Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “opacity”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Design and characterization of the time-resolved opacity spectrometer (OpSpecTR) for the NIF iron opacity campaign

A new time-resolved opacity spectrometer (OpSpecTR) is currently under development for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) opacity campaign. Here, the spectrometer utilizes Icarus version 2 (IV2) hybridized complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor sensors to collect gated data at the time of the opacity transmission signal, unlocking the ability to collect higher-temperature measurements on NIF. Experimental conditions to achieve higher temperatures are feasible; however, backgrounds will dominate the data collected by the current time-integrating opacity spectrometer. The shortest available OpSpecTR integration time of ~2 ns is predicted to reduce self-emission and other late-time backgrounds by up to 80%. Initially, three Icarus sensors will be used to collect data in the self-emission, backlighter, and absorption regions of the transmission spectrum, with plans to upgrade to five Daedalus sensors in future implementations with integration times of ~1.3 ns. We present the details of the diagnostic design along with recent characterization results of the IV2 sensors.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

An Expanded Set of Los Alamos OPLIB Tables in MESA: Type-1 Rosseland-mean Opacities and Solar Models

Abstract We present a set of 1194 Type-1 Rosseland-mean opacity tables for four different metallicity mixtures. These new Los Alamos OPLIB atomic radiative opacity tables are an order of magnitude larger in number than any previous opacity table release, and span regimes where previous opacity tables have not existed. For example, the new set of opacity tables expands the metallicity range to Z = 10 −6 to Z = 0.2, which allows improved accuracy of opacities at low and high metallicity, increases the table density in the metallicity range Z = 10 −4 to Z = 0.1 to enhance the accuracy of opacities drawn from interpolations across neighboring metallicities, and adds entries for hydrogen mass fractions between X = 0 and X = 0.1 including X = 10 −2 , 10 −3 , 10 −4 , 10 −5 , 10 −6 that can improve stellar models of hydrogen deficient stars. We implement these new OPLIB radiative opacity tables in MESA and find that calibrated solar models agree broadly with previously published helioseismic and solar neutrino results. We find differences between using the new 1194 OPLIB opacity tables and the 126 OPAL opacity tables range from ≈20% to 80% across individual chemical mixtures, up to ≈8% and ≈15% at the bottom and top of the solar convection zone respectively, and ≈7% in the solar core. We also find differences between standard solar models using different opacity table sources that are on par with altering the initial abundance mixture. We conclude that this new, open-access set of OPLIB opacity tables does not solve the solar modeling problem, and suggest the investigation of physical mechanisms other than the atomic radiative opacity.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Actinide opacities for modelling the spectra and light curves of kilonovae

ABSTRACT We extend previous ab initio calculations of lanthanide opacities to include a complete set of actinide opacities for use in the modelling of kilonova (KN) light curves and spectra. Detailed, fine-structure line features are generated using the configuration-interaction approach. These actinide opacities display similar trends to those observed for lanthanide opacities, such as the lighter actinides producing higher opacity than the heavier ones for relevant conditions in the dynamical ejecta. A line-binned treatment is employed to pre-compute opacity tables for 14 actinide elements (89 ≤ Z ≤ 102) over a grid of relevant temperatures and densities. These tabular opacities will be made publicly available for general usage in KN modelling. We demonstrate the usefulness of these opacities in KN simulations by exploring the sensitivity of light curves and spectra to different actinide abundance distributions that are predicted by different nuclear theories, as well as to different choices of ejecta mass and velocity. We find very little sensitivity to the two considered distributions, indicating that opacities for actinides with Z ≥ 99 do not contribute strongly. On the other hand, a single actinide element, protactinium, is found to produce faint spectral features in the far-infrared at late times (5–7 d post merger). More generally, we find that the choice of ejecta mass and velocity have the most significant effect on KN emission for this study.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Radiation burnthrough measurements to infer opacity at conditions close to the solar radiative zone–convective zone boundary

Recent measurements at the Sandia National Laboratory of the x-ray transmission of iron plasma have inferred opacities much higher than predicted by theory, which casts doubt on modeling of iron x-ray radiative opacity at conditions close to the solar convective zone-radiative zone boundary. An increased radiative opacity of the solar mixture, in particular iron, is a possible explanation for the disagreement in the position of the solar convection zone-radiative zone boundary as measured by helioseismology and predicted by modeling using the most recent photosphere analysis of the elemental composition. In this report we present data from radiation burnthrough experiments, which do not support a large increase in the opacity of iron at conditions close to the base of the solar convection zone and provide a constraint on the possible values of both the mean opacity and the opacity in the x-ray range of the Sandia experiments. The data agree with opacity values from current state-of-the-art opacity modeling using the CASSANDRA opacity code.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

