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At least 199 records · Page 11

Zoom lens compensator for a cylindrical window in laser anemometer uses

In laser anemometer systems, the flow fields under study are typically enclosed by a window. Aberration of a flat window can be corrected by a shift of the object distance. A zooming correction lens elimates the astigmatism caused by a thick cylindrical window and yields diffraction-limited performance for a monochromatic laser anemometer system. The effects of residual anamorphic distortion are discussed, and procedures for correcting these effects are presented.

Wernet, Mark P.↗

Domed Fresnel lens concentrator technology for space application

Over the past three years, NASA Lewis and Entech, Inc. have been investigating the use of high efficiency refractive photovoltaic concentrators for use in space. The design currently under investigation uses a square domed Fresnel lens to focus light on a GaAs concentrator cell. A prismatic cell cover, which directs light away from the front contacts and thus eliminates metalization losses, is applied to the top of the GaAs cell to further enhance array efficiency. The latest experimental results based on testing the GaAs cell/prism cover assembly at standard and operating conditions are presented.

Piszczor, Michael F., Jr.↗

Design of a large-aperture lens antenna usable over a +/- 15 deg scanning sector

A lens antenna design is described which requires the formation of both on-axis and far off-axis beams. The aperture is about 100 wavelengths in diameter, and the off-axis beams are displaced +/- 20 beamwidths from the axis. The results are indicative of the much greater scan capabilities of lensatic antennas compared to paraboloidal designs when both have single-aperture nonarray feeds.

Parsons, Chester L.↗

Spectroscopic evidence supporting the gravitational lens hypothesis for 1635+267 A,B

The gravitational lens hypothesis is tested for 1613+267 A,B by comparing the detailed line widths and shapes of the 2799-A Mg II and semiforbidden 1909-A C-III lines in each component. Following subtraction of an interpolating polynomial fit to the continua and the determination of a single optimum scaling factor (an amplification ratio of 2.83), reasonable agreement between the profiles of both lines in the two composites is obtained. Comparison of these lines to those in an unrelated quasar with a similar redshift and apparent magnitude does not produce a good match. It is suggested that the observed match in the 1635+267 A,B spectra arises from gravitational lensing.

Turner, Edwin L.↗

VLBI observations of the gravitational lens system 0957+561 - Structure and relative magnification of the A and B images

Gravitationally lensed images of the quasar 0957+561 have been observed at 13 cm wavelength using a six-antenna VLBI array with nearly milliarcsecond resolution. Models of the observed surface brightness distribution of each of the A and B images provide support of the gravitational lens hypothesis. A value of the magnitude of the relative image magnification A/B of 0.64 + or - 0.03 is obtained.

Gorenstein, M. V.↗

More About Lens Antenna For Mobile/Satellite Communication

Report presents additional details of design of proposed phased-array antenna described in "Lens Antenna for Mobile/Satellite Communication" (NPO-16948). Intended to be compact and to lie flat on top of vehicle on ground. Transmits and receives circularly polarized radiation in frequency ranges of 821 to 825 MHz and 860 to 870 MHz. Transmitting and receiving beams electronically steerable to any of 48 evenly spaced directions to provide complete azimuth coverage, and would be fixed, but wide, in elevation, to provide coverage at elevation angles from 20 degrees to 60 degrees.

Rahmat-Samii, Y.↗

On the black hole lens and its foci

Methods developed for radio occultation studies of planetary atmospheres are used to predict the electromagnetic focusing properties of a refracting lens representation of a Schwarzschild black hole. The infinity of foci are of three distinct types: a principal forward axial focus which is by far the strongest; higher-order forward axial foci; and backward conical foci with axial nulls.

Eshleman, Von R.↗

The mini-dome lens space concentrator array - Recent component test results and current array development status

The development of a high-performance, lightweight space photovoltaic concentrator array is described. The array is the first space photovoltaic concentrator system to use a refractive optical concentrator in the form of a dome-shaped, point-focus, Fresnel lens. In addition, it is the first such concentrator system to utilize prismatic cell covers to eliminate gridline obscuration losses. By combining these array features with state-of-the-art gallium arsenide cell technology, array areal power values (in watts per square meter) well in excess of present space power system levels are anticipated. In addition, the array has the potential for extremely high specific power values (in watts per kilogram).

