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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 721 records · Page 40
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Femtosecond time-resolved XUV + UV photoelectron imaging of pure helium nanodroplets

Liquid helium nanodroplets, consisting of on average 2 × 10{sup 6} atoms, are examined using femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron imaging. The droplets are excited by an extreme ultraviolet light pulse centered at 23.7 eV photon energy, leading to states within a band that is associated with the 1s3p and 1s4p Rydberg levels of free helium atoms. The initially excited states and subsequent relaxation dynamics are probed by photoionizing transient species with a 3.2 eV pulse and using velocity map imaging to measure time-dependent photoelectron kinetic energy distributions. Significant differences are seen compared to previous studies with a lower energy (1.6 eV) probe pulse. Three distinct time-dependent signals are analyzed by global fitting. A broad intense signal, centered at an electron kinetic energy (eKE) of 2.3 eV, grows in faster than the experimental time resolution and decays in ∼100 fs. This feature is attributed to the initially excited droplet state. A second broad transient feature, with eKE ranging from 0.5 to 4 eV, appears at a rate similar to the decay of the initially excited state and is attributed to rapid atomic reconfiguration resulting in Franck-Condon overlap with a broader range of cation geometries, possibly involving formation of a Rydberg-excited (He{sub n})* core within the droplet. An additional relaxation pathway leads to another short-lived feature with vertical binding energies ≳2.4 eV, which is identified as a transient population within the lower-lying 1s2p Rydberg band. Ionization at 3.2 eV shows an enhanced contribution from electronically excited droplet states compared to ejected Rydberg atoms, which dominate at 1.6 eV. This is possibly the result of increased photoelectron generation from the bulk of the droplet by the more energetic probe photons.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Plasma response measurements of non-axisymmetric magnetic perturbations on DIII-D via soft x-ray imaging

Recent observations on DIII-D have advanced the understanding of plasma response to applied resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) in both H-mode and L-mode plasmas. Three distinct 3D features localized in minor radius are imaged via filtered soft x-ray emission: (i) the formation of lobes extending from the unperturbed separatrix in the X-point region at the plasma boundary, (ii) helical kink-like perturbations in the steep-gradient region inside the separatrix, and (iii) amplified islands in the core of a low-rotation L-mode plasma. In this study, these measurements are used to test and to validate plasma response models, which are crucial for providing predictive capability of edge-localized mode control. In particular, vacuum and two-fluid resistive magnetohydrodynamic(MHD) responses are tested in the regions of these measurements. At the plasma boundary in H-mode discharges with n = 3 RMPs applied, measurements compare well to vacuum-field calculations that predict lobe structures. Yet in the steep-gradient region, measurements agree better with calculations from the linear resistive two-fluid MHD code, M3D-C1. Relative to the vacuum fields, the resistive two-fluid MHD calculations show a reduction in the pitch-resonant components of the normal magnetic field (screening), and amplification of non-resonant components associated with ideal kink modes. However, the calculations still over-predict the amplitude of the measuredperturbation by a factor of 4. In a slowly rotating L-mode plasma with n = 1 RMPs, core islands are observed amplified from vacuum predictions. Finally, these results indicate that while the vacuum approach describes measurements in the edge region well, it is important to include effects of extended MHD in the pedestal and deeper in the plasma core.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Velocity map imaging of O-atom products from UV photodissociation of the CH{sub 2}OO Criegee intermediate

UV excitation of jet-cooled CH{sub 2}OO X{sup 1}A′ to the excited B{sup 1}A′ electronic states results in dissociation to two spin-allowed product channels: H{sub 2}CO X{sup 1}A{sub 1} + O {sup 1}D and H{sub 2}CO a{sup 3}A″ + O {sup 3}P. In this study, the higher energy H{sub 2}CO a{sup 3}A″ + O {sup 3}P channel is characterized by velocity map imaging and UV action spectroscopy, in both cases utilizing 2 + 1 resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization detection of O {sup 3}P products, which complements a prior experimental study on the lower energy H{sub 2}CO X{sup 1}A{sub 1} + O {sup 1}D channel [Lehman et al., J. Chem. Phys. 139, 141103 (2013)]. Anisotropic angular distributions indicative of rapid dissociation are obtained at 330 and 350 nm, along with broad and unstructured total kinetic energy distributions that provide insight into the internal excitation of the H{sub 2}CO a{sup 3}A″ co-fragment. A harmonic normal mode analysis points to significant vibrational excitation of the CH{sub 2} wag and C–O stretch modes of the H{sub 2}CO a{sup 3}A″ fragment upon dissociation. At each UV wavelength, the termination of the kinetic energy distribution reveals the energetic threshold for the H{sub 2}CO a{sup 3}A″ + O {sup 3}P product channel of ca. 76 kcal mol{sup −1} (378 nm) and also establishes the dissociation energy from CH{sub 2}OO X{sup 1}A′ to H{sub 2}CO X{sup 1}A{sub 1} + O{sup 1}D products of D{sub 0} ≤ 49.0 ± 0.3 kcal mol{sup −1}, which is in accord with prior theoretical studies. The threshold for the H{sub 2}CO a{sup 3}A″ + O {sup 3}P channel is also evident as a more rapid falloff on the long wavelength side of the O {sup 3}P action spectrum as compared to the previously reported UV absorption spectrum for jet-cooled CH{sub 2}OO [Beames et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 134, 20045 (2012)]. Modeling suggests that the O {sup 3}P yield increases uniformly from 378 to 300 nm.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Validation of full-wave simulations for mode conversion of waves in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies with phase contrast imaging in Alcator C-Mod

