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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 541 records · Page 30
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Demonstration of Selective Single-Barium Ion Detection with Dry Diazacrown Ether Naphthalimide Turn-on Chemosensors

Single-molecule fluorescence imaging (SMFI) of gas-phase ions has been proposed for “barium tagging,” a burgeoning area of research in particle physics to detect individual barium daughter ions. This has potential to significantly enhance the sensitivity of searches for neutrinoless double-beta decay (0νββ) that is obscured by background radiation events. The chemistry required to make such sensitive detection of Ba 2+ by SMFI in dry Xe gas at solid interfaces has implications for solid-phase detection methods but has not been demonstrated. Here, we synthesized simple, robust, and effective Ba 2+ -selective chemosensors capable of function within ultrapure high-pressure 136 Xe gas. Turn-on fluorescent naphthalimide-(di)azacrown ether chemosensors were Ba 2+ -selective and achieved SMFI in a polyacrylamide matrix. Here, fluorescence and NMR experiments supported a photoinduced electron transfer mechanism for turn-on sensing. Ba 2+ selectivity was achieved with computational calculations correctly predicting the fluorescence responses of sensors to barium, mercury, and potassium ions. With these molecules, dry-phase single-Ba 2+ ion imaging with turn-on fluorescence was realized using an oil-free microscopy technique for the first time—a significant advance toward single-Ba 2+ ion detection within large volumes of 136 Xe, plausibly enabling a background-independent technique to search for the hypothetical process of 0νββ.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Remote detection of radioactive material using a short-pulse CO 2 laser

Detection of radioactive material at distances greater than the radiated particle range is an important goal with applications in areas such as national defense and disaster response. Here, we demonstrate avalanche-breakdown-based remote detection of a 3.6 mCi α-particle source at a standoff distance of 10 m, using 70 ps, long-wave infrared (λ = 9.2 µm) CO 2 laser pulses. This is ∼10 times longer than our previous results using a mid-IR laser. The primary detection method is direct backscatter from microplasmas generated in the laser focal volume. The backscatter signal is amplified as it propagates back through the CO 2 laser chain, enhancing sensitivity by >100 times. Here we also characterize breakdown plasmas with fluorescence imaging, and present a simple model to estimate backscattered signals as a function of the seed density profile in the laser focal volume. All of this is achieved with a relatively long-drive laser focal geometry (f/200) that is readily scalable to >100 m.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

CAMIS: A Cylindrical Active Mask Imaging System

Detecting and locating radiological and nuclear materials at distances of 10 m or more in urban and cluttered environments continues to pose challenges in nuclear security and proliferation detection. Previous approaches have focused on large-area radiation imaging using planar configurations of detectors and passive masks. However, these approaches suffer from limitations such as limited field-of-view (FOV) and reduced detection efficiency due to absorption in the mask. To address these limitations, we have developed the cylindrical active mask imaging system (CAMIS). This system comprises 128 NaI(Tl) (10 cm)3 detectors. These detectors are arranged in a cylindrical configuration, enabling gamma-ray imaging with a full 360° azimuthal FOV. The active mask elements within the system are arranged in a pseudorandom configuration, providing unique encoding for all incident directions within the FOV. CAMIS offers an effective detection area of approximately 1 m2 across the entire 360° FOV in the horizontal plane, achieving a mean angular resolution of 10.9° in the azimuthal direction and 12.9° in the polar direction measured by taking the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of a cross-section at the maximum reconstructed intensity.

Lamb, C↗
DOE OSTI2024

Spectroscopic Measurements and Models of Energy Deposition in the Substrate of Quantum Circuits by Natural Ionizing Radiation

