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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1980

Evaluation of composite bolometers at 0.4 Kelvin

Composite bolometer structures have provided the most sensitive IR detectors for operation at helium-4 temperatures of 1.5K. Below 1.5K the electrical and thermal properties change significantly and the performance characteristics cannot be accurately extrapolated for composite bolometers at helium-3 temperatures of 0.4K. The paper deals with experimentally assessed performance of composite bolometers at 0.4K. It is found that sensitivity estimates derived from electrical or load curve properties can overestimate the responsivity to radiation by several orders of magnitude depending upon a particular material behavior. For many near-millimeter applications background power levels are several nanowatts and the associated photon noise plus Johnson and phonon noise components impose a fundamental detection limit of about 5 x 10 to the -15thW/Hz to the -1/2. We have successfully fabricated composite bolometers which at 0.4 K and millimeter wavelengths achieve a noise equivalent power of 7 x 10 to the -15thW/Hz to the -1/2 coupled with a large absorbing area (0.3 sq cm) and a fast response time (2 msec.).

El-Ataway, S.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Interstellar detection of the intersystem line Si II lambda 2335 toward zeta Ophiuchi

We report on the detection of the weak intersystem transistion of Si II lambda 2335 A in the sight line toward zeta Oph using the Ech-B mode (3.5 km/s resolution) of the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph. The high-quality spectrum is characterized by an empirically measured signal-to-noise of 450, in excellent agreement with that expected from photon-statistics. The measured equivalent width of the Si II line is W(sub lambda) = 0.48 +/- 0.12 mA. Using the new experimental f-value of Calamai, Smith, and Bergeson, we find a Si II column density of 2.34 (+/- 0.58) x 10(exp 15) atoms/sq cm and (Si/H)(sub zeta Oph) = 1.78 (+/- 0.44) x 10(exp -6) for the principal absorbing component(s) at v(sub sun) approx. = -15 km/s. Analysis of the Si II lambda 1808 absorption over the same velocity range using the new experimental f-value of Bergeson & Lawler yields a column density (corrected for saturation) that is consistent within the weak line errors and confirms the relative accuracies of these new f-values. Furthermore, these results indicate that accurate abundances can now be derived for Si II, particularly from the weak Si II lambda 2335 A since it is free of saturation effects. For the zeta Oph v(sub sun) approx. = -15 km/s component(s), we find that greater than 95% of the available cosmic abundance (i.e. the 1989 meteoritic abundances of Anders & Grevesse) of Mg, Fe, and Si is 'missing' from the gas phase and is presumably locked up in the dust. These elements are present in the dust grains in ratios of Fe/Si approximately equals 0.9 and Mg/Si approximately equals 1.1, consistent with the ratio of their cosmic abundances. These ratios are in sharp contrast to more diffuse clouds like those seen toward the high-latitude halo star HD 93521 where in the dust Fe/Si approximately equals 1.8 and Mg/Si approximately equals 2.1.

Cardelli, Jason A.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Ultrathin electron and proton-conducting membranes for nanoscale integrated artificial photosystems

Reducing the thickness of separation membranes without compromising their selectivity and robustness is the most effective way of maximizing the areal conductivity. This is especially important for the integration of visible light-driven water oxidation and carbon dioxide (or proton) reduction into a complete artificial photosystem on the shortest possible length scale – the nanoscale – because of the efficiency advantages over macroscale photosystems. In addition to their excellent separation property, ultrathin membranes of 10 nm thickness or less need to exhibit sufficient electrical and proton conductivity in order for the photocatalytic rates to keep up with the photon flux at maximum solar intensity. Furher, two materials, graphene and amorphous silica with embedded molecular wires, have emerged as promising ultrathin membranes for the development of nanoscale integrated solar-fuel systems. Moreover, electrically conducting metal–organic or covalent–organic frameworks can be used to fabricate high surface area-supports that enable the use of molecular catalysts and/or light absorbers at an adequate areal density for nanoscale integration with graphene membranes. Following an overview of the electron and proton conductivity of these ultrathin materials and recent examples of photoelectrocatalytic applications that take advantage of some but not all the properties that constitute a complete functional membrane, the status and future opportunities for complete nanoscale integrated photosystems featuring an ultrathin membrane are discussed.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2008

