SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Polarization phenomena”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

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

At least 649 records · Page 36

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1988

The terrestrial plasma source - A new perspective in solar-terrestrial processes from Dynamics Explorer

The geospace environment has been viewed as a mixing bowl for plasmas of both solar and terrestrial origin. The present perspective on the nature of the supply mechanisms has undergone a radical evolution over the past decade, particularly during the five years of the Dynamics Explorer mission. During this period, the terrestrial source has increased in importance in both magnitude and character of ionospheric outflow. These outflows include the classical polar wind, the cleft ion fountain, the auroral ion fountain, and the polar cap. The earth can be envisioned as a multifaceted fountain which ejects particles from different spatial locations spread around the globe. These particles exhibit a range of masses from 1 to 32 amu and a range of energies from 1 eV to 10 keV. The total flux of this ionospheric outflow is very large: adequate to supply the entire magnetospheric particle population. And the implications of the outflow are significant across a broad spectrum of solar-terrestrial processes ranging from sources of magnetospheric plasmas, to influences on ionospheric density and temperature structure, to energy transfer in phenomena such as stable auroral red arcs. The Dynamics Explorer mission has made a major contribution in the characterization of the terrestrial plasma source.

Chappell, Charles R.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Theoretical studies of the solar atmosphere and interstellar pickup ions

Solar atmosphere research activities are summarized. Specific topics addressed include: (1) coronal mass ejections and related phenomena; (2) parametric instabilities of Alfven waves; (3) pickup ions in the solar wind; and (4) cosmic rays in the outer heliosphere. Also included is a list of publications covering the following topics: catastrophic evolution of a force-free flux rope; maximum energy release in flux-rope models of eruptive flares; sheet approximations in models of eruptive flares; material ejection, motions of loops and ribbons of two-ribbon flares; dispersion relations for parametric instabilities of parallel-propagating; parametric instabilities of parallel-propagating Alfven waves; beat, modulation, and decay instabilities of a circularly-polarized Alfven wave; effects of time-dependent photoionization on interstellar pickup helium; observation of waves generated by the solar wind pickup of interstellar hydrogen ions; ion thermalization and wave excitation downstream of the quasi-perpendicular bowshock; ion cyclotron instability and the inverse correlation between proton anisotrophy and proton beta; and effects of cosmic rays and interstellar gas on the dynamics of a wind.

Source record↗

DOE OSTI2022

Evidence for a single-layer van der Waals multiferroic

Here we searched for signatures of type-II multiferroic order in ultrathin van der Waals materials, to determine if such a state, comprising coexisting electrical polarization and spin order with strong magnetoelectric effects, could persist down to a single-atomic layer. We reported the first observation of such a state in triangular lattice material NiI 2 . This system has a layered structure and built-in magnetic frustration that promotes a complex magnetic ground state with proper-screw spin helices. The spin helix pattern breaks inversion symmetry and induces electrical polarization via magnetoelectric coupling. We use circular dichroic Raman measurements to directly probe the magneto-chiral ground state and its electromagnon modes originating from dynamic magnetoelectric coupling. Using birefringence and second-harmonic generation measurements, we detect a highly anisotropic electronic state simultaneously breaking three-fold rotational and inversion symmetry. The evolution of the optical signatures as a function of temperature and layer number surprisingly revealed a multiferroic state that persists down to the ultrathin limit of monolayer NiI 2 . These observations establish NiI 2 and transition metal dihalides as a new platform for studying emergent multiferroic phenomena, chiral magnetic textures and ferroelectricity in the 2D limit.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

NASA NTRS1972

Low energy electron precipitation and the ionospheric F-region in and north of the auroral zone.

Use of low-elevation sounding rocket (Polar 1) in the exploration of the F region morphology in and north of the auroral zone over northern Norway. The rocket which moved over a horizontal distance of some 400 km inside the F region, monitored low-energy electron precipitation and various upper-atmosphere excitation and ionization processes. The latitudinal variations of the less than 1 keV energy electron fluxes showed excellent agreement with corresponding variations in the F-region electron density and the O I (6300 A) emission below the rocket, indicating that the low-energy electrons are the main sources for these phenomena at these high latitudes. An N2(+) (4278 A) arc was located near the decrease in the 40-keV electron fluxes. This arc was produced by a nearly monoenergetic influx of some 3-keV electrons. The expected luminosity profile derived from this energy spectrum differs significantly from the observed one, and possible explanations for the discrepancy are discussed.

