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NASA NTRS1978

The Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFS) aerodynamics and systems: Description and analysis

The aerodynamics, control system, instrumentation complement and recording system of the USAF Total In/Flight Simulator (TIFS) airplane are described. A control system that would allow the ailerons to be operated collectively, as well as, differentially to entrance the ability of the vehicle to perform the dual function of maneuver load control and gust alleviation is emphasized. Mathematical prediction of the rigid body and the flexible equations of longitudinal motion using the level 2.01 FLEXSTAB program are included along with a definition of the vehicle geometry, the mass and stiffness distribution, the calculated mode frequencies and mode shapes, and the resulting aerodynamic equations of motion of the flexible vehicle. A complete description of the control and instrumentation system of the aircraft is presented, including analysis, ground test and flight data comparisons of the performance and bandwidth of the aerodynamic surface servos. Proposed modification for improved performance of the servos are also presented.

Andrisani, D., II↗

NASA NTRS1990

Stimulated Raman shifting of the Nd:YAG fourth harmonic (266 nm) in H2, HD, and D2

The dependence of the first Stokes stimulated Raman conversion efficiency of fourth-harmonic radiation from a Nd:YAG laser at 266 nm has been studied for the isotopic species H2, HD, and D2 as a function of gas pressure and laser energy using a low numerical aperture (about 0.0045) pumping geometry. While the laser energy threshold for first Stokes conversion varies significantly among the species, photon conversion efficiencies of at least 50 percent can be achieved for all of them for laser pump energies at 266 nm of 50 mJ/pulse or less. This study provides a new measurement of the differential cross section for stimulated Raman scattering in HD of 8.1 + or - 2.4 x 10 to the -29th sq cm/sr at 266 nm and at high pressures, and agreement is found with previous measurements of the cross sections for H2 and D2. The results have been used to optimize the laser transmitter system for a differential-absorption lidar to measure tropospheric ozone concentration profiles.

Haner, David A.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Reconfiguring COSSIR for the Next Generation of Cloud and Precipitation Science

NASA originally developed the Compact Scanning Sub-millimeter Imaging Radiometer (CoSSIR) in the early 2000s, where it was own in the CRYSTAL-FACE and TC4 field experiments. With renewed interest in sub-millimeter remote sensing motivated by the upcoming launch of the EUMETSAT-sponsored Ice Cloud Imager (ICI), along with its potential for inclusion as part of the NASA Decadal Survey Aerosols, CLouds, Convection, and Precipitation (ACCP) observing architecture, CoSSIR is being refurbished to prepare for routine suborbital submillimeter measurements this decade. Upgrades include hardware (procurement of shared parts so that CoSMIR and CoSSIR can fly concurrently) and a change to the channels, with a focus on differential scattering and polarization at eight frequencies ranging from 170 to 640 GHz. As part of the refurbishment, the instrument name has been changed to Configurable Scanning Sub-millimeter Instrument/Radiometer, retaining the same acronym, in order to emphasize the science objectives that are enabled by CoSSIR's unique scanning geometry and channel set. These anticipated capabilities include two-dimensional pro ling of clouds and precipitation and characterization of the geometry (shape and orientation) of large cloud and precipitating ice particles.

Radiometry↗

DOE OSTI2022

Whole core analysis of OECD/NEA TVA-WB1 benchmark exercise 1 using continuous-energy Monte Carlo code MVP with JENDL-4.0u and ENDF/B-VII.0

The TVA WB1 benchmark problem was precisely modeled in accordance with the geometry and material specifications, and benchmark exercise 1 was solved with the MVP code and the nuclear data libraries based on JENDL-4.0u (JENDL-4.0 updated file) and ENDF/B-VII.0. The criticality, the control rod bank worth, the isothermal temperature coefficient (ITC), the integral rod worth of bank D, and differential soluble boron worth (DBW) were obtained. The criticality and the control rod bank worth were compared with the measured data and published calculation results with other codes, Serpent and KENO. The criticality and the control rod bank worth calculated by MVP and the libraries agree with the measured and the published calculation results within the criteria specified in the ANSI/ANS standard. From these results, the calculation model for the MVP and the libraries was verified. The other parameters such as ITC, the integral rod worth, and DBW were also compared between JENDL-4.0u and ENDF/B-VII.0. The comparison of the results shows JENDL-4.0u and ENDF/B-VII.0 give comparable results within the standard deviation, the difference between libraries is small. (author)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Correlating Broadband Photoluminescence with Structural Dynamics in Layered Hybrid Halide Perovskites