O'Neill, M. J.↗

The mini-dome Fresnel lens photovoltaic concentrator array - Current status of component and prototype panel testing

NASA Lewis and ENTECH have been developing a high-efficiency, lightweight space photovoltaic concentrator array. The emphasis of the program has shifted to fabrication and testing of the minidome Fresnel lens and other array components. Protototype lenses have been tested for optical efficiency, with results around 90 percent, and tracking error performance. The results of these tests have been very consistent with the predicted analytical performance. Work has also progressed in the fabrication of the array support structure. Recent advances in 30 percent efficient stacked cell technology will have a significant effect on the array performance. It is concluded that near-term array performance goals of 300 W/sq m and 100 W/kg are feasible.

Piszczor, M. F.↗

Infrared and visible photometry of the gravitational lens systems 2237 + 030

As part of a program of high spatial resolution imaging of gravitationally lensed sources in the visible and IR, images of 2237 + 030 were obtained in the Gunn r and infrared J, H, K, and 3.3 micron filters. The results of the photometry of the four bright quasar components provide evidence of extinction through the lens and a determination of the extinction law in the galaxy is made. The energy distribution shows evidence of a sharp decrease of the spectral index at wavelengths longer than a rest wavelength of 1 micron. Assuming that microlensing amplification in the IR is of similar strength as in the visible, the data constrain the suggested microlensing event of August-September 1988 to a time scale of 100 days.

Nadeau, Daniel↗

First- and second-epoch VLBI observations of the gravitational lens system 2016 + 112

The structure of A and B radio components at the milliarcsecond level is examined on the basis of two 18-cm Mark III VLBI observations of the 2016 + 112 gravitational lens system. One hypothesis consistent with all of the numerous models considered is that images A and B are not related by linear magnification because the source is evolving on a time scale comparable to or shorter than the time delay between images. Models not required to be consistent with linear magnification are not. Models required to be consistent with linear magnification either fit the data significantly less well or indicate significantly different matrices for the two epochs.

Heflin, M. B.↗

Spectral differences in the QSO pairs Q1634 + 267A,B and Q2345 + 007A,B and the gravitational lens interpretation

High S/N spectra of two candidate gravitational lens pairs, over the wavelength range 3150-7000 A at 4-6 A resolution are obtained in order to compare the emission line, continuum, and absorption line properties. The continuum shapes of Q1634 + 267A,B over the observed wavelength range agree remarkably well, and a constant multiplicative factor of 3.28 is found for the ratio A/B over the whole observed wavelength range. In agreement with previous investigations, it is found that the redshifts of the C III 1909 emission line are consistent with zero relative velocity shift and that the line profiles in the two images are identical. The continua of Q2345 + 007A and B match fairly well over the whole observed wavelength range if a constant scaling factor of 2.51 is used. Scaled difference spectra show that the Ly-alpha, NV, CIII, and Fe II emission lines are stronger relative to the continuum in Q2345 + 007B than in A. It is concluded that the pairs of images constituting Q1634 + 267A and B and Q2345 + 007A and B both result from gravitatinal lensing.

Steidel, Charles C.↗

A gravitational lens candidate discovered with the Hubble Space Telescope

Evidence is reported for gravitational lensing of the high-redshift (z = 3.8) quasar 1208 + 101, observed as part of the Snapshot survey with the HST Planetary Camera. An HST V image taken on gyroscopes resolves the quasar into three point-source components, with the two fainter images having separations of 0.1 and 0.5 arcsec from the central bright component. A radio observation of the quasar with the VLA at 2 cm shows that, like most quasars of this redhsift, 1208 + 101 is radio quiet. Based on positional information alone, the probability that the observed optical components are chance superpositions of Galactic stars is small, but not negligible. Analysis of a combined ground-based spectrum of all three components, using the relative brightnesses of the HST image, supports the lensing hypothesis. If all the components are lensed images of the quasar, the observed configuration cannot be reproduced by simple lens models.

