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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Analysis of the multipactor effect in circular waveguides excited by two orthogonal polarization waves

Circular waveguides, either employed as resonant cavities or as irises connecting adjacent guides, are widely present in many passive components used in different applications (i.e., particle accelerators and satellite subsystems). In this paper, we present the study of the multipactor effect in circular waveguides considering the coexistence of the two polarizations of the fundamental TE{sub 11} circular waveguide mode. For a better understanding of the problem, only low multipactor orders have been explored as a function of the polarization ellipse eccentricity. Special attention has been paid to the linear and circular polarizations, but other more general configurations have also been explored.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Circular polarization switching and bistability in an optically injected 1300 nm spin-vertical cavity surface emitting laser

We report the experimental observation of circular polarization switching (PS) and polarization bistability (PB) in a 1300 nm dilute nitride spin-vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). We demonstrate that the circularly polarized optical signal at 1300 nm can gradually or abruptly switch the polarization ellipticity of the spin-VCSEL from right-to-left circular polarization and vice versa. Moreover, different forms of PS and PB between right- and left-circular polarizations are observed by controlling the injection strength and the initial wavelength detuning. These results obtained at the telecom wavelength of 1300 nm open the door for novel uses of spin-VCSELs in polarization sensitive applications in future optical systems.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2017

Circular dichroism in photoelectron images from aligned nitric oxide molecules

We have used velocity map photoelectron imaging to study circular dichroism of the photoelectron angular distributions (PADs) of nitric oxide following two-color resonanceenhanced two-photon ionization via selected rotational levels of the A 2 Σ + , v' = 0 state. By using a circularly polarized pump beam and a counter-propagating, circularly polarized probe beam, cylindrical symmetry is preserved in the ionization process, and the images can be reconstructed using standard algorithms. The VMI set up enables individual ion rotational states to be resolved with excellent collection efficiency, rendering the measurements considerably simpler to perform than previous measurements conducted with a conventional photoelectron spectrometer. The results demonstrate that circular dichroism is observed even when cylindrical symmetry is maintained, and serve as a reminder that dichroism is a general feature of the multiphoton ionization of atoms and molecules. Furthermore, the observed PADs are in good agreement with calculations based on parameters extracted from previous experimental results obtained by using a time-offlight electron spectrometer.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

CIRCULAR POLARIZATION OF PULSAR WIND NEBULAE AND THE COSMIC-RAY POSITRON EXCESS

Recent observations by the PAMELA and AMS-02 telescopes have uncovered an anomalous rise in the positron fraction at energies above 10 GeV. One possible explanation for this excess is the production of primary electron/positron pairs through electromagnetic cascades in pulsar magnetospheres. This process results in a high multiplicity of electron/positron pairs within the wind-termination shock of pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe). A consequence of this scenario is that no circular polarization should be observed within PWNe, since the contributions from electrons and positrons exactly cancel. Here we note that current radio instruments are capable of setting meaningful limits on the circular polarization of synchrotron radiation in PWNe, which observationally test the model for pulsar production of the local positron excess. The observation of a PWN with detectable circular polarization would cast strong doubt on pulsar interpretations of the positron excess, while observations setting strong limits on the circular polarization of PWNe would lend credence to these models. Finally, we indicate which PWNe are likely to provide the best targets for observational tests of the AMS-02 excess.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

THE ROLE OF ERUPTING SIGMOID IN TRIGGERING A FLARE WITH PARALLEL AND LARGE-SCALE QUASI-CIRCULAR RIBBONS

In this paper, we present observations and analysis of an interesting sigmoid formation, eruption, and the associated flare that occurred on 2014 April 18 using multi-wavelength data sets. We discuss the possible role of the sigmoid eruption in triggering the flare, which consists of two different sets of ribbons: parallel ribbons and a large-scale quasi-circular ribbon. Several observational evidence and nonlinear force-free field extrapolation results show the existence of a large-scale fan-spine type magnetic configuration with a sigmoid lying under a section of the fan dome. The event can be explained with the following two phases. During the preflare phase, we observed the formation and appearance of the sigmoid via tether-cutting reconnection between the two sets of sheared fields under the fan dome. The second, main flare phase features the eruption of the sigmoid, the subsequent flare with parallel ribbons, and a quasi-circular ribbon. We propose the following multi-stage successive reconnection scenario for the main flare. First, tether-cutting reconnection is responsible for the formation and the eruption of the sigmoid structure. Second, the reconnection occurring in the wake of the erupting sigmoid produces the parallel flare ribbons on the both sides of the circular polarity inversion line. Third, the null-type reconnection higher in the corona, possibly triggered by the erupting sigmoid, leads to the formation of a large quasi-circular ribbon. For the first time, we suggest a mechanism for this type of flare consisting of a double set of ribbons triggered by an erupting sigmoid in a large-scale fan-spine-type magnetic configuration.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Concept of circular-linear energy recovery accelerator to probe the energy frontier