Benchmark Analysis of Pion Contribution from Galactic Cosmic Rays

Shielding strategies for extended stays in space must include a comprehensive resolution of the secondary radiation environment inside the spacecraft induced by the primary, external radiation. The distribution of absorbed dose and dose equivalent is a function of the type, energy and population of these secondary products. A systematic verification and validation effort is underway for HZETRN, which is a space radiation transport code currently used by NASA. It performs neutron, proton and heavy ion transport explicitly, but it does not take into account the production and transport of mesons, photons and leptons. The question naturally arises as to what is the contribution of these particles to space radiation. The pion has a production kinetic energy threshold of about 280 MeV. The Galactic cosmic ray (GCR) spectra, coincidentally, reaches flux maxima in the hundreds of MeV range, corresponding to the pion production threshold. We present results from the Monte Carlo code MCNPX, showing the effect of lepton and meson physics when produced and transported explicitly in a GCR environment.

Aghara, Sukesh K.↗
NASA NTRS1992

On the continuum radiation of gamma-ray bursts

I describe the qualitative features of a model for gamma-ray bursts assuming that they are produced by galactic neutron stars. The model is based on the assumption that electrons are continuously accelerated high up in the magnetosphere to relativistic energies and large pitch angles. These electrons emit a self-absorbed synchrotron spectrum at energies greater than mc-squared and, as a result, lose all of the energy associated with their motion perpendicular to the magnetic field. They thus slide along the field lines hitting the high density crust where by collision with ions acquire non-zero pitch angle (or are excited to higher Landau levels) and emit either cyclotron or bremsstrahlung photons.

Petrosian, Vahe↗
DOE OSTI2024

Machine learning enhanced characterization and optimization of photonic cured MAPbI 3 for efficient perovskite solar cells

Photonic curing (PC) can facilitate high-speed perovskite solar cell (PSC) manufacturing because it uses high-intensity light pulses to crystallize perovskite films in milliseconds. However, optimizing PC conditions is challenging due to its many variables, and using power conversion efficiency (PCE) as the optimization metric is both time-consuming and labor-intensive. This work presents a machine learning (ML) approach to optimize PC conditions for fabricating methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI 3 ) films by quantitatively comparing their ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorbance spectra to thermal annealed (TA) films using four similarity metrics. We perform Bayesian optimization coupled with Gaussian process regression (BO-GP) to minimize the similarity metrics. Refining PC conditions using active learning based on BO-GP models, we achieve a PC MAPbI3 film with an absorbance spectrum closely matching a TA reference film, which is further verified by its crystalline and morphological properties. Thus, we demonstrate that the UV-vis absorption spectrum can accurately proxy film quality. Additionally, we use an AI-based segmentation model for a more efficient grain size analysis. However, when we use the optimized PC condition to fabricate PSCs, we find that interaction between MAPbI 3 and the hole transport layer (HTL) during PC critically degrades the PSC performance. By adding a buffer layer between the HTL and MAPbI 3 , the optimized PC PSCs produce a champion PCE of 11.8%, comparable to the TA reference of 11.7%. Using UV-vis similarity metrics instead of device PCE as the objective in our BO-GP method accelerates the optimization of PC processing conditions for MAPbI 3 films.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS2006

Intergalactic Photon Spectra from the Far-IR to the UV Lyman Limit for 0 < z < 6 and the Optical Depth of the Universe to High-Energy Gamma Rays

We calculate the intergalactic photon density as a function of both energy and redshift for 0<z<6 for photon energies from.003 eV to the Lyman limit cutoff at 13.6 eV in a (Omega)CDM universe with (Omega)(Lambda)=0.7 and (Omega)m=0.3. The basic features of our backward-evolution model for galaxies were developed in earlier papers by Malkan & Stecker. With a few improvements, we find that this evolutionary model gives predictions of new deep number counts from Spitzer, as well as a calculation of the spectral energy distribution of the diffuse infrared background, which are in good agreement with the data. We then use our calculated intergalactic photon densities to extend previous work on the absorption of high-energy Gamma-rays in intergalactic space owing to interactions with low-energy photons and the 2.7 K cosmic microwave background radiation. We calculate the optical depth of the universe, Tau , for Gamma-rays having energies from 4 GeV to 100 TeV emitted by sources at redshifts from 0 to 5. We also give an analytic fit with numerical coefficients for approximating (E(Gamma), z). As an example of the application of our results, we calculate the absorbed spectrum of the blazar PKS 2155-304 at z=0.117 and compare it with the spectrum observed by the HESS air Cerenkov Gamma-ray telescope array.

