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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 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1980

The energy spectrum of cosmic ray electrons, 5-150 MeV in late 1978 and early 1979

The University of Chicago cosmic ray electron detector was launched aboard the ISEE-3 spacecraft on August 12, 1978. The energy spectrum of electrons measured in 1978 is nearly identical to that measured in 1968 by OGO-5. During the period of our investigation we observe quiet time increases in the electron flux which are of Jovian origin. These increases are restricted to energies below about 25 MeV but appear to have an energy dependence that peaks around 15 MeV.

Evenson, P.↗
DOE OSTI2021

py4DSTEM: A Software Package for Four-Dimensional Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Data Analysis

Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) allows for imaging, diffraction, and spectroscopy of materials on length scales ranging from microns to atoms. By using a high-speed, direct electron detector, it is now possible to record a full two-dimensional (2D) image of the diffracted electron beam at each probe position, typically a 2D grid of probe positions. These 4D-STEM datasets are rich in information, including signatures of the local structure, orientation, deformation, electromagnetic fields, and other sample-dependent properties. However, extracting this information requires complex analysis pipelines that include data wrangling, calibration, analysis, and visualization, all while maintaining robustness against imaging distortions and artifacts. In this paper, we present py4DSTEM, an analysis toolkit for measuring material properties from 4D-STEM datasets, written in the Python language and released with an open-source license. We describe the algorithmic steps for dataset calibration and various 4D-STEM property measurements in detail and present results from several experimental datasets. We also implement a simple and universal file format appropriate for electron microscopy data in py4DSTEM, which uses the open-source HDF5 standard. We hope this tool will benefit the research community and help improve the standards for data and computational methods in electron microscopy, and we invite the community to contribute to this ongoing project.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS1992

Secondary electron yields of solar system ices

The secondary electron yields of H2O, CO2, NH3, and CH3OH ices have been measured as a function of electron beam energy in the 2- to 30-keV energy range. The ices were produced on a liquid-nitrogen-cooled cold finger and transferred under vacuum to a SEM where the yield measurements were made. The imaging capabilities of the SEM provide a means of correlating the yield measurements with the morphology of the ices and are also used to monitor charging effects. The yields were determined by measuring the amplified current from a secondary electron detector and calibrating this current signal with the amplified current signal from samples of metals with known secondary electron yields. Each of the measured yields is found to decrease with an increase in energy in the 2- to 30-keV range. Estimates are given for the maximum secondary electron yield Y(max) of each ice and the energy at which this maximum yield occurs. Implications for the charging of solar system ice grains are discussed.

Suszcynsky, David M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Artificial stimulation of auroral electron acceleration by intense field aligned currents

A cesium-doped high explosion was detonated at 165 km altitude in the auroral ionosphere during quiet conditions. An Alfven wave pulse with a 200-mV/m electric field was observed, with the peak occurring 135 ms after the explosion at a distance of about 1 km. The count rate of fixed energy 2-keV electron detectors abruptly increased at 140 ms, peaked at 415 ms, and indicated a downward field-aligned beam of accelerated electrons. An anomalously high-field aligned beam of backscattered electrons was also detected. The acceleration is interpreted as due to production of an electrostatic shock or double layer between 300 and 800 km altitude. The structure was probably formed by an instability of the intense field-aligned currents in the Alfven wave launched by the charge-separation electric field due to the explosion.

Holmgren, G.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Magnon spectroscopy in the electron microscope

Abstract The miniaturization of transistors is approaching its limits owing to challenges in heat management and information transfer speed 1 . To overcome these obstacles, emerging technologies such as spintronics 2 are being developed, which make use of the electron’s spin as well as its charge. Local phenomena at interfaces or structural defects will greatly influence the efficiency of spin-based devices, making the ability to study spin-wave propagation at the nanoscale and atomic scale a key challenge 3,4 . The development of high-spatial-resolution tools to investigate spin waves, also called magnons, at relevant length scales is thus essential to understand how their properties are affected by local features. Here we detect bulk THz magnons at the nanoscale using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). By using high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy with hybrid-pixel electron detectors, we overcome the challenges posed by weak signals to map THz magnon excitations in a thin NiO nanocrystal. Advanced inelastic electron scattering simulations corroborate our findings. These results open new avenues for detecting magnons and exploring their dispersions and their modifications arising from nanoscale structural or chemical defects. This marks a milestone in magnonics and presents exciting opportunities for the development of spintronic devices.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
NASA NTRS1991

