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Nicholls, R. W.

Publications and source records attributed to Nicholls, R. W..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

MSG-7: Molecular absorption processes related to the penetration of ultraviolet solar radiation into the middle atmosphere

The information presently available on the absorption cross sections of O2 and O3 with attention to the application of these data in middle atmospheric science is reviewed. The cross sections values reported by different groups are intercompared in tabular form where feasible, and specific values are recommended when there is a basis for preferring a particular set of results over other available data. When no such basis exists, the differences among published cross sections then serve to indicate a range of uncertainty. In these cases the need for additional work is indicated. Specific topics addressed are the absorption of molecular oxygen at Lyman alpha, in the Schumann-Runge continuum, in the Schumann-Runge bands, and in the Herzberg continuum. For ozone, the Hartley and Huggins bands are considered.

Frederick, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Franck-Condon factor formulae for astrophysical and other molecules

Simple closed-form, approximate, analytic expressions for Franck-Condon factors are given. They provide reliable estimates for Franck-Condon factor arrays for molecular band systems for which only vibrational-frequency, equilibrium internuclear separation and reduced mass values are known, as is often the case for astrophysically interesting molecules such as CeO, CoH, CrH, CrO, CuH, GeH, LaO, NiH, SnH, and ZnH for band systems of which Franck-Condon arrays have been calculated.

Nicholls, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Calculation of the spectral transmission of the earth's atmosphere in the region of the NO gamma bands

Realistic long path, high resolution transmission spectra of the atmosphere have been calculated in the regions of the (0,0) and (1,0) NO gamma bands for zenith angles between 40 and 70 deg and for pathlengths between 28.5 and 120 km. The transmission spectra have been compared with Harvard solar rocket spectra to provide spectral irradiances at 28.5 km which is a typical balloon float altitude. Such data have immediate application to the remote sensing of atmospheric NO from balloons and satellites.

Freedman, R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

High resolution atmospheric transmission calculations down to 28.7 km in the 200-243-nm spectral range

Decrease in stratospheric ozone absorption and increase in oxygen absorption with decreasing wavelength combine to produce a window of maximum atmospheric transmission near 210 nm. Since solar radiation in this spectral region dissociates molecular oxygen, the deep atmospheric penetration at this wavelength is of particular aeronomical interest. High resolution calculations of the transmittance down to 28.65 km were made for the 200-243-nm spectral range in this window region, in support of a stratospheric balloon flight from Fort Churchill in July 1974. The calculations were made by dividing the atmosphere into layers which were chosen so that each could be assumed homogeneous; optical depths were calculated separately for each of these layers and then summed to obtain the over-all transmittance of the atmosphere. Absorption by molecular oxygen (line and continuum) and by ozone was included, as well as extinction through Rayleigh scattering by air molecules. The calculated transmittances were combined with high altitude (above 100-km) rocket measurements of the sun-center spectrum and center-to-limb variations to give residual high resolution solar spectral flux for several altitudes and solar zenith angles.

Cann, M. W. P.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Theoretical intensity parameters for the vibration-rotation bands of ClO

Intensity parameters for the vibration-rotation bands of ClO were calculated by evaluating matrix elements of the vibrational eigenfunctions using the theoretical dipole moment curve. These vibrational eigenfunctions are based on realistic Klein-Dunham potentials deduced from experimental values (Coxon et al, 1976) for certain vibrational energy levels. The data can be applied to the interpretation of remote or in situ experiments to deduce stratospheric ClO concentrations from vibration-rotation absorption spectra.

Langhoff, S. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Transition probability data for seven band systems of C2

Absolute transition-probability parameters are reported for seven band systems of the C2 molecule. These include all the known C2 band systems in the spectral region between 0.2 and 1.2 microns with the exception of the Messerle-Krauss system. To obtain the data, absolute intensities of selected spectral regions were measured behind the incident shock wave in a combustion-driven shock tube containing 85% Ar and 15% C2H2. These measurements were converted into electronic transition moments by a synthetic spectrum analysis. The electronic transition moments were then used to determine extensive tables of the transition-probability parameters for each of the band systems measured.

Coo, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Measurements of the electronic transition moments of C2-band systems

Electronic transition moments of seven C2 singlet and triplet band systems, which are in the 0.2 to 1.2 micron spectral region, have been measured. The measurements were made in emission behind incident shock waves in C2H2-argon mixtures. Narrow band-pass radiometers were used to obtain absolute measurements of shock-excited C2 radiation from which absolute electronic transition moments are derived by a synthetic spectrum analysis. New results are reported for the Ballik-Ramsay, Phillips, Swan, Deslandres-d'Azambuja, Fox-Herzberg, Mulliken, and Freymark systems.

Cooper, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Reinvestigation of rotational-line intensity factors in diatomic spectra

The theory of the intensity factors of rotational lines in diatomic molecular spectra is reviewed with an emphasis on removing obscurities and resolving ambiguities that exist. For example, a unified intensity-factor sum rule is derived that is valid for all spin-allowed and spin-forbidden dipole transitions. Further, it is shown that the electronic transition moments can always be chosen to be real and that a few simple rules ensure the application of consistent phase factors.

Whiting, E. E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Computer checking of rotational line intensity factors for diatomic transitions.

Previously published analytical formulae for the rotational line intensity factors of diatomic molecules have been compared with results from a comprehensive computer program, which determines numerical intensity factors for both spin-allowed and spin-forbidden electric and magnetic dipole transitions in diatomic molecules. The comparison uncovered several typographical errors and a few algebraic errors in the published formulae. The changes required in the formulae to give agreement with the results from the computer program are tabulated.

Whiting, E. E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

A shock-tube determination of the CN ground state dissociation energy and electronic transition moments for the CN violet and red band systems

The CN ground state dissociation energy and the sum of squares of the electronic transition moments of the CN violet bands have been simultaneously determined from spectral emission measurements behind incident shock waves. The unshocked test gases were composed of various CO2-CO-N2-Ar mixtures, and the temperatures behind the incident shocks ranged from 3500 to 8000 K. The variation of the electronic transition moment with internuclear separation was found to be small for both the CN violet and red band systems.

Arnold, J. O.↗