Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “POLARIZATION CHARACTERISTICS”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 181 records · Page 10

Continuous Deflection of Laser Beams

Optical beam deflection method based on polarization change of acoustically deflected light as compared to incident beam

POLARIZATION CHARACTERISTICS↗

Coherent Raman amplification.

Coherent Raman amplification dynamics, considering pump depletion and coupling saturation and stimulated Raman scattering by polarization waves

POLARIZATION CHARACTERISTICS↗

Temperature and density structure of thermal proton flows

Thermal proton flows along magnetic field lines are an important feature of magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. In this paper we report the results of a theoretical study of the thermal structure of such flows. The adopted steady state model is based upon O+, H+, and electrons with self-consistent solutions for the separate O+, H+, and electron temperatures, the O+ and H+ densities and the H+ drift velocity. Through investigation of a number of parameters affecting the model, it is shown that Joule heating arising from the flow of H+ through O+ preferentially heats H+, so that the H+ temperature is substantially greater than the O+ temperature. Low O+ densities characteristic of the trough region appear to give high H+/O+ temperature ratios. Typical O+ densities characteristic of polar wind flow regions give moderate H+/O3 temperature ratios. The Mach number of H+ outflow is substantially reduced in the present models in comparison with the older fixed temperature calculations.

Banks, P. M.↗

Polarization reversal in the tail of Comet Ikeya-Seki /1965 VIII/

Multicolor observations of brightness and polarization in the continuum throughout the tail of Comet 1965 VIII reveal the presence of positive and negative polarization (polarization reversal) characteristic of slightly absorbing particles. The phase angle of the neutral point is found to vary with color and with time, the latter indicating short-term changes in the properties of the particles after perihelion.

Weinberg, J. L.↗

Cold plasma distribution above a few thousand kilometers at high latitudes

Great advances with respect to the study of the earth's magnetosphere could be achieved in connection with the launch of the Dynamics Explorer (DE) 1 and 2 spacecraft. These advances were made possible partly because of the unique combination of coplanar orbits which simultaneously sample the low altitude ionospheric and atmospheric signature (DE-2) and the high altitude phenomena of the inner magnetosphere (DE-1). It was, thus, feasible to obtain new measurements of the coupling of plasmas and fields between these fundamentally important regions. One basic element of the coupling involves the interchange of low energy plasma between the ionosphere and magnetosphere. The flow characteristics of the low energy plasma are indicators of the magnetospheric and ionospheric electric fields which drive the current system. The Retarding Ion Mass Spectrometer (RIMS) instrument has been designed for conducting measurements regarding this plasma population. Attention is given to details regarding RIMS, an example RIMS orbit, plasma trough characteristics, and polar cap phenomena.

Chappell, C. R.↗

Equilibrium constant for the reversible reaction ClO + O2 - ClO-O2

It is shown here that the equilibrium constant for the reversible reaction ClO + O2 - ClO-O2 at stratospheric temperatures must be at least three orders of magnitude less than the current NASA upper limit. The new upper limit greatly diminishes the possible role of ClO-O2 in the chlorine-photosensitized decomposition of O3. Nevertheless, it does not preclude the possibility that it is a significant reservoir of ClO, as well as a possible reactant, at low temperatures characteristic of polar vortices.

Demore, W. B.↗

Seasonal-to-Interannual Variability in Antarctic Sea-Ice Dynamics, and Its Impact on Surface Fluxes and Water Mass Production

Strong seasonal and interannual signals in Antarctic bottom-water outflow remain unexplained yet are highly correlated with anomalies in net sea-ice growth in coastal polynyas. The mechanisms responsible for driving salination and replenishment and rejuvenation of the dense shelf "source" waters likely also generate pulses of bottom water outflow. The objective of this research is to investigate time-scales of variability in the dynamics of sea-ice in the Southern Ocean in order to determine the primary sites for production of dense shelf waters. We are using a merged satellite/buoy sea-ice motion data set for the period 1978-present day to compute the dynamics of opening and closing of coastal polynyas over the continental shelf. The Ocean Circulation and Climate Advanced Model (OCCAM) ocean general circulation model with coupled sea-ice dynamics is presently forced using National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) data to simulate fluxes and the salination impact of the ocean shelf regions. This work is relevant in the context of measuring the influence of polar sea-ice dynamics upon polar ocean characteristics, and thereby upon global thermohaline ocean circulation. Interannual variability in simulated net freezing rate in the Southern Weddell Sea is shown for the period 1986-1993. There is a pronounced maximum of ice production in 1988 and minimum in 1991 in response to anomalies in equatorward meridional wind velocity. This follows a similar approximate 8-year interannual cycle in Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and satellite-derived ice-edge anomalies reported elsewhere as the "Antarctic Circumpolar Wave." The amplitude of interannual fluctuations in annual net ice production are about 40% of the mean value, implying significant interannual variance in brine rejection and upper ocean heat loss. Southward anomalies in wind stress induce negative anomalies in open water production, which are observed in passive microwave satellite images. Thus, cycles of enhanced poleward wind stress reduce ice growth by compacting the ice along the coastline and closing open water in leads and polynyas. Model simulations confirm that years of low ice production, such as 1991, coincide with years of lower than normal bottom water outflow. Future plans include the assimilation of satellite ice concentrations and ice drift dynamics to more accurately constrain boundary conditions in the model.

Drinkwater, Mark R.↗

Characteristics of Type I PSCs Derived from POAM Observations

The characteristics of Polar Ozone and Aerosol Measurement III (POAM 3) observations of Type I Arctic Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) from 1998 to 2003 are studied using a scheme that discriminates Type la from Ib PSCs. The PSCs observed in these years are studied simultaneously by aligning the day in each year when the temperature associated with a POAM observation first reaches T(sub NAT). It is observed that PSC formation occurs within days of the minimum observation temperature reaching T(sub NAT) and that the majority of these first PSCs are Type Ia. Our observations support the hypothesis that heterogeneous freezing contributes at least in part to the freezing of solid phase PSCs.

Strawa, Anthony W.↗