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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 253 records · Page 14
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Frustration of resonant preheating by exotic kinetic terms

We study the effects of exotic kinetic terms on parametric resonance during the preheating epoch of the early universe. Specifically, we consider modifications to the action of ordinary matter fields motivated by generalized uncertainty principles, polymer quantization, as well as Dirac-Born-Infeld and k-essence models. To leading order in an ''exotic physics'' scale, the equations of motion derived from each of these models have the same algebraic form involving a nonlinear self-interaction in the matter sector. Neglecting spatial dependence, we show that the nonlinearity effectively shuts down the parametric resonance after a finite time period. We find numeric evidence that the frustration of parametric resonance persists to spatially inhomogenous matter in (1+1)-dimensions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Glow discharge based device for solving mazes

A glow discharge based device for solving mazes has been designed and tested. The device consists of a gas discharge chamber and maze-transformer of radial-azimuth type. It allows changing of the maze pattern in a short period of time (within several minutes). The device has been tested with low pressure air. Once switched on, a glow discharge has been shown to find the shortest way through the maze from the very first attempt, even if there is a section with potential barrier for electrons on the way. It has been found that ionization waves (striations) can be excited in the maze along the length of the plasma channel. The dependancy of discharge voltage on the length of the optimal path through the maze has been measured. A reduction in discharge voltage with one or two potential barriers present has been found and explained. The dependency of the magnitude of discharge ignition voltage on the length of the optimal path through the maze has been measured. The reduction of the ignition voltage with the presence of one or two potential barriers has been observed and explained.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Three-dimensionally modulated anisotropic structure for diffractive optical elements created by one-step three-beam polarization holographic photoalignment

A diffractive optical element with a three-dimensional liquid crystal (LC) alignment structure for advanced control of polarized beams was fabricated by a highly efficient one-step photoalignment method. This study is of great significance because different two-dimensional continuous and complex alignment patterns can be produced on two alignment films by simultaneously irradiating an empty glass cell composed of two unaligned photocrosslinkable polymer LC films with three-beam polarized interference beam. The polarization azimuth, ellipticity, and rotation direction of the diffracted beams from the resultant LC grating widely varied depending on the two-dimensional diffracted position and the polarization states of the incident beams. These polarization diffraction properties are well explained by theoretical analysis based on Jones calculus.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Surface termination structure of α-Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} film grown by mist chemical vapor deposition

The surface structure of α-Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3}(0001) grown on an α-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}(0001) substrate by mist chemical vapor deposition was studied by coaxial impact-collision ion scattering spectroscopy (CAICISS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The minimum step height observed in the AFM image was 0.21 ± 0.01 nm, coinciding with the height of three atomic layers of α-Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3}(0001). It was revealed by CAICISS analysis that the surface of α-Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3}(0001) is terminated by a Ga layer followed by an O layer, which is consistent with the surface termination of α-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}(0001). A structural model taking surface relaxation into account was also constructed by fitting the simulated curve for the azimuth angle dependence of the Ga intensity to the experimental dependence. The resultant structural model is similar to the model of an α-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}(0001) surface, which indicates analogous behavior in corundum crystals.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Effects of a scalar scaling field on quantum mechanics

This paper describes the effects of a complex scalar scaling field on quantum mechanics. The field origin is an extension of the gauge freedom for basis choice in gauge theories to the underlying scalar field. The extension is based on the idea that the value of a number at one space time point does not determine the value at another point. This, combined with the description of mathematical systems as structures of different types, results in the presence of separate number fields and vector spaces as structures, at different space time locations. Complex number structures and vector spaces at each location are scaled by a complex space time dependent scaling factor. The effect of this scaling factor on several physical and geometric quantities has been described in other work. Here the emphasis is on quantum mechanics of one and two particles, their states and properties. Multiparticle states are also briefly described. The effect shows as a complex, nonunitary, scalar field connection on a fiber bundle description of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. Here, the lack of physical evidence for the presence of this field so far means that the coupling constant of this field to fermions is very small. It also means that the gradient of the field must be very small in a local region of cosmological space and time. Outside this region, there are no restrictions on the field gradient.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2015

