Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “TRAPPING”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 595 records · Page 33
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

TRAPPED PROTON FLUXES AT LOW EARTH ORBITS MEASURED BY THE PAMELA EXPERIMENT

We report an accurate measurement of the geomagnetically trapped proton fluxes for kinetic energy above ∼70 MeV performed by the PAMELA mission at low Earth orbits (350 ÷ 610 km). Data were analyzed in the frame of the adiabatic theory of charged particle motion in the geomagnetic field. Flux properties were investigated in detail, providing a full characterization of the particle radiation in the South Atlantic Anomaly region, including locations, energy spectra, and pitch angle distributions. PAMELA results significantly improve the description of the Earth's radiation environment at low altitudes, placing important constraints on the trapping and interaction processes, and can be used to validate current trapped particle radiation models.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

One- and two-qubit gate infidelities due to motional errors in trapped ions and electrons

In this work, we derive analytic formulas that determine the effect of error mechanisms on one- and two-qubit gates in trapped ions and electrons. First, we analyze and derive expressions for the effect of driving field inhomogeneities on one-qubit gate fidelities. Second, we derive expressions for two-qubit gate errors, including static motional frequency shifts, trap anharmonicities, field inhomogeneities, heating, and motional dephasing. We show that, for small errors, each of our expressions for infidelity converges to its respective numerical simulation; this shows that our formulas are sufficient for determining error budgets for high-fidelity gates, obviating numerical simulations in future projects. All of the derivations are general to any internal qubit state, and any mixed state of the ion crystal's motion that is diagonal in the Fock state basis. Our treatment of static motional frequency shifts, trap anharmonicities, heating, and motional dephasing apply to both laser-based and laser-free gates, while our treatment of field inhomogeneities applies to laser-free systems.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Determination of the $^8\mathrm{B}$ neutrino energy spectrum using trapped ions

We report the β + decay of 8 B provides the dominant source of solar neutrinos above 2 MeV. Consequently, experiments that detect neutrinos from the sun require an accurate determination of the 8 B neutrino energy spectrum. In this work, the β -decay Paul trap surrounded by double-sided silicon strip detectors was utilized to precisely measure the decay products of trapped 8 B ions. The results were used to determine the 8 Be final-state distribution and to reconstruct the neutrino energy spectrum. This measurement using trapped ions is the first of its kind and puts the neutrino energy spectrum on much firmer footing by discriminating between recently reported values for the maximum of the final-state distribution.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Motional Squeezing for Trapped Ion Transport and Separation

Transport, separation, and merging of trapped ion crystals are essential operations for most large-scale quantum computing architectures. In this Letter, we develop a theoretical framework that describes the dynamics of ions in time-varying potentials with a motional squeeze operator, followed by a motional displacement operator. Using this framework, we develop a new, general protocol for trapped ion transport, separation, and merging. We show that motional squeezing can prepare an ion wave packet to enable transfer from the ground state of one trapping potential to another. Here, the framework and protocol are applicable if the potential is harmonic over the extent of the ion wave packets at all times. As illustrations, we discuss two specific operations: changing the strength of the confining potential for a single ion and separating same-species ions with their mutual Coulomb force. Both of these operations are, ideally, free of residual motional excitation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2024

Measurements of Penning-Malmberg trap patch potentials and associated performance degradation

Antiprotons created by laser ionization of antihydrogen are observed to rapidly escape the ALPHA trap. Further, positron plasmas heat more quickly after the trap is illuminated by laser light for several hours. These phenomena can be caused by patch potentials—variations in the electrical potential along metal surfaces. A simple model of the effects of patch potentials explains the particle loss, and an experimental technique using trapped electrons is developed for measuring the electric field produced by the patch potentials. The model is validated by controlled experiments and simulations. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Role of the (Ta/Nb)O{sub x}/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} interface on the flatband voltage shift for Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/(Ta/Nb)O{sub x}/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} multilayer charge trap capacitors

