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At least 1,063 records · Page 59

Stationary Bragg reflection of laser light in inhomogeneous absorbing plasmas inside inertial confinement fusion Hohlraums

Laser-produced plasma in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) Hohlraums are marked with density non-uniformity whose length scale can go down to micrometers. This scale is of the order of the laser wavelength. The WKB approximation, which is classically used in radiation-hydrodynamic codes to compute the laser trajectory, cannot correctly take into account such small-scale inhomogeneity of the plasma. Going beyond this approximation, we predict a novel mechanism for the laser reflection. Here we show that an electromagnetic plane wave with wave number k resonates with the k B =2 k Fourier component of a multimode perturbation of the background density and generates a reflected wave. It is the first time that this reflection is considered for stationary inhomogeneous ICF plasmas, and the energy absorption is taken into account. This mechanism, which is a form of Bragg reflection, can occur away from the critical surface and generate a drift of the location of the laser absorption. Furthermore, this absorption will be periodically modulated with a k B wave number. The stationary Bragg reflection can explain ongoing discrepancies between experimental and numerical data about laser trajectory and absorption in ICF Hohlraums.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

TRIPOLI-4 neutronics calculations for IAEA-CRP benchmark of CEFR start-up tests using new libraries JEFF-3.3 and ENDF/B-VIII

Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors (SFR) are one of the promising Generation IV fast reactors. The China Experimental Fast Reactor (CEFR) is a 65 MWth pool-type SFR with a high neutron leakage core using high enriched uranium oxide fuel. The CEFR start-up tests in 2010 consist of series of neutronics experiments. Essential experimental data are available from the 2018 IAEA-CEFR-CRP benchmark document and useful for the validation of neutron transport codes and nuclear data libraries. The TRIPOLI-4 Monte Carlo transport code is a general-purpose neutronics code using continuous-energy nuclear data libraries. It has a rich validation database covering different computational and experimental benchmark data sets to assure the accuracy and credibility of numerical studies. Previous TRIPOLI-4 SFR core physics calculations used mainly MOX fuels. SFR control rod worth studies with TRIPOLI-4 were mainly on big-size cores. To test the modeling capability of TRIPOLI-4 on fuel loading patterns and on variable control rods positions for SFRs and to check recent nuclear data libraries, it is interesting to investigate the CEFR start-up tests in this work, including core states from subcritical to supercritical, control rods and rod group worth, point kinetics parameters, and radial foil activation measurements. TRIPOLI-4 calculation results using new data libraries JEFF-3.3, ENDF/B-VIII, and those of ENDF/B-VII.1 for different CEFR core states are reported here. By means of different options of TRIPOLI-4, control-rod SAs reactivity worth, point kinetics parameters, and radial {sup 237}Np(n,f) fission rate distribution were successfully evaluated. Both ENDF/B-VIII and JEFF-3.3 nuclear data libraries provided reliable results with a difference of 170 +/- 11 pcm in k{sub eff}.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Thermoelastic vibration test techniques

The structural integrity of proposed high speed aircraft can be seriously affected by the extremely high surface temperatures and large temperature gradients throughout the vehicle's structure. Variations in the structure's elastic characteristics as a result of thermal effects can be observed by changes in vibration frequency, damping, and mode shape. Analysis codes that predict these changes must be correlated and verified with experimental data. The experimental modal test techniques and procedures used to conduct uniform, nonuniform, and transient thermoelastic vibration tests are presented. Experimental setup and elevated temperature instrumentation considerations are also discussed. Modal data for a 12 by 50 inch aluminum plate heated to a temperature of 475 F are presented. These data show the effect of heat on the plate's modal characteristics. The results indicated that frequency decreased, damping increased, and mode shape remained unchanged as the temperature of the plate was increased.

