Engineering topics
Gunter, S.
Publications and source records attributed to Gunter, S..
A Combined Fast Steering and Alignment Mirror for Space-Based Interferometers
Must perform functional and environment tests. Must evaluate in end-to-end interferometer testbeds to verify functional performance. Re-engineer based on test results. More complete design qualification design and test.
Controlling the shape of glass microballoons
Percent yield of "perfect" glass microballoons is increased by using microlevitating furnaces. Furnace components operate at higher temperatures and with levitation gases that will not affect glass materials. Furnace speeds up remelting and reshaping, reducing number of rejects for laser fusion studies. Electronic sensing maintains constant pressure differential across CHS despite changing furnace pressure and temperature; control retains microballoon in stable levitating state.
The upgrading of glass microballoons
The processes and mechanisms involved in producing glass microballoons of acceptable quality for laser fusion by gas jet levitation and manipulation were studied. Glass microballoons (GMBs) levitated at temperatures below, as well as above the liquidus, appear to diffuse sulfur dioxide, a polar molecule with a moderately large diameter, and hydrogen, a much smaller molecule at comparable rates. Rates on the order of tens of atmospheres per hour (constant volume) per atmosphere of partial pressure differential have been observed at temperatures around the liquidus. Relatively rapid and convenient filling of molten GMBs by levitation in deuterium and tritium appears to be a possibility.