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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 109 records · Page 6

2.5 MHz Line-Width High-energy, 2 Micrometer Coherent Wind Lidar Transmitter

2 micron solid-state lasers are the primary choice for coherent Doppler wind detection. As wind lidars, they are used for wake vortex and clear air turbulence detection providing air transport safety. In addition, 2 micron lasers are one of the candidates for CO2 detection lidars. The rich CO2 absorption line around 2 micron, combined with the long upper state life of time, has made Ho based 2 micron lasers a viable candidate for CO2 sensing DIAL instrument. The design and fabrication of a compact coherent laser radar transmitter for Troposphere wind sensing is under way. This system is hardened for ground as well as airborne applications. As a transmitter for a coherent wind lidar, this laser has stringent spectral line width and beam quality requirements. Although the absolute wavelength does not have to be fixed for wind detection, to maximize return signal, the output wavelength should avoid atmospheric CO2 and H2O absorption lines. The base line laser material is Ho:Tm:LuLF which is an isomorph of Ho:Tm:YLF. LuLF produces 20% more output power than Ho:Tm:YLF. In these materials the Tm absorption cross-section, the Ho emission cross-section, the Tm to Ho energy transfer parameters and the Ho (sup 5) I (sub 7) radiative life time are all identical. However, the improved performance of the LuLF is attributed to the lower thermal population in the (sup 5) I (sub 8) manifold. It also provides higher normal mode to Q-switch conversion than YLF at high pump energy indicating a lower up-conversion. The laser architecture is composed of a seed laser, a ring oscillator, and a double pass amplifier. The seed laser is a single longitudinal mode with a line width of 13 KHz. The 100mJ class oscillator is stretched to 3 meters to accommodate the line-width requirement without compromising the range resolution of the instrument. The amplifier is double passed to produce greater than 300mJ energy.

Petros, Mulugeta↗

A visible to near-infrared nanocrystalline organic photodetector with ultrafast photoresponse

Organic photoelectron conversion devices, due to their solution process and wide use in portable devices, have attracted intensive interest. In this work, a newly developed active layer of D18:Y6 is used to fabricate an organic photodetector and the device of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/D18:Y6/Phen-NaDPO/Ag shows a responsivity of 680 mA W –1 and a detectivity of 6.35 × 10 13 Jones (1 Jones = 1 cm Hz 1/2 W –1 ) at a wavelength of 850 nm. Additionally, this device shows a wide linear dynamic range of 120 dB, indicating a potential near-infrared region (NIR) detector system. Owing to the minimal exciton binding energy of 37.6 meV for Y6, a desirable energy offset for efficient electron–hole pair dissociation and an ultrafast charge transfer of ~58 ps at the interface of D18:Y6, the obtained organic photodetector has demonstrated a photoresponse time as fast as 1.8 μs upon laser light excitation without an external driven voltage. More importantly, D18 shows a preferred out-of-plane orientation with strong intensities and Y6 exhibits a preferred orientation along the in-plane direction on lamellar stacking, which facilitates charge transport. This work has demonstrated significant progress in exploring D18:Y6 NIR organic devices with a wide photosensitivity linearity and ultrafast photoresponse.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Quantitative time-resolved diagnostics of electric field dynamics during individual plasma breakdown events using burst laser pulse electric field induced second harmonic generation

In plasma discharges, the acceleration of electrons by a fast varying electric field and the subsequent collisional electron energy transfer determines the plasma dynamics, chemical reactivity, and breakdown. Current in situ electric field measurements require reconstruction of the temporal profile over many observations. However, such methods are unsuitable for non-repetitive and unstable plasmas. Here, in this paper, we present a method for creating “movies” of dynamic electric fields in a single acquisition at sample rates of 500 × 10 6 fps. This ultrafast diagnostic was demonstrated in radio frequency electric fields between two parallel plates in air, as well as in Ar nanosecond-pulsed single-sided dielectric barrier discharges.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Optoelectronic Infrastructure for Radio Frequency and Optical Phased Arrays

Optoelectronic integrated circuits offer radiation-hardened solutions for satellite systems in addition to improved size, weight, power, and bandwidth characteristics. ODIS, Inc., has developed optoelectronic integrated circuit technology for sensing and data transfer in phased arrays. The technology applies integrated components (lasers, amplifiers, modulators, detectors, and optical waveguide switches) to a radio frequency (RF) array with true time delay for beamsteering. Optical beamsteering is achieved by controlling the current in a two-dimensional (2D) array. In this project, ODIS integrated key components to produce common RF-optical aperture operation.

