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At least 937 records · Page 52
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Dramatic Rebrightening of the Type-changing Stripped-envelope Supernova SN 2023aew

Abstract Multipeaked supernovae with precursors, dramatic light-curve rebrightenings, and spectral transformation are rare, but are being discovered in increasing numbers by modern night-sky transient surveys like the Zwicky Transient Facility. Here, we present the observations and analysis of SN 2023aew, which showed a dramatic increase in brightness following an initial luminous (−17.4 mag) and long (∼100 days) unusual first peak (possibly precursor). SN 2023aew was classified as a Type IIb supernova during the first peak but changed its type to resemble a stripped-envelope supernova (SESN) after the marked rebrightening. We present comparisons of SN 2023aew’s spectral evolution with SESN subtypes and argue that it is similar to SNe Ibc during its main peak. P-Cygni Balmer lines are present during the first peak, but vanish during the second peak’s photospheric phase, before H α resurfaces again during the nebular phase. The nebular lines ([O i ], [Ca ii ], Mg i ], H α ) exhibit a double-peaked structure that hints toward a clumpy or nonspherical ejecta. We analyze the second peak in the light curve of SN 2023aew and find it to be broader than that of normal SESNe as well as requiring a very high 56 Ni mass to power the peak luminosity. We discuss the possible origins of SN 2023aew including an eruption scenario where a part of the envelope is ejected during the first peak and also powers the second peak of the light curve through interaction of the SN with the circumstellar medium.

Sharma, Yashvi (ORCID:0000000345311745)↗
DOE OSTI2021

Neutron irradiation induced defects in oxides and their impact on the oxide properties

Understanding the irradiation-induced defects in oxides is of interest for a wide range of applications. ZnO is an interesting oxide with mixed ionic and covalent bonding that contains a variety of point defect structures—making it an excellent model for studying irradiation-induced defects and their impact on properties. Here, we investigate the effects of neutron irradiation on the formation of defects and on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of ZnO single crystals. We observe the formation of vacancies and voids via positron annihilation spectroscopy. Neutron irradiation led to a significant deterioration of the ZnO structure and formed a high concentration of point defects, vacancy clusters, and voids with large disparities in their structure across variable irradiation times. It also led to significant changes in the optical properties and sample color. Irradiation for 444 h induced a high concentration of Cu acceptors as well as a high concentration of Ga donors. Additionally, temperature-dependent Hall effect measurements revealed the competing production of donors and acceptors and showed an increase in the slope of the carrier freeze-out curve with increasing irradiation dose. This work demonstrates the combined effects of neutron irradiation in producing a wide range of structural defects, impurities, and dopants in oxides and their enormous impact on modifying the oxide structure and both the optical and electronic properties. It particularly emphasizes the importance of considering the production of new impurities and dopants during the neutron irradiation of oxides.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Ferroelectric Switching in Hybrid Molecular-Beam-Epitaxy-Grown BaTiO 3 Films

Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) is a promising synthesis technique for both heterostructure growth and epitaxial integration of ferroelectric BaTiO 3 . However, direct measurement of the remnant polarization (P r ) has not been previously reported in MBE-grown BaTiO 3 films. We report the in situ growth of an all-epitaxial SrRuO 3 /BaTiO 3 /SrRuO 3 heterostructure on Nb-doped SrTiO 3 (001) substrates by hybrid MBE using metal–organic precursors. This capacitor structure consisting of 16 nm SrRuO 3 /40 nm BaTiO 3 /16 nm SrRuO 3 shows hysteretic polarization–electric field (P–E) curves with P r ∼ 15 μC cm –2 at frequencies ranging from 500 Hz to 20 kHz, after isolating the intrinsic ferroelectric response from non-ferroelectric contributions using the Positive-Up-Negative-Down (PUND) method. We hypothesize that the asymmetry in switching behavior and current leakage has origins in structural defects. Furthermore, this work opens the door to defect-engineered ferroelectric BaTiO 3 -based heterostructures grown by hybrid MBE for future electronic, photonic and spintronic applications.

