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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 469 records · Page 26
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Nuclear-level effective theory of 𝜇 → 𝑒 conversion: Inelastic process

Mu2e and COMET will search for electrons produced via the neutrinoless conversion of stopped muons bound in 1s atomic orbits of 27 Al, improving existing limits on charged lepton flavor violation (CLFV) by roughly four orders of magnitude. Conventionally, 𝜇 → 𝑒 conversion experiments are optimized to detect electrons originating from transitions where the nucleus remains in the ground state, thereby maximizing the energy of the outgoing electron. Clearly, detection of a positive signal in forthcoming experiments would stimulate additional work—including subsequent conversion experiments using complementary nuclear targets—to further constrain the new physics responsible for CLFV. Here we argue that additional information can be extracted without the need for additional experiments, by considering inelastic conversion in 27 Al. Transitions to low-lying nuclear excited states can modify the near-endpoint spectrum of conversion electrons, with the ratio of the elastic and inelastic responses being sensitive to the underlying CLFV operator. We extend the nuclear effective theory of 𝜇 → 𝑒 conversion to the inelastic case, which adds five new response functions to the six that arise for the elastic process. We evaluate these nuclear response functions in 27 Al and calculate the resulting conversion-electron signal, taking into account the resolution anticipated in Mu2e/COMET. We find that 27 Al is an excellent target choice from the perspective of the new information that can be obtained from inelastic 𝜇 → 𝑒 conversion.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Measurement of the free neutron lifetime in a magneto-gravitational trap with in situ detection

Here, in this study, we publish three years of data from the UCNτ experiment performed at the Los Alamos Ultracold Neutron Facility at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. These data are in addition to our previously published data. Our goals in this paper are to better understand and quantify systematic uncertainties and to improve the lifetime statistical precision. We previously reported a value from our 2017–2018 data for the neutron lifetime of 877.75 ± 0.28 (statistical) +0.22–0.16 (systematic) s. We have collected an additional three years of data reported here for the first time. When all the data from UCNτ are averaged for 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022, we report an updated value for the lifetime of 877.83 ± 0.22 (statistical)+0.20–0.17 (systematic) s. We utilized improved monitor detectors, reduced our correction due to UCN upscattering on residual gas, and employed four different UCN detector geometries both to reduce the correction required for rate dependence and to explore potential contributions due to phase space evolution.

Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix↗
DOE OSTI2025

Signal processing and spectral modeling for the BeEST experiment

The Beryllium Electron capture in Superconducting Tunnel junctions (BeEST) experiment searches for evidence of heavy neutrino mass eigenstates in the nuclear electron capture decay of 7 Be by precisely measuring the recoil energy of the 7 Li daughter. In Phase III, the BeEST experiment has been scaled from a singl superconducting tunnel junction (STJ) sensor to a 36-pixel array to increase sensitivity and mitigate gamma-induced backgrounds. Phase III also uses a new continuous data acquisition system that greatly increases the flexibility for signal processing and data cleaning. Here, we have developed procedures for signal processing and spectral fitting that are sufficiently robust to be automated for large datasets. Furthermore, this article presents the optimized procedures before unblinding the majority of the Phase III dataset to search for physics beyond the standard model.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19↗
DOE OSTI2021

Limits on the Existence of sub-MeV Sterile Neutrinos from the Decay of 7 Be in Superconducting Quantum Sensors

Sterile neutrinos are natural extensions to the standard model of particle physics and provide a possible portal to the dark sector. We report a new search for the existence of sub-MeV sterile neutrinos using the decay-momentum reconstruction technique in the decay of 7 Be. The experiment measures the total energy of the 7 Li daughter atom from the electron capture decay of 7 Be implanted into sensitive superconducting tunnel junction (STJ) quantum sensors. Here, this first experiment presents data from a single STJ operated at a low count rate for a net total of 28 days, and provides exclusion limits on sterile neutrinos in the mass range from 100 to 850 keV that improve upon previous work by up to an order of magnitude.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Ruling out Color Transparency in Quasielastic 12 C(e,e'p) up to Q 2 of 14.2 (GeV/c) 2

Quasielastic $^{12}$C$(e,e'p)$ scattering was measured at space-like 4-momentum transfer squared $Q^2$ = 8, 9.4, 11.4, and 14.2 (GeV/c)$^2$, the highest ever achieved to date. Nuclear transparency for this reaction was extracted by comparing the measured yield to that expected from a plane-wave impulse approximation calculation without any final state interactions. Additionally, the measured transparency was consistent with no $Q^2$ dependence, up to proton momenta of 8.5 GeV/c, ruling out the quantum chromodynamics effect of color transparency at the measured $Q^2$ scales in exclusive $(e,e'p)$ reactions. Furthermore, these results impose strict constraints on models of color transparency for protons.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Improved Neutron Lifetime Measurement with UCN$\tau$

