbonate (PCTE) membranes with 10 nm diameter pores are tested and shown to demonstrate memristive and nonlinear behaviors with approximately 107–1010 pores in parallel when electrolyte concentration across the membranes is asymmetric. Ion diffusion through the large number of channels induces time-dependent electrolyte asymmetry that drives the system through different memristive states. The behaviors of series composite memristors with different configurations are also presented. In addition to helping understand fluidic devices and circuits for neuromorphic computing, the results also shed light on the development of field-assisted ion-selection-membrane filtration techniques as well as the investigations of large neurons and giant synapses. Further work is needed to de-embed parasitic components of the measurement setup to obtain intrinsic large memristor properties.

Chemistry↗

DOE OSTI2026

First evaluation of the tracking performance of the ARCADIA Fully Depleted MAPS with 120 GeV proton beam

This work presents test beam characterization of the ARCADIA Main Demonstrator 3, a 200 $μ$m thick Fully Depleted MAPS developed using a custom LFoundry 110 nm CIS process on a high-resistivity substrate. Measurements using a 120 GeV proton beam demonstrate a detection efficiency exceeding 99% and a spatial resolution down to 3.8 $μ$m. The study evaluates cluster size, spatial resolution, and efficiency as a function of the threshold, front-end currents, and backside bias voltage.

Rignanese, M. [Padua U.; INFN, Padua]↗

DOE OSTI2025

First observation of antiproton annihilation at rest on argon in the LArIAT experiment

We report the first observation and measurement of antiproton annihilation at rest on argon track and shower multiplicities and particle identification conducted with the LArIAT experiment. Stopping antiprotons from the Fermilab Test Beam Facility’s charged particle test beam are identified using beamline instrumentation and LArIAT’s liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC). The charged particle multiplicity from the annihilation vertex is manually evaluated via hand scanning, yielding a mean of 3.2 ± 0.4 tracks and a standard deviation of 1.3 tracks, consistent with a semiautomated reconstruction resulting in 2.8 ± 0.4 tracks and a standard deviation of 1.2 tracks. Both methods are consistent with Monte Carlo simulations within statistical uncertainty. The shower multiplicities and particle identification for outgoing tracks are also consistent with eant4 model predictions. These results, obtained from a low-statistics sample, provide a foundation for higher-statistics studies in larger LArTPCs, which could refine modeling of intranuclear annihilation on argon and inform scenarios such as neutron-antineutron oscillations. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Radioimaging for real-time tracking of high-voltage breakdown

Development of a radioimaging diagnostic for high-voltage component reliability testing and electrical breakdown computational model validation is described. Radioimaging has its roots in radio astronomy, where aperture synthesis (also known as synthesis imaging) has been utilized for decades to image radio sources far from Earth. Radioimaging as described herein, in contrast, seeks to image radio sources in close proximity to its receivers (i.e., in a laboratory environment). Here it is shown that corona discharge, a non-destructive precursor to catastrophic (thermal) arc discharge, electromagnetically radiates strongly within a 250 kHz – 2.5 GHz bandwidth, and is readily detected and located by postprocessing the received radio signals. The ability of radioimaging to detect both corona and arc discharge (grouped together herein as high voltage breakdown or HVB) makes it a valuable tool for 100% HVB detection in materials, components, and devices, and has the ability to indicate electrical weakness (via corona detection) prior to a destructive arc discharge event. Radioimaging enables HVB to be located both internal and external to dielectric components under test in near-real-time, with multiple and/or extended HVB events located simultaneously. In contrast, existing non-destructive diagnostics (at the time of this writing) either indicate electrical breakdown without resolving failure locations (e.g., current, voltage, and chemical measurements), locate external HVB (e.g., high-speed optical and ultraviolet (UV) measurements or photography), or locate both external and internal HVB but with low fidelity (e.g., a single HVB source can be located by existing time-of-arrival (TOA) UHF or acoustic emissions). Radioimaging instead creates a sequence of high-fidelity images similar to an optical high-speed camera but at radiofrequencies (RF), and is not limited to two-dimensions. Moreover, radioimaging has already served one internal and two external industry customers, the results of which are detailed in this report. The radioimaging results described herein were part of a three-year effort funded by the Sandia Lab Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program within the Radiation, Electromagnetic, High Energy Density Science (REHEDS) investment area.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2025

