Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION”

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 1,117 records · Page 62

Study of a condition for the mode conversion from purely perpendicular electrostatic waves to electromagnetic waves

One of the mechanisms for generating electromagnetic plasma waves (Z-mode and LO-mode) is mode conversion from electrostatic waves into electromagnetic waves in inhomogeneous plasma. Herein, we study a condition required for mode conversion of electrostatic waves propagating purely perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field, by numerically solving the full dispersion relation. An approximate model is derived describing the coupling between electrostatic waves (hot plasma Bernstein mode) and Z-mode waves at the upper hybrid frequency. The model is used to study conditions required for mode conversion from electrostatic waves (electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic waves, including Bernstein mode) into electromagnetic plasma waves (LO-mode). It is shown that for mode conversion to occur in inhomogeneous plasma, the angle between the boundary surface and the magnetic field vector should be within a specific range. The range of the angle depends on the norm of the k vector of waves at the site of mode conversion in the inhomogeneous region. The present study reveals that inhomogeneity alone is not a sufficient condition for mode conversion from electrostatic waves to electromagnetic plasma waves and that the angle between the magnetic field and the density gradient plays an important role in the conversion process.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Enhanced transmission and beaming via a zero-index photonic crystal

Certain types of photonic crystals with Dirac cones at the Γ point of their band structure have a zero effective index of refraction at Dirac cone frequency. Here, by an appropriate design of the photonic structure, we obtain a strong coupling between modes around the Dirac cone frequency of an all-dielectric zero-index photonic crystal and the guided ones supported by a photonic crystal waveguide. Consequently, we experimentally demonstrate that the presence of the zero-index photonic crystal at the inner side of the photonic crystal waveguide leads to an enhancement in the transmission of some of the guided waves passing through this hybrid system. Moreover, those electromagnetic waves extracted from the structure with enhanced transmission exhibit high directional beaming due to the presence of the zero-index photonic crystal at the outer side of the photonic crystal waveguide.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Different roles of electron beam in two stream instability in an elliptical waveguide for generation and amplification of THz electromagnetic waves

In this work, two stream instability in a metallic waveguide with elliptical cross-section and with a hollow annular dielectric layer is studied for generation and amplification of THz electromagnetic waves. Dispersion relation of waves and their dependents to geometric dimensions and characteristics of the electron beam are analyzed. In continuation, the diagrams of growth rate for some operating frequencies are presented, so that effective factors on the growth rates, such as geometrical dimensions, dielectric constant of dielectric layer, accelerating voltage, and applied current intensity are analyzed. It is shown that while an electron beam is responsible for instability, another electron beam plays a stabilizing role.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

The method of impedance transformation for electromagnetic waves propagating in one-dimension plasma photonic crystal

This study focuses on the transmission of normal-incidence electromagnetic waves in one-dimensional plasma photonic crystals. Using the Maxwell's equations in a medium, a method that is based on the concept of impendence is employed to perform the simulation. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by simulating a one-layer plasma and conventional photonic crystal. In frequency-domain, the transmission and reflection coefficients in the unmagnetized plasma photonic crystal were calculated, and the influence factors on plasma photonic crystals including dielectric constants of dielectric, spatial period, filling factor, plasma frequency, and collision frequency were studied.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Confined states in photonic-magnonic crystals with complex unit cell

We have investigated multifunctional periodic structures in which electromagnetic waves and spin waves can be confined in the same areas. Such simultaneous localization of both sorts of excitations can potentially enhance the interaction between electromagnetic waves and spin waves. The system we considered has a form of one dimensional photonic-magnonic crystal with two types of magnetic layers (thicker and thinner ones) separated by sections of the dielectric photonic crystals. We focused on the electromagnetic defect modes localized in the magnetic layers (areas where spin waves can be excited) and decaying in the sections of conventional (nonmagnetic) photonic crystals. We showed how the change of relative thickness of two types of the magnetic layers can influence on the spectrum of spin waves and electromagnetic defect modes, both localized in magnetic parts of the system.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Demonstration of transmission high energy electron microscopy

High energy electrons have been used to investigate an extension of transmission electron microscopy. This technique, transmission high energy electron microscopy (THEEM), provides two additional capabilities to electron microscopy. First, high energy electrons are more penetrating than low energy electrons, and thus, they are able to image through thicker samples. Second, the accelerating mode of a radio-frequency linear accelerator provides fast exposures, down to 1 ps, which are ideal for flash radiography, making THEEM well suited to study the evolution of fast material processes under dynamic conditions. Lastly, initial investigations with static objects and during material processing have been performed to investigate the capabilities of this technique.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

