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At least 1,783 records · Page 99
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Modulations of Atmospheric River Climatology by the Stratospheric Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation

Abstract This study reveals the significant Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation (QBO) influences on the seasonal atmospheric river (AR) climatology around the globe. The North Pacific (NP) AR climatology in the boreal winter to early fall seasons in a QBO easterly (QBOE) phase is systematically shifted poleward compared with those in a QBO westerly (QBOW) phase, and such difference peaks in the local late spring season. We also find the similar poleward shift for the AR climatology over the South Pacific (SP) in the austral winter seasons in the QBOE phase. A significant equatorward shift and an overall enhancement of the AR climatology over the SP are observed in the QBOE phase during local spring and summer seasons, respectively. The QBO impacts on the AR climatology over the Atlantic Ocean are less organized. Strong QBO impacts exist in almost all seasons for the North Atlantic AR but only in the austral spring season for the South Atlantic AR. These QBO modulations of the AR climatology over the ocean basins also change the season‐mean AR frequencies around coastal regions, suggesting significant QBO impacts on the local land‐falling AR events. The QBO modulations of the seasonal background mean states and the MJO‐teleconnections are two potential mechanisms mostly over the north hemisphere. The QBOE modulation of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO)‐teleconnection over the northern hemisphere is asymmetric between the MJO convection over the Indian Ocean and that over the Pacific Ocean, which is the key to explain the QBO influences on the AR activity on the seasonal timescale.

Huang, Kai [U.S. National Science Foundation Natio↗
DOE OSTI2017

Reconfigurable optical-to-optical frequency conversion method and apparatus

A photonic device is provided for impressing a modulation pattern on an optical carrier. The device includes a unit in which a photodetector and an optical microresonator are monolithically integrated. The device further includes an optical waveguide evanescently coupled to the optical microresonator and having at least an upstream portion configured to carry at least one optical carrier toward the microresonator. The optical microresonator is tunable so as to resonate with the optical carrier frequency. The optical microresonator and the photodetector are mutually coupled such that in operation, charge carriers photogenerated in the photodetector are injected into the microresonator, where the photocurrent changes the resonant conditions. In some embodiments the device is operable as an optical-to-optical frequency converter. In other embodiments the device is operable as an oscillator.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Correlated Pc4-5 ULF waves, whistler-mode chorus, and pulsating aurora observed by the Van Allen Probes and ground-based systems

Theory and observations have linked equatorial VLF waves with pulsating aurora for decades, invoking the process of pitch angle scattering of tens of keV electrons in the equatorial magnetosphere. Recently published satellite studies have strengthened this argument, by showing strong correlation between pulsating auroral patches and both lower-band chorus and tens of keV electron modulation in the vicinity of geosynchronous orbit. Additionally, a previous link has been made between Pc4–5 compressional pulsations and modulation of whistler-mode chorus using Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms. In the current study, we present simultaneous in situ observations of structured chorus waves and an apparent field line resonance (in the Pc4–5 range) as a result of a substorm injection, observed by Van Allen Probes, along with ground-based observations of pulsating aurora. We demonstrate the likely scenario being one of substorm-driven Pc4–5 ULF pulsations modulating chorus waves, and thus providing the driver for pulsating particle precipitation into the Earth's atmosphere. Interestingly, the modulated chorus wave and ULF wave periods are well correlated, with chorus occurring at half the periodicity of the ULF waves. We also show, for the first time, a particular few-Hz modulation of individual chorus elements that coincides with the same modulation in a nearby pulsating aurora patch. As a result, such modulation has been noticed as a high-frequency component in ground-based camera data of pulsating aurora for decades and may be a result of nonlinear chorus wave interactions in the equatorial region.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Genesis, Pathways, and Terminations of Intense Global Water Vapor Transport in Association with Large-Scale Climate Patterns: IVT-CONNECT

The CONNected objECT (CONNECT) algorithm is applied to global Integrated Water Vapor Transport data from the NASA's Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications – Version 2 reanalysis product for the period of 1980 to 2016. The algorithm generates life-cycle records in time and space evolving strong vapor transport events. We show five regions, located in the midlatitudes, where events typically exist (off the coast of the southeast United States, eastern China, eastern South America, off the southern tip of South Africa, and in the southeastern Pacific Ocean). Global statistics show distinct genesis and termination regions and global seasonal peak frequency during Northern Hemisphere late fall/winter and Southern Hemisphere winter. In addition, the event frequency and geographical location are shown to be modulated by the Arctic Oscillation, Pacific North American Pattern, and the quasi-biennial oscillation. Moreover, a positive linear trend in the annual number of objects is reported, increasing by 3.58 objects year-over-year.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Cosolvent-tuned interactions in ionic liquids: A vibrational and quantum-chemical study of ethylene glycol ratio effects

