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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 793 records · Page 44
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Elimination of remnant phases in low-temperature growth of wurtzite ScAlN by molecular-beam epitaxy

Growth of wurtzite ScxAl1−xN (x < 0.23) by plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy on cplane GaN at high temperatures significantly alters the extracted lattice constants of the material due to defects likely associated with remnant phases. In contrast, ScAlN grown below a composition-dependent threshold temperature exhibits uniform alloy distribution, reduced defect density, and atomic-step surface morphology. The c-plane lattice constant of this low-temperature ScAlN varies with composition as expected from previous theoretical calculations and can be used to reliably estimate alloy composition. Moreover, lattice-matched Sc0.18Al0.82N/GaN multiquantum wells grown under these conditions display strong and narrow near-infrared intersubband absorption lines that confirm advantageous optical and electronic properties.

Dzuba, Brandon↗
DOE OSTI2020

PAMTRA 1.0: the Passive and Active Microwave radiative TRAnsfer tool for simulating radiometer and radar measurements of the cloudy atmosphere

Forward models are a key tool to generate synthetic observations given knowledge of the atmospheric state. In this way, they are an integral part of inversion algorithms that aim to retrieve geophysical variables from observations or in data assimilation. Their application for the exploitation of the full information content of remote sensing observations becomes increasingly important when these are used to evaluate the performance of cloud-resolving models (CRMs). Herein, CRM profiles or fields provide the input to the forward model whose simulation results are subsequently compared to the observations. This paper introduces the freely available comprehensive microwave forward model PAMTRA (Passive and Active Microwave TRAnsfer), demonstrates its capabilities to simulate passive and active measurements across the microwave spectral region for upward- and downward-looking geometries, and illustrates how the forward simulations can be used to evaluate CRMs and to interpret measurements to improve our understanding of cloud processes. PAMTRA is unique as it treats passive and active radiative transfer (RT) in a consistent way with the passive forward model providing upwelling and downwelling polarized brightness temperatures and radiances for arbitrary observation angles. The active part is capable of simulating the full radar Doppler spectrum and its moments. PAMTRA is designed to be flexible with respect to instrument specifications and interfaces to many different formats of input and output, especially CRMs, spanning the range from bin-resolved microphysical output to one- and two-moment schemes, and to in situ measured hydrometeor properties. A specific highlight is the incorporation of the self-similar Rayleigh–Gans approximation (SSRGA) for both active and passive applications, which becomes especially important for the investigation of frozen hydrometeors.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Projected Urban Morphology of the Los Angeles Area by the Year 2100

This dataset provides projections of urban building morphologies for the Los Angeles urban area at 30-meter spatial resolution. It contains 192 raster files that detail two primary building attributes: building footprint fractions (ranging from 0 to 1) and average building heights (ranging from 0 to 75 meters). The projections account for a wide range of future pathways, covering two Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios (SSP3 and SSP5), two population scenarios, two developed land intensification scenarios, and four distinct levels of intensification. The dataset was created using dual Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) trained on 2015 land cover and building properties from the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) and Model America datasets. Supporting information on the dataset has been described in the LAUrbanAreaMorphologyProjections2100_README.txt file.

Pandey, Bhartendu↗
NASA NTRS1975

Instruction manual, Optical Effects Module, Model OEM

The Optical Effects Module Model OEM-1, a laboratory prototype instrument designed for the automated measurement of radiation transmission and scattering through optical samples, is described. The system comprises two main components: the Optical Effects Module Enclosure (OEME) and the Optical Effects Module Electronic Controller and Processor (OEMCP). The OEM is designed for operation in the near UV at approximately 2540A, corresponding to the most intense spectral line activated by the mercury discharge lamp used for illumination. The radiation from this source is detected in transmission and reflection through a number of selectable samples. The basic objective of this operation is to monitor in real time the accretion of possible contamination on the surface of these samples. The optical samples are exposed outside of the OEME proper to define exposure conditions and to separate exposure and measurement environments. Changes in the transmissivity of the sample are attributable to surface contamination or to bulk effects due to radiation. Surface contamination will increase radiation scattering due to Rayleigh-Gans effect or to other phenomena, depending on the characteristics size of the particulate contaminants. Thus, also scattering from the samples becomes a part of the measurement program.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1979

Accuracy of RGD approximation for computing light scattering properties of diffusing and motile bacteria

The study tests the accuracy of the Rayleigh-Gans-Debye (RGD) approximation against a rigorous scattering theory calculation for a simplified model of E. coli (about 1 micron in size) - a solid spheroid. A general procedure is formulated whereby the scattered field amplitude correlation function, for both polarized and depolarized contributions, can be computed for a collection of particles. An explicit formula is presented for the scattered intensity, both polarized and depolarized, for a collection of randomly diffusing or moving particles. Two specific cases for the intermediate scattering functions are considered: diffusing particles and freely moving particles with a Maxwellian speed distribution. The formalism is applied to microorganisms suspended in a liquid medium. Sensitivity studies revealed that for values of the relative index of refraction greater than 1.03, RGD could be in serious error in computing the intensity as well as correlation functions.

