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At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Development of a pattern recognition algorithm for reconstructing multi-particle events in the Mu2e detector

Mu2e is an upcoming experiment at Fermilab and its main goal is to search for the Charged Lepton Flavor Violation (CLFV) in the coherent transition of a muon into an electron on an Al target. In Mu2e, multi-particle events can occur simultaneously within the same time region and it is crucial to accurately identify each particle track, including signals, to improve the robustness of track finding methods and enhance reconstruction efficiency. ¯p annihilation is one of the background events and produces multiple particles that can mimic signal events. Additionally, photons from radiative pion captures can produce a γ → $e+e−$ pair, which can be used to calibrate the Mu2e momentum scale and the resolution. The Mu2e track reconstruction sequence begins by grouping hits produced in the tracker based on time and z coordinate information, called TimeCluster, and selected hits are processed to reconstruct helices and determine their momentum. The current pattern recognition algorithms identify a single helix per TimeCluster for single track events. A new pattern recognition algorithm is being developed to reconstruct multi-particle events and its features for finding multiple tracks and the current evaluation results are reported.

Kitagawa, H. [Pisa U.]↗
NASA NTRS2006

Electron Impact Excitation Cross Section Measurement for n=3 to n=2 Line Emission in Fe(17+) to Fe(23+)

We have measured the electron impact excitation cross sections for the strong iron L-shell 3 --> 2 lines of Fe XVIII to Fe XXIV at the EBIT-I electron beam ion trap using a crystal spectrometer and NASA-Goddard Space Flight Centers 6 x 6 pixel array microcalorimeter. The cross sections were determined by direct normalization to the well established cross section of radiative electron capture through a sophisticated model analysis which results in the excitation cross section for the strong Fe L-shell lines at multiple electron energies. This measurement is part of a laboratory X-ray astrophysics program utilizing the Livermore electron beam ion traps EBIT-I and EBIT-II.

Chen, H.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Technique for Radiometer and Antenna Array Calibration - TRAAC

Highly sensitive receivers are used to detect minute amounts of emitted electromagnetic energy. Calibration of these receivers is vital to the accuracy of the measurements. Traditional calibration techniques depend on calibration reference internal to the receivers as reference for the calibration of the observed electromagnetic energy. Such methods can only calibrate errors in measurement introduced by the receiver only. The disadvantage of these existing methods is that they cannot account for errors introduced by devices, such as antennas, used for capturing electromagnetic radiation. This severely limits the types of antennas that can be used to make measurements with a high degree of accuracy. Complex antenna systems, such as electronically steerable antennas (also known as phased arrays), while offering potentially significant advantages, suffer from a lack of a reliable and accurate calibration technique. The proximity of antenna elements in an array results in interaction between the electromagnetic fields radiated (or received) by the individual elements. This phenomenon is called mutual coupling. The new calibration method uses a known noise source as a calibration load to determine the instantaneous characteristics of the antenna. The noise source is emitted from one element of the antenna array and received by all the other elements due to mutual coupling. This received noise is used as a calibration standard to monitor the stability of the antenna electronics.

Meyer, Paul↗
NASA NTRS2019

Modeling the near-field ionospheric disturbances during earthquakes

We present the latest development of the Wave Perturbation-Global Ionosphere-Thermosphere Model (WP-GITM), a threedimensional physics-based numerical model for seismic/tsunami-ionosphere coupling via atmospheric acoustic-gravity waves. WP-GITM was previously applied to simulate the ionospheric perturbations resulted from the epicentral crustal movement by assuming spherical acoustic-gravity waves originated from a point source, which was specified by the seismic measurement at a single location nearby the epicenter. In this work, we extend WP-GITM to include the effects of Rayleigh surface waves and adapt WP-GITM to utilize seismic measurements from more than one location in the attempt to capture the radiation pattern of the seismic source. We apply the new WP-GITM to model the near-field co-seismic ionospheric perturbations during the 16 September 2015 Illapel earthquake. The comparison between the simulated ionospheric total electron content perturbations and the GPS observations shows promising results.

