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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 1,693 records · Page 94
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Low-coherence terahertz tomography based on spatially separated counterpropagating beams with allowance for probe radiation absorption in the medium

This paper analyses low-coherence tomography of absorbing media with the use of spatially separated counterpropagating object and reference beams. A probe radiation source based on a broadband terahertz (THz) generator that emits sufficiently intense THz waves in the spectral range 90 – 350 μm and a prism spectroscope that separates out eight narrow intervals from this range are proposed for implementing this method. This allows media of interest to be examined by low-coherence tomography with counterpropagating beams in each interval. It is shown that, according to the Rayleigh criterion, the method is capable of resolving inhomogeneities with a size near one quarter of the coherence length of the probe radiation. In addition, the proposed tomograph configuration allows one to determine the average surface asperity slope and the refractive index and absorption coefficient of inhomogeneities 180 to 700 mm in size, and obtain spectra of such inhomogeneities in order to determine their chemical composition. (laser applications and other topics in quantum electronics)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2019

Efficient two-dimensional sub-wavelength atom localisation via probe absorption in a four-level Λ-shaped atomic system

Two-dimensional (2D) atom localisation of a four-level Λ-shaped atomic system with a nearly hyper-fine doublet interacting with two orthogonal standing-wave fields is investigated. The spatial information of a moving atom in xy plane is obtained by measuring the probe field absorption. The effect of quantum interference on two-dimensional atom localisation is described. The intensity of standing-waves and the detuning of the probe and standing-wave fields are found to strongly affect the two-dimensional atom localisation that lead to different spatial distribution patterns. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2019

Perturbation of the interactions of calmodulin with GRK5 using a natural product chemical probe

G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) kinases (GRKs) are responsible for initiating desensitization of activated GPCRs. GRK5 is potently inhibited by the calcium-sensing protein calmodulin (CaM), which leads to nuclear translocation of GRK5 and promotion of cardiac hypertrophy. In this paper, we report the architecture of the Ca 2+ ·CaM– GRK5 complex determined by small-angle X-ray scattering and negative-stain electron microscopy. Ca 2+ ·CaM binds primarily to the small lobe of the kinase domain of GRK5 near elements critical for receptor interaction and membrane association, thereby inhibiting receptor phosphorylation while activating the kinase for phosphorylation of soluble substrates. To define the role of each lobe of Ca 2+ ·CaM, we utilized the natural product malbrancheamide as a chemical probe to show that the C-terminal lobe of Ca 2+ ·CaM regulates membrane binding while the N-terminal lobe regulates receptor phosphorylation and kinase domain activation. In cells, malbrancheamide attenuated GRK5 nuclear translocation and effectively blocked the hypertrophic response, demonstrating the utility of this natural product and its derivatives in probing Ca 2+ ·CaM-dependent hypertrophy.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Combined single crystal polarized XAFS and XRD at high pressure: probing the interplay between lattice distortions and electronic order at multiple length scales in high T c cuprates

Some of the most exotic material properties derive from electronic states with short correlation length (~10-500 Å), suggesting that the local structural symmetry may play a relevant role in their behavior. In this study, we discuss the combined use of polarized x-ray absorption fine structure and x-ray diffraction at high pressure as a powerful method to tune and probe structural and electronic orders at multiple length scales. Besides addressing some of the technical challenges associated with such experiments, we illustrate this approach with results obtained in the cuprate La 1.875 Ba 0.125 CuO 4 , in which the response of electronic order to pressure can only be understood by probing the structure at the relevant length scales.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

The evolution of interstellar medium mass probed by dust emission: Alma observations at z = 0.3-2