National Ignition Facility Opacity Time Resolved Spectrometer Systems Engineering Final Project

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is the world’s largest and most energetic laser facility. The NIF system is designed to produce high energy density (temperature and pressure) conditions through the application of its 192 laser beams. One of the users of NIF is the opacity platform developed to study the opacities at temperatures and densities relevant to the solar interior and stellar evolution. The platform was developed to study iron (Fe) opacity at temperatures relevant to the solar interior. The opacity campaign uses spectrometers to gather data. Spectrometers utilize crystals to produce x-ray spectra that are recorded on time-integrated and time-resolved detectors. The opacity spectrometer (OpSpec) currently fielded and in use at NIF uses a time integrated film channel to collect data. The opacity spectrometer time resolved (OpSpecTR) will utilize novel hCMOS detectors to capture time resolved images of spectra of interest. The key stakeholders identified for OpSpecTR included the physicists responsible for OpSpec and OpSpecTR, the Target Area Science and Engineering (TASE) department at NIF, the NIF and Photon Science (NIF & PS) Opacity program, the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) Physics and Engineering program, the Sandia hCMOS manufacturing and testing program, and the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) program sponsor. The Target and Experimental Operations (TEXOPS) was identified as a key stakeholder because the group includes the individuals that will physically interact with the OpSpecTR system as it participates in NIF experiments. The opacity platform collects data in a unique orientation relative to the existing diagnostics fielded at NIF. The existing infrastructure at NIF uses a diagnostic manipulator (DIM) to insert the diagnostic near the target chamber center to collect data during a NIF shot. Existing diagnostics collect data through the center line of the DIM axis and collect relevant data perpendicular to this axis. The opacity platform requires crystals mounted in a specific orientation which requires data collection parallel to the DIM axis. This deviation from standard NIF practices was a key factor in developing requirements.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Primer on Mean Opacities in the Radiative Transfer Equation

The radiative transfer equation is used in many applications, including the simulation of nuclear weapons. Opacity is a term that is often used in conjunction with the radiative transfer equation along with mean opacities. For someone new to the subject, there may be confusion over various parts of the radiative transfer equation or why opacities and mean opacities are so important to solving certain problems. This report aims to give a brief introduction to the radiative transfer equation as well as an explanation to why opacities and mean opacities are important. We also derive the Planck and Rosseland mean opacities, which are the most common mean opacities used in applications. At the end of the report are references that can be used to learn more about the subject.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

National Opacity Program - Tri-Lab Assessment of Measurements and Models (Milestone 7720)

Opacity-on-NIF has obtained opacity data under conditions similar to those achieved by the entirely different Opacity-on-Z platform. From low- and high-Z elements at different anchor points, rigorously compare the opacity data between the laboratories and to multiple opacity theory models. Compare and assess the data acquisition and processing methods for obtaining opacities and for measuring/inferring sample conditions. Explain, or develop hypotheses for, any discrepancies. Map progress to the National Opacity Strategy and define future directions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Milestone 7720: National Opacity Program - Tri-Lab Assessment of Measurements and Models

Opacity-on-NIF has obtained opacity data under conditions similar to those achieved by the entirely different Opacity-on-Z platform. From low- and high-Z elements at different anchor points, rigorously compare the opacity data between the laboratories and to multiple opacity theory models. Compare and assess the data acquisition and processing methods for obtaining opacities and for measuring/inferring sample conditions. Explain, or develop hypotheses for, any discrepancies. Map progress to the National Opacity Strategy and define future directions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Impact of in situ nuclear networks and atomic opacities on neutron star merger ejecta dynamics, nucleosynthesis, and kilonovae

