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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 1,207 records · Page 67

SOFIA/FORCAST AND SPITZER/IRAC IMAGING OF THE ULTRACOMPACT H II REGION W3(OH) AND ASSOCIATED PROTOSTARS IN W3

We present infrared observations of the ultracompact H II region W3(OH) made by the FORCAST instrument aboard the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) and by the Spitzer/Infrared Array Camera. We contribute new wavelength data to the spectral energy distribution (SED), which constrains the optical depth, grain size distribution, and temperature gradient of the dusty shell surrounding the H II region. We model the dust component as a spherical shell containing an inner cavity with radius {approx}600 AU, irradiated by a central star of type O9 and temperature {approx}31, 000 K. The total luminosity of this system is 7.1 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 4} L{sub Sun }. An observed excess of 2.2-4.5 {mu}m emission in the SED can be explained by our viewing a cavity opening or clumpiness in the shell structure whereby radiation from the warm interior of the shell can escape. We claim to detect the nearby water maser source W3 (H{sub 2}O) at 31.4 and 37.1 {mu}m using beam deconvolution of the FORCAST images. We constrain the flux densities of this object at 19.7-37.1 {mu}m. Additionally, we present in situ observations of four young stellar and protostellar objects in the SOFIA field, presumably associated with the W3 molecular cloud. Results from the model SED fitting tool of Robitaille et al. suggest that two objects (2MASS J02270352+6152357 and 2MASS J02270824+6152281) are intermediate-luminosity ({approx}236-432 L{sub Sun }) protostars; one object (2MASS J02270887+6152344) is either a high-mass protostar with luminosity 3 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 3} L{sub Sun} or a less massive young star with a substantial circumstellar disk but depleted envelope; and the other (2MASS J02270743+6152281) is an intermediate-luminosity ({approx}768 L{sub Sun }) protostar nearing the end of its envelope accretion phase or a young star surrounded by a circumstellar disk with no appreciable circumstellar envelope.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Collective neutrino oscillations in turbulent backgrounds

Using a Kolmogorov turbulence model, we investigate the effects of fluctuations in matter and neutrino density in the region near a supernova core on the flavor oscillations of neutrinos emitted in the core collapse in a single-angle, two-flavor approximation. Deviation from a smooth background neutrino density causes significant alterations in the final flavor state of the neutrino ensemble after 400 km, but even very large fluctuations in the matter density do not strongly affect the state of the neutrinos after the collective phase. In both cases, there is a strong effect on the neutrino flavor evolution at intermediate radii, with the flavor evolution becoming much more chaotic. The effect of fluctuations also depends strongly on the initial neutrino spectra. We conclude that the true neutrino fluxes arriving at Earth from core-collapse supernova could differ considerably from predictions of neutrino fluxes based on approximate models with smoothly decreasing matter and neutrino densities.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Gen3 Gas Phase System Development and Demonstration (Final Technical Report)

Work undertaken in this project seeks to transform the current baseline technology – which is a collection of related but separately developed components and concepts – into a unified and operating test facility and an accompanying preliminary commercial design. This project is motivated by the primary goal of developing a system to absorb concentrated solar energy and deliver it into thermal energy storage at temperatures above 700°C, thereby enabling integration with a high-efficiency supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO 2 ) power cycle to achieve or exceed a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) target of 6 ¢ per kilowatt-hour electric (kW e -hr). The proposed baseline solution utilizes a high-temperature gas phase (GP) system interfacing with a two-tank particle thermal energy storage (TES) and intermediate heat exchangers to supply sCO 2 at 20-25 megapascals (MPa) and 700°C at the turbine inlet.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

TOI–1278 B: SPIRou Unveils a Rare Brown Dwarf Companion in Close-in Orbit around an M Dwarf

We present the discovery of an 18.5 ± 0.5 M {sub Jup} brown dwarf (BD) companion to the M0V star TOI–1278. The system was first identified through a percent-deep transit in Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite photometry; further analysis showed it to be a grazing transit of a Jupiter-sized object. Radial velocity (RV) follow-up with the SPIRou near-infrared high-resolution velocimeter and spectropolarimeter in the framework of the 300-night SPIRou Legacy Survey carried out at the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope led to the detection of a Keplerian RV signal with a semi-amplitude of 2306 ± 10 m s{sup -1} in phase with the 14.5 day transit period, with a slight but nonzero eccentricity. The intermediate-mass ratio (M {sub ·}/M {sub comp} ~ 31) is unique for having such a short separation (0.095 ± 0.001 au) among known M-dwarf systems. Interestingly, M-dwarf–BD systems with similar mass ratios exist with separations of tens to thousands of astronomical unit.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

