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Day 640 infrared line and continuum measurements: Dust formation in SN 1987A

We have measured day 640-645 line and continuum spectra of (Ni II) 6.6 micrometer (Ne II) 12.8 micrometer (line emission was not detected), and (Fe II) 17.9 and 26.0 micrometer from SN 1987A. The high velocity feature at v(sub HVF) approximately 3900 km/sec found in both of our day 410 (Fe II) spectra is again detected in the day 640 (Ni II) spectrum, although the signal-to-noise of the day 640 (Fe II) spectra is insufficient to show this feature. The continuum fluxes provide clear evidence for the formation of dust between day 410 and day 640 and are best fitted by a graybody spectrum with a temperature of 342 +/- 17 K at day 640 and a surface area corresponding to a minimum dust velocity v(sub dust) = 1910 +/- 170 km/sec. Optically thin dust emissivity laws proportional to lambda(exp -1) or lambda(exp -2) are inconsistent with the data. Either the dust grains are large (radius a much greater than 4 micrometer and radiate like individual blackbodies, or else they are located in clumps optically thick in the 6-26 micrometer range. The (Ni II) 6.6 micrometer line flux yields a minimum Ni(+) mass of 5.8 +/- 1.6 x 10(exp -4) solar mass and a Ni/Fe abundance ratio of 0.06 +/- 0.02, equal to the solar value. The ratio of the two (Fe II) line profiles implies a gas temperature 2600 +/- 700 K, a drop of 1800 +/- 800 K from our day 410 measurement. The (Fe II) 26.0 micrometer line flux has decreased by a factor of 2 and the day 640 (Ni II) profile is blueshifted by -440 +/- 270 km/sec, relative to observations before day 500. We show that the decrease in the (Fe II) flux and the blueshift are not produced by a decrease in electron scattering optical depth, electron density, or temperature, but rather are probably due to obscuration by the same dust which produces the infrared continuum. This supports the interpretation that the dust spectrum is produced by optically thick clumps. We discuss possible explanations for the discrepancy between the mass of Fe(+) detected and the total iron mass required to power the light curve. The decrease in the (Fe II) fluxes relative to the decrease required to account for the blueshifts of optical lines from non-iron-group elements and the similarity between v(sub dust) and the Ni(+) expansion velocity imply a spatial association between the dust clumps and the iron-group elements. In addition, the larger blueshift observed for the near and far-infrared, heavy metal transitions relative to non-iron-group lines suggests that the iron-group elements are somewhat segregated from lighter elements such as the Mg(sup 0) and O(sup 0) responsible for shorter wavelength lines. We speculate that FeS may be an important constituent of the dust. A comparison of our line profiles with radiative transfer models shows that while power law and exponential density distributions yield reasonable fits to the data, polytrope distributions provided significantly worse agreement. The best fits require a substantial fraction of the iron to be undetectable, and are consistent with maximum expansion velocities of v(sub max) approximately 3000 km/sec.

Colgan, Sean W. J.↗

Effectiveness of Diffusion Barrier Coatings for Mo-Re Embedded in C/SiC and C/C

Advanced high-temperature cooling applications may often require the elevated-temperature capability of carbon/silicon carbide or carbon/carbon composites in combination with the hermetic capability of metallic tubes. In this paper, the effects of C/SiC and C/C on tubes fabricated from several different refractory metals were evaluated. Though Mo, Nb, and Re were evaluated in the present study, the primary effort was directed toward two alloys of Mo-Re, namely, arc cast Mo-41Re and powder metallurgy Mo-47.5Re. Samples of these refractory metals were subjected to either the PyC/SiC deposition or embedding in C/C. MoSi2(Ge), R512E, and TiB2 coatings were included on several of the samples as potential diffusion barriers. The effects of the processing and thermal exposure on the samples were evaluated by conducting burst tests, microhardness surveys, and scanning electron microscopic examination (using either secondary electron or back scattered electron imaging and energy dispersive spectroscopy). The results showed that a layer of brittle Mo-carbide formed on the substrates of both the uncoated Mo-41Re and the uncoated Mo-47.5Re, subsequent to the C/C or the PyC/SiC processing. Both the R512E and the MoSi2(Ge) coatings were effective in preventing not only the diffusion of C into the Mo-Re substrate, but also the formation of the Mo-carbides. However, none of the coatings were effective at preventing both C and Si diffusion without some degradation of the substrate.