Kehoe, Michael W.↗

Thermoelastic vibration test techniques

The structural integrity of proposed high speed aircraft can be seriously affected by the extremely high surface temperatures and large temperature gradients throughout the vehicle's structure. Variations in the structure's elastic characteristics as a result of thermal effects can be observed by changes in vibration frequency, damping, and mode shape. Analysis codes that predict these changes must be correlated and verified with experimental data. The experimental modal test techniques and procedures used to conduct uniform, nonuniform, and transient thermoelastic vibration tests are presented. Experimental setup and elevated temperature instrumentation considerations are also discussed. Modal data for a 12 by 50 inch aluminum plate heated to a temperature of 475 F are presented. These data show the effect of heat on the plate's modal characteristics. The results indicated that frequency decreased, damping increased, and mode shape remained unchanged as the temperature of the plate was increased.

Kehoe, Michael W.↗

A heavy-ion production channel of 149 Tb via 63 Cu bombardment of 89 Y

We report the radionuclide 149 Tb (t 1/2 = 4.1 h) is a potential theranostic isotope which can simultaneously be used for targeted-alpha-particle therapy and positron-emission tomography. Feasibility experiments were performed to test a near-symmetric heavy-ion reaction of 63 Cu bombardment on monoisotopic 89 Y. The indirect reaction was studied to avoid isomer production. Offline gamma spectroscopy was used to quantify thick-target physical yields and experimental results show modest agreement to the fusion-evaporation code PACE4. A near-symmetric fission yield was also observed.

149Tb↗

Modern quantum chemistry with [Open]Molcas

MOLCAS/OpenMolcas is an ab initio electronic structure program providing a large set of computational methods from Hartree–Fock and density functional theory to various implementations of multiconfigurational theory. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the main features of the code, specifically reviewing the use of the code in previously reported chemical applications as well as more recent applications including the calculation of magnetic properties from optimized density matrix renormalization group wave functions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Data from a throughfall exclusion experiment: Fine root dynamics, morphology, chemistry, and AMF colonization across four lowland Panamanian forests

Fine roots regulate forest nutrient, carbon, and water cycling, yet their variation within and among tropical forests remains under-characterized. We quantified root productivity, disappearance, and stocks to 1 m using minirhizotron imaging, and we measured morphology, elemental composition [root carbon (C), root nitrogen (N), root phosphorus (P)], and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization to 20 cm using ingrowth cores and sequential coring. Sampling took place in four distinct lowland Panamanian forests (32 plots; 8 per forest) from 2018 through 2022 under control and throughfall-exclusion (drought) treatments in the Panama Rainforest Changes with Experimental Drying (PARCHED) experiment.The dataset is presented as an Excel workbook with six tabs. The first tab is the data dictionary. Tab S1 contains ingrowth-core production and mortality, morphology and soil moisture. Tab S2 contains sequential-coring standing stocks with associated morphology and soil moisture. Tab S3 contains minirhizotron row data records to 1 m depth, including per-frame root length and diameter, normalized length metrics, and session timing. Tab S4 contains AMF colonization. Tab S5 contains fine-root chemistry at 0–10 cm, reporting %P, %C, %N, and C:N for samples collected via ingrowth cores and sequential-coring standing stocks. CSV mirrors for each tab are provided, and a KML file supplies coordinates for all 32 plots.Key variables span live and dead fine-root biomass (and coarse fractions where applicable), specific root length (SRL) and area (SRA), diameter, root tissue density (RTD), soil moisture, AMF colonization, root %N, %C, %P, and C:N, along with minirhizotron root length and diameter. Depth, season, treatment, and plot/site identifiers are included to support cross-tab integration and analysis from 0–100 cm (minirhizotron) and 0–20 cm (cores).Units are reported in-column and missing values are coded as NA. No special software is required to open or use the files (Excel, CSV, and KML compatible).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

The determination of measures of software reliability

Measurement of software reliability was carried out during the development of data base software for a multi-sensor tracking system. The failure ratio and failure rate were found to be consistent measures. Trend lines could be established from these measurements that provide good visualization of the progress on the job as a whole as well as on individual modules. Over one-half of the observed failures were due to factors associated with the individual run submission rather than with the code proper. Possible application of these findings for line management, project managers, functional management, and regulatory agencies is discussed. Steps for simplifying the measurement process and for use of these data in predicting operational software reliability are outlined.

