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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 1,261 records · Page 70
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

The typecasting of active galactic nuclei: Mrk 590 no longer fits the role

We present multiwavelength observations that trace more than 40 yr in the life of the active galactic nucleus (AGN) in Mrk 590, traditionally known as a classic Seyfert 1 galaxy. From spectra recently obtained from Hubble Space Telescope, Chandra, and the Large Binocular Telescope, we find that the activity in the nucleus of Mrk 590 has diminished so significantly that the continuum luminosity is a factor of 100 lower than the peak luminosity probed by our long-baseline observations. Furthermore, the broad emission lines, once prominent in the UV/optical spectrum, have all but disappeared. Since AGN type is defined by the presence of broad emission lines in the optical spectrum, our observations demonstrate that Mrk 590 has now become a 'changing-look' AGN. If classified by recent optical spectra, Mrk 590 would be a Seyfert ∼1.9–2, where the only broad emission line still visible in the optical spectrum is a weak component of Hα. As an additional consequence of this change, we have definitively detected UV narrow-line components in a Type 1 AGN, allowing an analysis of these emission-line components with high-resolution COS spectra. These observations challenge the historical paradigm that AGN type is only a consequence of the line-of-sight viewing angle toward the nucleus in the presence of a geometrically flattened, obscuring medium (i.e., the torus). Our data instead suggest that the current state of Mrk 590 is a consequence of the change in luminosity, which implies the black hole accretion rate has significantly decreased.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Visible to near-infrared luminescence properties of Nd{sup 3+}-doped La{sub 2}BaZnO{sub 5} phosphor

La{sub 2}BaZnO{sub 5}:Nd{sup 3+} phosphors are synthesized by a conventional high temperature solid state reaction method, and its crystal structure and luminescence properties are investigated. Photoluminescence bands peaking at ∼496, 540, 630, 670, 905, 1070, and 1350 nm of La{sub 2}BaZnO{sub 5}:Nd{sup 3+} phosphors are observed at room temperature due to f–f transition of Nd{sup 3+} ion. The optimum Nd{sup 3+} doped concentration is ∼0.03. Lifetimes of La{sub 1.97}BaZnO{sub 5}:0.03Nd{sup 3+} phosphor with 496 and 1070 nm monitoring wavelengths are ∼280 and 250 µs, respectively. The luminescence mechanism is explained by using simplified energy lever diagram of Nd{sup 3+} ion. La{sub 2}BaZnO{sub 5}:Nd{sup 3+} material can be applied to powerful solid-state lasers as high efficient light sources. - Graphical abstract: PL spectra of La{sub 2}BaZnO{sub 5}:Nd{sup 3+} phosphor in the visible and near-infrared regions and their corresponding to PLE at room temperature. - Highlights: • La{sub 2}BaZnO{sub 5}:Nd{sup 3+} phosphor is synthesized. • PL spectrum is observed in the visible region. • PL spectrum is observed in the near-infrared region.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1978

Upconversion of broadband infrared spectra

An experimental device successfully upconverts IR radiation in the 3.2-5.0 micron wavelength range simultaneously to visible light at 0.80-0.88 microns, while preserving frequency coding and is thus applicable to IR spectroscopy. The 1.8-micron bandwidth of IR radiation that is upconverted without temperature or phase match tuning is the largest yet reported. The over-all system quantum efficiency of the upconverter/spectrometer system is 0.01% and could be improved to 0.4%.

Gurski, T. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Visible and near-IR spectral reflectance of geologically important materials: A short review

Examples of reflectance spectra are presented and discussed for various mineral groups including pyroxenes, olivene, phylosilicates, amphiboles, feldspars, oxides and hydroxides, carbonates, and mixtures of minerals. The physical sources of some spectral features are also reviewed such as charge transfer and conduction bands, crystal field absorptions, and vibrational absorptions.

Singer, R. B.↗
DOE OSTI2013

Supermassive population III supernovae and the birth of the first quasars

The existence of supermassive black holes as early as z ∼ 7 is one of the great, unsolved problems in cosmological structure formation. One leading theory argues that they are born during catastrophic baryon collapse in z ∼ 15 protogalaxies that form in strong Lyman-Werner UV backgrounds. Atomic line cooling in such galaxies fragments baryons into massive clumps that are thought to directly collapse to 10{sup 4}-10{sup 5} M {sub ☉} black holes. We have now discovered that some of these fragments can instead become supermassive stars that eventually explode as thermonuclear supernovae (SNe) with energies of ∼10{sup 55} erg, the most energetic explosions in the universe. We have calculated light curves and spectra for supermassive Pop III SNe with the Los Alamos RAGE and SPECTRUM codes. We find that they will be visible in near-infrared all-sky surveys by Euclid out to z ∼ 10-15 and by WFIRST and WISH out to z ∼ 15-20, perhaps revealing the birthplaces of the first quasars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Encoding Multilayer Complexity in Anti-Counterfeiting Heterometallic MOF-based Optical Tags