Mode conversion of fast waves in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) is known to result in current drive and flow drive under optimised conditions, which may be utilized to control plasma profiles and improve fusion plasma performance. To describe these processes accurately in a realistic toroidal geometry, numerical simulations are essential. Quantitative comparison of these simulations and the actual experimental measurements is important to validate their predictions and to evaluate their limitations. The phase contrast imaging (PCI) diagnostic has been used to directly detect the ICRF waves in the Alcator C-Mod tokamak. The measurements have been compared with full-wave simulations through a synthetic diagnostic technique. Recently, the frequency response of the PCI detector array on Alcator C-Mod was recalibrated, which greatly improved the comparison between the measurements and the simulations. In this study, mode converted waves for D-{sup 3}He and D-H plasmas with various ion species compositions were re-analyzed with the new calibration. For the minority heating cases, self-consistent electric fields and a minority ion distribution function were simulated by iterating a full-wave code and a Fokker-Planck code. The simulated mode converted wave intensity was in quite reasonable agreement with the measurements close to the antenna, but discrepancies remain for comparison at larger distances.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Imaging outside the box: Resolution enhancement in X-ray coherent diffraction imaging by extrapolation of diffraction patterns

Coherent diffraction imaging is a high-resolution imaging technique whose potential can be greatly enhanced by applying the extrapolation method presented here. We demonstrate the enhancement in resolution of a non-periodical object reconstructed from an experimental X-ray diffraction record which contains about 10% missing information, including the pixels in the center of the diffraction pattern. A diffraction pattern is extrapolated beyond the detector area and as a result, the object is reconstructed at an enhanced resolution and better agreement with experimental amplitudes is achieved. The optimal parameters for the iterative routine and the limits of the extrapolation procedure are discussed.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Comparison of implosion core metrics: A 10 ps dilation X-ray imager vs a 100 ps gated microchannel plate [Comparison of implosion core shape observations, 10 ps dilation X-ray imager vs 100 ps gated microchannel plate]

The dilation x-ray imager (DIXI) is a high-speed x-ray framing camera that uses the pulse-dilation technique to achieve a temporal resolution of less than 10 ps. This is a 10× improvement over conventional framing cameras currently employed on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) (100 ps resolution), and otherwise only achievable with 1D streaked imaging. A side effect of the dramatically reduced gate width is the comparatively lower detected signal level. Therefore we implement a Poisson noise reduction with non-local principal component analysis method to improve the robustness of the DIXI data analysis. Furthermore, we present results on ignition-relevant experiments at the NIF using DIXI. In particular we focus on establishing that/when DIXI gives reliable shape metrics (P 0 , P 2 and P 4 Legendre modes, and their temporal evolution/swings).

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Sub-nanosecond single line-of-sight (SLOS) x-ray imagers (invited)

A new generation of fast-gated x-ray framing cameras have been developed that are capable of capturing multiple frames along a single line-of-sight with 30 ps temporal resolution. The instruments are constructed by integrating pulse-dilation electron imaging with burst mode hybrid-complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor sensors. Two such instruments have been developed, characterized, and fielded at the National Ignition Facility and the OMEGA laser. These instruments are particularly suited for advanced x-ray imaging applications in Inertial Confinement Fusion and High energy density experiments. Here, we discuss the system architecture and the techniques required for tuning the instruments to achieve optimal performance. Characterization results are also presented along with planned future improvements to the design.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2014

HIGH-RESOLUTION LABORATORY SPECTRA OF THE λ193 CHANNEL OF THE ATMOSPHERIC IMAGING ASSEMBLY INSTRUMENT ON BOARD SOLAR DYNAMICS OBSERVATORY