The authors studied the characteristics of Si/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/(Ta/Nb)O{sub x}/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/SiO{sub 2}/Pt charge trap capacitors fabricated by atomic layer deposition and postmetallization annealing at 400 °C. Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and (Ta/Nb)O{sub x} films are amorphous and have negligible fixed charges. In program mode, a flatband voltage (V{sub fb}) drastically shifts toward the positive direction at a short program time of 10{sup −4} s. A large V{sub fb} shift of approximately 4 V arises after programming at 1 mC/cm{sup 2} because there is a large difference in the conduction band offset between the (Ta/Nb)O{sub x}-charge trapping layer (TNO-CTL) and the Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-blocking layer (AlO-BL) (1.8 eV). In the retention mode, most of the trapped electrons in the TNO-CTL transfers across the Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-tunneling layer (AlO-TL) rather than the AlO-BL. The thickness of the AlO-TL affects the V{sub fb} shift degradation behavior in the retention mode. The injected electrons are dominantly located at the TNO-CTL/ALO-BL interface, determined from the thickness dependence of the TNO-CTL on the V{sub fb} shift.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effect of Zeeman Slower Beam on Loading of a Krypton Magneto-Optical Trap

We report the studies on the effect of Zeeman slower beam power on the loading rate and collision loss rate in an atomic beam loaded krypton magneto-optical trap (MOT). The results show that an increase in Zeeman slower beam power initially increases the MOT loading rate and reduces the background collision loss rate to increase the number of cold atoms in the MOT to an optimum value. With further increase in the Zeeman slower beam power, the number of cold atoms in the MOT decreases due to increased background collision loss rate and decrease in the trap loading rate. However, the cold collision loss rate is observed to remain unaffected by the variation in the Zeeman slower beam power. Therefore, the study emphasizes the need to optimize the Zeeman slower beam power to trap maximum number of cold atoms in an atomic beam loaded MOT.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

MIGRATION TRAPS IN DISKS AROUND SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLES

Accretion disks around supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) contain stars, stellar mass black holes, and other stellar remnants, which perturb the disk gas gravitationally. The resulting density perturbations exert torques on the embedded masses causing them to migrate through the disk in a manner analogous to planets in protoplanetary disks. We determine the strength and direction of these torques using an empirical analytic description dependent on local disk gradients, applied to two different analytic, steady-state disk models of SMBH accretion disks. We find that there are radii in such disks where the gas torque changes sign, trapping migrating objects. Our analysis shows that major migration traps generally occur where the disk surface density gradient changes sign from positive to negative, around 20–300R{sub g}, where R{sub g} = 2GM/c{sup 2} is the Schwarzschild radius. At these traps, massive objects in the AGN disk can accumulate, collide, scatter, and accrete. Intermediate mass black hole formation is likely in these disk locations, which may lead to preferential gap and cavity creation at these radii. Our model thus has significant implications for SMBH growth as well as gravitational wave source populations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Multi–Resonant Mie Resonator Arrays for Broadband Light Trapping in Ultrathin c–Si Solar Cells

Effective photon management is critical to realize high power conversion efficiencies for thin crystalline silicon (c–Si) solar cells. Standard few–100–µm–thick bulk cells achieve light trapping with macroscopic surface textures covered by thin, continuous antireflection coatings. Such sizeable textures are challenging to implement on ultrathin cells. Here, it is illustrated how nanoscale Mie–resonator–arrays with a bimodal size distribution support multiple resonances that can work in concert to achieve simultaneous antireflection and light–trapping across the broad solar spectrum. The effectiveness of these light–trapping antireflection coatings is experimentally demonstrated on a 2.8 µm–thick c–Si solar cell. The measured short–circuit current and corresponding power conversion efficiency are notably improved, achieving efficiencies as high as 11.2%. Measurements of the saturation current density on completed cells indicate that thermal oxides can effectively limit surface recombination. Finally, the presented design principles are applicable to a wide range of solar cells.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Self‐Trapped and Free Exciton Dynamics in Vacuum‐Deposited Cesium Copper Iodide Thin Films