Laser calibration system at ProtoDUNE-HD

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a full experiment consisting of multiple detectors separated by a near and far site. DUNE will study long-baseline neutrino oscillations, which will provide insight into CP-violation, neutrino mass ordering, and the matter/antimatter asymmetry. Additionally, DUNE will search for nucleon decay and observe neutrinos from supernovae. DUNE relies on liquid argon time projection chambers (LAr TPCs), an excellent technology for tracking particles and reconstructing their interactions with high precision. To achieve its goals, DUNE is supported by the ProtoDUNE experiments at CERN, which serve as large-scale prototypes to validate detector technologies and calibration systems. The precise calibration of the electric field within the detector is vital for accurate 3D reconstruction of particle tracks, particularly in maintaining the consistency of charge measurements along the drift path. This work presents the development and implementation of a laser calibration system designed for ProtoDUNE-II. This poster involved the physical installation and commissioning of the laser system. The commissioning process included extensive testing to ensure alignment and operational efficiency, such as rotating the laser to observe behavior of tracks. The groundwork established during these steps is crucial for future data analysis, aiming to measure the electron lifetime (in the active volume) and map the electric field inside the detector with high precision.

Campanelli, Wallison [LIP]↗

DOE OSTI2024

Interpreting accelerated tests on perovskite modules using photooxidation of MAPbI 3 as an example

Solar panels (modules) based on metal halide perovskites are following a fast track to commercialization. Unlike more established solar cell materials, there are not yet decades-long field observations to increase consumer confidence. The "physics and chemistry of failure" approach is used in other industries and estimates product degradation based on laboratory accelerated tests integrated with an understanding of degradation mechanisms. This work uses that approach to quantify the relationship between accelerated tests and projected product behavior for metal halide perovskite modules. Degradation involving photooxidation of methylammonium lead iodide is used to illustrate the method. Acceleration factors in common accelerated tests are found to be low. Conclusions emphasize that the accelerated tests on photovoltaics should not be interpreted as equivalent across module types or as a green light for commercialization unless supported by the appropriate field data or physics and chemistry of failure analysis.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Simultaneous control of the electron temperature and safety factor profiles in DIII-D using model-based optimal control techniques

Future tokamak power plants will likely operate using a single, well-defined plasma scenario, either in steady state or for very long pulse lengths. In order to enhance the robustness of the scenario, feedback controllers for a variety of plasma properties will be necessary to counteract any disturbances and ensure safe operation. However, only a limited set of actuators will be available to control many different quantities. Because of this, it is necessary to develop controllers that are able to regulate multiple plasma properties using a limited set of actuators. To this end, a controller has been developed for the simultaneous regulation of both the electron temperature and safety factor profiles in DIII-D. This algorithm uses a linear quadratic integral control synthesis approach based on a linearized model of the dynamics of the two profiles. Two neural network surrogate models, NubeamNet and MMMnet, are included to improve the fidelity of the model. Furthermore, the controller has been tested in simulation using COTSIM, and has demonstrated the ability to simultaneously track changes in both the electron temperature and safety factor targets, including changes in both the magnitude and the shape of the profiles.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Intern Poster

Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is an optical technique that combines image registration and tracking methods for accurate two-dimensional and three-dimensional changes in images. DIC software can be used to track the contour, deformation, and strain of a sample. In the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at INL (Idaho National Laboratory) there exists a small working window of samples that can become irradiated. Hundreds of graphite disks called piggybacks have undergone this irradiation as part of the Advanced Reactor Technologies (ART) program. After irradiation, it is desirable to understand the change in tensile strength as a function of dose. Due to the limited space in the ATR, typical dog bone tensile tests reduce the number of graphite samples from hundreds to tens. However, there does exist an ASTM standard, D8289, which uses disc compression of graphite to estimate the tensile strength of the specimen with the Brazilian Disk test fixture. While only used as an estimate, which is typically off by a third, it is the purpose of this study to identify how to amend D8289 to remove the word "estimate" with the help of DIC.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2026

Impact of front-end parameters of the ARCADIA MD3 on charged particle detection

The ARCADIA INFN R&D project developed a Fully Depleted Monolithic Active Pixel Sensor (FD-MAPS) using a customized LFoundry 110 nm CIS process. The first in-beam characterization of the ARCADIA Main Demonstrator 3 (MD3) sensor with 200 $μ$m active thickness has been performed at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility with a 120 GeV proton beam. The Device Under Test (DUT) is tested with a trigger-less telescope composed of two ARCADIA MD3 tracking planes. This early study investigates the effect of the front-end parameters on the tracking performance.

Pantouvakis, C. [Padua U.; INFN, Padua]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Investigation and Diagnosis of Faulty Data Channels in CMS Outer Tracker Module Testing

The High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) is currently undergoing upgrades to improve its luminosity. In parallel, this requires an upgrade to the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS)’s Outer Tracker, consisting of Pixel-Strip (PS) and Strip-Strip (2S) modules that can accurately track the path of charged particles originating from the collisions. It follows that such complex modules call for extensive testing, requiring a sophisticated Data Acquisition (DAQ) system that can perform specific tests to assess their performance. In addition, errors caused by the hardware of a given testing station, and its associated data channel, need to be accurately identified to guarantee proper testing of modules. We have developed a software extension to the Phase-II Outer Tracker Analyzer of Test Outputs (POTATO), which is a specialized software designed to analyze and grade all of the module tests through a centralized database. This extension categorizes and analyzes module test results by its station and data channel. Its analysis can be used to identify trends in grading that indicate issues in these channels’ grading process rather than in the individual modules. This poster shows our methodology and results for identifying faulty data channels. Using this extension, we can quickly diagnose and address problems in our DAQ system, ensuring proper evaluation corrections for each module.

Chen, Angus [Fermilab]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Investigation and Diagnosis of Faulty Data Channels in CMS Outer Tracker Module Testing

Chen, Angus [Fermilab]↗

DOE OSTI2025

Impact Testing Theories and Techniques Employed at the TA-III Mechanical Shock Complex

We present theories and techniques to support safe, predictable, and efficient impact testing at the Sandia National Laboratories TA-III Mechanical Shock Complex (MSC), located in Building 6570. The two testing instruments used at the MSC are the 20-inch actuator, which is a launcher that propels sleds down an indoor track, and an indoor 6-in bore compressed-gas powered cannon. The theories and techniques presented derive from basic mechanical engineering principles but are significantly informed and validated by testing experience at the MSC.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2024

Artificial ground reflector size and position effects on energy yield and economics of single‐axis‐tracked bifacial photovoltaics

