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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

Upstream particles observed in the earth's foreshock region

The characteristics and interrelationships of upstream suprathermal particles and plasma waves observed in the earth's foreshock region are examined on the basis of data from eight instruments, including the University of Iowa Lepedeas, and plasma wave instruments, the Berkeley high time resolution particle detectors, and the UCLA magnetometer on ISEE 1 and 2. It is found that suprathermal ions in the foreshock region travel along the magnetic field away from the bow shock. It is also found that ions observed in the foreshock region display gyrophase organization produced by ion clusters with a spatial scale of less than 1 Rg, and that dispersed ion distributions are produced primarily by direct sources at or near the bow shock.

Eastman, T. E.↗

Results of the joint utilization of laser integrated experiments flown on payload GAS-449 aboard Columbia mission 61-C

The high peak power neodymium YAG laser and the HeNe laser aboard GAS-449 have demonstrated the survivability of the devices in the micro-gravity, cosmic radiation, thermal, and shock environment of space. Some pharmaceuticals and other materials flown in both the active and passive status have demonstrated reduction in volume and unusual spectroscopic changes. X-ray detectors have shown cosmic particle hits with accompanying destruction at their interaction points. Some scattering in the plates is in evidence. Some results of both active and passive experiments on board the GAS-449 payload are evaluated.

Muckerheide, M. C.↗

Comparison of Electron Capture Rates in the N = 50 Region using 1D Simulations of Core-collapse Supernovae

Abstract Recent studies have highlighted the sensitivity of core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) models to electron-capture (EC) rates on neutron-rich nuclei near the N = 50 closed-shell region. In this work, we perform a large suite of one-dimensional CCSN simulations for 200 stellar progenitors using recently updated EC rates in this region. For comparison, we repeat the simulations using two previous implementations of EC rates: a microphysical library with parametrized N = 50 rates (LMP), and an older independent-particle approximation (IPA). We follow the simulations through shock revival up to several seconds post-bounce, and show that the EC rates produce a consistent imprint on CCSN properties, often surpassing the role of the progenitor itself. Notable impacts include the timescale of core collapse, the electron fraction and mass of the inner core at bounce, the accretion rate through the shock, the success or failure of revival, and the properties of the central compact remnant. We also compare the observable neutrino signal of the neutronization burst in a DUNE-like detector, and find consistent impacts on the counts and mean energies. Overall, the updated rates result in properties that are intermediate between LMP and IPA, and yet slightly more favorable to explosion than both.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Comparing restored HST and VLA imagery of R Aquarii

The maximum entropy method is applied to Hubble Space Telescope data taken of the R Aquarii binary system and its jet with the Faint Object Camera in order to restore an image in forbidden O III at 5007 A plagued by spherical aberration and detector saturation. These results are compared with 2-cm radio continuum imagery taken with the Very Large Array at the same limiting resolution of about 0.1 arcsec. The comparison suggests that shock excitation of the inner jet accounts for a spatial difference between the forbidden O III and radio continuum emission regions.

Hollis, J. M.↗

Single-pulse (100 ps) extended x-ray absorption fine structure capability at the Dynamic Compression Sector

Determining real-time changes in the local atomistic order is important for a mechanistic understanding of shock wave induced structural and chemical changes. However, the single event and short duration (nanosecond times) nature of shock experiments pose challenges in obtaining Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) measurements - typically used for monitoring local order changes. Here, we report on a new single pulse (~100 ps duration) transmission geometry EXAFS capability for use in laser shock-compression experiments at the Dynamic Compression Sector (DCS), Advanced Photon Source. We used a flat plate of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) as the spectrometer element to energy disperse x-rays transmitted through the sample. It provided high efficiency with approximately 15% of the x-rays incident on the HOPG reaching an x-ray area detector with high quantum efficiency. This combination resulted in good signal-to-noise ratio (~10 3 ), energy resolution of ~10 eV at 10 keV, EXAFS spectra covering 100s of eV, and good pulse to pulse reproducibility of our single pulse measurements. Ambient EXAFS spectra for Cu and Au are compared to reference spectra, validating our measurement system. Comparison of single pulse EXAFS results for ambient and laser shocked Ge(100) shows large changes to the local structure of the short lived state of shocked Ge. The current DCS EXAFS capability can be used to perform single pulse measurements in laser shocked materials from approximately 9-13 keV. These EXAFS developments will be available to all users of the DCS.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

The pick-up of cometary protons by the solar wind

The HERS detector of the Ion Mass Spectrometer on the Giotto spacecraft measured the 3 dimensional distribution of picked-up cometary protons over a distance of 6 million km upstream of the bow shock. The protons are elastically scattered out of their original cycloidal trajectories such that they are nonuniformly distributed over a spherical shell in velocity space. The shell thickness increases as the bow shock is approached. Inside the shock, the cometary protons are difficult to distinguish from the heated solar wind protons.

