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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Ex situ calibration of the scattered-light time-history diagnostic on the National Ignition Facility

The scattered-light time-history diagnostic (SLTD) suite measures time-resolved scattered light in three wavelength bands: stimulated Brillouin scattering (350–352 nm), stimulated Raman scattering (430–760 nm), and plasma emission at half the laser frequency (695–735 nm), at 15 locations around the National Ignition Facility (NIF) target chamber. The SLTD, along with the full-aperture backscatter station (FABS), collects scattered light from direct- and indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion experiments. The SLTD calibration was revisited after a discrepancy between FABS and SLTD measurements was observed on NIF polar direct-drive experiments. An integrated calibration of the SLTD was performed for the first time, and individual components were also calibrated for the wavelengths of 351, 527, and 532 nm. The optical transmission of the instrument was measured to be (1.12 ± 0.04) × 10 –7 and (1.96 ± 0.11) × 10 –7 for the wavelengths of 351 and 532 nm, respectively. The revised calibration at 351 nm brings the SLTD measured scattered energy in agreement with the FABS measured scattered energy after additionally accounting for the degradation of an optical element in FABS. Furthermore, this decreased the inferred absorption by 7% for a representative experiment. However, discrepancies remain between FABS and SLTD measurements in the SRS band (532 nm).

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Deep learning-based temporal deconvolution for photon time-of-flight distribution retrieval

The acquisition of the time of flight (ToF) of photons has found numerous applications in the biomedical field. Over the last decades, a few strategies have been proposed to deconvolve the temporal instrument response function (IRF) that distorts the experimental time-resolved data. However, these methods require burdensome computational strategies and regularization terms to mitigate noise contributions. Herein, we propose a deep learning model specifically to perform the deconvolution task in fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLI). The model is trained and validated with representative simulated FLI data with the goal of retrieving the true photon ToF distribution. Its performance and robustness are validated with well-controlled in vitro experiments using three time-resolved imaging modalities with markedly different temporal IRFs. The model aptitude is further established with in vivo preclinical investigation. Overall, these in vitro and in vivo validations demonstrate the flexibility and accuracy of deep learning model-based deconvolution in time-resolved FLI and diffuse optical imaging.

Pandey, Vikas (ORCID:0000000154771095)↗
NASA NTRS1972

Solar wind physics

A double-chambered gas proportional counter was constructed to detect and identify solar wind ions after acceleration by a high voltage power supply. It was determined that the best method of detecting deuterium in the solar wind is to use a tritium target as proposed for IMP H and J. The feasibility of detecting H(+) and He(+) ions of interstellar origin is considered. A program is described to carry out ground-based astronomical observations of faint, diffuse optical emission lines from interstellar gas. Hydrogen and oxygen emission lines from galactic sources were detected and the galactic and geocoronal H alpha and beta lines were clearly resolved.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1983

Space Shuttle glow observations

Photographic and television observations made during the third flight of the Space Shuttle in March 1982 reveal the presence of a diffuse optical emission surrounding surfaces of the vehicle exposed to the atmosphere in the ram direction. The line of sight intensity of this emission is comparable to that of airglow emissions seen at the limb of the earth and competes with the brightness of stars seen within the field of view of the photographic and TV cameras. The glow emission appears to be a manifestation of an atmosphere-vehicle interaction. Light from vehicle thruster operations was also seen, as well as the optical emissions resulting from the operation of a 100 mA electron beam.

Banks, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The X-ray properties of supernova remnants in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Einstein Observatory instruments were used to survey the generic properties of LMC supernova remnants (SNR). The study covered the diffuse optical bar, the 30 Dor nebula, the surrounding H I cloud, and a high fraction of the spiral arms. Twelve SNRs were identified as X-ray sources and two SNR, N157B and 0540 - 69.3, were located from radio emissions. Filamentary H-alpha emissions also revealed five other objects. X-ray intensity data indicated that density levels of the matter surrounding SNR decrease with SNR diameter. The data suggest that Sedov models for SN may not be accurate for LMC SN, which exhibit too great a luminosity scatter in the surrounding interstellar material. The emissions may be accounted for by ejecta from the SN or by multiphase interstellar material.

Long, K. S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

E2000 + 223 - A newly discovered old nova?

The X-ray source, E2000 + 223, serendipitously discovered by the Einstein Observatory, has been tentatively identified with an old nova shell. Spectroscopic observations of the diffuse optical counterpart show a heavily reddened continuum with bright forbidden S II emission lines at double lambda 6716, 6732. Radio observations at the VLA show a weak (about 1.2 mJy) extended radio source, with a nonthermal spectrum, concident with the optical emission. The observations can be best explained by assuming the object is an old nova which erupted sometime in the eighteenth or nineteenth century, similar to GK Per (Nova 1901) but at a distance of 1.4 kpc.