The emission of white light from a single material is atypical and is of interest for solid-state lighting applications. Broadband light emission has been observed in some layered perovskite derivatives, A 2 PbBr 4 (A = R-NH 3 + ), and correlates with static structural distortions corresponding to out-of-plane tilting of the lead bromide octahedra. While materials with different organic cations can yield distinct out-of-plane tilts, the underlying origin of the octahedral tilting remains poorly understood. Using high energy resolution (e.g., quasi-elastic) neutron scattering, this contribution details the rotational dynamics of the organic cations in A 2 PbBr 4 materials where A = n-butylammonium (nBA), 1,8-diaminooctammonium (ODA), and 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The organic cation dynamics differentiate (nBA) 2 PbBr 4 from (ODA)PbBr 4 or (GABA) 2 PbBr 4 in that the larger spatial extent of dynamics of nBA yields a larger effective cation radius. The larger effective volume of the nBA cation in (nBA) 2 PbBr 4 yields a closer to ideal A-site geometry, preventing the out-of-plane tilt and broadband luminescence. In all three compounds, we observe hydrogen dynamics attributed to rotation of the ammonium headgroup and at a time scale faster than the white light photoluminescence studied by time-correlated single photon counting spectroscopy. This supports a previous assignment of the broadband emission as resulting from a single ensemble, such that the emissive excited state experiences many local structures faster than the emissive decay. Furthermore, the findings presented here highlight the role of the organic cation and its dynamics in hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites and white light emission.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2012

Quantum Tunneling Enabled Self-Assembly of Hydrogen Atoms on Cu(111)

Atomic and molecular self-assembly are key phenomena that underpin many important technologies. Typically, thermally enabled diffusion allows a system to sample many areas of configurational space, and ordered assemblies evolve that optimize interactions between species. Herein we describe a system in which the diffusion is quantum tunneling in nature and report the self-assembly of H atoms on a Cu(111) surface into complex arrays based on local clustering followed by larger scale islanding of these clusters. By scanning tunneling microscope tip-induced scrambling of H atom assemblies, we are able to watch the atomic scale details of H atom self-assembly in real time. The ordered arrangements we observe are complex and very different from those formed by H on other metals that occur in much simpler geometries. We contrast the diffusion and assembly of H with D, which has a much slower tunneling rate and is not able to form the large islands observed with H over equivalent time scales. Using density functional theory, we examine the interaction of H atoms on Cu(111) by calculating the differential binding energy as a function of H coverage. At the temperature of the experiments (5 K), H(D) diffusion by quantum tunneling dominates. The quantum-tunneling-enabled H and D diffusion is studied using a semiclassically corrected transition state theory coupled with density functional theory. This system constitutes the first example of quantum-tunneling-enabled self-assembly, while simultaneously demonstrating the complex ordering of H on Cu(111), a catalytically relevant surface.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗

DOE OSTI2022

Context-Aware Learning for Inverse Design in Photovoltaics

This document describes progress in the ARPA-E DIFFERENTIATE project titled “Context-Aware Learning for Inverse Design in Photovoltaics” during the period of May 2019 to May 2022. This project is being performed at Iowa State University, New York University, Stanford University, and National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The project aims to develop a new machine learning (ML) framework to significantly accelerate the design of organic microstructures for improved organic photovoltaic performance. In this project, we had developed an inverse design framework using Deep Learning called InvNets for generating microstructures with desired physics-driven properties. As a preliminary product, in Milestone 3, we demonstrated how InvNets show 20% improvement in the performance of the microstructures and over 100X speedup in the performance compared to traditional processes for physics-driven inverse design. Later, in Milestone 6, we demonstrated that InvNets work for more complex physics properties, specifically, generating microstructures for organic photovoltaic cells with desired current-voltage characteristics. Further, in Milestone 4, we explored the idea of using physics-aware surrogates for obtaining solutions of partial differential equations(PDE) called as DiffNets(now called as NeuFENets to avoid ambiguity of names). The connection between both frameworks is that DiffNet surrogates form the physics-aware surrogate in the InvNet framework. Finally in Milestone 8, we extend our framework for other physics domains. Specifically, we explore building geometry-aware NeuFENets by developing physics surrogates that exploit ideas from traditional immersed boundary finite element methods. With these updates, we are able to achieve all the Milestones.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS1982

