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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

Optical Probe of the Superconducting Normal Mixed State in a Magnetic Penetration Thermometer

Using ultraviolet photon pulses, we have probed the internal behavior of a molybdenum-gold Magnetic Penetration Thermometer (MPT) that we designed for x-ray microcalorimetry. In this low-temperature detector, the diamagnetic response of a superconducting MoAu bilayer is used to sense temperature changes in response to absorbed photons. We have previously described an approximate model that explains the high responsivity of the detector to temperature changes as a consequence of a Meissner transition of the molybdenum-gold film in the magnetic field applied by the superconducting circuit used to bias the detector. We compare measurements of MPT heat capacity and thermal conductance, derived from UV photon pulse data, to our model predictions for the thermodynamic properties of the sensor and for the electron cooling obtained by quasiparticle recombination. Our data on electron cooling power is also relevant to the operation of other superconducting detectors, such as Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors.

superconductivity↗

Lithium - An impurity of interest in radiation effects of silicon.

Study of the introduction and annealing of defects produced in lithium-diffused float-zone n-type silicon by 30-MeV electrons and fission neutrons. The introduction rate of recombination centers produced by electron irradiation is dependent on lithium concentration and for neutron irradiation is independent of lithium concentration. The introduction rate of Si-B1 centers also depends on the lithium concentration. The annealing of electron- and neutron-produced recombination centers, Si-B1 centers, and Si-G7 centers in lithium-diffused silicon occurs at much lower temperatures than in nondiffused material.

Naber, J. A.↗

Probing the Early Universe with the SZ Effect

The Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR) which we observe today is relic radiation which last interacted with matter more than 10 billion years ago, when the expanding universe cooled to the point that free electrons and ionized nuclei recombined to form atoms. Prior to recombination, scattering between photons and free electrons was a very frequent occurrence, and the distance light could penetrate was small; afterwards, with free electrons out of circulation, the universe became largely transparent to light. Thus, the CMBR photons we observe today give us a clear view of the state of the early universe. Measured deviations in the intensity of the CMBR trace the small perturbations in the primordial matter density, which have been amplified by gravitational forces to form the magnificent, complex structures which comprise the present-day universe.

Joy, M. K.↗

Narrow Radiative Recombination Continua: A Signature of Ions Crossing the Contact Discontinuity of Astrophysical Shocks

X-rays from planetary nebulae (PNs) are believed to originate from a shock driven into the fast stellar wind (v ~ 1000 kilometers per second) as it collides with an earlier circumstellar slow wind (v ~ 10 kilometers per second). In theory, the shocked fast wind (hot hubble) and the ambient cold nebula can remain separated by magnetic fields along a surface referred to as the contact discontinuity (CD) that inhibits diffusion and heat conduction. The CD region is extremely difficult to probe directly owing to its small size and faint emission. This has largely left the study of CDs, stellar-shocks, and the associated micro-physics in the realm of theory. This paper presents spectroscopic evidence for ions from the hot bubble (kT approximately equal to 100 eV) crossing the CD and penetrating the cold nebular gas (kT approximately equal to 1 eV). Specifically, a narrow radiative recombination continuum (RRC) emission feature is identified in the high resolution X-ray spectrum of the PN BD+30degree3639 indicating bare C VII ions are recombining with cool electrons at kT(sub e) = 1.7 plus or minus 1.3 eV. An upper limit to the flux of the narrow RRC of H-like C VI is obtained as well. The RRCs are interpreted as due to C ions from the hot bubble of BD+30degree3639 crossing the CD into the cold nebula, where they ultimately recombine with its cool electrons. The RRC flux ratio of C VII to C VI constrains the temperature jump across the CD to deltakT greater than 80 eV, providing for the first time direct evidence for the stark temperature disparity between the two sides of an astrophysical CD, and constraining the role of magnetic fields and heat conduction accordingly. Two colliding-wind binaries are noted to have similar RRCs suggesting a temperature jump and CD crossing by ions may be common feature of stellar wind shocks.

