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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.

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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Influence of hydrogen chemisorption kinetics on the interpretation of hydrogen transport through iron membranes

The influence of a specific surface reaction on the transport of gas-phase hydrogen through iron membranes has been investigated on the basis of model calculations. The surface reaction involves an adsorbed molecular hydrogen precursor between the gas phase and the dissociated chemisorbed state. The calculations demonstrate that the surface reaction for the H2/Fe system makes significant contributions to the time delay associated with the transient hydrogen transport through iron membranes, even under conditions where the steady-state hydrogen transport is independent of the surface reaction. These contributions to the time delay are interpreted in terms of an effective diffusivity, which is a function of the pressure on the entrance side and the thickness of the membrane.

Shanabarger, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Solar modulation of galactic cosmic rays

The current theory for the solar modulation of galactic cosmic rays is reviewed briefly. The four basic mechanisms which are important for modulation-diffusion, effects associated with the large-scale magnetic field, convection, and energy change - are discussed in simple terms. The equation which describes cosmic-ray behavior in the heliosphere is presented and some sample solutions are considered. It is pointed out that, although the basic mechanisms which describe the cosmic-ray behavior are understood, the actual cause of the variation in the cosmic-ray flux over the solar cycle, or over longer intervals, is beyond current comprehension.

Fisk, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Solar abundances from X-ray flare observations

X-ray line and continuum observations are used to derive the absolute coronal abundances of Si, S, Ar, and Ca from lines of hydrogenor helium-like ions. For Si (7.7+0.2, -0.3) and Ca (6.5+0.1, -0.3) the measured coronal values are in good agreement with the photospheric values, but the value for S (6.9+0.1, -0.3) is approximately half of the photospheric value. The abundance of Ar (6.4+0.2, -0.3) also appears to be lower in the corona by a factor of 2-3 than would be expected. It is suggested that these differences are due to ambipolar and magnetic diffusion effects.

Veck, N. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Relativistic cosmic rays and corotating interaction regions

The relationships between relativistic galactic cosmic ray intensity variations and corotating interaction regions (CIRs) are examined. Times of CIRs overtaking the earth as indicated by Pioneer 10 and 11 plasma and field observations are compared with nucleonic intensities recorded at the Thule and McMurdo polar stations in a superposed epoch analysis, with the centers of the CIR as zero days. Results indicate a decrease in intensity around the zero days, as well as a maximum around the ninth day and a general upward trend from days -13 to 13. Further examination reveals the observed features to be present only for those CIR- associated streams in which a neutral sheet is embedded. In contrast, superposed epoch analysis of the geomagnetic Ap index with respect to CIR epochs reveals CIRs both with and without neutral sheets to produce geomagnetic storms, although the peak increase in Ap index is greater for neutral-sheet-associated CIRs. Results suggest that the CIRs modulate high-energy particle intensities by means of drifts related to neutral sheets, although diffusion effects cannot yet be ruled out.

Duggal, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The role of gravity wave induced drag and diffusion in the momentum budget of the mesosphere

A slight modification of the parameterization suggested by Lindzen (1981) for the zonal drag and eddy diffusion effects generated by breaking internal gravity waves in the mesosphere is tested using a severely truncated midlatitude beta-plane channel model. It is found that realistic mean zonal flow profiles with zonal wind reversals above the mesopause can be simulated for both winter and summer radiative heating conditions provided that a gravity-wave spectrum is assumed which includes both stationary waves and waves of relatively large phase speeds. These results contrast greatly with the unrealistic mean wind profiles produced when Rayleigh friction is used to parameterize the effects of small scale motions on the mean flow.

Holton, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A parameterized model for the evolution of isotopic heterogeneities in a convecting system

It is experimentally shown that, although steady convective flows are efficient means to heterogeneity within a single cell, they do not produce a dispersal of heterogeneous material over scales that are large by comparison to their depth, which requires that the flow be time-dependent on a time scale comparable to the overturn time. Convection in an internally heated layer does possess this property, and numerical solutions are presently used to study the way in which it disperses a set of neutrally bouyant particles initially confined to a small space. The derived concept of effective diffusivity is applied to the isotopic evolution of the Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr systems, with spatial variations generated by horizontal variations in degree of melting 1.8 billion years ago.

Richter, F. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

What Would a Dynamo Theorist like to Know About the Dynamics of the Solar Convection Zone?

Observations about the current status of solar dynamo theory are given. The induction equation for magnetic field is solved using assumed velocities and parametric representations of the inductive or diffusive effects of velocities. The equations of motion governing these flow are not solved in parallel. Results from global compressible convection models are discussed. Differential rotation and convection are also investigated.

