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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

SPRUCE Soil Metabolome Responses to Whole Ecosystem Warming in SPRUCE Experimental Plots Beginning in 2016

This dataset reports a suite of complementary environmental geochemical analyses of peat extracts and porewater samples from SPRUCE experimental plots across a range of whole ecosystem warming (WEW) temperature treatments beginning in 2016. Results of peat extract analyses include NMR and GC-MS analyses of central metabolites, liquid chromatography mass spectra (LC-MS) analyses of lipids, and quantitative proteomics. Porewater was analyzed by FTICR-MS for secondary metabolites, and for carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) concentrations, stable isotope composition, and the differential solubility corrected CO2:CH4 ratio. This dataset contains six files in comma separated (*.csv) format.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Stable isotope equilibria in the dihydrogen-water-methane-ethane-propane system. Part 2: Experimental determination of hydrogen isotopic equilibrium for ethane-H2 from 30 to 200 °C and propane-H2 from 75 to 200 °C

The stable isotopic compositions of light n-alkanes, including methane, ethane, and propane, are often used to identify the sources and thermal maturity of natural gas samples. Though stable isotopic compositions of these molecules are commonly assumed to be controlled by kinetic isotope effects, recent studies have proposed both carbon and hydrogen isotopic equilibrium may also occur in some samples. Assessing whether samples are in isotopic equilibrium requires knowledge of light alkane equilibrium fractionation factors over geologically relevant temperatures for formation and storage (up to ∼300 °C). In this study, we report experimental results of hydrogen isotopic equilibrium between ethane and H2 from 30 to 200 °C and propane and H2 from 75 to 200 °C. We compare these results with high-level theoretical calculations and provide a preferred polynomial fit to describe equilibrium fractionation factors. Comparison of these fractionation factors with a compilation of ∼500 compiled environmental gas samples supports the proposal that many (∼50%) of these natural gas samples exhibit hydrogen isotopic compositions consistent with having formed in or attained methane-ethane-propane hydrogen isotopic equilibrium over geologically relevant temperatures for formation and storage (50–300 °C).

Turner, Andrew C↗
NASA NTRS2023

Space Environmental Effects on Additively Manufactured Materials – Results from MISSE-9 and MISSE-10

The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Space Environmental Effects (SEE) and Contamination Control (CC) teams prepared and characterized MISSE-9 and MISSE-10’s additively manufactured (AM) materials samples to investigate the effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, thermal cycling, outgassing, and temperature and provide data on the durability of these samples. Materials studied were polyetherimide (Ultem 1010 and 9085), electrostatic dissipative polyetherketoneketone (ESD-PEKK), also known commercially as Antero 840CN03, polycarbonate biocompatible per ISO 10993 USP Class VI (PC-ISO), and Inconel 718. Some samples were manufactured at MSFC, while 3D printer manufacturers Stratasys and Made In Space, Inc. (MIS) (now Redwire) participated in this effort to compare different vendors and printing setups. Results from nondestructive analyses and tensile testing are presented.

additive manufacturing↗
DOE OSTI2023

Earthworms Exposed to Polyethylene and Biodegradable Microplastics in Soil: Microplastic Characterization and Microbial Community Analysis

While much is known about microplastics in aquatic environments, only few studies have focused on how microplastics interact with terrestrial organisms. The objective of our study was to investigate the interactions of earthworms with microplastics in a natural environment with environmentally realistic plastic concentrations. Here we investigated whether earthworms would ingest microplastics and incorporate them into their bodies and cast, and whether microplastics would alter the intestinal and soil microbiome. Lumbricus terrestris was exposed to two types of mi croplastics, biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in mesocosoms filled with natural soil. Microplastics were mixed with poplar leaves and earthworms were allowed to forage for food for 20 days. Surface and bulk soil, earthworm cast, and earthworms themselves were sampled and analyzed for plastic content and microbial communities. Earthworms did not show macroscopic health deterioration (weight loss, vitality). We observed microplastics particles in earthworm casts and guts. Raman spectroscopy indicated that PBAT in guts and cast had degraded to some extent; however, LDPE remained unchanged among the different samples. Microbial analysis showed that soil and casts has similar microbial communities; however, they were signicantly different from the guts samples. Microplastic treatments did not result in a statistically signicant change in bacterial richness, diversity or community composition compared to controls. Taken together, our results suggest that, at environmentally realistic concentrations and short exposure times, PBAT and LDPE microplastics do not have adverse effects on Lumbricus terrestris earthworms.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2017

An Autonomous System for Experimental Evolution of Microbial Cultures: Test Results Using Ultraviolet-C Radiation and Escherichia Coli.

