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At least 1,765 records · Page 98
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

Laser shocks: A tool for experimental simulation of damage into materials

High power laser irradiation of solids results in a strong shock wave propagation, driving very high amplitude pressure loadings with very short durations. These particular characteristics offer the possibility to study the behaviour of matter under extreme dynamic conditions in continuity with what is possible with the conventional generators of shock (launchers of projectiles, explosives). An advantage of laser shocks is a possible recovery of the shocked samples presenting the metallurgical effects of the shock in most cases. We introduce the principle of the laser shock generation, the characterization of these shocks, the principal mechanisms and effects associated with their propagation in the solids. We show how laser shocks can be a laboratory tool for simulating shock effects at ultra high strain rate, providing a high in information experimental layout for validation of damage modelling on an extended strain rate range compared to conventional shock generators. New data have been obtained with ultra short femtosecond range irradiation. Experimental data gathered through post mortem observation, time resolved velocity measurement are shown along with numerical associated simulations, showing the possibility to predict the damage behaviour of metallic targets under extreme strain rate up to 10{sup 8} s{sup -1}.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Reactive quenching of OH A {sup 2}{Sigma}{sup +} by O{sub 2} and CO: Experimental and nonadiabatic theoretical studies of H- and O-atom product channels

The outcomes following collisional quenching of electronically excited OH A {sup 2}{Sigma}{sup +} by O{sub 2} and CO are examined in a combined experimental and theoretical study. The atomic products from reactive quenching are probed using two-photon laser-induced fluorescence to obtain H-atom Doppler profiles, O ({sup 3}P{sub J}) atom fine structure distributions, and the relative yields of these products with H{sub 2}, O{sub 2}, and CO collision partners. The corresponding H-atom translational energy distributions are extracted for the H + O{sub 3} and H + CO{sub 2} product channels, in the latter case revealing that most of the available energy is funneled into internal excitation of CO{sub 2}. The experimental product branching ratios show that the O-atom producing pathways are the dominant outcomes of quenching: the OH A {sup 2}{Sigma}{sup +}+ O{sub 2}{yields} O + HO{sub 2} channel accounts for 48(3)% of products and the OH A {sup 2}{Sigma}{sup +}+ CO {yields} O + HCO channel yields 76(5)% of products. In addition, quenching of OH A {sup 2}{Sigma}{sup +} by O{sub 2} generates H + O{sub 3} products [12(3)%] and returns OH to its ground X {sup 2}{Pi} electronic state [40(1)%; L. P. Dempsey, T. D. Sechler, C. Murray, and M. I. Lester, J. Phys. Chem. A 113, 6851 (2009)]. Quenching of OH A {sup 2}{Sigma}{sup +} by CO also yields H + CO{sub 2} reaction products [26(5)%]; however, OH X {sup 2}{Pi} (v{sup Double-Prime }= 0,1) products from nonreactive quenching are not observed. Theoretical studies characterize the properties of energy minimized conical intersections in four regions of strong nonadiabatic coupling accessible from the OH A {sup 2}{Sigma}{sup +}+ CO asymptote. Three of these regions have the O-side of OH pointing toward CO, which lead to atomic H and vibrationally excited CO{sub 2} products and/or nonreactive quenching. In the fourth region, energy minimized points are located on a seam of conical intersection from the OH A {sup 2}{Sigma}{sup +}+ CO asymptote to an energy minimized crossing with an extended OH bond length and the H-side of OH pointing toward CO in a bent configuration. This region, exoergic with respect to the reaction asymptote, is likely to be the origin of the dominant O + HCO product channel.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

