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DOE OSTI2025

Antenna arrays for neutrino mass measurements with cyclotron radiation emission spectroscopy

Cyclotron Radiation Emission Spectroscopy (CRES) is a technique for precision measurements of kinetic energies of charged particles, pioneered by the Project 8 experiment to measure the neutrino mass using the tritium end-point method. It was recently employed for the first time to measure the molecular tritium spectrum and place a limit on the neutrino mass using a cubic-centimeter-scale detector. Future direct neutrino mass experiments are developing the technique to overcome the systematic and statistical limitations of current detectors. Here, this paper describes one such approach, namely the use of antenna arrays for CRES in free space. Phenomenology, detector design, simulation, and performance estimates are discussed, culminating with an example design with a projected sensitivity of 𝑚 𝛽 < ⁢0.04 eV/𝑐 2 . Prototype antenna array measurements are also shown for a demonstrator-scale setup as a benchmark for the simulation. By consolidating these results, this paper serves as a comprehensive reference for the development and performance of antenna arrays for CRES.

Physics - Nuclear physics and radiation physics↗

DOE OSTI2025

EV Charging Infrastructure Energization An Overview of Approaches for Simplifying and Accelerating Timelines to Processing EV Charging Load Service Requests

The United States has seen significant growth in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, leading to increased demand for EV charging infrastructure. Over the past decade, EV charging infrastructure site developers, site hosts, and electric distribution utilities have navigated the process to integrate chargers onto the electric grid. Site developers and site hosts have raised the alarm that the integration process for high-powered EV charging projects does not meet the needs of the EV market for timeliness or cost. High-powered charging stations typically require a load service request or an agreement with the local utility to connect to the grid. The process of energizing a new high-powered charging site can be complex and time-consuming, often taking up to 2 years. This timeline is the result of current utility energization processes having been designed for construction projects that take longer to build (i.e., buildings). The specific challenges stem from various factors, including compartmentalization in application processes, the integration of EV charging process approvals with other distributed energy resources (DERs), and the need to ensure grid reliability. The energization process needs to evolve to meet the growing demand for high-powered EV charging. This white paper compiles information gathered through various conversations with key stakeholders, including utilities, utility regulators, EV charging operators, site developers, and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) as well as through an extensive literature review. This document identifies the challenges and provides potential solutions to streamline the process of connecting EV charging infrastructure to the power grid in the United States, serving as a starting point for future conversations around these solutions. The solutions noted in this white paper require collaborative efforts among utilities, regulators, and EV charging infrastructure developers to streamline the grid connection process for EV charging infrastructure. They are broadly organized into four areas: 1. Increase data access and transparency: Develop automated load service request tools, integrate hosting capacity and load service request analyses, incorporate EV adoption forecasts, and provide transparency on the processing queue. 2. Improve energization processes and timing: Create fast-track options based on prescreening criteria, provide flexibility or phased approvals in the load service request/interconnection process, build internal knowledge within utilities about EV charging technologies, and provide standardized workforce training. 3. Promote economic efficiency: Right size distribution components to accurately reflect the load requirements of EV charging infrastructure, make proactive investments in grid infrastructure based on EV adoption forecasts and growth projections, and consider energy equity and environmental justice factors such as equitable access to EV charging when planning infrastructure. 4. Improve grid reliability and resilience: Use load management/power control systems (PCS) at EV charging stations, adopt and implement harmonized standards for communication protocols and information models between the EV charging and grid control infrastructure, and address cybersecurity considerations by implementing robust security measures and standards for EV charging infrastructure—with particular emphasis on clarifying the security requirements for the interface to the grid. The objective of the solutions proposed in this white paper is to accelerate the timeline and decrease costs associated with connecting EV charging infrastructure to the grid. Electric utilities, utility regulators, EV charging infrastructure developers, and site hosts will first need to understand which solutions are available in their service territory, and if warranted, which combination of solutions would support their specific needs. Through the successful implementations of solutions at scale detailed here, industry will demonstrate a new and innovative ecosystem where timely deployment and energization of EV charging infrastructure with greater grid resiliency and reliability is a reality.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2026