Gilman, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Composition and properties of the so-called 'diamond-like' amorphous carbon films

The composition of amorphous 'diamond-like' films made by direct low energy ion beam deposition, R.F. discharge and sputtering was determined by nuclear reaction analysis, IR spectroscopy and microcombustion chemical analysis. The nuclear reaction analysis showed very similar hydrogen depth profiles for all three types of samples. The atomic ratio of hydrogen to carbon was approximately 0.2 at the film surface and rose to approximately 1.0 at a depth of 500 A. The integrated intensity of the C-H stretching band at about 2900 per cm indicates that the amount of chemically bonded hydrogen is less than the total hydrogen content. Combustion analysis confirmed the overall atomic ratio of hydrogen to carbon determined by nuclear reaction analysis. The chemical state of the non-bonded hydrogen was not determined; however, the effective diffusion coefficient computed from the hydrogen depth profile was extremely low. This indicates either that the films are exceedingly impermeable or that the non-bonded hydrogen requires an additional activated step to leave the films, e.g., desorption or chemical reaction.

Angus, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Transverse diffusion of electrons in a magnetoplasma

Plasma density and temperature profiles were measured for plasma electrons which were generated by a plasma source and ionization from a 1 kev electron beam. Electron plasma parameters were measured with a cylindrical Langmuir probe which was moved perpendicular to the axis of the beam and field. Electron densities decreased exponentially from the beam center and the decay constant varied with magnetic field in accordance with the Bohm theory of cross field diffusion. This enhanced diffusion effect due to instabilities generated by the electron beam is orders of magnitude larger than that due to particle collisions.

Mcintyre, Bernard↗
NASA NTRS1987

Simulation of charged particle transport on the MPP

Computations of cosmic ray transport based upon finite difference methods are afflicted by instabilities, inaccuracies, and artifacts. To avoid these problems, a Monte Carlo formulation was developed which is closely related not only to the finite difference formulation, but also to the underlying physics of transport phenomena. Implementations of this approach are currently running on the Massively Parallel Processor at Goddard, whose enormous computing power overwhelms the poor statistical accuracy that usually limits the use of stochastic methods. In a Monte Carlo simulation of rectilinear transport, the coherent and diffusive effects that appeared are in good quantitative agreement with both finite difference and analytical calculations.

Earl, James A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The abundance and relative volatility of refractory trace elements in Allende Ca,Al-rich inclusions - Implications for chemical and physical processes in the solar nebula

The relative volatilities of lithophile refractory trace elements (LRTE) were determined using calculated 50-percent condensation temperatures. Then, the refractory trace-element abundances were measured in about 100 Allende inclusions. The abundance patterns found in Allende Ca,Al-rich inclusions (CAIs) and ultrarefractory inclusions were used to empirically modify the calculated LRTE volatility sequence. In addition, the importance of crystal-chemical effects, diffusion constraints, and grain transport for the origin of the trace-element chemistry of Allende CAIs (which have important implications for chemical and physical processes in the solar nebula) is discussed.

Kornacki, Alan S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The design and preliminary calibration of a boundary-layer flow channel

Design procedures for a new low-speed boundary-layer research channel are described. The channel is an open-circuit wind tunnel for the study of two-dimensional boundary layers under controlled pressure gradients, and follows design guidelines from published literature on blower tunnels with wide-angle diffusers. The contraction was arranged in a modular fashion permitting two different test sections of square and high-aspect-ratio cross section. A radical type of wide-angle diffuser was employed, and a stream-tube computer code (GE Streamtube Curvature Code) was used to check the contraction designs. The alternate test sections have the following specifications: 2- by 2-foot cross section with a fixed velocity of 23 ft/sec, and a boundary-layer section with a 0.5- by 2-foot cross section at a fixed velocity of approximately 89 ft/sec. Experimental techniques and data are described for the evaluation of diffuser effectiveness, boundary-layer channel characteristics, and overall performance of the facility.

