Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “visible spectrum”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Quantum Imaging with X-rays

Quantum imaging encompasses a broad range of methods that exploit the quantum properties of light to capture information about an object. One such approach involves using a two-photon quantum state, where only one photon interacts with the object being imaged while its entangled partner carries spatial or temporal information. To implement this technique, it is necessary to generate specific quantum states of light and detect photons at the single-photon level. While this method has been successfully demonstrated in the visible electromagnetic spectrum, extending it to X-rays has faced significant challenges due to the difficulties in producing a sufficient rate of X-ray photon pairs and detecting them with adequate resolution. Here, we demonstrate record high rates of correlated X-ray photon pairs produced via a spontaneous parametric down-conversion process and we employ these photons to perform quantum correlation imaging of several objects, including a biological sample (E. cardamomum seedpod). Notably, we report an unprecedented detection rate of about 6,300 pairs per hour and the observation of energy anti-correlation for the X-ray photon pairs. We also present a detailed analysis of the properties of the down-converted X-ray photons, as well as a comprehensive study of the correlation imaging formation, including a study of distortions and corrections. These results mark a substantial advancement in X-ray quantum imaging, expanding the possibilities of X-ray quantum optical technologies, and illustrating the pathway towards enhancing biological imaging with reduced radiation doses.

Gofron, Kaz [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000314415736)↗
DOE OSTI2020

Ultrathin, polarization-independent, achromatic metalens for focusing visible light

An optical device includes a titanium dioxide substrate layer on a quartz base of a substrate. The substrate is configured to focus light in visible wavelength spectrum of 400 nm to 700 nm. The substrate comprises a first zone and a second zone. In some embodiments, the first zone and the second zone are concentric circles. A plurality of resonators are disposed on the substrate, the plurality of resonators comprising a first plurality corresponding to the first zone and a second plurality corresponding to the second zone. Each resonator is comprised of a dielectric material with a defined thickness “t” in the range of 30 nm to 300 nm. Each resonator has a radius “r” in the range of 30 nm to 300 nm and a gap “g” between adjacent resonators in the range of 5 nm to 200 nm. The first plurality of resonators in the first zone have a first radius within a first radius range that is different from a second radius range of the second plurality of resonators in the second zone. The plurality of resonators form a metasurface that defines at least in part an ultra-thin achromatic lens of the optical device.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Broadband unidirectional visible imaging using wafer-scale nano-fabrication of multi-layer diffractive optical processors

We present a broadband and polarization-insensitive unidirectional imager that operates at the visible part of the spectrum, where image formation occurs in one direction, while in the opposite direction, it is blocked. This approach is enabled by deep learning-driven diffractive optical design with wafer-scale nano-fabrication using high-purity fused silica to ensure optical transparency and thermal stability. Our design achieves unidirectional imaging across three visible wavelengths (covering red, green, and blue parts of the spectrum), and we experimentally validated this broadband unidirectional imager by creating high-fidelity images in the forward direction and generating weak, distorted output patterns in the backward direction, in alignment with our numerical simulations. This work demonstrates wafer-scale production of diffractive optical processors, featuring 16 levels of nanoscale phase features distributed across two axially aligned diffractive layers for visible unidirectional imaging. This approach facilitates mass-scale production of ~0.5 billion nanoscale phase features per wafer, supporting high-throughput manufacturing of hundreds to thousands of multi-layer diffractive processors suitable for large apertures and parallel processing of multiple tasks. Beyond broadband unidirectional imaging in the visible spectrum, this study establishes a pathway for artificial-intelligence-enabled diffractive optics with versatile applications, signaling a new era in optical device functionality with industrial-level, massively scalable fabrication.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Optimizing structured surfaces for diffractive waveguides

We introduce universal diffractive waveguide designs that can match the performance of conventional dielectric waveguides and achieve various functionalities. Optimized using deep learning, diffractive waveguides can be cascaded to form any desired length and are comprised of transmissive diffractive surfaces that permit the propagation of desired modes with low loss and high mode purity. In addition to guiding the targeted modes through cascaded diffractive units, we also developed various waveguide components and introduced bent diffractive waveguides, rotating the direction of mode propagation, as well as spatial and spectral mode filtering and mode splitting diffractive waveguide designs, and mode-specific polarization control. This framework was experimentally validated in the terahertz spectrum to selectively pass certain spatial modes while rejecting others. Without the need for material dispersion engineering diffractive waveguides can be scaled to operate at different wavelengths, including visible and infrared spectrum, covering potential applications in, e.g., telecommunications, imaging, sensing and spectroscopy.