Takalo, L. O.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Self-, N2, O2, H2, Ar, and He broadening in the nu3 band Q branch of CH4

Self-, N2-, O2-, H2-, Ar-, and He-broadening coefficients, pressure shifts, and integrated intensities have been measured for most transitions in the Q branch of the nu3 fundamental band of methane using a difference-frequency laser spectrometer. A systematic dependence of the broadening coefficients on the tetrahedral symmetry species and order index is observed with striking similarities for N2, O2, and Ar and for H2 and He buffer gases. Comparison with earlier measurements on other bands and branches of methane indicates very little vibrational, branch, or carbon isotope dependence. Dicke narrowing is evident at intermediate pressures, yielding an average narrowing coefficient and an optical diffusion constant for each gas mixture.

Pine, A. S.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Vertical Shear of the Galactic Interstellar Medium

The detection of UV absorption, 21 cm, H alpha and other diffuse optical emission lines from gas up to ten kiloparsecs above the plane of the Milky Way and other galaxies provides the first, opportunity to probe the rotational properties of the ionized "atmospheres" of galaxies. This rotation has implications for our understanding of the Galactic gravitational potential, angular momentum transport in the Galactic disk, and the maintenance of a Galactic dynamo. The available evidence indicates that gas rotates nearly cylindrically up to a few kiloparsecs. This is in contrast to the expectation that there should be a significant gradient in rotation speed as a function of height assuming a reasonable mass model for the Galaxy. For example, for a vertical cut at galactocentric radius R = 5 kpc in NGC 891 by Rand, the rotation speed is observed to drop by approximately 30 kilometers per second from z = 1 to 5 kpc and is expected to drop by 80 kilometers per second. Magnetic tension forces may resolve this discrepancy. Other possibilities will be examined in the near future.

Benjamin, Robert A.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Exotic Molecules in Space: A Coordinated Astronomical Laboratory and Theoretical Study

This report details the work of NASA grant NAG5-9379 which is concerned with the discovery and characterization of new astrophysical molecules. Numerous papers have been or will be published on the laboratory detection of 21 molecules of astrophysical interest, nearly all not previously observed, and nearly all of astrophysical interest as plausible candidates for the interstellar gas and circumstellar shells. Also of interest include the laboratory detection of of optical molecular band exactly coinciding in frequency with the strongest and most widely studied optical diffuse interstellar band which remains an enigma in astrophysical spectroscopy. A new laser spectrometer has been developed and is now undergoing testing.

Thaddeus, Patrick↗
NASA NTRS2014

J1649+2635: A Grand-Design Spiral with a Large Double-Lobed Radio Source

We report the discovery of a grand-design spiral galaxy associated with a double-lobed radio source. J1649+2635 (z = 0.0545) is a red spiral galaxy with a prominent bulge that it is associated with a L(1.4GHz) is approximately 10(exp24) W Hz(exp−1) double-lobed radio source that spans almost 100 kpc. J1649+2635 has a black hole mass of M(BH) is approximately 3-7 × 10(exp8) Solar mass and SFR is approximately 0.26 - 2.6 solar mass year(exp−1). The galaxy hosts a approximately 96 kpc diffuse optical halo, which is unprecedented for spiral galaxies. We find that J1649+2635 resides in an overdense environment with a mass of M(dyn) = 7.7(+7.9/−4.3) × 10(exp13) Solar mass, likely a galaxy group below the detection threshold of the ROSAT All-Sky Survey. We suggest one possible scenario for the association of double-lobed radio emission from J1649+2635 is that the source may be similar to a Seyfert galaxy, located in a denser-than-normal environment. The study of spiral galaxies that host large-scale radio emission is important because although rare in the local Universe, these sources may be more common at high-redshifts.

J1449↗
NASA NTRS1973

Photoluminescence and optical transmission of diffusion-pump oils.

The photoluminescence and optical transmission of the four widely used diffusion-pump oils, DC-705, DC-704, Convalex-10, and Convoil-20, were measured. Each of the oils was found to be transparent throughout the visible region, showed some absorption in the near-UV region, and became very opaque below approximately 300 nm. Both Convalex-10 and Convoil-20 turned yellow after exposure to UV light. No such change was noted in DC-705 or DC-704. Photoluminescence was produced in each of the four oils when irradiated with UV light. Both DC-705 and DC-704 had a nearly identical luminescence spectra that peaked at 350 nm. The spectra of Convalex-10 and Convoil-20 were fairly complex, with several peaks in the visible region.