Cai, Jianhong↗

Cross-beam energy transfer in direct-drive ICF. I. Nonlinear and kinetic effects

Results are presented from a series of simulations examining the susceptibility of the cross-beam energy transfer (CBET) instability to nonlinear processes in the context of direct-drive inertial confinement fusion experiments on the OMEGA laser facility. These form the basis for the second paper of this series [A. G. Seaton, L. Yin, R. Follett, B. J. Albright, and A. Le, “Cross-beam energy transfer in direct-drive ICF. II. Theory and simulation of mitigation through increased laser bandwidth,” Phys. Plasmas 29, 042707 (2022)], where we examine the efficacy of increases in laser bandwidth at suppressing CBET. We choose laser and plasma conditions for the simulations that are favorable to CBET and promote nonlinearity. Through a comparison of outputs from the particle-in-cell code vector particle in cell (VPIC) and the linearized fluid code laser-plasma simulation environment (LPSE), a series of nonlinear effects have been identified in the kinetic simulations that include particle trapping, the two-ion wave decay, and ion-acoustic wave self-focusing. These effects produce time-dependent energy transfer, in contrast to the linearized fluid simulations in which a steady state is reached after an initial transient. Ion trapping is shown to allow for increased energy transfer relative to fluid simulations, with the remaining nonlinear processes acting to reduce the energy transfer. Nonlinear dynamics is contrasted for low- and high-intensity beams as well as between speckled and planar beams. For the parameters under consideration, beam profile has a significant effect on nonlinear dynamics, though the greatest sensitivity is to beam intensity.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Imaging multiphoton ionization dynamics of CH 3 I at a high repetition rate XUV free-electron laser

XUV multiphoton ionization of molecules is commonly used in free-electron laser experiments to study charge transfer dynamics. However, molecular dissociation and electron dynamics, such as multiple photon absorption, Auger decay, and charge transfer, often happen on competing time scales, and the contributions of individual processes can be difficult to unravel. We experimentally investigate the Coulomb explosion dynamics of methyl iodide upon core–hole ionization of the shallow inner-shell of iodine (4d) and classically simulate the fragmentation by phenomenologically introducing ionization dynamics and charge transfer. Under our experimental conditions with medium fluence and relatively long XUV pulses (~75 fs), we find that fast Auger decay prior to charge transfer significantly contributes to the charging mechanism, leading to a yield enhancement of higher carbon charge states upon molecular dissociation. Furthermore, we argue for the existence of another charging mechanism for the weak fragmentation channels leading to triply charged carbon atoms. This study shows that classical simulations can be a useful tool to guide the quantum mechanical description of the femtosecond dynamics upon multiphoton absorption in molecular systems.

Optics↗

International time transfer and portable clock evaluation using GPS timing receivers: Preliminary results

The overall experiment was designed to test the positioning and navigation capabilities of the GPS timing receivers developed by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) for the NASA Goddard Laser Tracking Network (GITN). To perform this experiment, a reliable and redundant time scale was set up onboard the ship, and a back-up on shore. This situation provided the opportunity to perform simultaneously a timing experiment ideally divided into two parts, the main objectives of the experimentation being: (1) To test GPS timing receiver synchronization capabilities on a moving platform, and to perform an intercontinental synchronization via GPS between participating international timing laboratories in Europe and in the United States. (2) To evaluate the performance of cesium portable clocks in the field.

Wardrip, S. C.↗

Symmetrical and Asymmetrical separations about a yawed cone

Three-dimensional flow separations about a 5 degree (semiapex angle, theta sub C), 1.4 m long, circular cone up to moderately high relative incidence, alpha/theta sub C approximately 5, were studied in the Mach number range 0.3 M sub infinity 1.8. The cone was tested in the Ames 1.8 by 1.8 m wind tunnel at Reynolds numbers, R sub L infinity, based on the cone length, L, from 4.5 times 10 to the 6th power to 13.5 times 10 to the 6th power, under nominally zero heat transfer conditions. Overall forces and mean surface pressures were compared with earlier measurements. Supportive three-dimensional laser velocimeter measurements of mean and fluctuating velocity in a slightly asymmetric vortex wake about a slender tangent ogive cylinder at incidence having respective nose and overall body fineness ratios of 3.5 and 12, are included.

