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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 OSTI2023

High precision fundamental physics experiments using compact spin-transparent storage rings of low energy polarized electron beams

We present a new design of highly specialized small storage rings for low energy polarized electron beams. The new design is based on the transparent spin methodology that cancels the spin precession due to the magnetic dipole moment at any energy while allowing for spin precession induced by the fundamental physics of interest to accumulate. The buildup of the vertical component of beam polarization can be measured using standard Mott polarimetry that is optimal at low electron energy. These rings can be used to measure the permanent electric dipole moment of the electron, relevant to CP violation and matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe, and to search for dark energy and ultra-light dark matter.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

The right conditions for high-precision dynamic temperature and heat capacity measurement via pyrometry and conductivity

The pursuit of accurate bulk temperature T under extreme conditions has been a long-standing goal of the high pressure science community, complicated by a lack of data to inform models. To reach these extremely high-pressure, high-temperature (high P − T) conditions, a combination of dynamic and heated static experiments (e.g., diamond or gem anvil cel experiments) are used. For example, in a diamond anvil cell (DAC) experiment, a sample placed in the DAC is first pressurized. Following pressurization, the sample T is increased either by heating the entire DAC (usually using resistive heating, and limited to ∼1000K) or by applying intense laser power to the sample surfaces. In a dynamic experiment, the process of pressurizing the sample also heats it. In the case of shock physics experiments, such heating is substantial, easily reaching thousands of Kelvin; in our work we have seen T ∼17000K. Most methods of measuring temperature at ambient are not compatible with experiments under these high-pressure, high-temperature conditions: thermocouples break, melt, or have conductivity properties that differ from ambient where they are calibrated; thermometers would melt; both are too slow. As a result most methods are based on non-contact techniques such as x-ray diffraction broadening, neutron scattering, or optical methods. Of these, optical methods using the visible and near-infrared region of the spectrum are the most commonly used as the sources and detectors are readily available. In the case of optical methods the optical depth, and therefore the measurement location, is limited to the surface. When a window or anvil material is used, heat flows from the sample into the window/anvil. Likewise, if the sample undergoes a change in thermodynamic state, such as expansion upon release, different T may be expected. As a result, the surface or apparent temperature T app measurement will differ from the bulk or interior temperature that is desired. This surface measurement must be related to the bulk measurement using thermal transport models and material models. While it is tempting to conclude that one should just use x-ray methods that directly probe the interior, even these methods have been shown to depend on thermal transport and material models. Regardless of the method used to create the high P − T condition, therefore, we must understand the role of thermal transport and material models upon our interpretation of the T measurement, as well as the errors and uncertainties associated with the choice of models used in the analysis. This is a substantial area of research and this paper is by no means a complete survey of the relevant sources of uncertainty. For example, we have yet to begin to address alternate transport models in a detailed manner (e.g., Tan-Ahrens), or the many models that use additional layers to approximate melting, turbulence, or epitaxial phenomena). Likewise, we have not explored the impact upon uncertainty of thermal models that use temperature-dependent thermal transport coefficients, or the wide range of material models that can be applied. Instead, this paper focuses on using one simple model, the Urtiew-Grover model, to understand the sources of error in T measurement so that we may identify how best to focus future research efforts to return the best improvements and avoid working on over-optimizing a single type of measurement. To this end, we work through some of the best and worst case scenarios for T measurement.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2020

A High Precision Measurement of the Proton Charge Radius at JLab

The elastic electron-proton (e-p) scattering and the spectroscopy of hydrogen atoms are the two traditional methods to determine the proton charge radius (r p ). In 2010, a new method using muonic hydrogen (µH) 1 spectroscopy reported a r p result that was nearly ten times more precise but significantly smaller than the values from the compilation of all previous r p measurements. This discrepancy is often referred to as the "proton charge radius puzzle". In order to investigate the puzzle, the PRad experiment (E12-11-106) was first proposed in 2011 and performed in 2016 in Hall B at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, with both 1.1 and 2.2 GeV electron beams. The experiment measured the e-p elastic scattering cross sections in an unprecedented low values of momentum transfer squared region (Q 2 = 2.1× 10 -4 -0.06 (GeV/c) 2 ), with a sub-percent precision. The PRad experiment utilized a calorimetric method that was magnetic-spectrometer-free. Its detector setup included a large acceptance and high resolution calorimeter (HyCal), and two large-area, high spatial-resolution Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detectors. To have a better control over the systematic uncertainties, the absolute e-p elastic scattering cross section was normalized to that of the well-known Møller scattering process, which was measured simultaneously during the experiment. For each beam energy, all data with different Q 2 were collected simultaneously with the same detector setup, therefore sharing the same integrated luminosity. The windowless H 2 gas-flow target utilized in the experiment largely removed a typical background source, the target cell windows. The proton charge radius was determined as r p = 0.831±0.007 stat. ±0.012 p fm, which is smaller than the average r p from previous e-p elastic scattering experiments, but in agreement with the µH spectroscopic results within the experimental uncertainties.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2025

