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At least 1,675 records · Page 93
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2013

ALMA 690 GHz OBSERVATIONS OF IRAS 16293-2422B: INFALL IN A HIGHLY OPTICALLY THICK DISK

We present sensitive, high angular resolution ({approx}0.''2) submillimeter continuum and line observations of IRAS 16293-2422B made with the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array. The 0.45 mm continuum observations reveal a single and very compact source associated with IRAS 16293-2422B. This submillimeter source has a deconvolved angular size of about 400 mas (50 AU) and does not show any inner structure inside of this diameter. The H{sup 13}CN, HC{sup 15}N, and CH{sub 3}OH line emission regions are about twice as large as the continuum emission and reveal a pronounced inner depression or ''hole'' with a size comparable to that estimated for the submillimeter continuum. We suggest that the presence of this inner depression and the fact that we do not see an inner structure (or a flat structure) in the continuum are produced by very optically thick dust located in the innermost parts of IRAS 16293-2422B. All three lines also show pronounced inverse P-Cygni profiles with infall and dispersion velocities larger than those recently reported from observations at lower frequencies, suggesting that we are detecting faster and more turbulent gas located closer to the central object. Finally, we report a small east-west velocity gradient in IRAS 16293-2422B that suggests that its disk plane is likely located very close to the plane of the sky.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

CORONAL THICK TARGET HARD X-RAY EMISSIONS AND RADIO EMISSIONS

A distinctive class of hard X-ray (HXR) sources located in the corona was recently found, which implies that the collisionally thick target model (CTTM) applies even to the corona. We investigated whether this idea can be independently verified by microwave radiations which have been known as the best companion to HXRs. This study is conducted on the GOES M2.3 class flare which occurred on 2002 September 9 and was observed by the Reuven Ramaty High-Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager and the Owens Valley Solar Array. Interpreting the observed energy-dependent variation of HXR source size under the CTTM, the coronal density should be as high as 5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 11} cm{sup -3} over a distance of up to 12''. To explain the cutoff feature of the microwave spectrum at 3 GHz, however, we require a density no higher than 1 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 11} cm{sup -3}. Additional constraints must be placed on the temperature and magnetic field of the coronal source in order to reproduce the microwave spectrum as a whole. First, a spectral feature called the Razin suppression requires a magnetic field in a range of 250-350 G along with high viewing angles around 75 Degree-Sign . Second, to avoid excess fluxes at high frequencies due to the free-free emission that was not observed, we need a high temperature {>=}2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 7} K. These two microwave spectral features, Razin suppression and free-free emissions, become more significant at regions of high thermal plasma density and are essential for validating and determining additional parameters of the coronal HXR sources.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

SN 2008D: A WOLF-RAYET EXPLOSION THROUGH A THICK WIND

Supernova (SN) 2008D/XRT 080109 is considered to be the only direct detection of a shock breakout from a regular SN to date. While a breakout interpretation was favored by several papers, inconsistencies remain between the observations and current SN shock breakout theory. Most notably, the duration of the luminous X-ray pulse is considerably longer than expected for a spherical breakout through the surface of a type Ibc SN progenitor, and the X-ray radiation features, mainly its flat spectrum and its luminosity evolution, are enigmatic. We apply a recently developed theoretical model for the observed radiation from a Wolf-Rayet SN exploding through a thick wind and show that it naturally explains all of the observed features of SN 2008D X-ray emission, including the energetics, the spectrum, and the detailed luminosity evolution. We find that the inferred progenitor and SN parameters are typical for an exploding Wolf-Rayet. A comparison of the wind density found at the breakout radius and the density at much larger radii, as inferred by late radio observations, suggests an enhanced mass-loss rate taking effect about 10 days prior to the SN explosion. This finding joins accumulating evidence for a possible late phase in the stellar evolution of massive stars, involving vigorous mass loss a short time before the SN explosion.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Generation of out-of-plane ferroelectric behavior in a one-atom-thick monolayer