From C/Mrkos to P/Halley: 30 years of cometary spectroscopy

An Atlas of Cometary Spectra was compiled, as a sequel to the well-known Atlas published by Swings and Haser in 1956. The new atlas comprises some 400 reproductions of cometary spectra secured in the world's largest observatories during the three decades or so from the passage of comet Mrkos 1957 V, for which the very first high-dispersion spectrum was obtained, to the return of Halley's comet. The illustrations refer to 40 different comet apparitions; they are grouped into a set of 186 loose 11 x 14 in. plates, while the texts, comments, and relevant data are given in a separate booklet. The main purpose of this atlas is to show in detail the tremendous progress which was achieved in cometary spectroscopy during the period covered, essentially thanks to the use of high-resolution coude spectrographs and large telescopes, the considerable extension of the observed wavelength range, and the advent of electronic detectors. It is divided into two parts. Part 1, which contains about two-thirds of the selected material, presents photographic spectra, while electronically recorded spectra covering the vacuum ultraviolet, through the optical, infrared, and radio regions appear in Part 2.

Arpigny, C.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Radiation damage of germanium detectors

Energetic particles can produce interstitial-vacancy pairs in a crystal by knocking the atoms from their normal positions. Detectors are unique among semiconductor devices in depending on very low concentrations of electrically active impurities, and also on efficient transport of holes and electrons over relatively large distances. Because the dense regions of damage produced by energetic particles may result in donors and/or acceptors, and also provide trapping sites for holes and electrons, detectors are very sensitive to radiation damage. In addition to these effects occurring within the detector, radiation may also change the characteristics of the exposed surfaces causing unpredictable effects on the detector leakage current. Radiation-induced surface degradation has rarely, if ever, been observed for germanium detectors. The possibility of minimizing hole trapping in charge collection by the use of a high-purity germanium coaxial detector configured with the p (+) contact on the coaxial periphery is discussed.

Pehl, R. H.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Halo removal experiments with hollow electron lens in the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider

A hollow electron beam has been proposed as an active control tool to remove the beam halo from high-energy, high-current hadron or ion machines (such as the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider). To study the halo removal rate and assess the effect on the ion beam core, one of the two electron lenses in the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider was changed from a Gaussian beam profile to a hollow profile. We describe the design and verification of the hollow electron beam parameters as well as the methods to minimize the hollow beam profile distortions, which can result in an ion beam emittance increase. The hollow beam alignment with the ion beam by using a backscattered electron detector has been demonstrated. Furthermore, experiments were carried out to explore the efficiency of the halo removal by scanning the current and inner radius of the hollow electron beam, which is pulsed either every turn or every nth turn. The effects of the hollow electron beam on the ion beam emittance and luminosity were also assessed experimentally by scanning the inner radius of the electron beam.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
NASA NTRS1973

The spectrum of galactic electrons with energies between 10 and 900 GeV

A cosmic-ray electron detector has been exposed during 1970 in three high-altitude balloon flights from Palestine, Texas. The data analysis is based on results from accelerator calibrations with electrons and pions at SLAC. Discrimination against a contamination of the electron data due to interacting protons has been achieved by statistical methods. The resulting differential energy spectrum of cosmic-ray electrons can be well described by a single power law with spectral index 2.66 plus or minus 0.1 up to energies around 250 GeV. Within the experimental uncertainty, no change in this spectral slope up to almost 1000 GeV can be detected. Some implications of these results are discussed.

Mueller, D.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Brief characterization of germanium junction field effect transistors (FETs) at 77, 4, and 1.8 K

In the case of modern infrared focal planes, one of the major problems is related to the noise contribution of the cooled, impedance-matching device used as the preamplifier stage in the detector electronics system. An ideal preamp device should have the low-noise advantages of a buried-channel device and operate isothermally with the low-temperature detector array. The Ge JFET might provide this ideal device. A testing program with Ge JFETs is discussed. It is concluded that germanium JFETs offer an attractive alternative for cryogenic preamplifier designs. They operate well with high transconductance and low noise at LHe temperatures. It is believed that these devices point the way for the development of large, integrated-array, long wavelength, infrared focal planes which incorporate germanium detectors, germanium load resistors, and germanium preamplifiers within the same monolithic structure.

Arentz, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Particle Detectors and Data Analysis for Cusp Transient Features Campaign

Grant NAG5-5084 was awarded to support the participation of South West Research Institute (SwRI) in building the energy per unit charge particle detectors for the Cusp Transient Features Campaign and analysis of flight data from these instruments. The detectors are part of an instrumented payload (Rocket 36.152, Dr. R. Pfaff, P.I.) launched from Svalbard on December 3, 1997, into the dark cusp. The particle instruments, a Cusp Electron Detector (CED) and a Cusp Ion Detector (CID), built on this project, provided differential energy and angular measurements along the rocket trajectory throughout the flight.