Expanding Access to Charging at Home (EACH) Technical Report

This report summarizes the implementation, outcomes, and key learnings of Expanding Access to Charging at Homes (EACH), a nationwide multifamily housing charging initiative focused on accelerating deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure at multifamily housing properties. The program combined education, outreach, and technical assistance to support property owners, managers, residents, and industry stakeholders in overcoming barriers to EV charging adoption. The report highlights program strategies, stakeholder engagement, resources developed, and recommendations to help scale charging access at multifamily housing nationwide.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2026

Scalable dark matter searches using integrated photonics

Dark matter (DM) with masses of order an electronvolt or below can have a nonzero coupling to electromagnetism while being compatible with cosmological observations. In these models, the ambient DM behaves as a new classical source in Maxwell’s equations, which can excite potentially detectable electromagnetic (EM) fields in the laboratory. We propose a new integrated-photonics–based approach to search for dark matter candidates in the 0.1–few eV mass range. This approach offers a wide range of wavelength-scale devices like resonators and wave guides that are readily fabricated in large quantities, enabling a scalable and novel search. In particular, we demonstrate that refractive index-modulated resonators, such as etched/grooved microrings, or patterned slabs, support EM modes with efficient coupling to DM. When excited by DM, these modes are read out by coupling the resonators to a wave guide that terminates on a micron-scale–sized single photon detector, such as a single pixel of a low-noise charge-coupled device or a superconducting nanowire. We then estimate the sensitivity of this experimental concept in the context of axionlike particle and dark photon models of DM, demonstrating that nanophotonic confinement and scalability can extend dark matter sensitivity into previously unexplored parameter space.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

NASA NTRS1994

Convection and electrodynamic signatures in the vicinity of a Sun-aligned arc: Results from the Polar Acceleration Regions and Convection Study (Polar ARCS)

An experimental campaign designed to study high-latitude auroral arcs was conducted in Sondre Stromfjord, Greenland, on February 26, 1987. The Polar Acceleration Regions and Convection Study (Polar ARCS) consisted of a coordinated set of ground-based, airborne, and sounding rocket measurements of a weak, sun-aligned arc system within the duskside polar cap. A rocket-borne barium release experiment, two DMSP satellite overflights, all-sky photography, and incoherent scatter radar measurements provided information on the large-scale plasma convection over the polar cap region while a second rocket instrumented with a DC magnetometer, Langmuir and electric field probes, and an electron spectrometer provided measurements of small-scale electrodynamics. The large-scale data indicate that small, sun-aligned precipitation events formed within a region of antisunward convection between the duskside auroral oval and a large sun-aligned arc further poleward. This convection signature, used to assess the relationship of the sun-aligned arc to the large-scale magnetospheric configuration, is found to be consistent with either a model in which the arc formed on open field lines on the dusk side of a bifurcated polar cap or on closed field lines threading an expanded low-latitude boundary layer, but not a model in which the polar cap arc field lines map to an expanded plasma sheet. The antisunward convection signature may also be explained by a model in which the polar cap arc formed on long field lines recently reconnected through a highly skewed plasma sheet. The small-scale measurements indicate the rocket passed through three narrow (less than 20 km) regions of low-energy (less than 100 eV) electron precipitation in which the electric and magnetic field perturbations were well correlated. These precipitation events are shown to be associated with regions of downward Poynting flux and small-scale upward and downward field-aligned currents of 1-2 micro-A/sq m. The paired field-aligned currents are associated with velocity shears (higher and lower speed streams) embedded in the region of antisunward flow.