Neugebauer, M.↗

The pick-up of cometary protons by the solar wind

The HERS detector of the Ion Mass Spectrometer on the Giotto spacecraft measured the 3-dimensional distribution of picked-up cometary protons over a distance of about 8 million km upstream of the bow shock of comet P/Hally. The protons were observed to be elastically scattered out of their original cycloidal trajectories such that they were nonuniformly distributed over a spherical shell in velocity space. The shell radius (relative to its expected radius) and thickness increased as the bow shock was approached. Down-stream of the shock, the cometary protons could not be distinguished from the heated solar wind protons.

Neugebauer, M.↗

Improving Chirped Fiber Bragg Grating Resolution for Position-Sensitive Sensors in Shock- and Detonation-Driven Experiments

Chirped fiber Bragg gratings (CFBGs) are robust diagnostic sensors that are widely used to track detonation-driven and shock wave propagation. CFBGs are inscribed with a linearly chirped periodic index of refraction changes that alter the Bragg wavelength along the length of the probe. The light return of each individual Bragg element is captured by a detector at a unique time to map the full reflected spectrum. The CFBG spectrum is measured with a dispersive Fourier transform of the reflected light that temporally stretches the spectrum to increase spatial resolution and make a one-to-one map of the wavelength on a time axis. Here, we propose an improvement of CFBG temporal resolution by incorporating two co-linear laser pulses with orthogonal polarization states and a 5 ns time offset. The two separate signals were split and tracked by two separate detectors. An oscilloscope captured good separation in the signals, and two separate spectrograms were generated and interleaved in the post-processing of the data. This novel technique doubled the CFBG temporal resolution and led to a doubled location resolution. As a proof-of-concept of this technique, the resolution improvement was compared between standard CFBG measurements and the two polarization states method on a position-sensitive CFBG sensor. CFBG resolution doubling will advance sensor capabilities and will have a direct impact on improving capture and analysis in dynamic, high-explosive experiments.

42 ENGINEERING↗

First plasma wave observations of Uranus

Plasma wave data collected by instrumentation on Voyager 2 as it passed Uranus magnetosphere are discussed. Radio signals at 31.1 and 56.2 kHz were detected 5 days from closest approach and were buried in a burst of electrostatic noise as the spacecraft crossed the bow shock 10 hr before closest approach. The noise arose from electrons escaping the bow shock into the solar wind. Electric field intensities downstream of the shock were reduced, a situation similar to those observed around Saturn and Jupiter. Whistler-mode hiss and chorus emissions were prominent within the magnetosphere at less than 8 Uranus radii, a region where particle detectors registered intense energetic electron fluxes. Also, micron-sized particle impacts at a rate of 30-50 impacts/sec occurred when passing through the ring plane. The duration of the micro-impact phase was sufficient to estimate the ring thickness as about 4000 km.

Gurnett, D. A.↗

Understanding the Wind/Ejecta of ETA Carinae with the STIS

The mysterious Luminous Blue Variable, Eta Carinae, and its ejecta, the Homunculus, are yielding much new and exciting information to the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS). With 0.05 in. pixels and R=5000, we have followed changes in the Central Source and the surrounding ejecta over the past 5.5 year period in the spectral region 1650-10300A. Neutral, partially-ionized and highly-excited nebular regions have been resolved. With 0.025 in., R=30000 and R=120000 between 1180 and 3160A, we are following the changes in the Central Source, the wind structure and at least 20 absorption components, thought to be within the wall of the Humunculus. The Central Source proves to be slightly extended at HST angular resolutions. Theoretical models of the nebular line fluxes are providing new insight to the sources of excitation. Photo-excitation, line and continuum pumping, plus shocks, all play a role. Laboratory measurements of Fe-like elements and improved atomic data bases prove necessary for proper interpretation. Increased angular resolution by larger-aperture space telescopes and improved optics and detectors will lead to new understanding of massive stars, their wind structures and history of ejecta.