Applied optics↗
DOE OSTI2021

Fabrication of Ionic Covalent Triazine Framework-Linked Membranes via a Facile Sol–Gel Approach

Covalent triazine framework (CTF)-based membranes have shown unique properties and wide applications in energy-related fields, but there is still no efficient strategy capable of affording CTF membranes functionalized with ionic moieties, which will bring extra merits and application possibilities. In this work, a robust CTF membrane with ionic functionalities was fabricated via a sol–gel approach promoted by a superacid (FSO 3 H). The CTF skeleton was constructed via the trimerization of cyano groups in the monomer, and piperazine moieties were introduced as reactive sites for the formation of ammonium cations coupled with FSO 3 – anions within the backbone. The obtained transparent and red protonated polymeric CTF-based membrane (PP-CTF) exhibited significant absorption at 646 nm in the solid-state ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectrum. Comparatively, the neutralized deprotonated counterparts turned to yellow color with a significant blueshift absorption to 492 nm. The theoretical calculation demonstrated that PP-CTF and deprotonated polymeric CTF membrane (DP-CTF) were stable with AB-stacking mode, and PP-CTF had a smaller band gap (0.90 eV) than that of DP-CTF (2.17 eV). The significant optical absorption and emission behavior change of PP-CTF and its robust chemical stability endowed it with the capability to act as pH indicators. The synthetic pathway developed in this work and the performance of the resultant ionic membrane opens new opportunities in the aspects of membrane design, fabrication, and application.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Highly efficient photoelectric effect in halide perovskites for regenerative electron sources

Electron sources are a critical component in a wide range of applications such as electron-beam accelerator facilities, photomultipliers, and image intensifiers for night vision. We report efficient, regenerative and low-cost electron sources based on solution-processed halide perovskites thin films when they are excited with light with energy equal to or above their bandgap. We measure a quantum efficiency up to 2.2% and a lifetime of more than 25 h. Importantly, even after degradation, the electron emission can be completely regenerated to its maximum efficiency by deposition of a monolayer of Cs. The electron emission from halide perovskites can be tuned over the visible and ultraviolet spectrum, and operates at vacuum levels with pressures at least two-orders higher than in state-of-the-art semiconductor electron sources.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

The Use of Long-wave Infrared Cameras for Hazardous Waste Remediation - 20457

For over fifty years, infrared cameras have been used in military applications, nondestructive testing, condition monitoring, and predictive maintenance. As infrared cameras continue to become more sophisticated and less expensive, they are providing value in an ever-increasing variety of unique applications, including hazardous waste remediation. This paper describes several instances of how infrared cameras have been used within the US Department of Defense and the US Department of Energy in support of waste remediation projects, including the author's recent use of an infrared camera in support of the Calcine Retrieval Project at the Idaho National Laboratory. Infrared cameras provide images of infrared radiation, or heat energy, which is otherwise invisible to the unaided eye. Infrared radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes visible light. But unlike visible light, infrared has wavelengths longer than the human eye can detect. Infrared is emitted by everything with a temperature above absolute zero (-273 deg. C, or -459 deg. F); the higher the temperature, the greater the infrared thermal radiation, or heat, that is emitted. Even objects that feel cold to us, like ice, emit thermal radiation and can be imaged by infrared cameras. These cameras are typically used to look for abnormally hot or cold spots on a component or target area under normal operating conditions. The method provides a rapid, wide-area, noncontact technique for identifying problems associated with a temperature differential. All infrared cameras can provide qualitative thermal information by displaying relative differences in temperatures within a two-dimensional image. More expensive infrared cameras can also provide quantitative information where an absolute temperature value is assigned to each pixel associated with the displayed two-dimensional image. Proper camera calibration and a solid understanding of heat transfer and thermography techniques are required when using an infrared camera to obtain quantitative information. Case studies outlined in this paper include the rapid, non-intrusive detection of hazardous decontamination solution within one-ton shipping containers at Pine Bluff Arsenal, the non-intrusive identification of residual elemental sodium within the cooling loops of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory, process monitoring of heat exchanger melt-and-drain efforts during EBR-II decommissioning, and the remote detection of internal steel supports within calcine storage bins prior to bin penetration. For each use of thermography, the author describes a summary of the waste remediation effort, the infrared camera used, the thermal imaging technique employed, and the results obtained. The paper concludes with a discussion on common mistakes to avoid for similar applications of thermography. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

