Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “AR&D”

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 145 records · Page 8

Noble Gases in Individual Particles From Bennu: Investigating the Origin of Gas-Rich Asteroidal Material

One of the driving hypotheses of the OSIRIS-REx mission [1] is that B-type asteroid Bennu formed beyond the snow line by accretion of material of the protoplanetary disk. Hence Bennu is expected to be rich in highly volatile elements. Among them, noble gases are chemically inert and their abundances and isotope compositions are shaped by physical processes such as radioactivity, irradiation, and isotope fractionation [2]. Hence studying the noble gas composition of Bennu's grains can contribute to testing Hypotheses 4 (formation beyond the snow line), 5 (geological activity), and 6 (catastrophic disruption) of the OSIRIS-REx mission [1]. Here we report preliminary data obtained on particles from asteroid Bennu using our all-noble-gas (He to Xe) analytical system installed at the Centre de Recherches Pétrographiques et Géochimiques (CRPG) Nancy (France) [3]. A companion presentation presents nitrogen-Ne-Ar data [4].

B. Marty↗

Characteristics of the Diffuse Astrophysical Electron and Tau Neutrino Flux with Six Years of IceCube High Energy Cascade Data

In this work, we report on the first measurement of the astrophysical neutrino flux using particle showers (cascades) in IceCube data from 2010-2015. Assuming standard oscillations, the astrophysical neutrinos in this dedicated cascade sample are dominated (~90%) by electron and tau flavors. The flux, observed in the sensitive energy range from 16 TeV to 2.6 PeV, is consistent with a single power-law model as expected from Fermi-type acceleration of high energy particles at astrophysical sources. We find the flux spectral index to be γ=2.53±0.07 and a flux normalization for each neutrino flavor of $\phi$ astro =1.66$_{-0.27}^{+0.25}$ at E 0 =100 TeV, in agreement with IceCube's complementary muon neutrino results and with all-neutrino flavor fit results. In the measured energy range we reject spectral indices γ≤2.28 at ≥3σ significance level. Because of high neutrino energy resolution and low atmospheric neutrino backgrounds, this analysis provides the most detailed characterization of the neutrino flux at energies below ~100 TeV compared to previous IceCube results. Results from fits assuming more complex neutrino flux models suggest a flux softening at high energies and a flux hardening at low energies (p value ≥0.06). The sizable and smooth flux measured below ~100 TeV remains a puzzle. In order to not violate the isotropic diffuse gamma-ray background as measured by the Fermi Large Area Telescope, it suggests the existence of astrophysical neutrino sources characterized by dense environments which are opaque to gamma rays.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

IceCube Search for High-energy Neutrino Emission from TeV Pulsar Wind Nebulae

Pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) are the main gamma-ray emitters in the Galactic plane. They are diffuse nebulae that emit nonthermal radiation. Pulsar winds, relativistic magnetized outflows from the central star, shocked in the ambient medium produce a multiwavelength emission from the radio through gamma-rays. Although the leptonic scenario is able to explain most PWNe emission, a hadronic contribution cannot be excluded. A possible hadronic contribution to the high-energy gamma-ray emission inevitably leads to the production of neutrinos. Using 9.5 yr of all-sky IceCube data, we report results from a stacking analysis to search for neutrino emission from 35 PWNe that are high-energy gamma-ray emitters. Additionally, in the absence of any significant correlation, we set upper limits on the total neutrino emission from those PWNe and constraints on hadronic spectral components.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Atomic data from the iron project. 3: Rate coefficients for electron impact excitation of boron-like ions: Ne VI, Mg VIII, Al IX, Si X, S XII, Ar XIV, Ca XVI and Fe XXII

