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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-J-37: Combining Proton Radiography and X-Ray CT Information to Better Estimate Relative Proton Stopping Power in a Clinical Environment

Purpose: In standard proton therapy clinical practice, proton stopping power uncertainties are in the order of 3.5%, which affects the ability of placing the proton Bragg peak at the edge of the tumor. The innovating idea of this project is to approach the uncertainty problem in RSP by using combined information from X-ray CT and proton radiography along a few beam angles. In addition, this project aims to quantify the systematic error introduced by the theoretical models (Janni, ICRU49, Bischel) for proton stopping power in media. Methods: A 3D phantom of 36 cm3 composed of 9 materials randomly placed is created. Measured RSP values are obtained using a Gammex phantom with a proton beam. Theoretical RSP values are calculated with Beth-Block equation in combination with three databases (Janni, ICRU49 and Bischel). Clinical RSP errors are simulated by introducing a systematic (1.5%, 2.5%, 3.5%) and a random error (+/−0.5%) to the theoretical RSP. A ray-tracing algorithm uses each of these RSP tables to calculate energy loss for proton crossing the phantom through various directions. For each direction, gradient descent (GD) method is done on the clinical RSP table to minimize the residual energy difference between the simulation with clinical RSP and with theoretical RSP. The possibility of a systematic material dependent error is investigated by comparing measured RSP to theoretical RSP as calculated from the three models. Results: Using 10,000 iterations on GD algorithm, RSP differences between theoretical values and clinical RSP have converged (<1%) for each error introduced. Results produced with ICRU49 have the smallest average difference (0.021%) to the measured RSP. Janni (1.168%) and Bischel (−0.372%) database shows larger systematic errors. Conclusion: Based on these results, ray-tracing optimisation using information from proton radiography and X-ray CT demonstrates a potential to improve the proton range accuracy in a clinical environment.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

RED NOISE VERSUS PLANETARY INTERPRETATIONS IN THE MICROLENSING EVENT OGLE-2013-BLG-446

For all exoplanet candidates, the reliability of a claimed detection needs to be assessed through a careful study of systematic errors in the data to minimize the false positives rate. We present a method to investigate such systematics in microlensing data sets using the microlensing event OGLE-2013-BLG-0446 as a case study. The event was observed from multiple sites around the world and its high magnification (A{sub max} ∼ 3000) allowed us to investigate the effects of terrestrial and annual parallax. Real-time modeling of the event while it was still ongoing suggested the presence of an extremely low-mass companion (∼3M{sub ⨁}) to the lensing star, leading to substantial follow-up coverage of the light curve. We test and compare different models for the light curve and conclude that the data do not favor the planetary interpretation when systematic errors are taken into account.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Raytracing the long trace profiler

The optical design of the Long Trace Profiler optical system is explored with a commercial raytrace program, Zemax OpticStudio™ (ZOS)1, with the intent of finding and correcting sources of systematic error. ZOS provides both geometric raytracing tools and physical optics Gaussian beam propagation and diffraction image calculation tools, and two design modes, sequential component (SC) and non-sequential component (NSC) that are optimized for different aspects of the design process. The original LTP-II system employs a singlet lens with a 1250 mm focal length. It is optimized to provide minimum distortion over a surface slope angle range of ±5 mrad. Using the ZOS tools, we are able to simulate ghost rays that produce distortion in the beam spot image and can minimize the distortion by deliberate misalignment of the beamsplitter (BS) components. Unfortunately, the reference beam is compromised because of the component tilts. The most recent LTP500 system design simplifies the optical system and makes the reference beam usable again, even with misalignment of the polarizing beamsplitter (PBS). Two lenses are designed for the LTP500 - a cemented doublet that has been fabricated, and a singlet with one aspheric surface. Both have focal distances of 500 mm with an expanded angular measurement range of ±10 mrad. The aspheric singlet provides superior performance. ZOS allows the import of wavefront measurement data produced by commercial interferometer software. We apply the wavefront error measurement from the cemented doublet to the model to show that the 19nm RMS wavefront error needs to be improved by at least a factor of ten in order to reduce the systematic error to a level that will allow the LTP to approach its design limit of a few tens of nanoradians.