High pressure study of B{sub 12}As{sub 2}: Electrical transport behavior and the role of grain boundaries

Using a diamond anvil cell, the evolutions of alternate-current impedance spectra and direct- current resistivity in B{sub 12}As{sub 2} have been investigated up to 51.9 GPa. The results provide evidence for the existence of grain and grain boundary effects that are separated in the frequency region. The grain boundary resistance shows a relatively smaller contribution to the total resistance above 16.8 GPa. By using the double-Schottky barrier model, the space charge potential was obtained. A pressure-induced inversion of charge defect concentration in the space charge layer was found at 20.7 GPa. The high-temperature resistivity measurements indicate that the transport activation energy is determined by defect energy levels in the band gap.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1999

A Method for Assessing Material Flammability for Micro-Gravity Environments

On a spacecraft, one of the greatest fears during a mission is the outbreak of a fire. Since spacecraft are enclosed spaces and depend highly on technical electronics, a small fire could cause a large amount of damage. NASA uses upward flame spread as a "worst case scenario" evaluation for materials and the Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates Test to assess the damage potential of a fire. Details of these tests and the protocols followed are provided by the "Flammability, Odor, Offgassing, and Compatibility Requirements and Test Procedures for Materials in Environments that Support Combustion" document. As pointed by Ohlemiller and Villa, the upward flame spread test does not address the effect of external radiation on ignition and spread. External radiation, as that coming from an overheated electrical component, is a plausible fire scenario in a space facility and could result in a reversal of the flammability rankings derived from the upward flame spread test. The "Upward Flame Propagation Test" has been the subject of strong criticism in the last few years. In many cases, theoretical exercises and experimental results have demonstrated the possibility of a reversal in the material flammability rankings from normal to micro-gravity. Furthermore, the need to incorporate information on the effects of external radiation and opposed flame spread when ranking materials based on their potential to burn in micro-gravity has been emphasized. Experiments conducted in a 2.2 second drop tower with an ethane burner in an air cross flow have emphasized that burning at the trailing edge is deterred in micro-gravity due to the decreased oxygen transport. For very low air flow velocities (U<0.005 m/s) the flame envelopes the burner and a slight increase in velocity results in extinction of the trailing edge (U>0.01 m/s). Only for U>0.l m/s extinction is observed at the leading edge (blow-off). Three dimensional numerical calculations performed for thin cellulose centrally ignited with an axisymmetric source have shown that under the presence of a forced flow slower than 0.035 m/s flames spreads only opposing the flow. Extinction is observed at the trailing edge with no concurrent propagation. Experiments conducted by the same authors at the JAMIC 10 second drop tower verified these calculations. Reducing the oxygen supply to the flame also results in a decrease of the Damk6hler number which might lead to extinction. Greyson et al. and Ferkul conducted experiments in micro-gravity (5 second drop tower) with thin paper and observed that at very low flow velocities concurrent flame spread will stop propagating and the flame will reduce in size and extinguish. They noted that quenching differs significantly from blow-off in that the upstream leading edge will remain anchored to the burn out edge.

Steinhaus, T.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Controllable transition from positive space charge to negative space charge in an inverted cylindrical magnetron

The combined effect of magnetic field (B), gas pressure (P), and the corresponding discharge voltage on the discharge properties of argon in inverted cylindrical magnetron has been investigated. In the experiment, anode is biased with continuous 10 ms sinusoidal half wave. It is observed that at a comparatively higher magnetic field (i.e., >200 gauss) and lower operating pressure (i.e., <1 × 10{sup −3} mbar), the discharge extinguishes and demands a high voltage to reignite. Discharge current increases with increase in magnetic field and starts reducing at sufficiently higher magnetic field for a particular discharge voltage due to restricted electron diffusion towards the anode. It is observed that B/P ratio plays an important role in sustaining the discharge and is constant for a discharge voltage. The discharge is transformed to negative space charge regime from positive space charge regime at certain B/P ratio and this ratio varies linearly with the discharge voltage. The space charge reversal is indicated by the radial profile of the floating potential and plasma potential in between two electrodes for different magnetic fields. At a particular higher magnetic field (beyond 100 gauss), the floating potential increases gradually with the radial distance from cathode, whereas it remains almost constant at lower magnetic field.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Parallel momentum input by tangential neutral beam injections in stellarator and heliotron plasmas

