Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “PENETRATION DEPTH”

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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1991

Microwave response of high transition temperature superconducting thin films

We have studied the microwave response of YBa2Cu3O(7 - delta), Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O, and Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O high transition temperature superconducting (HTS) thin films by performing power transmission measurements. These measurements were carried out in the temperature range of 300 K to 20 K and at frequencies within the range of 30 to 40 GHz. Through these measurements we have determined the magnetic penetration depth (lambda), the complex conductivity (sigma(sup *) = sigma(sub 1) - j sigma(sub 2)) and the surface resistance (R(sub s)). An estimate of the intrinsic penetration depth (lambda approx. 121 nm) for the YBa2Cu3O(7 - delta) HTS has been obtained from the film thickness dependence of lambda. This value compares favorably with the best values reported so far (approx. 140 nm) in single crystals and high quality c-axis oriented thin films. Furthermore, it was observed that our technique is sensitive to the intrinsic anisotropy of lambda in this superconductor. Values of lambda are also reported for Bi-based and Tl-based thin films. We observed that for the three types of superconductors, both sigma(sub 1) and sigma(sub 2) increased when cooling the films below their transition temperature. The measured R(sub s) are in good agreement with other R(sub S) values obtained using resonant activity techniques if we assume a quadratic frequency dependence. Our analysis shows that, of the three types of HTS films studied, the YBa2Cu3O(7 - delta) thin film, deposited by laser ablation and off-axis magnetron sputtering are the most promising for microwave applications.

Miranda, Felix Antonio↗
NASA NTRS2012

Minority Carrier Lifetime and Photoluminescence Studies of Antimony-Based Superlattices

In this paper, we have used the OMR technique to study the minority carrier lifetimes in three InAs/GaSb-photoluminescence (PL) structures with different number of periods in the absorber: 300, 400 and 600 periods respectively. The feasibility of using a visible 643 nm laser source with short penetration depth for lifetime measurements was studied by comparing the achieved results to measurements performed on the same samples with a 1550 nm IR laser source, which penetrates much deeper into the sample. Despite the differences in excitation wavelengths and penetration depths, the results from both measurements were very similar. This indicates that the diffusion length is long enough to facilitate a homogeneous distribution of excess carriers in the material.

photodetector↗
NASA NTRS1991

Surface-tension-induced mixing following coalescence of initially stationary drops

The momentumless coalescence of drops of the same liquid, separated by an immiscible host, is studied experimentally. Observations show that for low-viscosity drops of unequal sizes, there is considerable mixing following coalescence, with the smaller drop penetrating the larger drop as a vortex. The extreme case of coalescence of a small drop with the bulk of the same liquid at a flat interface with an immiscible liquid is studied in detail. The penetration depths of small drops (1-5 mm) following coalescence are measured and correlated with theoretical predictions. It is found that in the range of the investigation, the penetration depth is proportional to the 5/4 power of drop diameter and inversely proportional to the square root of the drop viscosity.

Anilkumar, A. V.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Anisotropy induced vortex lattice rearrangement in CaKFe 4 As 4

The magnetic penetration depth anisotropy γ λ = λ c /λ ab (λ ab and λ c are the in-plane and the out-of-plane components of the magnetic penetration depth) in a CaKFe 4 As 4 single crystal sample (the critical temperature T c ≃ 35 K) was studied by means of muon-spin rotation (μSR). γ λ is almost temperature independent for T ≲ 20 K (γ λ ≃ 1.9 ) and it reaches ≃ 3.0 by approaching T c . The change of γ λ induces the corresponding rearrangement of the flux line lattice (FLL), which is clearly detected via enhanced distortions of the FLL μSR response. A comparison of γ λ with the anisotropy of the upper critical field (γ Hc2 ) studied by Meier et al. [Phys. Rev. B 94, 064501 (2016)] reveals that γ λ is systematically higher than γ Hc2 at low temperatures and approaches γ Hc2 for T → T c . The anisotropic properties of λ are explained by the multigap nature of superconductivity in CaKFe 4 As 4 and are caused by anisotropic contributions of assorted bands to the in-plane and the out-of-plane components of the superfluid density.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Boussinesq approximation for Rayleigh-Taylor and Richtmyer-Meshkov instabilities