Glass, David E.↗

NASA Tech Briefs, July 2009

Topics covered include: Dual Cryogenic Capacitive Density Sensor; Hail Monitor Sensor; Miniature Six-Axis Load Sensor for Robotic Fingertip; Improved Blackbody Temperature Sensors for a Vacuum Furnace; Wrap-Around Out-the-Window Sensor Fusion System; Wide-Range Temperature Sensors with High-Level Pulse Train Output; Terminal Descent Sensor Simulation; A Robust Mechanical Sensing System for Unmanned Sea Surface Vehicles; Additive for Low-Temperature Operation of Li-(CF)n Cells; Li/CFx Cells Optimized for Low-Temperature Operation; Number Codes Readable by Magnetic-Field-Response Recorders; Determining Locations by Use of Networks of Passive Beacons; Superconducting Hot-Electron Submillimeter-Wave Detector; Large-Aperture Membrane Active Phased-Array Antennas; Optical Injection Locking of a VCSEL in an OEO; Measuring Multiple Resistances Using Single-Point Excitation; Improved-Bandwidth Transimpedance Amplifier; Inter-Symbol Guard Time for Synchronizing Optical PPM; Novel Materials Containing Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Wrapped in Polymer Molecules; Light-Curing Adhesive Repair Tapes; Thin-Film Solid Oxide Fuel Cells; Zinc Alloys for the Fabrication of Semiconductor Devices; Small, Lightweight, Collapsible Glove Box; Radial Halbach Magnetic Bearings; Aerial Deployment and Inflation System for Mars Helium Balloons; Steel Primer Chamber Assemblies for Dual Initiated Pyrovalves; Voice Coil Percussive Mechanism Concept for Hammer Drill; Inherently Ducted Propfans and Bi-Props; Silicon Nanowire Growth at Chosen Positions and Orientations; Detecting Airborne Mercury by Use of Gold Nanowires; Detecting Airborne Mercury by Use of Palladium Chloride; Micro Electron MicroProbe and Sample Analyzer; Nanowire Electron Scattering Spectroscopy; Electron-Spin Filters Would Offer Spin Polarization Greater than 1; Subcritical-Water Extraction of Organics from Solid Matrices; A Model for Predicting Thermoelectric Properties of Bi2Te3; Integrated Miniature Arrays of Optical Biomolecule Detectors; A Software Rejuvenation Framework for Distributed Computing; Kurtosis Approach to Solution of a Nonlinear ICA Problem; Robust Software Architecture for Robots; R4SA for Controlling Robots; Bio-Inspired Neural Model for Learning Dynamic Models; Evolutionary Computing Methods for Spectral Retrieval; Monitoring Disasters by Use of Instrumented Robotic Aircraft; Complexity for Survival of Living Systems; Using Drained Spacecraft Propellant Tanks for Habitation; Connecting Node; and Electrolytes for Low-Temperature Operation of Li-CFx Cells.

Source record↗

Melt Infiltration Studies of 2D Tyranno SA3(R) Ceramic Matrix Composite Preforms with CrSi2 Intermetallic Alloy

