Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Spectroscopy”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,261 records · Page 70

Foliar functional traits from imaging spectroscopy across biomes in eastern North America

Summary Foliar functional traits are widely used to characterize leaf and canopy properties that drive ecosystem processes and to infer physiological processes in Earth system models. Imaging spectroscopy provides great potential to map foliar traits to characterize continuous functional variation and diversity, but few studies have demonstrated consistent methods for mapping multiple traits across biomes. With airborne imaging spectroscopy data and field data from 19 sites, we developed trait models using partial least squares regression, and mapped 26 foliar traits in seven NEON (National Ecological Observatory Network) ecoregions (domains) including temperate and subtropical forests and grasslands of eastern North America. Model validation accuracy varied among traits (normalized root mean squared error, 9.1–19.4%; coefficient of determination, 0.28–0.82), with phenolic concentration, leaf mass per area and equivalent water thickness performing best across domains. Across all trait maps, 90% of vegetated pixels had reasonable values for one trait, and 28–81% provided high confidence for multiple traits concurrently. Maps of 26 traits and their uncertainties for eastern US NEON sites are available for download, and are being expanded to the western United States and tundra/boreal zone. These data enable better understanding of trait variations and relationships over large areas, calibration of ecosystem models, and assessment of continental‐scale functional diversity.

Wang, Zhihui↗

Spectroscopy outperforms leaf trait relationships for predicting photosynthetic capacity across different forest types

Leaf trait relationships are widely used to predict ecosystem function in Terrestrial Biosphere Models (TBMs), in which leaf maximum carboxylation capacity (V c,max ), an important trait for modelling photosynthesis, can be inferred from other easier- to-measure traits. However, whether trait-V c,max relationships are robust across different forest types remains unclear. Here we used measurements of leaf traits, including one morphological trait (leaf mass per area), three biochemical traits (leaf water content, area-based leaf nitrogen content, and leaf chlorophyll content), one physiological trait (V c,max ), as well as leaf reflectance spectra, and explored their relationships within and across three contrasting forest types in China. We found weak and forest type-specific relationships between V c,max and the four morphological and biochemical traits (R 2 ≤ 0.15), indicated by significantly changing slopes and intercepts across forest types. In contrast, reflectance spectroscopy effectively collapsed the differences in the trait-V c,max relationships across three forest biomes into a single robust model for V c,max (R 2 = 0.77), and also accurately estimated the four traits (R 2 = 0.75-0.94). Furthermore, these findings challenge the traditional use of empirical trait-V c,max relationships in TBMs for estimating terrestrial plant photosynthesis, but also highlight spectroscopy as an efficient alternative for characterizing V c,max and multi-trait variability, with critical insights into ecosystem modeling and functional trait ecology.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Lithium-based transition-metal oxides for battery electrodes analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. V. LiNi 0.4 Co 0.3 0.3 O 2

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectroscopy were used to analyze untreated LiNi 0.4 Co 0.3 Mn 0.3 O 2 powder obtained from TODA America. X-ray photoelectron and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectra were obtained using incident monochromatic Al Kα radiation at 0.834 01 nm. A survey spectrum together with Ni 2p, Co 2p, Mn 2p, Ni LMM, O 1s, C 1s, Ni 3s, Co 3s, Mn 3s, Ni 3p, Co 3p, Li 1s, and Mn 3p are presented. The spectra indicate the principal core level photoelectron and Auger electron signals. Making use of the O 1s, Ni 3p, Co 3p, Mn 3p, and Li 1s lines and neglecting the components related to surface contaminants, XPS quantitative analysis reveals an altered stoichiometry of the air-exposed powder surface of LiN i0.4 Co 0.2 Mn 0.3 O 1.6 .

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Lithium-based transition-metal oxides for battery electrodes analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. VIII. Li 1.2 Ni 0.15 Co 0.1 Mn 0.55 O 2

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectroscopy were used to analyze untreated Li 1.2 Ni 0.15 Co 0.1 Mn 0.55 O 2 powder obtained from TODA America. X-ray photoelectron and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectra were obtained using incident monochromatic Al Kα radiation at 0.83 01 nm. A survey spectrum together with Ni 2p, Co 2p, Mn 2p, Ni LMM, O 1s, C 1s, Ni 3s, Co 3s, Mn 3s, Ni 3p, Co 3p, Li 1s, and Mn 3p are presented. The spectra indicate the principal core level photoelectron and Auger electron signals. Making use of the O 1s, Ni 3p, Co 3p, Mn 3p, and Li 1s lines and neglecting the components related to surface contaminants, XPS quantitative analysis reveals an altered stoichiometry of the air-exposed powder surface of Li 1.2 Ni 0.4 Co 0.2 Mn 0.9 O 2.8 .