Naturally occurring background radiation is a potential source of correlated decoherence events in superconducting qubits that will challenge error-correction schemes. In order to characterize the radiation environment in an unshielded laboratory representative of superconducting qubits’ environments, we performed broadband, spectroscopic measurements of background radiation events inside a millikelvin refrigerator. The spectrometer was designed to mimic the size and composition of a quantum circuit. Specifically, we measured the background radiation spectra in silicon substrates of two thicknesses, 500 and 1500 µm, and one area, 25 mm 2 . The observed spectra span energies from a few kilo-electron-volts up to nearly 10 MeV, are nearly featureless, and decrease in intensity by a factor of 40 000 between 100 keV and 3 MeV for the 500-µm substrate. We integrate the spectra to obtain the average event rates and deposited power levels. These quantities correspond to a rate of 0.023 events per second and a power of 4.9 keV s -1 , when counting events that deposit at least 40 keV for the 500-µm-thick substrate. We find that the cryogenic measurements are in good agreement with predictions based on simple measurements of the terrestrial gamma-ray flux outside the refrigerator, published models of cosmic-ray fluxes, a crude model of the cryostat, and radiation-transport simulations. This model requires no free parameters to predict the background radiation spectra in the silicon substrates. The agreement between measurements and predictions demonstrates that the model we present can be used to assess the relative contributions of terrestrial and cosmic-ray sources to background radiation interactions in silicon substrates of varying thickness. These spectroscopic measurements are performed with a novel combination of superconducting microresonators located on micromachined silicon islands that define the interaction volume with background radiation. The resonators transduce deposited energy to a readily detectable electrical signal. Microresonator readout closely resembles dispersive superconducting qubit readout, so similar devices—with or without micromachined islands—are suitable for integration with superconducting quantum circuits as detectors for background radiation events. For our specific laboratory conditions, we find that gamma-ray emissions from radioisotopes are responsible for the majority of events that deposit E < 1 ⁢Me⁢V. We present results demonstrating that the background radiation spectrum contains relevant contributions from cosmic-ray particles other than muons, particularly a tail of multi-mega-electron-volt events due to protons and neutrons. These observations suggest several paths to reducing the impact of background radiation on quantum circuits, supported by an empirically validated model for generating reliable predictions of radiation interactions with silicon substrates.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Orchestrating Spontaneous Emission With Metasurfaces: Recent Advances in Engineering Thermal, Luminescent, and Quantum Emissions

Metasurfaces have emerged as powerful tools for controlling spontaneous emission, offering unprecedented control over light-matter interactions at sub-wavelength scales. While metasurfaces are traditionally utilized for shaping coherent electromagnetic waves, they have recently extended their capabilities to control incoherent or spontaneous emission. This examines review how metasurfaces can enhance and precisely control properties of thermal, luminescent, and quantum emission. In thermal emission, metasurfaces enable control over spatial, temporal, and spin coherence, offering new possibilities for applications such as energy harvesting, radiative cooling and heat assisted ranging and detection. For luminescent emission, metasurfaces significantly improve emission rates, quantum efficiency, and directionality, driving innovations in lighting and display technologies. For controlling quantized spontaneous emission, metasurfaces are instrumental in enhancing single-photon sources and enabling novel functionalities in quantum states through photon-pair generation, which is vital for quantum communication, meteorology, and computing. Here, despite these advancements several challenges to increase the operational bandwidths, accelerate and develop simulation strategies, and fabrication complexities persist. Emerging trends are also discussed, such as dynamic metasurfaces and their integration with nanophotonic platforms, which could further expand the capabilities of light-emitting metasurfaces.

Luminescence↗
DOE OSTI2023

Development and testing of a fission-like neutron field for dosimetry and instrument calibrations based on deuterium-tritium generator

For nearly five decades 252 Cf sources have been used for testing and calibration over a wide range of neutron detection devices used for nuclear safety and radiation protection. However, the vastly increased cost of 252 Cf sources, its short half-life, and concerns about future shortage have prompted nuclear facilities and radiological calibration laboratories that rely on high-intensity neutron sources to seek alternatives. There appear to be no other radionuclide neutron sources that would match “like-to-like” 252 Cf performance characteristics. Alternatives of producing a fission-like neutron spectrum based on commercially available deuterium-tritium (D-T) generators, and without any fissionable materials or beryllium, have been explored. This paper describes efforts of designing the spectrum shaping assembly, its construction and installation. The produced neutron field was evaluated both from the perspective of the neutron fluence spectrum and the resulting dosimetric outcome. Finally, it was tested for practical application by examining response of various health physics instruments and personal monitoring devices in comparison to the response of those devices when exposed to 252 Cf. In conclusion, the response of survey-type instruments tested within the prototype, surrogate fission, reference field are acceptably close to their response in the targeted 252 Cf field.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2021

