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At least 703 records · Page 39

Nanoscale Mass Spectrometry Multimodal Imaging via Tip-Enhanced Photothermal Desorption

Materials ranging from adhesives, pharmaceuticals, lubricants, and personal care products are traditionally studied using macroscopic characterization techniques. However, their functionality is in reality defined by details of chemical organization on often noncrystalline matter with characteristic length scales on the order of microns to nanometers. Additionally, these materials are traditionally difficult to analyze using standard vacuum-based approaches that provide nanoscale chemical characterization due to their volatile and beam-sensitive nature. Therefore, approaches that operate under ambient conditions need to be developed that allow probing of nanoscale chemical phenomena and correlated functionality. Here, we demonstrate a tool for probing and visualizing local chemical environments and correlating them to material structure and functionality using advanced multimodal chemical imaging on a combined atomic force microscopy (AFM) and mass spectrometry (MS) system using tip-enhanced photothermal desorption with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI). We demonstrate enhanced performance metrics of the technique for correlated imaging and point sampling and illustrate the applicability for the analysis of trace chemicals on a human hair, additives in adhesives on paper, and pharmaceuticals samples notoriously difficult to analyze in a vacuum environment. Overall, this approach of correlating local chemical environments to structure and functionality is key to advancing research in many fields ranging from biology, to medicine, to material science.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Dynamics and energy coupling of gas puff Z-pinches on a fast linear transformer driver

Gas puff Z-pinch experiments with annular Ar and Ne gas shells have been conducted on the Compact Experimental System for Z-pinch and Ablation Research (CESZAR) linear transformer driver (LTD) with 500 kA current and 160 ns rise time. Here, we present results from the first systematic gas puff Z-pinch experiments using a fast (≤ 200 ns) LTD as a driver, in which we show that 7% of the stored energy in the capacitors is coupled to plasma kinetic energy as estimated via self-emission and laser schlieren images. 0D and 1D simulations—which do not allow instability growth and thus reach greater maximum average velocities—using initial conditions inferred from experimental implosion trajectories predict coupling in excess of 10% of the stored energy. Additionally, the Ar and Ne implosions were comparably massed and thus achieved similar maximum kinetic energies, though the Ne pinches were more stable and the x-ray pulses were longer and produced higher yield: 2–5 ns and 0.21–0.52 J (0.15–0.37 J/cm) of Ar K-shell and 12–25 ns and 2.2–3.9 J (1.6–2.6 J/cm) of Ne K-shell, respectively. The difference in stability is most likely attributed to variations in initial conditions such as density distribution and gas breakdown initiation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Investigation of UV, ns-laser damage resistance of hafnia films produced by electron beam evaporation and ion beam sputtering deposition methods

Laser-induced damage in coating materials with a high index of refraction, such as hafnia, limits the performance of high power and high energy laser systems. Understanding the underlying physics responsible for laser damage holds the key for developing damage-resistant optical films. Previous studies have reported a substantial difference in laser damage onset for hafnia films produced by different deposition methods, yet the underlying mechanisms for the observed difference remain elusive. We combined laser damage testing with analytical characterizations and theoretical simulations to investigate the response of hafnia films produced by electron (e-) beam evaporation vs ion beam sputtering (IBS) methods upon UV ns-laser exposure. We found that e-beam produced hafnia films were overall more damage resistant; in addition, we observed a polarization anisotropy associated with the onset of damage in the e-beam films, while this effect was absent in the latter films. The observed differences can be attributed to the stark contrast in the pressure inside the pores inherent in both films. The high pressure inside the IBS-induced nanobubbles has been shown to reduce the threshold for laser-induced plasma breakdown leading to film damage. The polarization effects in the e-beam coatings can be related to the asymmetric electric field intensification induced by the columnar void structure. Our findings provide a fundamental basis for developing strategies to produce laser damage-resistant coatings for UV pulsed laser applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Measuring and simulating ice–ablator mix in inertial confinement fusion

Fuel–ablator mix has been established as a major performance degrading effect in the burning plasma regime of recent inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments. As such, the study of fuel–ablator mix with experiments and simulations can provide valuable insight for our understanding of these experiments and establish a path for even higher yields and increased robustness. Here we present a novel high-yield experimental ICF design that is motivated by recent experiments measuring ice–ablator mix with a CH ablator instead of a high-density carbon (HDC) ablator. Here we review these experiments in more detail and describe the modeling assumptions and parameters used to obtain agreement with the data from implosion and burn simulations with mix. Using this mix model calibrated a posteriori to the experimental data, we design an implosion that uses a CH ablator that is predicted to achieve better performance than a recent experiment that achieved net target gain of 1.5 in HDC. Because hydrodynamic instabilities are greatly reduced with this new design, we also expect a high reproducibility at the same implosion adiabat as current record yield experiments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Novel signatures of radiation reaction in electron–laser sidescattering

