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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 1,171 records · Page 65
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Re-appraisal and extension of the Gratton-Vargas two-dimensional analytical snowplow model of plasma focus. II. Looking at the singularity

The Gratton-Vargas snowplow model, recently revisited and expanded [S. K. H. Auluck, Phys. Plasmas 20, 112501 (2013)], has given rise to significant new insights into some aspects of the Dense Plasma Focus (DPF), in spite of being a purely kinematic description having no reference to plasma phenomena. It is able to provide a good fit to the experimental current waveforms in at least 4 large facilities. It has been used for construction of a local curvilinear frame of reference, in which conservation laws for mass, momentum, and energy can be reduced to effectively-one-dimensional hyperbolic conservation law equations. Its utility in global parameter optimization of device parameters has been demonstrated. These features suggest that the Gratton-Vargas model deserves a closer look at its supposed limitations near the singular phase of the DPF. This paper presents a discussion of its development near the device axis, based on the original work of Gratton and Vargas, with some differences. It is shown that the Gratton-Vargas partial differential equation has solutions for times after the current singularity, which exhibit an expanding bounded volume (which can serve as model of an expanding plasma column) and decreasing dynamic inductance of the discharge, in spite of having no built-in hydrodynamics. This enables the model to qualitatively reproduce the characteristic shape of the current derivative in DPF experiments without reference to any plasma phenomena, such as instabilities, anomalous resistance, or reflection of hydrodynamic shock wave from the axis. The axial propagation of the solution exhibits a power-law dependence on the dimensionless time starting from the time of singularity, which is similar to the power-law relations predicted by theory of point explosions in ideal gases and which has also been observed experimentally.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

A method to precisely identify the afterpulses when using the S9717 avalanche photodiode

The detection ratio of an avalanche photodiode (APD) biased in Geiger-mode increases versus the excess voltage; the afterpulsing rate increases too. The last one can be reduced by inserting an artificial dead time and accepting a lower measuring top rate. So, in order to tune a single-photon detector system, it is necessary to exactly identify afterpulses and measure their rate; the experimental results are presented. When using the S9717 APD in Geiger-mode, the cathode to ground voltage waveform reveals the existence of a particular sequence of pulses: a usual one followed, within 1μs, by a least one appearing to have been generated for negative excess voltage values. All these characteristics are the signature of the afterpulsing generation. Based on this observation, we were able to precisely measure the afterpulsing rate.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Desynchronization of stochastically synchronized chemical oscillators

Experimental and theoretical studies are presented on the design of perturbations that enhance desynchronization in populations of oscillators that are synchronized by periodic entrainment. A phase reduction approach is used to determine optimal perturbation timing based upon experimentally measured phase response curves. The effectiveness of the perturbation waveforms is tested experimentally in populations of periodically and stochastically synchronized chemical oscillators. The relevance of the approach to therapeutic methods for disrupting phase coherence in groups of stochastically synchronized neuronal oscillators is discussed.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Photoacoustic shock wave emission and cavitation from structured optical fiber tips

Photoacoustic waves generated at the tip of an optical fiber consist of a compressive shock wave followed by tensile diffraction waves. These tensile waves overlap along the fiber axis and form a cloud of cavitation bubbles. We demonstrate that shaping the fiber tip through micromachining alters the number and direction of the emitted waves and cavitation clouds. Shock wave emission and cavitation patterns from five distinctively shaped fiber tips have been studied experimentally and compared to a linear wave propagation model. In particular, multiple shock wave emission and generation of strong tension away from the fiber axis have been realized using modified fiber tips. These altered waveforms may be applied for novel microsurgery protocols, such as fiber-based histotripsy, by utilizing bubble-shock wave interaction.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Self-pulsing in a low-current hollow cathode discharge: From Townsend to glow discharge

We investigate the self-pulsing phenomenon of a low current cavity discharge in a cylindrical hollow cathode in pure argon. The waveforms of pulsed current and voltage are measured, and the time-averaged and time-resolved images of hollow cathode discharge are recorded by using high-speed intensified charge coupled device camera. The results show that the self-pulsing is a mode transition between low-current stage of Townsend discharge and high-current stage of glow discharge. During the self-pulsing, the current rising time relates to the dissipation of space charges, and the decay time relates to the reconstruction of the virtual anode by the accumulation of positive ions. Whether or not space charges can form and keep the virtual anode is responsible for the discharge mode and hence plays an important role in the self-pulsing phenomenon in low current hollow cathode discharge.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

