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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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

Resolving Continua of Fractional Excitations by Spinon Echo in THz 2D Coherent Spectroscopy

We show that the new technique of terahertz 2D coherent spectroscopy is capable of giving qualitatively new information about fractionalized spin systems. For the prototypical example of the transverse field Ising chain, we demonstrate theoretically that, despite the broad continuum of excitations in linear response, the 2D spectrum contains sharp features that are a coherent signature of a “spinon echo,” which gives previously inaccessible information such as the lifetime of the two-spinon excited state. Here, the effects of disorder and finite lifetime, which are practically indistinguishable in the linear optical or neutron response, manifest in dramatically different fashion in the 2D spectra. Our results may be directly applicable to model quasi-1D transverse field Ising chain systems such as CoNb 2 O 6 , but the concept can be applied to fractionalized spin systems in general.

1-dimensional spin chains↗
DOE OSTI2014

Balancing act: Evidence for a strong subdominant d -wave pairing channel in Ba 0.6 K 0.4 Fe 2 As 2

We present detailed measurements of the temperature-dependent Raman spectra of optimally doped Ba 0.6 K 0.4 Fe 2 As 2 and analyze the low-temperature spectra based on local-density-approximation band-structure calculations and the subsequent estimation of effective Raman vertices. Experimentally, a narrow, emergent mode appears in the B 1g (d x 2 -y 2 ) Raman spectra only below T c , well into the superconducting state and at an energy below twice the energy gap on the electron Fermi-surface sheets. The Raman spectra can be reproduced quantitatively with estimates for the magnitude and momentum-space structure of an A 1g (s-wave) pairing gap on different Fermi-surface sheets, as well as the identification of the emergent sharp feature as a Bardasis-Schrieffer exciton. Formed as a Cooper-pair bound state in a subdominant d x 2 -y 2 channel, the binding energy of the exciton relative to the gap edge shows that the coupling strength in the subdominant channel is as strong as 60% of that in the dominant s-wave channel. This result suggests that d x 2 -y 2 may be the dominant pairing symmetry in Fe-based superconductors that lack central hole bands.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Healing X-ray scattering images

X-ray scattering images contain numerous gaps and defects arising from detector limitations and experimental configuration. Here, we present a method to heal X-ray scattering images, filling gaps in the data and removing defects in a physically meaningful manner. Unlike generic inpainting methods, this method is closely tuned to the expected structure of reciprocal-space data. In particular, we exploit statistical tests and symmetry analysis to identify the structure of an image; we then copy, average and interpolate measured data into gaps in a way that respects the identified structure and symmetry. Importantly, the underlying analysis methods provide useful characterization of structures present in the image, including the identification of diffuse versus sharp features, anisotropy and symmetry. The presented method leverages known characteristics of reciprocal space, enabling physically reasonable reconstruction even with large image gaps. The method will correspondingly fail for images that violate these underlying assumptions. The method assumes point symmetry and is thus applicable to small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data, but only to a subset of wide-angle data. Our method succeeds in filling gaps and healing defects in experimental images, including extending data beyond the original detector borders.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Estimation and Visualization of Isosurface Uncertainty from Linear and High-Order Interpolation Methods

Isosurface visualization is fundamental for exploring and analyzing 3D volumetric data. Marching cubes (MC) algorithms with linear interpolation are commonly used for isosurface extraction and visualization. Although linear interpolation is easy to implement, it has limitations when the underlying data is complex and high-order, which is the case for most real-world data. Linear interpolation can output vertices at the wrong location. Its inability to deal with sharp features and features smaller than grid cells can lead to an incorrect isosurface with holes and broken pieces. Despite these limitations, isosurface visualizations typically do not include insight into the spatial location and the magnitude of these errors. We utilize high-order interpolation methods with MC algorithms and interactive visualization to highlight these uncertainties. Our visualization tool helps identify the regions of high interpolation errors. It also allows users to query local areas for details and compare the differences between isosurfaces from different interpolation methods. In addition, we employ high-order methods to identify and reconstruct possible features that linear methods cannot detect. We showcase how our visualization tool helps explore and understand the extracted isosurface errors through synthetic and real-world data.

