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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 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Time-resolved X-ray diffraction diagnostic development for the National Ignition Facility

Here we present the development of an experimental platform that can collect four frames of x-ray diffraction data along a single line of sight during laser-driven, dynamic-compression experiments at the National Ignition Facility. The platform is comprised of a diagnostic imager built around ultrafast sensors with a 2-ns integration time, a custom target assembly that serves also to shield the imager, and a 10-ns duration, quasi-monochromatic x-ray source produced by laser-generated plasma. We demonstrate the performance with diffraction data for Pb ramp compressed to 150 GPa and illuminated by a Ge x-ray source that produces ∼7 × 10 11 , 10.25-keV photons/ns at the 400 μm diameter sample.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Fast switchable ferroelectric liquid crystal gratings with two electro-optical modes

In this article, we reveal a theoretical and experimental illustration of the Ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) grating fabricated by mean of patterned alignment based on photo-alignment. The complexity related to the mismatching of the predefined alignment domains on the top and bottom substrate has been avoided by incorporating only one side photo aligned substrate while the other substrate does not have any alignment layer. Depending on the easy axis in the said alignment domains and the azimuth plane of the impinging polarized light, the diffracting element can be tuned in two modes i.e. DIFF/OFF switchable and DIFF/TRANS switchable modes, which can be applied to different applications. The diffraction profile has been illustrated theoretically that fits well with the experimental finding and thus the proposed diffraction elements with fast response time and high diffraction efficiency could find application in many modern devices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Recovery of photoexcited magnetic ordering in Sr 2 IrO 4

The recovery of antiferromagnetic and lattice order of Sr 2 IrO 4 upon laser excitation was measured by time-resolved x-ray diffraction on nanosecond time scales. The in situ measurements of both magnetic and lattice order parameters allow direct comparison of their time evolutions without ambiguity. We found that the magnetic order recovers with two time constants. The fast sub-nanosecond recovery is associated with the re-establishment of three dimensional antiferromagnetic order while the slow sub-nanosecond recovery agrees with the lattice cooling on tens of nanoseconds. The strong oscillating behavior of magnetic order during the long time recovery may be related to complicated dynamics of defect-pinned magnetic domains.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Ultrafast Carrier–Lattice Interactions and Interlayer Modulations of Bi 2 Se 3 by X-ray Free-Electron Laser Diffraction

We report as a 3D topological insulator, bismuth selenide (Bi 2 Se 3 ) has potential applications for electrically and optically controllable magnetic and optoelectronic devices. Understanding the coupling with its topological phase requires studying the interactions of carriers with the lattice on time scales down to the sub-picosecond regime. Here we investigate the ultrafast carrier-induced lattice contractions and interlayer modulations in Bi 2 Se 3 thin films by time-resolved diffraction using an X-ray free-electron laser. The lattice contraction depends on the carrier concentration and is followed by an interlayer expansion accompanied by oscillations. Using density functional theory (DFT) and the Lifshitz model, the initial contraction can be explained by van der Waals force modulation of the confined free carrier layers. Our theory suggests that band inversion, related to a topological phase transition, is modulated by the expansion of the interlayer distance. These results provide insights into the topological phase control by light-induced structural change on ultrafast timescales.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Nonequilibrium electron and lattice dynamics of strongly correlated Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+δ single crystals

Here, the interplay between the electronic and lattice degrees of freedom in nonequilibrium states of strongly correlated systems has been debated for decades. Although progress has been made in establishing a hierarchy of electronic interactions with the use of time-resolved techniques, the role of the phonons often remains in dispute, a situation highlighting the need for tools that directly probe the lattice. We present the first combined megaelectron volt ultrafast electron diffraction and time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of optimally doped Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+δ . Quantitative analysis of the lattice and electron subsystems’ dynamics provides a unified picture of nonequilibrium electron-phonon interactions in the cuprates beyond the N-temperature model. The work provides new insights on the specific phonon branches involved in the nonequilibrium heat dissipation from the high-energy Cu–O bond stretching “hot” phonons to the lowest-energy acoustic phonons with correlated atomic motion along the <110> crystal directions and their characteristic time scales. It reveals a highly nonthermal phonon population during the first several picoseconds after the photoexcitation. The approach, taking advantage of the distinct nature of electrons and photons as probes, is applicable for studying energy relaxation in other strongly correlated electron systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Kinetics and Mechanisms of Calcite Reactions with Saline Waters

