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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 1,369 records · Page 76
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Impact of environmental backgrounds on atmospheric monitoring of nuclear explosions

Radionuclide monitoring for nuclear explosions includes measuring radioactive aerosol and noble gas concentrations in the atmosphere. The International Monitoring System (IMS) of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) has made such measurements for decades, revealing much about how atmospheric radioactivity impacts the sensitivity of the network. For example, civilian emissions of radioiodine make a substantial regional impact, but a minor global impact, while civilian radioxenon emissions create major regional and complex global impacts. This example statement is strongly influenced by the minimum signal level anticipated to be interesting. The original design of the IMS anticipated relatively large signal levels, and the accomplished IMS network substantially meets or exceeds the sensitivity needed to detect those signal levels. Much lower signal levels can be motivated, which could require reconsideration of station sensitivity. Using measured and simulated background concentrations, various possible desired signal levels, and an innovative anomaly threshold, maps of sensitivity and a station ranking are developed for current and future stations. These provide a strong motivation for additional experimentation to learn about sources and the potential plusses of new technology.

Eslinger, Paul W.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Retracted Article: Distributed energy management for networked microgrids in a three-phase unbalanced distribution network

Owing to increased penetration of three-phase and single-phase microgrids, distributed energy resources (DERs), and responsive loads, the maintenance of a three-phase balance by distribution networks is a significant challenge. Existing literature on distributed energy management for networked microgrids generally neglects the distribution network or employs a simplified phase balanced distribution network; thus, these evaluations are not applicable. Further, the underlying mutual coupling between the different phases of distribution feeders results in a more challenging situation. Here, to solve this issue, this study sought to propose distributed energy management based on a three-phase unbalanced distribution network. Various three-phase or single-phase microgrids, utility-owned DERs, and responsive loads were coordinated through iteratively adjusted price signals. Based on the price signals received, the microgrid controllers (MCs) and distribution management system (DMS) updated the schedules of the DERs and responsive loads under their jurisdiction separately. The price signals were then updated according to the generation-load mismatch at each node and distributed to the corresponding MCs and DMS for the next iteration. The iteration continued until a sufficiently small generation-load mismatch was achieved at all nodes, that is, a balanced generation and load at all nodes under the agreed price signals. Considering a three-phase unbalanced distribution network, the price signals were determined per phase per node. Overall, the proposed distributed energy management coordinates microgrids, utility-owned DERs, responsive loads with guaranteed network constraints, and preserves the privacy of microgrid customers. This distributed energy management method was further demonstrated through various case studies on a three-phase networked microgrid test system.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

An elastin-like polymer targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 reduces survival in serum-starved endothelial cells

Peptides often exhibit biological activity that depends on the context in which they are displayed and delivered. Understanding and controlling these contextual effects on peptide function is critical for designing targeted and responsive peptide-based biomaterials and therapeutics. Genetically engineered protein polymers such as elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) can incorporate bioactive peptide motifs and are attractive candidates for biomaterials used in tissue engineering and targeted drug delivery. They also present an opportunity for investigating and modulating cell signaling pathways by presenting a peptide ligand in various defined chemical and physical environments. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR1) signaling plays important and complex roles in cell survival and angiogenesis, but polymeric materials that interact with this signaling axis are scarce. In this study, a novel genetically engineered elastin-like polymer that targets VEGFR1 is characterized. This polymer, termed R1B-ELP, binds to human endothelial cells in a manner dependent on its VEGFR1-targeting motif and, based on cell proliferation and cytotoxicity assays, demonstrates activity consistent with disrupting pro-survival signaling necessary for endothelial cell function under conditions of environmental stress. Notably, these findings indicate that ELP fusion alters the functional behavior of the targeting peptide. Modulators of VEGFR1 signaling have potential applications in basic studies of angiogenesis as well as in therapeutic applications targeting vascular or inflammatory diseases.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Identifying recharge sources and their impacts on a North Central New Mexico shallow aquifer using unsupervised machine learning