The present paper reports the results of melt infiltrating 2D Tyranno SA3@ fiber woven preforms with molten CrSi2 between 1768 and 1896 K under a vacuum of 1.3 x 10-4 Pa (10-6 torr). The infiltration times varied between 1800 and 7200 s, which did not have any significant effect on the volume fraction of voids filled with the metal. Optical and scanning electron microscopy, back scattered electron imaging, energy dispersion spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the infiltrated preforms. A plot of the volume fraction of open voids infiltrated against the absolute melt infiltration temperature showed a sharp peak at 1773 K with almost complete infiltration of the voids at this temperature. The extent of silicide infiltration of the preforms dropped steeply above 1773 K with increasing melt infiltration temperature irrespective of the amount of infiltration time. Above 1805 K, the volume fraction of voids infiltrated with the melt was nearly 0%. It is demonstrated that CrSi2 did not show evidence of a reaction with the SiC fibers. The possibility that a resisting force due to contact angle hysteresis (CAH) may have influenced the diminishing amount of voids filled with increasing temperature above 1773 K was examined. The resistance force was estimated to be extremely small to be consequential. Another possibility that the CrSi2 may have decomposed into Cr(g) and Si(g) in the vacuum melt infiltration furnace appeared to be more plausible based on thermodynamic analyses. An empirical equation is proposed to calculate the amount of remaining charge left to infiltrate the preforms at the infiltration temperature. It is shown that an initial charge of 10 g would rationalize the present observations. While the decomposition of the CrSi2 appeared to mostly explain the present results, some discrepancies were observed, which were inconsistent with the decomposition model.

CrSi2, chromium silicide, ceramic matrix composite↗

Dark Matter-Electron Interactions Alter the Luminosity and Spectral Index of M87

We investigate the possibility that cosmic-ray electron cooling through dark matter-electron scatterings contributes to the low radiative efficiency observed in radio-loud galaxies such as M87. Light dark matter can scatter efficiently off electrons in M87, lowering the observed bolometric luminosity compared to astrophysical expectations. This consideration allows us to probe previously unexplored regions of the parameter space of dark matter-electron interactions. We further model the cosmic-ray electron distribution by numerically solving a diffusion equation along the jet and find that efficient dark matter-electron interactions can induce a flattening of the spectral index at different distances from the central supermassive black hole, in better alignment with radio observations from M87.

Hussein, Abdelaziz [MIT] (ORCID:0000000255608668)↗

The electronic Raman scattering spectrum of PuO 2

Here the Raman spectrum of PuO 2 was measured up to 13,000 cm –1 with three different laser excitation wavelengths spanning the resonance (405 nm), near-resonance (457 nm), and preresonance (514 nm) energy range. Approximately 26 never-before-seen bands were observed between 3500 and 13,000 cm –1 . Given the very high energy of the Raman shifts of these bands and the relative insensitivity of their spectral position to the interrogating laser wavelength, they are believed to arise from an electronic origin. These bands are present in both freshly calcined and radiolytically aged PuO 2 , although a broad luminescence is observed in the aged material, which obscures many of the high frequency features. In situ laser annealing of the material attenuated this luminescence and allowed for clear observation of these never-before-seen spectral features. Discovery of these high-energy bands presents a new way of identifying PuO 2 for nuclear nonproliferation and forensics purposes.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Direct comparison of using a Z -transformation instead of the traditional $Q^2$ for extraction of the proton radius from $e-p$ scattering data

A discrepancy in the determination of the proton’s charge radius, r p , between muonic hydrogen spectroscopy versus classic atomic spectroscopy and electron scattering data has become known as the proton radius puzzle. Extractions of r p from electron scattering data require determination of the slope of the proton’s charge form factor, $G$$^{p}_{E}$, in the limit of Q 2 → 0 through fitting and extrapolation. Some works have presented the Z-transformation fitting technique as the best choice for this type of extraction due to the true functional form of $G$$^{p}_{E}$ being mathematically guaranteed to exist within the parameter-space of the fit function. In this work, we test this claim by examining the mathematical bias and variances introduced by this technique as compared to the more traditional Q 2 fits using statistically sampled $G$$^{p}_{E}$ parameterizations with known input radii. Furthermore, our tests conclude that the quality of the Z-transformation technique depends on the range of data used. In the case of new experiments, the fit function and technique should be selected in advance by generating realistic pseudodata and assessing the power of different techniques.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Search For Excited Cascade Hypersons (¿*-) Using the CLAS12 Spectrometer at Jefferson Laboratory