Abstract Artificial ground reflectors improve bifacial energy yield by increasing both front and rear‐incident irradiance. Studies have demonstrated an increase in energy yield due to the addition of artificial reflectors; however, they have not addressed the effect of varying reflector dimensions and placement on system performance and the impact of these parameters on the reflectors' financial viability. We studied the effect of high albedo (70% reflective) artificial reflectors on single‐axis‐tracked bifacial photovoltaic systems through ray‐trace modeling and field measurements. In the field, we tested a range of reflector configurations by varying reflector size and placement and demonstrated that reflectors increased daily energy yield up to 6.2% relative to natural albedo for PERC modules. To confirm the accuracy of our model, we compared modeled and measured power and found a root mean square error (RMSE) of 5.4% on an hourly basis. We modeled a typical meteorological year in Golden, Colorado, to demonstrate the effects of artificial reflectors under a wide range of operating conditions. Seventy percent reflective material can increase total incident irradiance by 1.9%–8.6% and total energy yield by 0.9%–4.5% annually after clipping is considered with a DC–AC ratio of 1.2. Clipping has a significant effect on reflector impact and must be included when assessing reflector viability because it reduces reflector energy gain. We calculated a maximum viable cost for these improvements of up to $2.50–4.60/m 2 , including both material and installation, in Golden. We expanded our analysis to cover a latitude range of 32–48°N and demonstrated that higher‐latitude installations with lower energy yield and higher diffuse irradiance content can support higher reflector costs. In both modeling and field tests, and for all locations, the ideal placement of the reflectors was found to be directly underneath the module due to the optimized rear irradiance increase.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Heliostats with Adjustable Shape for High Concentration throughout the Day

Our motivation is to develop more efficient heliostats that can provide commercially viable solar thermal power at temperatures > 800°C. Such high temperatures will enable high-temperature industrial processes, as well as electrical generation after sunset with high efficiency. The importance of this research is that such heliostats have the potential to substantially expand the global use of solar energy, by adding solar thermal power as a major component. Thermal solar currently accounts for only 1% of all solar power (with PV being the rest), with heliostat fields providing just 0.25%. Our goals have been 1) to demonstrate a technical improvement for heliostats that can enable fields of them to more efficiently power receivers and reactors, and 2) to show a path to low-cost mass production. Our solution uses new opto-mechanical technology to correct a fundamental deficiency of present heliostats that limits their concentration, namely that they have fixed shape. Most of today’s heliostat research does not address this, but is directed simply toward cost reduction in an effort to make heliostats commercially viable. We are motivated to explore also improving heliostat efficiency, which can be done by continually changing their shape to maximize the concentration of sunlight throughout the day. This is not a new concept, but it has never been implemented in a practical, cost-effective way that approaches the theoretical limit to concentration while also improving mechanical performance; this is our goal. Our major accomplishments have been: 1) We have realized the planned design, construction, and test of a prototype heliostat that achieves the required shape changes in an 8 m2 single-piece glass mirror. The mirror is attached to a steel support frame that is automatically mechanically twisted by the heliostat drives that orient the mirror to direct sunlight to the tower-mounted receiver. Closed-loop tracking is done using a new beamsplitter camera that exploits the target-oriented mount configuration. Field tests of the heliostat show that the light is reflected through the day to always form a disc image of the sun, as needed to obtain the highest concentration. 2) We have developed the design for a field of 431 heliostats to deliver annual average of 1 MW of thermal power at 3,000 sun concentration, matched to a high-temperature ≥ 1000°C chemical reactor. 3) We have also developed, beyond the original stated goals of the project, a new concept for closed-loop tracking and shape-sensing for all the heliostats in the above field, using just 6 cameras around the concentrated reactor focus. Our research adds to the understanding of solar thermal energy by its demonstration of the technical effectiveness of a higher performing heliostat, and by its concept for a new powerful method for real-time tracking and shape sensing in the field, as described above. We have studied the economic feasibility of fields of our twisting heliostats to provide high- temperature heat at a price competitive with that of burning gas, to satisfy the DOE’s studied zero-emissions scenario, where the gas price has to include the cost of carbon capture. The project has the potential to greatly benefit the public if it helps limit global warming by 1) reducing carbon emission from industrial heating, which is currently a major contributor to the 40-billion-ton annual increase in atmospheric CO 2 . 2) Ultimately, the technology could prove to be the least expensive method to power direct air capture of CO 2 on the very large scale needed to remove the 1 trillion-ton excess of CO 2 already in the atmosphere.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2025

Beam Test Characterization of an Irradiated Pixel-Strip Module for HL_LHC CMS Tracker Upgrade