Maxwell, F. D.↗

Calculation of transonic flow in a linear cascade

Turbomachinery blade designs are becoming more aggressive in order to achieve higher loading and greater range. New analysis tools are required to cope with these heavily loaded blades that may operate with a thin separated region near the trailing edge on the suction surface. An existing, viscous airfoil code was adapted to cascade conditions in an attempt to provide this capability. Comparisons with recently obtained data show that calculated and experimental surface Mach numbers were in good agreement but loss coefficients and outlet air angles were not.

Donovan, L. F.↗

Off-line programming motion and process commands for robotic welding of Space Shuttle main engines

The off-line-programming software and hardware being developed for robotic welding of the Space Shuttle main engine are described and illustrated with diagrams, drawings, graphs, and photographs. The menu-driven workstation-based interactive programming system is designed to permit generation of both motion and process commands for the robotic workcell by weld engineers (with only limited knowledge of programming or CAD systems) on the production floor. Consideration is given to the user interface, geometric-sources interfaces, overall menu structure, weld-parameter data base, and displays of run time and archived data. Ongoing efforts to address limitations related to automatic-downhand-configuration coordinated motion, a lack of source codes for the motion-control software, CAD data incompatibility, interfacing with the robotic workcell, and definition of the welding data base are discussed.

Ruokangas, C. C.↗

Goldstone solar system radar

Planning, direction, experimental design, and coordination of data-acquisition and engineering activities in support of all Goldstone planetary radar astronomy were performed. This work demands familiarity with the various components of a planetary radar telescope (transmitter, receiver, antenna, computer hardware and software) as well as knowledge of how the entire system must function as a cohesive unit to meet the particular scientific objectives at hand in a given observation. Support radar data-processing facilities, currently being used for virtually all Goldstone data reduction includes: a VAX 11/780 computer system, an FPS 5210 array processor, terminals, tape drives, and image-display devices, as well as a large body of data-reduction software to accommodate the variety of data-acquisition formats and strategems. Successful 113-cm radar observation of Callisto and the near-Earth asteroid 1981 Midas and Goldstone/VLA radar observations of Saturn's rings were obtained. Quick-look verification programs from data taken with phase-coded cw (i.e., ranging) waveforms, applicable to Venus, the Moon, and small bodies were completed. Definition of scientific and engineering requirements on instrument performance, radar system configuration, and personnel, for all 1988 Goldstone radar investigations was accomplished.

Jurgens, Raymond F.↗

System architectures for telerobotic research

Several activities are performed related to the definition and creation of telerobotic systems. The effort and investment required to create architectures for these complex systems can be enormous; however, the magnitude of process can be reduced if structured design techniques are applied. A number of informal methodologies supporting certain aspects of the design process are available. More recently, prototypes of integrated tools supporting all phases of system design from requirements analysis to code generation and hardware layout have begun to appear. Activities related to system architecture of telerobots are described, including current activities which are designed to provide a methodology for the comparison and quantitative analysis of alternative system architectures.

Harrison, F. Wallace↗

Hypersonic CFD applications for the National Aero-Space Plane

Design and analysis of the NASP depends heavily upon developing the critical technology areas that cover the entire engineering design of the vehicle. These areas include materials, structures, propulsion systems, propellants, integration of airframe and propulsion systems, controls, subsystems, and aerodynamics areas. Currently, verification of many of the classical engineering tools relies heavily on computational fluid dynamics. Advances are being made in the development of CFD codes to accomplish nose-to-tail analyses for hypersonic aircraft. Additional details involving the partial development, analysis, verification, and application of the CFL3D code and the SPARK combustor code are discussed. A nonequilibrium version of CFL3D that is presently being developed and tested is also described. Examples are given of portion calculations for research hypersonic aircraft geometries and comparisons with experiment data show good agreement.

Richardson, Pamela F.↗

FD-TD calculation with composite materials. Application to C160 aircraft measurements

In a frequency domain in which a material thickness is smaller than the skin depth, a formalism based on the sheet impedance concept was developed and introduced in the FD-TD (finite difference-time domain) code ALICE. The predictive capabilities of the 3D code was evaluated by comparison to analytical and experimental data. The following subject areas are covered: low frequency electromagnetic penetration of loaded apertures; FD-TD modeling; and in-flight experiment modeling.

