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At least 1,783 records · Page 99
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Optical Strain Measurement System Development

Investigations of physical phenomena affecting the durability of SSME components require measurement systems operational in hostile environments. The need for such instrumentation caused the definition and operation of an optical strain measurement system. This optical strain measurement system based on the speckle shift method is being developed. This is a noncontact, automatic method of measuring surface strain in one dimension that corrects for error due to rigid body motion. It provides a gauge length of 1 to 2 mm and allows the region of interest on the test specimen to be mapped point by point. The output is a graphics map of the points inspected on the specimen; data points is stored in quasi-real time. This is the first phase of a multiphase effort in optical strain measurement. The speckle pattern created by the test specimen is interpreted as high order interference fringes resulting from a random diffraction grating, being the natural surface roughness of the specimen. Strain induced on the specimen causes a change in spacing of the surface roughness, which in turn shifts the position of the interference pattern (speckles).

Lant, C. T.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Airborne Lidar Measurements of Aerosol Optical Properties During SAFARI-2000

The Cloud Physics Lidar (CPL) operated onboard the NASA ER-2 high altitude aircraft during the SAFARI-2000 field campaign. The CPL provided high spatial resolution measurements of aerosol optical properties at both 1064 nm and 532 nm. We present here results of planetary boundary layer (PBL) aerosol optical depth analysis and profiles of aerosol extinction. Variation of optical depth and extinction are examined as a function of regional location. The wide-scale aerosol mapping obtained by the CPL is a unique data set that will aid in future studies of aerosol transport. Comparisons between the airborne CPL and ground-based MicroPulse Lidar Network (MPL-Net) sites are shown to have good agreement.

McGill, M. J.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Monitoring nanoparticle synthesis in a carbon arc discharge environment, in situ

This work presents experimental and theoretical studies of gas-phase synthesis of fullerenes and carbon nanoparticles in the presence of an atmospheric-pressure, arc discharge plasma. Carbon arc discharges have been used for synthesizing carbon nanotubes for over 25 years, and have the potential for economically synthesizing industrial-scale quantities of fullerenes. However, the efficiency and selectivity of fullerene synthesis with carbon arc discharges are quite low. Optimizing carbon arc discharges for fullerene synthesis requires a thorough understanding of the dynamics behind gas-phase nanoparticle synthesis in the presence of an arc discharge plasma. We built a carbon arc discharge setup to study nanoparticle and fullerene synthesis. The laser-induced incandescence (LII) diagnostic was applied for monitoring nanoparticle synthesis, in situ. The LII diagnostic had previously been applied as a combustion diagnostic for in situ measurements of concentrations and sizes of soot particles in flame environments. Prior to the present study, it had never been applied for studying fullerenes, nor had it been applied to study nanoparticles in the presence of an atmospheric-pressure plasma. Therefore, experiments were designed that allowed for the calibration of the LII diagnostic with research-grade, arc-synthesized soot particles and carbon nanotubes. Additionally, the theory and models underpinning the LII diagnostic were adapted to include the presence of an atmospheric-pressure, arc-discharge plasma. Results presented in this work confirm the ability of the LII diagnostic to measure sizes of arc-synthesized nanoparticles in situ, and show the spatial location of high densities of arc-synthesized nanoparticles with respect to the arc discharge plasma. Determining the spatial location of nanoparticle synthesis and growth is crucial for understanding the background conditions (e.g. background gas temperature, electron densities ...) in which nanoparticles nucleate and grow in the arc discharge environment. Future work would involve combining the LII diagnostic with other laser-based diagnostics (e.g. Rayleigh scattering, laser-induced fluorescence) for a more comprehensive study of gas-phase nanoparticle synthesis and investigating fundamental basic-science questions related to low temperature plasma physics, and laser-nanoparticle interactions.