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Lithium-based transition-metal oxides for battery electrodes analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. IX. LiCoO 2

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectroscopy were used to analyze untreated LiCoO 2 powder obtained from BTR New Energy Materials, Inc. X-ray photoelectron and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectra were obtained using incident monochromatic Al Kα radiation at 0.834 01 nm. A survey spectrum together with Co 2p, O 1s, C 1s, Co 3s, Co 3p, and Li 1s are presented. The spectra indicate the principal core level photoelectron and Auger electron signals and show only minor tin contamination. Making use of the O 1s, Co 3p, and Li 1s lines and neglecting the components related to surface contaminants, XPS quantitative analysis reveals an altered stoichiometry of the air-exposed powder surface of LiCo 0.9 O 1.7 .

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Lithium-based transition-metal oxides for battery electrodes analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. X. Li 4 Ti 5 O 12

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectroscopy were used to analyze untreated Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 powders obtained from Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd. and Samsung Fine Chemicals Company, Ltd. X-ray photoelectron and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectra were obtained using incident monochromatic Al Kα radiation at 0.834 01 nm. A survey spectrum together with O 1s, Ti 2p, C 1s, Ti 3s, Li 1s, and Ti 3p are presented. The spectra indicate the principal core level photoelectron and Auger electron signals and show only minor potassium signal. Making use of the O 1s, Li 1s, and Ti 3p lines and neglecting the components related to surface contaminants, XPS quantitative analysis reveals an altered stoichiometry of the air-exposed powder surfaces from Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd. and Samsung Fine Chemicals Company, Ltd. of Li 4 Ti 4.7 O 14.1 and Li 4 Ti 4.3 O 13.2 , respectively.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

In situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of electrochemical interfaces in battery: Recent advances and remaining challenges

An in-depth understanding of charge transfer processes at the electrochemical interfaces is a critical knowledge gap impeding the design of energy storage materials. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy plays an important role in analyzing electronic structures of heterogeneous interfaces, such as electrode-electrolyte interphases. Correspondingly, ex situ studies based on postmortem analysis of electrode materials using x-ray techniques are widely reported in the literature but often fail to capture intermediate and transient species, which are critical for a predictive understanding of the charge transfer process. The lack of extensive in situ/operando x-ray analysis of buried interfaces in energy storage systems can be mainly attributed to technical limitations, such as the requirement of high vacuum conditions. However, in the past decade, considerable efforts have been devoted to overcoming these technical barriers and enable investigation of the solid/solid and solid/liquid interfaces. This review catalogs some of the recent progresses and new experimental designs in the application of in situ and operando x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy toward characterizing interfacial processes and emergent properties, which can help build the design strategy for advanced batteries. The remaining challenges and future research directions are also discussed, as potential paths forward in this field.

Wi, Sungun↗

Raman Spectroscopy for Analysis of Thorium Compounds

The thorium fuel cycle is an alternative to the uranium fuel cycle in that when 232Th is irradiated with neutrons it is converted to 233U, another fissile isotope. There are several chemical forms of thorium which are used in the Th fuel cycle. Recently, Raman spectroscopy has become a very portable and facile analytical technique useful for many applications, including e.g. determining the chemical composition of different materials such as for thorium compounds. The technique continues to improve with the development of ever-more sensitive instrumentation and better software. Using a laboratory Fourier-transform (FT)-Raman spectrometer with a 785 nm wavelength laser, we were able to obtain Raman spectra from a series of thorium-bearing compounds of unknown origin. These spectra were compared to the spectra of in-stock-laboratory thorium compounds including ThO2, ThF4, Th(CO3)2 and Th(C2O4)2. The unknown spectra showed very good agreement to the known standards, demonstrating the applicability of Raman spectroscopy for detection and identification of these nuclear materials.