PULSATION-TRIGGERED MASS LOSS FROM AGB STARS: THE 60 DAY CRITICAL PERIOD

Low- and intermediate-mass stars eject much of their mass during the late, red giant branch (RGB) phase of evolution. The physics of their strong stellar winds is still poorly understood. In the standard model, stellar pulsations extend the atmosphere, allowing a wind to be driven through radiation pressure on condensing dust particles. Here, we investigate the onset of the wind, using nearby RGB stars drawn from the Hipparcos catalog. We find a sharp onset of dust production when the star first reaches a pulsation period of 60 days. This approximately coincides with the point where the star transitions to the first overtone pulsation mode. Models of the spectral energy distributions show stellar mass-loss rate suddenly increasing at this point, by a factor of ∼10 over the existing (chromospherically driven) wind. The dust emission is strongly correlated with both pulsation period and amplitude, indicating stellar pulsation is the main trigger for the strong mass loss, and determines the mass-loss rate. Dust emission does not strongly correlate with stellar luminosity, indicating radiation pressure on dust has little effect on the mass-loss rate. RGB stars do not normally appear to produce dust, whereas dust production by asymptotic giant branch stars appears commonplace, and is probably ubiquitous above the RGB-tip luminosity. We conclude that the strong wind begins with a step change in mass-loss rate and is triggered by stellar pulsations. A second rapid mass-loss-rate enhancement is suggested when the star transitions to the fundamental pulsation mode at a period of ∼300 days.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A shock isolator for diode laser operation on a closed-cycle refrigerator

A device developed to isolate the diode laser from impact shocks delivered during the expansion phase of the Solvay cycle of a helium refrigerator is briefly described. The device uses intermediate cold stations in the stand-off, which permit the stand-off to be short and rigid while minimizing the thermal load at the diode mount.

Jennings, D. F.↗

Interface of the transport systems research vehicle monochrome display system to the digital autonomous terminal access communication data bus

An upgrade of the transport systems research vehicle (TSRV) experimental flight system retained the original monochrome display system. The original host computer was replaced with a Norden 11/70, a new digital autonomous terminal access communication (DATAC) data bus was installed for data transfer between display system and host, while a new data interface method was required. The new display data interface uses four split phase bipolar (SPBP) serial busses. The DATAC bus uses a shared interface ram (SIR) for intermediate storage of its data transfer. A display interface unit (DIU) was designed and configured to read from and write to the SIR to properly convert the data from parallel to SPBP serial and vice versa. It is found that separation of data for use by each SPBP bus and synchronization of data tranfer throughout the entire experimental flight system are major problems which require solution in DIU design. The techniques used to accomplish these new data interface requirements are described.

Easley, W. C.↗

The structure, energetics and evolution of the dominant frequency-dependent three-dimensional atmospheric modes

The three-dimensional structure of the dominant modes of wintertime variability are examined, and the mode structures are determined by an EOF analysis of the coupled vertical mean and shear streamfunction fields for a wide range of time-scale classes. The time mean energy conversions are determined from a two-layer quasigeostrophic model. Lag-cross correlations between the dominant low-frequency modes tend to be small and/or symmetric about zero, the high frequency modes are found to show highly asymmetric sinusoidal cross correlation functions similar to traveling waves, and some intermediate and short-time scale modes exhibit correlations indicating an association with the decaying phases of blocking in the Pacific. It is suggested that the mean flow barotropic (baroclinic) instabilities are an important source of variance for some of the lowest (highest) fluctuations considered.

