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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
NASA NTRS1983

Linewidth studies on the the NI(4S-4P) resonance multiplet

Doppler broadening of the 8691, 8212, and 1200-A multiplet lines of N I is investigated experimentally, and its implications for the interpretation of the earth's 1200-A UV dayglow are considered. A regulated 100-eV, 1-mA electron beam is passed through N2 at 300 K and about 0.0005 torr flowing through a collision chamber within a UHV system, and the radiation emitted is observed with a temperature-stabilized short-focal length monochromator with a bandpass of 0.2 A in the IR and an effective UV resolution (in second-order operation with a 3600-groove/mm plane grating) of about 0.04 A. Both the IR and VUV lines are found to be broadened to about 25 times the thermal Doppler linewidth, with the IR transitions accounting for more than half of the total N(4P) cross section at 100 eV. The kinetic energy of the N(4P) atoms produced by dissociative excitation is such that their 1200-A resonance radiation (2p2 3s4P - 2p3 4SO) would be optically thin in the upper atmosphere, contrary to what has been observed. A need to revise some aspects of current UV-dayglow models is identified.

Erdman, P. W.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Machine Learning for Optimized Polarization at Jefferson Lab

Polarized cryo-targets and polarized photon beams are widely used in experiments at Jefferson Lab. Traditional methods for maintaining the optimal polarization involve manual adjustments throughout data taking by human shift takers. This may introduce some level of inconsistency simply due to the wide variety of experience and expertise of the shift takers themselves. Implementing machine learning-based control systems can improve the stability of the polarization without relying on human intervention. The cryo-target polarization is influenced by temperature, microwave energy, the distribution of paramagnetic radicals, as well as operational conditions including the radiation dose. Diamond radiators are used to generate linearly polarized photons from a primary electron beam. The energy spectrum of these photons can drift over time due to changes in the primary electron beam conditions and diamond degradation. As a first step towards automating the continuous optimization and control processes, uncertainty aware surrogate models have been developed to predict the polarization based on historical data. This talk will provide an overview of the use cases and models developed, highlighting the collaboration between data scientists and physicists at Jefferson Lab.

Jeske, Torri [Thomas Jefferson National Accelerato↗
DOE OSTI2026

Enabling robust, stable, and accurate nonlinear optical measurements from squeezed light generated in hot rubidium vapor

The feasibility of nonlinear optical (NLO) imaging and spectroscopy using low intensity quantum states of light including entangled photon and squeezed light sources, such as those driven by two-photon absorption (TPA), has been a topic of ongoing debate. An unambiguous identification of the appreciable quantum advantage in such quantum light applications could enable NLO imaging of biological samples without photodegradation and phototoxicity. Recently, we have constructed a two-mode squeezed light source based on four-wave mixing in 85Rb vapor, which is capable of 7.9 dB of intensity-difference squeezing (IDS), corresponding to 8.7 dB upon electronic noise correction. In this talk, we discuss the stability of our system, including implementation details on achieving and maintaining 8.7 dB of IDS for several hours, and ensuring the two spatially multimode beams are properly overlapped in a sample with minimal optical loss.

Allen, Harry [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000190253914)↗
DOE OSTI2026

Status Update of Permanent Magnet Radiation Resiliency Studies at CEBAF

The proposed energy upgrade of the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) incorporates Fixed-Field Alternating-gradient (FFA) arcs utilizing permanent magnet technology. Given the radiation environment within the CEBAF tunnel enclosure, validating the long-term magnetic stability of these materials is a critical step for the project's technical feasibility. This contribution presents an overview of the ongoing permanent magnet radiation resiliency program at Jefferson Lab. We briefly review the experimental methodology used to monitor demagnetization in situ and summarize the operational experience from the initial data-taking campaign. Furthermore, we discuss the upgrades implemented for the second exposure campaign, currently underway, which aims to refine dose correlation and reduce systematic uncertainties. We report on the general status of the program and the roadmap for certifying permanent magnet optics for the proposed upgrade energies.