Su, Yin-Fong↗

Characterization of the LCLS “nanosecond two-bunch” mode for x-ray speckle visibility spectroscopy experiments

The generation of two X-ray pulses with tunable nanosecond scale time separations has recently been demonstrated at the Linac Coherent Light Source using an accelerator based technique. This approach offers the opportunity to extend X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy techniques to the yet unexplored regime of nanosecond timescales by means of X-ray Speckle Visibility Spectroscopy. As the two pulses originate from two independent Spontaneous Amplified Stimulated Emission processes, the beam properties fluctuate from pulse pair to pulse pair, but as well between the individual pulses within a pair. However, two-pulse XSVS experiments require the intensity of the individual pulses to be either identical in the ideal case, or with a accurately known intensity ratio. We present the design and performances of a non-destructive intensity diagnostic based on measurement of scattering from a transparent target using a high-speed photo-detector. Individual pulses within a pulse pair with time delays as short as 0.7 ns can be resolved. Moreover, using small angle coherent scattering, we characterize the averaged spatial overlap of the focused pulse pairs. Furthermore, the multi-shot average-speckle contrasts from individual pulses and pulse pairs are compared.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Methane detection of chirped laser dispersion spectroscopy using DSB-SC modulation

This paper discusses the use of double-sideband suppressed-carrier (DSB-SC) modulation and radio frequency mixer as phase detector to extract phase information for methane detection in chirped laser dispersion spectroscopy (CLaDS). The 1.66 μm light from narrow-linewidth laser was modulated by electro-optic modulator (EOM) working on DSB-SC mode. These two sidebands passed through gas chamber and formed interference on photodetector. The phase change from gas absorption in beating signal can be extracted by using passive RF mixer with another input as reference signal which is achieved by doubling RF drive signal of EOM. In RF mixer, two inputs with identical frequency but various phase shift corresponds to DC bias voltage variation of output. The phase change is proportional to refractive index change and can be referred to gas concentration by using Kramers-Kronig relations. The advantage of phase sensitive CLaDS is wide dynamic range for gas detection. It compensates the deficiency of wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) on high concentration circumstances. And the passive scheme pushes the system requirement to the lowest level.

Peng, Zhaoqiang↗

Impact of pellet preparation on reflectance measurements of ammonium sulfate by single-angle reflectance spectroscopy

The optical constants, n and k, are required to model the reflection, refraction and transmission of light at the first surface interface of a material, as well as its propagation through the material; here n corresponds to the real component and k the imaginary component of the refractive index. Several different spectroscopic methods have been used to determine the n and k values for different materials, including single angle reflectance spectroscopy and ellipsometry. The single-angle reflectance method quantitatively records the specular reflectance R(v) from a plane parallel face of the material and uses the Kramers-Kronig transform to extract the n and k values. For most compounds, however, it is difficult to obtain a single crystal or high-quality window of sufficient planarity and of the appropriate dimensions (several mm) to make the measurement. For this reason, we further investigate the use of pressed pellets of neat powdered substances to measure optical constants of these substances using the single-angle reflectance method. We have found that surface roughness can significantly influence the measured quantitative reflectance spectrum R(v) and, consequently, the derived n and k parameters. A collaborative study between Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) - Valcartier Research Center and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has been carried out using different pellets of neat ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4] to show how parameters such as the relative fraction of particle sizes for the component powder along with the grinding process of the pure compound all can affect the reflectance spectrum used to derive the optical constants. All pressed pellets were characterized by single-angle reflectance spectroscopy.

Diaz, Emmanuela↗

Multidimensional spectroscopy with attosecond extreme ultraviolet and shaped near-infrared pulses

Dynamics following excitation with attosecond extreme ultraviolet (XUV) pulses arise from enormous numbers of accessible excited states, complicating the retrieval of state-specific time evolutions. We develop attosecond XUV multidimensional spectroscopy here to separate interfering pathways on a near-infrared (NIR) energy axis, retrieving single state dynamics in argon atoms in a two-dimensional (2D) XUV-NIR spectrum. In this experiment, we measure four-wave mixing signal arising from the interaction of XUV attosecond pulses centered around 15 eV with two few-cycle NIR pulses. The 2D spectrum is created by measuring the emitted XUV signal field spectrum while applying narrowband amplitude and phase modulations to one of the NIR pulses. Application of such a technique to systems of high dimensionality will provide for the observation of state-resolved pure electronic dynamics, in direct analogy to phenomena unraveled by multidimensional spectroscopies at optical frequencies.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy with a microfluidic diamond quantum sensor

Quantum sensors based on nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond have emerged as a promising detection modality for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy owing to their micrometer-scale detection volume and noninductive-based detection. A remaining challenge is to realize sufficiently high spectral resolution and concentration sensitivity for multidimensional NMR analysis of picoliter sample volumes. Here, we address this challenge by spatially separating the polarization and detection phases of the experiment in a microfluidic platform. We realize a spectral resolution of 0.65 ± 0.05 Hz, an order-of-magnitude improvement over previous diamond NMR studies. We use the platform to perform two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy of liquid analytes within an effective ~40-picoliter detection volume. The use of diamond quantum sensors as in-line microfluidic NMR detectors is a major step toward applications in mass-limited chemical analysis and single-cell biology.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

