Engineering topics

Stacey, Gordon J.

Publications and source records attributed to Stacey, Gordon J..

11 records

NASA NTRS2011

First Detections of the [N II] 122 micron Line at High Redshift: Demonstrating the Utility of the Line for Studying Galaxies in the Early Universe

We report the first detections of the [N II] 122 micron line from a high-redshift galaxy. The line was strongly (>6(sigma)) detected from SMMJ02399-0136, and H1413 + 117 (the Cloverleaf QSO) using the Redshift (zeta) and Early Universe Spectrometer on the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory. The lines from both sources are quite bright with line to far-infrared (FIR) continuum luminosity ratios that are approx.7.0 x 10(exp -4) (Cloverleaf) and 2.1 x 10(exo -3) (SMMJ02399). With ratios 2-10 times larger than the average value for nearby galaxies, neither source exhibits the line to continuum deficits seen in nearby sources. The line strengths also indicate large ionized gas fractions, approx.8%-17% of the molecUlar gas mass. The [O III]/[N II] line ratio is very sensitive to the effective temperature of ionizing stars and the ionization parameter for emission arising in the narrow-line region (NLR) of an active galactic nucleus (AGN). Using Our previous detection of the [O III] 88 micron line, the [O III]/[N II]line ratio for SMMJ02399-0136 indicates that the dominant source of the line emission is either stellar H II regions ionized by O9.5 stars, or the NLR of the AGN with ionization parameter log(U) = -3.3 to -4.0. A composite system, where 30%-50% of the FIR lines arise in the NLR also matches the data. The Cloverleaf is best modeled by a superposition of approx.200 M82-like starbursts accounting for all of the FIR emission and 43% of the [N II]line. The remainder may come from the NLR. This war!< demonstrates the utility of the [N II] and [O III] lines in constraining properties of the ionized medium.

Ferkinhoff, Carl↗

NASA NTRS2011

First Detections of the [NII] 122 Micrometer Line at High Redshift: Demonstrating the Utility of the Line for Studying Galaxies in the Early Universe

We report the first detections of the [NIl] 122 {\mu} m line from a high redshift galaxy. The line was strongly (> 6{\sigma}) detected from SMMJ02399-0136, and HI413+ 117 (the Cloverleaf QSO) using the Redshift(z) and Early Universe Spectrometer (ZEUS) on the CSO. The lines from both sources are quite bright with line-to-FIR continuum luminosity ratios that are approx.7.0x10(exp -4) (Cloverleaf) and 2.1x10(exp -3) (SMMJ02399). With ratios 2-10 times larger than the average value for nearby galaxies, neither source exhibits the line-to-continuum deficits seen in nearby sources. The line strengths also indicate large ionized gas fractions, approx.8 to 17% of the molecular gas mass. The [OIII]/[NII] line ratio is very sensitive to the effective temperature of ionizing stars and the ionization parameter for emission arising in the narrow-line region (NLR) of an AGN. Using our previous detection of the [01II] 88 {\mu}m line, the [OIII]/ [NIl] line ratio for SMMJ02399-0136 indicates the dominant source of the line emission is either stellar HII regions ionized by 09.5 stars, or the NLR of the AGN with ionization parameter 10g(U) = -3.3 to -4.0. A composite system, where 30 to 50% of the FIR lines arise in the NLR also matches the data. The Cloverleaf is best modeled by a superposition of approx.200 M82like starbursts accounting for all of the FIR emission and 43% of the [NIl] line. The remainder may come from the NLR. This work demonstrates the utility of the [NIl] and [OIII] lines in constraining properties of the ionized medium.

Ferkinhoff, Carl↗

NASA NTRS2004

Design and Fabrication of a Two-Dimensional Superconducting Pop-up Bolometer Array

We have been developing an architecture for producing large format, two dimensional arrays of close-packed bolometers, which will enable submillimeter cameras and spectrometers to obtain images and spectra orders of magnitude faster than present instruments. The low backgrounds achieved in these instruments require very sensitive detectors with NEPs of order 5 x 10(exp -18) W/square root of Hz. Superconducting transition edge sensor bolometers can be close-packed using the Pop-up Detector (PUD) format, and SQUID multiplexers operating at the detector base temperature can be intimately coupled to them. The array unit cell is 8 x 32 pixels, using 32- element detector and multiplexer components. We have fabricated an engineering model array with this technology which features a very compact, modular approach for large format arrays. We report on the production of the 32-element components for the arrays. Planned instruments using this array architecture include the Submillimeter and Far-InfraRed Experiment (SAFIRE) on the SOFIA airborne observatory, the South Pole Imaging Fabry-Perot Interferometer (SPIFI) for the AST/RO observatory, the Millimeter Bolometer Camera for the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (MBC/ACT), and the Redshift (Z) Early Universe Spectrometer (ZEUS j.

