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At least 235 records · Page 13

Procedures for Tuning a Multiresonator Photonic Filter

Two procedures have been devised for tuning a photonic filter that comprises multiple whispering-gallery mode (WGM) disk resonators. As used here, tuning signifies locking the filter to a specific laser frequency and configuring the filter to obtain a desired high-order transfer function. The main problem in tuning such a filter is how to select the correct relative loading of the resonators to realize a prescribed filter function. The first of the two procedures solves this problem. As temperature gradients develop during operation, the spectra of individual resonators tend to drift, primarily because of the thermorefractive effect. Thus, there arises the additional problem of how to adjust the tuning during operation to maintain the desired transfer function. The second of the two procedures solves this problem. To implement the procedures, it is necessary to incorporate the resonators into an apparatus like that of Figure 1. In this apparatus, the spectrum of each resonator can be adjusted individually, via the electro-optical effect, by adjusting a bias voltage applied to that resonator. In addition, the positions of the coupling prisms and resonators can be adjusted to increase or reduce the gaps between them, thereby reducing or increasing, respectively, the optical coupling between them. The optical power (Pi) in resonator i is monitored by use of a tracking photodiode. Another tracking diode monitors the power reflected from the input terminal (Pr), and still others monitor the input power (Pin) and output power (Po). The readings of these photodiodes are used to guide the tuning adjustments described in this paper.

Matsko, Andrey↗

Validation of Aquarius Measurements Using Radiative Transfer Models at L-Band

Aquarius/SAC-D was launched in June 2011 by NASA and CONAE (Argentine space agency). Aquarius includes three L-band (1.4 GHz) radiometers dedicated to measuring sea surface salinity. We report detailed comparisons of Aquarius measurements with radiative transfer model predictions. These comparisons were used as part ofthe initial assessment of Aquarius data. In particular, they were used successfully to estimate the radiometer calibration bias and stability. Further comparisons are being performed to assess the performance of models in the retrieval algorithm for correcting the effect of sources of geophysical "noise" (e.g. the galactic background, atmospheric attenuation and reflected signal from the Sun). Such corrections are critical in bringing the error in retrieved salinity down to the required 0.2 practical salinity unit (psu) on monthly global maps at 150 km by 150 km resolution. The forward models making up the Aquarius simulator have been very useful for preparatory studies in the years leading to Aquarius' launch. The simulator includes various components to compute effects ofthe following processes on the measured signal: 1) emission from Earth surfaces (ocean, land, ice), 2) atmospheric emission and absorption, 3) emission from the Sun, Moon and celestial Sky (directly through the antenna sidelobes or after reflection/scattering at the Earth surface), 4) Faraday rotation, and 5) convolution of the scene by the antenna gain patterns. Since the Aquarius radiometers tum-on in late July 2011, the simulator has been used to perform a first order validation of the data. This included checking the order of magnitude ofthe signal over ocean, land and ice surfaces, checking the relative amplitude of signal at different polarizations, and checking the variation with incidence angle. The comparisons were also used to assess calibration bias and monitor instruments calibration drift. The simulator is also being used in the salinity retrieval. For example, initial assessments of the salinity retrieved from Aquarius data showed degradation in accuracy at locations where glint from the galactic sky background was important. This was traced to an inaccurate correction for the Sky glint. We present comparisons of the simulator prediction to the Aquarius data in order to assess the performances of the models of various physical processes impacting the measurements, such as the effect of sea surface roughness, the impact of the celestial Sky and the Sun emission scattered at the rough ocean surface. We discuss what components of the simulator appear reliable and which ones need improvements. Improved knowledge on the radiative transfer models at L-band will not only lead to better salinity retrieved from Aquarius data, it will also allow be beneficial for SMOS or the upcoming SMAP mission.

Dinnat, E.↗

Transonic disk accretion onto black holes

The solution for the radial drift velocity of thin disk accretion onto black holes must be transonic, and is analogous to the critical solution in spherical Bondi accretion, except for the presence of angular momentum. The transonic requirement yields a correct treatment of the inner region of the disk not found in the conventional Keplerian models and may lead to significantly different overall disk structures. Possible observational consequences, relevant to the black hole hypothesis for Cyg X-1 and other candidates, are discussed.

