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At least 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2011

Universal squash model for optical communications using linear optics and threshold detectors

Transmission of photons through open-air or optical fibers is an important primitive in quantum-information processing. Theoretical descriptions of this process often consider single photons as information carriers and thus fail to accurately describe experimental implementations where any number of photons may enter a detector. It has been a great challenge to bridge this big gap between theory and experiments. One powerful method for achieving this goal is by conceptually squashing the received multiphoton states to single-photon states. However, until now, only a few protocols admit a squash model; furthermore, a recently proven no-go theorem appears to rule out the existence of a universal squash model. Here we show that a necessary condition presumed by all existing squash models is in fact too stringent. By relaxing this condition, we find that, rather surprisingly, a universal squash model actually exists for many protocols, including quantum key distribution, quantum state tomography, Bell's inequality testing, and entanglement verification.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1992

Measured and calculated optical property profiles in the mixed layer and free troposphere

Nearly simultaneous measurements of the physical and optical properties of mixed layer and free tropospheric aerosols near Boulder, Colorado, were made on several occasions using aircraft, balloon, and ground-based sensors. This effort (Front Range Lidar, Aircraft, and Balloon experiment (FRLAB)) was conducted with the purpose of obtaining a diverse, self-consistent data set that could be used for testing optical model calculations based on measured physical characteristics such as apparent size distribution, composition, and shape. It was found that even with the uncertainties involved, the model predictions are in good agreement with the measurements in the visible and near infrared wavelength regions. At CO2 lidar wavelengths there is considerably more uncertainty in both the calculated and measured values; however, within the estimated errors there appears to be satisfactory agreement except for the highest free tropospheric layer studied. The results also indicate that during FRLAB the aerosol in the boundary layer and free troposphere behaved as spherical particles for optical modeling purposes. The utility of the observations for determining the extinction-to-backscatter ratio relevant to aerosols in the boundary layer and free troposphere is described with typical measured values being in the 20 to 30 sr range.

Rosen, James M.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Reexamining the relation between the binding energy of finite nuclei and the equation of state of infinite nuclear matter

The energy density is calculated in coordinate space for 12 C, 40 Ca, 48 Ca, and 208 Pb using a dispersive optical model constrained by all relevant data including the corresponding energy of the ground state. The energy density of 8 Be is also calculated using the Green’s function Monte-Carlo method employing the Argonne/Urbana two and three-body interactions. The nuclear interior minimally contributes to the total binding energy due to the 4πr 2 phase space factor. Thus, the volume contribution to the energy in the interior is not well constrained. The dispersive-optical-model energy densities are in good agreement with ab initio self-consistent Green’s function calculations of infinite nuclear matter restricted to treat only short-range and tensor correlations. These results call into question the degree to which the equation of state for nuclear matter is constrained by the empirical mass formula. In particular, the results in this work indicate that saturated nuclear matter does not require the canonical value of 16 MeV binding per particle but only about 13-14 MeV when the interior of 208 Pb is considered.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Optical Properties of Polyethylene Filled with Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} Nanocrystallites

Composite mixtures with various component concentrations are fabricated by the thermal pressing of low-density polyethylene and Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} in the powder-like state with a nanocrystal size of ~50 nm. These samples preliminarily characterized by X-ray diffractometry and Raman spectroscopy are investigated by spectroscopic ellipsometry in a photon energy range of 1–6 eV. The dielectric functions for composites with a nominal Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} weight concentration of 5, 10, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70% are calculated based on the measured optical constants of polyethylene and the Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} crystal in the approximation of the Bruggeman effective medium. The analysis of depolarization features of reflected light makes it possible to establish the actual inhomogeneity of the composite samples under study caused by the clusterization of nanocrystallites with an increase in the Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} weight concentration in polyethylene and propose the most reliable optical model of the formed composites.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS2003

Environmental Snapshots for Satellite Multi-Angle Aerosol Retrieval Validation During the ACE-Asia Field Campaign