Energy-frontier accelerators provide powerful tools performing high precision measurements confirming the fundamentals of the physics and broadening new research horizons. Such machines are either driven by circular or linear accelerators. The circular machines, having the centre-of-mass (CM) energy values reaching 200 GeV (for leptons) and above, experience beam energy loss and quality dilution, for example, due to synchrotron radiation, limiting the overall CM energy achievable and requiring a constant energy top-up to compensate the loss and the beam quality dilution. Linear colliders overcome these limitations, while the finite capabilities of generating high average current beams limits the luminosity. This is partially compensated by the quality of the colliding beams. In this work, we suggest a novel design of circular-linear accelerator based on the merging of the “non-emitting”, low-energy storage rings and energy recovery linear accelerators. We suggest using the recently considered dual-axis asymmetric cavities to enable the operation of such a system, and in particular the energy recovery from spent, high-intensity beams. The machine considered, under the scope of the SNOWMASS-2021 initiative, can be potentially used to reach ultimate energy frontiers in high-energy physics as well as to drive next generation light sources. The merging of circular and linear systems, and applications of dual axes cavities, should allow the maintaining of high beam quality, high luminosity, and high energy efficiency, while offering a flexible energy management and opening clear opportunity for reducing the running cost. We note that the numbers shown in the paper are for illustration purpose and can be improved further.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Schemes for generation of isolated attosecond pulses of pure circular polarization

Here, we propose and analyze two schemes capable of generating isolated attosecond pulses of pure circular polarization, based on results of numerical simulations. Both schemes utilize the generation of circularly polarized high-order-harmonics by crossing two circularly polarized counter-rotating pulses in a noncollinear geometry. Our results show that in this setup isolation of a single attosecond pulse can be achieved either by restricting the driver pulse duration to a few cycles or by temporally delaying the two crossed driver pulses. We further propose to compensate the temporal walk-off between the pulses across the focal spot and increasing the conversion efficiency by using angular spatial chirp to provide perfectly matched pulse fronts. The isolation of pure circularly polarized attosecond pulses, along with the opportunity to select their central energy and helicity in the noncollinear technique, opens new perspectives from which to study ultrafast dynamics in chiral systems and magnetic materials.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Circularly Polarized Thermal Radiation From Nonequilibrium Coupled Antennas

Circularly polarized light can be obtained by using either polarization conversion or structural chirality. Here we reveal a fundamentally unrelated mechanism of generating circularly polarized light using coupled nonequilibrium sources. We show that thermal emission from a compact dimer of subwavelength, anisotropic antennas can be highly circularly polarized when the antennas are at unequal temperatures. Furthermore, the handedness of emitted light is flipped upon interchanging the temperatures of the antennas, thereby enabling reconfigurability of the polarization state lacked by most circularly polarized light sources. Furthermore, we describe the fundamental origin of this mechanism using rigorous fluctuational electrodynamic analysis and further provide practical examples for its experimental implementation. Apart from the technology applications in reconfigurable devices, communication, and sensing, this work motivates new inquiries of angular-momentum-related thermal-radiation phenomena using thermal nonequilibrium, without applying magnetic field.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

Three-dimensional dispersion in the type-II Dirac semimetals PtTe 2 and PdTe 2 revealed through circular dichroism in angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

