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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 505 records · Page 28
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2010

Application of precise line shape measurements to determine the vapor pressure of ice in the temperature range from 0 to -70 deg. C

We performed spectroscopic measurement of the vapor pressure of ice. We describe an experimental method that enables such a measurement over a wide temperature range that covers the change of the vapor pressure of ice by a few orders of magnitude. Our preliminary results have relative uncertainties at the sub-percent level and are compared to correlations given by Wexler [A. Wexler, J. Res. NBS 81A, 5 (1977)] and Marti and Mauersberger [J. Marti and K. Mauersberger, Geophys. Res. Lett. 20,363 (1993)].

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Measuring the Shear-Tension Coupling of Engineering Fabrics

Modelling the forming process of engineering fabrics and textile composites using a mechanical approach, such as FEM, requires characterisation of material behaviour. Using Picture Frame (PF) tests, several previous studies have reported a coupling between in-plane tension and fabric shear compliance. However, characterising this behaviour accurately has proven problematic due to the sensitivity of the PF test to small fabric misalignments in the test rig, prompting innovative solutions such as the use of load-cells mounted on the side bars of the PF rig to measure in-plane tension during testing. This paper focuses on an alternative testing technique, the Biaxial Bias Extension test, as a means to investigate this coupling. The approach has several benefits including simple equipment requirements, the ability to vary sample dimensions and boundary conditions. The main difficulty lies in extracting the material contribution to the recorded signal. To do this, an experimental method is demonstrated using two very different textiles; glass fabric and self-reinforced polypropylene both plain weaves. The latter is challenging to characterise and was chosen due to its high propensity to wrinkle at room temperature.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Inclusive diffraction at HERA

Results are reported on recent measurements, performed by the H1 and ZEUS Collaborations, of the cross section of the diffractive deep-inelastic process ep{yields}eXp using different experimental methods. In particular, first results using the Very Forward Proton Spectrometer of H1 are discussed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Modeling Agglomeration of Dust Particles in Plasma

The charge on an aggregate immersed in a plasma environment distributes itself over the aggregate's surface; this can be approximated theoretically by assuming a multipole distribution. The dipole-dipole (or higher order) charge interactions between fractal aggregates lead to rotations of the grains as they interact. Other properties of the dust grains also influence the agglomeration process, such as the monomer shape (spherical or ellipsoidal) or the presence of magnetic material. Finally, the plasma and grain properties also determine the morphology of the resultant aggregates. Porous and fluffy aggregates are more strongly coupled to the gas, leading to reduced collisional velocities, and greater collisional cross sections. These factors in turn can determine the growth rate of the aggregates and evolution of the dust cloud. This paper gives an overview of the numerical and experimental methods used to study dust agglomeration at CASPER and highlights some recent results.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Instability of nitrogen doped Sb{sub 2}Te{sub 3} for phase change memory application

By means of experimental methods and ab initio total energy calculations, we have studied the stability and properties of nitrogen doped Sb{sub 2}Te{sub 3} (NST). The NST film displayed a higher crystallization temperature and sheet resistance than undoped Sb{sub 2}Te{sub 3} (ST) film. Nevertheless, the sheet resistance of the crystalline NST film unexpectedly increased as the temperature increased when the temperature was above 260 deg. C. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that the nitrogen concentration and the Sb-N bonds were decreasing as the annealing temperature increased, and no nitrogen existed in the NST when annealed at 300 deg. C for 5 min. Our theoretical calculations showed that the incorporation of nitrogen into crystalline Sb{sub 2}Te{sub 3} was not energetically favorable, and the nitrogen atoms preferred forming chemical bonds with Sb atoms to Te atoms.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Magnetometry and transport data complement polarized neutron reflectometry in magnetic depth profiling

Exchange coupled magnetic hard layer/soft layer thin films show a variety of complex magnetization reversal mechanisms depending on the hierarchy of interaction strengths within and between the films. Magnetization reversal can include uniform rotation, soft layer biasing, as well as exchange spring behavior. We investigate the magnetization reversal of a CoPt/Permalloy/Ta/Permalloy heterostructure. Here, Stoner-Wohlfarth-type uniform magnetization rotation of the virtually free Permalloy layer and exchange spring behavior of the strongly pinned Permalloy layer are found in the same sample. We investigate the complex magnetization reversal by polarized neutron reflectometry, magnetometry, and magneto-transport. The synergy of combining these experimental methods together with theoretical modeling is key to obtain the complete quantitative depth resolved information of the magnetization reversal processes for a multilayer of mesoscopic thickness.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Novel 4{pi} Detection System for the Measurement of the {sup 6}Li(n,{alpha}){sup 3}H Reaction Cross Section

