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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

An investigation of nonsimultaneous laser-induced fluorescence

An alternative to simultaneous, two-line laser-induced fluorescence for thermodynamic property measurement is presented. This spectroscopic approach is similar to multiple-overheat hot-wire anemometry and is based on laser excitation of different fluorescence transitions for separate, sequential wind tunnel runs. Both fluctuating and mean thermodynamic property measurements seem to be achievable with this method without exciting the transitions during the same laser pulse.

Fletcher, D. G.↗

A dual high-energy radiography platform with 15 μ m resolution at the National Ignition Facility

To study matter at extreme densities and pressures, we need mega laser facilities such as the National Ignition Facility as well as creative methods to make observations during timescales of a billionth of a second. To facilitate this, we developed a platform and diagnostic to characterize a new point-projection radiography configuration using two micro-wires irradiated by a short pulse laser system that provides a large field of view with up to 3.6 ns separation between images. In this work, we used tungsten-carbide solid spheres as reference objects and inferred characteristics of the back-lighter source using a forward-fitting algorithm. The resolution of the system is inferred to be 15 μm (using 12.5 μm diameter wires). The bremsstrahlung temperature of the source is 70–300 keV, depending on laser energy and coupling efficiency. By adding the images recorded on multiple stacked image plates, the signal-to-noise of the system is nearly doubled. The imaging characterization technique described here can be adapted to most point-projection platforms where the resolution, spectral contrast, and signal-to-noise are important.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Laser and acoustic Doppler techniques for the measurement of fluid velocities

An overview of current laser and acoustic Doppler techniques is presented. Results obtained by Doppler anemometry and conventional sensors are compared. Comparisons include simultaneous velocity measurements by hot wire and a three-dimensional laser anemometer made in a gaseous pipe flow as well as direct comparisons of atmospheric velocities measured with propeller and cup anemometry. Scanning techniques are also discussed. Conclusions and recommendations for future work are presented.

Cliff, W. C.↗

Proton deflectometry of a capacitor coil target along two axes

A developing application of laser-driven currents is the generation of magnetic fields of picosecond–nanosecond duration with magnitudes exceeding $B=10~\text{T}$. Single-loop and helical coil targets can direct laser-driven discharge currents along wires to generate spatially uniform, quasi-static magnetic fields on the millimetre scale. Here, we present proton deflectometry across two axes of a single-loop coil ranging from 1 to 2 mm in diameter. Comparison with proton tracking simulations shows that measured magnetic fields are the result of kiloampere currents in the coil and electric charges distributed around the coil target. Using this dual-axis platform for proton deflectometry, robust measurements can be made of the evolution of magnetic fields in a capacitor coil target.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

High temperature tensile properties of H13 tool steel fabricated via binder jet additive manufacturing

H13 is one of the most used steels for hot work tooling applications like die casting. Binder jet additive manufacturing (BJAM) offers a cost-effective solution to fabricate tools with performance enhancing features like internal cooling channels. While full densification of BJAM H13 has been demonstrated in the literature, the room and high temperature tensile properties of the material, and the effect of post-process treatments like hot isostatic pressing (HIP), and heat treatment (HT) are unknown. Here we use HIP+HT to obtain a combination of ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation to failure that is superior to H13 fabricated via laser powder bed fusion and wire arc additive manufacturing. HIP+HT BJAM H13 has a superior UTS (1836 MPa) compared with conventionally processed (1671 MPa) H13 but has lower plastic elongation. We report that as-sintered samples have an extensive network of continuous grain boundary (GB) carbides that contribute to brittle fracture. HIP+HT results in partial dissolution of GB carbides and formation of a fine martensitic microstructure resulting in superior tensile strength and elongation compared with as-sintered H13. We use thermo-kinetic calculations to rationalize the effects of HIP+HT on microstructure and properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The three-dimensional compressible flow in a radial inflow turbine scroll

This work presents the results of an analytical study and an experimental investigation of the three-dimensional flow in a turbine scroll. The finite element method is used in the iterative numerical solution of the locally linearized governing equations for the three-dimensional velocity potential field. The results of the numerical computations are compared with the experimental measurements in the scroll cross sections, which were obtained using laser Doppler velocimetry and hot wire techniques. The results of the computations show a variation in the flow conditions around the rotor periphery which was found to depend on the scroll geometry.

Hamed, A.↗

An experimental study of a three-dimensional thrust augmenting ejector using laser Doppler velocimetry

Flow field measurements were obtained in a three-dimensional thrust augmenting ejector using laser Doppler velocimetry and hot wire anemometry. The primary nozzle, segmented into twelve slots of aspect ratio 3.0, was tested at a pressure ratio of 1.15. Results are presented on the mean velocity, turbulence intensity, and Reynolds stress progressions in the mixing chamber of the constant area ejector. The segmented nozzle was found to produce streamwise vortices that may increase the mixing efficiency of the ejector flow field. Compared to free jet results, the jet development is reduced by the presence of the ejector walls. The resulting thrust augmentation ratio of this ejector was also calculated to be 1.34.