Ferroelectricity with out-of-plane polarization has so far been found in several two-dimensional (2D) materials, including monolayers comprising three to five planes of atoms, e.g. α-In 2 Se 3 and MoTe 2 . Here, we explore the generation of out-of-plane polarization within a one-atom-thick monolayer material, namely hexagonal boron nitride. We performed density-functional-theory calculations to explore inducing ferroelectric-like distortions through incorporation of isovalent substitutional impurities that are larger than the host atoms. This disparity in bond lengths causes a buckling of the h-BN, either up or down, which amounts to a dipole with two equivalent energies and opposing orientations. We tested several impurities to explore the magnitude of the induced dipole and the switching energy barrier for dipole inversion. The effects of strain, dipole–dipole interactions, and vertical heterostructures with graphene are further explored. Our results suggest a highly-tunable system with ground state antiferroelectricity and metastable ferroelectricity. Finally, we expect that this work will help foster new ways to include functionality in layered 2D-material-based applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Stars in the local galactic thick disc and halo in Gaia EDR3: a catalogue of half a million local main-sequence stars with photometric metallicities

We present a catalogue of 551 214 main-sequence stars in the local (d < 2 kpc) Galactic thick disc and halo, based on a search of stars with large proper motions ($\mu _{\rm tot} \gt 40.0~\rm mas\, yr^{-1}$) in the Gaia Early Data Release 3. We derive photometric metallicity calibrated from the colour–luminosity–metallicity distribution of 20 047 stars with spectroscopic metallicities, collected from various spectroscopic surveys, including SDSS SEGUE/APOGEE, GALAH DR3, and LAMOST DR6. We combine these results to construct an empirical colour–magnitude–metallicity grid, which can be used to estimate photometric metallicities for low-mass metal-poor stars of K and M subtypes from their absolute G magnitude and colour values. We find that low-mass, high-velocity stars in our catalogue share similar kinematics as reported in recent studies of more luminous Galactic halo stars. The pseudo-kinematic analysis of our sample recovers the main local halo structures, including the Gaia–Enceladus Stream and the Helmi stream; aside from these, the local halo stars appear to show a remarkably smooth distribution in velocity space. Since the future Gaia data release will provide radial velocity measurements for only a small number of our sample, our catalogue provides targets of high interest for the future spectroscopic observation programs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Er : Li Nb O 3 with High Optical Coherence Enabling Optical Thickness Control

Integrated photonics capable of incorporating rare-earth ions with high optical coherence is desirable for realizing efficient quantum transducers, compact quantum memories, and hybrid quantum systems. Here we describe a photonic platform based on the SmartCut erbium-doped lithium niobate thin film, and explore its stable optical transitions at telecom wavelength in a dilution refrigerator. Optical coherence time of up to 180μs, rivaling the value of bulk crystals, is achieved in optical ridge waveguides and ring resonators. With this integrated platform, we demonstrate tunable light-ion interaction and flexible control of optical thickness by exploiting long waveguides, whose lengths are in principle variable. This unique ability to obtain high optical density using low-concentration ions further leads to the observation of multiecho pulse trains in centimeter-long waveguides. Our results establish a promising photonic platform for quantum information processing with rare-earth ions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Thickness-dependent polarization-induced intrinsic magnetoelectric effects in L a 0.67 S r 0.33 Mn O 3 / PbZ r 0.52 T i 0.48 O 3 heterostructures

The polarization of PbZr 0.52 Ti 0.48 O 3 thin film is switched by changing film thickness through the competition between the strain relaxation-induced flexoelectric fields and the interfacial effects. Without an applied electric field, this reversal of polarization is exploited to control the magnetic properties of La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 by the competition/cooperation between the charge-mediated and the strain-mediated effects. Scanning transmission electron microscopy, polarized near-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy, and half-integer diffraction measurements are employed to decode the intrinsic magnetoelectric effects in the La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 /PbZr 0.52 Ti 0.48 O 3 heterostructures. Here, with PbZr 0.52 Ti 0.48 O 3 films <48nm, the polarization-driven carrier density modulation around the La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 /PbZr 0.52 Ti 0.48 O 3 interface and the strain-mediated Mn 3d orbital occupancy work together to enhance the magnetism of 14-unit-cell La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 film; with PbZr 0.52 Ti 0.48 O 3 layers > 48nm, the strain-induced change of bond length/angle of MnO 6 accompanied with a modified spin configuration are responsible for the decrease in the Curie temperature and magnetization of 14-unit-cell La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 film.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2013

Dependence of spin-pumping spin Hall effect measurements on layer thicknesses and stacking order

