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At least 631 records · Page 35
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Enhanced 2.7 μm emission from Er{sup 3+} doped oxyfluoride tellurite glasses for a diode-pump mid-infrared laser

The influence of fluoride and shielding gas (O{sub 2} or Ar) on the physical and spectroscopic properties of Er{sup 3+} doped TeO{sub 2}-ZnO-ZnF{sub 2} glass system is investigated. The larger electronegativity of F than O accounts for the gradual decrease of refractive index, density, and J-O parameters with increasing ZnF{sub 2}. An analysis on Fourier transform infrared transmission spectra reveals that the absorption coefficient of OH{sup −} around 3 μm as low as 0.247 cm{sup −1} can be achieved when 30 mol% ZnF{sub 2} containing sample is treated with Ar gas during glass melting process. The reduction of OH{sup −} groups combined with the low multiphonon relaxation rate (207 s{sup −1}) contributes to the enhanced emissions at 1.5 and 2.7 μm, along with prolonged lifetimes of {sup 4}I{sub 11/2} and {sup 4}I{sub 13/2} levels. A high branching ratio (17.95%) corresponding to the Er{sup 3+}: {sup 4}I{sub 11/2} → {sup 4}I{sub 13/2} transition, the large absorption and emission cross section (0.44 × 10{sup −20} cm{sup 2} and 0.45 × 10{sup −20} cm{sup 2}), and good gain cross section demonstrate that oxyfluoride tellurite glass could be a promising material for a diode-pump 2.7 μm fiber laser.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Unipolar infrared detectors based on InGaAs/InAsSb ternary superlattices

Growth and characteristics of mid-wave infrared (MWIR) InGaAs/InAsSb strained layer superlattice (SLS) detectors are reported. InGaAs/InAsSb SLSs, identified as ternary SLSs, not only provide an extra degree of freedom for superlattice strain compensation but also show enhanced absorption properties compared to InAs/InAsSb SLSs. Utilizing In{sub 1-y}Ga{sub y}As/InAs{sub 0.65}Sb{sub 0.35} ternary SLSs (y = 0, 5, 10, and 20%) designed to have the same bandgap, a set of four unipolar detectors are investigated. These demonstrate an enhancement in the detector quantum efficiency due to the increased absorption coefficient. The detectors exhibit dark current performance within a factor of 10 of Rule 07 at temperatures above 120 K, and external quantum efficiencies in the 15%–25% range. This work demonstrates ternary SLSs are a potential absorber material for future high performance MWIR detectors.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1995

Theory of the water vapor continuum and validations

A far-wing line shape theory based on the binary collision and quasistatic approximations that is applicable for both the low- and high-frequency wings of the vibration-rotational bands has been developed. This theory has been applied in order to calculate the frequency and temperature dependence of the continuous absorption coefficient for frequencies up to 10,000 cm(exp -1) for pure H2O and for H2O-N2 mixtures. The calculations were made assuming an interaction potential consisting of an isotropic Lennard-Jones part with two parameters that are consistent with values obtained from other data, and the leading long-range anisotropic part, together with the measured line strengths and transition frequencies. The results, obtained without the introduction of adjustable parameters, compare well with the existing laboratory data, both in magnitude and in temperature dependence. This leads us to the conclusion that the water continuum can be explained in terms of far-wing absorption. Current work in progress to extend the theory and to validate the theoretically calculated continuum will be discussed briefly.

Tipping, Richard H.↗
DOE OSTI2018

A 3D-Printed Microresonator Based on the Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy Sensor for Methane Detection

A 3D-printed microresonator based on a quartz tuning fork has been developed. The sensor performance is evaluated by detection of methane with a fiber-coupled distributed feedback diode laser. In combination with wavelength modulation spectroscopy, a minimum detectable concentration of 15.6 ppb by volume is achieved at atmospheric pressure with an 8-mW average optical excitation power and a lock-in amplifier time constant of 1 s, which corresponds to a 1σ normalized noise equivalent absorption coefficient of 5·10{sup –9} cm{sup –1}·W/Hz{sup 1/2}. An Allan variance analysis shows that the system has long-term stability and can serve as the basis for a portable gas analyzer. Approaches to improve the current sensor performance are also discussed. This design greatly reduces the time of manufacturing the microresonator.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Mode-mismatched confocal thermal-lens microscope with collimated probe beam

