Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “irradiation testing”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Air mass 1.5 global and direct solar simulation and secondary reference cell calibration using a filtered large area pulsed solar simulator

Spectral mismatch between a solar simulator and a desired spectrum can result in nearly 20 percent measurement error in the output of photovoltaic devices. This occurs when a crystalline silicon cell monitors the intensity of an unfiltered large area pulsed solar simulator (LAPSS) simulating the ASTM air mass 1.5 direct spectrum and the test device is amorphous silicon. The LAPSS spectral irradiance is modified with readily available glass UV filters to closely match either the ASTM air mass 1.5 direct or global spectrum. Measurement error is reduced to about 1 percent when using either filter if the reference cell and test device are the same general type.

Mueller, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS2022

Si5345, SY88422L, LT3482, and MSK130 components Total Ionizing Dose Test Report

The purpose of this test was to characterize the SI-5345, SY88422L, LT3482 and MSK130 parameter degradation for total dose response. The components are associated with REAG ID #21-024. In the test, each device was exposed to high dose rate (HDR) irradiation using gamma radiation. Device parameters such as leakage currents, timing, and overall chip health were investigated. These devices were tested for an interstellar mission on a trajectory between 0.9 AU and 5.3 AU with a 2.5-year mission, yielding an expected overall dose of 29 krad(Si)behind 1 mm of aluminum shielding (at 95% confidence; environment and dose determined through SPENVIS). This test report gives an initial look at candidate parts. Extremely small sample sizes (only 1 or 2 devices tested) do not allow consideration of part-to-part variability. High dose rates were used despite LT3482 and MSK130 having potential enhanced low dose rate sensitivity (ELDRS). Care should be taken in interpreting results given these limitations.

Total Ionizing Dose (TID)↗
NASA NTRS2018

I-Xe Dating of Aqueous Alteration in the CI Chondrite Orgueil: I. Magnetite and Ferromagnetic Separates

The I-Xe system was studied in a ferromagnetic sample separated from the Orgueil CI carbonaceous chondrite with a hand-held magnet and in two magnetite samples, one chemically separated before and the other one after neutron irradiation. This work was done in order to investigate the effects of chemical separation by LiCl and NaOH on the I-Xe system in magnetite. Our test demonstrated that the chemical separation of magnetite before irradiation using either LiCl or NaOH, or both, does not contaminate the sample with iodine and thus cannot lead to erroneous I-Xe ages due to introduction of uncor-related128*Xe. The I-Xe ages of two Orgueil magnetite samples are mutually consistent within experimental uncertainties and, when normalized to an absolute time scale with the reevaluated Shallowater aubrite standard, place the onset of aqueous alteration on the CI parent body at 4564.3 ± 0.3 Ma, 2.9 ± 0.3 Ma after formation of the CV Ca-AI-rich inclusions (CAIs). The I-Xe age ofthe ferromagnetic Orgueil separate is 3.4 Ma younger, corresponding to a closure of the I-Xe system at 4560.9 ± 0.2 Ma. These and previously published I-Xe data for Orgueil (Hohenberg et al., 2000) indicate that aqueous alteration on the CI parent body lasted for at least 5 Ma. Although the two magnetite samples gave indistinguishable I-Xe ages, their temperature release profiles differed. One of the two Orgueil magnetites released less radiogenic Xe than the other, 80% of it corresponding to the low-temperature peak of the release profile, compared to only 6% in case of the second Orgueil magnetite sample. This could be due to the difference in iodine trapping efficiencies for magnetite grains of different morphologies. Alternatively, the magnetite grains with the lower radiogenic Xe concentrations may have formed at a later stage of alteration when iodine in an aqueous solution was depleted.

I-Xe systematics↗
NASA NTRS1995

Space qualification of IR-reflecting coverslides for GaAs solar cells

Improvements to GaAs solar array performance, from the use on solar cell coverslides of several reflecting coatings that reject unusable portions of the solar spectrum, are quantified. Blue-red-rejection (BRR) coverslides provide both infrared reflection (IRR) and ultraviolet rejection (UVR). BRR coverslides were compared to conventional antireflection (AR) and ultraviolet (UV) coated coverslides. A 2% improvement in peak-power output, relative to that from Ar-coated coverslides, is seen for cells utilizing BRR coverslides with the widest bandpass. Coverslide BRR-filter bandpass width and covered-solar-cell short-circuit current is a function of incident light angle and the observed narrower-bandpass filters are more sensitive to change in angle from the normal than are wide-bandpass filters. The first long-term (3000 hours) UV testing of unirradiated and 1 MeV electron-irradiated GaAs solar cells, with multilayer-coated coverslides to reduce solar array operating temperature, has indicated that all multilayer coatings on coverslides and solar cells will experience degradation from the space environment (UV and/or electrons). Five types of coverslide coatings, designed for GaAs solar cells, were tested as part of a NASA-sponsored space-flight qualification for BRR, multi-layer-coated, coverslides. The reponse to the different radiations varied with the coatings. The extent of degradation and its consequences on the solar cell electrical characteristics depend upon the coatings and the radiation. In some cases, an improved optical coupling was observed during long-term UV exposure to the optical stack. The benefits of multi-layered solar cell optics may depend upon both the duration and the radiation environment of a mission.

