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At least 1,297 records · Page 72

Laminate behavior for SiC fiber-reinforced reaction-bonded silicon nitride matrix composites

The room temperature mechanical properties of SiC fiber reinforced reaction-bonded silicon nitride matrix composite laminates (SiC/RBSN) have been measured. The laminates contained approx 30 volume fraction of aligned 142-micron diameter SiC fiber in a porous RBSN matrix. Three types of laminate studied were unidirectional: (1) (0) sub 8, (2) (10) sub 8, and (3) (45) sub 8, and (90) sub 8; cross plied laminates (0 sub 2/90 sub 2); and angle plied laminates: (+45 sub 2/-45 sub 2). Each laminate contained eight fiber plies. Results of the unidirectionally reinforced composites tested at various angles to the reinforcement direction indicate large anisotropy in in-plane properties. In addition, strength properties of these composites along the fiber direction were independent of specimen gage length and were unaffected by notches normal to the fiber direction. Splitting parallel to the fiber at the notch tip appears to be the dominant crack blunting mechanism responsible for notch insensitive behavior of these composites. In-plane properties of the composites can be improved by 2-D laminate construction. Mechanical property results for (0 sub 2/90 sub 2)sub s and (+45/-45 sub 2) sub s laminates showed that their matrix failure strains were similar to that for (0) sub 8 laminates, but their primary elastic moduli, matrix cracking strengths, and ultimate composite strengths were lower. The elastic properties of unidirectional, cross-ply, and angle-ply composites can be predicted from modified constitutive equations and laminate theory. Further improvements in laminate properties may be achieved by reducing the matrix porosity and by optimizing the bond strength between the SiC fiber and RBSN matrix.

Rhatt, R. T.↗

Laminate behavior for SiC fiber-reinforced reaction-bonded silicon nitride matrix composites

The room temperature mechanical properties of SiC fiber reinforced reaction-bonded silicon nitride matrix composite laminates (SiC/RBSN) have been measured. The laminates contained approx 30 volume fraction of aligned 142-micron diameter SiC fiber in a porous RBSN matrix. Three types of laminate studied were unidirectional: (1) (0) sub 8, (2) (10) sub 8, and (3) (45) sub 8, and (90) sub 8; cross plied laminates (0 sub 2/90 sub 2); and angle plied laminates: (+45 sub 2/-45 sub 2). Each laminate contained eight fiber plies. Results of the unidirectionally reinforced composites tested at various angles to the reinforcement direction indicate large anisotropy in in-plane properties. In addition, strength properties of these composites along the fiber direction were independent of specimen gage length and were unaffected by notches normal to the fiber direction. Splitting parallel to the fiber at the notch tip appears to be the dominant crack blunting mechanism responsible for notch insensitive behavior of these composites. In-plane properties of the composites can be improved by 2-D laminate construction. Mechanical property results for (0 sub 2/90 sub 2) sub s and (+45/-45 sub 2) sub s laminates showed that their matrix failure strains were similar to that for (0) sub 8 laminates, but their primary elastic moduli, matrix cracking strengths, and ultimate composite strengths were lower. The elastic properties of unidirectional, cross-ply, and angle-ply composites can be predicted from modified constitutive equations and laminate theory. Further improvements in laminate properties may be achieved by reducing the matrix porosity and by optimizing the bond strength between the SiC fiber and RBSN matrix.

Bhatt, Ramakrishna T.↗

Approaches and Analysis for On-Focal-Plane Analog-to-Digital Conversion

This paper presents approaches for on-focal-plane analog-to-digital conversion (ADC). Common approaches and architectures for ADC and their utility for on-focal-plane integration are discussed. Candidate approaches are analyzed with respect to required amplifier gain, bandwidth, capacitance matching, noise and offsets as a function of ADC resolution. A column-parallel ADC architecture appears to be an effective compromise of chip area, power, circuit speed and ADC resolution. The discussion is valid for both infrared focal-plane arrays (FPAs) and visible image sensors.

analog-to-digital↗

Magnetic domain observation of FeCo thin films fabricated by alternate monoatomic layer deposition

