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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 307 records · Page 17
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

SPT-3G+: mapping the high-frequency cosmic microwave background using kinetic inductance detectors

We present the design and science goals of SPT-3G+, a new camera for the South Pole Telescope, which will consist of a dense array of 34100 kinetic inductance detectors measuring the cosmic microwave background (CMB) at 220, 285 and 345 GHz. The SPT-3G+ dataset will enable new constraints on the process of reionization, including measurements of the patchy kinematic Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect and improved constraints on the optical depth due to reionization. At the same time, it will serve as a pathfinder for the detection of Rayleigh scattering, which could allow future CMB surveys to constrain cosmological parameters better than from the primary CMB alone. In addition, the combined, multi-band SPT-3G and SPT-3G+ survey data, will have several synergies that enhance the original SPT-3G survey, including: extending the redshift-reach of SZ cluster surveys to z > 2; understanding the relationship between magnetic fields and star formation in our Galaxy; improved characterization of the impact of dust on inflationary B-mode searches; and characterizing astrophysical transients at the boundary between mm and sub-mm wavelengths. Finally, the modular design of the SPT-3G+ camera allows it to serve as an on-sky demonstrator for new detector technologies employing microwave readout, such as the on-chip spectrometers that we expect to deploy during the SPT-3G+ survey. In this paper, we describe the science goals of the project and the key technology developments that enable its powerful yet compact design.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

A simulation study of the ability to detect power distribution perturbations in the texas A&M TRIGA reactor with self-powered neutron detectors

Given the variety of ways that nuclear reactor core power may be perturbed, reactor operators and developers are keen on understanding the accuracy and convergence time during which perturbations in reactor power distribution may be synthesized (i.e., inferred) from an array of in-core radiation detectors. A simulation study was conducted as described herein using a highly detailed model of the Texas A&M Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics Reactor, in which an array of self-powered neutron detectors (SPNDs) was considered for input to the power synthesis methodology. The core power synthesis is conducted using a point-based iterative method with an iterative loop built in to ensure working equation consistency. The forward problem of SPND response to simulated perturbations in reactor power was solved for Gaussian peak-type perturbations in the reactor power distribution. These perturbations varied in variance, amplitude, and core location to assess their impact on synthesis error and to determine the number of iterations required for convergence. A relation between the unique resolvability limit and perturbation width was identified such that the maximum synthesis error increased rapidly when the peak width went beneath this limit (a width approximating half the reactor’s fuel pin-to-pin pitch); this resolvability limit is specific to the SPND configuration and fuel segmentation considered herein. The synthesis error increased linearly with perturbation peak amplitude, whereas the convergence time increased nonlinearly. Perturbations located closer to the center of the core were synthesized more accurately, albeit with a higher number of required iterations. These findings provide a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the accuracy and speed at which different types of spatial power perturbations can be resolved in light-water reactors.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2020

The CUORE Detector and Results

The cryogenic underground observatory for rare events (CUORE) is a cryogenic experiment searching for neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ) of 130 Te. The detector consists of an array of 988TeO 2 crystals arranged in a compact cylindrical structure of 19 towers. We report the CUORE initial operations and optimization campaigns. We then present the CUORE results on 0νββ and 2νββ decay of 130 Te obtained from the analysis of the physics data acquired in 2017.

0vββ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Genetic algorithm optimization of tin–copper graded shielding for improved plutonium safeguards measurements