Experimental challenge to nuclear physics problems in the {nu}p-process

Astrophysical stellar reactions at extremely high temperatures involve a variety of problems both in nuclear reactions and nuclear structures. Specifically, the problems in the {nu}pprocess were discussed in this talk based on our recent experimental results with low-energy RI beams and a simulation study. The {nu}p-process is one of the key processes for investigating the mechanism of type II supernovae, and the process could be possibly responsible for 'the excess production' of p-nuclei around mass 90-100. Alpha cluster resonances have been discovered experimentally to play a crucial role for the stellar ({alpha}, p) reactions just above the alpha threshold. Neutron induced reactions in the proton-rich nuclear regions in the {nu}p-process are also suggested to play an important role, which involve nuclear structures of high level density at high excitation energies, probably giant resonances. The discussion also covered the p-nuclei production through the {nu}p-process at around mass 100.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Possible experimental evidence for the presence of double octupole states in {sup 240}Pu

Excited states in the {sup 240}Pu nucleus have been studied by means of the (p,t) reaction using the Q3D spectrometer and the focal plane detector from Munich. The comparison between experimental angular distributions and the DWBA calculations allowed the extraction of relative two-neutron transfer strengths. These observables may reveal important information about the structure of different states. The experimental two neutron strength for the 0{sup +}{sub 2} and 0{sup +}{sub 3} states is found in good agreement with the predictions of the IBA model, confirming the double octupole nature for the 0{sup +}{sub 2} state proposed in the previous studies.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Experimental study from linear to chaotic regimes on a terahertz-frequency gyrotron oscillator

Basic wave-particle interaction dynamics from linear to chaotic regimes is experimentally studied on a frequency tunable gyrotron generating THz radiation in continuous mode (200 W) at 263 GHz which will be used for dynamic nuclear polarization nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy applications. In the studied system, the nonlinear dynamics associated to the wave-particle interaction is dominated by longitudinal mode competition of a given transverse TE{sub m,p} cavity-mode. This study covers a wide range of control parameter from gyro-traveling wave tube (gyro-TWT) to gyro-backward wave oscillator (gyro-BWO) like interactions for which extensive theoretical studies have been performed in the past on a simplified system. Besides the common route to chaos characterized by period doubling, other routes have been identified among which some are characterized by line-width frequency-broadening on the side-bands. The complex nonlinear dynamics is in good agreement with the theory and the experimental results are discussed on the basis of the prediction obtained with the nonlinear time-dependent self-consistent codes TWANG and EURIDICE both based on a slow-time scale formulation of the self-consistent equations governing the wave-particle dynamics.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2012

Experimental investigation of supersonic low pressure air plasma flows obtained with different arc-jet operating conditions

A stationary arc-jet plasma flow at low pressure is used to simulate some properties of the gas flow surrounding a vehicle during its entry into celestial body's atmospheres. This paper presents an experimental study concerning plasmas simulating a re-entry into our planet. Optical measurements have been carried out for several operating plasma conditions in the free stream, and in the shock layer formed in front of a flat cylindrical plate, placed in the plasma jet. The analysis of the spectral radiation enabled the identification of the emitting species, the determination of the rotational and vibrational temperatures in the free-stream and in the shock layer and the determination of the distance of the shock to the flat plate face. Some plasma fluid parameters like, stagnation pressure, specific enthalpy and heat flux have been determined experimentally along the plasma-jet axis.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Experimental and numerical investigation of non-neutral complex plasmas