PtTe 2 and PdTe 2 are among the first transition metal dichalcogenides that were predicted to host type-II Dirac fermions, exotic particles prohibited in free space. These materials are layered and air stable, which makes them top candidates for technological applications that take advantage of their anisotropic magnetotransport properties. Here, in this work, we provide a detailed characterization of the electronic structure of PtTe 2 and PdTe 2 using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and density functional theory calculations, offering an alternative interpretation for one of the Dirac-like dispersions in these materials. Through the use of circularly polarized light, we report a different behavior of such dispersion in PdTe 2 compared to PtTe 2 , that we relate to a symmetry analysis of the dipole matrix element. Such analysis reveals a link between the observed circular dichroism and the different momentum-dependent terms in the dispersion of these two compounds, despite their close similarity in crystal structure. Additionally, our data show a clear difference in the circular dichroic signal for the type-II Dirac cones characteristic of these materials, compared to their topologically protected surface states. Our paper provides a useful reference for the ARPES characterization of other transition metal dichalcogenides with topological properties and illustrates the use of circular dichroism as a guide to identify the topological character and attributes of two otherwise equivalent band dispersions.

angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy↗
DOE OSTI2014

WE-G-BRF-07: Non-Circular Scanning Trajectories with Varian Developer Mode

Purpose: Cone-beam CT (CBCT) in image-guide radiation therapy (IGRT) typicallyacquires scan data via the circular trajectory of the linearaccelerator's (linac) gantry rotation. Though this lends itself toanalytic reconstruction algorithms like FDK, iterative reconstructionalgorithms allow for a broader range of scanning trajectories. Weimplemented a non-circular scanning trajectory with Varian's TrueBeamDeveloper Mode and performed some preliminary reconstructions toverify the geometry. Methods: We used TrueBeam Developer Mode to program a new scanning trajectorythat increases the field of view (FOV) along the gantry rotation axiswithout moving the patient. This trajectory consisted of moving thegantry in a circle, then translating the source and detector along theaxial direction before acquiring another circular scan 19 cm away fromthe first. The linear portion of the trajectory includes an additional4.5 cm above and below the axial planes of the source's circularrotation. We scanned a calibration phantom consisting of a lucite tubewith a spiral pattern of CT spots and used the maximum-likelihoodalgorithm to iteratively reconstruct the CBCT volume. Results: With the TrueBeam trajectory definition, we acquired projection dataof the calibration phantom using the previously described trajectory.We obtained a scan of the treatment couch for log normalization byscanning with the same trajectory but without the phantom present.Using the nominal geometric parameters reported in the projectionheaders with our iterative reconstruction algorithm, we obtained acorrect reconstruction of the calibration phantom. Conclusion: The ability to implement new scanning trajectories with the TrueBeamDeveloper Mode enables us access to a new parameter space for imagingwith CBCT for IGRT. Previous simulations and simple dual circle scanshave shown iterative reconstruction with non-circular trajectories canincrease the axial FOV with CBCT. Use of Developer Mode allowsexperimentally testing these and other new scanning trajectories. Support was provided in part by the University of Chicago Research Computing Center, Varian Medical Systems, and NIH Grants 1RO1CA120540, T32EB002103, S10 RR021039 and P30 CA14599. The contents of this work are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the supporting organizations.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Large Circular Plasmids from Groundwater Plasmidomes Span Multiple Incompatibility Groups and Are Enriched in Multimetal Resistance Genes

ABSTRACT Naturally occurring plasmids constitute a major category of mobile genetic elements responsible for harboring and transferring genes important in survival and fitness. A targeted evaluation of plasmidomes can reveal unique adaptations required by microbial communities. We developed a model system to optimize plasmid DNA isolation procedures targeted to groundwater samples which are typically characterized by low cell density (and likely variations in the plasmid size and copy numbers). The optimized method resulted in successful identification of several hundred circular plasmids, including some large plasmids (11 plasmids more than 50 kb in size, with the largest being 1.7 Mb in size). Several interesting observations were made from the analysis of plasmid DNA isolated in this study. The plasmid pool (plasmidome) was more conserved than the corresponding microbiome distribution (16S rRNA based). The circular plasmids were diverse as represented by the presence of seven plasmid incompatibility groups. The genes carried on these groundwater plasmids were highly enriched in metal resistance. Results from this study confirmed that traits such as metal, antibiotic, and phage resistance along with toxin-antitoxin systems are encoded on abundant circular plasmids, all of which could confer novel and advantageous traits to their hosts. This study confirms the ecological role of the plasmidome in maintaining the latent capacity of a microbiome, enabling rapid adaptation to environmental stresses. IMPORTANCE Plasmidomes have been typically studied in environments abundant in bacteria, and this is the first study to explore plasmids from an environment characterized by low cell density. We specifically target groundwater, a significant source of water for human/agriculture use. We used samples from a well-studied site and identified hundreds of circular plasmids, including one of the largest sizes reported in plasmidome studies. The striking similarity of the plasmid-borne ORFs in terms of taxonomical and functional classifications across several samples suggests a conserved plasmid pool, in contrast to the observed variability in the 16S rRNA-based microbiome distribution. Additionally, the stress response to environmental factors has stronger conservation via plasmid-borne genes as marked by abundance of metal resistance genes. Last, identification of novel and diverse plasmids enriches the existing plasmid database(s) and serves as a paradigm to increase the repertoire of biological parts that are available for modifying novel environmental strains.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Interaction of Rydberg atoms in circular states with the alkaline-earth Ca(4s{sup 2}) and Sr(5s{sup 2}) atoms