Abstract Highly photoluminescent, lead‐free perovskites are of interest for displays and solid‐state light‐emitting devices. In this report, streak camera‐based time‐resolved emission and transient absorption spanning visible to deep‐ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths are utilized to study self‐trapped and free exciton dynamics in vacuum‐deposited cesium copper halide thin films of CsCu 2 I 3 and Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 . Self‐trapped exciton emission of CsCu 2 I 3 exhibits more noticeable changes with time in the peak position and width than Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 . UV‐to‐blue emission is detectable for both compositions, where free exciton emission is distinct for CsCu 2 I 3 . Transient absorption shows loss of ground‐state bleach signals at early time delays for both, and the bleach signal shifts toward higher energy as time delay increases, likely due to strains induced by the newly created self‐trapped excitons. Global analysis performed on the transient absorption results yields time constants in these materials that build an overall dynamic scheme. This work aids in building a complete picture regarding light emission in these promising materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Xenon Trapping in Metal-Supported Silica Nanocages

Xenon (Xe) is a valuable and scarce noble gas used in various applications, including lighting, electronics, and anesthetics, among many others. It is also a volatile byproduct of the nuclear fission of uranium. In this work, a novel material architecture consisting of silicate nanocages in contact with a metal surface and an approach for trapping single Xe atoms in these cages is presented. The trapping is done at low Xe pressures and temperatures between 400 and 600 K, and the process is monitored in situ using synchrotron-based ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Release of the Xe from the cages occurs only when heating to temperatures above 750 K. A model that explains the experimental trapping kinetics is proposed and tested using Monte Carlo methods. Density functional theory calculations show activation energies for Xe exiting the cages consistent with experiments. This work can have significant implications in various fields, including Xe production, nuclear power, nuclear waste remediation, and nonproliferation of nuclear weapons. The results are also expected to apply to argon, krypton, and radon, opening an even more comprehensive range of applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

High Mass Ion Detection with Charge Detector Coupled to Rectilinear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer

Conventional linear ion trap mass analyzers (LIT-MS) provide high ion capacity and show their MS{sup n} ability; however, the detection of high mass ions is still challenging because LIT-MS with secondary electron detectors (SED) cannot detect high mass ions. To detect high mass ions, we coupled a charge detector (CD) to a rectilinear ion trap mass spectrometer (RIT-MS). Immunoglobulin G ions (m/z ~150,000) are measured successfully with controlled ion kinetic energy. In addition, when mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios of singly charged ions exceed 10 kTh, the detection efficiency of CD is found to be greater than that of SED. The CD can be coupled to LIT-MS to extend the detection mass range and provide the potential to perform MS{sup n} of high mass ions inside the ion trap. .

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2017

Single Analyzer Precursor Ion Scans in a Linear Quadrupole Ion Trap Using Orthogonal Double Resonance Excitation

Reported herein is a simple method of performing single analyzer precursor ion scans in a linear quadrupole ion trap using orthogonal double resonance excitation. A first supplementary AC signal applied to the y electrodes is scanned through ion secular frequencies in order to mass-selectively excite precursor ions while, simultaneously, a second fixed-frequency AC signal is applied orthogonally on the x electrodes in order to eject product ions of selected mass-to-charge ratios towards the detector. The two AC signals are applied orthogonally so as to preclude the possibility of (1) inadvertently ejecting precursor ions into the detector, which results in artifact peaks, and (2) prevent beat frequencies on the x electrodes from ejecting ions off-resonance. Precursor ion scans are implemented while using the inverse Mathieu q scan for easier mass calibration. The orthogonal double resonance experiment results in single ion trap precursor scans with far less intense artifact peaks than when both AC signals are applied to the same electrodes, paving the way for implementation of neutral loss scanning in single ion trap mass spectrometers. .

