Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “MIRROR”

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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Development and preliminary results of 270 GHz microwave forward scattering diagnostic system on the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak (EAST)

To measure localized (intermediate, high) poloidal wavenumber electron density fluctuations, a tangential millimeter-wave collective scattering system has been designed and successfully developed on the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak (EAST). This innovative system employs a 270 GHz mm-wave probe beam, emitted from the mid-plane of Port K and directed towards Port P after passing through a combination of two in-vessel mirrors. Here these two ports are located on the EAST device’s midplane and are 110° apart. The downward scattered signals pass through two in-vessel mirrors, and exit through the P window. The received multi-channel separated scattering signals are arranged along the poloidal direction. This optical arrangement makes the monitored turbulent wave number is poloidal dominant and up to 40 cm −1 . The tangential microwave scattering scheme enables this diagnostic to monitor local density fluctuations, with typically a radial spatial resolution △ R = 5 cm, and a wavenumber resolution of △ k = 0.4 cm −1 . The scattering system underwent comprehensive laboratory testing in 2023, with installation finalized in 2024. The system features steerable launch and receiver optics, allowing remote control to position the scattering volume from normalized radius ρ –0 to the pedestal region on a shot-by-shot basis. Effective experimental data, characterized by distinct off-center spectral peaks, have been successfully obtained in neutral beam-heated plasmas on EAST. The beam tracing forward modeling has been employed for experimental data interpretation. The advanced millimeter-wave scattering system provides fluctuation measurement capability from ion temperature gradient to electron temperature gradient scale on low field side. Preliminary experimental density fluctuation data have been successfully obtained in neutral beam-heated plasmas on EAST. The localized measurement will be used for kinetic turbulence transport numerical simulation validation.

high-k collective scattering↗
DOE OSTI2025

First on-line commissioning experiments at the St. Benedict facility

Nuclear beta decays provide an excellent probe of fundamental symmetries due to their mediation by the weak interaction. In particular, precise measurements of these decays provide constraints on the unitarity of the Cabbibo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) quark-mixing matrix. While superallowed pure Fermi decays currently set the most precise limits, the alternative suite of superallowed mixed mirror decays has been ill-studied. These nuclei can provide an important consistency check of calculation and measurement methods employed for the pure Fermi decays, more critically needed now in the wake of a 2.4σ deviation from unitarity of the CKM matrix. In order to remedy the gap in data for mirror decays, the Superallowed Transition Beta-Neutrino Decay Ion Coincidence Trap (St. Benedict) facility is being commissioned at the University of Notre Dame’s Nuclear Science Laboratory (NSL). In this paper, we present first results of the commissioning of the St. Benedict facility on-line at the TwinSol radioactive beam facility. The results of initial commissioning experiments involving the St. Benedict gas catcher, RF carpet, RFQ ion guide and RFQ cooler-buncher will be presented.

beta decay↗
DOE OSTI2026

Sensitivity of a closed dielectric haloscope to axion dark matter

We present a method to determine the sensitivity of a closed dielectric haloscope to axiondark matter. Dielectric haloscopes aim to probe the theoretically well-motivated axion mass rangeof ∼ 26 µeV to ∼ 500 µeV by utilizing a stack of dielectric disksand a mirror to enhance the axion-photon conversion within an external magnetic field. Theirconversion volume is nearly axion-mass independent, thereby favoring large-scale designs toincrease sensitivity. The large volume causes simulations to be computationally expensive andtime-consuming. This paper presents a simple model that can be used to determine the sensitivityof the experiment with minimal computational resources. The model is able to describe theelectromagnetic response of a closed dielectric haloscope, accounting for realistic geometricimperfections, as well as the noise introduced by the receiver system. It is applied to datataken with a MAgnetized Disk and Mirror Axion Experiment (MADMAX) prototype within the 1.6 TMorpurgo magnet at CERN. This work underpins the first axion dark matter search using adielectric haloscope and provides the foundation for future dark matter searches with MADMAX.