Storms, Bruce Lowell↗

A Survey of Measurements and Measuring Techniques in Rapidly Distorted Compressible Turbulent Boundary Layers

A wide range of recent work on compressible turbulent boundary layers is described. Special attention was paid to flows with rapid changes in pressure including flows with shock waves, curved walls, and expansions. The application of rapid distortion theory to flows transversing expansion and shock waves is reviewed. This is followed by an account of experiments aimed at elucidating the large scale structures present in supersonic boundary layers. The current status of laser-Doppler and hot-wire anemometry in supersonic flow is discussed, and a new interferometric technique for the determination of wall-stress is described. The use of small pressure transducers to deduce information about the structure of zero pressure-gradient and severely perturbed boundary layers is investigated. Finally, there is an extension of the data presentation of AGARDographs 223, 253 and 263 to cover rapidly distorted boundary layers.

Fernholz, H. H.↗

Basic aerodynamic research facility for comparative studies of flow diagnostic techniques

Current flow diagnostic research efforts are focusing on higher order flow field data bases, such as those generated by laser velocimetry (LV), hot-wire anemometry, and multi-hole pressure probes. Recent low-speed comparisons of results obtained with LV and hot wires have revealed strengths and weaknesses of each instrument. A seeding study will be initiated to determine particulate tracking ability.

Jones, Gregory S.↗

Flow field measurement and visualization using projected smoke trails

A new, simple method is described for measuring and visualizing air flows. The method involves projecting a small heated metal pellet through the air at a speed greater than the flow. The pellet burns as it moves through the air and leaves a wake of very fine, visible, metal oxide particles. The position of this visible smoke trail is then photographed at a sequence of times. The displacement of the trail can be used to provide a plot of the normal component of velocity as a function of distance. Examples are given for very low speed thermal convection (less than about 1 m/sec) and low speed flow over airfoils and cylinders (less than about 10 m/sec). Comparisons of the method to pulsed smoke-wire, spark-tracer and laser fluorescence methods, which give similar information, are discussed.

Steinhoff, J. S.↗

Actuation of Deformable Mirrors Using Laser Controlled Pistons

Current deformable mirrors used for adaptive optics employ many actuators to adjust the mirror in order to compensate for optical irregularities. These mechanical actuators, which can number in the hundreds for a given mirror, require a significant amount of electrical wires in order to be controlled. The objective of this research is to implement a different type of actuator that can be controlled without the use of wires. The actuator developed employs a laser to quickly heat and expand the air in a closed "cell." When the air expands, it pushes a membrane that causes the mirror to move. Creating an array of these cells, and scanning them with a laser can control a deformable mirror. Testing showed that a single cell with a 5-mm diameter and 10-mm length can deflect a membrane of aluminized mylar in excess of our minimum requirement of 20 microns. These cells can now be assembled in a 5x5 matrix and attached to many small Mirrors. An electro-mechanical scanning assembly can be used to aim the laser directly onto individual cells causing the mirror at that location to move.

Scott, Charles E.↗

Actuation of Deformable Mirrors Using Laser Controlled Pistons

Current deformable mirrors used for adaptive optics employ many actuators to adjust the mirror in order to compensate for optical irregularities. These mechanical actuators, which can number in the hundreds for a given mirror, require a significant amount of electrical wires in order to be controlled. The objective of this research is to implement a different type of actuator that can be controlled without the use of wires. The actuator developed employs a laser to quickly heat and expand the air in a closed 'cell'. When the air expands, it pushes a membrane that causes the mirror to move. Creating an array of these cells, and scanning them with a laser can control a deformable mirror. Testing showed that a single cell with a 5 mm diameter and 10 mm in length can deflect a membrane of aluminized Mylar in excess of our minimum requirement of 20 microns. These cells can now be assembled in a 5 x 5 matrix and attached to many small mirrors. An electro-mechanical scanning assembly can be used to aim the laser directly onto individual cells causing the mirror at that location to move.

deformable mirrors↗

Experimental study of the dynamics of a spherical flame

Preliminary results of an experimental study conducted to investigate the dynamic behavior of flames in explosive gases are presented. The medium was an equimolar acetylene-oxygen mixture maintained initially at a pressure of 110 torr. and room temperature in an experimental vessel 9 cm in internal diameter. Ignition was performed by means of a neodymium laser beam focused on a 0.3 mm diameter steel wire. Experimental observations were performed by the use of a stroboscopic laser-schlieren system yielding a set of photographic records of wave phenomena at a frequency of 200,000 per second. The records reveal the existence of a number of shocks which by a thorough analysis of the blast wave generated by the ignition process, are shown to be due entirely to the flame generated flow field. The capability of a flame to form blast waves in an expanding spherical geometry is thus established, providing an experimental demonstration of the significance the dynamic effects of combustion can achieve.

Oppenheim, A. K.↗

A comparison of a coaxial focused laser Doppler system in atmospheric measurements

Measurements of atmospheric velocities and turbulence with the laser Doppler system were obtained, and the results compared with cup anemometer and hot-wire measurements in the same wind field. The laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) is described along with the test procedures. It was found that mean values determined from the LDV data are within 5% of other anemometer data for long time periods, and the LDV measures higher velocities.

