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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 811 records · Page 45
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Non-coherent continuum scattering as a line polarization mechanism

Line scattering polarization can be strongly affected by Rayleigh scattering at neutral hydrogen and Thomson scattering at free electrons. Often a depolarization of the continuum results, but the Doppler redistribution produced by the continuum scatterers, which are light (hence, fast), induces more complex interactions between the polarization in spectral lines and in the continuum. Here we formulate and solve the radiative transfer problem of scattering line polarization with non-coherent continuum scattering consistently. The problem is formulated within the spherical tensor representation of atomic and light polarization. The numerical method of solution is a generalization of the Accelerated Lambda Iteration that is applied to both the atomic system and the radiation field. We show that the redistribution of the spectral line radiation due to the non-coherence of the continuum scattering may modify the shape of the emergent fractional linear polarization patterns significantly, even yielding polarization signals above the continuum level in intrinsically unpolarizable lines.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Electron scattering and neutrino physics

Abstract A thorough understanding of neutrino–nucleus scattering physics is crucial for the successful execution of the entire US neutrino physics program. Neutrino–nucleus interaction constitutes one of the biggest systematic uncertainties in neutrino experiments—both at intermediate energies affecting long-baseline deep underground neutrino experiment, as well as at low energies affecting coherent scattering neutrino program—and could well be the difference between achieving or missing discovery level precision. To this end, electron–nucleus scattering experiments provide vital information to test, assess and validate different nuclear models and event generators intended to test, assess and validate different nuclear models and event generators intended to be used in neutrino experiments. Similarly, for the low-energy neutrino program revolving around the coherent elastic neutrino–nucleus scattering (CEvNS) physics at stopped pion sources, such as at ORNL, the main source of uncertainty in the evaluation of the CEvNS cross section is driven by the underlying nuclear structure, embedded in the weak form factor, of the target nucleus. To this end, parity-violating electron scattering (PVES) experiments, utilizing polarized electron beams, provide vital model-independent information in determining weak form factors. This information is vital in achieving a percent level precision needed to disentangle new physics signals from the standard model expected CEvNS rate. In this white paper, we highlight connections between electron- and neutrino–nucleus scattering physics at energies ranging from 10 s of MeV to a few GeV, review the status of ongoing and planned electron scattering experiments, identify gaps, and lay out a path forward that benefits the neutrino community. We also highlight the systemic challenges with respect to the divide between the nuclear and high-energy physics communities and funding that presents additional hurdles in mobilizing these connections to the benefit of neutrino programs.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2011

X-ray Diffuse Scattering Study of Local Distortions in Fe{1plusx}Te Induced by Excess Fe

We report x-ray diffuse scattering studies of the iron chalcogenide Fe{sub 1+x}Te as a function of doping and temperature for x = 0.03, 0.08, and 0.12. In all cases, remarkably strong, characteristic diffuse scattering is observed. This scattering extends throughout the Brillouin zone and exhibits a nonmonotonic decay away from the fundamental Bragg peaks, with a peaklike structure at a reduced q {approx} (0.3,0,0.6). We interpret this scattering as Huang diffuse scattering resulting from distortions induced by the interaction between the excess Fe and the FeTe layers. The form of the scattering indicates that this interaction is strong and extends a number of unit cells away from the interstitial Fe site. Further, the diffuse scattering shows a sudden decrease on cooling through the structural and magnetic phase transition, reflecting the first-order change of the electronic structure of FeTe.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS2022

Implementation of a Discrete Dipole Approximation Scattering Database into Community Radiative Transfer Model

The Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) is a fast model that requires bulk optical properties of hydrometeors in the form of lookup tables to simulate all-sky satellite radiances. Current cloud scattering lookup tables of CRTM were generated using the Mie-Lorenz theory thus assuming spherical shapes for all frozen habits, while actual clouds contain frozen hydrometeors with different shapes. The Discrete Dipole Approximation (DDA) technique is an effective technique for simulating the optical properties of non-spherical hydrometeors in the microwave region. This paper discusses the implementation and validation of a comprehensive DDA cloud scattering database into CRTM for the microwave frequencies. The original DDA database assumes total random orientation in the calculation of single scattering properties. The mass scattering parameters required by CRTM were then computed from single scattering properties and water content dependent particle size distributions. The new lookup tables eliminate the requirement for providing the effective radius as input to CRTM by using the cloud water content for the mass dimension. A collocated dataset of short-term forecasts from Integrated Forecast System of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and satellite microwave data was used for the evaluation of results. The results overall showed that the DDA lookup tables, in comparison with the Mie tables, greatly reduce the differences among simulated and observed values. The Mie lookup tables especially introduce excessive scattering for the channels operating below 90 GHz and low scattering for the channels above 90 GHz.