Gull, Theodore R.↗

NucD-24 Nuclear Diagnostics Development: Time resolved 12 C-rhoR on GCD and NIS technology development for polar LOS and data quality [Slides]

The Neutron Imaging team is readying for the NIS2 polar LOS development and future improvements to data quality on all LOS given consistently higher yields at NIF. Next-gen nano guide scintillators for NIS2 and CMOS cameras to replace outdated CCDs will be studied. Digital image plates will be tested for better data quality on passive imaging systems. The transition into the ignition regime is expected to show a significant signature in the ablator areal density. In the marginal ignition regime, a decrease of 12C-rhoR (ablator areal density) is expected but once the burn propagation produces a shock and compresses the ablator the trend reverses. GCD with the PD-PMT can resolve this effect in the ablator areal density by a temporal shift in the carbon signal. To give quantitative results a calibration of the detector for the Hohlraum/TMP signal is needed. Shots using Al, Si, and Au pucks will yield the needed information to move forward with this project.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

The Hubble Space Telescope fine guidance system operating in the coarse track pointing control mode

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Fine Guidance System has set new standards in pointing control capability for earth orbiting spacecraft. Two precision pointing control modes are implemented in the Fine Guidance System; one being a Coarse Track Mode which employs a pseudo-quadrature detector approach and the second being a Fine Mode which uses a two axis interferometer implementation. The Coarse Track Mode was designed to maintain FGS pointing error to within 20 milli-arc seconds (rms) when guiding on a 14.5 Mv star. The Fine Mode was designed to maintain FGS pointing error to less than 3 milli-arc seconds (rms). This paper addresses the HST FGS operating in the Coarse Track Mode. An overview of the implementation, the operation, and both the predicted and observed on orbit performance is presented. The discussion includes a review of the Fine Guidance System hardware which uses two beam steering Star Selector servos, four photon counting photomultiplier tube detectors, as well as a 24 bit microprocessor, which executes the control system firmware. Unanticipated spacecraft operational characteristics are discussed as they impact pointing performance. These include the influence of spherically aberrated star images as well as the mechanical shocks induced in the spacecraft during and following orbital day/night terminator crossings. Computer modeling of the Coarse Track Mode verifies the observed on orbit performance trends in the presence of these optical and mechanical disturbances. It is concluded that the coarse track pointing control function is performing as designed and is providing a robust pointing control capability for the Hubble Space Telescope.

Whittlesey, Richard↗

The ultrafast pixel array camera system and its applications in high energy density physics

Diagnostics in high energy density physics, shock physics, and related fields are primarily driven by a need to record rapidly time-evolving signals in single-shot events. These measurements are often limited by channel count and signal degradation issues on cable links between the detector and digitizer. Here we present the Ultrafast Pixel Array Camera (UPAC), a compact and flexible detector readout system with 32 waveform-recording channels at up to 10 Gsample/s and 1.8 GHz analog bandwidth. The compact footprint allows the UPAC to be directly embedded in the detector environment. A key enabling technology is the PSEC4A chip, an eight-channel switch-capacitor array sampling device with up to 1056 samples/channel. The UPAC system includes a high-density input connector that can plug directly into an application-specific detector board, programmable control, and serial readout, with less than 5 W of power consumption in full operation. We present the UPAC design and characterization, including a measured timing resolution of ~20 ps or better on acquisitions of sub-nanosecond pulses with minimal system calibrations. Example applications of the UPAC are also shown to demonstrate operation of a solid-state streak camera, an ultrafast imaging array, and a neutron time-of-flight spectrometer.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Electron beam fluorescence system to measure gas density in impulse facilities

Very rapid measurements, ranging from a few microsecond to milliseconds in duration, characterize studies made in shock regions or behind them. A system to measure gas density under such conditions in a 15.24-cm (6-in.) expansion tube is described. The basic elements are an electron beam of moderate energy and high current capability, an optical detector, and the associated electronics and data readout equipment. A heated-cathode electron gun, capable of pulsed operation and delivering up to 200 milliamperes current, provides the source of electrons. Optics include a simple collector lens, aperture, collimator lens, filters, and a photomultiplier tube. The photomultiplier output signal was recorded by means of photographed oscilloscope traces for pulsed beam operation.