Plutonium nuclear material safeguards is essential to ensure that states do not divert plutonium to clandestine nuclear weapons programs. Traditional safeguards methods rely on correlated neutron measurements. Detection systems based on organic scintillators, which are sensitive to fast neutrons and photons, are gaining support for use in safeguards applications due to increased capabilities and shorter measurement times compared to the current state-of-the-art. A drawback of organic scintillators in plutonium measurements is data throughput limitations; 241 Am builds up in plutonium samples and emits 60-keV gamma rays with a high specific activity. In this work, a genetic algorithm is used to design graded shielding made of tin and copper to attenuate the 60-keV gamma rays. The shield is designed to limit the attenuation of the higher-energy, fission photons, because fission photons can be used as a signature. The genetic algorithm optimization takes days to run, while a complete search space exploration would take years. The genetic algorithm was run for different levels of 60-keV gamma-ray attenuation, and the thickness of the required shielding layers was determined at each level. Tin–copper shielding was placed in front of an array of organic scintillation detectors for a measurement of approximately 4.5 kg of alpha-phase, weapons-grade plutonium, an AmLi source, and a 252 Cf source. We show that the shield successfully attenuated low-energy, non-fission gamma rays, which significantly improved the organic scintillator performance.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Novel 4x4 SiPM array readout with integrated preamplification stage, optimized for the PWO detectors of the EIC EEEMCal

Here we are reporting on a new readout circuit developed for the lead tungstate (PbWO4) scintillation detectors for the Electron Ion Collider (EIC) Electron Endcap Electromagnetic Calorimeter EEEMCal. The high magnetic field region precludes the use of photomultiplier tubes while the detector requirements specify good spectral resolution performance and fast pulse integration over a large dynamic range. We selected a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) from Hamamatsu and produced a matrix of 4 x 4 sensors to cover the 20 mm x 20 mm scintillator coupling surface. Signal acquisition and amplification electronics boards were designed and integrated with the sensor board to produce a compact high performance readout package. A prototype detector was built and tested at Jefferson Lab with encouraging resolution and timing performance results.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2025

Neutron capture measurements at UMass lowell research reactor

A new facility was designed around the thermal column beam port of the 1 MW Research Reactor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Thermal neutrons are collimated to a 1-inch diameter beam and incident on samples to induce the radiative neutron capture. New measurements of capture gamma rays are planned for Mn, Cu, Ni, Cr, and Gd samples in the next few years. The experiments will be carried out in close collaboration with the ENSDF (Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File) evaluation group at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The gamma rays are measured using an array of high-resolution HPGe detectors. Some of the HPGe detectors use active Compton shields that were designed from scintillation detectors and improve significantly the signal-to-background in the measured gamma-ray spectra with HPGe. The experimental spectra will be validated by the GEANT4 simulations of the array and theoretical models of the emission of gamma rays from the compound nucleus. In conclusion, the new experimental results on the capture gamma ray intensities will be incorporated in future ENSDF evaluations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

The structure of low-lying 1 - states in 90,94 Zr from (α,α'γ) and (p,p'γ) reactions

The low-lying dipole strength in the 90,94 Zr nuclei was investigated via (ρ,ρ'γ) at 80 MeV and (α, α', γ) at 130 MeV. The experiments, made at RCNP, used the magnetic spectrometer Grand Raiden for the scattered particles and the array CAGRA with HPGe detectors for the γ-decay. For 94 Zr these are the first data for both reactions and for 90 Zr these are the first data with (ρ,ρ'γ) and the first ones at high resolution for (α, α', γ). The comparison of the present results for the two nuclei with existing (γ, γ') data shows that both nuclear probes produce an excitation pattern different than that of the electromagnetic probes. DWBA calculations were made using form factors deduced from transition densities, based on RPA calculations, characterized by a strong neutron component at the nuclear surface. A combined analysis of the two reactions was performed for the first time to investigate the isoscalar character of the 1 - states in 90,94 Zr. The (ρ,ρ'γ) cross section was calculated using values for the isoscalar electric dipole energy-weighted sum rule (E1 ISEWSR) obtained from the (α, α', γ) data. The isoscalar strength for 90 Zr was found to exhaust 20 ± 2.5% of the EWSR in the energy range up to 12 MeV. In case of 94 Zr, a strength of 9 ± 1.1% of the EWSR was found in the range up to 8.5 MeV. Although an overall general description was obtained in the studied energy intervals, not all proton cross sections were well reproduced using the isoscalar strength from (α, α', γ). This might suggest mixing of isoscalar and isovector components and that this mixing and the degree of collectivity are not the same for all the 1 - states below the particle binding energy.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Improved microwave SQUID multiplexer readout using a kinetic-inductance traveling-wave parametric amplifier