We report a thermal lens microscope (TLM) based on an optimized mode-mismatched configuration. It takes advantage of the coaxial counter propagating tightly focused excitation and collimated probe beams, instead of both focused at the sample, as it is in currently known TLM setups. A simple mathematical model that takes into account the main features of the instrument is presented. The confocal detection scheme and the introduction of highly collimated probe beam allow enhancing the versatility, limit of detection (LOD), and sensitivity of the instrument. The theory is experimentally verified measuring ethanol’s absorption coefficient at 532.8 nm. Additionally, the presented technique is applied for detection of ultra-trace amounts of Cr(III) in liquid solution. The achieved LOD is 1.3 ppb, which represents 20-fold enhancement compared to transmission mode spectrometric techniques and a 7.5-fold improvement compared to previously reported methods for Cr(III) based on thermal lens effect.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effect of Sn doping on nonlinear optical properties of quaternary Se-Sn-(Bi,Te) chalcogenide thin films

The aim of this work is to report the effect of Sn doping on the third order nonlinear optical properties of chalcogenide Se{sub 84-x}Te{sub 15}Bi{sub 1.0}Sn{sub x} thin films. Melt quenching technique has been used for the preparation of bulk chalcogenide glasses. Thin films of the studied composition are deposited on cleaned glass substrate by thermal evaporation technique. Optical band gap (E{sub g}) is calculated by using Tauc extrapolation method and is found to increase from 1.27 eV to 1.64 eV with the incorporation of Sn content. Stryland approach is utilized for the calculation of two photon absorption coefficient (β{sub 2}). The nonlinear refractive index (n{sub 2}) and third order susceptibility (χ{sup (3}) are calculated using Tichy and Ticha approach. The result shows that nonlinear refractive index (n{sub 2}) follows the same trend as that of linear refractive index (n). The values of n{sub 2} of studied composition as compared to pure silica are 1000-5000 times higher.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Evaluation of the capability of local helioseismology to discern between monolithic and spaghetti sunspot models

The helioseismic properties of the wave scattering generated by monolithic and spaghetti sunspots are analyzed by means of numerical simulations. In these computations, an incident f- or p {sub 1}-mode travels through the sunspot model, which produces absorption and phase shift of the waves. The scattering is studied by inspecting the wavefield, computing travel-time shifts, and performing Fourier-Hankel analysis. The comparison between the results obtained for both sunspot models reveals that the differences in the absorption coefficient can be detected above noise level. The spaghetti model produces a steep increase of the phase shift with the degree of the mode at short wavelengths, while mode mixing is more efficient for the monolithic model. These results provide a clue for what to look for in solar observations to discern the constitution of sunspots between the proposed monolithic and spaghetti models.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1990

New heterojunction LWIR detector options

Researchers investigate the heterojunction internal photoemission (HIP) approach that potentially offers long wavelength infrared (LWIR) photovoltaic detector performance (single pixel) that is competitive with the best of other approaches being considered. Most significantly, this approach offers a relatively simple device technology that promises producible and uniform FPA's. Researchers emphasize an exciting process based on intervalence band absorption. They investigate both III-V and Si-based heterojunctions grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) in which the barrier can be tailored to the desired cutoff wavelength. In addition, MBE allows one to optimize the device structure with precise control of doping profiles and layer thicknesses, and perform band structure engineering by control of composition and heterojunction strain. Researchers also consider free carrier absorption in heterojunctions. Acceptable absorption coefficients can be achieved in very heavily n(exp +) doped semiconductor layers (approx. equals 10(exp 20)cm(exp -3). However, in this case the appreciable filling of conduction band states leads to a Schottky-like photoresponse with a gradual (quadratic) turn-on above threshold. A more satisfactory approach would be to use p(exp +) doping so that with the higher density of states in the heavy hole valence band there would be a narrow band of occupied states. This gives the desirable effect of a more rapid (linear) turn-on above threshold. Unfortunately, the higher hole effective mass also reduces (inversely) the free carrier absorption. For this and other reasons, the intervalence band absorption process looks much more promising.

Maserjian, Joseph↗
DOE OSTI2023

Radiation-induced negative optical nonlinearities in fused silica, sapphire, and borosilicate glass

Here, negative nonlinear absorption is reported in neutron- and gamma-irradiated high-OH content fused silica, low-OH content fused silica, sapphire, borosilicate glass, and radiation-resistant borosilicate glass irradiated to total neutron fluences of 3.4 × 10 16 n ∙ cm –2 (42 Mrad γ), 1.7 × 10 17 n ∙ cm –2 (211 Mrad γ), and 3.6 × 10 17 n ∙ cm –2 (433 Mrad γ). Nonlinear absorption coefficients were measured via Z-scan and are on the order of – (10 –14 –10 –10 ) m∙W –1 . The Z-scan also reveals a negative nonlinear index of refraction in neutron- and gamma-irradiated radiation-resistant borosilicate glass on the order of –10 –19 m 2 ∙ W –1 . Thermal annealing at temperatures up to 800 °C is shown to restore these nonlinearities to their positive unirradiated values in all four materials. All Z-scan measurements were performed at 532 nm with a nanosecond pulsed laser. The occurrence of negative nonlinearities may be attributed to the presence of metallic impurities and the resulting saturable absorption. A limited effect of photobleaching is observed in measurements and is quantified in multiple Z-scans.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Tolyporphins A–R, unusual tetrapyrrole macrocycles in a cyanobacterium from Micronesia, assessed quantitatively from the culture HT-58-2