A new tracker, for the CMS detector at The Large Hadron Collider, will be built to address the demands of the High Luminosity upgrade which aims to achieve peak instantaneous luminosities from 5 up to 7.5 10^34 cm^-2 s^-1 and an integrated luminosity of 3000 4000 fb^-1 at a center of mass energy of 14 TeV. To meet the resulting challenges, the CMS experiment is changing its outer tracker silicon modules to include tracking capabilities at the Level-1 trigger. As part of this upgrade effort, a prototype module, combining both pixel and strip sensors (PS-module), was irradiated and subsequently tested at the Fermilab Test Beam and Irradiation facilities. These tests evaluated the module's ability to maintain precise tracking, effective particle momentum discrimination, and consistent performance when exposed to the radiation levels expected in the High Luminosity LHC environment. Results from these studies are presented with a focus on comparing the module's performance before and after irradiation.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Experimental Examination of Additively Manufactured Patterns on Structural Nuclear Materials for Digital Image Correlation Strain Measurements

Abstract Background There are a limited number of commercially available sensors for monitoring the deformation of materials in-situ during harsh environment applications, such as those found in the nuclear and aerospace industries. Such sensing devices, including weldable strain gauges, extensometers, and linear variable differential transformers, can be destructive to material surfaces being investigated and typically require relatively large surface areas to attach (> 10 mm in length). Digital image correlation (DIC) is a viable, non-contact alternative to in-situ strain deformation. However, it often requires implementing artificial patterns using splattering techniques, which are difficult to reproduce. Objective Additive manufacturing capabilities offer consistent patterns using programmable fabrication methods. Methods In this work, a variety of small-scale periodic patterns with different geometries were printed directly on structural nuclear materials (i.e., stainless steel and aluminum tensile specimens) using an aerosol jet printer (AJP). Unlike other additive manufacturing techniques, AJP offers the advantage of materials selection. DIC was used to track and correlate strain to alternative measurement methods during cyclic loading, and tensile tests (up to 1100 µɛ) at room temperature. Results The results confirmed AJP has better control of pattern parameters for small fields of view and facilitate the ability of DIC algorithms to adequately process patterns with periodicity. More specifically, the printed 100 μm spaced dot and 150 μm spaced line patterns provided accurate measurements with a maximum error of less than 2% and 4% on aluminum samples when compared to an extensometer and commercially available strain gauges. Conclusion Our results highlight a new pattern fabrication technique that is form factor friendly for digital image correlation in nuclear applications.

Novich, K. A. (ORCID:0000000204466022)↗

DOE OSTI2025

Experimental demonstration of real-time electron temperature profile control in DIII-D

Future tokamak reactor operation will require the ability to maintain a given plasma scenario for extended periods of time. This will necessitate the capability to react to changes in the plasma state and return the plasma to the target scenario; the principal method to achieve this is through feedback control. Thus, it is necessary to develop and test feedback controllers for the plasma profiles that define a target scenario. In this work, a feedback controller for the electron temperature (Te) profile is tested experimentally in DIII-D. This experiment relied on the ability to ascertain the electron temperature profile in real time, which was achieved using an observer algorithm. The observer relies on both diagnostic data and a predictive model of the electron temperature profile evolution; this predictive model includes contributions from neural network surrogate models. Because of these dependencies, a number of capabilities needed to be added to the real-time PCS for DIII-D in order to support the Te profile control experiment. The neural network surrogates needed to be integrated into the PCS to be called in real time. An observer algorithm for the Te profile needed to be added and connected to the Thomson scattering system to allow access to the current state of the profile in real time. When tested, the observer was shown to produce Te profiles that are consistent with the shape of the Thomson scattering data while rejecting much of the noise in the diagnostic data. Finally, the controller itself was tested in real time. This experiment showed that the controller is capable of tracking the electron temperature target at locations across the spatial profile.

Morosohk, Shira [Oak Ridge Associated Universities↗