Ionic liquids (ILs) are attractive media for CO 2 capture but remain limited by viscosity and cost. Blending ILs with ethylene glycol (EG) is a practical route to mitigate these constraints, yet the molecular origins of cosolvent effects and their dependence on composition are not well resolved. We combine Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy with quantum-chemical (DFT) analysis to elucidate how the IL:EG molar ratio modulates intermolecular interactions and electronic structure. Computed vibrational frequencies enable mode assignment and deconvolution of overlapping bands, revealing systematic, ratio-dependent shifts and broadenings in (i) EG O–H stretching, (ii) cation and EG C–H stretchings (imidazolium C2–H, C4–H, C5–H, methyl and ethyl groups, -CH2 of EG), (iii) anion signature modes (e.g., CN motifs), and (iv) EG C–O and C–C stretchings, consistent with the redistribution of hydrogen-bonding networks. Molecular electrostatic potential (MESP) maps quantify attenuation of extreme potential regions with increasing EG, indicating progressive screening of cation–anion electrostatic interactions. Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) identifies emergent bond critical points between EG and the IL ions, while Reduced Density Gradient–Noncovalent Interaction (RDG–NCI) analysis differentiates strong directional hydrogen bonds from dispersive contacts across compositions. Together, these results show that EG fraction controls a switch from predominantly ion–ion to mixed ion–EG coordination, altering local polarity and polarizability that underlie the observed FT-IR trends. The framework provides composition–structure–spectrum relationships that can guide rational selection of IL:EG ratios to balance favorable molecular interactions with practical performance targets in scalable CO 2 capture systems.

DAC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Planck 2013 results. II. Low Frequency Instrument data processing

We describe the data processing pipeline of the Planck Low Frequency Instrument (LFI) data processing centre (DPC) to create and characterize full-sky maps based on the first 15.5 months of operations at 30, 44, and 70 GHz. In particular, we discuss the various steps involved in reducing the data, from telemetry packets through to the production of cleaned, calibrated timelines and calibrated frequency maps. Data are continuously calibrated using the modulation induced on the mean temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation by the proper motion of the spacecraft. Sky signals other than the dipole are removed by an iterative procedure based on simultaneous fitting of calibration parameters and sky maps. Noise properties are estimated from time-ordered data after the sky signal has been removed, using a generalized least squares map-making algorithm. A destriping code (Madam) is employed to combine radiometric data and pointing information into sky maps, minimizing the variance of correlated noise. Noise covariance matrices, required to compute statistical uncertainties on LFI and Planck products, are also produced. Main beams are estimated down to the ≈-20 dB level using Jupiter transits, which are also used for the geometrical calibration of the focal plane.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Design and implementation of a 150 GHz single-channel millimeter wave interferometer on Joint TEXT tokamak

A simple, single-channel millimeter-wave interferometer system has been designed, fabricated, and installed on the J-TEXT tokamak. For the plasma density anticipated on J-TEXT, a solid-state source operating at 150 GHz has been chosen to minimize errors due to both vibration along the beam path and refraction in the plasma. The new aspect of the interferometer design is to use a subharmonic mixer for detection with a frequency doubled 150 GHz source. It employs a single source which is bias-tuned and modulated with a sawtooth wave form up to 100 kHz in order to generate the intermediate frequency. The 12.5 GHz voltage-controlled oscillator is multiplied to 75 GHz before a final doubler raises it to 150 GHz. A portion of the 75 GHZ power is used for the local oscillator (LO) and is directly connected to the LO input of the subharmonic mixer. The phase is evaluated by a digital phase comparator using a software-based algorithm. Detection noise limits the minimum resolvable phase change with the interferometer to {+-}0.05 fringe, which corresponds to an averaged electron density change along the chord of {+-}1.1 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 17} m{sup -2}. The maximum measurable electron density is expected to be {approx}9 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 19} m{sup -3}. A comparison of preliminary results from the millimeter wave interferometer with that from the far-infrared hydrogen cyanide laser (wavelength of 337 {mu}m) interferometer shows good agreement during the pulse flat-top period. The millimeter wave interferometer system will be used as a part of the density feedback control system in the future.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2013