In this article, shallow aquifers are important but highly variable resources in arid to semi-arid regions. Limited shallow aquifer volume results in high sensitivity to recharge fluctuations, which can impact the local fauna and flora, and transport of contaminants in the aquifer or vadose zone. Aquifer response to external forcing (e.g., precipitation) is usually solved by estimating aquifer parameters and running physics-based models to match known fluctuations of hydraulic head. However, this technique is time and computationally expensive. Furthermore, high aquifer complexity decreases precision in physics-based models. Alternatively supervised machine learning is used to predict aquifer dynamics. However, these techniques rely on input data and struggle to interpret aquifer response for missing sources (i.e., snowpack data). To counter these problems, we propose an unsupervised machine learning technique (NMFk) to estimate the impact of different sources on aquifer recharge. NMFk is used to understand the influence of external forcing on shallow aquifer recharge in the Pajarito Plateau (Los Alamos, NM, USA). The results show how NMFk can be used to reduce the data dimension in a complex field dataset to three recharge signals that cause fluctuations within the field data. Here, the source signals are interpreted as rainfall, snowmelt, and a delayed aquifer response to the previous two signals. These results evidence how heterogeneous aquifers delimited by canyons incised into the Pajarito Plateau respond in similar ways to the source signals identified by NMFk. Furthermore, results show the importance of the local geology where faults act as sinks, and anthropogenic disturbances can facilitate infiltration amplifying the interpreted signal.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Angular-spectral filtering of recoil protons for optimization of fast neutron imaging employing proton converters

Fast neutron imaging is an important capability for diverse applications such as inertial confinement fusion diagnostics, cargo security, nuclear nonproliferation and arms control, and industrial inspection. Traditional phosphor image plates can be enhanced for fast neutron imaging using hydrogenous plastic converters which allow fast neutrons to scatter off hydrogen nuclei to produce energetic protons that can be recorded by the image plate. However, protons emitted by image plates are not constrained in their emission angle, which contributes to the blur of the resulting image. Here, we investigate two methods that can alter the spatial extent of converted protons that deposit energy in the image plate: reducing the converter thickness, and introducing a proton filter between the plastic converter and image plate to reduce the contribution of lower-energy, off-axis protons to the image. Here we determine the optimal plastic converter thickness for maximizing the signal intensity to be 2–3 mm through Monte Carlo simulations, and we benchmark this result against experimental measurements with a deuterium-tritium (DT) neutron generator. Next, we evaluate the image smearing and signal loss for various converters to show that solely reducing the converter thickness has the expected effect of reducing the blur from proton image smearing of the sharpness of an edge recorded on the image plate at the cost of reducing the signal intensity. The use of a proton filter is shown to achieve a similar improvement of edge sharpness as reducing the converter thickness while also sacrificing the signal intensity. We conclude that the use of proton energy filtering can improve the sharpness of fast neutron images in situations where the converter thickness cannot be reduced below some practical minimum. For more intense neutron sources, the signal intensity is of less concern, and optimizing the resolution of the image plate and therefore of the imaging system could have greater value. In these applications, proton filters may allow for improved fast neutron imaging measurements.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2021

MiR-205–5p suppresses angiogenesis in gastric cancer by downregulating the expression of VEGFA and FGF1

