Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “spatial maps”

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 1,675 records · Page 93
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

InVEST Urban Development: Incorporating Earth Observation Data into the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) Urban Flood Risk Mitigation Model Python API

Urban flooding poses as one of the biggest issues for cities today, as its impacts are amplified by both climate change and urbanization. The Natural Capital Project’s Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) Urban Flood Risk Mitigation (UFRM) model, which benefits from its simplicity and robustness, is commonly used in NASA DEVELOP projects for disaster mitigation, urban planning, and environmental justice issues. While InVEST UFRM model was able to produce the surface water runoff and retention map sufficient for the scopes of past projects, the model accuracy and spatial variability need improvement. Since the current InVEST UFRM model employs constant rainfall depth for all pixels in the area of interest (AOI), the model suffers from inaccurately estimating rainfall depth, runoff volume, and flood depth. Therefore, we adapted the model so that satellite-based precipitation raster datasets (i.e., Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement [GPM IMERG]) can be used instead of a single constant value. We simulated the flood events on August 21st and August 22nd, 2017 in Wyandotte County, Kansas using both our modified and the original InVEST UFRM model and then compared the results after incorporating the rainfall raster into the model. Areas with developed land on the land use map predicted moderate to high flood volume in the original volume regardless of the actual amount of precipitation. The modified model considered the rainfall depth’s spatial variation achieving less overestimation of flood runoff and volume at low-to-moderate rainfall area.

Son Do↗
DOE OSTI2017

DHIGLS: DRAO H I intermediate galactic latitude survey

Observations of Galactic H i gas for seven targeted regions at intermediate Galactic latitude are presented at 1{sup ′} angular resolution using data from the DRAO Synthesis Telescope (ST) and the Green Bank Telescope (GBT). The DHIGLS data are the most extensive arcminute-resolution measurements of the diffuse atomic interstellar medium beyond those in the Galactic plane. The acquisition, reduction, calibration, and mosaicking of the DRAO ST data and the cross calibration and incorporation of the short-spacing information from the GBT are described. The high quality of the resulting DHIGLS products enables a variety of new studies in directions of low Galactic column density. We analyze the angular power spectra of maps of the integrated H i emission (column density) from the data cubes for several distinct velocity ranges. In fitting power-spectrum models based on a power law, but including the effects of the synthesized beam and noise at high spatial frequencies, we find exponents ranging from −2.5 to −3.0. Power spectra of maps of the centroid velocity for these components give similar results. These exponents are interpreted as being representative of the three-dimensional density and velocity fields of the atomic gas, respectively. We find evidence for dramatic changes in the H i structures in channel maps over even small changes in velocity. This narrow line emission has counterparts in absorption spectra against bright background radio sources, quantifying that the gas is cold and dense and can be identified as the cold neutral medium phase. Fully reduced DHIGLS H i data cubes and other data products are available at www.cita.utoronto.ca/DHIGLS.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Sub-kiloparsec ALMA imaging of compact star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 2.5: revealing the formation of dense galactic cores in the progenitors of compact quiescent galaxies

We present spatially resolved Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) 870 μm dust continuum maps of six massive, compact, dusty star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 2.5. These galaxies are selected for their small rest-frame optical sizes (r{sub e,F160W}∼1.6 kpc) and high stellar mass densities that suggest that they are direct progenitors of compact quiescent galaxies at z ∼ 2. The deep observations yield high far-infrared (FIR) luminosities of L{sub IR}=10{sup 12.3−12.8} L{sub ⊙} and star formation rates (SFRs) of SFR = 200–700 M {sub ⊙} yr{sup −1}, consistent with those of typical star-forming “main sequence” galaxies. The high spatial resolution (FWHM ∼ 0.″12–0.″18) ALMA and Hubble Space Telescope photometry are combined to construct deconvolved, mean radial profiles of their stellar mass and (UV+IR) SFR. We find that the dusty, nuclear IR–SFR overwhelmingly dominates the bolometric SFR up to r ∼ 5 kpc, by a factor of over 100× from the unobscured UV–SFR. Furthermore, the effective radius of the mean SFR profile (r{sub e,SFR}∼1 kpc) is ∼30% smaller than that of the stellar mass profile. The implied structural evolution, if such nuclear starburst last for the estimated gas depletion time of Δt = ±100 Myr, is a 4× increase of the stellar mass density within the central 1 kpc and a 1.6× decrease of the half-mass–radius. This structural evolution fully supports dissipation-driven, formation scenarios in which strong nuclear starbursts transform larger, star-forming progenitors into compact quiescent galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

