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NASA NTRS2008

1KW Power Transmission Using Wireless Acoustic-Electric Feed-Through (WAEF)

A variety of space applications require the delivery of power into sealed structures. Since the structural integrity can be degraded by holes for cabling we present an alternative method of delivering power and information using stress waves to the internal space of a sealed structure. One particular application of this technology is in sample return missions where it is critical to preserve the sample integrity and to prevent earth contamination. Therefore, the container has to be hermetically sealed and the integrity of the seal must be monitored in order to insure to a high degree of reliability the integrity of the sample return vessel. In this study we investigated the use of piezoelectric acoustic-electric power feed-through devices to transfer electric power wirelessly through a solid wall by using elastic or acoustic waves. The technology is applicable to a range of space and terrestrial applications where power is required by electronic equipment inside sealed containers, vacuum or pressure vessels, etc., where holes in the wall are prohibitive or may result in significant structural performance degradation or unnecessarily complex designs. To meet requirements of higher power applications, the feasibility to transfer kilowatts level power was investigated. Pre-stressed longitudinal piezoelectric feed-through devices were analyzed by finite element models and an equivalent circuit model was developed to predict the power transfer characteristics to different electric loads. Based on the results of the analysis a prototype device was designed, fabricated and a demonstration of the transmission of electric power up to 1.068-kW was successfully conducted. Efficiencies in the 80-90% range were also demonstrated and methods to increase the efficiency further are currently being considered.

pressure vessels↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Spacecraft Materials Degradation Under Space-Simulated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Environment

External spacecraft materials play an important role in satellite protection from the harsh space environment. Research has shown that the physical, chemical, and optical properties of matter change continuously as a result of exposure to solar radiation and aggressive chemical species produced in Earth’s upper atmosphere. Thorough knowledge of the material properties evolution throughout a planned mission lifetime helps to improve the reliability of spacecraft. Moreover, the establishment of correlation factors between true space exposure and accelerated space weather experiments at ground facilities enables accurate prediction of on-orbit material performance based on laboratory-based testing. The presented work aims to evaluate the radiation effects of low Earth orbit (LEO) environment, namely, exposure to the high-energy electrons, atomic oxygen (AO), and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV), of several modern spacecraft materials. The studied materials represent the “flight duplicates” of samples that are launched as a part of the 16th Materials International Space Station Experiment Flight Facility (MISSE-FF) mission in 2022.

Elena A Plis↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Spacecraft Materials Degradation Under Space-Simulated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Environment

Elena Plis↗

NASA NTRS1976

Development of a 30-cm ion thruster thermal-vacuum power processor

The 30-cm Hg electron-bombardment ion thruster presently under development has reached engineering model status and is generally accepted as the prime propulsion thruster module to be used on the earliest solar electric propulsion missions. This paper presents the results of a related program to develop a transistorized 3-kW Thermal-Vacuum Breadboard (TVBB) Power Processor for this thruster. Emphasized in the paper are the implemented electrical and mechanical designs as well as the resultant system performance achieved over a range of test conditions. In addition, design modifications affording improved performance are identified and discussed.

Herron, B. G.↗

DOE OSTI2015

Synthesis and field emission behaviour of well faceted In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} micro-crystals

Here in, we report synthesis of crystalline Indium Selenide (In{sub 2}Se{sub 3}) elegant microcrystals on Au coated Si substrates using one-step facile thermal evaporation route and their field emission investigations. The as-synthesized In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} micro-crystals were subjected to structural and morphological analysis prior to the field emission studies. The XRD spectrum of the as-synthesized product reveals formation of crystalline hexagonal phase of In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} under the prevailing experimental conditions. Under optimized process variables, the morphology of the as-synthesized product is characterized by presence of well facetted micron size particles of In2Se3. Furthermore, the EDAX analysis confirms the presence of In and Se in the as-synthesized sample. The field emission characteristic of the In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} micro-crystal emitter is found to be superior to the other metal chalcogenides micro-crystal based emitters. The synthesized In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} micro-crystals emitter delivers current density of ∼ 225 µA/cm{sup 2} at an applied electric field of ∼ 7.44 V/µm. The emission current stability investigated at pre-set value of ∼ 3 µA is observed to be fairly good. These observed results demonstrate potential of the In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} cathode as an electron source for practical applications in vacuum microelectronic devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2014

