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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.

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At least 703 records · Page 39
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Results from extended range SRF cavity tuner tests for LCLS-II-HE

The LCLS-II HE superconducting linac can produce multi-energy beams by supporting multiple undulator lines simultaneously. This could be achieved by using the cavity SRF tuner in the off-frequency detune mode. This off-frequency operation method was tested in 8 cryomodules at Fermilab at 2 K. In all the tests the tuners successfully achieved a frequency shift of -565±80 kHz from the 1.3 GHz value. This study discusses the cavity frequency during each stage of assembly from the cryomodule string to when they are finally tested at 2 K. Monitoring the cavity frequency from this initial stage contributed in reaching this large frequency shift. The specific procedures of tuner setting during assembly will be presented.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Results from Extended Range SRF Cavity Tuner Tests for LCLS-II HE

The LCLS-II HE superconducting linac can produce multi-energy beams by supporting multiple undulator lines simultaneously. This could be achieved by using the cavity SRF tuner in the off-frequency detune mode. This off-frequency operation method was tested in 8 cryomodules at Fermilab at 2 K. In all tests, the tuners achieved a frequency shift of -565±80 kHz. This study will discuss cavity frequency during each step as it is being assembled in the cryomodule string and finally when it is being tested at 2 K. Tracking the cavity frequency helped enable the tuners to reach this large frequency shift. The specific procedures of tuner setting during assembly will be presented

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Methods of forming structures and fissile fuel materials by additive manufacturing

A method of forming one or more structures by additive manufacturing comprises introducing a first layer of a powder mixture comprising graphite and a fuel on a surface of a substrate. The first layer is at least partially compacted and then exposed to laser radiation to form a first layer of material comprising the fuel dispersed within a graphite matrix material. At least a second layer of the powder mixture is provided over the first layer of material and exposed to laser radiation to form inter-granular bonds between the second layer and the first layer. Related structures and methods of forming one or more structures are also disclosed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Tests Of The Extended Range SRF Cavity Tuners For The LCLS-II-HE Project*

The LCLS-II HE superconducting linac can produce multi-energy beams by supporting multiple undulator lines simultaneously. This could be achieved by using the cavity SRF tuner in the off-frequency detune mode. This off-frequency operation method was tested in the verification cryomodule (vCM) and CM 1 at Fermilab at 2 K. In both cases, the tuners achieved a frequency shift of -565$\pm$80 kHz. This study will discuss cavity frequency during each step as it is being assembled in the cryomodule string and finally when it is being tested at 2 K. Tracking the cavity frequency helped enable the tuners to reach this large frequency shift. The specific procedures of tuner setting during assembly will be presented.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Methods for low-temperature p-CVD and thermal ALD of magnesium diboride

ALD and p-CVD methods to generate MgB 2 and MgB 2 -containing films in the growth temperature range of 250-300° C. The thermal ALD and p-CVD methods shown herein ensure that the high-temperature-induced roughening, which causes high surface resistances in MgB2 coatings grown by the mentioned conventional techniques, is avoided. The MgB 2 and MgB 2 -containing films exhibit superconductive properties at above 20° K.

Mandia, David Joseph↗
DOE OSTI2023

In-field strain and temperature measurements in a (RE)Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7–x coil via Rayleigh-backscattering interrogated optical fibers

(RE)Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7-x (REBCO) conductors have overcome technical challenges related to manufacturing quality, length homogeneity, scale-up of piece-length, and joints. There is one remaining technical challenge, however, which is common to all high temperature superconductors and lies in effective detection of failure to prevent material degradation. An innovative technique based on optical fibers interrogated by Rayleigh backscattering has been shown to have advantages over voltage taps at detecting incipient faults. Prior work has experimentally demonstrated the technique in several implementation scenarios, including direct integration of optical fibers into superconducting conductors and cables to create a class of ‘SMART’ conductors and cables that are able to monitor their own health. In this paper, the magnet monitoring technique based on Rayleigh backscattering interrogated optical fibers has been experimentally studied in a model coil subject to external magnetic field, where different fiber integration methods are used to increase selectivity of the fiber sensor to temperature. Results show that the spectral shift displays different features during strain and thermal transients. The implications of the results in terms of potential and limitations of each sensor as well as strain-temperature decoupling are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Mitigating commutation failures in HVDC systems with SFCL deployment

Commutation failures represent a prevalent issue encountered in line-commutated-converter high voltage direct current (LCC-HVDC) systems. As the widespread deployment of HVDC systems continues, the risk associated with commutation failures increases, posing a growing threat to power grids due to their potential to trigger severe consequences, including cascading failures and widespread blackouts. This research paper aims to address the significant issue of commutation failure within direct current (DC) systems through advocating for the use of resistive-type Superconducting Fault Current Limiters (R-SFCLs). To substantiate the efficacy of this proposed strategy, an array of simulations are executed using the PSCAD/EMTDC software. This comprehensive study investigates the performance characteristics of R-SFCLs configured with varying resistance values, scrutinizing their response under diverse fault resistance scenarios and distinct fault initiation times within the LCC-HVDC system. The outcomes of these simulations are that SFCLs confer significant advantages for mitigating commutation failures, surpassing traditional mitigation methods in terms of effectiveness. Consequently, SFCLs emerge as an optimal solution to prevent commutation failures in the HVDC systems.