Optical tags provide a way to quickly and unambiguously identify valuable assets. Current tag fluorophore options lack the tunability to allow combined methods of encoding in a single material. Here we report a design strategy to encode multilayer complexity in a family of heterometallic rare-earth metal-organic frameworks based on highly connected nonanuclear clusters. To impart both intricacy and security, a synergistic approach was implemented resulting in both overt (visible) and covert (near infrared, NIR) properties, with concomitant multi-emissive spectra and tunable luminescence lifetimes. Tag authentication is validated with a variety of orthogonal detection methodologies. Importantly, the effect induced by subtle compositional changes on intermetallic energy transfer, and thus on the resulting photophysical properties, is demonstrated. This strategy can be widely implemented to create a large library of highly complex, difficult to counterfeit optical tags.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effect of W6+ dopant on the morphology and luminescence properties of NaLa(MoO4)2: Eu3+ phosphors

Highlights: • NaLa(W{sub x}Mo{sub 1−x}O{sub 4}){sub 2}: Eu{sup 3+} with various shapes were synthesized via hydrothermal method. • No structural modifier or organic solvents were used. • Morphology and luminescence properties were manipulated by mole ratio of W/Mo. • NaLa(W{sub x}Mo{sub 1−x}O{sub 4}){sub 2}:Eu{sup 3+} was brighter than that of Com-Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}: Eu{sup 3+}. - Abstract: W{sup 6+} dopant on the NaLa(MoO{sub 4}){sub 2}:Eu{sup 3+} solid solution phosphors with various shapes have been synthesized via the hydrothermal method without using any structural modifier and organic solvents. The morphology and luminescence properties of W{sup 6+} doped NaLa(MoO{sub 4}){sub 2}:Eu{sup 3+} phosphors are obtained and characterized by SEM and PL/PLE spectra. Both morphology and luminescence properties are considered to manipulate by the mole ratio of W/Mo. By increasing the W{sup 6+} amount, particle shapes are changed from rice-shaped particles to spindle-shaped, cocoon-shaped, then to layers of octahedron-shaped. Under UV light excitation, all samples show bright red light due to the characteristic 4f-4f transitions of Eu{sup 3+}. Tungstate and molybdate phosphors have higher luminescence intensity than that of tungstate and molybdate solid solution phosphors.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2013

A framework to analyze searches for gauge bosons of the hidden light sector in electron scattering fixed target experiments

Electron scattering fixed target experiments are a versatile tool to probe various kinds of physics phenomena. Recently fixed target experiments in which an electron beam is scattered off a heavy nucleus and a lepton-antilepton pair is created, i.e. e(A,Z) →e(A,Z)l{sup +}l{sup −}, were utilized to search for physics beyond the standard model at modest energies. In these experiments one searches for a small, narrow resonance in the invariant mass spectrum of the lepton-antilepton pair, arising from the exchange of a new light gauge boson γ′ coupling to the dark sector as well as very weakly to standard model particles. Such a signal would appear as an enhancement over a smooth QED background. Hence a precise understanding of the background is crucial. We present a theoretical analysis of the process e(A,Z) →e(A,Z)l{sup +}l{sup −}. Therefore we have performed an analysis of the cross section, which is then used to extract exclusion limits on the parameter space of the γ′, describing the existing experimental data taken at MAMI.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Stress-induced piezoelectric field in GaN-based 450-nm light-emitting diodes

We investigated the influence of the built-in piezoelectric field induced by compressive stress on the characteristics of GaN-based 450-nm light-emitting diodes (LEDs) prepared on sapphire substrates of different thicknesses. As the sapphire substrate thickness was reduced, the compressive stress in the GaN layer was released, resulting in wafer bowing. The wafer bowing-induced mechanical stress altered the piezoelectric field, which in turn reduced the quantum confined Stark effect in the InGaN/GaN active region of the LED. The flat-band voltage was estimated by measuring the applied bias voltage that induced a 180° phase shift in the electro-reflectance (ER) spectrum. The piezoelectric field estimated by the ER spectra changed by ∼110 kV/cm. The electroluminescence spectral peak wavelength was blue-shifted, and the internal quantum efficiency was improved by about 22% at a high injection current of 100 mA. The LED on the 60-μm-thick sapphire substrate exhibited the highest light output power of ∼59 mW at an injection current of 100 mA, with the operating voltage unchanged.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Spectroscopic ellipsometry on Si/SiO{sub 2}/graphene tri-layer system exposed to downstream hydrogen plasma: Effects of hydrogenation and chemical sputtering