Liang, E. P. T.↗

Removal of drift from frequency stability measurements

A method of estimating frequency drift rate and removing its effect from Allan variance plots is given. When tried on a test of hydrogen masers, the methods gives consistent results. An error in the previous Allan variance computation algorithm is corrected.

Greenhall, C. A.↗

Can Satellite Geodesy Disentangle Holocene Rebound and Present-Day Glacier Balance Signatures?

The secular drift of the precession of the ascending node of the LAGOES -1 satellite is apparently linked to the Earth s paleoclimate through the slow viscous response of the mantle to ice sheet/ocean mass transfer during the last great continental deglaciation . The secular node acceleration is particularly sensitive to the longest wavelengths of the paleo -surface loading that have been memorized by the mantle glacio -isostatic flow. Tide gauge records for the last 130 years show a post-glacial rebound-corrected sea-level rise of 2.4 n 0.9 mm yr-1.

glacio-isostatic flow tide gauge records post-glac↗

Calibration and evaluation of Skylab altimetry for geodetic determination of the geoid

The author has identified the following significant results. The analysis was based on a time series intrinsic relationship between the satellite ephemeris, altimeter measured ranges, and the corresponding a priori values of subsatellite geoidal heights. Using, least squares processing with parameter weighting, the objective was to recover: (1) the absolute geoidal heights of the subsatellite points; and (2) the associated altimeter calibration constants. Preliminary results from Skylab mission SL-2 are given, using various combinations from two sets of orbit ephemeris and altimeter ranges. It is shown that correctly scaled geoidal heights cannot be deduced by merely subtracting the altimeter range from the geodetic height of the satellite unless the satellite ephemeris and the altimeter have no unknown significant systematic errors or biases and drifts. It is emphasized that the primary objective of the Skylab altimeter is to determine the instrument feasibility. Any additional applications of the data such as for geodesy, geophysics, and oceanography are desirable. Although accurate orbit is required for such applications, it is not a prerequisite for determining the instrument feasibility.

Mourad, A. G.↗

The in-flight calibration of the Hubble Space Telescope attitude sensors

A detailed review of the in-flight calibration of the Hubble Space Telescope attitude sensors is presented. The review, which covers the period from the April 24, 1990, launch of the spacecraft until the time of this writing (June 1991), describes the calibrations required and accuracies achieved for the four principal attitude sensing systems on the spacecraft: the magnetometers, the fixed head star trackers, the gyroscopes, and the fine guidance sensors (FGS's). In contrast to the other three sensor groups, the Hubble Telecope's FGS's are unique in the precision and performance levels being attempted; spacecraft control and astrometric research at the near-milliarcsecond level are the ultimate goals. FGS calibration accuracies at the 20-milliarcsecond level have already been achieved, and plans for new data acquisitions and reductions that should substantially improve these results are in progress. A summary of the basic attributes of each of the four sensor groups with respect to its usage as an attitude measuring system is presented, followed by a discussion of the calibration items of interest for that group. The calibration items are as follows: for the magnetometers, the corrections for the spacecraft's static and time-varying magnetic fields; for the fixed-head star trackers, their relative alignments and use in performing onboard attitude updates; for the gyroscopes, their scale factors, alignments, and drift rate biases; and for the FGS's, their magnifications, optical distortions, and alignments. The discussion covers the procedures used for each calibration, as well as the order of the calibrations within the general flow of orbital verification activities. It also includes a synopsis of current plans for the eventual calibration of the FGS's to achieve their near-milliarcsecond design accuracy. The conclusions include a table indicating the current and predicted ultimate accuracies for each of the calibration items.