Kottarchyk, M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Energy conservation - A test for scattering approximations

The roles of the extinction theorem and energy conservation in obtaining the scattering and absorption cross sections for several light scattering approximations are explored. It is shown that the Rayleigh, Rayleigh-Gans, anomalous diffraction, geometrical optics, and Shifrin approximations all lead to reasonable values of the cross sections, while the modified Mie approximation does not. Further examination of the modified Mie approximation for the ensembles of nonspherical particles reveals additional problems with that method.

Acquista, C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Absorption and scattering of light by nonspherical particles

Using the example of the polarization of scattered light, it is shown that the scattering matrices for identical, randomly ordered particles and for spherical particles are unequal. The spherical assumptions of Mie theory are therefore inconsistent with the random shapes and sizes of atmospheric particulates. The implications for corrections made to extinction measurements of forward scattering light are discussed. Several analytical methods are examined as potential bases for developing more accurate models, including Rayleigh theory, Fraunhoffer Diffraction theory, anomalous diffraction theory, Rayleigh-Gans theory, the separation of variables technique, the Purcell-Pennypacker method, the T-matrix method, and finite difference calculations.

Bohren, C. F.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The leaf-shape effect on electromagnetic scattering from vegetated media

Using the generalized Rayleigh Gans approximation along with the radiative transfer method, a bistatic backscattering model for a layer of randomly oriented, elliptic-shaped leaves is formulated. Following a similar procedure the bistatic scattering model for a layer of needle-shaped leaves is also developed to simulate coniferous vegetation. The differences between the scattering characteristics of the deciduous and coniferous leaves are illustrated numerically for different orientation and incidence angles. It is found that both like and cross polarizations are needed to differentiate the difference in scattering due to the shapes of the scatterers. The calculated backscattering coefficients are compared with measured values from artificial canopies with circular-shaped leaves.

Karam, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Electromagnetic wave scattering from some vegetation samples

For an incident plane wave, the field inside a thin scatterer (disk and needle) is estimated by the generalized Rayleigh-Gans (GRG) approximation. This leads to a scattering amplitude tensor equal to that obtained via the Rayleigh approximation (dipole term) with a modifying function. For a finite-length cylinder the inner field is estimated by the corresponding field for the same cylinder of infinite lenght. The effects of different approaches in estimating the field inside the scatterer on the backscattering cross section are illustrated numerically for a circular disk, a needle, and a finite-length cylinder as a function of the wave number and the incidence angle. Finally, the modeling predictions are compared with measurements.

Karam, Mostafa A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Leaf-shape effects in electromagnetic wave scattering from vegetation

A vegetation medium is modeled as a half-space of randomly distributed and oriented leaves of arbitrary shape. In accordance with the first-order radiative transfer theory, the backscattering coefficient for such a half-space is expressed in terms of the scattering amplitudes. For disc- or needle-shaped leaves, the generalized Rayleigh-Gans approximation is used to calculate the scattering amplitudes. This approach is valid for leaf dimensions up to the size of the incident wavelength. To examine the leaf-shape effect, elliptic discs are used to model deciduous leaves, and needles are used to model coniferous leaves. The differences between the scattering characteristics of leaves of different shapes are illustrated numerically for various orientations, frequencies, and incidence angles. It is found that the scattering characteristics of elliptic disc-shaped leaves are sensitive to the three angles of orientation and disc ellipticity. In general, both like and cross polarizations may be needed to differentiate the difference in scattering due to the shapes of the leaves.

Karam, Mostafa A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Radiative transfer theory for active remote sensing of a forested canopy

A canopy is modeled as a two-layer medium above a rough interface. The upper layer stands for the forest crown, with the leaves modeled as randomly oriented and distributed disks and needles and the branches modeled as randomly oriented finite dielectric cylinders. The lower layer contains the tree trunks, modeled as randomly positioned vertical cylinders above the rough soil. Radiative-transfer theory is applied to calculate EM scattering from such a canopy, is expressed in terms of the scattering-amplitude tensors (SATs). For leaves, the generalized Rayleigh-Gans approximation is applied, whereas the branch and trunk SATs are obtained by estimating the inner field by fields inside a similar cylinder of infinite length. The Kirchhoff method is used to calculate the soil SAT. For a plane wave exciting the canopy, the radiative-transfer equations are solved by iteration to the first order in albedo of the leaves and the branches. Numerical results are illustrated as a function of the incidence angle.