Ouermi, Timbwaoga↗
DOE OSTI2013

Advanced Topographic Characterization of Variously Prepared Niobium Surfaces and Linkage to RF Losses

Superconducting radio frequency (SRF) technology is widely adopted in particle accelerators. The shallow penetration (~ 40 nm) of the RF into superconducting niobium lends great importance to SRF cavity interior surface chemistry and topography. These in turn are strongly influenced by the chemical etching "surface clean-up" that follows fabrication. The principal surface smoothing methods are buffered chemical polish (BCP) and electropolish (EP). The resulting topography is characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The power spectral density (PSD) of AFM data provides a more thorough description of the topography than a single-value roughness measurement. In this work, one dimensional average PSD functions derived from topography of BCP and EP with different controlled starting conditions and durations have been fitted with a combination of power law, K-correlation, and shifted Gaussian models to extract characteristic parameters at different spatial harmonic scales. While the simplest characterizations of these data are not new, the systematic tracking of scale-specific roughness as a function of processing is new and offers feedback for tighter process prescriptions more knowledgably targeted at beneficial niobium topography for SRF applications. Process development suffers because the cavity interior surface cannot be viewed directly without cutting out pieces, rendering the cavities unavailable for further study. Here we explore replica techniques as an alternative, providing imprints of cavity internal surface that can be readily examined. A second matter is the topography measurement technique used. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has proven successful, but too time intensive for routine use. We therefore introduce white light interferometry (WLI) approach as an alternative. We examined real surfaces and their replicas, using AFM and WLI. We find that the replica/WLI is promising to provide the large majority of desired information, so that use of the time-intensive AFM approach can be limited to where it is genuinely necessary. The prevalent idea is that sharp features could lead to magnetic quench or enhance the thermal quench. In this report, a calculation on magnetic field is numerically given on fine structure by finite element and conformal mapping methods. Corresponding RF Ohmic loss will be simulated. A certain thermal tolerant will be calculated. A Q~E curve will be predicted from this model. A perturbation model is utilized to calculate rough surface additional RF loss based on PSD statistical analysis. This model will not consider that superconductor will become normal at field higher than transition field. Therefore, it is only expected to explain mid-field Q performance. One can calculate the RF power dissipation ratio between rough surface and ideal smooth surface within this field range. Additionally, the resistivity of Nb is temperature and magnetic field dependent from classic thermal feedback model theory. Combining with topographic PSD analysis and Rs temperature and field dependency, a middle field Q slope model could be modeled and the contribution from topography can be simulated.

Xu, Chen↗
DOE OSTI2018

Rapid Freeform Sheet Metal Forming: Technology Development and System Verification

The objective of this project is to develop a transformational RApid Freeform sheet metal Forming Technology (RAFFT) in an industrial environment, which has the potential to increase manufacturing energy efficiency up to ten times, at a fraction of the cost of conventional technologies. The RAFFT technology is a flexible and energy-efficient process that eliminates the need for having geometry-specific forming dies. The innovation lies in the idea of using the energy resource at the local deformation area which provides greater formability, process control, and process flexibility relative to traditional methods. Double-Sided Incremental Forming (DSIF), the core technology in RAFFT, is a new concept for sheet metal forming. A blank sheet is clamped around its periphery and gradually deformed into a complex 3D freeform part by two strategically aligned stylus-type tools that follow a pre-described toolpath. The two tools, one on each side of the blank, can form a part with sharp features for both concave and convex shapes. Since deformation happens locally, the forming force at any instant is significantly decreased when compared to traditional methods. The key advantages of DSIF are its high process flexibility, high energy-efficiency, low capital investment, and the elimination of the need for massive amounts of die casting and machining. Additionally, the enhanced formability and process flexibility of DSIF can open up design spaces and result in greater weight savings.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2017

Accurate Theoretical Methane Line Lists in the Infrared up to 3000 K and Quasi-continuum Absorption/Emission Modeling for Astrophysical Applications

