Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “INTERFEROMETRY”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,513 records · Page 84
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Measurements of source emittance and beam coherence properties of the upgraded Advanced Photon Source

The Advanced Photon Source (APS) has been upgraded with a multi-bend achromat lattice, achieving significantly reduced electron beam emittance and enhanced X-ray coherence. Precise characterization of these properties is essential for optimizing beamline performance and enabling new experiments that take full advantage of the upgraded source. We report on measurements of source size and transverse coherence properties using grating interferometry at two beamlines: the APS 3-ID-B undulator beamline and the 1-BM-B bending magnet beamline. The results confirm the world-record horizontal emittance of the upgraded APS below 30 pm rad and validate the theoretical design parameters. We further investigate the impact of optical aberrations and mechanical vibrations at the 12-ID-C beamline on coherence preservation. These measurements establish a benchmark for future beamline enhancements and demonstrate the effectiveness of grating interferometry for high-precision beam characterization. Our findings provide critical insights into synchrotron beam dynamics, coherence degradation mechanisms, and strategies for optimizing beamline X-ray optics at next-generation light sources.

Advanced Photon Source↗
DOE OSTI2015

Assessment of the displacement field along a surface crack in a flat plate using optical techniques

Structural components may contain cracks, and for these components a crack tip represents a highly singular stress. The evaluation of the associated strain gradient is difficult to achieve with experimental discrete methods. An efficient alternative are the optical techniques which are non-contact, and so delivering continuous information of the displacement fields and associated derivatives for strain evaluation. This paper describes some experimental methods to fully characterize the displacement field near a crack tip existing in flat plates. Three optical field techniques based on image analysis were used in the present work; respectively, Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry, Moiré Interferometry, and Digital Image Correlation. These methods allow different resolutions which can be adjusted according to the expected strain gradient. While the first method depends on the laser wavelength and position of the illumination sources, the second depends on the grating pitch and the last on the surface texture or painted speckle. Algorithms to derivate and filtering the displacement field are developed to compute the strain field and will be used for further works.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Pressure-induced velocity softening in natural orthopyroxene at mantle temperature

In this study, we have measured the compressional and shear wave velocities of (Mg 1.77 Fe 0.22 Ca 0.01 )Si 2 O 6 natural orthopyroxene up to 13.5 GPa and 873 K using ultrasonic interferometry in conjunction with in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction and imaging techniques. Previous acoustic experiments on orthoenstatite (OEn) MgSiO 3 indicated that both compressional and shear velocities (V P and V S ) of OEn undergo continuous velocity softening above 9 GPa at room temperature, which has been attributed to the phase transition from OEn to the metastable, high-pressure clinoenstatite HPCEn2. For the first time, our results suggest that pressure-induced velocity softening can occur in natural orthopyroxene at high-temperature conditions relevant to the Earth's cold subduction zones. As a result, estimates of the impedance and velocity contrasts between orthopyroxene (Opx) and high-pressure clinopyroxene (HPCpx) have been calculated, and the possibility of this phase transformation being a plausible candidate for seismic X-discontinuities at depth around 250–350 km is re-evaluated.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Neutron Imaging of Laser Melted SS316 Test Objects with Spatially Resolved Small Angle Neutron Scattering

A novel neutron far field interferometer is explored for sub-micron porosity detection in laser sintered stainless steel alloy 316 (SS316) test objects. The results shown are images and volumes of the first quantitative neutron dark-field tomography at various autocorrelation lengths, ξ . In this preliminary work, the beam defining slits were adjusted to an uncalibrated opening of 0.5 mm horizontal and 5 cm vertical; the images are blurred along the vertical direction. In spite of the blurred attenuation images, the dark-field images reveal structural information at the micron-scale. The topics explored include: the accessible size range of defects, potentially 338 nm to 4.5 μ m, that can be imaged with the small angle scattering images; the spatial resolution of the attenuation image; the maximum sample dimensions compatible with interferometry optics and neutron attenuation; the procedure for reduction of the raw interferogram images into attenuation, differential phase contrast, and small angle scattering (dark-field) images; and the role of neutron far field interferometry in additive manufacturing to assess sub-micron porosity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