Project Description: The general objective of the proposed research is to determine the kinetics and mechanisms of calcite reactions with saline waters over a wide range of saline water composition, pCO 2 , and modest ranges in T and P. This will be accomplished by studying both reaction rates and solubility from changes in solution chemistry, and making nanoscale observations of calcite precipitate surface morphology and composition at the micro-to-nano-scale to provide an understanding of controlling reaction mechanisms and pathways. The specific objectives necessary to reach the general objective are: a) determination of how pCO 2 , Ca 2+ , ionic strength and “foreign” ions influence reaction rates; and b) investigate the influence of these parameters on apparent kinetic solubility from dissolution and precipitation reactions. This information will clearly be central to the construction of reliable reaction-transport models to predict reservoir and formation response to increased CO 2 in saline waters. This program was initially collaborative with John Morse at Texas A&M, however his passing shortly after the beginning of this program resulted in abbreviated research time and effort. Summary of Results: Early studies using electron microscopy and spectroscopy indicated that carbonate precipitation from natural seawater (NSW) conditions onto aragonite substrates was mediated by a surface amorphous calcium carbonate layer. It was hypothesized that this ACC layer (observed after < 5days reaction time) was responsible for the abnormal reaction kinetics and also served as a metastable seed layer for growth of epitaxial aragonite. Further studies of the ACC formation mechanism indicated a strong dependence on the Mg concentration in solution. Subsequent studies at shorter times (10 hrs) on calcite substrates and in a wide range of supersaturation conditions did not indicate any ACC layer. Instead, an epitaxial layer by layer growth mechanism was confirmed by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, µ-Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and electron diffraction. Extended time studies out to 45 days confirmed the epitaxial relationship of the overgrowth layer with the substrate. Under NSW conditions, overgrowths were found to have ~0.4 to 0.8 nm / hr growth rates and accommodating 4 at% Mg, resulting in a highly strained overgrowth layer. Following the initial layer by layer growth mechanism, the growth changes to Stranski-Krastanov type after a critical thickness of approximately 100 nm.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Improved temporal resolution in ultrafast electron diffraction measurements through THz compression and time-stamping

We present an experimental demonstration of ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) with THz-driven electron bunch compression and time-stamping that enables UED probes with improved temporal resolution. Through THz-driven longitudinal bunch compression, a compression factor of approximately four is achieved. Moreover, the time-of-arrival jitter between the compressed electron bunch and a pump laser pulse is suppressed by a factor of three. Simultaneously, the THz interaction imparts a transverse spatiotemporal correlation on the electron distribution, which we utilize to further enhance the precision of time-resolved UED measurements. We use this technique to probe single-crystal gold nanofilms and reveal transient oscillations in the THz near fields with a temporal resolution down to 50 fs. These oscillations were previously beyond reach in the absence of THz compression and time-stamping.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Critical Factors Driving the High Volumetric Uptake of Methane in Cu 3 (btc) 2

We report a thorough experimental and computational study has been carried out to elucidate the mechanistic reasons for the high volumetric uptake of methane in the metal–organic framework Cu 3 (btc) 2 (btc 3– = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate; HKUST-1). Methane adsorption data measured at several temperatures for Cu 3 (btc) 2 , and its isostructural analogue Cr 3 (btc) 2 , show that there is little difference in volumetric adsorption capacity when the metal center is changed. In situ neutron powder diffraction data obtained for both materials were used to locate four CD 4 adsorption sites that fill sequentially. This data unequivocally shows that primary adsorption sites around, and within, the small octahedral cage in the structure are favored over the exposed Cu 2+ or Cr 2+ cations. These results are supported by an exhaustive parallel computational study, and contradict results recently reported using a time-resolved diffraction structure envelope (TRDSE) method. Moreover, the computational study reveals that strong methane binding at the open metal sites is largely due to methane–methane interactions with adjacent molecules adsorbed at the primary sites instead of an electronic interaction with the metal center. Simulated methane adsorption isotherms for Cu 3 (btc) 2 are shown to exhibit excellent agreement with experimental isotherms, allowing for additional simulations that show that modifications to the metal center, ligand, or even tuning the overall binding enthalpy would not improve the working capacity for methane storage over that measured for Cu 3 (btc) 2 itself.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Quantitative agreement between dynamical rocking curves in ultrafast electron diffraction for x-ray lasers

