Search NASA⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Mentall, J. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Mentall, J. E..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Photolysis rates based on Schumann-Runge band approximations and irradiance measurements

The photolysis rate (J3) for CF2Cl2(F-12) in the stratosphere has been computed for three altitudes using measured solar fluxes from a balloon borne spectrometer. The rate is compared with that obtained by computing the attenuated flux using effective cross sections appropriate for the Schumann-Runge bands (J1) (Allen and Frederick, 1982). The result shows that the error in the F-12 photolysis rate caused by using the Allen and Frederick approximation is about 10 percent (J1 less than J3) for altitudes between 32 and 38 km with solar zenith angles less than about 62 degrees. For species other than O2, this implies that the discrepancy in photolysis rates associated with the Schumann-Runge band approximations are not likely to be important. Within the Schumann-Runge band region the computed errors for F-12 photolysis are about 10.5 percent at 38.13 km and increase with decreasing altitude. If this error applies to O2 photolysis, there may be the possibility of an incorrect calculation of net odd oxygen production in photochemical models.

Herman, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The solar spectral irradiance between 150 and 200 nm

The absorption of solar photons controls the composition of the middle atmosphere. Concern about the effects of man's industrial activities on his environment has led to a number of long-term programs related to stratospheric photochemistry. An important part of these programs represents studies of the variability of the sun's solar spectral irradiance. A program to measure the solar ultraviolet flux, both within and outside the earth's atmosphere, has been in progress for a number of years. This program has the objective to develop techniques which would provide an absolute accuracy of at least 5 percent. The amount of satellite instrument degradation is determined on the basis of a comparison of data provided by these instruments with data obtained in connection with rocket flights. It was found that a significant decrease in the solar irradiance below 190 nm occurred between 1980 and 1981.

Mentall, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Radiative processes

Solar radiation and the processes that control its deposition in the Earth atmosphere are considered. The published data obtained since 1978 define a reference solar spectral irradiance for use in atmospheric chemical and dynamical studies, while long term satellite measurements are now providing information on variations in the output of the Sun over a range of time scales. As concerns absorption of solar radiation in the atmosphere, new cross section data for molecular oxygen and ozone are now available. Line-by-line calculations used to predict infrared flux divergences, both as regards assumptions made in radiative transfer calculations and in the spectroscopic parameters used as inputs are examined. Also examined are the influence of radiative processes on planetary scale wave activity, photochemical acceleration of radiative damping, and the breakdown of local thermodynamic equilibrium at mesospheric altitudes.

Frederick, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

EUV studies of N2 and O2 produced by low energy electron impact

The emission spectra resulting from electron impact excitation on molecular nitrogen and oxygen in the 500-1200 A spectral region are investigated. Electron energies are from 0 to 300 eV. Numerous bands of N2 are found between 800 and 1000 A. Excitation functions are measured for the NII 916 A, the OI 879 A, and the OII 834 multiplets, and nitrogen band emission. Cross sections were measured at 200 eV for several of the band emissions plus the NI 1135 A, NI 1164 A, NI 1177 A, NII 776 A, NII 1084 A, OI 1152 A, OI 1041 A, OI 999 A, OI 989 A, OI 879 A, OII 834 A, OII 616 A, OII 555 A, OII 539 A, and OII 718 A multiplets.

Morgan, H. D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

O2 absorption cross sections /187-225 nm/ from stratospheric solar flux measurements

The absorption cross sections of molecular oxygen are calculated in the wavelength range from 187 to 230 nm from solar flux measurements obtained within the stratosphere. Within the Herzberg continuum wavelength region the molecular oxygen cross sections are found to be about 30% smaller than the laboratory results of Shardanand and Rao (1977) from 200 to 210 nm and about 50% smaller than those of Hasson and Nicholls (1971). At wavelengths longer than 210 nm the cross sections agree with those of Shardanand and Rao. The effective absorption cross sections of O2 in the Schumann-Runge band region from 187 to 200 nm are calculated and compared to the empirical fit given by Allen and Frederick (1982). The calculated cross sections indicate that the transmissivity of the atmosphere may be underestimated by the use of the Allen and Frederic cross sections between 195 and 200 nm. The ozone column content between 30 and 40 km and the relative ozone cross sections are determined from the same solar flux data set.

Herman, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Solar irradiance in the stratosphere - Implications for the Herzberg continuum absorption of O2

A set of solar irradiance observations is analyzed that were performed from the third Solar Absorption Balloon Experiment (SABE-3) as the payload ascended through the stratosphere from 32 to 39 km. Comparison of these data with calculations of the attenuated irradiance based on simultaneous ozone and pressure measurements made from the payload suggests a refinement of the cross section values used in photochemical models. More ultraviolet radiation in the 200-210 nm spectral region reaches the middle stratosphere than is predicted by the absorption data presently available. It is suggested that significantly smaller values for the Herzberg continuum of O2 be used in future models.