The number of experimentally observed doubly strange Cascade states to date is far fewer than has been predicted theoretically. The CLAS12 Very Strange physics program (E12- 11-005A) at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility aims to study the electroproduction of these states using the newly upgraded CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer for 12 GeV (CLAS12) in experimental Hall B. In this project, the reaction ep ! e0K+K+??? ! e0K+K+K?(?=?0) is studied using CLAS12 Run Group A (RG-A) data sets taken by impinging electron beams of 10:2 and 10:6 GeV energies on an LH2 target. Scattered electrons are detected with either the Forward Detector (FD), covering a polar angle range of 5? to 35? to study electroproduction, or with the Forward Tagger (FT), covering a polar angle range of 2:5? to 4:5?, to study quasi-real photoproduction. The CLAS12 detector with nearly a 4? solid angle coverage is used to detect scattered electrons and charged kaons in the ?final state. ?=?0 hyperons are reconstructed using the missing mass technique to explore intermediate doubly-strange hyperons (???) that decay to K? and ?=?0. No statistically significant ??? states other than the ???(1530) were found in the missing mass spectra based on the currently available statistics in the CLAS12-FD acceptance only. A maximum log-likelihood method is implemented to determine the statistical significance and the upper limits on the ???(1820) electroproduction cross section by constructing 95% confidence level boundaries on the ???(1820) yields. Additional research was conducted to investigate the upper limit electroproduction cross section of the reaction ep ! e0K+K+??? ! e0K+K+K?(?=?0) as a function of the electroproduced ??? mass and the differential cross section ( d?dMM(e0K+K+) ) as a function of missing mass MM(e0K+K+) for electroproduction and quasi-real photoproduction processes.

Khanal, Achyut↗

Boltzmann equation for the electron gas of a nondegenerate plasma

The collision terms in the Boltzmann equation associated with various processes are derived. For processes having a Fokker-Planck (F-P) limit, the associated F-P operator is derived by means of physical arguments to determine the form of the operator; its multiplying constant is fixed by calculating the total energy exchange rate and comparing with the rate computed by other means. In this manner, the F-P operator is derived for electron-ion scattering, electron-electron scattering in the high-velocity limit, electron-atom elastic scattering, Compton scattering, and the high-velocity limit for inelastic scattering. Other processes considered are bremsstrahlung, radiative-recombination, photoionization, collisional ionization of atoms, and suprathermal-particle ionization of atoms.

Gould, R. J.↗

Final state interactions for high energy scattering off atomic electrons

We consider the scattering of high energy leptons off bound atomic electrons focusing primarily on final state interactions between the outgoing energetic electron, and the heavy residual charged “debris” in the final state. These effects are inherently absent from calculations for a free electron at rest. Coulomb exchanges are enhanced by the large number of electrons in the atomic debris, and are unsuppressed by nonrelativistic velocities in the debris. We find that these exchanges can be resummed using operator methods, and cancel at the level of the cross section until at least 𝑂⁡(𝛼 3 ). Furthermore, we argue that both final and initial state Coulomb exchanges (enhanced by the number of electrons in the atom) do not affect the cross section until at least 𝑂⁡(𝛼 3 ). Transverse photon couplings to nonrelativistic electrons are proportional to their small velocities, and rotational invariance suppresses their contribution to 𝑂⁡(𝛼 3 ). Our results are relevant for precision experiments involving neutrinos, electrons, positrons, and muons scattering off of atomic electrons in a fixed target.

