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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 1,315 records · Page 73

Deployment of Cesium Recovered from High Level Liquid Waste for Irradiation - Indian Scenario - 13128

Recovery of Cs-137 from HLW and its utilisation as source pencil in place of Co-60 is vital for medical and sewage treatment applications in India. For separation of Cs, specific ion exchange resins as well as 'Calyx crown' solvent have been developed and synthesized indigenously. A flow sheet involving separation of Cs from acidic HLW using Ammonium Molybdo Phosphate (AMP) resins, recovery of Cs from the loaded AMP column by dissolving it in alkali, ion exchange purification of Cs rich alkaline solution using Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Poly condensate (RF) resins and its elution in cesium nitrate form was developed and demonstrated. Solvent extraction route employing 0.03 Molar, 1-3-octyl oxy Calyx (4) arene crown-6 in 30% isodecyl alcohol and dodecane was also established using mixer settlers. Cesium lithium borosilicate glass based formulations have been considered as a glass matrix for Cs irradiation pencils. While choosing this vitreous matrix, attributes addressing maximum possible Cs-137 loading, low glass pouring temperature to minimise Cs volatility, reasonably good mechanical strength and good chemical durability have been considered. Recovered cesium nitrate solution was vitrified along with glass additives in an induction heated metallic melter and subsequently poured into 12 numbers of Cs irradiation pencils positioned on turn-table equipped with the load cell. The complete cycle involving recovery of Cs from HLW followed by its conversion into Cs pencil was demonstrated. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

A spectral study of a radio-frequency plasma-generated flux of atomic oxygen

The active environment of a radio-frequency (RF) plasma generator, with and without low-pressure oxygen, has been characterized through the identification of emission lines in the spectral region from 250 to 900 nm. The environment is shown to be dependent on the partial pressure of oxygen and the power applied to the RF generator. Atomic oxygen has been found in significant amounts as well as atomic hydrogen and the molecular oxygen species O2((sup 1)Sigma). The only charged species observed was the singly charged molecular ion O2(+). With a polymer specimen in the plasma chamber, carbon monoxide was also observed. The significance of these observations with respect to previous studies using this type of generator to stimulate material degradation in space is discussed. The possibility of using these generators as atomic oxygen sources in the development of oxygen atom fluorescence sensors is explored.

Batten, Carmen E.↗

Improved PARE (Pressurized Airborne Release Equipment) for Damage Ratio, Airborne Release Fraction and Respirable Fraction Testing (Version 4)

This paper describes an improved version of the PARE (Pressurized Airborne Release Equipment) system (Sutter 1983a and Sutter 1983b and Ballinger et al 1987) for powder venting testing. This effort seeks to improve the accuracy of risk estimation for the venting of pressurized powders and the venting of gases through pressurized powders. This includes experimental measurement for estimating DR (damage ratio), ARF (airborne release fraction) and RF (respirable fraction) quantities. The present study was performed to address previously indicated problematic factors (i.e. noted gaps) (US DOE 1994).

42 ENGINEERING↗

Single shot cathode transverse momentum imaging in high brightness photoinjectors

In state of the art photoinjector electron sources, thermal emittance from photoemission dominates the final injector emittance. Therefore, low thermal emittance cathode developments and diagnostics are very important. Conventional thermal emittance measurements for the high gradient gun are time-consuming and thus thermal emittance is not measured as frequently as quantum efficiency during the lifetime of photocathodes, although both are important properties for the photoinjector optimizations. In this paper, a single shot measurement of photoemission transverse momentum, i.e., thermal emittance per rms laser spot size, is proposed for photocathode rf guns. By tuning the gun solenoid focusing, the electrons’ transverse momenta at the cathode are imaged to a downstream screen, which enables a single shot measurement of both the rms value and the detailed spectra of the photoelectrons’ transverse momenta. Both simulations and proof of principle experiments are reported.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Light-absorbing impurities accelerating glacial melting in southeastern Tibetan Plateau

