Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Optical data fusion”

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

Petrology, Geochemistry, and Pairing of Lunar Meteorites from the Dominion Range

Introduction: During the 2018-2019 Antarctic Search for Meteorites (ANSMET) field season in the Dominion Range (DOM), 7 lunar meteorite stones were collected: DOM 18242 (15.1 g), DOM 18244 (25.1 g), DOM 18262 (6.8 g), DOM 18509 (16.5 g), DOM 18543 (13.6 g), DOM 18666 (45.9 g), and DOM 18678 (11.6 g). Here we present the initial results of electron microprobe and X-ray computed tomography (XCT) studies of these stones and look at the details of their petrography and mineral chemistry, as well as investigate possible pairing relationships, both with each other and with previously described lunar meteorites. Most of the work presented here is on the DOM 18509, 18543, and 18678 stones; subsamples of the other stones are in hand and similar measurements will be made on them by the time of the meeting. Methods: Textures in DOM 18509, DOM 18543, and DOM 18678 were characterized in 2D by optical microscopy, backscattered electron (BSE) imaging and elemental X-ray images on thin sections, as well as in 3D by X-ray computed tomography (XCT) on sample chips. Mineral compositions were assessed through a combination of wavelength dispersive spectroscopy EPMA (electron probe microanalysis) and x-ray mapping on the JEOL 8530 at NASA JSC. The bulk composition of all three meteorites was determined based on analyses of the fusion crust glass. XCT analyses were done on the Nikon XTH 320 at NASA JSC. ICP-MS data on bulk rock subsamples for each meteorite will be carried out in the near future. Results: The stones are all similar in macroscopic appearance with a dark aphanitic matrix hosting a variety of small- to medium-sized angular mineral and lithic fragments (often light colored in nature) [1,2]. Based on EPMA and XCT results, the three meteorites are polymict regolith breccias comprised of mineral, glass, and lithic clasts ranging up to several mm in length. Melt veins run through all three meteorite samples. Mineral clasts in all 3 stones are dominated by pyroxene and plagioclase (An82-96), with minor amounts of SiO2, olivine (Fo1-52), and FeTi-oxides. Pyroxene grains are mostly Fe-rich pigeonite and augite, and larger clasts are normally zoned and have fine exsolution lamellae. The lithic clasts in all stones consists of: (1) basalt clasts that contain zoned pyroxene, plagioclase laths, and ilmenite, with minor silica and Fe-rich olivine; (2) granulitic clasts; (3) anorthosite clasts; (4) Si-rich clasts that also contain ilmenite, troilite, high-Ca pyroxene, fayalite, and K-feldspar likely mesostasis from late stage basalts). All three meteorites contain glassy fusion crust that is highly vesicular, high in FeO and Al2O3 (15-17 wt% each), ferroan (Mg# of 23-24), and moderately rich in TiO2 (1.4-1.8 wt%). The composition of the fusion crust can serve as a proxy for the bulk meteorite composition and is identical within error for all three meteorites. Implications: The lithic and mineral clasts in all three stones are similar in clast population and assemblages as well as mineral chemistry. In addition, the fusion crust composition, a proxy for bulk composition, is within error of each other for all three stones. Thus DOM 18509, DOM 18543, and DOM 18678 are almost certainly paired. Based on similarities in macroscopic description as well as preliminary classification data [1,2], all 7 lunar stones from DOM are likely paired, though additional quantitative analyses are needed to confirm this. The presence of spherules and vesicular fusion crusts indicates that the DOM pairing group is a regolith breccia. The presence of basaltic and gabbroic clasts as well as more feldspathic materials, suggest that the regolith from which these meteorites formed contained a mixture of feldspathic highland material and mare material, suggesting a possible provenance near a marehighlands boundary. No evidence of KREEPy lithologies have been observed so far in these meteorites, however, future ICP-MS data on bulk rock chips for the stones will reveal any KREEP component if present. The DOM pairing group has many similarities to previously described lunar breccia meteorite MET 01210, however more detailed compositional data will be needed to make a definitive comparison.