Welter, Gary L.↗

Artificial intelligence time series forecasting for feed-forward laser stabilization

Laser plasma accelerators, typically operating at 1–10 Hz repetition rates, have the ability to produce high-quality electron beams in compact, all-optical-driven configurations, with the electron beams uniquely suited for a wide variety of accelerator-based applications. However, fluctuations and drifts in the laser delivery to the meter-scaled and below plasma target (the electron beam source) will translate into electron beam source variations that can limit their utility for demanding applications like light sources or linear colliders. Commercially available active feedback laser stabilization systems are intrinsically bandwidth limited due to their integration with multi-inch corrective mirror mounts which minimizes their effectiveness. In this manuscript, we present a Neural Network time series forecaster that can predict laser position fluctuations of the laser delivery to the final target well ahead of a future laser shot. The Root-Mean-Square-Error (RMSE) of the prediction accuracy was < 2 μ m for a 1 / e 2 beam radius of 34 μ m . Our feed-forward approach serves as a first-step in circumventing the bandwidth limitations imposed by the currently available stabilization systems since it allows for mirrors to be moved into position ahead of time to offset the predicted future position drift. This will help advance laser plasma accelerator research by providing greater robustness and stability needed for its applications.

Berger, Curtis↗

Slender-body approach for computing second-order wave loads in the frequency domain

This work presents a slender-body approach to evaluate the second-order wave loads acting on a floating structure in the frequency domain. The approach is in the same spirit as the common use of Morison’s equation to approximate the wave loads without solving the radiation/diffraction problem. To do so, we employ Rainey’s equation, which can be seen as an extension of the inertial part of Morison’s equation to include nonlinear effects. We introduce modifications to Rainey’s formulation in order to evaluate wave kinematics at the mean body position instead of the original approach of considering instantaneous displacements. We also propose a simple approximation to partially account for wave scattering effects on the second-order loads based on the analytical solution of a surface-piercing bottom-mounted vertical circular cylinder. Though limited to structures composed of cylinders, this slender-body approach is orders of magnitude faster than computing second-order wave coefficients with a radiation/diffraction code. We implemented this approach for difference-frequency (slow drift) loads in an open-source frequency-domain floating wind turbine model. We present comparisons against results obtained with radiation/diffraction theory for three reference floating wind turbine designs: the OC3-Hywind spar, the OC4-DeepCwind semisubmersible, and the VolturnUS-S semisubmersible. In general, the results show that the proposed slender-body approach with the correction to approximate wave scattering effects provides useful estimations of the difference-frequency wave loads and the resulting motions of the floater.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Current collection in a magnetoplasma

The authors present a survey of a very incomplete subject, current collection in a magnetoplasma. The best-developed and simplest theories for current collection are steady-state collisionless theories, and these must be understood before departures from them can be analyzed usefully. Thus, the authors begin with a review of them. The authors include some recent numerical results which indicate that steady-state collisionless Laplace-limit currents remain substantially below the Parker-Murphy (1967) canonical upper bound out to very large electrode potentials, and approach it as a limit only very slowly if at all. Attempts to correct this theory for space-charge effects lead to potential disturbances which extend to infinite distance along the electrode's magnetic shadow, unless collisional effects are also taken into account. However, even a small amount of relative plasma drift motion, such as that involved in a typical rocket experiment, can change this conclusion fundamentally. It is widely believed that time-averaged current collection may be increased by effects of plasma turbulence, and the authors review the available evidence for and against this contention. Steady-state collisionless particle dynamics predicts the existence of a toroidal region of trapped orbits which surrounds the electrode. Light emissions from this region have been photographed, indicating that collisional ionization may also occur there, and this, and/or scattering by collisions or possibly turbulent fluctuations in this region, may also increase current collection by the electrode. The authors also discuss effects on particle motions near the electrode, associated with breakdown of magnetic insulation in the region of large electric fields near it.

Laframboise, Jim G.↗

Source and identification of heavy ions in the equatorial F layer.

Further evidence is presented to show that the interpretation of some Ogo 6 retarding potential analyzer (RPA) results in terms of ambient Fe+ ions is correct. The Fe+ ions are observed only within dip latitudes of plus or minus 30 deg, and the reason for this latitudinal specificity is discussed in terms of a low-altitude source region and F region diffusion and electrodynamic drift. It is shown that the polarization field associated with the equatorial electrojet will raise ions to 160 km out of a chemical source region below 100 km but it will do so only in a narrow region centered on the dip equator. Subsequent vertical ExB drift, coupled with motions along the magnetic fields, can move the ions to greater heights and greater latitudes. There should be a resultant fountain of metallic ions rising near the equator that subsequently descends back to the E and D layers at tropical latitudes.