Schubert, S. D.↗

EX Hydrae in outburst

Photometry and red spectroscopy of the intermediate polar EX Hya in its rare outburst state are presented. Photometry during the declining phase of the July-August 1986 outburst shows the 67-min (spin) modulation to be present with similar characteristics to that in quiescence. In contrast, photometry from near the peak of the 1987 May outburst shows little evidence of the 67-min modulation, while spectroscopy obtained nearly simultaneously is similarly lacking in such evidence, despite its presence in quiescent spectroscopic data. Near the beginning of the May 1987 outburst the H alpha emission line develops a broad, high velocity base component whose velocity is modulated with the orbital cycle. The velocity and phase of the broad base component suggest that it is produced near the magnetosphere of the white dwarf at a point along the projected trajectory of the gas stream from the companion. The feature disappears later in the outburst and is not present during quiescence. It is suggested that the outbursts in EX Hya are caused by an increase in the rate of mass transfer from the companion, and that part of this enhanced mass-transfer stream skims over the top of the accretion disk to strike the magnetosphere directly. The interaction of the stream with the magnetosphere gives rise to the broad-base component observed.

Hellier, C.↗

Thermodynamic Modeling of the YO(l.5)-ZrO2 System

The YO1.5-ZrO2 system consists of five solid solutions, one liquid solution, and one intermediate compound. A thermodynamic description of this system is developed, which allows calculation of the phase diagram and thermodynamic properties. Two different solution models are used-a neutral species model with YO1.5 and ZrO2 as the components and a charged species model with Y(+3), Zr(+4), O(-2), and vacancies as components. For each model, regular and sub-regular solution parameters are derived fiom selected equilibrium phase and thermodynamic data.

Jacobson, Nathan S.↗

Specific features of magnetic phase diagram of an MnSi helimagnet

Magnetization curves of MnSi single crystals have been measured in a range of temperatures T = 5.5-35 K and magnetic field strengths H {<=} 11 kOe for H Parallel-To [1 1 1], [0 0 1], and [1 1 0]. Special attention has been paid to the temperature interval near T{sub N} = 28.8 K, where MnSi exhibits a transition to the state with a long-period helical magnetic structure. Some new features in the magnetic behavior of MnSi have been found. In particular, in an intermediate temperature region above the transition (28.8 K = T{sub N} {<=} T < 31.5 K), the dM(H)/dH curves exhibit anomalies that are not characteristic of the typical paramagnetic state. It is established that the line of the characteristic field H*(T) of this anomaly is a natural extrapolation of the temperature dependence of the field of the transition from a conical phase to an induced ferromagnetic phase observed at T < T{sub N}. It is concluded that the properties of MnSi in the indicated intermediate region are related to and governed by those of the conical phase (rather than of the A phase). Based on these data, magnetic phase diagrams of MnSi for H Parallel-To [1 1 1], [0 0 1], and [1 1 0] are plotted and compared to diagrams obtained earlier by other methods.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Phase transitions of ordered ice in graphene nanocapillaries and carbon nanotubes

New phase diagrams for water confined in graphene nanocapillaries and single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are proposed, identifying ice structures, their melting points and revealing the presence of a solid-liquid critical point. For quasi-2D water in nanocapillaries, we show through molecular-dynamics simulations that AA stacking in multilayer quasi-2D ice arises from interlayer hydrogen-bonding and is stable up to three layers, thereby explaining recent experimental observations. Detailed structural and energetic analyses show that quasi-2D water can freeze discontinuously through a first-order phase transition or continuously with a critical point. The first-order transition line extends to a continuous transition line, defined by a sharp transition in diffusivity between solid-like and liquid-like regimes. For quasi-1D water, confined in CNTs, we observe the existence of a similar critical point at intermediate densities. In addition, an end point is identified on the continuous-transition line, above which the solid and liquid phases deform continuously. The solid-liquid phase transition temperatures in CNTs are shown to be substantially higher than 273 K, confirming recent Raman spectroscopy measurements. In conclusion, we observe ultrafast proton and hydroxyl transport in quasi-1D and -2D ice at 300 K, exceeding those of bulk water up to a factor of five, thereby providing possible applications to fuel-cells and electrolyzers.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Thermally induced transformations of Au@Cu 2 O core–shell nanoparticles into Au–Cu nanoparticles from temperature-programmed in situ powder X-ray diffraction