The configuration dependence of parallel momentum inputs to target plasma particle species by tangentially injected neutral beams is investigated in non-axisymmetric stellarator/heliotron model magnetic fields by assuming the existence of magnetic flux-surfaces. In parallel friction integrals of the full Rosenbluth-MacDonald-Judd collision operator in thermal particles' kinetic equations, numerically obtained eigenfunctions are used for excluding trapped fast ions that cannot contribute to the friction integrals. It is found that the momentum inputs to thermal ions strongly depend on magnetic field strength modulations on the flux-surfaces, while the input to electrons is insensitive to the modulation. In future plasma flow studies requiring flow calculations of all particle species in more general non-symmetric toroidal configurations, the eigenfunction method investigated here will be useful.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Radial acceleration of ions by a laser pulse in a plasma channel

The approximate analytic solution of the Cauchy problem is constructed for a system of kinetic equations of an electron–ion plasma that describe the acceleration of ions and the collisionless heating of electrons caused by the radial ponderomotive force of a laser beam that propagates in the transparent plasma of a gas or other low-density target. Under conditions where the Debye radius, r{sub De}, of the electrons is considerably smaller than the characteristic localization scale, L, of the laser beam along the radius, ε = r{sub De}/L ≪ 1, this solution is found by a group transformation that is specified by the operator of approximate renormalization-group symmetries over small parameters, ε and μ = √(Zm/M), of the initial distribution functions of particles. For an axially symmetric geometry of the laser beam, the temporal and spatial dependences of the distribution functions of particles are obtained and their integral characteristics, such as the density, mean velocity, temperature, and energy spectrum, are found. The formation of a cylindrical density cusp and the localized heating of electrons at the laser-channel boundary are analytically described.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Study of Critical Current and n-Values of 2G HTS Tapes: Their Magnetic Field-Angular Dependence

Since many applications of YBCO tapes operate in external magnetic fields, it is necessary to investigate the magneto-angular dependence of critical current and n-values in coated conductors. In this paper, five commercial YBCO tapes with different microstructures produced by three different manufacturers are chosen. The selected samples have a width of 2.0, 4.0, 4.8, 6.0 or 12 mm, with copper, brass or stainless steel laminations. The critical current density dependence J{sub c}(B, θ) and n-values characteristics n(B, θ) of the tapes are comprehensively measured under various magnetic fields and orientations. Afterwards, the obtained experimental data sets are successfully fitted using a novel multi-objective model which considers the material anisotropy. By using this approach, a fitting function I{sub c}(B, θ) can always be obtained to accurately describe the experimental data, regardless of the fabrication and width differences of the superconducting tapes. Moreover, our experiment shows that when subject to different external magnetic fields, the angular dependence of n-values characteristics is directly correlated with the corresponding critical current profiles. Our results are helpful to predict the critical current of electromagnetically interacting 2G HTS wires, thereby improving the design and performance of the devices made from YBCO tapes.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Relation Between Observers and Effects of Number Valuation in Science