Ivanov, A. [Munich, Max Planck Inst. Quantenopt.]↗
DOE OSTI2025

Magnetic geometry effects on turbulent density fluctuations in Wendelstein 7-X

Line-integrated density fluctuation measurements from the core of the optimised stellarator Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) are studied in the context of magnetic field geometry changes. The amplitude as well as the spectral distribution of fluctuations is affected by varying the magnetic field configuration. Weaker turbulent fluctuations are observed in configurations with higher rotational transform and lower magnetic mirror depth. Simulations with the gyrokinetic codes stella and GENE-3D are used to investigate the role of magnetic geometry for the experimental observations. The stabilising effect of the high rational transform configuration is reproduced by simulations and can be associated with stronger shaping of the magnetic field. This leads to increased finite Larmor radius and local shear effects, which limit the toroidal extent of ion temperature gradient (ITG) modes. For W7-X configurations with higher magnetic mirror depth, gyrokinetic theory and simulations predict weaker fluctuations, since they are closer to having the maximum-J property, which has a stabilising effect on trapped-electron mode and ITG. The opposite trend is observed experimentally, which can therefore not be explained by geometry effects on turbulence alone.

Wendelstein-7X↗
DOE OSTI2026

Latent Twins

Over the past decade, scientific machine learning has transformed the development of mathematical and computational frameworks for analyzing, modeling, and predicting complex systems. From inverse problems to numerical partial differential equations (PDEs), dynamical systems, and model reduction, these advances have pushed the boundaries of what can be simulated. Yet they have often progressed in parallel, with representation learning and algorithmic solution methods evolving largely as separate pipelines. With Latent Twins, we propose a unifying mathematical framework that creates a hidden surrogate in latent space for the underlying equations. Whereas digital twins mirror physical systems in the digital world, Latent Twins mirror mathematical systems in a learned latent space governed by operators. Through this lens, classical modeling, inversion, model reduction, and operator approximation all emerge as special cases of a single principle. We establish the fundamental approximation properties of Latent Twins for both ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and PDEs and demonstrate the framework across three representative settings: (i) canonical ODEs, capturing diverse dynamical regimes; (ii) a PDE benchmark using the shallow-water equations, contrasting Latent Twin simulations with deep operator network and forecasts with a four-dimensional variational method baseline; and (iii) a challenging real-data geopotential reanalysis dataset, reconstructing and forecasting from sparse, noisy observations. Latent Twins provide a compact, interpretable surrogate for solution operators that evaluate across arbitrary time gaps in a single-shot, while remaining compatible with scientific pipelines such as assimilation, control, and uncertainty quantification. Looking forward, this framework offers scalable, theory-grounded surrogates that bridge data-driven representation learning and classical scientific modeling across disciplines.

Latent Twins↗
DOE OSTI2025

First Search for Axion Dark Matter with a MADMAX Prototype

This Letter presents the first search for dark matter axions with mass in the ranges 76.56 to 76.82 μ⁢eV and 79.31 to 79.53 μ⁢eV using a prototype setup for the MAgnetized Disk and Mirror Axion eXperiment (MADMAX). The experimental setup employs a dielectric haloscope consisting of three sapphire disks and a mirror to resonantly enhance the axion-induced microwave signal within the magnetic dipole field provided by the 1.6 T Morpurgo magnet at CERN. Over 14.5 days of data collection, no axion signal was detected. A 95% CL upper limit on the axion-photon coupling strength down to |𝑔 𝑎⁢𝛾 |∼2×10 −11 GeV −1 is set in the targeted mass ranges, surpassing previous constraints, assuming a local axion dark matter density 𝜌 𝑎 of 0.3 GeV/cm 3 . This study marks the first axion dark matter search using a dielectric haloscope.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Prototypes of Nonrelativistic Spin Splitting and Polarization in Symmetry Broken Antiferromagnets