Discrete dipole↗
DOE OSTI2015

Resonance scattering of a dielectric sphere illuminated by electromagnetic Bessel non-diffracting (vortex) beams with arbitrary incidence and selective polarizations

A complete description of vector Bessel (vortex) beams in the context of the generalized Lorenz–Mie theory (GLMT) for the electromagnetic (EM) resonance scattering by a dielectric sphere is presented, using the method of separation of variables and the subtraction of a non-resonant background (corresponding to a perfectly conducting sphere of the same size) from the standard Mie scattering coefficients. Unlike the conventional results of standard optical radiation, the resonance scattering of a dielectric sphere in air in the field of EM Bessel beams is examined and demonstrated with particular emphasis on the EM field’s polarization and beam order (or topological charge). Linear, circular, radial, azimuthal polarizations as well as unpolarized Bessel vortex beams are considered. The conditions required for the resonance scattering are analyzed, stemming from the vectorial description of the EM field using the angular spectrum decomposition, the derivation of the beam-shape coefficients (BSCs) using the integral localized approximation (ILA) and Neumann–Graf’s addition theorem, and the determination of the scattering coefficients of the sphere using Debye series. In contrast with the standard scattering theory, the resonance method presented here allows the quantitative description of the scattering using Debye series by separating diffraction effects from the external and internal reflections from the sphere. Furthermore, the analysis is extended to include rainbow formation in Bessel beams and the derivation of a generalized formula for the deviation angle of high-order rainbows. Potential applications for this analysis include Bessel beam-based laser imaging spectroscopy, atom cooling and quantum optics, electromagnetic instrumentation and profilometry, optical tweezers and tractor beams, to name a few emerging areas of research.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2021

Scalar field in Reissner–Nordström spacetime: Bound state and scattering state (with appendix on eliminating oscillation in partial sum approximation of periodic function)

Highlights: • Bound-state and scattering-state solutions of massive scalar fields in R-N spacetime. • Bound-state wave functions and eigenvalues of massive scalar fields in R-N spacetime. • Solving explicit expressions of scattering phase shifts by integral equation methods. • Introducing tortoise coordinates for R-N spacetime. • Eliminating oscillations in the partial sum approximation of periodic functions. In this paper, we solve the massive scalar field in the Reissner–Nordström spacetime. The scalar field in the Reissner–Nordström spacetime has both bound states and scattering states. For bound states, we solve the bound-state wave function and the eigenvalue spectrum. For scattering states, we solve the scattering wave function and give an explicit expression for scattering phase shift by the integral equation method. Especially, we introduce the tortoise coordinate for the Reissner–Nordström spacetime. Moreover, in the calculation of scattering cross sections, we encounter a difficulty in partial sum approximation. If the sum of partial waves cannot be performed exactly, one has to turn to the partial sum approximation which approximates a function by the first several terms of the series. However, in the partial sum approximation there exists an incorrect oscillation which cannot be eliminated by keeping more terms. In the appendix we suggest an approach for eliminating such oscillations in the partial sum.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2012

Influence of nanoinclusions on scattering of holes and phonons and transport coefficients in Bi{sub x}Sb{sub 1-x}Te{sub 3} bulk nanostructures

One of the possible ways to increase the thermoelectric figure of merit is the use of bulk nanostructured materials fabricated by melt spinning with subsequent hot pressing or spark plasma sintering. Among a variety of nanostructure types these materials contain regions of initial solid solution with nanometer sized inclusions of different compositions. In the present work the scattering of holes and phonons on nanoinclusions in such p-Bi{sub x}Sb{sub 1-x}Te{sub 3} based materials is considered. The change of transport coefficients due to this scattering mechanism is theoretically estimated. The estimations showed that the reduction of lattice thermal conductivity (about 12-13%) for nanoinclusions of Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3}-Sb{sub 2}Te{sub 3} solid solution with different compositions is much greater than the change in power factor. Therefore the corresponding increase of the thermoelectric figure of merit for this case is determined mainly by phonon scattering. Also it is shown that the results of estimations depend on phonon spectrum approximation, e.g. in the case of sine-shaped instead of linear phonon spectrum the estimations give two times higher thermal conductivity reduction. - Graphical abstract: Relative phonon thermal conductivity {kappa}{sub ph} change (black line) due to nanoinclusion scattering versus nanoinclusion radius a, and relative thermoelectric power factor change (red line) due to nanoinclusion scattering versus chemical potential {mu} at nanoinclusion size a=1.5 nm and U{sub 0}=-0.146 eV. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer p-Bi{sub x}Sb{sub 1-x}Te{sub 3} solid solutions with nanosized inclusions were considered. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Selective hole scattering can increase power factor at high carrier concentrations. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Lattice thermal conductivity estimations depend on phonon spectrum approximation. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Phonon scattering can reduce lattice thermal conductivity by about 12-13%. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The latter factor mainly determines the increase of thermoelectric efficiency.