Meulenberg, Andrew↗
NASA NTRS1981

Processing of silicon solar cells by ion implantation and laser annealing

Methods to improve the radiation tolerance of silicon cells for spacecraft use are described. The major emphasis of the program was to reduce the process-induced carbon and oxygen impurities in the junction and base regions of the solar cell, and to measure the effect of reduced impurity levels on the radiation tolerance of cells. Substrates of 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 ohm-cm float-zone material were used as starting material in the process sequence. High-dose, low-energy ion implantation was used to form the junction in n+p structures. Implant annealing was performed by conventional furnace techniques and by pulsed laser and pulsed electron beam annealing. Cells were tested for radiation tolerance at Spire and NASA-LeRC. After irradiation by 1 MeV electrons to a fluence of 10 to the 16th power per sq cm, the cells tested at Spire showed no significant process induced variations in radiation tolerance. However, for cells tested at Lewis to a fluence of 10 to the 15th power per sq cm, ion-implanted cells annealed in vacuum by pulsed electron beam consistently showed the best radiation tolerance for all cell resistivities.

Minnucci, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

SEM probe of IC radiation sensitivity

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) used to irradiate single integrated circuit (IC) subcomponent to test for radiation sensitivity can localize area of IC less than .03 by .03 mm for determination of exact location of radiation sensitive section.

Gauthier, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Electrotransport purification of thorium under low pressure conditions

It was demonstrated that the ultrapurification of refractory metals by electrotransport refining could best be accomplished in the noncontaminating environment of an orbiting low density materials laboratory such as the Molecular Shield Device. Refining experiments were performed at 2 x 10 to the -12th Torr which resulted in the preparation of small quantities of the World's purest thorium metal. The microgravity occurring in orbit was simulated electromagnetically and shown to be advantageous in eliminating grain-sliding caused by the plastic deformation of the sample at high temperature. The electrotransport sample assembly was tested in several environments including simulated solar irradiation, coldness and darkness and under various pressure conditions. Ultrapure single crystals of alpha thorium were also prepared and characterized. Laboratory electronics for the experiment were developed and a totally automatic control system was used to heat the specimens.

Schmidt, F. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Potato leaf explants as a spaceflight plant test system

The use of explant tissues or organs may circumvent limitations facing whole-plant experimentation during spaceflight. In the case of potato, a crop currently being studied for application to bioregenerative life support systems, excised leaves and their subtended axillary buds can be used to test a variety of stem growth and development phases ranging from tubers through stolons (horizontal stems) to upright leafy shoots. The leaves can be fit well into small-volume test packages and sustained under relatively low irradiance levels using light-weight growing media. Tubers formed on potato leaf cuttings can yield up from 0.5 to 1.0 g fresh mass 10 days after excision and up to 2.0 g or more, 14 days from excision.

Wheeler, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Radiation and thermal effects on the time-dependent response of T300/934 graphite/epoxy

Experimental studies have suggested that radiation, in conjunction with elevated temperatures, may lead to an exacerbation of the time-dependent response of such materials as T300/934 graphite/epoxy. Attention is given to the results of an investigation into such radiation/temperature effects with this composite system; creep tests were conducted on specimens of both irradiated and nonirradiated T300/934 composite and neat 934 resin specimens, at room temperature and 121 C. The radiation was of 1 MeV electrons, for a total dose of 10,000 Mrads; this simulates a 30-year exposure to radiation in geosynchronous orbit. Irradiation at elevated temperature led to a significant creep-response increase in the initial stages of loading.

Yancey, Robert N.↗
NASA NTRS1995

In situ phytoplankton absorption, fluorescence emission, and particulate backscattering spectra determined from reflectance

An inverse model was developed to extract the absortion and scattering (elastic and inelastic) properties of oceanic constituents from surface spectral reflectance measurements. In particular, phytoplankton spectral absorption coefficients, solar-stimulated chlorophyll a fluorescence spectra, and particle backscattering spectra were modeled. The model was tested on 35 reflectance spectra obtained from irradiance measurements in optically diverse ocean waters (0.07 to 25.35 mg/cu m range in surface chlorophyll a concentrations). The universality of the model was demonstrated by the accurate estimation of the spectral phytoplankton absorption coefficents over a range of 3 orders of magnitude (rho = 0.94 at 500 nm). Under most oceanic conditions (chlorophyll a less than 3 mg/cu m) the percent difference between measured and modeled phytoplankton absorption coefficents was less than 35%. Spectral variations in measured phytoplankton absorption spectra were well predicted by the inverse model. Modeled volume fluorescence was weakly correlated with measured chl a; fluorescence quantum yield varied from 0.008 to 0.09 as a function of environment and incident irradiance. Modeled particle backscattering coefficients were linearly related to total particle cross section over a twentyfold range in backscattering coefficents (rho = 0.996, n = 12).