The ‘pigments of life’ family has been enlarged by the discovery of the tetrapyrrole macrocycles dubbed tolyporphins, which are present in a cyanobacterial culture (HT-58-2). Of the 18 known tolyporphins, fourteen (A–J and L–O) are dioxobacteriochlorins, three (K, Q and R) are oxochlorins, and one (P) is a porphyrin. The members with a given chromophore absorb similarly but not identically with each other, presenting the problem of absorption spectral aliasing. Tolyporphins G and H are isomers, as are tolyporphins L–O, given the nature of the peripheral ( C -glycoside, –OH, or –OAc) substituents, presenting the (isobaric) problem of mass spectrometric analysis. The distribution of tolyporphin members is known to change over time and under different growth conditions, however, the complexity of the tolyporphins mixture presents challenges toward characterization of the underlying factors that alter such distributions. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with dynamic multiple reaction monitoring (LC-MS-dMRM) was employed to characterize the distribution of tolyporphins under distinct growth media, using two semisynthetic standards, tolyporphin A O,O -dibutyrate and tolyporphin D O,O,O,O -tetrabutyrate. Growth in media containing both ammonium and nitrate salts versus nitrate alone affords increased production of tolyporphins. The absorption spectra of tolyporphins A–R have been reevaluated with regards to molar absorption coefficients, are compared with those of selected tetrapyrrole macrocycles to better understand the effects of chromophores and substituents, and are made available here in print and digital forms for comparison with isolated tolyporphins and mixtures thereof. Together, the work provides the foundation for quantitative assessment of these unusual natural products.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Growth optimization and optical properties of AlGaNAs alloys

The effect of Al on the surface morphology of chemical beam epitaxy grown AlGaNAs alloys is studied. Pits attributed to N clustering appearing on the dilute nitride surface become smaller, denser, and more uniformly distributed in the presence of Al. This reveals that the introduction of Al results in more homogenous N atoms spatial distribution. A growth temperature study reveals the formation of 3D structures at high temperature due to phase separation. The density of these structures decreases, while their diameter and height increase when the temperature is raised from 380 °C to 565 °C. At growth temperatures in the 380–420 °C range, the phase separation is suppressed and the growth mode is 2D. At 420 °C, the N incorporation is also maximized, making it the optimum temperature. The absorption coefficient and the bandgap of AlGaNAs alloys are extracted from transmittance measurement. A good agreement is obtained between the experimentally measured bandgap and the theoretical values calculated using the band anticrossing model. A bandgap as low as 1.22 eV was reached using Al and N concentrations of ∼15% and ∼3.4%, respectively.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Theoretical Investigation of Delafossite-Cu 2 ZnSnO 4 as a Promising Photovoltaic Absorber

In the quest for efficient and cost-effective photovoltaic absorber materials beyond silicon, considerable attention has been directed toward exploring alternatives. One such material, zincblende-derived Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS), has shown promise due to its ideal band gap size and high absorption coefficient. However, challenges such as structural defects and secondary phase formation have hindered its development. In this study, we examine the potential of another compound, Cu2ZnSnO4 (CZTO), with a similar composition to CZTS as a promising alternative. Employing ab initio density function theory (DFT) calculations in combination with an evolutionary structure prediction algorithm, we identify that the crystalline phase of delafossite structure is the most stable among the 900 (meta)stable CZTO. Its thermodynamic stability at room temperature is also confirmed by the molecular dynamics study. Excitingly, this new phase of CZTO displays a direct band gap where the dipole-allowed transition occurs, making it a strong candidate for efficient light absorptions. Furthermore, the estimation of spectroscopic limited maximum efficiency (SLME) directly demonstrates the high potential of delafossite-CZTO as a photovoltaic absorber. Our numerical results suggest that delafossite-CZTO holds promise for future photovoltaic applications.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

A study of optothermal and AC impedance properties of Cr-doped Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} sprayed thin films

Highlights: • Outlining adequacy an original combination of several characterization means. • Structural, optical, thermal and electrical properties have been studied. • Opto- thermal analysis shows that band gap can be tuned through Cr doping. • Outlining physical properties for an eventual development of sensing components. - Abstract: Chrome-doped Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} thin films were grown on the glass substrates by the spray pyrolysis technique at 350 °C. XRD diffraction and Raman spectroscopy analysis revealed that all samples have tetragonal spinel structure with a preferred orientation along the direction (1 0 1). Absorption coefficient has been measured using both transmission and mirage effect. The band gap energy decreases from 2.2 to 1.9 eV with Cr content while Urbach energy value increases from 354 to 473 meV. Also, thermal conductivity was evaluated. Finally, physical properties have been evaluated and discussed in terms of alteration of the band gap edges, electrical patterns and mirage effect.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Study of sub band gap absorption of Sn doped CdSe thin films