R.A. Zeigler↗

Real-time single-element-detection structured illumination optical metrology for laser powder bed fusion

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is a type of metal additive manufacturing which could benefit from improved process monitoring to improve quality control. We demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, the coaxial monitoring of melt track formation in steel powder with spatial frequency modulation imaging (SPIFI), an enhanced-resolution imaging technique which uses a photodiode to record one-dimensional images. Using a custom live-display software and a high-speed SPIFI geometry, we offset the SPIFI field of view from the fusing beam to monitor different regions of the LPBF melt pool and surrounding area. This demonstrates the potential of SPIFI to monitor spatial features within the melt pool in real-time with increased data efficiency.

Hunter, Scott (ORCID:0009000886150312)↗

Online Bayesian State Estimation for Real-Time Monitoring of Growth Kinetics in Thin Film Synthesis

Rapid validation of newly predicted materials through autonomous synthesis requires real-time adaptive control methods that exploit physics knowledge, a capability that is lacking in most systems. Here, in this study, we demonstrate an approach to enable real-time control of thin film synthesis by combining in situ optical diagnostics with a Bayesian state estimation method. We developed a physical model for film growth and applied the direct filter (DF) method for real-time estimation of nucleation and growth rates during pulsed laser deposition (PLD). We validated the approach using simulated and experimental reflectivity data for WSe 2 growth and ultimately deployed the algorithm on an autonomous PLD system during the growth of 1T'-MoTe 2 . The DF robustly estimates growth parameters in real time at early stages of growth, down to 15% monolayer area coverage. This fusion of in situ diagnostics, data assimilation, and physical modeling opens new opportunities in adaptive control of synthesis trajectories toward desired material states.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

In-Situ and Remote-Sensing Data Fusion Using Machine Learning Techniques to Infer Urban and Fire Related Pollution Plumes

Airmass type characterization is key in understanding the relative contribution of various emission sources to atmospheric composition and air quality and can be useful in bottom-up model validation and emission inventories. However, classification of pollution plumes from space is often not trivial. Sub-orbital campaigns, such as SEAC4RS (Studies of Emissions, Atmospheric Composition, Clouds and Climate Coupling by Regional Surveys) give us a unique opportunity to study atmospheric composition in detail, by using a vast suite of in-situ instruments for the detection of trace gases and aerosols. These measurements allow identification of spatial and temporal atmospheric composition changes due to various pollution plumes resulting from urban, biogenic and smoke emissions. Nevertheless, to transfer the knowledge gathered from such campaigns into a global spatial and temporal context, there is a need to develop workflow that can be applicable to measurements from space. In this work we rely on sub-orbital in-situ and total column remote sensing measurements of various pollution plumes taken aboard the NASA DC-8 during 2013 SEAC4RS campaign, linking them through a neural-network (NN) algorithm to allow inference of pollution plume types by input of columnar aerosol and trace-gas measurements. In particular, we use the 4STAR (Spectrometer for Sky-Scanning, Sun-Tracking Atmospheric Research) airborne measurements of wavelength dependent aerosol optical depth (AOD), particle size proxies, O3, NO2 and water vapor to classify different pollution plumes. Our method relies on assigning a-priori ground-truth labeling to the various plumes, which include urban pollution, different fire types (i.e. forest and agriculture) and fire stage (i.e. fresh and aged) using cluster analysis of aerosol and trace-gases in-situ and auxiliary (e.g. trajectory) data and the training of a NN scheme to fit the best prediction parameters using 4STAR measurements as input. We explore our misclassification rates as related to our ground-truth labels, and with multi-layered pollution plume cases. The next step in our analysis is to optimize parameter selection for a scheme that can be applied to space-borne aerosol and trace-gas observation platforms such as OMI, and future geostationary satellites such as TEMPO and GEO-CAPE.