High-precision Measurement of the 16 O($n, n'γ$) Cross Section using $γ$-ray Detection in Liquid Scintillators with H 2 O and BeO Targets

The 16 O($n, n'γ$) reaction was measured at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center white neutron source using γ-ray detection in liquid scintillators present in the upper hemisphere of the Correlated Gamma-Neutron Array for sCattering (CoGNAC). Separate measurements of this reaction were performed using H 2 O and BeO targets in successive years. The unique high energies of γ rays emitted from the 16 O($n, n'γ$) reaction facilitated a clean selection of this reaction from threshold to 9.8 MeV incident neutron energy without the need for precise measurements of the γ-ray energy or the scattered neutrons. The precise time resolution of the liquid scintillator detectors was then exploited to obtain high-resolution incident neutron energy measurements, and good agreement was obtained between the H 2 O and BeO results reported here. The dominant literature data sets for this reaction have systematic differences between them, but the present results improve upon the neutron energy resolution of earlier measurements and show important discrepancies in recent data. Finally, tentative data are also shown up to 20 MeV incident neutron energy but are potentially subject to improved understanding of the relative γ-ray and α decay branches from 16 O excited states.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

High-precision scale setting with the Ω-baryon mass and gradient flow

The gradient-flow scale 𝑤 0 in lattice QCD is determined using the mass of the Ω − baryon to set the physical scale. Nine ensembles using the highly improved staggered quark (HISQ) action with lattice spacings of 0.15 fm down to 0.04 fm are used, seven of which have nearly physical light-quark masses. Electromagnetic corrections to the Ω − mass are defined in order to compute a pure-QCD Ω mass. The final result is 𝑤 0 = 0.17187⁢(68) fm, corresponding to a relative uncertainty of 0.40% and a central value in good agreement with previous calculations in the literature.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

High-Precision Determination of Oxygen $K_{α}$ Transition Energy Excludes Incongruent Motion of Interstellar Oxygen

We demonstrate a widely applicable technique to absolutely calibrate the energy scale of x-ray spectra with experimentally well-known and accurately calculable transitions of highly charged ions, allowing us to measure the K-shell Rydberg spectrum of molecular O 2 with 8 meV uncertainty. Here, we reveal a systematic ~450 meV shift from previous literature values, and settle an extraordinary discrepancy between astrophysical and laboratory measurements of neutral atomic oxygen, the latter being calibrated against the aforementioned O 2 literature values. Because of the widespread use of such, now deprecated, references, our method impacts on many branches of x-ray absorption spectroscopy. Moreover, it potentially reduces absolute uncertainties there to below the meV level.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Electrical Resistivity Tomography based monitoring of stress perturbations to optimize placement of high-precision strain meters

The Center for Understanding Subsurface Signals and Permeability is a new U.S. Department of Energy Earthshot Center focused on understanding and predicting the long-term evolution of permeability in enhanced geothermal systems. The center will use a highly instrumented testbed within the Sanford Underground Research Facility to conduct field scale experiments that elucidate and test capabilities to simulate geochemical-geomechanical interactions and permeability evolution. Here we demonstrate initial developments using previously collected electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) monitoring data with high-performance multi-physics modelling advancements to inform the optimal location of two new monitoring boreholes. Specifically, ERT monitoring data collected during shear stimulation testing shows marked responses to changes in stress during borehole pressurization. We demonstrate how the same response is being simulated, ultimately to train a machine-learning algorithm to estimate rock properties and enable enhanced prediction of stress and strain responses anticipated during future testing campaigns.

Stress, EGS, CUSSP, 3D Electrical Imaging↗
DOE OSTI2021

Using millimeter-sized carbon-deuterium foils for high-precision deuterium-tritium neutron spectrum measurements in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion at the OMEGA laser facility

Millimeter-sized CD foils fielded close (order mm) to inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions have been proposed as a game-changer for improving energy resolution and allowing time-resolution in neutron spectrum measurements using the magnetic recoil technique. This paper presents results from initial experiments testing this concept for direct drive ICF at the OMEGA laser facility. While the foils are shown to produce reasonable signals, inferred spectral broadening is seen to be high (~5 keV) and signal levels low (by ~20%) compared to expectation. Before this type of foil is used for precision experiments, the foil mount must be improved, oxygen uptake in the foils better characterized, and impact of uncontrolled foil motion prior to detection investigated.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2027