In this article we investigate novel signatures of radiation reaction via the angular deflection of an electron beam colliding at 90 degrees with an intense laser pulse. Due to the radiation reaction effect, the electrons can be deflected towards the beam axis for plane wave backgrounds, which is not possible in the absence of radiation reaction effects. The magnitude and size of the deflection angle can be controlled by tailoring the laser pulse shapes. The effect is first derived analytically using the Landau–Lifshitz equation, which allows to determine the important scaling behavior with laser intensity and particle energy. We then move on to full scale 3D Monte Carlo simulations to verify the effect is observable with present day laser technology. We investigate the opportunities for an indirect observation of laser depletion in such side scattering scenarios.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Stochastic Maxwell-Bloch equations for modeling amplified spontaneous emission

An approach for studying atom-radiation interaction has been developed, associating quantum operators with stochastic variables governed by discrete Heisenberg equations. This framework models general multilevel atomic systems using the paraxial approximation in both single- and multipass configurations. Simulation results for x-ray laser oscillators with parameters of interest are presented. Finally, the stochastic model is efficient to solve, as the required computational resources scale linearly with the number of emitters, and it may be applicable to various other quantum systems.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Real-space Green's function approach for x-ray spectra at high temperature

There has been considerable interest in properties of condensed matter at high temperature, including nonequilibrium behavior and extreme conditions up to the warm dense matter regime. Such behavior is encountered, e.g., in experimental time-resolved x-ray absorption spectroscopy in the presence of intense laser fields. In an effort to simulate such behavior, we present an approach for calculations of high-temperature x-ray absorption spectra in arbitrary materials, using a generalization of the real-space Green's function formalism. Here, the method is incorporated as an option in the core-level x-ray spectroscopy code FEFF10. To illustrate the approach, we present calculations for several materials together with comparisons to experiment and with other methods.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Numerical Simulations of Time-Resolved Photoluminescence in CdSexTe1-x/CdTe Solar Cells

We present initial time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) simulations in graded CdSexTe1-e thin-film solar cells to quantify the front-interface recombination velocity, S int,front . Our model includes several composition dependences: bandgap energy, absorption coefficient, electron affinity, and carrier lifetime. Cathodoluminescence spectrum imaging measurements on bevels provide an estimate of the bandgap and the CdSe x Te 1-x alloy composition through the absorber thickness. TRPL decays are simulated as a function of the laser power, S int,front , front-interface band offset, and bulk Shockley-Read-Hall lifetime. We find the impact of S intf,ront on the PL decay increases as the band offset shifts from a "spike" to a "cliff". Recombination rate analysis shows that back-interface recombination could potentially dictate the later part of the TRPL decay "t 2" in high-lifetime CdSe x Te 1-x cells. We briefly discuss ongoing work to determine TRPL measurement conditions that maximize sensitivity to S itnt,front.

CdTe solar cells↗

Spatiotemporal control of laser intensity through cross-phase modulation

Spatiotemporal pulse shaping provides control over the trajectory and range of an intensity peak. While this control can enhance laser-based applications, the optical configurations required for shaping the pulse can constrain the transverse or temporal profile, duration, or orbital angular momentum (OAM). Here we present a novel technique for spatiotemporal control that mitigates these constraints by using a "stencil" pulse to spatiotemporally structure a second, primary pulse through cross-phase modulation (XPM) in a Kerr lens. The temporally shaped stencil pulse induces a time-dependent focusing phase within the primary pulse. This technique, the "flying focus X," allows the primary pulse to have any profile or OAM, expanding the flexibility of spatiotemporal pulse shaping for laser-based applications. As an example, simulations show that the flying focus X can deliver an arbitrary-velocity, variable-duration intensity peak with OAM over distances much longer than a Rayleigh range.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

OPTIMIZATION OF COOLING DISTRIBUTION OF THE EIC SHC COOLER ERL

The Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) Hadron Storage Ring (HSR) will use strong hadron cooling to maintain the beam brightness and high luminosity during long collision ex?periments. An Energy Recovery Linac is used to deliver the high-current high-brightness electron beam for cooling. For the best cooling effect, the electron beam requires low emittance, small energy spread, and uniform longitudinal distribution. In this work, we simulate and optimize the longitudinal laser-beam distribution shaping at the photo?cathode, modeling space charge forces accurately. Machine parameters such as RF cavity phases are optimized in con?junction with the beam distribution using a genetic optimizer. We demonstrate improvement of the cooling distribution in key parameters.

