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DOE OSTI2025

SPARC - Plans for a New Critical Experiment Facility with a Horizontal Split Table

Several critical experiment facilities, sometimes referred to as zero power reactor facilities, have provided crucial data to aid understanding and validate nuclear-physics models since the beginning of nuclear technology. Indeed, the first man-made reactor, Chicago Pile-1, was essentially this type of reactor. However, there was a downturn in nuclear technology development toward the turn of the millennium, and the need for these specialized research facilities waned. Now there are few of these experimental facilities operational in the world and those that remain have relatively small critical assembly machines. The need for criticality safety benchmark experiments at intermediate neutron energy levels and the modern resurgence of interest in advanced reactors designs, many of which do not have historical precedents in terms of nuclear fuel composition, moderator, and coolant combinations, all combine to create a substantial need for a critical experiment facility with a large horizontal split-table (HST) machine. A HST machine is used to arrange two separate and subcritical parts of a core assembly, bring them together in a precise manner to achieve criticality using remote controls, and separate them to achieve a subcritical configuration again. A new effort was recently performed to develop user needs for a HST, assess candidate locations at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), and develop a plan for deployment. This project is referred to as the System Physics Advanced Reactor Critical facility (SPARC). A few months after this assessment began, and shortly after as a viable pathway was emerging, a series of important presidential executive orders were issued to revitalize nuclear energy in the United States (U.S.). The relevance of SPARC to these executive orders was immediately apparent. The far-reaching potential of SPARC to these executive orders will reside in its ability to produce data which facilitates licensing of advanced nuclear reactor designs while reducing uncertainties to help increase energy production alongside new criticality safety data to enable more efficient nuclear fuel manufacture, transport, and storage.

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2024

3D reconstruction of an inertial-confinement fusion implosion with neural networks using multiple heterogeneous data sources

3D asymmetries are major degradation mechanisms in inertial-confinement fusion implosions at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). These asymmetries can be diagnosed and reconstructed with the neutron imaging system (NIS) on three lines of sight around the NIF target chamber. Conventional tomographic reconstructions are used to reconstruct the 3D morphology of the implosion using NIS [Volegov et al., J. Appl. Phys. 127, 083301 (2020)], but the problem is ill-posed with only three imaging lines of sight. Asymmetries can also be diagnosed with the real-time neutron activation diagnostics (RTNAD) and the neutron time-of-flight (nToF) suite. Since the NIS, RTNAD, and nToF each sample a different part of the implosion using different physical principles, we propose that it is possible to overcome the limitations of too few imaging lines of sight by performing 3D reconstructions that combine information from all three heterogeneous data sources. This work presents a new machine learning-based reconstruction technique to do just this. By using a simple physics model and group of neural networks to map 3D morphologies to data, this technique can easily account for data of multiple different types. A simple proof-of-principle is presented, demonstrating that this technique can accurately reconstruct a hot-spot shape using synthetic primary neutron images and a hot-spot velocity vector. In particular, the hot-spot’s asymmetry, quantified as spherical harmonic coefficients, is reconstructed to within ±4% of the radius in 90% of test cases. In the future, this technique will be applied to actual NIS, RTNAD, and nToF data to better understand 3D asymmetries at the NIF.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2019

Direct-drive double-shell implosion: A platform for burning-plasma physics studies