We report on the use of a kinetic-inductance traveling-wave parametric amplifier (KITWPA) as the first amplifier in the readout chain of a microwave superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) multiplexer (μmux). This μmux is designed to multiplex signals from arrays of low temperature detectors, such as superconducting transition-edge sensor microcalorimeters. When modulated with a periodic flux-ramp to linearize the SQUID response, the flux noise improves, on average, from 1.6 μ $\Phi$ 0 /$\sqrt{Hz}$ with the KITWPA off to 0.77 μ $\Phi$ 0 /$\sqrt{Hz}$ with the KITWPA on. When statically biasing the μmux to the maximally flux-sensitive point, the flux noise drops from 0.45 μ $\Phi$ 0 /$\sqrt{Hz}$ to 0.2 μ $\Phi$ 0 /$\sqrt{Hz}$⁠. We validate this new readout scheme by coupling a transition-edge sensor microcalorimeter to the μmux and detecting background radiation. In conclusion, the combination of μmux and KITWPA provides a variety of new capabilities including improved detector sensitivity and more efficient bandwidth utilization.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

Integrated modeling of alpha particle losses in JET DT plasmas

Alpha particle confinement is crucial for sustaining burning plasmas and designing future reactor concepts. Along with classical/prompt losses, various magnetohydrodynamic instabilities can lead to wave-particle interactions which can transport alpha particles outward from the plasma. This can result in a reduction in plasma heating/performance, and, at worst, damage in-vessel components. Joint European Torus’s recent deuterium–tritium campaigns in 2021–2023 have produced numerous alpha particle loss measurements with its scintillator probe and Faraday cup array fast ion loss detectors as discussed in Bonofiglo et al (2024 Nucl. Fusion 64 096038). This paper will report on integrated energetic particle transport modeling in support of those measurements. The modeling is accomplished with the TRANSP and ORBIT-kick codes with the use of recently developed reduced models which calculate mode structure, amplitude, and the evolving dynamics. When possible, constraints and comparisons to experiment are conducted. Case studies are performed on a variety of magnetohydrodynamic activity, including: fishbones, tearing modes (TMs), and sawtooth crashes. Additionally, a special case of an alpha-driven toroidal Alfvén eigenmode is briefly discussed, where modeling showed marginally weak alpha losses and was unable to support experimental observations. Coupled effects between a TM and toroidal field ripple are presented and were unable to replicate the observations in lost particle pitch but did duplicate the localized flattening of the measured neutron profile. Additional modeling results compare the magnitude of losses and energy/velocity-space sensitivities against experimental observations/measurements for each scenario. This work corroborates numeric alpha transport modeling while also identifying model deficiencies. While this report details alpha transport, it also presents open issues for discussion in assessing the validity of our numerical models towards burning plasmas.

Bonofiglo, Phillip J. [Princeton Plasma Physics La↗
DOE OSTI2021

Investigation of secondary γ -ray angular distributions using the N 15 ( p , α 1 γ ) C * 12 reaction

The observation of secondary γ-rays provides an alternative method of measuring cross sections that populate excited final states in nuclear reactions. The angular distributions of these γ-rays also provide information on the underlying reaction mechanism. Despite a large amount of data of this type in the literature, publicly available R-matrix codes do not have the ability to calculate these types of angular distributions. In this report, the mathematical formalism derived in Brune and deBoer is implemented in the R-matrix code AZURE2 and calculations are compared with previous data from the literature for the 15 N( p, α1γ ) 12 C* reaction. In addition, new measurements, made at the University of Notre Dame Nuclear Science Laboratory using the Hybrid Array of Gamma Ray Detectors (HAGRiD), are reported that span an energy range from E p = 0.88 to 4.0 MeV. Excellent agreement between data and the phenomenological fit is obtained up to the limit of the previous fit at E p = 2.0 MeV and the R-matrix fit is extended from E x ≈ 13.5 up to E x ≈ 15.3 MeV, where 15 N+p and 12 C+α reactions are fit simultaneously for the first time. An excellent reproduction of the 15 N( p, α1γ ) 12 C* and 12 C(α, α) 12 C data is achieved, but inconsistencies and difficulty in fitting other data is encountered and discussed.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19↗
DOE OSTI2021

