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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2003

Control of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna

The detection of gravity waves will open a new window of observation on the universe. Unlike typical observatories, which detect electromagnetic waves traveling through space-time, the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will detect ripples in space-time itself. Science targets include galactic binaries, merging supermassive black holes, intermediate-mass/seed black holes, and cosmological backgrounds. Gravity waves are detected by measuring the strain in space, i.e. the change in distance between a set of masses (test masses or proof masses) separated by a great distance. Ground based detection of gravity waves by Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) and other observatories are possible with laser interferometry; hut the relatively short arm length (4 km) and seismic noise limit the measurement band to above 10 Hz on Earth. LISA also uses laser interferometric measurement of the change in distance between test masses, but does it in space. Each LISA spacecraft embodies two test masses. Space allows very long arm lengths (5 million km for LISA) and a very quiet acceleration environment (3.5x10(exp -15) meters per second squared/Hertz (sup 0.5) for LISA), which allows for the detection of gravity wave strains to a best sensitivity of 3x10(exp -24) strain/Hertz (sup 0.5) over the measurement band of 10(exp -4) to 10(exp -1) Hertz for a one-year observation. The LISA mission consists of three spacecraft in heliocentric orbit. The orbits are chosen so that the three spacecraft form a roughly equilateral triangle with its center located at a radius of 1 AU and 20 degrees behind the Earth, as shown. Requirements are placed on the rotational and translational dynamics of each spacecraft to ensure that the proper sensitivity for science measurements can be achieved.

Maghami, Peiman↗
NASA NTRS2005

The Radiation Environment for the LISA/Laser Interferometry Space Antenna

The purpose of this document is to define the radiation environment for the evaluation of degradation due to total ionizing and non-ionizing dose and of single event effects (SEES) for the Laser Interferometry Space Antenna (LISA) instruments and spacecraft. The analysis took into account the radiation exposure for the nominal five-year mission at 20 degrees behind Earth's orbit of the sun, at 1 AU (astronomical unit) and assumes a launch date in 2014. The transfer trajectory out to final orbit has not yet been defined, therefore, this evaluation does not include the impact of passing through the Van Allen belts. Generally, transfer trajectories do not contribute significantly to degradation effects; however, single event effects and deep dielectric charging effects must be taken into consideration especially if critical maneuvers are planned during the van Allen belt passes.

Barth, Janet L.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Laser Development for Interferometry in Space

We are developing a laser (master oscillator) and optical amplifier for interferometric space missions, including the gravitational-wave missions NGO and OpTIIX experiment on the international space station. Our system is based on optical fiber and semiconductor laser technologies, which have evolved dramatically in the past decade. We will report on the latest status of the development work, including noise measurements and space qualification tests.

Numata, Kenji↗
NASA NTRS2004

An Acquisition Control for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission is a planned gravitational wave detector consisting of three spacecraft in heliocentric orbit. Laser interferometry is used to measure distance fluctuations between test masses aboard each spacecraft to the picometer level over a 5 million kilometer separation. Each spacecraft has two incoming and two outgoing laser beams for a total of six laser links. These links will have to be established sequentially at the start of the mission, and the spacecraft control systems must aim their lasers at each other with pointing motions less than 8 nanoradians per root Hertz in the frequency band 0.1-100 mHz. This paper presents a strategy for the laser acquisition process. The outgoing beam on one spacecraft is spoiled to provide a wide beam that encompasses the accuracy (noise and mounting bias) of the star tracker. The control system then takes advantage of an array of sensors with increasing sensitivity to quiet the receiving spacecraft and lock the laser. This process is carried out for each of the six links of LISA. A complete analysis and simulation of the acquisition process are presented.

Maghami, Peiman G.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Optical Testing of Retroreflectors for Cryogenic Applications

