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Results for “X-Ray Spectroscopy”

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
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NASA NTRS1980

The discovery of 'Sco X-1 type' behaviour from the X-ray burster 4U 1735 - 44

A series of Copernicus, Ariel V and optical observations of the X-ray burst source 4U 1735 - 44 (= MXB 1735 - 44) revealed properties very similar to those of the 'Sco X-1 like' sources. During one run, the non-burst X-ray flux varied by a factor of 2 on a time-scale of hours and this was associated with a general hardening of the spectrum. The source was relatively constant throughout the remaining observations. An Ariel V spectrum obtained during a quiescent interval deviated from a simple thermal model in that it showed both a high energy deficiency and a low energy excess. Near simultaneous spectroscopy of the optical counterpart confirmed the general features reported by McClintock et al. Spectra taken on successive nights revealed the H-beta emission to be variable.

White, N. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Medusa spectroscopy of A400, A576, A1767, and A2124

Galaxy velocity data taken with the Steward Observatory multiple aperture fiber optic spectrograph are presented for four Abell clusters. The root-mean-square external errors in these velocities are about 100 km/s; accuracy which compares favorably with that obtained from single-object observations. It is expected that the recent adoption of a CCD detector should decrease external errors to about 50 km/s. All four of the clusters observed are known X-ray sources and the present data agree well with empirically derived velocity dispersion-X-ray luminosity relations for clusters of galaxies. Abell 400 is interesting in this regard, since both its X-ray luminosity and its velocity dispersion are quite small. Such objects are particularly important in determining the slope of the velocity dispersion-X-ray luminosity relation. The large microwave decrement observed in A576 was initially interpreted as due to Compton scattering of the microwave background by the X-ray-emitting intracluster gas. White and Silk have presented Einstein X-ray data which indicate that A576 contains too little gas to produce the observed microwave decrement by Compton scattering. The velocity dispersion obtained here for 47 members of this cluster strengthens their conclusion.

Hintzen, P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Accretion powered X-ray pulsars

A unified description of the properties of 14 X-ray pulsars is presented and compared with the current theoretical understanding of these systems. The sample extends over six orders of magnitude in luminosity, with the only trend in the phase averaged spectra being that the lower luminosity systems appear to have less abrupt high energy cutoffs. There is no correlation of luminosity with power law index, high energy cutoff energy or iron line EW. Detailed pulse phase spectroscopy is given for five systems.

White, N. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Rapid X-ray variability of PKS 2155-304

The X-ray emitting BL Lacertae object PKS 2155-304 was observed with NRL's Large Area Sky Survey Experiment on HEAO 1 during November 10-16, 1977. Variations of a factor of 2 in the 0.5-20 keV intensity are found on time scales as short as 6 hours. Variations on time scales of 1 s, as reported by the HEAO A-2 LED experiment, are not confirmed in near-simultaneous observations. Optical spectroscopy is also presented which does not confirm the presence of previously reported redshifted (Z = 0.17) forbidden O III line emission. The question of the redshift of this object is still open.

Snyder, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Image Properties of an X-Ray Telescope of the Wolter-1 Type with Emphasis on Contrast Reduction by Diffuse Reflection

Theoretical and experimental results are presented on the geometrical-optic imaging properties of a Wolter-1 type paraboloid-hyperboloid X-ray telescope. Particular consideration is given to the effect of microroughness of the mirror on the imaging properties. Experiments were conducted in which scattering properties were determined as a function of wavelength, incidence angle, and roughness of the plane mirrors. Results indicate the need for optimization of mirror material and polishing technology as well as the development of improved mirror manufacturing techniques. The use of transmission gratings along with the Wolter-1 type telescope in spectroscopy applications is discussed.

Lenzen, R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Application of maximum-entropy spectral estimation to deconvolution of XPS data

A comparison is made between maximum-entropy spectral estimation and traditional methods of deconvolution used in electron spectroscopy. The maximum-entropy method is found to have higher resolution-enhancement capabilities and, if the broadening function is known, can be used with no adjustable parameters with a high degree of reliability. The method and its use in practice are briefly described, and a criterion is given for choosing the optimal order for the prediction filter based on the prediction-error power sequence. The method is demonstrated on a test case and applied to X-ray photoelectron spectra.

Vasquez, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Enhanced orbital geochemical images by the Laplacian subtraction method

Orbital geochemical studies of the moon based on X-ray fluorescence and gamma-ray spectroscopy have been successful. There are, however, difficulties if geologic units or other features to be investigated are too small. Investigations have been conducted with the objective to improve with the aid of image enhancement methods both spatial resolution and contrast for the geochemical experiments. A description is provided of the Laplacian subtraction method of enhancement. It was found that the application of a least-squares version of this method to the Mg/Al ratios obtained by orbital X-ray fluorescence improved geochemical images considerably. The spatial resolution increased by about a factor of 2 and the contrast also increased. The Laplacian of an image can also be used to detect very small 'hot' or 'cold' spots in an image.

