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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 991 records · Page 55
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Formation of U(VI) peroxide nanoclusters from cascade reactions with a persulfate radical initiator

Radiolysis of water in high radiation fields generates a variety of reactive oxygen species that influence the chemical behavior and complexation of hexavalent uranium. This study investigates the behavior of interaction of a uranyl cation (UO 2 2+ (VI)) with a series of free radicals that are formed in situ via activation of the free radical initiator persulphate (S 2 O 8 2− ), which releases both SO 4 ˙ − and ˙OH species in the solution. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Raman spectroscopy were used to evaluate the presence of the hydroperoxyl radical (HO 2 ˙) and superoxide radicals (O 2 ˙ − ) that are formed within the solution through radical cascade reactions. In addition, a uranyl peroxide cluster solid (NaU 24 ) was crystallized and characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), vibrational spectroscopy, and EPR spectroscopy. The presence of the hydroperoxyl radical (HO 2 ˙) and superoxide radicals (O 2 ˙ − ) was also observed in the solid-state compound, but spectroscopic evidence suggests that it was associated with the Na + network and not the cluster itself. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were also utilized to further confirm the radical species produced and determine the potential stabilization of radicals detected within the cluster and lattice.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Closure to “Observation-Based Evaluation of Flood Estimation Techniques for a Small Snow-Dominated Basin in the Washington Cascade Mountains”

Here, this paper presents a closure to “Observation-Based Evaluation of Flood Estimation Techniques for a Small Snow-Dominated Basin in the Washington Cascade Mountains” by Hongxiang Yan, Zhuoran Duan, Mark S. Wigmosta, Ning Sun, Ethan D. Gutmann, Bert Kruyt, and Jeffrey R. Arnold. https://doi.org/10.1061/JHYEFF .HEENG-6147.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2010

Finite difference method for solving the Schroedinger equation with band nonparabolicity in mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers

The nonparabolic Schroedinger equation for electrons in quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) is a cubic eigenvalue problem (EVP) which cannot be solved directly. While a method for linearizing this cubic EVP has been proposed in principle for quantum dots [Hwang et al., Math. Comput. Modell., 40, 519 (2004)] it was deemed too computationally expensive because of the three-dimensional geometry under consideration. We adapt this linearization approach to the one-dimensional geometry of QCLs, and arrive at a direct and exact solution to the cubic EVP. The method is then compared with the well established shooting method, and it is shown to be more accurate and reliable for calculating the bandstructure of mid-infrared QCLs.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2010

Highly temperature insensitive quantum cascade lasers

An InP based quantum cascade laser (QCL) heterostructure emitting around 5 {mu}m is grown with gas-source molecular beam epitaxy. The QCL core design takes a shallow-well approach to maximize the characteristic temperatures, T{sub 0} and T{sub 1}, for operations above room temperature. A T{sub 0} value of 383 K and a T{sub 1} value of 645 K are obtained within a temperature range of 298-373 K. In room temperature continuous wave operation, this design gives a single facet output power of 3 W and a wall plug efficiency of 16% from a device with a cavity length of 5 mm and a ridge width of 8 {mu}m.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2011

Demonstration of a self-mixing displacement sensor based on terahertz quantum cascade lasers

There has been growing interest in the use of terahertz (THz) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) for sensing applications. However, the lack of compact and sensitive THz detectors has limited the potential for commercial exploitation of sensors based on these devices. We have developed a self-mixing sensing technique in which THz QCLs are used for both generation and interferometric sensing of THz radiation, eliminating the need for a separate detector. Using this technique, we have measured the displacement of a remote target, both with and without opaque (in the visible spectrum) materials in the beam path and demonstrated a stand-off distance of up to 7 m in air.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2011

Predator prey oscillations in a simple cascade model of drift wave turbulence

A reduced three shell limit of a simple cascade model of drift wave turbulence, which emphasizes nonlocal interactions with a large scale mode, is considered. It is shown to describe both the well known predator prey dynamics between the drift waves and zonal flows and to reduce to the standard three wave interaction equations. Here, this model is considered as a dynamical system whose characteristics are investigated. The analytical solutions for the purely nonlinear limit are given in terms of the Jacobi elliptic functions. An approximate analytical solution involving Jacobi elliptic functions and exponential growth is computed using scale separation for the case of unstable solutions that are observed when the energy injection rate is high. The fixed points of the system are determined, and the behavior around these fixed points is studied. The system is shown to display periodic solutions corresponding to limit cycle oscillations, apparently chaotic phase space orbits, as well as unstable solutions that grow slowly while oscillating rapidly. The period doubling route to transition to chaos is examined.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Dual wavelength emission from a terahertz quantum cascade laser

