Engineering topics

Burke, Bernard F.

Publications and source records attributed to Burke, Bernard F..

9 records

NASA NTRS1994

Planetary systems: Formation, evolution, and detection; Proceedings of the First International Conference, Pasadena, California, Dec. 8-10, 1992

The papers in these proceedings relate to our present understanding about planetary system formation, the various methods and imaging techniques that may be used in searching for planets (or protoplanets) that are outside of the solar system (extrasolar planets), and the stars that seem most likely to have planetary systems, using recent observations. It was noted at the conference that, at this time, the only confirmed example of a planetary system is the one that surrounds our sun.

Burke, Bernard F.↗

NASA NTRS1992

An optical VLA on the Moon

Optical observations on the Earth must cope with the refractive disturbances of the atmosphere, perturbations by the day-to-night thermal cycle, vibrations induced by the wind, and the bending of the telescope by gravity. These all conspire to limit telescope performance. In particular, in trying to improve angular resolution, there seems to be a practical limit of the order of a few tenths of an arc-second for the realizable angular resolution of single-aperture telescopes, largely imposed by the atmosphere, although other structural limitations would appear as limits at one-tenth of an arc-second or so.

Burke, Bernard F.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Appendix: Limits on the use of heterodyning and amplification in optical interferometry

The development of optical fibers, lasers, and mixers at optical frequencies has offered the hope that active methods can contribute to optical interferometry. Heterodyning, in particular, looks attractive, even though bandwidths are narrower than one would like at present; one might expect this limitation to lessen as technology develops. That expectation, unfortunately, is not likely to benefit interferometry at optical wavelengths because of the intervention of quantum mechanics and the second law of thermodynamics, as Burke (1985a) pointed out. So much 'second quantization' noise is generated that only at infrared frequencies, somewhere in the 10-100 micron range, can one look forward to heterodyning in any realistic sense. The reason is easily understood. Every amplifier, in the quantum limit, works by stimulated emission, even though this basic truth is not obvious at radio frequencies. This means that there must be spontaneous emission occurring within every amplifier, and Strandberg (1957) showed that this implied a limiting noise temperature, T sub N = h nu/k, for any amplifier. Burke (1969) used this result to demonstrate that, if it were not for this quantum noise, the VLBI method would allow one to tell which slit a photon went through before forming an interference pattern, thus violating basic tenants of quantum mechanics. In essence, the second quantization condition Delta N Delta phi greater than or = 1 saves one from paradox. One can state the conclusion simply: any amplifier produces approximately one photon per Hertz of bandwidth. In optical interferometry, one will certainly want bandwidth in the 10(exp 12) to 10(exp 14) Hz range, and that implies an intolerable cacophony of noise photons. Only at infrared frequencies can one tolerate the quantum noise, where the natural noise background may be high and the mixers are not as efficient as one would hope for. The crossover at present is about 10 or 20 microns, but the boundary will shift to longer wavelengths as noise performance improves. One might guess that ultimately a wavelength of about 100 microns will mark the limit of useful amplification and heterodyning in astronomical aperture synthesis interferometry.

Burke, Bernard F.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Interferometry

The following recommended programs are reviewed: (1) infrared and optical interferometry (a ground-based and space programs); (2) compensation for the atmosphere with adaptive optics (a program for development and implementation of adaptive optics); and (3) gravitational waves (high frequency gravitational wave sources (LIGO), low frequency gravitational wave sources (LAGOS), a gravitational wave observatory program, laser gravitational wave observatory in space, and technology development during the 1990's). Prospects for international collaboration and related issues are also discussed.

Ridgway, Stephen↗

NASA NTRS1991

Policy opportunities

Recommendations are given regarding National Science Foundation (NSF) astronomy programs and the NASA Space Astrophysics program. The role of ground based astronomy is reviewed. The role of National Optical Astronomy Observatories (NOAO) in ground-based night-time astronomical research is discussed. An enhanced Explored Program, costs and management of small and moderate space programs, the role of astrophysics within NASA's space exploration initiative, suborbital and airborne astronomical research, the problems of the Hubble Space Telescope, and astronomy education are discussed. Also covered are policy issues related to the role of science advisory committees, international cooperation and competition, archiving and distribution of astronomical data, and multi-wavelength observations of variable sources.

Mccray, Richard↗

NASA NTRS1990

Astrophysics from the moon

Preliminary studies have been conducted for the concept of a lunar base supporting astronomical instruments of power comparable to the VLA, giving attention to aperture-synthesis arrays which could improve angular resolution to the level of a few microarcsec. The only conceivable mode of catastrophic instrument failure envisioned would be a meteorite strike, although the probability for this is small and comparable to that encountered in orbital instruments. Nevertheless, lunar dust may pose problems, lunar soil may be inadequate for support of instrument structures, moonquakes may disturb instruments, gravitational deflection may distort them, and heat radiation and scattered light may exert troublesome influences on observations. Representative parameters for a specific system are presented.

Burke, Bernard F.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Spectroscopic evidence supporting the gravitational lens hypothesis for 1635+267 A,B

The gravitational lens hypothesis is tested for 1613+267 A,B by comparing the detailed line widths and shapes of the 2799-A Mg II and semiforbidden 1909-A C-III lines in each component. Following subtraction of an interpolating polynomial fit to the continua and the determination of a single optimum scaling factor (an amplification ratio of 2.83), reasonable agreement between the profiles of both lines in the two composites is obtained. Comparison of these lines to those in an unrelated quasar with a similar redshift and apparent magnitude does not produce a good match. It is suggested that the observed match in the 1635+267 A,B spectra arises from gravitational lensing.

Turner, Edwin L.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Astronomical interferometry on the Moon

Optical interferometric arrays are particularly attractive candidates for a manned lunar base. A permanent lunar can provide support for a variety of astronomical investigations. An optical interferometric array, perhaps of the general form of the VLA but designed for optical instead of radio wavelengths, would lead to a qualitative advance in the understanding of the universe. A wide variety of scientific problems could be addressed by such an instrument. The stellar analogs of the solar cycle, the behavior of sunspots on other stars, the magnetic field configurations of other stars, and the behavior of dynamic plasma phenomena such as flares and winds are examples of star related problems that ultimately would lead to both increased understanding of our Sun and fundamental knowledge of the manner in which stars form and evolve.

Burke, Bernard F.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Aperture-synthesis interferometry at optical wavelengths

The prospects for applying aperture-synthesis interferometry to the optical domain are reviewed. The radio examples such as the VLA provide a model, since the concepts are equally valid for radio and optical wavelengths. If scientific problems at the milliarc-second resolution level (or better) are to be addressed, a space-based optical array seems to be the only practical alternative, for the same reasons that dictated array development at radio wavelengths. One concept is examined, and speculations are offered concerning the prospects for developing real systems. Phase-coherence is strongly desired for a practical array, although self-calibration and phase-closure techniques allow one to relax the restriction on absolute phase stability. The design of an array must be guided by the scientific problems to be addressed.

Burke, Bernard F.↗