Collison strengths and maxwellian averaged rate coefficients have been calculated for the 105 transitions among all 15 fine structure levels of the 8 LS terms 2s(sup 2) 2 P(P-2(sup 0 sub 1/, 3/2)), 2s2p(sup 2)(P-4(sub 1/2,3/2,5/2), D-2(sub 3/2, 5/2), S-2(sub 1/2), P-2(sub 1/2, 3/2)), 2p(sup 3)(S-4(sup 0)(sub 3/2), D-2(sup 0 sub 3/2, 5/2), P-2(sup 0 sub 1/2, 3/2)) in highly- charged B-like Ne, Mg, Al, Si, S, Ar, Ca and Fe. Rate coefficients have been tabulated at a wide range of temperatures, depending on the ion charge and abundance in plasma sources. Earlier work for O IV has also been extended to include the high temperature range. A brief discussion of the calculations, sample results, and comparison with earlier works is also given. While much of the new data should be applicable to UV spectral diagnostics, the new rates for the important ground state fine structure transition P-2(sup 0 sub 1/2)-P-2(sup 0 sub 3/2) should result in significant revision of the IR cooling rates in plasmas where B-like ions are prominent constituents, since the new rate coefficients are generally higher by several factors compared with the older data.

Zhang, Hong Lin↗

Evidence of charge exchange pumping in calcium-xenon system

A flowing xenon plasma seeded with calcium was used to investigate the population mechanism for the 5s and 4d levels of Ca(+). From the dependence of certain line intensity ratios on electron temperature it was concluded that charge exchange between Xe(+) and Ca is the predominate mechanism for populating the 5s and 4d levels. Comparison with intensity ratios obtained in Ca-Ar and Ca-Kr imply the same conclusion.

Chubb, D. L.↗

The X flare of 1991 November 15 - Coordinated Mees/Yohkoh observations

This is a preliminary report on two unique new results from coordinated observations at Mees Solar Observatory and Yohkoh of the X1.5 flare of November 15, l991 using vector magnetograms, H-alpha imaging spectra, X-ray images, and X-ray spectra. First, we find a close spatial relationship between H-alpha redshifts and X-rays from a flare loop and its footpoints at a time of large X-ray blueshifts. Second, we find that impulsive-phase hard X-rays originate in regions that are new, but not coincident with, the peaks of the vertical electrical current density distribution in AR 6919.

Canfield, Richard C.↗

Chronology of lunar granite 12033,576: Resetting of Rb-Sr and K-Ca isochrons

Lunar granite 12033,576 is a subsample of the 'large' (approximately 1 g) felsite 12033,507 which was identified from a collection of 4-10 mm particles from the 12033 soil sampled from the north rim of Head Crater in the eastern part of Oceanus Procellarum. Discordant ages of approximately 3.6, approximately 0.8, approximately 3.9, and approximately 2.2 Ga for this lunar granite were obtained, respectively, by the K-Ca, Ar-39/Ar-40, and U-Pb zircon methods in previous studies and by the Rb-Sr method is this study. Assuming the granite crystallized approximately 3.9 Ga ago (zircon age) and was shocked by meteoritic impacts at 0.8 Ga ago (Ar-39-Ar-40 age), the intermediate apparent ages by the Rb-Sr and K-Ca methods can be interpreted as reset by diffusion of the parent and daughter nuclides. The Rb-Sr age is less resistant to resetting than the K-Ca age, but more resistant that the Ar-39/Ar-40 age.

Shih, C.-Y.↗

Collisional Ionization Equilibrium for Optically Thin Plasmas

Reliably interpreting spectra from electron-ionized cosmic plasmas requires accurate ionization balance calculations for the plasma in question. However, much of the atomic data needed for these calculations have not been generated using modern theoretical methods and their reliability are often highly suspect. We have utilized state-of-the-art calculations of dielectronic recombination (DR) rate coefficients for the hydrogenic through Na-like ions of all elements from He to Zn. We have also utilized state-of-the-art radiative recombination (RR) rate coefficient calculations for the bare through Na-like ions of all elements from H to Zn. Using our data and the recommended electron impact ionization data of Mazzotta et al. (1998), we have calculated improved collisional ionization equilibrium calculations. We compare our calculated fractional ionic abundances using these data with those presented by Mazzotta et al. (1998) for all elements from H to Ni, and with the fractional abundances derived from the modern DR and RR calculations of Gu (2003a,b, 2004) for Mg, Si, S, Ar, Ca, Fe, and Ni.