Roesler, Collin S.↗
NASA NTRS2012

A Comparison of High-Energy Electron and Cobalt-60 Gamma-Ray Radiation Testing

In this paper, a comparison between the effects of irradiating microelectronics with high energy electrons and Cobalt-60 gamma-rays is examined. Additionally, the effect of electron energy is also discussed. A variety of part types are investigated, including discrete bipolar transistors, hybrids, and junction field effect transistors

Boutte, Alvin J.↗
NASA NTRS2018

A First Look at 22 nm FDSOI SRAM Single-Event Test Results

We will present the first ever single-event effects testing results on a 22 nm fully-depleted silicon-on-insulator test chip. The 128 MB SRAMs were irradiated with heavy ions and the results are compared to previous technology generations.

Silicon-on-insulator↗
NASA NTRS1999

Irradiance-dependent regulation of gravitropism by red light in protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus

Apical cells of protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. are negatively gravitropic in the dark and positively phototropic in red light. Various fluence rates of unilateral red light were tested to determine whether both tropisms operate simultaneously. At irradiances > or = 140 nmol m-2 s-1 no gravitropism could be detected and phototropism predominated, despite the presence of amyloplast sedimentation. Gravitropism occurred at irradiances lower than 140 nmol m-1 s-1 with most cells oriented above the horizontal but not upright. At these low fluence rates, phototropism was indistinct at 1 g but apparent in microgravity, indicating that gravitropism and phototropism compete at 1 g. The frequency of protonemata that were negatively phototropic varied with the fluence rate and the duration of illumination, as well as with the position of the apical cell before illumination. These data show that the fluence rate of red light regulates whether gravitropism is allowed or completely repressed, and that it influences the polarity of phototropism and the extent to which apical cells are aligned in the light path.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS1982

Use of high L.E.T. radiation to improve adhesion of metals to polytetrafluoroethylene

MgK alpha X-rays (1254 eV) and 2 keV electrons irradiate the surface of polytetrafluoro ethylene (PTFE). The damage is confined to a few tenths of a micron below the surface, and the doses exceed 10 to the eight power rad. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) of the irradiated surfaces and mass spectroscopy of the gaseous products of irradiation indicate that the damaged layer is crosslinked or branched PTFE. After either type of irradiation, the surface has enhanced affinity for metals and a lower contact angle with hexadecane. Tape pull tests show that evaporated Ni and Au films adhere better to the irradiated surface. XPS shows the Ni interacts chemically with PTFE forming NiF2 and possibly NiC. However, the gold adhesion and contact angle results indicate that the interaction is, at least in part, chemically nonspecific. Decreased contact angles on FEP Teflon crystallized against gold were attributed to either the presence of a polar oxygen layer or increased physical forces due to greater density. In the case of irradiated PTFE, no oxygen on the surface was observed. The crosslinked structure might, however, have a greater density, thus accounting for the observed increase in adhesion and wettability.

Wheeler, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Solar cell measurements

The measurement of the electrical performance characteristics of individual solar cells is discussed. One of the reasons is determination of the output power, measurement of the effect of various degradation mechanisms, and separation of cells by current and voltage for eventual use in series and parallel combinations. Major problem areas in making accurate performance measurements are the determination of the irradiance level during measurement, the measurement and control of cell junction temperature, and the contacting of the separate current and potential leads to the cell under test. Solar cells respond to only part of the solar spectrum, irradiance measurement made with blackbody detectors lead to spectral mismatch errors. The use of reference cells with a spectral response similar to that of the test cell reduces this error. Reference cells are calibrated at standard atmospheric conditions with all cells calibrated at the same conditions.

Curtis, H. B.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Evaluating Ground-based Proxies for Solar Irradiance Variation

In order to determine what ground-based proxies are best for evaluating solar irradiance variation before the advent of space observations, it is necessary to test these proxies against space observations. We have tested sunspot number, total sunspot area, and sunspot umbral area against the Nimbus-7 measurements of total solar irradiance variation cover the eleven year period 1980-1990. The umbral area yields the best correlation and the total sunspot area yields the poorest. Reasons for expecting the umbral area to yield the best correlation are given, the statistical procedure followed to obtain the results is described, and the value of determining the best proxy is discussed. The latter is based upon the availability of an excellent database from the Greenwich Observatory obtained over the period 1876-1976, which can be used to estimate the total solar irradiance variation before sensitive space observations were available. The ground-based observations used were obtained at the Coimbra Solar Observatory. The analysis was done at Goddard using these data and data from the Nimbus-7 satellite.

Oegerle, William↗
NASA NTRS1978

Environmental testing of flat plate solar cell modules

Commercially available flat-plate solar cell modules have been subjected to a variety of environmental tests designed to simulate service conditions. Among the tests are those simulating heat and rain, wind-driven rains, humidity and freezing, humidity and heat, humidity with a voltage bias, salt fog, hail impact, and fungus infestation. Tests for optical surface soiling and the combined effects of temperature, humidity and UV irradiation are under development. A correlation has been demonstrated between degradation caused by the qualification tests and such observed field effects as power loss.

Griffith, J.↗