A laser tracker (LT) is an important coordinate metrology tool that uses laser interferometry to determine precise distances to objects, points, or surfaces defined by an optical reference, such as a retroreflector. A retroreflector is a precision optic consisting of three orthogonal faces that returns an incident laser beam nearly exactly parallel to the incident beam. Commercial retroreflectors are designed for operation at room temperature and are specified by the divergence, or beam deviation, of the returning laser beam, usually a few arcseconds or less. When a retroreflector goes to extreme cold (.35 K), however, it could be anticipated that the precision alignment between the three faces and the surface figure of each face would be compromised, resulting in wavefront errors and beam divergence, degrading the accuracy of the LT position determination. Controlled tests must be done beforehand to determine survivability and these LT coordinate errors. Since conventional interferometer systems and laser trackers do not operate in vacuum or at cold temperatures, measurements must be done through a vacuum window, and care must be taken to ensure window-induced errors are negligible, or can be subtracted out. Retroreflector holders must be carefully designed to minimize thermally induced stresses. Changes in the path length and refractive index of the retroreflector have to be considered. Cryogenic vacuum testing was done on commercial solid glass retroreflectors for use on cryogenic metrology tasks. The capabilities to measure wavefront errors, measure beam deviations, and acquire laser tracker coordinate data were demonstrated. Measurable but relatively small increases in beam deviation were shown, and further tests are planned to make an accurate determination of coordinate errors.

Ohl, Raymond G.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Investigations of plasma evolution in Laser Ablation Z-Pinch Experiments using Time-Resolved Optical Spectroscopy

In this dissertation, investigations of the temporal evolution of magnetically driven plasmas are presented. These studies were carried at the Nevada Terawatt Facility using the Zebra pulsed-power accelerator to magnetically compress and confine a cylindrical plasma column. Important parameters needed to characterize these laboratory plasmas include magnetic field strength and orientation, as well as electron number density and temperature. To fully understand the characteristics of a plasma, accurate experimental measurement of these parameters is essential. To determine the electron temperature, the Boltzmann plot method was used. Simulated spectra from PrismSPECT were compared to experimental measurements in order to measure electron number density and temperature early in the pinched plasma formation. Simultaneously, Mach-Zehnder laser interferometry was used to provide complementary measurements of the electron number density. A novel method, streaked Zeeman-induced Magnetic Splitting optical spectroscopy, was developed to measure time- and space-resolved magnetic field strengths in these hot, dense plasmas. This technique has also been applied to diagnose the magnetic field strengths in laser ablation Z-pinch experiments, wherein a pulsed power driver pinches a laser ablated plume.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1995

Optical diagnostics of solution crystal growth

Solution crystal growth monitoring of LAP/TGS crystals by various optical diagnostics systems, such as conventional and Mach-Zehnder (M-Z) interferometers, optical heterodyne technique, and ellipsometry, is under development. The study of the dynamics of the crystal growth process requires a detailed knowledge of crystal growth rate and the concentration gradient near growing crystals in aqueous solution. Crystal growth rate can be measured using conventional interferometry. Laser beam reflections from the crystal front as well as the back surface interfere with each other, and the fringe shift due to the growing crystal yields information about the growth rate. Our preliminary results indicate a growth rate of 6 A/sec for LAP crystals grown from solution. Single wavelength M-Z interferometry is in use to calculate the concentration gradient near the crystal. Preliminary investigation is in progress using an M-Z interferometer with 2 cm beam diameter to cover the front region of the growing crystal. In the optical heterodyne technique, phase difference between two rf signals (250 KHZ) is measured of which one is a reference signal, and the other growth signal, whose phase changes due to a change in path length as the material grows. From the phase difference the growth rate can also be calculated. Our preliminary results indicate a growth rate of 1.5 A/sec. the seed and solution temperatures were 26.46 C and 27.92 C respectively, and the solution was saturated at 29.0 C. an ellipsometer to measure the growth rate and interface layer is on order from JOBIN YVON, France. All these systems are arranged in such a manner that measurements can be made either sequentially or simultaneously. These techniques will be adapted for flight experiment.

Kim, Yongkee↗
NASA NTRS1983

Experimental investigations of elastohydrodynamic lubrication

Various experimental studies of elastohydrodynamic lubrication have been reviewed. The various types of machines used in these investigations, such as the disc, two and four ball, crossed-cylinders, and crossed-axes rolling disc machine, are described. The measurement of the most important parameters, such as film shape, film thickness, pressure, temperature, and traction, is considered. Determination of the film thickness is generally the most important of these effects since it dictates the extent to which the asperities on opposing surfaces can come into contact and thus has a direct bearing on wear and fatigue failure of the contacting surfaces. Several different techniques for measuring film thickness have been described, including electrical resistance, capacitance, X-ray, optical interferometry, laser beam diffraction, strain gage, and spring dynamometer methods. An attempt has been made to describe the basic concepts and limitations of each of these techniques. These various methods have been used by individual researchers, but there is no universally acceptable technique for measuring elastohydrodynamic film thickness. Capacitance methods have provided most of the reliable data for nominal line or rectangular conjunctions, but optical interferometry has proved to be the most effective procedure for elliptical contacts. Optical interferometry has the great advantage that it reveals not only the film thickness, but also details of the film shape over the complete area of the conjunction.