Voltages generated from inverse spin Hall and anisotropic magnetoresistance effects via spin pumping in ferromagnetic (F)/nonmagnetic (N) bilayers are investigated by means of a broadband ferromagnetic resonance approach. Varying the nonmagnetic layer thickness enables the determination of the spin diffusion length in Pd of 5.5 ± 0.5 nm. We also observe a systematic change of the voltage line shape when reversing the stacking order of the F/N bilayer, which is qualitatively consistent with expectations from spin Hall effects. However, even after independent calibration of the precession angle, systematic quantitative discrepancies in analyzing the data with spin Hall effects remain.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Thickness Dependent Carrier Density at the Surface of SrTiO3 (111) Slabs

We investigate the surface electronic structure and thermodynamic stability of the SrTiO3 (111) slabs using density functional theory. We observe that, for Ti-terminated slabs it is indeed possible to create a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). However, the carrier density of the 2DEG displays a strong thickness dependence due to the competition between electronic reconstruction and polar distortions. As expected, having a surface oxygen atom at the Ti termination can stabilize the system, eliminating any electronic reconstruction, thereby making the system insulating. An analysis of the surface thermodynamic stability suggests that the Ti terminated (111) surface should be experimentally realizable. This surface may be useful for exploring the behavior of electrons in oxide (111) interfaces and may have implications for modern device applications.

Sivadas, Mr. Nikhil↗
DOE OSTI2018

Interfacial phonon scattering and transmission loss in > 1 µm thick silicon-on-insulator thin films

Scattering of phonons at boundaries of a crystal (grains, surfaces, or solid/solid interfaces) is characterized by the phonon wavelength, the angle of incidence, and the interface roughness, as historically evaluated using a specularity parameter p formulated by Ziman [Electrons and Phonons (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1960)]. This parameter was initially defined to determine the probability of a phonon specularly reflecting or diffusely scattering from the rough surface of a material. The validity of Ziman's theory as extended to solid/solid interfaces has not been previously validated. Here, to better understand the interfacial scattering of phonons and to test the validity of Ziman's theory, we precisely measured the in-plane thermal conductivity of a series of Si films in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers by time-domain thermoreflectance (TDTR) for a Si film thickness range of 1–10 μm and a temperature range of 100–300 K. The Si/SiO 2 interface roughness was determined to be 0.11±0.04nm using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, we compared our in-plane thermal conductivity measurements to theoretical calculations that combine first-principles phonon transport with Ziman's theory. Calculations using Ziman's specularity parameter significantly overestimate values from the TDTR measurements. We attribute this discrepancy to phonon transmission through the solid/solid interface into the substrate, which is not accounted for by Ziman's theory for surfaces. The phonons that are specularly transmitted into an amorphous layer will be sufficiently randomized by the time they come back to the crystalline Si layer, the effect of which is practically equivalent to a diffuse reflection at the interface. Finally, we derive a simple expression for the specularity parameter at solid/amorphous interfaces and achieve good agreement between calculations and measurement values.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Bayesian inference of nuclear symmetry energy from measured and imagined neutron skin thickness in Sn 116 , 118 , 120 , 122 , 124 , 130 , 132 , Pb 208 , and Ca 48

The neutron skin thickness Δr np in heavy nuclei has been known as one of the most sensitive terrestrial probes of the nuclear symmetry energy E sym (ρ) around $\frac{2}{3}$ of the saturation density ρ 0 of nuclear matter. Existing neutron skin data mostly from hadronic observables suffer from large uncertainties and their extraction from experiments are often strongly model dependent. While waiting eagerly for the promised model-independent and high-precision neutron skin data for 208 Pb and 48 Ca from the parity-violating electron scattering experiments (PREX-II and CREX at JLab as well as MREX at MESA), within the Bayesian statistical framework using the Skyrme-Hartree-Fock model we infer the posterior probability distribution functions (PDFs) of the slope parameter L of the nuclear symmetry energy at ρ 0 from imagined Δr np ( 208 Pb)=0.15, 0.20, and 0.30 fm with a 1σ error bar of 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06 fm, respectively, as well as Δr np ( 48 Ca)=0.12, 0.15, and 0.25 fm, with different 1σ error bar of 0.01 and 0.02 fm, respectively. The results are compared with the PDFs of L inferred using the same approach from the available Δr np data for 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 130, 132 Sn from hadronic probes. They are also compared with results from a recent Bayesian analysis of the radius and tidal deformability data of canonical neutron stars from GW170817 and NICER. The neutron skin data for Sn isotopes gives L = 45.5 $^{+ 26.5}_{-21.6}$ MeV surrounding its mean value or L = 53 . 4 $^{+ 18.6}_{ -29.5}$ MeV surrounding its maximum a posteriori value, respectively, with the latter smaller than but consistent with the L = 66 $^{+ 12}_{-20}$ MeV from the neutron star data within their 68% confidence intervals. We found that Δr np = 0.17 –0.18 fm in 208 Pb with an error bar of about 0.02 fm leads to a PDF of L compatible with that from analyzing the Sn data. To provide additionally useful information on L extracted from the Δr np of Sn isotopes, the experimental error bar of Δr np in 208 Pb should be at least smaller than 0.06 fm aimed by some current experiments. In addition, the Δr np ( 48 Ca) needs to be larger than 0.15 fm but smaller than 0.25 fm to be compatible with the Sn and/or neutron star results. To further improve our current knowledge about L and distinguish its PDFs in the examples considered, even higher precisions leading to significantly less than ±20 MeV error bars for L at 68% confidence level are necessary.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Searching for states analogous to the C 12 Hoyle state in heavier nuclei using the thick target inverse kinematics technique

