Nathan D. Masters

A self-retracting fully compliant bistable micromechanism

A new class of fully compliant bistable mechanisms with the added benefit of integrated self-retraction has been developed (hereafter identified as Self-Retracting Fully compliant Bistable Mechanism or SRFBM). A technique using tensural pivots to manage compressive loading in compliant mechanisms is introduced and implemented in the SRFBM. The elimination of traditional kinematic joints and their associated clearance allows a total displacement between stable positions of 8.5 /spl mu/m, and the mechanism size is less than 300 /spl mu/m square when using 2.0 /spl mu/m minimum line widths. Maximum actuation force is approximately 500 /spl mu/N. The SRFBMs small linear displacement and reasonable actuation force facilitate integration with efficient thermal actuators. Furthermore, fully compliant mechanisms allow greater freedom in fabrication as only one mechanical layer is needed. Systems with on-chip actuation have been fabricated and tested, demonstrating bistability and on-chip actuation, which requires approximately 150 mW. A single fatigue test has been completed, during which the SRFBM endured approximately 2 million duty cycles without failure.

A Three Degree-of-Freedom Model for Self-Retracting Fully Compliant Bistable Micromechanisms

A three degree-of-freedom (3DOF) pseudo-rigid-body model (PRBM) has been developed and used in the design of a new class of self-retracting fully compliant bistable micro-mechanism (SRFBM). The SRFBM provides small-displacement linear travel bistability and is suitable for low-power microswitching applications. The design process involved a combination of single and multiple degree-of-freedom PRBM and finite element models to quickly proceed from a concept rigid-body mechanism to fully compliant fabrication-ready geometry. The 3DOF model presented here was developed to more accurately model the behavior of the tensural pivots-a new class of compliant segment used to avoid combined compressive loading of flexible segments. Four SRFBM designs were fabricated and tested for bistability, on-chip actuation, critical force, and fatigue tests. These tests validate the models used in the design process and demonstrate the functionality and reliability of the SRFBM.

The impact of subcontinuum gas conduction on topography measurement sensitivity using heated atomic force microscope cantilevers

Nanometer-scale topographical imaging using heated atomic force microscope (AFM) cantilevers, referred to here as thermal sensing AFM (TSAFM), is a promising technology for high resolution topographical imaging of nanostructured surfaces. Heated AFM cantilevers were developed for high-density data storage, where the heated cantilever tip can form and detect 20 nm indents made in a thermoplastic polymer. The scan height of the cantilever heater platform is typically near 500 nm, but could be made much smaller to improve reading sensitivity. Under atmospheric conditions the continuum models used in previous studies to model the gas phase heat transfer are invalid for the smallest operating heights. The present study uses a molecular model of subcontinuum heat transfer coupled with a finite difference simulation to predict the behavior of a TSAFM system. A direct simulation Monte Carlo model and a kinetic theory based macromodel are separately developed and used to model subcontinuum gas conduction. For the ...

Octant flux splitting information preservation DSMC method for thermally driven flows

We present the octant flux splitting DSMC method as an efficient method for simulating non-equilibrium flows of rarefied gas, particularly those arising from thermal loading. We discuss the current state-of-the-art flux splitting IP-DSMC technique and show that it fails to capture the shear stresses created by thermal gradients. We present the development of the octant flux splitting IP-DSMC as well as degenerate 2D, 1D, and 0D forms and apply the method to a number of problems including thermal transpiration, with satisfactory results.

Resolving hot spot microstructure using x-ray penumbral imaging (invited)

We have developed and fielded x-ray penumbral imaging on the National Ignition Facility in order to enable sub-10 μm resolution imaging of stagnated plasma cores (hot spots) of spherically shock compressed spheres and shell implosion targets. By utilizing circular tungsten and tantalum apertures with diameters ranging from 20 μm to 2 mm, in combination with image plate and gated x-ray detectors as well as imaging magnifications ranging from 4 to 64, we have demonstrated high-resolution imaging of hot spot plasmas at x-ray energies above 5 keV. Here we give an overview of the experimental design criteria involved and demonstrate the most relevant influences on the reconstruction of x-ray penumbral images, as well as mitigation strategies of image degrading effects like over-exposed pixels, artifacts, and photon limited source emission. We describe experimental results showing the advantages of x-ray penumbral imaging over conventional Fraunhofer and photon limited pinhole imaging and showcase how internal hot spot microstructures can be resolved.