Hamrock, B. J.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Optical transparency of LiF (100) shock compressed to ∼360 GPa

High-purity [100] lithium fluoride (LiF) is the most widely used optical window in dynamic compression experiments due to its wide bandgap and well-characterized mechanical response. Recent plate-impact experiments established the [100] LiF Hugoniot to ∼230 GPa and demonstrated shock-induced melting onset at 182 GPa with complete melting by 195 GPa; theoretical models predict LiF optical transparency to nearly 900 GPa. To experimentally examine the optical transparency of [100] LiF at higher pressures and in the liquid state, laser-driven shock experiments were performed at peak stresses ranging from 223 to 363 GPa. Optical response was examined by measuring the particle velocity histories at the Kapton/LiF interface using laser interferometry at 532 and 1550 nm wavelengths; in-material particle velocities were obtained using established refractive-index corrections. Continuous photonic Doppler velocimetry fringes were observed across the entire stress range, demonstrating that LiF remains transparent to 1550 nm light throughout the multi-megabar regime investigated. At 532 nm, fringe visibility depended on the reflector coating: aluminum mirrors provided signals to ∼235 GPa, while gold mirrors extended this limit to 270.5 GPa, indicating that the shorter-wavelength response is likely sensitive to experimental configuration rather than to the loss of LiF transparency. Continued optical transparency to at least 360 GPa indicates that shock-melted LiF does not display bandgap closure over the stress range explored. Furthermore, these results provide direct experimental constraints on the high-pressure optical response and establish LiF (100) as a robust optical window material for laser-driven dynamic compression experiments approaching 400 GPa.

Renganathan, P. [Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Performance Testing of TRL4-6 LISA Laser System

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) is an ESA-led future mission to measure gravitational waves from astronomical sources in space. LISA has been adopted as a formal mission by ESA in January 2024, and is expected to become a formal project at NASA within 2024. The laser system (LS), which includes four laser heads (LH) each containing a laser optical module (LOM) and laser electronics module (LEM), a frequency reference system (FRS, optical frequency reference) and four power monitor detectors (PMON), is one of the three U.S. contributions to LISA from NASA. The Lasers and Electro-Optics Branch at NASA GSFC has been developing and managing the design of the LISA LS. Currently, the TRL (technology readiness level) of the NASA LISA laser system is transitioning from 4 to 6. TRL 4/5 LISA LOM was sent to ESA in early 2023 and has undergone optical performance testing. [1] By late summer of 2024, NASA plans to deliver the TRL 6 LOM to ESA for performance evaluation. Since the delivery of the TRL4/5 LOM to ESA, we have taken steps to advance the TRL of the overall LS and have also started end-to-end system level testing involving other subsystems. They include 1) optical performance test of TRL6 LOM and TRL 5 LEM under thermal cycling, 2) end-to-end test of the laser head (LH) and the GSE (ground support equipment) FRS, driven by TRL 4 FRS electronics (FRS-E) provided by Ball Aerospace, 3) end-to-end test of the laser head (LH) with the GSE phase meter system (PMS) provided by Albert Einstein Institute, and 4) optical performance test of the LH with the PMON subsystem developed by NASA. The FRS, PMS, and PMON provide necessary frequency stability, relative phase stability between lasers, and output power stability, respectively. Since they are all vital for the sensitive laser interferometry performed in LISA, it is necessary to perform these system level testing by combining the LH and other subsystems, and to prove the optical performance at an early stage during the LS development. Our recent work has successfully demonstrated the intra-connectivity of the LS, as well as critical external interface with the PMS to meet the LISA’s performance requirements. In this talk, we will report on the latest status of the LH testing and system level test. We will also discuss the paths to bring each subsystem to TRL6+ and plans for future system level testing.

