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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 OSTI2026

Isostructural electronic transition in MoS 2 probed by solid-state high-harmonic generation spectroscopy

Studying materials under extreme pressure in diamond anvil cells (DACs) is key to discovering emergent states of matter, yet no method currently allows the direct measurement of the electronic structure in this environment. Solid-state high-harmonic generation (sHHG) offers a unique all-optical window into the electronic structure of materials. We demonstrate sHHG spectroscopy inside a DAC by probing 2H-MoS 2 , up to 30 GPa, revealing a pressure-induced crossover of the lowest direct bandgap from the K-point to the Γ-point. This transition manifests as a sharp minimum in harmonic intensity and a 30° rotation of the sHHG polarization anisotropy, despite the absence of a structural phase change. First-principles simulations attribute these features to interference between competing excitation pathways at distinct points in the Brillouin zone. Our results establish sHHG as a sensitive probe of electronic transitions at high pressure, enabling access to quantum phenomena that evade detection by conventional techniques.

Nebgen, Bailey R. [University of California, Berke↗
DOE OSTI2023

Through thick and thin: how optical cavities control spin

When light interacts with matter by means of scattering and absorption, we observe the resulting color. Light also probes the symmetry of matter and the result is encoded in its polarization. In the special case of circularly-polarized light, which is especially relevant in nonlinear optics, quantum photonics, and physical chemistry, a critical dimension of symmetry is along the longitudinal direction. We examine recent advances in controlling circularly-polarized light and reveal that the commonality in these advances is in judicious control of longitudinal symmetry. In particular, in the use of high quality-factor modes in dielectric metasurfaces, the finite thickness can be used to tune the modal profile. These symmetry considerations can be applied in multiplexed optical communication schemes, deterministic control of quantum emitters, and sensitive detection of the asymmetry of small molecules.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Advances in SRF cavity architectures for quantum computing

Superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities offer an excellent platform for storing and processing quantum information due to their exceptionally long lifetimes and large accessible Hilbert spaces. A common strategy to manipulate the quantum states is to use a nonlinear element like a transmon. Nevertheless, constructing a 3D SRF architecture with sustained cavity lifetimes presents several challenges. In this talk, we present our successful integration of transmons with single-cell Nb SRF cavities, enabling the preparation of several non-classical states. Preliminary results reveal the potential of this platform to build a qudit-based quantum computer, departing from traditional qubit-based architectures. We discuss strategies to enhance coherence times, develop high-fidelity gate schemes, and expand the system for constructing a multi-qudit quantum processor. Furthermore, we explore how this architecture can bolster dark matter detection efficiency through multi-photon quantum state preparation.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Tough Errors are no Match (TEAM): Optimizing the Quantum Compiler for Noise Resilience

This report summarizes our contributions to the Department of Energy’s Tough Errors are no Match (TEAM) project (DE-SC0020377) under Thrust 2: Quantum Programming and Compilation. The central outcomes of this work included a novel efficient quantum compiling algorithm which works without requiring the quantum computer to exactly invert its operations, answering a longstanding open problem in quantum compiling. Additional results include the implementation of zero-noise extrapolation error mitigation in collaboration with the Unitary Fund, as well as novel quantum algorithms for entanglement detection and pseudorandomness.

Bouland, Adam [Stanford Univ., CA (United States)]↗
NASA NTRS1990

Low dark current photovoltaic multiquantum well long wavelength infrared detectors

The authors have, for the first time, demonstrated photovoltaic detection for an multiple quantum well (MQW) detector. With a blocking layer, the MQW detector exhibits Schottky I-V characteristics with extremely low dark current and excellent ideality factor. The dark current is 5 times 10(exp -14) A for an 100x100 square micron 10 micron detector at 40 K, 8 to 9 orders of magnitude lower than that of a similar 10 micron MQW detector without blocking layer. The ideality factor is about 1.01 to 1.05 at T = 40 to 80 K. The measured barrier height is consistent with the energy difference between first excited states and ground states, or the peak of spectral response. The authors also, for the first time, report the measured effective Richardson constant (A asterisk asterisk) for the GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction using this blocking layer structure. The A asterisk asterisk is low approx. 2.3 A/sq cm/K(exp 2).