Stecker, F. W.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Integration of physiologically relevant photosynthetic energy flows into whole genome models of light‐driven metabolism

SUMMARY Characterizing photosynthetic productivity is necessary to understand the ecological contributions and biotechnology potential of plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Light capture efficiency and photophysiology have long been characterized by measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence dynamics. However, these investigations typically do not consider the metabolic network downstream of light harvesting. By contrast, genome‐scale metabolic models capture species‐specific metabolic capabilities but have yet to incorporate the rapid regulation of the light harvesting apparatus. Here, we combine chlorophyll fluorescence parameters defining photosynthetic and non‐photosynthetic yield of absorbed light energy with a metabolic model of the pennate diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. This integration increases the model predictive accuracy regarding growth rate, intracellular oxygen production and consumption, and metabolic pathway usage. Through the quantification of excess electron transport, we uncover the sequential activation of non‐radiative energy dissipation processes, cross‐compartment electron shuttling, and non‐photochemical quenching as the rapid photoacclimation strategy in P. tricornutum. Interestingly, the photon absorption thresholds that trigger the transition between these mechanisms were consistent at low and high incident photon fluxes. We use this understanding to explore engineering strategies for rerouting cellular resources and excess light energy towards bioproducts in silico . Overall, we present a methodology for incorporating a common, informative data type into computational models of light‐driven metabolism and show its utilization within the design–build–test–learn cycle for engineering of photosynthetic organisms.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Theory of molecular emission power spectra. I. Macroscopic quantum electrodynamics formalism

In this work, we study the emission power spectrum of a molecular emitter with multiple vibrational modes in the framework of macroscopic quantum electrodynamics. The theory we present is general for a molecular spontaneous emission spectrum in the presence of arbitrary inhomogeneous, dispersive, and absorbing media. Moreover, the theory shows that the molecular emission power spectra can be decomposed into the electromagnetic environment factor and lineshape function. In order to demonstrate the validity of the theory, we investigate the lineshape function in two limits. In the incoherent limit (single molecules in a vacuum), the lineshape function exactly corresponds to the Franck–Condon principle. In the coherent limit (single molecules strongly coupled with single polaritons or photons) together with the condition of high vibrational frequency, the lineshape function exhibits a Rabi splitting, the spacing of which is exactly the same as the magnitude of exciton–photon coupling estimated by our previous theory [S. Wang et al., J. Chem. Phys. 151, 014105 (2019)]. Finally, we explore the influence of exciton–photon and electron–phonon interactions on the lineshape function of a single molecule in a cavity. The theory shows that the vibronic structure of the lineshape function does not always disappear as the exciton–photon coupling increases, and it is related to the loss of a dielectric environment.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1976

Neutral hydrogen in the direction of the Small Magellatic Cloud and the limits of an extragalactic soft X-ray flux

Previously reported X-ray data from the vicinity of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) have been reanalyzed using H I data from a more detailed and sensitive 21-cm survey of this region. The results support the previous conclusion: assuming that the interstellar material absorbs according to the cross sections of Brown and Gould (1970), at least 75 per cent of the observed 0.25-keV X-ray flux is of local origin. The corollary problem of placing a cosmologically useful upper limit on the extragalactic flux will be difficult to solve until the behavior of the local component is better understood; but if the local flux is isotropic, a 3-sigma upper limit of 240 photons per (sq cm s sr keV) at 0.25 keV may be placed on a flux originating beyond the SMC. Tables of H I column density are given for an area 30 deg by 30 deg about the SMC. The high-velocity component, presumably associated with the Magellanic Cloud system, and the galactic disk component are tabulated separately.