Sharber, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS2016

SEXTANT X-Ray Pulsar Navigation Demonstration: Flight System and Test Results

The Station Explorer for X-ray Timing and Navigation Technology (SEXTANT) is a technology demonstration enhancement to the Neutron-star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) mission. NICER is a NASA Explorer Mission of Opportunity that will be hosted on the International Space Station (ISS). SEXTANT will, for the first time, demonstrate real-time, on-board X-ray Pulsar Navigation (XNAV), a significant milestone in the quest to establish a GPS-like navigation capability available throughout our Solar System and beyond. This paper gives an overview of the SEXTANT system architecture and describes progress prior to environmental testing of the NICER flight instrument. It provides descriptions and development status of the SEXTANT flight software and ground system, as well as detailed description and results from the flight software functional and performance testing within the highfidelity Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) X-ray Navigation Laboratory Testbed (GXLT) software and hardware simulation environment. Hardware-in-the-loop simulation results are presented, using the engineering model of the NICER timing electronics and the GXLT pulsar simulator-the GXLT precisely controls NASA GSFC's unique Modulated X-ray Source to produce X-rays that make the NICER detector electronics appear as if they were aboard the ISS viewing a sequence of millisecond pulsars.

SEXTANT↗
NASA NTRS2016

SEXTANT X-Ray Pulsar Navigation Demonstration: Flight System and Test Results

The Station Explorer for X-ray Timing and Navigation Technology (SEXTANT) is a technology demonstration enhancement to the Neutron-star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) mission. NICER is a NASA Explorer Mission of Opportunity that will be hosted on the International Space Station (ISS). SEXTANT will, for the first time, demonstrate real-time, on-board X-ray Pulsar Navigation (XNAV), a significant milestone in the quest to establish a GPS-like navigation capability available throughout our Solar System and beyond. This paper gives an overview of the SEXTANT system architecture and describes progress prior to environmental testing of the NICER flight instrument. It provides descriptions and development status of the SEXTANT flight software and ground system, as well as detailed description and results from the flight software functional and performance testing within the high-fidelity Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) X-ray Navigation Laboratory Testbed (GXLT) software and hardware simulation environment. Hardware-in-the-loop simulation results are presented, using the engineering model of the NICER timing electronics and the GXLT pulsar simulator-the GXLT precisely controls NASA GSFC's unique Modulated X-ray Source to produce X-rays that make the NICER detector electronics appear as if they were aboard the ISS viewing a sequence of millisecond pulsars

Pulsar↗
NASA NTRS1981

Submillisecond measurements of system optical modulation functions in mosaic focal plane arrays

Measurements of system optical modulation functions (MTF, SWR) may be distorted by time-dependent environmental effects (thermal, vibration, flexure) and by electronics drift. Fast data collection may therefore be advantageous by minimizing drift time. The problem of fast data collection is accentuated when modulation data must be taken on a large number of detectors in a focal plane array. A method has been developed for the generation and storage of knife edge data from focal plane arrays, where data collection time per detector is in the submillisecond range. Once knife edge collects are completed, MTF response is found using conventional convolution techniques. SWR is obtained directly from knife edge response using a computerized simulation algorithm which bypasses use of MTF harmonics. Requirements for detector electronics speed, damping, and dynamic range are considered.

Thurlow, P. E.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Performance of high resolution decoding with Multi-Anode Microchannel Array detectors

The Multi-Anode Microchannel Array (MAMA) is a microchannel plate based photon counting detector with applications in ground-based and space-based astronomy. The detector electronics decode the position of each photon event, and the decoding algorithm that associates a given event with the appropriate pixel is determined by the geometry of the anode array. The standard MAMA detector has a spatial resolution set by the anode array of 25 microns, but the MCP pore resolution exceeds this. The performance of a new algorithm that halves the pixel spacing and improves the pixel spatial resolution is described. The new algorithm does not degrade the pulse-pair resolution of the detector and does not require any modifications to the detector tube. Measurements of the detector's response demonstrate that high resolution decoding yields a 60 percent enhancement in spatial resolution. Measurements of the performance of the high resolution algorithm with a 14 micron MAMA detector are also described. The parameters that control high resolution performance are discussed. Results of the application of high resolution decoding to speckle interferometry are presented.

Kasle, David B.↗
DOE OSTI2020

First measurements with the CMS DAQ and Timing Hub prototype-1

The DAQ and Timing Hub is an ATCA hub board designed for the Phase-2 upgrade of the CMS experiment. In addition to providing high-speed Ethernet connectivity to all back-end boards, it forms the bridge between the sub-detector electronics and the central DAQ, timing, and trigger control systems. One important requirement is the distribution of several high-precision, phase-stable, and LHC synchronous clock signals for use by the timing detectors. The current paper presents first measurements performed on the initial prototype, with a focus on clock quality. It is demonstrated that the current design provides adequate clock quality to satisfy the requirements of the Phase-2 CMS timing detectors.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