A study on crustal shear wave splitting in the western part of the Banda arc-continent collision

We analyzed shear wave splitting parameters from local shallow (< 30 km) earthquakes recorded at six seismic stations in the western part of the Banda arc-continent collision. We determined fast polarization and delay time for 195 event-stations pairs calculated from good signal-to-noise ratio waveforms. We observed that there is evidence for shear wave splitting at all stations with dominant fast polarization directions oriented about NE-SW, which are parallel to the collision direction of the Australian plate. However, minor fast polarization directions are oriented around NW-SE being perpendicular to the strike of Timor through. Furthermore, the changes in fast azimuths with the earthquake-station back azimuth suggest that the crustal anisotropy in the study area is not uniform. Splitting delay times are within the range of 0.05 s to 0.8 s, with a mean value of 0.29±0.18 s. Major seismic stations exhibit a weak tendency increasing of delay times with increasing hypocentral distance suggesting the main anisotropy contribution of the shallow crust. In addition, these variations in fast azimuths and delay times indicate that the crustal anisotropy in this region might not only be caused by extensive dilatancy anisotropy (EDA), but also by heterogeneity shallow structure such as the presence of foliations in the rock fabric and the fracture zones associated with active faults.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Terahertz cyclotron resonance spectroscopy of an AlGaN/GaN heterostructure using a high-field pulsed magnet and an asynchronous optical sampling technique

The effective mass, sheet carrier concentration, and mobility of electrons within a two-dimensional electron gas in an AlGaN/GaN heterostructure were determined using a laboratory-based terahertz cyclotron resonance spectrometer. The ability to perform terahertz cyclotron resonance spectroscopy with magnetic fields of up to 31 T was enabled by combining a high-field pulsed magnet with a modified asynchronous optical sampling terahertz detection scheme. This scheme allowed around 100 transmitted terahertz waveforms to be recorded over the 14 ms magnetic field pulse duration. The sheet density and mobility were measured to be 8.0 × 10{sup 12 }cm{sup −2} and 9000 cm{sup 2} V{sup −1} s{sup −1} at 77 K. The in-plane electron effective mass at the band edge was determined to be 0.228 ± 0.002m{sub 0}.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Optical arc sensor using energy harvesting power source

Wireless sensors without external power supply gained considerable attention due to convenience both in installation and operation. Optical arc detecting sensor equipping with self sustaining power supply using energy harvesting method was investigated. Continuous energy harvesting method was attempted using thermoelectric generator to supply standby power in micro ampere scale and operating power in mA scale. Peltier module with heat-sink was used for high efficiency electricity generator. Optical arc detecting sensor with hybrid filter showed insensitivity to fluorescent and incandescent lamps under simulated distribution panel condition. Signal processing using integrating function showed selective arc discharge detection capability to different arc energy levels, with a resolution below 17 J energy difference, unaffected by bursting arc waveform. The sensor showed possibility for application to arc discharge detecting sensor in power distribution panel. Also experiment with proposed continuous energy harvesting method using thermoelectric power showed possibility as a self sustainable power source of remote sensor.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Study on the characteristics of barrier free surface discharge driven by repetitive nanosecond pulses at atmospheric pressure

Nanosecond pulsed plasma has an enormous potential in many applications. In this paper, the characteristics of barrier free nanosecond pulsed surface discharge are investigated by the use of an actuator with a strip-strip film electrode configuration, including the effect of electrode width and the gap distance on the plasma morphology and electrical characteristics at atmospheric pressure. It was found that it is relative easier to generate a quasi uniform discharge with a thinner electrode width and a smaller gap distance. The underlying physical mechanism was also discussed. Besides that, the influence of airflow on repetitive pulsed surface discharge was examined. By comparing to the discharge produced by two different pulse waveforms in airflows, we found that the discharge driven by a faster pulse behaves more stable. Finally, a model was developed to analyze the interaction of the airflow and the discharge channels.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