Mccammon, D.↗
NASA NTRS2003

A New Look into the Effect of Large Drops on Radiative Transfer Process

Recent studies indicate that a cloudy atmosphere absorbs more solar radiation than any current 1D or 3D radiation model can predict. The excess absorption is not large, perhaps 10-15 W/sq m or less, but any such systematic bias is of concern since radiative transfer models are assumed to be sufficiently accurate for remote sensing applications and climate modeling. The most natural explanation would be that models do not capture real 3D cloud structure and, as a consequence, their photon path lengths are too short. However, extensive calculations, using increasingly realistic 3D cloud structures, failed to produce photon paths long enough to explain the excess absorption. Other possible explanations have also been unsuccessful so, at this point, conventional models seem to offer no solution to this puzzle. The weakest link in conventional models is the way a size distribution of cloud particles is mathematically handled. Basically, real particles are replaced with a single average particle. This "ensemble assumption" assumes that all particle sizes are well represented in any given elementary volume. But the concentration of larger particles can be so low that this assumption is significantly violated. We show how a different mathematical route, using the concept of a cumulative distribution, avoids the ensemble assumption. The cumulative distribution has jumps, or steps, corresponding to the rarer sizes. These jumps result in an additional term, a kind of Green's function, in the solution of the radiative transfer equation. Solving the cloud radiative transfer equation with the measured particle distributions, described in a cumulative rather than an ensemble fashion, may lead to increased cloud absorption of the magnitude observed.

Marshak, Alexander↗
NASA NTRS1985

An APL program for the distribution of energy deposition by charged particles passing through thin absorbers

An APL program which numerically evaluates the probability density function (PDF) for the energy deposited in a thin absorber by a charged particle is proposed, with application to the construction, pointing, and control of spacecraft. With this program, the PDF of the restricted energy loss distribution of Watts (1973) is derived, and Vavilov's (1957) distribution is obtained by proper parameter selection. The method is demonstrated with the example of the effect of charged particle induced radiation on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) pointing accuracy. A Monte Carlo study simulates the photon noise caused by charged particles passing through the photomultiplier tube window, and the stochastic variation of energy loss is introduced into the simulation by generating random energy losses from a power law distribution. The program eliminates annoying loop procedures, and model parameter sensitivity can be studied using the graphical output.

Howell, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Hot absorbers and the x-ray spectra of BL Lac objects

This is the final report to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) concerning NASA grant NAG5-1671. This grant was awarded to Dr. C. Megan Urry of the Space Telescope Science Institute in response to a proposal, entitled 'Hot Absorbers and the X-Ray Spectra of BL Lac Objects.' The grant was originally awarded in October 1991 and expired in February 1994. The purpose of this project was to detect spectral features in high signal-to-noise Rosat PSPC spectra of X-ray-bright BL Lac objects. We were granted observations of three targets: PKS2155-304, Mrk421, and Mrk501. All three were bright and yielded 5,000-30,000 photons in the good PSPC data.

Urry, C. Megan↗
NASA NTRS2001

Focal Plane Arrays of Voltage-Biased Superconducting Bolometers

The 200-micrometer to 3-mm wavelength range has great astronomical and cosmological significance. Science goals include characterization of the cosmic microwave background, measurement of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect in galaxy clusters, and observations of forming galaxies. Cryogenic bolometers are the most sensitive broadband detectors in this frequency range. Because single bolometer pixels are reaching the photon noise limit for many observations, the development of large arrays will be critical for future science progress. Voltage-biased superconducting bolometers (VSBs) have several advantages compared to other cryogenic bolometers. Their strong negative electrothermal feedback enhances their linearity, speed, and stability. The large noise margin of the SQUID readout enables multiplexed readout schemes, which are necessary for developing large arrays. In this paper, we discuss the development of a large absorber-coupled array, a frequency-domain SQUID readout multiplexer, and an antenna-coupled VSB design.

