In Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE), Target Chamber Dynamics (TCD) is an integral part of the target chamber design and performance. TCD includes target output deposition of target x-rays, ions and neutrons in target chamber gases and structures, vaporization and melting of target chamber materials, radiation-hydrodynamics in target chamber vapors and gases, and chamber conditions at the time of target and beam injections. Pulsed power provides a unique environment for IFE-TCD validation experiments in two important ways: they do not require the very clean conditions which lasers need and they currently provide large x-ray and ion energies.

Meso-scale manufacturing processes are bridging the gap between silicon-based MEMS processes and conventional miniature machining. These processes can fabricate two and three-dimensional parts having micron size features in traditional materials such as stainless steels, rare earth magnets, ceramics, and glass. Meso-scale processes that are currently available include, focused ion beam sputtering, micro-milling, micro-turning, excimer laser ablation, femto-second laser ablation, and micro electro discharge machining. These meso-scale processes employ subtractive machining technologies (i.e., material removal), unlike LIGA, which is an additive meso-scale process. Meso-scale processes have different material capabilities and machining performance specifications. Machining performance specifications of interest include minimum feature size, feature tolerance, feature location accuracy, surface finish, and material removal rate. Sandia National Laboratories is developing meso-scale electro-mechanical components, which require meso-scale parts that move relative to one another. The meso-scale parts fabricated by subtractive meso-scale manufacturing processes have unique tribology issues because of the variety of materials and the surface conditions produced by the different meso-scale manufacturing processes.

This paper presents the statistical methods used in setting limits and discovery significances in the search for new particles in the CDF experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron. For single-channel counting experiments the collaboration employs the classical Helene formula, with Bayesian integration over systematic uncertainties in the signal acceptance and background. For more complex cases such as spectral fits and combining channels, likelihood-based methods are used. In the discoveries of the top quark and B{sub c} meson, the significance was estimated from the probability of the null hypothesis, using toy Monte Carlo methods. Lastly, in the recent SUSY/Higgs Workshop the Higgs Working Group used a method of combining channels and experiments based on the calculation of the joint likelihood for a particular experimental outcome, and averaging over all possible outcomes.

The National Photovoltaic (PV) Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, and includes a PV Manufacturing Research and Development (R&D) project conducted with industry. This project includes advancements in PV components to improve reliability, reduce costs, and develop integrated PV systems. Participants submit prototypes, pre-production hardware products, and examples of the resulting final products for a range of tests conducted at several national laboratories, independent testing laboratories, and recognized listing agencies. The purpose of this testing is to use the results to assist industry in determining a product's performance and reliability, and to identify areas for potential improvement. This paper briefly describes the PV Manufacturing R&D project; participants in the area of PV systems, balance of systems, and components; and several examples of the different types of product and performance testing used to support and confirm product performance.

We demonstrate that the use of pure gallium (Ga) as a buffer layer results in improved crystal quality of GaN epilayers grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy on c-plane sapphire. The resulting epilayers show electron Hall mobilities as high as 400 cm 2 /Vs at a background carrier concentration of 4 x 10 17 cm -3 , an outstanding value for an MBE-grown GaN layer on sapphire. Structural properties are also improved; the asymmetric (101) X-ray rocking curve width is drastically reduced with respect to that of the reference GaN epilayer grown on a low-temperature GaN buffer layer. Nitrided Ga metal layers were investigated for different Ga deposition time. These layers can be regarded as templates for the subsequent Ga main layer growth. It was found that there is an optimum Ga metal layer deposition time for improving the electron mobility in the epilayer. Heating of the Ga metal layer to the epilayer growth temperature under nitrogen plasma is found to be sufficient to produce highly oriented GaN crystals. However, nonuniform surface morphology and incomplete surface coverage were observed after nitridation of comparatively thick Ga metal layers. This is shown to be the reason for the decreasing electron mobility of …

There are several production disadvantages inherent in conventional SnO{sub 2}/CdS/CdTe manufacturing processes. In this paper, the authors report a novel manufacturing process for fabricating polycrystalline Cd{sub 2}SnO{sub 4}/Zn{sub 2}SnO{sub 4}/CdS/CdTe thin-film solar cells that yielded a CdS/CdTe device with an NREL-confirmed efficiency of 14.0%. This process addresses undesirable manufacturing issues such as time-consuming and expensive heat-up and cool-down processes and generation of large amounts of liquid waste. CdTe cells prepared by this process have good performance, good uniformity, acceptable device stability, and excellent reproducibility.