FeCo thin films are fabricated by alternate monoatomic layer deposition method on a Cu{sub 3}Au buffer layer, which in-plane lattice constant is very close to the predicted value to obtain a large magnetic anisotropy constant. The variation of the in-plane lattice constant during the deposition process is investigated by reflection high-energy electron diffraction. The magnetic domain images are also observed by a photoelectron emission microscope in order to microscopically understand the magnetic structure. As a result, element-specific magnetic domain images show that Fe and Co magnetic moments align parallel. A series of images obtained with various azimuth reveal that the FeCo thin films show fourfold in-plane magnetic anisotropy along 〈110〉 direction, and that the magnetic domain structure is composed only of 90∘ wall.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Unusual layer-by-layer growth of epitaxial oxide islands during Cu oxidation

Elucidating metal oxide growth mechanisms is essential for precisely designing and fabricating nanostructured oxides with broad applications in energy and electronics. However, current epitaxial oxide growth methods are based on macroscopic empirical knowledge, lacking fundamental guidance at the nanoscale. Using correlated in situ environmental transmission electron microscopy, statistically-validated quantitative analysis, and density functional theory calculations, we show epitaxial Cu 2 O nano-island growth on Cu is layer-by-layer along Cu 2 O(110) planes, regardless of substrate orientation, contradicting classical models that predict multi-layer growth parallel to substrate surfaces. Growth kinetics show cubic relationships with time, indicating individual oxide monolayers follow Frank-van der Merwe growth whereas oxide islands follow Stranski-Krastanov growth. Cu sources for island growth transition from step edges to bulk substrates during oxidation, contrasting with classical corrosion theories which assume subsurface sources predominate. Our results resolve alternative epitaxial island growth mechanisms, improving the understanding of oxidation dynamics critical for advanced manufacturing at the nanoscale.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Late-time growth rate, mixing, and anisotropy in the multimode narrowband Richtmyer–Meshkov instability: The θ-group collaboration

Turbulent Richtmyer–Meshkov instability (RMI) is investigated through a series of high resolution three-dimensional simulations of two initial conditions with eight independent codes. The simulations are initialised with a narrowband perturbation such that instability growth is due to non-linear coupling/backscatter from the energetic modes, thus generating the lowest expected growth rate from a pure RMI. By independently assessing the results from each algorithm and computing ensemble averages of multiple algorithms, the results allow a quantification of key flow properties as well as the uncertainty due to differing numerical approaches. A new analytical model predicting the initial layer growth for a multimode narrowband perturbation is presented, along with two models for the linear and non-linear regimes combined. Overall, the growth rate exponent is determined as θ=0.292±0.009, in good agreement with prior studies; however, the exponent is decaying slowly in time. Also, θ is shown to be relatively insensitive to the choice of mixing layer width measurements. The asymptotic integral molecular mixing measures Θ=0.792±0.014, Ξ=0.800±0.014, and Ψ=0.782±0.013 are lower than some experimental measurements but within the range of prior numerical studies. The flow field is shown to be persistently anisotropic for all algorithms, at the latest time having between 49% and 66% higher kinetic energy in the shock parallel direction compared to perpendicular and does not show any return to isotropy. The plane averaged volume fraction profiles at different time instants collapse reasonably well when scaled by the integral width, implying that the layer can be described by a single length scale and thus a single θ. In conclusion, quantitative data given for both ensemble averages and individual algorithms provide useful benchmark results for future research.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Radiatively cooled magnetic reconnection experiments driven by pulsed power