In this work, we report an improved measurement of the free neutron lifetime $\tau_n$ using the UCN$\tau$ apparatus at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. We count a total of approximately 38×10 6 surviving ultracold neutrons (UCNs) after storing in UCN$\tau$’s magnetogravitational trap over two data acquisition campaigns in 2017 and 2018. We extract $\tau$ n from three blinded, independent analyses by both pairing long and short storage time runs to find a set of replicate $\tau$ n measurements and by performing a global likelihood fit to all data while self-consistently incorporating the β-decay lifetime. Both techniques achieve consistent results and find a value $\tau$ n =877.75±0.28 stat +0.22/–0.16 syst s. With this sensitivity, neutron lifetime experiments now directly address the impact of recent refinements in our understanding of the standard model for neutron decay.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Ab Initio Structure Factors for Spin-Dependent Dark Matter Direct Detection

We present converged ab initio calculations of structure factors for elastic spin-dependent WIMP scattering off all nuclei used in dark matter direct-detection searches: 19 F, 23 Na, 27 Al, 29 Si, 73 Ge, 12 7I, and 129,131 Xe. From a set of established two- and three-nucleon interactions derived within chiral effective field theory, we construct consistent WIMP-nucleon currents at the one-body level, including effects from axial-vector two-body currents. We then apply the in-medium similarity renormalization group to construct effective valence-space Hamiltonians and consistently transformed operators of nuclear responses. Combining the recent advances of natural orbitals with three-nucleon forces expressed in large spaces, we obtain basis-space converged structure factors even in heavy nuclei. Generally results are consistent with previous calculations but large uncertainties in 127 I highlight the need for further study.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Improved Limit on Tensor Currents in the Weak Interaction from Li 8 β Decay

Here, the electroweak interaction in the standard model is described by a pure vector-axial-vector structure, though any Lorentz-invariant component could contribute. In this Letter, we present the most precise measurement of tensor currents in the low-energy regime by examining the $β-\bar{ν}$ correlation of trapped 8 Li ions with the Beta-decay Paul Trap. We find $a_{β\barν}$ = - 0.3325 ± 0.0013 stat ± 0.0019 syst at 1σ for the case of coupling to right-handed neutrinos (C T = -C$^{'}_{T}$), which is consistent with the standard model prediction.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

β -Nuclear-Recoil Correlation from $^6$$\mathrm{He}$ Decay in a Laser Trap

Here, we report the first precise measurement of a β-recoil correlation from a radioactive noble gas ( 6 He) confined via a magneto-optical trap. The measurement is motivated by the search for exotic tensor-type contributions to the charged weak current. Interpreted as tensor currents with right-handed neutrinos, the measurements yield |C T /C A | 2 ≤ 0.022 (90% confidence limit, C.L.). On the other hand, for left-handed neutrinos the limits are 0.007 < C T /C A < 0.111 (90% C.L.). The sensitivity of the present measurement is mainly limited by experimental uncertainties in determining the time response properties and the distance between the atom cloud and the microchannel plate used for recoil ion detection.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Nuclear-Level Effective Theory of 𝜇 → 𝑒 Conversion

The Mu2e and COMET 𝜇 → 𝑒 conversion experiments are expected to significantly advance limits on new sources of charged lepton flavor violation. Almost all theoretical work in the field has focused on just two operators. However, general symmetry arguments lead to a 𝜇 → 𝑒 conversion rate with six response functions, each of which, in principle, is observable by varying nuclear properties of targets. We construct a nucleon-level nonrelativistic effective theory (NRET) to clarify the microscopic origin of these response functions and to relate rate measurements in different targets. This exercise identifies three operators and their small parameters that control the NRET operator expansion. We note inconsistencies in past treatments of these parameters. The NRET is technically challenging, involving 16 operators, several distorted electron partial waves, bound muon upper and lower components, and an exclusive nuclear matrix element. We introduce a trick for treating the electron Coulomb effects accurately, which enables us to include all of these effects while producing transition densities whose one-body matrix elements can be evaluated analytically, greatly simplifying the nuclear physics. We derive bounds on operator coefficients from existing and anticipated 𝜇 → 𝑒 conversion experiments. We discuss how similar NRET formulations have impacted dark matter phenomenology, noting that the tools this community has developed could be adapted for charged lepton flavor violation studies.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Angular Correlations in the β Decay of B 8 : First Tensor-Current Limits from a Mirror-Nucleus Pair