Weiss, L. A.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Star Formation in the Galaxy and the Fluctuating UV Radiation Field

We examine the formation of massive stars in the Galaxy, the resultant fluctuating UV radiation field, and the effect of this field on the star-forming interstellar medium (ISM). There are substantial fluctuations of the UV radiation field in space (scales of 100's of parsecs) and time (time-scales of order 100 million years) at the solar circle. The Far Ultraviolet (FUV) (6 eV< hv < 13.6 eV) field and the pressure determines whether the thermal balance of the neutral gas results in cold clouds or warm (T - 10(exp 4) neutral medium. We show how to calculate the average fractions of the gas in the cold and warm phases when the interstellar gas is subject to this fluctuating FUV field. The knowledge of how these fractions depend on the gas properties and on the FUV sources is a basic step in building a model of the large scale behavior of the ISM and the mutual relation between the ISM and the star formation rate. Application is made to observations of spiral galaxies which correlate the star formation rate per unit area with the surface density of the gas. We acknowledge support from the NASA Astrophysical Theory program.

Hollenbach, David↗

DOE OSTI2026

Designing the Platinum Catalyst Layer for Improved Performance and Durability in Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis

To lower the cost of hydrogen produced by anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE), it is critical to reduce the use of platinum group metal (PGM) catalysts within the device. While iridium has been successfully replaced with PGM-free catalysts at the anode, platinum-based (Pt) cathode catalysts are still required to meet the activity and durability targets. This study investigates the impact of commercial Pt/C catalyst loading, ionomer type and content, and electrode fabrication method on the cathode catalyst layer properties and AEMWE performance with the aim of determining the feasibility of reduced Pt loadings. While increased Pt loading is found to improve beginning-of-life performance, the effects are minimal above 0.6 mg/cm 2 . Ink characterization shows that ionomer type and content affect the ink stability, particle size, and percent of unbound ionomer, which further impact the homogeneity of the sprayed catalyst layers. The 5% PiperION cathode exhibited the highest performance, which may be attributed to a balance between the small particle size and the low proportion of unbound ionomer, minimizing kinetic and transport losses. Theoretical calculations show that the ionomers interact differently with the Pt surface, causing different surface charges and water adsorption strength and activating different mechanisms for hydrogen evolution. Pt-PiperION lowered the enthalpy of water-splitting by 0.1 eV compared to Pt alone and allowed for equal site access between adsorbed H* and OH* (both adsorbed at circa −2.2 eV). Although catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) fabrication techniques are desirable for scale-up, no performance enhancement is observed compared with the catalyst-coated substrate approach. Durability, as measured by degradation rates, Pt loss, and catalyst layer restructuring, was found to improve with increased Pt loadings, higher ionomer content, and CCM architectures. These findings provide important insight into the significant role of the cathode in AEMWE and strategies for maintaining the performance with low Pt loading or PGM-free catalysts.

08 HYDROGEN↗

DOE OSTI2024

Finite Bubble Statistics Constrain Late Cosmological Phase Transitions

We consider first order cosmological phase transitions (PTs) happening at late times below standard model temperatures T PT ≲ GeV. The inherently stochastic nature of bubble nucleation and the finite number of bubbles associated with a late-time PT lead to superhorizon fluctuations in the PT completion time. We compute how such fluctuations eventually source curvature fluctuations with universal properties, independent of the microphysics of the PT dynamics. Using cosmic microwave background (CMB) and large scale structure measurements, we constrain the energy released in a dark-sector PT. For 0.1 eV ≲ T PT ≲ keV this constraint is stronger than both the current bound from additional neutrino species Δ⁢N eff , and in some cases, even CMB-S4 projections. Future measurements of CMB spectral distortions and pulsar timing arrays will also provide competitive sensitivity for keV ≲ T PT ≲ GeV.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Advanced Manufacturing of the SLS Block 1B Payload Adapter: Engineering Development Unit

