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At least 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Embedded Ferroelectric Nanoclusters can drive Polarization Reversal in a Non-Ferroelectric Polar Film via the Proximity Effect

Heterogeneous nucleation from defects dominates the electric field required for polarization switching of ferroelectrics. Here, we consider the switching of a nominally non-switchable polar thin film of AlN due to the proximity effect arising from embedded ferroelectric nanoclusters of Al 1-x Sc x N. Using a Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire thermodynamic approach and finite element modeling, we study the influence of nanocluster shape on polarization switching and domain nucleation emerging in AlN. The ferroelectric nanocluster boundary is modeled as a thin layer transitioning from Al 1-x Sc x N to AlN. We analyze the conditions under which polarization switching in the AlN film occurs at coercive fields significantly lower than its dielectric breakdown field. In the presence of spike-like Al 1-x Sc x N nanoclusters, the proximity effect enables switching of the spontaneous polarization in AlN and significantly reduces the corresponding coercive field. The internal field, which is depolarizing inside the AlN (due to its larger spontaneous polarization) and polarizing within the ferroelectric Al 1-x Sc x N nanoclusters (due to its smaller spontaneous polarization), lowers the potential barrier in the clusters and nucleates nanodomains at the Al 1-x Sc x N-AlN interface, forming localized regions of reversed polarization. Proximity effect can thus provide a pathway towards "thawing" previously "frozen" ferroelectrics through engineered nucleation for memory, actuation and optical technologies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Ionic Control over Ferroelectricity in 2D Layered van der Waals Capacitors

The van der Waals layered material CuInP 2 S 6 features interesting functional behavior, including the existence of four uniaxial polarization states, polarization reversal against the electric field through Cu ion migration, a negative-capacitance regime, and reversible extraction of Cu ions. At the heart of these characteristics lies the high mobility of Cu ions, which also determines the spontaneous polarization. Therefore, Cu migration across the lattice results in unusual ferroelectric behavior. Here, we demonstrate how the interplay of polar and ionic properties provides a path to ionically controlled ferroelectric behavior, achieved by applying selected DC voltage pulses and subsequently probing ferroelectric switching during fast triangular voltage sweeps. Using current measurements and theoretical calculations, we observe that increasing DC pulse duration results in higher ionic currents, the buildup of an internal electric field that shifts polarization loops, and an increase in total switchable polarization by ~50% due to the existence of a high polarization phase which is stabilized by the internal electric field. Apart from tuning ferroelectric behavior by selected square pulses, hysteretic polarization switching can even be entirely deactivated and reactivated, resulting in three-state systems where polarization switching is either inhibited or can be performed in two different directions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1995

Electrochromatographic separation of proteins

We have developed a modified electrochromatography system which minimizes Joule heating at electric field strengths up to 125 V/cm. A non-linear equilibrium model is described which incorporates electrophoretic mobility, hydrodynamic flow velocity, and an electrically induced concentration polarization at the surface of the stationary phase. This model is able to provide useful estimates of protein retention time and velocity in a column packed with Sephadex gel and subjected to an electric field. A correlation of electrophoretic mobility of peptide and proteins with respect to their charge, molecular mass, and asymmetry enables the selection of solute target molecules for electrochromatographic separations. Good separation of protein mixtures have been obtained.

NASA Discipline Life Support Systems↗
NASA NTRS1986

Effects of different convection models upon the high-latitude ionosphere

The plasma convection models of Volland (1975) and Heelis (1982) are utilized to study the ionosphere. The parameters for the two models are evaluated. The two-cell convection models have similar total cross tail electric potential, diameter of the polar cap, and potential falloff rate outside the polar cap; however, they differ in maximum potential, and the electric field in the polar cap. The input parameters for the high-latitude ionospheric model are described. Two high-latitude ionospheric model runs were conducted and the data are compared in terms of electron density at and above the F 2 peak, attitude of the F 2 peak, ion temperature, and molecular-atomic ion transition height. The altitude dependence of electron density is analyzed using coherent scatter radar data. The data reveal differences between the two models in the height of the F 2 peak and in the ion temperature. The altitude values of the Heelis model are higher than the Volland model in the region where plasma is transported into the polar cap and lower in the region plasma is transported out of the polar cap; the Heelis model also produces an increase in ion temperature. It is noted that the ionosphere has a limited dependence upon the details of the convection models.