Deposition of light-absorbing particles on glacier surfaces poses a series of adverse impacts on the cryospheric environment, climate and human health. Broad attention of the scientific community has been paid on insoluble light-absorbing impurities (ILAIs) in snow and ice on glaciers over the Tibetan Plateau (TP). However, systematic investigation of ILAIs in snowpack of glaciers on the TP is scarce. In this study, the properties and darkening effect of ILAIs in snowpack on glaciers are extensively investigated in the southeast of TP. Results show that ILAIs concentrations in multiple types of snow and ice samples were significantly different. Snowpit depths varied substantially from one profile to another during May and June 2016. The average concentrations of ILAIs in snowpits increase as snow melting progresses. Black carbon (BC) and dust cause snow albedo reduction more in snow with larger grain size Re. Based on a radiative transfer model calculation, the average albedo reduction induced by BC in the snowpack was 0.141 ± 0.02, and associated daily maximum radiative forcing (RF) was 72.97 ± 12.7 W m-2. BC is a controlling light-absorbing factor in snowpack and causes substantial albedo reduction and thus the associated daily maximum RF. The maximum reduction of snow cover duration was 4.56 ± 0.71 days caused by BC and dust in snowpack in southeastern TP. The average mass absorption cross-section (MAC) of BC from multiple snowpits was 3.26 ± 0.46 m2 g-1, which represents a typical value of MAC in snow on glaciers, but it is type-dependent of snow/ice samples. Tropospheric aerosols vertically extended up to 8 km over the TP and its surrounding areas, which indicates the transport of aerosols from remote sources through elevated pathways. A large amount of carbon stored in the brittle glaciers can be potentially released with meltwater runoff under a warming climate. This study provides a new insight for investigating carbonaceous and light-absorbing particles in glacierization areas.

Niu, Hewen↗

In-situ synchrotron x-ray studies of the microstructure and stability of In 2 O 3 epitaxial films

We report on the synthesis, stability, and local structure of In2O3 thin films grown via rf-magnetron sputtering and characterized by in-situ x-ray scattering and focused x-ray nanodiffraction. We find that In2O3 deposited onto (0 0 1)-oriented single crystal yttria-stabilized zirconia substrates adopts a Stranski-Krastanov growth mode at a temperature of 850 degrees C, resulting in epitaxial, truncated square pyramids with (1 1 1) side walls. We find that at this temperature, the pyramids evaporate unless they are stabilized by a low flux of In2O3 from the magnetron source. We also find that the internal lattice structure of one such pyramid is made up of differently strained volumes, revealing local structural heterogeneity that may impact the properties of In2O3 nanostructures and films.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

EUV FEL light source based on energy recovery linac with on-orbit laser plasma injection

We report on a week-long study of a conceptual design of EUV FEL light source based on an energy recovery linac with on-orbit laser plasma accelerator injection scheme. We carried out this study during USPAS Summer 2023 session of Unifying Physics of Accelerators, Lasers and Plasma applying the art of inventiveness TRIZ. An ultrashort Ti-sapphire laser accelerates electron beams from a gas target with mean energy of 20 MeV, which are then ramped up to 1 GeV in a five-turn scheme with a series of fixed field alternating magnets and two superconducting RF cavities (100 MeV per cavity per turn). The electron beam is then bypassed to an undulator line optimized to generate EUV light of 13.5 nm at kW level in a single pass.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Climate data for bioclimate research of Amazon Basin central region near the city of Manaus

The current research/data set deals with environmental data related to the region around the city of Manaus, Brazil, located in the Amazon Basin central region. The research problem encompasses the answers to the questions: 'What correlations can arise from the data of climate and fauna in the Amazon Basin?" "How useful is the data from instrumented stations related to that area, related to the fauna and climatic conditions?" To answer these questions, an initial data set was generated, taking into account the main pollutants with sources from NASA satellites, the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) experiment, and the GOAmazon project, from 2014 to 2015, along with other local data, such as the position of thermal electric power stations. It has been worth noting the data available was not coherent among the sources, due to different measuring time intervals, heights, and geographical locations. Equally important, for future bioclimatic research, a grid space of 5-km interval and a 30-minute time period was considered within the data set, covering a surface area within the boundaries of Latitude 2.00 S to 4.25 S and Longitude 59.00 to 61.25 W. The data from NASA satellites, ATTO, and GOAmazon do not have this kind of detailed grid and time mesh. To carry on, the machine learning (ML) Random Forest (RF) algorithm was selected and used, among other ML algorithms, to fill in the data into this new grid. The features considered were: data from NASA satellites and from the two projects above, covering the pollutants: ozone, NOx, particulates with diameter down to 10 nanometers, isoprene, CO, and acetonitrile. Moreover, distances and bearings to Manaus and 11 thermal power stations nearby, night and day time periods, dry and wet seasons, were also considered to compose the features. The interpolation produced by the Random Forest algorithm aimed at the pollutants: acetonitrile, ozone, NOx, Particulate N, isoprene, and CO, which are related to bioclimatic research commonly. In total, a data set was created with 51,148,800 rows, with 44 columns, 38 for the features and 6 for the targets.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Status and future plans for C 3 R&D

