Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “large array”

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 1,153 records · Page 64

Experimental instrumentation system for the Phased Array Mirror Extendible Large Aperture (PAMELA) test program

Adaptive optics are used in telescopes for both viewing objects with minimum distortion and for transmitting laser beams with minimum beam divergence and dance. In order to test concepts on a smaller scale, NASA MSFC is in the process of setting up an adaptive optics test facility with precision (fraction of wavelengths) measurement equipment. The initial system under test is the adaptive optical telescope called PAMELA (Phased Array Mirror Extendible Large Aperture). Goals of this test are: assessment of test hardware specifications for PAMELA application and the determination of the sensitivities of instruments for measuring PAMELA (and other adaptive optical telescopes) imperfections; evaluation of the PAMELA system integration effort and test progress and recommended actions to enhance these activities; and development of concepts and prototypes of experimental apparatuses for PAMELA.

Boykin, William H., Jr.↗

Predicting turbulent wake flow of marine hydrokinetic turbine arrays in large-scale waterways via physics-enhanced convolutional neural networks

We present a physics-enhanced convolutional neural network (PECNN) algorithm for reconstructing the mean flow and turbulence statistics in the wake of marine hydrokinetic (MHK) turbine arrays installed in large-scale meandering rivers. The algorithm embeds the mass and momentum conservation equations into the loss function of the PECNN algorithm to improve the physical realism of the reconstructed flow fields. The PECNN is trained using large eddy simulation (LES) results of the wake flow of a single row of turbines in a virtual meandering river. Subsequently, the trained PECNN is applied to predict the wake flow of MHK turbines with arrangements and positionings different than those considered during the training process. The PECNN predictions are validated using the results of separately performed LES. The results show that the PECNN algorithm can accurately predict the wake flow of MHK turbine farms at a small fraction of the cost of LES. The PECNN can improve the accuracy by around 1% and reduce the physical constraint indices by around 50% compared to the CNN without physical constraints. This work underscores the potential of PECNN to develop reduced-order models for control co-design and optimization of MHK turbine arrays in natural riverine environments.

Mechanics↗

Large-Area Periodic Arrays of Atomically Flat Single-Crystal Gold Nanotriangles Formed Directly on Substrate Surfaces

The advancement of nanoenabled wafer-based devices requires the establishment of core competencies related to the deterministic positioning of nanometric building blocks over large areas. Within this realm, plasmonic single-crystal gold nanotriangles represent one of the most attractive nanoscale components but where the formation of addressable arrays at scale has heretofore proven impracticable. In this work, a benchtop process is presented for the formation of large-area periodic arrays of gold nanotriangles. The devised growth pathway sees the formation of an array of defect-laden seeds using lithographic and vapor-phase assembly processes followed by their placement in a growth solution promoting planar growth and threefold symmetric side-faceting. The nanotriangles formed in this high-yield synthesis distinguish themselves in that they are epitaxially aligned with the underlying substrate, grown to thicknesses that are not readily obtainable in colloidal syntheses, and present atomically flat pristine surfaces exhibiting gold atoms with a close-packed structure. As such, they express crisp and unambiguous plasmonic modes and form photoactive surfaces with highly tunable and readily modeled plasmon resonances. The devised methods, hence, advance the integration of single-crystal gold nanotriangles into device platforms and provide an overall fabrication strategy that is adaptable to other nanomaterials.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Interconnnect and bonding technologies for large flexible solar arrays

Thermocompression bonding and conductive adhesive bonding are developed and evaluated as alternate methods of joining solar cells to their interconnect assemblies. Bonding materials and process controls applicable to fabrication of large, flexible substrate solar cell arrays are studied. The primary potential use of the techniques developed is on the solar array developed by NASA/MSFC and LMSC for solar electric propulsion (SEP) and shuttle payload applications. This array is made up of flexible panels approximately 0.7 by 3.4 meters. It is required to operate in space between 0.3 and 6 AU for 5 years with limited degradation. Materials selected must be capable of enduring this space environment, including outgassing and radiation.