In situ SEM and ToF-SIMS analysis of IgG conjugated gold nanoparticles at aqueous surfaces

In this study, we report new results of in situ study of 5 nm goat anti-mouse IgG gold nanoparticles in a novel portable vacuum compatible microfluidic device using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The unique feature of the liquid flow cell is that the detection window is open to the vacuum allowing direct probing of the liquid surface. The flow cell is composed of a silicon nitride (SiN) membrane and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and it is fully compatible with vacuum operations for surface analysis. The aperture can be drilled through the 100 nm SiN membrane using a focused ion beam. Characteristic signals of the conjugated gold nanoparticles were successfully observed through the aperture by both energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) in SEM and ToF-SIMS. Comparison was also made among wet samples, dry samples, and liquid sample in the flow cell using SEM/EDX. Stronger gold signal can be observed in our novel portable device by SEM/EDX compared with the wet or dry samples, respectively. Our results indicate that analyses of the nanoparticle components are better made in their native liquid environment. This is made possible using our unique microfluidic flow cell.

aqueous surface↗

DOE OSTI2015

Surface electronic structure of polar NiO thin film grown on Ag(111)

The growth and structure of NiO thin films on top of Ag(111) substrate were studied where the formation of faceted surface was confirmed by Low Energy Electron Diffraction. The electronic structure of polar NiO(111) surface has been probed using photoemission techniques. The core energy levels and the valence band electronic structure were excited by x-ray and ultraviolet photons respectively. The modifications in physical structure and valence band electronic structure of the film under vacuum annealing have also been enlightened.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2016

Extension of the general thermal field equation for nanosized emitters

During the previous decade, Jensen et al. developed a general analytical model that successfully describes electron emission from metals both in the field and thermionic regimes, as well as in the transition region. In that development, the standard image corrected triangular potential barrier was used. This barrier model is valid only for planar surfaces and therefore cannot be used in general for modern nanometric emitters. In a recent publication, the authors showed that the standard Fowler-Nordheim theory can be generalized for highly curved emitters if a quadratic term is included to the potential model. In this paper, we extend this generalization for high temperatures and include both the thermal and intermediate regimes. This is achieved by applying the general method developed by Jensen to the quadratic barrier model of our previous publication. We obtain results that are in good agreement with fully numerical calculations for radii R > 4 nm, while our calculated current density differs by a factor up to 27 from the one predicted by the Jensen's standard General-Thermal-Field (GTF) equation. Our extended GTF equation has application to modern sharp electron sources, beam simulation models, and vacuum breakdown theory.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2020

Electron-positron pair creation in the electric fields generated by micro-bubble implosions

Here, we show that electron-positron pair production from the vacuum is possible via the strong Coulomb fields generated by micro-bubble implosions induced by ultra-high intensity lasers. Even in the case where the Coulomb fields are lower than the pair creation threshold, externally injected high energy electrons or photons could be used to generate pairs.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS1979

A small, passively operated hydrogen maser

The paper describes a compact passive hydrogen maser with unique features including a reduction in size. It uses a passive operation mode, permitting the use of a small microwave TE(011) cavity dielectrically loaded by a low loss alumina. The Teflon coated quartz bulb common in other masers has been replaced by a Teflon coating on the inside wall of the cavity producing a simpler designed and a more rugged H-maser package. The cavity and the attached endcaps comprise the vacuum envelope, allowing the use of a single vacuum system. The dimensional stability of the ceramic cavity under barometric changes is sufficiently within the range of the electronic cavity servo so that a second vacuum system is not required. For temperature control, a single oven is located in the magnetic shield nest.