We apply numerical and analytic techniques to study the Boussinesq approximation in Rayleigh-Taylor and Richtmyer-Meshkov instabilities. In this approximation, one sets the Atwood number A equal to zero except where it multiplies the acceleration g or velocity-jump Δv. While this approximation is generally applied to low-A systems, we show that it can be applied to high-A systems also in certain regimes and to the “bubble” part of the instability, i.e., the penetration depth of the lighter fluid into the heavier fluid. It cannot be applied to the spike. We extend the Boussinesq approximation for incompressible fluids and show that it always overestimates the penetration depth but the error is never more than about 41%. The effect of compressibility is studied by analytic techniques in the linear regime which indicate that compressibility has the opposite effect and the Boussinesq approximation underestimates bubbles by about 14%. We also present direct numerical simulations of two compressible systems which have approximately the same AΔv: a low-A air/CO2 system shocked at Ms = 1.57, and a high-A air/SF6 system shocked at Ms = 1.24. While the bubbles are approximately equal, the lower-A system has a shorter (less penetrating) spike; however, because its mushrooms are more tightly wound, the low-A system has the larger interface area.

Mikaelian, Karnig O.↗
DOE OSTI2021

The nanoscale distribution of copper and its influence on charge collection in CdTe solar cells

For decades, Cu has been the primary dopant in CdTe photovoltaic absorbers. Typically, Cu acceptor concentrations in these devices are on the order of 1 1014 cm-3, which has made it notoriously difficult to directly correlate nanoscale Cu distributions to the local charge transport properties of these devices. To measure and correlate these properties, measurement techniques require high sensitivity to elemental concentration, large penetration depth, and operando compatibility. Techniques such as secondary-ion mass spectroscopy and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy are widely adopted to measure Cu concentrations, but they are limited by penetration depth, sensitivity, or spatial resolution. Additionally, they lack the operando capabilities required to correlate one-to-one Cu concentrations to electrical performance. In this work, correlative X-ray microscopy is used to investigate the spatial distribution of Cu and its impact on charge collection through the depth and breadth of CdTe photovoltaic devices. Plan-view, nanoscale X-ray fluorescence maps clearly demonstrate the spatial segregation of copper around regions thought to be CdTe grain boundaries. Complementary cross-section imaging unveils the transition of the maximum charge-collection efficiency from the ZnTe-CdTe interface to the CdS-CdTe interface as a function of Cu incorporation. The copper concentration through the depth of the CdTe layer is characterized by slow and fast diffusion components, and cross-section charge-transport modeling shows that the experimentally obtained charge collection can be explained by the modeled acceptor distribution through the depth of the CdTe layer.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Quadrupling the depairing current density in the iron-based superconductor SmFeAsO1–xHx

Abstract Iron-based 1111-type superconductors display high critical temperatures and relatively high critical current densities J c . The typical approach to increasing J c is to introduce defects to control dissipative vortex motion. However, when optimized, this approach is theoretically predicted to be limited to achieving a maximum J c of only ∼30% of the depairing current density J d , which depends on the coherence length and the penetration depth. Here we dramatically boost J c in SmFeAsO 1– x H x films using a thermodynamic approach aimed at increasing J d and incorporating vortex pinning centres. Specifically, we reduce the penetration depth, coherence length and critical field anisotropy by increasing the carrier density through high electron doping using H substitution. Remarkably, the quadrupled J d reaches 415 MA cm –2 , a value comparable to cuprates. Finally, by introducing defects using proton irradiation, we obtain high J c values in fields up to 25 T. We apply this method to other iron-based superconductors and achieve a similar enhancement of current densities.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2026

Effect of metal encapsulation on bulk superconducting properties of niobium thin films used in qubits

Niobium metal occupies nearly 100% of the volume of a typical 2D transmon device. While the aluminum Josephson junction is of utmost importance, maintaining quantum coherence across the entire device means that pair-breaking in Nb leads, capacitive pads, and readout resonators can be a major source of decoherence. The established contributors are surface oxides and hydroxides, as well as absorbed hydrogen and oxygen. Metal encapsulation of freshly grown surfaces with non-oxidizing metals, preferably without breaking the vacuum, is a successful strategy to mitigate these issues. While the positive effects of encapsulation are undeniable, it is important to understand its impact on the macroscopic behavior of niobium films. We present a comprehensive study of the bulk superconducting properties of Nb thin films encapsulated with gold and palladium/gold, and compare them to those of bare Nb films. Magneto-optical imaging, magnetization, resistivity, and London and Campbell penetration depth measurements reveal significant differences in encapsulated samples. Both sputtered, and epitaxial Au-capped films exhibit the highest residual resistivity ratio and superconducting transition temperature, as well as the lowest upper critical field, London penetration depth, and critical current. These results are in good agreement with the microscopic theory of anisotropic normal and superconducting states of Nb. We conclude that pair-breaking in the bulk of niobium films, driven by disorder throughout the film rather than just at the surface, is a significant source of quantum decoherence in transmons. We also conclude that gold capping not only passivates the surface but also affects the properties of the entire film, significantly reducing the scattering rate due to defects likely induced by surface diffusion if the film is not protected immediately after fabrication.

