Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “surface effect”

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 1,549 records · Page 86
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Determination of ultra-short laser induced damage threshold of KH{sub 2}PO{sub 4} crystal: Numerical calculation and experimental verification

Rapid growth and ultra-precision machining of large-size KDP (KH{sub 2}PO{sub 4}) crystals with high laser damage resistance are tough challenges in the development of large laser systems. It is of high interest and practical significance to have theoretical models for scientists and manufacturers to determine the laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of actually prepared KDP optics. Here, we numerically and experimentally investigate the laser-induced damage on KDP crystals in ultra-short pulse laser regime. On basis of the rate equation for free electron generation, a model dedicated to predicting the LIDT is developed by considering the synergistic effect of photoionization, impact ionization and decay of electrons. Laser damage tests are performed to measure the single-pulse LIDT with several testing protocols. The testing results combined with previously reported experimental data agree well with those calculated by the model. By taking the light intensification into consideration, the model is successfully applied to quantitatively evaluate the effect of surface flaws inevitably introduced in the preparation processes on the laser damage resistance of KDP crystals. This work can not only contribute to further understanding of the laser damage mechanisms of optical materials, but also provide available models for evaluating the laser damage resistance of exquisitely prepared optical components used in high power laser systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Effect of bath temperature on surface morphology and photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanorods

ZnO nanorods were prepared by using simple hydrothermal method using four different bath temperatures. All the prepared ZnO nanorods are annealed at 450°C and are characterized by using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction, UV spectra and scanning electron microscopy. Photocatalytic activity of the prepared ZnO nanorods is analyzed. A novel photocatalytic reactor designed with ZnO nanorods prepared at 90°C shows enhanced catalytic efficiency. The role of light irradiation time, bath temperature and surface morphology of the ZnO nanorods on the performance of photocatalytic reaction is analyzed.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Coexistence of negative photoconductivity and hysteresis in semiconducting graphene

Solution-processed graphene quantum dots (GQDs) possess a moderate bandgap, which make them a promising candidate for optoelectronics devices. However, negative photoconductivity (NPC) and hysteresis that happen in the photoelectric conversion process could be harmful to performance of the GQDs-based devices. So far, their origins and relations have remained elusive. Here, we investigate experimentally the origins of the NPC and hysteresis in GQDs. By comparing the hysteresis and photoconductance of GQDs under different relative humidity conditions, we are able to demonstrate that NPC and hysteresis coexist in GQDs and both are attributed to the carrier trapping effect of surface adsorbed moisture. We also demonstrate that GQDs could exhibit positive photoconductivity with three-order-of-magnitude reduction of hysteresis after a drying process and a subsequent encapsulation. Considering the pervasive moisture adsorption, our results may pave the way for a commercialization of semiconducting graphene-based and diverse solution-based optoelectronic devices.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Spin waves in the soft layer of exchange-coupled soft/hard bilayers

The magnetic dynamical properties of the soft layer in exchange-coupled soft/hard bilayers have been investigated numerically using a one-dimensional atomic chain model. The frequencies and spatial profiles of spin wave eigenmodes are calculated during the magnetization reversal process of the soft layer. The spin wave modes exhibit a spatially modulated amplitude, which is especially evident for high-order modes. A dynamic pinning effect of surface magnetic moment is observed. The spin wave eigenfrequency decreases linearly with the increase of the magnetic field in the uniformly magnetized state and increases nonlinearly with field when spiral magnetization configuration is formed in the soft layer.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2017

Energy level alignment at molecule-metal interfaces from an optimally tuned range-separated hybrid functional

The alignment of the frontier orbital energies of an adsorbed molecule with the substrate Fermi level at metal-organic interfaces is a fundamental observable of significant practical importance in nanoscience and beyond. Typical density functional theory calculations, especially those using local and semi-local functionals, often underestimate level alignment leading to inaccurate electronic structure and charge transport properties. Here, we develop a new fully self-consistent predictive scheme to accurately compute level alignment at certain classes of complex heterogeneous molecule-metal interfaces based on optimally tuned range-separated hybrid functionals. Starting from a highly accurate description of the gas-phase electronic structure, our method by construction captures important nonlocal surface polarization effects via tuning of the long-range screened exchange in a range-separated hybrid in a non-empirical and system-specific manner. We implement this functional in a plane-wave code and apply it to several physisorbed and chemisorbed molecule-metal interface systems. Our results are in quantitative agreement with experiments, the both the level alignment and work function changes. This approach constitutes a new practical scheme for accurate and efficient calculations of the electronic structure of molecule-metal interfaces.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Polarization-dependent local conductivity and activation energy in KTiOPO 4