Ravanelli, Michela↗
NASA NTRS2023

Effect of Scattering Angle on DSCOVR/EPIC Observations

The Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) on the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) routinely captures reflected radiation from the whole sunlit side of the Earth in the near backward direction to monitor the changing planet. The instrument had routinely operated until 27 June 2019, when the spacecraft was placed in an extended safe hold due to degradation of an inertial navigation unit. DSCOVR returned to full operations on 2 March 2020. Since then, the range of scattering angles between the incident sunlight and sensor direction has been larger than before and the largest scattering angle reaches ∼178°, only 2° from perfect backscattering, proving a unique opportunity to study the top-of-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance under such extreme conditions. In the paper, we compare EPIC global spectral reflectances in 2021–2016. We found that there are four occasions when the scattering angle reaches about 178° and associated with them enhanced global daily average spectral reflectances in 2021. The scattering angle related reflectance enhancements are not found in 2016 data when the maximum scattering angle is about 174.5°. CERES data do not show such occasions in global daily reflected shortwave flux. As a result, those enhanced reflectance occasions are primarily due to the change in scattering angle. The enhancement due to changes in scattering angle depends strongly on wavelength, primarily because of wavelength dependence of cloud scattering phase function. Radiative transfer calculations show that the change in scattering angles has the largest impact on reflectance in the red and NIR channels at 680 nm and 780 nm and the smallest influence on reflectance in the UV channel at 388 nm, consistent with EPIC observations. The change of global average cloud amount also plays an important role in the reflectance enhancement. The influence of the cloud effect depends on whether the change is in phase or not with the change of scattering angle.

DSCOVR EPIC↗
NASA NTRS1992

Coupled radiation effects in thermochemical nonequilibrium shock-capturing flowfield calculations

Lunar and Mars return conditions are examined using the LAURA flowfield code and the LORAN radiation code to assess the effect of radiative coupling on axisymmetric thermochemical nonequilibrium flows. Coupling of the two codes is achieved iteratively. Special treatment required to couple radiation in a shock-capturing method is discussed. Results indicate that while coupling effects are generally the same as occur in equilibrium flows, under certain conditions radiation can modify the chemical kinetics of a nonequilibrium flow and thus alter relaxation processes. Coupling effects are found to be small for all cases considered, except for a five meter diameter aerobrake returning from Mars at 13.6 km/sec.

Hartung, Lin C.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Coupled Radiation Effects in Thermochemical Nonequilibrium Shock-Capturing Flowfield Calculations

Lunar and Mars return conditions are examined using the LAURA flow field code and the LORAN radiation code to assess the effect of radiative coupling on axisymmetric thermochemical nonequilibrium flows. Coupling of the two codes is achieved iteratively. Special treatment required to couple radiation in a shock-capturing method is discussed. Results indicate that while coupling effects are generally the same as occur in equilibrium flows, under certain conditions radiation can modify the chemical kinetics of a nonequilibrium flow and thus alter relaxation processes. Coupling effects are found to be small for all cases considered, except for a five meter diameter aerobrake returning from Mars at 13.6 kilometers per second.

Hartung, Lin C.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Estimating net solar radiation using Landsat Thematic Mapper and digital elevation data

A radiative transfer algorithm is combined with digital elevation and satellite reflectance data to model spatial variability in net solar radiation at fine spatial resolution. The method is applied to the tall-grass prairie of the 16 x 16 sq km FIFE site (First ISLSCP Field Experiment) of the International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Project. Spectral reflectances as measured by the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) are corrected for atmospheric and topographic effects using field measurements and accurate 30-m digital elevation data in a detailed model of atmosphere-surface interaction. The spectral reflectances are then integrated to produce estimates of surface albedo in the range 0.3-3.0 microns. This map of albedo is used in an atmospheric and topographic radiative transfer model to produce a map of net solar radiation. A map of apparent net solar radiation is also derived using only the TM reflectance data, uncorrected for topography, and the average field-measured downwelling solar irradiance. Comparison with field measurements at 10 sites on the prairie shows that the topographically derived radiation map accurately captures the spatial variability in net solar radiation, but the apparent map does not.