Bodenstein, R. [Thomas Jefferson National Accelera↗
DOE OSTI2025

Challenges and Optimization of Mu2e Proton Target Design with Radiative Cooling

Mu2e, the Muon-to-Electron Conversion Experiment, aims to identify physics beyond the Standard Model, namely, the conversion of muons to electrons without the emission of neutrinos. The muons are produced from pions generated in a production target when it is hit by an 8 GeV proton beam from the Fermilab Booster/Main Injector. The proton target design space is strongly constrained by a one-year operating lifetime and the need for radiative cooling in a vacuum environment. Uncertainties in the lifetime of the existing baseline design – a monolithic, segmented tungsten target – are large, particularly due to unknown impacts of radiation damage at the very high proton fluences expected in the experiment. We have begun evaluation of a new design utilizing Inconel 718 over the WL10 used in the existing target design. As a result, the structural design of the target has evolved significantly. This evolution focuses on lowering the target temperature, minimizing obstruction to muons, increasing structural stability, maximizing fatigue lifetime, simplifying the fabrication process, and more. The thermal management, structural stability and fatigue lifetime are emphasized here. These optimizations have led to a promising new target design for the Mu2e experiment.

Liu, Z. [Fermilab]↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Novel $\sqrt {19} $ × $\sqrt {19} $ Superstructure in Epitaxially Grown 1T–TaTe 2

The spontaneous formation of electronic orders is a crucial element for understanding complex quantum states and engineering heterostructures in 2D materials. A novel $\sqrt {19} $ × $\sqrt {19} $ charge order in few-layer-thick 1T-TaTe 2 transition metal dichalcogenide films grown by molecular beam epitaxy, which has not been realized, is report. The photoemission and scanning probe measurements demonstrate that monolayer 1T-TaTe 2 exhibits a variety of metastable charge density wave orders, including the $\sqrt {19} $ × $\sqrt {19} $ superstructure, which can be selectively stabilized by controlling the post-growth annealing temperature. Moreover, it is found that only the $\sqrt {19} $ × $\sqrt {19} $ order persists in 1T-TaTe 2 films thicker than a monolayer, up to 8 layers. Furthermore, the findings identify the previously unrealized novel electronic order in a much-studied transition metal dichalcogenide and provide a viable route to control it within the epitaxial growth process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Formation and stability of long basal-prismatic facets in Mg

Long BP facets bounding {101¯2} 1¯011 twins in Mg ( ≥ 4nm) have been observed experimentally. However, the formation of these long BP facets has not been studied and their contribution/role to the twin growth remains unclear. We observed a long straight BP facet (27 nm) using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and investigated its formation, stability, and mobility by atomistic simulations. Experimentally, a serrated twin interface containing short CTBs and short BP facets near a (101¯2) twin tip is observed to transform under the effects of the electron beam into a long straight semi-coherent BP facet that contains disclination dipoles. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the relaxation of a 3D twin domain reveals another process whereby a long partially-relaxed BP interface forms and contains an I 2 stacking fault. A comparison between the energy of these configurations as obtained by atomistic simulations suggests that these transformations occur in two steps: (1) serrated interfaces composed of coherent BP segments with lengths less than 2 nm combine and form a long and straight coherent BP facets and (2) these long coherent BP facets quickly transform into relaxed ones with misfit defects. Importantly, it is found that long BP facets are relatively immobile, and upon reloading, decay into more mobile serrated interfaces prior to migrating. Here, the work presented suggests that the atomistic configurations of BP facets during twin growth processes differ significantly from relaxed BP interfaces that would be observed by TEM.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Interpreting AI for fusion: An application to plasma profile analysis for tearing mode stability

Artificial intelligence models have demonstrated strong predictive capabilities for various instabilities in fusion devices such as Tokamaks, including tearing modes (TM), edge localized modes, and disruptive events, but their opaque nature raises concerns about safety and trustworthiness when applied to fusion power plants. Here, we present a physics-based interpretation framework using a TM prediction model as a demonstration that is validated through a dedicated DIII-D TM avoidance experiment. By applying Shapley analysis, we identify how profiles such as rotation, temperature, and density contribute to the model's prediction of TM stability. Our analysis shows that in our experimental scenario, core electron temperature and rotation peaking play the primary role in TM stability, while density changes have smaller effects on stability. We show that off-axis ion temperature stabilizes TMs, suggesting that off-axis neutral beam heating can further stabilize this scenario. This work presents a generalizable ML-based event prediction methodology, from training to physics-driven interpretation, bridging the gap between physics understanding and opaque ML models.