Highlights: • MiR-205-5p was commonly downregulated in GC tissues from TCGA database and our hospital, and these events were associated with a worse TNM stagedistant metastasis and poor survival. • MiR-205-5p and CD31 expressions were negatively inter-related within GC tissues from TCGA database and our hospital. • GC cell lines expressed lower level of miR-205-5p significantly as compared with the normal gastric cell line. • MiR-205-5p upregulation significantly impaired proliferation and colony formation of GC cells and neovascularization induced by GC cells in vitro and in vivo. • The angiogenesis and ERK-signaling were depressed by VEGFA and FGF1 downregulation induced by miR-205-5p overexpression. The miR-205-5p inhibitor promoted malignant phenotypes by enhancing VEGFA and FGF1 expressions, as well as the activation of ERK-signaling. Anti-angiogenic therapy represents one of the most promising treatment modalities for human cancers. However, the response to antiangiogenic therapy in gastric cancer (GC) remains dismal. To help identify new strategies for antiangiogenic therapy in GC, we evaluated miR-205–5p expression in GC tissues from TCGA database and our hospital, and its functions in angiogenesis were explored in vitro and in vivo. We investigated miR-205–5p expression and microvessel densities (MVDs) in GC tissues and liver metastases from patients. The function and mechanisms of miR-205–5p were examined in human cell lines and in xenograft mouse models. Associations between miR-205–5p expression and clinical characteristics were analyzed using either Pearson's χ{sup 2} test or Fisher's exact test. Differences in overall survival (OS) distributions were evaluated using the log-rank test. Differences in measurement data were compared using Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA. We found that miR-205–5p expression was downregulated in GC tissues and was negatively correlated with CD31 expression in both TCGA and our clinical samples. GC cell lines expressed low levels of miR-205–5p, and miR-205–5p upregulation significantly impaired the proliferation and angiogenesis of GC cells. Moreover, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) expression and activation of extracellular-related kinase (ERK) signaling were suppressed by miR-205–5p. MiR-205–5p inhibition promoted malignant phenotypes by enhancing VEGFA and FGF1 expression, as well as the activation of ERK signaling. Angiogenesis and ERK signaling were decreased in response to VEGFA and FGF1 downregulation induced by miR-205–5p overexpression. The dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that VEGFA and FGF1 were direct targets of miR-205–5p. Xenograft mouse models revealed that miR-205–5p suppressed tumor growth by inhibiting neovascularization. Altogether, these results demonstrate that miR-205–5p suppresses angiogenesis in GC by attenuating the expression of VEGFA and FGF1, indicating that upregulation of miR-205–5p may represent as an antiangiogenic therapy for GC.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Depletion of Fractalkine ameliorates renal injury and Treg cell apoptosis via the p38MAPK pathway in lupus-prone mice

Highlights: • FKN and p-p38 were increased in the renal of lupus mice. • Anti-FKN antibody and SB203580 ameliorated renal injury in lupus mice. • FKN KD and SB203580 reduced cell apoptosis, and suppressed p38MAPK signal in Treg cells derived from lupus mice spleen. • The p38MAPK activator U-46619 had the opposite effect in these cells. • Depletion of FKN ameliorates renal injury and Treg cell apoptosis via p38MAPK signal in lupus nephritis. Fractalkine (FKN) is a chemokine with several roles, including chemotaxis; adhesion; and immune damage, which also participates in cell inflammation and apoptosis and responds to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Given the involvement of regulatory T cells (Treg) cells in autoimmune diseases, this study investigated the regulatory mechanism of FKN in renal injury and Treg apoptosis via the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) signaling pathway in lupus-prone mice. Lupus was induced in BALB/c female mice by injection of pristane, followed by isolation of CD4{sup +}CD25{sup +} Treg cells from the spleen of lupus model mice. To deplete FKN, mice received injection of an anti-FKN antibody, and Treg cells were transfected with FKN small-interfering RNA. Lupus mice and Treg cells were treated with the p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580 and activator U-46619, respectively, and urine protein and serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, and autoantibodies were measured and renal histopathological changes analyzed. We determined levels of FKN, phosphorylated p38 (p-p38), and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) in renal tissue and Treg cells, and analyzed apoptosis rates and levels of key apoptotic factors in Treg cells. The renal FKN and p-p38 levels increased, whereas renal FOXP3 level decreased in lupus-prone mice. Treatment with the anti-FKN antibody and the p38MAPK inhibitor ameliorated proteinuria and renal function, significantly reducing serum autoantibody, renal FKN, and p-p38 levels while increasing renal FOXP3 level in lupus-prone mice. Moreover, FKN knockdown and administration of the p38MAPK inhibitor reduced apoptosis and levels of pro-apoptotic factors, increased levels of anti-apoptotic factors, and suppressed activation of p38MAPK signaling in Treg cells derived from lupus model mice. Furthermore, treatment with the p38MAPK activator U-46619 had the opposite effect on these cells. These data indicated that depletion of FKN ameliorated renal injury and Treg cell apoptosis via inhibition of p38MAPK signaling in lupus nephritis, suggesting that targeting FKN represents a potential therapeutic strategy for treating Lupus nephritis.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Substrate stiffness modulates endothelial cell function via the YAP-Dll4-Notch1 pathway