Dubayah, R.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Importance of Radiative Transfer Models in Atmospheric Remote Sensing

Radiative transfer models (RTMs) play a significant role in the development of satellite instruments for remote sensing applications. These models simulate electromagnetic radiation's propagation through the atmosphere, providing valuable insights into atmosphere-radiation interactions. RTMs facilitate the optimization of satellite instrument designs, ensuring their ability to measure targeted atmospheric and surface properties accurately. Moreover, they aid in simulating instrument’s measurements under various atmospheric conditions, enabling calibration and validation processes to enhance data quality and reliability. RTMs are extensively used in the Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSE), to generate synthetic observations. By incorporating RTMs into OSSE, we can assess the potential impact of future satellite missions, sensor configurations, and data assimilation techniques. This approach allows for the optimization of satellite instruments and constellations and the evaluation of their influence on weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and other Earth science applications. Another crucial application area of RT models is data assimilation, where they play a fundamental role in combining satellite observations with numerical models to improve atmospheric and environmental predictions. RTMs provide the link between observed radiances and atmospheric parameters, enhancing the accuracy of numerical models and generating more reliable forecasts for weather events, air quality assessments, and climate projections. Moreover, adapting RT models to capture the intricate radiation interactions within the Planetary Boundary Layer will significantly contribute to improving weather forecasting and climate change projections. Current community radiative transfer (RT) models are primarily developed and optimized for operational data assimilation of satellite observations. These models excel at assimilating satellite data into numerical weather prediction models to improve forecast accuracy. However, their focus on data assimilation limits their suitability for other important applications, such as satellite instrument development, OSSE, and Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) studies. Moreover, for PBL studies, RT models need to be adapted to capture the intricate radiation interactions within this crucial atmospheric layer. Developing RT models that can represent the PBL's unique characteristics, such as surface interactions, will contribute significantly to understanding and predicting weather phenomena, air quality, and climate dynamics. This abstract provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of RT models and highlights their limitations concerning satellite instrument development, OSSE, and PBL studies. Addressing these shortcomings requires concerted efforts to enhance RT models' capabilities and expand their applications beyond data assimilation. By investing in research and development to improve these

Isaac Moradi↗
NASA NTRS2004

Simple Models of the Spatial Distribution of Cloud Radiative Properties for Remote Sensing Studies

This project aimed to assess the degree to which estimates of three-dimensional cloud structure can be inferred from a time series of profiles obtained at a point. The work was motivated by the desire to understand the extent to which high-frequency profiles of the atmosphere (e.g. ARM data streams) can be used to assess the magnitude of non-plane parallel transfer of radiation in thc atmosphere. We accomplished this by performing an observing system simulation using a large-eddy simulation and a Monte Carlo radiative transfer model. We define the 3D effect as the part of the radiative transfer that isn't captured by one-dimensional radiative transfer calculations. We assess the magnitude of the 3D effect in small cumulus clouds by using a fine-scale cloud model to simulate many hours of cloudiness over a continental site. We then use a Monte Carlo radiative transfer model to compute the broadband shortwave fluxes at the surface twice, once using the complete three-dimensional radiative transfer F(sup 3D), and once using the ICA F (sup ICA); the difference between them is the 3D effect given.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2016

Radiative Characteristics of Clouds Embedded in Smoke Derived from Airborne Multiangular Measurements