IMAGING AN EVENT HORIZON: MITIGATION OF SOURCE VARIABILITY OF SAGITTARIUS A*

The black hole in the center of the Galaxy, associated with the compact source Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), is predicted to cast a shadow upon the emission of the surrounding plasma flow, which encodes the influence of general relativity (GR) in the strong-field regime. The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) is a Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) network with a goal of imaging nearby supermassive black holes (in particular Sgr A* and M87) with angular resolution sufficient to observe strong gravity effects near the event horizon. General relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations show that radio emission from Sgr A* exhibits variability on timescales of minutes, much shorter than the duration of a typical VLBI imaging experiment, which usually takes several hours. A changing source structure during the observations, however, violates one of the basic assumptions needed for aperture synthesis in radio interferometry imaging to work. By simulating realistic EHT observations of a model movie of Sgr A*, we demonstrate that an image of the average quiescent emission, featuring the characteristic black hole shadow and photon ring predicted by GR, can nonetheless be obtained by observing over multiple days and subsequent processing of the visibilities (scaling, averaging, and smoothing) before imaging. Moreover, it is shown that this procedure can be combined with an existing method to mitigate the effects of interstellar scattering. Taken together, these techniques allow the black hole shadow in the Galactic center to be recovered on the reconstructed image.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

A CATALOG OF CALIBRATOR STARS FOR NEXT-GENERATION OPTICAL INTERFEROMETERS

Benchmark stars with known angular diameters are key to calibrating interferometric observations. With the advent of optical interferometry, there is a need for suitably bright, well-vetted calibrator stars over a large portion of the sky. We present a catalog of uniformly computed angular diameters for 1510 stars in the northern hemisphere, brighter than V = 6 and with declinations -15°<δ<82°. The median angular stellar diameter is 0.529 mas. The list has been carefully cleansed of all known binary and multiple stellar systems. We derive the angular diameters for each of the stars by fitting spectral templates to the observed spectral energy distributions (SEDs) from literature fluxes. We compare these derived angular diameters against those measured by optical interferometry for 75 of the stars, as well as to 176 diameter estimates from previous calibrator catalogs, finding in general excellent agreement. The final catalog includes our goodness-of-fit metrics as well as an online atlas of our SED fits. The catalog presented here permits selection of the best calibrator stars for current and future visible-light interferometric observations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Magnetic Inflation and Stellar Mass. II. On the Radii of Single, Rapidly Rotating, Fully Convective M-Dwarf Stars

Main-sequence, fully convective M dwarfs in eclipsing binaries are observed to be larger than stellar evolutionary models predict by as much as 10%–15%. A proposed explanation for this discrepancy involves effects from strong magnetic fields, induced by rapid rotation via the dynamo process. Although, a handful of single, slowly rotating M dwarfs with radius measurements from interferometry also appear to be larger than models predict, suggesting that rotation or binarity specifically may not be the sole cause of the discrepancy. We test whether single, rapidly rotating, fully convective stars are also larger than expected by measuring their Rsin i distribution. We combine photometric rotation periods from the literature with rotational broadening (vsin i) measurements reported in this work for a sample of 88 rapidly rotating M dwarf stars. Using a Bayesian framework, we find that stellar evolutionary models underestimate the radii by 10%--15%{sub −2.5}{sup +3}, but that at higher masses (0.18 < M < 0.4 M {sub Sun}), the discrepancy is only about 6% and comparable to results from interferometry and eclipsing binaries. At the lowest masses (0.08 < M < 0.18 M {sub Sun}), we find that the discrepancy between observations and theory is 13%–18%, and we argue that the discrepancy is unlikely to be due to effects from age. Furthermore, we find no statistically significant radius discrepancy between our sample and the handful of M dwarfs with interferometric radii. We conclude that neither rotation nor binarity are responsible for the inflated radii of fully convective M dwarfs, and that all fully convective M dwarfs are larger than models predict.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