X-ray chemical imaging for assessing redox microsites within soils and sediments

Redox reactions underlie several biogeochemical processes and are typically spatiotemporally heterogeneous in soils and sediments. However, redox heterogeneity has yet to be incorporated into mainstream conceptualizations and modeling of soil biogeochemistry. Anoxic microsites, a defining feature of soil redox heterogeneity, are non-majority oxygen depleted zones in otherwise oxic environments. Neglecting to account for anoxic microsites can generate major uncertainties in quantitative assessments of greenhouse gas emissions, C sequestration, as well as nutrient and contaminant cycling at the ecosystem to global scales. However, only a few studies have observed/characterized anoxic microsites in undisturbed soils, primarily, because soil is opaque and microsites require µm-cm scale resolution over cm-m scales. Consequently, our current understanding of microsite characteristics does not support model parameterization. To resolve this knowledge gap, we demonstrate through this proof-of-concept study that X-ray fluorescence (XRF) 2D mapping can reliably detect, quantify, and provide basic redox characterization of anoxic microsites using solid phase “forensic” evidence. First, we tested and developed a systematic data processing approach to eliminate false positive redox microsites, i.e., artefacts, detected from synchrotron-based multiple-energy XRF 2D mapping of Fe (as a proxy of redox-sensitive elements) in Fe-“rich” sediment cores with artificially injected microsites. Then, spatial distribution of Fe II and Fe III species from full, natural soil core slices (over cm-m lengths/widths) were mapped at 1–100 µm resolution. These investigations revealed direct evidence of anoxic microsites in predominantly oxic soils such as from an oak savanna and toeslope soil of a mountainous watershed, where anaerobicity would typically not be expected. We also revealed preferential spatial distribution of redox microsites inside aggregates from oak savanna soils. We anticipate that this approach will advance our understanding of soil biogeochemistry and help resolve “anomalous” occurrences of reduced products in nominally oxic soils.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

IMAGING THE ELUSIVE H-POOR GAS IN THE HIGH adf PLANETARY NEBULA NGC 6778

We present the first direct image of the high-metallicity gas component in a planetary nebula (NGC 6778), taken with the OSIRIS Blue Tunable Filter centered on the O ii λ 4649+50 Å optical recombination lines (ORLs) at the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias. We show that the emission of these faint O ii ORLs is concentrated in the central parts of the planetary nebula and is not spatially coincident either with emission coming from the bright [O iii] λ 5007 Å collisionally excited line (CEL) or the bright H α recombination line. From monochromatic emission line maps taken with VIMOS at the 8.2 m Very Large Telescope, we find that the spatial distribution of the emission from the auroral [O iii] λ 4363 line resembles that of the O ii ORLs but differs from nebular [O iii] λ 5007 CEL distribution, implying a temperature gradient inside the planetary nebula. The centrally peaked distribution of the O ii emission and the differences with the [O iii] and H i emission profiles are consistent with the presence of an H-poor gas whose origin may be linked to the binarity of the central star. However, determination of the spatial distribution of the ORLs and CELs in other PNe and a comparison of their dynamics are needed to further constrain the geometry and ejection mechanism of the metal-rich (H-poor) component and hence, understand the origin of the abundance discrepancy problem in PNe.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1988

Spectral characteristics and the extent of paleosols of the Palouse formation

The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that TM data is adequate in band selection and width and in spatial resolution to distinguish soil organic matter, iron oxide, and lime-silica contents to map several severity classes of erosion in soils of the Palouse region. The methodology used is as follows: (1) To develop spectral relationships from TM data that define the spatial distribution of soil areas by levels of (1) organic matter in the surface soil, (2) iron oxide and clay in exposed paleosol B horizons, and (3) lime-silica accumulations in exposed paleosol B horizons; (2) To compare areas determined by the method outlined in 1 to patterns interpreted from color aerial photos, and to ground observations on bare-soil fields; and (3) To define, on the basis of results of 1 and 2 to the extent possible, where exposed paleosols exist within fields that are not bare, but have a crop cover, and the distribution of desirable and undesirable soil properties in each field.

