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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Prototype X-ray and Gamma Detection with Cyclotron Radiation Emission Spectroscopy

Cyclotron radiation emission spectroscopy, or CRES, is a novel approach to measuring the energy of an electron. By trapping a free electron in a high magnetic field, it undergoes cyclotron motion and emits radiofrequency (RF) waves. The frequency of this RF radiation is directly related to the energy of the electron. Because many cycles of the RF emission are recorded, the energy resolution of the CRES system is on the order of a single electron volt. To make a CRES system sensitive to photons, a target gas is used to induce a photoelectric effect, producing the electron that is subsequently trapped. By adding the binding energy of the target atom, the energy of the incident photon may be reconstructed. Using a xenon target gas, photoelectric interactions dominate up to approximately 300 keV, covering not only all atomic shell X-rays of the elements, but many low-lying nuclear states as well, including key transuranic elements related to nuclear security. CRES holds the potential of maintaining single-eV resolution up to this 300-keV range, thereby surpassing current state-of-the-art detectors by a factor of 10-100. The instrumental resolution of the system is limited by the uniformity of the applied magnetic field.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2025

Antenna arrays for neutrino mass measurements with cyclotron radiation emission spectroscopy

Cyclotron Radiation Emission Spectroscopy (CRES) is a technique for precision measurements of kinetic energies of charged particles, pioneered by the Project 8 experiment to measure the neutrino mass using the tritium end-point method. It was recently employed for the first time to measure the molecular tritium spectrum and place a limit on the neutrino mass using a cubic-centimeter-scale detector. Future direct neutrino mass experiments are developing the technique to overcome the systematic and statistical limitations of current detectors. Here, this paper describes one such approach, namely the use of antenna arrays for CRES in free space. Phenomenology, detector design, simulation, and performance estimates are discussed, culminating with an example design with a projected sensitivity of 𝑚 𝛽 < ⁢0.04 eV/𝑐 2 . Prototype antenna array measurements are also shown for a demonstrator-scale setup as a benchmark for the simulation. By consolidating these results, this paper serves as a comprehensive reference for the development and performance of antenna arrays for CRES.

Physics - Nuclear physics and radiation physics↗
DOE OSTI2026

Time-domain terahertz emission spectroscopy on van der Waals materials

Time-domain terahertz (THz) emission spectroscopy provides a direct method to probe transient photo-currents by recording the emitted terahertz electric field. Although the basic principles of THz surface emission have been understood for more than 30 years, the constant progress in ultrafast laser science to ever shorter pulses, the development of new materials and enhanced sensitivity promote THz emission spectroscopy as a reliable method to gain insights into charge carrier dynamics with unprecedented precision. It provides a versatile tool to study ultrafast processes, such as plasmon-driven hot carriers, dynamics of Dirac fermions, interfacial charge transfer, coherent phonon emission and quantum beating, to name only a few. However, despite the rapidly growing body of research on van der Waals materials, especially in their low-dimensional limit, THz emission spectroscopy has only been applied to a limited extent in these material systems. In this prospective, we review time-domain THz emission spectroscopy as a complementary approach to probe ultrafast charge carrier dynamics and the material’s nonlinear response. After a description of the experimental method, we report on THz emission spectroscopy of bulk and 2D van der Waals materials with special focus on graphene and transition metal dichalcogenide layers.

2D materials↗
DOE OSTI2023

Developing a Cyclotron Radiation Emission Spectroscopy Detection System

Cyclotron Radiation Emission Spectroscopy is a new technique for ultra-precise spectroscopy of low-energy electrons. This project aimed at developing capabilities that would be useful to a future CRES experiment. The recent results from the Project 8 and He6-CRES collaborations indicate that CRES has a promising future, but will need advancements to continue developing. In this report we cover the four tasks that comprised the project: data acquisition, data management, updating the raw-data format, a cloud computing.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Height-resolved emission spectroscopy and high-speed imaging of the TiAl6V4 vapor plume under laser powder bed fusion conditions

Optical emission spectroscopy is increasingly used as an in situ monitoring technique during laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) because plume emission holds elemental information not found in other in situ sensing techniques. This work explores the shape, stability, and temperature of the emission plume above the melt pool of Ti6Al4 V undergoing laser scans under LPBF-like processing conditions, using high-speed video and height-resolved spectroscopy to study the details of plume dynamics. Optical emission spectroscopy is conducted in the 480 nm to 525 nm region, where Ti emission is strong, with 0.3 mm vertical resolution above the baseplate. The Boltzmann plot method is used to determine temperature at each probed elevation, which indicates that the hottest location of the plume is occasionally elevated 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm above the scanning surface. The results show that the plume shape, stability, temperature, and spectra are highly dependent on the processing conditions. We highlight some of the complexities of optical emission spectroscopy and discuss potential challenges for implementing optical emission spectroscopy across an entire build.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Real-time signal detection for Cyclotron Radiation Emission Spectroscopy measurements using antenna arrays