Myers, Michael J.↗
DOE OSTI2020

1.3-µm passively mode-locked quantum dot lasers epitaxially grown on silicon: gain properties and optical feedback stabilization

Abstract This work reports on an investigation of the optical feedback in an InAs/InGaAs passively mode-locked quantum dot (QD) laser epitaxially grown on silicon. Under the stably-resonant optical feedback condition, experiments demonstrate that the radio-frequency linewidth is narrowed whatever the bias voltage applied on the saturable absorber (SA) is; on the other hand, the effective linewidth enhancement factor of the device increases with the reverse bias voltage on the SA, hence it is observed that such an increase influences the mode-locking dynamic and the stability of device under optical feedback. This work gives insights for stabilizing epitaxial QD mode-locked lasers on silicon which is meaningful for their applications in future large-scale silicon electronic and photonic applications requiring low power consumption as well as for high-speed photonic analog-to-digital conversion, intrachip/interchip optical clock distribution and recovery.

Dong, Bozhang (ORCID:0000000158266723)↗
DOE OSTI2021

Compact spectroscopy of keV to MeV X-rays from a laser wakefield accelerator

We reconstruct spectra of secondary X-rays from a tunable 250–350 MeV laser wakefield electron accelerator from single-shot X-ray depth-energy measurements in a compact (7.5 × 7.5 × 15 cm), modular X-ray calorimeter made of alternating layers of absorbing materials and imaging plates. X-rays range from few-keV betatron to few-MeV inverse Compton to > 100 MeV bremsstrahlung emission, and are characterized both individually and in mixtures. Geant4 simulations of energy deposition of single-energy X-rays in the stack generate an energy-vs-depth response matrix for a given stack configuration. An iterative reconstruction algorithm based on analytic models of betatron, inverse Compton and bremsstrahlung photon energy distributions then unfolds X-ray spectra, typically within a minute. We discuss uncertainties, limitations and extensions of both measurement and reconstruction methods.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2020

A MEMS dynamic mechanical analyzer for in situ viscoelastic characterization of 3D printed nanostructures

Cellular metamaterial structures with sub-micron features have shown the ability to become excellent energy absorbing materials for impact mitigation due to the enhanced mechanical properties of materials at the nanoscale. However, in order to optimize the design of these energy absorbing metamaterial structures we need to be able to measure the dynamic properties of the sub-micron features such as storage and loss moduli and the loss factor. Therefore, at scale testing is required to capture the scale, temperature, and strain rate dependent material properties of these nanoscale materials. This study presents the design, fabrication, and calibration of a MEMS-based dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) that can be directly integrated with the two photon lithography (TPL) process commonly used to fabricate metamaterial structures with nanoscale features. The MEMS-based DMA consists of a chevron style thermal actuator used to generate a tensile load on the structure and two differential capacitive sensors on each side of the structure used to measure load and displacement. This design demonstrated 1.5 ± 0.75 nm displacement resolution and 104 ± 52 nN load resolution, respectively. Dynamic mechanical analysis was successfully conducted on a single nanowire feature printed between the load and displacement stages of the MEMS device with testing frequencies ranging between 0.01–10 Hz and testing temperatures ranging between 22 °C–47 °C. These initial tests on an exemplar TPL part demonstrate that the printed nanowire behaves as a viscoelastic material wherein the transition from glassy to viscous behavior has already set in at the room temperature.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS2006

Spatial Phase Imaging

Frequently, scientists grow crystals by dissolving a protein in a specific liquid solution, and then allowing that solution to evaporate. The methods used next have been, variously, invasive (adding a dye that is absorbed by the protein), destructive (crushing protein/salt-crystal mixtures and observing differences between the crushing of salt and protein), or costly and time-consuming (X-ray crystallography). In contrast to these methods, a new technology for monitoring protein growth, developed in part through NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding from Marshall Space Flight Center, is noninvasive, nondestructive, rapid, and more cost effective than X-ray analysis. The partner for this SBIR, Photon-X, Inc., of Huntsville, Alabama, developed spatial phase imaging technology that can monitor crystal growth in real time and in an automated mode. Spatial phase imaging scans for flaws quickly and produces a 3-D structured image of a crystal, showing volumetric growth analysis for future automated growth.

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