Electron diffraction through a thin patterned silicon membrane can be used to create complex spatial modulations in electron distributions. By precisely varying parameters such as crystallographic orientation and wafer thickness, the intensity of reflections in the diffraction plane can be controlled and by placing an aperture to block all but one spot, we can form an image with different parts of the patterned membrane, as is done for bright-field imaging in microscopy. The patterned electron beams can then be used to control phase and amplitude of subsequent x-ray emission, enabling novel coherent x-ray methods. Furthermore, the electrons themselves can also be used for femtosecond time resolved diffraction and microscopy. As a first step toward patterned beams, we demonstrate experimentally and through simulation the ability to accurately predict and control diffraction spot intensities. We simulate MeV transmission electron diffraction patterns using the multislice method for various crystallographic orientations of a single crystal Si(001) membrane near beam normal. The resulting intensity maps of the Bragg reflections are compared to experimental results obtained at the Accelerator Structure Test Area Ultrafast Electron Diffraction (ASTA UED) facility at SLAC. Furthermore, the fraction of inelastic and elastic scattering of the initial charge is estimated along with the absorption of the membrane to determine the contrast that would be seen in a patterned version of the Si(001) membrane.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Complementarity of neutron, XFEL and synchrotron crystallography for defining the structures of metalloenzymes at room temperature

Room-temperature macromolecular crystallography allows protein structures to be determined under close-to-physiological conditions, permits dynamic freedom in protein motions and enables time-resolved studies. In the case of metalloenzymes that are highly sensitive to radiation damage, such room-temperature experiments can present challenges, including increased rates of X-ray reduction of metal centres and site-specific radiation-damage artefacts, as well as in devising appropriate sample-delivery and data-collection methods. It can also be problematic to compare structures measured using different crystal sizes and light sources. In this study, structures of a multifunctional globin, dehaloperoxidase B (DHP-B), obtained using several methods of room-temperature crystallographic structure determination are described and compared. Here, data were measured from large single crystals and multiple microcrystals using neutrons, X-ray free-electron laser pulses, monochromatic synchrotron radiation and polychromatic (Laue) radiation light sources. These approaches span a range of 18 orders of magnitude in measurement time per diffraction pattern and four orders of magnitude in crystal volume. The first room-temperature neutron structures of DHP-B are also presented, allowing the explicit identification of the hydrogen positions. The neutron data proved to be complementary to the serial femtosecond crystallography data, with both methods providing structures free of the effects of X-ray radiation damage when compared with standard cryo-crystallography. Comparison of these room-temperature methods demonstrated the large differences in sample requirements, data-collection time and the potential for radiation damage between them. With regard to the structure and function of DHP-B, despite the results being partly limited by differences in the underlying structures, new information was gained on the protonation states of active-site residues which may guide future studies of DHP-B.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Time resolved x-ray diffraction in shock compressed systems

The availability of pulsed x rays on short timescales has opened up new avenues of research in the physics and chemistry of shocked materials. The continued installation of shock platforms such as gas guns and high power lasers placed at beamline x-ray facilities has advanced our knowledge of materials shocked to extreme conditions of pressure and temperature. In addition, theoretical advancements have made direct correspondence with high-pressure x-ray experiments more viable, increasing the predictive capability of these models. In this paper, we discuss both recent experimental results and the theory and modeling that has been developed to treat these complex situations. Finally, we discuss the impact that new platforms and increased beam time may have on the future direction of this field.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