Evans, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Results of current Mars studies at the IAU Planetary Research Center

Ground based images obtained hourly by seven observatories are used to study Martian phenomena. Maps of global dust storms show the degree of activity of the storm depends both on the region and on the time of day. Statistical analysis of regional contrast variations on the images supports the opinion that the contrasts in the brightness of the light and dark areas depends on the Martian season. Residual differences may be due to a phase angle dependence. Diagrams confirm the earlier finding that there is a systematic trend of regional contrast with the time of the Martian day and that the afternoon is not symmetric with the morning. The dissipation of Martian polar caps is also discussed.

Baum, W. A.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Calculation of the attenuation and phase displacement per unit of length due to rain composed of ellipsoidal drops

All of the phenomena which influence the propagation of radiowaves at frequencies above 10 GHz (attenuation, depolarization, scintillation) can by intensified by parameters directly derived from a solution of individual scatter, naturally in addition to be meteorological elements which characterize the physical medium. The diffusion caused by rainy precipitation was studied using Mie's algorithm for rain composed of spherical drops, and Oguchi's algorithm for rain composed of drops in an ellipsoidal form with axes of rotational symmetry arrange along the vertical line of a generic reference point. Specific phase displacement and attenuation along the principal planes, propagation of radiowaves in generic polarization, and propagation with inclined axes are also considered.

Maggiori, D.↗

NASA NTRS2005

R and D work on the constrained vapor bubble system for a microgravity experiment

We are working with Project Scientists R. Balasubramanian and Sang Young Son, and a NASA Projects Team headed by Sue Motil at the Glenn Research Center on the design and development of an experimental system for use on the International Space Station during the year 2006. John Eustace is the coordinator for the flight experiment at Zin-Tech (previously Northrop-Grumman) for the design and development of the Constrained Vapor Bubble Heat Exchanger, CVBHX, cell which will fit into the Light Microscope Module, LMM. Good progress is being made. The CDR for the LMM being developed was held on December 10-1 1,2003. Experimental results obtained under microgravity conditions will be compared with those obtained at Rensselaer. Basic and applied research at Rensselaer continues on the experimental and theoretical details associated with passive phase change heat transfer processes controlled by interfacial forces in the CVBHX. The extensive results of our current research are presented in the 23 external publications listed below. Twenty-two external presentations have been given. Briefly, evaporation/condensation data from both vertical and horizontal CVBHX systems were obtained and analyzed for both polar (wetting) and apolar (partially wetting) fluids. The vertical system is axi-symmetric, but strongly effected by gravity. Whereas, the horizontal system is asymmetric, but weakly effected by gravity. Therefore, there will be significant differences in the operation of the cell in the earth s environment versus the operation under microgravity conditions. Due to its relative large size, the system s performance should be optimum under micro-gravity conditions, where the CVBHX should be a very effective passive heat exchanger. The CVBHX was found to be an ideal experimental setup in which to study the effects of interfacial phenomena on both the evaporation and drop-wise condensation processes. The optical technique (Image Analyzing Interferometry, IAI), which is based on the measurement and analysis of the reflectivity pattern of a thin film, was significantly improved. The accuracy of the IAI system is of critical importance to the success of the mission because it is used to measure the details of the pressure field in the liquid by measuring the film thickness profile. The accuracy was found to be excellent and various publications/presentations documenting these new results were written. Significant new results were also obtained for the effect of the oscillating contact line region on evaporation. Three doctoral students graduated under this grant. All three work in US industry, two for Intel. Another doctoral student is in his third year of study and will finish under an extension of the NASA grant: # NNC05GA27G.