The resonant mechanism of interaction of alkaline-earth atoms having a low electron affinity to Rydberg atoms in circular (l = vertical bar m vertical bar = n–1) and near-circular states has been studied. To describe the dynamics of resonant processes accompanied by nonadiabatic transitions between ionic and Rydberg covalent terms of a quasimolecule, an approach based on the integration of coupled equations for the probability amplitudes has been developed taking into account the possibility of the decay of an anion in the Coulomb field of the positive ionic core of a highly excited atom. The approach involves the specific features of the problem associated with the structure of the wavefunction of a Rydberg electron in states with high orbital angular momenta l ∼ n–1. This approach provides a much more accurate description of the dynamics of electronic transitions at collisions between atoms than that within the modified semiclassical Landau–Zener model. In addition, this approach makes it possible to effectively take into account many channels of the problem. The cross sections for resonant quenching of Rydberg states of the Li(nlm) atom with given principal n, orbital l = n–1, and magnetic m quantum numbers at thermal collisions with the Ca(4s{sup 2}) and Sr(5s{sup 2}) atoms have been calculated. The dependences of the results on n, m, and angle α between the relative velocity of the atoms and the normal to the plane of the orbit of the Rydberg electron have been obtained. The influence of orientational effects on the efficiency of the collisional destruction of circular and near-circular states has been studied. The results indicate a higher stability of such states to their perturbations by neutral particles as compared to usually studied nl states with low values of l (l ≪ n)

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Non-circular electron beam spot welds in stainless steel alloys

Circularly symmetric-shaped spot welds are desirable for welding applications as they relate to heat and fluid flow conditions in the melt pool with predictable weld penetrations and repeatable results. Non-circular spot welds on the other hand result in undesirable and unpredictable weld penetrations or non-bridging of the liquid melt pool across the joint. Two known causes for non-circular melt pools occur when welding dissimilar metals, or when welding with skewed electron or laser beams that are not perpendicular to the surface. A largely unexplored additional factor, shown here, is an asymmetric power density distribution within the beam that can create non-circular melt pools even though the beam dimensions are much smaller than the melt pool itself.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Increased range and contrast in fog with circularly polarized imaging

Fogs, low lying clouds, and other highly scattering environments pose a challenge for many commercial and national security sensing systems. Current autonomous systems rely on optical sensors for navigation whose performance is degraded by highly scattering environments. In our previous simulation work, we have shown that polarized light can penetrate through a scattering environment such as fog. We have demonstrated that circularly polarized light maintains its initial polarization state better than linearly polarized light, even through large numbers of scattering events and thus ranges. This has recently been experimentally verified by other researchers. In this work, we present the design, construction, and testing of active polarization imagers at short-wave infrared and visible wavelengths. We explore multiple polarimetric configurations for the imagers, focusing on linear and circular polarization states. The polarized imagers were tested at the Sandia National Laboratories Fog Chamber under realistic fog conditions. Here, we show that active circular polarization imagers can increase range and contrast in fog better than linear polarization imagers. We show that when imaging typical road sign and safety retro-reflective films, circularly polarized imaging has enhanced contrast throughout most fog densities/ranges compared to linearly polarized imaging and can penetrate over 15 to 25 m into the fog beyond the range limit of linearly polarized imaging, with a strong dependence on the interaction of the polarization state with the target materials.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2015

Detection range enhancement using circularly polarized light in scattering environments for infrared wavelengths

