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Results for “optical characterization”

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 OSTI2024

Controlled molecule injector for cold, dense, and pure molecular beams at the European x-ray free-electron laser

A permanently available molecular-beam injection setup for controlled molecules (COMO) was installed and commissioned at the small quantum systems (SQS) instrument at the European x-ray free-electron laser (EuXFEL). A b-type electrostatic deflector allows for pure state-, size-, and isomer-selected samples of polar molecules and clusters. The source provides a rotationally cold (T ≈ 1 K) and dense (ρ ≈ 10 8 cm −3 ) molecular beam with pulse durations up to 100 µs generated by a new version of the Even-Lavie valve. Here, a performance overview of the COMO setup is presented along with characterization experiments performed both with an optical laser at the Center for Free-Electron-Laser Science and with x rays at EuXFEL under burst-mode operation. COMO was designed to be attached to different instruments at the EuXFEL, in particular, the SQS and single particles, clusters, and biomolecules (SPB) instruments. This advanced controlled-molecules injection setup enables x-ray free-electron laser studies using highly defined samples with soft and hard x-ray FEL radiation for applications ranging from atomic, molecular, and cluster physics to elementary processes in chemistry and biology.

He, Lanhai↗
DOE OSTI2025

Invariant discovery of features across multiple length scales: Applications in microscopy and autonomous materials characterization

Physical imaging is a foundational characterization method in areas from condensed matter physics and chemistry to astronomy and spans length scales from atomic to universe. Images encapsulate crucial data regarding atomic bonding, materials microstructures, and dynamic phenomena such as microstructural evolution and turbulence, among other phenomena. The challenge lies in effectively extracting and interpreting this information. Variational Autoencoders (VAEs) have emerged as powerful tools for identifying the underlying factors of variation in image data, providing a systematic approach to distilling meaningful patterns from complex data sets. However, a significant hurdle in their application is the definition and selection of appropriate descriptors reflecting local structures. Here, we introduce the scale-invariant VAE approach (SI-VAE) based on the progressive training of the VAE with the descriptors sampled at different length scales. The SI-VAE allows the discovery of the length scale-dependent factors of variation in the system. Here, we illustrate this approach using the ferroelectric domain images and generalize it to the movies of the electron-beam induced phenomena in graphene and topography evolution across combinatorial libraries. This approach can further be used to initialize the decision making in automated experiments including structure–property discovery and can be applied across a broad range of imaging methods. This approach is universal and can be applied to any spatially resolved data including both experimental imaging studies and simulations, and can be particularly useful for exploration of phenomena such as turbulence and scale-invariant transformation fronts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Optical emission spectroscopy and imaging of low-pressure N2 plasmas generated by intense fast-pulsed electron beams

An optical emission spectroscopic (OES) and imaging characterization is conducted on N2 plasmas generated by a 100 keV fast-pulsed electron beam. The electron beams are injected into an N2 gas filled volume with a current of 4.5 kA (300 A/cm2) and a 100 ns pulse width. The characterization is conducted at the pressures, 1 Torr and 0.1 Torr, corresponding to two distinct regimes that exhibit significantly different plasma dynamics. Beam impact ionization is shown to be a primary mechanism for producing low temperature plasmas at 1 Torr during beam output. After beam termination, ionization by an inductive electric field becomes the primary mechanism for plasma formation later in time for both pressures. OES and plasma imaging are used in this work as a diagnostic tool to track the distribution of electronic, vibrational, and rotational state transitions and ionized species. This is achieved with the use of a multi-resolution suite of spectrometers capable of acquiring time-resolved spectra. Vibrational and rotational bands of the N2 second positive system (C3Πu→B3Πg) and the N2+ first negative system (B2Σu+→X2Σg+) are identified in both regimes as well as N+ states exclusively in the lower pressure regime. Vibrational and rotational spectra are shown to track the evolution of the time-varying plasma current. Plasma imaging also reveals spatially nonuniform plasma emission at 0.1 Torr. A few hundred shots are recorded to fully characterize the emissions, and results are shown to be highly reproducible (≤±1% with 2σ confidence).