The Payload Adapter (PLA) for the Space Launch System Block 1B configuration (SLS B1B) is a structural frustum that interfaces with the Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) and the Universal Stage Adapter (USA) or the cargo fairing at the aft end and interfaces with the primary or co-manifested payload at the forward end. The primary structure is composed of a single piece aluminum forward ring, a segmented aluminum aft ring, eight carbon composite sandwich panels, and composite bonded longitudinal joints. The PLA is designed and fabricated in-house at MSFC. Development and flight article builds are joint efforts between the Materials & Processes Laboratory (EM), the Spacecraft & Vehicle Systems Department (EV), the Space Systems Department (ES), and the Test Laboratory (ET). The large-scale manufacturing efforts associated with this task include the fabrication of pathfinder panels; the fabrication and assembly of a full-scale Manufacturing Demonstration Article (MDA); the fabrication, assembly, and test of an Engineering Demonstration Unit (EDU); the fabrication, assembly, and test of a qualification Article; and the fabrication, assembly, and proof test of subsequent flight articles. The PLA team recently completed assembly of the EDU. The final assembly included the instillation of the co-manifested secondary payload, NEST, and the instillation and tensioning of the Payload Separation System (PSS). This poster will detail the assembly process which includes: (1) composite panel to ring assembly, (2) adhesive bonding for the longitudinal joints, and (3) instillation of the NEST and PSS. The PLA EDU is prepared to undergo modal and static load testing.

Monique Wallace↗

NASA NTRS2001

The KLEM High-Energy Cosmic Ray Collector for the Nucleon Satellite Mission

The basic objective of the KLEM (Kinematic Lightweight Energy Meter) Project is to directly measure the elemental energy spectra of very high-energy (10(exp 11) - 10(exp 16) eV) cosmic rays by determining the angular distribution of secondaries produced in a target layer. A small-scale version of a KLEM device has been designed for inclusion in the NUCLEON Russian satellite mission. Despite its 3 relatively small size of 36 x 36 x 30 cubic cm, this instrument has an aperture of about 0.12 square m sr and can thus make an important contribution to data concerning the elemental energy spectra of cosmic rays up to 10(exp 15) eV. Details of the experiment and the astrophysical significance of the mission will be presented.

Bashindzhagyan, G.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Technical Impacts of Light-Duty and Heavy-Duty Transportation Electrification on a Coordinated Transmission and Distribution System

In this study, we propose a strategy to model the required spatiotemporal charging demand from light-duty (LD) and medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) electric vehicles (EVs) using actual transportation data by mapping the demand for the required EV charging to a realistic and coordinated distribution and transmission electric grid at the predicted times of the day to study their impact on the power system in a variety of load, weather, and EV penetration scenarios. This work is the first study that includes the actual weather data and transportation data with realistic and coordinated distribution and transmission grid data in a large industry-scale level study. The main goal of this study is to identify possible issues and required upgrades in the electric grid, caused by an increase in EV integration. The transmission case study is a large grid with 6717 buses over a Texas footprint, and the distribution grid is over Houston, a city in Texas, covering over three million customers. The resulting overloads and voltage violations experienced in the system are discussed, and required planning upgrades to avoid these issues are suggested.

AC optimal power flow (AC-OPF)↗

DOE OSTI2026

Accurate energies for ππ* excited states via exchange scaling: the XS-CASSCF method

The state-averaged complete-active space self-consistent field method (SA-CASSCF) is a widely employed electronic structure method used for studying photochemistry and dynamics owing to its ability to provide a reliable description even of complicated cases while still retaining computational efficiency. However, SA-CASSCF suffers from one Achilles heel, related to the description of ionic ππ* excited states, whose energy is often overestimated by 1–2 eV. In light of this challenge, we present the XS-CASSCF method, a new approach based on the idea of exchange scaling (XS) that screens the involved energy terms to improve the excitation energies of singlet ionic ππ* states. First, we illustrate the power of the XS-CASSCF method using hexatriene and para-quinodimethane as examples, showing that it corrects the targeted ionic states while leaving the other states largely unaffected, giving root-mean-square errors (RMSE) below 0.2 eV for the four lowest states in both cases. Subsequently, XS-CASSCF vertical excitation energies are tested against theoretical best estimates for a set of 11 molecules and 56 excited states. XS-CASSCF performs exceptionally well for the ππ* states of hydrocarbons, reducing the RMSE over 21 excitation energies from 0.96 to 0.27 eV. In the challenging subset of molecules with heteroatoms and a larger number of ππ* and nπ* states, we find that improvements can also be obtained, albeit not as pronounced. We conclude with an outlook into more realistic molecular materials focusing on their singlet–triplet (S 1 /T 1 ) gaps, finding that significant improvements can be obtained along the whole range of S 1 /T 1 gaps studied, going from 0.1 eV to more than 1.5 eV. Owing to notable improvements across significant classes of molecules combined with its conceptual simplicity, we believe that XS-CASSCF is a promising addition to the electronic structure toolbox, serving both as a standalone electronic structure method and as a starting point for further correlated treatment.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2025