We present the first measurement of the α–β–ν angular correlation in the Gamow-Teller β + decay of 8 B. This was accomplished using the Beta-decay Paul Trap, expanding on our previous work on the β – decay of 8 Li. The 8 B result is consistent with the V – A electroweak interaction of the standard model and, on its own, provides a limit on the exotic right-handed tensor current relative to the axial-vector current of |C T /C A | 2 < 0.013 at the 95.5% confidence level. This represents the first high-precision angular correlation measurements in mirror decays and was made possible through the use of an ion trap. Here, by combining this 8 B result with our previous 8 Li results, we demonstrate a new pathway for increased precision in searches for exotic currents.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19↗
DOE OSTI2024

Improved Tensor Current Limit from 8 B 𝛽 Decay Including New Recoil-Order Calculations

A precision measurement of the 𝛽 + decay of 8 B was performed using the Beta-decay Paul Trap to determine the 𝛽−𝜈 angular correlation coefficient 𝑎 𝛽⁢𝜈 . The experimental results were combined with new ab initio symmetry-adapted no-core shell-model calculations to yield the second-most precise measurement from Gamow-Teller decays, 𝑎 𝛽⁢𝜈 = −0.3345 ± 0.001⁢9 stat ± 0.002⁢1 syst . This value agrees with the standard model value of −1/3 and improves uncertainties in 8 B by nearly a factor of 2. By combining results from 8 B and 8 Li , a tight limit on tensor current coupling to right-handed neutrinos was obtained. A recent global evaluation of all other precision 𝛽 decay studies suggested a nonzero value for right-handed neutrino coupling in contradiction with the standard model at just above 3⁢𝜎. Finally, the present results are of comparable sensitivity and do not support this finding.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Distinguishing Charged Lepton Flavor Violation Scenarios with Inelastic 𝜇 → 𝑒 Conversion

The Mu2e and COMET experiments are expected to improve existing limits on charged lepton flavor violation (CLFV) by roughly 4 orders of magnitude. 𝜇 → 𝑒 conversion experiments are typically optimized for electrons produced without nuclear excitation, as this maximizes the electron energy and minimizes backgrounds from the free decay of the muon. Here we argue that Mu2e and COMET will be able to extract additional constraints on CLFV from inelastic 𝜇 → 𝑒 conversion, given the 27 Al target they have chosen and backgrounds they anticipate. We describe CLFV scenarios in which inelastic CLFV can induce measurable distortions in the near-endpoint spectrum of conversion electrons, including cases where certain contributing operators cannot be probed in elastic 𝜇 → 𝑒 conversion. We extend the nonrelativistic EFT treatment of elastic 𝜇 → 𝑒 conversion to include the new nuclear operators needed for the inelastic process, evaluate the associated nuclear response functions, and describe several new-physics scenarios where the inelastic process can provide additional information on CLFV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Design of a Scavenging Pyrrole Additive for High Voltage Lithium-Ion Batteries

We report 1-(dimethylamino) pyrrole (PyDMA) as an electrolyte additive for high voltage lithium-ion batteries based on LiNi 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 (NMC622)//Graphite with an upper cutoff voltage of 4.4 V. Density Functional Theory (DFT) modeling indicates that the unique structure of PyDMA could be effective in preventing the hydrolysis of LiPF 6 in a carbonate electrolyte, mitigating issues related to HF formation. The calculations also indicated that the additive would oxidize at lower potentials than typical electrolyte solvents, which could lead to protective films at the cathode surface. These expectations were tested using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and extensive electrochemical characterization. NMR studies confirmed the superb dehydrating capability of PyDMA, which successfully prevents HF formation even at high water content. Addition of 0.5 wt% PyDMA resulted in improved capacity retention in full-cells, and also in lower levels of transition metal dissolution from the cathode. Incremental capacity (dQ/dV) analysis indicates that benefits of PyDMA at low concentration (0.5–1 wt%) are associated with decreased rates of Li + -trapping reactions, and that higher concentrations of the additive can lead to isolation of cathode domains. Furthermore, our study indicates that PyDMA could be a promising electrolyte additive for high voltage lithium-ion batteries at a low concentration.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Applying Compression-Based Metrics to Seismic Data in Support of Global Nuclear Explosion Monitoring

The analysis of seismic data for evidence of possible nuclear explosion testing is a critical global security mission that relies heavily on human expertise to identify and mark seismic signals embedded in background noise. To assist analysts in making these determinations, we adapted two compression distance metrics for use with seismic data. First, we demonstrated that the Normalized Compression Distance (NCD) metric can be adapted for use with waveform data and can identify the arrival times of seismic signals. Then we tested an approximation for the NCD called Sliding Information Distance (SLID), which can be computed much faster than NCD. We assessed the accuracy of the SLID output by comparing it to both the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and the judgments of expert seismic analysts. Our results indicate that SLID effectively identifies arrival times and provides analysts with useful information that can aid their analysis process.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