Design and Integration of High Precision Superconducting Magnet Power Supply Systems

This paper reviews the design and integration approach being taken to power more than 400 superconducting magnets in Electron Ion Collider (EIC) by power supplies ranging from 20V to 400V and 100A to 18kA. A major challenge is to integrate existing legacy power supplies with new high current systems and maximize performance and reduce costs. Successful implementation requires coordinated integration of power convertors, current regulation, quench protection, energy extraction, machine protection, controls and existing accelerator infrastructure.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Using millimeter-sized carbon–deuterium foils for high-precision deuterium–tritium neutron spectrum measurements in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion at the OMEGA laser facility

Millimeter-sized CD foils fielded close (order mm) to inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions have been proposed as a game-changer for improving energy resolution and allowing time-resolution in neutron spectrum measurements using the magnetic recoil technique. This paper presents results from initial experiments testing this concept for direct drive ICF at the OMEGA Laser Facility. Additionally, while the foils are shown to produce reasonable signals, inferred spectral broadening is seen to be high (~5 keV) and signal levels are low (by ~20%) compared to expectation. Before this type of foil is used for precision experiments, the foil mount must be improved, oxygen uptake in the foils must be better characterized, and impact of uncontrolled foil motion prior to detection must be investigated.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Exploring the NΛ–NΣ coupled system with high precision correlation techniques at the LHC

The interaction of Λ and Σ hyperons (Y) with nucleons (N) is strongly influenced by the coupled-channel dynamics. Due to the small mass difference of the NΛ and NΣ systems, the sizable coupling strength of the NΣ↔NΛ processes constitutes a crucial element in the determination of the NΛ interaction. In this letter we present the most precise measurements on the interaction of pΛ pairs, from zero relative momentum up to the opening of the NΣ channel. The correlation function in the relative momentum space for pΛ ⊕$\bar{p}$$\bar{Λ}$ pairs measured in high-multiplicity triggered pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$=13 TeV at the LHC is reported. The opening of the inelastic NΣ channels is visible in the extracted correlation function as a cusp-like structure occurring at relative momentum k*=289 MeV/c. This represents the first direct experimental observation of the NΣ↔NΛ coupled channel in the pΛ system. The correlation function is compared with recent chiral effective field theory calculations, based on different strengths of the NΣ↔NΛ transition potential. A weaker coupling, as possibly supported by the present measurement, would require a more repulsive three-body NNΛ interaction for a proper description of the Λ in-medium properties, which has implications on the nuclear equation of state and for the presence of hyperons inside neutron stars.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Production of National Nuclear Material Archive Subsamples for High Precision Chemical Analysis

With its historical mission as the focal point for production of uranium components for the NNSA nuclear weapons program, the National Nuclear Materials Archive (NNMA) makes use of Y-12's wide range of uranium materials processing knowledge and onsite materials to identify, collect, and preserve sample materials for nuclear forensics purposes. In 2019, Y-12 took on the responsibility for identifying, subsampling, and shipping a total of 24 NNMA samples to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) for further forensics analysis. These were highly enriched uranium metal pieces representative of different weapon systems components produced by Y-12 from approximately 1963 to 1993. The purpose was to provide the NNMA program with higher precision analyses of these materials than what is currently available from historical Y-12 production stream data.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
DOE OSTI2024

High-precision measurement of the W boson mass with the CMS experiment at the LHC

In the standard model of particle physics, the masses of the carriers of the weak interaction, the W and Z bosons, are uniquely related. Physics beyond the standard model could change this relationship through the effects of quantum loops of virtual particles, thus making it of great importance to measure these masses with the highest possible precision. Although the mass of the Z boson is known to the remarkable precision of 22 parts per million (2.0 MeV), the W boson mass is known much less precisely, given the difficulty of the measurement. A global fit to electroweak data, used to predict the W boson mass in the standard model, yields an uncertainty of 6 MeV. Reaching a comparable experimental precision would be a sensitive and fundamental test of the standard model. Furthermore, a precision measurement of the W boson mass performed by the CDF Collaboration at the Fermilab Tevatron has challenged the standard model by significantly disagreeing with the prediction of the global electroweak fit and the average of other $m_\mathrm{W}$ measurements. We report the first W boson mass measurement by the CMS Collaboration at the CERN LHC, based on a data sample collected in 2016 at the proton-proton collision energy of 13 TeV. The W boson mass is measured using a large sample of W$\toμν$ events via a highly granular binned maximum likelihood fit to the kinematic properties of the muons produced in the W$^{+}$ and W$^{-}$ boson decays. The significant in situ constraints of theoretical inputs and their corresponding uncertainties, together with an accurate determination of the experimental effects, lead to a precise W boson mass measurement, $m_\mathrm{W} =$ 80$\,$360.2 $\pm$ 9.9 MeV, in agreement with the standard model prediction.