We find for infrared wavelengths there are broad ranges of particle sizes and refractive indices that represent fog and rain where the use of circular polarization can persist to longer ranges than linear polarization. Using polarization tracking Monte Carlo simulations for varying particle size, wavelength, and refractive index, we show that for specific scene parameters circular polarization outperforms linear polarization in maintaining the intended polarization state for large optical depths. This enhancement with circular polarization can be exploited to improve range and target detection in obscurant environments that are important in many critical sensing applications. Specifically, circular polarization persists better than linear for radiation fog in the short-wave infrared, for advection fog in the short-wave infrared and the long-wave infrared, and large particle sizes of Sahara dust around the 4 micron wavelength.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Evolution of circular and linear polarization in scattering environments

This study quantifies the polarization persistence and memory of circularly polarized light in forward-scattering and isotropic (Rayleigh regime) environments; and for the first time, details the evolution of both circularly and linearly polarized states through scattering environments. Circularly polarized light persists through a larger number of scattering events longer than linearly polarized light for all forward-scattering environments; but not for scattering in the Rayleigh regime. Circular polarization’s increased persistence occurs for both forward and backscattered light. The simulated environments model polystyrene microspheres in water with particle diameters of 0.1 μm, 2.0 μm, and 3.0 μm. The evolution of the polarization states as they scatter throughout the various environments are illustrated on the Poincaré sphere after one, two, and ten scattering events.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

The Circular Home: Development and Demonstration of a Net Negative Carbon, Reusable Residence

This project started the development of an innovative modular building system intended for residential construction. The project was centered around single-family homes that were carbon-negative cradle-to-grave over a 100 year time frame, which is approximately double the current standard for operational life. The project sought to accomplish this objective by designing the modular home in a manner that ensures circularity, where the main house components can be used over several consecutive 50-year lifespans. To accomplish these objectives, this project utilized integrated design with the inclusion of life-cycle assessment to design the single-family house for architectural, structural, energy, mechanical, thermal, and moisture demands, while ensuring carbon negativity and annual net-zero energy use. The core technology of this project was the use of cross-laminated timber and biogenic materials, such as wood-fiber insulation, in the construction of the modular building units. The robustness and factory manufacturing ability of cross-laminated timber allow for factory construction of most of the home, which minimizes on-site time, saving money and reducing construction waste. During this project, initial milestones were met that delivered the architectural plans for the circular home and an initial structural testing matrix. Compared to current code-built homes, which average 13 kg CO2eq. / ft2 and are demolished at their end of life, the circular home has an estimated -30 kg CO2eq. / ft2 of embodied carbon emissions during its first build iteration. It is estimated that approximately 60%-70% of the total building mass could be reused and/or recycled during subsequent rebuilds. This project was concluded at approximately the 1/3 point and a separate project was established to conclude the remaining milestones. This project promises to benefit the public by delivering another option for single-family, and eventually multi-family, housing using a novel building construction system. The system of reusable modular construction facilitates not only lower emissions during the first building iteration, but also lower emissions during subsequent iterations that drastically reduce waste and help society meet its climate goals. Many other industries, such as clothing and technology sectors, are starting to focus on circularity and this project adds the residential building construction industry to that list.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2021

Tidal Circularization of Binaries by Resonance Locking. I. The Importance of the Pre-main Sequence

Although tidal dissipation in binary stars has been studied for over a century, theoretical predictions have yet to match the observed properties of binary populations. This work quantitatively examines the recent proposal of tidal circularization by resonance locking, where tidal dissipation arises from resonances between the star’s natural oscillation frequencies and harmonics of the orbital frequency, and where resonances are “locked” for an extended period of time due to concurrent stellar evolution. We focus on tidal resonances with axi-symmetric gravity modes, and examine binaries with primary masses from one to two solar masses. We find that orbital evolution via resonance locking occurs primarily during the star’s pre-main-sequence phase, with the main-sequence phase contributing negligibly. Resonance locking, ignoring nonlinearity, can circularize binaries with peri-center distances out to ∼10 stellar radii, corresponding to circular periods of ∼4–6 days. However, we find resonantly excited gravity modes will become nonlinear in stellar cores, which prevents them from reaching their full, linear amplitudes. We estimate that such a “saturated resonance lock” reduces the circularization period by about a third, but resonance locking remains much more effective than the cumulative actions of equilibrium tides. In a companion paper, we examine recent binary data to compare against theory.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