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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 OSTI2011

Sensitivity analysis of a geometric calibration method using projection matrices for digital tomosynthesis systems

Purpose: To study the sensitivity of a geometric calibration method using projection matrices for digital tomosynthesis systems. Methods: A generic geometric calibration method for tomographic imaging systems has been presented in our previous work. The method involves a scan of a calibration phantom with multiple markers. Their locations in projection images are detected and are associated with their 3D coordinates to compute 3x4 projection matrices, which can be used in subsequent image reconstruction. The accuracy of geometric calibration may be affected by errors in the input data of marker positions. The effects of errors may depend on the number of markers and the volume surrounded by them in 3D space. This work analyzed the sensitivity of the calibration method to the above factors. A 6 cm CIRS breast research phantom and a prototype breast tomosynthesis system were used for our tests. A high contrast ring and two small speck groups were reconstructed in various testing cases for comparison. To achieve quantitative assessment, a 15x15 point detection mask was adopted for detecting signals and for computing changes between testing cases and the regular geometric calibration. Results: When 3D coordinates and 2D projections of markers were accurate, all tested numbers of markers, 6-44, provided similar high quality reconstructions of the ring and the two speck groups. Errors in marker positions resulted in image degradations and signal changes, which increased with fewer markers and smaller volume surrounded by markers in the 3D object space. Signal changes of small specks were more significant than those of the ring. Errors in marker projections produced drastic image degradations. Coplanar marker placement caused a failure in projection matrix computation. Conclusions: For practical geometric calibration phantom design, ample markers are desired. They need to have a large volumetric coverage in the 3D space and be far from being coplanar. Precise determination of marker projections on detector planes is crucial for accurate geometric calibration and for small object detection using the reconstructed images.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

THE BLANCO COSMOLOGY SURVEY: DATA ACQUISITION, PROCESSING, CALIBRATION, QUALITY DIAGNOSTICS, AND DATA RELEASE

The Blanco Cosmology Survey (BCS) is a 60 night imaging survey of {approx}80 deg{sup 2} of the southern sky located in two fields: ({alpha}, {delta}) = (5 hr, -55 Degree-Sign ) and (23 hr, -55 Degree-Sign ). The survey was carried out between 2005 and 2008 in griz bands with the Mosaic2 imager on the Blanco 4 m telescope. The primary aim of the BCS survey is to provide the data required to optically confirm and measure photometric redshifts for Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect selected galaxy clusters from the South Pole Telescope and the Atacama Cosmology Telescope. We process and calibrate the BCS data, carrying out point-spread function-corrected model-fitting photometry for all detected objects. The median 10{sigma} galaxy (point-source) depths over the survey in griz are approximately 23.3 (23.9), 23.4 (24.0), 23.0 (23.6), and 21.3 (22.1), respectively. The astrometric accuracy relative to the USNO-B survey is {approx}45 mas. We calibrate our absolute photometry using the stellar locus in grizJ bands, and thus our absolute photometric scale derives from the Two Micron All Sky Survey, which has {approx}2% accuracy. The scatter of stars about the stellar locus indicates a systematic floor in the relative stellar photometric scatter in griz that is {approx}1.9%, {approx}2.2%, {approx}2.7%, and {approx}2.7%, respectively. A simple cut in the AstrOmatic star-galaxy classifier spread{sub m}odel produces a star sample with good spatial uniformity. We use the resulting photometric catalogs to calibrate photometric redshifts for the survey and demonstrate scatter {delta}z/(1 + z) = 0.054 with an outlier fraction {eta} < 5% to z {approx} 1. We highlight some selected science results to date and provide a full description of the released data products.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2010

