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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 1,243 records · Page 69
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Modulating action of low frequency oscillations on high frequency instabilities in Hall thrusters

It is found that the low frequency oscillations have modulating action on high frequency instabilities in Hall thrusters. The physical mechanism of this modulation is discussed and verified by numerical simulations. Theoretical analyses indicate that the wide-range fluctuations of plasma density and electric field associated with the low frequency oscillations affect the electron drift velocity and anomalous electron transport across the magnetic field. The amplitude and frequency of high frequency oscillations are modulated by low frequency oscillations, which show the periodic variation in the time scale of low frequency oscillations.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Parasitic modulation of electromagnetic signals caused by time-varying plasma

An experiment on the propagation of electromagnetic (EM) signals in continuous time-varying plasma is described. The time-varying characteristics of plasma are considered to cause a parasitic modulation in both amplitude and phase, and the strength of this modulation, which carries the information of the electron density profile, is closely related to the plasma frequency and the incident wave frequency. Through theoretical analysis, we give an explanation and mechanism of the interaction between the continuous time-varying plasma and EM waves, which is verified by a comparative analysis with experiments performed under the same conditions. The effects of this modulation on the EM signals in the plasma sheath cannot be ignored.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Enhancing the pH sensitivity by laterally synergic modulation in dual-gate electric-double-layer transistors

The sensitivity of a standard ion-sensitive field-effect transistor is limited to be 59.2 mV/pH (Nernst limit) at room temperature. Here, a concept based on laterally synergic electric-double-layer (EDL) modulation is proposed in order to overcome the Nernst limit. Indium-zinc-oxide EDL transistors with two laterally coupled gates are fabricated, and the synergic modulation behaviors of the two asymmetric gates are investigated. A high sensitivity of ∼168 mV/pH is realized in the dual-gate operation mode. Laterally synergic modulation in oxide-based EDL transistors is interesting for high-performance bio-chemical sensors.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

The electrochemical impact on electrostatic modulation of the metal-insulator transition in nickelates

For physical studies of correlated electron systems and for realizing novel device concepts, electrostatic modulation of metal-insulator transitions (MITs) is desired. The inherently high charge densities needed to modulate MITs make this difficult to achieve. The high capacitance of ionic liquids are attractive but, voltages are needed that can be in excess of the electrochemical stability of the system. Here, we show temperature/resistivity data that suggest electrostatic modulation of the MIT temperature of NdNiO{sub 3} in a wide regime. However, additional voltammetric and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements demonstrate the electrochemical impact of the electrostatic doping approach with ionic liquids.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Photon-counting 1.0 GHz-phase-modulation fluorometer

We have constructed an improved version of a photon-counting phase-modulation fluorometer (PC-PMF) with a maximum modulation frequency of 1.0 GHz, where a phase domain measurement is conducted with a time-correlated single-photon-counting electronics. While the basic concept of the PC-PMF has been reported previously by one of the authors, little attention has been paid to its significance, other than its weak fluorescence measurement capability. Recently, we have recognized the importance of the PC-PMF and its potential for fluorescence lifetime measurements. One important aspect of the PC-PMF is that it enables us to perform high-speed measurements that exceed the frequency bandwidths of the photomultiplier tubes that are commonly used as fluorescence detectors. We describe the advantages of the PC-PMF and demonstrate its usefulness based on fundamental performance tests. In our new version of the PC-PMF, we have used a laser diode (LD) as an excitation light source rather than the light-emitting diode that was used in the primary version. We have also designed a simple and stable LD driver to modulate the device. Additionally, we have obtained a sinusoidal histogram waveform that has multiple cycles within a time span to be measured, which is indispensable for precise phase measurements. With focus on the fluorescence intensity and the resolution time, we have compared the performance of the PC-PMF with that of a conventional PMF using the analogue light detection method.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

Modulation of superconducting critical temperature in niobium film by using all-solid-state electric-double-layer transistor

An all-solid-state electric-double-layer transistor (EDLT) was fabricated for electrical modulation of the superconducting critical temperature (T{sub c}) of Nb film epitaxially grown on α-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} (0001) single crystal. In an experiment, T{sub c} was modulated from 8.33 to 8.39 K while the gate voltage (V{sub G}) was varied from 2.5 to −2.5 V. The specific difference of T{sub c} for the applied V{sub G} was 12 mK/V, which is larger than that of an EDLT composed of ionic liquid. A T{sub c} enhancement of 300 mK was found at the Li{sub 4}SiO{sub 4}/Nb film interface and is attributed to an increase in density of states near the Fermi level due to lattice constant modulation. This solid electrolyte gating method should enable development of practical superconducting devices highly compatible with other electronic devices.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Pattern manipulation via on-chip phase modulation between orbital angular momentum beams