Antiferromagnets that break both space-time reversal and translation-spin-rotation symmetries were recently predicted [L.-D. Yuan, Z. Wang, J.-W. Luo, E. I. Rashba, and A. Zunger, Phys. Rev. B 102, 014422 (2020)] to possess splitting between the otherwise spin-degenerate energy bands even without the relativistic spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Here, we point out that such nonrelativistic spin splitting (NRSS)—in particular, “spin splitting type 4” (SST-4) symmetry-broken antiferromagnets—can be divided into subgroups having distinct patterns of spin splitting and spin textures, depending on additional auxiliary symmetries of spin interconversion and polarity. These SST-4 subgroups include the 𝛼-type (no spin-interconverting symmetry) having spin splitting at the Brillouin zone center, as well as the 𝛽 subgroup in which a rotation symmetry is applied and determines the alternating spin texture and the 𝛾 subgroup having exclusively reflection spin-interconverting symmetry. Unlike ferrimagnets, the 𝛼-type compounds are shown to have tiny net magnetization at finite temperature and thus avoid the adverse effect of the stray field. The 𝛼 and 𝛽 subgroups can be either polar or nonpolar, whereas the 𝛾 subgroup is polar only, providing a basis for possible switching by external fields. The combination of NRSS-enabling and auxiliary symmetries is used here as a filter for identifying previously synthesized compounds as specific prototypes. Their characteristic splitting and spin polarization are calculated by density functional theory to the benefit of potential future experimental testing. Interesting results are as follows: (i) SOC-independent NRSS can exceed the magnitude of the SOC-induced Rashba and Dresselhaus spin splitting in semiconductors. (ii) Examples of predicted 𝛼-type insulating compounds include BiCrO 3 (nonpolar) and Mn 2 ⁢ScSbO 6 (polar), the latter having spin splitting of 158 meV and 160 meV in the valence and conduction bands, respectively. (iii) The 𝛽-type (Cu 2 ⁢Y 2 ⁢O 5 and FeF 2 ) and 𝛾-type compounds (Mn 4 ⁢Nb 2 ⁢O 9 and FeScO 3 ) are distinguished both by their auxiliary symmetries and polarity. The spin textures of 𝛾-type compounds are mirror reflected with spin degeneracy of the wave vectors on that mirror. These observations will likely broaden the experimental playing field of NRSS physics significantly.

antiferromagnets↗
DOE OSTI2024

In-beam γ -ray spectroscopy of negative-parity states of 37 K populated in dissipative reactions

In-beam γ-ray spectroscopy was used to study excited states of the neutron-deficient nucleus 37 K populated in fast-beam inelastic-scattering and proton-removal reactions at high-momentum loss. New γ-ray transitions and γγ coincidence relationships were established using the γ-ray tracking array GRETINA. The extension of the level scheme up to the first (13/2 – ) state highlights the potential of this recently demonstrated population pathway for studies of isospin symmetry involving mirror-energy differences. Furthermore, the nature of the newly identified states is discussed in comparison to shell-model calculations with the FSU cross-shell effective interaction. The calculated occupation numbers of individual orbitals are shown to offer a consistent explanation of the measured mirror-energy differences between 37 K and 37 Ar.

20 ≤ A ≤ 38↗
DOE OSTI2024

Asymmetric reheating via inverse symmetry breaking

Asymmetric reheating is a generic requirement for models of dark sectors with light species, but its implementation is usually in tension with unique phenomenologies otherwise possible in compelling theories containing dark copies of the Standard Model. We present a simple module to implement asymmetric reheating during a Z 2 -breaking phase above some critical temperature. This reinvigorates the possibility of an exactly degenerate mirror sector and the striking phenomenology of composite particles oscillating into their mirror counterparts. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗
DOE OSTI2025

First Search for Dark Photon Dark Matter with a madmax Prototype

We report the first result from a dark photon dark matter search in the mass range from 78.62 to 83.95 μ eV / c 2 with a dielectric haloscope prototype for (Magnetized Disc and Mirror Axion eXperiment). Putative dark photons would convert to detectable photons within a stack consisting of three sapphire disks and a mirror. The emitted power of this system is received by an antenna and successively digitized using a low-noise receiver. No significant signal attributable to dark photons has been observed above the expected background. Assuming unpolarized dark photon dark matter with a local density of ρ χ = 0.3 G eV cm 3 we exclude a dark photon to photon mixing parameter χ > 2.7 × 10 − 12 over the full mass range and χ > 1.1 × 10 − 13 at a mass of 80.57 μ eV / c 2 with a 95% confidence level. This is the first physics result from a prototype and exceeds previous constraints on χ in this mass range by up to almost three orders of magnitude. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2026

Search for New Physics via Low-Energy Electron Recoils with a 4.2 Tonne-Year Exposure from the LZ Experiment

We report results from searches for new physics models through electron recoils using data collected by the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment during its first two science runs, with a total exposure of 4.2 tonne−years. The observed data are consistent with a background-only hypothesis. Constraints are derived for electromagnetic interactions of solar neutrinos, solar axionlike particles (ALPs), mirror dark matter, and the absorption of bosonic dark matter candidates. The inverse Primakoff process for 57 Fe deexcitation solar ALPs is considered for the first time. These results represent the most stringent constraints to date on keV-scale Primakoff and 57 Fe solar ALPs, bosonic dark matter, mirror dark matter, and neutrino millicharge, while remaining competitive for the other signal models investigated.

