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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

Double photon excitation of high-Rydberg atoms as a long-lived submillimeter detector

A method and apparatus for detecting submillimeter or IR radiation is disclosed. A rare gas, such as xenon, is supplied at its ground state via a pressurized cylinder and an adjustable leak valve into a cryogenically cooled detection area. The ground state of xenon is double photon excited to a particularized level of the Rydberg series by a resonance lamp and a laser. The doubly excited gas is then further excited by the radiation to be measured. A field ionization and an ion measurement indicative of the radiation intensity is achieved.

Chutjian, A. N.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Submillimeter observations of the asteroid 10 Hygiea

The first successful ground-based observations of any asteroid at submillimeter wavelengths are reported. Observations of the asteroid 10 Hygiea at 370 and 770 micrometers are combined with observations in the near and thermal infrared (2.2, 10.6, and 21 micrometers) to study the thermal properties of Hygiea's regolith. The 'standard' (nonrotating) thermal model is consistent with the entire data set, although a rotating thermophysical model with a 'lunarlike' thermal inertia cannot be ruled out.

Lebofsky, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Imaging front-end systems for millimeter waves and submillimeter waves

Imaging (multi-beam) front-end systems utilize a reflector or a lens, as well as a focal-plane array of receptor elements (beams). To be practical, such systems must utilize focal plane arrays which can be fabricated using hybrid integrated (and eventually monolithic) technology. This paper reviews alternative approaches to focussing elements, auxiliary devices required for local oscillator injection and similar functions, and focal plane arrays. It also discusses general limitations and advantages of these approaches, as well as typical applications to millimeter and submillimeter astronomical instrumentation.

Yngvesson, K. S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Far-infrared and submillimeter brightness temperatures of the giant planets

The brightness temperatures of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune were measured in the 35-1000 micron range with the 3-m NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (at wavelengths greater than 350 microns) and with the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (at wavelengths less than 350 microns). The data indicate the presence in Jupiter's spectrum of excess radiation (compared to theoretical models) at 300-400 microns. In addition, slightly less flux was observed from Saturn at 200 microns than predicted by atmospheric models, which suggests the possible presence of an unmodeled absorber. The submillimeter fluxes from Uranus and Neptune appear to be most consistent with low mixing ratios (less than 1 percent) of CH4 in their deep atmospheres.

Hildebrand, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A heterodyne receiver for the submillimeter wavelength region based on cyclotron resonance in InSb at low temperatures

A heterodyne receiver has been developed for observation of interstellar atomic and molecular lines in the submillimeter wavelength region. The main detection mechanism of the device is cyclotron resonance in bulk n-InSb due to a quantized magnetic field. Measurements were carried out between 492 and 812 GHz in order to determine the sensitivity of the device for astrophysical applications. Double sideband receiver noise temperatures of 250 K at 492 GHz; 350 K at 625 GHz; and 510 K at 812 GHz were obtained. The magnetic induction for the laboratory tests was about 2.5 KG and the mixer operating temperature was about 1.6 K. It is shown that the receiver is sensitive enough to identify the narrow rotation lines of diatomic hydrides in dark-cloud regions of the interstellar medium.

Brown, E. R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The millimeter and submillimeter spectrum of CF(+)

The application of a recently described technique for producing significantly enhanced concentrations of molecular ions for spectroscopic study to the detection and measurement of the millimeter and submillimeter wave spectrum of CF(+) is reported. The experimental procedure is discussed, and the measured absorption frequencies are shown and compared with those calculated from spectral constants. These constants are given together with those from the infrared spectrum by Kawaguchi and Hirota (1985).

Plummer, G. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Simultaneous submillimeter and infrared observations of flat-spectrum radio sources

Observations are presented of 12 extragalactic nonthermal radio emission sources made at eight wavelengths between 1.25 and 1000 microns, including the important submillimeter wavelength of 350 microns. Nine of the objects were detected at 350 microns, roughly double the number of objects of this type that have previously been detected at this wavelength. The majority of the observations were made within a three-week time span. The results, combined with other studies, show that these objects generally have flat energy distributions at wavelengths longer than 1 mm that break in most cases between 350 microns and 1 mm. At wavelengths shorter than 1 mm, the energy distributions fall with a rough power-law behavior with a spectral index of about -1. For many of the objects, there is a definite break or curvature in the energy distributions at wavelengths near 2.2 microns, with the fluxes falling even more steeply into the near infrared. At the time of the observations, both OJ 287 and 3C 273 were undergoing flares. The results are generally consistent with the flares propagating out to longer wavelengths with time.