Karaki, S.↗

Experimental investigation of the asymmetric body vortex wake

An experimental investigation of the asymmetric body vortex wake of a circular cylinder in high subsonic flow is presented. Laser velocimeter, force and moment, and surface hot wire measurements were obtained for a freestream Mach number of 0.6 and Reynolds number (based on body diameter) of 0.62 x 10 to the 6th. Two component laser velocimeter measurements were made at three body cross-flow planes, x/d = 4, 8, and 12, and angles of attack of 25, 35, and 45 deg. Laser vapor screen photographs were also obtained at these body stations and angles of attack. Surface hot wire measurements were used to determine if any vortex switching occurred at various angles of attack of the body. The laser velocimeter measurements are related to the vapor screen photographs and side force measurements. These results show that more than one asymmetric body vortex wake configuration can exist for the same angle of attack and body roll angle.

Oberkampf, W. L.↗

Plasma flows during the ablation stage of an over-massed pulsed-power-driven exploding planar wire array

We characterize the plasma flows generated during the ablation stage of an over-massed exploding planar wire array, fielded on the COBRA pulsed-power facility (1 MA peak current, 250 ns rise time). The planar wire array is designed to provide a driving magnetic field (80–100 T) and current per wire distribution (about 60 kA), similar to that in a 10 MA cylindrical exploding wire array fielded on the Z machine. Over-massing the arrays enables continuous plasma ablation over the duration of the experiment without implosion. The requirement to over-mass on the Z machine necessitates wires with diameters of 75–100μm, which are thicker than wires usually fielded on wire array experiments. To test ablation with thicker wires, we perform a parametric study by varying the initial wire diameter between 33 and 100 μm. The largest wire diameter (100 μm) array exhibits early closure of the cathode-wire gap, while the gap remains open over the duration of the experiment for wire diameters between 33 and 75 μm. Laser plasma interferometry and time-gated extreme-ultraviolet (XUV) imaging are used to probe the plasma flows ablating from the wires. The plasma flows from the wires converge to generate a pinch, which appears as a fast-moving (V≈100kms−1) column of increased plasma density (n¯e≈2×1018cm−3) and strong XUV emission. Finally, we compare the results with three-dimensional resistive-magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations performed using the code GORGON, the results of which reproduce the dynamics of the experiment reasonably well.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Current advances on Talbot–Lau x-ray imaging diagnostics for high energy density experiments (invited)

Talbot–Lau x-ray interferometry is a refraction-based diagnostic that can map electron density gradients through phase-contrast methods. The Talbot–Lau x-ray deflectometry (TXD) diagnostics have been deployed in several high energy density experiments. To improve diagnostic performance, a monochromatic TXD was implemented on the Multi-Tera Watt (MTW) laser using 8 keV multilayer mirrors (Δθ/θ = 4.5%-5.6%). Copper foil and wire targets were irradiated at 10 14 –10 15 W/cm 2 . Laser pulse length (~10 to 80 ps) and backlighter target configurations were explored in the context of Moiré fringe contrast and spatial resolution. Foil and wire targets delivered increased contrast <30%. The best spatial resolution (<6 μm) was measured for foils irradiated 80° from the surface. Further TXD diagnostic capability enhancement was achieved through the development of advanced data postprocessing tools. The Talbot Interferometry Analysis (TIA) code enabled x-ray refraction measurements from the MTW monochromatic TXD. Additionally, phase, attenuation, and dark-field maps of an ablating x-pinch load were retrieved through TXD. The images show a dense wire core of ~60 μm diameter surrounded by low-density material of ~40 μm thickness with an outer diameter ratio of ~2.3. Attenuation at 8 keV was measured at ~20% for the dense core and ~10% for the low-density material. Instrumental and experimental limitations for monochromatic TXD diagnostics are presented. Enhanced postprocessing capabilities enabled by TIA are demonstrated in the context of high-intensity laser and pulsed power experimental data analysis. Significant advances in TXD diagnostic capabilities are presented. Furthermore, these results inform future diagnostic technique upgrades that will improve the accuracy of plasma characterization through TXD.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Weldability of irradiated Stainless Steel 304 materials harvested from the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor

In this work, the weldability of the neutron-irradiated Stainless Steel 304 (SS 304) materials containing estimated helium levels of 12 to 44 appm has been studied through a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement between the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The work utilizes a SS 304 component harvested from the National Research Universal reactor. Laser beam welding was used to explore suitable welding conditions and associated parameters, to determine helium concentration limits for successful welding of irradiated stainless-steels. The experimental results show that maximum fusion zone void sizes, fusion zone void quantity and total heat affected zone helium-induced crack length generally increased with increasing He levels and effective weld heat input. A proper combination of welding parameters with low effective heat input, such as, laser power, weld travel speed and wire feed speed, were shown to improve the welding quality, and potentially reduce the length and probability of the formation of grain boundary helium-induced cracking and voids of irradiated SS 304 even with He concentrations as high as about 44 appm.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