A plasma of particles with the same sign of charge, can be easily confined under ultra-high vacuum conditions in Penning-Malmberg traps, where the time evolution of the system is monitored for very long times by means of electrostatic and optical diagnostic systems. Complex (dusty) plasmas are ionized gases that contain a distribution of micrometer-sized particles with a surface charge of the order of a few thousand electron charges. The interplay between a wide range of scales in time and space gives rise to new characteristic physical phenomena. Laboratory complex plasmas generally satisfy a global (quasi-)neutrality condition. A different concept is represented by a non-neutral complex plasma. To investigate the dynamics of this system, we are currently developing the DuEl (Dust-Electron) device, where negatively charged dust particles will be present together with a population of electrons. The experimental set-up will include a dust injection system and a Penning-Malmberg trap for the confinement of the dust-contaminated electron plasma. We describe here the main physical aims of the project and the present design of the apparatus. To support the experimental project, we have been developing a specifically tailored two-dimensional 'hybrid' Particle-In-Cell code. Using polar cylindrical coordinates, the code aims to investigate the transverse dynamics of a magnetized electron plasma contaminated by a massive, charged species. A mass-less fluid approximation for the electron population is exploited, while the dust component is treated with a kinetic description, also including the gravitational force. The preliminary results of systematic studies on the effects of heavy (magnetized or non-magnetized) dust grains on the equilibrium and stability properties of the electron fluid are presented. The implementation of other characteristic phenomena of interest, e.g. residual gas friction and dust charge fluctuations, is also under development.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Effect of gas puffing from different side on lower hybrid wave-plasma coupling in experimental advanced superconductive tokamak

Effect of gas puffing from electron-side and ion-side on lower hybrid wave (LHW)-plasma is investigated in experimental advanced superconductive tokamak for the first time. Experimental results with different gas flow rates show that electron density at the grill is higher in the case of gas puffing from electron-side; consequently, a lower reflection coefficient is observed, suggesting better effect of puffing from electron-side on LHW-plasma. The difference in edge density between electron- and ion-side cases suggests that local ionization of puffed gas plays a dominant role in affecting the density at the grill due to different movement direction of ionized electrons and that part of gas has been locally ionized near the gas pipe before diffusing into the grill region. Such difference could be enlarged and important in ITER due to the improvement of plasma parameters and LHW power.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Trigger - and heat-transfer times measured during experimental molten-fuel-interactions

A modified setup featuring high speed high resolution data and video recording was developed to obtain detailed information on trigger and heat transfer times during explosive molten fuel-coolant-interaction (MFCI). MFCI occurs predominantly in configurations where water is entrapped by hot melt. The setup was modified to allow direct observation of the trigger and explosion onset. In addition the influences of experimental control and data acquisition can now be more clearly distinguished from the pure phenomena. More precise experimental studies will facilitate the description of MFCI thermodynamics.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Theoretical and experimental study of the bending influence on the capacitance of interdigitated micro-electrodes patterned on flexible substrates

Interdigitated electrodes are common structures in the fields of microelectronics and MEMS. Recent developments in flexible electronics compel an understanding of such structures under bending constraints. In this work, the behavior of interdigitated micro-electrodes when subjected to circular bending has been theoretically and experimentally studied through changes in capacitance. An analytical model has been developed to calculate the expected variation in capacitance of such structures while undergoing outward and inward bending along the direction perpendicular to the electrodes. The model combines conformal mapping techniques to account for the electric field redistribution and fundamental aspects of solid mechanics in order to define the geometrical deformation of the electrodes while bending. To experimentally verify our theoretical predictions, several interdigitated electrode structures with different geometries were fabricated on polymeric substrates by means of photolithography. The samples, placed in a customized bending setup, were bent to controlled radii of curvature while measuring their capacitance. A maximum variation in capacitance of less than 3% was observed at a minimum radius of curvature of 2.5 mm for all the devices tested with very thin electrodes whereas changes of up to 7% were found on stiffer, plated electrodes. Larger or smaller variations would be possible, in theory, by adjusting the geometry of the device. This work establishes a useful predictive tool for the design and evaluation of truly flexible/bendable electronics consisting of interdigitated structures, allowing one to tune the bending influence on the capacitance value through geometrical design.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Synchronization states and multistability in a ring of periodic oscillators: Experimentally variable coupling delays

We experimentally study the complex dynamics of a unidirectionally coupled ring of four identical optoelectronic oscillators. The coupling between these systems is time-delayed in the experiment and can be varied over a wide range of delays. We observe that as the coupling delay is varied, the system may show different synchronization states, including complete isochronal synchrony, cluster synchrony, and two splay-phase states. We analyze the stability of these solutions through a master stability function approach, which we show can be effectively applied to all the different states observed in the experiment. Our analysis supports the experimentally observed multistability in the system.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Theoretical and experimental study of dynamics of photoexcited carriers in GaN