Roellig, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Planetary submillimeter spectroscopy

A comprehensive observational strategy was developed for the detection and measurement of molecular lines in the millimeter and submillimeter spectra of planetary atmospheres and comets. A sound observational strategy and the associated analytical capability to begin observations from the Caltech Submm Observatory (CSO) on Mauna Kea in FY 87-88. Comet Halley was observed from the NASA-KAO with the dual-frequency (0.8 and 1.6 mm) receiver and conducted a search for NH3 with the DSN 64 m antenna.

Klein, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Submillimeter and Far-Infrared Spectroscopy of M17 and S106: UV-Heated, Quiescent Molecular Gas?

Measurements of CO line emission toward the interface between molecular cloud and HII region in M17, and the center of the bipolar nebula S106 are discussed. The warm quiescent molecular gas is in the interface between the exciting OB stars and the surrounging molecular cloud. Comparison of the submillimeter, far-IR, and millimeter CO line intensities and profiles suggests a model in which clumps of relatively cool gas (T = 50 K) have warm surfaces or are embedded in a warm surrounding medium. Heating of the warm, quiescent molecular gas by collisions with dust grains can be excluded. Slow shocks or heating by photoelectrons are possible. The most promising mechanism is photoelectric heating. The existence of a substantial amount of warm, quiescent molecular gas in UV illuminated regions may be of importance locally in most OB star formation regions and globally in external galaxies with large rates of star formation.

Harris, A. I.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Simple antireflection overcoat for opaque coatings in the submillimeter region

An antireflection overcoat for opaque baffle coatings in the far-IR/submillimeter region has been made from a simple Teflon spray-on lubricant. The Teflon overcoat reduced the specular reflectance of four different opaque coatings by nearly a factor or 2. Analysis, based on the interference term of a reflecting-layer model, indicates that in the submillimeter region the reduced reflectance depends primarily on the refractive index of the overcoat and very little on its thickness.

Smith, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Submillimeter and millimeter observations of Uranus and Neptune

Neptune and Uranus were studied at submillimeter and millimeter wavelengths for 2 yr using the UK IR telescope and the NASA IR telescope at Mauna Kea and the 12 dish at Kitt Peak, AZ. The brightness temperatures of both planets are provided at various wavelengths over the 0.35-3.3 mm interval scanned in the study. The present data, in combination with data from the 17 microns-3 mm interval scanned in the study. The present data, in combination with data from the 17 microns-3 mm interval taken during previous campaigns, are employed to model the temperature structures in the atmospheres of the two planets over the vertical range 100 mbar-8 bar. The data support the presence of active convection processes at the 1 bar level and deeper in both atmospheres. A static equilibrium however, exists between para-H2 and ortho-H2, along with a constant CH4 fraction of 2 percent. Deficiencies in the current database are detailed.

Orton, G. S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Waveguide submillimeter mixers

A waveguide Schottky barrier diode mixer, which in preliminary tests has yielded a single sideband receiver noise temperature of 4300 K at 692 GHz, when cooled to 77 K is presented. Further refinements and operation at 20 K should produce a significant improvement in performance. From a system point of view, the very high efficiency of the radiation pattern produced by the conical feedhorn with cylindrical corrector mirror enhances the effective sensitivity by a factor of 1.5 to 2 compared to open-structure corner-reflector systems. A second-harmonic mixer for 557 GHz, also in the fundamental mode rectangular waveguide was developed. When combined with a frequency-tripled Gunn oscillator, this makes an extremely compact and lightweight submillimeter radiometer.