Nonlinear zero-sum differential game analysis by singular perturbation methods

A class of nonlinear, zero-sum differential games, exhibiting time-scale separation properties, can be analyzed by singular-perturbation techniques. The merits of such an analysis, leading to an approximate game solution, as well as the 'well-posedness' of the formulation, are discussed. This approach is shown to be attractive for investigating pursuit-evasion problems; the original multidimensional differential game is decomposed to a 'simple pursuit' (free-stream) game and two independent (boundary-layer) optimal-control problems. Using multiple time-scale boundary-layer models results in a pair of uniformly valid zero-order composite feedback strategies. The dependence of suboptimal strategies on relative geometry and own-state measurements is demonstrated by a three dimensional, constant-speed example. For game analysis with realistic vehicle dynamics, the technique of forced singular perturbations and a variable modeling approach is proposed. Accuracy of the analysis is evaluated by comparison with the numerical solution of a time-optimal, variable-speed 'game of two cars' in the horizontal plane.

Sinar, J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Study of two-phase flow in helical and spiral coils

The principal purposes of the present study were to: (1) observe and develop a fundamental understanding of the flow regimes and their transitions occurring in helical and spiral coils; and (2) obtain pressure drop measurements of such flows, and, if possible, develop a method for predicting pressure drop in these flow geometries. Elaborating upon the above, the general intent is to develop criteria (preferably generalized) for establishing the nature of the flow dynamics (e.g. flow patterns) and the magnitude of the pressure drop in such configurations over a range of flow rates and fluid properties. Additionally, the visualization and identification of flow patterns were a fundamental objective of the study. From a practical standpoint, the conditions under which an annular flow pattern exists is of particular practical importance. In the possible practical applications which would implement these geometries, the working fluids are likely to be refrigerant fluids. In the present study the working fluids were an air-water mixture, and refrigerant 113 (R-113). In order to obtain records of flow patterns and their transitions, video photography was employed extensively. Pressure drop measurements were made using pressure differential transducers connected across pressure taps in lines immediately preceding and following the various test sections.

Keshock, Edward G.↗

DOE OSTI2020

Orbital-selective Dirac fermions and extremely flat bands in frustrated kagome-lattice metal CoSn

Layered kagome-lattice 3d transition metals are emerging as an exciting platform to explore the frustrated lattice geometry and quantum topology. However, the typical kagome electronic bands, characterized by sets of the Dirac-like band capped by a phase-destructive flat band, have not been clearly observed, and their orbital physics are even less well investigated. Here, we present close-to-textbook kagome bands with orbital differentiation physics in CoSn, which can be well described by a minimal tight-binding model with single-orbital hopping in Co kagome lattice. The capping flat bands with bandwidth less than 0.2 eV run through the whole Brillouin zone, especially the bandwidth of the flat band of out-of-plane orbitals is less than 0.02 eV along Γ-M. The energy gap induced by spin-orbit interaction at the Dirac cone of out-of-plane orbitals is much smaller than that of in-plane orbitals, suggesting orbital-selective character of the Dirac fermions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2015

Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment

The project has made progress toward developing a comprehensive modeling capability for the capture of target species in off gas evolved during the reprocessing of nuclear fuel. The effort has integrated experimentation, model development, and computer code development for adsorption and absorption processes. For adsorption, a modeling library has been initiated to include (a) equilibrium models for uptake of off-gas components by adsorbents, (b) mass transfer models to describe mass transfer to a particle, diffusion through the pores of the particle and adsorption on the active sites of the particle, and (c) interconnection of these models to fixed bed adsorption modeling which includes advection through the bed. For single-component equilibria, a Generalized Statistical Thermodynamic Adsorption (GSTA) code was developed to represent experimental data from a broad range of isotherm types; this is equivalent to a Langmuir isotherm in the two-parameter case, and was demonstrated for Kr on INL-engineered sorbent HZ PAN, water sorption on molecular sieve A sorbent material (MS3A), and Kr and Xe capture on metal-organic framework (MOF) materials. The GSTA isotherm was extended to multicomponent systems through application of a modified spreading pressure surface activity model and generalized predictive adsorbed solution theory; the result is the capability to estimate multicomponent adsorption equilibria from single-component isotherms. This advance, which enhances the capability to simulate systems related to off-gas treatment, has been demonstrated for a range of real-gas systems in the literature and is ready for testing with data currently being collected for multicomponent systems of interest, including iodine and water on MS3A. A diffusion kinetic model for sorbent pellets involving pore and surface diffusion as well as external mass transfer has been established, and a methodology was developed for determining unknown diffusivity parameters from transient uptake data. Two parallel approaches have been explored for integrating the kernels described above into a mass-transport model for adsorption in fixed beds. In one, the GSTA isotherm kernel has been incorporated into the MOOSE framework; in the other approach, a focused finite-difference framework and PDE kernels have been developed. Issues, including oscillatory behavior in MOOSE solutions to advection-diffusion problems, and opportunities have been identified for each approach, and a path forward has been identified toward developing a stronger modeling platform. Experimental systems were established for collection of microscopic kinetics and equilibria data for single and multicomponent uptake of gaseous species on solid sorbents. The systems, which can operate at ambient temperature to 250°C and dew points from -69 to 17°C, are useful for collecting data needed for modeling performance of sorbents of interest. Experiments were conducted to determine applicable models and parameters for isotherms and mass transfer for water and/or iodine adsorption on MS3A. Validation experiments were also conducted for water adsorption on fixed beds of MS3A. For absorption, work involved modeling with supportive experimentation. A dynamic model was developed to simulate CO 2 absorption with chemical reaction using high alkaline content water solutions. A computer code was developed to implement the model based upon transient mass and energy balances. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory-scale column to determine model parameters. The influence of geometric parameters and operating variables on CO 2 absorption was studied over a wide range of conditions. This project has resulted in 7 publications, with 3 manuscripts in preparation. Also, 15 presentations were given at national meetings of ANS and AIChE and at Material Recovery and Waste Forms Campaign Working Group meetings.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

NASA NTRS1975

Reversed cowl flap inlet thrust augmentor

An adjustable airfoil is described for varying the geometry of a jet inlet and an ejector inlet in a jet engine for providing thrust augmentation and noise reduction. The airfoil comprises essentially a plurality of segments which are extended radially outward and retracted relative to the longitudinal axis of the engine as a function of a change in the pressure differential between the upstream and downstream surfaces of the airfoil. A servo mechanism responsive to the change in the pressure differential is coupled to the airfoil to extend and retract the airfoil segments to maintain the pressure at a maximum on the downstream side of the airfoil relative to the pressure on the upstream side of the airfoil. At low speeds, such as at take-offs and landings, the airfoil is fully extended while at high speeds it is fully retracted.

Cheng, D. Y.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Detection, monitoring, and determination of location of changes in metallic structures using multimode acoustic signals

Acoustic transducers generate and receive acoustic signals at multiple locations along a surface of rigid structure, wherein longitudinal spacing between transducer locations define measurement zones. Acoustic signals with chosen amplitude-time-frequency characteristics excite multiple vibration modes in the structure within each zone. Small mechanical changes in inspection zones lead to scattering and attenuation of broadband acoustic signals, which are detectable as changes in received signal characteristics as part of a through-transmission technique. Additional use of short, narrowband pulse acoustic signals as part of a pulse-echo technique allows determination of the relative location of the mechanical change within each zone based on the differential delay profiles. For accurate acoustic modeling and simulation, the mesh size, time step, time delay, and time-window size are optimized. Frequency normalization of the Short-Time Fourier Transform of acoustic response output improves experiment-simulation cross-validation. Applications of the method to structures with arbitrarily complex geometries are also demonstrated.

Findikoglu, Alp Tugrul↗

DOE OSTI2017

Implicit mesh discontinuous Galerkin methods and interfacial gauge methods for high-order accurate interface dynamics, with applications to surface tension dynamics, rigid body fluid–structure interaction, and free surface flow: Part I