Wu, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Quantum Technologies for UAS (QTech)

Recent advances in small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) technologies lower the barriers for use by both private and commercial entities. However, these advances are also likely to lead to greater vehicle densities, a more heterogenous mix of vehicles and equipment and greater levels of vehicle autonomy, which can increase the chance for communications disruptions. For the safe and secure operation of these vehicles, it is essential to have a robust communications network. This work is focused on harnessing the power of quantum technologies to enable this robust communications network by: (1) utilizing quantum optimization algorithms to design robust network with routing redundancy that can respond adaptively to dynamically changing real-time environment and disruptions, (2) utilize quantum optimization algorithms resource allocation for detection, localization, and tracking of mobile communication disruption agents and (3) utilize quantum key distribution (QKD) to execute secure key sharing in anti-jamming protocols for secure radio frequency (RF) communication. Efforts to map these quantum optimization algorithms to commercially available quantum annealers and soon to be available general-purpose gate-model quantum hardware architectures will be reviewed, and plans for testing the solutions to these algorithms through indoor sUAS flight tests will be discussed. Lastly, efforts to miniaturize and practically deploy Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) hardware, which could ultimately be used to securely exchange encryption keys, in sUAS networks will be reviewed.

Quantum Computing↗
NASA NTRS2012

Testing and characterization of an IR CBIRD FPA

High performance IR cameras are in great demand for a variety of applications, including defense (e.g. night vision, missile detection) and space (e.g. imaging at IR wavelengths). IR focal plane arrays (FPAs) are an essential component of IR cameras. An FPA is a collection of detectors at the focal plane of an imaging device, where each detector can be thought of a pixel in the image it is detecting. The FPA in this study is based on Complimentary Barrier Infrared Detectors (CBIRDs). The CBIRD FPA was tested by imaging flat black body targets at three different temperatures, 20ºC, 25ºC, and 30ºC, with images captured using SEIR software. The important figures of merit for an IR FPA, Noise Equivalent Difference Temperature (NEDT), Noise Equivalent Irradiance (NEI), detectivity (D*), responsivity, and quantum Efficiency (QE), were extracted from the image data for each individual detector using a MATLAB program, as was the array Modulation Transfer Function MTF. The test results show a mean NEDT of 16.98mK and an MTF of about 0.34 at the Nyquist frequency. Overall, the array performs well in the MWIR range and takes quality IR images.

Das, Tanya↗
NASA NTRS2018

A Submm-Wave Comet Explorer for Water Isotopic Composition Measurements

Remote submm-wave spectrometers have the capability of providing statistically significant numbers of isotopic composition measurements within the budget constraints of available planetary missions. This talk will present a mission and instrument concept that would enable an accurate measurement of the D/H ratio on not one but several dozens of comets in a four-year mission lifetime. The instrument would utilize advanced cryogenic detectors that would allow us to measure the abundance of the para and ortho spin states of water and its isotopologues. State of the art superconducting heterodyne receivers have been developed that provide detection sensitivities approaching the quantum limit in the 500 GHz frequency range enabling the measurement of D/H ratio on around 50 comets from an observatory stationed for example at the thermally benign Lagrange point L2.

Feldman, Sabrina↗
DOE OSTI2024

Quantum Imaging with X-rays

Quantum imaging encompasses a broad range of methods that exploit the quantum properties of light to capture information about an object. One such approach involves using a two-photon quantum state, where only one photon interacts with the object being imaged while its entangled partner carries spatial or temporal information. To implement this technique, it is necessary to generate specific quantum states of light and detect photons at the single-photon level. While this method has been successfully demonstrated in the visible electromagnetic spectrum, extending it to X-rays has faced significant challenges due to the difficulties in producing a sufficient rate of X-ray photon pairs and detecting them with adequate resolution. Here, we demonstrate record high rates of correlated X-ray photon pairs produced via a spontaneous parametric down-conversion process and we employ these photons to perform quantum correlation imaging of several objects, including a biological sample (E. cardamomum seedpod). Notably, we report an unprecedented detection rate of about 6,300 pairs per hour and the observation of energy anti-correlation for the X-ray photon pairs. We also present a detailed analysis of the properties of the down-converted X-ray photons, as well as a comprehensive study of the correlation imaging formation, including a study of distortions and corrections. These results mark a substantial advancement in X-ray quantum imaging, expanding the possibilities of X-ray quantum optical technologies, and illustrating the pathway towards enhancing biological imaging with reduced radiation doses.