On the Speed-up of Wave-like Dark Matter Searches with Entangled Qubits

Qubit-based sensing platforms offer promising new directions for wave-like dark matter searches. Recent proposals demonstrate that entangled qubits can achieve quadratic scaling of the signal in the number of qubits. In this work we expand on these proposals to analyze the bandwidth and scan rate performance of entangled qubit protocols across different error regimes. We find that the phase-based readout of entangled protocols preserves the search bandwidth independent of qubit number, in contrast to power-based detection schemes, thereby achieving a genuine scan-rate advantage. We derive coherence time and error rate requirements for qubit systems to realize this advantage. Applying our analysis to dark photon searches, we find that entangled states of approximately 100 qubits can become competitive with benchmark photon-counting cavity experiments for masses $\gtrsim 30{-}40~μ{\rm eV}$, provided sufficiently low error rates are achieved. The advantage increases at higher masses where cavity volume scaling becomes less favorable.

Bodas, Arushi [Fermilab; Chicago U.] (ORCID:000000↗

DOE OSTI2024

Time-dependent density-functional theory study on nonlocal electron stopping for inertial confinement fusion

Understanding laser–target coupling is of the utmost importance for achieving high performance in laser-direct-drive (LDD) inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments. Thus, accurate modeling of electron transport and deposition through ICF-relevant materials and conditions is necessary to quantify the total thermal conduction and ablation. The stopping range is a key transport quantity used in thermal conduction models; in this work, we review the overall role that the electron mean free path (MFP) plays in thermal conduction and hydrodynamic simulations. The currently used modified Lee–More model employs various physics approximations. We discuss a recent model that uses time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) to eliminate these approximations in both the calculation of the electron stopping power and corresponding MFP in conduction zone polystyrene (CH) plasma. In general, the TD-DFT calculations showed a larger MFP (lower stopping power) than the standard modified Lee–More model. Using the TD-DFT results, an analytical model for the electron deposition range, λTD−DFT(ρ,T,K), was devised for CH plasmas between ρ=[0.05−1.05] g/cm3, kBT=[100−1000] eV. We implemented this model into LILAC, for simulations of a National Ignition Facility-scale LDD implosion and compared key physics quantities to ones obtained by simulations using the standard model. The implications of the obtained results and the path moving forward to calculate this same quantity in conduction-zone deuterium–tritium plasmas are further discussed, to hopefully close the understanding gap for laser target coupling in LDD-ICF simulations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2025

Universal lower bound on the axion decay constant from free streaming effects

We show that enhancement of the axion relic abundance compared to the standard misalignment contribution generically leads to the production of nonzero momentum axion modes, resulting in warm dark matter behavior and enhanced isocurvature perturbations. It leads to universal constraints on the axion parameter space that are independent of detailed model assumptions and cosmological history. For models enhancing relic abundance with gradient axion modes, observations of the Lyman-$α$ forest impose a lower bound on the axion decay constant, $f_a \gtrsim 10^{15} {\rm GeV}\,(10^{-18}{\rm eV}/m_a)$, from the free-streaming effect. For models relying on the delay of coherent axion oscillations, we obtain a slightly weaker bound, $f_a \gtrsim 10^{14} {\rm GeV}\,(10^{-18}{\rm eV}/m_a)$. We make relatively conservative choices to establish these universal bounds but also provide scaling parameters that can be calibrated for stronger constraints in concrete models and updated as observations improve.