Cyclotron Radiation Emission Spectroscopy (CRES) is a technique for precision measurement of the energies of charged particles, which is being developed by the Project 8 Collaboration to measure the neutrino mass using tritium beta-decay spectroscopy. Project 8 seeks to use the CRES technique to measure the neutrino mass with a sensitivity of 40 meV, requiring a large supply of tritium atoms stored in a multi-cubic meter detector volume. Antenna arrays are one potential technology compatible with an experiment of this scale, but the capability of an antenna-based CRES experiment to measure the neutrino mass depends on the efficiency of the signal detection algorithms. Here, in this paper, we develop efficiency models for three signal detection algorithms and compare them using simulations from a prototype antenna-based CRES experiment as a case-study. The algorithms include a power threshold, a matched filter template bank, and a neural network based machine learning approach, which are analyzed in terms of their average detection efficiency and relative computational cost. It is found that significant improvements in detection efficiency and, therefore, neutrino mass sensitivity are achievable, with only a moderate increase in computation cost, by utilizing either the matched filter or machine learning approach in place of a power threshold, which is the baseline signal detection algorithm used in previous CRES experiments by Project 8.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Deep learning based event reconstruction for cyclotron radiation emission spectroscopy

The objective of the cyclotron radiation emission spectroscopy (CRES) technology is to build precise particle energy spectra. This is achieved by identifying the start frequencies of charged particle trajectories which, when exposed to an external magnetic field, leave semi-linear profiles (called tracks) in the time–frequency plane. Due to the need for excellent instrumental energy resolution in application, highly efficient and accurate track reconstruction methods are desired. Deep learning convolutional neural networks (CNNs) - particularly suited to deal with information-sparse data and which offer precise foreground localization—may be utilized to extract track properties from measured CRES signals (called events) with relative computational ease. In this work, we develop a novel machine learning based model which operates a CNN and a support vector machine in tandem to perform this reconstruction. A primary application of our method is shown on simulated CRES signals which mimic those of the Project 8 experiment—a novel effort to extract the unknown absolute neutrino mass value from a precise measurement of tritium β - -decay energy spectrum. When compared to a point-clustering based technique used as a baseline, we show a relative gain of 24.1% in event reconstruction efficiency and comparable performance in accuracy of track parameter reconstruction.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Project 8 apparatus for cyclotron radiation emission spectroscopy with 83m Kr and tritium

Cyclotron Radiation Emission Spectroscopy (CRES) is a novel technique for the precise measurement of relativistic electron energy. This technique is being employed by the Project 8 collaboration for measuring a high-precision tritium beta decay spectrum to perform a frequency-based measurement of the neutrino mass. In this work, we describe the Project 8 Phase II apparatus, used for the detection of the CRES signal from the conversion electrons of 83m Kr and the first CRES measurement of the beta-decay spectrum of molecular tritium.

Neutrino detectors↗
DOE OSTI2023

Application of machine learning for optical emission spectroscopy data in NAGDIS-II

In this study, we applied machine learning to optical emission spectroscopy (OES) data and device parameters from the linear plasma device NAGDIS-II to explore the potential application of machine learning for predicting electron density, $n$ e , and temperature, $T$ e . The covered ranges of $n$ e and $T$ e , which were measured by an electrostatic probe, are 3.6 × 10 17 –2.4 × 10 19 m -3 and 0.3–7.1 eV, respectively. A three hidden layer neural network (NN) is introduced to model the relationship between $n$ e /$T$ e and the combination of line intensities, radial position, and device parameters. It is shown that the errors in $n$ e and $T$ e become 18.0 and 18.8%, respectively, which were almost the same level for the electrostatic probe, using all available data. Lasso regression and greedy algorithm are used to select the necessary line emissions. In conclusion, it is shown that four- or five-line intensities are sufficient to obtain almost the same quality as the one with all the other lines.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Automated Bayesian high-throughput estimation of plasma temperature and density from emission spectroscopy

Here, this paper introduces a novel approach for automated high-throughput estimation of plasma temperature and density using atomic emission spectroscopy, integrating Bayesian inference with sophisticated physical models. We provide an in-depth examination of Bayesian methods applied to the complexities of plasma diagnostics, supported by a robust framework of physical and measurement models. Our methodology is demonstrated using experimental observations in the field of magneto-inertial fusion, focusing on individual and sequential shot analyses of the Plasma Liner Experiment at LANL. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in enhancing the accuracy and reliability of plasma parameter estimation and in using the analysis to reveal the deep hidden structure in the data. This study not only offers a new perspective of plasma analysis but also paves the way for further research and applications in nuclear instrumentation and related domains.