This paper is a small step towards the goal of constructing a coherent theory of physic and mathematics together. It is based on two ideas, the localization of mathematical systems in space or space time, and the separation of the concepts of number from number value. The separation of number from number value along with the freedom of choice of number values at different points of space or space time enables the introduction of a space or space time dependent number valuation field. The presence of a location dependent number value field affects theoretical descriptions of many physical and geometric quantities. A simple geometric example is worked out in detail, that of the length of a path. The localization of mathematical systems and the separation of number from number value or meaning both emphasize the role of observers. The separation of number from number value shows the role of observers in that value or meaning are conscious observer related concepts. Nothing, including numbers, has value or meaning to an unconscious observer. The localization of mathematical systems also shows the role of observers in that the mathematics that is potentially available to an observer is that at the same position as is the observer. This represents the mathematical knowledge that can reside in an observers brain. As an observer moves in space or space time, the mathematical knowledge potentially available to the observer is the collection of mathematical systems at the same location as the observer. It is hoped that this work, which was begun in 2010, will lead to a better understanding of the relation between the foundations of mathematics and physics, and the role that observers play in this relation.

choice freedom of number values↗
DOE OSTI2014

Graphene on boron-nitride: Moiré pattern in the van der Waals energy

The spatial dependence of the van der Waals (vdW) energy between graphene and hexagonal boron-nitride (h-BN) is investigated using atomistic simulations. The van der Waals energy between graphene and h-BN shows a hexagonal superlattice structure identical to the observed Moiré pattern in the local density of states, which depends on the lattice mismatch and misorientation angle between graphene and h-BN. Our results provide atomistic features of the weak van der Waals interaction between graphene and BN which are in agreement with experiment and provide an analytical expression for the size of the spatial variation of the weak van der Waals interaction. We also found that the A-B-lattice symmetry of graphene is broken along the armchair direction.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Three-dimensional simulation of thermal harmonic lasing free electron laser with detuning of the fundamental

Detuning of the fundamental is a way to enhance harmonic generation. By this method, the wiggler is composed of two segments in such a way that the fundamental resonance of the second segment to coincide with the third harmonic of the first segment of the wiggler to generate extreme ultraviolet radiation and x-ray emission. A set of coupled, nonlinear, and first-order differential equations in three dimensions describing the evolution of the electron trajectories and the radiation field with warm beam is solved numerically by CYRUS 3D code in the steady-state for two models (1) seeded free electron laser (FEL) and (2) shot noise on the electron beam (self-amplified spontaneous emission FEL). Thermal effects in the form of longitudinal velocity spread are considered. Three-dimensional simulation describes self-consistently the longitudinal spatial dependence of radiation waists, curvatures, and amplitudes together with the evaluation of the electron beam. The evolutions of the transverse modes are investigated for the fundamental resonance and the third harmonic. Also, the effective modes of the third harmonic are studied. In this paper, we found that detuning of the fundamental with shot noise gives more optimistic result than the seeded FEL.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Dust-polarization Maps and Interstellar Turbulence

Perhaps the most intriguing result of Planck’s dust-polarization measurements is the observation that the power in the E-mode polarization is twice that in the B mode, as opposed to pre-Planck expectations of roughly equal dust powers in the E and B modes. Here we show how the E- and B-mode powers depend on the detailed properties of the fluctuations in the magnetized interstellar medium (ISM). These fluctuations can be decomposed into slow, fast, and Alfvén magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves, which comprise a complete basis that can be used to describe linear fluctuations of a magnetized fluid. They can alternatively be decomposed in terms of one longitudinal and two transverse components of a fluid-displacement field. The intensity (T) and E- and B-mode amplitudes induced by each of the three types of waves, in both decompositions, are then calculated. To illustrate how these tools can be applied, we consider a toy model of the ISM in which dust traces a single component of plasma, and obtain the EE/BB ratio and TE correlation for several ansatzes for the power in slow/fast/Alfvén waves and in longitudinal/transverse waves. Although our model may be too simplistic to properly describe the nonlinear structure of interstellar magnetic fields, we find that the observed EE/BB ratio (and its scale invariance) and positive TE correlation—as well as the observed power-law index for the angular spectrum of these fluctuations—are not easily accommodated in terms of simple MHD turbulence prescriptions for the expected powers in slow, fast, and Alfvén waves. We speculate that the ∼0.1–30 pc length scales probed by these dust-polarization measurements are not described by MHD turbulence, but rather probe the large-scale physics that drives ISM turbulence. We find that a slightly anisotropic spectrum of random fluid displacements produces EE/BB≃2 and a positive TE cross-correlation. Furthermore, we find that large EE/BB and positive TE are due primarily to longitudinal, rather than transverse, modes in the random-displacement field, providing, perhaps, some clue to the mechanism that stirs the ISM. Future investigations involving the spatial dependence of the EE/BB ratio, TE correlation, and local departures from statistical isotropy in dust-polarization maps, as well as further tests of some of the assumptions in this analysis, are outlined. This work may also aid in the improvement of foreground-separation techniques for studies of cosmic microwave background polarization.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1993