Goldsmith, Paul F.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Submillimeter and far infrared line observations of M17 SW: A clumpy molecular cloud penetrated by UV radiation

Millimeter, submillimeter, and far infrared spectroscopic observations of the M17 SW star formation region are discussed. The results require the molecular cloud near the interface to be clumpy or filamentary. As a consequence, far ultraviolet radiation from the central OB stellar cluster can penetrate into the dense molecular cloud to a depth of several pc, thus creating bright and extended (CII) emission from the photodissociated surfaces of dense atomic and molecular clumps or sheets. The extended (CII) emission throughout the molecular cloud SW of the M17 complex has a level 20 times higher than expected from a single molecular cloud interface exposed to an ultraviolet radiation field typical of the solar neighborhood. This suggests that the molecular cloud as a whole is penetrated by ultraviolet radiation and has a clumpy or filamentary structure. The number of B stars expected to be embedded in the M17 molecular cloud probably can provide the UV radiation necessary for the extended (CII) emission. Alternatively, the UV radiation could be external, if the interstellar radiation in the vicinity of M17 is higher than in the solar neighborhood.

Stutzki, J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Balloon-borne three-meter telescope for far-infrared and submillimeter astronomy

The scientific objectives, engineering analysis and design, results of technology development, and focal-plane instrumentation for a two-meter balloon-borne telescope for far-infrared and submillimeter astronomy are presented. The unique capabilities of balloon-borne observations are discussed. A program summary emphasizes the development of the two-meter design. The relationship of the Large Deployable Reflector (LDR) is also discussed. Detailed treatment is given to scientific objectives, gondola design, the mirror development program, experiment accommodations, ground support equipment requirements, NSBF design drivers and payload support requirements, the implementation phase summary development plan, and a comparison of three-meter and two-meter gondola concepts.

Fazio, Giovanni G.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Submillimeter-wave antennas on thin membranes

Submillimeter-wave antennas have been fabricated on 1-micron thick silicon-oxynitride membranes. This approach results in better patterns than previous lens-coupled antennas, and eliminates the dielectric loss associated with the substrate lens. Measurements on a wideband log-periodic antenna at 700 GHz, 370 GHz and 167 GHz show no sidelobes and 3-dB beamwidths between 40 and 60 deg. A linear imaging array has similar patterns at 700 GHz. Possible applications for membrane antennas include wideband superconducting tunnel-junction receivers for radio astronomy and imaging arrays for radiometry and plasma diagnostics.

Rebeiz, Gabriel M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Submillimeter backward wave oscillators

A NASA program for the development of backward wave oscillators (BWOs) for the 500-2000 GHz frequency range is discussed. The BWO operation is based on a periodic etched slow wave structure which supports the induced traveling electromagnetic wave. The present submillimeter wave BWOs will employ a variation of the folded wave guide, the interdigital line. The use of a noncompressed electron beam results in less thermal loading of the circuit, smaller magnetic focusing fields, and higher current density of the circuit interaction region. The diamond etching procedure is described. Aluminum will be used for the metallization of the diamonds.

Dayton, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Cosmological implication of a new measurement of the submillimeter background radiation

A new submillimeter measurement of the cosmic background radiation (T. Matsumoto et al., 1988) reveals excess brightness between 1000 and 300 microns. The excess corresponds to about 10 percent of the undistorted blackbody radiation. The observed excess is consistent with thermal emission from dust with a relative density of 0.0001-0.00001, if the dust is heated at a redshift z of about 10-40.

Hayakawa, Satio↗
NASA NTRS1987

The UCB/MPE Cassegrain Submillimeter Heterodyne Spectrometer

The UCB/MPE Submillimeter Heterodyne Spectrometer is a system for astronomical spectroscopy in the high-frequency atmospheric windows from 500 to 1000 GHz. It contains a molecular laser local oscillator, a cooled Schottky open structure mixer, a quasi-optical coupling system, and an acoustooptical spectrometer. The compact receiver mounts at the Cassegrain focus of large infrared astronomical telescopes. The receiver noise temperature on the telescope is approximately 3500 K (DSB) during observations of the CO J = 7-6 line at 806.652 GHz. The spectrometer's frequency resolution and instantaneous bandwidth (less than 2 MHz resolution across 1.1 GHz) are well suited for observations of molecular emission lines from a variety of astronomical sources.

Harris, A. I.↗