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

Anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering of nanoporous two-phase atomistic models for amorphous silicon–germanium alloys

The present work deals with a detailed analysis of the anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering in amorphous silicon–germanium alloy using the simulation technique. We envisage the nanoporous two-phase alloy model consisting in a mixture of Ge-rich and Ge-poor domains and voids at the nanoscale. By substituting Ge atoms for Si atoms in nanoporous amorphous silicon network, compositionally heterogeneous alloys are generated with various composition-contrasts between the two phases. After relaxing the as-generated structure, we compute its radial distribution function, and then we deduce by the Fourier transform technique its anomalous X-ray scattering pattern. Using a smoothing procedure, the computed X-ray scattering patterns are corrected for the termination errors due to the finite size of the model, allowing so a rigorous quantitative analysis of the anomalous small-angle scattering. Our simulation shows that, as expected, the anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering technique is a tool of choice for characterizing compositional heterogeneities coexisting with structural inhomogeneities in an amorphous alloy. Furthermore, the sizes of the compositional nanoheterogeneities, as measured by anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering technique, are X-ray energy independent. A quantitative analysis of the separated reduced anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering, as defined in this work, provided a good estimate of their size.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Scattering of phonons by edge dislocation and thermal conductivity of nanocrystalline silicon

For this work, the temperature dependent thermal conductivity of nanocrystalline silicon with the grain size of 500 nm, 144 nm, and 76 nm, was calculated based on the intrinsic phonon properties using a first-principles-based method and recent analytical theory of phonon-dislocation scattering. The results demonstrate, in the nanocrystalline silicon, that the low temperature (T) limit of thermal conductivity is directly proportional to T 2 instead of the conventional Casimir limit of T 3 . Calculated frequency-dependent scattering rates also indicate regimes of dominant scattering mechanisms: frequency-independent boundary scattering dominates in the very low phonon frequency regime of less than 0.6 THz; frequency-dependent boundary scattering dominates in the intermediate phonon frequency regime between 0.6 and 6 THz; and Umklapp scattering dominates in the high phonon frequency regime beyond 6 THz. The thermal conductivity is linear proportional to nanograin size in the region of d < 100nm and it shows independence at d > 1μm. This work proves the importance of dislocation-phonon scattering to thermal conductivity when the size of nanograins is small or at low temperature.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Electron-exchange and quantum screening effects on the Thomson scattering process in quantum Fermi plasmas

The influence of the electron-exchange and quantum screening on the Thomson scattering process is investigated in degenerate quantum Fermi plasmas. The Thomson scattering cross section in quantum plasmas is obtained by the plasma dielectric function and fluctuation-dissipation theorem as a function of the electron-exchange parameter, Fermi energy, plasmon energy, and wave number. It is shown that the electron-exchange effect enhances the Thomson scattering cross section in quantum plasmas. It is also shown that the differential Thomson scattering cross section has a minimum at the scattering angle Θ=π/2. It is also found that the Thomson scattering cross section increases with an increase of the Fermi energy. In addition, the Thomson scattering cross section is found to be decreased with increasing plasmon energy.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Neutral particle effects on the spin-dependent electron scattering in dense plasmas

The influence of neutral particle collisions on the spin-channel preference for spin-asymmetry scattering is investigated in dense plasmas. The effective electron-electron interaction potential taking into account the electron-neutral collision effects is employed to obtain the scattering cross sections for the spin-triplet and singlet states and spin-asymmetry scattering parameter. It is found that the electron-neutral collision effect enhances the spin-asymmetry scattering parameter as well as the preference for the spin-singlet scattering channel. It is also shown that the preference for the spin-singlet scattering channel increases with an increase of the thermal energy. In addition, it is found that the angular averaged spin-asymmetry parameter decreases with increasing collision frequency and thermal energy. The variations of the spin-singlet and spin-triplet scattering channels are also discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Relativistic electron scattering by magnetosonic waves: Effects of discrete wave emission and high wave amplitudes