An integrated approach to thermal modulation of relative phase between two optical vortices with opposite chirality has been demonstrated on a silicon-on-insulator substrate. The device consists of a silicon-integrated optical vortex emitter and a phase controlled 3 dB coupler. The relative phase between two optical vortices can be actively modulated on chip by applying a voltage on the integrated heater. The phase shift is shown to be linearly proportional to applied electrical power, and the rotation angle of the interference pattern is observed to be inversely proportional to topological charge. This scheme can be used in lab-on-chip, communications and sensing applications. It can be intentionally implemented with other modulation elements to achieve more complicated applications.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Mapping power-law rheology of living cells using multi-frequency force modulation atomic force microscopy

We present multi-frequency force modulation atomic force microscopy (AFM) for mapping the complex shear modulus G* of living cells as a function of frequency over the range of 50–500 Hz in the same measurement time as the single-frequency force modulation measurement. The AFM technique enables us to reconstruct image maps of rheological parameters, which exhibit a frequency-dependent power-law behavior with respect to G{sup *}. These quantitative rheological measurements reveal a large spatial variation in G* in this frequency range for single cells. Moreover, we find that the reconstructed images of the power-law rheological parameters are much different from those obtained in force-curve or single-frequency force modulation measurements. This indicates that the former provide information about intracellular mechanical structures of the cells that are usually not resolved with the conventional force measurement methods.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Three-axis atomic magnetometer based on spin precession modulation

We demonstrate a three-axis atomic magnetometer with one intensity-modulated pump beam and one orthogonal probe beam. The main field component is measured using the resonance of the pumping light, while the transverse field components are measured simultaneously using the optical rotation of the probe beam modulated by the spin precession. It is an all-optical magnetometer without using any modulation field or radio frequency field. Magnetic field sensitivity of 0.8 pT/Hz{sup 1∕2} is achieved under a bias field of 2 μT.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Defect-induced discriminative modulation of the highest occupied molecular orbital energies of graphene

Defects are capable of modulating various properties of graphene, and thus controlling defects is useful in the development of graphene-based devices. Here we present first-principles calculations, which reveal a new avenue for defect engineering of graphene: the modulation by defects on the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy of a charged monolayer graphene quantum dot (GQD) is discriminative. When the charge of a GQD increases its HOMO energy also increases. Importantly, when the GQD contains one particular class of defects its HOMO energy is sometimes higher and sometimes lower than that of the corresponding GQD without any defects, but when the GQD contains another class of defects its HOMO energy is always higher or lower than that of the corresponding intact GQD as its excess charge reaches a critical value. This discriminative modulation could allow defect engineering to control secondary electron ejection in graphene, leading to a new way to develop graphene-based devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Acousto-optic modulation of a photonic crystal nanocavity with Lamb waves in microwave K band

Integrating nanoscale electromechanical transducers and nanophotonic devices potentially can enable acousto-optic devices to reach unprecedented high frequencies and modulation efficiency. Here, we demonstrate acousto-optic modulation of a photonic crystal nanocavity using Lamb waves with frequency up to 19 GHz, reaching the microwave K band. The devices are fabricated in suspended aluminum nitride membrane. Excitation of acoustic waves is achieved with interdigital transducers with period as small as 300 nm. Confining both acoustic wave and optical wave within the thickness of the membrane leads to improved acousto-optic modulation efficiency in these devices than that obtained in previous surface acoustic wave devices. Our system demonstrates a scalable optomechanical platform where strong acousto-optic coupling between cavity-confined photons and high frequency traveling phonons can be explored.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Modulation of electron-acoustic waves in a plasma with kappa distribution

In the present work, employing a one dimensional model of an unmagnetized collisionless plasma consisting of a cold electron fluid, hot electrons obeying κ velocity distribution, and stationary ions, we study the amplitude modulation of an electron-acoustic waves by use of the conventional reductive perturbation method. Employing the field equations of such a plasma, we obtained the nonlinear Schrödinger equation as the evolution equation. Seeking a harmonic wave solution with progressive wave amplitude to the evolution equation, as opposed to the plasma with vortex distribution, the amplitude wave assumes a shock wave type of solution. Finally, the modulational stability of the wave is studied and it is observed that the wave is modulationally stable for all admissible wave numbers.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Refractive index modulation of Sb{sub 70}Te{sub 30} phase-change thin films by multiple femtosecond laser pulses

In this study, the controllable effective refractive index modulation of Sb{sub 70}Te{sub 30} phase-change thin films between amorphous and crystalline states was achieved experimentally by multiple femtosecond laser pulses. The modulation mechanism was analyzed comprehensively by a spectral ellipsometer measurement, surface morphology observation, and two-temperature model calculations. We numerically demonstrate the application of the optically modulated refractive index of the phase-change thin films in a precisely adjustable color display. These results may provide further insights into ultrafast phase-transition mechanics and are useful in the design of programmable photonic and opto-electrical devices based on phase-change memory materials.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Large eddy simulations of a transcritical round jet submitted to transverse acoustic modulation