Howe, D. A.↗

DOE OSTI2019

Detailed Modeling of Physical Processes in Electron Sources for Accelerator Applications

At present, electron sources are essential in a wide range of applications – from common technical use to exploring the nature of matter. Depending on the application requirements, different methods and materials are used to generate electrons. State of-the-art accelerator applications set a number of often-contradicting requirements for electron sources (e.g., high quantum efficiency vs. high spin-polarization, high current density vs. long lifetime, etc). Development of advanced electron sources includes modeling and design of cathodes, material growth, fabrication of cathodes, and cathode testing. The detailed simulation and modeling of physical processes are required in order to shed light on the exact mechanisms of electron emission and to develop new-generation electron sources with optimized efficiency. The purpose of the present work is to study physical processes in prominent electron sources and to develop scientific tools that could be used to predict electron emission from novel nano-structured materials. In particular, the Monte Carlo model has been implemented and used to study photoemission from Negative Electron Affinity (NEA) GaAs widely used to provide spin-polarized electron beams for many accelerator facilities, including Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. According to our best knowledge, this is the first to date scientific tool to simulate the complete from-excitation-to-emission-into-vacuum photoemission of spin-polarized electrons from NEA GaAs based on the details of material band structure. Moreover, an effective image-processing algorithm has been developed and used to study field emission properties of Nitrogen-incorporated UltraNanoCrystalline Diamond ((N)UNCD) films. The algorithm processes large sets of image micrographs representing field emission sites formed on the anode plate and therefore provides significant information about the field emission area and the current density. The field emission model from convenient semiconductors has been modified and used to study the influence of the space-charge region and the electric-field-dependent electron mobility on the field emission characteristics of (N)UNCD field emitters.

Chubenko, Oksana↗

DOE OSTI2024

Rapid Demonstration of Bremsstrahlung Diode Optimization

Optimization of the radiation pattern from a Bremsstrahlung target for a given application is possible by controlling the electron beam that impacts the high-atomic-number target. In this work, the electron beam is generated by a 13MV vacuum diode that terminates a coaxial magnetically insulted transmission line (MITL) on the HERMES-III machine at Sandia National Labs. Work by Sanford introduced a geometry for vacuum diodes that can control the flow within bounds. The "indented anode", as coined by Sanford, can straighten out the electron beam in a high-current diode that would otherwise be prone to beam pinching. A straighter beam will produce a more forwardly directed radiation pattern while a pinching electron beam will yield a focal point or hot spot on axis and a more diffuse radiation pattern. Either one of these may be desirable depending on the application. This work serves as a first attempt to optimize the radiation pattern in the former sense of collimating the radiation pattern given a limited parameter space. The optimization is attempted first using electromagnetic particle-in-cell simulations in the EMPIRE code suite. The setup of the models used in EMPIRE is discussed along with some basic theory behind some of the models used in the simulations such as anode heating and secondary ions. Theoretical work performed by Allen Garner and his students at Purdue is included here, which concerns the impact of collisions in these vacuum diodes. The EMPIRE simulations consider both an aggressive and a conservative design. The aggressive design is inherently riskier while the conservative design is chosen as something that, while still a risk, is more likely to perform as expected. The ultimate goal of this work was to validate the EMPIRE code results with experimental data. While the experiment that tested the diode designs proposed by the simulation results fell outside of the fiscal boundaries of this project (and for that reason the results of which are not included in this report), the hardware for the experiment was designed and drafted within those same fiscal boundaries, and is thus included in this report. However, there was yet another experiment performed in this project that tested a key feature of the diode: the hemispherical cathode. Those results are documented here as well, which show that the cathode tip is an important aspect to controlling the diode flow. A short series of simulations on this diode were also performed after the experiment in order to gain a better understanding of the effect of ions. on the flow pattern and faceplate dose profile.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