Frazier, B. E.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Aerosol Retrievals from Different Polarimeters During the ACEPOL Campaign Using a Common Retrieval Algorithm

In this paper, we present aerosol retrieval results from the ACEPOL (Aerosol Characterization from Polarimeter and Lidar) campaign, which was a joint initiative between NASA and SRON – the Netherlands Institute for Space Research. The campaign took place in October–November 2017 over the western part of the United States. During ACEPOL six different instruments were deployed on the NASA ER-2 high-altitude aircraft, including four multi-angle polarimeters (MAPs): SPEX airborne, the Airborne Hyper Angular Rainbow Polarimeter (AirHARP), the Airborne Multi-angle SpectroPolarimetric Imager (AirMSPI), and the Research Scanning Polarimeter (RSP). Also, two lidars participated: the High Spectral Resolution Lidar-2 (HSRL-2) and the Cloud Physics Lidar (CPL). Flights were conducted mainly for scenes with low aerosol load over land, but some cases with higher AOD were also observed. We perform aerosol retrievals from SPEX airborne, RSP (410–865 nm range only), and AirMSPI using the SRON aerosol retrieval algorithm and compare the results against AERONET (AErosol RObotic NETwork) and HSRL-2 measurements (for SPEX airborne and RSP). All three MAPs compare well against AERONET for the aerosol optical depth (AOD), with a mean absolute error (MAE) between 0.014 and 0.024 at 440 nm. For the fine-mode effective radius the MAE ranges between 0.021 and 0.028 µm. For the comparison with HSRL-2 we focus on a day with low AOD (0.02–0.14 at 532 nm) over the California Central Valley, Arizona, and Nevada (26 October) as well as a flight with high AOD (including measurements with AOD>1.0 at 532 nm) over a prescribed forest fire in Arizona (9 November). For the day with low AOD the MAEs in AOD (at 532 nm) with HSRL-2 are 0.014 and 0.022 for SPEX and RSP, respectively, showing the capability of MAPs to provide accurate AOD retrievals for the challenging case of low AOD over land. For the retrievals over the smoke plume a reasonable agreement in AOD between the MAPs and HSRL-2 was also found (MAE 0.088 and 0.079 for SPEX and RSP, respectively), despite the fact that the comparison is hampered by large spatial variability in AOD throughout the smoke plume. A good comparison is also found between the MAPs and HSRL-2 for the aerosol depolarization ratio (a measure of particle sphericity), with an MAE of 0.023 and 0.016 for SPEX and RSP, respectively. Finally, SPEX and RSP agree very well for the retrieved microphysical and optical properties of the smoke plume.

Fu, Guangliang↗
DOE OSTI2022

Towards mapping biodiversity from above: Can fusing lidar and hyperspectral remote sensing predict taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic tree diversity in temperate forests?

Abstract Aim Rapid global change is impacting the diversity of tree species and essential ecosystem functions and services of forests. It is therefore critical to understand and predict how the diversity of tree species is spatially distributed within and among forest biomes. Satellite remote sensing platforms have been used for decades to map forest structure and function but are limited in their capacity to monitor change by their relatively coarse spatial resolution and the complexity of scales at which different dimensions of biodiversity are observed in the field. Recently, airborne remote sensing platforms making use of passive high spectral resolution (i.e., hyperspectral) and active lidar data have been operationalized, providing an opportunity to disentangle how biodiversity patterns vary across space and time from field observations to larger scales. Most studies to date have focused on single sites and/or one sensor type; here we ask how multiple sensor types from the National Ecological Observatory Network’s Airborne Observation Platform (NEON AOP) perform across multiple sites in a single biome at the NEON field plot scale (i.e., 40 m × 40 m). Location Eastern USA. Time period 2017–2018. Taxa studied Trees. Methods With a fusion of hyperspectral and lidar data from the NEON AOP, we assess the ability of high resolution remotely sensed metrics to measure biodiversity variation across eastern US temperate forests. We examine how taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic measures of alpha diversity vary spatially and assess to what degree remotely sensed metrics correlate with in situ biodiversity metrics. Results Models using estimates of forest function, canopy structure, and topographic diversity performed better than models containing each category alone. Our results show that canopy structural diversity, and not just spectral reflectance, is critical to predicting biodiversity. Main conclusions We found that an approach that jointly leverages spectral properties related to leaf and canopy functional traits and forest health, lidar derived estimates of forest structure, fine‐resolution topographic diversity, and careful consideration of biogeographical differences within and among biomes is needed to accurately map biodiversity variation from above.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1986