This article reports numerical computations of a turbulent round jet of transcritical fluid (low temperature nitrogen injected under high pressure conditions) surrounded by the same fluid at rest under supercritical conditions (high temperature and high pressure) and submitted to transverse acoustic modulations. The numerical framework relies on large eddy simulation in combination with a real-gas description of thermodynamics and transport properties. A stationary acoustic field is obtained by modulating the normal acoustic velocity at the lateral boundaries of the computational domain. This study specifically focuses on the interaction of the jet with the acoustic field to investigate how the round transcritical jet changes its shape and mixes with the surrounding fluid. Different modulation amplitudes and frequencies are used to sweep a range of conditions. When the acoustic field is established in the domain, the jet length is notably reduced and the jet is flattened in the spanwise direction. Two regimes of oscillation are identified: for low Strouhal numbers a large amplitude motion is observed, while for higher Strouhal numbers the jet oscillates with a small amplitude around the injector axis. The minimum length is obtained for a Strouhal number of 0.3 and the jet length increases with increasing Strouhal numbers after reaching this minimum value. The mechanism of spanwise deformation is shown to be linked with dynamical effects resulting from reduction of the pressure in the transverse direction in relation with increased velocities on the two sides of the jet. A propagative wave is then introduced in the domain leading to similar effects on the jet, except that a bending is also observed in the acoustic propagation direction. A kinematic model, combining hydrodynamic and acoustic contributions, is derived in a second stage to represent the motion of the jet centerline. This model captures details of the numerical simulations quite well. These various results can serve to interpret observations made on more complex flow configurations such as coaxial jets or jet flames formed by coaxial injectors.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Wavelength modulation laser-induced fluorescence for plasma characterization

Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy is an essential tool for probing ion and atom velocity distribution functions (VDFs) in complex plasmas. VDFs carry information about the kinetic properties of species that is critical for plasma characterization. Accurate interpretation of these functions is challenging due to factors such as multicomponent distributions, broadening effects, and background emissions. Our research investigates the use of Wavelength Modulation (WM) LIF to enhance the sensitivity of VDF measurements. Unlike standard Amplitude Modulation (AM) methods, WM–LIF measures the derivative of the LIF signal. This approach makes variations in VDF shape more pronounced. VDF measurements with WM–LIF were investigated with both numerical modeling and experimental measurements. The developed model enables the generation of both WM and AM signals, facilitating comparative analysis of fitting outcomes. Experiments were conducted in a weakly collisional argon plasma with magnetized electrons and non-magnetized ions. Measurements of the argon ion VDFs employed a narrow-band tunable diode laser, which scanned the 4p 4 D 7/2 –3d 4 F 9/2 transition centered at 664.553 nm in vacuum. A lock-in amplifier detected the second harmonic WM signal, which was generated by modulating the laser wavelength with an externally controlled piezo-driven mirror of the diode laser. Finally, our findings indicate that the WM–LIF signal is more sensitive to fitting parameters, allowing for better identification of VDF parameters such as the number of distribution components, their temperatures, and velocities. In addition, WM–LIF can serve as an independent method to verify AM measurements and is particularly beneficial in environments with substantial light noise or background emissions, such as those involving thermionic cathodes and reflective surfaces.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2013

Amplitude and phase modulation of radiation in a travelling-wave amplifier based on a laser diode

An analytical solution (in quadratures) to the problem of propagation of quasi-monochromatic optical signal in a semiconductor amplifier under harmonic modulation of its pump current is obtained for the first time. It is shown that the modulation of the output radiation has amplitude and phase features. The relation is found between the coefficients of the amplitude and phase modulation with the effect of gain saturation taken into account. Adequacy of the results obtained is confirmed experimentally. (control of laser radiation parameters)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Stochastic resonance at a subharmonic of a periodic modulation signal in solid-state lasers

The stochastic excitation of a subharmonic of a periodic modulation signal in the intensity spectrum of a solid-state laser is experimentally studied upon modulation of the pump rate by the noise and periodic signal. The stochastic resonance (SR) is observed in the presence of bistability in the laser. The conditions for SR at a subharmonic of the periodic modulation signal are determined. (control of laser radiation parameters)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Bistability of self-modulation oscillations in an autonomous solid-state ring laser

Bistable self-modulation regimes of generation for a ring YAG : Nd chip laser with the counterpropagating waves asymmetrically coupled via backward scattering are simulated numerically. Two branches of bistable self-modulation regimes of generation are found in the domain of the parametric resonance between the selfmodulation and relaxation oscillations. The self-modulation regimes observed in earlier experiments pertain to only one of the branches. Possible reasons for such a discrepancy are considered, related to the influence of technical and natural noise on the dynamics of solid-state ring lasers. (control of laser radiation parameters)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