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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 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Infrared photometry of periodic comets

18 comets, ranging in helicentric distance from 1 to 5 AU were observed with the NASA IRTF. Highlights for 1985-86 include: (1)Halley was detected 1/85 and 3/85 at R = 5 and 4.5 AU; (2) Regular Halley monitoring program was set up in collaboration with IRTF staff; (3)Nucleus of Arend-Rigaux was detected, light curve observed (0.6 m amplitude at 10 microns) and radius derived (5 km); (4)Dust coma of Giacobini-Zinner was observed at time of ICE encounter; and (5)Mapping of the thermal emission spectrum simultaneously with the S/C encounters is scheduled for March 1986.

Hanner, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Theoretical investigations of X-ray bursts

Current theoretical understanding of the X-ray burst phenomenon is reviewed, providing a framework in which the burst radiation can be used as a diagnostic of the fundamental properties of the underlying neutron star. The typical Type I X-ray burst is detected as a rapid increase in emission to a level about a factor of 10 above that seen during the quiescent state and recurs on time scales which range from several hours to several days. The thermonuclear flash model has successfully reproduced the basic features of the X-ray burst phenomenon and thereby provided strong theoretical evidence that neutron stars are involved. Topics covered include: theory of the emission spectrum; oscillation modes and prospects for diagnosing the thermal state of neutron stars through experiments on board the X-Ray Timing Explorer or the Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility; applications to the mass and radius of a neutron star.

Taam, Ronald E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The IR emission features - Emission from PAH molecules and amorphous carbon particles

Given the current understanding of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the spectroscopic data suggest that are at least two components which contribute to the interstellar emission spectrum: (1) free molecule-sized PAHs producing the narrow features and (2) amorphous carbon particles (which are primarily composed of an irregular 'lattice' of PAHs) contributing to the broad underlying components. An exact treatment of the IR fluorescence from highly vibrationally excited large molecules demonstrates that species containing between 20 and 30 carbon atoms are responsible for the narrow features, although the spectra match more closely with the spectra of amorphous carbon particles. It is concluded that, since little is known about the spectroscopic properties of free PAHs and PAH clusters, much laboratory work is required along with an observational program focusing on the spatial characteristics of the spectra.

Allamandola, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1987

On the simple models for the interpretation of centimeter-wavelength radio observations of asteroids

The predictions of the two-layer models used to interpret radio spectra of the asteroids have been examined. It is clear that one must treat the models with caution as the physics is highly simplifed. Although the predictions are in accord with physical expectations, careful attention to the circumstances of the observations is essential. The lack of short-centimeter wavelength measurements of dielectric properties is especially vexing. Some simple improvements to the models based on studies of the lunar radio emission by Keihm and using radar measurements of asteroid surface characteristics by Ostro and colleagues are suggested. Even so, the calculation of a realistic continuum-emission spectrum for asteroidal bodies from 20 cm wavelength to 20 microns wavelength remains a formidable task.

Webster, William J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Radiative processes in air excited by an ArF laser

The emission spectrum of air that is excited by an ArF laser has been investigated experimentally and theoretically to determine the conditions under which fluorescence from O2 can be used for the measurement of temperature in aerodynamic flows. In addition to the expected fluorescence from O2, the spectrum from excitation with an intense laser beam is shown to contain significant contributions from the near-resonant Raman fundamental and overtone bands, the four-photon fluorescence excitation of C produced from ambient CO2, and possibly the three-photon excitation of O(2+). The nature of the radiative interactions contributing to these additional features is described.

Laufer, Gabriel↗
NASA NTRS1988

An investigation of the second negative system of O2(+) by electron impact

Emission spectrum of O2 from 115 to 300 nm induced by electron impact at 200 eV was obtained using a crossed-beam configuration under optically thin conditions. The second negative system of O2(+) was observed in the range 186-300 nm. Model calculations were performed to derive the contribution made by the second negative system of O2(+) to auroral spectra in the same wavelength range. Observations of the spectral region from 140 to 185 nm, carried out to verify the report of Erdman and Zipf (1986) on the O or O(+) transitions showed no detectable O or O(+) transitions with a cross section upper limit of 10 to the -21 sq cm.