The microwave structure of quiescent solar filaments at high resolution

High resolution very low altitude maps of a quiescent filament at three frequencies are presented. The spatial resolution (approx. 15" at 1.45 GHz, approx. 6" at 4.9 GHz, and approx. 2" at 15 GHz) is several times better than previously attained. At each frequency, the filament appears as a depression in the quiet Sun background. The depression is measurably wider and longer in extent than the corresponding H alpha filament at 1.45 GHz and 4.9 GHz, indicating that the depression is due in large part to a deficit in coronal density associated with the filament channel. In contrast, the shape of the radio depression at 15 CHz closely matches that of the H alpha filament. In addition, the 15 GHz map shows enhanced emission along both sides of the radio depression. A similar enhancement is seen in an observation of a second filament 4 days later, which suggests that the enhancement is a general feature of filaments. Possible causes of the enhanced emission are explored.

Gary, Dale E.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Mesoscale Magnetostructural Phase Separation in Fe‐deficient Fe 5 GeTe 2

Two-dimensional van der Waals ferromagnet Fe 5-x GeTe 2 (F5GT) is promising for spintronic applications due to its high Curie temperature, layered structure, and ability to host complex magnetic textures. However, the origin of its sample-dependent magnetic anisotropy remains unclear, hindering control of its magnetic behavior. Here, we use spatially resolved cryogenic scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) to correlatively map magnetism, lattice structure, and chemistry across atomic-to-micron scales. We reveal that only mesoscale, not nanoscale, inclusions of a Fe-deficient secondary phase significantly modify magnetic behavior, establishing a previously unrecognized critical length scale. This phase separation, induced by quenching, leads to in-plane magnetic anisotropy, while slow cooling confines separation to a few nanometers and preserves out-of-plane anisotropy. These findings reconcile prior inconsistencies and establish a predictive framework for tuning magnetism in F5GT through thermal processing, with broader implications for controlling anisotropy in other two-dimensional magnetic materials.

2D ferromagnets↗
DOE OSTI2025

Modulation of thermal conductivity of iron-doped ß-Ga2O3 by helium-ion irradiation

This study examines the impact of helium-ion irradiation on the thermal conductivity of ß-Ga2O3. A laser-based spatial domain thermoreflectance technique is used to investigate thermal conductivity map for both un-irradiated and irradiated ß-Ga2O3, which are then validated against simulation results derived from density functional theory-based phonon transport simulations. Since helium bubble evolution was ob- served at the nanoscale using transmission electron microscopy, the simulation study was carried out on eight distinct helium-induced sites in ß-Ga2O3. Our findings indicate a reduction in thermal conductivity for the irradiated samples. Experimental results show a significant reduction in thermal conductivity in irradiated samples, with de- creases of approximately 25% along the [100] direction and 40% along [001] directions. Phonon transport simulations closely replicate these findings, particularly when helium occupying interstitial sites, predicting reductions of ˜53% along [100] and ˜50% along [001] directions. This work underscores the role of irradiation-induced microstructural changes in the heat transport properties of ß-Ga2O3 which is crucial for its application in sensor devices in extreme environments.