Frederick, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The direct and scattered solar flux within the stratosphere

Solar ultraviolet flux data obtained within the atmosphere by using Fastie-Ebert double monochromators carried on a balloon-borne gondola and a rocket payload are analyzed. Both the direct and scattered components of the solar ultraviolet flux at wavelengths from 190 to 320 nm are measured at the balloon float altitude of 40 km. The nearly identical spectrometer carried on the rocket flight measures the direct solar flux from 60 to 38 km during a parachute descent. The ozone column content above 40 km and the temperature profile and ozone density below 40 km are deduced using the scattered and direct solar flux components. It is shown that the Nimbus 7 solar flux data are consistent with the present data and with the ozone absorption cross sections of Inn and Tanake (1959). The calculated and measured values of the scattered solar flux are found to agree fairly closely.

Herman, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The solar irradiance from 200 to 330 nm

The full disk solar spectrum over the wavelength range 200-330 nm is measured with a spectral resolution of 0.12 nm. The measurement is performed by using a double monochromator pointed at the sun from a high altitude parachute. Only small corrections are required to account for atmospheric absorption. Good agreement is obtained with previously reported measurements.

Mentall, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Stratospheric observations of the attenuated solar irradiance in the Schumann-Runge band absorption region of molecular oxygen

A spectrometer flown on the first Solar Absorption Balloon Experiment (SABE-1) observed the attenuated solar irradiance between 184 and 202 nm from an altitude near 40 km. These measurements provide a check on the absorption cross sections of molecular oxygen in the spectral region of the Schumann-Runge bands. Comparison of the measurements with calculations based on cross sections derived from laboratory data shows a general agreement although the irradiance measurements have large error bars near the centers of the absorption bands. The results imply that the 184-200 nm solar irradiance that penetrates to the stratosphere can be computed to an accuracy of + or - 30% or better by using presently available cross sections.

Frederick, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Penetration of solar irradiance in the Schumann-Runge bands of O2 - A comparison of balloon-borne measurements and calculations

Measurements of the attenuated solar irradiance made from the STRATCOM VIII balloon are compared with calculated values of the solar irradiance reaching the 40 km level for a solar zenith angle of 66.18 deg. The ability of theory to match intensity maxima which correspond to the cross section minima between the bands is investigated. The comparisons show that model results are too small by a factor of 1.8 between 199 and 22 nm, which is attributed to a systematic calibration offset between the balloon data and the irradiances of Bruckner et al. (1976). A large disagreement between the observed and calculated intensities at peaks H and I results from an error in the cross sections used in current aeronomic work.

Frederick, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

H Lyman-alpha emission from photodissociation of H2O

Lyman-alpha fluorescence measurements were used to study the photodissociation of water vapor to produce H(n equals 2) atoms from threshold to 500 A. The experimental threshold of 813.0 A nearly coincides with the thermodynamic limit. Excitation cross sections rise slowly from threshold to a maximum value of (1.55 plus or minus 0.12) x 10 to the -18th sq cm at about 709 A and decrease to a negligible value below 550 A. Structure in the excitation function is attributed to predissociation of Rydberg series converging to the B(overbar)B2 state of H2O(plus).

Mentall, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Measurements of solar UV flux in the stratosphere

Solar UV flux measurements were obtained on STRATCOM-VIII from liftoff to sunset. Spectra cover the wavelength range from 1979A to 2879A and altitudes from about 25-42 km over a wide range of solar zenith angles. Good agreement is obtained between the observed spectra and synthetic spectra calculated using a two stream radiative transfer model.

Mentall, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Electron impact excitation of argon in the extreme vacuum ultraviolet

Polarization-free excitation cross sections in the extreme vacuum ultraviolet have been measured for electron impact on Ar. Observed spectral features were those lines of Ar I and Ar II which lie between 700 and 1100 A. Excitation functions were measured for the Ar I resonance line at 1048 A and the Ar II resonance line at 920 A. Peak cross sections for these two lines were found to be (39.4 plus or minus 7.9) x 10 to the -18th and (6.9 plus or minus 1.4) x 10 to the -18th, respectively. At low energies, excitation of the Ar II resonance line is dominated by an electron exchange transition.

Mentall, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1974

VUV dissociative excitation cross sections of H2O, NH3, and CH4 by electron impact

Absolute excitation functions for excited fragments resulting from electron bombardment of H2O, NH3, and CH4 by low-energy electrons (0 to 300 eV) have been measured in the vacuum ultraviolet (1100 to 1950 A). The predominant emission for each molecule was the H Lyman-alpha line, while the O I, N I, C I, and C II emissions were at least an order of magnitude weaker. Absolute cross sections at 100 eV are given along with the appearance potential of the various processes and the possible dissociative-excitation channels through which such processes proceed.

Morgan, H. D.↗