Engineering topics

Smith, Steven J.

Publications and source records attributed to Smith, Steven J..

44 records · Page 3

NASA NTRS1995

Electron excitation cross sections for the 2s(2)2p(3)4S(O) -- 2s(2)2p(3)2D(O) (forbidden) and 4S(O) -- 2s2p(4) 4P (resonance) transitions in O II

Experimental and theoretical excitation cross sections are reported for the first forbidden transition 4S(O) -- 2S(2)2p(3) 2D(O) (lambda-lambda 3726, 3729) and the first allowed (resonance) transition 4S(O) -- 2s2p(4) 4P(lambda-833) in O II. Use is made of electron energy loss and merged-beams methods. The electron energy range covered is 3.33 (threshold) to 15 eV for the S -- D transition, and 14.9 (threshold) to 40 eV for the S -- P transition. Care was taken to assess and minimize the metastable fraction of the O II beam. An electron mirror was designed and tested to reflect inelastically backscattered electrons into the forward direction to account for the full range of polar scattering angles. Comparisons are made between present experiments and 11-state R-matrix calculations. Calculations are also presented for the 4S(O) -- 2s(2)2p(3)2P(O) (lambda-2470) transition.

Zuo, M.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Nuclear winds in active elliptical galaxies. II - Observational signatures

We discuss the possible observational signatures resulting from the interaction of a nuclear wind with an elliptical host galaxy. The ionization parameter in emission-line gas, deduced from spatially resolved spectral observations, will be a strong indicator of the nuclear wind as well as the possible pickup of stellar mass loss by the wind. If the wind is sufficiently luminous, galactic X-ray profiles will exhibit an extended flattening. Detailed study of individual objects will be necessary for conclusive evidence of nuclear winds. We find that nuclear winds are unlikely to cause the disruption of the radio jets in wide-angle tail radio galaxies. Previously proposed mechanisms whereby nuclear winds cause the formation of narrow absorption line systems or stellar shells are not likely to occur if the interstellar medium of the host elliptical galaxy is hot.

Smith, Steven J.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Nuclear winds and the narrow-line emission from active galaxies

This paper discusses active galaxy narrow-line emission in the context of a supersonic wind generated by the active nucleus, a nuclear wind. Wind acceleration can naturally produce the inferred narrow-line cloud velocities as well as those of the broad-line and broad absorption line clouds with only a weak dependence on the parameters of the active nucleus. The primary obstacle to wind acceleration of emission-line clouds is the destructive effect of instabilities; however, the stability and structure of wind-confined clouds remain areas of future research. Observations, particularly of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068, are interpreted in the context of nuclear winds.

Smith, Steven J.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Nuclear winds in active elliptical galaxies. I - Interaction

The interaction of a supersonic wind generated by an active nucleus, a nuclear wind, with the hot interstellar medium of an elliptical host galaxy is investigated. We survey the basic time and spatial scales of this interaction through a study covering the range of probable wind and galaxy parameters. The evolving wind/ISM interaction is detailed, with the conclusion that a true equilibrium state is never possible due to long cooling times. Alteration of the wind by mass loading is considered, and a relationship between nuclear winds and central stellar clusters in this context is outlined. The nuclear wind will fundamentally alter the interstellar medium of the host galaxy. Powerful radio galaxies and quasars can evacuate the entire ISM of their host galaxy. In an isolated elliptical galaxy, winds from moderately powerful radio galaxies will either be confined to within about a kpc or evacuate the entire hot ISM. Even in the relatively high pressure ISM of elliptical galaxies winds containing only 1 percent-10 percent of the radiant luminosity of the active nucleus will extend to the narrow-line region. Therefore, nuclear winds are likely to control the properties of the narrow-line emission.

Smith, Steven J.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Excitation cross sections for the ns 2S yields np 2P resonance transitions in Mg(+) (n = 3) and Zn(+) (n = 4) using electron-energy-loss and merged-beams methods

Electron-excitation cross sections are reported for the 3s 2S yields 3p 2P(h, k) resonance transition in Mg(+) at energies from threshold (4.43 eV) to approximately 9 times threshold (40.0 eV). The electron-energy-loss merged-beams technique used in these measurements is described in detail. In addition, the method of separating contributions of the elastically scattered (Coulomb) and the inelastically scattered electrons in the present Mg(+) case and previously reported Zn(+) results is described. Comparisons in the experimental energy range are made for Mg(+) with the two five-state close-coupling theoretical calculations carried out herein, and with other published close-coupling, distorted-wave, and semiempirical calculations. The present Mg(+) cross sections and Zn(+) cross sections from earlier measurements are tabulated.

Smith, Steven J.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Excitation of positive ions by low-energy electrons - Relevance to the Io Torus

The importance of measuring electron-ion excitation cross sections in singly and multiply charged positive ions is outlined, and recent results for Mg II and O II ions are given using the JPL's electron energy-loss merged-beams apparatus. Theoretical comparisons are given with two five-state close-coupling calculations. The energy variation of the collision strength is fitted with a semiempirical analytic function which includes approximations to polarization, resonance, and exchange contributions. In O II, first spectra anywhere of electron excitation of the optically allowed transitions are presented. In addition, excitations of two low lying, optically forbidden transitions are detected for the first time.

Smith, Steven J.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Absolute cascade-free cross-sections for the 2S to 2P transition in Zn(+) using electron-energy-loss and merged-beams methods

Absolute cascade-free excitation cross-sections in an ion have been measured for the resonance 2S to 2P transition in Zn(+) using electron-energy-loss and merged electron-ion beams methods. Measurements were carried out at electron energies of below threshold to 6 times threshold. Comparisons are made with 2-, 5-, and 15-state close-coupling and distorted-wave theories. There is good agreement between experiment and the 15-state close-coupling cross-sections over the energy range of the calculations.

Smith, Steven J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Positron-inert gas differential elastic scattering

Measurements are being made in a crossed beam experiment of the relative elastic differential cross section (DCS) for 5 to 300 eV positrons scattering from inert gas atoms (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe) in the angular range from 30 to 134 deg. Results obtained at energies around the positronium (Ps) formation threshold provide evidence that Ps formation and possibly other inelastic channels have an effect on the elastic scattering channel.

Kauppila, W. E.↗