Bryans, P.↗

Advanced Reactors Spent Fuel and Waste Streams Disposition Strategies

This report describes research and development (R&D) activities conducted during Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) in the Advanced Fuels and Advanced Reactor Waste Streams Strategies work package in the Spent Fuel Waste Science and Technology (SFWST) Campaign supported by the United States (U.S.) Department of Energy (DOE). This report is focused on evaluating and cataloguing Advanced Reactor Spent Nuclear Fuel (AR SNF) and Advanced Reactor Waste Streams (ARWS) and creating Back-end Nuclear Fuel Cycle (BENFC) strategies for their disposition. The R&D team for this report is comprised of researchers from Sandia National Laboratories and Enviro Nuclear Services, LLC.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Advanced reactors spent fuel and waste streams disposition strategies

This report describes research and development (R&D) activities conducted during Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) in the Advanced Fuels and Advanced Reactor Waste Streams Strategies work package in the Spent Fuel Waste Science and Technology (SFWST) Campaign supported by the United States (U.S.) Department of Energy (DOE). This report is focused on evaluating and cataloguing Advanced Reactor Spent Nuclear Fuel (AR SNF) and Advanced Reactor Waste Streams (ARWS) and creating Back-end Nuclear Fuel Cycle (BENFC) strategies for their disposition. The R&D team for this report is comprised of researchers from Sandia National Laboratories and Enviro Nuclear Services, LLC.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Evaluation of cosmogenic production of 39 Ar and 42 Ar for rare-event physics using underground argon

Underground argon (UAr) with lower cosmogenic activities of 39 Ar and 42 Ar has been planned as a detector in detecting scintillation light and charge collection using time projection chambers for dark matter searches and as a veto detector in suppressing backgrounds for neutrinoless double beta decay (0$vββ$ ) experiments. Long-lived radioactive isotopes, 39 Ar and 42 Ar, can also be produced on the surface when UAr is pumped out from a deep well. Understanding the production of long-lived isotopes in Ar is important for utilizing UAr for dark matter and 0$vββ$ experiments in terms of its production, transportation, and storage. Ar exposure to cosmic rays at sea-level is simulated using Geant4 for a given cosmic ray muon, neutron, and proton energy spectrum. Here we report the simulated cosmogenic production rates of 39 Ar, 42 Ar, and other long-lived isotopes at sea-level from fast neutrons, high energy muons, and high energy protons. Total production rates of 938.53/kg Ar day and 5.81 × 10 -3 /kg Ar day for 39 Ar and 42 Ar are found from our simulation. Utilizing these production rates, we set a time limit of 954 days constrained by the production of 39 Ar for UAr to be on the surface before it compromises the sensitivity for a dark matter experiment. Similarly, a time limit of 1702 days constrained by the production of 42 Ar is found for a 0$vββ$ experiment.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Inert gases in twelve particles and one 'dust' specimen from the Lunar-16 sample

Mass spectrography was used to measure inert gases in lunar breccia and basalt particles. The He-4/Ne-20 ratio (mean value of 49) in the breccia was systematically lower than in basalt (mean value of 78). Possibly, this may be due to fractionation of He and Ne during and after breccia formation. Pronounced differences observed in the He-4/Ne-3 ratio are attributed to the presence of variable quantities of cosmogenic He-3. This means that either the solar wind intensity varied in time, or that small-ratio particles were exposed to solar radiation rich in He-3 and/or H-3. The exposure ages of four particles are several hundred million years. The Ar-40/Ar-36 ratio is 0.65 for breccia and basalts.

Heymann, D.↗

Technology advancement of the electrochemical CO2 concentrating process

The overall objectives of the present program are to: (1) improve the performance of the electrochemical CO2 removal technique by increasing CO2 removal efficiencies at pCO2 levels below 400 Pa, increasing cell power output and broadening the tolerance of electrochemical cells for operation over wide ranges of cabin relative humidity; (2) design, fabricate, and assemble development hardware to continue the evolution of the electrochemical concentrating technique from the existing level to an advanced level able to efficiently meet the CO2 removal needs of a spacecraft air revitalization system (ARS); (3) develop and incorporate into the EDC the components and concepts that allow for the efficient integration of the electrochemical technique with other subsystems to form a spacecraft ARS; (4) combine ARS functions to enable the elimination of subsystem components and interfaces; and (5) demonstrate the integration concepts through actual operation of a functionally integrated ARS.

Schubert, F. H.↗