Datta, Amlan [Ames Lab; Iowa State U.]↗
DOE OSTI2021

Meissner-London Susceptibility of Superconducting Right Circular Cylinders in an Axial Magnetic Field

Analysis of magnetic susceptibility of nonellipsoidal samples is a long-standing problem in experimental studies of magnetism and superconductivity. Here the quantitative description of the Meissner-London response (no Abrikosov vortices) of right circular cylinders in an axial magnetic field is given. Three-dimensional adaptive finite-element modeling is used to calculate the total magnetic moment ( m ) in a wide range of London penetration depth ( λ ) to sample size ( a ) ratios, λ /a. Furthermore, by fitting numerical solutions, the closed-form empirical magnetic susceptibility is obtained involving only sample dimensions and λ, thus providing a recipe for determining the London penetration depth from the precision measurements of the magnetic susceptibility. Detailed protocols of the experimental data analysis using the developed approach are given. The results can be readily extended to the most frequently used cuboid-shaped samples.

3-dimensional systems↗
NASA NTRS1980

Seismicity and the subduction process

There is considerable variation between subduction zones in the largest characteristic earthquake within each zone. Assuming that coupling between downgoing and upper plates is directly related to characteristic earthquake size, tests for correlations between variation in coupling and other physical features of subduction zones are conducted: the lateral extent and penetration depth of Benioff zones, age of subducting lithosphere, convergence rate, and back-arc spreading. Using linear multivariate regression, coupling is correlated with two variables: convergence rate and lithosphere age. Secondary correlations within the data set are penetration depth versus lithosphere age, and lateral extent versus convergence rate. Taken together, the observed correlations suggest a simple qualitative model where convergence rate and lithosphere age determine the horizontal and sinking rates, respectively, of slabs: these parameters influence the seismic coupling in the subduction zone. In the limit of a fast sinking rate and slow convergence rate, back-arc spreading occurs and thereby appears to be a passive process.

Ruff, L.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Three-omega thermal-conductivity measurements with curved heater geometries

The three-omega method, a powerful technique to measure the thermal conductivity of nanometer-thick films and the interfaces between them, has historically employed straight conductive wires to act as both heaters and thermometers. When investigating stochastically prepared samples such as two-dimensional materials and nanomembranes, residue and excess material can make it difficult to fit the required millimeter-long straight wire on the sample surface. There are currently no available criteria for how diverting three-omega heater wires around obstacles affects the validity of the thermal measurement. In this Letter, we quantify the effect of the wire curvature by performing three-omega experiments with a wide range of frequencies using both curved and straight heater geometries on SiO 2 /Si samples. When the heating wire is curved, we find that the measured Si substrate thermal conductivity changes by only 0.2%. Similarly, we find that wire curvature has no significant effect on the determination of the thermal resistance of an ~65 nm SiO 2 layer, even for the sharpest corners considered here, for which the largest measured ratio of the thermal penetration depth of the applied thermal wave to radius of curvature of the heating wire is 4.3. This result provides useful design criteria for three-omega experiments by setting a lower bound for the maximum ratio of the thermal penetration depth to wire radius of curvature.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1998

Three-dimensional culture of rat calvarial osteoblasts in porous biodegradable polymers

Neonatal rat calvarial osteoblasts were cultured in 90% porous, 75:25 poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) foam scaffolds for up to 56 days to examine the effects of the cell seeding density, scaffold pore size, and foam thickness on the proliferation and function of the cells in this three-dimensional environment. Osteoblasts were seeded at either 11.1 x 10(5) or 22.1 x 10(5) cells per cm2 onto PLGA scaffolds having pore sizes in the range of 150-300 or 500-710 microm with a thickness of either 1.9 or 3.2 mm. After 1 day in culture, 75.6 and 68.6% of the seeded cells attached and proliferated on the 1.9 mm thick scaffolds of 150-300 microm pore size for the low and high seeding densities, respectively. The number of osteoblasts continued to increase throughout the study and eventually leveled off near 56 days, as indicated by a quantitative DNA assay. Osteoblast/foam constructs with a low cell seeding density achieved comparable DNA content and alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity after 14 days, and mineralization results after 56 days to those with a high cell seeding density. A maximum penetration depth of osseous tissue of 220+/-40 microm was reached after 56 days in the osteoblast/foam constructs of 150-300 microm pore size initially seeded with a high cell density. For constructs of 500-710 microm pore size, the penetration depth was 190+/-40 microm under the same conditions. Scaffold pore size and thickness did not significantly affect the proliferation or function of osteoblasts as demonstrated by DNA content, ALPase activity, and mineralized tissue formation. These data show that comparable bone-like tissues can be engineered in vitro over a 56 day period using different rat calvarial osteoblast seeding densities onto biodegradable polymer scaffolds with pore sizes in the range of 150-710 microm. When compared with the results of a previous study where similar polymer scaffolds were seeded and cultured with marrow stromal cells, this study demonstrates that PLGA foams are suitable substrates for osteoblast growth and differentiated function independent of cell source.