SrRuO3 electrode↗
NASA NTRS2004

Debonding Stress Concentrations in a Pressurized Lobed Sandwich-Walled Generic Cryogenic Tank

A finite-element stress analysis has been conducted on a lobed composite sandwich tank subjected to internal pressure and cryogenic cooling. The lobed geometry consists of two obtuse circular walls joined together with a common flat wall. Under internal pressure and cryogenic cooling, this type of lobed tank wall will experience open-mode (a process in which the honeycomb is stretched in the depth direction) and shear stress concentrations at the junctures where curved wall changes into flat wall (known as a curve-flat juncture). Open-mode and shear stress concentrations occur in the honeycomb core at the curve-flat junctures and could cause debonding failure. The levels of contributions from internal pressure and temperature loading to the open-mode and shear debonding failure are compared. The lobed fuel tank with honeycomb sandwich walls has been found to be a structurally unsound geometry because of very low debonding failure strengths. The debonding failure problem could be eliminated if the honeycomb core at the curve-flat juncture is replaced with a solid core.

Ko, William L.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Magnetic stripe domains of [Pt/Co/Cu]{sub 10} multilayer near spin reorientation transition

The dependence of magnetic anisotropy, magnetic domain patterns and magnetization reversal processes in [Pt/Co(t{sub Co})/Cu]{sub 10} film stack epitaxied on Cu (111) substrate have been studied as a function of the Co layer thickness t{sub Co}, by magneto-optic polar Kerr magnetometry and microscopy. We find the film undergoes spin reorientation transition from out-of-plane to in-plane as t{sub Co} increases. The SRT thickness is verified by Rotating-field Magneto-Optic Kerr effect method. The film exhibits the stripe domain structures at remanence with the width decreasing while t{sub Co} approaches SRT. As demonstrated by the first order reversal curve measurement, the magnetization reversal process encompasses irreversible domain nucleation, domain annihilation at large field and reversible domain switching near remanence.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS2001

Fatigue Life Methodology for Bonded Composite Skin/Stringer Configurations

A methodology is presented for determining the fatigue life of composite structures based on fatigue characterization data and geometric nonlinear finite element (FE) analyses. To demonstrate the approach, predicted results were compared to fatigue tests performed on specimens which represented a tapered composite flange bonded onto a composite skin. In a first step, tension tests were performed to evaluate the debonding mechanisms between the flange and the skin. In a second step, a 2D FE model was developed to analyze the tests. To predict matrix cracking onset, the relationship between the tension load and the maximum principal stresses transverse to the fiber direction was determined through FE analysis. Transverse tension fatigue life data were used to -enerate an onset fatigue life P-N curve for matrix cracking. The resulting prediction was in good agreement with data from the fatigue tests. In a third step, a fracture mechanics approach based on FE analysis was used to determine the relationship between the tension load and the critical energy release rate. Mixed mode energy release rate fatigue life data were used to create a fatigue life onset G-N curve for delamination. The resulting prediction was in good agreement with data from the fatigue tests. Further, the prediction curve for cumulative life to failure was generated from the previous onset fatigue life curves. The results showed that the methodology offers a significant potential to Predict cumulative fatigue life of composite structures.

Krueger, Ronald↗
NASA NTRS1995

Structural Analysis and Testing of an Erectable Truss for Precision Segmented Reflector Application

This paper describes analysis and test results obtained at Langley Research Center (LaRC) on a doubly curved testbed support truss for precision reflector applications. Descriptions of test procedures and experimental results that expand upon previous investigations are presented. A brief description of the truss is given, and finite-element-analysis models are described. Static-load and vibration test procedures are discussed, and experimental results are shown to be repeatable and in generally good agreement with linear finite-element predictions. Truss structural performance (as determined by static deflection and vibration testing) is shown to be predictable and very close to linear. Vibration test results presented herein confirm that an anomalous mode observed during initial testing was due to the flexibility of the truss support system. Photogrammetric surveys with two 131-in. reference scales show that the root-mean-square (rms) truss-surface accuracy is about 0.0025 in. Photogrammetric measurements also indicate that the truss coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is in good agreement with that predicted by analysis. A detailed description of the photogrammetric procedures is included as an appendix.