Neural-network↗

Application of the portable diagnostic package to the Wisconsin high-temperature-superconducting axisymmetric mirror (WHAM)

We present an application of the Portable Diagnostic Package (PDP) on the Wisconsin High-temperature-superconducting Axisymmetric Mirror (WHAM), which integrates an optical emission spectroscopy (OES) system and an active Thomson scattering (TS) system. The OES system facilitates a comprehensive impurity line survey and enables flow measurements through the Doppler effect observed on impurity lines. Plasma rotation profiles were successfully derived from doubly charged carbon lines. The TS system enabled the first measurements of the electron temperature in commissioning plasmas on WHAM. Notably, the PDP was installed, commissioned, and used to obtain OES and TS data within ∼6 months from project start, enabled by its designed portability and standardized interfaces. These results demonstrate the PDP’s potential to accelerate diagnostic readiness and advance experimental plasma studies.

Doppler effect↗

Interferometric measurements of refractive index and dispersion at high pressure

Abstract We describe a high precision interferometer system to measure the pressure dependence of the refractive index and its dispersion in the diamond anvil cell (DAC). The reflective Fabry–Perot fringe patterns created by both a white light and a monochromatic beam are recorded to determine both the sample thickness and its index at the laser wavelength and to characterize the dispersion in the visible range. Advances in sample preparation, optical setup, and data analysis enable us to achieve $$10^{-4}$$ 10 - 4 random uncertainty, demonstrated with an air sample, a factor of five improvement over the best previous DAC measurement. New data on $${\text{H}}_{2}\text{O}$$ H 2 O liquid water and ice VI up to 2.21 GPa at room temperature illustrate how higher precision measurements of the index and its optical dispersion open up new opportunities to reveal subtle changes in the electronic structure of water at high pressure.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Imaging plasma formation in isolated nanoparticles with ultrafast resonant scattering

We have recorded the diffraction patterns from individual xenon clusters irradiated with intense extreme ultraviolet pulses to investigate the influence of light-induced electronic changes on the scattering response. The clusters were irradiated with short wavelength pulses in the wavelength regime of different 4d inner-shell resonances of neutral and ionic xenon, resulting in distinctly different optical properties from areas in the clusters with lower or higher charge states. The data show the emergence of a transient structure with a spatial extension of tens of nanometers within the otherwise homogeneous sample. Simulations indicate that ionization and nanoplasma formation result in a light-induced outer shell in the cluster with a strongly altered refractive index. The presented resonant scattering approach enables imaging of ultrafast electron dynamics on their natural timescale.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Design and Performance of the Solid-State Laser Trigger System for HERMES III

The HERMES III accelerator is an 18-20 MeV linear induction accelerator constructed at Sandia National Laboratories in the late 1980s and which continues operation to this day. As part of recent modernization efforts, the laser triggering system on the accelerator has been replaced with a newly designed solid-state system. This system consists of ten Nd:YAG lasers, each having a nominal output energy of 40-45 mJ at a wavelength of 266 nm. The beam from each laser is split such that it triggers two of the Rimfire gas switches on the accelerator. Compared to the previous laser triggering system, this arrangement makes it possible to more readily tailor the final output pulse shape, and overall reliability for the accelerator's operation with these new lasers has increased. The design of this new laser triggering system is presented in this paper, along with details pertaining to the energy budgeting, optical beam paths, and electrical triggering of the lasers. Initial operational data from the HERMES III accelerator using this new triggering system is also presented.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Collaborative Research Proposal: Time Resolved Optical Emissions Spectroscopy and Laser Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy of Nanosecond Pulsed Discharges in a Gas-Liquid Water Film Reactor