We study the local conductivity properties of KTiOPO4 using conductive atomic force microscopy in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV). We show that domains with opposite orientations have different conductivity values. We research the temperature dependence of the local conductivity and report a difference in the activation energy of 25% between different domains. Moreover, we show that the local conductivity increases with the number of biased-scans. Lastly, it is found that the domain wall conductivity previously observed at ambient conditions vanishes in UHV. Our results are discussed in terms of the screening effects and surface conditions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2019

Electron mobility enhancement in an undoped Si/SiGe heterostructure by remote carrier screening

Here, we investigate the effects of surface tunneling on electrostatics and transport properties of two-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) in undoped Si/SiGe heterostructures with different 2DEG depths. By varying the gate voltage, four stages of density-mobility dependence are identified with two density saturation regimes observed, which confirms that the system transitions between equilibrium and nonequilibrium. Mobility is enhanced with an increasing density at low biases and, counterintuitively, with a decreasing density at high biases as well. The density saturation and mobility enhancement can be semiquantitatively explained by a surface tunneling model in combination with a bilayer screening theory

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Effects of cation stoichiometry on surface morphology and crystallinity of ZnGeN 2 films grown on GaN by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

ZnGeN 2 films were grown on GaN-on-sapphire templates via metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to estimate the Zn/(Zn+Ge) composition ratio in the films. This ratio decreased with increase in growth temperature but increased with increase in total reactor pressure or Zn/Ge precursor flow rate ratio. Systematic mapping of these key growth parameters has allowed us to identify the growth window to achieve ZnGeN 2 with stoichiometric cation composition. Compositional and statistical analyses performed on data acquired from atom probe tomography provided insight into the local compositional homogeneity. The cations Zn and Ge did not demonstrate segregation or clustering at the sub-nanometer level. Based on X-ray diffraction 2θ-ω scan profiles and transmission electron microscope nano-diffraction patterns, the films with near-stoichiometric cation ratios were single crystalline with planar surfaces, whereas zinc-rich or zinc-poor films were polycrystalline with nonplanar surfaces. The growth direction of the single crystalline ZnGeN 2 films on GaN templates was along the c-axis. Room temperature Raman spectra showed features associated with the phonon density of states, indicating the presence of cation disorder in the lattice. A cathodoluminescence peak associated with transitions involving deep level defects was observed around 640 nm. The intensity of this peak increased by almost 2.5 times as the temperature was reduced to 77 K from room temperature. A similar peak was observed in photoluminescence spectra collected at 80 K.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Absolute laser energy absorption measurement of relativistic 0.7 ps laser pulses in nanowire arrays

Laser absorption is one of the most important parameters governing laser–matter interactions. The laser energy absorption on nanowire array targets is measured for the first time in the relativistic regime at intensities of 10 19 W=cm 2 and compared to foil targets. The results show that the laser energy absorption of 0.7 ps frequency doubled (527 nm) pulses on Au nanowire targets varies widely with nanowire parameters, reaching laser energy absorption values up to 71% of the incident energy, significantly exceeding those of solid flat targets obtained in similar irradiation conditions. The analysis shows that the increase in absorption strongly correlates with larger effective target surface area over a broad range of nanowire parameters explored. These direct absorption measurements provide valuable data to benchmark simulations of the relativistic laser pulse interactions with nanostructures.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Demonstration of thermal limit mean transverse energy from cesium antimonide photocathodes

The mean transverse energy (MTE) of electrons emitted from cathodes is a critical parameter that determines the brightness of electron beams for applications, such as x-ray free electron lasers, particle colliders, and ultrafast electron scattering experiments. Achieving a MTE close to the thermal limit is a key step toward realizing the full potential of electron sources in these applications. Cesium antimonide (Cs 3 Sb) is a technologically important material with a long history of use in photon detection and electron sources. The smallest MTE of electrons photoemitted from Cs 3 Sb has always been appreciably greater than the thermal limit and was attributed to surface non-uniformities. In this work, we present comprehensive measurements of the photoemission electron energy spectra (PEES), quantum efficiency, and MTE from Cs 3 Sb in a wide photoexcitation energy range from 1.5 to 2.3 eV. Our PEES measurements demonstrate a notably low photoemission threshold of around 1.5 eV, which is in contrast with the previously perceived threshold of 1.8–2.0 eV. Moreover, we show that the MTE at this threshold of 1.5 eV nearly converges to the thermal limit at 300 K. At 1.8 eV, the MTE measured is 40 meV, which is comparable to the previously reported value. Here, we conclude that this MTE value at 1.8 eV photon energy is not due to surface roughness effects as previously believed, but is a direct consequence of the excess energy.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Probing elemental diffusion and radiation tolerance of perovskite solar cells via non-destructive Rutherford backscattering spectrometry