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2018

Study of In-Trap Ion Clouds by Ion Trajectory Simulations

Gaussian distribution has been utilized to describe the global number density distribution of ion cloud in the Paul trap, which is known as the thermal equilibrium theory and widely used in theoretical modeling of ion clouds in the ion traps. Using ion trajectory simulations, however, the ion clouds can now also be treated as a dynamic ion flow field and the location-dependent features could now be characterized. This study was carried out to better understand the in-trap ion cloud properties, such as the local particle velocity and temperature. The local ion number densities were found to be heterogeneously distributed in terms of mean and distribution width; the velocity and temperature of the ion flow varied with pressure depending on the flow type of the neutral molecules; and the “quasi-static” equilibrium status can only be achieved after a certain number of collisions, for which the time period is pressure-dependent. This work provides new insights of the ion clouds that are globally stable but subjected to local rf heating and collisional cooling. .

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Increasing the Upper Mass/Charge Limit of a Quadrupole Ion Trap for Ion/Ion Reaction Product Analysis via Waveform Switching

Quadrupole ion traps (QITs) are versatile platforms for performing experiments with gas-phase ions due to their abilities to store ions of both polarities and to conduct MS{sup n} experiments. The QIT is particularly useful as a reaction cell for ion/ion reactions. In the case of an ion/ion reaction experiment in a QIT, multiply charged reactant ions may initially be of relatively low m/z (e.g., m/z < 1000) whereas the product ions can be one or more orders of magnitude higher in m/z (e.g., m/z > 100,000). Several factors can limit the m/z range over which an ion/ion reaction experiment can be conducted. These include (1) the efficiency of the detector, (2) the m/z range over which oppositely charged ions can be mutually stored, and (3) the m/z range over which ions can be mass selectively ejected into an external detector. High-frequency waveforms provide larger m/z trapping ranges for mutual storage of oppositely charged ions whereas low-frequency waveforms provide better trapping for very high m/z product ions. Presented here is a method that switches from a high-frequency sine wave prior to and during an ion/ion reaction to a low-frequency square wave to eject low m/z reagent ions and improves confinement of the product ions before mass-selective ejection by scanning the frequency of the square wave. This approach addresses the third issue, which is the primary limiting factor with QITs operated at high RF (e.g., > 900 MHz). .

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Pore scale study of multiphase multicomponent reactive transport during CO 2 dissolution trapping

Solubility trapping is crucial for permanent CO 2 sequestration in deep saline aquifers. For the first time, a pore-scale numerical method is developed to investigate coupled scCO 2 -water two-phase flow, multicomponent (CO 2 (aq), H + , HCO 3 – , CO 3 2 – and OH – ) mass transport, heterogeneous interfacial dissolution reaction, and homogeneous dissociation reactions. Pore-scale details of evolutions of multiphase distributions and concentration fields are presented and discussed. Time evolutions of several variables including averaged CO 2 (aq) concentration, scCO 2 saturation, and pH value are analyzed. Specific interfacial length, an important variable which cannot be determined but is required by continuum models, is investigated in detail. Mass transport coefficient or efficient dissolution rate is also evaluated. The pore-scale results show strong non-equilibrium characteristics during solubility trapping due to non-uniform distributions of multiphase as well as slow mass transport process. Complicated coupling mechanisms between multiphase flow, mass transport and chemical reactions are also revealed. Lastly, effects of wettability are also studied. The pore-scale studies provide deep understanding of non-linear non-equilibrium multiple physicochemical processes during CO 2 solubility trapping processes, and also allow to quantitatively predict some important empirical relationships, such as saturation-interfacial surface area, for continuum models.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