Electrical discharge plasma formed in contact with liquid water is of interest for a wide range of applications in chemical, biomedical, agricultural, electrical, and materials science and engineering. Such plasma reactors are of very timely importance since they also have significant disinfection capability by inactivating bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. Many types of plasma sources including those driven by AC, DC, RF, microwave, and pulsed electrical power supplies coupled to a wide range of different electrode configurations and reactor designs have been developed and explored which contact the plasma with liquid water. Recent roadmaps have recommended that further work is needed to develop our understanding of the fundamental chemical and physical process which occur at the interface of non-thermal plasma with liquid water solutions in order to advance this large diversity of applications which ultimately depend upon efficient production of key reactive chemical species. There is a wide range of interacting factors that affect the chemical reactions that occur in the plasma, in the liquid phase, and at the interface. These factors ultimately govern the key reactive chemical species formed and used in the various applications and they include a) the reactor design and input parameters, b) the discharge and transport processes, c) the plasma properties, and d) the resulting chemical reactions. For pulsed discharges, the power supply design and output parameters control the applied voltage, frequency, rise time, and width (duration) of the applied pulses. The reactor design involves specification of the gas-liquid contacting methods, electrode gap distance, reactor volume and shape, and gas and liquid flow rates achievable. The gas and liquid compositions as well as the liquid properties such as pH and conductivity are also of key importance in determination of the resulting chemical reactions. In addition, the important plasma properties include plasma gas temperature, electron density, electron energy (distribution), and size of the plasma channels which are all affected by the discharge and transport properties. Many studies have focused on specific aspects of these various processes. Of particular important and relevance to the proposed work is the utilization of nanosecond pulses to generate plasma in gas-liquid systems, liquid bubbles, underwater, and in gases. Recent advances in nanosecond pulses provide significant advantages in utilization with liquid water. For example, fast rise time and short pulses are less sensitive to water conductivity, such short pulses may provide advantages in fast temporal quenching of the plasma, and fundamental analysis of pulse properties, including pulse shape and width, may be facilitated by investigation of single filamentary fast pulses. Many studies have also dealt with the role of the gas composition on formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (i.e., hydroxyl radicals – ·OH, hydrogen peroxide – H 2 O 2 , various atomic oxygen species, ozone-O 3 , hydroperoxyl radicals HO 2 ·) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) (i.e., nitrogen oxides – NO, NO 2 , N 2 O - collectively termed NO X , nitrite-NO 2 - , nitrate-NO 3 - , peroxynitrite-ONOO - ). The hydroxyl radical is the critical species in many chemical oxidation reactions for chemical degradation of toxic compounds in water and gases and for synthesis of some compounds. The mixture of various nitrogen oxide species is important for many biochemical and biological processes involved in biomedical and agricultural applications including disinfection and fertilizer production. The present proposal focuses on determination of the effects of time resolved electron density and hydroxyl radicals on plasma chemical reactions through collaboration with the Princeton Collaborative Low Temperature Plasma Research Facility (PCRF) at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). In order to further investigate the role of the plasma generated electrons and hydroxyl radicals on the overall formation of the key species including hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals, and nitrogen oxides, the proposed work, thus seeks to determine high resolution time resolved electron density by optical emissions spectroscopy and time resolved hydroxyl radicals using laser induced fluorescence in the nanosecond discharge reactor. The combination of data on electron density and hydroxyl radical concentration will be utilized in the present work to more fully characterize the chemical reaction processes in this system and to advance the design, development, and operation of such chemical reactors for a wide range of applications.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Mapping Boreal Forest Spruce Beetle Health Status at the Individual Crown Scale Using Fused Spectral and Structural Data