A plasma amplifier to combine multiple beams at NIF

Combining laser beams in a plasma is enabled by seeded stimulated Brillouin scattering which allows cross-beam energy transfer (CBET) to occur and re-distributes the energy between beams that cross with different incident angles and small differences in wavelength [Kirkwood et al. Phys. Plasmas 4, 1800 (1997)]. Indirect-drive implosions at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) [Haynam et al. Appl. Opt. 46, 3276–3303 (2007)] have controlled drive symmetry by using plasma amplifiers to transfer energy between beams [Kirkwood et al., Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion 55, 103001 (2013); Lindl et al., Phys. Plasmas 21, 020501 (2014); and Hurricane et al. Nature 506, 343–348 (2014)]. In this work, we show that the existing models are well enough validated by experiments to allow a design of a plasma beam combiner that, once optimized, is expected to produce a pulse of light in a single beam with the energy greatly enhanced over existing sources. The scheme combines up to 61 NIF beams with 120 kJ of available energy into a single f/20 beam with a 1 ns pulse duration and a 351 nm wavelength by both resonant and off-resonance CBET. Initial experiments are also described that have already succeeded in producing a 4 kJ, 1 ns pulse in a single beam by combination of up to eight incident pump beams containing <1.1 kJ/beam, which are maintained near resonance for CBET in a plasma that is formed by 60 pre-heating beams [Kirkwood et al., Nat. Phys. 14, 80 (2018)].

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Using a 2-shock 1D platform at NIF to measure the effect of convergence on mix and symmetry

In this paper, we describe the use of a robust new 1-D like implosion platform at the National Ignition Facility [G. H. Miller et al., Opt. Eng. 43, 2841 (2004)] to study the effect of convergence on mix and shape. Previous experiments suggest that nuclear yields and ion temperature degrade with increased convergence [M. D. Cable et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 73, 2316 (1994)] due to enhanced perturbation growth and mix, but little has been reported on the distortion of the shape with time. The 2-shock platform was developed [S. F. Khan et al., Phys. Plasmas 23, 042708 (2016)] to maintain a high degree of sphericity during the whole implosion phase and has a thick, uniformly doped (1% Si) plastic CH shell to minimize the effect of mixing due to hydrodynamic feed-through from the outer ablator surface. An inner layer of deuterated plastic (CD) and hydrogen-tritium (DT) gas fill allows for the measurement of DT neutrons produced by the mix between the gas and ablator. DD neutrons provide information about the hot, unmixed CD region. By changing the fill gas density while keeping the capsule diameter, ablator thickness, and Au hohlraum conditions fixed, the x-ray hot spot convergence ratio was varied from 14 to 22. We find that the atomic mix (DT yield) grows linearly as a function of convergence, but since T ion changes as well, it does not necessarily mean that the amount or extent of mix grows linearly as well. Lastly, we also find the DD yield, which is a measurement of the shell heating, saturates above a certain convergence.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Characterization of the Mercury pulsed power x-ray source spectrum using multichannel density aerogel Cherenkov detectors

The Aerogel Cherenkov Detector for Cygnus (ACD/C) is a time-dependent, x-ray spectral detector that uses SiO 2 aerogels spanning an index of refraction (n = 1.02–1.07) corresponding to a 1.1–2.3 MeV x-ray energy threshold. The ACD/C was developed for pulsed power x-ray sources like Cygnus located at the Nevada National Site and Mercury located at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). Aerogels sit between the measurement capabilities of gas (>2 MeV) and solids such as fused silica (>0.3 MeV). The detector uses an aluminum converter to Compton scatter incoming x-rays and create relativistic electrons, which produce Cherenkov light in an aerogel or a fused silica medium. The ACD/C was fielded at the NRL when Mercury was tuned to produce up to 4.8 MeV endpoint bremsstrahlung. Despite a high radiation and electromagnetic interference background, the ACD/C was able to achieve high signal over noise across five aerogel densities and fused silica, including a signal to noise for a 1.1 MeV aerogel threshold. Previous experiments at Cygnus observed a signal that was comparable to the noise (1×) at the same threshold. The ACD/C observed time-resolved rise and fall times for different energy thresholds of the photon spectrum. Finally, Monte Carlo simulations of the ACD/C’s aerogel response curves were folded with a simulation of Mercury’s photon energy spectrum and agree within the error to the observed result.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Using integrated data analysis to extend measurement capability (invited)