Peake, D. J.↗

Tracking the first electron transfer step at the donor side of oxygen-evolving photosystem II by time-resolved infrared spectroscopy

In oxygen-evolving photosystem II (PSII), the multi-phasic electron transfer from a redox-active tyrosine residue (TyrZ) to a chlorophyll cation radical (P680 + ) precedes the water-oxidation chemistry of the S-state cycle of the Mn 4 Ca cluster. Here we investigate these early events, observable within about 10 ns to 10 ms after laser-flash excitation, by time-resolved single-frequency infrared (IR) spectroscopy in the spectral range of 1310–1890 cm -1 for oxygen-evolving PSII membrane particles from spinach. Comparing the IR difference spectra at 80 ns, 500 ns, and 10 µs allowed for the identification of quinone, P680 and TyrZ contributions. A broad electronic absorption band assignable P680 + was used to trace largely specifically the P680 + reduction kinetics. The experimental time resolution was taken into account in least-square fits of P680 + transients with a sum of four exponentials, revealing two nanosecond phases (30–46 ns and 690–1110 ns) and two microsecond phases (4.5–8.3 µs and 42 µs), which mostly exhibit a clear S-state dependence, in agreement with results obtained by other methods. Our investigation paves the road for further insight in the early events associated with TyrZ oxidation and their role in the preparing the PSII donor side for the subsequent water oxidation chemistry.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Heat-driven acoustic phonons in lamellar nanoplatelet assemblies

Colloidal CdSe nanoplatelets, with the electronic structure of quantum wells, self-assemble into lamellar stacks due to large co-facial van der Waals attractions. These lamellar stacks are shown to display coherent acoustic phonons that are detected from oscillatory changes in the absorption spectrum observed in infrared pump, electronic probe measurements. Rather than direct electronic excitation of the nanocrystals using a femtosecond laser, impulsive transfer of heat from the organic ligand shell, excited at C–H stretching vibrational resonances, to the inorganic core of individual nanoplatelets occurs on a time-scale of <100 ps. This heat transfer drives in-phase longitudinal acoustic phonons of the nanoplatelet lamellae, which are accompanied by subtle deformations along the nanoplatelet short axes. The frequencies of the oscillations vary from 0.7 to 2 GHz (3–8 μeV and 0.5–1 ns oscillation period) depending on the thickness of the nanoplatelets—but not their lateral areas—and the temperature of the sample. Temperaturedependence of the acoustic phonon frequency conveys a substantial stiffening of the organic ligand bonds between nanoplatelets with reduced temperature. Overall, these results demonstrate a potential for acoustic modulation of the excitonic structure of nanocrystal assemblies in self-assembled anisotropic semiconductor systems at temperatures at or above 300 K.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Ultrafast Control of Interfacial Exchange Coupling in Ferromagnetic Bilayer

Fast spin manipulation in magnetic heterostructures, where magnetic interactions between different materials often define the functionality of devices, is a key issue in the development of ultrafast spintronics. Although recently developed optical approaches such as ultrafast spin-transfer and spin–orbit torques open new pathways to fast spin manipulation, these processes do not fully utilize the unique possibilities offered by interfacial magnetic coupling effects in ferromagnetic multilayer systems. Here, ultrafast optically controlled interfacial exchange interactions in the ferromagnetic Co 2 FeAl/(Ga,Mn)As system at low laser fluence levels are experimentally demonstrated. The excitation efficiency of Co 2 FeAl with the (Ga,Mn)As layer is 30–40 times higher than the case with the GaAs layer at 5 K due to the modification of exchange coupling interaction via photoexcited charge transfer between the two ferromagnetic layers. In addition, the coherent spin precessions persist to room temperature, excluding the drive of pump-modulated magnetization in the (Ga,Mn)As layer and indicating a proximity-effect-related optical excitation mechanism. The results highlight the importance of interfacial exchange interactions in ferromagnetic heterostructures and how these magnetic coupling effects can be utilized for ultrafast, low-power spin manipulation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Elemental analysis of air-sensitive frozen molten salt samples using an inert transfer chamber for LIBS/LA-ICP-TOF-MS analysis

A novel inert sample transfer system was developed and employed to enable, for the first time, the analysis of air-sensitive salt samples in a two-volume ablation cell using simultaneous laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser ablation (LA)-inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-time-of-flight (TOF)-mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. Molten salts are of growing interest as a medium for advanced nuclear reactors and nuclear fuel reprocessing technologies continue to be developed around their use. However, compositional analysis of molten salt samples can be challenging because of their air-sensitive nature and varying solubilities leading to inaccurate measurements when digested. LA-based analysis provides an alternate method to digestion and can provide rapid elemental information with little sample preparation. In this study, LIBS and LA-ICP-TOF-MS were used to analyze the Ce content in frozen salt samples taken from a series of electrochemical experiments. Calibrations were built for each technique, and the resulting limits of detection for Ce were estimated to be 107 and 58 µg g −1 for LIBS and LA-ICP-TOF-MS, respectively. Test samples from the electrochemical experiments were analyzed using these calibrations. The results matched bulk digestion-based ICP-optical emission spectroscopy values, and daily trends in Ce concentration changes were identified. Additionally, the LIBS and LA-ICP-TOF-MS analysis was demonstrated for identifying microgram per gram levels of components and detecting trace contaminants. The impurities detected by LIBS included Al, Mg, Ca, and Na. The impurities detected by LA-ICP-TOF-MS included W, Ag, Al, Fe, Ni, Mo, Nd, Sm, Th, and U.

