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DOE OSTI2023

Integrating collapsible plasmonic gaps on near-field probes for polarization-resolved mapping of plasmon-enhanced emission in 2D material

Scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) is an important technique used to study the optical properties of material systems at the nanoscale. In previous work, we reported on the use of nanoimprinting to improve the reproducibility and throughput of near-field probes including complicated optical antenna structures such as the ‘campanile’ probe. However, precise control over the plasmonic gap size, which determines the near-field enhancement and spatial resolution, remains a challenge. Here, we present a novel approach to fabricating a sub-20 nm plasmonic gap in a near-field plasmonic probe through the controlled collapse of imprinted nanostructures using atomic layer deposition (ALD) coatings to define the gap width. The resulting ultranarrow gap at the apex of the probe provides a strong polarization-sensitive near-field optical response, which results in an enhancement of the optical transmission in a broad wavelength range from 620 to 820 nm, enabling tip-enhanced photoluminescence (TEPL) mapping of 2-dimensional (2D) materials. We demonstrate the potential of this near-field probe by mapping a 2D exciton coupled to a linearly polarized plasmonic resonance with below 30 nm spatial resolution. This work proposes a novel approach for integrating a plasmonic antenna at the apex of the near-field probe, paving the way for the fundamental study of light-matter interactions at the nanoscale.

Zhou, Junze (ORCID:000000020682767X)↗

DOE OSTI2024

DNA Strand Displacement Driven Molecular Additive Manufacturing (DSD-MAM)

The goal of this project was to validate two-dimensional molecular printers, initially selfassembled from DNA and then actuated by externally driven cycles of DNA strand displacement, as prototype integrated nanosystems for molecular additive manufacturing. Novel functionalities of these nanomachines were explored during this project, including the following: nanometer-precision positioning mechanisms based on DNA strand displacement with multivalent interactions for discrete stepping or else diffusive capture; integration of independently moving layers of DNA origami to achieve 2D controllable motion; integration of spatial positioning with deposition functionality. The principal importance of this project was to provide an essential step in the development of a new technology for atomically precise manufacturing. Our first generation molecular 2D printer offers several advantages over conventional DNA-origami patterning, such as faster prototyping, faster dynamic rearrangement of patterns, and the ability to respond with feedback. We anticipate that our first-generation molecular printers may inspire future generations of molecular printers with iterative improvements in robustness and throughput. Potential applications of atomically precise manufacturing include the following: photovoltaics; photosynthetic and fuel cells; thermoelectrics and anisotropic heat spreaders; solid-state lighting; molecular electronic and plasmonic circuits; selectively preamble membranes; self-repairing materials with high strength-to-weight and fracture resistance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS1978

Theoretical contamination of cryogenic satellite telescopes

The state of contaminant molecules, the deposition rate on key surfaces, and the heat transfer rate were estimated by the use of a zeroth-order approximation. Optical surfaces of infrared telescopes cooled to about 20 K should be considered to be covered with at least several deposition layers of condensible molecules without any contamination controls. The effectiveness of the purge gas method of contamination controls was discussed. This method attempts to drive condensible molecules from the telescope tube by impacts with a purge gas in the telescope tube. For this technique to be sufficiently effective, the pressure of the purge gas must be more than 2 x .000001 torr. The influence caused by interactions of the purged gas with the particulate contaminants was found to slightly increase the resident times of the particulate contaminants within the telescope field of view.

Murakami, M.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Zn diffusion in Al/0.7/Ga/0.3/As compared with that in GaAs

Zinc was diffused into 4 times 10 to the 17th per cu cm n-type Al(0.7)Ga(0.3)As grown by liquid-phase epitaxy and also into n-type 2 times 10 to the 17th per cu cm doped GaAs slices at 600, 650, and 750 C. The Zn diffusion coefficient in the Al(0.7)Ga(0.3)As was about one order of magnitude larger than in GaAs. The significance of this fact is that diffusion of Zn through a 0.5 micron Al(0.7)Ga(0.3)As layer appears to be possible with adequate control of the junction depth in the underlying GaAs.