Parallel multiplex laser feedback interferometry

We present a parallel multiplex laser feedback interferometer based on spatial multiplexing which avoids the signal crosstalk in the former feedback interferometer. The interferometer outputs two close parallel laser beams, whose frequencies are shifted by two acousto-optic modulators by 2Ω simultaneously. A static reference mirror is inserted into one of the optical paths as the reference optical path. The other beam impinges on the target as the measurement optical path. Phase variations of the two feedback laser beams are simultaneously measured through heterodyne demodulation with two different detectors. Their subtraction accurately reflects the target displacement. Under typical room conditions, experimental results show a resolution of 1.6 nm and accuracy of 7.8 nm within the range of 100 μm.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Hydrogen at zinc vacancy of ZnO: An EPR and ESEEM study

An electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum, labeled S1, with small-splitting doublet accompanied by weak satellites is observed in ZnO irradiated with 2 MeV electrons. The obtained structure is shown to be the hyperfine structure due to the dipolar interaction between an unpaired electron spin and a nuclear spin of hydrogen (H). The observation of the nuclear Zeeman frequency of H in electron spin echo envelope modulation experiments further confirmed the presence of a hydrogen atom in S1. From the observed spin-Hamiltonian parameters, S1 is identified to be the partly H-passivated Zn vacancy, V{sub Zn}{sup −}H{sup +}, with the H{sup +} ion making a short O-H bond with only one nearest O neighbor of V{sub Zn} in the basal plane, being off the substitutional site, while the unpaired electron spin, which gives rise to the observed EPR signal, is localized on the p orbital of another O neighbor also in the basal plane.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Ferroelectric domain inversion and its stability in lithium niobate thin film on insulator with different thicknesses

Ferroelectric domain inversion and its effect on the stability of lithium niobate thin films on insulator (LNOI) are experimentally characterized. Two sets of specimens with different thicknesses varying from submicron to microns are selected. For micron thick samples (∼28 μm), domain structures are achieved by pulsed electric field poling with electrodes patterned via photolithography. No domain structure deterioration has been observed for a month as inspected using polarizing optical microscopy and etching. As for submicron (540 nm) films, large-area domain inversion is realized by scanning a biased conductive tip in a piezoelectric force microscope. A graphic processing method is taken to evaluate the domain retention. A domain life time of 25.0 h is obtained and possible mechanisms are discussed. Our study gives a direct reference for domain structure-related applications of LNOI, including guiding wave nonlinear frequency conversion, nonlinear wavefront tailoring, electro-optic modulation, and piezoelectric devices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

A diagnostic to measure time-resolved atom column density and Doppler temperature in atomic vapors produced by laser ablation

We report on the development of a diagnostic to measure the time-resolved column density and Doppler temperature of atomic vapors produced by laser ablation. The diagnostic is based on the strong frequency dependence of the atomic susceptibility near an electronic transition in the interrogated atomic species. Interference on the face of a fast photodetector between the several frequency components present in a sinusoidally phase-modulated probe beam will produce a time signature uniquely determined by the column density of atoms in the probed atomic state and the Doppler temperature of the atomic vapor. With the extensive, high precision atomic spectroscopy data available in the literature, it is possible to model the vapor and extract the desired parameters through comparison of the model result with the experimental data.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2019

Ablation of solid pellets induced by supra-thermal ions in the far scrape-off layer of tokamak plasmas

Injection of solid pellets is a key element in several aspects of the operation of a magnetic confinement plasma reactor for fusion applications, including plasma fueling, control and diagnosis. This letter reports observations demonstrating that pellet ablation can begin outside the plasma boundary, by effect of supra-thermal ions, whose orbits, under appropriate conditions, can extend well into the vacuum region. The phenomenon was recorded during plasma discharges in the DIII-D tokamak, combining pulsed modulation of heating neutral beams, with high-frequency injection of sub-millimeter lithium pellets, and it is ascribed to the large fraction of trapped beam ions associated with counter current neutral beam injection. The effect was quantitatively evaluated by means of Monte-Carlo simulations of supra-thermal ion orbits, finding that the heat-deposition was of the order of 50-100 W/mm 2 , in the region traversed by the lithium pellets before reaching the plasma boundary, which is consistent with the severe pellet deterioration observed for low velocity pellets.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Interplay between disorder and collective coherent response: Superradiance and spectral motional narrowing in the time domain