The use of submillimeter dust continuum emission to probe the mass of interstellar dust and gas in galaxies is empirically calibrated using samples of local star-forming galaxies, Planck observations of the Milky Way, and high-redshift submillimeter galaxies. All of these objects suggest a similar calibration, strongly supporting the view that the Rayleigh-Jeans tail of the dust emission can be used as an accurate and very fast probe of the interstellar medium (ISM) in galaxies. We present ALMA Cycle 0 observations of the Band 7 (350 GHz) dust emission in 107 galaxies from z = 0.2 to 2.5. Three samples of galaxies with a total of 101 galaxies were stellar-mass-selected from COSMOS to have M {sub *} ≅ 10{sup 11} M {sub ☉}: 37 at z ∼ 0.4, 33 at z ∼ 0.9, and 31 at z = 2. A fourth sample with six infrared-luminous galaxies at z = 2 was observed for comparison with the purely mass-selected samples. From the fluxes detected in the stacked images for each sample, we find that the ISM content has decreased by a factor ∼6 from 1 to 2 × 10{sup 10} M {sub ☉} at both z = 2 and 0.9 down to ∼2 × 10{sup 9} M {sub ☉} at z = 0.4. The infrared-luminous sample at z = 2 shows a further ∼4 times increase in M {sub ISM} compared with the equivalent non-infrared-bright sample at the same redshift. The gas mass fractions are ∼2% ± 0.5%, 12% ± 3%, 14% ± 2%, and 53% ± 3% for the four subsamples (z = 0.4, 0.9, and 2 and infrared-bright galaxies).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Probing outflows in z = 1 ∼ 2 galaxies through Fe II/Fe II* multiplets

We report on a study of the 2300-2600 Å Fe II/Fe II* multiplets in the rest-UV spectra of star-forming galaxies at 1.0 < z < 2.6 as probes of galactic-scale outflows. We extracted a mass-limited sample of 97 galaxies at z ∼ 1.0-2.6 from ultra-deep spectra obtained during the GMASS spectroscopic survey in the GOODS South field with the Very Large Telescope and FORS2. We obtain robust measures of the rest equivalent width of the Fe II absorption lines down to a limit of W{sub r} > 1.5 Å and of the Fe II* emission lines to W{sub r} > 0.5 Å. Whenever we can measure the systemic redshift of the galaxies from the [O II] emission line, we find that both the Fe II and Mg II absorption lines are blueshifted, indicating that both species trace gaseous outflows. We also find, however, that the Fe II gas has generally lower outflow velocity relative to that of Mg II. We investigate the variation of Fe II line profiles as a function of the radiative transfer properties of the lines, and find that transitions with higher oscillator strengths are more blueshifted in terms of both line centroids and line wings. We discuss the possibility that Fe II lines are suppressed by stellar absorptions. The lower velocities of the Fe II lines relative to the Mg II doublet, as well as the absence of spatially extended Fe II* emission in two-dimensional stacked spectra, suggest that most clouds responsible for Fe II absorption lie close (3 ∼ 4 kpc) to the disks of galaxies. We show that the Fe II/Fe II* multiplets offer unique probes of the kinematic structure of galactic outflows.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

The shape of X-ray cavities in galaxy clusters: Probing jet properties and viscosity

X-ray observations of galaxy clusters have detected numerous X-ray cavities, evolved from the interaction of active galactic nucleus (AGN) jets with the intracluster medium (ICM) and providing compelling evidence for the importance of jet-mode AGN feedback. Here we argue for the physical importance of the cavity shape, which we characterize with two geometric parameters: radial elongation τ and top wideness b. We study the cavity shape with 16 hydrodynamic jet simulations in two representative clusters, and find that the shapes of young cavities are mainly determined by various jet properties. Our simulations successfully reproduce two observed types of young cavities elongated along either the jet (τ>1; type-II) or the perpendicular (τ⩽1; type-I) direction. Bottom-wide type-I cavities are produced by very light internally subsonic jets, while top-wide type-II cavities are produced by heavier, internally supersonic jets, which may also produce center-wide cavities with τ∼1 if the jets are only slightly supersonic. Bottom-wide type-II cavities can be produced by very light jets with very long durations and cylindrical cavities are produced by very light internally supersonic jets. While not appreciably affecting the shapes of young cavities, viscosity significantly affects the long-term cavity evolution, suppressing both interface instabilities and the formation of torus-like morphology. We encourage observers to study the shapes of young and old X-ray cavities separately, the former probing the properties of AGN jets and the latter potentially probing the ICM viscosity level.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