Flat, A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Technology development for phosphoric acid fuel cell powerplant (phase 2)

The status of technology for the manufacturing and testing of 1200 sq. cm cell materials, components, and stacks for on-site integrated energy systems is assessed. Topics covered include: (1) preparation of thin layers of silicon carbide; (2) definition and control schemes for volume changes in phosphoric acid fuel cells; (3) preparation of low resin content graphite phenolic resin composites; (4) chemical corrosion of graphite-phenolic resin composites in hot phosphoric acid; (5) analysis of electrical resistance of composite materials for fuel cells; and (6) fuel cell performance and testing.

Christner, L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Modeling the radiant transfers of sparse vegetation canopies

The scattering dynamics of sparse vegetation canopies were studied within the framework of the three-dimensional radiative transfer model of Kimes (1984). The model was upgraded by including an algorithm for the anisotropic scattering of a soil boundary. Validation of the model was carried out using measured directional reflectance data for two canopies exhibiting typical scattering behavior with low and intermediate vegetation density. The canopies were: an orchard grass canopy; and a hard wheat canopy. A number of factors were found contributing to the final reflectance distribution of the canopies, including: (1) the strong anisotropic scattering properties of the soil; (2) the geometric effect of the vegetation probability gap function on the soil anisotropy and solar irradiance; and (3) the anisotropic scattering of vegetation which is controlled by the phase function and the layering of leaves. The application of the theoretical results to the development of earth-observing sensor systems is discussed.

Kimes, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Stresses and deformations in cross-ply composite tubes subjected to a uniform temperature change

This study investigates the effects of a uniform temperature change on the stresses and deformations of composite tubes and determines the accuracy of an approximate solution based on the principle of complementary virtual work. Interest centers on tube response away from the ends and so a planar elasticity approach is used. For the approximate solution a piecewise linear variation of stresses with the radial coordinate is assumed. The results from the approximate solution are compared with the elasticity solution. The stress predictions agree well, particularly peak interlaminar stresses. Surprisingly, the axial deformations also agree well, despite the fact that the deformations predicted by the approximate solution do not satisfy the interface displacement continuity conditions required by the elasticity solution. The study shows that the axial thermal expansion coefficient of tubes with a specific number of axial and circumferential layers depends on the stacking sequence. This is in contrast to classical lamination theory, which predicts that the expansion will be independent of the stacking arrangement. As expected, the sign and magnitude of the peak interlaminar stresses depend on stacking sequence. For tubes with a specific number of axial and circumferential layers, thermally induced interlaminar stresses can be controlled by altering stacking arrangement.

Hyer, M. W.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Wall turbulence control

A variety of wall turbulence control devices which were experimentally investigated are discussed; these include devices for burst control, alteration of outer flow structures, large eddy substitution, increased heat transfer efficiency, and reduction of wall pressure fluctuations. Control of pre-burst flow was demonstrated with a single, traveling surface depression which is phase-locked to elements of the burst production process. Another approach to wall turbulence control is to interfere with the outer layer coherent structures. A device in the outer part of a boundary layer was shown to suppress turbulence and reduce drag by opposing both the mean and unsteady vorticity in the boundary layer. Large eddy substitution is a method in which streamline curvature is introduced into the boundary layer in the form of streamwise vortices. Riblets, which were already shown to reduce turbulent drag, were also shown to exhibit superior heat transfer characteristics. Heat transfer efficiency as measured by the Reynolds Analogy Factor was shown to be as much as 36 percent greater than a smooth flat plate in a turbulent boundary layer. Large Eddy Break-Up (LEBU) which are also known to reduce turbulent drag were shown to reduce turbulent wall pressure fluctuation.

