Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “STAND”

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 1,099 records · Page 61
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Fast modulating electron cyclotron emission (FMECE) diagnostic for tokamaks

Utilizing variable-frequency channels, e.g., yttrium iron garnet (YIG) bandpass filters, in the intermediate frequency (IF) section of an electron cyclotron emission (ECE) radiometer facilitates flexibility in the volume viewed by the ECE channels as well as high resolution electron temperature and temperature fluctuation measurements in tokamaks. Fast modulating electron cyclotron emission (FMECE), a stand-alone IF section with eight channels, is a novel application of YIG filters for real-time electron temperature gradient and gradient scale length measurements. Key to FMECE is a simultaneous input/output data acquisition unit, as well as a modified type of YIG filters, which is capable of fast switching of their center (set) frequencies with a frequency slew rate of 600 μs/GHz. A new FMECE has been implemented and tested on the DIII-D tokamak, demonstrating its capability in real-time gradient measurements. Here, the data presented here shows that FMECE can identify flattening in the electron temperature profile; the latter can be used as a sensor for real time monitoring and control of plasma instabilities. Implementation and application are planned for the EAST tokamak.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Coupling of a single tin-vacancy center to a photonic crystal cavity in diamond

In this work, we demonstrate optical coupling between a single tin-vacancy (SnV) center in diamond and a free-standing photonic crystal nanobeam cavity. The cavities are fabricated using quasi-isotropic etching and feature experimentally measured quality factors as high as ~11000. We investigate the dependence of a single SnV center's emission by controlling the cavity wavelength using a laser-induced gas desorption technique. Under resonance conditions, we observe an intensity enhancement of the SnV emission by a factor of 12 and a 16-fold reduction of the SnV lifetime. Based on the large enhancement of the SnV emission rate inside the cavity, we estimate the Purcell factor for the SnV zero-phonon line to be 37 and the coupling efficiency of the SnV center to the cavity, the β factor, to be 95%. Our work paves the way for the realization of quantum photonic devices and systems based on efficient photonic interfaces using the SnV color center in diamond.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Fast attenuation of high-frequency acoustic waves in bicontinuous nanoporous gold

We studied the formation and attenuation of GHz elastic waves in free-standing nanoporous gold films by MeV ultrafast electron diffraction and finite element simulations. By tracing the evolution of the high frequency acoustic waves in time domain, we found that the bicontinuous nanoporous structure in nanoporous gold films results in three-dimensionally acoustic response with low coherence, leading to fast attenuation of the elastic waves in comparison with solid gold films. The morphologically dominated dynamics indicates the nanoporosity plays an important role in the high-frequency acoustic energy relaxation, which shines a light on the applications of dealloyed nanoporous materials in nanodevices and sensors as GHz and THz acoustic filters and dampers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Sound speed measurements in lithium fluoride single crystals shock compressed to 168 GPa along [100]

The shock wave response of [100] lithium fluoride (LiF) single crystals at high stresses is of long-standing interest due to their extensive use as optical windows in dynamic compression experiments. The report of melting in shock compressed LiF single crystals between 134 GPa and 152 GPa – based on a single sound speed datum [J. Appl. Phys. 117, 045901 (2015)] – was surprising because good optical transmission was previously demonstrated in LiF shock compressed to ~200 GPa [J. Appl. Phys. 116, 033515 (2014)]. To address these apparent differences, we report on plate impact experiments on [100] LiF single crystals shock compressed to 168 GPa. Wave profiles were measured using laser interferometry to determine Hugoniot states and longitudinal sound speeds in shock compressed LiF. The measured Hugoniot states are in good agreement with those measured in previous studies. However, the measured sound speeds presented here show no evidence of melting up to 168 GPa. In particular, the abrupt drop reported previously in sound speed at 152 GPa was not observed in the present work. Furthermore, our results establish a lower bound of 168 GPa for the onset of melting in shock compressed LiF single crystals.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2021

Near-optimal combination of high performance and insensitivity in a shock compressed high explosive single crystal

Achieving the desired combination of superior detonation performance and insensitivity to shock initiation has been a long-standing goal in high explosive (HE) science and technology. Having previously established the shock insensitivity of 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene (also known as DADNE or FOX-7) single crystals to 20 GPa (extended to 25 GPa in this work), the FOX-7 detonation response was determined through wave profile measurements in ~250 μm thick single crystals shock compressed to 64 GPa. Quite unexpectedly, FOX-7 demonstrated the classic Chapman–Jouguet (C–J) detonation response—reaction completion in the detonation front (<0.7 ns) at pressures of 44 GPa and higher—not observed in other insensitive high explosives. Here, the experimentally determined C–J pressure (35 GPa), detonation wave velocities and the detonation products equation of state—together with shock insensitivity to 25 GPa—demonstrate that FOX-7 single crystals display a near-optimal combination of high performance and shock insensitivity, not observed in another HE crystal.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Experimental observations of detached bow shock formation in the interaction of a laser-produced plasma with a magnetized obstacle