The VLT SINFONI Mg ii Program for line emitters (SIMPLE). II. Background quasars probing Z∼1 galactic winds

The physical properties of galactic winds are of paramount importance for our understanding of galaxy formation. Fortunately, they can be constrained using background quasars passing near star-forming galaxies (SFGs). From the 14 quasar–galaxy pairs in our Very Large Telescope (VLT)/SINFONI Mg ii Program for Line Emitters sample, we reobserved the 10 brightest galaxies in Hα with the VLT/SINFONI with 0.″ 7 seeing and the corresponding quasar with the VLT/UVES spectrograph. Applying geometrical arguments to these 10 pairs, we find that four are likely probing galactic outflows, three are likely probing extended gaseous disks, and the remaining three are not classifiable because they are viewed face-on. In this paper we present a detailed comparison between the line-of-sight kinematics and the host galaxy emission kinematics for the pairs suitable for wind studies. We find that the kinematic profile shapes (asymmetries) can be well reproduced by a purely geometrical wind model with a constant wind speed, except for one pair (toward J2357−2736) that has the smallest impact parameter b = 6 kpc and requires an accelerated wind flow. Globally, the outflow speeds are ∼100 km s{sup −1} and the mass ejection rates (or M-dot {sub out}) in the gas traced by the low-ionization species are similar to the star formation rate (SFR), meaning that the mass loading factor, η= M-dot {sub out}/SFR, is ≈1.0. The outflow speeds are also smaller than the local escape velocity, which implies that the outflows do not escape the galaxy halo and are likely to fall back into the interstellar medium.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Probing plasmons in three dimensions by combining complementary spectroscopies in a scanning transmission electron microscope

The nanoscale optical response of surface plasmons in three-dimensional metallic nanostructures plays an important role in many nanotechnology applications, where precise spatial and spectral characteristics of plasmonic elements control device performance. Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and cathodoluminescence (CL) within a scanning transmission electron microscope have proven to be valuable tools for studying plasmonics at the nanoscale. Each technique has been used separately, producing three-dimensional reconstructions through tomography, often aided by simulations for complete characterization. Here we demonstrate that the complementary nature of the two techniques, namely that EELS probes beam-induced electronic excitations while CL probes radiative decay, allows us to directly obtain a spatially- and spectrally-resolved picture of the plasmonic characteristics of nanostructures in three dimensions. Furthermore, the approach enables nanoparticle-by-nanoparticle plasmonic analysis in three dimensions to aid in the design of diverse nanoplasmonic applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Detection of an electron beam in a high density plasma via an electrostatic probe

Here, an electron beam is detected by a 1D floating potential probe array in a relatively high density (10 12 –10 13 cm -3 ) and low temperature (~5 eV) plasma of the Magnetic Reconnection Experiment. Clear perturbations in the floating potential profile by the electron beam are observed. Based on the floating potential profile and a current balance equation to the probe array tips, the effective width of the electron beam is determined, from which we determine the radial and toroidal beam current density profiles. After the profile of the electron beam is specified from the measured beam current, we demonstrate the consistency of the current balance equation and the location of the perturbation is also in agreement with field line mapping. No significant broadening of the electron beam is observed after the beam propagates for tens of centimeters through the high density plasma. These results prove that the field line mapping is, in principle, possible in high density plasmas.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Dodging the cosmic curvature to probe the constancy of the speed of light

We develop a new model-independent method to probe the constancy of the speed of light c . In our method, the degeneracy between the cosmic curvature and the speed of light can be eliminated, which makes the test more natural and general. Combining the independent observations of Hubble parameter H ( z ) and luminosity distance d {sub L} ( z ), we use the model-independent smoothing technique, Gaussian processes, to reconstruct them and then detect variation of the speed of light. We find no signal of deviation from the present value of the speed of light c {sub 0}. Moreover, to demonstrate the improvement in probing the constancy of the speed of light from future experiments, we produce a series of simulated data. The Dark Energy Survey will be able to detect Δ c / c {sub 0} ∼ 1% at ∼ 1.5σ confidence level and Δ c / c {sub 0} ∼ 2% at ∼ 3σ confidence level. If the errors are reduced to one-tenth of the expected DES ones, it can detect a Δ c / c {sub 0} ∼ 0.1% variation at ∼ 2σ confidence level.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Probing extra dimension through gravitational wave observations of compact binaries and their electromagnetic counterparts