Context. Binary neutron star merger (BNSM) ejecta are key sites of rapid neutron capture (r-process) nucleosynthesis and they produce kilonovae powered by the radioactive decay of freshly synthesized nuclei. Modeling their evolution requires multi-physics simulations involving hydrodynamics, nuclear reactions, and radiative processes. The impact of nuclear burning and atomic opacity is poorly understood and often treated with simplified prescriptions. Aims. We systematically investigate different treatments of nuclear heating, particle thermalization, and atomic opacities in radiation-hydrodynamics simulations of BNSM ejecta and kilonova light curves. Methods. Ejecta profiles from long-term numerical-relativity simulations of asymmetric neutron star binaries with a massive neutron star remnant were evolved to ∼30 days using a 2D ray-by-ray approach. We compared simplified heating-rate and thermalization prescriptions with in situ Nuclear reaction Network (NN) calculations that track nuclear energy deposition and include a composition-dependent thermalization scheme. We also contrasted various gray opacity models with a frequency-dependent treatment based on atomic calculations. Results. Coupling NN and hydrodynamics significantly affects nucleosynthesis and kilonova emission. Assuming homologous expansion alters abundance evolution and produces a narrower, less populated second r-process peak and a third peak shifted to higher mass numbers. The back-reaction of nuclear heating affects the temperature evolution enough to delay and redden the early (t∼ hours) kilonova peaks. A constant thermalization efficiency underestimates and reddens the early emission while overestimating the late-time luminosity compared to the composition-dependent treatment. Analytical opacity prescriptions yield a more extended, colder photosphere, resulting in dimmer, redder kilonovae at early times (t≲ hour), while the delayed recession of the photosphere prolongs the red emission at t ≳ 5 days. Conclusions. Coupling hydrodynamics to an in situ NN is crucial for reliable nucleosynthesis and kilonova predictions. Resolving the first several hundred milliseconds of the hydrodynamics is essential for robust nucleosynthesis calculations. Composition-dependent thermalization and frequency-dependent, atomic-physics-based opacities are needed to accurately capture the temperature evolution of the ejecta and the brightness and color evolution of the kilonova. Calibrated analytic nuclear-power fits with simplified thermalization and opacity prescriptions can still reproduce the density and temperature evolution of the ejecta.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Oxygen Opacity Measurements at High-Energy-Density Conditions

We present the first benchmark measurements of oxygen opacity at high-energy-density, crucial for understanding stellar interiors. A 3–5−μm thick SiO 2 sample was heated using a Z facility x-ray source, and opacity was measured in the 5–19.5 Å range with multiple spectrometers. The electron temperature and density inferred from Si 𝐾-shell spectra were 148 ± 4 eV and 8.6 ±1.4 × 10 21 cm −3 , respectively. Six experiments showed opacity reproducibility within ±15% and 5%–25% opacity uncertainty. Measured oxygen opacity and seven different opacity models exhibit extraordinary overall agreement. Discrepancies near the H-like photon ionization threshold and in certain spectral lines suggest the need for model refinements.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Simultaneous compression and opacity data from time-series radiography with a Lagrangian marker

Time-resolved radiography can be used to obtain absolute shock Hugoniot states by simultaneously measuring at least two mechanical parameters of the shock, and this technique is particularly suitable for one-dimensional converging shocks where a single experiment probes a range of pressures as the converging shock strengthens. However, at sufficiently high pressures, the shocked material becomes hot enough that the x-ray opacity falls significantly. Additionally, if the system includes a Lagrangian marker such that the mass within the marker is known, this additional information can be used to constrain the opacity as well as the Hugoniot state. In the limit that the opacity changes only on shock heating, and not significantly on subsequent isentropic compression, the opacity of the shocked material can be determined uniquely. More generally, it is necessary to assume the form of the variation of opacity with isentropic compression or to introduce multiple marker layers. Alternatively, assuming either the equation of state or the opacity, the presence of a marker layer in such experiments enables the non-assumed property to be deduced more accurately than from the radiographic density reconstruction alone. An example analysis is shown for measurements of a converging shock wave in polystyrene at the National Ignition Facility.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Quantitative comparison of opacities calculated using the R -matrix and distorted-wave methods: Fe xvii

ABSTRACT We present here a detailed calculation of opacities for Fe xvii at the physical conditions corresponding to the base of the Solar convection zone. Many ingredients are involved in the calculation of opacities. We review the impact of each ingredient on the final monochromatic and mean opacities (Rosseland and Planck). The necessary atomic data were calculated with the R-matrix and the distorted-wave (DW) methods. We study the effect of broadening, of resolution, of the extent of configuration sets and of configuration interaction to understand the differences between several theoretical predictions as well as the existing large disagreement with measurements. New Dirac R-matrix calculations including all configurations up to the n = 4, 5, and 6 complexes have been performed as well as corresponding Breit–Pauli DW calculations. The DW calculations have been extended to include autoionizing initial levels. A quantitative contrast is made between comparable DW and R-matrix models. We have reached self-convergence with n = 6 R-matrix and DW calculations. Populations in autoionizing initial levels contribute significantly to the opacities and should not be neglected. The R-matrix and DW results are consistent under the similar treatment of resonance broadening. The comparison with the experiment shows a persistent difference in the continuum while the filling of the windows shows some improvement. This study defines our path to the next generation of opacities and opacity tables for stellar modelling.