In this paper, we study relativistic electron scattering by fast magnetosonic waves. We compare results of test particle simulations and the quasi-linear theory for different spectra of waves to investigate how a fine structure of the wave emission can influence electron resonant scattering. We show that for a realistically wide distribution of wave normal angles θ (i.e., when the dispersion δθ≥0.5{sup °}), relativistic electron scattering is similar for a wide wave spectrum and for a spectrum consisting in well-separated ion cyclotron harmonics. Comparisons of test particle simulations with quasi-linear theory show that for δθ>0.5{sup °}, the quasi-linear approximation describes resonant scattering correctly for a large enough plasma frequency. For a very narrow θ distribution (when δθ∼0.05{sup °}), however, the effect of a fine structure in the wave spectrum becomes important. In this case, quasi-linear theory clearly fails in describing accurately electron scattering by fast magnetosonic waves. We also study the effect of high wave amplitudes on relativistic electron scattering. For typical conditions in the earth's radiation belts, the quasi-linear approximation cannot accurately describe electron scattering for waves with averaged amplitudes >300 pT. We discuss various applications of the obtained results for modeling electron dynamics in the radiation belts and in the Earth's magnetotail.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Enhanced stabilisation of trapped electron modes by collisional energy scattering in tokamaks

The collisional stabilisation via energy scattering and pitch-angle scattering of micro-instabilities in tokamak plasmas is investigated by means of gyrokinetic simulations with a special emphasis on the often neglected energy scattering operator. It is shown that in the linear regime energy scattering has a negligible effect on Ion Temperature Gradient (ITG) modes but enhances the stabilisation of Trapped Electron Modes (TEM) in presence of nonzero ion temperature and density gradients. This stabilisation is sensitive to the model used for the energy restoring term in the collision operator. The contributions of parallel and drift motion to the total growth rate in velocity space are used to characterize the complex stabilisation mechanisms behind pitch-angle and energy scattering for a range of relevant parameters such as the magnetic shear, the collisionality, the logarithmic density gradient, and the logarithmic ion temperature gradient. It is shown that depending on these parameters, energy scattering stabilisation of TEM can be either due to a decrease of the contribution from drifting trapped electrons or to an increase of the contribution from the parallel motion of passing electrons. Finally, for a standard ITG/TEM case, the effect of energy scattering on the nonlinear heat and particle fluxes is investigated.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Theory of hysteresis during electron heating of electromagnetic wave scattering by self-organized dust structures in complex plasmas

Dust structuring is a natural and universal process in complex plasmas. The scattering of electromagnetic waves by dust structures is governed by the factor of coherency, i.e., the total number of coherent electrons in a single structure. In the present paper, we consider how the factor of coherency changes due to additional pulse electron heating and show that it obeys a hysteresis. After the end of the pulse heating, the scattering intensity differs substantially from that before heating. There are three necessary conditions for scattering hysteresis: first, the radiation wavelength should be larger than the pattern (structure) size; second, the total number of coherent electrons confined by the structure should be large; and third, the heating pulse duration should be shorter than the characteristic time of dust structure formation. We present the results of numerical calculations using existing models of self-consistent dust structures with either positively or negatively charged dust grains. It is shown that, depending on the grain charge and the ionization rate, two types of hysteresis are possible: one with a final increase of the scattering and the other with a final decrease of the scattering. It is suggested that the hysteresis of coherent scattering can be used as a tool in laboratory experiments and that it can be a basic mechanism explaining the observed hysteresis in radar scattering by noctilucent clouds during active experiments on electron heating in mesosphere.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

A framework for solving atomistic phonon-structure scattering problems in the frequency domain using perfectly matched layer boundaries