Extreme ultraviolet spectra of C, O, F, Ne, S, Ar, Fe, and Ni have been excited in an electron beam ion trap and studied with much higher resolution than available on the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) in order to ascertain the spectral composition of the SDO/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) observations. We present our findings in the wavelength range 182-200 Å, which, overall, corroborate the working models of how to interpret the SDO/AIA data. We find, however, that the inclusion of a number of additional lines might improve the data interpretation.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

A Six-year Image-subtraction Light Curve of SN 2010jl

SN 2010jl was a luminous Type IIn supernova (SN), detected in radio, optical, X-ray and hard X-rays. Here we report on its six-year R - and g -band light curves obtained using the Palomar Transient Factory. The light curve was generated using a pipeline based on the proper image-subtraction method and we discuss the algorithm performances. As noted before, the R -band light curve, up to about 300 days after maximum light is well described by a power-law decline with a power-law index of α ≈ -0.5. Between day 300 and day 2300 after maximum light, it is consistent with a power-law decline, with a power-law index of about α ≈ -3.4. Here, the longevity of the light curve suggests that the massive circumstellar material around the progenitor was ejected on timescales of at least tens of years prior to the progenitor explosion.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Fluctuation localization imaging-based fluorescence in situ hybridization (fliFISH) for accurate detection and counting of RNA copies in single cells

Here, quantitative gene expression analysis in intact single cells can be achieved using single molecule-based fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH). This approach relies on fluorescence intensity to distinguish between true signals, emitted from an RNA copy hybridized with multiple oligonucleotide probes, and background noise. Thus, the precision in smFISH is often compromised by partial or nonspecific probe binding and tissue autofluorescence, especially when only a small number of probes can be fitted to the target transcript. Here we provide an accurate approach for setting quantitative thresholds between true and false signals, which relies on on-off duty cycles of photoswitchable dyes. This fluctuation localization imaging-based FISH (fliFISH) uses on-time fractions (measured over a series of exposures) collected from transcripts bound to as low as 8 probes, which are distinct from on-time fractions collected from nonspecifically bound probes or autofluorescence. Using multicolor fliFISH, we identified radial gene expression patterns in mouse pancreatic islets for insulin, the transcription factor, NKX2-2 and their ratio ( Nkx2 - 2/Ins2 ). These radial patterns, showing higher values in β cells at the islet core and lower values in peripheral cells, were lost in diabetic mouse islets. In summary, fliFISH provides an accurate, quantitative approach for detecting and counting true RNA copies and rejecting false signals by their distinct on-time fractions, laying the foundation for reliable single-cell transcriptomics.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Diffractive Imaging of Coherent Nuclear Motion in Isolated Molecules

Observing the motion of the nuclear wave packets during a molecular reaction, in both space and time, is crucial for understanding and controlling the outcome of photoinduced chemical reactions. We have imaged the motion of a vibrational wave packet in isolated iodine molecules using ultrafast electron diffraction with relativistic electrons. The time-varying interatomic distance was measured with a precision 0.07 Å and temporal resolution of 230 fs full width at half maximum. The method is not only sensitive to the position but also the shape of the nuclear wave packet.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Smart Readout of Nondestructive Image Sensors with Single Photon-Electron Sensitivity

Image sensors with nondestructive charge readout provide single-photon or single-electron sensitivity, but at the cost of long readout times. We present a smart readout technique to allow the use of these sensors in visible light and other applications that require faster readout times. The method optimizes the readout noise and time by changing the number of times pixels are read out either statically, by defining an arbitrary number of regions of interest in the array, or dynamically, depending on the charge or energy of interest in the pixel. This technique is tested in a Skipper CCD showing that it is possible to obtain deep subelectron noise, and therefore, high resolution of quantized charge, while dynamically changing the readout noise of the sensor. These faster, low noise readout techniques show that the skipper CCD is a competitive technology even where other technologies such as electron multiplier charge coupled devices, silicon photo multipliers, etc. are currently used. This technique could allow skipper CCDs to benefit new astronomical instruments, quantum imaging, exoplanet search and study, and quantum metrology.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2018

Resolution extension by image summing in serial femtosecond crystallography of two-dimensional membrane-protein crystals