The magnetic field produced by planets with active dynamos, like the Earth, can exert sufficient pressure to oppose supersonic stellar wind plasmas, leading to the formation of a standing bow shock upstream of the magnetopause, or pressure-balance surface. Scaled laboratory experiments studying the interaction of an inflowing solar wind analog with a strong, external magnetic field are a promising new way to study magnetospheric physics and to complement existing models, although reaching regimes favorable for magnetized shock formation is experimentally challenging. This paper presents experimental evidence of the formation of a magnetized bow shock in the interaction of a supersonic, super-Alfvenic plasma with a strongly magnetized obstacle at the OMEGA laser facility. The solar wind analog is generated by the collision and subsequent expansion of two counterpropagating, laser-driven plasma plumes. The magnetized obstacle is a thin wire, driven with strong electrical currents. Hydrodynamic simulations using the FLASH code predict that the colliding plasma source meets the criteria for bow shock formation. Spatially resolved, optical Thomson scattering measures the electron number density, and optical emission lines provide a measurement of the plasma temperature, from which we infer the presence of a fast magnetosonic shock far upstream of the obstacle. Proton images provide a measure of large-scale features in the magnetic field topology, and reconstructed path-integrated magnetic field maps from these images suggest the formation of a bow shock upstream of the wire and as a transient magnetopause. Finally, we compare features in the reconstructed fields to two-dimensional MHD simulations of the system.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Long-range model of vibrational autoionization in core-nonpenetrating Rydberg states of NO

In high orbital angular momentum (ℓ ≥ 3) Rydberg states, the centrifugal barrier hinders the close approach of the Rydberg electron to the ion-core. As a result, these core-nonpenetrating Rydberg states can be well described by a simplified model in which the Rydberg electron is only weakly perturbed by the long-range electric properties (i.e., multipole moments and polarizabilities) of the ion-core. We have used a long-range model to describe the vibrational autoionization dynamics of high-ℓ Rydberg states of nitric oxide (NO). In particular, our model explains the extensive angular momentum exchange between the ion-core and the Rydberg electron that had been previously observed in vibrational autoionization of f (ℓ = 3) Rydberg states. These results shed light on a long-standing mechanistic question around these previous observations and support a direct, vibrational mechanism of autoionization over an indirect, predissociation-mediated mechanism. In addition, our model correctly predicts newly measured total decay rates of g (ℓ = 4) Rydberg states because for ℓ ≥ 4, the non-radiative decay is dominated by autoionization rather than predissociation. We examine the predicted NO + ion rotational state distributions generated by vibrational autoionization of g states and discuss applications of our model to achieve quantum state selection in the production of molecular ions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Intermolecular correlations of liquid and glassy CS 2 studied by synchrotron radiation x-ray diffraction

How is the orientation of molecular liquids ordered on cooling? What are the basic structures of molecular glasses, e.g., close to the crystalline structure or some special structures such as icosahedral cluster? These are long-standing questions in liquid and glass physics. Here, we have constructed a novel cryostat to prepare simple molecular glasses by vapor deposition and performed in situ synchrotron radiation x-ray diffraction experiments. The glassy state of a simple molecule CS 2 , which cannot be vitrified by normal liquid quenching, was successfully prepared with this instrument, and its diffraction data were collected in a wide Q-range of 0.16–25.7 Å -1 with a high-energy diffractometer at BL04B2, SPring-8. The diffraction data of liquid CS 2 were also recorded in a wide temperature range of 160–300 K. These diffraction data were analyzed with molecular dynamics simulations and reverse Monte Carlo modelings to investigate orientational correlation. From the obtained 3D structure models, the orientational correlation between neighboring CS 2 molecules was investigated quantitatively as a function of temperature. At room temperature, the parallel and T-shaped arrangements are preferred for the nearest neighbor correlation. On cooling, these arrangements are developed gradually, and its rate became prominent below the melting temperature (162 K). In the glassy state, the slipped-parallel arrangement is dominant as well as the T-shaped arrangement. Both arrangements appear in the CS 2 crystal, indicating that the structure of glassy CS 2 is close to that of crystalline CS 2 .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