Takacs, Peter Z.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Model validation of SIM external metrology at the sub-nanometer level

In order to achieve micro-arcsecond astrometry, SIM must make measurements of various optical path lengths at the picometer level. In this regime of precision, nearly every simplifying assumption in optics must be reexamined as a potential source of systematic error. SIM makes extensive use of physics-based models to predict the form and level of systematic errors affecting instrument performance. Since many of the modeling areas represent new frontiers in optical modeling, the validation of these physical models is a significant challenge that SIM must meet. In the case of the external metrology truss, the model must account for the imperfections in the corner cubes as well as the distance measuring interferometers ("beam launchers"). This model is being validated using the Kite testbed, a 2-D metrology truss with picometer-level accuracy in displacement measurements. We present the model and the results of the model validation tests on the Kite testbed.

Kuan, Gary M.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Axisymmetric Flow Properties for Magnetic Elements of Differing Strength

Aspects of the structure and dynamics of the flows in the Sun's surface shear layer remain uncertain and yet are critically important for understanding the observed magnetic behavior. In our previous studies of the axisymmetric transport of magnetic elements we found systematic changes in both the differential rotation and the meridional flow over the course of Solar Cycle 23. Here we examine how those flows depend upon the strength (and presumably anchoring depth) of the magnetic elements. Line of sight magnetograms obtained by the HMI instrument aboard SDO over the course of Carrington Rotation 2097 were mapped to heliographic coordinates and averaged over 12 minutes to remove the 5-min oscillations. Data masks were constructed based on the field strength of each mapped pixel to isolate magnetic elements of differing field strength. We used Local Correlation Tracking of the unmasked data (separated in time by 1- to 8-hours) to determine the longitudinal and latitudinal motions of the magnetic elements. We then calculated average flow velocities as functions of latitude and longitude from the central meridian for approx 600 image pairs over the 27-day rotation. Variations with longitude indicate and characterize systematic errors in the flow measurements associated with changes in the signal from disk center to limb. Removing these systematic errors reveals changes in the axisymmetric flow properties that reflect changes in flow properties with depth in the surface shear layer.

Rightmire-Upton, Lisa↗
NASA NTRS1998

Radial Velocity Detection of Extra-Solar Planetary Systems

The McDonald Observatory Planetary Search (MOPS) was designed to search for Jovian-mass planets in orbit around solar-type stars by making high-precision measurements of the Radial Velocity (RV) of a star, to attempt to detect the reflex orbital motion of the star around the star-planet barycenter. In our solar system, the velocity of the Sun around the Sun-Jupiter barycenter averages 12.3 m/ s. The MOPS survey started operation in September 1987, and searches 36 bright, nearby, solar-type dwarfs to 10 m/s precision. The survey was started using telluric O2 absorption lines as the velocity reference metric. Observations use the McDonald Observatory 2.7-m Harlan Smith Telescope coude spectrograph with the six-foot camera. This spectrograph configuration isolates a single order of the echelle grating on a Texas Instruments 800 x 800 CCD. The telluric line method gave us a routine radial velocity precision of about 15 m/s for stars down to about 5-th magnitude. However, the data obtained with this technique suffered from some source of long-term systematic errors, which was probably the intrinsic velocity variability of the terrestrial atmosphere, i.e. winds. In order to eliminate this systematic error and to improve our overall measurement precision, we installed a stabilized I2 gas absorption cell as the velocity metric for the MOPS in October 1990. In use at the telescope, the cell is placed directly in front of the spectrograph entrance slit, with starlight passing through the cell. The use of this sealed stabilized I2 cell removes potential problems with possible long-term drifts in the velocity metric. The survey now includes a sample of 36 nearby F, G, and K type stars of luminosity class V or IV-V.

Cochran, William D.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Turbulence in planetary occultations. II - Effects on atmospheric profiles derived from Doppler measurements. III - Effects on atmospheric profiles derived from intensity measurements

The nature and magnitude of turbulence-induced errors in atmospheric profiles derived from Doppler measurements made during radio occultations are investigated. It is found that turbulence in planetary atmospheres induces both fluctuating and systematic errors in derived profiles, but the errors of both types are very small. Consideration of the occultation of Mariner 10 by Venus and of the Pioneer occultations by Jupiter shows that the rms fractional errors in the atmospheric profiles derived from these observations were less than 0.01 in both temperature and pressure, while the fractional systematic errors were typically of the order of 1 millionth. The extent to which atmospheric profiles derived from radio and optical intensity measurements are affected by turbulence is also examined. The results indicate that turbulence in planetary atmospheres has only a marginal effect on derived profiles in the weak-scattering limit and that the turbulence-induced errors in this case are always much larger than the corresponding errors in profiles derived from radio Doppler measurements.