Double-shell ignition designs have been investigated with the indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion (ICF) scheme in both simulations and experiments in which the inner-shell kinetic energy was limited to ~10 to 15 kJ, even driven by megajoule-class lasers such as the National Ignition Facility. Since direct-drive ICF can couple more energy to the imploding shells, we have performed a detailed study on direct-drive double-shell (D 3 S) implosions with state-of-the-art physics models implemented in radiation-hydrodynamic codes (LILAC and DRACO), including nonlocal thermal transport, cross-beam energy transfer (CBET), and first-principles-based material properties. To mitigate classical unstable interfaces, we have proposed the use of a tungsten/beryllium–mixed inner shell with gradient-density layers that can be made by magnetron sputtering. In our D 3 S designs, a 70-μm-thick beryllium outer shell is driven symmetrically by a high-adiabat (α ≥ 10), 1.9-MJ laser pulse to a peak velocity of ~240 km/s. Upon spherical impact, the outer shell transfers ~30 to 40 kJ of kinetic energy to the inner shell filled with deuterium–tritium gas or liquid, giving neutron-yield energies of ~6 MJ in 1-D simulations. Two-dimensional high-mode DRACO simulations indicated that such high-adiabat D 3 S implosions are not susceptible to laser imprint, but the long-wavelength perturbations from the laser port configuration along with CBET can be detrimental to the target performance. Yet, neutron yields of ~0.3- to 1.0-MJ energies can still be obtained from our high-mode DRACO simulations. The robust α-particle bootstrap is readily reached, which could provide a viable platform for burning-plasma physics studies. Once CBET mitigation and/or more laser energy becomes available, we believe that breakeven or moderate energy gain might be feasible with the proposed D 3 S scheme.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2025

Diffusion power spectra as a window into dynamic materials architecture

Chemical recycling of commodity and specialty polymers presents a multifaceted challenge for industrial societies. On one hand, macromolecular architectures must be engineered to yield durable products that, on the other hand, rapidly deconstruct to recyclable monomers under pre-determined conditions. Polymer deconstruction is a chemical process that requires deep understanding of molecular reactivity in heterogeneous media, where porous material architectures evolve in both space and time. To build this understanding, we develop herein experimental and analytical methods describing sets of diffusive eigenmodes that exist within time-varying, non-Euclidean boundary conditions, a situation commonly encountered in the reactive deconstruction of polymers where chain fragments splay, alter their local dynamics, and evolve in their confinement of reacting media. Diffusion power spectra, discerned experimentally by NMR, yield polymer and solvent frequency-domain velocity autocorrelation functions that are analyzed in the context of physical models for chemical reactions parameterized with fractal mathematics. The results connect local motion in polymers to chemical reactivity during acidolysis of circular elastomers.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

NASA NTRS1992

The broad-band x ray spectral variability of Mkn 841

The results of a detailed spectral analysis of four X-ray observations of the luminous Seyfert 1.5 galaxy Mkn 841 performed using the EXOSAT and Ginga satellites over the period June 1984 to July 1990 are reported. Preliminary results from a short ROSAT PSPC observation of Mkn 841 in July 1990 are also presented. Variability is apparent in both the soft (0.1-1.0 keV) and medium (1-20 keV) energy bands. Above 1 keV, the spectra are adequately modelled by a power-law with a strong emission line of equivalent width approximately 450 eV. The energy of the line (approximately 6.4 keV) is indicative of K-shell fluorescence from neutral iron, leading to the interpretation that the line arises via X-ray illumination of cold material surrounding the source. In addition to the flux variability, the continuum shape also changes in a dramatic fashion, with variations in the apparent photon index Delta(Gamma) approximately 0.6. The large equivalent width of the emission line clearly indicates a strongly enhanced reflection component in the source, compared to other Seyferts observed with Ginga. The spectral changes are interpreted in terms of a variable power-law continuum superimposed on a flatter reflection component. For one Ginga observation, the reflected flux appears to dominate the medium energy X-ray emission, resulting in an unusually flat slope (Gamma approximately 1.0). The soft X-ray excess is found to be highly variable by a factor approximately 10. These variations are not correlated with the hard flux, but it seems likely that the soft component arises via reprocessing of the hard X-rays. We find no evidence for intrinsic absorption, with the equivalent hydrogen column density constrained to be less than or equal to few x 10(exp 20) cm(exp -2). The implications of these results for physical models for the emission regions in this and other X-ray bright Seyferts are briefly discussed.