Nanotechnology↗
DOE OSTI2016

Critical initial-slip scaling for the noisy complex Ginzburg–Landau equation

We employ the perturbative fieldtheoretic renormalization group method to investigate the universal critical behavior near the continuous non-equilibrium phase transition in the complex Ginzburg–Landau equation with additive white noise. This stochastic partial differential describes a remarkably wide range of physical systems: coupled nonlinear oscillators subject to external noise near a Hopf bifurcation instability; spontaneous structure formation in non-equilibrium systems, e.g., in cyclically competing populations; and driven- dissipative Bose–Einstein condensation, realized in open systems on the interface of quantum optics and many-body physics, such as cold atomic gases and exciton-polaritons in pumped semiconductor quantum wells in optical cavities. Our starting point is a noisy, dissipative Gross–Pitaevski or nonlinear Schrödinger equation, or equivalently purely relaxational kinetics originating from a complex-valued Landau–Ginzburg functional, which generalizes the standard equilibrium model A critical dynamics of a non-conserved complex order parameter field. We study the universal critical behavior of this system in the early stages of its relaxation from a Gaussian-weighted fully randomized initial state. In this critical aging regime, time translation invariance is broken, and the dynamics is characterized by the stationary static and dynamic critical exponents, as well as an independent ‘initial-slip’ exponent. We show that to first order in the dimensional expansion about the upper critical dimension, this initial-slip exponent in the complex Ginzburg–Landau equation is identical to its equilibrium model A counterpart. Here, we furthermore employ the renormalization group flow equations as well as construct a suitable complex spherical model extension to argue that this conclusion likely remains true to all orders in the perturbation expansion.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2016

Hierarchical Multi-Scale Approach To Validation and Uncertainty Quantification of Hyper-Spectral Image Modeling

Validating predictive models and quantifying uncertainties inherent in the modeling process is a critical component of the HARD Solids Venture program [1]. Our current research focuses on validating physics-based models predicting the optical properties of solid materials for arbitrary surface morphologies and characterizing the uncertainties in these models. We employ a systematic and hierarchical approach by designing physical experiments and comparing the experimental results with the outputs of computational predictive models. We illustrate this approach through an example comparing a micro-scale forward model to an idealized solid-material system and then propagating the results through a system model to the sensor level. Our efforts should enhance detection reliability of the hyper-spectral imaging technique and the confidence in model utilization and model outputs by users and stakeholders.

Engel, David W.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Large exchange-driven intrinsic circular dichroism of a chiral 2D hybrid perovskite

Abstract In two-dimensional chiral metal-halide perovskites, chiral organic spacers endow structural and optical chirality to the metal-halide sublattice, enabling exquisite control of light, charge, and electron spin. The chiroptical properties of metal-halide perovskites have been measured by transmissive circular dichroism spectroscopy, which necessitates thin-film samples. Here, by developing a reflection-based approach, we characterize the intrinsic, circular polarization-dependent complex refractive index for a prototypical two-dimensional chiral lead-bromide perovskite and report large circular dichroism for single crystals. Comparison with ab initio theory reveals the large circular dichroism arises from the inorganic sublattice rather than the chiral ligand and is an excitonic phenomenon driven by electron-hole exchange interactions, which breaks the degeneracy of transitions between Rashba-Dresselhaus-split bands, resulting in a Cotton effect. Our study suggests that previous data for spin-coated films largely underestimate the optical chirality and provides quantitative insights into the intrinsic optical properties of chiral perovskites for chiroptical and spintronic applications.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Digital holographic interferometry: A novel optical calorimetry technique for radiation dosimetry

Purpose: To develop and demonstrate the proof-of-principle of a novel optical calorimetry method to determine radiation absorbed dose in a transparent medium. Methods: The calorimetric property of water is measured during irradiation by means of an interferometer, which detects temperature-induced changes in the refractive index that can be mathematically related to absorbed dose. The proposed method uses a technique called digital holographic interferometry (DHI), which comprises an optical laser interferometer setup and consecutive physical reconstruction of the recorded wave fronts by means of the Fresnel transform. This paper describes the conceptual framework and provides the mathematical basis for DHI dosimetry. Dose distributions from a high dose rate Brachytherapy source were measured by a prototype optical setup to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach. Results: The developed DHI dosimeter successfully determined absorbed dose distributions in water in the region adjacent to a high dose rate Brachytherapy source. A temperature change of 0.0381 K across a distance of 6.8 mm near the source was measured, corresponding to a dose of 159.3 Gy. The standard deviation in a typical measurement set was ±3.45 Gy (corresponding to an uncertainty in the temperature value of ±8.3 × 10{sup −4} K). The relative dose fall off was in agreement with treatment planning system modeled data. Conclusions: First results with a prototype optical setup and a Brachytherapy source demonstrate the proof-of-principle of the approach. The prototype achieves high spatial resolution of approximately 3 × 10{sup −5} m. The general approach is fundamentally independent of the radiation type and energy. The sensitivity range determined indicates that the method is predominantly suitable for high dose rate applications. Further work is required to determine absolute dose in all three dimensions.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Time and spectrum-resolving multiphoton correlator for 300–900 nm