Haugstad, B. S.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Assessment of Model Confidence of a Laser Source Model in xRAGE Using Omega Direct-Drive Implosion Experiments

Los Alamos National Laboratory is interested in developing high-energy-density physics validation capabilities for its multiphysics code xRAGE. xRAGE was recently updated with the laser package Mazinisin to improve predictability. We assess the current implementation and coupling of the laser package via validation of laser-driven, direct-drive spherical capsule experiments from the Omega laser facility. Here, the ASME V&V 20-2009 standard is used to determine the model confidence of xRAGE, and considerations for high-energy-density physics are identified. With current modeling capabilities in xRAGE, the model confidence is overwhelmed by significant systematic errors from the experiment or model. Validation evidence suggests cross-beam energy transfer as a dominant source of the systematic error.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Correcting for Selection Biases in the Determination of the Hubble Constant from Time-Delay Cosmography

The time delay between multiple images of strongly lensed quasars has been used to infer the Hubble constant. The primary systematic uncertainty for time-delay cosmography is the mass-sheet transform (MST), which preserves the lensing observables while altering the inferred ⁠H 0 . The TDCOSMO collaboration used velocity dispersion measurements of lensed quasars and lensed galaxies to infer that mass sheets are present, which decrease the inferred H 0 by 8 per cent. Here, we test the assumption that the density profiles of galaxy–galaxy and galaxy–quasar lenses are the same. We use a composite star-plus-dark-matter mass profile for the parent deflector population and model the selection function for galaxy–galaxy and galaxy–quasar lenses. We find that a power-law density profile with an MST is a good approximation to a two-component mass profile around the Einstein radius, but we find that galaxy–galaxy lenses have systematically higher mass-sheet components than galaxy–quasar lenses. For individual systems, λ int correlates with the ratio of the half-light radius and Einstein radius of the lens. By propagating these results through the TDCOSMO hierarchical inference code, we find that H 0 is lowered by a further 3 per cent. Using a more recent measurement of velocity dispersions and our fiducial model for selection biases, we infer H 0 = 66 ± 4 (stat) ± 1 (model sys) ± 2 (measurement sys) km s -1 Mpc -1 for the TDCOSMO plus SLACS data set. The first residual systematic error is due to plausible alternative choices in modelling the selection function, and the second is an estimate of the remaining systematic error in the measurement of velocity dispersions for SLACS lenses. Accurate time-delay cosmography requires precise velocity dispersion measurements and accurate calibration of selection biases.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Reynolds stress tensor measurements using magnetic resonance velocimetry: expansion of the dynamic measurement range and analysis of systematic measurement errors

This study presents magnetic resonance velocimetry (MRV) Reynolds Stress measurements in a periodic hill channel with a hill Reynolds number of Re = 29,500. The velocity encoding scheme is based on the ICOSA6 method with six icosahedral encoding directions and multiple encoding values are measured to increase the dynamic range. The full Reynolds stress tensor is obtained from a voxel-wise three-dimensional Gaussian fit using the magnitude data of all acquisitions. The MRV results are compared to a wall-resolved large eddy simulation and laser Doppler velocimetry measurements conducted in the same channel. It is shown that the MRV Reynolds stress data have excellent precision and agree qualitatively with the reference data. However, there are apparent systematic deviations. One of the most prominent error contributions is the signal attenuation caused by higher orders of motion, which leads to an overestimation of the turbulence level. Another fundamental error is identified in the assumption that the turbulence is Gaussian distributed. With the presented reconstruction technique, the MRV data are fitted to a statistical model, and depending on the examined flow setup, the Gaussian model can lead to considerable errors. Possible ways of how to reduce all identified errors are presented. In summary, this technique enables Reynolds stress tensor measurements in complex internal flows with high dynamic range and excellent precision. However, several issues need to be resolved to make the turbulence quantification more accurate.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2014