Delahaye, F.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Opacities of singly and doubly ionized neodymium and uranium for kilonova emission modeling

ABSTRACT Even though the electromagnetic counterpart AT2017gfo to the binary neutron star merger GW170817 is powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei, only few tentative identifications of light r-process elements have been made so far. One of the major limitations for the identification of heavy nuclei is incomplete or missing atomic data. While substantial progress has been made on lanthanide atomic data over the last few years, for actinides there has been less emphasis, with the first complete set of opacity data only recently published. We perform atomic structure calculations of neodymium (Z = 60) as well as the corresponding actinide uranium (Z = 92). Using two different codes [flexible atomic code (fac) and hartree–fock-relativistic (hfr)] for the calculation of the atomic data, we investigate the accuracy of the calculated data (energy levels and electric dipole transitions) and their effect on kilonova opacities. For the fac calculations, we optimize the local central potential and the number of included configurations and use a dedicated calibration technique to improve the agreement between theoretical and available experimental atomic energy levels (AELs). For ions with vast amounts of experimental data available, the presented opacities agree quite well with previous estimations. On the other hand, the optimization and calibration method cannot be used for ions with only few available AELs. For these cases, where no experimental nor benchmarked calculations are available, a large spread in the opacities estimated from the atomic data obtained with the various atomic structure codes is observed. We find that the opacity of uranium is almost double the neodymium opacity.

Flörs, A. (ORCID:0000000320242819)↗
DOE OSTI2022

Atomic structure considerations for the low-temperature opacity of Xenon

Here, we have begun a preliminary investigation into the opacity of Xe at low temperatures (<50 eV). The emissivity and opacity of Xe is a crucial factor in determining the utility of Xe in EUV lithography, with numerous industrial applications. To this end, we have been exploring the accuracy of some approximations used in opacity models for the relevant ion stages of Xe (6 times ionized through 20 times ionized). Due to the complexity of Xe atomic structure, one needs to use full configuration-interaction to properly describe the strong mixing in the various n=4 sub-shells that give rise to the Δn=0 and Δn=1 transitions that dominate the opacity spectrum at low temperatures. Since calculations that include full configuration-interaction for large numbers of configurations quickly become computationally prohibitive, we have explored hybrid calculations, in which full configuration-interaction is retained for the most important transitions, while intermediate coupling is employed for all other transitions. After verifying atomic structure properties, local-thermodynamic-equilibrium (LTE) opacities are generated using the ATOMIC code at selected temperatures and densities and compared to various experimental results.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Overview of oxygen opacity experiments at the National Ignition Facility and investigation of potential systematic errors

Experiments to measure oxygen opacity at stellar interior conditions have been performed at the National Ignition Facility in a Discovery Science campaign. These experiments utilize the Opacity-on-NIF platform with a sample comprised of O, Mg, and Si. The spectral data from the Opacity Spectrometer cover the 1000–2000 eV photon energy range showing bound-free continuum absorption from O and line absorption from Mg and Si. DANTE and the Gated X-ray Detector are employed to measure the sample plasma’s temperature and density, respectively. Initial data show lower transmission than expected by theoretical models, raising questions of whether potential background or data uniformity concerns could produce systematic errors in the inferred transmission. Here, we investigate three concerns thought to be important for the oxygen opacity data, including instrumental scattered background, sample self-emission non-uniformity, and backlight continuum non-uniformity. Additionally, we show the effect of a recently developed method to account for 2nd order crystal reflection. The total effect of these concerns on one experiment is found to be small compared to the observed difference between the inferred transmission and a model calculation at the inferred temperature and density. Thus, we conclude that these potential sources of systematic error cannot account for the observed difference, increasing the likelihood of a real effect due to the high temperature and density conditions. However, because this is only a single experiment, we cannot make a firm conclusion. More experiments measuring the opacity and necessary calibrations are needed to assess the reproducibility and uncertainty of this result.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Sub-keV design for the National Ignition Facility’s soft x-ray Opacity Spectrometer (OpSpec) and expansion plans for time-resolved measurements

When compared with the National Ignition Facility’s (NIF) original soft x-ray opacity spectrometer, which used a convex cylindrical design, an elliptically shaped design has helped to increase the signal-to-noise ratio and eliminated nearly all reflections from alternate crystal planes. The success of the elliptical geometry in the opacity experiments has driven a new elliptical geometry crystal with a spectral range covering 520–1100 eV. When coupled with the primary elliptical geometry, which spans 1000–2100 eV, the new sub-keV elliptical geometry helps to cover the full iron L-shell and major oxygen transitions important to solar opacity experimentation. The new design has been built and tested by using a Henke x-ray source and shows the desired spectral coverage. Additional plans are underway to expand these opacity measurements into a mode of time-resolved detection, ~1 ns gated, but considerations for the detector size and photometrics mean a crystal geometry redesign. Here, the new low-energy geometry, including preliminary results from the NIF opacity experiments, is presented along with the expansion plans into a time-resolved platform.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