Source record↗

Enabling Large Focal Plane Arrays Through Mosaic Hybridization

We have demonstrated advances in mosaic hybridization that will enable very large format far-infrared detectors. Specifically we have produced electrical detector models via mosaic hybridization yielding superconducting circuit paths by hybridizing separately fabricated sub-units onto a single detector unit. The detector model was made on a 100mm diameter wafer while four model readout quadrant chips were made from a separate 100mm wafer. The individually fabricated parts were hybridized using a flip-chip bonder to assemble the detector-readout stack. Once all of the hybridized readouts were in place, a single, large and thick silicon substrate was placed on the stack and attached with permanent epoxy to provide strength and a Coefficient of Thermal Expansion match to the silicon components underneath. Wirebond pads on the readout chips connect circuits to warm readout electronics; and were used to validate the successful superconducting electrical interconnection of the model mosaic-hybrid detector. This demonstration is directly scalable to 150 mm diameter wafers, enabling pixel areas over ten times the area currently available.

Miller, TImothy M.↗

Enabling Large Focal Plane Arrays Through Mosaic Hybridization

We have demonstrated advances in mosaic hybridization that will enable very large format far-infrared detectors. Specifically we have produced electrical detector models via mosaic hybridization yielding superconducting circuit paths by hybridizing separately fabricated sub-units onto a single detector unit. The detector model was made on a 100mm diameter wafer while four model readout quadrant chips were made from a separate 100mm wafer. The individually fabricated parts were hybridized using a flip-chip bonder to assemble the detector-readout stack. Once all of the hybridized readouts were in place, a single, large and thick silicon substrate was placed on the stack and attached with permanent epoxy to provide strength and a Coefficient of Thermal Expansion match to the silicon components underneath. Wirebond pads on the readout chips connect circuits to warm readout electronics; and were used to validate the successful superconducting electrical interconnection of the model mosaic-hybrid detector. This demonstration is directly scalable to 150 mm diameter wafers, enabling pixel areas over ten times the area currently available.

Miller, Timothy M.↗

Enabling Large Focal Plane Arrays Through Mosaic Hybridization

We have demonstrated advances in mosaic hybridization that will enable very large format far-infrared detectors. Specifically we have produced electrical detector models via mosaic hybridization yielding superconducting circuit patbs by hybridizing separately fabricated sub-units onto a single detector unit. The detector model was made on a 100mm diameter wafer while four model readout quadrant chips were made from a separate 100mm wafer. The individually fabric.ted parts were hybridized using a Suss FCI50 flip chip bonder to assemble the detector-readout stack. Once all of the hybridized readouts were in place, a single, large and thick silicon substrate was placed on the stack and attached with permanent epoxy to provide strength and a Coefficient of Thermal Expansion match to the silicon components underneath. Wirebond pads on the readout chips connect circuits to warm readout electronics; and were used to validate the successful superconducting electrical interconnection of the model mosaic-hybrid detector. This demonstration is directly scalable to 150 mm diameter wafers, enabling pixel areas over ten times the area currently available.

Miller, Timothy M.↗

Heat Sinking, Cross Talk, and Temperature Stability for Large, Close-Packed Arrays of Microcalorimeters

We are developing large, close-packed arrays of x-ray transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeters. In such a device, sufficient heat sinking is important to to minimize thermal cross talk between pixels and to stabilize the bath temperature for all pixels. We have measured cross talk on out 8 x 8 arrays and studied the shape and amount of thermal crosstalk as a function of pixel location and efficiency of electrothermal feedback. In this presentation, we will compare measurements made on arrays with and without a backside, heat-sinking copper layer, as well as results of devices on silicon-nitride membranes and on solid substrates, and we will discuss the implications for energy resolution and maximum count rate. We will also discuss the dependence of pulse height upon bath temperature, and the measured and required stability of the bath temperature.

Imoto, Naoko↗

Far-field pattern of a coherently combined beam from large-scale laser diode arrays

The far-field pattern of a large-scale amplifier array (LSAA) consisting of a large number (2000) of diode laser amplifiers is numerically simulated, and the power collection efficiencies are determined. Random distributions of phase mismatches, misorientations, and element failures in the LSAA system are considered. Phase mismatches and misorientations of the element amplifiers are found to be the most critical parameters of those affecting the power-collection efficiency. Errors of 0.2 wavelength and 25 percent for phase and diffraction angle, respectively, cause a 10 percent reduction in power-collection efficiency. The results are used to evaluate the concept of space-laser power transmission. It is found that an overall transmission efficiency of 80 percent could be realized with a 5-m-diam. receiver at a distance of 10,000 km when an LSAA transmitter 6 m in diam. is aimed with state-of-the-art pointing accuracy.