In this two-part paper, a high-order accurate implicit mesh discontinuous Galerkin (dG) framework is developed for fluid interface dynamics, facilitating precise computation of interfacial fluid flow in evolving geometries. The framework uses implicitly defined meshes—wherein a reference quadtree or octree grid is combined with an implicit representation of evolving interfaces and moving domain boundaries—and allows physically prescribed interfacial jump conditions to be imposed or captured with high-order accuracy. Part one discusses the design of the framework, including: (i) high-order quadrature for implicitly defined elements and faces; (ii) high-order accurate discretisation of scalar and vector-valued elliptic partial differential equations with interfacial jumps in ellipticity coefficient, leading to optimal-order accuracy in the maximum norm and discrete linear systems that are symmetric positive (semi)definite; (iii) the design of incompressible fluid flow projection operators, which except for the influence of small penalty parameters, are discretely idempotent; and (iv) the design of geometric multigrid methods for elliptic interface problems on implicitly defined meshes and their use as preconditioners for the conjugate gradient method. Also discussed is a variety of aspects relating to moving interfaces, including: (v) dG discretisations of the level set method on implicitly defined meshes; (vi) transferring state between evolving implicit meshes; (vii) preserving mesh topology to accurately compute temporal derivatives; (viii) high-order accurate reinitialisation of level set functions; and (ix) the integration of adaptive mesh refinement. In part two, several applications of the implicit mesh dG framework in two and three dimensions are presented, including examples of single phase flow in nontrivial geometry, surface tension-driven two phase flow with phase-dependent fluid density and viscosity, rigid body fluid–structure interaction, and free surface flow. A class of techniques known as interfacial gauge methods is adopted to solve the corresponding incompressible Navier–Stokes equations, which, compared to archetypical projection methods, have a weaker coupling between fluid velocity, pressure, and interface position, and allow high-order accurate numerical methods to be developed more easily. Convergence analyses conducted throughout the work demonstrate high-order accuracy in the maximum norm for all of the applications considered; for example, fourth-order spatial accuracy in fluid velocity, pressure, and interface location is demonstrated for surface tension-driven two phase flow in 2D and 3D. Specific application examples include: vortex shedding in nontrivial geometry, capillary wave dynamics revealing fine-scale flow features, falling rigid bodies tumbling in unsteady flow, and free surface flow over a submersed obstacle, as well as high Reynolds number soap bubble oscillation dynamics and vortex shedding induced by a type of Plateau–Rayleigh instability in water ripple free surface flow. In conclusion, these last two examples compare numerical results with experimental data and serve as an additional means of validation; they also reveal physical phenomena not visible in the experiments, highlight how small-scale interfacial features develop and affect macroscopic dynamics, and demonstrate the wide range of spatial scales often at play in interfacial fluid flow.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2017

Implicit mesh discontinuous Galerkin methods and interfacial gauge methods for high-order accurate interface dynamics, with applications to surface tension dynamics, rigid body fluid–structure interaction, and free surface flow: Part II

Here, in this two-part paper, a high-order accurate implicit mesh discontinuous Galerkin (dG) framework is developed for fluid interface dynamics, facilitating precise computation of interfacial fluid flow in evolving geometries. The framework uses implicitly defined meshes—wherein a reference quadtree or octree grid is combined with an implicit representation of evolving interfaces and moving domain boundaries—and allows physically prescribed interfacial jump conditions to be imposed or captured with high-order accuracy. Part one discusses the design of the framework, including: (i) high-order quadrature for implicitly defined elements and faces; (ii) high-order accurate discretisation of scalar and vector-valued elliptic partial differential equations with interfacial jumps in ellipticity coefficient, leading to optimal-order accuracy in the maximum norm and discrete linear systems that are symmetric positive (semi)definite; (iii) the design of incompressible fluid flow projection operators, which except for the influence of small penalty parameters, are discretely idempotent; and (iv) the design of geometric multigrid methods for elliptic interface problems on implicitly defined meshes and their use as preconditioners for the conjugate gradient method. Also discussed is a variety of aspects relating to moving interfaces, including: (v) dG discretisations of the level set method on implicitly defined meshes; (vi) transferring state between evolving implicit meshes; (vii) preserving mesh topology to accurately compute temporal derivatives; (viii) high-order accurate reinitialisation of level set functions; and (ix) the integration of adaptive mesh refinement. In part two, several applications of the implicit mesh dG framework in two and three dimensions are presented, including examples of single phase flow in nontrivial geometry, surface tension-driven two phase flow with phase-dependent fluid density and viscosity, rigid body fluid–structure interaction, and free surface flow. A class of techniques known as interfacial gauge methods is adopted to solve the corresponding incompressible Navier–Stokes equations, which, compared to archetypical projection methods, have a weaker coupling between fluid velocity, pressure, and interface position, and allow high-order accurate numerical methods to be developed more easily. Convergence analyses conducted throughout the work demonstrate high-order accuracy in the maximum norm for all of the applications considered; for example, fourth-order spatial accuracy in fluid velocity, pressure, and interface location is demonstrated for surface tension-driven two phase flow in 2D and 3D. Specific application examples include: vortex shedding in nontrivial geometry, capillary wave dynamics revealing fine-scale flow features, falling rigid bodies tumbling in unsteady flow, and free surface flow over a submersed obstacle, as well as high Reynolds number soap bubble oscillation dynamics and vortex shedding induced by a type of Plateau–Rayleigh instability in water ripple free surface flow. In these last two examples compare numerical results with experimental data and serve as an additional means of validation; they also reveal physical phenomena not visible in the experiments, highlight how small-scale interfacial features develop and affect macroscopic dynamics, and demonstrate the wide range of spatial scales often at play in interfacial fluid flow.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2020