We describe a heterogeneous THz quantum cascade laser that is composed of two different active region designs. This device emits simultaneously at around 2.5 THz and 2.9 THz with a certain frequency tunability by applied current. We also investigate the spectral gain in the structure by THz time-domain spectroscopy and correlate the gain spectral bandwidth with the alignment and wavelength emission behaviour of the two stack device.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2011

Cascaded Cerenkov third-harmonic generation in random quadratic media

We investigate experimentally and theoretically the conical emission of Cerenkov-type third-harmonic generation in strontium barium niobate of random 2D-{chi}{sup (2)} distribution. The azimuthal intensity distribution is explained by the polarization properties of the fundamental and Cerenkov second-harmonic waves, depending on the cascaded origin of the generation process. Moreover, we show the role of the individual domain shape in an additional modulation on the conical emission, controlled by the electrical switching of the spontaneous polarization of the ferroelectric medium.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Two Dimensional Integration of Ring Cavity Surface Emitting Quantum Cascade Lasers

The continual improvements over the last fifteen years have made quantum cascade lasers reliable and versatile light sources in the mid infrared and the terahertz spectral regions. In this work we present our latest results regarding the implementation of these light sources for forming broad band emitting two-dimensional laser arrays. A spectral tuning range of 180 cm{sup -1} around the centered wavelength of 8.2 {mu}m could be shown.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2012

Dissipation range turbulent cascades in plasmas

Dissipation range cascades in plasma turbulence are described and spectra are formulated from the scaled attenuation in wavenumber space of the spectral energy transfer rate. This yields spectra characterized by the product of a power law and exponential fall-off, applicable to all scales. Spectral indices of the power law and exponential fall-off depend on the scaling of the dissipation, the strength of the nonlinearity, and nonlocal effects when dissipation rates of multiple fluctuation fields are different. The theory is used to derive spectra for MHD turbulence with magnetic Prandtl number greater than unity, extending previous work. The theory is also applied to generic plasma turbulence by considering the spectrum from damping with arbitrary wavenumber scaling. The latter is relevant to ion temperature gradient turbulence modeled by gyrokinetics. The spectrum in this case has an exponential component that becomes weaker at small scale, giving a power law asymptotically. Results from the theory are compared to three very different types of turbulence. These include the magnetic plasma turbulence of the Madison Symmetric Torus, the MHD turbulence of liquid metal in the Madison Dynamo Experiment, and gyrokinetic simulation of ion temperature gradient turbulence.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Monte Carlo simulation for the electron cascade due to gamma rays in semiconductor radiation detectors

A Monte Carlo code was developed for simulating the electron cascade in radiation detector materials. The electron differential scattering cross sections were derived from measured electron energy-loss and optical spectra, making the method applicable for a wide range of materials. The detector resolution in a simplified model system shows dependence on the bandgap, the plasmon strength and energy, and the valence band width. In principle, these parameters could be optimized to improve detector performance. The intrinsic energy resolution was calculated for three semiconductors: silicon (Si), gallium arsenide (GaAs), and zinc telluride (ZnTe). Setting the ionization thresholds for electrons and holes is identified as a critical issue, as this strongly affects both the average electron-hole pair energy w and the Fano factor F. Using an ionization threshold from impact ionization calculations as an effective bandgap yields pair energies that are well matched to measured values. Fano factors of 0.091 (Si), 0.100 (GaAs), and 0.075 (ZnTe) were calculated. The Fano factor calculated for silicon using this model was lower than some results from past simulations and experiments. This difference could be attributed to problems in simulating inter-band transitions and the scattering of low-energy electrons.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2012

The AC-Stark Effect in Nitric Oxide Induced by Rapidly Swept Continuous Wave Quantum Cascade Lasers