At its core, the field of microbial experimental evolution seeks to elucidate the natural laws governing the history of microbial life by understanding its underlying driving mechanisms. However, observing evolution in nature is complex, as environmental conditions are difficult to control. Laboratory-based experiments for observing population evolution provide more control, but manually culturing and studying multiple generations of microorganisms can be time consuming, labor intensive, and prone to inconsistency. We have constructed a prototype, closed system device that automates the process of directed evolution experiments in microorganisms. It is compatible with any liquid microbial culture, including polycultures and field samples, provides flow control and adjustable agitation, continuously monitors optical density (OD), and can dynamically control environmental pressures such as ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation and temperature. Here, the results of the prototype are compared to iterative exposure and survival assays conducted using a traditional hood, UV-C lamp, and shutter system.

Microbial Cultures↗
NASA NTRS1973

Central Atlantic regional ecological test site: A prototype regional environmental information system

The author has identified the following significant results. A comparison of photomorphic regions from an uncontrolled ERTS-1 mosaic of CARETS to land use areas on a map published in the National Atlas revealed close correlations in non-urban regions. Such regional scale analysis of ERTS-1 data has the potential for providing an economical sampling strategy for selecting sites for more detailed field measurements if other environmental variables can be correlated with patterns on ERTS-1 imagery. ERTS-1 imagery has also revealed for the first time the appearance of CARETS during the winter months. Investigators have identified extensive areas of conifers, which have previously been indistinguishable from deciduous vegetation. Imagery has also shown very clearly the extent of snow cover at a particular time over the region. The evaluation of ERTS-1 imagery used for the land use mapping of the shore zone of CARETS, has shown that the presence or absence of elements of an hierarchal system of shoreline landforms can help identify areas of potential rapid change. Changes in land use class distributions on the Barrier Islands signify the environmental response to natural and man-caused processes. Both environmental vulnerability and sensitivity can be estimated from the repetitive ERTS-1 coverage of long reaches of the CARETS coast. Results indicate potential applications to land use planning, management, and regional environmental quality analysis.

Alexander, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Prediction of In-Space Durability of Protected Polymers Based on Ground Laboratory Thermal Energy Atomic Oxygen

The probability of atomic oxygen reacting with polymeric materials is orders of magnitude lower at thermal energies (greater than O.1 eV) than at orbital impact energies (4.5 eV). As a result, absolute atomic oxygen fluxes at thermal energies must be orders of magnitude higher than orbital energy fluxes, to produce the same effective fluxes (or same oxidation rates) for polymers. These differences can cause highly pessimistic durability predictions for protected polymers and polymers which develop protective metal oxide surfaces as a result of oxidation if one does not make suitable calibrations. A comparison was conducted of undercut cavities below defect sites in protected polyimide Kapton samples flown on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) with similar samples exposed in thermal energy oxygen plasma. The results of this comparison were used to quantify predicted material loss in space based on material loss in ground laboratory thermal energy plasma testing. A microindent hardness comparison of surface oxidation of a silicone flown on the Environmental Oxygen Interaction with Materials-III (EOIM-III) experiment with samples exposed in thermal energy plasmas was similarly used to calibrate the rate of oxidation of silicone in space relative to samples in thermal energy plasmas exposed to polyimide Kapton effective fluences.