Farre-Kaga, Hiro J. [Princeton Univ., NJ (United S↗
NASA NTRS1985

Quenching of the beam-plasma instability by large-scale density fluctuations in 3 dimensions

The highly variable, yet low, level of Langmuir waves measured in situ by spacecraft when electron beams associated with type III solar bursts are passing by are addressed by a model based on the existence of large scale density fluctuations capable of sufficiently diffusing small-k beam-unstable Langmuir waves in phase space. The model is also informed by the presence of a significant isotropic nonthermal tail in the distribution function of the background electron population, which is capable of stabilizing larger k modes. The model is able to predict various levels of Langmuir waves, depending on the parameters; calculations indicate that, for realistic parameters, the most unstable small k modes are fully stabilized, while some oblique mode with higher k and lower growth rate may remain unstable.

Muschietti, L.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Ion Acoustic Wave Frequencies and Onset Times During Type 3 Solar Radio Bursts

Conflicting interpretations exist for the low-frequency ion acoustic (S) waves often observed by ISEE 3 in association with intense Langmuir (L) waves in the source regions of type III solar radio bursts near 1 AU. Two indirect lines of observational evidence, as well as plasma theory, suggest they are produced by the electrostatic (ES) decay L yields L(PRIME) + S. However, contrary to theoretical predictions, an existing analysis of the wave frequencies instead favors the electromagnetic (EM) decays L yields T + S, where T denotes an EM wave near the plasma frequency. This conflict is addressed here by comparing the observed wave frequencies and onset times with theoretical predictions for the ES and EM decays, calculated using the time-variable electron beam and magnetic field orientation data, rather than the nominal values used previously. Field orientation effects and beam speed variations are shown analytically to produce factor-of-three effects, greater than the difference in wave frequencies predicted for the ES and EM decays; effects of similar magnitude occur in the events analyzed here. The S-wave signals are extracted by hand from a sawtooth noise background, greatly improving the association between S waves and intense L waves. Very good agreement exists between the time-varying predictions for the ES decay and the frequencies of most (but not all) wave bursts. The waves occur only after the ES decay becomes kinematically allowed, which is consistent with the ES decay proceeding and producing most of the observed signals. Good agreement exists between the EM decay's predictions and a significant fraction of the S-wave observations while the EM decay is kinematically allowed. The wave data are not consistent, however, with the EM decay being the dominant nonlinear process. Often the observed waves are sufficiently broadband to overlap simultaneously the frequency ranges predicted for the ES and EM decays. Coupling the dominance of the ES decay with this frequency overlap provides support for a previous suggestion that fundamental emission occurs when the EM decay is stimulated by the ES decay product waves. The periods in which the ES and EM decays produce observable S waves are consistent with the observed and (independently) predicted times of fundamental and harmonic radio emission. This supports interpretation of fundamental emission as stimulated EM decay and harmonic emission as the coalescence L + L(prime) yields T of beam-generated L waves and L(prime) waves produced by the ES decay, where T denotes an electromagnetic wave at twice the plasma frequency. Analysis of the electron beam data reveals that the time-varying beam speed is consistent with ballistic beam propagation with minimal energy loss, implying that the beam propagates in a state close to time- and volume-averaged marginal stability. This confirms a central tenet of the stochastic growth theory for type III bursts.