Levels in 125 Cd populated by the β decay of 125 m Ag and 125 Ag

Here, the β decay of 125 m, 125 Ag into levels in 125 Cd was investigated at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF). Uranium-238 targets were bombarded with 50-MeV protons with an intensity of 15 μ A, and the induced fission products were mass separated and deposited on a moving tape in the center of the VANDLE array consisting of γ detectors and plastic scintillators. A partial decay scheme has been assigned for both β decay of the (9/2 + ) ground state of 125 Ag and its low-lying (1/2 - ) isomer, with the energy of the low-lying (11/2 - ) isomeric state in 125 Cd assigned as 188.5 keV. In addition, β -delayed neutron emission probabilities were also determined to be 1.2(2)% for the (9/2 + ) 125 Ag ground state and 4.6(10)% for the (1/2 - ) isomer, which are substantially lower than the previously reported value.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Low spin spectroscopy of neutron-rich Cl 43 , 44 , 45 via β - and β n decay

In this article, β - decay studies of neutron-rich isotopes 43,45 S performed at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory are reported. β -delayed $\gamma$ transitions were detected by an array of 16 clover detectors surrounding the Beta Counting Station, which consists of a 40×40 double-sided silicon strip detector followed by a single-sided silicon strip detector. β -decay half-lives were extracted for 43,45 S by correlating implants and decays in the pixelated implant detector and by considering further coincidences with $\gamma$ transitions in the daughter nuclei. Further, the level structures of 43,45 Cl are expanded by the addition of 20 and 8 new $\gamma$ transitions in 43 Cl and 45 Cl respectively, and core-excited negative-parity states were observed in both nuclei for the first time. For 45 S, a large fraction of the β -decay strength was observed feeding neutron-unbound states in 45 Cl, which, decaying by delayed neutrons, populated excited states in the β ⁢1⁢ n daughter, 44 Cl. Experimental observations were compared to detailed shell-model calculations using the SDPFSDG-MU interaction to highlight the role of the diminished N = 28 neutron shell gap and the near degeneracy of the proton s 1/2 and d 3/2 orbitals in the structure of the neutron-rich Cl isotopes. The current work also provides further support to a ground-state spin-parity assignment of 3/2 + in 45 Cl.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Plutonium Basket Counter Measurement Control Q3-Q4 2023

The Plutonium Basket Counter (PBC) is a spent fuel nuclear safeguards instrument that was developed to measure spent-fuel elements from MAGNOX-type research reactors and determine their plutonium content. The instrument is designed to measure fuel elements in spent fuel cooling pools through underwater operation, but it is also able to measure radiation sources in air. The PBC determines fuel plutonium content by detecting neutrons with an array of Helium-3 detectors. The electronics make use of a JSR-15 shift register for data collection and IAEA Neutron Coincidence Counting (INCC) software for data analysis. The PBC is used to determine the 240 Pu content in spent MAGNOX fuel elements grouped into basket-like bundles, thus the instrument’s name. Reactor burnup calculations can be used in conjunction with the data from the PBC to estimate the total plutonium content in the fuel.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Unified Model of Cosmic-Ray Propagation and Radio Extreme Scattering Events from Intermittent Interstellar Structures

Intermittent magnetic structures are a plausible candidate for explaining cosmic-ray (CR) diffusion rates derived from observed CR energy spectra. Independently, studies of extreme scattering events (ESEs) of radio quasars and pulsar scintillation have hinted that very straight, large aspect ratio magnetic current sheets may be responsible for the localized large scattering of radio waves. The required shortest axis of the typical structures producing ESEs is of the same scale (∼au) as the gyroradii of ∼GeV CRs. In this Letter, we propose that the same magnetic/density sheets can produce large scattering of both CRs and radio waves. We demonstrate that the geometry and volume-filling factor of the sheets derived from quasar ESEs can explain the observed mean free path of GeV CRs without introducing free parameters. The model places constraints on the sheet geometry, such as straightness and large aspect ratio, and assumes that the statistics of the sheets are similar throughout the Galactic volume. We therefore discuss observational tests of the sheet model, which includes observations of echoes in pulsars and fast radio bursts, gravitationally lensed quasars, the distribution of ESE durations, and spatial correlations between ESE events and rotation measure fluctuations. Such tests will be enabled by upcoming wide-field radio instruments, including the Canadian Hydrogen Observatory and Radio-transient Detector and Deep Synoptic Array 2000 Antennas.