THE TDE ASASSN-14li AND ITS HOST RESOLVED AT PARSEC SCALES WITH THE EVN

We report European Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network (EVN) radio continuum observations of ASASSN-14li, one of the best studied tidal disruption events (TDEs) to date. At 1.7 GHz with ≃12 × 6 mas resolution, the emission is unresolved. At 5.0 GHz with ≃3 × 2 mas resolution, the radio emission shows an extended structure that can be modeled with two components: a core-like component and a fainter, possibly elongated source 4.3 mas (∼2 pc) away. Our observations are not conclusive as to the nature of the components, but three scenarios are discussed. One possibility is a core-jet/outflow morphology, thus making of ASASSN-14li the first TDE jet/outflow directly imaged. For this case, the projected separation between the two components can only be explained by superluminal motion, rather than the lower velocities inferred from low-resolution radio observations. However, typical fast moving jets have brightness temperatures ∼5 orders of magnitude higher than we find, thus making this scenario less likely. The second possibility is that we are imaging a non-relativistic jet from past AGN/TDE activity. In this case a past TDE is preferred given that the spatial extension and radio luminosity of the elongated component are consistent with the theoretical predictions for a TDE outflow. Alternatively, the two sources could indicate the presence of a binary black hole, which would then naturally explain the enhanced TDE rates of post-starburst galaxies. Future EVN observations will help us to distinguish between these scenarios.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

A High-mass Protobinary System with Spatially Resolved Circumstellar Accretion Disks and Circumbinary Disk

High-mass multiples might form via fragmentation of self-gravitational disks or alternative scenarios such as disk-assisted capture. However, only a few observational constraints exist on the architecture and disk structure of high-mass protobinaries and their accretion properties. Here, we report the discovery of a close (57.9 ± 0.2 mas = 170 au) high-mass protobinary, IRAS17216-3801, where our VLTI/GRAVITY+AMBER near-infrared interferometry allows us to image the circumstellar disks around the individual components with ∼3 mas resolution. We estimate the component masses to ∼20 and ∼18 M {sub ⊙} and find that the radial intensity profiles can be reproduced with an irradiated disk model, where the inner regions are excavated of dust, likely tracing the dust sublimation region in these disks. The circumstellar disks are strongly misaligned with respect to the binary separation vector, which indicates that the tidal forces did not have time to realign the disks, pointing toward a young dynamical age of the system. We constrain the distribution of the Br γ and CO-emitting gas using VLTI/GRAVITY spectro-interferometry and VLT/CRIRES spectro-astrometry and find that the secondary is accreting at a higher rate than the primary. VLT/NACO imaging shows L ′-band emission on (3–4)× larger scales than the binary separation, matching the expected dynamical truncation radius for the circumbinary disk. The IRAS17216-3801 system is ∼3× more massive and ∼5× more compact than other high-mass multiplies imaged at infrared wavelength and the first high-mass protobinary system where circumstellar and circumbinary dust disks could be spatially resolved. This opens exciting new opportunities for studying star–disk interactions and the role of multiplicity in high-mass star formation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2001

YSO studies with infrared interferometers

The observational technique of long baseline infrared interferometry provides a unique opportunity for studying the small scale structure of young stellar objects, particularly circumstellar disks and multiplicity. The technique of infrared interferometry is briefly described and observations of young stellar objects are reviewed.

infrared interferometry↗
NASA NTRS2003

An overview of the Keck Interferometer Nuller

The first high dynamic range interferometry mode planned to come on line at the Keck Observatory is mid-infrared nulling interferometry. In this paper, an overview is given of the goals and experimental configuration of the Keck Interferometer Nuller (KIN).

nulling interferometry↗
NASA NTRS2008

Kinematic Slip Model for 12 May 2008 Wenchuan-Beichuan Mw 7.9 Earthquake from Joint Inversion of ALOS, Envisat, and Teleseismic Data

The presentations explores kinematics of the Wenchaun-Beichuan earthquake using data from ALOS, Envisat, and teleseismic recordings. Topics include geomorphic mapping, ALOS PALSAR range offsets, ALOS PALSAR interferometry, Envisat IM interferometry, Envisat ScanSAR, Joint GPS-InSAR inversion, and joint GPS-teleseismic inversion (static and kinematic).

seismology↗
NASA NTRS2007

Starlight Nulling Technology at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory

The current interests in extra-solar planet detection and space-based and ground-based interferometry for astronomical observations has led to the development of a number of nulling instrument designs at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and elsewhere. This paper summarizes briefly JPL's efforts in nulling interferometry to date and consists of illustrations of some key nulling activities. Basic layouts of nulling testbeds are described and key applications discussed.