BISON Robustness and Performance Improvements

BISON is a modern finite-element based nuclear fuel performance code that has been under development at the Idaho National Laboratory (USA) since 2009 [1]. The code is applicable to both steady and transient fuel behavior and can be used to analyze 1D (spherically symmetric), 2D (axisymmetric and generalized plane strain) or 3D geometries. BISON is the fuel performance code used within CASL for LWR fuel under both normal operating and accident conditions. BISON is built using the INL Multiphysics ObjectOriented Simulation Environment, or MOOSE [2, 3]. MOOSE is a massively parallel, finite element-based framework to solve systems of coupled non-linear partial differential equations using the Jacobian-Free Newton Krylov (JFNK) method [4]. This enables investigation of computationally large problems, for example a full stack of discrete pellets in a LWR fuel rod, or every rod in a full reactor core. MOOSE supports the use of complex two and three-dimensional meshes and uses implicit time integration, important for the widely varied time scale in nuclear fuel simulation. An object-oriented architecture is employed which greatly minimizes the programming effort required to add new material and behavioral models. The flexibility of the implicit and fully coupled multiphysics approach comes with a need for constructing suitable approximations for the Jacobian matrix of the coupled system used for either preconditioning a Krylov solve or in a direct Newton solve. Preconditioning options for Bison problems need to be revisited with new preconditioning methods becoming available.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2017

Interferometric constraints on quantum geometrical shear noise correlations

Final measurements and analysis are reported from the first-generation Holometer, the first instrument capable of measuring correlated variations in space-time position at strain noise power spectral densities smaller than a Planck time. The apparatus consists of two co-located, but independent and isolated, 40 m power-recycled Michelson interferometers, whose outputs are cross-correlated to 25 MHz. The data are sensitive to correlations of differential position across the apparatus over a broad band of frequencies up to and exceeding the inverse light crossing time, 7.6 MHz. By measuring with Planck precision the correlation of position variations at spacelike separations, the Holometer searches for faint, irreducible correlated position noise backgrounds predicted by some models of quantum space-time geometry. The first-generation optical layout is sensitive to quantum geometrical noise correlations with shear symmetry---those that can be interpreted as a fundamental noncommutativity of space-time position in orthogonal directions. General experimental constraints are placed on parameters of a set of models of spatial shear noise correlations, with a sensitivity that exceeds the Planck-scale holographic information bound on position states by a large factor. Furthermore, this result significantly extends the upper limits placed on models of directional noncommutativity by currently operating gravitational wave observatories.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2017

Strength and viscosity effects on perturbed shock front stability in metals

Here, computational modeling and experimental measurements on metal samples subject to a laser-driven, ablative Richtmyer-Meshkov instability showed differences between viscosity and strength effects. In particular, numerical and analytical solutions, coupled with measurements of fed-through perturbations, generated by perturbed shock fronts onto initially flat surfaces, show promise as a validation method for models of deviatoric response in the post shocked material. Analysis shows that measurements of shock perturbation amplitudes at low sample thickness-to-wavelength ratios are not enough to differentiate between strength and viscosity effects, but that surface displacement data of the fed-through fed-thru perturbations appears to resolve the ambiguity. Additionally, analytical and numerical results show shock front perturbation evolution dependence on initial perturbation amplitude and wavelength is significantly different in viscous and materials with strength, suggesting simple experimental geometry changes should provide data supporting one model or the other.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