Andrews, Hunter B. [Oak Ridge National Laboratory ↗

A photochemical model of ozone interference effects in laser detection of tropospheric OH

Laser-generated interference in the laser-induced fluorescence detection of tropospheric hydroxyl is addressed by a detailed photochemical model. This phenomenon arises through photolysis of ozone by the detection laser and subsequent reaction of O(1D) with H2O to form OH. The approach is direct time integration of the coupled differential equations describing the pertinent chemical reactions, collisional energy transfer, and photolytic and spectroscopic processes, including an assessment of limitations due to uncertainties in the input parameters. The goal is to use the model to quantitatively design OH detection methods so that the experimental results need not rely on such a model for interpretation. Previously reported measurements of tropospheric OH appear to have been contaminated by ozone interference effects and by optical saturation of the monitoring transition. However, suggested improvements can reduce the problem to interference levels below 200,000 OH molecules/cu cm, permitting measurements useful for testing theories of fast tropospheric photochemistry.

Smith, Gregory P.↗

Enhanced production of active species and NH 3 using non-equilibrium ferroelectric barrier discharge

Non-equilibrium plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis is investigated through enhanced active species production with ferroelectric discharge. Time-resolved in-situ diagnostics of femtosecond two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering, and laser absorption spectroscopy, as well as optical emission spectroscopy, were conducted to probe the key intermediate species, such as H and N radicals as well as N 2 (ν), ions, and NH 3 to achieve better understanding of non-equilibrium energy transfer and ammonia formation. The results reveal that ferroelectric discharge improved ammonia yield by four times. Results also show that ferroelectrics not only enhanced ions (N 2 + ) production, radicals (N, H) number density, but also increased the N 2 vibrational temperature. Further plasma modeling identified the couplings between elevated radical and ion production and enhanced vibrational excitation reactions, e.g., N + H 2 (ν)→NH + H, N 2 (ν)+H → NNH, N 2 + + H 2 → H + N 2 H + , and N 2 H + +e→NH + N, facilitated by ferroelectric discharge. These findings provide critical insight into the mechanism of ferroelectric plasma catalysis and highlight their potential in advancing energy-efficient chemical synthesis.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Effect of radiation on convection at moderate temperatures

A combined numerical and experimental investigation of radiation-induced convection is presented to show that the convective stability of the top-heated enclosure is disrupted by heat transfer conditions at the wall. When the enclosure is not insulated the thermal stratification of the fluid is modified by convective and radiative losses to the surrounding environment. This results in a double annular cell flow which, when cut by the laser sheet, shows a four-vortex pattern with a weak annular cell at the bottom and a large counter-rotating annular cell at the top. When the enclosure is insulated the convective stability of the fluid is again disrupted - this time as a result of radiative heat transfer between the enclosing surfaces which drives two annular flow cells of relatively equal size. Comparison between model and experiment shows that radiation effects are important even at temperature levels as low as 300 C and, if these effects are not included, numerical predictions can be highly erroneous.

Degroh, Henry C., III↗

Effect of radiation on convection at moderate temperatures

A combined numerical and experimental investigation of radiation-induced convection is presented to show that the convective stability of the top-heated enclosure is disrupted by heat transfer conditions at the wall. When the enclosure is not insulated the thermal stratification of the fluid is modified by convective and radiative losses to the surrounding environment. This results in a double annular cell flow which, when cut by the laser sheet, shows a four-vortex pattern with a weak annular cell at the bottom and a large counter-rotating annular cell at the top. When the enclosure is insulated the convective stability of the fluid is again disrupted - this time as a result of radiative heat transfer between the enclosing surfaces which drives two annular flow cells of relatively equal size. Comparison between model and experiment shows that radiation effects are important even at temperature levels as low as 300 C and, if these effects are not included, numerical predictions can be highly erroneous.

De Groh, H. C., III↗

Recent advances in the development and transfer of machine vision technologies for space

Recent work concerned with real-time machine vision is briefly reviewed. This work includes methodologies and techniques for optimal illumination, shape-from-shading of general (non-Lambertian) 3D surfaces, laser vision devices and technology, high level vision, sensor fusion, real-time computing, artificial neural network design and use, and motion estimation. Two new methods that are currently being developed for object recognition in clutter and for 3D attitude tracking based on line correspondence are discussed.

Defigueiredo, Rui J. P.↗