Gofron, Kaz [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000314415736)↗
DOE OSTI2021

High-fidelity simultaneous detection of a trapped-ion qubit register

Qubit state detection is an important part of a quantum computation. As number of qubits in a quantum register increases, it is necessary to maintain high fidelity detection to accurately measure the multi-qubit state. Here we present experimental demonstration of high-fidelity detection of a multi-qubit trapped ion register with average single qubit detection error of 4.2(1.5) ppm and a 4-qubit state detection error of 17(2) ppm, limited by the decay lifetime of the qubit, using a novel single-photon-sensitive camera with fast data collection, excellent temporal and spatial resolution, and low instrumental crosstalk.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2021

SU(4) Chiral Spin Liquid, Exciton Supersolid, and Electric Detection in Moiré Bilayers

We propose a moiré bilayer as a platform where exotic quantum phases can be stabilized and electrically detected. Moiré bilayers consist of two separate moiré superlattice layers coupled through the interlayer Coulomb repulsion. In the small distance limit, an SU(4) spin can be formed by combining layer pseudospin and the real spin. As a concrete example, we study an SU(4) spin model on triangular lattice in the fundamental representation. By tuning a three-site ring exchange term K ~ ( t 3 /U 2 ), we find the SU(4) symmetric crystallized phase and an SU (4) 1 chiral spin liquid at the balanced filling. We also predict two different exciton supersolid phases with interlayer coherence at imbalanced filling under displacement field. Especially, the system can simulate an SU(2) Bose-Einstein condensation by injecting interlayer excitons into the magnetically ordered Mott insulator at the layer polarized limit. Smoking gun evidences of these phases can be obtained by measuring the pseudospin transport in the counterflow channel.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

A room-temperature polarization-sensitive CMOS terahertz camera based on quantum-dot-enhanced terahertz-to-visible photon upconversion

Detection of terahertz (THz) radiation has many potential applications, but presently available detectors are limited in many aspects of their performance, including sensitivity, speed, bandwidth and operating temperature. Most do not allow the characterization of THz polarization states. Recent observation of THz-driven luminescence in quantum dots offers a possible detection mechanism via field-driven interdot charge transfer. Here, we demonstrate a room-temperature complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor THz camera and polarimeter based on quantum-dot-enhanced THz-to-visible upconversion mechanism with optimized luminophore geometries and fabrication designs. Besides broadband and fast responses, the nanoslit-based sensor can detect THz pulses with peak fields as low as 10 kV cm–1. A related coaxial nanoaperture-type device shows a to-date-unexplored capability to simultaneously record the THz polarization state and field strength with similar sensitivity.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Standoff Detection of Oil and Powder Mixtures at 12 Meters Using a Tunable Quantum Cascade Laser-Based System with a Close Focus Telescope and Uncooled Infrared Detector

We have designed and demonstrated a quantum cascade laser (QCL) based standoff system that utilizes an uncooled mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) detector with lock-in signal processing for chemical identification at a distance of 12.5 meters in indoor ambient light conditions. In the system, a tunable quad-QCL operating (1 MHz) in quasi-continuous wave mode between 8.45 and 10.03 μm (~1182 to 1000 cm –1 ) serves as the active mid-infrared source for remotely interrogating mineral, powder, and thin film oil samples including powder mixtures (6, 12.5, 25, and 50%) of crystalline quartz (SiO 2 ) in KBr. Light as reflected from a given sample is collected using a 10-inch (25.4 cm) Dall Kirkham telescope and coupled with ZnSe optics to an uncooled MCT detector. Furthermore, the mixture dependence of the highly transparent KBr and strongly absorbing quartz was found to fit a modified version of the Schatz reflectance model for compacted powder mixtures. All reflectance spectra reported are relative to an Au-coated diffuse reflector. A NIST traceable polystyrene standard reflector was also used to determine the QCL wavelength tuning range and calibration.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Accelerated Weak Signal Search Using Mode Entanglement and State Swapping

Quantum fluctuations constitute the primary noise barrier limiting cavity-based axion-dark-matter searches. In an experiment designed to mimic a real axion search, we employ a quantum enhanced sensing technique to detect a synthetic axionlike microwave tone at an unknown frequency weakly coupled to a resonator, demonstrating a factor-of-5.6 acceleration relative to a quantum limited search for the same tone. This speed-up is achieved by dynamically coupling the resonator mode to a second (readout) mode with balanced swapping and two-mode squeezing interactions, which results in both visibility-bandwidth and peak-visibility increase. A small fractional imbalance between the two interaction rates yields further scan-rate enhancement and we demonstrate that an eightfold acceleration can be achieved.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS1990

A new thermal sensor for X-ray microcalorimetry

A concept for a detector is introduced which exploits the significant temperature dependence of the dielectric constant in ferroelectric materials. The concept permits the use of a microcalorimeter without the resistive sensors which are associated with heat dissipation and increased Johnson noise in the electronic conversion circuit. General calorimeter features are listed, and the concepts related to dielectric calorimeters are discussed in terms of operational and detection advantages. The use of the device is delineated both theoretically and experimentally with the results of an operational dielectric material. The mixed-crystal quantum ferroelectric is employed and detects 6 MeV alpha particles while operating at 1.2 K in the first detection conducted. The temperature dependence of the dielectric constant in the materials allows for the elimination of resistive sensors in microcalorimeters, thereby improving the ultimate sensitivity of the instrument.