In this work, the optical response of graphene to hydrogen plasma treatment is investigated with spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements. Although the electronic transport properties and Raman spectrum of graphene change after plasma hydrogenation, ellipsometric parameters of the Si/SiO2/graphene tri-layer system do not change. This is attributed to plasma hydrogenated graphene still being electrically conductive, since the light absorption of conducting 2D materials does not depend on the electronic band structure. A change in the light transmission can only be observed when higher energy hydrogen ions (30 eV) are employed, which chemically sputter the graphene layer. An optical contrast is still apparent after sputtering due to the remaining traces of graphene and hydrocarbons on the surface. In brief, plasma treatment does not change the light transmission of graphene; and when it does, this is actually due to plasma damage rather than plasma hydrogenation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Electronic and dielectric properties of vacancy clusters as quantum dot in silicane

First principal study of electronic and dielectric properties of a silicane nanostructure containing cluster of vacancies as quantum dot (QD) has been investigated within density functional theory (DFT). Electronic band structure and corresponding density of states show the decrease in band gap with increasing size of quantum dot. A band gap of 0.38 eV has been achieved for silicane containing 3QD. Electron energy loss spectra (EEL) function shows additional plasmonic features for QD containing silicane in visible region, which may have potential applications in optoelectronic devices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

In situ investigations of laser and thermally modified As{sub 2}S{sub 3} nanolayers: Synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations

As-deposited, annealed, and in situ As{sub 2}S{sub 3} nanolayers, illuminated by blue (405 nm) and red (650 nm) laser light, were studied using synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy and DFT electronic structure calculations. Changes in composition and local atomic coordination occurring in the irradiated region of As{sub 2}S{sub 3} films were monitored by analysis of As 3d and S 2p core levels. These studies show that both the thermal treatment and the red laser illumination of As{sub 2}S{sub 3} nanolayers decrease the concentration of homopolar (As-As and S-S) bonds. From the other hand, an increasing concentration of As-rich structural units (s.u.) with a homopolar As-As bond was observed under in situ blue laser illumination of As{sub 2}S{sub 3} nanolayers. Molecular orbital energies were calculated for different As- and S-centered s.u. and used for the interpretation of the core levels and valence band spectra. The surface local structure of the As{sub 2}S{sub 3} nanolayers and its photoinduced transformation are discussed in detail.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Ultra low emittance electron beams from multi-alkali antimonide photocathode operated with infrared light

The intrinsic emittance of electron beams generated from a multi-alkali photocathode operated in a high voltage DC gun is reported. The photocathode showed sensitivity extending to the infrared part of the spectrum up to 830 nm. The measured intrinsic emittances of electron beams generated with light having wavelength longer than 800 nm are approaching the limit imposed by the thermal energy of electrons at room temperature with quantum efficiencies comparable to metallic photocathodes used in operation of modern photoinjectors.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Assessment of strontium oxide functionalized graphene nanoflakes for enhanced photocatalytic activity: A density functional theory approach

A series of strontium oxide functionalized graphene nanoflakes were designed and their optoelectronic properties were studied for enhanced photocatalytic activity. The efficiency of designed molecules was studied using various parameters such as HOMO-LUMO energy gap, light harvesting efficiency and exciton binding energy. The computed results show that by increasing the degree of functionalization of strontium oxide leads to lowering the band gap of hydrogen terminated graphene nanoflakes. Furthermore, the study explores the role of strontium oxide functionalization in Frontier Molecular Orbitals, ionization potential, electron affinity, exciton binding energy and light harvesting efficiency of designed molecules. The infrared and Raman spectra were simulated for pure and SrO functionalized graphene nanoflakes. The electron rich and electron deficient regions which are favorable for electrophilic and nucleophilic attacks respectively were analyzed using molecular electrostatic potential surface analysis.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

PHASE-RESOLVED INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY AND PHOTOMETRY OF V1500 CYGNI, AND A SEARCH FOR SIMILAR OLD CLASSICAL NOVAE