We present a theoretical and experimental study of the sub-picosecond dynamics of photo-excited carriers in GaN. In the theoretical model, interaction with an external ultrafast laser pulse is treated coherently and to account for the scattering mechanisms and dephasing processes, a generalized Monte-Carlo simulation is used. The scattering mechanisms included are carrier interactions with polar optical phonons and acoustic phonons, and carrier-carrier Coulomb interactions. We study the effect of different scattering mechanisms on the carrier densities. In the case that the excitation energy satisfies the threshold for polar optical scattering, phonon contribution is the dominant process in relaxing the system, otherwise, carrier-carrier mechanism is dominant. Furthermore, we present the temperature and pulse power dependent normalized luminescence intensity. The results are presented over a range of temperatures, electric field, and excitation energy of the laser pulse. For comparison, we also report the experimental time-resolved photoluminescence studies on GaN samples. There is a good agreement between the simulation and experiment in normalized luminescence intensity results. Therefore, we show that we can explain the dynamics of the photo-excited carriers in GaN by including only carrier-carrier and carrier-phonon interactions and a relatively simple two-band electronic structure model.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Numerical and experimental evaluation of laser forming process for the shape correction in ultra high strength steels

In this paper, laser forming characteristics in ultra high strength steel with ultimate strength of 1200MPa are investigated numerically and experimentally. FE simulation is conducted to identify the response related to deformation and characterize the effect of laser power, beam diameter and scanning speed with respect to the bending angle for a square sheet part. The thermo-mechanical behaviors during the straight-line heating process are presented in terms of temperature, stress and strain. An experimental setup including a fiber laser with maximum mean power of 3.0 KW is used in the experiments. From the results in this work, it would be easily adjustment the laser power and the scanning speed by controlling the line energy for a bending operation of CP1180 steel sheets.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Experimental studies of nuclear matrix elements for neutrino-less ββ decays

Nuclear matrix elements M{sup 0ν} for neutrino less double beta decays (0νββ) are crucial for neutrino studies in 0νββ experiments. The neutrino mass to be studied is sensitive to M{sup 0ν}, while theoretical calculations for M{sup 0ν} are hard. Thus experimental studies of nuclear structures and single β matrix elements M{sub β} associated with 0νββ are useful to confirm and help the theoretical calculations. This reports briefly experimental methods and recent charge exchange reaction studies for M{sub β}. The single β elements for M{sup ±}(2{sup −}) associated with M{sup 0ν}(2{sup −}), which is the major component of M{sup 0ν}, are found to be reduced (quenched) much by the spin isospin correlation and the nuclear medium (non-nucleonic isobar) effect. The present result suggests that the spin isospin components of M{sup 0ν} is fairly reduced (quenched)

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Analysis and experimental study on formation conditions of large-scale barrier-free diffuse atmospheric pressure air plasmas in repetitive pulse mode

Atmospheric air diffuse plasmas have enormous application potential in various fields of science and technology. Without dielectric barrier, generating large-scale air diffuse plasmas is always a challenging issue. This paper discusses and analyses the formation mechanism of cold homogenous plasma. It is proposed that generating stable diffuse atmospheric plasmas in open air should meet the three conditions: high transient power with low average power, excitation in low average E-field with locally high E-field region, and multiple overlapping electron avalanches. Accordingly, an experimental configuration of generating large-scale barrier-free diffuse air plasmas is designed. Based on runaway electron theory, a low duty-ratio, high voltage repetitive nanosecond pulse generator is chosen as a discharge excitation source. Using the wire-electrodes with small curvature radius, the gaps with highly non-uniform E-field are structured. Experimental results show that the volume-scaleable, barrier-free, homogeneous air non-thermal plasmas have been obtained between the gap spacing with the copper-wire electrodes. The area of air cold plasmas has been up to hundreds of square centimeters. The proposed formation conditions of large-scale barrier-free diffuse air plasmas are proved to be reasonable and feasible.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Theoretical and experimental investigations of asymmetric light transport in graded index photonic crystal waveguides