Phonon-mediated sticking of electrons at dielectric surfaces

We study phonon-mediated temporary trapping of an electron in polarization-induced external surface states (image states) of a dielectric surface. Our approach is based on a quantum-kinetic equation for the occupancy of the image states. It allows us to distinguish between prompt and kinetic sticking. Because the depth of the image potential is much larger than the Debye energy multiphonon processes are important. Taking two-phonon processes into account in cases where one-phonon processes yield a vanishing transition probability, as it is applicable, for instance, to graphite, we analyze the adsorption scenario as a function of potential depth and surface temperature and calculate prompt and kinetic sticking coefficients. We find rather small sticking coefficients, at most on the order of 10{sup -3}, and a significant suppression of the kinetic sticking coefficient due to a relaxation bottleneck inhibiting thermalization of the electron with the surface at short time scales.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2012

A convenient method of preparing gene vector for real time monitoring transfection process based on the quantum dots

Highlights: ► An easy and direct way to prepare QDs–DNA complexes was developed. ► Surface charge of QDs was tuned with different ratio of amino and glycolate. ► Transfection efficiency was dependent on the surface zeta potentials of QDs. ► Cellular toxicity of this gene vectors is much lower than commercial liposome. ► Whole intracellular behavior of QDs–DNA complexes can be monitored in real time. -- Abstract: Nanoparticle carrier has been developed by combining water-soluble quantum dots and plasmid DNA expressed enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in a convenient and direct way. First the QDs with different surface charges were obtained by coating with amino and carboxyl terminals at different ratios. Then plasmid DNA was conjugated to QDs via electrostatic interaction. The resultant QDs–DNA complexes showed enhanced resistance to DNase I digestion. The following transfection experiments demonstrated that the transfection efficiency was dependent on the surface charges on QDs. The real time imaging of the transfection process showed that the nanoparticles experienced binding, penetrating the cell membrane and entering cytoplasm in the first 6 h of transfection. The green fluorescence of EGFP began to appear after 18 h transfection and plasmid DNA was fully expressed in the following 6 h. This new QDs–DNA platform showed great potential as new gene delivery carrier.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Correlating Superconducting Qubit Performance Losses to Sidewall Near-Field Scattering via Terahertz Nanophotonics

Elucidating dielectric losses, structural heterogeneity, and interface imperfections is critical for improving coherence in superconducting qubits. However, most diagnostics rely on destructive electron microscopy or low-throughput millikelvin quantum measurements. Here, we demonstrate noninvasive terahertz (THz) nano-imaging/-spectroscopy of encapsulated niobium transmon qubits, revealing sidewall near-field scattering that correlates with qubit coherence. We further employ a THz hyperspectral line scan to probe dielectric responses and field participation at Al junction interfaces. These findings highlight the promise of THz near-field methods as a high-throughput proxy characterization tool for guiding material selection and optimizing processing protocols to improve qubit and quantum circuit performance.

Kim, Richard H.J. [Ames Lab]↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-G-IeP3-11: On the Utility of Pixel Variance to Characterize Noise for Image Receptors of Digital Radiography Systems

Purpose: To characterize noise for image receptors of digital radiography systems based on pixel variance. Methods: Nine calibrated digital image receptors associated with nine new portable digital radiography systems (Carestream Health, Inc., Rochester, NY) were used in this study. For each image receptor, thirteen images were acquired with RQA5 beam conditions for input detector air kerma ranging from 0 to 110 µGy, and linearized ‘For Processing’ images were extracted. Mean pixel value (MPV), standard deviation (SD) and relative noise (SD/MPV) were obtained from each image using ROI sizes varying from 2.5×2.5 to 20×20 mm{sup 2}. Variance (SD{sup 2}) was plotted as a function of input detector air kerma and the coefficients of the quadratic fit were used to derive structured, quantum and electronic noise coefficients. Relative noise was also fitted as a function of input detector air kerma to identify noise sources. The fitting functions used least-squares approach. Results: The coefficient of variation values obtained using different ROI sizes was less than 1% for all the images. The structured, quantum and electronic coefficients obtained from the quadratic fit of variance (r>0.97) were 0.43±0.10, 3.95±0.27 and 2.89±0.74 (mean ± standard deviation), respectively, indicating that overall the quantum noise was the dominant noise source. However, for one system electronic noise coefficient (3.91) was greater than quantum noise coefficient (3.56) indicating electronic noise to be dominant. Using relative noise values, the power parameter of the fitting equation (|r|>0.93) showed a mean and standard deviation of 0.46±0.02. A 0.50 value for this power parameter indicates quantum noise to be the dominant noise source whereas values around 0.50 indicate presence of other noise sources. Conclusion: Characterizing noise from pixel variance assists in identifying contributions from various noise sources that, eventually, may affect image quality. This approach may be integrated during periodic quality assessments of digital image receptors.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Real-Time Vehicle-Mounted Multistatic Ground Penetrating Radar Imaging System for Buried Object Detection