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

X-ray Absorption Measurements on Nickel Cathode of Sodium-beta Alumina batteries: Fe-Ni-CI Chemical Associations

Sections of Na-Al-NiCl2 cathodes from sodium-beta alumina ZEBRA batteries have been characterized with X-ray fluorescence mapping, and XANES measurements to probe the microstructure, elemental correlation, and chemical speciation after voltage cycling. Cycling was performed under identical load conditions at either 240 or 280 °C operating temperature and subsequently quenched in either the charged or discharged state. X-ray fluorescence mapping and XANES measurements were made adjacent to the current collector and β"-Al2O3 solid electrolyte interfaces to detect possible gradients in chemical properties across the cathode. An FeS additive, introduced during battery synthesis, was found to be present as either Fe metal or an Fe(II) chloride in all cathode samples. X-ray fluorescence mapping reveals an operating temperature and charge-state dependent spatial correlation between Fe, Ni, and Cl concentration. XANES measurements indicate that both Ni and Fe are chemically reactive and shift between metallic and chloride phases in the charged and discharged states, respectively. However the percentage of chemically active Ni and Fe is significantly less in the cell operated at lower temperature. Additionally, the cathode appeared chemically homogeneous at the scale of our X-ray measurements.

Bowden, Mark E.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Methods and system for siting advanced nuclear reactors and evaluating energy policy concerns

There is a growing sociopolitical desire to develop cleaner energy sources in the United States and maintain energy security. Regardless of politics, many coal-fired electric plants have already been shut down and many utilities are vowing to retire their current coal-fired assets within the next two decades. Replacement power assets require consideration of appropriate siting. A geographic information system (GIS)-based multicriteria decision analysis approach is useful to assist utility and energy companies, as well as policymakers, to evaluate potential areas for siting new plants in the contiguous United States. A GIS-based framework is simply a database of location information that allows for mapping, querying, modeling, and analyzing data based on location. The spatial output can be structured to be visual, allowing for easier analysis of location data. The need to site additional power assets, including renewable resources and clean power sources, such as nuclear, led to the development of the Oak Ridge Siting Analysis for power Generation Expansion (OR-SAGE) tool discussed in this paper. The tool takes inputs such as population growth, water availability, environmental indicators, and tectonic and geological hazards to provide an in-depth visual analysis for siting options. Energy companies and other stakeholders can use OR-SAGE to procure feedback quickly and effectively on land suitability based on technology specific inputs. Policymakers can use OR-SAGE to analyze the impacts of future energy technology decisions, while balancing competing resource use. Overall, this paper discusses the recent use of OR-SAGE for these purposes and plans for future development.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Service area size assessment for evaluating the spatial scale of solid waste recovery chains: A territorial perspective

Highlights: • A model to evaluate the service area size of a waste recovery chain is proposed. • A recovery performance score is given per waste source. •The areas to be collected in priority are the sources with the highest score. • The score depends on the source's characteristics and the recovery technology. •Replacing anaerobic digestion by composting decreases the facility's spatial scale. - Abstract: Waste recovery is an integrated part of municipal solid waste management systems but its strategic planning is still challenging. In particular, the service area size of facilities is a sensitive issue since its calculation depends on various factors related to treatment technologies (output products) and territorial features (sources waste production and location). This work presents a systemic approach for the estimation of a chain's service area size, based on a balance between costs and recovery profits. The model assigns a recovery performance value to each source, which can be positive, neutral or negative. If it is positive, the source should be included in the facility's service area. Applied to the case of Montreal for food waste recovery by anaerobic digestion, the approach showed that at most 23 out of the 30 districts should be included in the service area, depending on the indicator, which represents around 127,000 t of waste recovered/year. Due to the systemic approach, these districts were not necessarily the closest to the facility. Moreover, for the Montreal case, changing the facility's location did not have a great influence on the optimal service area size, showing that the distance to the facility was not a decisive factor at this scale. However, replacing anaerobic digestion by a composting plant reduced the break-even transport distances and, thus, the number of sources worth collecting (around 68,500 t/year). In this way, the methodology, applied to different management strategies, gave a sense of the spatial dynamics involved in the recovery chain's design. The map of optimal supply obtained could be used to further analyse the feasibility of multi-site and/or multi-technology systems for the territory considered.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2023

Rapid Accumulation of Soil Inorganics on Plastics: Implications for Plastic Degradation and Contaminant Fate