C 3 is an opportunity to realize an e + e - collider for the study of the Higgs boson at √s = 250 GeV, with a well defined upgrade path to 550 GeV while staying on the same short facility footprint. C 3 is based on a fundamentally new approach to normal conducting linear accelerators that achieves both high gradient and high efficiency at relatively low cost. Given the advanced state of linear collider designs, the key system that requires technical maturation for C 3 is the main linac. This paper presents the staged approach towards a facility to demonstrate C 3 technology with both Direct (source and main linac) and Parallel (beam delivery, damping ring, ancillary component) R&D. The primary goal of the C 3 Demonstration R&D Plan is to reduce technical and cost risk by building and operating the key components of C 3 at an adequate scale. This R&D plan starts with the engineering design, and demonstration of one cryomodule and will culminate in the construction of a 3 cryomodule linac with pre-production prototypes. This R&D program would also demonstrate the linac rf fundamentals including achievable gradient and gradient stability over a full electron bunch train and breakdown rates. It will also investigate beam dynamics including energy spread, wakefields, and emittance growth. This work will be critical to confirm the suitability of the C 3 beam parameters for the physics reach and detector performance in preparation for a Conceptual Design Report (CDR), as well as for follow-on technology development and industrialization. The C 3 Demonstration R&D Plan will open up significant new scientific and technical opportunities based on development of high-gradient and high-efficiency accelerator technology. It will push this technology to operate both at the GeV scale and mature the technology to be reliable and provide high-brightness electron beams. The timeline for progressing with C 3 technology development will be governed by practical limitations on both the technical progress and resource availability. It consists of four stages: Stage 0) Ongoing fundamental R&D on structure prototypes, damping and vibrations. Stage 1) Advancing the engineering maturity of the design and developing start-to-end simulations including space-charge and wakefield effects. This stage will include testing of strucutres operating at cryogenic temperatures. Beam tests would be performed with high beam current to test full beam loading. Stage 2) Production and testing of the first cryomodule at cryogenic temperatures. This would provide sufficient experimental data to compile a CDR and it is anticipated for Stage 2 to last 3 years and to culminate with the transport of photo-electrons through the first cryomodule. Stage 3) Updates to the engineering design of the cryomodules, production of the second and third cryomodule and their installation. Lower charge and lower emittance beams will be used to investigate emittance growth. The successful full demonstration of the 3 cryomodules to deliver up to a 3 GeV beam and achieve the C 3 five gradient will allow a comprehensive and robust evaluation of the technical design of C 3 as well as mitigate technical, schedule, and cost risks required to proceed with a Technical Design Report (TDR).

radiation hardened magnets↗

Key Laser Technologies for X-Ray FELs

In the final project period, we demonstrated sub femtosecond timing distribution over a 1.2 km polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber-optic link using balanced optical cross-correlators (BOCs) for link stabilization. By eliminating polarization mode dispersion, link operation for 16 days maintained 0.6 fs RMS timing drift and during a 3-day interval only 0.13 fs drift, which corresponds to a stability level of 10-21. To improve the overall system efficiency and robustness, we developed fiber-coupled, hybrid-integrated BOCs using waveguides in periodically-poled KTiOPO4 (PPKTP). The measured second-harmonic conversion efficiency in the waveguides is a factor of 50 higher than that of bulk-optic crystals. Characterization of 1st-generation devices shows performance comparable to free-space BOCs, with the potential for significant improvement in future devices. For optical-to-RF conversion, we developed two balanced optical-microwave phase detectors (BOM-PD) based on the Sagnac and Mach-Zehnder interferometers. RF extraction using BOM-PDs in phase-locked loops yielded sub-10-fs residual timing jitter for locking bandwidths on the order of several hundred kHz. Finally, we characterized the timing jitter of ultralow-noise Ti:Sapphire oscillators, demonstrating an unprecedented 13 as of jitter integrated over the entire Nyquist band. Our measurements agreed well with theory, confirming our models for quantum-limited laser noise. Measurements of commercially available solid-state lasers at 1550 nm showed that there are laser sources already available with sufficiently low noise to achieve sub-femtosecond performance as master oscillators within a timing distribution system.