Banks, Bruce A.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Absolute light yield of the EJ-204 plastic scintillator

The absolute light yield of a scintillator, defined as the number of scintillation photons produced per unit energy deposited, is a useful quantity for scintillator development, research, and applications. Yet, literature data on the absolute light yield of organic scintillators are limited. The goal of this work is to assess the suitability of the EJ-204 plastic scintillator from Eljen Technology to serve as a reference standard for measurements of the absolute light yield of organic scintillators. Four EJ-204 samples were examined: two manufactured approximately four months prior and stored in high-purity nitrogen, and two aged approximately eleven years and stored in ambient air. The scintillator response was measured using a large-area avalanche photodiode calibrated using low energy $γ$-ray and X-ray sources. The product of the quantum efficiency of the photodetector and light collection efficiency of the housing was characterized using an experimentally-benchmarked optical photon simulation. The average absolute light yield of the fresh samples, 9100 ± 400 photons per MeV, is lower than the manufacturer-reported value of 10400 photons per MeV. Moreover, the aged samples demonstrated significantly lower light yields, deviating from the manufacturer specification by as much as 26%. These results are consistent with recent work showcasing environmental aging in plastic scintillators and suggest that experimenters should use caution when deploying plastic scintillators in photon counting applications.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2021

Chemiresistor sensor based on ion-imprinted polymer (IIP)-functionalized rGO for Cd(II) ions in water

This study reports the design and development of a novel chemiresistor (CR) sensor using ion imprinted polymer (IIP)-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) [IIP/rGO-CR] for cadmium ions (Cd(II)) determination in water. The sensor consisted of a CR transducer made of rGO channel bridging source and drain electrodes prepared by self-assembly and thermal reduction of graphene oxide (GO) on Au interdigitated electrodes chip fabricated on Si/SiO 2 substrate. The IIP was then grafted on rGO using surface-initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization with polyethylenimine (PEI) and methylacrylic acid (MAA) as dual functional monomers and Cd(II) ions as template through UV light-initiated copolymerization. The IIP functionalized on rGO acted as an effective recognition element that modulated the resistance of rGO-CR upon binding of Cd(II), enabling Cd(II) detection at ppb level in aqueous solutions. The prepared IIP/rGO-CR sensor worked effectively in the linear range of 2~200ppb and achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.83 ppb, which is lower than the World Health Organization guidelines of 3ppb for drinking water quality. The developed sensor of IIP/rGO-CR showed a high selectivity against a variety of trace and heavy metal ions found in water and good stability for up to 60 days when stored at room temperature for Cd(II) determination in water. Further, the sensor was successfully applied to analyzing Cd(II) spiked in tap, lake and river waters with a 94.5%–113.5% recovery, demonstrating a high degree of accuracy even in complex water samples. Finally, our results illustrated that the CR sensor of IIP functionalized rGO provides a potential platform for sensitive, robust and low-cost environmental analysis of Cd(II) in water.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2014

Hot Hydrogen Testing of Tungsten-Uranium Dioxide (W-UO2) CERMET Fuel Materials for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion

CERMET fuel materials are being developed at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center for a Nuclear Cryogenic Propulsion Stage. Recent work has resulted in the development and demonstration of a Compact Fuel Element Environmental Test (CFEET) System that is capable of subjecting depleted uranium fuel material samples to hot hydrogen. A critical obstacle to the development of an NCPS engine is the high-cost and safety concerns associated with developmental testing in nuclear environments. The purpose of this testing capability is to enable low-cost screening of candidate materials, fabrication processes, and further validation of concepts. The CERMET samples consist of depleted uranium dioxide (UO2) fuel particles in a tungsten metal matrix, which has been demonstrated on previous programs to provide improved performance and retention of fission products1. Numerous past programs have utilized hot hydrogen furnace testing to develop and evaluate fuel materials. The testing provides a reasonable simulation of temperature and thermal stress effects in a flowing hydrogen environment. Though no information is gained about radiation damage, the furnace testing is extremely valuable for development and verification of fuel element materials and processes. The current work includes testing of subscale W-UO2 slugs to evaluate fuel loss and stability. The materials are then fabricated into samples with seven cooling channels to test a more representative section of a fuel element. Several iterations of testing are being performed to evaluate fuel mass loss impacts from density, microstructure, fuel particle size and shape, chemistry, claddings, particle coatings, and stabilizers. The fuel materials and forms being evaluated on this effort have all been demonstrated to control fuel migration and loss. The objective is to verify performance improvements of the various materials and process options prior to expensive full scale fabrication and testing. Post test analysis will include weight percent fuel loss, microscopy, dimensional tolerance, and fuel stability.