Hoppe, J. C.↗

Duplication and analysis of meteoroid damage on LDEF and advanced spacecraft materials

The analysis of exposed surfaces on LDEF since its retrieval in 1990 has revealed a wide range of meteoroid and debris (M&D) impact features in the sub-micron to millimeter size range, ranging from quasi-infinite target cratering in LDEF metallic structural members (e.g. inter-costals, tray clamps, etc.) to non-marginal perforations in metallic experimental surfaces (e.g. thin foil detectors, etc.). Approximately 34,000 impact features are estimated to exist on the exposed surfaces of LDEF. The vast majority of impact craters in metal substrates exhibit circular footprints, with approximately 50 percent retaining impactor residues in varying states of shock processing. The fundamental goals of this project were to duplicate and analyze meteoroid impact damage on spacecraft metallic materials with a view to quantifying the residue retention and oblique impact morphology characteristics. Using the hypervelocity impact test facility established at Auburn University a series of impact tests (normal and oblique incidence) were executed producing consistently high (11-12 km/s) peak impact velocities, the results of which were subsequently analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDXS) facilities at Auburn University.

Hill, David C.↗

Theoretical Studies of Gamma-Ray Bursts with Swift

Graduate student L.J. Gou , P. Meszaros, T. Abel and B. Zhang investigated the detectability of long GRB afterglows from very high redshifts, where bright reverse shock emission last longer in the observer frame, and its importance for detection and analysis purposes relative to the forward shock increases. They consider two different models for the GRB environment, based on current ideas about the redshift dependence of gas properties in galaxies and primordial star formation. They calculate the observed flux as a function of the redshift and observer time for typical GRB afterglows, taking into account intergalactic photoionization and Lyman-alpha absorption opacity as well as extinction by the Milky Way Galaxy. The fluxes in the X-ray and near IR bands are compared with the sensitivity of different detectors such as Chandra, Swift and JWST. They find that Chandra and Swift can potentially detect GRBs out to very high redshifts z above 13 and 30, respectively. In the K and M bands, the JWST and ground-based telescopes are potentially able to detect GRBs even one day after the trigger out to z approximately 16 and 33, if present. While the X-ray band is insensitive to the external density and to reverse shocks, the near IR bands provides a sensitive tool for diagnosing both the environment and the reverse shock components.

Meszaros, Peter↗

An Application of the Direct Coulomb Electron Pair Production Process to the Energy Measurement of the "VH-Group" in the "Knee" Region of the "All-Particle" Energy Spectrum

The "all-particle" cosmic ray energy spectrum appears to be exhibiting a significant change in the spectral index just above approximately 3000 TeV. This could indicate (1) a change in the propagation of the cosmic rays in the galactic medium, and/or (2) the upper limit of the supernova shock wave acceleration mechanism, and/or (3) a new source of high-energy cosmic rays. Air shower and JACEE data indicate the spectral change is associated with a composition change to a heavier element mixture whereas DICE does not indicate this. A detector concept will be presented that utilizes the energy dependence of the production of direct Coulomb electron-positron pairs by energetic heavy ions. Monte Carlo simulations of a direct electron pair detector consisting of Pb target foils interleaved with planes of 1-mm square scintillating optical fibers will be discussed. The goal is to design a large area, non-saturating instrument to measure the energy spectrum of the individual cosmic ray elements in the "VH-group" for energies greater than 10 TeV/nucleon.

Derrickson, J. H.↗

Femtosecond temperature measurements of laser-shocked copper deduced from the intensity of the x-ray thermal diffuse scattering

We present 50-fs, single-shot measurements of the x-ray thermal diffuse scattering (TDS) from copper foils that have been shocked via nanosecond laser ablation up to pressures above ∼135 GPa. We hence deduce the x-ray Debye–Waller factor, providing a temperature measurement. The targets were laser-shocked with the DiPOLE 100-X laser at the High Energy Density endstation of the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser. Single x-ray pulses, with a photon energy of 18 keV, were scattered from the samples and recorded on Varex detectors. Despite the targets being highly textured (as evinced by large variations in the elastic scattering) and with such texture changing upon compression, the absolute intensity of the azimuthally averaged inelastic TDS between the Bragg peaks is largely insensitive to these changes, and allowing for both Compton scattering and the low-level scattering from a sacrificial ablator layer provides a reliable measurement of $T/Θ^2_D$, where Θ D is the Debye temperature. We compare our results with the predictions of the SESAME 3336 and LEOS 290 equations of state for copper and find good agreement within experimental errors. We, thus, demonstrate that single-shot temperature measurements of dynamically compressed materials can be made via thermal diffuse scattering of XFEL radiation.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