The analysis approach called integrated data analysis (IDA) provides a means to exploit all information present in multiple streams of raw data to produce the best inference of a plasma parameter. This contrasts with the typical approach in which information (data) from a single diagnostic is used to measure a given parameter, e.g., visible bremsstrahlung → Z eff . Data from a given diagnostic usually contain information on many parameters. For example, a Thomson scattering diagnostic is sensitive to bremsstrahlung and line emission in addition to electron temperature. This background light is typically subtracted off and discarded but could be used to improve knowledge of Z eff . IDA encourages explicit awareness of such information and provides the quantitative framework to exploit it. This gives IDA the ability to increase spatial and temporal resolution, increase precision and accuracy of inferences, and measure plasma parameters that are difficult or impossible to measure using single diagnostic techniques. One example is the measurement of Z eff on Madison symmetric torus using IDA since no single diagnostic can provide a robust measurement. Thus, as we enter the burning plasma era, application of IDA will be critical to the measurement of certain parameters, as diagnostic access in the harsh fusion environment will be extremely limited.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Determination of 2D poloidal maps of the intrinsic W density for transport studies in JET-ILW

The experimental method developed at ASDEX Upgrade for the determination of the intrinsic tungsten (W) density profile coupling data from the soft X-ray (SXR) diagnostic and vacuum-ultra-violet (VUV) spectroscopy has been upgraded for application to JET plasmas. The strong poloidal asymmetries in the SXR emission are modeled assuming a ln ln ( &#x3F5; ( &#x3C1; , R ) / &#x3F5; ( &#x3C1; , R 0 ) ) = &#x3BB; ( &#x3C1; ) ( R 2 &#x2212; R 0 2 ) distribution, where ρ is the flux coordinate, R is the major radius, and λ is the fit parameter. The W density is calculated from the resulting 2D SXR emissivity maps accounting for contributions from a low-Z impurity (typically beryllium) and main ion with the assumption that their contributions are poloidally symmetric. Comparing the result with the independent W concentration measurement of VUV spectroscopy, a recalibration factor for the SXR emissivity is calculated making the method robust against the decrease in the sensitivity of the SXR diodes which has been observed across multiple campaigns. The final 2D W density map is checked for consistency versus the time-evolution of the W concentration measurement from VUV spectroscopy, toroidal rotation measurements from charge exchange recombination spectroscopy, and tomographic reconstructions of bolometry data. The method has been found to be robust for W concentrations above a few 10 -5 and in cases where the contributions from other medium-Z impurities such as Ni are negligible.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Effects of transmission line geometry on traveling-wave metal-insulator-metal rectenna infrared detectors

The transmission line impedance of traveling-wave diodes can circumvent resistance-capacitance time constant limitations of metal-insulator-metal diodes in rectennas operating at optical frequencies. We performed three-dimensional simulations of a traveling-wave diode rectenna using a linear finite-element electromagnetic solver. We develop a method to analyze metal-insulator-metal traveling-wave rectennas by using the field profiles from the linear finite-element solver and accounting for the nonlinear current-voltage characteristics during postprocessing. The traveling-wave diode length produces resonance at half surface plasmon wavelength intervals. With optimized cross section and length parameters, we observe a peak system responsivity of 239μA/W and a detectivity of 5.7×10 4 Jones.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Advances in terahertz solid-state physics and devices

Terahertz (THz) science and technology have attracted tremendous attention owing to their potential applications in areas including high-speed communications, nondestructive evaluation, biological and medical sensing, and national security.1,2 Terahertz waves bridge electronics and photonics, as well as classical and quantum physics, making them equally attractive for fundamental studies of novel physical phenomena. To realize a broad range of real terahertz applications, it is essential to develop compact solid- state devices for terahertz sources, detectors, modulators, and compact systems. These devices often employ quantum materials and heterostructures and can incorporate other features including carrier transfer using atomic layer epitaxy, micro- and electromechanical systems, plasmonic resonators, and metamaterials. To optimize these devices, we have to understand and control ultrafast carrier dynamics in these advanced materials. Furthermore, we have organized a Special Topic in the Journal of Applied Physics to highlight the state-of-the-art in terahertz solid-state devices while also unveiling the properties of these materials on an ultrafast timescale.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Monolithically-Fabricated Tunable Long-Wave Infrared Detectors Based on Dynamic Graphene Metasurfaces.