Hickman, Robert↗
DOE OSTI2020

Analysis Of The Sludge Batch 7b (Macrobatch 9) DWPF Pour Stream Glass Sample (Rev. 1)

The Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) began processing Sludge Batch 7b (SB7b), also referred to as Macrobatch 9 (MB9), in January 2012. SB7b is a blend of the heel of Tank 40 from Sludge Batch 7a (SB7a) and the SB7b material that was transferred to Tank 40 from Tank 51. SB7b was processed using Frit 418. During processing of each sludge batch, the DWPF is required to take at least one glass sample to meet the objectives of the Glass Product Control Program (GPCP), which is governed by the DWPF Waste Form Compliance Plan, and to complete the necessary Production Records so that the final glass product may be disposed of at a Federal Repository. Two pour stream glass samples were collected while processing SB7b. The samples were transferred to the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) where one was analyzed and the other was archived. The following conclusions were drawn from the analytical results provided in this report: The sum of oxides for the official SB7b pour stream glass is within the Product Composition Control System (PCCS) limits (95-105 wt%); The average calculated Waste Dilution Factor (WDF) for SB7b is 2.3. In general, the measured radionuclide content of the official SB7b pour stream glass is in good agreement with the calculated values from the Tank 40 dried sludge results from the SB7b Waste Acceptance Program Specification (WAPS) sample; As in previous pour stream samples, ruthenium and rhodium inclusions were detected by Scanning Electron Microscopy-Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) in the SB7b pour stream sample; The Product Consistency Test (PCT) results indicate that the official SB7b pour stream glass meets the waste acceptance criteria for durability with a normalized boron release of 0.8 g/L, which is an order of magnitude less than the Environmental Assessment (EA) glass; The measured density of the SB7b pour stream glass was 2.70 g/cm 3 ; The Fe 2+ /ΣFe ratio of the SB7b pour stream samples was 0.07.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRS2023

Fire Station #1 Area, SWMU 116 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Site Assessment Progress Report Kennedy Space Center, Florida

This Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Site Assessment (SA) Progress Report (SAPR) discusses the investigation activities and findings for the Fire Station #1 (FS1) Area (formerly known as Fire Station #4) located at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida (Figure 1-1). This site has been designated Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) 116 under KSC’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action Program. This PFAS SA is being managed under SWMU 116 as the fire station was identified as a potential source of PFAS to the environment. This PFAS SAPR was prepared by Tetra Tech, Inc., for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contract 80KSC019D0011-80KSC019F0070. This is the first progress report to document on-going SA activities; supplemental progress reports will be provided as additional data is collected. During the SA, a total of six soil, 48 groundwater direct push technology (DPT), eight groundwater monitoring well, and one surface water sample were collected between October 2021 and March 2022. The samples were analyzed for 28 PFAS compounds using the Department of Defense Quality Systems Manual-compliant Method. SA sample results were used along with historical results to evaluate the extent of PFAS impacts to the environment in the FS1 Area. Data generated to date and prior results were screened against the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) May 2022 Tap Water Regional Screening Levels (RSLs) for groundwater and residential RSLs for soil (hazard quotient of 0.1). Surface water results were screened against the State of Florida Human Health Surface Water Screening Levels (SWSLs). Overall, results from the SA showed exceedances of the applicable screening criteria for soil, groundwater and surface water. Considering the current and historical dataset, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is the prevalent PFAS compound, which is indicative of AFFF releases. Based on results of the SA, additional groundwater DPT and surface water sampling should be considered, focused on evaluating surface water bodies in the southeast portion of the Industrial Area, which discharge into the Banana River. Additionally, installation of monitoring wells should be considered to evaluate the interaction between groundwater and surface water in the FS1 Area.

