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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

Optical diagnostic suite (schlieren, interferometry, and grid image refractometry) on OMEGA EP using a 10-ps, 263-nm probe beam

A 10-ps, 263-nm (4{omega}) laser is being built to probe plasmas produced on the OMEGA EP [J. H. Kelly, L. J. Waxer, V. Bagnoud, I. A. Begishev, J. Bromage, B. E. Kruschwitz, T. E. Kessler, S. J. Loucks, D. N. Maywar, R. L. McCrory et al., J. Phys. IV France 133, 75-80 (2006)]. A suite of optical diagnostics (schlieren, interferometry, and grid image refractometry) has been designed to diagnose and characterize a wide variety of plasmas. Light scattered by the probe beam is collected by an f/4 catadioptric telescope and a transport system is designed to image with a near-diffraction-limited resolution ({approx}1 -{mu}m full width at half maximum) over a 5-mm field of view to a diagnostic table. The transport system provides a contrast greater than 1 : 10{sup 4} with respect to all wavelengths outside of the 263 {+-} 2 nm measurement range.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2017

Angular filter refractometry analysis using simulated annealing [An improved method for characterizing plasma density profiles using angular filter refractometry]

Here, a new method of analysis for angular filter refractometry images was developed to characterize laser-produced, long-scale-length plasmas using an annealing algorithm to iterative converge upon a solution. Angular filter refractometry (AFR) is a novel technique used to characterize the density pro files of laser-produced, long-scale-length plasmas. A synthetic AFR image is constructed by a user-defined density profile described by eight parameters, and the algorithm systematically alters the parameters until the comparison is optimized. The optimization and statistical uncertainty calculation is based on a minimization of the $\chi$2 test statistic. The algorithm was successfully applied to experimental data of plasma expanding from a flat, laser-irradiated target, resulting in average uncertainty in the density profile of 5-10% in the region of interest.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Improved filters for angular filter refractometry

Angular filter refractometry is an optical diagnostic that measures the absolute contours of a line-integrated density gradient by placing a filter with alternating opaque and transparent zones in the focal plane of a probe beam, which produce corresponding alternating light and dark regions in the image plane. Identifying transitions between these regions with specific zones on the angular filter (AF) allows the line-integrated density to be determined, but the sign of the density gradient at each transition is degenerate and must be broken using other information about the object plasma. Additional features from diffraction in the filter plane often complicate data analysis. Here, in this paper, we present an improved AF design that uses a stochastic pixel pattern with a sinusoidal radial profile to minimize unwanted diffraction effects in the image caused by the sharp edges of the filter bands. We also present a technique in which a pair of AFs with different patterns on two branches of the same probe beam can be used to break the density gradient degeneracy. Both techniques are demonstrated using a synthetic diagnostic and data collected on the OMEGA EP (extended performance) laser.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2013

Quantifying the Solubility of Boron Nitride Nanotubes and Sheets with Static Light Scattering and Refractometry

The dissolution of nanoparticles, particularly those containing boron, is an important area of interest for polymer nanocomposite formation and material development. In this work, the solubility of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT), functionalized boron nitride nanotubes (FBNNT), and boron nitride sheets (BNZG) is quantified in toluene and THF with static light scattering, refractometry, UV vis spectroscopy, and physical observations. UV vis spectroscopy provides a method to determine the concentration and solubility limits of the solutions tested. Using light scattering, the second virial coefficient, A2, is determined and used to calculate , the solute solvent interaction parameter. The Hildebrand solubility parameter, , is then extracted from this data using the Hildebrand Scatchard Solution Theory. A list of potential good solvents based on the estimated value is provided for each nanoparticle. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and prepolymers (EN4 and EN8) used to synthesize polyurethanes were also tested, because the published and molar attraction constants of these materials provided a selfconsistent check. The dn/dc of SWNTs and boron-containing particles was measured for the first time in this work. A solvent screen for BN-ZG provides additional information that supports the obtained and . Three systems were found to have values below 0.5 and were thermodynamically soluble: BNNT in THF, EN8 in THF, and EN8 in toluene.

Mutz, M↗
DOE OSTI2012

Metamaterial near-field sensor for deep-subwavelength thickness measurements and sensitive refractometry in the terahertz frequency range

We present a metamaterial-based terahertz (THz) sensor for thickness measurements of subwavelength-thin materials and refractometry of liquids and liquid mixtures. The sensor operates in reflection geometry and exploits the frequency shift of a sharp Fano resonance minimum in the presence of dielectric materials. We obtained a minimum thickness resolution of 12.5 nm (1/16 000 times the wavelength of the THz radiation) and a refractive index sensitivity of 0.43 THz per refractive index unit. We support the experimental results by an analytical model that describes the dependence of the resonance frequency on the sample material thickness and the refractive index.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Reconstruction of 2D line-integrated electron density using angular filter refractometry and a fast marching Eikonal solver

Refraction of an optical probe beam by a plasma can be measured with angular filter refractometry (AFR), which produces an image of the beam’s 2D spatial profile that contains intensity contours corresponding to curves of constant refraction angle. Further analysis is required to reconstruct the underlying line-integrated electron density. Most prior efforts to calculate density from AFR data have been limited to 1D analysis or forward-fitting techniques. Here, in this paper, we detail the use of a fast-marching Eikonal solver to directly invert AFR data and obtain the full 2D line-integrated electron density. The analysis method is first verified with synthetic data and then applied to experimental measurements of single and colliding plasma plumes collected at the OMEGA EP Laser Facility. The calculated densities agree with 1D results and are shown to be consistent with the original AFR measurements via forward modeling. We also discuss ways to improve the precision of this technique.