George, I. M.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Active oscillatory associative memory

Traditionally, physical models of associative memory assume conditions of equilibrium. Here, we consider a prototypical oscillator model of associative memory and study how active noise sources that drive the system out of equilibrium, as well as nonlinearities in the interactions between the oscillators, affect the associative memory properties of the system. Our simulations show that pattern retrieval under active noise is more robust to the number of learned patterns and noise intensity than under passive noise. To understand this phenomenon, we analytically derive an effective energy correction due to the temporal correlations of active noise in the limit of short correlation decay time. We find that active noise deepens the energy wells corresponding to the patterns by strengthening the oscillator couplings, where the more nonlinear interactions are preferentially enhanced. Using replica theory, we demonstrate qualitative agreement between this effective picture and the retrieval simulations. Our work suggests that the nonlinearity in the oscillator couplings can improve memory under nonequilibrium conditions.

Chemistry↗

DOE OSTI2021

Characterizing the plasma-induced thermal loads on a 200 kW light-ion helicon plasma source via infra-red thermography

The light-ion helicon plasma source of the Proto-MPEX linear plasma device has been recently upgraded to enable pulsed (0.5–1 s) operation up to 200 kW. The main objective of this work is to report on the plasma-induced surface heat fluxes incident on the helicon window during high power operation (60–150 kW net power) for the purpose of the design of the upcoming material plasma exposure eXperiment (MPEX). The IR imaging system and associated physics models for the extraction of surface heat fluxes are presented. Furthermore, experimental results demonstrate that the control of the plasma strike point via magnetic flux mapping and the use of dedicated limiters is effective at reducing the heat loads on the dielectric window. Moreover, it is found that the flux mapping must create a gap between the plasma and the dielectric window of at least the plasma radial decay length. Extrapolated to 200 kW net RF power, this mode of operation can reduce the power lost to the dielectric window by 33%. The results presented have direct application to the design of high-powered helicon plasma sources that operate in a steady state. Examples include linear divertor simulators such as MPEX, electric thrusters, negative ion sources for NBI and linear plasma–material interaction test stands.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2021

Broadband X-ray ptychography using multi-wavelength algorithm

Ptychography is a rapidly developing scanning microscopy which is able to view the internal structures of samples at a high resolution beyond the illumination size. The achieved spatial resolution is theoretically dose-limited. A broadband source can provide much higher flux compared with a monochromatic source; however, it conflicts with the necessary coherence requirements of this coherent diffraction imaging technique. In this paper, a multi-wavelength reconstruction algorithm has been developed to deal with the broad bandwidth in ptychography. Compared with the latest development of mixed-state reconstruction approach, this multi-wavelength approach is more accurate in the physical model, and also considers the spot size variation as a function of energy due to the chromatic focusing optics. Therefore, this method has been proved in both simulation and experiment to significantly improve the reconstruction when the source bandwidth, illumination size and scan step size increase. It is worth mentioning that the accurate and detailed information of the energy spectrum for the incident beam is not required in advance for the proposed method. Further, we combine multi-wavelength and mixed-state approaches to jointly solve temporal and spatial partial coherence in ptychography so that it can handle various disadvantageous experimental effects. The significant relaxation in coherence requirements by our approaches allows the use of high-flux broadband X-ray sources for high-efficient and high-resolution ptychographic imaging.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Experimental and computational investigation into the hydrodynamics and chemical dynamics of laser ablation aluminum plasmas

Laser ablation plasma chemistry is governed by a complex interplay between hydrodynamic plasma-gas mixing processes, thermodynamics, and rapid high-temperature chemical reactions. Here, in this work, we investigate the gas-phase oxidation chemistry of ns-laser ablation aluminum plasmas in air using optical spectroscopy combined with advanced multi-physics modeling. Experimental measurements demonstrate the formation of AlO in the plasma plume as early as 1 μs while computational results reveal that several Al x O y species are distributed in the periphery of the plume at even earlier times (<20 ns) in the presence of large temperature gradients and strong shockwaves. Interactions with the ablation crater during rapid plume expansion are shown to initiate vortex formation, followed by mixing dynamics that work to pull AlO into the vortices to react with gas-phase Al to form Al 2 O. Oxygen and several aluminum oxides are simultaneously pulled up through the stem of the fireball, encouraging further intermixing between reacting species and enhanced molecular formation. This work concludes that chemical dynamics in laser ablation plasmas is driven by diffusion processes, concentration gradients, and plume hydrodynamics while strong shockwaves generated during laser ablation do not impede chemical reactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