The nanocrystalline thin films of Sn doped CdSe at different dopants concentration are prepared by thermal evaporation technique on glass substrate at room temperature. The effect of Sn doping on the optical properties of CdSe has been studied. A decrease in band gap value is observed with increase in Sn concentration. Constant photocurrent method (CPM) is used to study the absorption coefficient in the sub band gap region. Urbach energy has been obtained from CPM spectra which are found to increase with amount of Sn dopants. The refractive index data calculated from transmittance is used for the identification of oscillator strength and oscillator energy using single oscillator model which is found to be 7.7 and 2.12 eV, 6.7 and 2.5 eV for CdSe:Sn 1% and CdSe:Sn 5% respectively.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1972

Density and optical properties of SPARCS plumes

Propellant gases emitted by attitude control systems such as SPARCS (Solar Pointing Aerobee Rocket Control System) and possible interference with experiments aboard the payloads are discussed. The optical properties of seven actual and potential gases emitted by propellant systems (CF4, N2H4, NH3, N2, CO2, Ar, and He) are presented. A compilation of absorption coefficients from 1 Angstrom to 50 microns and a summary of fluorescent spectra and efficiencies are provided. Since Freon-14 (CF4) is of primary importance to SPARCS, an experimental search for the fluorescent spectrum of CF4 was performed by exciting the gas with 920 Angstrom UV photons. The result was compared with an electron impact induced spectrum of CF4, and conclusions drawn about the nature of the radiating species. A detailed study of the CF4 flow fields and plume densities for typical SPARCS controlled payloads was made using gas dynamic codes which included the effects of vehicle shading and condensation. The importance of the optical properties of CF4 plumes was investigated and it is concluded that absorption is negligible but fluoresence may be significant in some cases.

Brown, W. A.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Absorption of pulsed laser radiation by composites based on hexogen and aluminium nanoparticles

Absorption of the second-harmonic radiation from a pulsed YAG : Nd {sup 3+} laser by composites based on hexogen and aluminium nanoparticles (of a diameter 100 nm) is theoretically and experimentally investigated. The absorption efficiency factor (the ratio of the light absorption cross section to the geometrical cross section) is calculated by using the Mie theory for Al inclusions in a hexogen medium for various particle diameters and wavelengths corresponding to laser fundamental and second-harmonic radiation. Dependences of the absorption coefficient and amplitude of an acoustic signal on the concentration of inclusions under laser irradiation of composite samples are measured by using a piezo-acoustic transducer. It is shown that the radiation is directly absorbed by nanoparticles. The optimal concentration is found, which provides the maximal signal of the piezo-acoustic transducer. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Comparative study of ITO and TiN fabricated by low-temperature RF biased sputtering

Radio frequency (RF) biasing induced by a second plasma source at the substrate is applied to low-temperature sputtering processes for indium tin oxide (ITO) and titanium nitride (TiN) thin films. Investigations on crystal structure and surface morphology show that RF-biased substrate plasma processes result in a changed growth regime with different grain sizes and orientations than those produced by processes without a substrate bias. The influence of the RF bias is shown comparatively for reactive RF-sputtered ITO and reactive direct-current-sputtered TiN. The ITO layers exhibit an improved electrical resistivity of 0.5 mΩ cm and an optical absorption coefficient of 0.5 × 10{sup 4 }cm{sup −1} without substrate heating. Room-temperature sputtered TiN layers are deposited that possess a resistivity (0.1 mΩ cm) of 3 orders of magnitude lower than, and a density (5.4 g/cm{sup 3}) up to 45% greater than, those obtained from layers grown using the standard process without a substrate plasma.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Latent Representation Learning for Structural Characterization of Catalysts

Supervised machine learning-enabled mapping of the X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra to local structural descriptors offers new methods for understanding the structure and function of working nanocatalysts. We briefly summarize a status of XANES analysis approaches by supervised machine learning methods. We present an example of an autoencoder-based, unsupervised machine learning approach for latent representation learning of XANES spectra. This new approach produces a lower-dimensional latent representation, which retains a spectrum–structure relationship that can be eventually mapped to physicochemical properties. Furthermore, the latent space of the autoencoder also provides a pathway to interpret the information content “hidden” in the X-ray absorption coefficient. Our approach (that we named latent space analysis of spectra, or LSAS) is demonstrated for the supported Pd nanoparticle catalyst studied during the formation of Pd hydride. By employing the low-dimensional representation of Pd K-edge XANES, the LSAS method was able to isolate the key factors responsible for the observed spectral changes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