On five occasions spanning the ACE-Asia field experiment in spring 2001, the multi-angle imaging MISR instrument, flying aboard the NASA Earth Observing System s Terra satellite, took quarter-kilometer data over a 400-km-wide swath, coincident with high-quality observations by multiple instruments on two or more participating surface and airborne platforms. The cases capture a range of clean, polluted, and dusty aerosol conditions. They represent some of the best opportunities during ACE- Asia for comparative studies among intensive and extensive aerosol observations in their environmental context. We inter-compare related measurements and discuss the implications of apparent discrepancies for each case, at a level of detail appropriate to the analysis of satellite observations. With a three-stage optical modeling process, we synthesize data from multiple sources into layer-by-layer snapshots that summarize what we know about the state of the atmosphere and surface at key locations during each event, to be used for satellite vicarious calibration and aerosol retrieval validation. Aerosols within a few kilometers of the surface were composed primarily of pollution and Asian dust mixtures, as expected. Accumulation and coarse-mode particle size distributions varied little among the events studied, but column aerosol optical depth changed by more than a factor of four, and the near-surface proportion of dust ranged from about 25% to 50%. The amount of absorbing material in the sub-micron fraction was highest when near-surface winds crossed Beijing and the Korean Peninsula, and was considerably lower for all other cases. Ambiguities remain in segregating size distributions by composition; having simultaneous single scattering albedo measurements at more than a single wavelength would significantly reduce the resulting optical model uncertainties, as would integral constraints from surface and atmospheric radiative flux observations. The consistency of component particle micro-physical properties among the five events, even in this relatively complex aerosol environment, suggests that global, satellite-derived maps of aerosol-air-mass-type extent, combined with targeted in situ measurements, can provide a detailed global picture of aerosol behavior. Further joint satellite and in situ analysis is needed to assess the spatial variability of both intensive and extensive aerosol properties within aerosol air masses in two spatial dimensions.

Kahn, Ralph↗
NASA NTRS1997

Optical design, modeling, and tolerancing of a Fizeau interferometer dedicated to astrometry

Space-based interferometers dedicated to wide-angel astrometry would dramatically increase the accuracy of angular measurement fundamental to a wide range of astrophysical problems. The propsosed global Astrometric Interferometer for Astrophysics (GAIA) a continuously rotating instruments comprising two or three interferometers, will reach the 5-20 mue as level on more that 35 million objects.

Optical Design Fizeau Interferometer↗
DOE OSTI2015

Photonic crystals for improving light absorption in organic solar cells

We theoretically and experimentally study the structuration of organic solar cells in the shape of photonic crystal slabs. By taking advantage of the optical properties of photonic crystals slabs, we show the possibility to couple Bloch modes with very low group velocities in the active layer of the cells. These Bloch modes, also called slow Bloch modes (SBMs), allow increasing the lifetime of photons within the active layer. Finally, we present experimental demonstration performed by using nanoimprint to directly pattern the standard poly-3-hexylthiophène:[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butiryc acid methyl ester organic semiconductor blend in thin film form in the shape of a photonic crystal able to couple SBMs. In agreement with the model, optical characterizations will demonstrate significant photonic absorption gains.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Method for Projecting Cloud Shadows Onto a Central Receiver Field to Predict Receiver Damage

This work demonstrates methods of mapping high-spatial-resolution direct normal irradiance (DNI) data from satellites, Total Sky Imagers (TSIs), and analogous data sources onto a heliostat field for characterizing the spatial and temporal variation of the incident flux on a central receiver tower during cloud transient events. The mapping methods are incorporated into an optical software module that interfaces with CoPylot–SolarPILOT’s python API– to provide computationally efficient optical simulation of the heliostat field and the solar power tower. Eventually, this optical model will be incorporated into optimization models whereby a plant operator can understand the effects of cloud transient events on overall power production and receiver lifetime due to creep-fatigue damage and therefore make better informed decisions about receiver shutdown events. By more accurately modelling the effects of cloud events on receiver flux maps, this work may determine the magnitude and frequency of thermal cycling on receiver tubes and panels using actual or realistic cloud shapes instead of averaged DNI values–which may undercount the total cycle number. This work may also prevent unnecessary plant shutdowns due to overly precautionary control strategies and characterize the relative impact of various cloud types on receiver life. We plan to eventually integrate this methodology into the System Advisor Model (SAM) to improve performance model accuracy during periods of cloudiness. In this paper, we demonstrate generating DNI maps and mapping them to a solar field in CoPylot using 10 m resolution data from publicly available Sentinel-2 satellite data over the Crescent Dunes plant.