McCluskey, B. [Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)↗
DOE OSTI2018

Characterization of Various Materials Using Refractometry

Refractive index (RI) is a fundamental physical property of a material. However, the RI values of several binders, including nitroplasticizer (NP), Estanes, and KelF/FK 800, are not available in literature. Further, their temperature dependencies are undocumented either. In this study, we have developed a set of methodologies to accurately and effectively determine the RIs of these binder materials between 20 and 70°C. The RIs of these binders without aging show linear correlations with temperature, as shown in the figure below. Among these materials, Estane 5714 has the highest RI whereas FK800 has the lowest RI. As materials age, the changes in their RIs are different, suggesting different aging behavior of these binders upon heating. Typically, NP and Estane degraded through hydrolysis give lower RIs than the baseline materials. However, when KelF/FK800 materials thermally age, their RIs increase. Overall, this study demonstrates refractometry is a sensitive technique to detect aging signs in various materials of interest.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Glass 3D Printing of Microfluidic Pressure Sensor Interrogated by Fiber-Optic Refractometry

This letter reports a novel fused silica microfluidic device with pressure sensing capability that is fabricated by integrated additive and subtractive manufacturing (IASM) method. The sensor consists of a capillary and a 3D printed glass reservoir, where the reservoir volume change under pressure manifests liquid level deviation inside the capillary, thus realizing the conversion between small pressure change into large liquid level variation. Thanks to the design flexibility of this unique IASM method, the proposed microfluidic device is fabricated with liquid-in-glass thermometer configuration, where the reservoir is sealed following a novel 3D printing assisted glass bonding process. And liquid level is interrogated by a fiber-optic sensor based on multimode interference (MMI) effect. This proposed microfluidic device is attractive for chemical and biomedical sensing because it is flexible in design, and maintains good chemical and mechanical stability, and adjustable sensitivity and range.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Analysis of Blood Serum by the Method of Refractometry in Antitumor Therapy in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

The serum of patients with multiple myeloma was examined by refractometric methods before and after the course of antitumor therapy. It was found that the amount of protein in the serum of patients with multiple myeloma, determined by the value of the serum refractive index, tended to decrease after the course of treatment. The value of the refractive index of blood serum can be used as an additional criterion for assessing the dynamics of changes in blood-serum properties during antitumor therapy.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Refractometry of TGS crystals doped with L-threonine impurity under uniaxial pressure

The temperature and spectral dependences of the refractive indices of triglycine sulphate (TGS) crystals doped with L-threonine impurity have been investigated. It is established that the introduction of an impurity weakens the temperature dependence of refractive indices. The electronic polarizability, refractions, and parameters of UV oscillators of mechanically deformed impurity crystals are calculated. The temperature coefficients of the phase transition shift are determined.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2012

Quantifying the thermodynamic interactions of polyhedral boranes in solution to guide nanocomposite fabrication

The solubility of boron containing nanoparticles in a variety of solvents is quantified using static light scattering in conjunction with refractometry. Four polyhedral boranes were tested in this work, using refractometry to obtain dn/dc, while static light scattering quantifies A2. A2 obtained from these measurements was then used to calculate v, the solute solvent interaction parameter, and the ildebrand solubility parameter, d, which provides a quantifiable method to identify good solvents. Of the nanoparticles studied, 1,3-di-o-carboranylpropane is thermodynamically stable in toluene, with a v less than 0.5, a solubility limit of 2.47 mg/mL, and all solutions remaining clear with no visible particle settling. For all of the particles tested, there was good correlation between the physical observations of the solutions, v, and d. For instance, lower values of v correspond to a smaller radius of gyration (Rg). A list of suitable solvents based on d is also presented.

boranes↗
DOE OSTI2014

Measurements of electron density profiles using an angular filter refractometer

A novel diagnostic technique, angular filter refractometry (AFR), has been developed to characterize high-density, long-scale-length plasmas relevant to high-energy-density physics experiments. AFR measures plasma densities up to 10{sup 21} cm{sup −3} with a 263-nm probe laser and is used to study the plasma expansion from CH foil and spherical targets that are irradiated with ∼9 kJ of ultraviolet (351-nm) laser energy in a 2-ns pulse. The data elucidate the temporal evolution of the plasma profile for the CH planar targets and the dependence of the plasma profile on target radius for CH spheres.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Polarimetry diagnostic on OMEGA EP using a 10-ps, 263-nm probe beam