Highlights: • Soft stiffness increases Dll4 expression in endothelial cells via YAP suppression. • Soft substrate-induced Dll4-Notch1 signaling is facilitated by VEGF stimulation. • Elevated Dll4-Notch1 signaling contributes to the regulation of VEGFRs expression. • Substrate stiffness modulates gene expression linked to endothelial cell function. Endothelial cells adapt their functions as a consequence of sensing extracellular substrate stiffness; these alterations allow them to maintain their vascular structure and function. Substrate stiffness-mediated yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) activation plays an important role in mechano-transduction and pro-angiogenic phenotype of endothelial cells, and Delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4)-Notch1 signaling is closely related to angiogenesis; however, the impact of substrate stiffness-mediated interrelation of these pathways on endothelial cell functions remains elusive. We confirmed that endothelial cells on softer substrates not only elongate cellular aspects but also attenuate YAP activation compared to cells on stiffer substrates. Endothelial cells on softer substrates also upregulate the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) and VEGFR2 mRNA expression that is enhanced by VEGF stimulation. We determined that endothelial cells on softer substrates increased Dll4 expression, but not Notch1 expression, via YAP signaling. Moreover, endothelial cells on soft substrates induced not only VEGFRs upregulation but also suppression of pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 mRNA expression and the facilitation of anti-coagulant thrombomodulin and pro-coagulant tissue factor mRNA expression. Our results suggest that endothelial cells activate the YAP-Dll4-Notch signaling pathway in response to substrate stiffness and dictate cellular function.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

VPS26 Moonlights as a β-Arrestin-like Adapter for a 7-Transmembrane RGS Protein in Arabidopsis thaliana

Extracellular signals perceived by 7-transmembrane (7TM)-spanning receptors initiate desensitization that involves the removal of these receptors from the plasma membrane. Agonist binding often evokes phosphorylation in the flexible C-terminal region and/or intracellular loop 3 of many 7TM G-protein-coupled receptors in animal cells, which consequently recruits a cytoplasmic intermediate adaptor, β-arrestin, resulting in clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) and downstream signaling such as transcriptional changes. Some 7TM receptors undergo CME without recruiting β-arrestin, but it is not clear how. Arrestins are not encoded in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome, yet Arabidopsis cells have a well-characterized signal-induced CME of a 7TM protein, designated Regulator of G Signaling 1 (AtRGS1). Here we show that a component of the retromer complex, Vacuolar Protein Sorting-Associated 26 (VPS26), binds the phosphorylated C-terminal region of AtRGS1 as a VPS26A/B heterodimer to form a complex that is required for downstream signaling. We propose that VPS26 moonlights as an arrestin-like adaptor in the CME of AtRGS1.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Multi-Dimensional Spectroscopy with Intense Entangled Beams: Entanglement-Enabled Phase Matching in a Collinear Beam Geometry

The experimental realization of quantum molecular spectroscopy with entangled photons remains challenging owing to the low signal-to-noise ratio resulting from the use of low-flux entangled photons. High-flux entangled photons via intense entangled beams can be used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, but the presence of unentangled photons contaminates the quantum signal stemming from entangled photons. Here, we demonstrate how intense entangled beams can be used in multi-dimensional spectroscopy while retaining the advantage of photon entanglement. Our approach is broadly applicable to odd-ordered nonlinear spectroscopies, and it generates purely quantum spectroscopic signals. The proposed approach allows the recording of desired phase-matched signals even in a collinear beam geometry, which lifts the requirement of complicated beam geometry setups for phase matching in multi-dimensional spectroscopies.

Absorption spectroscopy↗
DOE OSTI2022

Time-Evolving Chirality Loss in Molecular Photodissociation Monitored by X-ray Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy

In this work, the ultrafast photoinduced chirality loss of 2-iodobutane is studied theoretically by time- and frequency-resolved X-ray circular dichroism (TRXCD) spectroscopy. Following an optical excitation, the iodine atom dissociates from the chiral center, which we capture by quantum non-adiabatic molecular dynamics simulations. At variable time delays after the pump, the resonant X-ray pulse selectively probes the iodine and carbon atom involved in the chiral dissociation through a selected core-to-valence transition. The TRXCD signal at the iodine L 1 edge accurately captures the timing of C–I photodissociation and thereby chirality loss, c.a 70 fs. The strong electric dipole–electric quadrupole (ED–EQ) response makes this signal particularly sensitive to vibronic coherence at the high X-ray regime. At the carbon K-edges, the signals monitor the molecular chirality of the 2-butyl radical photoproduct and the spin state of the iodine atom. The ED–EQ response is masked under the strong electric dipole-magnetic dipole response, making this signal intuitive for the electronic population. The evolution of the core electronic states and its chiral sensitivity is discussed. Overall, the element-specific TRXCD signal provides a detailed picture of molecular dynamics and offers a unique sensitive window into the time-dependent chirality of molecules.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Dual-Color Optical Recording of Bioelectric Potentials by Polymer Electrochromism