The impact of capillary heterogeneity on CO 2 flow and trapping across scales

Capillary heterogeneity has been identified over the last decade as a key control on subsurface CO 2 flow behavior during geological CO 2 sequestration. These heterogeneities can be formed in all sedimentary rocks, ranging from slight variations in the sand grain sizes to extensive sequences of interbedded sands, shales, and limestones. Capillary heterogeneity has been largely, although not entirely, overlooked in subsurface flow modeling because it is assumed to only directly influence fluid redistribution over scales of centimeters to meters. However, even small-scale fluid movements can result in dramatic impacts on the mobility and trapping of the CO 2 over kilometers. Therefore, neglecting capillary heterogeneity at multiple scales could potentially lead to errors in modeling and predicting field-scale plume migration. In this review paper, we aim to provide a consistent overview to (1) establish that capillary heterogeneity can have a major impact on CO 2 plume migration, (2) establish the respective length scales at which capillary heterogeneity matters, and (3) provide guidance for numerical modeling. This review covers pertinent literature and extracts key observations from the core to the field scales. Experimental studies have shown that millimeter-decimeter scale capillary heterogeneity can cause the so-called capillary heterogeneity trapping in addition to pore-scale residual trapping. Even at such a small scale, capillary heterogeneity can already lead to complex upscaled constitutive relationships, such as flow-rate dependent and anisotropic relative permeability, which affects field-scale CO 2 migration even when field-scale heterogeneities are present. Under gravity-dominated flow regimes, centimeter-meter scale capillary heterogeneity can entrap a significant amount of CO 2 at field scale, not just after imbibition but also during drainage. In certain cases, the presence of capillary heterogeneity can even completely stop the vertical movement of the CO 2 plume, hence greatly reducing leakage risks. At meter-kilometer scale, the influence of capillary heterogeneity is more pronounced and can hinder or redirect CO 2 migration in both lateral and vertical directions. The impact of capillary heterogeneity across multiple spatial scales poses a great challenge in modeling CO 2 migration at field scale, because it is practically impossible to build a field-scale earth model with grid blocks at millimeter scale. We recommend a hierarchical modeling approach to address this challenge. At field scale, earth models are built to capture geological features and heterogeneities in high but still practical grid resolutions. For each facies or rock type of the field-scale model, high- resolution meter-scale “conceptual” models are built with millimeter-scale grid blocks to capture representative fine-scale bedding geometries and heterogeneities in various environments of deposition, bridging the gap from subcore scale to the size of a field-scale simulation grid block. Upscaling is then used to preserve the smaller-scale flow dynamics of various rock types in field-scale simulations. Here, future work is needed to (1) refine, improve, and validate the hierarchical modeling approach; (2) build libraries of fine-scale bedding models for facies in various environments of deposition; (3) quantify multiscale capillary heterogeneity effects under subsurface uncertainties; (4) gain learning from different storage formations; and (5) establish best practices that balance accuracy and computational speed.

Capillary heterogeneity↗
DOE OSTI2017

Enhanced photocatalytic activities of commercial P25 TiO{sub 2} by trapping holes and transferring electrons for CO{sub 2} conversion and 2,4-dichlorophenol degradation

Graphical abstract: TiO{sub 2} Charge separation is enhanced by transferring electrons and trapping holes for improved photoactivities to convert CO{sub 2} and degrade pollutant. - Highlights: • P25 TiO{sub 2} is co-modified with chloride and phosphate anions, and then coupled with CQDs. • Photocatalytic activities for CO{sub 2} reduction and pollutant degradation are improved. • Improved photoactivities are attributed to the enhanced charge separation. • Modified chloride and phosphate anions could effectively trap photogenerated holes. • Coupled CQDs could facilitate photogenerated electrons transfer and separation. - Abstract: In this work, commercial P25 TiO{sub 2} was co-modified with chloride and phosphate anions by a simple impregnation method, and then coupled with carbon quantum dots with a wet-chemical process. It is demonstrated that the photocatalytic activities of P25 TiO{sub 2} for CO{sub 2} conversion and 2,4-dichlorophenol degradation are improved obviously after co-modifying chloride and phosphate anions and then coupling with carbon dots. It is confirmed that the modified chloride and phosphate anions could effectively trap photogenerated holes, while the coupled carbon dots could facilitate photogenerated electrons transfer based on the steady-state surface photovoltage spectra, I–V curves, the electrochemical impedance spectra and the formed ·OH amounts, implying that the photogenerated charge separation of P25 TiO{sub 2} is greatly enhanced, leading to the obviously-improved activities. This work would help us develop a much feasible route to improve the photocatalytic activities of P25 TiO{sub 2}.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