Wilkinson, Stephen P.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Development of 8 cm x 8 cm silicon gridded back solar cell for space station

The 8-cm x 8-cm gridded back cell being developed for the space station photovoltaic array is described. Modeling studies show that the beginning of life power output of 1.039 W per cell may be met by several different configurations, the most promising being either a fielded or nonfielded 2 ohm-cm planar 8-mil cell. Experimental data are presented which show that a thermal alpha of 0.63 is achievable on a planar cell but at the expense of some Isc. Planar cells are found to possess short-circuit currents which are 9 percent lower than on textured cells due to the loss of near-IR radiation by transmission through the cell. Preliminary modeling shows that the efficiency of the textured cell exceeds the planar cell by approximately 9 percent at 25 C but the situation is reversed in orbit due to the high thermal alpha of textured cells (0.82). Experimental data show that the IR absorption in textured cells can be reduced by about 3 alpha points without loss of efficiency by controlling the doping concentration in the diffused layers, thus increasing the efficiency in orbit.

Lillington, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Electrolytic Heat Switch

Experiments demonstrated feasibility of electrolytic device of electrically-controllable thermal conductivity. Device includes inner ionomeric layer of low thermal conductivity sandwiched between two metal-foil electrodes. Device's ionomeric layer will be conductive polymer - perhaps polyaniline. In effect, device will be metal/conductive-polymer secondary electrical cell.

Walsh, Miles↗

NASA NTRS1989

Distributed parameter actuators for structural control

Timoshenko beam theory is applied to beams with multiple layers of piezoelectric material attached. The model is developed using a Hamiltonian approach, and includes the external electrical circuit as well as a complete set of boundary conditions. Resistors are added to the sensor layers for passive damping. The resulting model is then formulated in state space.

Cudney, H. H.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Research in Natural Laminar Flow and Laminar-Flow Control, part 2

Part 2 of the Symposium proceedings includes papers addressing various topics in basic wind tunnel research/techniques and computational transitional research. Specific topics include: advanced measurement techniques; laminar flow control; Tollmien-Schlichting wave characteristics; boundary layer transition; flow visualization; wind tunnel tests; flight tests; boundary layer equations; swept wings; and skin friction.

Hefner, Jerry N.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Architecture For Intelligent Control Of Robotic Tasks

Proposed architecture for control of such robotic devices as artificial hands calls for data-abstracting hierarchies of processing, controlling, and sensing equipment that plans, executes, and corrects movements of devices at acceptably high rates. Combines features developed in research on artificial intelligence and control theory. Characterized by casual connections between layers of hierarchy, approximately equal complexities of layers, and directed focus of attention.

Fiorini, Paolo↗

NASA NTRS1991

A laser fluorescence anemometer system for the Langley 16- by 24-inch water tunnel

A laser fluorescence anemometer which comprises a three-component laser Doppler velocimeter system with a fourth channel to measure fluorescent dye concentration has been installed in the NASA Langley 16- by 24-in water tunnel. The system includes custom designed optics, data acquisition, and traverse control instruments and a custom software package. Feasibility studies demonstrated how water tunnels can be used in conjunction with advanced optical techniques to provide nonintrusive detailed flow field measurements of complex fluid flows with a minimum of expense. The measurements show that the laser fluorescence anemometer can provide new insight into the structure, entrainment, control and of mixing vortical and shear layer flows.

Owen, F. K.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Applications for special-purpose minerals at a lunar base