Hanson, W. B.↗

Seasonal and temporal changes in the vertical profiles of polar stratospheric ozone: 1978-1986

The long-term changes in stratospheric ozone in both Antarctic and Arctic regions during the period November 1978 to October 1986 exhibit significant interhemispheric differences in terms of time of onset, altitude, latitude, longitude, and phase. The 8-year data set of stratospheric ozone derived from observations with the Nimbus 7 Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet (SBUV) spectrometer instrument were deseasonalized by subtracting monthly deviations from 6-year monthly means for 10 degree bands centered at latitudes 80 S-80 N and the 64x64 standard NMC grid at standard pressure levels in the atmosphere. Linear trends are derived from the linear regression of monthly deviations from long term monthly means in terms of annual and monthly trends for the latitude region 55 to 81 degrees in both hemispheres. An assessment has been made of the SBUV instrument drift from analyses of annual deviations from long term annual means of stratospheric ozone in north temperate regions from 25 N-55 N with corresponding Umkehr observations from 5 stations at latitudes from 36 N-52 N which have been corrected for stratospheric aerosols derived from 5 lidar stations (DeLuisi and Mateer, 1988).

Heath, Donald F.↗

Improved Band-to-Band Registration Characterization for VIIRS Reflective Solar Bands Based on Lunar Observations

Spectral bands of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrumentaboard the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) satellite are spatially co-registered.The accuracy of the band-to-band registration (BBR) is one of the key spatial parameters that must becharacterized. Unlike its predecessor, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), VIIRS has no on-board calibrator specifically designed to perform on-orbit BBR characterization.To circumvent this problem, a BBR characterization method for VIIRS reflective solar bands (RSB) based on regularly-acquired lunar images has been developed. While its results can satisfactorily demonstrate that the long-term stability of the BBR is well within +/- 0.1 moderate resolution bandpixels, undesired seasonal oscillations have been observed in the trending. The oscillations are most obvious between the visiblenear-infrared bands and short-middle wave infrared bands. This paper investigates the oscillations and identifies their cause as the band spectral dependence of the centroid position and the seasonal rotation of the lunar images over calibration events. Accordingly, an improved algorithm is proposed to quantify the rotation and compensate for its impact. After the correction, the seasonal oscillation in the resulting BBR is reduced from up to 0.05 moderate resolution band pixels to around 0.01 moderate resolution band pixels. After removing this spurious seasonal oscillation, the BBR, as well as its long-term drift are well determined.

Wang, Zhipeng↗

Spectral Fidelity of Earth's Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems

The Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) investigation will create global maps of spectral surface reflectance and emissivity at a cadence of 16 days or better, with coverage to address global questions about Earth's geology, cryosphere and ecosystems. The revolutionary potential poses a commensurate challenge: creating contiguous maps free from regional biases induced by atmosphere, observation geometry, or inversion error. This will require an accurate calibration with precise knowledge of each channel's spectral response. Here, we quantify the impact of spectral calibration on SBG's aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem objectives. We find that contemporary algorithms for ecosystem trait retrieval demand more accurate spectral calibration than historical missions. Errors due to drift or spatial nonuniformity in the wavelength calibration that have previously been considered acceptable can cause systematic errors larger than the instrument noise and of the same order as the variability SBG aims to measure. Moreover, their impact on atmospheric correction can induce climate-dependent systematic errors that thwart comparisons between ecosystems. These results underscore the importance of spectral response accuracy in SBG mission design.

imaging spectroscopy↗

Ripple-induced neoclassical toroidal viscous torque in Augmented-First Plasma operation phase in ITER