Maoz, Dan↗

The unusual K-band characteristics of the gravitational lens system MG 1131 + 0456

The radio morphology of the gravitational lens system MG 1131 + 0456 is that of an 'Einstein ring'. Newly obtained K-prime-band images of the system reveal the presence of an infrared bright object that has a morphology reminiscent of that seen in the radio. There are two bright objects embedded in an elliptical halo; these seem to be the infrared counterparts to the radio morphology. Two nearby objects have no radio counterparts. All four objects have extremely red optical-infrared colors: R - K greater than 6. Few extragalactic objects are this red. A plausible candidate for the source object is an unusually red radio galaxy.

Annis, James↗

Hubble Space Telescope imaging of the large-redshift gravitational lens candidate 1208 + 1011

Four-color photometry obtained with the HST is consistent with the hypothesis that the light from the quasar 1208 + 1011 (z = 3.8) is gravitationally lensed. Guided exposures taken with the HST Planetary Camera resolve the quasar image into two point-source components separated by 0.476 +/- 0.004 arcsec. The intensity ratio of the components is approximately 4:1 in each of four broadband HST filters with mean wavelengths of 4352, 5416, 6898, and 8922 A. The HST photometry, when combined with high-resolution ground-based spectroscopy, rules out the possibility that the secondary component is a Galactic star. The limit on additional point sources is 3 percent of the brighter image for separations greater than 0.5 arcsec from the primary component and 5 percent of the brighter component for separations between 0.1 and 0.5 arcsec. If the gravitational lens is an ordinary galaxy, it would not have been detected on the HST images.

Bahcall, John N.↗

Endoscopic measurements using a panoramic annular lens

The objective of this project was to design, build, demonstrate, and deliver a prototype system for making measurements within cavities. The system was to utilize structured lighting as the means for making measurements and was to rely on a stationary probe, equipped with a unique panoramic annular lens, to capture a cylindrical view of the illuminated cavity. Panoramic images, acquired with a digitizing camera and stored in a desk top computer, were to be linearized and analyzed by mouse-driven interactive software.

Gilbert, John A.↗

Miniature Optical Wide-Angle-Lens Startracker (Mini-OWLS)

This paper provides a brief overview of the design considerations and the current status of the Miniature Optical Wide-Angle Lens Startracker Program. Mini-OWLS offers a revolutionary alternative to the conventional startracker. It is a small, lightweight, low cost, high performance startracker that can be used in a variety of applications including calibration and alignment of Inertial Measurement Units (IMU's) Mini-OWLS makes use of a strap down design incorporating Holographic Optical Elements (HOES) in place of conventional optics. HOES can be multiplexed so that the same aperture can be used for multiple separate optical paths looking in several directions simultaneously without startracker rotation. Additionally, separate Schmidt corrector plates are not required to compensate for spherical aberration. The optical assembly, or what would normally be considered as the telescope, is less than 20 cc in volume, weighs less than 55 grams, and contains the equivalent of three individual telescopes. Each one has a 4 deg Field of View (FOV) with a field of regard of 48 square degrees. Mini-OWLS has a bandwidth of approximately 300 nm in or near the visible wavelength. The projected resolution of the startracker is 5 to 10 arcseconds, depending on the centroiding algorithm used. The Mini-OWLS program was initiated last year and represents a miniaturized version of a similar design for aeronautical applications. The contract is managed by Wright Laboratory, Air Force Systems Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, with funding from the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization through Eglin AFB. The initial phase of the program is to build and test a development unit. The second phase is to integrate the startracker with the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Micromechanical Inertial Guidance System (MIGS) and the Signal Processing Packaging Design (SPPD) being developed by Texas Instruments. The preliminary design review was conducted in November 1991. Three-axes prototype telescope assemblies have been built and design evaluation tests initiated.

Miller, Rick↗