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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.

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At least 163 records · Page 9

Commissioning of an MPGD-based Drift Chamber for Heavy-ion Tracking in FRIB's Sweeper magnet system

A newly developed drift chamber equipped with an innovative hybrid Micro-Pattern Gaseous Detector based readout was commissioned at FRIB. The detector consists of a Multi-layer Thick Gas Electron Multiplier (M-THGEM) mounted over a high-granularity, position-sensitive readout board. Denoted as the Micro-Pattern Drift Chamber (MPDC), the new device is used to provide tracking capability as part of the detectors of the Sweeper magnet system for neutron-invariant-mass spectrometry at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB). The localization of impinging ions in a 30 × 30 cm 2 drift area is derived by processing the charge-avalanche distribution induced on the segmented readout board. The signals induced on the readout pads are processed by a compact, multi-channel Data Acquisition System (DAQ) based on the Scalable Readout System (SRS). To facilitate synchronization with other detector systems of the Sweeper magnet system, the SRS has been configured to accept an external trigger.

Gaseous detectors↗

Superconductivity from the Slater mode: Application to KTaO 3 heterostructures

Superconductivity has been observed for the 2D electron gas (2DEG) at the interface of KTaO 3 with other oxides, with a transition temperature about an order of magnitude higher than its 3⁢𝑑 cousin SrTiO 3 . Here, the superconducting transition temperature is strongly dependent on the orientation of the interface. Motivated by this observation, we study pairing due to the exchange of the soft transverse optic phonon mode characteristic of quantum paraelectrics and use the resulting theory to comment on the nature of superconductivity of this 2DEG. We find (1) an orientation dependence consistent with experiment along with an anisotropic gap function, but (2) a BCS coupling constant that is smaller than needed and so must be augmented by contributions from other phonons to be consistent with the observed values of 𝑇 𝑐 .

Norman, M. R. [Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), ↗

Sketched Nanoscale KTaO 3 -Based Superconducting Quantum Interference Device

The discovery of two-dimensional superconductivity in LaAlO 3 /KTaO 3 (111) and (110) interfaces has raised significant interest in this system. In this paper, we report the first successful fabrication of a direct current superconducting quantum interference device (dc-SQUID) in the KTO system. The key device elements, superconducting weak links, are created by conductive atomic force microscope lithography, which can reversibly control the conductivity at the LAO/KTO (110) interface with nanoscale resolution. The periodic modulation of the SQUID critical current 𝐼 c ⁡(𝐵) with magnetic field corresponds well with our theoretical modeling, which reveals a large kinetic inductance of the superconducting two-dimensional electron gas in KTO. The kinetic inductance of the SQUID is tunable by electrical gating from the back, due to the large dielectric constant of KTO. The demonstration of weak links and SQUIDs in KTO broadens the scope for exploring the underlying physics of KTO superconductivity, including the role of spin-orbit coupling, pairing symmetry, and inhomogeneity. It also promotes KTO as a versatile platform for a growing family of quantum devices, which could be applicable in the realm of quantum computing and information.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Defect-engineered GaN high electron mobility transistors for enhanced radiation tolerance

This study explores the radiation resilience of GaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) under various preconditioning treatments—pristine, electro-pulsed, electrically overstressed, and 60 Co gamma-irradiated—with a focus on enhancing survivability in high-radiation environments. Key findings emphasize the gate region’s central role in radiation sensitivity, with increased defect concentrations leading to reduced sensitivity—as determined from reduced single-event transient intensities during pulsed-laser studies—and impacting charge-transport dynamics. Notably, the most sensitive region shifted as a function of bias state, with the drain side of the gate being most sensitive under negative gate bias and the source side under unbiased conditions due to two-dimensional electron gas disruptions. These insights clarify the mechanisms influencing radiation sensitivity in microelectronics and highlight the potential of defect and strain engineering to enhance the radiation hardness of GaN HEMTs across various operational states, providing valuable guidance for applications in space, defense, and other radiation-rich environments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Space Sciences Division

Spacecraft instrumentation, biological sampling of Martian soil, Jupiter red spot data and solar wind variations, dielectric function of cold electron gas, and microwave spectra of ion radical

Source record↗

Surface field analysis of splitting of orbitals of atoms and ions approaching a metal surface.

The splitting of p- and d-orbitals of an atom or an ion which is caused by the locally varying potential near the surface of a realistic metal has been studied for bcc and fcc substrates. A quasi-ionic model is reasonable at close distance, inasmuch as the electron gas does not completely screen the ionic cores. The arrangement of ion cores near the surface causes the potential to vary in three dimensions. Expressions for energy levels were derived for an unsymmetric group using the quasi-ionic model and techniques used in the treatment of crystal field of nearest neighbors. A number of cases involving ions, as well as atoms in the vicinity of a metal substrate were numerically evaluated.

Rao, P. V. S.↗

Quantum theory of the dielectric constant of a magnetized plasma and astrophysical applications. I.

A quantum mechanical treatment of an electron plasma in a constant and homogeneous magnetic field is considered, with the aim of (1) defining the range of validity of the magnetoionic theory (2) studying the deviations from this theory, in applications involving high densities, and intense magnetic field. While treating the magnetic field exactly, a perturbation approach in the photon field is used to derive general expressions for the dielectric tensor. Numerical estimates on the range of applicability of the magnetoionic theory are given for the case of the 'one-dimensional' electron gas, where only the lowest Landau level is occupied.

Canuto, V.↗

Results obtained with position sensitive multiwire proportional chambers with helium, carbon, and oxygen nuclei

Spatial resolution performance results obtained at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory Bevatron with prototype multiwire proportional chamber spatial detectors with integral delay line readout are presented. The effects due to incident nuclei charge, chamber operating parameters, chamber design, electronics, gas mixtures, and magnetic field presence have been investigated and are discussed.

Emming, J. G.↗

Rotational excitation of HCN by collisions

Rate constants for the rotational excitation of HCN by collisions with He atoms at temperatures below 100 K were computed from first principles and are presented in tabular form. The potential energy surface was obtained by using the uniform electron gas model of Gordon and Kim (1972) and then joined smoothly to the asymptotic long-range perturbation theory potential valid at large separations. Quantum close-coupling theory was used to analyze the collision dynamics. Individual rates are believed to be accurate to within 50% above 30 K and within a factor of two below 20 K. The results should be extendable to excitation by collision with H2 and may therefore be of value in the study of interstellar clouds.

Green, S.↗

Thermodynamics and phase separation of dense fully-ionized hydrogen-helium fluid mixtures

The free energy of a hydrogen-helium fluid mixture is evaluated for the temperatures and densities appropriate to the deep interior of a giant planet such as Jupiter. The electrons are assumed to be fully pressure-ionized and degenerate. In this regime, an appropriate first approximation to the ionic distribution functions can be found by assuming hard sphere interactions. Corrections to this approximation are incorporated by means of the perturbation theory of Anderson and Chandler. Approximations for the three-body interactions and the nonlinear response of the electron gas to the ions are included. It is predicted that a hydrogen-helium mixture, containing 10% by number of helium ions, separates into hydrogen-rich and helium-rich phases below about 8000 K, at the pressures relevant to Jupiter (4-40 Megabars). It is also predicted that the alloy occupies less volume per ion than the separated phases. The equations of state and other thermodynamic derivatives are tabulated. Implications of these results are discussed.

Stevenson, D. J.↗