A dedicated one-dimensional Time Projection Chamber (1D-TPC) was designed and produced at IRMM to determine the {sup 6}Li(n,{alpha}){sup 3}H cross section in the 0.4-2.8 MeV energy range, aiming at 5% accuracy. The basic TPC components were a twin gridded ionisation chamber (GIC) with interwired electrodes and fast digitisation of the anode and cathode signals. The energy of both reaction products emitted from a thin {sup 6}LiF sample at the common TPC cathode was measured. A Kr(97%)CO{sub 2}(3%) mixture was used as the detector gas at a pressure up to 3.5 bar. A {sup 238}U sample mounted on the cathode of an ionisation chamber without grid was used as the neutron flux monitor. Special care was taken to reduce the experimental sources of uncertainty. The beam-monitor {sup 238}U sample was characterised at IRMM by low-geometry {alpha}-counting with an accuracy of 0.1%. A {sup 6}Li sample was produced at IRMM by vacuum evaporation of {sup 6}LiF onto transparent aluminium backing. The number of {sup 6}Li atoms will be measured via Thermal Neutron Depth Profiling with an expected accuracy of 2% with respect to an IRMM Standard Reference Material. First test measurements were performed using a monoenergetic neutron beam produced by the T(p,n){sup 3}He reaction at the IRMM 7 MV Van de Graaff accelerator. The experimental method and preliminary results are presented.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2011

Effects of ionization distribution on plasma beam focusing characteristics in Hall thrusters

The relationship between ionization distribution and divergence of plasma beam in a Hall thruster is investigated using spectrum and probe methods. Experimental results indicate that the shift of ionization region towards the exit of channel causes the reduction of accelerating field and the enhancement of electron thermal pressure effect, which result in further deviation of equipotential lines to magnetic field lines and further increase in divergence of plasma beam. It is, therefore, suggested that to put the ionization region deep inside the channel and separate it from the acceleration region at the design, and development stage is helpful to improve the plasma beam focusing characteristics of a Hall thruster.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Effect of bulk electric field reversal on the bounce resonance heating in dual-frequency capacitively coupled electronegative plasmas

The electron bounce resonance heating (BRH) in dual-frequency capacitively coupled plasmas operated in oxygen and argon has been studied by different experimental methods. In comparison with the electropositive argon discharge, the BRH in an electronegative discharge occurs at larger electrode gaps. Kinetic particle simulations reveal that in the oxygen discharge, the bulk electric field becomes quite strong and is out of phase with the sheath field. Therefore, it retards the resonant electrons when traversing the bulk, resulting in a suppressed BRH. This effect becomes more pronounced at lower high-frequency power, when the discharge mode changes from electropositive to electronegative.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Direct measurement of laser-induced frequency shift rate of ultracold cesium molecules by analyzing losses of trapped atoms

We report on a quantitative experimental determination of the laser-induced frequency shift rate of the ultracold cesium molecules formed via photoassociation (PA) by means of the trap loss measurement of the losses of trapped atoms in a standard magneto-optical trap. The experiment was directly performed by varying the photoassociation laser intensity without any additional frequency monitor technologies. Our experimental method utilized dependences of the losses on the laser-induced frequency shift rate based on the conditions of the identified photoassociation spectral shape. We demonstrated that the method is sensitive enough to determine small frequency shifts of rovibrational levels of ultracold cesium molecules.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Plasma processing of low-k dielectrics

This paper presents an in-depth overview of the present status and novel developments in the field of plasma processing of low dielectric constant (low-k) materials developed for advanced interconnects in ULSI technology. The paper summarizes the major achievements accomplished during the last 10 years. It includes analysis of advanced experimental techniques that have been used, which are most appropriate for low-k patterning and resist strip, selection of chemistries, patterning strategies, masking materials, analytical techniques, and challenges appearing during the integration. Detailed discussions are devoted to the etch mechanisms of low-k materials and their degradation during the plasma processing. The problem of k-value degradation (plasma damage) is a key issue for the integration, and it is becoming more difficult and challenging as the dielectric constant of low-k materials scales down. Results obtained with new experimental methods, like the small gap technique and multi-beams systems with separated sources of ions, vacuum ultraviolet light, and radicals, are discussed in detail. The methods allowing reduction of plasma damage and restoration of dielectric properties of damaged low-k materials are also discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

A spectrometer on chemical vapour deposition-diamond basis for the measurement of the charge-state distribution of heavy ions in a laser-generated plasma

This article reports on the development and the first applications of a new spectrometer which enables the precise and time-resolved measurement of both the energy loss and the charge-state distribution of ion beams with 10 < Z < 30 at energies of 4-8 MeV/u after their interaction with a laser-generated plasma. The spectrometer is based on five 20 Multiplication-Sign 7 mm{sup 2} large and 20 {mu}m thick polycrystalline diamond samples produced via the Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) process and was designed with the help of ion-optical simulations. First experiments with the spectrometer were successfully carried out at GSI using {sup 48}Ca ions at an energy of 4.8 MeV/u interacting with a carbon plasma generated by the laser irradiation of a thin foil target. Owing to the high rate capability and the short response time of the spectrometer, pulsed ion beams with 10{sup 3}-10{sup 4} ions per bunch at a bunch frequency of 108 MHz could be detected. The temporal evolution of the five main charge states of the calcium ion beams as well as the corresponding energy loss values could be measured simultaneously. Due to the outstanding properties of diamond as a particle detector, a beam energy resolution ({Delta}E/E) Almost-Equal-To 0.1% could be reached using the presented experimental method, while a precision of 10% in the energy loss and charge-state distribution data was obtained.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Diagnosis of femtosecond plasma filament by channeling microwaves along the filament