The frequency and severity of spruce bark beetle outbreaks are increasing in boreal forests leading to widespread tree mortality and fuel conditions promoting extreme wildfire. Detection of beetle infestation is a forest health monitoring (FHM) priority but is hampered by the challenges of detecting early stage (“green”) attack from the air. There is indication that green stage might be detected from vertical gradients of spectral data or from shortwave infrared information distributed within a single crown. To evaluate the efficacy of discriminating “non-infested”, “green”, and “dead” health statuses at the landscape scale in Alaska, USA, this study conducted spectral and structural fusion of data from: (1) Unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV) multispectral (6 cm) + structure from motion point clouds (~700 pts per sq. m); and (2) Goddard Lidar Hyperspectral Thermal (G-LiHT) hyperspectral (400 to 1000 nm, 0.5 m) + SWIR-band lidar (~32 pts per sq.m). We achieved 78% accuracy for all three health statuses using spectral + structural fusion from either UAV or G-LiHT and 97% accuracy for non-infested/dead using G-LiHT. We confirm that UAV 3D spectral (e.g., greenness above versus below median height in crown) and lidar apparent reflectance metrics (e.g., mean reflectance at 99th percentile height in crown), are of high value, perhaps capturing the vertical gradient of needle degradation. In most classification exercises, UAV accuracy was lower than G-LiHT indicating that collecting ultra-high spatial resolution data might be less important than high spectral resolution information. While the value of passive optical spectral information was largely confined to the discrimination of non-infested versus dead crowns, G-LiHT hyperspectral band selection (~400, 675, 755, and 940 nm) could inform future FHM mission planning regarding optimal wavelengths for this task. Interestingly, the selected regions mostly did not align with the band designations for our UAV multispectral data but do correspond to, e.g., Sentinel-2 red edge bands, suggesting a path forward for moderate scale bark beetle detection when paired with suitable structural data.

Janice Cessna↗

Signal and data processing of small targets 1989; Proceedings of the Meeting, Orlando, FL, Mar. 27-29, 1989

The present conference on digital signal processing, association and filtering techniques, and multiple-sensor/multiple-tracking techniques, discusses single-frame velocity estimation, efficient target extraction for laser radar imagery, precision target tracking for small extended objects, IR clutter partitioning for matched filter design, the maximum-likelihood approach to gamma circumvention, position estimation for optical point targets using staring detector arrays, and a multiple-scan signal processing technique for area-moving target indication. Also discussed are a proportional integral estimator, the prediction of track purity in tracking performance evaluations, synchronization and fault-tolerance in a distributed tracker, the benefits of soft sensors and probabilistic fusion, and testing track initiation algorithms fusing two-dimensional tracks.

Drummond, Oliver E.↗

Shock-induced metallization of polystyrene along the principal Hugoniot investigated by advanced thermal density functionals

To date, none of the ab-initio molecular dynamics simulations of polystyrene, often used as an ablator material in inertial confinement fusion targets, with the standard ground-state exchange-correlation (XC) functional in density-functional theory can satisfactorily agree with experiments in terms of reflectivity measurements. Here, we use recently developed thermal strongly constrained and appropriately normed Laplacian dependent meta-generalized gradient approximation XC density functional (T-SCAN-L) and thermal hybrid XC density functional (KDT0) to show that the inclusion of thermal and inhomogeneity effects is crucial for accurate prediction of structural evolution and corresponding insulator-metal transition (IMT) during shock compression. Optical reflectivity calculated as an indicator of IMT is in perfect accord with experimental data.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

High-precision shock equation of state measurements for metallic fluid carbon between 15 and 20 Mbar

Diamond is an efficient ablator material to convert the energy of high-power giant lasers into ablation pressure with applications for High-Energy-Density (HED) science, planetary science, and Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) research at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Unfortunately, current theoretical equation of state models cannot reproduce all the observed experimental data in the multi-megabar regime particularly relevant for HED and ICF research. New experimental data on the behavior of carbon at extreme pressures and temperatures are, therefore, essential to improve our predictive capability to design and analyze dynamic compression experiments for HED or ICF research and build improved equation of state models in the future. In this paper, we report high-precision laser-driven shock compression measurements on diamond single crystals at the Omega Laser Facility. Using ultrafast Doppler optical Velocimetry Interferometer System for Any Reflector (VISAR) to track the leading shock front and a quartz plate as an in situ reference, we obtain relative pressure-density shock equation-of-state measurements between 15 and 20 Mbar with an impedance-matching procedure. We also report shock-and-release measurements in a spherical geometry at the NIF. The new data provide tight constraints on the compressibility of warm dense carbon along the Hugoniot of full density diamond, allowing us to discriminate between existing theoretical equation-of-state models. We find that both LLNL LEOS 9061 and LANL Sesame 7835 models capture well the shock compressibility in the explored range. LANL Sesame 7835 also reproduces well the observed shock-and-release behavior of diamond near 10–20 Mbar.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Multi-Scale Integrated Monitoring System for Enhancing Methane Emission Detection, Quantification & Prediction