A NEW METHOD FOR MEASURING EXTRAGALACTIC DISTANCES

We have pioneered a new method for the measurement of extragalactic distances. This method uses the time lag between variations in the short wavelength and long wavelength light from an active galactic nucleus (AGN), based on a quantitative physical model of dust reverberation that relates the time lag to the absolute luminosity of the AGN. We use the large homogeneous data set from intensive monitoring observations in optical and near-infrared wavelength bands with the dedicated 2 m MAGNUM telescope to obtain the distances to 17 AGNs in the redshift range z = 0.0024 to z = 0.0353. These distance measurements are compared with distances measured using Cepheid variable stars, and are used to infer that H {sub 0} = 73 ± 3 (random) km s{sup –1} Mpc{sup –1}. The systematic error in H {sub 0} is examined, and the uncertainty in the size distribution of dust grains is the largest source of the systematic error, which is much reduced for a sample of AGNs for which their parameter values in the model of dust reverberation are individually measured. This AGN time lag method can be used beyond 30 Mpc, the farthest distance reached by extragalactic Cepheids, and can be extended to high-redshift quasi-stellar objects.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1987

Sensitivity analysis for airborne and spaceborne DIAL measurements of H2O profiles

Random and systematic error sourses are presently analyzed for atmospheric H2O detection in the vicinity of the 720 nm absorption bands with Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL). Attention is given to the random errors due to undertainties in the measurement of the lidar signal and noise that are associated with the background and detector dark currents. Systematic errors are related to Doppler broadening due to backscattering from air molecules, the pressure shift of H2O lines, laser line distortions, spectral impurities, and laser tuning errors. Global measurements of H2O profiles from spaceborne DIAL systems are achievable with 200 m vertical x 10 km horizontal during nighttime, and 250 m vertical x 20 km horizontal during daytime.

Ismail, Syed↗
NASA NTRS1999

Global Warming Estimation from MSU

In this study, we have developed time series of global temperature from 1980-97 based on the Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) Ch 2 (53.74 GHz) observations taken from polar-orbiting NOAA operational satellites. In order to create these time series, systematic errors (approx. 0.1 K) in the Ch 2 data arising from inter-satellite differences are removed objectively. On the other hand, smaller systematic errors (approx. 0.03 K) in the data due to orbital drift of each satellite cannot be removed objectively. Such errors are expected to remain in the time series and leave an uncertainty in the inferred global temperature trend. With the help of a statistical method, the error in the MSU inferred global temperature trend resulting from orbital drifts and residual inter-satellite differences of all satellites is estimated to be 0.06 K decade. Incorporating this error, our analysis shows that the global temperature increased at a rate of 0.13 +/- 0.06 K decade during 1980-97.

Prabhakara, C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Improved methods for the measurement and analysis of stellar magnetic fields

The paper presents several improved methods for the measurement of magnetic fields on cool stars which take into account simple radiative transfer effects and the exact Zeeman patterns. Using these methods, high-resolution, low-noise data can be fitted with theoretical line profiles to determine the mean magnetic field strength in stellar active regions and a model-dependent fraction of the stellar surface (filling factor) covered by these regions. Random errors in the derived field strength and filling factor are parameterized in terms of signal-to-noise ratio, wavelength, spectral resolution, stellar rotation rate, and the magnetic parameters themselves. Weak line blends, if left uncorrected, can have significant systematic effects on the derived magnetic parameters, and thus several methods are developed to compensate partially for them. The magnetic parameters determined by previous methods likely have systematic errors because of such line blends and because of line saturation effects. Other sources of systematic error are explored in detail. These sources of error currently make it difficult to determine the magnetic parameters of individual stars to better than about + or - 20 percent.