In this paper, the design, fabrication, and characterization of an actively tunable long-wave infrared detector, made possible through direct integration of a graphene-enabled metasurface with a conventional type-II superlattice infrared detector, are reported. This structure allows for post-fabrication tuning of the detector spectral response through voltage-induced modification of the carrier density within graphene and, therefore, its plasmonic response. These changes modify the transmittance through the metasurface, which is fabricated monolithically atop the detector, allowing for spectral control of light reaching the detector. Importantly, this structure provides a fabrication-controlled alignment of the metasurface filter to the detector pixel and is entirely solid-state. Using single pixel devices, relative changes in the spectral response exceeding 8% have been realized. These proof-of-concept devices present a path toward solid-state hyperspectral imaging with independent pixel-to-pixel spectral control through a voltage-actuated dynamic response.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

An all-digital associated particle imaging system for the 3D determination of isotopic distributions

Associated particle imaging (API) is a non-destructive nuclear technique for the 3D determination of isotopic distributions. By detecting the alpha particle associated with the emitted neutron in the deuterium–tritium fusion reaction with a position- and time-resolving detector, the direction of the 14.1 MeV neutron and its time of emission can be determined. Employing this method, isotope characteristic gamma rays emitted in inelastic neutron scattering events can be correlated with the neutron interaction location. Here, an API system consisting of a sealed-type neutron generator, gamma detectors, and a position-sensitive alpha detector was designed, constructed, and characterized. The system was tested with common soil elements and shown to be sensitive to 12 C, 16 O, 28 Si, 27 Al, and 56 Fe. New aspects of our approach are the use of a yttrium–aluminum–perovskite scintillator, using a sapphire window instead of a fiber-optic faceplate for light transport to the photomultiplier, and the all-digital data acquisition system. We present a description of the system with simulations and experimental results that show a position resolution on the alpha detector of 1 mm, a depth resolution using a LaBr 3 detector of 6.2 cm, and an angular resolution of 4.5°. Additionally, we present single-element gamma response measurements for the elements mentioned above together with a comparison to Monte Carlo simulations (MCNP6).

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Spatially resolved x-ray detection with photonic crystal scintillators

We study the self-collimation phenomenon in photonic crystals (PhC) of wide bandgap materials for ultra-fast and high spatial resolution x-ray detection. We work on various heavy inorganic scintillators: BaF 2 , GaN, ZnO, CsI:Tl, NaI:Tl, LYSO, WO 4 compounds, and plastic scintillators. Conventional scintillator detectors do not rely on a direct detection mechanism; hence, they require intricate design and fabrication processes. We offer a PhC design to observe self-collimation phenomena and overcome the ongoing spatial resolution challenges with these types of materials. We investigate the photonic band diagrams and iso-frequency contours. Fourier transforms based on finite-difference time-domain and frequency domain simulations are done for verifying and analyzing the self-collimation with the selected material. Light extraction efficiency at the PhC–air interface, depending on the truncation distance from the excitation point, is measured. Beam divergence values are calculated at 1 mm propagation distance. The vertical field profiles are obtained to observe the confinement. For the spatial resolution analysis, cross-sectional beam profiles have been examined. Furthermore, Gaussian envelopes are fitted to beam profiles for a consistent data analysis, and full-width-at-half-maximum values are considered. As a result, we theoretically prove and demonstrate the spatially resolved x-ray detection at the sub-micrometer level for a wide range of scintillator materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A study of space charge induced non-linearity in the Single Line Of Sight camera

We report a new generation of gated x-ray detectors at the National Ignition Facility has brought faster, enhanced imaging capabilities. Their performance is currently limited by the amount of signal they can be operated with before space charge effects in their electron tube start to compromise their temporal and spatial response. We present a technique to characterize this phenomenon and apply it to a prototype of such systems, the Single Line Of Sight camera. Results of this characterization are used to benchmark Particle In Cell simulations of the electrons drifting inside the detector, which are found to well reproduce experimental data. These simulations are then employed to predict the optimum photon flux to the camera, with the goal to increase the quality of the images obtained on an experimental campaign while preventing the appearance of deleterious effects. They also offer some insight into some of the improvements that can be brought to the new pulse-dilation systems being built at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