New dynamic diamond anvil cell for time-resolved radial x-ray diffraction

The dynamic diamond anvil cell (dDAC) is a recently developed experimental platform that has shown promise for studying the behavior of materials at strain rates ranging from intermediate to quasi-static and shock compression regimes. Combining dDAC with time-resolved x-ray diffraction (XRD) in the radial geometry (i.e., with incident x-rays perpendicular to the axis of compression) enables the study of material properties such as strength, texture evolution, and deformation mechanisms. This work describes a radial XRD dDAC setup at beamline P02.2 (Extreme Conditions Beamline) at DESY’s PETRA III synchrotron. Time-resolved radial XRD data are collected for titanium, zirconium, and zircon samples, demonstrating the ability to study the strength and texture of materials at compression rates above 300 GPa/s. In addition, the simultaneous optical imaging of the DAC sample chamber is demonstrated. The ability to conduct simultaneous radial XRD and optical imaging provides the opportunity to characterize plastic strain and deviatoric strain rates in the DAC at intermediate rates, exploring the strength and deformation mechanisms of materials in this regime.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

New dynamic diamond anvil cell for time-resolved radial x-ray diffraction

The dynamic diamond anvil cell (dDAC) is a recently developed experimental platform that has shown promise for studying the behavior of materials at strain rates ranging from intermediate to quasi-static and shock compression regimes. Combining dDAC with time-resolved x-ray diffraction (XRD) in the radial geometry (i.e., with incident x-rays perpendicular to the axis of compression) enables the study of material properties such as strength, texture evolution, and deformation mechanisms. This work describes a radial XRD dDAC setup at beamline P02.2 (Extreme Conditions Beamline) at DESY’s PETRA III synchrotron. Time-resolved radial XRD data are collected for titanium, zirconium, and zircon samples, demonstrating the ability to study the strength and texture of materials at compression rates above 300 GPa/s. In addition, the simultaneous optical imaging of the DAC sample chamber is demonstrated. The ability to conduct simultaneous radial XRD and optical imaging provides the opportunity to characterize plastic strain and deviatoric strain rates in the DAC at intermediate rates, exploring the strength and deformation mechanisms of materials in this regime.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Spectroscopic Fourth-order Coronagraph for the Characterization of Terrestrial Planets at Small Angular Separations from Host Stars

We propose a new approach for high-contrast imaging at the diffraction limit using segmented telescopes in a modest observation bandwidth. This concept, named “spectroscopic fourth-order coronagraphy,” is based on a fourth-order coronagraph with a focal-plane mask that modulates the complex amplitude of the Airy disk along one direction. While coronagraphs applying the complex amplitude mask can achieve the theoretical limit performance for any arbitrary pupils, the focal-plane mask severely limits the bandwidth. Here, focusing on the fact that the focal-plane mask modulates the complex amplitude along one direction, we noticed that the mask can be optimized for each spectral element generated by a spectrograph. We combine the fourth-order coronagraph with two spectrographs to produce a stellar spectrum on the focal plane and reconstruct a white pupil on the Lyot stop. Based on the wave-front analysis of an optical design applying an Offner-type imaging spectrograph, we found that the achievable contrast of this concept is 10{sup −10} at 1.2–1.5 times the diffraction limit over the wavelength range of 650–750 nm for the entrance pupil of the LUVOIR telescope. Thus, this coronagraph concept could bring new habitable planet candidates not only around G- and K-type stars beyond 20–30 pc but also around very nearby M-type stars. This approach potentially promotes the characterization of the atmospheres of nearby terrestrial planets with future on- and off-axis segmented large telescopes.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Nonequilibrium Lattice Dynamics in Photoexcited 2D Perovskites