Kroes, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Modeling the Diffuse Cloud-Top Optical Emissions from Ground and Cloud Flashes

A number of studies have indicated that the diffuse cloud-top optical emissions from intra-cloud (IC) lightning are brighter than that from normal negative cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning, and hence would be easier to detect from a space-based sensor. The primary reason provided to substantiate this claim has been that the IC is at a higher altitude within the cloud and therefore is less obscured by the cloud multiple scattering medium. CGs at lower altitudes embedded deep within the cloud are more obscured, so CG detection is thought to be more difficult. However, other authors claim that because the CG source current (and hence luminosity) is typically substantially larger than IC currents, the greater CG source luminosity is large enough to overcome the effects of multiple scattering. These investigators suggest that the diffuse cloud top emissions from CGs are brighter than from ICs, and hence are easier to detect from space. Still other investigators claim that the detection efficiency of CGs and ICs is about the same because modern detector sensitivity is good enough to "see" either flash type no matter which produces a brighter cloud top emission. To better assess which of these opinions should be accepted, we introduce an extension of a Boltzmann lightning radiative transfer model previously developed. It considers characteristics of the cloud (geometry, dimensions, scattering properties) and specific lightning channel properties (length, geometry, location, current, optical wave front propagation speed/direction). As such, it represents the most detailed modeling effort to date. At least in the few cases studied thus far, it was found that IC flashes appear brighter at cloud top than the lower altitude negative ground flashes, but additional model runs are to be examined before finalizing our general conclusions.

Solakiewicz, Richard↗
DOE OSTI2021

The Scattered Light Time-history Diagnostic suite at the National Ignition Facility

The Scattered Light Time-history Diagnostic (SLTD) is being implemented at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) to greatly expand the angular coverage of absolute scattered-light measurements for direct- and indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments. The SLTD array will ultimately consist of 15 units mounted at a variety of polar and azimuthal angles on the NIF target chamber, complementing the existing NIF backscatter suite. Each SLTD unit collects and diffuses scattered light onto a set of three optical fibers, which transport the light to filtered photodiodes to measure scattered light in different wavelength bands: stimulated Brillouin scattering (350 nm–352 nm), stimulated Raman scattering (430 nm–760 nm), and ω/2 (695 nm–745 nm). SLTD measures scattered light with a time resolution of ~1 ns and a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 500. Currently, six units are operational and recording data. Measurements of the angular dependence of scattered light will strongly constrain models of laser energy coupling in ICF experiments and allow for a more robust inference of the total laser energy coupled to implosions.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1987

Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE) optics module breadboard alignment methods and results

The Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE) optics module will be assembled at ambient temperature but will operate at liquid helium temperature. The challenging task of ensuring that is possible to maintain alignment through cryogenic cooling and cryogenic vibration has been demonstrated in a DIRBE optics module breadboard program. This paper discusses the configuration of the DIRBE optics module breadboard, ambient temperature optical alignment methods used to assemble the breadboard, and cryogenic testing of the breadboard. The alignment of the optical assembly at ambient temperature, at 77 K, and after a 77 K vibration was within specification.

Magner, Thomas J.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Optical information transfer through random unknown diffusers using electronic encoding and diffractive decoding

Free-space optical information transfer through diffusive media is critical in many applications, such as biomedical devices and optical communication, but remains challenging due to random, unknown perturbations in the optical path. We demonstrate an optical diffractive decoder with electronic encoding to accurately transfer the optical information of interest, corresponding to, e.g., any arbitrary input object or message, through unknown random phase diffusers along the optical path. This hybrid electronic-optical model, trained using supervised learning, comprises a convolutional neural network-based electronic encoder and successive passive diffractive layers that are jointly optimized. After their joint training using deep learning, our hybrid model can transfer optical information through unknown phase diffusers, demonstrating generalization to new random diffusers never seen before. The resulting electronic-encoder and optical-decoder model was experimentally validated using a 3D-printed diffractive network that axially spans <70λ, where λ = 0.75 mm is the illumination wavelength in the terahertz spectrum, carrying the desired optical information through random unknown diffusers. The presented framework can be physically scaled to operate at different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, without retraining its components, and would offer low-power and compact solutions for optical information transfer in free space through unknown random diffusive media.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1981

A radiometric model of an earth radiation budget radiometer optical system with diffuse-specular surfaces

The Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) is to fly on NASA's Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) and on NOAA F and NOAA G. Large spatial scale earth energy budget data will be derived primarily from measurements made by the ERBE nonscanning instrument (ERBE-NS). A description is given of a mathematical model capable of simulating the radiometric response of any of the ERBE-NS earth viewing channels. The model uses a Monte Carlo method to accurately account for directional distributions of emission and reflection from optical surfaces which are neither strictly diffuse nor strictly specular. The model computes radiation exchange factors among optical system components, and determines the distribution in the optical system of energy from an outside source. Attention is also given to an approach for implementing the model and results obtained from the implementation.

Luther, M. R.↗