Platform for spectrally resolved x-ray scattering from imploding capsules at the National Ignition Facility

We present a new experimental platform to perform spectrally resolved x-ray scattering measurements of ionization, density and temperature in imploding CH or beryllium capsules at the National Ignition Facility. Scattered x-rays at 9 keV from a zinc He-alpha plasma source at a scattering angle of 120 degrees are highly sensitive to K-shell ionization, while at the same time constraining density and temperature. This platform will allow for x-ray scattering studies of dense plasmas with free electron densities up to 1025 cm-3 giving the possibility to investigate effects of pressure ionization and Pauli blocking on the ablator ionization state right before or shortly after stagnation of the implosion.

Debris and shrapnel mitigation procedure for NIF experiments

All experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) will produce debris and shrapnel from vaporized, melted, or fragmented target/diagnostics components. For some experiments mitigation is needed to reduce the impact of debris and shrapnel on optics and diagnostics. The final optics, e.g., wedge focus lens, are protected by two layers of debris shields. There are 192 relatively thin (1-3 mm) disposable debris shields (DDSs) located in front of an equal number of thicker (10 mm) main debris shields (MDSs). The rate of deposition of debris on DDSs affects their replacement rate and hence has an impact on operations. Shrapnel (molten and solid) can have an impact on both types of debris shields. There is a benefit to better understanding these impacts and appropriate mitigation. Our experiments on the Omega laser showed that shrapnel from Ta pinhole foils could be redirected by tilting the foils. Other mitigation steps include changing location or material of the component identified as the shrapnel source. Decisions on the best method to reduce the impact of debris and shrapnel are based on results from a number of advanced simulation codes. These codes are validated by a series of dedicated experiments. One of the 3D codes, NIFs ALE-AMR, is being developed with the primary focus being a predictive capability for debris/shrapnel generation. Target experiments are planned next year on NIF using 96 beams. Evaluations of debris and shrapnel for hohlraum and capsule campaigns are presented.

A Three Degree of Freedom Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model for the Design of a Fully Compliant Bistable Micromechanism

A three degree-of-freedom (3DOF) Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model (PRBM) has been developed and used in the design of a new class of Self-Retracting Fully compliant Bistable Micromechanism, or SRFBM. The SRFBM provides small-displacement linear travel bistability and is suitable for low-power microswitching applications. The design process involved a combination of single and multiple degree-of-freedom PRBM and finite element models to quickly proceed from a rigid-body concept to fully compliant fabrication-ready geometry. The 3DOF model presented here was developed to more accurately model the behavior of the tensural pivots—a new class of compliant segment used to avoid combined compressive loading of flexible segments. Four SRFBM designs were fabricated and tested for bistability, on-chip actuation, critical force, and fatigue tests. These tests validate the models used in the design process and demonstrate the functionality and reliability of the SRFBM.Copyright

Interface reconstruction in two- and three-dimensional arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian adaptive mesh refinement simulations

Modeling of high power laser and ignition facilities requires new techniques because of the higher energies and higher operational costs. We report on the development and application of a new interface reconstruction algorithm for chamber modeling code that combines ALE (Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian) techniques with AMR (Adaptive Mesh Refinement). The code is used for the simulation of complex target elements in the National Ignition Facility (NIF) and other similar facilities. The interface reconstruction scheme is required to adequately describe the debris/shrapnel (including fragments or droplets) resulting from energized materials that could affect optics or diagnostic sensors. Traditional ICF modeling codes that choose to implement ALE + AMR techniques will also benefit from this new scheme. The ALE formulation requires material interfaces (including those of generated particles or droplets) to be tracked. We present the interface reconstruction scheme developed for NIFs ALE-AMR and discuss how it is affected by adaptive mesh refinement and the ALE mesh. Results of the code are shown for NIF and OMEGA target configurations.

Multi-Material ALE with AMR for Modeling Hot Plasmas and Cold Fragmenting Materials

We have developed a new 3D multi-physics multi-material code, ALE-AMR, which combines Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) hydrodynamics with Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) to connect the continuum to the microstructural regimes. The code is unique in its ability to model hot radiating plasmas and cold fragmenting solids. New numerical techniques were developed for many of the physics packages to work efficiently on a dynamically moving and adapting mesh. We use interface reconstruction based on volume fractions of the material components within mixed zones and reconstruct interfaces as needed. This interface reconstruction model is also used for void coalescence and fragmentation. A flexible strength/failure framework allows for pluggable material models, which may require material history arrays to determine the level of accumulated damage or the evolving yield stress in J2 plasticity models. For some applications laser rays are propagating through a virtual composite mesh consisting of the finest resolution representation of the modeled space. A new 2nd order accurate diffusion solver has been implemented for the thermal conduction and radiation transport packages. One application area is the modeling of laser/target effects including debris/shrapnel generation. Other application areas include warm dense matter, EUV lithography, and material wall interactions for fusion devices.