This report details the progress and findings of a comprehensive study on reviewing existing solutions, identifying technology gaps, and formulating an “all-in-one” integrated strategy for developing the next-generation multiscale methane monitoring and modeling platform, conducted under grant number DE-FE0032292. Co-led by Dr. David Ebert, Dr. Binbin Weng, and Dr. Chenghao Wang at the University of Oklahoma, the project’s goal was to develop an integrated approach for building this engineering platform to detect, quantify, and mitigate methane emissions across various temporal scale, spatial scales, and sectors. The planning grant study began with an extensive review of various methane sensing and monitoring technologies and systems, surveying over 100 technology providers globally. This review revealed the prevalence of optical methods over chemical methods in commercially available sensors, with Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR), Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS), and Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) cameras being the most prevalent options. A trend towards more advanced optical techniques was observed, driven by increased regulatory focus and technological advancements. The technical evaluation of these sensing technologies provided crucial insights into their capabilities and limitations. The study examined emerging technologies such as Differential Absorption LiDAR (DIAL), which show promise for high-precision and long-range detection. The team then investigated the features and application bandwidth of various sensing platforms, including handheld, fixed/stationary, mobile, aerials, and spaceborne monitors. Pilot field studies were conducted to assess the capabilities of solutions for different emission scenarios. Field work with sensor deployments was conducted at three distinct site types: an oil & gas industry site, a cattle ranching operation, and a waste processing facility. The team also conducted a thorough review of methane flux inverse modeling approaches, focused on physically based methods. These approaches were categorized into simple, intermediate, and advanced methods. A realtime WRF-GHG (Weather Research and Forecasting-Greenhouse Gas) modeling system was developed and applied, incorporating multiple data sources to guide field experiments and inform methane plume detection. The project identified and analyzed numerous categories of methane data sources, including satellite measurements, ground-based sensors, and inventory databases. Key platforms examined include EDGAR, EPA GHGI, NASA TROPOMI, Carbon Mapper, and Climate TRACE, among others. The team proposed an architecture for a comprehensive methane monitoring platform. This system incorporates multi-source data acquisition, advanced data processing and assimilation, interactive visualization tools, and analytical capabilities for emissions forecasting and scenario analysis. The proposed platform aims to provide a user-friendly interface catering to various stakeholders, from researchers to policymakers. The architecture includes sophisticated data ingestion methods, a centralized data warehouse, and advanced analytical tools for data fusion and interpretation. To ensure the relevance and effectiveness of the proposed system, a comprehensive survey was conducted to gather stakeholder input on system requirements. Key findings include a strong need for integrating various data types and formats, a preference for real-time data updates and advanced visualization tools, and a demand for user-friendly interfaces catering to different expertise levels.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Phased plan for the implementation of the time-resolving magnetic recoil spectrometer on the National Ignition Facility (NIF)

The time-resolving magnetic recoil spectrometer (MRSt) is a transformative diagnostic that will be used to measure the time-resolved neutron spectrum from an inertial confinement fusion implosion at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). It uses a CD foil on the outside of the hohlraum to convert fusion neutrons to recoil deuterons. An ion-optical system positioned outside the NIF target chamber energy-disperses and focuses forward-scattered deuterons. A pulse-dilation drift tube (PDDT) subsequently dilates, un-skews, and detects the signal. While the foil and ion-optical system have been designed, the PDDT requires more development before it can be implemented. Therefore, a phased plan is presented that first uses the foil and ion-optical systems with detectors that can be implemented immediately—namely CR-39 and hDISC streak cameras. These detectors will allow the MRSt to be commissioned in an intermediate stage and begin collecting data on a reduced timescale, while the PDDT is developed in parallel. A CR-39 detector will be used in phase 1 for the measurement of the time-integrated neutron spectra with excellent energy-resolution, necessary for the energy calibration of the system. Streak cameras will be used in phase 2 for measurement of the time-resolved spectrum with limited spectral coverage, which is sufficient to diagnose the time-resolved ion temperature. Simulations are presented that predict the performance of the streak camera detector, indicating that it will achieve excellent burn history measurements at current yields, and good time-resolved ion-temperature measurements at yields above 3 × 10 17 . The PDDT will be used for optimal efficiency and resolution in phase 3.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