PFAS↗
NASA NTRS2001

Deep UV Native Fluorescence Imaging of Antarctic Cryptoendolithic Communities

An interdisciplinary team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Center for Life Detection has embarked on a project to provide in situ chemical and morphological characterization of Antarctic cryptoendolithic microbial communities. We present here in situ deep ultraviolet (UV) native fluorescence and environmental scanning electron microscopy images transiting 8.5 mm into a sandstone sample from the Antarctic Dry Valleys. The deep ultraviolet imaging system employs 224.3, 248.6, and 325 nm lasers to elicit differential fluorescence and resonance Raman responses from biomolecules and minerals. The 224.3 and 248.6 nm lasers elicit a fluorescence response from the aromatic amino and nucleic acids. Excitation at 325 nm may elicit activity from a variety of biomolecules, but is more likely to elicit mineral fluorescence. The resultant fluorescence images provide in situ chemical and morphological maps of microorganisms and the associated organic matrix. Visible broadband reflectance images provide orientation against the mineral background. Environmental scanning electron micrographs provided detailed morphological information. The technique has made possible the construction of detailed fluorescent maps extending from the surface of an Antarctic sandstone sample to a depth of 8.5 mm. The images detect no evidence of microbial life in the superficial 0.2 mm crustal layer. The black lichen component between 0.3 and 0.5 mm deep absorbs all wavelengths of both laser and broadband illumination. Filamentous deep ultraviolet native fluorescent activity dominates in the white layer between 0.6 mm and 5.0 mm from the surface. These filamentous forms are fungi that continue into the red (iron-rich) region of the sample extending from 5.0 to 8.5 mm. Using differential image subtraction techniques it is possible to identify fungal nuclei. The ultraviolet response is markedly attenuated in this region, apparently from the absorption of ultraviolet light by iron-rich particles coating the filaments. Below 8.5 mm the filamentous morphology of the upper layers gives way to punctate 1-2 micron particles evidencing fluorescent activity following excitation at both deep ultraviolet wavelengths.

Storrie-Lombardi, M. C.↗
DOE OSTI2023

X-ray absorption spectroscopy study of Mn reference compounds for Mn speciation in terrestrial surface environments

Abstract X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) offers great potential to identify and quantify Mn species in surface environments by means of linear combination fit (LCF), fingerprint, and shell-fit analyses of bulk Mn XAS spectra. However, these approaches are complicated by the lack of a comprehensive and accessible spectrum library. Additionally, molecular-level information on Mn coordination in some potentially important Mn species occurring in soils and sediments is missing. Therefore, we investigated a suite of 32 natural and synthetic Mn reference compounds, including Mn oxide, oxyhydroxide, carbonate, phosphate, and silicate minerals, as well as organic and adsorbed Mn species, by Mn K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The ability of XAS to infer the average oxidation state (AOS) of Mn was assessed by comparing XANES-derived AOS with the AOS obtained from redox titrations. All reference compounds were studied for their local (<5 Å) Mn coordination environment using EXAFS shell-fit analysis. Statistical analyses were employed to clarify how well and to what extent individual Mn species (groups) can be distinguished by XAS based on spectral uniqueness. Our results show that LCF analysis of normalized XANES spectra can reliably quantify the Mn AOS within ~0.1 v.u. in the range +2 to +4. These spectra are diagnostic for most Mn species investigated, but unsuitable to identify and quantify members of the manganate and Mn(III)-oxyhydroxide groups. First-derivative XANES fingerprinting allows the unique identification of pyrolusite, ramsdellite, and potentially lithiophorite within the manganate group. However, XANES spectra of individual Mn compounds can vary significantly depending on chemical composition and/or crystallinity, which limits the accuracy of XANES-based speciation analyses. In contrast, EXAFS spectra provide a much better discriminatory power to identify and quantify Mn species. Principal component and cluster analyses of k2-weighted EXAFS spectra of Mn reference compounds implied that EXAFS LCF analysis of environmental samples can identify and quantify at least the following primary Mn species groups: (1) Phyllo- and tectomanganates with large tunnel sizes (2 × 2 and larger; hollandite sensu stricto, romanèchite, todorokite); (2) tectomanganates with small tunnel sizes (2 × 2 and smaller; cryptomelane, pyrolusite, ramsdellite); (3) Mn(III)-dominated species (nesosilicates, oxyhydroxides, organic compounds, spinels); (4) Mn(II) species (carbonate, phosphate, and phyllosilicate minerals, adsorbed and organic species); and (5) manganosite. All Mn compounds, except for members of the manganate group (excluding pyrolusite) and adsorbed Mn(II) species, exhibit unique EXAFS spectra that would allow their identification and quantification in mixtures. Therefore, our results highlight the potential of Mn K-edge EXAFS spectroscopy to assess bulk Mn speciation in soils and sediments. A complete XAS-based speciation analysis of bulk Mn in environmental samples should preferably include the determination of Mn valences following the “Combo” method of Manceau et al. (2012), EXAFS LCF analyses based on principal component and target transformation results, as well as EXAFS shell-fit analyses for the validation of LCF results. For this purpose, all 32 XAS reference spectra are provided in the Online Materials1 for further use by the scientific community.