LISA↗
DOE OSTI2018

Direct measurement of energy loss due to aging effects in the condensed phase explosive PBX 9404

The explosive performance of PBX 9404, a condensed phase explosive with HMX and nitrocellulose reactive ingredients, was evaluated using the detonation cylinder expansion test after it had been naturally aged for over 46 years. Nitrocellulose is known to chemically degrade with age, but the corresponding effect on explosive performance is currently unknown. Two new cylinder tests were fielded with the oldest known PBX 9404 explosive (>46 years) and the data was compared with prior PBX 9404 cylinder test data. A method for comparing wall motion data collected by streak camera and laser interferometry diagnostics was also introduced. Analysis of the cylinder motion indicated that the aged explosive exhibits decreased performance, which varied with cylinder expansion radius and product specific volume. This energy decrement was found to be 0.8% of the total initial explosive energy per decade of age at a product volume of 7.0 cc/g. In conclusion, the measured energy decrement in explosives older than 37 years exceeds the chemical energy content of nitrocellulose, indicating that nitrocellulose decomposition radicals are likely degrading the normally stable HMX molecules during the aging process.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

Magnetothermodynamics: measurements of the thermodynamic properties in a relaxed magnetohydrodynamic plasma

We have investigated the thermodynamics of compressed magnetized plasmas in laboratory experiments and we call these studies ‘magnetothermodynamics’. The experiments are carried out in the Swarthmore Spheromak eXperiment device. Here, a magnetized plasma source is located at one end and at the other end, a closed conducting can is installed. We generate parcels of magnetized plasma and observe their compression against the end wall of the conducting cylinder. The plasma parameters such as plasma density, temperature and magnetic field are measured during compression using HeNe laser interferometry, ion Doppler spectroscopy and a linear ${\dot{B}}$ probe array, respectively. To identify the instances of ion heating during compression, a PV diagram is constructed using measured density, temperature and a proxy for the volume of the magnetized plasma. Different equations of state are analysed to evaluate the adiabatic nature of the compressed plasma. A three-dimensional resistive magnetohydrodynamic code (NIMROD) is employed to simulate the twisted Taylor states and shows stagnation against the end wall of the closed conducting can. The simulation findings are consistent to what we observe in our experiments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

The structure of 3-D collisional magnetized bow shocks in pulsed-power-driven plasma flows

Here we investigate three-dimensional (3-D) bow shocks in a highly collisional magnetized aluminium plasma, generated during the ablation phase of an exploding wire array on the MAGPIE facility (1.4 MA, 240 ns). Ablation of plasma from the wire array generates radially diverging, supersonic ($M_S$ $\sim 7$), super-Alfvénic ($M_A>1$) magnetized flows with frozen-in magnetic flux $(R_M\gg1)$. These flows collide with an inductive probe placed in the flow, which serves both as the obstacle that generates the magnetized bow shock, and as a diagnostic of the advected magnetic field. Laser interferometry along two orthogonal lines of sight is used to measure the line-integrated electron density. A detached bow shock forms ahead of the probe, with a larger opening angle in the plane parallel to the magnetic field than in the plane normal to it. Since the resistive diffusion length of the plasma is comparable to the probe size, the magnetic field decouples from the ion fluid at the shock front and generates a hydrodynamic shock, whose structure is determined by the sonic Mach number, rather than the magnetosonic Mach number of the flow. The 3-D simulations performed using the resistive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) code Gorgon confirm this picture, but under-predict the anisotropy observed in the shape of the experimental bow shock, suggesting that non-MHD mechanisms may be important for modifying the shock structure.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Sound Velocity and Grüneisen Parameter in Shock‐Melted Silica at Deep Earth Pressures

Silica is a primary component of rocky planet interiors and its melt properties are important for understanding planetary formation and differentiation, magma oceans, and the deep mantle. Although well understood in the solid state, the high-pressure behavior of liquid silica is poorly constrained at lower mantle pressures. Using laser interferometry to measure shock wave profiles, we report measured stress-density states and longitudinal sound speeds in shock-synthesized stishovite, from fused silica staring material, and across the solid-liquid phase boundary up to 154 GPa. Our results constrain completion of melt at 80 GPa and show that at pressures relevant to the deep mantles of Earth-sized, rocky planets, the Grüneisen parameter for liquid silica increases with compression. This finding is consistent with a continuous increase in Si-O coordination above six for liquid silica at core-mantle boundary relevant pressures and temperatures.