An improved method in the measurement of the moment of inertia

The moment of inertia calibration system is developed by Changcheng Institute of Metrology and Measurement (CIMM). Rotation table - torsional spring system is used to generate angular vibration, and laser vibrometer is used to measure rotational angle and the vibration period. The object to be measured is mounted on the top of the rotation table. The air-bearing system is elaborately manufactured which reduce the friction of the angular movement and increase measurement accuracy. Heterodyne laser interferometer collaborates with column diffraction grating is used in the measurement of angular movement. Experiment shows the method of measuring oscillating angle and period introduced in this paper is stable and the time resolution is high. When the air damping effect can’t be neglected in moment of inertia measurement, the periodic waveform area ratio method is introduced to calculate damping ratio and obtain the moment of inertia.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

The effect of frequency on atmospheric pressure glow discharge in a pin-to-plate gap sustained by a resonant power supply

More and more researchers have been attracted to the research of atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) because of its great prospect in numerous industrial applications. Nevertheless, almost all of the industrial applications are based on achievement of stable, large-volume, and uniform APGD. In a previous study, stable filamentary APGD was obtained by applying a resonant power supply between pin-to-plate electrodes which could limit the peak value of discharge current to supress the glow-to-arc transition through a series-wound resonance principle. The filamentary APGD is centimeter-level in the length but only several millimeters in diameter. Therefore, in order to obtain large-volume and uniform APGD, it is significant to study how to diffuse filamentary APGD in radial direction. With the increasing resonant frequency of alternating current discharge, excited particles (mainly including energetic electrons and trapped ions left from the previous half-cycle discharge) in the electrodes gap increase, which benefits obtaining stable self-sustaining APGD. In this paper, mechanism and law of the influence of resonant frequency on the diffusion of filamentary APGD in ambient air were studied. By comparing the photos of discharge plasma and waveforms of the discharge voltage and current, it is found that the volume of the glow discharge plasma enlarges as the resonant frequency of the power supply increases. It is very significant and anticipating to study how to obtain stable, large-volume, and uniform APGD in ambient air by the resonant power supply.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Vacuum arcing behavior between transverse magnetic field contacts subjected to variable axial magnetic field

The objective of this work is to reveal the effects of an axial magnetic field (AMF) on the vacuum arc characteristics between transverse magnetic field (TMF) contacts. These vacuum arc characteristics include the vacuum arcing behavior and the arc voltage waveform. In the experiments, an external AMF was applied to a pair of TMF contacts. The external AMF flux density B{sub AMF} can be adjusted from 0 to 110 mT. The arc current in the tests varied over a range from 0 to 20 kA rms at 45 Hz. The contact material was CuCr25 (25% Cr). A high-speed charge-coupled device video camera was used to record the vacuum arc evolution. The experimental results show that the application of the AMF effectively reduces the TMF arc voltage noise component and reduces the formation of liquid metal drops between the contacts. The diffuse arc duration increases linearly with increasing AMF flux density, but it also decreases linearly with increasing arc current under application of the external AMF. The results also indicate that the diffuse arc duration before the current zero is usually more than 1 ms under the condition that the value of the AMF per kiloampere is more than 2.0 mT/kA. Finally, under application of the AMF, the arc column of the TMF contacts may constrict and remain in the center region without transverse rotation. Therefore, the combined TMF–AMF contacts should be designed such that they guarantee that the AMF is not so strong as to oppose transverse rotation of the arc column.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Extraordinary acoustic transmission through annuluses in air and its applications in acoustic beam splitter and concentrator

We report an extraordinary acoustic transmission through two layer annuluses made of metal cylinders in air both numerically and experimentally. The effect arises from the enhancement and reconstruction of the incident source induced by different Mie-resonance modes of the annuluses. The proposed system takes advantages of the consistency in the waveform between the input and output waves, the high amplitude amplification of output waves, and the easy adjustment of structure. More interestingly, we investigate the applications of the extraordinary acoustic transmission in the acoustic beam splitter and acoustic concentrator. Our finding should have an impact on ultrasonic applications.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Improved operation of a microwave pulse compressor with a laser-triggered high-pressure gas plasma switch

The influence of laser beam parameters on the output pulses of a resonant microwave compressor with a laser-triggered plasma switch was investigated. The S-band compressor, consisting of a rectangular waveguide-based cavity and H-plane waveguide tee with a shorted side arm, was filled with pressurized dry air and pumped by 1.8-μs-long microwave pulses of up to 450 kW power. A Nd:YAG laser was used to ignite the gas discharge in the tee side arm for output pulse extraction. The laser beam (at 213 nm or 532 nm) was directed along the RF electric field lines. It was found that the compressor operated most effectively when the laser beam was focused at the center of the switch waveguide cross-section. In this case, the power extraction efficiency reached ∼47% at an output power of ∼14 MW, while when the laser beam was not focused the maximal extraction efficiency was only ∼20% at ∼6 MW output power. Focusing the laser beam resulted also in a dramatic decrease (down to <1 ns) in the delay of the output pulses' appearance with respect to the time of the beam's entrance into the switch, and the jitter of the output pulses' appearance was minimized. In addition, the quality of the output pulses' waveform was significantly improved.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Photoconductive and electro-optic effects in (Cd,Mg)Te single crystals measured in an experiment-on-chip configuration