Optical recording based on voltage-sensitive fluorescent reporters allows for spatial flexibility of measuring from desired cells, but photobleaching and phototoxicity of the fluorescent labels often limit their sensitivity and recording duration. Voltage-dependent optical absorption, rather than fluorescence, of electrochromic materials, would overcome these limitations to achieve long-term optical recording of bioelectrical signals. Electrochromic materials such as PEDOT:PSS possess the property that an applied voltage can either increase or decrease the light absorption depending on the wavelength. In this work, we harness this anticorrelated light absorption at two different wavelengths to significantly improve the signal detection. With dual-color detection, electrical activity from cells produces signals of opposite polarity, while artifacts, mechanical motions, and technical noises are uncorrelated or positively correlated. Using this technique, we are able to optically record cardiac action potentials with a high signal-to-noise ratio, 10 kHz sampling rate, >15 min recording duration, and no time-dependent degradation of the signal. Furthermore, we can reliably perform multiple recording sessions from the same culture for over 25 days.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Detection of Forced Change Within Combined Climate Fields Using Explainable Neural Networks

Abstract Assessing forced climate change requires the extraction of the forced signal from the background of climate noise. Traditionally, tools for extracting forced climate change signals have focused on one atmospheric variable at a time, however, using multiple variables can reduce noise and allow for easier detection of the forced response. Following previous work, we train artificial neural networks to predict the year of single‐ and multi‐variable maps from forced climate model simulations. To perform this task, the neural networks learn patterns that allow them to discriminate between maps from different years—that is, the neural networks learn the patterns of the forced signal amidst the shroud of internal variability and climate model disagreement. When presented with combined input fields (multiple seasons, variables, or both), the neural networks are able to detect the signal of forced change earlier than when given single fields alone by utilizing complex, nonlinear relationships between multiple variables and seasons. We use layer‐wise relevance propagation, a neural network explainability tool, to identify the multivariate patterns learned by the neural networks that serve as reliable indicators of the forced response. These “indicator patterns” vary in time and between climate models, providing a template for investigating inter‐model differences in the time evolution of the forced response. This work demonstrates how neural networks and their explainability tools can be harnessed to identify patterns of the forced signal within combined fields.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Energy consumption and cooperation for optimal sensing

Abstract The reliable detection of environmental molecules in the presence of noise is an important cellular function, yet the underlying computational mechanisms are not well understood. We introduce a model of two interacting sensors which allows for the principled exploration of signal statistics, cooperation strategies and the role of energy consumption in optimal sensing, quantified through the mutual information between the signal and the sensors. Here we report that in general the optimal sensing strategy depends both on the noise level and the statistics of the signals. For joint, correlated signals, energy consuming (nonequilibrium), asymmetric couplings result in maximum information gain in the low-noise, high-signal-correlation limit. Surprisingly we also find that energy consumption is not always required for optimal sensing. We generalise our model to incorporate time integration of the sensor state by a population of readout molecules, and demonstrate that sensor interaction and energy consumption remain important for optimal sensing.

Ngampruetikorn, Vudtiwat↗
DOE OSTI2021

Spatial organization of FcγR and TLR2/1 on phagosome membranes differentially regulates their synergistic and inhibitory receptor crosstalk

Abstract Many innate immune receptors function collaboratively to detect and elicit immune responses to pathogens, but the physical mechanisms that govern the interaction and signaling crosstalk between the receptors are unclear. In this study, we report that the signaling crosstalk between Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) and Toll-like receptor (TLR)2/1 can be overall synergistic or inhibitory depending on the spatial proximity between the receptor pair on phagosome membranes. Using a geometric manipulation strategy, we physically altered the spatial distribution of FcγR and TLR2 on single phagosomes. We demonstrate that the signaling synergy between FcγR and TLR2/1 depends on the proximity of the receptors and decreases as spatial separation between them increases. However, the inhibitory effect from FcγRIIb on TLR2-dependent signaling is always present and independent of receptor proximity. The overall cell responses are an integration from these two mechanisms. This study presents quantitative evidence that the nanoscale proximity between FcγR and TLR2 functions as a key regulatory mechanism in their signaling crosstalk.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Optimizing microfluidic flow cell geometry for in situ resonant soft X-ray characterization of molecular nanostructures