Electron shelving of a superconducting artificial atom

Interfacing long-lived qubits with propagating photons is a fundamental challenge in quantum technology. Cavity and circuit quantum electrodynamics (cQED) architectures rely on an off-resonant cavity, which blocks the qubit emission and enables a quantum non-demolition (QND) dispersive readout. However, no such buffer mode is necessary for controlling a large class of three-level systems that combine a metastable qubit transition with a bright cycling transition, using the electron shelving effect. Here we demonstrate shelving of a circuit atom, fluxonium, placed inside a microwave waveguide. With no cavity modes in the setup, the qubit coherence time exceeds 50 μs, and the cycling transition’s radiative lifetime is under 100 ns. By detecting a homodyne fluorescence signal from the cycling transition, we implement a QND readout of the qubit and account for readout errors using a minimal optical pumping model. Our result establishes a resource-efficient (cavityless) alternative to cQED for controlling superconducting qubits.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Design of multilayer-based diagnostics for measurement of high energy x rays and gamma rays

We investigate several possible multilayer-based optic designs for future hard x-ray and gamma ray diagnostics, including the detection and measurement of the positron annihilation radiation at 511 keV. The focus is set on increasing the photon efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio, compared to a previous multilayer-based system that was successfully employed to measure spectra in the 55 keV–100 keV range. Several possible designs using multilayer coatings are discussed, including mirror-based optics and multilayer Laue lenses.

Burcklen, C. (ORCID:0000000271566357)↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Fission-like Neutron Spectrum Shaping Assembly based on D-T Generator

For nearly five decades, 252 Cf sources have been used for testing and calibration over a wide range of neutron detection devices used for nuclear safety and radiation protection. However, the vastly increased cost of 252 Cf sources, its short half-life, and concerns about future shortage have prompted nuclear facilities and radiological calibration laboratories that rely on high-intensity neutron sources to seek alternatives. While there appear to be no other radionuclide neutron sources that would match the 252 Cf performance characteristics, all of them, including 252 Cf, present similar concerns in terms of hazards, safety, and security. As a possible solution to this issue, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) developed a low-risk, cost-efficient alternative to produce fission-like spectra based on commercially available deuterium-tritium (D-T) neutron generators. The alternative of producing a fission-like neutron spectrum without any fissionable materials or beryllium would enable the nuclear facilities across the entire complex to eliminate their reliance on high intensity 252 Cf sources for nuclear safety and radiation protection applications, substantially reducing risks and associated costs. This report describes efforts of designing the spectrum shaping assembly, its construction and characterization of the neutron field produced. Performance of this newly developed D-T generator based neutron field is demonstrated via calibration of a criticality detector, neutron survey instruments, and personal dosimeters verified against current standardized fields produced by 252 Cf spontaneous fission sources.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Evaluation of Neutron Detection Technology and Analysis Techniques to Support Fukushima Daiichi Decommissioning [Poster]

Decommissioning efforts and associated fuel debris retrieval from the damaged Units 1-3 require robust methods to monitor and assure subcriticality. These include adequate detection technologies capable to withstand high gamma radiation conditions within the units; as well as analysis methods capable to provide robust signatures to assure agile criticality monitoring in situation where material distribution is changing. This poster presents overview of experimental and analytical efforts focused on evaluation of neutronbased technologies and development of real-time analysis using state-of-the art capabilities available within the 1F Fuel Retrieval and Monitoring Experiments (1FRAME) project.

1FRAME↗
DOE OSTI2022

New insights on the prevalence of drizzle in marine stratocumulus clouds based on a machine learning algorithm applied to radar Doppler spectra

Abstract. The detection of the early growth of drizzle particles in marine stratocumulus clouds is important for studying the transition from cloud water to rainwater. Radar reflectivity is commonly used to detect drizzle; however, its utility is limited to larger drizzle particles. Alternatively, radar Doppler spectrum skewness has proven to be a more sensitive quantity for the detection of drizzle embryos. Here, a machine learning (ML)-based technique that uses radar reflectivity and skewness for detecting small drizzle particles is presented. Aircraft in situ measurements are used to develop and validate the ML algorithm. The drizzle detection algorithm is applied to three Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) observational campaigns to investigate the drizzle occurrence in marine boundary layer clouds. It is found that drizzle is far more ubiquitous than previously thought; the traditional radar-reflectivity-based approach significantly underestimates the drizzle occurrence, especially in thin clouds with liquid water paths lower than 50 g m−2. Furthermore, the drizzle occurrence in marine boundary layer clouds differs among the three ARM campaigns, indicating that the drizzle formation, which is controlled by the microphysical process, is regime dependent. A complete understanding of the drizzle distribution climatology in marine stratocumulus clouds calls for more observational campaigns and continuing investigations.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Leveraging Quantum Sensors for Dark Matter Detection