Rasmussen, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Thunderstorm related variations in stratospheric conductivity measurements

The vector electric field and polar conductivities were measured by zero-pressure balloon-borne payloads launched from Wallops Island, Virgina during the summers of 1987 and 1988. Data were collected over thunderstorms (or electrified clouds) during 6-hour flights at altitudes near 30 km. The vector electric field measurements were made with the double Langmuir probe high-impedance method, and the direct conductivity measurements were obtained with the relaxation technique. Evidence is presented for conductivity variations over thunderstorms (or electrified clouds). It is found that both positive and negative polar conductivity data do show variations of up to a factor of 2 from ambient values associated with the disturbed periods. Some ideas for possible physical mechanisms which may be responsible for the conductivity variations over thunderstorms are also discussed in this paper.

Hu, Hua↗
DOE OSTI2025

Proximity ferroelectricity in wurtzite heterostructures

Proximity ferroelectricity is an interface-associated phenomenon in electric-field-driven polarization reversal in a non-ferroelectric polar material induced by one or more adjacent ferroelectric materials. Here, in this paper, we report proximity ferroelectricity in wurtzite ferroelectric heterostructures. In the present case, the non-ferroelectric layers are AlN and ZnO, whereas the ferroelectric layers are Al 1−x B x N, Al 1−x Sc x N and Zn 1−x Mg x O. The layered structures include nitride–nitride, oxide–oxide and nitride–oxide stacks that feature two-layer (asymmetric) and three-layer (symmetric) configurations. Ferroelectric switching in both layers is validated by multimodal characterization methods, including polarization hysteresis, anisotropic chemical etching, second harmonic generation, piezo response force microscopy, electromechanical testing and atomic resolution polarization orientation imaging in real space by scanning transmission electron microscopy. We present a physical switching model in which antipolar nuclei originate in the ferroelectric layer and propagate towards the internal non-ferroelectric interface. The domain wall leading edge produces elastic and electric fields that extend beyond the interface at close proximity, reducing the switching barrier in the non-ferroelectric layer, and allowing complete domain propagation without breakdown. Density functional theory calculations of polymorph energies, reversal barriers and domain wall energies support this model. Proximity ferroelectricity enables polarization reversal in wurtzites without the chemical or structural disorder that accompanies elemental substitution, opening new questions and opportunities regarding interface-based ferroelectricity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1994

Analysis of DE-1 PWI electric field data

The measurement of low frequency electric field oscillations may be accomplished with the Plasma Wave Instrument (PWI) on DE 1. Oscillations at a frequency around 1 Hz are below the range of the conventional plasma wave receivers, but they can be detected by using a special processing of the quasi-static electric field data. With this processing it is also possible to determine if the electric field oscillations are predominately parallel or perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field. The quasi-static electric field in the DE 1 spin/orbit plane is measured with a long-wire 'double probe'. This antenna is perpendicular to the satellite spin axis, which in turn is approximately perpendicular to the geomagnetic field in the polar magnetosphere. The electric field data are digitally sampled at a frequency of 16 Hz. The measured electric field signal, which has had phase reversals introduced by the rotating antenna, is multiplied by the sine of the rotation angle between the antenna and the magnetic field. This is called the 'perpendicular' signal. The measured time series is also multiplied with the cosine of the angle to produce a separate 'parallel' signal. These two separate time series are then processed to determine the frequency power spectrum.

