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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 1,081 records · Page 60
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Measurement of muon-induced high-energy neutrons from rock in an underground Gd-doped water detector

In this paper, we present a measurement of the rate of correlated neutron captures in the WATCHBOY detector, deployed at a depth of approximately 390 meters water equivalent (m.w.e.) in the Kimballton Underground Research Facility (KURF). WATCHBOY consists of a cylindrical 2 ton water target doped with 0.1% gadolinium, surrounded by a 40 ton undoped water hermetic shield. We present a comparison of our results with the expected rate of correlated neutron captures arising from high-energy neutrons incident on the outside of the WATCHBOY shield, predicted by a hybrid FLUKA/GEANT4-based simulation. The incident neutron energy distribution used in the simulation was measured by a fast neutron spectrometer, the 1.8-ton Multiplicity and Recoil Spectrometer (MARS) detector, at the same depth. We nd that the measured detection rate of two correlated neutrons is consistent with that predicted by simulation. The result lends additional confidence in the detection technique used by MARS, and therefore in the MARS spectra as measured at three different depths. Confirmation of the fast neutron flux and spectrum is important as it helps validate the scaling models used to predict the fast neutron fluxes at different overburdens.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

First measurement of the asymmetry and the Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn integrand from the 3 $\vec{H}$e ($\vec{γ},p$) 2 H reaction at an incident photon energy of 29 MeV

The first measurement of the 3 $\vec{H}$e ($\vec{γ},p$) 2 H process was performed at the High Intensity γ-ray Source ( HIγS ) facility at Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory using a circularly polarized, monoenergetic γ -ray beam and a longitudinally polarized 3 He target. The spin-dependent asymmetry and the contribution from the two-body photodisintegration to the 3 He Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn integrand are extracted and compared with state-of-the-art three-nucleon system calculations at the incident photon energy of 29 MeV. The data are in general agreement with the various theoretical predictions based on the Siegert theorem or on explicit inclusion of meson-exchange currents.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Neutron-neutron scattering length from the 6 He(p,pα)nn reaction

We propose a novel method to measure the neutron-neutron scattering length using the 6 He(p,pα)nn reaction in inverse kinematics at high energies. The method is based on the final-state interaction (FSI) between the neutrons after the sudden knockout of the α particle. We show that the details of the neutron-neutron relative-energy distribution allow for a precise extraction of the s-wave scattering length. Here, we present the state of the art in regard to the theory of this distribution. The distribution is calculated in two steps. First, we calculate the ground-state wave function of 6 He as a αnn three-body system. For this purpose we use Halo effective field theory, which also provides uncertainty estimates for the results. We compare our results at this stage to model calculations done with the computer code face. In a second step we determine the effects of the nn FSI using the nn t-matrix. We compare these FSI results to approximate FSI approaches based on standard FSI enhancement factors. While the final distribution is sensitive to the nn scattering length, it depends only weakly on the effective range. Throughout we emphasize the impact of theoretical uncertainties on the neutron-neutron relative-energy distribution, and discuss the extent to which those uncertainties limit the extraction of the neutron-neutron scattering length from the reaction 6 He(p,pα)nn.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19↗
DOE OSTI2021

Considering nonlocality in the optical potentials within eikonal models

Background: For its simplicity, the eikonal method is the tool of choice to analyze nuclear reactions at high energies (E > 100 MeV/nucleon), including knockout reactions. However, so far, the effective interactions used in this method are assumed to be fully local. Purpose: Given the recent studies on nonlocal optical potentials, in this work we assess whether nonlocality in the optical potentials is expected to impact reactions at high energies and then explore different avenues for extending the eikonal method to include nonlocal interactions. Method: We compare angular distributions obtained for nonlocal interactions (using the exact R-matrix approach for elastic scattering and the adiabatic distorted wave approximation for transfer) with those obtained using their local-equivalent interactions. Results: Our results show that transfer observables are significantly impacted by nonlocality in the high-energy regime. Because knockout reactions are dominated by stripping (transfer to inelastic channels), nonlocality is expected to have a large effect on knockout observables too. Three approaches are explored for extending the eikonal method to nonlocal interactions, including an iterative method and a perturbation theory. Conclusions: None of the derived extensions of the eikonal model provide a good description of elastic scattering. Here, this paper suggests that nonlocality removes the formal simplicity associated with the eikonal model.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Measuring recoiling nucleons from the nucleus with the future Electron Ion Collider