Kaiser, E. R. (ORCID:0000000336493938)↗
DOE OSTI2022

Single crystal growth of iridates without platinum impurities

Iridates have attracted much interest in the last decade for their novel magnetism emerging in the limit of strong spin-orbit coupling and possible unconventional superconductivity. A standard for growing iridate single crystals has been the flux method using platinum crucibles. Here, in this work, we show that this widely used method compromises the sample quality by inclusion of platinum impurities. We find that Sr 2 ⁢IrO 4 single crystals grown in iridium crucibles show remarkable differences from those grown in platinum crucibles in their sample characterizations using Raman spectroscopy, resistivity, magnetization, optical third harmonic generation, resonant x-ray diffraction, and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering measurements. In particular, we show that several peaks of sizable intensities disappear in the Raman spectra of samples free of platinum impurities, and a significantly larger activation energy is extracted from the resistivity data compared to previously reported values. Furthermore, we find no evidence of the previously reported glide-symmetry-breaking structural distortions and confirm the I⁢ 4 1 / acd space group of the lattice symmetry. Although the platinum impurities are not apparent in the magnetic properties and thus went unnoticed in the stoichiometric insulating phase for a long time, their effects can be much more detrimental to transport properties in chemically doped compounds. Therefore, our result suggests using growth methods that avoid platinum impurities for an investigation of the intrinsic physical properties of iridates, and possible superconducting phases.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

La 2 ⁢O 3 ⁢Mn 2 ⁢Se 2 : A correlated insulating layered d-wave altermagnet

Altermagnets represent a new class of magnetic phases without net magnetization, invariant under a combination of rotation and time reversal. Unlike conventional collinear antiferromagnets (AFM), altermagnets could lead to new correlated states and important material properties deriving from their nonrelativistic spin-split band structure. Indeed, they serve as the magnetic analogue of unconventional superconductors and can yield spin-polarized electrical currents in the absence of external magnetic fields, making them promising candidates for next-generation spintronics. Here, we report altermagnetism in the correlated insulator, magnetically ordered tetragonal oxychalcogenide, L⁢a 2 ⁢O 3⁢ M⁢n 2 ⁢S⁢e 2 . Symmetry analysis reveals a 𝑑 𝑥 2 −𝑦 2 -wave-like spin-momentum locking arising from the M⁢n 2 ⁢O Lieb lattice, supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Magnetic measurements confirm the AFM transition below ∼166K while neutron pair distribution function analysis reveals a 2D short-range magnetic order that persists above the Néel temperature. Single crystals are grown and characterized using x-ray diffraction, optical and electron microscopy, and micro-Raman spectroscopy to confirm the crystal structure, stoichiometry, and uniformity. Furthermore, our findings establish L⁢a 2⁢ O 3 ⁢M⁢n 2⁢ S⁢e 2 as a model altermagnetic system realized on a Lieb lattice.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Impact of pellet preparation on reflectance measurements of ammonium sulfate by single-angle reflectance spectroscopy

The optical constants, n and k, are required to model the reflection, refraction and transmission of light at the first surface interface of a material, as well as its propagation through the material; here n corresponds to the real component and k the imaginary component of the refractive index. Several different spectroscopic methods have been used to determine the n and k values for different materials, including single angle reflectance spectroscopy and ellipsometry. The single-angle reflectance method quantitatively records the specular reflectance R(v) from a plane parallel face of the material and uses the Kramers-Kronig transform to extract the n and k values. For most compounds, however, it is difficult to obtain a single crystal or high-quality window of sufficient planarity and of the appropriate dimensions (several mm) to make the measurement. For this reason, we further investigate the use of pressed pellets of neat powdered substances to measure optical constants of these substances using the single-angle reflectance method. We have found that surface roughness can significantly influence the measured quantitative reflectance spectrum R(v) and, consequently, the derived n and k parameters. A collaborative study between Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) - Valcartier Research Center and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has been carried out using different pellets of neat ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4] to show how parameters such as the relative fraction of particle sizes for the component powder along with the grinding process of the pure compound all can affect the reflectance spectrum used to derive the optical constants. All pressed pellets were characterized by single-angle reflectance spectroscopy.

Diaz, Emmanuela↗
DOE OSTI2024

New dynamic diamond anvil cell for time-resolved radial x-ray diffraction

The dynamic diamond anvil cell (dDAC) is a recently developed experimental platform that has shown promise for studying the behavior of materials at strain rates ranging from intermediate to quasi-static and shock compression regimes. Combining dDAC with time-resolved x-ray diffraction (XRD) in the radial geometry (i.e., with incident x-rays perpendicular to the axis of compression) enables the study of material properties such as strength, texture evolution, and deformation mechanisms. This work describes a radial XRD dDAC setup at beamline P02.2 (Extreme Conditions Beamline) at DESY’s PETRA III synchrotron. Time-resolved radial XRD data are collected for titanium, zirconium, and zircon samples, demonstrating the ability to study the strength and texture of materials at compression rates above 300 GPa/s. In addition, the simultaneous optical imaging of the DAC sample chamber is demonstrated. The ability to conduct simultaneous radial XRD and optical imaging provides the opportunity to characterize plastic strain and deviatoric strain rates in the DAC at intermediate rates, exploring the strength and deformation mechanisms of materials in this regime.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Process–Property–Performance Mapping of Additively Manufactured 316H Stainless Steel Components