Mullin, Matthew↗
DOE OSTI2022

Photoinitiator Selection and Concentration in Photopolymer Formulations towards Large-Format Additive Manufacturing

Photopolymers are an attractive option for large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM), because they can be formulated from structural thermosets and cure rapidly in ambient conditions under low-energy ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV LED) lamps. Photopolymer cure is strongly influenced by the depth penetration of UV light, which can be limited in the 2–4 mm layer thicknesses typical of LFAM. Photoinitiator (PI) systems that exhibit photobleaching have proven useful in thick-section cure applications, because they generate a photoinitiation wavefront, but this effect is time-dependent. This study investigates the light transmission and through-thickness cure behavior in (meth)acrylate photopolymer formulations with the photobleaching initiator bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)-phenylphosphine oxide (BAPO). Utilizing an optical model developed by Kenning et al., lower concentrations (0.1 wt% to 0.5 wt%) of BAPO were predicted to yield rapid onset of photoinitiation. In situ cure measurements under continuous UV LED irradiation of 380 mW/cm2 showed that a 0.1 wt% concentration of BAPO achieved peak polymerization rate within 2.5 s at a 3-mm depth. With only 1 s of irradiation at 1.7 W/cm2 intensity, the 0.1 wt% BAPO formulation also achieved the highest level of cure of the formulas tested. For an irradiation dose of 5.5 J/cm2 at a duration of 3.7 s, cured polymer specimens achieved a flexural strength of 108 MPa and a flexural modulus of 3.1 GPa. This study demonstrates the utility of optical modeling as a potential screening tool for new photopolymer formulations, primarily in identifying an upper limit to PI concentration for the desired cure depth. The results also show that photobleaching provides only a limited benefit for LFAM applications with short (1.0 s to 3.7 s) UV irradiation times and indicate that excess PI concentration can inhibit light transmission even under extended irradiation times up to 60 s.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2006

Modeling the Optical Properties of Biomass Burning Aerosols: Young Smoke Aerosols From Savanna Fires and Comparisons to Observations from SAFARI 2000

Annually, farmers in southern Africa manage their land resources and prepare their fields for cultivation by burning crop residual debris, with a peak in the burning season occurring during August and September. The emissions from these fires in southern Africa are among the greatest from fires worldwide, and the gases and aerosol particles produced adversely affect air quality large distances from their source regions, and can even be tracked in satellite imagery as they cross the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean basins. During August and September 2000 an international group of researchers participating in the Southern African Regional Science Initiate field experiment (SAFARI 2000) made extensive ground-based, airborne, and satellite measurements of these gases and aerosols in order to quantify their amounts and effects on Earth's atmosphere. In this study we interpreted the measurements of smoke aerosol particles made during SAFARI 2000 in order to better represent these particles in a numerical model simulating their transport and fate. Typically, smoke aerosols emitted from fires are concentrated by mass in particles about 0.3 micrometers in diameter (1,000,000 micrometers = 1 meter, about 3 feet); for comparison, the thickness of a human hair is about 50 micrometers, almost 200 times as great. Because of the size of these particles, at the surface they can be easily inhaled into the lungs, and in high concentrations have deleterious health effects on humans. Additionally, these particles reflect and absorb sunlight, impacting both visibility and the balance of sunlight reaching -Earth's surface, and ultimately play a role in modulating Earth's climate. Because of these important effects, it is important that numerical models used to estimate Earth's climate response to changes in atmospheric composition accurately represent the quantity and evolution of smoke particles. In our model, called the Community Aerosol and Radiation Model for Atmospheres (CARMA) we used estimates of smoke emissions based on field studies and observations made with the NASA Terra and TRMM satellites. The meteorology used to calculate the transport was based on an assimilation of observed meteorological conditions provided by the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

Matichuk, R. I.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Fitting local, low-dimensional parameterizations of optical turbulence modeled from optimal transport velocity vectors

This work exploits a connection between optimal transport theory and the physics of image propagation to yield a locally low-dimensional model of turbulence-corrupted imagery. Optimal transport produces an invertible, pixel-wise linear trajectories to approximate the globally nonlinear turbulence between a clean and turbulence corrupted image pair. We use the low-dimensional model to fit subsets of the optimal transport vector fields and stitch the local models into a surrogate for the global map to be used for image cleaning. Experiments are performed on laboratory generated data of beam propagation using different values of the Fried parameter (a scale measuring turbulence coherence) as well as a toy data set. The results suggest this is a fruitful direction, and first step, towards using multiple realizations of turbulence corrupted images to learn a blind surrogate for the optimal transport vector field for image cleaning.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS2002

Coastal Atmosphere and Sea Time Series (CoASTS)