Abstract A systematic calculation is performed on the ripple-induced neoclassical toroidal viscous (NTV) torque for new ITER scenarios designed for the Augmented-First Plasma (A-FP) operation phase with the full tungsten wall, where the plasma-wall gap is varied in view of mitigating the impact of tungsten wall-plasma interactions. The torque calculation includes drift kinetic response of the plasma thermal and energetic particles to the n = 18 ( n is the toroidal harmonic number) ripple field. For the plasma scenario with ~45 cm plasma-wall gap at the outboard mid-plane and considering the corrected ripple level of 0.17% by the ferritic steel inserts, the computed net NTV torque acting on the plasma column is in the sub-Nm level. However, with decreasing the plasma-wall gap, the computed net NTV torque can reach a level comparable to that produced by the neutral-beam momentum injection in ITER. Ripple correction by ferritic inserts reduces the net torque by a factor of 3.3 for all the three A-FP scenarios considered. The n ω d = l ω b (with ω d and ω b being the toroidal precession and bounce frequencies of trapped particles, respectively, and l an integer number) type of resonance-enhancement of the NTV torque, due to thermal particles, is found to be weak in ITER despite high- n of 18. The same also holds for the ITER 10 MA steady state scenario from the D-T operation phase, where the aforementioned resonance associated with fusion-born alphas is also included. The ripple-induced NTV torque is well below that produced by the resonant magnetic perturbation applied for controlling the type-I edge-localized mode in ITER.

ITER↗

Cross-calibration of liquid and solid QCT calibration standards: corrections to the UCSF normative data

Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) has been shown to be a precise and sensitive method for evaluating spinal bone mineral density (BMD) and skeletal response to aging and therapy. Precise and accurate determination of BMD using QCT requires a calibration standard to compensate for and reduce the effects of beam-hardening artifacts and scanner drift. The first standards were based on dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (K2HPO4) solutions. Recently, several manufacturers have developed stable solid calibration standards based on calcium hydroxyapatite (CHA) in water-equivalent plastic. Due to differences in attenuating properties of the liquid and solid standards, the calibrated BMD values obtained with each system do not agree. In order to compare and interpret the results obtained on both systems, cross-calibration measurements were performed in phantoms and patients using the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) liquid standard and the Image Analysis (IA) solid standard on the UCSF GE 9800 CT scanner. From the phantom measurements, a highly linear relationship was found between the liquid- and solid-calibrated BMD values. No influence on the cross-calibration due to simulated variations in body size or vertebral fat content was seen, though a significant difference in the cross-calibration was observed between scans acquired at 80 and 140 kVp. From the patient measurements, a linear relationship between the liquid (UCSF) and solid (IA) calibrated values was derived for GE 9800 CT scanners at 80 kVp (IA = [1.15 x UCSF] - 7.32).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS).

NASA Program Space Physiology and Countermeasures↗

Cosmic-ray streaming and anisotropies

The paper is concerned with the differential current densities and anisotropies that exist in the interplanetary cosmic-ray gas, and in particular with a correct formulation and simple interpretation of the momentum equation that describes these on a local basis. Two examples of the use of this equation in the interpretation of previous data are given. It is demonstrated that in interplanetary space, the electric-field drifts and convective flow parallel to the magnetic field of cosmic-ray particles combine as a simple convective flow with the solar wind, and that there exist diffusive currents and transverse gradient drift currents. Thus direct reference to the interplanetary electric-field drifts is eliminated, and the study of steady-state and transient cosmic-ray anisotropies is both more systematic and simpler.

Forman, M. A.↗

Model of Jovian F region ionosphere

To date, seven electron density profiles of the Jovian ionosphere have been furnished by the radio occultation experiments aboard the Pioneer and Voyager space probes. The data correspond to various localities (latitudes and longitudes) and times (dawn and dusk) and phases of sunspot cycle (high and low). This renders comparative studies difficult. Nevertheless, the possibility of existence of diurnal variation, equatorial anomaly, and auroral particle precipitation in the Jovian ionosphere have been put forth. The grand magnitude and depth of the equatorial anomaly, in particular, is a matter of great interest and speculation. Correct interpretations of the data and the physical processes in the complex Jovian atmospheric environment will remain a major task for the Aeronomer for decades to come. Model studies of a Jovian ionosphere created by solar EUV radiation and subjected to model ExB drifts showed that equatorial anomaly similar to that in the terrestrial ionosphere can indeed be produced in the Jovian ionosphere. However, owing to the difference in size and rotation period of the two planets and the ionic compositions, much larger drift velocities are required to produce a comparable anomaly in the Jovian atmosphere.

Tan, A.↗