Short range correlated nucleon-nucleon (NN) pairs are an important part of the nuclear ground state. They are typically studied by scattering an electron from one nucleon in the pair and detecting its spectator correlated partner (spectator-nucleon tagging). The Electron Ion Collider (EIC)should be able to detect these nucleons, since they are boosted to high momentum in the lab frame by the momentum of the ion beam. To determine the feasibility of these studies with the planned EIC detector configuration, we have simulated quasi-elastic scattering for two electron and ion beam energy configurations: 5 GeV electrons and 41 GeV/A ions, and 10 GeV electrons and 110 GeV/A ions. We show that the knocked-out and recoiling nucleons can be detected over a wide range of initial nucleon momenta. We also show that these measurements can achieve much larger momentum transfers than current fixed target experiments. By detecting both low and high initial-momentum nucleons,the EIC will provide the data that should allow scientists to definitively show if the EMC effect and short-range correlation are connected, and to improve our understanding of color transparency

Hauenstein, F. (ORCID:0000000212652212)↗
DOE OSTI2022

Probing for high-momentum protons in He 4 via the He 4 ( e , e ' p ) X reactions

Experimental cross sections for the $^4He(e,e'p)X$ reaction up to a missing momentum of 0.632 GeV/$c$ at $x_B=1.24$ and $Q^2$=2(GeV/$c$)$^2$ are reported. The data are compared to Relativistic Distorted Wave Impulse Approximation(RDWIA) calculations for $^4He(e,e'p)^3H$ channel. Significantly more events in the triton mass region are measured for $p_{m}$$>$0.45 GeV/$c$ than are predicted by the theoretical model, suggesting that the effects of initial-state multi-nucleon correlations are stronger than expected by the RDWIA model.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Nuclear properties with semilocal momentum-space regularized chiral interactions beyond N 2 LO

We present a comprehensive investigation of few-nucleon systems as well as light and medium-mass nuclei up to A = 48 using the current Low Energy Nuclear Physics International Collaboration two-nucleon interactions in combination with the third-order (N 2 LO) three-nucleon forces. To address the systematic overbinding of nuclei starting from A ≈ 10 found in our earlier study utilizing the N 2 LO two- and three-nucleon forces, we take into account higher-order corrections to the two-nucleon potentials up through fifth order in chiral effective field theory. Here, the resulting Hamiltonian can be completely determined using the A = 3 binding energies and selected nucleon-deuteron cross sections as input. It is then shown to predict other nucleon-deuteron scattering observables and spectra of light p-shell nuclei, for which a detailed correlated truncation error analysis is performed, in agreement with experimental data. Moreover, the predicted ground state energies of nuclei in the oxygen isotopic chain from 14 O to 26 O as well as 40 Ca and 48 Ca show a remarkably good agreement with experimental values, given that the Hamiltonian is fixed completely from the A ≤ 3 data, once the fourth-order (N 3 LO) corrections to the two-nucleon interactions are taken into account. On the other hand, the charge radii are found to be underpredicted by ≈10% for the oxygen isotopes and by almost 20% for 40 Ca and 48 Ca.

20 ≤ A ≤ 38↗
DOE OSTI2023

Green's function knockout formalism

Knockout nuclear reactions, in which a nucleon is removed from a nucleus as a result of the collision with another nucleus, have been widely used as an experimental tool, both to populate isotopes further removed from stability and to obtain information about the single-particle nature of the nuclear spectrum. In order to fully exploit the experimental information, theory is needed for the description of both the structure of the nuclei involved, and the dynamics associated with the nucleon removal mechanisms. Here, the standard approach, using theoretical shell-model spectroscopic factors for the structure description coupled with an eikonal model of reaction, has been successful when used in the context of the removal of valence nucleons in nuclei close to stability. However, it has been argued that the reaction theory might need to be revisited in the case of exotic nuclei, more specifically for highly asymmetric nuclei in which the deficient species (neutrons or protons) is being removed. We present here a new formalism for the nucleon-removal and -addition reaction through knockout and transfer reactions, that treats consistently structure and reaction properties using dispersive optical potentials. In particular, our formalism includes the dynamical effects associated with the removal of a nucleon from the projectile, which might explain the long standing puzzle of the quenching of spectroscopic factors in nuclei with extreme neutrons-to-protons ratios.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Invariant-mass spectroscopy of 10 B, 11 C, 14 F, 16 F, and 18 Na