Behar, Ehud↗

Recombination of NO/+/ in the mid-latitude trough and the polar ionization hole

The dissociative recombination of NO(+) with electrons is further examined using a sample of Atmosphere Explorer data from the midlatitude ionization trough. The electron temperature for this data sample covered a range of 2500 K, thus allowing an accurate determination of the temperature dependence of the rate coefficient. The results confirm earlier determinations which were made from a large data base, and the rate coefficient alpha is found to be inversely proportional to the electron temperature. The possibility of a neglected process in the NO(+) chemistry is investigated which, if it were included, might result in a smaller temperature dependence of alpha. Such a source would require a direct dependence on electron temperature. A possible candidate is associative recombination of energetic N(D-2) with O. The results confirm recent measurements which find that this process cannot be significant. The NO(+) chemistry is a very sensitive indicator of chemical equilibrium conditions. By using measurements of the relevant parameters made in the polar ionization hole it is found that horizontal drifts do not appear to be significant in this region.

Torr, M. R.↗

X-ray Spectra of the Fe-L Complex II: Atomic Data Constraints from the EBIT Experiment and X-Ray Grating Observations of Capella

The Hitomi results for the Perseus cluster have shown that accurate atomic models are essential to the success of X-ray spectroscopic missions and just as important as the store of knowledge on instrumental calibration and astrophysical modeling. Preparing the models requires a multifaceted approach, including theoretical calculations, laboratory measurements, and calibration using real observations. In a previous paper, we presented a calculation of the electron impact cross sections on the transitions forming the Fe-L complex. In the present work, we systematically tested the calculation against cross-sections of ions measured in an electron beam ion trap experiment. A two-dimensional analysis in the electron beam energies and X-ray photon energies was utilized to disentangle radiative channels following dielectronic recombination, direct electron-impact excitation, and resonant excitation processes in the experimental data. The data calibrated through laboratory measurements were further fed into a global modeling of the Chandra grating spectrum of Capella. We investigated and compared the fit quality, as well as the sensitivity of the derived physical parameters to the underlying atomic data and the astrophysical plasma modeling. We further list the potential areas of disagreement between the observations and the present calculations, which, in turn, calls for renewed efforts with regard to theoretical calculations and targeted laboratory measurements.

Liyi Gu↗

Deep-level defects and recombination parameters in proton irradiated AlGaAs-GaAs solar cells

The deep-level defects produced in high efficiency AlGaAs-GaAs solar cells by proton energies of 50, 100, 200, and 290 keV are investigated. Proton fluences were from 10 to the 10th to 10 to the 13th p/sq cm. The results show that the diode ideality factor varies between 1.9 and 2.1, indicating that the dominant current component is due to the recombination of electron-hole pairs via deep-level traps in the junction space charge region of these diodes. The recombination current increases with increasing proton fluence and proton energy. The reduction of open circuit voltage, short circuit current, and conversion efficiency in the irradiated cells relates directly to the density of the deep-level defects induced by proton irradiation.

Li, S. S.↗

Experimental apparatus for photon/ion coincidence measurements of dielectronic recombination

An inclined beams apparatus for the measurement of absolute cross sections for dielectronic recombination between free electrons and singly or multiply charged ions is described. The collision products, a photon and a lower-charge-state ion, are detected in delayed coincidence. Measurements of dielectronic recombination in C(3+) are described to illustrate the use of the apparatus and techniques. Verification of the calibrations and operation of the apparatus is demonstrated through measurements of charge transfer and electron impact excitation.

Gardner, L. D.↗

Quantification of the effects of generation volume, surface recombination velocity, and diffusion length on the electron-beam-induced current and its derivative Determination of diffusion lengths in the low micron and submicron ranges

A systematic and quantitative analysis is carried out to investigate the effects of the shape (point, cube, Gaussian) and size of the generation volume, the surface recombination velocity, and the diffusion length on the electron-beam-induced current (EBIC) and its derivative (DEIC). Thick homogeneously doped samples exhibiting diffusion lengths in the low micron and submicron range are considered. The results are presented in computed EBIC curves as a function of scanning distance and of the ratio true diffusion length/effective diffusion length. Shown using these curves are: (1) a simple and yet rigorous method for the determination of the true diffusion length, taking into consideration all of the factors cited above, (2) a method for the rapid determination of the surface recombination velocity, (3) the condition under which the source shape becomes insignificant, and (4) a new value for the lower limit of the diffusion length which can be determined by the EBOC technique.