A multistatic ground penetrating radar system is described, capable of real-time imaging and object detection. The radar consists of 16 transmitter and receiver pairs mounted across the front of a vehicle. The transmitters operate sequentially with all receivers activated for each transmit pulse. The resulting frame of 256 multistatic time signals is processed into an image using a tomographic reconstruction technique. In this paper we describe the system architecture, signal conditioning, and reconstruction algorithm for producing a sequence of images in real time as the vehicle travels across the ground. We demonstrate a robust image post-processing method that separates the bright spot corresponding to the dominant buried object in an image frame from the background. This is essential before calculating an energy-based statistic for automatic detection of buried objects. This spot ratio detection statistic, based on energy both inside and outside the spot, is shown to be not only more stationary than spot energy (i.e. mostly free of localized trends due to changing ground conditions), but also more powerful as a detection statistic. Finally, we demonstrate that multistatic imaging significantly improves the detection performance over more conventional monostatic array processing.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2017

Performance studies of atomic layer deposited microchannel plate electron multipliers

Microchannel plate (MCP) photon counting, event timing, imaging detectors have found wide use in astronomical, remote sensing, and biological imaging applications. Novel MCP technology using borosilicate glass microcapillary array substrates functionalized by the application of resistive and secondary emissive layers using atomic layer deposition (ALD) techniques has the potential to outperform traditional MCP technology. Using ALD techniques to functionalize the MCPs allow customization of parameters like gain and resistance independently from the glass substrate. Borosilicate substrates have many advantages over traditional micro-capillary arrays, including low radioactive content, higher open area ratios, low outgassing, and high operational stability. These ALD MCPs can be manufactured in large areas (400 cm 2 ) providing a unique solution for many timing/imaging applications. ALD MCPs can withstand the processing temperatures required for high temperature deposition of III-V materials, such as Gallium Nitride, for UV photocathodes with high quantum efficiencies (QE) in the Near-UV (similar to 100-380 nm). We present the effects of different ALD configurations on the gain (magnitude and uniformity), resistance, imaging, background and detection efficiency, and how these parameters change during lifetime testing. Here, we also present the QE of ALD MCPs and various QE enhancement techniques.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

Designing of sparse 2D arrays for Lamb wave imaging using coarray concept

2D ultrasonic arrays have considerable application potential in Lamb wave based SHM systems, since they enable equivocal damage imaging and even in some cases wave-mode selection. Recently, it has been shown that the 2D arrays can be used in SHM applications in a synthetic focusing (SF) mode, which is much more effective than the classical phase array mode commonly used in NDT. The SF mode assumes a single element excitation of subsequent transmitters and off-line processing the acquired data. In the simplest implementation of the technique, only single multiplexed input and output channels are required, which results in significant hardware simplification. Application of the SF mode for 2D arrays creates additional degrees of freedom during the design of the array topology, which complicates the array design process, however, it enables sparse array designs with performance similar to that of the fully populated dense arrays. In this paper we present the coarray concept to facilitate synthesis process of an array’s aperture used in the multistatic synthetic focusing approach in Lamb waves-based imaging systems. In the coherent imaging, performed in the transmit/receive mode, the sum coarray is a morphological convolution of the transmit/receive sub-arrays. It can be calculated as the set of sums of the individual sub-arrays’ elements locations. The coarray framework will be presented here using a an example of a star-shaped array. The approach will be discussed in terms of beampatterns of the resulting imaging systems. Both simulated and experimental results will be included.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Multimodal (Non)Linear Optical Nanoimaging and Nanospectroscopy