The invariant-mass method is used to study the structure of a number of light proton-rich isotopes utilizing fast beams. Reactions where the projectile picks up a proton have been used to study d-wave resonances in 14 F, 16 F, and 18 Na. While the 16 F and 18 Na results are consistent with previous studies, the 14 F results are not consistent with the only previous work. Here, we have tentatively identified the 4 + member of a rotational band in 10 B, which is the analog of well-known states with strong α-cluster structure in 10 Be and 10 C. Finally, spin and parities of newly observed states in 11 C which decay sequentially into three-body exit channels have been determined or restricted.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Invariant-mass spectroscopy in projectile fragmentation reactions

The fragmentation of a projectile into a number of pieces can lead to the creation of many resonances in different nuclei. We discuss application of the invariant-mass method to the products from such reactions to find some of the most exotic resonances located furthest beyond the proton drip line. We show examples from fragmentation of a fast 13 O beam including the production of the newly identified 9 N resonance. In extracting resonance parameters from invariant-mass spectra, accurate estimates of the background from nonresonant prompt protons are needed. These prompt protons are correlated with the resonances due to long-range Coulomb interactions and will suppress events when resonance decay products and the prompt protons have small invariant masses. The shape of this background is especially important in determining the widths of wide resonances typically found at the edge of the chart of nuclides. An event-mixing recipe is proposed to describe this background, where the mixed events have reduced weighting for the smaller invariant masses to account for the effect of the Coulomb final-state interactions. The weighting is based on the measured correlations of heavier hydrogen isotopes with the resonances or the projectile residues. We also show that the relative magnitude of the background can be reduced in some cases by selecting events where the resonance decay products are accompanied by a deuteron or triton cluster. Here, the deuteron and triton clusters are largely not products of resonant decay and thus events with an accompanying cluster are associated with fewer background protons than events without them. The width of the 5/2¯ state in 9 C with the new background prescription was found to be consistent with the value obtained using proton elastic scattering on 8 B. Improved values for the widths of 10 C, 10,11 N, and 12 O resonances were also obtained using the new background prescription.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19↗
DOE OSTI2022

Cosmogenic production of 37 Ar in the context of the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment

We estimate the amount of 37 Ar produced in natural xenon via cosmic-ray-induced spallation, an inevitable consequence of the transportation and storage of xenon on the Earth’s surface. We then calculate the resulting 37 Ar concentration in a 10-tonne payload (similar to that of the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment) assuming a representative schedule of xenon purification, storage, and delivery to the underground facility. Using the spallation model by Silberberg and Tsao, the sea-level production rate of 37 Ar in natural xenon is estimated to be 0.024 atoms/kg/day. Assuming the xenon is successively purified to remove radioactive contaminants in 1-tonne batches at a rate of 1 tonne/month, the average 37 Ar activity after 10 tons are purified and transported underground is 0.058 − 0.090 𝜇⁢Bq/kg, depending on the degree of argon removal during above-ground purification. Such cosmogenic 37 Ar will appear as a noticeable background in the early science data, while decaying with a 35-day half-life. This newly noticed production mechanism of 37 Ar should be considered when planning for future liquid-xenon-based experiments.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Fluid Flow Observations of The Spray Near-Field Using High-Speed X-Ray Imaging

Sprays are important to may industrial processes, but the near-field region where spray formation takes place is difficult to visualize and characterize through visible light imaging because this region is typically optically dense. X-ray imaging is one technique that can penetrate this optically dense region and provide unique observations of the spray formation process. This study uses high-speed white beam X-ray imaging conducted at the Advanced Photon Source to capture spray formation dynamics from a canonical airblast atomizer. In this work, a range of momentum flux ratios are visualized by varying the gas flow rate while the liquid flow rate is held constant. The use of X-rays show overlapping flow structures including bags, ligaments, mushrooms, and webs. Air bubbles are captured within the liquid regions, and a very dynamic crown forms at the liquid needle exit at higher momentum flux ratios. Finally, at the highest momentum flux ratios, air bubbles and liquid droplets are observed migrating upstream in the center of the crown, and this motion is attributed to a toroidal recirculation cell at the nozzle exit.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Polarization Measurements of p ↑ and 3 He ↑ Beams at RHIC and Future EIC Using the Polarized Atomic Hydrogen Gas Jet Target

At the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), the Polarized Atomic Hydrogen Gas Jet Target polarimeter (HJET) is employed for the precise measurement of the absolute transverse (vertical) polarization of proton beams, achieving low systematic uncertainties of approximately σ$^{syst}_P$/P≤0.5% . The acquired experimental data not only facilitated the determination of single A N (t) and double A NN (t) spin analyzing powers for 100 and 255 GeV proton beams, but also revealed a non-zero Pomeron spin-flip contribution through a Regge fit. Preliminary results obtained for forward inelastic p ↑ p and elastic p ↑ A analyzing powers will be discussed. The success of the HJET at RHIC suggests its potential application for proton beam polarimetry at the upcoming Electron–Ion Collider (EIC), aiming for an accuracy of 1%. Moreover, the provided analysis indicates that the RHIC HJET target can serve as a tool for the precision calibration, with the required accuracy, of the 3 He beam polarization at the EIC.

