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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Characterization of a CMOS camera based film digitization platform for gated x-ray imaging diagnostics at the National Ignition Facility

Hardened gated x-ray detectors use photographic film as the data recording medium due to its low sensitivity to the high-yield neutron environments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The photographic film is digitized with a Photometric Data Systems (PDS) microdensitometer, which measures the film’s optical density. The PDS scanner is able to measure a dynamic range of 0–5 OD; however, raster scanning the film is time consuming and maintenance of the instrument is challenging due to legacy technology. Since film usage at NIF is expected to continue in the foreseeable future, a digitization platform that is faster and more maintainable would benefit the NIF’s current and future operations. Here, this work presents the characterization of the digital transitions (DT) atom, a CMOS camera-based digitization platform that records film data in a single image capture very quickly and has widely available user support. The preliminary results suggest that the DT atom is able to reconstruct exposures accurately enough to be a competitive alternative to the PDS Scanner.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Determination of Scale Bar for AGHCF Metallography Data

The DOE Nuclear Energy Advanced Reactor Technologies (ART) Fast Reactor Program (FRP) has supported the development of several databases containing information on the safety performance of fast reactors, components, and fuels. This growing collection of legacy experimental data, operating data, and analysis is available online to registered users. Metallography data represents one of the most critical types of post-irradiation examination (PIE) data being collected, organized, and archived in several ART Fast Reactor Databases (https://frdb.ne.anl.gov), including the Metallic Fuels Irradiation & Physics Database (FIPD), Out-of-Pile Transient Database (OPTD), and TREAT (the Transient Reactor Test Facility) Experimental Relational Database (TREXR). These databases contain three principal sets of metallography data. The first set comprises metallography data from Experimental Breeder Reactor-II (EBR-II) and Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) irradiated fuel pins examined in the Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF). The second set consists of metallography data from EBR-II irradiated fuel pins examined in the Alpha-Gamma Hot Cell Facility (AGHCF). The third set includes metallography data from transient-tested fuel pins (including both out-of-pile furnace tests and TREAT tests) examined in AGHCF. Since both the second and third sets were generated in AGHCF, they are governed by identical specifications. The metallography data in the databases consist of digital images scanned from either positive or negative photographic films. To analyze the microstructure of a fuel pin, a series of preparatory steps are required, including sectioning, epoxy mounting, mechanical grinding and polishing, and etching. Following sample preparation, specimens are transferred for metallographic examination. The AGHCF and HFEF metallography data were generated using optical microscopes manufactured by Leitz and Bausch and Lomb (B&L). Images were recorded on Polaroid film at preset magnifications. Magnification verification for the Leitz and B&L metallographs was conducted every two months prior to 1989 and at least every six months from 1989 through the conclusion of the IFR program. Magnifications determined from imaging of microslide standards were compared to the instrument settings for magnifications ranging from 50× to 500×. If the magnifications determined from standards deviated from the instrument settings, adjustments were made to the bellows extension until agreement was achieved. The specifications for AGHCF and HFEF legacy metallography data have been established based on available hard-copy and digital records, most of which have been incorporated into the data repositories associated with FIPD, OPTD, and TREXR. Detailed specifications including hard-copy records, digitized records, cutting diagrams and sectioning schemes, high-magnification photographs, photomosaics (composites), information tags, scale bars, and magnification verification procedures can be found in a separate report.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Complete time-resolved X-ray shape capability for a 10 MJ implosion: Milestone Report for MRT 8818

This report documents completion of MRT 8818, which established an upgraded equatorial time-resolved X-ray imaging capability for high-yield inertial confinement fusion experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) using the equatorial Dilation X-ray Imager (DIXI). The need for this work arose from the sustained increase in fusion yield at NIF, which progressively intensified the neutron and gamma-ray environment experienced by target diagnostics. Although the existing polar imaging capability, particularly the Polar Dilation X-ray Imager (PDIXI), remained viable at high yields, the equatorial capability became inadequate because of radiation-induced failure of electronic readout hardware and increasing background levels that degraded image quality and ultimately caused saturation. The work performed under MRT 8818 addressed this limitation through a combination of hardware replacement, background characterization, and targeted mitigation. The DIXI backend was converted from CCD-based electronic readout to photographic film, and the principal sources of internally generated background were investigated using prior analyses, dedicated tests, and comparison with PDIXI performance on high-yield shots. This effort led to implementation of two principal improvements: a multilayer optical coating to suppress broadband radiation-induced background generated in the fiber-optic extension cylinder, and replacement of Kodak TMAX 400 film with Agfa Copex Rapid to reduce background generated directly in the film. These upgrades were completed in 2025 and performance assessment based on DT shot data since then, comparing with Polar DIXI and scaling of these experiments to 10 MJ indicates an expected signal-to-background ratio of approximately 34 for a single pinhole image, substantially exceeding the MRT 8818 completion criterion of SNR > 5.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Evaluation of sucrose crystallization kinetics using confocal microscopy: Determining differences in sucrose crystallization kinetics between single and polycrystal studies

Sucrose solution crystal growth kinetics are dependent on temperature, concentration, and impurities. A double polarized confocal microscopy system was used to obtain photographs with high contrast between growing crystals and the background for color background removal image processing. Seeded solutions of 72 wt% sucrose at 27, 35, 45, and 55°C were compared for single and polycrystals. Polycrystal analysis was determined to offer more rapid image processing and to be more applicable to systems in real operating conditions, while single-crystal analysis was determined to give more comprehensive descriptions of individual crystal behavior at the cost of slower processing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