Weimer, Daniel↗
NASA NTRS1974

A quantitative model for the potential resulting from reconnection with an arbitrary interplanetary magnetic field

A quantitative three-dimensional model is proposed for the electric potential arising from magnetopause reconnection, in which several approximations are made concerning configuration of the magnetosheath flow, limitations on the magnitude of the reconnection speed, and the geometry of the problem. These approximations are such that the model yields an upper limit for the potential. The magnitude of the polar cap ionospheric electric field computed from this model is larger than that measured on balloons by an average factor of about 3, and the model reproduces the temporal variations of the experimental data. It is concluded that magnetopause reconnection is a highly efficient process that is probably the dominant mechanism driving polar cap convection and supplying energy to the magnetosphere. It seems that the most efficient way for the solar wind to pass the magnetospheric obstacle is by magnetopause reconnection.

Gonzalez, W. D.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Dynamic spatial progression of isolated lithium during battery operations

The increasing demand for next-generation energy storage systems necessitates the development of high-performance lithium batteries. Unfortunately, current Li anodes exhibit rapid capacity decay and a short cycle life, owing to the continuous generation of solid electrolyte interface and isolated Li (i-Li). The formation of i-Li during the nonuniform dissolution of Li dendrites leads to a substantial capacity loss in lithium batteries under most testing conditions. Because i-Li loses electrical connection with the current collector, it has been considered electrochemically inactive or ‘dead’ in batteries. In this work, contradicting this commonly accepted presumption, we show that i-Li is highly responsive to battery operations, owing to its dynamic polarization to the electric field in the electrolyte. Simultaneous Li deposition and dissolution occurs on two ends of the i-Li, leading to its spatial progression toward the cathode (anode) during charge (discharge). Revealed by our simulation results, the progression rate of i-Li is mainly affected by its length, orientation and the applied current density. Moreover, we successfully demonstrate the recovery of i-Li in Cu–Li cells with >100% Coulombic efficiency and realize LiNi 0.5 Mn 0.3 Co 0.2 O 2 (NMC)–Li full cells with extended cycle life.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS1988

Electron density distributions in the high-latitude magnetosphere

Electron density profiles were constructed to study the plasma density depletions in the nightside auroral zone and the density variations with increasing altitude in the polar cap, using electric field spectrum measurements from the plasma wave instrument on DE-1. Sharply defined regions of depleted plasma densities were commonly observed on nightside auroral field lines, in which electron densities were strongly depleted in relation to the adjacent plasmaspheric and polar densities, forming a low-density cavity at about 70 deg invariant latitude. A correlation was found between low auroral plasma densities, upflowing ion distributions, and an energetic precipitating electron population, indicating that electron density depletions in the nightside auroral zone are directly associated with auroral acceleration processes.

Persoon, Ann M.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Mapping Spatiotemporal Solvent Velocity from Measured Concentration Gradients in a Polarized Electrolyte

The electric-field induced motion of neutral species impedes the efficacy of electrochemical devices. By combining operando X-ray transmission measurements with continuum mechanics, we have developed a methodology for determining the velocity of neutral solvent molecules under an applied field. The X-ray transmission experiments were used to determine ion concentration profiles as a function of space and time in a polymer electrolyte. The unsteady state solvent mass balance equation was solved numerically with experimental concentration profiles to map spatiotemporal solvent velocities. We compare our experimentally derived results with predictions made with concentrated solution theory. We use the cation transference number as the only adjustable parameter to match experimental measurements of both concentration and solvent velocity. Our approach may be used to determine solvent velocity with any operando technique used to measure time-dependent ion concentration profiles.

Abdo, Emily E↗
NASA NTRS1986

Electron acceleration via kinetic Alfven waves

Kinetic effects on obliquely propagating shear Alfven waves are reviewed. The wave becomes dispersive and carries a significant parallel electric field. The polarization and dispersion of these waves are discussed, showing that electrons can be effectively accelerated along field lines by these waves. Nonlinear effects such as solitary waves, nonlinear damping due to current-driven instabilities, and anomalous resistivity are treated. Observations of electric and magnetic field perturbations on auroral field lines which seem to be related to these waves are studied. Evidence for the existence of these kinetic Alfven waves is not firm.