Collins, Timothy J.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Structure Sensitive Reaction Kinetics of Chiral Molecules on Intrinsically Chiral Surfaces

Enantiospecific heterogeneous catalysis utilizes chiral surfaces to resolve enantiomers via structure sensitive surface chemistry. The catalyst design challenge is the identification of chiral surface structures that maximize enantiospecificity. Herein, we develop data driven models for the enantiospecificity of tartaric acid reactions on chiral Cu(hkl) R&S surfaces. Measurements of enantiospecific rate constants were obtained by using curved Cu(hkl) R&S surfaces that enable kinetic measurements on hundreds of chiral surface orientations. One model uses feature vectors derived from generalized coordination numbers to capture the local structure around Cu atoms exposed by the Cu(hkl) R&S surfaces. The second model introduces the use of chiral cubic harmonic functions to capture the symmetry constraints of the face-centered cubic Cu structure. The model using 58 generalized coordination numbers has a fitting error similar to that of the model using only 5 cubic harmonic functions. The two models predict maxima in the enantiospecificity on surfaces with very similar surface orientations. The models developed in this work are applicable for any enantiospecific reaction happening on any chiral material with a cubic lattice structure, opening the way to understanding the surface structure sensitivity of the enantiospecific reaction kinetics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Influence of nano-dispersive modified additive on cement activity

In the work the influence of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) on the cement activity and the processes of structure formation of the hardened cement paste in different periods of hydration are studied. The changes in the kinetic curves of the sample strength growth modified with SWCNT in amount of 0.01 and 0.0005 % are stipulated by the results of differential scanning colorimetry, scanning electronic and ionic microscopy, X-ray-phase analysis. It was found that the nano-modified additive may increase in the axis compressive strength of the system by 1.4–6.3 fold relatively to the reference samples and may reach 179.6 MPa. It may intensify the hydration process of calcium silicates as well as influence on the matrix of hardened cement paste. The studies are conducted on the structural changes in the hardened cement paste, the time periods of increase and decrease of the compressive strength of the samples, the amount of the calcium hydroxide and tobermorite-like gel as well as the degree of hydration C{sub 3}S and β-C{sub 2}S.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1994

Measurement of Residual Flexibility for Substructures Having Prominent Flexible Interfaces

Verification of a dynamic model of a constrained structure requires a modal survey test of the physical structure and subsequent modification of the model to obtain the best agreement possible with test data. Constrained-boundary or fixed-base testing has historically been the most common approach for verifying constrained mathematical models, since the boundary conditions of the test article are designed to match the actual constraints in service. However, there are difficulties involved with fixed-base testing, in some cases making the approach impractical. It is not possible to conduct a truly fixed-base test due to coupling between the test article and the fixture. In addition, it is often difficult to accurately simulate the actual boundary constraints, and the cost of designing and constructing the fixture may be prohibitive. For use when fixed-base testing proves impractical or undesirable, alternate free-boundary test methods have been investigated, including the residual flexibility technique. The residual flexibility approach has been treated analytically in considerable detail and has had limited frequency response measurements for the method. This concern is well-justified for a number of reasons. First, residual flexibilities are very small numbers, typically on the order of 1.0E-6 in/lb for translational diagonal terms, and orders of magnitude smaller for off-diagonal values. This poses difficulty in obtaining accurate and noise-free measurements, especially for points removed from the excitation source. A second difficulty encountered in residual measurements lies in obtaining a clean residual function in the process of subtracting synthesized modal data from a measured response function. Inaccuracies occur since modes are not subtracted exactly, but only to the accuracy of the curve fits for each mode; these errors are compounded with increasing distance from the excitation point. In this paper, the residual flexibility method is applied to a simple structure in both test and analysis. Measured and predicted residual functions are compared, and regions of poor data in the measured curves are described. It is found that for accurate residual measurements, frequency response functions having prominent stiffness lines in the acceleration/force format are needed. The lack of such stiffness lines increases measurement errors. Interface drive point frequency respose functions for shuttle orbiter payloads exhibit dominant stiffness lines, making the residual test approach a good candidate for payload modal tests when constrained tests are inappropriate. Difficulties in extracting a residual flexibility value from noisy test data are discussed. It is shown that use of a weighted second order least-squares curve fit of the measured residual function allows identification of residual flexibility that compares very well with predictions for the simple structure. This approach also provides an estimate of second order residual mass effects.