Previous proof-of-concept measurements on single-layer two-dimensional membrane-protein crystals performed at X-ray free-electron lasers (FELs) have demonstrated that the collection of meaningful diffraction patterns, which is not possible at synchrotrons because of radiation-damage issues, is feasible. Here, the results obtained from the analysis of a thousand single-shot, roomtemperature X-ray FEL diffraction images from two-dimensional crystals of a bacteriorhodopsin mutant are reported in detail. The high redundancy in the measurements boosts the intensity signal-to-noise ratio, so that the values of the diffracted intensities can be reliably determined down to the detector-edge resolution of 4 A ° . The results show that two-dimensional serial crystallography at X-ray FELs is a suitable method to study membrane proteins to near-atomic length scales at ambient temperature. The method presented here can be extended to pump–probe studies of optically triggered structural changes on submillisecond timescales in two-dimensional crystals, which allow functionally relevant large-scale motions that may be quenched in three-dimensional crystals.

serial crystallography, free-electron lasers, memb↗
DOE OSTI2020

A proximity‐based image‐processing algorithm for colloid assignment in segmented multiphase flow datasets

Summary Colloidal transport and deposition are of both environmental and engineering importance. Easier access to x‐ray microtomography (XMT) coupled with improved imaging resolution has made XMT a unique and viable tool for visualizing and quantifying these processes. Currently, there is scant information in the literature addressing colloid segmentation and analysis in saturated and unsaturated porous media, in particular related to spatial partitioning of colloids. To support this need, an approach to assign segmented colloidal particles and aggregates to different partitioning classes based on their proximity to different phases is presented here. The method uses different markers for each attachment site (e.g. wetting‐nonwetting phase interfaces). An example XMT dataset from a drainage experiment is used to demonstrate the efficacy of the image processing algorithms. Flow conditions, and fluid and colloid properties, can thus be compared to the behaviour of colloids within the porous medium. This algorithm can help elucidate colloidal deposition mechanisms and the importance of different attachment sites, explore the importance of fluid properties, as well as the arrangement and shape of the colloids.

BRUECK, C. L.↗
DOE OSTI2017

NPQ (T) : a chlorophyll fluorescence parameter for rapid estimation and imaging of non-photochemical quenching of excitons in photosystem-II-associated antenna complexes: New, rapid probe of non-photochemical quenching

In photosynthesis, light energy is absorbed by light-harvesting complexes and used to drive photochemistry. However, a fraction of absorbed light is lost to non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) that reflects several important photosynthetic processes to dissipate excess energy. Currently, estimates of NPQ and its individual components (q E , q I , q Z and q T ) are measured from pulse-amplitude-modulation (PAM) measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence yield and require measurements of the maximal yield of fluorescence in fully dark-adapted material (F m ), when NPQ is assumed to be negligible. Unfortunately, this approach requires extensive dark acclimation, often precluding widespread or high-throughput use, particularly under field conditions or in imaging applications, while introducing artefacts when F m is measured in the presence of residual photodamaged centres. To address these limitations, we derived and characterized a new set of parameters, NPQ (T) , and its components that can be (1) measured in a few seconds, allowing for high-throughput and field applications; (2) does not require full relaxation of quenching processes and thus can be applied to photoinhibited materials; (3) can distinguish between NPQ and chloroplast movements; and (4) can be used to image NPQ in plants with large leaf movements. Finally, we discuss the applications benefits and caveats of both approaches.

chlorophyll fluorescence↗
DOE OSTI2016

Spatial organization of cellulose microfibrils and matrix polysaccharides in primary plant cell walls as imaged by multichannel atomic force microscopy

Summary We used atomic force microscopy ( AFM ), complemented with electron microscopy, to characterize the nanoscale and mesoscale structure of the outer (periclinal) cell wall of onion scale epidermis – a model system for relating wall structure to cell wall mechanics. The epidermal wall contains ~100 lamellae, each ~40 nm thick, containing 3.5‐nm wide cellulose microfibrils oriented in a common direction within a lamella but varying by ~30 to 90° between adjacent lamellae. The wall thus has a crossed polylamellate, not helicoidal, wall structure. Montages of high‐resolution AFM images of the newly deposited wall surface showed that single microfibrils merge into and out of short regions of microfibril bundles, thereby forming a reticulated network. Microfibril direction within a lamella did not change gradually or abruptly across the whole face of the cell, indicating continuity of the lamella across the outer wall. A layer of pectin at the wall surface obscured the underlying cellulose microfibrils when imaged by FESEM , but not by AFM . The AFM thus preferentially detects cellulose microfibrils by probing through the soft matrix in these hydrated walls. AFM ‐based nanomechanical maps revealed significant heterogeneity in cell wall stiffness and adhesiveness at the nm scale. By color coding and merging these maps, the spatial distribution of soft and rigid matrix polymers could be visualized in the context of the stiffer microfibrils. Without chemical extraction and dehydration, our results provide multiscale structural details of the primary cell wall in its near‐native state, with implications for microfibrils motions in different lamellae during uniaxial and biaxial extensions.

Zhang, Tian↗