Ocampo, I. K. [Princeton University, NJ (United St↗
DOE OSTI2012

An instrument for 3D x-ray nano-imaging

We present an instrument dedicated to 3D scanning x-ray microscopy, allowing a sample to be precisely scanned through a beam while the angle of x-ray incidence can be changed. The position of the sample is controlled with respect to the beam-defining optics by laser interferometry. The instrument achieves a position stability better than 10 nm standard deviation. The instrument performance is assessed using scanning x-ray diffraction microscopy and we demonstrate a resolution of 18 nm in 2D imaging of a lithographic test pattern while the beam was defined by a pinhole of 3 {mu}m in diameter. In 3D on a test object of copper interconnects of a microprocessor, a resolution of 53 nm is achieved.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Rigid-rotor, field-reversed configuration

The radial profiles, n(r), B{sub z}(r), and E{sub r}(r), for a Flux-Coil (“inductively driven”), Field-Reversed Configuration (FC-FRC) are measured and compared to the predictions of the Rigid-Rotor Model (RRM), which is an analytic, one-dimensional, time-independent, equilibrium description for the FRC. Injectors mounted on both ends of the confinement vessel provide a pre-fill plasma. Coaxial coils mounted outside the vacuum boundaries of the annular-confinement vessel accelerate the plasma and produce the FRC. The density profile is measured by laser interferometry, the magnetic-field profile using an in-situ probe array, and the electric-field profile using an in-situ, floating-probe array. Free parameters for each profile are measured, which also allow other intrinsic-plasma parameters to be determined, using computer-fit algorithms: null radius, radial thickness, plasma temperature, rotation frequencies, the latter of which are independently verified by spectroscopy. All radial profiles agree with the RRM predictions, for the experimental configuration, parameter regime, and specified-time interval studied here.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Shock compression and release of a -axis magnesium single crystals: Anisotropy and time dependent inelastic response

Here, to gain insight into inelastic deformation mechanisms for shocked hexagonal close-packed (hcp) metals, particularly the role of crystal anisotropy, magnesium (Mg) single crystals were subjected to shock compression and release along the a-axis to 3.0 and 4.8 GPa elastic impact stresses. Wave profiles measured at several thicknesses, using laser interferometry, show a sharply peaked elastic wave followed by the plastic wave. Additionally, a smooth and featureless release wave is observed following peak compression. When compared to wave profiles measured previously for c-axis Mg, the elastic wave amplitudes for a-axis Mg are lower for the same propagation distance, and less attenuation of elastic wave amplitude is observed for a given peak stress. The featureless release wave for a-axis Mg is in marked contrast to the structured features observed for c-axis unloading. Numerical simulations, using a time-dependent anisotropic modeling framework, showed that the wave profiles calculated using prismatic slip or (10$\bar{1}$2) twinning, individually, do not match the measured compression profiles for a-axis Mg. However, a combination of slip and twinning provides a good overall match to the measured compression profiles. In contrast to compression,prismatic slip alone provides a reasonable match to the measured release wave profiles; (10$\bar{1}$2) twinning due to its uni-directionality is not activated during release. The experimental results and wave profile simulations for a-axis Mg presented here are quite different from the previously published c-axis results, demonstrating the important role of crystal anisotropy on the time-dependent inelastic deformation of Mg single crystals under shock compression and release.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Elastic-plastic deformation of molybdenum single crystals shocked along [100]

To understand the elastic-plastic deformation response of shock-compressed molybdenum (Mo) – a body-centered cubic (BCC) metal, single crystal samples were shocked along the [100] crystallographic orientation to an elastic impact stress of 12.5 GPa. Elastic-plastic wave profiles, measured at different propagation distances ranging between ~0.23 to 2.31 mm using laser interferometry, showed a time-dependent material response. Within experimental scatter, the measured elastic wave amplitudes were nearly constant over the propagation distances examined. These data point to a large and rapid elastic wave attenuation near the impact surface, before reaching a threshold value (elastic limit) of ~3.6 GPa. Numerical simulations of the measured wave profiles, performed using a dislocation-based continuum model, suggested that {110}<111> and/or {112}<111> slip systems are operative under shock loading. In contrast to shocked metal single crystals with close-packed structures, the measured wave profiles in Mo single crystals could not be explained in terms of dislocation multiplication alone. A dislocation generation mechanism, operative for shear stresses larger than that at the elastic limit, was required to model the rapid elastic wave attenuation and to provide a good overall match to the measured wave profiles. However, the physical basis for this mechanism was not established for the high-purity single crystal samples used in this study. As a result, the numerical simulations also suggested that Mo single crystals do not work harden significantly under shock loading in contrast to the behavior observed under quasi-static loading.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