Identification of α-cluster states analogous to the C 12 Hoyle state in heavier α-conjugate nuclei can provide tests of the existence of α condensates in nuclei. Such states are predicted for O 16 , Ne 20 , Mg 24 , Si 28 , etc., at excitation energies slightly above the multi- α-particle decay threshold but have not yet been experimentally identified. The thick target inverse kinematics (TTIK) technique can be used to study the breakup of excited self-conjugate nuclei into many α particles. The reaction Ne 20 + α was studied using a Ne 20 beam at 12 MeV/nucleon from the K150 cyclotron at Texas A&M University. The TTIK method was used to study both single α-particle emission and multiple α-particle decays. Events with α multiplicity up to four were analyzed. The analysis of the three α-particle emission data allowed the identification of the Hoyle state and other C 12 excited states decaying into three α particles. The results are shown and compared with other data available in the literature. Although the statistics for events with α-multiplicity four is low, the data show a structure at about 15.2 MeV that could indicate the existence in O 16 of a state analogous to the C 12 Hoyle state. Moreover, the reconstructed excitation energy of Mg 24 for these events peaks at around 34 MeV, very close to the predicted excitation energy for an excited state analogous to the C 12 Hoyle state in Mg 24 . The structure is further confirmed by the reanalysis of α-multiplicity-four events from a previous experiment performed at 9.7 MeV/nucleon with a similar, but lower granularity, experimental setup.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Observation of N 15 + α resonant structures in F 19 using the thick target in inverse kinematics scattering method

The spectroscopy of F 19 is of interest for nuclear astrophysics and nuclear structure. In astrophysics, fluorine and the reactions producing and destroying it play a key role in constraining models of stars in different evolutionary stages, such as the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, responsible of the production of about half of the elements heavier than Fe. In nuclear structure, F 19 has been subject to many investigations aiming at the identification of α and more exotic cluster structures. Also, its spectroscopy is very useful to constrain the nuclear properties of the 19 Ne mirror nucleus. Here in this work, we report on the measurement of the 15 N α elastic scattering using the thick target inverse kinematics approach, allowing us to span a very large fluorine excitation energy range (~6-10 MeV). The use of 15 N α scattering proves very useful to study α clustering in F 19 thanks to the likelihood for populating states with such a structure. Indeed, the R-matrix analysis of the measured differential cross sections shows the occurrence of many candidate α-cluster states of F 19 . It also calls for the redefinition of the spin-parity and widths of a number of F 19 states with respect to what reported in the literature.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Ligand structure and mechanical properties of single-nanoparticle thick membranes