Saar, Steven H.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Methods to determine the radiated power in SPI-mitigated disruptions in JET

Here we present techniques for evaluating the radiated power in JET disruptions. Disrupting plasmas are shown to have non-axisymmetric radiation profiles, motivating the re-evaluation of the standard techniques for calculating the total radiated power at JET using bolometry. Four single-channel bolometers at different toroidal locations are exploited to quantify the radiation asymmetry. Toroidal radiation peaking factors integrated over the entire disruption of up to 1.5 have been observed when varying the quantity of neon in pellets used in disruptions mitigated by shattered pellet injection. Using synthetic bolometer diagnostics developed with the Cherab spectroscopy modeling framework, we can estimate the systematic error on total power calculations for relevant radiation profiles and improve estimates of the total radiated power. We show that the component of the systematic error on the total power due to the poloidal radiation profile can be reduced from 70% to 10% with suitable assumptions about the structure of the poloidal profile.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2017

Casting the Coronal Magnetic Field Reconstruction Tools in 3D Using the MHD Bifrost Model

Quantifying the coronal magnetic field remains a central problem in solar physics. Nowadays, the coronal magnetic field is often modeled using nonlinear force-free field (NLFFF) reconstructions, whose accuracy has not yet been comprehensively assessed. Here we perform a detailed casting of the NLFFF reconstruction tools, such as π -disambiguation, photospheric field preprocessing, and volume reconstruction methods, using a 3D snapshot of the publicly available full-fledged radiative MHD model. Specifically, from the MHD model, we know the magnetic field vector in the entire 3D domain, which enables us to perform a “voxel-by-voxel” comparison of the restored and the true magnetic fields in the 3D model volume. Our tests show that the available π -disambiguation methods often fail in the quiet-Sun areas dominated by small-scale magnetic elements, while they work well in the active region (AR) photosphere and (even better) chromosphere. The preprocessing of the photospheric magnetic field, although it does produce a more force-free boundary condition, also results in some effective “elevation” of the magnetic field components. This “elevation” height is different for the longitudinal and transverse components, which results in a systematic error in absolute heights in the reconstructed magnetic data cube. The extrapolations performed starting from the actual AR photospheric magnetogram are free from this systematic error, while other metrics are comparable with those for extrapolations from the preprocessed magnetograms. This finding favors the use of extrapolations from the original photospheric magnetogram without preprocessing. Our tests further suggest that extrapolations from a force-free chromospheric boundary produce measurably better results than those from a photospheric boundary.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1986

Intercomparison of polar motion measurements during the MERIT period

Polar motion estimates obtained by satellite laser ranging (SLR) and VLBI are analyzed and compared. The JPL Kalman filter was utilized to smooth the polar motion estimates. Variations in the smoothing residuals for the X and Y components of polar motion for SLR and VLBI are examined. It is observed that the rms differences between the SLR and VLBI estimates for X and Y are about 2-3 marcsec. Power spectra of the differences are studied in order to measure possible periodic systematic errors. The data reveal that the SLR and VLBI polar motion data have a rms difference of about 15-20 marcsec and no significant systematic errors.

Steppe, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS2011

The Crucial Role of Error Correlation for Uncertainty Modeling of CFD-Based Aerodynamics Increments

The Ares I ascent aerodynamics database for Design Cycle 3 (DAC-3) was built from wind-tunnel test results and CFD solutions. The wind tunnel results were used to build the baseline response surfaces for wind-tunnel Reynolds numbers at power-off conditions. The CFD solutions were used to build increments to account for Reynolds number effects. We calculate the validation errors for the primary CFD code results at wind tunnel Reynolds number power-off conditions and would like to be able to use those errors to predict the validation errors for the CFD increments. However, the validation errors are large compared to the increments. We suggest a way forward that is consistent with common practice in wind tunnel testing which is to assume that systematic errors in the measurement process and/or the environment will subtract out when increments are calculated, thus making increments more reliable with smaller uncertainty than absolute values of the aerodynamic coefficients. A similar practice has arisen for the use of CFD to generate aerodynamic database increments. The basis of this practice is the assumption of strong correlation of the systematic errors inherent in each of the results used to generate an increment. The assumption of strong correlation is the inferential link between the observed validation uncertainties at wind-tunnel Reynolds numbers and the uncertainties to be predicted for flight. In this paper, we suggest a way to estimate the correlation coefficient and demonstrate the approach using code-to-code differences that were obtained for quality control purposes during the Ares I CFD campaign. Finally, since we can expect the increments to be relatively small compared to the baseline response surface and to be typically of the order of the baseline uncertainty, we find that it is necessary to be able to show that the correlation coefficients are close to unity to avoid overinflating the overall database uncertainty with the addition of the increments.

Hemsch, Michael J.↗