42 ENGINEERING↗

300_underground robot (final research report)

Recent advancements in mobile robotics have displayed impressive capabilities in traversing and accessing areas that are inaccessible to humans either due to the characteristics of the environment or potential hazards. Furthermore, these advancements within the field of mobile robotics, more specifically uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs), give the ability to potentially survey, observe, and map these inaccessible areas for humans. However, one of the most challenging areas to implement this technology is underground environments. The main challenge with implementing this technology in underground environments is the dependence on either GPS or RF communication for UGVs to navigate properly. Therefore, in order to properly demonstrate the mapping capabilities of the UGV this challenge must be resolved. The overall goal of this study is to demonstrate the mapping capabilities of a UGV while addressing this challenge and documenting the implementation and testing phase of the robot. The proposed solution to this challenge is to implement a SLAM algorithm onto the main computational device of the UGV utilizing the Robot Operating System (ROS). The algorithm is the open-source software package Slam Toolbox developed by Steve Macenski. Furthermore, the sllidar_ros2 package from Slamtec will be used to gather the lidar data from an A3M1 2D lidar. A separate program will be created to gather odometry information for our UGV robot. All of these software packages will run together in a Docker environment. Through working on this project I have developed a better understanding of the world of robotics/autonomous systems, especially with applications such as navigation and mapping. Furthermore, through this project, I have been given exposure to how research is conducted within a DOE lab setting. As robotics/autonomous systems become more advanced it's important to pursue more avenues of research such as this project as it will ensure the development of our capabilities.

42 ENGINEERING↗

An X-Band Gun Test Area at SLAC

The X-Band Test Area (XTA) is being assembled in the NLCTA tunnel at SLAC to serve as a test facility for new RF guns. The first gun to be tested will be an upgraded version of the 5.6 cell, 200 MV/m peak field X-band gun designed at SLAC in 2003 for the Compton Scattering experiment run in ASTA. This new version includes some features implemented in 2006 on the LCLS gun such as racetrack couplers, increased mode separation and elliptical irises. These upgrades were developed in collaboration with LLNL since the same gun will be used in an injector for a LLNL Gamma-ray Source. Our beamline includes an X-band acceleration section which takes the electron beam up to 100 MeV and an electron beam measurement station. Other X-Band guns such as the UCLA Hybrid gun will be characterized at our facility.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Automated classification of periodic variable stars detected by the wide-field infrared survey explorer

We describe a methodology to classify periodic variable stars identified using photometric time-series measurements constructed from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) full-mission single-exposure Source Databases. This will assist in the future construction of a WISE Variable Source Database that assigns variables to specific science classes as constrained by the WISE observing cadence with statistically meaningful classification probabilities. We have analyzed the WISE light curves of 8273 variable stars identified in previous optical variability surveys (MACHO, GCVS, and ASAS) and show that Fourier decomposition techniques can be extended into the mid-IR to assist with their classification. Combined with other periodic light-curve features, this sample is then used to train a machine-learned classifier based on the random forest (RF) method. Consistent with previous classification studies of variable stars in general, the RF machine-learned classifier is superior to other methods in terms of accuracy, robustness against outliers, and relative immunity to features that carry little or redundant class information. For the three most common classes identified by WISE: Algols, RR Lyrae, and W Ursae Majoris type variables, we obtain classification efficiencies of 80.7%, 82.7%, and 84.5% respectively using cross-validation analyses, with 95% confidence intervals of approximately ±2%. These accuracies are achieved at purity (or reliability) levels of 88.5%, 96.2%, and 87.8% respectively, similar to that achieved in previous automated classification studies of periodic variable stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Intra-Beam and Touschek Scattering Computations for Beam with Non-Gaussian Longitudinal Distributions

Both intra-beamscattering (IBS) and the Touschek effect become prominent formulti-bend-achromat- (MBA-) based ultra-low-emittance storage rings. To mitigate the transverse emittance degradation and obtain a reasonably long beam lifetime, a higher harmonic rf cavity (HHC) is often proposed to lengthen the bunch. The use of such a cavity results in a non-gaussian longitudinal distribution. However, common methods for computing IBS and Touschek scattering assume Gaussian distributions. Modifications have been made to several simulation codes that are part of the elegant [1] toolkit to allow these computations for arbitrary longitudinal distributions. After describing thesemodifications, we review the results of detailed simulations for the proposed hybrid seven-bend-achromat (H7BA) upgrade lattice [2] for the Advanced Photon Source.