Geochemistry & Geophysics↗
NASA NTRS2016

The Plant Phenology Monitoring Design for the National Ecological Observatory Network

Phenology is an integrative science that comprises the study of recurring biological activities or events. In an era of rapidly changing climate, the relationship between the timing of those events and environmental cues such as temperature, snowmelt, water availability, or day length are of particular interest. This article provides an overview of the observer-based plant phenology sampling conducted by the U.S. National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), the resulting data, and the rationale behind the design. Trained technicians will conduct regular in situ observations of plant phenology at all terrestrial NEON sites for the 30-yr life of the observatory. Standardized and coordinated data across the network of sites can be used to quantify the direction and magnitude of the relationships between phenology and environmental forcings, as well as the degree to which these relationships vary among sites, among species, among phenophases, and through time. Vegetation at NEON sites will also be monitored with tower-based cameras, satellite remote sensing, and annual high-resolution airborne remote sensing. Ground-based measurements can be used to calibrate and improve satellite-derived phenometrics. NEON's phenology monitoring design is complementary to existing phenology research efforts and citizen science initiatives throughout the world and will produce interoperable data. By collocating plant phenology observations with a suite of additional meteorological, biophysical, and ecological measurements (e.g., climate, carbon flux, plant productivity, population dynamics of consumers) at 47 terrestrial sites, the NEON design will enable continental-scale inference about the status, trends, causes, and ecological consequences of phenological change.

phenology↗
DOE OSTI2025

Compressed sensing methods with applications to advanced air sampling

Environmental sampling methods developed by the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) employ collectors with sorbent media tubes set at various locations to collect airborne emissions. Laboratory analyses of these tubes results in one-dimensional signals regarding what chemicals are being released and transported within the atmosphere. The analysis process is time consuming especially when analyzing a full year’s worth of tubes (hourly sample collection results in nearly 9,000 tubes per year). Using a signal processing method such as compressed sensing allows for recreation of the full signal while greatly reducing the number of analyzed samples required. Due to the sparsity of data retrieved from the air tubes, it is possible to use measurements a fraction of the size of the original data to gain much of the same information. This would improve the overall time and cost of analysis when modeling one-dimensional sampling signals.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Quantum Enhanced Probes of Magnetic Circular Dichroism

Magneto-optical microscopies, including optical measurements of magnetic circular dichroism, are increasingly ubiquitous tools for probing spin-orbit coupling, charge-carrier g-factors, and chiral excitations in matter, but the minimum detectable signal in classical magnetic circular dichroism measurements is fundamentally limited by the shot-noise limit of the optical readout field. Here, a two-mode squeezed light source is used to improve the minimum detectable signal in magnetic circular dichroism measurements by 3 decibels compared with state-of-the-art classical measurements, even with relatively lossy samples like terbium gallium garnet. Furthermore, these results provide a framework for new quantum-enhanced magneto-optical microscopies that are particularly critical for environmentally sensitive materials and for low temperature measurements where increased optical power can introduce unacceptable thermal perturbations.

42 ENGINEERING↗