Luke, K. L.↗

Intersubband Auger recombination and population inversion in quantum-well subbands

The intersubband-Auger-recombination time of electrons under population-inversion conditions in a single quantum well is calculated by taking into account momentum- and energy-conservation rules, and by employing Fermi-Dirac statistics. The screened matrix element of the electron-electron interaction and the overlap integral are calculated for an infinitely deep quantum well. The results are in a good agreement with published experimental data. As a major nonradiative process, the Auger recombination is related to threshold current of infrared lasers based on intersubband transitions in quantum-well structures. The realization of these devices and other limitations to achieving population inversion are discussed. In view of the results, development of these lasers for emission wavelengths corresponding to energies below the LO-phonon energy seems feasible.

Borenstain, S.↗

Recombination of H(3+) and D(3+) ions with electrons

Flowing-afterglow measurements in decaying H3(+) or D3(+) plasmas suggest that de-ionization does not occur by simple binary recombination of a single ion species. We find that vibrational excitation of the ions fails to provide an explanation for the effect, contrary to an earlier suggestion. Instead, we suggest that collisional stabilization of H3** Rydberg molecules by ambient electrons introduces an additional dependence on electron density. The proposed mechanism would permit plasma de-ionization to occur without the need for dissociative recombination by the mechanism of potential-surface crossings.

Johnsen, R.↗

Development of liquid xenon detectors for gamma ray astronomy

The application of liquid xenon in high-resolution detectors for gamma-ray astronomy is being investigated. Initial results from a pulse-shape analysis of ionization signals in a liquid-xenon gridded chamber indicate that it is possible to achieve the necessary liquid purity for the transport of free electrons with simple techniques. The energy resolution has been measured as a function of applied electric field, using electrons and gamma-rays from a 207Bi source. At a field of 12 kV/cm the noise-substracted energy resolution of the dominant 569-keV gamma-ray line is 34 keV FWHM (full width at half maximum). This value is mostly determined by recombination of electron-ion pairs on delta-electron tracks.

Aprile, Elena↗

Measuring Recombination Velocities in Solar Cells

Electron-beam scanning method suggested for determining back-surface recombination velocity, SB, of back-surface-field (BSF) solar photovoltaic cell. Recombination velocity important because smaller value correlated with smaller saturation current and therefore higher cell efficiency. Method involves analyzing short-circuit current measured while electron beam scanned along edge of cell.

Vonroos, O.↗

The flow in the cometosheath of comet Halley

A quasi-one-dimensional, single-fluid model is used to examine the cometosheath flow along the Sun-comet axis at comet, Halley. The effects of mass loading, dissociative recombination, magnetic field line curvature, ion-neutral drag, and flow divergence on the submagnetosonic flow in this region are discussed. In particular, the inclusion of the flow divergence, which is achieved by allowing the central flow tube area to increase toward the comet, is necessary to bring the cometosheath flow to stagnation at the subsolar point of the ionopause. The cometosheath flow and field profiles are determined for two assumed values of the electron-ion dissociative recombination rate. The model calculations performed using the higher recombination rate are shown to be in better agreement with the Giotto data at comet Halley.

Damas, M. C.↗

Inertia of Ionospheric Conductance During Electron Precipitation Events in Pulsating Aurora and Polar Arcs

Using coupled SuperThermal Electron Transport (STET) and Super-thermal Proton Electron Atomic Hydrogen – tRansport in the Ionosphere and Thermosphere (SPEAH-RIT) codes, we demonstrate that temporal variability of ionospheric conductance is defined by several time scales: magnetospheric source time variations, starting time of electron precipitation, and termination of the corresponding source of magnetospheric origin. In this case, the time scales are defined by dissipation of energetic electrons and effective recombination processes. The results presented in this paper were applied in the regions of pulsating aurora and polar arcs, demonstrating the fact that ionospheric conductance requires some time to form and decay. These time delays constitute an effective “inertia” in the conductance calculation which is not accounted for in many global models which assume an instantaneous connection between precipitation and conductance. Ionospheric conductance inertia influences the temporal variation in ionospheric and magnetospheric electric fields, and as a result, impacts magnetospheric dynamics and ultimately reconfigures the electron precipitation.

Khazanov, George V↗