Xiao, A.↗

Development of Helium Vessel Welding Process for SNS PPU Cavities

The Spallation Neutron Source Proton Power Upgrade cavities are produced by Research Instrument with all the cavity processing done at vendor sites with final chemistry applied to the cavity to be electropolishing. Cavities are delivered to Jefferson Lab, ready to be tested. One of the tasks to be completed before the arrival of production-ready PPU cavities is to develop a robust helium vessel welding protocol. We have successfully developed the process and applied it to three six-cell high beta cavities. Here, we present the summary of RF results, welding process development, and post helium vessel RF results.

Dhakal, P.↗

Recent Progress on the VASIMR

Experimental and theoretical studies on the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) have continued through a NASA led collaborative program involving several research groups. In the experimental area, performance characterization of the VASIMR helicon plasma source has been obtained over a portion of the parameter space, with helium and hydrogen propellant. Density (10(exp 18) - 10(exp 19)/ cubic meter) and temperature (5 eV) were measured at moderate degree of ionization in two separate experimental devices. Helicon design improvement and optimization will be discussed. Experiments with the ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) subsection have begun and preliminary results will be discussed. Theoretical picture and integrated numerical simulation continue to be refined to account for the main physics elements of the VASIMR, including RF absorption and particle acceleration with subsequent detachment in the magnetic nozzle.

ChangDiaz, Franklin R.↗

Extremely High Frequency RF Effects on Electronics

The objective of this work was to understand the fundamental physics of extremely high frequency RF effects on electronics. To accomplish this objective, we produced models, conducted simulations, and performed measurements to identify the mechanisms of effects as frequency increases into the millimeter-wave regime. Our purpose was to answer the questions, 'What are the tradeoffs between coupling, transmission losses, and device responses as frequency increases?', and, 'How high in frequency do effects on electronic systems continue to occur?' Using full wave electromagnetics codes and a transmission-line/circuit code, we investigated how extremely high-frequency RF propagates on wires and printed circuit board traces. We investigated both field-to-wire coupling and direct illumination of printed circuit boards to determine the significant mechanisms for inducing currents at device terminals. We measured coupling to wires and attenuation along wires for comparison to the simulations, looking at plane-wave coupling as it launches modes onto single and multiconductor structures. We simulated the response of discrete and integrated circuit semiconductor devices to those high-frequency currents and voltages, using SGFramework, the open-source General-purpose Semiconductor Simulator (gss), and Sandia's Charon semiconductor device physics codes. This report documents our findings.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A GNSS Receiver for Small-Sats Enabling Precision POD, Radio Occultations and Reflections

A low cost, low power, and low mass GNSS receiver (called Cion) has been developed and is currently flying on the CICERO cubesats. The receiver was designed in less than a year by JPL for Tyvak and GeoOptics for use in the GeoOptics CICERO constellation and leverages 25 years of JPL GNSS reciever design experience. Cion uses a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) computer along with existing space qualified RF down-converters, software, and firmware to produce atmospheric Radio Occultation (RO) data. By combining a FPGA with dual core ARM processor and an embedded system controller, the Xilinx Zynq processor is an enabling technology that provides a customizable digital signal processing platform integrated into the computer (System on a chip) and enables off-the-shelf hardware to become the main engine behind this software defined radio. Using Linux for the on-board computer allows for fast development times and liberal use of existing open source software libraries. The parts of the receiver that require realtime implementation are performed in the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), which can also be reprogrammed in flight. While the Zynq is not rad hard, the silicon on insulator (SOI) technology is rad tolerant ‘by accident’, allowing for its use in many space-based applications. Early results show that the Cion is working as designed, has demonstrated the first known GLONASS occultations, and obtains high quality atmospheric profiles with excellent lower troposphere penetration (near Earth’s surface).

Young, Larry↗