NASA NTRS2020

Evaluation of Arctic Warming in Mid-Pliocene Climate Simulations

Palaeoclimate simulations improve our understanding of the climate, inform us about the performance of climate models in a different climate scenario, and help to identify robust features of the climate system. Here, we analyse Arctic warming in an ensemble of 16 simulations of the mid-Pliocene Warm Period (mPWP), derived from the Pliocene Model Intercomparison Project Phase 2 (PlioMIP2). The PlioMIP2 ensemble simulates Arctic (60–90∘ N) annual mean surface air temperature (SAT) increases of 3.7 to 11.6 ∘C compared to the pre-industrial period, with a multi-model mean (MMM) increase of 7.2 ∘C. The Arctic warming amplification ratio relative to global SAT anomalies in the ensemble ranges from 1.8 to 3.1 (MMM is 2.3). Sea ice extent anomalies range from −3.0 to −10.4×106 km2, with a MMM anomaly of −5.6×106 km2, which constitutes a decrease of 53 % compared to the pre-industrial period. The majority (11 out of 16) of models simulate summer sea-ice-free conditions (≤1×106 km2) in their mPWP simulation. The ensemble tends to underestimate SAT in the Arctic when compared to available reconstructions, although the degree of underestimation varies strongly between the simulations. The simulations with the highest Arctic SAT anomalies tend to match the proxy dataset in its current form better. The ensemble shows some agreement with reconstructions of sea ice, particularly with regard to seasonal sea ice. Large uncertainties limit the confidence that can be placed in the findings and the compatibility of the different proxy datasets. We show that while reducing uncertainties in the reconstructions could decrease the SAT data–model discord substantially, further improvements are likely to be found in enhanced boundary conditions or model physics. Lastly, we compare the Arctic warming in the mPWP to projections of future Arctic warming and find that the PlioMIP2 ensemble simulates greater Arctic amplification than CMIP5 future climate simulations and an increase instead of a decrease in Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) strength compared to pre-industrial period. The results highlight the importance of slow feedbacks in equilibrium climate simulations, and that caution must be taken when using simulations of the mPWP as an analogue for future climate change.

Palaeoclimate simulations↗

DOE OSTI2025

Accuracy Guarantees and Quantum Advantage in Analog Open Quantum Simulation with and without Noise

Many-body open quantum systems, described by Lindbladian master equations, are a rich class of physical models that display complex equilibrium and out-of-equilibrium phenomena which remain to be understood. In this paper, we theoretically analyze noisy analog quantum simulation of geometrically local open quantum systems and provide evidence that this problem both is hard to simulate on classical computers and could be approximately solved on near-term quantum devices. First, given a noiseless quantum simulator, we show that the dynamics of local observables and the fixed-point expectation values of rapidly mixing local observables in geometrically local Lindbladians can be obtained to a precision of ϵ in time that is poly ( ϵ − 1 ) and uniform in system size. Furthermore, we establish that the quantum simulator would provide a superpolynomial advantage, in run-time scaling with respect to the target precision and either the evolution time (when simulating dynamics) or the Lindbladian’s decay rate (when simulating fixed points), over any classical algorithm for these problems, assuming BQP ≠ BPP . We then consider the presence of noise in the quantum simulator in the form of additional geometrically local Lindbladian terms. We show that the simulation tasks considered in this paper are stable to errors; i.e., they can be solved to a noise-limited, but system-size independent, precision. Finally, we establish that, assuming BQP ≠ BPP , there are stable geometrically local Lindbladian simulation problems such that, as the noise rate on the simulator is reduced, classical algorithms must take time superpolynomially longer in the inverse noise rate to attain the same precision as the analog quantum simulator. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Kashyap, Vikram (ORCID:0000000208195207)↗