NASA NTRS2007

Progress in Laser Risk Reduction for 1 micron lasers at GSFC

In recent years, lasers have proven themselves to be invaluable to a variety of remote sensing applications. LIDAR techniques have been used to measure atmospheric aerosols and a variety of trace species, profile winds, and develop high resolution topographical maps. Often it would be of great advantage to make these measurements from an orbiting satellite. Unfortunately, the space environment is a challenging one for the high power lasers that would enable many LIDAR missions. Optical mounts must maintain precision alignment during and after launch. Outgassing materials in the vacuum of space lead to contamination of laser optics. Electronic components and optical materials must survive the space environment, including a vacuum atmosphere, thermal cycling, and radiation exposure. Laser designs must be lightweight, compact, and energy efficient. Many LIDAR applications require frequency conversion systems that have never been designed or tested for use in space. For the last six years the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) has undertaken a program specifically directed at addressing the durability and long term reliability issues that face space-borne lasers. The effort is shared between NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. This paper is an overview of the issues facing space-borne lasers and the efforts that Goddard has been pursuing to address them.

Heaps, William S.↗

DOE OSTI2016

Room temperature optically detected magnetic resonance (photoluminescence detected magnetic resonance) of radical ion pairs induced by vacuum ultraviolet in thin polymeric films

A setup for recording optically detected electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of radical ions involved in geminate recombination and generated by vacuum ultraviolet is described. The setup allows registration of EPR spectra from short-lived radical ions in polymeric films at room temperature by recombination fluorescence modulated by a resonance microwave field.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2013

Two-loop corrections to the potential of a pointlike charge in a superstrong magnetic field

The potential of the pointlike charge in a superstrong homogeneous magnetic field B Much-Greater-Than m{sub e}{sup 2}/e{sup 3} Almost-Equal-To 6 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 15} G is considered. It is well known that Coulomb potential is significantly modified by taking into account vacuum polarization (calculated in one loop approximation). We consider electron selfenergy and correction to the vertex function at one loop, and show that these diagrams are not enhanced by magnetic field like eB.We calculate two-loop corrections to the vacuum polarization and find that these contributions are small.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS2000

Getters for Reliable Hermetic Packages

A variety of sealed-off devices such as cathode ray tubes (CRT's) electron tubes, plasma displays, particle accelarators and colliders vacuum thermal insulation, ultra-high vacuum (UHV), extreme high vacuum (XHV) systems for semiconductor processing, X-ray tubes, lamps, field-emission displays (FEDs) flat panel displays (FPDs), some microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and science instruments for space applications, nuclear systems require a vacuum for their successful operation.

getters hermetic packaging electronic↗

DOE OSTI2016

Dynamics of charge at water-to-semiconductor interface: Case study of wet [0 0 1] anatase TiO 2 nanowire

Here, the behavior of water molecules on the surfaces of the TiO 2 nanowire grown in [0 0 1] direction has been investigated by combining theoretical calculations and experiments. Calculated UV–visible absorption spectra reproduce the main features of the experimental spectra. Computations predict that a photoexcitation followed by a sequence of relaxation events results in photoluminescence across the gap. TiO 2 nanowires in vacuum and aqueous environment exhibit different dynamics of photo-excited charge carriers. In water, computed relaxation of electrons (holes) is approximately 2 (4) times faster compared with vacuum environment. Faster relaxation of holes vs. electrons and specific spatial localization of holes result to formation of long lived charge transfer excitation with positive charge at the surface of the nanowire. Comparison of relaxation process in TiO 2 /water interfaces focusing on different surfaces and nanostructures has potential in identifying structural characteristics of TiO 2 materials important for efficient photo-electrochemical water splitting.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2012

Calculation of synchrotron radiation from high intensity electron beam at eRHIC

The Electron-Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (eRHIC) at Brookhaven National Lab is an upgrade project for the existing RHIC. A 30 GeV energy recovery linac (ERL) will provide a high charge and high quality electron beam to collide with proton and ion beams. This will improve the luminosity by at least 2 orders of magnitude. The synchrotron radiation (SR) from the bending magnets and strong quadrupoles for such an intense beam could be penetrating the vacuum chamber and producing hazards to electronic devices and undesired background for detectors. In this paper, we calculate the SR spectral intensity, power density distributions and heat load on the chamber wall. We suggest the wall thickness required to stop the SR and estimate spectral characteristics of the residual and scattered background radiation outside the chamber.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