The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Program is focused on accelerating the development of advanced materials and components fabricated via additive manufacturing, and is using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) of 316H stainless steel as an initial case study. In the previous fiscal year, miniature high-throughput specimens were printed on multiple LPBF systems to provide initial processing windows to minimize porosity and limit epitaxial grain growth during prints. This fiscal year, scaled builds were completed on three different LPBF systems at ORNL: a GE Concept Laser M2, a Renishaw AM400, and an EOS M290. Builds on the Concept Laser were conducted on multiple powder lots and processing parameter ranges to provide microstructure effects on time-independent and time-dependent mechanical properties. Builds on the Renishaw were produced using Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)-optimized printing parameters and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)-optimized printing parameters to compare outcomes of parallel process optimization efforts at different national laboratories on the same LPBF system. Similarly, the build completed on the EOS M290 replicated the processing parameters of builds completed at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Optical microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction characterization was completed on all builds. In addition to the general round robin characterization, this work-package generated time-independent data, including tensile and fracture toughness test data on scaled Concept Laser builds as a function of processing parameters and post-build heat treatment. This analysis is complimentary to work in parallel work packages aiming to establish heat treatment and processing effects on time-dependent properties. It was found that although the stress-relief heat treatment provides the highest strength at lower-temperatures, tensile strength begins to converge at higher temperatures regardless of heat treatment condition. In addition, the more rigorous solution annealing and hot-isostatic pressing post-build heat treatments result in higher fracture toughness than the stress-relieved condition. The root-causes of the lower fracture toughness of the stress-relieved LPBF 316H material was informed via a stress-relief optimization study on a scaled concept laser print, where it was found that although dislocation recovery was largely complete after only a couple hours at 650°C, the extended hold of the current 24h heat treatment employed on scaled builds likely caused increased carbide volume fractions along the LPBF 316H grain boundaries, thereby deteriorating crack propagation resistance. This trend was seen to become more deleterious with additional increases of stress-relief temperature to 750°C or 850°C. These results have helped inform a new optimal stress-relief annealing condition for LPBF 316H for future campaign testing (650°C for 2h).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Laser Powder Bed Fusion Manufactured Alloys 625 and 282 and Properties Relevant to Advanced Nuclear Components

Under the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies program, two Ni-based alloys fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) have been evaluated: γ′-strengthened Haynes 282 and solution-strengthened Inconel 625. Large printing defects were observed in the LPBF 282 alloy fabricated using a Renishaw AM250 machine, likely due to particle spattering during printing. Annealing at 1,180°C for 1 h followed by 4 h at 800°C in a high density of 50 nm γ′-strengthening precipitates as well as partial recrystallization resulted in a bimodal grain distribution. Creep testing performed at 750°C revealed lower creep life and ductility for the LPBF 282 compared with wrought 282. X-ray computed tomography combined with optical and scanning electron microscopy microstructural characterization revealed crack formation during creep testing, initiated either from printing defects or from creep cavitation at grain boundaries. Printing defects were the likely reason for the lower creep performance of LPBF 282 and could be suppressed by optimizing the build configuration. Printing 625 on an EOS M290 machine using the recommended EOS parameters resulted in a very low defect density. Superior creep strength at 725°C was observed for the as-printed LPBF 625 along the build direction when compared with wrought 625. No defect larger than ~50 µm could be detected by X-ray computed tomography in the as-printed conditions and after creep testing for 1,000 h at 725°C and 150 MPa. Small, needle-like δ-phase precipitates were observed after creep testing for 100 h at 725°C and 200 MPa. The rapid formation of the γ phase is directly related to the initial Nb and Mo segregation in the LPBF 625 cell walls, and its effect on the alloy’s high-temperature performance will be evaluated. Solution annealing was carried out at 1,150°C for 1 h and led to full recrystallization of the alloy. A decrease in strength and increase in ductility were observed after solution annealing, and the alloy recrystallization resulted in isotropic tensile properties at room temperature, contrary to what was observed for the as-printed LPBF 625.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Process–Property–Performance Mapping of Additively Manufactured 316H Stainless Steel Components