Clouds in the presence of absorbing aerosols result in their apparent darkening, observed at the top of atmosphere (TOA), which is associated with the radiative effects of aerosol absorption. Owing to the large radiative effect and potential impacts on regional climate, above-cloud aerosols have recently been characterized in multiple satellite-based studies. While satellite data are particularly useful in showing the radiative impact of above-cloud aerosols at the TOA, recent literature indicates large uncertainties in satellite retrievals of above-cloud aerosol optical depth (AOD) and single scattering albedo (SSA), which are among the most important parameters in the assessment of associated radiative effects. In this study, we analyze radiative characteristics of clouds in the presence of wildfire smoke using airborne data primarily from NASA's Cloud Absorption Radiometer, collected during the Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites campaign in Canada during the 2008 summer season. We found a strong positive reflectance (R) gradient in the UV-visible (VIS)-near infrared (NIR) spectrum for clouds embedded in dense smoke, as opposed to an (expected) negative gradient for cloud-free smoke and a flat spectrum for smoke-free cloud cover. Several cases of clouds embedded in thick smoke were found, when the aircraft made circular/spiral measurements, which not only allowed the complete characterization of angular distribution of smoke scattering but also provided the vertical distribution of smoke and clouds (within 0.5-5 km). Specifically, the largest darkening by smoke was found in the UV/VIS, with R(sub 0.34 microns) reducing to 0.2 (or 20%), in contrast to 0.8 at NIR wavelengths (e.g., 1.27 microns). The observed darkening is associated with large AODs (0.5-3.0) and moderately low SSA (0.85-0.93 at 0.53 microns), resulting in a significantly large instantaneous aerosol forcing efficiency of 254 +/- 47 W/sq m/τ. Our observations of smoke-cloud radiative interactions were found to be physically consistent with theoretical plane-parallel 1-D and Monte Carlo 3-D radiative transfer calculations, capturing the observed gradient across UV-VIS-NIR. Results from this study offer insights into aerosol-cloud radiative interactions and may help in better constraining satellite retrieval algorithms.

absorbing aerosols↗
NASA NTRS1989

The radiative deceleration of ultrarelativistic jets in active galactic nuclei

A detailed study of the dynamical interaction between a highly relativistic jet and the thermal radiation field from an AGN accretion disk is reported, and the Comptonized spectrum arising from this interaction is self-consistently determined. A simple model that captures the essential radiative and geometrical features of realistic disk configurations is presented, and the disk radiation field is calculated. The results confirm Phinney's (1987) suggestion that the thermal radiation field produced by accretion in an AGN could be very effective in decelerating ultrarelativistic jets that are accreted by electromagnetic or hydromagnetic forces closer to the central black hole. Terminal Lorentz factors are consistent with the values inferred in superluminal radio sources are readily produced in this model for plausible disk and jet parameters without additional acceleration in the interaction zone. A new interpretation of the hard X-ray component detected in BL Lac spectra is proposed.

Melia, Fulvio↗
DOE OSTI2025

Probing the limits of statistical neutron capture for the r process: Experimental constraints on 141 Cs nuclear level densities

The r-process abundance peaks, particularly near mass number A ∼ 130, reflect underlying nuclear structure effects such as closed neutron shells, yet modeling the nucleosynthesis in this region remains hindered by uncertain neutron-capture rates. These rates are especially sensitive to nuclear level densities (NLDs) and γ-ray strength functions of neutron-rich nuclei, where experimental data are scarce. We present the first experimental constraint on the NLD of 141 Cs using the β-Oslo method, extending sensitivity to the neutron-rich regime near the N = 82 closed shell. Our data allow for critical calibration of microscopic NLD models and reveal that 141 Cs lies near the limit of statistical model applicability. Using this experimental input, we evaluate radiative neutron-capture rates across neighboring isotones using both Hauser–Feshbach (HF) and High Fidelity Resonance (HFR) models. Our results show order-of-magnitude rate increases for nuclei along the N = 86 line, signaling a transition to resonance-dominated capture in this region. These findings underscore the importance of constraining NLDs to improve r-process reaction network predictions, particularly in environments where the validity of statistical models breaks down.