Non-NASA Center↗
DOE OSTI2014

Superconducting and magnetic properties of Sr 3 Ir 4 Sn 13

In this research, magnetization and muon spin relaxation or rotation (µSR) measurements have been performed to study the superconducting and magnetic properties of Sr₃Ir₄Sn₁₃. From magnetization measurements the lower and upper critical fields of Sr₃Ir₄Sn₁₃ are found to be 81(1) Oe and 14.4(2) kOe, respectively. Zero-field µSR data show no sign of any magnetic ordering or weak magnetism in Sr₃Ir₄Sn₁₃. Transverse-field µSR measurements in the vortex state provided the temperature dependence of the magnetic penetration depth λ. The dependence of λ⁻² with temperature is consistent with the existence of single s-wave energy gap in the superconducting state of Sr₃Ir₄Sn₁₃ with a gap value of 0.82(2) meV at absolute zero temperature. The magnetic penetration depth at zero temperature λ(0) is 291(3) nm. The ratio Δ(0)/k B T c = 2.1(1) indicates that Sr₃Ir₄Sn₁₃ should be considered as a strong-coupling superconductor.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

A simple numerical method for evaluating heat dissipation from curved wires with periodic applied heating

In many situations, the dual-purpose heater/thermometer wires used in the three-omega method – one of the most precise and sensitive techniques for measuring the thermal conductivity of thin films and interfaces – must include bends and curves to avoid obstructions on the surface of a sample. Although the three-omega analysis assumes that the heating wire is infinitely long and straight, recent experimental work has demonstrated that in some cases curved-wire geometries can be used without introducing detectable systematic error. We describe a general numerical method that can be used to calculate the temperature of three-omega heating wires with arbitrary wire geometries. Furthermore, this method provides experimentalists with a simple quantitative procedure for calculating how large the systematic error caused by a particular wire asymmetry will be. We show calculations of two useful cases: a straight wire with a single bend of arbitrary angle and a wire that forms a circle. We find that the amplitude of the in-phase temperature oscillations near a wire that forms a circle differs from the prediction using the analytic straight-line source solution by <12%, provided that the thermal penetration depth is less than ten times the radius of curvature of the wire path. The in-phase temperature amplitude 1.5 wire widths away from a 90° bend in a wire is within 11% of the straight-line source prediction for all penetration depths greater than the wire width. Our calculations indicate that the straight-line source solution breaks down significantly when the wire bend angle is less than 45°.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

SuperScreen: An open-source package for simulating the magnetic response of two-dimensional superconducting devices

Quantitative understanding of the spatial distribution of magnetic fields and Meissner screening currents in two-dimensional (2D) superconductors and mesoscopic thin film superconducting devices is critical to interpreting the results of magnetic measurements of such systems. Here, we introduce SuperScreen, an open-source Python package for simulating the response of 2D superconductors to trapped flux and applied time-independent or quasi-DC magnetic fields for any value of the effective magnetic penetration depth, Λ. Given an applied magnetic field, SuperScreen solves the 2D London equation using an efficient matrix inversion method to obtain the Meissner currents and magnetic fields in and around structures composed of one or more superconducting thin films of arbitrary geometry with spatially nonuniform magnetic penetration depth. SuperScreen can be used to model screening effects and calculate self- and mutual-inductance in superconducting devices, and simulate the magnetic response of inhomogeneous 2D superconductors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

WE-EF-303-11: Activity Distributions of Positron-Emitting-Isotopes Activated by Modulated Spot-Scanning Particle Beams