Karam, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1995

A source-sink model of the generation of plate tectonics from non-Newtonian mantle flow

A model of mantle convection which generates plate tectonics requires strain rate- or stress-dependent rheology in order to produce strong platelike flows with weak margins as well as strike-slip deformation and plate spin (i.e., toroidal motion). Here, we employ a simple model of source-sink driven surface flow to determine the form of such a rheology that is appropriate for Earth's present-day plate motions. In this model, lithospheric motion is treated as shallow layer flow driven by sources and sinks which correspond to spreading centers and subduction zones, respectively. Two plate motion models are used to derive the source sink field. As originally implied in the simpler Cartesian version of this model, the classical power law rheologies do not generate platelike flows as well as the hypothetical Whitehead-Gans stick-slip rheology (which incorporates a simple self-lubrication mechanism). None of the fluid rheologies examined, however, produce more than approximately 60% of the original maximum shear. For either plate model, the viscosity fields produced by the power law rheologies are diffuse, and the viscosity lows over strike-slip shear zones or pseudo-margins are not as small as over the prescribed convergent-divergent margins. In contrast, the stick-slip rheology generates very platelike viscosity fields, with sharp gradients at the plate boundaries, and margins with almost uniformly low viscosity. Power law rheologies with high viscosity contrasts, however, lead to almost equally favorable comparisons, though these also yield the least platelike viscosity fields. This implies that the magnitude of toroidal flow and platelike strength distributions are not necessarily related and thus may present independent constraints on the determination of a self-consistent plate-mantle rheology.

Bercovici, David↗
NASA NTRS1999

Orientation Effects in ZnO Films Using Off-Axis Sputtering Deposition

ZnO is a wide-band-gap oxide material and has been used in numerous applications. It is also a good substrate for fabricating GaN-based (a blue laser candidate) devices. Off-axis sputtering technique is one of the best techniques in synthesizing oxide materials because negative ion bombardment and particle kinetic energy is greatly reduced when adatoms condense on substrates. Since the sputtered material from the target arrive on the substrate surface at a 90 deg. configuration, which differs from the normal sputtering geometry, it is expected that the film uniformity and composition distributions will be affected. However, the details of these properties and mechanisms have not been well studied. ZnO films are synthesized on (0001) sapphire and quartz substrates by off-axis sputtering deposition in various oxygen/argon mixture ratios and pressures at different temperatures. Substrates and sputtering sources are placed at three different orientations that are orthogonal to each other. The normal direction of a substrate is parallel to the gravity vector and the other is perpendicular to it. Film thickness profiles at different growth orientations are determined using a profimeter. All films grown at high temperatures have highly textured structures on quartz substrates and epitaxially grow on sapphire substrates. Because of this process, the film surface is very smooth. X-ray diffraction, scanning probe microscopy, and Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy, and electrical measurements will be used to characterize these films. Detailed results will be discussed in the presentation.

Zhu, Shen↗
NASA NTRS2000

Study of Doped ZnO Films Synthesized by Combining Vapor Gases and Pulsed Laser Deposition

The properties and structure of the ZnO material are similar to those of the GaN. Since an excitonic binding energy of ZnO is about 60 meV, it has strong potential for excitonic lasing at the room temperature. This makes synthesizing ZnO films for applications attractive. However, there are several hurdles in fabricating electro-optical devices from ZnO. One of those is in growing doped p-type ZnO films. Although techniques have been developed for the doping of both p-type and n-type ZnO, this remains an area that can be improved. In this presentation, we will report the experimental results of using both thermal vapor and pulsed laser deposition to grow doped ZnO films. The films are deposited on (0001) sapphire, (001) Si and quartz substrates by ablating a ZnO target. The group III and V elements are introduced into the growth chamber using inner gases. Films are characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning probe microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and electrical measurements. The full width at half maximum of theta rocking curves for epitaxial films is less than 0.5 deg. In textured films, it rises to several degrees. Film surface morphology reveals an island growth pattern, but the size and density of these islands vary with the composition of the reactive gases. The electrical resistivity also changes with the doped elements. The relationship between the doping elements, gas composition, and film properties will be discussed.

Zhu, Shen↗
NASA NTRS2000

Method For Growth of Crystal Surfaces and Growth of Heteroepitaxial Single Crystal Films Thereon

A method of growing atomically-flat surfaces and high quality low-defect crystal films of semiconductor materials and fabricating improved devices thereon is discussed. The method is also suitable for growing films heteroepitaxially on substrates that are different than the film. The method is particularly suited for growth of elemental semiconductors (such as Si), compounds of Groups III and V elements of the Periodic Table (such as GaN), and compounds and alloys of Group IV elements of the Periodic Table (such as SiC).

Powell, J. Anthony↗
NASA NTRS2001

Ab-Initio Description and Prediction of Properties of Carbon-Based and Other Non-Metallic Materials

We have resolved the long-standing problem consisting of 30%-50% theoretical underestimates of the band gaps of non-metallic materials. We describe the Bagayoko, Zhao, and Williams (BZW) method that rigorously circumvents the basis-set and variational effect presumed to be a cause of these underestimates. We present ab-initio, computational results that are in agreement with experiment for diamond (C), silicon (Si), silicon carbides (3C-SiC and 4H-SiC), and other semiconductors (GaN, BaTiO3, AlN, ZnSe, ZnO). We illustrate the predictive capability of the BZW method in the case of the newly discovered cubic phase of silicon nitride (c-Si3N4) and of selected carbon nanotabes [(10,0), and (8,4)]. Our conclusion underscores the inescapable need for the BZW method in ab-initio calculations that employ a basis set in a variational approach. Current nanoscale trends amplify this need. We estimate that the potential impact of applications of the BZW method in advancing our understanding of nonmetallic materials, in informing experiment, and particularly in guiding device design and fabrication is simply priceless.

Bagayoko, D.↗