Mixed organic–inorganic halide perovskite-based solar cells have attracted interest in recent years due to their potential for both terrestrial and space applications. Analysis of interfaces is critical to predicting device behavior and optimizing device architectures. Most advanced tools to study buried interfaces are destructive in nature and can induce further degradation. Ion beam techniques, such as Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), is a useful non-destructive method to probe an elemental depth profile of multilayered perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as well as to study the inter-diffusion of various elemental species across interfaces. Additionally, PSCs are becoming viable candidates for space photovoltaic applications, and it is critical to investigate their radiation-induced degradation. RBS can be simultaneously utilized to analyze the radiation effects induced by He+ beam on the device, given their presence in space orbits. In the present work, a 2 MeV He+ beam was used to probe the evidence of elemental diffusion across PSC interfaces with architecture glass/ITO/SnO2/Cs0.05(MA0.17FA0.83)0.95Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3/spiro-OMeTAD/MoO3/Au. During the analysis, the device active area was exposed to an irradiation equivalent of up to 1.62 × 1015 He+/cm2, and yet, no measurable evidence (with a depth resolution ∼1 nm) of beam-induced ion migration was observed, implying high radiation tolerance of PSCs. On the other hand, aged PSCs exhibited indications of the movement of diverse elemental species, such as Au, Pb, In, Sn, Br, and I, in the active area of the device, which was quantified with the help of RBS.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Separation of Hydrogen Using Pd/Ag Membranes: Experimental and Modeling Results with Potential Application to Direct Internal Recycle

Implementation of fusion energy requires processing the deuterium-tritium (D-T) mixture used to fuel the reaction, and separation of hydrogen isotopes from other gases is imperative. Specifically, the separation of hydrogen isotopes from helium is a matter of importance to the fusion fuel cycle community. Initial testing with a palladium-silver (Pd-Ag) membrane indicates that even moderate vacuum (~100 torr permeate pressure) can provide a high degree of separation (>90%) at a high ratio of H 2 to He. Given the presence of He in many fusion systems, a high technology readiness level (TRL) for Q 2 /He (where Q represents any isotope of hydrogen) separations is needed. This study demonstrates the efficacy of H 2 removal from He via permeation and potential applications for direct internal recycle. Modeling will accompany the experimental campaign to generate a predictive capability and quantify the separation performance. Modeling from previous hydrogen permeation studies has demonstrated that the typical Sieverts’ law fails to predict the measured permeation rates at high hydrogen fluxes. Existing models are being refined to integrate the effects of surface phenomena into permeation predictions, which have been expanded to account for mixtures with large ranges of Q 2 concentrations. These data will improve the TRL of permeators as a separation technology for the fusion fuel cycle.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2011

A METHOD FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF ATMOSPHERIC PARAMETERS USING THE PHOTOMETRIC INDICES IN THE uvby COLOR SYSTEM

A new method was developed to estimate the effective temperature, surface gravity, and metallicity of cool stars using only photometric indices in the uvby color system. In a graphical method, T{sub eff} and log g were determined for all of the different values of [Fe/H] using model atmosphere grids with respect to (b - y):c{sub 1} and (b - y):m{sub 1} pair indices. Then, a three-dimensional figure where X-, Y-, and Z-axes correspond to T{sub eff}, log g, and [Fe/H] was produced. By reading an intersection of two curves formed by a connection of three parameters obtained from the (b - y):c{sub 1} and (b - y):m{sub 1} pair indices on each of the three projected planes, T{sub eff}, log g, and [Fe/H] were determined simultaneously. In addition, an analytical method was devised based on the same algorithm developed for the graphical method. The new method was applied to a number of field dwarfs and giants, and the results were compared with those from a spectroscopic method and other photometric calibrations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