Modeling atmospheres of hot exoplanets and brown dwarfs requires high- T databases that include methane as the major hydrocarbon. We report a complete theoretical line list of {sup 12}CH{sub 4} in the infrared range 0–13,400 cm{sup −1} up to T {sub max} = 3000 K computed via a full quantum-mechanical method from ab initio potential energy and dipole moment surfaces. Over 150 billion transitions were generated with the lower rovibrational energy cutoff 33,000 cm{sup −1} and intensity cutoff down to 10{sup −33} cm/molecule to ensure convergent opacity predictions. Empirical corrections for 3.7 million of the strongest transitions permitted line position accuracies of 0.001–0.01 cm{sup −1}. Full data are partitioned into two sets. “Light lists” contain strong and medium transitions necessary for an accurate description of sharp features in absorption/emission spectra. For a fast and efficient modeling of quasi-continuum cross sections, billions of tiny lines are compressed in “super-line” libraries according to Rey et al. These combined data will be freely accessible via the TheoReTS information system (http://theorets.univ-reims.fr, http://theorets.tsu.ru), which provides a user-friendly interface for simulations of absorption coefficients, cross-sectional transmittance, and radiance. Comparisons with cold, room, and high- T experimental data show that the data reported here represent the first global theoretical methane lists suitable for high-resolution astrophysical applications.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Constraints on the photon mass with fast radio bursts

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are radio bursts characterized by millisecond durations, high Galactic latitude positions, and high dispersion measures. Very recently, the cosmological origin of FRB 150418 has been confirmed by Keane et al., and FRBs are now strong competitors as cosmological probes. The simple sharp feature of the FRB signal is ideal to probe some of the fundamental laws of physics. Here we show that by analyzing the delay time between different frequencies, the FRB data can place stringent upper limits on the rest mass of the photon. For FRB 150418 at z = 0.492, one can potentially reach m{sub γ}⩽5.2×10{sup −47} g, which is 10{sup 20} times smaller than the rest mass of electron and is about 10{sup 3} times smaller than that obtained using other astrophysical sources with the same method.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Bayesian Spatially Varying Multi-Regularization Image Deblurring

Many scientific experiments such as those found in astronomy, geology, microbiology, and X-ray radiography require the use of high-energy instruments to capture images. Since blur and noise are inevitably present in any imaging system, the images must be \deblurred" to extract the full information content. Mathematically, image deblurring is an ill-posed inverse problem that requires regularization. The regularization, in turn, has a large effect on the deblurred image: different regularization strengths, and types, lead to drastically different reconstructions. Moreover, many images contain a mixture of smooth and sharp features which suggests the use of multi-regularization, i.e., varying the type of regularization (e.g. Tikhonov or total variation) across the image. We address these issues by formulating the image deblurring problem within a hierarchical Bayesian framework in which we spatially adapt the strength of the regularization and also vary the regularization type across the image. In this way, the image itself, along with corresponding regularization strength at each pixel, are described jointly by a posterior distribution which we can sample by Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. We illustrate our techniques on simplified test problems and apply them to high-energy X-ray images taken at the Nevada National Security Site. Numerical tests show that our new method is robustly applicable and increases the quality of the image reconstruction when compared to other (Bayesian) methods.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2016

Consistency relations for sharp inflationary non-Gaussian features

If cosmic inflation suffered tiny time-dependent deviations from the slow-roll regime, these would induce the existence of small scale-dependent features imprinted in the primordial spectra, with their shapes and sizes revealing information about the physics that produced them. Small sharp features could be suppressed at the level of the two-point correlation function, making them undetectable in the power spectrum, but could be amplified at the level of the three-point correlation function, offering us a window of opportunity to uncover them in the non-Gaussian bispectrum. In this article, we show that sharp features may be analyzed using only data coming from the three point correlation function parametrizing primordial non-Gaussianity. More precisely, we show that if features appear in a particular non-Gaussian triangle configuration (e.g. equilateral, folded, squeezed), these must reappear in every other configuration according to a specific relation allowing us to correlate features across the non-Gaussian bispectrum. As a result, we offer a method to study scale-dependent features generated during inflation that depends only on data coming from measurements of non-Gaussianity, allowing us to omit data from the power spectrum.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Characterization of Pulmonary Nodules Based on Features of Margin Sharpness and Texture