We present evidence for strong radiative cooling in a pulsed-power-driven magnetic reconnection experiment. Two aluminum exploding wire arrays, driven by a 20 MA peak current, 300 ns rise time pulse from the Z machine (Sandia National Laboratories), generate strongly driven plasma flows (MA≈7) with anti-parallel magnetic fields, which form a reconnection layer (SL≈120) at the mid-plane. The net cooling rate far exceeds the Alfvénic transit rate (τcool−1/τA−1≫1), leading to strong cooling of the reconnection layer. We determine the advected magnetic field and flow velocity using inductive probes positioned in the inflow to the layer, and inflow ion density and temperature from analysis of visible emission spectroscopy. A sharp decrease in x-ray emission from the reconnection layer, measured using filtered diodes and time-gated x-ray imaging, provides evidence for strong cooling of the reconnection layer after its initial formation. X-ray images also show localized hotspots, regions of strong x-ray emission, with velocities comparable to the expected outflow velocity from the reconnection layer. These hotspots are consistent with plasmoids observed in 3D radiative resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the experiment. X-ray spectroscopy further indicates that the hotspots have a temperature (170 eV) much higher than the bulk layer (≤75 eV) and inflow temperatures (about 2 eV) and that these hotspots generate the majority of the high-energy (>1 keV) emission.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Excitation of a plasmon resonance in metal cylinders by an evanescent wave

The magnetic field distribution and electric-field amplification factor are found in the gap between periodically arranged parallel metal cylinders scattering an evanescent wave. Such a wave appears if an original plane wave is incident from the dielectric substrate onto the interface at an angle of total internal reflection. A substantial restructuring of the near-field distribution, which results from a small change in the angle of incidence, is revealed. Estimations of the angular dependence of the local field, explaining the shift and broadening of the plasmon resonance at a shorter wavelength, are presented. (nanostructures)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

The skeleton of the Milky Way

Recently, Goodman et al. argued that the very long, very thin infrared dark cloud “Nessie” lies directly in the Galactic midplane and runs along the Scutum–Centaurus Arm in position–position–velocity (p–p–v) space as traced by lower-density CO and higher-density NH{sub 3} gas. Nessie was presented as the first “bone” of the Milky Way, an extraordinarily long, thin, high-contrast filament that can be used to map our Galaxy’s “skeleton.” Here we present evidence for additional bones in the Milky Way, arguing that Nessie is not a curiosity but one of several filaments that could potentially trace Galactic structure. Our 10 bone candidates are all long, filamentary, mid-infrared extinction features that lie parallel to, and no more than 20 pc from, the physical Galactic mid-plane. We use CO, N{sub 2}H{sup +}, HCO{sup +}, and NH{sub 3} radial velocity data to establish the three-dimensional location of the candidates in p–p–v space. Of the 10 candidates, 6 also have a projected aspect ratio of ≥50:1; run along, or extremely close to, the Scutum–Centaurus Arm in p–p–v space; and exhibit no abrupt shifts in velocity. The evidence presented here suggests that these candidates mark the locations of significant spiral features, with the bone called filament 5 (“BC-18.88-0.09”) being a close analog to Nessie in the northern sky. As molecular spectral-line and extinction maps cover more of the sky at increasing resolution and sensitivity, it should be possible to find more bones in future studies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Electroweak oblique parameters as a probe of the trilinear Higgs boson self-interaction

We calculate the two-loop contributions from a modified trilinear Higgs self-interaction, κλλSMvh3, to the electroweak oblique parameters S and T. Using the current bounds on S and T from electroweak measurements, we find the 95% C.L. constraint on the modified trilinear coupling to be -14.0≤κλ≤17.4. The largest effects on S and T arise from two insertions of the modified trilinear coupling that result in T/S≃-3/2; remarkably, this is nearly parallel to the axis of the tightest experimental constraint in the S-T plane. No contributions to S and T arise from a modified Higgs quartic coupling at two-loop order. These calculations utilized a gauge-invariant parametrization of the trilinear Higgs coupling in terms of higher-dimensional operators (H†H)n with n≥3. Interestingly, the bounds on κλ that we obtain are comparable to constraints from di-Higgs production at the LHC as well as recent bounds from single Higgs production at the LHC.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Permanent-magnet energy spectrometer for electron beams from radiotherapy accelerators