To provide asymmetric propagation of light, we propose a graded index photonic crystal (GRIN PC) based waveguide configuration that is formed by introducing line and point defects as well as intentional perturbations inside the structure. The designed system utilizes isotropic materials and is purely reciprocal, linear, and time-independent, since neither magneto-optical materials are used nor time-reversal symmetry is broken. The numerical results show that the proposed scheme based on the spatial-inversion symmetry breaking has different forward (with a peak value of 49.8%) and backward transmissions (4.11% at most) as well as relatively small round-trip transmission (at most 7.11%) in a large operational bandwidth of 52.6 nm. The signal contrast ratio of the designed configuration is above 0.80 in the telecom wavelengths of 1523.5–1576.1 nm. An experimental measurement is also conducted in the microwave regime: A strong asymmetric propagation characteristic is observed within the frequency interval of 12.8 GHz–13.3 GHz. The numerical and experimental results confirm the asymmetric transmission behavior of the proposed GRIN PC waveguide.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Experimental and numerical study of high order Stokes lines in Brillouin-erbium fiber laser

We experimentally study the dependences of high-order Stokes lines on the erbium-doped fiber (EDF) pump power P{sub EDF}, the Brillouin pump (BP) power P{sub BP}, and its working wavelength in a multiwavelength Brillouin erbium-doped fiber laser (MBEFL). By using the rate and propagation equations, and the coupled wave equations of stimulated Brillouin scattering, we establish a lumped model to describe the MBEFL. Numerical simulations show that the number of Stokes lines can be increased by decreasing the spacing between the BP wavelength and the EDF peak gain or P{sub BP} as long as it is larger than a critical value P{sub BP}{sup (cr)}=1.7 mW, or by increasing P{sub EDF} without reaching a saturation value P{sub EDF}{sup (cr)}=250 mW. However, when P{sub BP} and P{sub EDF} are varied beyond P{sub BP}{sup (cr)} and P{sub EDF}{sup (cr)}, respectively, the number of Stokes lines is reduced, accompanied by some self-lasing cavity modes. These results by numerical simulation are consistent with experimental observations from the MBEFL.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Experimentally driven atomistic model of 1,2 polybutadiene

We present an efficient method of combining wide angle neutron scattering data with detailed atomistic models, allowing us to perform a quantitative and qualitative mapping of the organisation of the chain conformation in both glass and liquid phases. The structural refinement method presented in this work is based on the exploitation of the intrachain features of the diffraction pattern and its intimate linkage with atomistic models by the use of internal coordinates for bond lengths, valence angles, and torsion rotations. Atomic connectivity is defined through these coordinates that are in turn assigned by pre-defined probability distributions, thus allowing for the models in question to be built stochastically. Incremental variation of these coordinates allows for the construction of models that minimise the differences between the observed and calculated structure factors. We present a series of neutron scattering data of 1,2 polybutadiene at the region 120–400 K. Analysis of the experimental data yields bond lengths for Cî—¸C and C î—» C of 1.54 Å and 1.35 Å, respectively. Valence angles of the backbone were found to be at 112° and the torsion distributions are characterised by five rotational states, a three-fold trans-skew± for the backbone and gauche± for the vinyl group. Rotational states of the vinyl group were found to be equally populated, indicating a largely atactic chan. The two backbone torsion angles exhibit different behaviour with respect to temperature of their trans population, with one of them adopting an almost all trans sequence. Consequently, the resulting configuration leads to a rather persistent chain, something indicated by the value of the characteristic ratio extrapolated from the model. We compare our results with theoretical predictions, computer simulations, RIS models and previously reported experimental results.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