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world, and one of its manifestations occurs with the appearance of pulmonary nodules. The classification of pulmonary nodules may be a complex task to specialists due to temporal, subjective, and qualitative aspects. Therefore, it is important to integrate computational tools to the early pulmonary nodule classification process, since they have the potential to characterize objectively and quantitatively the lesions. In this context, the goal of this work is to perform the classification of pulmonary nodules based on image features of texture and margin sharpness. Computed tomography scans were obtained from a publicly available image database. Texture attributes were extracted from a co-occurrence matrix obtained from the nodule volume. Margin sharpness attributes were extracted from perpendicular lines drawn over the borders on all nodule slices. Feature selection was performed by different algorithms. Classification was performed by several machine learning classifiers and assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Highest classification performance was obtained by a random forest algorithm with all 48 extracted features. However, a decision tree using only two selected features obtained statistically equivalent performance on sensitivity and specificity.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Dark matter constraints from box-shaped gamma-ray features

The observation of a sharp spectral feature in the gamma-ray sky would be one of the cleanest ways to identify dark matter and pinpoint its properties. Over the years a lot of attention has been paid to two specific features, namely gamma-ray lines and internal bremsstrahlung. Here, we explore a third class of spectral signatures, box-shaped gamma-ray spectra, that naturally arise in dark matter cascade annihilations or decays into intermediate particles that in turn decay into photons. Using Fermi-LAT data, we derive constraints on the dark matter parameter space for both annihilating and decaying dark matter, and show explicitly that our limits are competitive to strategies employing standard spectral features. More importantly, we find robust limits even in the case of non-degenerate dark matter and intermediate particle masses. This result is particularly relevant in constraining dark matter frameworks with gamma-ray data. We conclude by illustrating the power of box-shaped gamma-ray constraints on concrete particle physics scenarios.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Influence of Microstructure on the Absorption of Tritium into Gold-Plated 316 Stainless Steel

The interaction of tritium with metal surfaces is the initial step in the overall absorption of tritium by the substrate metal. As a result, limiting the adsorption of tritium to the surface may effectively reduce the quantity of tritium absorbed by a metal when it is in contact with tritium gas. To limit tritium adsorption, many tritium users electroplate gold onto the substrate metal. The gold layer is expected to reduce tritium adsorption, and subsequently absorption, by reducing water adsorption. The present work shows a comparison between tritium inventories in nonplated 316 stainless steel to the inventories in 316 stainless-steel samples electroplated with gold by various commercial vendors and laboratories. Of the various gold-plated samples, only one type of plating shows ~25% reduction in tritium inventory, relative to non-plated steel samples. The degree of tritium absorption appears to be significantly influenced by the porosity, texture, and completeness of the gold layer. Incomplete and/or porous layers lead to increased absorption, while gold layers with smaller surface features lead to similar tritium inventories as non-plated samples. Furthermore, reduced tritium absorption was observed only for complete gold layers with small surface features.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy and Principal Component Analysis to Retrospectively Determine Production History of Plutonium Dioxide

Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy measurements in the shortwave infrared (930–1600 nm) spectral region were acquired for Pu 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •9H 2 O and its thermal decomposition product, PuO 2 . We analyzed a total of eight PuO 2 samples that were produced at different calcination temperatures (300, 350, 450, 525, 600, 675, 750, and 900 °C). Our goal was to identify spectroscopic fingerprints that could be used to gain retrospective information regarding the production parameters of these important nuclear compounds. The diffuse reflectance spectrum of Pu 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •9H 2 O features several broad bands that currently preclude detailed analysis. However, all PuO 2 samples produced relatively sharp spectral features that got sharper and more intense for samples that were produced at higher calcination temperatures. The electronic band observed at 1433 nm in the diffuse reflectance spectra of PuO 2 was found to be a sensitive indicator of crystallinity; a result that is corroborated by ancillary Raman spectroscopy measurements. Principal component analysis of diffuse reflectance spectra was able to clearly rank and categorize PuO 2 samples based on the calcination temperature that was employed during their production. Thus, we show herein that important retrospective information pertaining to the process history of PuO 2 can be gained through the relatively simplistic combination of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and principal component analysis. This discovery presents a new method for determining the provenance and process history of PuO 2 and should have an impact in the fields of nuclear forensics and nuclear nonproliferation.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Thermal transport measurements through the charge density wave transition in CsV 3 Sb 5