We present phase-resolved near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy of the classical nova (CN) V1500 Cyg to explore whether cyclotron emission is present in this system. While the spectroscopy do not indicate the presence of discrete cyclotron harmonic emission, the light curves suggest that a sizable fraction of its near-infrared fluxes are due to this component. The light curves of V1500 Cyg appear to remain dominated by emission from the heated face of the secondary star in this system. We have used infrared spectroscopy and photometry to search for other potential magnetic systems among old CNe. We have found that the infrared light curves of V1974 Cyg superficially resemble those of V1500 Cyg, suggesting a highly irradiated companion. The old novae V446 Her and QV Vul have light curves with large amplitude variations like those seen in polars, suggesting they might have magnetic primaries. We extract photometry for 79 old novae from the Two Micron All Sky Survey Point Source Catalog and use those data to derive the mean, un-reddened infrared colors of quiescent novae. We also extract WISE data for these objects and find that 45 of them were detected. Surprisingly, a number of these systems were detected in the WISE 22 {mu}m band. While two of those objects produced significant dust shells (V705 Cas and V445 Pup), the others did not. It appears that line emission from their ionized ejected shells is the most likely explanation for those detections.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

TWO SNe Ia AT REDSHIFT ∼2: IMPROVED CLASSIFICATION AND REDSHIFT DETERMINATION WITH MEDIUM-BAND INFRARED IMAGING

We present two supernovae (SNe) discovered with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in the Cosmic Assembly Near-infrared Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey, an HST multi-cycle treasury program. We classify both objects as SNe Ia and find redshifts of z = 1.80 ± 0.02 and 2.26{sup +0.02}{sub −0.10}, the latter of which is the highest redshift SN Ia yet seen. Using light curve fitting we determine luminosity distances and find that both objects are consistent with a standard ΛCDM cosmological model. These SNe were observed using the HST Wide Field Camera 3 infrared detector, with imaging in both wide- and medium-band filters. We demonstrate that the classification and redshift estimates are significantly improved by the inclusion of single-epoch medium-band observations. This medium-band imaging approximates a very low resolution spectrum (λ/Δλ ≲ 100) which can isolate broad spectral absorption features that differentiate SNe Ia from their most common core collapse cousins. This medium-band method is also insensitive to dust extinction and (unlike grism spectroscopy) it is not affected by contamination from the SN host galaxy or other nearby sources. As such, it can provide a more efficient—though less precise—alternative to IR spectroscopy for high-z SNe.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

LUMINOUS AND VARIABLE STARS IN M31 AND M33. I. THE WARM HYPERGIANTS AND POST-RED SUPERGIANT EVOLUTION

The progenitors of Type IIP supernovae (SNe) have an apparent upper limit to their initial masses of about 20 M{sub Sun }, suggesting that the most massive red supergiants evolve to warmer temperatures before their terminal explosion. But very few post-red supergiants are known. We have identified a small group of luminous stars in M31 and M33 that are candidates for post-red supergiant evolution. These stars have A-F-type supergiant absorption line spectra and strong hydrogen emission. Their spectra are also distinguished by the Ca II triplet and [Ca II] doublet in emission formed in a low-density circumstellar environment. They all have significant near- and mid-infrared excess radiation due to free-free emission and thermal emission from dust. We estimate the amount of mass they have shed and discuss their wind parameters and mass loss rates, which range from a few Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -6} to 10{sup -4} M{sub Sun} yr{sup -1}. On an H-R diagram, these stars will overlap the region of the luminous blue variables (LBVs) at maximum light; however, the warm hypergiants are not LBVs. Their non-spherical winds are not optically thick, and they have not exhibited any significant variability. We suggest, however, that the warm hypergiants may be the progenitors of the ''less luminous'' LBVs such as R71 and even SN1987A.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

TIME SERIES ANALYSIS OF GAMMA-RAY BLAZARS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CENTRAL BLACK-HOLE MASS

Radiation from the blazar class of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) exhibits fast time variability which is usually ascribed to instabilities in the emission region near the central supermassive black hole. The variability time scale is generally faster in higher energy region, and data recently provided by the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope in the GeV energy band enable a detailed study of the temporal behavior of AGN. Due to its wide field-of-view in the scanning mode, most sky regions are observed for several hours per day and daily light curves of many AGNs have been accumulated for more than 4 yr. In this paper we investigate the time variability of 15 well-detected AGNs by studying the normalized power spectrum density of their light curves in the GeV energy band. One source, 3C 454.3, shows a specific time scale of 6.8 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 5} s, and this value suggests, assuming the internal shock model, a mass for the central black hole of (10{sup 8}-10{sup 10}) M{sub Sun} which is consistent with other estimates. It also indicates the typical time interval of ejected blobs is (7-70) times the light crossing time of the Schwarzschild radius.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