Maintaining a colony on the Moon will require the use of lunar resources to reduce the number of launches necessary to transport goods from the Earth. It may be possible to alter lunar materials to produce minerals or other materials that can be used for applications in life support systems at a lunar base. For example, mild hydrothermal alteration of lunar basaltic glasses can produce special-purpose minerals (e.g., zeolites, smectites, and tobermorites) that in turn may be used in life support, construction, waste renovation, and chemical processes. Zeolites, smectites, and tobermorites have a number of potential applications at a lunar base. Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicates of alkali and alkaline earth cations that possess infinite, three-dimensional crystal structures. They are further characterized by an ability to hydrate and dehydrate reversibly and to exchange some of their constituent cations, both without major change of structure. Based on their unique absorption, cation exchange, molecular sieving, and catalytic properties, zeolites may be used as a solid support medium for the growth of plants, as an adsorption medium for separation of various gases (e.g., N2 from O2), as catalysts, as molecular sieves, and as a cation exchanger in sewage-effluent treatment, in radioactive waste disposal, and in pollution control. Smectites are crystalline, hydrated 2:1 layered aluminosilicates that also have the ability to exchange some of their constituent cations. Like zeolites, smectites may be used as an adsorption medium for waste renovation, as adsorption sites for important essential plant growth cations in solid support plant growth mediums (i.e., 'soils'), as cation exchangers, and in other important application. Tobermorites are cystalline, hydrated single-chained layered silicates that have cation-exchange and selectivity properties between those of smectites and most zeolites. Tobermorites may be used as a cement in building lunar base structures, as catalysts, as media for nuclear and hazardous waste disposal, as exchange media for waste-water treatment, and in other potential applications. Special-purpose minerals synthesized at a lunar base may also have important applications at a space station and for other planetary missions. New technologies will be required at a lunar base to develop life support systems that are self-sufficient, and the use of special-purpose minerals may help achieve this self-sufficiency.

Ming, Douglas W.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Venus: Geochemical conclusions from the Magellan data

Though the Magellan mission was not designed to collect geochemical or petrological information, it has done so nonetheless. Since the time of the Pioneer Venus mission it has been known that high-altitude (greater than 2.5-5 km) mountainous areas on Venus exhibit anomalously low radiothermal emissivity (e less than 0.6). Magellan has greatly refined and extended these observations. The low emissivity requires surface material in the uplands to have a mineralogical composition that gives it a high bulk dielectric constant, greater than 20. The dielectric constant of dry terrestrial volcanic rocks seldom exceeds 7. The high-dielectric character of high-altitude surface material cannot be a primary property of the local volcanic rock, because there is no reason why rock having the required special mineralogy would erupt only at high altitudes. Therefore it is a secondary property; the primary Venus rock has reacted with the atmosphere to form a mineralogically different surface layer, and the secondary minerals formed are controlled by the ambient temperature, which decreases with altitude on Venus. A further investigation of venusian mineralogy is presented.

Wood, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Laser Material Processing for Microengineering Applications

The processing of materials via laser irradiation is presented in a brief survey. Various techniques currently used in laser processing are outlined and the significance to the development of space qualified microinstrumentation are identified. In general the laser processing technique permits the transferring of patterns (i.e. lithography), machining (i.e. with nanometer precision), material deposition (e.g., metals, dielectrics), the removal of contaminants/debris/passivation layers and the ability to provide process control through spectroscopy.

Helvajian, H.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Review of Recent Results in Global MHD Modeling: ISTP Project Scientist for Theory and Ground-Based Observations

Global MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) simulations have shown a remarkable ability to describe the global dynamics of geospace. The limitations of the physical approximations underlying MHD would seem to limit the effectiveness of these codes, since kinetic and hybrid effects should manifest themselves by cross-scale coupling from microscales to mesoscales to global scales. However three effects appear to allow the codes to operate much more successfully than one would at first believe. They are:(l) the globally self-consistent nature of the codes with very well defined exterior boundary conditions (the solar wind) which allows the proper intercommunication between magnetospheric regions on MHD scales, (2) the control by global dynamics of the boundary layer locations where micro and meso scale processes operate, and (3) the critical role of numerical diffusion and with a sufficiently high resolution grid, the use of an empirical resistivity term, which if set at a level where the major magnetosphere boundaries properly calibrate against their observed locations, appear to well represent the effects of kinetic and hybrid processes on the global dynamics. The effectiveness of the global MHD codes, which have been developed under the ISTP mission, in describing Wind, Polar and Geotail observations, as well as ground-based observations are described. Particular emphasis is placed upon the Polar imaging data which when combined with ground-based data and global MHD-based synthetic aurora and convection patterns provide a powerful tool in understanding the final link in the solar-terrestrial chain: coupling into the atmosphere and ionosphere.

Curtis, Steven↗