The Coastal Atmosphere and Sea Time Series (CoASTS) Project aimed at supporting ocean color research and applications, from 1995 up to the time of publication of this document, has ensured the collection of a comprehensive atmospheric and marine data set from an oceanographic tower located in the northern Adriatic Sea. The instruments and the measurement methodologies used to gather quantities relevant for bio-optical modeling and for the calibration and validation of ocean color sensors, are described. Particular emphasis is placed on four items: (1) the evaluation of perturbation effects in radiometric data (i.e., tower-shading, instrument self-shading, and bottom effects); (2) the intercomparison of seawater absorption coefficients from in situ measurements and from laboratory spectrometric analysis on discrete samples; (3) the intercomparison of two filter techniques for in vivo measurement of particulate absorption coefficients; and (4) the analysis of repeatability and reproducibility of the most relevant laboratory measurements carried out on seawater samples (i.e., particulate and yellow substance absorption coefficients, and pigment and total suspended matter concentrations). Sample data are also presented and discussed to illustrate the typical features characterizing the CoASTS measurement site in view of supporting the suitability of the CoASTS data set for bio-optical modeling and ocean color calibration and validation.

Hooker, Stanford B.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Reduced Cu(InGa)Se 2 Thickness in Solar Cells Using a Superstrate Configuration

This project by the Institute of Energy Conversion (IEC) and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Delaware sought to develop the technology and underlying science to enable reduced cost of Cu(InGa)Se 2 manufacturing by reducing the thickness of the Cu(InGa)Se 2 absorber layer by half compared to typical production. The approach to achieve this was to use the superstrate cell configuration in which light is incident on the cell through the glass. This structure facilitates optical enhancement approaches needed to achieve high efficiency with Cu(InGa)Se 2 thicknesses less than 1 µm. The primary objective was to demonstrate a Cu(InGa)Se 2 cell with absorber thickness 0.5 - 0.7 µm and 17% efficiency, along with a quantitative loss analysis to define a pathway to 20% efficiency. Additional objectives were the development of stable TCO and buffer layers or contact layers to withstand the Cu(InGa)Se 2 deposition temperature and of advanced optical enhancement methods. The underlying fundamental science needed to effectively transition these outcomes to large scale was addressed by extensive materials and device characterization and by development of comprehensive optical models. Two different superstrate configurations have been investigated. A frontwall cell is illuminated through the glass to the primary front junction of the device. This configuration has been used for previous efforts on superstrate Cu(InGa)Se 2 but performance has been limited by interdiffusion or reaction with CdS or other buffer layers. In this project, several approaches to overcome these limitations were explored using CdS, ZnO and ZnSe buffer layers. In each case, mechanisms that limit device performance were identified using detailed characterization of the materials and junctions. Due to the junction formation difficulties, efforts were concentrated on a new backwall configuration in which light is incident through the substrate into the back of the absorber layer. The primary junction is then formed after Cu(InGa)Se 2 deposition. This allows the potential benefits of superstrate cells for optical enhancement while maintaining processing advantages of the substrate configuration and avoiding the harmful effects of high temperature deposition on p-n junction formation. Backwall devices have outperformed substrate cells at absorber thicknesses of 0.1-0.5 µm through enhanced JSC due to easy incorporation of a Ag reflector and, with light incident on the absorber, the elimination of parasitic absorption in the CdS buffer. An efficiency of 9.7% has been achieved for a backwall Cu(InGa)Se 2 device with absorber thickness ~0.4 μm. A critical achievement that enabled implementation of the backwall cell was the development of a transparent back contact using MoO 3 or WO 3 . Processes for controlled deposition of each material by reactive rf sputtering from metal targets were developed. These contacts have wide bandgaps making them well-suited for application as contacts for backwall devices as well as potential use in bifacial cells and as the top cell of tandem CuInSe 2 -based devices. Optical enhancement will be critical for further improvements. Wet chemical texturing of ZnO films has been developed for a simple, low cost light-trapping scheme for backwall superstrate devices to enhance long wavelength quantum efficiency. An aqueous oxalic acid etch was developed and found to strongly texture sputtered ZnO with high haze ≈ 0.9 observed across the whole spectrum. And finally, advanced optical models have been developed to assist the characterization and optimization of Cu(InGa)Se 2 cells with thin absorbers

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

{alpha}-particle optical potentials for nuclear astrophysics (NA) and nuclear technology (NT)