Harigaya, Keisuke [Chicago U., EFI; Tokyo U., IPMU↗

NASA NTRS1995

Plasma gradient effets on doubel-probe measurements in the magnetosphere

The effects on double-probe electric field measurements induced by electron density and temperature gradients are investigated. We show that on some occasions such gradients may lead to marked spurious electric fields if the probes are assumed to lie at the same probe potential with repect to the plasma. The use of a proper bias current will decrease the magnitude of such an error. When the probes are near the plasma potential, the magnitude of these error signals, delta Epsilon, can vary as delta Epsilon approx. T(sub e)(Delta n(sub e)/n(sub e)) + 0.5 Delta T(sub e), where T(sub e) is the electron temperature, Delta n(sub e)/ n(sub e) the relative electron density variation between the two sensors, and Delta T(sub e) the electron temperature difference between the two sensors. This not only implies that the error signals will increase linearly with the density variations but also that such signatures grow with Delta T(sub e) i.e., such effects are 10 times larger in a 10-eV plasma than in a 1-eV plasma. This type of error is independent of the probe separation distance provided the gradient scale length is much larger than the distance. The largest errors occur when the probes are near to the plasma potential. During the crossing of a small structure (e.g, a double layer) the error signal appears as a bipolar signature. Our analysis shows that errors in double-probe measurements caused by plasma gradients are not significant at large scale (much greater than 1 km) plasma boundaries, and may only be important in cases where small-scale (less than 1 km), internal gradient structures exist. Bias currents tailored for each plasma parameter regime (i.e., variable bias current) would improve the double-probe response to gradient effects considerably.

Laakso, Harri↗

NASA NTRS2011

On the Effect of IMF Turning on Ion Dynamics at Mercury

We investigate the effect of a rotation of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) on the transport of magnetospheric ion populations at Mercury. We focus on ions of planetary origin and investigate their large-scale circulation using three-dimensional single-particle simulations. We show that a nonzero Bx component of the IMF leads to a pronounced asymmetry in the overall circulation pattern . In particular, we demonstrate that the centrifugal acceleration due to curvature of the E x B drift paths is more pronounced in one hemisphere than the other, leading to filling of the magnetospheric lobes and plasma sheet with more or less energetic material depending upon the hemisphere of origin. Using a time-varying electric and magnetic field model, we investigate the response of ions to rapid (a few tens of seconds) re-orientation of the IMF. We show that, for ions with gyroperiods comparable to the field variation time scale, the inductive electric field should lead to significant nonadiabatic energization, up to several hundreds of eVs or a few keVs. It thus appears that IMP turning at Mercury should lead to localized loading of the magnetosphere with energetic material of planetary origin (e.g., Na+).

Delcourt, D. C.↗

NASA NTRS2022

The Influence of surface binding energy on sputtering in models of the sodium exosphere of Mercury

We have simulated the sodium (Na) exosphere of Mercury to show how the exosphere is affected by the assumed surface binding energy (SBE) of Na in the sputtered component. We constrained ion precipitation onto the surface using distributions for the cusp regions that are consistent with measurements by the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging Fast Imaging Plasma Spectrometer instrument. We have simulated sputtering with SBEs of 0.27, 2.6, 4.4, and 7.9 eV, with the lowest value commonly used in exosphere models and the highest from recent molecular dynamics calculations for the Na-bearing feldspar end-member, albite. A gradual change in the exosphere is seen as the yield decreases and the ejecta energy increases with increasing SBE. We describe the corresponding exosphere source functions for ion sputtering (IS), as well as for the previously studied processes of micrometeoroid impact vaporization and photon-stimulated desorption (PSD), along with their release energy distributions and spatial distributions. We have summed the contributions of the various source processes to explain how and when the different sources can be distinguished by observations. The modeled exosphere scale heights range from 72 km for PSD to over 1000 km for IS using a SBE of 7.9 eV. We find that the processes responsible for generating Mercury's Na exosphere are separable by measuring line-of-sight column densities tangent to the planet at various altitudes and positions around the planet. Our initial results are consistent with the Na being sputtered from a high-SBE material such as feldspar, which has been predicted to be abundant on the Mercury's surface.

Rosemary M. Killen↗