We believe that the high mechanical stiffness of single-nanoparticle-thick membranes is the result of the local structure of ligand coatings that mediate interactions between nanoparticles. These ligand structures are not directly observable experimentally. We use molecular dynamics simulations to observe variations in ligand structure and simultaneously measure variations in membrane mechanical properties. We have shown previously that ligand end group has a large impact on ligand structure and membrane mechanical properties. Here we introduce and apply quantitative molecular structure measures to these membranes and extend analysis to multiple nanoparticle core sizes and ligand lengths. Simulations of nanoparticle membranes with a nanoparticle core diameter of 4 or 6 nm, a ligand length of 11 or 17 methylenes, and either carboxyl (COOH) or methyl (CH 3 ) ligand end groups are presented. In carboxyl-terminated ligand systems, structure and interactions are dominated by an end-to-end orientation of ligands. In methyl-terminated ligand systems large ordered ligand structures form, but nanoparticle interactions are dominated by disordered, partially interdigitated ligands. Core size and ligand length also affect both ligand arrangement within the membrane and the membrane's macroscopic mechanical response, but are secondary to the role of the ligand end group. Additionally, the particular end group (COOH or CH 3 ) alters the nature of how ligand length, in turn, affects the membrane properties. The effect of core size does not depend on the ligand end group, with larger cores always leading to stiffer membranes. Asymmetry in the stress and ligand density is observed in membranes during preparation at a water-vapor interface, with the stress asymmetry persisting in all membranes after drying.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Experimental observation of the stratified electrothermal instability on aluminum with thickness greater than a skin depth

A direct observation of the stratified electrothermal instability on the surface of thick metal is reported. Aluminum rods coated with 70 μm Parylene-N were driven to 1 MA in 100 ns, with the metal thicker than the skin depth. Here, the dielectric coating suppressed plasma formation, enabling persistent observation of discrete azimuthally correlated stratified thermal perturbations perpendicular to the current whose wave numbers, k, grew exponentially with rate γ (k) = 0.06 ns -1 - (0.4 ns -1 μm 2 ra d -2 ) k 2 in ~ 1 g/cm 3 , ~ 7000 K aluminum.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Accurate Determination of the Neutron Skin Thickness of Pb 208 through Parity-Violation in Electron Scattering

We report a precision measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry A PV in the elastic scattering of longitudinally polarized electrons from 208 Pb. We measure A PV = 550 ± 16 (stat) ±8 (syst) parts per billion, leading to an extraction of the neutral weak form factor F W (Q 2 = 0.00616 GeV 2 ) = 0.368 ± 0.013. Combined with our previous measurement, the extracted neutron skin thickness is R n -R p = 0.283 ± 0.071 fm. The result also yields the first significant direct measurement of the interior weak density of 208 Pb: ρ$^0_W$ = -0.0796 ± 0.0036(exp) ± 0.0013(theo) fm -3 leading to the interior baryon density ρ$^0_b$ = 0.1480 ± 0.0036(exp) ± 0.0013(theo) fm -3 . Finally, the measurement accurately constrains the density dependence of the symmetry energy of nuclear matter near saturation density, with implications for the size and composition of neutron stars.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Picosecond lifetime measurements of resonances using a thick-target invariant-mass technique

Here, a new technique is presented for measuring the half-lives of resonances in the picosecond range using presently available invariant-mass apparatus and a thick target. For short-lived resonances, the energy losses of the decay fragments in the target material change their relative velocities giving rise to a poor invariant-mass resolution. However, for longer-lived resonances that travel through the remaining target material before decaying outside of the target, this dominant contribution to the resolution is eliminated. The measured invariant-mass peak will then display a narrow peak from these events which sits on a wider structure associated with the remaining events that decay in the target. The fraction of the events in the narrow peak is related to the probability that the resonance leaves the target before decaying and hence is related to the lifetime. This technique is exercised for the 2.685-MeV resonance in 33 Cl which decays by emitting an f -wave proton. A half-life of T 1/2 =5.7$^{+4.1}_{-2.5}$ ps was measured which is consistent with values inferred from other known properties of this resonance.

lifetimes & widths↗
DOE OSTI2025

Analyzer-based X-ray phase contrast imaging using the forward-diffracted o-beam in a few-millimetre-thick Bragg-case asymmetrically cut crystal

An analyzer-based X-ray phase contrast imaging experiment employing the forward-diffracted o-beam in a few-millimetre-thick Bragg-case asymmetrically cut analyzer crystal has been implemented and tested in a geometry similar to that used in conventional radiography. The high angular stability requirements were overcome using specially designed crystals and a closed-loop feedback intensity system, monitoring the intensity of the diffracted h-beam. Analyzer-based images (ABis) taken at different angular positions on the forward-diffracted o-beam rocking curve show different contrasts, as expected. However, the ABis did not show sharp borders. This was closely investigated by X-ray topography and Δ d / d mapping and was attributed to the stresses caused by the analyzer crystal's own weight in the bulk. Further investigation of the crystal design using finite element analysis coupled with dynamical theory of X-ray diffraction is envisaged.

Honnicke, Marcelo Goncalves (ORCID:000000033276432↗