Alliot, J. C.↗

Composite Load Spectra for Select Space Propulsion Structural Components

Generic load models are described with multiple levels of progressive sophistication to simulate the composite (combined) load spectra (CLS) that are induced in space propulsion system components, representative of Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME), such as transfer ducts, turbine blades and liquid oxygen (LOX) posts. These generic (coupled) models combine the deterministic models for composite load dynamic, acoustic, high-pressure and high rotational speed, etc., load simulation using statistically varying coefficients. These coefficients are then determined using advanced probabilistic simulation methods with and without strategically selected experimental data. The entire simulation process is included in a CLS computer code. Applications of the computer code to various components in conjunction with the PSAM (Probabilistic Structural Analysis Method) to perform probabilistic load evaluation and life prediction evaluations are also described to illustrate the effectiveness of the coupled model approach.

Ho, Hing W.↗

MAVRIC Flutter Model Transonic Limit Cycle Oscillation Test

The Models for Aeroelastic Validation Research Involving Computation semi-span wind-tunnel model (MAVRIC-I), a business jet wing-fuselage flutter model, was tested in NASA Langley's Transonic Dynamics Tunnel with the goal of obtaining experimental data suitable for Computational Aeroelasticity code validation at transonic separation onset conditions. This research model is notable for its inexpensive construction and instrumentation installation procedures. Unsteady pressures and wing responses were obtained for three wingtip configurations clean, tipstore, and winglet. Traditional flutter boundaries were measured over the range of M = 0.6 to 0.9 and maps of Limit Cycle Oscillation (LCO) behavior were made in the range of M = 0.85 to 0.95. Effects of dynamic pressure and angle-of-attack were measured. Testing in both R134a heavy gas and air provided unique data on Reynolds number, transition effects, and the effect of speed of sound on LCO behavior. The data set provides excellent code validation test cases for the important class of flow conditions involving shock-induced transonic flow separation onset at low wing angles, including Limit Cycle Oscillation behavior.

Edwards, John W.↗

JAE: A Jupiter Atmospheric Entry Probe Heating Code

The strong gravitational attraction of Jupiter on probes approaching the planet results in very high atmospheric entry velocities. The values relative to the rotating atmosphere can vary from about 47 to 60 km/sec, depending on the latitude of the entry. Therefore, the peak heating rates and heat shield mass fractions exceed those for any other atmospheric entries. For example, the Galileo probe's heat shield mass fraction was 50%, of which 45% was devoted to the forebody. Although the Galileo probe's mission was very successful, many more scientific questions about the Jovian atmosphere remain to be answered and additional probe missions are being planned. Recent developments in microelectronics have raised the possibility of building smaller and less expensive probes than Galileo. Therefore, it was desirable to develop a code that could quickly compute the forebody entry heating environments when performing parametric probe sizing studies. The Jupiter Atmospheric Entry (JAE) code was developed to meet this requirement. The body geometry consists of a blunt-nosed conical shape of arbitrary nose and base radius and cone angles up to about 65 deg at zero angle of attack.

Wercinski, Paul F.↗

Neutron environments on the Martian surface

Radiation is a primary concern in the planning of a manned mission to Mars. Recent studies using NASA Langley Research Center's HZETRN space radiation transport code show that the low energy neutron fluence on the Martian surface is larger than previously expected. The upper atmosphere of Mars is exposed to a background radiation field made up of a large number of protons during a solar particle event and mixture of light and heavy ions caused by galactic cosmic rays at other times. In either case, these charged ions interact with the carbon and oxygen atoms of the Martian atmosphere through ionization and nuclear collisions producing secondary ions and neutrons which then interact with the atmospheric atoms in a similar manner. In the past, only these downward moving particles have been counted in evaluating the neutron energy spectrum on the surface. Recent enhancements in the HZETRN code allow for the additional evaluation of those neutrons created within the Martian regolith through the same types of nuclear reactions, which rise to the surface. New calculations using this improved HZETRN code show that these upward moving neutrons contribute significantly to the overall neutron spectrum for energies less than 10 MeV.

NASA Center LaRC↗