A polarimetry diagnostic was built and characterized for magnetic-field measurements in laser-plasma experiments on the OMEGA EP laser. This diagnostic was built into the existing 4ω (263-nm) probe system that employs a 10-ps laser pulse collected with an f/4 imaging system. The diagnostic measures the rotation of the probe beam's polarization. The polarimeter uses a Wollaston prism to split the probe beam into orthogonal polarization components. Spatially localized intensity variations between images indicate polarization rotation. Magnetic fields can be calculated by combining the polarimetry data with the measured plasma density profile obtained from angular filter refractometry.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2018

Phase state diagram of a poly(amic acid)–solvent–nonsolvent system

Phase behavior and structure formation was studied using optical interferometry, nephelometry, and refractometry in the polymer–solvent–nonsolvent system for DMF solutions of two poly(amic acids): based on 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and meta-phenylenediamine (PAA-1) and pyromellitic acid dianhydride and 4,4′-oxydianiline (PAA-2). Distilled water and its mixtures with DMF were used as a nonsolvent. According to the results of the study, isothermal cross sections of the phase state diagram in the threecomponent system were plotted, the position of the critical point, the spinodal, and the conodes were determined, the movement of the figurative points in the system was traced depending on the nonsolvent composition.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Research at ITER towards DEMO: Specific reactor diagnostic studies to be carried out on ITER

In ITER diagnostics will operate in the very hard radiation environment of fusion reactor. Extensive technology studies are carried out during development of the ITER diagnostics and procedures of their calibration and remote handling. Results of these studies and practical application of the developed diagnostics on ITER will provide the direct input to DEMO diagnostic development. The list of DEMO measurement requirements and diagnostics will be determined during ITER experiments on the bases of ITER plasma physics results and success of particular diagnostic application in reactor-like ITER plasma. Majority of ITER diagnostic already passed the conceptual design phase and represent the state of the art in fusion plasma diagnostic development. The number of related to DEMO results of ITER diagnostic studies such as design and prototype manufacture of: neutron and γ–ray diagnostics, neutral particle analyzers, optical spectroscopy including first mirror protection and cleaning technics, reflectometry, refractometry, tritium retention measurements etc. are discussed.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2011

Effect of small variations in the refractive index of the ambient medium on the spectrum of a bent fibre-optic Fabry - Perot interferometer

The phase of light propagating through a bent optical fibre is shown to depend on the refractive index of the medium surrounding the fibre cladding when there is resonance coupling between the guided core mode and cladding modes. This shifts the spectral maxima in the bent fibre-optic Fabry - Perot interferometer. The highest phase and spectral sensitivities achieved with this interferometer configuration are 0.71 and 0.077, respectively, and enable changes in the refractive index of the ambient medium down to 5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -6} to be detected. This makes the proposed approach potentially attractive for producing highly stable, precision refractive index sensors capable of solving a wide range of liquid refractometry problems.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2012

First results from plasma density measurements in the FTU tokamak by means of a two-frequency pulsed time-of-flight refractometer

A pulsed time-of-flight refractometer was developed and tested to determine the mean plasma density in the T-11M tokamak by measuring the propagation time of nanosecond microwave pulses in plasma. Later, it was also proposed to use such an instrument to measure and control the mean plasma density in the ITER tokamak by probing the plasma with an extraordinary wave, the electric field of which is perpendicular to the magnetic field in plasma, in the transparency window at frequencies of 50-100 GHz. To avoid the effect of the density profile shape on the measurement results in the nonlinear mode of refractometer operation (near the cutoff), a system operating at two different probing frequencies was developed and tested. Such a system provides two values of the time delay, which can be used to estimate the peaking factor of the density distribution {alpha} and correctly determine the linear density Left-Pointing-Angle-Bracket Nl Right-Pointing-Angle-Bracket , regardless of the density profile (assuming a smooth density profile of the form of N({rho}) = N(0)(1 - {rho}{sup 2}){sup {alpha}}, where N(0) is the central plasma density and {rho} = r/a is the normalized plasma radius). The first experiments on density measurements in the FTU tokamak performed with this refractometer are described, and results from these experiments are presented. The formation of a thin dense plasma layer in the zone of a strong magnetic field (the so-called MARFE layer) at a relatively low (for FTU) plasma density of {approx}6 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 19} m{sup -3} was detected. The thickness of this layer, determined from the refractometry data, agrees well with the data obtained using a digital camera.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Orientational Order in Liquid Crystal Complexes Based on Lanthanides

In this study, we have for the first time determined the degree of an orientational order S for a series of liquid-crystal complexes based on lanthanides (Eu{sup +3}, Gd{sup +3}, Tb{sup +3}, Dy{sup +3}) with the same ligand composition in the temperature range of existence of the nematic phase by using experimental refractometry results. We have also found an even-odd alternative S as number of protons in the ions complexing agent has consecutively increased. The obtained values of S have been compared with the corresponding degrees of order of the calamite organic liquid crystals.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