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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 OSTI2024

Modeling Z-Pinches with the FLASH code

Z-Pinches occur when large amounts of current are run axially through a cylindrical conducting material, and the magnetic pressure causes said material to implode radially to its z-axis. They are useful concepts in a large range of physics and fields like fusion. Simulating these experiments are important to not only national laboratories but also in the private sector as well. FLASH is an open source MHD code that is a useful option for modeling these experiments. However, the physics needed to be verified against an actual theory. Using a paper written by S.A Slutz, Z-Pinch experiments were run with FLASH based on the parameters described in the paper, and then results were validated against the theory presented. This verified that FLASH, although has some discrepancies in the theory due to a difference in physics calculations, remains a powerful tool for modeling Z-Pinch experiments not only on the scale of the Z-Machine from Sandia National Laboratory, but also at the scale of the proposed Next Generation Pulsed Power (NGPP) machine.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Three-dimensional measurements of plasma parameters in an inductively coupled plasma processing chamber

Inductively coupled plasmas (ICPs) are extensively used for materials processing and microelectronics fabrication. However, their electromagnetic properties have not been fully characterized. In this regard, we have performed fully three dimensional (3D), time dependent measurements of the magnetic field, electron density, and electron temperature for an ICP sustained in argon in an industrial reactor designed for plasma etching in microelectronics fabrication. These measurements were compared to modeling results. The plasma was generated using pulsed power delivered at 2 MHz by a planar coil. The magnetic field was measured using a three axis magnetic probe at 15 366 locations throughout the plasma volume during the H-mode portion of the pulse at temporal intervals of 2 ns. A swept Langmuir probe was used to measure plasma parameters at the same locations. The plasma density measurement was calibrated with line-integrated densities obtained using a 96 GHz interferometer. During a single radio frequency (RF) cycle, the 3D current density [derived from B(r→,t)]is initially maximum just below the coil and moves downward toward the center of the chamber. Isosurfaces of current are nearly symmetric toroids. The total electric field, space charge field, and inductive electric field were derived and used to calculate the dissipated power, plasma current, and Poynting flux. Computer modeling of the experiment reproduces the phase dependent behavior. Animations showing the time dependent 3D measurements are presented in the supplementary material.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Pulsed spallation neutron spectroscopy of low dimensional magnets: past, present, and future

The early 1990s saw the first useful application of pulsed neutron spectroscopy to the study of excitations in low dimensional magnetic systems, with Roger Cowley as a key participant in important early experiments. Since that time the technique has blossomed as a powerful tool utilizing vastly improved neutron instrumentation coupled with more powerful pulsed sources. In this work, we review representative experiments illustrating some of the fascinating physics that has been revealed in quasi-one and two dimensional systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1968

Solid state high-voltage pulser operates with low supply voltage

High speed klystron cathode pulser requires low voltage to generate high-voltage pulses. Broadband video transformers are wound in two configurations - /1/ transmission line, multifilar toroids and /2/ loop coupling toroids. The circuit adapts to generate high-speed, high-voltage, high-stability power pulses at megawatt levels.

Milberger, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

High-voltage picosecond photoconductor switch based on low-temperature-grown GaAs

A GaAs material grown by molecular beam epitaxy at a low substrate temperature was used to fabricate a photoconductor switch that produces 6-V picosecond electrical pulses. The pulses were produced on a microwave coplanar-strip transmission line lithographically patterned on the low-temperature (LT) GaAs. A 150-fs laser pulse was used to generate carriers in the LT GaAs gap between the metal strips, partially shorting a high DC voltage placed across the lines. The 6-V magnitude of the electrical pulses obtained is believed to be limited by the laser pulse power and not by the properties of the LT GaAs. Experiments were also performed on a picosecond photoconductor switch fabricated on a conventional ion-damaged silicon-on-sapphire substrate. Although comparable pulse durations were obtained, the highest pulse voltage achieved with the latter device was 0.6 V.

Frankel, Michael Y.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Study of laser produced plasma in a longitudinal magnetic field

In this work, laser produced plasma embedded in a longitudinal magnetic field was studied using a 1 MA pulsed power generator coupled with a 50 TW laser. Half turn coil loads with an internal diameter of 2.5–3.5 mm generate a 50–70 T axial magnetic field near the load. A subpicosecond laser pulse with an intensity of 10 18 –10 19 W/cm 2 irradiates a thin Si foil target in the magnetic field of the coil load. A laser produced plasma plume collimates within the longitudinal field to a narrow jet 0.2–0.3 mm in diameter with a length of 3–4 mm and an electron plasma density of (0.2–1) × 10 20 cm ₋3 on the jet axis. The jet propagates with a velocity of 160–200 km/s in general agreement with magnetohydrodynamic simulations. X-ray spectral measurements demonstrate an increase in the plasma electron density resulting from the magnetic confinement of the jet.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Accumulated destructive effect of nanosecond repetitive voltage pulses on the insulated coatings of Fe-based nanocrystalline ribbon