The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Program is focused on accelerating the development of advanced materials and components fabricated via additive manufacturing, and is using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) of 316H stainless steel as an initial case study. In the previous fiscal year, miniature high-throughput specimens were printed on multiple LPBF systems to provide initial processing windows to minimize porosity and limit epitaxial grain growth during prints. This fiscal year, scaled builds were completed on three different LPBF systems at ORNL: a GE Concept Laser M2, a Renishaw AM400, and an EOS M290. Builds on the Concept Laser were conducted on multiple powder lots and processing parameter ranges to provide microstructure effects on time-independent and time-dependent mechanical properties. Builds on the Renishaw were produced using Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)-optimized printing parameters and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)-optimized printing parameters to compare outcomes of parallel process optimization efforts at different national laboratories on the same LPBF system. Similarly, the build completed on the EOS M290 replicated the processing parameters of builds completed at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Optical microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction characterization was completed on all builds. In addition to the general round robin characterization, this work-package generated time-independent data, including tensile and fracture toughness test data on scaled Concept Laser builds as a function of processing parameters and post-build heat treatment. This analysis is complimentary to work in parallel work packages aiming to establish heat treatment and processing effects on time-dependent properties. It was found that although the stress-relief heat treatment provides the highest strength at lower-temperatures, tensile strength begins to converge at higher temperatures regardless of heat treatment condition. In addition, the more rigorous solution annealing and hot-isostatic pressing post-build heat treatments result in higher fracture toughness than the stress-relieved condition. The root-causes of the lower fracture toughness of the stress-relieved LPBF 316H material was informed via a stress-relief optimization study on a scaled concept laser print, where it was found that although dislocation recovery was largely complete after only a couple hours at 650°C, the extended hold of the current 24h heat treatment employed on scaled builds likely caused increased carbide volume fractions along the LPBF 316H grain boundaries, thereby deteriorating crack propagation resistance. This trend was seen to become more deleterious with additional increases of stress-relief temperature to 750°C or 850°C. These results have helped inform a new optimal stress-relief annealing condition for LPBF 316H for future campaign testing (650°C for 2h).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Fully Recyclable CFRP Particles (CRADA 519)

The proposed resin-enhanced materials, which utilize fully recycled CFRP (carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer) particles, are enabled by PARC's proprietary Chemically Linked Particles Networks (13 granted patents and patent applications). PNNL and PARC have collaborated to develop manufacturing methods, such as vacuum-assisted wet compression molding and filament winding, for fabricating fiber-reinforced composites with the PARC matrix. PNNL has conducted various mechanical, physical, and thermal characterizations to compare their differences between the composites with baseline and PARC matrices. Those characterizations include density, void volume fraction, optical micrography, uniaxial tension, four-point bending/flexure, interlaminar shear, coefficient of thermal expansion, glass transition temperature, and curing kinetics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Manufacturability and performance response of developed Ni-based alloys for reactor environments

Under the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies program, two Ni-based alloys fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and by laser powder directed energy deposition (LP-DED) at Idaho National Laboratory have been evaluated: γ′-strengthened Haynes 282 and solution-strengthened Inconel 625. Printing defects were observed in the LPBF 282 alloy fabricated using a Renishaw AM250 machine, likely due to particle spattering during printing. For both the LPBF and LP-DED 282 alloys, annealing at 1,180°C for 1 h resulted in partial recrystallization and a bimodal grain distribution, and subsequent aging for 4 h at 800°C led to the formation of a high density of nano-size γ′-strengthening precipitates. Creep testing performed at 750°C revealed lower creep life and ductility for the LPBF and LP-DED 282 compared with wrought 282. X-ray computed tomography combined with optical and scanning electron microscopy microstructural characterization revealed crack formation in the LPBF 282 alloy during creep testing, initiated either from printing defects or from creep cavitation at grain boundaries. Creep cavitation and cracking at grain boundaries were also observed for the LP-DED 282 alloy, and optimization of the printing strategies and postheat treatments will be needed to fabricate high-performance 282 components for high-temperature nuclear applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Elevating SolTrace's Capabilities for the Next Generation of Concentrating Solar Analysis

SolTrace is an open-source Monte Carlo ray tracing software developed at NREL. SolTrace can characterize concentrating solar thermal (CST) collector optical performance and is CST technology agnostic. Shown in Fig. 1, SolTrace is a foundational tool in NREL's CST system and component modeling suite. SolTrace's generic surface elements can flexibly model novel collector and receiver designs to predict spatial and temporal flux distributions - critical to understand for CST component design, performance prediction, and system integration. Since its initial development, SolTrace has over 1,650 references on Google Scholar, over 9,800 downloads since 2017, and has served the CST research and development community as a benchmark of 3rd party verification. SolTrace provides users with many options for defining surface shape and boundaries. However, SolTrace provides limited documentation which can result in a steep learning curve for new users. Additionally, SolTrace lacks the computational performance required to evaluate optical performance of a CST system over the course of a year and/or iteratively over design parameters in a timely manner. To address this, we are working towards a new release of SolTrace that enables increased computational throughput by implementing ray tracing acceleration structures and enabling GPU parallelization. Additionally, we are working to improve SolTrace's usability, accessibility, and maintainability by (1) automating solar position time-dependent simulation processes, (2) creating general CST collector templates of grouped elements, (3) updating the user interface to better visualize model inputs and outputs, and (4) creating a user support network through forums, "how to" videos, and documentation.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Manufacturability and performance response of developed Ni-based alloys for reactor environments