ARES I: WASP-76 b, A Tale of Two HST Spectra

We analyze the transmission and emission spectra of the ultra-hot Jupiter WASP-76 b, observed with the G141 grism of the Hubble Space Telescope’s (HST) Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3). We reduce and fit the raw data for each observation using the open-source software Iraclis before performing a fully Bayesian retrieval using the publicly available analysis suite TauREx 3. Previous studies of the WFC3 transmission spectra of WASP-76 b found hints of titanium oxide (TiO) and vanadium oxide (VO) or non-gray clouds. Accounting for a fainter stellar companion to WASP-76, we reanalyze this data and show that removing the effects of this background star changes the slope of the spectrum, resulting in these visible absorbers no longer being detected, eliminating the need for a non-gray cloud model to adequately fit the data but maintaining the strong water feature previously seen. However, our analysis of the emission spectrum suggests the presence of TiO and an atmospheric thermal inversion, along with a significant amount of water. Given the brightness of the host star and the size of the atmospheric features, WASP-76 b is an excellent target for further characterization with HST, or with future facilities, to better understand the nature of its atmosphere, to confirm the presence of TiO and to search for other optical absorbers.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

The Effect of Embedded Nanoparticles on the Phonon Spectrum of Ice: An Inelastic X-ray Scattering Study

As a contribution to the ongoing effort toward high-frequency sound manipulation in composite materials, we use Inelastic X-ray Scattering to probe the phonon spectrum of ice, either in a pure form or with a sparse amount of nanoparticles embedded in it. The study aims at elucidating the ability of nanocolloids to condition the collective atomic vibrations of the surrounding environment. We observe that a nanoparticle concentration of about 1 % in volume is sufficient to visibly affect the phonon spectrum of the icy substrate, mainly canceling its optical modes and adding nanoparticle phonon excitations to it. We highlight this phenomenon thanks to the lineshape modeling based on a Bayesian inference, which enables us to capture the finest detail of the scattering signal. The results of this study can empower new routes toward the shaping of sound propagation in materials through the control of their structural heterogeneity.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Combined Plasmonic Au-nanoparticle and Conducting Metal Oxide High-temperature Optical Sensing with LSTO

<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.79); font-family: &quot;Source Sans Pro&quot;, source-sans-pro, museo_sans300, museo-sans, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Fiber optic sensor technology offers several advantages for harsh-environment applications. However, the development of optical gas sensing layers that are stable under harsh environmental conditions is an ongoing research challenge. In this work, electronically conducting metal oxide lanthanum-doped strontium titanate (LSTO) films embedded with gold nanoparticles are examined as a sensing layer for application in reducing gas flows at high temperature (600–800 °C). A strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) based response to hydrogen is demonstrated in the visible region of the spectrum, while a Drude free electron-based response is observed in the near-IR. Characteristics of these responses are studied both on planar glass substrates and on silica fibers. Charge transfer between the oxide film and the gold nanoparticles is explored as a possible mechanism governing the Au LSPR response and is considered in terms of the corresponding properties of the conducting metal oxide-based matrix phase. Principal component analysis is applied to the combined plasmonic and free-carrier based response over a range of temperatures and hydrogen concentrations. It is demonstrated that the combined visible and near-IR response of these films provides improved versatility for multiwavelength interrogation, as well as improved discrimination of important process parameters (concentration and temperature) through application of multivariate analysis techniques.</span>

Wuenschell, Jeffrey K.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Self-trapped hole and impurity-related broad luminescence in $β$-Ga 2 O 3

Here we explore the luminescence properties of self-trapped holes and impurity-related acceptors using one-dimensional configuration coordinate diagrams derived from hybrid functional calculations. The photoluminescence spectrum of as-grown $β$-Ga 2 O 3 typically consists of a broad band in the wavelength region from ultraviolet to green and is often dominated by an impurity independent ultraviolet band that is commonly attributed to self-trapped holes. Here, we use the self-trapped hole as a benchmark to evaluate the accuracy of the theoretical defect luminescence spectra and estimate the optical properties of Mg Ga , Be Ga , Ca Ga , Cd Ga , Zn Ga , Li Ga , and N O acceptor impurities, as well as their complexes with hydrogen donors. We also explore $V$ Ga acceptors complexed with hydrogen and Si Ga donor impurities. The results show that these defects can give rise to broad luminescence bands peaking in the infrared to visible part of the spectrum, making them potential candidates for the defect origin of broad luminescence bands in $β$-Ga 2 O 3 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Evaluation and Optimization of Snow Albedo Scheme in Noah-MP Land Surface Model Using In Situ Spectral Observations in the Colorado Rockies