A molecular dynamics study of laser-excited gold

The structural evolution of laser-excited systems of gold has previously been measured through ultrafast MeV electron diffraction. However, there has been a long-standing inability of atomistic simulations to provide a consistent picture of the melting process, leading to large discrepancies between the predicted threshold energy density for complete melting, as well as the transition between heterogeneous and homogeneous melting. We make use of two-temperature classical molecular dynamics simulations utilizing three highly successful interatomic potentials and reproduce electron diffraction data presented by Mo et al. [Science 360, 1451–1455 (2018)]. We recreate the experimental electron diffraction data, employing both a constant and temperature-dependent electron–ion equilibration rate. In all cases, we are able to match time-resolved electron diffraction data, and find consistency between atomistic simulations and experiments, only by allowing laser energy to be transported away from the interaction region. This additional energy-loss pathway, which scales strongly with laser fluence, we attribute to hot electrons leaving the target on a timescale commensurate with melting.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Characterization of self-magnetic pinch (SMP) radiographic diode performance on RITS-6 at Sandia National Laboratories. I. Diode dynamics, DC heating to extend radiation pulse

Radiographic diodes focus on an intense electron beam to a small spot size to minimize the source area of energetic photons for radiographic interrogation. The self-magnetic pinch (SMP) diode has been developed as such a source and operated as a load for the six-cavity radiographic integrated test stand (RITS-6) inductive voltage adder driver. While experiments support the generally accepted conclusion that a 1:1 aspect diode (cathode diameter equals anode–cathode gap) delivers optimum SMP performance, such experiments also show that reducing the cathode diameter, while reducing spot size, also results in reduced radiation dose, by as much as 50%, and degraded shot reproducibility. Analysis of the effective electron impingement angle on the anode converter with time made possible by a newly developed dose-rate array diagnostic indicates that fast-developing oscillations of the angle are correlated with early termination of the radiation pulse on many of the smaller-diameter SMP shots. This behavior as a function of relative cathode size persists through experiments with output voltages and currents up to 11.5 MV and 225 kA, respectively, and with spot sizes below approximately few millimeters. Since simulations to date have not predicted such oscillatory behavior, considerable discussion of the angle behavior of SMP shots is made to lend credence to the inference. We report there is clear anecdotal evidence that DC heating of the SMP diode region leads to stabilization of this oscillatory behavior. This is the first of two papers on the performance of the SMP diode on the RITS-6 accelerator.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Characterization of self-magnetic pinch radiographic diode performance on RITS-6 at Sandia National Laboratories. II. Coupling between the inductive voltage adder and the SMP load

The self-magnetic pinch (SMP) diode is a type of radiographic diode used to generate an intense electron beam for radiographic applications. At Sandia National Laboratories, SMP was the diode load for the six-cavity radiographic integrated test stand inductive voltage adder (IVA) driver operated in a magnetically insulated transmission line (MITL). The MITL contributes a flow current in addition to the current generated within the diode itself. Extensive experiments with a MITL of 40Ω load impedance [T. J. Renk et al., Phys. Plasmas 29, 023105 (2022)] indicate that the additional flow current leads to results similar to what might be expected from a conventional high-voltage interface driver, where flow current is not present. However, when the MITL flow impedance was increased to 80 Ω, qualitatively different diode behavior was observed. This includes large retrapping waves suggestive of an initial coupling to low impedance as well as diode current decreasing with time even as the total current does not. A key observation is that the driver generates total current (flow + diode) consistent with the flow impedance of the MITL used. The case is made in this paper that the 80Ω MITL experiments detailed here can only be understood when the IVA-MITL-SMP diode is considered as a total system. Additionally, the constraint of fixed total current plus the relatively high flow impedance limits the ability of the diode (whether SMP or other type) to act as an independent load. An unexpected new result is that in tracking the behavior of the electron strike angle on the converter as a function of time, we observed that the conventional cIV x “Radiographic” radiation scaling (where x~2.2) begins to break down for voltages above 8 MV, and cubic scaling is required to recover accurate angle tracking.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Deciphering the influence of high-flux helium plasma exposure on tungsten nanostructure growth using real-time, in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry

In situ analysis of surfaces during high-flux plasma exposure represents a long-standing challenge in the study of plasma–material interactions. While post-mortem microscopy can provide a detailed picture of structural and compositional changes, in situ techniques can capture the dynamic evolution of the surface. In this study, we demonstrate how spectroscopic ellipsometry can be applied to the real-time characterization of W nanostructure (also known as “fuzz”) growth during exposure to low temperature, high-flux He plasmas. Strikingly, over a wide range of sample temperatures and helium fluences, the measured ellipsometric parameters (Ψ,Δ) collapse onto a single curve that can be directly correlated with surface morphologies characterized by ex situ helium ion microscopy. The initial variation in the (Ψ,Δ) parameters appears to be governed by small changes in surface roughness (<50 nm) produced by helium bubble nucleation and growth, followed by the emergence of 50 nm diameter W tendrils. This basic behavior appears to be reproducible over a wide parameter space, indicating that the spectroscopic ellipsometry may be of general practical use as a diagnostic to study surface morphologies produced by high-flux He implantation in refractory metals. An advantage of the methods outlined here is that they are applicable at low incident ion energies, even below the sputtering threshold. As an example of this application, we apply in situ ellipsometry to examine how W fuzz growth is affected both by varying ion energy and the temperature of the surface.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

The mechanism behind the high radiation tolerance of Fe-Cr alloys

With the great demand for high radiation tolerant materials for advanced nuclear energy technologies, Fe-Cr alloys are at the forefront with long standing validated performance. Yet, the real mechanism behind their high radiation resistance is in question and understanding the effect of varying Cr percentage is a grand challenge limiting further improvements. Here we applied depth resolved atomic scale probe of defects to uncover the real mechanism on how Cr improves radiation resistance and explain the controversial impact of increasing Cr percentage. By combining depth-resolved positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and Doppler broadening spectroscopy we investigated the effect of Cr alloying on the formation and evolution of atomic size clusters induced by ion irradiation in Fe. We also used atom probe tomography to investigate the possible presence of Cr clusters or a’ phase with high Cr composition. The study reveals that the well-known resistance to radiation in Fe-Cr alloys arises from the stabilization of vacancy clusters around Cr atoms which act as sinks for radiation-induced defects. Thus, Cr atoms do not provide a direct sink for interstitials; rather defect complexes for that consist of Cr atoms and vacancies in turn act as sinks for irradiation-induced vacancies and interstitials. Most importantly, we find that lower amounts of Cr create smaller, uniformly distributed defect clusters that act as efficient sinks for radiation damage, but larger quantities of Cr form a defect structure that is less homogenous in size and spatial distribution, resulting in less efficient damage recombination. No evidence of phase a’ was found before or after irradiation, which indicates that it does not contribute to the observed radiation tolerance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Electron Weibel instability induced magnetic fields in optical-field ionized plasmas

Generation and amplification of magnetic fields in plasmas is a long-standing topic that is of great interest to both plasma and space physics. The electron Weibel instability is a well-known mechanism responsible for self-generating magnetic fields in plasmas with temperature anisotropy and has been extensively investigated in both theory and simulations, yet experimental verification of this instability has been challenging. Recently, we demonstrated a new experimental platform that enables controlled initialization of highly nonthermal and/or anisotropic plasma electron velocity distributions via optical-field ionization. Using an external electron probe bunch from a linear accelerator, the onset, saturation, and decay of the self-generated magnetic fields due to electron Weibel instability were measured for the first time to our knowledge. In this paper, we will first present experimental results on time-resolved measurements of the Weibel magnetic fields in non-relativistic plasmas produced by Ti:Sapphire laser pulses (0.8 μm) and then discuss the feasibility of extending the study to a quasi-relativistic regime by using intense CO 2 (e.g., 9.2 μm) lasers to produce much hotter plasmas.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Revisiting W–ZrC interfaces: A first principles study

We investigate W–ZrC interfaces using first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory. There have been theoretical and experimental studies exploring W–ZrC interfaces, however, the debate regarding the most stable interface continues to persist. In this study, we systematically simulated various W–ZrC interfaces merging W and ZrC surfaces with different orientations. Subsequently, we evaluated their stabilities and explained the corresponding stabilities in terms of the nature of bonding and charge-transfer processes at the interface. We find ZrC(111)–W(110) is the most stable interface with higher adhesive energy than the other interfaces. The additional stability associated with the ZrC(111)–W(110) results from significant interface reconstruction. Three layers of W and ZrC adjacent to the interface are involved in the charge-transfer process leading to stronger ionic bonds in ZrC(111)–W(110) as compared to the other potential candidate: ZrC(100)–W(100). The C and W atoms are found to be displaced from their symmetric position during the reconstruction process at the interface to facilitate stronger bonds with shorter W–C and W–Zr bonds in ZrC(111)–W(110) as compared to ZrC(100)–W(100). This leads to stronger covalent bonds in ZrC(111)–W(110) than that in ZrC(100)–W(100). Therefore, we conclude that the stronger covalent and ionic forces in ZrC(111)–W(110) than those in ZrC(100)–W(100) are responsible for making ZrC(111)–W(110) to be the most stable interface. In conclusion, this study addresses the long-standing question of the most stable W–ZrC interface and derives a number of implications for other W-transition metal carbide interfaces which are potential candidates for improving the mechanical properties of plasma facing materials.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Fluid and hybrid simulations of the ionization instabilities in Hall thruster