DOE OSTI2020

IER 268 CED-3b Report

The goal of IER 268 was to collect information from the operation of the Godiva IV super-prompt critical assembly to support multi-physics modeling efforts. There were two types of systems deployed. One was a Photo-Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) system which used the reflection of laser light on the surface of the Godiva IV core. The other consisted of an MHD 240 detector with two other detectors (an MHD-241 and an Eljen EJ-325A) used for reference as the MHD-240 detector was moved. The collection is referred to as the MHD Detector in the narrative log. There were two types of Godiva operations performed to gather data. A series of super-prompt critical bursts were performed and data collected on both systems, tied to a common trigger. Separately, a series of delayed critical operations at various power levels was performed for a combination of MHD detector distances from Godiva and the presence and absence of a shield in the line of sight between Godiva and the MHD detector. This data was collected to determine the contribution of room return during the burst measurements.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2026

Ramp-release experiments for strength measurements: Strain-rate dependence

This paper presents an enhanced analysis method for investigating material properties at high strain rates, extending the capability of established experimental techniques to gain more information. The ramp-release method has been applied to many experiments reported at high (≈10 5 − 10 6 s −1 ) strain-rates. More recent data gathered at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) has enabled higher (≈10 8 s −1 ) strain-rates to be studied. Here, we present an initial application of ramp-release analysis to NIF ramp-compression data, illustrating both the opportunities and the practical challenges of extending these methods to laser-driven platforms. The higher strain-rates accessed at the NIF mean that there is more strain-rate enhancement to strength, and the experimental configuration means that this enhancement is more readily seen in the data. This is enabled by the capability of avoiding peak-compression attenuation through the sample thickness with a designed hold period made possible by the pulse-shaping capability of NIF. We propose that this combination of experimental conditions and an enhanced analysis method enables the strain-rate enhancement to strength to be studied, and potentially for this to inform physics models at smaller scales than the continuum.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2021

Challenges and opportunities in verification and validation of low temperature plasma simulations and experiments

This paper describes the verification and validation (V&V) framework developed for the stochastic Particle-in-Cell, Direct Simulation Monte Carlo code Aleph. An ideal framework for V&V from the viewpoint of the authors is described where a physics problem is defined, and relevant physics models and parameters to the defined problem are assessed and captured in a Phenomena Identification and Ranking Table (PIRT). Furthermore, numerous V&V examples guided by the PIRT for a simple gas discharge are shown to demonstrate the V&V process applied to a real-world simulation tool with the overall goal to demonstrably increase the confidence in the results for the simulation tool and its predictive capability. Although many examples are provided here to demonstrate elements of the framework, the primary goal of this work is to introduce this framework and not to provide a fully complete implementation, which would be a much longer document. Comparisons and contrasts are made to more usual approaches to V&V, and techniques new to the low-temperature plasma community are introduced. Specific challenges relating to the sufficiency of available data (e.g., cross sections), the limits of ad hoc validation approaches, the additional difficulty of utilizing a stochastic simulation tool, and the extreme cost of formal validation are discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2022

Alcove formation in dissolving cliffs driven by density inversion instability

We demonstrate conditions that give rise to cave-like features commonly found in dissolving cliffsides with a minimal two-phase physical model. Alcoves that are wider at the top and tapered at the bottom, with sharp-edged ceilings and sloping floors, are shown to develop on vertical solid surfaces dissolving in aqueous solvents. As evident from descending plumes, sufficiently large indentations evolve into alcoves as a result of the faster dissolution of the ceiling due to a solutal Rayleigh–Bénard density inversion instability. In contrast, defects of size below the boundary layer thickness set by the critical Rayleigh number smooth out, leading to stable planar interfaces. Furthermore, the ceiling recession rate and the alcove opening area evolution are shown to be given to first-order by the critical Rayleigh number. By tracking passive tracers in the fluid phase, we show that the alcoves are shaped by the detachment of the boundary layer flow and the appearance of a pinned vortex at the leading edge of the indentations. The attached boundary layer past the developing alcove is then found to lead to rounding of the other sides and the gradual sloping of the floor.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2024