The Biosphere-Atmosphere Transfer Scheme (BATS) ground snow albedo algorithm is commonly used in land-surface models (LSM), weather forecasting and research applications. This study addresses key uncertainties in BATS simulated ground snow albedo within the Noah-MP LSM framework through evaluation and optimization of the Noah-MP BATS ground snow albedo formulation using 2-band (visible and near-infrared (NIR)) in situ albedo observations at Rocky Mountain field stations. The Noah-MP BATS ground snow albedo scheme is extremely sensitive to its input parameters. Namely, an ensemble generated by varying BATS input parameters within potentially plausible ranges provides an average daily range (maximum ensemble member minus minimum ensemble member) of ground snow albedo exceeding 0.45 in visible and NIR bands. Parameter optimization improves agreement between simulated and in situ observed ground snow albedo in visible, NIR and broadband spectrums. Importantly, optimized parameters result in reduced biases relative to observed fresh-snow albedo and better agreement with observed albedo decay. Our analysis across different sites supports that the optimized BATS ground snow albedo parameters are appropriate to transfer in space and time, at least within the region studied (the central-southern Rocky Mountains). The primary error source remaining after parameter optimization is that observed fresh-snow albedo is highly variable, particularly in the NIR spectrum, whereas BATS fresh-snow albedo is constant, an issue which requires further investigation. This study shows significant correlations between observed fresh-snow albedo and surface meteorological conditions (e.g., downward shortwave radiation and temperature) which can support future model development that attempts to include a time-varying formulation for fresh-snow albedo.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Nonreciprocal directional dichroism of a chiral magnet in the visible range

Nonreciprocal directional dichroism is an unusual light–matter interaction that gives rise to diode-like behavior in low-symmetry materials. The chiral varieties are particularly scarce due to the requirements for strong spin–orbit coupling, broken time-reversal symmetry, and a chiral axis. Here we bring together magneto-optical spectroscopy and first-principles calculations to reveal high-energy, broadband nonreciprocal directional dichroism in Ni 3 TeO 6 with special focus on behavior in the metamagnetic phase above 52 T. In addition to demonstrating this effect in the magnetochiral configuration, we explore the transverse magnetochiral orientation in which applied field and light propagation are orthogonal to the chiral axis and, by so doing, uncover an additional configuration with a unique nonreciprocal response in the visible part of the spectrum. In a significant conceptual advance, we use first-principles methods to analyze how the Ni 2+ d-to-d on-site excitations develop magneto-electric character and present a microscopic model that unlocks the door to theory-driven discovery of chiral magnets with nonreciprocal properties.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2020

Pushing the limits of the electrochemical window with pulse radiolysis in chloroform

Pulse radiolysis (PR) enables the full redox window of a solvent to be accessed, as it does not require electrodes or electrolyte which limit the potentials accessible in voltammetry measurements. PR in chloroform has the additional possibility to enable reaching highly positive potentials because of its large ionization potential (IP). We report PR experiments demonstrated the formation of the (deuterated) chloroform radical cation CDCl 3 + ˙, identifying it as the source of the broad absorption in the visible part of the spectrum. Results indicated that solutes with a redox potential up to +3.7 V vs. Fc/Fc + can be oxidized by CDCl 3 + ˙, which is far beyond what is possible with electrochemical techniques. Oxidation is not efficient because of rapid geminate recombination with chloride counterions, but also due to rapid decomposition of CDCl 3 + ˙ which limits the yield of otherwise longer-lived free ions. The rapid, 6 ± 3 ns, decomposition, confirmed by two independent experiments, means that a solute must be present at a concentration >100 mM to capture >90% of the free holes formed. Addition of ethene removes the broad, overlapping absorptions from ubiquitous (chlorine atom, solute) complexes created by PR in halogenated solvents enabling clear observation of solute cations. The results also unravel the complex radiation chemistry of chloroform including the large reported value G (–CHCl 3 ) = 12 molecules/100 eV for the decomposition of chloroform molecules.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Invariant Features for Accurate Predictions of Quantum Chemical UV-vis Spectra of Organic Molecules