Wayner, P. C., Jr.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Optically Induced Picosecond Lattice Compression in the Dielectric Component of a Strongly Coupled Ferroelectric/Dielectric Superlattice

Above-bandgap femtosecond optical excitation of a ferroelectric/dielectric BaTiO 3 /CaTiO 3 superlattice leads to structural responses that are a consequence of the screening of the strong electrostatic coupling between the component layers. Time-resolved X-ray free-electron laser diffraction shows that the structural response to optical excitation includes a net lattice expansion of the superlattice consistent with depolarization-field screening driven by the photoexcited charge carriers. The depolarization-field-screening-driven expansion is separate from a photoacoustic pulse launched from the bottom electrode on which the superlattice is epitaxially grown. The distribution of diffracted intensity of superlattice X-ray reflections indicates that the depolarization-field-screening-induced strain includes a photoinduced expansion in the ferroelectric BaTiO 3 and a contraction in CaTiO 3 . The magnitude of expansion in BaTiO 3 layers is larger than the contraction in CaTiO 3 . The difference in the magnitude of depolarization-field-screening-driven strain in the BaTiO 3 and CaTiO 3 components can arise from the contribution of the oxygen octahedral rotation patterns at the BaTiO 3 /CaTiO 3 interfaces to the polarization of CaTiO 3 . The depolarization-field-screening-driven polarization reduction in the CaTiO 3 layers points to a new direction for the manipulation of polarization in the component layers of a strongly coupled ferroelectric/dielectric superlattice.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2020

Phase diagrams of single-layer two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides: Landau theory

We report single layer (SL) two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), such as MoS 2 , ReS 2 , WSe 2 , and MoTe 2 have now become the focus of intensive fundamental and applied research due to their intriguing and tunable physical properties. These materials exhibit a broad range of structural phases that can be induced via elastic strain, chemical doping, and electrostatic field effect. These transformations, in turn, can open and close the band gap of SL-TMDs, leading to metal-insulator transitions, and lead to emergence of more complex quantum phenomena. These considerations necessitate detailed understanding of the mesoscopic mechanisms of these structural phase transitions. Here we develop a Landau-type thermodynamic description of SL-TMDs on a sample of the SL-(MoS 2 ) 1-x -(ReS 2 ) x system and analyze the free energy surfaces, phase diagrams, and order parameter behavior. Our results predict the existence of multiple structural phases with two-, six- and 12-fold degenerated energy minima for in-plane and out-of-plane order parameters. This analysis suggests that out-of-plane ferroelectricity can exist in many of these phases, with the switchable polarization being proportional to the out-of-plane order parameter. We further predict that the domain walls in SL-(MoS 2 ) 1-x -(ReS 2 ) x should become conductive above a certain strain threshold.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2021

Giant Transport Anisotropy in ReS 2 Revealed via Nanoscale Conducting-Path Control

The low in-plane symmetry in layered 1T'-ReS 2 results in strong band anisotropy, while its manifestation in the electronic properties is challenging to resolve due to the lack of effective approaches for controlling the local current path. In this work, we reveal the giant transport anisotropy in monolayer to four-layer ReS 2 by creating directional conducting paths via nanoscale ferroelectric control. By reversing the polarization of a ferroelectric polymer top layer, we induce conductivity switching ratio of >1.5×10 8 in the ReS 2 channel at 300 K. Characterizing the domain-defined conducting nanowires in an insulating background shows that the conductivity ratio between the directions along and perpendicular to the Re-chain can exceed 5.5×10 4 in monolayer ReS 2 . Theoretical modeling points to the band origin of the transport anomaly, and further reveals the emergence of a flat band in few-layer ReS 2 . Our work paves the path for implementing the highly anisotropic 2D materials for designing novel collective phenomena and electron lensing applications.

2D van der Waals materials↗

NASA NTRS1995

Visualization of stratospheric ozone depletion and the polar vortex

Direct analysis of spacecraft observations of stratospheric ozone yields information about the morphology of annual austral depletion. Visual correlation of ozone with other atmospheric data illustrates the diurnal dynamics of the polar vortex and contributions from the upper troposphere, including the formation and breakup of the depletion region each spring. These data require care in their presentation to minimize the introduction of visualization artifacts that are erroneously interpreted as data features. Non geographically registered data of differing mesh structures can be visually correlated via cartographic warping of base geometries without interpolation. Because this approach is independent of the realization technique, it provides a framework for experimenting with many visualization strategies. This methodology preserves the fidelity of the original data sets in a coordinate system suitable for three-dimensional, dynamic examination of atmospheric phenomena.