Rao, Dhanvada M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Nonlinear photorefractive response at high modulation depths

The response of photorefractive materials to sinusoidal intensity patterns of high modulation depths is considered. It is shown that the induced refractive-index response in this regime is highly nonlinear. Concise analytic expressions for the various nonlinear harmonics of the photorefractive response field are developed and compared with exact numerical solutions of the underlying charge-transport equations as well as with the results of previous theoretical models over a broad range of physical parameters. We show that the nonlinear response characteristics are strongly dependent on both the magnitude of applied electric fields and the relative concentrations of charge donor and acceptor sites in the material. For drift dominated recording, in particular, we determine analytically that in the limit of a minimal acceptor/donor ratio, the amplitudes of higher spatial harmonics of the response reach a maximum and eventually decay as functions of increasing applied field, whereas these amplitudes reach a nonzero limit in the case of a near-unity acceptor/donor ratio. Finally, we generalize our results to account for diffusion effects in an appended derivation.

Vachss, Frederick↗
NASA NTRS1988

High-peak-power low-threshold AlGaAs/GaAs stripe laser diodes on Si substrates grown by migration-enhanced molecular beam epitaxy

A high-peak-power low-threshold AlGaAs/GaAs double-heterostructure stripe laser diode on Si substrats, grown by hybrid migration-enhanced molecular beam epitaxy (MEMBE) and metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) has been demonstrated for the first time. These devices showed the highest peak powers of up to 184 mW per facet reported so far for double-heterostructure stripe laser diodes on Si substrates, room-temperature pulsed threshold currents as low as 150 mA, and differential quantum efficiencies as high as 30 percent without mirror facet coating. An intrinsic threshold current density has been estimated to be about 2 kA/sq cm when taking current spreading and lateral diffusion effects into account. Low dislocation density shows that MEMBE can be a useful method to grow high-quality GaAs and AlGaAs/GaAs layers on Si substrates by combining with MOCVD.

Kim, Jae-Hoon↗
NASA NTRS1988

Nonlinear absorption properties of AlGaAs/GaAs multiple quantum wells grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

The nonlinear absorption properties of the excitonic resonances associated with multiple quantum wells (MQWs) in AlGaAs/GaAs grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition are reported. The dependence of the saturation properties on growth parameters, especially growth temperature, and the well width are described. The minimum measured saturation intensity for these materials is 250 W/sq cm, the lowest reported value to date. The low saturation intensities are the result of excellent minority carrier properties. A systematic study of minority carrier lifetimes in quantum wells are reported. Lifetimes range from 50-350 ns depending on growth temperature and well width. When corrected for lateral diffusion effects and the measured minority carrier lifetime, the saturation data suggest that saturation intensities as low as 2.3 W/sq cm can be achieved in this system. The first measurements of the dependence of the exciton area and the magnitude of the excitonic absorption on well width are prsented. The growth of MQW structures on transparent GaP substrates is demonstrated and the electroabsorption properties of these structures are reviewed.

Lee, Hsing-Chung↗
NASA NTRS1989

Implications of a strongly peaked polar magnetic field

Using the flux-transport equation in the absence of sources, the relation between a highly peaked polar magnetic field and the poleward meridional flow that concentrates it is studied. If the maximum flow speed v(m) greatly exceeds the effective diffusion speed, then the field has a quasi-equilibrium configuration in which the poleward convection of flux via meridional flow approximately balances the equatorward spreading via supergranular diffusion. Recent measurements would then give v(m) of about 7 m/s.

Sheeley, N. R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Nonequilibrium chemical and radiation coupling phenomena in AOTV flowfields

A flowfield model for the nonequilibrium stagnation region of high altitude entry vehicles which includes nonequilibrium chemistry, multitemperature, viscous, conduction, and diffusion effects is presented. It contains coupled nongray nonequilibrium radiative transfer for atoms and molecules and local thermodynamic nonequilibrium phenomena. Comparison with Fire 2 flight data verifies that the model is reasonably accurate; and it has been applied to two AFE trajectory points, a high speed return from Mars, a series of points at 80 km for 12 to 16 km/sec, and three altitudes at 16 km/sec. Based on these results shock slip is significant, radiation cooling/coupling is minor at AFE conditions but important by 14 km/sec and dominant at 16 km/sec, radiation for the AFE is small but important and primarily molecular, above 12 km/sec atomic radiation is a significant or dominant portion of the total heating, and local thermodynamic nonequilibrium is important and should be included in all models.

Carlson, Leland A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Single-mode lasing of Ho:Tm:YAG at 2.091 microns in a monolithic crystal

This paper demonstrates single-longitudinal-mode lasing of Ho:Tm:YAG at 2.091 microns in a diode-laser-pumped monolithic crystal. Heterodyne detection at 2.1 microns is demonstrated, and energy diffusion effects on spatial hole burning are discussed. Temperature tuning over 4.5 A is demonstrated.

Storm, Mark E.↗