A large AC Stark effect has been observed when nitric oxide, at low pressure in a long optical path (100 m) Herriot cell, is subjected to infrared radiation from a rapidly swept, continuous wave infrared quantum cascade laser. As the frequency sweep rate of the laser is increased, an emission signal induced by rapid passage, occurs after the laser frequency has passed through the resonance of a molecular absorption line. At very high sweep rates a laser field-induced splitting of the absorptive part of the signal is observed, due to the AC Stark effect. This splitting is related to the Autler-Townes mixing of the hyperfine transitions, which lie within the lambda doublet components of the transition, under the Doppler broadened envelope.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

Cherenkov high-order harmonic generation by multistep cascading in {chi}{sup (2)} nonlinear photonic crystal

We propose a scheme for efficient Cherenkov high-order harmonic generation. Second to fifth order harmonic wave are observed in a single periodically poled ferroelectric crystal in our experiment. The noncollinear high-order harmonic generation is produced via enhanced Cherenkov second harmonic cascaded with successive multistep sum-frequency generation with simultaneously longitudinal phase-matching. The emission angle and power dependencies are analyzed in detail experimentally, which coincide with theoretical predictions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

High performance InGaAs/GaAsSb terahertz quantum cascade lasers operating up to 142 K

We report on the demonstration of a maximum operating temperature of 142 K for InGaAs-based terahertz quantum cascade lasers. This result is achieved by using the alternative material combination In{sub 0.53}Ga{sub 0.47}As/GaAs{sub 0.51}Sb{sub 0.49}, lattice-matched to InP, which exhibits fabrication advantages over standard In{sub 0.53}Ga{sub 0.47}As/In{sub 0.52}Al{sub 0.48}As due to more suitable material parameters. An active region, based on a three-well phonon depletion design, with improved injection and extraction tunneling coupling, was designed. The devices exhibit threshold current densities of 0.75 kA/cm{sup 2} and provide peak optical powers up to 9 mW. A broad spectral emission range between 3.3 and 4 THz is measured.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Role of collisional broadening in Monte Carlo simulations of terahertz quantum cascade lasers

Using a generalized version of Fermi's golden rule, collisional broadening is self-consistently implemented into ensemble Monte Carlo carrier transport simulations, and its effect on the transport and optical properties of terahertz quantum cascade lasers is investigated. The inclusion of broadening yields improved agreement with the experiment, without a significant increase of the numerical load. Specifically, this effect is crucial for a correct modeling at low biases. In the lasing regime, broadening can lead to significantly reduced optical gain and output power, affecting the obtained current-voltage characteristics.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Comb-assisted subkilohertz linewidth quantum cascade laser for high-precision mid-infrared spectroscopy

We report on the linewidth narrowing of a room-temperature mid-infrared quantum cascade laser by phase-locking to a difference-frequency-generated radiation referenced to an optical frequency comb synthesizer. A locking bandwidth of 250 kHz, with a residual rms phase-noise of 0.56 rad, has been achieved. The laser linewidth is narrowed by more than 2 orders of magnitude below 1 kHz, and its frequency is stabilized with an absolute traceability of 2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -12}. This source has allowed the measurement of the absolute frequency of a CO{sub 2} molecular transition with an uncertainty of about 1 kHz.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2013

Quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy with the amplitude-to-time conversion technique for atmospheric-pressure plasmas

The NO{sub 2} concentration, i.e., density, in a small plasma of a nitrogen oxide (NOx) treatment reactor has been measured by highly sensitive laser absorption spectroscopy. The absorption spectroscopy uses a single path of a quantum cascade laser beam passing through a plasma whose dimension is about 1 cm. The high sensitivity of spectroscopy is achieved by the amplitude-to-time conversion technique. Although the plasma reactor is designed to convert NO in the input gas to NO{sub 2}, it has been demonstrated by this highly sensitive absorption spectroscopy that NO{sub 2} in a simulated exhaust gas that enters the reactor is decomposed by the plasma first and then NO{sub 2} is formed again, possibly more than it was decomposed, through a series of gas-phase reactions by the time the gas exits the reactor. The observation is consistent with that of an earlier study on NO decomposition by the same type of a plasma reactor [T. Yumii et al., J. Phys. D 46, 135202 (2013)], in which a high concentration of NO{sub 2} was observed at the exit of the reactor.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