Treinish, Lloyd A.↗

DOE OSTI2020

Anisotropic 2D excitons unveiled in organic-inorganic quantum wells

Here we report that two-dimensional (2D) excitons arise from electron-hole confinement along one spatial dimension. Such excitations are often described in terms of Frenkel or Wannier limits according to the degree of exciton spatial localization and the surrounding dielectric environment. In hybrid material systems, such as the 2D perovskites, the complex underlying interactions lead to excitons of an intermediate nature, whose description lies somewhere between the two limits, and a better physical description is needed. Here, we explore the photophysics of a tuneable materials platform where covalently bonded metal-chalcogenide layers are spaced by organic ligands that provide confinement barriers for charge carriers in the inorganic layer. We consider self-assembled, layered bulk silver benzeneselenolate, [AgSePh] ∞ , and use a combination of transient absorption spectroscopy and ab initio GW plus Bethe-Salpeter equation calculations. We demonstrate that in this non-polar dielectric environment, strongly anisotropic excitons dominate the optical transitions of [AgSePh] ∞ . We find that the transient absorption measurements at room temperature can be understood in terms of low-lying excitons confined to the AgSe planes with in-plane anisotropy, featuring anisotropic absorption and emission. Finally, we present a pathway to control the exciton behaviour by changing the chalcogen in the material lattice. Our studies unveil unexpected excitonic anisotropies in an unexplored class of tuneable, yet air-stable, hybrid quantum wells, offering design principles for the engineering of an ordered, yet complex dielectric environment and its effect on the excitonic phenomena in such emerging materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2020

Birefringence in thermally anisotropic relativistic plasmas and its impact on laser–plasma interactions

One of the paradigm-shifting phenomena triggered in laser–plasma interactions at relativistic intensities is the so-called relativistic transparency. As the electrons become heated by the laser to relativistic energies, the plasma becomes transparent to the laser light even though the plasma density is sufficiently high to reflect the laser pulse in the non-relativistic case. This paper highlights the impact that relativistic transparency can have on laser-matter interactions by focusing on a collective phenomenon that is associated with the onset of relativistic transparency: plasma birefringence in thermally anisotropic relativistic plasmas. Here, the optical properties of such a system become dependent on the polarization of light, and this can serve as the basis for plasma-based optical devices or novel diagnostic capabilities.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2025

Synoptic and Mesoscale Modulation of Dynamic and Thermodynamic Impacts on Central Arctic Sea Ice During MOSAiC

The primary objectives of this proposed project are to determine 1) to what extent dynamic and thermodynamic air‐ice interactions in the Central Arctic are driven by atmospheric synoptic and mesoscale phenomena, and 2) the key processes involved in these interactions. These phenomena include large‐scale features such as fronts, high‐ and low‐pressure systems, low‐level jets, and cloud bands, but may also include smaller‐scale phenomena such as mesoscale instabilities (e.g., symmetric instability or slantwise convection), transient meso‐lows and gravity waves. Dynamic air‐ice interactions include direct atmospheric stress and atmospheric stress divergence/deformation; thermodynamic air‐ice interactions involve the net surface energy budget, especially in association with non‐stratocumulus clouds generally occurring with stronger dynamical forcing.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS2002

Understanding the Solar Sources of In Situ Observations

The solar wind can, to a good approximation be described as a two component flow with fast, tenuous, quiescent flow emanating from coronal holes, and slow, dense and variable flow associated with the boundary between open and closed magnetic fields. In spite of its simplicity, this picture naturally produces a range of complex heliospheric phenomena, including the presence, location, and orientation of corotating interaction regions and their associated shocks. In this study, we apply a two-step mapping technique, incorporating a magnetohydrodynamic model of the solar corona, to bring in situ observations h m Ulysses, WIND, and ACE back to the solar surface in an effort to determine some intrinsic properties of the quasi-steady solar wind. In particular, we find that a "layer" of approx. 35,000 h n exists between the Coronal Hole Boundary (CHB) and the fast solar wind, where the wind is slow and variable. We also- derive a velocity gradient within large polar coronal boles (that were present during Ulysses rapid latitude scan) as a function of distance from the CHB. We find that nu = 713 km/s + 3.2 d, where d is the angular distance from the CHB boundary in degrees.