The future gravitational wave (GW) observations of compact binaries and their possible electromagnetic counterparts may be used to probe the nature of the extra dimension. It is widely accepted that gravitons and photons are the only two completely confirmed objects that can travel along null geodesics in our four-dimensional space-time. However, if there exist extra dimensions and only GWs can propagate freely in the bulk, the causal propagations of GWs and electromagnetic waves (EMWs) are in general different. In this paper, we study null geodesics of GWs and EMWs in a five-dimensional anti-de Sitter space-time in the presence of the curvature of the universe. We show that for general cases the horizon radius of GW is longer than EMW within equal time. Taking the GW150914 event detected by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory and the X-ray event detected by the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor as an example, we study how the curvature k and the constant curvature radius l affect the horizon radii of GW and EMW in the de Sitter and Einstein-de Sitter models of the universe. This provides an alternative method for probing extra dimension through future GW observations of compact binaries and their electromagnetic counterparts.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Solar neutrinos as a probe of dark matter-neutrino interactions

Sterile neutrinos at the eV scale have long been studied in the context of anomalies in short baseline neutrino experiments. Their cosmology can be made compatible with our understanding of the early Universe provided the sterile neutrino sector enjoys a nontrivial dynamics with exotic interactions, possibly providing a link to the Dark Matter (DM) puzzle. Interactions between DM and neutrinos have also been proposed to address the long-standing 'missing satellites' problem in the field of large scale structure formation. Motivated by these considerations, in this paper we discuss realistic scenarios with light steriles coupled to DM . We point out that within this framework active neutrinos acquire an effective coupling to DM that manifests itself as a new matter potential in the propagation within a medium of asymmetric DM . Assuming that at least a small fraction of asymmetric DM has been captured by the Sun, we show that a sizable region of the parameter space of these scenarios can be probed by solar neutrino experiments, especially in the regime of small couplings and light mediators where all other probes become inefficient. In the latter regime these scenarios behave as familiar 3+1 models in all channels except for solar data, where a Solar Dark MSW effect takes place. Solar Dark MSW is characterized by modifications of the most energetic {sup 8}B and CNO neutrinos, whereas the other fluxes remain largely unaffected.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Sensitivity of the Cherenkov Telescope Array for probing cosmology and fundamental physics with gamma-ray propagation

The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), the new-generation ground-based observatory for γ astronomy, provides unique capabilities to address significant open questions in astrophysics, cosmology, and fundamental physics. We study some of the salient areas of γ cosmology that can be explored as part of the Key Science Projects of CTA, through simulated observations of active galactic nuclei (AGN) and of their relativistic jets. Observations of AGN with CTA will enable a measurement of γ absorption on the extragalactic background light with a statistical uncertainty below 15% up to a redshift z=2 and to constrain or detect γ halos up to intergalactic-magnetic-field strengths of at least 0.3 pG . Extragalactic observations with CTA also show promising potential to probe physics beyond the Standard Model. The best limits on Lorentz invariance violation from γ astronomy will be improved by a factor of at least two to three. CTA will also probe the parameter space in which axion-like particles could constitute a significant fraction, if not all, of dark matter. We conclude on the synergies between CTA and other upcoming facilities that will foster the growth of γ cosmology.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