Silver, Eric↗
NASA NTRS2007

A Deeper Look at the Fundamentals of Heterodyne Detection Requirements

We generally accept the experimentally observed criteria for heterodyne detections that the two waves that are mixed must (i) be collinear, (ii) have matched wave fronts and (iii) cannot be orthogonally polarized. We have not found in the literature adequate physical explanations for these requirements. The purpose of this paper is to find deeper physical understanding of the coherent heterodyne detection processes that could lead to better coherent laser radar system designs1. We find that there are a number of unresolved paradoxes in classical and quantum optics regarding the definitions and understanding of the "interference" and "coherence" properties of light, which are attributed as essentially due to inherent properties of the EM waves. A deeper exploration indicates that it is the various quantum mechanical properties of the detecting material dipoles that make light detectable (visible, or measurable) to us. Accordingly, all the properties that we generally attribute to only light, are in reality manifestations of collective properties of dipole-light interactions. "Interference" and "coherence" can be better understood in terms of this mutual interaction, followed by energy absorption by the dipoles from EM wave fields, manifesting in some measurable transformation of the detecting dipoles. Light beams do not interfere by themselves. The superposition effects due to light beams become manifest through the response characteristics of the detecting dipoles. In this paper, we will show some preliminary expe rimental results that clearly demonstrate that the heterodyning wave fronts have quantitative degradation in signal generation as the angle between them deviates from perfect collinearity. Subsequently, we will propose a hypothesis for this behavior. We will present experimental data establishing that the so called incoherent light can be detected through heterodyne mixing as long as the pulse length contained in the "incoherent" light is longer than the response time of the detector. We will also present a correspondingly better interpretation of two distinguishable coherence properties, temporal coherence and spectral coherence. Our investigation provides a deeper insight into how to rela x various system requirements for heterodyne detection and accordingly develop systems that are simpler, more reliable and lower in cost. Also, we believe that engineering of detector architecture by appropriately modifying dipole behavior using emerging nanotechnology to optimize heterodyne efficiency will be advantageous.

Roychoudhuri, Chandrasekhar↗
DOE OSTI2020

Unconventional Applications of Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors

Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors are becoming a dominant technology in quantum optics and quantum communication, primarily because of their low timing jitter and capability to detect individual low-energy photons with high quantum efficiencies. However, other desirable characteristics, such as high detection rates, operation in cryogenic and high magnetic field environments, or high-efficiency detection of charged particles, are underrepresented in literature, potentially leading to a lack of interest in other fields that might benefit from this technology. We review the progress in use of superconducting nanowire technology in photon and particle detection outside of the usual areas of physics, with emphasis on the potential use in ongoing and future experiments in nuclear and high energy physics.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Single-photon detection using high-temperature cuprate superconductors

The detection of individual quanta of light is important for quantum computation, fluorescence lifetime imaging, single-molecule detection, remote sensing, correlation spectroscopy, and more. Thanks to their broadband operation, high detection efficiency, exceptional signal-to-noise ratio, and fast recovery times, superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) have become a critical component in these applications. The operation of SNSPDs based on conventional superconductors, which have a low critical temperature (T c ), requires costly and bulky cryocoolers. This motivated exploration of other superconducting materials with higher T c that would enable single-photon detection at elevated temperatures, yet this task has proven exceedingly difficult. Here we show that with proper processing, high-T c cuprate superconductors can meet this challenge. We fabricated superconducting nanowires (SNWs) out of thin flakes of Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu2O 8+δ and La 1.55 Sr 0.45 CuO 4 /La 2 CuO 4 (LSCO-LCO) bilayer films and demonstrated their single-photon response up to 25 and 8 K, respectively. The single-photon operation is revealed through the linear scaling of the photon count rate (PCR) on the radiation power. Both of our cuprate-based SNSPDs exhibited single-photon sensitivity at the technologically-important 1.5 μm telecommunications wavelength. Our work expands the family of superconducting materials for SNSPD technology, opens the prospects of raising the temperature ceiling, and raises important questions about the underlying mechanisms of single-photon detection by unconventional superconductors.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