Benford, Dominic J.↗

NASA NTRS1999

KWIC: A Widefield Mid-Infrared Array Camera/Spectrometer for the KAO

This grant covered a one year data analysis period for the data we obtained with the Kuiper Widefield Infrared Camera (KWIC) on the KAO during CY94 and CY95. A fairly complete list of scientific papers produced, or soon to be produced under this award is contained at the end of this report. Below we summarize some of the highlights of the work we did under this grant. KWIC Imaging of the Orion Nebula. KWIC was successfully developed under the KAO grants program (NASA grant NAG2-800). First funding arrived in November of 1992, and we flew our first two flights in February of 1994 -just 15 months later. These flights were very successful. We imaged the Orion Nebula in the 37.7 micron continuum and [SiII] 35 micron line and imaged M82 and Arp299 in the 37.7 micron continuum. Our Orion image demonstrates that the 37.7 micron continuum arises in the warm dust associated with the photodissociated surfaces (photodissociation regions, or PDRs) of molecular clouds. We use the brightness and color temperature distribution to ascertain the morphology of the Orion PDR. The [SiII] image of Orion encompassed the entire Orion A HII region and its enveloping PDR. Most of the emission in the PDR regions of the map appears to coincide very well with our 37.7 micron continuum map indicating a PDR origin for the [SiII] in agreement with theoretical predictions. The [SiII] line emission is very clumpy in the PDR directly imaging the clump spectrum indirectly ascertained by examining the distribution and flux ratios of [CII] and [0I] far-IR fine structure line, and high J CO emission. We also detected very strong [SiII] line emission from the embedded BN-KL star formation region tracing the morphology and physical conditions of the high velocity shock from these very young stars.

Stacey, Gordon J.↗

NASA NTRS1999

KWIC: A Widefield Mid-Infrared Array Camera/Spectrometer for the KAO

The Kuiper Widefield Infrared Camera (KWIC) is an imaging spectrometer designed for use on the Kuiper Airborne Observator between 18 and 40 microns. The spectral resolution achieving devices are two fully tunable and scanning cryogenic Fabry-Perot interferometers that employ free standing metal mesh as the reflective surfaces. The detective device is a 128 x 128 pixel Si:Sb BIB array manufactured by Rockwell/Boeing for the SIRTF project. The plate scale for KWIC (one pixel subtends 2.73" x 2.73") was chosen so as to more than fully sample the KAO beam (approximately 9" at 31.5 microns), to enable effective image restoration techniques to be applied. Even so, KWIC has a rather large (5.8' x 5.8') field of view. KWIC has both high and low spectral resolution modes that are interchangeable in a few minutes time in flight on the KAO. The high resolution (R = lambda/(delta)lambda = 1000 to 6000) mode is suitable for detecting weak lines in the presence of strong continuum for Galactic sources, and for resolving broad extragalactic lines. The low resolution (R approximately 30 to 100) mode is suitable for imaging in the thermal dust continuum.

Stacey, Gordon J.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Swift: A Widefield Imaging Fabry Perot for Sofia

Contract was to pursue feasibility studies of the SOFIA Widefield Imaging Fabry-Perot (SWIFT). SWIFT was proposed as a two color 18 to 40 microns imaging Fabry-Perot that utilized two Rockwell/Boeing 256 x 256 pixel Si:Sb BIBs as detective devices. The colors were to be split between 26 and 30 microns using a MgO dichroic. The resolution achieving devices were to be a pair of cryogenic fully tunable scanning Fabry-Perot interferometers (FPIs), two in each band. For high resolving powers, a third, fixed FPI is inserted into the beam. The FPI mirrors were to be made of free standing metal mesh. We also proposed to look into a long wavelength (40 to 210 microns) band during the feasibility study period. We produced a proposal to USRA, submitted in July 1997 that substantially refined our ideas. We decided the long wavelength science was compelling, so the baseline wavelength coverage for SWIFT was widened to 17 to 205 microns. Under typical operations, we proposed to simultaneously image in two bands: 22 to 38 microns, and 50 to 205 microns. The bands were to be split by a cold CaF2 dichroic. The short wavelength (SW) band was to employ a 256 x 256 pixel Boeing/Rockwell Si:Sb BIB array, and the long wavelength (LW) band was to employ a Goddard 6 x 32 (upgradable to 32 x 32) element array of monolithic silicon "pop-up" bolometers as detective devices. The two color capability doubled the data taking efficiency, and ensured "perfect" registration between the images obtained in each band. For the SW band, the beam was to be fully sampled (0.7" pixels, 1.4 in. beam) at 17 microns, and over sampled at longer wavelengths. Even so, SWIFT has a very large (3 ft x 3 ft) field of view. To match the SW and LW fields of view (initially in one dimension only, but in 2-dimensions with 32 x 32 upgrade), SWIFT was to under sample at 63 microns (5.6 in pixels, 5.2 in beam) resulting in a 0.56 x 3 in (upgrade to 3 in x 3 in) field of view. Each band has both Lo-Res (R triple bond lambda/Delta(lambda) approx. 30 to 200) and Hi-Res (R approx. 1000 up to 10(exp 5)) modes, that can be changed in less than a minute. Spectral resolution is obtained with four identical cryogenic, fully tunable, scanning FPIS, two in each band, plus a set of fixed order FPI that can be rotated into the beam for good spectral purity at the highest resolving powers. SWIFT was proposed to explore three primary topics of scientific interest: 1. Protostars, Young Stellar Objects, and Protoplanetary Disks. 2. The Galactic Center. 3. External Galaxies.