Cairns, Iver H.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Diagnostics for multiple frequency heating and investigation of underlying processes

The development of new facilities routinely challenges ion source designers to build and operate sources that can achieve ever higher beam intensities and energies. As shown in this work, electron cyclotron resonance ion sources have proven to be extremely capable in meeting these challenges through the production of intense beams of medium and high-charge state ions. As performance boundaries are pushed, source stability becomes an issue as does the technology required to meet the challenge. Multiple frequency heating, the simultaneous use of two or more plasma heating frequencies, is a powerful tool in meeting the simultaneous need of intensity and stability. Relatively straightforward to utilize, the technique has been employed at numerous facilities to increase beam current and achievable charge state while also stabilizing the plasma. Its application has expanded the operational boundaries of existing and next generation sources, demonstrating that these devices have not yet achieved their full operational potential. To better understand the underlying physics, the diagnostics used to probe the source operational boundaries and the plasma properties have become increasingly sophisticated. In concert with detailed modeling, they are beginning to provide insight into the heating mechanism and, with that, the prospect of future advances.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Operando study of mechanical integrity of high-volume expansion Li-ion battery anode materials coated by Al 2 O 3

Group IV elements and their oxides, such as Si, Ge, Sn and SiO have much higher theoretical capacity than commercial graphite anode. However, these materials undergo large volume change during cycling, resulting in severe structural degradation and capacity fading. Al 2 O 3 coating is considered an approach to improve the mechanical stability of high-capacity anode materials. To understand the effect of Al 2 O 3 coating directly, we monitored the morphology change of coated/uncoated Sn particles during cycling using operando focused ion beam–scanning electron microscopy. Here, the results indicate that the Al 2 O 3 coating provides local protection and reduces crack formation at the early stage of volume expansion. The 3 nm Al 2 O 3 coating layer provides better protection than the 10 and 30 nm coating layer. Nevertheless, the Al 2 O 3 coating is unable to prevent the pulverization at the later stage of cycling because of large volume expansion.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS1991

Effect of thermal exposure, forming, and welding on high-temperature, dispersion-strengthened aluminum alloy: Al-8Fe-1V-2Si

The feasibility of applying conventional hot forming and welding methods to high temperature aluminum alloy, Al-8Fe-1V-2Si (FVS812), for structural applications and the effect of thermal exposure on mechanical properties were determined. FVS812 (AA8009) sheet exhibited good hot forming and resistance welding characteristics. It was brake formed to 90 deg bends (0.5T bend radius) at temperatures greater than or equal to 390 C (730 F), indicating the feasibility of fabricating basic shapes, such as angles and zees. Hot forming of simple contoured-flanged parts was demonstrated. Resistance spot welds with good static and fatigue strength at room and elevated temperatures were readily produced. Extended vacuum degassing during billet fabrication reduced porosity in fusion and resistance welds. However, electron beam welding was not possible because of extreme degassing during welding, and gas-tungsten-arc welds were not acceptable because of severely degraded mechanical properties. The FVS812 alloy exhibited excellent high temperature strength stability after thermal exposures up to 315 C (600 F) for 1000 h. Extended billet degassing appeared to generally improve tensile ductility, fatigue strength, and notch toughness. But the effects of billet degassing and thermal exposure on properties need to be further clarified. The manufacture of zee-stiffened, riveted, and resistance-spot-welded compression panels was demonstrated.

Kennedy, J. R.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Fluoro‐Ethylene‐Carbonate Plays a Double‐Edged Role on the Stability of Si Anode‐Based Rechargeable Batteries During Cycling and Calendar Aging

Abstract The energy storage density of Li‐ion batteries can be improved by replacing graphite anodes with high‐capacity Si‐based materials, though instabilities have limited their implementation. Performance degradation mechanisms that occur in Si anodes can be divided into cycling stability (capacity retention after repeated battery cycles) and calendar aging (shelf life). While cycling instabilities and improvement strategies have been researched intensively, there is little known about the underlying mechanisms that cause calendar aging. In this work, multiple electron microscope techniques are used to explore the mechanism that governs calendar aging from the sub‐nanometer‐to‐electrode scale. Plasma focused ion beam tomography is used to create 3D reconstructions of calendar aged electrodes and revealed the growth of a LiF‐rich layer at the interface between the copper current collector and the silicon material, which can lead to delamination and increased interfacial impendence. The LiF layer appeared to derive from the fluoro‐ethylene‐carbonate electrolyte additive, which is commonly used to improve cycling stability in Si‐based systems. The results reveal that additives necessary to improve cycling stability can cause performance degradation over the long‐term during calendar aging. The results show that high performing, stable systems require careful design to simultaneously mitigate both cycling and calendar aging instabilities.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Microstructural and preliminary optical and microwave characterization of erbium-doped CaMoO 4 thin films