Wang, N.↗

The Multiphysics on Advanced Platforms Project

In 2015, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory started development of next-generation multiphysics simulation capabilities for the National Nuclear Security Administration under the Advanced Technologies Development and Mitigation (ATDM) element of the Advanced Simulation and Computing program in collaboration with the Exascale Computing Project (ECP). A key driver for this effort across the NNSA tri-lab was the emergence of advanced high performance computing (HPC) architectures based on heterogeneous compute capabilities, including GPU based systems, as part of the national drive toward exascale computing platforms at multiple Department of Energy (DOE) facilities. Developing a multiphysics code capable of meeting the various simulation needs of the NNSA as defined by the current generation of integrated codes (or ICs), initially developed as part of the Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative (ASCI) program beginning in 1996, and able to scale to the current 100 petaflop class pre-exascale systems, as well the forthcoming exaflop class computers, is a daunting challenge. To accomplish this ambitious goal, LLNL has embraced two key themes: use of high-order numerical methods and a modular approach to code development. The LLNL next generation effort is organized under the Multi-Physics on Advanced Platforms Project (MAPP). A foundational component of MAPP is the Axom computer science (CS) toolkit which provides infrastructure for the development of modular, performance portable, multi-physics application codes. MARBL is a next-generation application code built on the Axom base to address the modeling needs of the high energy density physics (HEDP) community for simulating high-explosive, magnetic or laser driven experiments such as inertial confinement fusion (ICF), pulsed-power magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD), equation of state (EOS) and material strength studies as part of the NNSA’s stockpile stewardship program (SSP).

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Chloride-Based Volatility for Waste Reduction and/or Reuse of Metallic-, Oxide- and Salt-Based Reactor Fuels

The objective of the chloride based volatility project (CBV) was to demonstrate the ability to separate uranium from used fuel to enable process improvements resulting in 10x reduction of waste volume, while maintaining safeguards standards and global backend costs at $\$$1/MW-hr. Current industrial practices perform separations of used fuel using solvent media in the form of aqueous and molten salt processes, resulting in contaminated process waste. The CBV approach utilized solid state chemistry with no solvent media and was successful in chlorinating uranium and fission product oxides that sublimed into the gas phase and were collected in targeted condensation zones based on temperature gradients of chlorinated products. Recovery of better than 95% of initial uranium in the form of UCl4 was demonstrated when simulated used nuclear fuel was used. Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, UV-Vis, were combined into a high temperature flow cell design and utilized as process monitoring techniques to observed chlorinated products leave the reaction vessel in real time.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Roadmap for warm dense matter physics

This roadmap presents the state-of-the-art, current challenges and near future developments anticipated in the thriving field of warm dense matter physics. Originating from strongly coupled plasma physics, high pressure physics and high energy density science, the warm dense matter physics community has recently taken a giant leap forward. This is due to spectacular developments in laser technology, diagnostic capabilities, and computer simulation techniques. Only in the last decade has it become possible to perform accurate enough simulations \& experiments to truly verify theoretical results as well as to reliably design experiments based on predictions. Consequently, this roadmap discusses recent developments and contemporary challenges that are faced by theoretical methods, and experimental techniques needed to create and diagnose warm dense matter. A large part of this roadmap is dedicated to specific warm dense matter systems and applications in astrophysics, inertial confinement fusion and novel material synthesis.

FOS: Physical sciences↗

Simulation of superposed coherent and chaotic radiation of arbitrary spectral shape.

A simulation technique is described and utilized to generate superposed coherent and chaotic (thermal) radiation of arbitrary spectral shape. The statistical properties of a simulated radiation field with a Lorentzian spectral density are investigated with a photoelectron counting experiment. The experimental photocount distribution and normalized mth-order factorial moments are compared to theory and verify that the simulated radiation field, an appropriately modulated laser beam, has the expected statistical properties. The concept described indicates that one may, in principle, generate a thermal source of comparable intensity to that of a laser, arbitrary spectral shape, and bandwidth.

Ruggieri, N. F.↗

A comparative study of optimum and suboptimum direct-detection laser ranging receivers

A summary of previously proposed receiver strategies for direct-detection laser ranging receivers is presented. Computer simulations are used to compare performance of candidate implementation strategies in the 1- to 100-photoelectron region. Under the condition of no background radiation, the maximum-likelihood and minimum mean-square error estimators were found to give the same performance for both bell-shaped and rectangular optical-pulse shapes. For signal energies greater than 100 photoelectrons, the root-mean-square range error is shown to decrease as Q to the -1/2 power for bell-shaped pulses and Q to the -1 power for rectangular pulses, where Q represents the average pulse energy. Of several receiver implementations presented, the matched-filter peak detector was found to be preferable. A similar configuration, using a constant-fraction discriminator, exhibited a signal-level dependent time bias.

Abshire, J. B.↗

NASA ground-based and space-based laser ranging systems

The development of NASA laser ranging systems is discussed with reference to applications such as orbit determination, gravity-field studies, and analyses of polar motion, earth tides, and tectonic plate motion. Several laser ranging designs are described noting the first satellite laser ranging experiment, the Moblas II and III systems, and the laser ranging satellites presently in orbit. Primary error sources are identified as atmospheric delay, optical signal-to-noise ratios, the electron multiplier, time-interval measurements, and target noise. Plans for Shuttle-based laser ranging systems are reviewed noting simulation studies of 12-day Shuttle missions.

Fitzmaurice, M. W.↗