Atoms↗

Ultrafast molecular frame electronic coherences from lab frame scattering anisotropies

Electronic coherences in molecules are ultrafast charge oscillations on the molecular frame (MF) and their direct observation and separation from electronic population dynamics is challenging. Here we present a valence shell lab frame (LF) scattering method suited to probing electronic coherences in isolated systems. MF electronic coherences lead to LF electronic anisotropies observable by ultrafast angle-resolved scattering. Moment analysis of the LF anisotropy completely separates electronic coherences from population dynamics, demonstrated in excited state NH 3 using ultrafast time-energy-angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. Overall, this general approach applies equally to attosecond/femtosecond electronic coherences in isolated systems.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Shining a Light on the Nucleus: Photonuclear Measurements from Correlations to Charmonium

The atomic nucleus is comprised of a collection of nucleons (protons and neutrons), which are bound together by the nucleon-nucleon (NN) interaction that originates from Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). While most nucleons experience the force from the rest of the nu- cleus as a single net “mean-field” interaction that binds them relatively weakly, a small but impactful fraction are in configurations called “Short-Range Correlations” (SRCs), in which they pair with another nucleon at very short distance to experience strong interactions, sig- nificant binding, and high momentum. Hard, high-energy scattering reactions in which an SRC pair is broken apart, knocking both nucleons out of the nucleus, provide the ability to probe the details of these SRC configurations in the nucleus. Previous measurements have had limited statistics and kinematic reach, and the theoretical tools available were in- sufficient to draw quantitative conclusions regarding the ground-state properties of SRCs. The studies described in this thesis represent the first global analysis of SRC breakup mea- surements in order to present a unified picture of SRCs within light- to medium-size nuclei. This includes the use of a novel theoretical framework, the Generalized Contact Formalism, which connects scattering cross-section measurements and the ground-state properties of the SRC pair, to quantitatively interpret a variety of electron-scattering measurements. This is brought to culmination by a report on the first measurement of SRC pairs via the use of hard meson photoproduction reactions, which, despite differing significantly from the me- chanics of electron-scattering, is well-described under a common framework, pointing to a consistent and universal picture of SRCs across reaction channels. I also report on the first measurement of J/¿ photoproduction in the near- and below-threshold kinematic region, giving the first insights to the gluonic structure of bound nucleons in the large-x “valence” region and providing constraints on a gluonic “EMC effect”. In addition to these studies, I provide details on the search for Primakoff production of axion-like particles using the pho- toproduction data taken for this experiment, and I conclude by describing studies of nucleon spin structure measurements that will be performed at the forthcoming U.S. Electron-Ion Collider.

Pybus, Jackson↗

Cepstral scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging of severe lattice distortions

The development of four-dimensional (4D) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) using fast detectors has opened-up new avenues for addressing some of longstanding challenges in electron imaging. One of these challenges is how to image severely distorted crystal lattices, such as at a dislocation core. Here we develop a new 4D-STEM technique, called Cepstral STEM, for imaging disordered crystals using electron diffuse scattering. In contrast to analysis based on Bragg diffraction, which measures the average and periodic scattering potential, electron diffuse scattering can detect fluctuations caused by crystal disorder. Local fluctuations of diffuse scattering are captured by scanning electron nanodiffraction (SEND) using a coherent probe. The harmonic signals in electron diffuse scattering are detected through Cepstral analysis and used for imaging. By integrating Cepstral analysis with 4D-STEM, we demonstrate that information about the distortive part of electron scattering potential can be separated and imaged at nm spatial resolution. Here, we apply the technique to the analysis of a dislocation core in SiGe and lattice distortions in a high entropy alloy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Shifts of the spectral lines of He(+) produced by electron collisions

The shifts of the Ly-alpha, Ly-beta, and H-alpha lines of He(+) in a plasma, produced by electron scattering from radiating ions are calculated. Electron densities in the neighborhood of 10 to the 17th/cu cm and plasma temperatures from 1 to 6 eV are considered. The calculation is made in the impact approximation, and is based on a six-state close-coupling computation of the scattering matrices, into which an optical potential has been inserted. Small red shifts of the lines are obtained. The contribution of electron scattering to the linewidths is also considered.