This work explores erbium-doped calcium molybdate (Er:CaMoO4) thin films grown on silicon and yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrates, as a potential solid state system for C-band (utilizing the ∼1.5 μm Er 3+ 4f–4f transition) quantum emitters for quantum network applications. Through molecular beam epitaxial growth experiments and electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and reflection electron diffraction studies, we identify an incorporation limited deposition regime that enables a 1:1 Ca:Mo ratio in the growing film leading to single phase CaMoO 4 formation that can be in situ doped with Er (typically 2–100 ppm). We further show that growth on silicon substrates is single phase but polycrystalline in morphology, while growth on YSZ substrates leads to high-quality epitaxial single crystalline CaMoO 4 films. We perform preliminary optical and microwave characterization on the suspected Y 1 –Z 1 transition of 2 ppm, 200 nm epitaxial Er:CaMoO 4 annealed thin films and extract an optical inhomogeneous linewidth of 9.1(1) GHz, an optical excited state lifetime of 6.7(2) ms, a spectral diffusion-limited homogeneous linewidth of 6.7(4) MHz, and an EPR linewidth of 1.10(2) GHz.

Masiulionis, Ignas [Univ. of Chicago, IL (United S↗
DOE OSTI2024

Dual-energy electron storage ring

A dual-energy electron storage ring is a novel concept initially proposed to cool hadron beams at high energies. The design consists of two closed rings operating at significantly different energies: the low-energy ring and the high-energy ring. These two rings are connected by an energy recovery linac (ERL) that provides the necessary energy difference. The ERL features superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) cavities that first accelerate the beam from the low energy E L to the high energy E H and then decelerate the beam from E H to E L in the next pass. The different SRF cavities in the ERL section can be adjusted based on the applications. In this paper, we present a possible layout of a dual-energy electron storage ring. The preliminary optics of the ring is designed to optimize chromaticity correction, dynamic aperture, momentum aperture, beam lifetime, radiation damping, and intrabeam scattering effects. The primary focus of this paper is on the stability conditions and beam dynamics studies associated with this storage ring. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS1990

Compatibility of potential reinforcing ceramics with Ni and Fe aluminides

The compatibility of candidate ceramic reinforcement materials with intermetallic matrices for high temperature composite systems has been evaluated. Powders of FeAl and NiAl were mixed with ceramic powders and consolidated by hot isostatic pressing and subsequent heat treatment. The microstructures of these composites and the nature of the ceramic/matrix interfaces were assessed using a wide variety of electron-beam techniques. The system FeAl/TiB2 was found to be particularly promising. The matrix appears to be bonded to the ceramic particles, which may be the result of diffusion of Fe into the ceramic. The particles stabilized in a previously unreported monoclinic crystal structure, rather than the equilibrium hexagonal form exhibited by the binary compound.

Moser, J. A.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Nonlinear integrable optics beam dynamics experiment and diagnostics

All present circular particle accelerators are built around linear focusing optics. Un-avoidable nonlinear elements appear in accelerators, such as magnetic aberrations and space-charge effects, which are typically corrected using nonlinear magnets. However, these added nonlinearities degrade particle beam stability, and in most cases, the system becomes non-integrable. The Integrable Optics Test Accelerator (IOTA), at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), is a test bed to study beam dynamics in integrable lattices for both electron and proton beams, independently. This work presents experimental results of the nonlinear electron beam dynamics behavior in IOTA using an elliptical nonlinear magnet. The elliptical nonlinear magnet allows for a large betatron tune spread, allowing for a stable high-intensity beam. In a future experimental run, minimally invasive beam instrumentation is needed to study time-dependent collective instabilities, and halo formation in space-chargedominated proton beams. Traditional profile monitors are too destructive to the beam or just measure one dimension of the beam. A gas sheet can be injected perpendicular to theproton beam at an angle. By doing so, a two-dimensional, turn-by-turn, transverse profile measurement can be made, which will preserve the integrity of the beam. The developmentand progress of a gas sheet beam profile monitor will also be presented.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