Kwon, Jin H.↗

Unlocking the Origins of Ultracool Dwarf Radio Emission

Empirical trends in stellar X-ray and radio luminosities suggest that low-mass ultracool dwarfs (UCDs) should not produce significant radio emission. Defying these expectations, strong nonthermal emission has been observed in a few UCDs in the 1–10 GHz range, with a variable component often attributed to global aurorae and a steady component attributed to other processes, such as gyrosynchrotron emission. While both auroral and gyrosynchrotron emission peak near the critical frequency, only the latter radiation is expected to extend into millimeter wavelengths. We present Atacama Large Millimetre/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) 97.5 GHz and Very Large Array 33 GHz observations of a small survey of 5 UCDs. LP 349-25, LSR J1835+3259, and NLTT 33370 were detected at 97.5 GHz, while LP 423-31 and LP 415-20 resulted in nondetections at 33 GHz. A significant flare was observed in NLTT 33370, which reached a peak flux of 4880 ± 360 μJy, exceeding the quiescent flux by nearly an order of magnitude and lasting 20 s. These ALMA observations show bright 97.5 GHz emission with spectral indices ranging from α = 0.76 to α = −0.29, suggestive of optically thin gyrosynchrotron emission. If such emission traces magnetic reconnection events, then this could have consequences for both UCD magnetic models and the atmospheric stability of planets in orbit around them. Overall, our results provide confirmation that gyrosynchrotron radiation in radio-loud UCDs can remain detectable into the millimeter regime.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Extremely Red Submillimeter Galaxies: New z ≳ 4–6 Candidates Discovered Using ALMA and Jansky VLA

We present the detailed characterization of two extremely red submillimeter galaxies (SMGs), ASXDF1100.053.1 and 231.1, with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Jansky Very Large Array. These SMGs were originally selected using AzTEC at 1100 μm, and are observed by Herschel to be faint at 100–500 μm. Their (sub)millimeter colors are as red as—or redder—than known z ≳ 5 SMGs; indeed, ASXDF1100.053.1 is redder than HFLS 3, which lies at z = 6.3. They are also faint and red in the near-/mid-infrared: ∼1 μJy at IRAC 4.5 μm and <0.2 μJy in the K {sub s} filter. These SMGs are also faint in the radio waveband, where F {sub 6GHz} = 4.5 μJy for ASXDF1100.053.1 and F {sub 1.4GHz} = 28 μJy for ASXDF1100.231.1, suggestive of z=6.5{sub −1.1}{sup +1.4} and z=4.1{sub −0.7}{sup +0.6} for ASXDF1100.053.1 and 231.1, respectively. ASXDF1100.231.1 has a flux excess in the 3.6 μm filter, probably due to Hα emission at z = 4–5. Derived properties of ASXDF1100.053.1 for z = 5.5–7.5 and 231.1 for z = 3.5–5.5 are as follows: their infrared luminosities are [6.5 − 7.4] × 10{sup 12} and [4.2–4.5] × 10{sup 12} L {sub ⊙}; their stellar masses are [0.9–2] × 10{sup 11} and [0.4–3] × 10{sup 10} M {sub ⊙}; their circularized half-light radii in the ALMA maps are ∼1 and ≲0.2 kpc (∼2–3 kpc for 90% of the total flux). Last, their surface infrared luminosity densities, Σ{sub IR}, are ∼1 × 10{sup 12} and ≳1.5 × 10{sup 13} L {sub ⊙} kpc{sup −2}, similar to values seen for local (U)LIRGs. These data suggest that ASXDF1100.053.1 and 231.1 are compact SMGs at z ≳ 4 and can plausibly evolve into z ≳ 3 compact quiescent galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The MESAS Project: Long-wavelength Follow-up Observations of Sirius A

Modeling the submillimeter to centimeter emission of stars is challenging due to a lack of sensitive observations at these long wavelengths. We launched an ongoing campaign to obtain new observations entitled Measuring the Emission of Stellar Atmospheres at Submillimeter/millimeter wavelengths (MESAS). In this work we introduce Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, Green Bank Telescope, and Very Large Array observations of Sirius A, the closest main-sequence A-type star, that span from 1.4 to 9.0 mm. These observations complement our previous millimeter data on Sirius A and are entirely consistent with the PHOENIX stellar atmosphere models constructed to explain them. We note that accurate models of long-wavelength emission from stars are essential not only to understand fundamental stellar processes, but also to determine the presence of dusty debris in spatially unresolved observations of circumstellar disks.