Unnikrishnan, K.↗

Formation of Al 3 Sc in Al 0.8 Sc 0.2 thin films

We report the formation of Al 3 Sc, in 100 nm Al 0.8 Sc 0.2 films, is found to be driven by exposure to high temperature through higher deposition temperature or annealing. High film resistivity was observed in films with lower deposition temperature that exhibited a lack of crystallinity, which is anticipated to cause more electron scattering. An increase in deposition temperature allows for the nucleation and growth of crystalline Al 3 Sc regions that were verified by electron diffraction. The increase in crystallinity reduces electron scattering, which results in lower film resistivity. Annealing Al 0.8 Sc 0.2 films at 600 °C in an Ar vacuum environment also allows for the formation and recrystallization of Al 3 Sc and Al and yields saturated resistivity values between 9.58 and 10.5 μΩ-cm regardless of sputter conditions. Al 3 Sc was found to nucleate and grow in a random orientation when deposited on SiO 2 , and highly {111} textured when deposited on 100 nm Ti and AlN films that were used as template layers. The rocking curve of the Al 3 Sc 111 reflection for the as-deposited films on Ti and AlN at 450 °C was 1.79° and 1.68°, respectively. Annealing the film deposited on the AlN template reduced the rocking curve substantially to 1.01° due to recrystallization of Al 3 Sc and Al within the film.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The FEM-R-Matrix Approach: Use of Mixed Finite Element and Gaussian Basis Sets for Electron Molecule Collisions

For the calculation of electron molecule collision cross sections R-matrix methods automatically take advantage of the division of configuration space into an inner region (I) bounded by radius tau b, where the scattered electron is within the molecular charge cloud and the system is described by an correlated Configuration Interaction (CI) treatment in close analogy to bound state calculations, and an outer region (II) where the scattered electron moves in the long-range multipole potential of the target and efficient analytic methods can be used for solving the asymptotic Schroedinger equation plus boundary conditions.

Thuemmel, Helmar T.↗

High precision measurements of the proton elastic electromagnetic form factors and their ratio at 𝑄 2 = 0.50, 2.64, 3.20, and 4.10 GeV 2

The advent of high-intensity, high-polarization electron beams led to significantly improved measurements of the ratio of the proton’s charge to electric form factors, 𝐺 𝐸⁢ 𝑝 ⁡/𝐺 𝑀⁢ 𝑝 . However, high-𝑄 2 measurements of this ratio yielded significant disagreement with extractions based on unpolarized scattering measurements, raising questions about the reliability of the measurements and consistency of the techniques. Jefferson Lab experiment E01-001 was designed to provide a high precision extraction of 𝐺 𝐸⁢ 𝑝 ⁡/𝐺 𝑀⁢ 𝑝 from unpolarized cross-section measurements using a modified version of the Rosenbluth separation technique to allow for a more precise comparison with polarization data. Rosenbluth separations involve precise measurements of the angular dependence of the elastic 𝑒−𝑝 cross section at fixed momentum transfer, 𝑄 2 . Conventional Rosenbluth separations detect the scattered electron, requiring the comparisons of measurements with very different detected electron energy and rate for electrons at different angles. Our ‘‘super-Rosenbluth’’ measurement detected the struck proton, rather than the scattered electron to extract the elastic 𝑒−𝑝 cross section. This yielded a fixed momentum for the detected particle and dramatically reduced variation of the cross section with angle, significantly reducing rate- and momentum-dependent corrections and uncertainties. We measure the cross section vs angle with high relative precision, allowing for extremely high precision extractions of 𝐺 𝐸⁢ 𝑝 ⁡/𝐺 𝑀⁢ 𝑝 at 𝑄 2 = 2.64, 3.20, and 4.10 GeV 2 . Our results are consistent with traditional Rosenbluth extractions, but with much smaller corrections and systematic uncertainties, comparable to the uncertainties from polarization measurements. Our data confirm the discrepancy between Rosenbluth and polarization extractions of the proton form factor ratio using an improved Rosenbluth extraction that yields smaller and less-correlated uncertainties than those typical of previous Rosenbluth extractions. Here, we compare our results to calculations of two-photon exchange effects and find that the observed discrepancy can be relatively well explained by such effects.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