Commutation failure↗
DOE OSTI2025

Signatures of enhanced superconducting properties in niobium cavities

Superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) niobium cavities are critical for modern particle accelerators, as well as for advancing superconducting quantum systems and enabling ultrasensitive searches for new physics. In this work, we report a systematic observation of an anomalous frequency dip in Nb cavities, which occurs at temperatures just below the critical temperature (𝑇𝑐 ), indicative of enhanced superconducting properties at 𝑇 ≪ 𝑇 𝑐 . The magnitude of this dip is strongly correlated with the rf surface resistance, impurity distribution near the surface, and 𝑇𝑐 . Additionally, we report measurements of the coherence peak in the ac conductivity of two Nb SRF cavities processed using distinct methods. By comparing recent theories developed to model this experimental data, we show that the frequency-dip feature, larger coherence peak height, and reduction in the temperature-dependent surface resistance with rf current occur at minimal but finite levels of disorder.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Direct observation of twisted stacking domains in the van der Waals magnet CrI 3

Van der Waals (vdW) stacking is a powerful technique to achieve desired properties in condensed matter systems through layer-by-layer crystal engineering. A remarkable example is the control over the twist angle between artificially-stacked vdW crystals, enabling the realization of unconventional phenomena in moiré structures ranging from superconductivity to strongly correlated magnetism. Here, we report the appearance of unusual 120° twisted faults in vdW magnet CrI 3 crystals. In exfoliated samples, we observe vertical twisted domains with a thickness below 10 nm. The size and distribution of twisted domains strongly depend on the sample preparation methods, with as-synthesized unexfoliated samples showing tenfold thicker domains than exfoliated samples. Cooling induces changes in the relative populations among different twisting domains, rather than the previously assumed structural phase transition to the rhombohedral stacking. The stacking disorder induced by sample fabrication processes may explain the unresolved thickness-dependent magnetic coupling observed in CrI 3 .

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2026

Non -degenerate marginal-likelihood calibration with application to quantum characterization

Here, we propose a marginal likelihood strategy within the Kennedy-O’Hagan (KOH) Bayesian framework, where a Gaussian process (GP) models the discrepancy between a physical system and its simulator. Our approach introduces a novel marginalized likelihood by integrating out the degenerate eigenspace of the covariance matrix, rather than approximating the original likelihood. Unlike approximation methods that compromise accuracy for computational efficiency, our method defines an exact likelihood—distinct from the original but preserving all relevant information. This formulation achieves computational efficiency and stability, even for large datasets where the covariance matrix nears degeneracy. Applied to the characterization of a superconducting quantum device at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the approach enhances the predictive accuracy of the Lindblad master equations for modeling Ramsey measurement data by effectively quantifying uncertainties consistent with the quantum data.

general physics↗
DOE OSTI2023

First Experience with Liquid Nitrogen Cleaning

Field emission caused by microscopic particulate contamination is a limiting factor for the performance of superconducting RF (SRF) cavities. In an SRF based accelerator, particulates may be transported over the surface of an operational SRF cavity, becoming field emitters and consequentially degrading the performance of the SRF cavity. The most commonly used method for removing particulates from cavity surfaces is high-pressure ultra-pure water rinsing. We are developing a novel high-pressure liquid nitrogen cleaning technique that may possibly enable superior cleaning power and particulate removal from cavities in a cryomodule without taking apart the cryomodule components. This technique provides cleaning mechanisms beyond what are accessible by its high-pressure water rinsing counterpart and leaves no residues on the cleaned surface.

Ruber, R.J.M.Y.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Polarization Selectivity of Aloof-Beam Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy in One-Dimensional ZnO Nanorods

Orientation-dependent electronic properties of wurtzite zinc oxide nanorods are characterized by aloof-beam electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) carried out in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). The two key crystal orientation differentiating transitions specific to the in-plane (13.0 eV) and out-of-plane (11.2 eV) directions with respect to the wurtzite structure are examined by first-principles density-functional theory calculations. We note some degree of orientation dependence at the onset of direct band gap transition near 3.4 eV. We demonstrate that good polarization selectivity can be achieved by placing the electron probe at different locations around the specimen with increasing impact parameter while keeping the beam-specimen orientation fixed. The observed results are qualitatively elucidated in terms of the perpendicular electric fields generated by the fast electron (60 kV) used in the microscope. The fact that good polarization selectivity can be achieved by aloof-beam EELS without the requirement of sample reorientation is an attractive aspect from the characterization method point of view in the STEM-EELS community.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Machine learning of consistent thermodynamic models using automatic differentiation