Bayesian inference↗
DOE OSTI2024

Applicability of alkali beam emission spectroscopy on NSTX-U

Understanding fast pedestal dynamics and turbulent transport in the edge and scrape-off layer (SOL) plasma of spherical tokamaks is crucial for the design and operation of future fusion reactors. The alkali beam emission spectroscopy diagnostic technique offers a means to measure the absolute electron density radial profile and fluctuation amplitude in these regions. Here, in this study, we demonstrate that injecting a sodium neutral beam radially into the plasma and analyzing the light emission from its 3p–3s atomic transition using near-orthogonal viewing angles allows for accurate measurement of the electron density profile and fluctuations in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) Upgrade spherical tokamak. Our findings indicate a peak signal-to-noise ratio of 118 in the pedestal and 12 in the SOL under typical NSTX plasma conditions. The spatial resolution for the electron density profile is estimated to be between 2 and 8 mm, while for fluctuation measurements, it ranges from 12 to 15 mm.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Absolute electron density fluctuation reconstruction for two-dimensional hydrogen beam emission spectroscopy

Scrape-off layer (SOL) and edge plasma turbulence significantly contribute to the radial particle and heat transport, lowering the plasma confinement and increasing the heat load on the plasma facing components. SOL turbulence is predominantly intermittent, which manifests in the occurrence of isolated density filaments or blobs. Filaments propagate radially outward toward plasma facing components, limiting their lifetime by erosion and sputtering. To characterize this phenomenon in detail, few diagnostic techniques are available. Beam emission spectroscopy is a diagnostic capable of measuring plasma turbulence in both SOL and edge plasmas. Due to the finite lifetime of the excitation states during the beam–plasma interaction and the misalignment between the optics and the magnetic field, spatial smearing is introduced in the measurement. In this paper, a novel method is introduced to overcome this hindering effect by inverting the fluctuation response matrix on an optimally smoothed signal. We show that this method is fast and provides significantly more accurate absolute density fluctuation reconstruction than the direct inversion technique. Here, the presented method is usable for all types of beam emission diagnostics where the spatial resolution is higher than the combined smearing of the atomic physics and the observation.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Ultrafast THz emission spectroscopy of spin currents in the metamagnet FeRh

Heterostructures of ferromagnetic (FM) and noble metal (NM) thin films have recently attracted considerable interest as viable platforms for the ultrafast generation, control, and transduction of light-induced spin currents. In such systems, an ultrafast laser can generate a transient spin current in the FM layer, which is then converted to a charge current at the FM/NM interface due to strong spin–orbit coupling in the NM layer. Whether such conversion can happen in a single material and how the resulting spin current can be quantified are open questions under active study. Here, we report ultrafast THz emission from spin–charge conversion in a bare FeRh thin film without any NM layer. Our results highlight that the magnetic material by itself can enable spin–charge conversion in the same order as that in a FM/NM heterostructure. We further propose a simple model to estimate the light-induced spin current in FeRh across its metamagnetic phase transition temperature. Our findings have implications for the study of the ultrafast dynamics of magnetic order in quantum materials using THz emission spectroscopy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Gold L-shell emission spectroscopy as a temperature diagnostic in laser-driven experiments

Measurements of plasma conditions within gold hohlraums are challenging but provide important information about hohlraum energy transport. To date, there are no reliable passive diagnostic approaches that produce information about the hohlraum plasma conditions. Gold L-shell emission spectroscopy is a promising method to measure the electron temperature in multi-keV gold hohlraum plasmas. In this study, we compare time-resolved measurements of gold L-shell spectra against a more conventional electron temperature-sensitive diagnostic, K-shell emission from zinc, a mid-Z dopant. The Au L-shell and Zn K-shell spectra are taken simultaneously. The analysis of both sets of data exhibits good agreement with a singular rad-hydro model, suggesting a similar evolution in the mean electron temperature of the hohlraum plasma. These findings support the use of L-shell spectroscopy of gold as a method to study gold plasma conditions.