Fe-based nanocrystalline ribbon is widely employed in pulsed power devices and accelerators. A temperature accumulation model is put forward to explain the accumulated destructive effect of discharge plasma bombardment on the TiO{sub 2} coatings of nanocrystalline ribbon under 50 Hz/100 ns voltage pulses. Experimental results revealed that the plasma channel expansion caused by air breakdown in the coating crack heated the coating repetitively, and the coating temperature was increased and accumulated around the crack. The fact that repetitive voltage pulses were more destructive than a single pulse with the same amplitude was caused by the intensified coating ablation under the temperature accumulation effect.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Generation of disc-like plasma from laser-matter interaction in the presence of a strong external magnetic field

Dynamics of laser produced plasma in a strong magnetic field was studied here using a 1 MA pulsed power generator coupled to an intense, high-energy laser. A 2–2.5 MG magnetic field was generated on the surface of a rod load 0.8–1.2 mm in diameter. A sub-nanosecond laser pulse with intensity of 3 × 10 15 W cm -2 was focused on the rod load surface. Side-on laser diagnostics showed the generation of two collimated jets 1–3 mm long on the front and rear sides of the load. End-on laser diagnostics reveal that the laser produced plasma in the MG magnetic field takes the form of a thin disc as the plasma propagates along the magnetic field lines. The disc-like plasma expands radially across the magnetic field with a velocity of 250 km s -1 . An electron temperature of 400 eV was measured in the laser-produced plasma on the rod load.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1975

Improved semi-conductor laser device, operating, at room temperature, with an array of three lasers in the spatially coherent, free running mode

The peak pulse power was increased by operating an array of three homostructure Ga As lasers in the laser device. A spatial filter in the laser device selects the spatially coherent, free running, mode. The optical peak power is 5 watts, which is three times the peak power of a single laser in the array. The far-field distribution of the three laser array is a single Gaussian beam of spatial coherence without sidelobes or grating lobes. The length of the optical pulses of spatial coherence was increased to 200 ns by improved heat transfer from the p-n junctions of the lasers to the metal housing of the pulse transformer, and by doubling the core area and increasing the turns of the primary windings of the pulse transformer. The mechanical stability of the laser device was improved and the transition from mechanical alignment to electro-mechanical alignment control, was facilitated.

Rutz, E. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Determination of the temperature of a dense plasma from a spectral line shift

The method of maximum spectral line shift proposed by Bardocz, et al, (1966) was successfully applied in the diagnostics of dense plasmas produced by high power pulse discharges. It is pointed out that the effect of the shock wave pressure on the spectral line shift has to be taken into account in order to obtain accurate results with this method for high power discharges. A pressure dependent function was introduced in the expression given by those authors to provide the necessary correction.

Sultanov, A. M.↗
DOE OSTI2017

The Role of Ion Acoustic Instability in the Development of the Azimuthal Current Density Profile in Liner Experiments at 1 MA

Recent work reported on the current density in pulsed-power-driven liners where a vacuum gap was introduced in the power feed connecting the liner to the generator. The resultant gap flashover generates azimuthally localized current-carrying plasma channels, which can create an azimuthal nonuniformity in the current density. The current density evolves during the current pulse, but nonuniformity is observed through the experiment timescale. Magnetohydrodynamic simulation work in 3-D demonstrates the difficulty in reproducing the experimental data within a limited computational domain, and those boundary conditions may dominate this paper. Furthermore, the development of current-driven instabilities in the plasma channels can explain the liner current density evolution, and specifically the ion acoustic instability can account for the main features observed in the experiments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Modification of the Booster Extraction Straight Section

In the process of conceptual design of the NSLS-II booster we developed an extraction layout based on a single strong pulsed septum turning the beam outside the booster vacuum chamber. This layout may not be ideal since pulsed power supply is not reproducible and its shot-to-shot voltage fluctuations will lead to an increase in the effective emittance of the extracted beam. Alternative solution1 is to divide the extraction in two magnets – a weak pulsed magnet and a strong DC magnet. This concept has been implemented in the current extraction layout.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS2010

Fiber-Coupled Planar Light-Wave Circuit for Seed Laser Control in High Spectral Resolution Lidar Systems