Planetary and satellite x ray spectroscopy: A new window on solid-body composition by remote sensing

The rings and most of the satellites of the outer planets orbit within the radiation belts of their parent bodies. This is an environment with intense fluxes of energetic electrons. As a result, these objects are strong emitters of X-rays. The characteristic X-ray lines from these bodies depend on atomic composition, but they are not sensitive to how the material is arranged in compounds or mixtures. X-ray fluorescence spectral analysis has demonstrated its unique value in the laboratory as a qualitative and quantitative analysis tool. This technique has yet to be fully exploited in a planetary instrument for remote sensing. The characteristic X-ray emissions provide atomic relative abundances. These results are complementary to the molecular composition information obtained from IR, visible, and UV emission spectra. The atomic relative abundances are crucial to understanding the formation and evolution of these bodies. They are also crucial to the proper interpretation of the molecular composition results from the other sensors. The intensities of the characteristic X-ray emissions are sufficiently strong to be measured with an instrument of modest size. Recent developments in X-ray detector technologies and electronic miniaturization have made possible space-flight X-ray imaging and nonimaging spectrometers of high sensitivity and excellent energy resolution that are rugged enough to survive long-duration space missions. Depending on the application, such instruments are capable of resolving elemental abundances of elements from carbon through iron. At the same time, by measuring the bremsstrahlung intensity and energy spectrum, the characteristics of the source electron flux can be determined. We will discuss these concepts, including estimated source strengths, and will describe a small instrument capable of providing this unique channel of information for future planetary missions. We propose to build this instrument using innovative electronics packaging methods to minimize size and weight.

Chenette, D. L.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Strong domain configuration dependence of the nonlinear dielectric response in (K,Na)NbO{sub 3}-based ceramics

The nonlinear dielectric response in (Na{sub 0.52}K{sub 0.4425}Li{sub 0.0375})(Nb{sub 0.92−x}Ta{sub x}Sb{sub 0.08})O{sub 3} ceramics with different amounts of Ta was measured using subcoercive electric fields and quantified by the Rayleigh model. The irreversible extrinsic contribution, mainly caused by the irreversible domain wall translation, was strongly dependent on the domain configuration. The irreversible extrinsic contributions remained approximately the same within the single-phase regions, either orthorhombic or tetragonal, due to the similar domain morphology. However, in the polymorphic phase transition region, the domain wall density was increased by minimized domain size, as observed by transmission electron microscopy. This resulted in constrained domain wall motion due to self-clamping and reduced the irreversible extrinsic contribution.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Low symmetry configurations of vacancy-oxygen complexes in irradiated silicon

Two new electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra, labeled KU2 and KU3, emerge as a result of annealing of γ-ray irradiated silicon crystals in the temperature range 360–560 °C. The EPR intensities of KU2 and KU3 increase in the upper range of the annealing temperature where the EPR peaks of the vacancy-oxygen complex (A-center) diminish. The angular dependence study shows that the EPR spectra of KU2 and KU3 resemble that of SL1, the excited triplet (spin S = 1) state of A-centers, but with slightly different g and D-tensors representing lowering in symmetries. Microscopic lattice distortions caused by capturing of extra interstitial oxygen atoms by the A-centers are proposed to be the source of lowering of the symmetries associated with KU2 and KU3.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