Liquid-phase resonant soft X-ray scattering (LP-RSoXS) is an emerging label-free technique to probe chemically resolved nanostructures of molecular or hybrid materials in liquid environments. Still, quantitative analysis is hindered by the pressure-induced deformation of thin silicon nitride (SiN) membranes used as windows in microfluidic flow cells, which attenuates the signal in nonlinear ways, making experimental optimization difficult. Here, in this work, we directly characterize this deformation under experimental conditions for a variety of cell configurations. We use this to develop a predictive model that combines transmission effects of SiN bowing, incident X-ray beam profiles, and material-dependent resonant scattering cross sections to simulate the effective scattering intensity at the detector across the carbon K-edge. Maps of the total signal across the flow cell window reveal that increasing the window width and polymer concentration shifts the anisotropic intensity distributions from the center toward the edges of the window. It was determined that an optimal SiN thickness of 50 nm, with a window aperture of 104 μm, maximizes the total signal for typical solute concentrations and energies across the carbon K-edge. Our results overturn the assumption that corner regions dominate the scattering signal, offering explicit design guidelines for maximizing LP-RSoXS signals and significantly advancing the quantitative application of this technique to the characterization of molecular and hybrid nanostructured materials in liquids.

Grabner, Devin [Washington State Univ., Pullman, W↗
DOE OSTI2021

Laser-induced fluorescence of filament-produced plasmas

Self-guided ultrafast laser filaments are a promising method for laser beam delivery and plasma generation for standoff and remote detection of elements and isotopes via filament-induced breakdown spectroscopy (FIBS). Yet, there are several challenges associated with the practical application of FIBS, including delivery of sufficient laser energy at the target for generating plasma with a copious amount of emission signals for obtaining a high signal-to-noise ratio. Here, in this study, we use laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) to boost the emission signal and reduce self-reversal in the spectral profiles. Ultrafast laser filaments were used to produce plasmas from an Al 6061 alloy target at various standoff distances from 1 to 10 m. For LIF emission enhancement, a narrow linewidth continuous-wave laser was used in resonance with a 394.40 nm Al I resonant transition, and the emission signal was monitored from the directly coupled transition at 396.15 nm. Emission signal features of Al I are significantly enhanced by resonant excitation. In addition, LIF of filament ablation plumes reduces the self-reversal features seen in the thermally excited spectral profiles. Time-resolved two-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy was performed for evaluating the optical saturation effects, which are found to be non-negligible due to high Al atomic densities in the filament-produced plasmas.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Gravitational wave propagation beyond general relativity: waveform distortions and echoes

We study the cosmological propagation of gravitational waves (GWs) beyond general relativity (GR) across homogeneous and isotropic backgrounds. We consider scenarios in which GWs interact with an additional tensor field and use a parametrized phenomenological approach that generically describes their coupled equations of motion. We analyze four distinct classes of derivative and non-derivative interactions: mass, friction, velocity, and chiral. We apply the WKB formalism to account for the cosmological evolution and obtain analytical solutions to these equations. We corroborate these results by analyzing numerically the propagation of a toy GW signal. We then proceed to use the analytical results to study the modified propagation of realistic GWs from merging compact binaries, assuming that the GW signal emitted is the same as in GR. We generically find that tensor interactions lead to copies of the originally emitted GW signal, each one with its own possibly modified dispersion relation. These copies can travel coherently and interfere with each other leading to a scrambled GW signal, or propagate decoherently and lead to echoes arriving at different times at the observer that could be misidentified as independent GW events. Depending on the type of tensor interaction, the detected GW signal may exhibit amplitude and phase distortions with respect to a GW waveform in GR, as well as birefringence effects. Furthermore, we discuss observational probes of these tensor interactions with both individual GW events, as well as population studies for both ground- and space-based detectors.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