Nuclear level density↗
DOE OSTI2025

Trap-assisted Auger-Meitner recombination in GaN p-i-n diodes

Most properties of semiconductor devices are dominated by shallow impurities. However, deep defects often play an important role, for instance, in recombination processes or high field transport. While a variety of techniques are available to assess the density and energy levels of impurities, other properties, such as the recombination mechanisms of the defects, escape observation. We report on the direct measurement of hot electrons generated by trap-assisted Auger-Meitner recombination (TAAR) in GaN p-i-n diodes. By performing electron emission spectroscopy (EES) on diodes with surfaces activated to negative electron affinity by cesium, we observe the expected overflow electrons of p-i-n diodes under low current injection. However, when operating the devices at higher current densities, as low as ∼25 A/c⁢m 2 , we measure the emission of high-energy electrons. At variance with the observed hot electrons in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) using EES, the hot electrons generated in p-i-n diodes at our tested currents cannot be from eeh Auger-Meitner recombination due to the diodes' significantly lower carrier densities compared to those in LEDs. During our measurements, we observe the emission of accumulated electrons with energies ∼0.42 eV, ∼0.99 eV, ∼1.43 eV, and ∼2.32 eV above the conduction-band minimum (CBM) at various bias conditions, suggesting the existence of conduction-band features in GaN at these energies where electrons can be long-lived, such as satellite-valley minima and inflection points. We also measure incompletely relaxed hot electrons approaching energies 1.97 ± 0.13 eV and 2.94 ± 0.13 eV above the CBM, as the diodes are biased to high currents, suggesting at least some of the TAAR partaking defects have an energy level ≳1.97 eV and ≳2.94 eV away from either the conduction or valence band edges. Additionally, at our highest operating currents, we measure hot electrons with energies 3.28 ± 0.13 eV above the CBM, providing direct evidence of TAAR processes involving shallow impurities. This unexpected observation of TAAR in GaN p-i-n diodes spotlights the importance of further studies of defects in GaN and the necessity to incorporate the multi-phonon emission, radiative, and TAAR capture steps of defect-assisted recombination cycles into device modeling. Furthermore, this experiment demonstrates the applicability of the simplest semiconductor structures, p-i-n diodes, as a test bed to study the rich recombination physics of semiconductor materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

Solid State Solar Thermochemical Fuel (SoFuel) for Long Duration Storage

Efficient thermal storage systems, when coupled with renewable energy, enable the decarbonization of numerous industrial processes requiring high temperature steam or air, and provide a path for seasonal building heating, especially for colder climates. Existing thermal storage systems face a significant challenge due to losses inherent to all high temperature systems. A viable route to long-term storage is to use thermochemical reactions to convert concentrated solar energy to a fuel that is shelf-stable and can be stored at room temperature, thus eliminating losses associated with high temperature storage. The Solid-State Solar Thermochemical Fuel (SoFuel) technology developed by Michigan State University, Oregon State University, and Mississippi State University provides reactors and processes with minimal sensible heat losses and allows storing solar energy as a solid-state fuel at room temperature for long duration. The production of SoFuel occurs within a cylindrical cavity reduction chemical reactor that captures concentrated solar radiation from a solar field. Reactive magnesium manganese oxide (Mg-Mn-O) resides within the cylindrical cavity chemical reactor and undergoes thermal reduction as the temperature exceeds 1350°C. The thermally reduced Mg-Mn-O pellets (the SoFuel) are cooled down through a recuperative process and stored within a bin until used. The SoFuel can directly supply up to 1100C heat to an adjacent power plant for electricity generation or industrial heating. Oxidation of SoFuel pellets occurs in a counter flow reactor and supplies heat to the user for electricity generation or industrial processing, after which the fuel is returned to the concentrating solar field where it is regenerated for re-use. Both reactors can be controlled well using a variety of strategies. With the low cost of the material, its cyclability, and the possibility of using the pelletized with on-sun reactors, or with electricity that would be curtailed, this project offers a viable option of medium- and long-term thermal energy storage.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS2003