Tinker, Michael L.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Modeling indications of technology in planetary transit light curves—Dark-side illumination

We analyze potential effects of an extraterrestrial civilization’s use of orbiting mirrors to illuminate the dark side of a synchronously rotating planet on planetary transit light curves. Previous efforts to detect civilizations based on side effects of planetary-scale engineering have focused on structures affecting the host star output (e.g., Dyson spheres). However, younger civilizations are likely to be less advanced in their engineering efforts, yet still capable of sending small spacecraft into orbit. Since M dwarfs are the most common type of star in the solar neighborhood, it seems plausible that many of the nearest habitable planets orbit dim, low-mass M stars, and will be in synchronous rotation. Logically, a civilization evolving on such a planet may be inspired to illuminate their planet’s dark side by placing a single large mirror at the L2 Lagrangian point, or launching a fleet of small thin mirrors into planetary orbit. We briefly examine the requirements and engineering challenges of such a collection of orbiting mirrors, then explore their impact on transit light curves. We incorporate stellar limb darkening and model a simplistic mirror fleet’s effects for transits of Earth-like (R = 0.5 to 2 R{sub Earth}) planets which would be synchronously rotating for orbits within the habitable zone of their host star. Although such an installation is undetectable in Kepler data, the James Webb Space Telescope will provide the sensitivity necessary to detect a fleet of mirrors orbiting Earth-like habitable planets around nearby stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1991

Hydrodynamic constraints on the radial structure of late-type galaxy disks

Hydrodynamic constraints or driving forces that determine steady disk gas radial distributions are discussed, and observed gas distributions in late-type disks and correlations with disk rotation curves are analyzed. Evidence for quasi-steady states with radial gas flow is examined, and gas consumption rates and stellar density profiles are discussed, as are models of steady states with radial flows and more extreme 'driven' disks. The results indicate that the radial structure of a gas-rich disk can be simply and consistently accounted for as an azimuthally averaged hydrodynamic steady state in a fixed gravitational potential.

Struck-Marcell, Curtis↗
DOE OSTI2020

Scaling relationships for the elastic moduli and viscosity of mixed lipid membranes

The elastic and viscous properties of biological membranes play a vital role in controlling cell functions that require local reorganization of the membrane components as well as dramatic shape changes such as endocytosis, vesicular trafficking, and cell division. These properties are widely acknowledged to depend on the unique composition of lipids within the membrane, yet the effects of lipid mixing on the membrane biophysical properties remain poorly understood. Here, we present a comprehensive characterization of the structural, elastic, and viscous properties of fluid membranes composed of binary mixtures of lipids with different tail lengths. We show that the mixed lipid membrane properties are not simply additive quantities of the single-component analogs. Instead, the mixed membranes are more dynamic than either of their constituents, quantified as a decrease in their bending modulus, area compressibility modulus, and viscosity. While the enhanced dynamics are seemingly unexpected, we show that the measured moduli and viscosity for both the mixed and single-component bilayers all scale with the area per lipid and collapse onto respective master curves. This scaling links the increase in dynamics to mixing-induced changes in the lipid packing and membrane structure. More importantly, the results show that the membrane properties can be manipulated through lipid composition the same way bimodal blends of surfactants, liquid crystals, and polymers are used to engineer the mechanical properties of soft materials, with broad implications for understanding how lipid diversity relates to biomembrane function.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Three-mode coupling interference patterns in the dynamic structure factor of a relaxor ferroelectric

A long-standing controversy for relaxor ferroelectrics has been the origin of the waterfall effect in the phonon dispersion curves, in which low-energy transverse phonons cascade into vertical columns. Originally interpreted as phonons interacting with polar nanoregions (PNRs), it was later explained as an interference effect of coupling damped optic and acoustic phonons. In light of a recently discovered PNR vibrational mode near the waterfall wavevector [M. E. Manley, J. W. Lynn, D. L. Abernathy, E. D. Specht, O. Delaire, A. R. Bishop, R. Sahul, and J. D. Budai, Nat. Commun. 5, 3683 (2014)] we have reexamined this feature using neutron scattering on [100]-poled PMN-30%PT (0.6Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 0.3PbTiO 3 ). In addition, we find that the PNR mode couples to both optic and acoustic phonons, and that this results in complex patterns in the dynamic structure factor, including intensity pockets and peaks localized in momentum-energy space. These features are fully explained by extending the mode-coupling model to include three coupled damped harmonic oscillators representing the transverse optic, acoustic, and PNR modes.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