submillimeter: stars↗

Aerodynamic heating in large cavities in an array of RSI tiles

A large panel of reusable surface insulation (RSI) tiles including lost tile cavities was aerothermally tested in the Langley 8 foot high temperature structures tunnel to determine both the heat load within the cavities and the structural performance of the RSI surrounding the cavities. Tests were conducted with a turbulent boundary layer at a nominal free stream Mach number of 6.6, a total temperature of 1800 K, a Reynolds number per meter of 5 million, and a dynamic pressure of 62 kPa. The maximum aerodynamic heating to the floor of the cavity was two to three times the normal surface heating. The cavity heating rates agreed with data from other facilities and were successfully correlated with an empirical equation. A zippering failure occurred to a tile downstream of a double tile cavity when the separated flow attached to the floor of the cavity and forced the tile from its position.

Hunt, L. R.↗

Sharp Infrared Eyes The Journey of QWIPs from Concept to Large Inexpensive Sensitive Arrays in Hand-held Infrared Cameras

One of the simplest device realizations of the classic particle-in-a-box problem of basic quantum mechanics is the Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector (QWIP). Optimization of the detector design and material growth and processing has culminated in the realization of a camera with a large (256x256 pixel) focal plane array of QWIPs which can see at 8.5 mu m, holding forth great promise for a variety of applications in the 6-25 mu m wavelength range.

Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector QWIP quantum m↗

Enhanced Tunability of Gold Nanoparticle Size, Spacing, and Shape for Large-Scale Plasmonic Arrays

Gold nanoparticles are important constituents in plasmonic arrays, lending themselves to electronic, optical, biomedical, sensing, and catalytic applications, among numerous others. Process variables that must be controlled when engineering plasmonic nanoparticle ensembles include nanoparticle size, shape, and spatial distribution on surfaces. The challenge in generating arrays of nanoparticles with control over these three parameters increases dramatically as spatial requirements for uniformity extend to larger processing areas. In this paper, we present a procedure that exploits thermally driven solid-state diffusional dewetting to yield considerable flexibility in generating ensembles of gold nanoparticles. Such submelting dewetting introduces fine control over particle spatial features that are currently difficult to achieve through conventional methods of generating nanoparticle arrays. Because of the simplicity of the process and its area-scalability, solid-state diffusional dewetting is shown here to be a method that could be easily scaled up to apply to large-area plasmonic fabrication processes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Adaptive smart simulator for characterization and MPPT construction of PV array

Partial shading conditions are among the most important problems in large photovoltaic array. Many works of literature are interested in modeling, control and optimization of photovoltaic conversion of solar energy under partial shading conditions, The aim of this study is to build a software simulator similar to hard simulator and to produce a shading pattern of the proposed photovoltaic array in order to use the delivered information to obtain an optimal configuration of the PV array and construct MPPT algorithm. Graphical user interfaces (Matlab GUI) are built using a developed script, this tool is easy to use, simple, and has a rapid of responsiveness, the simulator supports large array simulations that can be interfaced with MPPT and power electronic converters.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Fabrication of large dual-polarized multichroic TES bolometer arrays for CMB measurements with the SPT-3G camera

This paper presents the procedures used by Argonne National Laboratory to fabricate large arrays of multichroic transition-edge sensor (TES) bolometers for cosmic microwave background (CMB) measurements. These detectors will be assembled into the focal plane for the SPT-3G camera, the third generation CMB camera to be installed in the South Pole Telescope. The complete SPT-3G camera will have approximately 2690 pixels, for a total of 16,140 TES bolometric detectors. Each pixel is comprised of a broad-band sinuous antenna coupled to a Nb microstrip line. In-line filters are used to define the different band-passes before the millimeter-wavelength signal is fed to the respective Ti/Au TES bolometers. There are six TES bolometer detectors per pixel, which allow for measurements of three band-passes (95 GHz, 150 GHz and 220 GHz) and two polarizations. The steps involved in the monolithic fabrication of these detector arrays are presented here in detail. Patterns are defined using a combination of stepper and contact lithography. The misalignment between layers is kept below 200 nm. The overall fabrication involves a total of 16 processes, including reactive and magnetron sputtering, reactive ion etching, inductively coupled plasma etching and chemical etching.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