Under the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies program, two Ni-based alloys fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) at ORNL and laser powder directed energy deposition (LP-DED) at INL have been evaluated: γ′-strengthened Haynes 282 and solution-strengthened Inconel 625. Printing defects were observed in the LPBF 282 alloy fabricated using a Renishaw AM250 machine, likely due to particle spattering during printing. For both the LPBF and LP-DED 282 alloys, annealing at 1,180°C for 1 h resulted in partial recrystallization and a bimodal grain distribution, while subsequent aging for 4 h at 800°C led to the formation of a high density of nano size γ′-strengthening precipitates. Creep testing performed at 750°C revealed lower creep life and ductility for the LPBF and LP-DED 282 compared with wrought 282. X-ray computed tomography combined with optical and scanning electron microscopy microstructural characterization revealed crack formation in the LPBF 282 alloy during creep testing, initiated either from printing defects or from creep cavitation at grain boundaries. Creep cavitation and cracking at grain boundaries were also observed for the LP-DED 282 alloy, and optimization of the printing strategies and post heat treatments will be needed to fabricate high performance 282 components for high temperature nuclear applications.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

MCPC Characterization Round 1

Characterization data for the MCPC LDRD Agile investment is collected in multiple rounds. Contained herein is data from Round 1 in which eleven distinct samples and one control sample are characterized by five modalities: EBSD, HARDNESS, OPTICAL, SEM, and ULTRASONIC. Data is organized in subdirectories for the five modalities and each one modality containing subdirectories for the datasets and other information.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

MCPC Characterization Round 2

Characterization data for the MCPC LDRD Agile investment is collected in multiple rounds. Contained herein is data from Round 2 in which eleven distinct samples and one control sample are characterized by five modalities: EBSD, HARDNESS, OPTICAL, SEM, and ULTRASONIC. Data is organized in subdirectories for the five modalities and each one modality containing subdirectories for the datasets and other information.

316 stainless steel↗
DOE OSTI2025

MCPC Characterization Round 3

Characterization data for the MCPC LDRD Agile investment is collected in multiple rounds. Contained herein is data from Round 3 in which eleven distinct samples and one control sample are characterized by five modalities: EBSD, HARDNESS, OPTICAL, SEM, and ULTRASONIC. Data is organized in subdirectories for the five modalities and each one modality containing subdirectories for the datasets and other information.

316 stainless steel↗
DOE OSTI2020

An Asymmetric Eclipse Seen toward the Pre-main-sequence Binary System V928 Tau

K2 observations of the weak-lined T Tauri binary V928 Tau A and B show the detection of a single, asymmetric eclipse, which may be due to a previously unknown substellar companion eclipsing one component of the binary with an orbital period >66 days. Over an interval of about 9 hr, one component of the binary dims by around 60%, returning to its normal brightness about 5 hr later. From modeling of the eclipse shape, we find evidence that the eclipsing companion may be surrounded by a disk or a vast ring system. The modeled disk has a radius of 0.9923 ± 0.0005 R∗, with an inclination of 56.°78 ± 0.°03, a tilt of 41.°22 ± 0.°05, an impact parameter of -0.2506 ± 0.0002 R∗, and an opacity of 1.00. The occulting disk must also move at a transverse velocity of 6.637 ± 0.002 R∗ day -1 , which, depending on whether it orbits V928 Tau A or B, corresponds to approximately 73.53 or 69.26 km s -1 . A search in ground-based archival data reveals additional dimming events, some of which suggest periodicity, but no unambiguous period associated with the eclipse observed by K2. We present a new epoch of astrometry that is used to further refine the orbit of the binary, presenting a new lower bound of 67 yr, and constraints on the possible orbital periods of the eclipsing companion. The binary is also separated by 18' (~2250 au) from the lower-mass CFHT-BD-Tau 7, which is likely associated with V928 Tau A and B. We also present new high-dispersion optical spectroscopy that we use to characterize the unresolved stellar binary.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