We present a numerical approach to the solution of elastic phonon-interface and phonon-nanostructure scattering problems based on a frequency-domain decomposition of the atomistic equations of motion and the use of perfectly matched layer (PML) boundaries. Unlike molecular dynamic wavepacket analysis, the current approach provides the ability to simulate scattering from individual phonon modes, including wavevectors in highly dispersive regimes. Like the atomistic Green's function method, the technique reduces scattering problems to a system of linear algebraic equations via a sparse, tightly banded matrix regardless of dimensionality. However, the use of PML boundaries enables rapid absorption of scattered wave energies at the boundaries and provides a simple and inexpensive interpretation of the scattered phonon energy flux calculated from the energy dissipation rate in the PML. The accuracy of the method is demonstrated on connected monoatomic chains, for which an analytic solution is known. The parameters defining the PML are found to affect the performance and guidelines for selecting optimal parameters are given. The method is used to study the energy transmission coefficient for connected diatomic chains over all available wavevectors for both optical and longitudinal phonons; it is found that when there is discontinuity between sublattices, even connected chains of equivalent acoustic impedance have near-zero transmission coefficient for short wavelengths. The phonon scattering cross section of an embedded nanocylinder is calculated in 2D for a wide range of frequencies to demonstrate the extension of the method to high dimensions. The calculations match continuum theory for long-wavelength phonons and large cylinder radii, but otherwise show complex physics associated with discreteness of the lattice. Examples include Mie oscillations which terminate when incident phonon frequencies exceed the maximum available frequency in the embedded nanocylinder, and scattering efficiencies larger than two near the Brillouin zone edge.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Stimulated concentration (diffusion) light scattering on nanoparticles in a liquid suspension

A nonlinear growth of the light scattering intensity has been observed and the frequency shift of the spectral line of scattered light has been measured in light backscattered in suspensions of diamond and latex nanoparticles in water. The shift corresponds to the HWHM of the line of spontaneous scattering on particles. We may conclude that there exists stimulated concentration (diffusion) light scattering on variations of the particle concentration, which is also called the stimulated Mie scattering. In a fibre probe scheme, the growth of the shift of the scattered spectral line is observed with an increase in the exciting beam power. The variation of the frequency shift with an increase in the exciting power is explained by convection in liquid. (light scattering)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Uncertainty Quantification of a Light Water Pulsed-Neutron Die-Away Experiment to Thermal Neutron Scattering Laws

Thermal neutron scattering laws are important nuclear data for many nuclear science and engineering applications. Validation helps to ensure that a thermal neutron scattering law has a high quality and often employs critical benchmarks as integral experiments. Recently, pulsed-neutron die-away benchmarks have been used as an experiment to validate thermal neutron scattering laws. Herein, we evidence how this alternative integral experiment has a high sensitivity to these nuclear data by performing an uncertainty quantification analysis. The analysis randomly sampled the nuclear model parameters associated with hydrogen bound in light water thermal neutron scattering law and sampled other nuclear data that influenced the experiment’s integral parameter (e.g., elastic scattering, absorption in hydrogen and oxygen) from their respective covariance matrices. The thermal neutron scattering law caused an uncertainty in the integral parameter that reached 2.67%, which exceeds by an order of magnitude the uncertainties induced in commonly used thermal solution critical benchmarks. The validation performed here, although limited due to a poor description of the historical experiment, indicated that the ENDF/B-VIII.0 thermal neutron scattering law well predicted the integral parameter. These results motivate further benchmark and validation efforts using pulsed-neutron die-away experiments.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

NICMOS POLARIMETRY OF 'POLAR-SCATTERED' SEYFERT 1 GALAXIES

The nuclei of Seyfert 1 galaxies exhibit a range of optical polarization characteristics that can be understood in terms of two scattering regions producing orthogonal polarizations: an extended polar scattering region (PSR) and a compact equatorial scattering region (ESR), located within the circum-nuclear torus. Here we present NICMOS 2.0 {mu}m imaging polarimetry of six 'polar-scattered' Seyfert 1 (S1) galaxies, in which the PSR dominates the optical polarization. The unresolved nucleus (<0.''58) is significantly polarized in only three objects, but five of the six exhibit polarization in a 0.''58-1.''5 circum-nuclear annulus. In Fairall 51 and ESO 323-G077, the polarization position angle at 2 {mu}m ({theta}{sub 2}{sub {mu}m}) is consistent with the average for the optical spectrum ({theta}{sub v}), implying that the nuclear polarization is dominated by polar scattering at both wavelengths. The same is probably true for NGC 3227. In both NGC 4593 and Mrk 766, there is a large difference between {theta}{sub 2}{sub {mu}m} and {theta}{sub v} off-nucleus, where polar scattering is expected to dominate. This may be due to contamination by interstellar polarization in NGC 4593, but there is no clear explanation in the case of the strongly polarized Mrk 766. Lastly, in Mrk 1239, a large change ({approx}60{sup 0}) in {theta}{sub 2}{sub {mu}m} between the nucleus and the annulus indicates that the unresolved nucleus and its immediate surroundings have different polarization states at 2 {mu}m, which we attribute to the ESR and PSR, respectively. A further implication is that the source of the scattered 2 {mu}m emission in the unresolved nucleus is the accretion disk, rather than torus hot dust emission.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