A series of fine-grained porous alumina samples, with and without a liquid phase, were fabricated in compositions matched closely to commercially available alumina used as a microelectronic substrates. Hertzian indentation on monolithic specimens of the glass-containing samples produced a greater quasi-ductile stress-strain response compared to that observed in the pure alumina. Maximum residual indentation depths, determined from surface profilometry, correlated with the stress-strain results. Moreover, microstructural observations from bonded interface specimens revealed significantly more damage in the form of microcracking and under extreme loading, pore collapse, in the glass-containing specimens. The absence of the typical twin faulting mechanism observed for larger-grained alumina suggests that the damage mechanism for quasi-ductility in these fine-grained porous alumina derived from the pores acting as a stress concentrator and the grain boundary glass phase providing a weak path for short crack propagation.

There are several motivations for studying masses and lifetimes of the hadrons containing a heavy quark, either the bottom or the charm quark. First, the mass and the lifetime are fundamental properties of an elementary particle. Second, the spectroscopy of hadrons gives insights into the QCD potential between quarks. In particular, a symmetry exists for heavy hadrons when the heavy quark mass is taken to be infinite, providing a powerful tool to predict and understand properties of those heavy hadrons. Third, studies of the lifetimes of heavy hadrons probe their decay mechanisms. A measurement of the lifetime, or the total decay width, is necessary when the authors extract magnitudes of elements of the Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix. Again, in the limit of an infinite heavy quark mass things become simple and decay of a heavy hadron should be the decay of the heavy quark Q. This leads to a prediction that all hadrons containing the heavy quark Q should have the same lifetime, that of the quark Q. This is far from reality in the case of charm hadrons, where the D{sup +} meson lifetime is about 2.5 times longer than the D{sup 0} meson lifetime. Perhaps the charm quark is not …

The future investments for photovoltaics research and development are contemplated for this new millennium. Current technologies are used as the foundation for what might be expected for the next 50 years. A tour is conducted through what coming generations can anticipate for this technology; emphasizing non-conventional applications beyond the expected. Next-generation research approaches are predicted indicating the horizon of PV technology. Conjectures of those PV and related technologies that are beyond this horizon are presented, with prognosis what the coming generations might have as their conventional energy sources.

The relationship between beam focus position and penetration depth in CW laser welding was studied numerically and experimentally for different welding conditions. Calculations were performed using a transient hydrodynamic model that incorporates the effect of evaporation recoil pressure and the associated melt expulsion. The simulation results are compared with measurements made on a series of test welds obtained using a 1650 W CO{sub 2} laser. The simulations predict, and the experiments confirm, that maximum penetration occurs with a specific location of the beam focus, with respect to the original sample surface, and that this relationship depends on the processing conditions. In particular, beam absorption in the plasma has a significant effect on the relationship between penetration and focus position. When the process parameters result in strong beam absorption in the keyhole plasma, the maximum penetration will occur when the laser focus is at or above the sample surface. In a case of weak absorption however, the penetration depth reaches its maximum value when the beam focus is located below the sample surface. In all cases, the numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental measurements.

This paper describes photovoltaics (PV) as used for energy generation in terrestrial applications. A brief historical perspective of PV development is provided. Solar-to-electricity conversion efficiencies for various photovoltaic materials are presented, as well as expectations for further material improvements. Recent progress in reducing manufacturing costs through process R&D and product improvements are described. Applications that are most suitable for the different technologies are discussed. Finally, manufacturing capacities and current and projected module manufacturing costs are presented.

In this paper, the advantages and disadvantages of inelastic analysis are discussed. Example calculations and designs showing the implications and significance of factors affecting inelastic analysis are given. From the results described in this paper it can be seen that inelastic analysis provides an improved method for the design of casks. It can also be seen that additional code and standards work is needed to give designers guidance in the use of inelastic analysis. Development of these codes and standards is an area where there is a definite need for additional work. The authors hope that this paper will help to define the areas where that need is most acute.

This paper explores the potential of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCS) as 3--10 kW auxiliary power units for trucks and military vehicles operating on diesel fuel. It discusses the requirements and specifications for such units, and the advantages, challenges, and development issues for SOFCS used in this application. Based on system design and analysis, such systems should achieve efficiencies approaching 40% (lower heating value), with a relatively simple system configuration. The major components of such a system are the fuel cell stack, a catalytic autothermal reformer, and a spent gas burner/air preheater. Building an SOFC-based auxiliary power unit is not straightforward, however, and the tasks needed to develop a 3--10 kW brassboard demonstration unit are outlined.