Recent measurements have demonstrated that superconducting qubit decoherence is affected by radiation. As a result, many groups around the world are working to better understand the relationship between different types of radiation and qubit response. This crucial to quantum error correction because radiation can cause correlated loss of information across multiple qubits on a chip, defeating error correction algorithms. Additionally, the fundamental energy scale at which superconducting qubits operate may enable their development as meV-scale detectors for HEP applications, such as the direct detection of dark matter. At Fermilab, we have two world-class underground facilities which are already being used to study this problem: NEXUS and QUIET. I will present on results from operating superconducting qubits in each of these facilities, and the potential implications towards utilizing qubits as sensors for a novel dark matter detector.

Baxter, Daniel [Texas U., Arlington]↗
DOE OSTI2026

Leveraging Quantum Sensors for Dark Matter Detection

Recent measurements have demonstrated that superconducting qubit decoherence is affected by radiation. As a result, many groups around the world are working to better understand the relationship between different types of radiation and qubit response. This crucial to quantum error correction because radiation can cause correlated loss of information across multiple qubits on a chip, defeating error correction algorithms. Additionally, the fundamental energy scale at which superconducting qubits operate may enable their development as meV-scale detectors for HEP applications, such as the direct detection of dark matter. At Fermilab, we have two world-class underground facilities which are already being used to study this problem: NEXUS and QUIET. I will present on results from operating superconducting qubits in each of these facilities, and the potential implications towards utilizing qubits as sensors for a novel dark matter detector.

Baxter, Daniel [Texas U., Arlington]↗
DOE OSTI2024

Cosmology of dark energy radiation

In this work, we quantify the cosmological signatures of dark energy radiation—a novel description of dark energy, which proposes that the dynamical component of dark energy is comprised of a thermal bath of relativistic particles sourced by thermal friction from a slowly rolling scalar field. For a minimal model with particle production emerging from first principles, we find that the abundance of radiation sourced by dark energy can be as large as Ω DER = 0.03, exceeding the bounds on relic dark radiation by three orders of magnitude. Although the background and perturbative evolution of dark energy radiation are distinct from Quintessence, we find that current and near-future cosmic microwave background and supernova data will not distinguish these models of dark energy. We also find that our constraints on all models are dominated by their impact on the expansion rate of the Universe. Considering extensions that allow the dark radiation to populate neutrinos, axions, and dark photons, we evaluate the direct detection prospects of a thermal background comprised of these candidates consistent with cosmological constraints on dark energy radiation. Our study indicates that a resolution of ~6 meV is required to achieve sensitivity to relativistic neutrinos compatible with dark energy radiation in a neutrino capture experiment on tritium. We also find that dark matter axion experiments lack sensitivity to a relativistic thermal axion background, even if enhanced by dark energy radiation, and dedicated search strategies are required to probe new parameter space. We derive constraints arising from a dark photon background from oscillations into visible photons, and find that viable parameter space can be explored with the late dark energy radiation experiment.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Novel Methods to Produce an Argon-37 Standard

The purpose of this research was to produce a measurable quantity of radioactive argon-37 through photonuclear production methods. The detection of argon-37, above background levels, uniquely and clearly indicates the underground detonation of a nuclear device.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Non-destructive, in-situ evaluation of water presence using thermal contrast and cooled detector

Exemplary systems for detecting water include: a light source positioned to transmit thermal radiation through a sample; a lens assembly positioned to: receive the thermal radiation transmitted through the sample; and focus the transmitted thermal radiation onto a filter positioned between the lens assembly and a detector; and a cooling subsystem for cooling the filter and the detector to a temperature below that of the sample. The filter (1) selectively transmits first portions of the thermal radiation received from the lens assembly and characterized by a wavelength at least partially overlapping a predefined water absorption band and/or a predefined water absorption line; and (2) selectively blocks second portions of the thermal radiation received from the lens assembly and characterized by a wavelength outside the predefined water absorption band and/or the predefined water absorption line. Methods for detecting presence of water in a sample are also disclosed.

Bora, Mihail↗