THE ORBIT OF CHARON IS CIRCULAR

We present a detailed analysis of the orbit of Charon where we show its orbit to be circular. This analysis explores the effects of surface albedo variations on the astrometry and the resulting errors in the orbital elements. We present two new epochs of data from the Hubble Space Telescope taken in 2008 and 2010 and combine that with a re-analysis of previously published data from 1992 and 2002. Our adopted two-body Keplerian orbital elements for Charon are P = 6.3872273 {+-} 0.0000003 days, a = 19573 {+-} 2 km, e = 0., i = 96.218 {+-} 0.008 deg, L = 4.50177 {+-} 0.00018 rad, and {Omega} = 3.89249 {+-} 0.00012 rad for an epoch of JDT = 2452600.5 in the J2000 reference frame. The 1{sigma} upper limit to the eccentricity is 7.5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -5}. The predicted uncertainty in the position of Charon relative to Pluto at the time of the New Horizons encounter based on this orbit is 8 km.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

THE RADIAL VELOCITY EXPERIMENT (RAVE): FOURTH DATA RELEASE

We present the stellar atmospheric parameters (effective temperature, surface gravity, overall metallicity), radial velocities, individual abundances, and distances determined for 425,561 stars, which constitute the fourth public data release of the RAdial Velocity Experiment (RAVE). The stellar atmospheric parameters are computed using a new pipeline, based on the algorithms of MATISSE and DEGAS. The spectral degeneracies and the Two Micron All Sky Survey photometric information are now better taken into consideration, improving the parameter determination compared to the previous RAVE data releases. The individual abundances for six elements (magnesium, aluminum, silicon, titanium, iron, and nickel) are also given, based on a special-purpose pipeline that is also improved compared to that available for the RAVE DR3 and Chemical DR1 data releases. Together with photometric information and proper motions, these data can be retrieved from the RAVE collaboration Web site and the Vizier database.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

THE ZURICH ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY (ZENS) OF GALAXIES IN GROUPS ALONG THE COSMIC WEB. II. GALAXY STRUCTURAL MEASUREMENTS AND THE CONCENTRATION OF MORPHOLOGICALLY CLASSIFIED SATELLITES IN DIVERSE ENVIRONMENTS

We present structural measurements for the galaxies in the 0.05 < z < 0.0585 groups of the Zurich Environmental Study, aimed at establishing how galaxy properties depend on four environmental parameters: group halo mass (M{sub GROUP}), group-centric distance (R/R{sub 200}), ranking into central or satellite, and large-scale structure density (δ{sub LSS}). Global galaxy structure is quantified both parametrically and non-parametrically. We correct all these measurements for observational biases due to point-spread function blurring and surface brightness effects as a function of galaxy size, magnitude, steepness of light profile, and ellipticity. Structural parameters are derived also for bulges, disks, and bars. We use the galaxy bulge-to-total ratios (B/T) together with the calibrated non-parametric structural estimators to implement a quantitative morphological classification that maximizes purity in the resulting morphological samples. We investigate how the concentration C of satellite galaxies depends on galaxy mass for each Hubble type and on M{sub GROUP}, R/R{sub 200}, and δ{sub LSS}. At galaxy masses M ≥ 10{sup 10} M{sub ☉}, the concentration of disk satellites increases with increasing stellar mass separately within each morphological bin of B/T. The known increase in concentration with stellar mass for disk satellites is thus due, at least in part, to an increase in galaxy central stellar density at constant B/T. The correlation between concentration and galaxy stellar mass becomes progressively steeper for later morphological types. The concentration of disk satellites shows a barely significant dependence on δ{sub LSS} or R/R{sub 200}. The strongest environmental effect is found with group mass for >10{sup 10} M{sub ☉} disk-dominated satellites, which are ∼10% more concentrated in high mass groups than in lower mass groups.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

The chemical compositions of RR Lyrae type c variable stars

We present a detailed chemical abundance study of eight RR Lyrae variable stars of subclass c (RRc). The target RRc stars chosen for study exhibit 'Blazhko-effect' period and amplitude modulations to their pulsational cycles. Data for this study were gathered with the echelle spectrograph of the 100 inch du Pont telescope at Las Campanas Observatory. Spectra were obtained throughout each star's pulsation cycle. Atmospheric parameters—effective temperature, surface gravity, microturbulent velocity, and metallicity—were derived at multiple phase points. We found metallicities and element abundance ratios to be constant within observational uncertainties over the pulsational cycles of all stars. Moreover, the α-element and Fe-group abundance ratios with respect to iron are consistent with other horizontal-branch members (RRab, blue and red non-variables). Finally, we have used the [Fe/H] values of these eight RRc stars to anchor the metallicity estimates of a large-sample RRc snapshot spectroscopic study being conducted with the same telescope and instrument combination employed here.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