Axion-like particles↗
DOE OSTI2026

Electromagnetic Analysis of ITER Electron Cyclotron Emission Model

The ITER electron cyclotron emission (ECE) diagnostic system is located at diagnostics shielding module 2 (DSM2), equatorial port 9 (EP9), to measure electron temperature profile and electron temperature fluctuations, and also assess nonthermal electron distributions via the oblique view. Therefore, ECE has both radial and oblique views with two hot sources for calibration and two couples of mirrors for two different optical views. It shall receive that the large electromagnetic (EM) loads up to 100-MN/m3 force density due to the eddy currents on the copper mirrors generated by the short transient plasma disruption. The simplified EM analysis model using magnetic field ( B ) data and flux variations (dB/dt) method based on the worst case of plasma disruption, MD_DW_EXP16MS_CATIII, has been developed to calculate the force and moments for each ECE component and support structure for EP9 DSM2 Bay2 and Bay3. The B and dB/dt methods use the constant B and dB/dt assumed for each local bay space, but the real B and dB/dt are basically varied along the radial direction of each bay. The complex global model with the local ECE components and support structure using Maxwell transient has been developed to do EM analysis to compare the results of the B and dB/dt models. The volumetric EM force density of the whole ECE components and support structure can be used for the subsequent structural analysis. In conclusion, combined with the thermal and nuclear loads and seismic and initial loads, the ECE integration analysis can be finalized for the operation case.

Fang, J. [Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPP↗
DOE OSTI2025

Resolve instrument onboard XRISM: design, integration, and instrument test results

The Resolve instrument onboard the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) consists of an array of 6 × 6 silicon-thermistor microcalorimeters cooled down to 50 mK and a high-throughput X-ray mirror assembly (XMA) with a focal length of 5.6 m. XRISM is a recovery mission of ASTRO-H/Hitomi, and the Resolve instrument is a rebuild of the ASTRO-H Soft X-ray spectrometer (SXS) and the Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) that achieved energy resolution of ∼ 5 eV FWHM on orbit, with several important changes based on lessons learned from ASTRO-H. The flight models of the Dewar and the electronics boxes were fabricated, and the instrument test and calibration were conducted in 2021. By tuning the cryocooler frequencies, energy resolution better than 4.9 eV FWHM at 6 keV was demonstrated for all 36 pixels and high-resolution grade events, as well as energy-scale accuracy better than 2 eV up to 30 keV. The immunity of the detectors to microvibration, electrical conduction, and radiation was evaluated. The instrument was delivered to the spacecraft system in April 2022. The XMA was tested and calibrated separately. Its angular resolution is 1.27′, and the effective area of the mirror itself is 570 cm 2 at 1 keV and 424 cm 2 at 6 keV. We report the design and the major changes from the ASTRO-H SXS, the integration, and the results of the instrument test.

X-ray↗
DOE OSTI2025

Laser-induced damage-growth threshold at 351 nm in the nanosecond regime in dielectric coatings employing different high-index materials

The laser-damage performance of HfO 2 /SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 /SiO 2 mirrors was investigated at a laser wavelength of 351 nm with nanosecond pulse durations. A method was developed to quantify the laser-induced damage-growth threshold under conditions relevant to high-repetition-rate, large-aperture laser systems. The results suggest that the damage-growth performance cannot be inferred from the corresponding damage-initiation threshold that is commonly used to evaluate the performance of optical materials. Here, a systematic difference was also observed in the performance between these two groups of high-index materials, with the Al 2 O 3 /SiO 2 mirrors exhibiting about twofold improvement in the damage-growth threshold.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development and test of a large-aperture Nb3Sn cos-theta dipole coil with stress management