The high precision of recent measurements for low-energy {alpha}-particle elastic-scattering as well as induced-reaction data makes possible the understanding of actual limits and possible improvement of the global optical model potentials parameters. Involvement of recent optical potentials for reliable description of both the elastic scattering and emission of {alpha}-particles, of equal interest for nuclear astrophysics (NA) and nuclear technology (NT) for fusion devices, is discussed in the present work.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Modelling Neutron-induced Reactions on 232–237 U from 10 keV up to 30 MeV

Comprehensive calculations of cross sections for neutron-induced reactions on 232–237 U targets are performed in this paper in the 10 keV–30 MeV incident energy range with the code EMPIRE–3.2 Malta. The advanced modelling and consistent calculation scheme are aimed at improving our knowledge of the neutron scattering and emission cross sections, and to assess the consistency of available evaluated libraries for light uranium isotopes. The reaction model considers a dispersive optical potential (RIPL 2408) that couples from five (even targets) to nine (odd targets) levels of the ground-state rotational band, and a triple-humped fission barrier with absorption in the wells described within the optical model for fission. A modified Lorentzian model (MLO) of the radiative strength function and Enhanced Generalized Superfluid Model nuclear level densities are used in Hauser-Feschbach calculations of the compound-nuclear decay that include width fluctuation corrections. The starting values for the model parameters are retrieved from RIPL. Excellent agreement with available experimental data for neutron emission and fission is achieved, giving confidence that the quantities for which there is no experimental information are also accurately predicted. Finally, deficiencies in existing evaluated libraries are highlighted.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

A Review of Crystalline Silicon Bifacial Photovoltaic Performance Characterisation and Simulation

Bifacial photovoltaic (PV) technology has received considerable attention in recent years due to the potential to achieve higher annual energy yield compared to its monofacial counterpart. Higher annual energy yield is a crucial factor (even more than to further reduce the module costs) because, with the use of higher power PV modules, the high BOS (Balance of System) costs can be reduced, resulting in the lowest LCOE (levelised cost of energy). The International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV) predicts an upward trend for the shares of crystalline silicon (c-Si) bifacial PV cells and modules in the global PV market in the next decade, i.e., more than 35% in 2028. Two key enabling factors have been identified to promote the widespread use of c-Si bifacial PV devices, namely the bifacial PV performance measurement method/standard for indoor characterisation and comprehensive simulation models for outdoor performance characterisation. Both will increase the bankability of bifacial PV technology. In this paper, a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art of the c-Si bifacial PV performance characterisation and simulation is presented. First, an overview of the indoor characterisation of c-Si bifacial PV cells and modules is presented, followed by an overview of the outdoor characterisation of c-Si bifacial PV modules and the draft technical specification, IEC TS 60904-1-2. The second part of this paper reviews the current status of bifacial PV performance modelling, which includes the three primary sub-models: optical, electrical, and thermal models. This paper also provides an overview of the required future research to address the challenges associated with the characterisation and simulation of c-Si bifacial PV devices.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Prospects for the Thomson scattering system on NSTX-Upgrade

The paper discusses the projected configuration of the Thomson system on the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX-U). In this paper, we discuss the projected configuration of the Thomson system on NSTX-U. More specifically, we determine, through both optical modeling of the collection optics and in-vessel measurements, that the collecting fibers are to be displaced by at most 1 cm toward the imaging plane along the optical axis. Finally, we estimate the performance of the Thomson system in measuring the electron temperature for NSTX-U discharges.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Quantitative analysis of electron energy loss spectra and modelling of optical properties of multilayer systems for extreme ultraviolet radiation regime

Ruthenium capped multilayer coatings for use in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation regime have manifold applications in science and industry. Although the Ru cap shall protect the reflecting multilayers, the surface of the heterostructures suffers from contamination issues and surface degradation. In order to get a better understanding of the effects of these impurities on the optical parameters, reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy (REELS) measurements of contaminated and H cleaned Ru multilayer coatings were taken at various primary electron beam energies. Experiments conducted at low primary beam energies between 100 eV and 1000 eV are very surface sensitive due to the short inelastic mean free path of the electrons in this energy range. Therefore, influences of the surface condition on the above mentioned characteristics can be appraised. In this paper, it can be shown that carbon and oxide impurities on the mirror surface decrease the transmission of the Ru cap by about 0.75% and the overall reflectance of the device is impaired as the main share of the non-transmitted EUV light is absorbed in the contamination layer.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