Abstract Interplay between structural and photophysical properties of metal halide perovskites is critical to their utility in optoelectronics, but there is limited understanding of lattice response upon photoexcitation. Here, 2D perovskites butylammonium lead iodide, (BA) 2 PbI 4 , and phenethylammonium lead iodide, (PEA) 2 PbI 4 , are investigated using ultrafast transient X‐ray diffraction as a function of optical excitation fluence to discern structural dynamics. Both powder X‐ray diffraction and time‐resolved photoluminescence linewidths narrow over 1 ns following optical excitation for the fluence range studied, concurrent with slight redshifting of the optical bandgaps. These observations are attributed to transient relaxation and ordering of distorted lead iodide octahedra stimulated mainly by electron–hole pair creation. The c axis expands up to 0.37% over hundreds of picoseconds; reflections sampling the a and b axes undergo one tenth of this expansion with the same timescale. Post‐photoexcitation appearance of the (110) reflection in (BA) 2 PbI 4 would suggest a transient phase transition, however, through new single‐crystal XRD, reflections are found that violate glide plane conditions in the reported Pbca structure. The static structure space group is reassigned as P 2 1 2 1 2 1 . With this, a nonequilibrium phase transition is ruled out. These findings offer increased understanding of remarkable lattice response in 2D perovskites upon excitation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Sub‐Nanosecond Reconfiguration of Ferroelectric Domains in Bismuth Ferrite

Abstract Domain switching is crucial for achieving desired functions in ferroic materials that are used in various applications. Fast control of domains at sub‐nanosecond timescales remains a challenge despite its potential for high‐speed operation in random‐access memories, photonic, and nanoelectronic devices. Here, ultrafast laser excitation is shown to transiently melt and reconfigure ferroelectric stripe domains in multiferroic bismuth ferrite on a timescale faster than 100 picoseconds. This dynamic behavior is visualized by picosecond‐ and nanometer‐resolved X‐ray diffraction and time‐resolved X‐ray diffuse scattering. The disordering of stripe domains is attributed to the screening of depolarization fields by photogenerated carriers resulting in the formation of charged domain walls, as supported by phase‐field simulations. Furthermore, the recovery of disordered domains exhibits subdiffusive growth on nanosecond timescales, with a non‐equilibrium domain velocity reaching up to 10 m s −1 . These findings present a new approach to image and manipulate ferroelectric domains on sub‐nanosecond timescales, which can be further extended into other complex photoferroic systems to modulate their electronic, optical, and magnetic properties beyond gigahertz frequencies. This approach could pave the way for high‐speed ferroelectric data storage and computing, and, more broadly, defines new approaches for visualizing the non‐equilibrium dynamics of heterogeneous and disordered materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Dynamic compression of Ce and Pr with millisecond time-resolved X-ray diffraction

Abstract Both cerium (Ce) and praseodymium (Pr) undergo a volume collapse transition under compression that originate from similar electronic mechanisms. Yet the outcome could not be more different. In the case of Ce with one affected 4f electron the volume collapse leaves the crystal symmetry intact, whereas for Pr with two 4f electrons the crystal symmetry changes from a distorted face centered cubic structure to a lower symmetry orthorhombic structure. In this paper, we present a study of the effect of strain/compression rate spanning nearly 4 orders of magnitude on the volume collapse phase transitions in Ce and Pr. These dynamic compression experiments in a diamond anvil cell also reveal kinetic differences between the phase transformations observed in these two materials. The transition cannot be overdriven in pressure in Ce, which indicates a fast kinetic process, whereas fast compression rates in Pr lead to a shift of the phase boundary to higher pressures, pointing to slower kinetics possibly due to the realization of a new crystal structure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

A comprehensive simulation framework for imaging single particles and biomolecules at the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser

The advent of newer, brighter, and more coherent X-ray sources, such as X-ray Free-Electron Lasers (XFELs), represents a tremendous growth in the potential to apply coherent X-rays to determine the structure of materials from the micron-scale down to the Angstrom-scale. There is a significant need for a multi-physics simulation framework to perform source-to-detector simulations for a single particle imaging experiment, including (i) the multidimensional simulation of the X-ray source; (ii) simulation of the wave-optics propagation of the coherent XFEL beams; (iii) atomistic modelling of photon-material interactions; (iv) simulation of the time-dependent diffraction process, including incoherent scattering; (v) assembling noisy and incomplete diffraction intensities into a three-dimensional data set using the Expansion-Maximisation-Compression (EMC) algorithm and (vi) phase retrieval to obtain structural information. Furthermore, we demonstrate the framework by simulating a single-particle experiment for a nitrogenase iron protein using parameters of the SPB/SFX instrument of the European XFEL. This exercise demonstrably yields interpretable consequences for structure determination that are crucial yet currently unavailable for experiment design.

42 ENGINEERING↗