Emission spectroscopy↗
DOE OSTI2024

Cyclotron radiation emission spectroscopy of electrons from tritium $β$ decay and 83m Kr internal conversion

Project 8 has developed a novel technique, cyclotron radiation emission spectroscopy (CRES), for direct neutrino mass measurements. A CRES-based experiment on the beta spectrum of tritium has been carried out in a small-volume apparatus. Here, we provide a detailed account of the experiment, focusing on systematic effects and analysis techniques. In a Bayesian (frequentist) analysis, we measure the tritium endpoint as ${18}$ ${553}_{—19}^{+18}$ (${18}$ ${548}_{—19}^{+19}$) eV and set upper limits of 155 (152) eV (90% C.L.) on the neutrino mass. No background events are observed beyond the endpoint in 82 days of running. We also demonstrate an energy resolution of 1.66 ± 0.19 eV in a resolution-optimized magnetic trap configuration by measuring 83m Kr 17.8-keV internal-conversion electrons. These measurements establish CRES as a low-background, high-resolution technique with the potential to advance neutrino mass sensitivity

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Helium metastable density determination in the COST reference source by absolutely calibrated optical emission spectroscopy

Helium metastable densities in the COST Reference Microplasma Jet are estimated for a variety of He/N2 admixtures and dissipated powers by applying a collisional-radiative model to absolutely calibrated optical emission spectroscopy measurements. This is accomplished by delineating the excitation mechanisms that result in the N2(C–B) and N2+(B–X) emission bands, the latter of which is strongly coupled to the presence of helium metastables. A number of other plasma parameters are established and discussed for each operating condition including the electron energy distribution function, reduced electric field, rate constants, and electron density. With these parameters, the reaction rates for the primary ionization pathways are also calculated, emphasizing the importance of helium metastables for discharge sustainment. Good agreement with the existing literature is found for most plasma parameters and for helium metastable densities, in particular. A clear [N2]−1 relationship between the nitrogen concentration and density of helium metastables is demonstrated, as has been identified in previous studies in analogous atmospheric pressure plasma jets. This validates the efficacy of this optical technique for determining helium metastable densities and establishes it as a viable, and in many cases, more accessible alternative to other means of quantifying helium metastables in low-temperature plasmas.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2023

Tomographic optical emission spectroscopy of an atmospheric pressure plasma jet and surface ionization waves on planar and structured surfaces

Here in this paper, an approach for 3D plasma structure diagnostics using tomographic optical emission spectroscopy (Tomo-OES) of a nanosecond pulsed atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) is presented. In contrast to the well-known Abel inversion, Tomo-OES does not require cylindrical symmetry to recover 3D distributions of plasma light emission. Instead, many 2D angular projections are measured with intensified cameras and the multiplicative algebraic reconstruction technique is used to recover the 3D distribution of light emission. This approach solves the line-of-sight integration problem inherent to optical diagnostics, allowing recovery of localized OES information within the plasma that can be used to better infer plasma parameters within complex plasma structures. Here, Tomo-OES was applied to investigate an APPJ operated with helium in ambient air and impinging on planar and structured dielectric surfaces. Surface charging caused the guided streamer from the APPJ to transition to a surface ionization wave (SIW) that propagated along the surface. The SIW experienced variable geometrical and electrical material properties as it propagated, leading to 3D configurations that were non-symmetric and spatially complex. Light emission from He, N$_2^+$, and N2 were imaged at ten angular projections and the respective time-resolved 3D emission distributions in the plasma were then reconstructed. The spatial resolution of each tomographic reconstruction was 7.4 µm and the temporal resolution was 5 ns, sufficient to observe the guided streamer and the effects of the structured surface on the SIW. Emission from He showed the core of the jet and emission from N$_2^+$ and N2 indicated effects of entrainment of ambient air. Penning ionization of N2 created a ring or outer layer of N$_2^+$ that spatially converged to form the 'plasma bullet' or spatially diverged across a surface as part of a SIW. The SIW entered trenches of size 150 µm, leading to decreases in plasma light emission in regions above the trenches. The plasma light emission was higher in some regions with trenches, possibly due to effects of field enhancement.

plasma interactions with complex surfaces↗
DOE OSTI2025

Soft X-ray Emission Spectroscopy of Phosphorus Compounds for Energy Conversion and Storage

Phosphorus (P) is a ubiquitous component of materials for energy conversion and storage. Despite the effectiveness of soft X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) to characterize these complex materials, XES studies of P-containing compounds are still largely missing. In this investigation, the electronic structure and XES signatures from the P L 2,3 -edge are probed for nine solid-state P-containing compounds characterized by various oxidation states and chemical environments: GaP (3−) , InP (3−) , red-P (0) , H 3 P (3+) O 3 , Na 2 H 2 P 2 (4+) O 6 , H 3 P (5+) O 4 , KH 2 P (5+) O 4 , Na 2 HP (5+) O 4 , and InP (5+) O 4 . The XES spectrum of each material exhibits distinct spectral fingerprints, which provide a robust basis for the speciation of complex P-containing samples. Density functional theory calculations shed light on the electronic structure of selected materials and particularly on the effect of phosphorus-oxygen hybridization. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of P L 2,3 XES spectral fingerprints across a wide range of oxidation states and chemical environments. These data sets and insights pave the way for dedicated future work, such as in situ and operando investigations of P-containing compounds in energy-related applications, where speciation of P compounds is needed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