We demonstrate a single-photon sensitive spectrometer in the visible range, which allows us to perform time-resolved and multi-photon spectral correlation measurements at room temperature. It is based on a monochromator composed of two gratings, collimation optics, and an array of single photon avalanche diodes. The time resolution can reach 110 ps and the spectral resolution is 2 nm/pixel, limited by the design of the monochromator. This technique can easily be combined with commercial monochromators and can be useful for joint spectrum measurements of two photons emitted in the process of parametric down conversion, as well as time-resolved spectrum measurements in optical coherence tomography or medical physics applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Observation of quadrupolar and dipolar excitons in a semiconductor heterotrilayer

Van der Waals (vdW) materials have opened up many avenues for discovery through layer assembly, as epitomized by interlayer dipolar excitons that exhibit electrically tunable luminescence, lasing and exciton condensation. Extending interlayer excitons to more vdW layers, however, raises fundamental questions concerning coherence within excitons and coupling between moiré superlattices at multiple interfaces. Here, by assembling angle-aligned WSe 2 /WS 2 /WSe 2 heterotrilayers, we demonstrate the emergence of quadrupolar excitons. We confirm the exciton’s quadrupolar nature by the decrease in its energy of 12 meV from coherent hole tunnelling between the two outer layers, its tunable static dipole moment under an external electric field and the reduced exciton–exciton interactions. At high exciton density, we also see signatures of a phase of oppositely aligned dipolar excitons, consistent with a staggered dipolar phase predicted to be driven by attractive dipolar interactions. Furthermore, our demonstration paves the way for discovering emergent exciton orderings for three vdW layers and beyond

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Perspectives on deterministic control of quantum point defects by scanned probes

Control over individual point defects in solid-state systems is becoming increasingly important, not only for current semiconductor industries but also for next generation quantum information science and technologies. To realize the potential of these defects for scalable and high-performance quantum applications, precise placement of defects and defect clusters at the nanoscale is required, along with improved control over the nanoscale local environment to minimize decoherence. These requirements are met using scanned probe microscopy in silicon and III-V semiconductors, which suggests the extension to hosts for quantum point defects such as diamond, silicon carbide, and hexagonal boron nitride is feasible. Here we provide a perspective on the principal challenges toward this end, and new opportunities afforded by the integration of scanned probes with optical and magnetic resonance techniques.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Preliminary photovoltaic arc-fault prognostic tests using sacrificial fiber optic cabling.

Through the New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program, Sandia National Laboratories worked with Sentient Business Systems, Inc. to develop and test a novel photovoltaic (PV) arc-fault detection system. The system operates by pairing translucent polymeric fiber optic sensors with electrical circuitry so that any external abrasion to the system or internal heating causes the fiber optic connection to fail or detectably degrade. A periodic pulse of light is sent through the optical path using a transmitter-receiver pair. If the receiver does not detect the pulse, an alarm is sounded and the PV system can be de-energized. This technology has the unique ability to prognostically determine impending failures to the electrical system in two ways: (a) the optical connection is severed prior to physical abrasion or cutting of PV DC electrical conductors, and (b) the polymeric fiber optic cable melts via Joule heating before an arc-fault is established through corrosion. Three arc-faults were created in different configurations found in PV systems with the integrated fiber optic system to determine the feasibility of the technology. In each case, the fiber optic cable was broken and the system annunciated the fault.