Stacey, Gordon J.↗

NASA NTRS1997

SOFIA Science Working Group

This grant supported travel to attend meetings of the SOFIA Science Working Group during the two year period above. The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a modified Boeing 747 that contains a 2.5 meter infrared optimized telescope. SOFIA's mission is to explore star formation and galaxy formation in the early Universe through far-infrared spectroscopy and photometry. The two years encompassed by this grant were critical to the anticipated first fight with SOFIA in 2002. During this period, the'technical details of the facility were developed and NASA was guided in the release of the SOFIA aircraft development and management RFP. This grant supported travel for the PI during this period both to NASA Ames, and Washington, DC to attend working group meetings. There were no inventions under this grant.

Stacey, Gordon J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

The (C II) 158 micron line mapping of spiral galaxies

Large scale maps of the face of spiral galaxies M51, M83, and NGC 6946 in the 158 micron (C II) fine structure line. The maps are obtained from the Far-infrared Imaging Fabry-Perot Interferometer (FIFI) during its first series of flights on board the Kuiper Airborne Observatory. The (C II) line emission is ubiquitous and easily traced over the mapped regions of each of the galaxies. The (C II) maps are compared with those obtained with similar sized beams in the CO line. The data available from these maps is interpreted.

Stacey, Gordon J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Hinge spectrometer - A grating Fabry-Perot instrument for far-infrared/submillimeter spectroscopy in space

A compact submillimeter spectrometer can be constructed through the use of a combination of grating and Fabry-Perot techniques. The instrument has only one moving part, a grating that pivots about an accurately placed hinge. The entire optical train is cooled to liquid helium temperature for low-background low-noise operation and is designed for use in astronomical observations from aircraft, balloons, or space vehicles. Resolving power R about 20,000 at about 150 microns is demonstrated.

Harwit, Martin↗

NASA NTRS1987

Detection of interstellar CH in the far-infrared

The first astronomical detection of CH in the far-infrared has been made. A ground state of rotational transition was observed in absorption against the far-infrared continuum peak of Sgr B2. The lines are resolved at a velocity resolution of 62 km/s, have a line width of roughly 250 km/s, and a line center optical depth of about 0.29. The inferred total column density of CH in the ground state along the line of sight is roughly 1.6 x 10 to the 15th/sq cm. Comparison of the far-infrared profiles to the 3 GHz emission lines confirms that the ground-state Lambda-doublet levels are inverted and gives an accurate estimate of the excitation temperature. The excitation temperature of the 3264 MHz line varies from cloud to cloud along the line of sight, the levels being most inverted in the Sgr B2 molecular cloud. The large intensity of the 3264 MHz line in this cloud relative to other clouds along the line of sight may thus be primarily an excitation effect.

Stacey, Gordon J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Detection of OH from Comet Halley in the far-infrared

The 2 Pi 3/2 (J = 5/2 yields 3/2 + yields - parity) transition of OH was detected in comet Halley at 119.44 microns. The upper limit to the line intensity of the - yields + parity transition is 119.23 microns. The ratio of these lines is consistent with radiative pumping of the rotational levels through absorption of near ultraviolet solar photons which excite the low lying vibrational levels of OH. The far-infrared lines probe the inner regions of the coma where OH is produced through photodissociation of a parent molecule (presumably H2O). Hence, these lines complement the 18 cm radio measurements which are sensitive to the outer regions of the comet coma. The OH production rate is highly model dependent but is of the order 2 to 4 times 10 to the 29th power molecules/sec.

Stacey, Gordon J.↗