This article highlights recent advances in linear and nonlinear spectral nanoimaging. The described developments are motivated by the need to characterize molecular and material systems noninvasively with nanometer spatial and femtosecond temporal resolution. Indeed, the ability to image and chemically characterize heterogeneous interfaces with joint nano–femto resolution is a prerequisite to advancing our fundamental understanding of processes as diverse as heterogeneous catalysis, microbial communication, and energy flow in pristine/defect-containing low-dimensional quantum materials, to name a few. We describe pioneering work and recent demonstrations of (non)linear optical nanoimaging and nanospectroscopy, with an emphasis on high spatial resolution measurements conducted under ambient laboratory conditions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Low dimension structures and devices for new generation photonic technology

Low dimensional structures and devices are the key technological building blocks for new generation of electronic and photonic technology. Such structures and devices show novel properties and can be integrated into systems for wide applications in many areas, including medical, biological and military and advancement of science. In this invited talk, I will present the main results achieved in our competitive research program which aims to explore the application of the mesoscopic structures in light source, manipulation and imaging and integrate them into advanced systems. In the light source aspect, we have for the first time developed graphene mode-locked lasers which are in the process of commercialization. Nanocrystal Si embedded in dielectrics was formed by ion implantation and subsequent annealing. Si light emitting devices with external quantum efficiency of about 2.9×10{sup −3}% for visible emission were demonstrated at room temperature and the color of emitted light can be tuned electrically from violet to white by varying the injected current. In light manipulation, loss compensation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) using quantum well (QW) gain media was studied theoretically and demonstrated experimentally. The SPP propagation length was effectively elongated several times through electrical pumping. One and two microring resonators based on silicon on insulator and III-V semiconductors technologies have been successfully fabricated and they can be used as filter and switch in the photonic circuit. In imaging, both SPP and low dimension structures are investigated and resolution far beyond diffraction limit in visible range has been realized. The integration of the components in the three aspects into complicated systems is on the way.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Imaging nanoscale carrier, thermal, and structural dynamics with time-resolved and ultrafast electron energy-loss spectroscopy

Time-resolved and ultrafast electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) is an emerging technique for measuring photoexcited carriers, lattice dynamics, and near-fields across femtosecond to microsecond timescales. When performed in either a specialized scanning transmission electron microscope or ultrafast electron microscope (UEM), time-resolved and ultrafast EELS can directly image charge carriers, lattice vibrations, and heat dissipation following photoexcitation or applied bias. Yet, recent advances in theoretical calculations and electron optics are often required to realize the full potential of ultrafast EEL spectrum imaging. Here, in this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the recent progress in the theory and instrumentation of time-resolved and ultrafast EELS. We begin with an introduction to the technique, followed by a physical description of the loss function. We outline approaches for calculating and interpreting ground-state and transient EEL spectra spanning low-loss plasmons to core-level excitations analogous to x-ray absorption. We then survey the current state of time-resolved and ultrafast EELS techniques beyond photon-induced near-field electron microscopy, highlighting abilities to image carrier and thermal dynamics. Finally, we examine future directions enabled by emerging technologies, including electron beam monochromation, in situ and operando cells, laser-free UEM, and high-speed direct electron detectors. These advances position time-resolved and ultrafast EELS as a critical tool for uncovering nanoscale dynamic processes in quantum materials and solar energy conversion devices.