Initial Design Curves for Alloy 709 for an Improved Creep-fatigue Design Method

Creep-fatigue (CF) interaction damage is the primary damage mode for high-temperature structural components subjected to cyclic loading. Over the past several decades, researchers within the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), Section III, Division 5, have focused on developing elevated temperature code rules to ensure conservative structural designs that mitigate CF failure in high-temperature reactors. The existing CF evaluation methodologies in the Code are based on the creep and fatigue damage diagram approach, which is complex and often excessively conservative. The alternative CF evaluation approach proposed here is intended to significantly simplify the evaluation procedure while reducing conservatism in high-temperature component design analysis. This alternative CF evaluation method integrates the elastic–perfectly plastic (EPP) analysis approach with the simplified model test (SMT) CF design concept, leveraging the advantages of both methods. This report presents the preliminary analysis and the approach for developing CF design curves for Alloy 709, utilizing fatigue and CF data generated for the 100,000-hr Code Case to support its qualification to ASME Section III, Division 5 for Class A construction of high temperature reactors. This study is to support the incorporation of Alloy 709 in this alternative CF evaluation method. Recommendations for the remaining work needed to complete the effort are also provided.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Type-II vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser with Watt level output powers at 1.2 μ m

Semiconductor laser characteristics based on type-II band-aligned quantum well heterostructures for the emission at 1.2 μm are presented. Ten “W”-quantum wells consisting of GaAs/(GaIn)As/Ga(AsSb)/(GaIn)As/GaAs are arranged as resonant periodic gain in a vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser. Its structure is analyzed by X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, and reflectance measurements. The laser's power curves and spectra are investigated. Output powers at Watt level are achieved, with a maximum output power of 4 W. It is confirmed that laser operation only involves the type-II transition. A blue shift of the material gain is observed while the modal gain exhibits a red shift.

Möller, C.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Study of dark-matter admixed neutron stars using the equation of state from the rotational curves of galaxies

In this work, we employ the dark matter equations of state (DMEOSs) obtained from the rotational curves of galaxies as well as the fermionic DMEOS with m=1.0 GeV to study the structure of dark-matter admixed neutron stars (DMANSs). Applying the equation of state in the Skyrme framework for the neutron matter (NM), we calculate the mass–radius relation for different DMANSs with various DMEOSs and central pressure of dark matter (DM) to NM ratios. Our results show that for some DMEOSs, the mass–radius relations are in agreement with new observations, e.g., EXO 1745-248, 4U 1608-52, and 4U 1820-30, which are inconsistent with normal neutron stars. We conclude that both DMEOSs and central pressure ratios of DM to NM affect the slope of the mass–radius relation of DMANSs. This is because of the interaction between DM and NM, which leads to gravitationally or self-bound DMANSs. We study the radius of the NM sphere as well as the radius of the DM halo for different DMANSs. The results confirm that, in some cases, a NM sphere with a small radius is surrounded by a halo of DM with a larger radius. Our calculations verify that, due to the different degrees of DM domination in DMANSs, with a value of the visible radius of a star two possible DMANSs with different masses can exist. The gravitational redshift is also calculated for DMANSs with different DMEOSs and central pressure ratios. The results explain that the existence of DM in a DMANS leads to higher values of gravitational redshift of the star.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Slow spin dynamics and quantum tunneling of magnetization in the dipolar antiferromagnet DyScO 3

Here, we present a comprehensive study of static and dynamic magnetic properties in the Ising-like dipolar antiferromagnet (AFM) DyScO 3 by means of DC and AC magnetization measurements supported by classical Monte Carlo calculations. Our AC-susceptibility data show that the magnetic dynamics exhibit a clear crossover from an Arrhenius-like regime to quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM) at T*=10K. Below T N =3.2K, DyScO 3 orders in an antiferromagnetic GxAy-type magnetic structure and the magnetization dynamics slow down to the minute timescale. The low-temperature magnetization curves exhibit complex hysteretic behavior, which depends strongly on the magnetic field sweep rate. We demonstrate that the low-field anomalies on the magnetization curve are related to the metamagnetic transition, while the hysteresis at higher fields is induced by a strong magnetocaloric effect. Our theoretical calculations, which take into account dipolar interaction between Dy 3+ moments, reproduce essential features of the magnetic behavior of DyScO 3 . We demonstrate that DyScO 3 represents a rare example of an inorganic compound, which exhibits QTM at a single-ion level and magnetic order due to classical dipolar interaction.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