We present our studies on both photoconductive (PC) and electro-optic (EO) responses of (Cd,Mg)Te single crystals. In an In-doped Cd 0.92 Mg 0.08 Te single crystal, subpicosecond electrical pulses were optically generated via a PC effect, coupled into a transmission line, and, subsequently, detected using an internal EO sampling scheme, all in the same (Cd,Mg)Te material. For photo-excitation and EO sampling, we used femtosecond optical pulses generated by the same Ti:sapphire laser with the wavelength 410 and 820 nm, respectively. The shortest transmission line distance between the optical excitation and EO sampling points was 75 μm. By measuring the transient waveforms at different distances from the excitation point, we calculated the transmission-line complex propagation factor, as well as the THz frequency attenuation factor and the propagation velocity, all of which allowed us to reconstruct the electromagnetic transient generated directly at the excitation point, showing that the original PC transient was subpicosecond in duration with a fall time of ~500 fs. Finally, the measured EO retardation, together with the amount of the electric-field penetration, allowed us to determine the magnitude of the internal EO effect in our (Cd,Mg)Te crystal. The obtained THz-frequency EO coefficient was equal to 0.4 pm/V, which is at the lower end among the values reported for CdTe-based ternaries, due to a twinned structure and misalignment of the tested (Cd,Mg)Te crystal.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Intermittent fluctuations in the Alcator C-Mod scrape-off layer for ohmic and high confinement mode plasmas

Plasma fluctuations in the scrape-off layer of the Alcator C-Mod tokamak in ohmic and high confinement modes have been analyzed using gas puff imaging data. In all cases investigated, the time series of emission from a single spatially resolved view into the gas puff are dominated by large-amplitude bursts, attributed to blob-like filament structures moving radially outwards and poloidally. There is a remarkable similarity of the fluctuation statistics in ohmic plasmas and in edge localized mode-free and enhanced D-alpha high confinement mode plasmas. Conditionally averaged waveforms have a two-sided exponential shape with comparable temporal scales and asymmetry, while the burst amplitudes and the waiting times between them are exponentially distributed. The probability density functions and the frequency power spectral densities are similar for all these confinement modes. These results provide strong evidence in support of a stochastic model describing the plasma fluctuations in the scrape-off layer as a super-position of uncorrelated exponential pulses. Predictions of this model are in excellent agreement with experimental measurements in both ohmic and high confinement mode plasmas. Finally, the stochastic model thus provides a valuable tool for predicting fluctuation-induced plasma–wall interactions in magnetically confined fusion plasmas.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Toward quasi-DC conductivity of warm dense matter measured by single-shot terahertz spectroscopy

Here, we present an experimental setup capable of measuring the near DC conductivity of laser generated warm dense matter using single-shot terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. The setup uses a reflective echelon and balanced detection to record THz waveforms with a minimum detectable signal of 0.2% in a single laser pulse. We describe details of the experimental setup and the data analysis procedure and present single-shot terahertz transmission data on aluminum that has been laser heated to an electron temperature of 0.5 eV.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Shock-ramp compression of tin near the melt line

Tin has been shock compressed to ~69 GPa on the Hugoniot using Sandia’s Z Accelerator. A shockless compression wave closely followed the shock wave to ramp compress the shocked tin and probe a high temperature quasi-isentrope near the melt line. A new hybrid backwards integration – Lagrangian analysis routine was applied to the velocity waveforms to obtain the Lagrangian sound velocity of the tin as a function of particle velocity. Surprisingly, an elastic wave was observed on initial compression from the shock state. The presence of the elastic wave indicates tin possess a small but finite strength at this shock pressure, strongly indicating a (mostly) solid state. Finally, high fidelity shock Hugoniot measurements on tin sound velocities in this stress range may be required to refine the shock melting stress for pure tin.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