James, G. K.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Multifrequency passive microwave observation of saline ice grown in a tank

Microwave radiometers observed artificial sea ice formation. During initial ice growth, interference fringe effects can occur both from changing ice thickness and snow or frost which may prove useful in interpreting layer thicknesses. A simulation of multiyear ice was attempted by allowing the ice to desalinate, but the resulting emissivity spectrum was more characteristic of lake ice. A multiyearlike spectrum was obtained when rubble was deposited on the ice surface.

Grenfell, T. C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Atmospheric profiling of water vapour with a 20.5-23.5 GHz autocorrelation radiometer

A tropospheric water vapor profiling system is presented. The hardware consists of an upward looking radiometer (CORRAD) deployed at ground level. The CORRAD measures the autocorrelation of the downwelling thermal emission from the atmosphere over a passband of 20.5 to 23.5 GHz out to a maximum time delay of 6.1 ns. This produces 100 MHz resolution imaging of the complete emission spectrum about the 22.235 GHz water vapor resonance line. The 31 equivalent frequency channels produced by Fourier transformation of the data provide additional constraints on the inversion process required to estimate the water vapor profile, as compared to standard 2 to 5 frequency channel profiling systems. The CORRAD hardware is described, and radiometer and radiosonde profiles are compared.

Ruff, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Solar-powered alkali metal vapor lasers

The emission spectrum of the A(1 Sigma u +) - X(1 Sigma g +) band of Na2 has been recorded following excitation by monochromatic radiation in the region of X-A and X-B absorption. The spectral profile has been investigated as a function of excitation wavelength, sodium vapor temperature and buffer gas pressure. Additionally, gain measurements were made for the satellite of the A-X band as a function of the sodium vapor temperature and buffer gas pressure.

Blount, Charles E.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Infrared photometry of comet Wilson (1986l) at two epochs

1-20 micron filter photometry of comet Wilson (1986l) was obtained on May 29 - June 2, 1987 (r = 1.36 AU) and January 11 -14, 1988 (r = 3.75 AU) at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility. The thermal emission at 1.36 AU has been fit with a model for a size distribution of small absorbing grains; the size and the optical properties of the dust (color, albedo, and thermal emission spectrum) appear typical of short period comets at similar r. No 10 micron silicate feature was evident. The dust-production rate on June 1 was about 5 x 10 to the 5th g/s. The geometric albedo of comet Wilson at r = 3.75 AU appears to be higher than that of comets measured at smaller r, after phase effects have been accounted for. Such albedos seem typical of comets at larger heliocentric distances.

Hanner, Martha S.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Pulse sharpness and asymmetry in millisecond pulsars

The light curves of radiation from antipodal caps of rapidly rotating neutron stars are calcuated with and without gravity. The light curves depend strongly on the rotation speed and on the emission spectrum and could become quite sharp. Gravity generally flattens the light curves, but it does so less for rapidly rotating neutron stars and the newly discovered PSR 1957+20, and can never flatten them enough to explain the absence of pulsation from low-mass X-ray binaries. Rotation also causes an asymmetry in the pulses similar to that caused by interstellar medium absorption or scattering.

Chen, Kaiyou↗
NASA NTRS1990

Radiative Processes In Air Excited By An ArF Laser

Report describes experimental and theoretical studies of emission spectrum of air excited by light from ArF laser. Purpose of studies to determine conditions under which fluorescence from O2 used to measure temperatures in aerodynamic flows.