We study thermal transport and thermalization in single crystals of CsV 3 Sb 5 through the CDW transition by directly measuring thermal diffusivity (D), thermal conductivity (κ), specific heat (c), and resistivity (ρ). Commensurate with previous reports, we observe a sharp, narrow anomaly in specific heat associated with a first-order transition that results in a CDW state below ~94 K. While a corresponding sharp anomaly in thermal diffusivity is also observed, resistivity and thermal conductivity only exhibit small steps at the transition, where the feature is sharp for resistivity and broader for thermal conductivity. Scrutinizing the thermal Einstein relation κ = cD, we find that this relation is generally satisfied, except in the narrow two-phase regime of the putative first-order transition. Here, the Wiedemann-Franz law as well seems to work outside the two-phase regime, where strong resemblance between the specific heat and the resistivity derivative below the transition may point to a concurrent emergence of a secondary electronic order parameter.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

On the sensitivity of CTA to gamma-ray boxes from multi-TeV dark matter

Collider, direct and indirect searches for dark matter have typically little or no sensitivity to weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) with masses above a few TeV. This rather unexplored regime can however be probed through the search for distinctive gamma-ray spectral features produced by the annihilation of WIMPs at very high energies. Here we present a dedicated search for gamma-ray boxes—sharp spectral features that cannot be mimicked by astrophysical sources—with the upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). Using realistic projections for the instrument performance and detailed background modelling, a profile likelihood analysis is implemented to derive the expected upper limits and sensitivity reach after 100 h of observations towards a 2°×2° region around the Galactic centre. Our results show that CTA will be able to probe gamma-ray boxes down to annihilation cross sections of 10{sup −27}−10{sup −26} cm{sup 3}/s up to tens of TeV. We also identify a number of concrete particle physics models providing thermal dark matter candidates that can be used as target benchmarks in future search campaigns. This constitutes a golden opportunity for CTA to either discover or rule out multi-TeV thermal dark matter in a corner of parameter space where all other experimental efforts are basically insensitive.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

THE EFFECTS OF SELF-SHADOWING BY A PUFFED-UP INNER RIM IN SCATTERED LIGHT IMAGES OF PROTOPLANETARY DISKS

We explore whether protoplanetary disks with self-shadowing from puffed-up inner rims exhibit observable features in scattered light images. We use both self-consistent hydrostatic equilibrium calculations and parameterized models to produce the vertically puffed-up inner rims. We find that, in general, the transition between the shadowed and flared regions occurs in a smooth manner over a broad radius range, and no sudden jump exists at the outer edge of the shadow in either the disk temperature or density structures. As a result, a puffed-up rim cannot create sharp ring/arc/spiral-arm-like features in the outer disk as have been detected in recent direct near-infrared imaging of disks. On the other hand, if the puffed-up rim has a sharp edge in the vertical direction, the shadowing effect can produce a distinct three-stage broken power law in the radial intensity profile of the scattered light, with two steep surface brightness radial profiles in the inner and outer disk joined by a shallow transition region around the shadow edge. These types of scattered light profiles may have already been observed, such as in the recent Subaru direct imaging of the TW Hydrae system.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

An end-to-end deep learning method for solving nonlocal Allen–Cahn and Cahn–Hilliard phase-field models

Here, we propose an efficient end-to-end deep learning method for solving nonlocal Allen–Cahn (AC) and Cahn–Hilliard (CH) phase-field models. One motivation for this effort emanates from the fact that discretized partial differential equation-based AC or CH phase-field models result in diffuse interfaces between phases, with the only recourse for remediation is to severely refine the spatial grids in the vicinity of the true moving sharp interface whose width is determined by a grid-independent parameter that is substantially larger than the local grid size. In this work, we introduce non-mass conserving nonlocal AC or CH phase-field models with regular, logarithmic, or obstacle double-well potentials. Because of non-locality, some of these models feature totally sharp interfaces separating phases. The discretization of such models can lead to a transition between phases whose width is only a single grid cell wide. Another motivation is to use deep learning approaches to ameliorate the otherwise high cost of solving discretized nonlocal phase-field models. To this end, loss functions of the customized neural networks are defined using the residual of the fully discrete approximations of the AC or CH models, which results from applying a Fourier collocation method and a temporal semi-implicit approximation. To address the long-range interactions in the models, we tailor the architecture of the neural network by incorporating a nonlocal kernel as an input channel to the neural network model. We then provide the results of extensive computational experiments to illustrate the accuracy, predictive capabilities, and cost reductions of the proposed method.

42 ENGINEERING↗