We introduce a simple, fast, and non-intrusive experimental method to obtain the basic parameters of femtosecond laser-generated plasma filament. The method is based on the channeling of microwaves along both a plasma filament and a well-defined conducting wire. By comparing the detected microwaves that propagate along the plasma filament and a copper wire with known conductivity and spatial dimension, the basic parameters of the plasma filament can be easily obtained. As a result of the possibility of channeling microwave radiation along the plasma filament, we were then able to obtain the plasma density distribution along the filament length.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Ultra-precise particle velocities in pulsed supersonic beams

We describe an improved experimental method for the generation of cold, directed particle bunches, and the highly accurate determination of their velocities in a pulsed supersonic beam, allowing for high-resolution experiments of atoms, molecules, and clusters. It is characterized by a pulsed high pressure jet source with high brilliance and optimum repeatability, a flight distance of few metres that can be varied with a tolerance of setting of 50 {mu}m, and a precision in the mean flight time of particles of better than 10{sup -4}. The technique achieves unmatched accuracies in particle velocities and kinetic energies and also permits the reliable determination of enthalpy changes with very high precision.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2013

Fatigue and failure responses of lead zirconate titanate multilayer actuator under unipolar high-field electric cycling

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) multilayer actuators with an interdigital electrode design were studied under high electric fields (3 and 6 kV/mm) in a unipolar cycling mode. A 100 Hz sine wave was used in cycling. Five specimens tested under 6 kV/mm failed from 3.8 10^5 to 7 10^5 cycles, whereas three other specimens tested under 3 kV/mm were found to be still functional after 10^8 cycles. Variations in piezoelectric and dielectric responses of the tested specimens were observed during the fatigue test, depending on the measuring and cycling conditions. Selected fatigued and damaged actuators were characterized using an impedance analyzer or small signal measurement. A scanning acoustic microscope also was employed as a nondestructive tool to detect the presence of defects. Failed plates were subsequently sectioned, and the extensive cracks and porous regions were observed to be across the PZT layers. The results from this study have demonstrated that the high-field cycling can accelerate the fatigue of PZT stacks as long as the partial discharge is controlled. The small signal measurement can also be integrated into the large signal measurement to characterize the fatigue response of PZT stacks in a more comprehensive basis. The former can further serve as an experimental method to monitor the behavior of PZT stacks.

Zeng, Fan W↗
DOE OSTI2013

Two-dimensional simulations of thermonuclear burn in ignition-scale inertial confinement fusion targets under compressed axial magnetic fields

We report for the first time on full 2-D radiation-hydrodynamic implosion simulations that explore the impact of highly compressed imposed magnetic fields on the ignition and burn of perturbed spherical implosions of ignition-scale cryogenic capsules. Using perturbations that highly convolute the cold fuel boundary of the hotspot and prevent ignition without applied fields, we impose initial axial seed fields of 20–100 T (potentially attainable using present experimental methods) that compress to greater than 4 × 10{sup 4} T (400 MG) under implosion, thereby relaxing hotspot areal densities and pressures required for ignition and propagating burn by ∼50%. The compressed field is high enough to suppress transverse electron heat conduction, and to allow alphas to couple energy into the hotspot even when highly deformed by large low-mode amplitudes. This might permit the recovery of ignition, or at least significant alpha particle heating, in submarginal capsules that would otherwise fail because of adverse hydrodynamic instabilities.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Versatile radar measurement of the electron loss rate in air

We present an experimental method that makes possible in-situ measurements of the electron loss rate in arbitrary gas mixtures. A weakly ionized plasma is induced via resonant multiphoton ionization of trace amounts of nitric oxide seeded into the gas, and homodyne microwave scattering detection is used to study the dynamics of the electron loss mechanisms. Using this approach, the attachment rate for electrons to molecular oxygen in room temperature, atmospheric pressure air is determined. The measured 0.76 × 10{sup 8} s{sup −1} attachment rate is in very good agreement with predictions based on literature data.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Measurement of the axial and the strangeness magnetic form factor of the proton with a P2 backward angle setup

The P2 experiment at the future accelerator facility MESA in Mainz aims for a precise determination of the weak charge of the proton at low momentum transfer. The experimental method is a measurement of the parity violating asymmetry in elastic electron-proton scattering at forward angle. This asymmetry is dominated by the weak charge, but also the proton structure plays a role. Here we consider a back angle measurement, which is more sensitive to the proton structure, and present its possible implications on the main P2 measurement.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