The stress-managed cos-theta (SMCT) coil is a new concept which was proposed and is being developed at Fermilab in the framework of US Magnet Development Program (US-MDP) for high-field and/or large-aperture accelerator magnets based on low-temperature and high-temperature superconductors. A 120-mm aperture two-layer Nb3Sn SMCT dipole coil has been developed at Fermilab to demonstrate and test the SMCT concept including coil design, fabrication technology and performance. The first SMCT demo coil was fabricated and assembled with 60-mm aperture Nb3Sn coil inside a dipole mirror configuration and tested separately and in series with the insert coil. This paper summarizes the design, parameters, and quench performance of the 120-mm aperture SMCT coil in a dipole mirror configuration.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Dual-Image Color Normalization to Enable High-Performance Concentrating Solar Optical Metrology

Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) requires precision mirrors, and these in turn require metrology systems to measure their optical slope. In this project we studied a color-based approach to the correspondence problem, which is the association of points on an optical target with their corresponding points seen in a reflection. This is a core problem in deflectometry-based metrology, and a color solution would enable important new capabilities. We modeled color as a vector in the [R,G,B] space measured by a digital camera, and explored a dual-image approach to compensate for inevitable changes in illumination color. Through a series of experiments including color target design and dual-image setups both indoors and outdoors, we collected reference/measurement image pairs for a variety of configurations and light conditions. We then analyzed the resulting image pairs by selecting example [R,G,B] pixels in the reference image, and seeking matching [R,G,B] pixels in the measurement image. Modulating a tolerance threshold enabled us to assess both match reliability and match ambiguity, and for some configurations, orthorectification enabled us to assess match accuracy. Using direct-direct imaging, we demonstrated color correspondence achieving average match accuracy values of 0.004 h, where h is the height of the color pattern. We found that wide-area two-dimensional and linear one-dimensional color targets outperformed hybrid linear/lateral gradient targets in the cases studied. Introducing a mirror degraded performance under our current techniques, and we did not have time to evaluate whether matches could be reliably achieved despite varying light conditions. Nonetheless, our results thus far are promising.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Compare low-gain 1D and 3D models toward a storage ring-based X-ray free-electron-laser oscillator

Fourth-generation diffraction-limited synchrotron light sources (DL-SLS) present a compelling platform for advanced light source applications due to their ultra-low emittance (around tens of picometers), sub-micrometer beam stability, and high repetition rates (greater than 1 MHz). Despite these advantages, fundamental limitations, such as long bunch durations (tens of picoseconds), large relative energy spread (~10⁻³), and low peak current (<300 A), have hindered their effectiveness in free-electron laser (FEL) applications. Using a low-gain three-dimensional (3D) model based on NSLS-II upgrade lattice parameters, we demonstrate that a 6% single-pass gain is achievable with an optimized transverse gradient undulator (TGU). Concurrently, recent advances in X-ray optics—specifically, a four-mirror bow-tie resonator utilizing diamond mirrors and beryllium compound refractive lenses (CRLs)—enable total round-trip losses below 4% and an output coupling efficiency near 1%, rendering a Storage Ring based X-ray FEL oscillator (XFELO) a realistic possibility. In the 3D framework, the TGU effectively mitigates the detrimental effects of large energy spread by spatially dispersing the beam, leading to enhanced gain relative to conventional one-dimensional (1D) models. We establish both analytical and numerical connections between the 1D and 3D descriptions, leveraging GENESIS simulations to map equivalent gain conditions. While 1D resonance is defined in the energy domain, the 3D TGU system shifts the resonance dependence to transverse gradient and dispersion parameters. Once optimized, this framework allows predictive modeling using 1D formulas, which can then be validated through full 3D simulations.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

SOFAST 2.0 User Guide and Technical Description, Document Version 1.0

This report accompanies Sandia’s deflectometry tool, SOFAST 2.0, providing both a user guide and a basic technical description. SOFAST is a deflectometry tool used to measure surface slope maps of concentrating solar power (CSP) mirrors and collectors. The original SOFAST performed high-resolution measurement of a variety of CSP mirror types. SOFAST 2.0 is a completely new version, re-implemented in Python and including many extensions and improvements.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