FOS: Physical sciences↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Robust Assessment of High-Precision Plutonium Isotopic Analysis by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry [Slides]

TIMS at SRNL • SRNL consolidated analytical laboratories and services into one area – loss of TIMS capability during relocation. • SRNL installed a new Thermo Scientific TRITON Plus TIMS in our Category II Nuclear Facility to re-establish the lab’s TIMS capabilities in Feb. 2024. • Allows for handling, preparation, purification, and analysis of high-level radiological materials within a single location • Pu and U isotopic composition and assay measurement qualification have been priority since installation. • Once the instrument has been qualified, this capability will support internal and external customers.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

High-precision measurement of the W boson mass with the CMS experiment

In the standard model of particle physics, the masses of the W and Z bosons, the carriers of the weak interaction, are uniquely related. A precise determination of their masses is important because quantum loops of heavy, undiscovered particles could modify this relationship. Although the Z mass is known to the remarkable precision of 22 parts per million (2.0 MeV), the W mass is known much less precisely. A global fit to measured electroweak observables predicts the W mass with 6 MeV uncertainty [1$-$3]. Reaching a comparable experimental precision would be a sensitive and fundamental test of the standard model, made even more urgent by a recent challenge to the global fit prediction by a measurement from the CDF Collaboration at the Fermilab Tevatron collider [4]. Here we report the measurement of the W mass by the CMS Collaboration at the CERN LHC, based on a large data sample of $W \to \mu \nu$ events collected in 2016 at the proton-proton collision energy of 13 TeV. The measurement exploits a high-granularity maximum likelihood fit to the kinematic properties of muons produced in W decays. By combining an accurate determination of experimental effects with marked in situ constraints of theoretical inputs, we reach a precise measurement of the W mass, of 80 360.2 $\pm$ 9.9 MeV, in agreement with the standard model prediction.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Recent advancements in atomic many-body methods for high-precision studies of isotope shifts

The development of atomic many-body methods, capable of incorporating electron correlation effects accurately, is required for isotope shift (IS) studies. In combination with precise measurements, such calculations help to extract nuclear charge radii differences, and to probe for signatures of physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Here, we review here a few recently-developed methods in the relativistic many-body perturbation theory (RMBPT) and relativistic coupled-cluster (RCC) theory frameworks for calculations of IS factors in the highly charged ions (HCIs), and neutral or singly-charged ions, respectively. The results are presented for a wide range of atomic systems in order to demonstrate the interplay between quantum electrodynamics (QED) and electron correlation effects. In view of this, we start our discussions with the RMBPT calculations for a few HCIs by rigorously treating QED effects; then we outline methods to calculate IS factors in the one-valence atomic systems using two formulations of the RCC approach. Then we present calculations for two valence atomic systems, by employing the Fock-space RCC methods. For completeness, we briefly discuss theoretical input required for the upcoming experiments, their possibilities to probe nuclear properties and implications to fundamental physics studies.

QED effects↗
DOE OSTI2025

High precision monitoring of outgassing species in model EUV photoresists with a cavity ring-down spectrometer

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photoresists play a pivotal role in advancing nanopatterning technologies by balancing image quality and sensitivity. The outgassing behavior of photoresist thin films under EUV and deep ultraviolet (DUV) exposure reveals chemical details relevant to their performance. This study focuses on utilizing an analytical technique not previously used in photolithography, the tabletop cavity ring-down spectrometer, to investigate outgassing dynamics in EUV photoresists, enabling precise chemical identification and deeper insights into resist processing. The spectrometer’s enhanced laser path length (~20 km) and broadband absorption capabilities in the CH overtone region allow for sensitive and temporally resolved detection of outgassed species. Using a model resist comprising a polymer matrix with a photoacid generator and quencher, we analyzed the influence of time delays between exposure and Post-Exposure Bake (PEB) as well as storage under varying environmental conditions. Suppression of isobutylene outgassing and thickness loss was observed with extended delays between exposure and PEB, potentially linked to water absorption and acid deactivation. The technique proved highly effective in distinguishing subtle chemical differences between processing stages. Delay times and their environmental conditions, particularly humidity, reduce outgassing and thickness loss of photoresists during PEB, suggesting decreased acid-driven deprotection. This can potentially impact sensitivity, defectivity, and roughness of resist patterns, necessitating precise monitoring and control.

Lüttgenau, Bernhard↗