Identification of site-specific isotopic labels by vibrational spectroscopy in the electron microscope

The identification of isotopic labels by conventional macroscopic techniques lacks spatial resolution and requires relatively large quantities of material for measurements. We recorded the vibrational spectra of an α amino acid, l -alanine, with damage-free “aloof” electron energy-loss spectroscopy in a scanning transmission electron microscope to directly resolve carbon-site–specific isotopic labels in real space with nanoscale spatial resolution. An isotopic red shift of 4.8 ± 0.4 milli–electron volts in C–O asymmetric stretching modes was observed for 13 C-labeled l -alanine at the carboxylate carbon site, which was confirmed by macroscopic infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. The accurate measurement of this shift opens the door to nondestructive, site-specific, spatially resolved identification of isotopically labeled molecules with the electron microscope.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Spectroscopy signatures of electron correlations in a trilayer graphene/hBN moiré superlattice

ABC-stacked trilayer graphene/hexagonal boron nitride moiré superlattice (TLG/hBN) has emerged as a playground for correlated electron physics. Here, we report spectroscopy measurements of dual-gated TLG/hBN using Fourier transform infrared photocurrent spectroscopy. We observed a strong optical transition between moiré minibands that narrows continuously as a bandgap is opened by gating, indicating a reduction of the single-particle bandwidth. At half-filling of the valence flat band, a broad absorption peak emerges at ~18 milli–electron volts, indicating direct optical excitation across an emerging Mott gap. Similar photocurrent spectra are observed in two other correlated insulating states at quarter- and half-filling of the first conduction band. Our findings provide key parameters of the Hubbard model for the understanding of electron correlation in TLG/hBN.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Point-contact Andreev reflection spectroscopy on Bi 2 Se 3 single crystals

In order to study how Andreev reflection (AR) occurs between a superconductor and a three-dimensional topological insulator (TI), we use superconducting Nb tips to perform point-contact AR spectroscopy at 4.2 K on as-grown single crystals of Bi 2 Se 3 . Scanning tunneling spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy are also used to characterize the superconducting tip and both the doping level and surface condition of the TI sample. Furthermore, the point-contact measurements show clear spectral signatures of AR, as well as a depression of zero-bias conductance with decreasing junction impedance. The latter observation can be attributed to interfacial Rashba spin-orbit coupling, and the presence of bulk bands at the Fermi level in our samples suggests that bulk states of Bi2Se3 are involved in the observed AR.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Spectroscopy and Scattering Studies Using Interpolated Ab Initio Potentials

The Born–Oppenheimer potential energy surface (PES) has come a long way since its introduction in the 1920s, both conceptually and in predictive power for practical applications. Nevertheless, nearly 100 years later—despite astonishing advances in computational power—the state-of-the-art first-principles prediction of observables related to spectroscopy and scattering dynamics is surprisingly limited. For example, the water dimer, (H 2 O) 2 , with only six nuclei and 20 electrons, still presents a formidable challenge for full-dimensional variational calculations of bound states and is considered out of reach for rigorous scattering calculations. The extremely poor scaling of the most rigorous quantum methods is fundamental; however, recent progress in development of approximate methodologies has opened the door to fairly routine high-quality predictions, unthinkable 20 years ago. In this review, in relation to the workflow of spectroscopy and/or scattering studies, we summarize progress and challenges in the component areas of electronic structure calculations, PES fitting, and quantum dynamical calculations.

Chemistry↗

Review—Fundamental Uranium Electrochemistry and Spectroscopy in Molten Salt Systems

Uranium is a key element used for nuclear energy production. Some advanced reactor designs, specifically molten salt reactors, will continue to use uranium as the fissile material for energy production. These new technologies require an intimate understanding of uranium chemistry during and after energy production. This review covers contemporary research on the coordination chemistry and behavior of uranium with the coolant and pyroprocessing salts as proposed for use in future reactor designs. Discussed topics include the nature of U redox reactions involving the reduction of U(III) to U metal and oxidation of U(III) to U(IV). These systems have been interrogated using cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry, and optical and X-ray absorption spectroscopies. Insights obtained into the electrode potentials, the uranium species, and their diffusion coefficients in alkali halide melts from decades of research are summarized selectively. Further, perspectives are provided on the importance of unifying studies for comparison across multiple institutions. The application of synchrotron radiation research and multimodal approaches involving two (or more) probes, such as the widespread combination of UV–visible spectroscopy and electroanalysis known as spectroelectrochemistry, can provide new knowledge about the main process of uranium electrorefining—diffusion, as will be demonstrated in this review through the lack of comparable results.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