As plastics degrade in the environment, chemical oxidation of the plastic surface enables inorganics to adsorb and form inorganic coatings, likely through a combination of adsorption of minerals and in situ mineral formation. The presence of inorganic coatings on aged plastics has negative implications for plastics fate, hindering our ability to recycle weathered plastics and increasing the potential for plastics to adsorb contaminants. Here, inorganic coatings formed on terrestrially weathered polyethylene were characterized using synchrotron spectroscopy and microscopy techniques across spatial scales including optical microscopy, nano-X-ray-fluorescence mapping (nano-XRF), nano-X-ray absorption near edge structure (nano-XANES), and high-energy resolution fluorescence detected-XANES (HERFD-XANES). Results indicate a heterogeneous elemental distribution and speciation which includes inorganics common to soil terrestrial environments including iron oxides and oxyhydroxides, aluminosilicates, and carbonates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Imaging Valley Excitons in a 2D Semiconductor with Scanning Tunneling Microscope-Induced Luminescence

Valley excitons dominate the optoelectronic response of transition-metal dichalcogenides and are drastically affected by structural and environmental inhomogeneities localized in these materials. Critical to understanding and controlling these nanoscale excitonic changes is the ability to correlate the imaging of excitonic states with crystalline structures on the atomic scale. Here, in this study, we apply scanning tunneling microscope-induced luminescence microscopy to image valley excitons in a semiconducting transition-metal dichalcogenide monolayer decoupled by a 10 nanometer-thick hexagonal-boron-nitride flake incorporated in a lateral homojunction on an Au electrode surface. This design enables the observation of chiral excitonic emission arising from neutral and charged valley excitons of the monolayer semiconductor at ambipolar voltages with a quantum efficiency up to similar to ~10 -5 photon/electron. The measured light helicity demonstrates considerable circular polarization dependent on the sample voltage, reaching as much as 40%. The real-space luminescence imaging maps$-$at subnanometer resolution$-$of the valley excitons reveal striking spatial variations associated with localized inhomogeneities, including surface impurities and possibly nanoscale dielectric and/or potential disorders in the monolayer. Our study introduces a promising format for 2D materials to explore and tailor their optoelectronic processes at the atomic scale.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Multi-modal characterization of nitrate reduction nano-catalysts with periodic strain distribution

Strain engineering serves as a pivotal strategy to optimize catalytic activity in electrocatalysis. However, the catalyst sizes under industrial conditions are usually large and even beyond nanometer regime. The critical methodological limitations on strain imaging of such catalysts with both large field of view and high spatial resolution obscure the mechanistic understanding of strain-performance correlations. Here, we present an optimized four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) method to acquire strain mapping of both bulk and surface across particles up to 500 nm with 0.6 nm spatial resolution and 0.55% precision. We observe the ripple-like periodic strain coupled with elemental fluctuations inside a perovskite-type hydroxide CuCoSn(OH) 6 and find it correlated to electrocatalytic nitrate reduction (NO 3 – RR) absorption energy to achieve the 92.6% Faradaic efficiency and long-term test over 1000 h at membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for ammonia electrosynthesis. This universal framework design offers a practical method that not only develops an advanced measurement combining multi-modal characterization techniques but also reveals the intrinsic structure-property constitutive law of industry-level catalysts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Imaging and structure analysis of ferroelectric domains, domain walls, and vortices by scanning electron diffraction

Direct electron detectors in scanning transmission electron microscopy give unprecedented possibilities for structure analysis at the nanoscale. In electronic and quantum materials, this new capability gives access to, for example, emergent chiral structures and symmetry-breaking distortions that underpin functional properties. Quantifying nanoscale structural features with statistical significance, however, is complicated by the subtleties of dynamic diffraction and coexisting contrast mechanisms, which often results in a low signal-to-noise ratio and the superposition of multiple signals that are challenging to deconvolute. Here we apply scanning electron diffraction to explore local polar distortions in the uniaxial ferroelectric Er(Mn,Ti)O 3 . Using a custom-designed convolutional autoencoder with bespoke regularization, we demonstrate that subtle variations in the scattering signatures of ferroelectric domains, domain walls, and vortex textures can readily be disentangled with statistical significance and separated from extrinsic contributions due to, e.g., variations in specimen thickness or bending. The work demonstrates a pathway to quantitatively measure symmetry-breaking distortions across large areas, mapping structural changes at interfaces and topological structures with nanoscale spatial resolution.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