In this study, we propose a data-driven method to describe consistent equations of state (EOS) for arbitrary systems. Complex EOS are traditionally obtained by fitting suitable analytical expressions to thermophysical data. A key aspect of EOS is that the relationships between state variables are given by derivatives of the system free energy. In this work, we model the free energy with an artificial neural network and utilize automatic differentiation to directly learn the derivatives of the free energy. We demonstrate this approach on two different systems, the analytic van der Waals EOS and published data for the Lennard-Jones fluid, and we show that it is advantageous over direct learning of thermodynamic properties (i.e., not as derivatives of the free energy but as independent properties), in terms of both accuracy and the exact preservation of the Maxwell relations. Furthermore, the method implicitly provides the free energy of a system without explicit integration.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

Dose-efficient automatic differentiation for ptychographic reconstruction

Ptychography, as a powerful lensless imaging method, has become a popular member of the coherent diffractive imaging family over decades of development. The ability to utilize low-dose X-rays and/or fast scans offers a big advantage in a ptychographic measurement (for example, when measuring radiation-sensitive samples), but results in low-photon statistics, making the subsequent phase retrieval challenging. Here, we demonstrate a dose-efficient automatic differentiation framework for ptychographic reconstruction (DAP) at low-photon statistics and low overlap ratio. As no reciprocal space constraint is required in this DAP framework, the framework, based on various forward models, shows superior performance under these conditions. It effectively suppresses potential artifacts in the reconstructed images, especially for the inherent periodic artifact in a raster scan. We validate the effectiveness and robustness of this method using both simulated and measured datasets.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Stray-Capacitance As a Simple Tool for Monitoring and Locating Heat Generation Demonstrated in Three Superconducting Magnets

Real-time monitoring of heat loads in cryogenic systems is critical for many applications, particularly high field magnets. In this work, we demonstrated that by monitoring changes in the capacitance of local probes consisting of thin metal strips with a porous glass fiber dielectric, boiling helium from as little as 0.1 J of deposited heat can be located by an analysis of the response speed and amplitude in nearby probes. We further implemented stray-capacitance monitoring of a magnet's metal support structures, a more global probe of the magnet volumes, in three high temperature superconducting Bi-2212 magnet types. Global structural stray-capacitance monitoring was evaluated for a single racetrack coil, a common coil dipole, and a canted cosine theta winding, showing a quench response comparable to voltage signals without inductive effects. The response of the local and global probes was compared in the single racetrack coil with well-known quench properties. Monitoring the cool-down of the common coil dipole demonstrated the added benefit of the global stray-capacitance as a liquid level monitor. This simple method of monitoring the capacitance has proven to be a versatile and robust technique for monitoring and locating heat.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Superconducting (Ba,K)Fe 2 As 2 epitaxial films on single and bicrystal SrTiO 3 substrates

The realization of single crystal and bicrystal films of superconducting materials is of great interest because they allow the investigation of the intragrain performance as well as the understanding of potential limitations in the grain boundary transparency. For many years, the realization of a high-quality (Ba,K)Fe 2 As 2 film has been challenging. Here, the realization of (Ba,K)Fe 2 As 2 epitaxial thin films on single crystal SrTiO 3 (001) and [001]-tilt-type SrTiO 3 bicrystal substrates with high superconducting properties is demonstrated. The epitaxial growth of (Ba,K)Fe 2 As 2 was enabled by implementing an undoped BaFe 2 As 2 buffer layer between the SrTiO 3 substrate and (Ba,K)Fe 2 As 2 film. The film exhibits a high T c of 38.0 K and an extremely high J c of 14.3 MA/cm 2 at 4.2 K. Artificial grain boundaries of (Ba,K)Fe 2 As 2 were also successfully achieved on bicrystals with misorientation angles up to 36.8° by the same preparation methods. The artificial grain boundaries exhibited an identical T c of 38.0 K and an excellent transfer of the grain orientation from the bicrystal substrates with high crystallinity comparable to that of the high-quality Ba(Fe,Co) 2 As 2 films. Furthermore, this enables the investigation of the intrinsic (Ba,K)Fe 2 As 2 grain boundary nature, which will clarify its potential for superconducting applications, like Josephson junctions, wires, and magnets.

(Ba,K)Fe2As2↗
DOE OSTI2020

Microwave-based arbitrary cphase gates for transmon qubits

Superconducting transmon qubits are of great interest for quantum computing and quantum simulation. A key component of quantum chemistry simulation algorithms is breaking up the evolution into small steps, which naturally leads to the need for nonmaximally entangling, arbitrary CPHASE gates. Here we design such microwave-based gates using an analytically solvable approach leading to smooth, simple pulses. In this work, we use the local invariants of the evolution operator in SU(4) to develop a method of constructing pulse protocols, which allows for the continuous tuning of the phase. We find CPHASE fidelities of more than 0.999 and gate times as low as 100 ns.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