Johnson, Jay Dean↗
NASA NTRS1980

X-ray optical properties of a Wolter telescope

Physical properties and the fabrication sequence of a Wolter telescope are discussed. Such telescopes are intended to examine the dust scattering halos after being placed in orbit by a booster rocket launched from Australia.

Ondrusch, A.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Theory Of Radiation-Induced Attenuation In Optical Fibers

Improved theory of radiation-induced attenuation of light in optical fibers accounts for effects of dose rates. Based on kinetic aspects of fundamental physics of color centers induced in optical fibers by radiation. Induced attenuation is proportional to density of color centers, and part of this density decays by thermal-annealing/recombination process after irradiation.

Liu, Tsuen-Hsi↗
DOE OSTI2017

Constructing “Designer Atoms” via Resonant Graphene-Induced Lamb Shifts

The properties of an electron in an atom or molecule are not fixed; rather they are a function of the optical environment of the emitter. Not only is the spontaneous emission a function of the optical environment, but also the underlying wave functions and energy levels, which are modified by the potential induced by quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. In free space, this modification of atomic levels and wave functions is very weak and generally hard to observe due to the prevalence of other perturbations like fine structure. Here in this paper, we explore the possibility of highly tailorable electronic structure by exploiting large Lamb shifts in tunable electromagnetic environments such as graphene, whose optical properties are dynamically controlled via doping. The Fermi energy can be chosen so that the Lamb shift is very weak, but it can also be chosen so that the shifts become more prominent than the fine structure of the atom and even potentially the Coulomb interaction with the nucleus. Potential implications of this idea include being able to electronically shift an unfavorable emitter structure into a favorable one, a new approach to probe near-field physics in fluorescence, and a way to access regimes of physics where vacuum fluctuations are not a weak perturbation but rather the dominant physics.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Rapidly evolving transients in the Dark Energy Survey

We present the results of a search for rapidly evolving transients in the Dark Energy Survey Supernova Programme. These events are characterized by fast light curve evolution (rise to peak in $\lesssim 10$ d and exponential decline in $\lesssim30$ d after peak). We discovered 72 events, including 37 transients with a spectroscopic redshift from host galaxy spectral features. The 37 events increase the total number of rapid optical transients by more than factor of two. They are found at a wide range of redshifts ($0.05M_\mathrm{g}>-22.25$). The multiband photometry is well fit by a blackbody up to few weeks after peak. The events appear to be hot ($T\approx10000-30000$ K) and large ($R\approx 10^{14}-2\cdot10^{15}$ cm) at peak, and generally expand and cool in time, though some events show evidence for a receding photosphere with roughly constant temperature. Spectra taken around peak are dominated by a blue featureless continuum consistent with hot, optically thick ejecta. We compare our events with a previously suggested physical scenario involving shock breakout in an optically thick wind surrounding a core-collapse supernova (CCSNe), we conclude that current models for such a scenario might need an additional power source to describe the exponential decline. We find these transients tend to favor star-forming host galaxies, which could be consistent with a core-collapse origin. In conclusion, more detailed modeling of the light curves is necessary to determine their physical origin.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Dispersive optical systems for scalable Raman driving of hyperfine qubits

Hyperfine atomic states are among the most promising candidates for qubit encoding in quantum information processing. In atomic systems, hyperfine transitions are typically driven through a two-photon Raman process by a laser field which is amplitude modulated at the hyperfine qubit frequency. Here we introduce a method for generating amplitude modulation by phase modulating a laser and reflecting it from a highly dispersive optical element known as a chirped Bragg grating. This approach is passively stable, offers high efficiency, and is compatible with high-power laser sources, enabling large Rabi frequencies and improved quantum coherence. We benchmark this approach by globally driving an array of approximately 300 neutral 87 Rb atomic qubits trapped in optical tweezers and obtain Rabi frequencies of 2 MHz with photon-scattering error rates of less than 2×10 -4 per π pulse. This robust approach can be directly integrated with local addressing optics in both neutral atom and trapped ion systems to facilitate high-fidelity single-qubit operations for quantum information processing.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