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to adapt a lightweight, permanent magnet electron energy spectrometer for the measurement of energy spectra of therapeutic electron beams. Methods: An irradiation geometry and measurement technique were developed for an approximately 0.54-T, permanent dipole magnet spectrometer to produce suitable latent images on computed radiography (CR) phosphor strips. Dual-pinhole electron collimators created a 0.318-cm diameter, approximately parallel beam incident on the spectrometer and an appropriate dose rate at the image plane (CR strip location). X-ray background in the latent image, reduced by a 7.62-cm thick lead block between the pinhole collimators, was removed using a fitting technique. Theoretical energy-dependent detector response functions (DRFs) were used in an iterative technique to transform CR strip net mean dose profiles into energy spectra on central axis at the entrance to the spectrometer. These spectra were transformed to spectra at 95-cm source to collimator distance (SCD) by correcting for the energy dependence of electron scatter. The spectrometer was calibrated by comparing peak mean positions in the net mean dose profiles, initially to peak mean energies determined from the practical range of central-axis percent depth-dose (%DD) curves, and then to peak mean energies that accounted for how the collimation modified the energy spectra (recalibration). The utility of the spectrometer was demonstrated by measuring the energy spectra for the seven electron beams (7–20 MeV) of an Elekta Infinity radiotherapy accelerator. Results: Plots of DRF illustrated their dependence on energy and position in the imaging plane. Approximately 15 iterations solved for the energy spectra at the spectrometer entrance from the measured net mean dose profiles. Transforming those spectra into ones at 95-cm SCD increased the low energy tail of the spectra, while correspondingly decreasing the peaks and shifting them to slightly lower energies. Energy calibration plots of peak mean energy versus peak mean position of the net mean dose profiles for each of the seven electron beams followed the shape predicted by the Lorentz force law for a uniform z-component of the magnetic field, validating its being modeled as uniform (0.542 ± 0.027 T). Measured Elekta energy spectra and their peak mean energies correlated with the 0.5-cm (7–13 MeV) and the 1.0-cm (13–20 MeV) R{sub 90} spacings of the %DD curves. The full-width-half-maximum of the energy spectra decreased with decreasing peak mean energy with the exception of the 9-MeV beam, which was anomalously wide. Similarly, R{sub 80–20} decreased linearly with peak mean energy with the exception of the 9 MeV beam. Both were attributed to suboptimal tuning of the high power phase shifter for the recycled radiofrequency power reentering the traveling wave accelerator. Conclusions: The apparatus and analysis techniques of the authors demonstrated that an inexpensive, lightweight, permanent magnet electron energy spectrometer can be used for measuring the electron energy distributions of therapeutic electron beams (6–20 MeV). The primary goal of future work is to develop a real-time spectrometer by incorporating a real-time imager, which has potential applications such as beam matching, ongoing beam tune maintenance, and measuring spectra for input into Monte Carlo beam calculations.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Generation of Turbulence in Colliding Reconnection Jets

The collision of magnetic reconnection jets is reported on by means of a three-dimensional numerical simulation at the kinetic scale, in the presence of a strong guide field. We demonstrate that turbulence develops due to the collision of jets, producing several current sheets in reconnection outflows, aligned with the guide field direction. The turbulence is mainly two-dimensional, with stronger gradients in the plane perpendicular to the guide field and low wave-like activity in the parallel direction. First, we provide a numerical method to isolate the central turbulent region. Second, we analyze the spatial second-order structure function and prove that turbulence is confined in this region. Lastly, we compute local magnetic and electric frequency spectra, finding a trend in the subion range that differs from typical cases for which the Taylor hypothesis is valid, as well as wave activity in the range between ion and electron cyclotron frequencies. Our findings are relevant to understand observed collisions of reconnection jets in space plasmas.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A general purpose wideband optical spatial frequency spectrum analyzer

The light scattered at various angles by a transparent media is studied. An example of these applications is the optical Fourier spectrum measurement resulting from various spatial frequencies which were recorded on a photographic emulsion. A method for obtaining these measurements consists of illuminating the test object with parallel monochromatic light. A stationary lens, placed in the resulting wavefield at a distance of one focal length from the object, will focus parallel waves emanating from the test object at a point lying in the focal plane of the lens. A light detector with a small filtering aperture is then used to measure the intensity variation of the light in the focal or transform plane of the lens. Such measurements require the use of a lens which is highly corrected for all of the common aberrations except chromatic aberration.