Long-term light-soaking experiments of amorphous silicon photovoltaic modules have now established that stabilization of the degradation occurs at levels that depend significantly on the operating conditions, as well as on the operating history of the modules. The authors suggest that stabilization occurs because of the introduction of degradation mechanisms with different time constants and annealing activation energies, depending on the exposure conditions. Stabilization will occur once a sufficient accumulation of different degradation mechanisms occurs. They find that operating module temperature during light-soaking is the most important parameter for determining stabilized performance. Next in importance is the exposure history of the device. The precise value of the light intensity seems least important in determining the stabilized efficiency, as long as its level is a significant fraction of 1-sun.

The CDF and D0 experiments have both collected large samples of W and Z bosons with the last Tevatron collider run (1995--1996) using p{anti p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.8 TeV. The author presents the results of QCD studies with vector bosons that cover a large range of transverse momentum space, pT, making this a testing ground for both perturbative and non-perturbative QCD. The measurement of the W and Z cross section, their width, the W and Z transverse momentum distribution and the angular distribution of electrons in W decays are described in this paper.

The purpose of this work is to investigate physical properties of Cu(In,Ga)Se{sub 2} polycrystalline thin-films exhibiting a high degree of preferred orientation. Specifically, by using Na-free Cu(In,Ga)Se{sub 2} thin-films, it is intended to experimentally determine differences (if any) between films with a (110/102)-preferred orientation and films with a (112)-preferred orientation. The approach to the problem is a systematic comparative analysis of film and device properties in which the most significant variable is the preferred orientation of the Cu(In,Ga)Se{sub 2} polycrystalline absorbers. To complement the results of Na-free absorbers and devices, a microstructural analysis is presented on (110)-oriented high efficiency Cu(In,Ga)Se{sub 2} absorbers that are grown on standard Mo-coated soda-lime glass substrates.

A new mechanism for space-charge field formation in photorefractive liquid crystal composites containing poly(2,5-bis(2{prime}-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (BEH-PPV) and the electron acceptor N,N{prime}-dioctyl-1,4:5,8-naphthalenediimide, NI, is observed. Using asymmetric energy transfer (beam coupling) measurements that are diagnostic for the photorefractive effect, the direction of beam coupling as a function of grating fringe spacing inverts at a spacing of 5.5 {micro}m. The authors show that the inversion is due to a change in the dominant mechanism for space-charge field formation. At small fringe spacings, the space-charge field is formed by ion diffusion in which the photogenerated anion is the more mobile species. At larger fringe spacings, the polarity of the space charge field inverts due to dominance of a charge transport mechanism in which photogenerated holes are the most mobile species due to hole migration along the BEH-PEV chains coupled with interchain hole hopping. Control experiments are presented, which use composites that can access only one of the two charge transport mechanisms. The results show that charge migration over long distances leading to enhanced photorefractive effects can be obtained using conjugated polymers dissolved in liquid crystals.

Residential, commercial, and industrial buildings combined are the largest consumers of electricity in the United States and represent a significant opportunity for photovoltaic (PV) and PV/hybrid systems. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is conducting a phased research and product development program, Building Opportunities in the United States for Photovoltaics (PV:BONUS), focused on this market sector. The purpose of the program is to develop technologies and foster business arrangements integrating cost-effective PV or hybrid products into buildings. The first phase was completed in 1996 and a second solicitation, PV:BONUS2, was initiated during 1997. These projects are resulting in a variety of building-integrated products. This paper summarizes the recent progress of the seven firms and collaborative teams currently participating in PV:BONUS2 and outlines planned work for the final phase of their work.

The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is targeting Federal facilities serving Native American populations for cost-effective renewable energy projects. These projects not only save energy and money, they also provide economic opportunities for the Native Americans who assist in producing, installing, operating, or maintaining the renewable energy systems obtained for the facilities. The systems include solar heating, solar electric (photovoltaic or PV), wind, biomass, and geothermal energy systems. In fiscal years 1998 and 1999, FEMP co-funded seven such projects, working with the Indian Health Service in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior, and their project partners. The new renewable energy systems are helping to save money that would otherwise be spent on conventional energy and reduce the greenhouse gases associated with burning fossil fuels.

In this paper we explore how precisely the magnetic up/down symmetry must be controlled to insure sharing of edge localized mode (ELM) heat flux between upper and lower diverters in a double-null tokamak. We show for DIII-D, using infrared thermography, that the spatial distribution of Type-I ELM energy is less strongly affected by variations in magnetic geometry than is the time-averaged peak heat flux in attached discharges. The degree of control necessary to share ELM heat flux deposition equally between diverters was less stringent than the control needed to balance the time averaged heat flux. ELM energy is transported more than four times further into the scrape-off layer than the time-averaged heat flux.