The interplay between static and dynamic disorder and collective optical response in molecular ensembles is an important characteristic of nanoplasmonic and nanophotonic molecular systems. Here we investigate the cooperative superradiant response of a molecular ensemble of quantum emitters under the influence of environmental disorder, including inhomogeneous broadening (as induced by a static random distribution of the molecular transition frequencies) and motional narrowing (as induced by stochastic modulation of these excitation energies). The effect of inhomogeneous broadening is to destroy the coherence of the collective molecular excitation and suppress superradiant emission. However, fast stochastic modulation of the molecular excitation energy can effectively restore the coherence of the quantum emitters and lead to a recovery of superradiant emission, which is an unexpected manifestation of motional narrowing. For a light-scattering process as induced by an off-resonant incident pulse, stochastic modulation leads to inelastic fluorescence emission at the average excitation energy at long times and suggests that dynamic disorder effects can actually lead to collective excitation of the molecular ensemble.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Method to Compute CT System MTF

The modulation transfer function (MTF) is the normalized spatial frequency representation of the point spread function (PSF) of the system. Point objects are hard to come by, so typically the PSF is determined by taking the numerical derivative of the system's response to an edge. This is the method we use, and we typically use it with cylindrical objects. Given a cylindrical object, we first put an active contour around it, as shown in Figure 1(a). The active contour lets us know where the boundary of the test object is. We next set a threshold (Figure 1(b)) and determine the center of mass of the above threshold voxels. For the purposes of determining the center of mass, each voxel is weighted identically (not by voxel value).

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
NASA NTRS1971

Heterodyne method for high specificity gas detection.

This paper describes a new technique for measuring trace quantities of gases. The technique involves the use of a reference cell (containing a known amount of the gas being sought) and a sample cell (containing an unknown amount of the same gas) wherein the gas densities are modulated. Light passing through the two cells in sequence is modulated in intensity at the vibrational-rotational lines characteristic of the absorption spectrum for the gas of interest. Since the absorption process is nonlinear, modulating the two absorption cells at two different frequencies gives rise to a heterodyning effect, which in turn introduces sum and difference frequencies in the detected signal. Measuring the ratio of the difference frequency signal for example, to the signal introduced by the reference cell provides a normalized measure of the amount of the gas in the sample cell. The readings produced are thereby independent of source intensity, window transparency, and detector sensitivity. Experimental evaluation of the technique suggests that it should be applicable to a wide range of gases, that it should be able to reject spurious signals due to unwanted gases, and that it should be sensitive to concentrations of the order of 10 to the minus 8th power when used with a sample cell of only 20 cm length.

Dimeff, J.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Individual variation in circadian rhythms of sleep, EEG, temperature, and activity among monkeys - Implications for regulatory mechanisms.

Investigation of circadian rhythms in a number of variables related to sleep, EEG, temperature, and motor activity in rhesus monkeys on an LD 12:12 schedule. Circadian rhythms were found to appear in each of 15 variables investigated. Statistical procedures assessed the variables for evidence of common regulation in these aspects of their circadian rhythms: acrophase (timing), amplitude (extent of change), and level (24-hr mean value). Patterns appearing in the data suggested that the circadian rhythms of certain variables are regulated in common. The circadian modulation of activity in the beta and sigma frequency bands of the EEG was correlated with statistical significance in acrophase, level, and amplitude. The delta frequency band appeared to be under circadian rhythm regulation distinct from that of the other bands. The circadian rhythm of REM stage sleep was like that of beta activity in level and amplitude. The data indicate that REM stage may share some common regulation of circadian timing with both stage 3-4 sleep and with temperature. Generally, however, the circadian rhythm of temperature appeared to bear little relation to the circadian rhythms of motor activity, EEG, or sleep.

Crowley, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Feasibility test of a solid state spin-scan photo-imaging system

The feasibility of using a solid-state photo-imaging system to obtain resolution imagery from a Pioneer-type spinning spacecraft in future exploratory missions to the outer planets is discussed. Evaluation of the photo-imaging system performance, based on electrical video signal analysis recorded on magnetic tape, shows that the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios obtained at low spatial frequencies exceed the anticipated performance and that measured modulation transfer functions exhibited some degradation in comparison with the estimated values, primarily owing to the difficulty in obtaining a precise focus of the optical system in the laboratory with the test patterns in close proximity to the objective lens. A preliminary flight model design of the photo-imaging system is developed based on the use of currently available phototransistor arrays. Image quality estimates that will be obtained are presented in terms of S/N ratios and spatial resolution for the various planets and satellites. Parametric design tradeoffs are also defined.

Laverty, N. P.↗