Measuring Neutron Polarisation in Deuteron Photo-disintegration with the CLAS Start Counter [Thesis]

Deuteron photo-disintegration (γd → γp) is a reaction that represents the simplest case in which nuclear and hadron physics models can be tested. Despite this, associated polarization analyses are limited in terms of angular coverage and energy ranges, especially in observables related to the recoil neutron. This is largely due to a lack in dedicated polarimetry equipment, and represents a roadblock in global progress to understand high-energy phenomena such as hexaquarks, and quark-gluon degrees of freedom. To address this problem, this PhD thesis pioneers a new methodology for the parasitic measurement of nucleon polarization using kinematic reconstruction of (spin-dependent) nucleon-nucleus scattering of reaction products, prior to their detection in large acceptance particle detector apparatus. Following this novel approach, which requires no dedicated polarimeter, a determination of the double polarization observable, $C^n_{x'}$, from deuteron photo-disintegration is presented, using Jefferson Lab’s CLAS detector. The analysis utilizes the (n,p) charge exchange reaction in CLAS’s "start counter" (plastic scintillator) to determine the final state neutron polarizations. The results present the first ever data for this observable above 0.7 GeV (photon beam energy) and significantly extend the angular range of the world data set. This new data is largely statistically consistent with the previous measurement of $C^n_{x'}$ by Bashkanov et al . in the overlapping energy range of 0.4-0.7 GeV. It is planned for the statistical accuracy of the presented result to be increased by the inclusion of additional data. The analysis herein serves as a key proof of concept for future applications, including a recommended similar analysis to be implemented with data from the more modern CLAS12 detector. This paves the way for a plethora of additional analyses using existing data sets that would provide crucial new constraints for hadron and nuclear physics.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Integrating AI with physics-based hydrological models and observations for insightinto changing climate and anthropogenic impacts

Focal Areas: Advanced computational methods that integrate AI, physics, and observations to provide predictive landscape hydrological modeling over large areas (regional, continental, worldwide) while incorporating increasingly available high-resolution data from drones, lidar and satellite. Science Challenge: Landscape data is available at finer scales than can be used in physics-based hydrological (PBH) models for regional or continental terrestrial water modeling. Thus, we throw away observable detail to achieve computability. We argue that integration of AI with PBH models and observed data can be used to provide upscaling for predictive models that are computable, retain physical conservation properties, and represent the fine-scale features that affect complex flow physics through both natural and urban environments. Developing such next-generation capabilities requires outside-the-box thinking that melds the different approaches of AI modeling, PBH modeling, and observation across multiple scales from local drones to satellites.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2022

Preshot Report for Carbonara: Dynamics of a Boron Carbide Sandwich

The main purpose of the Carbonara experiment is to provide much-needed data to inform physics modeling of boron carbide (B 4 C) subjected to a sweeping high explosive (HE) detonation. The proposed experiment will include three separate shots, each employing a rectangular slab of HE (4” × 3” × 1”) sandwiched between two wedges of B 4 C, see Fig.1. In each case the top B 4 C wedge tapers from a height of 2.5 cm to 0.5 cm, while the bottom wedge tapers from 1.5 cm to 0.5 cm. The wedges are 4” in the direction of the proton beam, and 3” in the direction transverse to the beam. Three shots are currently planned, each one using a different HE: PBX 9501, PBX 9502, and PBX 9701. The HE will be initiated using a line wave generator (LWG) to preserve planar symmetry, in conjunction with a Comp. B booster to smooth out the profile for the initial condition on the main charge and to aid in initiation of the PBX 9502 shot. In each case the booster spans the entire length and height of the main HE slab and extends 0.5” in toward the LWG.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