Computation of Free-Free Transitions in Atomic Physics: Foundations

The amplitude T for "free-free" processes, such as bremsstrahlung or photo- absorption by an electron in the continuum in the presence of an external field, is usually written as the matrix element of the radiation operator taken between two continuum states. However, unlike the case when at least one of the states is bound, as in radiative transitions, electron capture, or the photo-effect, this expression contains an unphysical term, proportional to a delta-function and is not really the physical amplitude Tphys. This continues to be true for both the velocity and length form of the dipole approximation to the amplitude T. We first give an a priori definition of Tphys in terms of the scattering parts of the continuum functions, which has an obvious interpretation in terms of time-ordered diagrams. We then show that when the formal amplitude is modified by a long- distance cutoff, the modified form approaches Tphys as the cutoff is removed. The modified form then serves as a basis for the definition of a physical velocity dipole amplitude and this in turn leads to an equivalent length form of the dipole amplitude. This exercise provides a clear theoretical basis for many extant calculations in which cutoff factors are introduces somewhat ad hoc, as needed.

Bhatia, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS2012

A Semi-Empirical Noise Modeling Method for Helicopter Maneuvering Flight Operations

A new model for Blade-Vortex Interaction noise generation during maneuvering flight is developed in this paper. Acoustic and performance data from both flight and wind tunnels are used to derive a non-dimensional and analytical performance/acoustic model that describes BVI noise in steady flight. The model is extended to transient maneuvering flight (pure pitch and roll transients) by using quasisteady assumptions throughout the prescribed maneuvers. Ground noise measurements, taken during maneuvering flight of a Bell 206B helicopter, show that many of the noise radiation details are captured. The result is a computationally efficient Blade-Vortex Interaction noise model with sufficient accuracy to account for transient maneuvering flight. The code can be run in real time to predict transient maneuver noise and is suitable for use in an acoustic mission-planning tool.

Greenwood, Eric↗
DOE OSTI2025

Representing Fine‐Scale Topographic Effects on Surface Radiation Balance in Hyper‐Resolution Land Surface Models

Land surface models are increasingly used to simulate land surface processes at hyper-spatial resolutions (e.g., ∼1 km). As model resolution increases, grid-scale topographic effects on surface radiation fluxes and their interactions between adjacent grids become more pronounced. However, current land surface models routinely neglect the fine-scale topographic effects on surface radiation balance. This study developed physically-based and computationally-efficient parameterizations (fineTOP) that explicitly resolve fine-scale topographic effects on downward shortwave and longwave radiation as well as land surface radiative properties. The newly developed parameterizations were implemented and tested in the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) Land Model (ELM). Multi-decadal km-resolution ELM simulations over the California Sierra Nevada show that fine-scale topography significantly impacts the surface energy balance and snow processes across seasons. Slope determines the magnitude of topographic effects, while aspect controls their sign. For slopes larger than 30°, topography-induced change in annual surface temperature can be as large as 3.3 K. Regionally, the mean value and standard deviation of topography-induced changes in annual surface temperature are −0.22 ± 0.38 K and +0.25 ± 0.37 K over north-facing and south-facing slopes, respectively. Topography-induced changes in surface radiative properties account for 3.5% ± 13.8% of total topographic effects on annual net radiation. With fineTOP, ELM captures the aspect-dependence of snow cover fraction, snow water equivalent, and land surface temperature found in MODIS satellite observations and a snow reanalysis data set, while the default ELM fails to capture this phenomenon. The enhanced capability to represent fine-scale topographic effects on surface radiation balance can be used to advance understanding of the role of fine-scale topography in land surface processes and land-atmosphere interactions over mountainous regions.

Hao, Dalei [Pacific Northwest National Laboratory ↗