3He beam breakup↗
NASA NTRS2010

Using the MicroASAR on the NASA SIERRA UAS in the Characterization of Arctic Sea Ice Experiment

The MicroASAR is a flexible, robust SAR system built on the successful legacy of the BYU microSAR. It is a compact LFM-CW SAR system designed for low-power operation on small, manned aircraft or UAS. The NASA SIERRA UAS was designed to test new instruments and support flight experiments. NASA used the MicroASAR on the SIERRA during a science field campaign in 2009 to study sea ice roughness and break-up in the Arctic and high northern latitudes. This mission is known as CASIE-09 (Characterization of Arctic Sea Ice Experiment 2009). This paper describes the MicroASAR and its role flying on the SIERRA UAS platform as part of CASIE-09.

CASIE-09(CHARACTERIZATION OF ARCTIC SEA ICE EXPERI↗
NASA NTRS2017

Maturation of the Asteroid Threat Assessment Project

As described at IPPW 12 [1], NASA initiated a new research activity focused on Planetary Defense (PD) on October 1, 2014. The overarching function of the Asteroid Threat Assessment Project (ATAP) is to provide capabilities to assess impact damage of any Near-Earth Object (NEO) that could inflict on the Earth. The activity includes four interrelated efforts: Initial Conditions (at the atmospheric entry interface); Entry Modeling (energy deposition in the atmosphere); Hazards (on the surface including winds, over pressures, thermal exposures, craters, tsunami and earthquakes) and Risk (physics-based). This paper outlines progress by ATAP and highlights achievements that are complimentary to activities of interest to the International Planetary Probe community. The ATAPs work is sponsored by NASAs Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO), a part of the agency's Science Mission Directorate [1] Arnold, J. O., et. al., Overview of a New NASA Activity Focused on Planetary Defense, IPPW 12 Cologne Germany, June 15-19. 2015.

Entry and Breakup↗
NASA NTRS2020

Orbital Debris: Quarterly News, April 2020

Inside - New NASA Orbital Debris Engineering Model ORDEM 3.1 - Composite Material Char Rate and Strength Retention Study at University of Texas Austin - Conference and Meeting Reports - Space Missions and Satellite Box Score

Orbital Debris Engineering Model↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Surface Instability of Liquid Propellants in Microgravity During Pulsed Settling Operations

Pulsing reaction control system (RCS) thrusters, vent valves, or other propulsion devices can preserve propellant resources in space, but this operation also effectively introduces a vibration to the vehicle. When the vibration is perpendicular to the liquid propellant surface, Faraday waves may be generated at the liquid-vapor interface. These Faraday instabilities can perturb or break up the liquid surface of cryogenic tanks, leading to inefficiencies in thermal management or even ullage collapse. Drawing from theory and experiments, an engineering model defining the allowable design regions for pulsed settling in microgravity was assembled and verified with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. A traditional settling metric, the Bond number, was also overlaid in the model to indicate which duty cycles were insufficient to overcome surface tension and aggregate propellant. Mission planners and engineers can consult the tool to rapidly evaluate the stability of a liquid-vapor interface given the pulse frequency and the excitation acceleration. Expressions developed for Faraday waves induced by a sinusoidal forcing input at standard gravity were found to provide excellent predictive capabilities for pulsed, or rectangular, waveforms in the absence of a consistent gravitational acceleration. This study extends the usage of these equations to an alternative forcing function and microgravity environments for the purpose of estimating natural frequencies, surface mode shapes, surface wave amplitudes, and the onset of droplet ejection. CFD simulations with the Loci/STREAM-VoF (Volume of Fluid) solver were initially validated against experimental results in standard gravity. Discrete points on the design map were then investigated with CFD and confirmed that the engineering model reliably indicates surface stability and most Faraday wave characteristics without requiring higher-fidelity tools. The engineering model is highly extensible and can be adapted for various propellant fill fractions, fluid properties, and tank sizes.

Faraday Waves↗