Including invariance of global properties of a phys-ical system as an intrinsic feature in graph neural networks (GNNs) enhances the model's robustness and generalizability and reduces the amount of training data required to obtain a desired accuracy for predictions of these properties. Existing open source GNN libraries construct invariant features only for specific GNN architectures. This precludes the generalization of invariant features to arbitrary message passing neural network (MPNN) layers which, in turn, precludes the use of these libraries for new, user-specified predictive tasks. To address this limitation, we implement invariant MPNNs into the flexible and scalable HydraGNN architecture. HydraGNN enables a seamless switch between various MPNNs in a unified layer sequence and allows for a fair comparison between the predictive performance of different MPNNs. We trained this enhanced HydraGNN archi-tecture on the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrum of GDB-9 molecules, a feature that describes the molecule's electronic exci-tation modes, computed with time-dependent density functional tight binding (TD-DFTB) and available open source through the GDB-9-Ex dataset. We assess the robustness (i.e., accuracy and generalizability) of the predictions obtained using different invariant MPNNs with respect to different values of the full width at half maximum (FWHM) for the Gaussian smearing of the theoretical peaks. Our numerical results show that incorporating invariance in the HydraGNN architecture significantly enhances both accuracy and generalizability in predicting UV-vis spectra of organic molecules.

Baker, Justin↗
DOE OSTI2022

To image, or not to image: class-specific diffractive cameras with all-optical erasure of undesired objects

Abstract Privacy protection is a growing concern in the digital era, with machine vision techniques widely used throughout public and private settings. Existing methods address this growing problem by, e.g., encrypting camera images or obscuring/blurring the imaged information through digital algorithms. Here, we demonstrate a camera design that performs class-specific imaging of target objects with instantaneous all-optical erasure of other classes of objects. This diffractive camera consists of transmissive surfaces structured using deep learning to perform selective imaging of target classes of objects positioned at its input field-of-view. After their fabrication, the thin diffractive layers collectively perform optical mode filtering to accurately form images of the objects that belong to a target data class or group of classes, while instantaneously erasing objects of the other data classes at the output field-of-view. Using the same framework, we also demonstrate the design of class-specific permutation and class-specific linear transformation cameras, where the objects of a target data class are pixel-wise permuted or linearly transformed following an arbitrarily selected transformation matrix for all-optical class-specific encryption, while the other classes of objects are irreversibly erased from the output image. The success of class-specific diffractive cameras was experimentally demonstrated using terahertz (THz) waves and 3D-printed diffractive layers that selectively imaged only one class of the MNIST handwritten digit dataset, all-optically erasing the other handwritten digits. This diffractive camera design can be scaled to different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, including, e.g., the visible and infrared wavelengths, to provide transformative opportunities for privacy-preserving digital cameras and task-specific data-efficient imaging.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2023

The absence of observable proton decay in a global SU(5) F-theory model

We begin with an E 8 × E 8 Heterotic model broken to an SU(5) gauge × U(1) X and a twin SU(5) gauge × U(1) X , where one SU(5) and its spectrum is identified as the visible sector while the other can be identified as a hidden twin sector. In both cases we obtain the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) spectrum after Wilson-line symmetry-breaking enhanced by a low energy R-parity and $Z$$^{R}_{4}$ symmetry. We argue that there will not be any observable proton decay in this model.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Large-scale cascading of first-order FBG array in a highly multimode coreless fiber using femtosecond laser for distributed thermal sensing

This research focuses on the performance analysis and characterization of a fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) array, consisting of 10 first-order FBGs inscribed by a femtosecond (FS) laser in a highly multimode coreless fiber. The study evaluates the FBG array's ability to function as a distributed thermal sensing (DTS) platform, with the coreless fiber chosen as the sensing element due to its immunity to dopant migration at high temperatures. The design of a large cascaded first-order FBG array effectively eliminates unwanted harmonic peaks across a wide spectrum range. In contrast, higher-order FBGs introduce limitations due to the overlapping of Bragg peaks with harmonics. The FBG array's performance is evaluated by measuring the reflection spectrum of each grating at different temperatures, showing a high temperature sensitivity of 15.05 pm/°C at a Bragg wavelength of 1606.3 nm, with a linear response in the temperature range of 24 - 1100 °C. The FBG array was designed for a spatial resolution of 5 mm. A mode scrambler in the sensing network is employed, which suppresses multimodal interference, characterizes FBG peak visibility, and stabilizes the interference spectrum. The stability of the FBG array is also assessed over 24 hrs at 1100 °C, and it is observed to be stable during thermal treatment. Heat treatment at 1100°C improves the signal to noise ratio of the FBG array, demonstrating the robustness and suitability of the proposed FBG array on highly multimode coreless fiber as a potential sensing platform for DTS applications in harsh environmental conditions, overcoming the issues of dopant migration presented by dopes silica optical fibers at high temperatures.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