Terrestrial Planet Finder↗
NASA NTRS2011

Recent Advances on INSAR Temporal Decorrelation: Theory and Observations Using UAVSAR

We review our recent advances in understanding the role of temporal decorrelation in SAR interferometry and polarimetric SAR interferometry. We developed a physical model of temporal decorrelation based on Gaussian-statistic motion that varies along the vertical direction in forest canopies. Temporal decorrelation depends on structural parameters such as forest height, is sensitive to polarization and affects coherence amplitude and phase. A model of temporal-volume decorrelation valid for arbitrary spatial baseline is discussed. We tested the inversion of this model to estimate forest height from model simulations supported by JPL/UAVSAR data and lidar LVIS data. We found a general good agreement between forest height estimated from radar data and forest height estimated from lidar data.

polarimetric SAR interferometry↗
NASA NTRS2015

A Comparison of Three Methods for Measuring Distortion in Optical Windows

It's important that imagery seen through large-area windows, such as those used on space vehicles, not be substantially distorted. Many approaches are described in the literature for measuring the distortion of an optical window, but most suffer from either poor resolution or processing difficulties. In this paper a new definition of distortion is presented, allowing accurate measurement using an optical interferometer. This new definition is shown to be equivalent to the definitions provided by the military and the standards organizations. In order to determine the advantages and disadvantages of this new approach, the distortion of an acrylic window is measured using three different methods: image comparison, moiré interferometry, and phase-shifting interferometry.

Interferometry↗
NASA NTRS2002

The StarLight interferometer architecture and operational concepts

The StarLight flight project was designed to demonstrate the key technologies of spacebome long-baseline stellar interferometry and precision formation flying for potential use on the Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) and other future astrophysics missions. Interferometer performance validation could be achieved over a 6-12 month period by obtaining several hundred fringe visibility amplitude measurements for stars in the band 600-1000 nm for a variety of stellar visibilities (0.2-1.0), magnitudes (Mv = 2-5), and baselines (B = 30-125 meters). Interferometry could be performed both in a 1 meter fixed-baseline combiner-only mode and in a two-spacecraft formation mode. In formation mode, the combiner spacecraft would remain at the focus of a virtual parabola, while the collector spacecraft assumed various positions along the parabola such that the two arms of the interferometer remained equal over a variety of separations and bearing angles. Challenges to be encountered in flight include high-bandwidth inter-spacecraft stellar and metrology pointing control, alignment and shear correction, delay and delay-rate estimation, visibility calibration, and robust fringe tracking in the presence of local and inter-spacecraft dynamics. This paper is based on the StarLight project design-capture of March 2002 and will describe the StarLight Interferometer System architecture and selected operational concepts (both of which have relevance to the on-going TPF Technology Program).

stellar↗
NASA NTRS2002

SIM white light on-board processing algorithms

Interferometry in optical astronomy is an important and growing field of astronomical observation. A number of stellar interferometers have come online over the past several years, and several more are due to be operational in the near future. In addition, space based interferometers are also planned missions of NASA's Origins program, including the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM), the focus of the present paper. The fundamental measurement made by each of these interferometers is the white light fringe measurement to determine the optical pathlength delay between the two arms of the interferometer. SIM makes white light measurements with three independent interferometers observing three different objects. Two of these are the "guide" interferometers that observe bright objects (approximately 7th magnitude) to track the rigid body motion of the instrument. The third interferometer, the "science" interferometer, observes the science targets of interest.

interferometry↗
NASA NTRS2000

SIM System Testbed III

The System Testbed III (STB-3) is the flagship testbed in JPL's Interferometry Technology Program for the Space Interferometry Mission, in which it holds a place as the piece of ground hardware that looks and acts most like the real SIM space system.

SIM↗