Mckenzie, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Preliminary plume characteristics of an arcjet thruster

An experimental program initiated to characterize the near field of an arcjet plume is described. The complete emission spectrum from 3200 to 7200 A at the nozzle exit plane detected the electronically excited species N2, N2(+), NH, and H, indicating excitation, dissociation, ionization, and recombination in the nozzle. Axial intensity profiles indicated an exponential decay in excited state population for H(alpha), H(beta), and NH. The rate of axial decay indicated lower velocities for NH than H in the plume and population of the third excited energy state of hydrogen from the decay of higher energy levels. Rotational temperatures ranged from 750 K for N2 to 2500 K for NH. Based on these results, the arcjet plume is found to be a highly nonequilibrium plasma. Anode electrical configuration is found to have a large effect on the spectral intensities measured in the plume.

Manzella, David H.↗
NASA NTRS1990

IR detectors based on n-i-p-i superlattices

The principles of operation of n-i-p-i photodetectors are discussed. Special consideration is given to issues that are relevant to the performance of IR detectors such as noise, dark current, and surface effects. In addition, a novel IR detector that promises to provide information about the spectral distribution of the infrared radiation emitted from an object and, consequently, about its temperature, independent of the distance between detector and object is discussed. This detector makes use of the possibility to modulate the internal electric fields of an n-i-p-i superlattice with an applied voltage. By this technique the spectral responsivity of the detector may be controlled electrically and some information about the shape of the emission spectrum may be obtained.

Ruden, P. Paul↗
NASA NTRS1991

Laboratory evaluation and application of microwave absorption properties under simulated conditions for planetary atmospheres

Laboratory measurements of microwave and millimeter wave properties of the simulated atmosphere of the outer planets and their satellites has continued. One of the focuses is on the development of a radiative transfer model of the Jovian atmosphere at wavelengths from 1 mm to 10 cm. This modeling effort led to laboratory measurements of the millimeter wave opacity of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) under simulated Jovian conditions. Descriptions of the modeling effort, the Laboratory experiment, and the observations are presented. Correlative studies of measurements with Pioneer-Venus radio occultation measurements with longer wavelength emission measurements have provided new ways for characterizing temporal and spatial variations in the abundance of both gases H2SO4 and SO2, and for modeling their roles in the subcloud atmosphere. Laboratory measurements were conducted on 1.35 cm (and 13 cm) opacity of gaseous SO2 and absorptivity of gaseous SO2 at the 3.2 mm wavelength under simulated Venus conditions. Laboratory measurements were completed on millimeter wave dielectric properties of liquid H2SO4, in order to model the effects of the opacity of the clouds of Venus onto millimeter wave emission spectrum.

Steffes, Paul G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Kinetics and continuum emission of negative atomic ions in partially ionized plasmas

Kinetics and continuum emission of negative ions are studied in stationary atomic hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen plasmas. The intensity of the negative-ion emission was found to be neglibible when compared to those of bound-bound and free-bound emission at low and medium particle densities. However, the negative-ion continuum emission can contribute significantly in certain parts of the emission spectrum at high particle densities.

Soon, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

High background photon counting lidar

Photon counting with lidar returns is usually limited to low light levels, while wide dynamic range is achieved by counting for long times. The broad emission spectrum of inexpensive high-power semiconductor lasers makes receiver filters pass too much background light for traditional photon counting in daylight. Very high speed photon counting is possible, however, at more than 500 MHz which allows the construction of eyesafe lidar operating in the presence of bright clouds. Detector improvements are possible to count to 20 GHz producing a single shot dynamic range of ten decades.

Lentz, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Relativistic dynamics of expanding sources

Given a relativistically expanding source, the transformation of the emission spectrum from the comoving frame of the source to the observer's frame is calculated. In particular, two special cases are dealt with, that of a uniformly expanding sphere and that of a cylinder. In each case a power-law spectrum with two distinct regions - the optically thick and thin parts - is considered, and those regions are transformed separately. The results are discussed, and a generalized procedure for transforming a spectrum of unspecified form is outlined. This procedure takes into account any bulk motion by the source as well as expansion. Finally, applications of this procedure to astrophysical sources are briefly discussed.

Sadun, A. C.↗