The POEMMA (Probe of Extreme Multi-Messenger Astrophysics) observatory

The Probe Of Extreme Multi-Messenger Astrophysics (POEMMA) is designed to accurately observe ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) and cosmic neutrinos from space with sensitivity over the full celestial sky. POEMMA will observe the air fluorescence produced by extensive air showers (EASs) from UHECRs and potentially UHE neutrinos above 20 EeV. Additionally, POEMMA has the ability to observe the Cherenkov signal from upward-moving EASs induced by Earth-interacting tau neutrinos above 20 PeV. The POEMMA spacecraft are designed to quickly re-orientate to follow up transient neutrino sources and obtain currently unparalleled neutrino flux sensitivity. Developed as a NASA Astrophysics Probe-class mission, POEMMA consists of two identical satellites flying in loose formation in 525 km altitude orbits. Each POEMMA instrument incorporates a wide field-of-view (45°) Schmidt telescope with an optical collecting area of over 6 m 2 . The hybrid focal surface of each telescope includes a fast (1 μs) near-ultraviolet camera for EAS fluorescence observations and an ultrafast (10 ns) optical camera for Cherenkov EAS observations. In a 5-year mission, POEMMA will provide measurements that open new multi-messenger windows onto the most energetic events in the universe, enabling the study of new astrophysics and particle physics at these extreme energies.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗
DOE OSTI2022

Double source lensing probing high redshift cosmology

Double source lensing, with two sources lensed by the same foreground galaxy, involves the distance between each source and the lens and hence is a probe of the universe away from the observer. The double source distance ratio also reduces sensitivity to the lens model and has good complementarity with standard distance probes. We show that using this technique at high redshifts z > 1, to be enabled by data from the Euclid satellite and other surveys, can give insights on dark energy, both in terms of w 0 –w a and redshift binned density. We find a dark energy figure of merit of 245 from combination of 256 double source systems with moderate quality cosmic microwave background and supernova data. Using instead five redshift bins between z = 1.1–5, we could detect the dark energy density out to z ≈ 5, or make measurements ranging between 31σ and 2.5σ of its values in the bins.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

CMB-HD as a probe of dark matter on sub-galactic scales

We show for the first time that high-resolution CMB lensing observations can probe structure on sub-galactic scales. In particular, a CMB-HD experiment can probe out to k ∼ 55 h/Mpc, corresponding to halo masses of about 10 8 M ⊙ . Over the range 0.005 h/Mpc eff+ ∑ mν + m WDM + log 10 T AGN + A kSZ + n kSZ model; here T AGN characterizes the strength of the feedback, and A kSZ and n kSZ allow freedom in the amplitude and slope of the kinetic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich power spectrum. This work provides an initial exploration of what can be achieved with reasonable assumptions about systematic effects. We make the CMB-HD Fisher code used here publicly available, and note that it can be modified to use any non-CDM model that changes the matter power spectrum.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Experimental investigation of beam-ion losses induced by magnetic perturbations using the light ion beam probe technique in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak

The impact of externally applied magnetic perturbations (MPs) on fast-ion losses has been investigated by means of the light ion beam probe (LIBP) technique in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak. The LIBP technique allows to experimentally infer the fast-ion orbit displacement induced by MPs via first-orbit losses using scintillator based fast-ion loss detector (FILD) measurements. The fast-ion orbit displacement against different applied MP spectra has been studied. These shots were conducted in ELM mitigated H-mode plasmas. A rigid rotation of the MP coils was applied with a frequency of 1 Hz, with an n = 2 configuration and changing the differential phase between the upper and lower set of coils (ΔΦ ul ) on a shot-to-shot basis. Beam sources Q7 (tangential) and Q8 (radial) were used to probe different fast-ion orbits with FILD1. The measured fast-ion orbit displacement ranges from 3 to 20 mm approximately, and no qualitative difference is observed between ions from beam sources Q7 and Q8. The minimum is found for a ΔΦ ul ~ 50°, which is shifted with respect to the minimum of the plasma boundary displacement, found at ΔΦ ul ~ 0°. A first attempt to validate the orbit following code ASCOT—including the plasma response calculated with the MARS-F code—against these experimental measurements is performed. Finally, while the dependence of the first-orbit fast-ion displacement with ΔΦ ul does not match the experimental measurements, these simulations do capture other features such as the order of magnitude of the orbit displacement and the importance of the toroidal spectrum of the applied perturbation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