Low-frequency axial oscillations in the range of 5–50 kHz stand out as a pervasive feature observed in many types of Hall thrusters. While it is widely recognized that the ionization effects play the central role in this mode, as manifested via the large-scale oscillations of neutral and plasma density, the exact mechanism(s) of the instabilities remain unclear. To gain further insight into the physics of the breathing mode and evaluate the role of kinetic effects, a one-dimensional time-dependent full nonlinear low-frequency model describing neutral atoms, ions, and electrons is developed in full fluid formulation and compared to the hybrid model in which the ions and neutrals are kinetic. Both models are quasi-neutral and share the same electron fluid equations that include the electron diffusion, mobility across the magnetic field, and the electron energy evolution. The ionization models are also similar in both approaches. Further, the predictions of fluid and hybrid simulations are compared for different test cases. Two main regimes are identified in both models: one with pure low-frequency behavior and the other one, where the low-frequency oscillations coexist with high-frequency oscillations in the range of 100–200 kHz, with the characteristic time scale of the ion channel fly-by time, 100–200 kHz. The other test case demonstrates the effect of a finite temperature of injected neutral atoms, which has a substantial suppression effect on the oscillation amplitude.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Shock-induced chemical decomposition and overdriven detonation in hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) single crystals

Understanding the differences in the shock compression and detonation response of insensitive high explosives (IHEs) and conventional HEs (CHEs) is a long-standing need in HE science and technology. Having previously examined 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene (FOX-7) IHE single crystals, the shock and detonation response of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX)—a widely used CHE—was determined using wave profile measurements in ~250 μm thick single crystals shock compressed to 63 GPa. In marked contrast to FOX-7, RDX single crystals shocked along the [100] and [111] orientations showed wave profile features consistent with chemical decomposition onset at 15 GPa. These features were more pronounced for [100] RDX, suggesting a higher decomposition rate compared to [111] RDX. At 51 GPa and above, flat-topped single waves were observed for both orientations, showing the classic Chapman–Jouget (C–J) detonation response in which the decomposition is completed within the detonation front. The Hugoniot states and sound speeds determined for the detonation products were similar for both [100] and [111] orientations, showing that the overdriven detonation response for RDX does not depend on crystal orientation. The C–J pressure for RDX single crystals (35 GPa)—determined experimentally—is comparable to that of FOX-7. However, compared to FOX-7, chemical decomposition onset for RDX occurs at much lower pressures and the overdriven C–J detonation response occurs at higher pressures. Lastly, the present findings constitute the first experimental comparison of the shock and detonation response of conventional and insensitive HE single crystals over a broad pressure range below and above the C–J pressure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Solid-state synthesis of UV-plasmonic Cr2N nanoparticles

Materials that exhibit plasmonic response in the UV region can be advantageous for many applications, such as biological photodegradation, photocatalysis, disinfection, and bioimaging. Transition metal nitrides have recently emerged as chemically and thermally stable alternatives to metal-based plasmonic materials. However, most free-standing nitride nanostructures explored so far have plasmonic responses in the visible and near-IR regions. Herein, we report the synthesis of UV-plasmonic Cr2N nanoparticles using a solid-state nitridation reaction. The nanoparticles had an average diameter of 9 ± 5 nm and a positively charged surface that yields stable colloidal suspension. The particles were composed of a crystalline nitride core and an amorphous oxide/oxynitride shell whose thickness varied between 1 and 7 nm. Calculations performed using the finite element method predicted the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) for these nanoparticles to be in the UV-C region (100–280 nm). While a distinctive LSPR peak could not be observed using absorbance measurements, low-loss electron energy loss spectroscopy showed the presence of surface plasmons between 80 and 250 nm (or ∼5 to 15 eV) and bulk plasmons centered around 50–62 nm (or ∼20 to 25 eV). Plasmonic coupling was also observed between the nanoparticles, resulting in resonances between 250 and 400 nm (or ∼2.5 to 5 eV).

Chemistry↗