Schonfeld, E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

VV 5-32-63/64 - The 'supermassive double galaxy' in Abell 1775 revisited

Spectroscopy is presented for galaxies in A 1775, the cluster containing VV 5-32-63/64, an apparent double galaxy which has long been considered a gravitationally bound system with supermassive components (10 to the 13th solar masses). However, this model has run afoul of recent radio observations, which detected an extremely long straight radio tail emanating from the eastern galaxy in the pair. The present observations indicate that if both galaxies are members of the same cluster, the cluster radial-velocity dispersion (1522 km/sec) is large enough to account for the velocity difference between the two VV galaxies (1650 km/sec). It is therefore suggested that the VV galaxies are not gravitationally bound and need not be supermassive. The large velocity dispersion measured for A 1775 also strains suggested velocity dispersion vs X-ray luminosity relations for clusters of galaxies, as A 1775 has not yet been detected at X-ray wavelengths.

Hintzen, P.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Apollo 15 geochemical X-ray fluorescence experiment - Preliminary report.

Although only part of the information from the X-ray fluorescence geochemical experiment has been analyzed, it is clear that the experiment was highly successful. Significant compositional differences among and possibly within the maria and highlands have been detected. When viewed in the light of analyzed lunar rocks and soil samples, and the data from other lunar orbital experiments (in particular, the Apollo 15 gamma-ray spectroscopy experiment), the results indicate the existence of a differential lunar highland crust, probably feldspathic. This crust appears to be related to the plagioclase-rich materials previously found in the samples from Apollo 11, Apollo 12, Apollo 14, Apollo 15, and Luna 16.

Adler, I.↗
NASA NTRS1976

The Identification of Scientific Programs to Utilize the Space Environment

A program to identify and develop ideas for scientific experimentation on the long duration exposure facility (LDEF) was completed. Four research proposals were developed: (1) Ultra pure germanium gamma ray radiation detectors in the space environment, intended to develop and demonstrate an X-ray and gamma-ray spectroscopy system incorporating a temperature cyclable high-purity germanium detector and diode heat pipe cryogenic system for cooling, (2) growth, morphogenesis and metabolism of plant embryos in the zero-gravity environment, to investigate if the space environment induces mutations in the embryogenic cells so that mutants of commercial significance with desirable attributes may be obtained, (3) effect of zero gravity on the growth and pathogenicity of selected zoopathic fungi. It is possible that new kinds of treatment for candidiasis, and tichophytosis could eventuate from the results of the proposed studies, and (4) importance of gravity to survival strategies of small animals. Gravitational effects may be direct or mediate the selection of genetic variants that are preadapted to weightlessness.

Kulacki, F. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Gamma ray spectroscopy in astrophysics

Experimental and theoretical aspects of gamma ray spectroscopy in high energy astrophysics are discussed. Line spectra from solar, stellar, planetary, and cosmic gamma rays are examined as well as HEAO investigations, the prospects of a gamma ray observatory, and follow-on X-ray experiments in space.

Cline, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Future directions in experimental gamma ray astronomy

Better vehicles and instruments are needed if gamma ray spectroscopy in astrophysics and cosmology is to advance. A gamma ray observatory will (1) permit long-term observations of selected sources to measure their variability and to achieve high sensitivity; (2) measure periods in days or weeks; and (3) assess the entire sky to observe various predicted sources, to measure the energy spectrum, and to map the isotropy of the cosmic ray background over larger collecting areas (of the order of a square meter). Conventional and unconventional instruments must cover the energy range from 0.1 MeV to 20 MeV with improved sensitivity. Angular resolution must be improved one degree or more to study discrete X-ray sources in the galactic center. Actively collimated detectors, improved double Compton instruments, and gamma ray correlators to actively synthesize the absolute energy spectrum of the sky protons are discussed as well as the need for scientific balloons.

Haymes, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Pulse phase spectroscopy of Hercules X-1

The 6-18 keV and the 40-60 keV X-ray spectrum of Hercules X-1 were simultaneously observed with the A-2 experiment on HEAO 1. By combining these measurements with the results of an earlier observation of this X-ray pulsar, evidence is found for a component of emission above 40 keV which is above an extrapolation from lower energies, by a factor which is pulse phase dependent. These data are compared to previous hard X-ray observations and possible models are discussed.

Pravdo, S. H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Pulse-phase spectroscopy of Hercules X-1

The 6-18 keV and the 40-60 keV X-ray spectrum of Hercules X-1 were simultaneously observed with the A-2 experiment on HEAO-1. By combining these measurements with the results of an earlier observation of this X-ray pulsar, evidence was found for a component of emission above 40 keV which is above an extrapolation from lower energies, by a factor which depends on the phase of the pulse. These data were compared to previous hard X-ray observations and possible models were discussed.

Pravdo, S. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ultraviolet spectroscopy of the outer layers of stars

Ultraviolet observations of the extended atmospheres and circumstellar envelopes of early-type and cool stars are reviewed. UV spectra of OB stars have shown that mass loss occurs in virtually all these stars and in many Be stars, and the Copernicus satellite has also provided information on the physical conditions and variability of the winds. The winds have been interpreted in terms of hot coronal wind models, imperfect flow models and radiation pressure models, and estimates of mass loss ranging from 10 to the -10th to 9 x 10 to the -6th solar masses/year have been obtained. Further UV data of faint stars, additional wavelengths and time variability are required. Recent UV and X-ray experiments have detected stellar chromospheres, transition regions coronas and winds in cool stars. Semiempirical line-profile and line-flux models and purely theoretical atmospheric models have been constructed to explain chromosphere, corona and wind data, and future observations of the physical properties of stellar chromospheres, coronas and winds, terms in the energy balance equation, stellar activity and its long-term variability and atmospheric modifications due to the presence of companion stars are proposed for such missions as Spacelab.

Snow, T. P., Jr.↗