Kempski, Philipp [Princeton Univ., NJ (United Stat↗
DOE OSTI2022

Demonstration of the neutron tracking capability of NEXT array in time-of-flight measurements to improve energy resolution

Precise neutron-energy measurements are required to probe the nuclear structure effects of neutron-rich nuclei, where β-delayed neutron emission becomes a dominant decay mode. The Neutron dEtector with Xn Tracking (NEXT) array has been designed and constructed to measure β-delayed neutrons with better energy resolution. The new design localizes the neutron interaction position by optically segmenting the detector along the direction of the neutron flight path, reducing the associated uncertainties in the neutron time-of-flight measurements. This significantly improves the energy resolution without losing the necessary detection efficiency. The proof-of-principle and efficiency measurements showed promising results. Herein, this article details the implementation of the neutron tracking capability of NEXT array in time-of-flight measurements.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Studies on the response of a water-Cherenkov detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory to atmospheric muons using an RPC hodoscope

Extensive air showers, originating from ultra-high energy cosmic rays, have been successfully measured through the use of arrays of water-Cherenkov detectors (WCDs). Sophisticated analyses exploiting WCD data have made it possible to demonstrate that shower simulations, based on different hadronic-interaction models, cannot reproduce the observed number of muons at the ground. The accurate knowledge of the WCD response to muons is paramount in establishing the exact level of this discrepancy. In this work, we report on a study of the response of a WCD of the Pierre Auger Observatory to atmospheric muons performed with a hodoscope made of resistive plate chambers (RPCs), enabling us to select and reconstruct nearly 600 thousand single muon trajectories with zenith angles ranging from 0$^\circ$ to 55$^\circ$. Comparison of distributions of key observables between the hodoscope data and the predictions of dedicated simulations allows us to demonstrate the accuracy of the latter at a level of 2%. As the WCD calibration is based on its response to atmospheric muons, the hodoscope data are also exploited to show the long-term stability of the procedure.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Embedded FPGA developments in 130 nm and 28 nm CMOS for machine learning in particle detector readout

Embedded field programmable gate array (eFPGA) technology allows the implementation of reconfigurable logic within the design of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). This approach offers the low power and efficiency of an ASIC along with the ease of FPGA configuration, particularly beneficial for the use case of machine learning in the data pipeline of next-generation collider experiments. An open-source framework called "FABulous" was used to design eFPGAs using 130 nm and 28 nm CMOS technology nodes, which were subsequently fabricated and verified through testing. The capability of an eFPGA to act as a front-end readout chip was assessed using simulation of high energy particles passing through a silicon pixel sensor. A machine learning-based classifier, designed for reduction of sensor data at the source, was synthesized and configured onto the eFPGA. A successful proof-of-concept was demonstrated through reproduction of the expected algorithm result on the eFPGA with perfect accuracy. Finally, further development of the eFPGA technology and its application to collider detector readout is discussed.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Scintillator array for radiation detection

A radiation detector includes a photodetector and a scintillator coupled thereto. The scintillator is formed of a scintillator material comprising an organic glass scintillator (OGS) material and at least one of a polymer additive or a plasticizer additive. The scintillator emits light when radiation is received at the scintillator, and the light is received by the photodetector. The radiation detector can further include a frame that has an interior cavity that holds the scintillator in position with respect to the photodetector, such that the light emitted by the scintillator is transmitted to the photodetector. The scintillator can be formed by casting amorphous scintillator material in the interior cavity of the frame. The frame can then be coupled to the photodetector to form the radiation detector.

Carlson, Joseph↗