Temperature-programmed in situ X-ray diffraction with whole-powder-pattern modeling is used to investigate the reaction of Au@Cu 2 O core–shell nanoparticles to form nanocrystalline bimetallic Cu x Au 1− x alloys ( x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0) in a reducing atmosphere. The mechanisms of the reactions are key to informed design of tailored non-equilibrium nanostructures for catalytic and plasmonic materials. The Au@Cu 2 O reaction is initiated by reduction of the Cu 2 O cuprite shell to form nanocrystalline metallic Cu at about 413 K. Alloying begins immediately upon formation of metallic Cu at 413 K, with the nucleation of an Au-rich alloy phase which reaches the nominal Cu content of the overall system stoichiometry by 493 K. All bimetallic alloys form a transient ordered Cu 3 Au intermetallic compound at intermediate temperatures, with the onset of ordering and subsequent disordering varying by composition. No evidence for an ordered Au 3 Cu intermetallic is found for any composition. Significant crystal growth in the bimetallic phase is apparent at higher temperatures, with the onset temperature increasing with Cu concentration and initial Cu-shell thickness. The reduction of the cuprite phase is slowed by the presence of the core–shell interface, and crystal growth in the Cu shell is completely suppressed within the alloy systems.

Chemistry↗

Low-energy neutrino-nucleus interactions and beta-beam neutrino

We present an overview of neutrino-nucleus scattering at low energies with cross sections obtained within a continuum random phase approximation (CRPA) formalism. We highlight potential applications of beta-beam neutrino experiments for neutrino astrophysics. Our calculations are compared with MiniBooNe data at intermediate energies.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Phased plan for the implementation of the time-resolving magnetic recoil spectrometer on the National Ignition Facility (NIF)

The time-resolving magnetic recoil spectrometer (MRSt) is a transformative diagnostic that will be used to measure the time-resolved neutron spectrum from an inertial confinement fusion implosion at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). It uses a CD foil on the outside of the hohlraum to convert fusion neutrons to recoil deuterons. An ion-optical system positioned outside the NIF target chamber energy-disperses and focuses forward-scattered deuterons. A pulse-dilation drift tube (PDDT) subsequently dilates, un-skews, and detects the signal. While the foil and ion-optical system have been designed, the PDDT requires more development before it can be implemented. Therefore, a phased plan is presented that first uses the foil and ion-optical systems with detectors that can be implemented immediately—namely CR-39 and hDISC streak cameras. These detectors will allow the MRSt to be commissioned in an intermediate stage and begin collecting data on a reduced timescale, while the PDDT is developed in parallel. A CR-39 detector will be used in phase 1 for the measurement of the time-integrated neutron spectra with excellent energy-resolution, necessary for the energy calibration of the system. Streak cameras will be used in phase 2 for measurement of the time-resolved spectrum with limited spectral coverage, which is sufficient to diagnose the time-resolved ion temperature. Simulations are presented that predict the performance of the streak camera detector, indicating that it will achieve excellent burn history measurements at current yields, and good time-resolved ion-temperature measurements at yields above 3 × 10 17 . The PDDT will be used for optimal efficiency and resolution in phase 3.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Parametric study of flow patterns behind the standing accretion shock wave for core-collapse supernovae

In this study, we conduct three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations systematically to investigate the flow patterns behind the accretion shock waves that are commonly formed in the post-bounce phase of core-collapse supernovae. Adding small perturbations to spherically symmetric, steady, shocked accretion flows, we compute the subsequent evolutions to find what flow pattern emerges as a consequence of hydrodynamical instabilities such as convection and standing accretion shock instability for different neutrino luminosities and mass accretion rates. Depending on these two controlling parameters, various flow patterns are indeed realized. We classify them into three basic patterns and two intermediate ones; the former includes sloshing motion (SL), spiral motion (SP), and multiple buoyant bubble formation (BB); the latter consists of spiral motion with buoyant-bubble formation (SPB) and spiral motion with pulsationally changing rotational velocities (SPP). Although the post-shock flow is highly chaotic, there is a clear trend in the pattern realization. The sloshing and spiral motions tend to be dominant for high accretion rates and low neutrino luminosities, and multiple buoyant bubbles prevail for low accretion rates and high neutrino luminosities. It is interesting that the dominant pattern is not always identical between the semi-nonlinear and nonlinear phases near the critical luminosity; the intermediate cases are realized in the latter case. Running several simulations with different random perturbations, we confirm that the realization of flow pattern is robust in most cases.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