Riley, Pete↗

DOE OSTI2022

The behavior of methane–water mixtures under elevated pressures from simulations using many-body potentials

Non-polarizable empirical potentials have been proven to be incapable of capturing the mixing of methane–water mixtures at elevated pressures. Although density functional theory-based ab initio simulations may circumvent this discrepancy, they are limited in terms of the relevant time and length scales associated with mixing phenomena. Here, we show that the many-body MB-nrg potential, designed to reproduce methane–water interactions with coupled cluster accuracy, successfully captures this phenomenon up to 3 GPa and 500 K with varying methane concentrations. Two-phase simulations and long time scales that are required to fully capture the mixing, affordable due to the speed and accuracy of the MBX software, are assessed. Constructing the methane–water equation of state across the phase diagram shows that the stable mixtures are denser than the sum of their parts at a given pressure and temperature. As a result, we find that many-body polarization plays a central role, enhancing the induced dipole moments of methane by 0.20 D during mixing under pressure. Overall, the mixed system adopts a denser state, which involves a significant enthalpic driving force as elucidated by a systematic many-body energy decomposition analysis.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2022

Information Content of a Synergy of Ground-Based and Space-Based Infrared Sounders. Part I: Clear-Sky Environments

Abstract Profiles of atmospheric temperature and water vapor from remotely sensed platforms provide critical observations within the temporal and spatial gaps of the radiosonde network. The 2017 National Academies of Science Decadal Survey highlighted that observations of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) from the current space-based observing system are not of the necessary accuracy or resolution for monitoring and predicting high-impact weather phenomena. One possible solution to improving observations of the PBL is supplementing the existing space-based observing system with a network of ground-based profilers. A synthetic information content study is developed utilizing profiles from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program sites at the Southern Great Plains (SGP), east North Atlantic (ENA), and North Slope of Alaska (NSA) to assess the benefits, in terms of degrees of freedom (DOF), vertical resolution, and uncertainties, of a synergy between the ground-based Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI) with space-based hyperspectral infrared (IR) sounders. A combination of AERI with any of the three polar-orbiting IR sounders: the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS), or the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI), results in a DOF increase of 30%–40% in the surface-to-700-hPa layer compared to the space-based instrument alone. Introducing AERI measurements to the observing system also results in significant improvements to vertical resolution and uncertainties in the bottom 1000 m of the atmosphere compared to CrIS measurements alone. A synergy of CrIS and AERI exceeds the 1-km-vertical-resolution goal set by the Decadal Survey in the lowest 1000 m.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS2011

Insolation Effects on Lunar Hydrogen: Observation from the LRO LEND and LOLA Instruments

The Moon's polar permanent shadow regions (PSR) have long been considered the unique repository for volatile Hydrogen (H) Largely, this was due to the extreme and persistently cold environment that has been maintained over eons of lunar history. However, recent discoveries indicate that the H picture may be more complex than thc PSR hypothesis suggests. Observations by the Lunar Exploration Neutron Detect (LEND) onboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) indicate some H concentrations lie outside PSR. Similarly, observations from Chandraayan-l's M3 and Deep Impact's EPOXI near infra-red observations indicate diurnal cycling of volatile H in lower latitudes. These results suggest other geophysical phenomena may also play a role in the Lunar Hydrogen budget. In this presentation we review the techniques and results from the recent high latitude analysis and apply similar techniques to equatorial regions. Results from our low latitude analysis will be reported. We discuss interpretations and implications for Lunar Hydrogen studies

McClanahan, T. P.↗