Computational methods↗
DOE OSTI2010

Two-dimensional image edge enhancement in the two-phonon diffraction

We suggest using the two-phonon Bragg scattering regime for two-dimensional image edge enhancement by means of acousto-optic (AO) diffraction on a single sound wave. Image edge enhancement is demonstrated in the first diffraction order by using an AO cell made of the TeO{sub 2} single crystal. To explain this effect, a three-dimensional model of AO interaction is proposed, which takes into account the angular selectivity of diffraction both in the plane of Bragg scattering and in the plane orthogonal to it. (optical data processing)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Imaging an aligned polyatomic molecule with laser-induced electron diffraction

Laser-induced electron diffraction is an evolving tabletop method that aims to image ultrafast structural changes in gas-phase polyatomic molecules with sub-Ångstro¨m spatial and femtosecond temporal resolutions. Here we demonstrate the retrieval of multiple bond lengths from a polyatomic molecule by simultaneously measuring the C–C and C–H bond lengths in aligned acetylene. Our approach takes the method beyond the hitherto achieved imaging of simple diatomic molecules and is based on the combination of a 160 kHz mid-infrared few-cycle laser source with full three-dimensional electron–ion coincidence detection. Our technique provides an accessible and robust route towards imaging ultrafast processes in complex gas-phase molecules with atto- to femto-second temporal resolution.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2024

Bulk reconstruction and non-isometry in the backwards-forwards holographic black hole map

The backwards-forwards map, introduced as a generalization of the non-isometric holographic maps of the black hole interior of Akers, Engelhardt, Harlow, Penington, and Vardhan to include non-trivial dynamics in the effective description, has two possible formulations differing in when the post-selection is performed. While these two forms are equivalent on the set of dynamically generated states — states formed from unitary time evolution acting on well-defined initial configurations of infalling matter — they differ on the generic set of states necessary to describe the apparent world of the infalling observer. We show that while both versions successfully reproduce the Page curve, the version involving post-selection as the final step, dubbed the backwards-forwards-post-selection (BFP) map, has the desirable properties of being non-isometric but isometric on average and providing state-dependent reconstruction of bulk operators, while the other version does not. Thus the BFP map is a suitable non-isometric code describing the black hole interior including interior interactions.

3-D Image Reconstruction↗
DOE OSTI2014

A new architecture for fast ultrasound imaging

Some ultrasound imaging applications require high frame rate, for example 3D imaging and automated inspections of large components. Being the signal-processing throughput of the system the main bottleneck, parallel beamforming is required to achieve hundreds to thousands of images per second. Simultaneous A-scan line beamforming in all active channels is required to reach the intended high frame rate. To this purpose, a new parallel beamforming architecture that exploits the currently available processing resources available in state-of-the-art FPGAs is proposed. The work aims to get the optimal resource usage, high scalability and flexibility for different applications. To achieve these goals, the basic beamforming function is reformulated to be adapted to the DSP-cell architecture of state-of-the-art FPGAs. This allows performing simultaneous dynamic focusing on multiple A-scan lines. Some realistic examples are analyzed, evaluating resource requirements and maximum operating frequency. For example, a 128-channel system, with 128 scan lines and acquiring at 20 MSPS, can be built with 4 mid-range FPGAs, achieving up to 18000 frames per second, just limited by the maximum PRF. The gold standard Synthetic Transmit Aperture method (also called Total Focusing Method) can be carried out in real time at a processing rate of 140 high-resolution images per second (16 cm depth on steel)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Multi-bit quantum random number generation by measuring positions of arrival photons

We report upon the realization of a novel multi-bit optical quantum random number generator by continuously measuring the arrival positions of photon emitted from a LED using MCP-based WSA photon counting imaging detector. A spatial encoding method is proposed to extract multi-bits random number from the position coordinates of each detected photon. The randomness of bits sequence relies on the intrinsic randomness of the quantum physical processes of photonic emission and subsequent photoelectric conversion. A prototype has been built and the random bit generation rate could reach 8 Mbit/s, with random bit generation efficiency of 16 bits per detected photon. FPGA implementation of Huffman coding is proposed to reduce the bias of raw extracted random bits. The random numbers passed all tests for physical random number generator.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