Goertz, C. K.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Electrical Responses of Modified Mineral Surfaces as Observed With Spectral Induced Polarization and Atomic Force Microscopy

Abstract Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and spectral induced polarization (SIP) are widely used to investigate the electrical properties of mineral surfaces at vastly different scales of measurement. We compare AFM and SIP measurements made on two different materials (glass beads and silica gel) subjected to etching, deposition of iron oxide particles, and inclusion of calcite grains. We found that the treatments produced qualitatively consistent behaviors in the AFM and SIP data. Direct AFM measurements of surface charge density for silica and calcite surfaces were quantitatively compared to values estimated from the SIP results using a grain polarization model. No statistically significant difference (at a 95% confidence level) was found between the surface charge density of silica estimated by AFM (2.3 ± 6.6 mC/m 2 for glass beads and 1.6 ± 0.1 mC/m 2 for silica gel) versus SIP (5.4 ± 4.4 mC/m 2 for glass beads and 1.6 ± 0.5 mC/m 2 for silica gel). The surface charge density for calcite determined by AFM (43.5 ± 12.9 mC/m 2 ) was approximately 19 times higher than that found for silica. While the charge density of calcite surfaces determined by SIP was also generally higher than that found for silica, different treatments produced significantly different values between 4.7 and 258 mC/m 2 (with a maximum 95% CI of ±8.7 mC/m 2 ). Several possible explanations exist for the range of the observed SIP measurements, including aging of the calcite surfaces. Overall, this study suggests the potential for the complementary use of AFM and SIP measurements to constrain future investigations of polarization mechanisms in porous media.

Geochemistry & Geophysics↗
NASA NTRS1990

Method and apparatus for determining return stroke polarity of distant lightning

A method is described for determining the return stroke polarity of distant lightning for distances beyond 600 km by detecting the electric field associated with a return stroke of distant lightning, and processing the electric field signal to determine the polarity of the slow tail of the VLF waveform signal associated with the detected electric field. The polarity of the return stroke of distant lightning is determined based upon the polarity of the slow tail portion of the waveform.

Blakeslee, Richard J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Method and apparatus for determining return stroke polarity of distant lightning

A method is described for determining the return stroke polarity of distant lightning for distances beyond 600 km by detecting the electric field associated with a return stroke of distant lightning, and processing the electric field signal to determine the polarity of the slow tail of the VLF waveform signal associated with the detected electric field. The polarity of the return stroke of distant lightning is determined based upon the polarity of the slow tail portion of the waveform.

Blakeslee, Richard J.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Optical and near-infrared photometric and polarimetric monitoring at flaring state of BL Lacertae in 2020–2021

Abstract BL Lacertae (BL Lac) was in an unprecedented bright state since 2020 August. We have conducted long-term photometric and polarimetric observations of BL Lac in optical and near-infrared (NIR) bands using the Kanata telescope in the Higashi-Hiroshima Observatory. BL Lac had simultaneously brightened in the NIR, optical, X-ray, and gamma-ray bands during the brightening period. There were two peaks of brightness in the optical and NIR bands. The degree of polarization and electric-vector position angle (EVPA) were also found to have fluctuated in the optical and NIR bands. A bluer-when-brighter trend was observed between the optical and NIR bands during the entire period of our observation. Furthermore, during the first bright period, the EVPA became parallel to the position angle of the jet. On the other hand, the polarization during the second brightening showed a different behavior from that during the first brightening. The brightenings can be explained by a combination of a shock acceleration in which a shock was generated with the perpendicular-direction shock front of the jet and a variation of the inclination angle.

Hazama, Natsuko↗