High repetition rate exploration of the Biermann battery effect in laser produced plasmas over large spatial regions

Abstract In this paper we present a high repetition rate experimental platform for examining the spatial structure and evolution of Biermann-generated magnetic fields in laser-produced plasmas. We have extended the work of prior experiments, which spanned over millimeter scales, by spatially measuring magnetic fields in multiple planes on centimeter scales over thousands of laser shots. Measurements with magnetic flux probes show azimuthally symmetric magnetic fields that range from 60 G at 0.7 cm from the target to 7 G at 4.2 cm from the target. The expansion rate of the magnetic fields and evolution of current density structures are also mapped and examined. Electron temperature and density of the laser-produced plasma are measured with optical Thomson scattering and used to directly calculate a magnetic Reynolds number of $1.4\times {10}^4$ , confirming that magnetic advection is dominant at $\ge 1.5$ cm from the target surface. The results are compared to FLASH simulations, which show qualitative agreement with the data.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

5ω Optical Thomson Scattering Report

The 5ω Optical Thomson Scattering system on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a diagnostic designed to measure temporally and spatially resolved plasma conditions in Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) Hohlraums. The system was proposed in 2014 and a phased approach to implementation was developed. In phase one the collection system was designed, built, and fielded on the NIF to be used for 3ω Thomson scattering measurements and background measurements near 211 nm (5ω. The initial commissioning experiment for the collection system was completed in Oct. 2016. Commissioning of the collection system continued through 2017 and the system is now fielded for a range of user experiments and regularly produces publication quality data. A dedicated 5ω probe laser was designed and built to allow Thomson scattering measurements in the presence of 2 MJ of 3ω drive energy. Due to scattered light (spectral reflections, laser-plasma instabilities, and unconverted drive energy) from the 3w drive lasers typical wavelengths (2ω and 4ω) fielded at other laser facilities like the Nova Laser Facility and the Omega Laser Facility were unable to meeting the signal to background requirements in design studies. A 10 Joule 5ω probe was proposed as a solution that met requirements. This 10 Joule laser was more energetic than previously fielded 5w lasers by 2-3 orders of magnitude. As part of a risk reduction plan, phase two of the project was to develop a 1 Joule, 5ω laser to demonstrate conversion efficiency >20% from 1ω to 5ω and make initial Thomson scattering measurements in the first few nanoseconds of an ICF laser pulse. Initial tests of the 5w conversion were completed at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) and produced record 5ω energies. Based on these results from LLE, a 1 Joule, 5w laser system was designed for the NIF in 2018 and commissioning began in 2019. Commissioning of the 5ω laser system continued through 2023 and was eventually paused in Q1 of FY24 due to completing resource constraints. Commissioning of the 5w laser system proved incredibly challenging. Multiple issues were identified during commissioning and resolved, but issues remain. Currently there is not a clear understanding of why 5ω scattered has not been detected on the OTS collection system. Based on offline measurements, calculations, and preshot measurements the system appears to meet all requirements. Potential target physics issues have been investigated and do not appear to be an issue. The current hypothesis is that there is an error in one or more aspects of the offline testing not translating to expected performance when the system is fielded on the NIF. Additional full system testing in-situ utilizing the complete OTS system and NIF target chamber center time is needed to further test potential failure modes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