Precise laser remote sensing of aerosol extinction and backscatter in the atmosphere requires a high-power, pulsed, frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser that is wavelength- stabilized to a narrow absorption line such as found in iodine vapor. One method for precise wavelength control is to injection seed the Nd:YAG laser with a low-power CW laser that is stabilized by frequency converting a fraction of the beam to 532 nm, and to actively frequency-lock it to an iodine vapor absorption line. While the feasibility of this approach has been demonstrated using bulk optics in NASA Langley s Airborne High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) program, an ideal, lower cost solution is to develop an all-waveguide, frequency-locked seed laser in a compact, robust package that will withstand the temperature, shock, and vibration levels associated with airborne and space-based remote sensing platforms. A key technology leading to this miniaturization is the integration of an efficient waveguide frequency doubling element, and a low-voltage phase modulation element into a single, monolithic, planar light-wave circuit (PLC). The PLC concept advances NASA's future lidar systems due to its compact, efficient and reliable design, thus enabling use on small aircraft and satellites. The immediate application for this technology is targeted for NASA Langley's HSRL system for aerosol and cloud characterization. This Phase I effort proposes the development of a potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) waveguide phase modulator for future integration into a PLC. For this innovation, the proposed device is the integration of a waveguide-based frequency doubler and phase modulator in a single, fiber pigtail device that will be capable of efficient second harmonic generation of 1,064-nm light and subsequent phase modulation of the 532 nm light at 250 MHz, providing a properly spectrally formatted beam for HSRL s seed laser locking system. Fabrication of the integrated PLC chip for NASA Langley, planned for the Phase II effort, will require full integration and optimization of the waveguide components (SHG waveguide, splitters, and phase modulator) onto a single, monolithic device. The PLC will greatly reduce the size and weight, improve electrical- to-optical efficiency, and significantly reduce the cost of NASA Langley s current stabilized HSRL seed laser system built around a commercial off-the-shelf seed laser that is free-space coupled to a bulk doubler and bulk phase modulator.

Cook, Anthony↗
DOE OSTI2015

Investigation of giant Kerr nonlinearity in quantum cascade lasers using mid-infrared femtosecond pulses

We study the Kerr nonlinearity of quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) by coupling resonant and off-resonant mid-infrared (mid-IR) femtosecond (fs) pulses into an active QCL waveguide. We observe an increase in the spectral width of the transmitted fs pulses as the coupled mid-infrared (mid-IR) pulse power increases. This is explained by the self-phase modulation effect due to the large Kerr nonlinearity of QCL waveguides. We further confirm this effect by observing the intensity dependent far-field profile of the transmitted mid-IR pulses, showing the pulses undergo self-focusing as they propagate through the active QCL due to the intensity dependent refractive index. We experimentally estimate the nonlinear refractive index n{sub 2} of a QCL to be ∼8 × 10{sup −9 }cm{sup 2}/W using the far-field beam profile of the transmitted pulses. The finite-difference time-domain simulations of QCL waveguides with Kerr nonlinearity incorporated show similar behavior to the experimental results.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2026

Mitigating Transition in the Fermilab Booster Using a Triple Phase Jump

The PIP-II project will significantly enhance neutrino production for DUNE, Fermilab’s flagship long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment, by doubling the beam power delivered by the accelerator complex. To achieve this, the total charge injected from the new PIP-II linac into the Booster rapid cycling synchrotron (RCS) will increase from $4.5\times 10^{12}$ to $6.5\times 10^{12}$ protons per pulse. Simultaneously, the Booster’s ramp rate will rise from 15 to 20 Hz, while the injection energy will go from 400 MeV to 800 MeV. The Booster accelerates the beam to 8 GeV and crosses transition at $\gamma_t=5.45$. In current operations, no dedicated $\gamma_t$ jump system is employed; instead, longitudinal emittance growth is controlled via an active quadrupole-mode feedback system. Downstream, the Recycler Ring uses slip-stacking to accumulate beam and increase bunch intensity. However, this process imposes a constraint on the longitudinal emittance at Booster extraction, limiting it to 0.1 eV-s (95\%) to avoid excessive particle loss. Because collective effects scale with intensity, additional measures to mitigate transition crossing may be required to stay below this limit. One potential approach is the so-called triple phase-jump technique. While the method has known limitations, it offers some advantages: it can be implemented using the existing digital low-level RF (LLRF) system, requires no additional magnets or pulsed power supplies, and remains compatible with quadrupole-mode feedback.

Ostiguy, J.-F. [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000290883681)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Mitigating Transition in the Fermilab Booster Using a Triple Phase Jump

The PIP-II project will significantly enhance neutrino production for DUNE, Fermilab s flagship long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment, by doubling the beam power delivered by the accelerator complex. To achieve this, the total charge injected from the new PIP-II linac into the Booster rapid cycling synchrotron (RCS) will increase from $4.5\times 10^{12}$ to $6.5\times 10^{12}$ protons per pulse. Simultaneously, the Booster s ramp rate will rise from 15 to 20 Hz, while the injection energy will go from 400 MeV to 800 MeV. The Booster accelerates the beam to 8 GeV and crosses transition at $\gamma_t=5.45$. In current operations, no dedicated $\gamma_t$ jump system is employed; instead, longitudinal emittance growth is controlled via an active quadrupole-mode feedback system. Downstream, the Recycler Ring uses slip-stacking to accumulate beam and increase bunch intensity. However, this process imposes a constraint on the longitudinal emittance at Booster extraction, limiting it to 0.1 eV-s (95\%) to avoid excessive particle loss. Because collective effects scale with intensity, additional measures to mitigate transition crossing may be required to stay below this limit. One potential approach is the so-called triple phase-jump technique. While the method has known limitations, it offers some advantages: it can be implemented using the existing digital low-level RF (LLRF) system, requires no additional magnets or pulsed power supplies, and remains compatible with quadrupole-mode feedback.

Ostiguy, Jean-Francois [Fermilab] (ORCID:000000029↗