Purpose: To present the characteristics of positron-emitting-isotope (PEI) activity distributions on homogeneous and CIRS thorax phantoms irradiated by modulated spot-scanning carbon-ions and protons in Siemens IONTRIS system. Methods and Materials: Cylindrical homogeneous wax was irradiated by carbon-ions and protons of 10cm uniform square field with single-energy-layer ranges of 7cm, 16cm and 29cm. Images of PEI distributions were acquired over a period of 30 minutes at 10 minutes after each irradiation. Optimized uniform biological-equivalent doses of carbon-ions over a 5.0cm spherical target was delivered to CIRS phantom. Doses with range shifts in depths from 1mm to 6mm were also calculated and delivered to evaluate the accuracy of measuring activated PEI distributions. Results: Activated PEI distribution on homogeneous phantoms showed sharper peak near distal edge with flatter distribution toward proximal depth by carbon-ions than by protons. For depths near at Bragg-peak, penetration-depth spreading for energies from 10MeV/u to 60 MeV/u are from 0.4mm to 10.3mm, and 1.2mm to 30.4mm for projectile-fragments by carbon-ions and target-fragments by protons, respectively. For depths proximal to Bragg-peak, target-fragments for both carbon-ions and protons had minimal energy dependence in depth. For complex dose distributions delivered to CIRS thorax phantom, similar PEI peak-like distributions were still observed for carbon-ions. And, the changes at locations and edges of measured PEI peak were correlated within 0.5mm of shifted ranges. Mean activities over 5.0cm spherical target were similar for CISR phantom irradiated by doses with various range shifts. Conclusions: Peak-like PEI distributions by carbon-ions with good correlation to distal edges in both homogeneous and CIRS thorax phantoms present the potential for the in-vivo range verification while additional efforts is needed for protons. Due to flat distributions for depths at 6mm proximal to distal edges, mean activity at target might be used for in-vivo dose verification of target.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2000

Potential Applications of Satellite Based Low Frequency Microwave Measurements of Snow and Ice

In this presentation we will examine some potential applications of low frequency microwave radar and radiometer data to remote sensing of snow and ice conditions over land. We focus on the following low frequency bands; L-band (1.28 GHz), S-band (2.69 GHz), and C-band (5.0 GHz). To predict the effect of snow cover on microwave emission, we need to characterize the dielectric properties of the snow in terms of important physical parameters such as snow density, temperature, and wetness. For the case of dry snow, we use an empirical mixing formula which gives the effective complex permittivity of snow as a function of density, temperature, and frequency. For wet snow, we use another mixing formula which gives the effective complex permittivity as a function of snow wetness. With dry snow, the loss at low microwave frequencies is very small so the corresponding penetration depths are very large (eg., 100 m). Clearly seasonal snow covers are far too thin to have a direct scattering or emission effect on these low frequency bands. There are, however, indirect effects introduced because of altered reflection at the snow/soil boundary, and an extra reflecting interface at the snow/air boundary. For C-band, layers of snow with different densities can have an impact if the number of layers grows sufficiently large. (eg., many meters of snow pack with cm-scale density layering.) Wet snow poses a more difficult problem. Liquid water is much more effective than ice at scattering and absorbing L-band radiation, so even a small amount of wetness will greatly reduce penetration. For example, with a snow wetness of 1 percent (volume fraction), and a density of 300 kg/cu. m, the penetration depths for L-band, S-band, and C-band are about 1.6 m, 0.3 m, and 0.15 m respectively. Very wet snow has more than 10 percent liquid water, and the corresponding L-band penetration is less than 0.2 m. Because the penetration distance is a strong function of frequency, it may be possible to identify a particular class of snow where the wetness is a few percent, and the depth is around one meter by looking at the frequency gradient.

West, Richard D.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Direct observation on supersonic microprojectile penetration of carbon fiber composites with ultrafast synchrotron X-ray phase contrast imaging

High-speed penetration into carbon fiber composites is of fundamental importance to materials science and impact engineering, but research along this line suffers considerably from the lack of direct experimental observations. Here we investigate such penetration dynamics of a unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced epoxy (UCFRE) composite, with a combination of in situ, ultrafast, synchrotron phase contrast imaging and finite element (FE) analysis. The experiments yield the first direct observation on projectile trajectories and fiber-scale deformation and damage in the UCFRE composites during supersonic microprojectile penetration, for different fiber orientations (0 degrees - 90 degrees from the impact direction) and projectile velocities (600 - 850 m.s -1 ), at unprecedented temporal (~ 100 ps) and spatial (5 μm) resolutions. The maximum penetration depth decreases with increasing fiber orientation angles, as a result of anisotropic damage evolution in the composite sample. Strain localizations are prone to develop along a direction perpendicular to the fiber orientation, while the damage or cavity region, along the fiber direction. FE modeling with a three-dimensional Hashin criterion yields consistent projectile trajectory and cavity morphology with the experimental results. Finally, with increasing fiber orientation angles, damage analyses show a transition in the damage mode from fiber compression to matrix compression damage, in line with the increasing maximum penetration depth.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