Ballard, G. S.↗

Relativistic nonlinear plasma waves in a magnetic field

An investigation is conducted of five relativistic plane nonlinear waves, taking into account circularly polarized waves and electrostatic plasma oscillations propagating parallel to the magnetic field, relativistic Alfven waves, linearly polarized transverse waves propagating in zero magnetic field, and the relativistic analog of the extraordinary mode propagating at an arbitrary angle to the magnetic field. It is found that a large-amplitude superluminous wave determines the average plasma properties, and not vice versa. Attention is given to the implications of the obtained results for the acceleration of cosmic rays in pulsar magnetospheres.

Kennel, C. F.↗

The Solarex Block IV module

Several innovative concepts were introduced for the Block IV contract. Semicrystalline silicon manufactured by SEMIX Inc. is the basic cell material. A front metallization pattern combined with a wraparound-style interconnect and in-plane stress relief combine to provide a new method to reliably accomplish series-paralleling. Laminated modules using Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) as the encapsulant were manufactured for the first time.

Hoelscher, J. F.↗

Star of Condor - A strontium critical velocity experiment, Peru, 1983

'Star of Condor' was a critical velocity experiment using Sr vapor produced in a radial shaped charge, which was carried to 571.11 km altitude on a Taurus-Tomahawk rocket launched from Punto Lobos, Peru, and detonated in the plane of the magnetic field lines so that all ranges of pitch angles from parallel to B to perpendicular to B were covered. Sr has a critical velocity of 3.3 km/s, and from observation, 42.5 percent of the neutral Sr gas had a velocity component perpendicular to B exceeding that value. No Sr ion emissions were detected shortly after the burst with usual TV integration times. However, about 10 min after the detonation a faint field-aligned streak was discovered with long TV integration times. The brightness is estimated as 5 R, which, combined with the streak geometry, implies an ion production of 2.4 x 10 to the 19th ions. This is only 0.0036 percent ionization of the Sr vapor. All the ions could easily have been produced by thermal ionization from the original detonation thermal distribution. The breakup of the Sr gas into small bloblike structures may have allowed the high-energy electrons to escape before an ionization cascade could be produced. For whatever reason, the Alfven mechanism proposed for space plasmas in the absence of laboratory walls did not produce an ionization cascade in the experiment.

Wescott, E. M.↗

Verification measurement of a polarization Raman elastic-backscatter lidar

By measuring the depolarization of light Raman scattered from a gas of known number density (nitrogen), it is possible to determine the influence of multiple scattering on lidar signals. In order to realize such measurements, linearly polarized laser light is emitted and two components of the nitrogen Raman signals, with E vectors parallel (parallel P sub lambda R) and perpendicular (perpendicular P sub lambda R) to the plane of polarization of the laser light, are measured. The depolarization ratio, delta sub lambda R = perpendicular P sub lambda R/parallel P sub lambda R, is constant if only the Raman scattering process contributes to the signal. Any variation of the depolarization is caused by additional elastic, and, thus, multiple scattering. If the contribution of multiple scattered light to the lidar signals is known, other parameters determined with the systems such as extinction, backscattering, and the depolarization of elastically scattered light, can be corrected for this influence. The lidar system used for the polarization measurements, especially the receiver setup, is described. The calibration of the apparatus and a clear air measurement are discussed.

Schulze, Christoph↗

Seasonal variation in the structure of red reflectance of leaves from yellow poplar, red oak, and red maple

The light scattered from leaves was measured as a function of view angle in the principal plane for yellow poplar, red oak, and red maple. The source was a parallel-polarized helium-neon laser. Yellow poplar leaves had the highest reflectance of the three species, which may have been due to its shorter palisade cells and more extensive spongy mesophyll. Prior to senescence, there was a significant decrease, but not total extinction, in the reflectance of the beam incident at 60 deg from nadir on the adaxial side of the leaves of all three species. Low-temperature SEM observations showed differences in the surface wax patterns among the three species but did not indicate a cause of the reflectance changes other than possibly the accumulation and aging of the wax.

Brakke, Thomas W.↗